Bonds Books

The book explains in good detail the early plans and people involved with the ISS. The future of the station chapters give a good outline, even for today, about where the station is headed in regards to development. The price at $40 is a little stunning since I was able to find the book for $30 elsewhere.

While Bond gives an account of the International Space Station that is chock a block with statistics, he has striven to make the narrative very readable to a general audience. Indeed, the ISS is an inspiring multinational effort that would scarcely have been envisaged in the depths of the Cold War. The world wide effort is instructive.

American readers who might be more accustomed to NASA's briefings should especially appreciate the information on the European Space Agency and the Russian abilities.

Though to some readers, the book will be a frustration. Over 30 years after the Moon landings, and this is how far we have come? Sadly downbeat.

"Cooke's Rules of Real Poker" is a very complete and clear set of rules for playing poker. Everything is covered, from "Dead button rule" to poker etiquette. Worth adding to your poker library, even if you prefer "Robert's Rules of Poker" available online.

Hold 'Em. Roy Cooke and John Bond's COOKE'S RULES OF REAL POKER is a poker rule book to replace any outdated game plans: it blends rules from top poker rooms and reconciles their differences, takes Internet and other special settings into account, and offers up a set of standards any poker player can follow, making it easy for different players to get together.

If you have been following Grant Morrison's run on the Doom Patrol you have certain expectations. This book is good, but not great and feels transitional. Crawling from the Wreckage, The Painting that Ate Paris, and Down Paradise Way are better books. I will say this is a step up from the last collection, Musclebound, as the Pentagon and Flex Mentallo stories are really kind of overrated.

On to the Magic Bus...

Issues 51 & 52 are dealing with the new Brotherhood of Dada, but the old Brotherhood was better in The Painting that Ate Paris. The whole Mr. Nobody for president story is ok, but I was a little unsatisfied.

Doom Patrol 53 is a tribute to Jack Kirby. Weird issue, I love Jack Kirby but this issue kind of left me wanting a more traditional Doom Patrol story.

Doom Patrol 54 - Aenigma Regis - see what you think, it's ok.

Doom Patrol 55 & 56 - issues about Crazy Jane, at this point I really wish the focus of the book was on the entire team, but see what you think, these are ok issues.

Doom Patrol 57 - well this one is a total mind f*ck as there is murder, manipulation, and Caulder reveals himself as to having totally selfish/evil reasons for constructing the Doom Patrol. Uh, Caulder has been murdered and now there is the Candlemaker? A hammer has fallen and it's a pretty mouth watering issue, leaving you to wonder what will happen next.

Grant Morrison's unstoppable reworking of the Doom Patrol thunders towards its inevitable conclusion in the penultimate book, "Magic Bus" (vol. 5 of 6). Morrison's runs rarely end with anything less than the apocalypse; this one is no exception, and probably the model for some of his other stories. The book starts off with the resolution of the "Brotherhood of Dada" storyline left unfinished at the end of "Musclebound" and then sets about exploring the principal characters. Morrison has left the self-conscious oddity of the Pentagon Horror and Judge Rock storylines behind and begins focusing on the wheels that have been turning in the background over the course of the series. Most notably, Rebis gets an issue all to him/her/itsel(ves). That issue ("Aenigma Regis") ranks among Morrison and Case's best work - Morrison's ideas about the rich inner life of his compound hero (one part male test pilot, one part female doctor, one part sexless alien being) functions on a level that the writer seems to have invented for this book; it is personal and mythic and smartly Freudian all at the same time.

Ultimately, this is "man-in-a-can" Cliff Steele's story. As a formerly human brain encased in an only vaguely humanoid robot body, Cliff's spiraling depression started the story, and his tortuous return from it has been happening in the background for the last four volumes. Now, his deep friendship with Crazy Jane and complete devotion to the Chief are landing him in tighter spots than we'd previously imagined they could. The rude, uninterested version of the character from "Crawling from the Wreckage" is gone - in his place is a completely changed man. Cliff's evolution is quiet, but there's a narrative perfection about his development, particularly the slow growth of his platonic, protective love for Jane.

Also witness the redemption of Crazy Jane, the fruition of the Chief's hidden master plan, and (most interestingly), the fate of The Candlemaker, Dorothy Spinner's horrifying familiar. The Candlemaker sets the stage for the final volume, which brings the comic book to its scary, loving, wonderfully satisfying ending.

This is great historical fiction about the Covenanters of Scotland in the 1600's. Duncan is a young boy full of imagination who is thrown into the throngs of war. I love how the author shows the fears and thoughts and feelings of the characters. The book seemed a little slow at first but it was worth it to continue reading. Was heart-tugging to see the loyalties of these families to 'King Jesus' and their constant love for one another.
Great story. Great book to read before reading 'Against the Tide, The story of Margaret Wilson'.

My 15 year old son devoured these books and is begging for more. Good reading is very hard to find.

By saying newbie, I mean at least you should know some basic terminology like duration, convexity, interest rake risk, etc. It's really for those who have some basic knowledge on fixed income securiteis and want to explore more in depth. I personally read some chapters from Fabozzi's handbook, and feel like it's not very technical oriented and I prefer this one.

Haven't finished reading yet, but so far, very comprehensive, concise and lucid.

Starting from scratch, assuming just a basic knowledge of calculus and the summation of series, Choudhry explains important ideas about how securities and derivatives are priced. Crucial concepts like how to model interest rates, and the various models that do exist for this purpose, are also gone into. This is built upon with the use of interest rate swaps, of varying complexity.

For options, there is the seminal Black-Scholes model. It is shown to be easy to understand, resting on the assumption of a Weiner process for the asset pricing. More elaborate option modelling is possible, and several of these are discussed.

I loved this book!! If you like the short and to the point love story books this is the one for you! There are 3 stories in this book that are all great they are each about 120 pages long. GET THIS BOOK!

3 of my favorite romance writers bring this charming collection to life- all focused on April Fools Day so be prepared to chuckle!

Vicki Lewis Thompson's April Fools offering sparkles with humor and some really fun quirks- her handsome salesman leading man is named Andre--- and every woman thinks he is sooooo French and debonaire...right! He does have moves- but the name is from the cheap champagne his folks drank at his conception....Great humor, tension and sexy sexy interplay and steam with heroine and hero. She asks him out- then finds out she will be his boss on Monday---- how they resolve the issue of office romance is done with intelligence .

Stephanie Bond also shares a story of office romance- again our heroine is put in charge of sales and her top salesman is her one regret- a one night stand from her past that she can't forget. They go on a road trip to cement their working relationship and he plans a humdinger of an April Fools stunt for her- only it backfires--- the whole trip backfires. Fires heat up between them and he realizes he has grossly underestimated this woman he planned to sink. Seeing her really stand up to him on the business side was great- smart woman working even smarter---- yet she totally respects his talents. Again their story is handled well - solid passion and tension- humor--- fun!

Third April Fools day offering by Judith Arnold is a subtle tale- two strangers hear they are engaged on the radio! They meet and try to deal with the fallout and both find that what started as a joke has serious potential. Set in Boston this one is a little more subdued but again has strong characters, nice conflict and some humor as well as a solid dose of warmth and affection.

Bottom Line- a keeper! And I want to read about the two friends mentioned in the VLT story! ( would not be surprised if they show up on e-harlequin.com to be printed with this one as a book on their own at some date- a very Harlequin thing to do)

It is extremely hard to find Valentine's Day stories that do not center on elementary school classmates or adult "sweethearts".

In this sweetly simple book Cornelia Augusta, a human child, uses her imagination and craft supplies to create unique Valentines for each of her four animal friends.

The illustrations are attractive and the story will appeal to the youngest of listeners. Though you probably won't find hearts falling from the sky, have some colored paper and glue available when you read this to children, as this book may well encourage them to try their hand at creating Valentines of their own.

This was another book that I picked up on a whim, and ended up being pleasantly surprised by. The illustrations are great and the story line is touching. And Cornelia Augusta is a very likable and thoughtful little girl, who knows just the right sort of valentine to make for each of her very different friends. A perfect book for Valentines Day!

This is one of my favorites! Bond vs. SMERSH. The book is wonderful I had trouble putting it down.Kerim Bey is a great character and the plot for Bond and Tatania to meet up so SMERSH can kill Bond is great. The Orient Express is where most of the action is but the highlights in this is the fight at the gypsy camp, when Kerim kills Krilencu, the fight with Bond and Grant on the Orient Express and when Bond and Klebb fight in the hotel room. Great book and one of the best in the series! Highly Recommended!!!

SMERSH, Russia's "murder department", are out toget 007 killed. A lure is laid in the form of avivacious lady, who later switches sides to become the Bond Girl. A murderous, herculean maniac and a dedicated head of execution are hell bent on Bond's blood. Plotted in a turmoiled Turkey, it is many a difficulty Bond has to face to save himself, or rather save what he can of himself!

I received this book in quick shipment and the book was in excellent condition and I am enjoying it very much.

I thought this collection of short stories were well written, funny, inspiring and heartwarming. I have faced some serious health issues. I was particularly touched by the stories about ones health and how the bond with horses enable people to have strength and perserverance. I don't have a horse but several of my friends do and I gave each of them a copy of the book and they, too, loved it.

"Rex on the Beach" by Stephanie Bond. Private investigator Lucinda Belvedere is hired to find a runaway groom, but instead locates the best man Rex McCormick.

"Getting Into Trouble" by Leslie Kelly. Counselor Damon Cole decides to take the summer off at his family's carnival. However his goal of no stress ends when single mom Allie Cavanaugh mesmerizes the mesmerist.

"Shaken and Stirred" by Heidi Betts. After the end of a rather disappointing relationship Abby Weaver plans for a beach getaway with a female friend. Her pal cannot make it, but Abby goes anyway where she meets Marine Mike Mastriani, who occupies her time even when he is not with her.

These three heated tales star genuine protagonists whose respective romances are fun, hot, and plausible. Contemporary fans will enjoy this summer HEAT WAVE emitted by this anthology.

Harriet Klausner

Rex on the Beach by Stephanie Bond

Lucy Bell is a private investigator that has been hired to find a runaway groom. Rex McCormick is her best lead. Lucy is sure that the groom's best friend, Rex, knows exactly where her target is and she sets out to tempt him into giving out the information she's looking for. Rex McCormick is taking some time out to decide if he really wants to take his relationship with his girlfriend to the next step, marriage, when he meets Lucy. It doesn't take long before Rex knows that Lucy is what he wants and a commitment to another woman is just not in the cards, at the same time Lucy knows that she has moved way beyond using Rex to find her missing bridegroom and is falling in love. When Lucy finds out that Rex has not been honest about his girlfriend and Rex finds out that Lucy is really a PI, can they overcome the rocky start to find each other?

Rex on the Beach is a wonderful beginning to this anthology! Lucy and Rex are both hiding things from each other, but that doesn't stop them from heating up the pages or feeling the building emotional connection between them. Stephanie Bond always delivers a romance that leaves me wanting more after the last page has been turned.

Getting Into Trouble by Leslie Kelly

Allie Cavanaugh has had her heart broken before and that's how she ended up a single mother. So, when she finds herself totally enthralled with carnival hypnotist, Damon Cole, she can't believe it when she finds herself taking a chance on love and embarking on a steamy romance. There are things about Damon that she doesn't know. Damon Cole was a social worker when a judge ignored his recommendation and caused the death of a child in his care. Disillusioned, he feels as though he can no longer continue in his profession or take responsibility for the welfare of a child and he decides to spend time working in his grandparent's carnival as a hypnotist. As soon as he sees Allie he's instantly smitten, but he's still traumatized by the events of his past and determined to never have children. Although Allie understands his reasons once she finds out the reason for his aversion to having children, how can she continue a relationship with him?

Getting Into Trouble proves that even with a short anthology story, Leslie Kelly is a must read! Both Allie and Damon are victims of their past and I desperately wanted them to find a way around the problems separating them. Worth a second time around, this story is perfect for beach reading!

Shaken and Stirred by Heidi Betts

Abby Weaver's best friend, Rachel, has convinced her that a girl's only week at the beach was the perfect place to get over the defection of her boyfriend. At the last minute when Rachel is suddenly forced to work Abby finds herself alone at the beach. While spending time on the beach she meets Marine Mike Mastriani, who is on leave and visiting his family. Abby throws caution to the wind and embarks on passionate vacation affair with the too yummy for words Mike. What begins as a vacation fling quickly turns into something much much more, for both of them. A trip to introduce Abby to his parents leads to unexpected complications. Can Mike convince Abby that he was not playing with her and that he wants to take this much farther than a temporary vacation fling?

Shaken and Stirred is a sultry romance that is the perfect ending to this fabulous anthology. Mike and Abby quickly had me absorbed and wanting more. From the first page to the last Heidi Betts keeps the story moving so that I is unable to quit reading. Shaken and Stirred is simply an awesome story!

I can not recommend Heat Wave highly enough! Readers will not be disappointed by any of the stories in this stellar anthology. Heat Wave will quickly be finding a place on my keeper self so that I can read it again and again!

Melissa
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed