With the death of her mother, Makenna Lindsay is vulnerable, as she feels alone in the world though she is engaged. Still Makenna believes she loves her fiancé and they make love prior to their marriage. To her shock, the rat dumps her.

Among her mother's possessions, Makenna finds the deed to a small house on Carnal Cove on the Isle of Wight. Needing time to heal from the two blows she just received, Makenna decides the isolated isle is the ideal spot to recuperate. Her widow neighbor Captain Nicholas Saintjohn disrupts her serenity when he persuades a reluctant Makenna to tutor his son in the fine arts. Even more disturbing, a not so friendly ghost appears and Makenna hears the sound of a weeping child while she falls in love with her neighbor.

Gothic and paranormal romance readers will enjoy THE GHOST OF CARNAL COVE. The story line combines elements from both sub-genres as the isolated house and the brooding captain with an innocent woman provide Gothic elements while the ghost represents the paranormal. Though the plot takes a bit long to decide on which path serves as the prime theme, Makenna turns the tale into a fine novel as she struggles with otherworldly essences and a grim neighbor who has her heart.

Harriet Klausner

Makenna Lindsay had thought herself in love. Due to be wed soon, she gave in early and went to bed with the man, only to be dumped. Makenna's mother had recently passed away, leaving her alone in the world with no relatives for help. She found a deed to a small house on Carnal Cove, located on the isolated Isle of Wight. It was there she fled to lick her wounds in peace.

Makenna expected to remain secluded. She hired an older couple to do housework and maintenance. She wanted only to be alone with the beach and her music. Instead she was tempted by a widowed neighbor, Captain Nicholas Saintjohn. Against her better judgement, Makenna agreed to tudor his young son, Jonathan, in art and music. Even more, a ghost interrupted her solitude. At night she sometimes hear the sobbing of a child. Often the misty form of a young woman walking on the beach appeared. Yet no one else could see or hear the ghost. Worse, the ghost was NOT exactly friendly or harmless!

***** W-O-W! Gothic Lovers, do NOT miss this one! Author Evelyn Rogers has proven herself to be The QUEEN of Gothic Romance! This is an incredible tale that I found myself unable to put down. It has been so long since an author has written a gothic style book like the ones I fondly recall reading by Victoria Holt! I simply cannot express how wonderful this story is. Do not take a chance on missing this title, pre-order a copy if you read this before the publishing date. AWESOME! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch.

Fate has a way of bringing two lost souls together to be joined as one . . .

Makenna Lindsey flees London to find a place where she can rebuild her shattered life and mend a heart that has been cruelly broken. Her travels lead her to the mysterious Isle of Wight. There, she finds comfort in nightly strolls along a windy stretch of beach known as Carnal Cove. Its hypnotic voice seems to call out to her, warning her of some unknown evil force. During one of these moonlight expeditions, she meets up with Captain Nicholas Saintjohn, the owner of a massive home that dominates the cliff tops overlooking the cove. Nicholas makes no secret that her presence is not welcome and he tries to discourage her from making future visits. Makenna sees intensity burned into the depths of Nicholas' eyes and the torment that he tries so hard to hide is evident by his actions. She is convinced that she will be the one able to unleash the pain that plagues him. But by doing so, will she be putting her life in jeopardy?

Things are not always as they seem . .

Captain Nicholas Saintjohn finds himself enchanted by the newcomer, Makenna Lindsey. He is unable to resist her beauty and artistic ability, which she so effortlessly displays. For her own protection, he tries to convince her to leave behind the Isle of Wight and all the hidden secrets it holds. Will he be able to convince her of the dangers that lurk in the shadows?

Through Evelyn Rogers' mesmerizing words, the reader is able to become one with THE GHOST OF CARNAL COVE. Few authors bring a story alive as vibrantly as Evelyn Rogers. All of her stories are masterfully crafted, but her Gothic romances always hold a unique quality that other authors are unable to capture. Her marvelous talent as a writer puts her in a category by herself. To say she has a true gift for storytelling is an understatement.

This is for the serious student of cartography and/or the middle ages, not for the person with a casual interest. The book is different from others in that it also describes the context of the maps - the manuscripts of which the maps were usually a small part. Therefore it more clearly shows the intent of the medieval writers and the purpose of the maps (which is quite different to our modern view of maps). It helps dispel the modern view of these maps as quaint oddities. The reason why it doesn't get 5 stars: a) it relies heavily on prior knowledge of the field. I don't think I would have understood many of the references if I hadn't already read "The History of Cartography Vol 1" or "Medieval Maps". b) there are fewer illustrations than in other books, and those that are included are not as good as those produced in other works. However, Time and Space does include some that others don't, and it has better and more detailed descriptions of the features of the maps. If you are starting out in this field, or just have a casual interest, I'd recommend "Medieval Maps" or "Mappa Mundi", both by P.D.A. Harvey. They contain splendid illustrations of the key maps of the period, with sufficient information to explain, without going into too much theory. Then if you want to know more, follow up with Time and Space or The History of Cartography. I note that this is the first of a series. I'm looking forward to seeing the topics to be covered in the rest of the series.

Evelyn Edson invites us to put medieval maps back into their intended context. Too often in past books, medieval maps have been ripped out of their context and lined up one after another in a history of science narrative. In "Mapping Time & Space", Dr. Edson presents the many other diagrams with which maps are regularly found -- letting us view the broader array of medieval schematic diagrams. These diagrams, in turn, teach us more about the maps.

This important book is a must-have for anyone interested in the history of maps.

I'm currently doing a long paper on the cartography of Matthew Paris, and after slogging through "The History of Cartography vol. 1" this was a pleasure to read. Edson's prose is interesting and engaging, and she covers a wide range of sources, ranging from from easter tables to all types of medieval maps, in her quest to show the linkages between time and space in cartography of the Middle Ages. One of the best books I've read on the subject.

Knowing the author was also an essayist and critic, I was prepared for a scholarly and rather literary work. Wrong! Though the central character, Belle Prokoff, is a subtle, fully-dimensional portrait of the long-suffering widow of an alcoholic genius (based on the Jackson Pollock/Lee Krasner saga), the world she inhabits is fraught with pretentious, loopy and/or greedy art-world denizens that Toynton dispatches with flair and obvious relish. The author has an gift for economical, vivid writing that wastes no time and is full of invention. This is a book about the art world that--rarely enough--needn't make insiders wince, but you don't have to care about art to enjoy reading it. An appreciation for colorful dialogue, for well-drawn, ultimately moving characters--in short, for excellent writing--is enough.

What an intelligent novel about an array of interesting, complex, troubled, and ambitious people. Yes, it's based on the lives on Lee Krasner and Jackson Pollock, but the writer is so inventive and astute, she brings much more than a borrowed story to this endeavor. This is a spare, sophisticated, deeply wise book about why women love the men they do, why we romanticize the past, why we create art, why we revere the people who do it brilliantly, why we need each other and, often, why we abandon one another. It's edgy and tender and spectacularly smart and well written.

Evelyn Toynton is a wonderful, insightful writer. Her characters come to life and her powers of observation are first-rate. The New York Times reviewer focused on her dislike of the roman a clef genre, but praised the author's style and intelligence, which shines through on every page. This book deserves to be read!

This biography makes the reader realize that hard work can bring riches to one's life and I don't mean just money. Anyone who loves her job and saves money can accomplish anything. Kids should read this book and take Ola's message to heart. Find something you enjoy doing and make that your life's work!

I am so proud that this biography about the life of Oseola McCarty made the Texas Bluebonnet Reading List for 2000-2001! While reviewing this book for the library, I thought that Oseola's attitude about working hard, saving money, getting a good education, and sharing with others is exactly the kind of examples that we want to share with our children. Whenever I hear her name today and think about her generous gift to the University of Southern Mississippi, I am reminded that there is still honor, dignity, and value in doing work that brings pleasure. This wonderful biography about a remarkable woman's spirit is an inspiration to us all!

Ms. McCarty is exactly the type of person to which we, as parents, teachers, or librarians, should be exposing our children. This short book tells the story of how an uneducated black woman, who worked at only menial jobs, saved enough money to establish a college scholarship fund. There are important lessons about work ethic, education, saving money, and particularly about faith in God. This story should be read aloud to third grade and up. The book also includes information on setting up savings accounts.

Evelyn is very different from Pepys, whom he knew. Unlike Pepys, Evelyn was a strait-laced fellow, so we get no juicy stories of his amours. He hardly speaks of his wife and consequently never mentions any arguments they might have had. He tells few personal anecdotes. He also has little to say about the great plague year or the great fire of London. Pepys gives a lot more detail on these subjects.

What he does deal with rather extensively are the meetings of the Royal Society, of which he was a member. It was hard for me to get excited about these. Nevertheless, it is good to have this book available.

John Evelyn's diary is a wonderful source-book for 17th Century England. It covers far more of the period than Peyps' diary (but is a little drier!)and gives a comprehensive picture of life in those turbulent times. Guy de la Bedoyere has done a fine job of editing this diary.

Styled as a devotional that I read every night before I pray. Easy to understand, wonderful advice. I bought a copy for my whole family.

Evelyn Christensen's devotional breaks down the complexity of prayer into precious nuggets that offer sustenance to both the new Christian and the more experienced pray-er. She addresses prayer "closets" for personal praying, praying in groups, spiritual warfare, and many more. This is my favorite devotional on prayer, and I'm so disappointed that it isn't available from the publisher any longer. I have purchased it as a gift before, and the receivers loved it as much as I do.

I didn't really find this book all that interesting and appealing, although it wasn't that badly written. Basically the stories deal with prostitution and sexuality, and are influenced by the author's own experiences as a child-prostitute. Her writing was a big thing on the Canadian literature scene a while back, her being relatively young when her first works were published. If you want to sample her writing, I guess this is a good place to start; the book is relatively easy to find secondhand and is pretty short. Should only take an hour or two to read.

I first became aware of Evelyn Lau after reading an excerpt of Fresh Girls on a website, and I loved it. I ordered the book immediately. All the stories in it are written with such a real quality to them. She makes things seem intensely beautiful, no matter what. She makes you see the beauty in something with her words and the way she uses them. "Mercy" is by far, my favorite story in this.

this was such a great book. I first saw this book at a friends house and proceeded to pick it up. I was drawn in, and couldn't put it down. I had trouble finding it, but I odered it and It took me a few hours to read it from start to finish. I can't tell you how wonderful and exiting it was to read about someone who has a liking for s and m and related material. I found that I really related to this book, especially for someone who deals with depression every day. Lau is a great writer and I plan on buying all of her books. Highly reccommended, but as a warning, it does contain explcit material.

Well, IF you're one of those people who likes to question everything (like me) then this book is FOR you. It's an interesting game to play alone or with friends, and makes you question your own morale and ideals. It's great. A+ and INTERESTING to boot.

This book was so thought provoking. I just bought it today, and I have already read throught all of it. It makes you think so deeply. I sometimes doubted my own beliefes. You end up analizing yourself so much, you find out who you are. It is a sort of self-help book. Not only did I ask my family some questions while I was reading it, but I called my best friend and asked her a few. I will be taking this to school with me on Monday. I am really interested to know the reactions people will have to this. I recommend it to anyone who is even slightly interested.

This book is great...I use it all the time to start conversations between me and my friends. These always turn out to be the most meaningful. I have learned so much about myself and others from this book. Check out the first one too!

My 2 boys really enjoy this book, and love all the details of running a steam train. I'm not really sure, however, that kids who are not extreme train lovers would like it as much---there isn't much going on except the viewing of the train and all the train related signs and stations! But there are plenty of big time train lovers out there! We've been to Strasburg, where this is set, and this book makes the boys want to go back!

Our train-obsessed three-year-old likes to read this one over and over. He identifies with Christopher and likes to examine the photographs of the train closely. We have yet to find a book that shows the fundamentals of running an actual (as opposed to illustrated) steam engine as well as this one. He especially likes the water tower and fireman pictures. This book is a great way to show how the real "Thomas the Tank Engines" work. Good basic bedtime (or other-time) story, especially for the train-obsessed. We have since ridden the train depicted in the book, and the excitement was not measurable!

High quality photographs accompany a story of a young boy (looks 3 years old) who goes on steam train ride alone. The journey goes from buying the ticket to disembarking. Each step of the journey is documented in the numerous photos and explained in detailed text. The boy is treated to more than just the ride; he converses with train employees who explain in detail information such as how the steam engine works, the names of the various train worker positions (fireman, etc.) and explains what their job is. Different train signs are shown and their meaning is explained. As the train ride begins the boy gazes out the window and gazes at the passing scenes of farms and Amish people. The photos are of the Strausberg, Pennsylvania steam train ride.

My only negative comment is I find it strange and unrealistic to have a 3 year-old all alone on this entire journey, from buying the ticket by himself, to the ride, to disembarking. Where are the parents? I would have rather had them along on the trip as a family experience.

There is a good amount of detail about trains and their inner workings compared to other books published for this age range. I appreciated this as my two young train lovers are eager for information and real photos about trains vs. the many beautifully hand illustrated fictional works about trains that are already available in the picture books published for 4-8 year olds. There is a good amount of text here, about 4 sentences per page, and 32 pages.

This captivated my 2-year-old train lover (despite publishers age recommendations). ... I highly recommend this book for train lovers, but beginning at age 2 not 4 as the publisher recommends.

If your child yearns for more information, I suggest that you move up to non-fiction that the publishers deem for 8-11 years old or even to read aloud books published for adults. Use your child's interest level not a publisher's guideline. Even if you can't read every word in the book due to the child wanting to turn the page to see different pictures, just read what you can get to and what they want to hear. I recommend "Cross section train", "Eyewitness:Train" and "Railways and Trains" published by Usbourne books for non-fiction with much detail, all are published for the 8-11 age range.

The book did keep me hooked, but even while I was turning pages, I kept having questions about the reality of the physical setting and characters that were never answered - for instance, about the background of the protagonist and Laurentia. I think that the lack of credibility on this level of the story kept me from enjoying the more supernatural aspects of the plot, even though they were intriguing.

I'm not easily scared by books, but I make a point of reading this one with the lights on! Berckman weaves a spellbinding atmosphere of gradually heightening terror by concentrating on a character study of sixtyish spinster Lorraine Teasdale and the strange events that lead her, step by step, into another world (or is it?) Read this book!

There are those among us who are endowed with the gift-not yet understood-of contact in some degree with powers beyond the physical world. Sixtyish Lorna Teasdal's awareness of possessing this gift pervaded her life, yet she consciously suppressed and resisted it in her anxiety to be an ordinary normal person. She goes exploring in the attic of her new rented flat in London and comes upon a bag full of letters, a diary, and a Victorian photograph album whose very touch seems to set off whispers of a past she never knew, yet must uncover. Thus begins her journey...