Runaways, America's Lost Youth is a nonfiction study of teenage runaways. It appeals to young adults as well as parents of young adults who have run away or who are threatening to run away. The authors did a great deal of research on the subject and it is helpful to anyone interested in the subject. It is full of reasons young people give for running away and of suggestions for keeping children at home. This is a harsh book, exploring the dangers facing youth who are on their own. It can be ugly but it is important and I would recommend it to any young person thinking of running away or to any parent who fears his or her child might run.

RUNAWAYS, AMERICA'S LOST YOUTH is as pertinent today as it was the day it was written. Although the young runaways profiled in these case studies may be old enough now to have their own children or even grandchildren contemplating running away themselves, the basic reasons for running away from one's home remain the same. Times change and specific situations change from generation to generations, but the basic needs and desires remain the same in the relationships between parents and their children. Having read this book at a critical time in my own adolescence, I can speak from experience. This book made a difference to me at a time in my life when consequences were not a significant factor in the decisions I made. I was planning to run away from my home until I read about the realities of life for young runaways. Compared with the experiences of the nine young people profiled in this book, my own circumstances did not seem to be as insurmountable as I had previously believed. I was inspired to work toward constructive solutions in my life. I would highly recommend this book to anyone considering running away or to a parent who suspects that their child may be considering this desperate measure.

RUNAWAYS, AMERICA'S LOST YOUTH is a timeless study of a problem that will be with us as long as their are parents and children. Although it was written in the seventies and focuses on the sixties, the truths here are eternal and the information is still timely. Maryanne Raphael and Jenifer Wolf describe nine case histories in dramatic terms, making them come alive on the paper for young and old to see and perhaps begin to understand. The book was written as a plea to parents to listen carefully to their children and as a warning to youth of the dangers and discomfort awaiting runaways. It is a compelling study of a serious problem and an attempt to help solve it. I recommend the book to all parents and any child thinking of leaving home. Reviewed by Susie Chesser

Review for The Man Who Loved Funerals, Maryanne Raphael, Authors Choice Press: 107 pp.

"Silent tears slipped down his face. ...of course I will come to your funeral. All of my life I have been going to funerals and yours is the first one I was ever invited to. And to think I've received a personal invitation from the guest of honor."
Like colorful butterflies they emerge from their cocoons to delight and excite the senses-for a short time. J. R. Roosenberg's cover art symbolizes what lies ahead for Charlie, Lisa and Bernadette.
In a simpler time Charlie Reed met Bernadette, an ex-Catholic, and joined her as an active member of the Young Communist Party. When she became ill her family refused to let her continue to live with Charlie. They denied him the privilege of being with her through her terminal illness and the solace of grieving with them. That's when Charlie became homeless and The Man Who Loved Funerals.
"You might say this is my vocation...It fills my days and I make wonderful friends. I do believe, as people grow older they should make more friends among the dead. It makes it easier to accept death when it's time for us to go".
His daily search for solace led him to Lisa at her sister's funeral. She then invited him to her own funeral. With this unusual introduction they begin a journey to appreciate the beauty and truth of death and life. After Lisa's death, an ironic and unexpected turn takes the story to its startling end.
Raphael's portrayal of human frailties, strengths and unpredictability make this a worthwhile read. Share this thought provoking book with your teenager.

The Man Who Loved Funerals is an unforgetable novel about a woman who is dying and a man whose life is focused on funerals.
They fall in love and life becomes enchanting for them both.
She teaches him how ot live and he teaches her how to die.
Together they help the reader learn to accept both life and death.
I have read this book many times and I expect to read it many more

Ms. Raphael proves, with this book, that she can capture a readers interest whether she is writing nonfiction or anovel that reveals more of her soul than perhaps she realized. I read it on a Saturday morning while trying to escape our nations tragedy. And,indeed, I did. God bless this great country.

I have read many biographies of Mother Teresa. Some of them had too much information and were not in chronoligical order and confused me. Mother Teresa, Called to Love was easy to read and very interesting. I found it inspirational. I recommend it to anyone who wants to know about Mother Teresa and her great unconditional love for our world and all its people.

Mother Teresa, Called to love is the best book I have ever read about Mother Teresa. Author Maryanne Raphael worked as a Co-Worker of Mother for many years and Mother gave her permission to write this book. It is easy to read, full of intimate interesting details about the life of one of the most holy people who lived during our lifetime. Those who knew Mother Teresa claim to feel her spirit in the book. It is an inspirational work of art. A very special biography.
I would recommend it to anyone who is depressed or bored, feeling sorry for themself or lost. Reading this book you feel like you have spent quality time with a saint. I highly recommend it.

MOTHER TERESA, CALLED TO LOVE is a beautiful spiritual classic. Maryanne Raphael's powerful writing brings us on Agnes Bojaxhiu's life journey as she becomes Mother Teresa. Mother Teresa touched all of our lives in her efforts to bring peace, beginning with a smile, and inspired millions to care and act in behalf of the suffering and needy. After reading Maryanne Raphael's passionate, heartfelt book, I renewed all of my spiritual commitments. MOTHER TERESA, CALLED TO LOVE, will continue to inspire many generations to come and will keep Mother Teresa's Call to action alive. Taia Chard, Chairman ABI Humanitarian Foundation

Alexandria is a fun to read novel that opens at the World Trade Center in the eighties. It is not exactly your boy meets girl; boy loses girl, boy finds girl and they live happily ever after.
It has all kinds of little twists and turns and surprises that keep the reader turning pages. I would recommend it to anyone who wants an easy to read, interesting, novel that raises your spirits and makes you smile.

Alexandria is a very well written romantic mystery novel about a young lady who is supported by an unknown stranger to continue her dream of writing a novel of her own. The many turns and twists as she grows in her confidence to become a writer, keep you trying to predict what will happen next. But unless you think like Maryanne Raphael, you will need to keep reading on to find out how this story expands into its surprising final ending. If you like mystery novels and/or romantic novels, you will not be disappointed with Alexandria.

Alexandria is a unique romance novel.
In the 80's, authors Patricia Walden and Maryanne Raphael attended a Romance Writers Conference at the World Trade Center.
While attending the elequent banquet in the Windows on the World restaurant in the Twin Towers they got the idea of writing a romance novel that had scenes there.
They were in the process of publishing the book on September 11, 2000 after keeping it in a drawer all these years.
The book makes me think of the daily lives that were lived in the World Trade Center and I see Alexandria as a tribute to all the love that remains there.

Maryanne Raphael's "Along Came A Spider -- A Personal Look at Madness" is a testament to the therapeutic value of writing. This episodic account of psychotic breaks from reality as recorded in Maryanne's journal offers uncensored examples from inside the world of manic-depression. Although the book delivers what the title promises, her recovery from madness gets short shrift at the end. Very readable.

ALONG CAME A SPIDER, A PERSONAL LOOK AT MADNESS is one of the most frightening books I have ever read. And yet it was a book I could not put down once I began to read it. It describes in detail all the horrors, pain and terror that a bout with bi-polar madness can bring a person. The author Maryanne Raphael wrote the book based on journals that she kept during the years when she was in and out of mental hospitals on three continents.
Finally her doctors introduced her to Lithium which served to keep her illness under control and she was fortunate enough to find several therapists who have helped her live a regular
life. In fact she has managed to raise a healthy successful son who has a Masters Degree, to travel throughout the world, to serve as a Co-Worker of Mother Teresa and write a book about her.
She now has five books in print and is working on a sixth.
ALONG CAME A SPIDER is sn inspiration to anyone suffering from a mental illness. I would recommend it to anyone who knows someone suffering from the disease.