Fiction Books

Wow this book is filled with action and excitment. The Jedi Apprentice series just keeps getting better and better!
A must have for any Star Wars fan.

Obi-Wan has at last become the Padawan of Qui-Gon Jinn and is about to leave on his first official mission. Things couldnt be better, right? Think again! The Jedi are kidnapped and taken to Phindar, a planet ruled by a criminal who has people's memories erased. Things only get worse when one of the Jedis falls into his clutches and is slated for a memory wipe!

This is an exciting story and explores further the developing relationship between Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon. Auxiliary characters are fun, especially the jovial Derida brothers, and Yoda is present in spirit if not body. There are a few battles but violence is not graphic.

This story is officially the beginning of Qui Gon and Obi Wans master, Padawan relationship. As with just about all of the books in this series, this book comes with a moral, as well as an interesting story. You get the sense of how both Qui Gon, and Obi Wan help each other to grow not only as individuals, but as Jedi knights too. The author does a good job of illustrating the fact that even though Obi Wan and Qui Gon are both loyal members of the Jedi, they both have very different, but accommodating, personality traits.

[...]

Finally! Jedi Knight Qui-Gon Jinn has taken thirteen-year-old Obi-Wan Kenobi as a Padawan learner, and they're off on their first mission to the planet Gala, to make sure the planet's governmental elections go smoothly. Then, just as quickly as they take off, their ship is hijacked (uh-oh!) to the planet Phindar. But the good news is, Obi-Wan gets to meet up with his new Phindian friend Guerra Derida, from the previous JA book. They also meet Guerra's sister Paxxi. To paraphrase the Derida brothers... not so! Paxxi is Guerra's equally likable, equally funny brother. Together they work to outwit the Syndicat, an evil organization that controls Phindar by renewing the citizens (wiping their memories) and sending them off to another planet. One of the leaders is the Derida brothers' renewed sister Terra. There are also appearances of the Deridas' gentle mother Duenna. Can they foil the Syndicat's evil, or does renewal await them?

As said in the title, this is THE absolute best JA! It's clever and poignant, with clever characters design and interesting environmental details. Really, it's like nothing you've ever read before. It'll blow you away. And without the Deridas, what would the story be? Garabage? No, something worse than garbage. Even if you think "George Lucas is dumb and Star Wars is just a bunch of idiocy!", you'll love this. I highly recommend it! It rocks! Really. It takes poignance and sci-fi adventures where they've never gone before.

Finally! Qui-Gon has taken Obi-Wan as his Padawan learner, right when Obi-Wan turns thirteen, and they are off on a mission to the planet Phindar, a planet ruled by a group named the Syndicat. The evil members of the group renew people as punishments. That means they wipe their memory, and send them off to another planet far, far way. Pretty cruel, huh? Plus, Obi-Wan gets to meet his Phindian friend Guerra Derida again, and Guerra's sister Paxxi. To paraphrase the two... not so! Paxxi is Guerra's brother, and they are both extremely likable, funny characters. Together the four work to outwit the Syndicat, plus maybe recover Terra's memory. Terra is Paxxi and Guerra's sister, but she has been memory wiped and now leads the Syndicat. Can Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan, with help from the Derida brothers, foil the Syndicat's evil? Read The Hidden Past to find out.

I'm serious, read this book! It is THE best in the JA series, and definitely worth your time. You're gonna find it hard to put down, even if you think Star Wars is just a bunch of idiocy. This'll change your mind. Extremely poignant, with clever character designation and interesting environmental details, this may be one of the best books I've ever read. It rocked. Really.

Although this society comedy is set in the 60's New York era, it is one of my most favorite books. In fact, I checked it out so many times from my hometown library, they finally "gifted" it to me. When I'm down - and it doesn't have to be the holiday season - I pick up this book, and Kerry, the 11 year old who tells his family's story, always lifts my spirit with his sharp observations, and sometimes mistaken verbage. I read it again last night, will re-read certain highlighted areas again, tonight, and highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a light-hearted, witty look as two of New York's most "upper crust" families handle the divorce of Kerry's parents.

I have just ordered 2 copies of The Joyous Season - one to keep and one to share! I have had an old paperback I found in a used book store for 50c but haven't even let myself read it until I just saw it was back in print!!! Also never realized so many people gave it the 5 stars I do, so I have to add my review to the list. If you are even considering this book, just get it!!! You will want to read it over and over, then get another copy to lend!

I don't really have anything new to say, but I couldn't resist adding my voice to the throng. This is simply the funniest book I have ever read, from my first time when I was about the age of the protagonist, to now, nearing 40 years. If you've somehow stumbled up this review without already reading the book, ORDER A COPY IMMEDIATELY!

I first read the Joyous Season when I was a child. I introduced it to my children and it became one of my younger son's favorite book. In fact, his children call me "GaGa." My book club is currently reading it for our September meeting. All comments so far, are they are enjoying it. Too bad as a cultural, we no longer laugh at or write good clean humor!
This book is a treasure. Let your tweens read it!

When my sister and I first read this book, we laughed uproariously, because the two grandmothers were exactly like our grandmothers. And today, my sister is both of those grandmas, having the given name of one and the nickname of the other. I've lent out this book to many people, and no one ever gives it back. I'm glad to see it again, because for a long time I could find it only in bookstores that dealt in out-of-print materials--and even then, not that many places had it. Now I can buy several for lending out--and not worry about their coming back.

The characters are high camp, but not so out of the ballpark as to feel like caricatures. I recommend this one. It's truly one of the most enjoyable reads I've ever had.

According to my 9-year old, this book is the bomb for kids between the ages of about 9 and 13 (maybe older). The author tells a vivid story and sucks children right into the book! It's great, and my 9-year old would buy it again in a heartbeat. Have a great time reading!

The fiction book I have read is Animorphs The Message. In this book a girl named Cassie and her friends try to save whatever is calling Cassie in her dreams from the bottom of the ocean. At first the others dont believe her but one of their friends Tobias also says he's having the same dreams.The kids morph into dolpins and go into the ocean and try to save what they think is a andilite. They incounter a life threatning battle with sharks and Marcoe gets injured so badly he almost dies. They try to finish what they started before it's to late and Visser Three finds them. I reccomend this book to a 5th or 6th grader. Also for whoever likes suspenseful action filled books. If you do like this book I inspirer you to read the whole series.

I am a sixth grader.The author of the book is K.A.Applegate. The characters names are Cassie,Tobias,Jake,Rachel,Marco,Tom,and Chapman.I liked this book because it has kids who can turn into any kind of animal.It is about friendship.It is also about a mission that they have to go on.My favorite part of the book is when Cassie turns into a dolphin to get to the ocean.What I dislike about the book is that they can not tell us there last name because if they do they will be killed or be made slaves.

I thought this book was really good, the Animorphs took a good underwater adventure. I thought the whole book was fast paced, my favorite part was when they were in dolphin morphs and faught that shark.

This is one of the best books in the Animorphs. It is also a crucial part of the series. I have read this book at least ten times. Cassie is my favorite Animorph, and this is the first book told from her point of view. It's generally about the Animorphs adventuring under the sea to find out whether someone is down there calling to them, but there were lots of smaller bits that I really liked.

To say that I am impressed by this author's initial published work is understating the case quite seriously. I bought the novel when it was released, and the sequel the next month. Unlike at least one other reviewer, I did not find this first volume to read as unfinished; rather, it dovetails nicely into the second novel.

It is, however, rather important to remember that Lord of the Fading Lands and Lady of Light and Shadow are, in reality, one larger work (along with, perhaps, the third of her books?). This impresses me even more, as it is very rare indeed for a new author to even be considered, and that seems especially true when their work is (as Cheryl herself noted on her website (If I recall)) a whopping 1000-page tome!

As for what I would have wanted to know prior to purchase? That was answered by the back-copy, surprisingly. I am an avid reader, but this set surprised me. Ordering new copies of the first two books today, as the originally-purchased ones are getting more than a tad worn!

Readers looking for fantasy will probably like this. I was surprised and delighted a number of times with the author's creative ideas. One wonderful scene is listed under Caution Spoiler below. Ellie is adopted and does not know her genetic heritage. A powerful dark mage is hunting for her. The Fey King Rain learns that she is his truemate. Ellie and Rain will marry when a three week preparation period is over. By the end of the book, the dark mage is still planning to do evil with her, and Ellie is not yet married to Rain. The story is unfinished. There are many questions unanswered, and the reader must purchase the sequel. I did not read the sequel so I don't know if multiple sequels are needed or not.

I was very entertained with Den's role in the book. Den is the local bully who hurt Ellie over the years, but tries to trick her into marriage. The things he does before and after Rain arrives make excellent story-telling.

I personally do not care for straight fantasy stories, so my rating is probably lower than normal for a fantasy fan. I bought this book mistakenly thinking it was fantasy and romance. So, if one is looking for romance, do not get this book.

As far as writing goes, I had a couple of problems. The pace of the story was a little too slow for me. It took too long for events to move along. Some scenes were a little redundant, for example: the author repeating the reasons for Rain's pain and suffering over 1000 years and why he hates the mages.

This is the first time I found myself wishing the author did more telling and less showing. An example is on pages 338 to 357. Ellie and Rain attend a dinner held by the king. The author spends nearly 20 pages showing their arrival at the castle and the detailed conversations Ellie and Rain have with the other guests. A few of the guests offer potential marriage proposals for Ellie's unwed 9-year old sisters. These detailed conversations were not interesting, and they could have been shortened or summarized. After 20 pages of cocktail party small talk, the guests sit down for dinner where more interesting and critical plot events happen.

CAUTION SPOILER:
One scene which I loved and found myself chuckling over several times after reading the book is on page 129. Most of the following is a quote with only a few edits for brevity. Ellie touched Rain for the first time on the back of his hand. Rain drew in his breath at the sudden rush of feelings that sprang from the simple feel of her skin meeting his. The strength of his connection to her went so far beyond what he had felt for Sariel (his deceased wife), he could hardly fathom it. If any dared to harm her, he would shred them without mercy and dance as he drank their blood. Ellie misunderstood the fierce look on his face, because she snatched her hand back and apologized for touching him. "Nei, do not apologize." Rain could barely restrain himself from reaching for that hand and putting it back on his skin. His fingers itched to do so, and he clenched them into fists. He craved her touch, ached for it as only a Fey warrior could. But admitting to his need was the same as admitting a weakness, something a Fey rarely did willingly. "I was merely surprised. You may touch me if you like." But she didn't lay that sweet hand upon him again. He cursed his own unguarded reaction that had cost him such a small but much-desired pleasure and wondered how he might contrive to get it back. He bent his head to her, his gaze intent as he willed her to touch him again. To his disgruntlement, she did not. Rain's friend is laughing at him and sending him silent mind-to-mind communications saying "If you could see yourself, Rain. Pouting like a tzicaida whose lunch just got away. You could always just command her to put her hand back on you." Rain scowled. To issue such a command would be to admit he could not win his desire any other way. It would be the same as admitting defeat, another thing no Fey warrior would ever willingly do. Nei, he was tairen enough to be crafty, to lure his (Ellie) into giving willingly that which he desired without revealing to her how badly he desired it.

Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes: two. Setting: unknown time on a planet with two moons. Copyright: 2007. Genre: fantasy.

This series is FANTASIC! I highly recommend it. Very compelling, you won't want to put it down.

This books is so, so, so good! Rain Tairen Soul has spent 1000 years suffering from the negative effects of something he did when his heart mate was killed during a big war. He is desperate because his people & their creature/companions are dying out so he consults a crystal that shows him that their only hope for survival rests on his true mate, Elysetta. He has to convince a shy, mortal girl that she is his true mate & queen, get her to acknowledge her powers & role in his culture. He's a real hottie, she's nice (although her innocence gets rather annoying at times), and the adventures going on throughout the book are addictive. Can't say enough good things about it!

Do you remember when you were a child, that you would just know when something magical and wonderful was about to happen? Perhaps it was your mother reading a story that started "Once in a land far away there lived"......., or going to the movies and hearing "Once Upon a time in a land far away"........?

All of these memories and feelings came rushing back as I started reading Lord of the Fading Lands; all of the joy, the hope, the expectation of a momentous story that would become a lasting memory, an old friend to visit, and re-visit frequently. I realized that I had found a treasure, and with my hopes high, I read straight through the night, abandoning dinner preparation, hubby left on his own, and sleep was nothing to even think about until this fabulous story was finished.

Rainer, Tairen Soul, King of the Fey, knew that his people were dying, as were the Tairen, the dragons of the Fading Mists. Daring death, Rain Tairen Soul grasps the Eye of Truth, seeking help to stop the extinction of the Tairen, and the Fey. In the midst of great pain, the Eye shows Rain a glimpse of a woman's face, then fire raining down over the world, and that he must travel to Celieria, a foreign land, to save the Fey and the Tairen.

In Celieria, a young woman, Ellysetta, promises to take her younger sisters to see the procession of the Fey as they enter the city, and to see Rainer,the first visit of the King of the Fey in over a thousand years. While traveling, nearing Celieria, Rain has a soul reach out to his, crying out in fear and pain. Rain is shocked. A woman has called to him, and it seems that she is his "True Mate". Transforming instantly into Tairen form, Rain takes to the air to protect his mate. The call is abruptly cut off, and Rain is left circling Celieria looking over the city for any contact with the soul that had called him.

Elly takes her sisters to watch the entrance of the Fey to the city, and to see the king circling over his warriors in Tairen form as he warns the people not to get to close to the marching Fey. Ellysetta's youngest sister falls, injuring herself. As Elly kisses the pain away from the injury, the circling King, in Tairen form, starts pouring fire into the sky, frightening the citizens, and causing Elly to fall, and be injured. Dropping out of the sky, landing at Elly's feet, Elly expects instant death at the hands of the Fey King. But Rainer has found his true mate; now to convince this shy, humble young woman that she is his mate, the other half of his soul, and that she will become the queen of the Fey. Needless to say, complications are inherent as Elly's family tries to deal with the life altering changes that is brought into their lives by the King of the Fey.

Rainer begins his courtship of Ellysetta, hoping to woo her affections while trying to build alliances with the Celierans. Rain knows that the evil power in the north is rising again. The Fey need the support of the Celierans to overcome this evil, as they had once, a thousand years ago, defeated the very same dark Mages of the north that are rising again to destroy the Fey, and the Celierans.

Ellysetta and Rainer's courtship, with the adventures of a thousand year old immortal wooing a young maiden, plus dealing with the dissention in the Celierian Court that is full of doubters, brings many changes to Elly and Rainer's lives. Their romance is beautiful, and poignant. The fey are heroic, and Ellysetta's growth is wonderfully detailed.

I highly recommend this novel. I am so thankful that I picked up this book on a whim. Please become a part of this adventure. There are 2 books out, with 2 more coming within the next few months. I can hardly wait!

I like the story " A PINKY IS A BABY MOUSE'', because it tells you names of baby animals. I think Pam Ryan is a great writer. Ilove her books and I hope you read her books.

A Pinky is a baby mouse is a good book because it tells me what all the baby animals are in the world.

I thought the book a pinky is a baby mouse is a good book. It had so many baby animal names. I liked all the baby animals names. I think Pam Ryan is a good person. I like her for who she is.

I like the book A Pinky is a Baby Mouse. My favorite baby animal is a seal and it is called a beach wiener. I like all of her books. Some of my favorite books are Doug Counts Down, Where is Porkchop, and A Pinky is a Baby Mouse. Those are all my favorite books.

I was aghast to read the reviews Amazon quotes on this book! It is fantastic! My children have loved it for years. It is so good that my 9-year-old will still sit and listen to it. I also take it to school on Read Across America Day and classes aged kindergarten through third have been entranced by it. It is a very good addition to every family library!

Gil Smolin, a professor at UC San Francisco Medical Center, has written a book about the implications of antibiotic use - namely, that by supressing one disease (trachoma in Nepal) through amiomycin, the antibiotic creates a more virulent form of another disease (leprosy). It is very plausible, creating a high tension to keep a reader flipping pages. The characters, all medical doctor/researchers/professors, like the author himself, not only compete for glory and medical career satisfaction, but also they compete amongst themselves for love and sex.

Yes, it's still the same old story, a quest for love and glory....

What amused me in this male writer's description of the researchers, very typical, is that appearance is everything in the women, no matter their MD/Ph.D. qualifications. That the older sister is thin and beautiful and tall is so much more important than the younger sister's accomplishments.

Yet this rivalry, apparently, fuels the almost-devastating end of a cure to the leprosy epidemic that breaks out across the US and Asia, later Europe. The male characters compete over money and control, as in the pharmaceutical companies, but their appearance does not matter much, only their wealth and greed.

I think that this clever writer could have flipped the story around and made the "ugly" researchers more attractive, just for fun, or dropped that part of the story.

Otherwise, a great read, and very frightening!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The thrilling, twisting, fast plot, complex growing characters in a great setting. It couldn't be better. Thank you Barnes and Noble for stocking it.

It's shocking that as his first book of fiction, Dr. Smolin produced such a masterpiece. A fabulously written book, fast-paced and a thriller that you can't put down. Loved it. Let's see more from this talented man.

Gil Molin is an M.D. and Research Ophthalmologist at the San Francisco University of Cal Med School. He has authored innumerable research articles and seven textbooks, has lectured all over the world, and serves as a reviewer of ophthalmology serials. He has won awards for his work in developing countries and has treated patients with leprosy in India.

Although there has been a virtual news blackout of the scientific community, word has still gotten out that if certain mutations are caused by overuse of antibiotics, the world could see a pandemic similar to the Black Death in the thirteen century. In REIGN OF THE RAT, Smolin investigates this phenomena. It begins in Nepal, when a farmer's fingers fall off and quickly spreads to the United States via an aide worker. Dr. Michael Cohen, famous archaeobiologist, is thrown together with his former girlfriend, Dr. Alice Morgan-Wright, her vengeful sister, Rowan, and a brave holy man named Brother Rose to try to stop the spread of the plague before it annihilates life as we know it:

"He saw a dark avenging angel rise up from a grave, soar into the sky and sweep across the world, search for and then devouring the hungry leprosy. When he awoke in the morning, he lay still. He didn't want to move until he'd replayed the dream in his head. He knew what he had to do. Michael had studied and intimately knew the identity of this dark angel. It was the Black Plague-and it was time for it to rise again."

It is one thing to read a distant news article, and quite another for a famous researcher to set the perils of another epidemic into a story with actual characters and descriptions of the terrifying symptoms. Dr. Smolin writes a heckuva first novel, placing the reader smack dab in the middle of Nepal to dog the footsteps of researchers who are frantically trying to save the world. He moves the action forward in snapshot scenes rife with blood and guts and never lets the reader down until the tale is spun. His characters are sexy and interesting, having common threads that enhance the plot while still being easily identifiable individuals. REIGN OF THE RAT is an educational thriller about a scenario that could easily happen in our lifetime. It is a must read and is also an easily enjoyable read.

Shelley Glodowski
Senior Reviewer

This book has everything. Great characters, whom I would love to hang out with, especially Alice, Michael, Vera and Brother Rose. Great scenery in Nepal, Norway and back in the States and a great, twisting and everchanging plot. Love all the science too.
When's the next book coming!

Like some of the other reviewers here, I grew up on the Trixie Belden books, and I also dreamed of being a member of the Bob-Whites! Being a horse-lover, too, the fact that they all rode horses was an added bonus.

I agree that Trixie and the gang were "real" characters: they teased each other, had spats, screwed up at times, and each had a distinct personality, yet all were extremely lovable. I especially always enjoyed the bantering b/t Trixie and her know-it-all brother, Mart. Yet for all the teasing you knew they really loved each other. I was an only child, and although I did have a close friend like Honey, I would've loved to have brothers like Trixie's Brian & Mart, and Honey's adopted brother, Jim.

I am so happy that Trixie and the gang are not considered too "old-fashioned" to appeal to a new generation. These books are truly ageless and timeless. I still have my original collection from when I was a kid (won't say my age, but that was many, many moons ago). I cherish them, will never part with them, and I STILL re-read them every so often, and STILL enjoy them immensely.

There were many Trixie Belden books after the original six by Julie Campbell, but IMO the ones by Julie Campbell are the best.

Thirteen-year-old Trixie Belden couldn't be more shocked to believe that she's stuck in boring old Sleepyside for the summer, while her two older brothers are away at camp. But then a millionaire moves into the mansion next door, and he has a daughter Trixie's age, named Honey Wheeler. Soon, the two girls have embarked on an adventure to see whether a ghost truly lives in the house nearby which Trixie has christened, the Miser's Mansion. But what they find is really no ghost at all, but rather a teenage boy named Jim, whose runaway from home, and is looking for his great-Uncle, who just happens to be Trixie's miser. Now the two girls and their new friend are searching for a so-called fortune within the walls of the Miser's Mansion, and having a not-so-boring summer after all.

I have been a fan of the NANCY DREW and BOBBSEY TWINS mysteries for years, so when I came across the TRIXIE BELDEN series in the store recently, I just knew that I had to try it out. Luckily, I am pleased to report, the series is as good as everyone said it would be. Trixie is an adorable character who is hardheaded, and brave, while sensitive and kind at the same time. Her vivacious personality brings the story to life, as do the quirky personalities of her friends, and the lovely black and white drawings contained within the book. Fans of NANCY DREW and the BOBBSEY TWINS will find themselves flocking to the new re-printing of the TRIXIE BELDEN books, and begging for more.

Erika Sorocco
Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper

This book is the best book I ever read! It is a wonderful book to start off the series of Trixie Belden.

This was my first time reading a Trixie Belden book and I enjoyed it immensely! In this book, Trixie meets a new friend, Honey, who moves in next door. While exploring an old mansion with Honey, they discover a runaway boy. He has runaway from his stepfather, who treats him cruelly.
These stories are cliffhangers! I love them and advise you to read them all, as I plan to do.

This story is one of my fave series because I love misterys so much. This book is about a girl and has nothing to do in the summer time in till she meats Hunny her best friend and thats the begining of the misterys! READ IT NOW!

I love most of the Little House on the Prairie books, as well as the stories of Laura's great-grandmother, Martha, her grandmother, Charlotte, her mother, Caroline, and her daughter, Rose. I've read every one I can get my hands on. My all-time favorite of the all the series is These Happy Golden Years. This tells of Laura and Almanzo's courtship, and it is so chaste and sweet.

This book definitely belongs on my 10 favorite children's books.

I would rate this book 4.5 stars. It tells of Laura Ingalls years between the age of 15 to 18, and her first teaching job where she goes to live with a family where the wife doesn't treats her shabbily. It's a good story but it mostly told more of her and Almanzo than her teaching.

Although the "Little House" books do not appear to be quite as popular as they were a couple of decades ago, I shared all the books with my grandchildren in the form of audio books. We would listen to them as we drove on both long and short rides. They, and I, enjoyed the first three books(Little House in the Big Woods, Little House on the Prairie, On the Banks of Plum Creek) but then felt the next three were just fair to listen to. When I first started These Happy Golden Years, I heard a grumble or two from the g'kids, but as the story unfolded their listening delight picked up. Soon they were begging me to drive the longer way home so they could find out what happened next. These Happy Golden Years is a sweet love story full of interesting historical facts, plus enough action to keep my grandson interested. The only flaw we found with the audio version of the book is the singing of the actor (Cherry Jones) that did the reading. It was a bit grating at times when she pretended to sing as Pa. (Poor Ma if Pa really sang like that) Other than that it is a five star recommendation.

Now fifteen-years-old, Laura Ingalls can't help but crave getting a job in order to help her family. Ever since her first taste of earning her own money, she is determined to find another position that complements her skills. Besides, with Mary away at college, as much as Laura misses the companionship of her beloved sister, she can't help but feel compelled to assist her family in keeping Mary in a place where she is learning, and happier than ever. To do that, however, she'll have to do what she can to find the perfect job. Now that she has her teaching certificate, she'll be able to do just that.

It seems like only yesterday that Laura Ingalls was racing around the schoolyard with the boys, playing ball and sharing secrets with her friends; now she is basically all grown up, and beginning her career as a schoolteacher. But being a teacher isn't as easy as Laura hoped it would be - especially when many of the students are older than she is. And, to add insult to injury, she's forced to contend with boarding with a couple who spends the late nights hurling insults at one another, and living in miserable conditions. The only consolation is that Almanzo Wilder drives in to town each and ever Friday, to pick her up and bring her to her folks house for the weekend, before she must start another grueling week. It is during these long rides that Laura begins to spend more and more time with the older man. But it also makes her question why he is so willing to drive the twelve miles to her aid each week. Laura is unsure of his motives. She is also too tired and busy to spend much time thinking about them. Instead, she thinks of the paycheck that will soon come her way; and the beauty and splendor of the items she can buy for her family as time goes by.

With each and every book in the LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE series, I have seen Laura get older and older. I have also grown to love her as much as an old friend. Laura is such a responsible, mature individual - quite different from the little rascal she was during her younger years. She seems so caring, and eager to assist her family, and see that her sister gets the education she has always craved. It is so refreshing to see a character who puts others ahead of herself. Like in LITTLE TOWN ON THE PRAIRIE, the reader has the opportunity to learn more about Almanzo Wilder; however, the more you learn, the more you see just how much older he is than Laura, and how strangely the relationship between the two of them develops. Another winner from Ms. Ingalls-Wilder!

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer

"These Happy Golden Years" is one of the best books I have ever come across. (And I have come across a lot, so don't doubt my taste!) Everything is detailed in an interesting sort of way, and the emotions and lovering part is kept well under control so it's not an immensely disgusting romance novel but not exactly a plain sensible book either. Laura Ingalls Wilder allowed the sequence to be somewhat unpredictable but it exemplifies a good plot that a true book-lover would cherish.
The plot is about fifteen-year-old Laura, now leaving home to teach school. It is a rather big challenge as the weeks drag by, but she learns to deal with unruly Clarence, pouty Martha, shy Charles, and the little ones, Ruby and another boy whose name I cannot remember. And at her boardinghouse, she has to learn how to cope with fussy and quarelly Mrs. Brewster, and spoiled baby Johnny. But the highlight of this part is every Friday Almanzo Wilder comes to pick her up to go home and back again on Sunday. When the term is finished, something has happened and soon Laura finds herself subconsciously in love with handsome Almanzo, and he with her. Of course, they don't just go ahead and marry, because a long-time rival of Laura's, Nellie Oleson, is also after Almanzo, and Laura's older snotty sister Mary is taking all her teaching money to go to college and Pa's claim must be fixed up before the winter. But these things soon pass, and Laura learns the joy of early womanhood as she and Ma make dresses, Laura learns how to deal with money, and realizes Almanzo is really the guy for her. And soon they are engaged. And that is just the beginning of a whole new chapter of Laura's life as a pioneer of America.
This heartwarming little book provides all the things you could want, some romance, a girl's troubles and hopes, and most of all, a glimpse to the daily life which we now look back to as precious American history.

I just finished reading this book and it is one of the best novels I have every read. Timmothy McCann out does himself with this one. His writing is so pure and alive. He makes you feel the characters pain and joys. The people he writes about are so ral and it is amazing how he can write from a male point of view as well as a female point of view and be so accurate with it. I would strongly recommend this book to everyone. You will just fall in love wiht Henry and Cheryl and Leslie. The pain and the love they share and lose will have you on edge and you will not want to stop until the end and they you will just simply say "Always"

I found Timmothy McCann's book entitled, "Always" to be a literary celebration. Following Henry Louis Davis, the second bid to become the first African-American president was like being in the studios of CBS or ABC on election night, Exciting! I highly recommend this book and dedicate it to the dreamer in all of us.

this is the story of Henry, who's about to become the first black president. Cheryl was Henry's first love but things didn't quite work out for them, they still have a love of love for one another though, then there is Leslie, Henry's wife who feel she is second after his career. The story gives you a look at their life when they were young, and older.

This was a great book. I grabbed it because the title sounded like a good one, I knew it would have to be some sort of sentimental story, with a name like 'Always'. So I started to read it and found the each lifestory SO real, it was like the Author had lived each life. The four main characters tell their life story, and the important dates in their life, and the reader feels like they were there with the characters as they grew up and suffered heart ache, and stress as their dreams were broken and achieved. It ended to soon, but I thought the ending was the best part. You wouldn't be disaopinted.

I liked the broad time span that the author covered in this book, and I believe that he covered it well. I enjoyed the book. The television show 24 on the Fox Network has a very similar story line to me.

Christy Miller thought that returning home from an intense experience working at an orphanage in Switzerland would be relaxing. However, in AS YOU WISH, the second book in Robin Jones Gunn's Christy and Todd: The College Years trilogy, she finds that settling into life at Rancho Corona University is far more stressful than she ever could have imagined.

Christy was looking forward to finally getting to have a more active social life and spend much more time with close friends Katie and Sierra. However, with her parents telling her to get a job and her counselor suggesting she take more classes, it looks like Christy's schedule is going to be full. When long-time boyfriend Todd informs her that he has volunteered her for yet another activity, Christy reaches a breaking point.

As she tries to sort out her chaotic life, Christy soon realizes that her problems lie far beyond her weekend social calendar. With less than a year until she graduates, and a long-term relationship, Christy must finally make some bigger decisions --- decisions that will last a lifetime. She knows that Todd is in love with her, and has been for some time. In fact, she's pretty sure that he would be ready to marry her at any time. But something is still holding her back.

As Todd reveals more and more about his background and childhood, Christy feels closer to him than ever before but also realizes what different worlds they come from. When her first childhood crush from Wisconsin comes to town, Christy begins to wonder if she might be better suited to someone with a similar background, or if she's really ready to commit to anyone at all.

Confused about her romantic future, Christy must also deal with ongoing drama in her family. Her erratic Aunt Marti is threatening to leave her husband and join an "art colony"; Christy must try to stop her before it's too late. As she grows more and more sure of her feelings and intentions, Christy gets ready to make a big declaration. However, a tragic accident occurs before she can reveal her true feelings, and it may be too late. As Christy's friends and family gather at the hospital, she becomes painfully aware of just how important it is to express your feelings while you still can.

AS YOU WISH seems to be an attempt to combine the worlds of all of Robin Jones Gunn's characters into the ongoing storyline of Christy and Todd. For fans of the Christy Miller and Sierra Jensen series, this will certainly make sense. However, new readers will experience some difficulty following the many different characters and plot lines that are thrown into the mix. The story comes a long way from its predecessor --- from Christy considering breaking up with Todd, to thinking about marrying him.

Although this (presently) final series in the world of Christy Miller is not Gunn at her best, and relies on quite a bit of recycled material, it is still very readable and will undoubtedly keep fans satisfied.

--- Reviewed by Jennifer Crosby

This has become my favorite Christy Miller book!
I read the whole regular series when she was in high school when I was 13/14 and liked it then but rereading it now at college age was a little disappointing. They are similar and teenage Christy can be annoying at times. But I've enjoyed reading Robin Gunn's college series for Christy; Christy is slightly more mature and her romance with Todd is definitely more adult and less naive.

I really identify with everything Christy goes through, all her decisions she has to make and her viewpoints on aspects of college life really resonate with me since I am going through the same situations. Either Robin remembers college very well or did her research!

I also love how she incorporated Sierra, Katie and all the characters from her Sierra Jensen Series and her Christy Miller Series, even 1 primary character from her book "Departures".

I highly recommend this book to older and college age Christy Miller fans.

I loved this book to pieces. Christy struggles with saying 'I love you' to Todd, because she isn't sure of her love for him. She makes a sudden revelation that Todd is 'the one' and feels she is confident to say those three little words, until a tragic event happens, changing Todd and Christy's life forever. Christy is having a hard time finding when she can confess that to her beloved, especially when the life-altering accident occurs. Christy and Todd both grow closer to the Lord, and Todd discovers that it is his calling to work in the church. Christy helps, and discovers she is in her element as well. The very end is beautifully written, and wonderfully romantic and sweet, which is another event that changes both Todd and Christy's life forever. Grab the Kleenex box, the end will have you wiping your eyes.

I think these books are the best I've ever read! Once you pick it up, don't expect to put it down anytime soon!! I've read them over and over, and still love them. They're clean, focused on God, and have a sweet romance in them. I also recommend the Christy Miller series.

You won't want to miss these books!!!
~Hope

I was very happy with the shipping time and condition of the book. It actually arrived before the date given to me, so I was very pleased. I would definitely buy again.