Authors Books

This book has wonderful, colorful pictures that captivate my nephew. The story is fun to read and entertaining for him. The characters spark a lot of questions from the little guy which makes it a great book to read to him. He's only 2 and loves reading it daily. My older 6 year old cousin likes reading it himself and it's one of his favorites too. We'd really like to see more stories from the characters at Junkyard Junction.

We thought this book was very good, we all enjoyed reading this and have read it several times since receiving it.
The pictures are very interesting and the characters are so cute. This would be a very helpful book for any child moving to a new home and needing to make new friends. It helps kids learn how to help each other out when you really need it. Really enjoyed it! Wonderfully done!
When is the next book?

This is truly a wonderful book, with a great story and beautiful pictures. I know that my great nieces and nephews will enjoy this (as I will) for many years to come.

This book is such an amazing example of pure creativity that any child would be delighted to read it. Because of the imaginative quality of the entire book I am left to believe that the authors have a deep understanding of the imaginary nature or essence of childhood. This book won't disappoint you.

This is a wonderful book with great illustrations. It is the perfect Christmas gift for any child. This story about a little bug named Squirt finding a new home in the country and making new friends is great for all ages. I hope there will be more stories to come.

We get to revisit the wonderful characters from Deep in the Valley.

Dr. June Hudson,37, is still taking care of her friends and family in Grace Valley and still yearning for a baby of her own.

She is pretty sure that the job of OB-GYN will go to Dr. John Stone. He has moved his wife, Susan and daughter to Grace Valley and settled in.

June finds out that Blythe Culley has peppered Daniel in the rear with buckshot and wonders what has set her off. The Culleys have live in Grace Valley where they own a horse stables for the past 30 years.

Tom Toopeek runs his police department exceedingly well. His family is back with his oldest son, Johnny getting in trouble.

Jerry Powell, the therapist is called in to help Frank Craven.
They ran the womanizing preacher, Pastor Wickham out of town and they have a new one, Harry Shipton, who seems most likable.

Then we have a Paul Faraday, who claims to be a bird watcher who is hanging around Hudson House and trying to get to know Myrna Hudson Claypool. Did she kill her husband?

And more trouble - Daniel Culley is seeing Sarah Kelleher an artist. And interloper?
Birdie and Judge Forrest got more that they bargained for when their son, Chris came home with his two 14 year old twin sons.
Yup! those twins turned out to be trouble makers big time.

And June's secret? It seems that Jim Post has shown up a couple times and she didn't even get out her silver box.

This is wonderful country living at it's best. Everyone knows everyone and is willing to help if needed. It is close family feelings in this hamlet.
And then comes the big "accident" - Johnny gets to be a hero.
The pace is non-stop living action and human emotions. Wonderful!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - but don't stop there - now read Down By The River.

This installment of the Grave Valley Trilogy sets up a love triangle between the heroine and two men, both named Jim.

Grace Valley physician Dr. June Hudson awaits the return of her secret lover, DEA agent Jim Post, and gets a shock when her first love, Jim Forrest (yeah, two leading men named Jim...) returns to town divorced and ready to resume their relationship with his rowdy teenage sons in tow. Since she has remained single, everyone in town assumes she'll take up with Forrest, but she'd rather wait for the other Jim. When mysterious bones turn up, finally the small town has something else to keep them occupied besides her love life.

Not realizing that this story was part of a series, I was at a disadvantage. Undeveloped characters kept popping up in the story, and felt out of place. One main character was absent throughout most of the novel. And the romance itself was minimal. When compared to her later novels like "Never too Late," this one just falls short at 2.5 stars.

Very Good Book...She has you crying on one page & laughing on the nest one. I agree with Debbie Macomber..."Robyn Carr writes books that touch the heart and the funny bone."

What a wonderful series! I started Deep in The Valley on Sat. morning, finished Just Over the Mountain on Sun. at midnight, I just didn't want to put the books down; can't wait to start Down By the River and see what happens next. Dr. June, John, Elmer -all the characters are so well developed, and Jim Post, whew, wouldn't I like him to show up at my place in the middle of the night! Five stars all the way!

If you read just one book this year, make it this one. Barbara Haines Howett's book is that good.

Patty Hardin
author of Devil In Her Arms

Ladies of the Borobudur, is a series of linked stories as rich and complex as its setting, 1976 Jakarta. At that time, Pertamina--Indonesia's national oil company and the hope of a stable Indonesian economy--was reeling from appalling levels of debt as well as widespread mismanagement and corruption. To bolster itself, Pertamina partnered with predominantly French and U.S. oil corporations. This ensured a large, expatriate population in the capital city of Jakarta. It also ensured that numerous corporate wives would be thrust into a very traditional society at the height of the modern women's movement. Ladies thoroughly explores what happens when women find themselves in unfamiliar surroundings isolated from familiar tempering forces. "Strangeness" acts as a catalyst, and women's responses are faster, deeper, wilder than they would be at home. While culture-clash is a concept that permeates the book, for expat corporate wives of that era it is a truth denied, only spoken of in whispers; coping only gets them so far, and when it fails, all hell breaks loose. And that makes for fine reading and a meaningful understanding of the pressures on real women in the 1970s.

Howett covers a tremendous amount of ground. Ladies of the Borobudur offers up ten linked stories about nine women who acclimate to Jakarta at the Hotel Borobudur. The common location is a grounding thread, while the linked-story format allows exploration of numerous themes: control, re-invention, escapism, coping, pretense, belonging, fear (especially expressed as anger), victimhood, loss and grief, duality, abandonment, isolation.

Ladies of the Borobudur offers so much--terrific writing, great characters, and a very broad spectrum of themes. Reading it is an enriching experience--I've done it twice so far. Howett is a wonderful wordsmith who gives us an intimate look at real women during a central moment in the history of the women's movement. She puts traditional women under pressure during a time of change, adds catalyst, and shows us what happens. It is sobering, funny, and meaningful. Howett lived through this, and thank God kept her eyes wide open while she did. Her observations are priceless.

Author Barbara Howett takes the reader on a tour through the lives of the wives of American oil industry workers who, in 1976 A.D., are taking up residence at the Hotel Borobudur in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Lisa, Maddy, Sharon, Lexie, Srikandi, Ohney, Lila, Edythe, Katherine, Miriam: These wives cultivate relationships with one another, with the citizens of Jakarta, and especially the employees of the hotel.

The text explores the relationships between the wives and their families and friends left behind in the United States as well. Auhtor Howett demonstrates her prose and exalts the reader in her crisp, and tantalizing details that create the background in which this tropical narrative takes place.

Great book. Five stars.

The ladies in this book all lead very different, but interrelated lives. Their stories, as Barbara wrote them, grabbed my attention and pulled me into their lives until she ended each one with a new twist. I had to read each story in one sitting as a new adventure. I couldn't wait to begin the next one. Her last statement in the book, "Take along what has meaning for you now and leave the rest for another time" sums up the feelings I was left with at the end of each story. I'm sure as I reread the book, I will find new meanings and adventures that I missed the first time. I'm looking forward to meeting more ladies of the Borobudur.

Not being a real avid reader of ficiton novels, I wasn't quite sure if this book was for me. But, I suddenly found myself pleasantly surprised and caught up in this book and I looked forward to picking it up to read. In this book, Barbara takes me to Indonesia and really makes me feel like I am right there. The Ladies of the Borobudur all have very different and interesting lives. I easily became pulled into their stories and their lives, which became so real to me. I could not stop reading to find out more about their adventures. This was a good read for me and I look forward to more from Barbara.

Authors k.t. Frankovich and David Taub were invited to be guest speakers at the Florida Writers Association's 1st Annual convention/Royal Palm Book Awards. It took place from Friday 25th through Sunday 27th, October at the Orlando/Altamonte Springs Hilton Hotel. They gave a one hour Poetry Presentation (on Saturday), which preceded the Royal Palm Book Awards dinner (the Book Awards took place later at 10pm).

125 guests, which included some of the 400 FWA members, publishers, editors, agents, book store reps, etc., attended the entire evening event.

Approximately 150 titles had been submitted, over the past 6 months, for just about every genre of writing imaginable. The 'judging system' had been incredibly carefully devised, whereby copies of submissions were sent out literally all over the US - every judge had no idea who the other judges were, and each one had no connection / relationship to anyone belonging to the FWA - its members or the FWA Board members, Officers, Directors, etc.

The 'scoring system' by each judge, for each book, was also very detailed - a list of criteria requiring a 'rating' for each aspect of the book, effectively giving an overall score book / per judge.

The judging took place over several weeks, and all the rating sheets were then returned to a panel of the Directors, and collated by them PLUS overseen and notarised by an attorney! The collating of each book's scores, alone, took 17 hours! A small number of genre categories had been pre-determined, so that each genre category would have its own award - a Winner and Runner-up per category. THEN, finally, an overall "Best Book of the Year" award.

For the Poetry category, there were approximately 40 books entered. Language of Souls walked away with the category's Best Poetry Book award!

Then, the FWA's President and founder, Glenda Ivey, prior to the Grand Finale of naming the overall "Best Book of the Year" winner, announced that the overall winning book had achieved something wholly unexpected by the 'collating panel' - Namely that, while the overall winner had 'simply' needed to have the highest score of all the entrants, it had achieved a flawless 100% maximum score for EVERY criteria by EVERY judge. And so, this obviously can never be beaten - but only ever equalled - in their future annual book awards.

Frankovich and Taub were stunned into absolute silence, when it was announced that the "Book of the Year" winner was........ Language of Souls.

In a later interview, Frankovich commented, "While we are obviously elated that Language of Souls won this award, what has stunned us the most is that a poetry book out-scored every other genre."

This iz good but this iz not az gud az Flubblebop

Yim yam widdley woooo!

This book, consisting of the poems of k.t. Frankovich, Ruth Solomon and David Taub, is beautifully presented with illustrations by Freydoon Rassouli.

The poems are positive and hopeful. And they are written in a form that can be easily understood. I enjoyed them immensely.

Three super-poets,Solomon,Taub and Frankovich ,plus the artistic mind of Rassouli... Swept away to the serenity of Taub,ripped to realities harshness ,Solomon (of course) Frankovich's ,from tears to fantasy cropped with Rassouli's surrealizm,,, what's not to like?

It seems, from reading the other reviews, this is a poetry book spreading around the world. I am sharing my copy with some of my friends and the comments are all the same. "I never knew books were produced like this anymore!" It is like an oasis of beautifully readable poetry in the desert of obscure and esoteric writing, which has pervaded the poetry world over the past decade. I was lucky to find this as a result of reading the autobiography by one of the 3 poets - k.t. Frankovich and her book, 'Where Heavens Meet'.

Literary Law Guide for Authors is my 'gold medal'. I treasure this well-written and VERY easy-to-read book! I've written (self-published) a children's book and currently writing a spiritual anthology. In both cases, I desperately needed contract forms and from searching the internet and communicating briefly with the author, I ordered this book. The forms section (in addition to the CD) included every bit of information I needed to create and provide a professional looking contract. I just can't say enough of this book. TIMELY. WELL-WRITTEN. INFORMATIVE.

buy it!!!

Finally, here's an all-inclusive, easy-to-understand book about issues of intellectual property, copyright, trademarks, online works, the Fair Use doctrine, contracts, agreements, and more. By using helpful symbols and clearly written descriptions, these legal experts provide, in one volume, a wealth of information critical for authors to know. With a little patience, anyone can understand the information the Evans attorneys provide.

They also cover issues such as privacy, domain names, a brief history of intellectual property law, and information about pending legislation. I found the section on agreements for Publishing, Collaboration, and Licensing especially helpful. I did not realize that each book also comes with a CD-ROM containing sample forms and contracts-an extra added bonus that makes this book an invaluable resource all writers, new and experienced, should invest in. Highly recommended.

I had the absolute pleasure of meeting Tonya Marie Evans at the Book Expo of America in Washington DC this year and she is a smart, enthusiastic, driven woman. This book should be required reading for anyone wishing or thinking about writing and publishing a book. This book will help you understand the process in plain english. This book clearly explains complicated legal issues, offers examples and answers your questions. This is a book you will want to keep on your desk and refer back to again and again. I recommend this to each person who sends me a book to review or asks me any type of publishing question.

Insightful and Effective would be the best two words to describe the advantages of this book. This book lays out literary law in a non-complex way that is very easy to grasp. Dangerous publishing coups could be avoided by implementing all of the book's stratagies when applicable. The details about electronic rights has really enabled me to see the full value of my children's books. Since reading the book, I surveyed many author friends of mine who unbeknownst to them, had signed away valuable electronic rights that their publisher stand to make a bundle on. Also, being told the vast difference between copyrights and trademarks saved me a lot of money that I would have spent needelessly on protecting my products when in fact I had already taken the proper steps. This book takes the paranoia out of negotiating with publishers and has taught me the precious lesson of knowing that everything is truly negotiable, especially when it's your property at stake. I tell everyone I meet about this book.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I think it does a wonderful job of describing the law and legal issues that an author should know about if they are going to take full advantage of their work product. Knowing the information contained in this book will most assuredly help a small business owner who creates publications to market her company and/or to provide herself with credibility. Definitely a must read for any infopreneur, too!

Interestingly the subject matter included in this book is fairly simple on the grand scheme of things regarding the law. I don't remember a course at either of my law schools that focused on this material. There certainly was a course on Intellectual Property, but that subject is larger than what this book covers. That course covers the real meat of intellectual property: Patent Law. Authors don't need to concern themselves with that subject.

My favorite parts of the book were chapters 2 (Copyright), 4 (Fair Use & Permissions), 7 (Trademark), and 10 (A Brief History of Intellectual Property). I'm glad chapters 3, 8, and 12-14 were included, too. Those talked about how to apply for IP protection with the US Copyright and US Trademark offices, as well as basics about the law of contracts and agreements.

I also enjoyed poking around the Net to learn a bit about the author. I only did this because of the way the author wrote her book. She included herself as part of the book's content. She is a somewhat young attorney who has an athletic background and clearly a drive to be a successful entrepreneur. The world would be a better place if there were more women like her.

I would have enjoyed the book more if it had not been ALL law. For example, while it is true that an author gets substantial protection from registering her copyright so she can sue and get damages. Most writings don't merit filing for such protection. I think it should have been pointed out that some writings don't really need the full range of protection, while others certainly do. If I write a 10-page ebook that helps me market my Web site. Do I really care if someone steals that from me? Probably not. But if I write a 170-page booklet that I sell at my seminars and workshops, then I better register my copyright because some real effort went into that publication and my seminars need it for credibility. I'd be at a loss if someone stole it. Things like this could have been included in the instant book being reviewed to make it better. 5 stars!

Lester explores writes a revealing and deeply personal memoir of his spiritual searching and arrival at the Jewish faith. I west extremely moved by his candor as he describes his efforts to harmonize the various facets of his identity, as well as his honesty about the pitfalls he faced on the way.

Jews believe that those who choose judaism are not converting, but comming home. Lester's work is wonderful in that it lets the reader join him on this home coming. He willingly reveals the pain and the joy of this personal awakening.

A wonderful read for anyone who struggles with faith and a great message that there can be light at the end of that tunnel.

I read this after I lost my father. This book was oddly comforting and beautifully written.

I am a multiracial woman who discovered her Jewish roots when her mother explained that she was Jewish and that I was named for my Jewish family from Eastern Europe as a teenager. I am now finding my way back to Judaism and my heritage and I've encountered the same hostility with African-Americans to the point I no longer associate with the local community.

Its very hard to be multiracial, black, and Jewish. But like Lester, in the end, I just had to find the courage to be myself.

I thought this book was excellent. When I saw this book in the library, I didn't even realize that he is the author of one of my favorite books-To be a slave. I picked up the book because I'm a comparative religion major and I learn best from autobiographies and memoirs-they make me feels like I'm experiancing the religion first hand. Though I was able to reinforce what I knew about Judaism with a visual picture from his words, I was even more impressed with his writing style. I usually read books that will help towards my educational goal only. But this book is a good read, just for its writing style alone. The way he describes his experiances, you get a clear understanding of what he's saying and feel like you know him and converted to Judaism yourself. After reading, I had an urge to visit a synagogue and a trappist monastery ( 2 places he beautifully describes in the book) and I will. I just finished the book today (Wed). I started the book on Friday night and with 2 kids and alot of work managed to finish it so quickly. I don't have spare time to write reviews but I felt compelled to write this one. I have respect for people who reveal themselves so candidly: those who use the pen to strip themselves of a false image. I recommend this to anyone interested in religion especially writers.

Mr. Lester is a great writer, and has the gift of objectivity about himself and his family, which is rare. His search for the way to connect to G'd is painfully slow, but joyful in its culmination.

George, known to me and the rest of his students as Mr.Flynn, is an amazing person and this is a wonderful book. Parts of it made me cry and others made me smile. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves to read about true love.

I know that I cannot write a good review but I loved the book. I am not fond of reading too many books but I started to read this when I was bored and now I have read it eight times! Mr. Flynn was my English teacher and I will never forget him!

The stories in Maggie's Heart are short, but each is moving in its own way. The book can be read in sequence or kept as a quick pick-me-up for those times when you need something to read, but don't want to delve into a novel. There is a gentle love of people and goodness that comes through in each story. You are left with a catch in the throat and / or a smile on your lips. In a word the stories are wonderful.

I know that I cannot write a good review but I loved the book. I am not fond of reading too many books but I started to read this when I was bored and now I have read it eight times! Mr. Flynn was my English teacher and I will never forget him!

This great little book brought smiles, a couple of laughs and a few tears. My favorite was The Last Amaryllis. It still brings a tear.

T. W. Hunt has done a good job of combining personal experiences with Biblical references to convey the process of attaining the mind of Christ.

I titled this review Expose because I think this is just what this book does. It exposes your inner nature. This is not for the NEW Christian. It would be a bit overwhelming.

As I went through the workbook I began to learn my pattern and ways of thinking. The book urges us or suggests ways that we can began to be more Christ-minded and it breaks down through scriptures Jesus Christ's ways of thinking. The author even gave some examples of his personal life experiences. There are activites in there that you can do to help you see your thought patterns. I think it made me more aware of how I really am. It's a growing tool for a Christian's walk, I would say, which is a lifetime process. Definitely a keeper that you can hold onto and refer to from time to time to re-evaluate where you stand and sort of check yourself.

I highly recommend if you are tired of drinking milk and are ready for solid food! Even for the seasoned saints out there, it really makes you check yourself if you allow yourself to be transformed and renewed.

This is a book that you need to take time/days/weeks/months to study, hand-in-hand with the bible. The Holy Spirit will convict you on what ever sins or weeds that need to be pulled from your garden.(mind) The lists that are recommended by Hunt, are an awesome tool to really get at those sinful thoughts and wants. Pray for courage to be fully honest with your thoughts and allow the Holy Spirit to do the awesome transformation of your mind and heart- to be closer to the our Savior.

This book is at the top of my "highly recommended" reading list. But, you don't just read this book - you get lost in it. The truths that are written within this book make you stop and pause in wonder. There is much to meditate and reflect on as you take in the words. A must read!

Like other reviewers, my copy of The Mind of Christ has been highlighted so many times, the pages look like they are in technicolor. Which is appropriate for how enlightening I found this book. T. W. Hunt uses examples from the lives of real people (including himself) to illustrate the life-changing principles taught, and lived, by Jesus. It helped me unlock not just the power of prayer, but the power of actually living the life of an empowered Christian. As a man thinketh in his heart, so also shall he live. I was particularly moved by Pastor Hunt's vivid description of the betrayal, trial, death and resurrection of Christ. Throughout his book, Pastor Hunt shows that our life won't always be fun and games, that real troubles come to one and all, but that having the Mind of Christ can help us successfully come through the rough (and good) times. Thank you for a helpful, inspirational book! Blessings to you!

Mountain Dreams is two books in one. Both stories are a delightful, fun read with wonderful touches of suspense/adventure. Be prepared for a ride of your life.

The stories in "Mountain Dreams" pack an emotional wallop. I enjoyed reading both of them. In "Five Steps to Flirting,"Regina Citrano needs a divorce---from her well-meaning Italian family! Can she find her own man, without their help, by learning to flirt? Tyler Novak doesn't think she needs any lessons. A fun read!

In FIVE STEPS TO FLIRTING and SUNDAY SCHOOL AND THE SECRET AGENT, Gail Kennedy creates loveable heroines caught in dangerous situations coupled with the kind of heroes women dream about. Wonderful supporting characters and humorous treatment entertain the reader from page 1 to the end.

MOUNTAIN DREAMS is two complete and completely captivating novels.

The first story is side-splittingly funny. In FIVE STEPS TO FLIRTING, the heroine is pretty and intelligent but painfully shy. She is tired of being the victim of her large, well-meaning Italian family, who try to save her from "spinsterhood" at the ancient age of 25 by setting her up on blind dates--which are invariably with Mr. Wrong. A magazine article --FIVE STEPS TO FLIRTING -- appears to be her salvation. Inspired by the magazine's advice, she buys a long red wig, a short skirt, and practices the techniques the magazine details in the Cincinnati airport....And is mistaken for a hooker by a drop-dead gorgeous undercover agent with the FBI. From there, her day goes downhill fast and hilariously as she inadvertently stumbles into a diamond smuggling ring and gets kidnapped, taken for a long ride in a plane with low fuel. The Cute FBI guy quickly learns not to underestimate the lethal potential of her hot pink umbrella....

The second story, SUNDAY SCHOOL AND THE SECRET AGENT, the hot pink umbrella-- now in the possession of a straight-laced schoolteacher --has its way to Las Cruses. The school teacher has a big problem. An unmarried 32, and goaded by the bragging of her former schoolmate about that schoolmate's idyllic marriage and perfect family, the teacher invented a husband. Living thousands of miles away, she thinks she'll need never produce said husband. Wrong. She is wrangled into promising to go the class reunion The cute guy, who changed her flat for her and who she's seen around seems like a good prospect to be her make-believe husband. . Sparks fly between them during the lunch she fixes him to thank him. He's very attracted to SUNDAY SCHOOL, as he privately nicknames her as he keeps her under surveillance. She reminds him of a prim and proper Sunday School teacher -- it's a shame she's really smuggling drugs, which she picks up on her monthly trips into Mexico.... This second story is excellently crafted. It has it's funny moments, but is more poiniant than the first. And has much more heat as a love develops between the hero and heroine. Ah, but the path of true love never runs smoothly.....

This book containing two parallel stories with similar situations and vehicles, i.e. umbrellas, aunts/relatives, mountains, is beautifully written and contains plots filled with humor naturally evolving from various situations, plus the fun of mystery and confusion resulting from misunderstandings and erroneous assumptions by the characters. This book moves easily from one storyline to the next and keeps you flipping pages to see how the characters will eventually resolve their feelings for each other.

A must-read book for lovers of gentle sensuality and romantic dreams with fun and happy endings.

Not only is this book a great story to read out loud to your child at bedtime, but it is highly educational. The rhythm of the story is perfect and at the end of the book is a dictionary to help younger readers learn their words. Read this book with your children and eventually they will be reading it TO you! And Murphy Dog totally makes you laugh remembering your own favorite dog. It's a very sweet book!

Murphy Dog Bedtime Story is just plain fun for children to read! The original art work enhances the text and helps children remember or figure out the words. The rhyme is fun and easy. Children will want to read it over and over!

My son loves to read this book, and feels great because he can read it by himself. The story is good, and the pictures are wonderful. We look forward to many more Murphy Dog stories.

I love this book! I am a dog lover and think this is so unique! This book is written from Murphy Dog's point of view. The message for all of us is great. Murphy likes who is and he likes his place in life. He gets great satisfaction from just "being" with his family, and takes his role within the family very seriously.
The illustrations are wonderful--very warm and loving. The text is easy and my daughter loves to say some of the phrases as we read together.
The dictionary and definitions at the end of the book are so well written. Words are defined in easy to understand ways. This author clearly understands how children think.
My daughter and I give this book two thumbs up!

Murphy Dog is not just another fluffy book about dogs or animals. The story is an engaging tale of a real dog doing real dog things. As a special education teacher for first graders, I feel that this book is powerful because the text is rich, yet very easy to relate to. The illustrations transform this great book into an absolutely fabulous book. They enable children to feel Murphy Dog deep in their spirits. This book will give you immense satisfaction at the end of a long day. It is sure to be a book that will make your child plead for you to read "one more time." I personally can't wait for the next Murphy Dog book to be available.