The amazing thing about this book is that it takes you beyond just you, and places you into your larger role in society, as well as who you are spiritually.
The whole book is a page turner, that you won't be able to put down. Part One addresses you on a deeply personal level. In part two, Individual Power is visionary, taking you on a journey into your role in society, and even on a global scale. This book is so eloquently written, the messages are as profound as they are needed. In part three, Barbara Rose has an uncanny ability with spiritual dimensions, that is subtle enough for those who new on the spiritual path, and deep enough for those who want to know more about how to access and use their spiritual abilities taking them further along, and upward on the spiritual spiral. I found that I enjoy coming back to this book, to re-read certain sections that pertain to my life in the moment. The book covers a vast array of territory, and is not just another self-help book - it is a classic in many areas that you will surely treasure.

The amazing thing about this book is that it takes you beyond just you, and places you into your larger role in society, as well as who you are spiritually.

The whole book is a page turner, that you won't be able to put down. Part One addresses you on a deeply personal level. In part two, Individual Power is visionary, taking you on a journey into your role in society, and even on a global scale. This book is so eloquently written, the messages are as profound as they are needed. In part three, Barbara Rose has an uncanny ability with spiritual dimensions, that is subtle enough for those who are new on the spiritual path, and deep enough for those who want to know more about how to access and use their spiritual abilities taking them further along, and upward on the spiritual spiral.

I found that I enjoy coming back to this book, to re-read certain sections that pertain to my life in the moment. The book covers a vast array of territory, and is not just another self-help book - it is a classic in many areas that you will surely treasure.

Individual Power is one of the best books I have ever read pertaining to claiming your true self, empowering your ideals via your unique contribution in society, and utilizing your inherent spiritual connection to rise to your ideal vision of you.
Barbara Rose shares extraordinary wisdom in such a way that gets you to see who you really are, and believe in your talents. Through this book, you will surely get the courage to shine in all areas of your life.
A must read for anyone who has felt down, in any area of their life. This book is powerful, and the work of a true spiritual genius. I take this book with me wherever I go, because I find that no matter what page I turn to, a gift of wisdom, courage, and truth uplifts me like no other book I have ever read. Thank you Barbara Rose, for sharing so honestly, and powerfully! Individual Power is an outstanding contribution to humanity!

The Velveteen Rabbit will always be one of the most treasured children's books of all time. I've read the book many times at various stages of my childhood, and now that I'm 22-years-old, I find that this timeless story isn't just for children.

This, of course, is the story of a stuffed toy rabbit who seems to have a life of his own. "The Boy" finds the rabbit in his stocking at Christmas. After playing with him for a short time, the rabbit is put away on a shelf where he is to stay for an extended period of time. While on that shelf, he befriends a fellow stuffed toy animal called the Skin Horse. The horse tells the rabbit all about what it means to become "real", and the rabbit is quickly enamored by this aspiration. One day, the rabbit is taken off the shelf and given to the boy who cuddles with him every night and takes him wherever he goes during the day. The rabbit feels truly loved, and is thrilled when the boy tells him that he's real. There's a touching part of the story where the rabbit toy is confronted by two real rabbits who tease him about being just a toy, and he vehemently maintains that he, too, is real because "the boy said so."

I'm not going to give away the ending, but I have to admit that I felt the same lump in my throat while reading this book now as I did when I first read it many years ago. I know of college students who've had to read this book for class. There's a great deal to be learned here about beauty and love. While the story remains the same, the message changes as one grows older.

This book is a definite necessity for anyone's personal library.

The Velveteen Rabbit was (and still is) my favorite children's book. The classic tale of how the little boy's love made the rabbit real is a classic. I had a hard time finding this book, but I finally have it. I am hoping to read it to my future kids and hopefully my kids will read it to their kids. This is a book that anyone from any generation could enjoy. I will always love the Velveteen Rabbit!

It has been seventy-seven years since this story was first published and it continues to be popular with each generation. I am amazed at how often I've read it to the children of today. It is the classic story of a stuffed rabbit who, after many years, becomes a real rabbit through love. It is a book that also should be on the shelf of any serious student of children literature.

The Eagle and The Rose takes us on one woman's adventures into her experiences with the "spirit" world. Whatever one's thoughts are in regards to life after death, this book will certainly get your mind pondering about the realm of possibilities that each of us will one day encounter.

Rosemary simply tells us what SHE has seen throughout her life. This book is not meant to sway one into believing that they too will be visited by a "ghost" or "lost soul". The purpose of this book, I believe, is to get in touch with one's own spirituality.

The Eagle and The Rose is an enlightening adventure for all of us to read. There are no right or wrong answers, but as individuals we have the power to change our lives and start on a new path towards spiritual healing. Read with an open mind and truely enjoy the journey that Rosemary shares with her readers.

Rosemary Altea gives true stories of her encounters as a gifted medium with the spirit world. She and her guide, Grey Eagle, will convert you to a believer in life after death if you are in doubt before you read this book.

I read this book after too many deaths in my life, some from cancer, some from aids and one from suicide. Rosemary Altea speaks from the heart and soul, and at first, like most of us, was not willing to recieve so many valuable tools in such an unorthodox manner. Bless her soul for writing this book! Well written, spellbinding, filled with a sense of wonder, deep spirituality, and love for all of humanity. I particularly enjoy her first person accounts and the way in which she walks you through her own skepticism and finally, affirmation that what happened, truly happened. Great tool for interpreting your own spirituality. BRAVO! BRAVO! BRAVO!

This is the second of them Fallen Angels books that I read. What I like most about this book is that Clare is willing to face the censure of her friends and families in order to have things fixed in the village she lives in. Nicholas does not make it easy on her either. Both of them come to realize that their hearts are involved and Nicholas must face his past in order to have the life he wants with Clare. I hope Ms Putney will do a reunion book or the like and bring all these wonderful characters back to be enjoyed again.

I love reading a Putney book because I know I won't be disappointed or bored.This is the 1st in her FALLEN ANGELS series. It is the story of Nicholas and Clare. It is emotional, sexy, enlightening, and exciting. (Read it for the billiards scene alone! Whew!)You will also get to meet the 3 other members of the Fallen Angels: Rafe, Lucien, and a very tortured Michael. All three are fascinating and all three get their own stories in other books! But Nicholas and Clare are the main attraction in this book and they do NOT disappoint. This book is absolutely superb!

I absolutely loved this book! I have read a few of Mary Jo Putney's books and have liked all that I have read, but this book especially stands out. It was wonderful! Clare and Nicholas make such an appealing couple. I loved that they were truly best friends throughout the whole book. What an entertaining story. It was humorous and very touching. The "kiss a day" idea was very erotic as was the gypsy wedding dance. It was clear that they understood true passion and love. I can't wait to read the next book in the Fallen Angel series--"Petals in the Storm." There are two more books in this series "Dancing on the Wind" and "Shattered Rainbows." Also look for related books--"Angel Rogue" and "One Perfect Rose." Thanks Ms. Putney for a great read. This is definitely a keeper!

"The Rose that Grew from Concrete" is a posthumous collection of poetry by rapper Tupac Shakur, whose career in both the recording and motion picture industries was cut short when he was murdered at the age of 25. The book includes a preface by Tupac's mother, Afeni Shakur; a foreword by poet Nikki Giovanni; and an introduction by Leila Steinberg, who acted as Tupac's manager. Afeni Shakur notes that the poems in this book were written from 1989-91. Steinberg recalls how Tupac shared poems in a writing circle that she hosted.

The poems appear in this book as photos of handwritten text, with the typed transcriptions on facing pages. This format, combined with some photos of the author, adds to the visual appeal of the book.

Tupac's poems are about love, friendship, loss, social protest, personal goals, and disappointment. His poems touch on many moods: sadness, ecstasy, anger, pride, and hope. Along the way he cites Nelson Mandela, Huey P. Newton, and other figures.

I was particularly struck by "Only 4 the Righteous," a witty and funny poem about rapping; this piece has a great rhyme and rhythm. "The Shining Star Within!," dedicated to Marilyn Monroe, and "Starry Night," dedicated to Vincent Van Gogh, are intriguing tributes to artists whom Tupac describes as ill-treated by society. "God" is a moving profession of faith. I was also moved by "Nothing Can Come Between us," a free verse poem on friendship. "Jada" is one of his best love poems ("u R my Heart in Human Form").

Overall, these poems seem to reveal many facets of the author. In "For Mrs. Hawkins," he writes "I'm a Panther / with the blood of Malcolm in my veins." Other poems look at racism and poverty. But he also writes about things like "First Date Jitters" (in "1st Impressions"). In "What Can I Offer Her?" his voice is full of longing and self-doubt; it is one of many poems that show an emotional vulnerability.

I'm not familiar with Tupac's rap and film work, so I may have approached these poems with fewer preconceptions than some readers. Overall, I think this is a valuable volume. Steinberg notes in her intro that she's used Tupac's writings as teaching tools; I believe that "The Rose That Grew from Concrete" could stimulate some solid classroom work.

First of all, I must say that I am the biggest Tupac Shakur fan of all time. I have all of his stuff; from his music, posters, and books; but this book, "The Rose that Grew From Concrete" was so superb. It really touched my heart to be able to actually have the poetry that Tupac wrote during his life. It's just a treasurable thing for me, because it's like I feel even closer to him now. Tupac's poetry is so fulfilling, and all of his poetry says a lot; it inspires me deeply. I love Tupac. I just want to say to anyone that is reading this that you won't be disappointed if you purchase this book; it's a masterpiece, and regardless of how anyone feels about him, his skills and talents have no choice but to be appreciated and acknowledged for its perfection and brilliance. This book,along with him period, really has given me so much inspiration. Tupac really surprises me so much with all of his excellence. I strongly give this book, his music,his movies,and HIM five stars and I urge you to buy this book of poetry by Tupac Shakur. It will change your life. (R.I.P Tupac LOVE YOU! )

"The Rose That Grew From Concrete" is an amazing collection of poetry by Tupac Shukur. The poems let you go deep in his mind and see a side of Tupac that most people have never seen. As you read his poems you start to realize how he truly feels and what messages he wants to get across. You also see the pain and obstacles in his life that he had to overcome. Some people listen to Tupac's music and just hear the negative and the cussing. Not understanding that you have to know the negative to see and understand the positive. Some people see Tupac's music as a bad influence, because they don't listen to all the words to get the real message. This collection of poems is a great way to understand Tupac's life and to receive his true message, to end crime and to stop the hate. This collection of poems has had a great influence on my life and the way I look at the world. I think that everyone who reads this book can relate to Tupac in some way and I would recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of poetry about life and of course to anyone who loves Tupac.

I just happen to be looking at the Children's books while at the mall with my children. And I picked it up, mostly because of the cover, the little girl was adorable. And I started reading it, and I couldn't believe the story. So standing in the book store I stood there, CRYING. I just loved the story. I told my husbands sister-in-law that if they adopt from China that they had better get this book, or I would get it for them. I recomend it to anyone that is adopting, but mostly from China. It's a longer read than I would normally get for a child. But I think they would grow to like it, and really understand that they are truely loved.

This book tells the story, in sweet prose and art, of a mother and child brought together from opposite corners of the world. It is a worthwhile purchase for any parent of a young child, not just adoptive parents with children from China. Adults interested in this topic would do well to read Karin Evans' book, The Lost Daughters of China, which is linked to this book below.

***

This book is about a woman who travels to China to adopt a baby girl. My wife and I have now traveled there twice to adopt. I think it's important to adopted children to understand their heritage. When I first read this book, I knew this is something our first little girl will want to have, read and keep all her life. It is very well written and wonderfully illustrated. It will help answer questions for any adopted child and helps the child to know they are loved and wanted, especially if you have. We will now have to buy a second one! I don't want the girls to squabble over ownership in the future. It is a keepsake, and will ultimately be an heirloom.

A real page-turner! I stayed up most of the night to finish it. Ms. Rose "paints" a superb, riveting story, with strong, complex, and fascinating characters. She is a great storyteller and the first-person narrative works very well with the detailed descriptions of scenery and feelings alike. Courtroom settings and dialogue are first-rate, with very thorough research, as is all the minute details about art and the art world. FLESH TONES is also a great love story, with a once-in-a-lifetime love, devotion, passion and desire. It is high drama, love, suspense and intrigue, with intricate characters and relationships.

Ms. Rose is a real winner with FLESH TONES. It is a sophisticated, intelligent, highly entertaining and very well written novel.

Is it exciting to watch the progress of an author . . . M. J.
Rose's first novel, LIP SERVICE, was a terrific erotic
thriller . . . her second effort, IN FIDELITY, was good too . . . but I must admit that I liked her latest book, FLESH TONES, perhaps the most.

This is the riveting story of a woman who is accused of
murdering her lover, a famous painter . . . or was it that she
helped him escape from a certain death that was slowly
eroding his sanity?

Sometimes, flashbacks can be disconcerting in a novel . . . not
here . . . Rose uses them to effectively fill-in the gaps of
the story that also features a suspenseful trial . . . and
there are some hot sex scenes, though not nearly as
many as were in her earlier works.

I also liked the fact that I got a behind-the-scenes look
at the art world, something that I knew very little about.

In addition, there were several beautifully written passages;
among them:
We had eaten, slept, now we ate again. Time was passing and
each moment was taking me further away from what had
happened toward what would happen.

I thought the abortion would quench some of my ardor for Gabriel, but it didn't happen. My body refused to obey my intellect. Around him, I was always ripe, ready. As time passed, I'm almost convinced myself a baby would have been an unwelcome disruption in our lives.

"And then one day he met this willowy, brown-haired hippie
girl who gave herself to him. No demands. No expectations.
And he fell for her. For the first time in his life. Christ. It was like feeling rain on your face for the first time, or discovering a new color."

FLESH TONES is an emotional blockbuster beginning with the New York trial room where Genny Haviland is accused of murdering her lover, painter Slade Gabriel. Was it a mercy killing or second degree murder? You are hooked at once when you are lead into the lust crazed obsessive love affair that spans over two decades between Genny and Gabriel when they first met when she was 17 and he 37 in her father's gallery.

The action switches back and forth between the trial and the memories in Genny's mind of what really happened with Slade Gabriel, her parents, her friends, and herself as she leads you into the painting of her own life with this dynamic man who had captured her love, her lust, her being as Ms. Rose delves into the human psyche and peels back the layers of what makes Genny and Gabriel tick. The characters are very complex with a mixture of dark and light. I was so emotionally tied up that when I finished Flesh Tones I had one doggoned big cry, especially when I discovered the gift that Gabriel left Genny.

M.J. Rose also gives you a virtual tour of the art world and artists. I've always loved New York and the museums, but I now have a much better opinion of what art is all about after reading this compelling book. This summer I know everyone is going to be talking about M.J. Rose's FLESH TONES, a book that appeals to your intellect, and your emotions. Sensational!
There is a lot of thought provoking issues that certainly will jolt you.

"FLESH TONES is one hell of a compelling read with its eye opening view into the art world as M.J. Rose mesmerizes you with a tale of lust, greed, passion and obsession that is staggering to your emotions as a kaleidoscope of visions flash by in glorious colors. Believe me, you won't be unaffected by this book. I'm still reeling. Simply stunning! Ms. Rose gets better with every book. Put her on your A list now."

Suzanne Coleburn, Reader To Reader Reviews

A Rose for Melinda is one of the best books i've ever read!! being a dancer myself, it made me realize how lucky i am that i have the oppertunity to fullfill my dream as a professional dancer one day. Melinda had a great family, a friend, Bailey, and her best friend from 1st grade, Jesse Rose. When Jesse's parents get divorced, Jesse and his mom move to California. when Jesse find out that Melinda is sick w/ leukemia, he sells his skateboards and all of his baseball cards, trying to raise enough money to come visit her. (is that sweet, or what?) when he gets down there, Melinda and Jesse realize they are more than just good friends. once they realize their true love for each other, Melinda finds out that she has stopped responding to treatments. Jesse flys down to be w/ her during his summer break, and tells her he will never let her be alone through all of this. it is such a sweet book, i never wanted to put it down. picturing Jesse and Melinda's love for one another made me realize how much i truely love and value that one special person in my life. everything Jesse would do for Melinda would make me feel so...i dont even know how to describe it...but it made me feel wonderful inside. this is by far one of the best books out there. a must-read for any dancer, or anyone who loves a good heart-warming story. make sure you have a tisse box handy though, i made that mistake, and my pillow still has tear stains.

I started reading Lurlene McDaniel's books last year, in 7th grade. The first one I read was Don't Die My Love. Ever since my first spoonful of McDaniel's novels, I couldn't get enough of it. In A Rose for Melinda, she uses a very different unique writing style, with a mixture of journal/diary enteries, conversations, letters, e-mails, instant messages, doctor's reports, etc. and writes with such passion and love. I started reading the book about 2 hours ago and couldn't put it down, and I finished it within an hour and a half. McDaniel makes you feel a part of the story, and makes you feel as if you were one of Melinda's closest and dearest friends. This book is now my favorite book of McDaniel's and one of my favorite books of all time. This novel started out making me giggle, then started to make me smile, cry (a lot), smile more, and fall in love with each character, especially Jesse. I wish all guys were as sweet as him! I recommend this book for anyone in general, but to be specific I recommend it for anyone with friends or family with any serious illness or a friend or family member who has died from one. Trust me, you'll never be able to forget a story such as A Rose for Melinda.

I love Lurlene McDaniel's books, I've read almost all of them, and I was definately not upset with the book "A Rose for Melinda." It's a very good story, very touching, and very sad. I really like the format it's written in - all letters, journals, and memos.

A Rose for Melinda starts off with Jesse Rose and Melinda Skye in first grade. Jesse and Melinda have a great friendship, and always look out for each other. The friendship stays strong and great throughout 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc. grades. Jesse moves away when his parents get divorced, but Melinda and Jesse are still best friends.

Then, when Melinda is living her dream (taking professional dance classes in Washington D.c.), she faints. So, Melinda goes to the hospital, has some tests, etc. But, when the test results come back, the Skye family is shocked: Melinda has lukemia.

Melinda's friends Bailey and Jesse are there for her all the way, and both Bailey and Jesse become friends too (with each other). In the end, will Melinda survive? Or will she need a bone marrow transplant? And if she does get a bone marrow transplant...will her body reject the marrow?

This story is really good, but it's a lot like a Lifetime movie. I reccommend it, but this is one of McDaniel's flakiest books. Hopefully, her next one will be better.

Overall grade: A-

Since I'm an elementary school librarian who has written many reviews of children's books here at ..., M. Beatryce Shaw was kind enough to send me a copy of "Mr. Browne's Roses" for consideration.

This book covers a very important topic that should be discussed with all elementary age students, that of racial harmony and equality.

There are actually two stories told here. The main story is about roses that are various shades of brown being sold by Mr. Browne. The darker ones in the back don't get much attention, so they don't get sold very often. When Mr. Browne's children take care of the store, they mix up the roses so that they all get proper attention and look more attractive together, so more roses of all colors get sold.

The second story is told in the introduction and concerns an unfortunate incident of racial discrimination in the author's childhood that motivated her as an adult to write the book. Several adults that I shared this book with felt that Ms. Shaw may have provided too much information for the context of this book, but they also felt that this introductory autobiography was worthy of more attention in a separate volume. We all agreed that "Mr. Browne's Roses" would be more affective by reading it aloud to primary grade children with no mention of the introduction.

For this review, I read the story aloud to a second grade class with an African American teacher in our predominantly white school. The children had no idea what "color awareness" meant in the subtitle, but by the end of the story the were able to deduce that it had something to do with when "white people picked on black people."

The children were a bit distracted by the brown and white illustrations. They all seemed to want a little more detail, and a little more color.

While this book would make a good discussion starter for primary classes, especially around the time of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, or during Black History Month, a quick search here at ... revealed a number of titles from major publishers that appear to cover similar territory. These titles have been recommended by major review sources, something most school librarians are required to consider when making purchases. Some of the titles I found were:

Shades of Black
The Colors of Us
Black, White, Just Right!
Amazing Grace (about an African American girl, not the song)
Grandpa, Is Everything Black Bad?
Colors Come From God Just Like Me

I'd like to thank M. Beatryce Shaw for sending me this book and giving me the opportunity to review it, as well as take a glance at what else is available on this important topic for elementary school children. I wish her the best with her publishing and speaking career.

This easy-to-read, easy-to-understand book about color awareness is must class reading for teachers in the early grades to help children understand discrimination. The sensitive, unassuming tone of the book will appeal to children as they learn, through Mr. Browne's experience, the meaning of bias and how avoiding it can create wonderful relationships. As the book says "...the children see through the eyes of innocence."

I look forward to reading many more of Ms. Shaw's contributions.

Mr. Browne's Roses was a very effective book for not only children, but for adults as well. It is one of the best children's books I have seen in a long time, making color awareness easy to understand. The author presented it to readers quite well.

I've read this book three times and took Shambala Training. Many years ago, I saw a young girl sitting on a park bench reading this book. I thought "uh-oh!" Chogyam Trungpa was considered one of the greatest meditation masters in American Buddhism. The Karmapa approved of him totally. He was a brillant man who understood the inhibitions and neurosis of Westerners possibly better than any teacher who has taught Tibetan Buddhism in the West. He helped me a great deal. I no longer became embarrassed about being a human being. His books are and were great. But sadly enough, we have to face facts. I have talked to many many people in the last twenty years who knew him. His conduct was, to say the least, deplorable. He constantly violated four out of the five Buddhist precepts. Buy the book. All of Trungpa's books and his teachings were fundamentally kind and compassionate. Just do what the Dalai Lama suggests. Be wary with any personal teacher. Best of luck.

Although it gives very little on the tenets of living as a modern warrior, this book easily relates the ethics of the warrior with everyday life. It guides us to be true ("genuine") to ourselves, to break out of our self-deception, to overcome fear, to see goodness passed the darknees around, and to experience the magic of our lives. Also, it directs us to lead ourselves, and those we care for, toward an enlightened society. IT HONESTLY IS JUST A VERY EASY READ, AS WE CAN ALL RELATE TO THE MESSAGE IT GIVES AND THE VARIOUS POINTS MADE.

Many people have already reviewed this book; I only want to share this: Out of all the dozens of self-improvement texts I have read, this one stands high above all the rest in my opinion.

Basically, instead of telling you how wonderful and successful your life will be if you do everything the author tells you (as is the usual theme in this kind of books); you are told that 1) you are wonderful as you are; and 2) in order to experience this wonderfulness, you must renounce selfishness and become completely open to the suffering of the world.
This is a very un-Western viewpoint, and very very fresh to me - like a gust of salty cool wind into a stale smokey room.

If you are ready for some fresh air, buy this book!