Sheridan Books

My 4 year old loves picking out a hairstyle from the book for me to do for her for school. There are great pictures and easy yet detailed explanations for all styles. Very basic braids, and very fun and intricate ones. It is a book for a girlie-girl who is concerned about her appearance and appreciative of unique hairstyles. We're having a lot of fun with the book. If you're a mom with the time and desire to create fun braids, then I highly recommend it.

I am a mother of two girls. My youngest saw this book and fell in love with it. I bought it and tried several of the braids on the girls - pirate matey, spider girl, and pippi longstocking. The instructions and photos were very clear, and the braids were quite simple to do. The result was fantastic. Now my girls are braiding their friends' hair at school. This is a very fun book, and the pictures and paper and binding are all beautifully done. Much better than other braiding books I've seen.

I returned it. There is some visual humor in it, but you can pretty much forget about doing any of the braids enclosed. It is not a practical look at braiding for a young woman's lifestyle.

It may however, have a use in future Star Wars films.

I special ordered this book because I thought it would be really good. I read the reviews and some how got the impression that it was a sensual vampire story. It was a vampire story that dragged on a little to much. It was also vague, and not so sensual at all. I got the feeling that this story tried to capture the elegence of Dracula, but failed. I was shaken because I expected so much more.

I liked this book, but probably not quite as LeFanu intended I ought. The majority of stories are ghost tales, longer and less punchy but more engrossing than those of M.R. James, but with a very similar atmosphere. Most striking is Carmilla, an amusing Gothic story about a female vampire and her relationship with the narrator, her innocent girlfriend. Modern times have robbed the story of much of its horror, and Carmilla becomes as much an object of sympathy as a pure villain - a fact that raises new questions rather than weakening the tale. Like Gormenghast, it is easy to dismiss such writing as plain silly - much of the story IS rather daft - but the charm of the stories remains, provided that the reader enters into the spirit of the book. LeFanu's style is not great - he is rather wordy and his prose a bit "purple", but the meticulous construction of his stories makes them worth reading as exercises in plot alone. His clear love of the atmosphere he builds shows through, and it is refreshing to find a book in which the gothic is not played for laughs. Overall, this is a pleasing collection of stories with a few real highlights. Its atmosphere and style inevitably mean that it will not have much appeal to many people, but fans of the macabre and antiquated will find it a worthwhile purchase. Like Stoker's Dracula or a good Hammer film, it is highly entertaining, simultaneously chilling and slightly camp.

J. Sheridan Le Fanu is a master of ghost and horror stories. His style is gothic. The protagonist might be a young woman without family and friends. The setting is lonely and isolated, often a decaying manor or castle. A growing sense of malice and evil emerges as the story unfolds. Le Fanu was able to transform this trite formula into remarkably suspenseful stories that haunt the reader long afterwards. All thirteen tales in this collection are enjoyable on many levels: suspenseful horror, well-crafted plots, and interesting characterizations.

Le Fanu's novels are noted for their leisurely pace, for their wordy and discursive style. His short stories are tighter, but still reflect Le Fanu's care in developing the setting and the atmosphere. I enjoy Le Fanu's antiquated style; it somehow adds verisimilitude to the accounts.

The Evil Guest, the longest story in this collection, is quite successful as a suspenseful mystery, but what makes it memorable is Le Fanu's description of one man's descent into evil and eventual insanity.

The Murdered Cousin is a traditional gothic story in which a young woman is entrusted to the care of an evil uncle. Le Fanu later expanded this tale into his most popular novel, Uncle Silas.

Schalken the Painter, Green Tea, Mr. Justice Harbottle, and Sir Dominick's Bargain are among his most admired stories and are frequently encountered in anthologies. Although superficially they share a common theme about demonic visitations, all four tales offer unique, imaginative aspects that make them classics. I find Schalken the Painter and Green Tea to be especially frightening. Mr. Justice Harbottle is a story of demonic retribution, retribution fully deserved. Sir Dominick's Bargain is a conventional tale of a pact with the devil, but one with an unexpected twist.

The title story Carmilla (1871) is ranked among the classic vampire stories, along with John Polidori's The Vampyre (1819) and Bram Stoker's Dracula (1897). The relationship between the heroine and the female vampire is surprisingly complex, adding a dimension not found in most gothic characterizations.

Other stories in this collection include Ultor De Lacy, Wicked Captain Walshawe of Wauling, The White Cat of Drumgunniol, Madam Crowl's Ghost, Dickon the Devil, and Laura Silver Bell.

I reviewed a paperback edition (1996) published by Signet Classic. This inexpensive edition (446 pages) is a bargain.

Not my favorite Marsh, but still very good. Nigel Bathgate (AKA Inspector Alleyn's "Watson") is simply a bored journalist looking for something to do on a rainy day. He spies the mysterious "church" across the street from him, sneaks in to a secret ceremony, and quite by accident, ends up witnessing a murder. Who does he call but his own favorite Scotland Yard detective, Roderick Alleyn. An interesting blend of spiritualism, money, drugs and murder.

This is one of Ms. Marsh's earlier mysteries and it shows in how soon into the novel the murder occurs as opposed to the mid-novel murder that takes place in later efforts. As usual, it is well written and this time has a rather exotic beginning as action opens in the confines of a cultish "church" where strange goings on occur.

The start of the story is seen through the eyes of Nigel Bathgate, an up and coming journalist who became friends with the lead character, Inspector Alleyn, in Ngaio Marsh's first novel, A Man Lay dead. His presence adds "fresh" eyes to the investigation as opposed to the efficient and logical views of Alleyn. In other words, Nigel plays Watson to Alleyn's Holmes.

A strange ceremony in the above mentioned place of worship, involves the communal drinking of a sacred mixture by a select few congregants. This leads to the poisoning of the Chosen Vessel (the last to drink from the cup). The cast of suspects are pretty varied including some spinsters, a young couple facing problems of their own, a stereotypical (from the then British point of view) American, a rather slimy leader of the congregation and Frenchman with refined tastes.

As always, all the loose ends are neatly tied up. If one concentrates, one can usually solve a Ngaio Marsh mystery as all the clues you need are placed before you. Her style is not of the Agatha Christie, shock twist, but rather relies on a careful examination of the facts by a likeable lead detective of perfect manners who has a keen insight into people. Her later novels reveal characters of greater depth, but for all the briefness of this novel, it is still a pleasant read as we can take pleasure in the sparkling prose of Ms Marsh and tickle our minds with a neat little mystery.

First published in 1936, this mystery is just a bit dated, as one might expect. It is a little too polite by today's standards: the detective and his confidants are never in jeopardy. There is but the one murder and no real foreshadowing of another possible homicide. The plot might well have been improved by more action or at least the threat of something dire. Despite this, the ambience and characterizations are superior to most present-day whodunits. The only flaw in the characterizations is in Ms. Marsh's attempts to write grating American slang. If the reader likes Agatha Christie and the novels that are more puzzle than danger, this is a very good choice.

This first book by Ms. Sheridan makes one long for more...with her profiler, Mededith Brantley. The surroundings, the people Meredith interacts wih, the mystery itself, all feel real. It is well researched and very well written. It's a pleasure to read a good mystery where the writing is fluent and literate, but lends itself perfectly to a 'great read!' More, please!

I had never heard of this author before. The basic premise being that our main character Meredith, has retired from the FBI and is now teaching. However, a former lover and friend of hers calls her into a case (into which she reluctantly enters and discovers that the victim is a student of hers).

The writing is good. The author gives attention to details but does not go on and on for no reason.

The characters and the storyline were interesting and the pacing was good. However, for some reason I figured out who "done it" almost immediately. I am not sure if this is because of my superb deduction skills (doubtful) or because the storyline and plot were just not as tight as they may have been.

I kind of got the impression this has been done and done and done before.

Not a bad read, but it wasn't particularly fun as I knew the ending by page 50.

This is a well paced mystery. Each chapter leaves you wanting more. The characters are interesting and feel real. I felt like I was there in New York in the middle of the plot. The underlying reason for the victims' murders was a little disturbing, but was interesting since I don't think many fiction authors have touched on such a subject. Sheridan is a good writer who makes some very interesting life observations through her characters. Over all a good blend between character development and downright fast-paced action.

I really enjoyed the story of the Bernardin family's voyage even though it was quite a bit different than I expected. I guess I thought it would cover the exact route as the original Spray (instead of Cape Horn they went through the Panama canal) and I assumed the Spray would not have an engine (but it did.) I thought there would be some exciting moments of drama (but here was very little, depending on your definition.) Even so, it was a very enjoyable read and a good voyaging and family story.

After just reading Slocum's great book, I guess I expected more of the same, instead what I read was just another travel log. Somewhat interesting. Perhaps something is lost during translation. I was a bit disappointed in the read.

Sailing Around The World: A Family Retraces Joshua Slocum's Voyage is a thoroughly enjoyable, attention engaging travelogue by expert sailor Guy Bernardin, about his embarking upon a grand journey across the waves with his wife and 3-year-old-son, and learning about the thrill of life itself in the process. Black-and-white photographs and descriptive text immerse the reader in the ups and downs of a captivating journey. Sailing Around The World is highly recommended reading for armchair travelers and anyone who has every contemplating the adventure of sailing around the world.

I've read most of Tristan Jone's books, and they all have a distinct writing style. 'Seagulls in my soup', however, has a distinctly different style. We do know from other work that Tristan is a tough nut. He reports the only time that he ever cried was when his eye was knocked out of its socket by a falling gaff and he had to shove the eye back into place. He also, normally, uses as many expletives as non expletives. Yet in this book the writer seems somewhat less than rough around the edges, embarrassed by the usual expletives, over uses adjectives and metaphors that can only be described as cringe material, and in general portrays Tristan as some kind of new aged sensitive type. Having said all this I think the book is fine in its own right, but I don't like the feeling of being conned. I really can't believe that the author is Tristan Jones.

He must have been in a great mood when he wrote this- the funniest of his books. Not so much about his sailing adventures as the array of characters he is surrounded by. Within every hilarious espisode, Jones is never without the pearls of wisdom which makes him the unique author he is. 5 stars and the north kicked in for good measure.

There might be a better Tristan Jones book,but this one ranks right in there with his best. If you've never read a tale by this master sailor and adventurer, then start with Saga of a wayward sailor, or maybe Ice, or even....ah well, what ever Jones book you read first, you'll be back here, guaranteed.No one ever has enough of the adventures of this salty lad. The angels of death visited him not long ago, so what we have is all we'll ever get. Enjoy, for there'll not be another like him.

I like Harlequin, just didn't realize this was one. It was supposedly first published in 2006 but there's no way.

Carol Bakker works nights in a bar as a waitress to earn money to help fund the day care center she owns and runs during the day for low income parents. One night she fills in for a sick friend dancing at a bachelor party. Multimillionaire R. J. Mansfield can tell she doesn't want to be there and helps her escape from the amorous assault of one of his friends. He is taken enough with her that he enrolls his daughter, Alexandra, in her school. Strike that, he has his assistant enroll her in day care, a nanny bring her to school, and the poor kid is dressed in ringlets and white frilly dresses.

First off, who would wear a 16.9 carat diamond choker to waitress in a bar (she's lucky she wasn't mugged), and to work in a day care center when the parents of the children who go there are living on the edge of poverty? Not to mention it is just plain tacky.

R.J. was unfeeling, arrogant, manipulative, self involved and immature. I know we're supposed to believe he changed but it was hard to forget all the rotten things he did.

R.J. was a crummy employer, "I cannot be held accountable for the lives of thousands of employees world-wide." He spent money like there was no tomorrow (see afore-mentioned diamond choker), was having an elaborate expansion and renovation of his plant office done, owned a private plane, and yet didn't care that his employees hadn't had a raise in three years. He said that what the last owner had promised them was not his problem. Then he turned around and made them pay more for their health care insurance!

He was a worse father than he was an employer. His idea of parenting was having dinner with his daughter once a week, if he was even in the country, and to have her raised by a nanny and a day care provider. She was so sad and introverted and silently crying out for love. He treated her like a doll, bringing her out when he didn't have anything else to do. He said she should know he loved her since he gave her material things. Her bedroom was huge, complete with a personal computer, TV, VCR and a 5' dollhouse, the kid was four at the time. He not only missed his daughter's fifth birthday party, even though he said he'd be back in the country for it, he never called her, gave her a gift or a card, wished her happy birthday or ever brought it up again. This was unforgivable. He didn't care how much pain he inflicted on that beautiful child. The irony was that he was raised by parents who shipped him off to boarding school and never paid any attention to him and he said he didn't want that for his own daughter yet did the exact same thing. He never watched her play, sat with her in his lap, tucked her into bed or told her he loved her.

The ending was just ludicrous and without giving anything away let's just say there was no way that those involved would have adjusted the way they did.

I would highly recommend Barbara Sheridan's "Timeless Wish, "Bittersweet Surrender" and "Silver Rain" but give this one a pass. The worst part was that because of how much I liked her other books I paid $12.60 for this 160 page, large paperback book! The only reason I rated this three was because I know the author is cable of much better.

Carol Bakker was trying to keep her head above water. In order to keep her daycare prices as low as possible for the parents in her neighborhood, Carol took another job as a waitress at a local strip club called Angel City to support her personal living cost. One night, her best friend who was gravely ill asked Carol to take her place as a dancer for a very important private bachelor party. Carol's first instinct was to scream "Hell No". But, to keep from feeling guilty about not aiding her best friend in her time of need Carol agrees to dance the show.

Tycoon R.J. Mansfield can't believe he's sitting in a strip club. However, as best man, he's obligated to be at the bachelor party to support his friend. Counting down the minutes until it's time to go; R.J. is flabbergasted by the beauty of the dancer who walks out on stage to perform for them. Unable to forget her; R.J. jumps at the opportunity a few days later by enrolling his daughter in Carol's daycare center, hoping they would get a chance to know each other better.

A whirlwind of a courtship begins between Carol and R.J. before major havoc develops between the couple. Will this break them apart?

Angel City is a wonderful contemporary type of Cinderella story with a few twists and turns thrown into the mix to give it a refreshing, dramatic flair. Just like Cinderella, Carol was swept off her feet by a devilish, handsome prince and there were a few malicious people trying to draw a wedge between them. In addition to the unwanted duress from the outside, Carol and R.J. also dealt with internal issues that put a major stain on their already fragile relationship. Nevertheless, I thought that Carol and R.J. were the ideal match for one another. Both were very head-strong, independent, and less-than perfect from the opposite sides of the track who were determined to overcome any obstacles that were thrown in their paths. Angel City was an enjoyable read with a somewhat surprising, unexpected ending that made me pause for a moment. If you are a lover of happily-ever-after romance with a twist, then Angel City is the book for you.

Nikita
reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

"Small' non-fiction books can be real literary gems that transcend their subject matter. Jim Paul's "Catapult - Harry and I Build a Siege Weapon" and Mark Kurlansky's "Cod" are good examples of literary non-fiction wherein obscure topics are presented in a way that shows real wit and insight into the human condition. I'll never build a trebuchet or fish commercially, but by God I did enjoy being in those worlds while turning the pages.

The Architect's Apprentice isn't one of those books, which limits its appeal to anyone who doesn't share a passion for sailing. It's a frank, honest discussion of the process of building a custom sailboat, from dream to delivery. Part process guide and part confessional, the book examines every aspect of building a new boat and the pitfalls therein. It clearly details the relationships between owner, designer, and builder, and is unsentimental about the flash points.

It's a fast read and, for sailors, generally a fun one. But it isn't one I'll re-read for the pure joy of it. Rather, it should be considered a good reference for anyone pondering construction of a custom boat. The boat in question here is wood, but the concepts presented should also serve those considering a custom composite or even a customized production boat.

The Architect's Apprentice is good resource. It just isn't art.

THE ARCHITECT'S APPRENTICE is a book about the conception, design, and construction of a dream that became a beautiful wooden sailboat. More than that, however, it is a book about people involved in the process of bringing an idea to reality. Being human, they do not always have the same agenda, and the author skillfully builds a fascinating account of their personalities, interactions, and conflicts. There is not a happy ending for all of them.

Anyone who enjoyed Tracy Kidder's best seller HOUSE, will enjoy this book.

I was disappointed in this. I would have thought the great narrative historian could have produced more vivid and engaging historical fiction.

Banners at Shenandoah is very much young adult or even for younger audiences; it's the story of a young man who becomes Sheridan's guidon bearer. One thing I did like is that the account is not romanticized. Northern depredations in the Shenandoah, scouting in Southern uniform, etc. are described--though strangely separated from the idol-worshipping view of Sheridan himself.

But I found the account vague, bloodless both literally and metaphorically, lacking in description and tension. The Rebels, in particular, are faceless--you'd hardly know they wore gray.

Not something I'd recommend seeking out. There is better Civil War young adult fiction out there.

I read "Banners at Shenandoah" when I was 14, and have been hooked on the U.S. Civil War ever since. Considered one of the foremost Civil War historians, Bruce Catton has produced an excellent work of fiction that combines hundreds of small, authentic details into the highly personal story of a young soldier who serves under the legendary Union general, Phil Sheridan. While a work of fiction, Catton obviously wrote this book with a historian's eye for accuracy and truth. Highly recommended.

This is a basic introductory textbook for readers who have no previous training in navigation or piloting. The explanations are simple and clear. The author provides questions and answers at the end of each chapter, plus exercises in such skills as plotting a course. Appendices describe detailed procedures and forms that facilitate a navigator's work. The book's large format makes it easy for the reader to follow both text and illustrations. This useful book could be used either for training oneself or as the text for an introductory class. Michael Michaud, Vienna, Austria

"Basic Coastal Navigation" is a comprehensive and thoroughly-accessible guide to piloting small sail and power boats.

Written in a self-instruction format with exercises, questions, and answers included in each chapter, the book offers step-by-step coverage of what sometimes can be a daunting subject.

Frank J. Larkin takes care to write in a simple (but never dry) prose style, using easy-to-understand terms. Also, the book's layout is superb: There's lots of white space, large graphics, and varying font sizes and shadings.

Larkin also includes helpful memory aids, such as "Lat is Flat" for Latitude and--for a Black-Topped/White Buoy, which indicates an obstruction--"Think of the black top as a storm such as a Nor'easter."

The author covers everything from nautical charts and plotting true courses to dead reckoning and electronic navigation systems (including GPS).

All sea-persons with small boats--whether power or sail--should purchase this book.