Ball Books

Alexi is a half Irish half Japanese guy from Maui. When he was still a little boy he was frightened by the monster in his closet, but his mum told him to not fear cause it was not a monster, but a Oni, a mythological being of the Japanese ancient tale, and that he wanted only to protect his family.

Years later, Alexi is a young student in Seattle and he returns back home. After so many years, Kai, the oni in the closet, decides that it's time to show himself and he becomes Alexi's lover. After a moment of stunned shock, Alexi discovers that having a Oni lover is a pretty interesting thing, since this Oni in particular is a hunk guy with lucious black lonh hair and an hard body. And when Kai decides to follow Alexi to Seattle it's even better.

But even if an Oni is not an immortal being, he has still a longer life than a human, and Kai can't bear the idea to see Alexi aging and die. So they have to find a way to stay together for the rest of their life.

The story is pretty funny, with a lovely character in the Japanese mother, who seems not at all worried that her son sees monsters and in the end choses one of them as his lover. Very interesting also the father, even if he is only a side character without actual speaking words, but his only presence is funny and enjoyable.

Alexi is young and naivee, he enjoys life at full and he is horny like all the guy at his age. Kai is a pretty dominant character, the classical alpha male who proves himself more through his body than his words, but since Alexi is actually very fond of this side of his behaviour, I think no harm is done.

My One and Oni is a relaxing and happy tale, with a bit of yaoi here and there if you like the genre. I wouldn't mind if it was a little longer.

Lots and lots of experiments in this science book. It contains black and white illustrations. I especially liked the ideas for projects and further investigations at the end of some of the experiments. Recommeded for the 4th grade through the 10th grade class. Teachers should read this one, also.

This book contains almost everything you need to know about yard care. It has not only great information, but also color photographs that guide you through every critical step from lawn care to tree planting. It even shows you how to use the right tools. This book covers a very wide range of topics in yard care, and I particularly found the section on trees and shrubs helpful. This is a wonderful book that I would recommend to every gardener, especially the first-time homeowner.

Donovan O'Hurley and his twin brother Declan have been apart for a long time. Donovan separated himself from Declan because of his deep love and attraction to him. Declan has allowed his ex lover Chet to hurt and humiliate him for the same reason. Declan thinks his desire for his twin brother is wrong and he deserves to be punished because of it. Donovan does not agree. He and his best friend, and on again off again lover Marc, will do anything to protect Declan. Their mutual attraction to each other and to Declan only serves to strengthen the bond between the three men. While Donovan, Declan and Marc attempt to make a life together Chet is still stalking Declan. He won't stop until he has Declan back.

Stepping Stones is a good story but it felt somewhat scripted. The sex is very hot between the brothers and Marc. Donovan and Marc are strong and sexy and Declan is sweet. A man who is more feminine than masculine can be very sexy but Declan comes across as being a bit too meek. I do like the passion and strong bond between Donovan and Declan.

Nannette
reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

I wrote this book (the portion to 1700) so I'm biased. More recent archive research would add to, although not change, the treatment.

Also, it's still in print.

The author is tough where he needs to be, but fair and often funny in the way he talks about the facilities he has visited and played. Presented in a convenient, pocket-sized format, this book has it all. You get an insider's review of each golf facility in Nevada from the perspective of golfers of all abilities, as well as women, juniors, and seniors. There are also spot-on recommendations for aprés-golf activities in that famed land of sagebrush and sin. A top-to-bottom ranking of every Nevada course, plus fun specialty lists make this an indispensible resource and a very enjoyable read.

This has got to be the most creative idea for a book i have ever seen in my entire life. That Kastner not only made a discovery, but also wrote a creative book on it, is genius. And in a historical time period which one never suspects could correspond to the general subject. However, Kastner draws a relationship between the middle east and modern scientific discoveries in a well-thought, well-written, and enjoyably read book.

Very complete book on racquetball. Very easy to understand explantions and charts. Highly recommended!

Snakeskin Stilettos is the debut and introduction to an American readership of Irish poet Moyra Donaldson's abilities to craft verse that is simultaneously accessible, disciplined, imaginative, entertaining, and memorable. Lust: Bearded old satyr,/the wind from the hills/is thick with your scent,/musty yet fresh,/a confusion of seasons.//Comfortable in the house of Pentheus,/with its fitted concepts,/its rational doors, leading always/from one place to the next,/she forgot you--became only human.//Then you rear again at her window,/swirled in your own myth./Lines from an ancient script/calling her out into the hills,/where coiled snakes will lick her face/in the back seat of a parked car.

There is a fundamental truth to all of Chris Meeks' writing which defies the standard literary form. Whether as a dramatist, a pragmatist, or a futurist, Meeks' works traverse that sensitive and permeable membrane between reality and fiction; always leaving an indelible imprint. Less an entertaining yarn -- which this story so genuinely is -- and more an instructive machete cutting through the claptrap of the "live-decadently" poobahs, The Sun is a Billiard Ball portends a possible tragic scenario anyone of us might find ourselves in at any given time in life. For instance, in reading about the character Albert's travails, I was right there with him as he underwent his examination, cringing along with him as his physician coldly went about his diagnosis. I felt deeply and intrinsically what character Jazz must have been sensing as she received the sordid news of her irreversible fate -- a still-pernicious malaise the developed world is so shockingly flippant about.

Meeks chose these particular characters, I believe, because he had to deliver this vital message via this form. Meeks doesn't claim to be a polemicist, and neither should any writer in truth be. Yet the voice which beckons from these pages doesn't merely leap -- it ricochets -- into your grey matter and sticks there.

Billiard Ball will move you to action. It will inspire you to change your ways, to alter your more corrosive habits. You know, the ones we all find facile one-off excuses to continue doing, only to pay that burdensome price months later when we least expect it. There are no free lunches, and Meeks makes this painfully clear.

You won't be the same after reading this story. This 30-odd page tale is less day-in-the-life story, but more a call to action for Ms. and Mr. Everyman.

I encourage more of the same. I suspect part of the reason author Meeks hasn't posted more similar compelling tales is because it -- and god-forbid (tongue firmly in cheek) -- might shock us into a permanent and positive change.

Billiard Ball will get you to reassess the way you look at waking up in the morning to the things you place in your mouth as food. You'll see yourself in the mirror differently, to be sure, and this is the real mastery of Meeks' writing.

While others are out there seeking futile answers from the usual suspects of drugs, alcohol, and self-disrepect, within a tight handful of pages Billiard Ball at least offers you more than a palm frond of hope.

Like a magnet, it will coax you along a path. If it doesn't, you don't have a pulse.