It is particularly useful in sorting out dilemmas or problems where you feel ambivalent, are conflicted, or fear you have lost objectivity. Should you quit your job, leave your spouse, marry your girlfriend, change careers? Is your relationship with a spouse/friend/sibling/child frustrating you? Are you at your wits end with a boss or co-worker? Can't figure out how to express yourself to those you care about?

I've found Focusing powerful because it is such a *fast* way of developing new insight and articulating what you really think and feel. And it feels good and may help you stay more aware of what matters to you during your day.

I just recommended this book to someone who is almost a stranger but who is facing some big, confusing decisions. If that's where you are too right now, this book is worth taking a chance on.

It is most helpful to share Focusing by having a recent book which contains the fruits of over 15 years of the author's teaching. The first Focusing self-help book, the classic by Eugene Gendlin, anchors the practice - it has a history. Now when I pass Focusing on, I can add Ann Cornell's book as an example of the living tradition of Focusing, one of the ways it has developed since Gendlin's book was published in 1981. It is an excellent illustration that while there are Focusing basics, such as the attitude of respect, there is always something new to learn and more applications in using the process. For instance, I am a certified Focusing teacher, but one of my new learnings from this book was a clearer concept of what "guiding" is. Addtionally, Ann Cornell's examples are very good illustrations of the concepts she is teaching. One of my favorites is "Matt," because it shows how Focusing can combine in a useful way with other factors when one is making a major decision.

Finally, from a marketing standpoint the book is very attractive and has great endorsements on the cover. I hope there is a 100th printing!

In 1880 London, Lord Bryce Falconer has new reasons to loathe his former spouse, American Beauty Colleen VanderHorn. It is bad enough that he fell in love with her, only to have her cheat on him with a succession of lovers before he ended their farce of a marriage. Now she goes over the top by abducting their child, Ford, demanding money for the lad's safe return.

Bryce knows he needs help and turns to Colleen's younger sister Augusta, who has helped him before with his ex-wife's scandals. Gus has secretly loved Bryce for the five years she knows him, but he treats her like a younger sister. As they search for the missing child, whose life they fear from Colleen's latest lover, an Irish freedom fighter, Bryce falls in love with Gus. However, they both know nothing can come of their love because God and country treat any marital relationships even between ex in-laws as taboo.

Though this stupendous Victorian romance series is over, readers will shout to author Jo Ann Power for more tales about the American Beauties. All three novels (see NEVER BEFORE and NEVER AGAIN) are warm historical romances that bring to life a piece of the Victorian era. NEVER SAY NEVER is a fine work due to a fast-paced story line filled with authenticity and the forbidden love of the lead characters. It is to be hoped that, Ms. Powers will read her own title and scribe future works, starring other American Beauties.

Harriet Klausner