Sydney Teague's adventure in this book has it all! The touches of history, romance, science, sport and evil make this mystery a great read. I could not put it down. I loved the descriptions of the geography, people, food and weather in this book. I was so inspired, I actually bugged my husband for a week to move to a beach town. Sydney is a woman who truly lives life. How often does a woman have the chance to win the trust and respect of a childhood crush, go on a dangerous adventure, in a beautiful place, preserve the past and save lives? Never. . . . . Well, I just did through the writing of Anne Grant.

I followed Sydney Teague from Charlotte to Murrell's Inlet, which is very familiar territory to me. With wonderful description, this book kept me waiting and rushing as I read, unable to put it down. I found myself woven into the plot with Sydney, as she and old fiend, OC, set out to solve a murder in the swampy, spooky areas along the coastline. I have purchased and read all of Grant's Sydney Teague Series, but this one is definately her best work yet. I will never visit the coast without thinking about this book and looking over my shoulder!!!

VOICES IN THE SAND just hit our stores here and I picked it up because I found the cover frightening and intriguing. I thought I would spend the weekend reading it. I finished at 4 AM Saturday morning. My, what a fast, rollercoaster of a ride this book is. Suspenseful and atmospheric, the SC coast stars in this one, although I really liked the Teague character and the grizzled ex-cop named O.C. I'd love to see it a movie!

I'm suspicious of cheesy quote books, but this book isn't fluff. It's a profound and poetic collection, great to read before bedtime or peruse whenever.

I read this book with my children, not only to give them a sense of the timeline of the last century, but also to give them an appreciation of our spiritual lives, and the spiritual lives of our leaders and newsmakers. These are quotes that aren't typically found in their history textbooks.

As we read about the Wright brother's flight in 1903, we thought about how much has changed. And as we read about the work of Mother Teresa late in the century, we realized how little has changed.

We read some famiiar voices and some that were new to us, but always voices that inspired and challenged us.

This isn't a book that we have read and placed on a shelf, we go back to it again and again.

This is an excellent book. It makes an ideal holiday gift, which by the way is how I found it. Great quotes and sage advice galore.

Anne Boleyn was accused of essentially the same catalog of crimes used against every powerful woman since (and probably before) Jezebel - sexual infidelity, witchcraft, heresy, capriciousness and foul temper. As Ives explains, she may not have been physically the most beautiful woman at court, but her intellect, sophistication and worldliness (she had served at the Austrian and French courts) made her by far the most attractive. What is incredible about her courtship with Henry is the sheer number of missed chances to get a proper annulment of Hal's earlier marriage to Katharine - which, of course, would have removed the impetus for the English Reformation, and all the carnage that followed. What makes this a great read is Ives' ability to translate renaissance history into modern terms: Anne's rise and fall were inextricably linked to larger political and religious forces in Henry's court: her demise was the direct product of a temporary court alliance between the hard line crypto-Protestants (Thomas Cromwell et. al.) and the equally hard line Catholic sympathizers (Norfolk, plus the former followers of Thomas More). Once Anne was off the scene, they happily returned to their ideological trenches and resumed ploting against each other. Anne's was a vibrant life in a world which punished the vibrant and the intelligent.

I found this an excellent read when I was studying Anne Boleyn. While never becoming too bogged down in details, it tells her story compellingly and with the necessary human touch which makes Anne's story so engrossing.

Focusing on faction as one of the major causes of Anne's downfall, we are taken from her contested date of birth to her final end, through the whims of the king, life at court and her dubious romances. Ives gives the legends a brisk working over and gives the facts clearly with all the available evidence. This is THE book on Anne to read and I strongly recommend it to anyone studying her life.

Scholarly but not stuffy, Eric Ives' book is the best biography by far I have read of Anne Boleyn. It is packed with original research and serious scholarship but at the same time is readable and easy to follow. The average intelligent layperson would enjoy reading this. Ives, Antonia Fraser and Alison Weir are all MUST READS for Tudor scholars and history buffs.

The Harper Hall of Pern is an omnibus edition of the Harper Hall trilogy, including Dragonsong, Dragonsinger and Dragondrums. It follows the Dragonriders of Pern trilogy.

In Dragonsong, Petiron, the old harper, has died and only Menolly, the youngest child of Sea Holder Yanus, can properly sing the deathsong to honor him. Yanus is scandalized that a girl should perform the role of a harper, but gives in to the inevitable. Moreover, Menolly is the only one available to instruct the children in the Teaching. When the new harper arrives, however, Yanus and his wife try to keep Menolly from his attention. Disconsolate, Menolly starts taking long walks and finds a fire lizard nest about to be swamped by the tide. She helps save the eggs and returns later to witness the hatching and impresses some of the the hatchlings. Now Menolly has nine young fire lizards attending her.

In Dragonsinger, Menolly and her fair of fire lizards have been called to Harper Hall because of her songwriting. She has been accepted as the Master Harper's apprentice and soon finds several friends there, dull-witted Camo, who is fascinated by her fire lizards, quick-witted Piemur, who is fascinated by everything, but the foremost is Robiton, the Master Harper himself. Nevertheless, she also is the target of jealousy and prejudice from some of the residents.

In Dragondrums, Piemur, who is the pampered lead soprano in the Harper choir, finds that his voice is changing. Moreover, he is no longer the Voice Master's special student. The normally cheerful boy is desolate, but he soon perks up when he is told that he is now apprenticed to the Master Harper himself, working with Sibel and Menolly and maybe even going to the Southern Continent.

This trilogy concentrates on a different segment of Pern society than the previous novels. The Harpers are the teachers and messengers as well as entertainers. Moreover, Robinton uses them to spread new ideas and to spy out problems that haven't been reported by the Holders.

Highly recommended for McCaffrey fans and anyone who enjoys SF tales of young people with a zest for life.

The Harpers are my favorite characters in her books so of course I loved them. I think because she works by herself she can keep them true to what they always were and always will be. If you like the Harpers too, then you'll love these books. And if you haven't read her books, the Harpers play music and do other things but they're really cool.

This is a tale of the struggle a talented individual who is not allowed to practice her skills because of a too rigid social structure. She escapes and flourishes because of the kindness and open-mindedness of others, not to mention her own abilities to survive where many would give up and be relegated to what others would decide for them.

This is a story that fills your heart with pride for the characters as the conquer the obstacles set before them. It also proves that it pays to keep an open mind when dealing with others. Recognize their abilities and let them take that ability as far as they want. Never let ideas and rules that might have been established long in the past dictate what is best for an individual who can be better than what would otherwise be a poor life.

I couldn't put this book down after reading the first chapter. The voice of the main character rings true. The twists and turns that weave this story kept me wanting more. Pass this title on to your favorite teen!

This short novel is a sensitively told story of a teenager's experiences with family, friends and the vicissitudes of life. Hopeful, in its basic premise, but touching, sad, suspenseful and often humorous, this book creates a story line with which pre-teens and teens can identify. The point of view is consistent with the plot and characterization is true to life and believable.An excellent mix of the real and the mysterious, Beginnings is an ideal gift for the young adult reader.

This rollercoaster of a novel is packed into 110 sizziling pages. A story of love, hate, death, sorrow,and adventure, this book tells of a teenager who goes through the many hardships of life. The author, Anne T. Piscioneri, paints a picture in your mind with spectacular word choice and a suspensful story line. This book is a must read for everyone, young and old.

If you like to play vampire and like to play often you will eventually run into the problem of the GM and other veteran players getting into fights, moving, getting bored with the game, or getting married. This leads to the break up of groups and then it is necessary to find another group.... or make your own. Some times its hard enough to find other experienced players, much less match up everyones schedule. I think the next best thing to do is teach new people. This is more true to the game anyways. When first embraced the vampires know nothing about kindred society and the powers that vampires wield. This sets you up for a very realistic game.

You know all the times you were playing in someone elses game and thought "I could have done that so much better" here is your chance. BTW Its harder than you ever imagined, but also rewarding when you do a good job. If you just want hack-and-slash vampire campaigns, though, the players handbook has all the info you need. This book is almost too much information but if you want a very complex and detailed story it is highly recommended.

I have been reading gaming books since I was nine and gaming and gamemastering since I was in Junior High School (I am now a senior in sollege). In that time, I have read dozens of gamemaster guides for different sci-fi and fantasy worlds. The Vampire guide is the best of all of them, and it is one that everyone running a campaign, Vampire or otherwise, should read.
Most gamemaster guides are the same thing as all of the others: they have the same campaign generation and adventure writing advice, the same NPC advice, just with the flavor text appropriate to the game in question added in. The Vampire guide is different. In addition to providing all of the behind-the-shield knowledge relevant to Vampire and its storylines, it also has sections on topics like 'How to deal with Problem Players.' It touches on the interpersonal aspects of gaming in a very blunt manner that all other gaming guides seem too squeamish to handle. Included herein are sereotypical 'problem players' that most of us have seen (or been) at some point and advice on how to deal with each of them.
Three clans new to this edition (the Baali, Nagaraja and True Brujah), new advantages (age, military force, arcane) and new disciplines related to the new clans (all with powers detailed up to ten dots) are provided, as well as Vampire history and the like. In the history section, there are tips for gaming in any era from prehistoric to the present. In true White Wolf spirit, there is a good bit of humor in the book. The 'Problem Player' section in particular provided great entertainment.

Until many other role playing games, "The Worlds of Darkness" are story based. Thus the storyteller is the single most important person in the group and players will often join or leave a group based on the personality of the storyteller and their ability to create an intriquing journey. But it is also very challenging to be a storyteller, especially if you are used to the less story-focused role-playing games where the DM or guide focuses on technical matters over characters or plot. This is a great book because it makes a lot of good suggestions, gives some needed guidelines, and also spends a good deal of time being honest about the storyteller's role, power, authority and the dynamics of players in this system. Does it answer every question? No, but it will help you become a better storyteller and everyone in your group will benefit.

Unlike my thoughts that Revelations was a book that had no value to today's Christian, this book and study changed my whole thought process around this book. It contains the most persuasive reading on the authenticity of Jesus Christ and our position in His kingdom. It is a must reading for Christians and all others who are looking for that glimpse into the eternal life.

Anne Graham Lotz delivers an excellent study of select passages from Revelation. This will stand alone as a personal devotional, study guide, and will add new light to the companion workbook/group study series. Her insights give better understanding of these last days!

This was a wonderfully written book. The book explains end times in terms we can all understand. It gives all of us expectations of a greater life beyond this one and hope for our eternal life. For those who are mystified from reading Revelations, you will enjoy this read. It helps explain some of the symbolism and numbers our human minds find puzzling and beyond reach.

Anne Geddes is talented at photographing babies in cute and unique ways. You will like this book if you like babies. The book goes through the 12 days of Christmas-each page tells what day and what the true love gave and a picture-for example-on the fifth day the true love gave 5 gold rings--there are babies each laying on a big yellow cloth ring. All of the pictures are darling and some of them have humorous elements to them.

This book is great! It's pictures take an old song and brings it to life! It is a great book for little kids. My niece loves this book! She loves to look at the pictures and she laughs at all the silly babies. I will buy this book for all my future nieces and nephews. It is sure to be a classic.

It has colorful pictures and it is full of cute babies. Anne Geddes always manages to capture the babies in it's best position. I recommend this book because it is, like I said before, beautiful. -Kate

This is an in-depth look at Anne Rice's novels from an analytical perspective. Not only did it give me more insight into one of my favorite authors, but it was written in clear-sighted prose by another of my favorite authors.

What a great book. I felt like I was in class taking Anne Rice 101! Great insights on her books especially on "Interview with a vampire". Great reading.

No serious Rice scholar can miss this thoughtful treatise on the novelist's art, life, and oeuvre. Less serious readers will also enjoy the concise, lively prose and clear-headed insights from Crusie, famous on her own for genre-bending novels of love and life. Highly recommended.

This book is an excellent resource for researching the life and works of Beethoven. The sections regarding compositions are broken down by ensemble and type, and provide important information such as performance dates, key signatures, time signatures, and movement headings. Almost all topics, including such things as Beethoven's handwriting, favorite literature, philosophies, thoughts on other composers, are covered. Very handy for reference, as well as a guide to starting Beethoven research. Well worth it at twice the price!

Undoubtedly thousands of books have been written about Beethoven, but what sets this one apart from the others is its well-organized and exhaustive structure. Perhaps the best way to highlight this for the prospective buyer is to list the actual sections contained in this book. 1. Calendar of Beethoven's life, works and related events 2. Beethoven's family tree 3. Who's who of Beethoven's contemporaries 4. Historical background 5. Musical background 6. Beethoven as an individual 7. Beethoven's beliefs and opinions. Following section 7 are several more sections dedicated solely to his music. As you can see, this book offers several aspects that many others neglect to include. This structure also affords one the opportunity to go directly to an area of interest without having to wade through myriad pages. Also included are eight pages of paintings, sculptures and sketches of the maestro. This book is equally at home in the bathroom, on the coffee table, or in the study. It is an invaluable source of information for anyone desiring to learn more about this amazing genius.

This book offers chapter after chapter of information on every aspect of Beethoven. I find that every time I pick this book up, I can find something interesting to read about. Obviously the music as catalogued and described. Beyond that, details of the great composer's personality, writing style, health difficulties, as well as his known views on a variety of topics provide endless hours of fascinating reading. I am impressed by the thoroughness of this book. Listings of people who Beethoven knew or interacted with, his influences and those he influenced, pictures and descriptions of his handwriting and manuscripts, the historical perspective on the times he lived in, all clearly described. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about this great master, and to anyone who is interested in the life and times of one of the most influential artists to ever live. In summary I have found it accurate and complete and always interesting. It is an indispensable reference.