Contemporary Books

This book is amazing! It is beautifully written and beautifully illustrated!
I lost my daughter last year and when I stumbled upon this book I felt it was written about her! It is hard to read it with dry eyes, but it is uplifting and comforting. I believe that anyone who has been touched by the loss of a child, especially a special needs or medically fragile child, will be profoundly moved by it.
I cannot recommend it highly enough!

I got this book for a close friend who recently lost a beloved child. Even when I read it, it really touched me deep inside. It is a beautiful way of saying "there is a reason for everything". It really helped my friend and will even more help to explain it to her children later.
Thank you for writing such a wonderful book.

We first received this book from our hospice nurse when our 8 week old son was diagnosed with Type I Spinal Muscular Atrophy (Please visit www.curesma.com to learn more about SMA). We found the message in this book to be powerful, beautiful, and comforting in a time of great sadness in our lives. This story could have been written for our son, without having to change a word. I have purchased several of these books for close friends whose children are dying of SMA, or have passed away from SMA. The book has received nothing but positive feedback from all of them. Elissa, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for sharing this story with us. You have allowed us to turn a heart wrenching experience into one of hope and love. We highly recommend this book, in loving memory of our own "Angel with the Golden Glow".

Any family dealing with the loss of a child needs this book. This is especially true if the child has special needs and/or is in a pediatric hospice program. This book would be an excellent choice for families who can and will have another child after the loss of one. Through touching language and adorable illustrations, the book conveys beautiful messages about God's purpose for the presence of these children in our lives. Adults will be overcome with emotion when reading this book, and children of all ages will be able to understand it's message. All readers will remember that we love one another even when we are apart, and that we will all be together again. Having recently lost my two year old daughter after many long months in hospice, I found this book touched my heart like no other.

As a mother dealing with the birth of my fourth child born with severe neurological problems this book was just what I needed to help answer my children's questions about our little angel. I cried through the whole book because it was as if this book was written about my little Benjamin. Such a well written, feel good story that can apply to so many real life situations. Thankyou for writing and sharing this beautiful story.

I truely wonderful book dealing with the sisterhood, The stardom and fall back to beliving that you are part of a family. I truely enjoyed this book and have added it to the reading list for my art students. I belive it doesnt matter what social group or what age you are, everyone can learn from this wonderful story.

I read this when it first came out and reread it last week. Great book, great writing. Waiting impatiently for her next!

Spent a late summer afternoon completely enchanted by this remarkable novel! The writing is poetic, so beautiful. . . Cammie McGovern is an extraordinarily talented writer. What is so remarkable is that this was her first novel! The story of these two sisters is told with great insight, the dialogue at times heart wrenching, and other times humorous. It all rings true. I will most definitely share this wonderful book with my sisters! Looking foward to more from Cammie!

Recently, I had the occasion to observe a stunning sculpture with a perceptive friend who commented on its graceful lines and delicate interplay between light and shadow. This sensitive, eloquent commentary bespoke an understanding not only of art, but of life itself. It it a gift of seeing, and it is exploring that gift which constitutes the challenge and triumph of Cammie McGovern's exquisite "The Art of Seeing." Her debut novel traces the evolution of the troubled and nuanced relationship between two talented and tormented sisters, equally troubled by the limits and possibilities of their own vision. McGovern's insights are subtle and quiet, their strength owing to the complexities of her character's personalities and the painful interplay betweem them. "Seeing" resonates with truths, not the least of which is that love often exists between people despite the mistakes they make with and for each other.

Jemma, the youngest of the sisters, labors suggestively in the shadow of her older sister Rozzie. Begrudingly acquiesing to subordinate status, Jemma, at five years of age, realizes that she is "a pathway to my sister's approval" and "as easy as breathing" determines to accept this role. Alienated and sensitive to her differences (both outside and inside her family), Rozzie exploits Jemma's willingness to do "whatever is required to ensure...she will never be truly seen again." The two develop a balance based on misgiving, silence and perceived acceptance of role; in reality, both envision themselves intertwined with the other in a complicated mathematics of expectation, subservience and dependence. Although as an actress Rozzie appears distanced and detached, Jemma's choice of photography as a means of artistic expression requires identical traits.

The metaphor of vision haunts both sisters. As Rozzie loses her sight, she fights the very invisibility she affected. Jemma's photography tends to focus on isolation and periphery, and as she begins to study the dynamics of her relationship with her sister, ruefully admits that in her own way, "I am missing too." If clarity sets humans free, both Jemma and Rozzie have built walls, shutting down their capacity to see themselves and each other as authentic people. Both women, talented in portrait and interpretation, lack the art of seeing their own hearts. This terrible irony lends a tragic tint to their relationship, but to McGovern's credit, the author does not exploit it for sentimental purposes. Instead, the author encourages her characters to use their deficiencies as the basis for renewal and change.

Consequently, Cammie McGovern elects to challenge readers to reflect on the limits of their own observations. Have we unfairly sided with either of the two sisters? Are we blinded by our own perceptions? What must people do to attain a sense of artistry in their own sight? Jemma and Rozzie quietly grapple with not only their own individual artistic imperatives; they use their talents to retrain their hearts. "The Art of Seeing" becomes its title, a work of art that permits us a clearer vision of ourselves.

I agree with one of the other reviewers: This is a book to buy for your sister. Cammie McGovern writes great dialogue, and she creates touching scenes; the book hooked me with its premise and kept me hooked with its subtle character development and evocative writing. The descriptions of Rozzie's blindness were particularly vivid. This is a fast-paced novel that will sear your heart...even if you don't have a sister. Can't wait for more from McGovern!

The experience of reading Augusta Locke was for me a luxurious one. I was immediately drawn into the story by the specificity and quirkiness of the detail and the determination and feistiness of the main character. Henderson, a master of Western imagery, draws a complicated picture, more like a series of fast-moving, high-resolution close-ups placed against an expansive backdrop of the enormous world. Tiny, fragile people move within its tempests, striking out on their own, struggling to make it their own. Gussie is a puzzle--a delightful confusion of human frailties and virtues--courage and heartache and wit and longing. And in the vastness of the Wind River Valley, against the constraints of time and coincidence, she finds Walker Avary, a priceless and beloved character from Henderson's earlier novel, The Rest of the Earth. What a great sense of satisfaction to have the two of them meet and connect and travel together through the lonesome paths they've taken in life. For me, this was a book that needed reading twice, the first time to get lost in it, and the second to savor it.

This is a fictional chronicle of six generations of a western family. The west is always one of my favorite subjects. Gussie is a rare woman, both strong and tender. She is a character you will never forget. This raw and haunting tale is my pick for best book for the first half of 2006.

Best damn book I've read all year. Tough as fence post, bites like barbed-wire. Damned if Augusta Locke ain't real.

How does Henderson do it? --the characters and setting, the images and story. There's more style and substance on one of William Heywood Henderson's pages than between all of he covers on the New Release table at Barnes and Nobel put together.

"At night, when the weather allowed, Gussie and Mr. Foster laid out a tarpaulin on the ground, their bedrolls padding their bones, the sleeping box as breakwind, Anne (Gussie's child) had outgrown the box, and now she carefully laid out her own blankets, tugging at the corners to square and smooth the fabric. Beneath the stars, they all lay side by side, Anne in the middle. The stars filled the entire basin, no forests to catch the constellations, only famished cottonwoods. Gussie looked directly up into the night. The earth turned. The stars surrendered their positions.

Get this book new, you won't find many second-hand copies. It's the kind of novel people keep to read over and over again.

Augusta "Gussie" Locke is one of the most facinating and fully drawn female literary characters in recent memory. Her defiant, independent spirit is both inspiring and deeply moving. Henderson paints vivid and palpable landscapes of the West with some of the most beautiful prose I have ever read about the region. This book is not just for Westerners - although, I suspect that Westerners will particularly appreciate it. The book's great humanity, and staggering portrayal of the natural world, make it a must-read for everyone. I could not more highly recommend Augusta Locke.

Augusta Locke is one of the most compelling characters to emerge from the American West. The unbeautiful daughter of beautiful parents, a girl with a wandering habit who walks into Wyoming, she grows into a woman who reads the mind of the country around her -- the Wind River Range, the Great Divide Basin, the Big Sandy River, land where "the season can swing from heat to snow and back in the turn of a day." In Henderson's flat-out gorgeous prose, Gussie's life feels epic, not because the events that make it up are so big, but because we follow her so closely, watching her seasons change. She's a self-made orphan, a fierce mother, a lonely lover, a rough road worker, a woman in a man's world, sometimes a woman in a man's clothing. In the vast plains, such a small female figure might go unnoticed, her life leaving a shallow track like the roads "so barely scratched into the surface that a shift in the angle of the sun would erase them altogether," but Augusta Locke will live with you long after you finish the book and try to put her back on the shelf.

I really enjoyed this book for several reasons. First, the engaging style that invites the reader into the world of Octavian and many of his contemporaries such as Herod the Great, Tiberius, Cleopatra, Cicero, Livey, and many others. You come away from this book feeling as though you experienced something of the past. It is though you were there and lived through it yourself. Second, this book is a history of religions in that it focuses on the world religions of the first century all over the world. You learn about the religions of Rome and how they were evolving, as well as Judaism, Christianity, Buddism, Mithraism, Hinduism and many more besides. The story of the Roman and Greek gods are told. Third, festivals and there meaning are focused on. This is particularly true of December 25th and how the various religions treated this date. Other festivals are taught about as well, like the Jewish passover. Fourth, the calendar and how it come into being is another great feature of this book. One learns about astronomy and astrology as well as how all of the months and days of the week that are currently used in the west were named. Fifth, the founding and history of various cities are told. Finally, one can not leave this book without sensing that he has taken a trip back in time. The one negative about the book was that the author takes a religious stand that "all roads lead to god". There is very little negative treatment of the various religions. Most people and religions are cast in a very positive light. Octavian was likely a little meaner and cold hearted than he comes off here. Of course, if Octavian was telling the story himself then he may have told it like this since we are all the hero of our own story.

One of the best all-ages history books. :) Gorgeous illustrations, useful family trees, all told in a friendly and familiar style; not dry and academic at all.

What a wonderful book and introduction for a young person to learn about the Romans, and the way they lived! I remember first being introduced to this book in the 9th grade, when I had a mild obsession with the Roman Empire. This book has stuck with me for a long time. It is written in an entertaining manner, and makes these people seem more real and human than some stale 3rd person account of how things were. Each historical figure is depicted as people with the same basic fears, hopes and desires as everyone else, in relation to the society in which they live. It of course being for children is toned down as far as some of the facts we know or speculate today about these people (ie I, Claudius) but it gives a great account of how an individual of the day might have lived, and it is not just about Octavian/Augustus himself, but the people around him and alive at the same time, sometimes even in another country. This was the world of that time, and was a fascinating period of history. This type of book can easily open up a historical interest for a young person for life. I myself searched 10 years ago to find a used copy of this gem, remembering it from high school over 10 years prior, and successfully found a copy in an old book shop. I was thrilled to death to read it again, even after reading several translated histories from the Roman Empire.

I cannot say enough good things about this book! I just finished reading it before using it for homeschooling, and am amazed at how much I learned! If only they used history books like this in when I was in school, I may have had an interest in history.

The books covers from Octavian at age 18 (when his uncle Julius Caesar is killed), through his death. The beauty of this books is that it covers world events during the time period as well as daily life in Ancient Rome. It's wonderfully well rounded and the illustrations are a nice bonus.

I will absolutely read her other historic fiction books and I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this one!

One of the great bonuses of parenting is that you get to introduce books to your own kids that wowed you when you were a kid yourself. Sometimes your children love the books as much as you did; sometimes they don't. But in either case, you get to revisit with old friends and see how much you and they have changed and retained over the years.

Some of my best book friends when I was a kid were the wonderful illustrated histories of Genevieve Foster, and the one I loved most was *Augustus Caesar's World.* I recently introduced it (and a few others: *Washington's World*, *Lincoln's World*, *John Smith's World*, *Columbus's World*) to my 8 year old, and he's discovering the magic in them I did so many years ago.

There are three qualities to *Augustus Caesar's World* that make it so entertaining and educating. The first is that it's incredibly well written. Foster has the gift of breathing life into historical accounts. In reading about Cicero's execution or the life of Siddhartha, for example, one experiences all the dreadful waste of the one and the liberating wonder of the other. Second, the book is wonderfully illustrated by Foster herself. The illustrations are themselves instructive: along with individual scenarios, she provides time-lines, illustrated most fetchingly, that conveniently encapsulate events and persons. Finally, Foster's histories are really world histories. In *Augustus Caesar's World,* she focuses on the events leading up to the end of the Roman Republic and the establishment of the Empire (roughly, 44BCE to 14 CE). But she doesn't limit herself to Roman history; she also examines events taking place across the world during the time frame in which she's working: the druids in Gaul, Hindus in India, Confucius in China, Mayans in the Americas, and so on. She even includes intellectual history: the origins of Christianity and Buddhism, the Upanishadic culture of the Hindus, etc. Her aim is to give the reader a wide angle of vision, and she succeeds wonderfully.

I'm grateful that Foster's histories are being republished. They don't patronize kids by resorting to silly gimmicks that supposedly make learning more palatable (or at least more marketable). Instead, they make history fascinating the old fashioned way: by showing that it's a great story in its own right. They're a great discovery for my son, and a great rediscovery for me.

I absolutely love this book! Lara Rios did a wonderful job in creating a very believable character, Marcela, that brings up true issues that sorround Latinas living in the United States. What does it really mean to be Mexicana/Latina? Is there such a thing to be a true Mexicana/Latina? What makes you a Mexicana/Latina? There are many different answers to these questions, but the correct answer is to be yourself. I found this book to be very funny, romantic, and most of all, inspirational. It has encouraged me to be who I really am without worrying to be too Mexican to please my family and not worrying in trying to fit in to American society. Marcela has become my mentor.

If you are latina or not you'll enjoy the book. This book was given to me as a joke because of the title. One day I picked it up and started reading....I was delightfully surprised at how much I enjoyed reading the book and the adventures of Marcela. A great summer or anytime read!

I was browsing through the book store, just looking for something to read and picked this up because the title intrigued me. After reading the brief description on the back cover and the first few paragraphs inside, I decided to give it a try. It turned out be a wonderful book. Marcela is a lovable, but flawed character, trying to figure out who she truly is - someone many of us can relate to. Definitely worth the read! I can't wait to read more of Lara Rios' work.

I bought this book becuase I read about the author in the local paper so I thought I would support the local talent. It turns out, I absolutely loved this book, and read it in two days. The main character is so real and believable, you just can't help but to cheer her on. She writes up this list and then goes full steam ahead trying to become this great latina, when the whole time she should just realize that being a great person is enough. I loved how much I disliked her political activist aunt and how much I wanted her to love George the guy from Accounting. I think this is a really good book and I can't wait to read the next one!!

"Becoming Latina......" is not just about being Latina; it's about learning who you are. And it's a delight to read. I so related with the primary character, which makes little sense given my ethnic background is Scottish, Irish and English. But Lara Rios has created a wonderful character who is much like, and angsts like, any other young woman. It's a must read for anyone, of any age, who enjoys a light hearted look at themselves in the mirror.
Charlotte Maclay

The Bodyguard and The Rock Star was my introduction to The Bodyguard series by Christy Tillery French. Apparently, this is the third book detailing the thrilling cases of bodyguard Natasha Chamberlain. Let me tell you, I am running out immediately to obtain the first two installments. The Bodyguard and the Rock Star is a fun-filled, action-packed, red-hot read. It was the perfect start to my summer, and I plan to spend more of my time with Natasha and her adventures.

Ms. French has light, easy style. The characters are very well developed and three dimensional; they feel real, familiar, and immediately comfortable, as if they have been your friends for years. Character emotions run the gamut, and all ring true, from the tantrums of the spoiled yet loveable rock star, to the concern and dedication of the smart, tough as nails bodyguard with a heart of gold and very human foibles, and on to the wild worry and fear of the passionate, handsome, super sexy fiancé. The pacing is supersonic; you are hooked from the first lines, and find you can't put the book down. The action, twists, and surprises continue until the very last word...and then some.

This book is a clever, unusual, and down right funny combination of detective mystery, chick lit, and romance. I found the story and the characters delightful, fun, and very entertaining, and I am certain that you will, too. I wait with breathless anticipation for Book Four.

Occasionally when reading an action thriller I will come across a steamy love scene, obviously thrown in to keep the attention of some male readers. By contrast, this latest edition of the Bodyguard series has an adventure story included with the remarkably hot love scenes between our heroine, Natasha, and her lover/competitor/hero/antagonist and fellow bodyguard Jonce Striker. Natasha Chamberlain is a protection specialist hired by rising young rock star Giki to protect her from some anonymous internet threats. Giki has all the issues you might expect would come from too much money and fame at a young age, and a few you might not, such as an addiction to donuts and chocolate. (I was able to relate to this portion of the character.) Natasha does a fine job protecting Giki from dangerous others and even from herself. The author, in turn, does a fine job disguising the true nature of the threat from the readers untill the very end.

But throughout the novel I felt the "real" story was about bodyguards Natasha and Striker. Passionately in love with each other, the two are also highly competitive in every sense of the term. This is hardly a case of opposites attracting. Natasha is, in many ways, the mirror image of Jonce Striker and when she is not head over heels in love with him she can be dangerous to his physical and mental health. Having "caught" Striker in a compromising situation, she once announces to him, "I thought you were my life mate. I thought you were the one meant for me. I had such plans for us. ... Now the only history we're gonna have is me holding a doll that looks an awful lot like you and sticking pins in it you sorry...." A hot scene nonetheless follows, as do more misunderstandings and mutual threats against each other. Natasha is nothing if not feisty, physical, and independent, qualities mirrored by Striker who, while loving her more than anyone else, also offers to kick her --- and at one point carries her away kicking and screaming.

The dynamic tension between Striker and Chamberlain almost overshadows a great thriller story; almost but not quite. Indeed, that very tension ultimately ties the story together as both Giki and Chamberlain's relationship are saved simultaneously. Sub plots involving Natasha's friends and Striker's employees Pit and Bigun, and the paparazzi Lumpy are all handled nicely as well. In all, the story keeps your interest from beginning to end.

On the whole, I enjoyed the story as I read it aloud to myself and my wife while camping in a tent. She agreed it was good, but protested vigorously the scene in which Natasha's "no" meant "yes." Guys assume that is often the case but I am not about to test the theory. That is better left for alpha males in romance novels. There were a couple loose ends that I wish had been tied up better. Without spoiling the plot, I will only say that I think the real villain got off way too easy and I hope future novels will resolve any long term relationship prospects for rock star Giki.

But impressed as I was by the story, I was yet more impressed with the author, who donates all procedes from her novel to helping homeless dogs, cats, and other animals. Our society brutalizes such creatures by killing them in large numbers. The (mostly) government agencies that do these disgusting acts wash their hands of it (one suspects rather like Lady MacBeth--they never really relieve their guilt) by blaming the population at large for not spaying and neutering their animals. There is something to that complaint, but not enough to justify the wanton destruction of animals in our society. No kill shelters deserve your support and animal rescues, I know from personal experience, make fine pets. (Two such animals are on my shoulder now.) So by all means read the book if you like action, adventure, and hot romance. And if you don't, find another way to support the author and her cause. Part of being human is caring for those who sometimes cannot care for themselves and the bodyguard, Natasha, exemplifies this element of humanity to the fullest. So does the author.

Have you met Natasha Chamberlain, bodyguard extraordinaire? Oh, she's memorable! Opening this book is like walking into a hurricane. Natasha -- Nattie to her friends -- is a wild woman who swears in several languages, holds her own in a barroom brawl, and drives her friends to distraction. She's just the one you'd want riding shotgun if you find yourself in trouble.

Nattie's fairly new to the bodyguard business and this gig seems like a good one, providing "personal security" for an English rock star named Giki. How hard can that be? Nattie doesn't know that Giki's email is full of death threats, or that she's into sex, drugs, shoplifting and junk food. Giki with a donut rush -- one of the funniest scenes I've read all year. With hijacking and shooting, stalkers, paparrazi, stray dogs, infuriating relatives, a protective boyfriend, rendezvous gone wrong and love scenes gone passionately right, there is no situation Nattie can't conquer.

Through some cosmic oversight, I missed the first two books of Christy Tillery French's BODYGUARD series. That will be remedied! Things I need to know: has Nattie ALWAYS been so passionate about her career? where did she learn to swear in Dutch--that IS Dutch, right? where can I read her hilarious Grammy's books? how did Nattie learn to be a one-woman wrecking crew when tangling with redneck kidnappers? has her incendiary boss Jonce Striker been so protective of her from the beginning of the series? Oh, I'll find out!

The Bodyguard and the Rock Star is my idea of a perfect fun read. The characters are impulsive and lovable and the action is non-stop. For all her intensity, Natasha's not just another reckless hothead--well she's certainly that, but she has the skill and the caring to back it up. How many women would love to reinvent themselves, be as capable, strong, smart and sexy as our Nattie? And what man wouldn't love to meet her and feel her fire and tenderness? Pick up this book and you can have all that, if only for a little while.

Congratulations to Christy Tillery French. She brings these characters to life and makes you want more. Christy, we want more--bring it on!

Linda Bulger, 2008

I first met the beautiful, feisty, strong-willed female bodyguard, Natasha Chamberlain, in Christy Tillery French's first novel of this series. Her initial assignment was protecting a nerdy billionaire; in the second book she "got stuck" protecting a spoiled-rotten show dog who had received kidnap threats; and in this book The Bodyguard and the Rock Star, as the title clearly depicts, she's guarding a rock star.

The fun-loving, off-beat "Nattie" is portrayed so realistically by French that I began to think of her as a friend, and now--two books later--she seems like my best friend forever (my bff). That's how lovable she is--and her Tennessee dialect is irresistible ... "danged" irresistible.

I bet you will love her too. But how could you not? This girl can get into more trouble than ten monkeys in a cage of lions ... or do I dare say: more trouble than Janet Evanovich's legendary Stephanie Plum?

Natasha thinks it will be fun and easy to guard popular English rock star Giki as she tours the southern states. So what does our heroine do when she finds that Giki is involved in the crazy world of sex, drugs, and shoplifting? With her penchant for trouble, Natasha gets shot and comes close to being arrested. In fact, she boomerangs into so many bizarre, life-threatening situations that her boss, Jonce Striker, sends in his best men, the intimidating duo of Pit and Bigun, to "bodyguard the bodyguard."

Despite the mystery and intense action in this book, it's a hilarious romp, a real hoot. You will die laughing when you see the creative way Natasha uses Giki's "sweet tooth" to combat her drug abuse. And when she mistakenly traps the "wrong" cyber-stalker who has been threatening the rock star ... Well, that's when Striker rushes to her side in an attempt to rein her in.

As in all the books of this series, Natasha feels she has to prove herself capable of being a good bodyguard and will do anything to do her job well. Her friendship with the big, strong, hunky Striker has developed through these books and they are now engaged. Further complicating matters, Striker wants her to quit her dangerous career when they get married. But will Natasha agree? Fat chance!

When Natasha's on the road with Giki's tour, she and Striker miss each other like crazy, so perhaps you'd better cover your eyes when they pair up. Natasha's not only feisty and funny, she's hot for Striker. While not erotica, this author is pretty descriptive in her love scenes--but it's not really her, it's her characters taking control ... just Natasha and Striker being themselves, loving each other to distraction.

Striker is the perfect match for our heroine who comes complete with a mother named Stevie, a "wannabe" bodyguard herself, and a worldly Grammy who's a well-known author. These colorful characters stir the pot, making for so many twists and turns your head will spin as you are kept guessing to the very end.

As female readers will see parts of themselves in Natasha, every man will undoubtedly see himself in Striker's strength and "studliness." ... lol ...

French is a gifted, award-winning author and poet who really knows her craft. From dialog and characterization to exquisite description and pacing, she grabs you from the first page ... and doesn't let go until the happy resolution. I've been a huge fan of this author, starting with her first three books. The Bodyguard and the Rock Star is her sixth book. I hope she continues this series because I would miss my bff Natasha. I also admire French because she's an animal activist and donates part of the proceeds from her books to rescue groups and animal shelters.

If you like humor, mystery and romance, don't miss this series.

Reviewed by: Betty Dravis, 2008
author of: 1106 Grand Boulevard

Ms. French's characters, especially Natasha and Striker, seem to gallop in from wherever they are and whisk us away with them. From the first moments, I felt pulled into the drama, from the rock concerts to the chase scenes, and as if the characters were now part of my life. I couldn't put the book down, carrying it everywhere, until the final scenes. Natasha is so real and gritty, with her cursing, and then she could segue so completely into the romantic heroine when she and Striker had their "makeup sex". These two would seem completely wrong for each other, constantly fighting over control issues...until you get to those aforementioned love matches!

And I love the mother and grandmother characters...they explain a lot about why Natasha is so independent, fierce and yet deeply romantic.

The story itself is full of suspense and the action kept my heart pounding.

So many unanswered questions, too...so, of course, there must be another Bodyguard book on the horizon! Will Striker tame Natasha, or will she rein him in?

Wonderful story and wonderful characters! Many kudos, Ms French!

Bound on Earth is the best, most finely crafted novel featuring complex, fully-rendered Mormon characters to date. Many have tried, but Hallstrom got it right. My copy of Bound on Earth takes its place proudly next to the works of Anne Tyler and Barbara Kingsolver on my bookshelf.

When I finished the first chapter, I loved this book. Beth is struggling through Thanksgiving with her family after just leaving her husband who suffers from Bipolar disorder and quit taking his medication. By its middle, I had changed my mind. Tina seemed to be every character in a Jack Weyland novel. She does bad things and bad things happen to her. As I turned the last page, I loved it again. Wait a minute. This is it. These are the stories of families trying. Some of their tales are quite extraordinary.

I don't generally read much LDS fiction. I find the stories usually a bit too tidy and my most important qualifier for really good literature is that it be honest. A lot of time, LDS fiction can be fluffy. Yes, there is usually some necessary conflict that involves the bad character doing bad things. By its end, however, the punishment usually fits the crime and when a miracle is in order, it rarely fails to show up.

I saw a recommendation for this book on Blog Segullah and it got such rave reviews from some seemingly picky readers that I requested it from my library. It's brand new and I was the very first person to check it out. If you consider where I live and what kind of book it is, you'll agree that it was a special moment.

At just under 200 pages, this is the kind of book you can easily read in a day or two. I started it last night and have had a hard time putting it down. Bound on Earth follows the Palmer family through many generations, although not chronologically. The chapters bounce around in time and between family members, a writing technique I'm not always super fond of. Part of me thinks it's a shortcut, to eliminate the tricky transitions that progress a plot. But I also admit that as a reader, it can work well to experience multiple first hand narratives; it makes it much easier to get the "BIG" picture. And this is a book that is all about the big picture.

What is marriage? What is family? How do they survive? Do our trials break us apart or bind us together? Hallstrom doesn't cut corners with heartache. The situations she puts her characters in are vividly real, so real that I felt like I knew these people. I do know them. They just have different names.

If you're wary of LDS literature, give this a try. If you are looking for a great book to read with your ward bookgroup, this is your book. Or if you simply want to discover some great characters that you feel sad to part with at the end...read it. It's legitimately good.

Bound on Earth is an excellent read. The characters authenticity made each of their stories very compelling to read. The book takes a unique approach of looking at similar stories through different perspectives which makes the characters more life-like and real. Once you begin this book you will have a hard time putting it down. I look forward to reading Angela's next book.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a good read. You'll come to care for all the characters and wish their stories would never end.

Hallstrom has written a moving and believable character study of the fictional Palmer family. The chapters, told in turns by different family members at different times, explore what it means in the here and now for a family to be "bound" to each other. The family's [Mormon] religion informs every aspect of their lives, but the book neither preaches nor apologizes for the specificity of their world view.

The book is slight and an easy read, at just under 200 pages, but now days after finishing I can't get the characters -- these ordinary, very flawed people -- out of my head. They feel very real to me. I like that.

I first found out about Marcia Evanick through her more recent book, "Mistletoe Bay." I was in the mood for a fun read and picked it up at Wal-Mart one day.. With that being said, I loved that book so much I searched local book stores and couldn't find any of the others in the Misty Harbor series, so I ordered them.

I loved "Catch of the Day," it had me on my toes, and I really didn't want it to end. The characters were amazing, and the story was just plain fun! I can't wait to read the other books in this series!! =)

These books are not Nobel Prize winners. That being said, they ARE incredibly fun, witty romances. All of the Misty Harbor books that I have read are sweet and fun, with just enough spice to keep things interesting.

Marcia Evanick perfectly describes the trials and tribulations of love and relationships. She weaves several tales into one book, keeping each story interesting.

If you're looking for a fun, happily ever after read, the Misty Harbor books are perfect. Read them in order, so you can really get to know the characters.

My friend initially thrust this book into my hands. I wasn't chomping at the bit to read about a woman moving to a small town to start a restaurant. I wasn't put off by the idea either- thankfully. Small towns have a way of sucking me in.

This book isn't a fast paced thriller, nor is it an enigmatic mystery. Plain and simple it is a story of man, woman, food and love. Not necessarily in that order.

The book made me long for a town such as Misty Harbor, Main where the eligible bachelors far out number the eligible women (gotta love those odds!). If you're looking for laughs, small town gossip, twin vikings and romance, then this is probably a good read for you.

This was a very nice read. Gwen and Daniel were great characters alone with all the others. I especially liked Jonah and clarence. I looked forward to reading the entire sequel.

I stumbled upon this book at the library, and after reading such heavy books as "Da Vinci Code", etc..., I wanted to read something light. I've also been disappointed by several books that I read lately as well..."Pushing 30" and "English As A Second Language."

The cover looked a bit cheesy, but I figured what the heck...I'm from Maryland and never been to Maine. I loved the book. It was fun and easy reading. I finished it in two days. I didn't have to do alot of thinking, and all the characters are charming.

I am reading "Blueberry Hill" by the same author (the third book of the series), and it's not as good, but enjoyable. I can't seem to get a copy of the second book of the series "Christmas on Conrad Street." I guess I'll have to order it on the internet.

Harold Hoehner has worked very hard to nail down the year of Christ's birth, His years of ministry, the year (and date) of His death, and the length of His ministry. There is also a trememndous chapter expounding and exegeting Daniel 9:24-27, whee Hoehner shows how it culminates to the time of Christ to the exact day.

The only part of the book where I found myself in disagreement with Hoehner was his belief that Christ was most likely born in December or January based on church tradition. I felt that the evidence for the month of His birth was inconclusive.

But I agreed with Hoehner on the year 33 A.D being the year where Christ was crucified.

The whole book was so encouraging to my faith that I plan on reading it again and again. One of the best books on biblical studies available! A must buy!

Hoehner, Harold. Chronological Aspects of the Life of Christ. Zondervan 1977, 176 pp.



This book should be a helpful companion for any serious student of Holy Scripture. Chronological Aspects of the Life of Christ answers many questions that students of the Bible might wonder about but lack the research tools and ability to answer. Topics covered include:

The Date of Christ's Birth- After surveying the evidence, Hoehner concludes that Christ was born in the winter of 5/4 B. C.

The Commencement of Christ's Ministry- Reasons that Christ's ministry began in the summer or autumn of A.D. 29.

The Duration of Christs' Ministry-Believes that the evidence points to a three and a half year ministry.

The day of Christ's Crucifixion- Concludes that Jesus was crucified on Friday and rose again on Sunday.

The year of Christ's crucifixion- presents a persuasive case for Friday, April 3, A.D. 33.

Daniels Seventy Weeks and New Testament Chronology- This chronology supports a Dispensational understanding of Daniel's seventy weeks. Regardless of one's theological commitments the evidence should be evaluated fairly.

The benefits of this book are many. As the evidence for various dates is presented and evaluated the reader gains an understanding and appreciation for history, and chronology as the science of time. Methodologically, dates and valuable information can be gleaned from items such as ancient coins, Egyptian Papyri, and even headstones in a Roman graveyard. The author hold s to a high view of Scripture and this is demonstrated repeatedly as he works with the historical evidence. This is sure to instill confidence in God's word (2Tim.3:16).

One of the greatest benefits of this book is its accent upon history in an ahistorical age. If we fail to grasp the fact that the Christian faith is rooted in history, Evangelicalism will quickly morph into into a substitute for the genuine article. " By this you know the spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God." (1 John 4:2)

In this book, Hoehner tries to elucidate the dates of major events in Jesus' life such as his birth, start of ministry, crucifixion, etc. Hoehner does this largely by using extrabiblical information about the Roman Empire and linking it to data from the gospels, especially Luke.

Hoehner did his Ph.D. on Herod Antipas, qualifying him as an expert on first century Judaic/Roman history. It comes through on every page. The book is a fascinating read because the author masterfully puts together the brief bits of information we read in the gospels, such as which year of Tiberius' reign an event occurred, with extrabiblical Roman history to put together a chronology.

You will learn a tremendous amount about Herod and Pontius Pilate. For example, why is it that Pilate was so weak-willed in the gospel accounts, which contrasts with some of his previous brutalities and strong leadership? The answer comes from a conflict with Claudius involving a man named Sejanus. You will learn why Pilate then gave Jesus over to Herod for him to decide. All this Roman history will really add insight into your reading of the gospels.

Hoehner is also very fair when he establishes dates. He lists all the major views on a given point, and then weighs the pros and cons. He is so careful and rigorous in scholarship, documenting everything that he says, that you will continually go back to this book as a reference.

One conclusion that he fairly decisively argues is that Jesus was crucified on Friday, April 3, AD 33. Some other scholars argue for an AD 30 crucifixion, but Hoehner clearly shows why that view is deficient.

This book is not for everyone: if you are not a fan of history or the type of person who cares exactly when various events occurred, you will not enjoy this book. Even if you do care, as a word of caution, the level of detail in this book is very high and might bore some. The book is not easy to sit and read straight through. Many people may find the book most useful as a reference tool. In fact, my recommendation would be to read his concluding chapter *first*. You get to see where he is going, and read the final chronology. To understand a particular issue, such as "was Jesus crucified on a Wednesday or Friday?" you could then turn back and read the relevant chapter. For the serious New Testament student, there are a number of extremely valuable finds that you will very likely want to go back and re-read later. For example, was the Last supper a Passover meal or not? If so, why wasn't it celebrated on Friday with everyone else? Hoehner masterfully covers this difficult subject with great scholarship and insight.

As an added bonus, Hoehner concludes by reflecting on the meaning of Daniel 9:25-26. Sir Robert Anderson published a book called "The Coming Prince" in the late 1800s on that subject but made an error in his calculation. Hoehner corrects the error to arrive at an astounding conclusion.

The last strength of the book is its brevity. Hoehner is not wordy, so despite the amount of rich content of the book, it is remarkably short. He knows how to express ideas clearly and simply, making this book accessible to a wide readership. Overall, this book is invaluable for the serious New Testament Scholar.

If you have questions about the timing of many events in the Gospels, this is the book to have. Dr. Hoehner, explains the 'difficult' timing of Good Friday/ Easter and the Date of Christ's birth in clear laymans language, but with the deep Theological insight that a Ph.D from Cambridge and long years of teaching at Dallas Theological Seminary would provide. Simply the best book available. I have read and used it frequently in my ministry.

This book has been in on my shelf for years and I find myself going back to it time and time again. This will make sense out of many of the dates that seem odd. The chapter on Daniel's 70-7 is priceless.

I have a few books on my shelf on this topic, but this one was the most impact-full to me in terms of its intensity.
This was due to how extensive the examples of abuse are.
Like Fox's book of martyrs, I had to read it in bites, and put it down occasionally.
I guess I'm not very thick skinned :~/

If you are a serious leader in the church, you should be familiar with this material.
Some will say that these events prove that Christians can find safety from abuse within the institutional walls.
But so didn't the children of Israel find safety within the well protected walls of Egypt.
Every institution of man has its pros and cons.
And if you know what to look for, you can always identify the servants and the masters there.

This is why I found this particular book so important.
As I observed the characteristics of one abusive Christian system after another, I started to see the necessary building blocks which lead to the abuse.

For me, the bottom line is, that there are large numbers of people in the world who are very happy being followers. And out of these, are a large number of vulnerable souls.
Vulnerable people are easy to take advantage of.
And it takes a very high level of Christ-character not to be drawn into doing so.
The seed of abuse is inherent within our first Adamic nature.
When the environment is conducive, the seed germinates, and if the new-man does not cast it off, (Hebrews 12:1) we soon have a very large tree.

To be the CEO of Enron requires a high level of academic achievement, business acumen, and charisma.
And so, when an instructionalized clergy-laity system, based on the template of the world exists, the fruit is inevitable.

Men who are put into positions of leadership within a church, which following the template of the world, selects them solely by academic achievement and charisma.
Men, in authority with very little Christ-character worked into their lives are seed beds of abuse ready to germinate.
Place that seed into the ground of vulnerable and submissive followers, and you have today's Christian version of Enron.

This book will help you to see the signs.
100% thumbs up.

I believe we all know of people who have been in abusive relationships and even abusive job situations but it is sometimes hard to imagine people getting involved in abusive churches. That is why this book is a must read for every disciple.

This book exposes abusive churches. Dr. Enroth even names names. Every chapter opens with an abusive story. Each person is real. Each person has been hurt by abusive churches. The irony is that the leaders discussed in the book fail to see their abuses. Many try to cover them up or simply ignore the pain they have dealt to others.

In the end, I appreciated Dr. Enroth showing the reader that Jesus is not the abuser. While most of these religious groups claim to be speaking in His name or even quote Scripture, they have twisted the teachings and practices of Jesus to be something He never intended (1 John 5:1-4). Truly, Jesus is not like men (Hebrews 13:8) and He will not cause us the pain that is found in this book (Matthew 11:28-30).

There are extreme forms of church abuse and subtle forms. As we grow as individuals we need to learn how to use our wisdom to prevent us from getting involved in abusive situations like church cults. I really didn't need to read much of this book to know the author's motivation for writing it. I was a member the church that ultimately inspired Mr. Enroth to write this book. Fortunately for me, I was not easily controlled, but there were still things that I went along with simply to appease people I assumed were my friends. Unfortunately, there were members who were not a strong willed and this led to broken homes, severed relationships, and suicide attempts among many other things that left me questioning my own sanity for being involved in something that so obviously had nothing at all to do with God. Read this book if you or someone you know is involved in a religious cult because it might very well save a life or at the very least save someone's sanity.

This book is helpful and encouraging. Find the life in it and you'll be glad you read it.

In a world of "mega-churches" and cults of personality, it more important to arm oneself with the truth, and not someone else's version of it. While the examples in the book are taken from the late 1980's, and back about a century, there are many examples everyday of the devastating consequenses of spiritual abuse. Whether it is David Koresh and the Branch-Davidians, Jim Jones and Jonestown, or even Andrea Yates (who's mental illness was only worsened by her husband's minister) the results are tragic. Bad churches happen when good people don't step up and say anything. Read this book and recognise the patterns.