I am always on the lookout for up-and-coming Asian-American writers and searched high and low for Andrea's first novel after hearing about it from a friend. After reading the book, I thought it was worth every effort in my search for this well written novel. Andrea Louie has the potential to be one of the finest authors in this century if she continues to explore her writing technique and style. I hope to see her blossom in her career and look forward to her future writings.

I first read Moon Cakes several years ago and found it to be a genuine and fascinating novel about a young woman trying to make sence of her own life. This particular young woman was of Chinese decent, I am not, but found that in many ways that the feelings about sense of place and sense of self that permeate this delicate novel are applicable to a wide range of young adults. I agree with the reviewer who wrote that the book helped her through some tough times, because I am finding myself looking for it now when my own life is in transition. It is a wonderfully crafted story whose tone reminds me of Lydia Minatoya's "Talking to High Monks in the Snow". Its one weakenss, I thought, was its "surprise" ending--although perhaps I wasn';t as careful a reader as I should have been. It should still be in print. I look forward to reading more by Andrea Louie.

I really enjoyed reading this book. I found it refreshing from the stereotypical Asian American novels. The characters were so complex, yet simple in description. A must read for someone looking for a different Asian Anerican experience.

I saw this book in a boutique in Paducah, KY about 4 years ago. Flipping through a few pages, I needed no more convincing. I purchased the book, read it and placed it in our bookcase. Within the last four years, I have had two children and moved to a different town. I was unpacking some boxes the other day when I found this book. There I sat on the floor, reading through it. I couldn't stop until I was done. I logged on to find more of Brian Andreas's work. It is amazing. So simple, yet so touching. You have to read it!

I wish I had discovered this fascinating work earlier. The stories and drawings help me put things in a perspective that simplifies the complex. It makes me appreciate my surroundings and to understand the value of family and friendships. What a great way to express ones thoughts, feelings, fears and enlightenment. It is impossible to find just one favorite story.

Brian Andreas (and Robert Downey, Jr. on Ally McBeal) have made it more and more difficult for women to just settle for any ole' guy...we now expect men to show more heart, soul, and sensitivity. Buy this for the man in your life and ask him to spend one hour to read the whole thing and see if he "gets" it!

My Heart, CHrist's Home is an excellent booklet, so easy to read and so convicting. It helped me get my focus back on track.

Outstanding way to reach the new Christian. This small little booklet enables you to do a self examination of the different parts of your heart. This will help you to live a more Christ like life. Once again Outstanding!!!!!!!

One of the best books that I had to read for class. I would read it all over again and again. It is a must read for Christians and those who are thinking about becoming a Christian. A great use of examples of different rooms. I totally agree with the closet example.

Simply better than the first... and it's on my bookshelf now.

I got this book from a local bookstore. Only one was available and the cover was not in a very good condition. But I find the content stunning... the combination of photographs and no faults with the manipulations/modifications done could have easily fooled many in earlier days. Today we know such mastery is possible powerful computer software.

This book eye candy to me.

Sometimes we come across advertisements (eg. posters) that catch our attention and make us wonder---"How REAL!!" and amaze us. This book is filled with wonderful pictures, carefully designed, composited, etc. with consideration of details such as shadows to make things realistic. Everything in the pictures blends well with other elements in the pictures. With the power of today's photo editing software, some of these may not be difficult to produce but for the rest, they seem like wonders to me. Imagination and skills are essential.

If you are in advertising and designing, it would be a great challenge to yourself to try to produce similar effects in the book. Or if you are just looking for a book that shows you great pictures in advertising, you will find this book to be an eye-candy. However, this book does not teach you how to produce the effects; which, I think is not the aim of the book.

I am happy to have a copy of this book.

I'm a returning student and eating out was one of the things I had to give up to survive on my smaller budget. This cookbook helps because I can make meals that I like better than most restaurant food with little fuss and cheap ingredients. The recipes are easy to follow and the introductory content helped me understand the basics of bean preparation so I don't have to rely on over-priced, high-sodium content canned beans!

There are many good bean books on the market, but this one is perhaps a cut above the rest. The recipes are easy, delicious, and plentiful. A great addition to your bean book collection, or the only one you'll want if you are creating one.

Just make sure to open all the windows, cause you'll fart up a storm, and a deliciously supplied one at that!

This Songo Music book serves its purpose well. It has all the Italian and English translations of the lyrics, and the music which can be played on piano from this Beautiful CD. So if you want the lyrics in a much easier to read format then in the liner notes of the CD so you can sing along then this is a must buy. And if you want to play along on Piano this is a must buy as well. The Prayer, Canto Della Terra and Songo are just beautiful songs and its a pleasure to be able to sing along.

Andrea Bocelli's soaring voice reaches out and flies with you from the start of the first song, Canto de la Tierra. The music makes you want to cry, laugh and most of all, listen. My favorite's are: Nel Cuore Lei, with Eros Ramazotti, Sogno and Canto de la Tierra.

I am totally in love with the man and his voice, so I join all his millions of fans who appreciate his magnificent voice. This is one of my favorite albums of his collection, and I have most all of them. I may be prejudiced when it comes to Andrea, but then I am not alone. Buy and enjoy. I have for three years now and have not tired of it yet, nor expect to.

The plot is interesting - even though the spy bit was a little less played out than I would have liked. Other than that, I loved the characters, the way they converse with eachother, and the way they discovered eachother's identity.. I can definitely see this developed later on as a longer novel because it has so much potential. But in its current form, it's still a wonderful story.

To settle a debt between their fathers, fourteen-year-old Elizabeth Jane Aurora Taft is married to twenty-year-old James Hadley Alexander Fenimore, the third and youngest son of the Earl of Woodbridge. After the ceremony, the groom, who recently bought a commission in the Horse Guards, leaves for India to join his regiment. Their fathers arrange that Aurora will return home until she turns sixteen; thereafter she will reside at Rexford House, the smallest, most run-down, and isolated of the Woodbridge lands, which Alex inherited from his grandfather.

Ten years later, Elizabeth Jane Aurora Fenimore has discarded her married name for her mother's family name, Sprague, and lives quietly at Rose Cottage with her former governess. Aurora, founder of the Sprague Agency for Distressed Females, has earned a reputation for solving women's problems with efficiency and dispatch. Local ladies with philandering husbands -- husbands who are, as a result of Aurora's investigations, willing to spend money on their wives instead of their mistresses -- and women Mrs. Sprague has spirited away from their abusive husbands view her as an angel sent from heaven to aid them. The men, no doubt, think her a devil sent from Hell to plague them, but Aurora is not concerned with the opinions of men. Having herself suffered a gross injustice at the hands of a man, she feels empathy for the women she helps.

Alex is shocked when the news reaches him on the Peninsula that he has inherited the earldom. Not only did he never imagine he would accede to the title, he doesn't want to leave the army. The War Department is adamant that he take up his duties as earl, but gives him one last mission to perform on his way home: To capture a traitor passing vital intelligence to the enemy. With the meager information available, Alex sets sail for Ayr, Scotland in search of the agent -- a female. An ambush leaves him with a pistol ball in his shoulder, but Alex catches up with the woman again...or so he thinks. After she has a doctor treat his wound and then nurses him through a fever, Alex realizes Mrs. Aurora Sprague is not the havey-cavey female she seems. When the traitor again tries to kill "Major Alex Woodmore," and threatens Aurora, they flee...but will the secrets they keep, despite the passion that blazes between them, destroy their chance for love and a happy ending?

THE BANISHED BRIDE is absolutely wonderful! This compelling story of second chances and the healing power of love evokes, in turn, smiles and teary eyes. Alex and Aurora are marvelous, multi-layered characters with whom readers cannot help but fall in love. Both learned, at an early age, not to expect love or support from their families -- and rejection hurts, even when it comes from people undeserving of regard. Although they both have faults and hide their vulnerability behind a brave façade, Alex and Aurora have many admirable qualities -- qualities the other has never encountered in a member of the opposite sex. During their journey, they learn a great deal about each other -- and themselves -- and the more they discover, the more they want to know. But they must face their failures, and come to terms with the past, before they can embrace the future.

Andrea Pickens has penned an outstanding tale of two lonely people, scarred by past betrayals, who find love unexpectedly, and with a seemingly improbable partner. The evolution of Alex and Aurora's characters is wonderful to behold, as is the flowering of their irresistible attraction. In addition to marvelous character development, this well written, perfectly paced book contains evocative descriptions of places and events, a charming cast of secondary characters, and deft humor -- the latter most often displayed in Alex's teasing of Aurora and in their battles of wit.

I highly recommend THE BANISHED BRIDE. Regency devotees will adore this book, which will be a contender for the best Regency romance of the year, and all romance readers will be captivated by this wonderful, heart-tugging tale.

THE BANISHED BRIDE
On the way back from delivering a woman to safety in Scotland, Aurora Sprague, proprietor of the Sprague Agency for Distressed Females, is abducted by Major Alex Fenimore, the husband who abandoned her immediately after their wedding years ago. On the trail of a female spy feeding British secrets to the French, Alex has no idea that the woman across from him is the bride he left behind, and Aurora has no inkling that the man she considers "the most bumbling British agent in all of hristendom" is in fact her legal husband. Their search for the traitorous spy pushes Alex and Aurora together, but once the truth about their past surfaces, it threatens to destroy any feelings developing between them. A bit more sensual than most traditional Regencies, Pickens' latest romance offers a
wondrously spirited battle of wits that readers will just adore. Spiced with tart humor and graced with an intelligent, resourceful, and unconventional heroine, this is a Regency to savor.

BOOKLIST

A delightful book that can teach in a fun way. The animals' voices get all mixed up when a little bee comes around with a cold! Because the animals didn't listen to the rabbit, and cover their mouths when they sneezed, everyone on the farm caught the cold. A wonderful way to teach healthy habits, animal sounds, farm animals, listening skills, and more. But don't buy it for that reason alone. It is just plain enjoyable to read!

This is a GREAT book for children (and some adults for that matter). Not only is the story entertaining with great illustrations but it helps parents introduce the concept of germs and how they can spread when you don't cover your mouth or nose when you cough or sneeze. Its great fun to have the child help make the animal noises and of course, the A-CHOO.

I first checked out this book from the library for my 4 year old twins - they thought it was so hilarious that we had to buy it. It's a fun book to read using your best barnyard voices and the repetition makes it perfect for pre-schoolers. In a well-read family, this book has become one of our standard favorites.

Alexandria and Drakes story is great. Alex stows away on Drakes ship so she can escape the trials of the Season and to go visit her father. Drake is a strong willed man and is shocked to find her on board his ship. In the end he takes her to Canada and to her father the govenor there. He is less then please with his daughter and forces her to marry Drake.

This story has it all. Romance, Suspense, and the magic that you can find in between the pages of an Andrea Kane book. Take the time to read this story you won't be disappointed.

I am an avid Romance reader, and i especially enjoy regency romances. This is the first novel i have read by Andrea Kane, and i enjoyed it so much that i plan to purchase all her novels and read them as well. In My heart's desire, Kane is not afaraid in letting the couple go through experiences together, feel adventure, travel. Many regency romances are the same, with the hero and heroine staying in London. This book was a breath of fresh air. The love scenes are also exceptional.

I have never been so completely enveloped into a story! Andrea Kane's writing is phenomenal. I fell in love with both characters. I would recommend this book to every historical romance lover!

I knew I had found a great cookbook when, as I leafed through its pages, every recipe sounded like something I would like to make. The vegetable tart featured on the cover is simple to make and always a hit. Every recipe I have tried has been delicious. Some can be more time consuming, but if you plan accordingly, they are worth it. This has definitely become my "go to" cookbook when entertaining, as the dishes are varied, uncomplicated, taste wonderful, and it's unlikely my guests have cooked them recently- although I don't know for sure- I've been giving everyone I know who enjoys cooking this book!! The bejewelled squash cubes are another crowd pleaser, and the herb-roasted root vegetables went over big with an avowed vegetable hater. Whether you are looking for a new side dish or a complete meal, I highly recommend this cookbook.

I love this cookbook. I really enjoy roasting vegetables because the flavors become so intensified. I haven't found the recipes to be too complex - they generally have 5-6 steps, and the first one is usually to preheat the oven, the last one is to serve hot or whatever. So I've found it pretty straight forward. The ingredients are a great mix - not your basic salt & pepper but adding things like honey or spices like cumin or cilantro. Really really tasty stuff here. Highly recommeded and I'd definitely buy it again!

If you are looking for new and inventive ways to work those 5 recommended veggies a day in to your diet, this is the book for you. While I had roasted asparagus before, I had never thought of roasting green beans, never one of my favorite veggies. I was eating them straight off the cookie tray as they came out of the oven! I agree with the previous reviewer who found the oil/butter a little heavy handed, so reduce to make veggies more healthful. She includes some wonderful roasted veggie sandwiches and pastas that make the book well worth purchasing.