Windsor Books

This is a great book for cat lovers. Brought many smiles..

This is the only cat book I have seen that combines simplicity, entertainment and common sense. It should be required reading for every cat owner; you can dip into it anywhere and draw up useful information. I have been giving copies of this book to the new cat owners among my relatives and friends for years.

Beware! There is another, larger, very glossy imitation of this book, published in 1999, that also has "101 Questions" in the title. The people who created it, whom I suspect of trying to capitalize on the success of Fogle's simple, modest, and beautiful book, should be left in a cage without food, water, or a clean catbox for an extended period of time.

Great book, mainly for those who didn't have ever had a cat. Serious but simple with lots of good advices and things everyone having a cat should know! I have loved it! Maria Manuel (Portugal)

This worthwhile and well-written book should not be out of print!

When a busy wife and mother stays up until 4:00 a.m. with a book she literally can't put down, you know it's good! Ms. Neal's fearless and powerful autobiography reads like an intimate review of her own diary. As you read you are simply amazed at her life and the fact she is willing to talk about it in such detail. Such a triumphant career, yet such pain in her personal life! She may have been married to one of my favorite authors but she gives any writer I've read a run for his/her money in sheer narrative power. I actually met Ms. Neal after a speech she gave in 1988 and was impressed with her then, but she is truly a remarkable woman. A must-read book.

I could not put this book down. Patricia Neal is a fine writer and her story is fascinating. From her beginnings in the south to making it big in hollywood and international marriage to roald dahl, her life had it's share of ups and downs. Neal's book is an honest look at how to overcome adversity, (of which she had plenty)taking responsibility for your choices and then ordering meaning from those choices. Most interesting is her affair with Gary Cooper, marriage to the difficult Roald Dahl and recovery from her stroke. I particularly liked her reasons for writing this book. It grew out of the anguish which ensued from her husband's affair and subsequent divorce. She felt that the act of remembering would be an act of salvation. Well worth the read.

One day I visited my local library who where having a sale of old books and audio cassettes. As I was browsing through I noticed an audio cassette the author Miss Read and it was all about village life. I thought it would make a change to my usual reading and decided to purchase it. I have since bought 5 treasured books of Miss read's collection and will not be happy until I have completed the set. My hobbie of reading is now so much more enjoyable, I would recommend readers to try and read at least one of this truly brilliant authors books and I guarantee you will find it a light,funny and a very enjoyable read. To sum it up in the best way I can , (one of those books you will want to put the washing-up to one side for.)

Battles at thrush Green is a wonderful book. Miss Read has stupendous grasp of human nature and makes her characters alive for her readers. I just discovered this wonderful author and have been working my way down the reading list. I absolutely recommend this book as well as all the rest.

One day I visited my local library who where having a sale of old books and audio cassettes. As I was browsing through I noticed an audio cassette the author Miss Read and it was all about village life. I thought it would make a change to my usual reading and decided to purchase it. I have since bought 5 treasured books of Miss read's collection and will not be happy until I have completed the set. My hobbie of reading is now so much more enjoyable, I would recommend readers to try and read at least one of this truly brilliant authors books and I guarantee you will find it a light,funny and a very enjoyable read. To sum it up in the best way I can , (one of those books you will want to put the washing-up to one side for.)

As a fan of Alec Guinness, it gave me additional insight to this great actor's life. It made me want to learn more and more about him, read books on him and see his movies again A great actor.

Sir Alec writes beautifully and simply about the his life through the lives that affected him. Funny, honest, and thought provoking. He's not at all the stereotypical stuffy Englishman, but a regular person with a huge amount of talent and alot of great stories to tell. This book should be back in print!

BLESSINGS IN DISGUISE stands out in my reading as one of the most enjoyable autobiographies I've ever encountered. Unlike so many actors, Alec Guinness is a truly modest man, and his wry humor and ability to laugh at himself are extraordinarily refreshing. Guinness is worth reading even if you've never seen one of his movies or plays or television appearances. It is a damn shame that this fine book is apparently out of print.

Late in the nineteenth century northern England, Hector Stewart decides that two years as a widower is enough. He announces to his children, Pattie and Daniel, that he plans to remarry. His bride to be is a wealthy Irish relative, Moira Conelly, whose father happen to be his father's half-cousin. Hector expects Moira to bring money as a dowry that he can use on their failing farm.

Moira wed Hector to escape her home, but she honestly thought she married a wealthy landowner. In spite of the lack of new capital, at first everyone is happy with the marriage as Moira adds a dimension of happiness into their lives. However, over the years as the family fiscal crisis worsens and Moira seems to be in a constant state of pregnancy, Hector blames everyone, including the "deceitful" Moira, for his troubles. How will the lack of nurturing from the angry, cold Hector impact everyone else in the family, especially as they reach out for love?

THE DESERT CROP is the last novel from the great Catherine Cookson, who passed away last year. However, the story is a tribute to the talent of one of the hall of famers of romance writing. The story line is vintage Cookson, taking place in her usual time and universe, and involving individuals and a family struggling to cope with pending disaster. The characters are somewhat simplistic, but perhaps that is where the charm of Ms. Cookson lies as their motives are easy to understand. Fans of the deceased superstar have a gold medal final novel of love redeemed.

Harriet Klausner

God bless her. She will be missed. I have loved her works for over 20 years and this one is as good as it gets.

Cookson has been writing historical fiction for over forty years and I have been reading it for close to thirty. After her death in 1998 her estate released this last book. As always she gives us strong characters with loving ways, drama, death, murder, class struggles, and even a bit of lust and loving along the way.

Set in Northeast England we are entertained by the comings and goings of the Stewart family. Patti the rebellious daughter, and Daniel the subservient son, manipulated by a father Hector Stewart who is evil and pathetic. After their mother's death, Hector finds he hasn't the money to run the farm, so is forced to marry an Irish woman with the promise of an inheritance.

I love how Cookson is able to take the reader into her world and make you want to return to it. Even after years without one of her books, I find myself drawn to them, like a renewal of something wonderful never to be forgotten. She will be sorely missed. Kelsana 9/24/01

As the broom of her triad, Merilee must sweep up after the mess her fellow sisters make as their battle against the Legion. However, this time she does not have her team to assist her because they have been knocked up by their husbands who are half demons.

Jake has every resource available to him to fix what was done to him. When all avenues have be tried, he decides to return to NY and become a cop like his brothers. But unlike his brothers, Jake is not human. He too has fallen in love with a Sybil. Merilee, the air sybil tries but cannot fight the attraction to Jake. However, Merilee has attracted the attention of the being, the man behind the Legion. Help comes from an unlikely source, in the form of her dreams.

Can Jake overcome his nightmares, and the machinations within to defeat this foe? Or will all be lost, along with his growing feelings for the beautiful Merilee? Read the final installment of this series to find out what happens to Jake and Merilee and all the others.

While his two brothers seem ecstatic over meeting their soul mates (see BOUND BY SHADOW and BOUND BY FLAME) Astaroth demon Jake Lowell feels alone as he just wants to regain his humanity. However, he knows that his fantasy will remain just a dream as the mage experts insist that is impossible. Still in spite of his depression and being manipulated by a malevolent using him as a stalker, he feels good for his brothers and follows the orders to protect the only non-pregnant Sybil triad sister air Sybil Merilee Alexander.

Meanwhile the Old One is leading his Legion on a quest to destroy humanity. This powerful demon knows the time is right as two of the Sybils are in delicate conditions. All he and his minion must do is kill the third one, Melanie. Jake finds his human side surface at the wrong time as he needs to keep the Sybil he is falling in love with safe, but to do that he requires the full power of the demon inside him.

The third Dark Crescent Sisterhood is urban romantic fantasy at its best as part of a stupendous saga. The story line is action-packed as the audience follows the latest confrontation between the Sybils and the Legion. This time the odds are more overwhelming than ever as the good guys are somewhat weakened while the evil ones have their top gun strengthens the darkness. This is a great miniseries that sub-genre fans will relish.

Harriet Klausner

This was the best book of the trilogy so far. I was nervous at first in regards to Jake being 7-8 when he was changed into a demon. I mean obviously he was no longer a child, yet he still had memories of being a little boy. Anna Windsor did excellent though and the reader no longer thinks of Jake in those terms.

Jake is special he has 'light' inside of him that allows him to heal sybils as well as himself. He fears though that he is not worthy of life and Merilee because of the atrocities he committed while his Talisman was being held against him. Merilee really shines in this book and we see the quiet strength explode from the previous two novels. Andy really, really, grows up, as a mother and as a cop. We see sides of characters that was previously understated or hidden completely.

Windsor grew as an author in this novel. Bound by Shadow was a great intro, but lacked a little in the plot/development; Bound by Flame really helped Windsor come in to her own and had great character development and intriguing story line. Bound by Light by far was a great ending to the trilogy and all the characters were tested and strengthened.

I sincerely hope that Windsor will visit the Dark Crescent Sisterhood again, and tell Andy's story and maybe another triads/quads. Definite read.

definetily mr forbes ultimate novel, though a slight overlong, has great action, suspense and never wavers and reaches a satisfying ending in a style of the classic locked murder room.

Special agents for British intelligence Tweed and Paula Grey, along with a foreign press correspondent, investigate boats that disappear off the south coast of England. When bodies are washed up ashore, they are linked to a mysterious village called Moors Landing, where the reclusive locals don't want visitors. Then the action shifts to Belgium, Germany and Denmark - more villages bought out by a consortium run by Dr Wand, a former Chinese general under a new identity. It becomes apparent that Chinese agents, along with stealth boats, are planning an invasion of Europe in a covert military operation. As more ships disappear at sea, and time runs out, Paula Grey is kidnapped by Dr Wand's cronies and it is up to Tweed to find her, and stop a world war. Can he save the world, or at least Europe? This is a great British thriller which, in spite of a lame narrative at the start picks up the pace and does not let go until the end! The prose is simple to understand, the exact opposite of a highly detailed technothriller but with enough to hold the story in place and appeal to a wide variety of readers, and Forbes also travels to the locations featured - I have visited southern Denmark, Germany and Belgium myself so I could relate to his descriptions of the countries well. Overall, if you can get hold of this, it comes highly recommended. I'll be reading more of his material now!

Wow! One of Colin Forbes's best! Britain is under threat from a 'silent' enemy as a body is washed ashore on the south coast. Paula Grey, well-spoken British secret agent, discovers it to be a friend. Enter the Deputy Director of the SIS, Tweed, and foreign correspondent Bob Newman who investigate the murder and discover more than meets the eye! What is the secret of two mysterios and close-knit villages in Britain and Belgium? Why are ships around the world mysteriously disappearing? And as if that wasn't enough, a former British Army brigadier is liasing with Chinese troops and aiding in the construction of stealth warships which radar cannot detect, which seem to be heading for Denmark. Can Tweed and company stop them? The action never stops and also I think I should mention that Colin Forbes's books always give me hours of amusement. In between tracking bad guys, Paula, Tweed and other SIS colleagues always find time to wine and dine at the best restaurants and dress smartly as they track the villains, AVENGERS-style! Also, ace sniper Marler appears with his trusty Armalite rifle and if he needs back-up, in typical Colin Forbes-style, he can get hold of the weapons he needs wherever he wants. How convenient! And why not. The locations are well-researched(I recognised the Danish parts having been near where the story is set myself)Overall, if you can track down a copy, this great British thriller comes highly recommended and you won't want to put it down. So crack open a bottle of champagne, Tweed-style!

The Case of the Nervous Accomplice

The 'Foreword' dedicates this book to Dr. Joseph W. Spelman, the state pathologist of Vermont and an associate professor in Pathology at the University of Vermont. He is a member of the group qualified to investigate deaths in a scientific manner to determine the cause and time of death. Gardner has spent years in writing to make people aware of the importance of forensic medicine.

Mrs. Enright A. Harlan visits Perry Mason to discuss the "domestic difficulties" of a cheating husband. Sybil doesn't want a divorce, separate maintenance, community property, or alimony; she just wants her husband back. Sybil wants Perry to buy stock in a real estate development company, and then create difficulties that will affect Enright's affair with Mrs. Roxy Claffin (Chapter 1). Perry goes to buy the stock from George Lutts, paying $32,750 for 2,000 shares, and learns more about this property that is a run-down residential district. Perry finds that Roxy owns adjoining property (Chapter 2). Mrs. Harlan then tells Perry about this property, how the new freeway will be close and increase the worth of this run-down property. They drive to the neglected old mansion which had been partitioned for small businesses. They observe Roxy by her swimming pool (Chapter 3). Perry attends the director's meeting, and says Roxy has invaded their "right of lateral support" by removing fill dirt, and could be sued (Chapter 4). Late in the afternoon Perry gets an emotional phone call from Sybil; when she was at the old house with George Lutts someone shot Lutts. Earlier Lutts bought 3,000 shares of the stock for $24,000 from another director. After Sybil tells all at Perry's office, they find that the gun in Sybil's car is now missing! Perry gives instructions to Sybil that must be followed (Chapter 5). Paul Drake monitors taxicabs by their radio frequency. Sybil calls Perry to tell him she followed his advice (Chapter 6).

In Chapter 7 Perry calls Herbert Doxey and asks to inspect the property. They find Lutts' car, and then the body. The police are called. Sergeant Holcomb suspects something from Perry's presence. Roxy's problems and complaints to Enright have sent him back to Sybil. Paul tells Perry the police found the murder weapon; it was sold to Enright A. Harlan! The taxidriver reported picking up a woman near the murder scene, another taxidriver brought the woman to Enright A. Harlan's home (Chapter 8). Perry goes to visit Sybil Harlan in jail. Perry then assigns his detectives to get information on the other people who are involved (Chapter 9).

The preliminary hearing begins, the details about the death are given (Chapter 10). [Did you notice anything?] The taxidriver's testimony is contradicted by the printed receipt! Next we learn that some woman other than the defendant signed to buy the murder weapon. The case is dismissed and Sybil is released from custody. Perry and Della perform an experiment to test the testimony (Chapter 11). The District Attorney presents new evidence at the trial. Perry finds out that Sybil didn't tell him the whole truth, and she explains why (Chapter 13). Sybil's friend is called as a prosecution witness, and so are others (Chapter 14). Roxy Claffin has thrown out junk like boards and torn canvas sacks at the dump, but it disappeared (Chapter 15). Other witnesses are questioned. The questioning of Enright Harlan uncovers a surprising fact (Chapter 17)! A new witness admits to facts that point to another person (Chapter 18). Perry explains his observations in Chapter 19, just before the judge instructs the jury to return a verdict of not guilty for Sybil.

The 'Foreword' dedicates this book to Dr. Joseph W. Spelman, the state pathologist of Vermont and an associate professor in Pathology at the University of Vermont. He is a member of the group qualified to investigate deaths in a scientific manner to determine the cause and time of death. Gardner has spent years in writing to make people aware of the importance of forensic medicine.

Mrs. Enright A. Harlan visits Perry Mason to discuss the "domestic difficulties" of a cheating husband. Sybil doesn't want a divorce, separate maintenance, community property, or alimony; she just wants her husband back. Sybil wants Perry to buy stock in a real estate development company, and then create difficulties that will affect Enright's affair with Mrs. Roxy Claffin (Chapter 1). Perry goes to buy the stock from George Lutts, paying $32,750 for 2,000 shares, and learns more about this property that is a run-down residential district. Perry finds that Roxy owns adjoining property (Chapter 2). Mrs. Harlan then tells Perry about this property, how the new freeway will be close and increase the worth of this run-down property. They drive to the neglected old mansion which had been partitioned for small businesses. They observe Roxy by her swimming pool (Chapter 3). Perry attends the director's meeting, and says Roxy has invaded their "right of lateral support" by removing fill dirt, and could be sued (Chapter 4). Late in the afternoon Perry gets an emotional phone call from Sybil; when she was at the old house with George Lutts someone shot Lutts. Earlier Lutts bought 3,000 shares of the stock for $24,000 from another director. After Sybil tells all at Perry's office, they find that the gun in Sybil's car is now missing! Perry gives instructions to Sybil that must be followed (Chapter 5). Paul Drake monitors taxicabs by their radio frequency. Sybil calls Perry to tell his she followed his advice (Chapter 6).

In Chapter 7 Perry calls Herbert Doxey and asks to inspect the property. They find Lutts' car, and then the body. The police are called. Sergeant Holcomb suspects something from Perry's presence. Roxy's problems and complaints to Enright have sent him back to Sybil. Paul tells Perry the police found the murder weapon; it was sold to Enright A. Harlan! The taxidriver reported picking up a woman near the murder scene, another taxidriver brought the woman to Enright A. Harlan's home (Chapter 8). Perry goes to visit Sybil Harlan in jail. Perry then assigns his detectives to get information on the other people who are involved (Chapter 9).

The preliminary hearing begins, the details about the death are given (Chapter 10). [Did you notice anything?] The taxidriver's testimony is contradicted by the printed receipt! Next we learn that some woman other than the defendant signed to buy the murder weapon. The case is dismissed and Sybil is released from custody. Perry and Della perform an experiment to test the testimony (Chapter 11). The District Attorney presents new evidence at the trial. Perry finds out that Sybil didn't tell him the whole truth, and she explains why (Chapter 13). Sybil's friend is called as a prosecution witness, and so are others (Chapter 14). Roxy Claffin has thrown out junk like boards and torn canvas sacks at the dump, but it disappeared (Chapter 15). Other witnesses are questioned. The questioning of Enright Harlan uncovers a surprising fact (Chapter 17)! A new witness admits to facts that point to another person (Chapter 18). Perry explains his observations in Chapter 19, just before the judge instructs the jury to return a verdict of not guilty for Sybil.

Very well-plotted mystery. Every small details were combined to the truth. Trial scenes took larger part in this novel and I like trial scenes. Highly recommended.

As a lover of cats and of France, I found Helene Thornton's Cat Chat impossible to put down! It is a romance of how two very different people are drawn together by their love of one very beautiful cat. The author tells of her life in the south of France with Monsieur and how their ever-growing family of cats enriches their lives. I have read this book over and over and have never grown tired of it. This is a book worth having in your collection!

It was that good! Cat Chat is the perfect book for the avid cat lover and Francophile. It is a story of love, cat adoration, travel to the South of France and a beautiful life. I ordered this book from Amazon.com.uk because it was not originally available in the US, and it was worth every extra dollar. It is a love story, without all the fluffy and erotic nonsense, a story of a couple that loves and admires cats and a story of two people living an authentic life in the South of France. If any portion of this description appeals to you, you will enjoy this book. If you truly dislike cats, don't buy it, as the auther is a real cat lover, but the story is not devoted to cats. What more can I say, except that if you love travel and relocation stories, if you have any admiration at all for cats and if you have even the smallest dream of living in the South of France, you will love this book. I ordered extra copies for friends and family, but my original copy is a keeper for my personal library.

I just could not put this book down. Please can we have a follow-up?

Dick King-Smith is one of my favorite authors. He writes books that are for children but are equally enjoyed by adults. And this autobiography is no exception. Being a writer myself (though just a journalist right now -- an inspiring children's author one day) his book and his journey in becoming an author was so nice to read. He didn't start out as an author. It was a gradual thing.

If you have seen the movie "Babe" and been delighted by the characters and story, you will thoroughly enjoy this book. I listened to it on tape, and the reader was none other than the author himself, veddy English and likeable. Mr. King-Smith recounts his early years, his stint in the military, the courtship of his wife, the birth of his children and his various careers, including the longest one, that of being a farmer. From these experiences, mostly as a farmer, Mr. King-Smith built a reputation as a children's book author. I was sad to come to the end and longed for more. I hope Mr. King-Smith has another book like it in him; he could follow in the tradition of the much loved James Herriot. A simple memoir, for those of you who like them, full of nice people, animal stories, and the evidence of Mr. King-Smith's sweet nature. A short gem and a breath of fresh air.

This autobiography of a popular children's book author provides a delightful memoir for kids in grades 6-8, telling of Dick King-Smith's life and how he came up with the animal characters which are so popular in his children's stories. Any prior fan of Dick King-Smith's writings will find Chewing The Cud filled with fascinating insights about his life and sources for inspiration.