Bonds Books

Hero, Second Class is one of the first novels released by Marcher Lord Press, the Christian publishing house. It is penned by Mitchell Bonds. If the idea of reading Christian fiction puts you off, relax. Hero, Second Class is a romp through the fantasy world in the tradition of Terry Pratchet. The discussion of faith takes second place to the story itself. Here is a book that has heroes who narrate their battles as they fight, villains who belong to a Brotherhood who monitor the dastardly deeds of their members.

Cyrus has always wanted to be a hero just like his father. He gets his chance and is apprenticed to the Crimson Slash, also know as Reg. As Cyrus is learning the ropes he meets a dragon and brother and sister Katheni, who are cat people. He gets involved in the battle against an arch-villain that has a grudge against his mentor and a determination to rule the world. (He is after all, a villain.) As it become clear that Voshtyr Demonkin is no ordinary arch-villain, there are also hints that Cyrus may not be an ordinary hero.

The humor in Bonds' writing had me laughing out loud. He manages to poke fun at every convention of adventure writing. Between monologuing villains, narrating heroes, Capital Letters and Arbitrary Numbers, he tells a story of a young man who is coming to grips with a world that is a lot more complicated than he had thought. Many of the characters are deliberate caricatures, but they have enough extra foibles to make them real. The real story that takes place between the lines of the epic battle between good and evil is touching and true to life.

Hero, Second Class is a first-class book, and I will be waiting eagerly for the next installment of mayhem.

Armchair Interviews agrees-good job Mitchell Bonds (who is only 20).

Yes, I'm biased. But even when I (frequently) forgot who wrote what I was reading, I loved this story. The book is excellent. It's witty, well-written, and original. C'mon, do your part to help Mitch graduate from college debt-free. You won't regret it.

Mitch is a fellow cadet in the AFROTC program at UI/WSU. He is a great kid, and all of us are proud of him writing this book. It is a great book and I can't wait for more. Hopefully he'll have the time to write them, I wouldn't, so we'll see.

I often buy bulk copies of this wonderful book to give away to young kids who attend my 5-Day hands-on learning camp, aptly entitled 'Science & The Art of Discovery.' My principal objective is to teach young kids how to think scientifically, inventively & productively.

The two authors have done a great job in producing this excellent piece of work. Although it has only 44 pages, the contents are comprehensively rich. It is also very well-illustrated with a simple story format & systematically organised as follows:

How do you answer questions?
Using the scientific method
What do you want to know?
What do you think?

If you want to get your young kids to understand & appreciate the scientific method or simply 'how to think like a scientist', go for this book!

I was very excited to find this book in my local library when I was starting out a "science week" with my kids during their spring break. It is simply wonderful! It explains the scientific method in such simple, logical terms and it was not at all difficult for my six year old to understand. It was entertaining as well as helpful in teaching my kids how to think like a scientist. The last chapter includes some ideas for children to apply the scientific method, in order to answer questions they are curious about. It is a nice ending to this book. Needless to say, I was discouraged when I saw the publication date, thinking this book would be out of print (I really wanted my own copy). I was delighted to find it here on Amazon. I am buying a copy as soon as I'm done with this review!

While the bubble gum pink cover of Stephen Kramer's "How To Think Like A Scientist" may inspire you to reach for something else, pick up anyway! Between the cotton candy covers, lies a charming book which uses humor to express thought provoking ideas and to teach your child to think about science in a systematic manner.

One of the best ways to get the attention of a child is by telling a story and Kramer capitalizes on this idea. My son and I were both engaged by the stories and the lessons which flowed naturally from them.

Your child will not only learn the scientific method -- the process for exploring scientific ideas -- but also will learn the language of experimentation on which to base a lifetime of scientific study.

If I could have written a book about my grieving process, this would have been it. Insightful, honest, heartfelt...this book touched on every aspect of going through the motions of life after someone close to you has passed over. I was surprised and comforted to read that I was not the only person in the world that thought "I just want to get an email from the other side....why can't we just email each other??".
The dialog of "real-life", dreams and thoughts is expertly woven together, and each chapter includes meaningful quotes from other authors. Many thanks to the author for her honesty.

Like the author, I'm very impatient New Age ideas, and have been agnostic much of my life. But after having watched two people I love die I was surprised by the sense they weren't gone, the feeling that, after their deaths, something was happening that was undeniable, yet not accessible through our usual sensory channels. I ordered this book because it looked interesting. It arrived at a time when (because of my profession) I had at least a thousand pages of manuscript to read and edit. And I opened this book at the post office the day it arrivved, read the first paragraph, and finished it that night. It's ironic and heartfelt at the same time--an amazing balance of belief in the unseen, also wariness about our vulnerability to too-easy beliefs and snake-oil cures.

Dear Ms. Picardie,
I listened to you on the radio program "Coast To Coast" with Barbara Simpson the other night-- Lovely! My nineteen year old son, Joshua, died in a motorcycle accident last year... Your description of your grieving process, your feelings, your thoughts, your "journey"-- all were spot-on and incredibly insightful. Now, no more words. Best wishes always, Jeffrey Bell-Zekas, Susanville, California USA======================

Philip Lisa is the driving force behind this book. He is a man of extensive knowledge on the subject of James Bond and his ability to discuss this subject is boundless. This book covers each of the Broccoli / United Artists James Bond films. These are the official films. The book gives objective information on each title written with editorial doses of interest which maintains a consistency of perspective from cover to cover. There are no favorites in the traditional sense. The authors know very well that no filmmaker or group of filmmakers ever intentionally makes an inferior motion picture. It is all a matter of how well the filmmakers combine their efforts and produce a finished product. The focus of the book is the filmmaking, not hype or glamour. The Bond films have always maintained a high ideal of production standards and this book examines that process. Besides the filmmaking this book also examines the James Bond phenomena from product merchandising (including books, toys, music, videos, games, etc.) to the cultural impact of Ian Fleming's hero. It even covers such offshoots such as the animated TV series "James Bond Jr." The book also contains key interviews with members of the acting and production crews. It is also profusely and beautifully illustrated with many colour photographs. I highly recommend this book. And take from me, Philip Lisa is more than just a contributor on this publication.

This is the best book concentrating on the James Bond films series and the phenomena it created. Written with great knowledge, gusto and inspiration this an excellent work on the subject. What is very good about this informative work is that the two authors never editorialize in a derogatory manner. If something in a film did not work, they give us their interpretation of what went wrong and suggest other possibilities. There are many unique photographs illustrating this book. It also covers James Bond Collecting. It is well written and I highly recommend it. My copy goes up to "Licence to Kill" but I do know that another printing followed which included "GoldenEye."

For all the James Bond fans, anything which is more intriguing is welcome at any time. From the time in 1957 when the first movie of James Bond came alive on the small screen to the first feature movie (Dr. No.) in 1962, every single item has been a treasure for a James Bond fan. It is really surprising that this book by Lee Pfeiffer has been missed out in author reviews. Considering the wealth of information that it offers about the celebrated facts of James Bond - the masterly creation of Ian Fleming and brought alive by Cubby Broccoli is a collectors dream. Having this book in the already thick treasure trove of Bond books, movies, cassettes, videos and trivia collection has been a matter of pride for me.

I wish that other Bond fans like me come forward and acknowledge the excellent documentation. As a sign off I would like to say that the book can be described in one word " INCREDIBLE"

By far the best book on this topic that I have ever read! Dr. Cormier really knows what she is talking about. It is insightful. The book is well worth the money. Everyone should buy this book.

I have been in the public community MH system for 30+ years and find this to be the best resource I've ever encountered. I also have used it in the community college basic counseling skills class I have taught for the past four years. It is filled with great resource material, clinical vignettes, role plays. It doesn't get any better than that. One of the few college texts worth the price in my opinion.

This is by far the most useful textful I have ever used. As a graduate student in psychology, I have often used this text as both a training resource for my education and a problem solving guide in my clinical work. Written in language that you don't need a degree to understand, this book presents clinically applicable strategies for working with both children and adults in a variety of "helping" settings. That is, it reviews many of the basic skills one needs to talk to people effectively as a counselour or therapist. Each chapter includes detailed explanations, relevant examples, and exercises for integrating the discussed skills and/or interventions for your own use. It's one of the few resources that presents useful and relevant approaches to relating to people in a readable and understandable context. Best of all, this textbook makes an effort to discuss many of the issues facing "helpers" in the modern world of managed care. It's absolutely the best resource out there for developing and honing intelligent clinical skills!

They finally put out a good edition of James Bond movie posters in a calendar that is both comprehensive and esthetically pleasing. Most of the interpretations of the cinematic James Bond are represented in this new calendar. There are some great iconic posters reprinted here. This is a good collection. This calendar is very colorful and dynamic. The YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE Teaser is one of the best. This is a exceptional calendar!

The many facets of James Bond are represented here. There are some great iconic posters represented here. This is a good collection. This calendar is very colorful and dynamic. Good one!

The James Bond Movie Posters 2007 Calendar is an improvement over 2006. There is a better choice of posters selected for this calendar compared to the 2006 edition. The selection here is attractively assembled. They are more striking and evoke the essence of the James Bond films. The 2006 edition seemed to focus more on the obscure posters. The obscure are not always esthetically pleasing. THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN British Quad, the ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE one sheet and the YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE teaser one sheet are beautifully vivid and colorful. Good calendar here.

Mr. Bond and his arch nemisis, the criminal genius Ernst Blofeld, return and roll out the thrills in three novels. Bond thwarts three straight Blofeld opperations, gets the girl, and ultimatly destroys him and his entire circle of thugs in the last book of the volume, "You Only Live Twice." However, I thought the endings a bit weak in "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" and in "You Only Live Twice." A must read for any Bondophile.

A prime example of Fleming's genius as a writer. Bond is human and credible, the plots more realistic today than they were 30 years ago, the action and tension better than what the MTV generation gets...stylish, elegant and gripping...one finally gets to meet the real Bond.

Reading Fleming's books is certainly a wise move for any fan of the Bond films. The "omnibus" is an excellent way to start, for it presents a flowing triology of action and angst between Bond and the hated SPECTRE agent Blofeld. On paper Bond becomes much more human and at times more vulnerable, which lends itself to greater suspense throughout the three stories. After reading the collection, one must ask why the films didn't stick with the plot and design of Fleming's writing--for in the writing lies the true 007.

"The author has written a charming, captivating story in Kindred Bond... Deborah Raney paints a beautiful picture of romantic love and the importance of family." --Christian Library Journal, Fall, 1998

"This is a delightful story of love, spiritual growth and God's ability to help us put closure on our pain if we allow Him to. The emotional depth of these characters brings them to life and makes for an exciting, fast reading story. --Jill Robertson, BookBrowser, January 1999

"This is an original and engrossing story of two decent Christians who must resolve difficult problems, one that women will enjoy." --Church Libraries, Spring 1999

"[Kindred Bond] provides an impressive testimony to how god's love and understanding can help resolve the most confused human relationships." --The Christian Observer, January 1999

This book is about a young woman, Claire, who has moved to a new town, where she meets Michael, a nursing home administrator. During their relationship, they discover that they have a common tie to the past. The book then shows the 2 struggling to overcome the difficulties from the past.

The book was a great romance book, but there was more to this book than just romance. To some degree, there was a murder mystery at the nursing home. There was also the lesson of forgiveness that Claire and Michael discovered as they revisited their past. And there was Nana and her love and concern for Michael and Claire.

This is a book that I would highly recommend.

Claire Anderson and Michael Meredith have something in common. At first it draws them together. But just when everything is going good, a terrible secret threatens to tear them apart.

In the meantime, there is something fishy going on a Riverview Manor. Can Michael figure out what it is before it hurts his patients and adversely affects his career?

Deborah Raney has woven this intriguing tale in her novel, "Kindred Bond." Her characters breathe life as they struggle with deep, heartfelt needs. What I loved most was the message that hidden sins and a painful past cannot be stuffed away and forgotten without the cleansing power of God's forgiveness. The spiritual message coupled with the constant question of "will their love survive?" will keep you turning pages until the end!

Well, someone beat me to this review and wrote a very good summary so I'll keep it short.
This volume is the best one in my opinion in terms of story, character interaction and the art (greatly improved).
It's got a lot of humor even though it is dealing with serious issues and the stories are once again well developed and interesting.
I'm just hoping the rest of the volumes come out faster (not in June...I can't wait that long)!!!
Bottom line: worth EVERY penny you spend :)

I love Book 1 and 2. Book 3 is just as enticing. The translation is solid. Ran and Kei are simply endearing and my favorite Yaoi couple. I am not too fond of Kai but Masa is intriguing. Too bad Kodaka decides to pair up Kai and Masa. I would have prefer Masa to have someone more compatible. Oh well!. Book 3 has 3 stories. First 2 are on Ran and Kei, which are excellent. The first one is comical yet tender. The second one is my favorite. Ran and Kei are forced to question their relationship. Will it stand the test of time? Will they be able to remain true to each other? Kodaka does a great job despite the limitation of words in a manga. She even manage to inject some comical moments in a serious subject. Ran's doubts and Kei's response are beautifully depicted. And of course the erotic sex scenes though the rape scene is a trifle disturbing.
The last story on Kai and Masa is a trifle sober but manage to justify to the reader Masa's love for Kai. Do yourself a favor and get Kizuna. Meanwhile I am impatiently waiting for books 4 to 6 which the publisher has announced to be released in 2005.

I love the story between these two lovers. I agree with the other reviewers that this couple has all the same problems that other couples have. They ask themselves am I good enough? Can I make him happy?

But I did find Ran a little insecure in this one. After eveything that he and Kei have been through to think that Kei would just dump him for a woman. I think that the second time Ran thinks Kei is cheating on him, Kei should have said, "Fine, leave if you think I think so little of you as to throw all the time we have been together out the window along with all the memories and love."

uwa! finally! together at last! kind of... very nice! i like kizuna bacause it proves that even the perfect couples are psycho sometimes ^^ haha

If you are a Kizuna fan, then you know what I am talking about when I say that this story line just keeps getting better. I am happy that she is finally giving us more on the romance between Masa and Kai. I have been waiting on that couple for a while. It is a bit angsty but getting there. I totally recomend it.

Compared to Vol 7, erotic sex has somewhat toned down in Vol 8. But for us fans, sex is no longer "a must" in Kizuna. Volume 8 is about overcoming one's haunted pasts and it is beautifully written as Ran and Kai are forced to face their ghosts. Ran has been quietly debating to take up Kendo again, a sport he loves but is forced to give up due to an accident which left him half paralyzed years ago. Kai is haunted by his own rape during his captivity years ago, a scar which suddenly surfaces while Masa tries to make love to him. This scene is all the more touching when Kai realizes his own terrible action upon Ran (Vol 1 remember?). Kai's remorse, Ran's comforting words and Kei's quiet eavesdropping is my favorite scene in this volume.
So how do Ran and Kai conquer their demons ? By challenging each other in Kendo, of course. And I do salute Kodaka for her remarkable story telling skill in this.
Love is certainly not lacking in this volume. Far from it. Ran and Kei is such a loving couple. Kei is certainly Ran's anchor from the moment Ran decides to take up Kendo again till the end of the fight. And Masa's pain as he realizes Kai's hidden scar is a most touching moment.
This is a most stirring and meaningful volume. And I hope bebeautiful will give us the remaining 2 volumes this year. Sadly the Japanese tankoubon is only up to Vol 10 as the brilliant Kodaka does tend to drag her feet.