Jones Books

Take my advice from one artist to another... this book has impact. It has added so much to my understanding of what I do, and how I view abstracted figurative art in general. I recommend this book to all artists who work in figures. The reproductions in this book are full of color and there is very little to complain about. For those who are not artists, but enjoy reading about the subject, this book fulfills. You read about the artists struggles, success, personal lives and how they came to be THE Bay Area Figurative Artists. Their art, timeless... and this book lends them the respect they deserve but rarely get.

Michael Aldana
www.michaelaldana.com

Bay Area Figurative Art: 1950-1965

This is a wonderful book with a specific emphasis on the bay area figurative scene circa 50's & 60's. It vignettes several artists from the heavily enriched San Francisco Bay Area. I found it a good place to discover some lesser-known artists that played a part of the emerging figurative art movement. This book presents the last stirrings of abstract expressionism into the birth of a newly re-discovered figure. If you enjoy the works of Richard Diebenkorn , David Parks, Paul Wonner, Joan Brown, Elmer Bischoff, you may find a few other artist in this book to investigate further.

I had the opportunity to see this show in Philadelphia and it absolutely blew me away. Not only does it include Richard Diebenkorn's best work, but it also includes work by Paul Wonner, Elmer Bischoff, Manuel Neri, Nathan Oliveira and David Park (among others). I have drawn endless inspiration from this book and you most likely will too.

When something strange occurs in the neighborhood, everyone knows to call Sarah Meyers and her paranormal investigative team. Thus when unexplained happenings occur in Nowhere, Texas, Sarah and her squad arrives at the scene to study what is reported as supernatural phenomena.

In Nowhere, Sarah meets Knight of the White Max. He is on "trial" within his group for breaking a major taboo when he killed a human. No excuse for such a code violating act is acceptable for a Knight of the White; not even the fact that he saved a beast taming master, the mate of another Knight. However Max quickly realizes Sarah is his beast taming soulmate, but he refuses to claim her as his because he expects to fail the knight's test.

The newest Knights of the White romantic fantasy (see BEAST OF DESIRE and BEAST WITHIN) is a terrific thriller starring a courageous heroine and a brave soul who knows his future is so bleak he cannot proclaim her as his. The story line is fast-paced, but the paranormal subplot takes a back seat to the relationship between the fallen knight and his "ghostbusting" lifemate who rejects his denials.

Harriet Klausner

Max has always fought the darkness that eats away at him from the inside. As the last remaining member of the initial group of soldiers created by Archangel Raphael, he feels the pressure to allow his inner beast full reign even more strongly than ever before.

Now he has committed the ultimate offense - he killed a human. No matter that it was to save the life of his comrade's mate, killing mortals is forbidden. Max knows he must pay for his sin, but doesn't expect the test he is given - to defend the town of Nowhere, Texas from the evil that threatens to consume the denizens of this sleepy little burb.

He certainly never expected someone like the lovely Sarah to be a part of that test. Sarah provokes every protective instinct he has, as well as some more carnal instincts he would rather not think too hard about as he slowly realizes the sweet psychic is very likely his mate. Max is determined to save her, not only from the demon threat, but from himself.

If you have been following Lisa Renee Jones' KNIGHTS OF WHITE series, then it is likely you have looked forward to the third book in this series, BEAST OF DARKNESS as much as I have! I will tell you right up front - this book does not disappoint in any way.

With Max, Ms. Jones gives us a hero who is both tortured and noble, something many of us love in our heroes! Max is so noble, he is convinced that he is bad news for everyone around him. Because of this, he does whatever he can think of to push people away from him, fearful that he may lose control of himself and inadvertently hurt someone. Why not? He did it before. Max's pain as he struggles with the fact that he killed a mortal man in the last book is palpable. He can't forgive himself, even though his memory of the exact details is fuzzy at best and the act saved the life of the human woman that man was intent on murdering. In Max's mind, the end does not justify the means, there are no shades of grey, and he is harder on himself than anyone else.

Sarah is just the ray of sunshine Max's shadowed soul needs. Although she has herself suffered trauma and loss, she retains her hope, even when she doubts it. Meeting Max and finding her soul mate gives her reason to grab on to that bit of hope she was afraid she had lost, and use it to help Max through his trial.

We meet some new villains in this story - an upper level demon named Prince Var who may just be worse even than Adrian, the irredeemable leader of the Darkland Beasts. Heaven help humankind of this dark prince manages to escape the prison that has contained him beneath Nowhere, Texas for so long. Of course, Adrian returns, and is just as dastardly as ever, sending chills up the readers spine with the extreme depravity of his soul.

Lisa Renee Jones has another hit with BEAST OF DARKNESS: THE KNIGHTS OF WHITE, BOOK 3! Blending intensely sensual scenes with an inspirational love story against the backdrop of a legendary tale of the never-ending battle of good versus evil, she has penned a story that will keep readers riveted until the very last page!

Series Order:
The Beast Within (Silhouette Nocturne Series)
Beast of Desire
Beast Of Darkness (Silhouette Nocturne)
Return of the Beast

**Courtesy of Wild on Books**

Max, one of the Knights of White, is in need of forgiveness. Guilty of killing a human while protecting a fellow Knight's mate, he has been sent on a mission to Nowhere, Texas. Failure is not welcomed because final damnation is at stake, and since Max is one of the oldest Knights, he knows that the darkness growing inside could grab hold of him at any time. Arriving at his destination, Max comes face to face with destiny - his - and while his heart secretly rejoices in finding his mate, his common sense realizes just how dangerous it could be if the Darkland Beasts discover this.

Sarah has been blessed, or often times plagued, her entire life with hearing voices. It is because of this that she spends her time chasing spirits and spirit sightings. When word comes that she is needed in Nowhere, Texas because of strange happenings concerning the townspeople, Sarah doesn't hesitate to head that way. Upon arriving at the inn where she is going to stay, Sarah comes face to face with a man who easily captures her gaze. A man she knows will change her life. A man that calms her spirits and makes her heart sing. She doesn't know how important he will be in her life, or she in his, but she will soon realize that nothing will keep them apart.

Max and Sarah will utilize every tool they have, both mentally and physically, to fight the battle that has come to Nowhere, Texas. Darkland Beasts and Knights of White once again clash as the fight against good and evil continues. Max knows that in order to sooth his inner dark beast, he must be able to fight and defeat it without harming Sarah. Is he willing to take that risk? After all, she could be his downfall or his ultimate redemption.

Out of all three Knights of White releases I have read and reviewed, Max is my favorite hero so far. Given no choice in BEAST OF DESIRE but to protect Des' mate, Max killed a human which is prohibited. In killing that one human, Max sentences his soul to eternal damnation. He has only one last chance now to redeem himself. With that last chance, he finds Sarah. Sarah calms his dark beast just by being near him. Sarah's ability to hear and follow spirits helps Max on his mission and I just thought they made the perfect team.

The words compelling, magnetic, and addictive come to mind when I think of BEAST OF DARKNESS. The storyline is compelling, the characters are magnetic, and the entire series is addictive. Once again Lisa Renee Jones has just whetted my appetite with BEAST OF DARKNESS and I find myself on pins and needles waiting for more! ***Natasha Smith for Romance Junkies***

Something that all starting addictions counselors or students should have in there own personal library.

I've been morose for years about my inability to locate an up to date and comprehensive addictions counseling text. Most of them seem to have been written twenty years ago, or accept traditional "faith" models uncritically, ignore research, and/or have no coverage of crucial topics such as ethics. So it was a pleasure to see that Myers and Salt have come out with a top notch text, one that can be used at community or four year colleges. FINALLY, coverage of case management, ethics and confidentiality, VERY up to date MICA section - sophisticated coverage of personality disorders and AOD. Stages of change, REBT, Patient Placement Criteria, you name it, its there and its the latest. I'm familiar with these folks from the addiction studies educator network, which explains the ability to soak up the good stuff. I hope this text will help some of the "dinosaur" training programs out in the "boonies" to modernize and help our students become employable in the health care industry as it is today.

Trying to stay current in this field isn't easy. First of all, you are constantly hounded by traditional dogmas that don't give a whit about research about "what works". Second, you have people whose first layer of identity is not addictions counseling writing from their limited perspective. Third, counseling texts often devote too much space to pharmacology and stuff which belongs in another course (and there are a trillion books on drug types and effects). Myers and Salt have written a real insiders book on treatment and counseling. It cuts to the heart of the counseling relationship, its crucial issues and problems, and the nitty gritty of screening, assessment, intake, on top of the clinical picture. Everything you need to know, in short. Wish I'd had it in my coursework.....

Sandy Kaplan

The collaborative effort of author Nancy Carson and photographer Jennifer Jones, Believing In Ourselves: A Celebration Of Women showcases the wisdom and inspiration of thirty-five ordinary but nonetheless remarkable women drawn from all over North America. Black-and-white photographs enhance each of the women and their exemplary encouragements placing pinnacle importance upon women having faith in themselves to achieve their goals, dreams, and aspirations. Believing In Ourselves is a very highly recommended and inspiring addition to personal improvement and Women's Studies reading lists.

Believing In Ourselves
From a housing project in the Bronx to the U.S. Court of Appeals, from life on welfare to working as a top industrial engineer . . . the stories of these amazing women inspire dreams.

Believing in Ourselves: A Celebration of Women (Andrews McMeel Publishing,..., April 2002) introduces the reader to 35 amazing, inspiring, and unstoppable women from all over North America and from all walks of life. Many of these women have overcome significant obstacles in their lives. Others have succeeded in fulfilling unusual personal goals. Each of them will amaze and inspire you with their courage and fortitude.

Strengthened by hardship and made generous by their experiences, they offer up their stories to guide and encourage others. In this new book you will learn about:

--Mary-Lisa Orth, Tucson, Ariz., who struggled out of welfare to become a top industrial engineer - while raising four children on her own.

--Beth Bakke-Stenehjem, Bismarck, N.D., who gave life and hope to a friend and coworker through the gift of one of her kidneys.

--Sonia Sotomayor, New York, N.Y., who went from a housing project in the Bronx to sitting on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

--Sinthea Brown, Seattle, Wash., who overcame drug addiction and poverty to become a counselor to the homeless in her community.

Believing in Ourselves celebrates the gifts of women who pursued goals that people told them were impossible. They proved themselves by taking the hard road instead of the easy road. Their journeys have instilled each of them with self-awareness, inner peace, and a sense of satisfaction.

About the Author and Photographer
Nancy Carson, a freelance writer from Alexandria, Va., writes regularly about everything from educational technology to family caregiving, but her favorite form is the personal essay. She travels widely and is often in Manhattan, the home of her artist daughter.

The pages of Believing in Ourselves are enhanced by the graceful black-and-white photography of Jennifer Jones of Tucson, Ariz. She attended the New England School of Photography in Boston, Mass. Her photographs have appeared in a number of newspapers and magazines.

A perfect gift for your close friends, your sisters, your mothers, this inspiring collection of stories about the triumphs of real women in their everyday lives, written by Nancy Carson and accompanied by lovely photography from Jennifer Jones, is a reminder of the heroines we encounter daily but don't always recognize as such. These are women who have made their way through extraordinary difficulties and built successful lives for themselves - success defined as they see it, not in the narrow confines only of career and money -often helped along the way by other women. Their life stories, beuatifully presented, serve as a reminder to all of us that: 1) we are each the architect of our own life story, and 2)we don't have to do it all alone. Of course, in Ms. Carson's skillful hands, even a less amazing life would probably provide inspiration to others.
Put this book on your own table or next to your bed, to read on a sunny morning, or when the darkness looms and all seems hopeless: at least one of these women will "speak" to you and help you find a way to go forward.

This is a wonderful book. I bought it about two months ago and loved each story. I especially loved Mrs. Hunter's short story. Mrs. Hunter was my 11th grade English teacher. Not only was she the best teacher I ever had, but she is also one of the best story tellers I have ever known. I owe my success in college writing (creative and classroom) to Mrs. Hunter! Buy this book!

A friend from Alabama sent me this book, knowing how much I love Southern writers. I thoroughly enjoyed it and will pass the word. I foundh stories so intriguing I stayed up late and read every single one. Some are hilarious; others are poignant; all are well-written. I recommend doing as my friend did: Give this book to someone you love!

This collection by Alabama women writers shows a wealth of talent. The stories are entertaining and provocative, with a surprise around every corner. Particularly noteworthy are the stories by Robin Allers, Sandra Conroy (wife of Pat), Loretta Cobb, Laura Hunter, Aileen Kilgore Henderson and Patricia Lou Taylor. The book is a companion volume to ALABAMA BOUND, A COLLECTION OF CONTEMPORARY ALABAMA STORIES, also published by Livingston Press, and taken together they prove that Alabama's literary talent is the equal or superior to any other state. Highly recommended!

Better Off Dead: In Paradise is a Page-Turning Tour De Force!

John Paul Carinci's new thriller, Better Off Dead: In Paradise surpasses Robert Ludlum and Robert Parker and does it with a flair for turning a Caribbean phrase that Jimmy Buffet would envy! A rich and realistic description of the Cayman Islands is the back drop for this page-turning tour de force.

In the original Better Off Dead, we meet Frank Granstino. Frank is a colorful, likable and very believable insurance salesman from Brooklyn, New York that becomes ensnared with the mafia. In the end Frank and his girlfriend Alicia become part of the witness protection program and are sent to heaven on Earth, the Cayman Islands.

In this new thriller, their cover is blown to smithereens and their world is turned upside down. The Mob will stop at nothing for vengeance. Readers will feel their gut reactions to the world of violence that is the mafia. Better Off Dead: In Paradise is not for the faint of heart. The violence is realistic and vivid. The reader will feel the terror right along with Frank and Alicia.

The terrorized couple is forced to flee through the islands, take a trip to New York, and then travel back to the Caribbean. All the while the bad guys are killing and blowing things up in their relentless hunt for revenge. It is only through Frank's clever nature with the help of Alicia's FBI experience that they are able to stay a step ahead.

Better Off Dead: In Paradise is so richly described and the characters and their dialogue is so realistic that the author must have lived through similar action himself, that or done painstaking research. The book has enough twists and turns to satisfy the most ardent thriller fan. It also has more than enough action to attract any reader. The audience is left to guess breathlessly at the ending and almost any reader will guess wrong!

Brien Jones,
Author Celebrity Associates

Better Off Dead: In Paradise is a Page-Turning Tour De Force!

John Paul Carinci's new thriller, Better Off Dead: In Paradise surpasses Robert Ludlum and Robert Parker and does it with a flair for turning a Caribbean phrase that Jimmy Buffet would envy! A rich and realistic description of the Cayman Islands is the back drop for this page-turning tour de force.

In the original Better Off Dead, we meet Frank Granstino. Frank is a colorful, likable and very believable insurance salesman from Brooklyn, New York that becomes ensnared with the mafia. In the end Frank and his girlfriend Alicia become part of the witness protection program and are sent to heaven on Earth, the Cayman Islands.

In this new thriller, their cover is blown to smithereens and their world is turned upside down. The Mob will stop at nothing for vengeance. Readers will feel their gut reactions to the world of violence that is the mafia. Better Off Dead: In Paradise is not for the faint of heart. The violence is realistic and vivid. The reader will feel the terror right along with Frank and Alicia.

The terrorized couple is forced to flee through the islands, take a trip to New York, and then travel back to the Caribbean. All the while the bad guys are killing and blowing things up in their relentless hunt for revenge. It is only through Frank's clever nature with the help of Alicia's FBI experience that they are able to stay a step ahead.

Better Off Dead: In Paradise is so richly described and the characters and their dialogue is so realistic that the author must have lived through similar action himself, that or done painstaking research. The book has enough twists and turns to satisfy the most ardent thriller fan. It also has more than enough action to attract any reader. The audience is left to guess breathlessly at the ending and almost any reader will guess wrong!

Brien Jones,
Author Celebrity Associates

John Paul Carinci has one of the best self-help books out there - The Power of Being Different - his fiction is just as captivating - Better Off Dead in Paradise is a sequel to Better Off Dead. If you are a follower of series, as I am, don't be worried about getting this book without having read the first book - Carinci has added enough back-story to bring the reader up to date with the plot and characters without you scratching your head. I will probably go back and read Better Off Dead, just to enjoy the characters.
Frankie Granstino, a Brooklyn life insurance agent, becomes involved in the Mafia. When he finds he is next in line to be killed by said Mafia, he, with the help of the FBI, fakes his suicide. He and his FBI/love have entered the witness protection program and are relocated to Paradise - the Cayman Islands. Not a bad place to have to live - until...
Frankie, now Mario and his wife Alicia (the ex-FBI agent) feel safe in their new surroundings - until their parked rental car was involved in an 'accident' - it blew up - meant for them to be in it! This was a professional job. When they contact the FBI, the couple find that no one is to be trusted and they take it into their own hands to protect themselves.
The action is nonstop, with doses of humor and always remembering this couple who went together, leaving their families, their lives behind, because of their love for each other. It also shows how hard it must be to be in a situation to be placed in the Witness Protection Program.
The Mafia proves a formidable opponent and there are enough fights and explosions to keep the most seasoned thriller fan on their toes.
One thing that touched me - Mario's relationship with his father - you see, his Dad has crossed over - yet Mario feels his father's love and faith in him as he (Mario) literally tries to keep his wife and himself alive. It brought tears to my eyes - only because it is beautifully handles and reminded me of my Dad, whom I lost a few years ago.
You will enjoy Better Off Dead in Paradise. It is fast, furious and you'll find yourself rooting for these wonderful characters.
John Paul Carinci is adept at both fiction and nonfiction.

This book is the first book that comes close to giving a balanced view of the history of the Black Panther party, its problems and its ultimate demise. It includes a view by regular rank and file members. It is well worth reading for those looking for an alternative to those books written by Party leaders, informants, or critics.

This is the first book to attempt to discuss the legacy of the Black Panther Party. The fact that a second book, Liberation, Imagination and the Black Panther Party, managed to continue the work begun here without significant overlap shows what a rich legacy it was.

One essay, "The Black Panthers and the 'Undiscovered Country' of the Left" proposesthe novel idea that the Panthers had begun to emulate many aspect of an emerging nation-state by taking on the functions of provideng serverices for the community, setting up independent relations with other nations, etc., While this seemed to be unintentional, it does suggest the larger potential of the Party.

It's important to realize that there were many Black Panther "chapters" that were inspired by the Oakland Panthers but developed autonomously and had different levels of political development. The Oakland BPP attempted to gather them all into one big centralized organization but had neither the political experience ,or the time [they were attacked by city, state and federal governments almost from day one] to properly pull it together. The essays by some of the ex-Party members in this volume provide great insight into the different ways in with the BPP were able to speak to local Black communities while encapsulating the grievances and hopes common to them all.

The one weakness of the book is its defensiveness. The city, state and federal governments used the Panthers' militant politics and gun imagery to portray them as reckless thugs who covered up their criminal tendencies with political rhetoric. The authors in this book attempt to refute that by emphasizing the community organizing aspects of the BPP such as the free breakfast programs. However, none of the authors explored the question of whether the Panthers had a legitmate case for armed revolution in the US. By avoiding the debate, the authors seem to be ceding ground to the Pantthers' opponents.

This book should not be seen as the final word but as the beginning of an important conversation. Anyone who wants to understand post-60's political movements can't avoid the fact that the Panthers helped shape the debates that continue up to our time. Read this book to see how.

The Black Panther Party is perhaps one of the most misunderstood political movements in the U.S. due to government disinformation and harrassment and misperceptions magnified over the years that fiction is now considered fact.

In one volume, the history of the party from 1966-1982 and beyond is presented through original writings from rank & file members and those in leadership roles and scholarly papers that cover a variety of issues, including inner-party gender relations, how the party fit into the Third World revolutionary movement and the grass-roots movement in each chapter to assist residents of all ages with nutrition and health-care.

Perhaps most important is the extensive footnotes after each piece, which assists the reader in pursuing further material and dismisses any criticism that the author has some ulterior agenda by allowing opinion to supercede a conclusion based on research.

Founded because the power structure maintained what I consider a plantation mentality to Black people in general and Black urban areas in particular and ultimately destroyed by the same power structure due to its programs of empowerment and solidarity, the real Black Panther Party may never truly be uncovered.

But this book starts that process and it is as important a retrospective as any that has been published.

What a delight to read! Though the stories are from "everyday" parents, the book is professionally edited and produced. I appreciated and could relate to many of the stories. There is a good mix of humor, from rolling-on-the-floor-laughing to smiling-and-nodding-my-head. The stories have a nice variety of themes and are about many ages of children, not just the little ones. I bought one for myself and several more to give as gifts to parents, grandparents and parents-to-be!

This book should be in every family library! The stories are short and funny -- so parents can get a quick fix of laughter while they go about their busy day. I've given copies to friends and family as gifts.

These stories were all funny, believable and entertaining. They helped take my mind off the world situaion and focus a little more on enjoying my kids. It was a relief to read a parenting book that doesn't make me feel guilty for whatever I'm not doing in a certain way or lectures me or repeats conversations that no real child and adult would ever have. These were real kids and real parents, in real situations, and I laughed out loud.

This small book should be must reading for those, both Northerners and Southerners, who want to know why we Southerners think like we do. Dr. Bolsterli's book about growing up in the 30's and 40's in the Arkansas Delta is wonderful. In writing about race, food, violence, the Confederacy, family, etc., she hits a lot of targets. At the risk of being trite, you will indeed laugh and cry. I suggest to better experience the book that it be read while eating a bowl of pot likker with some cornbread crumbled up in it. Buttermilk might also be helpful

Very much like my childhood, sans the farm. A wonderfully written memoir that would make an excellent gift to anyone who grew up in the South before integration. The phrase "common" was something I learned as a child - to be "common" was to bring shame or disgrace to one's self and family. "Don't do that, Rachel," my friend's mother said "it's common." No other explanation was needed.

The carefree childhood days of Bolsterli's (and my own) South are gone now, having long been replaced by asphalt, industry, and the complexities that seem to be a necessary part of modernization. Bolsterli tells of daring feats with neighbor children, of playing without the constant adult supervision that is a must for today's child. I well remember long afternoons spent in our neighborhood, without anyone worried about my whereabouts, let alone my safety. Then there is the dark time, a murder in the family, with the polite perceptions and differing accounts - it's all there and Bolsterli tells it so well.

A good book to read at least once more.

As I child, I passed by the author's childhood home many times when visiting my friends the Rices in nearby Watson, Arkansas. There were always brief comments about the stately Southern home at the end of the long drive and the important, cultured family that had lived there for generations. So, when I first read BORN IN THE DELTA, immediately after it was published, my reaction was partly personal.

It is a beautifully crafted portrait of unique aspects of the Southern culture that still persists in the Mississippi Delta region. Each chapter tells a readable, retell-able story about everyday topics that range from the manners we taught our children, to Southern cooking at home. From the meaningfulness to children of a lively backyard pond, to the way proud Southern families artfully coped with the financial stresses of a volatile agricultural economy. And each chapter is more colorful, more rich with imagery, more authentic than the one before.

Berstoli's book is also informed by her deep knowledge of language and sociology. Her years in the University of Arkansas' English department provided a platform for continued research into Southern communication styles and social conventions. She has localized this book to a very small sub-region (focused in and around Desha County in Southeast Arkansas), which allows for observations that are much more precise than the popular, overgeneralized Southern stereotypes.

If I taught a class in American History, I would certainly include BORN IN THE DELTA as a text.

From Hank Aaron to Jeff Francoeur, Victor's camera captures the heart and soul of the Atlanta Braves for over 40 years. But this is more that a mere picture book for the coffee table. Along with his outstanding photographs Victor provides first hand accounts and anecdotes about the players as only he can tell them. He also includes the story of his own life, how he served his country during World War II and how he became the official photographer of the Braves. This is a book for both Braves fans and history buffs alike.

If you are a fan of the Atlanta Braves, this book is a must! The photos and behind the scenes stories are fascinating, as is the life story of the author.

This book is a must for any Braves fan. Photographers and WWII enthusiasts may want to check it out as well. I was fortunate enough to interview Walter Victor (the subject of this book) recently for a newspaper article I was writing and he is without a doubt the kindest man you'll ever meet. He went through the book with me and described the significance of many of the pictures, some of which are included in exhibitions at the Baseball Hall of Fame.
This book doesn't just chronicle Victor's experience as the official photographer for the Atlanta Braves baseball team though, there are also early photos that Walter took while fighting in Europe during WWII.
In closing, I further want to stress that this is an important book to own if you are a fan of America's baseball team, the Atlanta Braves, or a fan of America in general, Victor one of the last of a dwindling breed of Americans who possess true grit, guts and spirit.