Canada Books

The book was such a surprise. I had met the author and was anxious to read her book; I was not disappointed. It was suspenseful, intriguing, mind boggling at times and worth every minute of reading. I could not put it down. I found it to be an unusual suspense story and not your every day ordinary material. The imagination put forth in the book is exceptional. I look forward to Fara's next book.
Clara Hunt

I had the distinct honor of knowing Ms. Spence while I attended military school at Thunderbird Youth Academy in Pryor, OK where she taught classes. During class we often heard her read a chapter to us and take our advice and input while she was writing the book. After the book was published I was able to read the entire book and fell in love with it. It really turned out to be a great book and I hope to see many more like it in the future. Best of luck Ms. Spence and keep writing books.

I was moved by this work of art!! Fara Spence is the next great author of our generation. "That Hurt Thing" is the most thrilling work I have read in years. She brings so much life to Nick & Lyra, I felt as though I were watching this unfold before my very eyes. Thank you Fara for giving the world this wonderful book. I can't wait for your next one!!
Fara, I am your biggest fan!

After reading That Hurt Thing, I cannot wait for Fara's next novel and it will take a lot for her to top this one. The book leaves you on the edge of your seat and its very hard to put down. I dont suggest reading this if you dont like murder, sex, and suspence. But I believe she's the next Edgar Allen Poe! I am proud to see an Oklahoman excelling!

This is the type of book that you don't want to admit that you loved. Reading it was a guilty pleasure. I knew I was going to enjoy reading Fara's book when I saw the quote from her mother: "I always worried about Fara, locking herself up in her room for hours, making up lies and writing them down. It's a bit shameful if you ask me. Hope something good comes of this." And it did! What a wonderfully inventive book!

THAT HURT THING is the story of a young man named Nick who finds a curious book in a used bookstore. He is immediately drawn to it's foil cover emblazoned with a scorpion and tulip and to it haunting prose inside. He becomes obsessed with the book and follows the directions within to procure a beautiful seductress and genie named Lyra. As with your average genie, Lyra sets out to fulfill three wishes for Nick. Unfortunately for Nick, Lyra is pure evil and fills his life with nothing but living nightmares.

Fara uses beautiful detail in her writing. It's just enough detail to make you feel like you're in the book, but not so much that you want to skip paragraphs. The book is very dark book and Lyra is the embodiment of evil. I did find myself having a weird nightmare after reading one of the strange, spacey dreams Nick has in the book under Lyra's influence. Regardless, I could not put the book down for long and found myself reading at speeds I've never before reached so that I could finish it before the sun peaked back up over the horizon. I can't wait to read Fara's next book.

Villa Fair is a wonderful collection of stories that have common universal themes integrated in a multicultural context. The themes of love, identity, tradition versus modern beliefs are woven well in stories such as Ackee Night in Canada, Segovia's Stories and Driving Through Red Lights. These three stories had characters of mixed heritage. Thus it was quite interesting to read how these themes were developed from a different cultural perspective. These stories were even more interesting because the endings were unpredictable, yet believable. Ms. Dyer writes very well. Her poetic and lyrical style engrossed me in her stories. I enjoyed the stories immensely and look forward to reading more from her.

Jamaica and Canada are the backdrop of the thirteen short stories contained in author Bernadette Dyer's "Villa Fair." The characters in the book are of various ethnic backgrounds and classes.

Of the thirteen stories in the book there were two that stood out in my opinion. These two stories are entitled "Driving Through Red Lights" and "Roberta on the Beach."

"Driving Through Red Lights is about Kamla, the child of Hindu Indians who have immigrated to Canada. Kamla was born and raised in Canada therefore she know more of the western culture than she does of her Hindu heritage. This is something that causes her parents great stress. Tradition states that women should marry fairly young, so at twenty-three Kamla is considered an embarassment and disappointment to her family. Tradition also states that the marriage must be arranged.

One day Kamla's aunt Rashna comes to visit from Bombay, India and she announces that she has found someone to marry Kamla. Kamla's husband-to-be, a future doctor, is named Lachman Ramsingh. He will come to Canada in two months to claim his bride and take her back to India. She does not want any of this, she wants to marry for love and live in Canada. The many twists, turns, and emotions make this a very enjoyable and touching story. As a reader I felt drawn into the story.

"Roberta on the Beach" is the story of the Douglas family, a poor working class family from Montego Bay, Jamaica. They are a family of ten, with eight children: Slim, Caleb, Sheila, Georgina, Elaine, Lorraine, Maggie, and Roberta. Roberta is the oldest girl in the family. When she turns eighteen and graduates from high school Roberta is contemplating her future, when fate intervenes. Roberta's aunt Melanie, who is her mother's sister, has written a letter advising her sister that she would like to provide a college education for one of her children. Roberta's parents quickly decide to give Roberta the opportunity of a lifetime. Little do they know that this decision will alter the course of their family forever. "Roberta on the Beach" is a good lesson in family and the strength that families must have to survive.

"Villa Fair" was a good read. The stories were good but not great. "Driving Through Red Lights" and "Roberta on the Beach" were excellent and if these two stories were complete books I would definitely read them. On the RAW scale this book is a 3.5.

Reviewed by Simone A. Hawks

This sometimes whimsical, sometimes mystical, sometimes nostalgic, and always poignant collection of short stories, is definately more than "fair". Bernadette Dyer skillfully navigates the immigrant experience, which is the common thread that weaves it's way through this great collection. It's colourful characters grab hold of your heart, and leave you wanting more. My personal favorites are "Driving Through Red Lights", and "Remebering Serge". Ms. Dyers voice is obviously steeped in memory, passion, and a rich and diverse family history, which act as jumping off points for her vivid imaginings, which she shares with us in brilliant detail. A definate must read for short story lovers.

Great book. The author took me through an adventurous travel too several different countries and cultures. One moment I felt I was on the beach with Roberta and the next I could see myself sitting on the porch at Villa Fair looking over the land. My favorites were Villa Fair and Blue Door. The author causes you to become emotional for these characters, so much so, it makes you want to reach out to them. The only reason I did not give this 5 stars is because I wanted more in the Blue Door and Villa Fair. I loved this book and have gotten similar responses from my book club following our review. We are looking foward to future publications from Ms. Dyer.

From the Library in Toronto where she works to the neighborhood in which she lives, Bernadette Dyer sees much go by representing Toronto's multicultural panoply. This clearly inspires many of the takes in "Villa Fair," her collection of short stories. Other tales in the book are the germinated seeds of her own multiracial, multiethnic Jamaican and Portuguese Jewish ancestry. The people in her stories mirror her own ancestors --emigrés from somewhere else, establishing roots in new lands, living through generational conflict fueled by the meeting of old with new, yet influencing the host country and/or culture which is richer for it, and will never be the same. For example, there's Kamla, the twenty-three-year-old Indian-Canadian narrator of "Driving Through Red Lights," in love with a young Canadian man, while promised to an arranged marriage with someone from India. A surprise ending has Kamla's parents and aunt facing cultural change on two continents. In "Segovia Nights," Carlos Fernandez captivates his listeners with legends, reinvented stories about a mythical family and past. The tall tales are indicative, however, of a far deeper problem. One senses that the author and librarian in the story are one. Jomo, from "An African Out in the Cold," is lost, then found again while visiting Toronto, as, unknown to him, his host has suffered a heart attack. His isolation and cultural shock are palpable. Then there are tales coming from the richness of the author's Jamaican memories. The story "Man Man" dances back and forth from spirit world to "reality," as the ghost of a drowned seven-year-old boy moves comfortably among the local people of a plantation, until a new anglo mistress comes to stay. Another from the Jamaican collection, "Ackee Night," show how a much aggrieved woman, whose man has threatened idly to leave for years, calls on a Jamaican culinary secret to keep him permanently from other women -- and herself. The ending takes the reader by surprise. The title story, "Villa Fair," also catches one off guard, yet this reader felt puzzled by its sharp, unredeeming ending. Is Thunder, the chief male character, destroyed as a punishment for straying from his promise? Does the exotic, the magical always win out over the more conventional path? "Leaving Faro," the final tale, is a paean to Dyer's Portuguese Jewish ancestors, who fled to Jamaica to escape persecution. The mythical and the magical touch many of the stories. "Close the Blue Door" tells of mermen who lure their chosen loves to disaster, while in "Six Little Sparrows," the same number of Pakistani children and their mother shape shift into the title. The author's Jamaica and Canada are pulsing, vibrant settings where her characters don't want racial barriers to exist. Her families are strong and loving, evidencing the blurred lines of racial identity. Several of the stories, such as "Man Man" and "Roberta on the Beach," satisfy in their present form, yet would benefit also as longer fictional works, with some of the characters developed further. "An African Out in the Cold" seems a fragment, and one wishes for more. "Villa Fair" is an entertaining collection of well-told tales. We await future works with interest.

(originally reviewed in Halapid, Vol. VIII Issue 2, Spring 2001)

I recently learned about Andrew Murray. This is the second book I have read of his and I plan to read more. He has a gift to simply show God's teachings as they are written in the bible in a very simple way. In a way I can understand and apply to my everyday life. I have found my spiritual journey grow in leaps from his simple teachings.

If you desire a closer walk with God, this book will inspire you to accomplish that. I have been greatly blessed by the book. I like its short chapters and its daily-devotional style.

"My soul waiteth for the Lord, more than watchmen for the morning; yea, more than watchmen for the morning." JPS Hebrew-English Tanakh: Pocket Edition

If I had to summarize this book in one word, it would be "RICH," for every page contains so much of God's truth that it has been difficult to select from among the pages and chapters to determine what to include in this review.

This pocket-sized book is arranged in a devotional format, in thirty-one short chapters, each about three pages long, each chapter covering a different facet of what it means to wait on God, which Murray sums thus, "What He asks of us, in the way of surrender, obedience, desire, and trust, is all comprised in this one word: waiting on Him, waiting for His salvation. It combines the deep sense of our entire helplessness and our perfect confidence that our God will work all in His divine power" (p. 16). Waiting on God, in turn, comprises both the active and passive elements of entering His blessed rest, the state into which He desires to bring all His children, not just in the hereafter, but in the here-and-now.

Throughout the book, from a variety of perspectives, Murray draws the reader to consider and embrace the truth of just how good God is, how we are in Him, and He is in us. In Chapter 28, "For the Coming of His Son," Murray writes, "Waiting on God in heaven, and waiting for His Son from heaven, these two God has joined together and no man may put them asunder" (p. 119). Murray goes on to describe the waiting of the Bride for the Bridegroom, not for expectation of the position or privilege she will gain, but because she loves the Bridegroom, the ecstasy of God's own love being a certain, inextricable part of that. And this is the sweet pleasure of waiting on Him, in tender love toward Him and toward each other, in true bridal spirit, even as He works in us to perfect His love toward, in and through us.

In the spirit of love, Murray anguishes over the "tens of thousands of professing Christians, who live on in carelessness, and who, if no change come, must perish under God's hand" (for God is a righteous judge of all, deliverer, and faithful avenger of His chosen ones) and he implores that we who wait on God warn them, plead with and for them, for God's mercy (p.85).

Every chapter ends with the refrain, "My soul, wait thou only upon God!" for waiting on God is never in vain, for He promises that "...they shall not be ashamed that wait for me" Isaiah 49:23.

Sadly, only a few of Andrew Murray's books are available in our local library. Murray's works are now in the public domain, and Whitaker House is one of the publishing companies that produces this work. This company utilizes the proceeds from these sales to sustain the company and to invest in exclusively Christian charitable works, including missionary works (I took the time to contact the company and ask the question). They offer many such works at up to a seventy-five percent discount. There is a publisher's note in the front of this edition letting the reader know that "The text of this book... has been edited for the modern reader." The full text (I assume of the original, unedited version) is available online, free, but possibly is not as convenient as a pocket book to carry around or as economical to give as a gift or use in group study.

I read my first Andrew Murray book Abide in Christ some thirty-six years ago, when I was a teenager and new believer. There was sound reason that book was required reading in the youth group I was involved with then, for Murray's exposition of what it means to abide in Christ had a profound impact on my walk from that time forward. Waiting on God has at least as much if not more potential to impact what remains of my life, for waiting on God is my rest and abiding joy, it is Christ in me, the hope of glory.

Wow! I bought this book way back in the 90's. But my Christian life wasn't yet mature, (still isn't), so I couldn't grasp what Waiting on the Lord is all about. We have been trained to "do" things, to take on "action items", to "Just do it".
I recently attended a winter conference by Forerunner Christian Church in Fremont, CA. They are a church that focuses on "waiting on the Lord" and to have an "inner life" with our Lord.
After the conference, I picked up this book again on my bookshelves, and what a new revelation it is.
In Isaiah 40:31, they that "hope or wait" on the Lord, shall renew their strength.... The Hebrew word of "hope or wait" also means to be bound together. After reading this book, I can better understand what it means to "wait on the Lord". It doesn't mean that we just Don't do it, but that we let God do thing His Way. If He along is the author of our salvation, could He not also master everything that we encounter in our lives?
The insights offered in this book are so valuable one hardly hears this kind of teaching in sermons nowadays.
Highly recommended.

Murray is one of those authors I always wish I were reading at the computer, so I could file the inspiring quotes that pop off the page. For years I have turned to Andrew Murray for instructional revelation on deep matters of the Kingdom. "Waiting on God" is, of course, a classic. As a daily devotional or revisited old friend, this compact text is essential reading in any Christian library. How often are we taught to wait, much less to wait on God? Providing a definition and practical insights into methods of waiting, Murray offers invaluable help to seekers of serenity. This Whitaker House edition is pocketsize and portable. I give it as a gift to treasured friends. You will read it again and again.

Thank you Varda Burstyn for taking the time and using your gifted talents to help awaken people to our water crisis via the genre of fiction.
Or, shall I say "faction," for much of your information is based on water statistics and facts that define today's water reality.
Water, Inc. is a page-turning book that weaves a scenario that with little doubt reflects today's water challenges. A reality whereby our governments have become transparent pawns of the ever-growing and powerful transnational corporations. Corporations who often pay homage to the alter of short-term gain regardless of the long-term deadly consequence to our beleaguered world of life.
I have researched and written about water for over thirty years - and am impressed by how Water, Inc. provides accurate and sometimes frightening information, while at the same giving the reader a sense of today's culture. From the homes and board rooms of the rich and powerful, to the soul-searching choices as to what is important in one's Earthly passage - Burstyn provides us with insights that touch all walks of life.
In my mind, Water, Inc. is a true reflection of the current water crisis - and is a book that reinforces and educates us as to how water is the mysterious by yet common denominator that connects all people of all walks of life and beliefs.

This threat to a continental resource has been eyed by the United States for many years. The NAFTA arrangement opened every resource to outside control through its Chapter 11 terms. If interested parties could once gain permission to extract the resource, then the demand and profit would be the only limitations. And demand for water in the USA is rising beyond calculation. In this racing novel of finance, chicanery, corruption and political power, Varda Burstyn demonstrates how the right connections and influence manipulate people for profit. She posits a viable threat to Canada's most precious natural resource.

Bill Greele is a financier well versed in Canada's water resources. He also has no illusions about his country's increasing demand for this rapidly diminishing resource. Water has been drained from the watercourses of the United States. What water remains in streams is highly polluted. The underground aquifer is being pumped dry for irrigation, industry and - golf courses? This demand is exceeding supply and Greele wants to provide for the market. He also wants to pocket the profits providing new water can bring. With sheer force of will, Greele assembles a consortium of investors to create an extraction and pipeline project. His field agents have decided Quebec, with its "nationalist" aspirations is highly vulnerable to Greele's ambitious plan. All he needs is an agreement in principle to begin operations.

In thrillers, seemingly minor events may have unexpected impact, bringing together unlikely people and leading to barely feasible results. In this book, a former Air Force officer sees his proposal for a fuel-efficient aircraft summarily dumped, diverting the funds to the water plan. Although not well versed in Canadian issues, Malcolm Macpherson's environmentally aware - the proposed aircraft would have been both cost-effective and less polluting of the atmosphere. When he learns of the Quebec pipeline project, Malcolm wants to scupper it. He's clearly out of his depth. Bill Greele has a long reach and will use whatever means necessary to achieve his goals.

Macpherson encounters environmentalist Claire Davidowicz. She's not the granny-glasses shirtwaist dress sort of activist. Claire's a hard-bitten businesswoman with good contacts and knowledge of the paths of power. Macpherson has inadvertantly selected well, but neither are prepared to face the challenges arising before them. Greele's long reach extends into many places. He doesn't influence politicians, he owns them. They are able to do his bidding and in the current US administration with its "cochon" of a President, more than willing. Out of their ken, pressure, great pressure is applied to the Quebec Separatiste government to approve the proposal quickly. Greele and his cohorts have no qualms about using whatever is needed to complete the project. Murder isn't beyond their ethics.

Privatising water has been in the works here for some time. Once the hydro system was "off-loaded" from government control, little stood in the way of other proposals. One, a super pipeline from the North was forwarded, but it was costly. Costly, too, in terms of envronmental conditions. The oil pipeline remains an enduring example of the kind of impact such a construction can have. Greele is aware of these things, couching his scheme in terms of limited withdrawal. Others, knowing how climate change has already affected Canada's water supplies, are sceptical. Snow cover has dropped, and water supplies with it. The Great Lakes are at reduced levels and the major river systems suffering accordingly. Aware of these trends, Canadian environmentalists are suspicious of water highjacking proposals. Although the rest of Canada appears uninterested in what is transpiring in "La Belle Province", Quebec environmentalists are quick and vocal in their response to the proposal. For Greele, things are getting out of hand and he must move quickly and forcefully himself. Popular opinion translates into votes and a change in government would gain him little or nothing.

Burstyn writes well in the best thriller tradition. She engages a large cast to implement her story of intrigue, deception and manipulation. Her characters develop well for a first-time novelist. Burstyn maintains good control over them. If they represent some extremes of type, that is only to be expected in such a narrative. Even the minor characters are portrayed well. None are extraneous to the story, with each individual depicted and placed expertly. Except for the pace of events, there's little false or hollow here as the persona struggle for success and, sometimes, survival. With events moving so rapidly, there's little cause for the reader to feel bogged down in technicalities. She understands the "business ethic". We are given enough information to see why she's concerned over a resource grab in Canada. Her long career in environmental issues has served her well in that regard. She builds the plot effectively, without meaningless side events to distract the reader. It's a highly readable adventure, with a strong, serious message to take away from the account. Water is precious. Burstyn wants you to be aware of that and be prepared to take your own steps to keep it available. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]

What a fabulous book! Such a great read- a real page turner, couldn't put it down. Great characters, terrific plot, suspense, overwhelming information. It has it all!!

Like millions of women in North America, I am never happier than when I'm reading a book with amazing women characters at the heart of the action. For me a good women's read has to be a great read, with well drawn characters who I can identify with. Varda Burstun's Water Inc is this kind of really inteligent, aborbing thriller that I just wanted to read and read. For the first fifty pages I was delighted with the political intrigue, then once the plot thickened I literally couldn't put the book down becuase I wanted to know how my favourite characters were doing-- which is always the point for me of reading a novel in the first place. And the writing was great throughout -- clean, funny, smart. I loved the understanding of Quebec and the detailed environmental and scientific research, all intergraded into a fast paced novel that meets my requirements for vacation reading because it was so pleasurable!"

With her latest novel Water, Inc, Varda Burstyn attempts both to entertain and illuminate the reader, by examining a hypothetical scenario involving a vital North American resource (water); powerful profiteers and politicians whose principal aim is to control and abuse the resources; and a handful of dutiful protectorates and concerned citizens who become embroiled in a case of geo-political ecological and economic intrigue - quite a mouthful, i agree, but that is the virtue of this book; its ability to demonstrate how fully integrated are lives really are, and by tackling issues so oft overlooked, resists dilution to mollify the quick fix, or simplify the broader context.

Though weighty matters abound, Water, Inc, is highly plot driven (indeed, it is a page turner with substance); filled with characters whose decisions and actions force questions of life and death, personal security and selflessness; exacting ethical and moral judgements about their personal/ political contracts and what such values really entail.

After reading Burstyn's book, perhaps (like me) your summer, if not weather in general, might be viewed or experienced very differently in the future. Such is the effect of this compelling read; and proof too, that intelligent and interesting alternative perspectives can exist, thrive and contribute to the round table discussion of our modern plight.

I commend the author's bravery.

Timeless, classic children's literature. In a time where plastic people like Hannah Montana and Brittany Spears reign, Dennis Lee is refreshing. He is witty, he is Canadian and he is cool. I read this to a grade two class, and they learned their favourite verses by heart on their own initiative. It's also intelligent enough to appeal to adults -up there with Rocky and Bullwinkle! Love this book!

I still have my copy of this book from when I was a kid (copywrite 1974). This book rocked, and I had to dig it up to start reading to my nephews. best ever = on tuesdays I polish my uncle. I still remembered 90% of the words, and I probably hadn't heard it since 1981 or 2!

This was actually my sister's book when we were growing up - but I remember absolutely loving it back then. Now that I have a son, I bought it to read with him. Although he is only 2, he loves the rhythm of the poems and the wacky pictures. His favourite is "Windshield Wipers". A fabulous book for parents to share with their children!

I would recommend this book to anyone. It is fun and fantastic, the illustrations are terrific, and the poems resonate well with children and adults.

The Alligator Pie series filled my childhood with fun and whimsy. I'm pregnant now and I want to buy a whole new collection so that my child will remember "Peter was a pilot, who flew a jumbo jet, who crashed in Lake Ontario and got his bottom wet." Silly and fun.

Maud, as Montgomery liked to be called, wrote this book on the request for a serial story appearing in a Canadian woman's magazine. At first Montgomery had doubts that her "long, upward struggle" could actually be called a career, but she worked on the story anyways and the result is a humurous, enjoyable, and information-packed book about the work and perseverance by one of the world's favorite children's author. As a professional writer, I have written articles upon Montgomery and still consider this book the best source for reliable information as well as beng enjoyable to read, which is a rare and refreshing break from most biographies. I highly recommend this book, along with her journals, as a worthwhile addition to any Montgomery fan, researcher, or fan of biographies'library.

The Alpine Path by L M Montgomery is interesting but only superficial. She was asked by a magazine to write the story of her career but she was not at all willing to tell things about her private life to the magazine readers so she wrote this book - it was originally published in a magazine. The facts are correct but there is so much left out by her. To really understand her life and find out all the interesting bits she left out of The Alpine Path you need to read her Journals (1 to 5) as these are quite fascinating and really tell her story. At the time she wrote the Alpine Path it would have caused a scandal if she had told the whole truth. I recommend the Journals to anyone interested in the real life of Maud Montgomery. They are wonderful.
Marjorie Lockwood

People don't usually write autobiographies if their career has only just started. Maud was asked to do so and she did write it. What she came up with, is a bunch of memories gathered in a nice little book, a perfect read for one evening if you love LMM. You will find some of her memories familiar, if you know LMM's books well, too. That's a nice and easy read, and a must for a LMM fan.

If you're not a fan of L. M. Montgomery's work, you might not find this book very interesting - for me, most of the interest came from parallels between her own life and that of various characters in her books, and her explanations of things like how she started writing her first book, why she didn't borrow her characters too closely from real life, etc. I'd have liked to read more of her accounts of how she wrote this story or that.

The book is mostly about her childhood and various anecdotes and events from it, along with accounts of how she came to be a published writer. It's fairly short; you can read it in less than an hour, so if you want a good, meaty book, this is not for you. But it's nice to read about her from her own point of view - her journals make good reading but this is more of a summary of info she considered interesting or relevant.

L.M. Montgomery's life is a life story of conquoring adversity and making one's dream come true. Although taken care of in the material sense as a child, she was not nurtured in the emotional sense and this created a need to escape into a fairyland of her imagination where she was accepted and loved and had friends, including "window friends."

This book is a collection of autobiographical articles written by L.M. Montgomery in 1917 in response to an editor's request for her to write the story of her literary career. Montgomery speaks a lot about her early childhood and her later struggles to make it as a writer, alone, without encouragement, support, or understanding from others. In fact, her literary ambitions and attempts were often scoffed at or criticized. But Maud kept keepin' on, confident that she would "arrive" some day. And she did, in an enormous way.

I highly recommend this book to anyone in need of inspiration or encouragement to make their dream come true, and especially to any aspiring writer whose dream is to climb the alpine path and reach that far-off goal of true and honoured fame.

David Rehak
author of "A Young Girl's Crimes"

Our two daughters LOVE the Alfie books. This big storybook is just perfect. Our girls are 3 & 5 and just adore this book-along with Hughes others too. Great illustrations and charming text.

This book was an all-time favorite with my sons when they were ages 3-7. From unexpected adventures to everyday routine, Alfie meets life with good-natured friendliness, honesty, and quick thinking. The stories emphasize the multi-dimensioned personality of every human, no matter his/her age! I wish there were more books like Hughes writes.

All the Alfie and Annie Rose books are excellent! My son and I read them over and over, without getting bored. Gentle little stories about everyday life, with likeable characters and lovely illustrations. Often humorous. My favorite children's author.

We raised all 3 of our children on Shirley Hughes's books ("Dogger" was the all-time favorite) and now I'm giving them to my first grandchild. Absolutely first-rate stories with the most exquisite, fascinating illustrations. Do your children/grandchildren a favor and get them hooked on this series!

My son, 3, loves this book. The stories have humor, tenderness, and the children are always treated with dignity. I love Shirley Hughes!

I have to confess that when it comes to science fiction or fantasy books I am somewhat of a snob about what I will read. When a friend turned me on to these books, I absolutely fell in love with them and hated to put them down to do anything!

They have everything you could want, witches, werewolves, vampires, dragons, all very intricately woven around Poppy Z's family. I know he is rather conceited, but Romo the Immortal was very funny to me as well as the cat! I have done some research and have found out that there are going to be some more books in this series. I can't wait! If you want an excellent read, buy these books. I assure you that you will hear a lot more from these authors. Some day soon the whole country anyone who loves this type of book will know the names Gaither and Canada! --Lynn S. South Carolina

When I first started reading Black Moon, I was blow away. Finally a book that took everything supernatural that this world has to offer and mixed them into one fine read. Meet Poppy Z. A two thousand year old witch making a small community in Arkansas her home. Her life is turned upside down when an Immortal who is slowly losing his power comes to her doorway asking for help. Dark humor, suspense, and horror all weave together to make this book. Very wonderfully written. If you havne't read this yet then shame on you. Shame indeed.

From the first chapter these wonderful new authors suck you into a perfectly balanced world of horror and fantasy. Poppy Z. and her crazy crew take you along on a thrill filled dimension jumping mystery ride that you won't want to end. Vampires, Werewolves, Immortals, Dragons, Witches and a sharp tongued talking cat,... this book has it all and more. S.J. Gaithers and Micheal Canada cleverly combine just the right amount of suspense, action, scares, humor and passion to make this book a truly enjoyable book. They masterfully bring together these many different realms and beings without losing or confusing the reader. I found myself actually laughing out loud at times...holding my breath at others. The characters so real you get completely caught up in their lives and experiences.

I loved this book and can NOT wait to get my hands on the second part of this series... Blood Moon!!

Ok, take a witch who is on the far side of her second century, an immortal who is having a few problems with power loss, a horde of vampires out for blood (pun intended), and a local deputy who needs a serious attitude adjustment. Now throw in a healthy dose of sibling rivalry, dark powers churning for revenge, side-splitting humor, and a loveable but scathingly funny talking cat, and you have yourself a great story.

Canada and Gaither credit Laurell K. Hamilton as one of their influences, and it is easy to see that influence in Black Moon. But don't walk away thinking that this is a copy-cat of Hamilton's creations. Black Moon stands firmly on its own as a fun, engaging, creepy, and action-packed story. The characters are well developed, and I found myself literally laughing out loud over their dialogue and inner thoughts. Midnight the talking cat is a hoot, and the fact that he is a cat who also talks actually works quite well in this story.

I am so impressed with this debut novel that I have recommended Black Moon to numerous people. I have also read this book twice, which is the ultimate compliment coming from someone with hundreds of unread books sitting around the house. The world of Poppy and her friends--and some not quite friends--is amazing and well developed considering the fact that this is only the first in what I hope will be a long series of books. I look forward to the next in the series, Blood Moon, which is now on the shelves (and on my nightstand!). I hope to see much more of Poppy, Romo, Rush, Danny, Raven, Midnight, and Jean-Tou. I wonder what has happened to the young girl who fled into the woods after "meeting" Romo? I also wonder if my favorite character Nicolas might somehow make a future appearance?

This is a first-time novel by new authors that you should not pass up. Black Moon is dark fantasy at its best and has the right mixture of snappy humor as well as chills and thrills.

Immortals and dragons and vampires, Oh my! I whipped through this fast paced new novel by the immensely talented S.J. Gaither and Michael Canada in two days. I literally could not put it down. Thefirst tale of adventures of Poppy Z, a two thousand year old witch who's a magnet for danger. When Romo The Immortal appears unexpectedly at Antique Bookz, her metaphysical store, Poppy knows she's in for a ride. Romo and his reluctant sidekick Caffee are in trouble, having incurred the wrath of an ancient being with powers that rival their own. Halloween Jack and his minions make life a living hell for Poppy, the immortals and her beloved talking white cat Midnight, as time runs short for Romo. This is the introductory novel in the Witching Moon series. Filled with intriguing characters, sidesplitting banter, and plot twists that will keep you spellbound. Don't start this book at night if you plan on getting any sleep.

corporations rule the world. if you don't agree you are living in a dream world. extremely importaint topic. A must read.

I highly recomend this book for anyone that is even remotely interested in globilization and the corporate world. It shows just how much of our daily lives are influenced and even controlled by corporations. It makes you realize that no matter what they say, a corporation really does only look out for itself, and any advertisements that claim that corporations help communities and people and save the environment out of their own good will have absolutely no truth to them. It also makes you realize how far a corporation will go to save a few dollars, knowingly putting lives at risk in the process.
The book is also very well written, with plenty of explinations, so you don't need a background in economics to understand it.
In short, I totally recomend this book to anyone that wants to know the truth about the corporation. It will make you sick to realize what lengths they will go to in order to exploit everyone and everything.

I very much enjoyed Dr. Bakan's book. It was truly thought-provoking, and jelled a number of thoughts and ideas I had had in the past about the how and why of corporations. I have started up a company of my own in the past, and plan to do so again in the future. After having read Dr. Bakan's book as well as "Big Vision, Small Business" by Jaimie Walters, I have definitely changed my mind about HOW to set it up and run it!. I think this should be read by anybody and everybody in corporate and government roles today...As Dr. Bakan says, it isn't the cure-all, but it may nudge a few people to work towards the appropriate solution!

I think this should be required reading for all citizens.

Exposes (without ideological idealism) the facts about corporations. Most people have vague misgivings about corporations, but don't have much of an idea of why. This book helps to clarify and explain what we instinctively feel.

I got a kick out of the psychological assessment of the corporation, a legal person without moral conscience, as a psychopath.

For me, this wasn't one of those 'couldn't put it down' books. Just the opposite in fact. A quarter or a half a chapter was about all I could take at one time. And I dreaded going back to it, which I did, and will continue to do for years to come. Maybe I'm just a soft-hearted wimp, a daydreaming fool who believes in the innate decency of mankind. Maybe that's why at times this book brought tears of shame, and pity, and rage, to my eyes. But please read this book. Do whatever it takes: beg, borrow, or buy, but please read this book.....!

Country Doctor is a great read. It's fun, interesting, and fast reading. It tells about life in frigid Canada when times were tough (snow blowing in under the door!). Ben tells of himself and others in a way that comes across as truthful--the good and the bad. It's a bit like All Creatures Great and Small in a completely different setting and the multiple stories surround Ben's growing from a kid through adulthood in medical school and beyond.

Many people do not know that Dr Dlin in addition to his abilities as a doctor, veternarian, dentist etc. was perhaps an unwitting pioneer in the area of "Public Health Crisis Management". The complete story is detailed in the book about a health crisis that threateded to wipe out an amimal (instead of human) community. Dr. Dlin's intervention pre-saged the operations of the modern day M.A.S.H unit - or better, (I'm not sure of the exact name) National Health - Contageous Disease (CDC? - in Atlanta) Center's emergency protocols that have only been in existance for perhaps the last 30 years or so. To whit: Isolation and triage of the sick; team approach (in this case he drafted the local community); assembly line (lined up the animals in rows - each with a nurse/caretaker); got people to bring commercial oxygen cylinders from throughout the community (most farmers had oxygen tanks for welding); Dr.Dlin brought anitbiotics, face masks and other emergency materials in bulk from the local (clinic/hospital?). Then, training everyone in the necessary emergency procedures and building bonfires all around the "operating theatre" for both heat and light through the night (no electric lights then) brought the whole herd thru the crsis losing only the animals who were already dead before Dr. Dlin's intervention - quite simply, as remarkable a "generalship" as any war story I've ever read. There are many other lessons in the book which I feel every medical student in the country would do well to learn - plus these stories are fascinating to the laynan.

Ben Dlin's book gave me a real sense of what life would be like growing up in post-World War II rural Canada. His descriptions are so true to life that they run the gamut, from allowing you to smell the delicious scent of his mother's fresh pastries to visualizing the many primitive medical procedures he had to improvise. From the woman with the gigantic stomach tumor that turned out to be constipation caused by her ingesting glass, stones, and other materials which he had to remove manually, to the "ice pick" lobotomy for mental illness, which today could be simply treated by medication, Dlin's description is uncanny. He sets forth in a non-clinical way his struggles to be admitted and graduate from medical school with its highly limited admissions and the medical help he had to give against sub-zero temperatures with little or no medical supplies. He even relates the medical advice and remedies he learned from his mother as a child and utilized them into his practice.

And it's not just people that Ben Dlin took care of but also animals with all kinds of different ailments from broken legs to pregnancy.

The life of this country doctor and his warm, sometimes humorous, and always sincere relationship with his family, friends, co-workers, and patients provides a wonderful depiction of a rural country doctor's practice and the challenges he must meet on a day-to-day basis.

Whether you intend to become a doctor or have simply received medical attention you must read this book. It's a personal account of the author as a young man growing up in the country, becoming a doctor and learning through his experiences as a country doctor the very human side of medicine. This book is filled with the warmth and sensitivity of a truly caring doctor and should serve as an example to all doctors of a truly humanistic approach to medicine.

This book is a gem. It is published by an obscure publisher, and is a diamond in the rough. The author must be a remarkable person. He ends up becoming a psychiatrist, and it shows: his memoir is written with compassion and insight. It is one of the best medical memoirs I've ever read (I read a lot!) The book was full of substance (sometimes these memoirs are very light, and can be read in a couple of hours. Not this book.) But I have to emphasize that I thought it was a page-turner and I could *not* put it down. I don't usually write reviews but took the time to do so for this book because I thought it was so extraordinary.