Cross Books

Ruth Burrows overview of the theology of St. John of the Cross is an excellent introduction to St. John's thought and values. The author anicipates many of the questions and contradictions that readers might encounter in exploring St. John's world and his response to it.
Burrows writing style is direct and readable. This book was a departure from my usual pile of Buddhist books and I enjoyed it thoroughly. A must have for the spiritual student, regardless of background or spiritual path.

Riley Devane is an innocent young woman with a lucrative job as an architect. While returning home from a business meeting, she's drugged and kidnaped by a madman as an act of revenge against her father. The FBI claims a lack of evidence and sets the case aside assuming that she ran off. Fortunately Riley's godfather is a powerful man with connections and he's got his suspicions about who would kidnap Riley and why.

Mark Kincade works as a firefighter and government operative. He also dabbles in world finance, which gives him the perfect cover for his long periods of absence. Only a select few know of his ties with the government. It is the President of the United States himself who requests Mark's assistance in finding Riley.

Mark had once been held captive and tortured by South American terrorists for two years thanks in part to Graham Cross. Cross is the very same man now believed to be responsible for Riley's disappearance. From the moment he sees Riley's picture in the files regarding her case there's a bond formed between them. He can sense that she's still alive and when she needs a reason to keep living she hears his voice telling her that he's coming for her. Falling in love with the man sent to rescue her is easy for Riley, but Graham Cross is a force to be reckoned with and threatens any chance they have at happiness.

Christy Poff is a whiz at writing intense sexy suspense novels. AT CROSS ENDS contains a bad guy who truly epitomizes the word evil and two people who have survived his inexcusable cruelty. Riley and Mark are strong-willed characters who will earn the readers respect as you learn about the injustices they suffer at Cross's hands. Now that being said, I couldn't help but giggle at Mark's diabolical way of cutting Cross down to size or the poetic justice that occurs toward end of the story. I took great pleasure in each moment of this story and I hope if you pick up a copy that you'll enjoy it just as much as I did.

Chrissy Dionne (courtesy of Romance Junkies)

Bauckham and Hart introduces to us, in fresh ways, to eleven people that were either at the Cross or contributed to the meaning of the Cross. These include Mary of Bethany, Judas, Peter, Caiphas, Pilate, Barabbas, Simon of Cyrene, Mary of Magdalene, Nicodemus, The Centurion, and the Beloved Disciple. The book attempts (successfully in my opion) to be historically accuarate without wild speculations and yet its presentation is devotionally reflective. At the end of each chapter there are prayers and poetic statements that contribute to the overall portrait of each character. The real contribution of the book is that it truly reflects, without being overly romantic or rigidly locked to dry historical facts, on the deeper meanings of the Cross. I recommend this book for anybody wanting to understand and relate to the Cross more fully.

Review: At the Foot of the Cross
ISBN: 1-4241-2156-6
Author: Kathy Giannamore

The years pass us and they seem to pick up speed. Our faith in God ebbs and flows. Every so often we are jolted and depending on how we take God's answer, we either live more in His mercy or we don't-perhaps we lose our faith altogether. In her memoir, Mrs. Giannamore takes us through the episodes-to an extent, episodes each of us have dealt with at some point in life. Her story however takes on a path most of us don't but probably would given the same set of circumstances and temptations.

Written in a style of a personal journal, the author takes you through her life, the early settings of an Italian (could have been any nationality) family with its share of unusual characters-two of which earn a living in unusual ways. She does it in a way that will keep you reading, wanting to learn what happens and how she got into the place she introduces early. Thankfully, her mother gives life to her and bears the hardships and challenges a single mother must confront in most cases where circumstances and fortunes were not ideal for a new life. It brought me to think also of the kind of hardships war widows must have endured in the past and I have to believe still do when they are also mothers.

At the Foot of the Cross is a human interest story of the quality that would do well as a documentary or film targeted at both young adults and adults who hunger for stories of redemption. It is of such quality because of the decisions the author and her husband made late that led to a worldly salvation as well as a heavenly one in my view. Uplifting after taking you into the darkness that I believe exists in every human mind, straight forward, gritty at times, loving at times, tragic at times-and dedicated to the welfare of her family at all times. It is this juxtaposition that is simultaneously revealed by Mrs. Giannamore in a simple art form we all can relate to very closely. The book reads as a calm expose of life and struggle, faith and reckoning. God answers prayer in ways we might not appreciate at first glance but He does answer. The author provides us with the hope of new beginnings because of faith, because of sincere prayer, because of how she responded to His answers. All of us could take a lesson here-doing so would help us avoid slipping into the realm of the agnostic by seeing her depths of despair and her rise. Many of us know how easy it is to doubt.

I recommend the book and appreciate the author opening it to me in innocent trust. I have felt better about my own situation after having read it and this same emotion is bound to repeat itself for others.

Andrew Huddleston

"Awesome" is the only word I know to describe this book. The book I read is called Number the Stars.It is by Lois Lowry. In this book the main character, Annemarie is faced with several challenges. This story takes place in Denmark during times of war. The main point in this book is Annemaire willing to help her best friend. The events in this book are linked by the end of each chapter you are left with questions that make you want to keep reading. I enjoyed this book, now normally I hate reading, but when I started reading I couldn't put it down. I disliked this book because it left me to make up my own ending. I recommend this book to people who enjoy reading about suspence or friends.

The Rancher, Jack Sheridan's motto is Don't Get Involved -- So what happens??? You got it. He can't leave well enough alone.
In helping Tess Danielson give birth he found himself falling in love.
What baby doesn't grip a man's heart when he experiences the miracle of birth.
And isn't it better to acknowledge love than to live with a cold, hard heart?
Enjoy this one -- an excellent with a -M

I love the message of this book. A baby dinosaur is "spoiled, not well behaved" and makes an bad impression starting school. When the parents decide to leave Baby Dot at home for a while longer, Baby Dot realizes the joys of being around others. The maturity Baby Dot acquires in such a short time is amazing! It helps little ones realize there are rules on behavior for good reason in school. I loved reading this aloud, over and over. The illustrations are just right for children 3, 4, 5 years old. A great addition to any library.

The book is in easy-to-read two-color print with DMC and Bates numbers corresponding to the charts. Finished quilts are pictured on the front and back covers. Instructions for completing a baby pillow are also included.

This is a superb resource for skilled skiers who would like to get further into the backcountry and escape the crowds of intermediate skiers who throng to the easier, more well known spots. The Seattle backcountry ski community considers this book to be the premier guide for the area. Friends have been known to steal their friends' copies. Burgdorfer makes it clear that this book is for those who already know what they are doing. It includes tours that have been removed from newer books and excellent specific information on local snow, avalanche and weather conditions. Learn how to figure out where to ski on Saturday by paying a little attention to the weather during the week. If you are lucky enough to find a copy don't loan it out or you may never get it back!

I'm very pleased with this guide book. It's taken me to many places I would not have thought to go ski touring. Whenever our small group of ski tourers gets tired of the tri-canyon SLC area, we break out Bradley's book and head someplace new for the day. It's a must have for the serious Utah ski tourer.