Suicide Books

Seventeen-year-old Cathrine has been feeling guilty ever since the death of her pen pal and best friend Kristy who was visiting from Scotland.
She goes to stay with her grandmother in California the escape from the town where memories of that night hang in the air. But at the church where her grandmother works Cathrine hears a strange voice saying her name.
Then she meets Noah a strange boy who everyone else ignores. He promises he can help Cathrine talk to Kristy.
But when she gets a gift from a strange old women...a warning of sorts she isn't sure about Noah anymore...What is it that he wants from her?

A very creepy and well told story about guilt, letting go, ghosts, and love.

I found the story to be very absorbing and thrilling. I was really interested in find out more about the car crash and Noah.
I came to care for the characters such as Cathrine and Collin, and wondering how their relationship would go.
I do wish there was more information on Noah, i felt like i wanted to know more about what drove him down the path he took.

Seventeen-year-old Cathrine has been feeling guilty ever since the death of her pen pal and best friend Kristy who was visting from scotland.
She goes to stay with her grandmother in Califorina the escape from the town where memories of that night hang in the air. But at the church where her grandmother works Cathrine hears a strange voice saying her name.
Then she meets Noah a strange boy who everyone else ignores. He promises he can help Cathrine talk to Kristy.
But when she gets a gift from a strange old women...a warning of sorts she isn't sure about Noah anymore...What is it that he wants from her?


A very creepy and well told story about guilt, letting go, ghosts, and love.

This is not the type of book that you should read right before you are going to sleep in a dark room. Just take it from someone who knows...

Catherine is grieving a loss, and she goes to visit her grandmother in Pasadena. I can't really tell you more, since I for one don't want to spoil anything. The book is short and sweet, and I guarantee you that it is as original and intriguing as any. The sequence of events begins to unravel right at the beginning, and if you're not hooked right away then you obviously don't share my same opinion that this is worth four stars.

This book isn't the best book i've read but it is one thrilling book. Full of chills by the presence or ghost confined to St.Matthews Church in Pasodina. The ghost lurers long dark haired big eyed ladies to live with him forever. He's killed over six ladies and has each one of them painted by him in a frame. He paints there picture to show that he loved each girl the same. Now he's lonely and Catherine happens to be there having a problem Noah, the presence can possibly fix by his love and his powers that each of his girls thought exist. Now Catherine is his next victim and she is warned by one of Noah's victims that got away from him, what she was in for. I recommend
this book to you if you like horror and fantasy. This book will have you guessing to the end if Catherine will survive and get away from Noah with his bone chilling tactics to have Catherine as his forever. In the book he tries to lurer Catherine back into her past of killing her friend which is spooky and horrifying.

This book ir really outstanding. Even at the first page makes you want to read more until you finish it. I realy liked this book and I bet anyone in all ages will like to read it too. It's the best mistery ghost book that will give you chills. I enjoyed reading this book and I will read it again!

Nonsense. There was no armed forces induction center at Clearwater, Florida. Inductees went to Coral Gables or Jacksonville. Clearwater inductees generally went to Coral Gables. No Spanish Gardens restaurant in Tampa. It was 'Valencia Gardens'. And no 'Outstanding Scholar of Pinellas County Award, either.' I kept encountering erroneous facts and placed the book aside as a fraud or sloppily written. There are parts of the book that seem to be lifted from other Vietnam memoirs I have read.

I attended Phillips University in Oklahoma in 1971 when a man came to visit our campus. He was a veteran and stayed in the dorm room next to mine while he checked out Phillips U. I recall the man but do not recall his name. One night I stayed up and talked to him at length about his military experience. He told me that he joined up to avoid the draft and was selected to attend Officer Candidate School. He was commissioned as an artillery Lieutenant and was sent to the 25th Infantry Division on the Cambodian border. He told a chilling tale of a battle he called Frontier City. In 1972 I joined the Army and spent a year in Vietnam as a medic in Pleiku. Years later I picked up the book Suicide Charlie and noticed that the author, Norman Russell, attended Army Basic Training at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, the same as me. Russell tells his story in wonderful first person prose that kept me riveted to the pages. As I read Russell’s account of the battle at Patrol Base Frontier City I had a strange feeling that I had heard the story before and suddenly remembered the former Lieutenant that told me this same story in 1971. Russell even mentions the artillery officer reacting to the NVA attack and lowering his guns to shoot point blank at NVA soldiers charging through a breach in the parameter. This was the same man that had told me his story. This is a wonderful book about one man’s personal experience with war. One of the best I ever read.

I bought this book in a store (sorry Amazon) on a whim. It was my first non-fiction infantry book. The title intrigued me. I could't put it down. It was well written, and contained savageness, compassion and hard reality like nothing in my cushie world. I'm now a big fan of infantry type memoirs.

I picked this book up pretty naive on the subject of the Vietnam War. I had just finished studying it in my world history class and it had totally intrigued me. This book gives a great, real-life outlook on the war. Norman Russell goes into great deal on just how he felt before, during, and after the war. The Vietnam War is a dark part in US history, but we should all read about it, and learn as much as we can from it- this book is a great tool to do so! Pick up this book and read it! You'll love it!

I first read _Suicide Charlie_ in highschool and even though I was kinda naive and immature back then I still liked it. The book has real-life characters who's names have not been changed and it tells of the damaging effects of war on a person's psyche, heart, and inner being.

In "The Unanswered Question", Kurt Leland explores the age-old questions re: what may happen to us after physical death - is there an afterlife? If so, what is it like? What might await us at the time of our death?

In order to explore such questions, the author discusses the information gleaned from several sources, including: NDE accounts, various books of the wisdom traditions (such as "The Book of the Dead), as well as his own out-of-body adventures into the place that he calls "Otherwhere".

It's postulated that NDE accounts can't tell the full story, because the individuals who experience them haven't gone far enough into the unchartered territory of the Afterlife to bring back a full sense of what it's all about - they may see a piece, but that is all.

The power of myth is also discussed, including the author's belief that all accounts of NDE's and other such experiences (including out-of-body experiences) can be described as myth. His idea being that just because something is myth does not mean that it isn't real & true, but that it's impossible to prove one way or the other.

Overall, I found this to be an interesting, thought-provoking exploration into the topic. As such, I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in spiritual ideas &/or life after death.

The Unanswered Question is one of those books that I realize I have been waiting my whole life for. As I read the material and integrate it into my mind and my life, I am feeling shifts in my understadning and daily "Ahas!". Leland combines accounts of his experiences in "otherwhere", and specifically what he terms the afterlife, with accounts of near death experiences, the Tibetan Book of the Dead and the Egyptioan Book of the Dead. For just that combination the book is fascinating, but Leland takes us much deeper than that. The understadning of how negative or unexpressed emotions hold us back, or keep us from growing into our soul's purpose is something everyone could take to heart. I find this and the information on how to do this to be the key behind the fascinating topic of the Unanswered Question. As I read the book, I feel myself connecting more to my own soul's purpose in this lifetime and, although not always an easy journey, I welcome it as I sink deeper into my lessons. Kurt Leland has done the world a huge service by recording his experiences and sharing them with us. His analysis and scholarly attention to detail leaves no questions unanswered, in terms of the material in the book. Because this book is so easy to read and so entertaining, I was not prepared for all the shifts that began happeing in my mind and in my life, but as I said before, I have been waiting for this book for a long time.

Where else can you find a book that is simultaneously a cross-cultural survey on the myth and philosophy of the afterlife and a strange adventure tale about a man's gradual introduction to the strange customs of the other side? Well written, philosophically rigorous, and very entertaining, this book will definitely influence your world view if you approach it with an open spirit.

My only qualms were that Leland sometimes hedges his bets too much in making his arguments appeal to scientifically-minded people who probably won't be interested in the book to begin with, and that the important concept of the "cosmic normative balance" isn't explained in enough depth when it is first introduced.

This is an amazing book! I couldn't put it down. Reading it provided a most powerful validation for me. Much of what the author recounted of his own explorations in the Afterlife resonated strongly with many experiences I've been having in the afterlife zones of what I call the astral plane during my own Out-of-Body experiences (or 'Adventures in Consciousness' as Leland calls them.) I've already ordered his previous offering--'OTHERWHERE'--and I'm sure it will be just as fascinating. In this book, Leland offers a 'triangulated' approach--he compares current NDE research, his own experiences, and sources from the Tibetan and Egyptian Books of the Dead, as well as Swedenborg's 'Heaven and Hell'. It's Leland's contention that the NDE experience--though compelling and valid in itself--might not be enough to go on when we're navigating our own post-death journey. His claim that NDE-ers may only be seeing 'death's threshold' seem valid to me. As both an OOBE-er and also having experienced a non-standard and ecstatic NDE myself, I found that I made much more of my NDE because I was already quite practiced at OOB explorations when this event occurred. This is an amazing title, and I highly recommend it to anyone seeking interesting and stimulating perspectives on the afterlife.

While it certainly does stand on its own, this book is to some degree a sequel to "Otherwhere" as there are a number of references to that previous book in this one. So if you are seriously interested in out-of-body exploration and the afterlife, my recommendation would be to read "Otherwhere" first. The difference between this book and the first is that this one is a more in-depth and scholarly look at the subject.

A lot of ground is covered here: There are Mr. Leland's own adventures in nonphysical reality which are compelling reading. In addition he delves into areas such as NDE's (near-death experiences), early Christianity, Swedenborg's "Heaven and Hell", Buddhism, and ancient Egyptian beliefs with regard to the afterlife--and then offers us his own relevatory insights into them. I personally found this book to be utterly fascinating and illuminating--and would highly recommend it.

This book is just what it says...celebrity death certificates. The one reviewer doesn't know what he's saying when he says it's a waste and the entries are blurry. It isn't true. Some of the certificates are OLD and handwritten and when copied this makes it sometimes tough to decipher but generally this isn't the case. If you have some medical knowledge, etc. you're way ahead.And if you love collecting death certificates as I do this is a wonderful book to have as there are so many bound together. You will find yourself looking for one, but keeping turning the pages to check out others. I spend a half an hour or more everytime I pick it up.

Mr. Steen takes you glimpsing into the origin of Hollywood personalities that have recently died and those deaths of long ago.

Frankly, it's riveting enough that once you start reading it-you can't put it down.

You find yourself poking through the private information contained in the death certificate and skimming through the bios and history of the deceased.

Can't wait for the sequel!

What a waste of money. The copies are blurry and in many cases illegible. It would help if there was some kind of guide to tell you what the questions being answered are. Also don't rely on the short biographies at the end as there are mistakes.

For any baby boomer, this book is a walk down memory lane for all the folks who kept us clued to the television or entertained us in movie theaters during our growing-up years.

It is one of those books that you hate to admit to anyone that you just couldn't put it down. As you go from page to paget, each name on a death certificate sparks a memory and many times brings a smile.

The biography at the end is a help too. I am gald that they did not try and put each one of the same page as the death certificate. That would have been a distraction from the certificate itself.

"Celebrity Death Certificates" takes a VERY different approach to examining the deaths of numerous celebrities by providing simple clean copies of their actual death certificates. I enjoyed reading these legal documents, which I found easy to decipher, for their bare bone facts. Steen's legwork saved me time and money digging them up on my own; there are literally thousands of dollars worth of documentation in this volume if one wanted to start a similar collection. Steen, a death care professional, refrains from making editorial comments which works nicely within this format. The array of celebrities is diverse, 182 in all, and he includes many "posthumous reunions" such as the cast of "I Love Lucy," husband and wife teams like Ozzie & Harriet Nelson and George Burns & Gracie Allen; dueling gossip columnists Hedda Hopper and Louella Parsons; the list goes on and on. This book stands out as THE conversation piece on my Hollywood history library shelves. I'm looking forward to purchasing and perusing Vol. 2 later this year.

It takes a strong writer, Jennifer Doke AKA Ms. Lippy, to write such a strong story about such a strong character. Shea McConnell, suffering from a mental illness and walking the road less traveled, made her way through obsession, divorce and motherhood. Jennifer Doke writes a great description of the life of a single mother battling life issues and overcoming them. The strength and reality of this book is tremendous. Not only is each scene distinctly set, but the story is told with enough information for anyone to relate to. My favorite thing about this extravagant story is that it doesn't leave you wondering. At the end of this book you are satisfied with every loop you were sent through, because it is then that you are given a finish line. After reading Closer, you won't be wondering about a sequal or where Shea's life is going, for you are given a definite end. As I said, you are satisfied with your reading.

The book,"Closer", by Jennifer Doke was a most interesting story about a young woman's obsession with a love interest from her past. I found the story a little slow to get into the first few chapters, but then the pace really picked up. For her first published book, I think Jennifer did a great job of being extremely descriptive of life situations and relationships with people. I felt like I was right there. Shea's relationship with her father and her son, Everett, were very touching.

You'll have to read this book yourself to find out why I couldn't put it down! I highly recommend it!!

It takes a strong writer, Jennifer Doke AKA Ms. Lippy, to write such a strong story about such a strong character. Shea McConnell, suffering from a mental illness and walking the road less traveled, made her way through obsession, divorce and motherhood. Jennifer Doke writes a great description of the life of a single mother battling life issues and overcoming them. The strength and reality of this book is tremendous. Not only is each scene distinctly set, but the story is told with enough information for anyone to relate to. My favorite thing about this extravagant story is that it doesn't leave you wondering. At the end of this book you are satisfied with every loop you were sent through, because it is then that you are given a finish line. After reading Closer, you won't be wondering about a sequal or where Shea's life is going, for you are given a definite end. As I said, you are satisfied with your reading.

Jennifer has written a novel full of life and color.
It's easy to relate to, because we have all had a "past love."
She draws the reader with her wonderful writing style.
Sure to please. I recommend this book to anyone that likes a good read!

I congratulate Jennifer Doke on her ability to draw the reader into her story. Before long you are emphathising with her characters. Once into the book it was impossible to put down. Looking forward to reading more from this author.

Fantastic read. Amy, this is excellent for those who need to know that others go through what they go through --- and are VICTORIOUS. God is REAL!

Author Amy Hammond Hagberg wanted to help teens--her own and others--answer questions about God, including the big question: "How do you know he's real?"

Hagberg wrote to sports stars, recording artists and other celebrities, asking them to reflect on their life experiences and share how the reality of God was making a difference to them personally and professionally. The responses she received--from NBA players, Christian musicians, 'American Idol' contestants and others--are honest, revealing, and often compelling.

The resulting book is a collection of celebrity essays: mini-bios that focus on the reality of God in the midst of media attention, success and failure, and broken relationships. Contributors include Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic basketball team, quarterback David Carr of the Houston Texans, and popular Christian recording artist Clay Crosse.

Some of the interviews are especially helpful for Hagberg's original target readers: teens. Among these, Chrissy Conway of 'Zoe Girl' talks about her parents' divorce, the party scene, and the twists and turns along her personal career path in ways that connect with teens and with anyone who has ever considered attempting a career in music.

Hagberg is a gifted and skilled writer who keeps readers turning the pages as she unpacks celebrity affirmations of the presence of God in their lives. A great gift book for readers from teens through Gen X, but the stories here will interest readers of any age!

Note: Reviewer Dr. David Frisbie is an author and Executive Director of The Center for Marriage & Family Studies in Del Mar, California.

Armchair Interviews says: Anything that can help teens understand their role in living a good life is good.

This is an ideal book to give to people who have questions about becoming a Christian, and who love sports and music celebrities.

44 extreme sports and music celebrities tell their stories in this book, from Jonny Lang (recording artist), to Barlow Girl (rock group), Kimiko Soldati (Olympic diving), CJ Hobgood (surfer), Dwight Howard (NBA player, Orlando Magic), Mick Hannah (downhill mountain bike racer), Jimmie McGuire (professional motocross rider) and more.

They share hard times they faced, how they became Christians and how their paths are more joyful due to their faith. Being a Green Bay Packer fan I turned to Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila's story of growing up in South Central Los Angeles with a tough background, a Muslim dad and a Christian mom, and how his becoming a Christian led to his current happy family life and NFL career. Christian Hosoi, professional skateboarder, after serious drug problems, is now leading a skateboarding ministry.

The two page "God's Road Map" at the end of each celebrity's story contains perceptive questions and Scriptures. Sports and music lovers will enjoy this book, and it can even be a "past watchful dragons book" that will steer doubting people on a new clear path.

God Unplugged by Ammy Hagberg was very interesting. It is 403 pages long and was published in 2006 by Destiny Image. In the story top athletes, musicians, and also stars tell how god helped them get where they wanted to be and changed their lives.
In the story there were 44 celebrity reflections on true life experiences with god. Many of these celebrities have been extremely low in their lives and god has pulled them out of them. Also in some cases they have had no luck in there lives and finally achieved their goals after they gave there lives god. All of these people believe that god has either given them opportunities or even the strength to work through where they were to get to where they want to be.
I thought that this was a good book. I enjoyed reading it and seeing how god has changed all of these people's lives. The strengths of this book are that it has top named celebrities that people actually want to read about. The weakness of this book is that there is nothing to find out nest so you don't have a reason to keep reading. I did like how god actually gave them the strength to continue and succeed in life. The writing was very boring to me, but I liked the idea.
The book gave a lasting effect on me because I have a saint Christopher necklace that my grandma gave to me before she passed away and that keeps me safe when I race motorcross. So, I think that god has a great power on us. I would recommend this book, it will make you think.

Truly, this, and the book before this, are really awesome books!
** Why?
Because they give some very good insights into other peoples way to God. Not only that, if you don't know the Bible inside and out (and even if you do, actually!), there are quotations from the Bible explaining the why and hows, depending on the story of the person interviewed.
All this, with Amy Hagbergs very nice way of writing (down to earth serious mixed with a nice blend of humor) makes this book a pleasure to read!
Personally, I strongly recommend this book to everyone. It might be those who Seek, or those who have found, it doesn't matter, in my opinion! :)

I throughly enjoyed this first time attempt. The blend of historical events with fiction has always been one of my favorites. Ray McCoy endears himself to the reader from the first few paragraphs. His use of humor to get him through the horrifing events of dealing with the most famous serial killer of all makes this work all the more enjoyable.
I am a big fan and can't wait for the sequel.

Wright shows signs of the master storytellers of this genre, yet keeps a fresh originality that I look forward to hearing again. His voice is his own, unique and humorous. I AM Ray. Tell us more Mr. Wright!

John A. Williams, Crestline, California

Wright's novella 'Killer on the Canvas' grabs the reader by the throat from the first few pages and simply won't let go. He has taken the Myster-Horror genre down a new and exciting path. You'll feel every emotion as the characters try to unravel the mystery that starts in the late 19th century and ends in a small town museum over 100 years later, or does it? I only the sequel isn't to far off. Great book, well done.

This was a good first effort by the writer. The story is original and inventive. He left me wanting more from all of the characters. I look forward to the sequel.

Very good first novel. The story line is orignal and I never even came close to guessing the ending. The blend of historical facts and writers fiction is seamless. The use of one of my favorite paintings definatly drew me into the story...I can no longer look at it without thinking of this book! I'm eagerly awaiting the next chapter in Ray's life.

I am a 19 year old, I had bought this book for my 16 year old brother for Xmas. I was expecting something a little challenging, and with more of a plot twist.

I read it for myself before handing it over, with slightly high expectations.

I don't feel like the characters were developed enough, & the one severe plot twist comes so out of the blue, it wasn't believable.

It was an awfully easy read, with nothing all that substantial. The writing style was obviously adult in the sense EVERY typical teenage icon/cliche/whathaveyou was used..

It was just standard. Not bad, but nothing moving.. Cliche & DONE so many times over.

A spectacular debut novel! Adam Meyer writes with all the precision and intensity of a seasoned veteran twice his age! If one were to take the characters of FIGHT CLUB, toss in the sentiment of AMERICAN BEAUTY, and heat until it boiled over, you'd get THE LAST DOMINO. Adam Meyer is one writer to keep an eye on!

This book may be looked at differently by certain people but for some this is exactly how life in high school is. Full of pressure, persuasive friends, bullies, and as much as we hate to admit it teenage death, suicide and guns in the school place. This book showed all of these things and the explosive ending of combining it all. A compacted version of what I just said made by Adma Meyer, the author of the book, is "A troubled teenager. A vicious bully. A loaded gun. WELCOME TO HIGH SCHOOL." and as much as we hate to admit this is what people face day by day at their high school.

By placing a bully, a teenager, a persuasive friend and the voice of his brother in the teens head the outcome was bound to be tragic for not only the teen but for the people around him. We would find that with the help of Daniel and Richie Travis Ellroy will go to extremes that will put everyone in danger. Will Daniel manipulate Travis and if so what will happen to the troubled teen, the vicious bully, the persuasive friend and a loaded gun?

WELCOME TO HIGH SCHOOL!

Travis Ellroy hasn't had it easy, especially after his seemingly-perfect brother, Richie, committed suicide. One day, after an argument with his father, he fills his pockets with rocks and starts throwing them. One of them inadvertently hits the windshield of a black Taurus - the car of one of the most popular guys in school, P.J. After this incident, P.J. is furious with Travis, hassling and threatening him at school, and it doesn't help that Travis can't get enough money ($300) to pay P.J. back for the broken windshield, no thanks to his lousy, low-paying job at Coffee Time.

Furthermore, Travis doesn't exactly have the best reputation at school. He is a misfit who only has two real friends - Moira and Ross - and is known for being crazy and whacked.
His application for a promotion at Coffee Time is rejected, and instead, Jordan, a classmate of Travis's, gets it.
Travis's hopes of winning the affections of the prettiest girl in school, Koryn, are crushed, after he discovers his feelings for her are unrequited.

Then a new guy comes along - Daniel Pulver. Daniel is a tough, courageous character, who befriends Travis and teaches him how to defend himself against bullies like P.J. Not only that, but Daniel encourages Travis to be angry and violent - turning him against his parents, Jordan, Koryn, his best friends, Moria and Ross, and others. He fuels Daniel's anger - the type of guy who says, "You gonna take that from him?"
Daniel also introduces Travis to "The List" - of people who need to be shot. Ultimately, Daniel teaches Travis how to maneuver and work a gun.

Before he knows it, Travis's world is spiralling out of control. He's not himself anymore; he becomes indifferent; apathetic; more angry; more violent.
And then... Travis does something that will change the lives of the people around him - and his - forever. His irrevocable action is the gripping and suspenseful climax of this riveting story, leading directly to its chilling conclusion.

Adam Meyer has done a terrific job of effectively writing a harrowing, chilling book that will appeal to readers of a young adult audience. This book will interest males and females alike. Travis's voice is fresh, real, and it reverberates in your head long after the book is finished. His emotions and violent fantasies epitomize those who have been pushed to the very edge, whose last domino has fallen down.
Each character in The Last Domino is well-rounded and developed, making the story that much more believable. The characters in this book aren't characters that you will just read about and forget - even while reading the story, I found that I was concerned for these characters, that I actually cared about them.

I finished this book in one day - it was just that compelling. I even stayed up 'til 3am reading it, but I didn't mind. In fact, I had trouble sleeping even after I finished the book, because I couldn't stop thinking about it.

Evocative, riveting, suspenseful, and exciting, The Last Domino is an utterly fantastic book that deserves to be read by all teens. It is memorable; the characters are so real, so palpable, that you feel like you know them; and the writing is superb. It touches upon a sensitive subject, but it is written in such an effective manner that it isn't just a cliché. Adam Meyer is a young adult author to look for - he brings a whole new perspective to things, and I look forward to reading more of his work.

The Last Domino is a must-read, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for an engaging, page-turning book that you won't be able to put down.

The story opens in 2004 with Travis Ellroy, a junior in high school carrying a firearm. He rides his late brother's bike, knowing he "rides it for the last time." Immediately the reader is pulled into this very compelling, very intense story.

Travis had an older brother named Richie who committed suicide in 1998. Star athlete and favored son, Richie had been spoon fed a sense of entitlement from the beginning. He graduates with the Class of 1997 with people singing his praises years later. Indeed, Travis lingers in his shadow as his English teacher calls him "Mr. Ellroy" so as not to mistakenly call him Richie.

The boy has a punitive father and a disinterested mother, so he is more or less left to his own devices. The one thing that gets their juices flowing is when Travis sneaks into Richie's room, which is kept locked. Richie is treated like a spectral saint in that household.

Things take a toll on Travis. A girl named Koryn whom he likes does not return his interest; his nemesis, classmate Jordan is hired as his manager at a local coffee shop; Travis lies and says he has been promoted; he throws rocks at cars after being punished and has the bad luck to crack the Sheriff's son's windshield. P.J., the hulking thug never stops hounding Travis; he extorts more money from Travis to fix the windshield even after he has it repaired.

Enter Daniel. A cool, smooth, serpentine operator who slithers into Travis' life, Daniel grooms Travis to, in his words, "stand up for himself." He feeds off the latter's anger; he goads Travis into making some very deadly decisions.

A very intense, riveting book that will leave readers thinking for a very long time. The characters are well drawn; fully fleshed out and the story will indeed leave indelible impressions on readers.

Nancy Garden's "End Games" is an excellent companion book to this one.

A Review by Kristen

Sarah�s sister Kim is coming home from college for the summer. The only problem is that she is bringing home her boyfriend Michael and he gets Sarah�s room for the summer. Kim ends up getting a summer job so Sarah�s dad decides to let Michael help him and Sarah with their dog kennel business so he ends up having to work with Sarah all summer. So now Sarah�s upset, he get�s her room and now she has to spend the summer with him. What could be worse? Well after Sarah and Michael spend a lot of time together she starts to like him. But just as she is beginning to like him, Kim is no so in love with him as she thought. Sarah learns why, a deep secret Michael has in his past. Sarah tries to keep them together, but will this situation work out for anyone?

I enjoyed this book very much because it had romance, which I personally enjoy reading, but not so much that it gets old after a while. The book was full of surprises that I would never have expected. What I didn�t care for in this book though, was the fact that the book took place a lot at Sarah�s dog training job. I wasn�t to in to the animal thing so that part wasn�t enjoyable for me. This book was easy to read and not difficult to understand.

I really enjoyed this book. I feel it is a book anyone can read, a boy or a girl, though it might be more preferable for a girl since there wasn�t action or violence. If you�re not into romance I wouldn�t pick this book. But if you�re into surprises that overthrows the romance and makes it better.

A review by: Anastasia
A slave girl, who finds her life boring and dull, is stuck in the middle of the harsh service of Jade Leaf. Claidi, who is but a teenager, seizes the chance of a lifetime. When she escapes with a prisoner, she finds herself in the sandy, bitterness of what the House calls "hell". She faces many challenges, but wouldn't take it back for the world.

This story had many extensive ways of drawing you in. I mean, for one the characters were expressed how a person in Claidi's position would express them. Claidi describes her feelings and what she thinks of a person on a level anyone would understand. For example, when she describes the way she feels for Nemian, it's the same type of unexplainable words people use trying to express the inexpressible feelins they have for other people. She tells about Argul, the Hulta leader, how she sees him: " He looked... astonishing. I mean, he did look the way a leader should. A young king. Polished black hair and eyes, tall and lean and tawny. He was covered in gold fringes and coins, and silver rings and things."

I was disappointed by this book. When I first started, I was excited to discover that it takes place in Wisconsin, has a female main character suffering as a younger sister, and had a subplot of dog training (something you don't usually find in books).

But the characters were flat and did not truly develop throughout the book. I did not feel sympathetic towards Michael or his tragedy. Feelings and situations felt forced, and I did not feel a part of their family as I should have.

Michael, Wait for Me is a great book. It's about a family that trains dogs. Sarah Conelly is the main character and she is in middle school. She is the middle child in her family. She has a little brother named Joey and an older sister named Kimberlee. Kimberlee is coming home over the summer with her new boyfriend. His name is Michael and he's staying with the Connelly's for the whole summer! Sarah is very, very mad about this. Sarah will not be able to have any friends over for the whole summer. Sarah is upset but cannot do anything about it. She plans to ignore Michael for the whole summer. But, when she meets Michael, that doesn't exactly happen. Throughout the book, Sarah and Michael realize how much they have in common and become great friends. I think it is a truly touching and humerous story and everyone should read it.

Sarah, can't stand the fact that she has to give up her room for her sister, Kimberlee's latest boyfriend, who is coming to stay the summer. But as she gets to know him, Sarah falls in love with him while her sister falls out of love. I fell in love with Michael reading the book and wanted to help him too, but some pain is beyond help.

This book needed to be written. As a bereaved parent myself, I understand the importance of wanting to keep the memory of a dead child/children alive. Julia Quinlan's willingness to re-live the painful memories of her child's suffering and ultimate death show remarkable courage. She is indeed a very courageous woman. Her appeal to the younger generation of the consequences of dugs mised with alcohol is vital information. However, what comes through more in this book is the care-giving provided during Karen-Anne's (and her family's) ordeal. I admire Julia's honesty and her credibility in writing this book. She deserves to be heard!

I am trying not to be biased, since I am a volunteer for the Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice. The book is so wonderful in that it is such a sad story, yet told without self-pity. With all Mrs. Quinlan has accomplished, it is hard to imagine the agony she has suffered. And all the good that came out of it. A beautiful book.

An amazing book in which Julia Quinlan tells her life story and the circumstances of the famous Karen An Quinlan case. Mrs. Quinlan explains that her deep faith and family values help her cope with this tragedy, which is any parent's worst nightmare.

That she is able to retain her faith and love of God is a miracle.

A quick read.

Anyone who has, is, or might be involved in making " Life and Death " decisions for a loved one needs to read this book.

This is a beautifully written book about a family of seemingly ordinary people who, each in their own way, proved to be great human beings.
They were thrust into an incredible nightmare when their Karen Ann went into an irreversible coma.
The family's only concerns were to do what they thought was right and what they knew Karen Ann would have wanted them to do. Their struggle to follow through on their beliefs and Karen's wishes changed the world.
People are known by the company they keep. We are fortunate that this deeply personal book allows us to keep the company of Julia Quinlan.
Thank you Julia, for this wonderful gift.