I selected this book from a list given in my college English class. The list of books were all nonfiction so I knew it would be a book based on fact. I knew nothing more. As I read, I could not put this book down. The story takes place beginning in Iowa the year 1849. "Gold fever" was born. The Royce family was on the move from their home to the great golden state of California. Sarah has more passion, faith, and drive than I've ever seen in a book. She is an example indeed of strength and inner peace throughout many challenges in a small amount of time. I was so grateful to see this book is still in print! It was first published in 1932 never meant to be a book at all. It was Sarah's gift to her son. She wrote about her journey using her journal she kept as they traveled. I will buy this book not only for my children, but for gifts as well. By the way, Sarah and her family end up living here, in the Sierra Foothills, and that is where I live! I've never read a story about the Gold Rush or the 49er's. I always thought it would be too depressing. There are sad times in this book, but as you read you can't help but believe with Sarah that they will beat all the odds.

This little gem of a book should be on the shelves at every library. Aside from the likable Sarah, the wonderful social history is very absorbing for those interested in women's lives during the 1850's. Even if you are not particularly interested in the Gold Rush, you will be interested in the experiences of one of our formothers. Buy this as a gift for your daughters.

Joy Melcher, Civil War Lady Magazine

Sarah with husband and daughter, Mary, move to California in 1849. Trusting the God of the Bible, the Royces experience life (and almost death) on the trail to California. Second to the last party to complete the trip into northern California before winter, they eventually settle in Grass Valley. Her son, Josiah Royce, becomes the famous Harvard historian and philospher with new ideas (Royce Hall of UCLA), but his mother, Sarah, retains her faith in the God of the Bible. First hand look at San Francisco and northern California in the 1850's. Sarah is my great-great grandmother and Mary, the little girl in the story, is my great-grandmother. Easy reading and great book to take on a plane. We buy and give these books to many guests at our company ...they are very popular.

Ms. Barton takes what could have been a standard Big-Studly-Man comes to the rescue of Innocent-God-Fearing-Maiden plot and breathes fantastic new life into it. I did not want to put this book down and it's earned a prime spot on my keeper shelf. Rorie, our (well padded) heroine, is smart, stubborn and determined to have her own way - even when she she doesn't quite understand all that's going on around her. Gabriel is equally intelligent and determined but he knows exactly what he's facing. He also knows it's not good.

When I first started this book I was worried it was going to fall right into a typical slot. But within 40 pages I was entranced. These two lit sparks off each other and balanced it with a tenderness that kept me wanting more. Brava, Ms Barton. This is one great book.

This book only rivaled Monica Mclean's story Cinderella Bride which I recently read as well. Rorie Dean who has undergone the loss of her brother succeeds in overcoming her preconceived prejudices and fears to take a leap of faith to save her nephew Frankie and the man she loves Gabriel Hawk. Not an easy thing to do when the man is bent on destroying himself. This is truly a book not to put down!

I just finished it and I liked it so much I wanted it to last forever.

This is another great book from Beverly Barton and a fabulous addition to The Protectors series.

Deftly crafted by an author so convincing in his female persona that the "Publisher's Weekly" reviewer mistakes C.W. Smith for a her, Gabriel's Eye is a fast paced, well plotted, dark and deeply disturbing tale of adolescent longing, professional impropriety, betrayal and redemption that breaks through the binary oppositions that tend to mire us in an either/or (black and white) approach to life, religion and literature. Smith possesses an incredible gift for character development and here breathes life into Susan, a 28-year-old art teacher who listens to classical music, is unabashedly liberal in her politics and is deeply entrenched in an uncommitted relationship with her live-in lover, Curt. When a 17-year-old transfer student named Jeff quietly slips into his first art club meeting, Susan is immediately smitten by his rumpled good looks and shy demeanor, so reminiscent of her first lover, Nathan. Susan rescues Jeff from the rain by offering him a ride home, a ten-minute drive across the Trinity River that becomes the first step in a flirtation fanned by private lessons and good intentions, but doomed to dire consequences. Smith's dedication to the psychology motivating the ill-fated protagonists can be unsettling and will linger long after the last page is turned, but the next time I hear a salacious news story of teacher impropriety I won't be quite as indignant, or so quick to ask--How could she/he? I'll be thinking, instead, of that crush I had on my high school geography teacher and how grateful I am that I never acted on it.

Ever been tempted to pursue a dalliance before solving or exiting your current relationship? This cautionary tale deftly explores the possible lifelong consequences of such an action. Exquisitely plotted and layered with psychological insight, C.W. Smith explores the motivations of two characters separated by age and station. Susan is a teacher and Jeff is one of her students. Susan, unfullfilled by life with her live-in lover Curt, baits the hook for Jeff and step by reversible step reels him in up to the point she chooses to return him to the water as a nonkeeper. However, the hook is in too deep for Jeff and the traitorous betrayal by one of his contemporaries leads to tragic results. You will not be finished with this book when you close the cover after the last page. For a time thereafter you will ponder the moral dilemma, knee-jerk religious cynicism, the attempt to fullfil emotional needs without, or despite, considering the consequences, and finally the possibility of redemption after a monumental struggle.

Reading this book reminded me that I was in love with June Allyson when I was twelve. Pity was June never knew. Or maybe that was a blessing.

On "20/20," on "Jerry Springer," it would be the stuff of tabloid heaven: sex between a teacher and her young student, scandal, disgrace, death. But C.W. Smith weaves this tale of woe and longing with sensitivity and restraint. As in all his novels, in "Gabriel's Eye" he looks past his characters' flaws to reveal the human condition in all its stubborn frailty. In Susan, the teacher, and Jeff, her student, Smith brings alive the yearning for passion, the ambivalent struggle against life's constraints, that have sparked countless falls from grace. Through their story he illuminates a truth that may be hard to face: no one is guiltless; within all of us are needs that can't quite be satisfied by the workaday world. In the respites we seek, in rare stolen moments of pleasure and beauty, we may be granted a glimpse of something finer than ordinary life can summon. But there will be a price to pay for it, and the world, like life itself, will eventually come tumbling down.

Pinkerton Agent, Gabriel Caine was hired to find a murderer named Ivo Hardwick and return him to stand trial. He ran into a strange group of fortune tellers along the way. He thought little of it until he stopped one of them, Sophie Madrigal, from killing the very man he was sent to locate! t seemed that Sophie had her heart set on revenge and was determined to relocate and kill Hardwick before Gabriel could drag the villain back to what <>he considered "Justice"!

It dawned on Gabriel that Sophie, Aunt Juniper, and Dmitri had connections and he would quickly locate Hardwick if he stayed close. By doing so, he found out that the group were not a bunch of tricksters, as Sophie wanted him to believe. Sophie and Juniper were real!

Sophie wanted only to get rid of Gabriel! No matter how rude she was he refused to leave her alone! Her visions, that seldom happened, increased in his presence. So did her talent. It seemed that Gabriel was a perfect media for her, though she loathed to admit it. And no matter how much she began to like him, she dare not tell him. His fate, according to her talent, was to die during this mission!

***** Awesome story! This is one the reader will be reluctant to put down for any length of time! I sure could not! A major recommended read from an author who has proven her talent many times over! *****

Gabriel Caine was born in a family of revivalists, which he considered in the same light that Emma Craig considers clairvoyants. A strange bond to share, indeed, this disbelief in the gifts and beliefs of one's family. But Emma's prickly and non-trusting nature doesn't allow for men to enter her life, and Gabriel willingly accepts whatever bond he can find. Too bad the only other bond they share is a desire to locate murderer Ivo Hardwick.

With his roguish, dark looks, Gabriel's accustomed to women simpering and smirking over him. But Gabriel prefers a challenge, and Emma meets that challenge perfectly. Beneath that haughty exterior, he believes she has character and heart, which he intends to reveal. He also intends to uncover Emma's carefully guarded secret. He knows she intends to kill Hardwick, but he doesn't know why. Further, his under cover assignment to the Pinkerton Agency requires that he bring Hardwick back alive.

Emma Craig creates a fascinating and daring blend of spiritualism and the occult in GABRIEL'S FATE. By treating psychic gifts as blessings from God, the spiritual battles of these wounded and disbelieving characters lends strong motivation to the tale. The secondary characters, including a tarot card reading aunt, a Russian midget, and a Chinese pub keep the reader entertained with their antics and audaciousness. In addition, Craig's heroine breaks romantic standards with her concern for extra pounds on a figure the hero considers lush. Consequently, with powerful conflict and strong motivation, GABRIEL'S FATE comes very highly recommended.

In the nineteenth century out west, Sophie Madrigal makes a living by telling fortunes, but her real motive is to bring Ivo Hardwick to frontier justice administered by herself for the murder of her son. Pinkerton undercover agent Gabriel Caine also seeks Ivo, but being a quasi-member of the law he must bring the killer in alive.

When Sophie and Gabriel meet on a train, the attraction overwhelms everything else. However, they have nothing in common but the need to find Ivo links the twosome. Still, Sophie's Aunt Juniper decides that it is in the cards for Gabriel and her niece to share a lifetime of love. Using every trick she knows as a spiritualist, Juniper plays matchmaker between two stubborn individuals who fate has deemed belong together.

GABRIEL'S FATE is a refreshing western romance because of the inclusion of the occult in the thrilling story line. The plot is action packed, and the strong cast makes this is a fascinating reading experience. The lead couple disagrees on everything, making them an engaging duet, but it is the support ensemble of eccentrics that allow Gabriel and Sophie to shine as they amusingly enable fate to take its "natural course" of action. Emma Craig provides the audience with an appealing amusing novel worth reading by sub-genre fans.

Harriet Klausner

Finally! Finally, there is a book on Micromosaics, and what a wonderful book! Prior to the publication of Jeanette Hanisee Gabriel's masterful research job, there have been no books available to the collector of Micromosaics or for anyone who wants to read about a little-mentioned, and fading art. And who better to write the book then Ms. Gabriel who has been Sir Arthur Gilbert's Private Curator since 1994. Sir Arthur Gilbert's collection which now resides at Somerset House in London can only be equaled by the collections of The Vatican Museum in Rome and the Hermitage in St. Petersburg.

There are a number of books that cover the vast and impressive Gilbert Collection: "Gold Boxes", "Monumental Silver", "Portrait Miniatures in Enamel," "Gold and Silver," "Hardstones" and now "Micromosaics." As I happily have the other books in my library - I can honestly say that the micromosaic book must have been the most difficult and yet it is extremely comprehensive. Ms. Hanisee's scholarly work on "The Gilbert Collection: Hardstones", must have been a bit easier to write as there is so much information on the art of Pietra Dura and Hardstone. Micromosaics is another ball of wax as so little was written - and I'm sure if it was to be had - Ms. Gabriel uncovered the information.

The Appendix has a fascinating section written by Professor Massimo Alfieri "New Notes on Giacomo Raffaelli and Michelangelo Barberi" two of the leading Master Mosaicists of the 18th and early 19th century ---- fascinating. It takes you to the time of the workshops, with letters, sales receipts, drawings and the like. Not only revealing, but just plain fun for devotees of the period. One can also find a section on techniques and materials used in the making of these compelling masterful and minutely executed works of art.

Seeing the fabulous color plates on almost every page, the items in the collection, one finds themselves rubbing their eyes in bewilderment over the artistry of these rare and intricate pieces. The footnotes are so interesting and well-written that they are a book within themselves, and my only wish was for a third hand to mark the place as I turned from text to illustration to footnote and back to text. In many books one tends to skip a lot of the footnotes, unless they pertain to a particular interest -- but Ms. Gabriel has added fascinating information and I told myself it was worth the digital exercise to read each and every one.

Lastly - Jeanette Gabriel has masterfully included very detailed Biographies of the known artists of the time and the literature connected with these artists; a Glossary - with full descriptions; a seven page Bibliography; Exhibition Histories, and an extremely well-written Index.

"The Gilbert Collection: Micromosaics" may look like a sumptuous coffee table book of 310 pages (which it is:), but it is definitely not fluff and mirrors -- it is a serious and fascinating work which should included in any library of Decorative Arts.

Obviously - I think it's just great, I thank Ms. Gabriel, and I give it 5 stars.

Margot Conte

Thanks to all of you who have sent me such lovely comments about this book and the Gilbert Micromosaics. Since the Gilbert Collection museum in London was formally opened by the Queen Mother in May, 2000, it has been deluged with inquiries. Thus, I have decided to take questions regarding expertise from my office in California. There will soon be a website with a link to this Amazon.com site for those wishing to purchase the book, and a link to me: gilbertcurator@aol.com.

Thanks again. Jeanette Hanisee Gabriel, Private Curator to Arthur Gilbert and the Gilbert Collection.

This is a beautiful and informative book with insights into historic and technical aspects of micromosaic provided by the leading authority on this art form. Beautiful close up photographs reveal the intricate details of these little treasures. This book is a must have for micromosaic and decorative arts enthusiasts and a beautiful addition to any library.

This is without a doubt one of the finest pieces of Christian Literature ever written. It is simply fantastic. It will change your life. It shows Jesus in a new light. A life lived in compassion but fully human. Edward Hays has written the Ultimate Spiritual Book. A New Gospel for today based off of modern historical research. Reads Well. A must read for the modern Christian.

This book was wonderful! Ed Hays has done an excellent job of creating new images of how Jesus could have done things. What is most remarkable to me personally is how this image of Christ was all inclusive. There was a sense of unconditional love throughout Hays' descriptions of events as they coulod have happened. Of particular interest to me was the interpretation of Mary and Martha. Jesus actually got up and helped Martha cook the meal, much to the chagrin of the rest of the disciples, and Martha! The book itself reveals much about how I thought of Jesus and the stories of his life. It showed me how restricted my views were and opened up the door to understanding situations in a new light. This book is a gift to me and has become a gift I give many others. I HIGHLY recommend this to anyone interested in listening to the life of Jesus in a new and wonderful light.

Ed Hays is simply incredible! He roots the foundations of this book in the massive footnotes, which were extraordinarily researched. Then he simply lets the text of the book float ever so lightly on top.

The book is a fascinating combination of prose, poetry, and meoldies that engage and challenge the reader to look upon the life of Jesus with new eyes. You keep reading wondering how Hays will make the next parable come alive and dance across the page.

The Jesus that he creates in these pages is one that you are sure to identify with.

Let this book be the one that refreshes how you read the Gospel stories. It is sure to send you on a spiritual journey unlike any other.

The best thing about this book is it is set up to inspire. So many stories from the community are about overcoming hardship, but this one strives to show how wonderous the lives of LGBT people actually are. Rather than focusing only on the challenges and overcoming them that LGBT people face in society, this book shows that far from carrying a burden through life, being LGBT opens us to new ideas and creativity that a life "outside of the box" can bring and extolls the freedom that such a life brings. This book will uplift and inspire the spirit within all of us.

A refreshing look at today's lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and straight allies.... it gives hope, promise and inspiration to read each poem, each story, each contribution of being gay on college campuses today... An excellent resource for ally awareness, safe zone training, and lgbt sensitivity for all communities alike... we must share our stories, bring visibility and together we all can INSPIRE others to lead, to take action, to believe...!

This book touches the hearts and opens the minds of everyone who reads it. It contains the voices and experiences of LGBT college students, former students, and those serving this population on college campuses. These stories are real. These lives are real. This book offers both reflection and validation of the experiences of an invisible population. Give it as a gift to someone. Better yet, buy it for yourself, and understand...

I had a brief introduction to James Joyce by reading "Araby" ions ago in high school, and was looking to become more acquainted with his works. This collection performed by Gabriel Byrne was a joy to listen to...who better to hear it from than a Dubliner and a great actor to boot?! Although I was debating whether or not it was better to read his works directly before listening to any interpretation, film or audio alike, I don`t regret it. In fact, I think it will help me appreciate Joyce more when I go back to read the works featured. The chamber music as well left me thinking of another time and place, adding a nice backdrop for the dialogue.

Listening through the 'James Joyce Collection' is pleasure itself. The four cassettes offer the best of Joyce's shorter works (short parts of 'The Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man', short stories from 'The Dubliners' and poems from 'Chamber Music'). Even those who find Joyces's big works difficult will have an excellent time listening to these pieces of work. The short stories and poems are enchanting as they portray Joyce's Dublin and Dubliners, the stories are of a riveting kind. Byrne's sensitive, lively performance renders them all the more enjoyable. The gentle brogue of the Irish actor gives you an additional touch of authenticity. The 'James Joyce Collection' is well worth buying if you're yearning for an intense auditive and literary experience.

The James Joyce Audio Collection is a captivating and enjoyable set of Joyce's best works, read by Joyce himself and three other wonderful performers. The Joyce readings are amazingly remastered, and it is an "epiphany" to listen to a writer like Joyce to read from "Ulysses," his most inspired and personal work. Other highlights of the collection include Cyril Cusack's spirited readings from Joyce's "Portrait of An Artist as a Young Man" This passionate performance brings Joyce's prose to dazzling life and it is an unforgettable experience. This collection is a great way to experience Joyce's literature as it was meant to be; lyrical and vibrant.

First of all, I've read this book in the original Spanish version, I recommend you do the same. The book is pretty good, I read it in two days, could not put it down!

My first impression was a "spy" story of guy in exile infiltrating his own country to take out the actual truth to the World (I wonder if it ever really happened!!!)

This is an absolute thriller that reminded me somehow of the John LeCarre stories. Highly recommended to any student of modern South American political affairs and history.

Five stars.

The book chronicles the experiences of a Chilean political exile who returns to film a clandestine documentary during the years ot the Pinochet regime. Marquez masterfully captures the essence of Santiago during the dictatorship, and manages to depict the complex and difficult emotions political exiles experience when faced with the return to a homeland that has changed. Beautifully written.

The book chronicles the experiences of a Chilean political exile who returns to film a clandestine documentary during the years of the Pinochet regime. Marquez masterfully captures the essence of Santiago during the dictatorship, and manages to depict the complex and difficult emotions political exiles experience when faced with the return to a homeland that has changed. Beautifully written.

"La Mala Hora", It is Latin America, its life, its governments, its people. But only he can paint its image in words without missing a detail. Many have tried to immitate him, and sometimes you can even hear "she writes like García Marquez" its impossible!! La Mala Hora is an old book, but its contents continuous alive thus Latin America has not changed.
I have read "La Mala Hora" many times, as well as many other books from Gabo and would like to memorize so many paragraphs that are simply out of this world. Gabo's imagination has no limits. La Mala Hora - his description of how the fathers gets up in the morning, his description of the cow stucket on the river, or when the secretary of the former judge explains to the new judge how the former judge was killed. Every single page of the book is a work of art forever. I love you Gabo! I was born in Germany but am more latin then German, having grown up in Costa Rica and living now in Panama. I wish I could write like you, I wish I could make my children read you as intensely as I have. You are "The Writer".

Please forgive my poor English.

Frauke Schnell de Muñoz

From his leaving Bogota in a misty dawn, the mules, the solitude, the little convoy, with Palacios, his black butler, and his faithful Irish aids de camp. To the San Pedro Alejandrino Villa, venue of his death, [and his last letter to Fanny], his recognition, in letter to Urdaneta, of grave error in having fought General Santander. It has a valuable Succint Cronology. It contains Miranda Lindsay, a novel by itself. Bolivar himself would have cried reading this masterful if sad account of his sad last days.

From his leaving Bogota in a misty dawn, the mules, the solitude, the little convoy, with Palacios, his black butler, and his faithful Irish aids de camp. To the San Pedro Alejandrino Estate, venue of his death, and his last letter to Fanny. His recognition in letter to Urdaneta of error in having fought General Santander. It has a valuable Succint Cronology. It has Miranda Lindsay, a novel by itself. Bolivar himself would have cried reading this masterful if sad account of his last days.