N Books

A box that will make you cry, make you want to be a better person BUT if you have ever read a book written by Richard Paul Evans, you already know that..

Betty Graham

I SEEM TO LOVE EVERYTHING RICHARD PAUL EVANS WRITES .VERY WELL RESEARCHED ,I ALWAYS HAVE TO KEEP READING TILL I FINISH ,NO BREAKS .

this book is really eye opening as to faith and where it can lead you if you let it.

Unfortunately I read this after reading "The Light of Christmas" so I knew most of the story line but it was still worth the read. It is a simple story with a powerful message about the importance of our individual lives and the lives of those who love us. The Christian message of hope in life is prevalent but subtle and doesn't come across as 'preaching' while still delivering its impact.

I am a big fan of the Christmas Box books, but when I saw this book I thought UHHHHHH I guess he needs even more money. RPE must have realized that he was a flash in the pan, and was desprate to hang on to his falling fame. This book does have its moments though, but it sounds like a broken record. They were giving this book away.. a free copy with every $10 purchase. I wish RPE would get over himself he's no Charles Dickens!!!

I really enjoyed this novel of love, hope and determination. It sort of reminded me of something Nicholas Sparks would write. Who is another author I enjoy when I want a simple wholesome book to read. I ordered two more books and plan on reading all of the Martin books if there anything like this one.

In The Dead Don't Dance Charles Martin once again creates characters that the reader grows to love. Martin's wonderful mix of drama, contemplation and humor give a great pace to the novel. His books are very inspirational, but never preachy or simplistic.

Charles Martin is an exceptional writer! I could hardly put the book down! I highly recommend all of Charles Martin's book!

I hesitated reading this book because I was worried it would be too sad for me. But I decided to give it a try because I had read another book by Charles Martin, When Crickets Cry, and loved it. It was a book that stuck with me and I made a mental note to read something else by him. I also loved 'The Dead Don't Dance'. Even though I cried; it did not weigh me down. I grew to love the characters and I am already half way through its sequel 'Maggie'. Charles Martin is an author to follow. I plan to read all his books. If you like Francine Rivers and Lynn Austin you will also like Charles Martin: they all tell a good story. They are different in style; which makes him a good author to throw into the rotation. Thanks CM, keep up the good work!

The Dead Don't Dance is simply marvelous. Charles Martin has written a profound novel of life in the South without creating ridiculous characters. The protagonist is a man trying to find meaning in his life after the death of his firstborn and the half-life of his wife after she lapsed into a coma following complications from the birth. A must read for anyone searching for meaning in their lives.

I have spent some time in NYC before but had always been with a city resident and hadn't ever needed a guide. But when the opportunity came about for my husband and I to spend a long weekend there, I absolutely took it. I love the city (in small doses, couldn't ever live there), but hadn't ever had a chance to do any touristy stuff. So I read some reviews and picked up this guide.

I spent a few days reading over it, and after my trip, I would say it's a great guide if you don't know what you want to do, or how to structure your days, because it has very specific suggestions for stuff like that. It has a section for each part of the city, at the end of which is a run down on a sample day one could spend in that neighborhood.

But as far as a comprehensive while-you're-there guide? I wish I had gotten Not For Tourists. This was a great planner, and had street and subway maps that were incredibly useful, but when you're looking for a bookstore nearby to kill an hour? Nada. Also, because of the setup of the book (chock full of Top Ten lists, duh), it jumps around a lot. One museum is mentioned in four different places, and vital information is only on one of those pages, but from the index there's no way to tell which one of those pages has something important like the hours of the place, for example, so you have to check every page.

Again, great for planning, less great for a carry-along for your trip.

Great subway map! Just don't forget to read the signs in the subway, some trains only run certain days/times. AND if I remember correctly PATH is not really in the book.

I've used this guide several times on trips to NY and it is absolutely terrific. Pocketable, beautifully illustrated, wonderfully organized. We went to two of the restaurants recommended and were totally pleased. Very easy to use and filled with useful information. Will add a lot to a visit.

For those traveling to New York City this is an essential guide to bring with you. The restaurant recommendations are top notch. The maps are detailed and a pocket subway guide is always helpful. Whether you are going in for a week or a weekend this is the guide you want to carry with you when you are out and about. You may want to use another guide if you are going in for a longer period of time for planning purposes but again this is the one you want to carry with you when you are in the city.

I visited NYC for the first time a few weeks ago. I took only three books about this city with me: this guide, the "Lonely planet NYC Guide", and "The Metropolitan Museum of Art Guide". Truth to be told, this guide is probably the only one I couldn't have done without.

"Top 10 New York" is an extremely useful small guide that doesn't have as much information as the "Lonely planet NYC Guide", but that has the essentials, and excellent fold out maps in color that are more easily understandable than those of other guides. I would like to highlight the fact that even though I am very absent minded, I could easily find my way in NYC thanks to those maps. And if I can, everybody will be able to do that!

From my point of view, this guide is ideal for those tourists that don't have a lot of time, and want to see as much as possible during their visit to NYC (specifically Manhattan), if possible without a tourist guide. "Top 10 New York" points out quite a few places you simply must go to in the city, but also tells you about different neighbourhoods, and their history. There are many photos in color that help you to decide what you want to do, and historic data that allows you to learn about this city.

Moreover, most visitors will find the insider tips for tourists helpful, and the planned walks and itineraries a good option. Other useful sections in this guide are, for example, "Best shopping districts", "Best hotels for every budget" (I found my hotel through Internet, though), "Best restaurants in each area" and "Most fun places for children". What is more, "Top 10 New York" is almost pocket-sized, so you can carry it with you everywhere, even if your purse is tiny (not my case!), or if you have bought too many things and your handbag is rather heavy (yes, that often happens to me).

All in all, I am very happy I bought this guide, and I strongly recommend it to you :)

Belen Alcat

I've read other books by this author and liked them, especially "The Bear Went Over the Mountain." Perhaps I didn't read the emailed Amazon promo carefully enough because I had no idea that this book was written 35 years ago. It is a story of a druggie living in NYC in the '60s. Although I was part of that culture, I really didn't know anyone as deeply into weed as this character so it was hard to relate. Was the story supposed to be happy, funny, or just sad? It was hard to tell. And how DID the chorus get all those fans?

There has been a lot of counterculture literature since the rise of the Beat Generation in the 50s. Much of it fails to measure up to the standard of Kerouac, Ginsberg or Burroughs. There are some writers who have managed to rise up to the occasion with classic or near classic works. Terry Southern would be one that comes to mind. Another writer who has produced some fine works is William Kotzwinkle. Before, "E.T. The Extra-terrestial", Kotzwinkle was noted for producing counterculture literature. One of his most famous works is the 1974 novel "The Fan Man".

This novel chronicles the sleazy misadventures of the self absorbed hippie Horse Badorties. He is typical low life East Village for that time period, man. He knows the score and will always find the door for a quick out. He avoids things like rent and pays for commodities with rubber checks. Surely this is a time piece cause many of his ideals wouldn't fly in today's climate.

The title is derived from his continued attempts to be a salesman of small battery powered fans. He consistently uses them and tries to sell them in any store or business he enters into. It is all part of his grand scheme. He even envisions utilizing the fans in his Love Concert that will be presented at St Nancy's Church. (I am wondering if this is meant to be the famous St. Mark's Church in the East Village which conducted poetry readings for decades.)

Kotzwinkle endeavors to capture the thought process and speech pattern of an East Village post hippie lowbrow. In this, he is very successful. The narrative moves along in a hazy stream of consciousness. Horse Badorties is a slob who is no stranger to the herbal pleasures of Mother Nature. The novel begins with Horse waking up in his filthy pad. Kotzwinkle is very descriptive in detailing the encrusted, greasy condition of this pad. It would probably not be too appealing to squeamish stomachs. I found myself thinking, "Man, and I thought I was a slob." Horse Badorties is not only from another era, he seems to be from another universe.

Badorties is full of big ideas and cons. He doesn't pay the rent and destroys the pad with his junk and filth. He is trying to conduct a love concert which will feature a chorus of 15 year old girls, most of whom, he tries to bed down. He has music sheets which he claims is church music from hundreds of years ago. Suspension of disbelief is required to take seriously anything Horse Badorties says.

The narrative is written in the first person, and we get a lot of "mans" sprinkled throughout the text, man. Like, man, after awhile, it can get pretty unnerving, man. In this respect, it is similar to a novel like Huck Finn where Twain attempts to capture the slang and accents of 19th Century Missouri. Kotzwinkle is very successful in this endeavor. He manages to tap into that vein of consciousness from Badorties viewpoint. This can be frustrating to the reader. If you consider how annoying it can be to listen to a person who overuses the word man in their speech, man, well, it can be just as annoying reading this text. Some readers would probably get lost in trying to follow the narrative. You almost have to try to put yourself in Badorties shoes. That is not a pleasant proposition. Kotzwinkle is very successful in capturing this stream of consciousness.

My impression is that this book is meant more as an adieu to the hippie era and the summer of love mentality that the 60s rock exuded. This is really about the crash, man. This is when people began to drop out without tuning in or turning on. In reading the book, I get the sense that I am listening to the voice of a man whose time has passed. He is left to wallow, in his own words, in putrified wretchedness. There must have been quite a few real life people like Badorties populating the East Village during those years. Perhaps there still are a few dinosaurs and relics there today. All in all, this is a very amusing, entertaining and irreverent book, one that will certainly make you laugh. Yes, it's a fun book. Pick up a copy! Along with this novel I'd also like to recommend another East Village novel called The Losers' Club (Complete Restored Edition) by Richard Perez.

This classic captures both the sense of the drugged-out sixties--when the prevalent youth drugs were less dangerous and addictive--and the quirky character who is the narrator. It's kind of a literary Cheech and Ching, being off the wall in the same pothead way. But funnier, I think. Though I should say that his too light treatment of rape at one point brought me up short. At any rate, except for that rather awful glitch, this is one of the funniest books you'll ever read, if you like pothead humor. Sadly, Kotzwinkle never reached the same level of hilarity again.
I Think, Therefore Who Am I?

I read this book at the age of 12! It somehow made it onto a shelf of the St Rose of Lima school library in suburban Toronto. I read it cover to cover and for a short time it was cooler than porn for a few boys on the school hockey team. I returned it without mentioning it's subject matter to anyone in a authority. It could still be there. Maybe somebody was pulling pranks, or maybe Miss Heitzner, the soon to retire librarian was more progressive than she was ever given credit for! It's been a long time, 28 years or so, but I always remembered Horse and his anticts. In particular his getting laid and the school bus scam. Let's say it made an impression.

I read this book in my youth, and try and read it every couple of years. I rank it right up there with a confederacy of dunces, another classic. horse and ignatius are two of my favorite characters to come from the world of fiction. I came of age in the late 60's and early 70's, being a former hippie [ now my politics are just to the right of atilla the hun ] this book captures that era perfectly.

This book is excellent and the way in which I received it was excellent as well.

Mr. Colson does a great job guiding the reader to God through reason and intellect and not just because the bible says so. Great for the skeptic and the believer as well.

Rings a bell, lights a bulb and deep down inside heart of hearts you know what colson shares is the truth. The spins stops here. I am devouring all of the bibliographic books and movies. The stories and the incidents is a good look at the reality and how the world is supposed to be. Start your search beyond Google and you will come to the cross. He is the truth and the life.

I so appreciate Colson's deep analysis of how we view our lives in relation to each other and God. He is an articulate and passionate storyteller and sage.

This turns out the best audio book I've ever bought. I am looking for the unabridged edition and this is it. I feel immersed in the book through the oratory skills of the narrator.

I like this book because it has over 14 pictures of vehicles from episode 1.My favorites are the Naboo N-1 starfighter and the AAT battle tank. Believe me,this is a great book! You should get it!

If you've stayed up nights wondering about the inner workings of a Naboo N-1 Starfighter, or even occasionally contemplate the unconventional solid-fuel concentrate slugs that the strange society of the Neimoidian traders use to give their droid starfighters such powerful thrust, you'll want to read Star Wars Episode I Incredible Cross-Sections cover-to-cover. This handsome book - deservedly referring to its illustrations as incredible - shows us a vroom with a view; more than fourteen vrooms, in fact.

SW Episode I Incredible Cross-Sections is brought to us by the great people at Dorling Kindersly Publishing -- or DK for short - where just about any topic you might think of has already been turned into a beautifully illustrated right-brained adventure in learning. The illustrators for this masterpiece are Hans Jenssen and Richard Chasemore, arguably the two artists with the best job available in that field this side of Alpha Centauri.

Jenssen, who specializes in technical art, especially machines, lives in England but claims to spend his vacations on Tatooine (no accounting for taste in vacation spots) where he has been known to engage in "moderately disreputable pursuits (he goes all the way to Tatooine for that?)." Chasemore has worked as an illustrator in both the U.S. and Europe on a great variety of projects, one of which was another collaboration with Jenssen: DK's Star Wars: Incredible Cross Sections featuring intergalactic vroom-vrooms previously made famous by the vision makers at Lucasfilms. Chasemore says he enjoys "perilous sports involving boards and high velocities (now, maybe he's the one who should check-out Tatooine).

Rounding out the gifted team taking us on intricate tours of Gungan Subs, Podracers, Coruscant taxis and Republic Cruisers, is Dr. David West Reynolds who earned his PhD in archeology at the University of Michigan. His background as a lecturer, veteran of field expeditions on three continents and as an author of scientific archeological publications should make one thing perfectly clear: you don't have to be a dullard denizen of the local mall scene to be a StarWars fan. If his background doesn't make it perfectly clear, the intellectual acuity of his copy will.

This must-have addition to the shelf of any die-hard StarWars fan is equally enjoyable to tot and teen as to tottering sage. It's a picture-book nonpareil or a detailed account of mid-power repulsorlifts and hydrostatic bubble projector units (if you do more than look at the pictures). It's even a trivia-hunter's true treasure. For instance (be honest now), did you know any of the names of Anakin's co-contenders for the Boonta Eve Podrace? Sure, you say - Sebulba. But anybody knows that! True buffs will want this book so they can win rounds of Star Wars Trivial Pursuit with answers like Ark "Bumpy" Roose, Teemto Pagalies, and the ever-impressive Clegg Holdfast.

If you like schematics (or even the word schematics - it's such a great one, isn't it?) you're going to want to pour over this book like hot fudge on a sundae. Featured is a dual fold-out center page affording a panoramic view of the Trade Federation's Droid Control Ship. The resultant artistry of this and the other detailed drawings was generated when the DK team worked directly with the film production art department at Lucas's Skywalker Ranch, mapping out the anatomy of each craft as it was being created. This book comes from the source, folks: from the source ... of the Force.

My ten-year-old loves taking turns with me reading sections of this book aloud and I can almost see his gray matter expanding (hasn't hurt his imagination too much, either) while we huddle by the lamplight. Only problem I'm left with now is what to do with all these detailed schematics of his own left lying about the house - outlandishly labeled creations from foreign worlds contemplating an invasion of Earth, no doubt. Hmm. Maybe I should call George Lucas.

This edition is devoted to the Spaceships and Craft from The Phantom Menace.

As with Star Wars Cross Sections it is very well detailed and even better with todays print technology. Great for children and first generation Star Wars fans alike.

I wouldn't call this the greatest technical book of all times. I wouldn't be suprised if this book wasn't nominated for any kind of award. But Episode 1: Incredible Cross-sections is captivating enough to stand on its own. I enjoyed it because I got to look through the insides of some of the film's most enigmatic ships and vessels like Darth Maul's Sith Infiltrator and the Gungan Bongo. It's good for those who were still puzzled about the ships after the end of the film.

I always wanted to see more and to be able to look inside of the vehicles more closely, and this book provides that information (and more more) in great detail. I really like the mini illustrations of where in the vehicles that events from the movies took place, it helps to "put a name to a face".

Like the mood swings of its central characters, this book took me to giddy highs and pensive lows. Wimmer takes you on a great ride with fellow travelers you come to care about as they search for love and their place in the world.

Dick Wimmer gives us a world and a set of characters vibrant with life and humanity. Seamus Boyne is as endearing as Joyce Cary's Gully Jimson and twice as irrepressible. This book is a sleeper. Why doesn't everybody know about it?
--Doug Ramsey

Wimmer's look at life,love,and laugher is not to be missed.He touches on every aspect of all that life has to offer,and along the way leaves the reader rolling in the aisles.You get so caught up in his unique characters,that you forget about the mad romp this gem of a book takes you on. Drop whatever you're reading now and do yourself a favor, pick up The Irish Wine Trilogy, you will not disappointed. More than any other novelist in recent memory, Wimmer gives us a story that makes us glad to be alive. You will laugh out loud, over, and over, again. Bravo, Mr. Wimmer. You are a treasure.

Irish Wine, by Dick Wimmer, is a stunningly lyrical, achingly funny trilogy that presents some of the brightest, yet most flawed, characters I've encountered. Wimmer portrays the Artist, in various incarnations--the frustrated, the famous, the obsessive, the unrecognized, the paralyzed. These characterizations are poignant, yet completely irreverent. As a result, Wimmer creates an unexpected literary delight: fast-paced poetry that you can't put down.
What an accomplishment!
As an added bonus, no male writer I've ever read, has written better about sex from a woman's point of view, than Wimmer. Bravo!

Dick Wimmer's beautiful, high-energy writing took me on an adventure filled with all of the things that make life delicious: love, joy, passion, risk and lots of laugh out loud humor. I found myself adoring the larger than life painter,Seamus Boyne, from the beginning of the first novel and growing to love him more and more as his passion fueled the craziest of situations. His love for his estranged daughter, Tory, was deeply moving and provided terrific emotional glue for the wonderful zaniness found in the second novel. The third novel was very different, but equally rich and satisfying - a story about moving through fear to claim one's joy. Wimmer's style is completely unexpected and utterly enjoyable. I loved it!

I cannot even begin to describe how much I love this book. The plot is clearly the work of a genius (you would never in a lifetime be able to guess that this is Kirsten Miller's first novel if it didn't say so on the back inside cover). I'm not going to go into the plot, because that is just an unnecessary ruiner to anybody who hasn't read the book yet, but I will say that you fall in love with all of the characters. This book will keep anyone at the edge of their chairs, reading for hours without wanting to stop for even a second. Through head-aches and eye-strain, I persisted reading, and that's saying something significant. For anyone, and I repeat: anyone, who is in search of a book, I would recommend this book. Really, if I haven't convinced you yet, the book itself surely will.
Now, I will admit that the first few chapters or so are good, but a little odd and perhaps confusing, but trust me, this book will not disappoint.

This is probably my all time favorite book! It's full of adventure, mystery, and advice for you to learn. I have to admit, in one part it got a little boring, but then it got right back into action again! The bottom line is to read this book!

My 9 year old daughter devoured this, and quickly after, the "Empress Tomb" sequel. I haven't yet read them but her fascination/identification with the characters, her expanded vocabulary (truly interesting words like "mausoleum") and her desire to share the books with all of her literary friends has me sold. Quick note: the kikistrike website is fantastic as well. Thank you to Kirsten Miller for creating complex, empowered girls and for kicking off what I hope will continue to be an unprecedented series!

Im not even finished with the book and im already in trance in the books "spell". If you love mystery this is the book for you .Its about a group of exceptionally different girls. Dont judge this book by the cover , it looks like its for a older group of girls but its not.Its a good read for mature 9 year olds and up.At first my mom would'nt buy it for me because it looked to old but if you asked me I'd say "this is one of the best books I've ever read.I like this book because its about smart, powerful ,strong girls...Girl with a plan

Imagine you live in a big city, across the street from a little park. Picture that one night when you wake up, there is a giant hole in the center of the park. You gaze further, and can't help but notice a muddy creature trudging out of the sunken ground. But wait, there's more! If you are Ananka Fishbein, curiosity will probably get the better of you, and you will find yourself climbing down the hole into an underground passage, with closed doors lining the hallways. This, reader, is the Shadow City. Then appears a mysterious girl called Kiki Strike, who materializes into Ananka's classroom. Our main character is determined to find out more about her new classmate. Kiki, on the other hand, drags her pursuer into the shadow city, along with some Girl Scout rejects. Their unusual talents - mechanical genius, chemistry whiz, best computer hacker in Manhattan, and master of disguise - help Kiki carry out her plan to control the deserted underground city. No one knows what she plans to do, but when Kiki disappears, Ananka grows suspicious when in that time, many robberies are committed through forgotten underground passages. The Irregulars know that they are the only living humans that have knowledge of the Shadow City.

As you become totally absorbed in the book, Kirsten Miller's fantastic description puts you into the story itself. While reading, every painful, scared emotion or sorrowful feeling she describes is your own emotion too. The beginning is a bit confusing, but give the book a chance and you will learn to love it as I do. Late at night, I would find myself with a flashlight, sneaking in a chapter past midnight. As Kirsten's fiction novel wraps you up in adventure, there is also useful information at the end of each chapter. Some examples: other underground worlds, how to catch a lie, how to follow someone without getting caught, how to catch someone eavesdropping, how to prepare for adventure, and other useful, strategic facts and advice.

This book is perfect for a middle school girl to read. There is a limited amount of girly girl talk, and the rest of it is solid adventure. I assure you that after the first chapter, any girl from ages 9-14 will be captured by the plot, and enter the Shadow City and Manhattan, not returning until every last detail is revealed. Happy readings!

Amanda G.
Grade 6
Ms. Kawatachi

I loved this book it brought me back to my child hood in a fun and loving way. I thought it was well written, I did not want to end. I hope the Author writes a sequel

This is the greatest book ever! Kept me on the edge of my seat every time I picked it up to read. Full of hope and wonder. I lent it to my sister, a teacher, and she recommended the book to the school's librarian. Most of her students wanted to borrow it from her to read it, because she'd read some of the book outloud to them and they fell in love with it. I recommend this book to EVERYONE!!!!!

This is a fabulous story about adventure, magic and the power of kindness. Its so creative, I just had to share it with other teachers! It gives a whole new life to the 'pantheon' of Santa Claus, creating characters who move you, scare you and have you cheering them on.

This is a fantastic story! I really liked the characters, especially the main character, Holly. The beautiful illustrations add to the magical feel of the story. I really like the author's style. I liked how you couldn't tell who the "bad guy" (Herrikhan) would appear as in New York at first. The author has a great way of describing everything, especialy the land of Forever. This is a great book to share and read aloud. It is one of my top two favorite books ever. Most people who really like high fantasy will really enjoy this book.

The Legend of Holly Claus by Brittney Ryan and Illustrated by Laurel Long
While the premise of the fairy tale is pretty cheesy (Mr. and Mrs. Claus have a daughter), and the book dwells way too long in the cutesy (read: fairy hide-and-seek and doll making), this turned out to be a pretty good fantasy, right up there with the Oz and Narnia series, and very, very reminiscent of Victorian fairy tales like The Rose and the Ring, The Reluctant Dragon, The Selfish Giant, and others I read in a 19th Century Children's Literature course. It's a fairy tale, while sometimes clumsy in prose, is beautifully imaginative and grotesquely described. Holly Claus has the most pure and innocent and loving heart in all creation. Unfortunately, this is the very thing that--when willingly given--will break the curse on the evilest of warlocks. Holly travels to late Victorian New York City, inspires children to follow their dreams by giving them toys (the old "toys are powerful" motifs of Christmas), and eventually defeats the evil Herrikham in an unfortunately predictable ending. But this tale is woven with such clever and imaginative pieces (particularly the creatures from all over folktale in the Land of Forever) and folktale plot twists (Holly's heart is encased in snow, so she is cursed to always be in the cold; a creature of such goodness and purity actually causes fear and horror in the perfect Land of Immortals). Also, there are some genuinely awesome characters, most importantly the two that serve as counter-points to Holly's optimistic innocence: Tundra, Holly's gruff wolf guardian who's a bit tormented, and Christopher Carroll, Holly's love interest, who has seen too much of the evils of the world and has lost his faith in magic. Also, this book is amazingly, beautifully illustrated, truly like a Victorian fairy tale. Grade: A-

This is a gorgeous book. I haven't tried any recipes yet, but the pictures are coffee table book quality.

I think the Triple Lemon Cheesecake and Lemon curd are worth the price of the book. I'm a fan of cheesecake but only make one at a time, and very occasionally. As often as not, my family requests the Triple Lemon Cheesecake over any other cheesecake I make. And the Lemon Curd (which goes on the cheesecake, among other things), Yowza! Fantastic!

I don't cook or bake much, so I don't tend to try out new recipes often, but have been very happy with what I've tried in this book. It's also lovely to look at and enjoyable and friendly to read. Two thumbs up.

I'm a huge lemon dessert fan so when I saw this book, I didn't hesistate to buy it, even at retail price. Then I hurried home and got to work on the recipes. I do quite a bit of baking and I love to meticulously follow directions, but almost everything I made from this, with the exception of the lemon curd, turned out almost inedible. This book offered the worst recipe for madeleines I have ever had the misfortune to encounter, the cheescake with dense and disgusting, etc. I was very disapointed in this purchase, and wouldn't recommend it to anyone. It seemed as though the author had never tested these recipes herself. Completely unreliable.

"Luscious Lemon Desserts" is the must-have cookbook for the true lemon aficionado. Lori Longbotham showcases the clear, piercing flavor of lemon in all of its magnificence, whether you long for the creaminess of rice pudding, the luxuriousness of lemon mousse, or the palate-cleansing clarity of gelatin.

The flavor of lemon can be delivered through several distinct mediums, all of which have different uses and tones: zest, juice, and oil. Most home cooks have used the first two, but the third is an unusual addition. Ms. Longbotham recommends not using lemon extract, comparing the results to furniture polish, and I must agree with her comparison--the warmer, subtler flavor of lemon oil makes a significant difference.

Ms. Longbotham's recipes include standard desserts with a lemon flair, such as pudding, mousse, gelatin, rice pudding, angel food cake, pudding cake, pound cake, lemon meringue pie, lemon tart, three different cheesecakes, souffle, lemon curd, and more. They also, however, include some more unusual takes on dessert. For instance, while I adore pots de creme, I haven't quite been able to get myself to try the version in here that includes coriander seeds, and the same with the creme caramel that includes fennel. Of course you can leave these little additives out easily enough, so I don't think they should put you off of buying the cookbook if they don't sound good to you.

We've made a number of recipes out of this cookbook since we first purchased it. The "ultimate lemon mousse" is still my favorite, and yes, it truly deserves its name! We've made it repeatedly, and it's been a big hit at multiple dinners we've thrown. The lemon rice pudding is mild and not-too-sweet, almost something of a palate-cleanser; it's unexpected and delicious. The lemon curd goes beautifully over biscuits. The only recipe we had any trouble with was "my favorite lemon pudding;" it broke and didn't thicken properly, but I suspect that may well have been due to problems with our old refrigerator rather than the recipe.

For those who find cooking to be a delight and love the flavor of a good lemon, I can't imagine a cookbook library without "Luscious Lemon Desserts!"

For anyone who likes lemon desserts-which is just about everybody! It's pretty surprising that no one had written a lemon dessert book before Lori Longbotham, but fortunately for any home baker that it's one of her favorite flavors. This book is filled with delicious, easy desserts-try the homey Ultimate Lemon Pound Cake, the Chocolate Ganache Tart with Lots of Lemon (wow!), or the delectable Crisp Lemon Wafers-and then move on to the dozens of other delectable recipes. When summer comes, there are lots of great frozen desserts too. The recipes are clear and easy to follow, and she includes lots of tips. And the color photographs are gorgeous!