Virginia's intimate words flow easily, evoking vivid images and feelings about familial relationships and childhood memories. I have never read so many poems in one sitting!

Virginia Chase Sutton's poems create a world of sensual detail and brutal honesty that pull the reader into a journey they would not dare travel on their own. Every day objects and events become exotic images capturing the fragility of the moment. Embellishments is to be read over and over again as a constant reminder of the power and possibilites of the heart. If I could recommend only one book of poetry this year, Embellishments would be it.

Here one finds poems of hope and renewal. Virginia Chase Sutton's book offers to take the reader into a circle of fierce light where the constructs of an "ordinary American life" are savagely rendered. Yet, utlimately, the reader is made aware of an authentic voice which speaks with brutal empathy about the complex nature of human relationships. Finally, this book stubbornly refuses to "give up." Despite it's unflinching look at despair, these poems shimmer with an unspoken clarity of vision which sees--and believes in--in our common future.

This book has helped me understand why most people do not get healed. The author says that anointing with oil and praying for sick has become a dead ritual in the church. This is so true!
The church has gotten into putting on exhibitions. Empty hands are being placed on empty heads! The sick and afflicted come hoping for a healing and instead are met with an Evangelist that only wants to pray for those present to get GOLD TEETH !!
We do not serve a frivolous God who will give gold teeth to those that have no need of them while the sick are sitting there waiting for prayer and are ignored.
Something is very wrong! We go through the motions, but nothing happens. God has not changed. We have!! Like Jack says "When the comforters repented of their folly and asked Job to pray for them, God healed Job".
This is a very powerful book that will help all who read it. If you are tired of playing church and are truly seeking for a move of God in your midst you need to read this book.
Thank you Jack for being obedient.....

This book has wiped away all my pre-conceived ideas about divine healing. It makes you stand up and take notice of all the foolishness that's been invading the Church.The author has shed new light on the scriptures. Thank you for your obedience to Christ, Jack.

This book is an important work and should be read by every Christian who struggles with understanding the doctrine of divine healing. Why are so few people healed? Why do good people suffer? Written from a deep sense of compassion for the sick and disabled, the Author has the courage to bring to light the errors that are being taught on the subject of divine healing.
The Author, confined to a wheelchair, has personally struggled with this question of healing for over 50 years. Like Job, Jack Chase has listened to the words of modern-day comforters. He has pushed his wheelchair through the sawdust into the tents of Oral Roberts healing ministry - and pushed himself back out again. Mr. Chase has listened to the TV evanglists from Benny Hinn to Jack Hayford. Now it is his turn to be heard.
Arguing eloquently, the Author takes us from book of Job in the Old Testiment to the book of James in the New Testiment and contrasts the truth found in scripture to the errors in doctrine taught from our pulpits today. I recomend this book to anyone with the compassion to recongize that many suffering people are not finding hope and healing in the church. I highly recomend this book to anyone with enough conviction and courage to ask why.

This is a fine cigar guide, but it is getting dated. I hope the author will provide an update soon. Still, it is a very useful reference guide for cigar lovers.

A wonderful book! With an emphasis on Cubans, it gets into detail about the history of cigar production and everything about the leaf from field to final product, including how leaves from different parts of the tobacco plant affect the flavor of your cigar.

The reviews of popular brands are well written and informative, but as they are now 3+ years old, it's about time for a new edition.

An essential volume for anyone interested in cigars!

My wife Pat gave me the second edition in 1995. I recently purchased the new addition. It only gets better. Not only is it put together beautifully but more importanly, it is fun to read as well as being very informative. I find myself frequently going back to it as I'm enjoying a cigar and a scotch. Great book, great price, go buy it. You won't be disappointed. Good smoking!

this has been the best book in the series in a looong while. i think gaia's new found relationship w/jake is going to blossom n grow...n the cool thing is that she actually cares for him n isn't trying to push him away at all. another cool thing is how oliver came back...not loki...but oliver...the nice uncle. but part of me fears that sometime in the future he might start going back to his old ways...n start becoming loki again...and then gaia will be all hurt and devestated n push everyone (well...jake) away in fear that loki will go after him. but i think the best part of the book is that now gaia and oliver know where tom is and they are going to go rescue him (hopefully). now i SERIOUSLY can't wait until the next book comes out...

I don't think this series is as good as it used to be but this book was actually really good.

I'm still depressed that Gaia isn't with Ed, or Sam for that matter, but this book actually makes you actually like Jake. They get along really well and he actually understands her and can deal with the issues in her life. He even figured out Tatiana was bad and saved Gaia's life.

And Oliver comes back as the loving uncle, not the cold-hearted murderer who killed or took away every person Gaia ever bonded with. Hopefully he's actually good and not just setting her up AGAIN!

And Tatiana finally got what she deserves after trying to kill Gaia...again!! I never liked her!

The ed-with-a-new-girl thing and the sam-leaving-because-of-the-lack-of-trust thing are both kinda depressing but Jake definatly makes up for it!

Hopefully when the next books comes out it will be as good as this one!

Wow, this was the best one in a long time.

I'm still pining for Gaia and Sam to make up, but if that doesn't happen, whatever goes down with Jake won't dissapoint me too much.

Jake is definitely lovable in this book, he even ends up taking a heavy blow for Gaia that most guys would really consider either dedicated or crazy.

Tatiana proves just how nuts she really is, and is falling apart at the seams. But one who's read the second Fearless Super edition can also show a little sympathy. Just remember, she's not really herself these days.

No real mention of Heather except for a few sparse parts if that, also no appearance of Natasha. But we do get a clue as to what's going on with Tom, and thankfully Oliver returns. No, not Loki, Oliver. Yes, he was such a pushover sweetie in the first Super edition, and it made me less judgemental of him later on. Now that he's returned, I'm even more glad. We need him.

Now if we can just do something about Sam and Gaia...

In my language arts class, we started the folklore unit. My teacher read us this book to give us examples of folklore tales, and we had a lot of fun. We took a 3 page test on this book and we also took notes. This book brought loads of laughter to us, especially when my teacher acted out the stories with an accent and all. Thanks so much for putting the Appalachian hertiage in writing!

25 oral tradition folktales with their roots in English mummers and mythology. Even the "Lear" story appears under the title 'Like Meat Loves Salt' These are stories written to be read out loud and help to enchant with the wonderful tradition of spoken folktales. There is also a collection of JACK TALES by the same author. This is the same boy of Jack & The Beanstalk fame. He has 17 other tales about him! Fantastic!

I have used this book for years in elementary classrooms, and with my own children and grandchildren. A must for any classroom (grades 1-8). Robert B. Cooter, Jr., Asst. Supt., Dallas Reading Plan, Dallas, Texas.

I loved this book, it is readable, genuine and beautiful. It has helped me to look forward to old age.I want to give it to an elderly relative who is visually impaired but sadly it is not done on tape - Any plans?

For a person who has aging parents and who is beginning to age herself, "Let Evening Come" provided insightful, compassionate, thought-provoking, and funny glimpses into the journey. There were times I nodded with recognition at the first hints of my own journey. The book doesn't overwhelm you -- it simply accompanies you, without platitudes, without saccharine, but with tenderness.

This little gem offers two gifts to the reader: an intimate look into the journal of one who is there (the author is 87)providing us a wonderful awareness of what the feelings are as we age and some very useful tips for preparing for a fulfilling old age. I had borrowed this book from the library, but there were so many rich thoughts that I needed my own copy to underline and mark up. Mary Morrison never understates the deficits that do come with old age but she offers wonderful insights about dealing with them. This book gave me understanding toward my aging mother, aunt and friends. It is also a useful gift for them as they will recognize feelings that they may have thought were theirs alone. I also recommend it for those who are younger because the attitudes we are forming now will be the ones that determine our joy or misery in old age. This is not a heavy book. It is easy reading wth humor and good sense throughout.

To be brief; I read this book when it first came out in hardback. I found the story to be both compelling and inspiring. This book reinforced my sense that the curriculum setting process in american public education is so narrowly focused as to create cohort after cohort of ill informed and historically ignorant citizens. Stories such as this would inspire our children to take an interest in history and to provide a framework for them to understand the political, economic and social ties that make this country what it is. Context is everything. This book is all about context.

After reading this marvelous story as told by an exceptionally talented story teller I went on to read every one of her books. I cherish my copy of this book and wish that it had received wider circulation.

This exceptional book should be required reading in all high-school history classes. Chase-Riboud gives a historical-fiction account of the slave trade and tells the story of one group of individuals who beat incredible odds and changed the course of American history. Its descriptions of the conditions in the slave ships will horrify you, then make you incredibly angry - not only at what people suffered, but that the truth is hidden from us by school districts and historians everywhere. I feel much more educated about American history after reading this book, and I have a great deal of respect for President John Quincy Adams. I agree with another commenter: the fact that this book is out of print is a blemish on our society.

Echo of Lions was given to me as a gift several years ago by an acquaintance who was aware of my great interest in American history. It was my introduction to the Amistad affair. And what a wonderful intro it was! Echo of Lions is very tightly written, the fictionalized portions are very believable (as good historical fiction should be), and it moved me to become interested in this particular historical event (as good historical fiction should do).

When the six Kelly children are split up Danny then sees a fake doctor he heard about in New York while at a medicine show out West. When he reveals the phony doctor's secret to everyone there, the doctor decides to hunt Danny down. It is a race to catch each other first before the other one catches you. A dramatic, heart-warming story filled with love, joy, and the importance of family.

This is a great book. I wouldn't recommend reading this book before: A Family Apart, Caught in the Act, and In the Face of Danger. It is the last book a Quartet about the Kelly children. Unless you don't want to read the first three I suggest you read A Place to Belong last.

It was souch a great book I finished it in one night! Although it was sad, It was very interesting. You really got to know the characters. I hade to get the three other books as soon as I could! One night I stayed up till one in the morning to finish one of the books!

I fall immediately under the spell of good sea stories. Essex is among the frontranks. Phibrick supplies a richly textured background to his subject. The author always respects his readers curiousity and interest. He presents various theories and sociological information in an even handed and non judgemental manner. My only regret was the unresolved nature of the ending. I sensed the author had run out of interest towards the end. Yet one must admit that life has a way of being existential and not part of a process but punctuated by moments of crisis and survival. One is left with a greater respect for men and whales.

This a terrific collection of personal accounts gathered together for the first time in one volume. For well over a century Owen Chase's story of the sinking of the whaleship Essex has been the only firsthand documented account. Now side by side with Chase's tale is fellow shipmate Thomas Nickerson's account of the sinking and trial of the Essex crew lost at sea. As is to be expected, the style of the period makes itself felt throughout via word choice, spelling, etc. but more so in Mr. Chase's recounting. The real gem in this volume is Nickerson's retelling of the tale from his point of view, in spite of the strange twists of phrase his warmth and humor show through. If you enjoyed Philbrick's "In the Heart of the Sea" and want to delve a little deeper and explore some of his resources this is the perfect place to start.

This book is a collection of accounts, remarks, annotations, and letters from the people involved in the tragedy, their rescuers, and other notable persons, which paints a vivid portrayal of the life of a Nantuckett whaler in the 1800's.

After having killed off the whale population in the Atlantic, the New England whale ships pushed farther into the ocean to find their prey - the spermacetti whale. Hunting grounds in the Pacific were discovered and, after a year's journey rounding South America in which it lost half of its boats in a sudden gale, the whale ship Essex set out to fill its hold with the valuable whale oil armed with only 3 small boats. During a hunt, one of the boats was stove by the death throes of a speared sperm whale and returned to the ship. While enacting repairs, the pings of the first mate's hammer attracted the attention of a large bull sperm whale, a creature uniquely designed for ramming. The bull made two charges, collapsing the bow of the ship on either side of the keel, and 20 men found themselves alone, in 3 open boats, deep in the heart of the blue Pacific, with only faint hopes of rescue.

The Essex did not sink immediately, and the men were able to salvage a few casks of water, some navigational instruments, and hard biscuits (which would later be fouled by ocean spray and induce dehydration in the men). The first mate also had paper and pencil, which he used for keeping a daily diary of their attempts to survive the ravages of storms, thirst, hunger, and attacks by killer whales and large sharks.

I read this book prior to reading "In The Heart of The Sea", also by Nathaniel Philbrick, and I was glad I did. The first-person narratives really bring home the tale, and Philbrick's other book helps fill in the historical background. I would recommend reading this book with a good atlas, so that you can plot the narrator's progress as he tries to bring his ship to South America, against the wind, the current, and his dwindling strength, and realize just how screwed these sailors really were.

No one expected it. No one could believe it could happen in their town. A wealthy family living in upstate New York have the unthinkable happen to them.

A murder rocks the suburbs, and raises many questions. As a woman lies dead, and her child missing, the police will leave no stone unturned, and gradually all key pieces of evidence will point the finger a the family's new nanny, a woman running from her past, and harboring dark secrets that could destroy her if they are found out.

Gwen Amiel just wants to start over, and put the sins of the past behind her, but now this will not be possible, as she stands accused of the horrible crime. With no one to trust, Gwen turns to Nick Lawrence, the husband of the murdered woman, and with all the suspicious eyes peering at her, she will desperately search for the answers behind the crime, and what she will discover will be shocking...for in this small town no one is what they seem, and what looks like an unexplained tragedy, may actually be a perfectly executed plan.

'No Mercy' is an entertaining debut novel; it builds up suspense page by page, and then starts twisting and turning, until it reaches a satisfying climax. Though slow in spots, the book remains readable for it's exploration of the dark side of it's characters, and when it shifts into high gear, it really cooks, becoming totally un-put-downable.

S.E. Chase is a writer to watch. With a writing style similar to John Sandford, the author bursts onto the scene, and will have readers anxiously awaiting a follow-up novel.

Nick Gonnella

The premise of No Mercy was so different from anything I've ever read before. Overall, it was exciting and suspenseful and the characters were well developed and interesting. I found myself reading this book at every available moment I had! And, the best part was that it was IMPOSSIBLE to figure out!

I really enjoyed reading No Mercy. If you like the kind of book that you NEVER want to put down, this book is for you...

This was an exciting book.I was unable to put it down. My suspicions were going a new directions every chapter. The plot was absolutely wonderful and creative.