Shadow The Books

not merely a statement on being a black man in america, but on being a man period. ellison is not a militant negro nor is he a white man's negro. he is a free spirit who keeps his mind open to art , music, and life. i loved all the essays. he had cosmopolitan background growing up in oklahoma city, the product of middle-class parents. he read all types of literature, not just one kind and became a writer, simply by accident. his true love was his music. the middle third of this book proves this is the essays he wrote about jazz and opera, especially his loving tributes to milton's playhouse and charlie parker. he was a true renaissance man, who never lost the common touch. conquering any challenge that came his way...

Ralph Ellison, the musician and the author of the extrememly well-conceieved and paced novel "Invisible Man" (a rare instance wherein the plotting falls perfectly in sync with the decsriptive; falling, as with the eloquence and precision of the inernal mechanics into the ornate casing of a timepiece; a statement as much as a parody concering perceptions), here provides many surprises, all attesting to the immensity of his talents and array of his interests: There are articles on Jazz, BeBop, and some of best first-hand renderings upon the scene as it had developed at a period between literal non-accepatnce to a greater receptability; Eliot, as in the author's pechant and interest for the motifs, messages and stylistic of "The Wasteland"; Faulkner and the South; Historic American literary recurrances involving language, rythmic and individual, and some very valuable and erudite selections whose range -both autobiographic and literary- are as indispensable as they are of true merit and eloquence. This edition (and it is a shame there had not been more!), legitimizes the talents and perspectives of a gifted author whose legacy -although saddly never fully realized- shall always stand above any field of the discordant (as in the Wasteland), ringing more true than any pause between a jazz riff's sometimes-disquieting
strains.

Hello! I must say that I love your series. The first day my dad came back, he gave me the books to read. And from that very second I started to read them. Your words seem so real that more than twice I actually thought that I was the character in the book, fighting the monsters. I love fiction books and I can read them 24/7. Your series were the best books I ever read.(I'm not just saying that).

And your illustrating, don't even get me started. I've been trying to draw like you draw ever since I was old enough to hold a pencil. I'm not even sure if I made any progress.

One thing that I want to know is will Jax marry Marina? And who is The One? Is it a baby? And will the Chitin ever return to their regular selves? Please could you send a summary of what will happen in the next few books? I am very anxious to know the next adventures of the characters.

Hannah N
New York

Apart from reading everything remotely related to Harry Potter, my teenage nephew has never picked up any other book that was not required reading at school. His passion is his Playstation and nothing else. It was therefore quite a surprise when I saw him devouring Book One of The Shadow Beasts series. Curiosity got the better of me and I picked it up too and what a pleasant surprise it was!

Gregory Janicke has a way of gripping the reader from start to finish. I devoured Book One "The Dark Mystery of The Shadow Beasts" in one afternoon and was very soon looking out for Book Two "Attack of The Shadow Beast". Both books were fast paced and full of action, but it was Book Two that really developed the characters and creatures and by the end of it I felt that I knew them all as well as I did Harry, Ron and Hermione. Janicke takes the reader through Planet Dulunae like on some magical ride leaving you begging for more.

A great read for pre-teens, teens and adults that never grow up. Full of good values and teamwork, the characters and creatures of Shadow Beasts fight all odds and forces of evil in the spirit of other great stories like Harry Potter, Star Wars and maybe even Lord of The Rings. You can bet my nephew and I will keep a lookout for Book Three "The Conquering Beasts".

Mike Broemmel's short story collection reverberates long after it's been read & reread. Not least because each story - while retaining its autonomy in a creative sense - serves as a tenuous thread, which Mike interweaves with such artistic subtlety that the transformation from parts to whole is almost imperceptible as the reader proceeds through the book. I was taken by surpise, just over halfway through: I realised that I was devouring a memorable novel and not a set of disparate, if excellent, stories. The Shadow Cast dances a delicious chiaroscuro, flickering from the banal/sentimental mode of seaside resort to the gritty horror of a latterday American psychiatric hospital. The stories are interlinked, seemingly at random, through happenstance, geographical coincidence, dreams, family trees, memories... His characters speak with their own voices and may their echoes echo. The overarching impression on closing the book is that Mike has inscribed a poetic, yet brutal, humanity in his living-breathing pages.

In case you wondered whether any writer could top his own achievement such as was "The Miller Moth," Mike has done just that in "The Shadow Cast." In this collection, he explores the range of humanity and experience like one who has been concealed behind the curtain of life--springing out with a unique arsenal of perception and insight just at the right time. A delightful and provoking read!

Great story for young readers! Spooky without being too scary. The ghost hunters are interesting characters each interested in the mystery for his/her own reason. Looking forward to Shadow City Ghosthunters Vol II

M.H. Flynn blazes a trail of intrigue and mystery with Shadow City Ghost Hunters Vol. 1, The Mystery of Mapleshade Manor. Two boys and two girls investigate a local haunted house in search of a long-lost exotic treasure. Their adventures are spooky but not terrifying, and mysterious enough to keep the attention of children just beginning to read chapter books. Check out her website at http://www.shadowcityonline.com for more information on her up coming books (Volume 2 is coming out soon). I know that I will buy them!

I found this book under "Books for Chicks". But it is a great story which just happens to have women as the key characters. Men, you will enjoy it also, it is a good fantasy story. If you enjoy Andre Norton or Jody Lynn Nye you will enjoy Margaret Ball's "The Shadow Gate".

I've read all of Margaret Ball's books that I've been able to get my hands on (well, all her fantasy novels, anyway ... but I may start reading her romances because I've become such a fan). I love the blend of history and fantasy that is present in Ball's books, and the answer to the mystery of what happened to the missing elven queen had me guessing right up until the end!

If you are looking for a fast-paced morally straight book for a young male reader: you have found it here. Young Xan has lost his memory after a fall when returning to his village which has been looted and burned. Taken in by kind monks, Xan builds a new life but wonders about the family he left behind. Unexpectedly, the peaceful monastery erupts with violence and a shadowy ghostly figure who comes at night. Is this an outside invader or someone from within the monastic community? Very well-written, this book holds your interest to the end as you struggle with Xan both to unravel the clues to his past and figure out the present mystery.

"Intelligent and exciting!"
~ The Writer's Edge

"Fast-paced, engaging, and suspenseful, Shadow in the Dark brought Xan and the monks of Harwood Abbey to life. At the same time, Barone skillfully brings to the reader lessons in living the Christian life without it being artificial to the story. I look forward to further stories about Xan and life at Harwood Abbey."
~ Mary Catharine Perry, Amata Means Beloved

"A brisk-moving and suspenseful tale, Shadow in the Dark majestically presents the power of truth and mercy slowly but surely overpowering a world driven by death and mayhem. Exquisitely balanced, the story has both the simplicity to appeal to a young reader and the richness to touch an adult audience. Barone has penned a masterpiece."
~ Dan Flaherty, The Scholar

"Shadow in the Dark is an entertaining and engrossing adventure story well-suited for young readers (and their elders, too); it deserves many readers--and many sequels."
~ Joseph Esper, After the Darkness

"Shadow in the Dark has a wholesomeness that makes it stand out like a mountain among the suggestive emotionally confused sludge that has become the accepted fare to dish up for our youth. This could be the future standard for sound adolescent literature!"
~ Leo Madigan, The Weka-Feather Cloak

"With Shadow in the Dark, Barone has produced a real page turner that is both instructive and edifying. Great wisdom and virtue is promoted through a compelling story... very effective!"
~ Martin Kennedy, A Philadelphia Catholic in King James' Court

Michael Gabriel was an up & coming actor, but a horrible accident forced him to leave the limelight. Living like a recluse, he hid away from life with his guilt & depression. Actress Rachel Taylor blames Michael for her brother's death & vows vengeance.

When fate throws them together as the lead voice actors in an animated musical, they cannot deny their growing attaction. Night after night, they drew each other like a moth to a flame. Will their love be strong enough to withstand painful secrets & triumph over a killer?

As a mystery, it sucks--I easily figured out who the stalker was very early in the book. As a romance, it 'wowed' me. I particularly liked the slight 'phantom of the opera' flavor of this book. This one's a keeper.

This book was such a surprise! Fabulous story line, great characters that portriated such intense heartfelt human emotion. This was a read that was suspenseful and exciting along with a great love story. Go Lori!

Being Wiccan myself, I really do enjoy this series. It is the traditional when good meets evil premise, but there always twists and turns. I personally have used some gray magic @ times and other wiccans probably have not.I am not normally good with visualization, but with these books, I could see the massacre @ the pier and where The Drow's live.I can put myslef in those places. I enjoyed the interaction between Hannah and Garran and love the compromise at the end. The only problem I have with this series is that is takes too long for another to come out.

In Otherworld, gray witch Hannah Wentworth plans revenge against the Dark Goddess of Underworld Ceithlenn, who caused so much death and destruction in San Francisco. Using her dragon elemental mirror to scry the future, Hannah is shocked to see humans flee from the Fomorii Demons and her familiar Fire Dragon shoot flames at her. Hannah travels with D'Dannen warriors and fellow D'Anu witch Rhiannon to meet with the latter's father Drow King Garren ruler of the Dark Elves, considered a traitor by those in the Otherworlds of elves and humans for allowing Ceithlenn and her evil God spouse Balor to escape from Underworld. However, to defeat Ceithlenn, they will need Garren's support although his elves like him cannot travel in sunlight as they have been cursed.

At the meeting Hannah feels nervous around Garren as they are attracted to one another. However, they ignore their desires and discuss the situation. Garren makes it clear he will do what is right for his people. After escorting Hannah on a tour of the Dark Elves realm, he explains they opened the door to Underworld to let in the light, but erred instead allowing the Fomorii Demons and Ceithlenn to escape; his beloved brother died in the fight to stop them.

In San Francisco, Ceithlenn is weak from her fighting with the witches, warriors, and cops, but most of her anger is at Darkwolf who has stolen her spouse Balor's Eye. She also fears for her husband as she has not found him and knows he must be very weak and near death. Soon all the parties will converge in a key showdown.

This series is already one the best romantic urban fantasies and SHADOW MAGIC may be the best book to date. The lead couple is a great pairing who the audience will like while the paranormal species all seem genuine as does the attacks in San Francisco. Though there are obviously previous novels in this series and the future is somewhat established, this excellent tale can stand alone as Cheyenne McCray affirms she is a great fantasist.

Harriet Klausner

I could not put this book down, but neither could I put the other two in the series down when I read them. Ms. Hendricks is a very talented writer and her stories are more than just fun reads. They are deep without being clawing and have a moral without being preachy. You might enjoy this book more if you read Gemini Moon and Crystal Moon first, but it is not absolutely necessary. This story stands on its own, but I always enjoy seeing characters from previous books return even for a short time. I wonder if there will be more to this series. I certainly would welcome its continuation.

Shadow moon is another great novel penned by one of my favorite fantasy writers, Elysa Hendericks. I was hooked on the story from the first page. I love time travels and from the moment Dale, the heorine held the crystal up to throw it away and her daughter Thea screamed for her not to do it I knew I was in for a treat.

When Raf, the hero comes upon Dale newly transplanted in his world without a stitch of clothing his protective instincts come into play and he gathers her up to protect her from the unsavory men he's with.

Initially Raf has to nurse Dale back to health but Dale returns the favor and proves her own strenght of will as well as character. Though desperate to find her milk crystal that brought her to this world so that she can return home to her teenage daughter she doesn't leave Raf to fend for himself.

As a person who was once a slave Raf is on a mission to put an end to the practice by working under cover to get close to Devros. He tried hard with words to convince Dale that he's a slaver but his actions prove otherwise. His treatment of all that he comes in contact with during their travels are part of the reason that Dale falls in love with him. And it doesn't hurt hat he's a tall, muscular, beautiful hunk.

Shadow Moon is more than a romance and more than a fantasy. While it combines the best of both it also deals with a bigger issue of the way beings of any kind treat each other and the moral question of the right or wrong of ill treatment of any being be they human Shakar or anything else.

So while you will have to read the book to see if Thea will have her operation or if Dale will find the milk crystal that Raf has being hiding from her, and will she use it to return to her world. I will tell you that this is a must not miss read. If I were not already a fan of Ms. Hendericks I would immediately rush out to buy all of her previous books. Shadow moon is out of this world!!!!

You never heard of the country. You never heard of the people. You never heard of the American who takes an assignment in the country you never heard of. But about 4 chapters in, you start caring and wondering and expecting and guessing. And you'll be wrong. There are more twists and turns in this book then San Francisco's famous Lombard Street. And just when you think you've got it figured out, figure again. The only thing that helps you is that it ends...with another twist...and perhaps a little too soon. Whomever this guy Terrence Lynch is...he should write another book. And I'll buy it.

This is a fast-paced novel that keeps you on the edge of your seat chapter after chapter. It has everything you look for in an exciting cloak and dagger story: A hero that is in constant danger while attempting to serve his country in a near-impossible foreign assignment; sinister forces that are intent on stopping the hero, killing him if necessary; pulse-pounding suspense created by a highly critical battle against the clock with time running out; a series of unexpected developments that threaten to abort the hero's efforts to successfully complete his assignment. As a bonus, there is an interesting twist in the ending that gives the reader something to wonder about and draw his/her own conclusions.