That's what Abra - the publication I read was titled Gaining Ground - was for me. This was one of the few, if not only, solid, thought provoking, challenging (the adjectives could be many) books which presented a strong woman who recognised her life within the box and got out without being patronising to the character or the reader. A surprisingly gripping novel, although I certainly didn't like Abra to begin with, Barfoot's world is real and I found myself as drawn to it as Abra.

The message I got out of this book: what do you really want for yourself, and are you creating your life that way?? Finding an answer to this question again and again is probably the most important thing to live a fulfilling life. Living in Germany I was happy to find a German translation of the title, that has been translated most carefully, so that the book also "works" in German.

When things were getting me down, and I wanted to flee, but couldn't, Abra's escape provided me with a kind of refuge. By the extremity of her escape I could see that, although it sounded ideal, there were drawbacks as well. I really loved the description of the cottage when she first saw it. This is really a memorable book, and I thank Joan Barfoot for writing it.It is one of the few books that I have read twice in my many years of being a "chain reader".

Agenda For Murder has a strength you seldom find in a mystery! The characters are people you wish you could meet in person. The plot is sophisticated and entangled around some of today's important issues and flashbacks to another time - Viet Nam - a time we wish no one had had to go through.

Nikki Barnes, the protagonist - ex-soldier who served in Vietnam and priest, shares her hurt and her strength with you. While you see her new love unfolding, and find her tangled up in murder at a medical center, you meet her old Army buddy, Max, a sensitive, blustery, caring cop - who wants desperately to protect Nikki. You'll be charmed by the professional Dr. Virginia Clayton and shake your head over the young, flip Barrett who is romantically chasing after Nikki Barnes with pies and chocolate cheesecake while trying to escape the clutches of her mother, The Dragon Lady. The cast of characters is superb, the list of suspects long!

The book moves quickly, really kept my interest, rekindled old concerns about war, but made me smile when I met the characters in believable, sometimes laughable, often frightening but real-life situations. I only hoped the murderer at the medical center was not who it appeared it might be!

The first time I read a crime fiction novel from cover to cover was when I was 15 years old. It was "The Big Sleep" by Raymond Chandler. I discovered and read a series of other novels by the same author and found that very few went on to be made into films, much to my dissmay. Most people will remember the characters played by Humprey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, it was their first debut together. They had a good script, played real life characters and their chemistry magnified the drama and suspense, a credit to the novel, a great writer and cast.

Twenty one years later I discover Joan Albarella and this time Nikki Barnes and Dr Ginni Clayton, the role models I know exist in our world and which she has now brought to life alongside many other characters you will come across in both of her books. "Agenda for Murder" has all the ingredients of a good read. It communicates,takes you on a journey as if you were there in Nikki Barnes past present and future. The twists and turns that fate and destiny deal her, from her war torn memories to finding out the truth about herself and Trang, her Mama San, who like her is a survivor.Professor Nikki Barnes, a former Vietnam Army Chaplain did not start out looking to reconcile her past, and she finds herself once more in the firing line, for love, truth and justice but most important for the sake of her friends including old army buddy sergent Mullen. She must find the real killer before he or she strikes again.

Will the healing ever begin for Nikki, not until the debt is paid and "Called to Kill" certainly addresses the balance and again keeps you guessing. This time she has the help of "Magpie" like herself a survivor but this time of the Fauklands war. They both become entangled with the mob as the web of deceit unfolds, their past does too. Their lives are in danger as they continue to search for Celine's killer. Unlike Bogart she does get the woman in the end, but does she? The circle is still incomplete and will Trang ever show up again?

I look forward to the next novel and I am sure there will be. I hope those of you out there who appreciate a good read, will in turn support my view and do Joan Albarella justice by agreeing that her novels too are worthy and should be adapted for the screen. She is a writer of real people,of characters that can't help but move you, that one can identify and connect with, and she does so with humour and without alienating her readers.

I hope to see more Joan Albarella novels reach the shelves here in the UK. There is an agenda and I shall be called to cry if you fail to recognise the talent this new writer has to offer.

Reverend Nikki Barnes has taken time off as an assistant pastor to teach and counsel on a college campus in small-town Sheridan, New York. Memories of her youthful tour in Vietnam have not faded with the years, especially the bloody death of a beloved. Meanwhile at the University Medical Center, the grisly murder of a doctor calls for Nikki's public relations talents in damage control. Reunited by chance with an old friend from the war, Sergeant Mullen, she delves into the suspicious circumstances of the death, only to find herself under attack. What disturbs her most, however, is that the prime suspect is the captivating Dr. Ginni Clayton, a mirror image of Nikki's lost partner. And Nikki's concentration on the solution isn't helped by the tragi-comic ministrations of a student with a crush who deluges her with baked goods in hopes of winning her approval. Albarella describes in vivid flashbacks the terrible moral and physical costs of Vietnam, making the reader sweat in the jungle and listen for the next helicopter. Plenty of action with timeouts for sober reflection make this debut novel a wild roller coaster ride, slowing only to build suspense for another surprise around the next corner.

This book is about touching stories of normal children who were helped by God's helpers, the angels. Even if you do not normally read religious writing, this book is touched gently with a taste of joy, and it will soon become a classic you can hold in your heart forever. Be your god Yahweh, Bhudda, or Muhamad, almost all of us answer to a higher power. This heartwarming book is perfect to read by yourself, with a friend, and esspesially your guardian angel.

I love Joan Anderson's angel books, and this book is no exception. This angel of a book is devoted solely to children's accounts of their heavenly visitors and it is a gem!

This book is to be shared amongst families and it is a truly wonderful book to share with children to teach them about their loving protectors, who are with them always. I also found that I was given a gentle reminder that my guardian angel is always with me, even at my lowest moments!

The stories are inspirational, and the messages of love, faith, and trust will carry with you long after you finish this wonderful book. You will cry, you will laugh, and you will want to read more! You will be left with feelings of love and knowing that someone is always looking out for you. My only complaint is that the book was not longer!!

This book will touch your heart and leave you feeling uplifted. It is also a great book to open and read when one is feeling down and blue! What I found remarkable in most of the stories, was when the children were in a situation where they felt compromised or felt that they were going to be harmed, they remembered their parents saying to them to call on either God or the angels to help them. Once they invoked this petition, help was swift and sure. One cannot help but come away with feelings of amazement and total wonder and knowing that we truly are loved.

A book to pass on and on!!!

What can I do about Joan Wester Anderson's books about Angels ?

I have 3 books from her :

An Angel to watch over me When miracles happen and my favorite WHERE ANGELS WALK.

These books are amazing is like a touch of Heaven everytime I read them ( I read them many times each of them )I feel like if many Angels were reading with me on my shoulders.It feels great. Thanks Joan I noticed I had some Angel's touches during my life that I didn't know. Everytime I read a testimony from her books A big smile of happiness and thankfull come to my face and thank GOD for helping all his children and myself. This sweet lady is a really nice person not only as a writter, ' cause many times when I need some prayers for my mom or myself, JOAN was one of the first persons to answer my prayer request. I think Joan must be a real Angel, ' cause not only she made feel pretty good everytime I read her books she helps me when I need some prayers too, I believe she is a real Angel helping a lot of people throught her books and good actions to help somebody, like all GOD's Angels do to help people. Joan Wester Anderson's books are a touch of Heaven on Earth. Buy them, it's garanteed

Although, the story is a good romance and has good character layout, I think Seth's daughter, Patch stole the center stage! I was more interested in learning about Patch and Ethan - The Outlaw, then the main characters. I think I'll pick up The Outlaw's Bride and find out what happens between the two...wink.

Michelle Harris, Author of Moonlight Midnight Glory, ISBN: 0595000355

This is one of my favorite of Joan's books, and i have read many. I'm definately in love with her Hawk's Way series and can't wait for more. This was the first historical of hers that i read and i absolutely loved it. I am a big fan of historical novels and but this one was one of the best. I love the western themes and i thought the family situation in this novel was great i laughed so much i was in tears. Patch was definately a favorite character and i loved the novel about her also. I wish i could give such high recomendations about some of joan's other historicals but i can't stand the ones about Earls and Dukes, i guess they're just not my thing. But this book is great for anyone who loves historicals, the old west,or joan johnston, or all of the above, Happy reading

This was my first western by Joan Johnston. It was good reading. The characters were so real. You could not help but feel Patches pain at the new family. She was a great charcter I can not wait for pay day so I can buy her story. Joan is now one of my top five authors.

While I often agree with the Horn Book's reviews they are dead wrong about the Boo and Baa series. Children love them. The pictures are very sweet and easy to understand and the plot easy to follow. Kids laugh aloud at these books. The "other sheep" books (you know, Sheep in a Jeep, etc.) are really more for adults. Little kids don't really understand the cleverness of the prose of those books. Boo and Baa they get. My 16 month old son learned many words from Boo and Baa in Windy Weather and he and his friends love the book. Get these books for kids under 3-- they are just delightful!

This book is a little gem that will warm the hearts of both children and adults alike. It's refreshing because of its extremely sweet and simple storyline. But what really endears this book to you are its illustrations. I fell in love with Boo and Baa. Their expressions alone need no words. I own several of the Boo and Baa series and I don't even have children! Being a struggling children's book author, I can say that the B & B series are perfect in its simplicity. Your children will adore them. I certainly plan on reading them to my children one day.

I gave this book to my nephew almost 2 years ago, and he still begs my brother to read it to him now. He loves it. The reason I bought it was because I thought it was a cute little story, but also because of its simplicity. Too many children's books focus on manners, emotions, or just off-the-wall fantasy. Boo and Baa are fun, and they like to do projects at home, which gives this story a safe, comfortable, at home qualtiy.

A well researched book on the history of apples in England. It also includes a very large apple directory which would be especially useful to anyone interested in English apple varieties.

Wow! I'm an apple industry executive, and this book just became one of my bibles. I believe it is THE single best reference available on apples today. It includes comprehensive information on the history of apple growing and the apple industry, from the ancient Greeks and Romans through renaissance Europe and to the "new country" (America). It is chock full of references to apples in history, mythology/lore and religion. All this, and the most comprehensive, up-to-date directory of apple varieties anywhere. Read this book and be amazed, even if you think you know apples! This is a great reference on the industry, and should appeal equally to history buffs.

Do you have an apple orchard? Do you love eating fresh apples or cooking with apples? Would you like to understand the place of apples in our culture/history? What's the origin of "as American as apple pie?" What is Wassail and what does it have to do with Christmas? What's the big deal with apples anyway? Did you know there are thousands of varieties? This book has an index of the thousands which are kept in an English aboretum. It also has some of the most beautiful color botanical plates I have ever seen. With the artwork, the history, the scientific tables, the recipies, ...The Book of Apples would be a bargain at twice the price.

Marilyn Wibberley has done a superb job in illustrating and walking the neophyte through the steps to construct books, boxes and various froms of wrapping. Any newcomer to the art of constructing books, will find it easy to follow the instructions and produce an elegant finished item. Written in a step by step fashion, I found the instructions to be precise and clear. The book abounds with many different presentations from the expected book form to scrolls and different types of wraps to contain that special letter or note. With a minimum of items anyone can construct a book or box to show off that special idea.

BOOKS, BOXES & WRAPS is everything we've needed and waited for. The easy-to-follow instructions and super illustrations make the projects very doable for even the least experienced craftperson. Fantastic book!!

If you can only buy one book on bookbinding, make it this one. Webberley and Forsyth cover a variety of bindings, and provide clear directions with line drawings for each one. And, besides just bookbindings, they also provide clear directions on making boxes and wraps. At the end of the book they have a "binder's tool chest" that provides many techniques I have not found in other books. The only downfall of this book is that it is all in black and white: no color photos accompany the directions, and no picture gallery of other artist's works to provide inspiration. Yet, the number of techniques they cover more than makes up for the lack of color.

Truth is a Bright Star is about a Hopi boy who is kidnapped by Spanish soldiers. He is sold to a man whose life work is killing beavers. Once the boy meets him his life is changed forever and so is the trapper's. This book is good and bad. I don't really like Native American books. I liked it because it was full of action. I would recommend this book to fourth and fifth graders.

I THINK THIS IS THE BEST BOOK I HAVE EVER READ ALTHOUGH I LOVE SLAVERY BOOKS BECAUSE I think it's sad that people did that and I like sad books.Joan Price is my favorite author since I read this book and I think you should to! So READ THIS BOOK!!!

Loma and other Hopi children were stolen by the Spanish soldiers and taken far away from their pueblo. Loma was sold to a mountain man named Big Jim who made his living trapping beaver. Loma does not believe in killing animals for money. He and Big Jim do not get along. Later they become friends. It is an exciting story.

Book is great if you like to visit old houses and fancy restruants Having lived in Alabama all my life I was disapointed with the book.There is more to Alabama then this.

I found this book to be exceptional. In addition to providing enticing ideas for weekend getaways in my state, it is historically interesting. It covers the entire state and includes ideas for everyone ... campers, romantics, history lovers, shoppers, etc. Although not the type book one normally reads for entertainment, I found I had trouble putting it down long enough to sleep. It brought back fond memories of places I've visited, made me mad that I'd missed things I didn't realize were in visited areas, and elicited a strong desire to TRAVEL more throughout my beautiful and historical state! A WONDERFUL BOOK!

This is a great book to have about visiting a wonderful state.

If your children are doing school reports on specific states, this book could make the difference between a ho-hum report and a top notch report. The school librarian should have this book.

I highly recommend it.

Joan Delano Aiken is a prolific British author of adult and young adult fantasy, mysteries, and gothic romances. "The Wolves of Willoughby Chase," which won the 1965 Lewis Carroll Shelf Award is probably her best known young adult novel. Regardless of whether her works are intended for adults or for children, they often contain hair-raising adventures that alternate (somewhat oddly, in my opinion) with lighthearted romps.

I was uncomfortable with the mixture of comedy and terror in "The Whispering Mountain," a young adult fantasy that takes place in a land resembling eighteenth century Wales. The young hero, Owen Hughes lives with his strict, grumpy grandfather in the small town of Pennygaff. He is on his way home from the Jones Academy for the Sons of Gentlemen and Respectable Tradesman one cold, rainy evening when he is ambushed by the local bullies.

Two gypsies, father and daughter save Owen and take him home to his grandfather. 'Home' also happens to be a museum of curious artifacts, including an old harp.

Grandfather chases the gypsies off of his property then goes to a meeting, leaving his grandson to guard the museum and its ancient harp. Normally Owen doesn't mind staying in the museum, but tonight his encounter with the bullies has made him nervous. Nevertheless, he falls asleep. He doesn't wake up until two rough strangers, speaking London thieves' cant, break into the one-room museum.

(It was hard for me to understand what the thieves were talking about, even though I've read a zillion Regency romances, including the complete works of Georgette Heyer--and one or two of the gothics by Joan Aiken. What does it mean when a character says, "Get a bit o' prog while you're at it," or "...I say that won't happen till Turpentine Sunday, and meanwhile it makes a famous ken, dunnit?" Other characters occasionally lapse into Cymric, so this book isn't a quick read).

At any rate, the two strangers steal the harp and kidnap Owen to make it appear as though he absconded with the harp. The thieves plan to 'finish off the young co' and 'hugger' his body away in one of the region's many caves.

The quest to recover the stolen harp and return it to its true master takes up the rest of the story.

The one element that dissipated the excitement of the quest for me, was the author's introduction of farcical characters or scenes, just as Owen was about to get "five inches of steel in his breadbasket," or was chasing the mad dwarf, Abipaal through the heart of the mountain, or was trapped in a dungeon filled with hungry tiger-snakes, or--

What I'm trying to say is that it detracted from the tension of the story when some oddball character bumbled and babbled into Owen's cliff-hanger, or the tiger-snakes turned out to be sweeties, or the villains got drunk and bawled out ballads like: "Hey-diddle-diddle, my merry men,/ Let's all go to the bousing-ken."

Joan Aiken's lesser-known works are among her best. Fresh off of "Cockatrice Boys," I picked up "Whispering Mountain" with a vague sense of unease. Too often fantasies with Celtic backdrops have become stale and repetitive, but Aiken's wry humor and delightful use of characterizations make this a rare treasure.

In the little Welsh town of Pennygaff, Owen has come to live with his crotchety, chilly grandfather after his mother's death. He is chased and bullied by the other, larger boys; his only friend is the odd but kind girl Arabis and her dreamy poet father, Tom Dando. In fact, Owen trusts Arabis enough to tell her a secret: His grandfather has unearthed what may be the legendary golden Harp of Teirtu. The ruthless, gold-obsessed Lord Malyn soon asks the grandfather to hand over the harp, but the old man refuses.

When Owen plans to run away from his grandfather, he end up abducted by a pair of none-too-swift criminals hired by Lord Malyn. Unexpectedly rescued by Arabis, Owen finds himself being blamed for the theft of the harp. He ends up in a bewildering adventure full of subterranean dwarves, oddly-speaking foreigners, sneaky and none-too-swift criminals, and the missing Prince of Wales.

Owen is sympathetic by being a "Charlie Brown" hero. As the book opens, we see him being pursued by a bunch of bullies; he is also near-sighted, meek, and fears being a burden on his grandfather. Arabis is reminiscent of a Lloyd Alexander heroine, with her sharp mind and slightly out-of-the-ordinary ways. She is a fascinating character, who doesn't so much as blink at the idea of healing enormous numbers of underground dwarves. (And she has her bird ride around on her head, an extra quirk that makes her even more intriguing) Tom Dando is a sweet and poignant character, who often lapses out of the real world as he writes poetry; Lord Malyn is relentlessly evil, while the Seljuk of Rum is a quirky, instantly sympathetic character.

The writing is snappy and well-paced, and the dialogue is interspersed with delightful bits of Welsh language. There's a slightly archaic feel to it, as if it takes place in a time far removed from our own, though it's not actually too far back in time. Aiken displays a stunning sense of atmosphere, whether it's the pleasantly dull town, sinister castle, or strange underground caverns.

On a quality basis, this book lags behind its content. My copy had a couple of lines missing from a crucial conversation, and the paper was of poor quality. This is a problem with several of the Starscape reprints, but the previous books I purchased didn't have sections of the text missing. Another problem is that while the book has a translation index at the end for the various Welsh words, it only includes a handful of them! It does get points for actually having a cover that accurately depicts Arabis and Owen.

A delightful and utterly original fantasy, a must-read for anyone who enjoys a dark and misty read. Dewi Sant!

I am astonished that this book is not more popular, and is no longer in print. It has always been my favourite among Joan Aiken's novels, and is one of my most treasured children's books. The dramatic Welsh setting, and the theme of the fabled Golden Harp of Teirtu give the book a special enchantment, and it is enlivened by such delightful and eccentric characters as the Seljuk of Rum, in search of his lost race of gold-working dwarves, and the dreamy poet Tom Dando, not to mention the sinister, gold-obsessed Marquess of Malyn. The intrepid Owen and wilful Arabis are an unusual and sympathetic pair of heroes. Then there are the comic cockney villains Bilk and Prigman. The tale is set in Aiken's alternative Britain, where the wicked Hanoverians plot to oust the rightful Stuarts, familiar from the Dido Twite novels. I warmly recommend The Whispering Mountain to readers and publishers alike.