Authors Books

This is a fast reading book concerning Mrs. Charles Lindbergh's last few years of life. Written by youngest Lindbergh sibling, Reeve, she tells of living on her own farm in Vermont, with a smaller house on the property her mother lived in during that time. Reeve Lindbergh is a wonderful writer - she doesn't need the famous last name to prove that. When she isn't writing about her mother, which is riveting for some reason, her writing of anything else in the book has such a fresh, emotional spirit behind her words. Anne Morrow Lindbergh, a legend in her own time both in flying, her husband, and her many published works, did not talk much in her last years. It is a story of how the family felt and coped with her condition, letting go of the vibrant mother they once knew. An excellent book for those who have been a caregiver to a parent or sibling. Anne M.L. was such a famous figure, it was both interesting and heartwrenching to have the privilege of reading about her day to day living. Thank you, Reeve Lindbergh, for sharing this story that you could have kept to yourself, but chose to share. It's a book that will be remembered long after it's read.

Reeve surely has Ann's gene for writing. This book should be read by all who still have parents alive and will be faced with their eventual death and by those who have already lost a loved one. Alzheimers and dimentia are a death before dying. It is hardest on those left behind and gilt and worry are only some of the emotions one has to deal with during the dying process. Reeve caught the essence of her mother and was fortunate to be able to have 24/7 caregivers to help her through this ordeal.
This book is a tribute to Ann and to Reeve's Sister.

I have read Reeve Lindbergh's work before in her memoir, "Under A Wing". I was surprised at her candor regarding her father, and what was equally clear was her fondness for her mother. "No More Words", which records the last 17 trying and rewarding months of her mother's life, is a tender tribute that is notable for what it includes and for what it omits.

The only photograph of Mrs. Lindbergh is the one that appears on the cover. The photograph depicts a young woman at the start of what would prove to be a life as fascinating as it was lengthy. The closing months of this woman's life are chronicled above all else with a great deal of respect. This is a most private family event, and just as the book is devoid of any pictures for the voyeur, the narrative too is informative without taking away any of the dignity of her mother. This would seem to be an obvious manner to write of one's parent, but a person does not have to look far to find books written with sales as the first goal, and exploitation of the subject left unconsidered.

Reeve Lindbergh is a poet, she is reflective, and these aspects of her personality provide a narrative that is unique. This book is not simply a diary; it is not a chronological description of the systematic health decline of her mother. It is more of a story that is driven by the limited interactions she was able to have with her mother, and the memories that were either hers or recollections of her mother's life. This is not a sugarcoated story of what was a very trying time. The book is a balanced memoir about how difficult it is to deal with not only the death of a parent, but also the very real difficulties and frustrations that caring for an elderly, ill parent involves. Mrs. Lindbergh had the best care available which took much of the moment-to-moment care off of the family. It did not remove many of the difficulties, and the reader can easily imagine what it would entail to care for a parent with little, or no outside help.

This is a very contemplative book that moves at an associated pace.

Reeve Lindberg has succeeded in giving us a marvelous journey through the last two years of her mother's life. It is also a very helpful description of what it is to deal with someone who is deep in the fog of an Alzheimer's like state. I plan to give copies to many of my friends, most especially those with elderly parents. Reeve's language is lovely and crisp in the strokes of its portraits. It is easy to see she that is her mother's daughter. I am so happy to have discovered this book and I would recommend it to anyone who is seeing or will see an elderly parent or friend through his or her last days and months. Tasha Halpert

This is a touching memoir of the time when Reeve Lindbergh was helping to take care of her aging mother, the famous Anne Morrow Lindbergh in the last year(s) of her life. This book is a look inside the private lives of a very well known family during a difficult transition in their lives.

The story is about how Reeve is trying to make sense of this time. It contains her thoughts and reflections and fears about the change in her mother's condition. I appreciate the honesty in which this book is written, I feel like the author held nothing back in relating her story. I was surprised and delighted at the openness of it. She wrote about things in dealing with this situation that people think, but would rarely admit to.

I found this book to be very comforting, as I recently experienced a similar situation in my own family. There were so many times, as I read this, I was shaking my head thinking....I know exactly what you're saying. Throughout the ordeal, there are sad times, but there were also light and funny times as well. Dealing with the aging and decline of a loved one that you have known so well all of your life is difficult. They change, and when it happens, we don't always know how to deal with it or what to think, and we wonder what they are thinking. It's hard and it's confusing when you are trying to guess at what is going on in their world. Reeve writes beautifully about it all.

I had not picked this book with the intention of experiencing what I did...the comfort of reading about someone else going through a similar situation as me. I initially picked this book because I love Anne Morrow Lindbergh's book 'Gift of the Sea' and I wanted to read more about her life. Once again, as I am a firm believer of...the right books come along at just the precise moment that we need them and so often they come in an unexpected way as this one did for me.

Old Mother West Wind was a gift for grandmother, who read her children stories from this series when we were young. Happy stories and illustrations for young elementary children. Good entertainment, useful for K-3 school. Loved it!

These stories were first told to his own children by Thornton Burgess. Then they were read to me by my mother over 60 years ago. They were long out of print when my own children were of the right age but they are back for my grandchildren. They are highly recommended.

This book was a gift to my 6 year-old grandson. He loves it; both the stories and the pictures. This is a book my mother read to me when I was little boy. My favorite character was Bobby Coon.

Thornton Burgess was a naturalist and the stories of animals in Old Mother West Wind are wonderful. The characters attitudes and behaviors are true to the animal portrayed. A wonderful way to get acquainted with nature. Perfect book for an adult to read to a younger child.

A book of short stories about animals who talk, _Old Mother West Wind_ is enjoyable for a child of about five years to about eight as a read aloud (or older, if your child isn't terribly worldly.) These short tales often attempt to explain "how", as in how the skunk got his stripe, and have, in addition to the animals, characters such as Mother Nature and the Merry Little Breezes.

Many of these stories attempt to teach a moral, though often it is not obvious due to the author's skill. These are old stories and they reflect the values of the time they were written in. My ADHD eleven year old read the book himself and enjoyed it and is looking forward to the sequel.

Here are the stories included:

1) Mrs. Redwing's Speckled Egg - Mrs. Redwing has just laid a beautiful new egg and the Merry Little Breezes must help keep it safe from Tommy Brown.

2) How Reddy Fox Was Surprised - When Johnny Chuck wanders too far from home, Reddy Fox decides to play a trick on him. But the joke's on Reddy Fox.

3) Why Grandfather Frog Has No Tail - Grandfather Frog tells the Merry Little Breezes why Mother Nature took away all frogs' tails.

4) Why Jimmy Skunk Wears Stripes - When Mrs. Ruffed Grouse's eggs are destroyed by "a pair of eyes," the whole forest seeks the culprit. When Jimmy Skunk is found out, his days of night camouflage are over. (This was my son's favorite.)

5) The Willful Little Breeze - When one of the Merry Little Breezes stays in the Green Meadow after Old Mother West Wind has gone home behind the Purple Hills, he foils Hooty the Owl and Reddy Fox's plans to eat Mr. Bob White and his family.

6) Reddy Fox Goes Fishing - While Reddy Fox sleeps, he dreams he can fish as well as Billy Mink, but Reddy Fox just ends up all wet.

7) Jimmy Skunk Looks for Beetles - As Jimmy Skunk looks for beetles, he doesn't make any friends, but is rather selfish and destructive. However, the adventure really starts when Peter Rabbit decides to help.

8) Billy Mink's Swimming Party - Billy Mink invites Jerry Muskrat and Little Joe Otter to a swimming party at the Smiling Pool.

9) Peter Rabbit Plays a Joke - When Peter Rabbit tries to play a joke on Johnny Chuck and Reddy Fox, the joke back-fires.

10) How Sammy Jay Was Found Out - When Happy Jack's store of nuts disappears, Old Mother West Wind forms a committee of the whole to solve the mystery.

11) Jerry Muskrat's Party - When Jerry Muskrat throws a swim party, many of his guests aren't having any fun. Then, Little Joe Otter comes up with an idea that saves the party.

12) Johnny Chuck Finds the Best Thing in the World - When Striped Chipmunk hears Old Mother West Wind tell the Slender Fir Tree that she's found the Best Thing in the World, everyone starts to search for it--and everyone imagines it as something different.

13) Bobby Coon and Reddy Fox Play Tricks - When Bobby Coon and Reddy Fox trap Johnny Chuck inside his home, Jimmy Skunk helps Johnny Chuck surprise the two of them.

14) The Tale of Tommy Trout, Who Didn't Mind - Though Tommy Trout's mother tried to warn him of the dangers outside of their little pool, Tommy Trout didn't listen.

15) Little Joe Otter's Slippery Slide - When Little Joe Otter, Billy Mink, and Jerry Muskrat build a mud slide on the bank of the Smiling Pool, Peter Rabbit's curiosity gets the best of him.

16) Spotty the Turtle Wins a Race - When Peter Rabbit, Reddy Fox, and Billy Mink decide to race to see who's fastest, Peter Rabbit teases Spotty the Turtle that he should join. Spotty the Turtle does, and uses his mind to win the race.

A quiet inn, the tap-tap of computer keys, a furry cat foot-warmer and an unseen host fill Madeleine Houser's days while her home is being remodeled. New to town, the best-selling author is heartened by her host's kind notes, her spry, elderly neighbor and glimpses of a handsome stranger. Whether it's meeting the deadline for her next book or meeting Mr. Right, Maddie has a full life but an empty heart. What's a girl to do?
In the delightful, award-winning tale "Playing by Heart," author Deborah Raney weaves love, humor and surprise into a warm blanket for the heart. If you're a romantic, this is the book for you!

God uncovers one day at a time in our lives. Enjoy how Deborah Raney does the identical thing in this delightful, upbeat novella. As I plopped on my bed each night I was anxious to run to the final page and see how Maddie and Arthur would ever come to the shocking truth; "You are Who??"

Thankfully I waited and page by page allowed the author to reel me in heart and soul where I could enjoy and giggle with her as this aspiring story-tale ending drew to a close.

Thank you for sharing your God given talent with others. May you continue on Deborah to use it for Him.

Can a woman love a man she's never seen face-to-face? Can a sweet little-old-lady neighbor have matchmaker tendencies? After a fall that necessitates Maddie Houser finding another place to write, neighbor Ginny Ross arranges for Maddie to write in the B & B of a friend, Arthur Tyler.

Now, through many handwritten notes, Maddie Houser has formed a dear friendship with this mysterious man. But she panics as the friendship grows deeper. She doesn't know him by sight...can she really know him by heart?

A delightful story of mistaken identity, love notes and a fat cat all add up to one of the best novellas you'll ever read. Award winning author Deborah Raney spins her tale with panache, entwining your heart and setting your imagination into high gear.

Once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down. Delightful and uplifting, it's a book I'd recommend to anyone.

I picked up this book and finished it within one day. I loved how the characters were realistic and the story held your attention. I couldn't wait to see what happened next! It is an excellent read and so refreshing! Kudos to Deborah Raney!

This book brought to mind the words of our Savior "Father forgive them for they know not what they do." The power to forgive comes not only in not holding a grudge but in also loving and wanting the best for those who have wronged us. With raw honesty, Evangelist Young shows that the true power to forgive comes from a loving relationship with God through the power of His Holy Spirit. More than that, however, it is a poignant revelation that God's desire is for all of us to love as He loves and to live victoriously through Him. This is an honest, reflective look at a victorious life in the Spirit. It is a balm for those who have been hurt. This is not about an incident but a journey to the release that comes through loving and forgiving through the power of the Holy Spirit. Evangelist Young has given a powerful testimony filled with insight into the Word. This inspirational work points to the purpose God has for each of us and the confidence we can have in the power to overcome anything through the Him. I couldn't put it down and wait anxiously for the next work.

The Power of Forgiveness demonstrates that using forgiveness and putting other's needs above your own can provide self-growth. John gives no illusion that forgiving someone is an easy task, but lets the reader know that it can be done. He shows that with God's help, we can be subjected to horrible things and yet live through them with dignity and a greater sense of wisdom and maturity. This book has a unique approach in the fact that by forgiving his wife, John gave his children a chance for a more confident future without being burdened by having to choose one parent over the other. This book speaks of using one's strengths and inward capabilities to overcome obstacles in life.

This book was written with much careful thought and planning. It shows that even a man of God can go through trials and tribulations and come out as pure gold. I wish that everyone would read this book so that we can have power from God to forgive. Roman 12:21 says "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." I'm glad that I read the book. It showed me that no matter what I go through, I should forgive. It helped me to learn that the person you love the most can hurt you, but to forgive them and move on. God has ordered John's steps with His Word. He will be blessed abundantly.

This is one book I could not put down. For many of us who
do not know how to forgive, cease to forgive, will not or have
not forgiven or has ask or never ask for forgiveness, forgave, and was forgiven- please read. With impact on the heart, mind, and soul- it introduces knowledge of self and self awareness from a individual to a "wholistic" perspective.

This is one book I could not put down. For people who cannot forgive, ceases to forgive, never ask for forgiveness, willing to forgive, has forgave, wants to forgive- please read. With an impact on your heart, mind and soul, it introduces knowledge of self and self awareness from a individual and wholistic perspective to forgive foe or friend.

"The Practice of the Presence of God and the Spiritual Maxims" is an excellent guide for those who want a simple yet effective guide to grow closer to God. The advice given by Brother Lawrence is clear, but as he points out the road is not easy; however with God's grace anyone can do it.

This is a wonderful book on faith to read and reflect upon. I won this edition of the book in a Pentecost Praise Poetry Contest, sponsored by Brain Strand, in Aylesbury, England. I won the first prize and was mailed a copy of the book.

This book is very inspiring. Although I had to read several sections a second time to get a clear understanding, the language flows very well. Brother Lawrence's commitment was certainly to his Lord and Savoir and not man. There is a lot that a person of faith, and without faith, could learn from reading this book.

I really enjoyed the section entitled "Conversations" and the manner in which they are written. The style is a little different; however, the message is clear. The section entitled "Letters" is equally uplifting and sends a wonderful message of praise.

Part II of the book regarding "Spiritual Maxims" certainly drives home the theme of the book regarding daily worship and praise. This spiritual process, if followed, should erase unwanted and ill thoughts from the mind, and gives a person a clear focus on God. The essence of the book is that each person must have a clean heart and sound mind, because that's the way God desires us to be.

Other books to read are: Trilogy Moments for the Mind, Body and Soul; Everyday Miracles; and The Language of Poetry Forms.

This book was referred to in another book that I was reading. I was enjoying that book so I checked Amazon for Brother Lawrence's book and ordered a copy. It has proven to be one of the BEST investments I have ever made. This tiny book is just amazing in the Truth that it delivers. Brother Lawrence seems to have been an exceptional human being blessed with tremendous Grace from God. It was so because he sought after it. I have recently traveled through losing a job and beginning a new one quite different from what I was used to. After 25 years of being a manager I am now punching a time clock and emptying my own trash. When I begin experiencing pride issues I can pick this book up and immediately be put in my place. Praise God! This book may be small in size but is LARGE in content. Personally, I highly recommend.

This book contains a description of how one Godly man communicates with God and receives communication from his God and is obedient to that communication.

I dont have this exact copy, but just wanted to encourage everyone to get this book.

You can read this thin little thing and put into practice what it says, and let the Lord teach you. Or, you can buy and read a dozen 300 page books.

I have read book after book, for fun, or for seminary, and over and over again, I write in the margins "BL", because so much of what people are saying that has merit is really related to what BL (Brother Lawrence) writes.

This book did more for really bringing me into a relationship with Christ than anything else. I buy like 100 of them at a time to hand out to people who are searching for God's true heart.

Grace, peace and joy!

How many people truly are with the person they were meant to be with? How many of us are actually bold enough to tell the person we are having warm and fuzzy feelings for that we really like them? Probably not that many, but what if the opportunity was given where you could speak your heart freely, would you do it? In Secret Lovers by Patricia Anne Phillips, Maxine Thompson, and Michelle McGriff, the chance is there and it is up to each character to decide if they should or should not. The question is will they?

Stepping out of the ashes and into the flames of love, Kelley finds out some secrets about the people in her life including herself. In Irresistible Flames by Patricia Anne Phillips, Kelley, Byron, and her cousin, Angie, are all workmen compensation lawyers, but that is not all they have in common. Apparently, they all are keeping some kind of secret. After Kelley has an accident, a monkey wrench is thrown into her future plans. The uncertainty of her choices and the feelings Kelley has for the people in her life weighs heavily on her. Stepping back and looking, surveying her surroundings, Kelley makes a devastating revelation. Will she survive it all?

In Second Chances by Maxine Thompson, Caprianna "Capri" Jordan believed other than her failing business, everything else in her life seemed out of sync, but it will be alright. Not heeding her woman's intuition, Capri's life as she knew it changes drastically. It is at this time Marquise, her husband, allows his secrets to begin seeping out into the light. When Capri thinks she has fallen and sees no way of picking herself back up, her second chance is placed in front of her by faith. Will she step out on faith or will she watch her chance pass her by?

Sometimes life has some unexpected detours, but after taking the long way around we end up right where we belong. In Detoured by Michelle McGriff, Sonnet, a big-boned, seventeen year-old, wants to be noticed by one of the hottest guys in school. She decides it is time to make a change by ditching her long-time fellow, big-boned friend, Justin; her sister who is hiding problems of her own, Margaret, and their skinny, white friend, Leita. Sonnet goes on a diet trying to fit in with the "in crowd." As her weigh comes off there seems to be a sense of change in her household, but Sonnet only cares about losing weight and fitting in. Both Justin and Sonnet have some secrets about their family they are keeping from each other, but they are not the only ones hiding something. Sonnet and her mother, Yolanda, have more than a mother daughter relationship in common, but will it ever come to light before history repeats itself?

Secret Lovers by Patricia Anne Phillips, Maxine Thompson, and Michelle McGriff offered three unique stories, each one offering something different, but nonetheless they all had secret emotions. They all had mouth-opening I want to slap the taste out your mouth moments. However, while one story did not have any grammatical errors, the other two had quite a few, even a flip-flop of the spelling of one of the characters names. I recommend Secret Lovers to anyone wanting a quick, thought-grabbing book.

Jennifer Coissiere
APOOO BookClub

These are the types of stories that no matter who you are you will find yourself in them some where. They will fill your heart with some pain and sorrow but mostly hope and joy. The authors of these three novellas have really brought so many important feelings and thoughts to the forefront. I for one appreciate all the time and effort it must have taken them to unite and complete this outstanding work.

"Second Chance," by Maxine Thompson is a beautiful love story about Capriana finding romance after overcoming her brutal attempted murder, spousal betrayal, and financial ruin. I could not wait to turn the next page until I finished the read. This read also serves as a teaching guide for young people who want to start, develop and cultivate a love relationship.
It is very well written. The conflict, action, and suspense of the story were multiplied through Ms. Thompson's superb skill in building the story through various points of view. Each chapter is crafted in the first person of one of the main characters. I was ready to literary kill Capriana's cruel and insensitive husband before I heard his voice and perception.

This is a positive story about African-Americans. There are no cuss words or X-rated sex episodes. I would like Ms. Thompson to extend this writing into a novel. It's guaranteed to be a best seller!

I look forward to reading the other two stories in "Secret Lovers." I will also write a review of each.

"Secret Lovers presents three enticing reads. Each story has its own surprising twist."

"In Irresistible Flames, Kelly and Byron are both successful attorneys and engaged. Kelly loves Byron immensely and feels that he loves her just as deeply. However, Byron becomes very obsessive and this causes Kelly to question their relationship. An unexpected man comes into her life as a result of an accident. Byron's hidden secret is revealed, which totally shakes Kelly."

"In Second Chance, Caprianna and Marquise are happily married. So it seems, until Caprianna begins to notice sudden changes in Marquise. Caprianna is determined to resolve the issues in her marriage and also struggling to hold on to her business that appears to be going under. Caprianna becomes a victim in a shooting that nearly kills her. Her husband abandons her, but a wonderful man enters her life, with the hope of bringing a second chance of love and happiness to her life."

"Detoured is centered on family secrets that eventually come to light. Through out Yolanda and Frank's marriage he has been abusive. Their daughters Sonnet and Margaret have dealt with this knowledge and have kept it a secret. Health and self-esteem issues develop among the siblings. Eventually Yolanda gets the strength to leave Frank and returns to her hometown where she comes in contact with the love of her life, which just happens to be Sonnet's biological father. Sonnet and Yolanda have both harbored secret loves that are powerful and leads them back to the one they love."

"The commonality of these intriguing reads is that love can come into or reenter your life when you least expect it."

The first story in Secret Lovers is titled Irresistible Flames. The story is authored by Patricia Anne Phillips. Of the three stories in the book, Irresistible Flames is the story serious romance readers may enjoy most. It is a story of inner reflection and self-honesty. At the beginning of the story the book's main characters, Kelly and Byron, are engaged to be married. They are a pair of attorneys who are in hot pursuit of success in the business arena. Yet, somehow and perhaps because of this pursuit, they are not taking the time to inspect and strengthen their relationship. They avoid this pertinent introspection despite the fact that they are seriously discussing marriage. Irresistible Flames is written with a style that allows the reader to harness their own judgments about the choices the story's characters make as each works to obtain the fulfillment of their motivations. It is this aspect of the story and the way the author delves into these motivations that readers may well appreciate most. At times, I felt the author was working too hard to disguise the mystery in the story. Overall, Irresistible Flames is a story that provides an honest portrayal of current real-life events that happen to couples in search of lasting intimacy and romance.

The second story in Secret Lovers is titled Second Chances. It is authored by Maxine Thompson, a talented writer who has penned other notables such as The Ebony Tree. Second Chances begins with Marquise, a police officer, and his wife, Caprianna laying in bed one morning. From the outset it is clear that the couple is having marital challenges, but that neither has yet mounted the courage to raise the challenges with the other. As with Thompson's other works, Second Chances delves into life-shifting events then digs into the heart of the characters, allowing readers to discover firsthand what it feels like to endure hearty, and, at times, painful situations the characters find themselves in. For Caprianna, her heartache begins when a former employee unleashes rage and hurt on Caprianna's small office. This action sends Caprianna's life into a tailspin, further unsettling her already unsteady marriage. The plot is intriguing and readily moves the story forward. Yet, it is the skill with which Thompson digs into the heart of the main characters that makes Second Chances a deeply moving and rewarding read. Whether readers appreciate romance novels or prefer books from other genres, Second Chances will not disappoint. Thompson builds multi-faceted characters readers will pull for and hope to see succeed. It is this skill that allows Second Chances to be a story that remains with readers long after they have put the book down.

The third and last story in Secret Lovers is titled Detoured. This story is authored by Michelle McGriff. As with most human behavior, the desire to get what they want, what they think will bring them comfort, love and happiness, is what drives Detoured forward. Detoured tells the story of two friends, two sisters and the sisters' unhappy parents. More than the domestic violence in the story is the inability of the mother to untangle herself from mistakes of her past, mistakes that find her married to an abusive alcoholic, mistakes that cause her two teenage daughters to suffer. Rather than peel away layers of her characters to show readers the "why" behind the choices her characters make, McGriff connects event after event until the story comes full circle. Particularly noteworthy is the way McGriff allows readers to glimpse decisions they themselves may currently be facing, decisions that could impact their lives for decades, through the situations she plants the story's characters in.

After reading Secret Lovers readers may feel that romance comes at a price which may, in turn, cause readers to realize the value of introspection and not living impulsively. Even more, Secret Lovers makes it clear that even when we make mistakes, if we change our behavior, life does detour away from heartache and offer us irresistible second chances.



HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Hello Reader! Thank you for checking out Secrets of My Soul. Of my 3 book collections, Secrets is the first, and readers have told me that it is their favorite book of poems. I am really proud of this book. Although it was the first, I continue to read this book everywhere I go . . . schools, community events, etc. High school students love this book for its love poems. Female readers love this book for the encouragement, hope and lessons that it shares with the lady soul. Men love this bookb because it's honest and in touch with the identity of being a descent human being.

"Dare me to pursue this, to pen the secrets of my soul in Father Time's precious ink, royal black and memory gold. I do it cry the truest tear, for a writing heart never bleeds fear." I hope that you will be intrigued by what I do with words in Secrets of My Soul. I love alliteration and rhyme, but most importantly, I live to give meaning in each poem that I write. There's something in this book for everyone: man, woman, boy, girl. There's something for us all. There's a lesson. There's a lyric. There's life. Enjoy it!

Secrets of My Soul
Reviewed by: Wanda Starkes, C&B Books

Ms. Latorial Faison's, Secrets of My Soul, collection of poetry is uplifting - And a delightful ray of work. Intelligently written, Latorial explores various issues and plights regarding self, family, and the world describing them in words filled with spirituality, empowerment, love and joy.
I especially enjoyed the positive energy that I personally felt as I read each one of her poems. I look forward to reading more poetry by Ms. Faison's in the near future.


Her poetry is a wonderful 'Fruit of Thoughts'.

I finally read Latorial's book and all I could think was "these poems were written for ME!" Ms. Faison's words struck so many chords in me. Her poems spoke to my soul and helped me reveal secrets that had been locked in me since childhood. She is a talented writer and I can't wait for her next book!

Secrets of My Soul is an excellent book of Poetry. A real mind opening experience was created. Another rather interesting book is The Throne Room. They are a must. Happy reading!

Before I was an author I was a poet and Secrets of My Soul is why. I love words and the playful way that poets make words do what they say. Latorial Faison is indeed a poet. She had me from title poem and when I stumbled upon "Mirrored Soul," I knew I had found someone whose work I'd eat up...hungrily. I've also become a avid fan of haikus and #9 is my favorite with her wordplay with sun/Son. If you only buy the book for "You Never Did Own Me," trust that by the time you get to "I Dare You," you will be glad you did.

Andre Dubus never seems to have quite made the splash Raymond Carver did, but the two are similar in style and concerns. Carver's strengths and weaknesses are seen in this collection. I found most of the writing overwrought and overdone. Way too often I was thinking, "Oh, come on, no one thinks like that except a writer trying to create a 'character'." The occasional deft detail or intriguing quirk was lost in a level of introspection that would exhaust Molly Bloom. Good writing overdone is as bad as dreadful writing; the legs get tired from slogging through the piled on adjectives and morose reflections. And if you hated the film of "In the Bedroom", as I did, wait until you read its source. Even worse!

I was ready to toss the thing, but for whatever reason (psychotic completion syndrome, I would guess) I plowed on to the end. And discovered two mega diamonds. The final two stories would rank among the best I've ever read. "Adultery" is just about perfect. Clearly this is a geography Dubus knows well, and wow, does he portray it with devastating power. The small details pile up as we watch a self-absorbed Dostoevskian jerk destroy life and love while gaining plaudits and producing (we assume) mediocrity. What a story; it is easy to see how even fine writers become such megalomaniacal fools. And the conclusion, "A Father's Story" (a prefect title for this gem) wrenches and tears and torments the gut and the conscience. The two final tales show what could have been; the preceding ones left me, at least, annoyed and bored, and, when reading the greatness achieved, sad.

By writing the stories from every character's point of view, Dubus gave me an understanding of why people do the things they do. It sounds simple enough, but it obviously isn't. People we know or read about, suddenly explained.

Andre Dubus's stories, as they wrestle with the issues of religion, morality, and familial duty, captivate the reader with strong narration and elegant foreshadowing. They also employ various shifts in point of view, and sustain the reader's interest while taking detours for lengthy description and interesting back-story.

I just finished reading Dubus's Selected Stories for the fourth time. I've also read his other books, and I'm glad to report that Dubus is one of the few writers whose work can be read again and again with increased pleasure, a rare enough thing.

So many kinds of stories are packed into this volume -- short stories and novellas, deep character studies ("A Father's Story"), topical stories ("The Fat Girl"), "high concept" stories ("Killings"), stories with a deep knowledge of the intersections among family, sex, and faith ("Voices from the Moon"), stories that understand compassion and forgiveness ("Rose"), and stories that explore love in the midst of reckless violence ("The Pretty Girl")

Although many of these stories are thrilling enough, plot-wise, to keep you reading, it's the deep knowledge of the motivations, the pecadillos, the generosities, the anger, the unease, the longings, and most of all the love we are all capable of holding in our hearts, all at once, that makes these stories so worthwhile. Andre Dubus does not shy away from the dark places, and he writes his characters with such empathy that we are willing to go there with them, with him.

Selected Stories is an important book, and a book well worth a patient first read. I think it is a book that will stand the test of time. If there is any justice in the world, it will be read a hundred years from now, a necessary bit of news about what it was like to live in the twentieth century, no less indispensible than Hemingway, Faulkner, or Fitzgerald, and ten times as wise.

I was unable to finish the book all in one shot because I found I needed to stop and reflect in between stories, so moved was I--mostly because Dubus had a way of taking our simple understandings of the world--juxtaposing violence and innocence, faith and the faithless, priests and adulterers, sinners and the redeemed, the dead and the living--and making them complex.

I was bowled over by some of the first stories in the selection, "Killings" and "The Pretty Girl", which take horrible, violent situations and try to make some sense of them by offering the protagonists the opportunity for revenge. But the satisfaction in that revenge is fleeting for it takes almost as much out of those who have acted out of revenge than the original crime did.

"If They Knew Yvonne" is another story of revenge--except this time it is a young man who at one point seeks to wash away his sin (masturbation) by doing himself physical harm. He does not like that he is weak in his body and seems to believe that his sin taints the rest of his life. That is until a priest sets him straight. In the end, he is left reflecting on his two young nephews and hoping for a better understanding for them.

At his best, I think, is Dubus when he took the POV of a woman or girl. In "Anna" , the protagonist, Anna Griffin age 21, helps her boyfriend, Wayne, to rob a drugstore and is then weighed down by guilt (although she never names it as such--either she is incapable, unaware or avoiding the truth). After the robbery, Anna and Wayne go to their local bar and get drunk--out of a sense of exhilaration and fear. In a poignant moment, Anna walks outside to clear her head and briefly reveals her youth and, perhaps, her sense of hopefulness (which one imagines will never be fully realized)--almost as though she is reborn. With the money they have stolen, Anna and Wayne buy a bunch of things at the mall (instead of filling their fridge). But neither of them can fully enjoy these things as they imagined they would. They are still the same, poor desperate couple but with a vacuum cleaner, television and stereo. It would be easy to project their path as one of disaster, but Anna's hopefulness in the end leaves the door open for a breakthrough. In the Laundromat, she washes their clothes and seems to cleanse them both of their sins and bring them back to the beginning.

"A Father's Story" is the last story in the book and the only one I had read previously. It is deserving of its location and an intense and moving story--once again how man can become his own God and thus be forgiven for what he does to protect his children.

Still, the story that left me most breathless was the second to last one, "Adultery." It is a complex story of a husband--Hank (a writer)--and wife--Edith--who have fallen into an open marriage (the husband sort of springs it on her several years in that he believes in fidelity but not monogamy). For a few years, Edith takes revenge on Hank by taking several lovers, but he is nonplussed and brings his own girlfriends by the house on occasion. It is not until Edith commits adultery with the ex-priest Joe--whose frail body comes to embody their sin--that she is awakened. It is when Joe becomes ill with cancer and has his final point of communion (the night before he is admitted to the hospital for good they have sex one last, fevered time) that Edith realizes what she must do--still it takes a while for her realization to live and it is not until the very end that she speaks it: she will divorce Hank--thus signaling the death of her true love. She sacrifices their marriage to condone for the sins they have all committed.

What is most beautiful about Dubus's writing is his love of his characters. He seems not to judge them. He seems to see their faults, allow them their failings, ask that they redeem themselves and then offer them forgiveness. He is, then, their God--but not a pure God, not a God without sin himself. A God who can empathize because, in the end, that's all we really have that makes us human.

I didn't think it was possible. I really thought my choices were between a Nora Roberts novel where the heroin is always strong and amazing, slightly flawed but detmined, and inevitably promiscuous and/or immoral...OR a touchy, feel-good, moral-at-the-end yawn of a 'Christy' story. Camy Tang has done it with this book, a real-life heroin with image issues, insecurities, a strong will, bravado and a powerful personality who ultimately bows to the authority of a loving God. Coming from a fellow 5'9"-er who LOVES great stilletos and has used them mercilessly to gain height and respect...kudos! God is bigger than Jimmy Choo's and it was a great reminder that His plan is bigger than our resume'. As a former Silicon Valley exec straight out of the dot-com boom...it hit home!

A great read, and I'm looking forward to the next one!

Camy Tang's Single Sashimi was a fun, fast-paced read and my favorite of the Sushi Series! All Tang's characters come alive on the page, but I especially loved Venus and Drake. Their faith journey kept me turning the pages, pulling for their happy ending. Don't miss Single Sashimi!

I knew I'd love it! The cousins are back in Single Sashimi, the 3rd book of the Sushi Series. This story features Venus Chau, who's not only a beautiful and brilliant game designer, but also a serious Type A who loves her own space. Camy does a fantastic job exploring family dynamics that center around a strong matriarch--a.k.a. Grandma. Even if you haven't read the first two books in the series you can jump right into Single Sashimi with maximum enjoyment.

SINGLE SASHIMI is the third book in the Sushi Series by Camy Tang. Camy's main character, Venus Chau is a strong, independent businesswoman. But much of her strong exterior is a mask for the years of insecurities she carries around with her as an overweight and underappreciated teen. With her expertise in the world of computer gaming, she aspires to have her own company one day where she can showcase the cutting edge program she is designing. Unfortunately, Venus has several bumps and turns on her road to independence and success. When, by an unfortunate turn of events, Venus ends up in the employment of Drake Yu - a man she vowed she would never work with again - she is struck by the change in his attitude and demeanor. Feeling more confused than ever, Venus convinces herself this little detour on her road to success is only temporary and she needs to stay focused on the future.
In the same quirky style we've come to expect from Camy Tang, SINGLE SASHIMI is an entertaining book that accentuates the highs and lows of living in an Asian family with their many idiosyncrasy and traditions. While I enjoy this third installment, I would've liked to see more interaction between Venus and Drake. At times, I felt the writing was a bit formulaic (same plot just different cousin). Though I do not think this is the strongest book in the series, it was entertaining none the less.

Camy Tang has once again delighted us with a fast-paced and fun read. In this book, the third of a series, we have Venus' story. She's my favorite cousin so far. You'll love the laughs and emotions of these characters, including Grandma. I love how Camy brings to life the dynamics of family and of course the romance is exciting too. Be sure and read about Venus' cousins in SUSHI FOR ONE and ONLY UNI

Stories From Someone Older Than Television by Margie Zats with illustrations from Jerry Fearing is an eclectic collection of peculiar stories and creative oddities, Including eight fun and tasty recipes. Stories From Someone Older Than Television is a unique and humorous telling of tales drawn from Margie Zats' own life and memories. With a text that is occasionally enhanced with illustrations by cartoonist Jerry Faring, Stories From Someone Older Than Television is very highly recommended to all readers with an interest in funny biographical short-stories -- as well as those with an interest in hearty home-style cooking.

Stories From Someone Older Than Television by Margie Zats with illustrations from Jerry Fearing is an eclectic collection of peculiar stories and creative oddities, Including eight fun and tasty recipes. Stories From Someone Older Than Television is a unique and humorous telling of tales drawn from Margie Zats' own life and memories. With a text that is occasionally enhanced with illustrations by cartoonist Jerry Faring, Stories From Someone Older Than Television is very highly recommended to all readers with an interest in funny biographical short-stories -- as well as those with an interest in hearty home-style cooking.

A clever and fun read and perfect gift book. Margie's many offbeat interests and her self-deprecating style make for lively "chuckle outloud" reading.

Lookin' at the outside cover, and I'm smilin' already ~ I know it's gonna be a great book! With admiration, Kay

Stories From Someone Older Than Television by Margie Zats with illustrations from Jerry Fearing is an eclectic collection of peculiar stories and creative oddities, Including eight fun and tasty recipes. Stories From Someone Older Than Television is a unique and humorous telling of tales drawn from Margie Zats' own life and memories. With a text that is occasionally enhanced with illustrations by cartoonist Jerry Faring, Stories From Someone Older Than Television is very highly recommended to all readers with an interest in funny biographical short-stories -- as well as those with an interest in hearty home-style cooking.