Probably the greatest testimony towards this book (And Zilpha agrees wholehardedly) was the fact that I lent it to a neighbor boy to read over the summer, I had to wrestle with him to get the book back a year later. (I bought him his own copy!)

Francine Rivers has written some of the best romance novels on the market. In this work, she has completely transcended the genre to produce one of the best novels on the market. Angel, the girl sold into prostitution as a child, is portrayed with a sensitivity, realism, and depth that is rarely found anywhere. Her struggles to escape her haunted past are both wrenching and uplifting, and the flow of events has a sense of inevitability.
The supporting cast contains a host of likeable, interesting, believable characters, and the writing style is highly polished.
This is a book for anyone who likes romances or stories about the search for faith or stories about the strength of the human spirit. I have lost count of the number of times that I have picked up this book to reread a favorite passage, and it has never yet failed to move me.

Gayle B. Montgomery, Retired Political Editor, Oakland (California) Tribune

Gayle B. Montgomery, Retired Political Editor, Oakland (California) Tribune

The books are a compilation of Armistead Maupin's popular serial that ran in San Francisco Chronicle and was beloved by the city's residents. It's easy to see the appeal, for San Francisco is as much a character in the novels as are the wonderful residents of Barbary Lane.

These stories are so fun! Maupin often included current events of the time in his tales as well, which lent to some silly story lines (the whole Jonestown bit in book 3) but do not lessen the entertainment value.

A caution: it's very easy to stay up way too late by telling yourself, "Just one more chapter!" The chapters are two to three pages long, but just one more leads to just one more, and then one more, and one more...

The miniseries are not as good but do some justice to the work, although one would probably spend less time reading the books than watching the films.

This book is a MUST read for any lovers of fun, entertaining and poignant stories.

In LISTEN TO THE SILENCE, Muller adds fresh twists to McCone's background. Upon the death of her father, McCone discovers why she is the only child in her family who appears to be Shoshone. The reason is simple and obvious. She was adopted by the McCones and her birth family's roots rest on a Native American reservation. McCone's discovery of her adoption launches her on one of her most fascinating investigations. I found this book engrossing, and I was once more amazed at how Marcia Muller manages to add new facets to one of the classic characters in contemporary mystery fiction. I recommend this book highly.

Lonny Shavelson is also tenacious in following his chosen addicts, several of whom lapse and relapse and are all but lost to the streets. Each of these five is lit from within, at least briefly. One falls through the cracks, but most appear to have been saved, if not through grace, through their own hard work and the faith of a few people in the system...along with the author. This is a riveting read, about people who demand our attention, respect, and empathy. Others in similar circumstances deserve better from the system.

It starts slow and picks up with every page. I could not put it down. I finished it on one day! This book is a thriller even up to the last page. A must read.... this is a thoroughly entertaining novel.

Note: I now turn off my computer at night.

Once you log on the Net...anyone can find you! April 19, 2001 My father handed me this book becasue I was a "computer guy" and he thought I might enjoy it. (He would have given it 3 stars at most); but being as I am in computers...and you can do everything that is done in this book....I enjoyed it. Anyone who uses a computer, a chat room and a bulletin board will really appreciated it. The deaths are a little more gruesome than is required...but once you get pass that, the book keeps your attention.

It starts slow and picks up with every page. I could not put it down. I finished it on one day! This book is a thriller even up to the last page. A must read.... this is a thoroughly entertaining novel.

Note: I now turn off my computer at night.

No, I didn't guess who the evil doer was, but perhaps that's because I let myself be led by the identity of villain or villianess in her first book. I can see how someone else though might be able to ascertain the identity earlier than I did.

Consistently well-written, though periodically poorly edited (Spell-Check isn't good enough!)I read it quickly.

But you have to understand me: I get cranky if I don't have a book going.

Somehow, Dianne Day manages to make Fremont's travails seem like adventures. Fremont is such a fearless, resourceful woman that she never seems like a victim. After all, this is a woman who defies conventions without apology, and accepts the challenges thrown her way without complaint.

It is 1906, and Fremont is a feminist, an atheist, and runs her own typewriting business. She also cares deeply -- about the welfare of her friends, about helping others, about justice. Her principles are not subject to negotiation, but she keeps an open mind about her views on less important subjects, like automobiles. Fremont isn't perfect (which would make her nauseating), but she is completely engaging and likable. San Francisco is the perfect setting to allow such an unconventional character to get some acceptance.

The setting (historically and geographically) is nicely drawn, without the author ever falling prey to "show-off" syndrome. That is, she does not lecture the reader, showing off the fruits of her research. The portrait of the time and place feel genuine, and the writing is elegant but never stuffy.

This is the first Fremont Jones book I've read, and I read it without knowing anything about the plot beyond the earthquakes and fire. I recommend reading it this way, so you can be as surprised by everything as Fremont is. I'm now reading the first book in the series, The Strange Files of Fremont Jones, and it is very good so far. There is some wonderful foreshadowing of events minor and major. The foreshadowing is yet another indication of the fine writing.

The author has obviously pondered the meanings and symbolism behind events like fire and earthquakes. These phenomena in a sense are more flagrant, larger-scale versions of the horrors of violence committed by people. People and ! nature may wreak havoc, and induce fear and suffering, but they cannot destroy hope.

Fremont encounters both natural and human-caused destruction -- and the latter is sometimes creepy. Yet it feels like Fremont is having an adventure, not being tortured. She's always brave, and even finds time to entertain thoughts of romance. I highly recommend Fire and Fog.

Because of severe damage to the boarding house where they lived, fremont and her friend Michael must find other living arrangements. Elusive Michael, who Fremont suspects is a spy retires to the Presidio where he has a room, while Fremont finds herself living with a new acquaintance with a rather strange story. As the city returns to its former vitality, Fremont discovers an assortment of valuable antiques in a storage area of her office builkding, is kidnapped by a Ninja, learns more about Michael and even manages to eke out a living as a typist.

Much as I enjoyed the first book, I found this read to be even better. As I read this book, I felt as though I was there in San Francisco and could not only feel the rumbling but see the fog and smell the smoke.