White Books

Reading this book, I got to share a fascinating life with people who lived adventures I never dreamed of. I wouldn't have considered going to Moscow State in my early 20s! I have followed international news over the past 40 years, sometimes more closely than other times as "life" allowed. And I was aware of Russia, but my images were formed by tne nightly broadcasts from Moscow....only to learn, duh, what a huge and diverse country Russia is and was.

Naomi's rich descriptions of sparse student lives, charming (who knew?) villages, life as an expat, and the bravery of the U.S. diplomats is captivating. Regardless of one's interest in Russia, this is a fascinating story told by a keen observer and skilled writer.

Her book and story is too important (now I know that) to call an "airplane" or "beach book" but it is that engrossing of a read.

The book makes the whole experience come alive. The best part was the parallels between the changes in Russia and the changes in the author. And I liked the way Ambassador Collins' chapters provide a context for the work at the beginning and end.

This review was just sent to me in a letter by another American in Moscow who does not use Internet.
"I have just finished the book and am in awe of the writing. The book masterfully conveys the multi-textured Soviet experience over changing decades as well as evoking the challenges "wife of" has to surmount. Once I picked it up, I couldn't stop reading. It transported me to living in the days of the Soviet Union."

Naomi Collins helps the reader walk the tightrope between the private and personal life of the individual and the massive presence of the Soviet/Russian state. It is both a personal diary and a political essay that takes the reader through the recent past as perceived by a talented and sensitive observer of her world. The personal narrative creates the focus through which to take hold and grasp major events of our time. The author's willingness to share with us thoughts and emotions originally intended for personal journals and close friends and family is a gift to her wider audience. It is beautifully written. Her poetry, written during periods in Russia, is truly evocative of time and place.

Invite Naomi Collins to your home. Ask her to relate her experiences as the wife of a Foreign Service employee who eventually becomes the Ambassador to Russia. The night before her arrival prepare some bifstek and kvas so that she will feel at home. Be sure to listen intently to her every word as she shares the last 40 years of her life in and out of Russia. If she is either too busy to visit or you cannot make or purchase kvas, do the next best thing and pick up a copy of her book "Through Dark Days and White Nights". I assure you that her story will captivate and fascinate you as if she were sitting in your living room. Her style of writing is as natural as her speech. Her observational skills and her careful documentation of events help to paint her story with passion and realism that could only be matched by someone traveling along with Naomi. I shivered as she described the winters in Russia and cringed at the description of the putrefying matter found in the unkempt bathrooms. You need not be interested in Russian history or politics to enjoy this book. The 4-decade memoir transitions from life as a student at Moscow State University, to wife of the American Ambassador to Russia at the Spaso House. It is a quick read and disappointing that it ends so soon. I await the writing of another book by Naomi Collins.

www.OurGreatestHour.mypodcast.com ("Unconditional Love with Harold W. Becker" Show! March 8, 2007)

The concept of unconditional love is relatively new in the human psyche. This book takes us from its source to its multidimentional manifestations in the world and our own conscious evolution. Harold Becker's candor and sincere understanding of BEing unconditional love is conveyed in an easy, unpretentious manner. Reading it, you know he knows and fully shares how we can all let go and be inspired by the simplicity of love, and ultimately learn to feel and express unconditional love in our lives. A repeat guest on "Our Greatest Hour" RADIO Show!, Harold W. Becker has a rare gift of introducing us to the reality of living love.

I have had the pure pleasure of this book coming into my 10 yr old son and my lives. I can only describe it as amazing grace in our times. The title: Unconditional Love: An Unlimited Way of Being reveals a powerful truth that clearly speaks to the essence in all of us. Harold opens with language that allows us to relate and find tangible ways to bring into our own lives.
Many people have the hidden question, "How can I love more?" "How can I get past this pain in my heart?" In this book, Harold offers a clear vision of how we can resolve these pains leading to an open heart and happiness for all.

Unconditional Love - An Unlimited Way of Being contains basic truth and wisdom. I've read other books by Harold Becker and have attended some of his workshops. He lives his message and reaches others with compassion and gentleness through his work and also through The Love Foundation, which he founded. I'm sure we'll see his name with the famous in giving us life changing ideas.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to experience peace, growth and positive change. To unconditionally love makes life become a joy and a blessing.
It has helped me in my life and especially in my work with others: I help with Spiritual Direction and healing.
I've ordered several copies to keep in my office at our church when people come to seek answers.
What a beautiful tool for healing! Thank you Harold, for you wisdom, your truth, your willingness to share your gifts with the rest of us through your writing and workshops.

M.Murphy, Reno NV

Love is a pretty amazing thing. Love can heal any wound. It has the power to dissolve fear and doubt so that our wildest dreams can come true. True love, that is unconditional love, ultimately can make loneliness obsolete.

Unconditional Love draws the reader into an entirely new world of thought. Our world seems so chaotic and our problems so complicated. Sometimes, there doesn't seem like there is much hope at all. Yet, if you really think about it, all of our problems, complications, and issues begin and end with one thing- love. Not romantic love or sexual love but universal love, love that connects us all at our base, unconditional love.

Think about it. If we really truly loved ourselves unconditionally would we continue to torture ourselves with a constant stream of dialogue about how much we lack (money, relationships, body form, etc)? Would we trade off our precious life force to work in a job we hate? Would we cut ourselves off from love and true happiness? I think not. Pick up a copy of Unconditional Love. Learn to love yourself, change your outlook on life, and discover your passion.

I just loved this book. Unconditional Love - An Unlimited Way of Being is a very thorough explanation of who we really are and just how we can access the very essence of who we are through unconditional love because that is exactly what we are. The author Harold W. Becker takes us along on the journey of his own self discovery and he lovingly shares insights that help awaken the truth in your heart. As I read this book I could feel Universal Energy or Unconditional Love flowing from his heart to mine. This is a book you will want to reference frequently I use it for a little pick me up when I need a hug. I am also on the path to self discovery and I have had some very similar experiences and it validated for me that it is a good thing to be totally responsible for your life. I used to feel it burdensome to be totally responsible for my life and all that that entails but Harold lovingly reminds me that being responsible means total freedom to choose again to try something totally different and get new results. I really feel like Mr. Becker understands the human experience as well as the human potential and is leading the way. The human experience is getting a huge upgrade and this author has his finger on the pulse. The human race is evolving into the human angel and Mr. Becker is leading the way. This book made me feel hopeful and full of excitement and anticipation for the things to come into my life through consciously creating what I want to experience in my life. This is not just another self help book. This book creates a pathway to experience a whole new world, a whole new way of seeing and interacting with the world. Thank you to Harold W. Becker for writing a loving, thoughtful, insightful and richly informative book on the human potential.

This is an inspiring and compelling story of two women, Elizabeth and Kaki, who moved into a multiracial community in Philadelphia in order to improve the lives of those living there. As they embarked on this unique and moving journey, they were forced to confront their own personal issues, motivations and philosophies.
The author, Elizabeth, has constructed a beautifully written memoir detailing the joys and difficulties of meshing two cultures in on household. Tahija and Lamar, both young teenagers from dysfunctional families were invited to live with Elizabeth and Kaki before and after they gave birth to triplet boys. However, the author and her partner soon found themselves dealing with young parents whose entire methods and beliefs about parenting were vastly different and foreign from theirs. Only by learning to understand, confront and accept these difference while establishing necessary boundaries, were Elizabeth and Kaki able to hold the household together. It is a tale of love, and the accompanying compromises that has much to teach us all. The book also brings the reader into a world of racism, poverty, drugs, alcohol addiction and mental illness detailing both the harsh realities and the desire of all to protect the young, vulnerable boys. Although the families eventually separated and moved on, their mutual love, concern and support continues to evolve and grow.
This book is a must read for anyone in our everchanging culuture, particularly for those who have or care for children of any age. It has challenged me to relfect on and question my own attitides and judgements. Although I consider myself a liberal, it has forced me to think about how much I truly understand about other cultures or other people who hold different beliefs and engage in different life-styles,and how I would handle myself in a similar situation. The two women mentored this family deserve tremendous credit for their devotion and persistence in helping Tahija, Lamar and their three boys survive, develop and grow. I thank Elizabeth for sharing her story.

"Walk with Us" by Elizabeth K. Gordon is an important true story about what happens when two middle-aged white women, two inner-city African-American teenagers, along with their triplet sons, all come together as one big family. Kathryn (Elizabeth), Kaki, Tahija, Lamarr and the triplets, along with many other people, learn how to get along with each other despite obstacles and challenges that could easily separate them. There are many obvious differences between the individuals -- race, religion, age, economic class, sexual orientation, etc. -- but there are also many commonalities. Rather than just emphasizing "otherness," the author addresses issues that motivate readers from all backgrounds to make connections between their own experiences and the issues that are presented in the book. In telling her own story, the author establishes the universality of the human experience. Because the United States today is a nation composed of people from all over the world, with diverse religious, racial and ethnic backgrounds, it would be impossible to describe a "typical American." It would also be unrealistic to stereotype a single, homeless, Muslim, African-American, teenage mother like Tahija. She is an independent young woman who is determined to make a life for herself and her family, despite her troubled background. In this book the reader is encouraged to explore -- from different points of view -- issues common to many different people who live in the United States and beyond. The stories from the book also remind us of the diversity in American society. It reminds us to be sensitive to the experiences of all Americans. As a transplanted Philadelphian, Kathryn learns that the experience of growing up can differ from one part of the country to another, from one ethnic/racial group to another, and from one era to another. Tahija and Lamarr's experiences growing up are dramatically different from Kathyrn and Kaki's experiences. Kathryn discusses her awareness of these differences and how she is shaped by it. The idea of family and identity is also explored by the author. The traditional nuclear family is getting harder to find today. Instead, new patterns are developing -- patterns which reflect changing attitudes about what defines a "family." Gordon also discusses the use of language and how it not only gives us the means to express our thoughts, but it also shapes the way we think and the way we look at the world around us. Kathryn and Tahija both speak English but they don't always speak the same language. That's what happens in a family sometimes, isn't it?

Elizabeth Gordon invites readers into a world of self examination, the kind needed to recognize and solve problems in human relationships, especially those tainted by racial stereotypes and cultural divide. Walking with Gordon and her make-shift family is a trip to a literary candy shop set on the deteriorating concrete steps of despair. I really enjoyed agonizing, laughing, and learning and yearning with this family. The book is a first course offering for young, old, Black, White, blessed and cursed. Don't pass it up!

In this little miracle of a book WALK WITH US Elizabeth K. Gordon has managed to tell a story that encompasses or addresses many social problems, problems with our health care system, problems facing minority groups such as African Americans, Muslims, Lesbians, Quakers, et al, problems with teenage pregnancies, and universal problems of human relationships. The story she relates is true, is sometimes harsh to read as it exposes thorny problems, is one that vividly depicts life in the ghetto areas of all of our cities. It is also a story so powerfully told that it brings light to dark realities and results in an appreciation of the importance of understanding and acceptance of the many differences among the people that make up this country.

The full title of the book tells the basic story: the author and her partner Kaki are a happily adjusted Quaker couple who happen upon a fifteen year old pregnant African American Muslim girl Tahija and her boyfriend Lamaar, and out of genuine caring and generosity befriend the homeless girl (and family!), adapting their life style to the traditions and quirks of their guests, accompanying Tahija through her pregnancy of triplets, and the aftermath of conflicts of life style and philosophy of child rearing. But that is only a brief outline of what this book is about. Gordon weaves her story with the flavor of the poorer Philadelphia neighborhood populace, a neighborhood comprised of every minority group imaginable, finds the languages that without condescension make the story flow in an unbiased, very realistic manner, and almost casually and inadvertently opens windows of understanding without preaching but with her gift for recording sensitive issues in an open and nonjudgmental manner.

Given the story is one so interesting and involving that once the reader begins this book, putting it down before discovering the interesting conclusion approaches the impossible, the overwhelming impression at book's end is the brilliance with which Elizabeth K. Gordon writes! This is an important writer, one with skills so polished that she makes every brief chapter a rhapsody. Her 'Introduction' alone reads like an epic poem. She is able to plainly draw from personal experiences that reveal her own beliefs: 'We're together. It echoed back from some hillside of intuition within me. It felt, as Quakers say, rightly ordered'. Her observations of events come from the heart: 'Tahija Ellison was about as far from humble and grateful as you get without leaving the solar system. She was a bane to residents, nurses, and doctors alike. She was an arrogant, selfish, ill-tempered adolescent. To share my house, my money, my time, my best friend and lover with this ornery stranger, this pretentious child, this hurt and angry woman so in need herself of mothering, who carelessly and without means to support them was bringing three innocent lives into the world...' It is with this degree of honesty that makes the transcendence of this story more moving and more completely credible.

The obvious 'lesson' behind WALK WITH US is message of co-habitation of all peoples of this country. And not simply co-habitation but acceptance of differences and likenesses that connect us as fellow citizens in this country wholly comprised of Immigrants, whether historic or current. With the recent election breathing hope (an in some places continued despair as in California's voter response to human rights) this is a timely book to read just now. But it is such a beautifully written book that it will remain on the shelves reserved for frequently re-read books for many years. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, November 08

"Walk with Us" is a deeply moving true story about a white middle-aged woman, her partner Kaki, and their commitment to Tahija, a pregnant African American adolescent. We are introduced to Tahija through Lamarr, Tahija's boyfriend and the father of the triplets they are expecting. He had asked Kaki if she she'd let Tahija move into her home until the babies' were delivered, because Tahija's mother was in rehab at the time and she needed a place to live.
Gordon walks us through the streets of Philadelphia, and the affect racism has upon each member of this newly constructed family. While Elizabeth and Kaki let us in on their struggle with the bazaar chain of privilege their whiteness has assured them, Tahija gives us an intimate view of the world that she, as a young Muslim woman of color, inhabits. Given their hertories few of us can be surprised at the vast differences between them.
As a result of Gordon's character the sensitivity and strengths of each individual in "Walk with Us" is remarkable. The constant thrust of obstacles set before them is heartbreaking. The birth of the triplets leave you in the midst of the most fragile and often troubling conflicts known to pose problems between parents and caregivers. For ex: How does one let a mom be a mom with minimal judgment or interference from other household members? How does one respect a very young mother who is still growing-up, her need for boundaries and her right to mature in her own time when you are certain that her inexperience and troubles may be hurtful to her children? Those are some of the questions Elizabeth must ask herself. And letting one's conscience be her guide may not be enough in this situation for there are multi-cultural considerations to be made as well.
Elizabeth and her partner often pause to be sure they are not crossing lines that include imposing racist norms and assumptions about their power on Tahija, Lamarr and their own family values. However, natural differences between the wisdom of one's elders and the naivete of the young must also be considered while the urgent care needed for the triplet's leaves very little time to draw lines between right and wrong. And when in doubt about boundaries, Tahija makes it clear to them that they need to step back and follow her lead! Make no mistake, these are her babies. Her children will be raised to be strong enough to face a world that will go out of its way to harm them and no one knows that better than Tahija. Why? They are of color.
Tahija is convinced that one strengthens their babies by resisting the urge to come to their aid when they cry. Just as she is convinced she must prepare them for poverty by feeding them less no matter how hungry they are. Exactly what kind of stress is Tahija dealing with? Are the accumulative pains of poverty, rejection, fear and depression a mental health problem that she may need treatment for or a staple affirming her capacity to endure extreme deprivation that must be handed down to her boys'? And will these concerns wipe out the good times? There are good times. There is also a lot of love between Tahija, her mother and other family members too. So, we often wonder where they are.
In "Walk with Us" everyone, including the reader, is called upon to question their own motives and prejudices.
Tahija and Gordon's honesty leaves us receptive if not longing for resolutions and even happiness for the children and the adults who love them. Yet we would suspect the changes they must undergo together, will lead them further into the complexities of adulthood, the inevitability of disappointments and the rigorous demands of cross-genernational family life and they do.
Ms. Gordon's writing leaves no stone unturned. Once you finish reading "Walk with Us" you realize that you have come to know Tahija as daughter, as mother, as partner and writer. You have also come to know Lamarr as brother, as father, as son and partner. The triplets are sweethearts. Kaki is kind. The love and respect she and Elizabeth have for one another which they so freely share with others is courageous. You also realize that the department of social services continues to be as flawed
as the spirituality of Tahija, Elixabeth and Kaki is inspired.
"Walk with Us" is a gift for you and a gift for others. Open it up and let the healing begin.

This is a wonderful book by a sensitive contemporary practitioner, a German who became a Buddhist monk in a SE Asia monastery and traveled through Tibet with his wife Li Gotami (who published a book of fascinating photographs). The author is probably best known for his "Foundations of Tibetan Buddhism" which is probably a modern classic. This book is, perhaps, more personal in nature, however. But, as I've heard Lama Govinda (Anangavajra Khamsum Wangchuk) quoted (but I don't know the source), "A religion whose ideal is only a matter of the past or the distant future has no living value for the present day." He has considerable insight into the human condition and its relation to religion and spirituality as demonstrated in some quotes from this book:

"Seriousness and a sense of humor do not exclude each other; on the contrary, they constitute and indicate the fullness and completeness of human experience and the capacity to see the relativity of all things and all `truths' and especially of our own position. The Buddha's sense of humor--which is so evident in many of his discourses--is closely bound up with his sense of compassion: both are born from an understanding of greater connections from an insight into the interrelatedness of all things and all beings and the chain reactions of cause and effect. His smile is the expression of one who can see the wondrous play of ignorance and knowledge against the universal background and its deeper meaning. Only thus is it possible not to be overpowered by the misery of the world or by our own sense of righteousness that judges and condemns what is not in accordance with our own understanding and divides the world into good and bad. A man with a sense of humour cannot but be compassionate in his heart, because his sense of proportion allows him to see things in their proper perspective. pp. 176-7.

"Events and facts become meaningful only if seen against the back¬ground of inner experience." 1970 p. xiv

"Personality consists in the power to influence others, and this power is due to consistency, harmony, and one-pointedness of character. If these qualities are present in an individual, in their highest perfection, then this individual is a fit leader of humanity, either as a ruler, a thinker, or a saint, and we recognize him as a vessel of divine power." p.297

"The Way of the White Clouds" is a truly wonderful piece of art. On my own path this has been the most significant book to open my mind and heart to what is beyond the obvious.

Govinda writes from the heart with an openness and clarity which is rare in this world. Combine this with a description of a journey of Tibet just prior to it's invasion, and you can nearly grasp the Heart of tibetan spiritual culture.

Highly recommended, I truly hope Rider/Random House get enough requests for this literary gem to be printed again.

You'll need your reading glasses, for sure, when you pick up Lama Govinda's The Way of the White Clouds because you won't want to miss one word of this marvelous text. Travel log, personal diary, and spiritual pilgrimage - I have read this book twice and will read it again. I have only loaned it out once - and only to a family member. It is that previous to me. Govinda's images of Tibet of the 40's are vivid - he takes you there. Another - much more modern - book that shares a similar place of importance on my shelf is The Blessings Already Are by John Morton. You may have to ask for it at your favorite book store as it was just recently published this year. Peace, fellow travelers.

Lama Govinda visited Tibet in times pre-chinese. His tale is of a personal character - and wonderfully so. It feels as if the author is present, when reading.
I have the book in German, purchased thru Amazon.de, and can highly recommend this to anyone who is able to read German fluently. It is, as said in the title of my review, a wonderfully poetic tale.

This book will fill you with love, compassion, warmth and dreams.It will take you on an unforgettable journey through Tibet and this in turn will urge you to follow your dreams and not just your ambitions.Its written from the heart and written beauifully.I will be reading it again and again.Having been on a 21 day journey through Ladakh, I could almost relate to the author's experience.Its a truly wonderful and I urge all of you to partake in it.Tholing and Tsaparang, here I come..

I have read a lot of series romances over the years and this was a refreshing read. I stayed up late reading it because I just had to know what happened to these two wonderful, complex characters. Catherine Mann peels away her characters inner conflicts and motivations one satisfying layer at a time throughout the book. The chemistry between the two characters is tastefully done without losing the sexiness.

Looking forward to her next release!

Allie St. James owns her own private investigation office. She tracks criminals and slim for a living. Jake Larson has his own company as well along with a little boy named Robbie. After meeting initially because of a visit from Robbie, they meet again in White Sands on business. Because of Allie's dramatics they end up close - really close in fact. Both of their jobs are dangerous but neither dreamed how dangerous until it kicked them both in the guts as they stared death them in the face. While they are both trying to finish their jobs something forms between them that neither could nor would have ever expected; love. Their week in White Sands was magical.

Allie is colorful and charismatic! Jake is so scared of being hurt again that it's almost too late when he drops his defenses for love. Together they are oil and vinegar, different as night and day but perfect for each other. They complete the other. WEDDING AT WHITE SANDS is sweet, sexy, and filled with suspense!

Romance At Its Best

When the scruffy young man shows up in her office, Private Investigator Allie St. James finds herself immediately enamored. Allie has a soft spot for causes, usually focusing investigations that track deadbeat dads. Robbie's snaggle toothed grin quickly convinces Allie to lend her professional investigative skills to his cause. Robbie believes someone is trying to kill his dad. Allie's visit to Jake Larson to investigate his son's concerns leads to a tie between Jake and the owner of White Sands resort, Neil Phillips, who happens to be at the top of Allie's hit list for deadbeat dads. Consequently, she follows Jake to the resort.

Jake had been an Air Force investigator until a drunk driver killed his wife and left him physically and emotionally damaged. Currently he works with the police to bring down the crooked owner of White Sands Resort, the same man who also tried to scam his parents. When Jake lands in Miami only to find Allie sitting on the hood of his rental car, he knows he is in trouble. Allie's creative manipulations result in their sharing a honeymoon suite and posing as a married couple trying to add spice back into their marriage. Despite his obvious physical desire for Allie, however, Jake holds back. He has never been an emotional man and does not believe himself capable of giving any woman the love she deserves. Yet he finds that it is impossible to win against anyone like Allie.

Author Catherine Mann creates an enthralling romance in WEDDING AT WHITE SAND. Her gift for characterization and drama will hold readers enthralled. Free spirited Allie balks at stricture. Jake thrives on quiet moments free of emotional entanglements. Allie is the essence of perpetual motion and Jake prefers peace. In fact, Jake resents the rush of awareness Allie inspires as she circumvents his careful control. The closer she comes emotionally, the farther he backs away, and yet he cannot walk away. Their conflict combines with the spice of danger, resulting in a multilayered plot that moves swiftly along with surprising twists that maintains the element of suspense. The fake renewal of wedding vows will strike a strong emotional cord with reader, especially with the recurrent ties throughout the remainder of the novel. A marvelous combination of suspense and romance, WEDDING AT WHITE SANDS comes very highly recommended.

Well crafted plot, moving with snappy dialogue, tactile, and visual imagery - a literary instinct which can be honed but not learned. Multi-dimensional characterization, particularly of the heroine. The ocean sequence I found to be significant because of the action oriented descriptive imagery, unbridled by cliches. Not incidentally, the moral and ethical (albeit rather quirky and quite human) manner in which the author fleshes out her characters delightfully surprises the reader with food for thought. Not boring, that's for sure. (Retired English Teacher)

Catherine Mann's Wedding at White Sands is a wonderful read. Filled with characters that are charismatic, lovable and sexy it's no wonder that this is my favorite book of 2002.

I feel very lucky to have discovered her and can't wait to read her upcoming Wingmen Warriors series.

So if your are craving a very satisfying book, a book that will make you laugh, cry and sigh over an enthralling plot, sizzling sexual attraction and a hero to fall in love with then make sure to run to the stores to get your copy of the highly recommended Wedding At White Sands.

A beautifully written novel that takes you on a sensual journey through the delicate eyes of a daughter tormented by family secrets, and yet leaves the reader with a deeper understanding, empathy and hope for a recovery for those afflicted with loved ones suffering mental illness. This book is not just limited to survivors of this disease but also speaks equally as a timeless piece of literature that only the exquisite voice of Michele Elizabeth can be bring to the page. TRUELY WORTH READING......

As a student studying Exercise and Wellness and Family studies, this book brings to mind the intricacies of what goes on in each of our families. We are as sick as our secrets and each page of this book painted a portrait of what most of us only aspire to have the strength and integrity to do....live in truth. I did not see this as just a life story of manipulation of the disease but a new perspective on those that surround us everyday. I did not just finish the story, I took a seat in Michele Elizabeth's life as she inspired me to choose to live my life well using my experiences as tools to walk through my own personal struggles. She reminds me that although our experiences are our own, sharing is a gift to ourselves and to others and how we choose to live our lives having those experiences can truly be up to us. Thank you for doing what I hope to be able to do someday, share my truth. To me that is exercising wellness.

I am a radio talk show producer in Phoenix, and I got a call from a publicist who wanted us to interview an author on the subject of National Depression Screening Day. I had a choice of having a medical expert on the show, but opted, instead, to leave the subject to Michele Elizabeth, the author being promoted. I hadn't read the book yet (the host was hogging it all to himself), but I stole it from him and now cannot put White Butterfly down. Oh, and the interview (like the book)was an amazing outpouring of emotion from Michele, as well as from our audience, and even from our staff. I can't wait to book her on the show to promote her NEXT book!! You ROCK, Michele Elizabeth!

White Butterfly is an amazing coming of age story where the protagonist seeks to further our understanding of mental illness and it's effects on the development of a young girl. Michele Elizabeth paints an eloquent portrait of the life she led from early adolescence to adulthood. A life of repression, fear and longing for a mother who could never be satisfied and a love that had to be earned. This is an amazing book for those who suffer from a parent with mental illness or anyone who knows the effects of abuse. The book is written is a flowing, intricate manner that entices the reader to push forward and consume the book - it is near impossible to put down. I look forward with excitement to read Michele's next effort.

There are a few times in one's reading life where one comes upon a book that one knows one cannot forget. It is a book that one will read again
and again. After reading it, one is irrevocably changed sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse, and sometimes in a way one feels one has been introduced to a different and deeper dimension of life. It is when one has found such a piece of literature or art that one cannot help
be thankful for the experience. White Butterfly by Michele Elizabeth is such a work. The author provides us a kaleidoscopic view into a world that most people thankfully cannot imagine. With such penetrating insight and unwavering courage as to evoke admiration from any one who experiences White Butterfly, Michele Elizabeth takes us on a harrowing journey of a young woman's search for truth and liberation from the hegemonizing influence of her mother's madness. It has been said that the mark of brilliance is when the artist can engender in us what is presumably what the artist herself has felt and experienced. With White Butterfly, Michele Elizabeth has done exactly that. Armed with a poet's sensitivity and a journalist's obsession for uncovering the truth, Elizabeth has created an autobiography of such uncompromising honesty, the reader will feel that this is as much a story written to liberate readers from their own demons, as it must have been written as a triumphant catharsis for the author herself.
White Butterfly's greatest strength is defining what we in life find to be our greatest and, perhaps, hardest test: the ability to find out, comprehend, and ultimately disentangle our lives' truths from the lies and manipulations heaped upon us throughout our lives. Elizabeth has to live with her manic-depressive and hopelessly delusional mother and her obsessive need to create Elizabeth in her own image. White Butterfly explicates for us in excruciating detail Elizabeth's lifetime struggle from the her early adolescence to her present to generate an identity and a peace out of the chaos of her mother's religious, social, and personal concepts of what Elizabeth should be, regardless of the cost to Elizabeth's own delicate psyche. When reading White Butterfly, one cannot help but marvel and wonder at the inner fortitude and shocking depths the author carried and carries with her when one travels with her through the outrageous and labyrinthine lunacy of her mother's households in adolescence, the teenage years where Elizabeth must learn the mystifying elements of puberty and sexuality beyond her mother's bizarre and hypocritically puritannical scrutiny, and, ulitmately, to the heart-wrenching and shocking trial that awaited both Elizabeth and her fractured mother. In Conrad's Heart of Darkness, the reader understands a truth at a journey's end when Kurtz screams "The horror! The horror!". In her unforgettable tale, Elizabeth, with first-person clarity, is able to convey the same sort of truth throughout her story. She holds our hand with one hand and holds our eyelids open with the other, to take us through her own journey into her life's heart of darkness. It is a journey, however, that leads from darkness to an enlightenment on the other side of this book's cover. It is all the more poignant because it isn't fiction.
At times, how a person writes tells as much about the story as what a person writes and in this way White Butterfly is a profound success. What cannot be denied is Elizabeth's startling command of language for a first time author. The reader is enlightened and fed undeniable truths not just with descriptive insight (for there she definitely writes as a seasoned writer) but also with her ability to convey an emotion, a thought, and wisdom through complex metaphor and creative expressions. Elizabeth tells us "...Similar to Hitler, Mother believes that she is superior-an Aryan empress at the top of the human pedigree...". Or, in defining the mercurial nature of identity when she turns to a self-help book in order to understand why she seems to lack a foundation for it: " I study every page like an obsessive scientist, trapped, unable to leave the lab. It is the land of realization and truth. The entire week I engorge myself on the stuff. Some may read this to salt and pepper their lives with a little goodness and calm, but I've got to eat it whole, every f--king ounce-I am not a person and I need to learn how to be one.." Elizabeth learned the extent and depth of lies and illusions and she is able to take this esoteric knowledge and creatively express her truths. Her metaphors and similes as purveyors of truth, in this way, borrow lies' illusory facade, to feed the reader greater reality and better insight into Elizabeth's own experience. By being seduced by her language as art, we become immersed in her world just as she was immersed in her own life and its quagmire of deceit. When one finishes each profound stage of this journey, one will feel the lipstick on one's lips, smell the vomit or perfume in one's nose, and possibly shake or quiver from a fear or elation one had not ever felt before.
Ultimately, White Butterfly is a story of the triumph of a woman over the forces that threatened to consume her. The reader will be haunted and inspired by Elizabeth's struggle long after White Butterfly has been retired to the bookshelf until its next reading. This is a book for anyone who would wish to learn how to overcome one's own demons with courage, willpower, and an abiding love for truth. It is a book for those who wish to read an exciting, touching, and ulimately liberating story told with unfettered boldness and honesty. As White Butterfly must be a triumph for Michele Elizabeth by writing it, it is a triumph for those who have the privilege of reading it.

Mathew Dry, screenwriter
Author and Creator of the "Sixkill's Gena-Earth" series

I came across this book while on business over in Korea and decided to give it a try. Having spent many a summer on the beaches of Florida, Georgia, and Delaware, I have always been partial to the ocean and beach towns of my youth. As a result, one of my favorite genres is a light-hearted beach novel that you can enjoy while on the hot sand near the water. WDB was well written and fun to read. The characters were well developed and seemed to grow on you after every page. Even Bailey Ginch, the antagonist, grew on me by the end of the book. My favorite two characters in the book were two old friends who had been coming to the White Dolphin for many years and thrived off of one another's friendship, loyalty, and companionship. Burcham did a good job developing and chronicling the life of the main character, Rowena Muldoon, as she grew up in N.C. until she became the owner defacto of the quaint little beach bar called the White Dolphin. No story is complete without conflict and White Dolphin Blues in no exception. The town, the beach and the bar all seem to be in jeopardy of the wrecking ball all in the name of progress and profit. Muldoon musters a group of introverts, extroverts, and eccentrics to save the day and the Dolphin. This book would appeal to anyone who loves any of Jimmy Buffet's music or his two novels WHERE IS JOE MERCHANT and MARGARITAVILLE. A quick read and well done beach novel, WDB will reward the reader with vivid imagery, well developed characters and plot lines, a classic man vs. man struggle and conflict, and enjoyable conflict resolution. Overall, it was an A- book. I look forward to this authors next work.

Outstanding. Exceptionally written. It really kept my interest. I couldn't put it down. It made me laugh...cry...I almost felt like a part of the characters. The author did a great job keeping the interest of his readers.

A great cast of characters and easy reading make White Dolphin Blues a fun experience. Surprise twists keep you reading until the final (very satisfying) outcome. You can tell that Mr. Burcham, through his heroes/heroines, loves the beach life. Don't we all?

I usually read Westerns, but because I vacation at the beach in the summer, White Dolphin Blues caught my eye and I'm glad it did. This one had as many thrills as my Westerns, and as many colorful characters too. I recommend it highly.

Living near the shore, I could relate to the characters in this book. Hurricane threats, beach volleyball, zany beach characters, the changing conditions from quiet little beach town into a resort. I loved this book! It was a fast read and really fun.

I have been fortunate to have eaten at the White Grass Cafe and have always come away more pleasantly surprised than the time before. Laurie and Mary Beth have given us the keys to their kitchen with this book. The food is easy to make, healty, satisfy, heck, it's great. Add some music from Ottmar Liebert in the background, the smell of the wood stove, and you'll be in the West Virginia Mountains as the sun sets over the mountains. Check their menu (...). With the recipes in this book you can serve it up.

The White Grass Cafe Cookbook is one that will travel everywhere with me. The recipes are wonderful and simple to follow. Healthy eating and living is proven easy at White Grass. Anytime I fix something from the cookbook, the smell in our kitchen brings us back to one of our favorite places....White Grass Ski Touring Center and Cafe! Happy Trails!

This is, without a doubt, my favorite cook book! The recipes are simple and easy to follow. The results are special (ie: not your everday sort of mealtime selections) and delicious. The White Grass Cafe cookbook takes over top honors in our kitchen after knocking out a recipe book from a 1950s flour company. Standouts are a Sweet Potato soup that is tangy and soulful and a Walnut pie that is desert's version of heaven! Nothing much in this world beats having a mid-winter dinner at Whitegrass, but this cookbook is a close second!

This cookbook has the best variety of recipes I have ever seen! I love eating at the cafe, but when I am not in Canaan, I can have a taste of it in my house. Lots of good food that people with all different tastes will enjoy.

Never used a cookbook so much. Makes me feel like I'm back in WV. It's truly wonderful. Thanks for being my cooking teachers. Couldn't of done it without you.

Special Forces Recon Radiomen lasted 6 months in the bush. Two years later 3 purple hearts.
"I was lucky because I was wounded over there and in a hospital for
a very long time, I had a chance to get my head on straight before
returning to the real world".(page 165)
White Hot And Red is the Vietnam lottery for wounds. Does your life bleed out onto the jungle floor or receive a seared steaming reprieve from death.

It was hard to put the book down once I started reading it. It was interesting to read it from the point of view of a young 17 year old and the accounts of what they were living through at the actual time. It is sad and heart wrenching and other times humorous.

A Great Read... Couldn't put this book down!
Thanks to his personal diary the author kept during his Vietnam service, the author depicts a first-hand account of his personal struggles, events and experiences of the Vietnam War. The author is able to bring the reader as close to this war as possible without having to duck due to "Incoming!". The author confronts and shares the horrors that few of us will ever exeperience in a lifetime. Thanks for your service to our country... Vince is a true hero. Semper Fi!

Carmack's recollection of his two 13 month tours are very detailed and provide the reader with a real sense of being in the moment. The author takes you thorough his Vietnam experience, beginning as a Marine at the age of 17 during the height of the conflict in 1966. This is no Hollywood movie set; it's the real deal.

I read this book from cover to cover in one day. I couldn't put the book down. The accounting Vince gave scared the hell out of me. White Hot and Red is a telling account of the horrors of the time. I have a new found respect for our soldiers. Thanks Vince

A wonderfully written book exploring the universal themes of parenting, mother-guilt, love. The characters are real people who took hold of my thoughts even after I put the book down.

Well written, fast and easy to read. I could not put it down. Honenberger shows true insight into emotions of a mother who loves her child very much.

This is an enjoyable and important book. The author has beautifully combined an expose of a tragic national issue with the impact it has on the lives of the protagonist lawyer, her family, and the woman and child she represents. The characters are alive, and the settings of towns and courtrooms are believable because they are drawn with such exacting care. But it is the story itself that is riveting. The struggle to get justice for a child hopelessly damaged by medical incompetance and bad policy is told competently and quietly, and will not fail to engage and enrage the reader. This easy-to-read and hard-to-forget book belongs on every parent's bookshelf.

This book has an absorbing plot; many interesting characters and character development.
Legal and medical points of view were well presented. AND, it has a happy ending which made me feel good.

One of the major pleasures in reading 'first works' by unknown writers is the discovery of great writing in the nascent stage. With WHITE LIES Sarah Collins Honenberger steps onto the stage with a securely written, well researched 'mystery', a novel based on fact that is played by actors so well defined that by the end of the book we feel as though we know each of them - the 'heroes' and the 'villains' - so well that from every angle of each the character motivation is fully detailed. No mean feat this, especially when dealing with a subject matter that is by nature controversial. That Honenberger succeeds in making this fast paced intrigue a truly memorable novel places her in the upper echelon of new writers.

WHITE LIES explores the lives of two disparate women: Jean is a divorce lawyer, happily married with three children, and Lacy who is the product of the poor Carolinas, a women with a history of childhood abuse, bad marriages, but most importantly a mother who has a twenty year old child Danny who has been a vegetable since age 3 months, the apparent result of a reaction to a DPT vaccination. Jean becomes Lacy's lawyer and confidant and friend and the story revolves around the preparation of the case against the drug company who produced the DPT vaccine - a too many years' hidden mystery of deceit that has devastated Lacy and her now fairly normal family life. The manner in which the case is investigated is as well researched and as well written as, say, 'Erin Brockovich', but Honenberger does not stop there. There are fascinating sidebars involving the families of both women (one of Jean's sons, Stephen, may be having a drug problem - a finely tuned story in its own development) that make this also a fascinating story of the trials of parenting. This is a thorough-composed novel that is startlingly well written, a book that can be recommended to every reader without reservation. We will be hearing more from Sarah Collins Honenberger! Grady Harp, November 07