T.D. JAKES HAS A WAY OF MAKING YOU TAKE A STEP BACK AND LOOK AT THE WAY YOU CARRY YOURSELF AS A WOMAN. THIS BOOK SPEAKS TO THE WOMEN WHO HAVE BEEN ABUSED MENTALLY, PHYSICALLY OR SEXUALLY. IT FORCES WOMEN WHO USE MONEY, MEN AND THEIR BODIES AS A WAY TO GAIN SELF-ESTEEM, RESPECT, OR LOVE. THE BOOK POINTED OUT THAT SOME OF US WHO HAVE BEEN USED SEXUALLY AND DISCARDED,UNKNOWINGLY SEND OUT VIBES THAT SAY TO UNSAVED MEN "I'M DESPERATE, ABUSED AND LONELY. I'LL TOLERATE ANYTHING TO BE LOVED." THAT'S WHY SOME OF US KEEP MEETING THE SAME TYPE OF MEN. SO NO, ALL MEN ARE NOT DOGS. SOME OF US JUST HAVEN'T LEARNED TO LOVE OURSELVES ENOUGH AND TRUST GOD TO BLESS US WITH OUR HEARTS DESIRES. I RECOMMEND THIS TO ANY WOMAN WHO IS TIRED, READY TO TAKE OUT THE TRASH(E.G. BAGGAGE FROM THE PAST, UNSAVED MEN, ETC.), AND READY TO START HER NEW LIFE IN CHRIST.

I bought "Woman, Thou Art Loosed! Devotional" in 1999 at a book sale at my company and it sat on my bookcase for nearly a year unread and collecting dust until Thanksgiving 2000. At the time, I was in a spiritual valley, full of self-pity and doubt. I do believe God guided me to take Bishop Jakes' book out and read it. Sisters, I read it TWICE that weekend, and became renewed, refreshed, and redeemed. Chapter 16, "Dealing with Your Cains and Abels," was especially uplifting for me personally because Bishop Jakes showed how I was blocking my blessings by continuing to cling to the past and certain individuals in it.

Bishop Jakes' spiritual gift, to tap into those who are hurting and need encouragement, is evident throughout this book. Buy it!

I have read this book three times. The first time I read it, I had just come home from the a mental hospital following a suicide attempt. My husband left me for another woman following 17 years of marriage. I was at a complete loss. A friend of mine recommended Woman Thou Art Loosed and I read it in one day. I couldn't put it down. It was like this book had been written for me because Bishop Jakes knew me personally and could feel my pain. Once my mind was clear, I realized that Jesus knew me personally, knew my pain and wanted me to come back home. HE wanted to be the man in my life. I needed no other. To make a long story short, I read the book, renewed my faith, embraced My Lord and life, picked myself up, dusted myself and here I am three years later, loving My Lord, loving life and proud that I AM the Daughter of A King. Give God the Praise!!!

This book has truly been a blessing to my life. After reading it four times, I have been compelled to stop complaining and appreciate life, for I am truly blessed. Patti is truly a gem. She is a living testimony. Through the tears and the pain, heartache and betrayal, like a phoenix, Patti rises above it all. She shows that there is gold at the end of the rainbow we call life. This book is no less than Remarkable, compelling, and exceptional. Patti tells all, and each revelation brings about a major learning experience that makes her the powerful, spiritual, and "down-to-earth" Diva that she is today. As you read, it leaves you not only NOT wanting to put it down, but selfishly wishing for a sequel. If there were a class on autobiographies of the stars, this would be a Required Reading. Patti's life has only just begun and through "Don't Block The Blessings: Revelations of a Lifetime," Patti shows us, without reservation, that we can truly overcome anything, as long as we don't block the blessings. Everything in life happens for a reason, and if you learn from each life's experience, you will transcend and begin to appreciate people, as well as yourself, ...just don't block the blessings

Don't Block the Blessings is an excellent book. When I began to read the first couple of words, I knew that this would be one book that I would not be able to put down. I often found myself reading the book while taking tests, taking a bath, while exercising, and sometimes while riding in the car. I think that the reason it caught my attention was because some of the issues that Mrs. LaBelle faced, I have gone through also. Although I am only sixteen years old, I have been in similar situations. Like Patti, I have often feared death, and I let that bother me for so long. I have lost an aunt, tragically, and me not being able to say to her what I needed to say still haunts me. After reading the book, I've learned to deal with my problems, as did Patti. I know Mrs. LaBelle will remain a true inspiration in my life because through her book, and through God, she has helped me to learn to never block the blessings. I believe that if America were to live by this motto, it would be a much better place. We need more people , like Mrs. Patti LaBelle, to speak out and help make this world a better haven. I commend her and may God continously bless her. I will remain her number one fan!!!

Patti is truly a gem to be cherished. She is truly a living testimony. Through the tears and the pain, heartache and betrayal, Patti rises above it all, to show that there is gold at the end of the rainbow of life. This book is no less than remarkable, compelling, and exceptional. As you read, it leaves you, not only not wanting to put it down, but selfishly wishing for a sequel. Patti's life has only just begun, and through "Don't Block The Blessings: Revelations of a Lifetime," Patti shows us, without reservation, that we can truly overcome anything, as long as we don't block the blessings. Everything in life happens for a reason, and if you learn from each life's experience, you will transcend and begin to appreciate people, as well as yourself, just don't block the blessing.

Duncan is a man I would dream of having, Amber and all herhonest love,"One true love story".I have read only one otherauther's books(every one) Be sure after reading Untamed and Forbidden I am on a hunt to have each and every one of Ms Elizabeth Lowells. I am finding I so hard to get close to anyone's books so please keep writing! Jen

Lowell weaves a grand story with memorable characters. Lowell offsets the unbelivable aspects of the characters with human weakness that added to the depth of the characters. I must admit I did think Amber needed more backbone to stand on her own opposite the character of Duncan, but its just my opinion. I particularly liked how she incorporated the characters from Untamed but did so without loosing readers that may not have read Untamed first. I also think Lowell could have her best book yet with the story of Erik. I'm hoping she made his character so intriguing for the same reason she mad Duncan intriguing in Untamed!

Outstanding! This was one of the best romance novels that I have ever read. The characters were interesting and appealing; the story was original and creative.

The heroine is Amber the Untouched, so named because of her special affinity to amber -- all things amber belong to her -- and because of her special ability to feel the emotions of others by touching them. Lowell thoroughly explores both the advantages and the drawbacks of such an ability. The hero, Duncan of Maxwell, the Scots Hammer (his name is charming and lyrical, like much of the writing in this book) is the perfect combination of strength and sensitivity. The amber prophecy, the revelation that attended Amber's birth, defines the cosmology of the book. As a lover of fantasy, I was totally captivated by it! Amber and Duncan's story is gracefully and beautifully told.

Like everyone else, I can't wait for Erik's story!

Billy Graham is a testament to what can happen to any person if they get in line with what God wants them to do with their life. I read this book in preperation for doing ministry and it has inpsired me to help serve the world through a ministry position. I am thankful that I was alive while Billy Graham was alive, he is an amazing man, with an amazing story.

You cannot help but read this book and be moved. This man, who continues to share the Gospel into his 80's is a living saint. This comprehensive work is filled with story after story of how Billy and his team traveled around the world and shared Christ with many different kinds of people.

One highlight of this book is how many governments would not even communicate at all with our government, but they would let Billy Graham come as a messenger of hope, this, was a moving part of this work.

Thanks to Billy Graham for the impact his life had, and continues to have, on mine.

I found Just As I Am captivating from the moment I picked it up, and was unable to put it down. I read Just As I Am while I was convalescing at home for four days after an ankle injury at work. This was four of the most enlightening days I have ever experienced. Starting from the quaint surroundings of a North Carolina farmhouse, I was soon taken on a journey around the world, as Mr Graham described his many fascinating travels and crusades. Rev Graham not only describes his experiences for us, but by each chapter's end he capsulizes the lesson's he has learned during his trips and meetings with people of all walks and stations of life around the world. I was struck time and again by the depth of meaning Billy Graham finds in each of his life's experiences, his clarity of vision, and his ability to poignantly and keenly express what he has seen and learned. It becomes readily obvious why he has been taken into close company by many heads of state for the past 50 years of his ministry. This is a book not to be missed by any serious thinker.

Billy Graham's latest book offers a fresh and personal insight to his life and his life's work. It is truly amazing how God has worked in this wonderful and dedicated man's long life. Yet, he continues to wonder "why"? Why would God take a young man from Charlotte, NC and transform him into the greatest evangelist since Paul? Most interesting is his relationship with his wife, his family, those he worked and works with, presidents and leaders throughout the world. It is facinating to read of his burden of countries closed off from outsiders, yet, in time, God opened the door to Billy Graham to spread the Gospel in those same countries. In this day of dishonest and insincere TV evangelists, it is refreshing to read of one so intent on giving God alone the glory. At seventy-eight he admits that he will not be here much longer. I will miss him even more now having read his book. May we all follow his example

The late Sam Walton was one of the shrewdest and richest merchants in America. Centered on the building of his Wal-Mart empire, his book, like fellow magnate Sandra Kurtzig's CEO: Building a $400 Million Company from Ground Up ( LJ 5/1/91), is light on biography. However, readers will enjoy the folksy narrative of the small-town millionaire who revolutionized retail distribution. Walton also addresses accusations against him, such as running the competition out of town. Coauthor Huey does a fine job of incorporating candid testimonials from family members and associates, who thought Walton's ideas were sometimes silly. Shortly after Walton's death, the book was given an overly sentimental postscript (a minor detraction) and rushed into print. Highly recommended for public and academic business collections.

Think about it. A small time variety store retailer out of Bentonville Arkansas creates the most power retailing jaggernaut of all time, and right in the faces of powerhouses like Sears, K-Mart and JC Penny. If you are in any kind of a business with customers, you will benefit from this book, and experiencing the laser like focus Sam had on delivering the absolute best in his stores. Walton is to retailing what Jordon was to basketball, an absolute master of his art. I read this book several years ago, and as a retailer, I still refer to it, as much for the specific business tactics as to remind myself as to how Sam thought about things, and how he managed his people. An absolute classic.

Absolutly a wonderful story! Hard to believe something that started over fifty years ago as a dime store in small town Arkansas has become the world's largest company today. Mr. Walton's down to earth approach in telling his story makes it an easy read. From his humble beginnings in rural Arkansas, Sam was a go "getter" from early childhood.
The sucess of Wal-Mart is actually based a few simple principles. Offering value to the customers, shareholders and associates and managing the business in a common sense way. Are you an entreperneur or want to be one? Invest in this book today! Not only will you gain valuable insight, but Mr. Walton is open about the hardships and obsticles he faced, especially in the early days. After reading this, I don't feel alone in my challenges as a small business man.

By far the most realistic of the Bond books. Fleming's description of the MGB (later KGB) headquarters in Moscow's Dzherzinsky Square, where the plot to lure British agent James Bond to his death is first revealed, is reputedly based on information to which he was privy in his capacity as a WWII officer in British Naval Intelligence -- likewise the recruitment and training of the psychopathic killer Red Grant, one of the most formidable of Bond's enemies (and the only one in the films who looked for a while about to kill Bond for sure! 007 meets his match in Grant!) This is the book behind what in my opinion is the best of the Bond movies, steeped in the atmosphere of the Cold War into which the Bond series was born. 007 travels to Istanbul in pursuit of the bait, a Lektor decoder which can read top secret Soviet military and intelligence signal traffic. Another form of bait is the beautiful Tatiana Romanova, an MGB cipher clerk allegedly in love with Bond, willing to defect with the Lektor if only 007 will come and fetch her. (Fleming takes yet another jab at the Reds by choosing this name for Bond's love interest -- Romanov was the family name of the last Czar of old imperial Russia, the family doomed to extinction by the Russian revolution.) Kerim Bey adds a bit of panache, mischief and mystery as "Our man in Istanbul," Head of Station T (for Turkey). A truly great and suspenseful plot!

Fleming seemed to have used his first four novels (Casino Royale, Live and Let Die, Moonraker, and Diamonds are Forever) to warm us up to the Bond character and used the same plot style for the first four novels. In From Russia, With Love, Fleming takes Bond and his writing style to a higher, more intellectual level. Fleming is masterful in setting the scenes without being too boring. Bond doesn't appear until the second part of the book (Part II-The Plan) and you hardly even notice. Another interesting note is that of the James Bond movies, From Russia, With Love the movie follows the novel pretty well, even in lesser scenes such as the gypsy fight. This, perhaps, is due to the fact that Fleming was alive only for the filming and release of Dr. No and From Russia, With Love. This book is clearly Fleming at the top of his game and an outstanding entry to the series.

Considered by many to the be the best James Bond 007 book of all time, From Russia With Love delivers the perfect formula for a James Bond novel. Originally, Ian Fleming's tales of 007 were not going so good, so he intended with this book to kill off James Bond once and for all. The end of this novel is quite a surprise to a first time reader.

The book begins by telling of the commanding rule of SMERSH. The leader of this organization is General Grubozaboyschikov. Also working is Colonel Rosa Klebb and director of planning Kronsteen, who treats real people as if they were chess pieces. The muscle of the group is a homicidal madman, who follows orders, and is in practically perfect physical shape, Donovan "Red" Grant. These evil minds have planned the perfect way to destroy the life and reputation of James Bond. Their plan is to lure 007 with the beatiful Tatiana Romanova and a Spektor cipher decoding machine as bait. Then Grant will meet up with them eventually and kill them both. However, SMERSH will take it a step further to lie to the public that Bond and Tatiana were in an affair, and that Bond commits suicide. It's a perfect plan.
Bond indeed does travel to Istanbul, believing that this girl wants to defect, and will give him the Spektor machine only if he personally helps her. 007 meets Darko Kerim, and a wonderful gypsy fight adds to the fun of the story. Bond and Tatiana travel on a train back to Europe, where he meets Red Grant and is told of the plan to kill him. An extremely bvrutal gun and fist fight breakes out between the men with 007 shooting Grant. 007 goes to Paris with Tatiana to catch Rosa Klebb in a meeting. However, Klebb releases a poison knife from her shoe and kicks 007 in the leg, before being taken away by the police. The story ends with 007 lying on the floor of the hotel room...

Perhaps the finest story of Ian Fleming, filled with the excitement and adventure to give this book it's reputation as on of the best 007 novels ever!

There are a number of reviews here that mention the lack of 'the big picture' and 'political depth'. True. That depth was offered up in 'Third World War : August 1985' by Sir John Hackett, a senior NATO general. Hackett's tale, written in 1977, was at the other extreme; too dry and impersonal. This is the book 'A reader from Alexandria, VA' refered to when he said the missile strikes were straight out of another WWIII novel. Coyle used Hackett's WWIII as the framework upon which to hang the story of a small combat unit, fleshing out the General's big picture with a view from gunsights. Read both books for the total story and a more complete understanding of Cold War military thinking.

Harold Coyle's first novel tells of a tank platoon commander involved in campaigns against a Soviet invasion of West Germany. And, man,it is certainly realistic! The battle scenes on the ground are well told, and easy to follow, complete with battle maps and an explanation of all the symbols and terms used. The descriptions of soldiers in combat are also very realistic; once again Coyle shows his knowledge of ground warfare has been well researched. And it also shows that war can screw people up, especially the families of those who are in combat. Although the threat of a Russian invasion of Germany is now not with us, this book is still a superb read and I would recommend this to anyone!

Harold Coyles first book based on events from the book "The Third World War" By Sir John Hacket. This book does not deal with the politics of the war, it is just the combat thrill ride that you are looking for in a book of this type.

Looking back now, some of the technical ifo may be a bit dated, but it does not take away from the book in any way.

It is a nonstop combat action thriller, that is easily read, and not too technical for the novice, but still interesting for the more advanced reader.

After reading this book, I bought the rest of Harold Coyles' books at a yard sale just based on the quality of this one book.

They just don't write then like this any more.

This is a superb story of a young mother who finds a man to love, and who loves her. Her little girl loves the man, too, and so they all get married. He's Jewish and she's Christian, and her mother-in-law has her doubts about the marriage, but she eventually learns to love the young woman and her daughter.

As the months go by and she becomes pregnant with her little boy, she finds out after the birth that she has cancer. This is a very trying and difficult time for Bernie Fine, the young man who has waited all his life for his dream girl, now with the thought of losing her to a terrible, uncurable disease.

Fine Things was made into a movie of the week, and it is one of the finest Danielle Steel movies ever made. It ranks 2nd in my opinion poll, right under The Promise with Kathleen Quinlan and Steven Collins.

Little Noley Thornton (alias Heidi) stole my heart in the TV movie of Fine Things. I love everything this child is in, but especially this movie.

Both the book and the movie are worth buying, and I give them both five stars!

I love all of Danielle Steel's books and this is my all time favorite! I seen the movie also and I cried during both! Bernie Fine is positively a womans dream caring for his dying wife and then fighting to keep her daugther with him after she passes away. Truly heartwarming. A must read book and also a must see movie!!

"Fine Things" was the first Danielle Steel book I ever read, probably 10 years ago by now. I was up well into the night frantically turning the pages to see what would happen, and I was stunned to find myself in tears more than once. I can't emphasize enough the emotional impact of this story. This is also one of the few times that DS has written a story primarily from the male perspective, and she did it extremely well -- in fact even better than some of her recent books have written about women! Bernie isn't your run-of-the-mill hunky dreamboat -- he's a regular guy with problems in the romance department and an interfering mom to boot. His relationship with Liz and her struggle with cancer was truly heart-wrenching. If you have to read just one Steel novel, make it "Fine Things".

I read lots and lots and LOTS of romance books, and I rank this one as #1. Royce is undoubtedly the best hero ever created. He lacked for nothing. Every line he spoke was perfect. Kristen was perfect for him! She was a great, lovely heroine. The story ended far too soon. I could have read more about these two! The secondary characters were simply wonderful. Actually, I liked Kristen's parents much more in this book than I did in their own story, which was a little mundane. This is certainly a rereadable story.

"Hearts Aflame" is J.Lindsey at her Ultimate Best! I'll always have a strong attachment to this book because it was the first romance novel I read, which I then read, read, and re-read again. The characters of Kristen and Royce are interesting and well-developed, the dialogue is fast and inflaming--words which also well describe the "love" scenes, and luckily, the plot doesn't meander much into the inane (which can't always be said for a good deal of the storylines in this genre). If I haven't praised this book enough and you need more assurance to purchase it, the review from Aerin in Seattle is dead-on!

I loved the connection between the characters. The story keeps you there and doesn't stray from its objective. I love the way Royce could not stay away from Kristen. Not only did I read it, I re-read it as soon as I was finished the first time and I have never done this with any other book except with "You Belong to Me" by Johanna. I just ordered Hearts Aflame and Surrender my Love. I just love Royce's barbaric attitude.

This compilation of Oswald Chamber essays and sermons was originally captured by his wife after his death. The format of a daily devotional provides an excellent daily read for the avid and growing Christian.

The individual devotionals are not easily devoured in one reading, generally requiring a second or third reading to fully grasp the depth of Oswald Chambers' deeply Christian messages based on Biblical scriptures. This is not light reading, but in the small fifteen minute devotional increments daily, this makes for excellent reading and provides specific daily focus for the Christian reader. This thought-provoking book can easily become a favorite habit, and it also makes an excellent evangelical gift to those who are new to Christianity.

If you buy only one Christian book this year, buying Oswald Chambers' 'My Utmost for His Highest' would be an excellent choice.

Each morning I read this book, I find myself drawn to a place of accountability and yet filled with a desire to worship and commune with my Lord. Oswald Chambers has a way of opening the reader's eyes to the plan that God has for each one of us individually. Combining this book with reading the scriptures included for each day has expanded my morning devotional time to a depth and breadth I could not have imagined before.

I received this book as a Christmas present and in the month and a half that I've been reading it on a daily basis, it continues to speak to my spiritual condition in a way that's almost eerie. Not every day hits but those that do shock me back to my faith journey and remind me about where I should be focused. How could He/he (God and Oswald Chambers) know so accurately what I need to hear? As a committed Quaker (Religious Society of Friends), I have been surprised to find that "My Utmost" transcends the unfortunate Christian political divisions and meets us as followers of Christ. This book had become as central to my daily routine as brushing my teeth but far less rote!