If you want to get the most out of your Ozark Highalnds Trail experience then you need to make sure you have a copy of this book. Written by the man who started it all it is the authoritative and only guide book for the OHT. I have hiked the entire 165-mile trek the last 2 consecutive seasons and I still would not want to be on the trail without it.

Summer 2002 my fiancee and I hiked the OHT and made all plans after referring to this trail guide. We had never been to AR before and enjoyed the OHT. This guide was indispensible.

Be sure you've looked at this book before you make plans to hit the Ozark Highlands Trail. It helps with planning for the trip, with detailed mileage, ratings, etc. On the trail I kept it within easy reach the whole trip. Great detailing and gives info on the things worth seeing *off* the trail, as well, a real plus. Gives mileage as to how far off the trail a waterfall is, etc. OHT Bible, indeed!

My family and I visit the Cashiers area several times a year and have found most of the falls by asking and hiking about. Then my mother gave me this book and I wonder how I found the ones I did without it and there are so many more!

The only thing I felt the book was lacking were the listings for the falls that feed into Lake Glenville: Mill Creek Falls, Norton Falls and Hurricane Falls. But those can be easily gotten to by renting a boat at Signal Ridge Marina.

Thanks for the great guidebook, Brian!

My husband & I bought this book and it easily helped us find the waterfalls in the area. The book accurately describes how to get there as well as detailed descriptions of the waterfalls and hiking trails in the area. Don't leave home without it if you are going to the land of the waterfalls.

The best thing about Noteworthy 2 is that there is such a variety of recipies compiled into one book....Everything from traditional fare to lighter pastas and salads, even some ethnic dishes. There seems to be focus throughout on healthy, elegant dishes which makes them great for entertaining. Many of the more out of the ordinary dishes involve interesting ingredients, so you may not find everthing you already in your refrigerator, but the trip to the grocery store is definietly worth it! The many pictures provide great ideas for presentation and combination of dishes. Overall, this is an attractive,useful collection of recipies. Whether you're looking for the classic or the unique, you'll find it in this book!

I borrowed an old roommate's copy of Noteworthy Two to make a meal five years ago. Since then, I have purchased copies for me and most of my friends with notes indicating the best dishes. The variety of recipies is exceptional--particularly strong are the salad, appetizer and side dish sections. A few favorites are Italian Bread Salad, Tequila Marinated Chicken with Citrus Salsa, Herbed Turkey Loaf, Warm Bavarian Potato Salad, Broccoli Struedel, Portabello Mushrooms Stuffed with Eggplant, Ginger Cake Roll and Lemon Cheesecake. While these are not high-end gourmet dishes, the final product will impress. If you are a fan of seafood dishes, this book contains a very limited selection of good recipies. Also, many of the recipies are not particularly low-fat or low-calorie, but I've found that substitutions are extremely easy to make. In fact, I have cooked fabulous meals for all types of occasions, knowing that if I ever want to prepare a meal (or dish) that is guaranteed to turn out well, this cookbook will deliver. I highly recommend it.

This scholarly and thorough, but highly readable account, details historic and modern (up to the 1980s) instances of the Scottish Highland brand of precognition known as Second Sight. From St. Columba to modern-day Glaswegians, it covers the visions seen by seers that accurately foretold future events. This book should appeal to all lovers of Highland lore and the occult. It is both objective in tone and open-minded regarding its subject and is a refreshing source of information with enough spine-tingling details to keep the reader on the edge of his seat!

Elizabeth Sutherland has done a great service to all of us who hail from Scottish Highland heritage. She has mapped out through exhaustive scholarship the cosmologies, traditions and lore surrounding the ways of the seer in Scottish ways. A compilation of oral traditions and stories, including first hand accounts, of engaged seership in ancient, Culloden-era as well as contemporary Scotland, Ravens and Black Rain is an exquisite introduction to An Da Shealladh (the Two Sights), with plenty of meaty material for seasoned scholars or practitioners to consider. My favorite aspect of the book is, perhaps, Ms. Sutherland's matter of fact way of speaking about the sight as simply an extension of the old Druidic traditions alive and well in the milieu of a contemporary Scotland.

I love this book so much that I have re-read it many times. It is a beautiful story of overcoming obstacles, increasing one's faith, and the redemption of mean-spirited people as they recognize goodness and truth and leave their unkind ways. It makes one's heart leap for joy with its Christian message. The writings of George MacDonald had a major influence on C.S. Lewis, and you will understand why when you read this Victorian classic. This edition is especially good to read to children as the confusing Scottish dialect has been simplified.

Sir Gibbie by George Macdonald
The first time I read this book, I found it long, boring, and dull. I didn't understand why everyone else who read it thought it was so excellent. So I really thought hard about it one night, and made up my mind that I would keep reading it until I understood the message. Finally, it came to me, and it was so overpowering that I broke down and cried.
Gibbie is a young, mute boy with an alcoholic father. He has a kind heart and is extremely gentle. His good friend, Sambo, is murdered, and he runs away. Gibbie is just a small boy in a large, cruel world, and he is treated badly by everyone on his journey but one woman, Janet. The variety of places he lived and the things he had to go through really taught me that not everyone has a full roof over their head, or enough clothes to cover more than a few body parts. This book gave me a lot to think about, such as the fact that some children are abused and don't show it at all to anyone. Or that most people just make assumptions about things that they know nothing about. I realize that I am guilty of these things, as everyone else is.
This book was very compelling and I learned a lot about grace and mercy from it. The forgiveness that Gibbie shows his father towards the end is unbelievable, and I thought it was amazing that a tiny, mute boy could show so much more faith, wisdom, and emotion than anyone I have ever met, or read in a book. The story definitely had an impact on my view of how the world treats people and how the smallest child (who isn't even real) could change your life. I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone - it is extremely good!

Sir Gibbie is an exquisitely written children's classic, depicting in poetic,vivid detail a country of lush beauty as viewed from the eyes of a small city waif, whose father has perished, leaving his young son with nothing more than a full, loving heart; a gracious, generous nature; and a warm, open personality bent on doing good for others by every means in his power. The adventures of the ill-clad child begin as he travels the open road, in response to his father's constant words "Up Daurside!", where he befriends the herdboy Donal, is taken in by his parents, Robert and Janet Grant, and rescues the young lady Ginevra from a natural catastrophe. Sweet, tender Gibbie automatically floats into one's heart as one follows him from town vagrant to benevolent gentleman, and remains there long after the book's pages are closed. His growing awareness of the world in both materialistic and spiritual matters holds the reader captivated. Geroge Macdonald has compos! ed a nineteenth century story in true Scottish style, where one may observe everything in the universe from the grace of the mountaintops to the wonder of human beings through innocence, peace, and love. Written in an almost angelic manner, Sir Gibbie transports one to the realm where nature and piety and loveliness are intertwined, and produces a magical air which no one can fail but love, and desire to experience over and over again.

The author, George MacDonald, was a prolific Scottish writer who lived from 1824 to 1905. He knew Mark Twain, Charles Dickens and Lewis Carroll. He was the favorite author of C.S. Lewis (author of the Narnia books). This book is thought by many to have provided inspiration and several plot elements for Twain's "Huckleberry Finn". It is an excellent story and is especially good as a read-aloud. The adventures of this ragged, barefoot street urchin as he finds his destiny are truly compelling. Little Gibbie is mute (unable to speak) but has a heart of gold and his greatest joy lies in helping others. After the tragic death of his titled but penniless father, Gibbie is the horror-stricken witness to a violent murder. His faith in humanity shaken, he flees the city in hopes of discovering a new life in the highlands.

First off I have to say a big "Thank You" To Teresa Medeiros for writting a book with a real sized woman and for having a man who willingly admits he likes larger women. Yeah! About time!. I also liked the fact that the heroine in this story has the same fears and thoughts about her body as modern day women do. It made her so real.
This is the story of Gwendolyn, a virgin who has been sacrificed by her villiage to the Dragon of Castle Weyrcraig. Only the Dragon isn't really real its Bernard the thought dead son of the dead lord. He was thought to have been killed 15 years before by the British. He somehow survives and is now using the Dragon to terrorize the village for its betrayal of his family.
When he finds Gwendolyn tied up to a stake as an offering her is furious but she calms the Dragon and soon works her way into his heart. He is extremely attracked to her but she can't really believe it. It takes quite a bit of convincing to get her to feel good about herself. They have so much to overcome to find happiness but when they do you feel like cheering. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to others by this author.

Teresa Medeiros has been one of my favorite authors since way back when and she just keeps getting better. I didn't think she could top CHARMING THE PRINCE, but she did it with this one. I can't explain why her writing is so powerful, but she makes me feel all of the emotions her characters are feeling. I fell in love with "the Dragon" right along with Gwendolyn and to me, that's true magic! (I have to confess that I also fell a little in love with Tupper, too!) I also loved the fact that her heroine wasn't a size 2 in this book, but a "plump" beauty. (Just like me!)

Teresa Medeiro's THE BRIDE AND THE BEAST is a rich tapestry overflowing with emotional drama. Readers will be spellbound and left guessing right up until the end as the climax slowly unravels its memorizing tale.

Known only as Dragon, a fearless creature set on reeking vengeance on the helpless townspeople of Ballybliss. He ruthlessly demands an unrealistic sum of one thousand pounds, the citizens known such a high price could not be provided. They offer the only alternative equivalent to the sum, Gwendolyn Wilder, a well-known virgin. Surprised at the gift the townspeople offer, he is captivated by the spirit and beauty Gwendolyn exhibits. Will she have the power to conquer his lair, his chamber, his bed?

Gwendolyn Wilder lost her heart and the love her life tragically fifteen years ago. Now her life consists of caring for an insane father and three haphazard sisters. When the town forces her to sacrifice her life to save them from destruction, she tries to escape. Unfortunately, she is captured and delivered to Castle Weyrcraig, known as the Dragons Lair. Dragon refuses to reveal his mysterious face, and communicates through a smoky voice, seductive touch, and a ravishing kiss. Will she have the courage to slay the Dragon and capture his heart?

THE BRIDE AND THE BEAST is deftly plotted and beautifully written. Readers will find it an engrossing tale, with a delightful cast of characters. It will long be remembered and revisited many times to come.

I just read this book, and it's wonderful! Great characters, sexy dialogue, and hard to put down. I stayed up half the night reading this one. Connie Brockway is my new favorite author!

Ms Brockway returns to top form after the disappointing "The Passionate One". The story is unrelentingly dark and turbulent, with two characters tortured beyond tortured, but they find redemption through their love for each other. Raine and Favor are two people whose lives have been filled with nothing but pain and guilt and loneliness - watching them complete the hollow in each's soul is simply an enchanting experience.

The story is filled with exciting intrigue and the villian Ronald Merrick, Earl of Carr deserves the Loreena Bobbitt's VIP Cut Treatment. The secondary characters shine - Fia, Gunna - these people are as real as Raine and Favor.

Great plot, wonderful love, and an utterly satisfied reader - that's a great combination, right?

I love it when an author creates a hero and heroine who seem absolutely right for each other and in this book Raine and Favor are a perfect match. What makes it even better is that there is NO WAY they should be together. Everything seems to point to them having no future yet still Connie Brockway manages to get them together so it seems like there was no way they COULDN'T NOT be together. A very wonderful book! Now I'm anxiously awaiting Fia's story!

I've seen an episode or two of the television version, starring the ever charming Robert Carlyle, and when BBC America pulled it from their lineup I decided to give the books a try. I think, perhaps, I picked the wrong one to start with, because if they're all this trite I'm flabbergasted as to why people read them.

Hamish is his usual do-goody, city-loathing self and that's about all I can tell you because the plot is a completely scattershot affair. What starts as a murder mystery becomes what could have been an interesting cult-infiltration if the author didn't seem to have ADD and instead arbitrarily abandons both plot threads in favor of one about drug smuggling. Soon the murder is nothing more then an afterthought as Undercover Hamish jets off for a random trip to Amsterdam, with requisite Snow Queen Superior Officer in tow. Thrill to Hamish hanging around a hotel room, Hamish eating at a restaurant and...Hamish going home with a prostitute?

Of course, Snow Queen's icy heart is inevitably melted to reveal a weak, angry girl who, of course, jumps into bed with our hero to prove her gratitude. Just once I'd like to read a mystery novel where the two leads of the opposite sex don't hop in the sack with each other, it happens in real life all the time I'm told. Simply because a man has a pretty smile and a charming brogue doesn't mean a woman has to immediately fall hoplessly in love with him (alright, well *I* would, but that's neither here nor there).

This book is hampered by the fact that there is no real villain. It starts out being the murderer, then flips to the cult leader, then the drug czar, none of whom are the leaste bit threatening or interesting. And Hamish's longtime rival has little to do except get drunk and plot out schemes so vile and unreal I half expected him to start twirling a big black moustache and talking like Edward G. Robinson.

A more accurate title would have been: Death of a Potential Fan

Although our PBS station has not yet aired the Hamish MacBeth TV series, I know it has quite a following in Great Britain. I have begun to wonder whether its success has marred the books. As other reviewers have pointed out, the idea of Macbeth fooling a drugpin into believing he, Macbeth, is a big-time drug dealer is ludicrous-- all the more so since apparently it is Macbeth's sneer that causes this oh-so-convincing transformation. The plot contrivance seems to this reader to be an excuse for a "Macbeth Goes To Amsterdam" TV episode. All the more annoying is the way the initial crime victim becomes virtually forgotten for 2/3 of the book. Why rate it as high as 3 stars ? Well, there is just enough Scottish atmosphere and visits with recurring Lochdubh characters to merit a read for MC Beaton's fans.

I read this series largely for the amusement of reading about Hamish's eccentricities and exploits. They never fail to make me smile, even with mayhem in the background.

For those who are unfamiliar with Hamish, give the series a try. For full enjoyment, you might want to start with the first book: Death of a Gossip, in which the village and characters are introduced.

For those of you who have met Hamish only through the TV series, I don't think that the books are at all like the show. I've noticed some readers are disappointed with the books after seeing the television series...

I won't comment about the entire book because Ms. Klausner did a good job of it. What bothered were inconsistencies in the book. Passages that were obviosuly placed at the wrong place in the book. Some ideas were began but never fully developed and further pursued. At certain points I had to stop and go back and re-read. It is never explained why Melari never met Philip the night she was supposed to do so. Also, Melari never told Robert that Philip had come by while he was away from home. Parts of this were not very clear, although I did enjoy the story. It was not one of those "I hate you" sort of stories between hero and heroine which I absolutely despise. The lead chearacters have disagreements but this "hate" stuff turns me off. This book doesn't.

The ghost was a nice touch to this beautiful romance novel. The dialogue is very detailed. I felt like I really got to know the heroine. And, as another reviewer said, the descriptions of the land are enchanting. While the plot may have a few illogical turns, the book was a good read and fun. I recommend it. I cried at the end for the beauty of the story (and not many books can do this to me). My only complaint, a small one, is that I wish the love scenes, although fairly good, had the same detailed descriptions -- like Stephanie Laurens does. I plan to read all of Ms. Coffman's books. :)

Once again this author captures me with her delightful characters. One thing I like about Elaine Coffman's books is that she isn't afraid to tackle a big story with lots of characters. Her books don't follow the typical "I love you, I hate you" storyline. Her characters grow. The women are always strong but they are also believable. I can't imagine anyone putting this book down before they finish it. Like another reviewer said, "this book made me cry at the end and not many books can do that".