Contemporary Books

I read the sequel before I read this book so I admit my views of the characters are biased - I think is an idiot in A test of time but in this book I can see him as a man totally struck dumb with love by Nicole. Office romances with the boss tend to be frowned on but these two manage to work things out, at the end one can see the foundation for what happens in the sequel. So read this one first and then read the follow up book.

THIS WAS AN INCREDIBLE BOOK. NOT TO MANY PEOPLE ARE UP ON IT BUT THEY NEED TO BE. I JUST PICKED THIS BOOK UP WHEN I WAS AT THE LIBRARY WITH A FRIEND ABOUT 5 YEARS AGO, AND I NEVER FORGOT IT. IT IS SUCH A SWEET BOOK, IT HAD ME IN TEARS. THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MARK AND NICOLE WAS ONE THAT WAS SO BLISSFUL, IT BRINGS HOPE FOR RELATIONSHIPS EVERYWHERE. I CAN'T SAY ENOUGH ABOUT IT...3 CHEERS FOR MS. FAYE.

This was a wonderous love story. I envied Nicole and Mark's courtship. I'm familiar with work place love affairs and this one was so real. Regardless if you're the CEO of a company or some blue collered worker, the heart can not be argued with. I was happy that their love for each other was stronger than the adversity that surrounded them. I recommend this book to the romantic in all of us. Hats off to Ms. Faye!

I only now have learnd their story continues in a sequal. I've got to have it!

I love this book. I love Cheryl Faye. I really wish that she would come out with a new romance novel. The story of Nicole and Mark, really grabbed me. He's older than her, and I hated that, but their love story in general, made me see past that. Please Cheryl, come out with a new romance novel.

This has got to be one of the most wonderful romance novels I have ever read! I simply loved the story of Mark & Nicole. The friendship Nicole has with Yvonne Walker is one I feel a lot of women can relate to (we all have someone we tell our secrets to). The Mark & Nicole story is so romantic...it makes you look at that guy in the office a little differntly (smile).

Seriously, my hat goes off to Cheryl Faye...she is a wonderful writer and I look forward to reading more of her novels.

I can't wait for the author to crack out something new...this is by far, the best novel I've read in a VERY long time.

Make the points without the negativity. Other writing in this genre seems so sour, and depressing...Bachelder gets it done without the hate.

I don't know what else to say, besides, it's great...check it out. Funny and fun.

Wow, what a pleasant surprise - a funny, intelligent, ambitious, playful, political novel that avoids both cynicism and pretense. And a great ending too.

Though I don't have much against Bachelder's previous effort, Bear v. Shark, I don't have much to say in favor of it either. This is not the case for "U.S.!", which is one of the best books I've read this year.

As a writer who cares a good deal about politics and the way the world is going, I found this book an inspiration. What Bachelder is trying to do here, it seems to me, is find a way to engage with the world and American society without sounding pedantic or preachy, and also to highlight how difficult a task that is. The fact that he uses Upton Sinclair, one of the most pedantic and preachy writers ever, as his protagonist is genius.

While movie makers can be ham-fisted in their messages and get away with it (see "Crash" or "Fahrenheit 911"), with writers it's far trickier. They don't have the music, the camera effects, and all that other stuff to spice up or soften the blow of their messages -- only words. This makes most message-oriented novels feel almost embarrassing as you go through them, at least for me. At the very least, it becomes extremely difficult to connect with them once you realize they're out to convince you of something specific. U.S.! is a rare success in this respect. The arguments it offers both for and against ambivalence feel fair and natural--like the debates you might have in your head-- and its observations on American culture are dead-on without seeming snarky. Furthermore, Bachelder doesn't cheat and fall back on the deus ex machinas George Saunders seems so dependent on these days.

It's good to see a writer who, rather than finding an artsy, pretty way to turn his back on the world, is attempting to face it. I'm looking forward to Bachelder's future work. This is a writer who has exponentially improved since his debut.

Take this into consideration what if a bear and a shark and Upton Sinclair fight it out in a tank of water deep enough for the shark to maneuver efficiently, shallow enough to give the bear an even chance to hold its own, and large enough to hold Sinclairs inflated socialist ideals. Who would win?

Chris Bachelder returns to the ring after his debut novel, Bear v Shark, found its way into the hands of readers not too long ago. That novel was a wonderful mix of humor, poignancy, and Chris' style of what I like to call "chapter concepts" He takes your basic novel structure but instead of just telling the story in a straight forward manner he will use various different storytelling concepts in each chapter. In one chapter you may get a poem, or a television interview, and in another chapter you could simply get a listing of ebay auctions. Its a brilliant way to view his themes and characters from different points of view.

In his sophomore effort Chris Bachelder refines his techniques and tightens his themes for a novel that somehow manages to surpass the simple yet wonderful Bear V Shark. Again he comes in with a concept that seems rather absurd, muck raker Upton Sinclair continues to live on through an unexplained method of resurrection. Used as a tool for the left he lives on to spread his beliefs in socialism and the evils of capitalism. Bachelder never shows bias he simply portrays the man as he was and how he would adjust to this day and age.

I am ashamed to admit I knew very little about Mr. Sinclair going into the novel and trust me this is not a dull protagonist. He's akward, ambitious, and has the drive of a young man despite his frail dying body. The novel makes me wonder what would happen to Michael Moore if he found a way to live on. What happens to ones causes over a long period of time? Does change ever truly happen? Must we lose hope if the answer to that question is no? You won't get an answer after reading U.S.! but you will certainly get a little closer to forming one of your own.

A gem that has just happened to take the form of a book.

Hopes and shovels forever.

Definitely one of the stranger books I've read this year, but also one of the best. To a certain degree the book is limited by it's central gimmick -- real-life Socialist muckraking writer Upton Sinclair (about whom the reader need know nothing) keeps returning from the dead to spread the good word about the working man's struggle for a decent life. He "keeps" returning from the dead because every time he comes back, there are glory-seekers determined to put him back under in order to protect America from godless Socialism. If this sounds like some piece of strange science-fiction, well, it kind of is. But it's mainly a satire of the contemporary American political scene, with Sinclair standing in for the far left. But even more than that, it's a very clever and funny piece of satire -- which is rare indeed.

Bachelder wisely recognizes the limitations of his premise, and thus engages it in a very loose manner by riffing on it in lots of different formats. There is a running storyline concerning this iteration of the undead Sinclair, as he moves around the country aided by his secretary/personal assistant, holing up in remote cabins to write, and making clandestine visits to underground meetings. However, sprinkled into this are letters from Sinclair to his son, Amazon.com reviews of some of Sinclair's 90 books (most of which bear the dreaded "Be the first to review this item."), transcripts from a 1-800 "I Saw Sinclair" hotline, hilarious memos (including one from Sinclair to NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabule about the need for instant replay), a reading list and syllabus for a writing course taught by Sinclair, newspaper editorials, interviews, an eBay auction listing (for a bullet that killed Sinclair), song lyrics, and other such artifacts of popular culture.

As we learn more about Sinclair, we also learn more about the cult of celebrity that has arisen around his killers. Indeed, the main story thread leads Sinclair toward a small town celebration (he thinks it's to honor him, but it's actually to burn his books), where the country's top Sinclair hunters (many of whom have been hired by corporate interests) hope to bag him. There's a great little subplot about the grizzled old veteran killer vs. the brash young upstart. There's another subplot involving Sinclair's folk singer son which suffers a bit from underdevelopment.

But beneath all this, there's a clear message -- the bumbling, almost unbearably earnest, permanently outraged, ever-pedantic Sinclair is a symbol of all that's wrong with the American left and yet paradoxically, also what's right. Although Sinclair's neverending sub-mediocre writing is mercilessly skewered throughout the book, his dogged dedication to (and faith in) an ideal is both touching and ultimately inspiring. This is another major theme of the book, the intersection of art and politics, and the difficulty faced by the artist who dares to mix the two. Bachelder's book manages the tricky task of both doing this and commenting on it at the same time, while shifting ably between slapstick comedy, family pathos, blind zealotry, pop culture riffing, and even moments of quiet reflection. This is both an entertaining and excellent novel.

Read all three books in this series and was very happy with the story. Fran is an excellent writer.

You will find this book hard to put down. Interesting characters, good storyline. The book is intelligently written and has great depth.

I really enjoyed reading this first in the series of three family saga books. Fern Michaels does an excellent job of pulling you into the story. It's nearly impossible to put this book down...it is packed with new dilemmas, and you can't wait to see how they turn out. I just started the second in the series, and I know I will have to read all three so I know the lives of all of these characters will turn out OK. Finally, the writing style is very easy (but interesting) to read, so you move along quickly.

After reading some of the heavy-duty-mind-expanding-womanly books a la Oprah, I needed some mental reading relief. My mother gave me this book and said, " Read something without thinking about it!" So I did and my mind was freed and I am now ready to start Vegas Heat! Map of the World will have to wait!

I'll admit it -- I was suckered into getting VEGAS RICH because of the name Coleman. I thought to myself, "Is Fern Michaels creating an alternate history for the Coleman family, this time in Vegas?" I was half right -- there are Colemans involved, but not the ones I thought I would see from her TEXAS series. No, this deals with Sallie Coleman, Seth Coleman's younger sister, and her quest to make something of herself, thanks to the kindness of one of her clients -- Sallie's a prostitute, you see, in the early 1920s in the small and dusty town of Las Vegas. It's an interesting premise and I'll give credit to Michaels for creating Sallie's story and where her life goes from there. Had I never read her TEXAS series, I might have been completely drawn in...but I'm not. Michaels starts to occasionally drop in "crossovers" with the Colemans of Texas, and it's there I have the problem. Suddenly, Agnes Ames (Billie Ames Coleman's mother), companion to the callous Seth Coleman, has a heart! Billie Coleman flies out to see Fanny Coleman (Sallie's daughter-in-law) frequently! Sallie helps out Coleman Enterprises with her money! These intersections with the TEXAS characters don't pan out in terms of complimenting the TEXAS novels in the continuity department -- and for me, that's a glaring error. Those problems aside, it's a fair first novel for Michaels in her new series. If you like family sagas and Fern Michaels, you'll be content.

Katie Dole is ready for a change...but is she ready for Matt Webster? He's been gone for a decade but his resident bad-boy image is still very much in place as he roars into town on his Harley. Their first meeting is interesting, mainly because Katie's wearing a banana suit. The second time they meet? They're kissing in the supermarket! What begins as a ruse soon grows into something bigger...something important. Maybe love? But before Katie and Matt can truly commit to each other they'll both have to let go of the past. Is their love strong enough for that?

Humor and emotion pack this fantastic debut novel by Shirley Jump.

Katie Dole is the kind of woman a modern reader can admire: she's entrepreneurial, independent, creative, and (seems to have) no rich relatives to bail her out of a financial quagmire--that is, her floundering flowers-and-gifts business. Matt Webster comes from, and has his own, money but that's not what he's about. And he's not the typical romance hero who was burned once long ago and--a million or so lovers later--is still determined to never love again. These two come together to forge a relationship that all modern women can appreciate.

After reading this kind of quality in Shirley Jump's debut novel, I can't wait to read what comes next!

Shirley Jump knows more than great storytelling technique--she knows about love and laughter. The chemistry between the characters was incredible, almost enough to spark the book on fire. Can't wait for the next one!

Shirley Jump's romance is romance with soul! The characters have so much depth they practically jump off the pages to greet you in person. I just couldn't quit reading. What a wonderful debut novel from this talented author! I can't wait for more!

Shirley Jump has impressed me with her first book so I am sitting on pins and needles waiting on more to come!

Matt is a hero with humor, heart and a past. His story proves that money doesn't make happiness and you can't help but love him as he struggles with his history and loss. Katie is a funny heroine that has lived under the watchful eyes of an entire community. She decides to "let it all hang out" and enjoy life. You laugh with her. You cry with her and you embrace the love that she and Matt have.

Ms. Jump proves that you can STILL write a story that has depth without making the hero some egotistic snob. I fell in love with Matt right along with Katie.

Now I have to add Shirley Jump to my favorite authors list! Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Julia Quinn, Kathleen Kane / Maureen Child and Shirley Jump.... It can't get much better than this!!

I've never read a book with so much substance, creativity, imagination, innocence and passion; so much so that I found my self re-reading some passages because I had to, to absorb it all -- the passion, the leaps of imagination, the super creativity of a genius grade brain, and the innovation of metaphors. The photographs play the same role as a nice bottle of wine accompanying a wonderful cuisine, it make it all flow even smoother.

I could not believe how good and hilarious was I was reading. Kalpanik made me not only feel, but also think and smile. Kalpanik has a curious mix of making complex concepts simple and make us live his life and experiences, make us laugh and yet be inspirational.

Kalpanik's style is fresh, unique, funny (in a dignified way), vivid and clever. For example, the author successfully anthropomorphizes the state of California! While I have not read another of his other books - I look forward to discovering them in the near future

Being an immigrant myself, I read it with the occasional tear in the eye and several bouts of goosebumps. Words are not enough to describe the feelings of transcendence, enlightenment and plain joy I experienced read this narrative.

Definitely a Must Read!

This book is a collection of three stories, accompanied with lot of professional grade photographs and covers three places--Davis (a small town near Sacramento), San Francisco Bay Area and San Diego. it also covers three different phases in his life.

He is able to sprinkle the description of these places and phases with a lot of humor, making you smile, laugh, guffaw, chuckle, snicker, giggle and crackup.

The First part is at University of California at Davis, which captures the unique experiences of a young man first time in a new country where he is a foreigner and falls in love, written when the author was 21.

The second part is fast forward to 12-15 years later by which time the author has firmly established in the Technology industry and is a Vice President of Technology in a Silicon Valley startup .He is lot more confident and self assured by then. The story humorously covers the life of a technology leader leading a team working at the cutting edge of innovation.

The third part is another 5-8 years later when the author has moved to San Diego and covers his family, including two lovely daughters. They get caught in the infamous wild fires of San Diego.

In all three parts, the author skillfully combines the colorful, vivid words with equally vivid photographs.

His journey is one of hopes and ambitions, of hard work and courage required to realizing those ambitions and tremendous power and insight. It is thoughtful, and yet he is able to infuse it with his humor very naturally!

A good read! Extremely well written and very thoughtful.

The book starts as a sweet story of a foreign born student who is struggling to adapt to a new culture, missing home and trying to find a balance between the demands of his academic life, and who falls in love. This part of the book shows us Kalpanik as a vulnerable foreign born student, a young person. This beginning provides a good background, and serves as a contrast to the rest of the book, where we see Kalpanik as an confident executive with a carefree attitude.

Kalpanik is an amazing writer with extraordinarily talent for combining simplicity with complexity and sophistication, writing thoughtful and meaningful material into a book which still comes out as light reading!

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/REFLMMXJLP1ZT Writer is a risk taker, who is able to overcome being a foreign born, accented and is still able to assimilate at different places and befriend natives.

Great read. Interesting characters in a believable setting that is funny, and will grab your attention. Ms. Suzette is just getting better with each new book. Can hardly wait for the next one. Recommend reading when not busy or in a rush, you will not want to put it down.

You will read this very fast. Excellent book. Could not turn pages fast enough. A must read for all of you.

We voted this novel Best Romance for 2003.
The story is smart, fresh and keeps you turning the pages.
I loved this story.

BE PREPARED FOR STARES AS YOU COMMUTE ON THE BUS AND THE TRAIN BECAUSE THIS NOVEL WAS LAUGH OUT LOUD FUNNY. ALSO BE PREPARED TO TALK BACK TO THE BOOK TOO BUT HOPEFULLY YOU'LL ONLY DO THAT IN THE PRIVACY OF YOUR OWN HOME/ROOM. :) MS. HARRISON DID EXCELLENT ON HER SECOND GO ROUND WITH THIS NOVEL BECAUSE LIVING ON THE EDGE OF RESPECTABILITY WAS GOOD. I WAS UPSET THAT I STARTED THIS BOOK DURING THE WEEK? WHY? BECAUSE I HAD TO SLEEP AND WORK! A WORD TO THE WISE, START THIS BOOK ON A FRIDAY NIGHT SO YOU CAN READ IT THROUGH THE NIGHT. GOOD WORK MS. HARRISON AND I LOOK FORWARD TO FUTURE NOVELS.

GOD BLESS!

WHEN PERFECT AIN'T POSSIBLE is a love story about a single mother of a teenage daughter who finds herself reluctantly falling in love with her daughter's guidance counselor.

After a disastrous first marriage her daughter Nia's father, Imani, the protagonist, has given up on men. When she is summoned to her daughter's guidance counselor's office, the last thing Imani expects to find is Braxton, an extremely attractive 6'1" head turner, who tickles her fancy but raises her ire. Before long they develop an off again on again romance punctuated with satisfying sexual encounters.

After a spiritual awakening, Imani starts having moral misgivings about the direction their relationship is taking and opts to end the affair. Braxton on the other hand, is not ready for a serious relationship, but finds himself extraordinarily attracted to Imani. After Nia and Braxton are involved in a near fatal auto accident, the two lovers are forced to make some life altering decisions.

This book is a tedious read though it has it's bright moments. The plot is meandering and the characters lack the depth necessary to keep the reader interested in a novel of this length. The author does an admirable job in dealing with the issue of morality in a contemporary relationship. Perhaps a more condensed version of the story would make for a more engaging read.

Reviewed by Autumn
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

All three stories were well written. These stories deserve their own stand alone novel! They were great. All the stories pulled you in and you hated to see the characters go! I would love to hear more about Erin and Raimi as well as Tre' and Dr. Summer Lane.

All three stories were great. Francis Ray's story was about Samantha Clark, a former manager of a bed and breakfast. Samantha answer an ad for a housekeeping position and never expects to find the handsome Ethan Rawlins, a man still in pain. Shirley Hailstock's story is about a woman that was hurt when her prom date stood her up. Now he has returned and she is trying to fight the attraction that still lingers. Donna Hill's story is about a radio relationship expert that has no relationship of her own, when she meets the handsome program director, will all of that change?

If you only had one wish for Christmas, what would it be? Would it be something materialistic, or would it be to find love with that special someone, on the day that is set aside to celebrate the birth of the one who is the epitome of unwavering love? In WINTER NIGHTS, an anthology with stories from such notable authors as Francis Ray, Donna Hill and Shirley Hailstock, we are treated to three endearing stories of true love at its finest.

Though each story was your typical romance with the happily ever after ending, the authors managed to portray deep emotions that have you rooting for the characters as they embark on that often bumpy, but ultimately rewarding, road to love and happiness. Next time you're feeling blue and need a little something to bring a smile to your face, or you want to escape from the pressures of life, pick up a copy of the newly re-released WINTER NIGHTS. You're sure to come away with a full heart and the knowledge that true love really does conquer all.

Reviewed by Renee Williams
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers

Again my girl Ray out did herself with another great read! "Winter Nights" kept me up all night! I encourage everyone to go out and get a copy. They even have it in paperback now!

Francis Ray's, "Until Christmas" is a touching novella about a young woman who not only touched the heart of the high school principal, Ethan Rawlings, but Samantha also won the hearts of Ethan's twins, Alan and Alex. Samantha, aka "Sam," was hired as a combination housekeeper, babysitter temporarily, but only until Christmas. At least, that is what Ethan told the twins and Sam, as well as himself. However, it was much too late for all of them to abide by this decision. Each was starved for the other's affections and each had become too attached to give up. The twins, not only saw Sam as their housekeeper/babysitter, but they saw her as a friend. She could play ball and was not afraid of their dog. The twins' affection went deeper still. Although they were in contact with their grandmother, they were still minus a mother figure. Sam with her winning ways, not only because she was a good cook and let them help her in the kitchen, but because it was who she was, had become special to them and they wanted her with them full time. Not only had Sam become special to them and the twins had become special to Sam, but Sam had also affected the twins' dad. Ethan's feelings for Sam were more than that of an employer, more than that of a friend. Somehow, in that short time, Sam had imbedded herself into Ethan's heart. Was he willing to allow a new love interest into his life or was he still shadowed by the deceit and experience of his ex-wife and the deceased mother of his twins. Ethan thought he had a solution to the problem when he reluctantly agreed to keep Sam, "but only until Christmas." However, love does not have a set time to go away. Therefore, until Christmas, turned out to a lifetime of love for Sam, Ethan, Alan and Alex. "Until Christmas" was the best. Way to go, Ms. Ray.

"Kwanzaa Angel" was a sweet remembrance into the past with a chance to correct the future. Erin had been hurt in the past by Raimi, who had reentered her life. Would Erin give in to her feelings that never dissolved for Raimi and become involved in a new relationship or would she revert back into the past? "Kwanzaa Angel" was about the Kwanzaa celebration, but with a twist of love for Erin and Raimi. Good story.

"'Round Midnight" was about the New Year's celebration. I loved the story of Dr. Summer Lane, the psychologist who now has a job at the radio station as a counselor on the air. Her show airs around midnight. It is at the radio station where Summer meets Tre Holland, one of the bosses. Everyone thinks Summer is a snow or ice maiden because Summer stays to herself and does not socialize with the others. However, Tre is attracted to Summer and sets out to melt the snow. Summer also has feelings for Tre and wants the ice to melt from around her heart. However, after getting together, somewhere while the ice is melting another freeze comes along and the ice around Summer's heart becomes another block of ice. Summer and Tre suffer heartship and are temporarily separated. Tre sets out to recapture Summer's love and to permanently melt the ice. He knows a new year will be approaching and is determined to be in Summer's life when the new year begins. So, he sets out around midnight to make it happen. Will Tre succeed in his endeavor? Read "'Round Midnight" and see what the New Year has in store for Summer and Tre. Great story with just the right amount of heat.

I have been looking for a Giger book for some time and most of them were pretty expensive, even though great looking. Finally I found this great book from Taschen that portrays Giger at its best, painter, sculptor, architect. The book is amazing and the 3D images are spectacular. This is a must for any Giger fan. Cheers and enjoy his work.

I picked up this book at my local Borders. I was there on a whim, browsing the art section, when I saw this gem. After noting the VERY attractive price, I decided on the spot it had to come home with me, as I'm a fan of Giger's work.

As I perused this volume, I fell in love with more than just the art (admittedly, Giger is just not to everyone's taste...if you're not a Giger fan, then this book and this review will do nothing for you, and it's not an attempt to convince you to otherwise). Designed and penned by Giger, it contains prints of finished art and sketches, photographs, selected images from Giger's personal collection of art (that is, art by other people that he collects)--which I think is VERY insightful; it's interesting to see what kind of art an artist appreciates.

As an artist, myself, I revel in the collections of sketches... Sketches can be a chronicle of how a finished work comes to be, and it's interesting to get a glimpse of how other artists--especially masters, such as Giger--work through their ideas and arrive at a final product. Sometimes sketches are just a fleeting idea that gets caught on a page. These are just as fascinating, because they are an insight into how an artist captures a thought and translates it into something visual. Excellent stuff!

Another detail I want to elaborate on are the "3D" versions of a few of Giger's paintings. I hesitate to say "Magic Eye", because those are often horribly muddy, chaotic and nonsensical when viewed normally, and the Giger images in this section are not at all like that. These images are crisply defined and look "normal" at a glance, but nevertheless have that 3D "popping" effect when you view them correctly. Of course, they're accompanied by commentary from Giger. It's an unexpected and delightful treasure to find tucked away in these pages.

Overall, if you're a fan of Giger's work, this is a very worthy addition to your collection. I've poked around, and there are other versions of this title available, some of which are very limited (and expensive) editions. If you haven't the luxury of purchasing one of those, this "no frills" edition is still very solid, and will be a pleasure to thumb through again and again.

While browsing sale books I found an amusing little item. With a title like WWW HR GIGER COM I was intrigued.

This book was designed by H.R. Giger and contains commentary from the artist about his various interests and his art. Among the pages of art and commentary is a section devoted to the Giger Bar in Tokyo. Giger designed all of the furnishing from the front door all the way to the lavatories. Now, I don't know about you but the idea of being in a building designed by H.R. Giger while getting drunk sounds like a hair raising experience.

This book, having been designed by the artist, is a bit different than others portraying Giger's work. If anything, this one is superior in the detail it provides. I recommend this book to Giger collectors and if you can't find a copy just log on to www.HRGiger.com like the title suggests.

Mr. Giger, I have experienced your biomechanical drawings and such from your book. The theme "Tracing Thoughts" came to me from your drawing of No. 625 Pump Excursion, when suicide was an option. Then I gotten control of myself by expressing my thoughts, feelings, and for free lance of my own personal amusement. It inspired me (No.625) to pick up biomechanics and hopefully get the chance to meet you in person. Because of the biography on you, your intellect seems avanced to were I would enjoy an intelligent complex trade in art expressionism. Well life is short and so shall this review. Continue the well deserved talent and rake in the DOUGH .Signed, fellow artist Eric Everett.

I own the first print of www.HRGiger.com book & I wasnt sure if I needed buy this updated edition but after scanning thru the entire book I realized the answer was Yes! Lots of cool new stuff has been added & the book is laid out better & even more informative not to mention the amazingly cheap price of this book. I own every book Giger has ever put out including the hard to find stuff from the 70's I've been collecting his stuff since the mid 80's. If you're new to HR Giger there is no book better than this one as a starting point into his creative genius. Buy Now!

Dancy Ames is an editor at a top New York publishing house. She loves her job, but lately things haven't been going so well. For one thing, she had wanted to be a senior editor, but she was passed on the promotion in favor of an outsider. To make things worse, that outsider is none other than Jack Quinn, her brother's best friend from England. Forget the fact that he's got a sexy accent that makes Hugh Grant seem like a poor imitation in comparison, or that he's devastatingly handsome, or that he's always seemed amused by her since they were kids. He is the one responsible for her month-long "vacation" that leads to her eventual losing her job. What's she going to do? Should she settle with helping out her Italian friend at his trendy coffee shop? Should she finally finish writing her novel, or hope to get a job as senior editor at another house? When things get all the more confusing -- especially after her father reveals that he's got a son from an affair he had with her former nanny -- she eventually gives in and decides to trust God in letting her choose her path for her.

You Had Me at Goodbye is an awesome romantic comedy. The heroine feels real, so do the other characters. Jack Quinn is as sexy as they come, but sometimes I got frustrated with the mixed messages he sent and the fact that Dancy never seemed to really listen to what he's trying to tell her. And that brings me to a few problems I had with this novel. I don't get her cousin Sheri. One minute she is all over Jack and suddenly she actually has no interest in him. Her personality is at times too abrupt and changes in a dramatic, strange way. I knew about Jack and Cate Able from the very beginning, and I can't believe that Dancy, a book author, hadn't put two and two together -- or at least she should have suspected it. Other than that, I enjoyed reading this book. After several "deep" historical novels, I've had a good run of contemporary women's fiction to satisfy my palette for chick-lit. This is actually the second part of the "drama queens" series. I had picked up To Catch a Rising Star, the first part, but put it down. Ah, well. I look forward to reading Laini's story -- the third and final roommate -- when that book comes out.

Dancy Ames is a spoiled little New York rich girl with her future all laid out bright and shiny before her. She has good friends and a job she loves, which provides a nice little salary in addition to her wealthy Daddy's credit card, which she uses to purchase all the little "necessities" not covered by her salary. And just to brighten the picture, there's a coveted promotion on the horizon.

But then handsome Brit Jack Quinn takes a job at Lane Publishing, and Dancy's plans take a swift nosedive. In no time at all, she finds herself jobless and in need of a new career.

After the initial devastation, she decides the time might be right to finish that novel she's been kinda sorta working on for...well, forever. But Jack seems to have found a way into even the world inside her head, annoying hunk that he is! And it doesn't help that unwelcome little surprises keep cropping up here and there and everywhere to add to the general confusion.

With her life clearly on the downslide, Dancy really has no choice but to turn to God for solutions. Can He...will He work things out for a Fifth Avenue princess?

You Had Me at Good-bye is a fun storyline, and an interesting peek into a world where money is no object, and anything over a size two is plus-size. Tracey Bateman has a style all her own, and a unique ability to make readers laugh out loud. At the same time, she paints a heart-warming picture of spiritual growth, emotional development and love in the making.

Don't miss this delightful romance!

Reviewed by Delia Latham
www.delialatham.com

When life gets crazy, what's a Fifth Avenue Princess to do?

First, Dancy Ames gets edged out of the promotion to Senior Editor that she was in line for by none other than her brother's best friend, Jack Quinn. Quinn happens to have an adorable British accent and no clue that she's had a crush on him for years. Dancy's new boss wastes no time in criticizing her work and gets her sent on a forced 30-day vacation.

Then she gets fired. By Jack-who then tries to ask her on a date as she's storming off. How pathetic is he?

Next, Dancy's parents deed their high-rise condo - the one with the Central Park view that Dancy has loved all her life - to her brother and his fiancé, who don't even really want it. And Jack shows up to offer a comforting shoulder, throwing Dancy off-kilter once again.

In the midst of all the drama in her life, Dancy finds solace in the words from her deceased Granny's Bible. But she has a hard time believing that there's a trustworthy Father out there who cares about this Fifth Avenue Princess and her dreams. Will she give God a chance to prove that He has the right plans for her life?

This second book in the Drama Queens series by multi-published author Tracey Bateman is a fun, sassy read that won't take long to enjoy.

Set in Manhattan and filled with authentic tidbits, like a hole-in-the-wall coffee shop and traffic jams, it's obvious Bateman has done her homework. The snappy tone and sometimes-quirky dialogue used by the author adds a conversational mien to the novel and keeps the pace flying.

This novel is also sprinkled with parts of the novel Dancy writes during the course of her story, which gives the reader some key insights into the main character's psyche, which is helpful since Bateman leaves much of Dancy's inner feelings to the reader's interpretation.

Don't miss this cheeky look at the life of a thirty-something woman who finds out she really is a Fifth Avenue Princess, and just who her true Father is.

Armchair Interviews agrees.

Author Tracey Batemen writes another winner in her 2nd book in the Drama Queen series. The characters come to life as the story unfolds. Bateman does a wonderful job of drawing the reader in so that you experience all the emotions right along with the characters of the book.

Once you open this book, you will find it hard to put it down until you finish.

Reviewed by Leslie Granier for Reader Views (4/08)

"You Had Me at Good-bye" is the second book in the "Drama Queens" series by Tracey Bateman. This volume focuses mainly on Dancy Ames, but her family and two close friends, Laini and Tabby, play prominent roles as well. Dancy is facing several changes in her life including, but not limited to, being fired from her job and learning of a family member she did not know existed. She is having problems finding the right man, which is compounded by the fact that both her brother and her good friend will be celebrating marriages soon. Only after Dancy loses the things that she considers important to her does she realize what it is that she wants the most.

This book contains religious elements but the author adeptly avoids being preachy and trying to overdo the spiritual aspects. Her message of the importance of trusting in God to find the right path for one's life is a central theme. It was fun to see the personal growth that many of the characters underwent as their lives progressed. I also enjoyed reading about the thought processes they used when faced with making important decisions about their futures.

Dancy's transformation from a spineless and indecisive woman into one who is strong and goes after what she wants is well portrayed. The author uses excerpts from a book that Dancy is writing to begin each chapter. These excerpts give the reader insight into how Dancy pictures her life should be versus how complicated it presently is. It is when Dancy learns to accept what she cannot change that her true growth begins.

Women of all ages will enjoy this book. It is a cute story that centers on looking for love, but also stresses the importance of letting God guide you through your life decisions. The interactions between Dancy, Laini, and Tabby are very realistic and will remind many readers of the times they have spent with their close friends. There are some questions listed at the end of "You Had Me at Good-bye" to assist reading groups in their discussions. I am eagerly looking forward to reading the next book in this series.

I fell in love with this book when I first perused it many years ago at the house of a friend. Whenever I would go over there I would grab it from off the shelf. It was very old, so I never suspected it was still in print. Needless to say, I was thrilled to obtain my own copy, which remains on my bedstand.

I love this book. The poems are great and I can find the poems that Anne says in the movie, "Anne of green Gables" and "Anne of Avonlee" I love the poems. I like These are the Times That try Mens Soals.

My father had an old copy of this book that he read as a child. He loved to read his favorites from this book, or simply recite them from memory. They are classic rhyming poems. Another favorite book of mine is "Poetry for a Lifetime", a beautiful volume which includes a number of these poems, including "Plant a Tree" and "Home". It has a much larger number of poems and is illustrated and has comments from the editor. I highly recommend both books.

I read this book as a child 40 years ago. The poems in this book are timeless classics. I look forward to sharing them with my own children.

This was my Dad's poetry text at college in the thirties. Every Christmas during his life he would read the 'holiday' poems to our family. I have carried on the tradition for my children and grandchildren and each year they await the reading of 'Bairnies Coodle Doon' and 'Jes for Christmas', two wonderful stories that bring forward the lives of children of a hundred years ago. If tradition is important to you and if you want to introduce your family to poetry as America knew it for the first 200 years, this collection if highly recommended.