Quills Books

In this 1844 essay, American author Edgar Allen Poe (1809-49) uses a story to explain the then current thinking among certain thinkers, particularly Spiritualists. In the story, the narrator recounts having mesmerized (hypnotized) a dying man, asking him questions about the ultimate nature of reality. The dying man explains about ether, spirit, mind and matter, and God.

Overall, I found this to be an interesting read. In his fascinating book, A Briefer History of Time, Stephen Hawking explains the concept of ether, why it was embraced by some scientist and why it was ultimately rejected. At the time of this book, though, Spiritualism and the ether were on the cutting edge of thinking. So, if you are interested in 19th century Spiritualism, then this is a good book to read.

Have you ever made a mistake that you wished you could take back? Allison Tholl has. She drove away from the man that loved her. She put more into her job at the University than into her relationship with Paul Walker. It's been a year since they parted and she would give anything to go back in time and make things right. She wouldn't be so selfish or so blind to everything but getting tenure. She wouldn't have rejected his proposal or had the horrible argument that followed. As she walks along the beach where they held hands for the last time, Allison is oblivious to the storm that is moving in. Her thoughts are filled with if only's and a wish for a second chance. Her inattention is costly as she is struck by lightening.

The next thing Allison hears is Paul's voice asking her if she is okay. Is this real or is she hallucinating? Somehow, the storm has thrown her back in time to the very night that she and Paul broke up. Allison has her second chance. Will Allison make the correct choices this time? Will this alternate reality last or will she wake up alone and heartbroken once again?

Electrical Storm by Isabella Jordan is a story of second chances. Allison has an opportunity that most people only dream about. The chance to change that one big mistake you made, that you would give anything to do over, if only you could. Allison knows what her future holds without Paul and she doesn't like what she sees. Paul loves Allison, but he isn't willing to be put last in her life. They have a passionate relationship, but he wants more. He isn't afraid to put it all on the line for love.

I liked the fact that Allison knows she made the wrong choice and does not put the blame on anyone other than herself. She takes responsibility for it. She grows from her mistake and it makes her stronger. Strong enough to let go of the things she considered obstacles to her relationship. Allison learns what is important: that love is something no one can live without. Electrical Storm is a well-written, enlightening story with twists and turns in the plot that I enjoyed. I recommend it for anyone who's ever wanted a second chance.

Waiting For You

Colleen O'Leary's day has gone from bad to worse. It's not bad enough that she's late for her new boss' party, but when she stops to ask for directions, she stumbles across an assault. While she helps the other woman get away, the would-be attacker turns his attention to Colleen. The mysterious man is much more dangerous than she thinks. He is no ordinary man; he is a vampire, and Colleen is the reincarnation of his lost love, Eileen, who was murdered 200 years ago.

Vampire, Sean Farrell, has been searching for Regan Sheehan, the vampire who killed his lover for almost 200 years. When he finally gets her in his grip, who should come to her rescue, but the one she destroyed centuries ago. Talk about ironic. Now that he's found Colleen again, he is determined to reawaken her memories, and make her fall in love with him again. Sean has waited for over 200 years for this chance. He's not about to lose her for a second time. He will use every trick he knows, including all of his seductive powers, to reach the memories locked inside of Colleen's mind. A course of events is put in motion that will either bring Colleen her soul mate or her death.

Waiting for You by Isabella Jordan is love story that shows true love never dies. Sean is a tall, dark, and dangerous character, who is also loaded with plenty of seductive punch. Colleen's character has to overcome fear of the unknown, and believe in not only that vampires do exist, but also in reincarnation. The seduction of Colleen's mind, heart and body is a major part of the story, and is well done. The sexual chemistry between Sean and Colleen is fierce and intensely erotic. Waiting for You drew me in from the first page and never let up! The story develops quickly and maintains the reader's interest with an interesting and twisting plot. I am partial to vampires and Sean is one seriously hot hunk! Waiting for You is definitely on my keeper list.


Delia
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

I read this book when my second and last child started kindergarten and I was wrestling between the idea of getting a job and fulfilling my life-long desire to write. Linda Weltner was a stay-at-home Mom like me, who wrote about her family and her life as a writer/homemaker. She made her life sound so attractive! She inspired me to write personal essays about my own family. In my book, DREAM WEAVING: USING DREAM GUIDANCE TO CREATE LIFE'S TAPESTRY, I wrote: "...when snow-filled streets kept me inside, reading ...the personal essays of Linda Weltner ... I realized that, throughout the years in which I'd nurtured my children, my soul was being fed by the wellspring of motherhood. The ideas I had culled from reading, journaling, and contemplation had been taking life in the dim recesses of my being, like the wintering roots of one of my perennial plants."

These stories are pretty good. There's a lot of stupid and desperate people out there. The cops have their work cut out for them. But it's good to know they can laugh.

Sarah Lazin is still hurting from being dumped by ex-boyfriend William, who told her that he only went out with her out of pity. Needless to say, Sarah is not exactly open to another relationship so soon. However, as she helps her sister Rivka get her new art gallery organized, she is thrown into contact with Alex Caine, owner of a local restaurant, caterer, and money man for the gallery. Alex is just like William - classy, handsome, debonair - all those qualities that frighten Sarah and make her wary of entanglements. Even though they have nothing in common, can Sarah and Alex make their relationship work?

This story is novel-length (197 pages), but it captures the reader so quickly that it seems much shorter. I was very pleased with this book and enjoyed it - the plot was well written, and fast-paced, and didn't throw in any weird plot twists, or have an unrealistic ending. Neither the hero nor the heroine are free from flaws, and each of them takes responsibility for some of the misunderstandings that occur. Sarah is a woman that I can empathize with, since she is full-figured and not classically beautiful, and finds herself in a position that I've been in myself. Alex, on the other hand, is the guy I've always dreamed of throwing himself at my feet - Yum! His surprise at having the relationship tables turned on him is priceless. The secondary characters, Rivka and her husband Mickey, and the individual employees of Alex's restaurant, are realistically drawn, and emerge from the generic background with well-defined roles and motivations. There are several sexy love scenes between the hero and heroine that are fairly explicit, but more sensuous than graphic. -- Jean, Fallen Angel Reviews (courtesy of Fallen Angel Reviews)

Ken Blanchard has taken his practical business management style and applied it to the emotional side of golf. His experience at the Golf University has given him insight as to how folks perform and how much the mental factor affects things.

Some of the best and most applicable advice I've ever had for golf. Recommended.

Robyn Sarah writes a series of stories relating female experiences of friendship, motherhood, and lost romance. She is a poet by trade, and approaches these subjects with a poet's sensitivity. The stories and beautifully written, sometimes very funny, usually touching, and many evoked gasps of recognition. The fear of a mother that her child will be accidentally knocked into a body of water by a crowd watching fireworks at night. Losing your keys in the snow on your way to the corner store at mignight to buy milk for the morning. A marriage dissolving as the couple ache to communicate with a friend they knew in happier times. It relates strong emotions to common, even nonsensical moments in life.

The quill is very nice and pretty. My daughter had been wanting a set since 3rd grade. We waited until 6th grade. Still too young, she spilled the ink within 30 minutes of opening it! Our fault for not monitoring. Advice: nice set if you are looking for one, ink is permanent so be warned!

"Quill of the Wild Goose" is a compilation of the privae thoughts of Private Joel Molyneux. An avid letter writer, Joel presents his thoughts about the Civil War, camp life, and his personal situation thereby providing posterity with a unique perspective on living through the conflict and maintaining high personal standards.

The book begins with his enlistment into the 141st Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers and ends with his return to private life and his beloved Elvira. In these pages we follow a green young man through the heavy fighting that befell the 141st and his thoughts and commentaries that were carried home to his intended and friends and relatives.

Editor, Kermit Molyenux Bird (Joel's grandson)has meticulously ordered and integrated the letters with the diary to present a complete view of the maturation of the young man. Bird has also supplied clarifying comments about some of the personal references and an attention holding introduction and set of afterthoughts. This edition is complete with Mr. Bird's addition of historical background and reference material in the form of indices.

Joel Molyneux left a great legacy. I'm proud to be his great-grandson.

The authors started with "why do so many kids give up music?" They concluded that it was usually because the kids started with the wrong instrument. For example, some people have a difficult time doing two or more things at once. So piano might not be the best choice. Somebody quiet and soft-spoken might not be best fitted for trumpet. Somebody small might not be the best fit for a tuba.
You might not agree with all their conclusions, but it does give a nice, systematic framework to ask questions and consider answers for yourself and kids.