After my own diagnosis three years ago, I set out to help other men and their companions with the effects of this disease, primarily through my Phoenix5 Web site. In that time, I have read dozens of books about prostate cancer and I can say without doubt that this is the most complete and best prostate cancer reference book that I have seen. Its primary strength is that there may be more illustrations than its 368 colored pages. It is filled with hundreds of color photos, drawings, illustrations and sample forms, from the basics to the highly technical. Just look at the table of contents. And interspersed are "physician's notes" by Strum that take up cases or individual instances, to "reinforce the concepts in the text."

I've never seen a prostate cancer book where so much is so well illustrated. I highly recommend this book to anyone dealing with prostate cancer, from the newly diagnosed to the "old pro" like me.

Robert Young
Dx'd 11/23/99 PSA 1000+ Stage M1c

Webmaster Phoenix5
...
To help overcome the effects of prostate cancer

This book is a thorough and comprehensive work designed to provide essential information for the recently diagnosed prostate cancer patient and their loved ones. The book is written in lay person friendly language, but quickly moves the reader into the depths of technical details of prostate cancer, diagnosis, progression of the disease, and standard medical treatment. This is an excellent reference on our current understanding of the disease and standard (not alternative) medical treatment. The only short-coming of the book is the lack of suggestions for alternative and complementary medicine treatment (although a couple alternative books are referred to.)

Dr. Stephen Strum and Donna Pogliano have written an excellent book which will guide both patient and physician, alike, to optimal care in the treatment of prostate cancer. Easy to read and understand, color coded for quick reference, basic and advanced information depending on the readers interest, it's all there. I use it as my prostate cancer bible and even carry it with me to PCa support group meetings. When discussions raise a question, we find the answer.

The dedication of these two people in producing a text of this quality will change the way men will be able to live with PCa and will impact the quality of life of those men who may eventually die from prostate cancer.

Ms.Hill continues the story of the characters in "A Private Affair" in a very realistic and touching way. The reader is allowed to see each character's perspective, and in doing so we understand the "why" behind their decisions. The character development in this story is perfect. We are shown where they have been, and because of life and love's circumstances, how they have grown. Ms. Hill weaves a story of love, passion, heartbreak, and triumph. I highly recommend this book. Quinn, Nikita, Maxine, and Taylor are all likable and memorable characters. Thank you Ms. Hill !!!

I was so profoundly touched by Pieces of Dreams. It was excellently written. From the moment I read the first page, I was engrossed in this book all the way to the end. A Private Affair was also a good book, and Ms. Hill could not have written a better sequel. This book teaches you what real love is really about. Some parts of the book made me cry, and some made me aware of my own love life. This just only tells a few reasons why you should read this book.

To the 1 year old reader from Wisconsin. I couldn't agree with you more. Although, I love all three characters. I didn't like the fact that Maxine and Quinn somewhat wound up together at the end.

I also didn't like the fact that Nikita had to die in order for Quinn to realize where she was comming from all along. I believe
if they had a child, Nikita's death would not affect him he way it did. Quinn felt lost after her death. All he had left was some wonderful memories. Nothing else.

From the beginning of the series, I felt that all three characters needed closer. Maxine and Quinn was attracted to each other. But, didn't know exactly what they really felt, until they got involved. Nikita on the other hand, loved Grant. But, wasn't very pleased with him sexually.

As sad as the story may be, the author was being realistic. Unfortunately, those things happen in the real world. And that's why I rate it 5 stars.

Once again, another great one. Keep them comming Donna.

Much like the film this book by Elizabeth Von Arnim inspired, there is something peaceful here on these pages. This is a gentle novel about the gradual internal changes brought about by the beauty of our surroundings. It is a book that reads itself as much as it is read, the author writing with the flow of the characters thoughts and feelings as their hearts are changed by the suprise of beauty.

An ad to rent a castle in San Salvatore on the Italian Riviera will prompt two British women, Rose and Lottie, with only a passing acquaintance, to inexplically leave their husbands behind for a summer that will change their lives and their marriages forever.

Joining Rose and Lottie for this holiday is Mrs. Fisher, an older woman living in the past, and Lady Caroline Dester, a grey-eyed society beauty tired of being gawked at like a majestic statue, not allowed to be human. Diverse in nature and temperment, not to mention background, they interact uneasily together until the flowers and the sea bring about a change in their souls.

Surrounded by fig and olive trees, plum blossoms and Tamarisk daphnes, and the scents of fortune's yellow rose and blooming acacia, the women slowly find their roles at this castle by the sea, and in doing so find themselves as well. New insights will prompt Rose and Lottie to send for their husbands. Lady Caroline, or 'Scrap' as she is known, will find love in spite of her wish to be alone and her great beauty. Mrs. Fisher will form a friendship with Lottie and her husband, and discover a renewed zest for creativity in this heaven by the sea.

This is a novel about life and love, told gently through the emotions of these women, as the the suprise of beauty and the warmth of being suddenly admired and seen as beautiful, when they had not been before, changes their simple lives, which were not so simple at all. You will definitely enjoy this novel if you enjoyed the film. It is about love restored, and love discovered, along the wistaria covered steps leading down to the sea.

"Enchanted April" is one of my favorite books. It is such a warm, witty, wonderful story, full of hope and romance. I hear it is going to be a Broadway show this April! (fittingly) I cannot wait... I know I'm going to be the first one on line for tickets, that's for sure. All you other "Enchanted April" lovers out there, I urge you to come see this show! I'm sure this will be one of the finest shows on Broadway in a long time!

Yay "Enchanted April!"

This is a delightful story...one of my favorite books! Gives you a little faith that even seemingly irreconcileable situations can be restored or transformed, that drastically different people can find common ground and become friends, and that people can change their lives for the better! A sunny read for a dark winter day!

I read the book Blind Beauty by K.M. Peyton. The book is about a young girl named Tessa, and her will and determination to win the Grand National with her horse, Buffoon. She is very rebellious, hotheaded, and loves to rebuke her stepfather, Maurice. Maurice is a hot shot horse owner and dealer, he likes to gamble a lot. She has been kicked out of boarding school three times and can't get into a new school, so Maurice sends Tessa off to work at a farm. Tessa's mother, Myra, is ruled by Maurice and has no say to what happens to her daughter. There at the farm Tessa learns how to love again, be motivated, etc. She is asked to exercise Buffoon, who is the son of Shiner- the horse Tessa played with and loved as a kid. She decides to become a jockey and to ride Buffoon in the Grand National, one day. She has many set backs, but she still becomes a jockey. Tessa dreams were shattered when Maurice stole Lucky, who is Buffoon's friend. Buffoon wouldn't race without Lucky, and Tessa didn't win the Grand National. When she found out that Maurice stole Lucky, she stabbed him. She got to sent to the loony bin and spent two years there until Tom, a famous jockey and a good friend, helped her back on her feet. She got to ride Buffoon in the Grand National, again and won. Myra escaped from the clutches of Maurice when he finds out that she lent some money to Tessa for the Grand National and he beat her up. She went to live with her Tessa on the farm and learned some good lessons like Tessa. I think this was a great book and I give it four stars. The reason why I give it four stars is because number one it is very detailed about the races, secondly it is a very touching story like something you can relate to, and thirdly the book didn't have a lot of description about the other main characters. The book Blind Beauty is a very powerful book about a person's will power, determination, and how valuable friends can be.

This book was incredible, it was so gripping, i just couldn't put it down, had to read on! The story line was amazing, so much happens!! There seemed to be a new adventure for the main character Tessa, every minute.
The story begins when Tessa is four and leads you through her life until she is twenty. She has to cope with alot, her parents split up, Tessa and her mother leave ireland and go to England where her mother meets her new husband,Maurice. Maurice is horrible and Tessa hates him. She repeatedly gets kicked out of schools and is sent to work in a small racing yard, she is extremely angry and is determined to get the sack, but when she is given a horse name Buffoon to care for, it changes everything, for Buffoon is the son of Shiner, a blind mare which Tessa had loved dearly when she was younger and living in Ireland. Tessa has many setbacks in her life, but she pulls through and works towards her dream, of becoming a jockey. Tessa is strong , determind and has great will power and whatever idea she comes up with she has to make it a reality no matter what anyone else tells her. Throughout out the book we see her love and devotion to Buffoon, the kind hearted and always eager to please horse. Tessa and Buffoon come through, good and bad together. They learn to trust each other and Buffoon bcomes Tessa's best friend. It's a fantastic book, which shows courage and determination to ahieve your dreams. Definitely worth buying, a great read!!!!!

Blind Beauty, by K.M. Peyton (an Irish author), is an incredible horse story set in Ireland and England. It begins when a four-year-old Tessa befriends her father Declan's eyeless filly Shiner, and forms a strong bond. Then her mother leaves Declan, taking Tessa, and remarries an abusive and not quite sane man named Maurice. Tessa grows into a rebellious twelve-year-old who has been expelled from several boarding schools. Maurice, who already loathed Tessa, was fed up with her, and so she was sent to work at his stable. There she starts pursuing riding with a passion, persuading one of the trainers to teach her. When Buffoon (Shiner's colt) arrives at the stable, he is shunned by everyone, including Tessa, for he is gawky and ugly. However, Jimmy (the trainer teaching Tessa) assigns her to ride him. Soon Tessa comes to love the good-natured oaf, and that bond becomes an obsessive love when she finds of his relation to Shiner. She dreamed of riding Buffoon in the Grand National (a steeplechase), totally confident of his abilities. Then, her plans are interrupted when her mother found another boarding school to enroll her in. To get back to Buffoon, Tessa purposely forced herself to be expelled. Once again, she pursues her dream, and with the help of Tom, a top jockey, it soon becomes a definite possibility. However, just before the Grand National, Buffoon's "best friend", a pony named Lucky, is stolen by Maurice, who is desperate for his own horse to beat Buffoon...

DONNA HILL, NEWEST DIVA AT ARABESQUE!!

THIS BOOK GRABBS YOUR INTEREST FROM BEGINNING TO END. SHOULD RATE MORE THAN FIVE STARS. THE MAIN CHARACTERS QUIN, MAX AND NIKITTA WERE SUPERBLY DEVELOPED. THE LANGUAGE OF QUIN FLOWS IN SUCH A WAY THAT BRINGS US HOME TO OUR ROOTS. HIS FEELINGS HAD ME IN AN EMOTINAL UPHEAVAL. MS. HILL GRABS YOUR HEART AND PUTS A KILLER CHOKE ON IT WITH THIS BOOK. PERSONALLY, I WAS ROOTING FOR MAX TO WIN OUT IN QUIN'S LIFE. I GUESS I'M JUST A ROUND THE WAY GAL. BUT I LIKE THE WAY QUIN DIDN'T JUST LEAVE MAX HANGING AND PROVED HIMSELF TO BE THE MAN OF THE HOUR, EVEN THOUGH I HURT TO THE BONE FOR MY GIRL MAX.

I CAN'T SEE WHY THERE WAS ANY CONFUSION ON THE PART OF READERS AS TO WHO QUIN WOUND UP WITH. IT WAS VERY CLEAR BECAUSE WHEN HE WENT BACK TO MAX AND HELD HER IN HIS ARMS HE SAID A FRIEND WAS ALL SHE COULD BE. YOU JUST KNEW HE WAS GOING TO WIND UP WITH NIKITA WHEN YOU GO TO THE CHAPER THAT HEADED "AIN'T NO MOUNTAIN". YOU KNOW THE REST OF THAT SONG, SO THAT LET YOU KNOW THAT NOTHING WOULD KEEP HIM AWAY FROM NIKITTA.

EVEN THOUGH I WAS SAD OVER THE ENDING (NIKITTA WINNING OUT OVER MAX), I STILL LOVED THE STORY. IT IS A GREAT ROMANCE NOVEL AND I CAN'T WAIT TO GET MY COPY OF "PIECES OF A DREAM", WHICH IS THE SEQUEL.

THANKS MS HILL FOR YOUR GREAT WRITINGS, KEEP IT UP!!

A FAN

This was one of the best books I have ever read. The characters were believable, the issues were relevant and it left you wanting more. Donna Hill did a wonderful job of bringing each character to life. Although the main characters were Quinn and Nikita, I was able to really enjoy learning about the other characters. The way their lives were outlined, in the book, you were unable to judge them or become defensive because of anything they happened to do to the main characters. You understood their motives and where they were coming from. Donna, there could not only be a sequel to this book but each of your characters could have their own book.. right down to T.C. Keep up the good work. I pray that you continue to write for years to come.

This is absolutely one of the best romance novels that I have read. The author did a great job of exploring the lives of Quinn and Nikita. This novel went much deeper than most romance novels. It was not filled with sugar coated phrases and nonsense that ordinary people never say. But the words and actions of each character reflected real life people in real life relationships. The only reason that this book does not get a 10 is because the ending was a little vague. I wanted more. I wanted the author to spell out where they were in their relationship. And what was next for the two of them but knowing Donna she'll incorporate them into her next novel.

I thought the book was very well done. Simple and too the point with out being to technical or full of overwhelming detail. It had schematics for a couple of bat houses that were optimized between the bats needs and the builders pocket book. Great book for the beginner bat house builder.

The Bat House Builder's Handbook is an excellent how-to information on building bat houses book that I ever seen and read. This book is filled with get helpful information,photos,and more.

This is a really excellent book. Excellent for those who really care on protection,and preserving bats.

I've searched the web for bat house plans and information, and found the information to be very spotty and inconsistent. This book reflects the results of Bat Conservation International's "North American Bat House Research Project", which has been collecting data on thousands of bat houses for over 10 years. The book has detailed plans for a small economy house, a large economy house, and a nursery house, plus LOTS of information on bat preferences and ideas for experimentation. I built the nursery-style bat house, and it was occupied last year.

Thank you, Donna Klein, for writing the vegan cookbook I've always wanted! These are real, authentic, naturally vegan recipes from the different Mediterranean nations, not imitations that rely on faux meats or obscure Asian condiments (tasty as those things can be in the right context).

You'll find some old favorites here, like a variety of bean- and tomato-based crostini toppings or minestrone, as well as some interesting treats--my personal favorite is the rich and moist currant cake, made with light olive oil. Many of the recipes are Italian, but a good number are from less well-known cuisines, such as Catalan and Provencal. There are relatively few Middle Eastern or Greek recipes, but these cuisines are already well-represented in so many other cookbooks, that I didn't miss them.

Klein gives a lot of helpful hints along the way: nutritional information about each recipe, cook's tips, menu ideas, and substitutions for the few fresh vegetables (e.g., fava beans) and other ingredients that may be hard to find outside of major cities.

This is a cook-your-way-through cookbook! Enjoy!

I don't buy a lot in the way of cookbooks, but I really wanted some new ideas. I am a vegetarian, but my boyfriend and I don't like to use a lot of dairy. I love mediterranean food and this book was exactly what I hoped for. I recently bought "Simply Vegan" by Debra Wasserman and was dissapointed by the fact that most recipes were "regular" recipes and just substituted a soy product for the animal ingredient. The Mediterranean Vegan Kitchen is nothing like that. The basis for these recipes is real ingredients, not imitation meat and imitation dairy. Every recipe I have tried has been delicious. Even my meat eating friends have been satisfied by these recipes! I wish there were more cookbooks like this!

This cookbook is the antidote for the question often posed by well-meaning non-vegans: "don't you find a vegan diet limiting, with only vegetables and tofu?"

I've cooked several of the dishes, all of which have been hits with vegan and non-vegan eaters - satisfying even to my meat-eating friends who believe only meat makes a meal! I served the squash gnocchi recently at a dinner party, and my guests were bowled over by it (it was worth every minute of effort). A cold cauliflower salad with a dressing involving capers was outstanding.

What I most enjoy about the book is its quintessentially mediterranean nature: simple, fresh, uncomplicated, and absolutely delicious. Having grown up in an Italian family, I've hungered for vegan recipes with mediterranean roots that are not the usual pasta and sauce fare. This book has this and more.

While I enjoy cooking with and eating soy products, this book takes a creative approach that doesn't rely on this as many vegan cookbooks do. It also has recipes appealing to every level, from the person wanting only a few ingredients and easy prep to the experienced cook willing to invest a good amount of time. Buy this book - you won't regret it!

better for reviewing and learning crocheting techniques and stitches, etc. and referring to the many basic patterns included for general crocheting and lacework than for being a source for many projects. (by basic patterns i mean the few rows or stitches that provide the repeating pattern for a full piece.) it's great that there are so many basic patterns, but there are only about 25 actual full patterns. it would've been nice if they had put together some sort of template for making, say a sweater or a hat, w/ some of the basic patterns, instead of just providing a few examples of a hat or sweater and expecting you to be able to come up w/ the correct way to adapt the basic pattern for the piece you want to make. still it's a very informative book, w/ loads of extra info like the history of crocheting, diff. types of yarns, crocheting w/ wire, and a veritable cornucopia of pictures and diagrams.

I unfortunately did not buy this from Amazon but should have! ... This is a fabulous book and I am a beginner crocheter! I've learned so much in a short time. The pictures are helpful, the charts at first appear intimidating but they are actually quite simple once you read the easy to follow instructions. I am knitting my first pair of socks from the book now and they are going great! I've shown this book to girlfriends and they bought it too - but from Amazon. Buy this, you will not be dissappointed!!!

I just recieved my crochet book and I love it. Very easy reading and excellent instructions. I am in "AWE" of this book. As a beginner in crochet this is the best book that anyone can buy and every crocheter should own. Thank you! Donna Kooler for doing such a great job on this book. Debbie

P.S. I buy all my books from Amazon.com!

I truly enjoyed reading this book. I felt it was an honest view of one womans journey towards enlightenment. The subject matter is not easy but the Author's descriptive ablity clearly allows one to see what she was seeing. The wisdom gained from her experience really shines through and I'm really looking forward to the next installment.

I found the author's reflection of her personal life to be interesting and thought-provoking. Through reading Ms. Gorrell's discussion of her life experiences and personal quest for understanding of a higher power, I have been able to question my own existence and purpose in life. I appreciated her openness and honesty in the decriptions of the mental rollercoaster that, like her, many people unknowingly experience. I would reccommend this book for readers who have an open mind and who are interested in learning about Enlightment from someone who has taken it upon herself to explore the possibilities and conquer the difficulties the road to Enlightment has in store. I look forward to reading her next published work.

I was fascinated by this story of a personal search for enlightenment! The author's writing style is eloquent, and admiration and great thanks go to her for sharing her life experiences. Her book will help others in their search for meaning in life and spirituality. It took a lot of courage for her to document her life on paper for others to read, but I believe she has offered help and inspiration. She truly would have gone mad was it not for her strength, intelligence, and her love of life. Her writing style in sharing her acquired knowledge on the one hand, and then writing about life experiences that corresponded to that knowledge on the other, gripped me. Thanks to the author for her courage in sharing her experience with us and for her inspiration.

The book has some great ideas for favors and how to set the mood. However, some ideas seemed out of date or just plain odd. One was to throw a teenagers birthday party in a mall having a treasure hunt. I just found this weird. What mall is going to let you do that and I am not going to send teenagers to the mall unsupervised while searching for clues to a treasure hunt.

You can tell that the author of this book is a real "party animal"! Her enthusiasm is contagious. I do not have children of my own, but I have two nephews who will certainly benefit from Suzanne Singleton's expertise when their birthdays come around. I think the book is well thought out and will guide me all through the party planning process from invitations to thank you notes and everywhere in between (love the recipes and illustrations!). Thanks, Suzanne for sharing.

I found Suz's book to be especially handy when planning a party for all ages. The writing is clear and easy to understand. Even my kids can read this and get party ideas. Thanks for a great party reference guide.