I love this book! It provides clear, step-by-step directions for a large number of projects, many of which are unique, and most of which will become family heirlooms. They vary in complexity (so some will be perfect for virtually every age of chiild). There were several I want to make for myself -- e.g., memory jars, made by covering a container with modeling compound and sticking charms and other saved treasures into the clay, so they will harden there. Although I seem to buy every craft magazine and book on the market, that's the only place I've ever seen this particular project.

My one and only quibble is with the title. IMHO, this would be equally appropriate for fathers and sons, fathers and daughters, mothers and sons, grandparents/aunts/uncles/teachers and any boy or girl -- as well as making things for oneself. Somehow, I'd feel funny giving parents of three sons (no daughters) a book with this title -- yet it would be absolutely perfect for them, as well as for almost anyone with children and/or a desire to preserve traditions/souvenirs.

I have four daughters and even when they were very little we always made our own holiday gifts (napkin stamping, candle rolling, apple wreaths, little journals). My girls are now 15, 13, 12 and 11 and I've begun to run out of ideas! Charlotte Lyons book was given to me as a gift and I have been pouring over it ever since. For one thing, it is a stunningly pretty book to look at and for another, it has craft suggestions that I need -- from the good cheer fairy for the younger ones to the wallpockets for the older ones. They also look like ones I can handle. As my children get older they are certainly more creative but the time we have for such projects grows less and less. I don't think I am alone in bemoaning that fact! Anyway, I am confident that we will have mnay fun hours together this summer because of this book. I wish all of you the same good fortune.

I recently received Mothers and Daughters at home as a gift. I've only begun to read the opening chapters and it has brought back so many wonderful momories of my grandmother. She was my "craft" mentor. Mothers and Daughters is more than just a 'How to' book, for me it is a book of memories of a simpler time. I look forward to beginning my first project with my grandaughter!

These books are really fun to read sometimes I will be in my own world reading them and just start laughing. My husband and kids think I am nuts at times but I forget there in the room when I get to reading. Thankfully my husband does not get offended by my reading them in fact sometimes he is encouraged by them. You get two terrific books in one and I have not found one yet that did not make me laugh.

What a great book! Michael and Casey are the classic pairing of total opposites. DARN NEAR PERFECT is a funny, touching story of finding love and what to do with it once it's found!

I look forward to reading other works by Liz Jarrett.

How many of us struggle with work versus personal life? Well, Casey Richards is doing just that. In her job as a Senior Citizen Center Director, she struggles to raise funding for the center's new, much needed building. Help comes in the form of Michael Parker, a corporate shark forced by his boss to volunteer. Casey and Michael lock horns immediately, but, as opposites often do, they also attract. Casey tries to guard her heart, but soon finds herself falling in love with a man exactly like her "work comes first" father. Michael, too, attempts to resist, but Casey's strength of character and devotion to her cause is irresistible. Can he have her and his ambitions? Only time--and Casey--will tell.

I loved this book. It's chock full of warmth and delightful humor. A Darn Near Perfect combination of laughter and romance.

For anyone, child or adult, who has even a passing interest in the arts, "Charlotte in Giverny" is a kind of magical time-machine disguised as a children's book that takes the reader into the world of artists and villagers who had the good fortune to find themselves in Giverny, the revered artist's colony outside of Paris, in the late 1800's. Presented as the diary of a young girl who travels to Giverny from Boston with her parents (her father is a painter) in 1892, "Charlotte in Giverny" is rife with the joy of discovery. Charlotte is heartbroken at first because she has to leave her best friend behind. But then her adventures begin: on board ship, in awe-inspiring Paris, and throughout the year in the beautiful Normandy countryside where Charlotte makes new friends, plants a potager and even attends the wedding of Monsieur Monet's daughter. Reproductions of Impressionist paintings, postcards, photographs and ephemera from the period, as well as charming watercolor and collage illustrations by Melissa Sweet lend the book a quality both authentic and eye-pleasing. A rare and unusual treat, a treasure of a book for all ages to enjoy.

For anyone, child or adult, who has even a passing interest in the arts, "Charlotte in Giverny" is a kind of magical time-machine disguised as a children's book that takes the reader into the world of artists and villagers who had the good fortune to find themselves in Giverny, the revered artist's colony outside of Paris, in the late 1800's. Presented as the diary of a young girl who travels to Giverny from Boston with her parents (her father is a painter) in the 1890's, "Charlotte in Giverny" is rife with the joy of discovery. Charlotte (a girl with a sense of mischief) is heartbroken in the beginning at having to leave her best friend behind, but grows eager to explore her new world. Through her eyes, we make new friends, see new places, learn new things. Her shipboard departure from Boston, her awed introduction to Paris, and the year she lives in the beautiful Normandy countryside, are all richly illustrated. Reproductions of Impressionist paintings, postcards, photographs and ephemera from the period, as well as charming watercolor and collage illustrations by Melissa Sweet give the book a visual quality that's authentic and beautiful. The result is a rare and unusual treat, a treasure of a book for all ages to enjoy.

Charlotte in Giverny is truly magical--its absolutely transporting! One truly gets the sense of what it must have been like to travel to and live in France as an american girl in the 1890's. The wonderful thing about Charlotte as a character is that she has such a strong and inspired voice--and what a sense of adventure! Lush paintings of the period jump off the pages--and the use of old postcards, stationary, and photgraphs lend to a sense of travelling back in time. Melissa Sweet's drawings complement Charlotte's adventures beautifully. Via Charlotte's keen and curious eye-we see not only Monet the master come to life-but the multitude of American painters who made their lives and art in Giverny. It is the mark of a truly gifted writer to breathe life into those who have long since left us-and Joan Knight has done just that. Monet is mysterious, Charlotte's dog Toby mischievous, and Giverny glaringly alive. There is romance, friendship, and adventure on the pages of this book--it is an absolute classic and should not be missed.

Being a mother of two children...I buy lots of children's books. But also being an artist, I gravitate toward beautifully illustrated books. And this is one of the most beautifully illustrated books that i have ever come across. And because of this, I plan to track down other books with the same illustrator, Kinuko Craft. I love mythology and the story of Cupid and Psyche is one of my favorites. M. Charlotte Craft and Kinuko Craft deserve high praise for there superb work of Cupid and Psyche! Buy this book!!

I am an artist and collector of beautifully illustrated books. Not only is this book exquisite in its illustrations, it also gives a child a very comprehensive understanding of the mythological tale of Cupid and Psyche. I definitely recommend to anyone as a must.

Wonderful book. I found it in the library and decided I needed to own a copy. I use it to read from in my writing workshops on finding the mysteries and depths of life. The words and illustrations are as perfectly coupled as Psyche and Cupid themselves, offering the great beauty of mystery, love and the inward journey.

'Charlotte' is an "essential" read! It's a well-written, witty, funny story with a great cast of characters! I love Charlotte because she's honest & wonderfully quirky.

I highly recommend this book. I have already passed my copy on to a friend.

Libby Schmais is a true talent. I can't wait for her next book!!

Although I usually limit my reading to demanding material - I'm currently reading Borges' Selected Non-Fictions and Muldoon's Moy Sand and Gravel, and recently finished Faulkner's As I Lay Dying - I read 'Charlotte' on the advice of a friend. Although not equal in difficulty, vocabulary, or style to my usual reading, I was thoroughly immersed in the characters and plot. The background theme, a woman required by her mother's will to live in an apartment with her formerly absent father, while initially far-fetched, played out nicely, and the relationships with friends and lovers were consistently engaging and plausible.

A friend of mine gave me this book to check out. I was skeptical, thinking it was one of those formulaic chick-lit books. For example, I just read one called Apocalipstick, that was a complete Bridget Jones knock-off. Anyway, while this book is entertaining, also has depth, believable characters and doesn't depend on a fairytale, Prince Charming ending.

Although I live in D.C., I liked the New York setting, the characters and plot were interesting and a little off-beat. If you're looking for something a little more than boy meets girl, girl acts like[a fool] , boy likes her anyway, I would recommend this book.

This is a book that I bought several years ago and subsequently I lost. I try to locate it in second hand books ever since. The recipes are particularly tasty and well written. I am not very good with praises, but the fact that it is the first time that I ever felt the need to share my views on a book, might tell you something.

I have gone through several copies of this book both through constant use and giving copies to friends who express an interest in Hungarian cooking. As a Hungarian and a cook, I find this collection of recipes both authentic and easy to follow. If you are to have only one Hungarian cookbook on your shelf, this is the one.

I own several hangarian cookbooks, and I think that this one is the best. Not only is it authentic but it also contains easy to follow recipes. almost all the ingredients are available in Israel.

This book really spoke to me. My mother is suffering from Alzheimer's much like the Author's did. I am several states away from my parents and I could relate to Charlotte's brother who didn't live near their mother. I have 2 sisters that help care for my parents but I had been having problems understanding the disease and my sister's words about what was going on with my mother. This book gave me insite to what my sister might be feeling as well as somethings my own mother might yet go through. I purchased the book for my sister and called her just to talk to her. That is something I hadn't done for a long time. I suggest this book to anyone that has a loved one with Alzheimers.

A very informative book written without the medicinal coldness of medical terminology. A truly real life journey of a beloved family member and the family through the anguish, confusion, sorrow, and most of all the challenges faced with the oncoming and changing stages of Alzheimer's Disease. As a spouse of an Alzheimer's victim, I wish this book had been available 6 years ago, It would have helped even more than it has today. The author has given us all a new insight and awareness to this disease and shines a new more hopeful light on how to deal with this terrible disease. Even Medical Professionals could learn something from this book this book is a precursor to the delema we will be facing in ten years when some 14,000,000 boomers will be on the Alzheimers journey.

This book is full of real life; so enjoyable to read; the kind you do not want to put down until you are done--and I didn't. Then it leaves you with thinking and feeling about the very important things in life around us, like those we love and care for every day.

I cried and I laughed throughout the entire book, and at the end I felt as though I had somehow shared part of the authors road with her for a brief time. She was so vulnerable with all that she walked through in her own personal experience with caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's. I really appreciated that about this book.

The author did an outstanding job presenting the reality of Alzheimer's from a medical standpoint, as well as that of being a family member affected by the disease. Then she walks you through the role of being the actual caregiver. Wow!

Being a health care professional myself, I felt the facts and new insights that were presented in this book were excellent. It is a great resource for those working with Alzheimer patients and for any person who has been called to the care of their own loved one with Alzheimer's. It was a beautiful illustration of laying one's own life down and all that entails. It is a challenge to those dealing with caring for their own ill loved one, as well a great source of encouragement!

I highly recommend this book to health professionals dealing with Alzheimer's, and the friends and most of all, families, of those whose lives this tragic disease has struck. You will not regret the time devoted to this very meaningful book.

I had searched for a copy of this book for weeks. I am soooooooo glad that I finally found a copy. Nightwind is a chilling, incredible read but it is not for everyone.

Lauren Fowler is in her forties, plain and somewhat mousey. She has never known love, not from her parents or from anyone in the town in which she lives. She has no friends and is somewhat tormented at work. She is constantly overlooked and is utterly alone. One night, her desolate cries of anguish are heard and are about to be answered.

Syntian Cree, a NightWind Demon, hears her cry. It is different from all the rest and he centers in on it, instinctively knowing that Lauren is different. She is meant to be his and his alone. He rises out of Hell's own pit, bent on claiming her.

As soon as Lauren encounters Syn, life begins to change for her. He is alluring and seductive. With his charm and handsomeness, he easily sweeps the lonely Lauren off of her feet. She cannot prevent herself from falling madly in love with him. But there is a chilling side to Syn one which she does not see. Bad things happen to those who hurt Lauren . . .

This is an incredibly written story filled with love, sadness and betrayal. The ending totally left me stunned.

I would recommend this book to all who love paranormal romances. If I could change one thing, though, it would be the ending. No! I won't give anything away but for me, Syntian Cree was the ideal "dark" hero. I know there are those out there who would totally disagree with me but I (like Lauren) grew to love Syntian Cree. Despite his chilling wickedness, I didn't want his story to end in the manner in which it did. Despite this, NightWind was an incredible, chilling read.

Highly Recommended!!

I highly recomend this book as well as all her others. Each book captures your attention and you won't stop reading till the very last page. In "NightWind" you will find, love, happiness, obsession, magic, and triumph, all of which Lauren finds as well as finding her ancient heritage and magic. And Sentian, a very sexy man and one who finds love across the ages proving that love can be found everywhere. This is a very compelling story that will stay with you, a story that you will not soon forget. For all you dark fantasy fans and romance fans alike, Charlotte Boyett-Compo's books are not to be passed up. She gets better with every book she writes.

In the "Afterward" of NIGHTWIND, Charlotte Boyett-Compo tells the story of sitting in a bus station waiting for family members to arrive. She loves to watch people, and a young woman who went totally unnoticed by everyone around her captured Boyette-Compo's interest. Her skirt was a little too long, her blouse a little too loose, her hair mousy, and she seemed to shrink into her surroundings. Amid the hustle of the terminal, she was an isolated island of loneliness. A gorgeous guy approached where she sat, and as her gaze lingered on his sexy attractiveness, he didn't see her, but looked right through her as if she didn't even occupy space. Boyette-Compo vividly carries this image of loneliness, of a woman who longs for her presence to be noticed, in a vivid, haunting tale of the paranormal in NIGHTWIND.

At forty-six, Laureen Fowler had never been kissed, had never been on a date, had never had friends, and had never even been given a polite greeting by her neighbors. She was the target of disdain and cruelty at the bookstore where she worked and of her mother's cruelty outside of her job. In her loneliness and isolation she often cried herself to sleep, crying out to the universe her agony. She didn't know someone heard and answered.

Syntian Cree, the NightWind, heard Laureen's call and takes vengeance on Laureen's oppressors. Under his loving attention, she grows into her full potential, becoming a strong, forceful, beautiful woman. Syn's victims lie damaged or dead, and Laureen is vindicated. She's also in love with a force she does not understand. And as powerful as he is, Syn is oath bound to another. Refusal to answer this other's call will cast him into the pits of the Abyss. Indeed, Laureen has many powerful, dangerous secrets to learn and battles to fight if she is to find the answers and results that she seeks.

The first novel in the WindDemon Trilogy, NIGHTWIND Combines elements of the paranormal, including demonology, witchcraft, and the supernatural. Indeed, Boyette-Compo captures the very essence of what it is to be isolated, and the amazing transformative power of love and faith in one's self. NIGHTWIND is one of those gripping novels that shocks, horrifies, and mesmerizes the reader. The highly developed characters, the mythology that provides the foundation of the tale, and the deft plot twists and turns lead to a satisfying, though shocking, conclusion. This novel is a must read.

THIS BOOK WAS EXCELLENT - I COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN. YOU REALLY GOT TO KNOW THE CHARACTERS AND THEIR FEELINGS. YOU FELT THEIR ANXIETY!! I ENJOYED IT SO MUCH, AND WILL LOOK FOR OTHER BOOKS BY THIS AUTHOR.

Please reprint! This was my favorite book by Charlotte Hughes! I read it while I was supposed to be working, hoping my boss woudln't come by. I stayed up half the night. Emily is one of my favorite characters! I also loaned this book to 2 friends before trading it in at a local used bookstore.

This was my first book by Charlotte Hughes and it won't be my last. This is truly one of the best romantic suspense stories I've read so far. I do have to admit that while at work I tried to read while my boss wasn't looking, wished I could read while I was driving home and stayed up until the wee hours of the morning just to finish this book! I loved it!

Between the Giant Twin Oaks is a passionately written, and entertaining novel that presents a powerful message about family bonds, pride, love and conflicts that arise in families and other significant relationships. Ellis-Maxwell is clearly a great storyteller with a bright future as an author.

Sweeping from the eighteen hundreds to the present, this novel of one black family from Arkansas is beautifully written. The emotions contained in these pages will grip you from the beginning and hold you in their thrall until the very end. The Riley men did not look at the ground when in the presence of whites like their brethren. Because they didn't kow tow to racists they earned a reputation for being uppity or crazy (from whites) and brave (from fellow blacks). Riley women were strong, they had to be to support such strong men. Charlotte Ellis Maxwell is an author to watch. She is a storyteller with the power of the African griot. You know you're reading her words but, somehow, it's almost as if she's personally whispering the tale in your ear. I certainly hope this story gets wide recognition because it deserves it.

This is superb first by a wonderful up and coming artist with a vivid imagination and a true sense for details.