Maria Carvania is tired of running. Ever since she was put into the Witness Protection Program because she had gathered incriminating evidence against Benito Juarez, the head of the Venezuelan mob, she has been hauled from one safe house to another. Only they have turned out to be not so safe, and Federal agents assigned to protect her have ended up dead.

Will Skaggs, the agent assigned to the case, knows he has run out of options. No matter where he places Maria, Juarez seems to find her. Will knows that there is only one place where she will be safe until the trial, where she is scheduled to testify against Juarez. Driving her into the secluded hills of Kentucky, Will literally drops Maria onto his friend Seth Harris' doorstep and drives away. Seth is furious with Will and determined to return Maria to him, but when the danger escalates, Seth knows he cannot leave her at the mercy of Juarez. Calling upon an unusual band of mercenaries to aid him, Seth and the rest of the group swear to protect Maria from Juarez and settle an old score in the process. THE CHAMBER is a heart-pounding, gut-wrenching thriller filled with fast paced suspense and interesting characters. There is never a dull moment in this book! From the opening line to the epilogue, this book is filled with snappy dialogue and a unique plot that holds the reader's interest. Ms. Gray carries out the plot and the development of the characters fabulously. Each and every character, including the secondary ones, are well planned down to the smallest detail. Maria is a strong heroine who has faced an extremely trying ordeal without losing the values that she holds dear. Seth Harris is a complex hero who cannot help but admire Maria even though he repels her idealistic nature. The band of mercenaries have seen and done horrible things in their lifetime, yet these men remain compassionate, witty, resourceful and strong. This reviewer especially enjoyed Ms. Gray's use of "saintly" nicknames for the mercenaries. Throughout the book, this reviewer found herself making fun parallels between the nicknames and each character's personality.

The romance aspect of the book takes a back seat to the suspense, but the heart pounding tension of the fight for survival more than makes up for that. Ms. Gray has written a wonderful suspense that showcases her talent and her eye for details. This reviewer will be watching as Ms. Gray climbs her way to the top of the ladder of success.
Cindy © Love Romances, 2001-2003. All Rights Reserved.

Can one woman stop a drug-lord? That is what Maria Carvania, the journalist, thought, when she decided to obtain information and agreed to testify against Benito Juarez. Several agents and Maria's family have been killed as the crime lord has tried to eliminate her.

That's where Seth Harris comes in. Seth is an ex-Special Forces Soldier, and he has been recruited by the DEA to protect Maria. Seth does this quite begrudgingly. He tries to return Maria to the DEA agent who dumped her on him, but the agent has disappeared. Now Seth must deal with his own connection with this drug-lord, who is the son of the brutal crime lord Seth killed years earlier. Seth is forced to gather his old band of soldiers in order to protect Maria until she can testify.

This is one of those reviews nearly impossible to write. THE CHAMBER is a bone-chilling action story. I was enthralled from the first page, so much so that I am having a difficult time deciding what to write. There are almost too many elements in this book to count? Almost too many to count: romance, suspense, intrigue, action, drama, and light comedy are the ones that come to mind. Reading this book invokes feelings such as anger, sadness, grief, happiness, joy and relief. It has been awhile since I've read a book that moved at the pace THE CHAMBER did. You never knew what is going to happen.

One thing that makes THE CHAMBER so compelling is the various mysteries that involved each of the characters. Maria, for example. What is really motivating her? Why is she willing to risk life and limb to catch this drug-lord? What about Seth? Why did the agent dump Maria on him? What is about Seth that makes him the perfect man to find a way to save Maria? The motley crew of men working with Seth are amazing. There are Joan, Francis and Gabe, all men with saintly nicknames. The reader will enjoy finding out what each of these names means to the men who carry them. These men have a history behind them that will make you blink more than once. THE CHAMBER is so thorough that it answers every question about every character, including the three men working with Seth.

I find that I cannot say enough good things about THE CHAMBER. I will definitely make room in my schedule to read Ms. Gray's next release. She certainly has a way of grabbing the readers' interest and doesn't let go until the final page.

Robin Taylor
THEWORDONROMANCE.COM
2003 Rose Award Nominee

T.L. Gray's The Chamber, is a fast paced, gritty story that grabs the reader and won't let go till the very end. Supported by cast of hard core, wounded souls, this is a story that must be read.

T.L. brings the story to life with superb characterization and quick paced dialouge. This is the type of story you can't stop thinking about and can't wait to get back to. Well Done

I learned a lot! Really happy with this purchase.

When read by Basil Rathbone, these Poe stories are better heard than read -- if that is possible. The many other available readings of Poe stories (and poems) appear risible by contrast. Rathbone's reading of "The Tell-Tale Heart" is a nuanced lurch through Hell that should not be missed by anyone for whom literature has any meaning whatsoever.

this is a good collection for younger readers who have not been intoduced to poe- there are side notes that define the out-of-date words and a summary at the beginning of each story excert/poem. There are illustrations for each piece of work as well that help younger persons visualize as well.

A book well written and researched for the layman. The Enchanted Braid describes the addiction to the sea that many sport diving enthusiast experience. It provides a global perspective of the mysterious plight of our coral reefs. I read the book while in Bali, Indonesia. The well travelled author's feelings about the plight of the reefs is true to form from my perspective. The message is one we all should read and heed.

Even if you have no prior knowledge about reefs, this book explains and makes sense of the entire reef ecosystem. I would highly reccommend it, especially for teenagers with an interest in coral reefs and thier preservation, to spark thier interest in environmental issues.

I have read hundreds of articles and books about coral reefs, "The Enchanted Braid" offers one of the best introductions you could ask for into the world of coral reefs. The book features both biological and historical descriptions of coral reefs as well as reporting on what is happening today to coral reefs around the world. It is clear, well written and easy for us "non-scientists" to understand. SCUBA divers, snorkelers and anyone else who loves the ocean should read this book.

I have not bought any of these books but have graced alot of Deborah Grays books and the book store and I think they are great. Even though I am more from a Wiccan background sometimes different spells are needed at different times and its really up to each individual to use their judgement when it comes to casting gray area spells. No I do not agree with every spell she may represent and if so then I won't do it. But alot of her spells are very ethical and fun as I have read quite a few of them. There have been spells in alot of strictly "wicca" books that I don't care for. To each is his/her own!

I have all of this Australian witches books. They are funny, insightful and downright helpful. This latest one is hilarious. Primarily geared toward women, but men can use them too!

How To Turn Your Boyfriend Into A Love Slave blends humor with spirituality, providing a witch's guide to using magic to spark romance. From the coveted 'love slave' spell to those to attract out of town lovers, this provides an intriguing collection of ideas based on romantic spell-casting. Formulas provided, results probably not guaranteed.

This is a comprehensive book that covers (in five good sized chapters) the origins and influences of the Arts & Crafts style, hallmarks of the style, furniture, objects and accents, and case studies. I am a woodworker and I use this book quite frequently for inspiration and reference. For those interested in this period I highly recommend this book.

An arts and crafts website recommended this book as the place for beginners in the movement. Following their lead, we purchased the book and have not regretted it.

The advice is true. This is excellent background for the movement, giving it a skeleton which can be used to hang more and more on, including sources, wonderful photographical examples, and resources. We're finding it is desirable and so, so useful to restoring our bungalow to have a wealth of books on hand such as these to give ideas for restoration and decorating.

This book has a wonderful compilation of ideas, rooms and history to inspire one to run out to the antique mall. The details of every type of room done in this fashion gives a wealth of ideas for bringing this style into your own home.

Francell and Winter havecrystalized the wisdom andexperiences from their Heart Seminars. They lucidly describe how present-day overreactions are effects of feelings repressed in childhood.A new insight reveals thatthese old emotions are triggered not only becauseof stress, but especially because of the safe environment provided by the intimate relationship itself, by the security of being in love.The authors present anddescribe numerous techniques for couples to help and support each other, when personal, individual "stuff" is released by thesituations of their lives.Although written with anemphasis on men in committed relationships, the exercises work for women also.The book provides coupleswith tools to heal pastemotional wounds and thusdeepen their attachment toeach other. They learn newrelationship skills thatfew of us learned from ourfamilies or from earlysocial interactions.

This book is great! It is easy to read and easy to apply in everyday life.

It explains in easy to understand terms the dynamics of relationships and the healing that needs to take place. It provides a roadmap to take the journey to healing.

This book made me think. Part of the time light bulbs were going off as I realized how simply how I felt was explained. And the other part of the time I was seeing how to make my own relationship work. Both my romantic relationship and my relationship with myself.

It's clear the authors have lived their work and it will work.

This book transcends all: age, gender, ethnicity, economics, politics and religion. This book fits all! WHY? I. It is easy to read. It presents short sections that the reader can follow easily. It is easy to stop and easy to get back into the next segment; most sections have titles encapsulating the main message. II. It is interesting, not monotonous in that there is an attractive balance of new material or teaching text, descriptive anecdotes or vignettes as well as clear examples that the reader can identify with. The one that touched me profoundly was the one about monarch butterflies. As parents we have all been there (if we paid attention to our children's feelings & experiences). III. The book flows: one concept links to the next. One of the greatest appeals for me is the stepping stones or the chapter reviews. This material is priceless since in a couple of pages, at the most, the authors present the essence of the material in a clear and concise fashion.

IV. These stepping-stones could inspire 1) fascinating art projects (like before & after enlightenment), 2) children's books, 3) week-end retreats, 4) the development of life's teaching tools and 5) can become a rich source of materials for people/families/classrooms/church groups or any other group to study, discuss, illustrate and basically absorb and apply to their personal daily life. V. One technique a day keeps the soul(and soul-mate)happy! VI. This is the type of book that can be read & re-read and always be pertinent. One can read the same line & view it differently the second/third time as one goes on with new experiences. VII. This book is a must in every one's personal home library.

This book is well written by someone who likes Mosby but this nonsense about "terror" from Union troops about Mosby sounds more like the terror that was felt by the Confederates towards Sheridan or Sherman or John Brown!
Frankly I have always considered those who hit and run or come out at night and shoot stragglers or people from behing to be somewhat -- well - gutless. Sorry.

This book is about as close to entertainment as history can get. This does not mean that it is fiction however. Ramage writes a sturdy bio of Mosby. And although Mosby is one of the most famous, or infamous if you are a Yankee, Civil War personalities around, there aren't many good reads on him. However, Ramage's bio is terrific from both a historian's and a reader's point of view. Ramage is obviously an admirer of Mosby's, but does not blindly believe all that comes with the "Mosby myth". Instead, Ramage uses both primary and secondary sources to try to find the real Mosby and see what his real exploits were. The descriptions of Mosby's forays are fast-paced and exciting. The chapters on Mosby's post-war career are extremely interesting as we see the hated Mosby become a Republican and friend of U.S. Grant. Mosby also became embroiled in disputes with "Lost Cause" people like Jubal Early due to Mosby's support of J.E.B. Stuart. Interesting all the way around.

An excellent book for anyone interested in the Civil War. Ramage has written an exciting, fast-paced biography of one of the South's most mythologized and celebrated Civil War heroes. He draws the reader into the world of Mosby from his early fights with childhood bullies to his final fight for J.E.B. Stuart's memory and legacy. Certainly one of the Confederacy's more popular figures, Mosby ruled an area of Virginia causing Union officers and privates alike to fear capture if separated from the main body. Mosby's able and selfless leadership set an example to his men, and both Stuart and Lee saw that he was no ordinary partisan ranger. Even after the war, Mosby's fight continued as he supported the Republican Grant for president. Ramage aptly delves into the now out-of-favor hero's post-war life and one of the best chapters in the book is his description of Mosby's fight against corruption as U.S. consul in Hong Kong. Ramage has gone through many sources and succeeded in bringing Mosby the man to life. The author even met with Mosby's grandson and received valuable first-hand descriptions of him in his later life. This book is destined to be the definitive work on the "Gray Ghost".

I've read that book, but i found myself in difficulties because sometimes i didn't understand the meanings. I think it will be very usefull if the Author attached some pictures or illustratons of how to do it. But anyway it's a great book ever!

I learn Acupineology, and I use it for my hole live, and I want to be sharing knowladge about this topics. If there is anybody want learn it too, you can email me. Or if you have another experience by acupineology please tell me how it is work.

I want to know more about acupineology, I hope there is someone can help me.

I read "The Hobbit" a number of years ago. When the first movie of "Lord of the Rings" was about to be released as a movie, I decided to re-aquaint myself with Bilbo and Gandalf. It is a good book to introduce you to "The Lord of the Rings." In it you learn how Bilbo comes in possession of the ring

The plot gives you a feel for the world and characters that will take you into the "Rings" trilogy. Hobbit is full of action and adventure. There are a few times when you experiance author's intrusion. It didn't bother me, and durning those times I pictured Tolkien sitting and smoking his pipe while he told the story. I think the author was a master story teller of enchanting tales.

I thought it was a really good book. It had action in it most of the time. I didnt want to stop reading it. For a book that has three hundred and four pages long, I wish it wasnt over. Now Im gonna have to read the next book to see what will happen to this little hobbit. Its mainily about a hobbit named Bilbo Baggins, he likes to be alone and smoke his pipe. Then one day unexspectedly a wizard by the name of Gandalf, comes along with 12 little dwarves asking to help them with a trouble that they have. but I wont tell you because you will have you read it and find out. Will they be sucessful or will they fail? You'll find out when you read "THE HOBBIT."

I loved this book. I have never been able to read a book very easily because I could never pay attention long enough, but this book really caught my attention the whole time.

To begin with, a wizard visits the hobbit, whose name is Bilbo Baggins. The wizard puts a mark on the hobbit's door and then leaves. Later twelve dwarves visit the hobbit. They hire him as a burglar to help in their quest.

He finally decides to go along, but highly against his own will. They start on the journey and have all sorts of strange happenings that occur. They encounter goblins and are taken into the depths of a very large underground network of tunnels. Here, Bilbo finds a ring that is quite magical. He does not know it yet, but the ring will prove to be a very vital part of their quest.

After the goblins, they meet a man who is both Man and Bear. They manage to ask him for food and lodging for a while, though he does not like strangers. At night, Bilbo hears sounds of scratching and thumping, but does not dare to get up for fear of being eaten by Beorn, who is the Man/Bear. In addition, Beorn's animals have the ability to communicate with him and can do most anything that a regular man can.

The Mirkwood Forest is quite peculiar in itself. The group of twelve dwarves and Bilbo must travel through a forest that is extremely dark. Although it is daytime, the forest is very dimly lit because all the trees form a canopy, which blocks all the light. Near the end of the forest, they become lost. They are forced to battle huge spiders and are eventually captured Wood-elves.

Bilbo slips on his ring in time and is able to follow the elves as they take the dwarves to the cavernous hideout. Each dwarf is questioned to try to find out why he is traveling through the Mirkwood Forest. None will give the answer that the Elf King is looking for, so he throws them all in prison.

While the dwarves are in prison, being quite well fed, Bilbo figures out a means of escape for all of the dwarves and himself. He also has time to learn quite a lot about the inside of the elf cavern. Bilbo gets the chance when a guard and another man go and taste the new wine that has been brought. Both become drunk and fall asleep. Bilbo is able to get all the dwarves out and himself.

After this, they are not far from the dragon's lair. Smaug has taken all of the dwarve's treasure in gold and jewels and is in a cave on the Lonely Mountain. The quest of the small company is to reclaim the treasure that is rightfully the dwarves'. Bilbo faces Smaug and...I cannot tell you what happens, that would ruin it. They also face a war, but you will have to read to find out.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters were very well developed and easy to remember. I usually lose track of who is who in a book, but this book was easy to keep track of the characters. The book is actually quite believable if the reader looks past the fact that the characters are dwarves and a hobbit. I was quite lost throughout the book wondering what the characters were actually feeling. I felt this was a very believable story.

I have never been able to sit down and read a book as easily as I did this one. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants a good book. It keeps the reader on the edge of his or her seat and has action in almost every page that is read. I recommend this book to anyone, no matter who he or she is. This book is deserving of five stars.

Maybe I missed something, but this didn't do a lot for me. It's a jumbled up ragbag of ideas which don't fit together coherently while its characters are unlikeable and without much individuality.
The story starts in a depressing world called Unthank, and follows the character Lanark as he arrives in town. He craves for sunlight in a world where there is none and since he's fast turning into a dragon he decides to throw himself down a large mouth in the ground (as you do...).
He comes out the other end in an institute where he is cured of his dragonhide and becomes a doctor for a short while before, like me, getting very bored and frustrated with the place.
So he decides to leave but that's quite dangerous involving a trip across an intercalendrical zone. Inevitably he leaves the hospital and takes along his girlfriend who, unsatisfyingly, doesn't seem to display any affection towards him at all.
In the intercalendrical zone, time moves erratically, and his girlfriend discovers she's heavily pregnant. They return to Unthank in the expectation that shortly the place will be swallowed by an even larger mouth and they'll be transferred to a sunnier land.
But Rima leaves Lanark, taking the (talking) baby with her. Lanark is then sent on a mission to return to the institute to ask them to save Unthank, which has suffered a pollution spill that threatens to destroy the place. At the institute he is stitched up by his rivals and finds time to meet the author of the book, who spends a chapter trying to explain what the hell the book is about. Lanark returns from the institute to Unthank in time to witness the place destroyed.
Books one and two in the middle tell the story of Duncan Thaw (Lanark before arriving in book three) and surprisingly this part of the book is a lot more readable. The chapters follow Thaw as he grows from a child to a sickly adult. There are some parallels with the Lanark story (Thaw is emotionally inhibited, he suffers an illness as a result, he can't keep hold of the girl he likes). In my opinion, if this story stood alone it would be a much more satisfying read. It's very reminiscent of the writer Iain Banks who no doubt was inspired by Gray. Interesting also the split between contemporary fiction and sci-fi which Banks also practices. However, in my opinion, a book like Walking On Glass by Banks is far superior to Lanark in that it made me think about the connections between the strands of the stories.
I suppose my review is a little biased because I'm not a huge fan of science fiction any more. But since the author asserts in his incarnation as god in the final chapters that he doesn't write science fiction I suppose I shouldn't worry.

First published in 1981 and set in the dystopic cities of Unthank and Glasgow, Lanark: A Life In Four Books by Alasdair Gray is an emotional and starkly brilliant saga about the struggle to love despite contradictions and vices in human nature that attack bonds of care or trust. A bleak yet compelling vision of survival and the endless search for something more in life, Lanark consists of parallel tales of an eponymous hero living in a bizarre city of the future called Unthank, and Duncan Thaw, a young Glaswegian of the twentieth century. This edition of Lanark is enhanced with a new foreword by novelist Janice Galloway and includes Alasdair Gray's "Tailpiece" which serves as an unusual addendum to this surreal and highly recommended novel.

I don't know if no one has reviewed this tome for fear of where angels tread lightly or what, but I have to say something about this amazing book, if for no other reason than to start a dialogue.

I first heard of this book from a Village Voice article about the republication of "Lanark" in a four-volume set. The structure of this edition is that it begins with Book 3, followed by the Prologue, Book 1, Book 2, and Book 4 is divided by an Epilogue that takes place 4 chapters from the end. This convoluted structure actually makes the book rather fascinating, in that Gray has said that he wishes for the book to be remembered in a certain order, which is why he put "Book 3" first. This edition also features artworks by the artist at the front of each Book, and the Epilogue features some interesting typesetting.

For readers of science fiction, this book will offer an interesting challenge, for books 1 and 2 are more a coming-of-age of the artist sort of affair. Books 3 and 4 center around the Lanark character, who is called Thaw in 1 and 2. The Thaw books reminded me many times of Maugham and Joyce, while 3 and 4 seemed positively Dickian. (Not to be confused with Dickensian, which slant-applies, if at all.) There's a lot of ferocious literariness going on in this book, yet there's all sorts of humor. And also a slice of life in a city I know absolutely nothing about. The depictions and commentary on Glasgow reveal a lot about the self-consciousness of 2nd-tier and below cities--the cities that are not New York, London, Florence, Paris, Moscow, etc.

I found this a wise book, filled with difficult ideas and a morose feel for the future of mankind and the difficulties of being a solitary individual in the anomie-infested modern civilization. Book 4 I think is a fascinating attempt to turn Hobbes's Leviathan into a sentient being, as viewed by the hapless adventures of the eponymous hero. I will be thinking about this book for a long time.