I am the author of BEFORE EDEN. Unfortunately, the series was cancelled by the publisher for yet unclear reasons. I have done a rewrite of BEFORE EDEN and also the second book in the series, TO BETHLEHEM. If people are interesting in receiving a download of either, I can make them available. Please email me, MarkLitt@AOL.com, for details.If there's enough interest, I will finish the series. Thanks again for your interest and support. Mark Littleton

Before Eden is a well-conceived and extremely well-written behind-the-scenes look at Creation and the war in heaven. The story is a thought-provoking explanation of why faith is important, told by means of an angel's eye view of Evil's waking moments. As an "Alexis DeTocqueville" of events in Heaven leading up to the Flood, our humble angel narrator ponders some of the same questions we all have in our struggle to understand God and the reason for good and evil. Our angel, however, has access to the very throne of the Creator and asks some pretty tough questions and receives some very piercing answers.

Mark Littleton is obviously a man of God with a keen insight into spiritual curiosity. Unfortunately, this first book in a planned series is the only on that made it to print and now it is out of print. Too bad. Everyone with whom I've shared this book has raved about its clever treatment of nagging questions and have been left with a new perspective on the need for faith. And as for the realm of spiritual warfare, Littleton has my vote hands down over Frank Peretti.

If you are a bliever, get and read this book!!

If you are not a believer, get and read this book!!

BEFORE EDEN pulls back the vail of time and space for the reader to get an up front view of eternity past. Mark Littleton's style of writing captivates the reader by beautifully weaving together the story of this neutral angel and the truth revealed in scripture to bring fourth a compelling look at what eternity past was like. I found myself not able to put the book down and in fact have read it three times. I greatly look forward to the completion of the series. I hope some publishers take notice...

An incredible story indeed. And so personal, especially at the end. I cannot imagine how difficult it must have been for Mike to write this book and risk opening wounds. Especially the letter from Stephanie Shughart. There is a lot of wisdom in his words and a lot of it I took to heart. This is a book I couldn't put down and couldn't wait to pick back up when I had the chance. It made a hugh impression on me. I'm so thankful for men (and women) like Mike Durant. Honor and pride in their work, their duty to their country and to each other. It's not all play for them. Protecting the country doesn't just happen when they get the call. Twenty-four hour preparedness is what it takes. Read this book and you'll understand and next time you meet someone in the US Military, you'll want to thank them.

I was stationed at the Pentagon, when Gary Gordon and Randy Shughart's names were placed during a ceremony on the wall in the Medal of Honor room. I remember seeing men at the ceremony who were tough as nails with tears rolling down their eyes as the citations were read. The bravery of these two men always struck me because they truly lived and died for the creed that all in the service strive for, to not let their buddies behind and to risk their lives for those they served with. People wonder why people in the military put up with the lousy pay, the god forsaken bases, and the long periods of separation from families and loved ones. The answer is simple, we put up with those indignities because the military allows us to serve with some of the finest people it has been my privilige to have served with on active duty. Michael Durant's book pays the proper homage to these men. He makes them come alive as human and individuals, not as mythic warrior gods. When he describes their deaths, along with their lives, you truly mourn for them because you, too, feel the sense of loss. It should be a must read for our nation's leaders. That way, when they order our men and women into harm's way, they know the human cost of not properly supporting our troops with a clear mission and the right resources to carry out that mission. Well done, Mr. Durant!!!

This book was hard to put down. Durant's writing style and sense of humor make it compelling, as if you're hearing a story from a good friend.

The slices of his life besides his captivity in Somalia also give insight into this man and show how they forged his will and gave him the ability to survive his 10 days in captivity and keep his mind intact.

I'd reccomend this book to anyone who has read Black Hawk Down; especially if you think Bowden came off as a Clinton apologist. Durant expresses the feelings of every red-blooded American Serviceman who has served durring the past 10 years!

I found one small error in the book and even it was probably just an oversimplification and not crucial to the plot, itself. Other than that, it's earned a place of honor on my bookshelf. One that is increasingly becoming more "Army" than "Marines". I left the Corps 10 years ago and I'm going into the Army in the next 10 days!

All we need now is for this story to be turned into a movie and done well. The small piece of it shown in Black Hawk Down does not do this man any justice.

Thank you, Michael Durant. God Bless you and your family! Semper Fi! Hoo-Ah! NSDQ!

This book's primary objective is to provide "an easy recipe for great publicity" and Mathis achieves that objective. I also think that all of the twelve "Rules" he identifies and then explains are directly relevant to internal and (especially) external communications wholly unrelated to media relations. It would be a disservice to both Mathis and to those who read this review to list the dozen. Each should be carefully considered within the context in which Mathis presents it. They meet a variety of needs which include but are not limited to media relations. Mathis does indeed enable his reader to gain a "systematic understanding of how all publicity works," a cohesive, comprehensive, and cost-effective system which is "easy to learn, easy to remember, and easy to apply." In aggregate, they comprise what Mathis calls a "Media Rules methodology." Mathis suggests (and I agree) that most readers already know most of what he advocates. If true, why read his book? Good question. My response is this: Learning what to do with what we already know will determine the value of that knowledge. The 12 Rules are based on common sense in combination with the Golden Rule. Inorder to attract favorable attention and to achieve a desired objective, it is imperative to keep in mind that the media as well as business associates are generally handicapped by limitations (e.g. time), harried (e.g. by pressures and distractions), hungry (i.e. to improve their circumstances), and human (e.g. sensitive to perceived neglect and abuse). As Mathis explains, the "Beast" is an all-encompassing term "for the system that pushes the news gathering process." Perhaps Mathis would agree with me that "Beast" can also be used as an all-encompassing term for the community or communities within which one earns a living. The second "Beast" must also be "fed" with courtesy and consideration as well as with information and other resources.

Mathis divides the dozen Rules within four categories: Seducers (which attract attention amidst ever-increasing "clutter"), Enablers (preparation, simplicity, and repetition), Aggressors (which sustain initiatives), and Hazards (obviously, excesses and perils to be avoided). Mathis explains both HOW and WHY each of the 12 Rules is essential; also, HOW and WHY the 12 Rules are related, indeed interdependent. Throughout his book, he provides dozens of real-world examples to illustrate key points which include don'ts as well as do's. (Many years ago, I headed the regional PR operations of a huge advertising agency. I now regret that those don'ts and do's had been available to me then.) This is neither a textbook nor a manual, although Mathis does include at least some "how to do it" guidance.

For whom will this book be most valuable? First and foremost, those who are primarily responsible within their respective organizations for establishing and then nourishing cordial and mutually beneficial relationships with the media. It is important for many readers to understand that, if the Mathis' Media Rules are carefully and consistently followed, even small companies can obtain substantial and favorable publicity. Long ago, John Hill defined public relations as "truth well-told." I agree. Moreover, for most organizations, there are many different "publics" (other than the media) with which to establish and then nourish mutually-beneficial relationships: "stakeholders" such as employees, customers, vendors and suppliers, and service providers as well as shareholders. Hospitals also have patients among their "publics"; schools, colleges, and universities have alumni and benefactors among theirs. All of Mathis' Media Rules can also ensure "truth well-told" to these various constituencies

Those who share my high regard for this book are urged to read Bossidy and Charan's Execution: The Discipline of Getting Things Done as well as Hammer's The Agenda: What Every Business Must Do to Dominate the Decade and Maister's Practice What You Preach: What Managers Must Do to Create a High-Achievement Culture.

I don't think anyone can read Feeding the Media Beast and not be entertained. Better yet they will learn valuable insights about dealing with the media. There has always been a mystique about the media, that somehow they are greater beings than mere mortals. Mathis easily puts that to rest through his personal stories and often humorous examples. Mathis knows the media and is generous in his willingness to share.

Once anyone with a product to sell or something to promote figures out that the media need US they will be halfway to meeting their goal. Knowing how the game is played, and how important we are to them, is what Mathis does an excellent job of teaching.

Prepare. That is the key principle that Mathis shares and that we need to remember over and over. The media can be intimidating and daunting if we allow it, but with the information in Feeding the Media Beast it doesn't have to be. The media should be our best friend and after reading this book you'll feel much more confident and remember that they need us.

A must-use desk top reference book for nurturing the Media Beast.
Mark Mathis explains his insights into the media world in a straight forward manner -- and no hype -- that even mere mortals can understand. Spiced with personal experiences and humorous stories (often at his own expense), he is able to demonstrate precisely how the media game works and how the Beast lives and feeds. I'm not going to plan another PR event or do another interview without pouring over page 103 again and again.

Read it -- and re-read if often!!

So you love C.S. Lewis' Narnia Chronicles? There people who don't are few and far between. One of the biggest influences on C.S. Lewis was this man, George MacDonald (1824-1905). It was MacDonald's talent for telling fairy stories that inspired Lewis in writing his own. Like Lewis, MacDonald has a remarkable ability to tell a delightful and enchanting story for children, layered with strong Christian themes and imagery by means of allegory and symbols. 'The Princess and the Goblin' is one of his most beloved works for children, and an excellent introduction to his style and success.

'The Princess and the Goblin' features a heroine ' a princess called Irene ' and a hero ' a simple miner's son called Curdie. While working overtime in the mines to earn money to buy his mother a red petty-coat, Curdie chances upon the goblins who live in the mountain, and discovers that they are hatching an evil plot against the king and his palace. Meanwhile the princess makes a discovery of her own ' high in the castle she finds a wonderful old lady who is her great-great-grandmother. The problem is, nobody else knows of her grandmother, and nobody believes her. But the princess does believe, and it is by her faith in her grandmother and the magic thread that she receives from her, that she is able to rescue Curdie. Together they rescue the entire palace from disaster at the hands of the goblins.

In telling the story, MacDonald has an enchanting conversational style, wonderfully suitable for reading aloud to enraptured children ' an ability perfecting in telling stories to his own eleven children. But 'The Princess and the Goblin' is more than just a story. Before pursuing a literary career, MacDonald was a Congregationalist minister, and so integrates important underlying Christian themes. Believing in the great-great-grandmother despite the fact that many cannot see her, is a symbol of believing in God. MacDonald uses this to show how the Christian faith involves believing without seeing, and that not everyone has to 'see' something for it to be true. The grandmother's lamp and magic thread are the guides on which the princess must depend, much like the Word which is a lamp on our path. It may sound tacky, but it works.

Children are not likely to grasp the deeper underlying themes that MacDonald is working with. Nonetheless the story has a clear message for children. The clear conflict between the royal powers of light against the goblin powers of darkness is unmistakable. Moreover, the princess is presented as a model of virtue, and MacDonald frequently asserts the importance of moral virtues such as always telling the truth, keeping your word, and admitting your faults ' moral virtues that are equally important for princes and princesses of God's kingdom. Courage, honesty, grace, dignity and beauty are timeless ideals for children of all times to strive for. If you love Narnia, you're sure to like this one, and you'll find yourself quickly grabbing the sequel, 'The Princess and Curdie.' 'The Princess and the Goblin' was one of J.R.R. Tolkien's childhood favorites, highly regarded by C.S. Lewis, described by W.H. Auden as 'the only English children's book in the same class as the Alice books', and generally considered as a classic example of nineteenth century children's literary fairy tales. So if you haven't yet read this book, it's about time you did. With admirers such as Tolkien, Lewis and Auden, if you become a MacDonald's admirer you'll find yourself in good company!

This wonderful children's novel tells the story of eight year old Princess Irene. Cared for by her nurse Lootie, she lives in a mountain farmhouse while her father rules over the region from a mountain top castle. The local folk work as miners but are beset by the Goblins who inhabit the underground. Irene is saved from the Goblins by Curdie, a thirteen year old miner, and she in turn saves him. The whole thing is told in a pleasant conversational style and is filled with humor, word games, magic, derring-do, and pure wonderment.

George MacDonald, a Congregational minister turned novelist, who seems nearly forgotten now, was one of the seminal figures in the development of Fantasy. His influence on other Fantasy authors is obvious, he was a childhood favorite of JRR Tolkein, who especially liked this book, and C.S. Lewis named him one of his favorite authors. His own stories draw on many of the themes and characters of classical European fairy tales. But where they were often merely horrific and meaningless, MacDonald adds a layer of Christian allegory. Thus, Irene and Curdie are eventually saved by a thread so slender that you can't even see it, but which leads them back to safety, teaching Curdie that you sometimes have to believe in things that you can't see.

The book would be interesting simply as a touchstone of modern fiction, but it stands up well on its own and will delight adults and children alike.

GRADE: A

This book is not only beautifully written and perfect for all ages, "The Princess and the Goblin" is also morally strong and uplifting. Children of either sex will be interested in it, with a loving and beautiful grandmother, a strong and intelligent young girl, and a young boy who is intent on protecting his loved ones and uncovering the evil goblin plot. I have read this countless times, and each time I discover something new. The sequel, "The Princess and Curdie," is also worth reading. I love this book!

This book is the ultimate companion guide to the hit TV show Alias and is a great addition to any fan's collection. This comprehensive book covers every single aspect of the show from casting, to writing, to props, and special effects. It includes cool behind the scenes photos and original drawings from story boards and the costume designer. The book also has quotes from every character and can answer any question you have ever had about the show, thanks to the episode guide. There is so much more that I can't fit in this review!

Mark Cotta Vaz does a wonderful job of diving into Sydney's complex world of spyin' and lyin' and he has created an incredibly interesting book. Oh, and the bonus? A totally awesome DVD!

The ABC spy drama "Alias" is only into it's second season, but the hype and cult status created by it's fans almost forced the creation of "Declassified: The Official Companion". If, like me, you're a huge fan of the show, then "Declassified" is JUST what you need.

Packed within 202 pages are sketches, interviews, episode recaps, actor/character bios, show nomination information, and some neat trivia that the "Alias" fan should find interesting. Author Mark Cotta Vaz has done a subpurb job at bringing all of the show's elements together into an easy to read, highly entertaining book. He takes you from the creative minds behind the storylines (creator JJ Abrams and writer Jesse Alexander)to the sets and finally to post production, where the "magic" really happens. You'll also find storyboards, costume sketches, theme music compositions, and Rambaldi artifacts and information, which are VERY important to understanding if you watch the show.

The most enjoyable part of the book for me personally are the pictures. The cover is absolutely breathtaking, with the beautiful Jennifer Garner as Sydney Bristow and her signature red hair. Inside you'll find more pictures of Sydney, Vaughn, Dixon, and the rest of the characters that you love...and hate.

An added bonus, and something that I really enjoyed, was the limited edition DVD that was included with the book. On it are interviews, behind the scenes shots, bios, wallpaper, screen savers and information on the hottest online game at the moment, Alias Online Adventure.

In short, if you're a fan of the show, YOU MUST BUY THIS BOOK! For those who are just becoming fans, the book will fill you in on everything from last season so that you can understand and enjoy the new one. Let's hope that in a few years, another updated version of the companion will come out.

Gennie Bailey-Rogers

Alias, now in it's second season and recently picked up for a third on ABC, is my favorite show on TV. Every week a new itelligent plot is set in motion, which also develops continuing storylines. This book sheds new light on the cast, crew, and storyline of Alias. You'll learn how it was created, about the writing process, the scoring of the music, the costume designing, prop creation- everything, including a summary and director/producer/guest star info for every first season episode. The book also comes with a DVD featuring clips from the pilot episode, interviews with the cast, and character profiles. Well worth the money for any fan of the show!

This book is a real page turner and I found myself staying up late into the night several nights in a row. Scott McMillion's research is thourough and for that reason I can highly recommend this book to anyone curious about Grissly Bears and human/bear interaction. I have read other Bear books but Scotts is by far the best one I have read so far. It is adrenaline pumping stories with a mission to teach common sense and compassion. I love to hike and camp all over the west and I feel much better prepared to do all that with more awareness and enjoyment and much less fear. This can only work for the good of the bears and the humans who wish to enjoy the same territories.

The immense benefit of this book for the hiker or woodsman is obvious. Here you'll find examples of mistakes and misunderstandings which ineveitably led, as shown by McMillions' careful retrospective analysis, to serious maulings and fatalities. His discussion of the psychology of both bear and victim can enable much safer sojourns into the wilderness.

But the book isn't only for those most likely to encounter these magnificent animals. Even for those of us who live in the city, reading the book illustrates the great, atavistic fear which all of us might somehow carry in genetic memory. You need only experience the hair rising on the back of your neck as you read these accounts to understand how deep this feeling runs in all of us.

For myself, it took only a chance encounter with a paltry black bear rummaging around the trashcans outside my tent to bring this home. I spent the rest of the night trembling with unused adrenaline in my husbands arms.

Where did this fear come from? Someoplace I never knew existed, I assure you. But remember, one childhood psychology study I read said most children spontaneously begin to exhibit, at about the age of three, a deep, abiding fear of the dark woods.

Scott McMillion's "Mark of the Grizzly" is a very good bear book. As a man who has been interested in bears for many years, a man who has observed many bears in the wild for many years, and as a man who hunts black bears with primitive, single shot, muzzleloading rifles, I came to this book with many opinions of my own. McMillion anticipated my ever comment, my every question and my every objection. He responded to each of them and then he went on to teach me things I didn't know about bears.

This is an important book because it is a great study of the relationship between brown bears and man. But it is also an important book because as the human population grows and we edge out wildlife, and especially potentially dangerous wildlife, it may become one of the only reliable books on the kind of man/bear encounters described within its pages. Such encounters have been a big part of human history.

I had my local library buy this book for me. I read the book and now I am going to buy a copy for my home. If you have an interest in bears, this is a book you should read and own.

Incidentally Scott, If you're out there and you come across this post: A) Congratulations. B) Bears DO respond to a "dinner bell". C) Drop me a line sometime and I'll tell you a local bear story I heard recently.

This book is just excellent, i've been programming JAVA, and i was always trying to find such a book. When i got it I just began reading it and the more i read the more successful code i could produce, This book is *PERFECT* just look at the reviews to figure it out. Buy it if you have heard about "Java language" !

When I changed jobs to program from C++/Smalltalk to Java, this is the book I used the most for the first couple of months. Lots of useful information that is easy to find (each tidbit is pretty much stand alone). I still use it a lot.

A very good book explaining Java 1.0 in detail. The learn by tips approach is excellent. Unfortunately this book covers version 1.0 and many of the features have been deprecated as of version 1.2. Still , this remains an excellent book.

By the authors of "Clone Brews" Beer Captured is also a book of copies of 150 commercially produced beers from around the world. I found this book to be an improvment over the Szmatulski's first effort in that with the book's new look you get a helpful hints section on each recipe along with serving suggestions. Divided into four sections pages 1-14 tell a lot about brewing (probably not quite enough for a complete novice), followed by pages 15-164, beer recipes, section three (165-174)has recipes for foods involving beer in them someplace (some sound very tasty. Part 4, pages 175-195,contains lists of mash guidelines, water mineral and modification charts, several other charts not given in most books that should really help in brewing something drinkable.

I can't say enough good things about this book. The title is perfect. Every Szamatulski recipe I have tried has been great (I own both of their books and have brewed a bunch of their recipes). The descriptions of each beer and the suggestions of food to go with it make my mouth water. Every recipe has instructions for all-grain, extract w/ grain, and partial mash methods of brewing. Find a recipe in the book that appeals to you, taste a store bought beer to see if you like it a lot, brew it, taste your version and the brewery's version and see how much better your's is than the "real thing". I have 16 homebrewing boks on my shelf and most of them are at least half full of recipes. "Beer Captured" is my all-time favorite. 5 stars is not enough.

Beer Captured is much more than a just a book of homebrew recipes.

While the recipes are the centerpiece, Tess and Mark have provided useful information for hombrewers of all skill levels and some interesting reading. The recipes themselves go beyond the basics. Alternative brewing methods are described (mini-mash & all grain) for each recipe and helpful hints are provided. Brief descriptions of the beers and interesting histories of the breweries appear at the top of each recipe.

Beer Captured also includes handy reference material - useful to any brewer - including hints and instructions on mashing techniques, water modification, grain, hop, and yeast choices.

There's even a section on food and beer which contains recipes to make delicious beer infused dishes and desserts!

As homebrew store owners (Maltose Express, Monroe, CT) and experienced brewers themselves, Tess and Mark have learned a lot. In Beer Captured, you and I get the benefit of their experience in a smart and easy to read reference book.

After sober reflection, I state my conviction that, if I lived the length of a dozen lives, I should never again be the spectator of such an amazing,
thrilling and magnificent finish to an Open championship.
-Bernard Darwin (1876-1961), The Times of London

Mark Frost has already proven himself a terrific writer, with such television series as the great Hill Street Blues and the innovative Twin Peaks to his credit,
and a few successful novels, including the excellent Sherlock Holmes homage, The List of Seven>, and a sequel, The Six Messiahs. But I don't know that
anything can have prepared even his fans for this book, which, though one must have some reservations about its form, is quite simply one of the best golf
books ever written.

To begin with, Mr. Frost has chosen his topic wisely. Harry Vardon (1870-1937) and Francis Ouimet (1893-1967)--both of whom came from working
class families, had difficult relationships with their fathers, and learned to golf as boys at the local courses where they caddied, Ouimet in Massachusetts, Vardon some twenty-plus years earlier on
the Isle of Jersey--are thoroughly compelling heroes. In 1913 their similar stories converged at The Country Club, in Brookline, MA--the very club at which Francis had caddied--in the United
States Open. Harry Vardon was at that time probably the best golfer in the world and in previous visits to America had been instrumental in marketing the game here. But it was to be the young
amateur Francis Ouimet's playoff victory over the professional Vardon and countryman Ted Ray that, or so Mr. Frost argues, gave birth to the modern golf era in America.

The book starts with extended biographical sketches of the two men and the events that brought them to the tee for their face-off. Numerous other characters are on hand to lend color--two of
whom stand out, and will be the star-making roles in the inevitable movie: the dashing young American professional Walter Hagen (golf's eventual answer to Babe Ruth) and Eddie Lowery,
Ouimet's preternaturally self-assured ten year old caddie. Digressions inform us about changes in rules and equipment, the professionalization of the sport, and its popularization. But it is the
tournament itself that forms the bulk of the book, particularly the final day, the Monday playoff, when the little known twenty year old, playing before large and enthusiastic hometown galleries, on a
course across the street from his own house, had to fend off two of the world's best.

Mr. Frost's prose gets a tad purplish at times, but personally I thought that gave it the feel, of old time sportswriting. Besides, the story is so improbable that the reality seems like a clich?, so why not
write it like a sports movie? More troubling is that Mr. Frost has chosen to provide dialogue and to ascribe thoughts and feelings to the various players even though he has had to create some of it
himself, without ever differentiating which is which. Although it serves his purposes as a storyteller well, fleshing out the characters and letting us see them interact "naturally" with one another, it
actually becomes distracting because you can't help but wondering which thoughts and words come from people's memoirs and contemporaneous accounts of the event (which are apparently
sufficiently extensive so that much of what's here is genuine) and which are purely made up. It also--though we've seen experiments of this kind in recent years, like Edmund Morris's
Dutch--seems more than a little unfair to attribute imagined words and emotions to real people who don't have an opportunity to dispute or confirm them. It would, I think, have been preferable to
simply call the book a novelization, in the tradition of Michael Sharaa's Pulitzer Prize-winning account of Gettysburg, The Killer Angels. At the very least, there should be footnotes to indicate where
truth ends and fiction begins. From an author or publisher's point of view there may be reasons not to do these things--just in terms of the sales and marketing of novels vs. nonfiction and reader
dislike of footnotes--but from a standpoint of intellectual rigor it's somewhat disconcerting.

Once you get past these considerations--and take my word for it, the writing and the story are so exciting that you will get past any questions--you're in for an unbelievably thrilling tale. It's
especially recommended for golf fans, who will find the tangential stuff about the clubs and balls they used just as interesting as the championship, but it should really appeal to everyone, in much the
same way that Seabiscuit reached past horse race fans to a wide audience. It's a marvelous read and seems certain to make for a great movie.

Grade: (A+)

I grew up caddying at Wollaston Golf Course. We often heard about the legend of Francis Ouimet and the 1913 US Open. This books bring to life the life & times of not only Francis but also Harry Vardon and the many other golfers who competed in that historic tournament. I saw and heard much about Francis while working at the US Open in 1963. I saw his house across the street from the 17th green and this book brings us back to those days growing up on Clyde Street. The book is truly inspiring in the same category as the movie, Chariots of Fire. I hope Mr. Frost goes on to write similar books. We owe much to Francis as he was a man for the ages, a gentleman, a decent & compassionate person who on one fateful week shook the sporting world.

Mark Frost’s first novel, The List Of Seven, was so meticulously researched, had you not known it was fiction you would believe it to be fact. His latest work, The Greatest Game Ever Played, is so well structured and vivid in its description of characters and events, had you not known it was fact, you would embrace it as a novel. It is a wonderful, captivating, heartwarming yarn. And every detail is true.

It took me nearly two weeks to read The Greatest Game Ever Played - not because I’m a slow reader nor because the book is that long - but, because I savored each chapter, internalized its characters, and then proceeded to go out and shoot a terrific game of golf. Frost’s historical novel actually taught me to play better by inviting me inside the hearts and minds of golfing greats Harry Vardon and Francis Ouimet. I simply didn’t want the experience to end.

Frost’s gift for storytelling is at its best as he tackles a subject he clearly loves. His fascination and enthusiasm are contagious. The Greatest Game Ever Played is a book you will read more than once and want to share with your friends: golfers, golf-widows, and all those who simply think golfers are crazy.

When Butterflies Kiss is one man's story of growth, dreams, fear and love.
Dante, the main character of the story, is a young African American male that
is a social worker and aspiring writer. Dante is a complex and interesting
character. As the story progress we get a glimpse of his past, the
complexities of his current life and his goals and aspirations for the future.
His greatest weakness seems to be his relationship with women. He has buried
his sensitive side in order to protect his heart and is involved with any
number of meaningless sexual relationships. Most important however, is Dante's
desire to have more for his life. This journey for more meaning in his life,
career and relationships eventually leads him to some life changing decisions.

The other characters in the book are like a supporting cast; these characters
are not as thoroughly developed. Although the reader only knows these
characters in terms of Dante, each character plays a critical role in the plot
and in the growth that he eventually achieves. I would have liked to have read
a bit more about what made the female characters tick.

When Butterflies Kiss is a unique tale written by a team of authors. Ten
writers, each responsible for his or her own chapter, write the book. Each
author has their own style, but they do an excellent job of portraying the
characters and the plot consistently and the chapters flow beautifully. As I
began this book, I was curious about what reading a novel by several different
authors would be like but I was quite pleased with this collaborative effort.
I would have liked to have seen more detailed character development for the
female characters and there were a couple of aspects of the plot that I felt
were left hanging. Still, overall I thought this was a great effort and I look
forward to future works by each of the individual authors as well as future
collaborations...

Can you imagine what happens when butterflies kiss? It has to be simply beautiful and mesmerizing to witness one of God's most delicate creatures take time to experience the intricacies of love and passion. As Dante shares his experiences and observations, we also see what we too often miss when we rush into things. We miss the beauty around us as well as the beauty within us.

This unique collaboration is creatively written, giving readers a sensual, passionate glimpse of the magic of butterflies kissing. As each writer tells their story of Dante's journey through love, you will sense the delicate flutters as the words begin to gently touch your heart and soul. "When Butterflies Kiss" is a piece of art which is best savored and not read too hurriedly.

Enjoy this read and allow the gentle kisses to awaken and refresh your soul.

Butterflies Kiss is a must read. It's the type of novel that moves you to no end - you can easily finish it in one sitting. It's captivating, suspenseful, passionate and lustful. Dante takes the reader on a journey that never appears to end. The reader is constantly intrigued -- "What's next?" The best aspect of the book is that it is unpredictable. Yet, at the same time - each chapter is realistic and takes the reader to another level. I found myself saying "What, no way!" And then saying "Ok, ok Dante, Im feeling you, I understand".
Butterfly is a novel that takes you there, you have no inhibitions - it just takes you and you go with it. Next thing you know your lost in Dante's world, waiting for the next move and then it happens. Dag, you finish the book. I loved it!!!