This page-turning story is filled with heart-warming romance and the pain of reality. I found myself giving Nora advice and hating Neal for his selfishness. You tend to see a lot of yourself in Nora when she has these major decisions to make about her life and the life of her daughter in coping with the death of her son. This story makes you look at your life and wonder if you could have the same strength as Nora. This book was written elequently.

The story of grief and the rediscovery of hope and genuine love takes place on a horse ranch in the Missouri flood plains. You can see the winds, smell the barn and feel the horses' manes during four seasons. You see the story from each of the major characters' viewpoint while their lives are completely transformed. The book is passionant, honest and beautifully written. If you want to understand what women want, this will explain it all.

I met a romance writer at a writer's conference a few years ago. She told me that I was missing out on some wondering writing because I assumed that all romances belonged on the shelf labeled "trash." I decided to be more open-minded and take a field trip to the book store's Romance section. Sorry to say, what I saw there didn't change my mind: cliches for character, wooden writing and predictable plots. Consequently, when I hear the word "romance" used to describe a book, I run the other way. But now there's a reason not to run. Because we graduated from the same Writing Program and have stayed in touch, I had the good fortune to receive an advance copy of Barbara Esstman's Night Ride Home. I cringed when I read Harcourt Brace's blurb about a "man and a woman who wage the fight of their lives for a second chance at love." Sounds like the stuff of melodramatic romance, doesn't it? But it's not. Night Ride Home is an intelligent, perceptive look at how people must redefine themselves in the aftermath of tradegy. The writing is lyrical. The characters feel like flesh-and-blood and the story is both complex and compelling. Read it.

A true fairy tale begins in Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield's life! Their going to spend their summer as "au pairs" for a royal family! After their long trip Jessica meets the love of her life and Elizabeth, what will she do about Todd when she meets the handsome prince? Royal Family, Balls, and whole "new" wonderful summer ahead of them! This book is full of fantasy and romance!

this is a brilliant book partly because its a bit different from the others with the fact that the twins are in France. its quite like a fairytale as it follows the same lines of the'perfect girl who has to work meets perfect boy'thing.

This book is full of fantasy and romance. As soon as you start reading it you won't want to put it down. But if you buy this book, buy the other two in the series aswell you'll go mad trying to think what happened next!

Wow! What a story! This new autobiography chronicles the arduous and inspiring life of one Chinese intellectual. We follow Liming from her early family life, including witnessing the persecution of her parents during the Cultural Revolution;through the long, tortuous path to gain her education and finally, to a lakeshore in northern Michigan, where as a visiting scholar, she meets the love of her life.

Liming Jing, by telling her own story, expands our understanding and appreciation of the Chinese people. In her own way, she enhances the personal bridge between China and the U.S.

This might make a very good selection for a book club to read and discuss, especially one with an international focus.

I read this book after returning from a China trip. This author wrote from her heart, in stunningly simple prose that actually made her words feel like a conversation between the author and the reader. The more I read, the more I wanted to meet and know her. To find out more about this person who, coming out of extremely adverse conditions, pulled herself up to the extent that she succeeded in breaking free of the bondage of her people into a free society. Her book is a revelation. I do so admire her fortitude and dedication to rising above the suffocating circumstances within which her life was formed. I lived in freedom all of my life and knowing what she went through makes me very thankful that God placed me where he did, when he did. Thank you, Liming, for sharing with us the hardship of your life and the continued, unending love for your China!!

Liming Jing has walked the walk and tells her story that has elements common to the lives of millions of middle-aged Chinese citizens. Yet, it is also a uniquely personal story of surviving the craziness of China's dictator, Mao Ze Dong. What were the personal ramifications of Mao's grim determination to hold onto power? Mao caused perhaps as many deaths as in all of World War II, but few Americans understand that simple reality.

Liming Jing's Flying High Out of a Tibetan Valley provides an excellent view for those who want to step into another culture and understand the restricted options of growing up under Mao. Yet this book is really about how Liming, her family members and many others managed to escape the totalitarian constraints that communism tries to impose on the human spirit and life..

Jing shows how hope exists as long as individuals persist in pursuing their private dreams. Mao and all his clones have clearly not subdued the Chinese people. Individual Chinese find innumerable quiet ways to help their family members and friends to travel on paths that are contrary to the limited conceptions of dictators. Jing's efforts to study English demonstrates anew that only fools and madmen can believe that they have the power to extinguish the capacity of individuals to make choices.

Choices made by Jing and her friends, lead in a diversity of directions. Flying High Out of a Tibetan Valley illuminates how the long-term consequences of these choices will always exceed the limited imaginations of dictators. It is a book well worth your time and money.

I wouldn't travel with Redmond O'Hanlon personally, although I'm quite happy to be a vicarious companion. And judging from O'Hanlon's opener here--where he tries to find someone to accompany him in his latest foray--it seem that my opinion is shared by O'Hanlon's friends. Except for one--who is shown to be under a mistaken impression about what a jaunt down the Amazon is like, not to mention having Redmond O'Hanlon planning the trip.

The title aptly describes the action. If you read O'Hanlon's Into the Heart of Borneo, this book follows without nary a break. While it doesn't have quite the originality of the first book, it doesn't fail to fulfill the promise of that book either. O'Hanlon's a little bit wiser, but still as trusting and stubborn. He presses on in circum- stances where most would have turned around--things like the fiercest tribe of natives in the world, torrential rainfall (not to be trifled with, especially on a river), and rapids in which he is dumped and unable to escape until a mile or so down river.

The best thing about O'Hanlon--although the amazing trips he takes are worthwhile in and of themselves--is the companions that he does manage to take. I'm not talking about the physical companions, who do provide humorous interludes, but the ones that are to be found in the books--the explorers who have traveled this route before. Rather than just supplying a bibliography, O'Hanlon uses them to annotate his own trip. An adventurer and a scholar, O'Hanlon's one of the best.

Good travel writing is as hard to find as good places to travel. Mr. O'Hanlon does a thoroughly enjoyable job of describing his misadventures in the miserable, bug-infested Amazon jungle. However, unless O'Hanlon is exaggerating, the trip could have easily ended in tragedy rather than comedy. As the book went on, I felt sympathy for his companions and guides who may have signed on to the trip assuming there was logic and sense to it. In the end, I hope O'Hanlon will stay home next time.

Redmond O'Hanlon displays a tempered lunacy in his account of an extraordinary search for the infamously violent Yamamoni tribe. It all seems a little contrived at first. He deliberately searches London for a traveling companion, then selects the most inappropriate he can find - a nightclub owner. Simon, his foil among the insects, snakes and spiders of the Amazon, loses his marbles half way through the book. The strength of In Trouble Again, is that despite feeling total sympathy for the sane, you can not help but admire O'Hanlon's crazed doggedness. Everytime he has an excuse to turn back, he redoubles his efforts, dragging his guides onwards. To say that he survives is certainly not spoiling the ending, but it is an extraordinary read and enough to limit adverturous dreams to the Discovery Channel. It deserves a 10, but O'Hanlon is obsessed with birds. I, like Simon, have always thought a bird is just a bird. Which is why I'm staying at home.

The Emerson family are an unholy trio: Radcliffe Emerson the prickly archaeologist, Amelia Peabody Emerson his officious wife and amateur sleuth, and Walter "Ramses" Peabody Emerson, their 7 year old son who reads lots of sensational fiction and is writing his own Egyptian grammar. In the days of modern air travel they would be the family you hated to have any where near you on the plane; in turn of the century Cairo, you wouldn't have wanted to get near them either! For wherever they go, murder, mayhem, and the Master Criminal cannot be far behind.

I loved the Mummy Case because we got to know Ramses who provided some leavening into the already hysterical antics of Amelia and Radcliffe. As he lisped about in the sand discovering priceless relics and running rings around his parents, the reader realized that he was going to be a great addition to the series. Here in Lion in the Valley, Ramses really comes into his own. Now 7, he is twice the trouble and twice the detective.

The plot hinges on the actions of the "Master Criminal"--a mastermind of devious and deadly plots who is organizing the grave robbers of Egypt into a formidable criminal underworld. We briefly met the MC in the Mummy Case, but here he takes center stage, pushing aside any hope of interest in the archaeological dig itself. By the end of the book Amelia and the MC have met...and it is hilarious.

If you like your mysteries with a laugh track then this is for you. Fans read them for Amelia and the 101 things she can do with waterproof matches--not for the labrynthine plots--and increasingly for Ramses as well.

Being somewhat disappointed with "The Mummy Case," I wasn't too sure as to what to expect from "Lion in the Valley." I was not to be disappinted again! This book has everything that makes the "Amelia Peabody" stories so enjoyable to read: mystery, suspense, adventure AND the Master Criminal, who has won my heart (if not Amelia's) in this book. Emerson and Ramses weren't too bad either!

This book has got to be one of my all time favourites. Ms.Peters incomparable skill at writing an Egyptian mystery near the end of Queen Victoria's reign is demonstrated by the witty dialogue, interesting twists and unforgettable characters.

In the thick of the mystery is our lovable heroine, Mrs. Amelia Peabody-Emerson (affectionatly caleed "Peabody" by her amazing husband), Emerson--the egyptologist spouse and their little rascal son, Ramses. The mysterious, yet fascinating Master Criminal has fallen for Amelia and tries to woe her heart while creating intriguing twists in the process. Amelia fights his advances all the way and the duel between Emerson and his rival certainly provides some entertainment!!

When there is a worthy heroine, great dangers, a mystery to die for set in the most wonderful country, Egypt, how can it not be a great yarn, eh?

I can't seem to be able to write a review worthy of this book without giving away everyting. My advice, please buy this book, you will NOT be disappointed.

5/8/2001

NAPA VALLEY: The Ultimate Winery Guide Revised and updated Third Edition by Antonia Allegra Photography by Richard Gillette Forward by Robert Mondavi

In her book, NAPA VALLEY: The Ultimate Winery Guide, Antonia Allegra features 29 of her favorite wineries. She bases her selections on how she feels they will become an enjoyable learning experience as well as a fond memory. Richard Gillette's splendid photography makes this a feast of photos, a collection to keep and share.

Allegra's book is filled with winemaking stories and local history. Each property, with its ancient and contemporary art, fills ivy-covered halls, Victorian landmarks and ambling chateaus. These are mixed amongst magnificent castles, an old California abbey and a Greco-Roman temple. Humble mission abodes and California plantation homes lend their appeal, as well.

Allegra devotes a separate chapter to each winery, with a side bar telling access details, hours of operation, tasting times -- charges, if any -- types of wine offered and website information. She also indexes each winery as to region, town, visiting seasons and special attractions. In a section entitled, Triangle Tours, Allegra suggests three easily seen wineries during a single day's Napa Valley outing.

This Guide is as beautiful as it is helpful. (end)

"We have a day or two. There are 200+ wineries. How can we best enjoy a quality visit of the Napa Valley"?

While directing the Napa Valley Wine Auction, this question was often posed to me by prospective visitors. What a pleasure it was and is to point guests in the direction of Antonia Allegra's fine book, Napa Valley: The Ultimate Winery Guide. It is a splendid resource for discovering or simply remembering the wonders of this world-renown wine region.

Antonia Allegra's award-winning writing style, reminiscent of MFK Fisher, complemented by the stunning photography of Richard Gillette is as inviting as the lush landscapes of the Napa Valley itself. Touring alternatives, including many hidden gems, are selected from the favored 50 wineries. While offering seasonal variation, tours are thoughtfully presented to appeal to a wide range of possible reader interests be they wine-making, architecture, gardens, panoramas, art, grape-growing or regional characteristics. Even cave-dwellers will find a dream tour in these pages. As a guide, a gift or a treasure, readers are certain to find satisfaction in the Artistry of "Napa Valley: The Ultimate Winery Guide". I've purchased dozens as gifts, and most recently carried several copies of Allegra's book on a luggage-sparse trek of South America where it became a wonderful tool for communicating the otherwise indescribably rich wonders of this valley I have the good fortune to call "home".

LN Russell

As a California native, and a person who has lived in the Napa Valley and Sonoma County wine country for years, I keep my copy of "Napa Valley The Ultimate Winery Guide" in the trunk of my car. It is not only my guide to wineries in each particular geographic section of Napa Valley, but also my resource for tracking down a certain vintage or type of wine.

It also assists me in planning short excursions during which I may want to visit an art gallery along with a winery, and long weekend tours with friends when I want to give an overview with a bit of everything Napa Valley has to offer: a small town not well-known by tourists, a French-Chateau, the best view in the Valley, wonderful walks and, always, pointers on events--both fixed offerings at each winery and seasonal goings-on. The detailed information and directions make this guide a user-friendly pleasure.

In short, this is a convenient reference book on how to get the most out of Napa Valley...whether you are a resident who hasn't yet had the opportunity to discover all of Ms. Allegra's wonderful finds, or a visitor wanting to pack a variety of the Valley's best into a day or two.

This is a must for anyone visiting Napa Valley, or vicariously enjoying an armchair tour through the beautiful photographs.

Well I thought that this book was dull and boring. This book mostly focuses on Liz, Tia, and Andy. This book doesn't really get exciting until the end. The storylines seem to move at a very slow pace. I did like how Liz made Conner jealous, I say it's about time, and I hope that she doesn't go back to him, he doesn't deserve her. I found Tia's storyline to be kind of interesting, but dull at the same time. I liked the career choices some of the characters were thinking about. Andy and Dale go through some problems, and I can't wait to find out what happens in the next book about these two. There is a little bit about Melissa and Will in this book, basically both of them are acting stubborn.

At times this book was moving along at a slow pace, and it was a little too predictable, but it was still good. Liz finally gets a new guy, and that's good cuz before she was a little too depressed. She's making Todd and Conner jealous, and I liked how she finally was living her own life. Tia's trying to figure out what she wants to do with her future, with a bit of pressure from her parents. There's also quite a bit with Dave and Andy, and how Dave keeps trying to tell his parents he's gay. Melissa and Will are still being stubborn, but overall I think they both should end up together. They basically deserve each other, but also, I think they make a good couple. Overall though, this book wa pretty good.

This book is definitly one of my favorite Senior Year books. Mainly because of Elizabeth's budding relationship with Jeff(Jeffrey French). He's changed a lot since Junior year, though, and for some reason I just didn't really like that that much. It also really liked the parts where he made Connor and Todd jealous. Jeffrey's cool and all but Elizabeth just goes better with Conner and Todd. Oh! If some of you want to know there's a Senior Year book coming out about Connor and Liz possibly getting back together! This was also about Tia and how she's trying to find something to do with the rest of her life. And Dave is trying to tell his Dad he's gay because he doesn't want to lose Andy but freaks out everytime he starts to. Not that I blame him or anything. If I was gay I would probably just deny it and not be happy with the opposite sex for the rest of my life, but that's me. Jess and Jeremy weren't in this much.

I thought that It Can't Happen Here was a great book. If you would like to learn about racism, physical abuse and what's cool and not cool, then read this book. One of the main characters, Brian Boyd, who is from L.A., turns out to be not as cool as everybody thought he was.

I re-read this book as an adult & yes, one of the other reviewers was right on the money when they said it was an excellent teaching tool about the Holocaust. It can very easily happen even here in the US. When you have the cliques who gang up on other kids & make fun of others & exlude others, it needs to be taken seriously, not passed of as just "normal" adolescence or childhood games. Boy, does Aaron learn a powerful lesson when that awful Brian manipulates him into doing stuff to other kids. Poor Aaron was wracked by guilt! His granddad's warning about being careful about clubs was a good one. We need more books like this to make sure this kind of history never repeats itself.

This is an amazing book! I have read 3 years ago, and have now read it again, and again, and again! Now before you think I sound possessed, I'll tell yuo something you won't believe! I have finished just about the whole Sweet Valley series! I just haven't finished the new Junior High and senior year ones! Well, I'm waiting for one of the new ones to come out! Anyway, coming from someone who loves Sweet Valleys, this was an amazing book and it really makes you think, Can ! popular person have that much power ove everybody! All because you aren't rich or u don't wear the right style cloting doesn't give you the right to mistreat anybody, so next time you are about to make fun of any body, think about how they will feel! Well, I hope you read this book! I really reccomend it!

This is an amazingly good book, for a number of reasons. Anyone who enjoys the novels of James M. Cain or Dashiel Hammett will eat this up. And anyone with an interest in Cuba or the Miami underworld is in for a treat. On top of all that, its just solid hard-boiled writing in the best crime fiction tradition. I can't believe this is the first novel Latour has written in English -- its so self-assured. Hopefully his past novels will be translated into English so we can get them here in the States. Again: if you're a fan of hard-boiled noir, READ THIS BOOK!

One might easy lump Latour's gritty thriller in with the plethora of serviceable South Florida crime fiction on the shelves, but that would be overlooking its' value as a window into modern Cuban society. Set in 1994, the book starts with Elliot Steil, a Cuban English teacher and apathetic Marxist who ekes out a dreary existence in a Havana where food is scarce, and the state's omnipresence stifles expression. His life is thrown into turmoil when an American tourist shows up, claiming to be a friend of his long-vanished father, and offering to help him escape to America. However, in a stunning reversal, Elliot is left to die in the waters off Florida. Rescued by fellow Cuban rafters, he makes it to Miami, where he must learn a whole new way of living in the land of the almighty dollar.

The book is at its' best in showing the unpleasant reality of life in modern Cuba (one completely absent from Daniel Chavarria's Cuban crime caper "Adios Muchachos"), and the bewilderment of a refugee adjusting to life in America. As Elliot gets his measure of America and manages to scrape some cash together, he starts to wonder who would try to kill him and why. His fairly straightforward investigation is broken up with lengthy flashbacks and backstory which are a little awkward, but not overly so. An engaging supporting cast helps him in his quest, from the car thief Hairball, to former student Tony, to a tough Jewish businessman. Less well-conceived are the villains of the piece, who suffer from weak characterizations and unlikely actions. The outcome is not overly surprising, but the book is well worth reading for Latour's thoughtful contrast of modern Cuban and American societies, and the flaws of each.

Elliot Steil, a Cuban teacher managing to exist in contemporary Cuba, is suddenly confronted with forces that threaten his life. Author Jose Latour, a keen observer of the human condition, renders the bandaged passion of protagonist Elliot Steil as well as Martin Cruz Smith does his vulnerable but surprising Arkady.

This book is about a a young boy named Jake. His father is a scientist who wants to make a jauguar preserve in Brazil. Jake has to stay in New York but then his father wants him to come to Brazil over spring break. Together they have to create the preserve. But then they run into trouble (like they're airplane crashing) They travel upriver and experience things that they both had never experienced before. They soon run into robber/kidnnappers and has to deal with them before they finish they're journey through the dangerous Jungle.

This book is just as good as Thunder cave. It deals with Jake Lansa again as this time he follows his father to the Amazon rain forest. This is one of the best books I have ever read! I hope there will be another book to follow.

In the book Jaguar there is a boy and his dad was a scientist and he studied Jaguars. His dad had to go to Brazil and he had to stay with his grandpa in a retirement home. A few months later he got a letter from his dad saying that he could come down to Brazil to find out what happened in Brazil, you'll have to read the book.