Female Books

I have had mixed opinions about Angela's books so far (The Novelist - didn't love / The Elevator - I liked but it was very cerebral / and now She Always Wore Red...) and so I was very glad that I enjoyed this book so much. It is book #2 in the Fairlawn series about a woman and her 2 sons that inherit a funeral home and move in. It is not macabre and actually is quite interesting and fun. Angela deals with some intense issues (racial issues, abortion, unknown siblings due to dad cheating on mom, etc...) and handles them expertly. I have not read book #1 in this series, but I would read it based on how I enjoyed #2. I have found that with Angela's books it is a book by book basis for me and this one is worth reading and enjoying.

I liked this book even better than the first book in the series, "Doesn't She Look Natural". I stayed up half the night reading it and wasn't disappointed. I also recommend "Unspoken:. I am amazed by the amount of research that goes into her books.

Angela Hunt is one of my most favorite authors! You will not be disappointed with this story or any of her works. Read "Doesnt She Look Natural" first. Jennifer Grahams life takes an amazing turn around. I love the characters, they are so real and they feel like family! Enjoy!

Jennifer Graham --- mother, student and embalmer's apprentice --- could use a friend. She finds one in McLane Larson, a newcomer to Mt. Dora, and is delighted to learn that the young woman is expecting a baby. While McLane's soldier-husband serves overseas, Jen promises to support McLane and then learns that her tie to this woman goes far deeper than friendship. When a difference of opinion threatens their relationship, Jennifer discovers weaknesses in her own character... and a faith far stronger than she had imagined.

Don't miss the new novel by award-winning author Angela Hunt that Library Journal calls "a top-notch inspirational plot that maintains a lighthearted touch".

She Always Wore Red by Angela Hunt is the second book in the Fairlawn series. Hunt, the reigning queen of Christian fiction, returns to Mt. Dora Florida with Jennifer Graham who is now in mortuary school. Jennifer's life is hectic, but when she discovers a half-sister from her profligate father, it forces her to re-evaluate her life and her view of it. McLane, the sister, is recently married and pregnant and in desperate need of support from the big sister she never knew she had. Meanwhile, Jennifer's 13 year old son Clay has fallen in with a rough lot of boys who are searching for one of the town's long held secrets. Hunt is a terrific author who makes the reader empathize with both Jennifer and McLane in their search to understand each other, especially over a touchy topic. Hunt handles abortion with compassion and an understanding of both sides of the issue rarely seen in most Christian fiction. Her books always teach me something about the nature of faith and what is means to be human.

4 young women, all at crossroads with who they are, their families and trying to define what their heritage is and means to them. The 4 main characters are all related, from a family that is now scattered between the US and the middle east. This book explores the difficulties in finding one's identity when the worlds you know are so extremely different. Family pressure, expectations, personalities all play a role in how the girls deal with their heritage and their future. It evokes the middle east beautifully and presents the difficulties of having to chose / conciliating two cultures.

Being of Arab descent myself (my grandmother was Lebanese) I personally found this book interesting because I'd like to learn more about my heritage. At times it could get a little slow, especially when Mawal's narratives came in, but overall it was different and original. One odd thing I noticed about the characters was that they did not consider themselves 'white'. This I found a little odd, because the U.S. Census does consider Arabs Caucasian, so I wasn't sure if I was unaware of something or if they were (if they were right, I guess I'm multiracial then!). It's an interesting book and if you're into ethnic things and enjoy learning about other people's cultures then this book is for you.

This book is real and touching on so many levels. I can see and touch the characters and feel their pain with each turn of the pages. I must say that I was initially deceived by the simplistic language in rendering the story - only to realize that the writer had no choice but to simplify the complex in a way that was palatable for those of us not from the Arab-Muslim world. And while I do not come from the East, many of the scenes mirror my own cultural experience and held a fascination in itself. It also reassures me that in the scope of things, we are more similar than different. I was also amazed by the speed of reading and saddened when I realized that the pages were all almost read.

This insightful first novel by Jordanian-American author Laila Halaby shows that the influences that shape the lives of many Arab women are the same ones that affect their American sisters: upbringing, religion, the urban-rural divide and economic and educa-tional circumstance. Halaby writes about four young Arab women, cousins with deep family roots in Palestine. One still lives in the occupied West Bank, one is torn between her family in Jordan and her studies in Arizona, two live with their immediate families in unfamiliar California. The novel speaks through different voices in successive chap-ters, and the chapters overlap in the narrators' shared memories of their collective ex-tended family: grandparents and a spectrum of aunts and uncles, cousins, brothers and sisters. Halaby interweaves the women's stories, allowing us to see each cousin from multiple points of view. Her dialogue is comfortably authentic, whether traditional or transplanted. The four women relive the oft-repeated legends of their origins in Pales-tine: tales of births, weddings and funerals captured in photo albums and replayed on videotapes. Individual lives become fragments in a rich and intricate mosaic as the lar-ger family history unfolds.

This is an excellent book that will really get to your heart. A must for Asian Literature students. I bought it using a coupon from UnderTag.com, so it was almost free for me.

When the realization of being adopted finally dissolves into normalcy, it becomes continual struggle with self-esteem and identity problems for Zora Bridgeforth, a twenty-nine year old trying to bridge the many gaps in her life. This is Zora's Cry, a good story from Tia McCollors that has both poignancy and a sense of belonging for those sympathetic to a character on a mission. Oftentimes happenstance and Providence are much more than willing accomplices where destiny has defined a presence. Zora finds this out while in search of for her deceased mother's bridal veil, coming across a letter revealing the circumstances surrounding her adoption status. Needless to say, this is unwelcome news to Zora as she vows to find her biological family and in the process confront issues that are necessary for her stability.

As her journey unfolds she gets involved with the annals of a sisterhood that promotes discipleship, thus meeting the acquaintances of three other women sympathetic to her plight. Meet Paula, Monet, and Belinda, if you will. As it is with all situations when women come together, real truths and intimacies are revealed through testimonial revelation and common causes are amalgamated into one. Thus, is the bonding attributes of true friendship...and through it, Zora manages to overcome much more the emotional issues she faced.

I liked the fact that the author truly gave readers a chance to discover what it means to have the means to circle the wagons to confront issues on a spiritual tip, complete with the recipients gaining value from it. The book moves along with a pace that forces you to want to know how Zora ends up taking advantage of her newfound friends' camaraderie. In the process, the author gains my respect for writing a story with a storyline that give meaning to setting to play a defining role in writing without being complacent. I think too, that there will undoubtedly be readers that can identify with characters that benefit from lessons derived from persevering once a mission is at stake for clarity. I rate this book four stars out of five, and feel that Zora's Cry can be heard over the din that is apropos when looking for a soothing read. Thank you Tia for writing from a perspective that is fresh, original and full of imagery! This truly is an inspirational read for men and women who respect how friendship and the love of God can propel priorities for practical use in life.

There aren't a lot of good christian fiction books on the market and one I find one I want people to read it. This book brought tears to my eyes. I don't want to give away the story but its great for any women's ministry group that would like to do something different. Read the book and then discuss the questions in the back or make up your own questions. Great for young women wanting values for keeping pure until marriage.

Four women with very different problems end up attending P.O.W.E.R meetings, Purpose Oriented Women Equipped and Righteous. They're not sure they want to be there, and at first they are reluctant to open up and share.
There's Zora Bridgeforth who recently lost her parents in a tragic accident, just a few months before the date of her wedding. While going through their papers, Zora discoveres that the people she called Mother and Dad were not really her birth parents. She was adopted. She's still trying to work through her grief and now she has been hit with this.

Monet Sullivan, Zora's best friend, is helping plan for the wedding. Monet is single, and hasn't had much success playing the love game. Tired of being disappointed in her relationships with the opposite sex, she's ready to give up, but God has a plan.

Paula Manns married for status and money and it turned to ashes in her hands. Her husband is seldome home, he's gambling away their money and she suspects he's having an affair.

And then there's Belinda, whose mother has cancer. She and her husband, Thomas, have just adopted a six month old daughter, Hannah, and Belinda is the primary caretaker for her mother. She's stressed to the max, with no relief in sight.

Zora's Cry is a heartwarming, touching story about four women struggling to make sense of their lives. It's a tribute to the strong bonds of sisterhood, and as the four women strive to overcome the roadblocks in their journey to God, we learn from their situations. When Belinda is overwhelmed by the changes in her life, she complains to God about being taken by surprise. He replies, "You may be caught off guard, but I never am."
No, He's not, and that's one of life's greatest blessings. Tia McCollors characters are realistic and well developed. I thorougly enjoyed reading Zora's Cry, and I'm happy to recommend it.

Power,and Faith and God, These women share there stories with each other and with the power, and faith and God they learn to handle what ever was put in there paths. These was some praying sisters and these are the sisters I would want in my life.I had gave this book a 3 but by the time I was finish it made me thing about things in my life.We all need a power group in our chruchs. Goodreading

this was my first time reading this authors work and it was a blessing to see how we as woman can be there for each other and help with the walk this story was easy to read and the character are people we all know that may be stuggling with diffcultes in life and have no one to share them with i will read her first book keep using your talent

A book that deals with the most common problems that men face in their lifetime, the issue of sexual disorders. No more suffering men that don't know what's happening to them, no more cries for help and no more complains from women, get this book and you'll be ok. A good book but it found the solutions in "Volume II - Natural Penis Enlargement: New methods of avoiding and curing impotence, premature ejaculation, and erectile dysfunction safely and inexpensively. ... Book on CD-Rom for PC & Mac Computers" by Platinum Millennium to be of much more use then the ones presented here

What an insight to Viagra! I have found the book to be so easily understood. It is excellent reading for a husband and wife to understand so that they may make an intelligent decision about the solution to their problem. I highly recommend this book. Thank you Dr. Newman!

This is an excellent guide for the male with penile dysfunction. It gives insight to what Viagra can do, as well as alternative procedures available. The illustrations are precise, and easy for the layman to understand. I highly recommend it for anyone (male or female) with this highly sensitive and personal disorder. Dr. Newman deserves highest accolades for writing this timely book.

A superb book! Excellent for the lay person and the professional. Scientifically sound and to the point. Clearly explains the causes and treatment for ED and other problems. Strongly recommend!

One of the finest books written on penile disfunction. Easy to comprehend, informative, and insightful material on a complicated and thought-provoking subject matter. Hard to put book down...especially intrigued by the chapters on women. The book flows easily from beginning to end.

Here is a wonderful series of 3 books on the Elm Creek Quilts and Sylvia Compson. In Runaway Quilt, here is the story told in both the earlier days and current times concerning quilts used to help runaway slaves in the underground railway. What does a quilt hanging on the clothesline mean and why are the centers of the log cabins black? This is both a fascinating story and one that takes us back in time giving us some historical perspective.

A Quilter's Legacy is just that, what quilt legacy has Eleanor Bergstrom left for her daughter, Sylvia? Here we read about Sylvia and Andrew traveling the US both to see his family(do we hear wedding bells in their future?). Sarah has found a website for missing quilts and has entered her drawings and info on Sylvia's quilts of which I believe there were 5 she knew were ones that Claudia had sold. What happens to the quilts, where are some found and what condition is like a mystery unfolding. Of course it won't be all good news but there are many twists and turns.

The last book is the Master Quilter. Sylvia and Andrew marry without the help of the Elm Creek Quilters except for Sarah and Matt. Being caught off guard, the quilters decide to make a wedding quilt from 12 x 12 blocks that are submitted by anyone who has known Sylvia or has been to Quilt Camp. The lives are other members of the Elm Creek Quilters are further developed with some finding many challenges such as Bonnie or Judy. In the midst of this there is funny scene with Mary Beth Callahan and Diane at Quilt Guild meeting along with an unfortunate robbery. This book really spices up the lives of the quilters.

Once again these three books make for great reading no matter if this is the first of the series you have read. So sit down with some tea and enjoy a good read!

I am enjoying this book very much. Interesting reading and is a saga of people. Elaine Fodor

I read the first 3-in one novel, and ordered the 2nd 3-1 one novel in the series. Being a quilter, I absolutely love them and recommend them to all quilters! Bobbie, Staunton, IL

I am enjoying The Elm Creek Quilts Album novels. This is the second set of 3 novels by the same author. Good reading if you like family stories, if you are a crafter / quilter and like some historical info added to the storyline.

You don't have to be a quilter to enjoy the three stories combined in this volume. Novels 4, 5, and 6 in the Elm Creek Quilters series by Jennifer Chiaverini do not disappoint. If you enjoyed the first 3 novels in the series, you will enjoy continuing the saga in these next 3. I especially enjoyed the first story in this volume ("The Runaway Quilt"). Historical fiction lovers will especially appreciate this riveting story pertaining to the Underground Railroad during the Civil War era. Many thanks to Ms. Chiaverini for continuing to bring us more and more stories in this marvelous series.

I have to agree with Harriet Klausner's use of the word "shmaltzy" in her review, as opposed to the others describing it as deeply meaningful, poignant and heart wrenching. However, I have not been closely affected by breast cancer, as is the main character in this story. Rather, I came upon this novel because of my love for Martha's Vineyard, and to that end it was an enjoyable read, reminsicent of "Way of the Peaceful Warrior" by Dan Millman, without being such an obvious lesson in learning about yourself.

I recently finished Eternal Journey and was deeply moved by its many deep messages. From the moment this book "jumped off the shelf" for me to buy, I knew this was the perfect book for me to read at this moment. I saw an amazing number of coincidences throughout the book with my own life, to the point where I felt like the book had been written just for me! For instance, my 5-year niece is named Annie(the name of the main character in Eternal Journey) and was just diagnosed with luekemia at the same time I was moving through the heart of the story. I just thought it was bizarre that I'd be reading about death (and rebirth) during a time when I was dealing with my second potential death crisis (luckily Annie is responding to chemo and is now in remission). During this same time, my husband surprized me with an eternity, celtic wedding band, which was a symbol of rebirth and eternal connection woven throughout the book. Thank you for sharing such a beautiful message and experience with me and I'm looking forward to sharing it with many of my spiritual woman friends.

Once in a while a little book comes along and just steals you away. Read a page or two and the next thing you know, you're gone...you're somewhere else for awhile. Eternal Journey does exactly that. It transports you to a special place where mystical events unfold and love transcends loss. Acceptance triumphs over anguish; grief grows into hope. On your journey through this book, you'll travel with Anna, a successful psychotherapist whose mission is helping others unravel and come to terms with life's mysteries. When Anna loses her closest friend Beth to cancer--the third such loss among her friends in a year--she comes unglued. Disconsolate, and trying to "get a grip" (ironically the name of her own radio talk show), she flees to Martha's Vineyard Island for a long winter week-end of healing solitude. Hoping to work through her grief alone, she discovers she is anything but alone. Inexplicably, she runs into and then keeps crossing paths with a truly remarkable individual. As she struggles to find meaning in her loss, other extraordinary "encounters" take place, until finally she realizes that love and connections never die....That life is maybe only one leg of an ongoing journey. Perhaps death is not the end of the road. Perhaps the dying process is really a gateway to another path in our travels. Like the birth process. What an affirming concept! What you'll love about Eternal Journey is that it bravely takes you where other books do not. Through the medium of storytelling, this lovely and poignant fable speaks straight to your belief systems, offering meanings unfamiliar to most outside the realm of hospice care and grief counseling. Far from being morbid or depressing, the author's message absolutely shines: it's awe inspiring and uplifting. In a word, it's hope (yes, as in "...springs eternal"). Eternal Journey is not just for the bereaved or those anticipating a bereavement. It's for all of us. Consider it a gift for your spirit, a balm for your soul. Carol Hutton has created a wonderful journey for anyone open to life's marvels.

Carol Hutton's Eternal Journey is fast and powerfully direct. Told as a fictional tale, this book will resonate with anyone who's ever suffered loss, experienced coincidences or synchronicities in their life. There are reasons for all experiences, good and bad, although the difference in resolution and understanding is in the part of the equation known as time. Awareness is the skill which needs to be developed as the reader progresses through the novel. The real value is translating this into one's own life.

Once in a while a little book comes along and just steals you away. Read a page or two and the next thing you know, you're gone...you're somewhere else for awhile. Eternal Journey does exactly that. It transports you to a special place where mystical events unfold and love transcends loss. Acceptance triumphs over anguish; grief grows into hope. On your journey through this book, you'll travel with Anna, a successful psychotherapist whose mission is helping others unravel and come to terms with life's mysteries. When Anna loses her closest friend Beth to cancer--the third such loss among her friends in a year--she comes unglued. Disconsolate, and trying to "get a grip" (ironically the name of her own radio talk show), she flees to Martha's Vineyard Island for a long winter week-end of healing solitude. Hoping to work through her grief alone, she discovers she is anything but alone. Inexplicably, she runs into and then keeps crossing paths with a truly remarkable individual. As she struggles to find meaning in her loss, other extraordinary "encounters" take place, until finally she realizes that love and connections never die....That life is maybe only one leg of an ongoing journey. Perhaps death is not the end of the road. Perhaps the dying process is really a gateway to another path in our travels. Like the birth process. What an affirming concept! What you'll love about Eternal Journey is that it bravely takes you where other books do not. Through the medium of storytelling, this lovely and poignant fable speaks straight to your belief systems, offering meanings unfamiliar to most outside the realm of hospice care and grief counseling. Far from being morbid or depressing, the author's message absolutely shines: it's awe inspiring and uplifting. In a word, it's hope (yes, as in "...springs eternal"). Eternal Journey is not just for the bereaved or those anticipating a bereavement. It's for all of us. Consider it a gift for your spirit, a balm for your soul. Carol Hutton has created a wonderful journey for anyone open to life's marvels.

Our book club at church decided to take this book and have our monthly book review. I read the book and cannot wait to read the other two books Jennifer O'neill has written. It was great.

Though I don't have much time to read, I made time to read this book! Ms. O'Neill out did herself on this one, addressing life issues in a sometimes humorous always honesty manner. Her characters are real, her writing style is unique and her book is well worth the read. I highly recommend it!

"A Fall Together" is a wonderful story of the importance faith, family, and friendship in the struggles of life, written with all the passion that Jennifer O'Neill always writes with. I found myself constantly drawn back to the story until I finished the book, and now I am anxiously waiting for the next part of the story in the next book. As one who works with single again adults I found the struggles of Lauren, Irene and their children realistic and true to life. This is a great book and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who likes a great story.

Dick Bont

This book takes a while to get into - you must be patient and learn about each character individually. This is the first in a series so I got just a taste obviously and I was disappointed that I really didn't get to dive into the story line further. I do hope the next one will be easier to identify with earlier. I am a fan of Christian fiction, but this is my first book from this author. Overall, good reading.

I just finished reading "A Fall Together", what a great story. Funny how the two sisters reminded me of myself and my sister. I hope one day she will see Christ through my actions. And I have two teenage daughters at home that I'm consistently struggling to keep the doors of communication open too. Jennifer has blended this community and circle of friends into a wonderful story. It would be a great to see a story like this in film one day too. I'll be looking for the next book in the series that is scheduled to be released in Jan 2007.

Joralemon and Sharon's work was lacking a female point of view on northern peruvian shamanism. This book delivers that point of view along with a very personal account of the experience.

Other reviewers have described the breadth and depth of Glass-Coffin's study of Northern Peruvian curanderas and have noted how effectively she weaves her personal story through the book. I would like to add my kudos as well. I appreciated the solid historical context and enjoyed reading about her experiences with some of the ancient healing traditions and their modern incarnations. Having traveled through the region myself, I have can concur with her observations about some of the differences between male and female practitioners. It provides much food for thought.

Glass-Coffin's book will provide a great deal of insight for anyone interested in healing traditions or South American history. Although Post-conquest influences have mutated the expression of native spirituality, they did not completely eradicate time honored practices.

We have all enjoyed the charming and entertaining look at sorcery and witchcraft as experienced by the fictional Harry Potter. No less interesting and fascinating is Bonnie Glass-Coffin's realistic look at sorcery and shamanism as they exist in South America today. "The Gift of Life" incorporates Glass-Coffin's extensive research as a talented anthropologist with her own personal healing experiences to produce a highly readable and well-documented book on female shamans (healers) in Northern Peru. She provides a history of sorcery and healing in South America, a contextual explanation and description of the healing practices of five different female shamans she met while in Peru, and an examination of gender and socioeconomic differences in the world of spiritual healing. Academic rigor does not preclude a "good read". Scholars and general readers alike will be pleased with this book. When I loaned the book to a friend who has traveled in Peru, she returned it quickly, noting "This is too good not to have a copy of my own!" I recommend it highly.

Prior to THE GIFT OF LIFE, little had been written about the role women play in healing and shamanism in Northern Peru. Part of the reason for this oversight had to do with the way European colonization brought the concept of "witchcraft" to Peru, and the fact that Peruvian women who practiced traditional healing arts were frequently beaten and tortured until they confessed to standard European-style "witchcraft" practices. Author Bonnie Glass-Coffin was trained as an anthropologist, so she knew that women have historically played a large part in shamanism from looking at the ancient sculptures of the Moche and Chimu, which both portray women involved in healing arts. With the intention to find and interview modern-day women shamans in Peru, Glass-Coffin set out to do exactly that.

Bonnie Glass-Coffin shares the stories from five female curanderas (shamans) she met with between April 1988 and September 1989. Her extraordinary book, THE GIFT OF LIFE, describes the daily life of these female curanderas and the story of how they became healers, and includes black and white photographs of their mesas (curing altars) and healing herbs (plants such as the San Pedro cactus). Glass-Coffin's background in anthropology and her accounts of her experiences living in Peru as she grew up give this book a unique feeling of personal relevance and social perspective.

I was impressed that THE GIFT OF LIFE does not shy away from describing the ways curanderas have used their spiritual powers on some occasions for sorcery. Glass-Coffin describes "dano" as intended harm by sorcery, and tells stories and includes pictures of how Peruvians have discovered and dealt with the harmful magic of others. She also describes some of the differences between male and female healers in Peru -- such as the way female curanderas tend to involve patients more directly in their healing. I was also impressed that Glass-Coffin described her own personal involvement being healed by curanderas, giving this book tremendous warmth. The first-hand accounts of what it feels like to suffer as the recipient of a dano help the reader better understand the way our thoughts and feelings affect one another.

I give this book my highest recommendation to anyone who is interested in ancient traditional ways of healing, wishes to know what is unique about women healers, and is intrigued by reading stories about how our thoughts and feelings affect others.

Prior to THE GIFT OF LIFE, little had been written about the role women play in healing and shamanism in Northern Peru. Part of the reason for this oversight had to do with the way European colonization brought the concept of "witchcraft" to Peru, and the fact that Peruvian women who practiced traditional healing arts were frequently beaten and tortured until they confessed to standard European-style "witchcraft" practices. Author Bonnie Glass-Coffin was trained as an anthropologist, so she knew that women have historically played a large part in shamanism from looking at the ancient sculptures of the Moche and Chimu, which both portray women involved in healing arts. With the intention to find and interview modern-day women shamans in Peru, Glass-Coffin set out to do exactly that.

Bonnie Glass-Coffin shares the stories from five female curanderas (shamans) she met with between April 1988 and September 1989. Her extraordinary book, THE GIFT OF LIFE, describes the daily life of these female curanderas and the story of how they became healers, and includes black and white photographs of their mesas (curing altars) and healing herbs (plants such as the San Pedro cactus). Glass-Coffin's background in anthropology and her accounts of her experiences living in Peru as she grew up give this book a unique feeling of personal relevance and social perspective.

I was impressed that THE GIFT OF LIFE does not shy away from describing the ways curanderas have used their spiritual powers on some occasions for sorcery. Glass-Coffin describes "dano" as intended harm by sorcery, and tells stories and includes pictures of how Peruvians have discovered and dealt with the harmful magic of others. She also describes some of the differences between male and female healers in Peru -- such as the way female curanderas tend to involve patients more directly in their healing. I was also impressed that Glass-Coffin described her own personal involvement being healed by curanderas, giving this book tremendous warmth. The first-hand accounts of what it feels like to suffer as the recipient of a dano help the reader better understand the way our thoughts and feelings affect one another.

I give this book my highest recommendation to anyone who is interested in ancient traditional ways of healing, wishes to know what is unique about women healers, and is intrigued by reading stories about how our thoughts and feelings affect others.

Jackie Joyner-Kersee elaborately describes the struggles and obstacles that she had to overcome to become a successful and outstanding athlete and person. Her book is filled with emotions that the reader can intially relate to. Her life was filled with adversity and proves that a strong and self-determined person can triumph regardless of depressing and self-destructing obstacles that may stand in your way. Jackie, who is portrayed through the media to be "Superwoman" is really more human and down to the earth than most of the world. Life for Jackie was not always "peaches and cream." She was born and raised in East St. Louis, which was not known as a very safe place at the time. A reporter once suggested to Jackie that she should not tell people where she was from cause it might destroy her image. This event, however, made Jackie appreciate her hometown even more. You cannot put into words why this woman is thought of as superb. She went from rock bottom to soaring to the unlimited top. With the help of this book, Jackie's title as "The World's Greatest Female Athlete" has been justified.

Jackie Joyner-Kersee elaborately describes the struggles and obstacles that she had to overcome to become a successful and outstanding athlete and person. Her book is filled with emotions that the reader can intially relate to. Her life was filled with adversity and proves that a strong and self-determined person can triumph regardless of depressing and self-destructing obstacles that may stand in your way. Jackie, who is portrayed through the media to be "Superwoman" is really more human and down to the earth than most of the world. Life for Jackie was not always "peaches and cream." She was born and raised in East St. Louis, which was not known as a very safe place at the time. A reporter once suggested to Jackie that she should not tell people where she was from cause it might destroy her image. This event, however, made Jackie appreciate her hometown even more. You cannot put into words why this woman is thought of as superb. She went from rock bottom to soaring to the unlimited top. With the help of this book, Jackie's title as "The World's Greatest Female Athlete" has been justified.

Jackie Joyner-Kersee elaborately describes the struggles and obstacles that she had to overcome to become a successful and outstanding athlete and person. Her book is filled with emotions that the reader can intially relate to. Her life was filled with adversity and proves that a strong and self-determined person can triumph regardless of depressing and self-destructing obstacles that may stand in your way. Jackie, who is portrayed through the media to be "Superwoman" is really more human and down to the earth than most of the world. Life for Jackie was not always "peaches and cream." She was born and raised in East St. Louis, which was not known as a very safe place at the time. A reporter once suggested to Jackie that she should not tell people where she was from cause it might destroy her image. This event, however, made Jackie appreciate her hometown even more. You cannot put into words why this woman is thought of as superb. She went from rock bottom to soaring to the unlimited top. With the help of this book, Jackie's title as "The World's Greatest Female Athlete" has been justified.

Jackie Joyner-Kersee's autobiography is everything a biography should be, well-written, entertaining, and deeply moving. Unlike many celebrity bios that center around events, primarily ones that reflect well on the author, Jackie's book is people-centered and equally honest about her struggles as well as her triumphs. She writes with love and admiration about many people who have touched her life both in big and small ways. It is not hard to see why Jackie became the woman and athlete that she is. This book could have just as easily been titled "The World's Greatest Role Model for Young People."

A Kind of Grace is an excellent book. I think everyone should read it. It gave me a whole new look on life and how to appreciate everything I have. It also gave me inspiration to work hard at track. Now I have the heart and determination to train, lift weights, and practice, practice, practice. So everyone please buy and read this wonderful book, A Kind of Grace.

Bought this book for my 19 yr old daughter. She gobbled it up in a night. Now it's making its way around the college dorm. My wife wants to read it, too! I'm buying the entire series as it comes out. Sorry I couldn't give actual details about the author/story, but, I think this series is a winner based upon my daughter's response.

This series begins at Christy's wedding, where the Christy Miller series leaves off, now from best friend Katie Weldon's perspective. Katie is just finishing her junior year at a Bible college. She is overwhelmed by her busy life and the big decisions she needs to make soon, such as whether to take a resident advisor position her senior year, and what to do about her undeclared major. Not the least important, she also is trying to understand her relationship with Rick Doyle, her "almost boyfriend," with whom she has a complicated past.

I found the characters in this book multi-dimensional and easy to relate with. The religious tones are not preachy, and rather refreshing: Katie wasn't raised in a Christian home, and therefore has her own set of Christian truisms that are unique and thought-provoking. Although Katie can be a bit over-dramatic (and maybe over-sensitive) at times, she is a charming character and enjoyable to read. The blending of purity and romance is what makes this novel both beneficial for young readers, and satisfying for all ages. I laughed several times, and cried several times! That is rare for me in reading fictional stories. I highly recommend this book.

As Katie Weldon attends her best friend Christy Miller's wedding, she can't help but think about her own love life. In PECULIAR TREASURES, the first book in Robin Jones Gunn's new Katie Weldon series, Katie works hard to catch the wedding bouquet in hopes that her slow-moving, undefined relationship with Rick Doyle might begin to speed up. However, Katie quickly notices that Rick seems less than enthusiastic about the bouquet attempt.

Romance isn't the only thing on Katie's mind. At the ceremony, she is approached about the possibility of a job as a resident assistant at her university. While everyone thinks she'd be perfect for the job, Katie begins to wonder if she's really ready to give up her social life for the year. Not to mention that it would mean having to quit her job at the Dove's Nest, where she conveniently gets to spend her days with gorgeous Rick.

After Katie decides to take the position as an RA, her life becomes more complicated than she ever imagined. She's had a big crush on Rick since high school, and now that he's finally her "almost-boyfriend," she thought she was ready to solidify their complicated relationship. But now they appear to be drifting farther apart than ever. With the RA job taking up her days and nights, it looks like a relationship is the last thing she has time for. And when they do manage to spend any time with each other, it seems to always end in disaster.

Luckily, Christy soon returns home from her honeymoon and is able to give Katie some wise advice from a married woman. And it looks like Katie will need it, too. Rick is faced with a promising business opportunity, which might be taking him far away from her. And he seems to have been getting quite a bit of attention from an unrelenting female. Between trying to figure out her relationship with Rick, fulfilling her duties as an RA and hoping to graduate on time, Katie's senior year will be anything but relaxing!

PECULIAR TREASURES is the first book in the latest (and third) spinoff series of Robin Jones Gunn's original Christy Miller series. Fans of the earlier series will no doubt be excited to catch up with the familiar characters. The book picks up right where the last series, Christy and Todd: The College Years, left off, and gives the reader glimpses into unresolved storylines, such as Christy and Todd's marriage, and Doug and Tracy's baby. Newcomers might find themselves confused or uninterested in the sometimes complicated and, by this point, very developed characters. However, that is certainly not to say that the book can't stand on its own.

All in all, PECULIAR TREASURES is a very enjoyable read and continues a story that fans will be glad has returned.

--- Reviewed by Jennifer Crosby

I read all the Christy Miller books when I was in high school and when I heard Robin Jones Gunn was writing another book I had to get it. It was such a great book. Robin Jones Gunn does a phenomenal job of making the characters become real. I would highly recommend this book and all other Robin Jones Gunn books.

This book was exactly what was needed to continue the Christy Miller Series! But there are still ALOt of unanswered questions from her series that needs to be answered! But I Believe this series will answer alot of those questions. Any Christy fans will love this book as i did and Katie will attract new fans with her positive out look on life!