Abbey Books

YEAH, WHOO! Kill em! Yeah!
Oh, sorry, I was reading this AWESOME BOOK. Maybe you've heard of it, Mossflower? What? You are still debating on reading it? I'll slap you if you don't read it this instant! Go on, do it.

I don't know what it was about this book that made me want to read it over and over again. It didn't have any colosal {I don't know if I spelled that right} battles or anything. I guess it was just the amazing storyline! The adventure was fantastic, but I honestly like whats going on with the woodlanders better than Martin the warriors journy, more action happens with them. In all, this is one of the best Redwall books, complete with an awesome one on one battle at the end. Read this book!

This is about Martin the Warrior , a heroic mouse, the self-appointed Prince of Mousetheives (and best friend to Martin), Gonff, the totally evil wildcat Tsarmina, and sundry other animal characters. The plot is that (1) Martin is (after a sidetracked problem) questing for Salamandastron, (2) the woodlanders defending themselves from Tsarmina until Martin returns, and (3) what's happening in Kotir, the moldy, falling-down castle where Tsarmina and her horde of vermin (stoats, rats, foxes, weasels and so on). This is a good series because it never ends on a cliffhanger at the very end. Mr. Jacques is a wonderful author, and I've read all his books except Eulalia!, because it isn't out yet. :(

The Redwall series was recommended to me by my own readers, who recognized a similarity between the writing style, animorphism, and medieval setting of my own debut novel "The Other Side of Yore" and of Brian Jaques' famous books. As I learned more about the books, I was amazed that the books had escaped my attention for so long. Sure I had heard the name in passing, but I really didn't know what the books were about, and had probably passed them over as too child-oriented when I was a young blossoming fan of fantasy. Boy, had I been missing out!
Mossflower may be the best YA fantasy book I've read since "The Hobbit," maybe even surpassing "The Chronicles of Narnia" for imagination, superb writing skill, literary worth, and sheer reading enjoyment!
Far from being just a book for young adults, I am well over thirty and highly critical of most fiction books, and was unable to put the book down. Not only does Jaques write in an incredibly skillful and beautiful style, but his plots and subplots are nothing short of genious. The character developement of the animorphed creatures is far superior to even the average bestselling book of fiction starring realistic human characters. Jaques is a master of dialogue and dialect, and I especially enjoyed the strange coloquial mole-speech;
"Hurr, Oi be liken it moiself better'n any deeper-n'-ever pie oive et, stan' on moi hole!"
The triumphs, determinations, and gallant speeches of Martin the Warrior actually brought tears to my eyes a few times during the tale, and the antics and humorous songs and poems of Gonff made me laugh out loud more than once.
What's more, Jaques created a complex villian to be copied by fantasy authors for centuries to come in the characterization of the wicked cat Tsarmina, and painted a thoroughly believable array of personalities and attitudes in the various soldiers of her army.
Like Tolkien's work, Jaques has also done his homework thoroughly, and has created a vast history to support his tales, which I think is a trait missing from many of the more fly-by-night and commercial fantasies of today.
By the end of this novel, you will have forgotten that mice can't talk and that badgers don't wield swords, having become intimately familiar with some of the most realistic personalities ever to grace the pages of literature. I cannot recommend this book enough, and am sure that the others in the series will be equally delightful!
J. Lyon Layden
The Other Side of Yore

It is all you want in a good book.It has just the right amount of action,
peril,valor,and humor. If you want a book that is good for everyone, you just found one!

Mattimeo is super THRLLING with an AWESOME adventure!!!
Mattimeo is the son of Redwall's champion until a dirty, no good fox kidnaps the little folk of The Redwall Abbey. They sent a search team out to find them. There are a few battles along the way. Also, they meet a few old friends (and evil enemies) on the journey.
This the best book I have ever read because it kept my eyes glued to the book with every twist and turn. It was a "one step ahead of you" kind of book between the search team, the dirty fox and the slaves. At the same time, Redwall is in a bit of a crisis. I love it because it takes your mind to a whole different world, and I hope you LOVE it too!!!

My daughter LOVES these books!!! Thanks for making it easy for me to get them for her!

I would recommend this book because it is full of action and intensity. When I started reading this book, I never wanted to put it down. After every page, it just got better and better. There were many surprises in this book, like if there is a battle or new enemy; it was just full of surprises. I would and have read a book by Brian Jacques, which was Redwall, the first book in the series. Now I am reading the prequel to Redwall, Mossflower. Overall, Mattimeo was a terrific book.

Why are the most known and far better books of the Redwall universe the first ones done? Well, they're the first ones done, and they were actually pretty good. 'Mattimeo', along with 'Mossflower', and possibly maybe even 'Salamandastron', were one of the best Redwall books. To me. I don't know if it applies to the rest of you readers, but I stick by my comment. 'Mattimeo' was a well done book. It was also one of the biggest, probably the biggest Redwall book. It's actually a quest I'd actually look forward to reading, and for once, the Redwall creatures are showing emotion that is actually true rather than just coming out strained and downright terrible like in Jacques' recent works.

'Mattimeo' takes place seasons and seasons after the 'Redwall' book, the true sequel, and it focuses on Sela's supposedly dead son, Chickenhound. He is now called Slagar the Cruel, has his band of wicked beasts that we know will probably be weasels, ferrets, rats, stoats...those guys. Slagar is noticed as one of the most intelligent, wicked, and more insane of any warlord that came before or after him. His face is horribly disfigured, cause of a snake's bite and painful venom, and he hides his deformity using a skull mask. Believing his own lies of how the Redwall creatures had betrayed him, he plans to seek revenge by stealing the children of Redwall under the Redwaller's noses and selling them to Malkariss, a warlord who dwells in the underground, building an empire, made from the paws of many slave children.

This story works well, extremely well, as Mattimeo, Matthias' son, slowly becomes a hardened warrior during the time of his capture and how he is forced to endure harsh beatings, cruel words, and many deaths as he is led to Malkariss' kingdom. And while the warriors of Redwall chase after Slagar, the Redwallers are having troubles of their own back at the abbey. General Ironbeak and his birds are set on seizing it. The techniques that Slagar uses to outsmart his pursuers are classic and clever, but for some reason I do not like Ironbeak's part in how he tries to conquer the abbey. Either he's really dumb or the Redwallers for some reason are extremely well trained to handle an aerial attack--either one or both, I just don't like how he tries to conquer it when there were dozens of simple solutions, like a total ambush. Grabbing them and flinging them from a range of thirty feet would have done it, but I'm not the writer. When there's a more awesome story going on, I don't care about the weak side story. I just love Slagar and his twisted schemes. This is truly one of my favorite Redwall books of all time.

This is either the best or the second best Redwall book. It's the direct sequel to the Original Redwall, so there will be a lot of familier characters. Complete with 3 huge battles, a cruel monster that lurks in the dark, and an evil slaver named Slager, this book is ultimate, and I highly reccomend it!

At one time, this was my favorite redwall book. It was also the first redwall book I read all of. In this book, the fearless badger lord Urthstripe the Strong leads his army of long patrol hares in a battle against the cruel Ferahgo the Assasin. Read this book, it's great!

While the book itself is very good (according to my 12 yr. old son), the size is different than the rest and he likes things orderly (especially since there are so many in this series) so we ended up going out and purchasing the same book, but by "Ace" publishers so they would all fit on his bed shelf.

The Book of Salamandstron



Salamandstron, written by Brian Jacques in 1992 and published in 1993, is the fifth book in the Redwall Series. Like all Redwall books, Salamandstron is an animal adventure saga, which picturesquely describes a stunning tale set in medieval times. Intently, because of the strength of the story line, the reader will continue on through the book, like a bookworm, to find out what happens in the end When finished the person who examines this book, will have perused 391 obsessive pages, which, as interpreted, would have taken the reader through the world of Redwall.



Since the book, at times, tells five different stories, there are several different main characters and several antagonists. The first main character to be introduced is Lord Uthstripe the Strong, the Badger lord of Salamandstron, a mountain fortress. The Badgers lords of this massive mountain are mysterious characters. They are fierce fighters and reckless worries, who at times can be possessed by the terrible blood wrath and kill all in sight. Uthstrip's adopted daughter Mara, at the beginning of the book, was not content with her life at Salamandstron. The military fortress was strict and forcible, and Mara did not like her restrictions. Samkin, a young squirrel, contentedly lived at Redwall Abbey. In the beginning he was very mischievous and many times because of his carelessness, almost caused serous injuries. Ferahgo was an evil, cruel, pain-causing tyrant, who was the assassin weasel and chieftain of the horde of corps makers. Cruelly he Murdered Urthstripes parents and caused Urthstripe and his albino brother to be separated. Ferahgo's son Klitch was just as evil and crafty as his father. Fighting against each other, both wanted control of Salamandstron. Another enemy (although not a living creature) gets introduced about half way through the book. A terrible sickness called Dryditch Fever takes hold of the Abbey. It almost wipes out all. Although the characters all have different story lines within the book, each one is tied together in the end.



Opening at Salamandstron, the story begins with gloom. From the first, as Urthstripe reveals his anxiety for Mara with the words "Any sign of Mara yet?" it tells of Mara's discontentedness with the strictly ruled life she is living. It opens with her gone on one of her frequent run-a-ways. When she returns after two days absence from the mountain she brings two vermin, one of them Klitch, who falsely befriended her. Urthstripe throws the weasel and his companion out of the mountain, and Mara becomes so angry that she runs away for good. Accidentally (at Redwall) Samkin finds the skillfully crafted sword of the Legendary Hero, Martin the Warrior, but two stoats evilly steal the magnificent sword. The vermin were part of Ferahgo's horde but deserted. Samkin and Arula (Samkin's mole friend) chase after the stoats because the sword, which they took, represents the spirit of Redwall and could not be lost. They met some peculiar friends. Back at the Abbey Dry Ditch Fever broke out. Everywhere, from Salamandstron to Redwall Abbey trouble seemed to be taking hold of the good guys.



As the book continues the troubles grow worse. Mara, after being chased by Ferahgo's horde, escapes, but was betrayed into the hands of King Glagweb, the head of a cannibal toad tribe. Unfortunately she and several shrews, which were also caught, were going to be served up at a special occasion. Back at Redwall Thrugg, a brave otter set out on a journey to the mountains of the north to try to find the Icetor Flowers, which will cure any sickness. Sadly, however he gets trapped. Attacking him, a horde of crows in a pine forest almost overwhelmed Thrugg and his little friend baby Dumble. Samkin and his mole friend Arula were still persistently chasing after the vermin who stole the sword, when, one died of Dryditch fever and the other was killed by Ferahgo's tracker rats. The head of the trackers took the sword and headed back to Ferahgo's horde, but Samking and Arula still followed. They followed to get back the sword, they followed for their friends at the abbey, and they followed to slay the takers of Martins legendary blade. At Redwall Abbey, as dry ditch fever took victim after victim, all but two or three animals were stricken. At Salamandstron there was great famine because Ferahgo who besieged the mountain somehow destroyed or poisoned all the mountains food. Will Redwall Abbey be wiped out, or will Thrugg get back in time with the Icetor flowers? Will Mara and her friends be eaten or will they find a way to escape? Will Samkin retrieve the great sword? Will Salamandstron hold out? To discover what happens, READ THE BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



If The book Salamandstron is amazing it is because it seizes and holds the readers attention. Having a good story line, this book is extremely well written. Undoutedly, another reason this book is so good is because Brian Jacques uses very descriptive adjectives and excellent verbs as illustrations for every scene. The story builds up suspense. Throughout, it never contradicts itself. The story is very vivid. Salamandstron is not just a book, which might be ok to glance over; it is a must-read saga.

What would you do if you were being attacked by an army of vermin, or your abbeys most prized possession, or if your abbey was being threatened by a deadly disease? Would you defend yourselves, find an antidote, or would you go after the possession? Well that is exactly what the charaters in this story did. This little world is filled with badgers, hares, vermin, mice, moles, shrews and squirrels. Also thisworld is also filled with a volcanoe, woods, seas, dunes, lakes, rivvers and enormous mountians.

In this fantasy a bagder named Mara left her home because her strict father was always punishing her. When she left, her friend ccame along with her. His name was Pikkle. On their journey they met two vermin who became frineds with them so they woild lead them to Salamandastron )(Mara's fathers fortress). There had been many rumors that there is a great fortune somewhere inside the volcanoe. So now the vermin were going to attack the fortress. Another two vermin acted as if they were lonely travelers (but they really weren't) and went to Redwall and the Red wallers accepted them. They tricked the Redwallers and stole the sword of Martin the Warrior also killing one of the Redwallers. When the vermin escaped one of them died of a deadly disease. He got the disease while at Redwall and now the Redwallers are at great risk.

What will happen to everyone? Will Salamandastron survive? Will the Redwallers perish? Will they get the sword back? This book was relly good and every time it would sound good, it would change to someone else. I would really recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy, action, and adventure. This is the fifth book of the 17 book series.

-Peyton

I like salamandastron for many reasons.0ne is the book has lots of action .the bookis writen by Brian Jacques.This book is fantasy because animals have human abiltys.brian writes many more books.

The product arrived in no time and in perfect conditions. I am very pleased with my purchase. Thank you! Cec!

This is the grandaddy of all of studio session books. So many have come after this (Jimi Hendrix, Clapton, etc.) but this is the gold standard. I have given this to a few people that I know would appreciate it, and every one of them has raved... just like I am doing.

My only suggestion is that Mr. Lewisohn updates it with all of the new information that has been put out there since this was published (many books including The Beatles's ANTHOLOGY CD and book for example).

I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

This book is a must for any Beatle-fan, or anyone working in a studio who knows the Beatles' music. The book is a cornucopia of information on how the Beatles' music was created in the studio. Sit down with the book and the CDs, and listen to each song as your read Lewisohn's description of the recording session. It's like being there!

I love The Beatles records and have since my Dad purchased "Meet the Beatles" in 1966. The first records I bought on my own, as soon as I had a paper route and spending money, were The Beatles' LPs, in order of American release. I even knew the exact running time of every Beatles song and couldn't imagine that there were people in the world who didn't know every Beatles song. If you're like me, the revelation of the details of the recording of every Beatles track, as detailed in this book, will be a thrill to pore over.

Some Beatles books are gossipy, and others feature questionable armchair critical analyses of their music. Lewisohn takes a totally different approach. Working with the original Abbey Road studio logs, he's created a day-by-day record of what the Beatles were doing in Abbey Road studios, who played what instruments, and how long it took them to record and write their songs.

I own a first edition of this book and have used it ever since I bought a used copy sometime in the early 1990s. I reread it many times that summer, and that somewhat battered, oversized copy still sits on my shelf. It's a book I returned to when I set up a mini home recording studio, and returned to yet again when I was learning how to mix my sounds. Although this is not a "how-to" book, you can learn an awful lot about good recording and mixing technique by carefully reading it.

Furthermore, Lewisohn packed his text with surprises. I, for one, was shocked to learn how primitive Abbey Road's technology was, even by the standards of a British studio in the 1960s. I was also surprised to learn why the mono and stereo mixes of the Beatles' music often sounded so different from one another even though they were mixed from the same masters. Also, it's amazing to learn just how quickly some seemingly complex tracks were put together, while some seemingly simple songs took far more work. As a side benefit, Lewisohn's comprehensive notes probably knocked the wind out of more than one bootlegger trying to pass off BBC radio performances as lost studio recordings of Beatle tracks! Throughout, there are many, many excellent photos - many of which have not been reproduced elsewhere. Just when you think Lewisohn's run out of goodies, there's a rare interview with Paul McCartney that touches on the songwriting process.

I can't rate this as a five star book although I'd like to. As good as Lewisohn is, there are a lot of minor details here that are misleading or just plain wrong. Lewisohn can't seem to tell phasing from flanging (two very different techniques to create swirling electric guitar sounds). He also prints quotes from studio musicians without elaboration, leading me to believe he has a weak grasp on performance and theory. For example, one horn player describes a McCartney song as being "between the cracks" of two different keys; the song in question actually seems to have been recorded slightly flat and sped up to normal pitch upon playback, but we have no way of knowing what the horn player actually meant without more information. The average reader might walk away thinking that the song used two different keys, unless he also knew that the song was in a single key. I'm surprised an editor didn't catch this stuff.

If you're a Beatles fan who could care less about their personal lives, but would love to learn more about how they created their studio albums - this book is for you. If you're interested in home recording, you'll learn lots of tidbits here too. Lewisohn deserves a lot of credit for creating this resource, and I wish that it weren't such a difficult book to find.

I read this book years ago. As a fan of Henry VIII and the Tudors, I always get my hands on things about them. This was a find. Yes it isn't historically accurate for the most part, but it is a great read. I recently decided to read it again, but my library couldn't get me a copy of it. I once considered buying it for $32, but waited. Now I just had to and it was less. If you find this book anywhere grab it.

Since the book cover suggests this story is a historical romance, and therefore not expected to be entirely accurate with respect to the historical background, I rate it 3.5 stars.

The love story - rather, love stories because Kathryn loves more than one man throughout her life - is excellent. But the portrayal of Henry's court is exaggerated at best. Unfortunately, the history is woefully wrong throughout.

The portrayals of many of the historical characters - Anne Boleyn, Jane Parker, Anne of Cleves - were over the top. Anne Boleyn was portrayed as shrew, which perhaps she was, but Merton Abbey actually makes you feel sorry for Henry. Boleyn is such a shrieking, whining, spoiled brat, you can't wait until he lops off her head.

Jane Parker is portrayed as a sly wicked woman, who just wants to get ahead in Henry's court. Anne of Cleves is portrayed as a lesbian who wants to be unattractive to Henry. So she doesn't dress fashionably; nor does she wash. Worse, she picks fleas off her bosum whenever Henry is near.

The part that really made me laugh, though, was the birthing scene with Jane Seymour. After a completely unbelievable charade between Kathryn and the doctors whereby she removes them from the room, the Duke of Norfolk (Thomas Howard) bangs on the door demanding admittance. He convinces K to let him in. (H will hold her responsible and chop off her head if anything untoward happens to the just-born prince. The Duke will serve as witness.)

Because he's in the birthing room, and because all other hands are busy when the local witch has trouble delivering the afterbirth, the Duke assists. Yeah, right! LOL!

In any event, Kathryn's an entertaining love story. There's lots of action. But you can't put too much stock in the history.

I agree with the other reviewers - this is a marvelous, and unique historical novel. However, there seems to be some confusion as to the author. Anne Merton Abbey is Jean Brooks Janowiak. She wrote several "gothic romances" with Janice Young Brooks (Jill Churchill) under the name Valerie Vayle, and currently holds the legal rights to the Vayle name, but she and Janice Young Brooks are not the same person. Anne Merton Abbey has had the sequel to Kathrine completed for years. The problem is the publishers - they say there is no market for it. Obviously they are wrong.

Wow, historical romance doesn't get much better than this. This is the story of the fictional Kathryn Chase descended from Edward IV via the wrong side of the blanket and also related to the Howards, who from a very young girl starts serving Catherine of Aragon, and eventually serving as lady in waiting to all of Henry's queens, thus giving us a wondrous glimpse into the lives of those famous and ill fated queens. Unhappy in her first marriage, Kathryn is attracted to the mysterious, flamboyant and oh so hunky John de Gael of Windsgeat, a duchy with a mysterious heritage and independent of the English Crown. John's family not only adheres to the ancient religions of the forest, there is also a deep dark secret of his family that he keeps from everyone, even his beloved Kathryn.

Throughout, Kathryn is as stubborn and passionate as only a Howard and Plantagenet can be, and we get a fascinating glimpse at the Tudor court and the lives of Henry's queens, and the perpetual ups and downs of surviving court with one's head intact. One thing that sets this book heads and tails above most of the rest of this genre is the up and down relationship between Kathryn and John. Things separated them; they fell in and out of love, married others and loved others until they were reunited in their later years to try to make a working relationship amidst the continuing intrigue and treachery of Henry's court.

All in all, a pretty perfect read. One of my favorite parts was the telling of the reign of Anne of Cleves, there were some seriously laugh out loud moments in those chapters, along with the final 100 or so pages as Catherine Howard fell from grace and Henry married Catherine Parr that were just unputdownable. According to the author's notes at the end of this book there were to be more Windsgeat novels forthcoming, but as far as I can see there isn't anything else published by this author under the name Anne Merton Abbey. I for one, would like to see more of this story as Edward assumes the throne, followed by Mary and Elizabeth.

This book is out of print and from the prices being offered, quite rare. I was lucky to find a copy for $5 US and snapped it up, and I would say it's worth your while to scour the used books stores and the internet with hopes for a better price, unless you're willing to bite the bullet and pay the going rate. A solid five stars, highly recommended.

I am an avid reader and this is one of my all-time favorite books! I've had this book for 15 years and when I went to a Caribbean island and could only take five books along, this was one of them! I've read it 50 times at least and still find it immensely thrilling. PLEASE publish the next one - I've been waiting for a long, long time

Wouldn't you love to brew an Orval clone? Did you know there is actually more than one Orval beer brewed at the monastery (despite constant articles to the contrary)? There is actually enough information in this book - assuming you know what you are doing in the all-grain world - to pull it off. But you're going to have to introduce Brettanomyces into your brewery to do it ... and there's the awful temptation! As it is with virtually all Belgian beers, never mind the host of wild yeasts and bacteria that go along with them!

Add the wonderful, detailed brewing information to the history and stories and you get quite an unusual brewing book. It may be read for brewing purposes, as a casual read, for historical purposes, for cultural perspective, even for its religious content. Orval, of course, is just one of the Trappist breweries presented in the book.

Highly recommended. And I agree with another reviewer that this is the best book in this particular series.

This is another excellent book from Brewers' Publications. Non-brewers will find herein an engagingly written history of Belgian brewing both within and outside the monastary walls. You'll become acquaintaed with the brewers of Orval, Westveletren, Duvel, and others, their history, their personalities, and most importantly, their beers.
For those who are brewers, the book offers even more. Ingredients and specifications (gravity, IBU) are given for commercially available beers whenever possible (and the author has done a *lot* of homework to get his hands on this information). Additionally, full recipes are provided for various Belgian style and Belgian-inspired beers. Even better, the authors of these recipes explain *why* they formulated their recipes as they did, and the author supplements this advice with his own, with advice from professional brewers, and from BJCP judges. This enables the brewer to not just mimic the recipes he finds in the book (though believe me, they are definitely worth mimicing!), but to thoughtfully exercise his own creativity within the rich history and style of the Belgian tradition.
Beginning brewers will find a lot of technical information regarding krausening, PH adjustment, etc. that goes over their heads. But this shouldn't scare anyone off. The technical information is easy to skip over and there's enough in this book for readers of all levels.
This book represents the state of the art in knowledge regarding Belgian brewers and brewing. No matter how long you've been brewing, you will come away from this book entertained, sometimes surprised, and better informed.

Inspiring view into the brewing techniques of the Belgium beer. Outstanding historical look along with what is going on today. A must read if you are into the Belgians.

I highly recommend to this anyone who wants to learn more about Trappist and Trappist inspired ales. Very accessible and thorough.

Imagine that you-an experienced homebrewer-got to gather around a fire with some folks who had years of experience brewing versions of your favorite beer style. It would be hard to have a bad time, harder still not to come away a better brewer for it.
This friendly, if somewhat disorderly book is just that conversation. I love the complexity and depth of belgian strong beers. Occasionally, by dumb luck, I've brewed one. Other times, my efforts have been dull, or over-concentrated or just odd.
In these conversations, we get some clarity about yeast, malt, fermenters, temperature control and bottling.
I think the odds in my favor just went up. This is a book to mine for insights.

Lynn Hoffman, author of The New Short Course in Wine

I'm the pastor of a Wesleyan church in the US and I have been learning to pray the Daily Office - morning and evening prayer. This little book is great for a travel prayer book, as it is smaller and much less complicated than the Benedictine Daily Prayer.

As a protestant, I have to adjust some of the wording about Mary and the saints, but that is a small sacrifice for the joy of praying with the larger church throughout history!

I heartily recommend this book to anyone who seeks to deepen his or her experience of God through dedicated times of prayer each day!

This book is a perfect introduction into the liturgy of prayer. It is basically a simplified version of the Liturgy of the Hours (simplified in complexity, not content). Each day of the week has morning and evening prayer. There are also prayers for mid-morning, noon, afternoon and evening. Also included is a very nice selection of traditional prayers (the Creed, Act of Contrition, etc.) as well as prayers for various occasions. At the end of the book there is a selection of quotes from the Rules of St. Benedict.

This prayer book is put out by the Benedictine community of Glenstal Abbey in Ireland. The book is a slim volume and is easily carried around. It is perfect for someone (like myself) who wants to develop the habit of prayer and needs a nice introduction to it. There is only one ribbon to move around and it just goes from one day of the week to another. The prayers and liturgies are fairly short and can be done in five or ten minutes. The prayers for mid-morning, etc., are perfect for doing in your car before or after lunch (in the parking lot, not propped up on your steering wheel).

If you are looking for a great tool to help you develop the habit of prayer and that is easy to incorporate into your home and work life, this is it.

Simple reverant prayers in the Benedictine tradition that brings the holy to the every day. A wonderful book to bring along whenever one is seeking a practice to remember the art of spiritual surrender.

I have been looking for a good benedictine prayer book that is easy to follow, and practical for my Oblate studies, and the Glenstal book fits the bill. The monks of Glenstal really put clever thought in putting together this book of prayer for non-monks. Thank you for an excellent tool for lay-monastics, and anyone interested in a solid book of christian prayer.

The secular prayerful person may find in this prayer book a schema of prayer accessible to and useful for the person who cannot give up their day job for contemplative purposes. I keep a copy on my prayer table at all times, and find it very useful for constant prayer.

Unlike other such Books of Common Prayer or Monastic Diurnals, it is not overwhelming in its requirements. It gently and lightly suggests a system of prayer for every day of the week, and for the holidays, morning and evening, following the traditional monastic format which dates back before Saint Benedict. No wonder as Glenstal is a Benedictine Abbey.

It also includes much of the traditional prayers once so well known but now difficult to locate, in a very useful and handy lay out. Many of those traditional prayers heard at your grandmother-s knee and not heard since but cherished in memory are represented here, as well as suggestions for prayers at every occassion of the day.

Highly recommended for anyone wishing to introduce regular prayer into their lives (or the life which God has so generously lent to us) as a centering worship of recollection and peace in God-s love. An urgently necessary element of any prayerful life.

I found this book to be a wonderful read. Not only is the Abbey located close to where I live, but the strength and perserverance it took, leaves me in awe of Mother Benedict and the people who started the Abbey.

Truth be told, I haven't read the book yet but I need to correct a statement in one of the "critics" reviews that says she founded the oldest contemplative nuns in America. Not true, that distinction belongs to the Discalced Carmelites who were founded in Port Tobacco, and who are now in Baltimore. That doesn't take anything away from Mother Benedict of course.

This is a book many of us have been lookinf for for hoping a long time. Regina Laudis is undoubtedly one of the most inspiring spiritual places in the U.S., and it definitely bears Mother Benedict's imprint. What a fascinating life Mother Benedict led, and the book documents her incredible faith and determination. Mother Benedict is among the last of that generation of spiritual giants, that included Thomas Merton, and Thomas Verner Moore (a key player in the founding of the only U.S. Charterhouse). It is only a shame that the book was not polished more. It takes quite a bit of determination to work your way through it, just to get the story. There are lots of repetitions, broken off threads and typos that could easily have been smoothed out. Also, a bit less obvious partisanship might have helped. All that being said, you will be glad you picked the book up.

This is the story of a bright, psychologically healthy and strong woman who became a medical doctor, a nun and, ultimately, an Abbess. Antoinette Bosco does an excellent job of portraying Mother Benedict in a realistic light, something which appears to be encouraged by Mother Benedict's own honest and unblinking appraisals of herself and her community. Mother Benedict established a new foundation for a religious order in America based on sheer gratitude and a call from God after she and her convent were liberated from the Nazis by the U.S. Army under General Patton. This is the story of her journey from the seed of an idea to full fruition and beyond, and it is a riveting tale of how one person can change the world with faith, guts, determination, love and friends. It is a book you will want to read if you enjoy history, books pertaining to faith/religion and/or biography. Mother Benedict's story is inspirational on many levels, and it is one of those books that make you feel good to live in a world that was inhabited by such a wonderful human being. My only regret in reading this book is that Mother Benedict is no longer alive. She is someone I would have been honored to have known.

I have heard of Regina Laudis and know priests and nuns who are among the friends of those in that monastery. While their view of the Benedictines there and Mother Benedictine Duss in particular was overwhelmingly positive, I'd heard of their "troubles," and wondered what the story was. Well, now I know, and I encourage all who have questions to read this book. You'll not only find out what a wonderful group of women these nuns are, but you'll find an amazing story as full of adventure as many novels. Mother Benedict and the holy women with her are a treasure. And even better, you can add to your enjoyment of this book by listening to their voices on two CDs of Gregorian Chant, also available through Amazon.com ("Women In Chant" and "Women In Chant: Recordare"). Don't miss this book!!!

This is the real Christina Skye I know and I have learnt to love...(I mean her books of course). Not the dreadful Code Name series with the stupid cyborg agents and more action then romance. The Draycott Abbey series is the best series by Christina Skye and I really hope she will continue it and Bride of The Mist is, in my opinon, the best in the whole series..

We have Kara who is a pyschic and Lord Duncan MacKinnon who happens to live in Scottish castle. After a series of adventures Kara ends up with Duncan in his castle and the real adventure starts there. Kara starts to experience a psychic connection with a ghost... she begins to dream strange dreams of a far away past. These dreams always leave her very shaken. Their is also mystery and danger in this book so you will never find a dull moment. I love romances set in Scotland and pyschic heroines..it adds a kind of magic to the whole book.

As I said, the other books in the series are also great. Christina Skye at her best. My personal appeal...PLEASE WRITE MORE OF THIS SERIES...and dump the Code Name one...

Bride of the Mist is a quick-reading, suspense-filled, erotic love story set amongst the majesty of the English and Scottish countryside. Overflowing with lush descriptions, second-sight, a ghost and a cat, this is a page-turning, heart-stomping tale of a love between man and woman that endured throughout time.

Although primarily a contemporary romance, the story is mirrored by a tale of long ago between a beautiful mute girl, a Crusade-worn knight, and his evil brother. Their tale and destiny are to be re-lived by their contemporary counterparts, the beautiful American Kara Fitzgerald and the rugged Scots laird, Duncan MacKinnon.

They are thrown together because of her gift of second sight - through touch she can see and feel events and emotions. Skeptical at first, Duncan accepts her gift and they begin a dangerous adventure that could bind them together, in life or in death, if Duncan's evil (and supposedly dead) brother has his way.

The magical mysticism of Scotland adds unique flavor to this tale. Because of his heritage, Duncan also knows a thing or two about "the sight". He and Kara believe they are fighting against a destiny doomed to destroy him, and, as heroes are wont to do, he would push her away to protect her. Kara, on the other hand, believes that her gift is what has cost her love in the past, for she believes no man would want to share himself as totally and completely as would occur with her.

Their healing of each other, as is usual in romantic fiction, is quite unique due to the nature of Kara's gifts. It is Duncan's task to restore her confidence as a woman. Because of their unique connection with each other, Kara can see in her mind and feel in her being Duncan's desire for her and the things he would do with her - it sure is getting hot in here, isn't it?. Their intimacy is wet, hot, and very sexy.

As they work together, first to protect their inner selves from each other, than to save each other, it is easy to get caught up in their adventure. In general I have found that romances 400 pages in length are padded by 40 to 60 pages of unneeded verbiage. This book is not padded. Each page allows Kara and Duncan's relationship to build as both the past and future unfold. Each page is filled with the the flavors of danger, suspense, and the connectedness of these two people.

Wow - what a good book!

TTFN, Laurie Likes Books

Publisher, All About Romance

Hey now... this one was different. I was actually able to stay focused.... which has been impossible for me lately. Basically, this was a good vs. evil story & a good (sometimes very HOT) romance to go with it. It involved a psychic that could touch things & see visions (not giving anything away) & had a continually unfolding side story that took place 600 yrs ago. This book kept moving (well, mostly... it did drag just a tad a couple of times - but that didn't last long) & the characters were very likable; even though there was some problems to work through, they weren't absolute jerks about it. It had some good suspense in it that, although not chilling, at least made me hold my breath a couple of times. I also enjoyed the descriptions of Scotland... sometimes authors either can't make me get a good picture in my mind, or they go completely overboard & bore me to tears.... not so with this one. It even had it's own Scottish guardian ghost (complete with cat!) & a couple of fun Scottish legends. I'd recommend it to most all romance readers. I've been reading up & there are a series of these called the Draycott Abbey series. I'll definitely being trying out another one!

This is the 2nd Christina Skye novel of the Draycott Abbey series that I have read (Hour of the Rose - my first) and I really love this gal's writing and stories. The first had an english Lord coupled with an American gifted with second sight. This book - Bride of the Mist - gives you a Scottish Lord - cousin to the Earl of Draycott Abbey and tossed together with another American who has an even stronger psychic connection to days past at Draycott Abbey and Dunraven Castle.

One thing, the story does not lack though is an unstopable pace that has you racing to finish the story holding your breath with each turn of the page! An exciting plot, with breathtaking descriptions of the castles, the abbey and the beautiful landscapes of England and Scotland. And one shouldn't forget the extremely sensual romantic and descriptive love play! Oh yes, this one is hot, hot, hot! - Could this be why I stay up half the night getting to all these juicy good parts?

Wonderful and exciting writing. I love the guardian ghost, Adrian and his cat Gideon - these stories make me yearn for the British Isles to see if I can find these sexy male heroes! - Dont' breathe a word to my husband though!

Definitely a keeper book and a MUST BUY for this author!

THIS WAS THE FIRST OF HER BOOKS THAT I HAVE READ AND I JUST COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN. THE CHARACTERS ARE UNFORGETTABLE AND ARE FULL OF HOPE,PASSION, AND HONOR, BUT DON'T FORGET PRIDE. I ONLY READ BOOKS ABOUT SCOTLAND AND I HAVE FOUND A FAVORITE AUTHOR. CHRISTINA SKYE WEAVES AN UNFORGETTABLE STORY ABOUT TWO PEOPLE FROM DIFFERENT WORLDS THAT ARE BROUGHT TOGETHER BY AN ANCIENT CASTLE AND AN ANCIENT PROPHECY. KARA FITZGERALD AND DUNCAN MACKINNON ARE UNFORGETTABLE AND VERY PASSIONATE. THE CAT FROM THE DRAYCOTT ABBEY IS KNOWN AS GIDEON AND I LOVED HIM SO MUCH ALSO THAT I NAMED A KITTEN AFTER HIM. I GIVE THIS BOOK 5 + STARS AND RECOMMEND IT TO ANY NEW ADULT ROMANCE READERS AND IT MAKES THE PERFECT GIFT FOR THE WIFE WHO LOVES HISTORICAL ROMANCES.

Abbey & Friends M Is For Manners is the latest in a series of picturebooks especially designed to teach children about positive behavior through providing examples and presenting clear stories with Mary Jesse's simple prose style of storytelling enhanced with the colorful illustrations of Jennifer Cherif. Abbey & Friends M Is For Manners tells of a young girl's day and how good manners promote pleasant interactions and help everybody have a better time. Abbey & Friends M Is For Manners is a highly recommended addition for any school or community library collection for young readers.

As an etiquette instructor who has read nearly every book on the shelf in this category, I must say that I found this delightfully illustrated story fresh and inspiring.

I think that what struck a chord with me particularly is that the characters are REAL children...in the way that they're NOT fairy princesses, Victorian school children, or living some other seemingly un-attainable lifestyle to most kids today.

It's time to take the fish forks and white gloves OUT of manners and etiquette...bringing manners into the mainstream!

Abbey is a straight arrow -- plays soccer, enjoys school & is observant, with a gentle sense of humor.

Rebeccasreads recommends M IS FOR MANNERS as a good book for families, reading groups & teachers. Hopefully, by reading it enough times, some of the ways to be polite will become embedded!

ISBN: 0-9729958-0-3
Title: M is for Manners
Author: Mary Jesse
Illustrator: Jennifer Cherif
Publisher: Hexagon Blue
�M is for Manners� is a delightful debut picture book introducing us hopefully to a new read aloud series titled � Abbey and Friends.
Abbey is an enchanting third grader with a brother named Max, great family and friends and a loveable dog. Jesse has penned a simple tale focused on show casing examples of positive behavior for Abbey�s young readers and listeners.
Jesse and Cherif blend their talent in this colorful picture book sure to please readers and listeners alike. Jesse�s narrative is a subtle teaching tool of manners with out a hint of preaching and Cherif�s illustrations are bright and filled with surprises that will have youngsters searching out lady bugs and blue hexagons hidden throughout each and every glorious page. Congratulations Mary Jesse and Jennifer Cherif on the first of what looks to be a needed and successful new series for the younger set. Good job!
Beverly J Scott author of �Righteous Revenge� and �Ruth Fever.� Reviewer for Intriguing Authors and Their Books at http://www.funeralassociates.com/authors.htm

M Is For Manners tells of Abbey (a third grader) and her family, as they go to dinner at Sarah's house. This is a wonderful book, which can be used to teach children positive behaviors, no matter what the circumstance. The beautiful illustrations will surely entertain, but most importantly -this whimsical story will appeal to children of all ages.

I highly recommended this enchanting book as an addition for any school, reading group, community library. Although I would like to see this as required reading for pre-school's.

Betsie
http://betsie.tripod.com/literary/