This 3rd book in the TRADE WINDS series is sure to knock you off your feet! Devora Ashby is eagerly awaiting her upcoming wedding to the handsome Spanish/English buccaneer Bruce (Nicklas) Valentin. But treachery awaits them both as betrayal becomes a factor in this story. Bruce faces confrontation and the test of his faith as he tries to fulfill his plans for Devora, his crewmen and the treasure. Devora faces her mother's declining health and unwanted advances of Bruce's father, Maximus. Will Devora forgive her mother for abandoning her when she was a child? Will they ever escape to Barbados and can Bruce elude the inquistors? Will Bruce and Maximus ever make peace between them? A great story about love, forgiveness, pirate battles, swordfights and passion. Linda Chaikin did an excellent job on this series and I can't wait to see what's coming up next on her agenda!

As time draws near, the noose tightens, etc, etc, etc, anyways Bruce aka Nicklas realizes his brother is clearly onto him and his fatherly will also soon find out his secret, so he decides to try and sneak out while Devora goes ahead of him on another ship, but before he can quite get out of harbor the cannons are drawn on him and his ship sinks, and of cource his father finds him out.

After being forced into hard labor, Bruce still patronizes his father and still seeks his revenge, though in a more silent way.

But with revenge comes a new understanding that revenge is bittersweet and doesn't always have the desired affect.

Linda ends her Trade Winds trilogy with dynamic gusto and flair. As good as all the other 2 books were, what with the first meeting, and then the recognization, I felt that the conclusion of the trilogy was the best!

The romance, faith, bravery and nobility that only knowing Christ can give is shown wonderfully in this book. You won't be able to put it down and it will challange you to live to your true potential reguardless of the cost. Great book and series!!!!

I did not know what to expect when I was assigned this book to read. Considering myself as someone with a scientific background, I did expect the book to be dry reading because of its subject. As is it turns out, I was pleased to be wrong about that expectation. The author seems to understand the various types of readers. She is enticing enough to keep the non-scientific reader's attention as well as including enough information to satisfy the needs of scientists. What I like about this book is that since I live in an area that borders various ecological communities, I have used this book as my own private, nature guide when I am exploring the beauty that is California.

As a naturalist often bored by nature writing, I am stunned by An Island Called California. I first read it two decades ago, and I've just rediscovered it. Bakker's survey of the ecosystems of this massive and diverse state is lyrical, lively, and full of ecological anecdotes. This is the minimum reading to learn what it is we mean when we say "California". Read it. Your eyes will be opened up. Your view of the state will never be the same. Wish I had the money to send a copy to each member of the California state house and senate.

I've nearly worn out my copy of this book which is a guide to nearly every kind of major natural environment to be found in the Golden State. Bakker describes -- in readable prose -- the animals and plants which make up California wildlands. Her subjects are sometimes as broad as the chaparral-covered hills and sometimes as narrow as a single Joshua Tree. She celebrates life in all its diversity. No reader or traveler to natural California should be without this book.

This book was a great book. It told what it was like through war when you are a kid. Josh didn't go to war but he was a friend of a Conferdate Soldier. Read this book. It is great

This book was like a book taking you back into the time of Civil War Times. But you weren't where the fighting was you were at the prison were captives of the south were.

A wonderful retelling of the Civil War from the veiw of a Union boy, this story gets down to the real grit of the matter and covers a less-acknowledged part of the War Between the States: the prisons. Joshua Loring and his frined Tom Hogan are truly believeable characters, the first step to keeping a reader engaged. But when you add the drama of the war as well as the conflict Josh faces in writing to a Confederate soldier and actually learning to like the other boy, the text is just addictive.

This poetic historical novel is set on the Isle Of Lewis, Hebrides, Scotland, in the early years of the 19th century. It is the story of a people's fight to stay on their land and to retain their culture and language. During this period in Scotland, called the Clearances, wealthy landowners paid henchmen to clear the land of crofters and tenant farmers. These farmers' homes and all their possessions were frequently burned or otherwise destroyed. Destitute men, women and children, whose ancestors had lived and worked this land for time out of mind, faced the elements and starvation, most without money for passage to America, Canada or Australia. Thousands died. The wealthy wanted to use the now available land to graze sheep, or to build hunting lodges for the nobility and emerging middle class. This was a much more profitable way to earn money than collecting rent from poor tenants.

Seventeen year old Mairi MacLeod's tiny family farm was destroyed, and her grandfather, Fearchar, killed during the Clearances. Fearchar represented the courage and the culture of the old ways. His deep love of his heritage, all things Gaelic, and his beloved harp, called "Cridhe" (Heart), was what kept the clan going in times of hardship. The harp had belonged to an ancestor bard who'd played at the court of Conn of the Hundred Battles. Fearchar taught the clan his songs: of war, peace, love, the harvest, and the sea. Mairi inherited the bard's voice and the magic to make music on the harp. She also inherited the noble heart, and the ability to endure, of a clan leader. She takes charge of the few remaining family members who decide to stay on the island, and vows she will never leave her homeland. They live in the ruins of an ancient tower, having had time only to build a roof, before the coming winter. They survive on their small harvest, fish and shellfish and seaweed. Clan members, men and woman alike, are inspired by Mairi's leadership, ingenuity, strength and guidance.

A dark and brooding army captain came to the assistance of the MacLeods and the Nicolsons immediately after the burning. He finds happiness that he has never known with the generous island family. There is an instant attraction between the captain, Iain, and Mairi and she falls in love with him. She keeps her feelings to herself, because the rigid class system of the time would never accept the marriage of a gentry-born man to a crofter woman. Mairi does cherish the little time they had together, usually with the family singing around the hearth, playing the harp and listening to Iain play the pipes. Other characters enter the story: a few crofter families are taken in when they are evicted; a Viking-like ship's captain becomes enamored of Mairi and wants to marry her; the new landlord, impressed by the clan's endurance, decides to assist them. Numerous crises arise: the potato famine hits hard; a brother is kidnapped, conscripted against his will by a ship's crew; Mairi's older brother seeks revenge for the burning of their croft; unexpected illness, etc. And the love story is a very unique one with a surprise ending.

Ms. Williams' writing is lyrical and poignant. Her characters, especially the original family members, are vividly portrayed. And Mairi is so three-dimensional...a courageous, honorable, and strong woman. The plot is sound, both fascinating and inspirational. The many subplots are filled with adventure. Above all, the history of the island and her people is meticulously researched, and beautifully told.

This books originally was put out under the banner of historical romance, but actually landed in the wrong spot. It should have been historical fiction, a wee fine distinct, but a significant one. Yes, there is romance, but only as a small part of the true tapestry of human emotions. It did not fair well in the US mostly because of the romance banner. So for sometime the book has gone unnoticed and was only available in used bookstores. Thus, I was delighted to see the wonderful work given a reprint treatment more deserving of his subject matter and hopefully people will discover this marvellous story of Scotland.

Many of you I am sure know of the Great potato famine that hit Ireland, how nearly a million died. But were you aware, the same blight that hit Ireland, moved to Scotland? Worse, this horrible loss of life sustaining crops came at one of the ugliest periods in Scottish History: the beginning of the Clearances. More and more of Scotland's Gentry were city folk, generally living in the big cities of Scotland and England, and paid a Factor to run their country estates, caring little how he ran them as long as he produced profits to sustain their rich lifestyles. Crofters were not really a money making situation for these people wanting the highest return for the least investment. Sheep were low maintenance, high cash return. People cost more and what the gave as payment for living on the land was small. So began the Clearances, literally running people off land their families had farmed and lived for centuries to make way for sheep.

Island Harp details this terrible slice of Scottish History through eyes of Mairi and is based on fact. Set on the Isle of Lewis during the Clearances of the 1840's, when the English landowner (the Countess of Seaforth) drove crofters from their homes to use the land for grazing or hunting. Young Mairi loves her life, simple though it is. She loves her family, her beloved grandfather Fearchar, Gran, brother Tam, and other relatives of the Clan. But one Summer, her life is shattered as the laird's factor as set fire to their homes, the start of the evictions. Fearchar runs into the burning house to rescue the harp he treasures and dies for his effort, but before dying he bads Mairi to protect the harp a symbol of their heritage.

A dash Captain Iain MacDonald ride in to the rescue. Scot by birth, he soldiers for the English Queen and is a son of one of the Local Gentry. Iain does what he can to help Mairi and her family and naturally she falls in love with him. She gives herself to him in the Ring of Stones (Calanais) knowing she will always loves this man. Later, as she learns she is with child, she finds out Iain is engaged to wed another - one of his class. Mairi leads her clan to the Auld Broch (an ancient circular tower) and reclaims it for her people, rallying them into farming on land considered unfarmable, weaving, fishing - anything to survive. Not only does Mairi and her child survive, they thrive along with her Clan.

Mairi is the embodiment of the Clan mentality, how the Scots survived and endured, their spirits unbroken through one of the worst periods in history. It is a story of personal triumph, of dreams and determination.

I was born on the Isle of Lewis, and still go back for visits, so the book has held a special place in my heart.

WISE Writers and Readers Book of the Month for February 2000

The writing is almost as lyrical as the harp in this rather desperate tale of the dispossessed crofters during the clearances of the 19th century. Research and background of island life and the history of the times is realistic. Grim circumstances for the hardworking folks determined to stay where generations of their family have lived. They find defeat around almost every corner - yet their spirits come together and hope lurks in even the darkest corners. From ancient stones to the Calvinist culture that attempts to forbid the music of the isles, Mairi and her harp inspire promise and perseverence, and if the tone is a bit feminist for the highly patriarchal, independent island people, the story is clever and mostly believable. The characters are portrayed with a gentleness and generosity as well as strong spirits, the harshly magnificent scenery envelopes the reader, and the historical references make this book a standout.

I just finished Lillian Beckwith's books about the Hebrides (which I highly recommend), and found this glimpse into history totally absorbing and fascinating.

The Island Light is a fabulous book for children and their adults. The story is simple and very moving. The characters are appealing, real and fully revealed. The illustrations are out of this world. Have a hanky ready. Be prepared to be uplifted.

This book, which my 14 year old son still enjoys as much as he did at age two, reaches deep deep down into the place inside all of us where we most want to be with our parents: safe, warm, cozy, together. It never fails to choke me up; it never fails to comfort my children. The other books in the 3 book series evoke the same feelings, too.

All three books in the Bunny Planet series are classics. We discovered them when my son just turned two and a year later he still requests them often, even though he has them memorized.

I must confess this book is thick but hey!!! It's well worth reading about for those who want to understand a little about Balinese culture as well as it's lovely people. I found it very interesting since it covered almost everything about Bali, however the book was written before World War II and well I still think it's great to have a book that is still resourceful. Even though so much has changed with Bali over the decades this book will never die surely. This is a must and is essential for those who want to have a better understanding of Bali back before World War II and they can still relate it to the present. Nothing much has changed but a few things have altered. It was like stepping back in time when I read this book... I hope everyone will enjoy the book as much as I do too... great book to have...

This book is the essential book about Bali. I read it 26 years ago when I first went to Bali and it still ranks as thee book about Bali. If you wish to learn about the Balinese people, their culture and religion and beliefs I highly recommend this book. jim

This is by far the best book available if you want to know about the people of Bali - their unique lifestyle, religion, customs and beliefs. Written in the 1930's, it still holds true today. The classic black and white photos are worth the price alone. The Balinese people still live a magical life that is difficult for a westerner to comprehend, unless you read a book like this.

In this thoughtfully crafted Christian genre tale of finding self and finding out a lot more, author Parks hits the mark. This description-laden book paints many portraits with words and leaves the reader with a real sense of what the author seems to be trying to convey; not everyone has it easy, but there is hope.
A troubled young woman caught in a dangerously complex triangle between her and her parents runs the gamut of emotions in The Island of Refuge and discovers more than she bargained for, for sure.
To spill the beans and report on every plotline would spoil the read, so suffice it to say that if you are in the mood for a wonderfully wordy, thought provoking mysteriously kind of romantic story you'd be foolish to pass up this book.Good job, Parks!

After reading "The Island of Refuge," I understand why so many reviewers have awarded it five stars. This is a story like "To Kill A Mocking Bird," a classic conflict of good versus evil in the guise of human weakness and deceit. The plot unravels a murder mystery, and the truth wreaks devastating results. There is everything here: abuse, moral corruption, twisted sanity, but most of all there are memorable characters who capture our hearts in their struggle to achieve human dignity and respect, and ultimately to find love. This is a story that reflects any age any time and would make an unforgettable movie worthy of an Oscar for the right cast.

As a child Tara Madison has been given her own island in Tampa Bay. Over the years the island is her refuge, a place to escape the tirades of her abusive father, and the sorrow of watching her invalid mother waist away. One night when Tara is a young woman, she heads out for her island in hopes of finding solitude. Instead she faces the unimaginable. It is the eve of WWII and intrique is everywhere, and has now invaded her private world. She discovers Tommy Bentley, an escaped convict hiding in her island hut. Instead of reporting Tommy to the authorities, Tara insists on helping him prove his innocence. While reading Island of Refuge, I was reminded of those 1940's Hemmingway novels made into movies such as Key Lago and To Have and Have Not that, to this day, glue you to your seat. Island of Refuge is a tightly woven suspense mystery. It keeps you questioning with every turn of the page. You suspect that the book is about uncovering Tommy's innocence, but it is much more than that. Tara discovers the truth that sets her free. I enjoyed this novel very much and highly recommend it.

I am the author of the two novels--Island of the Winds and Windswept (and working on the third of the Winds Trilogy now). This is to advise that we now have a distributor in the U.S.A. at least to my knowledge, for both the English original novels and those in Greek translation.

Cosmos Publishing P.O.Box 2255 RiverVale, N.J. 07675 phones 201 6643494 201 664-3402 mobile: 0932977156 greekbooks@worldnet.att.net

I read this book on my flight home from Chios -- how interesting to read about the Turkish/Chiotian conflict while recognizing the locations mentioned throughout. Athena Damis did a wonderful job with her character development and I couldn't wait to run out and read Windswept!

This book was exceptional. A riveting tale about the Turkish occupation of Greece. Never before has a book told such a story of how war divides a family. This book would be a best seller if it was marketed and promoted properly. The book will make you want to visit the beautiful island of Chios. Please do yourself a favor and buy this book.

Having Chumash blood in my veins from my paternal grandmother, coming across this book was just wonderful. The Chumash are a coastal tribe who lived in the Santa Barbara, Ca. area. This book was fun to read, and the historical content was helpful in answering some of my questions regarding a small part of my heritage. Thank you Richard Sessions! I have to also wonder if Richard Sessions is from Santa Barbara as I am (I currently reside in SLC, Utah). I am looking forward to his next story, and hope he writes and publishes another book very soon.

This is a well-written page turner which combines philosophy, anthropology, history, and adventure in one volume. It reminds the reader of the best work Jean Auel, Robert Heinlein, Diana Gabaldon, and many others. But it is not only adventure. It is a thought-provoking examination of the modern human whose philosophies may not always agree with current reality, but finds that an opportunity to change that reality bears significant responsibilities and burdens. The author exhibits a talent for story-telling and captivating the reader. We will be hearing more from him in the future.

I found this book to be very engaging and fast paced. I particularly liked the historical context and the weaving of modern day events with the past. A good, thought provoking read.

Flying over a sea
she thinks of him.
How it's between her and God,
this man who empties her
mid-air.
He's everything, isn't he?
The distant?
Those gone?
The subdued island of people she doesn't know.
When she eats it's his food.
When she disappears, she loses his things,
his clothes.
She's done it now
coming here alone
without her passport
to live the life of a woman
he'd love.

Katherine McCord was a 1999 "Discovery"/The Nation Poetry Contest semifinalist. Among many journals, her work has been included in the Chester H. Jones Foundation's 1996 volume of national poetry competition winners. She has an MFA from Warren Wilson College and an MA in English with an emphasis in Creative Writing/Poetry from New Mexico State University. As an undergraduate, she won the Homer Pittard Creative Writing Scholarship. She teaches Creative Writing/Poetry at New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology and lives with her partner, the physicist Tom Ruekgauer, and their two daughters in Socorro, New Mexico.

"[Katherine McCord] is a remarkable poet whose work is certain and hesitant at once, compressed and expansive. She wants silence to speak as carefully as her words. She sees poetry in the purest sense, working toward pieces where important things aren't merely described or reported but transformed. Katherine McCord is an artist, through and through, taking aspects of ordinary life and finding fear and wonder in them."

- Marianne Boruch

"The pared inscription, as well as the delicacy and discretion, of Katherine McCord's debut collection, Island, are always deeply compelling and often breathtaking. The honorable simplicity of this work rewards us time and time again with both wisdom and delight. Quietly elegant, and as intimate as a whisper, this is a book to hold close in the silence of night."

- David St. John