Vacations Books

this is the first book i ever purchased about ghost hunting exclusively in texas. i was impressed with the detail that the author included in her book. every bit of information that you need in order to conduct ghost hunting trips in Texas is included here. i have purchased a couple of books after this one that dealt with texas ghosts but they fall short of Haunted Texas Vacations.

This is a fun-to-read, informative book full of interesting ghost stories. It can be used for informative, historical reading or for pure enjoyment.

After reading "Haunted Texas Vacations," my husband and I set out on our own ghost hunts in San Antonio, Spring and Jefferson and, I'm happy to report, we were privileged to experience first-hand a couple of unexplained phenomena mentioned in Ms. Farwell's writings because we knew exactly where to look.

Please give us more, Ms. Farwell!

This was my first really good book on haunted places. Anyone who is interested in local (Texas) ghost stories just has to read this one. I am planning my vacation around some of these towns and I am very excited.

This book is so well written that it held my interest for hours and gave me quite a chill more than a couple of times. The way the author put Texas in sections made it even easier to find a particular area I was looking for. Although I was looking for San Antonio, I found there are all kinds of interesting places in between and beyond. I intend to eventually visit them all.

I would recommend this book to anyone interested in our haunted history or just a great ghost story.

"Remember, ghosts were people too" says Farwell and what a cast: frantically romantic lovers, dashing Edwardian gentlemen, poor pirates, southern belles, war heroes, war victims, and even--well, what other state would his ghost inhabit! --John Wayne...

What great stories!

For example: the story of the 19 year old boy who fell in love with a beautiful girl in the 1860's...she had not only the beauty but also the warmth of a diamond. He proposed, she declined, he shot himself...in a back room of the Texas Governor's Mansion. The boy was the governor's nephew; and shortly thereafter, the family was forced to flee because of the fall of the Confederacy. They simply shut the bedroom door on the blood, guts, fingers and toes. The mess remained until the next governor moved in. Witnesses say the poor spirit remains, still in love, still sobbing late in the night...

Cocktail-party-chatter-sized facts are also included: The average sighting is 15 seconds, ghosts usually have no sense of time, most ghosts are heard, felt, etc. but only rarely seen.

If you like a good story, you'll love Texas Haunted Vacations...Fun! You might not fall asleep so easily tonight, but who wants to sleep when spirits are walking the hallway and shaking the china...

This is a great book to take on a trip to add that extra worldly dimension to your vacation. The book divides Texas into six regions. Then the specific location is discussed there are key symbols to let you know about such things as "Ghostly Missions and Churches" or "Most Haunted Location." It includes such subjects as "What is a Ghost?", " Ghost Hunting", and "A ghost Hunter's Tool Kit."

A place that is eerie enough with out being haunted is the Monahans Sandhills state Park. When you get out the dunes they seem to go on forever. However I sounds like the ghosts are more interested in the "Visitors' center building".

"According to legend the visitors' center a Monahans Sandhills State Park is built on the sight of a nineteenth-center Comanche burial ground. In 1967, two boys digging neat the building unearthed a skeleton, lending credence to the ghost story."

Harriet Evans strikes again with another wonderful read. I could not put this book down. I read her first novel Coming Home and I could not wait to read her latest. The characters are wonderfully written and the twists and turns leave you wanting to stay up all night and read until the end. I wish that we all could have a Nick in our lives! Read this novel you will not be disappointed.

I loved "Going Home" so much I couldn't wait for Harriet Evans' next release. This book does not disappoint. Her style of writing is wonderful, and thoroughly entertaining. It is a mature type of "chick-lit" and I would highly recommend this book. Harriet, please start on number three!

Great escapist read--I didn't want it to end. Good dialogue, well drawn out characters. One of the best books of this type I've read in a long time.

This book is everything I want when I read this genre. No, its not a literary masterpiece but it is a FUN read...predictable with enough twists to keep you reading and enough character development to make you care. If you enjoy movies like "Pretty Woman", then this book will hit the spot. I couldn't put it down.

I thought that this was a very good book that many 20-30 something singles could relate to. The bad relationships, the day dreaming that the server is your true love... Even though I'm married I still enjoyed reading this entertaining chick lit. At times, it is a bit predictable and somewhat annoying. The length of time things happen, too, is frustrating. Almost a year can be covered in a couple chapters. A month in less than that. Some of the characters weren't fully developed and at times it seems like they did a 180. It was definitely a good read, finished it in a day. There were some typos that I noticed right off the bat, for instance "Lara" instead of Laura, "he" instead of she, etc. You definitely get frustrated at Nick and Laura over SO many things...you just want to beat them over the head sometimes. Overall, a good read, but not something where you feel emotionally attached to the characters or are surprised at what happens next.

An Island Away was all it was cracked up to be: an exploration of a side of Aruba that tourists rarely see. I really got to know the main characters and the scenes were straight out of my childhood since I, too, was born and grew up in the shadow of the Lago oil refinery.

Who would have thought that the story of a prostitute, a couple of chollers, and a couple of hard partiers would be so compelling?

I'm writing this book for my good friend Rounette, who read the book and asked me to put the review on Amazon for her.

In her words she said: "I just loved it! It was fascinating to read about the prostitutes on the island and how they got started in the business...I didn't expect to read that side of their story.

I enjoyed the book, and the sex scenes were so well written, you would have thought a woman was writing them!

The storyline, the characters....they were all wonderful...I really liked this book. He's going to go somewhere!!

I can't wait to read the sequel!!!"

One doesn't expect this much quality from a first book. After all writing is a craft and practice develops it. However, Putkowski's first book An Island Away is well crafted and a riveting story. I couldn't put it down. The characters are developed early on in the book, so much so very quickly they cease to be characters and are soon very real people. What is amazing is how Putkowski was able ot get into the mind of a woman who is a prostitute, carefully describing how she might feel and react.

The book also had cinematic qualities, you could see the ocean, the sky, feel the dry breezes of Aruba, see the wonderful paintings by Andres on the little house's walls. Also, being from the Philadelphia area I can see Nate Beck taking his tug down the Delaware River. I can believe I probably passed his tug many times on my way over the Platt or Rt. 95 bridges.

Definitely worth buying and reading. I hear Putkowski is working on a second book and I can't wait to read it.

An Island Away left me with soul-searching questions. I suppose the biggest one is, "How far would you go to give your child a better life?" But there are others, too. Who can you trust? What is the truth? When is enough enough?
The book is mostly the story of a young mother from Colombia who comes to the town of San Nicolas, Aruba, where she works as a prostitute to support her family. There are scenes from the upscale tourist areas of the island, but the majority of the book takes place in San Nicolas which is a refinery town full of bars/brothels. Here Luz meets a rambunctious American expatriate named Sam who loves the island and wants nothing more than to live there for the rest of his life. One night they are on the beach together and discover another American, this one a tugboat captain named Nathan Beck whose boat was sunk in a storm. The interactions between these three characters, in a setting that is full of duplicity, surprises, and somtimes comedy, reveals the tough decisions each of them has to make in life. There are light hearted moments, which are a welcome relief to some of the more heartbreaking scenes.
Anyone who has been to Aruba will find this book a "must read" because it goes beyond the veneer of tourism and into a reality they may not know exists.

Having grown up on Aruba in the Esso (Lago)Oil Camp a generation before Sam, I am was struck by the book and the realities of my youth. A no-holds-bared look at the island for those who live or have lived on the island and a must read for those who plan to visit. Arthur D. Jensen, web master for [...]

This guide came in very handy when my family (mom, dad, sons 7 & 11) went to Kauai this summer. We found a number of good places to eat that we never would have found on our own. It would help if the authors noted if the restaurants had children's menus - that is a deciding factor for us when dining out, especially in an expensive location like Hawaii. I would definitely recommend this guide.

My husband and I were in Kauai in 1988. We have been back MANY times to the other islands but not Kauai. I enjoyed reading this book because it told of a few restaurants that were still around and informed us of a few we would like to try on one of our next visits. I found this book to be "top notch" and very thoroughly researched.....it sure makes our decisions alot easier. The authors are to be highly commended. This book is as good as their others!

I think its time for Bob and Cindy Carpenter to broaden their horizons and set out across the world to create more restaurant guide series!
This little treasure, Kauai Restaurants and Dining is a pocket book that is a must for anyone traveling to or thinking of traveling the Hawaiian Islands and or to Kauai. Packed with information such as: Diverse Island Cuisines, Regional Dining, Watering Holes, Hawaii Food & Culture Glossary the guide is as easy to read as it is helpful. Looking for the beachfront bistro, excellent views, leisurely dining or Island Icon, its all in this little gem of a foodie guide.
If you think Hawaiian Cusine is just about bananas, coconuts and the Luaus think again. First, Cindy and Bob educate the reader about the rich diverse ethnic cusines that make the island of Kauai a "food lovers" destination. Next in a brilliant and easy format the restaurant collection includes everything from hours, style, dress, phone numbers, prices and more to a menu sampler and their own impressions.
When in Rome do as the Romans do...when in Kauai check out the wonderful diverse ethnic cuisines with the help of this Restaurant Guide book.

This is truly a must have guide for those wanting to make the most of their dining experiences while visiting the island of Kauai. The guide is comprehensive and well written, yet easy to use and small enough to keep in my wife's purse while traveling around the island. The restaurants are broken down by region and category. Are you vacationing with your entire family, interested in seeing a luau or maybe you want to hit a watering hole or two. Those lists are there as well. All the important location info is included, with pricing, sample menus and most importantly, Bob and Cindy Carpenter's overall impressions. Most guide books will tell you a place is good or a local favorite, but the Carpenters have taken it a step further. They actually list their personal favorites. In addition, all the establishments in the book are places the Carpenters would return to. My wife and I thought that was great and found their descriptions and recommendations to be spot on accurate. Forget about chain restaurants, I want to eat the local foods, eat as many meals on/near the water as possible and experience the cuisines that Hawaii has to offer. For us, this is just as important as the sites we see. But what we didn't know (until visiting Hawaii and reading the Carpenters books) was how diverse the Hawaiian dining experience can be. It is truly an adventure and this is what the Carpenters so eloquently explain. They describe eleven different cuisines as well as provide a glossary of Hawaiian food, culture and seafood terms. The glossary was invaluable to us. I can't tell you how many times we referred to it while dining. As is written on the back cover of the guide book, Hawaii dining "IS the crossroads of the Pacific where cultural influences from around the world have converged to create a blend of cuisines unlike any other found on earth." So, for those new to the island, as well as the seasoned veterans, bring your appetite and this guide book...in my opinion, you'll have lots of GREAT dining adventures.

I am one of those people who does NOT live to eat, so I am anything but knowledgeable about food and restaurants. My top picks are often hamburgers and French fries, or pizza. When contemplating my first trip to Hawaii, I definitely needed help with where and what I was going to eat, in what I consider a foreign land. The last thing I wanted to do was to sign up for a guided tour, but with this book, I feel that I can survive on my own.

Since fine dining is not one of my priorities, I appreciated the numerous places, in the book, that offer very reasonable prices, and casual dress. The "Getting Around" section offers great tips in navigating this foreign land, and the "Quirks & Caveats" and "Cuisines" sections clarify the choices I will be faced with when I land on the island.

Each individual review gives all the necessary details such as hours, location, phone number, web site, as well as sample menu items, and prices. Finally, the authors' comments on "impressions" described the intangible issues of ambiance like the type of view I will enjoy with the meal, to help me make my choice.

After finishing the book, I can't wait to get to Kauai!!

Lucius and the Storm is a rhyming children's picturebook about a young boy who dares to stand up to the threatening black cloud with the potential to ruin his summer vacation. Though Lucius is beaten into a puddle, he rises again, and with help from the flame in the Smoking Stack, he attains victory over the cloud's oppression. The exuberantly fantastic color illustrations add the perfect touch to this whimsical adventure, told in the spirit of larger-than-life legends.

This inspiring story of courage and determination focuses on one boy's efforts to battle the weather. Lucius refuses to have his summer vacation ruined by an impending downpour so--brave soul that he is--he decides to take on the storm and fight to restore sunshine. The oil paintings are simply outstanding--moody, textural, and wonderfully evocative.

This children's book is wonderfully amazing. The artwork is fun and captivating... truly fun for all ages!

I recently read this story to my son's first grade class and they loved it! The vocabulary is wonderfully varied and sophisticated, but the kids enjoyed learning new words. They listened quietly (very unusual!) with wide eyes and actually cheered at the end of the story. A visiting student teacher told me after the class how much she loved the art work and the theme of bravery in the face of adversity. Even my three-year-old likes it and often asks me to read "Yooshus" to him at bedtime. I look forward to more amazing work from this author.

I bought this for my nephew, who very much enjoyed the artwork -- colorful, full-page paintings done by the author. The vocabulary and plot may be a bit sophisticated for younger children, so I think elementary-aged kids would appreciate this more. Nonetheless, an engaging story with terrific illustrations!

Got this book because it was on the Sunshine State Readers list for 3-5 grade. Problem: author uses language that is inappropriate for this age group. Several uses of the word "bu**" another "fa**" and several "b**b", which I find inappropriate for 8 -10 year old kids. My local public elementary school won't even stock the book. Why would Mr. Fogelin do this to an otherwise great kids book?

Both my husband and myself are educators and have had the pleasure of reading many of Adrian Fogelin's books. I felt compelled to write this review both in praise of Mrs. Fogelin's excellent stories, and in reaction the the posting below that complains of the offensive language used in My Brother's Hero.

First, let's make clear what we're talking about: the terms this individual is referring to are the f-word, and two b-words (that's "fart," "butt" and "boob" - yes, I wrote them out without the asterisks...gasp!). Of course, every parent is entitled to decide what is appropriate for their child to read, however, I would be deeply saddened to think that any one would be deprived of the opportunity to experience Mrs. Fogelin's wonderful stories because of (let's say it clearly) some extremely mild language.

Our children are growing up in a world in which anorexic starlets who flit in and out of rehab and forget their underwear are held up as role models; in which a University student can murder two people, compile and mail a deranged manifesto (which is later aired on national television), and then go on to murder 29 others and himself; in a country embroiled in war and fearful of an unknowable, ever-present terrorist threat; and yes, they are keenly aware of, and affected by, all of this.

Adrian Fogelin's stories, which are wonderfully written, are in direct contrast to all of the 'over the top' nonsense that has become our reality. Mrs. Fogelin's books are great because they show kids that it's OK to be who they are, even if what they are is chubby, or poor, or nerdy. They are tales of normal kids, leading normal lives, having friendships, confronting their problems and, here's the kicker, making the right choices, the hard, not the glamorous or instantly-gratifying choices. And yes, the characters do occasionally say things, like 'butt' or 'fart,' but isn't that what kids actually do?

So I guess in a long-winded way I'm saying that Adrian Fogelin's books are a great choice for any parent looking for something meaningful for their kids to read. The characters and situations are often funny and touching, sometimes sad or embarrassing, but always thoughtfully portrayed and in my opinion, completely appropriate for any reader of any age.

As good as the author's award-winning CROSSING JORDAN, this book explores such serious issues as friendship, responsibility, and heroism then laces them with adventure and laugh-out-loud funny lines. The story is absorbing, and the characters will leave you hoping for a sequel.

This book is the 3rd in a series ("Crossing Jordan", "Anna Casey's Place in the World", and "My Brother's Hero") about some kids from a North Florida neighborhood. They get a chance to spend time in the Florida Keys. The characters are terrific and very realistic! The story has things any 4th grade through early high school has experienced: The excitement and risks of adventure, the first dawnings of girl-boy relationships as well as the fun and anxiety of growing up, but don't tell the kids that! To them, it will be a great adventure story set in the colorful Florida Keys full of exotic ocean life! It has a great climax that will keep them riveted! I would recommend all the books in the series:: "Crossing Jordan", "Anna Casey's Place in the World", and "My Brother's Hero".

Adrian Fogelin has the enviable ability to spin an adventure tale in a strong character driven tale. She builds unique and fascinating child and teen characters and lets conflict build naturally with the characters and their circumstances bumping into each other. This is not the easiest way to build a plot in a young adult story--but it creates a bond between readers and characters that is seldom attained by most of today's young adult writers. "My Brother's Hero" not only has sea adventure and unique characters--it also has detailed nautical description of the Florida Keys. Adrian also captures the love/hate relationship between siblings with believability and humor.
This novel is enjoyed by both boys and girls in our middle school media center.
This is a good read. An adult reading it aloud with a child would
find much to enjoy too.

I bought two copies of this book for our grown sons at Christmas. We had taken summer vacation trips every year and they both had received cameras on summer trips. We all enjoyed this story very much!

I am using this book in my writer's workshop as an anchor book. It has great text both in fiction and non fiction. I love how the author uses the thought bubbles to help present different points of view. I can also use it to show my students how incorporate photographs along with drawn illustrations in their own writing.

This is a picture book about a family headed off on vacation. The mother in the story gives the kids an instant camera and a journal to record thoughts and images from the trip. Follow the family vacation through the eyes of children!



The kids in the book learned that pictures are nice to have but it's the memories that remain in their hearts that will mean the most to them.

If you are headed on a vacation with your kids this is the perfect book to read as a family before you head out!

This is a wonderful book. I wanted to get in a car with my camera and take a trip. I like how the camera pictures didn't really capture the essence of the vacation since they didn't have people in most of them. The illustrations in the book are filled with pictures and every picture made my imagination run wild!

Surely those between the ages of four and eight will love this book, but I'm 48 and love it too. It's a wonderful story about a family taking a vacation to the family farm where they'll spend time with their grandparents. They go to a memorial for an aunt and the kids meet even more relatives. We learn that the dead aunt had spunk and had chained herself to a tree to prevent it from being cut down (I don't think that's how she died). Who wouldn't want to read about such a person? The illustrations are fabulous. Even though it rains, the family plays cards, read books, watches the rain, waits for it to stop, then finally it does stop raining and the dad takes the kids to his favorite swimming place, but it's not that easy to find anymore. It's a book that goes here and there and you feel fortunate to be a part of the journey.
It's June and this book is the perfect motivator to take off on a family vacation.

This is an excellent book. It makes so easy to understand - all those complicated stock terms, author makes use of beautiful examples from time to time. It is a must have for every person who wants to invest money in stocks etc. (may be, except the ones, whose primary carrier is stocks or stock trading). I myself bought and sold stock over the last few years but never understood the terminology completely. It is nice to have it in my library - Thanks to the authors.

If you're a twenty- or thirty-something looking for an accessible, useful guide to investing, look no further. This is a great how-to guide to the markets, written in an inviting yet not condescending style. Buy it. Read it. Tell your friends.

Ever traded baseball cards or comicbooks? You?ve taken your first step in investing!

This book succeeds where many others fail: It does an excellent job of breaking into layman's terms the most complex investing and financial concepts, while at the same time making the whole thing completely relatable for someone who knows *nothing* about investing. That is a talent many wish they had. This is no mean feat when you consider all the jargon you have to learn. Now, imagine having fun while doing it! Wow! Eric Tyson, eat your heart out!

Sure, it?s been a while since this book first came out, so you know it needs a little updating...get over it! I still give the book five well-deserved stars. I appreciate the authors for writing such an awesome little book, as reading a book is a big investment of time, and reading this book was definitely worth it.

Share it with a teen or twenty-something you love, and give them the gift of setting them on the path to becoming investors.

Before I bought this book, I was probably like a lot of young people out there... ya get paid from work and you go blow it on the weekend with your friends at the mall. You just manage to get your bills paid off, and wonder why you can never seem to get a decent amount put away in your savings account? People, wake up! This is the time you should be saving for your future, or you'll regret that you didn't when you get older! I bought this book with determination not to spend every dollar I make and how to put my money towards my future. The book gives excellent explainations on the stock market and how it works, and even explains all those Wall Street symbols in a way that it's actually fun to read! It explains everything from savings accounts, to stocks and bonds, to IRAs! When I was finished reading the book, I was so glad I had read it when I did, because the later you wait, the more you're wasting time! I recommend this book to all! Read it and you'll be glad that you did!

There is absolutely no better tool in the market today. It's a great handbook for those sophisticated Generation X'ers, and an even a better tool for that worldly, younger new generation who are blazing trails right behind the X'ers.

Hey Boomers, your children, the N'Gens, are going to take the world by storm. With your ideas and their cohesive, cooperative energetic spirit, there isn't anything that they won't accomplish.... But without the financial skills so wonderfully illustrated in this book, your child will be left behind the pack. He or She will fail to live up to their unbelievable potential.

As an owner of this book, I can honestly attest to its value. I think it should be part of every high school senior's core curriculum! It is the only book that can make sure your child is ready to assist his/her peers in shaping the future of America and the World.

If your school board has not yet adopted this text, then please makes sure before your son or daughter goes off to college this fall that they have this guidebook to the world of life. America and for that matter the World will be grateful.

A Financial Analyst and Real Estate Investor (Cincinnati, Ohio)

A summer in the South by James Marshall is a brilliant book! I think it has enough suspence in the beginning to keep you hooked! I admire Mr. Marshall's type of writing because it lets you view the different types of perspectives in the story. Although the story has animals in it, It definitely keeps you more hooked than a regular mystery story with REAL people. If you decided to read this book, GREAT CHOICE!

When I rented this book form the library I had no idea how brilliant it would be! It got me hooked on mystery stories and ever since Ive read all of the Nancy Drew series. Why did it get me hooked? Its amazing illustrations, its realistic (althought animal) characters. I took it on holiday with me and ended up reading it at least 20 times! Eleno Owl is brilliant and I especially love the descriptions of Maxine the cook, cleaner and just about everything else at the small hotel setting for this book!

I loved this book! It was extremely funny, and the pictures add to it. I loved all the characters and the mystery. I give it five stars, definitely!

Gosh, what would the world be like without James Marshall? I shudder violently to think of it! Oh my, where TO begin? This is a wonderful way to introduce children to mystery stories---with an obvious plotline and easy character deduction. A mystery story for kids, set at the beach in the summertime, with Eleanor Owl and her bud, Mr Paws on vacation----or are they? The story is hilarious, with the characters as the odious flasher Foster Pig, the typical hypochondriac in the story is "Don Coyote," and silly squirrel twins. The Cootie family really IS a cootie family! "Fennimore Cootie" (tee hee) to be precise! Ah, and don't forget the Ladies String Quartet, consisting of large lady baboons.....this book is a must for any kid who will sit still long enough to make it through 27 short (whew!) chapters---but if they are dying of curiousity and they are hooked on the characters, you won't be able to put it down!

Like Winnie the Pooh, A Summer in the South is not merely a children's novel. It is instead a wonderful combination of farce and realism, just simple enough to engage a child, just witty enough to amuse an adult. Why this book went out of print, I will never understand. Perhaps because it was never made into a movie...

Ralph Kylloe did a excellent job of describing the Adirondack region and its homes. The photos are an inspiration, especially to someone owning an Adirondack home.

This is a must read for any who are interested in the Adirondack style, or in Camp Topridge, the great camp which once belonged to Marjorie Meriweather Post.
Outstanding!

"In time the Adirondacks became synonymous with rugged living, fishing and hunting, other outdoor activities and all sorts of rest and relaxation. It was because of the great camps and rustic furniture that Adirondack became a style until its own." ~Ralph Kylloe

After a brief history with pictures, Ralph Kylloe delves into the beauty of Adirondack design. There are magical items in this book you may never see anywhere else like the rustic and romantic bridge design, complete with trolls.

The magical computer desk and chair look like something out of a fairy tale. Contemporary boats rest in luxurious boathouses and small guest houses are nestled beneath the trees. Many lodges and camps are featured and show the ingenuity of design. Chairs made with boat paddles and artistic waterways flowing through wood decks make this a very intriguing read. What is most interesting is how the exterior is brought inside and how artist envision one-of-a-kind pieces of furniture.

This book would be an inspiration to artists, architects and designers interested in this classic style.

~The Rebecca Review

imagining yourself in the homes pictured in this magnificent book. Again, Kylloe has outdone himself capuring the pure essence of what a true home in the Adirondacks is all about. No author has a better technique on showing the reader all the rustic beauty thats out there far beyond our imaginations, by taking us on his personal home tours into some of the most gorgous beautiful Adirondack homes, most on lakes. He includes Adirondack history and again shows us in many of the homes the rustic furniture and decorating styles that depicks the true meaning of what life must be like for some to own these truely magnificent homes.