Everyone knows Robert Louis Stevenson; everyone has at least one of the myriad books of his poetry. There are some stunningly illustrated collections of his poetry out now, notably two by Thomas Kincaide, among others. But how many of us have actually read all or most of his work? I'm guilty as charged.

This smaller, quieter version of Stevenson's poetry helped me finally, actually read all the Garden poetry. True, the illustrations are spare, but delightfully accurate. My children (7 and 10) were not as mesmerized by this book as they are by others with fanciful graphics, illustrations and larger type to accompany the poetry.

Still, this small book found its way into my purse to be used for waiting moments, e.g. at the orthodontist, doctor, and also to my bedside, where it's shear diminutive size did not dissuade me from reading "for only a minute or two." And within Stevenson's words and language lie the ferment of creative pictures. I liked to have my children close their eyes while I read short poems to 'force' them to use only their mind's eye.

I thoroughly enjoyed the adventures, moods, and images Stevenson conjures and at long last can understand why his poetry remains so classic.

Most everyone knows that Robert Louis Stevenson was sickly, both as a child and as an adult, and the happy result for the reading public was his nearly feverish flights of imagination. Here, in an edition of his classic "A Child's Garden of Verses," that fever is complemented in spades by the fantastical illustrations of English artist Joanna Isles.

Isles uses an arsenal of utterly frivolous flowers, borders, insects, birds, kings and queens, fairies, and more to expand upon the imagination exhibited in Stevenson's poems. The children in these pictures are depicted as being in charge, being at one with their environment, and being delighted to be alive.

Some of the illustrations hint at the influence of artists more famed than Isles (Henri Rousseau appears to be a special favorite of hers--see the illustration for "The Unseen Playmate," in which a boy lies down in weeds that might have sprung from the edge of Rousseau's painting "The Dream"). Using both primary colors and pastels, Isles creates a world within the world of Stevenson's verse. The marriage of the two is a happy one.

When I was younger, well 5 actually, I had the chicken pox. This was one of my mom's favorite books. The words in the poetry just soothed me. It seemed like the author, Robert Louis Stevenson, knew exactly what I was going through.

You can't forget about the little toy soldiers (a poem) at your feet because when you are sick for days, you can imagine all kinds of things in your mind. The curtains billow like sails, the bedpost is your anchor. I sat there in bed and just floated away with the fun of having someone to share my illness. It seemed like a had a friend right there with me.

I loved the pictures too. The little kids are old fashioned and it made me laugh because the boys wore silly clothes, but they fit the time period, my mom said.

I love this book and keep it by my bed when I need to be relaxed.

Hayley Cohen

I just read FAT CHANCE-what a gem in a sea of same-old, same-old. Any woman who's ever had to diet and diet over and over again can identify. This book had me laughing from the first line. Lindsey Michaels, the heroine was a breath of fresh air, saying what she felt without thinking the consequences. Hal Randall, her hero, was a great foil beside the strong-willed, pizza-munching Lindsey. This book reminded me of some of the old Lucy Shows. Bravo to Terry Campbell.

Fat Chance is that rarity in romance novels--1930's-style screwball comedy where the absurd and incongruous make you laugh, but also make you think. Lindsey, the heroine, is convinced she is too fat to be lovable, which causes her to become involved in the weight loss program Hal, the hero, is heading.

But it becomes clear that fat is not the real issue in Lindsey's life. Self-worth is. Whether she (or the reader) has 20 pounds to lose or 200 (or even none), in the course of the book she develops the self-worth to accept the right man for her.

The writing team of Terry Campbell has written a delightfully funny book reminiscent of a 1930's screwball comedy or English farce. Funny things keep happening to Lindsey and Hal as they become tangled in their attraction and the oddball steps they take to avoid that attraction. A very quick and enjoyable read; even if you don't have a handheld electronic book reader, this one is worth spending a couple of laugh-inducing hours reading on your computer monitor.

If you're looking for a fun read, it's Fat Chance. This book is written with a wonderful sense of humor and I really enjoyed the heroine's ability to see herself honestly and keep life and losing weight in the proper perspective. If you've never read Terry Campbell, I recommend you start here.

Cindy's Glory is the last book in the Thoroughbred series that Joanna Campbell wrote herself. As of spring 2003, the series has grown to 57 titles, 4 super editions, three reissues, and a spin-off Ashleigh series, which makes the original 14 books and 2 super editions even more precious. Most loyal readers agree that Joanna Campbell, as the original author and creater, was the best. She created real situations with flawed but likable characters. Even Cindy's Glory, however, slips a little on the scale.

Cindy's Glory is the story of Cindy Blake, an orphan who is staying temporarily at Whitebrook Farm with Ian and Beth MacLean, and their daughter Samantha. In the previous book, Cindy's Runaway Colt, Cindy found a stray colt named Glory and hid him while she tried to convince the MacLeans to save him from his abusive owners - who, it turned out, had stolen him. Now he is up for auction, so Cindy and her friend Heather Gilbert determine to train him as a racehorse to prove he's good enough for Whitebrook to buy.

Campbell is notorious for having her heroines - Ashleigh, the original character who started the series, and then Samantha - go off slightly half-cocked when it comes to horses. You really have to ignore the fact that two twelve-year-old girls are galloping a racehorse; if you do you'll be able to handle the whole book. Don't get hung up on the fact that it's totally unreasonable; this is one example of the way Campbell was definitely on the way out when she wrote this book.

Otherwise Campbell does a good job. Cindy's fear at being taken away from her foster home at Whitebrook is very real, as is her gratitude at being part of a loving family. And her relationship with Glory is much like Ashleigh's with her beloved mare Wonder, but not a carbon copy. Longtime readers will manage to find parallels and enjoy the bond between them, but it won't feel like Campbell ran out of things to say and just cut-and-pasted Ashleigh and Wonder stories.

Joanna Campbell wrote Thoroughbred books #1-14, the super editiongs Ashleigh's Christmas Miracle and Ashleigh's Diary, and the first three books of the Ashleigh series: Lightning's Last Hope, A Horse for Christmas, and Waiting for Stardust. She also wrote Battlecry Forever! and Star of Shadowbrook Farm, which were released as part of the "Ashleigh's Book Collection" series. If you plan to read Thoroughbred I recommend you start with #1 and go up, because the original 14 books really were the best.

This is a very good book! Cindy Has a special bond with Glory ,just like eney horse and owner should have. If I were Cindy I would have ridden glory one the track to! The auction was very discriptive and real. I give this book a BIG 5 !!! I love the TB series. Keep up the good work Campbel !!!!!

I read this book and at the end I was nervouse that Cindy wouldn't get to keep her beloved horse Glory. This book is about Cindy's struggle to get Glory as strong as he can get. At the end you will find you are so nervous your fingernails will be gone in a minute. By Red Termeer

This book was so good! It was about the Kentucky Derby, what do ya know! :) One reason why I really liked this book it because it doesn't have a lot of dating in it. Finally! One reason I disliked it was because Brad was NICE! Can you beleive it! I mean, it good that he's being nice, but he isn't supposed to be! He's supposed to be arrogant! Anyway, besides that this book was really good! Here is what it's about:
When Image comes in second in the Florida Derby Melanie and Jazz are overjoyed. With high hopes, they decide to enter her to race in the Kentucky Derby. Image proved in the Florida Derby she has what it takes to win against colts. But her competition at the derby will be really tough. Image will be running against Christina's Wonder's Star, Cindy's Gratis, and Brad's Celtic Mist. Winning the race is a long shot. To add to the presure the racing reporters are making a huge deal because a filly and a girl are racing in the Derby. Ashleigh and Mike, Melanie's Aunt and Uncle who own Whitebroook farm where Melanie lives, get frusterated and annoyed because the phone starts ringing off the hook and reporters attack the farm. Does Melanie have enough faith in Image, and herself, to make her derby dreams come true? Read the book to find out what happens in the Kentucky Derby! (the book doesn't end at the KD though, it has a really cool ending)

i am so glad that image won the derby, but i wish that she hadn`t broken down afterwards.also i am glad that brad was so nice to melanie.
its good that jazz seems to like mel, but its stupid that she doesn`t seem to notice.i wanted image to win the triple crown and star to be found out as a dud who can`t race. also what will happen to mel now thet image is gone? i hope that christina is nicer to mel now cause she(christina) is a brat.its a good book and i`d reccommend it if you like mel.i think that the author should make jazz tell mel that he likes her, cause she is just clueless.even so i luv thoroughbred.

I just finished Faith in a long shot and I must say that this was one of the best books in the series. Things are deffinetly looking up. In the book, Image wins the Ashland Stakes, so Jazz and melanie announce to the woorld that Image will deffinetly be running in the Derby. Christina, Mike and Ashleigh all give Melanie the cold shoulder because they want Star to win the Derby, not Image. Melanie can't take the pressue of the Derby so she stays at Townsend Acres which I couldn't believe, Brad was the nice guy! Also, Jazz gets his own colors for Image! (Also, things are looking up for both Melanie and Jazz and Parker and Christina get back together!)

[...]

This book is chock full of terrific ideas for those who want to do some creative dating. The suggestions from the book that I have tried are fun and imaginative. Anyone planning a date or groups wanting to plan a party will have fun using the great, yet inexpensive ideas in this book.

This book gives great ideas on dating. Given, some are corney but most are really good. You will definitly have fun with this book. And remember to have an open mind because once you tri it you will have fun!!!

I feel this book gives kids in the dating years a list of great things to do to have fun besides sitting in a dark car or theater contemplating what is beneath the clothing. Kids learn to interact with each other in a positive, fun and unintimidating setting where they can be theirselves and get to know that way others relate in a social setting. Teens do not need to deep think a relationship at an early age, they just need to have fun. The games and ideas are for this purpose and have been around for ages making them a valuable item in the teen arsenol. I would recommend this book to any parent that is worried about their kids spending too much time 'talking' with their girl or boyfriend and not enough time having good, clean, honest FUN! Isn't that what dating is all about, it is $9.95 well spent in my opinion.

This book wasn't too bad, but I'm glad Ashleigh stuck to racing in the end. I don't get how she could have gotten that good at jumping if she was pushed into it by her friend Mona, though. And also, didn't her parents claim a new mare? Whatever happened to Bold's Dark Star? Overall, it wasn't a bad book.

This was so exciting and awesome. I felt like I was jumping with Ashleigh. There is a lot of info about showjumpers and eventing! It is very fast-paced and realistic. It is great for anyone who does or admires showjumping, like me! A warning, though--if you pick it up and start reading, your eyes will be glued to the page! The only thing I didn't like was the way Ashleigh's parents acted when Ashleigh said she wanted to jump, but overall it is such an exciting book.
COVER ANALYISIS: A pretty good rendition of Asleigh but not a very good version of Starlight. Starlight looks like a liver chestnut on this cover. Oh, well--I can't complain. I guess some people don't care about detailing drawings of horses as much as I do :)

"A Dangerous Ride" is one of the best books I've read. It expresses both courage and stregth, while at the same time, shows kindness and emotion. Ashleigh is very brave and she is the kind of rider I would like to be. I highly recomend this book for all young readers.

The reader for this book is impossible for me to listen to without gritting my teeth. Maybe this series is better in written form.

I'm not that I understand why so many other reviewers gave this book 5 starts. The book was good but not great. This is my first Liam Campbell mystery and, sorry, I didn't find Liam Campbell to be an exceptionally compelling or inventive character.

Ok, that said, this is a very good read. I really enjoyed the picture the author paints of the Alaskan bush. What a setting for a murder mystery? Beyond Liam Campbell, we meet a number of characters who are riddled with their own problems and connected by a series of creepy deaths. This book reinforced the notion that one wouldn't want to get lost in the rugged Alaskan outback amongst the frigid temperature, the lack of daylight, and the beers.

I look forward to reading more from Dana Stabenow.

This is the third story in the Liam Campbell series by Stabenow.

If you like the Kate Shugak stories you will also like this series. I admit that I jumped in at the third story here but I am now going back to get the rest.

Liam is forced to solve a serial murder case though at first no one is sure that it is a serial case. It seems with different weapons and the distances apart that they are not connected. But, as the story progresses you see how they are connected and how eventually things come together. As usual Stabenow also makes the characters very real as well as the difference in the remote parts of Alaska and family values. She describes the setting as well as the lifestyles fantastically.

Another winner by Stabenow.

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

"If it looks like a motive, if it acts like means, if it quacks like opportunity..." That ducky paraphrase is one of the good things about this mystery, Dana Stabenow's first in the "Liam Campbell" series. This time, it's as if Alice's Queen of Hearts ("Off with their heads!") is loosed upon an airport in Southwest Alaska. Beware the prop blades!

The Stabenow oeuvre (Campbell and Kate Shugak, who will subsequently team up in "Midnight Come Again" ) offers moving verbal snapshots of Alaska along with ice-cracklin' good "Whodunnits." At times, this one tilted too much toward Harlequin bodice-buster for my tastes. And "Doing the box thing" (Campbell's diagramming of people and interrelationships involved in a case) would be much more effective if, like Ed McBain's 87th Precinct books, the author and publisher actually visually (not just a verbal description) SHOW the reader the document to which they refer.

I have not read all the series, nor read them in order, but I'm going to give it a go. The inhabitants are an interesting, entertaining, quirky bunch with whom I look forward to getting better acquainted.

The book hit the ground running with action. It gave an excellent insight to the Alaskan geography, inhabitants and infrastructure. I found the main character, Trooper Liam Campbell to remind me of Dudley Dooright on more than one occasion. I look forward to reading the sequel, So Sure Of Death. I would like to get to know the main characters better.

Also, I found the writer's style a little difficult to get used to and found myself rereading sentences to glean the meaning. All in all a good book.

Like many other reviewers and fans of Kate Shugak, I was a bit reluctant to read the Liam Campbell series. It couldn't be as good. Well, I was wrong. It may even be better.

I suspect that Stabenow was simply getting bored with Kate and wanted to write something a little different. Well, in Liam she's created a great format to tell us about that unusual species, the Alaskan Male. (Hey, they even have - or had - magazine about the phenomenon.) A healthy chunk of this book is about the war between the sexes, Alaskan style. Sure, the mystery takes a back seat but the humorous observations more than made up for it.

As for the mystery, Liam is literally landing at the airport when the first suspicious death occurs. By the time the mystery is resolved, the reader has met a cast of eccentric characters that somehow ring entirely true, learned A LOT about herring roe fishing, and gotten under the skin of a macho man dealing with his world seemingly falling apart. There's plenty of crime in Newenham, much of it falling into the boozed up small town variety (shooting the jukebox and the post office) but something deeper and uglier is going on. There's an amazing amount of money at stake in the herring season. Could that be the cause? Or is it just small town romance gone wrong?

Bottom-line: A genuinely enjoyable read even if Stabenow digresses from the mystery plot at times. Liam Campbell is a nice mix of too good to be true and 1990's angst inside. I'll be reading the next book in the series soon.