This is one powerful book that packs a punch. Jamie Buckingham is a wonderful writer who captures the spirit of this woman in its fullness in this book. A biography that is at once honest, compassionate, touching, and life-transforming. There is a definite touch of God on this book. I've read it more than 3 times already and everytime it has succeeded in bringing new change into my life.

Recently, I read "Daughter of Destiny" and found the book to be truly amazing! Actually, I was speechless and had to take time to evaluate the many miracles that God has performed in my life. The book discloses Kathryne's call to the ministry, strengths, weaknesses, and her prayer that the Holy Spirit will always be with her. One of the truly profound strengths of the book is revealed when Kathryne is so strong-willed until she appears to be 'lead by the flesh' resulting in her losing focus on the agenda that God has for her. However, once her focus is completely on God, one is able to see the true manifestation of the Holy Spirit in all His GLORY! In all reality, the book shows how we as Christians sometimes get distracted only to later focus and love Jesus Christ with all of our heart! This book will set you free from the bondages of life! This book is a must read for all Christians who sometimes forget that we are imperfect vessels that God can still use. In addition, it is a great book on how we should be humble when serving a MIGHTY & AWESOME GOD! I guarantee that this book will bring you peace in the midst of any storms in your life as you see that no matter what we do in life, God is still in control. May God keep and bless you as you labor in His vineyard.

True account of a humble woman of God who simply preached the gospel and trusted God for the results. God moved through those hearing the message, and many amazing miracles were the resulting affect. I've read this bood several times and it still excites me each time.

Book Review - Staring Down the Dragon

By: Randolph Giudice
Oahu Island News

And now a confession from the reviewer: My mom died from lung cancer when I was only nine years old. She led a healthy life, no smoking, no drinking; but at the age of forty-seven there she was, rationing out Clark bars on Halloween, from a hospital bed we had set up in our living room.

This is how it happened. One day my mom sneezed and fell down a flight of stairs. A doctor gave her an X-Ray, and discovered a tumor - like a teakettle she left boiling too long on the stove - sitting on her lung. A year later she was gone.

For some people, cancer is not a choice, but a way of life. For Rell De-Mello, the feisty Kailua High School sophomore in Dorothea Buckingham's Staring Down the Dragon, it's an end-less supply of embarrassing moments. A glowing example of "successful" cancer treatment, Rell spends what should be her first day back at school, hiding out in McDonalds. Concealing her bald head under a wig, Rell has lost her eyelashes, her eyebrows, and as far as she's concerned, her future dating prospects. Even Rell's reliable 34 B chest has taken a vacation after chemotherapy for Hodgkin's' Disease.

At school, people treat her like a star. She walks into a standing ovation in English class, gets special treatment from teachers, and Wanda Yamanaka wants her to write an inspirational piece for the school paper on "what it was like to almost die." But Rell knows what people really want to hear: "Once upon a time Estrella DeMello had cancer, and she lived happily ever after".

Like most girls in Hawaii, Rell dreams of handsome surfers and limbo parties with "six-foot-three lifeguards pouring pina coladas down her throat". But sun-screen, therapy sessions, blood tests, and endless precautions - like making sure her dog doesn't make her sick - won't allow her to forget that she's different. Even her best friend Emi calls her the "Cancer Queen" when her disease threatens to overwhelm their friendship.

The only person Rell feels safe with is LB, her old roomie from Stanhope Hospital. But LB's leukemia may make that Grand Canyon trip they've been planning a thing of the past. It's only when Rell meets Nate Lee, a handsome junior with a secret of his own, that Rell decides to let somebody in. With love and understanding, Nate shows her that cancer doesn't have to take over her life.

Novels about illness usually have their work cut out for them, and as great as these books may be, their subject matter alone gives you the awkward feeling of waiting for test results. But Dragon is first and foremost about being a teenager, and Buckingham
captures the essence of high school experience.

Like the best teen novels, Staring Down the Dragon is great because it's honest. Rell doesn't teach us to live every moment as if it's our last. She acts like the rest of us: scared, uncertain, and looking for answers. Cancer survivors don't feel quite like anybody else, and Dorothea Buckingham lends Rell an authentic voice by letting us see just how difficult it is for someone recovering from cancer to begin to feel normal again.

An uplifting story about overcoming fear, and accepting change, Staring Down the Dragon is really about living after cancer - maybe the hardest journey of all.

Staring Down the Dragon by Dorothea N. Buckingham
Sydney Press, 207 pgs.

The slim-novel equivalent of a well-meaning afterschool special, this story of a Kailua High cancer survivor is told with economy and grace. Young adults and teens will find it hard to put down.

Being a teenager is difficult enough, but when you're recovering from cancer it's worse. Estrella "Rell" DeMello is returning to Kailua High School after having left to undergo a treatment program for cancer. Now in remission, Rell has to contend with everyone knowing that she truly is "different" and as well deal with the constant threat of a relapse. While Rell would like to pretend that she is just a normal teen, she must adjust from a life where her illness was always her family's focus. Rell copes through this and the traumas of just being a teenager by relying on her sardonic sense of humor, her best friend Emi, and the support of her family.

Taking place on the island of Oahu, Buckingham does an exemplary job conveying the flavors and people of Hawaii. In Rell she has created a character who speaks with the authentic voice of a teenager, at times childish and at other times painfully mature. Although suffering from a cruel illness, Rell's sharp wit and strength make her a very likeable and admirable character.

This is a wonderfully entertaining read that isn't just a "cancer book." All teens will be able to relate with Rell's dealings with the popular girls, monstrous teachers, and the chance at a new romance. Parents as well will be able to sympathize with Rell's mother, a woman who feels unbearably guilty for not protecting Rell from the illness and yet who must also learn to let Rell grow up on her own. Anyone whose family has been touched by cancer or who has even just been a teenager will find comfort and joy in this novel.

Dr. Buckinghams book is truly outstanding. He has started over 35 hospice programs for people with AIDS. He has won the Ivanosky Prize for his work with AIDS patients.

This book is a must read for all who care for or are involved with the AIDS world.

J. Emery MD

this certainly is the best book on care for the person with aids, who is in the final stages of the disease.

buckingham is a compassionate writer with focus on the scientific issues as well as the holistic approach to this disease.

dr. buckingham is one of the founding fathers of hospice in this country and his work has been utilized and translated in many foreign countries.

i strongly reccomend tis book to anyone who is interested in caring for the person with AIDS.

This book was given to me by someone who knows that we have a vintage sailboat that responds well to TLC and who also knows that I like knots. It is an excellent book: beautiful enough for the coffee-table, and funny enough to read just for the author's anecdotes.

But this is a craft book. It describes 47 projects that can turn a ship into a gallery of engaging personalized details. It also turns those inevitable hours spent on boat maintenance into time that is creative, fun and even rewarding (though I confess, my boat doesn't seem to come out looking quite like the author's).

The best part is the knots - all those complex decorative rope puzzles that so many of us have struggled to recreate are here, and the diagrams and instructions are so clear they actually work!!

This is definitely not a book a yachting family will stow and forget, it earns its keep year 'round. Great resource, great gift. Strong recommendation -- to give, to get, or to put on your list for Christmas.

I have just finished reading Linda Buckingham's wonderful new book on ideas and projects for on board boat folks. What a great book! I found not only several great ideas that I can hardly wait to do on board for our own boat but also many, many slick craft ideas for gifts appropriate for anyone living on or near the water. These ideas (not limited to us seafarers) are not the usual crafty dust collectors but are professional looking, useful projects, easy to do with readily available materials. Even if you live nowhere near the water this book is a must if you like to craft quality items. Congratulations to Linda Buckingham on what I'm sure will be a very successful book.

In 1995 I fell in love with a strongly believing girl and she gave me several books to read. "Run, Baby, Run" was one of them (it was written in Czech) and one should admit that I enjoyed the book. Nicky Cruz's gang was really very violent, fighting with policemen often and many people there were drug addicts. But a preacher introduced Nicky to Jesus Christ one day and then everything changed...

I recommend this book to any reader and nonreader because i am sure they will all enjoy this book. I have just recently finshed reading it (I only wished I had read it earlier)and wanted to know more so next best thing was to read David Wilkerson's book's (the little skinny preacher) that did wonders for Nicky. It is just incredible how the Holy Spirit works wonders through someone else. I do hope Nicky will write another book, (or has he,I like to know)(as I am in Downunder and get second hand news)as I would like to know lots more.

A very compelling story: A Nicky Cruz autobiography of growing up without knowing the true meaning of the word "Love". Growing up in the streets of Brooklyn, struggling and battling to survive, his fiercest battle is with his innermost demons. He is able to discover with the help of a preacher that everyone is worthy of God's love no matter how much evil is in their past. I first read this book about 25 years ago at 13 years old and the book still to this day has a impact on me. I'm going to refer this book to my son of 15 years so that he can read this story of great inspiration.

I came across this book in my local library and loved it so much I bought a copy for myself. Ms. Buckingham manages to create beautiful trompe l'oeil work with simple techniques that are easy for even the absolute beginner. An added bonus is that her stencils are available online...

I love this book! It has been great for teaching me to do all kinds of things I didn't know how to do. I have been stencilling for about eight years now, and my stencils looked pretty good, but her ideas makes my stencilling look GREAT! I have many books on how to paint everything you can name in a home. You name it and I have the book on it, but this is the first book that I thought was worth the money I spent on it. I wish I had bought this book eight years ago. I now have no fear in doing a full wall mural in my living room. This book is a have to have if you are into stencilling, or if you would like to start stencilling for the first time. GET IT!

The absolutely definititive book on stenciling today. The author has her finger on the pulse of what artisans are looking for today in the quickly expanding field of decorative art. She leads the reader through uncharted territory for most and explains things in a clear and concise manner that allows the beginner to understand and the expert to grow. Her use of step-by-step pictures helps even the most artistically handicapped feel as though they could conqure this fast-growing and changing craft. Ms. Buckingham uses a combination of pre-cut stencils and directions for making your own. One word of caution, however; the pictures should come with the disclaimer, "Yes, this really is a stencil!"

I saw this book and just had to have my own copy. A wonderful way to demonstrate to young people the real power of America: The peaceful transfer of power.

LOVE IT, BUT PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE DRAW GEORGE W. BUSH AND SEND IT OUT TO QUILT SHOPS OR MAKE IT AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET.

LOVE YOUR BOOK... AND LOVE THE QUILT..... ALTHOUGH I CANNOT COMPLETE IT WITHOUT GEORGE W. BUSH( BUSHY AS LAURA CALLS HIM)

PLEASE DRAW HIM SO I CAN FINISH MY QUILT......I NEED IT YESTERDAY.

I was disappointed in this volume, only because it contained very little instruction, but instead demonstrated the techniques through projects. If you want a grand and slightly garish display of zebras or dolphins on your walls, this is the book for you. If you are trying to learn how to enlarge something and create stencils from it, you can probably find more information elsewhere.

This book widened my perception of stenciling. Previously I thought of stencilingf as a neat, precise, predictable repeated pattern. A craft to add embellishment to a piece of furniture or a border around a room. When I first flipped through the pages of this book it was hard to believe I was looking at stenciling. If this process at first looks difficult, don't be fooled. Clear step-by-step instructions walk you through the process. I found once I had done a few projects from the book I was ready to produce my own original artwork. This book is a nice addition to the library of any decorative painter and a must for the wannabe artist.

This is one of the better "how to" books I have ever read. The patterns are provided so that you may actually create the items shown and enough direction is given so that you can easily use what you have learned to create many more projects of your own.

This book is easy to understand with its clear structure, writer uses simple English to make sure all the readers can get what he is trying to say (and that is one of the tools he suggested, say your clients' language without jargon).
The 12 tools are organised in sequence, from managing internal business standard to performing excellent services to external clients, it provides lots of practical sugesstions in different aspects to build lifetime relationships with clients. Also, it's creative and useful to summarize the most urgent things that you need to do and put it in a box called 'Monday Morning', it's telling you what you can do to achieve those objectives he had mentioned, not just the theories.
In conclusion, it's worthwhile to read this book as it's very useful for your present or future business and interpersonal skills.

Many common sense pieces of advice, nicely organized and clearly spelled out. A great refresher for anyone with experience and excellent primer for those entering any service industry. He reminds us all that its easier, smarter, and more rewarding to keep a client happy than it is to pound the pavement to find a new one. I was suprised and chagrined to realize that some of tips were techniques I knew but had over time forgotten to practice. Highly recommend this book.

Customer Once, Client Forever: 12 Tools For Building Lifetime Business Relationships by Richard Buckingham (president of GoalStar Business Strategies working with Fortune 100 companies) is an upbeat business self-help book about how to turn one's customers into clients for life. Filled with concise, economically worded lessons and questions to ponder, each chapter offers a wealth of sound advice on such topics as continually improving oneself, gaining client feedback, and converting good clients into lifetime clients. Customer Once, Client Forever is an absolute "must" for any businessperson from cafe owners to marketing corporations who solicits and depends upon repeat customers!

Canadian Jane Bee is a housemaid in Buckingham Palace, and her friend and fellow Canadian, Robin Tukes dies under mysterious circumstances. Everyone thinks that Robin has committed suicide, except for Jane and Her Majesty the Queen. The Queen decides to have lowly housemaid, Jane keep her ears and eyes open to discover the truth about Robins's death. This of course leads to some interesting and possibly dangerous situations for our plucky heroine.

This is a delightful book. Author Benison has created an enjoyable cast of characters and an engaging mystery. Definitely in the tradition of Agatha Christie, this book will keep you entertained and turning the pages to find out what happens next.

I myself am a monarchist, so I was already excited about a book that gives Her Majesty the Queen some credit for being a human being as well as the Sovereign.
And what a fun book it is! Jane Bee is a very likeable character, which is always important. I liked the way she had to keep correcting people that she was Canadian, not American, and the no-nonsense way she handled things. I liked the behind-the-scenes look at the Palace's inner workings (whether totally true or not-don't you wonder if HM reads these??!)
All in all, the mystery was exciting and kept me guessing, the characters were very well drawn, and I can't wait to get the next one!

This novel, along with its sequels, are among the very few mystery novels that I enjoy reading over and over. Perhaps this is because of the fresh, friendly voice of the narrator, Jane Bee, a smart and lively young woman from Prince Edward Island, who, while visiting Great Britain, happens into a housemaid position at Buckingham Palace, and very quickly stumbles (literally) upon a dead body, right at Her Majesty's sensible-shoe-clad feet...And perhaps it's because of the writing skills of C.C. Benison, who gives the reader the feeling of being a Palace insider, with all the good gossip, the pet names for the Royals, the unmentionable scourge of the corgis, even the secret of what the Queen actually keeps in her purse...Really excellent good fun, and I can only say that I wish that there were more of them to read and re-read and recommend.