Duvall Books

Donna did it again with this book and as with her other books, I am learning so much. I suggest this book to anyone who wants to take their polymer clay work to another level. Well written, great photos, easy to follow instructions. Thanks for another great book, Donna.

Madeline Faiella

As a statement jewelry artist [...] I work in polymer, glass and metals.

This book is really informative, great easy techniques that give really nice results. The pictures are great and she always
carefully gives you step by step, I have not done transfer but will try it now. For beginners start with her earlier books, then move on to this book.

I found the book just did not live up to my expectations. When will crafting books realize that photo transfers done with xerox machines hardly ever work as they are shown in books? The techniques of photo transfer, which is covered in this book as if it works, is really frustrating. Also, the use of translucent clays to good effect is iffy and the high polish acheived by the author on many of the pieces. I just couldn't get it to work.

This book is outstanding and extremely useful. It has great projects, detailed descriptions, and plenty of info on where to find suppliers for every tool and material used in the book. I found it very helpful.

I was totally new to clay working, heading for a class in the medium, when I purchased this book. I was absolutely delighted, and was able to start my class with some background and understanding of working the materials. I sit in awe of Ms. Kato's talent, and did find the techniques more difficult than they look. This aside, it is an excellent accumulation of many of the techniques that makes polyclay such a joy to work with. Ms. Kato does list several varieties of clay, inks, paints and other products, but I appreciate that she enumated which she found easier to work with, and why. I did expect some bias towards Kato Polyclay, as she helped develop it, but have also found this an excellent product to work with and have not been disappointed with its performance.
The book is a MUST HAVE for the beginner reference library, and is also an inspiration with the images from Ms Kato and other artist's collections. I'm pleased I purchased this book, and plan to keep it as a cornerstone for clay working.

My first encounter with Tom Perini was shortly after moving to San Angelo, Texas. I was told I had to make the journey an hour and a half north to the small, out-of-the-way town of Buffalo Gap, Texas. Turns out there was a great steakhouse there by the name of Perini's. I went there, somewhat skeptically because of the hype... and fell in love.

My visit was even more special because I got to chat with Tom himself. He's quite an interesting character, and I was surprised to actually see him hanging around the ranch, involved with the customers and striking up conversations. I bought a copy of this book during that visit, and he was kind enough to sign it! It's been a constant source of delicious concoctions ever since, and Tom's style of writing is very down to earth and measured. He tells you why cowboys would've cooked or eaten that particular dish, how to cook it, and why it matters.

I recently ordered another copy because my seven month old decided to take an interest in my previous one, and I decided that one needed to go up on the mantle as decoration. And perhaps I'll let my inlaws finally borrow this copy- but then they'll finally catch on to what "calf fries" are.

If you like real cowboy cookin', don't let this one pass you by!

This truly is cowboy fare...not Texas fare so if you are looking for very basic recipes, this is the book for you.

Absolutely wonderful. The recipes are easy and tasty. The pictures are beautiful. I would recommend this to anyone. I have eaten at Perini Ranch and the recipies are just like those they serve.

This is the best cookbook I've ever used. Everything is so simple and delicious. Tom Perini really knows his stuff!

Wonderful in all respects- the recipes are excellent ways to fix good substantial food, written understandably. Outstanding pictures and commentary. I have been a Texas Panhandle cowboy and New Mexico rancher.
Have cooked for hunters and working crews and own an extensive array of gourmet cookbooks. This is the one used for our recent holiday, and I have given 3 of them to friends since. Don't think this is rough food - it's the kind that everybody loves.

Shhh, this is being put up for my mom for Christmas. If I can give it up, that is.
I am a crafter, but not much of a paper crafter. My mom is crafty with paper for her Sunday School kids, grandkids and just for fun....and she is a huge Carol Duvall fan.
This arrived today slightly damaged (thanks a lot Amazon) so I was thumbing through it to be sure it was only the cover and corners that suffered superficial damage, not the contents.
Now I am hooked! The clear, bright photos and easy to understand instructions are making me re-think the idea of avoiding paper crafts....also re-think the idea of giving away this book.
It has templates for the projects such as gift boxes and envelopes.
My favorite thing is that it mostly only calls for simple materials such as scrapbooking papers. You can make several beautiful projects without a huge monetary investment with elements and such that can quickly run into big bucks.
These projects are also kid-friendly which will be perfect for my mom's 4th graders in Sunday School...and for my homeschool Craft Day gatherings, when I borrow this book back from Mom.

And the damage: This book is not shrink wrapped. Putting it in a way too oversized box with no protection caused it to be banged back and forth in shipping and put a slight crease on the front cover and bumps on the outer corners. Does not hinder the use, but does take away from the beauty of the gift.

If you like to make cards at all, this is the perfect book for you.
However, there are also other paper crafts like calendars, gift boxes, and little books.
Several quick and cute gift and gift packaging ideas.

Just like on the show, the best part is the shoebox quick ending.

I received this book and immediately wanted to begin several of the projects. They seem very easy with readily available supplies. Carol is a genius and really enjoys paper crafting. I watch her show all the time and now am enjoying her book.

This is well put together book, neat, sometimes the projects did not show how to get to the finish, but use your imagination. If you have the skill, rather beginner or experienced, I believe you will enjoy doing these projects. I can't wait to get stated.
JP

Needed some fresh ideas for paper crafting. Saw carols' book at a book store and thought it was very interesting and offered an assortment of ideas. I came home and found it at a GREAT price on Amazon. Wonderful book and a must-read for paper crafters.

This is a great series!!! Gilbert and Lynn Morris are terrific authors! The plots and characters are so well developed and I am always anxious to get to the next book!

Cheney takes a job in a San Francisco hospital as its first female physician. Despite a few problems that erupt, for the most part she enjoys her job, with occasional outings with her friends. Shiloh meets Bain Winslow from Hawaii, who turns out to be his first real lead as to who his real parents are. Some parts of this book may seem frustrating, while others go very quickly. This is probably one of the most important books in the series (and of course, you have to read them all to know what's going on)!

This is one of the better Cheney Duvall books. It has some loose ends, but those are quickly tied up in #7, which I have read. I love the way Cheney grows in her spiritual walk, even if she does act selfishly sometimes. Read more about this book at the Official Cheney Duvall M.D. web site. Way to go, Gilbert and Lynn!

Once again Gilbert and his daughter Lyn Morris provide us with quality and entertaining piece of reading. In the Twilight, In the Evening is a wonderful example of what a fine writting team that we have in our world. As always it is a pleasure to sit down and read a novel by these two, but I couldn't help but feel disappointed that the last novel in this series was such a long way from publication. For as it always is books in a series leave you in a state of fustration wanting to know what is going to happern. The characters in this story are so believeable that it is not hard to grow to love them and find yourself anxious to know that they are safe and have found the elusive happily ever after. I have spent much time following the antics of Dr. Cheney Duvall and her friend Victoria. Many times i have been moved to laughter and tears by the soulful writing of this father-daughter team. If you are looking for a book that is filled with historical accuracy and an indepth look into the experiences and the plight of the Chinese in Eighteenth Century San Francisco, you will not go wrong with this book. It is an enjoyable read from which you will walk away with a new insight into history.

This is a really good book. with each of the Cheney books, you think you can't get any more climatic, then suddenly You are suprised and left gasping for breath! Book six is taking the cake. can't wait, can't wait! out of the series, Book six isn't my favorite. but it is absolutely necessary background for continuing the series. So much happens with Cheney, and With Shiloh. It's one more step towards finding his family, and One more step for Cheney in trusting God with her whole life, especially her emotions. DON'T READ BOOKS 7 OR 8 WITHOUT READING 6! Please see my member profile for links to the Cheney duvall Message board, and my Cheney Duvall Website.

My mom and I have truly enjoyed the Dr. Cheney Duvall, MD series. Gilbert & Lynn Morris are excellent writers. I started reading the series first. Then my mom started and she also couldn't put them down. The father/daughter team takes mystery and Christian fiction and puts the two together perfectly. We have already read the first book in The Inheritance series. I have already read the second book the The Inheritance series (I read it in 2 1/2 days, I couldn't put it down). I am now ready for book three to come in the summer of 2005. I would greatly recommend this series to anyone who likes Christian fiction and mystery!

I'll admit I was skeptical at first. While I read Christian fiction all the time and enjoy it, I'd never read a Christian historical fiction book that I really liked. My cousin highly recommended these books, so I thought I would give the first one a try. Of course I became hooked almost right away.

I liked the premise before I even started to read the book. A female doctor in the 1860's? Great premise! The book met and exceded any expectations I had for such a premise. As Dr. Cheney Duvall and her nurse, Shiloh Irons, travel from New York to Seattle with Asa Mercer and his hundred belles, they face danger and disease, along with more common shipboard problems. I was so disappointed when I finished this book, simply because I didn't have the next book in the series (Shadow of the Mountains) along, so I had to wait to start it.

Lynn and Gilbert Morris make a fantastic writing team. The plot is swift and intriguing. The characters are well fleshed-out and believeably, delightfully human. The dialogue is fun to read. All in all, this is a wonderfully well done book. Needless to say, not only do I love this book, but I love the others in the series that I have read so far. I definitely recommend this, even if you don't think Christian historical fiction is your thing.

This if one of my favorit books! I love the way the authers use details and facts. The story captures you, you'r filled with cheneys emotions and you can feel what she is feeling. This book is truley an insperation. I love this hole series, each book is even better than the last.

The Stars for a Light by Lynn and Gilbert Morris is the first book of the Cheney Duval, M.D. series which consists of 8 books and a subsequent series called the Inheritance. So far, that contains only 1 book.

Overall, this is a nice, entertaining book. The series is fun, too, although sometimes the adventures seem rather unrealistic. However, there are adventures, and they are exciting. This book/series has that, plus mystery and romance. I'm not a big fan of christian literature, but I did like these books. I reccomend it for people who like christian fiction or historical fiction.

The Stars for a Light tells the story of Cheney Duvall, a lady physician who struggles to become accepted in an all-male medical world. Other physcians look down on her, and patients don't trust a woman to doctor them. As a last resort, Cheney gets a job escorting/doctoring a group of women traveling by ship to California in order to add more women to the western population. Cheney brings along a nurse, who was reccomended by a friend. Mr. Shiloh Irons. He's an orphan, with his name coming from the crate marked Shiloh Ironworks in which he was found.

This unlikely pair (a female doctor and male nurse) travel to California with plenty of adventures to keep them busy, including Shiloh's hobby/second job of fighting, fires on board the ship, disease, and other excitements.

It is a good book. The characters are likeable and realistic, with their own particular traits. The dialogue is fun and the characters seem to work well with one another. It's well written and original, showing character development aplenty during the series. If you start on this, read it all. By the fourth book, you'll be hooked. I was.

I read this book years ago and am currently reading the followup series, Cheney and Shiloh: The Inheritance. Personally, I enjoyed this series (and still do) about the same time I was fascinated with Dr. Quinn: Medicine Woman. Apparently I enjoy women doctors in the 19th century...??? Anyhow, this is a wonderful series, not only exceptionally stating the strength of a woman, but Godly views and relationships as well. Read this SERIES and you won't be sorry, I promise!

I really liked this book and I would recomend it too anyone who likes a good!!

These are wonderful books I am waiting on my toes for book #8 ! I have read these all at least twice and they are all great! CCA

From the moment I picked them up I couldn't put it down.I love everyone and am DYING to read the others.Congratulations Lynn and Gilbert Morris

I have just finished the entire Cheney Duvall, MD series and wait on the edge of my seat for the next book in this series. I'm not usually so emersed in a series - although that is my usual method of reading. (I find an author and begin reading from the first book in a particular series to the last.) Gilbert Morris has managed to bring deep faith into several fascinating story lines without intimidating any reader. I would, and have, suggested this author to several friends.

The cheney duvall books are not like any other christian ficiton I have read. I anxiously await #8. There is action, adventure, excitement, biblical principles, human characters (not perfect), and romance too. Dr Duvall is not a weak female (although she is very female with many weaknesses). She is strong in her faith even when its difficult. The fact that she is outside the "normal" female role for 1800s fiction makes it all the more interesting. With almost all the "plots" finally solved, I expect that #8 will be the finale (I hope to be wrong in this, because I would greatly miss Cheney, Shiloh, and all the supporting characters. They have become like familiy!!!)--LDY

Green Money is the first mystery/thriller that I have read and I enjoyed it thoroughly. This was the first time in a long time that everyone in our book club truly enjoyed reading this book. It was just what the doctor ordered. I do however, have one question, can anyone provide any insight on the title of the book? Why is it titled "Green Money". Great Job Judith Smith-Levin.

Judith Smith Levin can laugh all the way to the bank! She got my money and she'll get more if she keeps writing Star and the Hunk novels. Her work is as good and intriguing as J. D. Robb's Eve Dallas series, and that's saying a mouthfull!

First of all, if you can, consider picking up the audio book version of this novel, by Griot audio. I didn't see it here, so I'm reviewing the PB version.

I met this author at a writer's conference this summer, and she was so friendly and personable (just like her main character) thatI thought I'd pick her book up. I'm not a big mystery reader, but if the author is talented enough, or the characters interesting enough, I grab it up. This one is worth grabbing up. Staletta Duval is an incredible character, an African-American woman (I kept picturing Pam Grier, and if the book were turned into a film, she'd be perfect) who has worked her way up to Detective Liutenent in the homicide division. The book starts off with a bang as a homeless woman is horribly burned alive in St. Francis park. Then a prostitue is killed, and Starletta and her cool Italian partner, who would probably take a bullet for her, start seeing a pattern- the killings seem to be based on a computer game called Vampire's Lair. And guess who secretly plays a lot of the game? Pampered rich kids at the local academy... but there's much more to it than that. The author --who actually has worked for the police-- fleshes out the characters well. When you hate a character, you REALLY hate a character, and when one is likeable, the author knows just how to make us fall in love with them. I also thought I knew just where the book was going, but I was proved wrong several times (I don't read a lot of mystery because I have an annoying habit of guessing the endings).It reads not only as a mystery, but also as a police procedural and crime thriller. Fans of NYPD Blue (and other similar shows) will love the book. I found the storytelling so entertaining and the chacters so likeable that I'm going to pick up the other books in the series-- and read them in order. And if I can get my hands on the audio versions...

The audio book is read by the actor Marc Damon Johnson, who does a tremendous job and is great at voicing different characters-- he does an especially hilarious job with a pimp in St. Francis park in one scene, and a prostitute in two others. The audio version is over ten hours long, but he (and of course, the talented author) made it fly by.

This is a very talented author who created characters I definitely want to spend more time with. Check it out-this series deserves a wider audience!

I have finished the third book in Ms. Smith-Levin's Starletta Duvall series and each one is better than the last. Even though the first book is hard to come by -- it is worth the effort! In a reader's group I participate with, we read The HooDoo Man, and every person in the group loved the book. This speaks to the quality of writing of Ms. Smith-Levin.

If you like to be grabbed by the shirt, just open one of these books and read the first ten pages -- you won't be able to put it down! The stories are great and the characters are real. Enjoy.

I have eagerly awaited the release of this book. I'm a big fan of Ms. Smith-Levin's. She could write her name and I'd buy it, because I know whatever she puts on paper is going to totally engulf me as a reader. This is the third book in her Star Duvall series and I'm so hungry for another one that I'm going to go back and start reading from the beginning with Do Not Go Gently. Seems to me writing of this quality and caliber should be front and center on every bestseller list there is. This woman knows how to tell a story. Her characters live and breathe. I think I'm in love with Dr. Mitchell Grant, but Star is the woman for him. This savvy, foxy, smart woman makes me proud to be female. Ms. Smith-Levin gives us someone and something to root for. Here are the cops on display, all the good and all the bad, and you love them. Even the bad guys have personality and depth. No cardboard stereotypes here, every character breathes. Star's life away from the Homicide Squad that she commands is real, with friends, family and that gorgeous doctor Grant. Her world on the job is brutal, but Star and her partner, Dominic Paresi make us feel protected, even in the face of the most horrendous brutality. These are two cops you'd want to see coming, if you were in trouble. On top of the fine writing, Ms. Smith-Levin also opens the window into just what it takes to be a police officer, and to maintain your humanity doing a job that most of us would run from. If you haven't read Ms. Smith-Levin's books, I urge you to do so. She has never disappointed. I only hope there's another Starletta Duvall on the way. I can hardly wait.!

This was in my opinion, the best book in the series. The setting is absolutely captivating and it makes the whole story take on an interesting, refreshing air. For me as a Christian, the part with the voodoo priestess was very thought provoking. The part also showed that Shiloh still had some major weaknesses and supports Cheney's later reasons for keeping her distance from him in the area of romance. The aunts were well-written, lovable and sometimes humorous characters. You won't want to miss the funny part later on in the book that invloves Shiloh and hairpins.

Great story:ghosts, mystery, romance. However, an interpreter would be nice. Or even a footnote translation.

This book introduces several new characters that you'll get to know as well as the main characters in the 4 previous books. It takes place at a Louisiana plantation owned by Cheney's great-aunts Marye and Elyse.

Aunt Elyse is sometimes absent-minded, but is funny and loveable. Aunt Marye, in contrast, seems overly strict, but deep down loves her visiting relatives and their friends. The lovestruck Chloe, a daughter of Aunt Elyse and Aunt Marye's butler and cook, chases after Shiloh so openly that I wanted to smack her, but she gets what she deserves in the end, especially when they discover she's helping the voodoo group trying to take over the plantation.

This is an excellent series and I enjoyed this book especially. The chapter where the family prepares to "fight against the powers and pricipalities" was well written, showing the importance of faith and honesty. I am anxiously awaiting #8, what will happen between Cheney and Shilo next? If you like this book check out "The Covenant of Love", also by Gilbert Morris.

I read this book and finished in 2 days! I loved it. My sister gave me #6 and I finished it in 3 days. I had to buy #7 (my favorite) and loved it also. This is a great series. I recommend this to almost anybody.

Vignettes of a host of nonviolent political conflicts: in Russia 1905, Ghandi in India, Poland and the USSR, U.S. civil rights, South Africa, El Salvador, Chile, Palestine, etc. Nicely written and easy to follow. Draws important lessons at the end for those interested in learning from the past. This is inspiring, useful and important stuff.

--Alan Zundel, the HeartAwake Center

Why did revenge and vengeance dominate the 9-11 discussion by public officials and the media? Why do our public discourse and media images seem virtually bereft of the common sense that informs many other areas of life? This outstanding book could help fill the void. It consists of a dozen very well-written and well-documented case studies of the power of nonviolence in dealing with injustice on a national or international scale. And I mean the power of nonviolence like King and Gandhi lived it, not the stereotype of nonviolence as passivity or cowardice.

Good parents know revenge doesn't work with their children, good teachers know it doesn't work in the classroom, good citizens know it doesn't work in their community, and a growing proportion of the criminal justice world is embracing the vision of "restorative justice" as a much more functional grounding for most of their work. Even though the majority of people in the US know that revenge doesn't work, there is a lack of awareness of the power of nonviolence in the larger public arena, even though two thirds of the world's population has experienced nonviolent social change that was successful beyond anyone's wildest dreams in South Africa, Eastern Europe, the Philippines, Gandhi in India, the US civil rights movement, to name just a few case studies covered in this remarkable book.

As someone who has taught and worked in community centers in the highest crime areas of NYC and Oakland and directed conflict and peace studies programs for 80 public schools, a university, and several community and national organizations, I can affirm that people are hungry for the hope that comes from stories of nonviolence in action.

This is a very important book and deserves consideration for inclusion in ALL history education classes in America, if not the world. Of course, many powers-that-be would be adverse to this subversive idea, since it would in effect, instruct people on how to take control of their own lives out of the hands of malfeasant, greedy politicians and instead empower democracy through democracy, rather than the current American vogue of democracy at the point of a gun. The book describes several of the well-known non-violent movements as well as lesser known ones, such as the German women who embarrassed the Nazis into returning their arrested Jewish husbands from certain death. The associated documentary is also outstanding. A must-have for anyone who hopes the world can save itself from itself (and I'm not sure I'm in that category.)

Excellent! One of the most powerful books I have ever read. Explodes the left-wing myth that revolutions only occur through violence a la Che Guevara, cites many examples where non-violence protest has ultimately changed the executive power of states from the Phillipines to El Salvador, and won people civil rights. Includes Gandhi and also the Civil Rights movement in the USA in the 60s as case studies.

If your a social activists, and you sometimes feel that "progress" is a lost cause... READ THIS BOOK. If you are a political organizer, and it just doesn't seem worth it anymore... READ THIS BOOK. If you really believe in the power of Direct Action, but feel all used up and stale in your efforts... READ THIS BOOK. This is one of the few books available for people with leftisits, or humanist, causes that will make you smile and give you hope, and remind you that sometimes "the good fight" is a long one - but well worth it. It also takes one out of a self centered reality, and pays homage to those who have faught so hard before us. (and I am not talking about soldiers or fireman..)

Wonderful retelling of Cherokee story handed down through the oral retelling of old stories by the grandmothers of the tribe.

I am a former fifth grade instructor, a National Board Certified Teacher, and a college professor in Teacher Preparation. I highly recommend the Grandmother Stories series to elementary and early childhood instructors and parents who are homeschooling their children. The books have appropriate vocabulary and tell stories that explain nature in a creative manner. I learned several things I did not know about nature and its interactions from these books. Children love to have the books read to them and to read them to themselves. Duvall and Jacobs are a wonderful creative force as they merge their talents to produce books that will be enjoyed for generations to come.

This review appeared in Roundup Magazine, Oct. 2004. A children's picture book that recounts Cherokee historian and storyteller Duvall's latest rabbit tale. Volume 4 of the University's "Grandmother Stories," Rabbit and the Bears tells the story of Rabbit accompanying his friend, Yona the Bear, to the Mulberry Place in the Smoky Mountains where Yona participates in the bears' ceremonial dances every autumn. Rabbit sees a bear with an arrow in his shoulder running from a hunter. Yona and Rabbit follow the wounded bear to the Magic Lake, Ata-Gahi, where the injured bear is healed. Rabbit wishes to know more about bear medicine, but Yona teaches him many other things...a wonderful story suited for the very young as well as elementary school children.

The Grandmother Stories are eloquent, beautifully illustrated tales that recapture the imagination of Native America. Deborah Duvall and Murv Jacob have done a brilliant job of revisiting the mythic world of Rabbit, Bear and Otter and introducing them to a contemporary audience. These characters are timeless, as are their stories, and readers of all ages will delight in their antics and unique insights. (...)

Takes the reader into a magical world where real problems are solved in the ancient way by teaching examples of timeless characters, such as Rabbit and Bear. Based on Cherokee legend and tradition, the prose and the artwork are subtle and refined enough for adults but also intriguing to children. I'm sending all four of the books now available to all of my grandchildren, knowing that not only will the kids enjoy them but their parents as well. It's a pleasure to be able to recommend something new in the world of children's books that is so fun and worthwhile.