Big Girls Don't Cry is entertaining and yet very familiar. Those of us who grew up in the 60's and 70's can relate to Naomi Jefferson's different predicaments and how she handles life's ups and downs. Naomi appears so grown up at times and yet she is a little intimidated by life.

At the very beginning of the story, Naomi lets you know she has a mind of her own and challenges any decisions that are made on her behalf. But as she goes through adolescense and into womanhood, she loses some of that self-confidence when it comes to her relationships with men. She isn't very rational at times and falls into the trap of letting herself become a door mat for these men that she so-calls, loves.

I love the way, Ms. Briscoe leads you into Naomi's life so much that you find yourself wondering what is going to happen to her next or you think that's it, she hits you with another twist to the story and you cannot put the book down.

We have all been there at some time in our life. It's facinating to read how someone else handles the dilemmas of life.

Although it took a chapter or two to get into this book, once you were there you couldn't stop. This is an amazing book which talks about the struggles of the older days. It explains how Naomi has to deal with love, school, work, and family and how much harder it is for her since she is a Black woman. The book goes on to show that with enough determination you can go on to do anything that you want. The book also does a great job of showing us younger kids just how bad it was in the older days for the blacks. The book was very fast paced so it was easy to read in just two days. The author did a great job of making me laugh and cry. I was able to put myself in Naomi shoes in some cases and understand exactly how she felt. This is a very well written book that can be enjoyed by both young and old!

Big Girls Don't Cry is such an excellent book. I was totally enthralled by the story, the characters, the sub-plots, etc. Ms. Naomi had her moments, both good and bad, but for the most part she was a very realistic and likeable character. Dean was my boy. I was so happy when the those two cut all of the crap and gave into their feelings for each other. Y'all I was in tears by the last page, tears of joy because I was so delighted that everybody got it together and "lived happily ever after." (Call it corny, but I'm a sucker for awell-crafted, happy ending.)

I really appreciate Connie Briscoe's writing style. She doesn't pour the profanity on too thick, she develops her characters very well, and her love scenes are tasteful and passionate. All I want to know is when girlfriend's next book is coming out...I am in need to read another contemporary classic from this talented sista.

I usually hate reading books, but when i started reading V.C. Andrew's book entitled, Tarnished Gold I couldn't stop reading. This book kept me wanting to continue to read to find out what happens next.

A southern girl named Gabriel goes through many ordeals in this book. She faces many situations that causes her heart to break and teaches her lessons. At the beginning of the book, Gabriel is just a little girl playing outside in her yard. She finds a dying bird under a tree and wants her mother to heal the baby bird. Her mother could throw away her baby and her mother tells Gabriel with time she will understand. Gabriel later on understands when she gets raped by a rich man named Octavious Tate and gets pregnant. Gabriel decides to allow Octavious's wife Gladys to act pregnant and take the baby as her own. Gabriel had to live in the Tate mansion during her entire pregnancy, secluded from everything around her. She felt the baby would have a better life living with the Tate's rather than herself. For months a plague rested in Gabriel's heart causing her lots of pain. This gives meaning to the saying, "you don't know what you got till its gone." Everything is gloomy until she meets a young man from New Orleans named Pierre Dumas. He gives her a new meaning of life and they fall in love with each other. Gabriel thing finds out Pierre is married, but is very much unhappy and not in love with his wife. She is torn on what she should do; follow her heart or mind. I don't want to give away what happens so go read the book.

This book contains romance, deceit, and lust. It had me laughing one minute and crying the next. Everything was wonderful about this book except for the very last page. I was on the edge of my seat every moment of the way while reading this book, until the end when the breaks got slammed and threw my body back into the seat. It lessened my views about this book but not completely. Tarnished Gold is still a very exciting and wonderful book so don't let the ending stray you away from reading it. [I didn't like the ending], but everyone has different views on certain endings. So you never know if you are the kind who fancies the ending like the one in Tarnished Gold.

I recommend this book to anyone wo loves novels that contain sex drive and romance. This book is also more for teenage women. Southern women could be drawn to this book because of the fact it is located in Louisianna Bayo. I would not recommend this book to people who like novels wit sci-fi or lots of action. I would also not recommend this book for any man becuase this book is extremely sexist against them. Please do not let any of these recommendations change your decisions on reading Tarnished Gold. If you think you would like to read this book then I say, "Go for it!"

This final book in the wonderful Landry series goes back to before Ruby's time, to Gabriel Landry, her mother. I can't say that this was my favorite book in the series, but then, that's only because each seperate book has, in my mind, molded together to form one story, and I even find it difficult to distinguish them sometimes. Anyway, I just want to say that this series is absolutely addictive, and anyone and everyone can get attached to it in a split second. This is also one of the most well thought out and well writen endings I have ever read (which is not uncommon with V.C. Andrews' books), despite how sad and empty it made me feel afterward. But that's only because I get really involved in my books. Anyway, I reccommend this books to all the V.C. Andrews fans out there, and to anyone else who's looking 4 some inspiration and insight on life. And just by the way, I'm only 14, and I can't even begin to describe how deeply this book has impacted my life. That's how touching and beautiful it is...V.C. Andrews' books will always be a part of my life, and I can only hope they will be a part of yours too.

Gabrielle loves the great outdoors. Unfortunately she is shut up from everything bright and beautiful. It starts when Octavious assaults her. When Gladys finds out from Gabrielle's dad Jack, Gladys gets mad at Gabrielle. Gabrielle's mom Catherine loves her (Gabrielle) unconditionally. Catherine even told Gabrielle that it was not her (G) fault that the marriage between her (C) and Jack was troubled. Gabrielle falls in love with Pierre a few years after she gives birth to Paul. Pierre and Gabrielle spend time together. It ends with the birth of Ruby and Gisselle. The process is fatal to Gabrielle.

Mary Jo Putney has made a name writing books that combine lyrical romance with strong characterization and social commentary. In THE WILD CHILD she is in top form. This historical tells the story of Meriel Grahme and Dominic Renbourne. Dominic is the younger of an earl's two sons--by ten minutes. Those few minutes make all the difference. Relaxed and friendly where his identical twin is formal, and independent where his twin is duty-bound, Dominic is hardly one to step to his brother's tune. But then Kyle, his brother, offers him the chance to realize a dream Dominic had thought beyond his grasp. In return, he must play Kyle in an odd charade that makes no real sense to him; he agrees to court his brother's betrothed, Meriel Grahame, a lovely, wealthy--and apparently mad heiress.

So begins a well-realized love story between two remarkable people. Putney creates a magical quality for Meriel's vast garden, where much of the story takes place. In some ways, THE WILD CHILD is an adult retelling on THE SECRET GARDEN, with the roles reversed. Here the woman needs to heal. Meriel is both strong and vulnerable, freed in some ways from the constraints on women in her culture, yet bound by the borders of her garden. Her gradual recovery makes an uplifting story. For all her silences and withdrawal, she often comes across as one of the most sensible people in her small world. The garden is beautifully realized, from vivid descriptions of the topiary to the enchanted quality of Meriel's tree house.

Dominic's burgeoning love touches a deep chord. I don't normally go for twin substitution stories, but this one works. His dilemma--coming to love with his brother's intended--avoids cliches. Rather than bogging down with discord or misunderstandings, the characters act with maturity, humor, and a refreshing dash of common sense. None are perfect; when Dominic isn't pretending to be his overly exacting twin, he is somewhat of a disorganized mess. His faults only increase his charm. His fundamental decency adds power to the conflict he faces when he realizes how he feels for Meriel.

With gentle stealth feminism, Putney comments on how labels such as "hysterical" and "mad" have been used to silence women's voices. Although this book is a historical, it has resonances with our own culture. The commentary is all the more effective because of the compassion Putney infuses into her work. She seems to care for all her characters, male and female, young and old, of all races, conservative or modern.

Putney fans may recognize Meriel as the descendant of another Merial in the novel UNCOMMON VOWS. Nor does the story arc end with THE WILD CHILD. Due out in summer 2000, THE CHINA BRIDE tells the story of Dominic's brother Kyle and an unusual, captivating woman who comes into his life.

THE WILD CHILD is well worth reading. It is Mary Jo Putney at her best. And that is good indeed

Continuing her Fallen Angel series, Mary Jo Putney writes the story of Dominic and Lady Meriel.

When Dominic's twin brother Kyle asks Dominic to pose as him while courting a woman, Dominic is naturally skeptical. Not only are the two estranged, they are also rivals. Dominic agrees after Kyle, the heir to the earldom, promises to give him property in return. Dominic sets out to woo Lady Meriel, the heiress madwoman.

After the murder of her family, Lady Meriel hasn't spoken for years. Her family naturally assumes she is mad. Living a sheltered life, Lady Meriel spends her days with animals and time in her beloved garden. When Dominic (posing as Kyle) comes to her home for an extended visit, she is skeptical. Eventually Dominic gains Meriel's trust and realizes that she isn't what she seems. Dominic falls madly in love with Meriel, eventually bringing her out of her shell.

With The Wild Child, Mary Jo Putney has written another great regency. The only complaint I had (although it didn't take away from the book one bit) is that once Meriel finally does begin to speak, it is almost as if she has spoken freely for the past 15 years and that she has undergone an education, which I don't believe would have been the case. Other than that, great book!

I just finished the book last night. I absolutely loved it! I actually came on this site tonight to see if the author wrote a book about Kyle. Lo and behold she did! The China Bride is his story and I can not wait to read it!

- It wasn't until I started reading "Small Vices" that I realized how much I'd missed Robert Parker and his Spenser series. During an 18-month period about two years ago I read all of Parker's books. I haven't read any of his books since. And then recently I picked up this new book and, although I was having a bad day, I was soon smiling and laughing. Spenser was back and I was sure enjoying his company. I've tried before to determine exactly why I love this series so much, since the basic concept is so cliched: Spenser is a tough, strong private eye, but with a heart of gold, who usually gets the bad guy. He's very ethical and serious at times, like Lawrence Block's Matthew Scudder character, but he is also quite funny at times, a la Donald Westlake. Mostly, though, he is witty, sharp and smart. I suspect that part of me thinks that I could be Spenser if I buffed up and learned how to throw a punch. The writing is always tight in his books. During one conversation, for example, Spenser tells the reader simply, "I had nothing to add to that," whereas other writers would elaborate on that thought. There is also a racial element to the series, with Spenser's buddy, Hawk, a black tough guy who acts dumber than he is and plays to the racial stereotype but is actually quite intelligent and uses people's expectation of him to his advantage. All of this results in great dialogue. At one point in this book, for example, Spenser is injured. "I don't need that much help," Spenser said. "He ain't heavy," Hawk said. "He's my brother." In this book, Spenser is hired by a law firm concerned that a black man convicted of murdering a white girl in an almost all-white college may actually be innocent of that crime. The suspect is guilty, though, of raping other women so few go out of their way to help Spenser unravel the truth. Spenser also encounters great deal of racism. Soon some tough guys tell Spenser to quit his investigation and throw him some muscle. He pretty much ignores the threats until he starts getting followed by a guy who prefers to let his bullets do the talking. And then things get really interesting. Meanwhile, Spenser's long-time girlfriend, Susan, wants to adopt a child but Spenser is against the idea but doesn't want to make her mad either. This is certainly not Parker's best book, but even a weak Parker book is better than much of the novels currently available. Part of the problem may be that Parker has been writing this series for too long, more than 20 years now, so it will be interesting to see how a new non-Spenser book he has out compares. And when I read that one, I'll tell you my conclusion.

After more than 20 crime novels, Robert Parker can still pique my interest. And twenty of almost anything usually equates to a snore. Not so here.

In "Small Vices", we revisit one of the best known ensembles of the genre; sexy invincible Spenser, seductively naive Susan, and without a doubt, the intimidating irrepressible Hawk. We also meet "The Gray Man", who wishes to put Spenser into an earlier grave than anyone, including the self-effacing Spenser, desires.

Add a friend asking for Spensers help in his framing of a murder of a young female college student, the search of suspects through Boston to the elite Manhattan crowd, and voila, another gritty up front Parker crime action in full motion.

The dialouge snaps, the plot crackles, and the .22 pops.

Thank you for your interest & comments--CDS

Small Vices just an excellent novel. It displays Spenser very well, both with his funny observations on life and his moral rigidity. I think that had Atticus Finch become a P.I., he would be quite a lot like Spenser. Seeing Spenser in a vulnerable position for the first real time was very interesting, though I wish they wouldn't have put it on all the summaries of the book. It would have been much better as a surprise. Also, I believe that the Gray Man is the best villian Parker has created, and one of the better I've encountered in fiction. He goes right up there with Koontz's Egler Vess, King's Randall Flagg, and Martin Fletcher from The Last Family. Finally, I highly recommend this novel. It's perfect for all Spenser fans, and it will be sure to snag some new ones.

This is the first Hoeg book I have read. I do plan on reading more. The book had me captivated right from the beginning. The book follows three main characters, Peter, Katarina, and August. The group, as they become close start sharing feelings that they are a family despite the fact that forces within the school are trying to pull them apart. The three thus far have lead difficult lives, and though they're outsiders, they get to feel on the inside with eachother.

Being a kid brought up and bounced around from institution to institution is not easy, though Hoeg tackles the topic. We get to see their inside thoughts and feelings while at the same time we get to see how they make it through by pulling together to uncover the plot the school has set against them.

Though the book is engaging, it is no easy read covering complex topics. The book also jumps between time periods, some being present day while some being distant memories. I found the book readable in parts one and two, though when I got to part three, I found the book to become dry, concerning itself mainly with time. Hoeg, in my opinnion becomes to wordy covering mainy different historical thoughts and theories of time. Though relevant to the main characters, Hoeg gives just a little too much detail.

This fresh and compelling new novel by Peter Hoeg the author of the dark yet captivating "Smilla's Sense of Snow" is like a journey into Einstein's brain - a cruise into the inner reaches of time. In fact, so much of the book is about time, that if I'm ever bed ridden or find myself with nothing better to do,I'm going to go through this book and highlight the word TIME each time it shows up, and I'm quite certain it will be there at least one thousand times. So I've established that there is some tedium and redundancy in this novel. However, time is the critical element in the 'experiment' that pushes the borderline students (two orphans and one psychotic boy who recently murdered his parents after years of abuse) over the edge while they are supposed to be assimilating themselves into an elite private school. As resourceful and unwilling to submit to government/institutional dictates as 'Smilla' was, this story (which seems to be autobiographical down to the protagonist first name - Peter) kept me on pins and needles until the very end and left me clambering for more. Dark, disturbing yet hopeful too, this book will leave you looking at everything differently . . . in TIME.

It's difficult for me to think of this book separately from Hoeg's first, _A History of Danish Dreams_, which reads like a fever-dream-version of _Borderliners_. Both are obsessed with the passage (or seeming failure to pass) of time, and with certain elements of pagan and Lutheran symbolism. Both are populated by characters surviving in the midst of nearly Kafkaesque madness by distancing themselves from the world and the people in it. The two books feed one another: I think that, if it's feasible, you should read the older book first.

_Borderliners_ is more polished than either _Smilla..._ or _...History..._, but it grows rough toward the end, as Hoeg draws closer to the real subject of the story. Even as the prose grows awkward, though, and even as the narrative becomes more detached as it approaches the present, those facts somehow make it even more effective.

This is not an easy book to read, emotionally, nor is it a simple book to understand. It can be construed as an indictment of "special education" or progressivism, but it should not be: It's simply the story that it is, and shouldn't be approached with any preconceptions.

What a TERRIFIC read!

I work in a bookstore, so every day I have customers talking to me about "great reads." When one of my favorite customers told me that she COULD NOT PUT DOWN Ridley Pearson's The Pied Piper -- that she literally only got 1+ hours sleep because she HAD to finish the story -- I knew that I had to give Ridley's story a try.

BIG MISTAKE!

Now I am going to have to wade my way through his backlist because I absolutely, POSITIVELY have to read more stories with Lou & Daphne & Company!

Sheesh, the nerve of authors for writing FABulous reads.

PIPER did start slowly for me -- but when Lou's daughter, Sarah, became a victim of the Piper, I was caught hook, line, & sinker.

Ridley Pearson threw so many twists & turns throughout the story that I had to go back & reread spots to make sure I understood what was happening. It also seemed as if there was a red herring on every page -- so much so that you soon will enter the world of paranoia that Lou is feeling as he is desperately trying to save his daughter & solve the kidnapping.

The ending builds to superb climax -- I was so into the story that I was literally yelling at the characters to DO SOMETHING!

Wonderful stuff. If you like Sandford's Lucas Davenport, Patterson's Alex Cross, and Cornwell's Scarpetta, you'll LOVE Ridley Pearson's Lou Boldt.

BTW, I just picked up & started to read Ridley's BEYOND RECOGNITION ... the first chapter grabs you by the throat & doesn't let you go ... but that's for another review!

A tightly written thriller. The characters are believable. The twists and turns kept me "on the edge of my seat," but they also made sense -- they were not contrived. It gives real insight into the thinking of police detectives and the difficulties they face in putting the puzzle pieces of evidence together to solve a crime. I highly recommend this book. It's the first Ridley Pearson I've read, but I'll be reading more. I'm delighted to discover another exciting author.

A superbly written thriller that grabs you by the throat and doesn't let go until the very last page. Wonderful characters and plot. And he explains what has driven the criminal to crime which ties things up nicely for the reader. Now I have to read everything he's written. Thanks!

I am so disappointed to see the Inspector Morse series end, but I have to say Colin Dexter is a champ in the way he achieved it!

A year ago, a woman was murdered and left in an unpleasant state in her home. The Chief Superintendent has a new lead in the case. He has assigned Morse and Lewis to it. Morse, who is on vacation, won't bite. He refuses to work the case for the CID, but it doesn't stop him from being one step ahead, as usual, of Lewis. Of course Lewis, as usual, humbly works him self into the ground following leads and being Morse's second pair of eyes and hands. During this investigation, something is different about Lewis and something is worrying Morse.

Mr. Dexter gives us plenty of intriguing characters that are as thought provoking as he crossword puzzles. The list of suspects is lengthy and perplexing, and the twists and turns are plentiful, but I have to say the greatest one will broadside the readers and leave them speechless at the close of the book. Mr. Dexter's skill at making his characters so life like, as if they were acting out in ones mind, is amazing. I took my time reading the mystery and found myself back tracking so I wouldn't miss a thing! Once I finished, I was haunted for days with the mystery and the outcome of the series. Mr. Dexter didn't just end a popular series in an astonishing way, he also intermingled a complex whodunit with an emotional twist that the characters and readers share. I have never used this word with any book I have reviewed, but I will with The Remorseful Day, it's stupendous.

The beginning of the story is vaguely reminiscient of two other Morse novels: The Dead of Jericho, because Morse knows the victim, and The Wench is Dead, because Morse is "in hospital". The reader puzzles throughout the book how far Morse's involvement with the victim was. Morse is a reluctant detective, and, after 12 novels, we finally begin to see Lewis' reasoning skills becoming more Morse-like. In this final Inspector Morse novel, the reader has insight into the characters more than any other novel in the series. Strange becomes a very reachable character - we see outside interests in nature and music. Lewis reveals emotion that has not been exhibited in previous novels - anger at Morse, as well as forgiveness and depth of friendship for him. And Morse's flaws and strengths are displayed magnificently, through his continued problems with alcohol and his Lewis-like loyalties. Lewis, Morse, and Strange could all win oscars for their parts, if such a thing existed for characters in novels! This book is a joy to open each time, and a sorrow to finally close. Please, Mr. Dexter, is there a possibility of a prequel?

It was difficult to read this last of the Inspector Morse series without peeking at the ending. I did not want to believe that this was as final as the subtitle stated. Once again, Colin Dexter realistically portrays Morse's unwillingness to cope correctly with his diabetes and its latent complications, to the point where it's affecting his work and relationships. In this story, it is more amplified. The irony of an otherwise intelligent person who cannot seem to cope with this disease is not lost on the reader, and overshadows the reopened murder case. The murder plot was made interesting only by the hint that Morse knew more than he was telling, and that it gave Lewis a long overdue opportunity to show how he has matured both professionally and in his relationship with Morse. But when the end came, it came swiftly, and with Lewis, I teared up a little and no longer cared about the case at hand. One of the great serial detectives would no longer solve the Times crossword, or listen to his beloved music, or berate his colleagues for improper grammar and spelling, or apply his unique brand of logic to solve well-plotted murders. Our loss! Enjoy your retirement, Mr. Dexter, and thank you for many wonderful years of mystery!

As in Greek tragedy, this story starts in the middle of the action. Harry Bosch, an LAPD homicide detective, has been relieved of duty and must attend psychological evaluation sessions. Through these sessions, we learn about how he got to this point, and we see the hint of what is to come. Harry must deal with why he became a detective and what he hopes to accomplish before finding closure for his mother's death.

Michael Connelly, the author, has many balls in the air for Bosch to deal with. Always in the back of the reader's mind, and Bosch's mind, are the many different things going on in his life. Watching how Bosch deals with each one shows the author's skill in linking all the pieces together. Parts of the plot may seem like deux et machina, but in review, Connelly had everything in mind all along.

There is a love interest for Bosch, but the character seems more like an afterthought. Due to his brief association with her, more trouble brews for him at the police force. It does seem a bit too contrived. I was also expecting to get more from the psychologist, but that would have been too cliched.

I would recommend to fans of crime stories.

Michael Connelly has dusted off an increasingly rare gemstone in the crown jewels of American literature: the hard-boiled detective. Present in Connelly's pithy and believable prose is all of the wit and grit of Hammett, MacDonald, Stout, and Spillane. What he's brought us in Harry Bosch is a cop's cop. Bosch, an LAPD homicide detective, is a real-life hero for whom the principled drive to see justice done allows him to deal with the treacherous world of Los Angeles politics and some even more treacherous politicians (some of whom masquerade as police officials).

While _The Last Coyote_ is the fourth Bosch novel, the plot and characters are so artfully developed that this novel could stand alone as a complete novel. At the same time, the writing is so compelling and captivating that it is a real pleasure to know that Bosch is a recurring character in Connelly's work. Although this is my first Connelly story, I am officially an addict, and I cannot wait to devour the rest of the titles in the Bosch series.

_The Last Coyote_ opens with Bosch under suspension for assaulting his Commanding Officer, Harvey "98" Pounds. With his newfound freedom comes a mandatory psychiatric evaluation to determine his fitness as a police officer. The ensuing therapy sessions force Bosch to take a hard look at his options, should he later be kicked off the force for the assault on his CO.

Faced with his ever-present personal demons, his suspension, and time on his hands, Bosch begins to investigate perhaps his greatest mystery: the unsolved 1961 murder of his call-girl mother. Though cautioned by his therapist that solving this mystery may remove his motivation to be a detective, Bosch dives into a mystery (and his personal story) that exposes the seedy underside of Los Angeles political corruption. The ride is taut, human, and utterly engrossing, and we are at once deeply satisfied and virtually winded when the dust settles.

My introduction to Harry Bosch was one of those rare joys: a gifted writer spinning a fascinating tale with grace and skill. Perhaps equally enjoyable to me was the principled drive of the protagonist to get at the facts, despite the potential costs-to himself, his career, and his department. Bosch's belief that the truth shall set you free is more than a bromide. While freedom may not always bring redemption, it allows him to sleep at night.

THE LAST COYOTE is the fourth Harry Bosch novel in Michael Connelly's series and the fourth one I've read. I haven't been disappointed yet. Connelly writes taut, suspenseful mysteries that keep you guessing right to the end. His background as an L.A. jornalist gives him the experience necessary to depict criminal investigations in a realistic and believable way. His stories are gritty and graphic, so be prepared for that, but he definitely keeps you turning the page to see what happens next.

In THE LAST COYOTE, Harry Bosch is on suspension and under psychiatric evaluation. With time on his hands, he decides to take up the investigation of an unsolved murder from thirty years ago. The victim was his mother.

Connelly's Harry Bosch series is great. THE LAST COYOTE is the fourth one for me and I have thoroughly enjoyed them all (if you're new to Harry Bosch, start with THE BLACK ECHO and read them in order). The characterization has depth, the plots are well-constructed and full of surprises, and Connelly's writing is well-executed. I recommend this, and all of the previous Harry Bosch books, very highly.

I got this book [for very little money] and didn't expect much from it, but I was in for a surprise! This book had all of the elements that make it hard to put down while giving the reader a good look at what it was like to be a homesteader. Give yourself a few hours and read it all in one sitting - it was intense. Unlike many reviewers, I loved the ending, but its not what you expect!

Mattie, a newlywed, goes west to settle in Colorado. She soon discovers the hardships of the frontier and of marriage. She chronicles the first few years, as the diary is her only friend. It is a great story of self realization, sacrifice, and growing to maturity. My favorite parts of the story are when she realizes things about herself, her surroundings or people in her life that are much different than she first thought. A great book, which I will no doubt re-read.

I have now read three of Sandra Dallas' four books and have loved all three. This book is about a young woman who heads west to Colorado, married to a man she hardly knows. I kept forgetting at times that it was not a true story. The book details the hard life on the Colorado plains, her husband's wandering eye and heart and her heartbreaks and triumphs. This is NOT a romance novel but more like a history of one pioneer woman, her friends and her life. After reading Ms. Dallas' first two books, I e-mailed the author to tell her how much I have enjoyed her novels and she actually answered the e-mail back herself! I was really surprised at that. She is currently working on another book to be out sometime next spring and I am anxiously awaiting its publication. This is just a good solid read, hard to put down...

Maya Angelou has set an example to all women. Reading this book is like listening to the richness of Maya's voice. It is full of wonder and yet struggle and survival of a woman so strong and yet volunerable but full of strength. Maya leads us by the hand through her world with a grace and style that only she can do. I loved this book and is one that I will share with it with all my women friends and family. It should be a "must" for reading by all women

This book was so wonderful that I ran out and bought all of Maya Angelou's novels. And the heart of a woman is still my favorite one. I am a young white female who hasn't experienced near what the author has, but she made me feel like I had. I could totally relate and it was hard to put the book down.

This book makes note of Maya Angelou's life and struggles during the 60's. She discusses her membership to the Harlem Writer's Guild, her singing/theatrical career, and her lively travels to Africa. She discusses marriage, her relationship with her son and her mother. I recommend this book to everyone woman who is learning, while experiencing the ever-so-changing journey that life will take you on. After reading, you will be prepared to overcome all fears and achieve your dreams.