Gaines Books

Listening to this CD, with Edwene's pleasant voice along with hearing her life experiences, is a pleasant alternative to music. I'm listening to it for the third time and considering looking for more CD's from this production company.

I heard it many times before - tithing will demonstrate to the universe that you trust that there will always be more.... yet I never did it. That is until I read this book. What made it easy for me where 2 things, one Edwene didn't tell you where to tithe to, other then wherever you are spiritually fed.... well that makes it easy. The second point was - try it out for 6 months - if it didn't work for you you can stop.... well I was hooked after 2 weeks. Now I receive money and I am excited about sharing it with whoever inspired me ~ fed me spiritual food... my children, my church, Edwene, a speaker, a song writer, etc. This book has touched me deeply.

This is a great book. I listened to it first on CD and loved the author's chatty wisdom. I bought the book so I could refer back to it often. A small book but full of very important spiritual laws.

I absolutely LOVED this book! I've been reading several books about attracting prosperity, but they were all lacking one thing. That one thing is how God is involved. This book finally connected the two for me. I now see how you can attract prosperity and still honor God. What I appreciated the most what the difference between "go" signs and "stop" signs. Sometimes I get confused on what God is trying to tell me. I recommend this to all those spiritual people that are still trying to find guidance.

For almost 20 years I've been struggling with my relationship to money. Part of me didn't want it (I saw poverty as more spiritual and more ethical) and part of me hated being without it. Not having choices and struggling because of my lack of money have been really hurtful and constraining. It also created great anxieties. There are quite a few things I'd been planning to get around to some day that I had not yet done.

I worked on these problems through every method anyone suggested - spiritually, psychologically, practically. Still, I had no significant shift UNTIL I READ THIS BOOK. Edwene Gaines has written a beauty of a book. It is the perfect book for me. She outlines no "program," has no endless worksheets, she simply lays out the four most basic spiritual prinicples and walks us through how to apply them to life.

Now I know why I could never experience a shift in my relationship to money - firstI had to start tithing. I love it that she starts with tithing and makes it very clear that we must do this first, not when we think can afford to. Through Edwene's book I saw clearly that I can't afford not to. This was a key for me to beginning.

The rest of the book flows beautifully from there. Following these simple prinicples in my life is easy. I'm no longer conflicted about money. I'm no longer anxious. And I have an openness that I did not know was possible. I recommend this book to anyone who wants a better relationship with money.

I thought this book was very sad. I really felt for him while I was reading it. I met Chad Gaines in person and I think he has overcome a lot of obsticles in his life. Best luck to him and his family!!! Also Best Wishes with your next book!!

I thought Voices From a Locked Room wasn't a bad book at all. It could have used a little more proof reading, maybe hire an editor for your next one. But all in all, I thought this was a good book. Keep up the good work. You will have bad reviews along with the good, but keep in mind, it wasn't that bad if they published it. Right? Be proud of what you can accomplish and ignore the people who are against you. Also remember, some criticism is not always bad. ;)

I also agree that the author needed some proof reading on this book, but all in all it took alot of courage for this young man to tell his story. I was disappointed when I learned (via his website) that he had to stop production of his book, so that his family would leave him alone. I met this young author at a festival this past summer and was also able to hear him speak. He has overcome alot of adversities to get to where he is now. I was looking on amazon to see when his next book would be coming out. I was shocked to see all of the negative comments, that were obviously from family members who don't want his story to be told. It seems to me that still today, that this young man is having to overcome alot of obstacles. Maybe he is not going through the physical abuse anymore, but now it seems that he is having to go through alot of mental abuse in order to just succed with his life. Keep up with your writing and don't let others get in your way. Also, maybe someone could help you on your next book. Not everyone has the capabilities of writing a book, so kudos to you for attempting this endeavor.

Voices From a Locked Room was very action packed from the first page. The content is very daring of a new writer but I was looking forward to reading the second part when I heard it was pulled from the stores. Voices From a Locked Room takes you to so many places and so many different times in ones life that I wish everyone would read it! It is a hard lession for all of us to be learned about child abuse and the streets.

I didn't know what to think after reading voices from a locked room because I knew Chad as a little boy. It broke my heart to find what I always thought was true. It is very upsetting to know his mother or family for that matter were never charge with a crime for abuse. I just thank God that Chad has now turned his life around. In our town, things like this are sometimes never told or talking about. Chad has wrote a mind blowing book to help others talk about abuse and other things in life that we are afraid to talk about. Great Book for any parents.

Immense credit must be given to Dr. Gaines-Ross who bravely and successfully takes on, notwithstanding the post Enron anti-CEO environment, the hypersensitive issue of CEO reputation. Yes, agrees Gaines-Ross, being a high profile, ego obsessed CEO is asking for trouble and is to be avoided like the plague. She refuses, however, to engage in the now fashionable tendency toward unrestrained CEO bashing, preferring instead a reasoned, astute and carefully researched analysis of the CEO's role.

While adding her voice to those who deride media hyped personalities, what she refers to as big "C" Celebrity CEOs, she cautions that old fashioned leadership is still desirable. When engaged in by talented CEOs, it may, indeed should, lead to the creation of an executive persona. Such a persona need not require media exposure and is entirely compatible with sound corporate practice. Such persona bearing CEOs are small "c" celebrated CEOs, who "by dint of strong leadership, discriminating vision, force of character and other admirable traits become celebrated by their employees, their industry, their peers, and occasionally (though not necessarily) even the media for jobs well done."

Gaines-Ross' book amounts to a much needed, intellectually honest warning not to let the anti-CEO backlash go too far. Refusing to jump blindly onto the anti-CEO bandwagon as have so many business pundits, she stresses that executive leadership is still necessary and if effectively and ethically rendered is something which should not be hidden under the rug but promoted openly. In pursuing the cause of sound, old fashioned corporate leadership, she lays out a roadmap, based on original research, on how CEOs may repair their reputations, stressing among other things the need to communicate internally, build a management team, develop a thematic stamp and a vision.

She deserves immense praise not only for her honest appraisal of the role of CEOs in today's business environment but also for presenting an immensely practical and useful format on how to lead ethically, energetically and effectively.

A major, original addition to the literature on leadership and reputation ... no doubt about it.

Immense credit must be given to Dr. Gaines-Ross who bravely and successfully takes on, notwithstanding the post Enron anti-CEO environment, the hypersensitive issue of CEO reputation. Yes, agrees Gaines-Ross, being a high profile, ego obsessed CEO is asking for trouble and is to be avoided like the plague. She refuses, however, to engage in the now fashionable tendency toward unrestrained CEO bashing, preferring instead a reasoned, astute and carefully researched analysis of the CEO's role.

While adding her voice to those who deride media hyped personalities, what she refers to as big "C" Celebrity CEOs, she cautions that old fashioned leadership is still desirable. When engaged in by talented CEOs, it may, indeed should, lead to the creation of an executive persona. Such a persona need not require media exposure and is entirely compatible with sound corporate practice. Such persona bearing CEOs are small "c" celebrated CEOs, who "by dint of strong leadership, discriminating vision, force of character and other admirable traits become celebrated by their employees, their industry, their peers, and occasionally (though not necessarily) even the media for jobs well done."

Gaines-Ross' book amounts to a much needed, intellectually honest warning not to let the anti-CEO backlash go too far. Refusing to jump blindly onto the anti-CEO bandwagon as have so many business pundits, she stresses that executive leadership is still necessary and if effectively and ethically rendered is something which should not be hidden under the rug but promoted openly. In pursuing the cause of sound, old fashioned corporate leadership, she lays out a roadmap, based on original research, on how CEOs may repair their reputations, stressing among other things the need to communicate internally, build a management team, develop a thematic stamp and a vision.

She deserves immense praise not only for her honest appraisal of the role of CEOs in today's business environment but also for presenting an immensely practical and useful format on how to lead ethically, energetically and effectively.

A major, original addition to the literature on leadership and reputation ... no doubt about it.

We have all been witness to the lionisation, and thereafter, the demonisation of CEOs.

As we watched some of the finest corporate reputations bite the dust, we also became acutely aware that there is no 'secret sauce' to brew a fine reputation. Yet there are some basic principles that apply and that is what this book sheds light on.

CEO Capital is not about impression management or building personality cults. Nor is it a simple 1-2-3 recipe for assembling a chief executive's reputation. It is for serious business professionals who recognise and honour the immensity of the chief executive's job, especially in today's complex business environment.

Over the past few years, Burson-Marsteller has contributed significantly to the body of knowledge through a series of research studies looking at CEO reputation and its contribution to broader corporate reputation. Those studies have found a significant - and growing - correlation between the credibility of the chief executive and reputation of his or her organisation.

The principal architect of that research is Leslie Gaines-Ross, B-M's chief knowledge officer, who joined the firm after serving as director of marketing and communication at Fortune magazine, where she was closely involved in the publication's Most Admired Corporations research.

In the book, Gaines-Ross builds on Burson's research and lays out a roadmap for CEOs who understand the increasing importance of both personal and institutional credibility. CEO reputation, according to this book, is dependent upon three 'C' factors -credibility, code of ethics, and communicating internally - and two 'M' factors - attracting and retaining a quality management team and motivating and inspiring employees.

So important are the CM factors that each one surpassed even wealth creation in importance according to the 2001 Burson-Marsteller study, she writes. Evidently, financial performance is important, but simply not enough.

Gaines-Ross makes a compelling case that building CEO capital is not about ego, but about good, old-fashioned leadership. And she shows that it has payoffs for the organisation. But before embarking on what Gaines-Ross calls "the CEO capital model of building reputation," the CEO must buy into the importance of building his or her personal credibility.

The most practical section of the book, based upon B-M's 'Seasons of a CEO' research, provides a roadmap for a new CEO seeking to build credibility inside and outside the organisation.

That task begins in the countdown period, before he or she takes office. The countdown is a time to cherish -a time when a CEO may quietly plan for the future, contact key shareholders, research the company, and do all those innumerable tasks for which there will be so little time later, says Gaines-Ross.

The first 100 days of a CEO's tenure are critical, and a time when the focus should be inward rather than on external audiences.

The media should be low on the list of priorities for a new CEO during the first 100 days, says Gaines-Ross. Media exposure without full opportunity to gain a thorough understanding of corporate workings is an invitation to disaster.

As the first year progresses, the focus slowly shifts. The CEO must establish a unique corporate persona in which the CEO's every action and deed reflects in some way the corporate values the CEO wishes to advance and the vision the CEO wishes to instil.

The first step is to engage in what Gaines-Ross calls "intense learning," from customers, from analysts, from alumni, from employees. Then, she says, CEOs can cultivate a persona, establishing those values that will drive the company, articulating a code of ethics.

The second year of a CEO's tenure can be even more challenging because this is when the change really gets binding and the stakeholders, including the board of directors, start to expect real, measurable results.

The CEO needs to demonstrate the company's new strategic vision, put stakeholders at ease - show them both financial results and a unified management team - and start to plan for the future.

The CEO also needs to demonstrate what Gaines-Ross calls thought leadership, something that "distinguishes and differentiates a company from its competitors... Thought leadership often breaks with business or industry convention, astonishes if not startles. Thought leadership reflects on the company and builds CEO capital."

Gaines-Ross ends the book with two appeals. The first is for a longer CEO timetable. B-M's research has shown that all stakeholders expect more of CEOs, and faster. But "the trend toward increasingly shorter CEO tenures is undermining business productivity and focus," says Gaines-Ross.

"Fewer CEOs seem to make it past the five-quarter mark and even fewer beyond their three-year anniversary. Such instability irrevocably and adversely affects a company's reputation and destiny. Chief executive departures have substantially adverse consequences, affecting too many employees, customers, partners, and investors." The second appeal is related, a call for a longer-term view.

This is substantial addition to the literature of our profession, a manifesto supported by compelling original research and informed by intelligent, sympathetic analysis. It is also a rare book about public relations that preaches not to the choir but to the choirmasters.

(The reviewer is Principal and Founder, Genesis Public Relations, India)

Until I read this book I did not realize the importance of communicating the 'how','why', 'when' of each executive decision. Given the crisis environment dominating corporate America today, I think CEOs need to add another word to their title and become chief executive and communications officers. Without communicating and finding their voice as leaders, I think CEOs will have a hard time earning public trust. This book provides a great blue print for understanding the commotion we read about in the papers.

In CEO Capital, Leslie Gaines-Ross has written an insightful and enlightening book for those who want to increase the positive visibility and reputation of their CEO. It is a surprise to this reviewer that more books have not been written on the subject of how to master the art of building your reputation when both your own personal future and corporate future may be resting on it.

The celebrity hungry society of today looks to corporate movers and shakers especially the CEO as icons of a particular company. Think about Lee Iacocca, Jack Welch, Richard Branson, Bill Gates and Steve Jobs to mention just a few. How much of your opinion of these companies (and notice I don't even have to mention which companies they run/ran) is based on your perceived image of the CEO? The phrase `you are your company' has never been more true, especially in the post Enron & Arthur Anderson world. How has your opinion of Enron changed now that you know more about Jeff Skilling and Andrew Fastow? Despite any fraud at Enron being committed by the few and not the masses of the organization, our entire perception of Enron has shifted to the iconic few.

Part I of CEO Capital is a contextual look at CEO capital: what it is, where it comes from and how it can be built. Gaines-Ross draws us in by looking at the CEO Effect by citing some examples as far back as 1985 starting with Roberto Goizueta, then CEO of Coca-Cola and the whole `New Coke' revolt, that could have been a fatal disaster for the company. But Goizueta, trading on his CEO capital, not only avoided being removed but was able to bring the company back even stronger.

Part II is most interesting and is centered on the five stages postulated in the CEO capital model which take you by the hand, and step by step go through best practices (ed: hate that term but in this situation it is apt), principles and linkages to factors affecting the building of CEO capital. As the book says, `the reader may be left with the impression that the stages read almost like a manual on how to lead a company. This perception is quite acceptable and entirely reasonable because nothing is more conducive to building CEO capital than building a strong, high-performing company. Any similarity between the two is entirely intentional.' Which is indeed how it reads, but in doing so, broadens the scope of the content to be relevant to a wider audience of business managers and executives who may not be leading Fortune 500 type companies (yet!). In fact, they may be the very leaders who will gain most from this book, since they are not too arrogant to learn and may gain the most from any capital building opportunities presented to them.

Chapters in the book include guidance on the Countdown (the time before the CEO-elect takes office), the First One Hundred days and the First Year, and then of course the second year in office which is always much harder than the first.

Gaines-Ross has written a truly pioneering work - overall an excellent book on a little-written about subject. The book is practically written and you should not let its somewhat `user manual' style detract you from putting its advice into action. Recommended for CEOs and CEOs to-be of all sized companies, as well as other corporate officers and marketing/PR professionals who may guide along the process.

A great read, this book was very practical and smart. Eckert gets to the heart of the matter with her personal stories and years of experience as a Christian mental health professional. A great book for a study group or a women's ministry. I think this book would be a great read for conversation and connection in any group trying to go deeper in their relationships.

This book provides a practical approach to many challenges women face today. Working though the book and using the tools at the end of each chapter has given me a fresh perspective on what it means to be a Christian woman in today's world. I highly recommend this book.

I am never good with words and have thought very hard about what I would write in this little review on amazon. I guess I will just have to hope my words are written for the best.

This book has the potential to be absolutely life changing. It was for me. I was both challenged and refreshed by the contents in the book. I feel that this book is a must read for both women AND men. Women can face many issues that are prevelant today in the life of a woman, and men can understand women a little bit better. The questions for group discussions in the back of the book provide a great way to discuss and learn from others as well. It's a great asset to the book and I encourage every reader to find at least a small group to study this book for discussion.

What is so amazing about Dr. Eckert is that she is a female who has struggled with the very things that are discussed within this book and knows there are many other women who struggle with them as well.(Many times books on women are written by males who have limited experience with their topic) Not only that, she is a book of knowledge when it comes to women. I have the honor of knowing Dr. Eckert and consider her to be the most passionate person I know when it comes to others. Her passion for others' lives is incorporated into this book. She has applied the wisdom she has acquired through Christ, past experiences, work, etc. so that many will be encouraged and challenged to face some tough questions and ideas raised, especially within the church. Some of my favorite chapters are on negative self talk and body image issues. She doesn't just write about the problems, but gives advise on how to approach and change these problems.

Eckert has also included many amazing quotes from other authors as well that are very moving. She uses real examples from the experience she has had as a therapist to correlate to certain ideas she presents. In short, I could go on and on about why you should buy, read, and study this book. You will be missing out on many inspiring messages if you choose not to read this amazing work. There really is no better way for me to put it than that.

Kim Eckert ventures deep into a woman's heart & soul. Having seen myself on many pages, I found her wise counsel enlightening and helpful. Toni, Fl.

I love this book because it offers an honest discussion. This is a book about brokenness, but it is not a quick fix. Thankfully, Eckert does not offer pat answers. Instead, this book is like a friend who feels your pain. Eckert acknowledges that horrible things happen, yet she explains that it is in our brokenness that God makes us whole. This is a book that I highly recommend.

THE BIG BURN is a fascinating and harrowing historic novel set in the midst of a forest fire that trashed Northern Idaho and Western Montana in 1910. It was a large forest fire. "How large?" you may ask. Okay--If there are 640 acres in a square mile and there were nearly three million acres affected by THE BIG BURN, then we're talking an area nearly 4700 square miles. Sonoma County, where I live, is one-third that size. If you consider the San Francisco Bay Area counties of Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, San Mateo, San Francisco, Marin, AND Sonoma together, then you've got a sense of the scale of the destruction. For those of you on the East Coast, we're talking Long Island, plus all of New York's boroughs, and the counties of Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, Orange, Dutchess, and Columbia.

"Field Notes: In the summer of 1910, rangers who were used to working in isolation suddenly found their forests filling with strangers. With new fires breaking out daily through July and older ones stubbornly resisting control, the Forest Service's District One had no choice but to hire more and more men to fight them. By the end of the month, there were almost three thousand firefighters scattered across the district's several forests...W.B. Greeley, would later write, 'It was a case of hiring anyone we could get. We cleaned out Skid Road in Spokane and Butte. A lot of temporaries were bums and hobos. In a bad fire year, the temporary is the weakest link in the chain'...They went into the burning forests wearing the clothes they'd been recruited in, and the ones wearing street shoes or snug wool suits would regret that. They worked for twenty-five cents an hour with board, thirty if they provided their own food..."

In THE BIG BURN we do meet a few scoundrels. But the main characters here are three young people--Jarrett, a local boy who leaves his harsh dad; Seth, a southern kid in a black regiment who is trying to live up to the memory of his dead father; and Lizbeth, a young woman originally from New England, who is falling in love with the land she's found herself homesteading with her young, widowed aunt. All three cross paths before finding themselves in the midst of Hell on Earth.

Perhaps the publisher is calling this an "ages 12 and up" to spare younger children potential nightmares from the vividly drawn scenes of towering flames bearing down on our heroes. But for any kid whose tastes run to disaster and survival, mixed into a coming of age story, THE BIG BURN is a riveting read.

Jeanette Ingold has pulled out all stops in her book called The Bug Burn. In this exciting tale of Idaho's wildfires in 1910, three young adults battle the forces of nature. Seth, Jaret, and Lizbeth each fight life in their own way, and overcome personal obstacles. Seth is an African American trying to fit-in in the army. Jaret is a rebel son as he goes looking for a job in firefighting after he got fired from his railroad job. Lizbeth is a niece who is trying to convince her aunt not to sell their homestead. I like this book because it is full of action and adventure, but educational at the same time. I would give it five out of five stars because I had a fun time reading it and learned a lot from it. I can't tell you the ending, but I can give you a little sneak peek. The strong wind blows many fires together, creating a giant blaze. That blaze charges forward, burning everything in its path. Eventually it comes to a city named Wallace, and everyone has to work together to try to stop it. Do they succeed? Read the book, The Big Burn, to find out.

I think that The Big Burn was a very precice and educational book. The main carachters were Jarett, a young man wanting to fight fires with his older brother; Seth, An afircan American young man trying to show his pride for his country by joining the army; and Lizbeth, a young women trying to stay and keep her aunt from selling their home. The setting is 1910's, in Idaho and Montana. They over come some goals, and others are crushed. This all adds up untill the climax were all the flames come together and

In light of the recent wildfires in Colorado and Arizona, THE BIG BURN is an interesting book, but it would certainly be noteworthy under any circumstances. The story follows two young men and a young woman as they encounter and combat the infamously ferocious Montana wildfires of 1910. Jeanette Ingold deftly switches perspectives throughout the tale to keep the reader interested in this well-crafted historical novel.

Jarrett, the brother of a forest ranger, is on a quest to prove himself to his gruff father; Lizbeth, living with her widowed aunt, wants to preserve her adopted Western home; and Seth, a young black soldier, is dedicated to serving his country and overcoming racial prejudice. Apart and together, they transcend traditional teenage roles and attempt to save their homes from the fires that ravaged the Montana and Idaho wilderness during the summer of 1910. Some of the plot developments may seem cliché (romance blooms where you'd probably expect --- close calls end with last-second rescues, etc.), but overall the adventure is unlike any other book available. This overlooked event in US history provides a wealth of excitement for a talented writer. The parallel stories of the three protagonists allow for several viewpoints of every episode; Ingold paints a comprehensive portrait of the true historical events of the period.

Ingold intersperses the chapters with "field notes" chronicling the wildfires and wilderness firefighting from an objective standpoint. These sections are actually where she writes best and they are a testament to the thorough research that went into writing the book. Both historically accurate and dramatically engaging, THE BIG BURN is a great choice for anyone who is interested in learning about the phenomena of forest fires while also reading a great story.

--- Reviewed by Lowell Putnam

Ingold tells the reader that if you talk with anyone in Idaho or Montana for long enough, the subject of the Big Burn will come up, and the person telling you about it will expect you to know all about it. After reading Ingold's well-researched book, any reader would be able to contribute to the subject. Set in 1910, when forest rangers were new, railroads were huge, and immigrants were still flooding the country, The Big Burn tells the story of the wild fires of the northwestern United States. Ingold gives us three main characters: Jarrett, Lisbeth and Seth. These teenagers each deal with the fire in their own way, and find that there is more to fighting fires than a little water or ditch digging. The three do meet in the tale (it is plausible), and each tell their view of the events in concurrent chapters. Ingold breaks in with facts and accounts of actual events, which makes the fictitious story feel all the more real.

Ingold has done her homework, and it shows in the story. Her afterword, acknowledgements, and list of suggested reading at the end all provide valuable information. The only problem I had with the book was a bit of charaterization--the relationships between the characters felt forced and unbelievable, particularly the budding romance between Jarrett and Lisbeth. On their own, the characters were strong, interesting, and contributed to the story. But when they came in contact with the others, even the minor characters became a bit forced in the relationships in which they were observing or participating. Otherwise this is a wonderful example of great historical fiction.

If you were as shocked and horrified by what happened to Joyce Ann Brown as these other readers, please consider supporting the organization that reinvestigated her wrongful conviction and worked tirelessly to free her. Centurion Ministries, Inc. of 221 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, NJ 08542 has been working on behalf of the wrongfully convicted like Ms. Brown for over 20 years.

Imagine being in prison for something you know you didn't do, this is what happened to Joyce Brown. Joyce had witnesses, was at work the time the crime was committed, but was still found guilty for the murder of a store owner, who's wife pointed her out as being the guilty party. If this can happen to Joyce Brown it can happen to anyone. I think GOd for those gentlemen who came to her aid in the book. If you think there is now way that you could end up in prison, read this book, and you will see that you very well could even if you are innocent with lots of evidence.

Joyce Ann Brown has compelling reasons to be angry with the criminal justice system. After all, the State of Texas robbed her of her family, friends and freedom. In Justice Denied, however, Joyce takes her life sentence back from the judges and overseers who wrongly declared her a murderer!

Joyce Ann Brown writes powerful and empowering words that bleed honesty and passion, yet she never allows her righteous anger to become hateful. Instead, she channels her rage into positive action, serving as inspiration, appealing to the reader's sense of humanity. The author is a minister at the core of her being.

Justice Denied is a gritty, painful and ultimately triumphant journey with the potential to change public policy. This book should be required reading for judges, juries, attorneys, police officers, prison guard, prison ministers, politicians, educators, activists, and anybody who has ever felt like the circumstances of their lives threaten to undermine their sense of self-worth. Like an oasis in the desert, Justice Denied compels readers to move forward and quench their thirst for justice.

Imagine being in prison for something you know you didn't do, this is what happened to Joyce Brown. Joyce had witnesses, was at work the time the crime was committed, but was still found guilty for the murder of a store owner, who's wife pointed her out as being the guilty party. If this can happen to Joyce Brown it can happen to anyone. I think GOd for those gentlemen who came to her aid in the book. If you think there is now way that you could end up in prison, read this book, and you will see that you very well could even if you are innocent with lots of evidence.

I must give a rating of 10 stars!!~ This book was so well written. It placed you in Ms.Browns shoes before, during & after. This author may you feel as though You were a apart of her awful journey through this ill-fated justice system of ours. Reading her story, (if you have any compassion) at all........It will indeed make you so damn Angry at these men in Suits (lawyers)& Robes (judges), that we so often call "Justice Seekers" in America. Too many times we read about 'innocent' people, being thrown into prison, & finding out Years Later that a BIG Mistake had be made. How do OUR System compensate these individuals? With an out-landish simple Apology??? How can anyone 'accept' what has happened to them? It's time to wake up America! It's time for these Paid, & Court appointed Attorney's to represent each & every case with every piece of skill they possilbly can, to make Damn Sure about "WHO" they are really sending to the depths of Hell!

All the facts in Ms. Brown's case were right before their eyes, yet Justice did not prevail. I searched high & low for a copy of this book for my very own, after asking a co-worker if I could read hers. Locating a copy in good condition was a feat, because it was no longer in print. Finally I located one & it had Joyce's autograph, I treasure it today still as a Great Read.

I cried many tears, I walked every inch of this sentence with Ms. Brown. Through all of what she indured, she still remained Strong in the Lord, (this was her Only Hope), as for as I could see. I say now: If the judge who sentenced this young lady is still practicing law, holding his gavel, & wearing that black robe, he should be made to do the Years that Ms. Brown served!

Even it was so done, It still would Not serve Ms. Brown any satisfaction, nor her family members for ripping their lives apart. The Most heart breaking part of this book, that wrenched my soul was when her child was shot/hurt, later died, & Ms.Brown was not granted the opportunity to go attend the funeral services! I fell into pieces after reading it.

Becoming a grandmother & not being able to have that daily/weekly interactions with her grandkid, or to have any great memories of her grandchild's was also a traumatic issue for Ms. Brown. This book will indeed touch your soul~

I'd love to meet Ms. Brown & J.Gaines, so we can share notes on what the 'System' did to my family, on the (4th of July) "What an Independence Day that was"! Good Luck Joyce on your upcoming Movie, & May God Always Be On Your Side. I know of a star who will portray your role Very Well, & Capture Every Emotion, her name is: Kimberly Elise, her role was Tee-Tee, from 'Set it Off'..........she looks like you somewhat, & I do believe she will carry your story to THE TOP of the Movie Charts!

Thanks For Never Giving Up Hope Joyce. What You & Jay wrote in your book, it Speaks for a large number of Americans. I know that you & Jay are friends for life now, & rightfully so. Everyone deserves a friend like Jay, his love says it all, it's (unconditional)~ Again, Good Luck On Your Upcoming Movie, Let me hear from you soon Sista~ 2 Sista~

"Secrets" anthologies are always good and filled with sexy, interesting and often funny stories and this one is no exception.

M.J. Davidson's story involves the hilarious Wyndham Werewolves. Jared thinks he needs to avenge his sisters death by killing Michael the head Werewolf. He runs into Moira (A very strong Werewolf who guards Michael)and proceeds to kidnap her to protect her from the evil werewolves not realizing she is one. I laughed and laughed over their silly adventures.

The other stories are also very good making this book well worth the price. One is about a a woman who inherits a brothel and a woman committed to an asylum in the Victorian repressed age in England.

Red Sage Publishings Secrets lives up its advertisement of being "The Best in Women's Sensual Fiction". These stories are hot and well written. They will have you wishing that these determined Alpha males were in your life.

MaryJane Davidson returns with her werewolf series in Jared's Wolf. Jared's sister was killed by a werewolf and he is determined to kill the man that did it. He knows that only men can be werewolves (so much for reliable information) so when he sees a beautiful young woman roaming the werewolf compound he kidnaps her to keep her safe. Moira is more than capable of taking care of herself, but she is strongly attracted to Jared. She is convinced that he is an arrogrant and overbearing male that has a lot of wrong and potentially harmful information. She is determined to protect her pack and he is determine to avenge his sister.

Taming Kate is about a young women who inherits a botheral in Nevada. The botheral has been in her family for generations. The problem is that she didn't realize that she had a family. Having been raised to be prim and proper the passionate Kate can't bring herself to be a Madame of a brothel, especially when she is following the career her mother wanted for her. Trey Holliday is going to change Kate's mind and prove to her that passionate is not a bad thing.

My Champion, My Love is set in the Vistorian era when proper women were not suppose think that sex was wonderful. Celeste is committed to an asylum for her seual appetites by her stepchildren. Celeste's friend convinces the mayor, Robert Albright, to help Celeste. After an afternoon of passion they are torn apart by betrayal. Robert most not only face the betrayal but come to terms with his love for Celeste. Can he believe that she loves him.

This is a great collection of stories and worth adding to your collection of keepers.

I've never been a big cowboy fan but I want to read what happens to all the boys in Love, Nevada! This story was hot, hot, hot and fun, fun, fun!!!!!

I have read and loved several of these Secrets anthologies. Again, I skipped a few volumes because Mary Janice Davidson, one of my favorite new erotic romance authors, is featured in this one. She also wrote a novella on Volume 6, but I was unable to get a copy of that book. I loved her novella! It is full of Davidson's signature wit and crisp dialogue. Jared's Wolf is the follow-up to Love's Prisoner -- the novella featured on Volume 6. Jared Rocke wants to find and destroy the werewolf who murdered his sister. He hates werewolves and is determined to find Michael Wyndham, the leader of the pack. However, he stumbles upon Moira, a beautiful accountant who works for Wyndham -- or so he thinks. Moira decides to spend time with him and get information about his intentions. Intense attraction and mind-blowing sex ensue between the two. But how will Jared feel when he finds out that Moira is a she-wolf? He'll be shocked; after all, he thinks only men are werewolves...

Again, Mary Janice Davidson entertains the reader with the bantering between the characters. Her stories make me laugh all the time. This is the best novella in this anthology. I also like Alice Gaines's historical tour de force My Champion, My Love. I love the old New York setting and the wonderful erotic scenes. And Jeanie Cesarini's Western erotica Taming Kate is a wild ride! It has the no-holds-barred D/s elements that I love in erotic romance. I didn't like Liz Maverick's futuristic story Kiss or Kill. The story of a female soldier who falls for a robot that resembles a human being left me cold. All in all, Secrets Volume 8 is smoldering erotica at its best (save for Liz Maverick's story). I recommend it, if only for Ms. Davidson's novella.

I was drawn to this volume after becoming a new member of the legion of MaryJanice Davidson fans. I am happy to report I was not disappointed. This volume pays for itself each time I read it, and believe me, I read it often! As is her form, MaryJanice Davidson has written an erotic tale consistent with the quality I have come to expect of her. The other stories in this volume vary greatly in subject and writing style, but all of them are EXCELLENT. Folks, this is erotic fiction at its finest--do add this one to your library! You won't be disappointed!

Speaking of tension, E.R. Frank's Wrecked is one of the most moving stories you could find on the aftermath of an auto accident. An auto crash involving three teens kills one, leaves a passenger disabled, and is viewed from the driver's perspective in Wrecked. For Anna has killed her brother's girlfriend in the accident and has to handle not only the death but the rift with her brother and her passenger friend, who was drunk at the time. An emotionally charged story of responsibility.

This book cannot be put down. I read this book in 5 hours, I am in [...]honors so this book was easy for me, I absolutely adored this book. I love how it went into flashbacks of times with her and Jack. Excellent book, purchase!

The Book Wrecked by E.R. Frank, and published by Atheneum/Richard Jackson Books September 27, 2005. There are 256 pages in this book. This book is fiction. This book is about a young girl who accidentally kills her brother's girlfriend in a car accident. She deals with the ups and downs of having the girl's death on her shoulders, which is very hard for her to cope with.
This book is mainly about dealing with life and death. I think that the author is trying to allow young adults to take a look through a teens eyes and let them see how it would be if they drink and drive. The young girl's name is Anna she goes to a party with her best friend Ellen. When they arrive at the party peer pressure pushes Anna do what she normally does not do, that is drink. She stops after a while and sobers up a little bit but Ellen is definitely wasted. On the way home is what changed Anna's life forever. All she can remember is the accident, and waking up in the hospital. She keeps repeating things she heard like screaming, and Ellen's voice. Now Cameron her brother's girlfriend is dead and no one is blaming her but she feels that it is all her fault. From what I have read so far in the book I believe that it is a very good book. It makes me feel kind of like I am in the story. It is so descriptive that I feel like if I close my eyes I can see what is going on.
After reading the part of the book I have completed the book has really left a lasting impression it has made me think about what I would do if I were put in that situation. It kind of makes me sad, I want everyone that is interested in reading this book to know that it is the type of story that once you have picked it up to start to read it you can not put it down.

I loved this book. The voice of the narrator Anna, is sincere, and although she has endured living with a troubled father and survived a terrible car crash, her voice is never whiny or filled with self-pity.
Even though everyone tells Anna that the crash was not her fault, years of emotional abuse from her father and guilt over her brother's grief over the loss of his girlfriend in the crash takes its toll on her and she begins to have severe panic attacks and is unable to face driving a car. The author of Wrecked is a psychotherapist and the sessions between Anna and her shrink are realistically portrayed.
I also enjoyed the scenes between Anna and her friends at school and away in Florida. Anna's friendship with her friend Ellen is put to the test when Ellen continues to abuse alcohol. There are no easy answers which is what makes this such an excellent read for young adults and adults alike. It shows that there are no bad guys, just people like us who have a hard time navigating through life. A satisfying ending brought the book full circle. I'd read other books by this author.

Sixteen-year-old Anna was driving her (drunk) best friend home from a party when she collided head-on with her brother's girlfriend's car. Now a beautiful high school senior is dead, Anna nearly lost an eye and suffers from PTSD with crippling nightmares, her best friend Ellen is in a wheelchair, and the family is at odds with one another. Wrecked opens with the car accident and its aftermath, but, as a whole, the book is an exploration of the fabric of an entire family.

Anna's friends and family have widely disparate reactions to the wreck. What is the right way to respond, anyway? Anna can find websites about how to deal with a dying family member, how to be a friend to someone who is grieving, and how to cope if you have suicidal thoughts, but there is no website to address the peculiar situation of how to cope with unintentionally killing one of your peers.

The narration of Wrecked is told in a genuine teenaged voice, full of questions, full of frustration with parents, and desperately seeking direction. In a strange way, the entire crisis brings Anna's family closer, to a more complete understanding of one another.

This book is highly recommended for teens and family members of all ages. It is especially important for anyone dealing with a family crisis or the accidental death of a family friend. Fans of this book should seek out Mary Beth Miller's Aimee and John Green's Looking for Alaska.

Susan Gaines's Carbon Dreams is the best science novel I've ever read. The characters, the intense excitement as a major discovery unfolds, the comradery, the jealousies and cutthroat infighting brought back memories fond and not so fond of my 38 years as a chemistry prof. The sacrifices her major character has to make for the sake of her career are heart-breaking and, unfortunately, rather realistic--science is still not very kind to women in America.
Often when I read novels involving science I must suspend disbelief and overlook major flaws in the author's understanding of science. Not so here--Gaines's science is impeccable. This is particularly remarkable when one considers the breadth and richness of the scientific tapestry she weaves.
The conflict between basic research and applied technology and the ethical questions this raises at the practical level are handled realistically and brilliantly.
If you want to get a feeling for how science works, this book is a good place to start.

As a woman receiving her doctorate in geochemistry this year, I
have to say this is the absolute best portrayal of how science works in the real world that I've read. Ms. Gaines is wonderful
at communicating the passion, enthusiasm and obsession that come
with stretching the limits of the known. She also accurately presents how funding can subtlely shape what science gets done
and some of the difficult choices women face in higher academia.
I'd like to believe the possibilities for women are not as
limited as are presented here, but I think in the early '80s
it's an accurate portrayal. She also presents how self-centered
and emotionally stunted scientists can be. A difficult book, but
I liked this book so well I bought two copies (on my very
limited student stipend) for fellow female graduate student
friends of mine.

This would also be wonderful discussion book for book clubs.

While I believe that women will find this novel more to their liking than most men, I don't consider that a failing, but rather a choice by the author/publisher. Rather, I should say, it will be compelling reading for women who understand the dilemma of having to choose between traditional romantic life and a demanding and absorbing career. Gaines does a good job of weaving together the difficulties inherent in both parts of life, and especially excels at descriptions of scientific procedure and theoretical pondering, while keeping the pace lively and engaging. This is a masterful first novel, especially considering its rather ambitious scope. My only criticisms are that some of the scientific descriptions are repetitious rather than illuminating (extensive diagrams would have been interesting) and I felt that the main character was a bit too ambivalent about her resolutions and the author allowed that ambivalence to carry too much weight at the end of the novel. Still, this is a trivial criticism considering the accomplishment of the novel as a whole and its unique and interesting view of a world that we rarely see. I liked it so much I bought three additional copies and sent them to friends who are scientists. I recommend it highly.

Carbon Dreams is a book about the compelling pleasures of scientific creativity. Set in the early 1980s, it addresses the intense experience of having data that a scientist is curious about and can't let go of become an important part of a major scientific debate. I'll leave the debate unnamed. It's great fun to see the connection reveal itself as the book progresses. The science is interesting and well presented-a history major like me had no trouble understanding it. Gaines does not ignore the politics in the scientific world. The plot includes feminist and environmental issues and pressures from competing theorists. Nor does she ignore the personal cost of having one's primary dedication be to science rather than relationships. This is a book for people interested in how science works on a human level. It's also an excellent choice for a book club-lots of meaty ideas to talk about. I look forward to reading Gaines's next book.

I've been thoroughly addicted to Ms. Gaines' short stories for years, so when this novel appeared, I bought it and settled in for a good read. I was NOT disappointed!

As I entered Tina's world, I experienced her passion for the beauty in the smallest forms of life. What has been the subject of dry lectures by countless high school science teachers, become a matter of faith and joy. The search for the very beginnings of life unimaginable years ago, become in this novel, tantalizing close and personal, a mystery to be solved.

Tina's character is well drawn and developed, and while she might have been unattainable by virtue of her years of education, she is heart-achingly human. Her struggles in the heady upper echelons of a male-dominated field, her determination in maintaining her innocence and idealism in a world fraught with messy ambiguities, and her search for love while stubbornly refusing to admit that she needs it, all make her a person I feel I know and love.

The novel has an edge of intrigue and the exotic, with entrée into the world of lab coats and core samples and research ships, as well as glimpses into Tina's South American heritage - a world of fine social graces and passion. The exotic is offset with a familiar, homey feel of the Northern California coast seen through the eyes of a native who came to age in a time of pure idealism and social unrest.

I highly recommend this novel to connoisseurs of literary fiction - don't be scared off by SCIENCE; you'll miss out on a wonderful book! Lovers of science, particularly young women who might be considering a career in research, will appreciate having a heroine and a role model. And for those who, like me are completely torn, never quite happy in either a world of pure science or pure art, will realize that magical blend of both in this work.

P.S. I can't wait for Susan M. Gaines' second novel!

I bought this for a friend that is restoring a 1944 Farmall that he drove as a kid. i did quite a bit of research and this is the only restoration manual
i could find for Farmall. there are lots of nice coffee table books with pics of different models and specs but not to actually take apart and assemble one. My friend had already researched and had bought the same one.
Said it was the one.

This is a very informative book with lots of good color photos and descriptive, but not model specific info on evaluating,tear down,inspecting and repairing componants. Each chapter is devoted to a seperate componant or system. The paint chapter focuses on selecting different types of paint,primers,sealers. There are suggestions on selecting and applying decals. I found a nice appendix with contact info for parts suppliers and clubs. I didn't see much about tractors made after the late 50's. This book would be a great companion to a detailed shop manual for someone who has little or no experience working on tractors. There is also a chapter that gives ideas on tools and tool selection.

I bought this book as a gift for my husband and all I can say is that he is so excited about it. He is constantly reading it, looking at pictures in it and bragging about what a wonderful book it is. I would recommend it to anyone that is wanting to learn more about the Farm all tractors.

I recently acquired a partially restored Farmall F 20, and have plans on restoring an F 12 from the ground up. I bought this book to give me an idea of what I have in store for myself. It is very thorough, giving some very useful directions on everything from aesthetic makeovers to removing and replacing pistons and rods. There is also a short section on the history of the Farmall. Furthermore, it includes helpful numbers and addresses that can be used to acquire parts etc... This will no doubt be of great help in my coming endeavor. Even if one's plans do not include restoring old tractors, but the interest (should I say "sickness":), is there this is a great book to browse through.

How To Restore Classic Farmall Tractors: The Ultimate Do-It-Yourself Guide To Rebuilding And Restoring is a no-nonsense, in-depth how-to manual for collectors, hobbyists, and even professionals. Chapters cover how to repair, restore, and spruce up every part of vintage Farmall tractors, from engine repair to the clutch, tires, hydraulic system, electrical system, cooling system, fuel system, sheet metal, paint job, decals, and much more. Black-and-white and color photographs, explicit diagrams, and thorough instructions in layman's language distinguish How To Restore Classic Farmall Tractors. A fascinating guide for classic tractor enthusiasts and hobbyists and an invaluable resource for anyone determined to get their classic Farmall tractor in the best possible condition.