Bonds Books

I was browsing the shelves at the library, when this caught my eye. I picked it up and took it home. I forgot about it for awhile but then remembered it. I started reading it and I couldn't get into it. I challenged myself to keep reading. I realized that I really liked it. The main character, Charlotte, doesn't have many friends. There is this weird kid named Oliver in her class. One day she notices something suspicious about him. She also sees these guys in red coats. Charlotte has to know what's going on between Oliver and the guys in red coats.

When I got this book at the library, I was getting ready for a boring book. Even though I had already read two of Nancy Bond's books (which I loved), I didn't think that this would be as interesting a book. I was totally wrong. Right away I got pulled into the main character's (Charlotte) life and a certain mood came over me. First of all, I am very much like Charlotte and I feel for her. But this book also is adventuresome - even though they stay in one town - and the friendships that gradually occur are remarkably written. Also, the setting is perfect - a small tourist town in Massachusats. I urge everyone to go to their library to find this book. Most of you won't regret it! If you end up liking this book, there are more with the same characters (I've read one of the sequels so far).

Jamie Denton has a special talent for pulling and tugging at the heartstrings inside you. I cried a lot throughout THE BIOLOGICAL BOND. I cried for the heroine, Rebecca Martinson, who lost her baby right after birth without even knowing the sex of the child. I cried for the hero, Sam, who had to take the biggest risk of his life and contact the biological mother of his fourteen year old daughter, Melanie, because she is his last hope for a bone marrow donor to his child. After Rebecca and Sam meet there are sparks everywhere. I cried for the two of them and their inability to recognize and live up to their true feelings and desires. And when they do, it's almost too late. The scenes and obstacles that come between Melanie and Rebecca, Melanie and Sam, and the three of them together are heartbreaking. You sympathize with them and for their respective losses. You feel for them and the things they face and need to overcome. Then there is the absolute love. The love that Sam has for his daughter is stunning and beautiful but most of all, priceless. Jamie Denton did an incredible job with the heartwarming relationships between Melanie and Same. Thank you for the love you give these characters and the happy-ever-after. The love the characters shared and the happily ever after will touch every reader, and make this a keeper book.

Romance At Its Best

Fourteen years ago lawyer Rebecca Martinson unwilling placed her child for adoption. She's never forgotten that haunting first cry of life and the child she never held. Now in family practice, she buries her past in a successful career based on helping families in need. Until one shocking day, that is, when Sam Winslow enters her office and declares himself the father of a dying daughter in need of her biological mother's bone marrow.

Desperate to save his daughter, Sam had the court records opened so he could track down his daughter Melanie's birth mother. Now he faces the adult version of his beloved daughter complete with unexpected and unwanted attraction. When Rebecca demands a month to meet and get to know her daughter, Sam capitulates with the understanding that afterward she will walk away, and Melanie will never know the visitor was her birth mother.

Both Rebecca and Sam know the risk heartbreak by allowing Melanie to meet her mother. They don't realize that they also risk heartbreak by spending time together. Rebecca's family are judges and doctors; Sam owns a farm. Rebecca has a successful career and Sam doesn't see how she could ever trade her power suits for an apron. With all their differences, however, they share a daughter they both love.

THE BIOLOGICAL BOND delivers an unexpected love story with tender empathy. Indeed, author Jamie Denton's flair for creating believable characters and a bond that go beyond blood result in a memorable, beautiful tale. As the biological mother, adoptive father and beloved daughter each reveal their innermost fears, the reader's heart can't resist a flush of understanding. Further, the unique family environment, rich characterization, and revelation of secrets keeps the pages turning. THE BIOLOGICAL BOND comes very highly recommended.

In Times Literary Supplement's "Books of the Year" (2002), Felipeo Fernandez-Armesto writes:
"Bitter Bonds is the most intriguing work of micro-history since The Return of Martin Guerre."

In 17th-century Batavia, Cornelia van Nijenroode, the daughter of a geisha and a Dutch merchant in Japan, was known as "otemba" (meaning "untamable"), which made her a heroine to modern Japanese feminists. A wealthy widow and enterprising businesswoman who had married an unsuccessful Dutch lawyer for social reasons, she discovered that just after her wedding, she and her husband were at each other's throats. Cornelia insisted on maintaining independent power of disposal over her assets, but legally her husband had control over her possessions and refused to grant her permission to engage in commerce. He soon began using blackmail, smuggling, and secret accounts to channel her wealth back to the Dutch Republic.

Cornelia fought back and tried to get a divorce. The struggle - complete with legal subterfuge, mutual recriminations, and even public brawls - would drag on for fifteen years and culminate in only a partial victory for Cornelia.

"Melodramatic and ripe for Hollywood" - Suddeutsche Zeitung

"Blusse's fine research has given us a fresh picture of a woman living between worlds and of the cultural and economic crosscurrents in the Pacific." - Natalie Zemon Davis, author of The Return of Martin Guerre

Winner of the 1998 Golden Owl award for nonfiction, Bitter Bonds: A Colonial Divorce Drama Of The Seventeenth Century by Leonard Blusse (Professor of History of European-Asian Relations, University of Leiden) is the compelling story of Cornelia van Nijenroode, the strong-willed daughter of a Dutch merchant and a Japanese geisha. Cornelia married a Dutch lawyer for social reasons, yet was soon betrayed by her husband, who sought to plunder all her personal wealth. Cornelia strove to obtain a divorce in an era when the law and customs were especially stacked against women, after a grueling fifteen-year-struggle, Cornelia emerged with only a partial success, and in the process, became a footnote to the history of women's rights. An emotional, turbulent true story of betrayal and the quest for independence, Bitter Bonds is ably translated into English by Diane Webb and a highly recommended contribution to academic Women's History reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

This is a beautiful book. Made up mostly of poetry, "The Bond Between A Mother and a Son Lasts Forever" really touched my heart. I'm blessed with a woman who I consider to be the world's greatest mother, and I was honored to receive this touching book from her.

For sons, this is a great gift to give to your mother, and vice-versa.

10/10 Classic.

This really hits home. As of mom of 3 boys and could find something that made me think of each of my 3 sons. A few even brought me to those "good" tears.

Victoria's teenage dreams of marrying Damien Hunt shattered when she discovered that he and her grandfather had planned the marriage for the sake of their family business. She ran away to a new life, but six years later, when Damien finds her again, she can't help but wonder what his motives are this time.

I love this book. It has glamour and money with love overpowering all. It has the domineering male that draws all women in and the strong willed woman who won't give in to easy. She has known him her whole life and has had a crush on him for half of her life. Now he has decided that she has spent enough time on her own in London; she must now live upto her name and be his wife. Good Job Patricia Wilson. I enjoy all of her books and I think you will, too.

In Skip Coryell's novel "Bond of Unseen Blood" we get hooked right away emotionally reading about a big man named "Bear". He lives in a cabin with no electricity or modern conveniences but he is close to nature. There is a certain degree of sadness in how he reacts to the surrounding world around him. We watch his inner spirit that dwells on old memories. Thoughts drift back of a young son and teaching him how to shot a bow and arrow. We do not know where his son is, or why he is gone now. Bear seems emotionally locked into the spiritual pain of the past. We as readers are already empathetic and evolved with this missing piece of this big man's heart--the author makes this a simple job for us to connect with Bear.

The life out in the back woods affords Bear isolation from other people and from the past we suspect. Bear is a man who is one of those old hunters who uses a bow and arrow and who follows the natural way of conservation and preservation. His hunting is not for fun and games but has a purpose--to supply food for his body. The reader begins to sense that Bear is in his own way, a true practincng environmentalist.

The reader soon discovers an 11 year old foster kid who is seeking his own father. Again, we do not know the circumstances of how they got separated or even why they do not know where each other are at. We see a child reaching out from a sad part of his own heart seeking a connection and reunion with his father. Is this Bear's son?

The story then takes us beyond this point in time and place in an emotional journey of the spirit. This is a moving tale about love, family and even hunting. It is a powerful story about people; the author's writings make you love, respect and actually have real feelings for them all. Coryell paints some colorfully compete characters for us in his book. It was a joy to read and a wonderfully inspiring and entertaining book.

I enjoyed the family theme throughout the novel. I appreciated the details about hunting & the true bonding that occurs when a family passes down such knowledge. There was enough suspense to keep me reading long after I realized how much time had passed. Most of all, I respected the theme that one person can make a positive impact by living out his values daily.

This collection of images from QUANTUM OF SOLACE is an essential companion to the 2008 James Bond film just as "Bond on Set: Filming Casino Royale" was for that film. "Bond on Set: Filming Casino Royale" evoked visual memories of James Bond somewhere between Ian Fleming's literary vision and those created from the cinematic version. That book was very thought provoking and delved deep into Fleming's literary world. "Bond on Set: Filming Quantum Of Solace" continues to evoke more of Ian Fleming's feel and atmosphere for James Bond in a true artistic format. The photographs in themselves are admirable and this book is destined to age over time like a fine wine giving one the opportunity to return and savor the moment. This is another good book to come out on the more recent James Bond films.

Greg Williams out did him self . I have every book on Bond movies that he did , this one is the best ! ! ! . It goes thru everything of the movie . when I go to see Quantum of Solace I will be truly ready . I take my hat of to Greg Williams. You must get as well James Bond Third Edition of James Bond The Secret World of 007 It is a TRUE MUST , TRUST ME ! ! ! ! ....

This book is the best I have read on this topic. I have looked for a LONGGG time for a book that could give me this information without religous dogma or preaching. I highly recommend it for anyone who is searching for a spiritual path.

About ten years ago I read Dr. Vaughan-Lee's book, THE LOVER AND THE SERPENT, in which he used Jungian terms to describe Naqshbandi Sufism and spiritual transformation. The simplicity and power of Dr. Vaughan-Lee's writing made a deep impression on me, and I looked forward to reading more of his writings on the subject. In THE BOND WITH THE BELOVED, Dr. Vaughan-Lee continues and elaborates on this Sufi tradition brought to the West by his teacher, Irina Tweedie. This book focuses on the stages of spiritual transformation, what the seeker can expect to encounter at each stage, and the practices that aid the seeker in the journey. He draws from both Sufi and Christian sources to illustrate that the mystical journey in any tradition is basically the same. In fact, he uses the four stages of prayer identified by St. Tereasa of Avila to illustrate what the seeker can expect to encounter. The practices Vaughan-Lee describes that put the seeker into the arena of transformation are very simple. He writes, "In our Naqshbandi group meetings we meditate, drink tea and discuss dreams. The lack of outer form or collective ritual (music or the chanting of the dhikr) emphasizes the individual inner journey." But he also stresses the powerful transformative effect of these simple practices - especially the stillness of meditation. "In deep states of meditation there is absolute stillness, darkness and nothingness. . . . We Leave the mind completely behind in order to enter the uncreated, dark light of God." He writes like someone who has been there. Though the methods Dr. Vaughan-Lee describes seem so simple, they were verified for me by the work of the renowned Jungian analyst, Marie-Louise von Franz, in her book, THE WAY OF THE DREAM. Her description of dreamwork, which she says she used almost exclusively with her patients, echoes the dreamwork and transformation that Vaughan-Lee describes in THE BOND WITH THE BELOVED. Another book that corroborates Jungian theory and Sufism is J. Marvin Spiegelman's SUFISM, ISLAM, AND JUNGIAN PSYCHOLOGY. All three books are excellent material on the inner dynamics of spiritual/psychological transformation. BOND WITH THE BELOVED. TABLE OF CONTENTS. (1)The Shadow Side of Spiritual Life (2)Pregnant with God (3)Stages of Prayer: The Birth of the Beloved (4)Stages of Prayer: Living in the Two Worlds (5)Stages of Prayer: Ecstasy (6)The Dhikr (7) Meditation.

Fikru Negash Gebrekidan is a courageous writer who did an immense service to the young generation to reassure the bond between Ethiopians and African decedents in the New World not an accidental one; rather the factual historical accounts depict a century worth of relation and integration. The book title did justice to author well-researched thesis. The author illustrated clearly the Black intellectuals rejecting the Eurocentric philosophy and religious belief and embracing Afrocentric belief.

In 1930, black people throughout the world doing worst such as Jim Crow in US, Apartheid in South Africa, most of the African Nations were colonized with the exception of Ethiopia on vicious European ill intent "Scramble for Africa." In spite of these unfortunate facts there was the single, black, east African nation Ethiopia crown Haile Selassie as King. The idea of possibility to keep nation sovereign from foreign invader or protecting individual freedom conceived and echoed from Africa to the New World. There was noticeable pride and motivation among blacks as result there were peoples resistant and aggression against the establishment and anti colonialism movement mushroomed everywhere. Such sense of pride was challenged when the Italian dictator Mussolini invaded Ethiopia 1936-1941 despite the Italians previous embarrassing defeat at the battle of Adwa in 1896 known as "An African Victory." Italian invasion in Ethiopian crated such global movements among Blacks in the New World particularly in US were united, demonstrated even registered to fight Italians' fascism beside their Ethiopian brother and sister. The Ethiopians and global sympathizers brought an end to Italian fascism despite the United Nation (UN) unwillingness to condemn the Italian government.

In the last 95-years almost a century (1896-1991) there was a significant cultural exchange and Ethiopian Orthodox Church expansion in the New World. The effort made significant changes on the psychology and thoughts of Blacks in the West. Emperor Haile Selassie I land and citizenship promise to the skillful and professional blacks in the west brought hope and light for the Black Nationalist movement in the west. However, Emperor Haile Selassie understood it would be mutual beneficial to give priority to the professionals, technicians, artisans and farmers under the condition that the new settlers need to assimilate the local culture and language as well as willingness to reside permanently. The Rastafarians keen interest to follow Marcus Garvey "Back to Africa" philosophy and strong unity also aspired. The Jamaican government sponsor unofficial Back-to-Africa mission selected peoples traveled to five African nations to find out the likeability repatriation. Finally, missionaries confirmed Ethiopia being an ideal place and the people of Ethiopian very hospitable by nature will make settlement simple and successful. Furthermore, the Rastafarian adapted the Ethiopian flag as symbol of freedom and religion. Abyssinians was the first reggae band to incorporate Amharic lyrics to be exact in 1969 single album released contained "Setta Masgana le Amlak Hul Giz." We need to give thanks and praises to God continually.

The book shed some light on Majesty's visionary effort on improving the Ethiopian education, the champion effort establishing the Organization African Unity (OAU). On the other hand, the effort granting land and citizenship also brought a few skillful blacks to settle and share knowledge. The numbers of African decedents settled in Ethiopian were not significant by any measure.

Ethiopia went backward from any measurable progress after the successful military junta led by Mengistu Hailemariam in 1974. Most Ethiopian "Elites" were tortured and killed during government special force covert operative known as "Red Terror" to destroy democratic movement and to establish tyrant leadership. On the other hand some educated, productive and young generation of Ethiopians fled out of the country and settled in North America and Europe. The number of Ethiopians settled in North America continues to grow faster at the end of 20th century due to Diverse Visa (DV) lottery issued every year. The interaction between Ethiopian and African-Americans become first hand. The relationship has not been fruitful consider the century history of relation and integration. The irony is some Ethiopians are disassociating with the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and embraced Pentecostal western religion sect. On the positive side the number of western educated Ethiopians rocketed sky-high compare to 1930's and 1940's; however, none of them are returning to Ethiopia any time soon. I believe there must be more effort to rekindle the century relation and integration. Ethiopians must participate on the African-Americans' core effort and principle of National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP); furthermore, the African-Americans need to support the Ethiopians effort to bring democracy and fair election in their homeland Ethiopia. There is lack of knowledge on both community at large as well as not having visionary leaders halt the relation and integration of the two communities achieved in the 20th century. The young generation has the task of completing unfinished journey and envisions the new chapter for new generation to harness the relation, integration and unity that enable Africans and African-Americans to live in United States of Africa!!!
Bond without Blood: A History of Ethiopian and New World Black Relations, 1896-1991

This is a seminal work on Ethio-Black Diasporan relations that is groundbreaking and perhaps even revolutionary in casting new light on Ethiopian historiography and on Ethiopia in a rather rejuvenating African context. Far away from the long entertained view of "semitic" origins to the Ethiopian Civilization, which supposedly spurred "paternalistic, derogatory and even racist" attitude and view of other fellow Africans on the part of the Ethiopians, this original work has attempted to tackle rather successfully with these misconceptions and misrepresentations of Ethiopia, Ethiopian history and Ethiopians from differet socio-economic strata. It argues for the integrally African nature and origins of the Ethiopian Civilization and for the deep convictions and affinities entertained both by Ethiopian aristocrats and the working class with Africanness and fellow Africans/Blacks both in Africa and in the Diaspora.
This is a very important work since it offers a clear departure from ideological and ethnic narrowmindness entertained by African elites towards a pan-africanist and Ethiopianist world view in which political and economic integration and interdependence is invoked between African countries and diasporic communities due to long lasting historic affinities between Africans both at home and in the Diaspora.
Finally, in adopting Afrocentrist thought as a legitimate school of thought, it opens the way and affirms the necessity for the reconsideration and rewriting of African history in general and Ethiopian history in particular.

The ever-prolific William Maltese returns to science fiction with this adventure about two men who will some become bond-mated. One of them, Roynoldo Lasi, will join a part of a wealthy family by bond-mating with the other man, Grenar Rajno. However, Family Rajno controls the essence Orchinid, which brings as much danger as money. The shape-shifter Zinder Avid brings much more danger.

While the Orchinid reflects the spice in Frank Herbert's classic novel Dune, Bond-Mating is certainly gayer than Dune; it also turns increasingly erotic. Like the wealth, though, that eroticism often becomes perilous, mixing sexuality with fear.

Maltese begins each chapter with scriptures from the followers of Meedek, a decidedly elitist and misogynistic God. The scriptures resemble the Bible, especially the Book of Genesis, but with twists that reflect Maltese's storyline. That isn't to say that Bond-Shattering is misogynistic, just the culture in which Roynoldo finds himself. And it often seems unlikely that he will survive in his environment.

The jargon in this novel mostly relies on familiar terms that Maltese blurs together, seemingly capturing the dialects of the characters and/or the frequent usage of those terms. He avoids too much tech-speak while still creating a believable, futuristic world. He also provides a fast-paced adventure and will doubtlessly write many more.

Maltese isn't new to sci-fi. In fact, his first book published, back in the early seventies, was his sci-fi FIVE ROADS TO TLEN, first book of his TLEN series. In the eighties, he followed up with about ten sci-fi/fantasy books, under various pseudonyms, including the CRYSTAL OF POWER series which put a kink in a lot of men's tails by elevating a woman to deity status over her male counterparts. Many of his hugely popular contemporary novels provide so many genuinely prominent women characters (resulting in his wide female fan-base) that it's been suggested, more than once, that Maltese comes across more bisexual than gay.

I mention his CRYSTAL OF POWER series, with its concentration on woman-power, and Maltese's woman-friendly contemporary fiction, because the author, in his BOND-SHATTERING, takes such a decidedly U-turn. In this book, he relegates women to a genuinely low rung on the male-dominated Warrior Universe's evolutionary ladder (they're literally a celestial experiment gone wrong). As a result, I can just see people, who haven't a clue, immediately dubbing him the misogynist he's obviously not. In fact, his fondness for females can't any better be illustrated than by just how needy the male-dominated universe of BOND-SHATTERING is for a bit of butch-tempering female touch.

BOND-SHATTERING provides a fascinating world wherein testosterone reaches saturation levels, and Warrior Clan warriors run amuck in their determination to - if not rid the entire cosmos of - then at least segregate, in the name of their misogynist-God Meedek's doctrines - all "barbarians" (women and those who cohabit with them). The book's complicated plot-line is filled to the brim with just how far men will go, pumped up on testosterone AND on the much-in-demand aphrodisiac essence Orchinid (think "spice", albeit more kinky, from Frank Herbert's DUNE series), in their determination to fulfill not only the demanded tenets of their male-based religion, but in order to satisfy their other less high-minded and baser instincts, needs, wants, and desires.

BOND-SHATTERING is a novel that proves Maltese has well-honed his craftsmanship during the long wait for his return to the sci-fi genre. You want murder, espionage, intrigue, war of the worlds, destruction of whole planets, machinations, betrayals, form-changers not whom they seem, exotic locales, exotic creatures ... you want hot-hot love along the lines of ancient Greek's city-state Sparta and/or forbidden love between a Warrior Clan warrior and a barbarian (who just might not be a barbarian)? Maltese serves all of that exotica-erotica up, and more, on a delectable platter that has this reader clamoring for more ... more ... please, more!

BOND-SHATTERING is possibly a truly sci-fi classic in the making!