F Books

Finally, a book that addresses stress and depression in the business world! Whether you are an advisor on Wall Street or selling real estate in California, this book provides you with the insight, skills and resources to deal with the everyday stresses of your job in this volatile economy. To be able to understand the different personality types and your own mindset and those of the people around you is something powerful to walk away with after reading this book. The book gives you the knowledge each of us can use to make clear steps in being able to deal with stressful situations and become more successful in our relationships at work, as well as at home! A must read.

Kudos to the authors! It's about time that someone with a profound knowledge of the advisory space stepped up to the plate to provide counsel on how advisors can effectively address the crucial issues we face on a daily basis: volatile markets, angry clients, demanding branch managers, anxiety, depression, burnout! As Sun Tsu's The Art of War remains perhaps the most prestigious and influential treatise on military strategies, Bullish Thinking should become financial advisors' "strategy manual", as it provides unquestionably successful tactics to excel in our business, regardless of the market environment.

It's about time someone addressed the serious problems we are facing everyday - the volatile markets, angry clients, branch managers who push us to the limit, etc. The authors clearly define the problems and obstacles that arise in this fast-paced, high stress business environment and then give you solutions that can easily be incorporated into your daily routine. The book has made me take a step back and examine how my reactions to different situations may be sabatoging my success. This book is a must read for anyone in the financial industry.

Legal dan
I am not a broker or trader. In fact I don't work on Wall Street at all. Regardless, my job is extremely stressful and my work hours, extremely long. I am a corporate litigator and was emailed a blurb about this book from one of my buddies on Wall Street. I was having a tough time managing my anger at work when unpredictable things happened during one of my hearings or throughout the course of a case. I would fly off the handle at my colleagues and my wife. The Channeled Rage section of this book helped me gain control over the powerful emotion of anger. Now I no longer feel lethal with my anger. The Bullish Thinking section is also good for helping me focus on the crazy thoughts that often precede my anger and frustration. I guess there is hope for me after all. My message is that Law is just as stressful as Wall Street and anyone working in this job should read this. If you have ever seen the inside of a court room you would see that there are many angry lawyers out there!

This book is a thoughtful and helpful guide for anyone plagued by negative thoughts and a stressful work environment. It teaches effective techniques for dealing with others, as well as ones' self, to have a more succuessful and happy life. Highly recommended.

A wonderfully told story with great character development.

As I read this moving, and beautifuly written, accont of a family trying to put into a focus the suicide of their son, I kept re-reading the dog Prince's coments. The entire ankst of the family can be seen in the dog's (youthful) padding around seeking the lost son, and then her various thoghts about the family as she ages, and ... Can't reveal plot lines here. If I were a teacher, I would reccomend this book to young students. The incidence of teenage suicide is so real, and disturbing, that this novel, and the fully developed lives of the characters after the suicide, might be a powerful message.

The sophisticated writing of this author indicates wide popular audinece, but somethow I don't think he will find it with this book. It brought many tears to my eyes, but I am old enought to
have lived through some of these scenes. And have old dogs.

This is a painful novel, from which comes no resolution, just hope, - which is what I think the author intended.

GMS

I really enjoyed this book. It was a pleasure reading fiction that developed the characters as Boswell did. This book really kept my attention in ways I wish many others did.

this book was absolutely amazing. the emotions, themes, ideas, etc., throughout the book are incredible. i've never been so entertained by a novel. i highly suggest this to anyone who likes to laugh, cry, and read.

Century's Son was a truly rewarding read. if you enjoy rich characterization, then you will enjoy Boswell's writing. Few authors are able to create such textured characters with as much feeling and depth as Boswell does here. If anything, the only character that did not strike me as particularly real or original is Peter Kamenev, who is slightly stereotyped as the precocious, over-sexed, hyperbolic old man. Nevertheless, Kamenev if extremely enjoyable as a character as well.

The only reason why people may not like this book is that there were no earth-shattering developments in the plot. Nothing truly happened to resolve the lingering tension in the book. But to me, that's precisely the point. The richness of the characters is not drowned out by a schmaltzy plot device. Every character is allowed to develop and reveal his faults at their own pace. They develop organically.

You know that you've found a satisfying read when your chief complaint is that the book is too short!

A powerful tale for 'children' of all ages.....I was spellbound! Beautifull written, every page made me fall in love with the "People of the Book". This is a story that families will enjoy for generations to come. I'm eagerly awaiting the rest of the trilogy!

A Child of the King is a very well written book. It happens in the land of Withershins, where Prince Abbadon reigns. Jotham, a boy reaching maturity, lives at the orphange at Flotsam Manor. He always suspects that unseen eyes are spying him, and thus earns him the reputation of "weirdo". Yet Jotham is very skilled at his craft in woodworking, and his imagination comes alive in it. After moving to Acraisia, Jotham learns of a King in the land of Dominus that will adopt him and be a father to those who have no father. Jotham sets out to find this King and his son, Prince Morning Star. Yet Jotham's friends, Alfric and Gwyneth, try to persuade him otherwise, that all he hears is just lies.
This book shows two worlds, good and evil, and shows the wars of truth and lies raging between them. The characters of God's three persons, Satan, and Christians are marvelously portrayed in this story.
In my personal opinion, I think this book should have a sequel. I can see it becoming a trilogy like Lord of the Rings. Yet, sadly, Bill Bright is gone, and Marion R. Wells has not written more. Perhaps it was never meant to have a sequel, and perhaps they left it for imaginations to soar.

The story's main character is Jotham. He learned to be a wood crafter while in the orphanage and then began work in Acrasia. The back of the book describes it best:

"[The authors] take us to a place that seems familiar, yet full of suspense and mystery. The authors bring us to a world that pits good against evil in the larger-than-life kingdoms of Prince Morning Star and Prince Abaddon. Read as these mighty rulers battle for the hearts of Jotham and the people of Withershins."

**** Here is a book that will lift your heart and strengthen your faith. I enjoyed every minute I spent within the pages of this novel and am happy to recommend it. ****

Biblical truths can often be taught more effectively via a a fictional story than the normal teaching and preaching we usually experience. Christ set the example for us by telling stories to teach His truths. Bill Bright and Marion Wells have followed that example in a profoundly effective way in this book. The illustrations of God's love, forgiveness, redemption and restoration have put a whole new focus on theological concepts I've intellectually understood for many years, but perhaps not deeply experienced in my heart. Reading this allegory I sensed a new and deeper understanding of God's heart, of how He really feels about me as His child. Prince Morning Star's interactions with Jotham in areas of trial and temptation I likewise experience has given me a whole new perspective on what it really means to have a victorious personal relationship with Christ--to be a child of the King!

Collaboratively written Bill Bright and M. R. Wells, A Child Of The King is a fantastic and entertaining tale set in the mystical land of Withershins. A simple orphan's quest to find his father plunges him into an inexorable tidal wave of dark machinations, kings, princes, power struggles, and a great deal more in this magnificently engaging and fully satisfying fable.

This book is a Christian themed police procedural. The protagonists are patrol officers assigned to the midnight shift of NYPD's Manhattan South Precinct, especially partners Joe Fiore and Jerry Cavalucci. The patrol vignettes are an interesting snapshot of NYPD activity in the commercial center of the city. The authors draw a compelling portrait of Cavalucci's struggle with alhocol and a dysfucntional family, especially the strains placed on his fiance and her son. Cavalucci's attempts to bring order and sense to his professional and private lives lead to the Christian component of the book. Joe Fiore, Cavalucci's partner, and Michele, his fiance, are deeply religious Christians who try to help Tony resolve life issues by example and references to scripture and the power of faith. The characters are engaging and the reader is caught up in Tony's struggle. The best part of the book is the account of 9/11 from our police officer characters' perspectives. It is at once terrifying and inspiring. We all saw the tragedy. The characters lived it. The authors vividly describe it. The last eighty pages alone make the book well worth buying and reading. An outstanding effort.

In CLEAR BLUE SKY, Frank and Pam (F. P.) Lione continue the story of New York Police Detective Tony Cavalucci in a stand-alone novel (their first in hardcover). The talented husband and wife duo have three previous NYPD books under their belt, and the experience shows as they pen their best --- and grittiest --- police novel to date.

If you missed the now (mostly) out-of-print Midtown Blue series that chronicles the time leading up to this novel, you're in for a treat here. Tony is engaged to single mom Michele and looking forward to being a full-time dad to her young son, Stevie. With a wedding in the works, the couple has lots to talk about --- and plenty of tension.

The chief stressor is a bachelor party that Tony's loud and argumentative Italian family is insisting on. Michele lets Tony know that if the bachelor party goes as planned, she's calling it quits. Of course, this isn't the real reason why Tony's family has mostly turned against him. They don't care for his hard-won sobriety (his sister Denise calls him "Mr. Twelve Stepper"), and they're not crazy about the fact that he's marrying Michele, a single mother. They also don't like his new-found commitment to faith. It's not long before the inevitable showdown occurs, and Tony finds that he must choose between his family and his fiancée and her son.

And what a family. Tony's divorced mom is dating a Harley biker. His father's trampy second wife is pregnant, which his father seems to find unusually upsetting --- and we discover why, as the novel unfolds. Add a few Mafia relatives, and the sparks (and punches) are sure to fly at any family gathering.

Underneath the tension is Tony's insecurity about his own worthiness. "The truth is, I felt kind of like a fraud with Michele. Like maybe if she really knew me, she wouldn't be so quick to marry me.... It was like I kept waiting for the hammer to hit me and things to crash and burn around me like they always did."

Joe Fiore is Tony's wise Christian partner, and one of the reasons why Tony has been able to stay sober and deal with his Italian family. He's also the reason why Tony has found a renewed faith. But Tony has stopped going to church and hasn't been able to talk to Michele or Joe about why. His conversations with Joe reflect the reality and messiness of church life.

Tony's life as a cop provides some of the best moments in the book. Speed chase scenes, almost-too-strange-to-be-true incidents (a dog that is electrocuted when it pees on open live wires on a lamp post vandalized by the homeless for their boom boxes), the ins and outs of a grand jury trial, and even a burglary in a geisha house all score high on the "wow, I didn't know stuff like this went on" scale. Insider lingo also enlivens the text --- one man with a bandaged head injury is said to be wearing a "Bronx party hat." As in the other Lione books, there are plentiful descriptions of Italian food that will make your mouth water. It's a wonder Tony doesn't weigh 300 lbs.

For those readers new to Tony's story, F. P. Lione is an Italian-American married couple, Frank and Pam, who are both children of NYPD detectives. (Frank has also served with the NYPD). Their direct experiences with the police force and love of the city lend authenticity to the novel. The narrative isn't without some troubles --- lots of consecutive sentences that begin with "We" and "I", for example. But they pen some killer descriptions, such as this one about Friday bingo night at St. Michael's: "Kind of like offtrack betting, with old Italian women in rolled-down stockings."

The twin towers on the cover and prologue clue in the reader that CLEAR BLUE SKY's story will climax in the events of September 11th. In a post 9/11 world, where it seems as if every emotional drop has been wrung out of the fictional and nonfictional publishable possibilities, I was skeptical that anyone could write a moving scene six years after the fact. But the Liones handled the tragedy well enough to give me goosebumps. It's also a crucial and believable way for them to literally nudge some of their characters into a stronger belief in God.

The Liones just keep getting better in every novel. They adeptly blend Italian life, relationship issues, fascinating stories from the New York City streets and faith into a page-turning read that will hook new readers while continuing to please fans of their previous books. Don't miss it.

--- Reviewed by Cindy Crosby

It's several months after the release date of Clear Blue Sky but I don't want to neglect writing it up. I've not read any of the Lione's previous novels so I don't have a feel for their voice overall. However, I will be picking up previous and future books because the story of Tony and Michelle, New York and his life as a cop, a son, a new Christian and a man were intriguing and gritty and real.

I was surprised that the majority of the book didn't deal with September 11th, that this huge and very well written and gut-wrenchingly told event was only a small part of the lives of Tony and Michelle.

The writing is narrative and to-the-point and through the eyes of Tony, an Italian New York cop, who is at a crossroads in life. He is facing changes within his close knit and very dysfunctional family. He has chosen to marry a woman who doesn't please the majority of his family members because she is not willing to put up with the dysfunction, the alcoholic brawls and the mind games. Tony, a reformed bad boy, has a fledgling faith and a strong friend/partner/mentor in Joe. But Tony is pulling away from church because something just isn't looking right and he doesn't know what to do about it. Tony's brother and father are closer than ever and edging Tony out and Grandma, the sweet old lady, is losing control so she's pulling out all the stops and not looking quite as sweet. All of a sudden alcohol is looking really good to Tony and he's wondering what it's going to cost him to have Michelle as a wife.

There is so much to this story. The writing is a little more nuts and bolts than I generally dig into, but the characters and descriptions and details pulled me in and didn't let me go. I want to read more about Tony and Michelle. I want to see the entire family healed. I want to hug Joe because he acts like Jesus. There are situations and words that would offend folks, so be forewarned. But if you aren't easily offended and squeamish, look into this novel.

With the Labor Day weekend and its feasts over, the overworked NYPD police know they can catch a breath after tons of overtime mostly involving crowd control. Police officer Tony Cavalucci did his job, but crowd control is a part of his patrol work he hates as he dreams of getting "out of the bag" and into a plainclothes anti crime unit.

He and most of his peers fear the new mayor will return the streets to the perps as his aids are not impressive; still he does his job of patrolling the streets. Following a graveyard shift on the morning of 11 September 2001 on a warm clear day he stops for coffee and muses unhappily about the demands his family have placed on him. His brother wants him to host a wild last fling bachelor party to remind him what he is giving up by marrying. His extended Italian family especially his mother hates his fiancée Michelle as she is ethically and religiously incorrect and had a child Stevie out of wedlock. They insist he drop her or else. As he ponders whether he will have to give up one of the two families he loves, all that changes when he notices smoke coming from one of the Twin Towers.

CLEAR BLUE SKY continues the insightful look at the life of a New York City cop (see the previous three Midtown Blue novels: not read by me - THE DEUCE and THE CROSSROADS; read by me SKELLS). 9/11 is important to the plot, but comes towards the latter part of the novel as readers follow Tony's personal and professional life in the days just before the tragedy (much of the setting), during the rescue attempts, and immediately after. Fans of police procedurals will appreciate this series that focuses on the cop on the job and off the job as readers obtain a perceptive glimpse of the work pressures and family demands on a police officer.

Harriet Klausner

I've said before that reading an F.P. Lione novel is like watching an un-cut taping of COPS, only you follow the cops home. But in a way that's doing their writing a disservice. A Lione novel is about much more than the domestic disputes, car chases, and gun wielding criminals often found on the tv show. That isn't to say these types of situations don't make it into the pages. They do. But a Lione novel digs deeper than that. By following police officer Tony Cavalucci on and off duty, the Lione's reveal the heart and soul of a cop. Tony's story has already filled three Midtown Blue novels (The Deuce, The Crossroads & Skells), and his saga continues in Clear Blue Sky, the unofficial 4th book.

This time around Tony's closer to marrying his fiance Michelle, and his Italian family continues to voice their objections to the union. Michelle isn't Italian or Catholic, two strikes against her. She had her young son Stevie out of wedlock and there's no sign of the father. Strike three. With the Cavalucci family you're guilty until proven innocent, and even then if you get on their bad side they'll find some way to convict you. Their crazy yet realistic dynamics provide just as much drama as the worst nights on Tony's midnight tour, and it's starting to wear on him. He finds himself torn between loyalty to his blood-family and the family he's come to love as his own. He doesn't want to lose either of them, but sooner or later he's going to have to make a choice.

Not to mention that he and God haven't been on the best of terms lately. Since Tony became a Christian his life has actually gotten harder. Not only does he have to face the temptation to hit the bottle again, but he's facing moral choices right and left. Case in point: he promised to throw his brother Vinny a bachelor party. Vinny wants it wild, like old times. Tony struggles with letting his brother down and standing behind his new-found principles, and Michelle. If it weren't for his Christian partner, Officer Joe Fiore, Tony would probably slip back into his old ways as easily as he slips on his gun belt.

It's an incredibly realistic portrayal of one man's struggle to live out his faith. Being a cop and a Christian are hard enough. Being an Italian cop with a dysfunctional family is harder. How can Tony keep the faith without losing his family?

Like the books before it, Clear Blue Sky is not a novel with a clear plot. But it will keep you riveted. There's something extremely compelling in the Lione's style. Their details are vivid and specific, adding to the authenticity. Like the others in the Midtown Blue series as you read Clear Blue Sky you really do feel like you're tagging along in the back seat of Tony's patrol car as he faces the sad, the serious, and the outrageous on his beat. You'll walk away from the novel with a new appreciation for police officers.

This novel is being marketed as a stand-alone about the 9/11 tragedy, which could be slightly misleading. The actual disaster doesn't occur until well into the story. I had expected to read more about Tony and Joe's experiences on that day. But holding off until the end was a natural and effective way to build tension. You know the Twin Towers are coming down, and you look for it on every page. Brings home the point that September 11th was a normal autumn day like any other.

If you've ever wondered what it's like to be a cop in one of the world's busiest cities, look no further. Pick up any Lione novel and feast on the experience. Clear Blue Sky is no exception. But in this one you'll come away with new insights on what really happened in New York City that fateful September day in 2001--the day the sky was clear and blue.

--Reviewed by C.J. Darlington for TitleTrakk

My oldest daughter gave this book to her sister when she was very young and they both have loved having it read to them and later reading it for themselves, using it for school projects, etc. Now I have a great-grandson and want to give him a copy of this wonderful book.

I loved this book as a child. Unfortunately my copy was lost, but a family member who had received the same book gave hers to my son. Reading through the book has brought back many happy memories-- I hadn't looked at the illustrations or read many of the stories in over 20 years, but I still remember them. I look forward to years of reading this book with my son and am thrilled the book is still available so that I can buy it for friends and family.

I have become the keeper of the family copy of this wonderful book. It is filled with some of the greatest fables and stories that you'll want to share with your child. I'm trying to find a new copy for my daughter to keep for the rest of her life. Meanwhile, I'm going to have the one we have rebound. < a native New Englander >

I loved this book so much as a child (of the 1970's) that I had the foresight to save it for my own children. It is one of three books I saved, the other two being "A Child's Garden of Verse" by Robert Louis Stevenson, and D'aulaire's "Greek Myths". These are classic stories that have not been softened and dumbed down or made politically correct like so many modern children's books. They really pack a punch and evoke thought, and the illustrations are gorgeous.

This book was given to my mother by my great aunt when I was 2 1/2 years old (my sisters were 1 and 5). We have fought over it ever since. I have been unable to find it for years (my mother kept the original copy and it is now a favorite of her grandchildren). I was fortunate enough to obtain a copy from a used books dealer in New Hampshire last year. I am ordering two from Amazon.com so that I can surprise my sisters at Christmas (amen!). With everything from Aesop to Wordsworth, and stories, poems and songs from Mother Goose to Rudyard Kipling, there is someting in this book for any child of any age. These are the classic tales of Peter Pan, Winne The Pooh, The Velveteen Rabbit, Heidi and Gulliver, to mention a few. My mother would read aloud from this book every night - "The Goops" on page 65 was a favorie poem and "Over in the Meadow" on page 101 was a favorite song - I know my mother enjoyed reading it equally as much as we girls. The illustrations are wonderful, and most are reproductions from the original books. Finding this book has meant finding a part of my childhood, and I'm sure anyone else who grows up with it will feel the same.

Si Klegg is a must read book for anyone intersted in the American Civil War. Esspecially those that are in the Cvil War Reenacting hooby. Although Si and his pard are fictional characters from company "Q". The stories and the time line are correct. Si and his pard go through the trials and tribulations of the common Civil War soldier and the reader will be able to take that information with other actual documented actions and events and apply them to what they do during living histories and demonstrations. If you are into the American Civil War this book is just as much as a must read as "Hardtack and Coffee".

I love the book Si Klegg and His Pard. It's Fantastic!

This is a very good book, much like Hardtack and Coffee, and it goes into details that John D. Billings did not cover. I give this 5 stars because it is a good insight on the camp life and more unknown things about the war for the Union. Late Lt. Col. WIlbur F. Hinman is an excellent writer with lots of humor and further insight.
I also would like to reccomend to the civil war buffs out there that they should buy it. This is a rare opportunity to buy a book that I looked for for 2 years! Never did I see it once and I was repeatedly told it was out of print and I would never find it. I never gave up my search and I decided (just for the heck of it), to search for it on amazon.com and I was amazed. One thousand thanks to Amazon.com. One cheer and a tiger for Corporal Si Klegg and his pard!!

EXCELLENT READ! ALTHOUGH A FICTIONAL CHARACTER; WE FOLLOW SI KLEGG AND HIS FRIEND SHORTY THROUGH HARD CAMPAIGNING, IN THE WESTERN THEATER. FROM HIS INITIAL ENLISTMENT IN AN INDIANA REGIMENT TO THE END OF THE WAR. THIS BOOK WAS INTERESTING AS WELL AS ENTERTAINING! IT IS OF NOTE THAT THIS NOVEL WAS WRITTEN BY A CIVIL WAR VETERAN. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. EXCELLENT.

Don't bring any expectations to this read. The less you expect... the more you will enjoy this "gem", written by an actual Civil War veteran, who served in the Ohio 65th Volunteer Infantry. Although the regiment in the story is fictitious and from Indiana instead of Ohio, its experiences, roughly follow the experiences of the author's factual regiment. The battles in the story, though purposely unnamed, will be identified by a knowlegeable reader as those fought by the Army of the Cumberland... including Stone's River, Chickamagua, Chatanooga and the Atlanta Campaign.

The book, as it's title states, is about the life of a volunteer soldier. And peppered throughout it's excellent narrative, is authentic, sincere and heartfelt dialogue. Dialogue, written in the style of the way the men spoke, with all the ye's, ter's and reckons included. It took a little while accustomising myself to it, but shortly afterwards, I enjoyed the dialogue so much that I started reading it out loud.

Josiah Klegg is a young, enthuisiastic and patriotic recruit, who is unwise in the ways of the army. And Shorty "his pard", whom Si meets shortly after enlisting (or 'listing as they call it) is a hardluck Huckleberry Finn character. Though having had a rough lot in life, Shorty is a quick thinker and wise to the ways of the world. The two of them are "stayers", and together, they travel the long hard (and often painful) path from inexperienced recruit to veteran soldier.

Their personalities play off each other wonderfully. Shorty tolerates Si, who is naive and never short for expressing an opinion. And Shorty, always faithful and yet slightly dower, is continually uplifted by Si's irrepressable enthusiam.

There is much in this story of interest for the Civil War buff, including detailed descriptions of marching (blisters and all), camp life, hospital scenes and actual combat. In the end, this story is about the bonds that tie men together. If it is at all possible to understand the feelings men had for each other, during that terrible interlude in American History, you'll get closest, reading this book.

Tony Cavalucci is a second generation NYPD police officer whose family life may be more hazardous than his job on the streets. As New Year's Eve approaches, the department ramps up for the crowds and the threats the Time's Square celebration always brings.

But the job isn't the only stressor on Tony's life. He has finally found the woman he wants to spend the rest of his life with, and his dysfunctional family can't stand her or her four year old son. Christmas dinner is a disaster as his family, blind to their own hypocrisy, attacks Michele and her four-year old, illegitimate son. But through her eyes, he begins to see his family in a different light and doesn't like what he sees. But he can't totally walk away from his family either. Will they be able to reach a compromise, or will Tony continue to live alone in his small basement apartment?

That isn't the only complication in this hectic holiday week. His mother returns unexpectedly into his world. An alcoholic, she's shows up a changed woman. While at rehab, she made the decision to try to right some of the wrongs she'd committed while drinking. A recovering alcoholic himself, Tony begins to let her re-enter her life, in controlled amounts.

The Crossroads has a unique perspective. F.P. Lione brings the experience and the voice of a NYPD police officer to the writing, giving it a distinct feel and voice.

"The Crossroads" is the mesmerizing sequel to "The Deuce," written by husband and wife team F.P. Lione. It continues the story of NYPD cop Tony Cavalucci, struggling to apply his new found faith in God to his job and his relationships, especially those with his family.

Tony's week didn't start out well. Christmas Eve dinner with his family was horrible. They treated his new girlfriend, Michele, and her little boy Stevie so rudely it was hard for even Tony to believe. Tony can understand why Michele left upset. But he can only do so much, right? They're his family, and these destructive family gatherings are normal to him. But Michele doesn't want Stevie around that environment, and while she loves Tony, she puts a hold on their relationship so she can pray and think about what is best for her and Stevie.

Seeking God's wisdom and guidance is a brand new experience for Tony. But his partner Joe Fiore continues to help him, encouraging him to pray and pointing him to Bible verses that apply to the situations going on in his life. I appreciate the fact that the Lione's don't make Tony an "instant" Christian, automatically knowing all the right things to say and do now that he is a believer. He is still battling with past temptations. It's hard for him not to turn to old habits, such as drinking, when things get tough. But step by step we see Tony learn to view life, including his family relationships, with the new eyes that God is giving him.

Frank & Pam Lione have a rare talent of taking ordinary events and relationships we all relate to and making them so interesting you don't want to stop turning the page. It's also a realistic glimpse into the lives of NYPD's finest. While this book stands on its own and can certainly be read without reading "The Deuce" first, I think readers will enjoy the books more if they start at the beginning with Tony. I highly recommend the Midtown Blues series, and look forward to reading "The Skells," next in the series soon.

Tony Cavalucci has just helped arrest Santa Claus and The Grinch, and it only goes downhill from there on his busy midnight tour. Soon he's facing a machette-wielding bandit, just praying he won't have to shoot the guy. It's all in a night's work for this ten-year NYPD veteran whose story began in F.P. Lione's previous book, The Deuce.

The days before New Year's are busy ones in New York, where "The Crossroads of the World become the Center of the Universe as the eyes of the planet look to Times Square." It's also a chance for Tony to earn some overtime and he welcomes the diversion from his Italian family's disapproval of his girlfriend and her young son. When Christmas Eve dinner at his grandmother's becomes a near brawl as passionate family members verbally (and even physically) duke it out, Tony realizes he has to choose his loyalties fast--before he loses the only woman he's ever wanted to marry.

With his overtime detail of checking cars for bombs in the parking garages with his partner, Joe Fiore, there isn't much time for pondering his family troubles. It's fast and furious during the holidays in The City That Never Sleeps, and Tony wrestles more than once with hitting the bottle again. He's been sober for five months and he's proud of it, but the stresses are enough to stretch any guy to his breaking point. Will he have the strength to do what he knows is right or will he relapse into his old hard-living ways?

A brand new Christian, Tony refreshingly doesn't have it all together. He still smokes. He's still tempted to drink and look at women. But there is a difference in his life. He gets his job done, but with more compassion now. He helps a rookie cop the old-timers would've ostracized. He doesn't hate the perps like he used to. He's a work-in-progress, and he knows it, but he's truly making an effort to live out what he now believes. If The Deuce was all about Tony's journey toward God, The Crossroads is all about his struggle to live out his faith when life, and the people around him, go crazy.

As in The Deuce, you'll be treated to more cop lingo, like a "bus" for an ambulance, and "RMP" for Radio Motor Patrol vehicle, but I appreciated how the authors took even more care to explain unfamiliar terms, often including a definition in parentheses. And although Tony's often tedious directions of where he and Fiore travel on patrol (we drove down this street, then turned down that, then headed east on this) will probably be appreciated best by those familiar with New York City, it does give you the feel for their intimate knowledge of the streets.

Frank & Pam Lione aren't afraid to get down and dirty in their stark portrayal of a cop's life, but they never resort to anything gratuitous. The encounters Tony and Joe experience run the gamut: from the humorous (the bar-fight encounter of the men dressed as Santa and the Grinch), and the gruesome (pulling the personal effects off a dead man in a multiple car accident) to the downright bizarre (an eerie man who sleeps in a coffin). Here's a novel that reveals the true 411 of policework--it's not all chase scenes and gun battles.

Highly worth your time, The Crossroads is a story of reconciliation, consecration, and unforgettable extremes.

--Reviewed by C.J. Darlington for Infuze Magazine

Police drama lovers, this is your book! The husband and wife team of "F. P. Lione" (Frank and Pam) are back with THE CROSSROADS, the second installment in the "Midtown Blue" series and follow-up to THE DEUCE. If you haven't read the first novel, stop here and do so. Although this can be read as a stand-alone, you'll miss too much background. Plus, the first one is too good to miss.

The story opens as middle-aged single cop Tony Cavalucci and his New York City police department prepare for the chaos of New Year's Eve in Times Square. Since THE DEUCE, Tony hasn't had a drink for almost six months. His stalwart Christian partner, Joe Fiore, encourages him with scripture verses and pep talks. Tony is dating Michele, a teacher and unmarried mother of four-and-a-half year old Stevie. Although he's thinking about marriage, he's gotten her earrings rather than "the ring" for Christmas.

Tony's volatile extended family continues to give him trouble. "Hey, we put the fun in dysfunctional," says Tony to Joe. When Tony brings Michele and Stevie to his family Christmas get-together, things quickly disintegrate. Muses Tony, "Michele is always so tactful, she would never come out and say they were a bunch of psychopaths." As a result, Michele pulls back from the relationship, and Tony sees his family --- and how he interacts with them --- in a new light. In the process, he and his mother begin a reconciliation of sorts.

This second novel, like the first, still has some rough spots. The authors take care to explain some of the police lingo, but the explanations often feel intrusive and interfere with the flow of the story (a glossary might have served readers better). In some places, one wonders why an abbreviation was used at all (Tony talks about his RDO, then in parenthesis it says "regular day off." Why not just say it?) A consistent problem in both novels is that too many sentences begin consecutively with the same word or words and many of the sentences are the same length. There is also an overuse of the word "I." ("I unlocked the door... I tossed my keys... I had gotten a cell phone...) Although most readers won't consciously register these facts, they will likely find the writing choppy and repetitive in places.

Many things have improved since the first novel, including the mechanics of the characters and the more careful use of details that enhance, rather than bog down, the storyline. What remains the same is the Liones' terrific insider look at New York City and the day-to-day work of policemen working the streets. Both husband and wife are Italian American children of NYPD detectives, and Frank is a veteran of the New York Police Department.

The Liones' Italian-American heritage shows in the wonderful descriptions of food and of family get-togethers. Indeed, anyone reading the plethora of foodie details included here (the cops can't get a bagel without the Liones describing each flavor and topping) will feel compelled to fix a snack while they continue reading. However, beware: the "ick" factor is still in full play from book one. Some of the scenes include Tony helping an alcoholic repeatedly throw up buckets of blood, drunks wetting their pants in the police car, etc.

The Liones have a knack for using humor to leaven some of the darkness of police work, and several of the incidents are so bizarre you figure they must be real (the woman answering the door naked, the man dressed as a vampire in a coffin). I laughed out loud many times while reading, especially at the arrest of Santa Claus (drunk in a bar with The Grinch). The authors also excel at offering interesting, behind-the-scenes police factoids. I found the logistics of handling between 500,000 and a million people in Times Square for New Year's Eve fascinating --- who would have thought the deceptively simple gathering of so many folks on a holiday required such organization and careful handling?

Fans of THE DEUCE will be delighted with this second installment in the "Midtown Blue" series, which offers the same mix of humor, grit, and relationship tangles that made the first novel so interesting.

--- Reviewed by Cindy Crosby. Contact Cindy at (...)

The Crossroads courageously bridges the gap between Christianity and the contemporary culture. With hard-hitting drama and an emotionally charged plot, this book appeals to readers on several levels.

The realism of police work in New York City is captured with the concise writing and personal knowledge of the authors. There is a genuine sense of danger as the officers respond to calls in this precinct. Readers will be on the edge of their seats wondering how each encounter will end.

This second book in the series further explores the relationships between the characters and their family and friends. Tony Cavalucci has committed his life to Christ and now he is trying to live according to his new beliefs. However, there are some serious and long-standing emotional issues between himself and his divorced parents. Readers will watch this character grow in the knowledge of the Lord. It's noteworthy that the authors have portrayed Tony's spiritual development with a sense of realism. His growth as a Christian comes in small, natural steps that blend well with the rest of the novel.

Excellent writing and exceptional dialogue makes each page come alive. The life of a police officer is shown with a clarity that is impressive. The authors captured the fears and uncertainties that surround police work, but contrasted that with the absolute confidence believers have in the Lord. The gospel message is incorporated into the story with skill and sensitivity. Readers will understand the ability of biblical truths to answer today's problems. -- Joyce Handzo, Christian Book Previews.com

Walvoord's work on Daniel avoids all the common pitfalls. He is not credulous, doesn't exaggerate, deals with data fairly, and accurately critiques liberal unbelief convincingly.

Of the tons of books I've read dealing with Daniel, none can compare with Walvoord's scholarship and insight. If you want to understand Daniel, you must read this book carefully.

Dennis McCallum, author Organic Disciplemaking: How to promote Christian leadership development through personal relationships, biblical discipleship, mentoring, and Christian community

In the feild of O.T. Eschatology, it is almost impossible not to reference Dr. Walvoord. This book is indepth. I love the fact that he does justice to the various views that he dealt with concerning the book of Daniel. He is a scholar and a gentleman. The material in this book would be considered seminary level. Anyone interested in learning more about the book of Daniel should get this book. I would just about equal this book to Leon Wood's commentary on Daniel.

This commentary on the Old Testament book of Daniel is noteworthy for its detail and its coupling of the author's dispensational interpretation with presentation and analyses of alternate interpretations and their inadequacies. But for the endtimes ("eschatology") novice, I'd suggest first reading Renald Showers' Daniel commentary, 'The Most High God,' since it's purpose does not include critiquing other views, but stays focused on a concise, readable, less overwhelming exposition of Daniel. (In case you're unfamiliar with Daniel altogether, Walvoord and Christians of dispensationalist theology consider Daniel to be the "Key to Prophetic Revelation" as title says, because Daniel chapters 2 and 7 give the broad panorama of Gentile kingdoms (including the final one to come), and most importantly, because Daniel chapter 9:24-27 tells of God's post-Babylonian captivity plan for Israel, including the upcoming 7-year period commonly referred to as "the tribulation," when the Antichrist reigns, and which is foundational for an understanding of the book of Revelation which details this period.)

I read this book around the same time that I read J.D. Pentecost's book called Things to Come. I felt that Walvoord did a great job of unlocking some of the mystery in the book of Daniel. It is, in my opinion, an excellent commentary on the book of Daniel. Of course, there is nothing better than prayerfully reading, rereading and then reading again the book of Daniel itself and allowing the Holy Spirit to teach you--no commentary can take the place of the scriptures themselves. I didn't read this commentary until I had read Daniel multiple times as well as the whole Bible. If you just read books without actually soaking yourself in the Scriptures first you will not "get it" and you may actually get confused.

Fine scholarship, excellent detail written by a true scholar of eschatology. Few finer than this piece of work as well as many of his other masterpieces.

This is the HOT Fantasy novel of the year! If you like adventure, you will love Dark Lord. This tale of war and romance takes you through the struggles of not just one, but many of the characters as they cope with facing a seemingly unstoppable foe. The insights into the characters is in depth and revealing in very direct as well as subliminal ways. The dialogue is believable, and entertaining. It is a book that will pull every emotional response from you, with each paragraph you read. A truely magnificent work! Hats off to Greywolf and Diana!

Have you heard of this author? Chances are you probably have not. However, if you are will to take a chance and read a few chapters of this epic fantasy, then I am positive you'll be swept up in the dramatic storline and dynamic characters. Tolkienesque in scope, it nonetheless manages to wrap things up in the space of one novel, something I greatly appreciated.

Having read quite a few fantasy novels/sagas over my lifetime, I can honestly say you've never read a tale quite like this. If you want a page turner that will keep you reading into the wee hours of the morning, then I heartily recommend Dark Lord.

General Greywolf leads a cast of "a thousand" intriguing and endearing creatures (mostly elves) in a war against the Evil Dark Lord who is set on invading the idyllic land of Tir-na-nog. When the charming Goddess Diana enters the scene, Greywolf looses his heart even as he wins battles. If you loved Flash Gordon, the movie, and enjoy mythology as much as romance, then let Dark Lord enchant you. I was highly entertained and found myself charmed by a certain Pegasus.

Dark Lord is wonderfully written! It kept me up way past my bedtime, and its been awhile since a book has done that to me! I'm definatly adding this book to my list of favorites! I can't wait until the next book comes out!

Readers of quality fantasy take note: Dark Lord, the new epic fantasy from iUniverse.com, is a sweeping adventure that contains in equal measures tragedy and triumph, treachery and justice, death and rebirth, villainy and heroism, magic and brute force, war and peace. Readers of Dark Lord will find themselves firmly engaged in a war between two worlds - between humans and the fey - but as in all such things the lines separating one from the other is often blurred. A sweeping back-story lifts this novel above others in its class, and treats the reader to a rich universe containing elves, dwarves, fearies, dragons, winged horses, gods and goddesses, and more.

David M. Roundtree (Greywolf the Wanderer) and Diana Sinclair (The Goddess Diana) write with an engaging and fast-paced style that grips you from the first paragraph and puts you inside the skin of the characters themselves. While kings and kingdoms fall you will experience the pain of death and the bitter-sweet uncertainty of budding love, the heat of hand-to-hand combat and the wonder of powerful magic, th pain of burying loved-ones and the joy of celebrating victory hard-won.

I recommend Dark Lord without reservation.

John Berkowitz, Publications Director and graphic designer and fantasy writer

Here's a young adult novel that holds up beautifully some 40 years later. If its period references place it in a particular time, its message is as fresh as ever. And if you ever had a song, or book, or film, or painting change your life, open up wider vistas to you, then this story will resonate all the more. Sometimes that single, soul-wrenching encounter with art can change your whole life & set it going in a new direction.

I love that Dave's version of "Suzanne" is the Noel Harrison one, and later the Judy Collins one, because that's how a teenager in the Midwest would have been likely to hear it. No artistic snobbery here, no "cooler than thou" attitudes -- the emphasis is on honesty, both with others & one's own self. Dave & Kate come across as very real, struggling with the need to be individuals, to be more than what they're supposed to be, to change & to grow. Each gains precious insights into themselves & the world around them. And you'll never look at a chicken the same way again, either!

My paperback copy became so worn out that I finally tracked down a hardcover copy for my shelves. It remains very re-readable, even if you're now as old (or even older) than Dave's parents. A thoughtful, perceptive little gem, most highly recommended.

This book was my "Catcher in the Rye" because I was a huge Leonard Cohen fan and Suzanne was my mantra.
This book meant more to me than almost any thing I had read.
I had my kids read it when they were in 6 or 7th grade and they felt the same way.
The book still gives me chills.
What's happening with Mr. McKay these days?

I first read this book 35 years ago, when I was in 7th grade. It swept me into a world of characters with feelings like my own, something I'd seldom known. I immediately rushed out and bought a copy of Judy Collins singing "Suzanne," and wore out the record. I wore out the book, too - had to buy another copy.

Now, many years later, I still return to this beautiful book time and again, and recommend it to young friends.

This was one of the first novels I read back in 7th grade. (I had to sneak to the library to get it, I wasn't allowed to read novels) It touched me in so many ways. Most profoundly by the sense that others had the same or similar feelings and hopes, dreams, and fears that I did. I'd recommend this book to anyone who wants to remember the intensity of our younger selves or to share with your own children.

When I first read this book I was baffled by why I loved it so much. The story line seems basic and the plot is conventional, but the characters--they are incredible. The author creates a hero and heroine that draw you to the book time and again. I can't help but read it at least once a month, just to remind myself why I like chickens. Andrea Rasmussen