Clubs Books

I already knew that LK Hamilton was a fantastic writer. I have enjoyed all of the "Anita Blake" stories for several years now. I haven't finshed or caught up with the story in a year or two because the publishers like to make it unclear the story order progression. They Love for us to buy 2 or 3 extra copies. So in frustration I have stopped. But,I recently met a
writer/friend that adores the occult/horror genre and so I bought this collection to "turn her on to it". She is now hooked as I once was.
The re-seller,Ms.Davis, was wonderful. The shipping, the condition and the poster were ALL AS PROMISED. I am very pleased with the entire transaction. I thank Amazon for making it possible. Now if only the publishers were as forthright and fair.....

Many fans of Anita Blake are not happy with the recent direction Laurell K. Hamilton has gone with her novels, but that does not take away from the fact that when she sets her mind to it Hamilton can come up with grand finales for her horror stories that Stephen King and Clive Barker should be jealous about. To evidence that claim the first three Anita Blake novels are collected in this hardcover volume, "Club Vampyre." Read these three and you are not going to want to stop, and while you might abandon the series before it reaches double figures you are still going to appreciate these initial volumes.

"Guilty Pleasures" is the first Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter novel and the main thing you need to know about our heroine is that for all intents and purposes her Vampire Hunter days are over. When we are introduced to Anita she is well into her career an Animator, where she raises the dead, which is a fairly profitable occupation in this alternative America. In fact, Anita Blake is not so much killing vampires in this first novel as she is trying to avoid dating one. That would be Jean-Claude, the master vampire, who has put his first two marks upon Anita, which links them psychically and makes her somewhat immune to the mental powers of the vampires. Obviously this will have long-term repercussions in the series, but at this point we are hungry for more of the character's backstory and how she earned her reputation as "The Executioner."

We also learn the rules of the game in terms of vampires and this brave new world they inhabit, while also being caught up in the story that the thousand-year-old Master Vampire of St. Louis wants to hire Anita to solve the sudden rash of vampire murders. The world of Anita Blake is one in which the Supreme Court has granted the undead equal rights, so that you cannot kill a vampire without a warrant and you can just imagine the legal morass involving zombies, ghouls and were-beasts. Hamilton has created a world in which the undead are still creatures of the night but have become a part of society, which runs the spectrum from vampire strip clubs such as the Guilty Pleasures of the title to the Church of Eternal Life where becoming a vampire can help you achieve that particular goal. Anita Blake is not a two-dimension character, which is why once you read "Guilty Pleasures" you have to move on to the next story. Fortunately with this volume all you have to do is turn the page.

In "The Laughing Corpse" focus is still on Anita's job as an Animator. Once again the title is taken from the name of a St. Louis hangout for those who like to visit the dark side, in this case a comedy club (helpful hint: zombies do not like to be the butt of jokes). This time around Anita is in way over her head with a whole bunch of serious problems. A lord of the underworld wants to pay her big time bucks to raise someone who has been dead for a couple of hundred years and does not like it that Anita has refused because the only way to do so required a human sacrifice. Her friend Catharine is getting married and wants Anita to be a bridesmaid, which involves wearing a pink gown that has to be altered to cover all of her scars. The voodoo priestess for the entire Midwest has learned how to put a person's soul back in their dead body, which stops the zombies from decaying, and Anita refuses to help her raise more zombies for profit. Meanwhile, Jean-Claude, the Master Vampire of St. Louis who has already put two of his marks upon our heroine, demands Anita start acting like his human servant. But the case Anita is trying to focus regards a savage zombie that is going around murdering families in their home, making her problems with three powerful people who refuse to take "No" for an answer rather inconsequential. Like it says on the coffee mug her boss would not let her have at the office, "It's a dirty job and I get to do it."

"The Laughing Corpse" is not just an improvement over the first book in the series, but one of the best horror stories I have ever read. There is a lot going on her, but Hamilton weaves the various cases, most of which would have sustained an entire novel, into a coherent narrative. I really was surprised when everything came together in the end. Hamilton has a much surer sense of her character this time around and the big time warning here is that this is a gruesome book. Younger readers of "The Laughing Corpse" are going to be upset by several of the scenes, especially when Anita investigates the bloody crime scenes and the climatic encounter. I read these sections in the light of day and they were still disturbing. Those who come to this series because of their love for "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" need to be told that this is a much darker world where the violence is brutally horrific and not beautifully choreographed. These books are much more intense. If they made this into a film it would give "The Exorcist" a run for its money. Remember, you were given fair warning.

"Circus of the Damned" suffers in comparison, but it would be hard not to. For the first time the focus is primarily on the vampires and once again she is the target of every character in the novel. Jean-Claude the Master Vampire of St. Louis wants to put his final two marks on Anita to make her his human servant, but so does Alejandro, an even older vampire who wants to take Jean-Claude's spot. On top of that there are two other master vampires in town this time around: Yasmeen, who simply wants to rip Anita's heart out, and Oliver, who wants to slaughter humans so that this nonsense about vampires having legal rights will come to an end. Meanwhile, over on the human side of the equation, the leaders of Humans First want to take out Anita for not helping them slay the Master, Edward is back wanting the name from Anita so he can do the same thing, Dolph wants her help in tracking down a pack of vampires that are killing humans, Bert wants her to train Larry Kinkaid the college student turned animator, and just to make things really interesting, Richard, the middle-school teacher who hangs out with Jean-Claude at the Circus of the Damned, wants to go out on a date with Anita where they spend the day spelunking.

While we do find out a bit more about Anita's discovery that she is a necromancer and are fooled into thinking that the issue of her being the human servant of a vampire is finally resolved (believe me, Anita Blake's love life is NEVER "finally resolved"). Ultimately what these three books have in common is how Hamilton looks at the world she had constructed and how it stands on its own. At the core is the character of Anita Blake, who has horrible scars on her body from her battles against the undead, her dreams are tormented by what she has seen and done, she is terrified by her current situation and does not know who she can trust or turn to for help. The fact that she feels fear, cries, gets sick to her stomach add to her heroism because despite all these obstacles, she gets the job done. There is a much harder edge here than what you find with other vampire slayers. The first two books in this collection are fives and the third is a four, and I have absolutely no problems rounding up. Just be sure you have "Midnight Cafe," the collection with Hamilton's next three Anita Blake novels on hand when you finish this initial trio.

I was taken for a ride in this book. All I can say is this isnt a happy ever after book or a soft paranormal book..This book is for the serious Vampire reader who wants to see the darkside of life. Where sometimes what we feel and what we think isnt what we always do. The lines that we promise ourself we never will cross.. And when we do it is always cause we had to do for a love one or a good friend...

G. K. Chesterton was probably the greatest optimist who ever lived. He BELIEVED where most of us give up and become despondent. The three stories in this volume take place in a strange twilight world in which the author, as he says in THURSDAY, makes you want to see the lamppost by the light of the tree rather than vice versa. This, by the way, is his most profound and eccentric book.

In THE MAN WHO WAS THURSDAY, we see an incredible global conspiracy dissipate like swamp gas. (As Calvin Coolidge once said, nine out of ten of the troubles one sees down the road swerve off and disappear before they get to you.) THE BALL AND THE CROSS is about two heretics who appear to fight each other to the bitter end, until they find a worse enemy. And THE CLUB OF QUEER TRADES is a delightful entertainment made up of wonderful shaggy dog stories, much like THE PARADOXES OF MR POND.

If life hasn't been going your way, curl up with this volume -- and you WILL feel better.

The Club of Queer Trades - Not quite like the Father Brown mystery stories but very close. GKC traces the adventures of a club comprised of men and women who invented their own trade. You usually don't understand the trade until the end of the story, and the book never disappoints.

The Man Who Was Thursday - This is probably the most famous of all Chesterton books. The book describes the attempts of a Scotland yard detective to infiltrate a secret anarchist society. The garden party conversations between anarchists are laugh out loud funny. I'm still fascinated by the ending, mainly because I don't understand it.

The Ball and Cross - Chesterton's hilarious story of how an adamant Catholic duels to the death with an ardent atheist is a worthy read. Chesterton systematically critiques popular delusions of educated thinking as the book unfolds. The atheist and the Catholic grow closer together through their duel, and realize that they understand each other better than the other characters understand either of them. Chesterton's wit is second to none and if you liked Pilgrim's Regress by C.S. Lewis, you will love this book.

I've loaned two of these books to friends, and both of them were immediate fans. If you find this collection interesting, try the Napoleon of Notting Hill also by GKC.

The Club of Queer Trades is by far the funniest story I have ever read! I assure you that it will keep you rolling on the floor from the beginning to the end of the story.

I already gave my review but I must make an alteration - I wrote World War 1 - it was War World 2 - please alter this Thanks Val Luttrell

This is a terrific book written by one of the great fighter pilots during World War 1 - mentioned in subject above - can this young generation picture what it was like to try to even start fighting without the necessary planes etc.Also so important for the 50 year old or older people to read the traumatic times when their father - or friends' fathers - were out inanother part of the world trying to save this great country of ours.

College Campus in the Sky is a wonderul read about the young years of Richard Launder's life when World War II thrust him into the most challenging and dangerous experiences of flying attack bombers in the Southwest Pacific against the Japanese. His writing is elegant and he allows you to fly with him as his co-pilot through the Battle of the Bismark Sea and many other important raids throughout New Guinea and other Japanese controlled positions. This is an up close education of life.

"Coming Clean" offers real solutions to our current energy crisis. It should be required reading of ALL corporate CEO's and politicians. If only we, as a nation, would heed the warnings and act on the sound advice offered by experts, we could lead the world in use of clean energy and in making the billions that would be connected to the new industries created. I will be leaving this book out for any of my guests and friends to see and comment upon.

Coming Clean is an important book that is a really great read for anyone who wants to understand why America is addicted to oil and coal, and more importantly, learn how people are fighting for a clean energy future that will be good for our country, our economy, and the planet as a whole. Even more importantly, you'll learn about many ways you can get involved and be a part of the solution yourself.

I really liked Coming Clean's focus on vision and action, combined with its hopeful tone giving a sense of what is possible and plenty of inspiration and tools as promised on the cover. I started using the Take Action and Resources sections before I even finished the book. I also found there to be a lot more useful nuts and bolts and thought-provoking information and statistics in this book than other more challenges-focused books that tend to be overloaded with less essential info (and that for me usually start to feel onerous around the halfway to 2/3 mark).

In contrast, Coming Clean is lean and focused with clarity of purpose. There's great use of humor and engaging stories of people making a difference that make it an enjoyable, quick read. But once you are finished, you will likely be inspired enough to return to it often to utilize its many tools for taking both individual and collective action.

I thoroughly enjoyed Coming Clean! Michael Brune writes about complex issues of climate change and energy in an accessible, engaging way. The book is chock full of information - it clearly presents the problems we're facing, but it doesn't make you feel hopeless. Brune tells fascinating stories with an insider's view of past activism to stop major corporations from destroying our environment, as well as stories of regular people taking action in their communities. Every couple of pages, I found myself jumping out of my seat to share something with my boyfriend or whoever happened to be nearby at the time. I love that every chapter gives you things you can do right away to address the issues raised in that chapter. It's a very empowering and affirming read!

(This review is by Monika al-Amahani, author of Cinderella in Arabia): Humphrey Muller is such a good writer - he keeps the reader captivated, wanting to read on and on! He writes intelligently, yet his book is easy reading. Continental Drift came out of the blue through my letterbox. The novel was a well-meant present from a friend. But having a stock of unread books waiting to be enjoyed, I had absolutely no intention of reading Continental Drift for quite some time. ... Being taken in by the book's striking glossy orange-pastel cover, my fingers switched to automatic as they flicked through the pages. Unable to resist, I started reading bits here and there, as one does, and in no time I was well and truly hooked! I put the novel on my bedside table and read whenever I could steal the time to do so. Continental Drift is a novel, yet I sensed straight away that the story was based on the writer's up-and-down bobbing, often devastating life experiences. He almost stood before heaven's gate were it not for guardian angels in the form of two old ladies. In today's unsteady, complex world, many of us can identify with the writer's experiences. It proves once again that we are really all in the same boat and that life is not exactly a tea-party. Besides, the book is written in such a witty, captivating, easy to read style. And it's a learning experience, to boot. For me it certainly was! Are not the best and well-known authors grossly overrated while there is so much unknown, yet genuine talent, such as that of Humphrey Muller, out there? So why not read Continental Drift? You won't regret it! Monika al-Amahani

From Page one to the end of this book the reader will find themselves coming and going, doing and thinking about what the author has written in this story.
The good times, the bad times. the depressing mood, the insecurity that he felt while going through all these changes in his life.
Having a wife he couldn't trust, forcing him from his teaching position to being a hotel owner hoping to start a new life only to find out that he had taken the problem with him.
I found Harry to be a very lonely man who was looking for love in all the wrong palaces because of Anne who became a burden because of the bad habits that she was never able to break.
As you read on you are engulfed into his privet world of desolation.
This is a good story, well told that keeps your interset as to what will take place next!..I recomand this book for it is a good book to read!.I have never read one like it. It's excelent!

This book has so many pages that I kept a note pad next to me so I could come up with an honest review.
I have to tell you, I can't get any more honest then I have.
I'll start with the contents of the book then I will tell you what it did for me!

The author, Charles H Muller paints a clear picture of the way Harry was feeling when venturing out away from his familiar soundings. No longer trapped in his every day routine. A routine that took years of study to accomplish but has now turned into something of the past.
Looks like Harry's problems have only just begun or should I say a continence of what he had left behind.
The author makes the reader take notice of Harry with such feeling that you almost feel the same desire that he is feeling. Wanting the same things that Harry wants.
You can feel how destitute and empty Harry is and how he longs for deep, caring, touching love.
You can't help but feel bad for him.
Men have always been known to react to what they see!
Anne stopped looking special, she let herself go..On the other hand, Eleanor was a breath of fresh air!

The way this book was written made me wish that I was Eleanor!
To have someone care that much about me is unheard of these days, but one can hope.
Charles Humphrey Muller gave Harry a personality that doesn't quit.
When woman read this book they will long for someone just like Harry. I know, I do! He has such depth and you can see right into his soul!
Cheer up men, the author makes Eleanor to be every man's dream come true! and then some!

I have to say that when Charles Muller described Anne I felt like he was looking at me!..That scared me..I'm not as bad but I was on my way for sure. I would never want anyone to think of me the way that Harry thought about Anne.
So the way this book has changed my life is that I have joined a fitness center..I've lost 28 lbs so far, two dress sizes and loving my new self!.
You see, you don't need a diet, just read the book!!

I was so intrigued with this book and the talent of the author that I have now bought another one of his books!.."A Twist in Time"..I can't wait to read it!...You will be hearing from me again!

This is my favorite collection of Indian cooking. The recipes cover a wide variety of foods, including soups, appetizers, rice, veggie dishes, and meat dishes. I particularly love the rice and cauliflower dishes. My friends are always impressed when I make a feast of Indian food from this cook book. The pictures are great too. The only criticism I have is that the recipes are written in the metric system.

If you want to cook curry like you'd get in a UK curry house, this is the book you need. There are no substitutes. A lot of curry authors give you recipes their Auntie used. This is not what you get in a restaurant. This book teaches you how to make a bucketfull of the curry 'gravy' they use in most restaurants, and how to adapt it to your favourite curry.

In no time you'll be making curries in 30mins that beat the ones you love from your local curry house.

One word of advice, make sure you put the lid firmly on the blender when liquidising curry sauce.

Curries made simple. Finally! This is a wonderful representation of the most popular curries along with sauces, starters and deserts.

This book is full of mouthwatering photos which is the only way you can decide which of the hundreds of recipes to choose from.

A basic for every kitchen.

I would urge any company, regardless of size, that is even considering starting a loyalty program to use this book as "the Bible." Mr. Butscher carefully takes you through the benefits and pitfalls of such programs. Unlike most books on this subject, Mr. Butscher supports his theories with "real world" case studies from a wide array companies. More importantly, Mr. Butscher demonstrates that sucessful programs did not happen by mistake, but rather by careful planning and implementing a framework that was beneficial to both the company, and more importantly, the customers.

Most new books on loyalty programs skip over basic customer program development. They present loyalty marketing in an academic format full of mathematical formuls which are rarely, if ever, used by a company. This is not to say the visual presentation of Mr. Butscher's solid advice and guidance is left to the reader, but it is not force-feed.

Read this practical guide prior to reviewing your current loyalty program or developing a new program.

Not every frequency marketing issue is covered in depth but how many of your employees will care? This book can be understood and enjoyed by anyone who knows they should be addressing loyalty marketing, but get lost in the details. Enjoy !

Mr. Butscher certainly understand to communicate and cover the central issues connected to establishing a successful customer club. The book is great, because of it's many casestories, which goes from Germany to Asia to the U.S. Further the book is a book for practise - no long theories and mathmatical issues is covered, which makes the book easy to comprehend. I strongly recommed everyone working professionally with customer clubs and loyalty programmes to read this book. It can not be unheard what Mr. Butscher has on his agenda.

This fellow Sullivan has a subtle way with words. His worldview sneaks up on the reader, clarifying many mysteries of the so-called present without alerting the censor. Century after century, humanity doesn't change, only the labels we slap on events. This beautiful book captures that sense of hominid activity moving ever faster without objective progress, an important process to notice which may not be brought properly to attention without notion-bearing prose of gentle subconsious impact, of which "The Dark Yergall" is my new favorite example, fully justifying the run-on.

This book is lighter in tone than George Orwell and less crazy-making than Robert Anton Wilson, which I would consider to be an improvement in both cases.

[X] I found this review to be helpful.

Not hardly a day goes by that I don't take a good look around and see that we've gone beyond the pale. In this time of birth and death, a new voice for the literati emerges centuries in the future. Jason Sullivan speaks as if he has lived in the future his whole life, or at least envisions a future to come.

When the going gets tough, the Yergall gets dark.

Often the great times of uncertainty seem to inspire something posyive as well. We saw explosions of the most enduring science fiction gems every 40 years or so around the times of great turmoil and conflict. I cannot imagine the world could have trully appreciated Verne, H.G.Wells, Orwell, Huxley, Arthur C. Clarke, or Philip Dick without the real life catastrophic events we lived and witnessed in the past 150 years. The deep distopian visions in their works resonnated with us because we saw strong moral spiritual message encoded in them.
The times of great anxiety and uncertainty is here once again
We could be witnessing another golden age of great science fiction revival. Certainly this "Dark Yergall" promises the return to that great tradition.

I LOVED this book. In fact I love every one of the babysitters club books that I have read. I have over 40 babysitters club books. Ann M. Martin is a really great author and I love this series.

This was a great book!!! Some of the dogs in Stoneybrook start to disappear. This is the BSC first real police involved mystery. I loved it!

Some is stealing dogs all over Stoneybrook and it's up to Dawn, Mary, Anne, Kristy, Stacey, Mallory and Jessi to stop him. At the ending, The stealer of the dogs is a very surprising person Kristy and the BSC saw!

I loved this book! It was sooooo creepy!!

When a masked robber holds up a store in Palo City, Dawn's hometown, she decides to solve the mystery. If dawn doesn't find the robber soon, the whole of Palo City can't go trick-or-treating! This book is a must for Ann Martin lovers!

Hallowewen is comming! And the kids love Halloween. But then a masked man ruins Halloween!. This is Dawn, Sunny, Jill and Maggie's second mystery. Will the We Love Kids Detectives solve the Spooky Mystery or will the masked man ruin Halloween?