Reds Books

This translation is very readable. The notes are always very interesting and help the text come alive. Red Pine has really provided a lot of value through them - without them, some of the poems could be very obscure. It is rare to find a translation of the complete works of a Chinese poet: most books only present a selection. If one takes the time to read the complete oevre, however, the author comes alive in a different way - you begin to recognize certain recurring moods and themes; in the end, you feel you have learnt something about the things that concerned him, and come closer as a result.
The only criticism is that Red Pine uses a personal transliteration that is neither pinyin nor Wade-Giles; as a result, it is often hard to be sure of the identity of people and places he mentions.

As other reviewers have already stated, this is a very nice volume of poetry, very nicely put together with the original chinese on one page and the translation on the opposite page. This is the third volume of Han Shan that I have, and it is by far the best in terms of completeness and the essence of the translations. Get a copy or three before the print run is over!

This beautiful edition of the legendary poetry by the "Zen" poet Han Shan is a priceless contribution to know and experience his fascinating and miraculous, almost stoic and sometimes mystical utterances. Carefully edited, wonderful translations. I am happy to have purchased this book as a gift for a good friend

Cold Moutain chuckles still
as he reads through my eyes
those poems that he carved in stone.

Appropriate now
as they were back then,
his laughter knows no bounds.

No center, no boundaries,
all opposites dissolve.
Suchness beyond "as one".

Moon over sea,
Wave against rock.
All returns instantly!

Somehow Cold Mountain, limping along from his mountain, creates seemingly simple and clear songs ("called by others crippled / he stands along steadfast") . Wonderful footnoted by "Red Pine" explain deeper references to Taoist or Buddhist texts and humorous digs at Chinese officials. Cold Mountain avoids the dogma or sophistry of any organization or religion, and avoids the chains of strict poetic for:m
"I've made elixirs and tried to become immortal
I've read the classics and written odes
and now I've retired to Cold Mountain
to lie in a stream and wash out my ears".

He has no problem mixing Buddhist and Taoist metaphors if it will make his point. This book provides a nice refuge and finding of a relation to nature:
"Spring water is pure in an emerald stream
moonlight is white on Cold Mountain"

Cold Mountain also finds peace inside:
"we all posses a miraculous creature
with neither form nor name
call and it answers clearly"

To top off the book are 4 poems by Big stick and 49 by "Pickup" friends of Cold Mountain. A great book!

Of all the tranlations of the Tao, Red Pine's is by far the best. I've read a lot of other Tao translations and none offer the clear interpretation that Red Pine offers. This is a must have book by the most qualified voice on the subject and at a price that cannot be beat.

I have a friend who's library includes some 20+ translations of this work and I have to date, read 4 of my own. Red Pine's TTC with Commentaries is much easier to follow and understand than other translations and the commentaries offer even more ways to consider each verse. To read what other Chinese scholars took from reading Lao Tsu's work will also make obvious that many have had very different understanding of this work, and that maybe, they are all useful.

This translation does, in my mind, further disproves those who so misunderstood Lao Tsu to call him a libertarian and an anarchist and does more to convince me that he, maybe above all the great teachers, was a true spiritualist, truly understanding what he chose not to define, not to personify, or to name...other than to simply call it The Way.

I have only two thirds of the book complete, but have to join those who claim it their favorite TTC so far.

I liked this book. the commentaries are interesting and provide insight into the Tao. I would have liked more commentaries on how to apply them to daily life, but overall it's a good book. I would recommend it.

In Asia, sacred texts like the Tao Te Ching are read with reference to the commentaries of its key historical luminaries. Only in the west is it read by itself, with no guidance. Finally, we have a TTC with key commentaries. Plus, the author has here given a translation that may come as close as possible to expressing the Chinese in English. It is concise, even pithy.
A number of other features make this volume unique and particularly valuable. Pine's extensive introduction covers an intriguing linguistic insight into the Chinese written character for Tao, Lao Tzu's historical background, the usual issues of authorship, etc., and some of the deeper understandings of the important themes of philosophical Taoism. Also, he has provided black and white photos of the famed Hanku Pass and the Loukuantai where tradition holds that Lao-tzu wrote the Tao Te Ching. The Chinese text is provided along side Pine's clear and unadorned translation. He utilizes the earlier but more recently discovered Mawangtui texts, and explains his preferences in choosing among textual variants. But most important for me, and for any student of the Tao Te Ching are his carefully selected commentaries which follow each verse. These show how the Chinese have traditionally understood the passages of the TTC in selected commentaries from the last 2000 years. Also, the book provides an extensive glossary of the Chinese terms and the commentators. Highly recommended!

The only language in which the Taoteching could have been written is Classical Chinese, a medium seemingly open enough to accomodate any translation without losing anything at all. But we should keep in mind, as the good book here says, ". . . the Tao in words is not the real Tao . . ." We could say that Classical Chinese could not really, in our day and age, be served up in literal translation, and we can be grateful to Red Pine, once again, that in this fabulous rendering, he does not begin with the words, but rather with the Tao.

Paul Reps once told me that we humans "are on the outside looking in". Like the space between the kanji strokes, as with the Chinese, thus with the Tao, and even the Truth. (Chapter 11: "Thirty spokes converge on a hub, but it's the emptiness that makes a wheel work . . ."
This translation does work. As in his other impressive translations (I especially love his moving early 1990's translation of Bodhidharma - recommended to all who wish to learn more of Ch'an or Zen) there breathes an immediacy which flows forth into the consciousness of our moment, resonant in these teachings. Relatively obscure in the West not half a century ago, they thus have been recognized for their pith, their eternal relevance, their vision.

Each Chapter in this well-bound, well-designed volume is accompanied by a series of commentaries or alternative translations from various sages in the Taoist tradition, a process which itself, once again, reveals the Tao, ever changing, always unchanged.

Chapter 19: "Get rid of wisdom and reason
and people will live a hundred times better
get rid of kindness and justice
and people once more will love and obey
get rid of cleverness and profit
and thieves will cease to exist
but these sayings are not enough
hence let this be added
wear the undyed and hold the uncarved
reduce self-interest and limit desires
get rid of learning and problems will vanish"

I've been reading this book since the early 1960's in various English renditions - this one is far and away my current favorite - a real delight!

The Red Balloon is a wonderful story with an adorable little boy as the star character. I bought both the book and the DVD to give as a present to younger children (4 yrs old). I think they will enjoy if only for the visuals. The film is produced in French language but there is so little dialogue that not understanding the script doesn't affect the enjoyment of watching the film. Overall, it is a fun story with a good feel to it. There were only a couple of situations in the story that I thought might be a little sensitive or a bit scary to younger kids .. one being a group of boys chasing the little boy trying to take the balloon away from him. The other a very quick scene where a school headmaster is upset with the chaos going on and he puts the little boy in a room and locks the door. These are minor to the overall upbeat feel of the story but parents may want to review first to consider their own fast forward editing or explanations. In my case, the quality of the DVD was not great. It's an old film so perhaps the age is showing a bit in the reproductions.

Great story....grew up watching the short film and checking this same book out from our local library. Now that I'm a mom, I have introduced this video and book to my kids, and they're infatuated with everything about it. Great, well-made books with lively photos and storyline that holds little ones' attentions.

this book was written some decades ago but the excellence of the writing and the very skilful, thoughtful & sensitive photography which integrates very successfully with the story, are such that I believe this book will be deservedly popular with very many generations of children in the future. I believe that it is a masterpiece of children's literature and I strongly recommend it as a gift to be given by any parent - or grandparent.

I must have checked this book out a hundred times when I was in Elementary school as it was such a favorite. What a joy it was to find it still in print and telling it's charming story to future generations. This is a classic, and a book that I would recommend to all children and adults that want to hold a piece of their treasured childhood memories. This story was told in film on the International Children's Film Festival, hosted by Kookla, Fran and Olie, and further helps to bring this story to life.
Treat yourself and your children to the story of a boy and his friend, the red balloon.

The photographs, the text and presentation are remarkable. A piece that makes a good complement of the movie.

If you are interested in promoting on line...there are some great tools and ideas explained in this book. Definitely recommend it.

My agent recommended this book to me. I'm finding the information contained inside to be very useful and I'm anxious to see it work for me!

This book is so full of information of which I had no idea that I flagged almost every page. The only problem with the book is that I now have to follow up on all the wonderful ideas and recommendations.

Penny Sansevieri does a very good job of making the information understandable to people who are not nearly as internet savvy as she. She also provides lists of sites in various categories as well as very specific instructions on how to maximize her recommendations.

After reading this book I immediately offered to buy another copy for my older daughter to help with her web businesses. I can't loan my copy because I'm using it to go page by page to market my novel MRS. LIEUTENANT on the internet.
-- Phyllis Zimbler Miller, author of MRS. LIEUTENANT and co-author of SEASONS FOR CELEBRATION

Confused? Here's an intelligent book on the application of Web 2.0 doo-dads that anyone can grasp. A public relations and promotional expert and author, Penny Sansevieri is well-qualified to dispense advice--and dispense it she does: from turning your site into a marketing "Billboard," to jumping beyond Search Engine technology into RSS feeds, blogging, podcasting,and Social Networking as a means of drawing a targeted niche audience to your site...then converting those visitors into customers of your product.

The writing is clear and structured,the often arcane world of Web 2.0 terminology thoroughly explained. Helpful chapter headings are contained in a nicely worked-out Contents section, with a full Index at the end of the book. 200 pages that will jumpstart your thinking about how a productive, up-to-date website should look and function.

This is a concise, information-packed guide through the maze of the on-line world as it relates to book promotion. I found the author's ideas and tips extremely helpful and current. Recommended for any new author!

I have read many books about the cultural revolution but this one stands out amongst them all. The story he tell is a complete one. Finally, we get to hear positive things about communism as well as the negative. I enjoyed reading Zhu's account about what a good communist his father was during his life. I hear the pride in his words. Zhu's father must be thought of as a hero back in China. Usually, you hear about government officials using their position to benefit themselves, but his father believed in the system. Even though I don't beleive in it myself, it's refreshing to hear from those who do. Zhu has a gift with words that I hope he will continue to share with us.

I have read many books about the cultural revolution but this one stands out amongst them all. The story he tell is a complete one. Finally, we get to hear positive things about communism as well as the negative. I enjoyed reading Zhu's account about what a good communist his father was during his life. I hear the pride in his words. Zhu's father must be thought of as a hero back in China. Usually you hear about government officials using their position to benefit themselves. Zhu's father believed in the system. Even though I don't beleive in it myself, it's refreshing to hear from those who do. Zhu has a gift with words that I hope he will continue to share with us.

Having lived and worked as an American teacher in China now for two years, I've been able to read a number of biographies and memoirs of China's modern history. But unlike so many westerners who read such literature, I don't have the luxury of finishing a book and passing it off as some faraway account of a society and system that I'll never personally have to deal with. On the contrary, I see and share daily in the environment that China is - the aftereffects of her history of poverty and oppression, the often-autocratic decisions of the government, the worldview that communism and recent extreme nationalism have shaped, and the now-booming economy and the poor it has left behind - and I have no choice: I must live and interact as a good citizen with a positive attitude in the surroundings in which I find myself, for better or worse.

Jan Wong's `Red China Blues' was the first memoir I picked up and read after I arrived. Though her work is a masterpiece of brutally honest journalism and is invaluable in tracking China's progress and change from Mao to now, Wong herself is Canadian, not Chinese; she can ultimately take China or leave it.

But enter Zhu Xiao Di. Born in 1958 into the home of one of Nanjing's most principled and loyal communist public officials, Zhu learned from his father's undying commitment to personal and public integrity and came of age during the nightmare of Chairman Mao's 1966-76 Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution. '30 Years in a Red House' is his memoir of his own youth and growth during this tumultuous time, but even more so a memoir of his father's bitter suffering under the frenzied policies of Beijing's leadership. It is a story not of a starry-eyed outsider attempting to join in China's revolution, but of a Chinese person himself trying to remain loyal to the highest ideals and find sensibility and good even in the greatest of miseries.

Wong shows you China through the eyes of a foreigner who can ultimately walk away from China and its problems if she must; Zhu Xiao Di shows you China through the eyes of someone who will die to save it. '30 Years' is, frankly, much healthier reading for foreigners such as myself who must maintain a positive attitude toward our Chinese environment.

Zhu's picture of every facet of his family's daily life in Nanjing is full of insights into the culture of communism and reasons why the society was structured the way it was. It's full of personal stories of friends and relatives who struggled bitterly through the Cultural Revolution and the economic emergence that followed it. And it's full of perspective on the shifts of government and the way in which policies from Beijing affected every person's life during that time. We learn of his grandparents and their youth and adulthood during three great eras of 20th-Century China; of his father's ten years as an influential and heroic underground communist, leading to a career as an uncompromising and loyal public servant, followed by a severe denunciation and internment as a public enemy, and ending in release and return to public work; and of Zhu Xiao Di's own education as a circumspect youth, his entrance into college and experiences as one among the great Cohort '77, his work as a teacher, and his eventual pursuit of overseas study as a means to ultimately return to China and be a contributor to her economic and social growth. His knowledge of historical and political events, his grasp of western literature, and his ability to aid the westerner (the American, particularly) in understanding and appreciating Chinese and communist values and thought, are marvelous and indispensable.

For those westerners particularly interested in life and work in China, I recommend '30 Years in a Red House' without hesitation. Could I do it over again, this would be the first book I would read upon arriving here. Other memoirs may tell more riveting stories of fear or horror, other biographies and texts may give greater details of the intricacies of history and politics and great figures, but few - perhaps none - will instill you with as much love and appreciation for China itself and burden to see her society become and just and prosperous one.

I have read many books about the cultural revolution but this one stands out amongst them all. The story he tell is a complete one. Finally, we get to hear positive things about communism as well as the negative. I enjoyed reading Zhu's account about what a good communist his father was during his life. I hear the pride in his words. Zhu's father must be thought of as a hero back in China. Usually, you hear about government officials using their position to benefit themselves, but his father believed in the system. Even though I don't beleive in it myself, it's refreshing to hear from those who do. Zhu has a gift with words that I hope he will continue to share with us.

I grew up in China. My family had similar experiences and background as the author. I could identify myself with the characters in the book. My personal experience was very painful before and during the "Cultural Revolution". For a long time, I couldn't look back without crying hard. Thank you for telling your story.
Whenever I read a book about China, either by native Chinese or foreigners, I found certain sterotype about China, Chinese families and Chinese people. A Chinese given name consists of 1 or 2 characters. Since Chinese characters are very rich in meanings they could represent, a name could tell a lot. My name, as well as my siblings' and all my cousins were carefully chosen by my grandfather. My given name, only two characters, tells where I was born. It also represents fountain flowing at great speed, which my grandpa thought was a symbol of life. It may be true that China is a male dominated society. However there are a lot of people who don't follow the trend. I was the third girl in the family. My parents were just as happy if not happier about my birth as compared if I were a boy. As a matter of fact, in the environment I grew up, there was no difference what so ever about boys or girls whom the parents preferred. Many families actually preferred girls to boys as Chinese people all believe when children grow up, girls are more considerate to their parents (this is another sterotype, but many believe it). I guess, after all, it is the parents, not the society decide if boys are preferred to girls. Families are different in China, just like they are different in the States.
BTW, My late father was a surgeon. My beloved mother had been a teacher before she decided to quit her job to be a full time mom.

This is a neat book about animals and how they move. The book is amusing and imaginative, and informative on a level that the 2-4 year old crowd can handle. The book is not at all scary, and quite popular with animal lovers. It has about 60 words.

I originally bought this for a friend's child. When I had my son this year I had to buy it for him. My husband and I love this book and will walk around the house saying, "Who Hops?..... no they don't!!" This is such a cute book with fun illustrations and a nice rhythm to the story.

I got this book for my 2 year old daughter and she LOVES it! She really enjoys "reading" it herself. The illustrations are simple and very bright and colorful. The repetitive nature of it, makes it easier for her to "read" and remember. GREAT JOB - Katie Davis !

This is a MUST HAVE book for any toddler.

The colors are bright and the illustrations are funny. This alone keeps my son's attention. The repitions make it easy for my son to remember and help me "read" the book.

Sometimes we play this as a game at the park. My son will start 'hopping' like a bunny and I'll tell him to hop like a kangaroo, horse and fish. He'll stop and say "nooooo, fish hop". I think it's fun and so does he.

I loved using "Who Hops" in my first grade classroom where the children delighted at the silly pictures and the simple text was perfect for their emerging reading skills. Now that I am a mother of a one year old I have fallen in love with this book all over again. My little guy thrills at the bold bright illustrations and the text is fast paced enough to hold his attention through several readings. This book is an all time favorite of mine and a must for any little person's library!

Try the newest publication at ISBN 1564148599 either through Amazon.com or Amazon.ca -- www.tarotreader.ca

This is the best book I have ever seen on this TYPE of subject. Studying astrology, numerology, cards, fung shui, etc., most books leave you with the feeling that after about 47 more books of the same type, you might start getting to the meat of the subject. Not these. This two-volume set tells you everything, from the ground up. There is no colorful formatting that the info. has to fit into, no little gimmicks to make it interesting. Goodwin is a graduate of MIT, and this book looks more like a textbook -- one fitting the serious student of numerology. But the book is still readable; this book is VERY thorough, but NOT AT ALL complicated. No other texts will be necessary for a lifetime understanding of how to use numerology.

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This book is one of a two volume set. I highly recommend that one buys both. However, if you can only buy one the volume 1 is a must but save up for this volume since it completes the subject.


Numerology : The Complete Guide (Volume 2) by Matthew O. Goodwin

I had used this book and its accompanying Volume 1 since the 1980's. For you trying to decide whether to purchase this, my nearly 20 years of experience with this volume is not as effective as my pointing to solid facts:
My grandmother is in her 90's so she has had a lot of life lived to this point. I could take her chart, from following the directions in this book, and match it chronologically to major milestones in her life.
One such example is that her year 1961 change from 6's and 2's to straight 1's. For the novice, 6's are love and balance traits, 2's are teamwork traits, 1's are independence traits. So what happened in 1961 you might ask... Her loving companion and husband, my grandfather died shy of turning 52. She has been single ever since.
I could named hundreds of examples from calculating life readings from this book, but this is simple example to which all can relate.
I highly recommend this book and, if you can get it, Volume 1 is must have! Matthew Goodwin truly has made some very valuable tools with his two volume on Numerology.


Numerology : The Complete Guide (Volume 1) by Matthew O. Goodwin

I cannot emphasize how strongly I feel that this book can help you in life.
I am an IT professional by trade and I am an Intuitive Counselor in my spare time. I use the knowledge gleened from this book daily.
You're still not impressed? I have been using this book's information since the 1980's when I first discovered this. I did life calculations on all of my close family and friends. I was amazed. This was better than any astology chart ever made for them. ACCURATE and USEFUL!
As a parent, I have saved myself some anguish by guiding my children into their strengths rather than fighting them into a weakness. An example is I have a child with strong 7's and no 3's. (7's are analytical and 3's are creative) She excells at geology and gardening and all things nature bound but cried after a couple of months in music lessons. She was better in music after having her relate the notes to mathmatical function so that she could "figure" them out.
You can tell if your boss is a team player by the location of his "2" traits. (2's being teamwork tendencies)
I could go on and on but you are probably reading this to determine if you should purchase or even just read this volume. THIS IS A MUST FOR ALL LIFE'S PATHS.
This volume cover the general gifts you have received based on the name you were given and then use and your birthdate. It can show you how you change when you have a name change (i.e., a woman marries and takes her husband's name or John calls himself Skip in certain situations).
If you would like to plot your life out similar to an astrological life reading, you will need volume 2 by Matthew Goodwin.

The best book on numerology by far.You will need volume 1 and 2 to put it together. This should not be your first book as it is so good and technical that you should have some knowledge prior to commencement.Just great.

-
-
This book is one of a two volume set. I highly recommend that one buys both. However, if you can only buy one the volume 1 is a must.

Numerology : The Complete Guide (Volume 1) by Matthew O. Goodwin

I cannot emphasize how strongly I feel that this book can help you in life.
I am an IT professional by trade and I am an Intuitive Counselor in my spare time. I use the knowledge gleened from this book daily.
You're still not impressed? I have been using this book's information since the 1980's when I first discovered this. I did life calculations on all of my close family and friends. I was amazed. This was better than any astology chart ever made for them. ACCURATE and USEFUL!
As a parent, I have saved myself some anguish by guiding my children into their strengths rather than fighting them into a weakness. An example is I have a child with strong 7's and no 3's. (7's are analytical and 3's are creative) She excells at geology and gardening and all things nature bound but cried after a couple of months in music lessons. She was better in music after having her relate the notes to mathmatical function so that she could "figure" them out.
You can tell if your boss is a team player by the location of his "2" traits. (2's being teamwork tendencies)
I could go on and on but you are probably reading this to determine if you should purchase or even just read this volume. THIS IS A MUST FOR ALL LIFE'S PATHS.
This volume cover the general gifts you have received based on the name you were given and then use and your birthdate. It can show you how you change when you have a name change (i.e., a woman marries and takes her husband's name or John calls himself Skip in certain situations).
If you would like to plot your life out similar to an astrological life reading, you will need volume 2 by Matthew Goodwin.

Numerology : The Complete Guide (Volume 2) by Matthew O. Goodwin

I had used this book and its accompanying Volume 1 since the 1980's. For you trying to decide whether to purchase this, my nearly 20 years of experience with this volume is not as effective as my pointing to solid facts:
My grandmother is in her 90's so she has had a lot of life lived to this point. I could take her chart, from following the directions in this book, and match it chronologically to major milestones in her life.
One such example is that her year 1961 change from 6's and 2's to straight 1's. For the novice, 6's are love and balance traits, 2's are teamwork traits, 1's are independence traits. So what happened in 1961 you might ask... Her loving companion and husband, my grandfather died shy of turning 52. She has been single ever since.
I could named hundreds of examples from calculating life readings from this book, but this is simple example to which all can relate.
I highly recommend this book and, if you can get it, Volume 1 is must have! Matthew Goodwin truly has made some very valuable tools with his two volume on Numerology.

I LOVE "Goodnight Kisses" by the same author. This left me disappointed with the cheap mirror at the end of the book. But, hey, it's a baby book and my baby seems to like it just fine.

We bought this in a discount bin when my daughter was about 4 months old. Now she is 14 months old, and although the book is getting a bit dog-eared and I've taped torn pages, she will pull all the other books off the shelf to get to it. It isn't even necessary for me to read it to her for her to want to flip through it. She loves it! I've just ordered 4 more of Barney Saltzberg's books on here, to give Peekaboo Kisses a much-needed break.

My 13 month old LOVES this book. I can't even say the word "peekaboo" unless I am planning to read her this book because she gets so excited just mentioning it.

My son is 10 months and we started reading him Peek-a-boo kisses (and other books) around 2 months. This was the first book he went and opened himself and brought to me to read. Now he grabs for it every day. He loves to flip through all the pages back and forth, over and over. He strokes all the animals in turn. The book is holding up well, no tears yet and he gets pretty rough. My only complaint is the mirror on the last page could be of better quality.

My granddaughter is 2 1/2 years old and she loves this book every time I read it to her. I would definitely recommend this book. My only suggestion would be to buy it sooner than I did. Little ones love playing peek-a-boo.

Nice, solid mystery for kids, with lots of action, and a couple of great nod-nod-wink-wink bits that readers will love!

I read this book after Mr. Hale spoke at our library last year. Even if you don't like soccer, you'll still love Red Card. It has action and adventure, and it's a really good mystery. I didn't figure it out until the end...

My wife and I always check out the books we give our boys (ages 8 and 10). We grew up on the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew, and we loved the pleasure those books brought us. Until recently, we'd been unable to find anything new on the market in the way of great mystery/adventure fiction. You know what I mean - pure, unadulterated, fast-paced fun. There are a lot of books out there about kids with "issues", which is fine - they're certainly needed. But if alot of the kids today are anything like my wife and I were when we were young, then there's a need for a modern Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew.

We'd all but given up on finding anything like that, until I noticed a teaser on an uncle/nephew mystery writing team in last week's Apple eNews email from Apple Computer. I checked out the full story on Daniel J. Hale and Matthew LaBrot on Apple.com's Pro site. I was intrigued. I ordered both books in the Zeke Armstrong series. I read both Red Card and Green Streak in a single day (when I should have been making sales calls). They blew me away. They took me back to my youth. I gave the books to my wife. She stayed up until 3 AM reading them. They blew her away. They took her back to her youth. We gave them to our boys. They devoured them. For the past two days, all they've been able to talk about is Zeke and Pow Wow, Zeke and Pow Wow, Zeke and Pow Wow. My wife and I have never seen them so excited about books.

At last! In Zeke Armstrong, we have a worthy successor to the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew. Thanks to Apple Computer for bringing him to our attention.

Okay, I got into the Zeke Armstrong Mystery series backward. I read Green Streak first. I loved it. My ten year old son loved it. I ordered Red Card and received it yesterday morning. Like with Green Streak, once I started reading, I couldn't put it down. I had it finished by the time my son came home from school. He picked it up and kept reading until HE finished it. We both understand why this book won the Agatha Award, and we expect Green Streak to win even more awards. Daniel J. Hale and Matthew LaBrot have definitely got something going with the Zeke Armstrong Mystery series.

Mr. Hale came to our school to tell us about this book. I reccomend it to anybody who likes mysteries. I don't really like soccer, but I still give this book two thumbs up

Toni Blake's The Red Diaries is wonderfully written with very strong, soul-deep characterization and emotional depth. All of her characters ring true to life and leap off the pages. This book is a powerful read that squeezes your heart, so keep some tissues at hand.

I'd love to see a book for Elaine with Davy included and a book for Carolyn, too. (That's an obvious hint!)

Toni Blake has definitely found her niche!! Buy this book--you'll be reading ALL night!!

As someone who has read and enjoyed each book this Author has written, I must say that Toni Blake's transition from Catagory Romance to Single Title brings the talent that she has shown in previous writing to it's fullest potential. "The Red Diary" is wonderfully written, and combines all the best aspects of a truly good book. Nick has a stormy past and holds Lauren's Father responsible for it all. What starts off as a means of revenge turns into something that keeps you turning pages until the end. The story that weaves around these characters is one that will touch you deeply, and will definately earn a spot on the keeper shelf!

From the beautiful red rose cover to the end of the story, Toni Blake's THE RED DIARY is sexy, sweet and hot! A contemporary romance combines with a good old fashioned love story between two unlikely people. Even the secondary characters have a story you'll want to know more about--BIG HINT, WARNER! Overall, a very satisfying read and a story that will stay with you. Did I mention the sex? It's amazing. Thank you, Toni Blake!

This book by Toni Blake is NOT your typical erotic romance. It has warm endearing characters and a really touching story.

Nick is a housepainter with a wounded heart. Lauren writes her sexual fantasies in a Red Diary which Nick finds while painting her house. He is enticed by what she has written. He knows he shouldn't keep invading her privacy but continues to read the diary. They have some history and at first Nick wants to get even for a past wrong.

Lauren's love teaches Nick that love can heal even the worst of wounds. I definitely recommend this book!!!!

Nick Armstrong hates anything to do with the Ash family. After his mother died, his father took to the bottle and was ousted from a partnership with now multi-millionaire builder, Henry Ash. When Nick is hired to paint the house of Henry's daughter Lauren (whom he has not seen since they were children), he's instantly attracted to her, but can't fathom a relationship with the daughter of his enemy. When Lauren is out, he snoops in her house to get a glimpse of what "should have been his," only to find her diary. When he opens it, he discovers her erotic fantasies, and sets a plan in motion to seduce her with her own fantasies and break her heart. He doesn't factor in that his own heart might become involved. Lauren is not what Nick expects, and he soon finds himself falling for the one woman he doesn't feel he can have. When she discovers his deception, will she ever be able to forgive him?

While the plot itself is a bit predictable, the story is very engaging, and keeps the reader hooked. Nick has so many layers - he's both a tough guy and has a huge soft spot for the disabled brother he supports, while trying to find it in his heart to forgive his father for allowing their lives to be ruined. And Blake can really up to steam quotient - this is one hot book!