UK Books

A friend gave this to me and I did not expect it to be so wonderfully wonderful! It taught a bit about Scottish history and local islanders treated 'outboarders' (orphan children sent to live with strangers - some got love, some got slave labour). It also showed me how army deserters were treated in the war when they were not actual deserters but mentally and emotionally wounded who simply 'freaked out'.
I loved the style of writing and it was easy to read and I got through it in one weekend (could not put it down!). Highly recommend.

Sir John Appleby and his wife, Lady Judith accept an invitation to a house-party at Charne, the country estate of the Martineaus. Their friend, Grace Martineau is dying of cancer and she wants her friends about her one last time.

This particular Appleby is mostly dialogue. Almost all of the action (several deaths, drug dealing, statutory rape) takes place off stage. Innes paints very believable psychological portraits of his protagonists, a talent that may have been strengthened by the year he spent in Vienna, studying Freudian psychology. The characters' interactions tend to be both erudite and revealing, as in this mystery's opening scene when the guests have gathered in the loggia at dusk to hear a nightingale sing:

"'O Nightingale, that on yon bloomy Spray/ Warbl'st at eve, and when all the woods are still.'

"This was Bobby again, and it ought to have been harmless and agreeable. But it wasn't, Appleby thought--or not quite. Grace Martineau could be sensed as stiffening in displeasure as if she felt Bobby--her husband's nephew--to be guying this new poem, and so guying the bird. And it was quite possible--one suddenly perceived--that Grace didn't much like Bobby, anyway.

"And Diana Page, too, seemed not pleased, for she launched another attack on the young man.

"'Fancy spouting poetry about the nightingale,' she said, 'when one can sit still and listen to it!"

The deaths don't take place until the latter half of the mystery. Meanwhile the reader becomes well-acquainted with Grace Martineau and her machinations to have her husband remarry after she has died. Her guests, already on edge because they know this is the last time they will see their hostess, are shocked by her insistence that her husband should wed another after her passing. They are even more shocked when they learn Grace's choice of bride.

"The Bloody Wood" is a somber Appleby, almost more tragedy than mystery. Nevertheless it is a good mystery, where the reader is challenged to discover a killer, after the author has furnished revealing psychological portraits of the murder suspects.

Stefan Ball, of the Dr. Edward Bach Centre and Bach Foundation has come up with a unique approach to understanding and using the Bach Flower Remedies with this book, one that looks beyond the descriptions of what the individual flowers do and how to choose and use them (scores of books are available that do this already, some with him as author, no less). The focus here, as one can gather from the subtitle, is on personal and spiritual development and growth. I am not usually one who even considers reading so-called "self-help" books, but since I am heavily involved with the Bach system, including training to become a practitioner, I already had an interest in that part of the subject. This book does cover in detail, in chapters alternating with more philosophical ones, what each of the 38 Bach Flower Remedies do, but even here, there are more in-depth descriptions and different ways of looking at the Remedies, using many thoughtful examples (some from the author's own life experiences), than usually appear in these books. Every other chapter covers topics such as intuition, peak experiences, simplicity and finding one's life purpose not only as they relate to using the Bach system, but also how they have been discussed throughout history by philosphers, authors and scientists. This sounds like it could get rather heavy pretty quickly, but Ball keeps the tone light and the style of writing almost conversational so that the book is very easy and quick to read while conveying a wealth of useful information that makes you think about your own life. For someone already using the Bach Flowers, Bloom offers fascinating, fresh insight into using them for a deeper purpose, beyond, say, "merely" taking them for relieving depression. For someone new to Bach Flowers, it provides a wonderful starting point, complete with all the basic information as well as an underlying theme that can be tapped into when the time is right. Seventy years on, Bach Flowers continue to help people change their own lives. Bloom brings forward this message in a comfortable, inspiring fashion which is destined to make it a classic.

This book is amazing!
From the minute I opened it I could not put it down, it is so well written, not to mention scary as hell!
From the beginning the book keeps you captivated, right through to the end, and when I found out what the beast actually was, it blew me away.
I seriously reccomend this book for anyone who wants to read a good horror novel - this was well worth the $11 I paid for it!

`Book' is a beautiful fairytale full of mystery and delight. The author successfully inhabits the mind of a child, and in doing so transports us into an enchanted world. The vivid and imaginative writing makes for a magical read! I warmly recommend it.

This is a treasure trove of information about Christmas as it has been traditionally celebrated in many countries, with special emphasis on some of the holiday's pagan roots. The writing is clear and succinct, and the enthusiasm and interest of the author are contagious.

The vibrant color illustrations are a perfect complement to the text. The illustrators have taken great care to research their subjects and it is delightful to gaze at the pictures and marvel at what each detail tells you.

It is the type of book you want to go back to year after year to refresh your recollection of the history of the Christmas season, and you will want to pass this on to your loved ones.

Book of Love: Romantic Ways to Create Pleasure and Harmony

FROM THE PUBLISHER
Love is the greatest of all experiences, whether it be the intoxication of new love, the heady days of courtship, or the bliss of a happy relationship. This beautiful and imaginative book offers many ways to enhance and enjoy life's gift of love.

There are tips on dating and recovery from lost love, as well as pampering and special ways to express love, including: Aromatherapy, Relaxation, Yoga, Color, Spells, Crystals, Feng Shui, Flowers, Foods, Message, Music.

This book is chock-full of wonderful stories, histories, traditions, superstitions, uses, of various spices throughout the world. It is not a recipe book, but does have some recipes in the back of the book. I liked the format so much, I tracked down & ordered 4 other books in the series: coffee, tea, chocolate and plants & symbols.

What a fantastic read! Timothy has somehow manged to combine all the best elements of Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter and the Arthurian legends and has created a unique page turning genre. This was one of those rare books that you can't wait to finish but don't want to end. I can only hope that there is indeed a book 2.

If this book isn't an unputdownable page turner, then I'm the Queen of Sheba.

Have a strong heart! Both Your Houses moves at a rather rapid pace and is based on the lives of two close-knit English families: the Armitages and the Blakes. The Armnitages are the older couple with three sons while the younger Blakes are blessed with two daughters and one son. Both couples offspring never socialise due to the vast age differences,but they are forever spoken of, and asked after when the adults meet regularly at their intimate little dinners at each others homes. Apart from their dinners, the men sometimes meet at Lords for cricket and lunch while the women engage in a little libation after work in London.

In this novel you'll meet Hester Blake, a newspaper columnist; Jonty Blake, a Public Director with an Environmental company; Ann Armitage, a Womens councellor; Bryon Armitage, retired; Rose Black, a university student; Giselle Blake the middle child who is antisocial, bad mannered and low on self esteem; Daniel a student; Sebastian Armitage, who works with a Youth group, Gavin Armitage who runs one of the most impressive and popular restaurants in London; and his younger brother Julian a Public School teacher.

At the head of the story is Giselle better know as Grizzle or Zelda and Gavin Armitage.

When the two meet under strange circumstances in Paris, the electricity is ripping between them so, it's only inevitable on returning to England that the relationship will continue. Gisele leaves her family home to go to London to live with him and their parents are so delighted as they think that this could be the beginning of good things to come. Perhaps a marriage between the two families? Gisele lightens up a lot and becaomes slightly sweeter causing Gavin to fall more heavily for her. But, but his high pressured job does not allow him the quality time he would like to spend with Giselle whose job at the Health store affords her evenings off.

Everything works for awhile until a bombshell is dropped on a family gathering, when Giselle annouces her pregancy. Both families are concerned wondering if she will keep the baby; whether they will tie the knot or what amongst other things. In the meantime Giselle loses her temper and her job, and finds herself with plenty of time on her hands and plenty of time to think.

This pregancy changes this couple as well as the relationship between the senior Armitages and the Blakes. But not wanting to give too much of the story away, may I encourage readers who,like family novels with great depth and have read some of Sarah Harrison's other work, make no hesitation on ordering this book soon. It'a a page turner and you'll be happy that you've read that right here at Amazon.com

Heather Marshall August 13th 2001