As people may or may not know, there are now two Colorado "then and now" books out: Colorado: 1870-2000 by John Fielder and Colorado: Yesterday & Today by Grant Collier. I am fascinated by these types of books and therefore bought both books. I have carefully compared the two based on several different aspects and decided that, for the reasons listed below, Colorado: Yesterday & Today is the best overall value.

1) Accuracy of Photo Retakes: While Fielder did a rather competent job of matching the historic photos, Collier did a remarkable job. Unless it was impossible to match them, due to trees blocking the view, etc., most of Collier's photos appear to be taken from nearly the exact location as the historic photos. EDGE: Colorado: Yesterday & Today.

2) Originality: Since both of the books were published within a short time span, it seems possible that one photographer copied the other's idea for the book. Initially, I assumed that Fielder started on his book first. But, after looking into it, I was surprised to find that Collier started working on his book before Fielder even decided to do his book. EDGE: Colorado: Yesterday & Today

3) Reputation: This is Collier's first book, while Fielder has published many other books. EDGE: Colorado: 1870-2000

4) Written Text: Colorado: 1870-2000 has some interesting essays written by leading environmentalists, historians, etc. My one complaint is that the essays do not really provide any information on the photos in the book. Colorado: Yesterday & Today was written entirely by the photographer, Grant Collier. He did a very competent job writing the histories of the towns in the book, and this text provides the reader with additional information on the photographs in the book. EDGE: EVEN

5) Appearance of the book: Colorado: 1870-2000 is a very large book and is perhaps a little bulky. But the large photos in it are quite nice. Colorado: Yesterday & Today is more of a standard size book, and it is easier to sit down and look through this book. But the photos are obviously not quite as large. Also, both books have VERY NICE leather covers. EDGE: EVEN

6) Intangibles: In Colorado: 1870-2000 Fielder reshot the images of pioneer photographer William Henry Jackson. In Colorado: Yesterday & Today Collier reshot the images of his great-great-grandfather, and pioneer photographer, Joseph Collier. This adds a fascinating human-interest aspect to Colorado: Yesterday & Today that is lacking in Colorado: 1870-2000. EDGE: Colorado: Yesterday & Today.

OVERALL VALUE: The SRP of Fielder's book is $95, while the SRP of Collier's book is $39.95. So, given the price and quality of Colorado: Yesterday & Today, I would say that it is certainly the best overall value.

To conclude, if you're only going to buy one Colorado "then and now" book, I'd recommend Colorado: Yesterday & Today. If you're going to buy two, Colorado: 1870-2000 isn't too bad a buy, either.

John Fielder is one of America's greatest living photographers, and he brings his love of the Colorado wilderness to this book. His re-shoots of Jacksons 19th century photographs are both beautiful and thought-provoking.... the photographs make it worthwhile.

On the other hand, the text is a different story. Reading a text-only version of this book, one might conclude that the title is a misprint, and that the book should really be called "Colorado 1970 - 2000." Fielder roamed across Colorado capturing the changes in places like Kremmling, Denver, and Ouray, but the text never tells us anything about these places, or why they changed, or why we should care. Instead we get chapters about oil shale and the Forest Service.

Ahem. If I wanted to read about the relationship between Forest Service bureaucrats and small Western towns, I would have bought a book called "The Relationship Between the Forest Service and Small Western Towns." My book is called "Colorado 1870 - 2000." That is what I want to read about.

It's true that oil shale schemes, government agencies, and others have played a role in shaping Colorado in the past 30 years. But before that there were events like the Silver Crash of 1893, the City Beautiful movement, the Depression, World War II, and Urban Renewal. You won't read about those in this book.

The pictures are beautiful, and the text is well-written (if misplaced and unwanted). Just don't expect to learn much about the places you are looking at- except that they are very pretty.

Jackson - Fielder 1870 - 2000 is a comparison of photographs of Colorado, showing the changes that have occurred geographically and developmentally over the past century. William Henry Jackson took pictures at the end of the 19th century. John Fielder returned to the exact locations a hundred years later to capture the similarities and differences that have taken place. The book is fascinating and nostalgic not only to Coloradans, but to historians, geologists, environmentalists, as well as anyone who just loves to view the beautiful scenery of the Rocky Mountains and the surrounding foothills. I highly recommend this book for hours of enjoyment.

$aturday's Child is Sara Livingston's story. Sara's middle name is DRAMA. For example, she is married to a man she has not seen in three years. She is struggling, daily, to support her and her daughter, Bethany. Her relationship with her father is shaky. Her girlfriend has a man with a temper. On the top of her drama list: Sara is fed up with love and relationships. She is done with men; however, when her best friend introduces her to two men in ONE day, Sara finds her self mixed up in a deadly obsession AND what could be the love of a lifetime. Before all is said and done, Sara must first reclaim and move beyond her past so she can let true love enter her life.

Gayle Jackson Sloan's $ATURDAY'S CHILD is a good read. In over 290 pages, Sloan introduces us to a very opinionated, emotional, yet strong main character who is ensconced in dark subjects such as physical abuse, drug abuse, murder, and rape in an interesting and tension-filled manner. Sara Livingston is a character that will make you laugh, cry, get angry, and cheer. Despite my enjoyment of $ATURDAY'S CHILD, I did have some glitches in my reading. One, I noticed a few instances where characters either sounded the same or used similar dialogue or sayings. This made it hard to decipher between characters, or to find some uniqueness to individual characters. My second, and probably biggest glitch in my reading, came in the last 80 pages of the story. The action picks up TREMENDOUSLY in the last third of the story, and I was on the edge of my seat, reading to see how the story would turn out. However, things happened excessively fast for me. People who were not heard from for several chapters returned for major events in the story, and this jarred me and made me have to try to remember who they were. It disconcerted me, but overall, the story was a satisfying read.

I'm interested to see what Sloan comes up with for her next novel, and I recommend that for those of you who HAVEN'T read $aturday's Child, pick it up and give it a try.

Shon Bacon

Sara Livingston believes that love has nothing to do with her life; she doesn't have time nor the energy for it. $aturday's Child can best be described as a bittersweet story of love, family relationships and friendships.

For sassy mouth Sara, a take charge, take no bull from anyone woman, life has been a roller coaster ride through hell and back. For Sara daily survival is on her mind, not love. When Theo Watkins enters her life through an introduction from his niece, Sara's world is turned upside down and Sara questions her initial thoughts of love. Also entering her life at the same time is an ex-con name Franklin Santiago. Franklin becomes obsessed with Sara but Theo proves to be her savior from much of the drama and from herself. Even as Sara's life changes she continues to question whether or not she is deserving.

Gayle Jackson Sloan has penned a novel that is full of drama and unabiding love. Jackson Sloan provides the reader with just enough family history that you come to understand the characters and their behavior. Who doesn't have family members like these people? I know I could identify. Every character possibly has a story to tell. A nice touch is added when Jackson Sloan describes the homes of the inhabitants and the interior decorating schemes. Shucks, you could learn a lot about decorating just from reading this book. Also her use of the terminology Saturday's Child throughout the novel is symbolic in nature resulting in an ending that is very realistic. This is a fast read that quickly draws you in at the beginning. In addition to being a fast read it is also thought provoking, rich in dialogue and highly recommended.

This is one of the better books I've read this year.

It's the story of Sara Livingston (born on a Saturday and "working for her living"), a single mother determined to keep her heart under lock and key. Hardened by love affairs gone bad and family and financial struggles, it isn't until she meets her "knight in shining armour" that Sara begins to let down her guard. She discovers that she must learn to open her heart and mind to the idea of being in love again.

Sloan's prose is full of description to the point that you feel like you are sitting in the room with the characters, enduring their tribulation and triumph, and feeling their emotions - love, pain, grief, and, most importantly, healing.

The novel deals with myriad issues, from sibling rivalry to bedroom antics to domestic violence. Filled with plot twists and turns, this book will keep you up until the wee hours, hoping to gain closure for "Saturday's Child."

With Soulful Divas, David Nathan - a true lover of r&B music - has compiled interviews with many of his favorite singers of the past 40 years. Some of the subjects, like that of the humorously raunchy Millie Jackson and the troubled Nina Simone, make for compelling reading. Most suffer from his endless fawning however. Take, for instance, Diana Ross. By all other accounts, Miss Ross is a difficult person, yet Nathan makes her out to be practically a saint.

Nathan's frequent access to all of the top divas exposes the modern journalist's dilemma: if he fully captures his subjects in print, warts and all, he risks alienating them and being denied interview access to them in the future. Instead, Nathan fawns all over his subjects and gets repeat interviews with high-profile women who are often leery of the press (Aretha Franklin for one). Because of his "tactics", we are able to enjoy his many interviews in one setting (this book). Too bad most of his portraits don't penetrate the surface.

This book is a must for music lovers. I have followed the careers of every Diva in this book, my only dissapointment is that wasnt longer and included more Diva's. I especially enjoyed the one on one with Aretha, Patti, Diana, Dionne, and Glady's. I have a new R-E-S-P-E-C-T for all the Diva's. Mr. Nathan gives great insight on what sacrifices that each performer has made to become a star. He shows that its not all its crack up to be. I hope that this books shoots straight to the top. I can guarantee that you will not be dissapointed with this book. Pick up a copy and give it to friends. These Divas story need to be told to the world.

Great book Mr. Nathan. I loved all the subjects picked in this book(I'm sorry that I don't know Doris Troy)and thought he did a fantastic job of painting a realistic portrait of the ladies using their own words and his personal experiences with them. I never knew Chaka Khan had such a turbulent past. Oh, and Esther Phillips- that temper! I laughed so hard. Diana Ross seems pretty nice (I love her) and I do love Dionne and Nina- they are such proud women. I hope the divas in the makings can successfully carry forth the diva achievements as their foremothers have done. If there is a sequel to this, Mr. Nathan, you must include Cissy Houston, Melba Moore and Donna Summer.

I have never read a book that is so explicit! James Jackson writes like no other author that I have ever read. Sex scenes, explainations, you name it, it's in Silk Sheets.
Tanya Brown appears to be the leading lady, but as I continued reading, there were several other characters that shared the stage with her, in the most bountiful way. There is a lesbian and straight twist, interwoven throughout the text, done very well I might add, and the ending is incredibly powerful. I couldn't put this book down! If you are like me, and are tired of authors skipping over the love scenes, you won't be disappointed with Silk Sheets! I am looking forward to reading this authors first book, Wrong Perception, and anxious to read any book or article that he writes, this book is off the chain!!!!

I meet this author at a book signing in South Dekalb Mall. He's much better looking in person. I wanted to take him home! The book was equally impressive and I also bought his book Wrong Perception. Can't wait until his next book comes out!

Enjoyed it, waiting on the next one from this author!

Lilian Jackson Braun's books always keep my attention. Despite the fact that I am a cat lover and enjoy reading about Koko and Yum Yum, I also enjoy the quality of the book. I enjoy her book's lack of profanity, as well as the way she can turn a simple event in Moose county into the talk of the town. Also her ability to turn Koko and Yum Yum into new and interesting investigators in every book without sounding old. I would reccomend her books to anyone who likes good, clean, mysteries

I had seen this cat series around, but never read it, because I (wrongly) assumed that cats talked in the books, and that just wasn't my cup of tea. I was extrememly pleasantly surprised when I read this newest entry and found myself enjoying a very entertaining murder mystery. The cats are pets, and their owner talks to them, but the cats DEFINITELY don't carry on a conversation. it's kind of what you think your own pets might be thinking--he ascribes them with the insight of dropping clues to the mystery. I found myself trying to figure out what town in Michigan this series takes place, and that is another entertaining part of the book. All in all a fun, entertaining read--I've since read three more books in the series. They are somewhat addictive

This was, by far, a very good book, maybe the best in the series! I compliment Lilian Jackson Braun on her great work with not just this book, but the whole series. Some people have said that this book lacks humor, the cats, and other stuff, but it's exactly the opposite. There is lots of humor, especially when Koko starts the riot at the cheese tasting and tries to eat all the cheese :) If you haven't read this, you don't know what you're missing.

Fashion styles come and go but we all have to wear colors. Just which ones? I bought this book when it was first published and I consider the color advice as relevant today as it was then. It may be difficult for some to pinpoint their season and this is where a professional consultation comes in. I don't know if anyone is still doing this. I had mine done when the book first came out and you really need to sit in front of a mirror and see yourself draped not just with the "right" colors, but the "wrong" ones to see the difference.

I hate shopping but I can quickly scan racks and racks of clothing for my colors to pinpoint what's right for me. Until this year, with loads of bright colors that I could finally wear, shopping the past few years was dismal. As a Spring, I can't wear black or gray which seemed to be everywhere. At least I saved a fortune! If only designers would do their collections in a few colors of every season so we'd all look good all the time.

I read this book 15 years ago and still love it. However, only 4 categories is not enough. Some of us are on the borders of the "seasons." I was analyzed as an Autumn ("dirty" blonde hair like a summer, but green/brown hazel eyes like an Autumn, neutral skin like any season), but feel that I look great in (and have been complimented in) some of the summer colors. And some of the bolder autumn colors (orange, bright gold) are a bit much for me. Doris Pooser's book expands the theory to include those between seasons, so I recommend it. According to her, I fit the Muted category between Summer and Autumn, which makes sense. But CMB is a great way to start discovering which colors are you and building a wardrobe. I don't always stick to it, but I keep it in mind when shopping.

after i read this book i realized that looking good is all about balance. the author goes into very good detail on how to achieve this. for example, if you have a long forehead and chin, don't wear v-necks because it just makes your chin look that much longer. instead wear shirts with a crew (round) neck. another example is if you have wide, bony shoulders, don't wear a boatneck shirt because it makes your shoulders look wider.

she explains how to choose the right pants, skirts, suits, and shirts. she also talks all about make-up, hair, and accessories.

one very important thing that she says is that when you go shopping with someone they have a tendancy to pick out colors for you in their color palette. i've experienced this first hand because my sister took me shopping one time and convinced me to buy a couple brown shirts. it ends up that brown is in her color palette not mine and that it looks good on her because it accents her hair.

i guess i didn't mention the whole purpose of the book yet though. it starts out by explaining the four seasons. everyone fits into a season according to their hair, skin and eye color. i'm a winter and so i look best in black, royal or navy blue, white etc., whereas my mom is a spring so that's why she looks really nice in pink and baby blues.

overall, their is a lot to this book and it is easy to understand. i would recommend it to anyone!

lastly, i just want to comment that i didn't make little color cards to take shopping with me. i'm smart enough after studing the book to know what colors are for me and what styles looks the best. so my advice to you reading this review is to buy the book, read it, and understand what the author has to say. but don't go to the extreme and wipe out your closet; just be a smart shopper from now on and choose the right colors!

Well Well Well... Brenda Jackson has gone into the depths of Jamal and Delaney. This handsome sheikh and this beautiful woman with no ideas of love, romance, or anything as they both escape to a cabin that is supposed to be secluded and awaiting their individual solitude. Delaney arrives to find that the cabin is not secluded but being occupied by this handsome, yet arrogant Sheikh. As the both agree that neither is leaving the cabin, they will just have to coexist, which is going to be difficult, since they both are very attracted to one another. Delaney is sassy and stubborn, and Jamal is straightforward and persistent. As they begin their game of determination and also persuasion, this story gets HOT! HOT! HOT!!. This is not like any of Brenda Jacksons other books, you will enjoy and be surprised. Now Jamal has a secret weapon "Ares" oooohhh la la..... Now the ultimate force has been released and I truelly believe anyone that is given the pleasure of experiencing "ARES" will never be the same! This is definitely a must read. Brenda you have out done yourself or should I say that Prince Jamal has perfected the technique and won!! Now I also look forward to learning more about Dare, Storm, Thorn, Chase and Stone. Because I have a feeling that the Westmoreland Brothers will be competition for the Madaris Brothers. (can't wait...)

I love Brenda Jackson, she is one of my favorite writers and never fails to come through with her characters and HOT action. Although, it was hard to identify with Jamal because he was not a "true brother" as I would have liked for him to be as sticking with Ms Jackson's past characters, but Delaney and the love scenes more than made up for it. I am looking forward to her next book and especially the Madaris brothers.

I want to tell you what a fantastic job you did with Delaney and her Sheikh.
I have never purchased the Silouette books before, but once I saw Brenda's name on a book, I knew the book was worth purchasing and the book is worth every coin.
What a great story. I have one objection... It wasn't long enough.
I know we are greedy, but this is what happens when you feed us great stories.
I'm hoping you will do stories on at least two of Delaney's brothers, however we would love to hear about all 5 brothers.
I can't wait for the series to continue with the Westmoreland Brothers and the women who tame them.
I can wait for Tara to tame Thorn.
Anyway, I want compliment you on a job well done.
Brenda, you now have two family sagas to continue and I know that this will be a job well done.
I can't wait for the Madaris family saga to continue, especially Chrissy's story.

This particular "Melody Book" (other Melody books cover other "facets" of stones... like color pictures, application of stones, etc.), is about as comprehensive a book as one could hope for, regarding the metaphysical properties of particular crystals and stones. It's very rare that you'll find a type of stone (no matter how obscure) that isn't listed here.

My only beef with it is that stones are more individualized with what they're suited for, than Melody would have you believe. (For instance, all of a certain kind of amethysts aren't suited for exactly the same thing, and the same goes true for all of any kind of stone...

Still, it is pretty much "the encyclopedia". (I'd also highly recommend, "Stone Empowerment", by Jane Hightower... Not as comprehensive, in terms of covering "all the stones", but it has practical info (including cautions) that simply doesn't exist in the Melody books.

I found this book in 1995, and my copy is now a well-thumbed book with notes in the margins. I look upon it as the crystal healer's Bible. I have had it for almost ten years now, and it is still the most up-to-date reference I can find. I would love to see yet another updated edition from Melody. A must for anyone who is interested in the healing power of crystals and minerals.

I have had this book for nearly a decade... maybe more. It has highlights and markings from my continual referencing of it. I have found that the qualities the author cites stones to have are quite accurate. More than a dozen times, after periods of wearing certain crystals (in jewelry) I would note certain changes in my life. Then out of curiosity, I would look up the crystal in this book and guess what? Those changes in my life, attitude, health, etc. are right there on the page as properties of the crystal.

I've learned two things after 12 years of crystal healing:

1. You can change your life for the better by choosing to use crystals that have the attributes for which you are looking.

2. If you find yourself drawn to a certain crystal, odds are that if you look it up in this book, you will find qualities in that stone are very specific to what you need in your life at that moment in time.

Carmen, The Queen of Harlem or so she believed, is looking for a border and Mason, a.k.a. Malik is it. Why does Malik remind Carmen of herself? Who is Malik, who is Carmen? These are the questions that are explored in The Queen of Harlem. While the synopsis alludes to Mason living on the other side, we get a glimpse of Carmen and who she is, which is just as intriguing. The conclusion is unexpected and exciting as well.

Mason is the son of a rich Southern family and before he heads to law school on the West Coast he chooses to live in New York City among the brothers and Harlem's resurrection. Jackson effectively terms this behavior, "blacks blending". Mason/Malik was a lost soul that lived, as others wanted him to live his entire life. Enter Mason's parents, especially his mother, and you understood Mason. Mother discovered some issues within herself that effected Mason and his decision. We learn of Mason's childhood and his understanding that he no longer wanted to be the "only one", "the black guy".

Told in first person and highlighted in journal form, Brian Keith Jackson's novel gives the reader plenty of food for thought through his masterful use of the English language. When Malik explains to Carmen his reasoning for moving to New York her thought is "bravery implies a choice". The following statement put the entire situation of Malik into perspective: "This city is a peculiarity, a place where chameleons do as they do; a veritable island of strangers hoping to become less so as they scurry to get where they have imagined they should be; a place where even a spiderweb can appear beautiful with the right light reflecting upon it, but what light is reflecting on me?"

Reviewed by Dawn R. Reeves

"The Queen of Harlem" is the story of a wealthy, black college graduate's struggle for independence and identity. Malik, southern born and raised, takes on the characteristics of an urban hip-hop "bratha' " and moves to Harlem to round out his international post-undergraduate travel experiences. He rents a room in a Harlem townhouse inhabited by Carmen, an older sophisticated socialite, and sets out to blend into the community racially and socially. As the story unfolds, the reader learns that Carmen has as much to hide as Malik. Both have an uncanny ability to reinvent themselves to fit the mode of the minute. Both try to find their place in the universe by rejecting the life they were given for a life they create. Through their relationship, the author demonstrates that reality is relative and unique to the person experiencing it.

Jackson articulates the dichotomy experienced by wealthy blacks who are neither fully accepted by the elitist mainstream culture nor the larger, less wealthy, black community. Sandwiched between racism and classism, Malik embarks on a journey that proves more valuable than his most exotic travels. The story will be validating to some and educating to others. I found the plot enjoyable and the final twist makes the novel worth while. The writing is clear and the characters are interesting enough to keep you reading. A solid novel and meaningful read.

Mason Randolph has always been known as "the black guy." He grew up in an environment in Louisiana where he could easily be identified by this nomer. Determined to experience the black experience in all of its glory, he heads to Harlem where he reinvents himself as Malik, an around the way boy. He boards with socialite Carmen England, a woman who seemingly knows all the right people. Continuing his facade with the friends he makes and with Carmen, he is forced to make a decision about who he is when he meets Kyra, the daughter of a well-to-do family.

Brian Keith Jackson unravels Mason's story through admirable prose. The Queen of Harlem is embedded with lessons about finding oneself and about the masks people sometimes hide behind. This is a worthy addition to any fiction lover's reading list.

Reviewed by CandaceK

Two words for Perfect Timing...Page Turner! From the first page to the last page I could not put this book down. Ms. Jackson did a wonderful job with the development of all 4 characters, Mya Rivers, Maxie Chandler, Christopher Chandler and Mya's husband, Garrett. Maxie Chandler and Mya Rivers are childhood friends from Savannah, Georgia and they find their friendship tested on all levels of trust, loyalty and love. Ten years later, the friends go on a 7-day cruise for their school reunion and on that trip, old secrets and old feelings are revealed. This story has no place for major perfidy but will certainly keep you turning the pages to see what Christopher Chandler will do next! This is one of the few books that I wish a sequel could be written.

Reviewed by M.T. Clinton

Perfect Timing was an excellent novel written by one of my favorite writers. Ms. Jackson always has a way of making the reader feel their right in the midst of the action.

In Perfect Timing she helps us to see two old friends heal old wounds, forgive others, clear up misunderstandings and shed some light on situations from their past.

I couldn't put the book down. From my understanding this is supposed to be a Women's Fiction or Mainstream. Ms. Jackson has said herself that she is a romantic at heart and I believe it. In Perfect Timing you would think you were reading one of her romance novels.

If you have never read a Brenda Jackson book, please try her Madaris family and friends series. My favorites: WHISPERED PROMISES, ONE SPECIAL MOMENT, ETERNALLY YOURS.

Brenda Jackson has a talent that is only God given. I pray she continues to tell stories that heal and uplift her audience.

The book was a quick read for me (two days) and was an excellent read by one of my favorite romance authors. Its a story of two best friends since grade school who finally see each other again on a high school reunion cruise. Mya Rivers faces questions of infidelity from her husband while Max worries if she will ever have her own child before its too late.

I couldn't put the book down! It was so well written I had to know what was going to happen with the two friends! Ms. Jackson proves once again that true love does exist. -JaT