I read this wonderful book 10 years ago while planning to become an innkeeper. Now that I am a successful innkeeper, I refer to it constantly and am incredibly grateful to the authors. I credit the information learned in this book as a reason for our success. It helped us ask the right questions, particularly about whether or not we had the personalities to make it in this diffficult business. Also, it was invaluable in creating our business plan. Don't open a B & B before reading this.

Submitted by the author of: "I'm Living Your Dream Life: The Story of a Northwoods Resort Owner."

You betcha!!! My middle name is Innes (no joke!!!!!) but it might as well be "inns"(!!!!!), that's how much I wanted to be an innkeeper, and Mary Davies' book is "inn" (!!!!!!) the right place "inn" (!!!) my bookshelf. No, but seriously, with my sense of humour and my wife Marjorie's overly solicitous manner and ability to project her prurient judgmentalism and dissaproval wordlessly, we had a headstart in that we were the perfect couple to run a Bed-and-Breakfast. Even the best need a hand though, and this book is a must-read for those who don't want to make a dog's dinner of this rewarding career.

As an accountant, I really appreciated the financial planning section of the book. It has helped us to realistically assess different properties in making our investment decision. This book is a must for anyone seriously considering a bed and breakfast or a small inn. Being able to estimate costs and revenues up front is imperative for success.

Carol Ann Kimble has released her second book of the trilogy "Cobwebs Off The Lens" effective November 1, 1997. I have read it and find it more incredible than the first with more of a hands on approach for the reader. A "must buy" for anyone wanting to "Experience Love & Joy". When you read it you wonder if she wrote it specifically with you in mind.

Thank God for Carol Ann Kimble. This book is empowering. It lets you know that we have the power and responsibility to release our fears and doubts, anywhere, anytime. In doing that we get back in touch with our Love Energy within and begin to experience more love and joy in our lives instead of more despair. Let's all celebrate! Sally Ferr

I saw potential in all my friends and saw that they were the ones keeping themselves from achieving their goals. We can blame others for holding us back, yet the responsibilty is ultimately ours. Read this book and find out how easy it is to take on our responsibilty and make choices that help us reach our goals. Bett

Children adopted overseas adore this story, regardless of their country of origin. It is especially helpful for children adopted at an older age.

Having a home and a permanent family is wonderful, of course. But older children don't know that when they come home. They are often angry at being uprooted and taken to strange new places, where people speak a foreign toungue. They are understandably frightened. So many new things in the early days assault their senses that days can seem like a lifetime.

This soothing story eases the pain of that transition. It helps them to know that they are wanted, waited for, and loved, even before they arrive. It eases the terrible pain of the transition. If you buy no other adoption story for your internationally adopted child, make it this one. Alyssa A. Lappen

I have an adopted daughter from Korea and we have many, many books on adoption. This is the best one I've found - it describes so well the experience my daughter, and we had, and makes me cry every time I read it. I've found it helpful not only for her but for her friends and classmates to understand her experience.

As a parent of two wonderful Korean boys, this book is a fantastic story of a child's travel to be with his forever family. I read this book for the children's story at my church on my son's first Coming to America Day (the anniversary of his arrival) and the response was wonderful. My sons really enjoy listening to this story and it has provided an avenue for us to talk about their adoption adventure and the plane ride from Korea to the United States. I high recommend this book. It is a must own book for parents of international adoptees.

I know many of the women in this book. They are, or were, indeed warrior women. I have reassessed my opinion of the tenacity of the human spirit after knowing them. Springer catches the essence of these women in her inimitable way.

This is the best book I have ever read. It is not only beautiful but also wonderfully written. I suggest this book for anyone battling cancer.

This book is one of the most beautiful and inspiring books that I have read. The photography is spectacular!!! If you know someone who has just been diagnosed with Breast Cancer, give this book to them. It will give them hope for the future and help them realize that they are not alone.

When I was 7 years old, my mother, grandmother and a cousin of mine went to Chicago, and one of the places we went was the Museum of Science and Industry.Before we went, my mother told me that as a young girl, she had seen the fairy castle when it toured the country before becoming a permanent exhibit at the museum. She told me how much she loved it, and I couldn't wait to see it. I was not disappointed. This IS the ultimate dollhouse. Every time I go to the museum, you can't get me to leave without seeing the fairy castle.I took my own daughter to see it, and now she loves it, too. The last time we went, I found this wonderful book at the gift shop, and was thrilled that now I could look at my beloved fairy castle whenever I wished. This book is a real treasure, with beautiful pictures of the castle. Anyone who loves dollhouses, and the fairy castle in particular, will love this book. It never fails to provoke happy memories for me.

I recently had the pleasure of visiting the castle in Chicago, and can hardly find the words to say how magnificent it was! Still, in the time I had to view it, so many details were missed. That is why this book is so great. It not only displays the castle with better lighting, it gives you a chance to savor all the tiny details you might never have seen. There is also some wonderful biographical information on Colleen Moore herself. A must for miniature lovers, little girls, and dreamers everywhere!

I was browsing in Amazon.com when I discovered this book. I was so excited that I couldn't wait to order it. Chicago's Museum of Science & Industry is one of my all-time favorite places on earth. I still go there whenever I go back for a visit. As a little girl, growing up in Chicago in the 60's, one of my favorite things was going to see Colleen Moore's Doll House every year. I'm sure you can probably imagine how magical this huge, intricately planned, priceless, bejeweled dollhouse seemed in a darkened room by itself, lit with soft lights, telephones all around it so you could listen to discriptions of each room as you peered through the glass barrier surrounding it. This book captures much of the beauty of the amazing miniature treasures and the magic of the house itself-and definitely puts a smile on my face.

Abraham: The Initiator On Spirit, Will And Ego by Judi Sutherland and her husband Larry Sutherland is the fascinating story of a woman's psychic experience and transcendental contact with a spiritual being who identified himself as Abraham. The result of their communication, including answers to some of the deepest human mysteries of experience and explorations into the nature of the Will, the Self, and God, are all recorded in this compelling testimonial. Most of Abraham: The Initiator On Spirit, Will And Ego is presented in a question-and-answer format, with Abraham's wisdom in sharp relief. A riveting metaphysical treatise on the oldest and greatest questions of existence, Abraham: The Initiator On Sprit, Will And Ego is strongly recommended reading for students of metaphysics, psychic phenomena, and channeling.

The Spiritual model in this book is outstanding and deserves a top star rating. The authors are highly qualified to present this information. Judi Sutherland has 23 years experience in the health field and is a Registered Nurse with a Masters in psychiatric nursing. Larry Sutherland has a masters in Management/Supervision and has worked with health care programs. The concept and mission of Additive Creations, as the creation source, is connecting to Mind through Will. The model provides a loving path for SPIRIT realization and provides fresh insights into the nature and relationships of SPIRIT, Will and Ego, and provides for the creation of a positive Spiritual reality continuously. The revelations are received through Judi by automatic writing. The message is not a rehash of other belief systems, but understandable information is provided for improvement in daily decisions and living. It's a must read for anyone interested in self-improvement.

"Our true nature is SPIRIT, Which is GOD. Unfortunately, we have been diverted from our primary purpose as co-creators with GOD by an error in creation. This error is Ego and it must be dealt with." Thus begins Abraham and the reader's connection to a new and better understanding of who we are, and who we can be.

Judi and Larry Sutherland, authors, visionaries and receivers of automatic writing from the entity Abraham the Initiator, have assembled a body of knowledge that contributes considerable insight into the true meaning and purpose of life. "Ego is attempting to keep us locked into the Illusionary Reality (our world on Earth) and its insanity and SPIRIT is endeavoring to attain our release," write the Sutherlands.

Abraham coalesces many spiritual concepts into a significant new direction in spiritual thinking. It is evident, for instance, that many organized, traditional religions criticize metaphysical ideologies. And metaphysicists shun traditional religious concepts such as Christ -, and even de- emphasize God by calling God the "Universe".

Abraham the Initiator, through the Sutherlands, has depicted a philosophy that clearly demonstrates a relationship between the two ideologies, and that spiritual awakening is the beauty of Abraham. In this time of uncertainty and divisiveness, the people on Earth need to be brought together.

Judi and Larry Sutherland, companions in Spirit, bring us the very old yet very new (to us) means of salvation, peace and happiness. In this reviewer's opinion, Abraham can help actualize the power to succeed!

An excellent channeled book that offers a means to salvation, peace and happiness. How to damp out the Ego to allow Spirit to manifest. Great!

Richard Fuller, Senior Editor, Metaphysical Reviews, October, 2001

"Stacey's Broken Heart" is a book that focuses on Stacey, the treasurer of the Baby-sitters Club. She will be gone for a week and is confused about her boyfriend, Robert. She thinks she might be afraid of loosing him.

Poor Stacey! Robert broke her heart. I liked how it showed that even though Stacey's heart is broken, she goes on with her life. I liked how supportive her mom was. It tells you that, no, not all romances are "happily ever after"...only a tiny percent of teen romances last a lifetime. I have the feeling Mary Anne and Logan are next in line for splitsville...just a gut feeling.

The book was good and thick and suspenseful. It was a well-written and enjoyable book. I can't really decide if my favorite book is Stacey's Broken Heart or Claudia and the Terrible Truth. They're both good stories but Claudia and the Terrible Truth is too short.

Very engrossing story and well written however, the small type on the stark white pages really gave me a headache. Maybe I just need glasses. In any event, read the book it's really an unbelievable case.

A gripping, utterly harrowing tale that plugs you right into the soul of a killer. Kirsch dares us to enter the mind of a thirteen year-old killer. Then, we follow him again as he trods mercilessly down the same path, this time years later. A true literary masterpiece, When Love is Not Enough asks us "Why did we let this happen again?" Read this book and gain a new appreciation for life's fragile gift. When Love is Not Enough belongs on every parent's list of required reading. Read it: you'll be glad you did.

This book had me on the edge of my bed. As one of the 'other' neighborhood kids from the Tara Sue case, I already knew the outcome. Yet, I cried my eyes out, and could barely breathe as each event unfolded. Ms. Kirsch is an excellent writer, and spared no details of the double crimes. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has children, anyone who likes to read crime novels, or anyone who likes to read a book that is extremely good! k

From June of 1945 until 1972 the Japanese island of Okinawa was under the direct control and direction of the U.S. Unlike, the main islands of Japan whose American occupation ended in 1952 Japan's southern most island, Okinawa continued to see lots and lots of American military bases. In fact the same number are still there today. Well, one would think that after 1972 the number of American military bases and military men would have ended or been severly curtailed. Nope. Due to the cold war the U.S. has kept a huge military presence on Okinawa. Inasmuch as it is a fairly small island, the American military presence has had an enormous impact opon the lives of the ordinary Okinawan Japanese living there. From the time of the Second World War when the largest battle of the Pacific theater was fought in May and June of 1945 until today. Ruth Ann Keyso, details the lives of 9 Okinawan women whose lives have been impacted in one way or another from the American presence. The interviews included the old who experienced the extreme hardship and brutality of war to the young bride married to American servicemen. In reading this, one really gets the impression America is really an empire. Even though the cold war with the Soviet Union is over, America's military presence is not. Why is America still in Okinawa, what military purpose does it serve? Could the Okinawans survive without the dollar contribution to the Okinawan economy? Ms. Keyso's well written book informs the ignorant reader like myself, through the lives of these women, what the American military presence means and has meant to Okinawans. It is informative and keeps the uninformed current on the state of affairs as it applys to our (America's) unintended impact on foreign cultures and peoples due to the economic fallout of many American military bases (bars, strip places, prostitution, crime, etc.). The book is an easy read, informative, and enjoyable. Joe Seckelman

Okinawa does not seem at all like Japan, but more like America with the amount of US Marines there. "If you arent with the military, what are you doing on Okinawa?" would be the constant question that would be asked to the White people who visit the island. When the conflict ended on June 22, 1945, more than 12,000 American troops, 90,000 Japanese troups, and 125,000 Okinawan civilians were dead. Memories from this three-month battle continue to haunt war survivors today, more than half a century after. The reason why Ruth Ann Keyso concentrated on the memories of women is simple; 1. Women had had the most direct contact with Americans over the proceeding half-century. 2. Women were the ones who worked for the Americans in the postwar years Ein clubs as waitresses, in stores as cashiers, and in private homes as maids. 3. Women were the ones who married some Americans Esome for love, others for money Eand bore their children. 4. Women were the ones who were the primary victims of sexual and other forms of physical violence committed by military personnel on the island. 5. As many of the island's men died in battle, women were responsible for rebuilding Okinawa in the postwar years and restoring a sense of normalcy to people's lives.

This book focused on three different types of women, and I would like to summarize them for you with a few examples...

1. Those born before the war began
This group focused on the horrifying days of WW2, and maelstrom of the immediate postwar years, a time during which they struggled to rebuild their lives in an environment characterized by physical destruction and psychological malaise. They were faced not only with the humiliation of living alongside their former enemy, but also with the knowledge that they needed the AmericansEeconomic assistance to survive. Their feelings are complicated Ebecause they remember the peace of their home before the war, and they also remember the horrifying days at war.

Two Examples -

Junko Isa, 67, nearly lost her entire family during the Battle of Okinawa. She was only 14 years old and lost 5 out of the 8 in her family Ein her family. She has been working as a maid of an American military family ever since the war ended.

Fumiko Nakamura, 84, remembers Okinawa as a peaceful place, an island of beauty. But the war has changed that. Now her homeland is crowded with US military bases, and the roar of planes, now breaks the former silence.

2. Those born during wartime
Unlike their elder sisters, they have little or no recollection of their past. Instead, their stories center on life in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s. These decades defined by rapid social and political changes. These people express their dissatisfaction with conditions on the island, namely, the continued existence of the US military bases. As this has been ignored over years by the mainland Japanese, these women are eager to make a difference.

Two Examples -

Tatsuko Yamada, 57, remembers the discrimination she experienced as a university student in Tokyo during the 1960s when, as in the past, mainland Japanese looked down on Okinawans as racial and cultural inferiors.

Masayo Hirata, 58, recalls another consequence of the large US military presence on the island in those years: an increase in pregnancies. As a social worker, Hirata-san provided support for unwed Okinawan mothers with biracial children. The most complicated time, involved women who got pregnant by the US people they barely knew, then tried to get assistance in tracking the men down.

3. Those born well after the war ended
Revoked memories that were primarily pleasant, cheerful recollections of high school romances. Even though they are completely ignorant to their own history, they still complain somewhat about the American culture like of Okinawa, and also the military. However, they accept the bases with a sense of inevitably.

Two Examples -

Miako Sunabe, 21, said she cant imagine life without the Americans. She cant understand why the older generation want the military to leave the place. These people did nothing wrong, it wasnt their choice.

Mayumi Tengan, 30, said that she loved being an Okinawan because of all the American men who looked like movie stars on the streets. "I'm much more lucky to live in Okinawa than any other place. It is very romantic and exciting. They are just ordinary people."

Therefore we can clearly conclude that there are three clear types of women in Okinawa. These three types of women all have different views on the war and their position in society today.

I am studying in Japan at Ritsumeikan APU, International Management, and I will be heading off to Okinawa at the end of February 2003, so I look forward to learning more about it all.

Cheers,
Vaughan Allison

A great read from cover to cover. Ruth Ann Keyso accurately and poetically told the stories of nine Okinawan women, weaving in the island's history, culture, insight and perspective through carefully chosen words, ancedotes and descriptions. Being Japanese American, I am always searching for ways to develop my perspective on my culture, and this book has opened my eyes to the lives, dreams, tragedies and hopes of the Okinawan people. I highly recommend this book to anyone with an enthusiam to learn about the world and an eagerness to grow as a person.

The first person POV drags you into this story quickly as Susannah searches for the serial killer who's mutilating and murdering lonely Miami women. There's a great beauty to her descriptions of the city and the Everglades, and an urgency and directness to her writing style. This is a fast-paced novel with flawed characters who seem all too real. A strong debut.

As a resident of Miami I greatly enjoyed reading this book. It is what my wife calls, "an easy read". Ann Prospero tells a story about a female detective hunting a killer/rapist. During the course of her investigation the detective reflects on the similarities between the victims' lives and her own. Ms. Prospero shows her poetic abilities in the beautiful word paintings describing Miami nights, the Everglades, Coconut Grove, Coral Way, and many other places. She also develops the main character, Susannah Cannon, carefully. As the story progresses you get a glimpse into Susannah's past and come to understand why she is where she is. The story has a very tropical feel and tempts me to turn off my air conditioner tonight and admire the silvery shine on the palm fronds.

ALMOST NIGHT is certainly an entertaining read despite the disturbing subject matter. Although the mystery reveals itself early on for the reader, it remains suspenseful through the end. Furthermore, Prospero presents herself with a rather obvious (and chinsy) opportunity for a knight-in-shining armor ending, but thankfully, does not take that avenue, choosing, rather, to further develop the strength of her lead character. Susannah Cannon is a headstrong, yet vulnerable character that I feel most people (male or female) would be able to identify with. The supporting characters are presented excellently, going so far as to create a certain understanding for their own personal flaws, and finding a reason to respect the reason behind their views, whether one agrees with them or not. Every character is presented with a depth that adds so much flavor that the story comes to life. Add to this the vivid descriptions Prospero provides for the locales in Miami and the Everglades, and the book becomes much more than words on a page; every scene becomes visual, instead of words trying to describe something visual. I for one look forward to more books on Susannah Cannon's mysteries.