I don't remember ever reading Proverbs 31, much less knowing anything about the "Proverbs 31 Woman". Even though my parents, especially my mother, raised me in the church and taught me "womanly" skills, it just couldn't compare to what I learned from this book. Each chapter deals with a verse from this chapter in Proverbs. There are explanations of each trait as well as many examples. The author is very direct in her writing, and gives many modern day suggestions on how to let the "Proverbs 31" woman be a guide to everyday living. My first marriage was not Christ-centered, and since this one is, I constantly search for guidance in being the best Christian wife and mother I can be. One area the author especially shed light on is "submission." My old way of thinking kept relating "submissiveness" to being a doormat. Because of this book, and similar ones that help interpret Scripture, I've got a whole new attitude toward "submission" and a wonderfully happy marriage. For any woman looking for a role model in being a strong woman, wife, and/or mother, I highly recommend this book. It's an enjoyable read!

This book focuses on preparing women for marriage, motherhood and ministry. It may not be popular with the feminists of our day who believe freedom and self-realization mean having no commitments and responsibilities for others. As a woman first submits her will, life and future to God, who created her, she can then begin to find out who she truly was meant to be in this life.

I think this book is great for all ages up to twelve years old. I would recomend it to anyone who is looking for a good book to read to there kids. The lady who wrote it lives next door to me wrote the book and has many more to come so watch the shelfs they will be coming soon.

The Puzzle in the Portrait (written by my mom), is a must read book. For all the last minute christmas shoppers, this is an ideal gift for your children. The age group for this book is children up to twelve years old. I thought this was a very interesting and funny book which not only will entertain children, it will also teach a valuable lesson in the keeping of family memories. Children can relate to the story in the boisterous and comical Jonathan or the thoughtful, think before you act Elizabeth. This is a terrific mystery story and a great holiday gift! But even after Christmas, this will make a great gift.

this is a fantastic novel. all the characters--from elizabeth to robert dudley to lettice knollys--seems so real. plaidy has a magic touch.

Written in the first person, the novel makes us feel as though we know what Elizabeth Tudor felt & thought. Her historical fame is not glorified; her substantial faults are not understated; but we see possible reasons for both. Above all, we are shown how her incredible scholarship and insecure youth combined, enabling her (and in a man's world) to bring England from bankruptcy & religious strife to its first age great enough to be named for one person: "Elizabethan."

i am currently reading 'the shadow maker' again, and i'm even more consumed than the first time. i'd like to take this opportunity to tell potential readers/buyers that this book is NOT out of print...

This intriguing book tells about the early life of Margaret Atwood in great detail, and then skims through the last couple of decades. Rosemary Sullivan has done a remarkable job of recreating the '40's, '50's, '60's and '70's, and how they influenced (and eventually were influenced by!) Canada's #1 writer. Having interviewed Atwood, many of her friends and associates, ex-husband and present husband, and also using contemporary correspondence, Sullivan seems to have an authentic understanding of how Atwood developed into such an amazing, prolific writer. Always respectful, Sullivan keeps her focus on what in Atwood's life is relevant to her as a writer. This is a very intelligently written biography, with an incredible amount of research and very astute analyses, and should be a satisfying read for any fan of Margaret Atwood's, without feeling like you have invaded her privacy.

I loved this book when I first read it 25 years ago and it's still as wonderful today. It will be especially wonderful for readers wishing to become writers and people who love to observe the world and discover the small mysteries of life.

Twelve year old Julia is struggling with changes in her family and in herself. This is a book about thoughts and dreams as well as growing up. Eleanor Cameron fills the book with vivid descriptions of nature and people. There are memorable scenes between Julia and several special people: Daddy Chandler, a lovable, funny old man; Mrs. Moore, an elegant and mysterious former concert pianist; Paul, a kind 14 year old boy; and Leslie, another aspiring writer. There are also moments of pain and fear, especially Julia's encounters with the "disfunctional" family of her best friend Addie. But these moments are handled well and add to the plot.

A host of living, complicated people live in this book and you will come to feel part of the family. As part of the family, you will laugh and cry with Julia and never forget this remarkable book, nor look at the world in the same way.

This was the best and most intriguing book I have ever read in my whole life. Even though I am almost 15 I absolutely loved this book! The way Eleanor Cameron desribes every little detail in the book makes Julia's world so perfect and beautiful!! Julia lives in the most enchanting world ever imaginable. I would just love to switch lives with her. She doesn't even realize how grand her life is!! I would recommend this book to anybody, old or young.

As a middle school instructor of U.S.history I found Mr. Padowicz's taped presentation: Seeing the Franklin D. Roosevelt Home & Museum to be a valuable teaching tool. His "tell it like it was" approach was refreshing and my students seemed to appreciate his honest and open approach to the many complex facets of the Roosevelt's lives and accomplishments.

In or out of the classroom I highly recommend Mr. Padowicz's book on tape having found it to be both entertaining and informative.

This six hour, five cassette audiobook presentation of Julian Padowicz's experiences and observational commentary showcases the Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt museum and home. Julian describes their lives, the history that surrounded them, and the history they made. Listeners will learn about such contemporary notables as Sara Roosevelt, George VI and Elizabeth of Britain, Winston Churchill, Theodore Roosevelt, Louis Howe, Lucy Mercer, Al Smith, Harry Hopkins, and many, many others. The times and circumstances of the innovative 32nd American president include the Great Depression, the new Deal, World War II, and the personal drama of disability and marital challenges. This highly recommended "theater of the mind" format is superbly recorded and provides listening that is as entertaining as it is informative.

This book made me laugh (I loved the author's "mental notes") and it made me cry (little Christian's teeth marks)! It opened my eyes to realize that God's grace and mercy are gifts worth sharing with all of my friends and acquaintances, and gifts not to be taken for granted. This book shows how God is with us in every rise and every fall in our lives, and how He is beside us even when we don't realize it. Thank you Sheila for a great book! (please note: I read it straight through...I just couldn't put it down!)

My wife recommended that I read this book, stating that she thought every one should. I was hesitant at first, but after laughing and then crying my way through it, I believe she's right. Everyone should. I was deeply touched and reminded again of the importance of all the relationships around me, not just the one's that make me feel good. Of the need to look below the surface to find the true person. Thanks to God for using Eleanor and Sheila to remind me of what is really important in life - others.

Mrs. Roosevelt is no doubt one of the greatest women of American history. Her book, TOMORROW IS NOW, is a collection of Mrs. Roosevelt's ideas about our country which are still very prevelent in today's society. I suggest that you read this book.

The ideas which she explores are as relevant today as they were when this book was first published in 1963. While some facts have changed (for example, the Soviet Union no longer existing), the pressures on young people have changed little. She was a strong believer in people taking responsibility for themselves and their world, but realised that certainly at the time of writing the general education of young people was not giving them enough of an opportunity to think for themselves. It would be a safer, kinder world if more people were to take on the ideas presented by Eleanor Roosevelt in this book.

This is a must read for any child who will be visiting the dentist for the first time. Out of all the books I surveyed, (most of them are about children loosing their teeth), this hit the mark in addressing the anxiety a child feels. While Little Bill may have some fears of his own, he gets over them after talking to his family the night before his visit. Once there, he notices a girl in the waiting room who looks scared and finds out its her first visit. In the end Little Bill helps this girl get over her fears by pretending to be a dentist himself and uses her teddy bear as the patient. My daughter and I read this book two weeks before her visit. It was a big help in setting her expectations.

This is a must read for any child who will be visiting the dentist for the first time. Out of all the books I surveyed, (most of them are about children loosing their teeth), this hit the mark in addressing the anxiety a child feels. While Little Bill may have some fears of his own, he gets over them after talking to his family the night before his visit. Once there, he notices a girl in the waiting room who looks scared and finds out its her first visit. In the end Little Bill helps this girl get over her fears by pretending to be a dentist himself and uses her teddy bear as the patient. My daughter and I read this book two weeks before her visit. It was a big help in setting her expectations.

Prairie Hills homicide detective Marti MacAlister doesn't pay any attention to the notice saying that Adrian Quinn is being released on parole because she doesn't know the felon as it was her dead husband Johnny who was one of the arresting officers. Johnny never spoke about the case to her. Marti has made a very big mistake not paying any attention to that notice because Adrian plans to take revenge on everyone responsible for being incarcerated.

His diabolical plan begins when he breaks into his defense attorney's home killing a person he assumes is one of his children, but instead murdered a foster child. The other foster child is blamed for the killing. Marti and her partner work the case not realizing that this murder has nothing to do with the girl who was killed. Their investigation takes them down many false trails while Adrian kills or severely injures many people, including two Chicago police officers. Marti doesn't realize until it is almost too late that she is scheduled to be his last victim before he takes off for Mexico.

After reading WINDY CITY DYING, every reader will understand what a police officer has to put up with and the fear they feel every day they go out on the streets not just to themselves but too their loved ones as well. Part of the story is told from the killer's warped "logical" point of view. Adrian feels no guilt or remorse for what he is doing, including killing innocents who had nothing to do with his being sent to prison, because he believes this is his divine right.

Harriet Klausner

Once Again Eleanor Taylor Bland delivers a real to life suspense, mystery thriller in Windy City Dying. The Heroine-Marti MacAlister is a lady cop being tracked by a psycho/murderer but she doesn't know it. Many years prior her deceased husband (who was also a cop and was killed in the line of duty) had put this murderer behind bars for killing someone. Now the murderer is out and wants revenge but the cop (Macalister's husband ) is dead so he goes after her and all the jurors and the judge that placed him in prison for so many years. This is Bland's best work-I guarantee you will not put this book down until the end--and what an end it is. I love all of the Marti Macalister novels and hope the next one is just as good. The characters are real and the events really make you think about your own life and the decisions you make. Eleanor Taylor Bland is a gifted writer and I hope she continues doing quality work. Enjoy this book-5 stars.