I love Jennie! Although she is not a deep character, she is still fun to read about. I also love the pep talks she gives to herself. It's okay that she talks to herself! Of the five books in this pack, two have five stars and the rest have four. Book number ten should have been the last in the series. It isn't how I would have resolved some of the situations, but it was a good ending to the series. It just felt right. One of the reasons this series is so good is because Patricia keeps you guessing who the bad guy is. I never know who to trust!

The author of this series, Patricia H. Rushford, does an outstanding job of writing so that you feel what Jennie McGrady feels and gasp in surprise every single time you're supposed to. I've read other author's work, and, when I compare it to hers, nothing comes close. I remember times when my brain said, "It's time to go to bed," but my eyes kept on reading, soaking up word after word, until it was late in the night.

The Jennie McGrady series is great! I luv them! I cant wait to read the next in line! They keep u on the edge of ur seat, ur eyes darting from one side of the page to the other, and not wanting to put it down! Lemme tell ya they are worth it! :) Check em out and u'll see what i mean! =) Laterz Danielle

Josh Morris traveles to the world's most remote locales in search of stories for magazines. On the other hand, his former wife Briana prefers the confines of her small Missouri farm as the extent of her globetrotting. Their relationship, albeit rather short, produced one precocious little girl, Nealie.

Now in Moscow after a dangerous stint among the Pitcairn penguins, Josh finds messages from his agent to urgently call his ex-wife. When he reaches her by phone, not that easy to connect from Moscow to Missouri, he learns that his beloved Nealie is extremely ill with the deadly Yates anemia disease. Only the blood contained in the umbilical cord of a sibling can save the little girl's life. As Josh immediately returns home, Briana wonders whom will save her life when she becomes intimate with the only man she loves before he deserts her for his next deadly assignment?

THE BABY GIFT is a heart-wrenching contemporary romance that uses modern medical science to perform miracles on Nealie and on the relationship between the lead characters. The entire cast is a delight though if they talked with one other instead of hiding their feelings inside secrets, they would have had less trouble (and we readers no romance). Still Bethany Campbell provides a gift of a tearjerker that will enthrall the audience with its angst-laden story line.

Harriet Klausner

For two months Briana Morris has known that her precious daughter has a deadly blood disease. Her best chance for recovery requires a transplant from a healthy sibling, but Briana divorced her daughter's father Josh seven years ago. Briana's gift for business and growing things ties to her the family farm while Josh's gift for photography carries him to the most dangerous and distant parts of the globe. Despite their divorce, however, neither has gotten over the passion they once shared.

When Briana's desperate call reaches him Russia, Josh hurries back to the states. He is shocked when Briana explains their daughter's illness, and even more so when she explains her proposed solution. In order to save their daughter's life, Briana wants another child. But not the old fashioned way. She proposes they resort to artificial insemination to assure the baby's health. While moral and ethical dilemma divide Briana and Josh, their shared love their child unites them in finding solutions, however unorthodox.

The contrast between a cat afraid of mice and the resilient spirit of a terminally ill child lends THE BABY GIFT a delightful balance. Rather than resigning herself to fear and loss, mother Briana boldly pursues answers that will give her child life, regardless of the risk to her own heart. Burdened by overwhelming responsibilities to her family, she never yields her determination to do what is best for her child. Conversely, Josh confronts the ethical and moral dilemmas of saving his child with fortitude. Their compromises will touch the heart, whatever one's personal beliefs might be. While the conclusion brings healing and independence, this reader felt a bit rushed by the profound changes. Nevertheless, THE BABY GIFT is a moving tale readers will not soon forget, coming very highly recommended.

This is the first Tom Bethany Mystery that I read and I enjoyed it very much. The characters and plots were really interesting. I would love to read more of Tom Bethany.

Why do I like Doolittle's work so much? Perhaps it's the way he grabs you right from the beginning. We are jolted into the story with this opening: "Like any other university, Harvard sucks. What makes it a great university is that it sucks harder than most." Tom is drawn into the eco "save the tree" issue when an important peaceful leader is being threatened. Perhaps I enjoy his books due to wishing this modern day Robin Hood existed. Perhaps it's because all books in his series can stand alone. Perhaps it's the way many important issues are brought out to the foreground to be thought about and explored. Or most importantly, perhaps it's the way in which Doolittle weaves words with wit, wisdom, adventure with a touch of reality thrown in to boot.

The book is well written and easy to read. Narratives introduce the reader to each chapter, as well as interesting people. Those who have (or will have) a relative or friend in a nursing home must read for the unique perspective from the resident's angle.

IN THE CARE OF STRANGERS reminds me as a parent to have fun with our children TODAY and make appropriate plans. As a daughter I am reminded that the homemade hugs and cookies will not always be there and to enjoy them. As a nurse I recall through tears, those precious folk who for just a brief moment in time, were in our care and eternally in our hearts. Thank you to the authors for this rich, fresh breeze straight off of great-grandma's porch.

Brian Fabian wants more land in and around Crystal Creek, Texas allegedly for development purposes. He is angry with his traitorous former lawyer Nick Belyle who joined the opposition preservation side. Brian sends Nick's ruthless brother Mel to Crystal Creek to complete the mission.

New York based Exclusive Magazine sends staff writer Kitt Mitchell to Texas Hill County to cover the story because she was originally from Crystal Creek (though she keeps that item as the smallest print font on her bio). Mel refuses to speak to her about his role as he is under a clause of silence. So she works around him with interviews among the divided townsfolk and sets out to use her wiles to get Mel to open up to her. As they fall in love, Kitt and Mel must decide between their respective careers and their significant other with danger making it imperative to choose correctly.

Change is inevitable, but that often leads to many people struggling to adapt especially when it feels wrong. To some townsfolk plus this reviewer the adage, if it is not broke don't fix it seems apropos;, but other locals and my spouse would insist on an evaluation to see if things can be improved. Bethany Campbell cleverly handles that theme in the latest visit to Crystal Creek. The townsfolk as usual remains consistent to previous tales and the lead couple are a charming duet. An intrigue subplot takes the reader somewhat away from the prime debate, but the audience still receives a powerful modern day story focused on both sides of the change argument.

Harriet Klausner

The redhead entrances Mel Belyle from first glimpse with her elfin face and fast pace. Her spitfire ways spark his interest, even after he learns that Kitt Mitchell used their fortuitous, accidentally meeting to pump him for information. Their immediate attraction, however, will be thwarted when they arrive in Crystal Creek and find themselves at cross-purposes.

Unfortunately, Mel is on a mission to buy land in Crystal Creek for development, and on a personal vendetta against his brother for defecting to the other side. As a reporter, Kitt is returning to Crystal Creek after a long absence to get the story for a New York magazine. Both are equally determined to learn more about the other, but each conceals painful secrets that it would take an act of God to reveal. They both best be careful, however, because a flood is coming.

As Crystal Creek continues to confront necessary change, A LITTLE TOWN IN TEXAS picks up with Mel's story. Fans will recall his brother's abdication to the citizen's of Crystal Creek's side in "I'll Take Texas", part of last summer's RETURN TO CRYSTAL CREEK anthology. Mel's entrance brings clashes of loyalty to both family and ethics, resulting in an emotional read as the town becomes divided against itself. Author Bethany Campbell's understanding of the necessities of progress and the weakness of human nature lends the novel a marvelous complexity, especially as the sassy Kitt takes on the overly confident Mel, who hides surprising and endearing vulnerabilities. A satisfying afternoon's read, A LITTLE TOWN IN TEXAS comes very highly recommended.

What a lovely, enchanting book! I plan to buy it for Christmas presents for my neices and nephews. Absolutely stunning illustrations...I will be looking for more books illustrated by Maryjane Begin! A must have for toddlers!

My son and I saw this book when it was first released in Hardback edition, but we were unable to afford it...Finally it's in Paperback! This book is such a wonder to read, my son age 6, in fact demands that "he" read it to me..We spend alot of time discussing the playful word use. Its fastly becoming a favorite bedtime book in our house.

As a Workers' Compensation practitioner, this is the book that I recommend to all the aquaintances that ask for free advice. I also tend to recommend it to large companies that operate in CA and other states, because it gives the law and requirements in terms that a high school graduate can understand.

There is more emphasis in this book on answers and "by the number" processes than legal precedent or analysis, which I find easier to follow for the lay person. Chris Ball also has a number of forms included with simple completion directions.

If someone is looking for an overview with more legal justification or reference to statutes, the California Workers' Compensation Handbook is an excellent choice. This book by Stanford Herlick is updated every year, and has shorter sections with less hand-holding.

I think that the Herlick paperback is the reference source of choice for the attorney or paralegal to carry in the car or briefcase for quick review of issues and solutions.

This book has so much vitually important information for the employee going through a worker's comp situation. It covers all from the begining to the end. THIS BOOK WILL GIVE YOU THE KNOWLEDGE NEEDED TO FIGHT FOR YOUR LAWFUL RIGHTS -- DO NOT GIVE IN OR GIVE UP -- WITH THIS BOOK YOU WILL UNDERSTAND AND REALIZE THAT THE FIGHTERS ARE THE ONES THAT RECEIVE WHAT IS RIGHTFULLY/LAWFULLY INTITLED TO THEN.

KEEP FIGHTING AND BELIEVING THAT 'JUSTIFICATION FOR EMPLOYEER'S WRONG DOING CAN BE ACHIEVED.

READ THIS BOOK AND YOU WILL UNDERSTAND!!!

Eden had a hard childhood and moved away after she grew up and 15 years later she was called back because her grandmother needed her. She came home and found that her grandmother only wanted her to run the psychic line for her while she was in the hospital. She was also commanded to watch after her sister's child who was dropped off because her sister was in a lot of trouble. I haven't ever read any murder mysteries before, but I thought I'd be different. This book was different than what I've read before because it was more violent than what I usually read. I really don't like the book because I knew what was going to happen before it happened. It also was a cold book. "Now I've murdered." This phrase made me thind that the people in this book were not really sane and they were sick individuals. I didn't really identify with the characters except when they talked about the loved ones that had died in their life and the pain that they went through. I thought it was a suspenseful book,but I didn't like the book because I'm not into scary books. I wouldn't recommend this book to people who are sick of hearing about murders and death. It can be kind of depressing.

Part of the pleasure of this book is watching the author weave together what seem, at first, to be totally unrelated story lines: a terrorist bombing, a mysterious little girl who's been abandoned, and an actress forced to substitute for an ailing phone psychic. The heroine, Eden, is a successful voice-over artist who's made her own way in the world and thinks she's left her difficult childhood and complicated family behind. She values her independence and believes the past has little power over her. Not only is she drawn back into old relationships, she finds herself facing troubling new ones, with a vulnerable little girl and a hero as determined as Eden to stay uninvolved. Emotion builds, and so does danger, because the child knows too much, and soon, so does Eden. This is a good suspense tale with definitely dark overtones, but it is also a very different kind of love story, as well as one of a family finding itself. Darkness and light entertwine for an intriguing read.

Thirty-three years old Eden Storey has a talented voice that allows her to imitate almost any type of person. As such, her vocal chords are well known by media audiences everywhere even though her face and body have been obscured. However, her talent is needed elsewhere as Grandma Jessie becomes incapacitated and can not operate the family business of a phone psychic.

Eden pretends to be her grandmother so her clients will continue to phone her for readings. One timorous customer frighteningly calls and paints an Armageddon like picture to Eden. However, Eden is unaware that anyone who knows about the scenario described by the distraugt caller is placed in an immediate life-threatening situation. Though wondering if the caller is a paranoid conspiracy nut, Eden has unwittingly and unknowingly come into knowledge of something sinister that, makes her a target requiring elimination.

HEAR NO EVIL is a fabulously tense chiller that will elate fans of suspense thrillers. The story line is action packed and the characters will appeal to the readers. Best selling author Bethany Campbell's latest book will please her fans, who will impatiently await more chills from one of the nineties new masters. Anyone who enjoys a suspense-filled thriller should try this novel and Ms. Campbell's previous works like SEE HOW THEY RUN and DON'T TALK TO STRANGERS because they are well-written tales.

Harriet Klausner

Not as cute or informative as I had hoped. I was looking for an age appropriate Thanksgiving story for my 3-year old, but this is defintely more for toddlers than preschoolers. Not quite exciting enough to hold his interest.

This is a pleasant but fairly mediocre Thanksgiving book for young kids. Its premise is that mice are putting on a play about the first thanksgiving. We watch the show and then cheer at the end. The artwork has a few clever moments in it depicting stage hand mice pushing Plymouth rock props into the scene, etc. The text, however, doesn't flow very well. It is told in terse couplets, as if in verse, yet often the verses fail to rhyme - or if they do, we wait a few pages for the rhyme to come. Thus, any readaloud singsong quality which the text is apparently meant to have (and which is the only thing that might compensate for its abruptness) is foiled. The idea of the play is engaging enough to make this an interesting addition to the sometimes thin genre of Thanksgiving picture books.

Adorable mice enthusiastically bumble through a Thanksgiving play for their friends. But they successfully convey the history and joy of the day, and then have a fun feast with their friends to celebrate. This book is a lively way to give children the basic history of Thanksgiving and is a fun read as well. Highly recommended!

We just got back from 5 days in New Orleans, and this was the only guide we took with us. It was a mistake. It's a difficult book to navigate, has limited maps, limited selection of accomodation & restaurants. If you go outside of Madi Gras & with children (two teenagers in our case) half the book is irrelevent. The restaurant '100 best' list doesn't match Zagats (always reliable). It warns against solo visits to the cemeteries (they're not safe, go on a tour), but doesn't explain why! Pity there isn't a Michelin Green Guide.

I have been to New Orleans millions of times and this is the best all around book. The author has really, really researched and pulled up ALL kinds of interesting tidbits.
I think that Compass guides in general are the extra travel books one buys. I wanted more than Fodor's has because I already know all the best places to go. I think that she had good choices and you could use it as your only travel guide.
I think some readers were disappointed because maybe they were taken back by the exorbitant prices hotels charge. Hotel-wise , you don't get much for your money unless you go in summer or during Christmas.

If you are going to New Orleans to enjoy the truly (as opposed to superficially) diverse culture of the United States' most distinctive city, then read this book before your trip.

Bultman's history of the city (perhaps the book's strongest feature) is fascinating and the neighborhood descriptions will help you decide what to see. More importantly, the information on N.O.'s unique slang, customs and food is essential. The dozens of great photographs will whet your anticipation before you go and remind you of the Crescent City's pleasures when you're back home.

I've used this book on three trips to N.O., and I still enjoy reading it. The restaurant and hotel recommendations aren't perfect (hey, tastes vary and things change) but they give you a place to start before you discover your own favorite spots.
Buy this book, make your reservations and let the good times roll!