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I really wanted to like this book. Ms. Alexander did an excellent job, especially at the beginning, of showing that the characters loved one another but couldn't really achieve intimacy.
But I think she just expected too much of the reader after that. Would someone in the 18th century really hire a woman who was visibly pregnant to be a housekeeper if there were rumors circulating about her? Especially since she had no references, other than, presumably, having a housekeeper when she was growing up? Most servants back then weren't married at all, much less "widowed" and pregnant. Who would have taken care of the child while she worked? And wasn't it unwise of her to be employed by someone who made it clear he wanted her sexually?
Then there is the issue of Larson not coming out and saying "Hey, it's me." If this was because he was angry, he would not have pursued her. It just didn't make sense, and it went on too long. I felt that she was asking a bit much of my imagination.

Kathryn Jennings made her vows for better or worse. In a childless marriage with an emotionally unavailable husband, she thought she was living the worse until her whole world turns upside down.

Widowed and pregnant, she discovers a hidden treasure in a deeply scarred man who loves her like she's always longed to be loved. I read this book in two days. I simply couldn't put it down. What a wonderful story of faith and restoration. I can hardly wait to read book 2.

My MIL read it and said, "I don't know how anyone could ever say a bad thing about this book. It's the best book I've read in years."

This is one GREAT story teller! I couldn't put the book down until about 4 am the first night! The author has done a fantastic job fleshing out characters, and reminding her readers of the Love God has designed and given us!

I was a little hesitant to read her books but I could not put it down once I got started on this book. True love wins in the end and it's so amazing how much these characters went through and had so much faith in God. I felt for them and was cheering the characters on. After all, who likes a sad ending?

I loved this book. I was so surprised that she still desired her husband after he was so badly scarred but that is, after all, what true love is all about. What is on the inside as opposed to what is on the outside. I was touched that he followed her and took such wonderful care of her all the while thinking she had betrayed him with another man. What a great book!

Ferretter's first novel, "Running Home" certainly is a breakthrough novel. It shows the complex challenges facing families-- war, tragedy, infidelity, separation-- and the inner struggles individuals go through to cope with such challenges. I found the novel thoughtful and provocative, but not in an overly sentimental way. Rather, I found that one can relate to the text on a variety of levels, and the descriptions of place and characters are vivid and real. One of the real strengths of the novel, for example, is that Ferretter creates characters that are flawed, making the reading one of discovery rather than repetition. Sometimes you are filled with disgust while reading, sometimes sympathy. The newness is fresh and makes the read interesting. For her first novel, I think Ferretter wove together a remarkable story. I hope she continues to write.

The first chapter of Jennifer's book does everything an excellent piece of literature should do; it sucks you in and makes you want more. Jennifer fully fleshes out a compelling character and establishes the character's yearning. The characters she creates are relatable, the protagonist is likeable and interesting, and the first chapter creates a framework for a great story. Writing in a style that fully involves the senses, Jennifer creates beautiful un-clichéd sentences that really work to create a world that beckons its readers to enter and explore.

As a huge fan of reading in general, I have to say that I cannot wait to read this novel in its entirety. I could totally picture Leonie sitting there, hollow as the bamboo chimes and CS&N floating in the wind above her. I could feel her pain, utterly unhappy about the prospect of another night far away from the one lying next to her. I was intrigued by the letters waiting for her, the ones her father sent to her mother when he was in Vietnam. Here's a woman alone in the world. Married, but cut off from her husband; a daughter, but with an estranged father and a mother who's passed away. A woman unable to bring a baby into this world. Will Leonie survive this aloneness? Will she connect with those she longs to. I, for one, want to know!!!

I was really moved by this piece, the main character's very real longing hit home. Although I do not usually read women's fiction, the universal themes (troubled marriage/ desire to start anew) pulled me in. The first chapter was very "in Leonie's head." I liked this, but too much would be problematic. That said, the author deftly started the second chapter with a lot of dialog. I would guess, then, that the author will vacillate between contemplative and chatty, moving the reader along. I think that Ferretter's greatest strength is setting a mood; several other reviewers have commented upon this and I certainly agree. Based on the synopsis, I don't see how this wouldn't sell like hotcakes. A book club read if ever there was one.

The first twelves pages of Running Home had me- feeling Leonie's frustration with her marriage, curiosity about her neighbor, desire to find the life she's been missing. I am wanting to know how she ended up here, who her father is now, and what she is going to do to LIVE her LIFE. The first twelve pages left me wanting the rest. This story flows with Leonie's thoughts and feelings and I want to keep flowing along with her.

What would cause me to read/purchase this book, as a woman in her 30's, is the knowledge that it is about a woman at a turning point in her life, in a marriage she is unsure of, in a life she's been lead through over the past few years, and that she is about to do something about it. I can see that many women, of all ages, will identify with Leonie in many ways, and will enjoy following her on her journey.

Reading this book is like having an angel on your shoulder whispering all the things you already know, but had kind of forgotten along the way and needed reminding of. Every secret is written in such a way that you feel supported and guided, and there were a couple of chapters that just blew me away. It really does help you change the way that you think about things which means that ...without exaggerating it really does change your life.

This book came as a life-saver for me during the time when I was under tremendous stress from juggling the problems and obstacles in my life. I was so stressful that time until my health was deterioriating. Thanks to the book, coz without it, I would not have become a happier and freer person which I am now. I can almost instantly feel my perspective towards life change as I was reading this book.

If you are feeling very stressful with the problems/obstacles in your life, please get this book and read it. It will change your life instantly!

When I first read this book, I had purchased it by mistake. I thought I was buying "Secrets about Men Every Woman Should Know", which I read many years earlier after seeing Barbara DeAngelis on Oprah. I so enjoyed "Secrets about Men..." that when I saw it in a window, I snagged it quickly. To my surprise, I bought an even better book this time, "Secrets about Life...". I gave that copy to my mother who also thoroughly enjoyed it, and then bought a new copy from Amazon to share with another friend.
The author writes from her own experiences using a very personal perspective that I find easy to relate to.

This is an affectionate self-help book, written with love in a very friendly tone. It is motivational, spiritual, devoted to improve your self-esteem. Unlike the other self-help books that merely tell you what do to and give examples, this title helps you to change your beliefs, values and to set the new goals in your life. These goals are aimed to make you happy, strong and self-confident. All of the advises throughout the book are gender-neutral. They can be equally applied for both men and women without any change. Why then the author has called the book "Secrets ... Every Woman Should Know"? Because, as she considers, when women teach each other, something spiritual, magical happens, and the author would be happy to be a teacher as a woman, since most of her teachers were men. The author writes with great amount of love, and the love transmits to the reader. I had great pleasure and inspiration reading the book. What I would have suggested to this book is the index, references and further reading section, although this is somewhat atypical for self-help books.

You know that saying "when the student is ready, the teacher will appear?" Well, Barbara had been here for some time and whenever I cleared out the old or "never going to read" books, she held on. Now that I needed her, she kind of called out to me from the bookshelf. I read the book in one sitting. I cried, I laughed, I found clarity and I am so thankful. This book can be lifechanging and she'll wait until you're ready.

Anyone who likes literary fiction and who also likes humor, will love THE SISTER MAFIA. Without reading any more than the first two chapters, I was enraptured by the literary turn of phrases along with laugh-out-loud humor. Somehow, a bunch of old ladies who are hell-bent to add to their bevy of grandchildren and who will do anything, including recruit the handsome priest at their church to help them, can only result in a joyful ride through the pages of this book. This author's ability to write humorous prose and still sound like literary British author Jasper Fforde sets him apart. I would love to read the whole novel.

This excerpt of The Sister Mafia left me laughing and hungry to know more about these hilarious sisters and the love and devotion it takes for them to join together in the unanimous pursuit of the one sister's goal and to have her experience what they all love so dearly and she wants more that anything - grandkids. I found the exchange between the sisters to be not only laugh out loud funny but also to have a very genuine sisterly quality.

This writer has a beautiful way of description and really is able to create a scene as well as the feelings the characters are experiencing without actually being inside of their thoughts. It is refreshing to read and allows the reader to contribute just enough of their own imagination to almost make them feel a part of the story. Take for instance the description of the surroundings outside the church after a light sprinkle. It really does feel refreshing and spring-like.

In addition, the writer has a pleasing dexterity with dialog and makes one feel as if you are right there with the sisters bickering and baraging the young priest in the confessional. Situations that might come off as sticky seems smooth and allow for the humor of each situation to come pouring out such as when the four are all in the car spying together or when Barb and her husband Les are arguing while both are on the phone with Barb's sister Patty. Jeff Hagkull has really captured what it is like to be a member in a family that has been comfortable with one another for some time and still makes it feel light and almost farcical.

I got to the end of the small excerpt and could not believe I had to stop reading. I can not wait for this book to be published so I can read on to find out if Patty really does get one of her son's to have a grandchild for her. I am sure it will be an enjoyable uplifting read.

Jeff Hagkull provides a well written and clever piece of fiction about 4 sister's in Turtle, MN. His unique dialogue and descriptions draw you in and make you feel a part of the story. It is both intelligent and easy to read which is a rare combination in literature. I can't wait for 'Sister Mafia' to be published so I can found out what happens!

I enjoyed The Sister Mafia. It has a good mix of humor and intrigue. Just from reading the short it begs you to ask the question, "How far will the Sisters go?". I liked the mix of character development and good Up North dialogue to go with the witty premise. It left me anxious to read more.

We can all identify with the sisters in this book....don't we all know someone just like them? It is the detailed character studies that make them very familiar, very likeable and their actions, very laughable! You get to know sisters very quickly and find yourself caught up in having to find out the outcome of their actions. It would make a great series and I hope to see the complete novel in the future. How long do we have to wait? A great book to curl up with on a long winter's day!

In Someone Knows My Name, Lawrence Hill pens a breathtakingly beautiful work. While simple to read, its pages evince vitality and imagery known to only the best authors. Aminata, a free African girl, kidnapped by slave traders on the dawn of her "womanhood," records her journey from her homeland to foreign soil across the waters. It is the story of her struggle to not only preserve her identity and heritage, but a daily fight for her life, her family, and ultimately, her freedom. Although her tale is a fictional representation of the African diaspora, Hill's documentation of the movement, slave-trading, Revolutionary War, British loyalists and abolitionists remains quite intact.

This is the first review I have ever written. But I feel this book warrants a short comment. I can't add to the descriptions already posted above. But I can say that this was one of the best books I have ever read. It grabbed me from the first page and held me until the end. What an amazing heroine Lawrence Hill created. This is a book that should not be missed.

Simply put, This is a novel that reads you. Lawrence Hill's Someone Knows My Name is the first book that I purchased on my Kindle- a Father's Day gift. I couldn't put this book down! The Kindle with its built in dictionary allows you to surf the net while you are reading and learn more about the historical characters and places deepening your understanding (few people other than historians and scholars are aware of the Black Loyalists for example) .

Every person of African descent should place this on their must read list (Science says that includes you- regardless of your race or nationality). From the moment you flip the first pages, or push the toggle bar, this historical novel challenges you to consider anew ones understanding of humanity, identity, and faith as you follow-or more accurately "journey with"- Aminata Diallo, an African girl sold into slavery.

From the home of her loving parents and her small village to the waiting slave ships and the middle passage to a different world, "we" journey with her coming to know the horrors of the slave trade in a profound way. Yet, Someone Knows My Name is also a story of liberation, of abiding faith, and of courage and survival. The themes of Exodus and migration are present throughout reminding us that life and faith are a journey. In the words of one of the novel's characters, Daddy Moses, "It doesn't matter what we call your soul....What matters is where it travels and who it lifts up". Someone Knows My Name will continue to travel with you long after you read its final lines and it will indeed lift your soul.

You may want to purchase this book as a hard copy so that you can pass it on to others that you care about.

Historical novels, such as "Someone Knows My Name" and "Ama: the Story of the Transatlantic Slave Trade" by Manu Herbstein, are perhaps the least appreciated genre in literature. Once you pause to read Someone Knows My Name you will find yourself searching for more.

This is one of the best books I have ever read. From the first page I was captivated by the lives of the characters. This book challenged my thinking beyond belief and pushed me to wonder what I would have done in many given situations. It shows the amazingness of human resiliency and the disgustingness of those who have lost all humanity along with those in between. In researching the details of the book it very historically accurate which adds to the allure of this book. For anyone who wants to challenge their mind and soul...this is a must read.

Usually when I read historical fiction I find that the history is interesting, but the writing is poor; or the reverse. In this case, I found both the writing and history to be superb. It's the first time in years I've read a story so well told that is based on so much research. I can't wait for the paperback to come out so that I can buy it for friends.

The opening line of this story is hilarious, "There are few worse places for a fully grown person than the backseat of her parents' car." This is obviously an understatement, as most of us would heartily agree. Having your parent's drive you home from graduate school is probably not at the top of any our proverbial lists.

Thus begins the story of a young woman and her forced exodus from graduate school. The crime is not entirely fleshed out, due to length issues, but it is clear that is has something to do with a girl from the main character's past.

The parent's are clearly shaken up at the turn of events, and the girl forces herself to remain calm during the long car ride home. It is a delightful narrative, with several moments of levity, amongst the serious turns of the story.

In a plot such as this, there are always clues to what is to come. In this piece, the author does a good job of relating past events, as well as current ones, and I felt a sense of nostalgia as the character recounts a trip to visit a troubled friend. Overall, I did feel as if the author used language well, and had a feel for familiar banter.

I would say that this is not in my personal top ten, but it is worthy of praise. The author is very talented, and I felt that this was in my top twenty picks of the contest. It could have been better, but for an unpublished piece of fiction, it was excellent.

The start of this excerpt sets a heavy tone for the rest of the story, with Katie leaving graduate school in disgrace and revealing that her older sister had a baby under embarrassing circumstances. When her mother started to cry in the front seat, this excerpt became almost painful to read.

The thought that Katie would think she had to make clear that she wasn't a sex offender was intriguing; I was curious about what happened at school.

I liked the brief flashback to Katie's childhood friendship with Molly, and her memories of Molly's mother. Before Katie jumps in to rescue someone else from her situation, I'd like to have more of a solid understanding of her own situation. What is she going to do, now that she's out of grad school? How is her relationship with her parents, now that she has been expelled? Why would she think she could save Molly, when it seems her own life is pretty screwed up?

The dialog between Katie and Molly is incredibly stilted, which may be intentional, but doesn't make for very exciting reading.

There are some nice hints that there are large parts of Molly's life Katie was never in on, despite thinking they were best friends back in junior high and high school. However, I'm not sure why at this point Katie feels like she needs to show loyalty to this woman who obviously couldn't care less about her presence in Chicago.

More direction, more insight into Katie's exact situation and what she plans to do now that she is reunited with Molly, besides sit around and watch her drink, would make for a more compelling story.

This is one of the best entries I've read, and I hope to see it advance in the next round. The writing is thoughtful, and the opening was excellent. Kudos to Sarah. Katy and Molly seem like "real" people with real problems. The use of details such as the baby toy on the floor of the car and the flavored water in the fridge add to the mood of hopelessness. This is a story I would finish and savor.

The Stars are Mostly Planes by S. Harris demonstrates the author's gift for telling a tale through a convincing character voice. If she isn't Katie Campbell herself, I'll be darned.

The only drawback of this excerpt is the lack of a clear overall story direction. It kind of sort reminded me of the way stories like 'Catcher in the Rye' and 'On The Road' unfolded. Just a telling, no solid direction other than to move forward in time.

Outside of that, I found the writing to be extremely engaging and Katie's character to be so real that I could 'hear' her in my mind.

Harris has done a wonderful job of presenting elements (such as Katie's expulsion, Molly's strange calls and the reappearance of April) that keep the reader asking 'what's going on?' without actually answering the previous question. There was an overarching sense that all these things somehow tie in together, as the young women's pasts once did.

There were a couple of lines that I thought were particularly well placed and written that captured sentiments perhaps only women can appreciate, but no doubt anyone would find a bit of humor in:
~'...why I can write essays on Wordsworthian sublimity but hold conversations like a menstruating seventh grader in a white skirt.'
~'The lady's b----s are really jiggly, like a couple of egg yolks slipping around beneath the rim of her shirt.

Overall, I found this piece of story telling to show a fair bit of originality in content and strong talent for delivery. I'll certainly be on the look out for this book.

Katie's voice is very real reading this excerpt. I don't know what she's done, but she's gotten kicked out of grad school and she's going home with Mom and Dad. This is a lot worse than the Principal's office--grim, and the words reflect it:

"There are few worse places for a fully grown person than the backseat of her parents' car. Particularly if your parents are driving you away from the life you thought you were going to have."

I don't know where the story's going. Katie runs on the edge of sympathetic character save I don't know what she's done, what she's going to do, and the word 'stalker' being mentioned in the synopsis. Stalker intrigues me, but in order for me to read on, I'd need a little more story. If I had a few thousand words, I might read on. Katie's got my attention--I don't know if the rest of the story would keep it.

Sarah Harris has created an interesting character and premise and I wish her much luck with her writing career.

As a child, I couldn't put any of Poe's short stores down, now a few decades later, nothing much has changed. I was thrilled to add this book to my collection, it is well made, and comprehensive collection. All of this at a great price.

Despite all who have attempted the genre since, Poe remains the supreme master of the horrific short story. From this collection I select "Berenice" to comment on, not only because it is a classic example of Poe, but also because it deals with a subject so typically his, that of obsession.
There is little point in trying not to "spoil" a Poe story by avoiding telling the final outcome, for in this story, as in much of his work, the fascination lies not in a teasing or elaborate plot leading to a surprise revelation, but in morbid, gristly dwelling on the awful texture of misery, melancholia and near madness. One can read them repeatedly, and they still taste satisfyingly rank and vile.
In this short story of brooding obsession, Egaeus looses his wife, Berenice, to illness, and in a fit of abstraction and obsession opens her grave and rips out the part of her that his mind has fixated upon: her teeth. Nasty and simple, but unforgettable.
There is little joy in Poe's world. Love, hope and happiness are only shown as a prelude to loss, to provide a fading dusk against which the blackness of the tragic end stands out more clearly.
It's interesting that some of Poe's readers complained to the editor when Berenice was published in the Southern Literary Messenger in 1935. This was early in Poe's career, and he reports the subscription list of this periodical as 700. In December of that year he was made editor, and by the time he left the subscription list numbered 5,500. Obviously then, as now, there was quite an appetite for horror amongst readers.

This is an excellent book including all of his poetry, short stories and other literary works! 832pages of Poe! Got it as a present and the person it was for loved it!

I've bought a few complete Poe collections over the years, and this one is my favorite. The font size is not squashed down to save pages at the expense of my eyes, and it does seem to be complete. It's also an attractively put together book.

Poe is essential reading for anyone interested in horror, and for any apsiring writer. He not only is a master of horror, but he's credited as being the inventor of the detective story.

"The Raven", "The Pit and the Pendulum", "The Cask of Amontillado", "The Black Cat", "The Masque of the Red Death", "The Murders in the Rue Morgue", and everything else you're looking for plus stories and poems you may never have heard of yet are all in here.

This is a great volume at a great price. I'd also recommend: The Best of H. P. Lovecraft: Bloodcurdling Tales of Horror and the Macabre, Cold Streak, It (Signet Books), Coraline, & Edgar A. Poe: Mournful and Never-ending Remembrance.

The book arrived just in time and it is in excelent conditions. This edition contain all my favorites works of Edgar Allan Poe. I recommend it!

I bought this book for someone who I thought could use it. I discovered I, myself, needed this book and I cannot give it away even though I have been praying for years. I have thought of numerous other people to give this book to and am ordering more copies. It is a very comforting book for anyone struggling with a serious challenge, which is just about everyone! I find myself rereading it, praying the prayers and pondering it again and again. I believe it will become a classic and stand the test of time.

The author has delivered a very reassuring message to those in doubt about the care God has for all of us. In times of trial and stress, this message can bring confidence and hope in the midst of suffering and despair. His reasoning is very convincing, and each reader will recognize in his own experience where many of these prayers have been answered in other difficult times. It is a great source of encouragement, especially for the elderly whose life becomes difficult and lonely, but for all of us as well, facing troubles daily.

I couldn't recommend it more highly for those souls in search of meaning in their life. Each of the ten prayers and its answer is illustrated by several examples of experiences we all have in our daily lives. The message is down-to-earth, while at the same time, immensely uplifting.

What an inspiring book. Anthony made scripture come alive in our every day lives. I appreciate the research he put into it. He gave such clear examples of faith, not only in his own life but in the lives of people, such as Theodore Roosevelt.I'm sure this book will deepen the faith of anyone who reads it.

I like the way the prayers and the sure response is validated by experience and proved by the Word of God.

This book will have you crying tears of joy. It is a great meditation for the journey through this frustrating and painful world. God loves us more than we love ourselves and wants us to have eternal happiness above all else. So take heart, do not be afraid; grab this book and refresh you soul.

As odd as it seems, many (including numerous Christians) do not look forward eagerly to Heaven. They view it as a place completely lacking in any fun. This book is a great antidote to that.

Max Lucado conducts a fresh look at Heaven, Christ's return, and even Hell. His insights will fill Christians with hope and longing.

One very interesting and thought provoking part is chapter eight. In this, the author talks about 'sweet surprises' in Heaven. He discusses influences that we can have with people on Earth that will have eternal significance.

Another great section is the one on Hell. Lucado says, 'God does not send people to hell. He simply honors their choice.' He goes on to explain this in a way that is very meaningful and will be helpful to those who struggle with the concept of Hell.

This book is really great for any Christian and any seeker who is thinking about the concepts of Heaven, Hell, eternal life, etc. I would also recommend Heaven and Deadline.

This book was ordered as a gift for a friend who had read my copy earlier. She wanted it for her daughter. They are both pleased. I like Max Lucado's writings. They are clear and simple and easy to assimilate. I have several of his books, which I re-read often. All of them are excellent.

I love Max Lucado. His writings inspire me to be a better person. You can't go wrong with anything he writes be it children's books or adult books.

Lucado does it again. He takes a topic that is often deeply unsettling for many- the end. When Christ comes. And he takes all our worries and uncertanties gently, understandingly and reassures each one. Things that I've been afraid to admit as a Christian such as being worried about being disappointed when Christ comes (hard to explain until you read the book, but an example would be an expectant mother being disappointed because she wants to raise her baby) ...these things we don't want to admit, Lucado understands. He affirms our feelings. However, he also has a way of turning them around and reminding us of Christ's love. Trust Him.

A fantastic read.

Max helps prepare the soul for the coming of Jesus Christ. Not deep theologically, but it is still worth the reading. Very encouraging!

Wow, just adorable. Great gift idea. Great size book. I pull it out for Christmas and the kids LOVE it. It's such a sweet story of friendship. I love these sweet, wholesome stories. The illustrations are BEAUTIFUL as always with Karma's books. Even after we read it, the kids love to just look through it at the pictures and can read it to themselves that way. Really, I think each little home needs ALL the Bear books.

We have several Christmas books, and this is the favorite in our house. All of Bear's little woodland friends wake him up to join in all the Christmas Eve festivities. The story and illustrations are very simple, yet enchanting. I would love to climb in the pages and stay up for Christmas with Bear!

I purchased this book for my son after receiving the Bear Snores On as a gift. They are his absolute favorites. The pictures are beautiful and the words are lyrical and rhyming. I also like the way it subtly includes both the religious and secular sides of Christmas beneath the overall message of friendship and giving. He has MANY books, but wants me to read this one every night. It's so nice I din't mind.

This book has wonderful illustrations, and is written in a flowing manner that makes it great fun reading to my first grandson. I plan on getting the entire series for him! I want to make sure he knows there is more to life than sports!

My son LOVED this book during the holidays! We are huge fans of this series. It is perfect for kids over 3 years :)