I got "Life Messages" for my mom as a gift, and ended up reading it myself. Great concept, well done.

I happened to see the author at a book signing. People love not only the book, but also the author. Great book of inspiration. Better yet, it's like an antidote to all the bad news we hear everyday on TV and in the newspapers. I bought several copies, had them autographed and gave them to some female co-workers in my office. Both sent me back very appreciative emails. One had read it on the plane, traveling. Her book is about hope and overcoming the difficulties we encounter in our lives. True stories how other women got through the worst of times. It's the best. I tell friends and they tell friends.

Josephine Carlton promises "inspiration for the spirit" in her
profound "Life Messages", and she delivers on all fronts. I enjoyed learning about the lives of so many different types of compassionate, professional, women who have overcome their personal hardships. "Life Messages" is certain to remind readers to appreciate the time we are given, and to remember to put things in perspective. Ms. Carlton states it best when she writes "Please read these words, learn from them, and reflect upon their messages."

I lived in Waco when these murders happened. The fact of mistaken identity scared everyone. I live only about a 1/2 mile from where the murders took place. Also, the young man that was murdered had the same last name as me, which is not a common last name. My mom was always being asked if it was her son and I if he was my brother. Even though I was living right there and heard it on the news and read it in the newspaper constantly, it still made the hair stand up on my arms when I read the book.

I read just about every true crime book that comes out and this one, for me, is definitely in my top five out of many. The writing itself is excellent and the details are outstanding. Truman Simons must certainly be the most dedicated investigator to ever work a murder scene and his dogged dedication alone resulted in finding the murderers and punishing them accordingly. The book was especially intriguing with psychics, one that told the police many "sightings" she had that were right on the mark most of the time. This book is so well written that the pain the victim's families felt from losing their children will haunt you for a long time. I promise this is one crime book that you will read repeatedly. If you are a dedicated true crime buff, do your best to find this book and read it! My hardback copy is one of my true crime collection treasures! I've read it three times over the years and each time I couldn't put it down.

Those readers who were greatly affected by this story might be interested to know that Deeb was later given a new trial and acquitted. Spence was finally executed in 1997. The Melendez brothers are still in prison. A Westlaw or Lexis search provides a great deal of info on the aftermath.

I read this book in 8th grade and loved it. I read it again when I was 23 and loved it even more. As a native of Massachusetts, I can certainly relate to the atmospheric scenery of the marshes that Barbee describes in this book. It also contains a spine tinging plot, and believable characterization of the young Dan Pride. This story would make a wonderful film for children and adults alike. With films like The Crucible and The Sixth Sense, to name a few, in high profile these last few years, that have to do with mystery and the supernatural, the Witches Bridge would make a timely film. The actors who I see playing the roles are Gary Sinese as Julian Pride, Brad Renfro as BillyBen Cory, Joan Allen as Susan Bishop, and Hale Joel Osment as Dan Pride. I plan to write a screen play eventually and maybe make a small scale home movie of it myself someday. I have already composed a song for the opening credits and have ideas for the trailor/preview. Ms. Carleton, if you are reading this, send your story to a film producer today. It has amazing potential. "Out of the night, and the fog, and the marsh, these three, success shall come to thee!"

This book has it all, a spunky kid, a centuries old mystery, a wild man in the marsh, in short, everything you could want in a good children's mystery story. I first read this book thirty years ago and was suprised to find that I remembered every twist and turn like it was yesterday. I was amazed that it was not a bit dated. It is rare to find a book that still has the power to raise the hair on the back of your neck after thirty years.

This book should be republished. It is a crime that a book this good (and wholesome to boot!)should be unavalible.

I remember having to read this book in the 5th grade, and also recall (as most kids) not wanting to. However, after the first few pages I remember not wanting to put it down. Its this book that initiated a wanting to read. I'll always will remember this title, and now having a 9 year old boy who most times shuns the desire to read, I really hope that Amazon.com will locate a copy for me. :)

THE RITZ CARLTON CAT by Janet Johnson opens the door to a rich world of imagination and warmth that you and your children will want to visit again and again. It is a world where lasting friendships are made, hearts are changed for the better, joy and comfort happen every day, and-- best of all-- CATS RULE! In this soulful and elegant introduction to what I certainly hope will be a long series of Ritz Carlton Cat adventures, Darling Cat will entice you to meander through Boston like a proper cat, and hear a beguiling tale of loss made right, strangers who become family, and cosmopolitan felines who find salvation for themselves, and also for the humans in their lives. Make sure you own this book, for your children and their children. and also for yourself!

Martha Stout, Ph.D. Clinical Instructor in Psychology Harvard Medical School

The Ritz Carlton Cat is a treasure to be read and re-read, again and again. With each delightful read, you will be charmed by the story and the style with which it is written. Janet Johnson does a marvelous job in creating all the pictures necessary in words and imagery to bring Darling to life. She creates a vision, and we are all better to have "seen" it.

BOSTON - Born at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Boston, Janet L. Johnson's "The Ritz Carlton Cat" is a book that weaves a tale in the style of Walt Disney. An intriguing blend of humor, drama, happiness and sadness, this is a whimsical, "children-of-all-ages" story of a little cat orphaned at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Boston by her mistress, Dame Tadlewad. In the frenzy of packing upon hearing of her father's death, Tadlewad forgot a hiding Darling Cat under the bed. Tadlewad suffered a fatal attack on the plane, and Darling Cat was all alone at the Ritz. This is a unique style picture book in every sense of the imagination. Only two illustrations appear in the entire book, but vivid imagery paint amazing pictures with carefully chosen words by Johnson, who has a real estate office in Gloucester, Mass. The book's opening is just such an example of this imagery: "It was one of those perfect blue and gold summer days of August that made the City of Boston sparkle in the sunlight. Darling Cat and Ali Cat were meandering through the Public Garden, pausing every so often to admire the rose gardens and beautiful flowers that were bursting with color and luxuriant in their foliage at the height of the season." With this kind of detailed storytelling, pictures are not necessary. This self-confessed "dog person" said the story of the Ritz Carlton Cat popped into her imagination during a stay at the Boston hotel herself eight years ago. Johnson said she was in town for the wedding of her daughter's friend. Enjoying a brunch in the Ritz with the bride's parents, Johnson (not much of a breakfast person) said she asked a hotel employee to give her Eggs Benedict to the Ritz Carlton Cat. At that point, the story just began evolving for two weeks on napkins, sticky notes and any little piece of paper she could get her hands on, she explained. Finally on Labor Day weekend, the story wrote itself in 2 1/2 hours and wasn't anything like the original shreds of storyline. And, not only did Johnson write this charming classic. She published it herself.... The story just finished its third commercial printing last year. Apparently the story may have some historic significance, according to Johnson. Recently 80-year-old Marie Faillace (nee Duplain) called Johnson to ask her how she even knew there was a Ritz Carlton Cat in Boston. "She saw an ad for my book in a newspaper and said her dad baked bread for the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Boston. There was Banino, who was the Ritz's Italian executive chef from France, much like Figardo (the book's main human character), who was Darling's savior." "Marie explained she had taken in a stray pregnant cat, gave away four kittens and kept the 'baby." She presented the last kitten to Banino in a basket with rose petals at the hotel. Faillace relayed to Johnson that the cat lived at the Ritz with Banino for a year and was treated and feted just like Darling Cat! Eventually, Banino brought her to his farm in New Hampshire as keeping the cat in the suite most of the time was not right, he believed. So, there really was a Ritz Carlton Cat, Johnson discovered. At the end of the book, there is a section called "Imagination," which asks questions of the readers. It is great for children as it asks them to verbalize what they visualize in their minds during the story. According to Johnson, three sequels are in the works and someday an animation of all of the stories, ala Disney, the way they used to be. The next book examines how Darling's friend, Ali, a royal cat from Monaco, ended up in Boston.

I highly recommend 'Satan Burger.' It was just the refreshment I was looking for.

This book effortlessly incorporates the insights of its author into a journey through an alternative to the real world. The style of the writing is strong but very relaxed, and has an improvisational quality that's lacking in too many books.

Without getting into plot details, I'll mention that there's a very amusing reference to death metal fans, which explains this somewhat disturbing musical phenomenon (which I listen to). You'll probably never look at back seats or the moon the same way again, either.

If you're in the mood for something different, I heartily recommend 'Satan Burger.' You may get sick of looking at the cover, but that's the price you pay for reading what's inside (well, other than what you pay for the book!).

This book was an exceptional read for anyone into not too coy satire about religion, the devil, and all the other absurd oddball characters associated with diety worship. It paints society out to be absurd too but the author, this psycho-beat-realist was on something when he wrote this besides being just a cynical so and so. But it's pretty refusing to read a piece of anti-literature by someone who basically sees the world for sadly how it either really is or going to be.

Heaven is full and God has closed the gates. No more souls are accepted, so He discontinues death and creates a walm, a door that allows "toys" from other worlds to come in, for His entertainment.

Imagine a world gone boring. Nobody cares about anything, so they sit, stare at the wall and shrug. Imagine being one of the few, who still has an inclination to care, searching for their place in a bizarre and twisted life.

Such is Rippington, New Canada created by Carlton Mellick III. The cast of "punks" include Leaf an ex-drug addict who sees in third person through his God's eyes; Nan an ex-skinhead; Gin a conscious dead person whose body parts are alive courtesy of Satan's touch; and Vodka and Christian who appear to be the most normal out of the bunch. Then you have Satan ... THE Satan ... who opens a chain of restaurants called Satan Burger. You can eat there free, but it comes with a price.

"Satan Burger" isn't for those who only like pure and pretty things. It's a weird and perverted tale, but if you're bored with your usual normal range of taste, start with this novel.

Pick this book up with an open mind or you'll never make it past the cover art. Which would be a shame, because "Satan Burger" is an utterly fascinating, inventive and oftentimes hilarious read.

I started reading Legion in the morning and didn't put it down until I was done that night. A great "Good versus Evil" story, with twists & turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat. I especially enjoyed the strong warrior character being a young high school aged girl with all her innocent idealism still intact. This book will enthrall you no matter what your interests are, it has something for everyone. It is a must read!

This book was so exciting to read. Once I started it I couldn't wait to finish. After I was through all I could think of was "I hope he writes something to follow this!" This book was full of energy. The book moves you from page to page without letting you stop. It isn't very often that a book comes along that everyone who reads will enjoy. If you like mystery, adventure, or romance this book is great. From the very first page I was drawn in and couldn't stop reading. This book will be a great gift for me to give to my friends and family who enjoy reading. I can't wait until I find out how Fran and Chris turn their seemingly horrible fate into a romance.

Just because I happen to be the mother of the author, it in no way makes me biased. I read this book before it was fined tuned and published. It grabbed me from the very first page and I couldn't put it down until finished. Take my word for it. If you purchase this book, you will be happily engrossed for hours. There is something for everyone. Romance, horror, adventure, fantasy and yes, even religion. I urge you to order it now because I am predicting it to be a best seller.

This was the greatest book ever.
I liked the stories cause they made me laugh and sad too.
I think it was a very good book

Any human that is owned by any kind of city or country critter will really enjoy this book...it is filled with hilarious adventures and heart warming, tear jerking accounts of the daily life of a citified rural veterinarian, just trying to do the work he loves the best he can, and still maintain his sanity. This book has earned a 'keep it and read it again' spot right next to my collection of James Herriot's memoirs.

Heartwarming, heart tugging and funny--it's a perfect book for any animal lover. Think Cleveland Amory meets Baxter Black. More like James Herriot's writing than anything I ever read. A fun and easy-to-read collection of short stories that truly describes the life of a Texas veterinarian. I couldn't put it down!

This is a very well-written history of the Columbian Exhibition and the Little Egypt legends that abounded after the 1893 Fair. A fascinating read; highly recommended.

Looking for Little Egypt is well-researched, a fascinating history, that is eloquently written. It was not as much about belly dance as I expected; it is exactly what the title says: looking for the legendary Little Egypt. It is a fascinating, murky, brief, and obscured history of a dancer whose existence is more legend than truth. Carlton sought to discover just who was Little Egypt. She was able to dispel a few myths (Twain did not suffer a coronary after seeing her dance), but was left with no solid answers about who that dancer was in the end.

If you enjoy Middle Eastern dance or like a good history/mystery, this book is absolutely for you!

This book is a well organized and well written account of the beginnings of "belly dance" in the USA. More than that, it's a detailed account of the famous "Chicago World's Fair," and much to my surprise I found that as intriguing as the Little Egypt Story. Buy it, you'll be riveted!

This book is the best book available about the history of oriental dance. Although this book tells only about Chicago World Fair and dancers and musicians there, it does it with lots of accurate information and very interesting and fluent way. Illustration is wonderful and here a reader can find out how Oriental Dance really found its way to the West and what lies behind colorful myths about Little Egypt.

I REALLY ENJOYED READING THIS. MARCUS DOES A GOOD JOB DESCRIBING HIS CAREER WITH THE RAIDERS AND CHIEFS. HIS CRITICISM OF AL DAVIS AND RAIDER ORGANIZATION IS EXTREMELY INTRIGUING. ALSO INTERESTING IS HIS DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE OJ MURDER TRIAL AND HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH OJ AND HIS WIFE. THIS IS WELL WORTH YOUR TIME.
A MUST READ.

After reading this book, I was amazed at the things that went on between Al Davis and Marcus. How Marcus stayed in Los Angeles that long amazes me. This book covers Marcus' life before football, during high school, at USC and the heisman, and being drafted by the Raiders and then ending up at Kansas City. Marcus talks about the O.J. fiasco and how it changed his life. This book is excellent for any football fan and shines light on the dark side of being a Raider.

This is not your typical Professional Jock Worship book, primarily because (1) very little of the narrative is taken up with descriptions of individual games or plays, (2) Carlton Stowers is an excellent writer who portrays Marcus well, and (3) Marcus himself is an intelligent and thoughtful person who has had a fascinating life to date.

The real heroes of this book are Marcus' parents, Harold (Red) and Gwen Allen, who put the necessary time and effort into providing their children with the integrity that has made Marcus successful.

This is a book of contrasts and conflicts, the first of which are with Al Davis, owner of the Oakland Raiders. Marcus despises Al and is candid in describing his reasons. Anyone who is not familiar with Al Davis might think Marcus is exaggerating, but those who are familiar with him will find the criticism reasonable, if not understated. Corroboration for his descriptions of Al's eccentricities may be found in "Slick: The Silver and Black Life of Al Davis" by Mark Ribowsky [ISBN: 0-02-602500-0], a highly entertaining biography that is now out of print but may be available through a used-book service.

The other interesting contrast is that between Marcus and his friend O.J. Simpson. As Marcus described Nicole Simpson's death and the subsequent murder trial, I kept asking how these two men, similar in so many ways, could have ended up so differently. As I said at the outset, the real heroes of the book are Marcus' parents.

I picked this up out of curiosity, without reading the "Books of Magic" first (I am doing so now) as I don't normally read comic books. I found the initial first pages confusing, but the pages following that caught me up.

The story begins amid the ending panels of "Summonings", then proceeds back in time several centuries to a tiny girl named Rose, who stumbles into the Queen of the Faerie. Rosebud quickly becomes a favorite of the Queen - and as she grows into adulthood, is also a "favorite" of the King (if you take my meaning). When Queen Dymphna mysteriously vanishes, the King marries Rosebud - who takes on the name of Titania. (Starting to sound familiar?) The new queen also sort of morphs into a fairy.

More familiar characters resurface as the king dies, and his nephew Auberon takes over the throne and marries the queen. But during a venture to Earth, Titania meets and falls in love with a man named Tam Lin. Her love affair with him is cut short when she becomes pregnant and gives birth to an apparently-human baby, who vanishes along with a nursemaid. Thus starts the life of Timothy Hunter...

Even if you're not familiar with the Books of Magic, this is diverting and entertaining, especially if you know about the legend of Tam Lin. The artwork is so so--often it looks like the artist put a sketch instead of a finished panel (like when Dymphna cries out "My torque!") and Titania's facial shape sometimes looks plain silly.

Overall, a very enjoyable comic. I also recommend the sequel, "Auberon's Tale" (tell me, am I alone in finding him VERY sexy?)

I've been reading through the Books of Magic series of graphic-novel compilations, and getting them in an odd order occasionally (based on what I can find when). Reading this volume made much of one particular volume of the Books of Magic make incredible amounts of sense - it's the backstory, the story that happens between the volumes. It also, however, stands on its own quite well. If you like Neil Gaiman, Emma Bull, or modern fantasy and fairy tales at all, I highly recommend this. A lovely fey tale, full of magic, betrayal, and secrets.

I've read these books slightly out of order, so getting to know the woman whom Molly O'Reilly referred to as "the green bitch" was a rare treat. This lovely, touching collection shows the origins of the girl who would become Titania, as well as introducing Tamlin the falconer at his first appearance in Faerie. Titania and Auberon meet for the first time, and we gain an understanding of their complex and difficult relationship. This book also sheds some light on the birth of Timothy Hunter. Really, I can't recommend this series highly enough.