I loved everything about this book! I relate well to Lucky Santangelo, she's the type of woman, that most of us women want to be. The book is exciting, dramatic, romantic and clever. The characters are interesting. Completing this book will leave you feeling great! Then I found out, that there is also the LADY BOSS movie! I ordered it, and was happy to see, how well the Actors portrayed these characters! Kim Delaney was a cute and clever little Lucky, and it was GREAT to see Jack Scullia as Lenny Golden, he was perfect. There were alot of familiar faces in this movie, and it's exciting to see how these characters come to life! I watch it over and over again, it's just as addicting as Jackie Collins books! If you read ANY book, THIS is the one to read!

I recently finished 'LADY BOSS' the third book in the Lucky Santangelo series and I absolutely loved it! Where 'LUCKY' was good 'LADY BOSS' was great. In this third installment Lucky goes to Hollywood in hopes of acquiring a major movie studio, however, just before she closes the deal she finds out that there is a catch. She has to work undercover at the studio for six weeks as a plain Jane secretary! At first Lucky is reluctant but soon the idea of surprising her husband movie star Lennie Golden with his own studio coupled with the sheer enjoyment of being able to spy on all of the studio executives is too much for Lucky to pass up. But as Lucky soon finds out Lennie is not too thrilled with her surprise, which puts their marriage in serious jeopardy.

There are so many enjoyable story lines in this book that it makes it hard to put down. An example of this is the story of Venus Maria and Martin Swanson the movie star and the billionaire. Swanson is a business tycoon who is married to Dena Swanson a woman who became famous by using the Swanson name and refuses to let anybody take that away from her including the Madonna like movie and recording star Venus Maria. But Venus is determined to have Martin all to herself that is until her brother Emilio shows up and stirs up trouble for the couple.

I found this book to be extremely entertaining and I cannot wait to read the next book in the series. Lucky is powerful, demanding and independent a true example of a strong woman. 5 Stars!

First of all let me tell you that this book is not an easy reading, it has to many characters and to many stories, to be exact it has six stories, at first all of them separately but in the middle of the book they will be as one big story. Of course the main story, the story of Lucky and Lennie is the must important, but you are really interested in all the stories at the same time. When you end a chapter of one story you want to skip the next chapter to see what happened in that specific story, but when you start to read about the other story you forget about the first one and you will want to know what happened to this one.
The end of the book is not so good, but the book still keep 5 stars

I've read many of Oke's books and liked them, but for some reason I'd never picked up a Canadian West book. I waited way to long, because I loved this book. It was my favorite of her's along with The Meeting Place. I enjoyed Elizabeth's thoughts and troubles at getting her school. It's nice to see her win the hearts of all her students. I really admire her. This book touched my heart and also made me laugh. The mouse situation is hilarious! And then there's Wynn--he can't help but fall in love with Elizabeth, even if he is determined not to. A very romantic, adventurous, and beautiful book. I definately recommend it.

I have read most of Janette Oke's books, and I must say that "When Calls the Heart" is really one of her best books. It is one of the few Janette Oke books I have actually enjoyed, without getting annoyed at the characters or finding historical inaccuracies.

The book's heroine, Elizabeth, travels to the western frontier to be a teacher. Her adventures are interesting and often humorous (but not outlandish) as she adapts from city life to frontier life. Of course, she meets a handsome Mountie and falls in love with him... Untypically, Janette Oke doesn't have them meet each other right away, and quickly marry them off; she allows Elizabeth to remain in suspense for quite some time and get to actually know Wynn (the Mountie) better. That is one thing I liked better about this book than other Janette Oke books- the characters were more realistic (on the whole) and they did not fall in love at first sight and want to get married right away. I liked that because it left the plot freer for other topics besides the characters' romance.

I must say, however, that one must not let the good reviews of "When Calls the Heart" to lead them into buying the other three books in the "Canadian West" series. They are not nearly as good as the first book. In fact, I highly suggest that you read "Mrs. Mike", by Benedict and Nancy Freedman, instead. "Mrs. Mike" is a true story, and when you compare it with the remainder of the Canadian West books, it is obvious where Janette Oke got much of her material for incidents and characters.

You'll enjoy "When Calls the Heart." I definitely did. The other three books aren't as good, but you can read "When Calls the Heart" by itself; it doesn't necessarily need sequels.

It was a really good book. It made me laugh, almost cry, and kept me on the edge of my seat till I was done. I would LOVE to read the others

Bodie Thoene has always been one of my top Christian authors, and this was another great book. I really enjoy how the Shiloh Legacy, Zion Covenant, and Zion Chronicles all involve the same group of characters. You really establish a relationship with all of them when you can see how their families have intertwined over the years. Though I've read both of the Zion series, this is the first chance I've had to read this book, and I liked having a background to all the characters in the other series. For everyone who enjoys good books with a complex plot and compelling characters, this is a great book to read!

I read numerous books by numerous authors, and Theone is by far the best I have ever read. I have read her Zion Chronicles and Galway Chronicles and Shiloh Autumn. But the Shiloh Legacy is definantly the best one. Theone defines hisorical fiction and makes it real to life. She is a master in descriptive writting. Her characters come alive and you find yourself becoming a part of them and their joys and struggles. After reading one of her novels I learn and understand so much more the events and places in history that she is writting about. I haven't read the second book in this series but I know that it will be just as good as the first book or even better.

In My Father's House got me started on Thoene books. Then I read the whole series of Shiloh Legacy. After thatI read Shiloh Autumn (which I think is the best book I ever read.) I have kept going on Thoene books and never regretted buying one of their books. Anything the authors write is a cut above. No wonder they dominate all the awards for Christian writing.

Many fans of Janette Oke have asked her to bring back Clark and Marty Davis and she does so in this series. This series is about their granddaughter Virginia, Belinda's daughter.

Virginia lives on a farm with her husband, Jonathan, and their children. Jonathan works with his brother breeding and raising horses. Lots of changes happen for Virginia in a few short years.

Their daughter, Mindy, was left with them by her mother when she was very young. Mindy knows about her "real" mother because she still has some memories of her. But since she has lived with Virginia and Jonathan she's called them mother and father because they are the only real family she's known.

Mindy hopes her mother will soon come to Christ. She prays for her as often as possible.

Mindy's mother comes for a visit and requests something that Jonathan and Virginia won't agree to.

I really liked this book! I like the Love Comes Softly series better so far but maybe I need to finish this series before I compare them. But I do suggest this series, it does a great job of continuing the story of the Davis Family.

If I could rate this book higher I would!! Janette Oke has long been a favorite author of mine. I have read most all of her books with her "Love Comes Softly" series my all-time favorite. I was thrilled to see her begin a new series with the granddaughter of Clark and Marty. But when I read the first book several years ago, I was less than enthused. Recently I saw this had become "The Praire Legacy" series, so I re-read Book 1 and continued with the series. Once again, these books are heartwarming and should be cherished forever. In "Like Gold Refined" we see Virginia as a young wife and mother coping with life changes ... not always easy. Along with the ups and downs of everyday life comes a bitter and hard-fought custody battle over Mindy, the daughter of Virginia's childhood friend Jenny. Mindy has lived with Virginia and Jonathon since she was a toddler when Jenny leaves her with the young couple. I was gripped by the story and was inspired not only by Virginia's faith through these circumstances but moreso with little Mindy's strong faith to bring her wayward Mama Jenny to the Lord. I experienced so many emotions, from laughing,crying, comfort and anguish. I rejoiced at the conclusion. It is my hope that Janette Oke will continue on with Mindy's story (possibly a new series of books). Thank you for blessing our lives with the story of Clark and Marty and their many offspring.

Like many of Oke's readers, I have followed the saga of the Davis family in the Love Comes Softly Series and now The Prairie Legacy. Like Gold Refined, the conclusion to the Prairie Legacy series, continues the story of the Davis's grandaughter Virginia. In the first three books of the series, readers saw Virginia mature from a flighty teenager to a caring young wife and mother. In Like Gold Refined, Virginia's path to maturity continues as she has to accept the physical changes in her aging grandparents, Clark and Marty Davis. She does not want them to grow old, to leave their farm, or to change anything in their lives. Her mother Belinda has accepted these changes and makes plans to deal with them, but Virginia wants to hang on to the past, keeping everything the same. When Virginia and her husband Jonathon have to suddenly deal with a court battle over their "unofficially adopted" daughter Mindy, Clark and Marty's problems take a back seat to their own setbacks. Over the ensuing months, Virginia and Jonathon travel to the city, leaving their young family, battle with judges and lawyers, and risk losing their livelihood as they go in to debt to pay legal fees. All the while, Virginia tries to maintain a normal household and keep things the same. Finally, it is Mindy who realizes that changes must be made and she makes the decision herself about where to live. After it is all over, Virginia explains to Mindy that some things are meant to change, and that it is all in God's plan. Through her own journey with Mindy and their problems, Virginia finally realizes and accepts that her grandparents are aging and must leave the farm. If not for the trials that Virginia suffered with Mindy, she would not have come to grips with the fact that even her grandparents' lives must change. Oke has done an excellent job with the two storylines, using one to bring about the resolution of the other. She has also come up with a fitting conclusion to the story of Clark and Marty, and has indeed shown the complete transformation of Virginia from a contented, yet carefree, housewife to a sensible young mother whose trials have formed her into a wise Christian woman, much Like Gold Refined.

I first read Merry Hall over 30 years ago, and having recently re-read it I was impressed by how much an impression it had made on me. Many a time I have unknowingly quoted from the work, thinking the quote apocryphal!

You must read for yourself how to deal with an overgrown holly hedge, and how to plant hundreds of trees without buying them, and what berberis can do for you, and why you should cultivate periwinkle...

I'm sure you'll be delighted with the finely drawn sketches of the real people populating the story: the characters of gardeners, society ladies, and men who work for the government in a clearly covert and somewhat sinister capacity. You'll enjoy the cats, the lilies, and how to create an English country garden from a neglected and ill directed site.

The gentle humor reflects the gentler times before the horrors of World War 2 brought violence, destruction, and death into the hearts and homes of most of Britain.

This book is a keeper!

I grabbed this one from the New Books Shelf at the library pretty much because I liked the cover and the dustjacket said something about gardening. Beverley was an English gentleman who wrote popular fiction during the 40's. This one is the first in a series of books he wrote about living in Merry Hall, a run-down Georgian mansion that he bought after the war. I loved this little book, and now I'm going to read the whole trilogy. You should, too! At times you might find him irritating, but isn't that to be expected from an egotistical Englishman writing about himself? Besides, he's very funny in that droll way Englishmen have, and he even has two cats named "One" and "Four." How can you not love that? Here's a bit from it: After breakfast I went along to the music-room, to spend half an hour on the waterfalls. By spending half an hour on the waterfalls, I mean practising the double descending cadenzas in Chopin's Third Scherzo. It is perhaps the most superbly 'pianistic' piece of music ever written; to be able to play it properly must give to any pianist a sense of almost god-like power... a feeling of floating on wings over a sea of roses. I do not feel at all like that when I play it; I feel as if I were stumbling, with bare feet and with considerable pain, over the sharpest pebbles of Brighton beach. So, no doubt, do my listeners. But I have been practising it for nearly ten years, and I shall go on practising it, flat by flat and sharp by sharp and natural by natural, with an increasing hatred of the fourth finger of my left hand, which has Communist tendencies.

Merry Hall by Beverly Nichols is a delightful book that should appeal to gardeners as well as others. The author's wit and humor are great. He is the Peter Mayle of gardening. The book tells of his purchase and renovation of an old English manor house, but he focuses on the garden instead of on food.

This is a beautiful, honest book about a family's love for their Golden Retriever. While the humans in the story are skillfully drawn, the central character is Amy--a loving and loved Golden Retriever. I cried at the end of the book. The lesson of the book is that a much loved dog can have a dramatic impact on a family's life--even if she isn't a search and rescue or therapy dog.

I agree with all the glowing reviews Golden Days: Memories of a Golden Retriever has been receiving, but I see something else in this book that no one else has mentioned yet--an added dimension that, I believe, gives this book its universal appeal. I think the author has written something much more than a book about a wonderful dog named Amy. Behind that captivating story is a meditation on the inevitability of the passage of time, almost an inquiry into the meaning of time and memory. Look at it: all the action takes place in a tiny geographic area, maybe a square mile at most. Very subtly moving across this canvas are the people whose lives touched this square mile--from prehistoric man to Indians and Pilgrims to pirates and finshermen and World War I aviators. Way behind the scenes there's a reference to great-grandparents, and grandparents and parents. A day in the past, the author seems to be saying, was their time, today is ours, tomorrow others will walk these same beaches, and that will be their day. I think it may well be this very quiet undercurrent that gives this slim book its punch and unforgettable power. I'd be interested to hear if any other readers have felt this too.

You don't have to own a golden retriever to read and really enjoy this beautiful book. As a dog lover that I am, I read anything which has to do with dogs regardless of breed. This book is similar to "the dogs of our lives", a book which touches your heart and brings tears & laughter as you read it. Thank you Mr. Vanderbilt for sharing your memories with us.

Powerful Prayers is a Must Read Reading Powerful Prayers provides you amazingly simple examples of commuincating with God through personal everyday prayer. It opens the door to an otherwise complex arena of thought. The discussion between Larry King and Rabbi Katsof is sensitive and thought provoking. The interviews add incredible depth to the discussion. They also legitimize informal prayer, and the many different ways people have found to communicate with their respective spiritual beings. I recommend this book to everyone who is open to exlporing their individual communication with God. It is a must read. It has changed my entire understanding or paradigm in regards to my relationship with God outside of a house of worship.

Mr. King delved into the foundation of Spirituality and Religion and made simple an otherwise complex and controversial issue. The book focuses on the individual and his or her communication with God, while setting aside religious beliefs. I would like to recommend to friends who are too formal about prayers and to those who maybe agnostic such as Larry King in his book.

Unlike most "religious" category books, this book lacks the preachy quality that causes most readers to not absorb the text. This book insightfully breaks down barriers between different religious beliefs and simply brings forth the universal belief in a higher power. The people that Larry King and Rabbi Katsof chose to interview are made more personable and are made more tangible through their everyday prayers, which are similar to ours, and their quest to be closer to God. This book would make a fabulous holiday gift that is sure to please a recipient of any religious background.

The Red Fox is a great spy novel, which we all love. It takes place about ten years ago, so the KGB is still out there and that's a lot of fun. The main character in the book goes to many places including Toronto, Georgetown, and Leningrad (St. Petersburg). He even goes to my hometown of Detroit, and I must say that having dead bodies in garbage bags is pretty accurate for Detroit. A word of advice: READ THIS BOOK!

The RED FOX is, quite simply, the best spy novel I have ever read. It stands out against a fairly accomplished field of competition by being what the others are not--deep, atmospheric, and utterly believeable. Read this book at once!

I've read several spy and espionage stories, some very good ones. None hold a candle to this one. The story's main character is trying to locate the missing father of his friend/lover. His journey takes him all over the globe. Action, suspense, intrigue and mystery hit you on every page. It just never lets up and the plot constantly twists and turns. Just when you think you're figuring something out, Hyde throws something new into the mix. And if you can see the end to this one coming you are one clever cookie!

This may have been Hyde's first novel but he is certainly no stranger to writing, he's done his homework. The characters are authentic and well-fleshed out. The storyline, which takes place back in the late days of the Cold War, is superbly thought out. His prose moves along very well. The whole point here is that's it's real tough to criticize much of anything with this book. One of the 10 best books I've ever picked up. Hard to find any more, its out of print and disappears from used bookstores right now. If you see it, grab it!

Father Girzone's view of Christianity is a vision of how I believe the Christ wants His people to behave. While the story in this book is not as compelling as the Joshua books (it's still pretty good), the message is the same. Christ is here, today and we should behave accordingly.

Those that insist that their sect are the only ones "saved" will not enjoy this book, but those of us that believe that we are Christians first and that our denominations are less important than Christianity will find inspiration here.

This was the first of Girzone's "Joshua" series I read, and it is still my favorite. Whenever I re-read it I have to clear about four hours on my calendar, because I plow right through from beginning to end. It's that good!

This is the story of a "good" priest who is made bishop of his diocese. He is seen as one who applies church law consistently and without favoritism. Unfortunately for his parishioners, that means that he has often acted more like a Pharisee than like a disciple of Jesus. What a profound change he will make when he encounters Joshua, a simple wanderer who seems strangely in tune with the will of God.

Without naming names, Girzone rebukes those who follow man's rules rather than God's, and gives us a modern interpretation of what Jesus might say if he showed up at your door tomorrow. I wish all clergy and faithful would read it; I *really* wish all clergy and faithful would examine their beliefs and practices, as Girzone's main character does.

It is an inspirational, hopeful book -- corny as it sounds, I still get a shiver down my spine when I read the last few pages. I give it my highest recommendation!

I have read a few of these books and they never cease to surprise me! This book goes a little deeper into the social aspects of Catholicism, but still delivers it's message quite clearly! Joseph Girzone tells a wonderful story of a priest whose life is forever changed upon meeting Joshua. Perhaps the conclusion is a bit far-fetched and somewhat guessable, it is still a good read!

Jess and her new friends in Nightmare Hall find out about the legend behind the building. Jess gets the same room a girl named Giselle was hung in. With weird events around every corner like a mirror exploding and pink worms in Jess's dresser drawer she starts getting suspicious. Then Jess finds old love letters to Giselle from a mysterious guy. With twists in every chapter you will be left thinking who it is behind the ethics. Don't be fooled by appearances and acts. You will be left in a cold sweat after you finish this book.

This was a very clever little book from Ms. Hoh. At the start of the book I made up my mind as to who the killer was, but in every chapter Diane trys to change your mind, I didn't, and I was right to stay with my first accusation. P.S this set of books "Nightmare Hall" are very addictive, I've read almost every single one of them.

I really like this book it was one of the most awsome books I've read in a while. Diane Hoh is a great author i think she's better then R.L. Stine! I don't understand why this books are out of print? Can anyone tell me?