Genres Books

Love in a Bottle

An excellent book! Very inventive. I look forward to reading more from Zoe Archer!

As I started to read this book, I thought it was going to be a great book. But some other books came out and I put this one down to read something else. After coming back to this one, I realized it was okay, but wasn't great. It was a cute book but there was something keeping it from being a keeper for me. It just seemed a little boring, I guess. I liked Ian, but for me, Sophie wasn't as likable. She was a little too smart maybe.
Anyway, this is an okay book but for most people, I feel it won't be that memorable.

Sophie makes a very credible heroine, and overall, this is a very good romantic tale. It's not great, but only because of a few predictable elements, and there are times the heroine is portrayed as just a bit *too* clever (ie single-handedly inventing the sandwich), but if you love those literary moments where the heroine is unjustly tormented by a cruel parent or beau and vindicated in the end, this will definitely satisfy. Other than taking some botanical liberties, the author does a fine job of a convincing period romance.

Sophie Andrews has no interest in womanly pursuits. Her passion lies in botany. Much to her mother's chagrin, Sophie is often covered in dirt and prefers her various specimens to the task of catching a husband. She accepts that she'll never marry or have children. As far as Sophie is concerned, she's "married" to her work even though she may never receive any recognition for her contributions because of the simple fact that she is a female.

Ian Blackpool makes his living as a mountebank. He peddles bottles of love potions throughout the rural areas of England. Ian spends a great deal of time scouring the countryside in search of the chemical secrets of love which he's convinced can be found in plants. When Ian meets Sophie he realizes that her work may help him find the answers he seeks.

Sophie has been traveling with her Uncle Alforth. While he's napping, she seizes the opportunity to venture off in search of new and exciting specimens to document. Her search proves fruitful when she comes across a fly agaric mushroom. In order to examine it closely, Sophie is forced to crawl because of its position under a fallen tree. She is so engrossed in the beauty of the mushroom and her own internal musings that she fails to note the pair of black boots right next to it, or the strikingly handsome man wearing them. After exchanging introductions, Ian and Sophie converse while she sketches the mushroom. She even allows him to look at her sketchbook, something which she rarely allows anybody to do. Eventually Sophie realizes that she's been out far too long and races back to join her uncle. Later that evening she has the misfortune of witnessing one of Ian's performance as he applies his trade for the villagers. Angry and hurt by Ian's deceit, Sophie prefers not to have anything to do with the despicable rogue
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While returning to her home, Sophie realizes that she'd forgotten to take the mushroom with her as a sample and asks her uncle to stop so that she can retrieve it. Only once she gets there, she discovers that Ian's beat her to it and has the precious fungus which he offers to her along with his apologies. During the time that Sophie is away from the carriage her beloved uncle is kidnapped by highwaymen. Together, Ian and Sophie set off to rescue her uncle and discover they make a great team. They're both fighting a growing attraction to each other but to Sophie's parents he'd be considered completely unsuitable. What will happen when they join forces and begin to search for the answers to their questions about plants, people and love?

LOVE IN A BOTTLE is Zoe Archer's second published novel and displays this author's talent for bringing refreshingly new storylines to the historical genre. Sophie and Ian are a completely mismatched pair as far as social classes go but they don't let that stand in their way as they throw caution to the wind and collaborate on her botanical work without her family's knowledge. Several scenes in this book got my heart pounding in excitement and there were times I could have cried for her over the lack of acceptance she receives. This story is brilliantly written and full of fun characters and thrilling situations that will keep readers engrossed in the storyline. Beautifully done Ms. Archer! I'll anxiously await to see what you come up with next.

Chrissy Dionne (courtesy of Romance Junkies)

In 1763 England, botanist Sophie Andrews meets handsome rogue Ian Blackpool, who sells love potions. Attracted to him before his revelation, Sophie calls him a con artist and accepts his challenge to try his formula. Still she has no time to waste ogling the handsome man or the "effect" of his so-called love potion. She sets off on her own as she feels she must save her uncle kidnapped by Dark Dan McGannon and his deadly cohorts.

To his chagrin Ian feels a need to keep Sophie safe so he joins her on her trek over her objections. As they trek together, he explains that love is a chemical reaction that can be bottled with his insistence his formula is the one elixir that can work. However Ian begins to wonder if he drank the potion as he keeps disproving his theory that love can be bottled one kiss at a time.

This is an amusing Georgian romance with some suspense enhancing the wonderful tale of two individuals debating whether love can be bottled. Sophie, to her mom's chagrin, is a unique female blueblood botanist while Ian is the classic impish hero (Think Han Solo), who cannot stop himself from having to help her. Zoe Archer hits Cupid's bull's-eye with this fun historical.

Harriet Klausner

i absolutely loved reading this book!!! i felt like i knew the characters. i have read this book more than once! it is one of my favorite books of all time!!

I enjoyed reading this book. The author touches subjects that haunt many families, and it also shows how families stick together in times of trouble.

Too many people think a book about African-American families would only be read by African-Americans. With that thought there will be a lot of readers who would miss the opportunity to read a superbly written story about family interactions, modern women, and the unique bond of sisterhood.

Ms. McCarthy Louard has the ability to draw you in immediately and make you feel as if you are part of the Darling family. Her talent brings you into each one of their trials to the point where it is difficult to put the book down. The intensity of the emotions is compelling, but the book is so well-written that you do not experience any drags at all.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well constructed and enjoyable book with individual characters who linger in your memory long after the book is finished.

I really enjoyed reading Mama's Girls. I had been looking forward to reading this book because I had heard so much about it. Once I got the opportunity to read it I was captivated. It was difficult to put it down because I wanted to get to the end quickly. This book tells the story of family love and what we are all encouraged to do, help one another in times of crises. The Bible tells us to love each other as we love ourselves. Louard illustrated that we should all put a high priority on family. Although, the characters portrayed in this book did not appear to be extremely close in the beginning, their love for each other brought them to a point where they were willing to sacrifice everything for the love of family. I believe the author did an excellent job portraying each character. I am especially drawn to Brynne, the oldest of the three sisters. She is going through a time of renewal and she is willing to take some risks to discover her true self. Grandma Laurel is a lot like many of the West Indian grandmothers and mothers I know. They have a strong resolve and they will go to the ends of the earth for their families. Laurel is further characterized as a strong, independent and feisty woman who took on the tremendous task of raising her three granddaughters. It is Laurel's faith in God that takes her through the ordeal she is confronted with. Congratulations Janette McCathy Louard for penning such a great first novel. I loved the ending and I am looking forward to the sequel.

I read this book in two days. It would've been one but I was quite sick.In fact I know it made me feel better. This book grips you from the fist page. It begins with the death of the girls' parents' in an automobile accident. And they were raised by their maternal grandmother. And loved from far by their paternal grandmother who lived in another state. I loss both my parents' a day apart in 2000. This book made me realize how lucky I was to have my parents for 44 years. These girls were quite young when their parents died.I highly recommend this book to everyone to read. I even recommended it to my online bookclub. All the characters in the book were so realistic and each reader can identify with these women. The storyline was so realistic.Brynne,Camille and Olivia are the three sisters. Mama Laurel and Gram Naomi were the grandmothers. This book is a must read.Pam

This book's got everything a die-hard Metallica fan could ask for. I just finished reading it and I couldn't put it down. Normally, I don't read anything, but this being the best book about the best band in the world, I never stopped until the end. Complete history, all the songs played over the years, whatever you wanna know about the band, you'll find it here. If you've never read this book, you're not a full-fledged Metallica fan. Great job, Sem!

When this book originally came out several years ago, it was a pretty handy and interesting guide to the world of collecting Metallica CDs, Vinyl, Cassettes and Promo only items. To anyone not a collector, the book probably wouldn't hold much interest, even though there is a brief historical timeline to major events in the life of Metallica at the start of the book. The family tree of the various bands that members were once in towards the end of the book goes into a little more detail than some other books I've read, as those tend to usually gloss over the pre-Metallica bands, so it's nice to have. The demos and cover songs section is decent too, although it's missing a few items and lacks details for some. Also included is a radio interview CD.

The main problems with the book are mostly due to the format. It's understandable with the sheer number of bootlegs out there, that the author can't really do more than give them a passing mention (they'd be a book unto themselves). But any type of listing that tries to encompass everything that a (still) recording artist does is going to get stale pretty fast -- as new releases come and never before discovered versions of the albums and singles come to light. This type of listing is really better suited to the internet, which since the time the book was published, everybody and their grandmother has access to. There are several excellent sites that cover this material (the author has one himself) and is really the proper way to pass on this type of info. The book is also marred by some egregious typos and poorly reproduced scans that make the book look cheap (in quality, not price), which is too bad because this the only place to get a lot of this info in book form.

I bought this book buy mistake. I am really glad I did, It is a Metallica collectors must have. If you are a collector of anything Metallica, from rare vinyl, vinyl singles, cd's, cd singles, bootlegs, videos, promo's, cassettes, fan cans etc.... This guide gives you information on every Metallica release from every country. Mostly black and white it has a color section in the middle. Also comes with a interview cd. The author also provides his web address, he has a great website also. Get this one before its gone, you won't regret it.

Just when you thought you had a good little collection going, some guy from Norway goes and makes a book that makes you realize that you really don't have much! Ouch!!! This is an excellent book for the serious collector, Sem did an awesome job (like big surprise, right). Whether you think you have it all or you are just getting started into collecting "Metallica," you need this book!

This book is the most detailed Metallica book I have ever seen. It should be and there are so many items in the book not only the text but with tons of pictures so you know what to look for. Do yourself a favour and buy this book. I call it the bible for Metallica fans.

This is a phenomenal resource for the Mikado. The piano reduction is imminently playable, and the libretto includes the spoken dialogue between each of the vocal selections. The chorus parts are included, so this little score is the whole show in a complete package, with the exception of not being scored for the orchestra. Unless a person would want to alter some script, or lyrics (such as is commonly done in certain songs, i.e. I've Got a Little List) This Dover Vocal Score ranks right up there with the Stratford Video Production from 1982 - which is one of the best productions of this Gilbert and Sullivan classic.

This well-priced score is a great edition for student productions because it's legible and affordable!

Well, I don't know if it is perfect or not. However, it does have bar numbers, which is more than can be said for most of the vocal editions out there. AND they match the published full scores.

When you are rehearsing or doing any type of serious work with the music, being able to reference bar numbers is invariable. "Second bar of third system on page #148", just doesn't cut it.

Great for learning both dialogue and vocal score for anyone who is taking part in this production or who is just considering auditioning.

Being a serious fan of Gilbert and Sullivan's work and a performer in several of their collaborations, this is a wonderful score. It has every piece of dialogue, every song, and a great cover. If you are ever going to be in a production of 'The Mikado', buy this score!

A very interesting book that will rattle the chains of any self respecting "Baby Boomer" with rock n roll memories from the 50's and 60's! Being in the middle of this target group: (Class of "67"/BEHS), I enjoyed this book immensely! Warning: do not give these quizes to anyone born after : 1960! They will give you a blank stare! :-)

This is a "fun" book to read. filled with lots of information that even a casual rock & roll fan might be expected to know . It's a book of quiz's and i have to admit i was REALLY surprised at how much i just didn't know or remember. But, a word of warning,don't write your answers in the book if you intend to let a friend (or 2) take the quiz's after you, use a scratch pad instead. The Oldies Music Aptitude Test is very reasonably price and certainly fun to read.....dale

My Boomer friends and I had a ball with this book - and then the kids wanted to 'play', too. Now my kids (30-somethings) grew up with my music for their lullabies and their lives in general. Imagine my chagrin to discover that these former 'Sesame Street residents' actually did better than we Boomers, in some cases! It was no consolation that they had learned it from me. As my son put it, "A test is a test, so stop crying and lose like an adult". It could have been worse - he COULD have called me a 'grown-up'. Sigh. Bring the generations together with these questions about the greatest era in music. Just check your ego at the door. Thanks, Barb, for a wonderful trip down memory lane. And next time we 'adults' play, we'll be sure to keep the kids locked out of the house!

There had to be something to all the praise over at Oldiesmusic.com about this book. So I bought it and now I understand. This is one truly different and fun trivia book. You know all those "multiple-guess" (yawn!) trivia books? Thankfully, this isn't like those at all! This one has funny categories and it's actually humorous! There are clever cartoons too that oldies lovers will really appreciate. Just take a look at the cover art, hahaha!

Spread the word, this is a super fun book and why it's not available in "real" bookstores is beyond comprehension. My college reunion is coming up and I'll bring this along with my lava lamp and Desiderata poster to set the mood. ;->

Best $... I ever spent on a trivia book, I must say!

Hohoho

I consider myself to be a bit of a trivia buff, from history to TV to music. At least I did before I got this book. Barb Jastrab has assembled a set of "tests" within the book to help you determine whether you are a "player" or a "pretender" in the world of trivia. Once you begin, you can't stop! It's funny, it's enlightening, it's humbling, and it's full of "DUH I should have known that" moments. Challenging and fun, well balanced.

I do have one complaint, Ms. Jastrab. You are responsible for eight hangovers this past weekend.

Your book and an eggtimer became the fodder for a drinking game of sorts after an otherwise civilized dinner party. Yes, I know better, but it seemed like a good idea at the time. Anyway, at my age, I suffer a bit more than I did in my youth after such foolishness.

We have all agreed that next time we do this, we'll play for orange juice. But play again we must! Thanks for a great book and a fun challenge.

Equinox Zero is another excellent entry in the Outlanders series, this time featuring a lost race of Vikings under the polar ice cap.

Lots of action and adventure in this one!

Recommended!

I know bad Outlanders novels are possible but thankfully, they're not frequent.

Equinox Zero is about as good as the series gets, fast-moving, two locales which are about as different as they can be (a tropical Pacific island to Antarctica)with several surprises along the way.

The return of the mad Zakat was a big surprise, since he was one villian I never expected to show up again. What was even more surprising was who he showed up with--not just Vikings, but a lost race of Norse warriors. They are very portrayed very dramatically and colorfully and I wanted to see more of their culture.

The heroes are in fine form, and even Philboyd (one the immigrants from the Moon colony) gets a chance to shine both as an ally of Kane's and possibly a rival for Brigid's affections.

Equinox Zero is winner on all counts.

This latest OL novel features the return of a character that has not been seen for almost five years and was presumed dead. I enjoyed this novel for a number of reasons. First and foremost is that the characters right now are in the midsts of an avalanche of emotional and phsyical changes, that are not going to be easily solved or solved in the near future, which is great. This particular novel in typical OL fashion took of like a cannon shot, on the fourth or fifth page, and didn't seem to slow down at all, until the last three or four pages when the story was wrapping itself up. With a trip to the South pole and a dino hunt that is one of the best written scenes in the entire OL series in my opinion, Equinox Zero has something for everyone. Starting off with Dino hunt that was like something out of Jurassic park only better, and ending in a climatic battle in the middle of the South Pole, this novel couldn't have been better. More of the secrets surrounding Thunder Island are revealed, as well and we learn a bit more about the Cube (the redoubt on Thunder Island.) Secondly this novel returns us to one of my favorite settings, the Artic redoubt on the South Pole which was first introduced in Hell Rising. With the discovery of an old enemy lurking in the shadows, sightings of Vikings raiding all up and down the west coast, and information that the artic ice sheet that makes up most of the south pole threatening to break away and slip into the ocean as cause a new ice age, this novel accelerates to a break neck pace that leaves the reader breathless and somehow feeling satisfied but with the nagging doubt that they missed something in all the excitement. There is bit of rehashed material in this book, but it is information that is essential to the plot, and a bit of a refresher about past novels that have an impact on this latest plot. All in all this book was a great read, which is what most of us have come to associate with Mark Ellis. This one gets a 10 out of 10 from me.

Equinox Zero is a nice filler novel, one where there really isn't anything as drastic as we had with The Dragon Kings and previous novels.

Sure the novel revolves around another world-threatening event, but it's resolved quickly and quite memorably at the end.

We need the occasional -breather- novel as we have had with this one. There is plenty of action, to be sure, but at the same time, there is even more character development, which compliments the action quite beautifully.

The novel begins with Kane and Domi hunting for a prehistoric monster on Thunder Isle, to make the violent and primordial island just a little bit safer for the Cerberus exiles, while they explore the ruins of the Operation Chronos facility.

The author gives even more depth to the outlander girl, Domi, and adds a little tension between her and Kane, as she makes it quite clear that she is interested in him, despite the relationship that has blossomed between her and Lakesh, after Grant rejected her.

Speaking of the ebony giant, he has decided to leave Cerberus, as he is tired of all the fighting and the near endless stress that he's been subjected to. He really doesn't believe that it's his fight, and he just wants to retire, to settle down with Shizuka and the Tigers of Heaven on new Edo.

Another old enemy has apparently arisen from the grave, a man we haven't seen since Iceblood. He managed to find his way to Utlima Thule, a haven of Vikings that has remained essentially untouched for thousands of years. Using his influence, he is trying to take over the isolated civilization, and to bring about another great Deluge, not quite of biblical proportions, but one that would destroy the emerging civilization, plunging the already fragile planet back into another dark age, of which it might not ever recover.

Zakat and a ship of the people from Ultima Thule raid a ship belonging to the Tigers of Heaven, all the while being witnessed by Grant and his new love. That prompts him to return to Cerberus to ask for Kane's help in tracking down the criminal and putting an end to him and his plans once and for all.

Bringing Philboyd with them, they jump to the gateway that was first discovered in Hell Rising. They find the entrance to Ultima Thule and make their way to the underground city. It is very much a lost civilization, even though the Nazi's tried to take it over nearly 250 years previously. Tried, but failed miserably, and paid for their efforts with their lives.

Here, Kane is forced to fight Zakat's lover, a Valkyrie named Sif. It is truly a memorable battle, one which Kane nearly loses his life, but as is the case, the hero triumphs, and not only defeats the woman, but spares her life. Zakat meets his end in a very appropriate manner, and the threat to the world is neatly dealt with.

Keep them coming!

I always wondered by Grigori Zakat never returned after his first appearance in Iceblood, considering the obvious effort involved in creating him.. Now the twisted Russian priest is back to bedevil the Cerberus warriors as they learn Zakat's ultimate goal is to trigger a another ice age and unite the survivors under his rule, his edicts enforced by Norse warriors from the lost land of Ultima Thule!

The set-up for Equinox Zero is terrific, featuring a Kane and Domi team-up on another "Lost World", Thunder Isle which is populated by all sorts of creatures pulled from different epochs of time. I think this element of the Outlanders saga is wonderful, offering many story springboards.

The scenes of Zakat's piracy with the Thulians are exciting. A standout sequence is a sea battle between Zakat's forces and a trading ship from New Edo, which tips off the Cerberus warriors that their old foe is back. Grant's anger directed toward Kane when he learns this is very realistic .

The exotic scenes in the timeless world of Ultima Thule are extremely well- wrought. Mark Ellis portrays the city from the days of ancient Norse mythology with colorful splendor,

There are a lot of high points in this novel: a great villain, excellent characterizations, a fast-paced plot, and incredibly exciting action sequences. Add them together and you have a superior Outlanders novel on every level. A must-read!.

Kathryn Ellen Davis' debut novel Polyester Pride is about a young women who grows up poor in Northern Maine, seeing marriage as the dream and the highest goal for her life. But when she marries her high school sweetheart, he turns out to be an alcoholic given to regular physical abuse. Her rough awakening and search for inner strength, pride, and freedom compose a powerful tale of struggle and independence in this impressive, compelling, and highly recommended story.

Kathy is a wonderful writer she had me really into her book.
I felt as though I was living in maine while I read.
Great story writer she will be going places .
I felt like I know her keep up the good work .

Linda_man

This novel is one of the most realistic portrayals of Downeast Maine that I have ever read. Living in Downeast Maine and experiencing many of the trials and tribulations that are portrayed in this novel, are what makes Polyester Pride a definate five star for me. I can't wait for the sequel.

Great book it keep me into it, was very exciting, and I get bored easily .
I Stayed with it untill I finished it.
Hope she comes out with another .

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were very true to life, and the plot was engaging. Once I started reading, I couldn't stop. A rare accurate glimpse into the daily challenges of people living "downeast".

This is one of the most honest portraits of a human being you will ever find.. I would recommend this along with Charles Mingus' 'Beneath the underdog' for a taste of the 'jazz life'. It is amazing what these guys lived through - and still created such beautiful music!

This was the first jazz biography I have read. Hawes does a great job of portraying the terrible effects of heroin addiction. I knew some jazz musicians were busted for heroin use in his time. But I didn't understand how rampant heroin use was in the industry. This book gives great insight into the life of a wonderfully talented jazz pianist. But more importantly, it gives insight into the tumultuous life of a drug addict. Initially, the piano seems to be Hawes' only love. But then there is the realization that heroin is his real love. It is his only motivation to even play the piano.

This book is all of these things and more. This is the story of an essentially decent person fighting his own demons. A beautifully crafted book written in the subjects own idiom. A must have for anybody wanting to get inside jazz during the be bop era.

I love this book. Remember, back then when you played this music, it wasn't exactly a sweet world for the musicians (Black ones). I'm glad he let everyone know how hard it was out there. Drugs took this Bad Boy out the game and the world passed him by. Musicians like Brother Hawes, will never be acknowledged for their great playing in the U.S.A.

If there was a dumb remark in this book, I didn't see it. Again, think back to the times he was living in. He talked about Jimmy Rushing and the way he thought about things. Jimmy Rushing came out of a different era, yet Some of his thoughts were not far behind. When he described Black people, some were light skninned, some were black... The book is not dated, it's just good.

I enjoyed reading this book very much.

It is first of all Hampton Hawes biography of his life as a jazz musician. It tellls us of his way from being a little boy attending his father's church on Sundays to a highly acclaimed jazz pianist, his downfall because of his heroin addiction, his 10-year jail sentence (which was reduced to six after Hawes had written to John Kennedy!), his way back up on the European market, his love relationship with Jackie, and his new found love after separating from Jackie after almost two decades. The very last sentence of the book speaks about his ex-wife Jackie - and it is very touching and shows that Hawes indeed must have been a nice man.

There is only one really dumb remark in the book that I felt was disgusting. (Find it for yourself... ;-))

Hawes repeatedly talks about Black issues. I personally feel that those statements are very intelligent, and can therefore recommend this book not only to those of you interested in jazz, but also to anyone into Black issues.

I'm a longtime RHCP fan and a guitar player (obviously since I bought the tab!). I have both the Mother's Milk and Blood Sugar Sex Magik tablature books and have learned almost all of the songs in both. That said, I was a little hesitant in ordering the Stadium Arcadium book for two concerns: 1) the album is so effects laden, it may be hard to reproduce at home; 2) usually, when audio is provided on a CD with a tab book, examples are truncated snippits or examples of songs taken out of context--not very helpful, IMHO. Let me cut to the chase: buy this book with the CDs! The CDs contain ALL 2 SA discs with FULL songs from beginning to end sans drums and vocals. You get to hear John Frusciante's guitar parts and Flea's bass interacting together for all of the songs. I'm hearing things being played that I've never noticed before on the original SA release. Actually, what the recordings have confirmed is a suspicion I've had that SA was mixed horribly for the final release... a little too smooth and compressed, finally killing the BSSM era peppers sound. However, listen to something like "Hump De Bump" on this book's audio and you will hear guitar and bass every bit as raw, inventive, and funky as anything from BSSM. Why did this get lost in the final release? The tabs are pretty spot on, too. I've noticed a few voicing inconsistencies with JF's live playing of the songs... but this is a minor quibble. This book is a must (for this price) for any RHCP fan that plays bass or guitar. The audio is also an awesome stand-alone look into the writing and musical process of a inventive band of musicians.

The bass and guitar tracks on the CDs really help to identify the individual notes, riffs and chords. Extremely worth it!

I am a big fan of the RHCP's and enjoy trying to replicate their sound. I am by no means a good guitarist but still have a lot of fun going through the book and playing pieces of their songs. The tab appears to be very accurate but I am not sure that it is 100% (still, good enough for me). I found it very useful to look at some of the lessons on Youtube as an aide to the book.

First of all, I must say, I really enjoyed this album. I don't normally use the words "dude" or "money", but dude, the Jupiter disc is *money*. The Mars disc was good too, but I think every song on the aforementioned disc was a hit, thus making them the ones I wanted most to learn to play.

All recordings feature the guitar and bass with no drums or vocals. This makes picking up the guitar parts considerably easier. All effects used are mentioned in the tab, and the tabs themselves seem very accurate when reading them and listening to the disc.

I think Frusciante's style of playing is interesting, and a good study for any guitarist. It's refereshing to hear a guy who is talented and really makes good arrangements, but isn't shredding and wanking all over the place. He also doesn't just whack on the same power chords all day long like every other modern rock band.

Furthermore, the band as a whole definitely remains fresh and valuable in a world where, I'm sad to say, rock is starting to suck really bad. RHCP makes me want to pick up my guitar, jam out, and be a better musician.

Fallout Boy does not.

Don't think twice before you get this. I'll be able to listen to all the tracks with guitar / bass isolated. They even mention the effects on the tabs.
Gotta have it.

Anthropologist and professor, Del Hawthorne, is on a mission. It begins the moment, an ill and aged Professor Schroeder - a man she believed had died with her father seven years earlier - stumbles into her classroom to tell Del that her father is alive, but about to be killed by someone bent on destroying humanity. To find her father, Del must reach the Nahanni River where he and Schroeder had originally disappeared. Gathering a small team of people, Del begins a risky, unusual adventure, where she discovers a secret underground river, and far more trouble than she bargained for.

Cheryl Kaye Tardif's cross-genre novel, THE RIVER is an intriguing blend of mystery, action-adventure, thriller, and science fiction. Vivid descriptions, realistic dialogue, and persistent tension kept me turning the pages to find out if Del and her friends survive the dangers not only of the Nahanni River, but of the evil man has created. The novel's theme is a dark reminder that there are still people out there who want power over life and death, to dominate others, and who believe that science and technology will accomplish this mission.

My only quibble is a couple of unanswered questions at the end that I wish had been answered. Still, if you're looking for an entertaining read, then THE RIVER is a great choice.

Mix some Michael Crichton with a touch of Dean Koontz, add a generous dash of sci-fi and then distill the resulting mixture until all you have left is the good stuff. That, in a nutshell, is "The River".

The Nahanni River holds many secrets, but the headless bodies that occasionally appear on the shores and the people who vanish without a trace certainly weren't telling any tales. Del Hawthorne's father is part of a group that mysteriously goes missing, but when one of his supposedly departed friends returns with the news that her father is still alive, Del sets off on the adventure of her life, against all odds, to discover the truth. Her companions are an intriguingly mixed bunch of brains, brawn and raw animal magnetism, and it's not only the river that provides the challenges up ahead.

Thanks to a notebook with coded messages and a cryptic map, they find the secret of the river, but only at great personal cost. What transpires next is a swift and horrific descent into the lowest depths of humanity, the result of pure unadulterated greed and selfishness, combined with a peek into the fascinating world of science and discovery.

Cheryl Kaye Tardif manages to make her stories exciting and thought-provoking without including pages and pages of filler material, making her books ideal traveling and beach companions. Her book Whale Song is also a definite must-read.



Amanda Richards, August 20, 2007

Before deciding to purchase The River, I read the author's blog. At first I thought this book was a true story because she wrote the blog synopsis in first person, but at the end she admitted this really didn't happen to her; it was simply a clever lure to garner more interest.

And it worked for me! Author Cheryl Kaye Tardif hooked me from the first sentence. I couldn't wait to read it. Having already read and raved over her later release, Whale Song: A Novel, I knew I would like The River, but didn't think anything could come up to Whale.

How wrong I was! This book is outstanding, too, and I'm learning that all of this author's works are brilliant.

The superb writing in The River flowed along smoothly, as naturally as the Mississippi River; then as the story progressed it picked up speed and energy like the turbulent white-water of the Colorado. All of that with some of the exotic features brought to mind by the mighty, mysterious Amazon River. Wow--what a book!

The story opens seven years after Professor of Anthropology Del Hawthorne learns of her father's disappearance and presumed death. Del is stunned when one of the men who went with him on a mysterious mission near Canada's legendary Nahanni River, stumbles into her University office. He's half-dead, but before passing out he manages to give her a coded journal and inform her that her father is still alive.

Even though Del is in remission from multiple sclerosis, she is determined to venture into the rugged territories surrounding the dangerous Nahanni River to find the truth and bring her father and any other survivors home. Along with a sturdy, hand-selected group of brainy men and women, they set off on the adventure of their lives--an adventure which some won't survive.

There are thrills aplenty in this novel: headless corpses on the banks of the Nahanni, hi-tech machinery, underground labs, secret caves, and time-travel into the near future. How does all that affect our brave adventurers? And who is trying to sabotage their rescue efforts? Could there be a spy in their midst? What happens to Del when someone steals her MS medication? What does the "fountain of youth" have to do with her father and his research? Will she find him alive? And how does the year 2031 fit into the scheme of things?

And YES, dear reader, there's a big romance! But is Jake to be trusted? Will they find true love, or is he working with the evil "Director," using Del for his own selfish purposes?

In order to give nothing of the plot away, I always advise you to RFY (and by now you should know that means Read For Yourself). I promise it will be an outstanding reading adventure.

Author Cheryl Kaye Tardif is a true wordsmith, writing fluently while making it seem easy. Her plot is well-paced, with characters so believable the reader cares what happens to them, and above all, her imagination soars. This is a true high-concept story.

I invite you to plunge into this intriguing story ... head-first or feet-first, it doesn't matter. You're in for an absorbing adventure--with more twists and turns than the Nahanni River itself--and a surprising, yet satisfying ending that leaves you gasping for more.

Reviewed by Betty Dravis, 2008
Millennium Babe: The Prophecy

Del Hawthorne's dad had been dead these past 7 years. Del believed it. Everyone did! They'd even had a funeral. But when her father's closest friend unexpectedly shows up in her office, and has an incredible tale to tell, Del now knew her father was alive after all! A motley crew: Del's former lover; a handsome doctor and his assistant; Del's assistant; a cryptographer and a computer programmer; their Native guide, and of course, Del herself, travel to the Nahanni River in Canada's Northwest Territories to find her father. From the moment they first arrive at the Nahanni, to the final page, the book is a roller coaster ride, building momentum and going faster and faster. Then there's a loop-de-loop and you're sure the roller coaster has derailed. Nope. Within just a few pages it's back on track, and you're in for an even wilder and more thrilling ride! A definite "must read" from Cheryl Kaye Tardif!

The River
Cheryl Kaye Tardif
Trafford Publishing 2005
6E - 2333 Government Street
Victoria, BC, Canada V8T 4P4
http://www.trafford.com/
toll-free 1-888-232-4444
phone 250-383-6864 fax 250-383-6804
www.cherylktardif.com
ISBN # 1-4120-6229-2
Reviewed by Christina Francine
CFrancine@mail2world.com

Cheryl Kaye Tardif skillfully balances scientific intrigue, and the human desire to retain a youthful body, with tantalizing sexual tension, and vivid characterizations in this engrossing romantic thriller.

The plot steps beyond reality, but by how much? Science grows in its knowledge more every day. One thing is for sure, and history shows it to be true, greed and absolute power taint fabulous discoveries and inventions.

Tough and tender Professor Delia Hawthorne aches for her father, and she wouldn't admit it, but also a decent relationship. Is her father really alive or is something unethical going on? She remembered what the disturbing man at the doorway of her classroom said. The elderly man wore a grimy suede jacket, needed a haircut and a shampoo, and his clothes were torn and worn, but his eyes seemed vaguely familiar.

"They're going to kill him Delly. Find the river and stop the Director before he destroys humanity. It's all in the book," the old man said.

Del examined the leather-bound book later, along with a strange symbol, the notes inside, and what appeared to be a code.

For seven years she'd believed her father dead. There was even a funeral. He'd gone on an excursion down the Nahanni River in the Northwest Territories, and came up missing. If he lived, she'd find him, but first, Del decided to visit the company her father had worked for, Bio-Tec Canada.

Award-winning Cheryl Kaye Tordif is a Canadian mystery author who's appeared on television and radio. She's been told that she has the highest, most consistent sales during a book signing in Edmonton.

Other books include:
- `Divine Intervention'
- `Whale Song'

Exciting and vivid. Tardif's latest novel sweeps readers along into uncharted, wild Canadian territory. A thrilling adventure where science sniffs harder, desperate to find the fountain-of-youth.