I recommend the book to everyone! This book is for your whole family to enjoy! Children will appreciate the meaning of family. Children will learn to not take life for granted and appreciate what you have. It is a book that is so good you don't want to put it down until you are finish reading it! Then read it again!

I HAVE NEVER BEEN TO JAMAICA,BUT I MUST SAY THAT HAVING READ THIS BOOK I FEEL LIKE I HAVE HAD THE VACATION OF A LIFE-TIME!!!!
IN FACT, HAVING READ THIS BOOK SEVEN TIMES I CAN ALMOST HEAR MYSELF SPEAKING WITH A JAMAICAN ACCENT! I TRULY ENJOYED READING THIS BOOK AND FELT LIKE I WAS THERE LIVING THE EVENTS IN THE AUTHORS VACATION IN JAMAICA. I LAUGHED! I CRIED! AND WAS ALWAYS AT THE EDGE OF MY SEAT READING THIS ACTION PACKED BOOK! WITH OUT A DOUBT THE MOST EXCITING AND INEXPENSIVE VACATION I HAVE EVER HAD; AND ALL FROM THE COMFORT OF MY HOME! CAN'T WAIT FOR THE AUTHOR'S NEXT VACATION TRIP TO JAMAICA; I'LL BE THERE WITH HER PAGE,BY PAGE,BY PAGE!!!

I thought this book was really good! It keeps you in suspence and thrills and excits you! I think everybody should reead this book!

Rear Admiral Richmond Pearson Hobson came into public prominence in 1898 when the Spanish-American War was not going well for the United States. Hobson undertook a seemingly suicide mission designed to sink the USS Merrimac in Santiago Harbor in Cuba and survived. This was a complex man who was both a romantic and deeply disillusioned, who had loyal friends and determined detractors, who experience high popularity and public rejection, wh was considered by some as an extremely moral person and by others as a self-righteous crusader. This was also a man who became an Alabama Congressman, a Civil Rights advocate, a Women's Rights advocate, and an who advocated international drug controls and prohibition. Richmond Pearson Hobson: The Naval Hero From Magnolia Grove is the impressively researched and superbly presented, and highly recommended biography of an unusual man who predicted political changes well before they became reality and very strongly advocated the need for an American Naval power in the Pacific to deter the Japanese. A stance that brought him severe ridicule for forty years, until Pearl Harbor and the onslaught of World War II.

When Lainie Thorne and Colley Rawlins were teenagers, they were close friends and inseparable lovers. However, both of their families led by the patriarchs strongly discouraged any relationship between the two teens. Lainie's father John looks down at the "shanty" people where Colley was raised. Colley's grandfather Devil, who only recently brought the illegitimate lad into the rich family fold, feels that his grandson has no time for puppy love especially with the daughter of an employee. Even with these obstacles, love somehow blossoms amidst the magnolias. However, tragedy intercedes before anything lasting can occur. John is dead and Colley is forced into exile.

Three years later, Devil strikes again, starting with forcing Colley to return home. The devious senior citizen has hatched a new plot that centers around the Thorne-owned Magnolia Hotel, and a ploy that forces two males (Colley and his cousin) to vie for the attention and love of Lainie. Hopefully, this time the old coot's intervention will end happier than some of his previous interfering actions

Readers will definitely not sleep through the sexy, sultry SLEEPING AT THE MAGNOLIA. The story line has a pure steamy Old Southern atmosphere similar to a Faulkner type of mien, but placed in the New South. The lead protagonists are first rate, as individuals and as a couple, and the elements of intrigue add up to turning Lisa G. Brown's novel into a big time romantic suspense extravagenza with the heat on the romance.

Harriet Klausner

Zen Among The Magnolias explores the integration of some of the practices of Zen and of Christianity. The author discusses the possibilities as people from different backgrounds seek a deeper meaning for their lives, without destroying their heritage, through such experiences as zazen, tai chi, ikebana,folk dancing, and the celebration of the litergy. He focuses on living in the present rather than in the past or the future. Wren explains a merging of asceticism and aesthetics which leads to a philosophy and theology that appreciates less as more, asymmetry, simplicity, tranquility, and the beauty of aging. He shows how through the parallels between the Four Noble Truths and Eight Fold Path of the Buddha and the Eight Beatitudes of Jesus, people become more sensitive to the problems of social justice. The result of an understanding of Zen through the nonverbal and nonimage form of pure contemplation called zzazen, Wren demonstrates, is an experience of depth and breadth into the root of one's own being. This practice does not discount a Christian background; instead, it leads to a deeper understanding of all aspects of life.

Cindi Lynn comes to Magnolia House hoping to seek sanctuary. She has had surgery on her vocal cords, and her mother recently died from cancer. But her arrival heralds even more trouble with her father Jim Lynn going missing and presumed dead. Her father's mistress, gone to seek Jim in Columbia, also disappears. Furthermore, the house itself offers its own unique challenges with rumors of supernatural haunting.

Caretaker Dell Comeaux immediately finds himself drawn to Cindi. When he overhears a suspicious conversation between Jim Lynn's business partner and the cook, Dell begins to suspect the truth of the dangers lurking around Magnolia House and its occupants. Someone certainly seeks to drive Cindi away before she can learn the truth.

Author Lyn Lawrence deftly blends the romantic mystery of Louisiana with paranormal intrigue in MAGNOLIA HOUSE. Her descriptions of the house and its surroundings are downright seductive, even as her characters come vividly alive. Cindi's struggles to reconcile a painful history with her father to the place she now occupies results in a dynamic read, heightened by the electricity of romance and danger. The supernatural influence of ghosts and the Monster of Loggy Bayou add a fascinating tone to this chilling work. Richly developed and filled with secrets and possibilities, MAGNOLIA HOUSE comes highly recommended.

Lyn Lawrence takes you on a wonderful trip through the lives of Cindi and Dell as they discover each other through the haunts of the Magnolia House. She has a wonderful way with detail and the descriptions of the house and its surroundings will leave you feeling as if you are actually there. The suspense will have you flipping the pages to see what will happen next as you root for Cindi and Dell to find love.

I look for more wonderful reads from his talented author.

By TT reviewer Brenda Gill

Cindi Lynn is recuperating from throat surgery and the death of her mother. She had nursed her mother though her illness and is at a low point in her life, so the invitation to visit Magnolia House comes at just the right time. This visit will give Cindi a needed chance to rest and get well, but also find out why her father left her and her mother so many years ago. Why has her father never wanted Cindi to visit him in all those years? At Magnolia House, Cindi meets the handsome caretaker, Dell Comeaux, and begins to fall in love with him. Dell returns her feelings, but there are sinister things going on at Magnolia House that threaten both their lives. Jim Lynn, Cindi's father, has been put in prison in South America and there is a $200,000.00 ransom for his life. Why does a young woman Dell was once in love with haunt the house? Why does a phantom panther, the fabled "Loggy Branch" monster, roam the halls of the grand house? What does Cliff Aymond, who was once engaged to Cindi, have to do with all the strange things going on at Magnolia House? When the body of a woman is found, Cindi and Dell know their time is running out and they must find the answers or face certain death.

Having lived in Shreveport, Caddo Parish, for four years, reading this book was like coming home. Lyn Lawrence does a fine job of bringing the people, their mannerisms, and the feel of the Louisiana countryside to life. I could smell the fragrance of the magnolia trees and picture Magnolia House in my mind. The author has managed to blend romance and suspense with the supernatural to weave a spine-chilling story that is hard to put down. The characters are so real and well developed, they feel like old friends and you won't want to leave them when the story is finished. Fans of romantic suspense won't be disappointed. This is one book I have no problem recommending.

I picked this book up at the Margaret Mitchell Museum in Atlanta. Being a southern woman I found the title and the subject matter interesting. Boy am I ever glad I read this little book! It was pretty intriguing to read 2-3 page summaries about historical and current southern women who've made an impact or just made there presence known. I'd recommend this book to anyone and everyone. It's a quick and enlightening read.

I admit it, the enchanting cover photo of Vivien Leigh (Scarlett O'Hara) compelled me to buy this book..but I was also intrigued by the sales-pitch blurb on the back cover. Inside, I was pleasantly surprised, with many of my favourite southern gals featured, including Selena, Anne Rice, Margaret Mitchell, Carson McCullers. Hell's Belles is written in exuberant tabloid style (witness the title!)and contains interesting anecdotes and fascinating accounts of Southerners, most of whom I've never heard of but leave me wanting to know more..luckily, Ballenger provides a list of references. The only thing that left me feeling a bit miffed is some blatant Women's press advertisment at the back - as if we need reminding of 'role models' and 'empowerment'and other genderist stuff to feel good about ourselves! Subtle it is not. And one question - drag queens are belles, yes? but Truman Capote?

This is a great little find. There are some great quotes and it's just plain fun. Who ever knew that there were pirate belles or native american belles, American revolution and confederate spy belles.

This book is not for folks who look for recipes for biscotti, tiramisu, passion fruit sorbet, and the likes...the Magnolia Bakery desserts are simply old-fashioned, homey, and very much like the way American grandmothers used to bake. Nothing is new except maybe for a couple of cheesecakes...but still with this book, you are now able to bake lots of great American classics from scratch.. instead of buying cakes, pies, cookies, etc. at the supermarkets which use gallons of chemicals, preservatives, etc. From this book, I've made Apple Crumb Pie (very easy to make, delicious, simple), Blueberry Muffins (just like my grandma's), Molasses Cookies (great on their own without the icing which I didnt make), and Coconut Cake (absolutely to live for!). I'm hoping the authors are working on a second book and if they do, I'm begging them to include other Ameerican classics, such as Red Velvet Cake, Banana Pudding, Applesauce Cake, and Pumpkin Bread.

You will find this book a great resource on basic baking items such as muffins, cakes, and cheesecakes. This is not the book for you if you are looking for something completely original, but is perfect if you are looking for really good recipes for standards. I liked that the instructions were extremely clear, there was no room for error when preparing the recipes. This is one of the most detailed books in this respect that I have seen. All the recipes that I have tried have come out well. I also like the fact you do not need exotic recipes for this book. Most ingredients can be readily found in your pantry. If you are looking for a resource for classic bakery recipes this book is for you. The page design is lovely, and there are many pictures to go along with the recipes.

this review is actually from my wife! I am a big fan of the delicious cupcakes and other goodies at the Magnolia Bakery and was pleased to find out that they opened a similar store near my work (Bttercup Bakery) Unfortunately we moved uptown and it was very difficult for me to have my cupcakes on the weekends. Then I happen to find this book and immedialy purchased it hoping to recreate some of the magic from the bakery but lo and behold I am a terrible cook - so I did the next best thing and gave this book as a holiday present to my wife and earmarked the pages where I wanted her to concentrate on. The book must be geat because the output of my wife's work was just as good as the real thing and now I am happy on the weekdends. It is the first gift that I have given that I can reap the rewards over and over again! My wife enjoys using the recipes and I enjoy eating the results..............The only problem for the authors is that I do not visit the bakeries as much as we can replicate my favorites at home

Ginny Aiken's account of the romance between aConfederate-loving Southern Belle and the Carpetbagger Yankee is about100 years too late. I live in the South and I don't automatically distrust every person I meet who hails from above the Mason Dixon Line. Yet, Ms. Aiken's Magnolia Bellamy hires a Yankee restoration expert and immediately distrusts him just for his birth venue. This is totally antiquated and a ridiculous premise for a love story. I plowed through this Christian-based novel, disliking the heroine and her silly old lady friends for their vapid and unrealistic Southern dialogue and actually felt sorry for the poor hero Clay for falling in love! Ms. Aiken was way off base in her portrayal of a modern Southern working woman of the new Millenium. I've lived in the South all my life and have NEVER heard anyone use the expletive "Flapjacks!" Sophomoric, amateurish and a total waste of time.

I totally disagree with the reader from Memphis,Tennesse who gave this book 1 star and totally insulted Ms. Aiken and the way she wrote this book. OK, it may be a fact that most people in the South don't automatically dislike and distrust people in the North. But guess what? this is just a fictional story with fictional characters and the reader from Memphis,TN didn't need to be so critical. Anyway I thought this was a great story! I gave it 5 stars. But that's just my opinion. But you should read it and decide for yourself. I can't wait to read the following books in this series! Good Job Ms. Aiken!

I had a blast. I especially enjoyed feeling part of their idiosyncratic community and getting close to the characters (warts and all!) When will we get our next visit with them?