Publishing Books

I don't know why I haven't heard more about this book. I stumbled across it purely by accident but have been surprised to find it is one of the best reads I've had in this genre this year. Glad I found it.

For a very long time, this book was "Unavailable" or "Out of Print". Naturally, I found that intriguing. When this book became available to order, I wasted no time. I feel my wait was certainly rewarded.

Michael's prose is magnetic. It's as if I'm drawn to read faster and faster. These types of reads are rare, to me. Character development was effective, and the storyline is wonderful, even if controversial.

To anyone who likes Cold War books, this is a must-read. For those who want a good story to read, pick this up. I know your money will be well spent!

If you like Historic Fiction, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Spy novels, Cold War Political Intrique, or even action works (to a lesser extent) then this book is for you! It welds the aforementioned genre's together and is a perfect rainy sunday afternoon read. Hard to put down, and a fascinating scenario! I had to read it two times to be sure I didn't miss any details. Totally believable plot line and excellent characterizations, as well as interesting details on the space programs of the era from both the US and Soviet perspectives. I heartily recommend Red Moon.

So far I am about half way through the novel and it is a good read.

This book is painstakingly researched, well written, entertaining, and an all around great read. This has to be one of the best novels I've read this year. I hope there's more to come.

THIS IS A GREAT DESK REFERENCE GUIDE FOR TERMS REGARDING SPIRITUAL WORK. IT ALSO IS A QUICK REFERENCE FOR FAMOUS SPIRITUALISTS NAMES, PLACES, AND SUCH.

If you're curious as to the purpose of our very existence as human beings, I highly recommend you read this book. It is a question and answer format that makes sense of the human experience.

This is the one of the most comforting book I've ever read in my life. I found out more about Spiritual life and God's promises through Jesus. It's a real step ahead of our time, and very clarifying book for the ones who are really serious about spiritual evolution. You will not be able to stop reading this book!

This book makes sense of many experiences and knowledge gained from
"somewhere". It is a book for the serious seeker of spiritism.

Amazon, are you listening? I originally read this book in French and really loved it. It is a wonderful book for those searching for the meaning of life, spiritual truth etc...and is a very serious, credible work by someone whose main line of work was scientific study and medicine, Allan Kardec.

I was so thrilled that I ordered copies in English for friends and was disappointed to find out that this copy is the original English translation dating from the late 1800s!! The book is still worth a read, but why suffer needlessly? The language is difficult, and the typeset is even worse. Great news: a new, modern American English version does exist, and frankly, it is a huge mystery to me as to why it is not being sold here. FYI: I bought my modern copies fon the Allan Kardec Education Society's website...

I became interested in this book when searching for books on werewolves. After the first couple pages I was hooked. I read the entire book in one sitting unable to put it down. The world is laid out very nicely in this book and it's out there. A definite page turner. Once finishing you must read the next book. I've read alot of books and not very many do I truly love and remember always, this is one of those. If you are looking for a dark story with twists, this is for you.

I read this book several months ago. Well, I read all but the last 2 pages. It had me on edge nearly the entire time, and this sounds silly, as I'm a grown mother of two, but I was too scared to read the last two pages!

Great job, R.W.!

We killed the retarded boy. He took his own life, but we killed him just the same.

Thus begins The Takers, the first book in R.W. Ridley's YA Horror series The Oz Chronicles. This debut novel (published in 2005) is well paced, with a great quest/adventure and and several likable characters, including the main protagonist, Osmond (Oz) Griffin. The second in the series, Delon City, is now published and is definitely on my reading list.

Thirteen-year old Oz awakens from a fever induced slumber to find his world dramatically changed, his parents and most of the other people on his block "taken" and seemingly eaten by nightmarish monsters who appear and attack when their name is spoken. His quest begins when he is given responsibility for a baby named Nate, whose mother is taken, so he piles up his wagon, takes a sword from Nate's father's study, and proceeds to the big city. Here, the mystery of the Takers (who are they, where did they come from) begins to unfold, as Oz and his growing army of misfit survivors (including a sign-language speaking gorilla named Ajax who understands more about what is happening with the Takers than he can say) do battle with several of the monsters. A comic book written by the afore mentioned "retarded boy" holds the key to the mysteries and the quest involving Oz, baby Nate and the Takers.

I read The Takers straight through as the action and the quest continue unabated through the book. The ending comes quickly, but sets up the second in the series nicely, leaving some questions to be answered but solving many of the puzzles.

Horror and YA (with the notable exceptions of Potter and Eragon) are usually not my genres of choice, but I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and highly recommend it to fans of both genres.

I didn't read this book, but my 14 year old son loved it! That's saying sooo much, since he has never read ( and finished ) a book on his own before. He does not enjoying reading, as I do. He started this book one evening, after I made him, and he couldnt put it down. For the first time ever, I had to tell him to put a book down and go to bed! We have already ordered book 2, and he cant want for it to get here. Hopefully, this will start a joy of reading with him!

I picked up The Takers upon the recommendation of a friend, and enjoyed it thoroughly. It is definitely targeted at a young-adult audience, and the term 'young' hasn't applied to me for a few decades, so I sometimes felt the story was rushed. On more than one occasion I felt myself wanting more. That said, I couldn't put the book down. It is a horror story, but is not overly scary or gory (again, good for YA) but it satisfies the horror fan with an extra helping of creepy.

The Takers is a gigantic toothy maw of literary fun that is sure to swallow the reader whole. It is full of action, likable characters, intrigue, and (of course) monsters. The plot jumps into high gear from the first page, and doesn't slow until the very end. As the first book of a series, it tells a good story that can stand on its own while at the same time luring the reader into book two (which I now have on order).

My complete review:

Characters: 5 stars. In a fast-paced adventure like this, it is easy to lose character development. Ridley manages to create a cast of interesting characters despite this challenge, including a Silverback Gorilla that speaks with sign language (a mechanism that I was skeptical of when first introduced, but it works).

Plot: 5 stars. The plot evolves well, with sufficient twists to keep the reader's interest peaked. The plot is more complex than many YA horror stories. For example, I found the plot of EPOCH to be relatively flat in comparison.

Pacing: 4 stars. I'm holding back one star here because I would have liked to see more of just about everything along the way: more detail in descriptions, more character interaction, etc. However, as mentioned above I am older than the intended audience by a fair bit. Also, the trade-off results in an exciting roller-coaster ride of a story, and that's not a bad thing.

Genre: 5 stars. While not overly gory or scary, The Takers is creepy, with many classic elements of horror: post-apocalyptic survival; mysterious disappearances; taboos; and lots of monsters. The monsters are described perfectly: just enough detail to inspire the reader's imagination to invent more. There is also a god diversity of monster-types to keep things interesting (and, again, creepy).

First Impression: The opening line "We killed the retarded boy" is brilliant.
Last Impression: This would make a great video game.

Overall Score: 5 stars.


Finally, The Takers is an independently published book, and as a self-published author myself (Cluck: Murder Most Fowl), I'm glad to see another independent author who takes writing seriously: the book is well structured, well written, and free of the typos and grammatical errors that sometimes appear in independent works.

A must read for anyone with type 1 diabetes, or who knows someone with type 1 diabetes, or who likes to read a great book.

I was driving when my 8 year old daughter announced that "Stacy has type 1 too, mom!" "Who is Stacy?" I asked her. "Stacy, the babysitter..." she replied. I started to tell her she didn't have a sitter named Stacy when I realized she was talking about the book she was reading, The Truth about Stacy. How cool! My daughter has type 1 diabetes and had found a heroine who she could really relate to!

We got other BSC books from the old series to read (not the graphic novels), but they hadn't been updated the way the versions Raina Telgemeier illustrated and adapted. Kudos to Raina, who took the time to learn about type 1 and make sure the information was up to date and accurate.

I love the BSC, and the earliest books in the series are my favorites. Ann Martin is one heck of a writer, and this third book in the BSC series tackles some serious issues - Stacey's struggles with diabetes, moving to a new town and fitting in, the loss and re-gain of old friends. A subplot in this book is the girls dealing with a copycat club called the Baby-Sitters Agency that threatens to put them out of business.
Ann, I wish you had written every single book in the series and not used ghostwriters for so many of them!

Raina Telgemaier has outdone herself in this adaptation of a book from the incomparable Baby-sitters Club series!!

This book was one of the best books in the baby sitter club serious and you know there were a LOT! This book really got deep in to Staceys feelings about having deiabets and her strugles with that.
Also the whole club is faced with a problem...some one else has started there own baby sitters club!!!!!!!
Now this wouldn't be so bad if that club wasn't getting more people calling them....and then when that club pays a trick on them the baby sitters club knows the other club HAS to go!!!

I thought that this book was brillantly written! go AMM!I mean of course there is going to be compeition and everything with the club, and how sometimes parents can be so impossiable! even though we know that they do care they seem a little overprotective and dont really listen to what we have to say, so i like this book a lot. and i like it when stacey and charollete bonds, this book is realy good. and its so sad how stacey was upset because she cares about the babysitters club because she doesnt want to lose any of her friends, and i liked that her and laine[her former best friend] were cool again.

As an adoptee, I could relate to Kasey Hamner's book in very many ways. I almost felt like I had written it in some parts. Knowing that she went through the same events/issues that I did was comforting, especially the fact that she conquered them and is a healthy, productive citizen. Too many people only view adoption as a wonderful thing, something that every infertile couple (or fertile) should do. But have they ever asked an adoptee or read any of the books? I'm not saying that adoption is a bad thing, but for those of us whose birth mothers were forced by societal influences,or by family to give us up, there can be terrible results.

I wish that everyone who knows an adoptee could read this book, especially adoptees who have reunited with birth family members, as I have. No one really understands unless they have been through it. It is a frightening and wonderful experience. Read this book and find out what it was like for her.

This is the best book I've read so far on adoption. It's the closest book to reality I've read. A lot of books have sugar-coated adoption issues. I tried to e-mail the author to no avail. I've read about 20 books so far this year on the issue, so this is a good testament to the writer.

Once I started reading Whose Child?, I could not put the book down. I am an adoptee who has searched, found and reunited, like Kasey, only to find more obstacles to overcome. It helped me to know that I wasn't alone. From her childhood abuse and through her search for her birthparents, and a rocky reunion, she is a shining example of a true survivor. I commend Kasey for sharing her personal story as it gives much insight into the world of the closed adoption system and the damage that secrets and lies can do. To all members of the triad, and anyone who has been touched by adoption, this is a must read. Thanks Kasey!! P.S. I also recommend "Adoption Forum" by Kasey. Very insightful information on all positions of the triad members.

As an adoptee I felt so much for the author, her strength is unbelievable. It is so well written and brutally honest. Its an amazing journey, you won't put this book down.

This book is not just about adoption. It is about overcoming incredible abuses, making a success of your life, and learning to love and let go. I am not adopted and I could not put the book down. I heard they are thinking of making a movie of this story. I can't wait. I am also an incest survivor and I hope I can meet Kasey some day and tell her how her book changed my life.

I also recommend Kasey's second book: "Adoption Forum" and Lori Paris's book: "Follow Your Heart"

My order arrived on time and the book was in pristine condition. This collection of books are great, meaningful gifts.

I bought this book for my husband in anticipation of our adopted daughter from China. For starters, I was thrilled that the photographs showed multicultural, multigenerational fathers and daughters including a photograph of a white father with an Asian daughter.

The sentiments inside are beautiful. If you're looking for a self-help book, this isn't it. If you're looking for short, single sentences of wisdom and encouragement accompanied by moving and beautiful photographs, this is your book.

I found this book in Target and must admit I was a little embarrassed by the tears streaming down my face when I read it. It reminded me of my own father, a true inspiration, and how my husband will be as a father once we bring our daughter home. This is a wonderful Father's Day, birthday, or Christmas present for any father from any daughter.

Like the author, I'm a divorced dad of daughters so his foreward struck close to home. As if the words and pictures in this book weren't sappy enough on their own, my daughters recently gave me a copy to which they'd added a sentence or a paragraph next to a dozen or so of the author's lines which resonated with them. I nearly cry every time I read it.

My daughters bought this book for my husband for Father's Day; he was so moved by each sentiment that when his friend's wife gave birth to their first child a few days later (a girl!), my husband asked me to get this book to give to the new parents. He felt that it was the most profound gift for the occasion, not just for now but for future years, to be read and re-read at all stages of their daughter's life. If these pages don't touch your heart as you read each one.....you need to visit a cardiologist to make sure you still have a beating, functional heart! And I recommend the companion book to be purchased with this one - a perfect set; "Why a Daughter Needs a Mom"

I purchased two copies of this book, one for my father and one for my husband. As I flipped through the pages I felt I could relate to every passage that was written. They are personal, yet universal........simple but descriptive. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to touch the heart of a dad with a little girl (or a grown little girl).

Wishing on Dandelions is a great follow up to Watching the Tree Limbs in the Maranatha Series. I'm glad DeMuth let readers see what happens to Maranatha. While this novel contains a love story, it's so natural and sweet that the book doesn't come across like a romance, but more of a journey where readers get to see Maranatha learn to let herself be loved.

Can you trust God once more after your life has been broken? It doesn't happen overnight, as 17-year-old Maranatha Winningham learns in this well-crafted story. WISHING ON DANDELIONS is a follow-up to WATCHING THE TREE LIMBS, in which Maranatha is abused by a young neighbor. In the opening pages of Mary DeMuth's latest novel, the reader learns that Natha's best friend Camille has left the small town of Burl, Texas, for college. Natha, meanwhile, plunges into her senior year of high school.

Because both her parents are dead, Natha lives with her father's brother. Since his stroke, Uncle Zane moves much slower and, while never much of a conversationalist, talks even less. Natha's home life is in turmoil when Uncle Zane marries Georgeanne, who has her own ideas about how the household should be run and in what part of town to live. Throughout the story, Georgeanne tries to build some sort of a relationship with Natha but often ends up crossing some imaginary barrier and offending the teen.

Then Violin Charlie, the son of a judge who lives in a better area in Burl, invites Natha to the Homecoming Dance. Georgeanne pitches in and takes Natha to purchase a new pink dress, building a bit of good will. Ultimately, Georgeanne has plans to move the entire family to this better part of town, which throws Natha into a panic as she wonders if she will be able to leave the protection of the house she has always known.

The abuse from the past comes roaring back into Natha's life. One day she rides her bicycle to a property where she likes to think. A man named Jake Gully confronts her about trespassing and then offers her a ride into town. When she gets into his truck, he takes off away from town and acts suggestively toward her. Natha manages to escape and reports the incident to the police. Miss Nichols, the assistant district attorney, pressures Natha to testify against Gully. After being convinced that he will be freed without her testimony, a reluctant Natha finally agrees to take that big step, as friends and family gather to support her throughout the trial.

WISHING ON DANDELIONS will keep the reader turning pages to see how Natha deals with the various obstacles that life throws in her direction. DeMuth has written an emotionally-charged novel that will help others grow in their own faith relationship.

--- Reviewed by W. Terry Whalin

If you are looking for a book that stirs your emotions and keeps you up until the wee hours of the morning, then I highly recommend Wishing on Dandelions by Mary DeMuth. WOD is the sequel to DeMuth's debut novel, Watching the Tree Limbs. Although it took me a little longer to be drawn into this second book, it surpasses the first. WTTL focuses on redemption, and as a natural progression, WOD focuses on learning how to accept God's love and growing deeper in understanding our redemption.

I found this story heavier that the first book, despite the fact that the main traumatic events occur to Maranatha in WTTL. For me, I identified on a deeper level with the struggle to fully grasp and accept that God loves me despite all my faults. While I enjoyed the first book, I connected more with the second. I appreciated the new characters Mary introduced as well. Some of them I liked immediately, and only wished to know them more. Some of them had to grow on me, but the more glimpses I got into their hearts, the more I wanted to know about their back stories. Still others I appreciated for the reality of their humanity. One character in particular I really thought was going to have a change of heart after he heard Maranatha's story, but he didn't. In fact, the depth of the judgment in his soul only became more evident. At first I was appalled, but then quickly realized that people like that do exist and therefore have an appropriate - even necessary - place in a novel like this.

One of the many things I enjoy about Mary's writing is that while she is a Christian author who discusses Christian values and issues, her books do not feel "Christian." Do you follow me here? Writing a great story is what comes first for Mary, not writing a Christian story that she hopes is great. Of course, Jesus pours out onto her page, but that's because He's so pervasive in her life, not because she has an agenda to write about Him. I applaud her for writing reality, writing authentically and writing with excellence. It's no wonder she's nominated for a Christy Award.

In a style and setting similar to Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird", "Wishing on Dandelions" is the story of a girl sprouting into womanhood in a lazy town where everyone knows everyone else's business.
Maranatha Winningham, a seventeen-year-old orphan, is one of the most charming and endearing characters you'll come across. Well-mannered and respectful, she's everything you'd hope for in a teenager, but frequent glimpses into her thought life reveal a load of secrets and fears that she shares with no one--not even Charlie.
Charlie is everything a boyfriend should be--loyal, protective, forgiving. There's only one problem. He's black, and in Burl, it's simply not done. A mere blip on the sun-scored Texas map, 1980's Burl applauds young love, unless it comes in package of a different color.
His complete opposite, Georgeanne is loud, obnoxious, bossy, and irreversibly engaged to Maranatha's Uncle Zane. Maranatha pleads with God for her uncle to wake up and realize what he's about to get himself into, but God doesn't seem to be listening. Maybe the saying is right. Maybe hurt people hurt people. Maybe Maranatha needs to love Georgeanne anyway... Nah. It's easier to hate her.
A delightful encore to the celebrated "Watching the Tree Limbs," DeMuth's story tackles some serious issues while downplaying them with wit, humor, and a passel of quirky characters.
DeMuth has done a superb job of reviving 1980's Texas, complete with big hair, big trucks, and big attitudes. Who would have thought a Texas drawl could be written with such grace?
"Wishing on Dandelions" is worth sticking it out through the slow start. The heart of the book is worth waiting for. It's fun yet impacting, nostalgic and delightfully familiar.

Wishing On Dandelions by Mary E. DeMuth couldn't come soon enough for me. I had devoured the first in the Maranatha series (Watching Tree Limbs) and was left wanting more. Part of the appeal for me was the raw Texas setting, since I lived several years in East Texas.
In Wishing On Dandelions, the main character, Maranatha Winningham is now a teenager trying to find her place in the world. Her history of sexual abuse taints the many events teenagers usually enjoy. She has more than teenage angst to blame for her struggles.
Maranatha also has to learn to deal with a new woman in her life. Uncle Zane married shallow Georganne Peach and brought her home amid many changes. While wedding drama is going on, Maranatha grapples with her feelings for Charlie. Was it wrong for her to love him as more than a friend? Nothing was black and white.
Reading this book will possibly be like rubbing salt in a wound. The same salt that stings, heals. As Wishing On Dandelions comes to a close, you will find issues resolved in your own life-issues you didn't even realize you were still struggling with. Go ahead, blow away the dandelion seeds and make a wish. It just might come true!

This is a collection of thought-provoking poetry, lyrics, quotes and short stories that tell about life in all its many moments. Most are hope-filled and positive. Others deal with the hurt and loss that occur in our modern day world.

Chase Von has such a deep and meaningful poetic voice. Each poem has a flavor all its own. He uses emotions and images to capture the reader and draw him in to the very heart of the action.

Among my favorite poems were Pink, Blue and Green, A Poem, I Am The Future, and A Letter Home. Each of these touched me very much.

Pink, Blue and Green is a poem that talks about racial intolerance. It is very clever. Not even an albino is free of this bias.

In A Poem, Chase shares the moment when a couple breaks up. He works through the loss by creating a poem. What a fitting tribute to what they once had!

I Am The Future shares the joy and importance a child brings to a family. How they become the focus of the parents. They are their present AND their future.

A Letter Home discusses the heartache of never knowing your ancestors because of slavery tearing cultures apart. I am part American Indian, and it made me think of how my ancestors were devastated, too. This poem touched me the most.

The lyrics are about friendship and love. They stand well on the written page. But, when I've heard some of these performed, they are great!

My favorite is I'm Your Friend. It is a very heart-felt song. Read it when you are sad or lonely.

Chase Von's quotes are quite profound. They make you realize how special his talent is. He can encapsulate a deep thought in such a way that it becomes immortal. His one about the universe being big enough to hold your dreams should be tacked on the wall of every child.

The short stories are very diverse and interesting. My favorite is The Tree and the Butterfly. It talks how helping each other in this fleeting world is important.

In closing, this showcase of selections is only the tip of the iceberg of Chase Von's talent. Take your time and enjoy them. I'll eagerly await the next book!

Dawn Huffaker
Author of Flights of Fancy, Volume 1 (Second Edition)

This varied and earnest volume reveals the devotion Chase has for the power of words. "The Face Of," "Falling Stars" and "Will Be" are highlights, but there is something witty, wise or wisecracking to be found in virtually every poem.

Challenging, reflective and motivating, delivered with panache.

The Last Panther Speaks to us through poetry, lyrics and short stories that does much more than just touch your life.

"Don't live behind the walls that guilt built
The longer you stay incased in that tomb
The harder it becomes to break free
And write a new and different story
With the pen
That is your life"

Love it!

"True love is the bridge
That covers the gaps
Left by
Misunderstandings
And like wise
Understanding
Is the passage way
Through which
True love
Enters our lives"

"Your Chance To Hear The Last Panther Speak" is a huge asset to the literary world as well as anyone, from any background, who takes the time to read it. I specifically suggest it to young adults and teenagers on a path to figure themselves out and too unsure of how to surpass the labels instilled within their life through the ignorance of society.

One thing that impressed me most is that Chase Von does not only help people surpass their label but also leads by example. A tough feat for anyone, but especially someone who lived within the label of a strong, unemotional gangster.
No matter what I face in life I can always find a write that I can relate to. He has the ability to put what other people are thinking but can't always articulate, into words. Beyond that, his writing style is versatile (Which is a talent few writers have) but the content always remain powerful!
I was reluctant to pick up the book, reading the words 'Black Panther" within the title I made an incorrect assumption that the book was aimed towards an audience interested in reading the message of the group The Black Panthers.

"Don't judge this book by its cover"

The works are moving (sometimes to the point of tears) and will teach you life long lessons.

Audrey MichelleVanity? The Pieces of Audrey MichelleVanity? The Pieces of Audrey Michelle

From the first poem "my silence" posted on my page and through every stories and poems, it resonnated in my heart... this book will not leave you indifferent, it will challenge you for some, comfort you in your views for others, in a way or another, if it's by the beauty of the writting or by the meaning of his content,with certainty , i assure you that it will expand your heart and soul.

Thank you Chase for shining and being you.

"Where in today's world

Are those that truly carry on

The torch

That he so brilliantly lit our world with?"

You are one of them my friend.
Sincerely,
Flavia

I own numerous books - some from India, some from the West - on various forms of Yoga. I've delved into the many branches for decades now. And I can honestly say that Yogani offers the REAL THING in plain English. Even the most guarded, exotic, hardly-known types of Yoga are offered by Yogani in a way that makes them fully understandable and entirely useable to the Western Yoga enthusiast.
For example; take Yogani's "Deep Meditation" technique. I presume you've all heard of TM ( Transcendental Meditation brought to the West by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and offered for over $2000.00 by his organization )? Well, I have learned TM. Paid the organization's price for it too. It works - definitely. Its been tested by University research teams and found to produce profound changes in brainwave patterns, metabolism, etc. And guess what? Yogani's "DEEP MEDITATION" is EXACTLY THE SAME AS TM! EXACTLY. No difference. And he explains it to the reader clearly, easily, and fully. By the time you read his material, you'll be practicing TM as well as if you learned it after paying the TM people your $2000.00+ dollars!
Not only that, TM has the "Siddhi" program, which is an add-on for TM practice - an "advanced level" technique. Well, Yogani offers the same powerful, all-inclusive information in his "SAMYAMA: CULTIVATING STILLNESS IN ACTION - SIDDHIS AND MIRACLES". Yes, once again, for the sum of $9.00, Yogani reveals ALL there is to Siddhi practice within TM....without the need of residence training and thousands more dollars spent on your part.

But this is only a scratch on the surface of all the excellent and profoundly important material which Yogani has offered to everyone. In my opinion, he has done the world a great service by revealing such techniques in this book and in all his other books as well. You cannot beat this information. Its authentic. Its in plain, easy-to-understand English, and it works. Sure you can pay a lot more and get books by Indian Yogis which are very long-winded and very meandering, not to-the-point at all, but they will retard your progress in Yoga, not improve it. This is what I found so remarkable about Yogani's material. You get far, far more than what you pay for. You get the meat-and-potatoes, nuts-and-bolts information that is the real thing, not long drawn-out pages that say a lot of nothing.

So, if you want to learn and practice even the most serious, profound, and highest techniques in Yoga in a sure, efficient, and powerful way, get ALL of Yogani's books. You can't go wrong.

Simply put - this is the most comprehensive and easy-to-understand text on Yoga I've found yet. Everything is explained in both esoteric/spiritual and exoteric/anatomy-based manners. The chapters are arranged to lead the reader through their own practice, adding new techniques as one progresses. Yogani has clearly spent many years learning and practicing many style of yoga. Now he has compiled the best into one complete text.

Unfortuntaly his mini-book don't have the same power as this original AYP book.

Put your ego aside and follow this Path to self-fullment. Clear, concise and practical ancient methods of clearing out all of your past emotional and karmic baggage. For the beleivers in traditional Christianity, you will be surprised at the relationship between Jesus Christ and ancient Yoga. Remember Yoga is not an religion but in a nutshell it is basically the science of the human nervous system and the refining and purifying of that system. Yoga complements and enlightens all Beleifs and Yogani brings it to you in clear and easy to follow instructions. The most complete single book on escatic Yoga available....

After reading these fine reviews I have nothing more to add other then to encourage you to join us on this marvelous spiritual adventure. We now have the tools to complete the journey, only the will remains. Thank you Yogani. Namaste

When I first read the reviews for Advanced Yoga Practices, I worried that they may have been faked since they were so glowing. I decided to buy the book anyway. It was a pleasure to discover that the book is even better than the reviews. Unlike much of the yogic/spiritual tradition that shrouds advanced techniques in secret, Yogani spells out yogic meditation practices from the basic to advanced, giving complete, easy to understand instructions. At the same time, he reminds readers that they must take responsibility for their own spiritual progress with respect to the advanced practices. To apply those methods before having the proper level of understanding and training can create problems. I suppose an analogy would be that you wouldn't ask 16-year old to drive a race car 200+ miles per hour when they are first learning to drive. That is a recipe for disaster. Rather you idle slowly about a parking lot or side road until you get the hang of driving a car. Similarly, Yogani introduces the basic meditation and breathing (pranayama) practices and gradually introduces more advanced techniques.

Since the lessons first originated with some website lessons, there are lots of questions and answers from seekers who have written him, and he gives very practical advice, and always reminds people to self-pace with respect to how deeply they delve into the more advanced practices. It is a very refreshing approach.

I have a large library of spiritual books, many of which did not deliver as much as I had hoped. That said, I would whole-hearted recommend Yogani's Advanced Yoga Practices to anyone who is very serious in their pursuit of meditation and advanced level practices.

P.S. May I add, that although I have purchased a ton of books from Amazon, especially in the spiritual genre, I have never written a review of a book. This book was so good, I felt compelled to write a review. I send my most sincere thanks to Yogani!

This book requires more concentration than others to comprehend. However it is worth the effort. Am still reading and will reread again. We can explore other dimensions ourselves, given enough energy and correct techniques.

With a deep interest in Toltec philosophy, I purchased this book based on the reviews on Amazon. My initial reading along with my experiental unfolding of the content of the book, simply does not comport with the claims of others in the review section of Amazon. I have no malice against the author, nor do I wish to impugn his work. I am only reporting my experience. Within the context of my expereince, Lujan's book read as any novel might. As far as the book being a catalyst for non-ordinary states of perception - never happened for me. That is not to say the relative merit of the book is to be avoided. The only one that can make that judgement is you!

I will say that my most powerful experiences of the Toltec Teachings have mostly been driven by the work of Theun Mares and Carlos Castaneda. Both of whom stand alone in my view.

I am a long-term student of the study of consciousness, altered states, Castaneda (and his crew), Chi Kung, Gnosis, Lucid dreaming and meditation. These have allowed me to understand what it is like to objectify not only "external" reality, but also the various levels of the mind/personality, mainly and formost the EGO!

This type of inner objectivity will come and go, as consciousness moves in and out of it's phases of distraction and "waking sleep". This sleep and distraction cause us to lose track of the fact that we are unconscious psychologically when we are walking around with our eyes open daily or in bed snoozing. This means also being unaware of our reactions to our environment, impulses from other levels of the Universe and to our own inner workings.

Though i have done my best to remain vigilant and wakeful, when it comes to recognizing all of the shrouds to consciousness, moment-to-moment in my life, i have never recieved such an immediate boost (over the course of a week) to this ability (besides, occasional spontaneous inner experiences) as with the slow reading and digestion of the imagery created by this book .....imagery seems to be the key factor here. I now view my own inner activity in minute detail, and remember, when interracting with impressions from beyond me, that they are indeed that. I also keep a-mind that what we call "reality' is shifting cosmic dust, that i, less and less, need to be reactive to. This type of awareness also now naturally accompanies me on my way in and out of the sleep state, which i think will lead to breakthroughs in dream awareness, as i continue.

For those who have not responded to this work with changed perception, it may be due to not having a foundation for knowing what to look for.....otherwise it may be that they may already be "there"! There may also be a problem if you have trouble allowing imagery to unfold in your mind's eye.

I also have plans to accompany my reading with Carlos's Tensegrity/Magical Passes work. This, as well, has caused an immediate energetic response in me, after viewing the beginning of the Magical Passes disc, while casually trying only four of the basic movements......i can't even imagine what full-blown practice would produce! Having a strong prior foundation in Chi Kung (Qi Gong), may afford me an edge with this though.

Whether or not Castaneda and these guys are authentic, in the eyes of their critics, i have to say, personally, that they have truly hit upon something that carries monumental significance to our race. Why not try it before you trash it?

The Force is out there for us all.

Most of the 5 star reviews here are the ONLY reviews that the reviewers made.

What's up with that?!

I found the book to be well-intentioned while also rambling and perhaps a bit confused.

obviously the author is doing his best to convey his experiences through the written word and that is something to be commended. the allusion of the author's name to Castaneda's "don Lujan" is a bit comical.

Im quite fond of this book, I have read all the carlos castaneda books easily 30+ times, taken notes.. the works. This is definitly worth checking out if you have an interest in this type of thing, I find it to be much more practical. Im on the verge of buying a few more copies to give to my friends and family. Onward to infinity!