O Books

Even More is a sweet heartwarming tale of love that spans generations. It beautifully portrays the timelessness of the love of a mother for her daughter, of a daughter's love for her mother and the loveliness of the great circle of life.

Barbara Quick and Liz McGrath have written a beautiful rendition of what every mother feels in her heart when she looks at her baby and sees future generations. It's filled with love, hope and joy.

I highly recommend this book as a gift for yourself, your mother or your children

Reviewer name: Deven Vasko of Betsie's Literary Page
http://betsie.tripod.com/literary

First off, I absolutely loved the concept of having a story written in both English and Spanish and commend the authors on such an undertaking. EVEN MORE is a beautiful tribute to the unconditional love of mothers and children everywhere and focuses on growing up. Starting with the birth of a child, we then follow each of the various stages of growth with the mother sharing her love for her child and the child in turn sharing their thoughts about their mother in cute little "I love you more" phrases.

Matched with the declarations of love are sketchings, drawings, and images depicting the child's growth to coincide with the words of the story. There are even pictures that appear to have been drawn by a child. Though I loved the book in its entirety, my favorite part comes at the end where the daughter has had her own child and is repeating the cycle of "I love you more."

Beautiful, colorful, and spotlighting endearing love, this story touched my heart and made me think of my deceased mother as well as my own daughter who I too love...even more.

Reviewed by (...)

"Even More" celebrates the special relationship between a mother and a daughter. Author Liz McGrath takes the reader on a trip along the cycle of life from the birth of a child to the birth of a grandchild. Along the way the mother finds ways to express how much she loves her daughter and the daughter also expresses her love for her mother. This is a wonderful book to show the young reader the strong bonds of love that exist (or at least should exist) between a daughter and a mother. This is a very well done bilingual book written in English and Spanish for children about four to eight years old. Sure to help the young reader understand how important they are to their parents, "Even More" is a highly recommended children's book.

This book is a gem to give as a new baby present as it is beautifully illustrated and reads as well the first time you read it to your first child as when she reads it to the next sibling!

This is a beautiful and tender book that captures the deep love a mother/parent feels for their child. The illustrations evoked many wonderful memories of early parenthood and also of my own mother. The writer and illustrator of this book clearly are speaking from the heart! This is one to share with all parents-young and old for years to come.

I loved your book. Great motivater!! You hit very close to home several times.
I have joined weight watchers probably 20 times with little or no success. The
instructor always told me that I didn't eat enough. I guess hearing it from you
helped. I workout M-F for 2 hours/day, but I only had one big meal around 3 and
a couple protein bars the rest of the day. I also can't lift weights (which I
love to do) because of a torn rotater cuff. So, I gave up on it all. Sunday I
read your book. Monday I went to the gym, bought a body fat scale, and ate 5
small meals/snacks. It was great! I also drank my water which I normally don't
drink any water!! Thank you!
I do have a couple of questions. I apologize if I missed it in the book, but is
there a total daily consumption of protein, fat, and carbs that you should have?
I think I remember fat should be around 27, right? My other question is milk,
how does it fit in? I know I am geting calcium with cottage cheese, string
cheese and yogurt, but I would also like to have a glass of milk. I do take a
calcium supplement also. Well, thank you again for writing the book. I hope I
can be like one of your success stories in the book.

Dr. Rick has written an easy to understand comprehensive book that illustrates the key things you need to do both nutritionally and with exercise to become and remain fit. As a 43 year old desk jockey struggling with weight, but interested in endurance activities, Dr. Rick taught me two important things that I believe will have a long lasting effect on my current fitness and will allow me to live a longer happier life. First, I need carbohydrates in my body in order to burn fat when I exercise. Second, I need to prevent overtraining in order to run, bike, or swim longer and faster by exercising at a more comfortable pace (lower heart rate). Since meeting Dr. Rick and reading his book, I have already lost over 1% body fat and have started running ten miles. I also recently beat, by a considerable margin, the time I ran a 10k just months ago by running at a more comfortable pace.

These two insights I learned above are analagous to the insight I had when I finally heard a ski instructor, after not listening for many years. In order to ski you have to do what is counter intuitive - you have to lean down the hill. In order to become fit, you have to do what is counter intuitive - you have to eat more often and you have to train more easily. Buy the book and go to Dr. Rick's website.

For me, Forever Fit was about getting my body, mind and soul healthy. The way in whick Rick Kattouf delivers his message about being Forever Fit, in this book, is gentle, powerful, and impactful. Knowing Rick personally as my coach, I can say that Rick and his book have inspired me to make life changes. I have lost 15 pounds in 4 months, toned up, gone down a dress size, and have implemented healthy eating patterns. By reading this book and being open to Rick's wisdom he shares, my life is changed. I know by following Rick's Forever Fit program, I will meet my health and nutrition goal in one year. And I will be Forever Fit.

Dr. Rick is amazing! The wealth of knowledge that this man has in the realm of Fitness, Nutrition, and the Human Body is amazing! Whether you are overweight,and a novice just getting started, competitive athlete, or a person just wanting additional information to add to your own way of Living a Healthy Lifestyle.........this is the book for you. I have personally studied Fitness and Nutrition, and thought that my background was efficient enough to get me to where I wanted to be both physically and mentally.....I am a 37 yr. old female, I eat healthy foods, I workout 4 times a week, and live a healthy active lifestyle.....But I just hit a road block. I was not happy with where I finally ended up with my TOTAL BEING. I needed more. I have known Dr. Rick for almost 8 years now. I know about his background in Health and Fitness and thought I would pick his brain. Since reading his book, he developed a personalized Health and Fitness program for me. I was skeptical at first, but gave it a try. Can i just say that I have never looked better, felt healthier, and get really excited when people think that I am in my 20's. My PHYSICAL BEING is elated!!! My advice....Read the book..... If you still need more personalized attention, contact Dr. Rick. Find out what he can do for you to stay fit for life. His website is www.teamkattouf.com We only have one life so let's make it the very best we can!

Forever Fit will put a smile on your face and fun back into your life. It is a user friendly program based on eating real food - you know the tasty stuff our bodies nutritionally crave, at LEAST FIVE TIMES A DAY! Yes, you read it right...a plan that encourages you to eat to get into shape. That's a pretty good deal and the best part is it works! The plan simply incorporates exercise, diet, and a good mind set. Rick has a fabulous zest for life and you can't help but get caught up in his belief that you can achieve any of the goals you set for yourself because deep inside YOU KNOW YOU CAN. Rick, in his wisdom, is able to unleash the courage you have and need to make the changes you desire. The time to do so is now...rock on with Forever Fit because you deserve to be.

O'Connell's true crime novel Fourteen is a definite must read. From setting the mood of the late 1960's to the relationships of all the parties involved this book is packed with page turning details of this horrific crime. O'Connell follows the Stukel family from the time of the murder till present day and with grace and dignity and finally lets them have a voice. He also gives key insight into the family history of the two killers and also other key players in the trial to follow. Packed with insight O'Connell definitively did his homework!

A wonderfully written and enthralling book. I went through a myriad of emotions while taken through this absorbing story. Mr. O'Connell is a gifted writer.

I couldn't put this book down.

Bill O'Connell has crafted a well written, compelling account of an old murder which made as little sense when it was committed in 1968 as it does today. Meticulously and thoroughly researched, this book details the crime without being overly judgemental about the perpetrators - a difficult thing to do - and lets the reader form his/her own opinions about them. The other reviews describe the book well; I won't attempt to copy them. "Enjoyable" might not be the best work to describe the story - I'll fall back on "compelling" again. All I can add is that I couldn't put it down.

Perhaps it's because I began my teaching career at Joliet East High School. Then again, perhaps it's because I taught mostly freshmen. For whatever reason, I can hardly bare to look at the face of David Stukel on this book's cover. Freshman boys were an interesting lot. Some were men-in-the-making with peach fuzz above their lip, and heads that turned at any girl that might pass by. Others were still little boys, small in stature and a bit uncomfortable with the transition from eighth grade. After school, theirs was still a life of bicycles and play. The descriptive narrative used to describe David Stukel painted a picture of one such "little boy." Further details brought to life this freckle-faced young boy whose ears had yet to grow into his face. The telling of the murder brought 1968 into my living room. Without missing a detail, Bill O'Connell breathed life into the murder and its aftermath. I could see and feel David's fear. I could feel his confusion when asked to comply with demands foreign to him. I could feel his insides cringe as foul, "bad" curse words met his ears. He was a fighter without training or gloves in an arena without bounds.I could feel his defenselessness in the foreign world of bullies, vile language and the desire to harm. I could feel his horror. Through the expertise of a gifted writer, Bill O'Connell brought David into my home. His expert writing forced me to look into David's eyes. His writing enabled me to hear David silently mouth, "Help."

For anyone who has children, this book is an eye-opener to the world of bullies. For anyone who values justice, this book portrays the disappointment of a broken legal system. For anyone who wonders about the impact of family life on the future of a child, this book reveals the ugly truth. Fourteen by Bill O'Connell is a page-turner, a heart breaker and a must-read.

A small Midwestern town, a quiet farming area, made up of multi-cultural, working middle class families in the late 60's. When one weekday afternoon as people headed to the comfort and protection of their own homes, an unspeakable horror occurred, at the back steps of what was considered then, a safe place. Bill has done an excellent job bringing all the facts and players into clear view. I could not put it down once I started reading it. These events changed not only the lives of those closest to it, but everyone in that community. Thanks Bill for attentively putting together all the facts, faces, places, and stories and doing it with grace and thoughtfulness. Even for someone opposed to violence, this book is a must read. The tale that it tells puts a light on evils that might lurk in your own backyard.

Find a copy of this book if you are seperated or divorced. It is a powerful book with a wonderful message.

Find a Fresh Start retreat you can attend also. You will not be disapointed.

Let's face it: divorce often catches us by surprise, and it always changes many things about our daily life. More than just the loss of a partner, we find ourselves confronting brand-new challenges and dealing with things we never expected. For some of us, it's just too much: we can't handle it.

This author (not the radio host Jim Burns) is a minister who himself went through the experience of divorce. Out of that experience he gathered some of the most useful ideas and successful strategies that helped him and have helped others also. The result is a highly readable book.

You'll find good help here, especially if you're struggling to keep things together and trying to figure out what your priorities should be. Well-written and helpful.

Dr. David Frisbie
The Center for Marriage & Family Studies
Author of Moving Forward After Divorce: Practical Steps to * Healing Your Hurts * Finding Fresh Perspective * Managing Your New Life

I bought this book so I could get some emotional help as I go through my current divorce..... I have had it for a couple weeks now and a near 6 year marriage ended 2 months ago..... If anyone is in any type of situation like this,, I recommend this book.. Questions such as: How did you know when the relationship was 'really' over? Who all are you angry at right now? What did your spouse do? What have you done to contribute to the current situation? How have you tried to keep the relationship together even when you knew it was over....... basically, questions that make you admit the truth to yourself so you can heal and grow from this and go on to enjoy your life... During the lonely days and nights, and times I don't want to answer the phone, this book is a Godsend!

My own divorce hit me like an earthquake: my whole world shook apart and then collapsed. I was left to raise two sons on my own.

I found this book soon after the divorce and was immediately comforted by the well-organized approach to the problems I was facing. This book helped me structure my life and gradually, get back on track.

Well-written, very practical, this book takes you step-by-step through the major things you are already dealing with --- or soon will be.

Barbara Sheldon, M.S.W.
Single Mom with two sons
I also highly recommend: Moving Forward After Divorce: Practical Steps to * Healing Your Hurts * Finding Fresh Perspective * Managing Your New Life

This book has helped me through one of the most difficult times in my life. Things that made me feel like I was going crazy, I realized are just part of the proccess. I realize now that I will get through this and I am not going crazy.

GHOSTS OF NEW ORLEANS transports the reader back in time to post-Civil War New Orleans and Europe. Characters emerge thrilling and driven. We see Edgar Degas and my favorite John singer Sargent as they wrestle for fame, caught in the web of villains from this illustrious city. Who else but O"Neill could bring Samuel Beckett to life communing with ghosts on the beach, reminding us of the perilous legacy of those who live on the water. Kate Chopin, Madame X, Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, they emerge struggling to survive the calamities of history. Bravo O'Neill for carrying the torch for New Orleans 1870-1969.

An authentic voice of her native New Orleans, O'Neill has put together an extraordinary collection of mostly Victorian plays in her GHOSTS OF NEW ORLEANS. She follows in the path of legendary southern writers: Faulkner, McCullers, Hellman, and Williams. Her native Louisiana unfolds in complexity and diversity rarely seen or read about. Historical characters are marked with contemporary feeling and take life on stage. O'Neill has invigorated history with her passionate dialogue and spirited characters. A poetic quality and intensity of meaning reveals the experienced hand of the dramatist. THE AWAKENING OF KATE CHOPIN was so brilliantly styled and delightfully engaged that I long to see it stage. The fine heritage and passionate life of Louisiana natives like Uncle Victor give us insight into the soul and breeding of old style New Orleans.The city thrives again under O'Neill's brilliant staging.

An authentic voice of her native New Orleans, O'Neill has put together an extraordinary collection of mostly Victorian plays in her GHOSTS OF NEW ORLEANS. She follows in the path of legendary southern writers: Faulkner, McCullers, Hellman, and Williams. Her native Louisiana unfolds in20a complexity and diversity rarely seen or read about. Historical characters are marked with contemporary feeling and take life on stage. O'Neill has invigorated history with her passionate dialogue and spirited characters. A poetic quality and intensity of meaning reveals the experienced hand of the dramatist. THE AWAKENING OF KATE CHOPIN was so brilliantly styled and delightfully engaged that I long to see it stage. The fine heritage and passionate life of Louisiana natives like Uncle Victor give us insight into the soul and breeding of old style New Orleans.The city thrives again under O'Neill's brilliant staging.

A prize-winning collection of ghostly plays. GHOSTS OF NEW ORLEANS captivates the reader with the infectious characters of old new Orleans. Written in swift timely prose, the plays zoom in with ferocity and delight on characters long forgotten but somehow stlll present in this most haunted of cities. Rosary O'Neill has captured the sprit of her native city and brought onstage DEGAS. SARGENT. MADAME SARAH BERNHARD, OSCAR WILDE, KATE CHOPIN: a pantheon of unique international characters somehow touched by New Orleans. She speaks with an authentic voice of her native Louisiana. Roles are compelling, Dialogue snappy and profound. I was thrilled eac h page laughing and crying as I experienced the unique stories of this captivating place. A miracle book of mostly Victorian plays ripe to be staged today.

GHOSTS OF NEW ORLEANS--What a marvelous picture book this is of tales of
this famous old city. One feels like the ghosts are still haunting us
today. A must read and a must see. Legendary Amelie Gautreau (of Gautreaus'
restaurant in New Orleans) and her love affair with John Sargent was a
spellbinding tale. And UNCLE VICTOR kept me laughing with its humorous
situations based on the infamous UNCLE VANYA. O'Neill has captured a resonance of her people that is truly spectacular. Ii can't wait to see these plays staged.

This is a book that makes a great deal of sense, is gentle, loving and powerful...Her world view definitely speaks to me...I have already recommended the book to my friends.

This is the best book on the topic of compulsions that I have ever seen. What impressed me the most were some simple and quick to do exercises that, simply put, have worked every time I've taken the 30 seconds or so to do them. Frankly I'm amazed at the power of this book.
I met the author briefly after a lecture she gave, and I give her an even higher recommendation than the book. She's one of the real ones.

This book was recommended to me by a therapist who deals specifically with eating disorders. I started reading the book and immediately became engrossed. O'Malley really does take a revolutionary approach to compulsive behavior by asking us to see our compulsions as friends rather than enemies. After a lifetime of battling my compulsions and hating their control over my life, I am slowly learning to listen to what they are trying to say. Like young children, our compulsions are desperate for our attention.

While I don't really relate to O'Malley's humanistic perspective, I was still able to apply her ideas within the framework of my own spiritual beliefs. No matter what your "world view", I think this book has a great deal to offer those of us who are tired of fighting and losing the battle of our compulsions.

This book truly finds the words for inner turmoil that addictions compulsions create in our lives. The word that comes to my mind is "committment" and the ways we truly avoid engaging in life out of fear of being consumed ourselves. It's a paradigm shift that is meaningful for those that use the mind way too much and escalating self made prisons. If you want or need to understand on a deeper level the spiritual ramifications of self destructive behavior and how to heal them, please go here.

If you want to find a compassionate and insightful way of reconnecting and trusting yourself, read this book and take it to heart! Mary O'Malley's invites us to recognize compulsions for what they are: a survival system asking us to pay attention to the here and now.

I invite you to read it, so you too can begin to cultivate the healing power of attentive curiosity!

I bought this book, because I'm a big Halo 2 fan. I play Halo 2 all the time. And let me just tell you, this book is the greatest.

Don't let the name Halo 2 Hacks fool you, the first half of this book shows you plenty of Easter Eggs, techniques, glitches, and awesome stuff in the game. The second half shows you modding tools, where to get them, and how to use them. It does absolutely nothing to show you how to cheat on X-Box Live, which is good. I'll bet you didn't know that you can mod a map so when you crouch, you get an ariael view of the sky. You can jump a bazillion feet into the sky. You can put a Scorpion turret on the back of a Warthog. You can even make your shotgun fire dozens of plasma grenades, and this book shows you how to do ALL of those.

See people with interesting textures on their modded maps? This book shows you programs you can use to make those. You can inject meta (I bet you don't even know what that is, but this book will show you!) to make a picture of George Bush apppear over the map. Now I don't know why you would want to, but you can!

I bet you had absolutely no idea before that the Scarab gun is in the form of a Plasma Pistol on Metropolis. This book shows you how to get it. There's a giant soccerball on Metropolis, also. This book shows you how to get it. There's a skull that changes the physics of the game and makes everything explode bigger. This book shows you how to do that. This book shows you EVERYTHING!

In overall, I give this book a 11/10. It is the best guide book I have ever read.

A good book for those who love Halo 2 and those to need a little help gettin' the edge on the enemy!!!

Do you want to know the type of work that is currently being done by the Halo community? If you do, you're in luck! Author Stephen Cawood, has done an outstanding job of writing a book that will show you how to explore the new dimensions of Halo 2 games and some of the most interesting Halo 2 mods that you can create on a modded Xbox.

Cawood, begins by showing you some of the more interesting Halo 2 jumping techniques. Then, he covers the most mysterious of Halo 2 Easter eggs, the skulls. The author continues by showing you how to find some more interesting Easter eggs. Next, he introduces you to interesting things that you can do in the Halo 2 universe. Then, the author covers some interesting anomalies in Halo 2. He continues by showing you the best software tools available for changing the way Halo 2 functions. Then, he shows you how you can create your own weapon variations. The author continues by covering mods that can be made to Halo 2 vehicles. Next, he introduces you to some mods that alter the Halo 2 environment. Then, the author covers mods that relate to the presentation of Halo 2. He continues exploring mods that affect the Halo 2 game engine. Finally, he introduces you to some of the best modded maps that have been produced to date and gets you started on making your own.

In this most excellent book, each hack stands on its own. This book has been written with the same goal in mind, that is, to give you afresh way to enjoy your Halo universe.

He was a little disapointed with the item. He thought it was a book not a magazine

Halo 2 Hacks is a very well written book and easy to understand. The pictures and "visual aids" are very helpful. A definate must for EVERY Halo 2 fan! The section on modding is really well done too. A good introduction to modding, a good source for "how-to" find/use gameplay secrets. A well done book. 5 Stars.

This book continues a couple of generations after the first in the Genesis Trilogy left off. I quickly got into this new heroine, Keren's, life, though it was hard to say goodbye to the previous heroine, Annah and her husband, Shem. They make appearances, though, in this story.
Keren's life quickly heats up when she's taken captive by Nimr-Rad (Nimrod) and taken to his city. Again, I really enjoyed reading about this ancient time. The author does a really good job at describing the way of life, both in the rural, highland areas, and in the fledgling city on the plain, from clothing, food & its preparation, even to make-up. Again, I really liked the heroine & hero, but was disappointed that the framework allowed so little communication between the hero & heroine. There was very little development of his character, especially, though the author hinted at past traumas in his life. Then there was a sudden 5 yr. jump in time which threw me off, also, b/c suddenly he and the heroine had an unspoken understanding which the reader had no time to enjoy seeing develop. It wasn't until the very end that they can finally talk to each other. Very frustrating for a romance lover!
But other than that, really good story, and I'm looking forward to diving into the last part of the trilogy.

"Keren noticed Nimr-Rada shifting impatiently. She glanced at him; he was watching her closely, his eyes impenetrable. She felt like prey. Was he wondering why she hadn't bowed? Or if she had returned to the ways of the Most High? Well, let him wonder."

"He Who Lifts the Skies" begins several hundred years after the Great Flood and revolves around the lives of Noah's descendents, specifically Nimrod the great hunter mentioned briefly in the Bible. The earth has drastically changed since before the flood, and man has been given another chance to serve God with a pure heart. Once again, man is beginning to turn his back on the Most High and already the story of the flood is considered folk lore. However there is a remnant who stand true.
Keren, a firm believer in the Most High, is taken captive to the Great City of Nimrod and threatened with her life should she refuse to bow to the king. Will she go against her convictions and bend her knee to someone other than the Most High?
Her beautiful yet immoral sister is a constant source of anguish for her, and a forbidden love tugs at Keren's heart. Her years are filled with persecution and trials, which leaves the reader hungry to know how this young woman will handle each difficult situation.
The storyline of He Who Lifts the Skies is captivating and original and one of the best reads around. A continuation in The Genesis Trilogy, by Kacy Barnett-Gramckow, "He Who Lifts the Skies" should be classified as "a book that can't be put down".

He Who Lifts the Skies, second in the Genesis Trilogy, is a captivating follow up to The Heavens Before. I found myself eagerly turning the pages until the very end.

While The Heavens Before tells the story of the great flood, He Who Lifts the Skies picks up many years later, after the sons of Noakh have had time to multiply and begin replenishing the earth. Already, many of the tribes are walking their own paths and refusing to honor the Most High. Nimr-Radr, a mighty hunter, has declared himself Great King (or He Who Lifts The Skies). Those who refuse to pay tribute to him face swift and painful death.

Keren and her sister Sharah create quite a stir when they are born because of their unusual, light-colored eyes. Until their birth, all people had been born with dark hair and eyes. When Nimr-Radr hears of the sisters with pale eyes, he travels to meet them, wanting them for his own.

While Keren ignores his interest, Sharah seeks the power and honor that the Great King can give her. But Nimr-Radr doesn't want just the one sister, he wants both, and Sharah will not let her sister's wishes come between her and her goal. Keren finds herself in the difficult and dangerous position of being the only one with the power to end Nimr-Radr's rule of tyranny, but at what cost will it be to herself, and to those she loves?

Kacy Barnett-Gramckow does an amazing job with her research, not only making it a fascinating part of a page-turning story, but also leaving the reader with plenty to ponder. The romance is quietly woven into the story, and while it is not as prominent as Shem and Annah's romance in book one, it is equally compelling. Next in the series is A Crown of Stars, which I look forward to reading with much anticipation.

Armchair Interviews says: Second in a wonderful trilogy of stories.

I have been looking forward to reading HE WHO LIFTS THE SKIES for sometime. It is the second part of the three-part Genesis Trilogy. I wasn't for sure what to expect from the first book in the series, THE HEAVENS BEFORE, but really enjoyed that book. I was eager to see how that story would connect with this one.

The Great Flood ended over a century before and once again the Earth has begun to be peopled. However, God told the people to spread out across the Earth and multiply, but instead many of them are coming to live together in one place, the Great City. In the Great City there are no wide pastures for animals to roam or large fields for children to play. Instead, everyone lives in close spaces and it seems that the extreme nearness breeds wickedness. Keren and her older sister, Sharah are descendants of Shem and Annah (the heroine of THE HEAVENS BEFORE). They are unlike any people they have seen because of their pale skin, light hair, and bright eyes. Some would claim that because they are so unique, they are the most beautiful women on Earth. As the girls become women, tales of their beauty reaches the builder of the Great City, Nimr-Rada (Nimrod). He wants the girls for his wives. Sharah eagerly agrees, abandoning her husband and son, but Keren protests and is taken to the Great City against her will. When she arrives she discovers that Nimr-Rada is planning even more wickedness--a huge tower he plans on building that will reach to the Heavens, proving once and for all that mankind does not need the fabled Most High. Keren becomes torn as she tries to find temperance between her own desires and the will of the Most High. Something must be done, but who can stand against a man who kills leopards for sport?

Like THE HEAVENS BEFORE, HE WHO LIFTS THE SKIES is a fictional tale that remains true to the Bible. It's full of vivid images and engaging dialogue. However, THE HEAVENS BEFORE seemed to be more of a romance to me. HE WHO LIFTS THE SKIES includes some romantic elements, but the book reads more like a tale of suspense. For instance, Keren's eldest brother Ra Anan is very mysterious and it isn't always clear exactly what he is plotting and what his plans are. In that since, HE WHO LIFTS THE SKIES is a story that appeals to a bigger audience. I also liked how the story connected so seamlessly with THE HEAVENS BEFORE. The stories complement each other nicely.

If you've read the first book in The Genesis Trilogy, then you definitely need to read HE WHO LIFTS THE SKIES. Even if you haven't you can still enjoy the book. Especially recommended for fans of Biblical fiction.

I have almost given up on fiction retellings of Biblical history as very rarely does an author actually stick to what the Bible states on the subject. Therefore, I was tremendously pleased to read this wonderfully, vividly written story! It stuck faithfully to the Biblically provided information, though there really wasn't much there for this period (post-Flood during the time of Nimrod and the building of Babel). This author not only is a talented writer, but she put a lot of time, research, and thought into what the post-Flood world during this time period would be like. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.

are cleverly packaged in a novel that reveals intriguing yet believable characters. The author comforts his readers' hearts while they journey through Ryne's path to healing. Vivid depictions of universal struggles are interlaced with love, kindness, and innocence. When readers finish the journey, they have learned more than Ryne's story. They have learned how a child can lead them to a place of forgiveness, humility, and growth. Easy to read, easy to love, but not easy to forget.

The author explores religious concepts, prejudice, hatred, love, compassion, and relationships all so well in this easy-to-read novel. Real life issues to ponder with well-developed and fun to know characters. You'll be glad you read this one.

I can't imagine who wouldn't enjoy this book. Appears that everyone who reads it takes something important from the story. I loved the characters and loved the story line. It leaves you wanting more of the lives of the folks of small town Tynbee. Can't wait for another book from this author.

I wasn't too familiar with this author's other work, so I didn't really know what to expect when I started this book. What a wonderful surprise! Scott Philip Stewart weaves together a heartwarming (and sometimes heartbreaking) story filled with characters with whom you can relate...and empathize. Everyone knows couples who have tried every imaginable way to conceive a child - IVF, etc. - and the exhiliration associated with finally having one. This book draws you in with just such a couple, living in unfortunate circumstances, and keeps you pulling for them through a series of twists and turns. You have a front row seat as you witness the power of love, hate, raw bigotry, redemption, and high-minded idealism. Ryne will tug at your heartstrings, and you'll think about him long after you put this book down.

What an amazing book! I fell in love with every single character in this book (and this book has some of the most well-developed, captivating characters I've "met" in a while!) Everything about this story was well done...I literally could not put it down. Esther in particular really came alive for me...I could see her, hear her, and truly feel for her very quickly. She made me laugh out loud, cheer out loud (terrific scene where she charges into a parade and beats up an unrighteous man), and cry my heart out. As a truly avid reader (2-4 books/week for 30+ years and church librarian), it is a rare book that I can say is simply PERFECT! I hope that the author will write another book and let us know how things progress in the life of Esther, Olie, Sister Styker, the pastor and his wife, Luther, and the entire church body in Tynbee. I'll be waiting...
Very happy reader!

It was so exciting that I could not put the book down until I finished reading it. I hope it could be used in a movie or TV series.

Absolutely amazing! Brandon and Ryan -- there must be a part two. Is there a part two? I'm running to the bookstore. This is a great story about growing up for all ages. A good yarn.

The Everglade's descriptions are fabulous. Only someone that has been there can only describe the Florida Everglades as well as Mr. Carballo does in this book. I loved reading the novel about the two boys that go on a "Huck Finn" adventure through the streets of Miami. There is great deapth in this story as in all great books. I'll be waiting for the next one!

This book was very thrilling. It kept me on my toes from beginning to end. The themes and concepts portrayed in this book are very powerful. In this book you really have to read deeper than the words to truly understand what is going on. The transitions were very clean and the language and tone in certain areas were very fulfilling. The use of descriptive details let you see how the characters really looked. The novel is also very deceptive. It pushes you into thinking one way about the characters in this book and yet the character is actually completely different. I couldn't put the book down. Even while I slept I thought about the book, as it relates to real life, as it is a true story. But the boook and read it and I'll guarantee you will enjoy every page.

What a story of two young boys growing up in the Florida Everglades!! The Florida Everglades scenery was stupendous. Characterization was phenomenal. I'm looking forward to reading your other book, TEARS OF A RISING SUN!