Book Description
New York Times bestselling author Susan Andersen called Bubbles Unbound "rollicking good fun. Bubbles rocks!" The Houston Chronicle praised it as "riotous...a strong debut." And award-winning author Carolyn Hart crowned it "fizzy as bicarb, funny as Evanovich...should bubble right to the top of the bestseller lists." Now the spandex-wearing, cleavage-baring hairstylist-cum-journalist and sleuth from Lehigh, Pennsylvania, returns in another wacky, wisecracking mystery that offers a few priceless beauty tips along the way.
New troubles for Bubbles: Her friend, bride-to-be Janice, never showed up at the altar, and everybody's blaming Bubbles for singing Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Free Bird" at the bachelorette party the night before. Now Bubbles has just found Janice's uncle Elwood dead on his bathroom floor-his skull bashed in and his Rolls Royce missing. The baffling murder could be her Big Break as Bubbles goes deep undercover in Whoopee, Pennsylvania (located between Intercourse and Paradise) as a "plain girl from Ohio" boarding with a local Amish family. That means no spandex, no showers, and...no makeup. When she's not helping out on the farm, Bubbles searches for clues-with the usual hilarious results.
Featuring a cast of characters that includes a chocolate-baking neo-Nazi; a shoofly pie-obsessed Dutchman; Bubbles' loony mother, LuLu; her precocious teenage daughter, Jane; and that love'em-and-leave'em hunk, Stiletto-along with selected Dutch country beauty recipes-Bubbles in Trouble is another rip-roaring adventure in a rapidly growing mystery series with "never a dull moment" (bestselling author Fay Weldon).
Customer Reviews:
a good read.......2007-07-05
Though Bubbles Yablonsky is a character that seems too big a collection of stereotypes to swallow, the author managed to make her real and likeable to me. Happily, "Bubbles in Trouble" eases off on Bubbles constantly putting herself down as "dumb" which was an unappealing part of the first book, "Bubbles Unbound". The story is a bit twisty and seems to go off in all sorts of directions but the twists aren't boring or pointless. I would have enjoyed having the conclusion fleshed out more. The questions were answered, but without near the detail that the set-up was given. I loved the way Strohmeyer described the Amish country and people. Affectionate without putting them on a pedestal. I laughed at a sly reference to Tamar Myers' books. When Bubbles couldn't think of a phony name quickly, she came up with "Magadalena Yoder" but couldn't figure out why she knew that name. I don't think Strohmeyer quite reaches the quality of Evanovich's Stephanie Plum for loveable heroine because Bubbles and other characters are so over-the-top broadly comedic, but still a fun read.
Quick and easy.......2007-01-06
Fun book, laugh out loud at times. Great beach or Sunday afternoon read
Hilarious!.......2006-09-02
I loved this book, and I thought it was just as good as the first; there were so many laugh-out-loud moments. I thought the book was cleverly-written, and if you like a witty mystery with a zany protagonist, you'll adore Bubbles and this book.
Fun book.......2006-08-30
I didn't like it as much as I liked the first, and I felt like the plot was a bit choppy, but I'm looking forward to the third installment in the series.
Not as good as the first book.......2005-12-29
BUBBLES IN TROUBLE by Sarah Strohmeyer
December 28, 2005
Amazon rating 3.5/5 stars
This wasn't as good as the first one. Bubbles is now in Amish country, trying to find her missing friend Janice, who was also a runaway bride (so to speak). When Janice goes missing, and Janice's uncle Elwood is found dead, could it be murder and is Janice the guilty party? Bubbles goes to Amish country, undercover of course, and ends up living with a family of Amish people. She is not quite convincing... (her nails should have given it away, but the family believes her excuse that they are some sort of fungicide).
I didn't find this one as funny, but not sure if it was the mood I was in or what. Steve Stiletto is now pretty much her boyfriend, although he keeps disappearing and reappearing when she least expects it. I found Bubbles' adventures in amish land pretty funny though, but the book didn't fully keep my attention as the first one did. I hope the third book is better. I feel this series is losing steam but I'm not giving up.
Product Description
This My First Hello Reader collection has been designed with-
* High-interest stories
* Easy-to-read vocabulary
* skill-building activity pages.
Inside this book are six easy-to-read stories:
At the Carnival
Bubble Trouble
Little Red Caboose
My Brother, the Brat
No Way!
We Are Monsters
Book Description
SpongeBob SquarePants stars in this fun coloring and activity book. As an added bonus the book comes with an ocean of undersea stickers.
Customer Reviews:
Better than a Krabby Patty!.......2001-09-02
I'm 20 years old, and I bought this coloring book immediately when I saw it in the store. As an official SpongeBob addict, I had to buy it! The selling point for me, since I probably won't be breaking out the crayons anytime soon, were the stickers. There's over 20 great stickers of all of the characters (excluding Plankton)! The actual coloring book includes three stories, including "Bubble Trouble" and "Ripped Pants." Highly recommended for SpongeBob fans old and young!
Average customer rating:
- In love with Bubbles
- Bubble Trouble
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Bubble Trouble (Rookie Readers)
Joy N. Hulme
Manufacturer: Children's Press (CT)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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Benny's Big Bubble (Picture Readers)
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The Magic Bubble Trip
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Bubble Trouble (Ready-to-Read. Level 1)
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Dirty Larry (Revised Edition)
ASIN: 0516264737 |
Customer Reviews:
In love with Bubbles.......2002-09-27
My sister had a copy of this book and when ever I took my 3 year old over to her house to play,...everytime, he would pick out this book. I had to buy it for him and I must admit that I think it's just a lot of fun to go through. The story moves along at a good pace and the round characters are fun and they are designed well on each page. More like this one please!!
Bubble Trouble.......2001-07-26
My one and a half year old boy LOVES this book. It is full of fun pictures and since he loves bubbles, he is very interested in the story. He sits still and listens, sometimes participating in the story as I read it to him. It is the only book he will sit still for all the way through. He started saying the word "Pop" after I had read it a couple of times to him. This book was short enough, yet exciting enough to keep my son's short attention span focused, and the rhyming was fun for both of us.
Customer Reviews:
Bubble Trouble (My First Hello Reader With Flash Cards!).......1999-12-18
This is a perfect book for K. It is a book about how bubbles grow and then how they die (pop). Great fantasy book with color illustrations and would be recommended to a Kindergarten level. Review was written by a 5th grader.
Book Description
One bubble. No trouble. But two bubbles, three bubbles, and more can make quite a mess -- especially when they start floating out the door! Follow this delightful romp as bubbles take over a town.
Customer Reviews:
Bubbles on the loose!.......2006-03-15
I give this book 4 bubbles up! My favorite part is bubble boat bubble float. My favorite line and picture is'"1 bubble no trouble" and" the best thing about the book is the illustrations.
Bubbly TROUBLE.......2006-02-21
Idid like this book because it was all about bubbles.My favorite part was when the bubbles took money out of the bank.There are bubbles climbing up a tree. Lots of birds and squrill chatter.
Bubbles in Trouble.......2006-02-21
I loved this book. I loved this book because it tells about bubbles.My favorite part was when it said,'[;; one bubble no trouble,''. The pictures were beautiful. The best thing about this book was when the bubbles had icing on them.
great starter.......2004-08-13
my five year old is starting to read. This helps him a lot b/c the words are big and he can see them clearly enough to sound out each word. Some are still a little hard. He can only make it to the third page before he looses instrest. But he's 5 and is just starting. I defantly recommend this to parents who are looking for a fun way to introduce reading. Start out by reading it to them one night while they are taking a bubble bath. The next night let them try to sound out the easy words. Later go for bigger words and so on. It really gets them interested.
Book Description
POP! A face full of bubble gum gets the accident-prone Christopher into some sticky situations, at home and at school. But his generosity and math skills save the day.
Customer Reviews:
Another beautiful book with content!.......1998-12-10
"Christopher" continues to absorb young children into a colorful, imaginative world while they learn math concepts almost without knowing it.
(From last review): The whole series has a consistent image and covers math basics critical to young elementary school kids. I recommend the series for any 4-8 year-old, especially if they need to solidify those basics! The images are inspired!
Average customer rating:
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Crusader Rabbit in bubble trouble (Top top tales)
Nancy Hoag
Manufacturer: Whitman Pub. Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
Children's Books
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ASIN: B0006FBCAQ |
Average customer rating:
- FUN, WITCHY, YUMMY!
- Another Pleasant Surprise
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Bubble, Bubble, Toil, & Trouble: Mystical Munchies, Prophetic Potions, Sexy Servings, and Other Witchy Dishes
Patricia Telesco
Manufacturer: HarperSanFrancisco
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
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Kitchen Witch's Cookbook
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Goddess in My Pocket: Simple Spells, Charms, Potions, and Chants to Get You Everything You Want
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365 Goddess: A Daily Guide to the Magic and Inspiration of the Goddess
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Kitchen Witch's Guide To Brews And Potions
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Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Wicca in the Kitchen
ASIN: 0062592378
Release Date: 2002-09-17 |
Book Description
Chock-full of simple spell-recipes arranged by themes such as
Happiness Helpings, Money Munchies, and
Sexy Servings, this playful, witchy cookbook will show you how to conjure delicious and potent dishes from ingredients that are available in your local grocery store. Feeling lonely? Whip up mouthwatering
"Sweetheart Brownies" to tickle your taste buds and have every hot prospect in the neighborhood beating down your door. Short on funds?
"Cash-in-a-Flash Custard" is a yummy way to ensure money in your pocket. Or try
"Resumé Radishes" the night before a big interview and land that dream job! With her warm, lighthearted tone, beloved kitchen witch PATRICIA TELESCO guides the reader through the very special magic of "enchanted food." With more than seventy appetizing recipes included, you can say farewell to ho-hum meals without any meaning, and hello to spell-crafted magical munchies.
Customer Reviews:
FUN, WITCHY, YUMMY!.......2004-03-16
Telesco has written another fun, witchy, yummy book! I loved this book and all it's great recipes. You will love it too if you like to eat and like Telesco's writing, which I do. I hope she keeps writing more books for pagans in the future.
Another Pleasant Surprise.......2003-01-07
I'm amazed at how Ms. Telesco keeeps coming up with creative and fun ways to mix magick with everyday activities. I love to cook, and these recipe-spells make any meal more fun and meaningful. You'll find quite a lot of recipes in here for such a small book, and a lot of historical/folkloric tidbits to (as is often her trademark). For the cover price, you can't beat this addition to your witchy kitchen.
Average customer rating:
- Fantastic new fairytale for everyone to enjoy!
- Dancing With Dragonflies
- Dancing with Dragonflies
- A New FairyTale Discovered
- Dancing with Dragonflies Instructs at Several Levels
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Dancing with Dragonflies
Jack Francis Gorfien
Manufacturer: Dog Ear Publishing, LLC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Stories | Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1598582739 |
Book Description
Dancing with Dragonflies is a fable written for children and adults of all ages. It may be read out loud in less than 20 minutes, making it a good length for a bedtime story. The tale is about a princess and a knight named Lirona and Zohar. They meet while on separate journeys and continue on different paths in search of treasure. With the help of a little magic supplied by a mysterious old woman called Adamina, they find themselves where they first met, and continue their journey together to discover something more valuable than any precious gem. Among other things, the book encourages the ability to see opportunity, and the courage to act upon it. It also advocates work, balance, cooperation, perseverance and self-determination. The words and whimsical illustrations work together to form a contemporary trip into the past and the future. Visit the author's website at www.dancingwithdragonflies.com "This little book shows dance as a common ground where two people from very different worlds can come together. On the dance floor, they're able to take down the defensive walls they've built and not only find each other but also find their inner strength to trust and love again. Some may find this a fairy tale. Others a life lesson." Karen Pfrommer, Co-owner and dance instructor Let's Dance in Rhythm Branford, CT About the author: Jack Francis Gorfien is a writer and licensed acupuncturist practicing in Madison, Connecticut. His inspiration for this story grew in part from having studied the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine. He found that the concept of balancing the opposing forces known as Yin and Yang to relieve pain and create a state of good health, apply to all areas of life. Inspiration for this story also grew out of his experiences with ballroom dancing. He discovered that ballroom dancing is an excellent metaphor for all types of relationships, and the benefits available to partners who are willing to strive for balance and help each other excel. The author's desire is to encourage people to look within themselves and others to focus on their qualities, and choose to cultivate those qualities to their most positive potential. In today's chaotic and sometimes frightening world, we will all be well served by nourishing what is best in others and ourselves whenever possible. About the illustrator: Grace Turman has a mother, a father, a brother, two sisters and a handsome prince who keep her life just as exciting as it should be. She needs water (preferably sparkling), shelter, and at least three different colored ink pens to survive. Grace also helped illustrate The Thimble Island Story Book, a collection of salty sea stories by Captain Bob Milne.
Customer Reviews:
Fantastic new fairytale for everyone to enjoy!.......2007-10-03
This is such a delightful tale! It entertains, teaches us all something, and has wonderful illustration! Mr. Gorfien is truly a terrific new talent. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes to step into a fantasy once in awhile. I am going to read it to my grandchildren someday, as it is a timeless story that makes one feel good.
Dancing With Dragonflies.......2007-10-02
This is a wonderfully enchanting book with very colorful illustrations. I've read it several times now to my children, ages 4, 6, 9, and 11. I plan on purchasing additional copies for my neices and nephews for Christmas. I love how inspirational the book is, it is truely one of the best stories I have read in quite a while. The thoughts of Lirona dancing inches above the ground and Adamina's dragonfly necklace are awesome, the kids really enjoyed those parts. I am also a huge lover of dragonflies and love the beginning of the book where it tells a bit about them. Thankyou, Jack, for a beautiful story that has fast become a favorite in our home!!
Dancing with Dragonflies.......2007-10-02
I not only find the book intriguing but I find the Author himself just as intriguing. I recommend this book very highly and hope the child in all of us could reach in and Dance with a Dragonfly.
Pauline Hale
A New FairyTale Discovered.......2007-09-30
Consider the delight of my eight year old daughter's face as she listened intently as I turned the pages of this new fairy tale, Dancing With Dragonflies. Her eyes were wide as she saw the princess Lirona sprout wings and fly away from her kingdom to make merriment with elves by dancing all night. And as Zohar entered this realm of mystery she smiled and said they would fall in love. She was quite taken with the old woman's magic and wisdom and asked me if I could make a dragonfly necklace just like Adamina's which she wore around her neck. We may just try that one day. The happy abandonment the couple celebrated in their dance was truly inspiring. As they each went their separate ways my daughter said they would one day get back together after their travels and get married and kiss! After reading this wonderful fable my little redhead dressed in her wings and princess dress and did her own dance. She asked if she could take it to the school for her teacher to read to her class. It was truly a fun read for me as well, but like my daughter I look for a sequel. =) Thankyou Jack Gorfien for this treasure. Also, many kudos to Grace Turman for the beautiful illustrations which add so much to the book.
Dancing with Dragonflies Instructs at Several Levels.......2007-06-20
Dancing with Dragonflies is a lovely story. On the surface it is a simple fairy tale. At other levels it instructs on relatonships, trust, self esteem, and letting go of attitudes that are no longer needed.
Book Description
The evil Dark Baron has escaped and joined forces in the far North with the Master of the Dead to theaten all of Husaquahr with enslavement. Only Joe can stop them -- but Joe is no longer quite himself. In fact, he's not sure who he is!
Book Description
BEYOND THE SEA OF DREAMS
Life had never been kind to Joe and Marge. Now, according to Throckmorton P. Ruddygore--a stranger who met them on a road that wasn't there--they were due to die in nineteen minutes. But across the Sea of Dreams lay a new and perhaps better life, in a place where fairies danced by moonlight. Joe could become a mighty-thewed barbarian warrior. Marge could be beautiful and find her magical self.
It was just as Ruddygore had promised, plus a great deal more. For this was a world where Hell still strove to win its ancient war, where demon princes sent men into battles of dark magic, and where Joe and Marge must somehow help prevent the coming of Armageddon!
Customer Reviews:
a favorite fantasy novel from a great author.......2006-08-15
Jack L. Chalker is best known for his "Lost Souls," series but "River of the Dancing Gods," is one of my favorite fantasy novels. Imagine on your worst day finding a new world full of adventure. That's how the story begins for Joe and Marge.
Are we living someone else's dream?.......2004-07-04
Have you ever wanted to just BE in another world or universe? All the wonderful fantasy books have to come from somewhere. What if they actually happened somewhere. That is what this book is about. This is the first book in a wonderful series. Maybe we can just get away from it all even if it is by reading this book. This is an easy feel good book. It is a little predictable in the main plot twists but it is the little things that keep you on your toes. This book is easily read in one or two sittings on a weekend. When you need an outlet to a new land pick this up and continue with the rest of the series.
My second favorite series........1998-07-28
The is my second favorite series by Jack L. Chalker. My first favorite series is the "Well of Souls." Whether you are a Jack L. Chalker reader or not, you will enjoy these series. His character development and vivid descriptions are a great read.
Book Description
MORTAL DILEMMA
An ancient evil was seeping forth from the Sea of Dreams: the Old Ones were rising from the depths to challenge both Heaven and Hell. Their assault boded ill for Earth, and worse for the magical land of Husaquahr, where magic was played by the Book. Under the Rules, only the Great McGuffin could stop that looming menace.
But the McGuffin was lost, somewhere in Hell....
Master wizard Throckmorton P. Ruddygore once again summoned a handful of heroes to stave off disaster. But Joe, the truck-driver-barbarian-turned-wood-nymph, was busy with his--or her?--own problems, so Ruddygore had to assign Marge, the changeling nymph, to shepherd an untried youngster on his first quest. Her new protégé was none other than Irving, Joe's human son: estranged, bitter--and irresistibly attractive!
Marge wanted to turn down the mission, but too much depended on it! Once in the dark realm, though, her good intentions began to erode. Could any nymph just say "no" to a son of Joe?
Customer Reviews:
The storyline was one of the best I ever read!.......1997-06-06
I loved the plot, about a great hero who is stuck in the body of a luscious immortal wood nymph. And his son,Irwin, was very cool. I wish he had more magic, though! And we didn't hear much of Ruddigore, either. Why does he only show up at the beginning and end of every story to lick wounds and solve problems? And the Old Ones! I was all 'hyped' up for a confrontation, but they don't even find the real McGoo (or whatever), let alone a confrontation with evil. The whole Joe/immortal thing was too much like the second Well World saga. I still liked the book, though
Average customer rating:
- Great book for Ages 4-8
- Man, this guy can draw...and write!
- A story to inspire individuality, beautifully illustrated
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Milli, Jack and the Dancing Cat
Manufacturer: Philomel
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Humorous | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
Fiction | Friendship | Social Situations | People & Places | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
Fiction | Self-Esteem & Self-Respect | Social Situations | People & Places | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
General | Baby-3 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
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Mutt Dog!
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Emily Loves To Bounce
ASIN: 0399242406 |
Book Description
Milli is a person who can take a nothing . . . and turn it into a Something. But in her plain old town full of bustling people, all Milli does is make plain, ordinary shoes. Until a pair of wandering minstrels come to town—Jack and the Dancing Cat. They teach Milli how to dance—the two-step, the three-step, and the tricky twisting backward sliding four-step—which makes her feel brave and free. Brave enough to create many wonderful Somethings: musical instruments with sounds never heard before, purple satin slippers with bells, and more. And Milli never again makes a plain, ordinary anything.
From the creator of Emily Loves to Bounce comes a playful, inspired book about the need each of us feels to be ourselves.
Customer Reviews:
Great book for Ages 4-8.......2006-06-17
We found this book at the library and kept checking it out over and over again. My daughter loves it and the message in the book is a good one.
Man, this guy can draw...and write!.......2005-12-29
Stephen Michael King is an amazing illustrator. I first noticed his work in the outstanding book titled, Where Does Thursday Go?
As a picture book writer, just looking at his illustrations inspires me to write stories. If God blesses me, Stephen Michael King will one day illustrate a story or two of mine. :)
Definitley buy this book, the illustrations alone are worth the price.
Brian Humek
Irving, TX
A story to inspire individuality, beautifully illustrated.......2005-03-26
This is a very sweet book, with bright, beautiful illustrations. Milli is a talented artist, but is afraid to show her creativity and flair to her rather plain neighbors. When she meets two wandering minstrels, they encourage her to reveal her talents. My 2 year old son enjoys the pictures, and the idea of friends dancing together for the fun of it. A great addition to your child's collection, and a great read at any age. DH
Book Description
A FEW ALTERATIONS
Throckmorton P. Ruddygore, master wizard, had troubles--again!
Ruddygore had defeated the Dark Baron and exiled him from the magical realm of Husaquahr to Earth. But he hadn't counted on the Baron's using an earthly computer to create even more effective spells.
Of course, the Baron couldn't use those spells. But the forces of Hell soon sent him a second-rank wizard who could--and together they worked a scam so that Ruddygore couldn't cross the Sea of Dreams to deal with the Baron directly. Now the Baron was developing a scheme that would surely result in Armageddon before its time.
Once again Marge the fairy and Joe the barbarian were called upon to do the dirty work. They had to return to their home world and stop the Baron--if they could . . .
And that would be only the beginning of their assignment!
"A damn fine storyteller . . . Chalker is a master."
--Orson Scott Card
Customer Reviews:
Great, fast reading, odd concepts.......2003-09-26
This is a GREAT series from "The River of the Dancing Gods" to "Demons of the Dancing Gods" to "Vengance of the Dancing Gods". If you read those three and like them a lot, just go back to "River of the Dancing Gods", do not pass GO, do not buy "Songs of the Dancing Gods" (the fantasy fades into more drama than you want with a series like this), just go back to "River of the Dancing Gods" and read the trilogy again. I love thse books and recommend them to everyone I know. JACK, IF YOU'RE READING THIS, I HART THOSE BOOKS SOOOO MUCH.
-------- this much -------.
The Smoothest Fantasy Series I've ever read!.......1999-06-17
Litterally...smooth. There's nothing complicated about this series. This is one of those types that you just sit down and say "I really could care less." and start reading. It isn't deep. These were the two major emotions it set off in me: that feeling when you were an adventurous kid, wanting to run down a hill with a big sword to clobber some big mean monster so you could save the most beautiful girl (who you knew would want you in return), and WHAT IN THE WORLD COULD POSSIBLY COME NEXT. Don't try to outthink it, even though you might be able to. Don't go into it with expectations, they probably won't be met. Just read it with a smile and you won't be let down!
Book Description
In Husaquahr, behind the cloak of seeming peace, evil was stirring again as the Dark Baron plotted with a Demon Prince to bring about Armageddon. Master Sorcerer Throckmorton P. Ruddygore could only trust one man with the mission of spying upon the evil villians: Joe. The only problem was, Joe had just been bitten by a weredog . . .
Book Description
Joe and Marge, minutes away from death, are rescued and brought from Earth to the magical world of Husaquahr by the wizard Throckmorton P. Ruddygore to battle the forces of Hell itself!
Customer Reviews:
An enjoyable take on the genre.......2005-09-19
Like Joel Rosenberg, Jack L. Chalker's work belongs to the often-ignored subgenre of gritty fantasy, the kind in which good guys die, bad guys aren't always evil, and even heroes are, in the end, only human. While readers often decry high fantasy for being 'unrealistic', many of them are disappointed when they open a gritty book and discover that it has left them unsatisfied. Most of us, after all, are seeking escape from reality - we'd rather see heartwarming tales of victory against all the odds rather than read about our hero losing everything he holds dear.
If you're in this group, you might just like this early offering from Jack L. Chalker. Readers familiar with this author will notice the same trend, but it has not yet fully developed into grittiness. Instead, we are presented with a relatively quirky fantasy, using a storyline that always manages to sucker me in: someone from our world enters a fantasy world. (If you like that theme, I recommend 'In the Net of Dreams' by Wm. Mark Simmons)
Chalker's take on this theme is surprisingly original, with a world that was inadvertinely created as a reaction to God's creation of our own world. Leaving this secondary world to His angels to finish, this new world ended up with many loopholes in its natural laws - loopholes that can be exploited by people who know how: wizards and witches, in a nutshell. Over time, the most powerful formed councils to plug these loopholes - and ended up creating reams of new laws instead, like any bureaucracy, some of which tend towards the ridiculous. "All barbarians must be exotic, but be of no particular nationality." Each chapter is headed by one of these laws, which gently poke fun at the entire genre of fantasy - but are very much real in this world. Christianity plays a large role in 'River of the Dancing Gods', but don't mistake it for a religious book - there are several themes in it that might prove surprising.
As a childhood favorite, I picked up this book again in a used bookstore one afternoon when I had several hours to spare. It made for a pleasant way to while away the time, but as I read it again, I noticed more gratuitious titilation than I'd recalled from memory. The whole series seems torn between the adult (themes of life - divorce, custody of children, mortgages) and the gleeful adolescent (a world in which the Law requires beautiful women to be scantily clothed, and nymphs grow in power the more often they...er...well, you know). Fans of Piers Anthony's work will probably find it similar, if more realistic. However, I ended up feeling hesitant to recommend it to my wife. It's certainly not erotica, but it's got enough 'tease' in it that some people will be offended.
Like my experiences with Piers Anthony's novels, I found re-reading them to be less enjoyable the older I get - but they continue to be well-written books that fans will enjoy, especially if they happen to be young men. Luckily for fans new to the series, they are all commonly available in used bookstores, giving you plenty of new reading for a nice price.
May be my favorite Chalker........2005-04-10
River of the Dancing Gods is a quirky intelligent fantasy novel that manages to be a compelling read while holding up the entire genre for gentle parody.
Marge and Joe are not your typical fantasy heroes, but are probably all the better for not being typical. Marge is a down-at-the-heels 30-something waitress/housewife. Joe is a trucker who somehow lost the plot along the way. Together they meet a strange character called Ruddigore, and the adventure begins.
This was a re-read for me, and as I recall the rest of the series does not live up to the promise of this one. Still, a decent place to begin with Chalker. There is significantly less of the sniggering 12-year-old boy humor that can make Chalker so irritating at times. Should appeal to readers who like fantasy of the Xanth and Spellsinger variety.
Amusing fantasy.......2002-01-23
This is a lightweight but nevertheless entertaining fantasy novel. What makes this book stand out is Chalker's taking on the cliches of fantasy. If this wasn't clearly a parody, it would be nothing more than a routine novel. Certainly, the plot involving two "real world" individuals who must go to a fantasy land to save it is nothing original; it's how Chalker plays with the standard conventions that makes this an above average story.
There are flaws, admittedly. The characters are rather bland and often fit into the cliches that Chalker is trying to ridicule. Also, too much time is spent on the set-up (around 60% of the book) and too little time on the actual adventure (and the final battle is somewhat anticlimactic). However, if this viewed as only volume one in a larger four volume story, perhaps the setup isn't too long; after all, Tolkien took a couple hundred pages to get his fellowship moving.
This book is a fun, quick read. I recommend it especially to people familiar with fantasy as they'll understand the humor more readily.
A wonderful introduction to a whole new world.......1998-06-10
This was the first true series of medieval fantasy books I had ever read and it was fantastic. Jack Chalker starts us here in our own time and then spins us into another world with our heroes Joe and Marge, two loners who are picked up off a lonely road and brought to the new world, by the sorcerer Ruddygore.
Chalker does a great job with character development, allowing us to follow both Joe and Marge through their transformations into legends. He keeps the action moving along and even gives the readers some humor as well. Ruddygore's importance to the story is noted in almost every situation, since he seems to have affected everybody and everything around him.
What I like about this book (and the Dancing Gods series in general) is that Chalker shows us real imagination in every situation he throws his characters in. Joe the barabarian isn't your typical barbarian hero so it makes sense that he shouldn't be in typical situations. Joe's problems are recognizable to the reader which helps us get into the character, and yet only Joe could solve them. Marge isn't your average changeling magic-user either, although we don't follow her nearly as closely as we do Joe the barabarian.
Chalker's style of writing is also very easy to follow. It flows well and isn't cluttered with lots of words you would need a dictionary to look up. I'm not saying that his writing is simple, it isn't, but it's not written above the reader, either. It is a very enjoyable book and Chalker does us the favor of wrapping up the story as well. You can follow Joe and Marge in their next adventure or, if you don't like it, you can stop here and be content in finishing the book.
Book Description
The Dark Baron, defeated at last, had been stripped of all his magical power and exiled to Earth. But there he enlisted a computer to create even more effective spells. Helped by the forces of Hell, the Dark Baron is once again threatening Husaquahr -- and only Joe and Marge can stop him!
Customer Reviews:
Chalker at his hilarious best!.......2000-03-28
Chalker hits a high note with this one. Marge and Joe out in the absurd fantasy realm go from the frying pan and into the fire and back again! Transformations abound in this delightful spoof of every fantasy novel ever written!
Beware the rules....and have a great time!
Book Description
Where did big bands and swing music go? They didn't leave. . . but many Americans actually believe they disappeared along with ballrooms, jukeboxes, bobby sox and zoot suits decades ago. Band leader Brooks Tegler, who has recreated the great music of World War II with his Army Air Corps Review Big Band, offers a good response. "In order for something to come back, it needs to have gone away. Big bands have wrongly been put in that category. They never went away." And that's the essence of the chapters of my book about America's big bands, ballrooms and dancing's past and present. And there's a good look at the future through the eyes of a number of young bandleaders from the east to west coast who carry on in the tradition of Guy Lombardo, Glenn Miller, Harry James, Woody Herman, Duke Ellington and a host of other music legends in their own distinctive way. The struggle to survive in the music business hasn't been without losses and a need for life support. It did when Miller, Benny Goodman, James and Ellington were in their heyday. It's a financially precarious business regardless of your talent. Inevitably, music and dancing evolved and matured. The reasons are numerous and linked to our heritage. But like marching bands on the 4th of July, imagine a country club new year's eve without live dance music and a big band. Think about the many community social events and high school and college proms let alone wedding receptions that still insist on having live bands to play the foxtrots and swing numbers people enjoy. My research shows that while there were approximately 800 big bands on the road during the swing era of the 1940s, today there are nearly 1,300 big bands, according to a Google search and a review of hundreds of territory bands. Consequently, neither the bands nor the music vanished. . . they scattered throughout the American countryside.
Books:
- Callander Square
- Chautauqua
- Creative Drama in the Classroom and Beyond (7th Edition)
- Criss Cross (Newbery Medal Book)
- Cypress Grove
- Dark Paradise
- Dating Dead Men: A Novel
- Dead Man Running (Torie O'Shea Mysteries)
- Dearly Beloved
- Figure Drawing: The Structure, Anatomy and Expressive Design of the Human Form, 6th Edition
Books Index
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