[Part One: "Am I Crazy to Do This?"] Intro) A Peek at the Possibilities 1) Getting Started

[Part Two: Puppets and Masks] 2) Small to Medium-Size Puppets 3) Large Puppets 4) Simple Masks

[Part Three: Setting the Stage] 5) What was that Blurry Thing? 6) Scenery in Motion 7) Stages for Storytelling 8) Sound Effects

[Part Four: Opening Night] 9) On with the Show 10) Creating a Story from Scratch

In 1885, Texas Ranger Captain Russell takes a young white girl he found living among the Apaches to dwell at the Border Convent in Nogales, Arizona. All she owns is a locket with the initials M.S.H. engraved on it. Over the next five years, Mary as the nuns call her tries unsuccessfully to escape several times. In 1890, a dying Father Fitzgerald visits the convent to say his good-byes to the sisters. When he sees Mary, he recognizes her as looking identical to the Regent family, extremely wealthy members of his flock in Texas.

The Regent matriarch, eighty-one years old LaDextra is ecstatic that her long lost granddaughter, Anna Regent Wright, has been found. Everyone welcomes Anna, who stands to inherit a million prime acres and fifty thousand heads of cattle. That is everyone except LaDextra's step-grandson Britton Caruth, who runs the ranch. Even though Anna seems to have insider information, he believes she is a fraud.

Nan Ryan has consistently been one of the best writers of Americana romances in this decade. Her story lines are classic, spellbinding tales that leave her audience desiring more from this incredible talent. Ms. Ryan's latest tale, WANTING YOU, will provide sub-genre fans with immense pleasure from wondering along with Brit whether Anna is the missing heiress or a brilliant con artist? Brit is a typical late nineteenth century Texas rancher; in other words, he is a hunk. This novel is historical romance at its award winning best.

Harriet Klausner

One little bit of data he uncovered, the impact of positive to negative interactions between couples, was reduced to a rather mathematical forumula: to practice a ratio of five positive to every one negative interaction. Sounds scientific enough, but in practice it's remarkable how much that little habit has done to improve all of my relationships. I think Gottman's work is a significant contribution to understanding how marriages do work, and what couples can do to avoid the pitfalls of harmful communication patterns. I have recommended it to everyone I know whose relationships are ailing and have gotten a lot of grateful thanks from them.

He's got a great writing style, humorous at times, and the book is fun to read with your significant other. I feel his information is practical, authentic, and gives the people like me, who don't quite understand all the ins and outs of communication, hope to have a better relationship.

Why do I even give two stars? Because, I must admit, I'm very afraid to give this guy less than that. He certainly did his homework and knows a lot of the cop slang and settings he describes. But that's a very common flaw, to put a lot of accurate information on a BORING plot.

For great crime fiction, do check on James Elroy.

The plot in the YA novel is usually almost identical to that of an adult novel-with multiple, complex (teenage) problems that need to be solved, or at least recognized, by the end of the book. The plot in this particular novel centers around one thing- the fact that one of the students on the quiz bowl team is cheating. Cheating is not a complex teenage problem.

Kudos to Cappo for touching on a subject that is frequently over looked by YA authors, but this is still a childrens book with a 17-year-old character.

From a publishing standpoint this isn't a problem as children always like to read about characters that are older than them but from a literary standpoint, it doesn't make sense.

Steve and Padjan agree to escort Augusta to the latter's Indian village where they insist a fountain of youth can be found. Ellen believes Steve and his cohort are clever con artists, shilling her aunt. However, the quartet travels to and across America. On the journey, Steve begins THE SEDUCTION OF ELLEN and soon they make love several times during the trek in places that will hurt the back. Still, though attracted to him, she hates him for what he is doing to her aunt and to her.

THE SEDUCTION OF ELLEN is an amusing historical romance that never decides whether to be a satire or a serious work. The story line succeeds when the plot winks at the sub-genre and Nan Ryan's previous novels, but ironically falls short when the tale turns serious as with the graphic sex scenes. A key secondary plot never ties back to the main theme leaving the audience wondering why Ellen's visit to the Citadel is included. Though often humorous, award winning Nan Ryan's latest novel is not at the level expected from this superstar.

Harriet Klausner

Rest assured, sensuality and full-blown passion is her triumph in this novel but with an exquisite tenderness and compunction for the characters as well - it is though difficult to accept the drastic change of demeanour towards the end when her aunt gains redemption, and the lovers treating each other with mutual respect. Ellen as a prim spinster and she matches well and feisty as the leading lady; Steve is equally enigmatic and dark as a hero. As a romance, logic is cast aside - just be seduced by Ms. Ryan's passionate writing.

Computers play a big role in all of our lives today. People have had their attention span shortened by the intense contact we have with computers and television. We are thirsty for information, but only in little doses, and this book does just that. The series of emails used to develop the plot introduce a man named Max who is new to online chatting and emails.

Initially Max is just looking for some information on what kind of computer system to buy, but he meets Bev, a book editor that has been logging on for years. With each email exchange more is learned about each of the characters, and the lives they live. Max likes to speak his mind asking searching questions early in the relationship, "Are you happy?" (10). Bev is initially portrayed as one who is online strictly for a tool of communication, and does not take kindly to some stranger hitting on a married woman, "You, on the other hand, are probably wearing a smelly jogging suit with your butt hanging out the back and Cheetos crumbs hanging off your beard." (8). With each email exchange the two grow closer together sharing more personal information and quickly this develops into a powerful online relationship.

Additionally, the characters are developed through the use of emoticons in some of the emails. Early in the book, the emails exchanged are just straight text, but as time moves on we begin to see the characters using emoticons to help express their feelings or tone of voice. It is through this we can begin to see something deeper than just an online friendship starting to evolve. Even though it is not hard to guess where the book is leading, it will still be hard to put down, and the ending will be left up to you as the reader to write the next email.

Chat gives those who have not yet experienced the world of email and the Internet a glimmer of what endless possibilities are out there. From finding actual information (like Max originally intended) to finding the love of your life, the Internet might hold your answers.