Dragonlance Adventures (DLA), by Tracy Hickman and Margaret Weis, is "the AD&D game source book for continuing adventures in the world of Krynn." It was published in hardcover in 1987 (later followed by Darksword Adventures, Greyhawk Adventures, Forgotten Realms Adventures, and others) and has not been revised or reprinted since. While it does have its own errors (the timeline, in particular, is considered erroneous), many fans feel it captured the essence and flavor of Dragonlance. DLA is a great resource, so if you find a copy, snatch it up quickly.

Margaret Weis writes: "DL Adventures expressed the DL team's vision of the world, a vision we want to try to recreate with our work at Sovereign Press. I will state here, without apology, that DL Adventures will be taken as the foundation for all things Dragonlance with certain exceptions where applicable (such as the flawed time line)."

DLA provides an overview of the world of Krynn and its history, with a focus on how to run an AD&D campaign in Ansalon set after the War of the Lance. These are some of the main sections in DLA:

"Lot in Life" -- Classes specific to Dragonlance: Knights of Solamnia, Tinkers, Wizards of High Sorcery, and Holy Orders of the Stars (includes information on the 21 gods);

"The Races of Krynn" -- Information on the Krynn-specific PC races and subraces: Kender, Gnomes, Elves, Dwarves (and Gully Dwarves), Irda, and Minotaurs.

"Creatures of Krynn" -- Monsters unique to Dragonlance, including Draconians and Krynn Dragons.

"The World that Was" -- Information on Krynn Pre-Cataclius, including a Map of Ansalon, a timeline, NPCs, and ancient magical items: Dragonlance, Device of Time Journeying, Staff of Magius, Hammer of Kharas, Bloodstone of Fistandantilus, Orb of Dragonkind, etc.

"War of the Lance" -- Information on Krynn Alt-Cataclius, including a Map of Ansalon, a timeline, political conditions, climate, NPCs and PCs of the Legends Trilogy (post-War of the Lance).

The Dragonlance setting is strongly based on the classic Good vs. Evil. The book is excellent, as it covers the history of Krynn since its creation to the war that nearly destroyed it. Complete description of deities, NPCs, new races and classes that are very fun to play. Also included are some cards I never figured out, but I have fun anyway. This world promises the most epic campaigns if you are to really role-play, not just hack ns slash. I strongly recommend it. If you are going to buy it, acquire also the novels from this setting. They should really add to your campaign.

It has everything you need to get started in the Dragonlance world, (besides tales of the lance). I would reccomend this book to any and all AD&D players and DM's.

"Dying To See You" is a must read for anyone who likes a fast-paced, suspenseful mystery with characters that come alive on the page. Margaret Chittenden uses her formidible talents to write the worst case scenerio high school reunion. There's danger, romance, and fun throughout and I dare you to guess the ending.

Charlie Plato fans will be delighted with this fifth book in the series. New fans of Ms. Chittenden will read "Dying To See You" and rush to buy the previous four Charlie Plato books.

Dying to See You By Margaret Chittenden

Before I review this book, some disclosures are in order. I've met Margaret Chittenden ("Meg" to her many friends) at many mystery conferences and I consider her a good friend. In fact, I'm able to write this review because Meg was kind enough to send me an advanced copy of "Dying to See You." Having said that, I should also say that I've been a fan of the Charlie Plato series since the first book, and I enjoyed this latest book in the series immensely.

I enjoy this series on two levels. As a fan, I like the gang at Chaps, the country-western tavern located in an upscale community near San Francisco where the mysteries are set. They're a good lot, with problems, a past and individual personalities that make them come alive with a vibrancy that makes them seem like old friends. The narrator of the series, orange-haired Charlie Plato, is a woman with an attitude. You have to admire her spunky nature, although I'm frankly puzzled why she continues to resist heart-throb Zack Hunter (former TV star and, in this book, erstwhile male model). As Charlie admits, her "hormones" run riot when she's around Zack.

As a fellow writer, I also admire this series because it's so well put together. Meg has written over 34 books (some selling as many as 780,000 copies!), and she knows how to write. She's extremely skillful at handling a large cast of characters, making each character distinctive without resorting to outlandish quirks. Meg teaches writing and her abilities show through in this series.

In this particular book, the action starts with Charlie making a frantic call to Zack because of something going on at Chaps. Zack rushes down to the tavern, but his reaction to what's happening is unexpected (or, if you're familiar with Zack's character, maybe it's totally expected).

Because of this opening incident, Charlie is reluctant to rent Chaps out to private parties, but the partners of Chaps are convinced to let a High School reunion occur at the tavern. Big mistake. Charlie's penchant for finding bodies and getting into trouble are once again exhibited, and a corpse is found in an unusual -- and unusually embarrassing -- location (I predict this will become known as the "body in the potty" book). Events of the past cause a death in the present, and Charlie and Zack are left to unravel both the who and the why of this crime.

If you enjoy mysteries with a light touch and a deft hand, you'll enjoy this book and the rest of Charlie Plato series.

Everything is quiet at Chaps, a country-western nightclub on the San Francisco peninsula. Former TV star and still sex god Zack Hunter, divorcee Charlie Plato, Angel Cervantes, and Savanna Bristow own the popular establishment. For a change there is no body in the flowerbed or Zack's car, leaving the four partners concentrating on ways to increase profits such as renting Chaps for a night to various groups.

Savanna persuades her former high school classmates to hold their reunion at Chaps. On the night of the party, Charlie and cohorts meet revered teacher Reina Diaz, who many students feel saved their lives. During a break, Charlie goes to the ladies room where she finds a dead Reina, whose neck has been broken. Charlie begins to investigate the murder. Her actions place the four partners and their establishment at risk from a killer who prefers to remain anonymous.

The Charlie Plato mysteries are progressing at a nice rate, especially the growing attraction between Charlie and a celibate Zack. DYING TO SEE YOU is a great mystery as well as an insightful relationship drama that will widen marvelous Margaret Chittenden,s fan base to the latter sub-genre. The who-done-it is cleverly constructed and difficult to solve because the villain acts like one of the heroes. Readers will die from impatience waiting for the next tale of featuring this fearsome foursome.

Harriet Klausner

This prayer book is the best all around prayer book for daily personal (or even family)use. The Scriptures are addressed back to God and arranged by category (with direction to add certain categories of requests inbetween the sections). This adds structure to ones prayer life and breaks the monotony of "grocery list" praying. This one is a little longer than, "Praying the Scriptures for Spiritual Growth" or the "Simple Prayers" books; in my own personal devotions, it takes me about 7 minutes per daily prayer segment.

Boa has written several prayer books, all great, all solid. This is my favorite to date.

Many times when we pray we don't know where to get started, what to do, many times we just want a deeper prayer life.

This book will scripturally guide you through praying...not only the scriptures, but will guide you in praying for your world around you. It begins with praise and worship of Almighty God, leads you in a confession of Who He is, then guides you through personal renewal, petitions, intercession, and then a prayer of thanksgiving.

One of the things I liked best about this book was that it started out with each section, declaring the Word of God, then it guides you (differently each day) to pray for your leaders one day, your family the next, that you will be a faithful steward of your time and money, for God's wisdom...the list goes on and on.

Both this book and "Praying the Scriptures for Spiritual Growth" are two of the best prayer/devotional books I have ever used. If I could only keep two, these would be the two I would keep. Not only are they easy to follow, they are taken directly from the Word of God.

Face to Face is a wonderful tool to help you pray. Boa has assembled scripture into eight sections for each day. You pray through scripture for Adoration, Confession, Renewal, Petition, Intercession, Affirmation, Thanksgiving and Closing. It helps you focus and it gives a marvelous sense of the completeness of God's word. I do not recommend very many books but this is one that I would recommend to anyone. I have already given away 20 copies.

Detective Jackie Kaminsky is on a child kidnapping case. Unfortunately, there isn't a lot to go on. It happened in a mall broad daylight, with no witnesses/clues whatsoever. Further investigation reveals that the parents were in a custody battle, yet neither seems to have him. When carpenter Paul Arnussen comes forward to help the police by citing his psychic episode, he rockets to the top of their very short list. This is a whodunnit story steeped in police procedures, featuring a cop that cares--even if her own life ain't no bed of roses. I'll definitely look forward to seeing more of Jackie Kaminsky. I'd also recommend ALL of J.D. Robb's works.

Thank goodness for something different--the Jackie books go counter to the trend of unrealistic heroines who are supposedly tough and vulnerable, but are basically phony. Jackie is tough. Jackie is vulnerable. And best of all, Jackie is real. What a treat to read about a heroine who isn't Superwoman in a story that is really a story.

---- Michael Pansesivic is selecting a toy for himself when his mother leaves him alone to go to another store. When she returns, Michael is missing. The police investigate the case as if it is another child abduction even though there is no evidence to indicate that a family member took the child. They base their conclusion on the fact that Michael's parents were in the middle of a custody battle. Psychic Carpenter Paul Arnussen enters the investigation by claiming to have had a flash vision of Michael living underground in an area near a large chicken. The police including Detective Jackie Kaminsky dismiss the man as a nut. Soon Paul becomes the prime suspect. Jackie finds it tough treating Paul as a suspect because she is very attracted to him, but she does not intend to allow her feelings to interfere with solving the case. When a double homicide is committed with Paul being the only one on the premises, Jackie is forced to arrest him. His explanation seems implausible, but if Jackie takes the rational course that she is trained to follows, it is possible that the real killer and kidnapper will go free. Margot Dalton follows in the footsteps of Sandra Brown, successfully making the transition from romance to romantic suspense with an ease that will dub her as one of the rising stars in the sub-genre. There is another Jackie Kaminsky novel being published next year and it is this reviewer's fervent belief that it will not be the last because the genre needs an influx of new talent that will raise its standard of excellence to an even higher level of quality. Harriet Klausner

It sis a wonderufl book. The pictures are really interesting and the wordds are very descriptive.I like the way the authour sends the five sisters into an adventure from evil pig magicians to mighty whirlwinds to burning fire and finally to the island where they finally stopped holding hands. I also liked the way the gave each sister a special characteristic. Alpha is adventurous, Cathabelle is literate, Elodie is represenatitive of sadness and joy, Icasia is very intelligent, and Zamira is the clown. I thik that this book is good for kids all ages.

This is a book that a friend of mine was reading and said it was a really good book and that I should read it. So I read it and loved it. This book is about a chain of paper dolls that are hooked together [you know like a set of things where you cut out one design and unfold it and you have that design repeated but the hands in our case are hooked together.]Well a girl's grandma makes her set but they are doll's and the girl draw's one's fetures and does'n get the chance to finish them [by the way there is five dolls hint hint] anyway every person that gets one of the dolls puts there own personalty and feelings at that time into the five dolls or sisters so that they are all differant and I can't tell you any more or it well ruin the story.

Five paper dolls begin their existence on a hot summer day with a child and her grandmother only to be taken on their first adventure with the wind. Each doll is finished at separate stops along the way, some taking on some scarely possibilities. I can see this book being used in a school setting as a read-aloud and then having the class make a chain of paper dolls, animals whatever and sending them onto their own adventures via pen pals, family members, friends with each location being recorded and eventually finding their way back home, even as the dolls in this story did. Simple things made fun by a great author, encouraging the imagination of others. Thanks.

As a career foreign service officer, I only wish Margaret Bender had written this wonderful book 30 years ago. Written in insightful, precise and unemotional prose, it provides invaluable insights into the many challenges facing foreign-born women who marry American diplomats and the different ways - successful and not so successful - in which they deal with them. It should be mandatory reading for all Ambassadors and senior foreign service officers who, like me, should have been far more sensitive to the personal and professional issues with which these women and their diplomat spouses must deal. There are wonderful stories of personal courage, determination, and love, along with examples of great resilience, creativity and humor. I was particularly fascinated with the stories of how the parents decided which language(s) they would speak with their children and how varied were the results, both linguistically and emotionally.
Like America itself, the diplomatic service is ultimately richer for the infusion of these women into the community. Margaret Bender has told their tales well and faithfully, and this book should move us all to appreciate these women and extend our hands in welcome.

For anyone with an interest in what it is really like to be a diplomatic nomad, this book is a must. Bender has interviewed more than 30 diplomatic spouses. All of them are foreign born women married to American diplomats. Though these women's birth status adds an extra twist to their experiences, much of what is stated in the book can apply to all female spouses of diplomats, and probably many male spouses as well.

The women quoted in Bender's book, though, are especially brave, because for love they have left the familiar and ventured into the distinctly foreign. Not only do they have their new diplomatic postings to contend with, but also the adoption and integration of their husband's cultures. While American-born spouses might eventually feel that they have gone home when they return to Washington for a tour, these foreign born spouses do not even have that relief.

For anyone contemplating life as a foreign service spouse, this book is highly recommended. I would also recommend it to the employed diplomats, who, after reading it, may understand better what their spouses have to experience with the lifestyle.

In a world where inter-cultural and inter-ethnic marriages are becoming more and more common, it is hard to believe that more hasn't been written on the topic. Although this book definitely focuses on the unique experiences of official spouses in the foreign service, it has much broader relevence. The stories of women who made definite choices to leave their homelands and become Americans is also timely given our current reexamination of "who is an American?" in post-September 11th America. I finished this book with much respect for the ongoing challenges that these women face year after year; as new ramifications of their marriage decisions emerge. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

One of best synopsis of the current to near current canopy research topics, struggles, and future agendas! Lowman and Nadkarni continue to out do themselves with this suberbly edited book. Highly recommended for anyone interested in forest ecology and forest canopies who aren't afraid to look at some graphs. You'll learn something....

I recently used this book for an indepedent study on Canopy Ecology and found it abosutley indispensible. Lowman and Nadkarni used the work of such big name scientists as Nigel Stork and Terry Erwin to assemble an array of canopy topics including access, structure, nutrient cycling, species compossition, epihyte and hemiephyte ecology, and even ethnobotany. Each chapter is clear cut and informative and the book does not waste space with cheesy fru-fru. Of particular interest to the aspiring canopy researcher is the suggestions for new avenues of research given at the end of almost every chapter.

The most comprehensive book on the subject to date. This book takes you into a world where few have been before, the forest canopy! A cutting edge book for a cutting edge field!

Whatever your convictions and beliefs about god and the universe, here is a book that can let you have thoughts on wavelength you may not have dared to access before.

Keep in mind that such concepts as god, good and evil, etc. have been layered with thousands of personal values. Those values often stand in the way of more erudite percption of the nature of reality and truth that could be had, were we not bogged down by our, sometimes insistingly, dogmatic views of how things must or should be.

In someone else's reality they are rarely exactly as any of us personally perceives. Bartholomew's eye-openers lead you to realise that compassion is a foremost 'must' in understanding. After all compassion makes us care. When you care you create reality.

Again I recommend this book in addition to anything you might have read so far. A real treasure.

I love Bartholomew Books, I have been reading and following them for years, I have spoken in inspirational sermons about Bartholomew, I am continually working with "His" energy field and vibration. Bartholomew books will blow your mind, change your rate of vibration, change your paradigm if you deeply think about this material. Bartholomew books that I pass on to friends and recommend highly, people that read the books later come to me, thank me, I've even had friends kiss the book. This is my favorite of the Bartholomew series, level 33 is amazing, so is the exercise on expansion. Bartholomew books if it's the first time you come into this field of truth, knowledge and channeled insight, it might take some time to digest. It is virtually not possible to read a whole Bartholomew book from cover to cover, and sometimes when you open the book, you will be guided to the exact page that will illuminate you, make you laugh, and be gently guided and loved for the amazing Beings that we are on Your Path. I love Bartholomew, his teachings and clarity, wisdom, and truths have transformed my life and energy, and I have yet to read anything even close to the deep love, and wisdom. I've had friends with near-death experiences traveling through the tunnel of light, after a friend of mine was electrocuted, she died briefly, and saw Bartholomew, apparently he is pictured as an old male with a white beard, with a heart aglowing of love, wisdom, as a brother that he is. My friend is back and still on this side of the veil, and trust that these books definitely have a unique power, beauty, clarity, truth and wisdom in it. I don't think they are for everyone, yet the true spiritual finder as opposed to seeker, will delight in these teachings. Planetary Brother, is more of an introduction to the series and is quite proufound, it contains a lot of psychology of the mind, thinking and being responsible for what you choose to create, mentally, and in your own reality. Reflections of An Elder Brother, is more philosophical, very refletive, and has a lot of deep insights, a great book to read on a rainy day. All the Bartholomew books are proufound and there is so much material to be digested. I highly recommend this series and as Bartholomew would say, "it is worth it." It is not light reading, the exercises are great, and the energy you pick up if you are sensitive while reading the books is expansive and transformational. Thank you, take my word, you'll love it! I do.

In fifteen years or more of reading various books that reflect our true nature I've never read any that give more helpful sugestions that clearly work in one's day to day living. All of the Bartholomew books are simply outstanding.

I grew up near Margaret and had always heard about her flying in races every where, but never gave it much thought. She was just a local lady who flew. I never suspected the stories she had to tell. I find that she is an inspiration to anyone who really wants to do something. Don't let any one stop you. The book reads really well and brings smiles, chuckles, and a few tears.
Thanks Margaret for sharing you amazing life.

We met Margaret and read her book cover to cover. This 80 year young Grandmother is still flying today. As a matter of fact as we write this review Margaret is racing a twin engine Beech Baron from London, England to Sydney, Australia. March 11th thru April 8th, 2001. ... Her book is as remarkable as she is. This 40,000 hour Grandmother Pilot has proved Girls CAN Be Pilots. (Anything they want to be.)

Margaret and I just finished flying 3 days together around the country. As we met people for the first time, we found that they were as interested in Margaret's life as I was when I read the book. Margaret has a self effacing way of presenting astonishing accomplishments and she is STILL doing them. We believe she is the oldest pilot ever to have raced around the world. This book tells about her life as a pilot during World War II and what is was like to be a woman pilot for the Air Force. There is no crusade here, just interesting tidbits of how life was lived by 'ordinary' people who did extraordainary things.

I found this book buried among a bunch of unread books during a recent move and did not even recall buying it. The cover and title caught my attention so I started to read it and could not put it down. The main character, Susan Given, a DA, was interesting to say the least. She is on the edge of a breakdown, more than likely from being overworked, and decides to take a friend up on a vacation offer. She ends up on an island where she befriends a native named Ascension, only to bear witness to his killing weeks later. She returns home to NYC, only to have to end up dealing with the same people from the island in the long run. While I felt that a little too neat and convenient as far as storylines go, I did find it ingenious. Susan has to deal with an impending divorce, an overzealous boss, raging hormones in her two daughters, an oversexed niece, and an array of other problems all at once, including a serial killer aptly named Rice Krispies. I would definitely read another "Given" mystery and plan to order Given the Crime right now.

Ten weeks have passed since Susan Given, head of the Manhattan District Attorney's Asset Forfeiture Division, barely survived a harrowing experience (see GIVEN THE CRIME) that would have broken a lesser person. Still, every evening Susan suffers from a recurring nightmare in which a hulk tries to kill her. Her former spouse, TV psychiatrist Dr. Hugh Carver, adds to her problems when he threatens her with a custody suit. Realizing that his star attorney is not quite the same. Manhattan DA Bill Archibald arranges for Susan to meet with psychiatrist, Dr. Imogen Blythe, who blithely tells Susan that she needs a vaation.

Susan flies to the Caribbean island of St. Stephens. However, Susan's idyll vacation goes astray when she becomes lost while parasailing. However, worse yet is that she crash lands near where the local drug lord, Crimson, is taking care of business. Feeling that she is a witness to a murder, he plans to kill her, but she is rescued before he can carry out the deed. Susan leaves paradise for the safe environs of Manhattan, not knowing that Crimson plans to follow her in order to silence the only person he believes who can destroy his empire.

GIVEN THE EVIDENCE, with the second appearance of Susan Given, is an exciting tale that blends elements from the legal procedural with that of a thriller. The story line is fast-paced on both islands and the support cast has fully developed characters. However, Susan is the show as her fears and motivations propel the novel forward in a jocular but dire manner. Margaret Barrett and Charles Dennis have the beginnings of what is hopefully a long running series.

Harriet Klausner

Ten weeks have passed since Susan Given, head of the Manhattan District Attorney's Asset Forfeiture Division, barely survived a harrowing experience (see GIVEN THE CRIME) that would have broken a lesser person. Still, every evening Susan suffers from a recurring nightmare in which a hulk tries to kill her. Her former spouse, TV psychiatrist Dr. Hugh Carver, adds to her problems when he threatens her with a custody suit. Realizing that his star attorney is not quite the same. Manhattan DA Bill Archibald arranges for Susan to meet with psychiatrist, Dr. Imogen Blythe, who blithely tells Susan that she needs a vaation.

Susan flies to the Caribbean island of St. Stephens. However, Susan's idyll vacation goes astray when she becomes lost while parasailing. However, worse yet is that she crash lands near where the local drug lord, Crimson, is taking care of business. Feeling that she is a witness to a murder, he plans to kill her, but she is rescued before he can carry out the deed. Susan leaves paradise for the safe environs of Manhattan, not knowing that Crimson plans to follow her in order to silence the only person he believes who can destroy his empire.

GIVEN THE EVIDENCE, with the second appearance of Susan Given, is an exciting tale that blends elements from the legal procedural with that of a thriller. The story line is fast-paced on both islands and the support cast has fully developed characters. However, Susan is the show as her fears and motivations propel the novel forward in a jocular but dire manner. Margaret Barrett and Charles Dennis have the beginnings of what is hopefully a long running series.

Harriet Klausner