Wood Books

The Forgotten Covenant has something for every one. Simple enough for those unfamilar with the Bible to understand and deep enough for those well versed in Biblical prinicple to gain new insight and revelation into the heart of the Father. This book will change you . It is the kind of book you will want to keep and read again and again. I consider it a must read.

This book makes simple the profound truth of Holy Covenant and truly engages the heart. It is a MUST read for seasoned believers and new believers in every denomination, as well as for those who are seeking reality and genuine relationship with their Maker. Begin your journey today!!!

This book makes simple the profound. It's a must read for the seasoned believer, the new believer, and those who are searching for reality and genuine relationship with their Maker.

This book sheds light on what it truly means to have a deep, personal relationship with God. All rules, regulations and religions aside, this book shows you God's heart and the very depth of His love. You cannot read it without it tugging at the very fabric of your soul and drawing you ever closer in your walk with Christ.

I know God as my Father, Lord and Savior, but it wasn't until I read The Forgotten Covenant by J. J. Woods that I came to the heart-stopping discovery that God is also my Covenant Partner. Wow! Talk about name-dropping -- I'm in a covenant partnership with the God of the Universe! With simplicity and skill, J. J. Woods explores the depth of God's unique covenant relationship with His people, its history, meaning and benefits, unlocking the door to abundant life for His covenant partners. Whether or not you are in covenant relationship with God Almighty, this book will change your perception of Him -- and your life -- forever.

Author Steve Niles used to live in the D.C. area and then moved to L.A. Like author, like character. Cal McDonald experiences a wake up call after battling a crazed killer and the possibility of a new case drives him to relocate to Los Angeles. His ghoul friend Mo'Lock is not around so Cal sets off on his own to visit the home of another monster hunter.

The City of Angels also seems to be the city of monsters as Cal has to deal with all sorts of unusual activity while waiting for his West-Coast counterpart. But if werewolves and vampires aren't enough, Cal finds out that a predicted and feared Day of Monsters might actually be about to happen. Most of the world does not know about the strange things that also inhabit our world but they are about to get a dose of reality if Cal can not figure out what is going on and put a stop to it right away.

This is a short book made shorter by having a number of adventures. It is a little more disjointed than the first novel but it reads better. The action and pacing are fast. While Cal complains about not getting a chance to take a breath the reader may feel the same way as the action races along. Fast, furious, and a lot of fun. Check it out.

Loaded with clever plot twists, witty dialogue and awesome monster on monster battles this is sure to please

This is the best in the Cal McDonald series. It had some great action sequences, some truly funny and well-worded dialogue, an interesting plot and great characters including our old friends Cal and his partner Mo' Lock as well as Sam Burnett a fellow monster hunter and old friend of Cal's, who spends most of the story as an understandably PO'd animated severed head who spends most of his time screaming obscenities, and a new love interest of Cal's a women who runs a Magazine called Speculator (mentioned once or twice in Savage Membrane) from her apartment. For villains we have a big boss Vampire named Dave, a werewolf duo and a satanic teenager.

Like Savage Membrane this is a great quick read. The short chapters hold your interest and make it easy to read the whole thing in one sitting.

Overall this book has allot of clever twists and turns allot of over the top and interesting characters allot of cool action sequences allot of smart witty dialogue and last but not least allot of crazy monsters. Sure to please fans of cal McDonald, fans of monsters and fans of noir.

Steve Niles wrote a hard core novel that I just couldn't put down for anything. Guns, Drugs and Monsters is full of creativity, energy, wit and charm in every chapter. I found myself savoring every page of this book, often turning away to laugh and collect myself after being stunned by the incredible energy of the prose. This book was filled with nothing but "hardcore super stuff."

Not once I could of put the book down, it got my attention and held it in. (Guns, Drugs and monsters, A Cal McDonald mystery.) Cal McDonald has made a career helping and hunting the dark creatures that haunt the world and has made as many friends as he has enemies. to some he is friend and protector. but to most- those who prey on innocent humans lives- Cal is a sworn enemy.

I recommend you read this book because once you have a taste of Steve Niles style, you never want to get it out of your system.

Though Niles does not write great literature, he does write a great satire. This book is filled with hilarious characters, weird monsters, and some great plot twists. Cal McDonald is a lovable anti-hero who is not afraid of getting himself arrested, maimed, or even transformed into various unholy beings. The book is fun and a great read, especially is you have read Dashal Hammet or Raymond Chandler. If You enjoy this book, I also recommend "Savage Membrane" (the first Cal McDonald book), "Dial M for Monster" (a collection of Cal McDonald short stories), "Criminal Macabre" (Cal McDonald's first graphic novel, illustrated by Ben Templesmith), and "Love Me Tenderloin" (The new Cal McDonald comic currently on issue #1). I hope you all enjoy this wonderful adventure in the supernatural underworld of Los Angeles.

Guns, Drugs, and Monsters isn't going to place among this century's "great" novels--it just doesn't aim for a mainstream audience. What the book does have, however, is more creativity, wit, and charm in one chapter than most books have in their entirety. Steve Niles has one of the most high-energy and witty writing styles I've ever encountered. I found myself savoring every page of this book, often turning away to laugh and collect myself after being stunned by the incredible energy of the prose. The creative turns of phrase, and the sheer quantity of fun ideas make this book something special. It's as if Steve Niles just decided to compile a book full of nothing but the "good stuff."

This may sound like hyperbole, and not everyone may have my reaction to it, but just trust that Guns, Drugs, and Monsters reads like nothing else you've encountered. I had already picked up the trade paperback of 30 Days of Night, also by Steve Niles, but have yet to read it. Now that I've read Guns, Drugs, and Monsters, not only am I positive that 30 Days of Night will live up to its hype, but I fully intend to check out as many Niles creations as I can find.

I am now a full-fledged Steve Niles fan, and sincerely hope that this second entry into the adventures of Cal McDonald will not be the last (at least I still have the first book to enjoy, Savage Membrane).

If your interest in gay literature is just starting (and there is no need anymore to explain why) this book will give you a head start. You can find here information on a vast variety of books which you may pick up to expand your knowledge, curiosity, or simply spend you time reading for pleasure. Woods draws an interesting panorama of homesexual themes in literature from the Antiquity to the Present.
However, if you are quite far in the subject, you may find this volume a little bit too simplistic and disagree with some of Woods conclusions - e.g. the use of the word "gay" in the title may be quite disputable in the context. But still you may find many pieces of information you haven't yet heard.

Poet and author Gregory Lewis has given us one of the more readable compendiums tracing the birth and maturation of gay themes and styles in literature. Many authors have approached this task as a sensational "outing" of famous writers whose true sexual preferences will always be shrouded by the curtain of history. Lewis has chosen to deal with actual portions of writings in a scholastic method that creates a credible case for his choices of inclusion in the lineage of gay writers. Infused with brief descriptions of the social history of the times he is describing (Greek, Roman, Middle Ages, Shakespeare/Marlowe, Melville, Whitman, Wilde, Forster, Genet, Gide, Holleran, Leavitt, Monette, Auden, Rechy, etc), he lays the timely mores for interpreting the written word and in doing so does not preach to his readers. And though this book is heavily footnoted, researched, and extensive in its coverage of known and less known writers, it is eminently readable! Lewis is not afraid to let us know when his "opinion" versus "cold fact" is being stated; he allows us to grow to understand his method of decision making and is generous in his quotations of passages that support his claims. For the reader who wants a gossipy book of "Secrets of the Closeted Writers" this is not the resource. For those who want to examine the works of Thomas Mann, Shakespeare, E.M. Forster, Henry James, Plato, Socrates (the list is endless) in an erudite manner, welcome to the feast. Lewis is a gifted historian, social commentator, and gentle philosopher. And this book is one to read over an unhurried, extended period of time. There are riches here to savour as you read and for later as a reference volume of considerable significance.

Woods' phenomenological journey through literature, in which he examines a plethora of perspectives that are aguable "gay," is far more than a literary survey across epochs of history: It asks the question philosophers ask: What is gay? For the most part, that question may never be answered, except in the most biological of terms. Same-sex affection and eroticism. Human diversity is truly extraordinary, and all efforts to achieve a definition, identity, and distinction beyond this expansive single feature only limits what "gayness" subverts. But such an indefinite state is difficult to maintain, if only because erotic longings draw us together in concrete ways. In every age, we need more to hold onto something more enduring, if only because our unique sexuality, standing against the grain, finds such indeterminancy intolerable, if not terribly lonely. After all, men who desire men need love, too. Or at least many of us do.

Beginning at the beginning, and traversing millennia and cultures, Woods selects representative examples of homo-erotic literature, enormously exhaustive, acknowledging at the outset that his representative samples may not reflect what many today suppose to be "gay." The post-Stonewall moment heralded an intolerance of concealment, an unwillingness to be persecuted, and a new narrative that may occurred (forced or natural) in the Seventies was hardly emblematic in history. The so-called Castro Clone, hairy men in masculine garb with well-defined features and perhaps a little excess of macho bravado, might have been the dominant craze at the time. But what did this species of same-sex orientation have in common with the pederast (boy-crazy) male of antiquity? According to literature, not much.

But the Castro Clone has already passed into history, and Queer Theorists are bent on a new narrative. The effect, perhaps, of AIDS. Certainly, a little microbe has changed the same-sex dynamics considerably; a latex sheath now invades our love, and it seems to have changed our narrative and created distance among us. But we're all stronger and more open than all our historical predecessors ever imagine. The "closet" has ever been the refuge of adult gay men, and after millennia of persecution, we're no longer content to dwell in darkness. And perhaps the re-emergence of political homophobia requires a new story. Perhaps the militant subversion of the Other needs to experience what true Others have felt for ages. Whatever the impetus, more gay men are understandably reacting, often with unparalleled defiance, which may be more adaptive, but it seems foreign to me. Whatever excesses occurred in the Seventies, and they are legion, for the first time in recorded history adult male love, however elusive, was boldly believed.

Few books on a "gay" theme have touched me as deeply as this one, because none, despite its failings, has been bold enough to admit that our narratives change to fit the situation, and few narratives reflect the same story. In the final chapter of this otherwise non-polemical inquiry, Woods deliberately casts off his "impartial narrator" and engages in the polemics of paradox (a frequent theme among post-modernists), a variable in the deconstructionist "play" of differance, and one of Foucault's subversions of power. As my anger at his apotheosis of paradox grew (another Pope John Paul II, I thought), he slid home safely. "Paradox," he writes in the final sentences, "may be subversive, but it makes unsound political discourse if ever required to move the very public it defies. Beware of orators bearing paradox: they are unlikely to be democrats" (388).

For many, being "gay" is an act of defiance, an act of being ostracized as well as ostracization, and another act of being compromised as well as compromising. In my defense, I lived wherever the margins took me, and disregarded the consequences (and in my case those margins were far and few between). But those days when the love that dared not speak its name (and those days have been interminably long), when paradox and defiance spoke for us as staples of survival (however clandestine), came to an end with Stonewall. However small our numbers, we were liberated by a simple act, not of defiance alone, but of truthful pride. For all the angry contempt heaped on our persecutors, there was a time when we simply did not care to give them any notice. My only hope is that the new wave of persecution does not jade us to love's possibilities, but alas the video record suggests love is a commodity we can consider if we survive.

But we've always survived. We're an intrinsic part of nature, for heaven's sake. The Stonewall liberation, however, was truly unique; it allowed us to love openly and passionately, perhaps indiscriminately, and we'll always be open to love, unless the hate of our antagonists prevails. Very, very sadly, I see hate in our own eyes, so virulent, so understandable, and so self-defeating. "They" have already won, because we accepted their binary terms of opposition. In our anger, however justified, we've become one of them. Hate can conquer love, and once again "they" have proved it. What narrative follows next I know not. I only thank Fate for allowing me to experience an extraordinary moment in time. It may never pass again.

This is a very readable book. However I was extremely astonished at the scantiness of space on Japanese same-sex relation. Since after ancient Greek, only Japanese could have enhanced male-homoeroticism to highly ethical valued SHUDO i.e. the way of male love and there is a great number of GAY literature,documents, arts etc. in Japan. I recommend two books for readers THE LOVE OF THE SAMURAI by Watanabe Tsuneo & Iwata Jun'ichi, et MALE COLORS by Gary P. Leupp. And I hope many people study Japanese culture, history and literature more.

Gregory Woods, in A History of Gay Literature, The Male Tradition, has written a comprehensive examination of gay male literature through the centuries and around the globe. It looks at text and subtext and context to find the gay meaning or the meaning for gays in the annals of historical literature. Along the way the reader will learn new aspects of literature (such as the chapter on African poetry, to name one example from my own ignorance) and new ways to look at familiar books and poems. For all its breadth, it is wonderfully readable and somewhat addictive. It had me searching out various books to read them for myself. The writing is so good that I was equally fascinated reading about the books I had not read or did not even know about as I was reading about the others. This is a very good survey and a fun read.

Now in an updated and expanded second edition, How To Get Kids To Eat Great And Love It! by practicing physician and nutrition expert Christine Wood is a superbly written nutrition guide for parents seeking to ensure their children eat properly and happily. Simple, step-by-step guidelines offer tips for teaching young children the benefits of good nutrition at an early age. Also provided is nutrition advice to lower the risks of common ailments such as allergies, asthma, ear infections, eczema, and ADD. In a world inundated with obesity-causing and artery-clogging fast food and junk food, How To Get Kids To Eat Great And Love It! is a very strongly highly recommended primer for parents and caregivers pointing the way to a healthier tomorrow their children and charges.

I was given this book after my wife and I had our first son. We read this book from front to back and still use it as a reference. By using what we read, our son doesn't enjoy a lot of processed foods, but loves to eat fruits and even vegetables! This is quite a change from my sister-in-law's kids who love chicken nuggest and MacDonalds. Also, because we have changed the diet for our son, my wife and I have found ourselves eating better. If you have friends or family with children, or who are expecting, I highly recommend this book for them.

Getting kids to eat well is always a challenge, but Dr Wood gives some great ideas for all ages. The book has easy to understand information on diet and nutrition and tips to help the whole family eat wiser. This would make a great gift for a new mom.

The book is a terrific guide and reference source for nutrition and creating healthy eating habits. It spans a child's needs from birth to adolescence. The sections on Environmental Bad Guys and the Antioxidant Good Guys are very informative yet not overbearing with scientific terms. It is so important to create healthy lifestyle for children and this book does it by teaching you the parent the fundamentals.

I bought this book shortly after the birth of my daughter, now 15 months old. My family has a history of weight & heart problems and I wanted to break this cycle. I don't want my daughter to face these issues as an adult. I read this book from cover to cover and continue to refer to it on a regular basis. My daughter doesn't eat sugar or processed foods. My family & friends can't get over the fact that she eats tofu, fruits & vegetables. They can't understand why their kids won't. As a result of establishing a diet for my daughter, my husband & I have had to make changes ourselves. My daughter is extremely healthy & happy. I have learned so much about the benefits of organic foods & a diet rich in fruits & vegetables. You'll also be amazed at what kids DON'T need in their diets (hot dogs, chicken nuggets, chips, soda!) I buy this book for all my friends that are expecting. If you truly want to give your child a gift, give them the gift of good health. This book will guide you, simply & thoroughly, in that process. I know my daughter has gotten a healthy start in life because I've applied this information to our lives.

I was one of the lucky people who got to read this story before it came to print and it was a joy to do so.the story is a great fun read for anyone fast moving ride for the mind.

One of Highland Press' rising stars, R.R. Smythe writes an eerie morality tale. Set in turn-of-the-century Scotland four teens Callum, Erlidih, Finlay, and Skye must save their parents and the town from an unworldly attack. Strange, sentient trees creep from the closets to entwine sleepers in gnarled hardwood caskets. "Stand," "See," "Choose" and "Remember." Carved on the closet doors, those words are the only clues to the mystery. Will the four solve the riddle and wake the sleepers?

R.R. Smythe intertwines ancient lore with classic values to craft her story. Though written for young adults, Into the Woods has as much appeal for adult audiences as it does teens. You'll want to read it. Her book trailer is particularly compelling. [...]

Reviewed by: Laurel Bradley, Author of A Wish in Time

R.R.Smythe's young adult story, Into The Woods, reads like a fairy tale; familiar in so far as evil and good are portrayed, lessons are learned, yet new because the author has spun a wonderful new cautionary tale. The setting is Scotland, 1860. A known country, yet far enough back in time that one can easily imagine the events of the story taking place.

A strange sleep overtakes some of the towns people, followed by tree roots slowly enveloping the sleeping bodies as they slumber in their beds. Four friends face the horror of either their mother or father slowly slipping away, covered by roots and flowers. They feel powerless until they realize if they solve the puzzle presented, then their parents and other towns folk might awaken.

Although events takes place in 1860, the challenges teens faced then, as in school bullies, adults that don't understand them, will resonate with readers today. There are valuable lessons to be learned, or relearned as the case may be. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it highly to adults as well as any young adults of your acquaintance. I do hope there is a sequel, too!

One look at the beautiful but eerie trees with eyes on the book cover tells you that you're in for quite a ride, and the author certainly doesn't disappoint! Callum McClure's mother is in a deep sleep, imprisoned on her bed by vines. She's dying and he doesn't know what to do to help, but he suspects some magic is in the air.

Ellsbeth McClure only appears to be asleep. Actually, she's in a nightmare, escaping from trees, sharks, all manner of spooking things that want to eat her. She's hurt, bleeding, and starving. If only she can hang on until Callum finds the answer to her plight.

Into the Woods is a fairytale, really, because it has a strong message wrapped in a riveting, wonderful story. If you like mystery, thrills, adventure, magic, and romance, you'll find it in this wonderful Young Adult novel. I highly recommend this book to readers of any age. You won't be sorry you bought it!

Having liked this author's previous book "A Circle of Crows" A Circle of Crowsunder the Brynn Chapman name, I truly expected to appreciate another facet of her talent. She obviously adores fantasy, such as Lord of the Rings, J.K. Rowling and M. Night Shyamalan, yet she brings her own special talent into her tales. These writers have brought her to love the beauty of the tale and to write outside of the box, yet where Shyamalan stories often leave the reader unfulfilled -- a lot of promise only to end with a big let down--Smythe delivers.

The story is original, mesmerising with Callum having to face believing in things outside of the ordinary to save his mother and others. It's a wonderful dark original tale, imaginative, with strong characters, a solid premise and enough atmosphere to please people who loved The Village and for Harry fan's looking for another author to glom onto.

It's a great book for the whole family, marking the launch of this writer's YA facet with a grand style.

Highly recommended.

I didn't grow up in South Georgia, but I've lived here for over 25 years, and Mr. Lightle's book is one of the best pieces of work I've seen which explains some of the mystique of Southern males. This area of the country has given a disproportionate number of its youth to the military, and you can see why when you read about the kind of qualities fostered in summer football camps in South Georgia. The story encompasses comradery, the shared misery, the eventual acceptance of other young men without regard to background or race: of course, the racial integration of the football camp was a major component of the story. This book is a must read for the history of the area and the South in general.

...Years later, the memories are still with me about Graves Springs (football camp) - some good, and some not so good. Bill Lightle's memories are a true treasure of that hallowed ground called Graves Springs.

Duck Wall, sports columnist for the Albany Herald and former sports director of WALB-TV in Albany, Georgia.

...Years later, the memories are still with me about Graves Springs (football camp) - some good, and some not so good. Bill Lightle's memories are a true treasure of that hallowed ground called Graves Springs.

Duck Wall, sports columnist for the Albany Herald and former sports director of WALB-TV in Albany, Georgia.

As a kid we just wanted to play ball. We didn't care what color the guy beside us was. We didn't realize all that was going on outside of our little world in those trying and changing times. I look back now and see what our parents went through, but in that stadium on Friday nights they cheered for Orange and Green!
As I read this book I realized what a difference in my life Graves Springs and sports in general made. "Made or Broken" reminded me of the many Fourth and Ones that life deals you on a daily basis.
I laughed and I cried while reading. This book is a must read not only if you are familiar with Southern Football Tradition, but if you are interested in the flavor of the times in the Old South.

I grew up in Pennsylvania and have lived in South Georgia the last 26 years. This book illustrates as well as anything how the South has managed to produce such a disproportionate number of young men who have answered the call of the nation and made the ultimate sacrifice for their country in times of national crisis. More than just a football book- actually, very little is about football- it tells the tale of young men molded by shared hardship and miserable conditions in the woods of South Georgia. Racial strife in the outside world is handled differently here, where young black men and young white men had to put aside their predispositions (a kinder word than prejudice) and learn to judge others by standards that did not include race. This book is a worthwhile addition to any personal library of works that deal with history and social progress in the New South.

Neil Wood shows you how to do what matters most and learn to enjoy the process. This is an critical lesson to learn or re-learn as a financial advisor.

The book shows you how to be more successful financially and have a better life by working less and how to focus on the right clients. It shows how to apply the 80/20 Rule.
This book can be read in under 2 hours. Perfect for a flight.

This book is both motivational and empowering. Very readable. Thanks Neil!

Neil shares great ideas on how to improve your work while also balancing your life. A must read especially for those in sales!

Neil Wood shares best practices and strategies gleaned from years of experience and provides a template for success and balance which is easy to apply for any advisor. Mark Ryan, Financial Planner, MetLife Hingham, Mass

Only Stuart Woods could write about, of all things, luggage - and make it a captivating and intriguing story! This is why each new Woods novel is greeted with such anticipation - the man can tell a story, even when the main "characters" are made of leather!

Ever see that special something that you just had to have? Then once you have it you must raise your standards to the level that your possession now requires of you? Well for Mr. Woods it was luggage, and the trials and tribulations of acquiring it, then living up to its standard provide a humorous interlude well worth the read. I am waiting to see his luggage make an appearance in the home of Stone Barrington.

This is certainly worth $0.49, and since you can't buy it anywhere else (to my knowledge), you should just go for it. It is a different style from his mystery books, but it is very funny. I do think some of the other reviewers are overestimating its honesty and underestimating its comedy. This itself is a testament to the excellent dry humor.

I just fell in love with Amazon shorts after reading A Man and His Luggage. It is a narration of how a little obsession can transoform ones life, creep into it and rule one. Here is something you want to read and reread for the humor and the wisdom. I am hooked.

The pull was quick, into this story of the barren financial beginnings of a current superstar in the world of mystery novels. Empathy was easily engendered in the opening paragraph:

>> ...One morning there appeared in the New York Times a full-page ad for the now-departed Abercrombie & Fitch, introducing its acquisition of a line of Italian luggage called "Whip di Roma." On my lunch hour I wandered across Madison Avenue and was boggled to find a sea of gorgeous honey-colored leather stretching over half a floor, incorporating everything from a shaving kit to a steamer trunk. Alas, I was unable to afford even the shaving kit. I slunk, humbled by my penury, back to... <<

As Woods linked time flashes, tracking the "Whip" line going dry, he simultaneously linked me into this tangy tale of growing "obsession." Obsession? I see this leathery love affair as a fluky gift from the "Universe." Why condemn it into the spiritless realm of psychological stigmata?

"The next years were spent in luggage wilderness. I never passed a leather shop without entering and casting a quick eye over the stock, hoping to find that somebody else had taken on the Whip line."

Avoid boredom through a hobby which provides something you're sparked to do, even in far away lands? Is not dat guut?

"For the next sixteen years I traveled widely and my cases were welcomed everywhere. Bellmen, stroking the leather, would cry, Beeootiful loggage! (this is an average of the various accents)."

Lines like that littered this journalistic excursion with sensual syntax.

"After a sleepless night the airline phoned: the cases were safe. They arrived later that morning, a little worse for the wear."

Who had the sleepless night? If a whole airline can have one of those, there's a second reason for Woods to own a pilot license and to fly himself in nearly daily dedication to nation-wide appearances signing his novels. The first reason for Woods's pilot license can be found in this prime example of an Amazon Short, which was the perfect length for me to read online, in one sitting, finishing as refreshed as if I'd sipped an iced Coke with healthy fizz, that heavy effervescence that Coca Cola used to have in the 50's.

I believe this story is true. If I hadn't explored Stuart Wood's web site, I might not believe that. Not overdone, Woods's site is stylish, and applies succinct syntax to directly inform who he is, what he's selling, and what he stands for. (See my reviews of PRINCE OF BEVERLY HILLS and RECKLESS ABANDON.)

Another true story is coming soon to Amazon Shorts. Every word, every surprise in COAL & COCA COLA is true. Maybe the reason is the season, for believing truths which may be hard to swallow, until the spirit shines and flavor flashes through.

Coal & Coca-cola

A MAN AND HIS LUGGAGE is as endearingly entertaining as a boy and his baggage might be, trailing twilights through maturity with images of red wagons carting starlight.

May your Amazon Library grow daily with brain spice additions!
Linda Shelnutt

This is the most challenging book for every Christian to read. I could hardly put it down while reading it. It covers many aspects of the Islam religion that we should know about, and gives us hope that Muslim people can and do find Jesus Christ as their Savior. I am encouraged to pray more for Mina and Javid for the work that they do, and that more Muslims will accept the Lord.

The most effective aspect of Mina Nevisa's Miracle of Miracles (Long Wood Communications, USA, 2004) is the personal voice of a woman who stood against the forceful captivity of thinking foisted by fundamentalist Muslims. All the pains, this devout Christian woman details, stood in her path of freedom from the reckless talons of Islamic laws hunting for the religious converts in Iran. Mina's escape is indeed a living miracle that sends shivers through the hearts of many who do not yet know what it means to shun Islam in a fundamentalist Muslim country.

In her quest for freedom of thought and belief, Mina lost her friends to death by torture at the hands of Islamic authorities; her family to shackles of prejudiced hatred, and her first ever child to death before birth. It was a Pyrrhic victory for her, but her faith in Christ redeemed her from the dread of slavishly following something she did not choose. Miracle of Miracles is a touching account of her persistence in pursuit of what she believes the true path of salvation.

Mina's account of her experiences is followed by an addendum at the end of the book that criticizes sharply the logical flaws of Islam's basic teachings and tenets. She exposes the darkness incumbent on the developed world by the arrogant ideologies of Islamic fundamentalists and justifies her claims by instances from history.

Two features of the book pose a challenge to the reader's faculty of reason. First, the account of several miracles that touched Mina's life and those of her friends, family, and acquaintances, appear either contrived or just another interpretation of reality. For a nonbeliever, this certainly is a serious drawback of Mina's work. Then there is the last part of the book, which acts counter to the whole mode of reading the author's realistic account of Islamic barbarism. Mina directly addresses the readers urging on them to convert to Christian faith. Not only does this sound too preachy and unwanted in a book of mature discussion but also tames the bright image of the author's personality. Perhaps, Mina could not subdue her emotions while thinking of ways to let people out of the claws of fundamentalist Muslims.

This book is outstanding for both content and style. It presents a far more accurate picture than what is being presented by our educational institutions or our politically correct media. My heartfelt thanks goes out to Mina Nirvana as she has told the story of extreme persecution under a tyranical form of government with its extremist ideology.

This book depicts the true story of a woman who was raised in Iran in the Isalmic faith and comes to find Christianity. Though what she went through was very difficult and harsh, it's a gently written book, full of compassion and love. She gives great insights into the Islamic religion, and through her telling of the miracles that happened to her over the years, your faith will grow in understanding Christianity and God's love. I challenge anyone who thinks all religions are the same to read this book. You will understand the difference by the end. A must read! Could not put it down.

This account tells of the author's conversion, marriage and flight out of Iran. She and her husband subsequently lived in Spain, the Netherlands and the U.S. The threats and harassment of radical Mohammedans follow them even across the Atlantic.

I read portions aloud to my children. They were enthralled by the miraculous accounts, especially of the salvation of Mrs. Nevisa's father. They also were given a glimpse into what it is to live under an oppressive government, like that of Iran.

As Christians, we ought not ignore how fellow believers around the world must risk their jobs, family relations and sometimes even their lives just to be able to read the Bible, pray to the God of the Bible, and have fellowship with other Christians. This is an engrossing and accurate account that chronicles the cost for some of following Christ Jesus.

A final note: I had the privilege of meeting the author and her husband at a gathering in a friend's home. They are the "real deal" - a humble couple who is pressing on, seeking God's guidance one day at a time. I know they would be delighted inasmuch as this book encourages people to pray for the people of Iran and others who are caught in the bondage of Islam.

I recieved this book from a family member as recommended reading.

The story captures your interest from the beginning. It tells the struggles of a young wife trying to get into the "spirit" of the the first Christmas celebrated after the loss of a loved one and the ups and down of trying to cope with well-meaning family and friends. The underlying grief makes it difficult for Annie to find any joy in the holiday, but the "ornament" helps her to realize that she is never really alone.

I recommend this as both Christmas reading and throughout the year. I've read it more than once, and can say that it doesn't ever get old. It's a book for all ages.

In the season that most exemplifies Christian love, this book explores how hard it is to forgive those we love the most.

The descriptions and setting painted a perfect picture of a Pennsylvania Christmas.

The language and situations, although dealing with adult issues, can be enjoyed by young adult readers, great-grandmothers and everyone between.

A good gift, or keep it to read yearly as one of those little traditions we all find so satisfying.

Great, quick read. Attention getting from the first word to the last. Although I just wanted to read a few pages when I first picked up the book, I found myself drawn into caring about the characters and so finished it immediately. This book certainly deserves a 5 star rating.

THE ORNAMENT is an engaging story not only of a young widow's journey through grief, but also of the sometimes difficult but ultimately loving relationship between sisters. The emotional ups and downs ring true as the characters work their way toward a more forgiving relationship. Eventually, the main character Annie is also able to forgive life for her tragedy, reminding us that it is never too late to live more fully. Althouse Wood and Naylor's story is a welcome one of healing, perfect for the holidays or for any day when we struggle with what it means to live with loss and hope.

This book is an excellent story of a young woman who must keep going in life. She must cope with pain, one that most all of us have felt. She must rely on hope and love from others, no matter what the costs are. It is a very heartfelt story, with the ability to touch anyone who has endured the loss of a loved one.