Short Stories Books

I don't want to say this is the worst thing I've read, but it comes pretty close. While the plot concept is certainly scintillating, the execution is absolutely awful. Locke obviously hasn't discovered what a thesaurus is and uses the same trite words and boring sentence construction to describe every single event. The 'erotic' scenes(which are practically on every other page) in the book seem straight out of a stereotypical bad porn flick from the Valley. I actually found myself offended by some of the scenarios and how they were arranged and that's not including the poor choice of language. After a while, I had to give up. There was no plot, just awkwardly written sex that read like it was produced by a man. It was that bad and I have better things to read.

I'm a lesbian now but before I read this novel I was teetering on the edge and after reading her detailed descriptions I've discovered this new style of loving is so very enjoyale and pleasing. I suggest every one read her work she's a delight to have around, even if your lifestyle is straight the exciting sexual pleasures desribed in this book should be enjoyed by everyone.

I do, it's so close to the real thing and when I read it I have to be sure I'm alone or I could have an enbarrassing situation. Both her books are so close to reality it's hard to tell the difference except I havn't come across anyone who comes as close in real life. Eve Locke is my constant companion

She, Eve Locke certainly knows how to tell it the way it happens, her descriptions are as close to the actual deed as being there. You don't need any pictures, and I feel as though I'm being included in the lewd festivities. I love it, it's easy to read and the feeling that I get during the time I'm reading is unexplainable, I'll read her novels till I die she's so good.

I'm a lesbian and I love reading as many novels about my lifestyle as I can, many are just kid stuff, but the Lesbian her virgin and Ocracoke Island is as close to me and my lover as a person can get. Its a real turnon from the very first pages, the author is showing talent, style and courage to describe all the raunchiness she fills her novels with, We love it and we're fans for life.Eve Locke should be immortilized and she deserves saint-hood.And she tells it like it is.

some of the stories - i felt that it was too exaggerating. but the "naughty" action parts are really good (; i especially like the fancy pant story!

Its all here - M/M, F/F, F/M and M/F spanking action and it is all well-written, imaginative stuff. That is great if you like EVERYTHING. If your tastes are more particular, for example, you are not interested in one or two of the categories above, you may not be enthusiastic about some of the stories.

Something to take note of - you will learn a new way to learn the musical scale that is bound to leave an impression.
And there is as much variety as A to Z.
In another story a "student" is not likely to forget the scientific method after the "hands on" approach by her teacher.
You'll probably be kept busy doing your homework as you re-read this textbook over and over.

What struck me about this book was the true diversity of each short story. I loved the idea about erotic stories from A to Z, and this was not at all cheesy in the case of this book.
Not all of the stories were turn-ons for me, but all were intersting and each had a unique perspective. There are stories about married couples, singles, gay men, lesbians, and stories involving multiple partners.
This book was an intriguing read, and each tale gave me ample material to think about in one way or another.
Whether you are curious or have already had erotic spanking experiences, I strongly recommend this book. And don't miss Bussel's essay compilation on spanking, coming out soon. I already pre-ordered mine!

Each author give's their story on spanking. Their saying it's okay to do that if you in the mood and if he or she like's to take charge in the bedroom.

As always Beverly Jenkins delivered another knock out book. I have been a fan of hers for years. I eagerly await each new novel. The romance, the drama and history lessons she provides in each book is enlightening. I would love to meet a man like Neil and Two Shafts myself. Olivia played her role as intelligent black woman, but also showed her sensual side as well. God help us all if we had to marry men our fathers chose based on a business deal.

Believe me when I say I wanted desperately to like this book. I have been searching for years to find an African-American historical romance novel.
My critique with this story is not the "idea", the idea in itself is brilliant: a beautiful headstrong woman out West alone who meets a very virile & handsome outlaw who is just as attracted to her as she is to him. It wasn't until I had gotten half way through the book did I realize that although there was chemistry between our heroine and this outlaw nothing was happening. It was as if they were both AFRAID of one another. I know it was suppose to be because she was "innocent" and he was "wanted in her town". However I couldn't help but ponder why Mrs Jenkins the author didn't have the characters flirt more with one another. This BUBBLEGUM romance won't make you blush in the least. I bought the book 3 months ago and couldn't finish it.

This is another great connecting story. Read Night Song, Topaz, The Taming of Jessie Rose, Always and Forever to get the background on the town of Henry Adams, Kansas and on the secondary characters. Hope Two Shafts, Teresa and Preacher meet their match in the future.

Beverly Jenkins never disappoints her followers. She is an excellent writer with undescrible talent. I was never a fan of historical romances until I read one of her books. Her style and descriptions of whatever period her stories are set in are so clear and concise till I can see myself living in whatever period she is writing about. I enjoy her stories so much and have met other readers that feel the same way. Please keep them coming!

Mrs. Jenkins has done it again! She CAN'T write a bad novel. As ALWAYS I couldn't put this book down! The storyline flowed effortlessly across the pages and the characters were well developed and UNFORGETTABLE as usual. I was TOTALLY caught up in the suspense of Neil and Olivia's romance. Not knowing what would happen with this couple, if they would even get together, let alone have any type of a future, kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the whole novel. I mean what kind of relationship could they possibly have, she was the mayor of Henry Adams and he was a WANTED outlaw?!! I love the way Mrs. Jenkins always makes her female characters not only beautiful, but intelligent, independent and full of passion. And the men, be they rich, poor, educated or not, outlaws or law abiding citizens, they're always the PERFECT gentlemen, and ALWAYS treat their women like QUEENS, and definitely know how to SATISFY their every desire. I enjoyed the family bond and loyalty of the July's, the way they take care of their own and the sometimes HILAROUS way they dispense their own brand of "justice". We also have the opportunity to get reaquainted with Chase and Cara Jefferson from "Night Song", Dix Wildhorse from "Topaz", Jackson Blake from "Topaz and Always and Forever", Griffin Blake, and the Preacher from "Taming of Jessi Rose" it was like one BIG family reunion, and I enjoyed every thrilling moment of it. I also hope if any of the above mentioned characters haven't had their own story written by Mrs. Jenkins, that one is in the works. A definite MUST READ!

I picked this up from the discount rack at my favorite book store and it stayed on my bookshelf for a long time before I thought about reading it. This is a pretty short book - you can probably read it in a day if you really get into it. I thought it was a really good story. This is not your run-of-the mill relationship story as it delved into the interaction between mother/daughter, father/daughter, and neighbor/neighbor. It was a good change of pace from what I usually read. I'd recommend this one for purchase. It's a keeper.

This story features several characters. Myra the single mother, who a cooks and sells food to support her, her teenage daughter Odile and her senile father Sebastian. There is also Rory, who is a young adolescent being raised in atmosphere of terror by his single father. Then there is Jacob an ex-stick fighter who was once a champion but now walks with a limp and makes his living doing leather craft. They all live in the same compound and their lives are closely intertwined. It is set in and about the environs of the capital city of Port of Spain, Trinidad. So one gets some glimpses into "Trini" life like some of the foods and Carnival. This story takes place over the period of a few months.

This book tackles several themes but one of the main is how mothers sometimes get so wrapped up that they do not notice their daughters are growing up before their eyes. And also that children often live by example, so if the mother is having sex with her boyfriend in the house as the child grows up, she will develop certain ideas about sex. Also how friction can develop between mother and daughter. I think this was a good read.

This book is so much different from what's out there. It tugs at your heart from beginning to end. From Rory's survival of daily abuse, to Myra's rejection from her lover, you feel it deep. The characters get under your skins quickly and you can't put this book down. And I understand there's a part two available! I can't wait!

Soul stirring, thrilling, and passionate are three words to
describe Roslyn Carrington's debut novel, A THIRST FOR RAIN. Set in the small valley of northern Trinidad, the inhabitants of St. Ann's lives will change forever as each character anxiously anticipates the pouring rains and an end to the valley's prolonged drought.

Myra: Sensuous and provocative Myra, struggles with the role
of caretaker to her father Sebastian, raising her seventeen year-old daughter Odile, and her tempestuous, sexually-charged relationship with Slim.

Odile: Studious and obedient, Odile grapples with feelings of neglect and Myra's promiscuous lifestyle. Growing exceedingly tiresome of Myra's trysts, Odile becomes defiant and her self-destructive behavior lends itself to a horrific scene by the river.

Sebastian: After losing his wife to a tragic accident, Sebastian feels compelled to escort the citizens of St. Ann safely across the bustling streets. Labeled the town's madman, Sebastian has caused more danger to himself and adds to his family's emotional strain.

Slim: Smooth talking, high-yellow Slim, is Myra's intermittent lover. Slim has little regard for the occupants of this small apartment building and Myra's persistent cries for affection; but Slim cannot help noticing the budding beauty Myra's daughter has become.

Jacob: Former stick fighter Jacob, embarrassed by his infirmity, dwells inside a shoddy row house across the street. Jacob is slightly aware of the heaviness on Myra's shoulders and longs to be her knight in shining armor; staking claim as hero once again.

Rory: Rory, the boy next door, has yearned for Odile's attention and coveted Slim's machismo over the years. Only Rory's longing will change the lives of everyone before the torrential rains.

Told by each character in concise chapters, Roslyn Carrington has
created an unforgettable fictional cast with issues of great complexity. While characterizations were profound, I found moments where the story lacked Trinidad's customs and traditions. As a result of this, I did not fully connect with the Caribbean premise, which could have added more depth to this otherwise electrifying debut. I look forward to Ms. Carrington's sequel to A THIRST FOR RAIN.

Reviewed by Nicki Lancaster
APOOO BookClub

Several stories have been written about single parent homes fighting society's most basic hardships in an effort to rise above predetermined stereotypes or much less, survive with a sense of normalcy. In the United States these achievements are often a tall order for families facing hardships like poverty, crime, and domestic abuse; likewise, in a poor rural setting on the island of Trinidad, families are forced to accept certain realities with time, hard work, and education as their only way out. Myra, a beautiful, hard working Creole style cook, who makes a living selling lunches to people out of a small hut in Port of Spain, Trinidad, strives to hold her business and family together while turbulent forces threaten to pull her whole life apart. On the surface, a reader sees Myra's struggle with her rebellious teenage daughter and a father with deteriorating mental health but this novel goes so much deeper in dealing with feelings of rage, resentment, disappointment and loss.

I was extremely impressed with Roslyn Carrington's amazing ability to develop each character with enough substance and detail that as a reader, you feel a sense of connection with all the people in the story. In a clever way, the author gave all the characters in the book a personality trait that in some way related to people we know in our personal lives and/or ourselves. As Myra's world slowly closed in around her "A Thirst for Rain" brings you deeper into her thought process as well as the minds of those around her. Even with the cultural differences of Trinidad to the States there is no ambiguity in the emotions that are being expressed by all the characters.

This truly inspiring and uplifting tale of hope and sacrifice should be considered an absolute must read for people who are ready for the ultimate drama. For me, "A Thirst for Rain" provided a wonderful example of how close knit communities can pull together in crisis and how the ability of one woman to trust can affect the lives of all those who care about her.

Wooffer is a beautiful story about all sorts of animals in Wooffers daily life. Wooffer has a very kind and loving heart, and is always ready to help out his animal friends whenever they need him.
I laughed and cried about the wonderful adventures of Wooffer.

This book is for children and all adults.

So sit back and enjoy all the fun with Wooffer and his pals.

Jacqueline Rankine-Van Wassenhoven.

I can't tell you the last time I read a children's book. I read this one, though - from cover to cover in one night. In fact, I was going to finish for the evening when I was a little over halfway through, but Molly, my Bichon, wouldn't let me put the book down. We both thoroughly enjoyed it, and know what the great-grandchildren are going to get for their birthdays.

Margaret, the hen. Reginald, the rooster. Cho Lee Yen, the peacock. Marygrey,Camille, the pregnant rabbit,Sir Doodah,Sandy Crane,Pogo, Daisy,Jazzper,Ibie,Sarah,Bill ,Baby Jazzmin..WOOFFER..

You don't know them..Oh...You missed this book?Get WOOFFER...

This is the first book I enjoyed with my son and still enjoying..even he knows all the characters of this book..Time has changed ..It was the time when our granny and mummy were telling stories just keeping there hand on our forehead so we can sleep..but what do you expect that my son will sleep ?While reading WOOFFER to him he was sitting like a small alert puppy listening each and every word of Wooffer.

"Betty Fasig knows well how to get connected with the animal kingdom.If still you are unaware of animal friendship "WOOFFER" will tell you the whole thing.

In 33 stories Betty has successfully engaged each small or big animal sending some moral messages and leaves an impression on a small kid's mind..He easily recalls the character as well the related story and that's the beauty of "Wooffer"..

It's a big issue in any body's life when a book turns his/her life or changes her attitude..Practically I noticed that whenever my son is a bit off the track I remind him all the great job done by "WOOFFER" and he accepts that.Wooffer is like a "superhero" for him.

Not only children, I think even elders should also read this for may be they have forgotten some real basic moral values somewhere in their busy materailistic life..

Thank you so much Betty for this Wonderful gift....
Bhawana
[....]

A must have book for any home where children visit or live. Book of 33 short stories about a courageous little Wooffer and all his backyard and Lester Field friends. The child in you will fall in love with this book.

" Woofer, Stories You Can Read to Your Dog (and Other Children,)"
by Betty Fasig
is a collection of stories from the viewpoint of this delightful
dog. One truly steps over the threshold into Woofer's world; you see everything from the (quite low to the ground) dog's viewpoint. Every
tale is a charming saga from the life of Woofer and his friends.
Not since Anna Sewell have I read works that offer an animal's view
point this way. The stories are wonderfully suited for younger
audiences, and the action as well as the characters will enthrall
them. Actually, this adult reader must admit to being thoroughly
enthralled, as well .
There are many clever descriptions, fun puns, and unusual twists
to be discovered within the stories. My favorite is the squirrel
family who are all " Branch Executives," but a close second is the
mouse family "of thousands." Throughout, country animals are
featured, from everyday birds to the newcomers Sandy and Sandra
Crane, and all the small animals one does not think about
ordinarily.
The writer here truly looked outside the human world, to find
interaction and wonderful, engaging stories going on right in her
back garden. This lovely book is a wonderful reminder of what fun
it can be to read.
Nancy Lindley-Gauthier

If you want a book you immediately are drawn into and can't put down until it's complete, go buy Heiress of Water. This novel of Sandra Barron Rodriguez transports you to the land of El Salvador on words woven like the finest of lace. This book is more than a story, it is an exquisite work of art.

Ms. Barron did an excellent job of taking us between the current tale and the past stories. The locations she describes are so vivid... I must say, she described El Salvador much more vividly than Connecticut... I felt as though I could smell the water and feel the sun around Negrarena and Caracol. Perhaps that was the point -- the stark difference in vividness between the two locations. The duality of Monica's two cultures are interestingly balanced in the book with the switching of Spanish to English and back. Overall, the novel is very well written, and easy to read, even while touching on a complicated subject such as brain injury and experimental treatments.

Author of The Get A Life Campaign

Rodriguez-Barron kept me glued to each word and page-turning happy. I could not manage to put this book down for more than a minute. It is such a colorful, intensely articulate, piece of work, and an awesome first for this magnificent writer. I was almost heartbroken to read the last page! Can't wait for her next collection of juicy pages!!!

This is a love story, a bit of a mystery, and a journey of the soul. The opening is a little slow and bumpy but the book picks up momentum as the story unfolds with a plot that is both intricate and satisfying, a little like a good Spanish telenovela (and I mean this in the nicest way!). You just want to keep turning the page, and Barron delivers the surprises. Alma's parallel between the sea and immortality gains lyricism as her metaphor gains depth and detail with the unfolding story, setting this story firmly in the genre of spiritual fiction. The ending is both beautiful and emotional revealing the unusual sophistication of this debut writer. Especially interesting is how the author gets into the mind of a catatonic patient struggling to regain consciousness, adding another dimension to this layered tale. There are many beautiful images, romantic scenes, and emotional explosions in this story. All in all it is very satisfying.

An inventive and beautifully written novel. I stayed up all night to finish The Heiress of Water just to see how it would end. I definitely recommend it.

The movie was good but it doesn't follow the book and the book is much better.

I would have never picked this book up if it weren't for my book club. Once I picked it up, I couldn't put it down till I was finished with this book. It is a very moving and thoughtful book ~~ opening my eyes to something else that I would have never thought of reading.

This book is about Madame Wu, who decided to retire from married life at the age of 40. She suggested a concubine for her husband as she believes very strongly that his needs need to be met ~~ just not by her. Her excuse is that she didn't want to bear any more children, but that is just a public excuse, one she offered to everyone who asked. The truth is, she didn't love her husband and wanted to retire from that part of her marriage. Needless to say, it unsettled the entire family ~~ even the concubine was unsettled. It reverberated throughout the entire book till the very end, when everyone seems to have moved onto their own problems.

This is a book on a busy wealthy Chinese family. It is about traditions and ideas, non-traditions, love and finding purpose in life. It is about family relationships between father, son, mother, son, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, friendships, and even between mistress and servant.

Madame Wu never thought she'd find peace and happiness till one of her sons' instructors came along. He was a Jesuit priest and they struck up a friendship based on conversations (which she remembered after his death). He literally changed her life and thought process. From being a woman who always did what she was told, she was liberated to being a free-thinking woman who strove to find peace in her soul.

It is a book that I would recommend to all readers ~~ and it is definitely a book for a book club to discuss! It is a timeless classic novel ~~ and definitely a great introduction to an author that I have heard about but never have read. I can't wait to read her other books!

3-30-07

Wow. I find Pearl Buck to be an author that really holds my attention, and write about complex characters that I don't really always like, but in the end, because of the author's writing and vision, I come to see them as really complex human beings.

This book, in particular, I think is really spiritual. I really wish that I had a book group to discuss this book with. At the beginning, I didn't really care for or understand the main character, Madame Wu. She decides after her 40th birthday party, that her husband can have a concubine and that she can turn inward. In the beginning, this is really quite a difficult concept for me, but in a way, it's also very liberating. It's a form of birth control for her, and also a way to keep her husband satisfied. In the end, Pearl Buck, as an author, really shows this woman to be very multidimensional, and I feel, quite spiritual and not so superficial as I think she starts out to be.

In the background, there are daughter in laws who are more liberated than Madam Wu, and the chafe at the idea of a concubine. They are too modern for that and would not stand for having a concubine in the house. Some of this is quite historical fand relates gently to the communist revolution. Also it is showing generational differences and lack of understanding between generations. In the end, Madame Wu, I feel , is far more liberated than her daughter in laws, no matter how modern they are.

There is also a DVD of this story, and I think the DVD cover is on the book cover that I read. If it shows a white man in an embrace with a Chinese woman, as if they were about to kiss, I want to warn you that this Hollywood image is not really the book at all. And in fact, that picture does not occur in the book either. Really, that image is an abomination of the book.

I do know, by reading Pearl Buck, why she is a Nobel prize winner in writing. For me, it's this. She helps you to see characters (people) that you might really hate or disagree with in real life as real, very multifacted people. And though I might not always come to agree or fully care about her characteres, through her writing, I will learn to understand and respect them more than I would have if I had not read the book. And more than that, Buck weaves in real history and fact and makes is very interesting.

Please read her books. You won't be disappointed.

This is an awesome and thought provoking novel by Pearl Buck. It makes one evaluate if they really know the true meaning of love, and life. I am a real Pearl Buck fan---just don't want to read any other authors right now, but this one stands out as my favorite! Enjoy!!

After reading and thoroughly enjoying her novel, "Pavilion of Women" (written in 1948), it was not difficult for me to understand why Pearl S. Buck earned the Nobel Peace Prize for Literature in 1938. As a natural storyteller, Buck allows one to enter the heart and mind of her main character, the beautiful and accomplished Madame Wu, so fully and painlessly by using simple explanations that seem so effortlessly illumined that they transcend the cultural differences of a mid 20th century China and allow this magnificent multi-dimensional creation to speak as a fully flesh and blood universal woman.

As the title suggests, the plot revolves around the day to day happenstances of the oppressed `pavilion of women' that provides a wealthy Chinese gentleman's `happiness' in the form of siring future generations and keeping him pleasured as befits his rank as lord and master. Madame Wu, the one and only wife, on the day of her fortieth birthday decides quite calculatingly to acquire a concubine for this husband whom she has never loved, allowing her to rid herself within the complicated etiquette of the Chinese upper class of the burden of servicing her husband conjugally. As the mother of four sons, in her eyes and in the eyes of society, she fulfilled her duty as a wife. Fully knowing that she will continue to oversee the management of all who live under her domain, she nevertheless anticipates her retirement with relish, planning to read and self-educate herself within the confines of her father-in-law's well-stocked library. As a mother and mother-in-law, she must tactfully and eloquently steer her sons and daughters-in-law towards a rich and satisfying future in a newer less understood world while still buttressing the Chinese family infrastructure to continue what she herself withholds as traditionally correct.

As China plummets towards modern thinking and communism, Madame Wu discovers that she must make concessions. Thinking to arrange the marriage of her broader-minded third son, she hires an unconventional Italian priest, Brother Andre, to teach languages and the known sciences to better endow her Fengmo with the intellectual assets he now needs to captivate a more progressive bride.

Instead, the self-disciplined Madame Wu finds that she is mesmerized by the foreigner's gentle persuasiveness. With him she explores the idea of the soul and its ever pressing quest for freedom and realizes that throughout her life thus far she played the role of a wise albeit voyeuristic manipulator rather than that of thinking and feeling woman. Her gentle yet intense spiritual love for Andre reinforces Madame Wu's innate strength and enables her to make free, wise and joyous decisions that bring a warm happiness to the inhabitants under her domain.

Bottom line: While the storyline moves along nicely, what makes "Pavilion of Women" an absolute pleasure to read is the clarity of Madame Wu's portrait that Buck allows us to form first from the inner workings of Madame Wu's mind and then from the soaring aspirations of her soul as it communes with that of Brother Andre. Buck's language flows from one `pavilion' event to the next; her style is relaxed and easy to read, the development of Madame Wu's identity both believable and beautiful. Highly recommended for its ability to entertain and depict an alien culture.

Diana F. Von Behren
"reneofc"

Initially I thought this was going to be a book only about storyboarding, but as the title suggests, it "Prepares" you for the story boarding process. It was great to have all the different aspects of character and story developement all in one book.

Ms. Beiman's book is exceptional; it not only discusses storyboarding, but also the entire pre-production process, from character design to art direction to using cinematic lighting and camera angles. I'm never boarding without using tonal drawings again!

I'm going to be the Teaching Assistant for the Storyboarding class at UCLA's MFA Animation Workshop in the fall, and I'm going to tell all the newbies to GET THIS BOOK!!!

This is a truly wonderful book filled with practical, concrete knowledge about how to plan for an animated production.

In the past, I have seen a few somewhat superficial treatments of similar topics, and I was initially a little bit skeptical of this book. Suffice it to say that my expectations were vastly exceeded. Storyboarding is a central part of animated movie production, and it has finally gotten a definitive treatment in book form. This book is highly entertaining, beautifully illustrated, and really packed with information.

Many readers of my own book Introducing Character Animation with Blender are interested in creating animated movies. I highly recommend that they take a look at this inspiring and informative book to ensure that they get off to a good start.

Well written and well organized, "Prepare to Board!" is a wonderful source for learning the ins' and outs of animation boarding.

Nary a step in the process is glossed over or a stone left unturned. I'm quite impressed with the book all around, and have learned a lot about the inner workings of animation.

A definite recommendation.

Nancy Beiman's book "Prepare to Board" is a must-have for animators. If you're serious about working in the industry then this book is for you.

The quick little lessons are excellent tools for practice and improving skills. This books helps to increase creativity and really gives great advice. No other animation book has achieved what "Prepare to Board" has.

Nancy Beiman knows the ins and outs of the animation world and you can tell why she's worked on so many great projects - she's the best at what she's talking about. Nancy Beiman is a professional and this book will help you along your path to a career.

If you're not lucky enough to know her and have her as a Professor (or even if you do), then it goes without saying BUY THIS BOOK!

My publisher, Corinthian Books, was skeptical when I promised them that the 10,000-copy first printing of The Redneck Riviera would sell out. In the spring of 2007 they were delighted to find out that their worries were unfounded! In this second edition, we had the opportunity come up with a great new cover (thanks to the inspired work of Diane Anderson, Senior Editor, and Rebecca Imholz, my spirited publicist). We also took the opportunity to make some tiny tweaks in the text. The book has become somewhat of a cult classic in the South, with over 120 book clubs making it their selection. In the "customer photos" section you can get a sense of some of the places in The Redneck Riviera (Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina) where this novel was set. It will make you laugh, make you cry, and make you laugh again. In the process, it shows the heroism it sometimes takes to fix a broken family, and the miraculous emotional healing which can result when someone is willing to risk everything to save someone they love. This second edition of The Redneck Riviera (with the red dancing shoe on the cover) was released for sale February 1, 2008. If you enjoy it, I'd be delighted to have you post your review here! With warmest wishes -- Richard N. Côté, the author.

This novel is a hoot. Has a certain segment of Southern Society nailed oh so correctly! Gonna buy more of his works.

These are scary times. "Make love not war" may have been the mantra of the 1960's and 70's, but gone are the days of mild marijuana and Boone's Farm Apple wine, Deadheads and Woodstock. Now teens attend "Raves", and the drugs of choice are ecstasy and meth. Ignorance really is the mother of all prejudice, not bliss. This is what a divorced mother named Dolly discovers in The Redneck Riviera. Not only is her daughter, April, rejecting every value that has been hypocritically proclaimed by her misguided mother, April is also quickly being sucked in by a racist, sexist, meth-cooking group of skinheads that the she has embraced as her new "family". Dolly is forced to put her own life and problems in the back seat and pay close attention to what is going on with April, instead of taking her for granted. The plot rolls right along, and even as the characters make good and bad choices, the believability level is very high, especially due to the details of setting and dialogue. As serious as the subject matter is, though, there are also funny moments in the novel when life's absurdities occur, especially in the scene with the pathetic, lecherous, middle-aged golfers. Do they really believe these young, beautiful girls are attracted to them? As layer after layer of self-deceit is peeled away from each character, exposing their lies to themselves, the truth, in all its ugliness and beauty is revealed. To be contrite, selfish, forgiving, accepting, or angry are the choices that ultimately have to be made when true integrity is tested. And the outcomes are surprising.

The research that must have gone into this book is awesome. But then again, this is the same author who wrote "Mary's World: Love, War, and Family Ties in Nineteenth-century Charleston", a non-fiction account of a Civil War plantation owners wife based on her actual diaries and letters. The diversity of Cote's writing ability is amazing and the originality of the setting and subject matter make you wonder what he'll write next.

I stayed up until 3:30 a.m. last night because I couldn't put this book down! I had to know what happened.
The story is very fast-paced, but pay attention because there's a lot going on. I also appreciated that it was a very modern setting about current issues. I didn't know a lot about meth labs and definately never heard of topless caddies, but I think I've heard it all now. None of it is exploitive, though, just part of the character's time and place in their lives. The bottom line is that it's about bad choices and generation gaps and what we will do for love.
I definately recommend this book - but take it to the beach and start reading in the daylight. Don't begin late at night or you'll miss a night's sleep, too.

We've read the newspapers and watched the news...often the most horrifying scenarios capture our attention like the inability to look away from a car accident. But those things always happen to other people, in other places....Aren't we all guilty of "not in my backyard..."? Well, the author of The Redneck Riviera places a meth lab right on the outskirts of a beautiful beachside community, and then dreams up the nightmare of having your beautiful, intelligent daughter run away from home, go to work at a stripper bar and date a skinhead drug dealer. That's how real this story is. I kept thinking, we all have these traits within us, and these evil people are all around us. There but for the grace of God....goes my kid.

The protagonist of the novel is a bleached-blonde, white-trash, divorced mother who revolves her swinging single social life around looking for love in all the wrong places. The reader can't help but like Dolly, though...she may be a naïve floozy but she's got a good heart and loves her kid. It is hard to like her daughter, initially. What a rude-mouthed, self-centered brat! It's to Dolly's credit that she's resisted the urge to slap the kid's smart mouth. Then again, that's probably why daughter April became such a wild child...because Mom not only had a crummy upbringing herself, but appears to be spineless.

What struck me the most about this book, difficult as the characters were to relate to personally, was that they were so REAL. I've known teenagers who were lying, manipulative and self-absorbed, to the point where they become a danger to themselves and others. And the middle-aged mother, while she is careening out of control on her own personal road to hell self-paved with good intentions, is adamant in her faith that her daughter can be loved back to good self-esteem and a positive lifestyle.

Richard N. Côté tackles some very real problems that face society today and tells the absorbing story of The Redneck Riveria so brutally honestly that it could be right next door, right now. So look around your town; these criminals and con artists are all around. And give your kids an extra hug tonight. The love of your life might be in the same danger.

An interesting work, reminding one of Flashman. Entertaining and educational.

However, this edition/printing is seriously flawed. In no less than two copies I have purchased, the text stops at page 96, repeats pages 49--96, then skips ahead to page 145. Make sure that your copy does not have this prining error!

Addenum: a email to the Publisher got me very prompt and excellent service. See this Publisher's superb list of Naval Fiction!

There are very few books that I have both laughed and cried over. John Biggins writes with a love of language, a clear sense of irony, humor, and tragedy, an ability to infuse life into his characters, and a wonderful ability to tell a story that is engaging and compelling. In the broad genre of naval/military writing, the only author who compares as a writer is Patrick O'Brian.

If you like military and adventure writing, this book is great- the action is exciting and the story provides an insight into the world of early submarining and WWI Austria.

If you don't think you like military fiction, read this one anyhow; the writing is exquisite and the characters extraordinarily alive. It provides insight into a lost world that English speakers have no contact with- Austria Hungary before and during WWI during the decline and collapse of the Empire.

An amazing account of a little known arena in World War I which gives the reader, in the midst of a GREAT read, some historical back ground on the
current problems in Eastern Europe. Crammed full of very interesting detail, very creditable and suspect taken from real life, but disguised as fiction to protect both the innocent and the guilty. History with
a distinct flavor!

What a delightful story told by a centenarian with a clear memory of world war one. As a u-boat commander, he had many adventures, as well as a true love. Ever wonder how he got a camel down a subs hatch? I highly recommend this one.

In 'Sailor of Austria', John Biggins introduced Otto Prohaska, captain of an Austro-Hungarian submarine during the Great War. The tale is told from Prohaska's perspective as a 100-year old resident of a nursing home in rural Wales. Surprised by the interest of a young worker at the home, Prohaska sets about recording his story. This 'looking back' perspective allows a modern sardonic narrative voice somewhat in the manner of Thomas Berger's Little Big Man.

The manner of telling is reminiscent of George MacDonald Fraser's Flashman: A Novel (Flashman), as others have remarked, but darker. At times the book is laugh-out-loud funny - particularly early in the book when the dire consequences of a submarine crew fed on rotten cabbage stew leads to a serendipitous result. Biggins gives the reader a convincing sense of life and death aboard the absurdly primitive WW I submarines.

As the book moves into the later stages of the war, humor takes a backseat and tragedy takes center stage. Biggins' remarkable description of the disintegration of the Austro-Hungarian Empire puts the reader amidst the shock and utter chaos of a crumbling world. And then the Spanish Flu makes its entrance.

It's exciting to see the renewed interest in John Biggins works, which were hardly big sellers when first published in 1991 but are now being brought back by McBooks Press. I was only recently put on to Biggins over on LibraryThing and the discovery's been one of those great unexpected experiences that come along only rare even to devoted readers.

Help rescue John Biggins from undeserved obscurity. The writing is really first-rate and so is the story. Highest recommendation.