You can buy this book in second editions for about $100.00 so if you are purchasing it as a collector or for information and not on edition-out of print value then look for a button collector who can help you locate the less expensive edition.

Just about the best all around guide for the serious button collector.

This is the most complete button reference book I have ever seen. It is well worth the money. Beautiful pictures and informative price guides.

I love the idea of dolls coming alive Christmas Eve and I have always hoped it was true! Now my children read this wonderful book and I hope they will pass it on to theirs. Great illustrations and wonderful language by the dolls.

This was one of my all time favorite books as I child. I had a doll house, so it was wonderful to imagine doll house people coming alive on Christmas! I read it every Christmas Eve night - a tradition that lasted for years.

My mother grew up with this book, and I grew up with her copy. It is a wonderful story about dolls who come alive on Christmas

this book is my bible and comfort, its a shame it is so often overlooked

Simply breathtaking - a unique account in magical prose poetry of all consuming love, which you will return to again and again. Almost too painfully visceral at times, snapshots of sheer beauty leap out of the page as you ride the non-stop vertical drop on the rollercoaster of their relationship - not for the faint or hard hearted.

Scathing, deeply poetic rant of obssessive love forced into obssessive hate. Deep and lasting, based on the author's actual experiences.

I want to say that the author did an excellent job in making a very tough subject look hopeful. I would highly recommend this book to individuals that are suffering with cancer. I have found the information valuable and I am aware of some individuals who are receiving treatment at Dr. Catanzaro's clinic that are having promising results. He also discusses the emotional and spiritual aspects of cancer and gives some very hopeful insight that can certainly offer encouragement.

This book is well organized and easy to read. It provides useful information on prevention and early detection of cancer as well as an overview of the many treatments available - both traditional and non-traditional. If you have cancer, or you know someone who has cancer, then this book is for you.

Dr. Catanzaro's book is an easy to use reference resource. He explains the therapy in simple language. The book is organized into sections that not only talk about cancer and treatment but also include some valuable spiritual insight. I believe that this book is a must for people who want to offer family members or friends hopeful information about combining alternative and conventional therapy. Well done!

This was by far the best book I've read in years! If you like being drawn into a characters feelings and emotions, this is the book to read. While reading,I kept saying to myself, "What? No she didn't!". There were twists and turns in each chapter drawing my attention closer and closer to the character.As a 26 year old woman, I was able to understand and paint a vivid picture of how life was back in the day. The author, Sharon Gambrell, held my attention throughout the ENTIRE book. The only time I closed my book was when I was done reading it.

Caroline is a splendid novel, remarkably put together. Sharon Elizabeth Gambrell has skillfully written a page-turner worth reading. Her style of writing will cause you to forget where you are at times and make you want to be back where you thought you were. She captures the hearts and souls of the characters, while the pages take you to a place and era, where the whole seen would have been considered taboo. It is an exciting suspenseful story that will keep you on the edge of your seat, making you feel that you are a part of all that is going on within. It will cause your emotions to run wild, with a tear drop one moment and happiness the next, only to find sadness at the turn of a page. You don't want to miss this one! God has blessed Ms. Gambrell with a marvelous skill in writing.

The author takes you on a riveting journey into the humane and tragic life of a prostitute. It's oblivious from the beginning that this is not just another story of a prostitute. Travel with Caroline from Yatesville to New York City, Warning once you pick it up you will not put it down until the last surprising page.
G.R. KEENAN

As an Air Force Family Readiness Director, I wholeheartedly endorse these books to use for separations of military service members. They are truly beneficial in keeping our members who are deployed or on a temporary assignment, connected with those family members and friends. Great addition to my library! I give them out to each of my customers!

I am in the Air Force and my children live with their mother 900 miles away from me. This book is an absolute treasure to go to. It has given me so many ideas of fun things we can do together while not being together. Phone conversations are important but we all know they can get monotonous. This book opens a world of activities that my children absolutely love. I hope there's a sequel! The price is such a steal!

At times when I can't dream up a good project to do with my two children who live far away from me, I refer to this book.

Some of us living with the gender biased legal system which allows young children to be moved away from their natural father, have a unique situation with which to contend. This book helps.

It is a simple and good reference source for non-custodial Dads to help with the problem of being separated from your children.

There are many cycling guides, but this is one of the most practical and well-organized. As other reviewers state, the real value of the book is its collection of information on camping, nearby hotels, access points, points of interest, etc. The authors also have a wonderful "you can do it" attitude in their narrative style. Their encouragement inspired me to ride the Skyline Drive last fall, to my great enjoyment. I would quibble, by the way, with their elevation profiles. I certainly discovered hills that they don't tell you about! Supplement your planning with one of the fine topographic map products for a better sense of what awaits you.

I just returned from a weekend riding the 105 mile Skyline Drive in VA. The Skinners' book was an invaluable resource to me in preparing for & executing my trip. The advice is practical, the information invaluable as you plot out your journey. I am already planning my next weekend trip (Afton Mt to Roanoke) using this as my Bible! If you have any interest in cycling all or part of the BRP/SLD, this book will first whet your appetite, then serve as your guidebook/Bible.

It's so easy to pass facilities, accomodations and attractions along the Blue Ridge Parkway! This book lists them all, campings, B&Bs, country stores, and more, along with the best way to get there. A real must for anyone planning to have a great trip on the Blue Ridge and Skyline Drive. And the elevation maps are a great help too.

It is easy to think of a novella as being a longer short story (with the usual short story limitations) and in this case, that thinking would be appropriate. When reading a novella anthology, one has to understand that character development will be more limited than in the traditional novel or mystery. There simply isn't the time to set up detailed and complex characters due to the restrictions in length a novella places on the work. Therefore, the author has to pack as much character development in his or her work as possible, while setting up the scene, the mystery problem (in this case) and plenty of action to move the story along. It is a difficult task and all four of these authors, with very different themes and writing styles, pull it off wonderfully.

At the same time, it makes reviewing the work rather difficult. One does not want to give away too many of the details and with each novella coming in around 100 pages on average (a couple are a little shorter and conversely a couple are a bit longer) it would be easy to reveal too much. The reviewer also has to take into account his or her particular interests and a couple of these were not exactly what I look for in a novel to read. Having said that, though some of the works were not my thing (as it were) it has to be admitted that those were as well written as the others in the collection, which I did really like.

The collection is opened by the offering from Mr. Robert L. Iles, titled 'The Ten-Spot Murders.' Set in a small town deep in West Texas, the work revolves around a dead man found murdered at the local motel. Instead of being found in his room, he is found behind the building. How he got there and why becomes an intriguing case for Sheriff Okie Bliss and his small department.

'Pangs of Prophecy' by Christine Spindler follows next in the reading order. In this work, April is tormented by the fact that she can see death for those she knows. She knows in excruciating graphic detail how they will die'she just doesn't know when. Trying to prevent a murder she knows is going to happen, she becomes deeply involved in the resulting case when the murder does occur.

The third work is titled 'Buyer's Remorse' by Elizabeth Dearl. Taylor is a writer living out in West Texas and is asked by her friend, Paula, to help her move. Paula has bought an old house and needs help, not only in moving, but restoring the house to livable condition. The problem, beyond the fact that the house is old and in disrepair, is the fact that it might also be haunted.

Rounding off the book is Dan Sontup's work, titled 'the Santa Switch.' While you may have secretly wished death on the mall Santa when he went ahead and promised a toy you know your child could not have in his wildest dreams, in this story, a mall Santa is killed at the mall in a back way hall. Now, Mall Security Chief Matt Ridley has to clean up the problem as well as find out who did it when the Police can't solve the case. At the same time, he has his own internal political problems and a dead Santa does not help things one bit.

In each work, the case is interesting and the approach each writer takes in developing his or her story is tremendously different. With such differences in writing styles, themes, etc., it makes this anthology an interesting and enjoyable read. There is something each reader will like and this is the perfect bag to fling in the tote for a day at the beach.

Avid Press recently released a collection of mysteries featuring four investigators certain to send readers in quest of longer works.

"The Ten-Spot Murders" by Robert L. Iles: The desperate secrets of a salesman come to light when his body's found outside his motel room. Set in Cass County, Ohio, the Sheriff's Department is crippled by a lack of budget and an overabundance of testosterone. Gritty and tense, the triangle formed by traveler, the motel handyman, a part-time prostitute, and the family of a prominent judge will hold the reader's attention riveted.

"Pangs of Prophesy" by Christine Spindler: When April comes to see Inspector Terry, she impresses him: "She was all muted gestures and self-effacing smiles, but she had a mind on the brink of another dimension." All to true, since she has visions of violent and tragic deaths. Inspector Terry is a wonderful creation, always cheering the underdog and even befriending attack cats. Indeed, this novella is startling and skillfully rendered.

"Buyer's Remorse" by Elizabeth Dearl: When the new owner realizes the dilapidated of her bargain, she soon comes to regret her new purchase. While the old house has marvelous carpentry and incredible light for a studio, it also comes complete with its own mystery. Part ghost story and part thriller, this novella will keep readers up past their bedtimes. Believable characterizations, a haunted house, and a precocious and charming ferret create a fascinating and gripping narrative.

"The Santa Switch" by Dan Sontup: Two days before Christmas a Santa is found stabbed to death with scissors in the ladies' room of a shopping mall. The unlikely hero is a security chief with an associate's degree and a background as a New York City police officer. With an unusual cast of characters and a fast paced plot, the merry red of the holiday season carries whole new meaning.

A remarkable collection, BLOOD, THREAT & FEARS is a must read. Each exhibits the powerful writing that makes these authors favorites of mystery fans. Very highly recommended.

I'm giving this book to friends and relatives for Christmas. In one 337-page book are four superb novelettes that should please all mystery-lovers. "Pangs Of Prophecy" was certainly an enjoyable read, an intriguing combination of precognition, rape and murder. "The Ten-Spot Murders" is about a killing in the Ten-Spot Motel. A good, solid mystery. I liked it very much. "The Santa Switch" concerns the death of a shopping mall Santa - death by scissors - and has a very satisfying and unexpected ending. "Buyer's Remorse" (my favorite) introduced two characters I want to get to know better - Taylor Madison and her ferret, Hazel. (Taylor and Hazel are in two other full-length mystery novels, and I'll order them, too.)

Enjoyed this book mostly due to the photographs. It does have alot of simple and easy, yet elegant recipes for jams and jellies that will be consumed by the average family. The label and gift wrapping ideas add a unique twist to the every day kitchen gift.

The photographs in Clearly Delicious are clearly inspired. The cover is just a temptation into visual pleasures. The age-old craft of preserving the flavors of summer is displayed in picture after picture. Glistening bottles filled with jams, fruit dripping in syrup or seduced in alcohol, luxurious oils & vinegars, spicy treats, fruit cordials, syrups,. fruit curds and many more treats await.

Some of the recipes included are:

Pear and Damson Plum Jam
Brandied Carrot Jam
Gooseberry and Elderflower Jam
Cranberry and Apple Jelly
Peach Butter
Lemon Curd
Tipsy Apricots
Raisins in Genever with Juniper Berries
Pineapple and Lime Syrup
Mixed Vegetable Pickles
Spiced Oranges
Dark Mango Chutney
Fiery Chili Oil
Rosemary Oil
Mushrooms in Oil
Goat Cheese with Herbs in Oil
Spiced Blackberry Vinegar

The "Herbs and Spices" chapter was a very pleasant surprise. Have you ever wanted to make your own Garam Masala, Pickling Spice, Quatre Epices, Five Spice Powder, Herbes De Provence, Bouquet Garni, Seasoning Salt or Barbecue Blend? Well, here are the recipes!

The last chapter is, well.....just intriguing. I have never thought of painting one of those decorated bottles. It looks so fun. If you love "craft" projects...there are quite a few. To decorate the jars, they have some very creative ideas and some that are more traditional. Presentation ideas gives ideas of how you can make mini-gift baskets.

A handy index leads you quickly to your favorite recipe. The step-by-step instructions stress the value of careful preparation so you can be assured of delicious results ever time.

One of the most beautiful "cookbooks" I have yet to see! This is a completely illustrated guide to some of the most delicious recipes I have ever found all in one book!

If you make one "preserve" recipe in your life...make it "Lemon Curd." It will seduce you into trying more recipes or you just might make that one recipe again, and again, and again! You will need to head to the kitchen shop and also pick up a "zester." An interesting little tool to remove the "zest/yellow peel from lemons"" or you can use your grater. I found many places online that sell bottles or most grocery stores do have the cutest bottles with colorful lids or do a search online for "canning jars."

I started canning jams as a food science experiment with a now out of print Harrod's book. Clearly Delicious (hardback) added recipes for preserves, marmalades, and flavored vinegars to try. The jam and marmalade recipes do not use commercial pectin, and seem more challenging than those found in the indispensible Ball Blue book, but turn out to be easy with clearly written and well-illustrated directions. Clearly Delicious is useful after a berry picking expedition, a trip to the farmers market, or mid-winter. I have made the wonderful lemon marmalade in December as a last minute addition to Christmas gifts and by repeated requests. The lemon marmalade is also good stirred into tea, in thumbprint cookies, as a cake filling, and for fast Chinese lemon chicken.

There is a separate section on packaging food for gift giving. In the hardcover edition, the food is shown in a variety of jars and bottles. This is ok if the food is to be refrigerated, and the author and publisher do note that the the food was photographed just after packaging and the jars shown are not all suitable for longterm storage. Longterm storage directions are included with standard canning jars, so this is not a concern.

I love the Dark Secrets series. Elizabeth Chandler is a wonderful author, who can spin a great thriller and love story. Chandlers Dark Secrets series, has many thrills and chills to it... there is suspense page after page. Her female/male characters are always likeable.

The Deep End of Fear is good, but not the best out of the series in my opinion. It's thicker then the other 3 books, which is great since I don't like it when a good story comes close to an end. I'm not going to waste my time typing up a summary for this book since I already noticed some awesome summaries that are already up.

Check out Chandler's books that are in the Love Stories series:
#12 Hot Summer Nights
#32 At First Sight(I love this one!)
#35 I Do

and her Kissed By An Angel trilogy =)

This book was awesome, I really enjoyed it. Elizabeth Chandler's other Dark Secrets books are also really good. If you liked her other Dark Secrets books you will definately like this one. I reccomend it to anyone who is looking to read a thriller with a romance to it. This book will keep you guessing the whole time. ;-)

Well i have read all of the Dark Secrets books. Starting with No Time To Die, then Don't Tell, Legacy of Lies and now Deep End of Fear. The Deep End of Fear was much better then Don't tell and Legay of Lies and just as good as Don't Tell.

Katie and her parents are fleeing from the Westbrook estate shortly after the death of seven yr old Ashley. But why? WHy did the car swerve suddenly, what was her daddy sorry for?

Twelve yrs later her father dies of cancer and she is left to fulfill his wishes. One of which is to return to WestBrook Estate and return a ring that was for some reason in her house. Kate takes on the role as a tutor for Adrains(Mr. Westbrook) son, Patrick.

Everything in the estate is just as Kate remembers it. Suddenly Patrick begins speaking ofa girl named Ashley who dares him to do things, dangerous things. Things that a girl named Ashley, dead of twelve yrs, dared her to do.

Kate meets up with old freinds and finds a new intrest in a yound hockey player named Sam. Adrian's heirs are not happy about her being their seeing as she was around when Ashley died. All the members make this very obvious. As well as everyone telling her she can not trust every person she is beginning to. She is left with Patrick and maybe Sam to really turn to.
Suddenly Patrick will not go near her. Calling her rude names and abandoning her in rough times.

Kate is thrown into a deadly game of Cat and Mouse with her as the mouse and the cat throwing clues from the past in. What were her parents talking about twelve years ago? Did AShley really die?

Well I'm certainly not going to spoil the ending. Read the book!