Shadow The Books

I absolutely loved this story. It was originally read to me by my 6th grade teacher, and I've loved it ever since. It's a happy, heart warming story about three boys who need reform, and their high school English teacher helps them find it! She teaches them to dance, helps them with their homework, and gives them lessons in etiquette. It's a great book in which you will laugh, and yes, you will need a box of tissues for this one. It's a great story that you will love all the way to the end!

I absolutely adore this story! It is so exciting! It was first read to me by my 6th grade teacher while I lived in Arizona in class, and soon after, I was able to get my own copy (as it was out of print at the time, it was a little difficult). I have read this book numerous times, and will probably go back to it numerous more times. It's a fun story that will make you both laugh and cry. It will warm your heart, and once it's all over, despite how little BB, DJ, and Jefferson like it, you will not want to leave Snowflake, Arizona. Plus, trust me, this book is not just for Mormons, as I am not one! It still has an excellent message to it that simply takes place within the LDS culture. Therefore, if you have not yet picked up this book, I suggest you do and enjoy "The Miracle of Miss Willie," by Alma J. Yates!

This book is an amazing book. It teaches valuable lessons, while adding humor. It is a good book for both young and old LDS readers.

Sorceress Esmenet Sokaris provides love spells for her abused female clients; many of whom are rape victims. To perform her work better, she needs thee right assistant, but has failed to find an apprentice who would work smoothly with her especially in the arcane erotic rites that is the prime element to her success.

That is she has been unsuccessful until now. She finds the perfect helper in hunk Gage Feldspar. However, he wants more than just a professional relationship with his mentor and does everything to foster more with the woman he loves. However, the reluctant Esmenet has legitimate personal reasons to keep her personal life apart from her work because she knows full well what will happen to her skills if she falls in love.

The key to this erotic romantic fantasy is the belief that the Betts universe is plausible. Placing two likable individuals struggling between their sorcery work that requires intimacy and keeping their personal feelings inside is what makes Betts environs steamy and it also makes for a fun tale for readers. The personal issue of choice confronting the lead female protagonist adds to a fine tale as the author's fans know that this is one writer who is a sure bet to entertain with a torrid paranormal enchanting tale of love.

Harriet Klausner

I'm a big reader, devouring 2-3 books a week, and I'd thought I'd seen it all--but Lucinda Betts is a world-builder extraordinaire. From the very first page--when Esmenet tells us she needs a man--Lucinda nabs my attention and doesn't let up until the very satisfying end. Her stories are earthy, sexy, fun, and completely original. I can't wait to see what she's got in store for me next!

I try not to write reviews unless I have read the book in question at least twice. And, it took me two readings to decide how I felt about Moon Shadow. Halfway through the second read, I realized that Lucinda Betts had created a world, a society, and a hero and heroine worthy of the keeper shelf.

The heroine, Esmenet Sokaris, is a highly ranked Wizard of Love spells, potions , etc. Yep, that's a good lead in. Her hero, Gage Feldspar, is a drunken loser, who has destroyed his marriage, home and life.

Easy to see how this goes, right? But, several things take this from the realm of 'been there, read that' into, whoa, a 'keeper here'! Now we get into a real mystery plot. One that combines wizardry, police work and a horrible mis-use of sex. So the author ties us into several genres, all done very well.

I loved the fact that the author, or her editorial staff, have usually known how to handle English grammar. Especially, personal pronouns and verbs. No one says, for example "she is smarter than me" (correctly, it is "she is smarter than I (am).) (Yes, the misuse of "like" for "as" happens, but that's the fault of cigarette commericals and public schools). Anyway, the story is great. Ms. Betts, in a very few descriptive sentences and a well-described plot line, shows us a society in which Wizards (male and female) are used as medical personnel, police, etc. In other words, the foundation of a working and workable society.

You can read the plot from other reviewers (or better still, buy the book), but the overall high quality of writing skills for this genre and a really imaginative study of people and, surprisingly enough, endocrinology, is fantastic. The whole concept of medical science and study as the basis of wizardry is new and really refreshing. I don't know what Ms. Betts' background is, but she certainly scores well on science and, thank goodness,the SEX. (And, has a handsome hunk who does the dishes! And, cooks!!!) I hope more stories are set in this world, with equally engaging characters, plot and sexual behavior.

Buy this new. The author should be rewarded.

A new Dawn was an awesome story (what a suprise) by Jack Weyland. I loved this book because it was not only enjoyable but it also taught a lesson. It teaches the reader to think of everyone as just somone. Jack Weyland showed me through his novel that those who "own" fame, for whatever reason are as simple as i am. i try hard to not judge people to quickley now and try not to think of somone as famous rather than "somone who grabed people's attention." Read this- book. its a great story while sneaking in a little lesson. ENJOY!

A new Dawn was an awesome story (what a suprise) by Jack Weyland. I loved this book because it was not only enjoyable but it also taught a lesson. It teaches the reader to think of everyone as just somone. Jack Weyland showed me through his novel that those who "own" fame, for whatever reason are as simple as i am. i try hard to not judge people to quickley now and try not to think of somone as famous rather than "somone who grabed people's attention." Read this- book. its a great story while sneaking in a little lesson. ENJOY!

I think that this is one of Jack Weyland's best books. It is my favorite among all his books. It is about a famous woman that wants to escape from the media. She does so by going to BYU University. She pretends that she is a Mormon like most other people there. She falls on love with a mormon man, but he breaks up with her once he finds out that she had been lying to him all along. Read this story and find out what happens to a famous Nobel Prize winner with a broken heart.

This is one of the best books for exploring the rich and fertile images of darkness. So often we have negative thoughts about darkness - fearful, sad, angry, but this book shows that it is also lifegiving, nurturing, and a place of rest. Sorry to see so few copies available.

Every page of this book is filled with rich spiritual nurishment. I can't help but touch the pictures wanting to feel the collages and images of the book. The language is clear and easy to read, not the stuff of heady theology. When I read this book during the Advent Season or any other liturgical season it invites me to reconnect with the gift of the Christ Child. I come back to this book and other books by Rev. Richardson whenever I need to fill my well.

She has written the single most helpful book of mediations, prayers and poems for Advent that I've ever encountered. I have used her book extensively for writing liturgy to fit our congregation for Advent, Christmas and into Epiphany. I'd like to read more of her stuff

As with all Konstantino's books, this is a must have for anyone interested in nocturnal magick

Let me begin by saying that Konstantinos' "Nocturnal Witchcraft" and its companion "Gothic Grimoire" included in the set are one of the few Llewellyn books I would ever recommend to anyone. Please do not let the titles suggest that what you will receive is a wrist-slitting church of satan tome intended to teach you how to summon up the forces of darkness to curse your enemies and enslave lovers. No, what you are receiving here (and as is clearly stated by the back matter, and clearly stated by the publisher name?...) are two manuals on a nocturnal take on Alexandrian Wicca. Those of you who favor the romantic "shadowside", the mysteries of the night, the energies of the Moon, and dark gods and goddesses of ancient pantheons, but want to maintain strong, ethical and moral values should buy this set. What you get here are two manuals on non-fluffy Wicca for night owls. In Nocturnal Witchcraft, you will learn the preliminaries. Beginners and even experienced witches will benefit greatly from the practices and exercises here, compromised of banishing rituals, circle casting, consecration of tools, invocation, godform assumption, relaxation exercises, vizualization exercises, concentration exercises, scrying lessons, an introduction to the god and goddess of night, basic rites and spells, and much, much more. Nocturnal Witchcraft can easily double as a Wicca premier, but with a night side take. After you've read and mastered "Nocturnal Witchcraft", the "Gothic Grimoire" will take you much further. Nocturnal sabbats and esbats, advanced thoughtforms, astral projection, astral manipulations, night vision, creation of an elemental servant, advanced spells and rites, opening the gates to the Underworld, and much, much more await you herein. Not all darkness is evil. And many of the "darkly inclined" tend to display an interest in neopaganism, and ethical neopaganism at that, do well to check out Konstantinos' books. Also highly recommended are John J. Coughlin's "Out of the Shadows: An Exploration of Dark Paganism and Magick", Denise Dummars & Lori Nyx's "Dark Archetype" and everything by Demetra George and Michelle Belanger. As Konstantinos would say, blessings, nocturnal witch.

From astral travel to working with thoughts and understanding rituals, this set packs in two books - NOCTURNAL WITCHCRAFT and GOTHIC GRIMOIRE - under one slipcased set, offering an excellent guide to using dark symbols and magick. These are two of Konstantinos' favorite Wiccan titles and offer an occult expert's formulas, insights and methods, making it a top reference and the perfect gift for beginning witches who want specifics on the finer point of magickal practices.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

I first read "No Angel" which led me to "Something Dangerous" and "Into Temptation." By that time I was hooked on Penny Vincenzi, and now I have all her books. I have just finished reading "Old Sins", the 4th. of her books I've read. I read it in paperback, which was 1000 pages of reading. The story is very good-- lots of interesting characters, a mystery, all the good things that make a book worthwhile. However, and this is the biggie--- this is a book that wouldn't have been hurt a bit by cutting out at least 500 pages. There was so much character discription that went on page after page on each of the characters, even the minor ones, that I did speed reading thru some of it towards the end. I thought the book was very good, but totally too long. The story could have been told, leaving out nothing important, with a bit of editing. I finished it last night, and frankly I am taking a breather from reading anything for at least a day or two to rest up. This was actually too much of a good thing.

I read this books many years ago when it was released and was completely hooked. It has the perfect combination, glamour, sex, betrayal, love, intelligent writing. Julian is the rat with a double life and all suffer as s consequence. The women in the book are very strong, though somehow manage to get manipulated by Julian because they love him. However they mature and take control of their lives and the results are fantastic conflicts between his daughter and his second wife. The end is bitter sweet as only one of the leading ladies gets her man. It is all the things Dynasty wanted to be but was not. I loved it and I am a BIG fan of modern romance and fiction.

What a wondeful day it was when I discovered this wonderful author. Old Sins was my first reading by her and I throughly enjoyed the characters and the mystery attached. Since then I've read all of her books and I'm now in the middle of her current one No Angel. Old Sins is one of her best. Thnaks Ms. Vincenzi

OTHER PEOPLE'S PROPERTY; A SHADOW HISTORY OF HIP HOP IN WHITE AMERICA could also have appeared in our 'Social Issues' section but is reviewed here for its focus on the obstacles that stand between producers and consumers of rap music: a very different approach than your usual music book covering the history of rap and the evolution of rapsters. It blends a personal story of growing up in a racially divided America with cultural analysis and music insights: while this approach might defy easy categorization, it does make for a hard-hitting analysis which will reach not only college-level collections strong in social issues and music, but the general-interest public and libraries with holdings strong in ethnic issues debates.

Hip-hop music, what some of us still think of as "rap," isn't easy to sort out these days. It seems to have invaded all aspects of life, even in the seemely far-removed and lilly-white suburbs.

So what counts today as "authentic" hip-hop? Is it necessarily black? If it's commercialized to identify with a product, say Sprite, does that make the rapper a "sellout?"

And if you're white, suburban and, say, over 35, what is hip-hop culture all about?

These, it turns out, are exceedingly complicated questions.

They cut deeply to the root of what was once a raw expression of black realism to a place where, even within hip-hop, debates rage. But Jason Tanz, a rap-loving white kids from suburban Tacoma, Wash., has some surprising and fascinating answers for you in this thoughtful book with a perfect title -- Other People's Property.

Tanz takes us on an illuminating journey from rap's emergence among graffiti artists and break dancers on the streets of the Bronx, through his own experience as a sometimes guilt-ridden rap music lover cocooned in safe, white suburia, to today's wildy diverse and commercially bankable hip-hop scene.

Tanz personal story will, in turns, make you cringe, laugh and cheer. But his look at rap's varied charecters is what will keep you turning the pages.

There's Grandmaster Flash's Rahiem, an icon of rap's roots on New York City's rough streets, now a "Legends of Hip-Hop" tour guide busing white fans through the Bronx for $75 a pop. There's Papa Rich, an authentic NYC street performer who teaches break dancing to the wealthy suburban children of Connecticut's soccer moms. There's Tha Pumpsta, an earnest white rap lover who misses entirely the irony when he DJ's "kill whitie" parties in the Virginia suburbs. And there's MC Frontalot, a comical hip hop anti-hero who excites nerdy white fans with his brand of "Geeksta" rap.

Tanz travels to Green Bay to explore a rap radio experiment in one of America's whitest cities and to a garage studio in suburban L.A. where a group of goofy white losers play act the part of black gangsters.

More than anything, this is a smart book. The anecdotes carry the story, but Tanz peppers in sharp analysis and displays a deep understanding of the delicate balances -- and sometimes blatant contradictions -- of race, culture, commerce and sincerity (or a lack of it) in hip-hop.

And if you ever wondered how we got here, to an America where hip-hop music and style dominate the mainstream, Tanz's book takes you through it all with both unblinking criticism and fond affection.

In a brilliant chapter on the marketing of hip-hop, Tanz concludes rap has has the potential, perhaps untapped, to be a cultural bridge between white and black America:

"Inner city black kids, seeking a modicum of respect and financial security, create a point of entry into the commerical world that has ignored them for so long. We white kids, drawn to the implicit escape that their music and lifestyles represented, bought it. Hip-hop is where we meet, we on our way out of the system, they on their way in. Is hip-hop a door that swings open between our two cultures, letting us mix freely with each other, or is it a revolving door, endlessly spinning, allowing us to pass in opposite directions without ever actually touching?"

I picked up this book because I like hip hop, but didn't really understand the incredibly interesting larger cultural and social context in which it arose and operates. Having read my fair share of books on jazz, I was concerned because I know authors can take great art forms and turn them into boring academic treastises. Thankfully, Jason Tanz has richly and engagingly captured an inner city art form and its often uncomfortable, yet strangely symbiotic, relationship with white middle America. Norman Mailer, Thoreau and Eminem all make an appearance as Tanz entertainingly traces the origins of hip-hop and the way it has influenced, but also been subverted by, the white audience and market.

This is an excellent discussion of Australian cryptozoological creatures. Debunks many myths yet leads the reader into a world of the possible. The book is thoroughly readable.

The section on the marsupial lion is "interesting" as there have now been 2 (indistict) videos of this creature shown on national television news! Still no bodies though!

An absolutley excellent book, exploring a number of the "mystery" animals of Australia such as the Queensland Marsupial Tiger and the Thylacine. Each chapter has an extensive history of the beast, as well as eyewitness accounts and more. The author never becomes carried away with the subject and declares that such animals DO exist, but deals with it in an interesting and logical manner. A must for any cryptozoology fanatics, especially those from Australia!

Horrified to see this listed as out of print ! I bought a copy in London at UnCon'99. Six mysteries of Australian and Tasmanian animals extinct or fortean in nature. Well written and very enjoyable. Many plates of the Thylacine and locations of sightings and well done illustrations of the various critters so dear to the hearts of armchair monster hunters everywhere.

James Boyd

Pucabob@aol.com

This book is phenomenal! I love how the author takes a subject, puts it into realistic life circumstances, and gives simple yet effective ideas, along with how to make those ideas work. There are hundreds of well thought out ideas for almost every circumstance you can imagine, and she's used them all and shares her stories for true-to-life illustration. I find myself saying "Yes! That's exactly how I feel. What a great idea." I've tried some of the author's ideas and have loved how they've worked for my family. I've read other books and listened to tapes. But, none of them have really hit the spot like this one. Some are too rigid, some too "modern", and some just have inconsistent reasoning for disciplining little children. Tamara Fackrell strikes a perfect balance and I feel I can completely trust her ideas and opinions because she's very honest and realistic. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who is a parent of small children.

I absolutely loved this book. It has great ideas to help teach your children important values (and don't cost a lot either). She talks about principles and then gives examples and quotes from various people and experiences. I feel like a new mom after reading this book, and I feel more determined and more empowered to raise my kids the way I know I can and should. Thank You Tamara - Heather Enke

What a great resource for families...especially in this "gotta do everything" world we live in. Practical and realistic advice, funny stories and fabulous family night/teaching moment ideas. If that weren't enough, there are even recipes for busy families at the back! Would highly recommend it to anyone with a young family.

I have to say I enjoyed this book to the fullest. This is the funniest of all the Leven stuff out so far. There is some serious bust up laughing moments in here and a lot of cool unknown facts are revealed. Anyone who enjoyed Leven one and two will find this an essential addition to their library. Nicely done and highly creative. You should get this because you will like it.

Leven Thumps fans!
You must have this.
This little book is not only well-done, not only hilarious, and not only originally executed, but it also fills in and colors much of the backgrounds and past of more than one minor character from that series.
I highly recommend it.
The book takes the very unique form of a textbook assigned to Clover, Leven Thumps's humorous sidekick, but is full of extensive notes allegedly written by Clover himself, and also includes a handful of notes from author Obert Skye (who claims to have bought the book on E-bay from Leven's sinister guardian). The voice of the pretentious teacher who wrote the textbook is hilariously pompous, Clover's notes offer real insight and depth to that character, and the whole thing has given Obert Skye a welcome chance to be even funnier and more random than he's been in the first two volumes of the series.
The book looks great, feels great, and is loaded with notes and pictures and even hidden messages.
If you are a fan of the Leven Thumps series, do not consider this an optional read. You need this. It even tells how Leven got that white spot in his hair!
Buy it now!

Wow, this book has taught me a lot about Foo. I love it how Professor Winsnicker is so full of himself. I would recommend this book to evey Leven Thumps Book Fans and also ages. This book is full of comedy and even explains why Leven got the white streaks in his hair!!