Contemporary Books

"Life doesn't just happen to us. There is one spectacular moment when it happens for us," says Mary Gauden Hughes (psychology '81). Her book, The Last Slow Dance, conveys that sentiment in the story of a musician who must decide between his career and the love of a writer who may have found her best story yet in him. These two "not-so-young" lovers must figure out how to balance their dreams and fears when love is involved and when the past isn't resolved.

This is a powerful, poignant and compelling love story of love found and the transforming power of this love. The story is marked by Hughes's simplicity of form and purity of line, comparable to the best selling author, Nicholas Spark's novel, The Notebook. A pleasant and relaxing read.

I certainly have enjoyed "The Last Slow Dance." It would be a great movie as it would be interesting for young folks as well as older folks. It is so nice to read a book that doesn't have unnecessary and unwanted descriptions. It is a book that you can be proud of. Keep more books coming!

This book was great! I fell in love with the characters in the first chapter. Micheal Mcain is such a deep character. I'm sorry that can't write much now, but this book is great!

I read this book in one sitting! What an excellent, uplifting story of life and love. This author's writing style is beautiful and easy - it flows so well - you just can't put it down. If you liked The Bridges of Madison County, you will also love The Last Slow Dance. I look forward to more books by Mary Gauden Hughes.

In "Leaving November", award winning author Deb Raney has written another "Can't put the book down". This second book in the Clayburn series left me with a deep yearning for the release of her next book. As usual, Deb has the reader turning pages in anticipation of her character's life-choices in the small town of Clayburn, Kansas. Deb is second-to-none in creating believable, exciting characters and does so in "Leaving November". She also catches us up on the lives of characters we came to love in her first book in the series, "Remember to Forget". As I followed Vienne Kenney and Jackson Linder through the pages of "Leaving November", I was amazed at Deb's ability to connect the reader with the realities of life that Vienne and Jackson have to face, so that we "feel" their frustrations, fears, disappointments and temptations along with them. Vienne and Jackson face their deep-rooted problems head-on, yet in true-to-life experiences that tug on the heart. The couple's gradual love and trust for each other leaves the reader with a contented heart. But Deb didn't choose a "happily-ever-after" ending for her story, but one that whets the reader's appetite to read more about this couple we've invested our hearts in.
Congratulations go to Deb Raney for writing such a wonderful story of faith and love, and triumph and victory. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.

In November, Vienne Kenney makes a life-changing decision. After failing the bar exam, again, she decides to return to Clayburn, the town she left eight years ago. She learns quickly that the ghosts of her past still inhibit the small town. Nor has she found the strength to forgive her alcoholic father. She tries to make a go of her mother's café. With the help of town artist, Jackson Linder she might succeed at something. Jackson Linder left Clayburn eight months ago for reasons he would like to forget. Those who matter to him, realize the accident that took the life of his best friend's wife wasn't his fault. But he drank to forget and became chemically dependent. Months of rehab have sobered him. Trevor is remarried and happy. Can he return to a town full of gossips that won't let him forget?Award winning author, Deb Raney has woven yet another great story of overcoming insurmountable odds through the grace available in Christ. Christians are not immune to disappoints, failures, and tragedies. Sometimes these experiences can alter our lives in ways we could never expect. Sometimes, we find God forgives our past more readily than our neighbors or church associates. Through Vienne and Jackson's story, Leaving November, the heartwarming sequel to Remember to Forget, reminds us that our pasts are in the sea of God's forgetfulness. Where they need to stay.

LEAVING NOVEMBER
By Deborah Raney

Reviewed by Marion Kelley Bullock

Vienne Kinney failed the bar exam-- a second time. After she'd spent tens of thousands of dollars on a law degree that's now useless. Then her mother suffered a stroke and Vienne came back home to Clayburn, Kansas, determined to make a go of the fancy coffee shop that was once her mother's café. She must swallow her pride and try to forget that the townspeople probably view her as a failure-- just like her father, who was the town drunk.

Jackson Linder is back in Clayburn, after a mysterious absence of nine months. He must make his art gallery a success. How many people know his secret? He's working hard and keeping busy shooting prayers up to God-- the God whom he leans on.

Vienne and Jackson, two new business owners, form a tenuous friendship. When she finds out about Jackson's past, she vows to have nothing to do with him. If she dares to let herself fall for a man with the same addiction that killed her father, she fears it will end up like it did for her mom.

Leaving November explores the curse of addiction, the healing balm of forgiveness, and the faith in God that makes it possible to succeed one day at a time.

A beautiful story, I could never do it justice in a review. As have other Deb Raney books, it touched my heart in a special way. Vienne and Jackson, and even Pete, will live on in my memory because Deb made them real.

As a child of an alcoholic, I can relate to Vienne Kenney. She does not really want to return to painful memories of Clayburn, KS after her mother's stroke, but she must. The business, a cafe, needs attention. Vienne turns the lunchroom into an upscale coffee shop and names it Latte-dah and meets a bit of opposition from some in the small town. Romantic tension is provided by Jackson Linder, Vienne's high school crush, when he returns from rehab to reopen his art shop across the street. Jackson has problems of his own as he struggles to stay sober. Can Vienne overlook Jackson's past? Will her mother approve the changes in the cafe? Will there be enough business to keep these two new business ventures going?

This is the first book by Deborah Raney I've read, and what a delightful surprise it is! It will not be the last one of hers I read.

Deborah Raney never disappoints. With skill, faith and depth, she tells stories that are real and filled with hope. Her characters could be your neighbor, your best friend, maybe even you. In Leaving November, she takes us back to the small town of Clayburn, Kansas where we meet some new characters and become reacquainted with old ones.

Vienne Kenney, left Clayburn with plans never to return. Eight years and two failed bar exams later she is back. When her mother suffers a stroke, she determines to stay, refurbish Clayburn Diner into a coffee shop and run it until her mother recuperates. But will she ever get used to the small town gossip and find her place in the community and in God's plan? Jack Linder returns to Clayburn to face his largest challenge. He must reopen his art gallery and face his past mistakes without running to the crutch he used before. Will he be able to fight off temptation and convince Vienne that he truly has changed his ways?

Deborah creates flawed characters you will love and a story you will believe. She weaves faith and truth masterfully in the pages and when you close the book you will want to visit Clayburn, Kansas again. I highly recommend Leaving November and the first book in the series, Remember to Forget.

My nephew just immigrated from China and asked me to get a dictionary for him. I told him that I would get the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English.

I bought the dictionary when I was a student in London about ten years ago. I tried a number of dictionaries before I was introduced this one. My landlady used to show my dictionary to other foreign students as I used too often to keep in a good shape.

Well, I don't use it as much as I used to but I highly recommend it to any foreign student. You cannot afford not having it ! In fact, I bought one for my niece and I will buy one for my nephew too. I am sure that it will be the best gift for them ever.

I like the book very much. I love it. I keep it in a saft place, I always put it away after studying. NOTE:
I've found a bug on page 1637, look at the entry "widow", (NOT window).
the entry has "-see aslo GRASS WIDOW" cross-reference, but I can't find the entry "grass widow", the nearest entry found is "grassy". I'm not complaining. The dictionary is very useful, very handy. I'm a foreign student studying Computer Science in US. Excuse my English.

This is perfect dictionary if you wanna learn english of all kinds: formal, informal, slang, literary. etc. It only uses the most common words to define a word. It defines a word in American/British/Australian/Canadian/NewZealander/Pakistani/ Indian meanings. This was the first English to English dictionary i ever used, i was scared at first, but i was tired of unsatisfactory results in English to my native language. This dictionary proved to be amazing, its easy as 1-2-3. The usage notes, wonderful pictures, other illustrations to define words are extremely helpful useful. There's simply no other dictionary like this. I recently moved to USA from Pakistan. Looking at how i speak and write/read english ,nobody can believe believe that i just moved here. Some people assume i'm born american. I even learned that word 'assume' with help of this dictionary that is more helpful than the dictionaries translated in my couple of native languages. By the way, after moving to USA, i soon bought Longman dictionay of american english with CD-ROM. :-)

Because of my eyes I bought the book with the CD-ROM. The explanations are well done and really helpful (they earn a 5). The size of the text is good for my eyes too. But the handling of the program is a nuisance.

If you reduce the size of the window the size of the frames and letters remains unchanged and you end up hiding parts of the content. If you want to use all the features you need a full sized window.

There is virtually no thesaurus or I am not able to use it.

Last but not least: when I had completely installed the program I put the book and the CD-ROM in a cupboard far away to leave my desk tidy, believing it was for ever. Unfortunately at Longman's they want to control you and they force you to insert the disk into the cd-rom player from time to time. As it happened to me, when you mostly need an explanation you may have to frantically search in your cupboards for the cd-rom.
5 for the explanations, 2 for the handling: 3 stars for the CD-ROM.

I've been using this excellent dictionary since the last 8 years. Actually, I can undoubtedly say that this is the BEST dictionary I have ever used for learning English! It's very simple and user-friendly.
Features include:

- Clarifications of the use of a word in a spoken compared to written English.
- Graphs to show the difference in frequency of the use between words in speech and writing, between synonyms etc.
- Highlights thousands of phrases and collocations in the nearest possible way.
- Color and black-and-white illustrations from the parts of a car to the sounds !
- Over 80,000 words and phrases with easy-to-understand definitions.
- Pronunciation key with the proper stress in the word syllabus.
- Signposts in longer entries to help you find the meaning that you need.
- References to other words and phrases, and to pictures and usage notes.
- Words that are often used together are shown in dark type, and followed by an example or an explanation e.g. under the word (argument) you will find (have an argument) (get into an argument) (win / lose an argument) etc.
- Grammatical information is shown in brackets, or in dark type before an example.
- Shows the difference between British and American English including: the pronunciation & spelling differences, words & meaning, differences in grammar, and differences in phrases & collocations.
- Appendix contains Tables (Numbers, Weights & measures, Military Ranks, Word formation, The verb "be", Irregular verbs, Geographical names,
- 3rd Edition comes in 1668 pages, published in 1997.

This is a full discipline for teaching English, not just an ordinary dictionary ! It's essential for your desk, especially if your mother tongue is not English.

In this story the author does a profound job of talking about relationships. He is very careful from the start to make sure his readers get a vivid picture of his main character Darryl and his relationships with three women; Sherry, Michelle and Tasha.

Darryl's approaches and encounters with his friends, family and relationships are very important in this story because they act as anchors to many learning experiences most readers may identify with. The story centers around Darryl finally learning lessons of life and realizes what becoming a man and dealing with some very heavy social issues is all about.

Being a strong black women myself I enjoyed trying to relate and I strongly recommend this book as a good read to all especially young black men. In my overall opinion if you are objective there are encounters Darryl faces that we all face if we are to be real with ourselves. The last few chapters the story really builds into some riveting moments where all of your emotions come out, and you don't want to stop reading. The writer is true to his objective in presenting this story from a man's prospective and this I found very refreshing since the majority of stories I have read or know about are usually told from a women's point of view. The title is very appropriate to the story.

I applaud the author in challenging his readers to wonder about the twist in his ending. As a writer myself , I was left with several questions regarding a couple of his characters and situations, and wonder if this was done purposely as an opener for a sequel , if so, I can't wait. Again, I strongly recommend this book as a good read to all. And I am looking forward to reading more books from this author.

Reviewed by Tempie D. King of Memphis RAWSISTAZ

I really enjoyed this book. I started reading it and couldn't put it down. I recomended this book to all my friends. This book made me laugh and then it made me cry. I never read a book that actually made me cry. I hope Mr. Burns is able to write more books and accomplish all his dreams. Thank you for the opportunity to read this book... I just wish the ending would have been a little different. i.e. did Tasha have H.I.V? How did Darryl tell his friends? What was their reaction?

The story of Darryl, and the three women he play around on. Darryl finally meets a woman he makes him give up his playing ways. I was kinda of shocked with what happened to Darryl at the end of the book, and I also would have liked to have known Sherry's and Michelle's result. The book gives you a pretty good look at how a man thinks.

The book was recommended by a very good source.

Once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down. If really "flowed". The author made reading this book seem as if you were watching a movie. You could picture every characters physical make up, their emotions and every detail in your mind. The only thing that was missing were the refreshments.

This book will definitely take you away and draw you in at the same time.

I am looking forward to more books from this up and coming author.

"A Man's State of Mind" is a heart renching eye opener for the man that thinks he is a "player" I thinnk this book was well written. Chris really knows how to bring out the realness of his characters. This book will make you laugh and then out of nowhere it will make you cry. The thing I enjoyed the most was that Chris didn't sterotype the African American women to be the loud, rude women with bad attitudes that people assume they are. Even though this book is fiction it is still the truth as to how it really is in the world, as fr as the way the chacters think and feel. When I started reading this book I couldn't put it down I recomended this book to all my friends male and female. I also recomend this book to you. I look forward to more books by Christoper D. Burnes

I loved this book. As a matter a fact I think this whole series was great. I think the girls' antics were hilarious. Peyton and Linc are a very cute couple and I think the concept for this story was verrrryyy different. I had never read a story that involved the gay brother pretending that the love interest was his boyfriend. What can I say they're just whacky.

I am not going to bother to tell you what the premise of Ms. Byrd's book is about because you can read the other reviews for that information. Most of which are accurate.
The reason I am writing a review is because this book was an easy and very entertaining read. Not juvenile. But fast paced and imaginative.
She holds your attention because her characters are always doing something. They are never boring and her plot is active and imaginative.
The love scenes are provocative and romantic which makes you want to be the female character of the story.
This is the first book I have read by Ms. Byrd. I have decided to read the sequel, 'When You Were Mine.'
Keep up the Great Work Ms. Byrd.

Wonderful book. A true page turner, I could not put it done

This is about Peyton and Linc... Linc is also friends with Peyton's (Gay) brother Flex... of course both Peyton and Linc are unaware of this, which leads to a whole bunch of misunderstandings which makes you laugh out loud! This was an enjoyable read, filled with just enough passion between Peyton and Linc and some nosey sisters. Just one more thing to add, I recommend all books by this author and Niobia Bryant!

Adrianne Bryd tells a wonderful story of love, family, and the sometimes humorous ties that bind. This book is a good, quick read. Lincoln was a true friend to Flex and definitely a man that any woman would love to have in there life. Thumbs up to Ms. Byrd. I look forward to her next book about the Adams' family.

Love this series. Yes, the second book is ever bit as good if not better than the first book. It is smart, clever, witty, and fast paced.
Be sure to start with Happy Hour at Casa Dracula, which provides essential info on the characters and plot. Milagro is so life like.
Can relate to her thoughts and actions. Enjoy her clever repartee as well as witty thoughts. Am a fan of Marta Acosta's refreshing writing style. More please.

This is book 2 in the Casa Dracula series by Marta Acosta. I loved Happy Hour at Casa Dracula (book 1) and thought it might be hard beat. I was wrong. Midnight Brunch is just as good, if not better. The book is written differently, a little (very little) less comedy and more depth. Milagro is growing up and becoming someone that she and others really like.

Midnight Brunch takes place about a year after Happy Hour at Casa Dracula. Milagro and Oswald are very happily together, then his parents come for a visit. This parental visit is the beginning of a downward turn in Milagro's life; she fights with Oswald, gets involved in some twisted vampire ritual, and gets caught up with a washed-up actor. Through it all Milagro remains her witty self.

There were several things about Midnight Brunch that I liked. I loved the Milagro had to be on her own, without Oswald and his family. We really get to see her take care of herself, and how much she cares for her new family by not involving them in her troubles. I also really enjoyed the conversations between Milagro and Nancy, two such different people. The reappearance of Ian Ducharme also made me very happy. I know that he isn't the man for Milagro, but he makes me hot!

Midnight Brunch is romance, humor, and mystery all rolled into one delicious book.

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The Casa Dracula books are crisply written with great vivid characters--best of all it's laugh out loud funny.

Can't wait for the next installment!

From eccentric & sometimes annoying family members, to cryptic ceremonies, to boyfriends disappearing (even if it is for a good cause), to the return of a fabulous lover, to a tabloid journalist & a washed up heartthrob, Mrs. Acosta does it again in her sequel to Happy Hour at Casa Dracula. Her character development and story telling ability is spectacular. Marta is definitely one of a kind. Her writing is sexy & spicy, yet witty & charming. The lead character, Milagro de los Santos, is a beautiful Latina grad from an Ivy League school, trying to find her way as an author in a world she never would have believed in if it hadn't jumped out and bit her. Literally. Secrets & lies and even Mil's life being threatened as to where she has to hide away at an upscale desert resort, the impending chaos ensues. Will Mil get her happy ending? Pick this book up...you will not regret a single page!

Midnight Brunch is just as satisfying as Happy Hour. I loved the new cast of characters and the emotional vampire/actor at the resort. Marta's characters are very real and relatable and she infuses her knowledge of literature (like a previous reviewer I too squealed at the Northanger Abbey reference)and pop culture (heiress, self absorbed actor.) As a writer, I love to read Milagro's struggles with her career path. Again I love how Marta turned Vampire stereotypes upside down and tries to reinvent them. I can't wait to read Bride and I already pre ordered the book.

I enjoy Kathy Hogan Trochecks books, although when I was reading this one, once I reached page 54, it then went to page 295. I was able to pick it back up again at page 88. I'm sure a printing error, But I did miss out on 34 pages of the book.

I love all of the Callahan Garrity books, and I own the entire series. This was my favorite out of all them. The suspense and twists and turns keep you on the edge of your seat, but the humor and heart are the backbone of the books. I love that the Callahan books are set in Atlanta; it's so much more refreshing than the typical New York or LA settings that many books use. I wish Ms Trocheck would write more Callahan books, but from what I can see, she has moved on to romances (written under the name Mary Kay Andrews) which are still good, but not as good as Callahan.

I adore all of Callahan Gerrity Mysteries and this one was the fiest de resistance. I could not put it down. I ate, slept and drank every word and loved it....Kathy Trochek is a master of description and weaver of mystery. Just loved it.

It's a few days before Christmas, and sometimes disorganized Callahan Garrity, actually has things under control for a change. That is, until her deadbeat brother, Brian, shows up after 10 long years, with a toddler, Maura, who he says is his daughter. Callahan is always used to trouble following Brian, so when she finds out that he's actually kidnapped Maura from his estranged wife, she's not surprised. But, when Brian's ex-wife is found dead, the lead suspect is Brian. And though Callahan knows that he's many things, she knows that he's no murderer. So now it's time for her, her hilarious mother, Edna, and the employees of the House Mouse Cleaning Service to do some serious detective work around Atlanta, before Christmas is ruined for everyone.

This was my first Callahan Garrity mystery, and I was not one bit disappointed. Callahan, and her mother Edna are two hilarious characters, and the mother/daughter relationship between the two of them is absolutely fantastic. Whether you're a mystery lover, or a fan of family drama's, this is a must-have this holiday season.

Erika Sorocco

I deliberately waited over a year to purchase and read Midnight Clear by my favorite mystery author, Kathy Hogan Trocheck. I've always paced myself with her books because there aren't that many to begin with plus it's been over 3 years since KHT last wrote one. I hope that she is working on something new, because all of us Callahan Garrity fans are anxiously awaiting the next mystery featuring Callahan, Edna & the rest of the House Mouse cleaning crew! As for Midnight Clear-it just doesn't get any better than this. Kid brother Brian, who had been in absentia for 10 years suddenly shows up at Edna's doorstep with a surprise in his truck-a 3 year old girl named Maura. There is a major murder mystery for Callahan to solve, but it looks like Brian is the prime suspect-his ex-wife is found murdered in her bed. You'll find yourself rapidly turning the pages until you reach the surprise ending, KHT pulls out all the stops with this one. Once you reach the very end, however, you realize you want more books to come out featuring Callahan Garrity & co. As the previous reviewer mentioned, if only Ms. Trocheck would write as often as Sue Grafton does! Very highly recommended-along with all of her other books. Enjoy!

This shows that what we want does not neccessary good for us. I enjoyed how she didn't give up.

"Midori by Moonlight" is a thoroughly delectable read, with a charmingly feisty heroine and plenty of mystery and romance-lost-then-found. As a recovering "hen na gaijin," I found the portrayals of Japan-loving Americans especially apt and amusing. Wendy Nelson Tokunaga writes with enviable lightness and humor, but she also touches on more profound issues underlying all of our yearnings for a place in the world to call home. Treat yourself to a good read, then plan on a trip to your favorite pastry shop afterwards--the fabulous foodie descriptions of Midori's adventures in baking are bound to make your mouth water!

I couldn't put this book down! What a fabulous read - and I love Wendy Nelson Tokunaga's style of writing - I zipped right through the pages. Loved the San Francisco references, and Midori's journey. Have already recommended it to several friends -- And, am getting emails back saying, "thanks for the fabulous book suggestion!"

With its spunky protagonist and sunny window into another culture, Midori by Moonlight is as satisfying as a fresh slice of home-baked carrot cake. Much as I enjoyed the savory clash of Japanese and American cultures, what is even more delicious is the universality of love and human connectedness as told in this lovely story. Written in deceptively simple, but rich-as-mousse prose,I couldn't stop turning pages. Midori's resourcefulness in the face of adversity is almost contagious, and the love story is sweet and memorable. Which all goes to say that Midori by Moonlight is scrumptious! I'd recommend it to anyone.

What a fun story! Midori is an interesting, multi-dimensional character--certainly someone I'd like to be friends with.

Here she is in San Francisco, all the way from Japan, to marry the man of her dreams, when he ditches her for his sleazy ex-girlfriend. Although she's stranded in a strange country, she faces the situation with courage, creativity, and a lot of spunk!

I also enjoyed learning more about the Japanese culture, which was woven seamlessly into the story.

A subplot involving the Japanese mafia adds even more intrigue.

I highly recommend this book for hours of fun reading.

I really like this book because it isn't filled with patterns of Thomas Kincade-like images. It is fresh and modern, with great ideas for projects and good instructions for getting started. I ordered several patterns and wool yarn from Ms Shaunessey's online store too. Terriffic!

In this book, simplicity meets innovativeness. That is why this book is has something for everyone regardless of how much you have embroidered before. The beautiful, yet non-complicated designs will tempt someone who never have embroidered before to take up embroidery. The stitching instructions are clear, and the books have many examples of fun projects to do. For the more seasoned embroiderer, the book is a source of inspiration. The designs can be easily be adapted to new embroidery projects, or one can use the designs in the book as a starting point for making one's own designs

In my youth, I used enjoy doing embroidery projects, but grew bored with the typical imagery associated with the techniques involved (pillowcases and linen dishtowels - ugh). So I put it away until recently when I saw the renewed interest probably due to artists like Ms. Shaughnessy. This book encouraged me to create my own images using various types of thread (discussed in the materials and tools section). The stitches used and developed by the author, who focused on crewel when she was younger, is artistically stimulating. The author's amazing work is creative and so often draws your eye across the work as one would do with a classic painting in a museum. In addition, her discussion on the history of crewel (too brief IMHO) evokes the thread artistry tradition from the past to the "new" work of today. This book provides an excellent way to bring the passion back to thread art (crewel, embroidery).

I loved this book with its quirky designs. I was a bit afraid of crewel work until I read this book; it's easy & fun. All projects are very "do-able" and a lot of them can be done quickly with a minimum of fuss; ideal for a weekend & great for gifts. You don't need to have an extensive stash of threads to do these projects (although what embroiderer doesn't!!)which makes them affordable. Katherine has terrific suggestions for some of the designs & the book has funny anecdotes & tips & hints spread out through its beautifully illustrated pages. I can see this book becoming a firm favorite of mine.

This is absolutely my favorite crewel book! Katherine Shaugnessy has taken crewel to a new level that works with the modern as well as the traditional home decor. Her instructions and diagrams are designed for the novice as well as the experienced embroiderer. She has so many new and different ideas and ways to use embroidery you won't know where to begin. Her fantastic use of color is the key to this super book and I can't wait to get started! This is definately a must have for anyone who loves embroidery as I do.

This should give you a general idea of how good this book is: After reading the last page, I turned to page 1 and started reading it all over again.

When was the last time you read a book twice?

Ziolkowski's style is like a perfect wave--clean, gorgeous, and unique. It's not just about a surfer searching for perfection, but a boy searching for himself in post-Vietnam era of sunny Florida, where everyone is tan and bleachy-haired, Led Zeppelin is on every radio, and pot is as prevalent as palm trees.

The story begins with the author at ten, still reeling from his parents' divorce and craving diversion like any normal kid. But it is surfing that becomes his ultimate grace, giving him confidence and the room to dream outside the troubles at home. When his family begins to unravel, his heartbreak at dreams realized and lost will strike a sympathetic chord in anyone who is connected to the sea, to family, and to one's true self. The author's search for his identity comes full circle--beginning, ending, and beginning again--on a wave.

I loved this story of a young boy's passion for the ocean easing his growing pains. Very well-written.

thanks for the prompt delivery! I will definitely look for you again when ordering

Thad hits the nail on the head! Having grown up in Melbourne Beach during the time period described I feel qualified to speak on the authenticity of the scene depicted: perfect, took me back in time! Anyone who grew up in the space coast area during the 70's will be able to identify some of the characters described. This is an execellent book for the non-surfer as well as the surfer. This book will remain on my annual reading list along with Caught Inside, Lighting out and West of Jesus. Thanks Thad for an execellent read!

Excellent.This book will stay with you long after you read it. As a 50ish surfer from the Texas gulf coast this book reminds me of why I consider myself lucky.