Yes, it's been said, this game is like the X-Files, only it's not. This is much, much cooler. Character generation is easy enough, and there's a lot to work with. The rules, too, are fast and easy (with the possible exception of combat, which can crawl a bit). There is enough information here to keep a creative GM busy for an eternity, and if you add some of the sourcebooks (all exCellent, mind you), things just get better. Even if you're not a gamer, get this just to read about a very, very chilling world not unlike our own at all...

Imagine the X-Files crossed with big guns and you're just about there. This is a superb RPG with a very detailed and beleivable background. Characted generation is a little complex but you end up with exactly the character you were looking for. This main rule book has a wealth of information about weapons, technologies, alien races, supernatural, psychics and with regular source book releases there is plenty for a GM to work with. Combat is swift and deadly just as in real lifa and your characters will have to do some good thinking if they want to come out of adventures unscathed. This elimenates all the dungeon hack and shoot em up scenarios which plague most RPG's. You will love this game, I know I do.

I'll admit I was suspicious when my wife suggested this game: I mean, I like the X-files, but this had been done to death hadn't it? Coupled with cliched artwork... I sat back and almost challenged it: "Make me like this" And I loved it. The background is great, the world believable, but above all, it's all so very very easy. No huge rule lists, no super list of weapons, just pick and play. Character generation was a snap, and we were off into the world of AEGIS: Saving the world from threats it didn't need to know existed.

My only gripe was that the cell generation system seemed ridiculously complex... but that said, everyone else assured me it was prefectly sensible when you get yo know it. And I will do.

Bobbi Smith's historical romance 'Eden' is the epitomy of Civil War romance. Eden LeGrand is a young woman in Confederate Louisiana. Though she usually helps at the Homeless Haven Orphans' Asylum, she is also dedicated to the Rebel cause, often planning with Confederate spies. On a search for his brother injured on a steamboat, Logan Matthews works undercover for the Union. Disguised as a reverend, he vows to find who is responsible for his brother's imprisonment by tracking Adrian Forrester, the owner of the Haven. From its passion filled words to its action packed turns, this book will keep you reading and wanting for more. Bobbi Smith really lives up to her title as New York Times 'Best Seller' with Eden.

In 1863 New Orleans, Eden LeGrand leads a dual life. Though she is a volunteer at the Homeless Haven Orphans' Asylum, she is also aiding covert confederate operations. When Reverend Logan Matthews stops some Yankee thugs from harming Eden and the children at the orphanage, she sees in him her knight in shining armor. Their mutual attraction is an obstacle to Logan, who is in reality a Yankee spy searching for his missing brother.

In a somewhat predictable turn of events, Logan and Eden are forced to marry to save her reputation. Though passion-filled nights follow, Logan knows that all to soon, their idyll will have to end, as he plans a trap for Adrian Forrester, a suspected reb spy who runs the orphanage. Can their marriage be saved when Logan reveals his true purpose to Eden who sees their life together as nothing but lies and deception?

The attraction between Eden and Logan and their sizzling love scenes keep the reader questing for more in this entertaining historical. While the characters, at times, seem to lack depth, the engaging plot appears to make up for this shortcoming. Fans of Civil War era romances will definitely want to check this one out.

I have been a long time fan of Ms. Smiths, and when I read The Half-Breed, I knew why I keep buying her books. She can tell a story like no one else! I know The Half-Breed is a series and I loved all four books, but Ms. Smith, yours is the book that stayed with me long after I had finished it. Please, keep writing, and more often.

A devoted fan

My second Gaffney, not as good as Lily , but well worth the money!

and will not let go. Patricia Gaffney has written a beautiful, tender, romantic tale of two seemingly star-crossed lovers set in
1890's America.

Alex Mckie is an architect and has been hired by obnoxious nouveau riche Ben Cochrane to build an opulent mansion in flashy Newport. Alex has misgivings about building this ostentatious palace named Eden but he's a driven, ambitious man who's on the rise and he'll put aside his personal qualms about wasting his talents on this monument to bad taste.
Sara Cochrane married Ben at a young age in order to flee an alcoholic mother and an unhappy life in England. Ben married her because he thought marrying a peer of the realm would help him attain his ultimate goal: entrance into New York's exclusive high society. When Sara's title failed to gain them entry into the exclusive circles, Ben blamed her for the failure and needless to say the marriage turned sour. Sara could not leave Ben because of their son, whom Ben had no use for except as a weapon to keep Sara in her place.
When Alex and Sara meet, it isn't love at first sight. He's intrigued by her and wants to take her to bed, she dislikes him. This will change when Ben sends Sara to supervise the building of their home for the summer. Alex and Sara develop at tentative friendhip which soon evolves into something more complex. Sara is determined to ignore these feelings for her sake and the sake of her child, whom she's determined to protect agaisnt the reality of his parents marriage. Alex is not so willing to cooperate, he finds that he's falling in love with Sara and her son and suddenly his driving ambitions and his plans for the future are no longer so important. What's important is the seemingly impossible love and unquenchable passion that he and Sara feel for each other. Only she will not leave Ben for fear that he might take her child.

The angst and helplessness felt by Alex and Sara because of the impossibility of their love is heart wrenching.But what makes this a great story is that the reader can see Alex's evolution from an ambitious, young-man-about-town into a caring, responsible, loving man who's willing to give up all of his dreams and ambitions for the love of a woman. Like all of the other books I've read by this author, this is an extremely well written romantic tale. Highly recommended. :)

This is a wonderfully tender and swoon-worthy romantic novel. Sara is in her eighth year of marriage to monstrously unkind Ben, who uses their son as a pawn to keep his wife by his side. Sara nobly sacrifices all her naive young hopes/dreams of married bliss for the sake of young Michael.

Fueled by egomania and desperation to make the society papers, the wealthy Ben hires Alex, an up-and-coming architect, to construct "Eden," a ludicrously lavish home meant to impress. Almost immediately, Alex senses Sara's unhappiness and unsuitability as a wife to the obnoxious Ben. What begins, for Alex, as attraction to and curiosity about this troubled woman, gradually changes to an all-consuming passion and unrequited love. Sara, of course, develops similar feelings for Alex, but struggles to keep such emotions at bay - her son's and her very own life depend on it.

The two are thrown together as Ben quits town on business, leaving Sara to oversee the construction of Eden. Alex soon makes his feelings known to Sara, but endeavors to maintain a platonic relationship, as Sara wishes. There are beautiful moments of Alex slipping -- telling Sara she's lovely, whispering her Christian name just for the sheer pleasure of hearing it, fervently pressing her hand to his chest in entreaty for being unable to keep his feelings silent. All the while, all-consuming passion brims beneath the surface.

Alex is a magnificent hero - gallant, protective, caring and sensitive, and equally masculine.

Gaffney paints a vivid and enjoyable landscape of a young America (1890's) and it is quite evident she has done her research, yet the descriptive narrative is never obtrusive or ill-fitting in the story.

Of all of Gaffney's novels that I have read to date, I recommend "Another Eden" most highly (a difficult choice, indeed, but there it is.)

Happy reading.

....for my doctoral research, which involves the history of California. The editors made a conscious choice to show this history in less Eurocentric form; Native Californian voices and perspectives are taken seriously, and there is good ethnographic and naturalistic information to be had.

While I'm not an expert in this area, I do question whether the persistent use of terms like "aristocracy," "hierarchy," "wealth," "headman," and "chief" are appropriate when discussing Native Californians. My impression is that our Western and European prejudices are still at work here.

This book looks at pre-gold rush California from various angles. Essays on native California history, along with indigenous actions during early occupation years are major parts of this text. The history of "Californio" women and indigenous sexuality are also included. Californio and Anglo interactions between 1820 and 1850 cover new ground.

At times the work appears a bit "heady" because the advanced vocabulary. However, this is a "must read" for any California scholar.

This book looks at pre-gold rush California from varorious angles. Essays on native California history, along with indigenous actions during early occupation years are major parts of this text. The history of "Californio" women and indigenous sexuality are also included. Californio and Anglo interactions between 1820 and 1850 cover new ground.

At times the work appears a bit "heady" because the advanced vocabulary. However, this is a "must read" for any California scholar.

It was a very easy read, almost too easy honestly. It was set in Turkey during the time of the Ottoman Empire as far as I can tell. I figured I'd try a new author and an unusual setting.

Although I enjoyed the story I had a few complaints.

I felt that the author treated the reader like we were stupid. EVERYTHING was spelled out for us. If the hero had a "look" in his eye we were told exactly what that look meant. Most books I read just use certain nuances or phrases and allow the reader to draw their own conclusion. I prefer that to getting hit over the head with what stuff means.

I also felt like there was a bit too much "purple prose" in the book.

Also, all the beheadings made me cringe.

I have to say I loved the melodramatic antics of the heroine. Whenever she said she wouldn't eat ever again or sleep ever again it made me laugh. I didn't expect to find humor in this book but I did.

this sory takes you to a distant place, where you can find out what life was like. It showed how love trumiphs over everything and everyone. This book is the best one that Patricia Grasso ever wrote in this series. It never stopped. Once you read the first couple of pages you can never ever stop

This book hooked me from the beginning right through to the end. The plot was fast moving but very much character driven and I really enjoyed the fact that it didn't get bogged down in mundane day to day details. I am ashamed to say that I had heard of Patricia Grasso but had never read any of her books (I read between 10-12 books a week)This is a sweet story, classic fiery redhead clashes with autocratic powerful male. I found it a very satisfying read somewhat similar in style to Johanna Lindsey. Don't expect a masterpiece of literature but involve yourself in an engagingly written story and get involved in the fantasy !

This piece of literature has a good base idea. However, much of it is sentimentally written. In the literature world, sentimentality has a different meaning than that which it holds to a movie stub or a picture of your friends. It seems as though the author is coaching you through each ideal, theory, or heart felt moment. There are instances where it seems unrealistic. Obviously the plot has a unique cirrcumstance, but it is the small societal aspects that seem far stretched. (i.e. the description of the abusive relationship & how the characters display it...which is not told from what seems like an experience or direct observation-and is written from a commercial stand point). the novel seems poeticized, leaving the reader wondering if they were presumed to "not get" what the author was trying to say in his theme, as they were told what to feel through almost the whole book, as well as being explained the symbolism leaving us to no discovery or interpretation of our own.

A Bridge to Eden is one of the best books I've ever read. Not only was its message powerful and enlightening, but it shows you how love can truly make miracles happen. You are introduced to a character who believes that too much sanity is insane and that miracles require faith and determination. I recommend this book to anyone who has faith in love and in the human spirit.

This is one of the most uplifing books I have ever read. Written in the style of Bridges of Madison County, A Bridge to Eden is the story of Ben and Morgan Riveridge and how their devotion to one another is surpassed by nothing, not even death.

If you have ever lost someone you love, you need to read this triumphant story written by Turrill.

Eden's Garden reminds me of a modern day fairy tale. Ms. Rose paints a pastel picture of a sleeping beauty and a dark prince who together make it possible for both to have a life neither could have separately. This book is a real charmer.

Ms Rose gives a new and exciting twist to the typical romance of small town girl meets big city boy with her tale of Eden's Garden. Eden wants to go home to Peru but is stuck in Chicago. Jack needs the treasure Eden's father promised him to save his failing restaurant. Neither gets what they expected. The growth of both characters is nicely done and the romance is charming.

I found Eden's Garden to be a wonderful romance! There is a bit of Peruvian culture mixed in with everyday life of Chicago restaurant owner Jack Talon. Eden Ramirez comes from the Andes, and clashes with the rest of the Chicagoens, but still finds a way to fit in.

I found Ms. Rose's characters to be real life, with real problems and accomplishments of their own. Not only Jack and Eden, but the secondary characters as well.

This story is well written and will keep your interest. The plot was great, and the humor the author throws in is refreshing. I found myself not wanting to put it down.

Pick it up - you'll be happy you did.

Although this book seems to have some good information in it, the multitude of grammar- and spelling-related errors made it difficult for me to trust the other information disseminated by it. A stronger editorial effort would have helped quite a bit.

I feel like the book is extremely vague with regard to the provenance of each species - an increasingly important issue in the state of Florida. The book would also be so much more useful to most Florida gardeners, horticulturists, and landscape architects if the author would have made more of an effort to more clearly delineate those species that are native to the state and those that are exotic (and invasive, if applicable).

With that said, the book remains a fairly good reference, especially for beginners. Nice color photographs and a seasoned landscape architect's opinions/observations about how to use each plant in Florida landscapes.

Great book for the southern parts of Florida. It was hightly recommended by our Plant Nursery. Fairly good pictures but great discriptions of plants, trees, shurbs etc.

Great book covering a broad range of palms, trees, shrubs, flowers, vines, etc. Includes photographs on each plant covered, along with cultural info. like how much cold they can handle, where they come from, ultimate size, best way to use in the landscape, and leaf, fruit, & flower descriptions. I use this regularly when trying to decide what to put where, in the landscape.

Apart from Chamberlin's elegant prose, this book left me enormously unsatisfied. The idea is very interesting, but the characters are drawn so superficially that it is very difficult to even empathize with them. The characters' motivations are not well illuminated at all, and tend to make them seem like caricatures rather than full-fledged people. All in all, this reading experience was pretty uncompelling.

I could not put this book down as it was an engrossing read narrated by Adam's daughter, Na'amah, by his first wife Lilith. It weaves in ancient folklore with whispers of Lilith, the Mother Goddess of all the earth. And Na'amah tells the story softly to enchant the readers into listening to what may have happened in the Garden of Eden. It weaves together the creationist and evolution theories together.

I must be brutally honest here ~~ I did not care for Adam and Eve in this story. I walked away with the impression that those two are incredibly selfish and bent on having their own way of doing life. In the hunter-gatherer age, the clan was very vital for survival. No one could survive outside of the clan. Adam came up with a new vision to create a new beginning of the way life should be ~~ a farmer rooted in one spot. It's a great vision ~~ for it led the way to our lifestyles today ~~ but to accomplish that, he had to deny the daughter he had. Na'amah wanted nothing more than to haver her father to love her ~~ which he was never able to do, especially after he set eyes on Eve. He wasn't allowed to marry Eve because of the tradition that a man should never remarry while the offspring of his first wife was still alive. He literally had to resort to murder to accomplish his dream of marrying Eve.

It is an awesome feat of changing the way a clan shall live from then on ~~ that is how things evolve over time. Adam can be credited with having the foresight of changing the future ~~ but he can also be credited with destroying a beautiful way of life and for destroying the garden. Eve in this book is nothing more than an immature child with eyes only for Adam. She was the temptress ~~ but so immature!

I could go on and on with discussing this book but I better not ~~ so you can read the book yourself. I highly recommend this book, especially if you like "The Red Tent" by Anita Diamant (I think that's her last name!). "Leaving Eden" is a book that leaves you feeling that your vision of Eden is slightly altered ~~ it is a what if book ~~ what if Adam hadn't met Eve, what if Eve was a different woman, and what if the ruler of the universe is a woman. It just gives you a different perspective of how things could have been. It is a book that requires a lot of imagination ~~ just listen to Na'amah tell the story and listen carefully. It'll be worth your journey.

Ann Chamberlin did a wonderous job on the book, her poetic discriptions made the book not only a master piece but it made it come alive. With the facts of Lilith (adams first wife) and a fictional outlook on a the times taken place. I do say that this book is not ment for children under 17 for the material that it does cover throughout the book. Another thing that Ann Chamberlin did to make this book great was putting the book not in the eyes of Lilith or in a third person view but in the view of Liliths daugther (Na'amah). Ann Chamberlin Discribes Na'amah as being abandoned and left to take care of Adam (her father), which in this case brings fact and fiction to the story. With this event Ann Chamberlin puts a sublime twist to the book.

I read the book with great interest both from a prepective of learning about a potential enviromental violation and how local and even state and federal regulators viewed this sitition. I became more enamered in how a community and some strong leadership emerged in a community to deal with forces who did not want to recognoze that the local citizenry should or could get involed. The strength of the author and others in the community became evident as I continued to read. To walk with them as these various strengths began to develop or rather manifest themselves as they deal with unfamiliar forces was thrilling and uplifting. We read all the time how individuals draw on untapped reserves of strength but seldom do we hear of entire communities doing so. Great book, exciting story and I hope to see more of Ms Varlamoff.

Kenneth L. Turner

"The Polluters - A Community Fights Back" is an exciting account of how a suburban community, led by Susan Varlamoff, the author, fought against a major, national "waste-management" company that was already in the process of dumping all kinds of garbage, including toxic waste, in its immediate neighborhood. The heartwarming outcome is that Ms. Varlamoff and the community won in the court of public opinion. You can fight City Hall, and the big-money special interests that sometimes influence it.

Although this could in fact serve as a handbook for organizing resistance to dangerous environmental incursions into our neighborhoods, it is so much more. It is a dramatic story about a brave woman and her courageous compatriots and why they came to the conclusion that they could not afford to stand idly by while their children's health was put at risk. What flows from this conclusion involves all the drama and human interest usually found in a first-rate novel. You will not see the world around you in the same way, once you have read this book.