Reed Books

Reviewed by Kam Aures for RebeccasReads (2/08)

"Fragments of a Forgotten People" is an incredible memoir written by Henry Fast about his and his mother Rena's experiences during World War II. Henry and Rena Fast lived in an apartment in Bochnia, Poland. After two army officers boarding with them told them that the enemy was nearing and that they should gather their belongings and go, they packed what they could and set out on a journey far longer and more painful than they ever expected. Their original intention was to travel to Rena's brother's house in Brzesko anticipating that he would take them in. Upon arriving in Brzesko they were received rather coldly by his brother's family who was also planning on evacuating. Henry's Uncle Roman was leaving to report for duty and his Aunt Dora and cousin Zenek were going to flee East with family friends. You would think that family would be more than willing to assist each other in times like these but that was not the case. They were incredibly rude to Rena and Henry, took advantage of them, and refused to let them ride in the wagon or share their food. The way that they treated them was terribly cruel and finally they abandoned them altogether. Things did not get much better for Henry and Rena as they moved from place to place, severely lacking nourishment and proper clothing. They tried to stay with another brother of Rena's and received the same unwelcoming reception as they had with Henry's other uncle. It is horrifying the way that these people acted toward one another during these events. Although there were some people that helped each other out, they were few and far between. After all of the running, like the fate of many during this time period, they were arrested and the deportation process began. "Fragments of a Forgotten People" is a very well-written story chronicling a family's hardships during that terrible period of war. Watching Henry and his mother struggle to survive with little assistance from other family members is heartbreaking. I was shocked at the things that were done to them by their own family! The photographs and the maps in the center of the book are very helpful in fully grasping the story that Henry has to tell. I think that anyone with any inkling of interest in memoirs or history will be intrigued by this book. "Fragments of a Forgotten People" is very eye-opening and is a book that you better not start reading unless you have the time to finish it because it is not possible to put it down!

Reviewed by AJ Cooper for Reader Views (7/07)

Henry Fast's memoir depicts the life he led in Poland in the early 1940s and the rush for safety from the war. His father had passed away and had left him and his mother enough for them to have a house and some small luxuries in the home in Poland. Henry loved to read and play with his friends with no worries in the world. Occasionally his mother would take them on trips to visit relatives throughout Poland.

There was word of war and attacks started to occur in Poland. A military officer had stopped by on his travels to other parts of Poland and suggested that Henry and his mother should not remain but go to stay with relatives in other parts of Poland. Rena, Henry's mother decided what do with their valuables they could not carry and decided they would catch the train. On the way to the train station they discovered that it had stopped running and they would have to try to find some other way to leave their tow. With good fortune they were able to ride with a man who was going to the town of Henry's uncle, Roman. Roman and his wife Dora are not happy to see Rena and Henry and try to get them to leave the way that they had arrived. The man and his cart had completely left the area. Roman had to report to military duty but finally agreed that Rena and Henry could walk behind the cart that his family would be traveling on.

Dora and her traveling companions did not treat Rena and Henry very well and eventually abandoned them on a roadside without their possessions. Rena and Henry struggled to travel on to the next large city and encountered many strange and frightening sights. They finally arrive in a large city in Poland, Lwow, at her brother's house. He was not happy to see Rena yet allowed her to stay with Henry until something else could be arranged. Rena and Henry eventually were arrested and shipped of to a camp. The travel to the camp was terrible and was in open weather and little or no facilities for any ones use. They had been shipped to Siberia to be held for an unknown period of time. All that they owned they had to be able to carry themselves. Needless to say they did not have a lot.

Rena tried to provide as best as she could for Henry. Their food rations were never enough and there bathrooms were non-existent. Hundreds of people had been shipped to Siberia from all walks of life. Many did not survive the ordeal while others thrived on the misery.

I found that it was hard to put down Henry Fast's account of being in a camp in Siberia during World War II. I've found numerous accounts of being in concentration camps during this period, but this was the first one that I came across with this story. It shows an eye opening account of how low people can be to one another in times when they should support one another, but also shows those few shining stars that were willing to help a young boy and mother to face an uncertain future. I recommend this book to anyone interested in Jewish history during World War II.

The invasion of Poland marked the start of World War II in Europe as Poland's western allies declared war on Germany on September 3, 1939. By October 1, Germany and the Soviet Union had completely overrun Poland. This is the setting for the opening chapters of Henry Fast's "Fragments of a Forgotten People."

In this extraordinary memoir Henry Fast tells the story of his plight as he and his widowed mother are forced to flee from their home in Bochnia, Poland with thousands of other refugees.

They are faced with hardships requiring endurance, physical, mental, and emotional, as they face near starvation, ridicule, and the freezing temperatures of the cold winter in Siberia.

They are arrested and deported on foot, railroad trains, and boats. Deplorable crowding, and unsanitary camps, became the way of life for Henry and his mother. Henry found escape by entering a world of fantasy, reliving books he had read. His mind was active and curious. Among the refugees, Henry found an engineer, a scientist, and a mathematician to mentor him and to work through his quest for knowledge.

Fast is a gifted story teller. His character descriptions are colorful. His narrative is both entertaining and informative. The beauty of Henry's writing comes across in the positive attitude reflected throughout the book.

Released from deportation after finding lodging in a former cow shed, Henry writes: "This was my first evening in what I called my own tiny cubicle at my own table. A real table, not a cot, a real chair, not a stump...Before falling asleep, I lent free rein once more to my fantasy, creating a picture of the future: later, after Hitler's defeat."

"Fragments of a Forgotten People" is destined to become a classic in the historical memoirs of World War II.

I like the writing style of Ms. Reed and her understanding of the "elements" wand, cup, sword and pentacle. Ms. Cannon switches the sword to the element of fire and the wand to the element of air-- she displays multiple trees of life all depicting various gems, animals, plants, and categorical information pertinent to the "tree". It is a book that blends and integrates the concepts of the Tree of Life with serious students of pagan/witchcraft. Excellent book!

After reading a couple traditional books on the subject, I had almost given up on finding any use for the Qabala in my spiritual practice. Being a non-affiliated, neo-pagan practitioner, I found the male-oriented (and I happen to be male) judeo-christian foundation too restrictive. I was hoping to find some way of working with the Qabala in a balanced way. This book did a terrific job of helping me bridge that gap.

It introduces the traditional basics of the system, while at the same time offering thoughtful re-interpretations and a logical re-analysis of it's formation. After reading this book, I felt far more comfortable in making the system my own, without fear of diminshing it's original integrity with my own personal beliefs.

Understandably, a lot pagans and witches are passing up on the Qabala as a "patriarchal" and therefore incompatible practice. I don't blame them, I used to feel the same way. I hope anyone reading this review who feels the same way I did, will give the Qabala another chance by reading this book.

I like the writing style of Ms. Reed and her understanding of the "elements" wand, cup, sword and pentacle. Ms. Cannon switches the sword to the element of fire and the wand to the element of air-- she displays multiple trees of life all depicting various gems, animals, plants, and categorical information pertinent to the "tree". It is a book that blends and integrates the concepts of the Tree of Life with serious students of pagan/witchcraft. Excellent book!

I use this book in teaching the Tarot to my students. A grasp of the Qabala is essential to an in-depth study of the Tarot. Many Western people find the Qabala hard to digest though because it is shrouded in Jewish mysticism which is a study all of its own. Reed makes the Qabala accessible to the Western mind. Her essays are well-written and easy to understand. She provides personal experiences to bring the reader to a greater understanding of each sphere of the Tree. Many of my students have claimed a better understanding of the Qabala after reading this book and recommend it to friends. I'll be happy to see Weiser bring this book back into print.

This book is worth reading for those on the go! Too busy to exercise...read this and feel great about yourself. Very informative and easy to follow...great ideas and illustrations.....super way to workout throughout the day!

EVERY MINUTE COUNTS.... (For Physical Fitness) This book is filled with exercises that have no time, location, or fitness level barriers. Common everyday activities (talking on the phone, driving a car, watching TV, doing laundry, working on a computer, etc.) are transformed into One Minute Workouts that tone, condition and stretch the muscles, and help boost your energy level. No expensive equipment or travel time are necessary. The book clears away hurdles to getting physically fit -- painlessly, inexpensively and best of all, easily.

Gotta minute? Getta workout! You can read this book one paragraph at a time or read it all in one sitting. It will help you design a workout that can be incorporated in a 'normal' day. I'm an elementary physical education teacher and I assign one of the exercises every week. Not only are the students expected to do them, so are their teachers! Each week a new exercise is added. The students love to share these with their families - it's contagious. You gotta order it!

The authors of this "Gotta Minute" fitness guide help the reader establish a Workout Goal, a Workout Log, and a Workout Diary. Creative illustrations done by John McGee provide the reader with visual images that simplify the easy to follow instructions.

These "One Minute Workouts" include suggestions for everyday workouts, grocery shopping workouts, household workouts, on-the-job workouts, and TV workouts. These workouts provide suggestions for sculpting and stretching upper body muscles, lower body muscles, for healthy abs and back, and for a healthy heart.

Chapters include motivational goals ranging from, "Exercise for less stress!" to "Exercise today because it's fun!" Each chapter also includes "Fitness Facts." For example, "Exercise builds muscle mass, which increases metabolic rate, even during inactivity. In other words, exercise helps you burn more calories even while you rest."

I enjoyed the suggestions for "Family TV Exercises" during commercial breaks. The four sets of suggested TV exercises insure a variety for every member of the family and will add a dimension to your prime time TV viewing.

The glossy of key terms and muscle charts help the reader to understand the importance of each suggested workout and add to the credibility of the book.

This book should be in the hands of physical education instructors, fitness trainers, and every individual interested in maintaining good heath and well being.

Dana Reed is, by far, one of the best horror writers of our time. I loved Grave Results. It kept me on the edge of my seat, and I did not want to put it down. In two nights I consumed the entire book. It scared the hell out of me, like many of her books have. I hope there is a sequel!

This was a great book, it kept you reading from begining to the end.

The psychological suspense and horror in this novel keep you turning those pages, yet make you almost afraid to. A must read, but with the lights on!! I've read most of Reed's novel and get the same chills from all of them. Sincerely, Laura Koutny

This book is very, very good and held my attention all of the way through it. The only problem I had while reading 'Grave Results' was trying not to skip ahead to see what happens next. The characters are very lifelike and I developed a very stong dislike for a few of them but I loved the rest of them. 'Grave Results' is throughly enjoyable and will leave you anxiously awaiting the sequel.

As the title of the book states, "Guided Imaery and Beyond" goes BEYOND kindergarten guided imagery to graduate work Integrative Imagery. It describes a fabulous gentle process for "healing and transformation" that can be utilized in any situation that presents challenge: physical, emotional and/or spiritual.

After reading Guided Imagery and Beyond, Stories of Healing and Transformation, all I can say is READ IT, it is very inspiring. It is great to have a book that brings these inspiring stories of healing and transformation to show us what we can do with our mind and our imagination. Thank you Susan and Terry for putting these wonderful stories together to give us all hope for transformation & healing. I highly recommend this book. Doreen

This book has a lot of heart and substance. The very useful and broad range of information is presented in a "hands-on" style that easily inspires and instructs. The personal accounts are touching and clearly demonstrate the many arenas of life in which the tools of creative imagination can be applied with results ranging from interesting to miraculous. I don't know anyone who could not benefit from reading this book!

This book is a "must read" for all who are becoming aware of the potential each person has for coping with life's challenges. The stories are full of interesting situations and evoke emotions from tears to laughter. It can be very helpful in preparing for a challenging event, recuperating from an illness, or just new ways of looking at life.

Julia Reed's breezy writing style and obvious love for her subject matter take this collection of essays and recipes from just interesting to fascinating. I love this book and am systematically working my way through the recipes as well. I am not from the south,but her first collection of essays gave me a much better understanding of this region, and this one increased my interest. This is a great essay collection from a great writer.

This is a really gorgeous book. Julia has written a beautiful food memoir filled with delightful anecdotes about her family and the things they liked to cook and eat. Anyone who loves food and cooking will adore it. You'll probably want to be her friend too because she is surrounded by funny and generous cooks! I'm in Australia and a lot of the Southern food is very removed from what I'd cook or eat (all that gelatine!!) but it's fab all the same.

Ham Biscuits, Hostess Gowns, and Other Southern Specialties: An Entertaining Life (with Recipes)

What a charming, lovely, and fun book! I received it yesterday, and devoured 100 pages the first night! The author has a wonderfully descripitive, humorous voice. The book is made up of short essays that include eveything from personal backround, to culinary history, to cocktail party how-to's, to lively charatcter descriptions. Each essay is then followed by a few delightful, often historical, recipes. I wish I could meet some of the eccentric characters from the author's childhood...hostess gowns, toast points, and fancy cigarette holders! This true-blue Bostonian highly recommends this charming book! Love it!!!

Greenville, Mississippi, native and former Manhattanite Julia Reed (now of New Orleans) compiled a collection of essays on Southern food and hospitality that are as amusing as they are informative. Recipes of classic Southern dishes supplement the book. Unfortunately there is no index. And sadly there are no illustrations or photographs. But the author manages to successfully describe colorful scenes with mouth-watering results. This book would be appreciated by fine Southern cooks and a great gift for those who aspire to be.

Reviewed by Tammy Petty Conrad for Reader Views (9/08)

First, you can't walk away from this title. We all know the saying "they were married happily ever after." Of course we also know the statistics that less than half of us actually are. So it definitely catches your attention. But secondly, you may or may not change your mind based on the pictures on the cover. It would appear that those happily un-married are often wearing lingerie, at least the female side of the partnership.

But this is actually a very business-like book about cohabitating with quick-reading chapters and worksheets to complete with your partner. With twenty types of unmarried couples listed, readers will quickly realize we all come into this kind of a relationship with different backgrounds or experiences. It makes sense to spend time working upfront for a smooth transition and to form a lasting relationship. Not only does the author go into the reasons for cohabitating, but the consequences of cohabitation. There are pitfalls which can be avoided or minimized if we follow Dr. Curtis' handbook.

He has a background in marriage and family counseling and has worked as an organizational development consultant. His web site provides a liberal does of information as well as an opportunity to subscribe to his newsletter.

As he says, his book "...details a totally new approach to relationship fitness...." I like the idea of a fit relationship and actually working on it to get it there. He takes time to stress that this book is written for both men and women and although it is about intimacy, it is very practical. Clear expectations are important in a relationship, just as they are in the workplace. The author hopes his book will provide a new "...perspective on how to think about a live-in relationship...." He makes a great point that we should invest as much time and energy in our relationships as we do in our jobs. We know how easy it is to coast along and let other areas in life take priority.

Each chapter includes a list of objectives with highlights at the end. I enjoyed the quotes at the beginning of each chapter. I could see posting them on my bathroom mirror for inspiration as I worked through a new chapter each week. The format makes for a quick read so it will be easier to share with your partner. When a worksheet is given, usually a completed sample is shown. He refers to S.M.A.R.T. objectives as used in business: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound. You might think that this format could take away the romance of the relationship. But I'd like to think that being smarter about how you approach a relationship is more of a turn-on than being too casual and avoiding the difficult issues.

Some of the topics include financial issues, job descriptions for couples and merging "mindstyles." Something I hadn't thought about is branding a relationship. The author describes it as a way to ensure you are both on the same page when discussing your relationship with others. He even thinks this helps you attract similar couples to make friends with. This is where the concept of "only" living together is discussed (similar to "only a housewife"). He's right about how much is involved in combining households, from your communication style to your problem-solving skills and so much more. Usually we just think about how nice it will be to be with each other all the time. But there's more to it.

It is easy to look at the potential negatives, but he also addresses developing a benefits package, which includes all the positives you'll receive from a successful cohabitation. In the end the author acknowledges that it isn't easy going through this process, but extremely worthwhile. His goal is for couples to "...have a much more stable, mature relationship... (to) reach the most satisfying closeness that a couple can achieve...."



"Happily Un-Married: Living Together and Loving It!" by John Curtis, PhD, would be a great present to any couple considering living together. But don't wait till it's too late!

I highly recommend Happily Un-Married to any one who is thinking about living together, getting married or un-happily married. I have given this book as a gift to several young people who were on the fence and need to take a time out to consider all of their options. I love this book because it is objective without a specific agenda. As an expert Whine-ologist and Savvy Granny, I know there is not a one-size fits all for any relationship. Dr. Curtis is not a whiner and but rather a wonderful winner! This book is a great companion book for my survey, Thou shalt Not Whine .....The Eleventh Commandment which will be published next month.

I have been in a committed relationship for six years. We began committed and have stayed this way as our relationship deepened. Our relationship has been smooth sailing but when we did finally have a glich it was nice to have Dr. John Curtis help us and offer his book for addional insight. It helped us to get into the depth of our issue and work it through without a separation. I hope anyone considering living together in a life long relationship read this book and apply the principles.

BLM

I have read Dr. Curtis' other book, The Business of Love, and when I saw that he had another relationship book out, I knew I had to read this one too. What a wonderful tool for anyone in a cohabitating relationship, preparing for one, or who knows someone who is in one. It gives very specific tools and information that you and partner can do together to strengthen your relationship. It also helps you deal with other people who may be against you living together. This is a highly recommended book!

Reviewed by Phyllis Kruciak for Rebeccas Reads (3/08)

For the individual who is sick of being sick, "Heal Yourself: Mind Body Spirit" is an excellent resource! Dr. Kamph takes you to the basics of the mind/body connection. She introduces the book with insights provided from a chiropractic and nutritionist standpoint. Learning early how factors such as nutrition, stress and toxicity affect an individual's overall health, one is clearly able to navigate through Dr. Kamph's advice to understand healthcare in a fundamental way

Chapter two of the book illustrates the "General Adaptation Syndrome" which posits that there are three stages to a body's reaction to a negative stimulus. Stage one is alarm, two is adaptation, and three is exhaustion. The reader is introduced to the stimuli outlined as emotional, dietary, physical and environmental then given basic information toward effective management. This framework provides the basis for understanding the way the body functions as a reactionary device. Understanding this allows and person to then dive into what stresses are presented and how to counteract the outcomes.

The reader is then introduced to the basic body systems and cells. Dr. Kamph simplifies these systems by analyzing how they function, reporting what they do and addressing common issues with which we bombard them. The beauty of her style is that she presents them very thoroughly yet easy to "digest," so to speak. The reader is given the information in fun, short and to-the-point analyses, which allow the lay person to understand without feeling lost in jargon. The book is filled with fun illustrations and personal stories that relate to these areas and make the knowledge real in terms of our daily lives and functions.

After a basic understanding, we are introduced to ways to detoxify and help reverse the negative effects of the stressors the body has already encountered. We are told of the need to begin with a "clean colon and liver" and how to proceed from there. Water is essential and this book even gives great tips about what types of water (or more appropriately sources and filtering) truly help to achieve the goal. We learn how to supplement and exactly what vitamins and minerals do. We then learn of the components of a good diet to maintain health, even down to how to store and cook our food. We are presented with an "emergency kit" of holistic products that can serve to stem our day to day issues. The book concludes with a chapter on "the power of thought," and the role of the mind in the entire process. Dr Kamph emphasizes the need for all components to work in union to achieve the goal.

Overall the book does a great job of education and suggestion to help heal, and maintain a positive course of holistic health. Readers will find themselves enlightened and entertained simultaneously by "Heal Yourself: Mind Body Spirit."

Reviewed by Susan Pettrone for Reader Views (12/06)

The premise of this book is a simple one. If you take to heart the advice within its pages and apply the techniques described to your body and your life, you will not only be a healthier individual but a happier one as well.

This is such a simple sentence, but one that packs a lot of promise into its structure. And so it is with this book as well. Within its 122 pages (including Bibliography and index); this book puts into simple language the difficult task of making ones life a healthier one. Broken into four sections, "Heal Yourself: Mind Body Spirit," the reader is taken through the various problems that plague the average person and in turn is given advice from Chiropractor/author Marcela Kamph on how to simplify ones life and become a better person for it.

Section one gets off to a great start, mentioning the `mind body emotion connection' and how all three of these areas affect each of us in different ways. It also explains through examples and easy to understand language, how a problem in any one of these sections can affect the whole body and throw the whole of a person into turmoil. One chapter of special interest is that of Chapter 4, which address' the `spine, spinal nerves and symptoms' and how they work to keep our bodies in check, as well as how when one of these 3 areas is `out of alignment' the whole of the body suffers. This was interesting to this reviewer in that I have had experience in this area with migraines and have discovered that when my spine is out of alignment, the headaches are more severe and actually longer lasting than when I make a point of keeping my body aligned. The author does a wonderful job in this chapter explaining the spine and its part in the wellness of the body and in my opinion; this is by far one of the best chapters in the book.

That said I must also be honest when I say that although I agree with the author when she maintains a healthier diet can help alleviate a number of negative situations with our bodies, I have a problem with her in that the diet described within the pages of this book seems to be a difficult one to maintain. Though the author is very thorough in her description of why each item is important, I have a hard time believing that the average reader will have the time or the resources available to maintain the diet suggested. The section on `food combining' and `pulse test' while interesting, are also questionable as to whether many readers will be dedicated enough to follow through on the advice within at least after the first few days.

All in all, this is an interesting book. It covers a myriad of problems and offers solutions which vary in their applications and difficulty level to achieve. Although I may not agree with all the stringent rules and suggestions within its pages in regards to diet, I still find this book to be a worthwhile read for the common sense and eye opening information about the body presented by the author. I would suggest that the reader determine what his/her needs are and whether he/she is open to new information, ideas and applications before purchasing "Heal Yourself: Mind Body Spirit.." If the reader is willing to make significant changes, then by all means purchase this book and dive into its pages. It holds many new ideas, insights and suggestions and given a chance, can educate the reader and show the path to new ways of becoming a happier healthier person....perhaps sooner than you ever imagined.

Dr. Kamph has compiled a complex subject in an easy to understand readable style for the lay reader. The book is divided into five sections, and describes how structure and function, emotional and mental health affect each other. Each chapter begins with a case study from "the doctor's diary." These studies include the symptoms, the prescribed treatment, and the results.

The material reported in the case study is then examined for cause of the symptoms, the reasons for the prescribed treatment as it relates to the bodies system, and why the treatment was successful.

Topics like understanding stress, the nervous and muscular systems, the spine, spinal nerves, the cells, the cardiovascular, lymph and immune systems are all covered in depth. The digestive and the excretory systems are illustrated and detailed.

I found the information on diet and nutrition of special interest and extremely helpful.

Dr. Kamph is well known for her educational workshops, her informative articles, and for her earlier book, "Prescription of Robust Health." She has been a presenter at The Power of Healing conferences, and often appeared as a featured guest on radio and TV.

"Heal Yourself" is an excellent guidebook for making informed choices for reversing illness and regaining emotional, mental, and physical well being.

I just finished reading Dr. Kamph's excellent book. It gave me a good understanding of how my body works - as a total unit, and how emotions effect the functioning of my body. It is written in easy to understand, laymen terms. I recommend this book to any one and every one. It is just full of good information and recommendations.

William L. Glass
VP ST&I Inc.

I felt that Heidi was an excellent book for a wide range of children; very readable for the 9 - 14 age group, and great for reading to children below that age group. The illustrations were appropriate and enjoyable, and added to story perception without overpowering it. I gave my purchase to a great-granddaughter and planned on purchasing more, but I found you had removed it from your listings, and I couldn't find a way to find out if any more were available.

This is a heartfelt story about how the power of patience and love can conquer fear and pain - a true story of a broken dog who was saved by a nurturing family, who then gave the family years of joy. Told simply and without sentimentality, this book offers a valuable lesson for both young and old. I just read it to a group of second graders and they were begging to hear more. A beautiful story, destined to become a classic.

This story was written by my Very Fairy Godmother. She is my Great Aunt and one of the most beautiful people in the world. Anyone who meets her should consider themselves honored and blessed. However, if you cannot get the chance to meet her....reading this story will let you in on just how wonderful she is. The story of Heidi is one that will last through all time. Read this with your children and share a memory that my family has loved for years.

A true story about an abused German Shepherd who by chance was given to a family that had the patience and love to truly understand her nature. This book, initially written for children, will captivate adults as the storyline explores Heidi's primitive instincts while relating to her adopted family. A must read for dog lovers.

What is the price of adultery? Divorce, AIDS ... or something beyond your worse nightmare? Fast-paced with intense drama, "High Risk" by Rick R. Reed takes the reader on a roller coaster ride that leaves you breathless to the very end.

Reed, Rick. "High Risk", Amber Quill, 2008.

Secrets and Lies

Amos Lassen

Rick Reed is an amazing author and he manages to turn out one good book after another. His newest, "High Risk" is a thriller about Beth Walsh who seems to be a regular housewife. She takes care of her lawyer husband and she does her share of volunteer work. She is demure, the kind of woman that one meets at church socials. But not all is as it seems. She has a secret life--when her husband is at work, she changes into a completely different woman. She puts on her sexy clothes and goes out on the prowl. She becomes totally uninhibited and she has a collection of handsome strangers. Her double life seems to work for her until she meets one very handsome stranger that makes her really sorry for her lies and secrets.
When Beth meets Abbot Lowery a fuse is lit. He is the dream of every woman. He is handsome and built and both men and women want him. He, like Beth, is not what he seems. There is a monster inside of him and when Beth casts her net for him, the monster is unleashed and determined to punish her. When this happens, a tale of terror and desperation ensues and it will destroy anyone that comes near.
"High Risk" is a story of infidelity that goes wrong. Reed takes us on a trip of terror. It is hard for the reader to reach any conclusion about the way they feel about Beth because she is a slut who cheated on her husband yet she truly loves him. She feels guilt about her behavior but she cannot control it. She personifies the classic addict. It is hard to want her to survive and it is hard to want to see her feel the consequences for what she has done. She is out of control and her infidelity is her downfall. She is a conflicted person and she will dwell with you after you close the covers of the book.

Reviewed by Tyler R. Tichelaar for Reader Views (5/08)

I became a Rick R. Reed fan after reading "IM" so I was thrilled to read "High Risk" and find that this novel's thrills surpass any of Reed's previous work.

The novel begins when Beth, a demure housewife in the eyes of everyone around her, goes out on the prowl for a no-strings-attached sexual encounter with a stranger. Unknown to her loving attorney husband, Mark, she has been sleeping with countless men behind his back for a long time. But today, all that is going to change. Beth sees incredibly gorgeous Abbott Lowery in Nordstrom's, and immediately, she wants him. The feeling is not mutual.

Abbott Lowery is used to being wanted. Both men and women stare at him on the street. He is not surprised when Beth hits on him in the department store, but Abbott has his own issues, and he is not interested in sex. When Beth pursues him through the store, refusing to take "No" for an answer, Abbott finally agrees to follow her home.

Beth has no idea what a mistake she has just made. Abbott is not interested in having sex with her. Once they are at Beth's house, he informs her she should be ashamed of herself, that she is a whore, an adulterer, and worst of all, that he is not going to leave until her husband gets home so Mark can find out the truth about Beth.

What happens when Mark gets home? You'll have to read the book, and you won't be disappointed. I was on the edge of my seat, unable to put the book down until I finished it. Rick R. Reed has created some extraordinarily complicated characters in Abbott and Beth, while at the same time exploring the psychological side of his characters, so the reader understand their motivations and actions. Parts of the book were extremely grizzly, and honestly, if the book were turned into a film, I don't think I could handle watching it, but the tension created by the author made me unable to stop reading.

Rick R. Reed has been compared to Stephen King, but frankly the comparison does not do him full credit. In my opinion, he is a far more polished writer than Stephen King. He does not bore the reader with pages of detail or scenes that fail to advance the plot. Reed creates tightly controlled prose, realistic dialogue, and intense situations, and I can only think his future novels will continue to show advancement in his writing talents. "High Risk" is the most suspenseful thriller I have read in years. Highly recommended!

Wow - what an amazing book! I picked this up with the intention of reading a chapter or two last Saturday morning but was completely swept away by it. I didn't stop reading until I reached the end - and with its brisk language and driving pace that meant just a few hours later. The premise should grab the attention of any married man or woman who has contemplated - even for a moment - the idea of infidelity. The author spins the idea into an extremely frightening Fatal Attraction type of scenario in which the man the adulterous wife decides to bring home is a complete sociopath who sets out to destroy her life. It's an absolutely horrifying - and perfectly written - book. Rick Reed is one of the best thriller writers working today. Readers should also check out IM - which is another one of those oh-God-what-is-going-to-happen now books that completely captivates and chills. If you like suspense, you should put several of Reed's books at the top of your list!