Fiction Books


Books-Under-Review-->Arts-->Online Writing-->Fiction-->57
Related Subjects: Genres Fan Fiction Writing Circles Short Stories
More Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 242 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250
Fiction Books sorted by Average customer review: high to low .

Fiction
Tonight on the Titanic (Magic tree house)
Published in Unknown Binding by National Braille Press (2001)
Author: Mary Pope Osborne
List price:

Average review score:

Our Favorite in the Series
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-10-22
My son and I really enjoyed this story, and we have the paperback at home. His first grade teacher had been looking in bookstores for this book and couldn't find it, so we ordered it for her. We ordered the library binding, which is sturdier for all the little hands it will be held by! This book has good historical value, and the basic content is accurate, without scaring the children. It's the best "Jack and Annie" book!

Good Book
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-06-11
I purchased this book in order to replace a damaged one. The transaction was smooth and the price was great!

Fantastic Titanic - Joe Third Grader
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-05-02
Magic Tree House has done it again!! Jack and Annie are in for the adventure of their lives when they climb aboard the Titanic!! An unsinkable ship that hits an iceberg. What will Jack and Annie do when they dicover that the Titanic needed twice as many life boats as it had on deck?Jack and Annie find themselves just as sad as so many passengers when they realize that people could have survived if the people who planned the voyage had thought ahead. This is an amazing story that I couldn't stop reading! Women and children were put into the lifeboats first becuase men were brave and cared about their lives. More than 1,500 people lost their lives. Everything was explained clearly so that you don't get confused. After this tragedy, laws were made so that all ships would have enough life boats for all of its passengers and an INternational Ice Patrol was formed so that ships could be warned about severe ice conditions. In 1985 a scienctist named Dr. Robert Ballard discovered the ship under water. I reccommend this book to everyone that I know!!

Magic Tree House
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-03-19
Here is a summery of this book. There is two kids and they were playing in the woods when they found a tree house. So the kids decided to see in side. So read this book to find out what happens to the kids. The way I found out about this book is because my mom told me to read a book when I was in 5th grade. So I heard about this wonderful series of books. I would love to recommend you to read this book. Who can read this book you ask! Anybody can read this book. If they like to explore then you should read this book.

What did I like this book you ask! The thing I liked was the characters because they are young and they don't know what was going on. They are always getting in trouble and they don't know why they are in trouble. I also like the action in this book. There are so many parts. I don't know how to explain. There are some parts I don't like is the length of the book. It is to short.

I loved this book a lot because it is nice and cool. I really think you should read this book. So read this book.

MY BOY LOVES READING
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-01-07
My 1st grader hates to put it down, he would rather read Magic Tree House books, than play video games. He even reads them to his class and explains the story for show and tell. In his kindergarten class the teacher would also let him read the Magic Tree House books out loud, not to give her a break, but to promote reading out loud. Great books!

Fiction
Murder, Mayhem & a Fine Man
Published in Paperback by Howard Books (2008-01-29)
Author: Claudia Mair Burney
List price: $12.99
New price: $7.56
Used price: $6.48

Average review score:

Murder, Mayhem and a "Fine Writer"
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-05-19
Claudia Mair Burney did the dogone thing! Amanda Bell Brown is a sassy and clever heroine. Sizzling dialogue, authentic description, and ever mounting conflict made it top notch reading. I couldn't stop laughing at the humor, was moved by the underlying spiritual message and was simply delighted to find a really well written novel.

CSI meets Romance meets Bible Study
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-05-13
I got the best of both worlds with this book. I'm always trapped in an episode of CSI:Miami, Law and Order or somewhere with my nose in a good Christian Fictian romance. How did Claudia Burney know just how to put it together? I felt like I was spying on Bell's life. I was totally immersed in the crime scene, in the flirt scenes in the scary situational scenes. I used EVERY spare moment to read this book and I'm thrilled that there is another one in the series.

real entertainment
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-04-05
Wow! I loved these characters. Belle is a real AAP (African American Princess). She and Jazzy have real issues, but a real respect and admiration for each other. I love the angle of the ex-boyfriend who is her Pastor. It works for me.

Honesty spiced with sass--4.5 stars
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-05-28
I don't read a lot of chick lits or murder mysteries, so to read a book with both rolled up together was an anomally. But let me tell you, reader, this book captivated me. Bell's (main character) wit had me laughing out loud.

I don't know. Maybe it's not chick lit. It has the sass of chick lit, but not really the concerns of chick lit. To be honest, the whole chick lit category confuses me once you get out of the shopping and heels stuff.

In between the laughs, Burney dealt with hard issues such as divorce and remarriage, life in the occult (and healing after getting out), interdenominational relations, and a single person's honest-to-goodness struggles with lust for the person to whom they are attracted. Yes, people, that's normal, and I love that Burney didn't shy away from that. And can I say this? While reading this book, I was an African-American woman. And you know what? I loved it. (Being African-American and the book.) In fact, I loved it so much, that I've decided to make it the June giveaway for Glimpses (my ezine).

Uncover The Truth...
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2008-04-08
Amanda Bell Brown is a forensic psychologist that is in dire need of some fun and excitement. Amanda is all set to spend another birthday alone until her sister drags her out to a birthday dinner. Amanda's world is sent into a tailspin when she suddenly ends up at the scene of a murder. She thinks she knows who the killer is, and she's trying to do everything possible to solve this case. Things become a little more interesting when the lead detective of the case named Jazz asks her out. But as Amanda becomes more involved in the case, the more dangerous it becomes. Will Amanda be able to solve this crime without becoming a victim herself?

Murder, Mayhem, and a Fine Man is a riveting mystery from Claudia Mair Burney. Mair Burney expertly created an intriguing mystery with colorful cast of characters. This storyline pulls readers in deep into the twisted world of the cult and how it can be detrimental to its members. You will feel the heart-stopping drama as Amanda gets closer to solving this disturbing case. You also feel the romantic sparks between Amanda and Jazz. Mair Burney does an excellent job of illustrating the inner religious conflicts of Amanda and Jazz as they become closer to each other. There is also a good dose of humor that makes this novel all the more enjoyable. Murder, Mayhem, and a Fine Man is a suspenseful page-turner that is the perfect start to the Amanda Bell Brown mystery series.

Reviewed by Radiah Hubbert
for Urban Reviews

Fiction
No Flying in the House (Harper Trophy Books)
Published in School & Library Binding by Topeka Bindery (1999-10)
Author: Betty Brock
List price: $14.65
New price: $14.65
Used price: $28.06
Collectible price: $54.00

Average review score:

A Special Secret
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-08-06
No Flying in the House
By Betty Brock

Young Annabel is being raised by Gloria, a three-inch tall dog who can talk and do three hundred and sixty seven tricks.

Gloria teaches Annabel manners, she teaches her to brush her teeth and even listens to her prayers. Annabel grows up to be a very well trained little girl. Although Annabel loves Gloria, she begins to wonder why she doesn't have parents like everyone else. Gloria always tells her that someday her parents will return.

Gloria, the three-inch dog is very protective of Annabel and won't let her out of her sight, until the day Annabel starts school.

Annabel is visited by a golden cat, named Belinda. Belinda is rude and calls her stupid, but she also tells her a secret. Annabel is a fairy and she can fly. Annabel is not to tell anyone her secret. She tries to fly and only manages to break her ankle.

One day, much to her surprise, Annabel begins to fly around the house.
Although she is overjoyed to be a fairy, she is forced to choose between being a human child or a fairy. Her choice can make all the difference for her future happiness.

You will enjoy this unusual fairy tale and want to share it with your friends.

Jill Ammon Vanderwood
Author: Through the Rug
Through The Rug: Follow That Dog (Through the Rug)


LOVE this book!!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-08-04
I absolutely love, love, love this book! This was my favorite book when I was a child, and when I was having my own daughter I just had to have a copy of this book to share with her. Thank goodness Amazon had it! I read it to her a chapter at a time every night until she was 5 and started reading on her own. She loves the book as much as I do. It's just a fun book that you can share with your own children. Thanks, Amazon! Now if I could only get a good copy of Old Black Witch, another of my favorites.

Fanciful, Fun, Mysterious
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-04-03
I read this book as a child, and just loved it. I have a clear memory of trying VERY hard both to fly, and to kiss the tips of my own elbows while I read it (according to the book, the ultimate proof of being a fairy).However, I didn't remember any of the story's details -- neither the title nor the author. Finally, after an in-depth Internet search, I found it and I ordered it for my own 8 year old daughter, who read it straight through. She seems to have loved it as much as I did, and still talks about the memorable characters and situations. (I reread it the day it arrived in the mail, and it turns out it is not just a story about an orphaned little girl and her tiny talking dog -- it is a mystery as well!) The best part for me was watching my daughter try to kiss her own elbows. But why not? After all, who knows which of us is really a fairy? Now I am left to wonder why this author didn't write more children's books. I will definitely try and find other things she has written.

enchanting
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-03-08
This was a book I read as a child... it was one of my favorite books and has now become my nine year old daughters' favorite. We read it together, a chapter each night, over a week... it was compelling, exciting, mysterious, and amazing all at once - we were captivated. I thoroughly recommend this story to any little girl who has dreamed about being a fairy.

My Absolute Favorite Children's Novel
Helpful Votes: 12 out of 15 total.
Review Date: 2008-08-08
I really loved NO FLYING IN THE HOUSE as a child. (I still have my original copy, which is 38 years old!) I still love it now. And I have just finished reading it to my three year old daughter, who was very taken with it. It was a delightful adventure for both of us, being able to share a true favorite together.

NO FLYING IN THE HOUSE is the story of 3 year old Annabel Tippens and her companion Gloria. Gloria is a small white dog, three inches long and three inches high; she can sit in the palm of your hand. But that is not the most remarkable thing about Gloria: she talks, she is extremely smart, and is the sole care-giver to young Annabel, whose parents have had to go away and who have entrusted Gloria with Annabel's care, upbringing and protection. But even that is not the MOST remarkable thing about Gloria...

Annabel is not quite what she seems, either. As Annabel gets older, she begins to discover certain unique abilities. As a matter of fact, Annabel can fly. (What little girl doesn't dream of flying???) It seems that Gloria has a secret that she has been keeping from Annabel, for her own good. Annabel isn't just any little girl, she is ½ a true fairy princess. Unfortunately, Annabel discovers this secret, and now she must make a very important choice, one that will change her life forever.

NO FLYING IN THE HOUSE written in a simple, straight forward style that captures the hearts and imaginations of readers young and old alike. It is an exciting tale of fairies and flying, that also teaches the true meaning of love. It is a wonderful story to share, and I am so glad that I did.

Fiction
The Restorer (The Sword of Lyric Series #1)
Published in Paperback by NavPress Publishing Group (2007-05-15)
Author: Sharon Hinck
List price: $14.99
New price: $2.99
Used price: $1.85
Collectible price: $14.99

Average review score:

The Restorer
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-09-23
Maybe I was expected a little to much with this book. I don't think it lived up to what different sources led me to believe, but still, it was worth reading I guess. I'd recommend it to people who have already finished all the other Christian fantasy fiction like The Door Within Trilogy and Echoes from the Edge.

A good book!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-09-23
If you like fantasy books and you can't find any that you haven't already read, try this one!!!!

Great book!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-08-26
I will have to say that this is one of the best books I have ever read. I stayed up half the night reading, because I could really could not put the book down. I promptly bought the next two books in the series, before I even had this one finished!

I really liked that the heroine was a mom and not the typical young man of most stories. It is a fantasy book, but it is also very much on others levels, that even people who do not normally read fantasy, may still like The Restorer. Sharon really describes the surroundings enough for me to truly visualize the other world, but she does not delve into descriptions in too much detail, as to get boring. Wonderfully written and captivating story! I will be buying all books that Sharon Hinck writes!

Captivating!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-08-17
Sharon Hinck pens a lovely creation with The Restorer, the first in The Sword of Lyric series. I am a huge fantasy fan, but I notice that the plots in these stories can sometimes be pretty similar. This book is like nothing I've ever read before-it's completely original and full of plot twists that really did surprise me! But, my favorite part of the book is the wonderful characters. They are so lovable and you can't help but feel for them. I recommend this book to all ages!

3.5 stars--The Restorer
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-06-04
Susan is stuck and depressed. She can't take one more argument between her kids. Her husband, Mark, decides to build her a getaway in the attic--a space where no one but her is allowed, where she can journal and pray and read to her heart's delight. But God had a different getaway in mind. Falling through a portal, she comes upon a nation threatened by war on the outside and by forgetting their identity on the inside. She learns that God sent her as their Restorer.

It's entertaining, and it has a good message. She does a good job with setting and descriptions and an excellent job with characterization. I knew these characters. The book also motivated me to memorize Scripture. We used to do this as kids, but at some point, it stopped seeming important. After all, I have 3,258 Bibles in my house. I can look anything up. Why memorize? But Sharon depicted both the power of lies to poison our thinking and lives and the power of Scripture to combat those lies.

For mothers out there struggling with their purpose now that their lives are consumed with laundry and dishes and snotty noses, this book that God has work for each one of us, including mothers, work for His kingdom. Susan finds out that her identity isn't wrapped up in her kids.

I liked it. I liked that the main character in the fantasy is a woman. To be honest, though, it felt more like an allegory than a true fantasy. More like Hinds Feet on High Places. Almost a long parable. A lot of one-to-one corollations. Lies poison the mind with physical devastation. The nation represent Israel (people that follow the Verses; they even have 2 lost tribes, sorry, clans). It was more like an Hans Christian Anderson story with a morality at the end than a Grimm's Fairy Tale. This is not a bad thing. It has its own power. Like I said, I found it both entertaining and it challenged me to memorize Scripture again. I just tend to prefer non-allegorical books.

Fiction
Stand Back, Said the Elephant I'm Going to Sneeze!
Published in Library Binding by Lothrop Lee & Shepard (1990-04)
Author: Patty Thomas
List price: $16.93
New price: $112.06
Used price: $11.88
Collectible price: $35.00

Average review score:

Wonderfully written, but it needs editing!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-09-11
The illustrations are fantastic. The writing is clever. But for a children's picture book, it's just too wordy! Hate to say it, but the rhymes barely fit on a page and cover too much of the illustrations. I love a well-written book, but this is overwritten. I have to abridge it while reading to keep my childrens attention. Still, I would recommend this book for animal loving children and parents.

Older children in the 9 - 11 group choose the book for reading to the little kids
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-07-12
Stand back,- said the elephant, -I'm going to sneeze!

I hate to alarm you, But I don't wish to harm you.
My friends, I fear, Its clear, Oh, dear,
You'd better stand back, I'm going to sneeze.-

The tale begins with a representation of an massive elephant standing on his rear legs

The opening page sets up the story line. Instantly each of elephant's neighbors begins to tell elephant precisely why they do not want him to sneeze. The reader meets many of the elephant's friends who are most apprehensive to hear that the elephant is needing to sneeze.

The critters begin to converse, confer, talk about and remind the elephant using child friendly rhythm and rhyme, that he just really must NOT sneeze. "The zebra yelled, "Yipes, You'll blow off my stripes, Plus lots and lots, Of the leopard's spots, And all of the snakes will be tied up in knots!"

Oh no. Not again. The elephant is going to sneeze.

Catastrophe is at hand, the jungle is in pandemonium.

The last time he sneezed; it was dreadful, just dreadful. Why elephant blew all the stripes off the zebra, and all the fur from the bear. He turned the crocodile's nose inside out and blew the stings right off the bees. They had to made due with rose thorns and glue. He even blew all the scales from the fish, and the monkeys out of the trees. Featherless birds were forced to walk south and not fly.

An alligator, and a buffalo, bees, and bear, crocodile, fish, giraffe, and hippopotamus, leopard, mouse, parrot, and snakes, and even the zebra are worried. It is going to be mayhem; if the elephant sneezes.

-Oh, please, Not a sneeze,- Said the bear. -Thats not fair. I declare.

The last time he sneezed he blew off all my hair,

And left me so bare I spent the whole winter in long underwear-
Nothing is so sad as a bear that is bare.-

Stand Back," Said the Elephant, "I'm Going to Sneeze! was a much loved favorite of both of my own children when they were young as well as for the K - 1 classes I taught in California.

Sad to say, not too many people have even heard of the book. The premise and rhyme are amusing, words flow in cadenced, and lovely tempo that children adore. Images are a brilliant addition to the account.

For years the first book I read to my students, on the first day of the new school term, is Stand Back," Said the Elephant, "I'm Going to Sneeze!

I read it in part because, I just plain like the book. I read it too because; in spite of my being a small person, I have a sneeze that will rattle the windows in the next classroom.

I read the book, and the children and I talk about the absurdity of the tale, and I assure the kids they need not fear ... when I sneeze I will try not to blow off their stripes.

I get pleasure from reading the book as much as the kids enjoy listening to it being read to them. The book is very repetitious leading to children being drawn right into the fun as they talk nineteen to the dozen along with the reader.

Synonyms like bare and bear, and fun observations like 'Bee's Knees are sprinkled into the text.

Following elephant's pronouncement a tiny gray mouse sets about to save the day. Rising up to full height he demands that the sneezing must stop. And within moments the elephant begins to giggle.

Even before turning the page; you just know there must be a consequence when an begins elephant laugh. And so there is. The unexpected ending always has my first graders animated, giggling and ready to talk.

And, they are mesmerized to learn that elephants really do not care for mice!

Stand Back," Said the Elephant, "I'm Going to Sneeze! is a -read to- book for the 3 - 6 year old set and a -read with help- for 6 -8 -8. The book is written well, holds children's interest and is just plain fun to read. I particularly like the illustrations, they are child friendly, my first grade likes them very much

I have always enjoy the read, happy to recommend for the target audience. Stand Back," Said the Elephant is a must for the 3 to 8 set, the home, classroom, school and public libraries. Older children in the 9 - 11 group choose the book for reading to the little kids.

Molly Martin
Reviewer

LOVE this book!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-06-16
I grew up having this book read to me, and now I can share it with my daughter. I just love the illustrations and the story is so funny - my daughter laughs out loud when I read certain parts. I highly recommend this book.

fun rhymes
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-04-14
Though it is a little wordy and long for a 2 year olds attention span, the rhymes are funny and entertaining; a key for a mom who reads each book many, MANY times!

stand back i'm gonna sneeze--
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-12
A wonderful book to read aloud to kids. It is one of our favorite family books.

Fiction
Tails
Published in Board book by Red Wagon Books (2003-10-01)
Author: Matthew Van Fleet
List price: $13.95
New price: $1.18
Used price: $0.01
Collectible price: $13.95

Average review score:

"Finger-tickling fun for toddlers"...crushing tedium for their parents
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2008-07-20
A well-meaning friend gave us this book, along with a bunch of others, and all I can say is that the other ones were infinitely better. It's true that our little girl (less than 2) is pretty keen on the book, but within a matter of months she had ripped out the waggling tails and I had grown very, very tired of the artist's limited repertoire of facial expressions, jokes, limp rhymes and cutesy-cuddly anthropomorphic animals. A sign of how much it compels our own toddler is that by now, she is only interested in the (admittedly mildly impressive) peacock. Elsewhere, you too will get bored and irritated by the sheer repetitiveness of it all, not to mention the actually kind of nauseating smell of the scratch & sniff skunk's tail.

There are a number of other books for very small kids that I would recommend more than this one. Judith Kerr's 'The Tiger Who Came To Tea', for example, is a truly strange and mysterious story that our girl returns to over and over again. 'Tails', however, is a one-joke book which tries to be educational but which is meanwhile relentlessly inaccurate from a zoological point of view - if you're going to show something about animals that doesn't actually feature them as characters, you could at least show them behaving in something like the ways they really behave, instead of having lions cheerfully hanging out with porcupines. Avoid.

Excellent diction, hilarious pictures, fun for adults
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-06-14

Disclaimer: my wife used to work for the publisher (we
got it free along with every other new release). This
was by far the most fun of any of them. We bought several
extra copies for gifts to friends.

Great book to read to pre-readers. Too many complex and unusual
words for learning to read. The pull out fun (and wagging tails)
are made of many layers of cardboard, so it lasts a lot longer
than most active books.

lots of fun
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-05-10
Bought this for our 15-month old--he loves all the different textures and turned the nice big pages. And mom & dad learned about new animals too (pangolin??). However, I think he is a little young for it because he pulled out some of the tabs that make the tails move--they are sturdy enough we can repair it, but we may put the book away for awhile until he's a bit older.

Great interactive book
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-05-07
We got this as a gift for my 18 month old daughter and she absolutely loves it. The design is extremely sturdy, which is great, because with all the use it gets, it needs to be. Some books have tabs that make parts of the book "move", but after repeated use, they tear and the moving parts don't work anymore. Not a worry with this book. It has held up great. The textures that are used for the touch and feel items are perfect, the drawings are adorable, and the fact that the author uses animals not typically chosen for children at this age is an added bonus. Forget your run-of-the-mill cats, dogs, and lions, your child will encounter boars, porcupines, weasels, chipmunks, pangolins, and tamarins. (Yes, I will admit, I never heard of the last two animals until I read this book--even a parent can learn something from it!) Matthew van Fleet added a nice touch to the book by including pictures of the animals in the back that you saw throughout the story, along with their names, so kids can learn about animals that they were probably not exposed to prior this. A GREAT interactive book for curious little minds! You will not be disappointed.

Fun Book
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-19
I first learned about this book a few years ago when I was babysitting a friends child. I thought it was cute then. Since then, I have had a little boy of my own, who is now almost a year old, and he really likes this book. He really seems fascinated by all the things this book does! He doesn't usually sit still to read books, but this keeps his attention. I also just purchased the book "Dog" by Matthew Van Fleet. That is a birthday gift for my son, but my husband and I both think that its a cute/humorous book. (anything that isn't annoying for me to read repeatedly is a huge plus!) I am now very interested in other books by this author, and excited to purchase a few more by him! Can't wait for the new "Alphabet" book to come out!!

Fiction
The Windflower
Published in Mass Market Paperback by Dell (1984-05-01)
Authors: Laura London, Sharon Curtis, and Tom Curtis
List price: $3.95
Used price: $14.99

Average review score:

Thank you, Sharon and Tom Curtis
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-06-25
I can't figure out how to write to these authors, so I'd like to use this review to thank them for writing such a beautiful and thoroughly enjoyable novel. I never read a book quite like this and since the Curtis' don't seem to be writing anymore, I doubt I ever will. The characters in this book are absolutely unforgettable. I can't get them out of my mind. Raven was funny and brave and Rand - I'd love to see his harsh exterior melted by a woman of his own - and Cat is just hauntingly beautiful. Bravo, Mr. and Mrs. Curtis!

Truly a Treasure
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-27
A voracious reader since childhood. I became fan of romance novels in my teens and AT LEAST 2500 books later, The Windflower by Laura London sets the standard for which I judge all romances.

I found a sadly tattered copy this book in my local library 1985. I couldn't find anything from my favorite authors that I hadn't already read. I chose this book very reluctantly because I was concerned that it might be another boring and irritating bodice-ripper type of romance. I was completely blown away to discover an extremely well-written, wonderfully detailed, charming, poignant, humorous, witty, and sensual book. I found all of the characters interesting and memorable. Yes, the hero could be aggravating sometimes but I imagine that the relationship would lose its interesting complexity were he the easy-going type.

No, it's not the classic type romance novel but rather a story about a sheltered young lady whose world is turned upside down when she ends up a captive on a pirate ship due to tricks of fate. It is about how she and the hero deal with their attraction and discover love (albeit with difficulty). It is equally about how she adapts and matures in her new world and how her new world is affected by her.

I've had the good fortune and privilege to read all of Laura London's (Sharon & Tom Curtis) books. I am awed by their talent. They are truly artists and I also feel that they must be very special people.

Wonderful book!
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-12-23
This is one of those rare books that manages to be sweet and touching and exciting all at the same time. It is such a page turner, and when you finish it there is a feeling of let-down, like you know you are never going to pick a book quite as lovely as this one again. At least not one with pirates in it! Real, blood-thirsty, knife-in-the-teeth, take-no-prisoners, offer-no-quarter pirates. This has got to be the best pirate romance book ever written.

The closest I ever found is "Passion's Ransom" by Betina Krahn. If you are a Windflower addict searching for another hit, that's where you should look.

NOT A ROMANCE!
Helpful Votes: 13 out of 16 total.
Review Date: 2007-08-06
OK, so maybe I'm just cranky because I plunked down $25 for an out of print paperback-- expecting one of the best romances ever written. I'm so annoyed that I don't know who I want to slap first--- the people who recommended this book, the authors, or Devon.

In my dreams, I'll line up all of them a La "Airplane" and have a go at them.

First off, this is NOT a romance! The 'whateveritis' between Devon and Merry could probably fill up oh, all of 4 chapters, maybe 100 pages of the book. It's lame, limp, passionless, full of distrust and so much of the heroine being hogtied with either ropes or verbal manipulation, you think you're reading some kind of the twisted tripe from the 70/80's(OK so this book WAS written sometime around then). That may explain it.

Like others have said, there are entire chapters where they don't even speak to one another. The relationship between the 2 actually becomes something that sorta looks like a relationship in the last 2 chapters. The rest?

Is about Merry and EVERYONE else on the ship. EVERYONE--- Cat, Raven, Morgan, The Crew etc. Heck, half the Caribbean for that matter. But Devon and Merry? Erm, not much. Very little...dang near nothing. Not enough for me to see why she 'loved' him and why he 'loved' her. Like others have said, this is the first 'romance' that I've read where I wasn't sure who the heroine was supposed to be with, even 2/3's of the way through the book. I assumed it was Cat for about 3 chapters, then Raven....but then the author would have Devon reappear to scowl, kiss Merry, fondle her a bit as if to say "NOPE! He's the one!"

Thank you, I was very confused until those moments. But by then, I disliked Devon so much, I was really hoping that he'd croak and maybe Cat would get the job.

Secondly, when you finally get to the "romance" part of this "NOT A ROMANCE", you are so annoyed with Devon's on going coldness, manhandling and mistreatment of Merry, plus the manner in which they are not only married, but the marriage is finally consumated that you feel....well...ah...

I personally was FURIOUS! The book is pretty much about someone who has every choice stripped away from page one by either relative, circumstance and at the very end husband.

OK, for that total slap in the face of freedom, I hated the book.

Lastly, what makes this book beautiful is NOT THE ROMANCE! But the prose, the imagery, the characters, the research etc. Mostly---The story inside the story. These factors are what make this book beautiful and great. And why I gave it two stars instead of one.

However, I disagree with others, I would never, ever ever ever ever ever pass this book on to others as an example of a 'Great Romance' novel. Because, it's not a romance.

Totally Satisfying
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2007-07-31
Wow, every now and then I come across a romance novel that has everything I want in it. A great hero and heroine, adventure, love, some misunderstanding, a little humor, bad boys, etc. The Windflower was one of the few. It made me feel for ALL of the characters. I don't think I have ever cared so deeply for multiple secondary characters, and it makes for a deeper reading experience. Overall, this book was wonderful; I mean really perfect, the ideal romance novel whose formula has never been dupliacated.

The romance is actually not as prominent in this particular romance novel as in others, but it doesn't detract from the read at all. One thing I really liked was the subplots don't feel forced unlike many other romance novels; they are enjoyable.

My advice for you is to find it; it was a rather hard book to track down, but it was so worth it. It is one of those novels you think about even after several weeks, and one where you can still remember every character's name because they mean something to you. An exceptional book.

Fiction
Winter's Tale (Limited Edition): An Original Pop-up Journey
Published in Hardcover by Little Simon (2005-09-27)
Author:
List price: $250.00
New price: $250.00
Used price: $249.99
Collectible price: $525.00

Average review score:

Heirloom Quality Book!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-10-09
I stumbled on this book while reading a booklist on Amazon, and purchased it the same day. I collect pop up books, and this one is top notch! the binding and cover are sturdy and beautiful, and the pop ups inside are ornate. My kids and I love it, and it's on the shelf with all of the best children's collectible books!

OK, but can be damaged
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-06-08
I really liked the book, it is beautiful, but I ordered several books and many of them were damaged. Amazon was really good about exchanges, but it was still a pain. If you buy one, check it carefully for defects.

An amazing teaching tool
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-01-10
I absolutely love this book. You will not be disappointed. It goes beyond the average pop up book. Things actually come up and off of the page. Its really quite a piece of art.

Winter wonderland
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-12-31
Beautiful and creative masterpiece! A real keepsake! Sabuda has created a magical, fairytale world. Something beautiful on each page and twinkling lights on the final page.

beautiful book
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-12-21
This is a great book. I wish I could find another battery for the back because mine is out and I can't find one.

Fiction
You're My Little Love Bug (Parent Love Letters)
Published in Board book by Candy Cane Press (2005-01)
Author: Heidi R. Weimer
List price: $12.99
New price: $7.77
Used price: $0.01

Average review score:

Cute book
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-10-06
I bought this book for my 2 granddaughters (ages 4 and 2) in Georgia. When I moved to Texas I bought a 2nd one to have at my house to read to them over the phone. My 4-year-old granddaughter memorized the whole book and insisted on "reading" it to me. They also like the pocket on the inside back cover in which I put a picture of them.

Defintely a favorite, without a doubt !
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-08-03
I reallly really Love this book !!!!
My daughters (...now 4 and 5) are still
loving this book. I really enjoy the
adorable absolutely cutsie phrases in
the book. a quick easy reading adorable
loving book. Children will know without
a doubt they are loved,, when they are
read this book. A great book for a gift,
also! A winner, in my opinion!

Absolutely adorable!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-06-18

Bought this book today and it's already become my 7 month old daughter's favorite! She loves the illustrations, the SUPER FUN WORDS, and of course the music and lights!

The music is a little loud, however, it turns off after one round of the music so it's not bad at all.

It's one of the most enjoyable books we have! I will have no issues reading this book to her over and over again!!!

Definitely a must-have for any book collection - it's quite unique!


Fun to read and soothing to my baby's ears!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-06-03
We've been reading to my 5-month old son since he was born and "You're My Little Love Bug" is by far his favorite! He is mesmerized by the beautiful music and reading the words in rhythm with the tune makes it fun to read. I had to buy a second copy since it's such a hit with my mother-in-law...she "stole" our copy and I needed one for our house! :) I highly recommend this book, it's a beautiful keepsake that will be cherished by both child and parent.

Love it!
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-09-05
This book is absolutely adorable. I purchased it for my 6 month old daughter and she is just enthralled with the lights and the music. Granted, my son wouldn't have been interested at her age (he never went in for books or music at her age), but my daughter loves it. You know your child best, so you should have a good idea of whether or not they'll like the lights and sounds.

I do wish there was a volume control so we could turn it down at sleepy time, but even without it, I can highly recommend the book.

Fiction
Angel Fire
Published in Paperback by Laughing Owl Publishing (1998-06)
Author: Ron Franscell
List price: $12.50
New price: $5.00
Used price: $0.01
Collectible price: $12.50

Average review score:

Horrors of war
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-05-16
If any of us have forgotten that a war doesn't end when the last shot is fired, this book is a reminder that a war isn't over until the last survivor is dead. Angel Fire is a beautifully written novel,twisting several plotlines together. Entwined with the story of the present-day journalist trying to rebuild his life are flashbacks of two brothers growing up, a journal from Vietnam, and touches of local mythology. Don't miss this one. Franscell deserves to be widely read.

A beautiful book about life, love and memory
Helpful Votes: 11 out of 11 total.
Review Date: 2004-03-21
I was introduced to Angel Fire as part of my university's Western literature course last fall. It is one of the most moving books I have ever read as part of my classroom work which is usually pretty boring and hard to manage. But this book was totally different and is an awesome example of symbolism, totally real characters and had a beautiful message all wrapped up in a story I couldn't put down! The Vietnam parts were really graphic and made it hard for me to sleep for a few nights, but it wasn't there for a thrill because it ended up being an important part of the total story. My mother died one year ago and when Cassidy MacLeod loses his mother i literaly started crying because it was a perfect expression of a child's grief. In the end, Ange Fire helped me comprehend life and death in a way I might never have seen on my own. This is a book I will read over and over again as I grow older because there is a lot of good lessons for living a good life where "pain is the price we pay for memory." Thank you, Mr. Franscell, for this book. I hope more people read it again and again.

Beautifully written....
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2007-05-22
I discovered Angel Fire and Ron Franscell quite by accident recently and soon realized that I had struck gold! Ron's descriptions of small town life and brotherly love were so real and touching I had to keep reminding myself that I was reading fiction. This is a beautifully written book that I will keep and treasure and read again.

You need to read this book
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 6 total.
Review Date: 2006-07-04
A story of such poignancy that it quite nearly made me weep. An amazing depth of understanding of the human condition from a man who is entirely amusing and can find humor in almost any aspect of life. There's more to Ron Franscell than first meets the eye. Angel Fire finds the gaps in the walls and attempts to fill and mend them. This story demonstrates so well that life is not tidy - it is merely all we have.

Angel Fire
Helpful Votes: 9 out of 10 total.
Review Date: 2003-08-19
A story about a man (Cassidy McLeod) who lost his brother (Dan McLeod) who died in Viet Nam. Cassidy gets a phone call and goes to his hometown. He thought about his brother and had a harrowing reunion. He had pains with his mind. As I a Viet Nam Veteran it reminded me of PTSD. Grief can and is felt by everyone. I read the book and it wass very good. Ron Franscell is on of the great writers of today. This book deserves to be read by everyone. It is on of my all time top ten books in my home and will be passed on to all my great, great, great grandchildren.


Books-Under-Review-->Arts-->Online Writing-->Fiction-->57
Related Subjects: Genres Fan Fiction Writing Circles Short Stories
More Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 242 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250