Writers Books

"Touched" is an enthralling novel created by the fertile imagination of debut author Linda Armstrong-Miller. Offering a chilling look at child abuse, domestic violence, and racial prejudice, it relates the story of an emotionally scarred man who is compelled to confront his traumatic past. The protagonist's willingness to forgive releases painful memories, healing all areas of his life.

Dr. Matthew Green has just started his four-year medical internship, but his heart is not in the medical profession. Because he lacks the desire to be a good doctor, he displays a dearth of sensitivity and compassion for his patients as well as a general distrust toward his co-workers. On his first night on call, when a ninety-eight old African-American woman suffering from congestive heart failure is unexpectedly transferred to his care, Matthew feels that the intensive care unit's resources are wasted on her, since she does not have long to live. However, when he meets Ruthie Mae Morris or Grandma, as she likes to be called, he is in for several surprises.

The mysterious Grandma not only reads Matthew's mind but also seems to know everything about him and his disturbing past. Explaining that he needs to eliminate his excess baggage and face his painful memories ("As a doctor, you know that sometimes a wound must be opened in order for it to heal"), she offers to 'touch' his heart and help him move on with life. Using the "tools of her trade," Grandma guides him through a journey back in time to deal with his childhood issues. Later, she takes him on a trip to the town of "The Walking Wounded." Here, Matthew witnesses two hateful, racist, white youths gruesomely murder a young African-American woman named Bonnie. Matthew shares the anguish of the town's people at the loss of a fellow being and learns about love and caring. Finally, just as he makes peace with his past and after much introspection, he discovers the answer to Grandma's intriguing question "Do two wrongs make a right?", his guide seeks her own peace.

Without descending to preaching, this talented new writer has penned a spell-binding page turner that explores troubling issues like abuse and racial bias. The twist towards the end is sure to surprise many. Though it contains some gruesome incidents, its core message is the healing power of forgiveness. This inspirational story will touch the hearts of adult readers and young-adults alike.

Touched is a compelling novel by Linda Armstrong Miller about the power of forgiveness to transform life itself. When Matthew Allen, a man burdened by the pain in his past, closes himself off from all friends and family, he denies himself love and happiness. Yet his self-inflicted deprivation is about to change, as he comes to understand that learning to forgive and to make peace with one's past is the first step to being able to truly embrace and enjoy life. Touched is highly recommended, emotionally satisfying reading.

I really enjoyed this book. Because of my christianity, this book reminded me of true spirituality. Also,it says never give up and hold on to your faith. The part that really touched me was: When I saw how determined she was,I went to her little boy and knelt beside him. I was determined she would have a prize at the end of her labored journey. While Goatee held his watch, Blondie looked on. I looked to see how close she was. To my shock and surprise her eyes locked with mine. When she finally arrived, she smiled at me. I couldn't believe it. "Thank you Jesus." She said."Jesus? No, not me." I whispered. "Angel?" She asked. "I've never been called that either." "You were sent to help me?" She asked. She was out of breath when she finished. "Yes." I answered. "Angel." She said then smiled. So did I. Her smile was wondrous. I remembered how my mother had looked when she smiled at Chris. It has been just as wonderful and she had been dying too. After thanking me, Bonnie laid beside her son. She attempted to pull her son to her. By now, she was far too weak. If the baby had been another step farther, I'm not sure she would have...yes she would have. She would have reached him no matter how far away he was. That I was sure of. Bonnie slid her hands under him trying again to lift him. I placed my hands under hers. Together we lifted him. She then pulled her arms back and nestled the baby against her chest. With the gaping wound that was now her abdomen, this nestling actually made it look as though she was trying to put him back inside her. "Thank you so much." She whispered barely audible even to me. She found the strength to kiss her son once more. Then she died. Less than a minute later, her son took his last breath.

The saying you can't judge a book by its cover is so true. When I received the copy of Touched by Linda Armstrong-Miller, I have to admit it took me two days to actually start reading. But once I started I didn't want to put it down.

The author did a wonderful job painting a picture of her characters. It was as if I lived through them. I think the thing that "Touched" (pun intended) me the most was the conversation throughout the book between Grandma, and Mathew. Their dialogue was crisp and believable. It was as if I were in a room observing them from afar. We cannot predict what challenges we face in life; however, through our faith and the support of loving, caring people we can overcome.

I like the story more so because it showed a continued hope for Matthew to change, and that the change was going to have to be as a result of him finally letting someone into his life. I wholeheartedly recommend this book as one to add to your bookshelf. I plan to read it again, just in case I missed something the first time-Kudos to Ms. Armstrong-Miller.

T.C. Matthews Co-founder, Prolific Writers Network

Matthew Allen had a seemingly perfect childhood, that is until the death of his father. Struggling economically, his family was forced to move out of their comfortable suburban home, sell most of their valuable belongings and move into a tiny apartment. Many of the things children tend to take for granted slowly slipped out of Matthew Allen's reach. Things only became worse after his mother remarried and eventually Matthew became the victim of a major tragedy. As a result of these things, Matthew decided that the best way to cope in a cruel world was to cut himself off emotionally, not caring about anyone he encountered.

As the story begins, Matthew is beginning his medical internship at a hospital he is less than thrilled about working at. His ability to get along with both colleagues and patients is severely limited due to his emotional distancing so he keeps to himself as much as possible. That is until a 98-year-old, seemingly homeless, African American patient, who prefers to be called "Grandma" is placed under his care and he is forced to once again feel.

Together, Matthew and "Grandma" go on a supernatural journey that allows them to travel time and space in order to find healing. "Grandma" poses a difficult question to Matthew, "Do two wrongs make a right?" and he must struggle to arrive at the answer. In doing so, he must journey as a spectator through his own childhood and some of the lives of people in "Grandma's" past.

In this book, Armstrong creates a tale in which gender, age, class, and racial barriers are transcended through the special bond that Matthew Allen and "Grandma" develop. The unlikely duo work together to heal the emotional wounds of the past and build new hope for the future. Though at times the language in the dialogue was a little bothersome, the story will draw you in making you feel anger, sorrow, frustration and joy right along with the characters.

Reviewed by Stacey Seay

No matter what your interests, you will enjoy this book! I received it one afternoon and finished it before retiring that evening. Who knows, the author may be right on the mark with his scenario of events at the close of the Vietnam War. It is definitely thought provoking. Highly recommended.

The Twilight of the Day is a rivoting story that is probably closer to the truth that anyone would want to believe. Once you pick it up you cannot put it down. It is a "must read" for anyone who knows and cares about what happened in Viet Nam. I am looking forward to reading more from Ian O'Connor.

Review by Ginnie FitzGerald: truly riveting! Husband enjoyed it so much I had to read it. True to his word, it grabbed my attention and was very fast paced. I could not put it down until I had finished it! I most highly recommend it!

This book was a very good story about what might have happened to POWs in the Viet Nam conflict. A lot of those held by the North Vietnamese were highly educated pilots and the premise for the book is right on! Excellent reading and definitely food for thought. Top drawer and fast paced reading.

This novel is a refresher course that the bad guys are still out there with sinister plans to conquer the world by whatever means possible. It's not enough that Qaddafi has this oil niche and the economic power that goes with it but he allows insane subordinates concoct fiery schemes. The notion that Vietnam POW's were ruthlessly mistreated and in the middle of this plot kept me reading on and on. Good luck with any future writing endeavors

I have never read a book more than twice, but I have read this one three times. It's edge-of-your-seat suspenseful and surprising on many levels dealing with the various characters. The author has portrayed Mattie, the main character, as so real that you feel like she is in your own kitchen at times.

The story begins with Mattie Cameron losing her husband, Matt, to a seemingly random drive-by shooting. During the investigation she finds herself as one of the prime suspects, but worse yet, her husband's past lies begin to unravel. Years before, when Matt had had an affair, he and Mattie separated but one year before the shooting they had reconciled and things had been going smoothly, at least that's what she thought.

Twisted triangle is a smooth and thoroughly entertaining mystery. S.P.Potthoff's fluid style grabbed me and held me clear through to the surprise ending. Her exploration of Mattie's emotional fabric and motivation was intriguing and made for an enjoyable read. If there was anything lacking in this book for me, it was the chapters leading up to the conclusion, which I felt could have used a little more tension.

As the "twist" to this intriguing murder mystery unfolds, it's proof again that even the best made plans aren't fool proof. The Twisted Triangle is definitely a must read.

THE TWISTED TRIANGLE is an excellent example of mystery/suspense fiction.

The story begins with the too-real nightmares of a young boy. We then move forward in time to the real-life nightmares of Mattie Cameron, as her husband is killed in a drive-by shooting.

Married for 20 years, Mattie and her husband Matt were just recovering from his affair with another woman. They had plans for a romantic cruise to symbolize their new beginning.

All of this changes when Matt dies and Mattie's life turns upside down.

As Mattie tries to deal with her grief, and that of her grown children, her life is made even more difficult by Detective Brandeis of Homicide, once he learns that Matt did not really end his affair, thus giving Mattie a perfect motive for murder.

While dealing with both the murder and the fact that Matt lied to her about his affair, Mattie receives mysterious phone calls from a man who claims to have done her a favor by killing her husband.

Unfortunately, no one else ever hears the calls, and Brandeis doesn't believe they are real.

Things become even more complicated when one of Matt's co-workers, who was also having an affair, is murdered.

Mattie was driven to the brink of suicide once, and those around her are afraid that this may finally push her over the edge.

The turmoil in her life comes to a head in a lonely cabin when she meets her tormentor, and is rescued by an unlikely hero.

Potthoff has woven an intricate and suspenseful tale that keeps the reader guessing all the way through. It is an excellent first effort.

I had to put it aside at night because Potthoff makes the reader feel Mattie's terror while her world unravels.

Putting the book aside at all was an effort, because I could hardly wait to learn the identity of Mattie's tormentor, and the motive behind his actions.

Reviewer Lorie Ham is the author of MURDER IN FOUR PART HARMONY.

TWISTED TRIANGLE is Ms. Potthoff's debut outing and what a phenomenal job she has done. I will tell you right off the bat that you will not be able to put this book down, or soon forget it.

Mattie Cameron and her husband Matt had a Sunday night ritual of going to a coffee shop for dinner. Even when they were separated because of Matt's affair, they would sometimes meet there, but this Sunday night was life altering. As Matt walked out the door, he was gunned down; within a moment, Mattie's life was turned upside down. Detective Brandeis of homicide informs Mattie that her husband was still having an affair, making Mattie a prime suspect with a perfect motive. Mattie must not only deal with her own feelings of grief; she must help her grown children get through this crisis even though she is questioning her own survival and sanity.

Potthoff's character of Mattie is written with such detail you can feel her raw emotions as her world is being turned upside down. I used more than one Kleenex to get through this one. The supporting characters are all very intriguing with underlying issues of their own. I was kept on the edge of my seat throughout this book until the surprising ending. I look forward to seeing more from this author, and hopefully soon.

Under the Eye of the Clock is the autobiography of Christopher Nolan, the talented young poet with cerebral palsy. He can't walk or talk or write in the usual manner. Since Nolan lacks the use of his hands, this book like Dam-Burst of Dreams, the book of poems that preceded it, was written by means of a typing stick affixed to his head. The book succeeds both as pure artistry and as a window into the world of the disabled. Nolan has re-named himself Joseph Meehan and told his story entirely in the objectivity of the third person. This brilliant stroke allows him to avoid excessive self-pity while making his sufferings and triumphs real and deep. Nolan's use of language had earned him comparisons with James Joyce, Yeats, and Dylan Thomas. Nolan stretches the meanings and implications of words, rearranges their spelling, and even invents new ones to communicate his moods and perceptions and illuminate life, his own and those he observes, with his unique poet's sensibility.

Christopher Nolan's "Under The Eye Of The Clock" is an autobiographical account of his incredibly awe-inspiring and miraculous life. Born a cripple, he could have been consigned to the rubbish heap but instead and against all odds became a celebrated writer of this Whitbread Book winner, "The Banyan Tree" as well as an early book of poems. Without taking anything away from Joseph Meehan (a self portrait of Nolan), he couldn't have overcome his debilitating handicaps to scale the heights he did without the steady support and tender loving care of his family. A father, mother and sister who are such warm and emotionally intelligent human beings anybody would be blessed and proud to have them as family. The school principals, teachers and fellow students who accepted him, nurtured him and gave him the chance to prove himself equal to the best among physically whole human specimens are themselves shining examples of humanity who deserve as much recognition in Nolan's lifestory. Although it has been compared with James Joyce's "Portrait of an Artist as a Young Man", it is in reality nothing like it. Whereas Joyce's work is for the most part depressing and full of pain and harshness, Nolan's story is so morally uplifting you almost forget its grave subject matter. Nolan's dazzling and inventive writing style is also unique and something to relish. He coins and mints new words which have a yet found a conventional meaning but are so emotionally accurate you know they're right. Read this if you're feeling down and need something to restore your faith in mankind !

As a college English and literature instructor, I intend to make this book a required reading if it becomes available in print again. It should bless all readers because it becomes a reminder that NO matter what the circumstances, people should still be respected, loved, and appreciated. And, with this in mind, the reader may receive a self-esteem boost when being reminded of inner-personal value. I appreciate this book so much. I have three copies and continually loan them out.

To learn about such an exceptional poet who, without the faith of his family, would never have been revealed to the world, gives the reader a new view of people's limitations. I bought 12 copies of this book (when it was in print)and somehow have given them all away over time.

I found my way to this book after I had read "The Banyan Tree" by Christopher Nolan. This was a book that I read and reviewed back in February, and ever since I have been mystified why the book never seemed to gain the wide acceptance of readers. All of the reviews that have been posted by readers for "The Banyan Tree" have been 5 star reviews, and the same is the case for "Under The Eye Of The Clock".

If you read you understand how difficult it is to write anything, much less a full book, and then have it selected for and win a prestigious award. In the case of the book I review now it was the 1987 Whitbred Award that was awarded to Mr. Nolan. All very impressive, but that's just the start.

This is an autobiography written by a very young man who next wrote the book "The Banyan Tree" and would take 12 years to do so. This is a painfully candid, but uplifting book about a man with the support of a wonderful Family overcomes extreme realities that are his life to become an Author of international renown.

Mr. Nolan cannot speak, he can barely move at all. He types with what he calls his "Unicorn Stick" that he wears on his head, and even then his head must be supported while he works.

An Autobiography is a courageous work if honestly presented. When you add Mr. Nolan's additional challenges he faces as a writer, and as a person living with his physical issues it becomes an extraordinary autobiographical book.

I hope more readers find Mr. Nolan, he is a unique writer of immense talent, and if you pass by his work you deprive yourself of great literature.

Sex, drugs, scandal, breakdown, pigeons... an alternate universe altogether. This is so far out there is is best taken with burbon. If you are a Hiiasan, Barry, Hunter S fan this book can't steer you wrong. Valerie F. de Daulles must write more! Very strong, hilarious and anomalous content.

The fun never ends when reading Velkro. The author Valerie has quite the imagination. This is a book that once you pick it up you can't put it down till you have completed it. Mitzi is the woman every woman wants to be and Hugh Jorgen is the man every man wants to be. Reading this book I thought I had died and gone to heaven. I was so sorry to have finished it. I wanted it to go on forever.

Sex (& sex change), drugs, scandal, breakdown, pigeons... What more could you ask for! A fun, quick read follows the event-filled life of Mitzi St. Bernard from her lowly start in Boston's West End red-light district to zombie cult-queen climaxing with her own(?) funky funeral. Along the way we travel with a host of other off-beat characters - human and winged! - who add all the color, perversion and dementia one could possibly handle in a single life. Ms. de Daulles takes the reader through this romp with gusto, just as Mitzi lived her life - no rest for the weary here. My visualization of Nisi's "water-bed" will stay with me for a very long time! Go ahead "doll", take a ride on the wild side!!

RARELY do I laugh-out-loud when I am reading a novel... but I did so more than once when reading this remarkable debut novel from Ms. de Daulles. This book has everything.... scandal, intrigue, murder, drugs, incest, zombies, spaceships (yes... spaceships), trains falling from overpasses (just try not to think about THAT the next time you drive under one), cross-dressing, an evil twin, and, of course, "raw, jackhammer" sex. Oh... and did I mention there is a surprise ending. Well there is!! Ms. de Daulles has created a cast of characters so vivid, so memorable, so funny, you will come to think of them as the family you WISH you were born into! Read this book!!! And enjoy the ride!! Congratulations Ms. deDaulles... Jacqueline Susann would be proud!!

Mitzi St. Bernard has to be one of the most fascinating entertainers that ever lived. She has all the sensitivity of Marilyn Monroe with the stunning features of Bettie Page. Granted, I've never seen or heard this stunning beauty but the way Ms de Daulles describes her, I fell immediately in love. Just as I thought I knew how the story was going to materialize, it continued to twist and turn until the final page. Mitzi's life was filled with heartache and tradgedy but she somehow always manged to triumph. Long live Mitzi and long live Valerie F. de Daulles and I can't wait for the next book!!!!

Who would have thought that the world's foremost Nabokov expert is a Kiwi? Amazing. Boyd's two volume bio is a must for all Nabokovistas. He splits the life neatly between the Russian Years, ie from birth until emigration to the US, and American Years, ie the rest.
Boyd tells us Nabokov's life story and interweaves the main prose works and their interpretations. While still a Russian novelist, Nab published under the pen name Sirin, which means Bird of Paradise. How appropriate this choice of name!
The man was born towards the end of the 19th century in Zarist Russia to an aristocratic family of latifundistas and jurists in parlament and government service on cabinet level. He grew up in riches, spending his childhood between the town appartment in St.Petersburg (to which I made a pilgrimage in 2006) and a splendid country mansion in the vicinity. He began collecting butterflies as a boy; he started painting, but dropped that, it was not his real talent. He started writing poetry early.
He became personally rich as a teen, when he inherited a fortune from an uncle. He lost it all in the Bolshie revolution. He escaped to Western Europe with the family as a young man. He studied in England and was a notorious playboy, a gifted chess player, soccer goalkeeper, tennis coach and poet. He moved to Berlin, which was the center of Russian emigration. His father was killed by Monarchist assassins, perversely. (One of the assassins later became a Nazi spy on emigrants.) He earned the family upkeep with English and tennis lessons. He became a well established novelist as Sirin. He met Vera and married her and had a son with her. When the Nazis took over, they prepared to move to France, which however took a few more years, partly because Vera earned well as top secretary to Berlin businesses. Her Jewish family background remained a strong motivator to leave, however. They moved to Paris, and a few years later were lucky to get away in time to the US.
Nab always claimed that despite his many years of living in Berlin, he never learned German. This is doubtful, and probably a political statement. Other writers have traced some of Nab's texts and letters to sources such as Schopenhauer or H.C.Andersen, an important source and probably in the German translation. It is even likely that he did read his favorite subject of ridicule Thomas Mann in the original. Possibly also Freud, who was his supreme bete noire.
If you want to look at Nab's Russian novels, my suggestion would be The Gift, Lushin's Defense, Bend Sinister, and the Invitation to a Beheading. But actually, go for all of them, and don't forget the short stories.
The American years of the 2nd volume include the Swiss years. He spent the last years of his life in a hotel on the Lac de Geneve. Odd that he never owned a house after losing the 'paradise' in Russia. He refused to try to replace the loss.
His work in the US can be divided into 3 categories: museum work as a curator for the enthomology department, classifying butterflies; teaching work as professor for European literature (from which came some volumes of highly interesting texts on literature); and writing novels and stories, plus the so-called non-fiction of Speak, Memory (a most fantastic autobiography); and a Gogol monography; and a Pushkin translation plus some minor translations. The man did work a lot. For fun he went hunting butterflies all over the US. From this came Lolita, which made him rich.
Asked why he chose to live in La Suisse despite his professed good American citizenship, he said that he and Vera wanted to be near their son, who was a professional opera singer with assignments in Italy, plus a mountain climber and race car driver.
Among his English books my favorites are Speak, Memory and Pale Fire.

Having read what little Nabokov anyone has read (Lolita) I exchanged this book for a Bogart biography I received as birthday present. I was hooked and, having read the whole book through in a few days, I bought the second volume and I wasn't let down. The book is a jewel and Nabokov becomes almost as close an acquaintance of the reader as Johnson became per Boswell's book.

The elegiac childhood that Nabokov enjoyed as the son of an upper class family of political liberals and Russian patriots is hard to imagine given the awfulness of Russian history since the 1905. After the death of his grandfather Nabokov became a millionaire at age 10. His family was close knit and loving (which may explain his deep love for his wife Véra and his son Dmitri, named after Vladimir's father). The Nabokovs managed to escape Russia from their Crimean summer house and eventually ended up in Germany, where they endured hardship and persecution. Nabokov's father, who had been an Education Minister during Kerensky's brief democratic administration, was murdered by an extreme-nationalist from the "Black Hundreds", a paramilitary organisation. Amazingly, Nabokov never bored to learn German although he lived in Germany for twenty years because he felt German would destroy his gift for Russian. His French was flawless, though (he died in French Switzerland). His meeting of the beautiful, brilliant Véra is touching, a rare moment of perfection on this cursed globe, and they became a very close couple. Mrs Nabokov was much more than a wife: she was a soul-mate and a loving collaborator in all Nabokov's efforts. Nabokov, in spite of his poverty managed to continue to live with aristocratic non-chalance and was always able to afford extensive and elaborate holidays that nowadays are only possible for the very well-to-do. The book ends as the Nabokovs and young Dmitri move to America, barely escaping France before the German invasion. Better times were yet to come, and they are aptly told in the second volume.

Most of the books Nabokov wrote in this period were in Russian and thus they have not been as widely divulged as his books in English. I can't appreciate their quality, not reading Russian, but Boyd notes many references of experts which regarded them as some of the best writing in Russian in the 20th century, and more deserving of a Nobel prize than either Pasternak or Solzhenitzn.

The title of my review will probably be deplored by many Nabokov fans, but in fact I was deeply attracted to Nabokov's elegance, charm and tolerance, by his revulsion to snobbery (he was always annoyed by some Europeans' disdain for US culture or some Russian emigrés' disgust at the accent of Jewish Russian speakers), by his unerring political sense that led him to distrust most extremisms of the last century (he was one of the few important authors not to have written blatant political nonsense), and very much enjoyed his curious interest in butterflies (his fantasy of a lavish, multi-volume Encyclopedia of butterflies of the Russian Empire smacks of Borges to me), and his extensive work at Harvard concerning them (he does have a species to his name). Boyd's descriptions led to me seek Nabokov's literal translation of Pushkin's epical poem, Eugene Onegin (I found the translation unreadable, as many people have), and, in spite of Boyd's wonderful summaries, I couldn't really get into some of Nabokov' other works in English (Ada or Ardor and Pale Fire I thought too modernist for my taste- his literary criticism was great, although I winced at his evident distaste for Jane Austen- and shared his love for Dickens). But Nabokov is as great a writer as he as a biographer's subject, and Boyd's book is probably the best literary biography after The Life of Johnson. I heartily recommend it (it's great even if you haven't actually read Nabokov).

Both volumes of this set are excellent. This is the way literary biography should be done. It's so good, in fact, that you wouldn't necessarily have to be a huge Nabokov fan to want to read both books. (Of course, I am a diehard Nabokovian, so I raced through them even more eagerly.) Bravo to Brian Boyd.

The man himself once said, "Biographies are generally fun to write, less fun to read." The implication is that the person who authors the biography becomes so immersed in the life of their subject that biographies end up being labors of love. However, take that biography and assign it to a student...

I would have to say that this two-volume biography of Nabokov is the mathematical proof that disproves the formula above. Boyd plays the role of historian/biographer, spending time explaining the political scene of Russia early on in N's life, and traces the movements of the most significant person in N's first twenty years; his father. Of course, this is probably out of necessity considering his father's position in the whole political mish-mash that was fin-de-siecle Russia. I might gripe and say that there's too much attention paid to the politics, but that's because I'm an English major, not a historian or a politician, and I'm reading for pleasure. Were I reading for a thesis, these excerpts would be invaluable.

I'm thrilled about the chapters of Russian emigre life in Europe following the Bolshevik Revolution. Not only does it trace the influence that wafts through N's early stuff (and follows through his life), but it also gives us a taste of the climate of those years, plus a roster of sorts of who was part of that microcosm. This is going to be, in my estimation, a highly researched period of literature, once it becomes fashionable that is, and this biography will be a resource for all those students looking for a glimpse into that world. Studies in Nabokov are really beginning to blossom, and this will spur interest in that era as well.

N's life is portrayed as an emerging talent, rather than a natural genius who could command language and characters as well at 20 as at 70. This humanizes Nabokov, a figure who can sometimes seem a little god-like to his devotees. Expelling mist and myth is the mark of a good biography, next to joyously reporting the life of the subject. The analysis provided by Boyd in the sections dealing with early literature (such as the comparative criticism of his first novel "Mary" and the story "Return of Chorb") is revealing in this case because he can explain what Nabokov lacks here, or does not do so well early on.

Extensive references and a collection of satisfying photographs complete the package. One of the best photos being a shot of the Rohzdestveno manor that Nabokov inherited from his Uncle Vasily at age 17. A 17 year-old with his own mansion. Can you say harem?

Brian Boyd's scope and research in this book are just outstanding. I'm not usually that interested in biographies of writers, often the biographer does not relate their life to their literature in a way that interests me, but Nabokov is one of my favorite writers, so I thought I'd give this book a try. First you should note that it is a huge book that spans a large time frame, but you shouldn't be put off by the size, because Boyd's prose is very succinct and the chapters are manageable. It's clear to me that he appreciates Nabokov's works, as the best chapters are the ones detailing the periods of time when Nabokov is writing his works. There is so much great background information to be found here, that Nabokov wrote on index cards, the road trips that influenced Lolita, and Nabokov's relationship with his wife, Vera. This is what literary biographies should be like. I highly recommend this to any fans of Nabokov who want to learn more about his life and his writing.

"Voices of the Lost and Found" has to rank as one of contemporary fiction's top short story collections, that all-too-rare blend of master craftsmanship and totally compelling fiction. Each story hooks its reader from the first sentence to the last period - and far beyond -- into edgy mini worlds, each so different it's hard to believe the same person created them. The insights into human relationships, delicious surprises and downright entertaining storytelling make for powerful reading. I found myself slowing down about halfway through the collection - because I didn't want to hit the point where I had no more stories to read! It's the perfect gift for those who treasure short stories with power and zing.

Reading the stories in Dorene O'Brien's short story collection, Voices of the Lost and Found, is akin to having a carnival worker assure you that there's nothing to worry about, even as he grins menacingly watching the car you're sitting in enter some dark tunnel ahead. I skipped around as I often do in a collection of shorts, and was wrapped up in a blaze of tension right off the bat, immersing myself in Riding the Hubcap, a tale of two young men on the run from a rural Michigan city after a string of robberies. The characters in Voices are from many walks of life, young and old, black and white, and it only adds to the rich layering present in O'Brien's prose. But even if you start at the beginning, you'll be rewarded with great storytelling. Ovenbirds will pull you into O'Brien's way of writing instantly, as you agonize for the outcome of the life of a young mother who was once the captive victim of a misogynistic killer deep in the Catskills. O'Brien's voice, while so unique, is typical of Michigan's many hidden jewels. That is to say, it's there for everyone to discover, right under one's feet, but sometimes it takes a little luck to unearth it. The roller coaster ride her yarns takes us on is worth the price of admission.

If you haven't read Dorene O'Brien before, be advised: This is one of those anthologies where you will read one story or maybe just one page of Ms. O'Brien's writing and you will know that twenty years from now, you will remember where you were. She is that good.
You will know you are witnessing something special. Another reviewer used the word virtuosity. I couldn't agree more. From the unexpected endings to the diverse voices, from the edgy settings to the incredible empathy with the human condition, Ms. O'brien articulates her stories with absolute virtuosity.

The voices, attitudes and personalities of every character in every story are so different, it's difficult to believe all of these stories are written by one person. O'Brien's writing is breathtaking and her imagination is downright astonishing! A wonderful collection of short stories.

The woman can write. There you go. The stories in this collection are clever, insightful, and each one is memorable in its own way. If you appreciate good ideas and a style that complements each story rather than overwhelming it, this is the collection for you. Think Raymond Carver. Think Edgar Allan Poe (without the obsession about being entombed alive). A terrific assortment of stories that are even better on a second reading.

I finished this book in one day. After starting to read I just couldn't put it down. It was very well written that I actually felt I was there, visualizing every scene. It also was a eye opener for many of us who did not understnad the depths on how colored people were treated back in the days. It also had a positive side where black and white could get along. Reading this book was a great surprise at the outcome. I agree with one of the other posters on this board, this book should be an HBO special. The story line was excellent. In fact so good, I bought 2 books, and plan on buying another for my sister who is in to our black history and culture. If this is the first book for Nathaniel Lumpkin, I am anxioous to read more. I wish him the best!!!!

The title "WADE IN THE WATER," says it all! A really enjoyable read.

Has anyone taken the time to notify HBO, TNT, SHOWTIME, CINEMAX or BET? This book has the potential for a really good Movie. The characters are well developed and story is universally appealing. Reading the book was just like watching a movie, without the sticky stuff on the floor. I loved it. Once I started reading it I couldn't put it down. It is easy to read and even easier to understand.

This story has passion, honesty, intrigue and adventure. The main characters Billy Ray Horton and Jeremiah Liggons will take you on a trip back to a place long forgotten by many and to a place others will never forget. The dialogue between the two characters was great and I could visually picture every step of their journey.

I've read many novels over my lifetime including "The Catcher In The Rye," by J.D. Salinger, "A Thousand Acres," by Jane Smiley, "The Color Purple," by Alice Walker, "Macbeth," by William Shakespeare, "Your Blues Ain't Like Mine," by Bebe Moore Campbel, "Devil in a Blue Dress, Black Betty, and A Red Death," all three by Walter Mosley, "Roots," by Alex Haley, "Their Eyes Were Watching God," by Zora Neale Hurston and "Beloved," by Toni Morrison. All of which I cherish and loved reading very, very much, in most cases I've read several times. "Wade in the Water," by Nathaniel A. Lumpkin II, is a wonderfully written novel with well defined and developed characters that seem to jump off the pages into your living room. Jeremiah Liggons and Billy Ray Horton come of age during the great depression in a world that's already divided by race, and forge a friendship that must stand the ridicule of racism, murder, deception, betrayal and rape. Family love, loyalty, and God fearing ways are never questioned as Jeremiah's spiritually grounded mother calls forth a heavenly Angel to guide and protect him where ever he goes and whatever he does. This story touched my every emotion including, anger, happiness, sadness and grief. Wade in the Water is Nathaniel A. Lumpkin's debut novel, and it is a fantastic way to come out to the world. He is a writer that's easy to follow and understand, and his passion shines through his character's dialogue which is purposely written with a southern drawl. While reading this novel I could almost smell the Georgia pine trees down by the Ginsburg river, and I could vividly see the bright blue southern skys above as well as the red clay ground below, just as Nathaniel described it. This novel surely ranks up there with some of the other novels I've read and I most definitely recommend it to everyone. I read some of the other readers reviews, and I certainly agree with one reviewer that said "Oprah Winfrey," will LOVE this book. Somebody send her a copy or call her staff.

Ashley Simmons
Outskirts Press (2008)
ISBN 9781432720902
Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (9/08)

As I began reading "The Wizard's Legacy," I was immediately drawn into the story. It begins with the birth of the twins Kylea and Dev. Their mother dies while in childbirth, and they are raised by a couple who had taken her in while she was in labor. Kylea and Dev have special gifts. They discover information about their past in a letter that they find when their home is destroyed and their adoptive father is killed by goblins. This letter leads them to their roots and the ghost of their birth father who was a wizard. They journey to a place that teaches them about their ancestry and their gifts. Kylea is a Mindrider who can communicate with dragons. She is given a magical sword that will kill anyone else who touches it. Dev is given the power of wizardry. He is given a magical staff that will also destroy anyone trying to touch it.

At the time of these discoveries a demon, which their father had once imprisoned, has escaped and is wreaking havoc upon the land. Goblins and trolls are destroying the people and their towns. Dev and Kylea side with dwarves, elves and humans to fight this evil. Dev, with his magical wizard abilities is much more accepted than Kylea. People fear Kylea because of her warrior abilities and her abilities to communicate with dragons. Her connection to dragons is seen as evil and greatly feared. Kylea has to work hard to overcome the mistrust of the people. Both she and Dev have experienced tremendous personal growth as people through their learning experiences given to them by their wizard father. Kylea does everything in her power to help the people; however, they still fear her. She has to work with understanding why they fear her and deal with the pain of not being accepted.

I really, truly loved this story. The characters are very special. Kylea and Dev are particularly endearing and so are a very special dragon and a little creature known as Mimic. Ashley Simmons has written a perfect fantasy. She infuses magic into an adventure of a lifetime. If you were to take away all of the magic, you would still have an incredible story about personal growth and redemption. I really, truly hated for "The Wizard's Legacy" by Ashley Simmons to end.

A very good read, one of those "Late At Night" books. Good character growth development, and it was enjoyable to see dragons have a different impact with people. I would have liked to read more about the little fuzz-ball "Mimic" however - possibly in the next book from Ashley?

Finally... a new, intelligent, well constructed fantasy you can sink your teeth into. If you like a good story with well thought out original characters this book is for you. I like that I couldn't guess what was coming next but when things happened the characters and their actions remained believable.
A great read that I truly enjoyed. When is the next one coming out?

Finally, a fantasy book that focuses on what a great story should have- characters. All too often, other fantasy books bore you with endless descriptions of costumes, camps and castles. Not here- instead you will be rewarded with believable characters trying to make sense of their world. Casual and critical readers will enjoy this book.

This new author has delivered a fantastic tale full of rich descriptions, great magic, and enjoyable characters. I love the main character's struggles within themselves, and their growth through the story. I enjoyed the many peoples of different lands (Tolkienesque), and the use of many mythical creatures. I was very engrossed in the story and spent many nights reading later than I should have because I couldn't put it down!

If you enjoy fantasy with some depth, and dragons with spunk, try this!

I love this book more for the beautiful photography than anything else, and I purchased it to use it to paint watercolor landscapes with. The photographs of the scenery makes me feel that it is almost too beautiful to be real. It's a beautiful book and will sweep you off to a place you've never been to , but want to return to again and again.

I have enjoyed Rosamunde Pilcher's writing for over twenty years. This book, "The World of Rosamunde Pilcher" opens a window into the land and people that inspire her. There is a brief (all too brief in my opinion), autobiographical section of her childhood, and her husband's upbringing. Her mother-in-law has a love story worthy of a Pilcher book. There are photographs of her as a child, and young married and with her family. The bulk of the book is devoted to the country in which she now lives. The story she tells of acquiring the Bank house could also be straight out of a Pilcher book. There are pages of photos of the highlands of Scotland, the coast of Cornwell and the hustle and bustle of London. It also goes into the homes she inhabits and the furnishings. We are able to see how and where she lives, get a sense of her as a person. It is easy to feel a sense of the country she loves so well, and the photos are accompanied by the author's own words. This is a must read for anyone who enjoys this prolific author, and gives an insight into what inspires and colours her wonderful tales.

Since Rosamunde Pilcher is my favorite author, I was thrilled to discover this magnificent book filled with charming stories and glorious photographs of the settings she so warmly captures in her books. From the cover photo of a country home on the south coast of Cornwall to the charming interior photos of homes reminiscent of the Balmerino and Aird homes in September, this is a delightful coffee table book that captures the essence of Pilcher country.

Rosamunde writes most lovingly of how she found her home in the Bank House in Scotland and then treats the reader to page after page of impressive photos that will make you want to pack your bags and head straightaway for either the beaches of Cornwall or on to the romantic estates of Scotland.

There are photos of an adult Rosamunde pegging her wash as Penelope might have in The Shell Seekers, as a child playing with her sister on the beach in St. Ives, on her wedding day to Graham Pilcher and many more. The cut-lines reveal the story of her mother-in-law who had a love life worthy of a Pilcher novel, her love for The Elms, the stately mansion where she grew up, and the inspiration for the settings in her novels and short stories. Quotes from The Shell Seekers, September, Coming Home, The Empty House, Another View, The Day of the Storm, Wild Mountain Thyme and other works accompany the photographs.

As well there are recipes for scones, treacle tart, creme brulee with raspberries, and more of the mouth-watering treats that have her readers yearning to sit in Penelope's kitchen or to be served tea by Violet Aird.

There is a section of the paintings that inspired her, perhaps were even the inspiration for the work of Lawrence Stern in The Shell Seekers. Most impressive to me was the painting of Laura Knight which readers of Coming Home will remember is the one Gus thought of the first time he saw Loveday.

The pictures of Scotland were equally impressive and since my favorite Pilcher novel is September, I was thrilled to see a home that might well have been Corriehill, the gala dancing which took me to Katy Steynton's birthday party, and the candle-lit table where Archie and Isobel entertained at dinner before the bash.

Truly a breathtaking book for armchair travellers in general, and readers of Rosamunde Pilcher novels in particular.

This book whispered and sang about her life. One could smell the rooms in the houses shown and touch the fine furniture, feel the wind on one's face and Rosamunds love for the world she lives in.

The stories of Rosamunde Scott Pilcher are so enjoyable that those of us who have read them, can't help but wonder about her life. This book is more of a celebration of her work rather than her personal history, although, I did learn a little of her background.

Rosamunde Scott was born in Lelant, England, a small village in Cornwall; however, she's lived in Dundee, Scotland, since 1955. The book gives a short, but interesting account from Pilcher, about looking for and eventually finding a flat for sale in a beautiful Victorian Bank Building in Dornoch, Scotland. The flat was apparently used as a vacation home. The book also contains quite a few wonderful old and new family photographs, and several of Pilcher's recipes.

I loved the photograph of "The Elms," which was the Scott home, where Rosamunde spent her childhood. Another interesting picture is the one of Talland House in St. Ives. It was the home of Florence Pilcher Dow, Rosamunde's mother-in-law. We're told that Talland House was once the home of Virginia Woolf's family.

There are many excerpts given from Pilcher's books. They are accompanied by glorious photographs and paintings that really illustrate her stories. The cover of the book shows an enchanting Tudor style cottage that's located in Cornwall. My guess was that it might be Pilcher's home, but it's actually another illustration of the type of house that often shows up in her stories. I also thought that the interiors shown were from Pilcher's own home, but they were not identified as such. I believe they were, again, used to illustrate the excerpts from her stories. I admit to being a little disappointed that they were not her rooms.

I consider this to be a "coffee table" book, easy reading accompanied by lovely pictures.