I had purchased this book at a Holiness convention-in going through the devotional, I had begun sharing what I had read with my daughters. Then it became the topic of discussions throughout the day. We have all been encouraged and uplifted through reading and studying what God is saying to us through these writings. I am going to purchase two more books for the girls! We will all be able to be on the 'same page', and it is interesting to see what differet things the LORD is saying to each of us through the same words and scripture! It is very, very easy reading, short Bible verses to read-a young child could enjoy and understand this devotional! Yet an experienced Christian can still learn much from it and be encouraged and taught, also.8-)

The "Holy Bible" is an ambitious book which takes on two huge subjects simultaneously--the history of the world, literally from Day One, and the relationship between the human race and God the Father.

The numerous books which make up the Bible are sort of like an anthology of great writers all put together. There are some very stirring and gripping stories that will have you on the edge of your seat! Other times you'll be so disgusted with what the human race is doing that you'll wish as I did that God would just wipe it out with a flood and start over. Imagine my amazement when, a few chapters later, God does exactly that!

As if those sorts of stories aren't enough, about 2/3 of the way through the reader is suddenly introduced to a totally new character, Jesus Christ. Jesus' story is picked up not only before he was born, but before he was even conceived (talk about a thorough biography!). You know right from the start that there's something unusual about this person. His mother conceives him mysteriously, no doubt creating a scandal in the town, but her fiance, Joseph, stands by her. His birth is soon followed by visits from the Magi and the local shepards and only a few lines later, Jesus and his parents are fleeing the country because the king, who is afraid of this infant, orders the murder of every male child in the region!

The story then picks up with Jesus only 12 yrs old but dazzling the adults with his prodigious and insightful knowledge of God and God's Word. You start to suspect that there's more to this boy than meets the eye. And you won't be disappointed! The story then finds him when he's 30 and embarking on a mission with nothing less than the goal to change the world and save the entire human race! Along the way Jesus dazzles his audience and the reader with all sorts of miracles, vividly told stories and metaphors (which seem to be just simple stories but actually have a lot of meat to them!). He regularly bests his detractors in debate after debate until they really get sore and decide that they have to do something about this guy. While all this is going on, Jesus gets more and more people to follow him and in particular some very interesting supporting characters like Mary Magdalene, Peter, John and several others.

Just when you think the story cannot get even more exciting, Jesus drops a real bombshell on his closest friends and reveals to them that he is the Son of God! This really gets them excited but it also really upsets his enemies who are now out to get him more than ever. The entire story builds up to a sensational climactic week---Jesus arrives in the capital city to roaring crowds, he gets into a big fight with people desecrating his temple, practically challeges the bad guys to put up or shut up, and then the story suddenly switches into a legal trial that is probably the most important trial in history! This time Jesus' enemies get the best of him and kill him in a particularly cruel way.

You'd think that the story would end there but it doesn't! In the most mindblowing scene in the history of the written word, Jesus COMES BACK TO LIFE!!!! Three days after he was buried!!! And he starts popping up everywhere---just materializing in a room where his best friends are, found walking along the road to Emaeus with two of his other friends, and then, spectacularly, literally ascending into heaven. But get this---he is not only now in heaven, but he stays with his followers personally until the end of time! And what do they finally figure out? That not only was Jesus the Son of God, but he was GOD all that time!!The same God the Father who has been having to deal with a rebellious human race all through the first part of the Bible actually ends up coming to Earth and living amongst everyone---sort of hiding in plain sight, so to speak---and given the human race his instructions and plans for them first hand, so nothing is lost in translation. And not only that, he takes upon himself the punishment for each and every sin that every person has committed up to that point, and---and this really blows the mind---for every sin that will ever be committed after that! And if that isn't enough, that he promises anyone who will just accept him as his Savior, that he, the new believer, will live with him forever and never die!! You can read 10,000 other books and never find a character like that. And what is even more mind boggling, is that it is all true!

So definitely read this book and pay attention to it---it'll change your life!!

"Indigo Blue" is a story about a young woman who, despite her bravery in the face of danger and rascism, has a severe inferiority complex. Jake Rand comes into her life at a time when she is dealing with a lot of problems. Her father has been severely injured in the mine that he owns and she, being the only child, takes over. Jake comes and immediately takes control, never telling her that he is in fact a wealthy businessman who made a fortune through mining. He is out to find out if his father is really causing accidents in small mines and then buying them from the bankrupt owners. He is immediately drawn to Indigo but his own preconceptions of women and their role in society cause him to treat her badly. She is forced into marriage with him and is terrified that he will treat her badly because he might percieve her as a "squaw". Indigo was betrayed by the first man that she loved and she does not know how to deal with Jake. He overwhelms her and confuses her and, as he begins to understand her fears and her personality, comes to love her very much. The description and the writing were lovely. Anderson made her characters come alive, painting their struggles and their growing love and understanding of each other in a way that lets the reader become a part of the story. "Indigo Blue" is a great romance novel and I would recommend it to anyone.

This book is fast paced action from start to finish. And at last a Police action novel that shows Police officers as they are instead of villains. An exciting noval that you can not put down.

While it might easily be regarded solely as a criticism on slavery, Frances E.W. Harper's Iola Leroy is a novel that tackles an infinite array of issues affecting the black race, and America in general, during the late 19th century. These issues range from gender, to internalized racism among the Negro of lighter skin color, the infamous "Negro question," the hypocrisy of religion, and many others. Tne most undeniable value of the book, is the call that the author makes for literacy, temperance, and the uplifting of the race.

Harper, like Dubois, is optimistic about the future and potential of African-Americans. She sustains that now that the doors of education, religious freedom, and of economy and capitalism are open to the race the expectations are great both on the part of the whites and the blacks themselves.

The undeniable value of the book, is the call that the author makes for literacy, temperance, and the uplifting of the race. This novel deserves extensive study not only as a feminist or ethnic work; it is one of the basic works of American Literature which can be read and enjoyed by anyone interested in social issues and fine reading material.

ISLAND ECSTASY by Karen Harper was the quintessential historical romance. A Zebra offering with a funny name, it could have stood alone as a "great novel" without the romance-novel fru-fru. In my memory, it DOES. It's an early 80's book. They don't write them like this anymore. Actually, even in the 80's there weren't enough.

If you, as many do, feel this way about cookie cutter romance, try ISLAND ECSTASY. Bet you won't be disappointed.

--Carly Corday

My five year old loves this book. We have read it many times and it is still funny. He often refers to Hal and loves to sing the song. I recommend JALAPENO HAL to young and old alike.

If you want to get to know John Brown, his family, his life, his problems and his ways, you have to read this book, from his childhood to his death in Virginia after the raid of Harper's Ferry each station of his life is shown in detail (which makes it sometimes difficult to read with pure pleasure). Before I read this book I knew about Brown as a criminal, a fanatic, a murderer may be. Yes, he was... but you have to know what shaped him to be a fanatic and a murderer. His life was a struggle for freedom, and he was beat hard by life. He came on the wrong way or better: He went too far on the right one. This is a very exciting and helpful book! Just read it!

This book is filled great historical information, and good black and white photos. It also contains information about John Brown's life and ideas, the abolitionists, the raid on Harper's Ferry and the results. This will be a good report resource. Also has a nice timeline. Recommended reading for the 6th grade level and up.

This book offers a great insight to Methodism. The true Wesley comes out in this book. A Must read for any christian of any denomination!