Clubs Books

This was a fantastic read!! I couldn't put it down and finished it within 12 hours! (I should have been sleeping...) This story will break your heart and you will fall in love with Lori Jean. This was a fabulous book that I would recommend to any avid reader.

This book is not only a page turner, but it pulls you into the characters. It is well written and a must read!

This book was a page turner! I finished it in two readings - couldn't put it down until I found out what happened to Lori Jean. This story is very sad but well worth your time. I definitely recommend it.

J.L.Miles is a undiscovered treasure. I couldn't order her next book fast enough, "Coldwater Creek". It is turning out to be another fantastic read. She really gets it. The characters are so real. I love southern fiction and Ms. Miles did not let me down. I feel I have gained better understanding of other peoples' "worlds". I learn something from each of her books. I have already ordered, "Divorcing Dwayne". Ms. Miles writes with heartwarming HUMOR and wisdom.

This book touched my heart. Reading from the point of view of a murdered child was a very different experience. Even though it had some heartbreaking moments, it was well worth the read.

I originally got this book from a local library along with 5 or 6 others on international adoption. I am set on adopting from Russia as I am actually from there (lived there until I was 20), and am fully bi-lingual. I read the other books first and returned them to the library quickly. And then I started reading this book. I realized right away that I would have to get my own copy of it.
I am actually going through the process independently, without an agency, and I don't think I would be able to do it without this book. I cannot believe how familiar the author is with regional offices, hotels, embassies. It's like he's worked as a facilitator in several regions before writing this.
There are some misspellings and typos in the book, and please don't learn Russian from it (just common sense, really - I didn't learn my English from a Russian :)) ), but if you want to understand exactly how your adoption process is going, buy this book. It is a reference to be used and consulted again and again throughout the process.
The book also has chapters on some former USSR republics, so if you're adopting from Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaijan and such, this is also very helpful.

This book is chock full of specific and useful information, everything from shopping for agencies to how to evaluate a child before you adopt for potential medical/developmental issues (including a list of pediatricians who specialize in international adoption) to what to put on line 12 of form I-600A. He describes the regions and gives web addresses for online information. The most recent edition is from 2004 and as international adoption rules seem to change frequently, it would be great if the author did another more current edition. It seems the changes are more 'in word' than 'deed' however, and the gist of things is much the same. As someone just beginning the journey, this book has already helped me make major and solid decisions. Maclean is honest and doesn't talk down to you. This is for parents who want to be active, engaged advocates for their children even before you've met them and has good info. about countries other than Russia as well.

This is the everything you need to know about Russian adoption in one book guide. It is a little dated right now with re-accreditation issues starting in 2005, but it is still a very relevant and important guide to adopting from Russia. I suggest purchasing this book before you choose an agency as it gives lists of very important questions to ask a potential agency. This book breaks down the Russian adoption process and walks PAPs through the paperwork they will be filing. There are chapters on everything from what to pack to how to find a good pediatrician. We pulled chapters about our region and questions to ask doctors trip one out of the book and traveled with them. This is one book about adopting from Russia all PAPs need to read.
Written by Christina Stinsa

I just adopted my son from Russia and this book made everything so much easier! It should be a must have for all prospective adoptive families!!!

There is a lot of general information contained in one easy to navigate location. I do recommend it highly, especially for one who is just beginning the adoption process. The only problem is that things are changing so fast, that even though the book was recently updated, it is already somewhat out of date.

I read this book a few years ago, but I recently ordered a few copies when Amazon was having a sale. I realized I'd given mine to somebody at church and that I really needed a copy for my library because it's worth reading twice - or more. I love DeMuth's lyrical style and how beautifully she writes about human emotions that are difficult to talk about, let alone admit they exist. This is one you should add to your library.

The whole time I was reading this book I kept wondering if this was intended for adults or children? The subject matter certainly did not seem appropriate for children but I found the book "childish". The characters are portrayed as either evil or good without exception and Mara is not a believeable heroine.

A disappointing book.

This novel so accurately described a child's thought patterns when forced to deal with a situation beyond her wisdom and age. I suggest that every parent, educator and neighbor read it to learn to be aware and protect the innocence of those who are most vulnerable. It is both a tragic and beautiful story made more poignant that it reflects the authors own story and her desire to use her experiences to help others (shared in her non-fiction "Building the Christian Family You Never Had"). Thankfully, there is hope and assurance at the end, but left enough hanging to look forward to the sequel.

In her debut novel, Watching the Tree Limbs, Mary DeMuth introduces us to Maranatha, a creative girl who longs to color her world and to belong. As nine-year-old Mara struggles to cope with life-changing circumstances and rejection in her small Texas town, she falls prey to a neighbor boy who sexually abuses and terrorizes her. Although her story is heart-wrenching and painfully sad at times, it is not depressing or hopeless. Mara's story is also sweet and funny, especially her interactions with her best friend, Camilla, and her guardian's housekeeper, Zady. DeMuth gives the reader a beautifully written tale of grace and hope, transformation and deliverance. Mara plays real-life Nancy Drew with Camilla to solve the mystery of her past, which adds an unexpected element of suspense to the novel. As she grows, so does her faith, not only in God but in those He puts in her life to help and love her. The faith DeMuth portrays is not full of simplistic, pat answers and platitudes. Mara rages at God and wonders how He could allow such a thing to happen, even as she views her abuser as having almost supernatural powers to see inside her head and know her every thought and action. I look forward to continuing Maranatha's story in the book's sequel, Wishing on Dandelions.

Only read this book if you're ready for God to change your heart! You'll laugh with the protagonist, Mara, as she grows up, makes friends, and experiences the quirks of small-town life in Burl, Texas. You'll cry with her, too, as she experiences isolation, rejection and the deep pain of betrayal by those whom she should have been able to trust. By the end of the book, you'll rejoice with Mara as she works through her painful experiences to discover fresh hope and restoration.

Mary DeMuth's gift for storytelling is revealed in the creation and development of complex, yet lovable characters; the sustaining of a well-paced plot; and a balanced, redemptive approach to an extremely difficult subject: sexual abuse. With poignance and grace, Mary addresses abuse and its related issues in a way that is truthful, yet redemptive. If you're tired of "fluffy fiction" and are searching for authentic, well-written, Christ-centered prose, look no further than Watching the Tree Limbs. This book has certainly earned its Christy award nomination for the category of "First Novel"! It's "transformational truth" at its finest. A must-read for any woman who has dealt with sexual abuse.

After having 3 children, I've read lots and lots of children's books, some over and over. This is by far, the best and my personal favorite. It is written as a poem, and has a funny surprise ending! You and your kids will love it.

All three of my boys (3, 7 & 9.5) really enjoyed this book. It magically appeared on our dining room table on Xmas Eve 2007. We read it together more than once and all gave it glowing reviews!

This is a marvelous story that tells of one Christmas tree that is far too much for just one person. The tree is trimmed, and shared, and trimmed, and shared, and trimmed, and shared until far more people than Mr. Willoby alone, along with many animal families, have a bit of the tree to add beauty to their Christmas festivities! The rhyming text makes it a fun story to read aloud to children!

I always buy a Christmas-themed picture book for my children to read to them on Christmas Eve before bedtime. I got this one for my eight-year-old who is reading on a sixth grade level. Turns out we are never too old or too advanced to enjoy a good picture book. She loved the predictability of the story, and so did my six-year-old.

This has always been my favorite Christmas Book (just edging out "A Charlie Brown Christmas" by a glowing-red nose!). I'm happy to say that I own an original first printing of both books, but it's "Willowby" that I continue to purchase, year after year, for my friends and their children.

The charm of this story lies in the "one person's discards are another person's treasures" category. The oversufficient tree that old man Willowby brings into his mansion is snipped on top to clear his cathedral ceiling, and every recipient into whose hands the pruned remnant falls must perform the same whittling fix to adapt the orphaned fir to his own, progressively more spartan, hovel. Passing from maidservant to gardener to a scavenging bear and other various critters, after smaller and smaller sprigs make the rounds throughout the countryside near Willowby's estate, the last one eventually ends up with a family of mice who just happen to live in Mr. Willowby's wall! Thus, one huge tree is inadvertently able to make everyone's Christmas a bit brighter! Joy to the world!

Robert Barry's verses are easily read, and are exquisitely enhanced by the accompanying artwork -- especially the portrayal of the Benjamin Rabbit family. Too cute! While "Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree" is no doubt a children's story, at Christmas aren't we really ALL children? And what better way to enjoy one's Yuletide holiday than with a delightful, uplifting tale where everyone wins?

I love this book. It makes wine easy to understand and the recipes look awesome. I haven't tried any yet but am looking forward to trying the pairings. Thanks for a fun, easy to understand book!

I bought this to share with a wine tasting group we started. We started one 7 years ago in another city and it was really successful. Trying to introduce wine to people in Texas in the dry counties is a challenge, however. I also bought a copy of this book as gift for someone. Very helpful.

The recipes are phenomenal and the wine suggestions really do teach you about the different wines. Our wine club has had so much fun with the month-by-month guide.

Start your own wine club for and with your friends and learn about wine with the help of THE WINE CLUB: A MONTH-BY-MONTH GUIDE TO LEARNING ABOUT WINE WITH FRIENDS. A seasonal arrangement offers monthly varietal focus in a title which includes recipes for complimentary dishes, tips on how to taste and learn, overviews of wines and glass styles, and much more.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

This book has it all. I love the suggestions and recipes that accompany the wine selections. It is very simply written and easy to follow.

This was my first introduction to this writer. Though this book was a little rough...grammatically and style wise, the content was very good. And as I continue on reading her work, she gets better. Five stars for effort!

This was a great story. It's set up like a soap opera. Many twists and even more turns and surprises. If you like a great saga/soap opera you'll love this. And even if you don't, you just might get hooked. The character's reach they're lowest as well as they're highes in this story, they have relationships that interweave and tangle. It's a dance, a never ending dancing cycle. You start reading and you're in a whole other world that will shock, surprise, instill fear, and make you laugh and cry. It's grea and I loved it.
I hope all of you do as well. It's a story unlike any other, your not to meant to expect what they say you're supposed to. It' not like the fluffy harlequins or silhouettes, it's way more.
Enjoy!!!

I just knew the writer could do better. I read the original version of this story and it was good, but this is fantastic. So much richer and fuller. I'm hooked.

I'm so bad, I read the online version of this book while at work. During breaks and lunch, etc. It was great. It's written like a soap opera and I just loved it. You love the people, you hate the people. Jimmy, Eljen and all the rest are just so captivating. So many twists and turns I never wanted it to end. I cried and laughed. I really enjoyed the way the writer transitioned from the 50's up to the now. It was neat watching them grow as people. My friends and I talk about the characters like they are real. I can't wait to finish the new book. I think it's going to be a tear jerker, it's heading that way. Like I didn't cry enough reading Majestic Secret. But I got some good laughs too. Like I said, the whole ride. This book gave me the whole ride!

With a name like Majestic, what's a girl to do but to dream big dreams and have itchy feet? With a name like Majestic, how can you NOT want to be a star or want the world as your oyster? With a name like Majestic, how can you not love with your whole heart and soul? Majestic was those things and more. And she was only fourteen. How can a fourteen year old girl, fresh from the county, impact so many lives in so many ways? Well, I guess you'll have to read the book to find out. This book had so many plot twists and turns, it had you barely hanging on the edge of your seat. Like Betty Davis once said, "you better strap yourself in...it's going to be a bumpy ride!"

Majestic Secret is about a young lady, a child really, who wants to grow up too fast and learn too much too soon. When she runs away from home to follow a man she thought she was in love with, a white man at that, she soon finds that it is not him her heart has been searching for, but his son. From the minute they set eyes on each other, theirs lives are changed forever. However, Eljen has no idea how young Majectic really is, especially after she lies and claims to be older. With a beautiful face and bangin' body, he never stops to consider that her story has more holes in it than a piece of swiss cheese. However, in an effort to save Eljen from himself, she ends up telling the ultimate lie that tears them apart. Majestic may have been out of Eljen's life, but never his mind or his heart. They had been each other's destiny. He learns this to be true when Majestic's Secret is finally revealed.

Along the way there are colorful characters like Jimmy Smith, Majorie, Mary and Judith, all with secrets of their own.

Michell McGriff has written an outstanding novel with many well thought out, richly developed characters. This read will hold your attention from the first page to the end. I literally did not want it to end. There are some wonderful jaw-dropping surpises and zingers too!! Thankfully, there is a follow up to this book called "Rested Memories." I look forward to finding out what happens to all of the characters I came to love, hate, laugh and cry with! Michelle, you have one hell of a book here! Keep up the good work. This is a book I HIGHLY recommend to anyone to read, whether you like romance, mystery or just an all around GOOD book!

It is understandable why this book earned a Pulitzer for the author. Written in the early 1950's, it was the first time Civil War events were treated from a human versus fact-after-fact view. However, Shelby Foote later wrote a superior account that not only provides the human side, but also presents all the historical data.

It would be an almost impossible task for anyone to figure out just how many books have been written dealing with the American Civil War. It would also be difficult to determine which Civil War historians are most often cited by their peers but there is no doubt that Bruce Catton would be near or more likely at the top of any such list. The reason for this is quite simply that Catton was one of the great historical writers of all time. Very few people can take their readers into the heart of an army, both those of it's soldiers and leaders like Catton and even fewer convey their story in the very clear and easy to read style that this author has mastered. To read this book of pure history is in many ways like reading a historical novel and even the reader who already has a firm grasp on the historical facts of this story will sometimes find themselves wondering what happens next.

This is the story of the last campaign of the Army of the Potomac, that Ill-fated army that had so often been humiliated by Robert E. Lee and his Army of Northern Virginia. This campaign was to be different however because there was a new man calling the shots and having a man like U. S. Grant at the helm made all of the difference in the world. It took Grant a while though to convince this often badly led army that he was any different than his predecessors. Different he was however and once he locked horns with Lee he wasn't going to let up until one army or the other was destroyed. In other words Grant understood what had to be done and he was determined to do it.

Catton's main field of study was this man Grant but one of the author's most endearing qualities is that he makes no effort to whitewash or hide his subject's faults. Catton also does not attempt to build Grant up by tearing away at Lee like many of the more recent Grant biographers have done. He simply makes Grant's greatness apparent by telling the story the way it happened and it doesn't take long for the reader to figure out what an outstanding general Grant was.

The author has done a lot of searching through soldier's letters and memoirs as well as regimental histories and this leads to a very personal perspective of the last year of the war. The stories he has gleaned from these sources are poignant, somber, gleeful and funny. For example, one entire brigade falls out of the final advance upon Lee's army to chase down and cook some chickens that have been scattered by artillery fire. I think it was Napoleon who said something about an army traveling on it's stomach.

I highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in the Civil War. The hard core Civil War reader will find new information here and the casual reader will find that this book is fun to read and no one should have a problem following the story. If Amazon allowed six stars this is one of the few books that would qualify.

Part 3 of Bruce Catton's fantastic trilogy of the civil war is an interesting look at how the Army of the Potomac ended the war. From a discussion of a daring plan to plant dynamite underneath confederate lines to the chasing down of Lee's Army by Grant a true sense of what happened during the civil war can be gathered form this trilogy. An essential collection to any civil war historical library.

A Stillness at Appomattox is the last in the trilogy of the Army of the Potomac and covers from the period from late 1863/early 1864 (before the Wilderness and Spotsylvania Campaign) to April 1865 (Appomattox).

While the book is certainly heavily weighted in its coverage of the Union side, Catton is fair in his assessment of the various Union leaders. Of course, there is also the unique writing style that Catton possessed - a free flowing and smooth narrative rich with details.

My only complaint is the lack of maps. However, one must also bear in mind that the first edition was written in 1953, a time when books did not have the number of detailed maps that you would find in more recent titles.

Complaint aside, I highly recommend the book and series as the best coverage of the Union Army of the Potomac during the Civil War.

Read and enjoy!

This superb narrative about the Union's Army of the Potomac in the war's final year captured the 1954 Pulitzer Prize. The book is one of several superbly readable volumes on the Civil War by author/historian Bruce Catton (1899-1978).

This narrative covers the Army of the Potomac from the start of the brutal 1864 wilderness campaign through the war's end a year later at Appomattox. The author shows that General Ulysses S. Grant was more capable than brilliant, and fiercely determined to keep the pressure on General Lee's rebel army until the Confederates had no choice but to quit. Given the Union's advantage in men and material, the strategy made sense. What was less sensible were costly errors by Union officers, frightful casualties, and a sickening Union failure to clinch victory on the first day at Petersburg (thus reducing carnage on both sides).

The author perused many soldier diaries and letters to show us the life of the average Union enlisted man. That soldier was well-paid ($16 a month), but forced to endure boredom, rough weather, marching, stress, and dangers from disease and a tough, determined enemy.

This moving look at the last year of conflict is probably the best of Catton's narratives on the Civil War.

Each story touches the heart of the reader. The true dedication between man and man best friends shines a bright light in the darkest day in US history.

I bought this book for my boyfriend to accompy his birthday gift and he loved it. The stories are heartwarming and really remind you of the other heroes of 9/11.

I purchased this book as a Christmas present for my Sister. She absolutely loves it. I visited the Ground Zero Museum in NYC in October 2007 and was first introducted to this book. I highly recommend it!

A beautiful book about some unknown hero's of Setpember 11.

A must read for all.

Received the book on the same day that Jake (page 58) crossed the rainbow bridge. He will be missed...

Delicious recipes, humor, and insightful remembrances are just a few of the components that have made this book a top-seller for more than 5 years now! The "Hushpeoples" are terrific... "Hushpuppies so hot they hush peoples too." The "Fleur de Lis Chicken" & the "Pasta St. Pierre" are two more outstanding offerings in this celebrated and mouthwatering collection. I first discovered this title when it was featured in Cooking Light Magazine for a Crawfish Story, that included some of the Cajun Recipes from "Jambalaya," there was also a great review in the San Francisco Chronicle a few months back. And what a bargain too! At this price you can have all of the famous flavors and local color of South Louisiana without breaking the proverbial bank!

You get a lot in this little book. Dozens of great recipes that include the essentials you likely are looking for as well as some creative recipes you won't get anywhere like his pasta st, pierre. In addition we get nice commentary, a bit of wisdom and some great poetry.

What runs through this book most of all is passion. This guy is passionate about his culture and his food! He is not just sharing recipes but a piece of himself and always with good humor.

He provides a great dry spice recipe that beats emeril's and is used often here and his shrimp creole that proclaims to be the "best ever" probably is!

The title is correct for gumbo and jambalaya are the heart of this book but instead of the typical gumbo-jambalaya recipes you may already own there are some you definitely don't own. Try the beef gumbo cooked in red cabernet. Out of this world..

The Pasta St. Pierre on page 28 is worth the price of the book, by itself. And the author suggest you throw in some candlelight and a good bottle of wine. Another recipe that was outstanding is the Hushpeoples, on page 94 (hushpuppies so hot they hush people too)We also really enjoyed the Coonass Cornbread!

The White Bean Creole Soup is good and so is the Mud Bug Salad. Nice collection!

I laughed out loud at a lot of the commentary in this book. One really funny example is the recipe on page 110 "Hotter Than Hell Sabbath Dip" (From a drag queen in New Orleans who claims to be the original Creole Lady Marmalade) Very campy, very southern, other recipes make reference to Tennessee William's "A Streetcar Named Desire" and there are so many with that distinctly New Orleans flair. This book shows the city and its cuisine from a new, refreshing angle and not the same old boring "BAM!"

Using this book a person can quite easily start to heal him or herself and sharpen the abilities one already has has. It is also great to use with children right before sleep at night. You will see a marked improvement in your child's behavior once you start to use this with them.

I have been using it in counseling others for 18 years & it gets great results for next to nothing when compared to years of expensive psycho-therapy in which one doesn't necessarily know if he or she is going to get better.

Get this book & enjoy!

This is another classic book written by Hubbard. It has simple easy to follow procedures that can be used by anyone to improve himself and others. This is something not only to read but to apply.

I applied the techniques given in the Self Analysis book by LRH to a friend of mine who is going through a rough period in her life. She became very cheerful, much happier and in more control of her life then she was ever before. Amir.

"Self Analysis" is a book that taught me about the natural laws of living a successful life. Just reading the first section of the book has made me happier, more confident and able to view life as a game to have fun with. Then by doing the exercises in the second section, I became able to solve problems faster and the "game of life" has become a joy to play. This is no book of "psycho-babble". Instead, "Self Analysis" tells you, with engineering precision, about the natural laws of life itself and then proceeds with exercises that permit you to recover your full potential to live life the way you want to. Like the author says: "May you never be the same again!"

I can't imagine why so many people gave exactly five stars to this book. The book is complete nonsense.