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Dense writing, with a good plot that deepens along the way. The title does not describe the book, as it is more about the relationships that Meg forges with people, rather than about actually questing for Marie. Note for people that do not like historical fiction in general: the historical notes and flavors do not intrude on the story. Ever read a historical fiction novel that continually interrupts the story line with mini-lectures on history? Doesn't happen in "Quest for a Maid." Note 2 for other folks that read poetry... it is delightful to see Sir Patrick Spens come alive.

I just finished reading this book although it has been on my shelf for several years. I'm really sorry now that I waited so long to read it! I loved the characters and the language, although younger children might have a little trouble with it.

It is told from the point of view of Meg, daughter of a scottish shipwright. She grows up very close to her oldest sister, Inge, who everyone believes is a witch. Then, when she is about ten, she saves a little boy from drowning. He is actually the son of her father's friend, Patrick Spens (the boy's name is Davie) and she becomes engaged to him and goes to live at his house to learn how to manage it. Soon they become close friends.

One day, in town she sees the boy who pulled her and Davie out of the water that day being chased through the town as a runaway serf. She quickly comes up with a lie to save him and he becomes her friend and servant. His name is Peem.

The next part of the book is devoted to how they grow up together. Then Master Spens is called to take his ship to bring the Maid of Norroway to England so she can wed the ship. Meg comes along to be the Maid's attendant, and Davie and Peem follow in their own boat. On their return voyage, they encounter a ferocious storm which tears the boat to shreds and drowns many people on board including Master Spens. Davie, Peem, and Meg save the Maid and take her on board their own boat.

However, their problems are not over, many people are pursuing them and they may have to leave the country to be safe. The ending is excellent, a few good plot twists and some feel-good moments. I loved it. :)

I first read this book back in gradeschool but it is one that has always stuck with me and I have looked forward to sharing this with my younger cousins.
The tale of Meg pulls you in as you watch her grow up with all these huge events happening and discovering what it means to idolize someone who may not be worth that kind of respect. Meg's innocent love of her family and friends is what sticks out to me and their love and loyalty in return.
It's a great book for young girls to read, I wish there were more out there like this.

I loved this book! its great it has hard vocabulary but i really enjoyed it!

Quest for a Maid is about Meg Wright, who lives in Scotland. She lives a normal life, except that her oldest sister, Inge, is a witch. Then one day when Meg is nine years old, she hides under a table and hears Inge kill a king. Nothing will ever be the same again. There is a fight for the throne going on in the country. Then Meg gets betrothed to Davie Spens, and is sent to live with his family to prepare. (The wedding will be in seven years.) When Meg is chosen to journey to Norway to bring the rightful eight-year-old queen back to Scotland to claim the throne, she goes, but with doubts. What will happen when they get to Norway? Will the little queen even want to go back to Scotland?

A book loaded with great & useful information. A lot of research has been undertaken on the history of Reiki & presented in this book. It is very interesting to see the difference in traditional Japanese Reiki & what is in the West today. I find this book to be an excellent reference. Thanks go out to the authors.

Since beginning my journey into Reiki, I have come to realize that although the actual act of doing Reiki is easy (anyone can do it), that if you really want to delve into the practice you have to go searching for answers. Along the way, I have come across a number of very good resources and have developed some favorite authors, persons who I expect quality research that informs me about various Reiki subjects while also presenting their information in a way that will actually help me grow as a person, as a practitioner, and as a Reiki Master. Quite a tall order, indeed.

Bronwen and Frans Stiene are at the top of this list. Their work is consistently well-informed. I also find their topics quite interesting. More importantly, I find it easy to translate what I read in their books directly to my own growth and purposes.

The Reiki Sourcebook is a great general resource that should be on every Reiki practitioner's bookshelf. Topics explored range from basic information and the history of Reiki through courses and an explanation of the complexity of lineages to specific Japanese and Western Reiki techniques.

Even though I was already a Reiki Master when I read this book, I learned some wonderful things! A well thought out book of history and details (I especially love the early section with illustrations covering the order of strokes for writing in Japanese characters) that will help Reiki students of all levels. I never want to stop developing with Reiki and this book certainly furthered my education! Well done and many thanks!!!!

Very impressed with The Reiki Source Book. This book discusses the original Reiki. It is a well balanced presentation that brought forth many of Usui's original intentions of being a spiritual path as well as a method of healing. It did an excellent job of presenting the paths of Reiki that had developed over time. Quite an eye opener. All paths are presented with respect and balance. This book had wonderful explanations that help the reader gain a new perspective.

Bronwen and Frans Stiene wrote an intriguing work entitled "The Reiki Sourcebook," which consist roughly 350 pages and four parts and appendices. The authors did a wonderful research into the history of Reiki as well the Western and Japanese Reiki techniques. Not only that, they also discerned and discussed the difference between traditional (Usui Method) and non-traditional knowledge of Reiki, and touched upon the origins of each.

I found this book to be strongly resourceful and insightful on the subject of Reiki. Personally, I had never taken a Reiki class and only heard of the term in passing. I came upon this book as both curiosity and of possible interest in pursuing this teaching. Of this book, I found it to be strongly helpful for a beginner of Reiki or just someone (such as myself) who seek to know more about the Reiki system.

This book is well worth the effort and worth the read as it is literally packed with information on the subject, and I found it to be quite informative.

I've read a few books about reincarnation, but this one has to be one of the best. It's well written and it tells it from all sorts of angles. Even the statistics are there, while it also managed to speak to my heart in a way none of the others did.

I received the book just a few days after ordering it. I immediately got an email responding to my order explaining everything clearly. The service was the best. Very responsible and reliable person!!

the book is a very fast read. It contains data from many researchers on the subject, especially how other cultures view reincarnation, which is very informative but it begs for more. The stories described are fun to read.

I ordered 5 books from Amazon on this topic. This one was by far the best. Some of the others got really boring really fast, but this book had me captivated from start to finish. It certainly was a very comforting book to read. Since I got it over a year ago, it has not been in my house because everyone I know wants to borrow it! I hope to get it back soon to re-read!

If reincarnation is real, and if we develop deep bonds as soul families, then it makes sense that at least some of the time we would reincarnate right back into the same family to work out unfinished business. This is the premise of Carol Bowman's book, Return From Heaven, and she offers numerous true accounts of children whose parents observed behaving and speaking and thinking like good ol' granddad, or auntie so-and-so. Many people, even those who don't normally believe in reincarnation or past lives, have wondered whether the infant in their arms wasn't the returned soul of an aged or not-so-aged relative recently deceased--anyone who has entertained such a thought will enjoy Return From Heaven. I found this book simply fascinating, and I'm sure that many who read it will begin to run over in their minds the behavior of their children and realize that they have been parenting and nurturing someone deeply familiar to them--their own nearest and dearest.

Richard Salva--author of Soul Journey from Lincoln to Lindbergh [UNABRIDGED]

This book is awesome and very readable. Being so clearly written and straight to the point, it makes for a quick read and serves as a great reference.

While geared towards a business environment, the survival guide is written from a unique perspective which gives deep insight into the psychology of managers and coworkers.

I truly wish I had "Sink or Swim" for my first job. That would have helped me to avoid so many small mistakes which I was totaly oblivious to. It's just jam packed full of useful tips which coworkers usually won't tell you.

Even after two years in my current position, I found that reading this book gave ideas to naturally improve my professional image without any major effort or changes!

Definitely recommended for any professional employee - regardless of rank.

Within the first week of starting my new job at a startup internet company, I came across this book and it made all the difference. Working at a startup can often be disjointed, especially since we didn't have an office to call our own. By incorporating some of the advice in my weekly routines, I created a structure for myself that I continue to follow. The advice was clear, concise and right on.

This is definitely a must-read for anyone starting a new job.

Pay no attention to Jeffnc, the bitter reviewer from SC! I live in SF and have no idea who the Sidells are, but this book is fascinating! Follow everything they say week by week,a nd you'll get that "This is going very well" at your 90-day review just like me! What's more, you look not only super organized with this book on your desk, but also super-conscientious....I brought this book into a one on one with the boss, and I cracked the book and said "I'd like to talk about my career goals.." she asked me what the book was...she was impressed!

"Sink or Swim" is the book that I wish I had when I started in the working world over 18 years ago! It is a simple, step-by-step tool that shows new hires how to "get it right in 12 weeks". The week-by-week approach gives individuals the opportunity to set good habits and strategies that can be applied throughout one's career. This book has been very helpful to me as an HR professional in getting my recent college graduate new hires to better engage with the company and job they accepted within it! I would highly recommend this book.

This book is perfect for new college graduates or inexperienced employees starting new jobs. Milo and Thuy Sindell provide a wealth of information about proper business conduct and etiquette, including a checklist for recommended activities during your first 12 weeks on the job. Although the material is basic and somewhat repetitive (just like a start-up job), we think the book would make a great gift for anyone who is just beginning to learn the workplace ropes.

The book is excellent. Im' reading it for the second time which I rarely ever do with books. The dissatifation I have is the 1st week I had it the book started to come apart. Books are not made as good as they use to.

Very beneficial book for both counselers and clientele.
I would recommend this book to anyone searching for a Christian solution
to every day problems that are difficult to identify and overcome. I first read this book in 1984.

After reading this life changing book by Backus I am completely transformed. I used to suffer from depression and anxiety (for 10 years) and had paid lots of money for therapy and medications but NOTHING helped me until I read this book. It opened 100 windows and has changed my life for the better.

I read this book many years ago, and it was a huge turning point in my life. I will never forget it, but acutally I lost my copy to someone who borrowed it. I couldnt find it any place and actually forgot about it, until just now when a site i was on recommended it. I am so excited that I can get this book again. It is one of the best books I have read.

I really needed these books a.s.a.p. and they came quickly and in mint condition. Thank you

I picked this up from the discount rack at my favorite book store and it stayed on my bookshelf for a long time before I thought about reading it. This is a pretty short book - you can probably read it in a day if you really get into it. I thought it was a really good story. This is not your run-of-the mill relationship story as it delved into the interaction between mother/daughter, father/daughter, and neighbor/neighbor. It was a good change of pace from what I usually read. I'd recommend this one for purchase. It's a keeper.

This story features several characters. Myra the single mother, who a cooks and sells food to support her, her teenage daughter Odile and her senile father Sebastian. There is also Rory, who is a young adolescent being raised in atmosphere of terror by his single father. Then there is Jacob an ex-stick fighter who was once a champion but now walks with a limp and makes his living doing leather craft. They all live in the same compound and their lives are closely intertwined. It is set in and about the environs of the capital city of Port of Spain, Trinidad. So one gets some glimpses into "Trini" life like some of the foods and Carnival. This story takes place over the period of a few months.

This book tackles several themes but one of the main is how mothers sometimes get so wrapped up that they do not notice their daughters are growing up before their eyes. And also that children often live by example, so if the mother is having sex with her boyfriend in the house as the child grows up, she will develop certain ideas about sex. Also how friction can develop between mother and daughter. I think this was a good read.

This book is so much different from what's out there. It tugs at your heart from beginning to end. From Rory's survival of daily abuse, to Myra's rejection from her lover, you feel it deep. The characters get under your skins quickly and you can't put this book down. And I understand there's a part two available! I can't wait!

Soul stirring, thrilling, and passionate are three words to
describe Roslyn Carrington's debut novel, A THIRST FOR RAIN. Set in the small valley of northern Trinidad, the inhabitants of St. Ann's lives will change forever as each character anxiously anticipates the pouring rains and an end to the valley's prolonged drought.

Myra: Sensuous and provocative Myra, struggles with the role
of caretaker to her father Sebastian, raising her seventeen year-old daughter Odile, and her tempestuous, sexually-charged relationship with Slim.

Odile: Studious and obedient, Odile grapples with feelings of neglect and Myra's promiscuous lifestyle. Growing exceedingly tiresome of Myra's trysts, Odile becomes defiant and her self-destructive behavior lends itself to a horrific scene by the river.

Sebastian: After losing his wife to a tragic accident, Sebastian feels compelled to escort the citizens of St. Ann safely across the bustling streets. Labeled the town's madman, Sebastian has caused more danger to himself and adds to his family's emotional strain.

Slim: Smooth talking, high-yellow Slim, is Myra's intermittent lover. Slim has little regard for the occupants of this small apartment building and Myra's persistent cries for affection; but Slim cannot help noticing the budding beauty Myra's daughter has become.

Jacob: Former stick fighter Jacob, embarrassed by his infirmity, dwells inside a shoddy row house across the street. Jacob is slightly aware of the heaviness on Myra's shoulders and longs to be her knight in shining armor; staking claim as hero once again.

Rory: Rory, the boy next door, has yearned for Odile's attention and coveted Slim's machismo over the years. Only Rory's longing will change the lives of everyone before the torrential rains.

Told by each character in concise chapters, Roslyn Carrington has
created an unforgettable fictional cast with issues of great complexity. While characterizations were profound, I found moments where the story lacked Trinidad's customs and traditions. As a result of this, I did not fully connect with the Caribbean premise, which could have added more depth to this otherwise electrifying debut. I look forward to Ms. Carrington's sequel to A THIRST FOR RAIN.

Reviewed by Nicki Lancaster
APOOO BookClub

Several stories have been written about single parent homes fighting society's most basic hardships in an effort to rise above predetermined stereotypes or much less, survive with a sense of normalcy. In the United States these achievements are often a tall order for families facing hardships like poverty, crime, and domestic abuse; likewise, in a poor rural setting on the island of Trinidad, families are forced to accept certain realities with time, hard work, and education as their only way out. Myra, a beautiful, hard working Creole style cook, who makes a living selling lunches to people out of a small hut in Port of Spain, Trinidad, strives to hold her business and family together while turbulent forces threaten to pull her whole life apart. On the surface, a reader sees Myra's struggle with her rebellious teenage daughter and a father with deteriorating mental health but this novel goes so much deeper in dealing with feelings of rage, resentment, disappointment and loss.

I was extremely impressed with Roslyn Carrington's amazing ability to develop each character with enough substance and detail that as a reader, you feel a sense of connection with all the people in the story. In a clever way, the author gave all the characters in the book a personality trait that in some way related to people we know in our personal lives and/or ourselves. As Myra's world slowly closed in around her "A Thirst for Rain" brings you deeper into her thought process as well as the minds of those around her. Even with the cultural differences of Trinidad to the States there is no ambiguity in the emotions that are being expressed by all the characters.

This truly inspiring and uplifting tale of hope and sacrifice should be considered an absolute must read for people who are ready for the ultimate drama. For me, "A Thirst for Rain" provided a wonderful example of how close knit communities can pull together in crisis and how the ability of one woman to trust can affect the lives of all those who care about her.

I was looking for a book so that my granddaughter could get a sense of how truly blessed she is to grow up in this century. I am not an avid reader and this was the first book I have read in a long time. The book was only 214 pages but painted a vivid picture of the life and times during the 30's. I read the book in 2 days and loved every word. Being one of the first blacks in a field that has been predomanently white for decades, I too was wrongly accused of doing things and suffered unjust conquenceses. Bravo to the author, please put this on your must read list.

This is a nice book to buy your child if you want to enlighten them on the way of life that existed long before their time where they can appreciate the resources and choices that are available to them in in this generation.

As a grammar-fiend, I must say that this book is really lacking. I realise it was written in the vernacular for a purpose, but really, after only 4 pages I found continuing to read the monstrous grammar painful. This book is practically a guide to how to speak as if one never had any schooling.

If I could've given this book 10 stars, I would've. I'ma 19 year old inner city black male--that said, I was on the verge of tears while reading parts of this novel, and crying isn't something regarded as "ok" to do where I come from (or for guys period). Emotionally maturation is a must when reading this. TRUST! This is my first review of any book. I've never felt so compelled to write one, to ask people "Hey you ever read a book called Billy?" The book is excellent, and I highly recommend it. And as far as the "grammar fiend" review up above--the dialect in the book is reflecting Southern talk from the 1930's and it only adds to the book, it captures the time period beautifully. Please (future readers) dont let that become an obstacle!! (And after the first 5-10 pages you get used to it)

1937. Mississippi. Two teenage girls. Two young boys, ages ten and twelve. A fight ensues and one of the girls ends up dead. The community is outraged and more interested in revenge than justice. Why? The girls are white and the boys are black. Should that matter? Regardless, it does. French unapologetically drops the reader right into the times with all its prejudices glaring. It's impossible to avoid an emotional reaction to Billy. The grief of the families' losses, Billy's confusion about what's happening to him as well as what happened during the fight, and the blatant racism all serve to make the reader question whether things have really changed since 1937 or whether all that racism really just boiling under the surface searching for any excuse to break free.

I could run out of superlatives in describing this wonderful, moving book. It's the best I've read within the past few years. What an authorial vision! And when Mr. Carney cranks it up, he writes like a god. An awesome achievement.

This brother cooks over a very high flame! A riveting, entertaining and enormously instructive tale. The protagonist is a kind of black Everyman, which makes this book resonate at all levels. Everyone to whom I've recommended Swiss Movement has loved it. Guaranteed to move you!

It is amazing that people find that this is a book that "black men can relate to". Carney and his victim mentality are tiresome. His "wit" is not something that cannot be respected. He is not a man of character and that which he writes is a reflection thereof.

Like many attorneys, his arrogance and feeling of superiority are balanced by his lack of intellect and closed-mindedness. The results are one that is worthy of your pity. He is a repugnant individual who wears the cloak of a victim.

Avoid this and any other "works" of this revolting "author".

BTW
please note that all of the reviews are from "a customer" save two. Mr. Carney was probably the "customer" that gave his pathetic work all of the 5 star ratings

This book should be a movie. The dialogue, plot and action are masterfully blended to produce a fascinating story. The very first line of the book grabs the reader by the lapels and pulls him/her into the tale. I couldn't put it down.

I cannot recall exactly how SWISS MOVEMENT came to appear on my inexhaustible list of books to be read. My suspicion is I discovered it during perusal of some other (but more astute) reviewer's recommendations after yet another disappointing experience with the stylings of a contemporary Black novelist. Be assured, I have commensurate misgivings with mediocre offerings from writers of all ethnicities who inexplicably manage to get book after book of barely literate drivel into publication, the point here was what precipitous event brought Vaugh A. Carney to my attention.

Among the back cover hyperbolic platitudes, John A Williams, who incidentally is another author who never received the level of acclaim warranted by his body of work, proclaims SM is "Ellisonesque," well-intentioned praise I find to be a huge boulder no Black author should be obligated, inadvertent or not, to lug up the mountainside. Carney's novel of a Harvard educated Wall Street attorney who is pointedly reminded on a daily basis that he is Black and out of his assigned element does share some thematic similarities with INVISIBLE MAN but that is where the comparisons end. Mr. Ellison was a great writer; in this first novel Carney demonstrates he is a talented one. Ellison's book is a challenge to read and interpret. Conversely, SM is easily approachable, primarily devoid of the oppressively complex grammatical structure and deeply contemplative metaphors endemic to the earlier work. That is neither denigration of Carney's style nor an inference he assaults the reader's intelligence, he simply does not attempt to cloak his ideas in literary erudition.

At it's core, this is the story of the Black man's perpetual struggle to achieve pyschological balance and socio-economic security in an often openly hostile environment. With a backdrop of jazz, Carney unfurls a story of relationships and the determinism of true love. Franklin D. Moore, the protagonist is on a journey to self-awareness bordering on existentialism that commences at age 14 in 1963 and continues to evolve *after* the book's denouement in the late 1970s. The trials, tribulations and epiphanies he encounters and experiences are equally as relevant to the Black individual of the present as they were in the 70s, 50s, 30s or 1870s. However, unlike the INVISIBLE MAN where the protagonist ends up enlightened but inextricably encumbered, Franklin Moore is cognizant of the encumbrances yet optimistically enlightened.

All in all, a book not to be overlooked.

This book is fantastic!! I have had it for many years and never tire of it. It is a great feel good at Chritmas story!!

I have this book and love it! I saw a movie on TV about 10 years ago about this book. I have not been able to find the movie on DVD or VHS. I would love to have a copy of the DVD if anyone knows where I can obtain one.

Do you like adventure? If so, read Julie Salamon's The Christmas Tree.
In this book Julie puts a man in charge of finding the perfect tree for Rockefeller Center. This book is an adventure book because the main character has to find the perfect tree before Christmas.
The main character's name is Jesse. Jesse leaves Rockefeller Center a few days before Christmas to find the perfect Christmas tree that everyone at Rockefeller Center would enjoy. On the way to upstate New York. Jesse saw the perfect tree, but this tree wasn't an ordinary tree because it belonged to a nun named Sister Anthony, known as Anna.
Jesse talked to Anna about the tree. This tree was the only friend that Anna had while growing up in the convent. Anna told Jesse a story about her and the tree. Jesse told Anna about why he needed the tree and Anna said that he could take the tree for Rockefeller Center.
The Christmas tree is a symbol enjoyed by all the people at Rockefeller Center, by the crowd, Jesse, and Anna. Anna was glad to see that everyone was enjoying tree.
If you like Christmas, or you just need some time to rest from working, or you just need to read something around a fire on a cold winter's night, this is the right book for you. This book is about sharing and caring at the same time. You should read this book because it is exciting and you can feel what is happening in this story.

In my opinion, this book is akin to "The Giving Tree". It is a beautiful story that my husband and I read together over the holidays. It is beautifully written and is a must own! Only a true SCROOGE will not be touched by this book!

I saw the 2006 Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center and felt compelled to read this little book that packs a huge punch. As a New Yorker, I delighted in the setting. The author writes with such visual details, personifying nature, amd the scenes came vividly alive in my mind as I was reading along. And this lovely story provides a gentle reminder of the lessons life has to offer and of the little joys we miss seeing or listening to thoughout the pressures and fast pace of our daily lives.

I took a group of middle and high school students to a convention where John was the guest speaker. They LOVED his ideas and what he had to say, and couldn't wait to read the book! I read his book to my students and use his techniques with my classes and student councils. It's a WONDERFUL, no excuses, get-it-done approach to life and is so easy for them to understand and relate to!! I would recommend it to anyone!!!

This book is awesome for any developing students, students striving to be at their best, or anyone looking for new ideas. This book combined with a presentation from John Beede will change your life now and forever. BUY THIS BOOK, YOU WON'T REGRET IT!

I got this book at the Future Business Leaders of America National Leadership Conference. It's packed with helpful strategies for planning your life so you get where you want to go. Highly Recommended! Marie

This is a great story to encourage teens to reach for their full potential, trust in the adults that love them most, and strive to help others in return. Leadership, teamwork, and self reliance are major themes throughout. Mr. Beede presents a compelling story, good reading for kids older than 12 years. At his motivational presentation he creates an atmosphere of excitement and positve participation from his audience. I have heard the thunderous applause and cheering from transfixed young audiences on several occasions. Only two questions...when will John Beede's next book be published and where can I hear him speak again? E. Manning, teacher

Climb On! Dynamic STrategies for Teen Success is a great book that tells you how to get everything you want out of life. By using the Climb On! philosophy, John Beede helps teens overcome any struggle that comes their way. It helps anyone set goals and achieve them. Every teen should read it!