Book Description
Crack open a Bible and you're likely to find (a) Guidelines for living (b) Answers to life's deepest questions (c) Endless lists of people you've never heard of (d) An incredible story about a God who offers hope to a messed up world. "Incredible story" isn't always the first thing that comes to mind when you attempt to read through the entire Bible. Maybe you’ve tried, only to get lost among obscure genealogies and ancient dietary laws. Maybe you don’t have a clue where to begin.
At its most basic level, Christianity is a story about God and the remarkable lengths he goes to in order to rescue lost and hurting people. The Story gives you just that—the story of Scripture. Condensed into thirty accessible chapters, it reads more like a novel than your typical religious text. And like any good story, The Story is filled with intrigue, drama, conflict, romance, and redemption.
Customer Reviews:
What a curiously abridged book.......2007-08-09
In hopes of gaining a better understanding of the Bible, I borrowed this book from a friend. Upon reaching page 24, I took a break from reading it through to check its contents against an actual Bible.
I find it a little odd that they left out the disturbing story of Genesis 19 by saying "Lot made some bad decisions"(direct quote). Also, there's none of that interesting bit about Noah's sons seeing him passed out drunk and naked, and Genesis 11 about the tower of Babel isn't in there. These were all omitted within the first 24 pages, and the remaining stories are all about God "offering hope to a messed up world" (as the back of the book states.)
This book blatantly leaves out all the bits that don't promote its cause of telling "a story about God and the remarkable lengths he goes to in order to rescue lost and hurting people" (also from the back of the book.) I understand they can't fit a whole teeny-print Bible into it, but that doesn't justify warping the Bible to make it a satisfying read for people craving stories only of God's love and mercy.
I wouldn't recommend picking this up if you expect a nice, accessible version of the Bible like I did. This book is worth reading solely for those who don't mind a lot of censorship and desire only a very general overview of "the story."
Great Read!.......2006-03-16
This book is wonderful for those who have had trouble reading the bible from cover to cover. This will wet your appetite with the richness of the word, and only serve to make you more hungrier to dig in to a feast of truth and wonder.
The Story.......2006-03-02
This is one way to read the Bible from beginning to end without having to go through geneologys, sacrifices and all the dietary laws, etc. It really just skims the stories. The questions in the back are for discussion. They are the best part of the book. We are using this book in two of our Sunday Bible studies. We get into great discussions. However, if you want tto know "The Rest of The Story" you must get into THE BIBLE. Hopefully this book will wet your appetite to do just that.
Not the best choice........2005-08-03
While one admires the intent behind Zondervan's abridged version of the Bible, i.e., to introduce the Bible and the story of salvation to those who find the complete text too intimidating, they went too far in their editing. For example: Melchizedek is mentioned only as a priest and Abram's exchange with him is not at all explained and their conversation is completely omitted; the account of God's covenant with Abram omits completely Genesis 15.12-20; the account of God's visitation to Abraham and Sarah, Abraham's intercession, and the the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is also completely omitted.
If one is looking for a abridged or condensed version of the Bible a much more excellent choice is Tyndale House's "The Bible In Brief." It is less expensive and follows the same approach using the text of The Living Bible, and lacks the omissions of "The Story." Walter Wangerin's "The Book Of God," while actually a novel, is also useful as a means to introduce someone to God's story of redemption. Though being a novel it is written in the author's own words interspersed with passages of Scripture as opposed to using primarily the actual biblical text as the "The Story" and "The Bible In Brief" do.
Finally, an excellent paraphrase of just the Gospels can be found in Daniel Partner's "The Story Of Jesus: A Portrait of Christ from the Gospels."
Best Chronological Bible I've seen.......2005-05-03
This is Today's New International Version of the Bible organized not by book and verse but as one seamless story from beginning to end. One of the difficulties for many people who study the Bible is the fact that it is not organized chronologically but the historical books often cover the same period (i.e. 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles) or are organized by the length of the book (major prophets vs. minor prophets) or other ways. This is a unique way of presenting the complete Bible story that brings pattern and structure to all the disconnected stories we tend to learn in church.
Others have taken the Bible and organized it into chronological order before but generally they have produced a paraphrased story and not a translation. What makes this book unique is that they have retained the translation so it is still a good study Bible. I recommend The Story as the best chronological Bible available today because it stays as true as possible to being a translation that has just had the chapters and verses reorganized to make it a single story.
Book Description
Come and dance the whole green world!
I've got a little pair of shoes.
(Comfy, cozy little shoes.)
Got a little pair of shoes
to walk the whole round world.
After putting on her red shoes, a girl and her shaggy dog set out to plant the whole world. During the course of their imaginary journey they have many helpers - birds, insects, and sun among them - and then return home to wait for the magic of spring. A catchy and rhythmic poem and collages infused with a riot of detail and color make this the perfect book for those who cherish all the things that beautify the earth.
Customer Reviews:
Great story.......2007-08-14
This is a story about a little girl who goes off into the world and plants seeds! She brings a stick and her dog and her watering can. The story is lovely and flows very sweetly. The pictures are wonderful. The kids and I look to see if we can find the stuff the girl is carrying from one page to the next. You can also watch the cat follow along!
Heather mama of 5
Beautiful Children's Book!.......2007-01-02
This is a delightful book with sing-song prose and gorgeous illustrations. I bought it for my baby before she was born at a book signing event. Kleven did a lovely little illustration along with her signature. My daughter is now ten months old. I really can't wait until she is old enough to appreciate this book. She is currently at the board book only stage....likes ripping and crinkling paper! I'm a bit of a children's book junky. I have many and read through them all of the time. I have some beautiful and classic children's books. This book is one of my favorites. It is a gem. I highly recommend it.
A True Treasure!.......2005-05-27
The Whole Green World is an absolute gem of a book. The text is clever and charming and the illustrations are simply exquisite! Together, Tony Johnston and Elisa Kleven have created a world that every child -- and grown-up -- will want to leap right into. A cozy, comfy and colorful world made even more beautiful by a child committed to spreading the beauty of nature around "the whole green world". This a timeless book for readers of all ages to read, study -- the details in each picture are nothing short of amazing -- and treasure!
Enjoy!!
Amazon.com
Imagine an all-star team of writers such as Adrienne Rich, Fannie Hurst, Marge Piercy, Betty Bao Lord, Maxine Kumin, Tess Gallagher, and Laurie Colwin. Now imagine them casting their considerable literary prowess into the sporting ring. These writers form the core of an impressive roster in this long-overdue anthology. Filled with passion and insight, these poems, stories, and excerpts play all fields and beautifully explore and explain the different layers of exuberance and anguish unique to the sporting experience of women. These are no simple tales of victory, but rather finely wrought musings on the genuine possibilities that sports and competition hold out to the human spirit.
Customer Reviews:
The funniest, saddest, most moving collection of sportswrite.......1999-11-19
I recently selected this book for use in a new course I am teaching on sportswriting at the University of California, San Diego. When I went searching for a good example of sportswriting to counterbalance the many offerings by men, I was not encourage by the very small number of titles by women. This book astonished me in its variety and quality of contributions, AND it is fiction, which makes it all the more exiciting to read. Very personal, very gritty, very real. Read this book!
Average customer rating:
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Whole Oceans Away: Melville and the Pacific
Manufacturer: Kent State University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 General
| Classics
| United States
| World Literature
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
19th Century
| British
| World Literature
| Literature & Fiction
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General
| Essays
| Literature & Fiction
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Classics
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Movements & Periods
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| Arthurian Romance
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ASIN: 0873388933 |
Book Description
Edgar Allan Poe's tales of terror, murder, and mystery are among the most celebrated in American literature. This carefully-chosen collection includes "The Gold Bug," "The Oval Portrait," "The Pit and the Pendulum," "The Cask of Amontillado," "Some Words With a Mummy," "The Tell-Tale Heart," and "The Murders in the Rue Morgue."
With striking illustrations and extended captions unique to the Whole Story, this collection provides background information for each story that modern readers could otherwise access only through a broad range of supplemental research--from details of the Spanish Inquisition in "The Pit and the Pendulum" to the Parisian detective milieu of "The Murders in the Rue Morgue." This distinctive approach places each of Poe's stories--all published in the mid-nineteenth century--within the context of their era, bringing them vividly to life.
Amazon.com
The past is more than prologue, says bestselling author and Chopra Center for Well Being counselor Debbie Ford. The Secret of the Shadow urges readers to create a fresh meaning about their formative experiences, especially the painful ones, and use them to plan a more purposeful and authentic life. Ford believes that each person is born with unique gifts and a divine purpose, which are lost when we create a "story"--a collection of beliefs--that manufactures a false self and casts a shadow to hide our uniqueness and prevent us from success in work and love. As she explains, "the key is to stop chasing the feel-good moments and make peace with our stories so we can understand, accept and embrace everything in the past that has caused us pain." Once we stop trying to change the painful parts of our story, we will discover the divine plan for our lives.
Writing in the voice of the wounded healer, Ford tells her own story of embracing the wisdom and direction she found in facing family and addiction problems. She skillfully offers examples from participants in her workshops at the Chopra center who have leveraged the lessons of a painful past into a purposeful life. She invites readers to "own their whole story" by asking: What is the secret [about you] that your story conceals? What wisdom can you contribute to the world that you couldn't if the events in your life hadn't happened?"
At times, Ford's approach seems derivative of 12-step programs and ersatz Buddhism. And she mixes metaphors of shadows and light with those of a recipe and ingredients. Readers also know that self-reflection, acceptance of life's mixed blessings, and making lemonade from lemons are not new ideas. Yet Ford's passion and persuasiveness make a fresh case for daring to be yourself, learning from experience, and discovering the divine spark that is beyond our understanding. --Barbara Mackoff
Book Description
The Power of Owning Your Whole Story.
In her blockbuster The Dark Side of the Light Chasers, #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Ford introduced us to our 'shadow.' ln The Secret of The Shadow she uncovers our 'story,' the collection of beliefs, attitudes, and behaviours that prevent us from having all the love, happiness, and success we desire. She guides us to discover that hidden in the shadow of our stories is our magnificence.
Ford provides techniques for both reflecting and taking action, along with specific, practical advice and exercises to help you uncover your true essence. Step–by–step, each chapter will inspire and guide you to embrace your past and gain greater access to your unique purpose. You will gain energy and enthusiasm for life, passion in your relationships and your work, and discover an improved sense of well–being. Action steps and contemplations at the end of each chapter provide healing for deep emotional wounds and traumas, preparing you for the extraordinary journey ahead.
Customer Reviews:
Almost perfect.......2007-07-25
I think what I like most about this book is how succinct it is. If you're having a dark night of the soul, and dealing with the shock of realizing who you really are, as opposed to who you have robotically been in life, this is a definitive book on the subject.
While reading it voraciously, I had many lightbulb moments which touched me in crucial places. I suggest you read the whole book, cover-to-cover, as written. It is valuable even if you might not be ready for all of it, such as putting an end to blaming, or even if you're not currently in a place where you are able to objectively see that whatever happened to you ("your story"), no matter how traumatic or painful, served a purpose in your life; it took you along a path you NEEDED in order to get you from there to here. Even if you cannot see those gifts at this time, even if you are still deeply steeped in that pain, read the book, for it offers hope; you can and will eventually reach "the end."
My only complaint is that the book's themes seem illustrated using oddly weak scenarios. For instance, the traumatic experience that one person could not seem to get over was that her mother forgot to pick her up from school one day. Now, far be it for me to seem unfeeling, but I'm thinking there are much more substantial traumas in life, and if you're drawn to this book, your traumas probably go much deeper than such example. In addition, said victim wrote her mother a letter describing the incident, and the mother supposedly wrote back with a sincere, heartfelt apology. How many of us who have been deeply disturbed at the soul level by our parents/family/loved ones/friends, would actually receive such a response? If you're in a dark place in life, with disturbing memories and traumas to relive, chances are your perpetrators will, rather than apologize and "let the healing begin," defend their actions and make excuses for them. My point is, this poorly-chosen, offensive and unsatisfying illustration sets up an unrealistic expectation for the reader, especially for anyone newish to soul work.
Other suggestions for shadow-themed books are Mandala of Being by Moss and Why Good People Do Bad Things by Hollis.
Brilliant.......2007-02-02
I love this book. Thank you Debbie Ford for being the vessel for this important work. You are a brilliant healer.
Anyone looking for guidance on shining light on the darker secrets of their lives will really benefit from "The Secret of the Shadow." If you're in a recovery program of any kind, this book will clarify some of the more difficult steps and ease the emotional discomfort that arises from working them.
What I love most about this book? Debbie Ford's fearless honesty. She shares details about her life that most people on this planet would never own up to while standing in front of their own mirrors. And her exercise on making amends is assigned with the appropriate amount of tough love. "We want to be careful not to approach this task by asking, 'What's the minimum I can do to get off the hook?'" she says. "Instead, we want to look for the action that restores our own integrity within ourselves."
Admittedly, I'm still getting to that point. But I know if Debbie and the people she interviews in her book can do it, I can too. A reassuring read and beautifully written.
Spectacular!.......2007-01-10
This book is amazing! If you lack motivation or direction in your life, you will most definitely find it here. This is one of the best motivational and inspirational books I've read so far. It was so great in fact that I keep it handy so that I can refer to it as often as possible. Read it, you won't regret it!
One of the best books ever.......2005-07-24
i love this book, i'm 26 years old, and i have been doing alot of soul searching, this book has open my eyes about myself, how i am holding myself back because of all the stories i tell myself
I highly recommend this book to you
Disappointed.......2005-07-23
After reading "The Dark Side of the Light Chasers," I expected the same level of insight in this volume. Instead, I found a smorgasbord of various religions that didn't really seem to do justice to any particular one. I realize this book is more self-help and self-discovery oriented, but the spiritual overtones were too strong and too garbled to be of any real help. Ford is a good writer, and she does have some helpful insights on personal care habits, so I give this one two stars.
Average customer rating:
- what we really are
- A brilliant and natural writer
- Like a nesting doll
- Thoroughly enchanting
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The Whole Story and Other Stories
Ali Smith
Manufacturer: Penguin Books Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Short Stories
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0140296808 |
Customer Reviews:
what we really are.......2006-01-05
This is a writer who innovates, with spare, accurate, fresh prose. Modern characters are alive, complex,with fantastic ability to love and defy expectations.
The after-taste is deeply comforting stories, though these stories can also be unsettling and provocative. Funny too. Funny is really the thing. These stories prod the funny bone of our tender human worries, wants and heartbreaks. Truly beautiful writing, I'm collecting every one of her books. Thank you Ali Smith, for writing! Very beautiful stories here!
A brilliant and natural writer.......2005-12-29
I have the highest praise for Ali Smith's formidable talents as a writer. These are some of the best short stories written in a very long time. Her use of language and her sophisticated but enormously successful technique is a rare find. I recommend this collection and all of Ali Smith's work highly.
Like a nesting doll.......2005-05-27
Everything Ali Smith writes burrows deep inside itself, making the mundane of everyday life magical; lovely; beautiful. We need authors like her to remind us that love lays in the heart of everything, and it isn't always pretty. Of all her work this collection of "love" stories is a particular favorite of mine. It's simple in such a twisted way it becomes complex. Lovers forced to reflect on life's complex series of compromises, disappointments and find beauty in the smallness of the world around them. Obsessions rise to the surface and bury sanity. As the reader we are given a series of views that pull us deeper and deeper into the story, sometimes including us as part. The final story wrapping up the whole theory; no matter how horrible it all is, no matter how wonderful it all is, the WHOLE story is so much more.
Thoroughly enchanting.......2004-05-16
I'm a big fan of Jeanette Winterson, and I'll confess that her endorsement on the cover of the book sold me. But after reading this delightful collection cover to cover in a couple of days, I'll say Smith's work is its own endorsement. Like Winterson, Smith has a magical quality to her storytelling and her I/you gender play (I'm surprised the official book review above claims so smugly that the person who fell in love with a tree had a husband!) I was hooked from the first tale, "The Universal Story" (which reminded me of Woolf's splendid "Kew Gardens") and kept finding gem after gem. Even the longest stories seemed to fly by. Ali Smith is a really rewarding read. She's invigorated my summer reading.
Average customer rating:
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My Magic Cloth: A Story for a Whole Week
Heide Helene Beisert , and
Naomi Lewis
Manufacturer: North-South Books (Nord-Sud Verlag AG)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
| Baby-3
| Ages 4-8
| Ages 9-12
| Animals
| Arts & Music
| Books on Cassette
| Books on CD
| Authors & Illustrators, A-Z
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| History & Historical Fiction
| Issues
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| Reference & Nonfiction
| Religions
| Science, Nature & How It Works
| Series
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General
| British
| World Literature
| Literature & Fiction
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ASIN: 0200728962 |
Average customer rating:
- Cute stories to inspire the Christmas spirit!
- A failed Chirstmas romance anothology
- just skip this
- For "White Out" only
- Linda and Jude carry it all....
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Upon a Midnight Clear : A Delightful Collection of Heartwarming Holiday Stories : The Teacher / Christmas Magic / Jolly Holly / If Only in My Dreams / White Out
Jude Deveraux ,
Margaret Allison ,
Stef Ann Holm ,
Linda Howard , and
Mariah Stewart
Manufacturer: Pocket
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Anthologies | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
United States | Short Stories | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Anthologies | Short Stories | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
General | Short Stories | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Anthologies | Romance | Subjects | Books
Deveraux, Jude | ( D ) | Authors, A-Z | Romance | Subjects | Books
Stewart, Mariah | ( S ) | Authors, A-Z | Romance | Subjects | Books
Holm, Stef Ann | ( H ) | Authors, A-Z | Romance | Subjects | Books
General | Howard, Linda | ( H ) | Authors, A-Z | Romance | Subjects | Books
Paperback | Howard, Linda | ( H ) | Authors, A-Z | Romance | Subjects | Books
General | Romance | Subjects | Books
Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Anthologies | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Anthologies | Short Stories | Literature & Fiction | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
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Anthologies | Romance | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Deveraux, Jude | ( D ) | Authors, A-Z | Romance | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
General | Howard, Linda | ( H ) | Authors, A-Z | Romance | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Paperback | Howard, Linda | ( H ) | Authors, A-Z | Romance | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
( S ) | Authors, A-Z | Romance | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books | Steel, Danielle
General | Romance | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:
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A Season in the Highlands : Unfinished Business / Fall from Grace / Cold Feet / The Matchmaker / The Christmas Captive
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Simple Gifts : Four Heartwarming Christmas Stories : Just Curious / Miracles / Change of Heart / Double Exposure
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A Holiday of Love
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A Gift of Love : Double Exposure / Just Curious / Gabriel's Angel / Yuletide Treasure / Five Golden Rings
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Under The Boardwalk: A Dazzling Collection Of All New Summertime Love Stories (Sonnet Books)
ASIN: 0671019880 |
Book Description
A spirited Irishwoman comes to a rugged Colorado town to govern a young ruffian and learns a love lesson from the boy's father....In the midst of a blizzard, a snowbound woman offers shelter to a mysterious stranger....Home for the holidays, an artist proves opposites can attract when she falls for an unconventional doctor....A holly berry-picking contest in the California hills brings two determined hearts together for the greatest prize of all....A lively family reunion on a Montana ranch brings on a flurry of memories for a beautiful young writer -- and a winter storm that rekindles an old flame....
Customer Reviews:
Cute stories to inspire the Christmas spirit!.......2006-12-26
1. The Teacher by Jude Deveraux: Wow - I can't recall a character in any western historical who displays the courage and grit of Kathryn! One can only admire the way she confronted even the hardest of people and stood up for what she believed in. I have a bit of a problem believing that the highly disagreeable Cole made the conversion into a kind and decent man, but I suppose only Kate had the power and charm to tame even the beastliest man.
2. Christmas Magic by Margaret Allison: Margaret Allison is the only author in this anthology with whom I wasn't familiar. I really like her style - the story flowed nicely and the dialogue was realistic and respectful. The theme of reconciliation between an estranged father and daughter is a wonderful illustration of the Christmas spirit, and showed how forgiveness and understanding are keys to inner peace and healing.
3. Jolly Holly by Stef Ann Holm: A magical story about the value of treasures that money cannot buy and the joy that can be found in sharing! The plot and the characters were quite unique, as was the setting, which was a refreshing break from the usual storyline formula of most romances.
4. If Only in my Dream by Mariah Stewart: I have two pet peeves concerning romance novels. One is the use of bickering dialogue representing conflict and sexual tension. On the contrary, this story was so delightful because of the respectful and loving way the characters interacted with each other, and I congratulate the author for brilliantly presenting the story in this manner! These were warm and likable people I admired immensely. My other peeve are conflicts that could easily resolved, or avoided entirely, if the characters simply communicated more openly and clearly with each other. Unfortunately, that was the case in this plot. Still, the story was highly enjoyable and quite relaxing to read, especially to this believer in the lasting qualities of true love between soulmates.
5. White Out by Linda Howard: Linda Howard is known for writing lusty and erotic scenes, so the graphic sex shouldn't have been such a shock to me, except that the previous 4 romances were comparatively sweetly romantic because the sexual aspects were left up to the imagination. I didn't like how the characters were nearly unconscious when they first came together, because it was so careless and animalistic. However, I like how the story opened, describing the lakefront property in such wonderful detail, as though it were a showcase home on HGTV. The blizzard was also described in such remarkable detail that it almost felt as though the storm was swirling around me too! This attention to visual and sensual detail is what makes Linda Howard's brilliant to me, not the gritty sex. This particular story redeemed itself from the off-putting erotica by ending with a dramatic flare of action, drama and mystery-solving.
A failed Chirstmas romance anothology.......2005-12-27
From the back cover:
New York Times bestselling authors Jude Deveraux and Linda Howard are joined by Margaret Allison, Stef Ann Holm, and Mariah Stewart in a delightful treasure of stories that sparkle with "a definite touch of holiday magic" (Philadelphia Inquirer).
"The Teacher" by Jude Deveraux: A spirited Irishwoman comes to a rugged Colorado town to govern a young ruffian and learns a love lesson from the boy's father: there is more to the man than meets the eye...
"Christmas Magic" by Margaret Allison: Home for the holidays, an artists proves opposites can attract--and make sparks--when she falls for an unconventional doctor...
"Jolly Holly" by Stef Ann Hom: A holly berry-picking contest in the California hills brings two determined hearts together for the greatest prize of all: a true and lasting love...
"If Only in My Dreams" by Mariah Stewart: A lively family reunion on a Montana ranch brings on a flurry of memories for a beautiful young writer--and a winter storm that rekindles an old flame...
"White Out" by Linda Howard: In the midst of a blizzard, a snowbound woman offers shelter to a stranger, a man who is an expert at covering his tracks...
And my review:
When I was browsing the book section in my thrift store years ago, I picked up this book, leafed through it, then put it back on the shelf. Years later, I came across another copy of this book, and decided to give it a try. I wish I hadn't wasted my money.
"The Teacher" was the first story by Jude Deveraux that I was actually able to finish, so that's saying something for it. It was quite an interesting story - up until the heroine starts kissing a man she doesn't even know. What do romance authors think this is enjoyable, let alone plausible? Would any of us readers ever start kissing a total stranger? If we did, I think we'd get locked up in a nuthouse!
Also, this was a historical story that didn't state what year it was, which is a pet peeve of mine when it comes to historical stories. How hard is it to give me a year? I did finish this short story, but didn't find it very good. The hero's hellion son did a behavioural about-face waaay too easily, and everything seemed to be resolved without much of a struggle. Two stars.
"Christmas Magic" by Margaret Allison had potential, but didn't live up to it. I didn't see anything unconventional about the hero. And if he's a surgeon (and chief of thoracic surgery, no less), the heroine would just have to face it - there are times when he's just going to get paged and have to leave during important moments. It's one of those hardships the wives of doctors and soldiers have to deal with, and complaining about it won't help. This story never felt fully developed, and I ended up giving up halfway through. One star.
"Jolly Holly" by Stef Ann Holm was another story with lots of potential. The clashes between the leads was interesting, though I found the premise of adults engaging in a holly-berry picking contest kind of silly. Unfortunately, this was a story where I could see every plot twist from a mile away. The romance wasn't very well executed, and I had a lot of trouble connecting to the characters. Two stars, as it started off well.
"If Only In My Dreams" by Mariah Stewart fell back on another romance staple: the Big Misunderstanding. I felt that the author tried to use a rather silly misunderstanding rather than real issues to keep the characters apart. Sorry, but if this had happened to me, I never would have given up so easily on the relationship. I would have phoned the guy and yelled in his ear. Then of course, the truth would have come out and everything would have been resolved. But of course, we can't have people communicating in a romance novel, can we? Also, I felt that the hero was far too easy on his son's bad behavior. If I had been breaking lamps and vases I would have been in big trouble. Does the twin's father say anything to them? Nope! He just takes them out for a walk to wear them out. Doesn't anybody ever disipline their kids anymore? Also, this author was really bad for "head hopping", jumping from his point-of-view to hers and back and forth throughout the scene. Distracting and annoying. One star.
"White Out" by Linda Howard can be summed up in one word: disgusting. Actually, there are other words for it, which include offensive, revolting, repulsive, pornographic.... Basic synopsis: lonely woman takes in man from blizzard, strips him naked, climbs into bed with him to warm him up (who would do this with a stranger who could be an axe murderer?) and wakes up to find him having sex with her before he's even fully awake. Ewww! If I wanted this kind of "entertainment", I could rent a porno movie! (Which is something, of course, that I'd NEVER do!) One star. I've yet to be impressed by anything Linda Howard has written, and this piece of trash put her on my "do not buy" list.
There is not a single story in here worth the money or the time it takes to read it. Do yourself a favor and skip this one.
just skip this.......2004-10-13
I agree quite thoroughly with the reviewers who expressed extreme dislike for Linda Howard's "White Out." It was sickening. Some of us read romance for the romance, not for explicit descriptions of sexual relationships which begin before the hero (and I use the term loosely) is even conscious.
As for the rest, Jude Deveraux's hero is a paternalistic town despot. Margaret Allison and Mariah Stewart tell fairly ho-hum stories about creative, artsy types going home and falling in love, one with a (supposedly) unconventional doctor and the other with her first love, with whom she had lost touch through a lame misunderstanding--don't you just hate it when these people don't TALK to each other?
The star goes to Stef Ann Holm for "Jolly Holly"; though not a total classic, this story does introduce a handful of very memorable minor characters, especially an intriguing couple of "elves" named Yule and Tide.
For "White Out" only.......2001-03-26
I only read the Linda Howard story "White Out," so I can't give a review of the others. But, that one alone is great. Yes, the premise of the Price's and Hope's relationship--and fabulous sex--is not something that can be applied to reality. But, so what? The story is still cute, fun, and very sexy. Plus, Howard has a true talent for making almost any scenario plausible with her skilled writing (e.g. anyone read "Son of the Morning"?). If you don't want to buy the anthology, I recommend settling in at Borders with a cup of coffee and reading "White Out" right there. Very Entertaining!
Linda and Jude carry it all...........2000-09-28
Ok, first of all, I personally love Jude and just about everything she writes (notable exceptions would be High Tide and Legend- both of which were poorly written) but, this short story just doesn't make me go "hmmmm.." Maybe because I didn't like Legend I was a tad biased against this story since it picks up where Legend left off. Again, it wasn't as poorly written, but there was just no magic. Likeable, but not memorable.
However, I REALLY liked Linda's little tale. Her tale starts out like so many dates that we have and just choose not to talk about..but, this time, instead of showing the guy the door, we show a little more. The chemistry in this is just phenomenal. And, hey, let's face it..this is why we women read romance novels and especially why we read Linda Howard..THE SEX!! I have never wanted to be a character as bad as I wanted to be that girl. One word describes this tale...GRRRRR. The rest of the stories are fluffy and sweet, but if you want REALLY good dreams, ditch the rest and just read Linda.
Books:
- Turn, Magic Wheel
- Waiting in Vain: A Novel
- Whisper my name
- William Faulkner's the Wild Palms: A Study (The Mississippi quarterly series in Southern literature)
- Wireless# Certification Official Study Guide (Exam PW0-050)
- Women Without Men: A Novel of Modern Iran
- Yage Letters
- You Can't Keep a Good Woman Down
- You Remind Me of Me: A Novel
- A Cab at the Door & Midnight Oil
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- The Friendship: Wordsworth and Coleridge
- Meeting the Ethical Challenges of Leadership: Casting Light or Shadow
- La frontera / Borderlands
- History: Fiction or Science
- Miracle in the Andes: 72 Days on the Mountain and My Long Trek Home
- Microbiology: Principles and Explorations
- Legend: The Life and Death of Marilyn Monroe
- Munakata Shiko: Japanese Master of the Modern Print
- Heart and Blood: Living with Deer in America
- Hell Looks Different Now: One Corpsman's Journey Back to Vietnam
Survey of the Old Testament
Holy Bible: Today's New International Version, Chocolate/ Pink, Italian Duo-tone, Pocket
Zondervan TNIV Study Bible
TNIV True Identity: The Bible for Women (Today's New International Version)
Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven, but Nobody Wants to Die: Or the Eschatology of Bluegrass
