Florida Books

There are so many words to decribe Emotions. It was turly an enjoyable read. I like reading novels that make you think. Joi the main female character could be anyone. I loved the passion that Michael brought back into her life, but at the same time, I could see that the passion she had with Michael, it was the type of passion she once shared with Phillip (her husband) and long to rekindle. Emotions lefted you thinking that us married folks with some years under our belts, can still have passion, but just like anything worth having, it takes work. Yes Joi had fellings for Michael, but not only did she love her husband, she was deeply in love with her husband as well. It takes a strong couple, and a strong MAN to deal with what happened and get through it. I might be the only reader that was happy whit the ending.

Timm, I miss your writing. More importantly, I miss your friendship.

Fran

.........and self-discovery. Emotions by Timmothy McCann is a lesson on "things happen for a reason." Why do certain folks come into our life when they do?

Both Joi Weston, actress in the autumn of her acting career, and Michael Brockmier, an author in a musician's body trying (seemingly unsuccessfully) to live up to other's expectations, are two people who are instantly drawn to each other upon first site. Joi, however, is "happily married"....at least so she proclaims. Nonetheless, the chemistry is so strong, these individuals come together inspite of it all.

While Brockmier is in NYC dealing with the perils of the publishing industry, Joi is down in Florida trying to determine how to obtain some of her true passions as she aproaches 40 yrs. old. Can she be content as the wife of a politician (which is not too far from being an actress)....or, is L.A. calling her name to pick up on her acting career?

What I liked about this book is how the author was so vivid in his descriptions that it was more like watching a movie instead of reading a book. I also thought it was special to read about someone who was in her 40's; her thought processes, fears and dreams.

Inspite of all the pain, sorrow and soul-searching decisions Joi (which rhymes with star) has to deal with, you see a woman who realizes that no matter what age, we are always evolving.

This story tells us that sometimes we learn more from our adversities than we do our successes. This was a smooth, thought provoking read. One that's great for book club discussion, complete with a readers guide at the end. Check it out!

This brother knows how to keep you in suspense. I truly enjoyed reading this novel. The characters were great. The story line was great. It was just a wonderful book. The ending was not very realistic in by book but who cares. It is afterall just a book. I always enjoy reading Mr. McCann's novels. He never leaves you with a dull moment. Keep them coming and go out and purchase this book.

How Do You Say Good Bye To A Friend?

For seven years I have written professionally and for seven years you have shared with me your likes, and dislikes about my words. Sometimes I was able to move you... some times I was able to touch you... some times I may have even confused the hell out of you. But it was my endeavor to at all times make you think.

I have written my last sentence. And when I say that's hard to type as a man who once declared "I write for the same reason I breathe," it's true. Why? The industry is changing and I have not willfully changed with it. While reviewing a contract for a 5th and 6th novel, it became apparent to me that if I signed it-I would be signing away apart of my soul and if you have read me you know I would never do such a thing.

When I wrote UNTIL... it was written from the heart. It was a story I wanted to hear so I wrote it and the same holds true from each subsequent novel.

No, everyone did not love my work... but then again every one does not even love the Bible so this I understand. But for the readers out there who felt cut off when the site was closed down. For the readers out there we felt shunned when they could no longer e mail me their thoughts. For the fellow novelist out there that felt I walked away from friendships, I apologize. Please charge it to my head and not my heart because you will never know how much it means to look at AMAZON and see a note posted by readers from all over the world. To my author friends I felt like a divorced spouse... who's friends all are married. I trust you will understand.

Remember how you felt when you found out there was no Santa? That's how I felt when I decided to move forward in my life. I mean... my 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9th novels were outlined. I wanted to tell you these stories and I now I will only have them in the attic for my kids to read.

Speaking of kids. They are now 12 and 13 and as a single dad my days are numbered so I decided that it was time to enjoy the moments I still have with them.

But at the end of the day I was just a brother telling stories. You honored me by reading them as you honor me by reading this letter. For this I will forever be grateful.

In closing my first novel posed the question, "have you ever seen someone for the first time and just knew how much you missed them?" After writing this letter to you... after a seven year love affair, after having my heart broken by conditions beyond my control, after apart of me having drawn its last breath, I now understand....

Until...

Timm

This is the best WDW guidebook for planning and organizing your vacation at Walt Disney World. It reviews and rates all the attractions at all the resorts, as well as all the resorts and restaurants. The maps are very useful. Of all the WDW guide books, this one is best at helping you prioritize each day of your trip.

This book has answered just about every question that me and my family has about WDW. It truly helped us make our decisions about our upcoming WDW vacation.

I have 4 Disney books, and this one is the ONLY one that gives a complete guide to everything Disney! It's packed with SO much information and has helped me tremendously with the planning of our up-coming trip! You don't need any other book! (This is the small version that you can carry with you to the parks, they do offer a larger one that I wish I had known about first)

I've bought a few books for our upcoming WDW trip, and this one has by far the most detailed maps that I've seen. It shows where the restaurants are, the bathrooms, shopping areas, etc. so you can get yourself well-oriented with the layout of the parks before actually getting there. As far as the whole WDW complex, the map is not too bad, but I've been looking at google earth for that kind of detailed information - the proximity from the hotels to the different parks, where the toll plazas and parking lots are - things of that nature. This book doesn't have extremely detailed touring plans - just some general guidelines, but still a lot of very helpful information. It has some good tips and info regarding the dining plan - the breakdown of prices, which I thought was very useful because then you can straight up compare how much money you are actually "saving" if you choose to purchase the Disney Dining Plan. And it has a little journal where you can keep records/memories of your trip, and it's spiral bounded, which I love. So if your looking for planning info, it's great, but if you've already planned and want actual touring plans, you might be happier with a different purchase.

Loved this book. A must have if you are going to Disney for the first time or for the 100th time. Gave me lots of inside advice, great restaurant reviews, which were right on, and the maps were so much better than the ones you get at Disney. This is a must have. I will get a new one each time I go to Disney. I suggest getting it as eary as you can as it was so much fun to read and review before the trip. Made the vacation feel longer than just one week for me . . . .

Maui H.S. Another reason I love Randy Wayne White's novels is that the bad guys usually get what they deserve. It is done quietly and without fanfare, but those that enjoy the pain and suffering of others end up quite dead.
Ten Thousand Islands bring to life a murder ruled suicide fifteen years ago. The psychopath murderer is running for political office. (Not too hard to imagine for me.) Unafraid of anything and believing wealth allows you to do anything, the psychopath and equally psychopathic father aren't afraid. What they want they get regardless the cost, simply because they want it. (More fact in fiction.)
The twist in the novel is a play on the supernatural. Is it a soul mate? Does love truly never die? Ancient Calusa, powerful symbols, and black magic are intertwined in this interesting and unique story.
I love the ending. An Eye for an Eye!

This book was received in great condition. I have thoroughly enjoyed all Randy's books. They are the type of mystery novel that you can't put down. I laugh, I am entertained by eloquence that does not overtake the reader. I experience every part of southern Florida, its heritage, its geography, and its marine life in Randy's books. Since moving to SW Florida, I've also found them an invaluable source of information. Doc Ford is my favorite!

John D. Mcdonald - not even close.

I Soooooo wanted to have this be good. What a fine premise . . . a sophisticated dropout in the boonies. Fascinating possibilities abound!

But White is INCREDIBLY, NUMBINGLY VERBOSE. I do not care about what a snook spawn thinks about the moonlight during the summer solstice while barnacles grow on the bottom of somebody's boat which was built in Texas by some wetback during the summer of discontent when Batista was in power on the "Big Island" . . .

How about just a LITTLE action around the DRONE of White's contemplation of his (and everybody else's) naval.

This could be so, SO fascinating - but it is actually just so TEDIOUS.

Sorry. I'd LOVE for it to be a new love. It isn't

Note: I made some Mormon reader angry over my negative reviews of books written by Mormons out to prove the Book of Mormon, and that person has been slamming my reviews as soon as they are posted. Oh, well.

Your "helpful" votes are appreciated. Thanks.

I ask you, how can a person with a sense of adventure possibly resist a title like "Ten Thousand Islands"? It sounds great and it is.

Doc Ford is up to more adventures and a lifestyle that appeals to men. I mean, he's not married, he lives in the stilt house in Florida, has a lot of friends (some quirky like Tomlinson, a wonderful character), and he has a lot of lady friends. Doc Ford's background is mirky, a lot of it spent on secret missions for a CIA type of organization.

The average man will get lost most of White's novels, sailing away with him on some grand adventure.

I've enjoyed all of Randy Wayne White's novels. If you're not in the mood to read, then get them on CD. Ron McLarty does a super job with Tomlinson's voice! He makes him sound like Jack Nicholson--very funny. Tomlinson is a strung-out hippy type, whose ramblings contain surprising bits of wisdom. A very compelling character and friend of Doc Ford.

Also, highly recommended for men is "Sands of the Kalahari," by William Mulvihill, and "Cry Wolf," by Wilbur Smith. Both are up-in-the-night African adventures. Check out my reviews.

The Sands of Kalahari

Cry Wolf

Your comments--good or bad--are appreciated. Thanks from one adverturer to another.

Doc Ford is great! This book is hard to put down. Definitely my favorite Randy Wayne White book! Just when you think it can't get better he twists the story to add another element. Great read! you won't be disappointed!

As a voracious reader every since I learned how to read, I BEGGED my mother to enroll me in the Weekly Reader Book Club and waited anxiously for each shipment. This book was so interesting that I've never forgotten it. It's so full of quirky characters, a little mystery, and adventure that your interest never wavers and it's one that I've always remembered. I've purchased it for my own grandchildren and hope they find it as fascinating as I did! A really GOOD book.

I read this book every summer for years starting when I was a little kid. It stayed in my memory since and when I found a copy of it at a flea market in Pasadena, CA for some ridiculous price like $3.00, it had to be purchased. Had it been 10 times that amount, it would have been worth every cent. Same pink cover, same imprint of the "Weekly Reader's Children's Book Club" on the back, same engrossing story inside. Who wouldn't have wanted to go to Florida and have their own summer adventure?
And it's still enjoyable even at this late date.
My Grandmother owned a Motel once, so the basis for the book was instantly appealing.It wasn't too hard to relate to any of it as a child.
This book is a treasure.It cannot be recommended enough.

When I was young I read this book and it shaped my whole view of Florida. As a result, I ended up settling there. I don't have my own Pink Motel, but that magical place is still in my mind and heart even as I drive across the bridge to work in the morning.

A few years ago I sat across from a friend at dinner and was trying to explain my view of Florida. I started by saying "I read this book as a child and it made me want to live in Florida". Before I got any further she said "The Pink Motel" and I almost fell out of my chair. It was her favorite too. It's hard to explain but when reading this book, even today it sill evokes white sands, palm trees in the breeze, brilliant pink buildings against the blue of the gulf. Magic.

My hardback edition holds a treasured spot on my bookshelf and in my heart that no other book can replace.

What a magical book! The Mellon family inherits The Pink Motel on the Florida coast and moves down for the summer to run it. There they meet an assortment of regular guests and find some new ones. The children, Kirby and Bitsy, make friends with a local boy named Big and revive a bored girl guest named Sandra. Secrets, mysteries, alligator chasing, coconuts, wonderful treats from Miss Frith's basket, and some very, very valuable dog guests make for a lively and engaging story. For 1951, the integration between white and black children is natural and straightforward. This is the kind of book I would like to write. I sure enjoyed reading it.

As a girl, I loved this book!

Still love it. I have my hardback on my shelf, in it's pinkness, no dust jacket. Magical. The author, Carol R. Brink, also wrote "Baby Island," another favorite.

Read this a few times, as a kid, and always wanted a Pink Motel of my own. Just the other day, I told my dear Norman, Hunny, let's up and move to Florida, buy a little motel, paint it pink, and have each room different.. just like the book! Palm trees and white sand beaches are calling.. especially since it's been 20 degrees here this week, and miserable!

An adventure for kids. All my daughters read my pink copy. Buy it. Read it. You'll love it too.

I must have said "Oh my Goodness" or it's equivalent at least 10 times throughout this book. Once I started reading it I couldn't put it down and read it straight through without stopping for any reason. It took me one hour. This is a horrifying book. It appalles me that anything like what happened to this boy could happen to anyone, let alone tons of kids in orphanages. I'm glad things are a little better now a days but we still have more work to do. This book is NOT for children and only select teens who are ready for something as horrifying and sickening as this story.

I commend Roger for living through what he did, I probably would have just given up.

Orphan is a testament to good triumphing over evil and how one boy grew up to be adopted by the world. Author Roger Dean Kiser is a 54 year old, happily married father and grandfather who now calls Brunswick, Georgia home, but he once was a beautiful child longing for love and attention, a hug or a pat on the back; a prayer or a kiss goodnight. Things too many of us take for granted.

Little Roger also had beautiful eyes and wonderfully original ears that made him truly unique. Unfortunately he didn't know that and no one ever told him when he needed to hear it the most. What he did hear and on a daily basis was that he was unwanted, unloved, crazy and wouldn't amount to anything. That's pretty much what every child raised in the orphanage in Jacksonville Florida was told. But because of Roger's wilful spirit, uncommon wit and boundless curiosity, his guardians punished him with particularly cruel and unusual punishments. In a nutshell, they tortured him.

From beatings for trying to free butterflies to being forced to eat a personal letter that Kiser found that was hidden from him under the head matron's bed, there was no rhyme or reason to the punishments. Yet, within Roger's small frame of reference, this behavior seemed normal. And instead of spouting 'poor me', the young boy kept searching for, if not love, small doses of recognition, kindness and compassion.

Like so many children lost in the system, Roger had to find his own way to freedom. Although Orphan promises us he eventually does (no doubt, there will be a follow-up memoir) Kiser mostly deals with his years at the orphanage and ends with his experiences in Juvenile Hall at the age of 13.

I'm a tough cookie, but tears definitely dotted the pages of my copy of this memoir. I also heard myself laugh. Kiser has a way with words and knows how to spin his tales for maximum effect. Besides the obvious joy at his surviving such a brutal childhood, I suggest Kiser's gift is short story telling. The book is actually made up of short stories in chapter form. Because they are chronologically laid out, the result is a success.

Orphan was a roller coaster ride with all the expected hills and bumps you would expect, but a few less bumps would have made for a more satisfying story. Human nature, I guess. We want, no, we need to know people we care about are all right. And care about Roger you will. Reading Orphan, I wished that I could have entered Roger's little world, hug him, and tell him he was beautiful and that God loved him even when everyone around him didn't! The most satisfying part of reading Orphan is the knowledge that in writing his memoir, Roger Dean Kiser, Sr., has been rewarded ten-fold, with large doses of recognition, kindness and compassion. He deserves it

I had read some of Roger Dean Kiser's work on Heartwarmer's. Reading about his entire childhood in this book filled me with such a deep sadness. I can't imagine enduring the kind of physical and emotional torment that he grew up with. Roger is such a fine example of the triumph of the human spirit. It amazes me that after surviving his childhood that he could become a loving husband, father and grandfather. He's not filled with hate, rather he's determined to wake us up to prevent more children from suffering the same abuse. We can all learn a very important lesson from his life.

I have read many non-fiction books in the course of my life. This is the only book that has actually made me cry, and I am not exactly sure why. I am not talking about the crying of normal tears. I am speaking of the type of tears that (slowly) glass over the eye until a tear falls out onto the page. You stop for a just a moment and realize that your hand is now covering your mouth, and a almost whimpering sound is now coming from deep in your throat. If there was ever a book written that makes the reader feel that they are the child that is actually being abused; This is the one!

In the style of A Child Called It (the bestseller by Dave Peltzer), Orphan is told from the viewpoint of a child who endured nearly unspeakable horrors in a Florida orphanage and somehow emerged, spirit intact, to not only survive but tell his story with unflinchable honesty. The book is divided into three sections: Before, During and After,with the majority of the book (the During section) devoted to memories of the orphanage. With no one to love him and with repeated beatings, abuse and pain to love forward to, I find it miraculous that the author, Roger Dean Kiser, Sr, actually managed to make a life for himself after enduring the indignities of orphanage life. His memoir reveals in vivid detail how orphans were seen as societal rejects and throwaways and treated as objects, not people. While he was often beaten severely till he passed out, Kiser emphasizes that "it is not the physical pain that endangers orphans the most. It is the mental pain caused by stress from years and years of being neglected, pushed aside, disregarded, unloved and made to feel undeserving..." While I'd recommend this book as an eye-opening, even inspiring, read, I do wish there had been more detail in the After section of this book, the part that dealt with Kiser's life after he left the orphanage. This section seems rushed and abbreviated and there is little explanation of the life he made for himself as an adult - or how he got the courage to rise above his painful past to do so. He notes in the book's introduction that he has a wife, son and daughter-in-law and yet he doesn't note how he met his wife, how she felt about his past and if it affected his present life. After learning so much about his early life in the orphanage, I was left with plenty of unanswered questions like: How does a person who suffers so many blows to his self-esteen find the confidence to make a new life? Did he/does he suffer from painful flashbacks or memories today? Would he describe himself as happy or at peace now?

The Swamp is fascinating, relevant, timely, and compelling. It's not just a scientific study of the Everglades but a history of Florida. It's a must read for any Florida resident or anyone with an interest in the Everglades but anyone with an interest in ecology or American history should also enjoy it.

Unlike the broad and shallow Everglades, "The Swamp", by Michael Grunwald, is broad but deep. In a manner that is horrifying, entertaining, and informative, the story is broad, comprehensively covering almost the geologic origins of the southern end of the Florida peninsular through to the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, aka the Compromised Everglades Replacement Plot, aka CERP. At the same time there is a tremendous depth, from the lowest, basest greed of man, up to the loftiest and most selfless of man's ideals. Some goals for draining the swamp, such as creating arable land for food, shelter and the pursuit of the American dream, appear to be good, even if the plans and programs to achieve the goals are ill conceived, poorly planned and inadequately implemented. Most sides of the issues are treated with sensitivity, understanding and in a equitable manner. While a sad tale of man's relationship to the environment, some hope is presented. For the hope to blossom into actuality you need to read this book and act to avoid the mistakes of the past and make progress to the achievement of a sustainable planet for all of us now, and for our future generations. The Swamp is one really big canary-in-cage-in-a coal-mine.

The information contained the book will allow any reader to develop a comprehensive understanding of the historic and current circumstances affecting the everglades national park ecosystem health. It is also entertaining, a fun read.

Grunwald is a captivating author. The Swamp takes time to digest because it is rich in history but it's well worth it. It's interesting to see how history repeats itself.

The Swamp: The Everglades, Florida, and the Politics of Paradise

Once dismissed as a dismal swamp fit only for alligators, snakes, flamingos and Indians, the Everglades has become a battle ground in Florida's continuing tension between development and conservation.

In "The Swamp: The Everglades, Florida, and the Politics of Paradise," Michael Grunwald writes a well-researched and fluently written history of America's unique ecosystem. The United States bought Florida from Spain for $5 million. A hundred years later, nearly $8 billion was proposed for a comprehensive development and restoration plan for the Everglades that has yet to be completed.
Along the way, a cast of colorful characters influenced the story, including Henry Flagler, John D. Rockefeller's partner and the builder of the "impossible' railroad from Palm Beach to Key West; Spencer Holland, Governor Napoleon Bonaparte Broward, and environmental secretaries from several administrations.
There were villains: "Big Sugar" and other agricultural interests that wanted to dump (and still do) their wastes in the headwaters of the Everglades; the railroads, which consumed rights of way as political payoffs; and the "Plumers," - hunters who almost exterminated Florida's native birds so wealthy women could wear feathers in their hats. Andrew Jackson's administration fought three wars of attrition against the Seminoles in what was America's first Vietnam. And there were heroes and heroines: Marjory Stoneman Douglas, who started out writing public relations pieces for developers and ended up in her `nineties and beyond as "The Mother of the Everglades"; and Ernest Coe, another visionary environmentalist.

The Everglades, and a proposed Jetport within it, influenced the outcome of the 2000 presidential election. It has pitted the powerful sugar industry against environmentalists, but also forged strange political alliances including that of lobbyists for U.S. Sugar and the Sierra Club. Grunwald, a political writer for the Washington Post, interviewed dozens of current and former political leaders to get an insider's picture of the wheeling, dealing, and chicanery that went into the 2000 Florida presidential election in which Al Gore, the Nobel Prize winning environmental champion, found himself on the wrong side of the environmental fence.

In summary, Grunwald has done a yeoman job in compiling this important book based on extensive journalistic and historical research.

-- 30 --
Postscript

"Florida buys Big Sugar" In the July 7, 2008 TIME Magazine, Michael Grunwald writes that the administration of Florida Governor Charlie Crist has made an offer to buy the US Sugar Corporation,including over 180,000 acres in the northern Everglades drainage area, for $1.75 Billion. Grunwald notes that what Crist's deal can do is "change the political ecosystem." He adds "by essentially bribing US Sugar out of business, Crist not only frees up its land but also eliminates an implacable obstacle to restoration."
(Hopefully, similar arrangements can be reached in other states where agribusiness threatens the economy --timber, railroads,chemicals, and so forth)

My wife and I are planning a trip to DW with our 2 kids, her sister, brother-in-law and 2 nieces. As a gift, we bought 2 copies of this book for the kids. One for their family and one for ours. Both families really like the book and find the information helpful, but not enough pictures of everything spoken about for the kids to get really excited about.

I bought this book for a Christmas present for my then 2 1/2 and 4 1/2 daughters to get them ready for our trip to Disney World. They really enjoyed having me read them this book cover to cover. They still look at this book now. While I know it's geared towards the older crowd (8+), the younger ones can still enjoy it but with adult interaction.

Birnbaum Guides "Walt Disney World For Kids" should be your #1 book at Disney.
I went to Walt Disney World with my three grandchildren and two books. Fodor's "Walt Disney World With Kids" was the other book.Birnbaum's was by far the better one.It was more concise, had better tips, it was easy to carry and refer to.
I bought Birnbaum's book for the grandchildren and ended up using it myself.

Very enjoyable book for my son. We read a little each night so that when we go on our trip to Disney, he will know what to expect. Also, there is a ton of pages in the back for Autograph's with a place to put a picture next to it.

My daughter and son both LOVE this book. It gets them excited and shows them a little of what to expect. There are real kids' opinions and reviews of rides and attractions. My daughter very much enjoys reading all about Disney! She'll definitely be prepared when we set off for our trip!! I would definitely recommend this book to anyone!

Brandt Dodson takes a break from his usual characters and gives us a whole new cast. He knows the ins and outs of working all sorts of cases and White Soul is one that will keep you guessing until the very end. As Agent Ortega goes undercover to learn who is taking over the drug trafficking in Miami, he learns that nothing is sacred and there truly is no honor among thieves and those who break the law. The closer he gets to the leader, the closer he comes to being discovered and losing his life. The final showdown takes an unexpected twist and proves once again that all is not as it seems. This is a true tale of suspense, intrigue, mystery, and takes the reader on a wild ride into the underworld of crime that will leave the reader breathless.

White Soul
By: Brandt Dodson

Brandt Dodson has done it again. With his realistic characters, intriguing mystery, and keen understanding of police work, he has created another thriller.

FBI agent Ron Ortega, is new to the world of undercover. He joins forces with agents in Miami, FL and infiltrates one of the city's most prestigious and vicious gangs. No amount of training prepares him for the turmoil to come. Once welcomed into the gang, he finds there are expectations of him that will challenge his badge and his faith. When an attempt upon his life fails, Ron realizes the dangers before him. Temptation reigns supreme in this world of drugs, money, power and intrigue. Rom must face his greatest challenge within himself as he battles the desire to live the life he always proclaimed or take the way to wealth offered him.

Brandt Dodson wove story that will both intrigue and challenge the reader. Open the book for entertainment. When you close it, you will not be disappointed, but you will also find your own faith and beliefs a bit touched. I highly recommend White Soul.

I've been a Brandt Dodson fan since I discovered the Colton Parker Series. Now with White Soul, he has another winner. Ron Ortego is an undercover cop working in Miami. His wife wants him home. She's expecting their first baby and believes his place is with her. He's ambitious, though, and he sees this case as a career builder for him. Ron infiltrates deeper into the drug scene and is accepted by Ricardo Estevez, head of one of the most feared gangs in the area. Suddenly, he has good reason to believe he might not live long enough to make it back home.
Brandt Dodson just keeps getting better and better, and White Soul is his best one yet. This one has it all. Recommended.

This is my first Brandt Dodson book, but I guarantee it won't be the last. I was spell-bound from the first page to the last. White Soul is a fast-paced ride that will keep you on the edge of your seat all the way. At times, you think you've got the next action figured out, then Dodson does the unexpected and leaves you gasping in surprise - even shock.

Undercover agent Ron Ortega, our protagonist, has managed to infiltrate one of Miami's most vicious gangs and puts his life on the line. But he faces some irresistible temptations that threaten to destroy his faith. He has a decision to make: do the right thing, or do the desired thing, but as things progress, the difference between the two becomes blurred. As Ron says, "We're all faced with choices at critical times in our lives . . . and then we have to make decisions. There are times when it doesn't come down to a clear black-and-white choice, but more of a shade of gray."

Ron's wife, Libby, is in Chicago, expecting their first baby; Ron is in Miami following his own ambitions and the life he's always wanted . . . if he even survives.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves suspense thrillers. One caveat: It contains rather graphic violence and probably not for the faint-hearted.

This adrenaline soaked read kept me turning pages to the bittersweet end.

Fans of cop-lit should find much to like as they plunge into Ron Ortega's dual life as the undercover DEA agent becomes Ron Acuna, wannabe, and infiltrates the organization of a proud, suave and filthy rich drug Lord. What Ortega discovers will test everything he ever believed in.

Told in omniscient POV with plenty of juicy detail, the novel explores the underbelly of steamy, seamy Florida. However, in a step beyond secular cop-lit, the reader is able to experience the spiritual toll as the lure of money, glitz and power beckon Ron.

I would've liked to see a deeper relationship between Ron and Libby, his wife who is pregnant and alone, but I love character pieces. Those who consume plot-driven novels won't likely share my sentiments.

Warning to the sensitive -- Dodson peppers this work with grit. Squeamish souls may squirm.

I bought this book for one story but it turned out all of the stories were great.

Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings always makes me cry. The other reviews of this book here describe it so eloquently and throughly that I don't feel the need to add to that aspect. The book has a strong emotional pull that made me cry and made long to go to Cross Creek and see it for myself. Rawlings is one of my all-time favorite writers, ever since my seventh-grade teacher read the newly published book The Yearling to her class, a chapter or two each day after lunch.

Wonderful view of an isolated place in FL (near Gainesville) circa 1930 written by a brave, independent woman.

Cross Creek is a series of entertaining if perhaps embellished anecdotes relating to Florida in the years preceding World War II told from the perspective of a educated emigré from the North. Some of the language, which was typical of the times, would no longer be considered politically correct and might be offensive to some. The book, however is totally delightful and gives some insight into life in rural Florida at the time. An excellent companion read is Tom Glisson's The Creek, which gives a native's view of the same time and area. Both books are a must read if you live or are interested in North Central FL.

Rawlings explores the lives and interations of the odd assortment of people living in Cross Creek, Florida in the early 1900s. It is often assigned reading for teens, but I doubt that most of them can appreciate it. Her accounts of neighbors feuding and subsistance living gives us many lessons in human behavior.
The lyrical descriptions of wildlife and the orange groves and wild landscape are very appealing. Your mouth waters as you read her essays on downhome foods like hush puppies. She turned those into a cookbook which I'll have to try out.
Modern readers squirm uncomfortably at her use of the N----- word and her characterization of blacks as irresponsible, drunken, immoral, etc. It is probably a faithful representation of common thinking at the time it was written, so recognize it as a snapshot of the times. Then move past that to luxuriate in the beautiful passages in the book. (I deducted 1 star for this)
The reader becomes absorbed in Rawlings' love of the land and the creation of a home. It gives much the same feelings as A Year in Provence or Under a Tuscan Sun.

You don't have to be a kid 9-12 years old to giggle, shake your head in disbelief, and cry while you read this book--an adaptation of MARLEY AND ME. This is a testament to author Grogan's writing skill.

Grogan never underestimates his readers' vocabulary and comprehension of complex ideas. He doesn't "sugar coat" anything; kids and adults appreciate that. He relates his story through a full range of emotions--frustration over Marley's destructive behavior, worry when Marley is sick, and awe every time Marely does the un-doable.

I challenge newbie juvenile writers to craft their books as well as Grogan has.

Note: If you don't have time to read the longer MARLEY AND ME, read MARLEY: A DOG LIKE NO OTHER instead. You'll be glad you did.

Marley is a great book about a dog. He is crazy but still very cute. He is not obedient at all and when he's in public he is very naughty. This book goes from the beginning of Marley's life to when he gets really old. Marley is a golden retriever. He is so big that everyone is scared of him. When anyone walks into the house Marley dashes up to them and jumps up on them. This book is so good I couldn't put it down. These are some of the reasons I liked the book:

1. The book has to do with animals being treated fairly and I like that.
2. It taught me how much a dog can connect with its owner. It was touching.
3. The book was thick but I couldn't get enough!

There is just one thing that made me sad. I won't tell you what it was but I will say that it was so sad I actually cried. I hope this review helps you decide if this book is for you or not.

(Review written by Tysha)

This book is excellent for dog lovers. It spans the gambit from laughter to tears. A MUST READ!

In this condensed version of John Grogan's best-selling Marley & Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog, the author has written an adapted version of his life and times with his Labrador Retriever, Marley, that's perfect for younger readers.

Having read and fully enjoyed Marley & Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog when it was first released, I was a little anxious to see how Mr. Grogan would handle a shorter, easier-to-read version for the middle-grade set. Fortunately, MARLEY: A DOG LIKE NO OTHER is a fun, vibrant, and compelling read that even older elementary school students will enjoy.

When John and his wife, Jenny, first pick Marley out from a litter of pure-blood Labradors, they have no idea that their small bundle of fur with the big paws and blocky head will eventually turn into a 97-pound drool-machine full of nerves, excitement, and limitless energy. This short story (196 pages) is a testament to the trials, tribulations, and ultimate loyalty of a dog who ended up starring in a feature film.

Marley is the type of dog that you love, despite his flaws (and there are many!), and even the youngest of readers will be overjoyed to read about the trouble that he finds himself in on a daily basis. And, I admit, I shed a few tears towards the end of this book, but they were well worth it, because Marley was worth it.

One great benefit of this version of Marley's story are the numerous full-color photographs that the author has included. This addition alone makes MARLEY: A DOG LIKE NO OTHER an asset to your home library.

Reviewed by: Jennifer Wardrip, aka "The Genius"

Loved the book --it made me laugh, smile, cry. I bought three -- two were gifts and one for myself, which I also loaned to all my dog loving friends.