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Party night at Caritas. The team is celebrating their successful return from Pylea, the reconstruction of Lorne's bar, Fred's rescue, and the good life in general when an explosion outside the club interrupts the fun. A fire blazes across the street, then a half-hearted drive by shooting. When the smoke clears, Angel counts heads, and Fred is missing - kidnapped on her first timid foray into Los Angeles.

We quickly find out that, like humans, the demon patrons of Caritas are spotty witnesses. Of course, the fact that everyone was face down on the concrete doesn't help one bit. As a result, the team splits up - doing research, questioning witnesses, and scouring the city. Squeezing every microscopic clue for some element of the truth.

As the story switches from character to character it becomes clear that Fred's kidnappings is more than a 'grab the girl - get the money' action. The story turns into a classic race against sunrise, with much more than Fred's life at stake. But there are additional levels of complexity, as we meet the habitués of Caritas and delve in the demon life style as only Los Angeles could know it.

Jeff Mariotte is an old hand at creating popular fiction out of the world of Buffy, Angel, Charmed, Startrek and others too many to name. His writing style is consistently solid, and he makes an effort to understand and deepen his characters within the context of their shows. His books are often interesting as well as entertaining, and he avoids the temptation to simply go from one fight scene to another. Classic Angel for the vampire addict.

Angel and Co. once again comes through in the end. Loved reading this novel that featured Fred, who's one of my favorite characters on the TV show. Such a good story, but trying to imagine what the various demons looked like was truly a challenge. Nonetheless, a good story. Recommend to all fans of the show and the novels.

When Fred is kidnapped, the LA crew are is panic to find her before sunrise or else Angel will burn in exchange for Fred's life. So what follows is a hilarious chase of wacky demons, gang wars, dead leads and cinnamon smells. This Angel is book is refreshingly new and has great characterisation of the newer characters, Fred and Lorne. The highlight is how Lorne is written. It is a basic who-dun-it book with lots of twist and turns that will keep you in suspense because everyone is a suspect. Demonologists will be pleased with the great characterisation and imagination of the demons. Its fast paced and the passages of Lorne questioning each eye witness demon is a definite highlight. Passages with Fred may be a bit slow for some readers though. Overall, this is a great book and will not disappoint anyone. There's suspense, mystery, thrills, comedy and drama!

Sanctuary is just wonderful. Here is a preview: The Fang gang is just chilling in the Host club, when an exploshion happens that draws everyone outside. Next a car comes by and starts shooting, but no one is killed or hurt. When everyone gets inside they discover Fred is nowhere to found. The Fang Gang go into detactive mode, but can't find any leads. Lorne talks to all the demons in the club, but each tells a different story of what they saw. Who took Fred and what do they want with her? Will Angel find her before it's too late? Will Lorne figuer out which denons our liying and which our telling the truth? to find out read the book. Mariotte capture's Fred perfectly on the page. Best I've seen to date in the novels. Sanctuary reminded me of the BTVS Eposide 'Choices' in season 3, and the moive Ransome with Mel Gibson. So if like that moive or that Buffy ep you will love Sanctuary. Can't wait for Mariotte's new Angel novel Solitary man, this winter.

Words cannot totally express how much this book has helped to define my outlook on life. It covers many important issues, not only of the time it was written but also of today. Cleaver had a clear perspective of life when he wrote this book and it shows greatly. The chapter entitled "Soul on Ice" is a part of the book that I will not allow myself to forget. Eldridge Cleaver was a very evident literary genius and moreover, a gifted prophet of how everything in life "hangs by such thin and whimsical threads."

This is by far the best book I have ever read in my whole life. Once I picked up the book I could not put it down. Eldridge Cleaver talks about the things almost no one else would dare to talk about one of the greatist books of this century. Eldridge talks about the black man's stake in Vietnam, how it really is behind bars, Malcolm's death and offers a real look about Black America. This is one of the greatist men who ever lived who takes a real look at a racist America. A great novel and a real page turner.

Going by this text alone, it would appear that, unfortunately, going to prison is the most enlightening experience that Eldridge Cleaver has ever undergone. The epiphanies and revelations that Cleaver makes from his cell at Folsom State Prison reach deep into the soul and psyche of the African-American male, and uncover many truths here-to-fore considered taboo. A definite must-read!

This is by far the best book I have ever read in my whole life. Once I picked up the book I could not put it down. Eldridge Cleaver talks about the things almost no one else would dare to talk about one of the greatist books of this century. Eldridge talks about the black man's stake in Vietnam, how it really is behind bars, Malcolm's death and offers a real look about Black America. This is one of the greatist men who ever lived who takes a real look at a racist America. A great novel and a real page turner.

I've watched the Japanese version of "Mewtwo Strikes back" and this book fits it to a perfect T! The BEST adaptation of the movie that I've seen! And to qoute another reviewer, it shows to the readers that Mewtwo is NOT a shallow villian, but more of a tortured philosopher who cannot realize the value of his unnatural life. Takeshi Shudo weaves a tale of a Pokémon-esque Frankenstein, if you will. In the origonal Mary Shelley version of Frankenstein, the monster escapes its master to find others, but doesn't understand why people fear it. it is confused and lashes out in self-defense, the humans labeling it as a "mosnter". They persue it, mainly because they are afraid of something they cannot understand. When i first saw the movie, I related it to the tale of Prometheus, the Greek Titan. The scientists were playing god. They were dabbling in a power that wasn't meant for them. It seemed natural for their creation to turn on them. Though, Mewtwo destroyed them in self-defense and because he was confused.

Blinded by rage and hatred and filled with confusion and emptiness, Mewtwo joined Giovanni, and eventually turned on the human also because he was being used.

I will not speak more of the plot, but I'll say this: This book is a much better adaptation than the actual novelization. If you're looking for a tale of creation, betrayal, and the value of life regardless of one's birth, then consider this book. The art is gorgeous, the story is unforgettable. Kudos to Takeshi Shudo! Domo arigatou for the great story!

Finally, an ACCURATE translation of Mewtwo Strikes Back. The book, the dubbed movie, all of them were severely altered from the true version. However, in the Art book you can finally read true quotes from Mewtwo Strikes Back and see that Mewtwo was no longer such a shallow villan, but rather a tortured philospher who could not realize that value of his unnatural life.

Mewtwo Strikes Back

This book would be enjoyed by someone who likes monsters. In the beginning, Ash, Misty, and Brock go out for a picnic. Meanwhile, Mewtwo is in a lab. Mewtwo is upset when he learned that he was a clone. He used his psychic power to destroy the lab. Mewtwo escapes and form a blue shield to protect himself from the flames. Later, Mewtwo rebuilds the lab that he destroyed and called New Island. Meanwhile when Misty, Brock, and Ash are having their picnic, Mewtwo tells Dragonite to deliver a hologram to Ash Misty, and Brock. The invitation is to come to New Island to see the world's best trainer.But the world's best trainer is really Mewtwo. I think that the movie was better than the book because the movie has the sound of the actors and battle sounds. The movie had more kick to it.2\2\00

This is a lot more accurate than the novelization of Pokemon: The First Movie. It includes a lot of art and pictures from the movie and also includes some quotes on the bottom of the pages from the different scenes. Has both the movie, and Pikachu's Vacation. I was a little concerned about it until I bought it. The book had proven me wrong. It was a lot better than I had expected and it's a book that any Pokemon fan might want to get . An excellent book. 5 stars.

This book - if you can find a copy - is a witty and entertaining companion to the television series. It covers Cooper's life from childhood [and his first audio recorder] through his FBI career [including the tragedies surrounding his partner Windom Earle], and finally ends where the TV series begins. It offers more insight and exploration into Cooper's character beyond what we already see in the show and film.

This, along with The Secret Diary of Laura Palmer (A Twin Peaks Book) and the faux travelguide: Twin Peaks: An Access Guide to the Town, completes a set of official book companions to the series.

One last note: as with "The Secret Diary..." there are a few inconsistencies between the description of some events in the books versus the TV series and the film prequel "Fire Walk With Me", but not enough to detract from the book's value overall.

^o^

This is a wonderful tie-in to the whole "Twin Peaks" mythos. The book is written in the style of a transcript of tapes that Dale Cooper made throughout his life - from childhood, through the initial Windham Earl affair, and ending with the call for Cooper to head to Twin Peaks. (Oddly enough, that's where "Diane..." the audiobook picks up.) Author Scott Frost (brother of Mark Frost, co-creator of "Twin Peaks" with David Lynch) captures the quirky nature of Dale Cooper and the Twin Peaks universe perfectly. From amusing anecdotes in childhood to experiments in college (seeing how long he can go without sleep, without urinating) and beyond, "My Life, My Tapes" helps fill in the unknown quantities of the enigmatic Dale Cooper. If you're a "Twin Peaks" fan who hasn't found a copy of this book yet, I encourage you to do so. It is a wonderful read.

Dale Cooper, How could someone like this write spmething like this? it's beyond me. Dale's life seems to much for anyone but he managed to keep himself together. His closest friends and family all desert him one way or another yet somehow he keeps his head up. I was so amazed by this book and this life thatI am in the process of writing a dramatic script to coinside with it. This book is someone's life this should be shared with everyone. Dale Cooper His Life- His Tapes

I bought this book when I was in eight grade and I connected with it instantly. I'm 24 now and it is still as touching as it was then. I really feel for dale coopers's character. He has so much go wrong and yet he keeps his inocent perspective on the turbulent world around him. This my sound lame, but I think this is a truly great coming of age story.

"Back to the Future, Part 2: A Novel" is so cool! I love the movies, and when I found this book for sale used, I jumped to buy it. Even though I didn't read the first book, I still enjoyed part two. It's a very faithful novelization of the movie, and I found it most interesting to know everyone's thoughts. I must read for a fan of the movies. I recommend.

What a great read. It captures the mood and humor of the movie characters well. It has also been "cleaned-up" from the movie version so it is suitable for all the young readers out there.

This was an excellent book. It had lots of action and it was flawless. I liked the way it described the characters. It never got boring. I would recommend this book to anyone.

Any fan of the Back to the Future triology who wants to be able to take the movie with them should think of picking up this book. One of my favorite movies of all time, Back to the Future Part II goes just as well in book format.

The second part of the famous trilogy , starts off right where the first one ended. Doc Brown shows up in his time traveling Time Machine to take Marty and his girlfriend Jennifer to the future to fix a problem with their future kids. Little do they know that their troubles are far from over after they arrive there. Biff steals the time machine from the future and hands himself a sports almanac giving all the scores for the next half centruy. The time line is totaly changed and its up to Marty and the Doc to fix things before its to late by going back to 1955 where the trouble starts.

The great thing about the book is that it gives more detail then the movie. It goes into what the characters are thinking that we can't see during the movie and gives details that were cut out of the movie as well. Theres a part where Marty meets his brother Dave in an alternate 1985 and his brother is drunk and a bum to say the least. Another moment where the old farmer Peabody from the first movie shows up trying to still get at the DeLorean that busted up one of his pines is pretty intersting as well. Theres also a lot of description of the moments we find ourselves in, so we can pretty much see the movie without having to actualy see it. Its very true to the movie and I think captures the great sequal quite well in book form.

The only true problems I have with it is that they did edit out the curses and even not so bad words making them even nicer then they were. I do feel it took a little away from the book as there aren't that many curses in the movie as it is and it was noticible. Also some of the scenes seemed rushed through towards the end. A lot of the stuff at the end of the 1955 climax of the movie just didn't come off as exciting as it did in the movie. While I know its hard to do a non stop action scene like the tunnel chase where Marty has to get the almanac off of Biff's car in a book, it still came off as half as exciting as it truly was.

Its great to be able to take with you though whereever you are. you can't always bring a VCR or DVD player with you, but this book can always be in hand and it is defiitely a worth while buy as its as much fun as the movie and the movie is one of the greatest sequals of all time.

I picked this book the other day as it sounded very interesting. Boy was I right! Not only was the book interesting, it was hilarious!!! The story is great, you learn a lot of interesting things about movies, and it even has a happy ending. There were tons of times I actually laughed out loud and it was hard to read this book without cracking a smile. A must read!

This was such a good book. It was funny and I learned a lot about moviemaking. I now know what a best boy and a dolly grip do.I am afraid this is one of those books that won't get much publicity and therefore not many people will read it. It that happens it will be a shame because a lot of people will really enjoy this book.

Flew through this in less than a day. Well written and quite witty - a perfect vacation read that will have you laughing (LOL). Plus an informative look behind the camera into those not-well known jobs listed at the end of every movie. Highly recommended. You won't be disappointed.

What a terrific read! Finished it two days. This is a very enjoyable book, with characters that are unique but also very relatable. I laughed out loud throughout. I highly recommend it! This is one book I think virtually anyone would enjoy.

The novelisation of the big 1989 movie. It also includes a photo section in the middle, as lots of those sort of books of the time did. It is competently handled, even asking "Have you ever danced with the devil by the pale moonlight?"

Batman faces off with Jack Napier as he becomes the Joker, and discovers the links to his past. He also has to deal with the prying of Vicki Vale.

Accompanying the release of the 1989 smash hit, Tim Burton movie Batman, Dove Books on Tape released this audio book. Acclaimed author Craig Shaw Gardner took the screenplay for the movie, and did an excellent job of reorganizing the story for audio. Making the project complete, veteran actor Roddy McDowall provided the voice, doing an excellent job of playing the roles of the maniacal Joker, the sultry Vicky Vale, and the serious Batman.

Overall, I found this to be an excellent audio book. The story is quite close to the original movie, and Roddy McDowall pulls off a real coup, doing all three major characters in a believable and interesting way. Indeed, I highly recommend his performance as the Joker to everyone.

I loved this audio book, and highly recommend it to everyone. This is a prized part of my library, and my only regret is that I cannot now get it on CD!

Batman Is one of America's Favorite Superhero. This Book is very good. There is a lot of action and suspense in this book. Criag Shaw Gardner did an exceilent job on this book




if you liked this on then read batman Returns, Batman Forever & Batman & Robin

It's strange. You'd never guess that a book based on a screenplay could be any good, but you'd be wrong in this case.

Craig Shaw Gardner, my favorite movie-tie-in author, wrote this book, taking a good screenplay and turning it into a truly masterful, exciting, and touching book!

To start off with, the book has whole sections that were cut from the film, giving it more depth and character development. Hmmm.... character development.... there's a whole lot of it. The book truly gets inside the head of everyone, Batman, The Joker, Alexander Knox, Commisioner Gordon, and even Vicki Vale, and all have varied outlooks on the book's events. The Joker sees everything as hilarious, and twisted, Vicki's stressful situations are more developed, Knox is detailed as a hard-boiled reporter (Moreso then the film), Commisioner Gordon is very interesting, in the fact that he likes Batman, but is sworn to his duty to arrest the vigilante, and he's very dedicated and tough, and Batman/Bruce is incredibly written. The writing for Batman's mind is at it's best toward the end, when Batman tries to get up into the Cathedral, while trying not to faint from the wounds he got by crashing the Batwing, and he fades in and out of reality as he remembers the night he lost his parents.

I mean, the film is excellent, but the book is not to be missed. It's deep, profound, moving, and truly exciting in the way Gardner writes fight scenes. Fast and furious, but also surprisingly detailed. I've read this thing so many times that the pages are starting to fall out, and I am continually surprised at the quality of the book. A truly enjoyable read from start to finish.

If you're a fan in the least, you'll pick up this wonderful book!

It would be called the "Smart Thinking" song, because that's exactly what into putting together something like this. This book combines seven "Bear in the Big Blue House" titles into a single hardback book. Some are based on episodes of the television show, others are original stories.

There are seven stories in this one: "Best Friends," "Mystery at the Big Blue House," "The Big Blue House Call," "A Surprise in the Mailbox," "Two Can Share, Too," "Spring Has Sprung!" and "The Way I Feel Today." I can't fault these choices --- they're all wonderful selections from the library of books from the series. The only change made is that the pages are renumbered so that a single table of contents for the entire book is used --- a quick reference to find the place of each story.

I'm glad to have this book -- in hardcover it's more sturdy than the paperback single versions. Most of the illustrations are the photos of the characters with the props and sets drawn in, but two stories are only drawn, even the characters. I much prefer the photo style, but I expect this won't matter to everyone. (My preference would be for all-photo, as if it were the TV program, but they don't seem to do that except for some cover art.)

The stories and illustrations in this book are sure to delight those, both young and old, who love "Bear In The Big Blue House". All the favourite characters come to life when my nephew and his wife read the stories to their two littlies.

My 2 year old loves Bear and loves this book. The language is age appropriate and still manages to put a "big" word in here and there. The artwork is lovely and the stories are episodes of Bear. We usually read two per night, I have to limit him.

I highly recommend this to all Bear-Fans!

Richard Buller's knowledge seems to have no bounds. With clarity and confidence, the author presents key moments in the life of Lois Moran. He also spends a third of the book exploring her relationship with F. Scott Fitzgerald. Buller had a vast amount of information at his disposal: Moran's journal and autobiographical notes, her son Tim, and Moran herself. Plus, he researched numerous books and contemporary newspaper articles. Intimidated? Don't be. Buller pulls all the pieces of the puzzle together for us, in a seemingly effortless flow of historical events. Don't know the works of Moran or Fitzgerald? Buller provides clear summaries. Then, he takes us to the next level by analyzing how Moran influenced Fitzgerald. In addition, the book provides many pictures with helpful captions. Even if you've never heard of Lois Moran, this is a "must have" for anyone interested in F. Scott Fitzgerald, movies, or the Jazz age.

I suppose I first encountered Lois Moran as most people did, via Scott Fitzgerald's portrayal of her as Rosemary Hoyt, the ingenue in his tragic 1934 romance TENDER IS THE NIGHT. Since Arthur Mizener identified Lois Moran as Rosemary's "original" in his 1950s biography of Fitzgerald THE FAR SIDE OF PARADISE, her name once again became recognizable, and we began to think of her as a silent film star who must have beeen cute, but surely without talent otherwise wouldn't her performances have survived? Now Richard Buller steps forward with this biography of the actress herself, both in and out of her relationship with the great novelist, and his book shows us that she's perhaps even more interesting when considered as an actress alone, and not just a Lolita-like playtoy.

Buller explores the bond between Gladys (Lois Moran's mother) and her daughter, and rebuts the myth that Gladys was a conventional stage mother who disliked her daughter's interest in married men. Gladys is worthy of a book all of her own! She took Lois from their settled life in Pittsburgh and brought her to Paris as a teen to escape the repressive US climate of the day, and to show her daughter life in big beautiful capital letters.

Stardom in the movies was only a sort of lagniappe to Lois, who abandoned Hollywood when she married in 1935. And she was signally a free-lance player, one who evaded the contractual obligations of any one studio (except for a brief and not too happy contract with Fox). That may have precipitated her withdrawal from cultural memory, however, for I think in the classical cinemaa the studio really built their stars up, and the ones who played it free-lance aren't as well remembered today. (We know Clark Gable, for example, better than we know, say, Irene Dunne.)

Buller has uncovered three short stories that Lois Moran wrote about Scott Fitzgerald, it's a shame that his publishers couldn't have authorized their publication in an appendix, for the excerpts he quotes are fascinating. Just as tantalizing are his descriptions of some of Moran's movies. I for one am going to go on a hunger strike until Turner Classic Movies schedules a showing of WEST OF BROADWAY with John Gilbert--the ultimate "bad luck" movie from Buller's description.

Lois Moran went to Broadway and starred in two Gershwin musicals (OF THEE I SING and LET 'EM EAT CAKE), then married an industrialist who ran Pan Am, Clarence Young. In the Youngs' luxury apartment here in SF's North Beach, on Vallejo Street, they hosted a secret wartime conference with FDR, Lindbergh, and other luminaries. I'm going to go there later today and try to talk my way into the graces of the current owners of the building and photograph the room where it all took place. After Clarence and Gladys died, Moran's later struggles with alcohol make for sad reading. What a story! And what a woman!

Lois Moran's life and body of work, so carefully portrayed by Richard Buller, are a living tribute to the wonderment of Lois Moran, the person. Here is a portrait of some eighty years of giving without reservation to the people of this planet.

The author's insightful and diligent research, coupled with some memorable findings in her journals, papers and photographs, have made this book a true and masterfully constructed literary achievement.

I had never heard of Lois Moran - now I am a fan! Richard Buller's fascinating account of this remarkable woman is brilliantly researched and beautifully written. Why more has not been made of this shining Hollywood star is a curious mystery. Happily, Mr. Buller fills us in with style. He describes the era adroitly and offers surprisingly intimate historical nuggets, sly humor, and a deep poignancy that moved this reader to tears. I felt as if I were walking with Lois every step of the way. Like meeting an old friend for the first time. Her gleeful, almost childlike kinship with life attracted sparkling people and events; yet her "grown-up" values guided her to always hone her gifts and to help others. A unique example that despite our heartaches, we can indeed create a "beautiful fairy tale" of our lives. A delightful, revelatory read. Inspiring.

This adaptation from the original screenplay of Bella was excellent. I actually like the detail in the book better than the movie...it explained much more and the ending much clearer.

I am a big fan of Lisa Samson's novels and I feel that she did a great job of capture the essence of the screenplay, yet adding her own touch to it.

Even if you watch the DVD, you should read the book. In fact, I feel you should read the book first then watch the DVD.
This is a book that will make you think and affect your life.

"Bella" was one of last year's indie film surprises, winning over audiences with its warmth, emotion, and deceptively simple snapshots of family, pregnancy, grief, and redemption. My wife and I loved the movie, shared it with our teen daughters, and told others about it.

When I heard the movie was being turned into a short novel, I was skeptical. Would it capture the same feelings conveyed in the actors' faces and in the beautiful script? When I heard Lisa Samson was the one doing the novelization, my worries were laid to rest. This lady can write--and she writes from the heart.

"Bella" is a wonderful book, bringing back to mind all the nuances of the film, while providing deeper backstory and motivation. With turns of a phrase, Samson adds new dimension to an already touching story. This can be read before seeing the film or after. Either way, it's sure to be enjoyed by those who like the romance of life in the midst of all its messiness.

In New York, Jose was once a famous Mexican soccer player, but since the tragic accident four years ago he is not the same person. His career and his social life died along with another person, whom he visits at the cemetery all the time. That is when he is not cooking at older brother Robert's restaurant El Callejon.

Nina is a waitress at the restaurant. She and the boy next door law school student Ryan exchanged emails that led to drinks and action; now one week after a lonely twenty-fifth birthday, she spends time throwing up. Her life besides being pregnant is cheap videos and cheaper take-out.

Nina plans to get rid of the baby; Jose wants to help her anyway he can except support an abortion. Can these two lost souls help each other; Jose is determined that this is God's test of him while Nina remains in denial except for morning sickness.

This is a well written novelization of the 2007 film. The story line is an entertaining contemporary drama starring two wounded warriors struggling with life. The support cast is powerful as the audience obtains a close look at a Mexican-American family. Fans of inspirational tales will appreciate BELLA as each of the lead couple sees the unborn in a different light; redemption or damnation.

Harriet Klausner

Jose, a famous soccer player, has been burned. At the peak of his career, a tragic accident has left him with deep scars. But this tragedy has also brought him back to God. Now a recluse, he battles his demons and works in his brother's store as a cook

Soon an opportunity to partially right the wrongs he has committed is presented to him-and Jose must decide to seize it. Nina cannot believe that she has been careless enough to get pregnant without being married. A waitress at the same restaurant that Jose cooks at, she turns to him for help. Can Jose convince her to do the right thing?

Bella is a beautiful story of love and hope and about finding beauty in the ashes of sorrow. It follows the lives of two broken souls. I really enjoyed this novelization. I especially enjoyed the characterization of Jose's family - a true Mexican family, with the family dinners, and the laughs.

At times it is a struggle to keep track of the names and dates, particularly when more than one person has the same name. Ample footnotes help guide the reader. More than a novel, this book is a historical depiction of important and relevant events.

Armchair Interviews says: Lisa Samson has done a wonderful job in writing this touching novel