Quills Books

What a WONDERFUL book! You root for the characters, grow to care about them and the tough choices they have to make -- even the enemies. There's a touch of religion in it, and even though I usually have an allergic reaction to that, in this case it fit and was perfect.

I'm not much on history lessons either, but the author manages to feed me facts about the war without making me lose interest or want to throw the book against the wall.

This really ought to be made available to a wider audience. It's lovely.

During the war in upstate New York between the American colonies and the British, Matthew Smith leads five British deserters on the lam. Needing help for his severely injured Sergeant Quinn, who as acted like a father to the frightened Matthew, he and three others break into a house where Sarah Lloyd, her two sons and her father reside. Matthew forces the hostages to tend to Quinn's wound. However, Sarah's nurturing changes Matthew into wanting to help her.

In Pennsylvania, Sarah's husband Jonathan and their son Adam fight for the colonies. When Jonathan dies in battle, Adam becomes numb to the death and injuries around him. This state of mind enables him to provide medical help to the injured.

In British occupied Philadelphia, Adam's twin Molly lives with her haughty Loyalist uncle and cunning cousin Stephen. A British officer, Major Allen moves in with them and he quickly finds himself attracted to Molly. She reciprocates, but he is British and she is American. Soon these five people will meet up with love being the only succor during an age of death.

CHALLENGE THE WIND is a powerful American revolutionary War tale that dispenses a deep look at the impact of war on a family and those who come into their circle. The novel captures the souls of the audience through its powerful characterizations. However, the key to this strong historical story is the underlying theme that no matter how noble the cause war is hell on not just the combatants, but the loved ones waiting behind for news that those they cherish still live.

Harriet Klausner

Mike Garson, a senior partner of Garson Construction International, is on what should be his honeymoon cruise. However, just before he came home from Africa for the wedding his fiancée eloped with her boss. Mike considers it a narrow miss but it has left him totally disillusioned with love. Mike decides he is going to go on the cruise anyway and find a woman to spend the week with - a no strings attached fling. He sees a blond in the waiting room that might just be the perfect partner.

Lawyer Sara Tolberg is taking the cruise to decide if she is going to accept a marriage proposal or not. She is also going to take care of some business for her father at one of the stops. Even before Sara makes it on to the cruise ship things are beginning to happen. That is just the beginning of the strangeness that seems to follow her.

Mike spies Sara getting what looks like a romantic kiss in the waiting room. Sara knows that the kiss is not as it appears - her maybe-fiancée is going overboard. She just wants to get on the ship. Suspicious activity brings Mike and Sara together and the attraction keeps them together. Neither are looking to fall in love, but sometimes fate doesn't care what you intend.

Change of Plans has a great undertow of suspense that keeps in step with the romance. Mike and Sara have no plans for a shipboard romance as one was angry from a failed romance and the other has never discovered what true love is. Both try to protect the other from a broken heart until it's too late and they realize that they have fallen in love. I found that the level of suspense was just right to keep me turning the pages to see what would happen next. Change of Plans reminds us that just because the cruise is over and you have to leave the ship it does not mean the romance has to end.

Jo
reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

SIZZLING! MYSTERIOUS!
Wow!! A great novel, and one that I'll read over and over again! Dee Lloyd knows how to blend romance with mystery for the perfect balance in the perfect book! Sara and Mike are a sexy, smart couple...And the secondary characters are great too! I can't wait to read all of Dee Lloyd's books!

This is one of those childhood books you never forget. I had the privilege of growing up in Fremont, the authors home town, and knew their children very well as I grew up with them. This book will always hold a special place in my heart and I can't recommend it more highly. The simple structure and beauty of Jane's artwork and prose are timeless. I still keep my original copy closely guarded and my son, Liam who is 3 now, knows it is a special time when the book comes out. Along with "Where the Wild Things Are" this should be one of the staples of every child's early reading experiences. Thank you Jane for the memories, and this wonderful book!

I have loved this book since I was little! Jane Stroschin beautifully tells the tale of a cloudy day. The main characters are cloud watchers, modeled after her own two children. The children look up into the sky, use their imagination and let the fun begin - a variety of scenes can be found in the clouds. Children and adults will enjoy this book and may want to do some cloud-watching of their own!

I got this book in 1996 as a gift from some fellow baristas and it's possibly one of the finest examples of coffee addict humor you'll ever read!
Whether you're buying for a connoisseur of fine coffee, a slave to the grind or a flat out java junkie they won't be disappointed.

If you are an addict or know someone who is - this is a great gift! I was rolling on the floor reading this - honestly! It's a small, quick-to-read, "coffee-table" book.

Stacy Dean Campbell takes you back to a time when life was simple, yet restrictive to some. One can truly get a sense for the life and injustices that were ever present during the depression. His writing imagery gives the reader a true sense of being there. If you are looking for a page turning true to life drama, this is the book to read. And the music CD which accompanies the book adds the finishing touch to an already moving experience. It sets the backdrop, and even after reading the book, you'll find yourself listening to the music for everyday enjoyment, always remembering which tune reflects different overtones of the story. Stacy is a truly talented writer and musician, a true visionary, and one who leaves an imprint on the heart and soul. He most definitely is one to watch.

Few stories captivate with such escalating pace as Stacy Dean Campbell's "Cottonwood". In the tradition of Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird", this novel weaves its characters & their lives with such believable detail, one wonders how it could be fiction. I've always been one for great Beginnings & Endings and this one delivers, all the way thru the last page. If old-fashioned chill bumps, penetrating reflections and surprising finales are of interest, "Cottonwood" is a must-read.

To be Black and to succeed in North America meant to succeed against all odds. Those Blacks; therefore, were far ahead of anyone not so siimilarly situated, ergo, the title of this book should have read Created Superior.

The story of the Songhai People chronicles the history of Africa eons before the invasions from Asians and Europeons. This is important to relate because at that time in history, Black people were the leaders in education, the arts and science. People came from around the world and sat at their feet in hope of gaining some of their knowledge. In the 13th century, the beautiful city of Jenne (the one with 12 gates into the city alalulah) was founded. Similar cities like
Timbuktu (Sankora University), Goa and Walata preceded Jenne as the centers for education.

Enter the invasions from the north (Asia and Europe) then enter their inflictions of BRAINWASHING and slavery which brought some of Africa's best and brightest to these American shores and you have the mental fiber from which many inventions were created. Some of the inventions presented in Created Equal, no doubt, were developed by people who were in the Imhotep (who was the true father of medicine) lineage and various other great African educators, artists and inventors lineage.

The book, Created Equal, talks about how difficult it had to have been to have had their inventions and discoveries stolen from African Americans. But, what this book also shows is that inspite of all that was done to keep Black people down, their genius overrode it all and they surfaced the winner over and over again.

What the book should have stated was that Blacks in America, since he beginning of time, has fought in every war that the US has participated in and has been the winning force in most of them. Blacks fought in the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the war against the American Indians, the Boston Massacre, World wars I and II, the Korean war, the Vietnam war the Desert Storm war and now the war in Afghanstan. Even as this ink dries, Blacks are still striving to improve their lot by still participating in fights for freedom in hope that they will earn entitlement. The Black race is plagued with America's intent to keep them as second class citizens but America will have to accept the fact that nothing will keep them down as they are truly CREATED SUPERIOR and this book Created Equal is just an example of how Blacks will show their SUPERIORITY.

To be Black and to succeed in North America meant to suceed against all odds. Those Blacks; therefore, were far ahead of anyone not so siimilarly situated, ergo, the title of this book should have read Created Superior.

The story of the Songhai People chronicles the history of Africa eons before the invasions from Asians and Europeons. This is important to relate because at that time in history, Black people were the leaders in education, the arts and science. People came from around the world and sat at their feet in hope of gaining some of their knowledge. In the 13th century, the beautiful city of Jenne (the one with 12 gates into the city alalulah) was founded. Similar cities like
Timbuktu (Sankora University), Goa and Walata preceded Jenne as the centers for education.

Enter the invasions from the north (Asia and Europe) then enter their inflictions of BRAINWASHING and slavery which brought some of Africa's best and brightest to these American shores and you have the mental fiber from which many inventions were created. Some of the inventions presented in Created Equal, no doubt, were developed by people who were in the Imhotep (who was the true father of medicine) lineage and various other great African educators, artists and inventors lineage.

The book, Created Equal, talks about how difficult it had to have been to have had their inventions and discoveries stolen from African Americans. But, what this book also shows is that inspite of all that was done to keep Black people down, their genius overrode it all and they surfaced the winner over and over again.

What the book should have stated was that Blacks in America, since he beginning of time, has fought in every war that the US has participated in and has been the winning force in most of them. Blacks fought in the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the war against the American Indians, the Boston Massacre, World wars I and II, the Korean war, the Vietnam war the Desert Storm war and now the war in Afghanstan. Even as this ink dries, Blacks are still striving to improve their lot by still participating in fights for freedom in hope that they will earn entitlement. The Black race is plagued with America's intent to keep them as second class citizens but America will have to accept the fact that nothing will keep them down as they are truly CREATED SUPERIOR and this book Created Equal is just an example of how Blacks will show their SUPERIORITY.

Layton is a poet who is at once both the Poet and the Celebrity, and it is no wonder after reading the poems in this book. He has always been a favorite of mine - he contiues to typify the best of modern poetry...

The romantic poetry of master poet Layton coupled (and I used that word carefully!) with the unusual erotic etchings of master artist Richard Gorman. A happy alliance of Canadian art and literature.

I just finished Dance with the Dragon and see why Watkins has been getting such excellent reviews. It read very smoothly and kept me turning the pages. There was plenty of action and paranormal strangeness. Don't miss this debut novel by a wonderful writer.

Hold onto your seats! This modern-day vampire tale is one scary ride. It's a fun read, deftly plotted, and not for the squeamish.

Lynn Holley is a nurse starting her new job at Harper Hills Hospital in California. She hopes this job is just what she's been looking for and that she can finally put her past in Boston behind her. Her first day in the hospital is not what she was expecting. She gets into an argument with one of the doctors she'll soon be working with and gets put in the maternity ward, the last place she wants to be. Lynn doesn't realize right away but her job puts everyone on the offensive since they believe that she's spying on them for the administrator that hired her.

Lynn soon finds herself involved in the lives of her patients and her co-workers without the intention to do so. Lynn doesn't want to get involved with any man, especially a doctor, but the sexy Dr. Nick Dow is proving hard to resist. Can Lynn and Nick form some sort of a relationship when neither one of them want to commit? Can they get to the bottom of the trouble that seems to be following Lynn?

Jane Toombs has penned an exciting story packed full of mystery, danger, and passion. Lynn is a strong, intelligent woman who helps everyone she meets, even if she doesn't like them. Dr. Nick Dow has the reputation of being the Harper Hills heartbreaker but also a caring and honest doctor. This book has a lot of sub-plots and too many characters to mention, but everyone immerses you deeper into the story making a vital contribution. I loved the interaction between Lynn and Nick. There was a spark between these two characters from the beginning that seemed to grow more and more as the story progressed. This story is well deserving of 5 Angels.

By Tammy
Fallen Angel Reviews

Knowing she needed to start over, Lynn Holley leaves Boston to accept a nursing position at Harper Hills Hospital in Southern California. Her friend, Conrad Wirth, a hospital administrator, arranged the job for her. However, due to a car accident to one of the staff, Lynn is assigned to maternity as an emergency replacement though she has not worked that specialty in several years.

Three weeks pass, but though she works hard, Lynn finds the maternity ward staff remains cold towards her. Even Conrad, who brought her across the continent, has not made contact since her arrival in the El Doblez area. She still shivers from her first confrontation with Dr. Nick Dow and tries to avoid him even as she finds herself attracted to the hospital heartthrob. However, while her adjustment has been abysmal, even worse is that her past has come home to roost as she begins receiving phone calls from apparently her dead husband.

This is an exciting medical thriller that will grip the audience rather quickly because fans will believe the hospital, the staff, and the patients are real, which in turn adds depth to the pressure Lynn faces. Readers will wonder if the heroine is losing her mind yet admire her courage as she deals with the crisis. Nick is also a caring character sort, reminiscent of Ben Casey. Medicine, mystery, and mysticism mix quite nicely in Jane Toombs strong romantic suspense thriller.

Harriet Klausner

First things first: I am not in the habit of reading "Christian pamphlets." But I picked up this book based on its well-balanced and irresistible design. What I found inside, after only a quick peek, was the wisdom of an existential philosopher schooled equally on Jean Paul Sartre and the Detroit gospel temple. Swain's tough and ultra-real journey through life in a postmodern world--from the pimped-out Cadillac to the tennis club--speaks not only to readers of "Christian pamphlets," but also to readers of serious philosophy and cultural studies. From page one I was taken with the "powerful Swain self-confidence," and I went along for the ride as he professed a new dogma of "agape": "a secret agent against hate, fear and isolation."

Swain will remind you of the terrible reality that you are indeed free to do as you please. This is the terror of freedom, which can only be relieved (or repressed) once you adhere to this or that belief system. But if you keep your wits about you, you will get the gist of Swain, and choose to live in the terror of freedom, finding relief from your own benevolent actions.

Long live Swain.

I really liked the preface by the author. "Forget Lincoln Swain. Think about Jesus." In this small book, he tried to cover various aspects of Christial life, and the attempt was successful. The author's view on many issues are strikingly balanced and very logical. In this age, such a logically balanced view is quite imiportant and - I feel - quite rare to find in Christian community.
Well, being logical itself is not against Jesus.

He has done all of those efforts to be a true witness of the LORD. To be a 'True' witness, we have to know many things, at least. What are they? Read this book.