Texas Books

Bitter Lake Wildlife Refuge in Roswell, New Mexico has a Dragonfly Festival each fall. The authors of this book were there this year. This is one amazing book! The photography of the dragonflies is outstanding.

Fantastic pictures! But even better, they describe exactly how to get them yourself, if so motivated. The excellent pictures are used to show diagnostic characteristics, better than any others I've seen. But historical and life cycle information is provided, too. Whether you're a chairside nature enthusiast or prefer the field, you'll find value in this book. The author loves dragonflies and it's fun to share the excitement.

I have enjoyed this book very much. It is a beautiful picture book and also has quite a bit of good information if one is looking for such a book. I would recommend it for sure.

An amnazingly beautiful pictorial review of dragonflies. The information provided in this book is perfect for someone who appreciates the beauty and serenity the presence of dragonflies brings to the soul.

Forrest Mitchell and James Laswell's labor of love, "A Dazzle of Dragonflies", accomplishes a feat that any science exhibit hopes to do: hook the viewer with visual flair, and then pique their interest with previously mundane data. This method of exhibition is applicable for exotic or esoteric subjects, such as Himalayan vistas or microscopic bacteria activity, but it also holds well for specimens more acquainted with the viewer's scope of life. In Mitchell and Laswell's case, the elusive but omnipresent dragonfly is given the runway treatment.
"Dazzle" aims to give the reader a comprehensive introduction to dragonfly study; their place in folklore, the fossil record, their internal mechanisms, their behavior. But "Dazzle" is not just a study book for aspiring entomologists- Mitchell and Laswell also offer advice on capturing, luring, and photographing the famously elusive Odonata.
Photographic advice from the authors should certainly be heeded, as it is apparent from the first page that the photos of dragonflies are simply stunning. Every color of the abdomen, the compound eye, even the vein system of the wing are rendered with remarkable clarity. A perusal of the pictures in the hardcover edition justifies the hefty price tag.
The pictures may be intended to be the visual hook that snares the reader, but the excellent introductory chapters assure the reader's attention. After a brief introductory chapter, "Dazzle" veers to a sociological aside and studies the myths and folklore of several different cultures regarding dragonflies. This is a humanistic quality that is absent from many science books. The knowledge that some cultures have alternately hated (the Romanian dubbed "devil's horse") and revered (an ancient name of Japan was Akitsu-shima, or "Island of the Dragonfly") these insects is fascinating, revelatory reading (28-30). Not surprisingly, the folklore section is the best writing in the book, as it allows the authors to let their passion and emotion shine.
Equally interesting is the section that covers the fossil record. Dragonflies have left behind well-preserved fossils that give the reader insight to their evolution. Though this section is short, and gives a brief rundown of the various eras in which dragonflies were prominent, the photography of the fossils is a little sparse. There is a very nice shot of the Tupus permianus, but it would have been nice to see a picture of the massive Meganeuropsis permiana, the largest fossilized insect yet discovered (47). The lack of fossil pictures, which is the gateway into an evolution discussion, gives the impression that the majority of photography in this book is meant to be live action shots or scans of captured specimens.
It is this devotion to photography style that causes the next two sections of the book to falter. Devoted to the life cycle and natural history of dragonflies, the authors offer a fine primer, but the data load becomes quite heavy. In such cases, tables or graphics, so as to reinforce visually what the reader has mentally ingested, can lighten dense subject matter. The authors attempt to do this with their photography, and the result is unsatisfactory. Particularly, when shifting to dragonfly anatomy and physiology, a graphic with the dragonfly's inner structures and pathways would have been an excellent aide in comprehension. The life cycle of the dragonfly is reduced to a convoluted mess by the absence of a comprehensive table. While the pictures of the larvae molting to its adult life were fantastic, it would have been nice to have a better grasp of the inner workings of the dragonfly.
The concluding chapters regarding dragonfly watching, collecting, and photographing redeem this deficiency. The authors are experts in this department, as evidenced throughout the entire book. For those who are interested in dragonfly collection and further study, these sections are invaluable. There is also an appendix with ideas on how to properly document dragonfly finds, and a protocol for responsible bug hunting. A list of references and websites for further learning conclude the book.
"Dazzle" was surely aimed at the casual hobbyist and the curious, and its mark is hit clearly. A book that is scientific without being overly empirical will appeal to this broad audience, and the photography will cause even the most jaded National Geographic reader to do an about face. If the sections regarding anatomy and life cycle leave you wanting more, the authors have provided enough references and further reading suggestions to slake your thirst. "A Dazzle of Dragonflies" is an excellent first read for anyone who is interested in learning about dragonflies, and considering the scarcity of any such literature, it may well be essential.

It's been a while since I've read another Willie-Morris related book but I was drawn to this one by frequent references to Celia Morris in a recent biography of the Harpers editor by Larry King, not the talk show host but a Texas based writer and anecdotalist. I've read the biography of Willie, but it seems that Larry King, who knew both Willie and Celia, didn't really care for Celia because his book is clearly biased in favor of Willie's second wife, the editor JoAnne Pritchard. I decided to go to the source and find out more about the woman herself, Celia Morris, by reading her account of her own life, and in FINDING CELIA'S PLACE I struck the motherlode! She tells it exactly as she found it.

It was a challenge for Celia to overcome to orejudices of her place and time, while still remaining true to her roots as a Texan and a woman. She had strong female relatives, older crones in the family, women she learned from, their struggles and their achievements, and also, how frustrating it was trying to be the perfect wife in the 1950s. It's not all tears, though, there are many amusing tales, including the first penis she saw! Belonged to a neighbor boy who could do tricks with it, wiggle it a bit, and Celia was singularly unimpressed!

Eventually adultery and alcoholism deter her from her path, and she winds up with not one, but two "liberal folk heroes" as she calls them. In a 12 step program, a fellow drinker confides in the group that if he were to take another drink, he would die. She comes right back with, if she were to take another drink, she'd marry a third liberal folk hero.

The glamor and the excitement that Willie Morris brought to his book NEW YORK DAYS, and the adoration of the lab Skip, in MY DOG SKIP, she sees from another angle, for often enough thoughtless Willie would bring home twelve men from Harpers and order her to make dinner, when she was completely worn out from dealing with little David all day, his skinned knees, his need for adventure. Plus, they were trying to survive in the jet set on a very limited budget. Finding her own place in the sun meant shedding the excess baggage of husband and traditional domestic cares. Good for her.

I was surprised to see, after an initial flurry of reviews in the months immediately following publication, that no one has apparently written about FINDING CELIA'S PLACE on this Amazon site in four or five years! A tragic lack of recognition, when this book should be required reading in all college classrooms. Perhaps people got tired of the title, it sounds whiny, when the book itself is anything but!

Quite by lucky accident we stayed a Celia's Place for a few days. Thanks to the book, when she came to the door we felt that we already knew her. A wonderful book about a remarkable woman.

Finding Celia's Place is an enthralling, absorbing tale of one woman's ability to and struggle to rise above and go far beyond the confines of Texas. From most adored woman on campus to the lodestar of Americans at Oxford, Celia really did find a succession of strong places in the minds and hearts of her men and her many other friends. She did make a magnificent difference to her contemporaries well beyond those Texas bounds. An uplifting as well as a great read.

I've read lots of memoirs by women and written one. Let me tell you, Celia Morris' "Finding Celia's Place" is in a class all its own. For starters, it is beautifully written and hard to put down. More importantly, she pushes the envelope for honesty among women on the subjects of sex, motherhood, marriage, and politics. I can think of hardly any books that go as far as she does in depicting a woman's sexual maturation beyond youth and into late middle age. She stands almost alone among women who have written well about their intellectual roots and maturation. Simone de Beauvoir's "She Came to Stay" is the only book I can think of to compare to this one.

judith paterson

Celia Morris' memoir should be a permanent fixture on the syllabus of any Women's Studies course - or American History, for that matter. Morris' wrenching account of a woman struggling to keep up appearances at the same time that she is developing intellectually, emotionally, and psychologically throws into high relief the relative comfort in which the daughters of her generation (like me)are able to move through life. Were it not for the faith - and occasional lapses of it - and courage of women like Celia Morris, women of my generation would have no hope but to fall victim to the same myths of femininity and womanly duty.

American women of all ages owe Celia Morris a debt of gratitude for giving us her story.

As a student at Yale Law School planning to go into estate planning, I found this book very helpful. Highly recommended for anyone who needs to plan their estate or for law students taking estate tax or planning courses. This book is easy to understand, well organized, and provides a good amount of detailed information, not just vague ideas. Highly recommended.

This book provides an easy to understand overview of estate planning plus easy to understand detail on many special circumstances. It is very easy to understand which estate planning techniques are right for you, and there are many examples that illustrate how the techniques work. Approximately half of this book is relevant to everyone. The other half gives clear, common sense explantions of advanced planning techniques that are typically reserved for those fortunate enough to be planning a high net worth estate (lets say $1M+). The advanced techniques are not for do it yourselfers, but the book gives you a good understanding of the issues and lets you converse intelligently with an attorney.

Now in a newly updated and expanded seventh edition, Plan Your Estate is a resource provided by attorneys Denis Clifford and Cora Jordan which is packed from cover to cover with everything anyone needs to know to ensure their worldly goods are promptly willed to loved ones. Written in no-nonsense terms that the non-specialist general reader can readily grasp, individual chapters clearly address wills, how to avoid probate, living trusts, property-control trusts, naming guardians for children and leaving property to children, estate taxes, living wills, how to reduce estate taxes, and much, much more. Especially recommended for individuals who own a business or who have children from a former marriage, Plan Your Estate is a "must-have", "do-it-yourself" legal resource, which is applicable to all American states except for Louisiana. Even those who prefer to let a professional handle the whole process of estate planning would be well served to read Plan Your Estate cover to cover, before stepping into an attorney's office where time is money and the clock is running.

Great for law students taking an estate planning course or an estate and gift tax course. Also good for people wanting to learn about estate planning in general. I would recommend this book.

This book is a must buy resource for persons interested in estate planning. Whether you are planning to do-it-yourself or use a lawyer, it is good to know what your options are. I am much better informed after reading this book.

I like the way Corey Mitchell writes, this book is excellent as is Evil Eyes. Both held my attention throughout with plenty of interesting details and juicy bits without sensationalism. After having read stacks of true crime books that declare they contain pages of "shocking photos" this book actually contains a really disturbing picture, I love it! Corey Mitchell writes true crime that almost takes you there. I dont pretend to read this stuff for purely intellectual reasons. I want to experience what the crime scene technicians and profilers experience. While I am very interested in what may separate a homocidal maniac from Joe America and I want to know warning signs and patterns and all of that. I admit I want a thrill of the forbidden and the chase. Corey Mitchell gives you the feeling of looking over the shoulder of the killer in my opinion and I like that. This is a really good book; but, I think Evil Eyes is even better. If you feel like I do, you probably should look into buying both of them.

I read this book in only a few days because I couldn't put it down. The way the author went into the backgrounds of not only the victims but some of the detectives, lawyers, etc. was really nice and cool. It helped remind me where I had heard some of the names before. Last night I was only gonna read to one part and as I was reading that mark kept changing until it was 5:45 AM and I was at the end :) A must for any true crime reader! Great job!

Once again, Corey Mitchell holds my intrest with his story telling. He is sure to become a favorite among true crime readers.

"Strangler" is another excellent offering from true crime author Corey Mitchell.
This is the second book from Mr. Mitchell that I have read. Like "Evil Eyes" it didn't disappoint.

The author includes transcripts from Anthony Shore's confessions.
The reader gets a chilling insight into the mind of an incestuous serial killer. He sensed that he would be discovered after submitting a court ordered DNA sample. Mr. Mitchell gives accounts of some of Shore's disturbing activities as a youth.

Corey Mitchell does a great job of detailing the investigation and prosecution of Anthony Shore.He writes about the crime lab scandal and that makes the independent DNA lab very important as a part of the prosecution's case. Add to that the tragic suicide of one of the homicide detectives,and the revolving door of relationships that the killer had and you have a very chaotic period.

The author provides a fast-paced but focused book on virtually every aspect of theses murders,from the victims,their families,Shore's family,the detectives determination to solve the cases,and the Assistant District Attorney who successfully prosecuted the killer.
A great read from one of the best true crime writers of the day!

This is the first book I have read from Corey Mitchell, and based on the strength of this one, I will be purchasing his other true crime stories. Mitchell has a gift. Even with presenting what could be dull facts, he keeps the pages turning. His writing is clear and concise, and never gets boring. The story of Anthony Shore is interesting and the author really details his life nicely. You can never really know what makes a talented musician and very intelligent guy turn into a murderer, but Corey Mitchell lays out all the facts and gives you everything you need to get into the twisted mind of this killer. Very good book.

Tales of a Texas Boy
All reviews on this edition apply to the Kindle version, too.

Tales of a Texas Boy took me home. I grew up in Texas on a large chicken farm with a grandmother who told me stories of the 'good ol days'. Marva captured for me a sense of peace and a longing for how things use to be. This is a great book for children of all ages. Marva, Hon would be proud.
Sarah--Utah

Tales of A Texas Boy is a funny, charming, and bittersweet vision of a vanished time. Its host of characters include a jack mule from Georgia named Samson, a grandfather who fought in the Argonne, and (unbeknownst to Eddie) Mae West, encountered in a roadside café. The stories, narrated in Eddie's West Texas accent, perfectly capture his childlike perceptiveness. The sense of place is wonderful, whether we are passing the evening on horseback across the prairie, bone-hunting in the dry washes or watching Sophie the bear roll up to the county fair sitting in the back seat of a Studebaker. What a pleasure it must be to spend a day with the man behind these stories!

Ms. Dasef wrote a marvelous portrayal of America's history through stories told by a young Texan. She takes the reader into events such as World War I and The Great Depression. The photos add to the depth of this most enjoyable book!

Ms. Dasef has captured the essence of her father's life on the Texas prairies. These folksy, heartwarming stories bring to life endearing characters who were real, flesh and blood people struggling to farm the priaire lands of the Texas panhandle.

The stories are enchanting, humorous and often contain a sort of morality tale. I especially liked the one about the grandfather taking on a hired hand he could not really afford simply because even though his family had little, the hired hand's family "had nothing."

In this day of callousness and cynicism, Tales of a Texas Boy resonates with echoes of the real America. Kudos to Ms. Dasef and to her remarkable family. A great read for all ages.

Barry Yelton,
Author of Scarecrow in Gray, a Civil War Novel

In When A Sistah's Fed Up, Faith Henry has everything a successful woman could possibly want. As the wife of her college sweetheart, mother of two "seemingly" perfect children and the first African American Mayor of Ulysses, Texas, Faith doesn't know whether she is coming or going with her busy schedule. At the very beginning, she's almost killed by a sniper's bullet. But her family seems to be interested in her accident for only a moment. They are all too involved with their own lives to worry about Faith. Her husband, Preston, feels that his wife's place is to take care of her home and not the entire city. Sloan, her self-centered daughter in college, is involved in a secret relationship with a man twice her age. Trey, her teenage son, is suffering from an identity crisis and wanting teenage girls. Things heat up when Faith secretly falls in love with Raymond, her male administrative assistant. Then, a personal decision that she made years ago comes back to haunt her. Now up for re-election, Faith has no choice but to come to grips with her past, as well as her future. She's fed up!

I recently met "Dr. Moe" at a writer's conference in Dallas, and I asked her why was a dentist writing a book? She told me that dentistry was her profession and writing was her passion. After reading her debut novel, I understand exactly what she meant. She is a passionate writer with a flair for writing with elegance, style, and humor. I loved this book and every well-developed character that emerged throughout the storyline.

The two main characters, Faith, and her once-loving husband, Preston, are on the last leg of their marriage. When her run for re-election as mayor turns ugly, Faith turns to her very attentive administrative assistant, Raymond Hart, who's not as fine as her husband, but he is certainly more supportive. As time passes and secrets are revealed, Preston tries to save his failing marriage, but is he too late? This book had all the makings of a superbly written novel by a well-seasoned author including: drama, romance, intrique, mystery, suspense, and politics.

If you're "fed up" with other books that don't "measure up" to your expectations, then there ain't nothing you can do about it except read "When A Sistah's Fed Up." Believe me, you won't be disappointed with this hot book that has made the Essence Best Selling List. Relax with your favorite drink and be prepared to be thoroughly entertained with this fast paced book with a surpising twist in each chapter. This read deserves five stars plus five more to be honest with you. I don't normally like reading series, but I'm definitely hoping that a sequel is in the making for this one. Congratulations, Dr. Moe on all of your accomplishments as a self-published author. It wouldn't surprise me at all if this one gets picked up and reprinted by a major publisher. In fact, I predict that it will...

Barbara Joe-Williams, author of Dancing with Temptation

Faith Henry is an African-American superwoman, who, one day decides that part of being "super" is knowing when to say "Sho Nuff E Nuff!" She is the 1st black female mayor of Ulysses Texas: a beautiful, sleek, modern Houston suburb, a chocolate drop of an oasis of the well-to-do. She is married to her husband, Preston of 27 years, once a rising star of a real estate agent who has since stumbled on the fast track. They have a daughter, Sloane, a child in a woman's body, and a son, Trey, a young man in a whole lot of women's bodies. The story opens with Faith being the target of a clumsily executed assassination attempt, and revolves around her attempts to unravel the mystery. Along the way we meet Raymond, her ever protective and able assistant; Junior, her savvy and misunderstood brother-in-law; and Reverend Leroy, Preston's best friend and the conscience he never seems to have developed. Faith is essentially a woman who `has it all' and gives just as much to keep it. We trace her journey, professionally, personally, and emotionally as she finally learns to start living life on her own terms, including taking stock of what she needs.

My hat (and my wig if I had one!), go off to Dr. Anderson. She has created an engaging family that I found myself wanting to know better. No doubt that having read this, we may all look at successful black women askance, wondering perhaps, how fed up is she? Dr. Anderson has done her homework, and although she covers influence of real estate, the fireworks of local politics, and the intricacies of church and family drama, the reader is never left wandering through too much explanation. She also manages to draw each character fully without jumbling people together. She clearly has a direction and focus for each main character, and each character remains faithful to that throughout the book. The surprises come from plot devices, not odd changes in direction or personality.

When I received this book, I admit a slight reluctance to read it, stemming from my experience with urban fiction. I have never been so pleasantly disappointed. The story is ultimately about growth and grace under pressure. The hallmark of good manners and scruples is graciousness to those who have none, and Faith is more than up to the task. Dr. Anderson has created a viable, successful, charming, realistic, admirable heroine in Faith Henry, and made her accessible enough that we want to see her prevail, because we as readers have so much emotional investment in her success. I eagerly await the sequel. Let me repeat that: I am waiting for the sequel! Dr. Anderson, with graceful aplomb and enthusiasm, listed an impressive 2 pages of acknowledgments, and I sincerely hope that those she mentions appreciate her more than worthy effort. I can only offer my highest recommendation.
Reviewed By: Angela T. Hailey, Black Butterfly Review

As a wife, mother and mayor of Ulysses, Texas, Faith Henry doesn't know whether she's coming or going. For starters--she's almost killed by a sniper's bullet. Her husband feels a woman's place is to take care of home, her daughter is involved in a secret relationship and her son is suffering from an identity crisis. Making matters worse, Faith falls in love with her administrative assistant and a decision she made years ago has come back to haunt her. Now up for re-election, Faith has no choice but to come to grips with her past as well as her future.

Monica "Dr. Moe" Anderson has written a novel portraying the ins and outs of politics. Readers will be entertained with the abundance of shady underhanded dealings as well as the heated little deeds going on behind closed doors. The storyline was excellent and the plot was so wonderful that it left me wanting more...talk about a sistah fed up. Dr. Moe is to be commended on a job well done. Readers will enjoy WHEN A SISTAH'S FED UP for years to come because it is a compelling fictional story detailing the gritty, grimy and seedy side of local government.

Reviewed by Pamela Bolden
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers

When a Sistah's Fed Up, by Monica Frazier Anderson, is an attention-grabber from the start. By the end of the first chapter, I was caught up in the whirlwind of suspense and conflict that is a constant throughout the story.

Faith Henry is an African-American woman who is the incumbent in the upcoming mayoral election. To the outside world, she seems to have it all. But, inside, she is unhappy. Faced with an assassination attempt on her life, children who have secrets to hide, a husband, Preston, who seems to not love her anymore, along with growing romantic feelings for her assistant, Raymond, Faith finds herself in a maze of seemingly never-ending conflicts.

Faith's world is turned upside down and her popularity in her mayoral campaign comes to a crash, when a devastating secret from her past is unveiled and she tries to figure out who is out to destroy her. She knows that her political nemesis, JD Person, the former mayor, has some nasty tricks up his sleeve, but would he go so far as to try and have her killed? Or is it her husband who seems jealous of her ambitions in life and who seemingly does not love her as he did earlier in their marriage? Who can she trust?

Faith has to deal with the issue of her heart becoming full of love for her assistant, Raymond, who supports her in ways that her non-supportive husband refuses to. Yet, guilt tears at her heart and she has to make a decision on whether or not pursuing this relationship is the way to go.

Twists, turns, love, hate; many emotions are felt throughout the story and make this a hard read to put down. The readers see Faith transform into a woman who truly takes it upon herself to seek and find what makes her happy and complete within.

A definite must read. I give this one two thumbs up. I would love to see a prequel or sequel that would dig deeper into the dynamics of some of the conflicting issues of other characters in the story such as Reverend Leroy and Preston Henry. This is a well-written debut from author, "Dr. Moe" Anderson.

Reviewed by RaTasha(Coulee Eidos)
APOOO BookClub

Marjorie Meyer Arsht's literary gem of a book takes its reader on a journey of time and places with vivid details, invoking emotions from laughter to tears as the reader takes the challenging, personal journeys right alongside Marjorie. Her writing style makes for an enjoyable reading experience. I recommend it for everyone's personal library regardless of where they live, what their political or religious affiliation. My only complaint is that I wasn't ready for it to end when I came to the last page!

Marjorie's account shows just how much a gifted, caring person can
accomplish with the mind set of overcoming all obstacles of foes, families, and deterrants on the path of making this a better world for having been blessed by such wisdom and perseverance inspired to
improve the lives of others less capable of doing it for themselves.
Alliene and Wylie W. Vale

Yoakum's loss was our gain. This is an exceedingly well-written memoir of a remarkable life. It is the rare memorist who can not only tell her story, but make the reader feel he is right there along with her. I'm ready for her next chapters.

My mother, Elaine Kuper, and I enjoyed the book from our different perspectives---hers, from her active involvement at Beth Israel having taught Sunday School for 25 years (and my grandmother, Lorraine Hofeller having taught for 40 years!) My family's membership of Temple Beth Israel goes back to 1934--My interest focused on the amazing history of Texas politics! This book truly underscores the fact that one person can make a difference!

"All The Way From Yoakum" is a marvelous book about an extraordinary woman. It is an historical document as well--about Jewish life in small-town Texas, the rise of the Texas Republican Party and the evolution of race relations in the South. By any standard, Marjorie Arsht is an unforgettable person and this book brings her vividly alive.
Allan Brownfeld

Katie Parker's past closes in on her in The Big Picture, Jenny B. Jones' final volume of A Katie Parker Production. Katie's mom gets out of rehab and wants Katie back. The Scotts drive Katie out to Middleton, Texas, to her mother's mobile home and her new life--or old life, depending on how things go. Katie leaves the Scotts, her best friend, Francis, and her boyfriend, Charlie, and sets forth on a new journey, hoping her mom is ready to make their family work.

From the start tensions are high between Katie and her mom. Katie often finds herself home alone when her mom disappears for days at a time, even missing the social worker's visit. Katie wants her mom to make this work, but she isn't making it a priority. Nor is Charlie making their long-distance friendship a priority, despite his claims to care about her. Katie finds in instant friend in Tate Matthews, who goes out of his way to make Katie feel at home in Middleton. When the situation with her mom escalates and becomes dangerous, Katie is forced to make some hard decisions that will affect her future forever.

This book is a wonderful end to the trilogy. I was concerned about Katie not being with her In Between friends for most of the book, but Tate Matthews was a wonderful surprise. I thoroughly enjoyed his character. My only disappointment was the absence of letters from Katie to Mrs. Smartly, which were my favorite parts of the previous two books. Still, a satisfying read until the last line, The Big Picture shows that happily ever after isn't always perfect, but a girl can get through it with the GOG (grace of God). Highly recommended.

If you haven't read them, you must read books one and two:
In Between: A Katie Parker Production Act 1 and On the Loose: A Katie Parker Production, Act 2

Katie Parker returns in this third book in the Katie Parker Production Series. Jenny B. Jones has once again written an entertaining story of youth, trials, faith, and forgiveness. Sometime when you get to the third book in a series, the story has weakened and the characters lost some charm. This is not the case with The Big Picture. You will welcome the opportunity to become involved in Katie Parker's life again.

She settles into life in her foster home, and then her mother gets out of rehab and reclaims custody. Katie must move back to her mother's home and start again. She leaves her best friend and her boyfriend, who appears to be more focused on his ex than her. As she starts over in the new location her newfound faith struggles to understand God's plan. Katie makes friends with another young man who never questions her background, but always manages to be by her side when she needs help.

When the situation with her mother changes for the worse and becomes dangerous, Katie's life seems condemned much like the local drive-in, The Big Picture. As she and her friends, both new and old, work to save the local landmark, Katie faces destruction in her world. Her mother returns to the old criminal ways. Can one lonely teenage girl find a happy ever after in a life is tough world?

The Big Picture is an excellent book which I highly recommend. The final book in the Katie Parker series leaves you hoping maybe someday to return to the small town of In Between. Jenny B. Jones has a creative way of writing from the point of view of a teenage girl trying to find her way in a lost world. You will laugh, cry, and sigh with contentment as you read this book. I also recommend the first two books in the series, In Between and On the Loose.

Like usual, my seventeen-year-old snatched Jenny's book before I could get my hands on it. That's when the torture began--hooting and guffawing erupting from the other room for hours while Her Royal Highness refused to tell me a single joke!
When my turn to read The Big Picture finally came, I laughed at Jenny's snarky humor till I cried. Katie Parker and her wacky foster grandma, Maxine, walked off the page and into my kitchen till I fed them pizza with the rest of the teen fixtures around here. When Jenny's next book comes out, I'm buying two copies--make that six--one for me, one for Her Royal Highness, and the rest for the kids who have pizza smudged my whole series.

This is the third in the Katie Parker Series, which is about a teenage girl in foster care because her mom is in prison for drug dealing. In this book Katie's mom wants to take her back, and Katie feels torn between her mom and her foster family and friends. How can Katie show her druggie mom the love of Jesus when her mom does not want to change?

I think this series is awesome! I don't like to read, but this story pulled me in right away and has showed me that reading can be fun. I like how the author mixed humor with sad situations. I found myself crying sometimes but I laughed a lot.

~~by Erin, age 14

Katie Parker is a riot! A realistic, relatable, sarcastic, hilarious girl on the verge of adulthood and all the issues that come with. The best part about Katie is EVERYONE gets her - young teens, college students, moms, middle-aged women, even grannies can relate to something in Katie's life. In fact, one of my favorite characters was Mad Maxine, Katie's crazy foster grandma who gets into more trouble than Katie herself.

I would recommend this series (please, go back and read them in order!) to any teen girl. They're fresh, fun, and full of inspiring themes that don't preach, but rather give subtle undertones of faith. Katie is real - it was hard to put this last book in the series down. I want to save them and let my daughter read them one day. (Okay, so she'll have to wait about 12 years, but hey!) =)

Savoured the book from start to finish. It took me 2 weeks to read the last 20 pages because I did not want it to end. I am looking forward to reading the next Gillian adventure.

Everyone loves an adventure (or at least reading of one) and most of us will never take a boat from China to America. Envious of this one, I curled up by my fireplace and read Mr. Ding's Chicken Feet with a taste for the fascinating journey of a Caucasian woman on a boat full of Asian men. I was not disappointed.

The author sets sail on an ocean of cultural difference and wins over the hearts of the crew - a rough and salty bunch who sit spellbound by her in English class.

Because of the obvious vast expanse of ocean to cross, you know that the author is going to have to face a few things she has probably never had to before, and deal with them. There is, after all, no escape on a small boat in the middle of the ocean.

Kendall reveals the color of the crew over the course of the journey as if she were polishing up tarnished brass. It was great fun to read about the men as they blossom at the hand of their teacher...though the revelations were not one-sided.

Not surprisingly, I felt the poignancy at the sight of land, which meant having to say goodbye.

Kendall writes with an unpretentious clarity, humor and heart. I definitely recommend it.

Ji Lians book very good. Makes me laugh. Have to laugh and wake up husband to read good part. I like this book. I like especially page where I am mention. I am Li. I am beautiful asian/american. Not Chinese. I too, don't like chicken feet.

I spent the academic year of 1999/2000 teaching English in Shenzhen. I spoke no Chinese, at the time, and had no formal teaching experience. So I could definitely relate to Gillian's frustrations, culture shock, and malentendus. It's 1991 and Gillian is a grad student in Galveston, TX. The semester is coming to a close and she spies an ad on the bulletin board for an ESL teacher aboard a ship sailing from Shanghai to Galveston. After a hard sell Gillian manages to land the job aboard the all male ship. The company flies her to Shanghai where she boards the ship. The reader witnesses her feelings about being the only woman on the ship; loneliness and some sexual harassment egged on by the only other American on board. She experiences a Sapphic awakening as she realizes in her state of isolation that she doesn't have any romantic feelings for her boyfriend. She manages to break through the cultural, gender, and language barriers to form some attachments to her students and especially Mr. Ding, the cook. The book is riddled with faux pas but the funniest part, I would say, is when she saves Mr. Ding by hurling the violent Panamanian vendor into the Canal.

In Mr Ding's Chicken Feet, the author, Gillian Kendall, comes across at first as maybe a little naive and unwary. She is a risk-taker. Her apparent lack of serious doubt about the whole enterprise, her trust in her fellow human beings not to harm her and her faith that it would all work out made me a little nervous on her behalf. But she is vindicated by the experience and it is her empathy and geniality that are the keys to her success. Observing Kendall's openness to life and her willingness to reach out across cultures became one of the pleasures of reading the book. A cynical reader such as I am found it instructive to watch her interest in humanity unfold and be repaid.

Her story really takes off once the ship leaves shore. Then it leaves behind any experience I and probably most readers have had. Shipboard life with a completely male crew who mostly speak very fractured English seems so weird and challenging that you half expect the book to be a story of failure -- perhaps noble failure but depressing nonetheless. So it's very satisfying that she actually makes a difference to the sailors' English and lives. She is inventive in her methods and determined to give her employers their money's worth and thereby wins the crew's respect and affection.

Kendall can write -- just see her description of the terrible storm at sea. It had me rigid with tension. Shades of Conrad in Typhoon. She has a distinctive and likable tone of voice. The book tells an optimistic story in an unpretentious way and gives you faith in the power of empathic teachers (and English!).

THIS STORY WAS REAL BEAUTIFUL
AND IT FEELS SO REAL.
THE STORY HAS MANY TWISTS
LOVE,PAIN,LAUGH AND TEARS...I STRONGLY RECOOMMEND
THIS BOOK FOR ANYONE WHO
APPRECIATES HEART TOUCHING LOVE NOVELS.

This is NOT your typical "romance". This is not sentimental fluff without substance. It will make you laugh and leave you crying.

Gil and Sunny's love for each other is one which is often viewed as scandalous, taboo, and yet absolutely beautiful and heart wrenching... They are first cousins.

This is certainly nothing new. Cousin romances have existed since the beginning of time, and are not all that uncommon, even in today's world. However, the subject is one that few authors have the courage to write about. Cindy Bonner handles a difficult subject with grace, compassion, sensitivity, and realism.

Set in the early 1900's, Sunny and Gil face tremendous prejudices against them. Yet love is something that can not be denied, and is worth sacrificing everything for. The couple overcomes every obstacle imaginable, and their love endures through the best and worst of circumstances.

Never has a story touched my heart like this one, and never has one echoed the thousands of voices of cousins who find themselves in similar situations so clearly.

I am writing this review because very few books and movies can leave me in tears. From the first page I was drawn in. I read this book in a day and a half and when I wasn't reading it I was thinking about it or dreaming about it. You know a book is good when the characters continue to haunt you long after the last page. All through this book I felt the same happiness, sorrow, anger, frustration and a slew of other emotions Sunny and Gil went through. This book was brillant and if you're looking to read a love story that will move you and make you feel as if you are experiencing the same emotions as the characters and not just watching from the sidelines this is the book for you.

This story of forbidden love between first cousins was so tragically beautiful. Although Sunny and Gil tried to go their separate ways, they always came back to each other, leaving a trail of hurt and pain behind. So many years wasted...I only wish they would have had more years together in the end.

I thought that this book was incredibly well written, and very original. I picked it up in the library never having heard of the author, and I didn't put it down until I finished the entire book in one day. In a day where it is hard to find something new and fresh, this book meets those expectations. I highly reccomend this book, and it's author to anyone looking for a fresh mind!