Fiction Books

Reading is one of my greatest pleasures and a friend who knows this gave me "The Summer Guest". I was not familiar with the author and didn't know anything about the book before I began. I have since recommended this book to all of my friends. It is truly one of the best books I've read and I am a voracious reader. The language is absolutely beautiful and the characterizations are wonderful. It is a book to savor and, although I rarely reread books, I will definitely read this one again.

John Citron's review from March 24, 2006 says it all. If you are in doubt about whether to purchase "The Summer Guest", do it anyway. You will not be disappointed.

Really ... absolutely wonderful. Captivating. I couldn't stop reading and I was very sorry when it was over. I look forward to reading more from Mr. Cronin.

Justin Cronin writes beutifully! He weaves characters, their stories, big life questions, and time into something
larger than the norm, leaving this reader pondering my own life, family and sense of place. Cronin's Mary and O'Neill was rich, too. Bits of metaphor and vividness in both.

Justin Cronin has written an exceptionally beautiful novel- filled with scenes and characterizations that seem real to the touch. Even if you have not lived in the Adirondack mountains of New York state as I have, the summers of deep woods and deep lakes come alive on the pages. The story of lives and losses is tenderly recounted...luminous prose.

I have told almost everyone I know to read this book! It is magnificently written. There is a truly memorable page in the book that made me cry as Mr. Cronin describes "man's best friend." I really loved that he told the story from the various characters point of view. I didn't want the book to end and have been hoping that Mr. Cronin will have a new book out by 2007. I am glad that he doesn't churn out books 3 times a year, it makes it that much more special when his next one comes and that we all have something to look forward to.

Team Yankee is quite an interesting book. Harold Coyle describes a war between the Warsaw Pact and NATO in 1985 in great detail. But don't expect this to be like Red Storm Rising, this book focuses entirely on small unit tactics with zero politics. The action starts immediately at the beginning of the second chapter, and it never stops.

The battles are realistic and the tactics are described in great detail in the text as well as the maps that are in the book. The maps really help you figure what's going on and what platoons are moving where, etc.

The story focuses on Captain Sean Bannon of Team Yankee, a military unit deployed in Germany during the Cold War. When war breaks out in 1985, he must lead his unit to victory. There are several other main characters including several other tankers, and an infantry sergeant. This is definetly a book you don't want to miss.

This book is, IMHO, the finest of the cold-war era military novels, and one of the finest military novels ever written, includng the writing of Patrick O'Brian and C.S. Forester.

The only book that can compare is Clancy's "Hunt for Red October", and it does not give as good a feeling as being there as does Team Yankee.

If you like military novels, or just good writing, read this book.

This was the second Coyle book I read (the first being "God's Children") and once again I was compelled by his gripping battle scenes and poignant view of today's combat environment. The story flows well and was generally enjoyable and engaging.

However, by the end of the book I became disappointed because of the constant, repeated stupidity of the opposing forces. I felt cheated because it never seemed that the U.S. forces won due to good strategy & tactics as much as because the enemy used tactics a learned high school student would shun. Don't get me wrong, the book is a good read. I only wish Coyle would create an antagonist with some brains to serve as a challenging foil for our heroes.

Setting aside all the geo-political baggage of the day, Coyle finds his real strength with one tank platoons story in WW III. It's a shame he never went back to this style. A real shame, as this is terrific, exciting stuff you wont find else where.

Harold Coyle's Team Yankee: A Novel of World War III (Presidio Press, 1987) was published a year after Red Storm Rising's triumphant debut in hardcover, and although it is thematically similar (Soviet forces invade West Germany after a series of crises escalate into an all out conventional war), Coyle's approach is very different from Clancy's. Instead of creating his own possible scenario for a NATO vs. Warsaw Pact confrontation, he asked for, and received, permission from British author (and retired General) Sir John Hackett to set Team Yankee within the scenario created in Hackett's two
"speculative fiction" books The Third World War: August 1985 and The Third World War: The Untold Story.

Team Yankee takes place within a two-week period in an August in the late 1980s. Since late July, a series of crises precipitated by the Iran-Iraq war has morphed into a clash between U.S. and Soviet naval forces in the Persian Gulf region. By August 1, word comes that NATO is mobilizing and ordering their armed forces, including Bannon and Team Yankee, to their wartime positions. Soon, the Soviets and their Warsaw Pact "allies" cross the Inner German Border in force. Team Yankee and the rest of NATO's forces in West Germany must then fight the invaders and stop them before the Red Army reaches the Rhine River. After that, assuming the Soviet attack bogs down, the mission will change from merely defending territory to taking offensive operations and pushing the invaders back. The question Coyle poses is, can American soldiers, using their weapons and tactics against superior numbers of Soviet and Warsaw Pact soldiers, defeat Russian weapons and tactics?

Readers familiar with Hackett's macrocosmic World War III will know the big picture, but first-time readers will be turning the pages to see who wins, who loses, who dies...and who survives in this outstanding first novel by a true master of the military fiction genre.

The only flaw, and this is not Coyle's fault, is that reality -- in the shape of the fall of communism and the end of the Cold War -- has made the novel's setting extremely outdated. Some of the then-modern weapons, such as the M1 main battle tank, have been since updated to M1-A2 standard, older weapons have been retired, and obviously there's no more Warsaw Pact.


All in all, it's an entertaining read.

Following right where they left off, Wonder is flying through her training once she gets the right handling. I think alot of horse people out there can relate with ashleigh about the frustration of watching someone push a horse to far but we can also relate with her never giving up. Good read, reccomend for any horse lover.

"Townsend Prince and Mercy Man are running nose and nose, straining to catch her. What a finish! Can the filly do it? Can this courageous little filly hold them off? They're coming down to the wire..."

In book three Ashleigh, Wonder, and Charlie are headed for the biggest race of their lives. The Kentucky Derby. This book is one of my favorites because of the way that it is written. We learn so much about Brad Townsend, and I can't help but glare when I think about him. Campbell does an amazing job creating a "villain" that has depth and character. You really grow to hate Brad! We also get glimpses of characters that will play a major role in the future of Thoroughbred, like Mike Reese.

Probably the best asset of this book is the race scenes. Each race that is written seems to come alive to me as I read. I can picture Wonder and Jilly struggling down the stretch in the Blue Grass trying valiantly to hang on to the lead under the onslaught of Townsend Prince and Silverghost. The climax of this book is the Kentucky Derby where Wonder is pitted against the greatest colts in the country and her own half brother Prince (who is Brad's colt). This race is one of my most favorite in the whole series. I was on the edge on my seat as I read. I couldn't seem to turn the pages fast enough! Every time I read this book I get excited all over again.

Wonder's First Race is one of the finest books in the series. When I think of how great this series is, I'm terribly saddened at the fact that Harper Collins is planning to end the series after #72. Unfortunately the faithful readers will not get the chance to experience another race as gripping as Wonder's Derby if the books will no longer be printed...Please reconsider Harper! If you want to HELP SAVE THE THOROUGHBRED SERIES, go to www.whitebrookfarm.com to find out more. Please help keep the spirit of Ashleigh and Wonder alive! PLEASE SAVE THOROUGHBRED!!

In this book Wonder is injured by Brad Townsend during an icy workout.Her Derby chances go downhill when she is injured. Ashleigh meets Mike Reese and he asks her on a date.Wonder and Prince make it to the Derby. Wonder makes it to the wire first with Jilly Gordon up. Unfortunately this most remarkable series is coming to an end at #72 Legacy's Gift.Please go to www.whitebrookfarm.com to find out how you can help to try to save this beloved series.

Wonder's First Race is one of my favorite TB books. I'm 20 and I still get a kick out of reading them.
This is where things start to get exciting. We see Wonder race for the first time, Ashliegh start to show an interest in boys and much much more!
Please, please don't end this series! The new books are not as good as this one was, but I still read them.

This was the first Thoroughbred book I ever read and still holds a special place in my heart. This is a truly well-written book that I have enjoyed upon many re-readings. Unfortunately, Harper Collins has decided to end the series abruptly after #72. With such a dedicated following and online fan base with members from all over the world, this is a classic and beloved series that has inspired many people and provided horse fans with vicarious thrills and adventure. Ashleigh saved Wonder, now it's up to you to help save Thoroughbred. [...].

This is a classic case of the author's many friends/family members writing great reviews for him/her. The book is TERRIBLE. First of all you can barely get through a page without finding several spelling and grammar errors. The stories are supposed to be adult-themed (foul language and all) but are obviously written by a child. The thinking and facts do not make sense and are not researched. This is like a collection of some high school kid's short stories. I myself quit school without finishing but stayed long enough to at least learn proper grammar and how to spell! I feel terrible, I had my mother buy this because of the great reviews. She paid $25 for a joke. The positive ratings have been "spammed".

There's something fishy about all customer reviews on this book. They all give 5 stars and all have 100% review-reader agreement that the reviews are useful...
Having read Trifecta of Suspense I liked it very much at first but then I grew tired of the characters.... The author does not make them believeable and while that's OK at first it ends up being like reading essays by a middle school student... I am a scientist myself so the desription of the scientist in "Sheep" is just downright laughable. Usually authors do a little research first above how there characters work, live etc.
That's just one example so if i take it as an artistic touch instead of plain lack of knowledge of what real people in the real world are doing, then OK, it's interesting...

Very gripping stories, well told. Makes you feel as if you are in the story. Character development was great. Meaningful and memorable cast.
Recommend this one highly.

NOVITSKY out did himself with SHEEP and THE CEMETERY FENCE. Putting them both in here with THE MISTY DINS, put this book over the top.
The Honeymooners quotes in THE CEMETERY FENCE were a nice touch.

Clearly a new and rising talent.

Amusing, creepy, scary, and romantic. Not that I look for romance in a book. My wife wanted to make sure I mentioned that. It was romantic in a manly way though. The stories were entertaining in many different ways. That is what I liked most about it. They also tie in so perfectly in the end. They make you feel like getting to the finish is worthwhile instead of being left hanging. The geography lesson of the US was a plus. I've never been to NY or some of the other states mentioned but now I feel like I know them a little bit better. I never heard of Radcliff Kentucky until reading the misty dins. All in all I would recommend trifecta of suspense to anyone looking for a mystery novel. It is actually three in one.

Looking forward to more by this author.

THE BOOK TAKES OFF LIKE AN EXPLOSION - I SEE A CULT LIKE FOLLOWING

I really think that the author of this book trully out done herself a great book. I can not wait to read more from this auhor.

Looking at the cover of this book, I wasn't eager to read this book. Once I started to read it, it was soo good! I read this book in one day! Please go out and get this book, you will not be disappointed!

For starters lemme start out by saying that i slept on this book for 2 yrs b/c honestly if that is supposed to be a picture of Milton, the main characters boyfriend, 1 he aint cute and 2 he look like a dyke not even a man. And too me the cover is just cheezy looking, however this book was excellent. At first i couldn't see how this book could have so many twists and so much evil could happen to the main character but i must say all in all she overcame everything and good things come to those who wait. I understand Milton was abused but what he did to Myra was unforgivable and it was sad but things like this really happen. If you sleeping on the cover like i was don't immediately pick this up and read now. It kind of reminds me of "Harlem girl lost" by Treasure E. Blue just the way the turn of events took place. Go buy and read!!!!!!!!!!!!

Such hardknock lives but I always like happy endings....this was my firs AG McCall read...she went back and forth but she kept it all under control...seems like everything got a little rushed in the end... it will keep you company because you won't want to put it down...all in all I gave it 3 stars.....plus there's room for a sequel....I think....

I do not know what to say about this book. I don't think words would do it justice. This book is one of the best well put storys. IF YOU HAVEN'T READ IT, YOU ARE SURELY MISSING SOMETHIN!!!

loved it!! I got this a a two part deal on Amazon and after reading Poison, I was not looking forward to reading this book (cuz Poison was such a disappointment!), After reading the first page though I was hooked...the story pulls you and and dont let go....I cried at the end.....NOOOOOOO!! please tell me there is a part two, though I am fearing the wrath of Victoria when she wakes up and finds out!! great love story!!

One of the best reads I've had in a while. This book kept me captured from page 1 until the end. It was HARD to put down. Even my husband - who rarely likes to read what I like - found it irrestible and unable to put the book down until he finished. Hoping there's a sequel...

Yo despite what I'm going to say in this review,Jason Poole did his thing once again with Victoria's Secret.A very good solid read for all fans of urban lit.But to be honest with you this book was nothing more then a beginers guide for the pimp & ho game.This book falls short of true greatest for several reasons.Any book about the pimp & ho game your going to expect many explicit,hot,kinky,eroctic & nasty sex scenes in full detail.The few sex scenes in this book are not that explicit also the random acts of violence where at a minimum.Babyface the pimp & his bottom ho Victoria made a very good team,each one willing to ride or die for the other which is one of the main reasons that makes this a good book.With the way this book ended the author left the door wide open for a part 2,just like he did with Convicts Candy.Hopefully Jason Poole will give us a second dose of both of these hot books.

Victoria's Secret is my 2nd novel by Jason Poole and my 3rd Cartel Publication book that I've read. I must say this is my FAVORITE thus far. Jason has a extrodinary gift of writing and you can definitely tell he did his research. His hard work paid off with a GREAT NOVEL about new-age pimpin'. This novel shares the love between two people who will do ANYTHING, God willing, for one another to survive. VERY well written I read this book in less then 24 hours, that's how great this book is. SO WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? GO GET IT!

GREAT JOB JASON! I know there is going to be a #2!!!

ALL I CAN SAY IS PLEASE READ THIS BOOK! IT IS OFF THE HOOK AND A REAL EYE OPENER!

This book is beautifully written. The words on the page flow like musical notes. This book is a valuable addition to any home or school library and a great way to introduce children to the types of musical instruments. I love the way the book introduces the instruments one at a time and gives the vocabulary for the number of instruments in the orchestra each time a new instrument is added (solo, duo, trio, quartet, quintet, etc.). At the end of the book, the author shows how all of the instruments join together to create music "that we all adore."

Great picture book to use in the classroom from preschool through 4th grade. For 3rd through 4th graders, you could use this book as an engaging tool to discuss musical terms, context clues, alliteration, adjectives, prefixes.

This is my 4 y.o.'s favorite book. We had read it to her so many times that she has memorized it. She can name every instrument and tells me which ones she likes the best. A plus plus.

I purchased this for my Kindermusik class, and the only thing that would've made it better would've been a real violin. It is a charming book, and it wasn't too long even for 3 year olds.

My just-turned-3 year old likes this book, and so do I. It has deepened his curiousity about and enthusiasm for instruments and the music they make, and it has inspired him to play his miniature guitar both as a 'violin' and a 'cello' (though he knows he needs a bow!).

I like the illustrations very much, and the verse is also fun to read.

I was very happy that he liked the book so well--when the Amazon package arrived, he was hoping for a book about excavators--his other passion! I'm glad to say he was not at all disappointed, once he saw the pictures.

This book is one of my standard gifts to families with small children. It's a great way to introduce them to poetry, music, and art. It's a great vocabulary builder, too--I've read it to my 4th-6th grade choir and had to explain musical terms to them. Fun sounds and interesting pictures to explore!

If you looking for a light hearted & easy read then Agatha Raisin is your girl.
I love the way she is written and can not wait to continue to read the series.
A cozy kind of mystery. Not to deep. No blood or gore. Just a cozy little mystery read.

And Quiche was a great kick-off to start this series. Great characters, good mysteries, fun protag. Just a good read all the way 'round.

As a devoted fan of M. C. Beaton's Hamish Macbeth series, I was intrigued to keep reading reviews of Hamish Macbeth books by people who claimed they liked the Agatha Raisin series better. But every time I contemplated the title, Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death, it just seemed too tongue in cheek to be possibly any good. Well, I was wrong. Although the book couldn't be any more satirical and much punnier than it is, the book works very well both as a straight story and as a satire. It's like getting two books for the price of one.

Since the Hamish Macbeth series started first, let me address Hamish Macbeth fans first: Think of Agatha Raisin as being one of the optimistic incomers to Lochdubh who hope for peace and tranquility without realizing what village life in Sutherland is really like. But Agatha has mostly good intentions (except towards the women in the area who drive her batty) instead of being an incipient homicidal maniac like the incomers in Sutherland. Agatha is also her own woman, and not about to take any prisoners she doesn't have to. Like Hamish, she has a crime-solving partner, Bill Wong (of the local detectives), who helps her in ways she doesn't always appreciate (like Priscilla Halburton-Smythe does for Hamish). Agatha is based, however, in the gentle Cotswolds so there won't be too many stories about brutal winter blizzards in this series. You won't miss hearing about Strathbane.

In this inaugural book, Agatha has just sold her PR firm in London (where she succeeded by being a blunt instrument in plying journalists with meals and drink and then shaking them down for stories) and decided to retire to a cottage in the Cotswolds, an area she had once visited as a child. Naturally, she has a romanticized view of what life there will be like. Having been a busy businesswoman, she now finds herself not quite sure how to fill her time. Although she had made no friends in London, she expects to make many in rural Carsely. People nod and are friendly, but it goes no further. Agatha soon makes an enemy of her next door neighbor by stealing her housekeeper. While catching up on her reading of Agatha Christie mysteries, Agatha decides she needs to get everyone's attention. Why not win a prize for baking?

Plotting her strategy, Agatha invites the quiche competition judge, Reginald Cummings-Browne, and his wife, Vera, to an expensive dinner (expecting to curry favor as it were in the quiche wars). Agatha instead ends up with a very large bill and a not very high opinion of the Cummings-Brownes. Agatha makes a quick foray to London to buy a wonderful spinach quiche that she enters as her own.

But her plot is soon foiled when the woman who always wins the quiche competition once again triumphs. Agatha leaves her quiche behind in disgust, and Vera Cummings-Browne takes it home as a snack for her husband. That night, he eats the quiche and dies of poison! Naturally, there's a police investigation and Agatha has to confess that she cheated.

Feeling like she will never make it in Carsely after such a large faux pas, Agatha begins to think she should move out and go back to London. Soon, she's between two islands of discord and not sure what to do.

The police decide that the poisoning was an accidental death, but Agatha's not so sure. Before long, she starts acting on her urge to detect . . . with consequences that definitely heat up the story.

Where most detective stories are mostly about a crime and the process of uncovering the criminal, that element retreats into the background in this book. Instead, Agatha's search for happiness is the main focus of the story. The crime and its solution are merely incidents along the way. I liked that element. In fact, this would have been a very entertaining story even if it hadn't contained a mystery.

Any time your attention threatens to flag, you can just sit there and chuckle over the outrageous satirical elements. Although you know they are overdone, you can't help but laugh . . . as you might at good burlesque sketches with imaginative pie throwing.

Although I haven't read past this book in the Agatha Raisin series, I would have to say that Agatha could displace Hamish as number one in my affections for M. C. Beaton characters.

Enjoy!

As a devoted fan of M. C. Beaton's Hamish Macbeth series, I was intrigued to keep reading reviews of Hamish Macbeth books by people who claimed they liked the Agatha Raisin series better. But every time I contemplated the title, Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death, it just seemed too tongue in cheek to be possibly any good. Well, I was wrong. Although the book couldn't be any more satirical and much punnier than it is, the book works very well both as a straight story and as a satire. It's like getting two books for the price of one.

Since the Hamish Macbeth series started first, let me address Hamish Macbeth fans first: Think of Agatha Raisin as being one of the optimistic incomers to Lochdubh who hope for peace and tranquility without realizing what village life in Sutherland is really like. But Agatha has mostly good intentions (except towards the women in the area who drive her batty) instead of being an incipient homicidal maniac like the incomers in Sutherland. Agatha is also her own woman, and not about to take any prisoners she doesn't have to. Like Hamish, she has a crime-solving partner, Bill Wong (of the local detectives), who helps her in ways she doesn't always appreciate (like Priscilla Halburton-Smythe does for Hamish). Agatha is based, however, in the gentle Cotswolds so there won't be too many stories about brutal winter blizzards in this series. You won't miss hearing about Strathbane.

In this inaugural book, Agatha has just sold her PR firm in London (where she succeeded by being a blunt instrument in plying journalists with meals and drink and then shaking them down for stories) and decided to retire to a cottage in the Cotswolds, an area she had once visited as a child. Naturally, she has a romanticized view of what life there will be like. Having been a busy businesswoman, she now finds herself not quite sure how to fill her time. Although she had made no friends in London, she expects to make many in rural Carsely. People nod and are friendly, but it goes no further. Agatha soon makes an enemy of her next door neighbor by stealing her housekeeper. While catching up on her reading of Agatha Christie mysteries, Agatha decides she needs to get everyone's attention. Why not win a prize for baking?

Plotting her strategy, Agatha invites the quiche competition judge, Reginald Cummings-Browne, and his wife, Vera, to an expensive dinner (expecting to curry favor as it were in the quiche wars). Agatha instead ends up with a very large bill and a not very high opinion of the Cummings-Brownes. Agatha makes a quick foray to London to buy a wonderful spinach quiche that she enters as her own.

But her plot is soon foiled when the woman who always wins the quiche competition once again triumphs. Agatha leaves her quiche behind in disgust, and Vera Cummings-Browne takes it home as a snack for her husband. That night, he eats the quiche and dies of poison! Naturally, there's a police investigation and Agatha has to confess that she cheated.

Feeling like she will never make it in Carsely after such a large faux pas, Agatha begins to think she should move out and go back to London. Soon, she's between two islands of discord and not sure what to do.

The police decide that the poisoning was an accidental death, but Agatha's not so sure. Before long, she starts acting on her urge to detect . . . with consequences that definitely heat up the story.

Where most detective stories are mostly about a crime and the process of uncovering the criminal, that element retreats into the background in this book. Instead, Agatha's search for happiness is the main focus of the story. The crime and its solution are merely incidents along the way. I liked that element. In fact, this would have been a very entertaining story even if it hadn't contained a mystery.

Any time your attention threatens to flag, you can just sit there and chuckle over the outrageous satirical elements. Although you know they are overdone, you can't help but laugh . . . as you might at good burlesque sketches with imaginative pie throwing.

Although I haven't read past this book in the Agatha Raisin series, I would have to say that Agatha could displace Hamish as number one in my affections for M. C. Beaton characters.

Enjoy!

...And great fun to read! Agatha first comes across as hard to take, but pretty soon we begin to appreciate her vulnerability. Set in the Cotswold villages of Britain, Agatha's adventures are closely tied in with her inability to safely navigate normal social life amongst the village. The supporting cast is wonderfully diverse, and the humor that is liberally sprinkled throughout Agatha's observations and experiences kept me thoroughly entertained chapter to chapter. I don't much care for series, but look forward to reading more in this one. I appreciated that it was PG rated, and that the main emphasis was on characterization and solving the mystery. No blood and guts.

THIS BOOK HAS MADE ME FEEL SO CHERISHED AND SECURE . IT'S SERIES HAS TAUGHT ME SO MUCH ABOUT HORSES AND HOW MUCH LOVE THAT I HAVE FOR THEM. IN THIS BOOK AMY IS GRADUATING AND LEAVING HEARTLAND FOR VIRGINIA TECH TO BE AN EQUINE VET. IT HAS SOME ROMANTIC PARTS AND LEAVES YOU HANGING ONTO THE QUESTION "WILL AMY AND TY GET MARRIED"? THE TRUTH IS THEY WON'T AND WORSE THAN THAT THEY WILL BREAK UP. IT'S VERY VERY SAD FOR THOSE WHO WERE HOPING FOR AMY AND TY'S RELATIONSHIP TO GO ON THAT INCLUDES ME BUT THEY JUST WEREN'T MEANT FOR EACH OTHER!!!

I think that this is the best book of the whole series. Amy has graduated from high school and is preparing to leave for a four year vet program at Virginia Tech. But a new horse arrives, Fanfare. No one is telling her about the horse and act as if she is already gone. Then, Amy gets into a road accident with Fanfare. She is reminded of the accident that killed her mother. She struggles to make peace with her past. This is an awesome conclusion to the series. I can't wait for the new book, ''Beyond the Horizon''. I'm so excited to read more. Make sure you read this book!!!

I think that this is the best book of the whole series. Amy has graduated from high school and is preparing to leave for a four year vet program at Virginia Tech. But a new horse arrives, Fanfare. No one is telling her about the horse and act as if she is already gone. Then, Amy gets into a road accident with Fanfare. She is reminded of the accident that killed her mother. She struggles to make peace with her past. This is an awesome conclusion to the series. I can't wait for the new book, ''Beyond the Horizon''. I'm so excited to read more. Make sure you read this book!!!

(If you want Luaren Brooke to continue the series past #20 say that my review helped you. Please.)

This is about the first Heartland book:
The Heartland Series is one of the best books that I've ever read. It is the story of a girl, Amy, and her happiness and troubles on her farm Heartland. Her mother dies in a car accident while trying to save a horse. Amy if left injured in the hospital. Once she recovers from her injureies she relizes that she was the one who caused her mother's accident. She refuses to come out from her room and see her friends and family. In order to try and get Amy back into life again her friends throw her a party. I won't tell you anything else because that would ruin the fun of reading it. But take my word for it and read this series.

The books in the Heartland series are:
#1 Coming Home
#2 After the Storm
#3 Breaking Free
#4 Taking Chances
#5 Come What May
#6 One Day You'll Know
#7 Out of the Darkness
#8 Thicker Than Water
#9 Every New Day
#10 Tomorrow's Promise
#11 True Enough
#12 Sooner or Later
#13 Darkest Hour
#14 Everything Changes
#15 Love is a Gift
#16 Holding Fast
#17 A Season of Hope
#18 New Beginnings
#19 From This Day On
#20 Always There
Special: A Holiday Memory

Do you want more Heartland books? Then rate this review high!

This was the best series of books I've ever read!!! I am really rating the entire series, not just the last book, it was the best series of books I've ever read! The only thing I didnt like was that in book thirteen Darkest Hour Ty is in a coma at the end of the book and I couldn't stop reading until I had read the backs of the other books to the point that I figured out that he actually woke up at some point. And about Fanfare, why does Amy get mad at Ty instead of Lou, I mean, Ty was the one who would have actually told her. That doesn't make sense! But still, best series of books I ever read!

Beezus and Ramona is a good book! In this book, you meet Fred, Ramona's imaginary pet lizard. Ramona also happens to destroy a library book! How do you spell Ramona and Beezus? F-u-n, f-u-n, f-u-n! I'm not allowed to tell you anything else. So how do you find out about this? READ THE BOOK-NOW!

Is there *anyone* on the planet who doesn't like Beverly Cleary's books and the wonderful characters she created?

Beezus and Ramona (along with Henry Huggins and the rest of the gang on Klikitak Street) were part of my childhood. 40 years later, they were just as appealing to my own son. And don't tell anyone -- although we bought these audiobooks when he was about 8, at 12 he still likes to put these on ocassionally and listen. Why? In large part because of Stockard Channing's masterful performance here. Her rendition of Ramona is EXACTLY how we imagine this impish little creature would talk.

I highly recommend these books, both because of the delightful stories and characters that Mrs. Clearly created for us, and because Stockard Channing has brought them to life so perfectly here. The stories are reminiscent of simpler times and will take parents back to their own childhoods while providing toddlers to tweens with good, wholesome entertainment.

We listened on road trips, and unlike certain kids entertainment (a certain purple dinosaur comes to mind), you won't want the kids to wear headphones to preserve your sanity. You'll want it on the main speakers for everyone in the car to enjoy.

Five stars!

Beezus really got annoyed with Ramona, she wrecked the art class, she bite into all those apples,etc. I would have probably screamed if I had Ramona for a sister! I like Beverly Cleary's books. I own this particular book of hers, and I read it again and again! It's awsome! I totally recomend it, along with Cleary's other awsome books!

Ask any older sibling about younger siblings, and you'll get one common answer...they're A-N-N-O-Y-I-N-G. They steal your toys, throw tantrums, and constantly steal the spotlight. But, even the most perturbed older siblings know that, deep down, it's impossible not to love younger sisters and brothers - sometimes.

Nine-year-old Beatrice "Beezus" Quimby has always been a quiet soul, content with spending her time embroidering pot holders, helping her mother do the sheets on Saturday's, and reading the countless books she checks out of the Glenwood Branch Library on a weekly basis. Unfortunately, her four-year-old sister, Ramona, is the exact opposite of her. Ramona has one thing on her mind, and that's making as much noise as possible, and driving the whole family out of their mind. Beezus can't stand it, especially since the responsibility of taking care of Ramona, and ensuring that she behaves, is often delegated to her, so that her parents can get their work done. Ramona, however, refuses to obey Beezus. Unless, of course, she's reading one of her favorite books - The Littlest Steam Shovel, or Big Steve the Steam Shovel - to her. But even that doesn't keep Ramona occupied for long. When Beezus is in the midst of creating pictures for her art class, Ramona is there to cause a mess, and challenge Beezus' imagination. When Ramona is offered two marshmallows as a snack, she uses them as powder puffs, as opposed to putting them in her tummy, where they belong. During checkers games with Beezus' pal Henry Huggins, Ramona destroys the checkerboard, and wreaks all sorts of havoc - even some involving Henry's beloved dog Ribsy. In Beezus' eyes, she can't win - even when it's her birthday. But as she gets older, and learns more about her mother's relationships with her siblings, Beezus begins to realize that, as obnoxious as Ramona is, she's still her sister. And even though she may become angry at Ramona for her crazy antics; she still loves her - just not all the time.

I fell in love with Beverly Cleary's RAMONA books when I was five-years-old, and now that I have decided to re-read them, I'm finding that I can't help but fall in love with them all over again. I feel as if I have reverted back to my five-year-old self, and can actually relate to the mishaps that continually take place during both Ramona, and Beezus' lives. Beezus is such a fun character, who seems wise beyond her years, and is serious to a motherly extent. Ramona, on the other hand, is carefree and impossible to handle. Her wacky thoughts, and determination to always have her way is humorous; while some of the debacles she finds herself in are downright cringe-worthy. Cleary has penned a book here that is essential to read aloud to both older and younger children. The message of love is clear on every page, and truly helps to bring siblings together. Clever, funny, and irresistible.

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer

If you have a little sister and think she's annoying, think again. Does your sister think Bendix is the most beautiful name in the world? Does she ruin your birthday cake--twice?! Sometimes little sisters are annoying, but Ramona is impossible! Beezuz, Roamona's big sister finds out that no matter what happens in her childhood with Ramona, they will think it funny when they grow up. I hope you'll enjoy this book!