The book is lovely and contains ideas and recipes for sharing a tea party with your special little girl...even a darling miniature tea set is included!

A marvelous thank you to Susan Wheeler and Mr. Kortepeter for their beautiful work in creating this book. Wonderful artwork with that adorable Victorian setting, delightful recipes for teatime and useful tips for tea parties. Highly reccommendable for all tea lovers.

Like most people, I was drawn to this book because of the artwork. And while the drawings are first-rate throughout, it was the writing that really got me hooked. From the seasonal stories to the recipes to the Holly Pond Hill Gazette entries, this book is a delightful potpourri of words. My hat's off to Paul Kortepeter for his inventiveness and to Susan Wheeler for her vision. I can't wait for the next book! Ciao.

This book was a Godsend to me as I completed chemotherapy for breast cancer 4 years ago.This book touches on all the issues faced by cancer survivors on several levels - emotional, social, legal, etc. Only a cancer survivor knows what it is like to be a member of this special club of ours - a club whose members share the same renewed vision of life. The road to that renewed vision is not an easy one, and this book will help pave the way! I can't believe that it is out of print! My life has been enriched because of it. Thank you, Susan and Judith!

You thought getting your cancer cured took care of the matter? Dream on. There are a lot of issues in survivorhood. Your dates drop you, your insurance company drops you, your employer eases you out, your family doesn't want to hear about it anymore, and your adrenaline surges with every cough, twinge and hiccup that your now untrustworthy body produces. Here are some people who understand. Fellow survivors Nessim and Ellis walk you through every issue, offering sound advice and words of encouragement. Their chapter on the insurance obstacle is excellent. You might take a mind to joining one of the Cancervive chapters, if there is one in your area, or availing yourself of their over-the-phone counseling.

Will appeal to: survivors and their family and friends.

This book is beautifully written & illustrated. Every child with a sibling will identify with this book--and so will their parents! It sends a great message, too. Best of all, "Hugs and Kisses" shows profound wit and characterization that's lacking in many modern kids' books.

Siblings can't decide which one the mother loves the most, so they decide to hold a contest: whoever receives the most hugs and kisses before sundown is their mother's favorite child. The colorful rabbit drawings by Susan Wheeler are adorable in this intriguing story.

no immunity, susan dunlap's fourth novel featuring medical examiner-turned-private eye kiernan o'shaughnessy, is her best yet... kiernan has to deal with a potentially devastating, highly contagious virus that could ptove to become a huge epidemic. she has to face some past personal demons and make a tough decision to help an old friend, dr. jeff tremain, regardless of the threat to her personal safety... but it seems the only thing kiernan can say no to is partnership, so she agrees to help her old friend. adding to her woes is her long-time houseman, ex-pro football player brad tchernak, who's feeling undervalued and underapprecciated. brad is determined to prove himself to kiernan and he takes on a case of his own, seemingly unrelated to kiernan's highly-contagious virus. as the two cases begin to overlap, kiernan must do some quick thinking to save them both. a highly satisfying mystery, intelligent and fast-paced without ever rushing out of control. susan dunlap has become one of my favorite authors; i find myself reaching for her books itime and again. i'd love to see jill smith take a break from her woes and team up with and vj haskell to solve some really tough case!

Dr. Jeff Tremaine demands that private investigator Kiernan O'Shaughnessy apply her skills as a pathologist by conducting an autopsy on a cadaver, who might have died form a highly contagious disease. Jeff and Kiernan share the memory of a nasty experience in Africa where people were dying from a Lhasa fever epidemic. Jeff made a decision that ultimately cost him the woman he loved and he still blames Kiernanan for the choice he made. NO IMMUNITY is a believable tale that emphasizes the end result of fear, greed, and desperation that seems to prevail in today's society. Based on headline news stories about epidemics, Susan Dunlap weaves a frightening story where unchecked profit allows for the concealment of the truth and the resultant consequences are buried alongside it. Kiernan's motives to go it alone are fully understood, adding a personal touch to the chiller. This compelling thriller is a fascinating profile of human behavior that is a must read for those who enjoy an intellectual doomsday novel.

I collect advent calendars, and am always looking for interesting ones that aren't just the run of the mill--this calendar is darling. The bunny families are beautifully drawn, and each door that is opened continues the scene in some way, actually telling a little story each time a door is opened. It is charming.

The lovely watercolor print shows a pond skating scene, full of Holly Pond Hill bunnies in their victorian costumes. Very sweet! There is a little flap to open for each day of the advent season with a cute little surprise inside.

It will stand upright on a table or under your tree. It can be stored for use in years to come.

I'm looking forward to starting an advent calendar tradition with my toddler this year. She'll really enjoy those cute bunnies.

Anyone who goes Christmas caroling needs this book.

This book has the lyrics and music of the songs:

Jingle Bells
The First Noel
Deck The Halls
O Christmas Tree
Silent Night
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
O Come, All Ye Faithful
We Wish You A Merry Christmas
I Saw Three Ships
Joy To The World

Not only that, the book has special chapters about tree trimming, and holiday goodies. Also, the illustrations are unbelievably beautiful.

This is a must have book for anyone who loves caroling, or just wants a special decoration this holiday season.

The book is very cute and will look nice on the coffee table throughout the Christmas season. I like the perforated tear-out lyric sheets in the back of the book. It has many ideas and recipes for creating a caroling party - Cranberry punch, gingerbread cookies, and instructions for a few parlor games. Can be displayed upright and open on a table.

I would recommend this to anyone who loves "cute" things.

This was the first book I read after my baby was diagnosed with a fatal birth defect. I highly recommend it to anyone--parent, friend, or professional--who might have to deal with infant loss. The book talks about the grieving process, ways to find emotional support, and the ways a parent may find of memorializing a baby. There are suggestions for doctors, clergy, and funeral home staff. This book has many personal stories as well as general guidelines and ideas, keeping in mind that just as everyone would have parented their babies differently, so they will grieve and remember differently. Quite thorough book dealing with a subject many would rather not dwell on, and with many many excellent suggestions.

This book was one of the first books I read after my daughter's stillbirth. It is a very good book because you can read the stories of babies who were lost to ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, stillbirth and neonatal death and how their parents have learned to cope. This book also helps friends, family and professionals (doctors, nurses, midwives, clergy, and funeral directors) to understand how to help the bereaved parents. This is a book that everyone should read.

I looked at so many baby books before my twins were born, and this was hands-down the most darling and complete book out there! The book follows your child's first five years, but focuses most attention on the first--footprints, first words, places for photos of all kinds, a sweet little layout for recording their growth, and adorable illustrations. I was so impressed with the quality, content, and layout of this book--enough to be thoroughly disappointed with the Anne Geddes I purchased after reading rave reviews. I also liked the padded cover and little protective cover-box it comes in. You will love this sweet little book!

If you like books by Barbara Delinsky, Kristin Hannah and other contemporary stories that cover more than just romance, you'll love this book. Susan Wiggs creates very human and complex characters and then she writes about love between sisters, family members, men and women. A woman comes home to the family she left behind ten years ago for reasons that become clear as the story unfolds. All the characters grow and change. Nothing is tied up neatly, it's all believable, but it's a very satisfying ending. Worth your time.

What's a Perfect Read? The sort of book you can sit down with and meet characters who feel as real as your friends. A story so involving that you forget all the crud going on in your life and realize that there are deeper things in life that are wonderful, you discover this in your own life as Jessie, Dustin, Luz, and Ian find out in theirs.

The Perfect Read reminds you to accept your children with all their flaws and to recognize Love when it walks into your life.

Thank you Susan Wiggs for a Perfect Read.

Many a historical romance author has tried to make the crossover to contemporary fiction. In rare instances, authors excel equally in both genres, and Susan Wiggs is one of those rare exceptions. With her latest novel, she explores the bond between sisters Jessie Ryder and Luz Ryder Benning.

After almost sixteen years traveling the globe on photojournalism assignments, Jessie is back to see her beloved sister Luz, three nephews, and fifteen-year-old niece Lila, who is actually the baby Luz and husband Ian adopted from Jess who took off years ago. Through the pain of separation and untold secrets, the sisters try to fit into each other's lives again, as Luz and Ian must decide whether to tell rebellious Lila the truth of her birth. And even Jessie has some secrets regarding Lila's conception. Amidst this very realistic glimpse into one family's drama is the surprising romance Jessie finds with local pilot and widower Dusty Matlock, who has a tragic story of his own.

Expertly drawn characters set against the beautiful Texas landscape are the life force of this compelling novel. Not only is the reader entranced by the unearthing of past secrets, but present-day secrets come to light in this thought provoking read with a unique and believable view of one family's ability to stay together despite personal trauma and tragedy. (thebestreviews.com)

HEAVEN, TEXAS by SEP is the second book in the Chicago Football Stars series. The prequel to this novel is IT HAD TO BE YOU, which I have yet to read. I always seem to be reading series in the wrong order, but all I can say is that HEAVEN, TEXAS is an awesome book on its own. This is the love story between Bobby Tom, a famous Chicago Stars quarterback and a-one-of-a-kind lady named Gracie Snow.

Bobby Tom was just forced to retire from playing football because of a bad knee injury he received during one of the games. Being very depressed, he decides to have some fun and signs up to be a star in a Hollywood movie. When he doesn't show up for his filming, newly hired Gracie is sent to find Bobby Tom and bring him to set. Poor Gracie, her first assignment and she bring Bobby Tom back to the set, two weeks late!! Even going through an impromptu striptease for Bobby Tom, she was unable to get him in on time. Well it is not right to completely blame Gracie, for Bobby Tom did give Gracie a lot of trouble. He's just not used to a lady with a bossy mouth and a bad perm to tell him what to do! Moreover, feeling attracted to such a lady, when he's seen ones that were ten times more beautiful, is something he'd never imagine he'd do. But what he does not notice and takes for granted till the very end, is that Gracie has the most generous and kind heart in the whole world. Only until Bobby Tom breaks Gracie's heart and when she runs back to her old life, does Bobby Tom realize how much he took for granted and how much he has come to love her.

What did I like most of the story? Like all the other readers have said... sometimes when you feel awkward or unattractive, just be yourself, for there is always someone that will look right into your heart and love you for who you are. I believe SEP has delivered a wonderful story with a beautiful message.

The premise of this funny, sexy, touching book is that an ex-pro football player, Bobby Tom Denton, is forced into retirement after a severe leg injury. Seeking a new direction in his life he relunctantly signs-on to make an action movie back in his small Texas hometown (hence the title). Out to find a new place in the world also is former nursing care-worker, Gracie Snow, who seeks a new start as a production assistant on the movie. Unfortunately (or fortunately in the end) her first assignment is to make sure that the irreputable, charming B.T. gets to the set on time. They have quite an adventure along the way and become closer as both of them grow and change their past perceptions on love. Ms. Phillips captures the hopes, dreams and emotions of the characters so beautifully that by the time the book ends you will have laughed, sighed and cried with Gracie and Bobby Tom, so much so that you'll be thinking of them fondly way after you finished the book. Bobby Tom Denton...(sigh)

Last week I read _It Had To Be You_, the first book in Susan Elizabeth Phillips' Chicago Stars series. I loved it and I couldn't wait to get my hands on more. I was more then satisfied with _Heaven, Texas_. I know I'm in the minority here, but I enjoyed _Heaven, Texas_ more then _It Had To Be You_.

Gracie Snow must bring Bobby Tom Denton back home to Heaven, Texas so that he can begin shooting his first movie. Bobby Tom was forced into retirement from football when an injury totally damaged his knee. From then on, Bobby Tom felt like his life had no direction, without football, his soul was gone. So, he tried different things... signing movie contracts and the like, so that he could find out which one he really liked. Unfortunately, Bobby Tom had no intention of fulfilling his movie obligations and he was late getting to the location. So, Windmill pictures sent their production assistant, Gracie Snow after him.

Gracie grew up in a nursing home and also ran it for many years. When Windmill Pictures offered her a job, Gracie pounced on it, hoping to start a new life. Her first assignment, find Bobby Tom and bring him home. And so starts a journey for Gracie that will change her life. On the road with Bobby Tom, Gracie shows her stubborness, but by some miracle manages to get him back to Heaven (aka Telarosa). As Gracie undergoes a makeover, so does her heart, and she falls madly in love with Bobby Tom. Can a man who's had women throw themselves at him all his life see that Gracie is the one for him?

Now, _It Had To Be You_ was great, but _Heaven, Texas_ was spectacular, and my reasons for favoring it are as follows. Pheobe from _IHTBY_ was a larger then life heroine. She was amazingly well fleshed out, and it was easy to get to know her as a character, but no matter how hard I try, I can't see her as a normal person walking down the street because of her larger then life status. Gracie, on the other hand, could be your next door neighbor. She's much easier to connect with because the reader gets the feeling that they could have been best friends growing up. Gracie seemed like she was one of the crowd, and that's why I enjoyed her so much in this book. Also, she was not drop dead gorgeous. Infact, in the begining, she's got a bad perm and a bad wardroab. It's easier for me to think that the scenerio in _Heaven, Texas_ could happen. Also, Bobby Tom was a wonderfully flawed character. The rampant emotions that run through him are delightful, and his actions as a character are so well fleshed out that he comes alive along with Gracie.

I'd give Susan Elizabeth Phillips two thumbs up to the stratosphere for _Heaven, Texas_. This book penned from one of romance's susperstars is one not to be missed. Her humor is sprinkled expertly into the book and every facet of it shines like a gem. I lost many hours of sleep for reading into the wee hours of the night. I'm quickly acquiring her books as they're not going to be in paperback much longer... this year, she's making the leap to hardcover. Brava, SEP!