When Harley Nelson reads the obituary of his former girlfriend, he returns to Portland, OR to claim the nine-year-old son he's never seen. Brandon has been raised by his aunt and grandparents in a luxurious gated community. Lauren Worthington loves her sister's son as if he were her own, and nothing will make her give up this child to bad boy Harley. In fact, fueled by her father's tales of Harley, she's convinced he ruined her sister. She doesn't want the man anywhere near her nephew.

But Harley isn't quite the way he's been portrayed. He's concerned, he cares, and he forces Lauren to reexamine her long held beliefs about him. Of no small concern is his devastating charm. Before long Lauren finds herself falling in love with the man who can rob her of the thing that makes her happiest. Lauren battles with her understanding of Harley's right to his son and her own emotional attachment to the boy.

Wonderfully developed secondary characters provide an excellent supporting cast. Shooting the Moon is about romance and caring, love and money, challenging one's belief system, and acceptance. You'll cheer at the outcome, maybe shed a few happy tears as I did. But I guarantee you won't forget this wonderful book by Brenda Novak, a master at creating intense emotional conflict. Do yourself a favor and buy this book. Very highly recommended.

Harley Nelson left Portland ten years ago, but when he left, he left a child behind too. Ten years later he is back for his son. Audra, whom he once loved, died from drugs, leaving behind Brandon, their son. He came back to town with determination and a past. Lauren Worthington just happened to be Audra's sister, and Brandon's mother in every sense but biologically. She loved Brandon more than life itself. He might as well as have been born hers.

Harley made Lauren nervous, her heart beat, and her breath catch just when he was near. Too bad Lauren was born in the wrong family, at least as far as Harley was concerned, but then she was known as the Ice Queen anyway. Slowly as the book progressed, so did their attraction and the heat that simmered between them. Their lives grew more and more complicated as Lauren's parents came into the picture... especially since it was her father that had started it all those years ago.

Lauren is strong but has vulnerabilities just as Harley has a tough front but a soft center. Sometimes he reminds you of a teddy bear but others as the devil incarnate. Together they are real and lively.

SHOOTING THE MOON is interesting as it is sweet and special. Ms. Novak as done a fabulous job!

Romance At Its Best

Harley Nelson left Portland ten years ago but when he left, he left a child behind too. Ten years later he is back for his son. Audra who he once loved died from drugs leaving behind Brandon, their son. He came back to town with determination and a past. Lauren Worthington just happened to be Audra's sister and Brandon's mother in every sense but biologically. She loved Brandon more than life itself. He might as well as have been born hers.

Harley made Lauren nervous, her heart beat, and her breath catch just when he was near. Too bad Lauren was born in the wrong family, at least as far as Harley was concerned but then she was known as the Ice Queen anyway. Slowly as the book progressed, so did their attraction and the heat that simmered between them. Their lives grew more and more complicated as Lauren's parents came into the picture especially since it was her father that had started it all those years ago.

Lauren is strong but has vulnerabilities just as Harley has a tough front but a soft center. Sometimes he reminds you of a teddy bear but others as the devil incarnate. Together they are real and lively.

SHOOTING THE MOON is interesting as it is sweet and special. Ms. Novak as done a fabulous job!

Romance At Its Best

"30 Day Essentials for Marriage" is for couples who are already enjoying a loving relationship or for those who are facing a variety of challenges.

Each day ends with a concrete "action." On Day 1 the "try this" features says: "What should we do today just for the fun of it?"

The first idea seems like common sense, but often life gets complex.

"Over time, a relationship can collapse from the pressures of stress, disappointment and self-involvement."

Fun, friendship, communication, appreciation, respect, realistic expectations, contentment and creativity are some of the topics covered in this book.

Through beautiful pictures, encouraging words and suggestions for real-life application you can start to find the marriage relationship you desire.

A beautiful gift for newlyweds or for anyone in a marriage or considering marriage.

Marriage can present many challenges, and Thirty Day Essentials For Marriage is a simple handbook "tell all" on how to enrich the union of marriage. An impressive and reader friendly book which focuses on easy, simple ways for couples to enhance their lives together, Thirty Day Essentials For Marriage ranges from discovering the foundations of a lasting relationship, to imparting joy -- and is recomended for its loving pairing of words and color photos.

What a great gift for Valentine's Day, and a great gift for your husband or wife. The sayings are not only helpful, the words and photos are beautiful. A very thoughtful, helpful book for married ones!

The true value in this book is the dynamic ideas and "action items" I was able to incorporate to manage and motivate my long term employees . . . who I thought had reach their plateau. This book worked for me.

Mark has been able to capture a part of the business that many of us struggle with. Mark has been able to address the issues of accountability that starts within each of us as individuals. The book is very powerful as it dives directly to the motives of individuals whether they are in the best interest of a collective environment or in the best interest of a specific individuals. A must read for anyone struggling with indivividual accountability in their organization.Mark expresses his insights in a manner that most of us would avoid.

This book is very readable and is filled with practical strategies and tools to create a more accountable work environment. The personal and work examples bring the concepts to life. Mark's definition of accountability is right on target... "accountablity means that people can count on one another to keep performance commitments and communication agreements." I have used many of Mark's ideas with my clients with great success. Great book with timely ideas. Thanks!

This is a great resource book for students of the first centuries of Christianity. The selections come from sources with differing points of view (Christian, Jewish, Pagan and secular) and the author gives enough background that you understand the possibility of biases in the ancient authors. Most useful for lay persons who do not have ready access to a good library of religous sources.

Primary sources for the history of the first four centuries of Christianity within the context of the Roman world are difficult to find, widely scattered, and general unknown outside of a specialized cadre of scholarship. Now Ralph Novak interweaves these primary sources with a narrative text in Christianity And The Roman Empire: Background Texts that provides the reader with a single, continuous account of these crucial first centuries of Christianity's development. Through the use of primary sources, Novak shows how the government and people of Rome perceived the treatment of Christians within the empire, as well as the manner in which Christians established their political and religious dominae after Constantine the great came to power. Christianity And The Roman Empire is a superbly researched, written and presented contribution to the study of early Christian history during the first four centuries of the Common Era.

Christianity and the Roman Empire:Background Texts is designed for undergraduates,seminarians, and the general reader in early Christian history. The book contains approximately 250 selections from literary texts and archeological materials dating to the period of 27 B.C. to 416 A.D. These materials were selected to explore (i) the ways in which the early Christians were erceived and treated by the imperial government and the many peoples of the Roman Empire, (ii) the social and political interactions between Christians and the surrounding pagan culture, and (iii) the means the Christian emperors of the 4th century used to consolidate Christian dominance in the social and political life of the Roman Empire. Unlike most source books, however, which merely reproduce the sources or discuss only aspects of the individual sources, in Christianity and the Roman Empire: Background Texts the ancient texts are inserted at the appropriate places in a historical narrative of the history of the rise of Christianity in the Roman World during the first four centuries A.D. The narrative provides both an overall historical context for the sources and specific discussions of the relevance of the sources to the larger narrative history, while the primary sources allow the reader to examine the evidence used to reconstruct this history. The ancient materials presented in Christianity and the Roman Empire: Background Texts are generally reproduced at greater length than commonly found in most source books. A primary goal of the narrative text is to direct the reader along the path of the majority historical consensus without being so intrusive as to obscure the majesty and power of the ancient materials themselves. I have attempted to present the materials in such a way that this book could serve as both a useful adjunct to the work of other scholars in the field and as a stand-alone history for the non-specialist reader. Christianity and the Roman Empire: Background Texts consists of approximately 320pages of text, organized into six chapters and 5 appendices. Chapter One is a brief introduction to basic historical methodology for dealing with literary texts. Chapters Two through Five contain a chronologically organized historical narrative, with ancient sources,describing the rise of Christianity during first four centuries A.D. Chapter Six is a case study of the way in which Christians came to dominate the political life of Alexandria, Egypt during the period of approximately 350-416 A.D. The five appendices examine topics more appropriately examined on a topical rather than a chronological basis, and cover the subjects of Rome's relationship with Judaism during this same period, pagan accusations of Christian immorality, the worship of the Roman emperor, the formulation of the Nicene Creed, and the evidence concerning the dates for the birth and death of Jesus. The book has both primary source and subject indexes.

This is a must have for Delphi programmers. It is chalked full of useful code. It is concise and to the point which makes it a great reference book.

As an environmental engineer, I use Delphi to develop standalone applications to access and analyze large water supply data bases. I have over 30 years experience developing and using water quality and quantity models in everything from FORTRAN to Delphi.

Of all the Delphi books I have used, this one is the most readable for the non-professional programmer, using a minimum of jargon and less focused on business applications. It has never failed to provide the hint I needed to move ahead on a programming problem. While not as comprehensive as other Delphi guides, such as Pacheco & Teixeira's, the information it presents is more accessible for quick reference. I look forward to Todd & Kellen coming out with an updated version for Delphi 4.

Of the 25 Delphi books that I own, this is the one I take with me when I don't know what will be required of me.

It is the perfect replacement documentation.

This is an excellent book for researchers, or anyone in the sciences. But for most people this book will be too difficult. If you would file a book titled "Theory Construction" under Architecture, you would have difficulty with this book.

The author discusses Concept Mapping (Entity Relationship diagrams for computer people) and Vee Diagrams, a template for structuring knowledge on specific concepts.

He shows how these two tools can improve learning in students. His examples start with a science class that uses a laboratory to teach practical skills and scientific method learning to students. For these students, the two tools become important for structuring knowledge and directing future research.

His results show that students need to make learning relevant to their existing knowledge and these tools will help do that. His results show an initial drop off in standardized testing after applying these tools, but then the scores pick back up and exceed standard rote-learning. I would agree with this -- if you're talking about the upper 20 % of the students. But I can't see the class laggards buying into these tools, as they require the student to be in love with their subject. These tools show you how to go deeper and how to find new knowledge.

I would recommend these tools for advanced classes and motivated students. I agree with the author that they will help researchers push back the envelopes of knowledge on their fields of specialization.

The Vee tool forces a template of things to "Think" and "Do" when you are formulating questions on a topic. Although perhaps tedious for some, it appears to work very well. I liked it very much. Students in a science lab can use these templates to decide what questions to research, what tests need to be run, how to know if they are successful, etc.

It is in this scientific area where the big payoff for these Vee charts are. I doubt that John Q. Public is going to find them as a useful tool on everyday learning decisions. For this reason I recommend this book for any type of researcher. The author describes how these Vee Charts have been used successfully by graduate students on their theses.

But John Q. Public can easily apply the Concept Maps. And, the author uses these maps as a tool to interview and assess students. The author also uses them to help develop books, articles and learning materials.

This book would be excellent for someone who has read Kuhn (scientfic revolutions) and wants to find some tools and methodologies for extending knowledge in his field.

I think the author is correct in most of his work. This book is particularly recommended for graduate students doing any kind of research papers.

John Dunbar
Sugar Land, TX

This book teaches two tools. One is the V-diagram which involves a sceintific discovery approach of looking at an event which you ask a quetion about and that can be approached using reasong using concepts in terms of principles in the context of a theory or doing observations, recording transformations and forming conclusions. This is something you can use in everyday life. The second tool of "concept mapping" is like similiar mindmapping ibut is also different in it's structure. I found its method much better in terms of forcing me to organize concepts into principles into a whole of a theory. Its numerous examples of both tools from elementary and high school didn't dumb down the text but instead game me many insights because it explored common errors in reasoning and how a teacher can use these tools to diagnose what are the mistaken assumpitons in the student's mental model.. GREAT BOOK! Not a book of slick techniques. But two powerful tools once mastered that help you be lifelong learner on the job and in life.

Concept Mapping is a way to organize, display, and develop information. This well-written and informative book describes very nicely how it can be used in education. For educators, scientists, information technologists, and anyone else interested in clear presentation of information.

Marian Novak's story of a wartime bride needed to be told and she is the perfect writer to tell it. Anyone would benefit to hear her story--if you have lived it or not. Those who have been married to a soldier--or had any loved one at war--will feel a bond and comradeship. Anyone who has not had this experience should read this--there is so much we do not know. I am in awe at her ability to share it.

I will be a USMC wife on July 4th, 1999 and so much of what Mrs. Novak writes about is so similar to my own encounters with the USMC. Anyone who has a loved one in the military should read this book. It's time our story was told.

This is a book I have read many times and each time I am touched and reminded of all the men and families who went through so much for the war. I am glad that Mrs. Novak wrote a story from the perspective of someone who suffered at home. I could relate to her and her experiences.

After reading Karen Novak's first novel, Five Mile House, I was extremely excited to start her second. I was not disappointed. Ordinary Monsters captured me instantly and weaved a tale of loss and finding yourself in the most unlikely of places.

The story is about a woman searching across the country for her junkie son who ran away with his equally junkie girlfriend. Her search finds her in Lagrimas, a small out of the way and quiet California town. In Lagrimas, the locals like their anonymity, and some would prefer that Joyce never had settled in and bought their local bar. The story revolves around a few central characters that you'll grow to love and wish the novel could go on for hundreds of more pages.

I loved this book, I only wish she could write faster and give us more amazing novels.

Novak will seduce you with her masterful and engaging retelling of Shakespeare's tale. Her characters, sharply drawn and all too human, will endear themselves to you right off the bat. Like me, you will find yourself only too willing to follow them down every dark and narrow passage they travel. I indulged myself with Ordinary Monsters -- I started reading on a Saturday afternoon and didn't put down the book until I was done. You'll want to do the same.

The characters in Karen Novak's latest novel are not soft and cuddly. This is not a book for readers who want their endings tied up in neat little packages nor their characters prototypical. But, if a reader is willing to spend some time with characters who come across as real, flawed, self-aware and struggling, then I can't recommend this book highly enough.

Joyce is on a mission to find her drug-addicted son. She is also trying to control the uncontrollable--the "ordinary monsters" that stalk us in daily life. Her quest brings her to the middle of nowhere--a bar in the desert. The bar serves as the sink trap for those struggling to avoid being sucked down the drain, a collection of characters with their own secrets and monsters.

Novak skillfully shows us how each of these characters wound up in Lagrimas. This is not a novel about pathetic victims, nor is it a novel about Oprah-type heroines who overcome their pasts. Rather, it is about the spider web of relationships that support us--but may also trap us--when we've flown blindly into the night.

Snow Baby is and excellent story and a keeper --- Chantel Miller is a leading lady and really keeps the story interesting although I can't understand her interest in Wade lasting so long -- Dillon Broderick [definitely a Pierce Brosnon] is one hero to chase down -- great emotional links between them -- and poor misunderstood Stacey [I am waiting for her and Rand's story]- not as grown up as she should have been but couldn't put the book down --- I recommend all of Novak's books, they are worth keeping and reading over again.

Chantel Miller found herself unprepared for the narrow, two-lane in a late spring snowstorm. Nevertheless, she refused to allow a storm to deter her from reconciliation with her sister. They had not spoken for ten years until Chantel left behind the boyfriend she had stolen all those years ago, Wade, and her high fashion modeling career in New York to start over alone with a clerical job to a politician. Stacy wanted to believe that Chantel had changed. Further, Chantel desperately wanted to prove herself to her only living relative. But when she rear-ended an SUV who suddenly braked, life took an unexpected twist.

Dillion Broderick left the beautiful woman who rear-ended his SUV without expecting to see her again. When her tentative call came saying she was lost, he felt compelled to retrace his path and find her. Fearing Chantel would freeze to death, stuck at the side of the road, he searched for two hours, finding her after the police had even given up the search until morning. Determined to get her warm, he took her into his SUV where they spent the dark hours in extraordinary intimacy. That night was so much more than a one nightstand -- it was a shattering experience that left them both hungry for more time together.

Promising to get together soon, Chantel continued to her sister's rented cabin. Stacy was also waiting for her friend to arrive; hoping that this time her sister wouldn't steal her boyfriend. When her friend arrives, Stacy introduces them; little realizing that Chantel and Dillion had shared more than a fender bender. Chantel would rather loose Dillion, however, than loose her sister again, however painful the consequences. Soon the impossible happens, and Chantel learns that she is pregnant.

Brenda Novak creates a compelling tale of love, not only between a man and a woman, but also between sisters in SNOW BABY. Her powerful story-telling voice sweeps the reader through a stormy past and a painful present, providing the novel with depth seldom matched in this genre. Indeed, the subplot, the story of Wade, the man who split the sisters, and the ongoing challenges he creates are both entertaining and remarkably created. If you read only once romance this year, I very highly recommend that you read SNOW BABY.

After almost a decade of success as a model, a tired Chantel Miller leaves New York to meet her sister Stacey in Tahoe. Chantel, desperately seeking penance, needs to reconcile with her remaining living relative. Realistically, she knows the difficulty she faces because ten years ago Chantel stole Stacey's boyfriend.

A snowstorm makes the final stretch of driving dangerous and Chantel plows her Jaguar into the SUV of Dillon Broderick. They exchange insurance information and drive their separate ways. However, after leaving I-80, Chantel becomes lost and stuck in the snow. Not having her sister's number, she calls Dillon for help. When he reaches her, she is nearly frozen to death. However, his land cruiser is stuck too and no help will come until morning. They spend the night in his vehicle, but he is forced to strip off her wet clothes so she will not freeze to death. To keep warm, they first hug each other, but soon make love and fall in love. However, although she becomes pregnant, he is Stacy's boyfriend.

SNOW BABY is an extremely entertaining contemporary romance due to the wonderful characters who heat even the below zero wind chill factor that accompanies the snowstorm. The story line is crisp and the interplay between the lead charcaters and the extended family members (her sister and his two small daughters) add to an overall enjoyable read. Hopefully Brenda Novak provides Stacey's story soon.

Harriet Klausner

I'd heard about this book for years, but it was out of print and I was not able to locate a copy. I'm happy to report it was worth the wait. It even made me feel young again because it's written with a rare physical energy and youthful exuberance...and humor. In fact, Belloc wrote this in such a fresh and vigorous way he made me laugh out loud 101 years later.

As a young man Belloc took off for a personal pilgrimage from Toul, France to Rome, Italy -- and he didn't want to take an easy way. If he had a choice of going around a mountain or over it, he wanted to go over it. It happened more than once that he walked into an inn and told others what he had just done -- only to find they didn't believe him! I wanted to grab his listener by the arm and say, "I know he did it! I was with him!"

This book is both a time machine and a vicarious adventure.

This is surely one of the most delightful reads you will ever find. Belloc is such a good story teller, and, writing from a Catholic viewpoint, paints a picture of Europe before World War 1, before the lights went out for 30 years of constant strife and destruction. Along with various colorful characters along the way, some long forgotten fortresses, and the Italian Alps, Belloc weaves his travels with personal anecdotes and observations. What a book, and it is quite a shame that his journey can not accurately be repeated by another intrepid walker! Enjoy without reservation!

Belloc's wonderful book is not for those who only travel to say they have "been there". For those are the tourists. This delightful book is for those who journey and realize that looking at lighted windows and medieval towns built into ancient crags is what makes life worth living. Written at the turn-of-the-century, Belloc's words flow magically and playfully to form a description not only of one writer's determined passage, but of a time already long gone. Simple pleasures are the best, especially when written by an artist with an eye for life itself.