Burroughs Books

I might be the only man to leave a review here so I hope you find what I have to say helpful. The stories were fun! So, yes, you're helping a good cause and you'll get to enjoy it at the same time.

My only prior experience with reading romance novels was in college for a class and I hated the story we read. There were so many things wrong with it as a story. Not so with this collection. I thought about just reading the two stories that Kemberlee Shortland wrote since she told me about the book but then after reading hers I started at the beginning of the book and tore through the rest of the it as well. I've got one more story to read before I'm done with it but I didn't want to wait any longer to write a review.

So you need not be into romances to enjoy this book because the stories are still good as stories.

The only word of caution I have for you parents is that some of the stories are too "hot" for my nine year old niece. Read for yourself which ones those are.

I must say, what a great selection of stories! And for all the sales profits going for such a great cause! I am very impressed with the stories by a Michelle Scaplen. A new name to keep a watch for! All of these stories were unique in themselves. Superb job, Ms. Burroughs! I'm anxiously awaiting for the delivery of my Blue Moon books!

While this anthology does not answer the basic question of who the heck makes a law about the bouncability of pickles, I had a blast reading every single story in here.

The underlying theme of this anthology is a collection of ridiculous laws. Each story is unique and most genres are represented. It was interesting to see how the various lovers reacted to the bizarre laws. Some characters merely deride the laws and then ignore them. Some manipulate them to their advantage to capture their sweetheart's interest. Some actively protest them with the authorities.

My favorite stories were "Bad Cat", "Double Dare", and "A Love to Remember". But frankly, I liked almost all of them. Really there were only 2 that I might possibly have given a mediocre review on their own. And out of a collection of 24, this is still hands-down the best anthology of romantic short stories I have ever read.

Last thing I'll say is that I think it's wonderful Highland Press is donating the profits from this book to breast cancer research. As if it wasn't enough to know that you're getting a fantastic product, you can also feel good knowing that your money is going to good use. Great theme, great book, great cause! Five enthusiastic stars!

I picked up No Law Against Love becuase of a writer local to my home town of Carmel by-the-sea, California. Kemberlee Shortland's story, "Tutti-Frutti Blues", brought back memories of the small town I grew up in. Shortland's style of writing is both fun and creative; I look forward to reading more of this authors work in the future!

I bought this book based on the reviews, and I was not sorry. All of the stories were good, but I especially loved Sadie, the Shady Angel that kept me laughing. I also really enjoyed Bad Cat and No Laughing Matter. I was impressed, not only with the variety of the stories, but the quality as well. An excellent way to spend an afternoon and contribute to Breast Cancer Research at the same time.

This reader blows away any of Kerouac's work, in my opinion. Huncke was the first to coin the phrase "beat," and also the first to turn on Burroughs to morphine. He's really where Beat started. The book is very interesting, especially in the fact that it is composed mostly of journal-type entries. He writes as he probably spoke: full of slang terms of the time that other authors leave out.

This is a wonderful glance into Huncke's world and the workings of his singular, unique mind.

Herbert Huncke was the true beat. As WS Burroughs wrote, in The Herbert Huncke Reader, "Huncke had adventures and misadventures that were not available to middle-class, comparatively wealthy college people like...me....Huncke had extraordinary experiences that were quite genuine." The sad true is that Huncke was the type that Burroughs wrote about, but didn't like much. He was real. Burroughs was living on trust-fund money for decades (remember that the $200 a month WSB received from family in the 1950s was equal to thousands of dollars a month now-not a bad way to live). Huncke lived the life that others wrote about, but never live. While Burroughs ate steak and drank fine booze, Huncke was still wandering around Times Square. Read the original beat. He makes the other `beat' writers seem like the middle-class dilatants that many of them were. Huncke never fought for the fame, the fortune, and the boys. He was just a "junkie on the prow." This book is truly hip.

Previously known for using the word "beat" to the fullest, thus inspiring Kerouac for an appropriation of a very hip literary movement, there was more to Huncke than just a "jive" talker. As we know, Huncke was a full time junky (what a rhyme!) who had more of an affect on Burroughs than any other beat writer. Likewise, Huncke spent most of his life helping out on the Burroughs' cannabis farm and taking care of Bill's wife Joan who harnessed a difficult benny habit. In Huncke's early years, growing up in Massachusetts and NYC, he used to entertain the boys at local cafeterias with his succinct yet street jargon-fulled stories; clearly he had a talent for story telling. This story-telling is pretty much what makes up the Herbert Huncke Reader. Starting with Huncke's journal, Herbert gets his feet wet with short-story writing, particularly focusing on introspective work-outs and clever anecdotes. Then the books moves to The Evening Sun Turned Crimson, another introspective composition altho mainly concentrating on structural pieces depicting street life, hanging with the beats, and drugs. Next to Reader introduces Guilty of Everything, a comprehensive series of interviews plus outtakes from other journals. Finally the book closes with Previously Uncollected Material, the chapter says it all. Sometimes moving other times raw and scatological, Huncke writes with a unique style that is easy to comprehend and is inspiring. Although not as transcendent as his contempoaries (Burroughs, Ginsberg, Corso), Huncke's writing should not overlooked as "writings of a drug addict," or "a subordinate Beatnik." Huncke did have talent (most notably with recitations) and has definitely worked to the fullest by publishing what he could, despite his painful heroin addiction and ostracization. In my opinion he's a second Neal Cassady (more of a inspiring icon) and definitely had a major affect on the foremost Beat's writings despite his own sparse collection; that's why I think this Reader is important.

There are few authors I feel everyone should read but no matter who you are Herbert Huncke should be read. He is one of the best storytellers/writers I have had the privilege of reading. His stories of sex, streets, drugs, life and friends bring a humanity to what may be considered by many obscure, degenerate, or just plain disgusting, but Hunckeýs stories I believe are non of these. They are filled with love, beauty, pain and always truth. He takes the reader into a world they donýt always want to enter but when the story is finished we are glad we made the journey and had someone like Huncke by our side as a companion.

The only book of, or by, William Burroughs that I have read twice. His life was stranger than his fiction.

I have never written a review for amazon.com before but I had to add my two cents to the few reviews listed here. This book changed my life. I was already familiar with Burroughs' writing and had read several of his books before I found Morgan's excellent biography. I've read this lengthy tome several times, but I remember the feeling after I finished the first reading: I was inspired to write, write, write. The book cleared up my writer's block and has continued to do so every time I read it. His life really was as strange or stranger than his fiction, and it reminds me always to write what I know. I can't believe this is out of print. Highly recommended to all writers and all fans of biographies.

After a failed attempt to read "Naked Lunch" I turned to this book to gain some insight into William Burroughs that might aid me with future reading. I did not find that the book went into great detail about Burroughs ideas, except for ones that I find either trivial or even "wacky", like his interest in some aspects of Scientology and Reich's "Orgone Box". In fact, I might have given up on my plans of reading Burroughs after reading this biography; I could have easily concluded that Burroughs was a man who had led an interesting, albeit tragic, life but who, because of his heroin use and open homosexuality, had just become a "trendy" author. I might have concluded that he was a precursor to the cultural revolution of the 60s but of little importance today. Quite frankly I persist in my quest of getting to know Burroughs because of the importance attributed to him by one of my favorite philosophers, Gilles Deleuze, who claims that Burroughs has a lot to teach us about the "society of control". Only my future readings of Burroughs' novels will reveal rather I am right to persist in my study of him.

If this book failed in being an intellectual biography, it certainly succeeded in portraying the world of William Burroughs in an interesting fashion. Burroughs life seems for the most part
a series of tragedies. It appears as though he was molested as a youth and one is tempted - perhaps due to the saturation of "pop psychology" in our day- to conclude that somehow his future misfortunes (and brilliance) were rooted in that event. Subsequently driven from the United States, then Mexico (where he committed the infamous "William Tell" fatal shooing of his wife) he spends the greater part of his life wandering between Tangiers, Paris, London and New York. Oddly enough, he only seems to find some kind ofhappiness at the end of his life in Lawrence, Kansas.

His meeting with the other members of the "Beat Movement", Allen Ginsburg, Jack Kerouac, Gregory Corso, seemed fated, and unlike the others he did not become a "Beat Stereotype but remained authentically himself, behaving in many ways like a conservative midwesterner. Perhaps this authenticity is what appealed to his groupies who could not manage to retain their own identity separate from the various trends in which they participated.

Whether I will find anything intellectually stimulating in the works of Burroughs remains to be seen. Despite his many shortcoming, he was a key cultural force in undermining the foundation of the narrow, cocktail sipping, coutnry club 50s generation.

The late William S. Burroughs was one of the most compelling and frustrating writers of our times. For every work of dryly humorous genius like Junky and Naked Lunch, there were dozens of frustrating, obscure works that seemed to be more the product of Burroughs' infamous heroin addiction than his own imagination. As others have stated, to truly understand much of Burroughs' work, one has to first understand the man himself and, to my knowledge, there is no better resource than Ted Morgan's long, detailed, but never boring biography. In Literary Outlaw, we get the details of Burroughs' seminal friendships with such future literary icons as Allen Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac and we also explore the most controversial aspect of the man's life -- the shooting death of his wife, Joan. (After shooting her in the head, Burroughs claimed they were simply playing a game of "William Tell.")

If just for this information, this book would be a valuable resource but Morgan goes further. He details Burroughs' life after his fame as one of the original beat writers faded. He explains what was actually going on in Burroughs'head when he created the later works that left so many readers not only confused but often rather angry at this man they'd previously clutched to their own artistic souls (perhaps a bit too quickly, as Morgan reveals with an unflinching candor).

The Burroughs who emerges in this book is neither the decadent bohemian of the literary imagination nor the devil incarnate that so many of his critics imagined him to be. Instead, William S. Burroughs comes across as nothing less than the Forrest Gump of modern literature. Somehow, this quiet, rather reserved midwesterner manages to pop up at just about every important underground cultural event of recent history -- often, it seems, just by chance. In Literary Outlaw, Morgan not only gives us a revealing look at the usual suspects -- Kerouac, Ginsberg, Corso, and the other Beats -- but also draws sharp portraits of figures ranging from Terry Southern to Dennis Hopper to James Baldwin to John Houston to thousands of others. Some are famous, some obscure, but all prove to be as fascinating as Burroughs himself.

This is an amazing book, a must for anyone with any interest in the Beats, American literature, world history, or who just wants a chance to relive a truly fascinating life. Be warned though -- Burroughs was both very open about his homosexuality and his drug addictions. Morgan, to his credit, doesn't shy away from detailing these aspects of Burroughs' life. Also to his credit, Morgan neither condemns nor celebrates. In short, prudes need not apply. For the rest of us though, this is a valuable book to be cherished.

When I read this book in 1990, or thereabouts, I had only read William Burroughs' book Junky, and I had read nothing by Jack Kerouac or Allen Ginsberg.

After I finished reading Literary Outlaw, by Ted Morgan, I was so fascinated that I read all of Burroughs' novels, and several books by Kerouac and Ginsberg. I also read two more Burroughs biographies, just to get more information on this weird old guy.

Literary Outlaw is just that good.

There are newer biographies of Burroughs by Barry Miles and also Graham Caveney. Nevertheless, Literary Outlaw remains the definitive Burroughs biography written to date.

This is a fascinating biography that reads like a pageturning novel. Burroughs grew up in a privileged St. Louis family, spent some time at a rough ranch-style boarding school in New Mexico, attended Harvard, travelled in Europe, and lived in New York, Mexico, New Orleans, Texas, Tangier, London, New York (again), and finally Kansas. Along the way he became the most scandalous figure in modern letters. His adventures and misadventures are related in this marvelous book.

Literary Outlaw is more exhaustive than either Caveney's or Miles' biographies. Chapters with titles like "Tangier: 1954-1958" and "The London Years: 1966-1973" make for easy navigation. As the book's coverage ends in 1988, there is no information on Burroughs' life in the 1990s, but the essays in the book Word Virus (by James Grauerholz) act as a good supplement, for biographical information.

Morgan did a good job. He wrote a page-turning biography, but not at the expense of Burroughs' literary reputation. Burroughs' value as a writer is challenged throughout, and it holds up. Biographical detail is linked to popular criticism of the texts. There is an extensive section of notes. There is an index.

You can't go wrong with this biography. If you've never read a biography of William Burroughs, Jack Kerouac, or Allen Ginsberg, I advise you to try Literary Outlaw. This book is very well written, and is probably the most fascinating biography I have ever read.

ken32

I don't have much to add to the other reviews, except to note that one of the techniques of the Nova Mob is to provoke conflict by playing back the worst things opposing groups have to say to each other in a positive feedback loop. I started to think about this when tracking the Clinton sex scandal and impeachment on the Web, and have had cause to think of it since....

my god, man! Burroughs is a sheer genius. I read the trilogy as well as Naked lunch and the Wild Boys (also cut-ups) three years agoo. This is the one I remember most. I took awhile to read it, and I tried to compete in an interpretive speech with it, but ended up using a piece from The Ticket that Exploded. Every one of these books fascinates me. I also highly reccomend the Soft machine. This got me hooked. I also read Junky, Place of Dead Roads and Queer last year. I am now currently reading Western Lands!!! The man's resume is endless. His genius continues to influence in many deconstructionists today. Look at Radiohead, Andy Kaufman, David Lynch, all of those abstract thinking break down the cell wall artists. They are of a special breed. and this is a special writer!

I won't be as vivid and descriptive as an eel in hot pursuit over gravy, er, I won't be as evil and malignant as Cortez babies, er, want I....EGAD! Start over...

I won't be as descriptive and detailed (there we go) on this review as on THE Wild Boys. This too is a good book, but my least favorite of my collection. It also seems to be the shortest, and less memorable. Parts of it seem to be more preachy than other releases, opening with Agent Lee talking about how the mass media is controlled by psuedo-punk poseurs addicted to controlling the brainwashed populace. From what I remember, Burroughs seems to make fun of these individuals (who have such elaborate names as Jimmy The Butcher, Jackie Blue Note, etc.) who are portrayed as racist punks fooling everyone with actually being the enemy of true revolutionaries. The plans they hatch up to keep the world controlled are amusing.

Aside from this most coherent of writing, the rest is pure Burroughs insanity...classics include the section "Twilight's Last Gleeming", in which a ship is going down and all hell is breaking loose (the immortal line quoted above is said by the drag-wearing captain of that ship). This may come as a shock, but some of the sections actuall bored me...mainly the more scientific information packed parts like the relationship between parasites and hosts, other easily forgettable things. But look past this, and Burroughs knows what he's talking about.

As before, there are some downright beauties and truths around...this may have been from one of the other books since they all seem to flow together as a whole, but I remember a story about a house shifting over a dsert plain and the tenants trying to socialize with lonely lemurs hanging in a tree. There's a great peice of poetry existing right around there. about angry warriors waitng around with their arrows loking for someone to shoot. It just proves that WSB would've been good at straitforward poetry, possibly better than Allen Ginsburg. He actually tried it with Tom Waits on The Black Rider album, remind myself I gotta get that. Wancha all stripped down, all stripped down....wrong album. Point blank, this book is just as worthy/signifigant/brown propeller on a fasion moon as any of his others. Dig? Flat, baby. Flatfooted and pure goulash on my headset tonight. Burroughs, my man...you know it...you...

Fadeout in classic form.

This installation into the Nova series helps establish the reality of Interzone, first introduced in Naked Lunch. The Nova Police are the only thing keeping the Nova gangsters from harboring the monopoly on the universe's only source for Apomorphine. Burroughs appears in the novel as Agent Lee, the primary factor for the Nova Police. From incidious mass-poisonings to wild goose-chases across Interzone, Nova Express is an essential bridge between Naked Lunch and The Soft Machine. In my mind, one cant/shouldn't read either of the other two without having read Nova Express as well.

Oh, this book is superb; thrilling. Burroughs' critique of media/information culture has never been more relevant (he even predicts, in 1964, the emergence of something that sounds very much like the Web - "more and more images in less space pounded down under the sex acts and torture ever took place anywhere"). Great chunks of the book function practically as a Machiavellian instruction manual on how those in power might use a stream of words and images to generate fear, passivity, and conflict in a human population.

Some of Burroughs' incisiveness may derive from his usage of the famous cut-up and fold-in techniques (using passages plagiarized / "sampled" from other texts, including psychology journals, newspapers, pulp science fiction and true crime texts, and literary sources like T. S. Eliot and Rimbaud) - when he uses these, he gets at a radical (if illogical) analysis of the source texts. The illogical / nonlinear structure that results might throw some, but to my mind, this fits in perfectly with the book's overall critique - if you believe that certain forms of language (and thought) are politically corrupted, as Burroughs does, then the answer may be to compose a text that exists outside of those structures. The result feels vital and exciting - it is practically a new way of thinking on the page - and Burroughs' ideas on how to resist and defeat "the machine" and the nova process are similarly thought-provoking and unexpected (they bring to light a spiritual (monastic) side of Burroughs that I hadn't been previously familiar with).

Maybe the more accessible book from William Burroughs, in an interview session with Daniel Odier, who talks about his art and life in form which opens the doors to his works and give many keys to the global understnding of the situation of his books and give many explanations about crude and violent experiments on the human race. William Burroughs maybe wants for this book to be the most "readable" of his writing career in the sense that there is no more codes in the complex jigsaw puzzle that the reader have to assemble in the end of the story.
This is an clear interview session documented with insertions of newpapers, books inserted where there is a point of reference, following the scientific evil discoveries of the last century, leading to the land of the deads, where radio waves and radioactivity is melted down with some global miliatry experiments. But this book didn't fall in the game of paranoia this is simply the radical and incisive views of Burroughs which the reade can share or not, but I think that this books really opens important keys in the vast literature of the author which is a huge similar story with various cut-ups and flash backwards.

An excellent compendium of Bill Burrough's interests and obsessions. Mostly focusing on the totalitarian nature of nation-states, The Job gives you all at once Burroughs being interviewed, Burroughs straight prose and Burroughs gobbledygook. He also explains--clearly--why his books are written the way they are. I don't know if I've ever learned so much--or at the very least had so many of my perceptions radically altered--from such a thin tome. Highly recommended.

I read somewhere that intelligence is the ability to make connections that others don't see. By that definition, and probably by any other, Burroughs is a philosophical and literary genius. Who else could make the connection between Mayan ritual calendars and the totalian nature of modern nation-states? Who else gives detailed explanations of his proven methods for dissembling reality?? For sheer brilliance and brutal truth about modern society, only Foucault approaches Burroughs. But Foucault never went to hell and came back to write about it.

"The Job" is a fantastic introduction to the obsessions and maverick idealism that characterize Burroughs' fiction. This is not a straight question-and-answer session; Burroughs includes liberal samples of text (his own as well as others') to illustrate his ideas. The final product is an effective, surreal manifesto urging all of us to break out of our private tunnel realities and confront social control systems with open, empowered minds. Especially fascinating are Burroughs' thoughts on language and his prescient examination of media-viruses.

"The Job" is often brutal, always controversial, and possessed by the author's inimitable knack for nailing his target. This is an unforgettable plunge into one of the 20th century's foremost countercultural intellects.

If you think you can take Burroughs' words in an interview seriously... If you think this has all the answers, you're wrong. This is the most difficult book of Burroughs to interpret. Short texts, interspersed with a supposedly truthful person-to-person interview with everyone's favorite writer. Some of what he says in plain language is a godsend because it does clearly communicate a message. But beware all messages. His cut-up texts are reassuring to me because at least I know to perceive them as texts. But Burroughs hated to discuss his writing, and he loved to f*** with people. Discerning any sort of reality in this man's writing is difficult, be cautious. I detect numerous "lies" in this one, and I can see a great big smile on his face. I hope you smile too.

Edgar Rice Burroughs was once described as one of the greatest undiscovered great American treasures. I'm not sure about undiscovered, but that he is a treasure is certainly true.

From the very first part of Tarzan of the Apes, the story is presented as entirely plausable. ERB's outdoorsmanship combines well with his historical knowledge.

One of the funniest pictures he paints in the first book is his lurking over a pair of old Boston Scholars in the jungles, keeping them alive by thwarting various hungry critters while they obliviously discuss the fall of the Islamic Calliphate in Iberia circa 1492, and it's effects on the Rainaissance...

ERB's sense of Honour, Duty and Loyalty shine through, and this novel succeeds in teaching the those values, what they mean and why the are important as only one other book I've read (StarshipTroopers, Heinlein).

IMHO, ERB's first two volumes of Tarzan should be required reading.

This book brings Tarzan to life. I enjoyed it and read it many times. Everyone must wonder what it's like to grow up in a jungle and now you can read it. Very cool book.

Writer at BellaOnline

We all know Tarzan the Ape Man...some of us grew up with him...but how many of really know him...really, really know him...in other words,how many of us have ever read the book?

Approaching 60 I read it for the first time, and found it thoroughly delightful. Escapist? Yes! Plausible? No! Escapist Fantasy? Imminently so...

In reading Tarzan of the Apes for the first time, you learn how things really did come to be....and you come to a great appreciation of Edgar Rice Burroughs' ability to create a society within the animal kingdom..The names and personalities of the Apes and other animals. Neat stuff--andthe need to suspend realism here is no greater than it is for parts of Dan Brown's bestseller "Angels and Demons," the part about anti-matter or some such creation...

And Tarzan--what a guy...and did you know he doesn't get the girl (Jane, of course) in the first book? Someone else does...and to be able to teach himself to read and write by studying and lookin g at books..what an IQ!!!

And the best line of all may be when, after all the feelings of adolescence, he finally holds Jane in his arms for the first time..."Without training, he did what any redblooded male would do, he held her in his arms and covered her upturned lips with kisses....."

Didn't know ole Edgar Rice had it in him...didn't know a lot of things until I read the book. A little knowledge can be a dangerous thing...In this case, a little knowledge about Tarzan can keep you from reading and enjoying a perfectly delightful escapist fantasy, a good story.

There are certain books and authors that have an inordinate impact on our lives. Often as not, their particular significance to us as individuals extends far beyond that which they would have to anyone else and sometimes, if we return to them at a different point in our own lives, it can be hard to recapture why they should have seemed so momentous in the first place. One of the authors who really turned me into a reader was Edgar Rice Burroughs and I am ecstatic to find that his books are just as terrific in real life as they are in boyhood memories.

I still vividly recall the cover of Tarzan and the Ant Men, a book which I read and reread in around 5th or 6th grade. It was one of those cheesy 50 cent paperbacks (now they would cost you at least $5.99) and it featured the Lord of the Jungle surrounded by spear wielding pygmies, It was just so ripe with the promise of adventure that, to this day, I can not imagine a human being gazing upon its glory and not being consumed by a desire to read the book. And once you read one, you were faced with a plethora of riches. There are 26 Tarzan novels and myriad movies; plus there was an excellent comic book version and a Saturday morning cartoon at that point. Then there were Burroughs's other series, my particular favorites being the Pellucidar books and John Carter, Warlord of Mars. You could practically read nothing but Burroughs and go for years before having to start rereading stuff. But, of course, the great thing about getting a kid hooked on reading is that one author leads to another. Soon I was mowing down Jules Verne books (see review of Around the World in Eighty Days) and the adventures of Doc Savage, The Avenger, The Shadow, The Lone Ranger, etc., not to mention Tolkein and C.S. Lewis (see review of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe).

So imagine my pleasure when I found this old Ballantine Books paperback of Tarzan of the Apes, with a cover by Neal Adams showing an enraged Tarzan racing towards a screeching great ape who is grasping a seductively disheveled Jane by her flowing blonde locks. It's amazing, you haven't read a word yet and already your pulse is racing. Then open the book and, wonder of wonders, it's every bit as thrilling and wonderful as I remembered it. Shipwrecks, mutinies, buried treasure, lion attacks, hostile tribesmen, and most of all the ape pack and the herculean efforts of one lost little boy to survive in the forbidding wilds of Africa--what more could a reader want in a book?

Tarzan is one of a small group of fictional characters--the others being Frankenstein, Dracula and Sherlock Holmes--created in the last 200 years who have acquired lives of their own, far outlasting their creators to be constantly reprised and reimagined. If we examine this quartet, they are united by one central theme; each represents man's desire to in some way control nature. Frankenstein is, of course, an expression of our aspiration towards godhood (see Orrin's review), the dream of creating life. Dracula expresses the desire to escape death and achieve immortality. Holmes embodies our hope that pure reason will yield the solutions to life's mysteries. And Tarzan, in all his Darwinian glory, is an assertion of the inevitability that it would be man who rose to the top of the evolutionary totem pole. Each, thus, strikes a chord deep in our being. But what makes them transcendent and fascinating, generation after generation, is the element of uncertainty that each contains. Frankenstein is obviously an experiment run amok. Dracula's immortality comes at an unbearable price. Holmes's hyper-rational mind requires the stimulation of drugs to battle boredom. And Tarzan is trapped uneasily between the civilized and the savage worlds. In this context he implicates two issues, one obvious--man's control over nature, the other less so--the effect of civilization on mankind.

As to the first issue, I was pleasantly surprised at the recent Disney version of Tarzan. In light of films like Pocahontas and Lion King, I just expected it to be politically correct pabulum. That implicit message of Tarzan--that man naturally and rightfully rules nature, disposing of its bounty at his will--is so anathema to the environmentalist hegemony of our times that you sort of had to assume that Disney would eviscerate the story. They did alter it substantially, particularly by not having Tarzan fight Kerchak to become leader of the ape pack, but they left enough of the basic tale intact to satisfy all but the most fanatic ERBites. And, at the end of the day, you can argue about the propriety of man controlling the environment and exploiting nature, but it is pretty hard to argue against the power of Burrough's metaphorical image of the youthful human Tarzan becoming the Lord of the Jungle. Simply taken as a cultural symbol, Tarzan is fascinating, a modern myth comparable to any ancient one.

On the second issue, Tarzan's unique upbringing and his very role as the hero of these books along with the helplessness displayed by "civilized" whites when they enter the jungle, raises the question of whether civilization is simply a veneer which we could drop if necessary (as London implies in Call of the Wild [see review] and The Sea Wolf [see review]) or whether civilization strips away something primal and valuable in our natures. In a famous essay on the Tarzan books, Gore Vidal asserts that:

a good many people find their lives so unsatisfactory that they go right on year after year telling themselves stories in which they are able to dominate their environment in a way that is not possible in this overorganized society

His snitty point is about domination and what losers the readers of these books must be (of course, he more than likely spent his closeted youth reading Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm and look how he turned out), but it is the "overorganized society" part of this comment that is the most interesting, obliquely pointing out the subtext of the weakening influence of modern society on mankind. If we accept Darwin's theory of survival of the fittest--which we will for the sake of this discussion--then what happens when the threats to our survival are removed, or at the very least reduced? Tarzan suggests the possibility that the pressures of the fight for survival forge a stronger man than the advances of modern civilization can hope to compete with.

It is with this perspective that we can perceive the irony that Tarzan--the son of an English Lord, raised in Africa--is the quintessential American hero. Embodying the elements of rugged individualism and self-reliance, he is an archetype in the tradition of Natty Bumpo. It is no surprise then that this series of books is probably the most successful and popular in all of American Literature.

But enough analysis. The important thing about these books is that they are genuinely exciting and are enormous fun to read.

GRADE: A+

There has been so much ink spilt over ERB and his most popular creation, Tarzan, that there is nothing for me to add. I just want to take this moment to doff my hat to ERB. What an imagination! Opening almost any Burroughs book is like peeking into a box filled with wonders. Yes, the language is difficult to take sometimes, and there are archaisms in scientific and cultural areas that make a modern reader wince, but who wouldn't want to read a book filled with all the action and adventure you could possibly desire! Books where the hero wins the heart of The Most Beautiful Woman on the Planet/Island/Core/Wherever, where by the strength of his sword arm he wins kingdoms and the devotion of other warriors, where pirates and green six-armed martians do battle, where dinosaurs walk, and great apes talk. Of course, I could go on and on. In this increasingly cynical world, it helps to escape to a place called Barsoom and fight rebel Tharks. It helps to think that somewhere, bad guys are trembling because one man carrying nothing but a knife is coming, inexorably, and when he arrives justice will be done. Sigh. I think I will take the rest of the day off and take to the literary trees.

When someone comes to me with a difficult research line and is stumped, I recommend that they take the time to read Tony's book. It is well-written and serves as an excellent resource for ALL genealogists, Black or otherwise!

Black Roots delivers far beyond the stated expectations. Not only is it a one of a kind comprehensive guide for the new genealogist, but serves as a corrective resource for the more advanced researcher. Unlike traditional guides, Mr.Burroughs'largely first person, experiential accounts are so genuine, that he effortlessly, fervently and even humorously, challenges the reader to explore self, family and the human experience in general. He sets forth thirty-four(34) "traps" that the beginning genealogist should avoid, which is a unique feature to a genealogical guide. Traps are interspersed throughout the chapters and reviewed together in the appendix. One can surmise that some of these traps evolved from Mr. Burroughs' early personal blunders. Although the Book's title addresses African American research, his expert advice transcends culture/ethnicity.

Black Roots borders on over-kill; so, readers who shy away from intensity may not get beyond the first twenty-five pages. Mr. Burroughs states that his book is limited in scope, yet he leaves no stone unturned. His dictate for scientific methodology, discipline and tenacity throughout, may be somewhat intimidating to the faint hearted new researcher who thinks genealogy is "merely a hobby". Although he shares plenty of motivational lifts such as "Have fun and Don't give up", some may not see any amusement in the phrase,"the study of..." On the other hand, it would be difficult not to be trapped by Mr. Burroughs' fire and passion for the study of...genealogy.

Tony Burroughs provides myriad of valuable information that all African-American genealogists need. Beginners and experienced researchers alike can benefit from this informative read.

Tony Burroughs shares an exilirating experience of his journey regarding genealology research and findings. This book will lead you to greater heights! I found the book to be one of the most valuable pieces of information regarding my genealogy research. It lead me to find my family in Washington, Louisiana back to 4 generations. It was the most rewarding project that I ever encountered! What an awesome journey!

This is the best source for black genealogy that I have read. It was an easy read and hard to put down. Mr Burroughs gave good explanations and used interesting examples. When he introduced a new concept, he explained it thoroughly and gave an example of why or why not to do whatever he was explaining. I learned a lot of good habits from this book, especially about documenting sources. If you are planning to become a professional genealogist, this book is a good beginning and an excellent reference for your genealogy library. I know I am going to buy it and have already referred several others (who are beginners to genealogy) to read it and/or purchase it.

I read virtually everything Burroughs wrote that I could lay my hands on when I was in my early teens. This one escaped me. Having finally discovered it, even at an advanced age, I can say it is one of the jewels of ERB's work. While I am partial to his series works, there are times when a single volume story is all you want to read. This is a prime candidate.

Written in 1914 and published serially, ERB makes a departure from his plot formula (at least a little) in order to write this tale of ultimate vengeance. The main character, Norman of Torn, aka Prince Richard of England, becomes the prime tool for the revenge of another. There are the usual elements of romance, but in effect this is a novel about knights and sword fights, outlaws versus nobility, chivalry versus lusts. Life was never this black and white, but it makes for good reading. I found the story to be reminiscent of both Ivanhoe and Robin Hood, and well worth the read. P-)

This book shows the dark side of Robin Hood. The main character robs and plunders castles. While the readers know that he is believing he is doing good. This book has various sub plots and the reader is completly entertained by them. This book is a short and quick reader. An average person can sit down and read this whole book in about six hours. This a great book and has all the pages of a great novel. Romance, fighting, and misunderstanding of a good, curl up around the fire place, and read till you are finished type book. I own serval versions and always looking for the books to give to friends.

Although one of Burroughs' greatest works, curiously this book still remains relatively unknown. Set in wild and lawless 13th Century England, "The Outlaw of Torn" details the life of a bloodthirsty outlaw who becomes one of England's noblest heroes. As this outcast from society learns life's lessons about love and war, loyalty and betrayal, and friendship and hate, the reader will be rapidly swept along by Burroughs' masterful storytelling. I've read this book at least two dozen times, and each time it gets better. "The Outlaw of Torn" has my absolute highest recommendation.

Edgar Rice Burroughs is best known for his Tarzan novels and better known for his Mars, Pellucidar and other science-fiction series, but "The Outlaw of Torn" is one of his best pulp fiction yarns. It was actually the second story Burroughs wrote. Apparently the editor at "All-Story," which had published "Tarzan of the Apes," suggested ERB write it and then rejected the story when it was submitted. It was then published in five parts in "New Story Magazine" (January-May 1914), and the first book edition was published in 1927.

Burroughs begins with his standard storytelling device: the author comes across the story of Richard, the lost prince of England and tells it to his readers. Henry III of England insults Sir Jules de Vac, who takes his vengeance by kidnapping young Prince Richard. As Norman, the Outlaw of Torn, the young man becomes the greatest swordsman in England and a fearless outlaw with a price upon his head who raises an army loyal only to him. Of course, although he is ignorant of his noble birth, he is drawn to the lovely Bertrade de Montfort, daughter of the King's brother-in-law, the Earl of Leicester. This romance fits in nicely with the plans of de Vac, who contrives situations in which the king will be responsible for killing his own son. Yes, the ending is predictable, but ERB has a great sense of pacing and you have to remember that he was writing this decades before all of the Errol Flynn movies that would define the swordplay genre.

The obvious comparison for "The Outlaw of Torn" is with Robin Hood, but Burroughs' pulp novel has its own tale to tell. This really is one of his best novels and as an example of the pulp fiction of the early 20th century it is a first-class work. Keep in mind that he tended to do a lot of sequels, and they started to get rather redundant and repetitive (especially in the last half of the Tarzan novels). But "The Outlaw of Torn" stands out because as a historical novel it is unlike pretty much everything else Burroughs wrote. I read every ERB novel I could get my hands on as a kid, and "The Outlaw of Torn," in my 75 cent Ace Paperback edition with the Roy Krenkle cover, has been the one I have re-read the most.

Fiction meets historical fiction in a pleasant departure from what I term "the ERB formula", The Outlaw of Torn takes place during one of the most difficult and violent times in English history. Resulting from hatred, jealousy and the continual struggle for power between King Henry III and Earl Simon De Montfort, the stage is set for a vengeful man to nurture and manipulate a child to become the most feared and ruthless warlord of his time. But, can a man live his life in constant conflict with his true nature? I first read this book in the early seventies and I've re-read it many times. It still remains my all-time favorite book. I'm tempted to send a copy to Hollywood.

Gertrude Warner's "Boxcar Children" series set a standard for children's literature -- virtuous, hard-working poor kids who triumphed over adversity through courage and hard work. The "Bitsy" mystery series is a worhty successor to "The Boxcar Children".

In this one, Bitsy is vacationing with a friend at Amelia Island, and she's up to her neck in grief. She has to survive a small business disaster, bust a ghost, catch a thief, unhaunt a house AND raise money to turn it into a community center, save her friend from the neighborhood bully (AND match him punch for punch AND reform him), escape from a witch, raise enough money to go to camp, win the talent show -- with a few more adventures along the way.

Librarians need to mark down Vonda Skelton as a "Must Have"; parents and grandparents can confidently make her the Christmas book selection to the young mystery lovers in their lives (boy and girl -- Bitsy is tough!).

Kudos to Vonda Skelton. Her second book in the Bitsy series is even better than the first! Young readers will clamor to get their hands on a copy and won't be able to put it down as they join Bitsy on a wonderful adventure. An enjoyable series for young readers.

I think Vonda has done a wonderful job with Bitsy, a fiesty 13-year-old girl, who can stick with the best of the best. Bitsy isn't afraid of anything. Bitsy shares here adventure with her friends who had moved to Amelia Island and get into a bit of trouble on the way. She and her friends befriend the bully and his twin sister and the group of five come to believe a ghost is haunting the home of a man who just recently died. Bitsy and her friends have a wonderful adventure. Very good story. I recommend reading this story if you like fun adventures and mysteries.

Well done, Ms. Vonda.

Elizabeth & Hailie
Honea Path, SC

Author Vonda Skinner Skelton doesn't just know how to relate to kids-she remembers what it's like to be one! Bitsy & the Mystery at Amelia Island is a delightful story for pre-teens that will carry them through from start to finish, while subtly instilling the positive message that life is about more than money or looks. As Bitsy visits her friends on Amelia Island, she learns about looking beneath a person's gruff exterior and finding a wounded heart longing for companionship. Even as the entrepreneurial twelve-year-old tomboy fails in a business venture and comes out on the losing end of a fist fight with the town bully, Bitsy's adventures lead to an entirely new understanding of what it means to "enjoy being a girl." Despite talking birds, retired police dogs, and goose-bump raising tales of ghosts and witches, Bitsy, with the help of her friends, manages to unravel a mystery and, in the process, discovers some life-changing secrets about herself.

Bitsy and the Mystery at Amelia Island is a delightful book, with a compelling plot and well-drawn characters. I enjoyed reading it as much as my two daughters did. We love Bitsy, as she's the perfect mix of imperfection, gutsiness, and goodness. Something about her just makes you root for her--every misguided step of the way.

Very enjoyable. Highly recommended.

Romance Galore -- From regency to contemporary and beyond to time travel and paranormal -- You'll find it all within these pages. 15 talented writers weave marvelous tales of love for you the reader.

Drink from the claret offered by Dawn Thompson in Belle of the Blue Moon Ball.
Bask on the shores and enjoy the selkies of the Isle of Skye with Erin Hatton's Where Sea Meets Skye.
Fly with the angels, Sadie the not so saintly and her mentor Pricilla, in Diane Davis White's Angel in the Moonlight.
Laugh at the antics of a spurned lass who turns her charms on the object of her desire in Katherine Smith's Under the Pale Moonlight.
Beware the newfound powers of a young witch in Meagan Hatfield's Ember's Desire.
Delight in the powerful love that breaks a curse in Aysel Arwen's Spellbound.
Travel to a Caribbean island resort and find love in M.J. Sager's Enchantment by the Sea.
Board a Mississippi riverboat and travel back in time to meet the man in the portrait in Jaquelin Lorin's Suddenly You.
Hike and camp on a mountain where the hero of your dream leads you to happiness in Lee Roland's Blue Moon and the Warrior.
Ride atop a horse with the arms of your kidnapper wrapped around you in Kristi Ahlers' Midsummer Magic.
Batten down the hatches of the emergency room during a storm reuniting young lovers in Billie Warren Chai's Secret of the Blue Moon.
Cry and cheer on Paloma and Grandma Bikini as they join forces to intervene in an order to remove life support from a comatose man in Kimberly Ivey Wuttke's The Darkness and the Dreams.
Grieve the loss and welcome the love of a stranger in a déjà vu encounter in DeborahAnne MacGillivray's Rider in the Storm.
Lock and load your weapons to protect the world's blood supply and defeat the otherwordly demon in Keelia Greer's In the Space of a Heartbeat.
And last, but far from least, allow your heart to be melted by a warworn warrior as he woos a talented though embittered woman in Leanne Burroughs' The Healer.
All these marvelous stories will have you laughing and crying, but definitely loving the various heroes and heroines.

And make sure and put Blue Moon Magic's companion anthology, Blue Moon Enchantment, on your list to purchase in the next few weeks.

"Belle of the Blue Moon Ball" by Dawn Thompson--Lady Arabella Gilmartin is in need of a husband, or she will have to consider herself on the shelf at nineteen, after her third season no less! The Earl of Everton is home after a long service to king and country and though he detests formal gatherings, he is in need of settling down. Indeed, he is in want of a wife! When it appears all else is trying to keep them apart, the mischievous nature spirit, Puck, and the king of the faeries, Oberon, will make sure the young lovers unite.--A witty romp of a read full of mishaps and well-meaning blunders on the part of Puck. Author Thompson, brilliant writer of The Waterlord and The Ravencliffe Bride, brings readers another tale of love found under the influence of magic's fae touch.

"Where Sea Meets Sky" by Erin E. M. Hatton--Celine mourns a life she thought would be perfect. With the hope of a brilliant career and a true lasting love dashed, she flies to Scotland to study the seals native to the Isle of Skye. There she meets the mysterious Ronan, a stranger whom she feels more for than anyone she's ever known. When he tells her magical tales of a mythical race, she is enraptured by the possibilities she hears in his alluring voice. When she learns of Ronan's true nature, will she have the strength to set him free?--Author Hatton pens a fascinating tale of mythical love that dares to breach the barriers of reality. A haunting accomplishment of love story!

"Angels in the Moonlight" by Diane Davis White--Sadie the Shady Angel is back! She and her prissy instructor are back to ensure musicians Nathan and Olivia realize the full potential of their relationship. Nathan can barely resist the sensual enchantment his band's lead singer holds over him, but he's been burned before and he's not taking any chances on love. Olivia is torn by his aloofness and tries to stomach one more gig with the cold man before cutting out for good. Will their wishes to the blue moon be enough to push them together, or will their doubts forever keep them apart?--Sadie is always a force to be reckoned with, and this time's no exception! Author White's signature character is back in shades of less than pure white and it's just as wild a romp as her first story, "Sadie the Shady Angel", found in No Law Against Love anthology.

"Under the Pale Moonlight" by Katherine Smith--Arthur Cameron is at peace with his physical limitations--or is he? The beautiful and young Alicia McCray longs to catch the handsome man's eye, and has for years. Will yet another yearly visit to his estate finally be the one where he confesses his true feelings? The spirited lass is tired of longing for him and takes matters into her own hands. Will the handsome horse trainer overcome the limitations he's set for his heart?--Author Smith has written a poignant tale of bittersweet love, the kind that overcomes the boundaries set by crippling fears. A sweet tear-jerker of a read!

"Ember's Desire" by Meagan Hatfield--Ember longs for a life less ordinary--less ordinary than spell casting and her coven can provide. Not the most skilled witch, she nevertheless gives it one good last try one fateful solstice night. What she conjures is the makings of any woman's dreams. Balder is a god fallen from grace and at the mercy of the under lord Loki. When Ember pulls Balder from hell, Loki will do all in his vengeful power to smote the two from existence.--Without a doubt, "Ember's Desire" is one of the most enjoyable short stories I have ever had the pleasure of reading. Hatfield has created two main characters, and one foreboding villain, that abound with emotion, conflict and a fiery passion. An added bonus is Ms. Hatfield's coming full-length debut, "A Magical Encounter", coming in 2007 from Wings ePress.

"Spellbound" by Aysel Arwen--Emma MacPherson is a frequent visitor at Loch Ness and its ancient stone edifice, Castle Urquhart. When she loses her mother's beloved wedding ring on the grounds, she goes back in the cover of night to search for it. What she finds under the blue moon's irresistible sway is Alexander Grant, supposed night watchman to the castle. As the clouds give way to the moon's soft glow, Alex enchants the lovely Emma with tales of the vengeful Lady of the Loch. Finding her heart has more in common with this stranger than at first thought, Emma soon finds herself in an enticing temptation. Will Alex's gamble with the lovely Emma break the Lady's hold on him?--Ms. Arwen uses a poignant sensuality in her writing, giving her characters a real depth and passion that readers will feel coming through the pages. A multi-published author like Arwen is not to be missed.

"Enchantment by the Sea" by M. J. Sager--Clara Barnes is all business at an exclusive resort in the Caribbean. She's there to interview the owner, Grayson Everett--not to become attracted to him! She learned her lesson the hard way before and she's not about to let another handsome face cost her a job. But thanks to the pull of the blue moon and the man's insistently sensual charms, she finds herself falling for him. Has she made the right decision, or his her heart in danger again?--Readers will feel an instant connection to Clara, whose dilemma is heart wrenching to read. Betrayal and a healing of the heart both make author Sager's story a fantastic read. Check out her other short story in the "No Law Against Love" anthology as well, entitled "A Second Chance at Forever".

"Suddenly You" by Jaquelin Lorin--Celine Chauvin restores old paintings and her current project has her much more than intrigued. Her fascination about the subject, a handsome unknown man leads her to a riverboat cruise on the Mississippi and to a wish on the magical blue moon. Yanked back in time, she is suddenly confronted with the man of the painting! The dilemma Celine now faces is to find a way back to her time, or find a way to embrace a past love she had no idea was waiting for her.--Fans of time travel romance will be delighted with author Lorin's contribution. Prepare to be transported back to a love of all consuming and timeless magic in this riveting tale.

"Blue Moon and the Warrior" by Lee Roland--Allison has it all--a great teaching job and wonderful friends, yet her heart yearns for someone she can love. On a camping trip in the desert, she makes a whimsical wish on the blue moon. What appears as if in a dream is a magical encounter with a stranger she will never forget. As another year passes, Allison cannot let go of her dream lover, until she meets Richard Fallon. Something tugs at her memory when she is with Richard, but will her heart be able to recognize the gift standing right in front of her?--Author Roland pens a fresh, unique tale of paranormal love that dares to step from the boundaries of dreams into the heart of real life. A gripping read with some very interesting twists!

"Midsummer Magic" by Kristi Ahlers--Meredith is a lass troubled by an impending marriage, for her future husband is a most cruel lord. Her wish to the blue moon has her quickly in the grasp of Kieran Fraser, a powerful Scots chief. With his own wish to the magical orb, he's fair convinced Meredith is the lass he has been longing for. When the light of day chases away the moon's beguiling haze, Kieran is not quite the man she envisioned. Can he convince the fair maid she means more to him than a mere feudal prize?--A powerful attraction marks this bewitching tale by Ms. Ahlers. Meredith and Kieran's heat sparks from their first meeting till the very last page. Just enough tidbits of 1557 England infused the story, lending an excellent air of historical romance. Another brilliantly penned tale by Ms. Ahlers! Check out her debut story, "The Trouble with French Kisses", found in the awesome anthology "No Law Against Love".


"Secret of the Blue Moon" by Billie Warren Chai--Dr. Zoey Blackstone is a brilliant doctor in Lincoln County, New Mexico, but her past comes back to haunt her one fateful day in the form of Jake Runningbear, the man she left behind. Jake remembers their irresistible attraction and has always wondered why the petite woman ran from him. It's time to solve an old mystery and he's not letting another opportunity pass him by when a storm leaves them stranded together.--This heart-wrenching tale left me breathless at the unfair actions taken against Zoey in the past. Jake is a formidable hero, and his pursuit of Zoey was an exciting chase to read about. A brilliant and engaging story, Ms. Chai!

"The Darkness and the Dreams" by Kimberly Ivey--Paloma Deltorre reads to comatose patient David Hopkins. Poetry, romance, it matters not what, but she reads to him fully believing it will help in his recovery. It is a way to soothe her own heart's aching loss--that of her fiancé one year ago. With the help of her kooky neighbor, Grandma Bikini, Paloma will come to realize that love can indeed cross over to endure in a way she never before imagined. When David miraculously awakens one day, he is not the man she thought he'd be, but one her heart recognizes all the same.--What an interesting twist author Ivey pens into her unique story! A sure-fire win of an entertaining read!

"The Healer" by Leanne Burroughs--Author Burroughs takes fans back with her vivid portrayal of the Scottish Highlands as told in her riveting books "Highland Wishes" and "Her Highland Rogue". Agnes, the frank and capable healer is in need of no one, especially a man. But when Warwick, the laird's second in command comes into danger, she will look to the blue moon to guide him to safety. Can an auld woman learn to open a heart she's long guarded? And furthermore, can an old warrior learn how to handle this confounding and bewitching woman?--Burroughs takes us right back to the time of William Wallace and Robert the Bruce and shows us that love can indeed flourish amongst the hills and valleys of that long ago era. An endearing and heart-grabbing story!

"In the Space of a Heartbeat" by Keelia Greer--Melania Knight would rather avoid Trevor Kerrin, sexy vamp and vitally important employee of Life Blood Corporation. Since she's been hired to protect him, it's no dice for her. When an immortal and fanatical enemy sets his sights on Melania, she and Trevor team up to take him down. It's a kill or be killed in a race to save not only themselves, but the fate of the human race.
-- Greer has penned two delightful characters that readers will yearn for more of. "In the Space of a Heartbeat" reveals a cleverly built futuristic setting that this reviewer would love to see again. Bravo, Ms. Greer, for a great, action packed thrill of a sci-fi short! Looking forward to more!

"Rider in the Storm" by DeborahAnne MacGillivray--A love that endures, one that lives, breathes and beats still--this is Ciara MacIain's dilemma. For seven years she has maintained the pain of losing, through death, the one person that made her heart whole.
How can she let go of that last vestige of her lover's life, her grief? It keeps his memory alive and she knows not how to release it. On the anniversary of her lover's death she encounters a stranger. Roarke Devlin is a man possessed by haunting whispers of another life. Something has driven him to the hills of Kentucky, and the rolling storm this night drives him into the arms of a beautiful woman. When his strange actions and astounding comments begin to alarm, Ciara knows all is not as it appears. Something about this alluring and sensual man speaks to her as once another did.-- MacGillivray reaches into the heart of her readers, barring no emotions that come with the loss of a loved one. Every aspect of this story is alive, from the thunderous storm to the persnickety cat,
Sinnjinn. A wonderful addition to MacGillivray's growing slew of writing successes! Be sure to pick up a copy of her upcoming solo anthology, "Cat `O Nine Tales" from Highland Press and "A Restless Knight" from Kensington.

Romance fans will treasure this all-encompassing anthology of love made possible by the magic of the blue moon. Be sure to check out its companion volume, Blue Moon Enchantment as well. Bravo, ladies, for a brilliantly done book!

Take fifteen incredibly gifted authors, give them a promising premise to base a story upon and you will get a bountiful tome with just as many remarkable magically induced stories to savor and enjoy. Anything can happen when you make a wish upon a `blue moon' and the results can be spectacular! Check them out for yourself.

Belle of the Blue Moon Ball - Dawn Thompson - Best selling author Thompson delights fans with a regency set ballroom, two made for one another soul mates who'd never met, and two determined fairies - Oberon and the dubious bungling Puck, who make falling in love under a blue moon a total delight!

Where the Sea Meets Skye - Erin E. M. Hatton - When Celine Terreau, a marine biologist met Ronan Morrison while on vacation on the Isle of Skye he was able to lay to rest the betrayal of an old boyfriend and open up a whole new world of possibilities for a new life filled with magical possibilities!

Angels In the Moonlight - Diane Davis White - Somewhere over the rainbow Sadie, the Shady Angel is up to her old antics with delightful results when she and her mentor Pricilla help musician Nathan and singer Olivia make beautiful music together. Delightful!

Under the Pale Moonlight - Katherine Smith - Alicia McCray had fallen in love with Arthur Cameron as a young girl. Now as a woman she knew he loved her, but she knew that drastic measures were needed to convince him that his handicap could not alter her love as much as it was crippling his thinking. Sweetly satisfying!

Ember's Desire - Meagan Hatfield - Ember Galenorn's greatest desire was to leave Wychwood, but so far the inept witch had yet to cast a spell that worked, although this last one brought her a naked male. Perhaps one final wish on a blue moon might help him to remain the desire in her heart she truly longed for. Adorable characterizations and sexy!

Spellbound - Aysel Arwen - Emma MacPherson had felt lost and alone for a long time; more so now that her parents had died. Losing her mothers ring would have been devastating which was why she was searching the shores of Loch Ness in the middle of the night to find it. When Alex Grant came along and blessedly helped her find the ring, she had no idea that repaying him for the favor would bring her the one thing she'd been searching for all her life - an everlasting love. - Sensual and breathtakingly lovely!

Enchantment By the Sea - M. J. Sager - Clara Barnes had heard all the big come-ons before and been burnt badly. No matter how good Grayson Everett looked she was not about to make that mistake again, but one night when the blue moon shone bright over the sea, she let her guard down. Would this be another mistake or the heartfelt wish of a lifetime. Oooh so very sensual!

Suddenly You - Jaquelin Lorin -- When art restorer Celine Chauvin made a wish of knowing `who' the gorgeous man in the portrait she'd been restoring was, she had no idea that wish would land her 130 years in the past and face to face with Mr. Gorgeous himself. Luscious time-travel, delicious Mr. Gorgeous!

Blue Moon and the Warrior - Lee Roland - Allison was planning a vacation alone in the desert of Utah to gain some perspective and get over the end of a two-year relationship, what she experienced was a dream night filled with passion and romance or was it really a dream? She who continually sought perfection found in the end that one elusive feeling that would be real. - Sensual, steamy and magical.

Midsummer Magic - Kristi Ahlers - Setting Cumbria, England, 1557 - Meredith was restless after finding out she'd been betrothed. With nothing to lose she made a wish upon the blue moon for true love to find her. Kieran Fraser was out stealing horses when he came upon the beauty who then stole his heart. He'd then do what any self respecting Scot would do, he'd kidnap and make her his own lady wife. - Sweetly sensual, lovely.

Secret of the Blue Moon - Billie Waren Chai - Zoey Blackstone had left Jake Runningbear twelve years before after his mother had run her out of town. Now she was back, not as white trash but as a full fledged ER doctor. Jake never knew why she left and blamed her all those years for breaking his heart, but now under the magic of the `blue moon' he would discover the truth and they'd recapture a love that never died. - Sensational, fast moving totally engrossing.

The Darkness and the Dreams - Kimberly Ivey - Unable to write since her fiancé Robert's death on the eve of their wedding two years before.Paloma Delatorre filled her days with volunteer work at the hospital. Reading to comatose patient David Hopkins she had an uncanny feeling that he understood and actually listened. Not until her wacky 84 year old neighbor `Grandma Bikini' came by did she realize just how much he understood! -- Fabulous, fast-paced and delightfully magical!

The Healer - Leanne Burroughs - Old Agnes was aggravated as the big lummox known as Warwick hauled her off to the castle Drummond. She remained by herself all these years never wanting to feel again, yet this auld warrior was intent on making her feel things she swore she'd never feel again. Would a wish on the `blue moon' melt the bitterness of Agnes' heart allow old Warwick to finally find the other half of his heart. - Wonderful - this one made the tears run down my face with joy.

In the Space of a Heartbeat - Keelia Greer - Earth 5046 -- Melania Knight was sent by the CGIA to protect the wealthy, available and utterly divine scientist Trevor Kerrin, but she had always felt a pull towards him and tried to keep this meeting strictly business. Unfortunately, Trevor had other things on his mind and one of them was finally claiming his soulmate - Melania. - Features intergalactic sexy vampires playing with super cool weapons and toys - so yummy!

Rider in the Storm - DeborahAnne MacGillivray - Ciara MacIain had stopped living seven years ago when her beloved fiancé Derek had died in an automobile accident. On the anniversary of his death she found herself traveling down the same road at the same time of that long ago fateful night and like déjà vu spotted another read sports car plunged off the side of the road. Roarke Fraser Devlin, the tall dark handsome driver wasn't Derek but yet there was something very familiar about him....could her earlier wish on the `blue moon' that night have something to do with this feeling of recognition that ignited her very soul? Would her heart recognize his? -- Awesome imagery, heart tugging intensity - beautiful story, simply beautiful.

Marilyn Rondeau, RIO - Reviewers International Organization

I love anthologies because you can carry the book around and read just one story in a short time, maybe while waiting for the dentist, the doctor or whatever. Not so with Blue Moon Magic. This book grabs you with the first story, hangs on through all 15 fantastic magical adventures, and keeps you turning pages. You won't want to put this one down till you've read all 15 stories. A short run down of the stories:

1. Belle of the Blue Moon Ball by Dawn Thompson starts the magic with two mischievious fairies in an entertaining Regency to tickle your funny bone.

2. Where Sea Meets Skye by Erin Hatton is a contemporary set in Scotland. Who doesn't love a Scottish hero in a kilt? Add the legend of the selkies and magic of the Blue Moon, and you get a very satisfying read.

3. Angels In The Moonlight by Diane Davis White is a contemporary set in California. Sadie, the Shady Angel makes you laugh out loud right from the first page, and keeps you entertained through the whole story. We should all wish for an angel like Sadie to help us find our soulmate.

4. Under The Pale Moonlight by Katherine Smith is an historical set in romantic Scotland. Lady Alicia McCray goes after the man she wants, begging for his love, determined to let him know his handicap means nothing to her. With the help of a magical Blue Moon, her dream comes true.

5. Embers Desire by Meagan Hatfield is a fantasy romance about an inexperienced witch and her spell to find love. The story shows imaginative creation and moves us forward through disaster and growing love. Good wins over evil for a satisfying climax.

6. Spellbound by Aysel Arwen is set in present day Scotland, and is an intriguing story of mystery and romance, complete with a sensitive heroine and handsome Scottish Highlander to die for.

7. Enchantment By The Sea by M. J. Sager is set on a modern day Caribbeann island. Clara Barnes tries not to mix pleasure and business, but how can she not after meeting Grayson Everett? Enjoy a story about magic, passion, love, and forever!

8. Suddenly You by Jaquelin Lorin has heroine, Celine Chauvin traveling from the present, back in time with the aid of a wish on the Blue Moon and a pendant, to find love with the same man whose portrait she just restored.

9. Blue Moon And The Warrior by Lee Roland is set in present day in a Utah. While camping alone, Allison wishes on the Blue Moon for a love like her parents shared. She dreams of a carnival and her perfect lover, and the magic begins...

10. Midsummer Magic by Kristi Ahlers is set in 1557 England and Scotland. The English heroine wishes on the Blue Moon for a dark knight to carry her away from an unwanted engagement. Kieran Fraser wishes on the same moon to find a lady love. When the Laird of Clan Fraser kidnaps Meredith while swimming alone on this magical night, he falls under her spell and two souls are united forever.

11. Secret of The Blue Moon by Billie Warren Chai is set in present day New Mexico. Twelve years after parting, Zoey Blackstone and Jake Runningbear meet again. She's now an emergency room doctor and he's an Air Force rescue pilot. The storm raging inside the hospital is just as fierce as the one outside until something stronger, the secret of a magical Blue Moon, joins two souls meant to be together.

12. The Darkness and the Dreams by Kimberly Ivey Wuttke is set in present day. With the help of a wish on a Blue Moon and a comical psychic named Grandma Bikini, Paloma Delatorre finds true love with the man she thought was dead.

13. The Healer by Leanne Burroughs is a Highland historical romance rich with Scottish history and beguiling characters. With the help of a healer named Agnes and a wishing moon, lovers find their way back to each other. This short story is a special treat as we get to read more about the characters from Ms. Burroughs books, Highland Wishes & Her Highland Rogue.

14. In The Space Of A Heartbeat by Keelia Greer is an exciting futuristic vampire story with enough action, romance, and intrigue to keep every reader happy. With the help of Blue Moon magic, the hero and heroine find a loving bond with their soulmate.

15. Rider In The Storm by DeborahAnne MacGillivray is a contemporary set in Kentucky. Ciara MacIain gives Roarke Devlin a ride to town and a magical journey begins with an instantaneous spark. Roarke brings a grieving Ciara a sense of peace and awakens a longing that's been buried seven years. Blue Moon magic and a lovable cat that steals the scene make this a grand read.

The only good thing about finishing this book is knowing its companion, Blue Moon Enchantment, will be out soon with 15 different stories of magic and love under the Blue Moon.

A short synopsis of each story (and there are fifteen) follows:

Bell of the Blue Moon Ball by Dawn Thompson is a regency. Oberon, the king of faeries, and the notorious Puck plan to have Lady Arabella and the Earl of Everton fall in love by drinking from a bespelled bowl of claret during a ball set on the night of a blue moon. Unfortunately, everyone EXCEPT the two drink the claret.

Where Sea Meets Skye by Erin Hatton is set in the present date. Hurt by her boyfriend's betrayal, Celine left Canada to visit Scotland. The unemployed Marine Biologist goes to the Isle of Skye to view the seals. She never expects to meet the selkies.

Angels in the Moonlight by Diane Davis White is set in the present date. Sadie, the Shady Angel, and her mentor, Pricilla, are sent to California. Their mission is to make Nathan, a musician, and Olivia, a singer, fall in love during the full moon.

Under the Pale Moonlight by Katherine Smith is a historical romance. Arthur Cameron had been born with a malformed foot, but never let it get in the way of what he wanted to do. Yet when it comes to Lady Alicia, he sees himself as inferior and unworthy of her love.

Ember's Desire by Meagan Hatfield is fantasy romance, set in "an Alternate Northern England" of the year 1750. Galenorn has never gotten a spell right. The witch decides to leave Wychwood. Instead of leaving, her spell releases Balder, the favored son of Odin, from his underworld prison. And Loki comes to kill them both.

Spellbound by Aysel Arwen is a paranormal romance. It could be set at any time, but seems to be set in the present. Emma loses her mother's wedding ring in some ruins. She returns under cover of the night in hopes of locating it. However, she finds more than just a circle of gold. She finds a love that comes along only once in a blue moon. First before anything else, Emma must break the enchantment upon him.

Enchantment by the Sea by M.J. Sager is a modern contemporary. Grayson had worked hard to change a ruined hotel into the best resort in the Caribbean. He knows that Clara is planning on writing an article about him in a magazine, even though she has yet to tell him so. Her boss, Benny, had already called and informed him of her arrival. However, Grayson is out to prove Benny wrong about Clara being an Ice Princess.

Suddenly You by Jaquelin Lorin is a time travel that begins in the present date. Celine has spent months restoring a portrait from around the 1870's. When she wishes she knew who the man was, Celine finds herself zapped back in time to meet him.

Blue Moon and the Warrior by Lee Roland is a paranormal. Allison camps out in the Utah desert, under a full moon, and dreams about a magical carnival. Within the carnival, she meets the perfect man. But will Allison recognize him when she meets him again in the real world?

Midsummer Magic by Kristi Ahlers historical romance set in the Highlands. During the night of a full blue moon, the Laird of Clan Fraser is returning home from a raid with his men when he comes upon a lovely lady swimming. Kidnapping her is easy. Getting her accept him is a bit difficult.

Secret of the Blue Moon by Billie Warren Chai is set in the present time. Zoey left New Mexico with no word to Jack. For twelve years Jake hated her for disappearing. Now he is a major in the Air Force. He pilots a rescue helicopter. When a storm hits, he is forced to land at Apache Indian Hospital with his injured patients. But he never expects to find that little Zoey is now the doctor in charge of the ER. And he is about to learn just how badly he has misjudged her.

Darkness and Dreams by Kimberly Ivey is a paranormal romance set in the present date. Paloma lost her husband a year ago due to a drunk driver. Now she volunteers at a local hospital. Her life changes when her psychic (or is that insane?), elderly neighbor claims that one of the comatose patients Paloma reads to is really her husband in a different body.

The Healer by Leanne Burroughs is a historical romance set in the Highlands. The Laird of Clan Drummon cares deeply for his supposed captive, Tory, though he thinks no one knows. When Tory gets poisoned, the chieftain has Warwick, his most trusted warrior, fetch the healer named Agnes. Agnes may be up in age, but she knows almost instantly how her laird feels about Tory. But that is not her concern. Agnes only fears her own reactions to Warwick.

In the Space of a Heartbeat by Keelia Greer is a futuristic vampire romance. The place is Earth. The year is 5046. Melania is an agent for the Central Galaxy Intelligence Authority. She uses her vampiric abilities in cases involving Immortals. Her current orders are to kill the terrorist that has infiltrated the Life Point Corporation and protect Dr. Kerrin, whose work is vital. However, the terrorist is Zelik, a vengeful, grudge holding vampire.

Rider in the Storm by Deborah MacGillivray is set in the present time. Ciara's fiancé, Derek, died in a car wreck exactly seven years ago tonight. She still grieves, but knows it is time to move on. After visiting Derek's grave one last time to say farewell, Ciara makes a wish upon the full blue moon. She wishes to begin living again. As Ciara drives home a storm breaks out. She is startled to see a car sitting in the exact spot Derek had died so long ago. Knowing it to be a bad idea, she stops and offers the stranded man a lift into town. Ciara is about to learn that miracles still happen.

**** This magical anthology has something for everyone. Regency, historical, time travel, contemporary, futuristic, and even delves into the magical realms of faeries, selkies, vampires, and the supernatural. All the tales have one thing in common. Each revolve around a full blue moon and the magical wishes made upon it. I loved every second that my imagination was immersed into these tales. As you read each story, you WILL find yourself believing in magic. And I bet you will be checking your calendar to see when the next blue moon will be. Outstanding! ****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.