Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines in Kansas is a wonderful addition to any reference collection. I have used this book for years and have found to it to be a useful tool in identifying native trees and shrubs in Kansas. The black and white photos are a nice compliment to the written text. Each plant entry has pictures of the leaves, male and female flower, buds, fruit, and trunk. These make it easy to identify plant material when in the field or at a desk. The written text is very descriptive of each major plant part pictured. However, the terminology is rather technical and not easily understood by the casual nature lover. I would recommend this text to anyone who is interested in learning how to identifying native plants in Kansas.

As a frequent reader of historical fiction and non-fiction, I found this book to be both enjoyable and informative. I learned a great deal about the cultural history of the individuals who attempted to settle this difficult land and how they interacted with the environment, the government and the Indians. I found the insights regarding life in a dugout or a sod house particularly interesting, and the enclosed historical jokes about certain Kansas towns and prairie insect pests made me laugh out loud. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about the truth of the "Wild, Wild West" of North America. Miner helps to dispell many of the myths.

Reading In Awe is an exercise is self-control. Too often I suffered through paragraphs that made me grit my teeth. They were full of pretentious writing, graphic detail that reminded me of splatterpunk, and characters I pretty much hated. Is this the new voice of... fiction? If so, I shall envy the deaf.

Scott Heim's writing is at times beautifully visual and graphic, and yet in this novel, the story is so preposterous his art is obscured. The characters all engage in completely ridiculous behavior that is meant to be read with grim shock and guilty, ghoulish pleasure, but which will make more discerning readers roll their eyes. This book also personifies the laughable trend in gay fiction: if there is death and depravity and self-loathing, then it's lit. If there is not, then it's not. The finale of this book is especially outrageous; you can feel Heim reaching for the most grotesque things possible in order to top himself. One part of the book I did love was the female character's past as one of those dirty little girls in class who doesn't even realize why she behaves the way she does. More character study on that line would have improved this book immeasurably.

There was a lot going on in this book... sometimes too much for me to keep up with. And some of the violence seemed gratuitous. However: the human relationships hold the book together. As with Mysterious Skin -- this is a story of very real characters on a very fantastic journey. The novel is really a backdrop for a fearless examination of human pain, desire, love, self-sabotage, coping, strength. Even though "the" main character happens to be male, I particularly appreciate that Heim's female characters are REAL people -- not just hollow sidekicks. Say what you want about Heim's [] depiction of gay life... All I know is that there are not many writers (male, female, gay or straight) who manage to transcend the sexist prejudice of our culture and allow female characters to be as human as their male characters. This one does. Bravo, Heim!

This is definitely the herpetological bible for anyone interested in reptiles and amphibs in kansas. I recommend it to anyone. I gave it as christmas gifts to people that are always telling tall tales of snakes and giant snappers they see. As far as the current common and scientific names go, hey its science, which is constantly changing and Joseph T. Collins is at the forefront of wildlife research in kansas. It truly is a shame he cant print a new book every year, but unless youre audobon, who really can.

Generally good pictures and up-to-date information, but writing is stilted and uninteresting.Book claims to use currently acceptable standardized names, but there is still much debate about such names. In fact, a new list of standardized names will soon be published that will make obsolete a number of names used in this book.

The bible for any budding herpetolgist in the sunflower state, and the model for all subsequent state field guides. Absolutely amazing professional color photography, detailed range maps, and text written eloquently, for both the layman and the expert alike. Common names follow Collin's list which are also used by the Eastern and Central Peterson Field Guide to Amphibians and Reptiles (the most widely read and used reference on herpetology in the world)as well as the Center for North American Herpetology. Can't wait for the next edition!

This book just was not very special. I suppose I enjoyed it ok, but it is not one of those books that you pull our to reread the good parts of. Those are books I consider great. This one was passable. I think my first problem is that the heroine is older than the hero. This is just a personal problem I have. It seems icky to me to have the heroine older by three years. Also, neither the heroine or the hero are very memorable. As a matter of fact the hero, Cade, could be downright dislikeable. He leaves for seventeen years, leaving Zoe waiting for him. He barely writes and when he comes home he can find no explanation as to why he left in the first place. As a matter of fact, all he did through the entire book was to offer pitiful excuses for things he did or neglected to do. The unappealing thing about Zoe is that she took it all. If you want to read this book, I recommend you borrow it from a library or a friend first, because it is not that good.

My friends enjoyed this more than I did. I am sure that they would give it 5 stars. I liked it but would not read it again. I guess I have a hard time with the guy being gone for 17 years and still claiming that he has always loved her. Pooh! I don't believe it. He COULD have come back. He COULD have written. He just did not love her enough. I did like Cade, but I just couldn't believe him.

Must offer a comment or two about the characters --- first when Cade left he was about sixteen years old -- no guy knows his own mind at that age.

Zoe [icky name]Bradshaw was definitely at fault and supported by Cade's sister, Addy. But she did marry and made the best of the life she decided to live. And I can understand why she figured that Cade should give Addy and John's children to her.

Ah, therein begins a very well written story with a lot of great supporting characters. They make reading the story well worth it. I do not go for the heroine being older than her man but who am I to restrict the author.

Zoe had a lot of resentment and feelings of betrayal to work through but it did not stop her from being an excellent mother to the children -- ten year old Brodie -- six year old Will -- eight year old Holly and five year old Missy. Her fault, her secret should have been shared with Cade.

It appears that the one to be feared was elderly Aunt Latitia, John's aunt. She was adament about family raising the children.

Chalmer Winslow, a man of 65 years, was called "Pop" by everyone [I think] and was sheriff of Winterborn, Kansas - 1885.
A gently scheming man who knew how to make people think that they had an idea first. He had an ingenious plan to get Cade and Zoe married.

Cade planned on riding out of Winterborn as soon as he found a family to take the children. Some how he kept getting delayed - but still figured he had time to leave before the killer, Hart McGill could track him down. A bounty hunters' life was very unstable.

You just fall in love with the children and Cade's capitulation to them and can understand his reawakened love for Zoe. I got the impression that he was shattered when Addy told him that Zoe had married. Loved the decision of the children to call Cade, "Uncle Pa".

I fell in love with the townspeople as they proved that they would be willing to protect their own. I chuckled when the older ladies started to carry guns and when Cade finally realized that the people were watching his back in anticipation of McGill's showing up. These people filled out the story with such gentle humor even Sawyer Gayford who wanted "credibility" after Laticia practically ran him down.

Cade was the town's famous native son and he lived up to both of his reputations as helper, caregiver and bounty hunter.

Ah, I don't want to give away all the little twists and turns that make this such an intigueing story but you will definitely love the way it ends.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED and should be shared.

I found the book, Kansas Gambler, to be a little trying. The main character did not live up to the authors design. Anyone with that much nobility, education and upbringing, not to mention the lavish lifestyle to which he was accustomed, would digress to the mentality, language and behavior of $30.00 a month ranch hand. I had the feeling that the author has never known anyone near the caliber of the character he tried to develope, primarily because no one like that exists, and therefore he was at a loss to do the job of which he is so capable. The book had humor but not to the extent of some of his earlier works. I really enjoy Mr. McCords writing, but was disappointed for the first time. I am confident that Mr. McCord will bring the standard back up in future works.

Like all the other books in McCord's Baynes Clan series, this one involves the unique characters and relationships found in the Baynes family. The requisite love story, action scenes, danger, and aid from family members appear. As usual, the "in" jokes among the family members bring at least a good chuckle, and often a belly laugh, per chapter. Start with "Montana Horseman" and read 'em all (you'll want all six handy - it's easy to get hooked) - great fun in the Old West!

I have enjoyed all of John McCord's books. It is obvious that he has done thorough research on all aspects of his stories. His characters are very human, strong but sensitive men and women. His books are great reads!

The Civil War in the west builds into an orgy of destruction and death while the Kimbrough family fight for their very survival. The second novel in the Kimbrough trilogy rolls along as Quantrill's Raiders rip through Lawrence and Jo Shelby's cavalry battle on in Misssouri and Arkansas against Federal troops. If you enjoy vivid battle scenes and a you are there sort of experience then you'll enjoy this eye-opening view of true battles and campaigns fought in the Trans-Mississippi region. Despite the raging war that envelopes them, the fictional Kimbrough's fight on and cling to the last vestiges of love and family. Please give my novels a try. The author- Randal L. Greenwood

I love historical fiction and this is the second of Randall L. Greenwood's books that I have read. Again, he does not disappoint. Vivid detail and a moving story. There is so much going on that Mr. Greenwood could have filled many volumes! This is a page turner. You will not regret having spent this time back in 1863. It is like you are on the battlefields with the Kimbrough brothers. A worthwhile read!!

This is one of three novels in the series. First is Burn, Missouri, Burn, the second is Kansas Bloody, Kansas and the third is Ride, Rebels, Ride. Unfortunately Amazon has the author listed on the 3rd novel as Randall L. Greenwood when the book and the author's name is Randal L. Greenwood. The third book closes the civil war years of the Kimbrough family cronicles. These are compelling novels that will keep you glued to the book. This is one you won't be able to put down. Full of blistering action and romance so you don't want to miss these! Wish there were some novels that covered the family afer the Civil War years. Are you listening Mr. Greenwood?

I have read dozens of true crimes, including several of Ann Rule's books, and I thought this was one of her worst efforts. Mike and Debora obviously had a troubled marriage and Debora appears to have had some mental difficulties. Yet Rule ends up painting Debora as an evil person in true "movie of the week--mom killing babies" style. Rule has done this in previous books but in those books (which involved cases such as a man who battered a number of wives and killed one of them, and a mother who shot three of her children at point-blank range) the protagonists seemed to deserve the negative portrayal more than Debora does. Rule attempts to tell a balanced story by incorporating interviewee's critical comments about Mike Farrar as well but then, when she writes her own prose, she always justifies Mike's actions and paints Debora as a monster. I felt that Debora simply needed psychiatric attention or that her action may have had its roots in her childhood, which is barely explored.

In general, there is insufficient detail given to make a whole book out of this story. It would have worked better as a novelette in one of Rule's collections. it looks as if it were dashed off in a week in hopes of a fast sale to a TV network, "Amy Fisher style". I actually ended up by feeling sorry for Debora rather than thinking she was the evil monster painted by Rule.

This may be the last Ann Rule book I ever buy. It does not come close to the standards of writing and research I came to expect after reading Small Sacrifices and Everything She Ever Wanted. Rule did not give me any real insight into Dr. Debra Green, the deeply disturbed woman whose life disintegrates during the course of this book and who tries to kill her husband with a rare poison and ultimately sets a fire to their home that kills two of her children.

This book feels hurried, like it was written quickly, and the reasearch is only adquate. I wanted to know when Debra Green started drinking excessively, but there was no evidence of this presented. Green's first marriage was covered in about 5 pages Where is the in-depth information on her life and rearing that would help a reader understand [somewhat] how this woman ended up the wreck she did? There is also too much information about secondary figures, such as three pages about the life and career of Green's divorce attorney. Irrelevant!

Rule's obvious sympathy for Green's husband, Dr. Mike Farrar, colors much of this book. She makes him out to be an exemplary husband, one who only had an affair after he could no longer cope with his difficult wife and strained family situation and that was all right, given his situation. He seems to me to be an utterly decent man but indecisive, incapable of even broaching the topic of divorce because he is afraid of another screaming tirade from his wife, of hurting the children, and of failing at something. This is one situation where a clean, quick break seems like the best way out.

The question of Debra Green's mental illness in only tangentially addressed, like her incipient alcoholism that suddenly springs forth. This baffling, heartbreaking crime deserves a much better book than this one.

Another great book by Ann Rule, who is one of the best at delving into the motivation and mind-set of criminals with her unique perspective. Unlike some of the other reviews, I did not find that Ms. Rule was biased at all--actually I felt that she appeared to present this unfortunate story in a more balanced way than most authors would be able handle. Certainly both parties in this marriage were less than perfect, and quite obviously entered into this marriage for all the wrong reasons. But the 'average' person either learns to cope with what life has given them, or finds another way out, namely divorce. But this mother, which is impossible for me to understand her motivation as I am also a mother, decides to take matters into her own hands--deciding that no one would "have the children." She obviously felt her children were possessions of the marriage rather than the fact that they were human beings in their own right. Dr. Farrar does share in the blame ! for the sad state of their marriage and for entering an adulterous relationship. It certainly sounds like he has had time to ponder his actions and hopefully to improve upon them in the future. I also find it interesting that other reviewers of this book expect Ms. Rule to delve into Dr. Green's childhood in order to determine her motives behind this great tragedy. For many things in life, there is simply no explanation in existence that would satify the mind of a 'sane' individual. My children are the most precious people in my mind, there is nothing Ms. Rule could discover that would make me understand this sordid story. Nor do I necessarily want to. It would also seem difficult for an author to determine motive when the motive is obviously buried so deep into Dr. Green's mind that she herself can no longer find it. I highly recommend this book to all those other true crime buffs like me, who just can't put down a good book!

A negative review of a book is not something that I enjoy giving. However, in order to spare others the expense of buying a book and then feeling sorry about it...here goes.

This book, evidently written from an evangelical viewpoint, attempts to communicate values and a Christian message while also telling a story. Unfortunately, both the theological slant and the story itself suffer from some problems.

Beginning with the story, it has a simplistic storyline, a predictable plot and it is too sweet to be real. The storyline was so transparent that I suspected several times that I was mistakenly reading a book written for young teenage girls. I still have my doubts. The action in the story was too neatly tied up, and the heaviest action was taken care of in a couple of chapters near the end of the book.

On the doctrinal side, one can say that there wasn't even a drop of water involved in the plan of salvation presented in this novel. This is in stark contrast to the Book of Acts in the New Testament, where we find EVERY DECISION to obey Christ followed by water baptism. In the rest of the New Testament, mentions of forgiveness of sins without baptism are addressed to Christians who were already baptized into Christ. This isn't to say that it is the water that regenerates, but rather that water baptism is the point at which God has chosen to promise forgiveness of sins to those who truly repent and place faith in Christ.

The author clearly means well, but this book was hard to read all the way through and take seriously. It could just be that I'm too critical, but I don't think so.

This book is recommended for girls ages 13-18, and pretty much no one else.

I didn't really know what to expect from this book when I got it, but I enjoyed it. I didn't get into the story until after the first twenty pages, but when I did I was hooked. The story moved along well as the characters grew, and went through many challenges. I really identified with Mercy when she knew she wanted to believe, and learned to make her own relationship with God. Anyway, basically the story is about Mercy Randolph and Jeremiah Eagleflight as they build a relationship with God, and each other. The make some friends and enemies, and they learn a lot about life and what is important. I recommend this book to everyone.

This book was not what I expected, but it was very well done. The characters and writing were simple, but the issues they struggled with were real and easy to understand and symathize with. As they sought and found their answers, I found a lot of wisdom that I could apply to my life. It was excellent and uplifting reading, and I highly recommend it.

As a reader who grew up on the Kansas plains and found mystery and beauty in the Flint Hills, I wish this were a better book. I admire spare prose, but the writing here is flat, reading more like a long outline for a novel than a novel for the first 100 pages. Likewise, there is no story line until a third of the way into the book, and an odd one at that. [I will give points for originality in one plot twist, however.]

Until a third of the way into the book the characters never come to a flicker of life--we are told who and what they are, never shown, and kept at a distance from them.

The improbable convergence of a Fullbright scholar in literature turned lawyer who just wants to buy a herd of cows and a one-time concert violinist in a small rural town where neither of them grew up strains credibility. The take on the setting is superficial, and we never really get into the heads or hearts of the two main characters.

This is a novel that requires a very patient and sometimes forgiving reader.

I do think the author, if she can get inside her characters and get a story started much sooner, may do better in the future.

Its surprising that some readers hated this story. What's not to like? The beginning may slowly build up speed, but deep in the plot, the reader appreciates the character development. At first Firebird appears common to other romances- Man agrees to marry under pressure; A new face in town piques his interest AFTER the engagement is announced. Then watch out - a plot twist is about to blow your mind! I didn't see it coming and couldn't believe what I had just read. From there the hits just kept on coming. The plot winds through a labirynth of twists and turns like a serpentine roller coaster ride. The reader is swept along never knowing where the next drop or derailment may be. I have searched for years to find a book I simply could not put down. Firebird was worth the wait. I read it through the first night. I simply had to know how this story could possibly find resolution. Firebird courts the heart and soul. This is Miss Graham's debut novel, hopefully the first of many to come.

I finished this book in one day and loved it. I was wishing some of the other reviewers would have given their thoughts on what transpired with Annette, but I guess they didn't want to give anything away. This would be a good selection for a book club to read and discuss.