Reds Books

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.

We were given this book when I had my first child. He LOVED it. He would kiss all the animals over and over, opening each flap to do so. Pretty soon he was doing this all on his own! It was adorable. Now my daughter LOVES it too. She also will sit on the floor and open each flap to give each animal a kiss. We have read this so much it is held together with a lot of tape. Highly recommend to anyone with small children or even as a great baby shower gift. How can you go wrong with a book about kisses!

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.

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!

I discovered and read Ms. Carter's lush tale of four intertwined lives some months ago and still remember my regret mixed with exhiliaration at turning the last page. Not wanting a book to end is probably among the higher compliments a reader can pay to fiction; to end a nonfictional story feeling thus, is rare indeed. Prior to RRG, Donna Tartt's fictional masterpiece "The Secret History" was my lonely, sole contender for this sort of accolade...
... It was precisely the lack of any undue focus on the women's probable physical intimacy, alongside a riveting collection of photographs that immediately caught my attention and held it. Throughout the whole of this story crept a quiet, matter-of-fact, stylistic elegance that kept this readers attention first and foremost on the place and the times, on three lives dedicated to art, on four women dedicated to each other. Brava!

Alice Carter has written an incredible story about three inspiring artists. It is ununsual to find a book with such a scholarly, intelligent perspective that is presented with a human warmth and emotional attachment to the individuals that are portrayed. The sensitive approach of the author is perhaps related to the fact that as a young child Professor Carter knew and admired these woman and they served as an inspiration in her life. Whatever the reason, she has crafted an outstanding, beautiful book that will stand as a classic story in the history of art, the struggles of women, and the nobility of the human spirit.

Some great reproductions here too, of some Pre-Raphaelite-style art from the Philadelphia area about 100 years ago. Violet spent over 25 years painting huge celebrations of the founding of Pennsylvania in the Harrirburg State Capitol. She may not ne Michaelangelo, but is not far behind his Sistine Chapel! This small coffee table book will never go out of style, and does a great job bringing back 3 great lady artists!

I bought this book with the idea of finding out more of the types of relationships women shared at the beginning of the twentieth century. I was astonished to find more than I bargained for. The Red Rose Girls provided more than insight into these relationships, it also provided a look inside the rise and fall of the progressive and arts and crafts movements. Pre Freud, the relationship of these woman was accepted and cherished as they lived together, and created their art. Post Freud, their relationships deteriorated as did their careers. All in all I found this book extremely entertaining, as well as heartening (a forty year relationship between two of the women) and the pictures are absolutely beautiful. If nothing else, as an art book it is extraordinary.

It was some months ago when I discovered and read Ms. Carter's lush tale of four intertwined lives. I still remember the regret and exhiliaration I felt on turning the final page.
Not wanting a story to end is perhaps among the higher compliments I would pay to a book, and usually one relegated to a rare work of fiction. In fact, prior to Red Rose Girls, Donna Tartt's masterpiece, The Secret History was my lonely sole contender for this sort of accolade. To add my name to the chorous of other reviews teetered on redundancy, lily-gilding or worse....gushing. But then, we New Englanders are a stiff lot, and loathe to such displays.
It was interesting then, to trip over a Feb. 8th review in which a reader, also from my birthplace, expressed some criticism of Carter's speculation on the probable physical nature of the characters relationship, finding it presumptuous and distracting. (my words)
It was precisely the lack of any undue focus on lesbianism, alongside a riveting collection of photographs, that caught my attention and held it for the duration. Throughout this fascinating account crept a quiet, matter-of-fact, stylistic elegance that kept my attention firmly on the place and the times, on three lives dedicated to art, on four lives dedicated to each other. Brava!

An excellent book that starts with the basics and progresses in a clear and easy to understand manner. It has good exercises to build your skills and covers the broad spectrum of tracking (humans, animals, stalking, tracker dogs, etc). I have bought several tracking books over the years and I think this is the best to get started with. "Tracking: A Blueprint for Learning How" by Jack Kearney is also excellent. Tom Brown's "Science and Art of Tracking" provides a different perspective to round out your tracking skills, but some people find his spiritual style a bit heavy-going. If you're into tracking humans, "Tracking-Signs of Man, Signs of Hope" by David Diaz is good, and "Tactical Tracking" by David Scott-Donelan is good if you're already fairly competent as a tracker. An excellent book for any tracker is "Tracking and The Art of Seeing" by Paul Rezendes. It will greatly hone your powers of observation and deduction. But, if you're just getting started and only want one book, I highly recommend The SAS Guide To Tracking (along with a readiness to practice lots!).

This book is great for someone interested in tracking, the author goes beyond just the basic skills and givs key examples of training and techniques to improve skill.

Well worth a Read!

This is a very interesting book to read and has lots of great illustrations.

Note that this book is not about the SAS, just great tracking skills and it is well worth reading.

Exciting book to read. The information offered in this book is very convincing, and it gives the reader an insight in what it takes to track humans or animals. I haven't practised everything I learnt from reading, but that's the other attractive aspect of this book: it is exciting and interesting just to read as a pastime and learn something more about human and animal behaviour.

This book is an extensive source of material for tracking humans, but also covers material on all facets of tracking and related skills (stalking, observation and navigation skills). This book has its flaws; some that would make animal tracking experts and Tom Brown "Brownies" cringe; for example mistakes and statements made by Carss about determining the sex of deer. Overall this is very minor mistakes to me. As far as the Human (mantracking) and military tracking portions, I think most of the information is right on, seeing as most was gleamed from military sources like the New Zealand and Australian Special Air Service. One of most interesting topics covered in this book not found in other works is the Track Pursuit Drill (known in U.S. circles as the Track Following Drill), which is a methodical procedure of following sign/spoor that falls somewhere between the step-by-step method and the aggressive speed-tracking. The TPD was adopted for heavily vegetated areas but is suited for all terrain. Also of note is to please be aware that this title was originally published (1st edition) as "The Complete Guide to Tracking" which is identical in everyway other then the cover and size, the 2nd edition being slightly larger and squarer in shape. This book is to be revised and updated for 2008, so keep your eyes open for it! As a professional military tracker I can not recommend this book more. Anyone who wishes to learn a broad base of information on tracking this is the book to start with no matter if you track humans or animals.

We'll Paint the Octopus Red is a book about a little girl named Emma, who is going to become a big sister soon. Through the first half of the book Emma and her dad talk about all of the things, she is going to be able to do with her new little brother. She wants to kick the ball, go on safari in Africa, and paint the octopus. Then when her little brother is born, her dad tells her that he has Down Syndrome. She then thinks of all the things she wanted to do, and tells her dad she guesses he will not be able to do those things after all. Then her dad and her go through each thing and decide that if they are patient and take time with her new brother, he will be able to do all of those things in life. Therefore, Emma decides that Downs will not be that big of a deal, and goes to see her little brother at the hospital, and tells him that she will teach him to paint the octopus red when he is older. The end of the book also has questions and answers for children about Down Syndrome.

A little girl eagerly anticipates the birth of her little sister and she pictures all the things they will do together. When her sister is born with Downs Syndrome, she must realize that they won't be able to do all of those things, but there are still fun things they can do together and be loving siblings.

This is a very positive book that is excellent for a child with a special need-learning to love your sibling no matter what and finding things to do with her has to be one of the hardest parts for any big sister, and this book lovingly shows how to do that. Excellent for read aloud and early readers, up through about 3rd grade.

Great book. Like an earlier review, it also made me cry the first time I read it. It really captures the feelings associated with having a Down Syndrome child. Definitely a must buy for anyone who has a Down Syndrome child, with or without siblings.

This book is wonderful for siblings and young children that are related to a child with down's sydrome. Very educational. I gave it as a gift to my nephews and neices to help them to understand how their cousin would be a little different than them but can do the same things in time.

I bought this book while pregnant because I'm sure that someday my daughter will have questions about her big brother who has Down syndrome. I'm hoping that this book will help both of them understand why when the day comes that she is able to do things that he hasn't learned yet. Being only 23 months apart, I felt the need to be prepared as soon as possible.

This is a beautiful book that very sweetly explains that delays don't mean that someone will never be able. I like the fact that this book doesn't dwell on the negatives of a Down syndrome diagnosis, but also includes the idea that Mom & Dad may be sad. I hope that my daughter someday cherishes the book and why I bought it for her.

Scott Olivieri does a great job of describing what it means for a lifelong fan to move to the inner circle of the Red Sox. While baseball fans will find plenty of stats and baseball analysis, the casual baseball fan will not feel bogged down in numbers and technical terms. The human story of a young college grad having a chance of a lifetime is compelling as well. Particularly amusing is the story where he can't cash a check from Roger Clemens. Can't wait for the next book!

I loved this book! I had a hard time putting the book down. The book was interesting, funny, well written, and a quick read. The club house and personal stories were hilarious. The thing I liked best was that Olivieri brings you through the process of what it's like to go from being a fan, to a stranger in the club house, to a part of the team. After reading it, I bought one for my Father in-law,(a fellow believer)for Christmas. You'll love this book too.

Olivieri has an exceptional talent for telling a story. Put that together with a storyline that brings the reader right inside the Red Sox clubhouse - and the result is a book that makes you thirst for more. The dialogues, descriptions, and insider's look make you feel as if you were in the clubhouse yourself. This book was a great read - I did it in one sitting. I certainly hope that Olivieri continues the story - I will be first in line to get the next book(s) - and perhaps that is the greatest review of all. You don't have to be a Sox fan to enjoy this book but, if you are, it will become one of your favorites.

Since my daughter has been living in Boston for the past 10 years, and I get to travel there to visit quite a bit, I have become a rabid Sox fan (but just in the American League; the Phillies are my team in the National!). I love their storied and star-crossed history, and this book gives me new insights into the baseball culture and system. It's told from the perspective of a fan who gets the "once in a lifetime" job to mingle with the players on his hometown team. There are tremendous locker room scenes, and the players appear to be more human than we really see them when they are just on the field. Even Roger Clemens appears likeable, which is almost amazing! A close read of the book reveals that the writer was not too thrilled with the front office Sox organization, but it's the old story that familiarity breeds contempt. This is a book all baseball fans, and those who enjoy a well written book, will love! Read it, you won't be sorry.

In 1991, Scott Olivieri, then aged twenty-one and a passionate Red Sox fan, lived the dream of every member of the Red Sox Nation, spending the entire season in the Red Sox clubhouse, hoping quietly to improve the team's hitting. Until that year, each batter had had to rely on a pitcher's stats and his own experience in trying to anticipate pitches. Videotape existed, but using it to show a player his individual at-bats was a prohibitively time-consuming process. By 1991, however, Pete Olivieri, Scott's father, had developed a computer program which would not only record each at-bat and each pitch but would allow individual players to call up at-bats instantly so they could be reviewed and studied. Players could also use multiple screens to compare and contrast swings and hits. Without fanfare, the computer suddenly became an essential part of the game.

Olivieri's lifelong love of the team shines through here as he describes being a child growing up a few miles from Fenway Park, playing Little League with Jim Rice's number on his back, memorizing locker combinations by associating the numbers with Red Sox players' numbers, and watching or listening to every game. Even as a youngster, however, he realized that "the Red Sox, ultimately, are a symbol of disappointment." Time after time, he watched a team "with superb talent losing in ways screenwriters couldn't script." His chance to make a difference, using a home-grown computer program to give an edge to the batter, not only allowed him the chance to meet some of his heroes but actually to help them to improve their hitting--and maybe the team's record.

Olivieri's descriptions capture both the romance the game and the tedium of the locker room, the camaraderie of the players and the excesses of the press, locker room "etiquette" and the public missteps of some of the players. He himself is a respectful, "background" sort of person, careful not to call attention to himself so that the players can discover for themselves his program and its opportunities. His opinions of Wade Boggs, Ellis Burks, Mike Greenwell, Phil Plantier, Roger Clemens, and the unfortunate Jeff Gray ring with truth and personal insight. Red Sox fans, computer specialists, and lovers of baseball should be fascinated by this behind-the-scenes look at the interface between the computer and baseball--the beginning of a new era. Mary Whipple

I picked this up while wondering the racks and glad I did! This is a fabulous read --- It is the 2nd of 3, and I had not read the 1st, but had no problem following the story. I'm now going in search of number 1. Different from the Laurell Hamilton sex genre and the Anne Rice vampiric story lines --- (Love them both, BTW) --- but Kerri Hawkins offers something more contagious. Extremely interesting...

Susan
Kenai Alaska

I love this series..puts a whole New spin on immortality..it is engaging and often surprising this book picks up right where the first book left off..i would recommend this to any person who likes the vampire/mythical genre, but also a scientific possibility that it could be possible IRL

I FOUND THIS BOOK READ THE REVIEWS LOOKED AT THE COVER. I TOOK A CHANCE.THE BOOK IS ONE OF THE BEST I HAVE READ. IF YOU LIKE INTREGE NEW TWIST ON OLD STORIES MODERN WITH ANCIENT AND {VAMPIRES} OLD ONES. GIVE IT A TRY.IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THE FIRST BOOK I RECOMMEND IT JUST BECAUSE IT IS ENJOYABLE

This book makes you think of all the dark thoughts you sometimes shouldn't have. Ryan gives the tale the realism that is scary and moving. You are drawn into her world wondering who is going to betray her, but she still makes you want to protect her from all that is happening around as you see the plots and you are shouting for her to watch out. Brilliant book by Kerri Hawkins another to carry on the story would be marvelous.

Blood Legacy is the follow up novel to The Story of Ryan. Ryan has been reunited with her father, Victor, and discovers that he has fallen prey to an unknown illness. Such an illness was thought impossible for their Kind as none of the eldest have ever died. Ryan calls on her human friend Dr. Susan Ryerson to unravel the mystery of his illness through Susan's knowledge of their unique anatomy. Meanwhile the Grand Council has been reconvened and they have chosen Ryan to conduct a Hunt. Not just any Hunt, this is a millennial purge to kill off the weaker offspring. Ryan must hunt and kill all of her kind that she can to strengthen the bloodlines.

Ryan begins to suspect that someone has betrayed her father and somehow infected him with the deadly illness. She will have to confront the most powerful of their Kind, including the darkly seductive Aeron who would like nothing better than to see her destroyed. Aeron is one scary guy who likes to seduce others of their Kind and consume their flesh. The other council members, Abigail and Marilyn, also want to possess her and set out to draw her in with their sensual charms. Ryan's vulnerability may turn out to be her greatest strength. As Ryan comes closer to the edge of death, giving in to her own desires may be the key to the survival of everyone she cares about.

This is another great book from Kerri Hawkins, her prose style brings the scenes to life with stunning visual imagery. Her vampires are a unique creation who insist that they are not vampires at all. They believe that vampire myth is actually based on their Kind. It will be interesting to see if Hawkins writes a book on Dr. Ryerson becoming one of their Kind. She also writes a comic book series called Blood Legacy that the novel is based on.

This book is insightful, biblically sound and very helpful whether you are struggling right now or have in the past. If you're in a stalemate in your life, this book may be helpful in shedding some light on just why that may be the case. I highly recommend.

Excellent book from someone who has experienced brokenness firsthand. It is a book that I have purchased for several of my friends. I have read the book twice and intend to reread it about once a year.

Lon Solomon's ministry has grown tremendously in recent years, and for good reason. His teachings are without a doubt Biblical, honest, and down to earth. I have attended his church, McLean Bible Church in Vienna, Virginia, many a time and have always been highly impressed with his unwavering presentation of the true Gospel message.

Lon's book, "Brokenness: How God Redeems Pain and Suffering," is no different. We all go through hard times in life, whether emotionally, physically, or psychologically. Sometimes it can press in and become almost unbearable. But it's good to know there's a resource out there to help us understand WHY God sometimes allows these tragedies in our lives and His purpose behind that suffering - and Lon's book is just that. Lon knows what he's talking about - he's been there.

If you want to understand why God is taking so long in His answer, why it has to be so painful and difficult in the process, and why He allowed it in the first place, then you need this book.

Daniel J. Gansle
Christian Author/Senior Technical Writer

I'm a psychologist, an abuse survivor, a person who's lost several close friends and family to death, and, lately, a person with severe, debilitating, unexpected pain in both of my knees. In attempts to be a better therapist and also to help me understand the reason for all of the pain in my own life, I've read numerous books on suffering and pain. I wish this book had been available decades ago, when I had my first "broken" experience. At the time, I was asking God to use me and fill me and then, inexplicably, numerous horrible things happened in my life. I didn't understand them and thought that God didn't love me anymore! Many years later, I realized that God had always loved me and never had left, but I wasted a lot of time and went through unnecessary heartache.

In this book, Lon explains how many people who are earnestly seeking after a more close, intimate relationship with God, are confused and stunned when it looks as if He's punishing or abandoning them. He uses the analogy of a seed of wheat -- the outer, hard shell must crack in order for the life to flow out and produce fruit. He discusses how God will break us, often in the area that is our central core, in order to have His life flow through us and produce fruit.

I highly recommend this book to anyone you know who is struggling -- whether it's because their spouse has just walked out on them, they're experiencing physical pain of some kind, have a child either born with or developing physical or emotional problems, go through a death of someone close, or any other situation that causes immense suffering. It's encouraging in a real, solid way -- not at all filled with platitudes, but, instead, filled with solid, Scriptural foundations for his conclusions.

Dr. Linda Foltz

My mother has been quadrapelegic for about 20 years. She has faith that someday God will heal her... even if she has to wait for that in Heaven. She heard something about this book and asked me to get it for her. It took a while, but finally found it on Amazon.com. She said when she starting reading it, she profoundly disagreed with much of it and proceeded to give it a rather disgusted throw across the room. Well, she said something kept pulling her back to it. She read it and only then started to understand what the author intended to say. Since then she has been encouraging everyone she knows to read it. Many of us are 'broken' if not physicially, then spiritually or emotionally. Its up to us to find our brokenness and begin to heal.

For me, this is not a motivational, "oh my gosh, every page is golden," euphoria-inducing book. It's as if you sat down with the author and she said, "This is what I've learned from my experiences." The lessons are real, the humor is delightful and fresh, and you'll take away concepts that you'll quietly integrate into your daily life.

I like it.

CRAPPY TO HAPPY
Small Steps to Big Happiness
By Randy Peyser

This book is quite a scream! Endorsed by everyone from Gerald Jampolsky, Arielle Ford and Swami Beyondananda, Peyser (Former Editor-in-Chief of Catalyst Magazine) has brought 158 on-target, yet hysterical pearls of wisdom, to all of us who have been thinking our way into misery!
With true accounts from her own amazingly interesting and sometimes quasi non-conventional life, Peyser weeds out the "crap" and finds the pot of gold we are all striving for, yet rarely attain.
Where does she find it? Sometimes at the end of the rainbow and sometimes in the middle of a car fix-it garage - she finds it everywhere she chooses to and that's the point. As soon as we focus on the good around us we will be more grateful, happy people, and when we choose to focus on the . . ., then . . . happens!
This book should be required reading for every high school graduate as a manual for how to do life. You will find within these pages simple wisdom at its finest, and get a laugh or two while you're at it. It's the book I wish I would have written first! Well done Randy!
Published by Red Wheel Press, this book is available at . . . amazon.com

Reviewed by Dr. Maryel McKinley

A lot of folks might say Do we really need another book of someone else's life experience cluing us in on how she adapted, improvised and overcame?
The answer is YES. Randy has the courage, the talent, the humor, and most importantly, the veracity of Heart to share with us her story so now "It's Story Time"....
Randy has the wonderful ability of opening up her life and heart in ways that touch your own. This is no small feat. Her words are healing, loving, and inspirational. She has made such a joyous and authentic impact on my life that I am forever grateful to her. Never under estimate truth and love and the power they have to touch your mind, heart, and soul. My little world has been blessed by Randy's experience and her determination to get this life work out there, no matter what...
For this sharing I am eternally grateful. Reading her stories is almost like holding her heart in your hands...what a generous and beautiful gift this is. It is so rare these days to find someone who can truly touch your heart and life. Randy has many gifts, the heartsongs of this book are just the tip of the iceberg.....Randy rocks and rolls her way through it all and takes you along with her on the ride. I love Randy, I love her truth, I love her heart, and I applaud her journey thus far.
Randy, thank you.....for all the light you have given, and all the truth you have told. And for opening up my heart with humor, hope and enough well shed tears of just 'knowing' exactly how you felt or what you meant by "I am Truth's Daughter".... you make a difference. A Big Fat Wonderful Difference. Go beat your drums in celebration.! Send out more compassion and love from the rhythms of your soul....it IS felt.

Tuck this book into you car glove compartment. The next time you are stuck in a traffic jam, pull it out and flip the pages. Pause anywhere. Read. Better yet, read aloud. You'll find yourself smiling, nodding, and becoming re-energized.
Peyser doesn't dogmatically preach at you--she reaches out to you in a delightfully, light-hearted way. She's a pal who understands how it feels to be crappy and who pulls you chuckling into being happy.

I read this book a few months after getting academically dismissed from law school. I was broke, dejected and many of my former classmates stopped associating with me. I was at a low point in my life.
After reading "Crappy to Happy", my attitude improved a lot. Ms. Peyser's heartfelt tales of woe and redemption are perfect for anyone who is going through a rough patch in their life.