Phillips Books

Approximately 415 types Denrobiums are described. At each type it is described where they grow and under which circumstances they must be grown.

This is a really great authoritive book with plenty of information on the genus and a lot of informative pictures. At my opinion, it is the most best organised book on the Dendrobiums presently on market.

Having grown orchids for more than 20 years, this book is outstanding in it's treatment of the genus Dendrobium. There are lots of superb features which are helpful the novice and the scientist. Particularly useful are the tables denoting geographic distribution, sectional division of like-groups of Dendrobs, and individual color-plates with information on hundreds of plants.

Must have for any serious grower. Can be a great coffee table book as well. Why did I just by one for a gift?... James Roberts --- Roberts Orchids

This book really help me to identify Dendrobium species and its relative like Epigenium and Flickengeria, almost all popular Dendrobium species from India, S.E Asia and some Pacific island included. Good color plate and description about plant origins and distribution. A must have book for Orchid lover.

I am an avid Dendrobium orchid grower.

Absolutely love this book, there are few orchids books around that go this indepth into any genera of orchid keeping. It's good to see a detailed book which give plenty of cultural information on each species. I particularly liked the descriptions of the natural growing environments, it helps me with their cultural requirements so I can grow them in my glass house.

This one is a most own book for any Dendrobium grower or any orchid show judge.

I started reading "The Drifter's Wheel" late on Saturday night and several times I thought I'd put it down. Next thing I know, I had turned the final page for the satisfying ending. Phillip DePoy is an interesting person who throws all kinds of interesting background into his books. I learned about the origin of the Tango in America, the making of applejack whiskey and a Civil War singing group, while all the time pursuing a mysterious stranger. Great stuff! Can't wait for the next one.

The Drifter's Wheel is Phillip Depoy's best novel yet, I believe. Having read all of his previous novels including those in the Flap Tucker series I think Mr. Depoy has produced his most engaging novel. Being intimately familiar with life in the academic environment, he brings expert knowledge of that milieu to his stories. Also, culturally, reading one of Depoy's books is like making a visit to the North Georgia Hill Country.

This novel is very well written and beware, because you will be through it before you realize it. The plot zips along and the characterization is excellent as usual for Depoy. If you enjoy reading about warm characters who although not perfect do their best, I highly recommend this book.

...to this series. First, I enjoy almost anything set in Appalachia. Second, Mr. DePoy uses a mix of humor, darkness, history and folklore to show what this region is all about.

I appreciate his story lines and plots and always look forward to the next Fever Devilin mystery.

First Sentence: "The gun exploded, blood erupted, and Jabod lay dying on the brothel floor."

Folklorist Fever Devlin receives a visit from a man who is young in appearance but claims he is over 100 years old, and a veteran of the Civil War, whose uniform he is wearing and with a gun from the same period. He tells Fe...more THE DRIFTER'S WHEEL (Trad. Mys-Fever Devlin-Georgia-Cont) - Ex
DePoy, Phillip - 5th in series
St. Martin's Minotaur, 2008, US Hardcover - ISBN: 9780312362034

First Sentence: "The gun exploded, blood erupted, and Jabod lay dying on the brothel floor."

Folklorist Fever Devlin receives a visit from a man who is young in appearance but claims he is over 100 years old, and a veteran of the Civil War, whose uniform he is wearing and with a gun from the same period. He tells Fever a story about traveling on the stream of time and of brother killing brother, then falls asleep sitting in the chair. Devlin calls his friend, Sherrif Skidmore, turns back and the man has vanished.

In the morning, he is called to identify a body found on the Jackson property. The body is wearing the right clothes, looks very similar to the missing man, but isn't the same one. The coroner wants to declare it a suicide but Devlin and Skidmore know it was murder. Deviln, with the help of his English friend, Professor Dr. Winton Andrews, has 48 hours to find the killer.

DePoy has a wonderful, lyrical, evocative, haunting style. The story captured me from the first sentence. He has a way of describing the ordinary in a way that is extraordinary. His observations are both humorous and profound.

The sense of place is so strong; you are there with the characters. The characters are so well developed, you can see and hear them. The dialogue has a wonderful flow and banter, particularly between the two friends, Fever and Andrews, about whom you also learn more of their history.

One thing I so enjoy about DePoy's writing is that it reads on several levels while being filled with thoughtfulness and humor. There is the mystery of the murder; the relationships of the characters; and the thoughts of "time travel," memories and what holds us to life. All these elements combine to make an excellent story and one that made me think.

The Drifter's Wheel by Phillip DePoy is the sixth book in his fabulous Fever Devlin series. Fever was a college professor teaching about folk tales when in a political mess he lost his position. Fever returned home to Blue Mountain, Georgia and has been running into murders and strange doings ever since. It's gotten so that every time a dead body shows up, people look to Fever for answers. I absolutely adore this mystery series. It's unusual in its love for things past. Fever is a a bit obsessed with folk tales and songs, so bits and pieces of them tend to bleed into every investigation. He an an encyclopedic knowledge, and what he doesn't know, good friend Shakespearean professor Winton Andrews does. Every exchange between these two friends is a treasure. In this story, a man claiming to be over a hundred years old shows up in Fever's home one night with a strange story about brothers killing brothers and the creation of the Tango. Fever is fascinated at first and then frightened when the man starts waving a gun. When Fever calls the police, the man disappears into the night, only to turn up dead the next morning. But the body doesn't look exactly like the intruder, so Fever and Andrews are off to investigate one hundred years of fratricide. DePoy's descriptions of the landscape are lyrical, and the mystery, as usual, raises more questions than it answers.

Real estate attorney Mallory Sinclair has worked extremely hard for the last eight years at the Waldorf, Haynes, Greene, Meyers & Latham law firm. She is one year away from becoming a partner, but the cost has been high, as Mallory has buried most of her emotions. Her ultimate objective is to gain her father's respect.

Jack "The Terminator" Latham is a partner at the prestigious law firm. He is known for his uncanny ability to sever marriages beneficially in favor of his clients. Between his work and his parents' relationship, Jack thinks marriage is worthless and women less than that.

The company's largest account is that of Paul Lederman, but he is beginning to look elsewhere for his legal services. Paul needs a good divorce attorney and has asked Jack to visit with him. The partners send Mallory along to help Jack keep Paul in the fold. When the two lawyers meet Paul's wife, Mallory acts frosty as if the lady does not matter. Jack accuses Mallory of being frigid so she counter challenges him to a battle of the boudoir even if it means costing her the legal partnership she once coveted.

The key to EROTIC INVITATION, the first Midnight Fantasies tale, is the vulnerable and scarred lead protagonists. Their life-altering week together is more than a catharsis as both realizes that you must take care of yourself, but a warm caring relationship makes it easier and more satisfying to do so. Carly Phillips shows her ability to melt two icebergs through the heat of love.

Harriet Klausner

EROTIC INVITATION makes you go wow-eyed. Oh yeah, it's a don't-want-to-miss book with a lot of sizzle and blazing heat.

Mallory and Jack are both lawyers trying to get a case, so they go to the resort where their prospective client invites them to visit. Mallory is a prim and proper woman on the outside, but her silk and satin leaves a thrill on the inside. The ever working Jack is stunned when he gets an invitation to join someone in a seduction. He is about to get an erotic lesson from the sexy Mallory.

From the first seduction to the second invitation to the wonder and love to confessing up and the beauty of love. What more can anyone want? Carly Phillips delivers everything we love in a romance; love, seduction, sex, and a happy-ever-after ending. The exotic invitation is still simmering inside me. Whether in a series or single titles, you don't read or see really hot, even erotic romances anymore, so this was a surprise and a fresh change of pace. I loved the new outlook and the seductiveness of the plot. I say, keep up the good work Carly Phillips!...

Lawyers Jack Latham and Mallory Sinclair go off to a resort to wait out a new clients's decision about hiring them to handle his divorce. Mallory has hidden her female side under conservative business wear, she's the office ice queen. He's the Terminator, a divorce lawyer who goes for the jugular. While there they discover their mutual attraction when Jack insults Mallory about her lack of femininity.

Carly Phillips really knows how to build up the sexual tension. The back and forth erotic invitations between Jack and Mallory is so much better than jumping straight into bed. These two characters have depth and self awareness. They help each other find themselves while falling in love. Highly recommended.

Carly Phillips has a fan for life in me! EROTIC INVITATION has it all - believable, in-depth characters with faults, foibles and scars, sizzling passion, snappy dialogue, and a fresh, original storyline. It was so nice to read about two people that had at least been aware of each other for awhile and didn't just want to jump each other's bones after a chance meeting. Sexual tension runs high as does emotional intensity. Instead of hoping right into bed with each other, Mallory and Jack tease, tantalize and pick each other's brains.

Ms. Phillips sure knows how to write. I couldn't put this book down and read it straight through in three hours. Its going on my keeper shelf for sure!

Only a year away from her goal, Mallory Sinclair is the last woman to remain line for partnership in her male dominated firm. A good old boys network runs the firm, and she has not yet entirely earned their trust; perhaps a woman never can. But she has earned a reputation for hard work and dedication. Further, Mallory's fierce control of her attraction to Jack Latham sets her apart from the other women in the office, although the no-office romance policy doesn't stop her from fantasizing. Now, as the only female associate in the firm, she is assigned to a very important divorce case to aid Jack. They will be spending an indefinite amount of time as the guests of their firm's biggest client while he decides if he's going of hire them to hand his divorce. Mallory vows to focus on the work at hand as she and Jack head to resort for an informal 'get-to-know-you' session with their eccentric client.

Jack, affectionately known as the Terminator and the firm's best-looking partner, is so named for the end he puts to marriages. According to office gossip, he does not believe in the institution of marriage or the idea of commitment. He certainly does not suspect that sexy lingerie that lurks beneath Mallory's power suits; consequently, he grossly misjudging her seductive qualities. So when he announces to Mallory that the firm's biggest client is sending them to a resort of the coast of Long Island, he underestimates the damage Mallory can do to his libido. One look in her eyes leaves him stunned. One foolish comment, and destiny is set into motion. Now they are courting the firm's biggest client in a divorce action that requires that they play hardball. Soon Jack finds that he would much rather be doing other things with Mallory, despite the rules of the office.

Jack longs to get beyond the frigid mask Mallory displays to see the woman beneath. He doesn't understand the conflicting emotions she inspires in him, and in his desperation to elicit a response, blurts his thoughts aloud. Mallory can't help wondering how she could be cold and frigid, as Jack accuses, if her taste runs to satin and silk. Perhaps he doesn't like the cold woman she created to survive in a man's world. But now they are away from the office, and ethics be damned. If he wants to see what lurks beneath the veneer of her exterior, then she has enough pride to show him. With all sorts of tantalizing, intriguing possibilities coursing through her imagination, Mallory begins her seduction. But perhaps the strongest lesson for both Mallory and Jack will not be in seduction, but realizing that an erotic invitation isn't enough without fulfillment.

Wow! Once again Carly Phillips creates an imaginative romp that really pumps the libido in EROTIC INVITATION. The tantalizing and intriguing plot delights the senses with its erotic overtones and subtle depths. In Phillips hands, mystery becomes a potent aphrodisiac, and seduction an art form. Her style is arousing, sultry. And the characters are sexy and believably distracted in their willingness to see the seduction through and deal with the consequences later. Not necessarily the most well thought out decision, but certainly the most human. Bold, sensual and daring, EROTIC INVITATION comes very highly recommended.

This is simply the best written general introduction to ceremonial magick in the English language. It can be used for self-study by anyone who is reasonably intelligent and diligent - although you will also need other books by the same authors - at least the other two volumes in the "Magical Philosophy" series. In particular "Foundations" includes a "course of study" at the back of the book which can guide you step by step through your "training".

Two criticisms should be noted. First, the authors are too influenced by Christianity. This is really a shame, because one of the great strengths of the book is that it helps the reader to begin to understand the philosophical basis for ceremonial magick. That philosophical basis is the Pagan philosophy of Plato, and later attempts by Christians to appropriate Platonism should never be confused with "the real thing." Nevertheless, the "Christianizing" tendencies of the authors do not run too deeply - so it is more of an annoyance than anything else, as long as you know better. The other criticism is that like most Llewellyn books this DOESN'T HAVE AN INDEX. This is really a very serious, at times difficult book. One will want to come back time and again to many parts of it. It is really a pain that there is no index!!!!!!

This is a great primer for those who are just beginning their studies in magick. This book explains a lot. I have benn a magickal person for over 15 years and I enjoyed this book. Be aware this book is not on the hermetics or Thelema it is on the ogdodic tradition. I would recommend this book to anyone on any path of magick. Unlike some authers Denning and Phillips do not mess with the readers head. Instead they make things as clear as possible. Its mostly a lecture book so if you are looking for loads and loads of rituals you wont find it in here. But nevertheless it is a serious book, one that will help you understand the powers of magick more better. Also the book is also great since there is no useless dribble.

Actually, one of the three most treasured, the others being the "Sword and the Serpent" and "Mysteria Magica", representing the (hopefully) forthcoming volumes 2 and 3 of the "Magical Philosophy" series of which this is the first.

Almost everything concievable is explained thoroughly in these books, and the first volume is perhaps the most illuminating. Unlike other texts which simply say "this is so", Denning and Phillips literally walk you through the reasons behind various magical correspondences on the Tree of Life (the theories presented here are basically Kabalistic ones, with just a light amount of Enochian). Ever wonder why the astrological signs are associated with certain paths on the Tree, and certian Tarot cards associated with the signs/paths, as well? Denning and Phillips lay it out for you, step by step, so that you come away with an understanding that won't fade as time goes by.

When I first purchased these volumes back in 1991, I had almost no background in magick whatsoever. While the latter two volumes may indeed be a bit advanced, the first should be required reading for any magickal study (or even a simple mystical study of the Tree of Life). By the end of the first volume, the latter two will no longer be out of the reach of your comprehension.

Highly, highly recommended works. For that matter, everything by either author meets a similarly high standard. If it's by Denning and Phillips, read it!

There are many books availiable for those who wish to learn the way of ritual magick- but few books for those who wish to learn the philosophy behind it, without having to contend with the opinions of often overbearing (Crowley), dogmatic (Fortune), muddle-headed (Regardie), or overly cautious (Kraig) writers. This book not only teaches pure Qabalistic and Hermetic thought, but insightfully and lucidly ties in connections to Oriental, Native American, and even the often overlooked ideas of those anomalous American Transcendentalists, such as Emerson and Whitman. There's no strange yoga, badly-translated words of mystic power, or misunderstood mythology- only the finest piece of magical literature availiable today. If you're a psychologist interested in exploring the transpersonal realms, a layperson wanting to explore spirituality beyond the confines of exoteric religion, a pagan interested in exploring a more reason-oriented spirituality, or even a chaos mage (like myself) searching for answers- this book is for you. Buy it and see for yourself.

This book is quite simply the most concise and insightful summary of the Western mystical philosophy that you're going to find out there. "Foundations of High Magick" explains the symbolism, correspondences, and theory behind mystical self-development in a way that the entire library of Llwelyn and other Golden Dawn-inspired books cannot begin to approach. For those of us that have struggled to find a simple, logical explanation of the theory behind the mystical systems, this book does so in an unparalleled fashion. If anyone has ever tried to sort through the Chokmah in Binah of Assiah (and other such mysteriously muddle-some correspondences upon correspondences ad nauseum) for any length of time, Denning and Phillips have provided a welcome relief! This book doesn't just present the symbols and correspondences: it literally takes the reader on a fascinating tour of these strange new worlds. The authors are knowledgeable guides throughout, spinning an amazing tale that seamlessly combines history, psychology and legend.

Readers who have tried and failed to make sense of Regardie and Crowley's muddled exposition of these ideas will be very grateful to Denning and Phillips for this clear-headed account. The prospective reader should note that this is a theoretical volume, and specific rituals are discussed in the later two volumes of this series. However, I would not necessarily recommend those volumes, because the rituals Denning and Phillips outline are quite similar to those of the Golden Dawn, which can be found elsewhere. In fact, insofar as the Golden Dawn rituals are not literally written in Greek, I find them to be far more comprehensible and useful. But this volume is definitely a solid investment.

Weird clients are nothing to new to Houston PI Eva Baum. "Hacksaw" is the tale of how she might be forced onto the trail of a brutal serial killer whose case has turned cold. Eva is close to taking it out of that file and not everyone is excited about her snooping about, not even the law itself - but Eva is determined to discover the truth anyway, not for money, but because she must know. A riveting read from first page to last, "Hacksaw" is highly recommended to community library collections dedicated to suspenseful fiction.

Beginning on page one, HACKSAW is one mystery/thriller that the reader won't want to put down - not for food, sleep or even sex. In fact any interruption that took me away from reading this book was a MAJOR irritation. Brilliantly plotted, skillfully written, and extremely well-presented, HACKSAW is a book to rave about.

Congratulations to Charlotte Phillips and Mark Phillips for a job well-done. HACKSAW deserves 10 stars, too bad I can only give it five.

Diana L. Driver
www.dianaldriver.com

This book was exciting to read! Couldn't put it down. When is the next one coming out? Can't wait! This going to be an exciting series! This book has movie potential! Schop!

Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (4/08)

I always know that whenever I get my hands on a book published by iUniverse, I am going to love it. Once again, iUniverse did not let me down. "Hacksaw" is the first book in the Eva Baum Detective Series. It is written by the husband and wife writing team of Charlotte Phillips and Mark Phillips.

"Hacksaw" immediately pulled me in. It is one of those books that has so many twists and turns that you won't want to put it down. The main character, Eva Baum, is a private investigator. She does her best to do what is right, but she also has to deal with temptations that sometimes involve having to step around the law. She learns from those lessons. When pushed into a corner, she does not back down. As a matter of fact, you really wouldn't want to find out what she can do when pushed. I loved this aspect of her character. As a woman, it made me feel empowered. Even if she is just a fictional character, I had thoughts like, "If she can do it, so can I."

I also liked Eva's independence. She knows what she wants and goes for it. She is loyal to the people around her. In this story, Eva is trying to help Shade, who is a mentally ill man still emotionally recovering from having been accused of being Hacksaw. Hacksaw is a serial killer who likes to torture and dismember his victims. Shade was cleared of any wrongdoing; however, mentally he suffered dearly from the whole ordeal. When Shade is beaten up by someone seeking his ex-wife Julie, Eva steps in. She discovers that there are several people looking for Julie and none of them are reputable characters. It appears that Hacksaw himself is after her.

Eva has to step down into the dark world of drugs, pornography and prostitution to get clues of Julie's whereabouts. She encounters some really unscrupulous people. Her own life becomes at stake. She also learns a hard lesson about betrayal.

"Hacksaw" is a great female private-eye mystery. Both men and women will love this book. I am looking forward to future books in the Eva Baum series. I don't think that we have heard the last of the Phillips and Phillips writing team.

Hacksaw is a great story, and has all the elements to get you hooked and keep you hooked as you read it. It's a page turner from the first chapter onward. I can't wait to get the next book in the series.

The authors brought all the characters to life with great skill, and before I realized it, I felt like I had known them all for years. The locations and scenery also seemed to come to life for me. Since I have traveled to a couple of the places where the story took place, I could really appreciate how well the authors developed the background for the story.

As a lover of mysteries and detective stories, I would whole-heartedly recommend this book to anyone. It really has an excellent plot and story line, well-developed characters and locations, and will ensure that you don't want to put it down for longer than it takes to pour yourself another cup of coffee. Believe me, you won't know what's really going on until the very end, and you'll be surprised at the twists and turns.

Enjoy!

This is the best book on Biblical dating out there. It's also an excellent resource for married couples.

Well, I just finished Holding Hands, Holding Hearts and I'm still convinced it's by far the best book on Christian dating for adults that I've read so far. In fact, after I finished it I gathered up some of my other books on Christian dating and singleness along with their receipts to return them to the book store. This book offers sound advice based on Biblical principles with the much needed Christian love and wisdom.

The dating versus courtship arguments in my opinion, have largely fallen into two inadequate camps. Courtship (often) is defended as the preferable option because it was the norm in Biblical culture. Our modern context is usually written off while the cultural practice of the past becomes the normative Biblcal command for us now. I had trouble making that leap. And I found that many who "kissed dating good-bye" made it into a Biblical command, rather than what it is, a wise application of Biblical principles. The other side, who "gave dating a chance", often failed to wrestle significantly with the Biblical material and empahsized following Biblical principles within the flawed system of dating.

Thankfully, into this debate comes a third and welcome approach. Richard Phillips and Sharon Phillips are both aware of the modern context that singles live in, but also have attempted to create a thoroughly Biblical rationale for single males and females to follow as they "date". Holding Hands, Holding Hearts is all that a book on practical theology should be. It is grace-based, well thought out, Scripturally supported and developed, and it gives practical applications for its readers. (While I believe all theology is practical, many books fail to thoroughly examine the practical outworkings of theology in day-to-day life).

The book is divided into two parts. Part I is called A Biblical View of Dating and Relationships. In this half, the Phillips spend a significant time explaining why we are what we are and how that affects our relationships. It uses the classical set up of categories for mankind - Creation, Fall, and Redemption. All three need to be understood BEFORE a model of relationships is developed, and the Phillips do this in a clear, Biblical and understandable way. The second half is titled Biblical Wisdom for Dating and Relationships. It takes the Bibles teachings on marriage and works backwards from them. The patterns that God desires in marriage do not magically appear once one is married, and this book describes how a couple can and should learn, grow and prepare for the roles they are called to if the Lord calls them to marriage.

One highlight that I have not seen in any dating/courtship book before is the section on idolatry in our hearts. Here's a sample: "Different people have different idols as we saw in Genesis 3, the woman's idols will often be relationship-oriented; she desires to possess him as the key to her happiness....Similarly, Genesis 3 tells us that men will often be motivated by idols eternal to the relationship: money, power, excitement. Whatever they are, the point is that idols must be served, and the dating or marriage partner must be coerced into contributing to that service. This, by the way, is often what the world means by 'compatibility'. The key to a happy relationship, the experts tell us, is to find a companion who worships the same idols as you do, or whose idols are at least not in conflict with your own. This is a fool's paradise, for sin and idolatry never truly produce harmony but always strife." (pp. 61-62). This section, in addition to many others, has what many other Christian books on the subject lack, a proper understanding and focus on the heart, as well as practical guidlines for conduct based on that understanding. Pastor Phillips is definitely a shepherd, and a man who "has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth" (2 Tim. 2:15 ESV).

If you are a single adult, and want to have the best theological and practical undestanding of how to keep Christ at the center of your dating relationships (or your courtship relationships) - this is the book for you! It is easy to read, Christ-honoring, and very practical. It also is very pastoral, and has the benefit of both male and female input, and all this from two people who worked with hundreds of singles over the years.

As one final note, my girlfriend(now wife) and I read this together, and it was a great resource and catalyst for our thinking as we sought the Lord's will for our relationship. Check it out and buy a copy for a single friend!

A Biblically based/sound, well balanced book, full of Scripture references and applications, very enjoyable and funny, for anyone to read. It takes Biblical principles of a healthy marriage and work backwards to a healthy Biblical dating relationship. The foundations for a healthy, godly marriage begin while dating.

There's a final chapter, especially written for those who are not currently in a dating relationship. Some books or people describe singleness as a gift, just as marriage as a gift. Some people do have the gift of singleness: they don't think romantically about others of the opposite sex, and there is nothing wrong or perverse about them. They do not struggle with lust either. People with this gift, in the authors' experience, is usually someone called to a particular and intense ministry. But the authors describe singleness, which can last a long time, can be considered as being a trial, just as marriage as being a trial. We need to seek God's grace for this trial as with any other.

"Singleness involves loneliness, sexual frustration, and unfulfilled dreams. It is a difficult ordeal. But let's understand something about trials: everybody has them. Singleness may be a trial, but it is not the only trial. Married people have trials -- lots of them, in fact. Parents have lots of trials. When Jesus said, "In the world you will have tribulation" (John 16:33) He was talking to us all."

It dwells on the Rare Jewel of Contentment (Phil. 4:11-13)...the product of a heart resting in God. They provided an unchanging rule for singles to remember, namely:

"if you cannot be contented in singleness, you will not be contented in marriage" .

"Singleness is not something that keeps us from contentment and joy. Rather, it is a trying circumstance in which we are to look in faith to God, submitting in His good and Sovereign will, and looking to Him for every blessing. But singleness is not the only such trying circumstance. Another is called marriage, as two sinners seek to live in harmony without killing each other. Yet another trying circumstance is called parenthood, in which two exhausted sinners who seldom speak to each other seek to live in harmony with each other and a whole pack of other little sinners. In all circumstances, the challenge is not to change the circumstances but to learn what Paul learned: "I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can so all things through Him who strengthens me" (Phil. 4:12-13)."

Reviewer's additional comments:
One Scripture reminder by one friend also rings true:

"I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord's affairs--how he can please the Lord." - 1Cor 7:32 (NIV)

About the advantage of singles, being "free from concern", relative to the married.

As well as:

"But if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this." - 1 Cor 7:28 (NIV)

About "those who marry will face many troubles in this life". And Paul's advice was to spare the singles of the troubles faced by those who are married. Since singles will already have their fair share of trouble in this life to face and deal with (whereas married people will have "double the trouble in this life" - their own and those of their spouse). There are advantages of course...having two people to face the many troubles in this life, rather than on your own.

In any case, concerning the book, it's Highly recommended!
Check it out and pass it on to others!

The title says it all. This book is Biblical, practical, and balanced.

As for being Biblical, the whole first half of the book is devoted to clearly and succinctly outlining and explaining the three Biblical perspectives for viewing everything, (including dating): Creation, the Fall, and Redemption. They discuss not only what these things mean, but what they mean for dating and/or marriage.

It offers solid advice from a couple who actually remembers what it was like to be single and has been working with young adults in the transition from dating to marriage for many years. As a result, this book is balanced. On the one hand, it avoids the extreme of simply slapping a Christian label on an otherwise worldly practice of just going with the flow without discipline, without any sense of commitment or purpose. And on the other hand, it avoids the extreme of telling Christians that the only way they can be godly is by adopting the cultural practices of the 18th century. (Some of the books out there make one seriously question whether the author is more concerned with Biblical principle or the cultural standards of an arbitrarily chosen time and place.)

Without reservation, I would recommend this book to any young person with dating/marriage on their mind.

...within a short time period. Mr. Duck nailed the characters in this flowing story. I particularly liked the insight into not mentioning a person's name while talking to them, as the homewrecker did. As I was reading, I could picture the same characters I have run into during my lifetime. A life lesson to everyone about the dangers of jumping (or not) to conclusions.

This was my first purchase of an Amazon Short. This was a great way to start. I like the way Duck writes. It was a relaxing easy read that just flowed till the end. I'm hooked on shorts now. Thank you Phillip Duck for making my morning coffee more enjoyable.

Imagine putting your baby down for a nap, turning on the baby monitor and BAM, you are listening to something so juicy that you have left your laundry for another day. In the Dark captures you from beginning to end.

Strictly for the Grown and Sexy.

Lay the baby down, toss a load in the washer, and click on the baby monitor while you're deciding on dinner and reflecting on life, the phone rings alerting you to a forbidden illicit affair.

Life was perfect moments ago and now uncertainty has consumed you.

Phillip Thomas Duck had me open from the title to the ending, I can't wait to read Grown & Sexy!

In the Dark is a awesome short story that from the very first line had me. Normally I don't like short stories, but this one is a winner.

You put your baby down for a nap, check the monitor and proceed to the kitchen. You hear a phone ringing and can't believe someone's line is crossing with your monitor.

You listen not sure who it is or what is going on. There happens to be a lot of details that remind you of your husband. All along you think you have the perfect marriage. Do you or don't you, you ask yourself the whole time.

Will the sun continue to shine on your marriage or did it set?

Reviewed by: Angie

I strongly recommend this book to any one who would like to see what the South Bronx was during the 70's and 80's and how life was around when growing in these areas. I look back and see what I experience and how much different is today than those days when growing up.
Going to bed and thinking if you will wake up alive or if the Fire Department will be rescuing you. It's was hard growing up in the South Bronx in those days, but now that it has been in the redevelopment stage, the South Bronx has been recovering from those years of neglect ion to the people of this area.
Mr. Rosenthal's has done an amazing job in capturing those moments during that time.

Rosenthal has produced an excellent book about one of New York's most troubled neighborhoods.Working in the South Bronx for many years I've witnessed firsthand the struggles of area residents against the tide of arson and crime.Rosenthal's photographs tell the story of the survival of the human spirit in one of the most devastated areas in the country and the efforts to rebuild it.

In The South Bronx Of America is photographer Mel Rosenthal's intimate documentary of severe and widespread poverty in New York's South Bronx, a neighborhood of ethnic diversity united chronic conditions of urban distress. Enhanced with informative essays by Grace Paley, Martha Rosler, and Barry Phillips, Rosenthal's photos also provide evidence of human joy, strength, and pride to be found in even the most abject circumstances. In The South Bronx Of America is an impressive contribution to contemporary American studies and will prove to be of intense interest to students of photography, ethnic studies, and urban culture as well.

I'd strongly recommend Mr. Rosenthal's work to anyone who is interested in the devastation suffered by those in the South Bronx during the 1970's and 1980's as well as those who have an interest in "urbicide."

Based on what was available, I felt for a long time that there was a great gap in books available on the Bronx; either they spoke of the grand old days or focused solely on the destructive elements of the Bronx experience. Or, in other words, there was little on the lives of those who were trying to make a "go" of the place, despite the inexorable forces arrayed against them.

Mr. Rosenthal's work fills that gap in a diligent and eloquent manner.

"Not since Eudora Welty photographed rural Mississippi in the 1930s has anyone caught so memorably a people and a place as Mel Rosenthal has done in this unforgettable record of the South Bronx." --Willimam Jay Smith, former Poet Laureate of the United States and author of The Cherokee Lottery

"Rosenthal's disturbing stories and portraits of life in this neighborhood during the 1970s and 1980s are the work of an activist's committed lens, revealing how public money does not always result in public progress." --Doubletake

"Rosenthal's protraits convey the still vibrant life of a community hurtling toward ruin." --Erin Christman, Ruminator Review

"The photographer doesn't just give readers the clichés of burned buildings and homeless people. We see the richness and complexity of life that the South Bronx supported, even during its darkest day, and that may be the book's most significant accomplishment." --Damaso Reyes, The New York Amsterdam News

"Whatever historians may conclude about factors involved in the deterioration of the South Bronx, the juxtaposition of photographs of burned out buildings with vibrant portraits of South Bronx residents makes Rosenthal's book a provocative historical and sociological document." --Leslie Cohen, The Jerusalem Post

This is a rich & informative antique jewelry book. The contents are categorized under materials, styles vs periods and the details of manufacturings. Great for jewelry designer and those who interested in jewelry history. One of my favorite jewelry collectibles!

"Jewels and Jewelry," by Clare Phillips, is loaded with full-color photographs of a rich assortment of jewelry. The introduction notes that most of the pieces pictured are on display at the Victoria and Albert Museum. The book is divided into 3 main sections: "Materials," "Chronology of Style," and "Manufacturing and Distribution."

The book includes many informative and well-illustrated spreads on a number of topics: the pendants of the Renaissance, pieces celebrating Queen Elizabeth I, 18th century paste jewelry, the Art Nouveau style, etc. The book covers jewelry made from a rich variety of materials--gold, pearls, emeralds, cast glass, brass, coral, platinum, steel, etc. There are even pieces made from such startling material as a real fish head or recycled bus stop signs!

The book portrays the work of an international gallery of artists, together with interesting biographical facts about these creators. Among the many designers included are Gijs Bakker of Holland, Wendy Ramshaw of England, Fritz Maierhofer of Austria, Yasuki Hiramatsu of Japan, and more. Some really unforgettable creations are pictured, ranging from elegant pieces with a traditional flavor to futuristic or quirky pieces. Overall, a superb book that truly celebrates the tremendous imagination and skill of the world's jewelry makers.

This is amazing- a really comprehensive history of western jewelry from the Victoria and Albert Museum collection. The photography is just primo, and any jeweler or gem mad type needs this book. The text is clear and super informative. As a part time jewelry maker I find this an amazingly inspirational reference work, the pictures are so good you can see tool marks and technique. Period portraits illustrate fashion and the use of jewelry in different forms at different times.
Highly reccomended- and just plain pretty to boot. Even you all who just like to look at beautiful things will thoroughly enjoy this book.

This book goes into alloys. Mixing copper with gold turns it red, silver turns it green, arsenic turns it blue or grey. White gold the author says, is barely gold at all, it is simply silver with gold _added_ to keep it from looking too much like silver. Very helpful for jewelry buying as well as jewelry making, as I could use this to know how to extract silver or copper, assuming I manage to separate the two.

I must have a dozen books on jewelery and the history of jewelery. This is the best yet. First off the book very clearly organized. On any page that you might flip to there is a short chapter with a title, photos and supporting text. For instance, the section called "Jewelled Bouquets" shows five full color photos of flower themed broaches, descriptions of each an a well written history of the beautiful little things. Much of the jewelery is supported with photos of period portraits, to further illustrate how the pieces were worn. It's a wonderful, wonderful book and I'm not surprized to find it's from the fabulous Victoria and Albert Museum.

I loved your book. I couldn't put it down. The people in it could have been my neighbors or me. You brought these real people in front of all of us. I really thought I knew them. Thank you so much for writing their stories. I am anxiously waiting for your next book.

What Happens When the Intended Victim of a Violent Crime Takes Justice Into Their Own Hands?

ALBANY, NEW YORK - On the phone with her daughter, Karen McCann, played by Sally Field, becomes the only witness to the brutal rape and murder of her eldest daughter is the blockbuster 1996 film "Eye for an Eye." The story of a justice system that protected the wrong person and let a killer walk free, "Eye for an Eye" brought the debate about ordinary citizens and their right to own guns. The reality is that the American justice system is a dark place to operate in, often catering to the perpetrators of violent crimes instead of the victims.

Justice Rendered 2000 (now available from 1stBooks Library) is a collection of powerful true stories that prove to the reader that bad things do happen to good people, but that does not mean we can't do something to protect ourselves. Dedicated to all people who believe in the second amendment of the U.S. Constitution, Justice Rendered puts names and faces to ordinary people who faced extraordinary circumstances and refused to let evil win.

Compiling the stories that make up Justice Rendered was no easy task. Many of the people involved in these crimes live in daily fear of retribution for simply protecting themselves. To protect them, author Scotty Phillips has changed the names of the victims, the location of the crimes, and, in some cases, some of the facts of the case in order to protect the victims from the cruelty of the "system."

Scotty Phillips was raised in the small town of Adel, Georgia, near the Florida State line. After retiring with twenty years of military service, he returned to the civilian sector and gained employment in the finance collection business. Having spent endless hours in courtrooms handling litigation in lawsuits, he quickly became disturbed in witnessing testimonies from crime victims as the told their horrifying accounts. He became even more disturbed as he questioned why many of these victim's stories were never told (or refused to be told) by the mass media. Compelled to have their stories told, he invested countless hours of research in gathering each victim's account of that tragic event that changed their lives forever.

Justice Rendered is Phillips first book and was inspired by a devastating crime involving close family friends. He says, "The events of the crime were a wake-up call of the cold, hard facts of what can happen to all of us if we must defend ourselves. When a victim wins the gun battle, the costly legal battle from civil suits may turn the tables of a short-lived victory. You'll find the law may not be on your side."

If you like to read the "ARMED CITIZEN" in the NRA publications, you'll love this book! It will give you insight of what it's really like to become a crime victim. I know, because I've had to use my firearm to protect myself. This book brought back bad memoirs (and good) of that eventful day. Until this book, I've yet to find any publications that really explained the events of how I or anyone else felt when they came face-to-face with criminals. This book is a set-up for a great mini-series; if you can find anyone in the "controlled" media who isn't afraid of the anti-gun movement! "

There are books on the issue on self-defense and then there's this book. I've grown tried of reading about the criminals who comment crimes and their personal lives. It a nice change to once read about the personal lives of the victims. This book will make you take twice about "ever" leaving home without being armed!

My husband and I purchased this book last weekend at a gunshow in Atlanta GA. We met the author and one of the female victims whose story is in the book. Her story, "Enough is Enough," brought back nightmares from our family past. Having a sister that almost died at the hands of her abusive husband, this chapter brought both joy and sadness.

Any American that has firearms in their home needs to read this book! The several stories of women who defended themselves with firearms gives even more arguments of why "ALL" free Americans should have the right to arm themselves. This book gets straight to the point. The lives of the victims are fully explained and one cannot help but become filled with joy and anger throughout each chapter. It's a roller coaster of emotions.

After the tragic events of Sept 11, 2001, all of us are looking for a little "JUSTICE RENDERED" in our lives. This book delivers!