How can you go wrong with this lovely and beautifully put together book of prayers and scripture. The illustrations are incredible and precious. They are so full of love and absolutely perfect for babies and young toddlers. Moms love them too! My little ones were just captured by the darling illustrations and loved the sing song prayers and beautiful verses.....makes the perfect gift and addition to any nursery!

I must say first off that I love all of the Holly Pond Hill books, and rate all of them 5 stars. The drawings, writings and overall reading are pure joy! But.... I was extremely disappointed upon receiving this book because it is the same exact book as "Tea with Victoria Rose". Only the title and cover are different. I was very dissapointed that a usually reputable publisher would try to dupe me this way. I do recommend the book for Holly Pond Hill fans, because it is a good read. I just will be more careful in the future on my purchases.

I have always adored Susan Wheeler's illustrations, so I ordered the book soley on her reputation. After looking through it, I'm convinced every mom should have one. The cover, decorated end pages, colorful illustrations, and sweet poems and sayings are all great. I'm definitely ordering more copies to give as gifts.

This book will bring a smile to anyone's face. Great as a gift for a dear friend.

There are very few authors who can grab and hold my attention, but Susan has with this story. It is a wonderful love story with two powerful people set right in the middle of it. Anatole and Madeline are made for eack other, even though they don't think so in the begining.

They have to overcome many obsticles to come to realise they love each other and finding they do they realise that love is strong enough to change the prophecy of what must be.

The BRIDE FINDER is a very rare book with some wonderful and not so wonderful characters. The story will hold you right to the very last page. I was so sad when Roman, who was a very nasty member of the St.Leger family died. He finally made his peace with Anatole just before he died. They both hated each other from the day they were born, thanks to Anatole's parents rejection of him. Anatole's mother wished Roman was her son because he has not inherited the St.Leger curse, like her own son has.

Buy this book, you won't be disapointed with it. I'm just about to start the sequel to this story called THE NIGHT DRIFTER. This one is about Lance, son and heir to Castle Leger, one of Anatole and Madeleine's twin son's. I can't wait to finish it.

For those of you who want to know if there will be a third book in the series, there will be. It is called VALENTINES BRIDE ( Lance's twin brother) and will be released in the winter of 2001. There is a sneak preview at the end of THE NIGHT DRIFTER. I can't wait.....

I still have my battered copy of winterbourne that I purchased years ago, but I had no idea that Susan Carroll had written another book. After reading The bride finder I now consider Carroll my favorite romance author. The Bride finder has all the elements of a romance with a new twist on the fantasy elements. The reader will not be disappointed in the end. Anatole is all that one would wish in a leading character. Readers will be delighted to find that the herione Madeline has a brain, as well as beauty. One wishfully romances that all Brides had the St.Leger Legacy upon their marrage. I could not put this book down!!!!!! I can't wait until the sequel The night drifter is released.

Anatole St. Ledger is a very gifted man whose inner turmoil and scars have made him into a recluse. But like many St. Ledger men before him, Anatole feels it's time to marry. Because the St. Ledger men are each gifted with a unique ability(Anatole's strongest gift being clairvoyance), only women destined to love them can be chosen. THE BRIDE FINDER, the only one capable of finding such a mate, is summoned. He has chosen Madeline Breton. Now wed but wary of each other, Anatole and Madeline try to make the marriage work. Though at first, it seems that they were not destined to love, in the end they prove to themselves, to the rest of the St. Ledger clan and to a self-doubting bride finder, that they were indeed meant to be. They are unaware, however, of an evil from the past waiting to strike. Can their love survive such a threat? Susan Carroll has created a masterpiece. THE BRIDE FINDER is a magical tale filled with mystery, suspense, the supernatural, and a passionate yet tender love. It will make you laugh, cheer, and most definitely cry. I recommend it. You'll absolutely love it. Trust me!

Since I am a Sherlock Holmes fan, "The Barker Street Regulars" is one of my favorites in Susan Conant's series of dog lover's mysteries. Holly Winter and her Alaskan malamute Rowdy, who has qualified as a therapy dog, visit the Gateway nursing home, where they meet a 90-year-old woman, Althea, and her friends, Robert and Hugh, all of whom are Sherlockians. Althea's sister, Ceci, is being conned by a woman who calls herself an "animal communicator" and who claims to be channeling messages from Ceci's dear departed Newfoundland, Lord Saint Simon. Then Ceci and Althea's grandnephew, Jonathan, is found murdered in Ceci's back yard. Holly and her Sherlockian friends set out to discover whodunit. In addition to the usual dog lore, this book is chock-full of references and allusions to the Sherlock Holmes Canon: Ceci lives on a gaslit street on Norwood Hill; the tall, evil man whom Holly thwarts in his attempt to drown a cat has a "bulbous forehead"; an obnoxious couple on the dog-show circuit are named Gloria and Scott. (Holmesians will notice one gaffe: Take a look at Holly's account of the plot of "The Copper Beeches" in Chapter 26. Oh well, she has admitted that she's no expert.) If you enjoy a good, humorous cozy mystery, and if you are a dog lover and/or a Sherlock Holmes devotee, you're likely to find this book lots of fun.

Susan Conant is back and in fine form. This time she has combined her mystery with tip of the hat to Sherlock Holmes to create a wonderful tale. Of course she has given the reader another responsible dog owner message - this time detailing the importance of pet therapy visits. And her readers will be delighted to find a new character added to the mix - Holly Winter rescues a cat and becomes the somewhat reluctant owner of a none-too-agreeable feline. This new entry in Conant's Dog Lover's Mystery series has, as usual, left me anxious for her next book to appear!

I received this book for my birthday, being someone who shows dogs, and I've read it four times since. The storyline is original without being too weird and the characters evoke many emotions. Susan Conant writes as though the main character is actually talking to you, not just normal first person, which is refreshing. Although I was sometimes confused by the hints to Sherlock Holmes, I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to dog lovers. :)

I finished this book last night and I am still chuckling this morning. This is a really fun book. Kenny is a golfer who is having a little bad luck in his career. To get back into the "swing" of things, so to speak, Kenny has agreed to act as tour guide for Lady Emma. Emma is an English headmistress of an all girls school in London. It took me about 2-3 chapters before I really started to get into this romance, but when things take off, they really go. The love scenes were hot and the romance was sweet. Not only were the H/H fun to watch, but the secondary characters were great too. Just when I thought I had seen everything, Kenny/Emma would say or DO something so outrageous, that I just had to crack up! The dialogue caught me by surprise so many times, that I have go back and read it again to see if I missed anything.

I've only read one other book by Susan Phillips (Heaven, Texas) and that was enough to keep me going back for more. I can definitely already begin to recognize certain trademarks in her work: athlete heros, heroines who are eccentric in one way or another, and great secondary characters. This novel was no exception, although I enjoyed Heaven, Texas more. Phillips does a great job of characterization, always creating characters who do not fit the stereotyped profile of romance novel heroes/heroines. Kenny is sexy in his own lazy, laid-back type of way and the secondary character, Dex, is sexy in his own computer-geek way. Somehow she makes all of this work. I especially enjoy the way Phillips gives readers insight into the thoughts of the characters. She handles this part subtlely by giving us insight into how the characters, especially the heroes, gradually come to realize they're in love with the heroines. Gradually is the key word that makes this so specially. I really hate it when a writer expects readers to believe that the main characters mentally acknowledge their attachment to each other within days of their first encounter. In Phillips' novels, the love a hero feels for the heroine sneaks up on him unawares and readers are privy to that process.

This novel was funny & sexy and I'd recommend it.

Well, I have been considering reading Susan Elizabeth Phillips for a while now ever since _First Lady_ came out and my bookstore had a huge display set up for it. I walked past it a dozen times, each time thinking "I wonder if she's good". Well, this summer, I finally got a chance to find out, boy is she ever! Susan's words come alive on the page, and her stories are so enveloping that you won't want to do anything but read. I became extremly involved in the lives of Kenny and Emma. Their story was fresh and truly one of my favorite contemporary stories. This book made me look at golf in a diferent way. First, I've got to tell that my family is all about golf. We live and breathe it here. So, when I saw that Kenny was a golfer, I was a little wary. But, I now see golf in a diferent light, and maybe even (gasp!) like it just a little bit. For those of you out there who want to learn a little bit about the PGA tour while enjoying yourself, pick up this book! You will learn little facts without even knowing it. Kenny was a dear character. At first, you'll think he's a lazy slug, but you will soon find out that that is just a cover to what he's really like. Emma was one of those females that you hope you'll be like one day. She's kind, caring, passionate and not perfect... my favorite combo. And SEP's writing. Gosh, what can I say? She's fabulous... absolutely fabulous. _Lady Be Good_ is one of the best books I've ever read. But don't just take my word for it; pick up a copy and see for yourself!

This was the first book I read from Susan King and I have to say I'm impressed by her accurate historical view, her strong lyrical and story-telling talents. I'm much into stories about historical Scotland and if it's a story of such passion and true love, the better is it! I liked the characters, Sebastien le Bret being a man I could fall for and Alainna a woman one could envy. It is a wonderful romance and a must read!

This is the first book that I read by Susan King. This is a story of Alainna MacLaren, the leader of Laren Clan and Sebastien Le Bret, a Norman knight. The story is beautifully written and I believe that Susan King did some reaserches about the timeline. The story itself is a bit slow, but afterall, it is a great story. Those two are committed to their own family, honour, and clan, yet they are attracted to each other... a must read!

Susan King has done it again! I have read every one of her books. She has never let me down. Her story's about the scottish highlands are always great.

This story is about a Highland lass who ask's the King of scotland for help. Her clan is dieing off form a feud that has lasted 700 years.

Alainna is sent a Norman knight Sebastein Le Bret. By the kings order she is to marry this kinght. Alainna dose not want to marry him she wants a highlander. She want this highlander to take on her name as well.

Alainna and Sebastien are handfasted, but he will not take her name. as you read this story you see that they both have very strong pride. you are drwan into their love for one another hopeing that they will let go of their pride and stay together. This is a must read you dont want to put the book down till its over. I loved this book I could really feel what the both of them were feeling I cryed when they did and laughted when they did!

I picked up this book after reading "Compromising Positions" and its sequel, "Long Time No See". "Long Time No See" was written 20 years after "Compromising Positions", and "After All These Years" was written between these two novels. I have concluded that Isaacs continues to improve with age. This book was better than "Compromising Positions", but not quite at the level of "Long Time No See."

There's plenty to enjoy in this novel. Isaacs has such a pleasant style and is so clever, this book will keep you laughing throughout. Plus, you have to love a heroine who, after, being dumped by her adulterous husband, manages to solve the mystery surrounding his murder plus makes time to enjoy not one, but two, affairs while on the lamb. The characters are well-crafted and entertaining. Isaacs does not hesitate to allow the main character to poke fun at herself either. Plus, it is fun to find out the secret life her husband has been leading ever since they struck it rich. The only detractor was that I figured out "who done it" very early on. So, to me, the ultimate solving of the crime was definitely not the highlight of the story.

I read this thick book over a weekend, while in the car on a long trip. It was thoroughly entertaining, and made me promptly go out and purchase another Isaacs novel--"Lily White". Even when I do solve the mystery sooner than the protagonist, Isaacs keeps me laughing, and I'm always anxious to read some more.

This is a great, light murder with a pretty predictable plot, but with just enough twists and turns that all 40 somethings will enjoy. The main character, Rosie, seems just like a normal woman with a real sleazebag for a husband. After I read this novel, I proceeded to read all of Isaacs novels, and this is the best. One problem -- all her heroines are unrealistic in two ways (1)they may be middle aged, but they are beautiful and thin and have either great careers or lots of money or both and (2) these women may get dumped in a big way, but by the end of the novel, they have a great man in their life. Still worth reading. It will make you laugh.

This book is fabulous.

I don't agree with or endorse everything in it, but I have to confess, this is a great, great book to read.

First, it's funny. The funniness is the most significant part of it. How many stories about estranged dead husbands are funny, especially when the ex wife wishes he were neither dead nor estranged? But Rosie, the heroine, is irrepressible... and that has nothing to do with the fact that we're both English teachers. She is, in her own words, postmenopausal, and she's Jewish, while I'm neither. But we both do have dark hair.

Anyway, Rosie's husband is dead, and the next best thing about the book is that he was murdered. He was stabbed in the chest with a knife, and everyone thinks that Rosie did it, though all she wanted at that moment was a hot dog. As the book evolves oh-so-deliciously, we learn that someone familiar to the deceased did in fact do it, but who? The well paced and clever plot unfolds without wasting time nor skimping on details, and despite the fact that I'm a savvy voracious reader, the murderer was a total surprise to me. Total. Talk about a totally logical though well-concealed perp!

Isaacs liberal sensibilities are poured all over this tale, which do in fact conflict with my own perspectives, but I find it relatively easy to overlook the ideological differences I have with this book to savor its finer qualities. The only other problem I have with it deals with Rosie's knight in shining armor... Isaacs never does spell out why he didn't ask her to the prom in high school.

Read it! You'll love it.

This book weaves a myriad of folk motifs into the fabric of reality, creating a vibrant tale about the connections among generation, about how the actions of our ancestors can affect out contemporary lives-and how the presence resonates in us.

The story creates a foundation in the 1860s-when a Dakota warrior-Ghost Horse, lost his love-Red Dress. Since then, their spirits have sought to be reunited, and it is the playing out of this drama that shapes the sometimes violent fate of those who have come after them. The story jumps to the 1980s,where Charlene Thunder, a teenage descendant of Red Dress, is in love with Harley Wind Soldier, a traditional dancer of Ghost Horse's lineage. When Harley's soulmate, Pumpkin, dies, Charlene suspects her grandmother, the infamous Anna Thunder- who is both revered and feared by the Dakota community.

Charlene and Harley strive to make peace with the ghosts of their pasts while contending with the living. Other significant characters include Jeanette McVay, an American college student studying the tribe; Crystal Thunder-who must escape to Chicago to find her past; Herod Sall War-a member of the community who provides spiritual guidance; and Margaret Many Wounds-Harley's grandmother who he sees walking on the moon.

The story combines the mythic and supernatural aspect of the Dakota heritage with the contemporary Dakota tribe to serve as a very entertaining and interesting text!

I recently was assigned The Grass Dancer for my Native American Literature class. I must say that this is a fantastic book. All of the characters are beautifully crafted. The stories of each character, such as Anna Thunder and Lydia Wind Soldier give the reader real insight as to why each character behaves in a particular way. The loss that the various characters suffer does not fill me with sadness, but gives me hope that they will see each other once again once they leave this world. The backwards progression of time brings Harley Wind Soldier to a place that allows him to fill the hole over his heart. This story displays the vivid and very much alive culture of the Dakota Sioux. Susan Power does a wonderful job of creating a world that is true and completely fictional all at the same time. I would definitely recommend this book to other people.

If you are looking for a book that is engaging and compelling, Susan Power's "The Grass Dancer" is it. Indeed, this book is at once exciting, poignant, and meaningful. I have to say that, among the numerous books that I have read since high school, this one ranks (at least) in the top 20. When I put down the book, I felt as though I had just awoken from a beautiful dream.
Power recreates the world of magic and spirituality in a tapestry of beautiful language and webs of stories. "The Grass Dancer" is about the traditions of the Dakota Indian people-both past and present-and the narrative switches from one narrator to another, giving us multiple perspectives into the lives of these characters. The chapters go back in time, so that events unfold in front of our eyes, making the present situation of these characters understandable. Each character seems to be finding a way to be complete, and at the end of almost each chapter, each one of them sprouts strong and resilient, like grass that is hard to pull out. Power brings us in a journey through time and space, illustrating the power of imagination, such as the possibility of walking on the moon.
Grass serves as a symbol of power, particularly Indian power. Dancing becomes a way in which an Indian keeps his or her hopes up, making it a dance that is imbued with a kind of survival energy. Power's message in this book can be summed up in this sentence, where she writes, "...look at the magic. There is still magic in the world."
This book is infused with humor to keep you interested, and spirituality to keep you inspired. The presence of love among characters is so moving that it will stir your emotions. All in all, Power hits every aspect of an Indian's life: the dichotomy between Indian and white culture, the problems that arise out of dual heritage, disease, spirits, magic, ancestral powers, religion, and love. I would re-read this book, whether it be for inspiration, or simply for pleasure. Perhaps you would find the same joy by reading this incredible story.