Authors Books

You don't need to be of Italian descent or from Michigan to enjoy this delightful collection of short stories from new author Joe Borri. While Joe's a very talented graphic designer, he's even more adept with the written word, bringing to life a variety of entertaining characters and situations we all can identify with. Joe's easy, humorous style and straight-forward storytelling skill makes this book a very enjoyable read. If you like the crazy South Florida stories of Carl Hiaasen or the Margaritaville-inspired stories of Jimmy Buffett, as I do, give Joe's book a shot. You'll be glad you did!

I thought this book might be interesting because it was written by a Detroit Native and is about this city we live in and around. Little did I know that I would pick it up one night figuring I'd thumb through it and read the entire thing in one sitting!!
Eight Dogs Named Jack and 14 Other Stories from the Detroit Streets and Michigan Wilderness marks the writing debut of Michigan artist Joe Borri, who is employed at Skidmore Inc., a studio in Royal Oak, Mich. This collection of short stories is inspired by the East Side Detroit neighborhood where he grew up and its predominantly Italian denizens. It's very easy to read, and keeps you flipping the pages till you're done.
Some books I pick up, read a few chapters and put down, only to never finish them again. The coolest thing about this book is each chapter is its own story. Some of the chapters I really wanted to hear more about, maybe delve into them a little deeper, so I would keep reading the next chapter thinking it would lead into the story deeper, but it would just start another one and get me hooked into that new character.
Joe Borri has a great way of describing the scene. You can picture the street, you can feel the warm breeze blowing on your face, you neck tightens up when he talks about a certain fight, and you need to make another drink when he describes the beautiful ladies the Wiseguys try to work over.
Many of the stories are set in the gritty streets of Detroit, where wiseguys and wannabes walk a thin line between good and evil. Some of these characters work their way "up north," where their street smarts are tested against the immutable forces of nature and the country folk who try and do things a little differently.
The stories are blended together perfectly and this book would be great to bring along on that next flight. You can pick it up anywhere and start fresh. Or you can read it from cover to cover like I did, and finish off a bottle of Scotch while enjoying some of the best writing I've read in years!!

Pat Bonish
www.everymilesamemory.com

Expect the wonderfully unexpected when Goodfellas wannabes meet the Michigan Great Outdoors. With Eight Dogs Named Jack Borri demonstrates that he is a writer who possesses a rare combination of original vision, keen insight and an ability to combine humor and tragedy in striking ways. Many of the stories feature tough characters engaged in battles, physical and psychological, but Borri is not a one-trick pony. Several of my favorite stories in the collection feature characters who are wholly vulnerable and wholly real, and I found myself so engrossed in their struggles that I yearned for their salvation. Borri does not disappoint. Keep your eye on this writer.

This is a collection of short stories written by a native of East Detroit. The stories all take place in Michigan and are outstanding.

I loved this book! The short story format was perfect for this collection of stories from Detroit's east side and "Up North" Michigan. The hunting stories reminded me of tales my dad would tell from his hunting cabin, "The Hot Dog Lodge", and the stories of growing up on Detroit's east side took me back to a time when you could pick up a Vernors at the corner party store and walk into the hardware store and get any tool you needed to finish a job--on credit, no less.
Joe Borri paints a vivid picture with his words and I don't believe I have read a better debut. I cannot wait for more stories from this fresh, new writer.

In EMBRACE ME, Lisa Samson pens a powerful story of forgiveness, full of surprises and a cast of interesting characters --- including one making a return appearance from a previous novel.

The story is told from several first-person points of view. Drew Parrish is the slick red-headed prosperity gospel pastor of a megachurch, 12,000 members strong and growing. He knows all the right moves and words to say, but his sincerity barely runs skin deep. When the chance comes to move to television --- and a possible show of his own --- he settles on Daisy Boyer, a pretty young singer in his congregation, to serve as co-host.

But for Daisy's scheming mother (who sees her daughter as her ticket to fame and fortune) and for Drew, Daisy isn't quite good enough. Her face is a little less angular than needed for television, her weight a few pounds too heavy, her nose a bit too long. Daisy endures a strict diet and exercise regime and undergoes plastic surgery after plastic surgery. Eventually, she cracks.

Drew is also feeling a growing dissatisfaction, evinced by his habit of burning himself with cigarettes to try and feel something besides the pain of his life. His father, a Washington D.C. lobbyist, is clear that Drew never quite measures up to his expectations, and his mother, he believes, committed suicide when he was still an adolescent.

The opening of the book finds Drew at the end of his rope, and relying on the guidance of a young Catholic parish priest to help him figure things out. Samson then alternately fast-forwards and rewinds her story six years, time jumps for the reader that work because of her tremendous writing skills. In this way, we meet Valentine, a freak-show oddity with a terribly burned face who tours as Lizard Woman with "Roland's Wayfaring Marvels and Oddities." Her best friend is Lella, the Human Cocoon, who has no arms or legs. Valentine is bitter about the past and her disfigurement, and wraps her hopes for the future up in a dream of a home of her own with Lella.

But when Lella's life takes a new direction, Valentine finds herself thrown into the company of a heavily tattooed and dreadlocked minister, Augustine, whose vocal cords were damaged in a motorcycle accident. Both Augustine and Valentine find solace in the company of the surprisingly likeable televangelist Charmaine Hopewell, who readers may remember from Samson's book SONGBIRD.

Together, Augustine and Valentine wrestle with the difficulty of forgiving those in their pasts who have wronged them. But the biggest test of all lies ahead. Is it possible --- truly possible --- to always forgive? Forgiveness of ourselves and others, Samson shows through her narrative and characters, doesn't mean you can always return to who you once were. " I realize we can destroy ourselves in ways so deep we'll never return to the place we were before we started the destruction," muses one character. Another character learns that words of forgiveness come first; the emotional feeling of being able to forgive follows later.

Making the time jumps back and forth from character to character is a lot to ask, but Samson succeeds in helping the reader do it. The oddities of the characters, while a little exaggerated, are vintage Samson, as are the themes of social justice and grace. The setting of a "new monastic" community, in which the members are not necessarily Catholic, but take vows of different sorts and extend hospitality, serves as backdrop for the later part of the novel and echoes the community settings of past Samson novels.

Some readers may feel the reconciliation between Augustine and a relative from his past is too neatly wrapped up toward the end while others will applaud the power of grace. But what comes through, clear and strong, is that every person is beautiful and loved in the eyes of God, and all may find forgiveness --- and offer it to another --- if it's their true desire. Samson, who also penned QUAKER SUMMER, is one of Christian fiction's finest novelists, and her fans will find plenty to enjoy and ponder here.

--- Reviewed by Cindy Crosby

Embrace Me by Lisa Samson took me a little bit longer to get into than some of her others, but once I did, it was well worth it. I spent an entire weekend letting Lisa's words wash over me.

Once again, her word choice is impeccable. Look at these: from inside a church--"Thomas, his stained-glass face eating up the late afternoon sun, looks doubtful of my presence and I can't blame him." Or "Which much pretty ruins it for those people who don't exactly cotton to a three-piece suit, or a cassock, or even jeans and a polo shirt." Love it!

Embrace Me is about a "lizard woman" from a freak show trying to accept who's she's become after some nasty burns, a pastor who's realized how he's led his church astray in the name of power, and the communities that love them. It's a beautiful portrayal of gnashing-of-teeth forgiveness. It takes it out of the abstract and puts it in your hand.

Her characters, as usual, are amazing: each their own. Each flawed, redeemable, and marked with the Imago Dei. Their dialogue flows from the personality of the character and is distinct to each.

Embrace Me is sometimes borderline preachy (even if I could say amen! to the sermons), but it presents the frustrations and beauty of the Body of Christ.

Wow! This book is amazing. I could not put it down. Lisa Samson has an amazing gift at creating real believable characters, ones that you can relate to no matter where you are in life. This book is no exception! I have read almost all of her books and this is by far my favorite. This book would be great for all ages! A great book for a reading group, a small group, or youth group to read together. Whoohoo! Ms. Samson!

Lisa Samson's book always makes you think and this one is no different that the rest. Can you say EDGY?! I don't think I've ever read a Christian fiction book that deals with the type of people mentioned in this story. But these are stories that need to be told, because not everyone is living a picture perfect streak free Christian life. It's a heartbreaking story as you read what has happened in Drew and Valentine's lives. I nearly wanted to cry at times when reading because I felt the character's pain and suffering. Even though there are very few sideshow attractions such as the one portrayed in the story surviving today, it makes the reader think about what life is like for these "so-called freaks." How hard their life must be because they aren't born "normal" like the rest of us. I really don't know how Lella was able to be so upbeat and genuinely happy all the time. I don't think I could have accepted her situation quite so well. This isn't your normal happy ending novel. There is a lot of in your face stuff that a lot of Christians don't like touching. It will make you feel uncomfortable at times but it will also help you to understand more about God's infinite love and acceptance. This book is definitely edgy Christian fiction at its best. Lisa Samson has created another winner. HIGHLY recommended.

Embrace Me by Lisa Samson is another jewel in Samson's crown. Valentine stars as the Lizard Woman in a travelling freak show along with her friend, Lella, the Human Cocoon. While it's not a great life, it's one that she has come to terms with until returning to winter in a small North Carolina town. There she encounters Augustine, a tattooed and dread locked monk, who shakes up her ordered existence with his talk of God and faith. Samson's books are not for those readers who want to be comfortable and comforted in their reading. Her books with self-mutilating pastors and chain-smoking characters make me squirm in my seat like a good sermon. She delves into topics and places few Christian books dare to go, and God bless her for it. Her books are not to be read lightly and tossed aside. They weigh on my soul and heart and never leave me untouched. Augustine quotes Mother Theresa: You only love Christ as much as the person you love the least. Did that make you squirm in your seat? That's what Embrace Me will do to you, make you re-evaluate the strength of your faith and love for God. Samson writes like no one else in the business; each sentence is carefully crafted and weighted. Read this book and be transformed within.

I met Colleen Coble last September at the ACFW Conference in Texas, and I've been reading her books ever since.

As always, when I read a book I was impressed how Tess's past experiences influenced her job choice, and her relationship problems. Colleen is a masterful story teller and the story gripped me from beginning to end.

I highly recommend this book as a story with take away value.

I love Colleen Coble, and have read all her books. Fire Dancer is by far my favorite. It seems that many of Coble's books follow the exact same formula. This was the first book that I felt strayed into new ground somewhat. This book was a fascinating read. I would recommend this book if you enjoy Colleen Coble and a (somewhat predictable) romantic mystery.

A decade ago Tess's parents died in a barn fire; now she's one of the best smoke jumpers in the business - but has yet to face her loss. When the serial arsonist known as Fire Dancer strikes her home town, Tess can no longer run from her past and must face not only past truths, but their impact on her safety and future. FIRE DANCER is an intriguing novel of psychological cat-and-mouse games and intrigue and is a top pick for advanced teen readers.

As a child Tess Masterson could not save her parents and her uncle from a terrible fire.

As an adult and working as a smoke jumper putting out fires and chasing arsonists, she must return to the place she left behind to help her sister save the family ranch. Before she can, there's a blantant attempt on her life. With no time to figure that mystery out Tess heads to Arizona and the nightmares that haunt her sleep. Can she really go back to the place where much of her family was lost?

When she arrives sparks soon fly as she's reaquainted with Chase Huston. Meanwhile the local lawman has come to believe a series of fires over the years are the work of a serial arsonist. Tess and her band of smokejumpers begin to help in the investigation and putting out fire that pop up all over town, some getting very close to the family ranch.

Does this arsonist called the Fire Dancer have something against the Masterson family? Can Tess stop this serial arsonist? Can she put out the fire that begun to blaze in her own heart for Chase?

These questions and more will fill your mind and heart reading this novel, as will a long list of possibilities for the identity of the Fire Dancer.

When I first began to seriously pursue a writing career one name kept coming up. Colleen Coble. It seemed she had a million novels and billions of adoring fans. As I got to know some writers Colleen was one I was always pointed to as an example of what was right about this novel writing thing I wanted to do.

Finally I got to know her a bit and she was one of the first to encourage, and eventually convince me, that if I was serious about this writing goal I had to join American Christian Fiction Writers. I finally did and it's the single best thing I've done to date to help me advance to the place where I'll have my own name on the binding of a book.

Some who've never cracked open a novel of Colleen's, especially men, may discount her books as romantic fluff. I admit I did. I knew nothing of the romantic suspense. It was her books that convinced me I needed to pay attention to genre. Yes, there's romance. But there's always these intricate plots. In this story alone. You have Tess dealing with the lost of much of her family, an arsonist, attempts on her life, the lost of her family ranch and her horse. Her sister's illness and troubled marriage. Feelings for Chase, a man she shouldn't give a care for. Chase dealing with his own issues of family and love. Stevie and Paul's marriage. And so much more. And Colleen weaves it all together in a way that the reader keeps it straight in their head and never gets lost.

Some of the most interesting passages in the story were the first person accounts from of the fire dancer. Colleen slowly drips out just enough information about this person that she get a real feel for them without ever revealing who they are until the last possible second.

I could go on and on about this book and about Colleen's writing but I must stop. If you've never read a Colleen Coble novel, this is a good place to start since it's the beginning of a new series. She has another new one just released, Midnight Sea, that's unrelated and yet another coming out later this year called Abomination. I can't wait to get my hands and eyes on both of these and more of Colleen's work.

I hope you'll pick up Fire Dancer and loose yourself in the world of Tess Masterson for a few hours. You won't be disappointed.

Care to dance?

In 1991 a young Tess Masterson watched with horror as her parents were both eaten alive by fire in their barn. Tess was horrified as she stood by and knew there was nothing she could do to save them. The fire pointed Tess's life towards fire fighting as a Smoke Jumper, those that jump from airplanes into the fire to attempt to stop its forward progress in any way they can. Tess relives that day every time she jumps into a fire and wonders many times what she could have done to save her parents from that barn inferno.

During one of the jumps Tess and a good friend, Allie, jumped as a pair into one of the fires. Allie's parachute did not open. Tess did all she could to assist Allie as they both floated towards the fire, reaching her and holding on to slow her fall. In the end, Allie was slowed but not enough to keep her from getting badly hurt when she hit earth. When Tess learned that the parachute Allie used was actually Tess's chute she began to think that she must have been a target by someone sabotaging her chute. Some of the lines were cut showing the murderous intent by someone. But who? Anyone on the fire team could have done this as well as anyone near their base camp. Allie was in the hospital and there she would stay for some time so her broken bones and the rest of her body could heal.

Chase Huston was a foster child the Masterson's had taken in. He was a handsome but bothersome ranch hand that Tess skirted when she could. Tess also owned a gorgeous horse, Wildfire who was a one-person horse, and Tess was that person. She hated leaving him when she had to go back on duty and couldn't wait until that smoke jumpers duty was over to see Wildfire back at the family owned ranch.

Fires continued to start in suspicious ways and places with a note and evidence found at most of the arson related fires. Signed "The Smoke Dancer" this person stopped at nothing to kill or maim animals or humans. The Masterson family seemed to be one of the main subjects The Fire Dancer was out to hurt.

Stevie was Tess's sister who Tess knew was not feeling good by just looking at her. Stevie had Lupus that left her feeling very run down and poorly. This devastated Tess. Tess helped her in any possible way. As time went on, Tess and Chase became closer but bitterness still was in the back of each other's mind, bitterness from earlier years. Eventually feelings between the two did change.

Tess's Smoke Jumper friends were the same or better than her family since she was with them so much and each ones life was so valuable to the others. It was hard to think that one of them could be the one that has been trying to hurt or kill Tess but the possibility of that existed as it did with various ranch hands.

I have always been fascinated by stories about fire, the fighting of them and the tracking down of arsonists. "Fire Dancer" is a great story with so many Christian values explored throughout; values that would help all involved when they take those values into their lives. Colleen Coble has spun an excellent story combining love, adventure, fire, mystery, murder, and that Christian value. An excellent book and a great read. Colleen writes in a way that makes this book easy and interesting to read, and hard to put down.

I grew up listening to Garrison Keillor every Sunday morning on the radio, and I love his gentle, easygoing narratives of small-town life. Sequoyah, Georgia, Raymond L. Atkin's quirky town, is the Lake Wobegone of the South. The rural community is populated with a never-ending stream of strange characters. There's Hoghead, a cook who proudly makes the world's worst coffee and proudly posts the Daily Special in the front window every morning, as well as a cheerful Christian message. Unfortunately, he isn't too good at separating his thoughts, so you might see advertised "THE ROAD TO HELL IS PAVED WITH COUNTRY-FRIED STEAK" or "CHRIST DIED FOR THE BEST FRIED CHICKEN IN THE COUNTY." A.J.'s wife Maggie is pretty normal, except that all of her family members are named after famous authors, so her full name is Margaret Mitchell Callahan Longstreet, and her children are named Emily Charlotte (named for BOTH the Bronte sisters in a break with tradition), Harper Lee and James Joyce. Police officer Slim could be the twin brother of Hazzard County's Sheriff Roscoe. But everyone in the town basks in the glow of small-town friendliness, and the community happily takes its turn irritating and taking care of each other.


Part of the way Eugene amuses himself is by writing letters to all the people he knows to be sent after he dies. There's an excerpt from each one at the beginning of every chapter. Some of them are sweet, most of them are sarcastic (Being dead is not that bad. There are a lot of people here I know. In fact, most of them were your patients.) All of them hare hilarious.

The joy of this book comes from the variety of characters and their tangled relationships. It's really a fun read; page after page made me laugh like a hyena (I even snorted within hearing distance of some clients; that was embarrassing) but at the end I may have been sniffling a little bit. It's very authentic and comfortable; if The Front Porch Prophet were an article of clothing it would definitely be a soft, worn, slightly dirty brown leather jacket that's been heated in the sun so that it's snug and warm and has that perfect old-leathery smell to it.

Raymond Atrins
Medallion Press, 2008
ISBN: 9781933836386
5 Stars
Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for ReviewYourBook.com
You do not have to be a Southerner to enjoy a quirky Southern story. The setting for The Front Porch Prophet is Sequoyah, Georgia . Unique characters, southern charm, and a gripping story make this book an excellent read. Eugene is battling a fatal disease and must face his mortality. He seeks help from his estranged best friend, A.J. Together they look back on the past.
The Front Porch Prophet will make you laugh and will make you cry. Raymond Atrins is an extremely talented author. He developed a plot that peeks at southern life, approaching death, and friendships. The secondary characters make this book. Their quirkiness makes them appealing. The writing style is pleasant, fast-paced, and rewarding. I suspect this book will be a best seller.

A.J. Longstreet and Eugene Purdue share a colorful past. They grew up together in the mountains of Sequoyah, Georgia, and got into their share of trouble. The best friends had an alcohol-induced falling out three years ago and haven't spoken since. In the opening scenes of The Front Porch Prophet by Raymond L. Atkins, Eugene initiates contact with A.J. with some bad news. Eugene has terminal cancer and a matter of months to live. He needs A.J. to be present in the final phase of his life and good-hearted A.J. readily obliges.

Thus begins the reunion between what must surely be two of the most charming and entertaining characters in rural Georgia. As A.J. steps back into Eugene's life, the past comes flooding back. As events and characters unfold, Atkins presents A.J. and Eugene as boys, teenagers, and young men. He introduces their parents, grandparents, wives, children, neighbors and colleagues. It is a large and eclectic cast of characters, and they are what makes this story special.

If a terminally ill man suffering through his last days sounds like a depressing premise for a story, don't worry. This compelling tale is anything but. Atkins is a master story teller and his anecdotes, all told from A.J. Longstreet's point of view, draw the reader in while the tongue-in-cheek way he presents them will make you smile. The narrative tone is dry and humorous, but at the same time warm and tender. It lovingly embraces the quirkiness of the residents of Sequoyah and pokes gentle but loving fun at the culture of the Deep South.

Atkins' writing is impeccable and he is clearly in his element with this wonderful piece of Southern fiction.
One of the strong points of this novel is the way in which he builds a very strong sense of place, not only with descriptions of the physical setting but with his characters, through descriptions of their personalities, daily lives and interactions. Even the rough and tumble ones who drank entirely too much whiskey and carried on love affairs with their firearms, were so likeable. And in the end, they show us that no matter where you're from, family and friendship are ties that bind and endure despite our mistakes and inadequacies.

If you lived in a small town when you were growing up, or are just redneck enough, you'll know exactly what's going on in this story.

That's what makes The Front Porch Prophet so hilarious and relatable. Author Raymond L. Atkins' subtle implementations of dry humor and unlikely-but-possible situations are what drive this otherwise melancholy perspective on a man's slow battle with cancer while residing in the small town of Sequoyah, Georgia. The story's bulk are the family branches of the slowly succumbing Eugene Purdue, bringing in characters with rich personalities and wonderful side stories. Each character is described throughout the entirety of the book; this includes the local eatery's religious owner, Hoghead (who unintentionally renames the drive-in with a combination of Bible tidbits and dining specials); Estelle Chastain (whose mean little dog meets an unexpected demise by an aerial porch); real estate buyer Truth Hannassey (who finds a love match in Eugene's ex-wife); and deputy Slim (who would freak out if he ever found out about that stolen school bus).

The story is rich and lively, easing the emotional break of Eugene's gradual degradation (even with grenades to ease the boredom). But his familial friend A.J.'s reluctant role as caretaker and possible Grim Reaper shows a tenderness and emotion familiar to many who have lost a loved one. Between Estelle's reckless driving and A.J.'s battle of words with Eugene's dog Rufus lies a story of heartbreak, loss, and emotion. A fantastic read.

I read this book because I have a family member who is a friend of the author. i am not sure what I expected, but what ever it was , I received much more. The characters became like family members and friends that I have known all my life. I laughed out loud in resturants or where ever I was at the time. I cried some also. As I came closer to the conclusion, I was hoping the next book was to be a continuation. I am an avid reader. I love southern writers. Ray is one of the best.I consider him in the company of Ferrol Sams, Pat Conroy,and even Faulkner and Welty. I was blown away by his first novel.

G-Town's Finest is absolutely the greatest gangster book that i have ever read. It has a story line and a plot that will knock you off your feet. The ending is unreal and unexpected. It kept me interested and wanting to read more. I couldn't put this book down for nothing. It only took me 9 hours to finish it and I cried at the end. I recommend this book to all readers!
Keep up the wonderful work CeDee and I will support all that you do.
Thank you for the wonderful entertainment that I received from reading G-Town's Finest!

THIS BOOK INDEED WAS THE FIRST BOOK THAT MADE ME SHEAD A TEAR OF 2 OR 3..... BUT MY POINT IS THAT THIS BOOK WAS OFF THE WALL. I COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN AT ALL..... I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO EVERYONE IN THE URBAN FICTIONS GENRE.... PLEASE GO GET IT G-TOWN'S FINEST BOY I TELL YOU

...... PLEASE GO GET IT

... GOT ME ALL SPEECHLESS AND SH*T

G TOWN'S FINEST IS ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS YOU COULD EVER READ. I RECOMMEND IT TO ALL. IT WILL DEFINTALY CAPUTURE YOUR ATTENTION FROM BEGINING TO THE END FLAT OUT.THIS BOOK IS A MUST READ! ANYONE FROM THE HOOD OR OTHERS WILL FEEL THIS BOOK TILL THE VERY END.IF U LIKED COLDEST WINTER EVER,B MORE CAREFUL,TRU TO THE GAME,AND ALL THE OTHER FAST PACE BOOKS THEN YOU WILL LOVE G TOWN'S FINEST.

I really enjoyed the book. I couldn't put the book down.
I want to know where is G-Town Finest's money at???. MAYBE
this could be the next part II.

I have never been the type of person to read, but a friend of mine convinced me to read this book, and I did, and I loved it! Put it this way, I started the book on my lunch break from work. I took the rest of the day off just so I could go home and finish reading it. I needed to know what was going to happen next. The thing I liked the most was everything that I expected to happen, DIDN'T happen. It's not one of those books where you can predict the ending just by reading a few chapters. I don't want to go into any detail because I don't want to tell you too much, so I'll just end this by saying that the book is excellent, and you will enjoy it! I hope this review is helpful.

I had HICKSON do an open mic/book signing on May 22 and we sold out all his books! I love this guy! He is funny, great to work with and I look forward to bringing him back to do all twelve of our stores in New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia!!! If you don't know what HEAT is then you need to get burned by this F I R E!!! HICKSON keep doing what you do best...BURN THE LITERARY WORLD!!!

You got to have this book in your collection! Funny, but realistic.

BOLD AND COLORFUL. rhythmic and musical, HARD, HARSH, chill, easy, reflective, reverent, whatever the mood's intent, every word delivers an IMPACT, an impact that can be seen, heard, felt, tasted, smelled...but its bigger than that. Hickson is taking on illiteracy among inner-city youth. he's providing a platform for self-expression across media. I definitely recommend reading Ghettoheat!

I just finished reading Ghettoheat and I loved it! My favorite is "Niggativity", it's hot and it has a message. I'm also fond of "BabyWoman" and the series of events she encounters. Buy the book.

GhettoHeat is the most honest, graphic and realistic piece of literature that I have read in a while. I would like to first applaude Hickson for having the courage to step forward and be heard. Second, I want to thank him for his colorful words that were so inspiring. I look forward to reading more. {YES brothers do read}.

A truly awesome book for Catholics who would like to grow in their faith as an adult. It's easy to read, down to earth, and very practical and applicable to our everyday lives.

The book did help, as I just lost my wife of thirity one years and although I beleive in God I had a few questions about why. I agree with a lot of what the book says, but there are some parts that open the door to more questions.In the end I don't care what your religion is its all about FAITH!

The Gift of Faith was recommended to me by some friends in the Families of Nazareth movement. This book presents most of the core essentials of my faith. I believe that acceptance of the world as God made the world, acceptance of myself as God made me, and surrender to the will of the Lord are vital to living the way of Christ. Consistent with Christ's model, Dajczer provides not only very wise statements about faith, he also gives us wonderful illustrative examples from both scripture and the saints.

The Gift of Faith has three sections: the virtue of faith; the dynamism of faith; and the actualisation of faith. In virtue of faith we learn that God invites us to love Him, and faith leads to self-abandonment and reliance upon God. In dynamism we are invited to deepen our faith. We are told we can accept ourselves and consider our "happy faults". We learn to focus upon humor as a remedy to our self centeredness. In actualization we discover that the Holy Spirit wants to lead us in our journey of faith, and that the Blessed Mother teaches us the way to be open and adhere to the word of God.

What follows are several of the nuggets of wisdom in the book.

The fullness of faith is in love. Focus upon "now" as there is no past or future, only this moment, and the present brings love. Our "fear" of God hurts Him and hurts us. Fear prevents trust. I must know that God is love, that God loves me. Then I can trust Him. Be like a child, trust in God. When praying do not limit or judge the Lord, but believe in the wisdom and love of God and expect miracles.

We have a choice, attachment to things of this earth or to God. Dajczer talks of "inconceivable" faith, one which accepts death and trusts God enough to surrender to His will. This "inconceivable" faith is the faith that makes saints. The only way to true love and peace is "abandonment" of myself to God. When I believe I am strong, I lose focus upon God. It is through my weakness that I grow in trust and love of God. When I know I am weak and cannot control my life, I can abandon myself to the Lord. The key is not winning, but losing, not strength but weakness, not victory but surrender.

Knowing I am human, my mistakes can become "happy faults" if they help me believe in the mercy of God. I cannot know Christ until I know myself. I must know my sins, admit my faults, and realize that God accepts me as I am. I must learn to accept myself as Christ does, then I can learn to synchronize my thought with His thought.

The Gift of Faith is a great book. I recommend it for anyone wishing to grow in their faith.

I have been transformed by reading this book. It has helped me to see that grace comes in everything in life...that all things are from God, even the difficulties. It has helped me to rely only on God, and to see His grace through my daily struggles, failings and weaknesses.

Someone told me about this book when I was going through a hard time with believing. I'm not the kind to read cover-to-cover. Usually, I flip through the book, and see what catches my eye.
This book answered so many questions for me that I did not even know how to ask.

An excellect book for anyone. It was a great Christmas stocking stuffer and will make a great birthday gift when you want to give more than a card.

This is quintessential O. Henry. If you want a gift for a friend or a way to introduce someone to the joys of the short story, this is a great pick.

This book begins with the one of the lesser-known Christmas stories that illustrates how we should give to the utmost during this season of giving. O. Henry is able to use wit to show wisdom, and the ridiculous to show the sublime.

The poor married couple is forced to scrounge for Christmas. The husband hocks his watch to buy hair combs for his wife, and his wife sell her hair to a wig-maker to buy a fob-chain. Bit this story isn't about a couple's holiday folly, but the desire to love and serve other people to the utmost.

One of the classics is "The Last Leaf," about a boy who in inspired by a last leaf, which is really a painting. Another story is "The Cop And the Anthem," about the bum who tries to get arrested, then has a turn of heart second before he is booked for vagrancy. It also has the immortal "The Ransom Of Red Chief," the story about the kidnappers who get the redheaded brat, and try their darndest to get rid of the kid.

O. Henry has the a gift of the twist, like Rod Serling of "Twilight Zone" fame, or M. Night Shyamalan, the director of "The Sixth Sense," and "Signs." As you read, it keeps your eyes on their toes, since at any minute the whole story will twist upside-down. This roller-coaster writing is like a well-told joke.

When I was a teenager, I listened to the Gift of the Magi, the Last Leaf, After Twenty Years etc on public radio stations (Guess where?). I was so moved then. I think these among other great works had played a role in my decision to pursue an English Literature major.
Now life had challenged me into a somewhat different world where often times we forget about the literature, the philosophy and the simpliest pleasures of life.
I bought this book again so that I could read it to my children someday. My first born is only 3. But I think he is starting to show some appreciation.

"The Gift of the Magi and Other Short Stories" brings together 16 pieces by O. Henry. The stories in this collection are taken from 8 of O. Henry's books; the original volumes have publication dates ranging from 1906 to 1911. This book includes a short introductory note on the colorful life and career of the author, who lived from 1862 to 1910.

I really enjoyed this book from start to finish. O. Henry writes about criminals, dreamers, artists, lovers, and lost souls. Many of these stories have a New York City setting--he really captures the energy and color of the city. There are also a Western story ("The Pimienta Pancakes"), a Southern Gothic tale ("A Municipal Report"), a story set primarily in a small town in Arkansas ("A Retrieved Reformation"), and a story set in rural Alabama ("The Ransom of Red Chief").

If you like stories with "twist" endings, you will probably like this collection. The book as a whole is a lot of fun--full of life and charm. Some of the stories may strike contemporary readers as corny, but I found each tale to be an enjoyable gem of storytelling. The book is rich in irony, with some really funny scenes.

O. Henry tells stories of love, justice, deception, sacrifice, and heroism. He makes some intriguing creative choices; this is clearly the work of a master in total command of the short story genre. His prose style is very readable and engaging, with touches of baroque elegance.

Lily comes from a middle-class Tennessee upbringing and tries to breach the inner sanctum of the New York socialites when she marries a weak but wealthy heir to a gardening fortune. Chronicling the first year of Lily's marriage and motherhood, the novel delves into the shallow and outrageous antics of the super wealthy and their social climbing machinations. It is not until the end that Lily sees the light and comes full circle to realize that Manhattan's so-called elite and are shallow snobs with nothing to offer. The book is a fun read but the characters were so over the top that the book is unbelievable. However, I enjoyed the book as a light and quick read.

I throughly enjoyed reading "Gilding Lily". The character development in this "first novel" is excellent; I felt as though I knew the characters from the beginning of the novel. The pace is even and just fast enough to keep the reader engaged. Without car chases or one character that serves as a "patsy" this story is very often exciting and funny. The "inner life" of the main character reflects so many of the worries that women, regardless of status, concern themselves with daily that it will appeal to anyone who's ever wondered "what IS he thinking"??

I absolutely adored this book. When I got my first look at the cover, I was a little unsure (yes, I am one of THOSE people - I have been known to occasionally base my first impression of a book by its cover). However, in this case, I am glad that I took the time to read the first few sentences of the chapter, because as soon as I did, I was hooked.

Gilding Lily, by first time author, Tatiana Boncompagni has all of the elements needed to make it a compulsive read. The storyline is set in the world of the ridiculously rich - and is populated by its own particular brand of characters, which you will (mostly) love to hate. There are also deliciously written scenes of over-indulgence, sweet romantic moments and lots of gossip and cattiness!!!

Our main character Lily, who was not born into a world of privilege, but does aspire to it, marries the love of her life and vows to become `one of them' - except that she never quite succeeds. Indeed, saddled with a mother in law who despises her, a husband who lives on his trust fund and has never quite understood that he needs to let go of the apron strings, a brand new baby (not to mention the baby fat and the baby vomit) as well as a bunch of socialites who laugh at her behind her back, Lily feels lost and lonely and hatches a plan to "re-invent" herself and to prove, once and for all, that she is worthy of this high-society life. Just as Lily is finally starting to feel appreciated and accepted, she will come face to face with Emily who will do absolutely anything to get into the same world Lily is now happily living in. I found the character of Emily to be a great addition to the storyline. She is the trigger that will help Lily take a good look at herself and her priorities - she acts as a mirror for Lily and will be a big part of Lily's growing up (finally!) process and will help her discover what is truly important for her.

What makes this book so interesting, to me, is that none of the characters (with the possible exception of baby Will) are particularly likeable and this includes Lily. The author has chosen to create Lily with a very interesting mixture of good and bad which I found absolutely riveting. You can feel Lily's inner-struggle, on one hand despising the world she is in, but at the same time, desperately craving to be part of it. At times, she can be almost as catty and horrible as her circle of "Restylane-plumped, laser-resurfaced friends" while simultaneously, proving herself to be a wonderful mother, friend and loving wife. Lily is definitely a dichotomy and I kept reading avidly to find out exactly where Lily would land. This character was truly well constructed and fleshed out and set the tone for the entire storyline.

I also thoroughly enjoyed the relationship between Lily and her husband, Robert. At times, I was not sure which of the two I wanted to smack more - and I found myself shouting at both of them to grow up, but this just added to my pleasure in reading this book.

The writing style flows gracefully and there is not one word out of place. Absolutely charming, authentic and extremely difficult to put them....un petit péché mignon!!!

Gilding Lily is a book that captured me the second I started to read... I couldn't put it down! Even though the book revolves around a privileged life that I do not live, it was still extremely relate able. There are characters that you will love and some that you love to hate, and as I read the book I found myself having to read the next chapter to find out the outcomes of Lily's decisions. Gilding Lily was so entertaining that I didn't want it to be over. Tatiana Boncompagni left me wanting more!!!

I was looking forward to reading "Gilding Lily" and am pleased to report that it certainly did not disappoint. I loved Lily, the main character, because she is as a "real" person who is thrust into NYC society with all of its glamour and peer pressure and in the end, by staying true to herself, she comes out on top.

"Gilding Lily" is a page-turner that I was sad to see end. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed "Bergdorf Blondes" or any Candace Bushnell book. I hope we see more from this author in the future!

The essays that comprise this collection put me in mind of river stones, each compact and perfectly polished, each dense with the weight of insight and experience. The essays are generally brief, yet rich with detail; comparisons to Thoreau or John Muir are more than appropriate. I generally prefer reading a book to listening to one, but this is an exception. Amy Blackmarr's voice is southern and evocative in that soft, slow sense that puts me in mind of warm nights on a front porch. You will quickly feel you are beside a small pond in the South Georgia pines.

You know she's a great writer when she spins her words so profoundly and beautifully that it makes you cry within seconds....then listen with all senses vigilent...then laugh out loud....then cry again in a final release of everything you had left in your emotional arsenal of defenses. Amy Blackmarr's work in this audio is nothing short of a spiritual awakening...without the obligatory regligious overtones. Wherever you come from, no matter what you're looking for, listen to this, and you will be healed in some way.

I had the privilege of hearing an advance copy of the new complete Audio Book of Amy Blackmarr's classic, GOING TO GROUND:Simple Life on a Georgia Pond. Blackmarr's pleasing southern voice, combined with Chase Anderson's Indian flute and fiddle introductions, makes for wonderful listening that takes you right to the heart of the Georgia pond and simple cabin, which is the setting for the book. Humor is one of the book's strongest points, and it comes through funnier than ever in the author's excellent telling of the characters and the ubiquitous mice!

A book about leaving the city, leaving your business behind and moving to Georgia. I wonder why it was that I became so enamored of this book and it's author. Becuase, I'm about to do the same thing. This is the kind of book that I could probably read again and again. It suanders. It meanders. It is relaxed. It's scope is wide, it's execution is simple and effortless. I found myself yearning to be the author's guest at her little cabin by the pond. I wanted to pet her dogs, drink a beer with her neighbors. I wanted to walk in her woods. Fantastic job at gentle memoir.

Young South Georgia woman gets off the fast train, returns to family's shack by the pond, then delivers us a way to enjoy her experiences and reflections. The sparce prose of Amy Blackmarr lets you sit back and relax awhile. You'll also enjoy the sequel, House of Steps, where she moves to a peculiar little house out in Kansas. Her outlook on life is quite refreshing. Both books are short, too, so they're great for summer trips to the beach, or weekends out in the backyard.