Shopping Books

"Big Apple Christmas" is the most wonderful romantic anthology. As a native New Yorker, these charming, beautifully written tales brought back many wonderful memories of Christmas from my past. And also gave me ideas for new traditions I'd like to start.

*****"Moonlight and Mistletoe" by Carrie Turansky tells the story of Sarah, a professional organizer, and Justin, a poet. This couple is drawn together when Sarah's neighbor, Lillian, is injured in a fall because of the clutter in her apartment. Justin hires Sarah to eliminate his Grandmother's clutter, and they grow closer as they work together on the project. But Sarah is dismayed that Justin isn't career minded, and therefore believes they have no future. Will she give up on the man she is falling for?

*****Emily and Bryan literally run into each other at Kennedy Airport in Gail Sattler's "Shopping For Love". Emily is running away from her messed up life, including Brian with an "i". How can Bryan with a "y" be capturing her heart? Bryan has feelings for Emily, too. But he lives in Washington state and she in Minnesota. Can they make a long-distance relationship last?

***"Where the Love Light Gleams" is Lynette Sowell's contribution to this anthology. Gwynn and Theo have two things in common. They have both been widowed, and their daughters are best friends from college. When Gwynn says "goodbye" to the majestic 75-foot pine tree in her front yard, her family sends her on a trip to New York to see the sites and visit the tree in Rockefeller Center. This was a decent story, but the relationship development was a bit choppy.

********Vasthi Reyes Acosta's "Gifts from the Magi" is the story of two childhood friends, Cecilia and Elias, reunited when he returns to town as her church's youth pastor. Cecilia is working on her Master's thesis, and has been volunteered by her family to help chaperone the youth events over the Christmas holiday. Seasoned with Latin flavors, this story repeatedly sent shivers up my spine! You must do yourself a favor and read this in one sitting.

Reviewed by Lori Plach for Reader Views (10/07)

Every year about a million people cram into Times Square in New York City on New Years' Eve, while another billion TV viewers tune in to watch the ball drop and a new year to begin. There are bound to be plenty of stories of people who venture to New York City to take in all the lights, sounds and activities of the holiday season. "A Big Apple Christmas" gives you four stories of people who ventured to New York, not for love, but find themselves enjoying being in one of the United States' busiest cities.

In "Moonlight and Mistletoe" Sarah Montgomery has made friends with her neighbor in her apartment building. Lillian is an elderly lady with a big heart and way too much stuff. After Lillian's accident, Justin comes to help with Grandma's things. He hires Sarah to organize Grandma's belongings. How can he take this much time off in order to help Grandma, doesn't he even work? Why is he offended when Sarah tries to rid Grandma's home from children's poetry books?

In "Shopping for Love," Emily Jones just wants to forget Brian. She has been burned in a relationship and just needs some rest and relaxation, so she takes off to New York City. The farthest thing from her mind is literally falling into the arms of another Bryan. Why won't this Bryan just leave her be? Every chance he gets he invites her to go shopping and seeing the sights.

"Where the Love Light Gleams" is a heartwarming story of Gwynn Michaud's trip to New York to see a tree from her land be the centerpiece of Rockefeller Center. As chance would have it, her daughter's roommate Maline is from New York and offers to house Gwynn during her stay in the Big Apple. Theophilius Stellaki is Maline's father and is a cranky professor, but being a proper gentleman, offers to accompany Gwynn to the lighting ceremony. Will he end up escorting her to more than just a tree-lighting?

"Gifts from the Magi" is by far one of the most romantic stories I have ever read. Elias Perez is youth pastor at the church where he grew up. Cecilla was one of the few girls who didn't make fun of Elias and his being sickly when they were kids. Throughout the Christmas season, the two work together on many projects. He's a friend to her so she asks who would possibly be giving her all these anonymous gifts like two dove candy bars and four cell phone pictures of pigeons.

After reading "A Big Apple Christmas," you won't be watching the ball drop on New Years quite the same way. Maybe there are stories like this one developing out there on Times Square. Even if you can't make it to New York to celebrate Christmas this year, you still can enjoy "A Big Apple Christmas!"

Many sad thoughts was entered in by the sad story! I like the book I just hoped the ending would be more happier....
Bless you for the courage to write that book

Every one needs to read such a sad but victorious book!!
I cried and laughed.... This is a movie waiting to happen.

If you're a bargain hunter, Born to Shop Hong Kong is a must! Almost every one of Suzy's recommendations are stellar. She makes it easy for you to find those one of a kind treasures to bring home-at discount prices. The book groups stores in geographical areas and provides easy to follow maps so you save time. For those who get tired of shopping, she offers unique sightseeing tips such as the Opera singers at Temple market. The restaurants she recommends are frequently entertaining in themselves, such as the one with a doctor who prescribes a meal based on your health. She's a friendly, funny writer with honest reviews of merchants. Her advice on avoiding tourist traps will save you time and money. I was in Hong Kong alone but felt like I had a friend along in Suzy's book. Suzy takes you places the average tourist would never experience. My sister, a flight attendant who just moved from Hong Kong and a co-worker who leads trips to the area had not been to many spots I visited-thanks to Suzy. "Born to Shop" has specific transportation advice on reaching your destination, includes conversion charts and it's a perfect purse size with a stain resistant plastic cover! She thought of everything. I'm going to France next and you can be sure I will buy Born to Shop Paris.

This book was my bible for 10 days in H.K. Not only were all the shopping recommendations right on, the hotels, especially The Conrad, and resturants were all excellent recommendations. Now what Suzy needs to do is write a book for the rest of China!

My friend was 40,000 in debt because of her massive shopping sprees which would leave her feeling empty at the end every time. I came across Terrence Shulman's book "Bought Out and Spent! Recovery from Compulsive Shopping & Spending" arrived not a moment to soon!!! Since reading this brilliant work my friend has chopped up all of her credit cards and taken up counseling with Mr. Shulman. She hasnt crossed the line into irresponsible spending in over 2 months! From the bottom of my heart thank you very much Mr. Shulman for giving me my friend back!!!

Overspending has reached epidemic proportions in the U.S. We have been "programmed" to spend by the media everyday. We have been given too much credit too easily and now need to find our way out. With humor and compassion, Mr. Shulman helps us understand the whys; the crys for help; and how to deal with them. His examples are real-- sometimes sad, sometimes funny and always understandable and appropriate. We can ALL find someone in his examples that beckon to us. He helps us to understand why we have overspent and gives quizes,examples and other references to help get us back on track. Mr. Shulman gives new hope in this amazing and easily read book on a very current and addictive behavior. This little book is quick reading, but yet very reflective. It is worth its weight in gold.

When I landed in LA, it took me a good 3 months to find a series of haunts, owing simply to the sheer size of the place. This book breaks it down by neighborhood, "scene," and type of venue, so that the only other guide you need is a Thomas guide (the ubiquitous, highly detailed road map that occupies the back seat of every car in Southern California). Great insider info, seedy backstories, and a dead-on dissection of the various scenes make this a great introduction to America's most puzzling megalopolis. Fodors would be hard pressed to top this.

Great book, especially for the young and young at heart. Unlike most other city guides I see this one really appears to be written by insiders who genuinely seem to know what they're talking about. Useful for both visitors to the city as well as people who are already in LA. The book is well structured with separate sections on eating out, nightlife, shopping, culture & arts, lodgings and many more. If you want to know where the current "in" places are and the real inside information on LA then this is the guide for you.

I have never read such smart or helpful advice about how to protect myself as a consumer. The best $15.00 investment I ever made.

These people really care about people. Boy, do they know what they're talking about!

Green in 2001!

Consumer advocate Green tackles the entire gamut of expenses you're likely to face in life ... and in death ... covering everything from infertility treatments to funerals. Whether you're looking for child care, problem-free moving, or the best airfares -- this book has it all!

Lynn M. LoPucki has described and documented the insidious corruption that has taken hold of the U.S. bankruptcy courts. Almost no one in the bankruptcy field will talk openly about what has happened to the practice of their profession. But the corruption and prevalence of greed are very real. Lynn M. LoPucki has decoded their playbook and exposed the pattern of corruption. The "case placers" (bankruptcy lawyers and professionals) choose where to file the cases; judges compete for big cases by appealing to them. Compromised judges readily approve lucrative fees for the lawyers and bankruptcy professionals with whom they have cozy relationships, while allowing them to suppress, muzzle and trample on the rights of shareholders and creditors who dare to object. Disturbingly, corrupt bankruptcy lawyers and professionals are becoming more artful at their game. The plays are now so well understood that case placers do not need to spell out their conspiratorial actions to one another. They have mastered the quick Section 363 sale (minimum time, maximum fees). They can effectively hijack companies through their counsel to boards of directors, then be opportunely positioned to generate millions in legal and professional fees, all readily approved by the judges who reward their brethren who bring cases to their courts, even praising them for their "hard work." The U.S. Trustee's office is no help in ferreting out the abuse. Nor is the SEC. Bankruptcy fraud and corruption are not even among the SEC's priorities. So it is "businessperson beware," and especially beware of your lawyers and professional advisors, their motives, and their connections to the bankruptcy world. No serious business person can afford not to know what is happening to the bankruptcy courts. LoPucki's book is required reading.

Great book, explains how companies can abuse the bankruptcy court system. Very well written, and interesting for a general audience.

I found this book to be excellent as far as dealing with debt and money problems. Yvonne Kaye is a counselor who happens to live in my local area and gives many seminars. She writes like someone who knows what they are talking about on the subject because she does know, she was a person who self-describes herself as a person who was in debt, addicted to the spending/debt habit and was co-dependent in it. Yvonne Kaye is direct. She also points out that just because you're rich doesn't mean you don't have money problems! She is also lighthearted and has a sense of humor about all of it. I would recommend this book highly to anyone who is in need of getting out of debt and in a financial bind. M. Wood - AOL Subscriber and Amazon Customer (Wmonica@aol.com) I would recommend this book to anyone who is struggling with debt

As a psychologist, I suggest this book for anyone who has recurrent money problems. It asks the right questions and helps you find some helpful answers to get this aspect of your life in order.

I highly recommend this book.

Andi really puts it all together with this book. I especially like the references for suppliers. Great Job!

One of our chefs just bought this book. Wow! Not only are the recipes superb, but the Purveyor Guide for hundreds of tested sellers of specialty foods is incredible and HUGE. Many of the recommended food purveyers used in the recipes are found on Amazon's gourmet food store, but there are many others for really hard-to-find products. This is far more than just a great cookbook; it is an a food industry reference work for chefs, restaurant owners, as well as home cooks. You have to prepare the grilled steak, the quail, any of the seafood or pasta dishes, and the Cornish Game Hens! Awesome! And, if you are a cookbook collector, GET THIS ONE!

Spend 10 minutes per meal-save THOUSANDS per year. By not spending 10 minutes to prepare meals, you are a lamb being led to the financial slaughterhouse! You have a choice. Either continue to spend thousands more per year on convenience foods, or roll up your sleeves in the kitchen, eat well, and save BIG money. This book shows you how. This book and, 'Your Money or Your Life', by Dominguez and Robin, are life-changing books, must reads for anyone into saving. I recomend this book wholeheartedly to everyone who eats!

This book is full of excellent ideas on how to utilize often overlooked resources in a community that can help save big on grocery bills. By using this book in conjunction with my small garden, I pared my monthly bill down by over one hundred dollars. It contains very simple, very inexpensive recipes, many of which consist mainly of garden produce. Great for any gardener who would like ideas on how to more efficiently use their harvest! I was also surprised at the tastiness of the recipes. My kids love them!