Non-fiction Books

Alison Kent's "The Badge and the Baby" is hardly original, with a common plot (two people are drawn together when a baby appears on their doorstep) and characters struggling with the same commitment-related issues many couples struggle with (for him, his job as a police officer, for her, her infertility). As with many romances, the problems melt away (especially hers) in a very romantic but not entirely realistic way.

That said, this is a very well-drawn genre romance. While nothing about the plot or characters is especially original, Kent does a good job of developing their characters and their relationship. The emotions of the characters seem very real, and the development of their romance is handled with sensitivity. The depth of emotion portrayed is unusual for a genre romance.

It's also a good read, with appealing, likeable characters. Enjoy!

"The Badge and The Baby is Alison Kent's contribution to Temptation's Bachelors & Babies miniseries. It's also her contribution as one of the hottest and best reads of the summer. Combine high energy, sexually explosive scenes and a tender love story. You end up with a story that's 99 and 44/100% guaranteed to make your summer reading sizzle.

"Harlequin authors create novels that sparkle like jewels. THE BADGE AND THE BABY shines with a luster that draws the eye and tickles the funny bone. A simple story made enchanting by a hero and heroine that discover the true worth of love and the joy to be found in honesty. Alison Kent weaves a tale that tangles around the heart, ensnaring the reader in a delectable web of romance."

"Fasten your seat belts and get ready for a sensual roller-coaster ride! Although the plot is hardly unique, especially in the shorter series format, Alison Kent's use of witty (and sometimes gritty) dialogue, and stunning sensuality combines with a believable story line to make this book nearly impossible to put down. THE BADGE AND THE BABY is a "curl your toes" winner that you definitely won't want to miss. "The Big Bad Wolf" gets my vote for dream hero of the year." ~Connie Ramsdell for Bookbug on the Web

Detective Joel Wolfsley, recovering from a job related injury, desperately wants to return to work as a cop on the streets. Unannounced, his sister Jennifer arrives accompanied by her ten-month year old child Leigh. She pleads with Joel to watch his niece for a few hours until their parents arrive to take care of the little girl. Jennifer is flying to New York to meet her beloved husband who without prior warning is flying from Kuwait to the states for a week.

However, Joel's parents never arrive so he watches his niece. He turns to his neighbor Willa Grace Darling, dog rescuer, for assistance. With the help of an infant matchmaker, the two next door neighbors begin to fall in love. However, Joel believes his professional lifestyle is too dangerous to raise a family or even have a wife. Willa knows she can never give birth to the child of her beloved. In spite of the fact that they obviously belong together, this relationship appears doomed.

THE BADGE AND THE BABY is an enjoyable category romance that demonstrates why the "Bachelors and Babies" series is so much fun to read. The story line is engaging as the lead duo struggle with the path love escorts them down even when they insist that it is not what they want. The lead protagonists make a charming couple and the infant and the canines augment the tale by turning the cop and the dog rescuer into human characters. Sub-genre fans will relish Alison Kent's newest novel and be tempted to locate her previous works (see CALL ME, THE HEARTBREAK KID, and THE GRINCH MAKES GOOD).

Harriet Klausner

This is not as advertised the most comprehensive selection of Kafka's writings ever published. But it is a very good selection , and includes some of the most important of the shorter work, the stories, the parables, the diary entries. The uncanny power of Kafka's writing is present line- by - line. And with this power is that tremendous suggestibility which seems to lend his work open to so many different kinds of interpretation.
One travels with Kafka very often into a strange world which resembles our own and may even provide at times a much deeper perspective of our own than we ordinarily have, but almost always too leaves us with a feeling of irresolution, of enigma, of what is often a terrifying beauty and strangeness .
Reading these samples one comes into contact with one of mankind's great literary geniuses. One can be grateful for this while at the same time understanding, that this particular genius, does not make our lives or our understanding of the world, any easier.

As a freshman, I had read The Metamorphosis in a course of basic English composition. How I wish I could take the day back! I was wrong, so wrong to force my Jungian dream analysis perspective onto my poor professor. In the autumn of my childhood, I was a two-bit psych major looking for a cheap thrill by Tuesday morning. I targeted Kafka like a teenager parallel parking a HumVee at his driver's license test. I argued with brazen naiveté that the spilled apple represented a mandala! Ok, so I wasn't a prodigy.

This time around, however, I decided to take Kafka literally--pardon the pun. Also, other personal writings packaged inside this volume are immensely helpful in refining my Metamorphosis road map. For instance, in the section heading "Selections From Letters To Felice", Kafka talked about his difficulty getting to sleep, writing long into the morning. In parenthesis he noted his demand for dreamless sleep. Metamorphosis may be nightmarish, but there is no merit to the dream hypothesis. The more I know about Kafka, e.g. his loathing of bureaucracy, the better equipped are we to make clear observations and intelligent interpretations of this complicated story.

The problem with understanding Metamorphosis is that it isn't formulaic. That doesn't mean we can't predict the Samsa family will succeed in coming together again after the unfortunate Gregor's death. It took us a long time to get to that point, and most of what was in between were frustrating obstacles. We have to ask why Kafka would treat his protagonist thusly, is his a sick mind? What he's trying to show us isn't of his own devising; Kafka's calling is equally unfortunate, for he had been called to the ungrateful duty of revealing the ugly side of industrial based culture.

Nobody cares for anybody else in this story, if they have no material economic use. If you are sick, your supervisor will appear at your doorstep at 7:00 in the morning, before you can get out of bed. Your immediate family will try, but eventually their patience and resources will also expire. The key to this story, I believe, is Gregor's younger sister.

This story is really about Grete, who was enthralled by her big brother Gregor, as baby sisters are known to be. Sniffle. Gregor's resemblance to an older brother fades, and little sister must learn now to take care of herself, which she does. I'm reminded of the Pink Floyd song See Saw, "she grows up for another boy, and he's down". Grete didn't exactly meet another boy, but she did grow up, and her big brother finally "bugged" her enough that she had to leave him.

Metamorphosis is the story of Grete growing up, and more interestingly, her growing into replacement part status in the cogs of industrialized Europe. She, too, dispatches Gregor with decisive haste, cutting her losses as cruelly as the three lodgers beg to sue Mr. Samsa, the senior, over Gregor's outrageous appearance. The irony of Metamorphosis occurs in the phenomenon of the "family tie". The magic and power of the family tie is diminished between Gregor and the other Samsas, until Gregor is free to die in order to prevent further devastation to his family. But the family tie was also the Samsa's salvation, prevailing in the end to give the Samsa's some ground on which to rebuild their lives together.

Finally, I see in Kafka's short prose writing, whether they are his stories or letters, elements used by Kurt Vonnegut, as exemplified in his Welcome to the Monkey House. This could be in the brevity of his stories, his common vernacular, absurd, imaginary elements. I wanted to say sci-fi, but I don't think it's so much science as it is Kafka or Vonnegut saying, "look, give me this one posit of nonsense, and I promise the rest of it will make sense".

I picked this up solely for the diverse spectrum of Kafka's writings that it covers, and it's really a pretty darn good sampling of the authors works. Most of the other reviewers have covered the book well, but there are a few important points I would like to stress with this:

The translation is not the outdated, biased, Willa & Edwin Muir translation. They were the original translators of Kafka into English, and were somewhat inclined to pigeonhole his works into their interpretation. I haven't had any qualms with the works as they are in here.

But I would recommend skipping Erich Heller's introduction if you haven't already read a lot of work on or by Kafka. Don't let this spoil the beauty of being able to feel out your own interpretation of the author as you read him. In fact, avoid all criticism and interpretation until you're looking specifically for something like that.

I would highly recommend, though, if you're looking for some perspective on what to consider when reading and interpreting this, the book (several different titles for several different publishers) Kafka/Introducing Kafka/R. Crumb's Kafka, a graphic-novel sort of history of Kafka and his work by Robert Crumb(!!) and David Zane Mairowitz. It's excellent and gives a fair perspective on the Kafka and his social/historical/psychological context.

Kafka has exerted tremendous influence on a great many writers and communities of writers around the world. Although most of his writing comes from a 10-year span of his life just before he died, the impact of that writing on literature, cinema and many other elements of our culture can't be denied.

He embodies a complex writer whom you'll either love or you'll hate. I picked up my copy of this edition back in 1990, and have kept it a part of my essential library ever since.

I'm well aware there are better translations, better editions, etc. out there from a Kafka scholar's perspective.

But for my purposes it's more than adequate as an encapsulation of the man's writings. This may be pure sentimentality on my part of course.

For anyone who wants to read more than the old standbys of the Metamorphosis and the Trial, and to see some great examples of Kafka's total work, this volume is a wonderful gateway.

Its size is particularly useful for travelers and the very sorts of people who might populate Kafka's world.

In particular, I rather like Poseidon.

This edition gets a very positive recommendation for first-time Kafka readers, and even those who have a little more experience with him.

Introduced to Kafka by a news section comparing American Military Tribunals for Afghani POW's to Kafka's work "the trial", provoked me to pick up a copy of The basic Kafka from the local library's annual book sale. Realizing that this book didn't have the story "the trial." I put it down for a few months, eventually picking it up again and reading the most enjoyable short stories I have ever read.

The highlights of this book are "The metamorpheses", "Josephine the Singer", and "The Hunger Artist" all of which contain a strong social statements in an almost surreal setting. The influence of existentialist thought on Kafka's writings, anyone interested in the application of existentialism on literature would be wise to begin here. Concise stories that are just as interesting as thought provoking.

There are also diary entries and letters for those who wish to delve into Kafka's personal life. I just skimmed through this section, but it was apparent he was a mysterious and intelligent man. This book is recommended to anyone whether their interest in modern schools of thought are high or not. Even if the stories dont exhibit a strong social messag, the stories themselves are interesting enough to carry you through this introductory book with ease.

Had I ever received my order, I could have read the book I paid for and shared my thoughts about it with other customers. TZM Books has never replied to my e-mails, and Amazon has been less than helpful in rectifying the situation. Be wary doing business with either; they'll take your money and waste your time.

I bought this book for my kids the year it came out. They loved it and treasure the memory of every bit of the story.

No matter how many times they read it or what their reading level was they felt for the bear, suffered his frustration, ached for his situation and laughed at the people who could not see a bear for being a bear.

The pictures tell their own story. A child doesn't even have to be a reader to appreciate the situations the bear encounters. Among the more memorable are the one where the bear is looking at a bear skin rug, the look on his face is something that is hard to forget, in a series of pictures the bear works his way up the corporate ladder, each person in the series is more expensively dressed until finally he meets the biggest boss of all... who has a hole in his shoe!

I've used this book to teach about social class, capitalism and the construction of self. The real beauty of this book lies in its accessibility... the youngest children hear the story and root for the bear, older kids find themselves seeing injustice being done, those more politically aware are exposed to environmentalism and issues about how the world works. Adults find so many messages, about being who you really are, social injustice and ultimately freedom.

I can see why therapists use it. I can also see why someone might find it subversive. But it is delciously subversive in the way a great dessert is, satisfying to the mind and soul in a way that only the greatest books are.

This is a great book. It is loosly based on "The Bear Who Wasn't" which is widely available in paperback. It is lovingly illustrated and talks about being "real" even when the world won't allow it.

I had never seen it before I was in therapy, which is where I was introduced to it. By the time I could afford to get a copy, it was out of print, and considering the prices on places like Barnes and Noble. com, people really don't want to part with their copes

I read most of the reviews of this "classic" children's book. My parents read this book to me when I was a kid in the mid-to-late 1940's. I bought an edition for our son in the 1980's. I am now trying to buy two more copies for my grand-nephews. Forget the the politics & philosophy. This is purely a treat to read and to have!

I just received a copy of the book on the weekend as a 30th birthday present from my Dad, who used to read this book to my brother and I when we were growing up. It is easily my favorite picture book from my childhood. My Dad didn't want to part with his copy of it, one of his more prized possessions, so he tracked down one for me on Amazon.

In my opinion, the book is far more than a simple children's book. It is a work of art, combining a multilayered story that comments on industrialism, identity, and the world of work, with astonishing drawings by Jorg Muller.

If folks know of other works of Jorg Muller or Jorg Steiner (the author), I'd love to hear from you at paul at hainsworth dot com.

I couldn't put this one down.This was a very different from most romance novels because the characters weren't perfect.I liked that because it shows that anybody can have true love.Don't pass this one up!!

I wish that I could elaborate on how excellent this book is. But unfortunately, all of the reviews that I have read for this book have said it all. This book will melt your heart and keep you sighing for days and wishing that you could find a love just like the characters in this book. Not since reading Whitney, My Love and Once and Always by Judith McNaught, have I fallen in love with the characters of the books.

There are books that you read and say what a good book and you put it down knowing that you read a good book. But this book makes you remember all the wonderful moments that you read. It stays in your mind and keeps you sighing for true love.

Who am I to give this less than a 5* review. This was an absolutely wonderful book with such a different heroine at the center of romance. Radiantly beautiful but flawed, due to the act of a demented servant that tried to kill her when she was a child.

Lillian wanted a London season, and her brother Earl of Cardemore would do anything in his power to provide her that season in London, even if it meant blackmailing the handsomest bachelor in London. The Earl of Cardemore wanted Lily to be happy, and would do whatever he needed to make that happen. Her brother could make the gallant earl of Graydon, dance attendance on his sister, and he could even engineer the means to have them wed. What he couldn't prevent would be the devasted heartbreak if the truth be known.

This was a wonderful story of love against all odds. It showed that love has no boundaries and handicaps be dammed against the snobbish and uneducated feelings at the turn of the 18th century.

Definitely a superb book. I heartily recommend it!

This book is a must read for historical/regency fans. I have never been so deeply moved by reading a novel -EVER. Its rare in a novel to find such thorough character development paired with an intricately detailed story line which moves along in a fast pace. I cannot tell you how many books I've read where I care about the H/H, but not the secondary characters and muddle through those passages or the other way around. There are four (Yes 4!) romances in this book including the H/H and you will care for each one. Each could have easily had their own novel, they are that good and Ms. Paul didn't skimp in their writing in the least.

There is very little in the way of love scenes in the book and I have to admit at first I was skeptical ( I'm really big on steamy love scenes!), but you'll find out as I did that you won't miss it in the least. The 'love' scenes are of a different sort, more of spoken love and action or inaction. Your heart will ache for several characters more than once and you'll despair when you realize that all maybe lost.

This is truly a magical book full of lies, blackmail, redemption, regret and most of all love. If you read this book and don't leave with a warm feeling in your heart, sorry to say it but your a cold fish and there is no hope for you!

An injury during her childhood stripped Lady Lillian Walford's vocal cords until the only sounds she could make were harsh and painful. Her reclusive, loving brother blackmails Anthony Harbreas, Earl of Graydon, into escorting Lily about London during her Season. Although nearly engaged to another woman, Graydon falls in love with Lily and uses a kidnapping setup organized by her brother to convince her to marry him. In an effort to shield Lily from malicious gossip, Graydon doesn't bring her back with him to London after the Christmas holiday, convincing Lily that he is ashamed of her. Secondary romances between Lily's brother and her aunt, forbidden by British law, and a fiery courtship between Lily's cousin and Graydon's best friend are threaded throughout the book.

Magnificent story with well-developed characters and views on how mutes and deaf-mutes were treated by Society. Highly recommended to historical and regency romance fans, particularly those who like a little depth to their romances.

I love this book. Simon and tira are amazing. Tira has loved Simon a long time and finally decides he'll never love her and she's gpoing to get out of his life. She has no idea he blames her for her ex-husband's death and when she finds out it tears her apart. But then Simon finds out the truth and he's devisated. He goes after her with guns blazing!! It's a great read

My first Silhouette Desire in a while, couldn't put it down! Tira is warm, sexy, innocent and has been madly in love with Simon for years; of course he has no clue. I was so proud of Diana Palmer for making someone with a disability feel sexy and attractive! I wouldn't care that Simon had lost an arm in an accident -- he sounds like someone I'd like to fall in love with!

I really enjoy the stories involving the Hart brothers and this is no exception. Simon Hart is a great character, the perfect foil for Tira. Tira has loved Simon for years and a disastrous early marriage to a friend of Simon's has tainted her in Simon's eyes. Just when she realizes that she has to move on with her life and accept the fact that Simon will never want her, Simon begins to see her differently. It's a tender love story of two lonely individuals learning to trust one another.

As you can see i absolutely love this book! So tender, sensual and heartwarming. This is my first DP book i've ever read and it got me hooked on her long tall texan series. At times i wanted to throttle simon for being so dense and hard and my heart was aching for tira and her unrequited love for him. But like all excellent romance novels, the hero and heroine get together in the end and you know what? I wouldn't have it any other way. recommend this anyone who's heart is as gooey as mine.(also recommended callaghan's bride)

Back cover reads:
"No woman will ever be allowed within striking distance of my heart!"
-Simon Hart, iron-hearted, insufferably stubborn Long, Tall Texan
He'd sworn off romantic entaglements forever. But every man had a weakness, and his was the beautiful, beguiling Tira Beck. He'd angrily labeled the flamboyant socialite a shameless flirt with a cavalier attitude about marriage--until he learned she'd secretly saved all her love for him. Against his will, Simon became entranced by her glorious presence, her every gesture igniting him like a sweet, beckoning caress. Still, he knew the virtuous virgin wasn't about to surrender her nights to him...unless he became her beloved!

Lucas Blackhawk is one HOT guy! He is the ultimate ALPHA male. He is tough, smart, sexy and had women chasing him all over until he married Julianna Hadley as revenge against her father. Jule has loved Lucas since she was in her early teens. The love scenes are scorching and numerous throughout the book. He's brought to his knees by the "love bug" and I loved watching him fall! He's angry about it and can't figure out how he could not only want her but NEED her as well. He's jealous and he ends up making a fool of himself with his best friend, Nick Santos. The ending was wrapped up a little fast but all in all it's a very good read.

Blackhawk's Sweet Revenge is the first book in the SECRETS! trilogy from McCauley - second book in the series is Secret Baby Santos and the final book is Killian's Passion. Each can be read on their own, but I highly recommend reading the entire series in order!

Description from the book back cover:

Powerful tycoon claims virgin bride ... He was the renegade, the rebel .. and the object of her youthful affection. And when Lucas Blackhawk triumphantly returned home seeking revenge, Julianna Hadley readily agreed to his shocking proposal. Boldly she married the man who sought to destroy her father. For Juliana knew only her fierce and enduring love could tame her solitary groom. And as Lucas laid claim to her body and soul, vowing to accept nothing less than her ultimate surrender, his virgin bride resolved to win nothing less than all of Blackhawk's heart!

This was a great story! It was really well written and was a quick read to boot.

Great story! I loved it. Here's what the back of the book says,,,,
The Bride's Demand
He was the renegade, the outcast . . .and the object of her youthful affection, and when Native American Lucas Blackhawk triumphantly returned to his hometown, on a quest for revenge, Julianna Hadley readily agreed to his shocking proposal.
Boldly she married the man who sought to destroy her father. For Julianna knew only her fierce and enduring love could tame her solitary groom. and as Lucas laid claim to her body and soul, vowing to accept nothing less than her ultimate surrender, his virgin bride resolved to win othing less than all of Blackhawk's heart.

It was a well written story of success. I enjoyed it very much. Lucas Blackhawk is well defined with strength, power and love rolled into one. He gets to do what every person would like to do who is wronged, set that wrong right. Julianna Hadley is grace and femininity that can ignite a hard core man and bring out the best in him. The two create a igniting love story that is both exploding and sweet. Each comes to know their own worth and how much more meaningful life can be together. His best friends are an added touch and will be an extra treat to read about. I highly recommend it. Barabara McCauley is a talented writer who should extend your stories into more pages. Would love to read a full length novel by her.

I have reached a point now where I am continuously reading 100 to 200 pages of sci-fi/fantasy novels, then throwing them away and searching for the next Jack Vance work. I keep finding that he has already written entire, masterful books on random notions that I have had about what the next few decades will bring....and he wrote them decades ago. I've been tearing through his work at a steady clip, and haven't been disappointed yet.

For example, I just wrapped up Blue World, which is somewhat of a cross between Moby Dick and The Old Man and the Sea. It's a masterpiece, and more metaphorical and symbolic than most of Vance's works. On one hand it can be read as a straight-forward adventure story about the descendants of shipwrecked starfarers attempting to defeat an aquatic monster. However, it can simultaneously be read as an indictment of religion, orthodox thinking, and institutionalized bureaucracies as being stultifying narcotics that sap human free-will and advancement.

It is amazingly and deliciously subversive. A good read even for those who don't like science fiction or aren't familiar with Vance.

Jack Vance has some great books, but has also written quite a few not-so-great ones. I expected this book, which was originally a short story but later expanded to novel size, to be one of the not-so-good ones. I was pleasantly surprised. The action is fairly constant throughout the first 3/4 of the book. Things slow down towards the final chapters, and the ending is slightly disappointing. Still, all in all, this is a better-than-average story.

Jack Vance is one of my favorite authors although admittedly he has written a few duds. At his best, as in The Blue World, he has an uncanny knack of making his quirky and exotic societies and locations seem real and believable. While Blue World is technically Science Fiction it's really a story of human triumph and ingenuity. A shipload of people stranded on a world without land, who not only survive but flourish could just as easily have been a 16th century galleon stranding its crew on a desert island.

An entrenched quasi-religious priesthood built up over generations to worship a very large & vindictive sea creature (called a Kragen probably after the Kraken of Norse mythology) who demand orthodoxy and are willing to kill those who oppose their views or threaten to harm the monstrous Kragen is soundly based on human experience.

The interaction of those who want to rid themselves of the beast and those of orthodox view led by the "priests" who see the Kragen as a god-like entity to be worshiped and fawned over is at the heart of the story and rings so true it could be describing the U.S. Senate's conservative vs. liberal debates. The justification for war to rid the world of unorthodoxy is as old as time and shows a real understanding of human nature that Vance often uses to advantage.

Blue World is Sci-Fi at its best.

First, to all those who have never read Jack Vance: he is nothing like the vast multitudes of "space-opera" writers of today. And if you are expecting more of that kind of pulp you may not like his stories. If you are willing to let go of your notions of what scif-fi should be, then Vance is the writer for you! His writing style is detailed but very concise, and he rarely (basically never) wastes the reader's time with superfluous space-filler. This means his novels are usually quite short. His stories often have very strong themes (with a subtext of humor) and are generally very believable thought experiments; in the sense that all entities and characters act belivably within the context.

Blue World is a thought experiment. The setting revolves around a society situated on a planet with no land that must rely on a giant sea-plant for all of their needs. There is a strong conflict in the story between the the society (or members of it) and external factors (specifically a giant sea monster), but the real magic of this story is the interaction and conflict that goes on within the society (the sea monster is simply the catalyst, and the general theme of conflict is between religious conservatism and scientific progress). The individual characters in Blue World are generally static and proceed along specific trajectories from the outset. However, this is not a weakness since the interaction BETWEEN characters leads to dynamic and unpredictable results. It is almost as if the whole society of Blue World is Vance's character. It works very well.

A few further notes: the details in this story include a strange "religion" based sea-monster appeasment, comunication systems using towers and an interesting symbolic lights, and a whole slew of well thought out ways to use a sea-plant to build a civiliazation. Very imaginative!

My only complaint, the book is too short! But all great books are and this one leaves a lasting impression.

This was the first Vance novel I ever read- humans marooned on a world without solid land. The themes of human beings as the most alien creatures we'll ever meet, the exotic societies, the strange worlds we are cast down on all combined to a memberable book. Look for how the folks on this planet gather iron; it's an image that has stayed with me for over thirty years.

This book brings back the Remo Williams series to its original flavor while adding new dimension to the Smith Character. A must read for Destroyer fans. The series is back!!

I thought the series was on its last leg. But the new guy seems to know what he is doing. Keep up the good work!!!!

The writing is tight, the plot develops and like the very best of the series, I simply cannot stop reading. Remo is himself he is no longer a marionette "karate dancing" for hack writers. Chiun is the reigning master bringing awe not, "aw no". I still have issue No.1 purchased many years ago. I have read all of the Destroyer series and I know that the series now has a chance to surpass it's own roots. There have been continuing themes before but never as tightly scripted and well plotted. The new author is not only extremely well versed in the sun source but he is expanding the legend. It may be heresy But this could be the best yet.

after a momentary lapse of reason it seems that Remo and Master Chiun have come to their senses and returned to the characters that we know and love. Although time seems to have tempered the biting sarcasm that was so common in the earlier scrolls of sinanju, it still remains as one of my main attractions to this series. I highly recommend this book and my hat is off to Jim Mullaney, Thank you sir, you do justice to this series.

I have to say while I haven't been thrilled with the Destroyer series lately, it is still a must read. I am esctatic that GE can get these books out on time. I like the story in this latest installment and I like the fact that it is going to arc into a miniseries. Remo's adventures have always been part political satire part history lesson rolled into an adventure story. This book goes back to what made this series so enthralling to begin with.

A most heartwarming story with an interesting plot. Ms. Bull presents her characters as most believable and likeable. The twins' switching places causes just enough problems to keep the reader wanting to read more. I felt this was her best book by far.

Identical twin sisters, separated at birth, find each other as adults. One is a famous movie star, freshly dumped by her boyfriend and in serious need of a rest; the other, a small town church librarian. Knowing her sister needs to know God even more than she needs normalcy and a good rest, the church librarian and dedicated Christian, Holly, convinces her sister to trade identities for six months. Suzann Condry, the movie star, agrees, enchanted by the prospect of a normal life. However, the handsome assistant pastor at the church in Oak Valley, Texas, Josh Gallagher, takes notice of the slight change in "Holly," and soon finds himself preaching sermons about how a man will know the one woman God intends to be his wife. In the meantime, the real Holly discovers her own true love in the form of pediatrician Shawn McDowell, who was assigned to help her negotiate the pitfalls of Hollywood. But again, the slight differences in the new "Suzann" attract the attention of Suzann's old flame, a handsome star who sees getting Suzann back as just another ploy to obtain publicity. Both sisters have their problems as they negotiate each other's life and work through their own problems. Suzann discovers God is indeed real and does care for her, and that she's worthy of a good man's love, while Holly finds that true love stands by her through facing her worst fears. By the time of the big double wedding at the end, both sisters have learned a lot about life and love, and each other. I enjoyed this book thoroughly, and found myself rooting for each sister as she confronted her worst fears during the process of finding true love and happiness.

This is one of the most captivating and emotionally moving love stories from a Refreshing Christain perspective. Molly Noble Bulls ability to simultaneously develop two plots and move from one into the other with such ease all while keeping the reader totally captivated was quite incredible. I highly recommend this wonderful love story!

This delightful story follows two heroines through their trials of faith and love; Ms. Bull tackles this difficult plot with fresh insight and exciting twists and turns. She has the gift of allowing us to know and like both sisters, and she writes of lovely places which we'd like to visit. The two heroes are the kind of men any woman would adore. Her other, lesser characters really make this story more colorful. The church and Hollywood settings are realistic and believable. The inspirational message is beautifully woven throughout the story. I've recommended this book, and have bought copies for friends.

Sometimes opposites attract and sometimes they don't. Author Molly Noble Bull treats us to a glimpse of both realities in the inspirational romance Brides and Blessings. Identical twin sisters, separated since birth, discover life to be anything but a Patty Duke episode when they reunite and decide to switch places for six months in this engaging romp through Hollywood and a rural Texas town.

Mild-mannered, born-again Holly Harmon only has her sister's spiritual welfare in mind when she proposes the madcap switch. Holly senses the notoriously worldly Suzann Condry will benefit from time spent away from unforgiving cameras and sundry Tinsel Town temptations. Although understandably nervous about stepping into the designer shoes of a world-renowned actress, Holly finds an unlikely ally in Suzann's agent's brother, Dr. Shawn McDowell. And Holly discovers to her delight that not every Hollywood denizen is a callous phony who considers the concept of love as transient as a movie set. Shawn's love becomes Holly's lifeline in opening galas, hospital rooms, commercial shoots, and everywhere else those expensive borrowed shoes take her.

For sophisticated, glamorous Suzann, her role as the mousy church librarian promises to be her greatest challenge ever. However, little does Suzann realize the "script" also includes a devastatingly handsome "co-star" in the form of the church's newly hired youth pastor, Josh Gallagher.

Suzann struggles with her burgeoning feelings for this man, fighting deep-seated beliefs that God does not exist and that no one can possibly be as authentic as they appear. Besides, how can the wholesome, gentlemanly Josh continue to love her after Suzann confesses her deception? The process of coming to terms with this turmoil, further fueled by anxiety over a close escape from a mugger, propels Suzann closer to developing trust in Josh and other church members and, ultimately, in God.

Even though the ending for both sisters feels somewhat rushed, it proves a happy one on all accounts: physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I only regret the book didn't afford a longer escape from the pressures of daily life.

The world lost a real gem of a writer when Stan Berenstain passed on November 29. Together, Berenstain and his wife, Jan, and eventually their two sons, created books featuring lovable but flawed characters who tackle just about every real issue that faces families.

All kids have fears of the doctor, and why shouldn't they? Most doctor's visits for young kids involve lots of uncomfortable poking and prodding, and, more often than not, shots. Yikes! However, going to the doctor is still necessary, we all have to do it. This book will help open a dialogue to let your child discuss their fears, and let you discuss why visiting the doctor is so important. Kids will enjoy the gentle humor and honest portrayal of a doctor's visit (yep, Sister Bear has to get a shot!) and the consequences when you don't go to the doctor (Papa gets sick). A great conversation starter!

Its the cubs time for their first check-up. Sister is VERy nervous, but both of them are worried because they thing that they might get a shot.

It is a good book to read to your kids if they are going to be going for their first check-up or anytime.

This book was the favorite book for my young children (now grown) when we
were preparing for doctor visits. It is still beloved by my retarded son
who is now 31, and I have bought many copies for him through the years. It
covers all the important topics: anticipation (dread), waiting room, routine
exams, and possible shots. All of this is with pictures and words.

The berenstain Bears Go To The Doctor is a great book.I especially like how it has the cubs (brother and sister) going to the doctor for a check-up. They ended up not finding anything wrong with them and getting a shot anyway so they don't get sick. It turns out that papa, whose convises them that he never gets sick, gets sick. This is a really good book and fun to read. I would recommend this book to anyone.

Most children are afraid of going to the doctor (well a lot of adults are, too, but for completely different reasons). When the word doctor is mentioned to kids images of needles, blood, bandages, and strange looking objects come to mind. Reading THE BERENSTAIN BEARS GO TO THE DOCTOR may help relieve some of the fears that children have when they know they are going to the doctor.

In the story, Brother and Sister Bear have to go to Dr. Gert Grizzly to have a checkup. Brother isn't too bothered by the whole thing, but Sister is a bit worried. The next day Sister is able to help out some frightened younger cubs while she is in the waiting room and sets an example for all the children to follow.

Overall, a delightful little book that helps relieve children's fears of going to the doctor and gives them a broader perspective about life.