Brenda Jackson is one of my all time favorite authors. Each of her books makes it seems as if you are right there with the characters.

In this book Dex meets Caitlan during and interview at his uncle's ranch. There is an immediate attraction. The only thing is her age. But soon age is nothing but a number and they get married fast.

Caitlan is torned between the love of her life and the love of her father. She chooses her father but never stops loving Dex.

On her father's death bed he reveals a secret to bring Dex and Caitlan back together again. Now they try again to rekindle the love that they once had. But Dex is scared to give his heart back to Caitlan for fear that she will throw it away again.

But love conquers all and the passion between them is too strong for Dex not to take notice. He falls hard once again.

This is such a great book you will not be dissapointed with any of Mrs. Jackson's books. Also she gives you a sneak peak of another one her great books with Trevor and Corinthian(Fire and Desire).

"Whispered Promises" continues the Madaris family saga. In this story, Dex Madaris, the second of those tall, dark, handsome Madaris men, is reunited with his estranged wife, Caitlan. Through misunderstandings, they have been separated for four years. Caitlan's father's illness separated them four years prior and now another illness of Caitlan's father reunites the couple. This time, while dying, Caitlan's father sends for Dex because he wants to correct the wrong committed earlier. After arriving, Dex agrees to watch out for Caitlan.

Unknowingly, feelings which were never buried or completely brought to fruition, surfaces for both, Dex and Caitlan. Not only do their love for each flourishes, but Dex discovers he has a daughter, Jordan. Can Dex and Caitlan's love survive and be rekindled from Caitlan's whispered promises of the past?

This story is another of Brenda Jackson's best. Each book surpasses to another level. Love your stories, Ms. Jackson!

Ms Jackson has done it again. Whispered Promises was great. Dex and Caitlyn story is so amazing to me. They both loved the other so much that no one new has been in there life. Dex through himself into work will Caitlyn was into her father and daughter. I really enjoyed the fact that Caitlyn's father played a part in breaking them up but in the end he played a part in getting them back together. Dex is a man's man. Once he was told of his child he was ready to step in with no questions asked. The love the two share is special. I really did love it.

Jackson Rule is a wonderful book! If you like tough guys with soft hearts (and who doesn't) you will love Jackson Rule. The story of how he makes the ultimate sacrifice, and ultimately finds love, is extremely romantic. Once I started reading this book, I couldn't put it down! A real page-turner. This was my first time reading a story by Dinah McCall, and I eagerly look forward to reading more of her books in the future. Great job, Ms. McCall!

With the possible exception of her newest book, JACKSON RULE is the best thing Dinah McCall has written. The relationship between Jackson and Rebecca is one of the most romantic in history. As the story unfolds, we meet Jackson, Rebecca, her father, her employee and father's friend, Pete, and Jackson's sister. The sister has spent the last 15 years in a mental institution while Jackson has been imprisoned. When released, he finds a job working at Rebecca's nursery. Jackson eventually finds his life's calling while going to a homeless shelter and donating his time helping others. As the sister's mental condition improves, the truth is revealed about Jackson's imprisonment. This is a strong, moving story that will delight any reader who wants to "meet" a true romantic hero. Jackson is wonderful and so is Rebecca because she is the one who accepts Jackson for who he is. Her trust, friendship, and love is what heals the wounds within Jackson. This book is a keeper!!

Jackson Rule is one of the best books I have ever read! My copy is dog-eared from numerous readings and I'd sooner give up my mother then that book. Its a truly sweet romance with Jackson Rule a hero to fall in love with. After fifteen years in prison Jackson is set free to face a hostile world. Hostile with the exception of Rebecca Hill, who is the daughter of a preacher. She gives Jackson Rule a job despite the sesor of her family and friend. I would reccomend it to anyone.

I am not a big romance reader, but this Holiday novella was the bomb. I read it three time this weekend. I just couldn't put it down. Brenda Jackson is a writer in a class all by herself. I just want to talk to her personally. I really really enjoyed all the stories, Ms Jackson just took my breath away. Ladies keep up the good work each story had a special highlight that truly deal with family, emotion, faith and issues of today.

What can you say about Brenda Jackson. She is one of my favorite writers. The story about Trask and Felicia had be laughing, crying and applauding. This would have even been better if it was longer.

I purchase the book for Brenda's story, but I did like the other stories as well. They both touched on some sensitive issues.

Good job ladies.

Brenda Jackson does it again with the continuous Madaris Family Saga. This is a well written story about cousin Felicia Madaris and her long time friendship with Trask Maxwell. You know how you have those kinds of friendships the boy-girl kind that you have had since childhood, picked on each other, just actually get on each others nerves but in reality as you get older you start having strange feelings for one another. Well this story by Brenda Jackson does just that with Felicia and Trask. It has humor, its heartwarming, it has that old Madaris family touch and it has another great ending. Brenda does it again and makes us all feel like we are apart of this family and somewhere you see somebody who you recognize either as a family member or a friend. So to all the old Brenda Jackson "Madaris Family" saga fans you should be able to read this in one day and enjoy it just like the others. To new fans, in order to really appreciate the Madaris Family and Friends you must start at the beginning, you won't regret being apart of this continuous saga. To my Florida Friend..Ms Jackson..Much continued success as you go into the next century!

This book is aimed for an intermediate to advanced level watercolorist. The majority of the book focuses on the author's fascination with portraying light as it hits colorful subjects. The subjects range from beautiful colored glass such as wine and perfume decanters to brass musical instruments to breathtaking architectural and landscape paintings.

Other than the first chapter that gives a very quick overview of a few techniques such as blotting, drybrushing, scraping, pouring, etc. it is not an overly comprehensive book on every aspect of watercolor painting. For example, only 1-2 page cursory discussions are given to subjects such as composition, creating textures, values, leading eye movement arrangements of a painting, etc. When they are discussed the subjects are always tied back to the book's main theme - light. So eye movement is discussed, for example, in how light helps achieve this goal to make a strong painting.

Another subject which the author doesn't address is color mixing and color theory. Some of the paintings use of alizarin crimson which some new painters may not know is a fugitive color. Fortunately there are 2 relatively new very permanent pigments on the market that are dead-on ringers for traditional alizarin crimson when you mix them together. W&N Permanent Carmine, which is a quinacridone/diketo-pyrole pigment + any brand with only PR122 as the listed pigment. In fact, W&N offers these two pigments as a convenience color mix named Permanent Alizarin Crimson. I have painted washes of my true alizarin crimson right next to the quinacridone/PR122 mix and could not tell the difference. Neither could my boyfriend when I asked him to try to pick which was the real alizarin crimson and which was the mix.

One of the most intriguing chapters was on painting light at night. The cover painting is only one of the types of night scenes this chapter covers. There are others such as streetlight fog at night and architectural spotlighting. I am especially envious of the author's beautiful architectural themed paintings. I'm still trying to get down perspective myself so anyone who demonstrates such mastery is someone I pay attention to.

Overall this book is a very good look at seeing how one element of painting - light - can be pushed to amazing effect. It is fascinating to see how just one of the criteria (in this case, light) needed for a successful realistic painting can contribute to creating your own signature style. And although I said this book is of most use to intermediate to advanced watercolorists it can not fail to help beginners since the paintings are so inspiring and beginners will eventually move up to intermediate level anyway.

I ordered the book after visiting Paul's website which has many of his beautiful paintings online and I was really delighted to receive my copy yesterday. The book is done on a very professional level, filled with gorgeous step-by-step projects, and it serves as the door to the Paul's spectacular watercolor world. I've recently realized (I'm a beginner watercolorist) that a painter needs to train ones vision the same way as a musician needs to train fingers, and Paul gives many valuable hints on such perception development, seeing beyond the still life objects and taking them to life by help of light effects. The many projects in the book are very interesting and tempting, earlier I used to sigh when seeing some amazing paintings depicting colored glass, crystal and metal objects, but now I'm sure I'll be trying to paint them myself by using Paul's instructions! Also the architectural paintings demand special attention, painted Paul's way, the churches, monuments and city buildings create a special mood and they become messengers to the viewer. I really recommend this inspirational and at the same time very practical book to watercolorists of any level.

I have read a great many watercolor books, but Paul Jackson's book "Painting Spectacular Light Effects in Watercolor" merits special attention. This is not just a book about watercolor techniques, but teaches the reader how to REALLY look at a subject so he can accurately depict it. Once you can really see something, you can then paint it with your own style. Paul Jackson's style is spectacular. He uses both his own paintings and colored photographs as examples, and give us several step by step guides to his painting style. I am delighted to include this book in my library of watercolor books, and I recommend it to watercolorists of any level.

Business and career models, like everything else, are constantly changing. Those that don't recognize this, and join in the change, get left behind - harsh, but true. Future Choice is a brilliant description of why network marketing is among the very best career and business models as we enter the 21st century. If you are wondering why your spare time and money is getting smaller and smaller - if you are feeling the pinch - then in could be that the model you are in just isn't working as good as it used to. I came from a very traditional business and professional background, having run several successful businesses and practiced law for 23 years. Without any facts to back me up, I had a negative feeling about network marketing. Future Choice gave me the facts, and armed with those it became very clear to me that an alternative model was coming on strong - and that I needed to be part of it.

Are you interested in presenting your Network Marketingbusiness as a legitimate, smart career choice in a style that willinterest all your prospects? Then Future Choice is the book you need to explain Network Marketing.

Intelligent, informative, persuasive yet reserved, Future Choice can help you sponsor even your most skeptical prospect. Why? Because Future Choice delivers a perfectly balanced and understandable presentation of the Network Marketing opportunity...you get the hard facts side by side with inspiring anecdotes, and a sense of Network Marketing's relationship to the rest of the business world, including how your prospect will benefit.

Helping your prospects make the very best choice for their future is the surest way to grow your own organization. And with Future Choice prospecting for you, that decision will be much easier. Show your prospects why Network Marketing is their best career move! Order 10 copies of Future Choice today...get them into the hands of your 10 best prospects and start securing your future! -Upline® Journal, 1998

A superb book, covers all the basics about what Network Marketing is all about. Really makes you think about what could be if you just commit to the process, and that's exciting! Clarifies any myths about this style of business. For networkers already in the business, Future Choice acts as a great barometre that let's you know from the true leaders and visionaries in the field that you're on right track, when you hear their stories. It sure helped address a few questions for me and confirmed that I too had made the right choice - both in the book and in choosing Network Marketing to build my future!

Vergara, in a remarkable combination of matchless photography and philosophical but highly informed commentary, chronicles the shameful destruction of some of our most beautiful American cities. His keen insight into the explosion of tastelessness and banality, combined with his careful time lapse documentation of urban decay, provides a sobering record of urban America. Without proselytizing or advocating any particular solutions, this book will help the reader understand the unprecedented task faced by those who would rebuild and re-energize our lost cities. This is the one book I would take to the proverbial desert island--hours of contemplation guaranteed.

Slums and ghettos are places that most Americans would care to ignore, but Vergara documents these marginalized "communities" with a personal sincerity and social awareness not often found in this field of study. Those who are involved in bringing back to life the urban cores of American cities would be well-advised to study this book and ponder deeply the author's conclusions. I bought this book today, on a whim, and read it in one sitting. I could not put it down. I'd like to see more works by Mr. Vergara.

Anyone interested in the health of our older industrial cities must read this book. The photographs are truly riveting, and the text really sounds like an account of an extinct civilization. The repeat photographs of the same cityscapes over several years' time are particularly captivating, and usually saddening. Mr. Vergara's focus on Detroit is also fascinating, although I can't say that I agree with his proposed solution for downtown Detroit's woes. I'm looking forward to buying Mr. Vergara's "American Ruins," a more recent work.

Yes, this is a self-help book, but it's more than that. It's an adventure into living a richer, more meaningful and fulfilling life. This is a book to buy, tuck into your attache or purse, and read in spare moments to bring color, joy and appreciation back into your daily routine. I cannot possibly praise this book too highly, it is that good.

I have been a self-help book junkie for 20 years and this book is now on my personal "TOP 10 MUST KEEP" list. Debrena has somehow taken the mystery out of basic mental and spiritual health principles. Her writing style is not "preachy" and is respectful of differing spiritual/religious belief systems. I prefer books that have real meat and are not personal journals of the author's life experiences. Debrena provides just enough personal experience to back up a concept. I really liked the way the book is organized by subject, rather than chronologically. It is so important for African American women to read self-help books from other women of color, because our experiences are different and our style of expression is different than mainstream America. Get yourself a highlighter when you sit down to read this book because you will need one! I wish I had written this book myself.

This motivational book is packed with many principles that will help you on the road to experience more joy. More joy results in more fun, more life, more time, more money, more peace, and so much more...

As you read the principles, your spirit, mind and body will be stimulated and motivated to reach out and take hold of your own joy. Though many of the principles are things we know, the author takes readers beyond our knowledge. She motivates us to study, understand, absorb and LIVE the principles that are applicable to our lives, individually. That's where the joy comes in - when you begin living what you know is best for you.

"Make space so that joy has a place" became my 2001 screensaver and daily reminder to purge and cleanse myself AND my house. You will surely get joy out of reading this wonderful book. It is also a resourceful handbook that you'll want to refer to, often.

This book was very hot! It was difficult to choose which story to read first because I like everything these ladies write especially Brenda Jackson and Cindi Louis. Each story was could have been a full novella on its own. The characters and their stories were well written and I couldn't put the book down. I would like to see these ladies write another book like this one. This is one of the best anthologies this year that I have read. Great Job ladies!! -JaT

"Strictly Business" by Brenda Jackson. Houston writer Gina accepts an assignment to interview her former husband Mitchell. Gina still loves her spouse, but believes his only love is his business. Mitchell craves his second chance to prove to Gina that she is everything to him.

"Catch Me If You Can" by Cindi Louis. In Lovebug, Texas, Lonzell and Leesa plan to marry just before he goes overseas serving in the military. Leesa becomes pregnant but she is unable to contact her beloved. Several years later he returns home to find single mother Leesa raising their son and learns how his mother kept them apart.

"Promises and Vows" by Felicia Mason. After three years of marriage, Jerome and Elise head towards divorce as both pushes their respective careers before their relationship. They sleep in separate rooms until his voodoo-practicing Aunt arrives for a visit. Jerome vows to use any form of magic to save his relationship with his beloved.

"Kidnapped" by Kayla Perrin. In Fort Lauderdale Jamal plans to prove to Nia that she is marrying the wrong man. Jamal crashes the wedding, abducts the bride before vows are exchanged, and blackmails her into spending an evening with him in Key West.

These are fine contemporary tales with strong plots starring lead protagonists whom seem real though the males appear a bit nerdy when it comes to commitment. Fans of well-written modern day relationship anthologies will want to read THE BEST MAN because it is one of the sub-genres better collections.

Harriet Klausner

This book was awesome. The first novella, by Brenda Jackson was excellent. I could not put the book down to rest. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I love the continuation of characters Ms. Jackson develops. It is always good to read about previous characters. The other authors were great.
Buy the book. It is worth collecting

Being an adaptation by and with the great Martin Jarvis, I thought it would be absolutely excellent, as I have found his audio efforts to be always. But in his performance there is something lacking, Sir Robert Chiltern should be played with a bit more pathos. Jacqueline Bisset is formidable, and Alfred Molina also as Lord Goring.

As to being a live recording, this is a mixed blessing. This public seems to misunderstand some lines, and there are misplaced laughs, for example when Robert Chiltern says: "I did not sell myself for money. I bought success at a great price. That is all". I'm sure Wilde didn't intend this to be a joke. Chiltern is not bought, he is not changed, it is he who buys something, therefore his character, his person, is not altered. The public dismisses this important nuance and bursts into a hearty fit of laughter.

There are three o four more like that. But on the whole, this recording by L.A. Theater Works is highly enjoyable.

Wilde, in part, attempts to portray the relativity of truth, power, and character, things we often take as absolutes, while also entertaining his audience with witty dialogue and comical mishaps.

Oscar Wilde gives us here one of his best plays. He explores the political world in London and how a young ambitious but poor man can commit a crime, which is a mistake, to start his good fortune. But he builds his political career on ethical principles. Sooner or later someone will come into the picture to blackmail him into supporting an unacceptable scheme, by producing a document that could ruin his career if revealed. His past mistake may come back heavily onto him. But he resists and sticks to his moral reputation. He prefers doing what is right to yielding to some menace. He may lose though his political ambition and career and his wife's love. But love is saved by forgiveness and the man's career is also saved by the work of a real friend who recaptures the dubious document and destroys it. In other words love and an ethical career are saved by the burrying of the old mistake into oblivion. In other words love and friendship are stronger than the scheming action of a blackmailer. This is a terrible criticism of victorian society which is based more on appearances than principles and yet able to destroy a man's absolutely ethical present life with a mistake from his youth, throwing the baby along with the water of the bath. It is also a criticism of the victorian political world where you cannot have a career if you are not rich, money appearing as the only way to succeed, at least to succeed fast. But it is a hopeful play because love and friendship are beyond such considerations and only consider the best interest of men and women, in the long run and in the name of absolute purity. Better be a sinner and be forgiven when you have reformed than see a reformed sinner destroyed by the lack of forgiveness. Oscar Wilde advocates here a vision of humanity that necessitates forgiveness as the essential fuel of any rational approach. Real morality is not the everlasting guilt of a sinner without any possible reform. Real morality is the recognition that forgiveness is necessary when reform has taken place. Otherwise society would be unlivable and based on hypocrisy and the death or rejection of the best people in the name of (reformed) mistakes. One must not be that sectarian, because man can learn from his mistakes and improve along the road : one can learn how to avoid mistakes and repair those oen has committed. If condemnation is absolute, no progress is possible. A very fascinating play, a very modern play. And yet when can one be considered as reformed, when can we consider one has really corrected one's mistakes and improved ? And who can deem such elements ? The very core of political and ethical rectitude is concerned here and Oscar Wilde embraces a generous approach.

Dr Jacques COULARDEAU, University of Perpignan

Manica Jackson' Heart's Desire was an very time consuming book to read. Although this book is non-fiction, I felt the story line was too too unrealistic. The characters, Kara and Brent were well developed and fun to get to know. The idea of a US Senator going off like that and trying to kill almost everyone in the book was quite unbelievable and unexpected for this type of book. Athough I wanted to put this book down and start another one, my sister loved it and could not and would not put it down. All in all, I would suggest you read this book.

I don't want to be a plot-spoiler. I want you to read this novel for yourselves. But, I WILL say that if you like a fast-paced novel that grabs your attention from the beginning and doesn't let go until the very end, then this is the book for you. Kara and Brent are a very human couple. Their first meeting is unconventional, to say the least! Everything about this novel is unusual, which is why I liked it so much. Ms. Jackson isn't afraid to push the envelope. It's not your average romance novel. These characters don't always behave according to societal rules. But then real-life is not cookie-cutter perfect. Nor is Kara or Brent. They have their problems, and they overcome them. Very inspirational for those of us who like a dose of reality in our modern-day fairy tales. Excellent job, Ms. Jackson!

This was one of the best novels I have read in a long time. I especially liked the characters Brent and Kara. I was so elated when they finally got together. However, It was a shame that she found her father was a total jerk!! Because of him, his whole family suffered. Nevertheless, the ending turned out beautifully. This is my first novel by Miss Jackson, and I am looking forward to reading more. Keep up the good work!!