Bonds Books

Neil Perkins, a fifteen-year-old prankster from northern England, has few greater pleasures than harassing his eccentric Latin teacher, Miss Klitsa. But when an accident on his four-wheeler uncovers some ancient Latin tablets near the ruins of Hadrian's Wall, Neil is forced to cooperate with her in order to translate the tablets, which were written by a Roman centurion named Rusticus. Due to the mysterious illness of Legate Julus, Rusticus's commanding officer, the scheming Tribune Festus has taken charge of the Roman soldiers stationed at Hadrian's Wall. Festus orders Rusticus to lead his men on a so-called training march into Celt-held territory, and as a result, the entire group, save Rusticus and his staff officer Linus, are wiped out. Rusticus's survival is due to the quick thinking of Calum, an auxiliary officer of Celtic blood. Unofrtunately for Rusticus and Calum, Festus is unhappy with Rusticus's survival and sends them on a mission to gather intelligence about the warring Celtic tribes, taking Calum's close friend Iona as a hostage to see that the job gets done. However, they realize that even if they give Festus the information he desires, Festus will probably kill them because they are both too aware of his underhanded plottings. Rusticus must eventually find a way to save Iona as well as Calum, who puts himself in harm's way to look after her.

The frame story works well with the main one, and, although the transition between the two is a bit awkward, Rusticus's action-packed story more than makes up for it. Ancient times are a rare subject for historical fiction among American writers, but Douglas Bond brings out the humanity of his subjects while keeping true to their historical background. Parents should be aware that "Hostage Lands" is best suited for teenage readers due to limited harsh violence and several extremely vague references to women being abused in a particular way that most children would not catch on to. Bond's writing, while not inappropriate for teenagers, is too deep for most ten-year-olds.

Perhaps most interesting to parents who want to use "Hostage Lands" as a teaching tool is Rusticus's inward struggle. He has been taught to believe firmly in "eternal Rome" as the bastion of civilization and order. However, his misguided patriotism begins to flag due to both Festus's scheming and the influence of Calum, who began following "Christus" after seeing Christians cruely martyred in the Roman Colloseum. About his experience there, Calum says, "For me, the glory of Rome faded that day." And so Rome's glory fades for Rusticus as Calum's questions about true endurance and higher loyalties seem more and more logical in light of Festus's unbridled ambition. Without sounding moralistic, "Hostage Lands" serves as a sound lesson about the dangers of state worship. To his credit, however, Bond never loses sight of his story, which is one of his most engrossing so far.

Hostage Lands is a great read! Its one of those books that once started, you don't want to put down. Full of intrigue and suspense, this is a book that young and young at heart will enjoy. I appreciated Douglas Bond's ability to weave so much history of post Roman Britain into the book. I've read other books that speak to Rome's conquering Brittania, but this was a new era for me and filled in gaps that I wondered about. A definite must for students of world history, the Roman empire, or just "ancient" civilizations.

Officially listed as teen fiction, Hostage Lands has an appeal which reaches a larger audience, from approximately 10 years old through adult. Set in English farmlands near the remains of Hadrian's Wall, this historical adventure can be read for its entertainment value alone; but, the reader will also find out what it can cost to be a follower of our Lord, as well as gaining some fine Christian perspectives for living.

In contemporary England, eccentric, extremely laughable Miss Klitsa's Latin class alternates between soporific trance and wild hilarity at the teacher's expense. The protagonist of this story, Neil Perkins, gets to drive his ATV to school everyday, and it isn't only teenage readers who grow green with envy. He often leads in the hilarity aimed at the redoubtable Miss Klitsa. Then one fateful day, Neil and his ATV hair-raisingly gouge a ditch near Hadrian's Wall and he finds an ancient manuscript. The only one who can help him is Miss Klitsa.

As Neil translates the manuscript, the reader falls headlong into a spine-tingling Roman/Celtic adventure of sword-play, treachery, fearful undertakings, wild men vs. civilized people, undying friendship, and impossible decisions. It's hard to put this book down and just as hard not to assimilate the lessons: true friendship; patriotism gone awry; willingness to die for another; various battle styles and the war equipment for each; uncivilized Christians vs. civilized pagans; some intriguing English archaeological lessons; accepting people as worthwhile even when you think them ridiculous; and a great deal more.

High school history and English teacher as well as author, Douglas Bond knows how to portray people of all ages. He is a rising star in the historical fiction genre for both older and younger people. Not satisfied with his own history background, Bond draws on the research of other historians. With a wide but understandable vocabulary, a talent for keeping the plot under control, a penchant for characterization, and a wonderful imagination, Bond presents a tale sure to engross any reader. A glossary of terms and a Roman timeline help keep the audience on track. As well as being a good read for the individual, Hostage Lands makes a fine read-aloud book. - Donna Eggett, Christian Book Previews.com

I've been learning alot about Roman history, lately, and I must admit I was getting tired of hearing about it. But this book is amazing. When I finished Hostage Lands, I wished there was more of it to read. Great book, from cover to cover.

Fifteen-year-old Neil Perkins lived a reasonably good life. He lived on Hostage Heath, a farm near Hadrian's Wall in northern England, and his parents let him go where he please on his four-wheeler, as long as he accomplished his chores. Yes, he had a good life, except for his Latin classes with the ridiculous Miss Klitsa. Perhaps she would have been better off teaching a drama class.

After wrecking his four-wheeler near the wall, Neil finds a packet of tablets in the hole he made in landing. The tablets were all written upon, and in Latin, no less! He took them to Miss Klitsa and asked what they said, but she was too much of a teacher to tell him.

All of this merely serves as the introduction to the tale which Neil laboriously translated. The epic tale of Celts and Romans scheming, spying, fighting and dying around Hadrian's Wall is reminiscent of the tales spun by Rosemary Sutcliff. We follow the centurion Rusticus, who must decide where his loyalties lay. The story is well told, and readers will hold their breath, instead of easily guessing the way everything will resolve itself. To make this drama even better than Sutcliff's, one of these characters, Calum, is a Christian, although he does not proclaim it to everyone he meets. When the Celts sit around the fire at night, and call on him for a story, he tells them, "My tale is of a great King," and gives the whole gospel. Calum's service to the Prince of Peace does not however, make him any less valiant a soldier.

The book concludes with Rusticas telling a story of "a great King." Neil wonders if the whole story is true, and asks questions. Will Neil, will the reader believe the story? What about the tale of "a great King"?

I have always loved Sutcliff's books, but Hostage Lands ranks even higher on my list. I wish I could give it more stars, and highly recommend it to those 13 and up. Travel back to the misty, dangerous Britain of the Celts, when Romans built their wall, and flaunted their standards. You will learn to think like a Celt, and step quietly behind a tree when you hear footsteps. And maybe you finish this book, and read it again, and give it a place with your favorite Celtic books.

I highly recommend this book for anyone looking to get an understanding of their personal finances. These are real life questions with easy-to-understand answers.

The question and answer format allows one to pick and choose those financial subjects one is interested in. There is no wasting of time to go through pages of uninteresting information. The book deals with every conceivable financial problem and information one would want to ask about, and the answers are written in a very concise and easy to understand manner. This is a book for everyone, whether it is a home-maker, a student or a business person. Its a good investment !

A great book for the beginning investor and a terrific reference work for the more sophisticated investor. Concise and to the point in a clever Q&A format.

A great book for the beginning investor and a terrific reference work for the more sophisticated investor. Concise and to the point in a clever Q&A format.

Money Matters Made Easy is a book every starting, and regular investor should have on his, or her bookshelf. It covers 178 subjects from evaluating investments to home ownership, and more, like wills, understanding bonds,retirement etc, in short concise and very easy to understand paragraphs. Because it is written in a simple, common-sense way, it is a bargain, for what it contains, and is one investment, which can only lead to dividends in any ones' investments and also life style, since it covers paying for college, insurance and taxes. GO BUY IT !

Alma H. Bond has lost her best friend to suicide and falls into a depression. She can no longer write and begins to keep a dream and death journal. Old Age is a Terminal Illness: How I Learned to Age Gracefully and Conquer My Fear of Dying is that journal, in which Bond examines her life and her friendships with those who have passed over before her. Along the way, she ends up celebrating five truly amazing women who touched her life, and shares the thoughts of Shakespeare, Freud, Benjamin Franklin, Jonathan Swift and many other less well-known notables as they, too, consider death and dying. Candid and thoughtful, Bond takes us along with her on a journey of exploration.

Alternatively poignant, funny, touching and sad, Old Age is a Terminal Illness makes affecting reading. It brings an often taboo subject down to earth; by the end of the book Bond regains her will to live, but death by then seems a natural part of life.

For those of us who have kept a journal for years, it seems plausible that someone would want to keep a death journal. Especially if you have had five dear friends die in the past decade.
After Dr. Bond started experiencing age related problems, she found herself obsessing over them and assuming she was waging a war against her inevitable demise. So she started a dream journal to try to discover what was in her subconscious to cause her `death depression'. This dream work made her understand that she was denying her entire aging process. And through this death journal, she came to realize that "the real despair of the human condition is that eventually we all go the way of the cockroach. We die when we die. And we damn well better accept it." But she senses that the feeling of self remains fixed, whatever our age or the severity of an illness - the self feels independent of the body altogether.
Dr. Bond feels that if dying and death are causing you grief, then keep a journal and try to come to terms with your fears. Learn to `Seize the moment' and think about what your legacy will be. "The idea of dying is not quite as horrifying if you know that in some manner or other you will live on."
Now this all sounds very morbid, but I found myself relating to most of the fears that she tells us about. It's like talking to a girlfriend and finding out that she has problems with her health, her diet, her sleeping, etc. It somehow makes you feel better that you're not the only one. I also liked the fact that her musings, fantasies, remembrances of friends and family, and insights are all similar to my thoughts about death now that I'm getting on in years. If you need something to help you examine your life about this sensitive subject, get the book and feel better.

Also posted on Story Circle Book Review Website at www.storycirclebookreviews.org

Dr. Alma Bond has been a psychoanalyst for 37 years and lends her expertise to this uplifting and eye opening book about death, old age and how to overcome our fear of it. She pulls from her own experiences, which is the very best way to share knowledge, to help anyone who is afraid of old age and dying to overcome their fear of death. If you have a fear of death, pick up this book, you will be very glad you did. You will finally be able to face your morality and the fact that death will happen and without being overcome with fear, depression or sadness.

Reviewed by Richard R. Blake for Reader Views (1/07)

Dr. Alma Bond draws from a successful career of 35 years in psychoanalysis in her search for answers on life and death. Using examples from her professional practice and her own personal life experiences, Bond writes a remarkable story of conquering the fear of death.

As a result of a period of severe depression, after losing five close friends in a ten-year period, Alma Bond began a "death journal" patterned after Sigmund Freud's "Interpretation of Dreams." This approach helped her come to terms with death. By sharing the stories of her five close friends she has provided insight into the struggle with the fear of death, offering hope and encouragement to those suffering this malady.

Dr. Bond writes to help others face their fear of death so they can live a full life in the present. Additional benefits of conquering this fear are better health and less conflict. An inquisitive theme threads its way into Bond's writing as she addresses the delicate subject of death on a personal level. Her sense of humor helps the reader through the uncertainty of the unknown and the dread of leaving loved ones behind.

Dr. Bond writes with sensitivity, as she helps the reader examine their lives and fears by vicariously living through her experiences. Her references to classic literature, the arts, philosophy and psychoanalysis add a depth and richness to her story. I found myself revisiting my dreams to discover hidden messages as I read of Dr. Bond's dream journal. Her compelling accounts of friends visiting her in dreams were emotionally charged with dramatic implications.

Dr. Bond's challenges the reader to explore the fear surrounding death and the realities of death in hopes of relieving some of the suffering experienced by the dying and their loved ones alike. In her search for answers Dr. Bond concluded that her life will go on through the lives of her grandchildren, and through her writing. She has learned to express gratitude for the full and rich life she has lived and is living in the present.

Through her memoir "Old Age is a Terminal Illness," Dr. Alma Bond has opened the door for the reader to experience self-analysis and spiritual probing in their struggle to conquer the fear of death.

"Life is a play with a badly written third act." So said Molieri.

Why do most people pretend death doesn't exist? Is it a built-in defence mechanism in our subconscious? Would we be able to enjoy life without this quality which makes us blind to the reality of death? And what about older people--people in their seventies and eighties who know every day they get to wake up is a gift? How to accept the mystery of death?

In this book, Dr. Alma Bond, a psychoanalyst for thirty-seven years, explores these questions and more, interlacing the meaning of dreams with her life experiences, as well as with references and allusions from the classics on the subject of this controversial and most-often-avoided subject--death.

Part journal, part memoir, and at times with a great sense of humor, the book touches different aspects of what it means to lose your loved ones from the view point of the narrator. Bond examines the stand of science and parapsychology, as well as some of the theories by Freud and Jung. But mostly, it is a sensitive and honest story of a woman determined to overcome her fear of death by creating a `Death Journal,' thus coming to terms with the death of the people she loved the most. The idea seems to be that, by facing the enemy head on, we can conquer it. For such a short work, Bond includes an impressive bibliography at the end.

An insightful, helpful, courageous--and healing--book, Old Age is a Terminal Illness is a highly recommended work to those readers who struggle with the concept of mortality.

***This review originally appeared in Armchair Interviews.

This is a collection of all of the nine short stories about James Bond which were written by the late Ian Fleming.

(Fleming, of course, created the character of James Bond and was the author of the books which became the basis for all the James Bond movies. In addition to the short stories, Fleming wrote twelve novels about Bond.)

Over the years, these short stories have been kept in print in two collections: _For Your Eyes Only_, with five stories; and _Octopussy and The Living Daylights_, with four.

Now, for the first time ever, every one of the nine stories have been collected in a single volume, _Quantum of Solace_, which makes owning all these stories more convenient and economical.

That's the good news.

The not-so-good news is that the publisher here exercised no imagination, merely sandwiching together the contents of the two books.

Looking for a well-written foreword or afterword about these stories or their author? No such luck: The publisher includes no foreword or afterword at all.

The stories as earlier collected were not arranged according to the sequence of James Bond's life -- or to any other discernible plan. This new omnibus collection does absolutely nothing to fix that -- it just puts one unchanged collection behind another unchanged collection. This is disappointing, because we know from books by researchers like John Griswold (_Ian Fleming's James Bond: Annotations and Chronologies_) that there are sound ways to sequence the stories (and novels) by events in the life of James Bond.

Here are the contents of _Quantum of Solace_, as arranged in the book:

(Repeating the contents in sequence from _For Your Eyes Only_ ...)

"From a View to a Kill"
"For Your Eyes Only"
"Quantum of Solace"
"Risico"
"The Hildebrand Rarity"

(... and then repeating the contents of _Octopussy and The Living Daylights_)

"Octopussy"
"The Property of a Lady"
"The Living Daylights"
"007 in New York"

Fleming wrote a series of novels and a number of short stories featuring the Bond character. All of the novels have been made into movies. Now, Fleming's estate is apparently turning to the short stories that have not been used yet (though one or two have been already). If you want to understand the meaning of Quantum of Solace, you don't need to buy this book, which is obviously marked up and marketed to cash in on the up-and-coming movie.

If you want to save money, buy the book FOR YOUR EYES ONLY. It's been available for decades and contains the same five short stories. From a View to a Kill and For Your Eyes Only have already been loosely borrowed. The remaining three stories - Quantum of SOlace, Risico and The Hildebrand Rarity. This is nothing but a retitled paperback of FOR YOUR EYES ONLY so you can save money and buy that instead. Unless you like slick covers and packaging.

Finally we get all of Ian Fleming's James Bond short stories in one book. This is a very good collection of these fine works. Using one of the short story titles as the title of this collection, "Quantum of Solace" is a masterpiece.

I have always enjoyed the Ian Fleming James Bond short stories over his novels. They are always very interesting to say the least, and still cocked full with literary witticisms, worldly knowledge and great use of the English language. I like that they have repackaged these short stories under the title "Quantum of Solace." It's a great title and the cover artwork is also well conceived. This is very much worth adding to your library.

"Quantum of Solace - the amount of comfort. Yes, I suppose you could say that all love and friendship is based in the end on that. Human beings are very insecure. When the other person not only makes you feel insecure but actually seems to want to destroy you, it's obviously the end. The Quantum of Solace stands at zero. You've got to get away to save yourself."

- James Bond (QUANTUM OF SOLACE)

This paperback, recently released before the debut on November 7, 2008 of the latest 007 movie of the same name, "Quantum of Solace," is actually a compilation of nine short stories written by Ian Fleming in two separate books (FOR YOUR EYES ONLY and OCTOPUSSY/THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS). According to Fleming's biographer John Pearson in his book THE LIFE OF IAN FLEMING, six or so of these short stories began as outlines for half-hour TV episodes written for CBS in the late '50s. The TV series never got off the ground but the short stories have survived. Several of them were made into full-length movies having absolutely nothing to do with the original stories (e.g. "Octopussy," "From a View to a Kill," and "For Your Eyes Only"). I can't imagine the next Bond movie, starring Daniel Craig as a much better 007 than any of the previous ones in my opinion, (Sean Connery excepted) has anything to do with the short story "Quantum of Solace," since it is only about a conversation between JB and the Governor of The Bahamas (the governor's name is never given) in Nassau after a dinner party. There's no action. No intrigue. No skullduggery. It's simply a story about a failed marriage. Suffice it to say, the short stories are well-worth reading on their own. Bond is his usual suave and deadly self and a staunch defender of Queen and Country against the West's old Cold War nemesis...the Soviet Union. Highly recommended.

A great children's book for use with any children who are touched by adoption especially a young child a birthparent is already parenting. I bought a copy for our birthmother and kept one to read to our son to help him understand his birthfamily's feelings.

Juliet Bond (a professional social worker in the foster care and adoption field for over 10 years), draws upon her personal experience and professional expertise in Sam's Sister, a picture book story about adjusting to the difficult reality of having to give up a child for adoption. A young girl learns from her mother that her mother is about to give birth to a baby she cannot afford to take care of -- but another loving couple will look after him, and the girl will always be his sister. A moving tale about coping with separation and adjusting to sometimes difficult realities, Dawn W. Majewski's superb artwork is a perfect enhancement to this outstanding and highly recommended title.

This is an excellent tale for families on both sides of the adoption fence. Sam's Sister shows an endearing and insightful little girl's viewpoint and questions she has, about her younger sibling who will be adopted to another family. This is a side of adoption rarely seen in children's literature, and has been written in a very tender manner.

This beautiful little book is bound to bring comfort to many mothers and children out there struggling to come to terms with the decision to place a child for adoption. Written love and compassion, this book tells the story of a beautiful little girl, Rosa, who struggles to understand why her mother's new baby isn't going to be living with them. Ms. Bond writes straight from the heart with an understand and compassion that is truly remarkable, and Ms. Majewski's illustrations compliment the story beautifully. In this busy and sometimes impersonal world, a little gem like this book is truly something to be treasured.

Sam's Sister is a work of beauty. The author and the illustrator have done an impeccable job of representing the emotional aspects of open adoption from a child's perspective.

The U.S. has seen a steady rise in open adoptions in the last two decades. Many feel that its process-birthparents, adoptive parents, and children in an ongoing relationship-has improved adoption overall by promoting healthier emotional experiences for the families involved. Yet, open adoption continues to be somewhat mysterious to the general population. If open adoption is a challenge for adults to understand, what about the children involved? This question is eloquently tackled in Sam's Sister.

Rosa, the 5-year-old central character in the book, recognizes that her single mom is behaving differently. She worries, and when unable to get a smile from her, wonders if her mother is sick or has stopped loving her.

Her mother eventually tells Rosa that she has a new baby growing in her tummy, and when he's born, she won't be able to take care of him. She explains, in language that a child can understand, many of the reasons that birthmothers relinquish their newborn infants: There just isn't enough money or energy to provide the support and care a new baby needs. "Right now I couldn't provide those things for two children, even with your help," she tells Rosa.

While other stories might stop here, Sam's Sister is just beginning. Rosa's mom assures her that both she and the baby in her mother's tummy are loved. Rosa helps in making the open-adoption plan and meets the chosen parents for her soon-to-be baby brother. Her desire to maintain a relationship with her new brother is validated by everyone, and the adoptive parents encourage her involvement on many levels. When Sam is finally born, Rosa is able to visit him, reaffirming that she will always be Sam's sister.

This wonderful story is told with a clear, honest approach that avoids fantasy. The book will be an effective tool in helping young children understand the experiences and feelings that surround adoption.

Over the years, I've had the opportunity to read a number of books about basic investing that were extremely helpful. In this book, the author's goal was to explain the terms that most everyone's heard but does not necessarily understand. This, so that the new investor could be equipped with the knowledge necessary to approach the process in an intelligent and thoughtful manner.

In my opinion, this is an outstanding book regarding the basics of investing. After reading it (and, it's a very quick, one-sitting read), anyone from high school student on up will have an uderstanding of the basic terms, and that will make it easier to learn what needs to be learned as they advance in the investment process.

This book is not just for the young, however. Anyone, of any age, who invests in the market will most likely find this book very useful, either as a refresher of that which they already know, or as an explanation of that which they should know.

By the way, as indicated by the title, Mr. Bollinger used nursery ryhmes and very simple examples to make it even easier to understand. Very clever. I'm not sure how he came up with the idea but, in my opinion, he pretty much did it perfectly.

Well done!!

A Great primer for new investors, both young and old. Bob Bolinger puts a simple rhyme and reason to the complicated stock market with his excellent book Stocks and Bonds for Jack & Jill. Start your children, grandchildren, nephews and nieces off with the perfect holiday or birthday gift with this book. Maybe they will thank you years later for the lessons found in this book by naming you in their will.

This book is really easy to read, it summarizes different types of investments for the novice or someone who needs a refresher course. Tying the nursery rhymes in keeps book entertaining and informative, a must have for new investors!

I know too many people who throw up their hands and proclaim that they will never understand investing. They will all be getting copies of this book, if for no other reason than that our cocktail party chatter will be more interesting.

It's a quick read that anyone over 12 will understand and enjoy, but it won't insult the intelligence of adults.

OK ... I said it! As one who has been in and around the stock market for years,
this little book made clear concepts I should have known but didn't. Fun Read!

My mom borrowed two of the Olga da Polga books for me from the library when I was a little nine-year-old girl with her very first pet, not surprisingly, a guinea pig. I instantly fell in love with the bragging Olga, who loves to tell tall tales and considers herself quite a celebrity. If only her animal friends would agree with her! We searched in vain to find any purchasable copies in the series for many years. Words can't explain how much I enjoyed these books as a little girl . . . and still do!

I'm so pleased that the books are back in print (there are several titles, but it's best to read them in order). If you have never read these books, you're in for a treat, whether you're young or old. For those not familiar with Olga da Polga's inventor, Michael Bond also wrote the Paddington Bear novels. His love of animals is evident in both series, as is his wit.

This is the story of a guinea pig named Olga, told from her perspective. From it you learn what a guinea pig likes. How they want their beds to be made, their fur combed, how to pick them up and all of the other aspects of the day-to-day care of a guinea pig. She is also a bit of a scamp, escaping, starting incredible rumors among the animals, and sometimes being pompous and self-centered. In many ways she is a typical pet.
A combination of being an engaging tale about a lovable small pet and her thoughts on her treatment, this is a book that will help teach young children how to care for small pets. The gentleness that is required and to understand that they are creatures with feelings that need to be considered. I recommend this book for the child approximately nine years old.

This book is a charming story about a sassy, clever, adventurous guinea pig with a style all her own. Bond is imaginative, insightful and succintly well written. Olga is self possesed, somewhat mischievous and weaves a web of characters around her into a colorful tapestry of her own creation. I'm sure by the end you'll agree that her ventures end all too soon.

Olga da Polga was read to me at bedtime by my parents when I was about five. 25+ years later, I still remember Olga's antics and stories. As a child, I even went so far as to name my guinea pig "Olga da Polga". A super book for youngsters!

Olga da Polga is a wonderful book from the creator of Paddington the Bear. It begins at the pet shop where Olga dreams of the world outside, and moves to her "house on legs" in the Sawdust family's garden. Along the way we meet the family she belongs to, her friends from their garden, and are entertained by both the tales about Olga, and the ones she creates for her friends. It's a low-key but charming book for those who love animals, and find humor in the little things they do. Children who favor the WWF,Yugio and Power Rangers will probably find the stories a bit tame, but my seven-year old son enjoyed the series of Olga books as much as I did when I was his age.

We meet Rachel Sinclair and her brothers Henry and Jay. She is a feisty, innocent but determined eighteen year old who means to take care of her brothers, no matter what.

Enter Cord McPherson, owner with his brother Jake, of a ranch just outside of Green Rapids, where Rachel and her brothers has taken over one of the McPherson's line cabins [actually a shack].
Their introduction to each other is tantalizing and Cord falls in lust with Rachel.[grin]
He decides to solve one of his many problems by hiring Rachel to do the cooking and laundry and he lasts all of three days before approaching her with his proposition. Never telling her about his brother Jake, a wounded war hero with a nasty temper.

Ah, but the story progresses with the meeting of Rachel with Conrad Carson, owner of the mercantile store, an eligible bachelor who becomes quite smitten with Rachel.

You really must read to find out how Rachel handles the hellish temper of Jake -- Cord's bungling proposal and the wonderful every day life she made for herself and her brothers on the McPherson ranch. And how she and Cord brought Jake's love back to him.
Definitly HIGHLY RECOMMENDED and a P.S. - We meet a Mr. Beau Jackson, whose story is in MAGGIE'S BEAU -- should be another excellent one.

Green Rapids, Kansas 1867

THE WEDDING PROMISE is a tender romance of a young lady with the burden of the world upon her shoulders. The love her life is a man burdened by some emotional and physical scars. Together, they make the best life possible and find happiness for the others who love them.

This is a tender tale that's quick and easy to read and will touch your heart!

I think this was the best storyline I have ever read. I fell in love with all her characters and they were so believable. I'm a huge fan of historical fiction, so to enjoy this book is not out of line! Even though it is a romance book, it could also be listed as suspense. This is a real page-turner!!

Rachel Sinclair was an 18-year-old girl trying to care for her two younger brothers after their parents died along the trail west and the trio was left in Green Rapids. At first squatting in an abandoned shack, Rachel is desperately trying to provide food and shelter, but she knows it will be only a matter of time before they run out of money. Then Cord McPherson, the owner of the land she is living on, shows up one day and offers her a job as the cook and laundress for the ranch he runs. Rachel thinks he's an answer to her prayers.

Cord McPherson is attracted to the feisty girl who is so determined to provide for her little family. She's beautiful, she has a mind of her own, she's loving, and she can cook and clean well, to boot. So when the preacher's wife demands that Cord marry Rachel to protect her from the gossip circulating around town, it's definitely no hardship for Cord to walk down the aisle! Cord has no idea what love truly is, but perhaps in time he will find out what it means with Rachel :)

I really loved this book. Rachel was my kind of heroine - independent, smart, and strong. She wasn't clingy or the type who couldn't live without a man in her life. Cord was a pretty good hero, although he was a little too cocky and possessive of Rachel for my tastes. The two main characters interacted well with one another most of the time, and they didn't fall in love as soon as they met one another - also something I liked. The author gave them time to develop their relationship and love for one another.

The cast of secondary characters was excellent. There was another romance in the book - that of Jake (who was a skilled pianist before he joined the Union army and lost his legs in the war) and Lorena (who had been Jake's fiancee before the war, but now Jake avoided her). Jake could be a beast, but Lorena stood right up to him, so she wasn't spineless either. Also, fellow rancher Beau Jackson was briefly introduced in this book, and he has his own book (Maggie's Beau by the same author).

Altogether, a wonderfully tender romantic read that I would definitely recommend.

I must admit that I wanted to step into the pages of this book and become Rachel Sinclair McPherson! This book is a page-turner from the very first scene because the characters are so likable. The story is set in Green Rapids, Kansas a few years after the War Between the States. Rachel and her two younger brothers were traveling west on a wagon train with their parents until their parents died along the trail. The wagonmaster refused to let them continue their trip and dropped them off in Green Rapids. Rachel soon finds her brothers and herself a home in one of Cord McPherson's shacks. It doesn't take long before Cord finds them living on his property. He is immediately attractd to Rachel. He soon asks Rachel to take over as the cook at his horse ranch while his regular cook/housekeeper is away. Running out of food and money, Rachel decides to take the job. Rachel works from dawn till dusk and soon becomes the center of Cord's world. Cord is over the moon when the preacher's wife comes calling to check out exactly what's going on between the two of them and it is hurriedly decided that he and Rachel should marry. I'll leave Cord and Rachel there except to say that they have great chemistry;-) A tender sub-plot is created with Cord's brother Jake who lost part of both legs during the war. Rachel helps bring him back with his long-time love, Lorena Claypool and also makes it possible for Jake to use his love of music to become a productive individual.
And a joyous ending for all! (Just the kind I like;-)

This powerful treasury captures the very essence of travel's many wonders and propels us to reach for even more of its infinite grace. Steve Zikman, author of "The Power of Travel: A Passport to Adventure, Discovery & Growth"

As a syndicated travel columnist as well as a travel addict, I find Marybeth Bond's latest collection of stories and experiences of women on the road even more exciting than in her past books--and just as readable. Any woman of any age hesitant to travel needs to read this book. It's bound to pique your wanderlust and provide the inspiration and confidence to go.

Reading, A Woman's Passion for Travel, a compendium of first person narratives of travelers' tales, is like getting a big box of chocolate candy. Each story is so rich and pithy you hardly know whether to gobble it all down in one sitting, or spread out the reading, savoring each story's flavor, one by one. Most trips, upon the retelling, are organized around one peak moment, or one adventure. These instances, whether funny (Kathleen Meyers', "Toiletopia"), brilliantly descriptive (Co-editor Pamela Michael's, "The Boatman's Gift") or dangerous (Pam Houston's, "On the Rocks") seem to be given to us only when we travel, when we open our senses completely to absorb every detail of a new environment, and when we go through the sometimes uncomfortable process of shedding old beliefs. One of the benefits of a collection of first person narratives, is that each short story becomes a portal, allowing the reader to gaze out through the author's eyes at a risky new world, all from the comfort of one's own bedroom. Start saving your dimes for your own trip, but in the interim, sate your travel itch and read this book!

This is a great book to read when you are not able to take the trip that you would like to be on currently.

It is very well written with people telling about their stories of their trips all over the world, with very specific details that makes it feel like you are there experiencing their trip.

I found that I could not put down the book, as I truly love to travel but I am not able to just drop everything right now to take such a trip, so I could be there in my mind.

I am reading A Woman's Passion For Travel and I must say----WOW! These stories touch me so deeply that I feel I have shared experiences firsthand with the women. They speak to my inner desire to not just travel, but to immerse myself in other cultures to the point I feel I am native, to the point my heart belongs to the country. Please keep producing such delightful, riviting books. I am hooked on Travelers' Tales as much as I am hooked on experiencing life through travel.

I don't care what nobody says about Barry Bonds I'll always be cool with the Man,because he is a 5 tool player who can Hit,run,play field,Hit for Power&create a winning situation for his team. Barry Bonds is the Best Hitter.

Barry Bonds is one of the best hitters in the game. His records are a testament to that. A great book on a great man and player. There are more goals and records out there to break and he's the man to do it!

Baseball star Barry Bonds was one of the sport's greatest hitters, and John Bloom's biographical sketch BARRY BONDS joins others in the `Greatest Hitters' series presenting a review of his life and talents. Chapters detail his statistical performance, his controversial public image, and the accusations of steroid use which cloud his reputation today. An intriguing coverage.

The hitting prowess of Barry Bonds is probably the greatest in the history of baseball. He is steadily but surely becoming a legend in his own time. This is an interesting and absorbing book. It has fascinated me and pinnacled my interest in this sports super star.

This is an in-depth look at Barry Bonds who is one of the greatest hitters of the game of baseball. The statistics are there in the record book but what is behind those numbers? This book tries to be objective on this subject. Fame and Barry Bonds' place in the history of baseball is a timely issue and this book is worth reading.