I really enjoyed reading about Maria and Rose. I have always had a very difficult time loving myself and this book really opened my eyes. As I read about Rose learning lessons about life, I found myself applying these lessons to my own life. I laughed until my sides split and cried a river. It was just superb!!

I have read over 100 self-help books in the last 15 years, and this is one of the very best. Crystal Rose is an extremely gifted writer. Her touching story flows so beautifully and conveys the transforming power of love and forgiveness (and the power of our thoughts). It sounds like a cliche, but I really couldn't put this book down once I started. Most importantly, her wonderful message has remained with me as a reminder of how to live a more positive,fulfilling life. I will be buying Crystal's next book the moment it comes off the press! The Turning Point is simply magnificent.

I love the Turning Point by Crystal Rose. It is the best book I have read in a long time.

Carmen Leone examined a topic close to his heart, and storytelling gifts made it a story that is now close to mine.

My own grandparents came to Ohio around 1900. "Rose Street" brought to narrative life all the stories my father, uncles and aunts have told me over the years.

I wonder if Carmen Leone realized that by telling his story, he was telling mine, too, as well as the stories of countless others. They might Italian, but they don't have to be. In fact, the soundtrack that came to my head while reading "RoseStreet" was the song "Tradition," from "Fiddler On The Roof." How can the story of an Italian immigrant couple and their American-born children have anything to do with Jewish shtetl life?

Read the book.

Ever look in the mirror and just examine your own eyes. Ever see the faces of your relatives in your own?

"Rose Street" is, too, such a mirror.

Capturing the true essence of what it means to be of Italian-American descent and from Youngstown, Ohio, the author paints a richly moving accout of family life during the first half of the twentieth century. Through laughter and tears, I read about Jo, the protagonist whose faith and strenghth never fail. This "universal" story played out in many of the homes on Rose Street or on Dearborn Street where my family history began. We learn from Jo and from our grandparents that the struggle to preserve our family and its heritage provides riches a banker can never count. Their experiences so move and inspire us to hold dear all that is truly important: love, loyalty and a true committment to family.

Carmen Leone works magic in Rose Street. He captures the specifics of his Italian-American family's experience in Youngstown, Ohio with remarkable clarity while simultaneously tapping into themes which remain universal to the family dynamic: responsibility, authority, self-sacrifice, love. The story of his immigrant mother's daily struggles and triumphs offers us insight into the core of our humanness. Originally written as a gift for Leone's own family, Rose Street inspires us to treat ours with a little more tenderness.

LARRY ROSE has Alzheimer's disease. It is little comfort to him that he is among the millions of others strickened with this debilitating disease. What should be of comfort to the reader is that this warm, witty, and intelligent man is willing to bare his soul and share his experiences so that we can understand more about this disease. In his touching book, SHOW ME THE WAY TO GO HOME, Rose gives us a brief glimpse into a window of life that few understand. Rose presents each stage with the freshness of someone who knows not what the future holds. Breathtaking in its innocence, Rose's words hold special meaning to anyone who knows someone suffering from Alzheimer's disease. The book opens with a penetrating look at the "Man that was"---a brilliant electrical engineer with a thirst for knowledge and a passion for life. Rose's son, Jeff, has written a beautiful introduction that describes his joyful memories of growing up with his dad---and the deep love that exists between them. Rose's son also express his frusteration with a disease and his sadness at its striking such a wonderful and young (54) man as his father. This book is written with the goal of giving the reader a deeper understanding of the disease's affects from the inside. A perspective of someone who knows of what he speaks. SHOW ME THE WAY TO GO HOME, is an outstanding, provocative read. Rose has not only found a way to tell us about the disease, he's also found a way to make us comprehend and empathize with sufferers around the world without once asking for pity.

My mother was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's Disease at fifty years. I found Larry Rose's account of what was happening to be a wonderful way to relate to her in a way that she was unable to describe to me. This book will be a "hard to put down" account of daily life for those facing similar experiences along the way through this dibilitating illness that robs so much. Larry finds a positive light to shine on purpose in life and to keep on living. He is truly a courageous story that should not be missed. A big five star read with a human approach.

I picked up Larry's Book, "Show me the way to go home", quite by chanceat a local book store. I was interested in Alzheimer's disease because my mother died from it a few years ago. I could not put the book down until I had read the last page. I read it again the next day and then again and again. Then I sat down and cried for a week. I found that I had fallen in Love with this handsome, dashing, man. If you have a friend or relative that is afflicted with this disease, you must read Larry's Book. He has achieved the impossible. He has given us an insight into the mind of person afflicted with this terrible disease. After reading his book and looking at his picture on the back cover, I feel that I know him well enough to call him Larry. Thank You, Larry, for your book and God Bless!Kathleen

The subject of Zen has become very popular in the 1990's. Recently there have been many translations of Zen classics and new books by contemporary writers. When Richard Rose wrote this book he was among the first to recognize the value of Zen as a way for the mind to look at itself and as a tool to discover both error and truth. The Albigen Papers is written in comtemporary language that is at once clear and to the point. It attacks and deconstructs much of what we know or think that we know. It is one of those books that once read is not easily forgotten or dismissed. It have the potential to change the way you look at the world or the way you view yourself. The last part of the book is concerned with the truth that Mr. Rose discovered after many years of meditation and study of many different religious systems. He communicates this truth in a way that is both direct and concise. I think that this is one of those few books that has the power to change your life.

What I find unique about this book is that it provides a method of discernment for spiritual seekers. Over the past 30 years or so, there has been a vast proliferation of esoteric spiritual groups, each claiming to provide access to ultimate truth. The individual seeker may be confused by the various claims, unaware of the pitfalls, and uncertain of what particular method to employ in their own spiritual search. "The Albigen Papers" is a "handbook" based on Rose's own search and the problems he encountered as he participated in and investigated various metaphysical groups. His search culminated in an enlightenment experience beautifully described in the poem "The Three Books of the Absolute" at the end of the book. Rose provides a refreshing "no holds barred" overview of the contemporary social and spiritual scene, the competing claims and inadequacies of various esoteric and metaphysical groups, and obstacles along the path. Near the end of the book, there is practical advice towards attaining higher spiritual awareness, including conservation of energy, the development of intuition, and "stopping the mind." Based upon his writings, my impression of Rose is that he is a very intense individual, and has no patience for "feel good" spirituality. He does not mince words in criticizing groups that offer "courses" in higher awareness for a fee. At the same time, he is very compassionate, and dedicated to helping seekers realize enlightenment in this lifetime, believing that "time is of the essence."

The first time I read 'The Albigen Papers,' it was a tough read.

It was one of the first philosophic books I ever read on purpose, although I had read other genres prolifically.

Rose takes a black coffee (no sugar) look at religious and philosophic systems. He says to a seeker of truth, "I've been there," and addresses pitfalls on the path, offers yardsticks to judge movements, authors and gurus by, and outlines a common sense approach to discovering the ultimate answer.

The more I revisit 'The Albigen Papers' the more I recognize its value. I recommend it to anyone who's serious.

At the back of the book is a blank verse epic poem the author wrote to describe his enlightenment at age 30.

I always enjoy Ann Rule's books, and this one was no exception. The main story was a real page turner. I could not put the book down. Ann did an incredible job of making me feel I knew all of the characters, even the victims. My heart ached for these young single mothers who were victimized by Randy Roth. I cannot imagine a more cruel human being than one who intentionally orphans little children, merely for money. The book goes into great detail about how the detectives finally caught and convicted this monster. I strongly recommend this book to any true-crime fan.

This book was totally addictive reading, I have read hundreds of true crime books and this is in the top ten of mine, I'm definitely an Ann Rule fan now, Ann describes the characters very well without droning on like some true crime writers, from the detectives involved to the victims relatives, you feel you kind of know them a bit, and really feel empathy for the victims and their rellies, aswell as wanting to say "well done!" when the detectives finally nab the weirdo.

I could not put this book down. Ann Rule is truly an exceptional author. Her comments prior to each story are both personal and insightful. For those of you who like true crime, this is a must read.

M.J. Rose gets better and better with every book. I loved Lip Service, In Fidelity and Flesh Tones -- and I knew that I'd love Sheet Music. Again, Rose mixes suspense and erotica in this beautiful and lyrical account of a young journalist who gets more than she bargains for when she tries to redeem herself after a scandal with one of her articles.

Justine Pagett flees from New York to Paris after the loss of her mother. Her grief doesn't allow her to see past what she wants. She returns to New York to research Sophie DeLyon, a distinguished composer. Little did she realize that she'd have to dig up more than she had anticipated after Sophie mysteriously disappears. There are various twists throughout the novel. The ending is flooring.

Sheet Music's language is sensual, beautiful, dark and stark. I love how the author describes food and music in an erotic manner. The aspects of erotica in this novel, as opposed to her first two novels, are more subtle -- used as an undertone this time. M.J. Rose is quite versatile. Sheet Music is one of the best suspense novels I've read all year. You won't find bloody scenes and gruesome details in this one, for this is a clever erotic/psychological thriller. Highly recommended...

I read SHEET MUSIC around the ninth anniversary of my mother's death. Through Justine, I relived so many of the emotions a daughter must overcome after losing a mother.

MJ Rose paints evocative pictures of our souls with words. "No. Without my mother, I was not myself. And sometimes I think I am still not myself."

Through SHEET MUSIC we follow Justine's journey to find her new self--her motherless daughter new self. As we travel with Justine we are reminded of the smells that we associate with our own mothers.

Review of Sheet Music, a novel by M.J. Rose

The first page of Sheet Music reveals Justine Pagett's emptiness. Even as Justine makes love to her Parisian paramour, she recalls her dead mother and the love they once exclusively shared. Justine draws us to her pain; we are curious about her emptiness and the mystery that surrounds her parents' relationship. We discover that Justine has good qualities; she is capable of being a friend to certain women, but her relationships with men are shallow and troubled. The armor she wears against intimacy contributes to scandal and a tarnished reputation as a journalist.

On probation with her employer, Justine leaps at the opportunity to write about Sophie DeLyon, a renowned conductor and musician whose enigmatic life has long been the subject of speculation. To do the piece, Justine needs to return from her home in Paris to New York, where she must confront her estranged father, sister, and the raw memories of her mother's painful death. Justine also needs the help of a former lover, Austen, who was once one of DeLyon's handpicked students. During her mother's illness, Austen reached Justine with his music in a way that words couldn't. The memories of his sensuality still touch her in ways that make Justine fearful, because she vows never to suffer in love as her mother did.

Justine arrives at DeLyon's exclusive music academy, located on hundreds of acres of prime oceanfront property, on the very day that Sophie DeLyon disappears from her sailboat in a squall. Justine also begins to receive threatening messages that insist she stop writing about DeLyon. While Sophie's students, friends, and family members attempt to cope with her absence and possible death, Justine wonders why Sophie invited her to Euphonia to write the story-and what mysteries the message-sender is afraid Justine will disclose. Justine also realizes how much of an outsider she is among Sophie's entourage, and how she is locked outside their grief.

Justine understands obsessive grief, though. She observes the interaction of Sophie's two adult children, who reveal conflicting emotions toward their mother. Charlie, Sophie's grandson and Austen's thirteen-year-old son, is devastated by his revered grandmother's disappearance. He, Helena, Sophie's closest friend at the academy, and several of her returned students are inconsolable-and Justine recognizes her own emotional destitution in these people. She also, despite escalating resistance, begins to uncover some of the dark secrets in Sophie's life. Just as Justine must discover who Sophie was outside the spotlight of her towering talent and philanthropy, she must face her own grief and see her own mother as a whole person.

M.J. Rose delves into some important issues in Sheet Music. The novel examines obsession and selective memory. The reader realizes that some characters will untangle their emotions, while others will succumb to their blackness. Rose also studies the deep effect of music and art on individuals and she observes the isolation of pushing the artistic envelope.

I highly recommend Sheet Music, which portrays characters that stay with the reader after the last page, and whose sensuality and empathy touch the heart. Readers of mysteries, romance, and self-awareness novels will all enjoy this book.

Deborah Turrell Atkinson, author of PRIMITIVE SECRETS, a clever, contemporary mystery that reveals a Hawai'i that few visitors see, from the winding cane roads of Hamakua to the seedy side of Honolulu's Chinatown.
Poisoned Pen Press, October 2002

The Bountiful Container. Rose Marie Nichols McGee and Maggie Stuckey. Workman Publications New York 2002 0-7611-1623-0 432 pages

This most readable book was written for "everyone who aspires to have garden-fresh foodstuffs but has no yard in which to grow them". This is a detailed book about growing herbs and vegetables in containers - there is a chapter each on fruits and edible flowers too. Both writers are experienced growers and standard growing information is not only tailored to container growing, but is supplemented by the experience of two down to earth women who have been there and done that.

Sensibly organized, the book starts with planning a container garden and moves on to basic information such as the tools you'll need and the pros and cons of different types of containers. But most of the book tells you how to get the best crop from a great long list of vegetables and herbs There are chapters on growing fruit and edible flowers in containers and a decent list of mail order sources for seeds and plants.

I liked the direct, no-nonsense approach of the two writers. They have produced a thorough and thoughtful book, sensibly organized and both readable and knowledgeable.

Finally, here's a book on container gardening that focuses on vegetables (and also herbs, fruits and edible flowers). I was tired of looking through tons and tons of books on container gardening that were full of stuff about houseplants and flowers but had zilch when it came to the edible stuff. Was vegetable gardening out of bounds for apartment dwellers like me? I thought so till I came across this book. This book is a godsend for people who want kitchen gardens of their own but who can only garden with containers.
The book has no photos, only illustrations (but then again, who needs another coffee table kind of book with pretty pictures and little content) but it has lots of good advice and instructions. It starts off with the basics (container types, soil, fertilizing, pests etc.), then it moves on to a hefty section each on vegetables, herbs, fruits and edible flowers. Each section has a number of entries with detailed instructions on the particular veggie/herb/fruit/flower in question. These include stuff like planting, fertilizing, soil depth, plant size, light requirements and so on. Interspersed throughout the book are interesting projects, for example, creating a garden for children or a kitchen garden with an asian/italian/greek theme. All in all, this book is extremely useful and a real treasure.

What a find! I am a novice gardener; I started my gardening journey at the library, where I found this book. It is just about the most user-friendly book on gardening, specifically container gardening, that I have found! McGee and Stuckey's love of gardening is contagious; it makes you want to rush out and begin planting! There were two aspects of this book that I found particularly helpful. First, they present detailed write-ups on an extensive list of various vegetables, fruits, herbs, and edible flowers--how and when to plant, what size container is needed, etc. Second, and very interesting, they suggest numerous theme gardens; specifically, how to plant a variety of edibles in a single container or grouping of containers around a particular theme or color (i.e., a kid's garden, a lemonade garden, etc). A MUST have for any gardener!

I thoroughly enjoyed Michael Troyan's biography of Greer Garson. Like many who came along late in her career, I knew little about the star who was apparently a legend in her day. Troyan provides a vivid picture of the actress and the woman. Troyan's thoroughness in researching his subject is obvious from the many anecdotes provided by those who knew and worked with Garson, as well as the behind-the-scenes information on many of her films. When I met Troyan at one of his promotional appearances, he indicated that the rich detail comes, in part, from Garson's own unpublished and unfinished autobiography. Troyan's enthusiasm for his subject is obvious. The book is well-written and a relatively easy read. To provide a fair assessment, I should mention the book would benefit from a timeline, since it is at times difficult to keep track of what happened when. Also, Troyan commits the quite forgivable mistake of the first-time author. He provides perhaps too much detail in places. Don't let that keep you from reading a very informative and enjoyable book.

Michael Troyan's writing style provides so much insight and information about this wonderful person, one cannot help but feel that Greer Garson had become a personal friend long before the end of the book. His extensive research has resulted in a genuine treasure for Greer's old fans and the new ones generated from reading this well-done biography. He is to be congratulated on an easy-to-read format with amazing attention not only to the details of Greer's life, but also to the history of Hollywood's Glamour Years and the behind-the-scenes activities that resulted in so many of our favorite movies. This book celebrates someone who wouldn't quit or loose sight of her goals, while "following her star". One cannot help but be inspired to excellence after reading Michael's tribute to Greer Garson. Highly recommended for readers of ALL ages.

This is an utterly enjoyable book, both for the fans of Greer Garson and for fans of classic Hollywood in general. Michael Troyan weaves her story together with all the simplicity, grace, and humor that his subject deserves. The best feature, to me, is the wealth of personal commment included that Miss Garson had on her own life, as the reader sees her wit, personality, and loveliness of being begin to take form. It is the best star biography that I have read.

After having suffered 2 miscarriages myself several years ago, I was pleasantly surprised how "A Rose in Heaven" ministered to me, even after I had already worked through the grief process and healing on my own. This book is very uplifting and encouraging, while providing hope and healing as the author walks you through her pain and grief due to the loss of her baby. It is recommended reading for anyone who has suffered their own loss or knows someone who has. It is an excellent tool to be used to counsel someone who has lost a baby in any stage of pregnancy and beyond. What a loving gift for someone who has suffered a loss when you don't have the words to help them heal. Daily readings gently lead them through their grief and give them hope. Thank you, Dawn Siegrist Waltman for sharing your heart with your readers!

I purchased this as a gift for someone dear to me who lost her 3rd baby to miscarriage. My heart aches for her to this day, and I just hope that this book can help her. When I read it, I thought it was something that may help her. I hope she likes it.

I lost my daughter at 28 weeks. She was stillborn. Her name was Elizabeth Grace. I thought my world had ended, with the pain of trying to get pregnant for so long and then losing her was something I could bare to handle. This book was WONDERFUL!! I have given it to many people who I have discovered who have also lost a child. This book carries you from sorrow into a peace of knowing that God has a plan for everybody, that He does not do anything without a reason. There is also a memory idea section to help a mother remember her child that is lost. My favorite section was the last entry entitled "Joy Comes In The Morning", for anyone who has lost a child no matter when or how this conclusion let's you know that joy does come in the morning.

This extraordinary book combines the traditional biographical format with the visual splendor of color reproductions traditionally found in a museum style art book. "The Red Rose Girls" is in a league all its own, combining history, biography, and art in order to recreate the lives of this amazing group of women. This book brings the reader into the world of these talented artists and goes further to explore the complexities faced by women striving for professional execellence. Carter's book definitely hits the mark, recounting the past and presenting themes that reverberate into present day society. Great!

This is an exceptional book. Carter has meticulously documented three significant women in the history of American art and illustration, Jessie Willcox Smith, Elizabeth Shippen Green, and Violet Oakley. It is a must have for anyone interested in the entwined lives and careers of America's first and most successful female artists as the country entered the 20th century. I found the book to be thoroughly researched and thoughtfully written. The Red Rose Girls does a fine job fully

detailing their outstanding contributions to the art world and of their life long intimate love. Inspiring are the pages upon pages of lavish reproductions which display their paintings, sketches, research materials, and the revealing personal photographs. Carter's complete documentation satisfies my needs as an artist, educator, and as a witness to America's ever changing social history. This book is the definitive account of the Red Rose Girls' role in American art and I am elated for the long due recognition they so fully deserve. You will not be disappointed in this wonderful book.

The Red Rose Girls is a remarkable book. Alice Carter does a superb job of documenting the lives and careers of Violet Oakley, Jessie Wilcox Smith, and Elizabeth Shippen Green. When the last page was turned I not only had a deep respect for their professional accomplishments but I felt that I had known each of these women personally.

The strength and success of these women artists is an inspiration to everyone regardless of their sex or chosen occupation. The "Red Rose Girls" is a must have for any library. The quality of writing and research in this book makes it hard to put down and I am looking forward to seeing more publications by this author.