the star series where great. i love catherine she writes great series books and the most wonderful characters. i would love for her to come out with more books.

this book is just wonderful.i love it so much i had to read it two times.

¡§ Star series ¡¨ is the best series I¡¦ve ever seen. I like Saint. He was very charming.

This is a good, first hand account of the life of a Confederate soldier. Fletcher writes of only what he seen during the war. The only judgement he cast is upon his leaders actions at Gettysburg. This book will definitely change your perspective on the life of a common soldier.

William Fletcher isn't different from other soldiers be it outstanding or horrible, but he is the average Confederate soldier from Texas involved in many conflicts. When it comes to soldiering, he is brave and daring but not afraid to admit being scared as he is very honest in his chosen words. The best part of this book isn't the fighting as much as it is the daily life. For the person looking to gain further knowledge, Fletcher writes about his experiences firsthand. Coming up from Texas Fletcher is involved in the Seven Days Battle, 2nd Manassas, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg and Chickamauga campaigns. It was interesting to read about fighting in the 5th Texas, Company F and the thoughts that ran through Fletcher's mind at Gettysburg. The uncertainty, the horrors and the patriotism all wrapped into one was very rewarding to read about. His escape from Union hands was inspiring as he did what he could do to get back to Texas. This book is a must have for those seeking further knowledge and input from a soldier account. 5 STARS!!

William Fletcher isn't different from other soldiers be it outstanding or horrible, but he is the average Confederate soldier from Texas involved in many conflicts. When it comes to soldiering, he is brave and daring but not afraid to admit being scared as he is very honest in his chosen words. The best part of this book isn't the fighting as much as it is the daily life. For the person looking to gain further knowledge, Fletcher writes about his experiences firsthand. Coming up from Texas Fletcher is involved in the Seven Days Battle, 2nd Manassas, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg and Chickamauga campaigns. It was interesting to read about fighting in the 5th Texas, Company F and the thoughts that ran through Fletcher's mind at Gettysburg. The uncertainty, the horrors and the patriotism all wrapped into one was very rewarding to read about. His escape from Union hands was inspiring as he did what he could do to get back to Texas. This book is a must have for those seeking further knowledge and input from a soldier account. 5 STARS!!

Many people lamented when this book went out of print, but Ten Speed has brought it back in print under a new title, FEASTS AFLOAT. Moreover, it's in paperback, and now cheaper than the hardcover was 10 yrs ago!

We live, full-time, on our fifty foot motor yacht, and though it may sound large to some folks, space is a consideration. Our galley is large and does have a full size side by side frig. and a full size Jenn-Air. Despite the large galley, there is a need for using as few pots as possible and not requiring lots of ingredients. We have tried quite a few of the recipes and with an exception or two, all have been great! We recently had a chili shoot-out at our marina and MICHAEL'S PORK AND BLACK BEAN CHILI was the winner by a mile. I had several requests for the recipe and our friends were quite disappointed to find the book out of print. Too bad. Liz and Al Nalven, Longboat Key, FL

We've had this book for a couple of years now and are delighted with the simplicity and quality of the recipes. Initially purchased as a gift for sailor friends but their success with the recipes was so great that we purchased one for ourselves. Our friends even won a contest with one of the eggplant recipes. This book NEEDS to be reprinted. We are so sorry we can not offer it as a gift for more of our friends and are very dissapointed about that.

Hopefully the publisher will reconsider.

I read this book after seeing it mentioned in a review and was interested in what life must be like when a spouse whom you have been married to for a long time passes away. This would be a great book to give to someone who is going through the grief of losing a spouse and may provide some comfort in the universality of the experience.

One need not lose a spouse or partner to appreciate the feelings and emotions that run rampant through the pages of this beautiful book. It is all about grieving, losing, coping, planning and making the decision to go on anyway. While the book is apparently aimed at middle-aged women who had long, happy marriages, according to editorial reviews, the book is also invaluable to those who have suffered through a divorce or simply lost someone very special from their life for any reason. Loneliness, emptiness, despair, and fear, know no boundaries.

"It Must Have Been Moonglow" is inspirational, sad, joyful and a whole basket full of mixed emotions. What the author must have felt while writing the book is not much different than anyone who has loved and lost. What sets the author apart from the rest of the world is that she has a unique ability to be able to express herself in words that many others cannot do quite as eloquently. This is a beautifully moving, sensitive book and most deserving of a five-star rating.

...is what Mrs. Greene provided for my mother after we lost my Dad. They had a long and happy marriage and while we had plenty of warning that we would lose Dad, she was understandably inconsolable when he died... ...until she read an article by Bob Greene about his mother's book. I can honestly say, she started to turn the corner while reading this book and has read it many, many times. I am online tonight buying a copy of it for my mother to give to one of her friends who recently lost her husband. I hope Mrs. Greene knows what a profound and generous contribution she has made to many grieving spouses. I personally would like to thank her for helping my mother resume her life and begin to find happiness again.

Buy the book, you won't regret it.

Poppy Mallory was a woman who lead a very difficult and interesting life and upon death left her inheritance to her heir. The problem was... who was the heir... an ad had been placed in the paper asking the heir to make him/herself known. Mike Preston, an investigative journalist found the add and decided he would investigate who was the rightful heir, for the sake of a book he wanted to write. Several people answered the ad, all believing they were the true heirs. As a reader also stated, I found myself rooting for some and hoping others were not. I liked the fact that present and past events were mixed in throughout the book. The only problem I had was that it didn't end as I would have hoped; slightly disappointed, but as I have read the reviews of others, they all seem quite satisfied.. so you be the judge.

As I have experienced with other Elizabeth Adler works, it took me a few chapters to get wholly engrossed in the story. But once I did, it took hold of me and wouldn't let me put it down. The characters are so well-defined and the mystery is expertly woven. I found myself rooting for the underdog and booing the villians. Although history has never been my cup of tea, I was entranced by the trials and tribulations of Poppy Mallory's life, and I found myself wanting to skip ahead through the present-day segments in order to be back in Poppy's world. As I closed the book for the last time, I had mixed feelings in that I was elated at how the tale ended, but sad that it had indeed ended. Now I am trying to decide who to pass this book to, as I am eager to share this beautifully written story with someone.

This was the first Elizabeth Adler book I read all the way through (I didn't enjoy her first two novels Peach/Private Desires) I have read TRSI about 4 times over a period of five years, and I still enjoy hearing the story of Poppy Mallory and her descendants. Even thought I have enjoyed all her other books I still rate this as the best

This is an unusually (sorry, Father) cleverly written book. Lots of
narrative, sentiment and good lines. One of my favorites is on
p. 300. Greeley has this warmly naive fraulein say to the story's
hero, whose car is running out of gas, "May I ask you a question,
Karl?" Answer: "I have to concentrate on driving the car,
Trudi. Please don't bother me." And Trudi says, "But does
the E on that gauge mean empty?" Dry wit at its best!

Greeley's
history is wonderfully accurate. I wish he would have mentioned one of
my wartime favorites, the eponymous H.V. Kaltenborn. I would have
liked a little less sarcasm (mild tho' it was) and less G.I. obscenity
(tolerable tho' it was).

This book deserves a movie contract- with
Father Andrew directing!

Father Greeley introduces us to new and captivating fictional (but don't we know real-life folks similiar?) Irish-Catholic families in Chicago and deftly interweaves them with suspense in Post World War II Germany. But, here's a *WARNING* I wish I would have known when I started this book: this is "Part One" of the saga. Unlike the Blackie Ryan or Nuala Ann books, it is NOT self-contained. One must read the 2d of this series, _Younger Than Springtime_, to have even a glimmer of how it all ends. Order both now, so you won't have to pester your Postperson to keep reading ;-) I hope, to complete the saga (still not wholly resolved at the end of _Springtime_,)that there will be a _Summer_ and _Autumn_?

I enjoyed this book, spending the better part of a Sunday afternoon to finish it. It is the beginning of a series focused on bright and personable young Chuck O'Malley. The young man has the gift for detective work that is a common trait of Greeley's protagonists. While the setting and character types are familiar from other Greeley novels, the story is a pleasant exploration of familiar territory. This story provided a nice balance of action, suspense, and good characters. It's frustration is that it is the first installment in a series and just when you want more the book ends. Of course, the next installment is available as I write this belated review. Chuck O'Malley may just end up on my favorite character list along with Blackie Ryan and the Coynes (Dermot and Naula Ann).

This reads like eloquent fiction, but is in truth the story of Tracy's father. He doesn't say which character his father is, and he doesn't insert himself into the story. But what a wonderful, heart-bending story it is. At all times the sadness of the situation is eclipsed by the bravery and courage of people without hope; people who do the best they can, and it is more than enough. For any of us who will grow old, which is most of us, this is a must read.

"For most of those long-lived, ailing people, Linda Manor represented all the permanence that life still had to offer. It was their home for the duration, their last place on earth." Thus writes Tracy Kidder in "Old Friends", an account of life in Linda Manor, a Massachussets old folk's home. It would be a useful exercise to watch a day's television and see how many elderly people are featured. The old are increasingly invisible in our society.

Once respect for one's elders was a maxim in most cultures. Now all has changed in the consumer capitalist west; with a prevalent worship of a narrowly-defined sense of "youth" - physically slim, impulsive, impatient; and the traditional virtues of the elderly - experience, deliberation, rumination - are derided in that accurate barometer of the spirit of the times, advertising. In medical training, there is an unspoken but clear bias against the elderly; students are advised to ensure that the stereotypically scatty little old lady sticks to matters of strict clinical relevance.

The notion that we have anything to learn from the elderly has disappeared from most contemporary culture. The elderly are a nuisance, a problem to be medicated and managed and forgotten. Kidder's book - unsentimental and heartbreaking, a clear-eyed portrait full of dignity and beauty and humour - is a counterblast to the cult of youth and the pathologising of old age. Increasingly we, as young people, live lives surrounded by people of our own age only - the decline of large families mean that we are less likely to have infant siblings or indeed much older siblings, while the large extended family gathering is increasingly dwindling.

The blurb on the back of "Old Friends" begins:"What's wrong with Tracy Kidder? A robust man, even a youthful one, a father fit and healthy, with years of life ahead of him: why did he voluntarily enter an old people's home?" One might fear a self-fixated meditation on the authors own concerns; but Kidder is an absent presence in the book; he gives his elderly cast the stage. The focus is mainly on Lou, a serene, wise ninety year old Philadelphian; and his roommate Joe, a tempermental impatient seventy-two year old who chafes at existence in the home after an active life. Kidder presumably had an extraordinary degree of access; not merely physical but also emotional. We are taken into the rooms of the dying, the deepest fears of those who will shortly join their ranks, the sadness and guilt of relatives. We see the power structure of the nursing home, a relatively enlightened one where nevertheless elderly people with enormous professional and administrative experience are made - with the best intentions - to feel like children.

We learn from the elderly in this book; and the elderly learn from each other. The gruff taciturn Joe is gently coached by Lou into telling his wife he loves her. Joe and Lou coach the staff of Linda Manor in tact and sensitivity- for example the hearty "Did you have a bowel movement today?" is replaced by the less intrusive"Did you or didn't you?" The full emotional range is here; love, ambition, anger, jealousy, pride; life in its most distilled, pure form - life facing

Ever since reading Tracy Kidder's "Soul of a new Machine" years ago, I've admired his ability to get you inside the lives, minds and hearts of the people he chronicles. Old Friends is Tracy's best yet. You will finish this book feeling like you really truly understand what it is like to live in a nursing home.

What Mel Gibson's latest movie, Signs, tried to do but did not quite pull off. This book is thought-provoking and surprising, fast-paced, a fine read. It is one of the most realistic stories I've ever read to look at honest disappointment and honest faith. Is there really a God, or do you think everything around us is left to chance?

Bea Bartling has been praying for her son to come home and her prayers are not answered the way she thinks they should be. Instead, sometimes you find out that the one is charge of everything knows more about what we need then we do.

The characters are plausible and the dialogue is good. I will look for more books by this author.

Thank you, Deborah Bedford for writing a book that is wholesome and interesting. I am a stay at home mom, and even though I was interrupted regularly while reading this book, I was always eager to pick it up again and find out what was going to happen next. It kept my interest and was never hard to get back into once I had put it down. The story of the roses is fascinating. This is ultimately a book about a woman's faith in God and how her relationship with God was tested during a difficult time in her life. The book does a good job of tying everything together. I would highly recommend it!

My mother had been in the doldroms, or worse, for so long that she wasn't reading or doing crossword puzzles anymore. She is normally an avid reader. I bought this book because it was advertised in People magazine. I liked it so well, I bought another copy and gave it to her for Christmas. After reading this book, she is going to back to the library again. It's a great read and a beautiful story. Thank you to this author for sharing her very special talents with all of us. Yes, there is hope in the world even during difficult time and A Rose By The Door has a joyous way of pointing that out. Be prepared with a box of tissues because you WILL cry. But you'll be laughing almost the same time. This story is a slice of life at its best.

Both my mother and I would love to see another book with these same characters.

I have read other Millie Criswell novels (such as The Trouble with Mary and What to Do About Annie) but The Trials of Angela is by far my favorite! It has just enough of everything in it! The book is all about Angela DeNero, a lawyer who is working on a child custody case. John Franco is, you guessed it, another lawyer on the opposing side of this legal issue. This book is humorous, sensual, and a really fun book!

I love this series, especially the fact that many of the unique characters carry forward into each book!

Angela is not having a good time! Her cheating ex-fiance left her to move to London with his new girlfriend, her strange parents have just moved back to town and she has to argue a case against annoying (but gorgeous) John Franco. John isn't having a swell time either. His grandmother keeps getting arrested, his family is mad at him for representing clients who are fighting against his own family and he has to argue a case against annoying (but gorgeous) Angela DeNero.

Needless to say, sparks fly, in all kind of ways! Don't know how many times I've woken my husband when laughing out loud through these books! I lend all the books of this series to friends and we pass them around. They always come back dog-eared and this won't be any exception! Millie Criswell has done it again!

This was the best Millie Criswell novel I've ever read and I had a wonderful savoring each and every page. The characters are just so easy to love and Angela captured my heart from page one. She's definitely more than just a pretty face. Angela has it all but discovers a little surprise left from her previous relationship which ended on a pretty sour note and through it all it Angela perseveres one-step at a time. Her first encounter with fellow attorney John Franco sizzles from the moment they meet again. Little does Angela know but John has had a thing for her since their high school days and nothing -- and I mean nothing is gonna stand in his way to get her.
I believe you'll enjoy this novel as it's filled with romance and on top of several emotional upheavals along the way, Angela and John overcome it all. Having the characters back from the previous "Mary" and "Annie" stories is an additional pleasure. Anyway this is one novel deemed to knock your socks off cause once you pick it -- you won't be able to put it down. Enjoy!

The book is carried by cleverness and puns, which makes it enjoyable, yet light. This is not a book I would treasure or re-read to children, simply because it does not compel me to...it doesn't seem to strike any real emotions. The book is a series of poems with varying lengths, rhythms, and rhyme schemes--and many of the poems are too short to amount to much (to the author's credit, I think she has great ideas, but cuts them off too soon), and some of the poems flow better than others.

A playful work overall that I recommend if you are looking for a little language fun, and not a real story. I look forward to seeing this author's development in future books.

"Ewes/and rams/and little lambs,/arrive in buses, trucks, and vans./They travel far to meet their kin./Each cousin wears a sheepish grin./And as the flock begins to gather,/you will see they're really rather/odd, but in a woolly way./So stay-/each ewe, each ram, each little lambly-/stay and meet this close-knit fambly." Come enjoy the day with Odd Ephram, "...the cousin/that no one talks about./He traded in his woolly coat/and now wears sauerkraut", Aunt Eweginia, Sister Alabaster, "...with fleece as white as snow,/is a Kung-Fu master,/excels at Tae Kwon Do...", and Old Ramses, Little Bo Sheep, Felice, "...her wool is big and puffy./Says Felice,/I'm not obese!/Don't call me fat. I'm fluffy!", Uncle Abe Ram, Woolverton, and the rest of the flock as they brunch and lunch, play baa-dminton, and take a sheep dip in the lake. Lisa Wheeler's whimsical and charming poems are filled with puns, clever wordplay, and irresistibly endearing characters that will delight readers from 3 to 93. Frank Ansley's bold and bright artwork adds to all the fun as he captures each verse with expressive humor and wit. This is a captivating collection that begs to be shared and read aloud. So meet the flock, and enjoy a great day, because as with all family reunions and great books, the fun is over way too soon. "So long...farewool...good-baaa."

"Wool Gathering" has become a favorite book in our home. It unabashedly celebrates a wacky, wonderful sheep family. Each poem introduces readers to a new endearing character. My daughter's favorite is Aunt Eweginia who knits herself nude. You'll have a hard time choosing your favorite! Ms. Wheeler's impressive rhyming verse is enhanced by Ansley's charming illustrations.

This book will have your whole flock laughing out loud!