Shadow Books

Page-Turning Southern Novels!

Shadow of Dreams Book Review by Barbara Robinson
The novel is full of realistic Southern characters. If you love Southern novels, don't miss out on this one! Shadow of Dreams by Eva Marie Everson and G. W. Francis Chadwick is a well-written, well-developed novel full of foreshadowing. The main character serves as an excellent example of what happens to many young teens glamorized by the big city and running from problems at home. Instead of the prodigal son, the main character, Katie, is the prodigal daughter. I couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen to Katie and her husband, and the bad guys. I loved the way the authors used literature for clues. I also loved the way the small-town Georgia guys protected their own and took care of the big-city guys. These authors do not preach, but they certainly know how to spin a tale that could serve to help others. These authors offer much insight, and a reflective reader will benefit from the experience of having read this novel. A good, reflective reader will find that this book is about many things that connect to life in such a way, it can't help but be realistic. The characters are realistic, not mere shells of characters. The way they talk and the things they say, the dialogue, provide that realistic touch to make them come to life. Katie's mom is really a Southern character. It is ironic that she seems to treat Katie as her own mother treated her, but she does not realize this.

Summon the Shadows Book Review

By Barbara Robinson

Summon the Shadows by Eva Marie Everson and G. W. Francis Chadwick is the second novel in a trilogy you won't want to miss. Katie, the main character loses her husband, but refuses to believe he is dead. She is forced to take over his business, running a posh hotel, as she faithfully waits for his return. Her faith in God sees her through. Katie remembers her roots and from where she has come. While being thankful to God for her own escape from the world of exotic dancing, she tries to help three other dancers find their escape by offering them jobs in the hotel. Looking back unable to let go of her past, one dancer secretly returns to the exotic dancing.

This book will not offend anyone with its subtle message of God's caring and love. Everson and Chadwick have interwoven the hope, love, and joy of His message throughout this exciting journey of Katie's life. Katie escapes the evil plot of others with the Lord's protection. Her faith and belief in God see her through the trials and tribulations she encounters at the hands of others. Even with so much turmoil in her own life, she still finds the time to love and care for others and opens her heart and hotel to saving the three dancers and turning their lives around.

This novel will keep you turning pages to find out what fate befalls the dancer who returns to exotic dancing. You will be on the edge of your seat wondering if Katie's husband will reappear, when she starts receiving gifts from an unknown admirer. Next, you will hold your breath as you await Katie's fate at the hands of so-called trusted friends who worked in her hotel. This novel is full of plot twists that make savory reading. Curl up with wonderful winter reads just in time for Christmas with this trilogy available through www.amazon.com because you won't want to miss a single book! What wonderful gifts of reading your presents may offer others!

Shadows of Light Book Review
By Eva Marie Everson
Book Reviewer: Barbara Robinson, Avid Reader and Passionate Writer, Educator

Shadows of Light is a page-turner with a Christian message delicately interwoven, so that the novel does not come off as preachy. Yet, it clearly delivers a much-needed message of God's love and forgiveness and how none of us are perfect. We all need loving kindness, compassion, forgiveness, and redemption, and the set of three novels in this collection clearly provide this message. Shadows of Light is the concluding book in the three-part series, one you will not want to put down until you see how it ends.

This final novel in the series of three illustrates how prayer and faith work in real life. Katie, the main character holds on to her faith, like the treasure it is, until her husband returns. She never gives up on him. Even when he returns and things are not picture perfect, she understands, has compassion, forgives, and continues to have faith in God. Maggie, the housekeeper, also models faith and how prayer works. She is not afraid of death and meeting her maker. In fact, she illustrates how she looks forward to doing so, and she tries to encourage Ben's faith. Just as in real life, all family members do not always share the same faith or amount of faith, but the novel displays a fine example of how one can model faith and belief in the power of prayer without preaching. One of my favorite parts of this novel is how Maggie is found with her finger marking a Bible verse and how Katie remembers the small things about Maggie, like where she kept Katie's slippers. For, when we lose our loved ones, it is always the small, simple things we miss the most about them.

Another favorite part is the epilogue and how the novel ends. I won't spoil the ending for you though. Read the book and find out for yourself! The ending ties in with an ongoing theme from the other two books as well as the third novel and wraps things up nicely like a well-wrapped Christmas gift. These novels would make great stocking stuffers for the readers in your life.

The novel also illustrates a love story and romance between Ben and Katie, the two main characters. It is very realistic to life and provides insight for the reader. If you like Southern novels, romance, or love stories, do not miss this delightful book. In fact, you won't want to miss a single one of the three.

This novel is full of plot twists that make savory reading. Curl up with wonderful winter reads just in time for Christmas with this trilogy available through www.amazon.com because you won't want to miss a single book from the collection: Summon the Shadows, Shadow of Dreams, and last, Shadows of Light.What wonderful gifts of reading your presents may offer others! Check out all of Eva Marie Everson's other great books online.

I'm hesitant to give low review to any author but felt compelled to do so because I was so disillusioned by the other reviews.

I kept waiting for something to happen in this novel and when it did, I was disappointed. It seemed that the entire book was written for the "surprise" ending which was overly dramatic and too unrealistic to be believable.

Then again, I had just read Francine Rivers' "Redeeming Love" and not much compares to that, now does it?

Eva Marie's series is fabulous. I couldn't wait to find the time to read the next page. I fell in love with Katie and hope there are plans to read more of her. Eva Marie's 3 books in this series is filled with exciting plot twists, suspense, and drew me closer to the Lord, plus making me even more appreciative of my wonderful husband. These books are delightful!

Once I started reading, I could not put it down. The characters and storylines are so realistic. I feel I know Katie personally (we are both from Georgia, after all). The suspense kept me on the edge of my seat with anticipation and the love between Ben and Katie warmed by heart. This is definitely a must read and will keep you coming back for more!

The prodigal daughter returns to her southern home after twenty-five years of absence. Katie runs from her problems, and she discovers she needs to make things right with God before she can solve her problems. This book was intriguing and suspenseful, and there were times when I was sitting on the edge of my seat! The characters were well-developed, and I'm anxious to start the sequal!

Very good book if you don't have the DVD. Fills in many details not in the film. A must have for Bass Players.

I'm one of those Bass Players who discovered James Jamerson late in my bass playing life. Any young (or old) aspiring bassist should have this book. The 2 cd's that come with it are worth the price alone. Some of the greatest bass players on earth (McCartney, Entwhistele, Pallidino,Bob Babbit,Chuck Rainey..) paying homage to Jamerson and playing some of his famous bass lines. The great thing about it is that when played through headphones you get the bass in one ear and the rest of the mix in the other. I have actually listened to just the bass mix multiple times and marvelled at the Bass Lines. A must for any young Bass Player.

The book has some great stories and pictures and compliments the CD greatly.

I've always been a fan of Motown but of the singers, now I'm starting to realize I shouldn't give the singers all the credit, it was the producers, songwriters, and musicians who made the artists become hits. If it wasn't for the unique, special Funk Brothers who knows if the Motown artists would have become as successful as they did. It doesn't matter how good of a singer a singer is, if the music ain't right, the singer ain't gonna sound good. Its that something special about the Motown Sound that sparks something in our minds, hearts, and souls, the music complimented the singers excellently. James Jamerson was just a handsome, wonderful, real, interesting, talented person. Its sad he had to get recognition after he passed on. It seems the only way to become a legend is to die first then people appreciate you more, well this book taught me to love and praise people while their alive that's what keeps them going. All James wanted in his last days was recognition and to know he did make a difference in the world of music. This book taught me to appreciate the musicians, songwriters, and producers, the people behind the scenes, who made it possible for the music to become timeless, sometimes we give the singers too much credit.

It was interesting for me to read most of the Funk Brothers didn't even like Rock N Roll or Soul music, they were really jazz fans and wanted to play jazz, so it shows how gifted they were to still play soul music effectively even though it wasn't their cup of tea. Another reason why Motown sound is so appealing and fresh is because the Funk Brothers laced different genres of music into the soul music and tried new things with the music creating the Motown Sound, a sound in its own class.

My husband is love with this bass gautairist, and love this book and DVD combo.

First off, this book does an excellent job describing his life and sounds, from "he began playing a double bass" to "he would have the bass all the way up, and the treble half way." This book knows you want to sound like Jamerson, and it tells you just how to do that. What makes the book invaluable are the transcriptions. 49 of Jamerson's songs transcribed for you to play, right there and be able to get the idea of what he was thinking and trying to give when he wrote the basslines.

A book for any bassist.

I received this book very quickly and it was in great shape! It was a VERY good book!!

As both an author and reader of fiction, I was impressed with "Beyond the Shadows". Maybe it is because I have always enjoyed a book that could hold my attention and make me think at the same time. In a nutshell, the characters are believable and yet a little out of the ordinary and the story line unique. Give this book a try.
The Christian fiction book that I have written main story line is about ten years in the life of a little girl who was "chosen by God" to be the next Madonna in the second coming of Christ.
Tommy Taylor
Author - The Second Virgin Birth

Beyond the Shadows: A Love Story is a touching story about one woman's spiritual journey. Deborah Haskin's life was wonderful. She and her new husband, Andy, had just bought near the small town of Amethyst. Though a city boy, Andy's dream was to become a farmer, have children, and grow old with Deborah. Unfortunately, these dreams were not meant to be. After only fifteen months of marriage, Andy was killed in a farming accident. Deborah was crushed. She was angry at Andy for leaving her and angry at God for taking him.

Then Gideon Clermont came into Deborah's life. Gideon had been an army buddy of Andy's. Just before his death, Andy had asked Gideon's help on the farm. Honouring his friend's request, Gideon set out to help Andy's widow with various handyman chores around the farm.

For Deborah and Gideon, it seemed as though Andy and God had brought them together to grieve and then to live. The couple's romance blossomed and the two quickly wed. Drunk in her new love, Deborah didn't realize that she had forgotten her faith. Moreover, Deborah's wonderful life wasn't really as perfect as she thought.

Beyond the Shadows: A Love Story is a beautiful inspirational story of finding and embracing the Christian faith. I suggest this book to anyone needing a faith lift.

This was a great book from a Christian perspective on the subject of alcoholism. Robin Lee Hatcher did a very good job of bringing her experiences with a loved one with alcoholism into this book. I could relate to a lot of the book because I was once in a relationship with an alcoholic. I could relate to the anger and pain that Deborah felt, the covering up of the problem, pouring out the booze, etc. This book is real and I highly recommend it to someone with a loved one who is an alcoholic.

Deborah Haskins is devastated at the death of her young husband of only eighteen months. They had just bought a small farm that was Andy's life-long dream, and now he was gone. Deb felt she had to stay on the farm. It was what Andy would have wanted and she was determined to hang on, to keep his dream alive, despite pressure from her mother to 'move back home.'  "This is my home. It was Andy's dream."
 
When a young man appears at the farm a few months after the funeral, she remembers meeting him briefly at the graveside. An uneasy feeling creeps over her as he approaches. His name is Gideon Clermont, a man who served with Andy in Korea. Deborah learns that, in fact, Andy had saved Gideon's life, and Andy had asked Gideon to come to the farm to help with renovations.
 
Gideon's quiet demeanor lulls Deborah's caution as he steadfastly sets about fixing things on the farm, working Saturdays. As time goes on, Deborah can no longer fight her attraction. Their romance blossoms and Deborah heals as her grief fades and she looks forward to a new, happy life.
 
But she discovers her new husband has kept a terrible secret from her, and as it emerges Deborah learns that her healing came with a price. She turns to Christ for strength and guidance as she tries to cope with this new sorrow. When Gideon nearly kills their young son, Deborah knows it is time to make a decision. Has it come too late?
 
Working through her own painful experiences, Robin Lee Hatcher tells a story of hope and heartbreak, faith and second chances. She has bravely tackled a subject that all too often gets covered up and swept under the carpet. We live through the agony of the non-violent form of alcoholism in the story of Deborah and Gideon. It is hard to know which way you want Deborah to behave as you feel her anger and pain, love, hate and despair. I fell in love with Gideon and I felt myself just as angry, hurt, disgusted and hopeless as Deborah. And sometimes I wanted to shake her for putting up with it as long as she did.
 
This is Deborah's story, but Beyond The Shadows is told in a unique style, with vignettes as seen through the eyes of her neighbors, parents and her pastor. It reveals how ill-equipped the Christian family is to deal with alcoholism, or any addiction. The truth is, as Deborah discovers, we can only handle it through faith in Jesus and leaning on Him for the strength to cope. Beyond the Shadows is a gripping story, difficult to read at times as Hatcher pulls you right into Deborah's heart, head and life. Highly recommended.

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

This book was like a breath of fresh air to me! Unlike the many different series of Chicklit for teen girls, this book is a great contribution to what's available for teen girls to read. I confess that I am a fan of the Eoin Colfer series of Artemis Fowl books and at times Kiki reminded me of the main character in the series i.e. Artemis Fowl.

One other major character is Ananka Fishbein, who is called upon to help Kiki with a certain mission. Together with a small group of other girls each of whom has a special ability to give to the 'team', Kiki and Ananka face smugglers and kidnappers to come out victorious if not a little bruised.
Ananka is the perfect main character because she is both courageous and smart but also not infallible.

This is a very complete reference book. I use it constantly. There is a wealth of info in magical correspondances, moon phase info,recipes as well as a few spells and rituals. This is not a learning book. This is a reference book for those that craft!

A+ and I have been Crafting for over 15 years and have been legally ordained for 6 years.

Be careful picking this book up to look for something because half an hour later, you might actually get around to reading about it! This book is an amazing resource for Witches and I am astounded at how much information is contained in it. It has everything from herbal and oil correspondences to rune interpretations to meditations and rituals. This is a must-have for every Witch!

ALL I CAN SAY IS THIS BOOK IS PERFECT. I LOVE EVERY BIT OF IT. IT'S LIKE MY LITTLE BIBLE :) I FIND IT VERY APPROPRIATE FOR ME. IT WAS RECOMMENDED TO ME BY ANOTHER PAGAN AND I'M GLAD I PURCHASED IT.

This grimoire is excellent. If you are interested in someone else's view on Wiccan worship you will appreciate this book. It isn't for training but for seeing the Craft executed in another way. I'm really impressed and glad I spent the money.

I have a nice library of books from beginner to expert, but I use this one the most. Moura filled this book with great recipes and colourful explanations of the hows and whys of witchcraft.

It's always best to throw your own flair into the craft when working from a book, but this one is so well-written I believe a novice could feel comfortable and confident using the spells & rituals as-is.

This is definitely a book to put a hardback/protection cover on, as it is sure to be used very often. I cannot stress enough that of all the books I have, this one is used most often. People new to the craft should find it easy to follow and very useful, especially when combined with elemental magic texts. (I typically combine mine with Earth, Air, Fire & Water: More Techniques of Natural Magic by Scott Cunningham.)

Brandon Mull has become one of my favorite authors in just a few short months. I picked up the first book at the end of the school year at the book fair where I teach and have been anxiously working my way through the series and am looking forward to the next.

Mull takes you to very real places with his exotic twists for a magical adventure and its all about kids and how they learn to cope with adult responsibility. To put such a learning tool in ones writing is a gift. Thank You for writing Fablehaven.

If you liked the original, the second and third books in the Fablehaven series go hand in hand. In this one, Fablehaven is again under threat of being completely overthrown by the Society of the Evening Star. A mysterious plague has started turning both creatures and caretakers alike into shadows, and Kendra and Seth have to race to marshal the few remaining good creatures (and a time-traveling former caretaker) in an assault on a demon stronghold.

I loved the other books in this series but this one beats the others out by far. Brandon Mull knows how to keep a reader caught up in the book. It was hard to put down and now I can't wait for the next installment.

For what it is, this book is excellent. However, if you're looking for a fantasy novel that's more adult, this probably shoudln't be your first choice. Mull's focus tends towards younger children(or so it seems from reading his books), which by no means is a bad thing I might add. The books in this series are definitely accumulating what I would term 'adultness,' however they are far from something along the lines of Sword of Truth, or Lord of the Rings.

Regardless of all of this though, the books remain an extremely enjoyable read, and I would recommend them to anyone who wants something to read that isn't overly complex or to somehow who just wants a quick read of a good book.

Brandon Mull is getting hotter
With books as long as Harry Potter
This one goes four seventy seven
For kids above ten or eleven

There's danger lurking everywhere
Friend or foe is now unclear
With darkness taking over light
And fewer folk to lead the fight

A plague of shadows spreads its wings
O'er Nipsies and all other things
There's no time left for talk or tact
Just find the missing artifact

Fantastic creatures, deadly foes
Centaurs with arrows and bows
See them change before your eyes
The dark forces are on the rise

Knight of Dawn or Evening Star
No one knows which one you are
Or is it what everyone thinks?
Can the traitor be the Sphinx?

Vanessa's in the Quiet Box
Dare they open up the locks?
Oh, the secrets she could tell
If released from her private hell

New characters and distant places
Returning long forgotten faces
Battle lines are drawn and crossed
Could it be Fablehaven's lost?

Before you end up all bemused
Read one and two, you'll be enthused
This is the best, book three of five
What next will Brandon Mull contrive?

I want to see this on the screen
Drinking in each thrilling scene
Surround sound and soundly cast
From Fablehaven to the last



Amanda Richards, June 29, 2008



Rise of the Evening Star (Fablehaven)

The Klan (1st one) was a late comer to America as a terrorist group. 'Gangs of New York' only provides a glimpse of other terror groups. Prior to the Klan there was The Golden Circle, The Grange (depending on where your sympathies lay), The Sons of Liberty, Red Legs, etc.

Terror groups existed before the War of Independence.

Sensational title, but sadly very wrong.

The documents are interesting. Some of the commentary is a bit heavily biased for me. Where is the "other stuff?" The other Klan and Klan-like groups that existed at the same time (as both original and reborn Klans).

Interesting, good information- just not definitive.

This is a good book that reveals many interesting facts about the Ku Klux Klan of the 20s. It is hard to put the book down once you start reading it.

I highly recommend "Ku Klux Klan America's First Terrorists Exposed" for its insight and depth. Patrick O'Donnell has done a remarkable job in putting this book together and it should be read by all who have a serious interest in American (shadow) history and those who care about where this country might be headed in that regard.

The Klan's last great attempted to capture the hearts and mind of a changing nation is documented by a collection of vintage documents in this informative book. Because of the climate of racial sensitivity and political correctness that persists today, the popularity of the Klan of the 1920s (widespread and very public) has been removed from the public discourse, and thus doing a disservice to the historians of today, the precedent voices that opposed the Klan, and all races of people that rose above oppression. This book examines both the crimes committed by the Klan as well as their social acceptance by a majority of Americans at the time; both topics will be equally shocking to the present day reader.

What is so utterly fascinating about Mr. O'Donnell's attempt to bring light to the subject of organized terror is the perfectly ordinary way in which he goes about it. Not present in his book are the heavy-handed moralizations modern authors feel compelled to include in theirs. The effect can be chilling at times; especially when murder, rape, torture, and the demoralization of a race of people are described with the vernacular of the period. To think that once any issue regarding Black Americans was deemed "The Negro Problem" by the press of the day or how lynching was seen as an expectable deterrent to crime is disgraceful and does not need any author to point this fact out.

For those who enjoy reading about American history and true crime, look no further. This book wonderfully mixes both genres to create a powerful and intriguing read.

There was not one moment during this book that I wasn't totally captivated. The author puts a human face on the struggle of those in Iraq who lived under Saddam Hussein. And throughout, you are constantly reminded that she was among the "fortunate" by comparison. I found it to be an excellent education in the history of the country and the evolution of it in recent decades as well. I read this book on a recent camping trip in New England when I should have been mesmerized by my surroundings. Instead, I found I could not put this book down.

Short and sweet.. This is an awesome book. You see so many sides of Suddam. His dark side certainly made him a candidate for his execution!

it took a while to get here, but it was in good condition when it did.

Zainab Salbi's life seems idyllic, but even as a child she senses the tension felt by her wealthy parents as they entertain and are entertained by Saddam. Salbi's story shows two sides of Saddam: the cruel and abusive despot and the genial manipulator. In spite of the web Saddam spins around her family, Salbi experiences adolescent rebellion, ignorant of the danger her parents see threatening her, just as it threatened her mother and eventually ruins her parents' marriage. Salbi's story is a fascinating portrayal of a family living in luxury under tyranny and the dangers faced whether the choice is to endure or to escape.

Wow! This book knocked me out. I could NOT put it down. It really helped me understand some of the conflict within Iraq, but more importantly, the author and tone of this book is just very human, real, and accessible. As a youngster, and for all of her formative years, Saddam Hussein is in the background as a family "friend". Though her parents resisted his friendship, they found it more and more dangerous not to be his friend. It's like living with the devil! However, the author eventually gets out of Iraq and away from Saddam Hussien, due to an arranged marriage. I won't say how that goes as I don't want to ruin the ending.

I do feel that this is one of the absolute BEST memoires I ever read and it was written with a lof of grace and humility. For me, it was an important book, and I highly recommend you read it. I think it will become a classic memoire.

This review relates to the audio book. First the caveats: (1) As Alyce makes clear in the book, Shadow Work is brand name for a particular method of personal growth and the certified practitioners who offer it for a fee; (2) The book may be difficult to fully understand or appreciate if one has no experience in self-examination or the 'inner path', (3) While I personally have no stake in Shadow Work, I did attend one of their workshops in 1998 which was completely ethical, safe and professional. It was also very helpful for me.

That said, I found this short book to be a wonderful listening experience. I have been an avid audio book listener for over 25 years, and when I see an author reading their own material I usually brace myself for a difficult listen. I was pleasantly surprised that Alyce has a clear, friendly and authentic reading voice. Listening to her story in her own voice proved to be very touching. My only technical complaint is the occasional transition in the audio, probably associated with the editing/recording process, where her voice is louder, or quieter, and the tone or feeling seems a bit disconnected. This was a temporary experience, and always faded away once I refocused on the content.

And the content is really helpful. I won't go into too much detail, but will say that the Shadow Work method, and how Alyce almost stumbled into it by accident (and is now a practitioner and author) is reflective of experiences many of us can see in ourselves. She is honest and direct about her journey without making herself the center of the story. The center is how each of us can heal painful patterns in our thinking, feeling and behavior if we are willing to "do the work". The project of self realization takes time and effort, and is incremental. Alyce suggests this when she describes her happiness and wholeness today as "most of the time". She also gives due recognition to the ManKind Project and Women Within as 'entry points' for many people into healthy spiritual growth. My life is richer because of this book.

Practically Shameless: How Shadow Work Helped Me Find My Voice, My Path, and My Inner Gold is the unabridged audiobook rendition of author and Shadow Work facilitator Alyce Barry's self-help guide to revitalizing one's life. Barry draws upon her personal story of overcoming depression to explain the human shadow, and the transformative power of the Shadow Work processes. Shadow Work founder Cliff Barry provides a foreword to this helpful guide to positive metamorphosis, which delves into why humans resist change so much and how to tap into one's positive inner sources. Especially recommended for anyone interested in discovering the mental and emotional benefits of shadow work. 5 CDs, 5 hours 32 min.

This is the only book of its kind--an explanation of Shadow Work, a powerfully effective and safe method of personal growth and emotional healing, authoritatively written by a skilled and experienced practitioner. Its explanations and metaphors are clear and insightful. By telling of her own healing journey through Shadow Work, the author lends solid credibility to her material. The "Honoring Your Risk Manager" exercise brings the entire subject home vividly. This is a wonderful book for anyone wanting to become more conscious, more alive and practically shameless.
--Dennis Hartwell (Michigan)

This personal story about her own journey was insightful and helped me to understand the terminology & process of "shadow work". The book was easy to read for those of us who struggle with technical jargon. I found myself cheering for her as her personal growth unfolded right before me!

Alyce Barry's compelling personal journey through courageous self-discovery and growth is a book that was hard to put down. Writing in the first person, Alyce travels through her life revealing her growing inner struggles to escape from her "box." She hides nothing. She is so open, I found myself grieving for my own childhood losses and lessons bound in shame. Someone has finally written a book on the pervasive shame that shrouds everyday lives in America. Alyce illuminated my own shadow places by so openly revealing her own and her ultimate victory over the control shame had in her life. Many thanks.

Karen Hancock has continued her excellent "Legends of the Guardian-King" series with this 2nd book in the series. Her characters are fully formed. They have real problems, real joys, real misgivings about why things happen. Through out the book we see the main character dealing with the "how" and "why" questions about the events in his life. Is God there? Does He really care? Is life just a meaningless journey to death? Ms. Hancock handles all of these questions in a manner that will give encouragement and new hope to those who experience similar issues in our 'real' world. Each book is a treasure, so open one and become wealthy!

Abramm Kalladorne has returned to claim his place on the throne as the rightful heir, but it's not that cut and dry with his brother and his supporters opposed. I really enjoyed this book. Unlike the first book in the series, it didn't take 200 pages to get going. From the beginning there was no shortage of action, court politics, and crises in faith which make this book excel. The world building and character development in this book were better than in the previous one. What I've enjoyed most about this series so far is that I don't have to worry about turning on my moral filter when I'm reading. Karen Hancock has proven that you can write a fantasy novel with gritty realism without the gratuitous sex, violence, and vulgarity that some of the newer fantasy has. It's off to book three now.

Overall, this book is MUCH better then the first in the series. The Author still has a tendancy to make me speed read through long winded descriptions but most of the time the story held my interest. I actually started to like the chara's more in this story.

A new female chara is both good and bad. Madeleine is not a perfect Goddess but described as plain a number of times. PLAIN. I think God is proud of that. I have yet to read a novel (faith based or otherwise) where the main female chara is NOT descibed as beautiful. Although we do stray into stereotypical waters...I half expected a new girl to show up in this book or the next that might win Abramms heart. It seemed very Brother/sister to me. No actual chemistry was described until the last second, being rather predictable. I think I am just high maintence though, when it comes to love in stories. *sweatdrop*

The only other drawback is the ending. It feels as though it should have lasted longer.

Other qualities make up for the faults greatly. I was anxious through most of the the book to find out how Gillard would react to his return, along with every one else. After that, its the ball that makes you anxious, and then the monster, ect. We dont really get any relaxing time which is nice. It kept me reading!

I have enjoyed the whole Guardian King series by Karen Hancock more than any of the other contemporary Christian fantasy stories I have read over the last several years. Of the four books in the series, this is the one I keep coming back to read again and again. With the background and character development of the first book to build upon this one starts with a bang right in the first chapter. I like the way the author portrays the lead character in his role as king - not a king to be served by his people but one to serve and protect them no matter what the cost to himself. Our world has long been missing that kind of role model in a king figure.

Karen Hancock has a way of weaving a story with intrigue, a hint of romance, and life lessons that is amazing. I'm hoping to read a lot more from this author in the future.