I love to read, but please don't waste my time if it is not the best writing out there! Shadow Of Dreams is MORE than worth any readers time! Everson and Chadwick have the skill and finesse of some of the all time greats when it comes to character, plot and setting developement. As a reader you don't just get to know the characters, you are literally drawn into their lives with interesting details woven into a brilliant intrigue story line. Every small detail that is dropped into the story pays off to the reader as Katie Webster, the main character, returns home to face one of those moments in her past that we can all relate to. Heated words are exchanged between Katie and her mother that are shrouded in circumstance and which change the course of many lives. The word pictures that Everson and Chadwick paint are so fantstic that the reader can see, hear and even practically smell just what is happening on the page. Thank goodness the ending left room for a sequel!

The prodigal daughter returns to her southern home after twenty-five years of absence. Katie runs from her problems, and she discovers she needs to make things right with God before she can solve her problems. This book was intriguing and suspenseful, and there were times when I was sitting on the edge of my seat! The characters were well-developed, and I'm anxious to start the sequal!

Eva Marie Everson And G.W. Francis Chadwick have written a wonderful novel that kept me involved from the first page to the last!

Katie Morgan ran away from home when she was 18 and hasn't seen or spoken to her mother in twenty-five years. She wishes she could forget the shame she feels from the bad choices she made those first few years she lived in New York City. When she returns to rural Georgia twenty-five years later she must deal with the pain in her past and seek to restore relationships with her family and friends.

The lessons on forgiveness and coming home are heartwarming. The suspense and mystery surrounding Katie, her husband, and his business associates also adds excitement to the novel.

I hope the authors don't keep us waiting too long for the sequel!

It's informative...it's delicious...it's fun! Georgia Routsis-Savas has created a masterpiece for teens. Not only is Total Astrology well-written, but the depictions of each sign are so right on and interesting. I highly recommend this book.

This book is FUN! On a whim I picked this book up for my niece and found that I (mature woman) was completely engrossed. The book is informative, too.

PS: My 13 year old niece loves it too. She spends hours with her girlfriends poring over each sign.

Astrology has always intrigued me...but in reading many books over the last couple of years (the first years i have actually showed any interest) I became more and more confused over the different methods of actual readings. during this time...my youngest daughter, Maxine, has asked me more questions then this mother can handle!!

Like a breath of fresh air, Ms. Savas's style and knowledge is a literal masterpiece for children (and maybe even us adults!). I have never been the type to write reviews but felt compelled to do so after reading her book. my daughter, yesterday, made a presentation to her class called "astrology..the stars and me" she received an A+ and i have only this book to thank. (i must say even i learned a lot) a must read for any adults who feel their children have even an baby's interest in astrology!

Cancer has become a household word these days, because every home, family and community has been touched, on some level, by its icy grip. In Georgia's book "A Gift of Mourning Glories", she lets us walk with her on her journey with cancer; from brokenness, to restoration of body, soul and spirit. The deeply personal feelings and experiences that Georgia shares, gives hope to the weary and encouragement to the downhearted. Georgia's struggles were not limited to cancer alone, but divorce and single parenting along with losing her job and health. Just as Jesus used the simple daily things of life to teach deep truths about victorious living, so also has Georgia used her garden to help teach the skills needed to restore life after loss. Just like Georgia's gift of morning glory seeds were not a "wanted" gift, not every gift we are given is "wanted" either. Many times, suffering and struggle are not viewed as "wanted" gifts, but God uses the hard times of our life to root us deep in His truth and love, so we can grow up tall and healthy for the glory of His beautiful garden of grace. This book is a must for everyone struggling to overcome life's darkest hours. In fact, I feel it should be in every Doctor's office waiting room, for it is there that we sit with our fears and worries. It is during those times, when pain opens us up, that we are made able to learn the depths of God's love and provisions for our lives. I have given this book to many dear friends who are hurting and discouraged and they have been comforted by it. "A Gift of Mourning Glories" is a great book for anyone that finds themselves in a support role with a cancer patient or huring loved one.

Just as the tendrils of morning glories entwine the cover of Georgia Shaffer's book, "A Gift of Mourning Glories", her true life stories in easy-to-read short chapters will entwine your heart. Georgia offers hope from one who has been in the pit of hopelessness to those who have suffered loss using lessons God taught her through her garden (And I love the added bonus of her gardening tips in sidebars.) No pious platitudes here, simply encouraging accounts of "Here's how I made it - you can too!" "A Gift Of Mourning Glories" is a refreshing resource for a church library or to give to a friend who is struggling. I plan to buy several!

Each of us experienced the receipt of a gift we did not want. But how many of us took the time to find a use for that gift? In her book, A Gift of Mourning Glories, Georgia Shaffer describes an unwanted gift of morning glory seeds that she received and shares her struggles in finding a place for that climbing vine in her garden. At first convinced that she could not use the seeds, her struggle turned positive when she discovered uses for that gift in both her garden and her life. Although most of us would think to compare these unwanted seeds to the serious consequences brought by cancer or death, Georgia makes a believable comparison and shows how we can change troubling times into something lovely. Pain and loss are two unwanted gifts in life. A Gift of Mourning Glories voices the spirit of triumphantly living through these "gifts". Georgia's message offers comfort and equips the reader with an action plan for healing. Georgia's experiences convey a message that provides a light for the hurting and a path for the healing.

In the past year we have been overwhelmed with the success of books and movies that highlighted and sometimes overly glorified the daily lives of "the mob" and those connected directly and indirectly to it. When I read Georgia's account, I was stopped cold with the real personal and intimate openness that she used to share her life. I say life, because this is not a "story" as so many other tales that have been written. This is real, genuine and remarkable, even that it could be shared, and that she is here to share it! A well organized, flowing account of what went on in various places at a time when sharing these stories was FORBIDDEN and RISKY. In a minor way, many years ago I got caught up in a small way with some of the same type of people and situations, and reading, and rereading The Company She Keeps, helped put me right back into that scary time and place, but trust me, what she went through, as only Georgia can describe it was Too REAL, this book got my adrenaline flowing again and almost wanted to make me go back into hiding myself. Thanks for the rush,the realness and the truth in a well told way. Can I be in the movie?

This journal-like book is just that, an inside look into Georgia Durante's world. From her tough childhood to marrying into the Mob, Georgia completely surrenders herself to the reader. In The Company She Keeps, Georgia meets Sammy and falls into the Mafia, turning into the get-away driver. Later in life, this skillful driving is put to the test as she starts her own stunt driving company.

Throughout this book, you find yourself saying outloud, "I can't believe she got away alive." Georgia survives guns, rape, and finally her Mafia husband. She presents incredible insight that every human being can relate to, but many never talk about. We all want love, affection, money, and adventure. Unfortunately, these characteristics are sometimes found in dangerous people who lead mysterious lives. This story is truly amazing!

The most appealing part of the book is the style in which it is written. Georgia writes vivid dialogue which makes the reader feel as if they are in the room. She has the ability as an accomplished writer to make the reader feel compelled by words on a page. Admiriation comes to mind when I think about Georgia Durante. Disregard misspelled words and focus on the courage it must of took for her to stare at her life mistakes on paper. There are not many women who have walked in Georgia's shoes and lived to tell about it.

The question asked time and time again by the reader is, "Why did she keep going back?" The Company She Keeps is not just for abused women, but all women who long for understanding of themselves and relationships they possess with other men. As a woman who has been abused, I have come to terms with my past through the help of this book. This book validated my feelings about myself and conflicts I've had to face in my relationships with men. It is extremely difficult to accomplish this type of strong connection between an author and reader, especially for this being Georgia's first novel. After reading Georgia's tale of triumph over sorrow, you can't help but feel like you know her.

Through all of the trials and tribulations, Georiga kept her eyes on the road to survival, for herself and her children. To escape the Mafia and FBI, Georgia escapes to California with her daughter Toni and later finds herself in another failed marriage and another child.

Perseverance should be her middle name. She is a soldier that marches on to the beat of her own drum. Georgia's war story is definetly worth reading, over and over again.

WOW! I couldn't put this book down. I found the insight into the workings of organized crime to be fascinating. But, the REAL story is the long and treacherous road that Georgia Durante has walked during her life. For her to survive, both physically and emotionally, is a testament to her strength, resiliancy, and determination. At times, I had difficulty seeing the words on the pages through my tears as she described her pain. At others, I felt her joy as she described one of life's small pleasures she was able to grasp during her ordeal. No one should have to endure what she went through. After reading this book, I have new insight into the life of abused women, how they are controlled and why they keep going back. I had the pleasure of hearing and meeting Georgia on her recent book tour. What a lovely lady, inside and out. I applaud her efforts to give back to those who need help in escaping from abusive relationships. She still has a road to be traveled. This should be a must-read book for anyone involved in a relationship. May God's grace be with you, Georgia. Some day we'll know why.

I must exist on another planet because I have never read anything by Georgia Bockoven before today. If her other books are anything like this one, then I have a treat waiting for me. Disguised Blessing is a book that keeps you wanting more and more. Catherine's 15 year old daughter is accidentally burned at a party. She is taken to a burn center where she is assigned a mentor by the name of Rick who is a captain in a fire department. Rick is a fantastic leading man. We all know men like him. He is truly a good man who does whatever it takes to make the world a better place. Meanwhile, Catherine is dumped by her fiance who can't handle anything that doesn't fit into his perfect world revolving around himself. Lynda is a teenager who goes from having it all to learning to cope when life deals her a cruel blow. I expected light reading, what I got was a wonderful story with characters that leave an impact on you. I would really love a continuation of these characters in another book. How about it Ms. Bockoven?

Georgia Bockoven has done it again! She's created wonderful characters and a world the reader is able to immerse themselves in completely.

Catherine Miller seems to have it all - a luxurious house in a trendy subdivision, a successful fiance, and lovely teenage daughter. It all comes crashing down on her one night when her daughter, Lynda, is burned in a tragic accident. Her fiance isn't able to cope with Lynda's problems, leaving Catherine just when he needs her most. Rick Sawyer, the firefighter who is a volunteer support person for burn victims, and is assigned to Lynda's case, is there to pick up the pieces, not only becoming a support for Lynda, but a confidante for Catherine as well.

This book truly took my breath away. It really put me in Catherine's world and made me feel a part of it -- feeling her pain and sorrow -- and finally her need and her love for Rick. This is a book readers won't be able to put down once they start. If you enjoy the works of such great authors of relationship novels as Barbara Delinsky or Kristin Hannah, you are sure to enjoy this outstanding story from Georgia Bockoven, the master of the relationship novel.

Disguised Blessing is a deeply emotional book that really touches your heart. It seemed as if this book was very special to the author and she lavished loving care on every word. A very special read.

I read a lot, and this is by far the best page-turner I've ever come across. It's as captivating as any thriller, but has much more substance and depth than any of the other Jaws-type hunter/hunted thrillers out there. Well written and hilariously witty. All of my friends will be getting a copy of this during the holidays!

As strange as this sounds, Shikar was a genuine, touching action/adventure that goes far above and beyond the one-dimensional Jaws-type thriller, with an evil monster and a heroic hunter--by far the best I've read. I stayed up until 4 in the morning trying to finish it! I strongly recommend this to anyone who appreciates a good book.

Shikar will not only scare you into battening down all your hatches, but will also touch you emotionally. For me, the heart of the book was the complex relationship the child - Roy Satterly - had with both the tiger and the hunter. The climax is as thrilling - and as touching - as any book I've read.

Much like its predecessor Run With The Horsemen, The Whisper Of The River is a delightful read if you accept it for what it is - a thoroughly entertaining, unpretentious novel that makes no claims to be more than that. Ferrol Sams is a talented storyteller with a gift for developing characters and settings rich in authenticity. In this novel, the second in Sams' trilogy, Porter Osborne, Jr. entertains us with his college years, full of new friendships, coming-of-age experiences, and fraternity pranks. The novel introduces an impressive cast of entertaining characters, including a crude, football-playing roommate, a pretentious French professor, and a spirited, jovial cafeteria employee. Porter forms special bonds with each character he encounters, and it is these friendships that form the heart of his college years.

My one and only complaint is the same one that I had with the first book in the trilogy. The writing lacks any sense of realism, and feels a bit too sugar-coated. Porter is constantly doing good, and rarely experiences setbacks or hardships. Sams would have done well to take some risks in his writing. Instead, he chose the easier approach of simply creating a pleasant read.

It's been over 10 years since I first read the book. Recommended by a fellow (presbyterian) clergyman, I looked at the jacket of the book he was showing me only to be stunned to realize that it was about a boy who attended the same college I attended, in a state far away. Not only that, but in reading the book, I discovered that I'd resided for a time in the same dormitory room, albeit several decades past the late 1930's. The book was painfully and poignantly real, from the descriptions of life in that particular dormitory room (I can see the room and scenery outside the windows even to this day) to life in Macon (some of the stories and experiences he went through were almost eerily familiar). Ferrol Sams is an incredibly gifted writer who I wish had started writing years earlier. His corpus of books, though relatively small, are all treasures and treasured. BTW, having graduated years earlier then a previous reviewer, let me point out that "Willingham University" was taken from what was then Willingham Chapel, not "Auditorium". It was during the 1970's that the former baptist church next door to Willingham Chapel was sold to Mercer and became the Newton Chapel at Mercer. At that point, Willingham Chapel became Willingham Auditorium.

This book is the second book in Ferrol Sams trilogy about the adventures of "The Boy", otherwise known as Porter Osborne, Jr.. I read through the first entitled "Run with the Horsemen" and was bowled over by the wit, charm, hilarity, and just plain engaging writing style of the author. The first book ended suddenly at an event around graduation from high school and "The Whisper of the River" picks up shortly after as Porter prepares to go to the college his distant but beloved father went to.

The events in this book are written simply as they happen and are to be enjoyed on that level. You are basically the 'fly on the wall' as the brilliant backwoods farmboy goes to college in the late 1930s. His adventures range from poignant to side splittingly funny (and it is hard to make me laugh) in a seemingly random way, but anyone who has lived on campus for four years will 'understand'. Porter learns much in and out of the classroom that he never knew existed back on his family's farm in rural Georgia. His campus time starts in the fall of 1938 so the events leading up to World War II and the ending of The Great Depression play active roles.

If "Run with the Horsemen" brought smiles and enjoyment to you, you will absolutely not want to miss out on Porter's further adventures. I didn't think the mule named 'Pet' incident in the first book could be topped for screaming, side-splitting laughter, but Ferrol has several incidents in "The Whisper of the River" that may put you in the hospital from laughing til it really hurts!

Sams is not Faulkner, but this is no beach fluff either. You will be much better for the effort. Highly recommended.

Although I've read all of Georgia Bockoven's books, "the Beach house" was her best yet, ITs a very well written book and you fall in love with the characters.

The Beach House is the second Georgia Bockoven novel I have read and I found this novel to be as excellent as the first one I read (Far Away From Home). This novel centers around real life issues and real life characters, all of whom are embracing losses of one kind or another. Bockoven's writing draws the reader into experiencing each and every heartache of all of the characters, and you can't help but be drawn into the heart of the matter. Her character depth will indeed have you crying. Her characters are easily embraced because they are so real and their life-situations are not set in some fantasy world. All of the women characters were strong and independent and not weak and malleable.

This is another wonderful book illustrating love's power and healing force. I especially found the scene on the couple that was married for over 60 years quite tender and touching. Bockoven once again proves that despite the pain and tragedy in one's life, love can work its magic and heal.

This is one book that you will want to read more than once and this book comes with my highest recommendation!

A wonderful Summer read centred in Santa Cruz California.

Every page is alive with the people in this story. The Beach House is shared by three families every year, but now since the sudden death of Julia's husband, she ponders putting the house up for sale....flushing away the memories she once held dear.

But how can she actually do that? Wouldn't she be putting out her regular guests this summer?

With Georgia Bockoven's brilliant characterizations, you 'll meet Eric the doctor cum writer spending summer at the house next door to Julia; Margaret and her teenage son Chris who has fallen head over heels in love with one of the other summer girls; Maggie and Joe the elderly couple who has time for everyone and Peter the single guy who keeps his eyes peeled looking for Ms. Right to hurry up and come right along.

Enjoy this lovely summer read which has lots to offer...especially if you are a romantic at heart. It's worth your time.

Heather Marshall (nettle-girl)

Ed Williams has put down on paper for the consumption of the general public the shared experience of young men of our generation. The fact that he is reporting the events as they happened in a very small southern American town is really just an added wrinkle because the stories he tells are not that different from the stories any forty something north american guy would tell. He however has done it. My wife has not read this book and probably wouldn't enjoy it much and it would probably prompt her to shake her head and inquire.."Are guys really like this??" The answer is Yes. Ed has the guts to tell the tales that let everyone know that we: think about sex constantly, love to watch others humiliate themselves, will go to great lengths to get cheap laughs, think farting is always funny and rate professional sports just above world peace and total enlightment. Many of the vignettes had me laughing out loud. Ed's ingenuous writing style is crisp, conversational and compelling. Again let me say this piece of work will be enjoyed most by men born between 1955 and 1965, however given the right script treatment it could be a very funny and appealing film. sort of "PORKY's" meets "DAZED AND CONFUSED" meets "FRIED GREEN TOMATOES."

This book was as a gift from the most beautiful lady in Alabama and I want to thank her. This book was a great pressure reliever. I have not laughed so hard in a long time--actually brought tears to my eyes--it was GREAT!! Each Chapter is it's own little short story. My favorites were Stink Perfume, The Vapors, The Brotherhood, and Porno Movies. The way Ed tells each story puts you right there it is so easy to visualize the situation you are laughing right along with him. I actually felt like I was right there participating in the particle jokes. As a matter of fact the experiences Ed writes about are similar situation I've experienced. I found myself recalling some of my own similar experiences that added to my laughter. You don't have to be from Georgia to appreciate this book. Although Ed writes about things that happened to Ed in a small Georgia town but no matter where you live you can relate because of similar experiences. This is a very entertaining book to read. You too will find yourself laughing resulting in tears forming in your eyes too. Again thanks for the gift I love it!!

Want to laugh 'til your sides hurt? Buy SEX, DEAD DOGS, AND ME. Who would've thought that stink perfume, vasectomies, or catching a choir leader with his pants down could be so funny?

The author, Ed Williams, may claim to be just a simple country boy from Juliette (of FRIED GREEN TOMATOES fame), but it takes a talented writer/storyteller with a naturally flowing gift of humor to turn what most of us would see as mundane or even disturbing and twist it into a series of humorous, can't-wait-to-tell-your-friends-about-THAT-one stories. It'll make you want to join the Brotherhood, impersonate Elvis, and think about your best and worst kisses.

Williams is also a brave soul. He is one of the few writers out there with courage enough to tell it like it REALLY is, even if it means revealing a somewhat warty side of himself.

SEX, DEAD DOGS, AND ME is refreshing in its honesty, filled with country wisdom, brave in its revelations, and, a-ah...forget the high brow, it's ! just a fun read. Trust me.

Oh, yeah. And do you know a guy who doesn't like to read? This book could turn him around and remind him of how much fun it can be. (Good gift idea, huh?!)

Williams thinks BTO ROCKS, well, that may be, but I think ED ROCKS. Can't wait for the sequel.

As the author indicated in the beginning of the book, this was not meant to be a book about plane crashes per se, he was interested in exploring the human interest side of the story. He did a great job.

NINE MINUTES, TWENTY SECONDS is a gripping, almost minute-by-minute account of the fateful flight of ASA 529 heading for Gulfport, MS from Atlanta, GA. Pomerantz brings you into the lives of the 29 (26 passengers and 3 crew members) on board that commuter plane. His background work into these individuals inject an important prelude towards the account of the actual crash, helping the reader feel for these people instead of treating them as statistics.

Even the cause of the crash (a faulty propeller blade) is given a very personal touch, beginning with the technician at the factory who was responsible for inspecting the blade prior to its being put in use on the plane. The official NTSB investigation and final verdict are also included, just enough to satisfy the reader's curiousity without going too detailed as to lose sight of the actual focus of the narrative.

Ultimately, Pomerantz succeeded in crafting a wonderfully touching work about the strength and nature (both good and bad) of humanity in times of crisis. Since this book was written years after the crash, Pomerantz was able to provide the reader with updates on the lives of the survivors and how the incident has changed their outlook in many aspects. This might not be the book to read if you're looking to read about plane crashes in general, or books that would provide a lot of technical details. It is almost entirely about the individual people that made up the passenger and crew list of flight ASA 529. If you're interested in reading something that would stay with you long after you're done, this is it. I started this book earlier during an afternoon, and finished it late at night. And after I did, I went to bed, and hugged the one I love.

My God, this book is amazing. It's one of the most remarkable true-life stories I've ever read. This ought to be mandatory reading for all book clubs. I couldn't put it down. I don't usually stay up past midnight to read but I did with this. The author did a great job in bringing the people aboard this plane to life. I cared about them. I wanted them all to live, and I'm glad almost all of them did. It's great story-telling. It's a tear jerker and I cried hardest when the book ended. I wanted it to go on and on. I'd give it 10 stars, if I could.

This is a well-written narrative. While the crash of ASA flight 529 is the pivotal event, Pomerantz covers pertinent events years before, and years after, the crash. Unlike other non-fiction about aviation disasters, which tend to lean to the technical, there is a continuous focus on the people directly involved, all the way back to an original examination of the part that brought the plane down.

Pomerantz story's strength is its concise and unambiguous nature. The story is not complicated in its writing--it is rich in its detail.

Every named character is portrayed as a good soul, if not outright heroic. Again, compared to other stories in this genre, the lack of a personified villain may give you the idea that there's a CBS movie of the week in there. This may be a flaw to some.

Highly recommended for the aviation buff looking for a less technical read or those interested in a good human interest story.