Ball Books

Anne Mcaffrey and Margret Ball team up to write a simply amazing, terribly absorbing novel. Acorna: The Unicorn girl is about a young alien child found by three rough-n-tough space miners, and their struggle to raise her. Kind of a 3 men and a baby set in the future, plus some added excitment. One more thing though..she does not remain a child through the entire book. But the book does not span a human girl's life time. I highly reccomend this book.

The book Acorna is a story about 3 miners in space that raise an orphaned alien child that has a horn in her head that resembles a unicorns. This wonderful story will not let you go until it is done. Acorna is one of the best books I have read from Anne McCaffrey and Margret Ball.

I was a bit skeptical when I started reading The Alpha Factor. After all, Wes Ball claimed to have turned around some pretty difficult products. But after I read the book, I understood that this truly is revolutionary stuff. I believe I can use this to grow my business, even though mine is no multi-national corporation.

The "Hierarchy of Purchase Drivers" helped me understand the customer decision process in a whole new light that makes sense of so many things I've struggled to understand for years. And finally understanding why price is not what customers really worry about and how I can help my wholesalers and retailers understand that may alone make me many hundreds of thousands of dollars in profits I have been missing.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to grow a business and make more profit quickly, while competitors just scratch their heads and wonder how you did it!

The Alpha Factor is a great book for those who want to create or re-create strategies on how to re-focus your business to becoming the core of your industry by driving customer expectations and focusing on the things that make you who you are. You don't need to be the highest volume store, or the firm with the biggest profit to be the one who others model their businesses off of. Wes Ball tells the stories of his previous 25+ years of experience consulting companies from multi-nationals to small businesses. He also guides you through example with ideas to re-train the thinking of your customers and increase revenue without lowering prices or having gimmicky promotions. I would recommend this book for anyone who feels like business is slowing and feels like they won't be able to survive in the world market. He also has a website that is full of extra information that correlates with the books motives. Hope you will enjoy this book as much as I did.

This is a wonderful, entertaining journey into the past 20 years of animation and visual effects. It's definitely a thrill to see the progress of the art from--from 1987 to 2007 and see how far this industry has changed and improved thanks to visionaries like John Lasseter, Craig McCracken and Brad Bird. It was fun to see articles by people like Lasseter, McCracken and Nancy Cartwright (who is Bart on the Simpsons) as well as toon historians like Leonard Maltin and John Canemaker and indie animator Bill Plympton. I still hang on to my first issue of this important magazine and this hardcover art book is the perfect gift for toon fans--they've included every cover of the magazine (so you have excellent 4-color reproductions of the magazine cover with iconic characters like Roger Rabbit, The Simpsons, SpongeBob Squarepants, Aladdin, Shrek and The Little Mermaid all the way up to The Incredibles, Ratatouille and Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends. I wish Animation Magazine would put out an annual collection of their cool covers and awesome production articles every year!

This is a hefty, high-quality and GORGEOUS book!! It contains 20 years of cover images for Animation Magazine (some really great artwork for animation collectors and fans) and inspiring essays by a lot of animation heavy-hitters. I would definitely recommend this to anyone interested in the history of animation; the fact that it's a magazine collection offers a glimpse of how the industry has developed over the last two decades in an interesting "real-time" sort of way. This is also a GREAT gift for students of animation (I know a couple who keep borrowing my copy!) as well as just plain old fans who want something pretty for their coffee table. Definitely worth adding to your library. A+

We've all heard the, "You can't judge a book by its cover." Well in the case of this book, yes you can. Most definitely. And you know, I would have to say, that cover is awfully distracting. Anyways, enough about the purdy boys.

I'm the type of reader who has their favorite authors and preferred genres, so I rarely read anything outside my reading comfort zone. With an anthology like this one, I'm given the opportunity not only to discover new authors, but to explore the kind of genres I usually shy away from. And for me, that's the best part of this anthology. The discovery. There's a literal smorgasbord of genres here, and there's sure to be something to please everyone, but every tale entertains in its own unique way. So although I liked some stories better than others, I ultimately enjoyed them all.

Now concerning the sex and I feel this is important to point out, because on some short stories I've read in the past, the sex *is* the story, and while this ol' gal likes the sexin', that's not the case here. Every story has a sex scene (or two), but the storytelling is the focus, not the sex, and every single one of these authors have proven themselves to be exceptional storytellers.

"Dragonwalker" by Lee Benoit

Endicott Thorne lives in a small town, and has lived there all his life. It's the comfortable type of town where nothing much changes, and nothing much happens. Endi walks and handles dogs for a living, and he has quite the booming business. One fine day Endi starts noticing some strangeness with the dogs. But it's not until Endi meets David, who's new to the town and knows certain things, when Endi discovers something about the dogs. And about himself.

This story was absolutely hilarious, and one roller coaster of a ride as Endi finds himself in one humdinger of a fine mess. Not only did I find the main plot of the story engaging, but the richly developed townsfolk and the heartwarming memories of Endi's grandparents, along with the author's wonderful sense of humor and lively pacing, all of this just enhanced the delightful charm of this fanciful, romantical tale.

"Blood Rubies" by Angelia Sparrow and Naomi Brooks

Thomas Harrison's a pirate, and he may lust for the gold and other treasures, but it was his lust for Samir, a young Moroccan boy, which put Thomas and his men in their current fine mess. But all is not what it seems, as in the end, Samir's true loyalties are revealed.

Although this was a really short story, and set in a previously established universe, which I haven't read, none of this distracted from the enjoyment of this well-crafted, adventurous tale of betrayal and lust. The characterizations were very well done, wonderfully fleshed out through the descriptions and dialog, enabling my mind to strongly visualize the story and its main characters. I was quite captivated by this tale, and the dark, exotic Samir.

"Hunter's Kiss" by Margaret Leigh

Jack and Casey are in one mess of a situation, but the author hides those details from us in the beginning, building on the suspense, while entertaining us with the thrill of the unknown. Piece by piece, the puzzle is assembled as we discover the men are partners and lovers, on the run from someone or something. Casey is hurt, and Jack fears for Casey's safety, while Casey's fear of Jack and something else was stronger.

There was a strong sense of foreboding, and while the men prepared to face their impending future, we're given a taste of their past, as the author weaves a fascinating tale. And to be truthful I don't care for this genre, and have read very little in it as a result, but by the time I realized what I was reading, I had been seduced by this atmospheric tale, keeping me very much on the edge of my seat. The best part of this tale, in my opinion, was the portrayal of the loving bond shared between these two men, and the ending was the kind of ending that a diehard romantic like me just dies for.

"Finding Trouble" by Misa Izanaki

Dante's frustrated that everyone treats him like a kid. He's a bartender at The Body Shop, and whenever someone interesting gives Dante the slightest attention, an employee comes along to outmaneuver the potential admirer. To make matters worse, Dante has a crush on the boss, Kale, who doesn't seem to have anything more than a fatherly interest in Dante. Well, Dante's had enough of Kale's fathering ways, and when a mysterious stranger propositions Dante, Dante soon finds himself in one heck of a fine mess.

Okay, this is another story from an established universe that I'm not familiar with, but with mentions of Dante's tail and horns, I figured I could safely assume I'm reading a fantasy. Although the character did mention they were body modifications. That said, the author did a fine job of building the apprehension and anticipation in a very entertaining way. The strong point of this tale was Dante's hardheaded determination to "get some," and the hilarious dialog, along with an interesting revelation. And simply put, I really liked this imaginative, out of the ordinary tale.

"Magenta: The Romance of Scarlet and Red" by Camilla Bruce

Two men. One obsessed, the other resolved. One a prisoner, the other a captor. The ultimate game of cat and mouse. But who's the cat and who's the mouse, and because of one man's lust for another man's treasures, we definitely have one fine mess.

This is another short tale, very mysterious and tense, evocative in its style, seductive in its mood. I can't say too much because it would spoil to tell more, but I will say it was well written and intriguing the way the story wrapped around itself as it all came full circle.

"Unfinished Business" by Laney Cairo

The characters from this story are from Cairo's novella Undercover Blues, which I haven't read, but I didn't feel the previous story was necessary to understand this story, with the author giving us enough detail to fill in the important blanks.

Ryan and Jason have settled into quiet, unassuming lives; Ryan's a security guard for Adept Security and his lover, Jason, works loading trucks at the wharf. A journalist has tracked Jason down, wanting to interview Jason for a book the journalist is writing concerning events from the previous novella. But Jason didn't care to be involved then, and he still doesn't care to be involved now. The journalist's intrusion is soon dismissed and forgotten, but Ryan is uneasy. When Ryan becomes aware that Jason is being watched, Ryan's former cop instincts instantly take over.

This is an absorbing story of two men just trying to put the past behind them. The story's heartwarming domestic moments gives us an intimate glimpse in the men's personal lives establishing their love and devotion for each other, while Ryan's protectiveness and Jason's grief adds to the emotional intensity. The story builds in suspense, until their fine mess is finally revealed, and then I'm hanging on tight for one wild ride.

"The Alpha Bet" by Cassidy Ryan

Grey and West are a playful, passionate couple that's been together for three years. As the story opens the two men are in bed, waking up slow and easy, when Grey starts acting aggressively out of character. Well, West's a little confused until he remembers their previous night at the casino, and a flirty, impulsive bet.

Oh, lover's games are exactly the kind of fine mess that anyone could appreciate and enjoy. Cassidy spins a delightful tale, and through West's point of view, she gives us an amusing glimpse into the character's inner thoughts. This is the kind of tale that just enthusiastically indulges this ol' gal's romantic soul. Poor West is thinking breakfast in bed, while Grey's asking for a safe word. This is the story where I had to change my pants, because I started laughing so hard when West revealed his safe word, I spilled my glass of tea on my lap.

"Unravel" by Mychael Black

Philip's a fashion designer, just minding his own business, and enjoying a quiet day at work, when his assistant runs in, needing some assistance diverting a man who's hot on his tail. As soon as the prey exits, the predator enters, giving Philip a good once over. Well, the morning was a little boring for Philip, and there's just something about that scowling "huge hulk of a man" that brought out the tease in Philip, so he decides to push a few buttons. And that impulsiveness is what leads to Philip's fine mess.

Another short one, but Mychael knows how to deliver the goods, so to speak. Lord a'mercy! Between the sexual energy and Mychael's sense of humor, maybe it's a blessing that this was a short one. But the sexin', while seriously hot, was not the defining moments of this tale. Mychael has a way with characterization, and perfectly captures Philip's inner turmoil, his need battling his reluctance. And I would so love to see these guys again.

"A Jolly Good Idea" by Syd McGinley

I was so looking forward to the continuation of Hugh and Ryan's story, and after reading this short story, I would have to say I was absolutely floored. I had first met these hunky guys in McGinley's "No Sir," which is part of the Put Some English on It anthology, and a story that I can finally say I *did* read. Now, there was a situation brewing in their first story that comes into play with this story, and I don't want to spoil, so I'll just say the boys have been together now for three years and are taking a holiday to take care of some family obligations.

I love this author's characterizations and dialectal style, not to mention Syd's fabulous wit, but what I really appreciated here was how through Ryan's point of view, we experience what it's like for someone to travel to a foreign country. It's those kind of details that as a reader I very much depend on for the immersion, and when we're dealing with a short story it's very critical. Then you toss in the richly detailed, multi-layered, high-falutin in-laws, Ryan's "fish out of water" moments, along with Hugh's "hughness," and this becomes one extremely entertaining read.

On a final note, the story has mild BDSM themes (Dominance/submission), but that shouldn't scare anyone off, because this is a very beautiful love story between two men that are living the lifestyle. The BDSM not only adds to the sexual intensity, but Syd loves to use it for the humor, also. For example, the riding crop in the kitchen incident was nearly another pants changing moment. And I thought I would never live to see the day, but Syd writes a "smushy old love making" scene. Okay, smushy isn't exactly fluffy, but still ...

"Bruised Knuckles and Bars" by Julia Talbot

Seems like Jed Thatcher and his younger brother, Ross, have gotten themselves in one fine mess of a situation. And it also seems, the brothers are the only ones who can get themselves out of the mess.

Okay, another series I haven't read, and I know some of you will be shaking their heads and wondering what's wrong with me. The story's absolutely hilarious, and even though I'm not familiar with the characters, I could still appreciate the humor, themes of family and strong manly men characterizations. I have a sneaky feeling these boys are a handful. I loved the originality of this "fine mess," and the subsequent circumstances.

"Dragonwalker" by Lee Benoit

Unless he's going crazy, one of the dogs Endi walks just blew smoke out of its nose. And another just unfurled its wings. When his boyfriend thinks he's gone crazy, he's going to need help from the chief to get out of the trouble he's in.

"Dragonwalker" is a blast. It's a very creative and heartwarming story. Endi and the chief's relationship is a little shy of taboo and I love them together!

"Blood Rubies" by Angelia Sparrow and Naomi Brooks

Captain Thomas Harrison and his lookout Samir are on a treasure hunt searching for the Eye of the Dragon- a grapefruit sized ruby. Harrison loves gold but Samir loves rubies above all else. When they get captured by a band of pirates their leader shows Samir the Eye of the Dragon. How far will Samir go to get his hands on it?

"Blood Rubies" is an erotic adventure. It's sexy and outrageous and a lot of fun!

"Hunter's Kiss" by Margaret Leigh

Jack and Casey are vampire hunters. After being attacked by a vampire Casey is bitten and turns. Now Jack has to hunt his partner and lover. Is Jack hunting Casey to save him or kill him?

"Hunter's Kiss" is a great story. It's exciting, erotic and intense. I really like it. I wanted a longer ending though.

"Finding Trouble" by Misa Izanaki

Dante is a bartender in Kale's club. Kale is a bit overprotective of Dante. When Roland propositions Dante, he takes off with him. However, Dante may have gotten in over his head. Maybe he should have listened to Kale after all.

I wanted Dante and Kale together right from the start. Dante is sweet and almost innocent and Kale is sexy and intense. "Finding Trouble" is intriguing and hot.

"Magenta: The Romance of Scarlet and Red" by Camilla Bruce

Scarlett is a thief. He's become obsessed with Red and Reds' things. So Scarlett steals everything he can from the man. Red doesn't like it and he's going teach Scarlett a lesson he'll never forget!

"Magenta: The Romance of Scarlet and Red" is fun and very hot. It would be great as a novel length story.

"Unfinished Business: An Undercover Blues Story" by Laney Cairo

Ryan Hadley met Jason Cooper when he was a detective looking for information on Jason's mob boss brother Harvey. Now Ryan and Jason are lovers living a quiet life together until Harvey's past comes back to haunt them.

Ryan and Jason are introduced in Laney Cairo's Undercover Blues. It's a great story and "Unfinished Business" is just as good. It's exciting and action packed. I love Ryan and Jason. They are sweet and sexy guys.

"The Alpha Bet" by Cassidy Ryan

While playing cards at a casino, Grey bet his lover West that if West lost the next hand he had to cater to Grey's every whim the next day. West is about to find out that losing is the best thing he's ever done!

"The Alpha Bet" is sexy and kinky and Grey and West are really good together. "The Alpha Bet" is the start of something new for these two!

"Unravel" by Mychael Black

When fashion designer Philip meets his assistant's brother Dan, the sparks fly. After a brief flirtatious conversation Philip finds himself slung over Dan's knees and that's just where he wants to be. But when Dan finds out that Philip is his boss, will that be the end of their hot affair?

"Unravel" is a little kinky, very hot, and really fun. It's a fast paced romance with a lot of heat!

"A Jolly Good Idea" by Syd McGinley

Hugh is taking his lover Ryan to meet his family in England. Ryan is nervous about meeting them and about how he'll not be able to serve Hugh, his master, while there. As he predicted, the visit isn't going well. Hugh is up to something, and the family is in on it.

I love "A Jolly Good Idea." Hugh can be quite highhanded and even rude and Ryan is very sweet and sensitive. I love the dynamics of their relationship. I love the scenery and Hugh's family. I got lost in the story.

"Bruised Knuckles and Bars" by Julia Talbot

Jed Thatcher and his brother Ross have to find their own way out of trouble. But what's worse, facing the sheriff or facing their lovers?

"Bruised Knuckles and Bars" shows Jed and Eli at their troublemaking finest. They are introduced in Julia Talbot's Jumping Into things. I love Jed and Ross and their lovers. "Bruised Knuckles and Bars" is another fun and hot glimpse into Jed and Eli's lives as they get older and sexier.

In Another Fine Mess I got to visit a few old favorites and meet some new great characters. These shorts are big on story. They are creative, fun, hot, and very entertaining.

Nannette
reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

The book is an excellent source of information if you have pets or are in the pet industry.

As a caretaker of six cats and a dog, I have used Bach Remedies for years with my animals but I've always had to refer to books focusing on the use of the remedies with humans. This book has come to my rescue and I especially like that there are separate chapters on cats and dogs. There is also a separate chapter on use of the remedies wih horses.

The best feature of the book is the second chapter "Using the remedies" where the authors spell out the animal behaviors that can indicate a need for each of the 38 remedies. For example, Crab Apple is the remedy for cleansing and is indicated for a animal who does excessive grooming or chews on its fur or feathers.

The only negative aspect for me, as an American, is the very British slant in the resources lists and in the case studies. However, that is a small complaint in the overall usefulness of this title.

This is my 3rd Ball Blue Book on canning. Excellent and helpful book for the person wanting to learn how to can to the expert canner looking for new recipes. All the basic knowledge needed to be successful at canning and preserving.

This is my third Ball Blue Book. It is a wealth of info about canning. I have canned for years and have several different books, but this is the book I refer to each and every time. I bought this copy because mine have a habit of growing legs. I dont mind, like to share the fun!

this book is an account of jim bouton's 1969 season with the seattle pilots/houston astros. when i began reading it, i couldn't put it down! an insightful behind the scenes look often told with great humor.

When the book "Ball Four" first came out in 1970, it created a major sensation. For it was the first sports book that presented athletes in any light other than as the shining, pristine hero. There had been a tradition in baseball that books "written" by athletes were not to ever mention the dubious escapades of the players. "Ball Four" tore off that veneer, exposing some very questionable activity. What was amazing was that no one ever really disputed what Bouton was saying, only that he had no right to say it. In my opinion, in writing this book, Bouton did baseball and the country a great service.
In "Ball Four", Bouton openly talks about Mickey Mantle's alcohol problems. The fact is that Mickey died an early death from liver disease that was a consequence of his heavy drinking. His life after baseball was largely a miserable one after he retired. In one of his last statements, Mickey said "Play like me, don't live like me." The recent and repeated scandals over extensive steroid use in major league baseball clearly demonstrate that the people who run the game still don't understand the situation. Bouton himself openly talks about getting better performance through chemicals. On page 45, he writes "Baseball players will take anything. If you had a pill that would guarantee a pitcher 20 wins but might take 5 years off his life, he'd take it."
Before I read this book, I had read many sports books, both fiction and non-fiction. Unfortunately, once I read it, I understood that many of those labeled as non-fiction should have been labeled as fiction. Reading it did not turn me off on baseball; that was done by the subsequent nonsense and denials about drug use and gambling in the game. One wonders if we would even have heard about them if it were not for the "writings" of Jim Bouton.

Books about sports stars can be dated in two ways. BBF (Before Ball Four) and ABF (After Ball Four). Before this book came out, sports stars were mythologized in print and the books had a cardboard-style sameness to them. According to the BBF books baseball stars such as Mickey Mantle, Babe Ruth and Ted Williams did nothing but pull for their team and engage in some occasional boyish antics. In other words, heroes through and through.
The reality was quite different, Babe Ruth was an incorrigible woman chaser, heavy drinker and was verbally cruel to people. There is the classic story of a group of baseball writers playing a game of cards on a train taking the Yankees on a road trip. A naked woman followed by an equally naked Ruth ran past them. One writer remarked, "It is a good thing I didn't see that because otherwise I would have to write about it." Mickey Mantle was a heavy drinker; he often played so heavily hung over that he had trouble keeping his eyes open. Williams was not a team player, he was at times an indifferent fielder and he refused to enlarge the strike zone by even an inch in order to drive in a run that would tie or win a game. There is a classic story that he once hit a home run that got his team back in the game. However, rather than accepting the accolades of his teammates, he sat in the dugout cussing himself for swinging at a pitch that was a ball.
Bouton's book changed all that. He described the players as human, with all their faults. In the early sixties Bouton had one of the best fastballs in the game, his pitching helped propel the Yankees to the American league pennant and some argued that in 1964, he was the best pitcher in baseball. However, in 1965 he hurt his arm and could no longer throw the heat. In 1969, he made a semi-comeback throwing the knuckleball for the expansion Seattle Pilots. Even on a marginal team he was at best a marginal player. This book is a combination of his actions with the Pilots as well as a reflection of his time with the Yankees. Therefore, it is easy to detect a strain of bitterness at the loss of the glory days of the 1964 Yankees. Nevertheless, while many people have decried the book, no one has ever come forward to disprove his statements about the escapades of the players. Many drank heavily and took drugs, most were sexually promiscuous, and at times they were contemptuous of the fans.
Since "Ball Four" came out, the books about sports stars have been more honest. This, in my opinion, is good for the fans, the games and even the players. The nation has become much more knowledgeable and realistic in how it views heroes. It would have been impossible to continue the artificial presentations of the people who so fascinate us when they play for pay.

Although Ball Four was published more than thirty years ago, it remains as true a book now as it was then. Mr. Bouton leaves no subject untouched. Whether writing about the frustration of pitching behind an inferior teammate, "activities" that go on behind the backs of wives and girlfriends, or dealing with the egos of major league star players and managers, Bouton brings the bigger-than-life world of professional baseball down to earth in a funny and sometimes hilarious way.

Golf requires you to think and Be the Ball makes you think about thinking. I loved reading the comments from playing pros such as such as Lee Trevino, Arnold Palmer, Greg Norman, Gary McCord and Nancy Lopez and teaching pros such as Butch Harmon, Wally Goodwin, Pat Gross and Stan Thirsk. It is a book that I keep going back to time and time again.

Almost everyone I love plays golf. My parents, my brothers and my husband. My children are learning. We have many golf books around our house, and this is the first one I have ever read cover to cover. It is filled with great tips and stories. I may even dust off the set of clubs I got 10 years ago and take another swing at it. My husband says this book has changed his life!

As Continental forces and Virginia militia units were engaged in winning independence, American quartermasters and provisioners struggled to provide these units with all the necessities of life, from meals and guns to meat, fodder for horses, the horses themselves, firewood, and every other type of material. Much of this was requisitioned from the civilian population and certificates were issued payable in either continental or state funds, depending on the units supplied, upon presentation to court authorities. Thousands of these certificates issued to Virginians were duly entered by the courts, and they provide a fascinating insight into the period of the Revolution. These "Publick" Claims booklets contain interesting and useful information about the contributions of ordinary people to the Revolutionary War. They provide some details of people's service in the militia or as guards for prisoners of war; they indicate where some bodies of troops were at particular times; and they identify providers of horses, wagons, cattle, grain, or other supplies. Much of the information in these booklets cannot be found anywhere else, which makes the surviving records particularly valuable. Also remarkable is the fact that records survived from virtually every county in the state at that time with the exception of the newly formed Kentucky counties. This makes the collection even more valuable in covering areas which heretofore in this time period have suffered from a lack of personal data. The "Virginia Publick Claims" are published by counties. In addition to a faithful transcription by Janice Luck Abercrombie and the late Richard Slatten, a complete index is provided for each county booklet. This series is an extremely important genealogical tool for searchers in Revolutionary-era materials.

The sun sets, the moon rises, and here come the bears, arriving on foot through the forest and in brightly colored hot air balloons. "A broad-beamed caller/howdys all:/Welcome, friends,/to our Big Bear Ball." The music plays, the bears begin to dance, and a rip-roarin'good time is had by all. "Small bears sway/and slap your paws./Tall bears stomp/and pop your jaws.// Two paws up,/waving high./Catch some stars/and scratch the sky." And as the celebration moves through the forest, moles and foxes are awakened and join in, frogs jump up and sing along, and even an old alligator joins all the fun.....Joanne Ryder's engaging text begs to be read aloud, is filled with rhythm, rhyme, energy and motion, and complemented by Steven Kellogg's bold, vibrant and expressive artwork. Eye-popping illustrations dazzle with bright colors, marvelous facial expressions, and woodland detail that is sure to captivate little ones as they linger before turning the page. Together word and art create an entertaining and joyous, finger-snapping, toe-tapping romp. Perfect for preschoolers, Big Bear Ball is a winner, and a picture book kids will want to read again and again. "Go lightly, sprightly,/on your way./May you dance/with the music/as we welcome the day. // Farewell one!/Farewell all!/See you next full moon/at our Big Bear Ball."