This book was a wake up call for me. Most of us have little or no concept what our country's warriors have to face. With our country in a continual war against terrorism we civilians have little appreciation for the sacrifices our soldiers must make. But little did I realize that there are hidden heroes our soldiers must leave behind...their families.

The recent Mel Gibson movie "We Were Once Soldiers" gave a vivid visual representation of the military family. But Ellie Kay's book gives us an even fuller picture of the day to day routine they must face.

Chock full of helpful advice for the military family, it also provides the information I needed to help my friends who are currently serving.

An additional benefit is the information I can use with my own family when I travel for business. Simple and yet profound ideas we will implement on my next trip.

Thank you Ellie Kay for writing a great book!

I've just finished reading Ellie Kay's newest book, Heroes at Home and I believe she's done it again...given us something that is practical in application and humorously philosophical. As a veteran "mover" in the military, she's well acquainted with the nuances of such change and prepares her readers to expect the unexpected. This book would be a great gift for the families of those just commencing military careers--as well as for those who are already on the journey. Packed with tips, great biographical sketches of some of her favorite "Heroes at Home," and helpful details on the in's and out's of military life, this book is a sensible survival guide for those confronted with such radical changes that must be handled on short notice.

Personally, I thought her "Courage Under Fire" chapter was the best of all. In it this jet-fighter's wife exposes the tender underside of military life, the vulnerability of families that live with constant reminders of their high-than-normal risks for injury or death. Ellie writes passionately not only of her concern for her husband's safety, but with moving sympathy for families who face the worst imaginable scenarios of all. Almost everyone knows someone who's lost someone. Her response to such crises is a balanced must-read for those hoping to survival such emotional devastation.

I really enjoyed this book!! My father and my husband were both career military men. I wish I had had it when I was a military wife (and daughter)! The challenges faced by military families are definitely unique. In "Heroes at Home",Ellie Kay has offered tremendous insight and help for military families in a humorous way while giving much deserved honor to the families of our military personnel whose contributions are often overlooked. Thanks, Ellie, for helping us remember the Heroes at Home!

I have read every book I could locate about Richard III. I even wrote my Englih paper in college about him. But I have never owned so many copies of the same book. This book is so enthralling, I have gone through four paperback copies. Once read, you can not help but read it again and again,finding some thing new each time.You can't help but feel the emotions of the characters in this book. MS Penman writes so that you are there,eating,drinking,fighting and living life during this incredible time in English hitory.Her explanations for the disapperance of the Princes is more beleivable then any Tudor historian, it makes sense.And ,for her explanations of Richards "character flaws",it shows a man too sensitive for his loves, lossess, and Kingship.It is that sensitivity that makes it impossible to believe he would put two innocent boys to death. I was so glad to read a possitive perspective on Richard's life. This book is as interesting as it addictive. Right on the level with Ms.Penman's Trilogy,Here Be Dragons.

I have read every Penman book but one. Her writing is well researched, flowing and one feels transported in time while reading. She breathes life into her characters. Not since reading Margaret Campbell Barnes' "The King's Bed" 20 years ago have I enjoyed a book more. I was prepared to like Richard. As the youngest son, he was not raised to be a king; nor did he welcome the task. I believe Ms. Penman convincingly puts this point across. I am in awe of her considerable writing skills. Her research goes beyond the extra mile, making her work untouchable. Reading "Sunne," called for a second read of Ms. Barnes' book. I am looking forward to Ms. Penman's book of Eleanor and Henry. In the meantime I will have to be content with a second reading of "The Sunne in Splendor," "Here Be Dragons," "Falls the Shadow," "The Reckoning," and "When Christ and His Saints Slept!"

In the past I have been extremely critical of fiction when reading ficticious British history and usually take everything I read with a grain of salt. I was skeptical when I picked up this book, and it is without a doubt one of the best books I have a EVER read.
I stayed up until 5 in the morning one night reading this book because I just couldn't stop reading! The War of the Roses, in the particular the strong women of this time (I'm writing my own series on these queens) has been a passion for years now. And yet I was almost crying when bad things happened to these charectars, partly because I knew what was going to happen, and partly because this book is so amazingly well written.
Penman is so phycologicaly in tune with Richard, Anne, Elizabeth, Edward, that you do fall in love with them.
I strongly reccomend this book. When I finished it I opened back up to page one and began again!
Penman has a die hard fan in me :)

I'm 32 years old and I LOVE Eloise - she is an absolutely delightful character! I have bought several of the Eloise books for my 5 year old daughter and she just loves Eloise as well. How fun and inspiring is it for a little girl to read about a character as whimsical and independent as Eloise?

The illustrations in this book are fantastic and really bring Paris to life for children. I have read this book at least 100 times to my daughter, and each time I enjoy it more. My daughter now wants a champagne cork necklace just like Eloise...thanks Kay Thompson for laughs you have allowed my daughter and me to share!

I read Eloise (at the Plaza) and Eloise in Paris - all 'very much' Kay. I loved that woman - a very good friend of my mom's. I worked with/for her when (as a teenager) I did her musical arrangements and orchestrations for her fabulous act with The Williams Brothers - which opened in Vegas and played all over the world.

She was one of a kind (you can see her in Funny Face) brilliant musical/vocal arranger herself, world traveler, racounter, incredible lady. I've bumper into her in Rome, Paris, London, New York, LA and was terribly saddened by her death (even though she was painfully painfully thin her whole life). She was one of the great women in the history of show biz. The Eloise books are thrilling to say the least and I continually laugh every time I pick one up even after I've gone through them 100 times. I'm ordering them once again as I left mine in London and MUST have them once again. Buddy Bregman

I love Eloise!!! Eloise in Paris is my favorite Eloise book. What's really fun are those long made up words such as "zuk zuk zhwocky zuk zuk nnnn" for their Plaza telephone. With the "charming" six year old as the star, this book is about how a rich girl spends time in Paris with Nanny, Skipperdee (Turtle), Weenie (dog), and Koki (chauffeur). It's very creative; all of Kay Thompson's books are. I read the first Eloise book to a bunch of friends in my college dorm, and I only got past four or five pages because they were all saying, "C'mon, Hilary!!! That's enough!" I also went through this phase a year or so ago where I sent E-Mails saying: "The Bell Captain Knows Who I am!" which left most of my friends perplexed. I remember the response of one friend: "That's really great, but who's the Bell Captain?" It's quite odd because books can create all sorts of situations for people. The funny words or phrases can start jokes as well. One of my friends and I thought it was weird that Eloise said that paper cups were good for talking to Mars, and we sometimes say on the phone to eachother, "have you talked to Mars yet?"

From the viewpoint of a Beatnik, Eloise In Paris and all the rest of the books about her are some of the beatest kids books I've seen!

When I read this book it had been over 10 years since I had read the original Gaston Leroux novel of Phantom. I enjoyed Susan Kay's writing immensely. She does an incredible job of portraying a character's struggle between good and evil. The main character, Erik, has the potential to be either an angel or a demon. Because of his genetic disfigurement, he's usually treated as the latter. Nevertheless, he struggles. Susan Kay paints such an excellent portrait, that at the times when Erik's behaviour is most heinous, the reader feels most sympathetic toward him. We come to understand what drives him to the things he does. I really liked the way the author expanded the character of the Persian. Most adaptations of Phantom eliminate his character altogether. Kudos to Susan Kay for knowing when a character is worth keeping. Fans of the original novel should be warned: There are several discrepancies between this version and the original. However, one needs familiarity with the original story (or the Broadway show) in order to really appreciate this book. Susan Kay begins with the Phantom's birth and ends several years after his death. Where there is much detail in the events of Erik's life outside of the original story, she does a very abridged version of the events covered in the original story. I have two other disappointments with this book. (Thus, I could only give it four stars.) One, the author glosses over another four-year period of Erik's life. It is during that four-year period that he apparently mastered the garote and became a vicious killer. Although his later motivations for violence are explained in great detail, she fails to tell where he learned to kill without sensitivity. My only other criticism is that in an afterward to the book (which I read before purchasing the book), the author says that she wrote the book to answer questions leftover from the original. Two of my questions were never even addressed. First, who is the other Phantom with the widebrimmed hat? Second, who is the ratcatcher? However, those two criticisms aside, Phantom is an excellent book. I would love to read more of Susan Kay's literature.

This book. . . ah, if only I could find the proper words to describe it. How I loved it. It is, and I know it always will be, my favorite book. I have forced all my friends to read it, and I hope I can at least convince you to read it :) I applaud Susan Kay for creating this marvellous, captivating masterpiece.

The fullness of this novel appeals to me especially. You go through Erik's life with him from beginning to end. . . and as other characters are introduced, the story builds and builds to even greater heights. The emotions I experienced when reading through Phantom were tumultuous and intense. Kay's writing is exceptional, from her descriptions to the dialouge.

His childhood was certainly heart-breaking in many ways. But it had nice peaks. . . I certainly enjoyed the period when he learned of architechture and was enthralled by the beautiful buildings of the city. . .

I must admit, that along with poor Christine, I was enchanted by Erik. Such a full, fascinating character. . . a truly amazing man. The progression of their relationship was odd, to be sure, but all that had happened to Erik before made it seem almost natural.

I implore you. . . if you have not already, read this book. Yes, I am a walking, talking, typing advertisement for this book. As aforementioned. . . I love it.

After you've done so, you will know why I'm telling you to now :) Happy Reading!

I simply cannot imagine the story of the Phantom having happened any other way after reading this novel! Susan Kay is brilliant. Erik comes alive in her text, more human than ever before. The author's imagination is stunning; the re-creation of Erik's life prior to and through the main body of events at the Paris Opera is so believable you lose your heart to the Phantom at the first page. The portrayal of Erik's life in Persia is especially outstanding. Kay's imagery of the Persian makes him no longer a mystery. Given a name and life and true experiences that bond him as a friend to Erik, her Nadir is more than the shadowy sketch given by Leroux. Heartrending are the last two sections of the book, where Erik falls in love with Christine and their relationship is poignantly told-- and Raoul ends the narrations for good. Christine comes across beautifully, and Susan Kay shows the relationship between Erik and the young woman very intimately. Her ending is sure to leave the reader in tears; the twist she creates is perfection... what some of us wish could have been. Unforgettable; very literally read it and weep

-I need to thank him profusely!

I haven't read much Historical Fiction so far, but I've been wanting to for quite a while. I was interested in medieval England primarily, and someone told me to, "Give Sharon Kay Penman a go- She's amazing!" I found the first book really cheap and dove in.

Taking place in the 13th century, we are given the tale of the ruthless King John of England, and his greatest rival, Prince Llewelyn of Wales. To gain a hold over Wales, John marries his favorite daughter, Joanna, to the influential Welsh Prince. Joanna wants nothing less, but as she slowly begins to love her father's greatest enemy, she finds herself torn between the two powerful men. The romantic tale is merely a tiny aspect of this engrossing novel. You will also witness the warfare, politics and what life was like during this brutal period of English and Welsh history. I can think of nothing to compare it too except Braveheart, which is high praise from me. This book has everything in it. It's amazing how some of the best stories in the world actually happened.

From what I've heard, and from the little I've witnessed, historical fiction usually means there will be a compromise in writing and story. Well, from page one, Penman grabbed me and wouldn't let go. After just this one book, she easily earns her place among my favorite authors. Here Be Dragons was simply captivating from beginning to end.

-Lysander

. . . from the very beginning to the very end. Ms. Penman grabs hold of you and never lets go. Her writing is flawless, and both her description of Wales and her characterizations make her story come vividly alive, evoking 13th century England and Wales in all its horror and glory. It's impossible not to fall madly in love with Llewelyn, and Joanna is a heroine for all times. Ms. Penman even makes King John so passionately human that I found myself feeling sorry for him. I wanted the book to never end, but am thrilled that I have yet to read her next 2 books in this series. Ms. Penman has a truly remarkable talent for weaving history and fiction into a brilliant story. I can't recommend it highly enough.

"Here be Dragons" is a wonderful, delightful historical novel: the kind you'll read many times, and sink into on a long winter evening to cheer yourself up. I have read "Here Be Dragons" countless times since I was about fourteen, and still enjoy it thoroughly. Ms. Penman's research is excellent, and she does not spoil this book at least by involving too many peripheral characters. Although Llywelyn and Joanna are wonderful characters because they are so nice, so human and appealing, I personally enjoy the character of King John more. His faults cannot be denied, but Penman explores his personal torment, while still allowing that there are totally inexcusable acts which no amount of inner torture can absolve. If I were to find one fault with this book, and with "Falls the Shadow", its next sequel, it would be the "chumminess" of its characters. I find it hard to believe that some royal figures, who are tenuously linked by marriage, would have such personal bonds and even friendships as Ms. Penman illustrates in her books. The figure of Eleanor de Montfort, for example, causing ructions at Llywelyn's court on behalf of her disgraced sister Joanna: in reality, is it not far more likely that Joanna and the much-younger Eleanor barely knew each other? Joanna went to live in Wales long before Eleanor was born (in 1215). Travel was rarely undertaken for pleasure in Norman times, and Joanna - no matter how independent she might seem - would have spent the vast majority of her time acting as Llywelyn's chatelaine, not taking pleasure jaunts to the English Christmas court. For much of Henry III's reign there was uneasiness, hostility or open warfare between Gwynedd and England. Equally, when Eleanor was Countess of Pembroke, it is unlikely that she would have been hanging around at Llywelyn's court! By modern standards, if Joanna and Eleanor were half-sisters, we would imagine that they had a personal relationship. By early medieval standards, one need only point to the de Lusignans to verify the truth of this statement. The de Lusignants, Isabelle d'Angouleme's family from her second marriage, were also Eleanor's half-brothers and sisters, but as we see in Falls the Shadow, she did not even meet them until she was an adult, barely exchanged two words with them and had no interest in doing so. This is a far more realistic representation of many medieval relationships than Penman's highly romanticised view. Nevertheless, I would thoroughly recommend this and all of Penman's work.

A great book to get you thinking about how you relate to your kids and how to begin teaching them about money management. Ellie Kay is a chocolate loving, coffee drinking, and deeply religious military wife who is a mother of five. "Money Doesn't Grow On Trees" is a fun, practical book with stories from the family of the author. Throughout the book runs a theme that saving money is a skill that you can teach your children, not only so that you and your children can avoid being crushed by consumer debt, but also so that you will have money to help others in need. Ellie Kay tells you how she does it, and how you can do it. "Money Doesn't Grow On Trees" is a fascinating read, so make sure that you budget at least five hours when you get started - you will not want to put the book down!

Ellie is such a gifted author! As someone who doesn't usually like to read self-help books, I must say that this book has humor and real life illustrations that keep me going. I didn't want to put it down! Her ideas for training your children how to manage money are so helpful and realistic. And the best part about it is that she weaves in all the principles we adults need to know for our own financial management, too!

I have read Ellie's other two books and really enjoyed them, but this one is the best yet!! As usual, it is full of wonderfully funny stories to which any parent can relate! It is very entertaining, but also very practical! I believe every parent can benefit from the wisdom in this book. Ellie gives you the tools you need to raise financially responsible children with a strong work ethic - something often missing in today's young people. You will learn how to handle a child's desire to wear only name brand clothes and to "keep up with the Jones'", and how to encourage your children to raise money themselves for the items they feel they must have. This gives a child the confidence and self-assurance that money cannot buy! Great book!! I highly recommend it!

This is the final episode in Penman's Welsh Trilogy. It follows Here Be Dragons and Falls The Shadow, running from 1271-1283.

Penman emerged long ago as one of the best historical novelists and continues to solidify her reputation with each new release. Her special genius lies in the bright and shining historical detail that she can weave into both plot and dialog (she's a very good student of history and at times is absolutely brilliant in conveying to us the workings of medieval minds).

One of the great things about Penman (and this book showcases it well) is her plots are always complex (because the history of these times was quite convoluted). She does an excellent job of keeping it all straight for us as she leads us through the maze of characters. If you read the history of these times you quickly come to see what a great job she does in her design of the story.

I have no problem with Penman's romantic feelings about her heros. From Eleanor in the 1st trilogy to Joanna in Here Be Dragons to her raising the standard of Simon de Montfort as a visionary (but historically too early) icon of democracy, she does use them as a vehicle to carry forward a dynamic presentation of history....all in the best traditions of the historical novel.

Penman's true genius is the broad historical scope that is painted on top of the shimmering details of brief moments. It truely does feel as if you are living the story yourself, and it is this bringing us readers in as witnesses that stands as Penman's contribution to the art of the historical novel.

If you prefer to read in chronological order:
1101-1154 When Christ And His Saints Slept (Vol 1 of Trilogy)
1156-1171 Time And Space (Vol 2 of Trilogy)
12th Cent Devil's Brood (Vol 3 of Trilogy)- not yet released
1192-1193 The Queen's Man
1193 Cruel As The Grave
1183-1232 Here Be Dragons (Vol 1 of Welsh Trilogy)
1231-1267 Falls The Shadow (Vol 2 of Welsh Trilogy)
1271-1283 The Reckoning (Vol 3 of Welsh Trilogy)
1459-1492 The Sunne In Splendour

...is a Welshman who trusts an English King."

This is the best book in the trilogy! It's very good and portrays the reign of Edward I. I thought the nicknamed "Black Prince of Wales" was a cool guy before I read this book.

He's not. There's a reason they called him "black"- he was cruel and shady, a guy who will get his way. Llewelyn ap Gruffydd makes the very same choice that Simon de Monfort made in "Falls the Shadow" which is to fight for his cause, what he believes in. And to fight for his long-dead grandfather, to achieve the dream Llewelyn Fawr had -for a united Wales- or die.

Another character I like is Davydd ap Gruffydd, Llewelyn's double-dealing brother who is -even though you can't help it- a little likable once he gets married or once you get used to him. Davydd has betrayed Llewelyn too many times to count. He even planned an assasination attempt(which failed, true to history)!

The reason I, a fiction/fantasy -holic , like these books is that I easily get a very good view of history (a lot of things that happened in this book are true- read the Afterword if you'd like to know, but only after you've finished the book!). For example <> Edward I was the initatior of the tradition that allows the heir to the throne the title "Prince of Wales" b/c he gave it to his son and it's been done ever since.

A somber book. As one reviewer said, NOT for the faint of heart.
But it's still wonderful!!

If tragedy is the genre that depicts people triumphant in defeat, then this trilogy is, indeed, a tragedy. If I say that Wales is the true protagonist of the triology, I may leave the wrong impression, for there is nothing impersonal about Penman's triology. You will admire, love, and mourn Joanna and Llewelyn, Simon and Nell, Elen and Rob de Quincy, Ellen and Llewelyn II, and yes, Elizabeth and Davydd. But, over and over, you will grieve for Wales and the Welsh people, and yet Wales and its people still endure-to our joy and admiration. I have never been so moved by historical fiction. Please read this triology. Begin with Here Be Dragons and I guarantee you will read Falls the Shadow and the Reckoning. And when you have finished them, read The Sunne in Splendour (the best historical ever written) and When Christ and His Saints Slept. Then go back and begin the triology again-you won't be sorry.

Ellie's book is a hit! Reading it was like enjoying a banquet of savings ideas filled with morsels of humorous family stories as an added bonus. As a stay-at-home mom, I appreciate her sensible steps to saving my family money every day. Thank you, Ellie!

In March of 2001, I "just happened" to be listening to a radio station to which I normally do not tune and heard Ellie Kay being interviewed about how she saves money on groceries. My ears perked up, because up to that time, I had been struggling to stay within my food budget. I am the mother of six children (ages ranging from 2-20). After hearing Ellie on the radio, I purchased How To Save Money Everyday (along with Ellie's first book, Shop, Save, and Share). Her books have been very instrumental in helping me save money on my grocery bill. Since I have been using Ellie's suggested methods of saving, I have also had enough to occasionally share with two single moms, as well as sending a variety of items to a children's home. I am very thankful for being led to hear about Ellie Kay's books.

I am so excited about this book. Ellies stories and tips on saving are so insightful as well as easy to do. I love hearing about her family, it gives me hope for mine. However the tips are the BEST. It nice to know that something in my life can be organized and simplified. Thanks Ellie, and I'll be looking for future books.

This book is soooo good! Amy gets accused of putting Jeanine Bryant into the hospital with a coma. Is Amy innocent? Or did she really do it? Who DID do it, if it wasn't Amy? There was no one else around...was there? The ending changes a lot in the series, so you don't want to miss this book!

In the tenth book in the Replica series Janine, Amys worst enemy, finds out that she is a clone and then after Janine mysteriously falls down the steps, everyone thinks Amy pushed her! Great addition to the series! A Must Read! Sorry so short!

Ice Cold was a great addition to Replica. So, Amy and Jeanenne are always at it with each other. But when Amy finds out Jeanenne is black- mailing people, Amy kicks into action. She calls Jeanenne and leaves her a message about how she needs to talk to her. Well somehow, Jeanenne finds out Amy is a genetically enginered clone! So when Jeanenne falls (pushed?) down stairs and goes into a coma, everyone thinks it was Amy! Will Jeanenne die? Will Amy EVER find the truth? Can she stop the killer before it's too late?

This was a great book! Suspense ALL the way!

As a family of 6 that has recently entered the ministry, we were unable to buy adequate groceries with the low income we have. So when the money ran out, we went to the food pantry for help once a month. Then I read Shop, Save, and Share. I realized that there was another way to feed our family on a limited budget. After just 2 months of doing things Ellie's way, our trips to the grocery store cost us 40% less, AND we have a very large surplus of food and toiletries. We are now able to give things away! Ellie adds her brand of humor to her book, which I enjoyed. But if her stories aren't your thing, just go to the meat of the book: her tried and true techniques on saving money and acquiring an abundance of (free) items to share. There's plenty of excellent information there to digest. Follow her techniques and you will spend less at the store and get twice as much stuff. It's definitely working for us!

This book changed my life. My husband and I were having the same fights over and over again. It was all about the dreaded topic of money. He thought I didn't try hard enough and I thought he spent money foolishly. Then we got Shop, Save and Share. It was a quick read and really challenged us to make some drastic changes. We realized we truly could cut corners in ways that weren't too painful. It truly wasn't that difficult to shave hundreds of dollars off our monthly food budget and simplify other areas of our lives. We have found we have lots of (free) groceries to pass along to other people who need them. By reaching out to others, we've taken the focus off of ourselves and our (former) problems. My husband really appreciates the teamwork philosophy. Our marriage is better than it has been in a long time and we don't argue about money all the time. Thank you, Ellie, for making a difference in our lives by writing this book. I hope you sell a million copies and I hope that those children you support in India can one day meet you--you are one incredible lady!

I read this incredible book in only 2 days. The personal touch in this book, made it really hit home. I am also a military wife, so I can fully relate to her issues with time, money and moves. I spent the next day getting my box and envelopes ready for my next trip to the store. I look forward to seeing my rewards in saving money for my family. Ellie has a unique way of making you feel right at home, although most would not admit to be half wits we are moms and wives, we relate. It will be the best money you will ever spend to save you bundles. Thanks so much for your contribution to those of us who want to be better at our jobs as the Home managers!!