Books

Before the Storm (Star Wars: The Black Fleet Crisis, Book 1)

Average customer rating:

These books made me mad...
There is a great disturbance in the Force.
What in the world....
Great purchase
RabidFanboy

Before the Storm (Star Wars: The Black Fleet Crisis, Book 1)
Michael P. Kube-Mcdowell
Manufacturer: Spectra
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Space Opera | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Science Fiction & Fantasy Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Shield of Lies (Star Wars: The Black Fleet Crisis, Book 2)
Tyrant's Test (Star Wars: The Black Fleet Crisis, Book 3)
The Crystal Star (Star Wars (Random House Paperback))
The New Rebellion (Star Wars)
Ambush at Corellia (Star Wars: The Corellian Trilogy, Book 1)

ASIN: 0553572733
Release Date: 1996-03-01

Book Description

In the blockbuster bestselling tradition of Heir to the Empire comes this thrilling addition to the Star Wars(r) saga, as peace gives way to a new threat...

It is a time of tranquillity for the New Republic. The remnants of the Empire now lie in complete disarray, and the reemergence of the Jedi Knights has brought power and prestige to the fledgling government on Coruscant. Yesterday's Rebels have become today's administrators and diplomats, and the factions that fought against imperial tyranny seem united in savoring the fruits of peace.

But the peace is short-lived. A restless Luke must journey to his mother's homeworld in a desperate and dangerous quest to find her people. An adventurous Lando must seize a mysterious spacecraft that has weapons of enormous destructive power and an unknown mission. And Leia, a living symbol of the New Republic's triumph, must face down a ruthless leader of the Duskhan League, an arrogant Yevetha who seems bent on a genocidal war that could shatter the fragile unity of the New Republic...and threaten its very survival.

Customer Reviews:

These books made me mad..........2007-05-18

I love Star Wars and pretty much anything related to them. I can stand the unusual circumstances that our characters go through. I put up with the eternal Empire problems that plagued a bunch of the books in that era. I live through the silly plots and junk that are typical of sci-fi. But I can't stand taking Star Wars and pretty much changing everything Star Wars about it. These books might have been good had they not starred Han, Luke, Leia, Lando, and Chewie. However, this is not the case.
To sum up, the New Republic is getting pretty used to being at peace until the Yevetha (think: pre-Vong) come blazing a trail, hacking people up because they just like to. Leia runs around touting "Peace, peace, peace!" like a hippie, Han and Chewie pretty much do nothing of consequence, Lando is off trying to find a fleet of ships, and Luke, well, he hasn't done IT in a while, so when he meets this lady...well, let's just say it's a good thing the books don't center on THAT relationship.
When I finally read these books, I had already learned that Padme was Luke and Leia's mom so the fact that this woman tromps up to Luke and says, "Your mother is one of us" kinda ticked me off. But this is forgivable given Luke and Leia don't actually know their mom. What is not forgiveable is that Luke decides, "Hey, finding my mom is way more important than saving the galaxy like I've been doing the last twelve books and this woman is hot and single, so let's go!" What happened to Luke here? And how did he become the super-Jedi that he is portrayed in here? Rebuilding his dad's sanctuary? Why would Luke even choose Vader's sanctuary given that it is probably filled with a Dark Side presence?
Leia is a complete snob. She is nothing like the fiesty princess we fell in love with in A New Hope. Han is the incompetent daddy. And Lando is off finding these ships...why?
Bad, just plain bad! If Jedi Trial had never come out, these books would have been the worst in the series. As it is, they tie. If you buy to complete your Star Wars set, first off, buy used paperbacks, and second, read at your own risk.

There is a great disturbance in the Force........2006-06-02

This trilogy is probably THE worst in the ENTIRE SW series (possibly even worse than TPM). Do yourself a favor, avoid this trilogy. You will thank those of us who warned you. Probably the worst turn in the trilogy (and probably the one that angered me the most, because it just seemed so cliché and not completely thought out) was finding out why Luke was dragged all over the galaxy: because his guide wanted to find out if she could trust Jedi. So, she based whether or not she could trust him on how he reacted to her lie (the lie that she knew ANYTHING about Padme, which was nothing).

And really, how many times are we going to have another Empire, or another form of the Yevetha or Yuuzhan Vong? Having yet ANOTHER form of the same old thing has really gotten tired. Yes, that's a word I would use for this trilogy: tired, with a healthy helping of not-thought-out.

What in the world...........2006-01-02

Ok I gave this book there stars for effort. there were some good parts to the story, but not many. The book is far to slow and makes no since to me. Luke is off trying to find his mother who has some force talent called the "white current", that really makes no since to me, seeing that im relatively new to the star wars universe beyond the movies, I was under the impression that Padme had no talent whatsoever with the force, not to mention, they have luke's mother being from a planet i have never heard off before, padme was from naboo. the author did a horrible job with luke and leia both, Han was done alright but he is not in it much, same with chewie, in fact he sends chewie back to his home planet in the first few moments of the book. he did ackbar decently not great. and characters like Wedge Antilles, were just thrown in there for what reason I dont know, he didnt have any part in the story but the one time he was mention. so all in all, 3 stars for effort 1 for the actually story. If I was you i would just skip this triliogy as I dont see and revelance to the rest of the star wars story line and this triliogy will just confuse you.

Great purchase.......2005-09-05

I would recommend The Black Fleet Crisis series to anyone looking for a fast-paced fun read that expands on the popular Star Wars story line. It gives some excellent character insight for the reader and gives the Star Wars universe a weight and gravity (or anti-gravity depending on the situation) that provides the majority of the excellence in Mr. Kube-McDowell's storytelling.

RabidFanboy.......2004-06-09

As of today I'm quite happy to say I've read through all the printed Star Wars books that fit into the storyline. It's got ups and downs. This trilogy is one of those downs. There are some decent parts, the idea for the villians are very much like the Vong (with some major exceptions) from the New Jedi Order series and sometimes it seems they might even be the template. But many aspects fall through as you continue.

Book Description

WANTED: Young, skinny, wiry fellows not over eighteen. Must be expert riders. Willing to risk death daily. Orphans preferred.

When Colton Wescott sees this sign for the Pony Express, he thinks he has the solution to his problems. He's stuck with his ma and two younger sisters on the wrong side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, with no way to get across. They were on the wagon train heading to California when Pa accidentally shot Colton and then galloped away. Ma is sick, and Colton needs money to pay the doctor. He'd make good money as a Pony rider. he also needs to get to California to deliver freedom papers to Ma's sister, a runaway slave. The Pony Express could get him there too...

Does Colton have what it takes to be a Pony Express rider? And if so, will traveling the dangerous route over the mountains bring him closer to family, freedom, and everything he holds dear?

Customer Reviews:

Makes history come alive.......2007-06-22

A 12-year-old boy, Colton, tries to get a job with the Pony Express in this unusual "western". There are no Indians in the story, but race plays a part with the hero as a son of a white man and a free black woman, but who can pass for white. The family is moving west with a wagon train but is beset by the troubles of the trail--no doctors, difficult childbirth, broken wagon wheels, lack of food. A gun accident while in Nevada precipitates it all: the depressive father accidentally shoots the son in the leg, then takes off in apparent remorse, leaving the family to fend for itself. Racism is a theme of the story, but it is also about a boy's doggedness and the importance of cross-country communication on the eve of the Civil War. The prose is easy, in a colloquial style. Those who like horse stories and action-adventure will appreciate this one. I could hardly put this book down, and despite having to go to work I finished it in less than 24 hours. This book is heartily recommended, and should appeal especially to middle schoolers studying the pre-Civil War era as well as to horse enthusiasts, male or female. It would work well as a read-aloud for middle school, since the audience will be anxious to know how it turns out. It is devoid of love interests, but despite that it should serve a high school audience well, too.

Black Storm Comin`.......2007-03-03

In my book, Black Storm Comin`, Colton, the twelve-year-old boy who is the main character, is very responsible and knows everything he needs to know to travel by himself and knows how be a man. One example of that is that Colton has to work with his dad every day. Colton has to wake up at 6:00 a.m. in the morning he doesn't stop working until 8:00 p.m. And he has been doing that for 5 years straight. Another example of that is that he has good manners. Colton calls a lady ma'am and a man sir, he is really polite and he says please and thanks you. Colton also became the man of the family. After pa left after shooting Colton accidentally at the leg while he was asleep, Colton had to stand up and was forced to take responsibility for his whole family and he was doing everything. Colton helplessly needed a job so, he thought he could get a job at the Pony Express because it would cover up the pay and it would take him and his entire family to Sacramento, California that everyone needed to go there and he got the job. At the middle of the story Colton's ma gave Colton a letter to give to her half sister, then at the end of the story, Colton gave it to the half sister, but then ended u running for their lives meaning his pa and himself. Colton was the perfect kid at his time as I have already told you how.

A Western that will appeal to many.......2005-11-01

I'm not usually a fan of westerns. I don't get that whole prairie, horse, dirt thing that many find appealing.

But this story is not a typical western.

It's the story of a 12 year old boy and his family - a 12 year old who's forced to take responsibility for his family (an occurrance common enough in the past).

There's a lot of historical information and environmental vibes packed into this book - it fairly places you in the shoes of a biracial child who, quite guiltily, can pass for white in a time right before the civil war. It gives you an insight into the Pony Express - a wonderful group of kids who kept the country connected and informed.

In all, this is a good read, especially for young boys, which will open the mind and the heart.

(*)>

History Made Fun.......2005-10-12

Like all of Diane Lee Wilson's books, we get some excellent historical background to a great story. Her characters are always interesting and nuanced, not the stock character so often found in young adult fiction. Her stories are set in interesting times and we always learn something we didn't know. In Black Storm Comin, we get an insiders look not only into the Pony Express but also the challenges faced by the bi-racial rider. And the horses! Wilson can write about horses like no one else - she's taking over where Marguite Henry left off. This is a great read and I look forward to her next one. I recommend it for any reader, young or old, male or female.

An story of bravery, freedom, and the love of a horse and rider.......2005-06-29

Based on Wilson's research about the pony express, this story is filled with fascinating facts and tidbits about the old west. But what is so delightful is the intensity of the story, excellent horsemanship, and relationship of a small boy and his horse. It kept me on the edge the whole time. The young protagonist is also bi-racial, adding an interesting twist and subtheme to the entire story. I learned much about the pony express and its riders, as well as the challenges of being bi-racial in early America.

The African American Church in Birmingham, Alabama, 1815-1963: A Shelter in the Storm (Studies in African American History and Culture)

Average customer rating:

Great
review of "A Shelter in the Storm"

The African American Church in Birmingham, Alabama, 1815-1963: A Shelter in the Storm (Studies in African American History and Culture)
W Wilson Fallin
Manufacturer: Routledge
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Library Binding

African American | Other Practices | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Look Inside History Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

Look Inside Religion & Spirituality Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
ASIN: 0815328834

Book Description

This book offers a comprehensive history of the African American church in a community which played a crucial role in the civil rights movement. While the church in Birmingham was indeed a spiritual community, it was also the central institution in the African American community at large, providing leadership as well as economic, political, and social functions in a segregated racist society.
This historical analysis begins in the period of slavery with the development of a particularly African American version of Christianity from the merging of African and white evangelical religions. As African Americans moved to Birmingham from the black belt of Alabama, they formed churches which were spiritual communities where African Americans sought hope, security, moral discipline, and self-esteem in the face of racism and segregation. In addition, the study illustrates how churches established institutions that met educational, benevolent, and economic needs. The study concludes with a look at the leadership provided by churchmen in the civil rights movement, who brought Martin Luther King, Jr. to the city for massive civil rights demonstrations.
(Ph.D. dissertation, University of Alabama, 1995; revised with new preface, foreword, introduction, afterword)

Customer Reviews:

Great.......2007-01-20

This book is great if you really want to learn. No fluff! I recommend it.

review of "A Shelter in the Storm".......2000-01-16

I had the opportunity to study under Dr. Fallin at the University of Montevallo in Montevallo, AL. The material covered in his book is highly informative and accurate. The details that Dr. Fallin covered are extensive and the book paints a highly accurate description of the role of black churches in their struggle to obtain true independance in the South.

After the Storm: Black Intellectuals Explore the Meaning of Hurricane Katrina

Average customer rating:

A Survivor of the Storm

After the Storm: Black Intellectuals Explore the Meaning of Hurricane Katrina
David Dante Troutt
Manufacturer: New Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Americas | History | Subjects | Books

Disaster Relief | Current Events | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Discrimination & Racism | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

General | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Natural Disasters | Earth Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books

Look Inside History Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

Look Inside Outdoors & Nature Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Breach of Faith: Hurricane Katrina and the Near Death of a Great American City
There is No Such Thing as a Natural Disaster: Race, Class, and Hurricane Katrina
Come Hell or High Water: Hurricane Katrina and the Color of Disaster
The Great Deluge: Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast
Hurricane Katrina: Response and Responsibilities

ASIN: 1595581162

Book Description

Leading African American scholars use post-hurricane Louisiana as a window into twenty-first-century black America.

"Race has become a subtext for just about every contentious decision [New Orleans] faces."—James Dao, The New York Times, January 22, 2006

In one emblematic photograph, a bloated body floats facedown on the left while, to the right, a woman stands on an overpass, oblivious. Both the body and the distracted survivor are black.

With more than a thousand dead, entire neighborhoods destroyed, and a diaspora of tens of thousands of poor, mostly black, and previously invisible people suddenly in view, Hurricane Katrina presents issues of race, space, class, and politics in high relief.

In a book of visceral and scholarly critique, analysis, and prescription, published on the first anniversary of the storm, a dozen prominent black intellectuals face the difficult questions about poverty, housing, governmental decision-making, crime, community development, and political participation that Katrina raised.

Determined to offer insights about renewal, their contributions help the nation to understand what happened in the Gulf region, what is likely to happen in the recovery and redevelopment effort to come, and what these events tell us about poverty and inequality in contemporary America.

Contributors include: Adolph Reed, Sheryll Cashin, Clement Price, Cheryl Harris, Devon Carbado, Katheryn Russell-Brown, Adrien Wing, Anthony Farley, John Valery White

Customer Reviews:

A Survivor of the Storm.......2007-01-18

I lived in New Orleans 18 years and have relocated since Katrina. My fellow law professors have done an excellent job exposing the reality of New Orleans before and after the storm. I recommend this collection of thoughtful essays to anyone who wants a candid look at how race is relevant even when it shouldn't be. All Americans should be outraged and continue to seek justice for our fellow citizens.

Psychological Storms: The African American Struggle for Identity

Average customer rating:

Psychological Storms: The African American Struggle for Identity
Thomas A. Parham
Manufacturer: African American Images
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Psychology & Counseling | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

General | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Breaking the Chains of Psychological Slavery
Akbar Papers in African Psychology
The Psychology of Blacks: An African Centered Perspective (3rd Edition)
"Why Are All The Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?": A Psychologist Explains the Development of Racial Identity
Shades of Black: Diversity in African-American Identity

ASIN: 0913543349

Book Description

This timely book provides an important analysis of the conflicts many African Americans endure as they struggle to balance two competing world views (one African the other European American).

Average customer rating:

An excellent read by an excellent author!
Author Needs to Work on His Craft
Not As Good As I Hoped
A decent read, but needed editing.
The snowball analogy

Black Storm Rising
D. Shane Burton
Manufacturer: Xulon Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Inspirational | Spirituality | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Science Fiction & Fantasy | Fiction | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

General | Fiction | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Science Fiction & Fantasy Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

When Worlds Rage
Dark Tyrant's Ascension
Journey Into The Gateway Of Dimensions
The Fall of the Nephilim (Cradleland Chronicles)
Flight To Eden (Cradleland Chronicles)

ASIN: 1591604664

Book Description

Here is the back cover summary:

From the depths of time they rise -- an ancient yet technologically advanced threat from a forgotten era of human history. On a planet linked to Earth, yet far removed, humanity has thrived in great diversity, yet now the very fabric of their society is endangered. Legendary heroes from long ago join together with modern explorers and soldiers to stand against the threat, or die in the attempt. The battle between good and evil is joined anew as the fate of a world hangs in the balance.

Customer Reviews:

An excellent read by an excellent author!.......2007-02-10

Black Storm Rising by D. Shane Burton was an amazing read. I approached this book with an open mind. I was a bit leery about how science fiction and Christianity could be brought together but Burton did so flawlessly. The technical precision of Tom Clancy, along with the sci-fi storytelling of David Weber or Orson Scott Card is what I felt upon reading this book. There are those who have criticized the author for his unique writing style. I admit, after years and years of reading formulaic books it took some getting used to. After about the second chapter I was completely engrossed in the novel. The criticized style is one of the reasons this (and the sequels When Worlds Rage & Dark Tyrant's Ascension) novel is so enjoyable. I found myself excited about what would happen next. The characters are very well developed and their relationships with each other are equally so.
As was mentioned in another review, there are a few typos and errors. This is understandable since these books are self-published. These errors in no way detract from the story.
I would also like to address the Christianity of this book. There is no one denomination or viewpoint presented in these pages save for Biblical Christianity. It is not at all preachy or overbearing. It is however, an immensely important feature of not only the author's life, but of the lives of many of his characters. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of the science-fiction genre.

Author Needs to Work on His Craft.......2007-01-13

This book received great reviews here on Amazon. so I sprung for the whole series. What a mistake! The premise of the book promises to be a great story, and it probably is a great story, but the poor writing gets in the way. He obviously has not learned the writing mantra "Show, don't tell." I could not get drawn into the story because I'd constantly think, "I can't believe he wrote that!!" Also, Mr. Burton has made his book a soapbox for his particular theology which is quite irritating.

I believe that Mr. Burton should hone his craft of writing and republish this book. Anything worth doing for the Lord is worth doing excellently.

Not As Good As I Hoped.......2006-12-03

After reading all the reviews on this book, and anything else I could find on it, I bought it from Amazon. It was not as good as I thought it would be. The author created a cool world, and had some interesting ideas, but it was very hard to read. The language through the whole book was very formal; even what was supposed to be slang! Also, there were a lot of characters, and you wanted one of them to come to the front and be the main character. No one really did, and you kept wondering who the story was about. This also made it hard to get drawn into the story, as you didn't really connect with the characters. It was unique enough to be interesting, which is why I gave it four stars, but it was also hard to read, so all in all, it was not as good as I had hoped.

A decent read, but needed editing........2006-11-21

First, let me say that this was a decent read and I'd probably recommend it if you're into Christian Sci-Fi and can find it for $8 or less. But be warned that this book is self-published, and it shows.

The book is difficult to follow until about 90 pages in, when all the characters begin to met together. Shane starts out with a huge number of characters who are introduced all at once and are located all over the globe. It was very difficult for me to place them in relation to one another, and I'm usually very good at that sort of thing. Also, they are all treated like THE main character so little time is spent with any one person. I didn't bond strongly with any one character, so when one of the good characters dies, you just kind of shrug and say, 'Oh, well. One less to keep track of.' If you don't care about the characters, how can you really care about the story? Unfortunately, I'll have forgotten this one before the year is out.

Also, the first 90 pages swing back and forth between sounding like a children's book and a scientific journal. Sound effects are all over the place and written like a child playing with toys: 'Bang! Bang! Bang! Three missiles slammed into...' (instead of 'three missiles slammed into the building and exploded with a loud bang.'). Then, a few sentences later, the writing gets overly scientific: 'He slowly moved deeper into the water because it was a low 62 degrees' (instead of '...because the water was chilly.'). These aren't actual quotes, just paraphrases from what I remember. However, the contrast between these two styles on one page is quite distracting. The writing does smooth out, dropping both extremes, after about 90 pages.

Again, let me say that the story idea is an intriguing and creative one. I just wish Shane had stuck with rewriting it until the story really shone like it deserved.

The snowball analogy.......2006-08-10

At first I found Mr. Burton's writing style a bit difficult to get use to. He definitely has a unique form. But, slowly, like the little snowball that collects more and more snow as it rolls, I was drawn into the story. It wasn't long before I found myself unable to put the book down and finished it in record time...at least for me. The one disappoint, though small, was the lack of a map. The book decribes many wonderful locations and I love to flip to maps to see the location of cities, oceans, mountains, and other geographic references. I have already ordered Volumes 2 and 3 in the series and can only hope a map will be in these. All-in-all it is a great story with uncompromising Christian faith at its center. With the book you know that Jesus is Lord even on other worlds.

Aug 15, 2006
This section I'm adding as a clarification to my review above and is a cut and paste from an e-mail I shared with Mr. Burton.

BEGIN ---- Cut --- and --- Paste
"I must apologize for my Yahoo write-up. Now, via reflection, I must admit a fallacy in my analysis. Prior to reading your novel, I had spent a few weeks reading Douglas Hirt's Cradleland series. My mind had been trained by his style and literary cadence. So it was MY reading and comprehension that had difficulty NOT your writing style. The proof of this is in the snowball metaphor I used. As I, yes I, adjusted to your style I began to pick up speed and as I said in the writeup, couldn't put the book down."
END ---- Cut --- and --- Paste

So, as all can see it was me not Mr. Burton with the issue. Please get his book(s) with confidence and enjoy a wonderful story.

Average customer rating:

Hot book!
Just a good, hot read
Holly brings style and flair to a predictable plot
Cookin' With Steam Heat!!
What Romance?!!!

Cooking Up A Storm (Black Lace)
Emma Holly
Manufacturer: Virgin Black Lace
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Adult Fiction | Erotica | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Erotica | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Velvet Glove (Black Lace)
Menage
Top of Her Game
Personal Assets (Berkley Sensation)
In the Flesh (Cheek)

ASIN: 0352341149
Release Date: 2007-05-01

Book Description

The Coates Inn Restaurant in Cape Cod is about to go belly up when its attractive owner, Abby, jumps at a stranger's offer to help her - both in her kitchen and her bed. The handsome chef claims to have an aphrodisiac menu that her patrons won't be able to resist. Can this playboy chef really save the day when Abby's body means more to him than her feelings? Beautifully written and evocative story of love, lust and haute cuisine.

Customer Reviews:

Hot book!.......2007-01-12

Emma Holly's stories are exciting... I don't mean adventursome so much as... exciting! This strayed into uncomfortableness for me as I'm not into guy on guy, but the rest was hot!

Just a good, hot read.......2007-01-12

Abby Coates is having a tough go of making a success of her family's Cape Cod B&B. Fed up with the lack of direction both her professional and personal life are going, she breaks off with long-time boyfriend and decides to hire a chef to lure in customers. When sexy Storm Dupre shows up on her doorstep, she doesn't know whether to hire him or bed him. So she does both. A lot. With his aphrodisiac menu, Storm has the whole Cape hot and bothered and has managed to unleash passion in the usually repressed Abby. He has her so horny that she doesn't realize he's hoping to take over ownership of the restaurant.

As the two enter into a heated sexual relationship, Storm starts to fall for her, and much to his disappointment, unleashing her repression has made her ripe to binge with several others including the lesbian waitress who has pined for her for years and her father's best friend. She even has Storm doing things he never would have dreamed of in order to capture her heart.

Holly has created yet another scorcher guaranteed to get the reader hot under the apron. But the lead duo just don't have the chemistry to pull off a sudden turnabout and love for each other (she spends most of the book with other partners). I found it hard to believe that Storm would be a willing participant with another man (a plot device that Holly mines in so many of her novels). Flaws and all... it sure is a hot read...

Holly brings style and flair to a predictable plot.......2005-10-20

The plot: sexually repressed Abby is barely running an Inn in Cape Cod and a pathetic sex life with an idiot boyfriend. Storm is a five star chef who decides to build up her Inn and then steal it away. Soon he is seduced by her innocent sensuality and in drawing it out, unleashes a demon.

The heroine seems to be not be all that special yet the town is in love with her. Yes, the whole town. From her long suffering lesbian waitress to her father's best friend, a stellar photographer, even to a wierd triumverate of the town mayor, a hot mechanic, and a skinny young nerd.

Storm is young but knows all there is to know about sex, he's even a little jaded yet touchingly insecure about his deepest desires. The sex between him and Abby is HOT.

Frustrated by thwarted mutual desire for Abby the photographer and waitress have very emotional and steamy sex, odd for an oldd man still in love with his dead wife and a lesbian, yet Holly pulls it off beautifully.

Abby, in a desperate quest to know her sexuality, has sex with the wierd triumverate and then the photographer, not realizing this is causin Storm durress.

Storm, in an attempt to porve to himself he is not in love with Abby, has sex with her, the photog and the waitress in a not so hot but very well written scene that strips him emotionally.

For once it is not the heroine that must come to gips with emotional maturity and need, it is our hero Storm, who decides to keep Abby to himself and help her build up the Inn as a team.

The characters are really well written, the sex scenes are incrediibly well done. The only reason I gave it 4 instead of 5 stars is because I found no reason to like the silly heroine. She's missing the sharpness Holly's heroines uaully have, and maagically goes from stereotupical prudish romance heroine to SuperSlut in about 0.6 seconds, and doesn't pay as much attention to Storm as I think she should have.

But it's still a steamy read and you will fall in love with Storm Dupree. Just don't ever think to yourself "boy that guy can realy cook".

Cookin' With Steam Heat!!.......2004-11-13

Emma Holly's "Cooking Up A Storm" reminds me of the old adage, "If you can't stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen." Ms. Holly, one of the best romantica writers around, serves up a sensual treat of pure heat with this novel of haute cuisine and gourmet pleasure, likely to bring thrills to even the most jaded palate. However, if you prefer your romance reading to be a bit less explicit, you should look elsewhere.

Abby Coates, manager and part-owner of the Coates Inn Restaurant, needs a new chef and more customers if she is going to save her failing business. When her father became ill, Abby left a promising career and came home to Cape Cod to help him run the restaurant. He left the business to Abby and her sisters when he died, and took out a life insurance policy to be used for future investments in the enterprise. The money is not stretching far enough to meet payments and allow for necessary renovations. Bankruptcy seems inevitable. In a funk, Abby breaks up with her longtime boyfriend because, ultimately, there is no chemistry between them. And she places an advertisement for a chef in a trade paper.

Master Chef Storm Dupré sees Abby's ad along with a photograph of the property. He is motivated to move from LA to MA to apply for the position personally. With his talent and experience, he never doubts the job will be his. Dupré is tired of California and is drawn by the coastal New England setting and the inn's atmosphere. He plans to eventually buy Ms. Coates out and own the lovely seaside property and restaurant himself.

Chef Dupré claims to have a "secret weapon," an aphrodisiac menu Abby's patrons will find irresistible. After the job interview and immediate hire, Storm and his new boss find each other irresistible. For the first time in her life straight-arrow Abby becomes a sensualist, as well as a businesswoman. And she is tutored by a chef who excels at loving as much as he does at cooking.

This is an entertaining, erotic romp, with some engaging characters, including a 50-something artist/photographer, a funky waitress, and a trio of local men who are all Abby admirers. A steamy read & lots of fun!
JANA

What Romance?!!!.......2004-08-28

Is this supposed to be erotic romance?! It is erotic all right, but there is nothing romantic about it...unless you would call it that when two lead characters meeting each other, having a lot of sex with each other, and then saying their I love yous to each other in the end. Oh, but wait, in between the book our female character goes and have more sex with other men and a woman. I would have not pick up this book if the synopsis would have been more detailed. If you prefer erotic romance with characters in monogamous relationships, then read authors such as Lori Foster, Cheryl Holt, and Robin Schone.

Average customer rating:

Fair wind and following seas
Boots On The Ground
Outstanding
A big Book about small unit action
Another good book by David Poyer

Black Storm (A Dan Lenson Novel)
David Poyer
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Paperbacks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

War | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Action & Adventure | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Thrillers | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

Spy Stories & Tales of Intrigue | Thrillers | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

General | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Mystery & Thriller Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

General | Mystery & Thrillers | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

The Command (A Dan Lenson Novel)
China Sea (A Dan Lenson Novel)
Tomahawk (A Dan Lenson Novel)
The Med (A Dan Lenson Novel)
The Passage (A Dan Lenson Novel)

ASIN: 0312983859

Book Description

With blistering action sequences and incredibly detailed military insight, Black Storm takes the reader along with the most covert Special Ops group straight to Saddam Hussein's stronghold, through harrowing instances of close-quarters combat, and into the heart of danger.A Maniacal LeaderWith coalition forces amassing at the Iraqi border, Saddam Hussein issues a terrifying threat: In response to any Allied offense, he will use his most secret weapon to destroy Israel. Counting down the hours before their forces invade, American commanders must decide whether this threat is the last-minute posturing of a madman-or a calculated promise from one of the world's most feared commanders.An Impossible MissionWith thousands of innocent lives hanging in the balance, a long-range force reconnaissance team has been assembled and given the most daunting task: locate a weapon that no one can find or identify. Lieutenant Commander Dan Lenson, attached to the team to help program the airstrike that will cripple Saddam, finds himself humping through enemy territory with a group of hardened marines. They're headed straight for central Baghdad in what will be the most dangerous operation of the war. Now Lenson must decide whether the secret he carries is worth the life of his teammates-and his own....

Customer Reviews:

Fair wind and following seas.......2007-03-28

This was a very good book in the continuing series about Commander Dan Lenson. It was a refreshing lapse from the at sea tales. As a former sailor in the U.S. Navy I can totally believe and understand what was going on. I am also a veteran of Desert Storm. David Poyer has again captured the essence and feeling of life in the naval service as well as the Corps. I am looking forward to the last book in the series, The Command, which I have just started.

Boots On The Ground.......2005-11-18

ABOUT THIS BOOK: If you're new to David Poyer please see the section titled ABOUT THE AUTHOR. Dan Lenson's exciting, yet imperfect Naval career is about to take a new twist, this time with the Marine Corps. Because of his expertise in missiles he is pared with a USMC Recon unit and dropped into the desert during the first Gulf War to search for WMD. I love small unit military action when it's written well and Poyer nailed it in this book! The Marines in this book are well portrayed, realistic and in some cases deeply flawed human beings.

YOU'LL LIKE THIS BOOK IF:
* You like small unit military action novels like "God's Childrend" and moveis like "Blackhawk Down"
* You want to know what it's like to have Boots On The Ground, as infantry troops say.
* You like Poyer's earlier stuff.
* You don't mind a little harsh language. This book has more of that than you typically see from Poyer or this genre in general.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Poyer is the only writer in this genre I'm aware of who isn't writing about future, "what if" scenarios. He has been writing Dan Lenson into recent historical situations, which might make you think that you already know how the story ends, but he makes it very, very exciting. His writing is excellent (not so with every writer in this genre)and his stories are compelling. What else could you ask for?

BOTTOM LINE: It's on my Favorite list.

Outstanding.......2004-05-18

With lots of up to date military action and tech speak I found the book quite interesting. I have read three others and been impressed with Mr. Poyers writing. I feel his background has enabled him to write quite factual and compose a novel interesting to all that care for military action. I highly recommend this book.

A big Book about small unit action.......2004-01-13

In the days prior to commencement of the ground war in Iraq during the first Gulf War, allied intelligence comes across a possible WMD weapon system called Flying Rocks. A hastily assembled team is inserted by helicopter and then moves over land to Baghdad.

I read the Publisher's Weekly blurb, and I'm not quite sure what they are complaining about. BLACK STORM and CHINA SEA are amongst Poyer's better books. BLACK STORM is the gritty action of a recon team that penetrates 500 miles into hostile territory to discover a horrifying weapon.

There are the complex interactions between the Force Recon marines, an SAS trooper who has been in the desert way too long, and two attachments. One of the charms of this book are the details as they walk across the cold desert, dodge Iraqi patrols and finally penetrate the Iraqi bunker beneath a hospital complex.

Another home run.

Another good book by David Poyer.......2003-07-14

Although my favorite book of the series is China Sea, I nevertheless enjoyed this book as well. I wish though that David Poyer would please let his character make full Commander --doesn't he think Dan has earned it? I Look forward to the next installment!

American Patriots: The Story of Blacks in the Military from the Revolution to Desert Storm

Average customer rating:

A Brilliant Work Whose Time Has Come!
The Best
Historically informative
Good, but not always great coverage
A Time For Heroes

American Patriots: The Story of Blacks in the Military from the Revolution to Desert Storm
Gail Lumet Buckley
Manufacturer: Random House Trade Paperbacks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

African-American & Black | Ethnic & National | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | World | History | Subjects | Books

Military Science | History | Subjects | Books

War | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Biographies | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Hidden Heroism: Black Soldiers in America's Wars
Soldiers of Freedom: An Illustrated History of African Americans in the Armed Forces
The Right to Fight: A History of African Americans in the Military
Brothers in Arms: The Epic Story of the 761st Tank Battalion, WWII's Forgotten Heroes
We Were There: Voices of African American Veterans, from World War II to the War in Iraq

ASIN: 0375760091
Release Date: 2002-05-14

Book Description

A dramatic and moving tribute to the military’s unsung heroes, American Patriots tells the story of the black servicemen and women who defended American ideals on the battlefield, even as they faced racism in the ranks and segregation on the home front. Through hundreds of original interviews with veterans of every war since World War I, historic accounts, and photographs, Gail Buckley brings these heroes and their struggles to life. We meet Henry O. Flipper, who withstood silent treatment from his classmates to become the first black graduate of West Point in 1877. And World War II infantry medic Bruce M. Wright, who crawled through a minefield to shield a fallen soldier during an attack. Finally, we meet a young soldier in Vietnam, Colin Powell, who rose through the ranks to become, during the Gulf War, the first black chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Fourteen years in the making, American Patriots is a landmark chronicle of the brave men and women whose courage and determination changed the course of American history.

Customer Reviews:

A Brilliant Work Whose Time Has Come!.......2003-05-26

Gail Buckley's extensively researched and lengthy book flows from page to page as it chronicles the Black soldier from the earliest beginnings of the Colonial era to the frontlines of Viet Nam to the dusty corridors of the Persian Gulf. Names, familiar and unknown, are introduced and profiled with ease by the author. The prejudices and biases endured by these gallant men and women make their respective stories an inspirational journey into the human spirit and willingness to overcome.

A few photographs are found mid-length and provide the reader with a view of the heroes/heroines mentioned in the text. This is a book for the history/sociology buff as well as those that have an interest in the American military.

I find it a shame that more have not read or reviewed it. If one more can be inspired to purchase the book, then I, as a reviewer, have done my job.

The Best.......2002-11-18

There are not many pieces of work detailing the African American's contribution in the military, but Ms Buckley's work "American Patriots" is good. As an ex-military that served during Desert Storm, it did me proud to read how we as a people served, sometimes in the most terrible and racist of conditions, and give their best to a nation that didn't treat them favorably in return. I am sorry that there were some mistakes in there(human error) I didn't know, but am glad someone took the time to give proper credit. Despite of it, I wouldn't dismiss the whole work as revisionist. Someone took the time to tell the story of how we served admirably for this country, and we can read it. I agree that it should be in the schools for our children to read and every library within this country's paremeters should own a copy.

Historically informative.......2002-04-05

Extremely informative historical piece of writing laid out in an interesting and chronilogically easy to follow format. Excellent book that was well researched with lot of cross references to historical events, places and figures. Writer Gail Buckley did outstanding job of providing historical contexts to her research with the more "infamous" figures in our country's history. This is the type of history book that I painfully missed in my education of our country and military. A must read for anyone wanting a more expansive and "complete" view of the "forgotten american's" contributions to our military's history/success, fight for personal democracy, justice and equality.

Good, but not always great coverage.......2001-12-31

Here is a subject that is not as widely appreciated as it should be. Hopefully, this book gets as much popular acclaim as Brokaw's "Greatest Generation." "American Patriots" has many strengths, but its few weaknesses prevent its getting an outstanding review.

Keep in mind that there are two agendas at work in this subject: African American history and military history. It is rare to read studies that are compiled with equal passion and competence on both subjects. I suspect that the author's (and the editor's) competencies were stronger on the African American studies side of the equation, but having said that, let me add that this book's treatment of miltary, political, and social histories are usually well-researched and presented.

The positives: The text is tremendously readable. The reader is transported chronologically through over 225 years of American history, with broad, scene-setting discussions of culture and politics that form the backdrop for individual's stories. Great effort was made to properly cite facts. An unexpected plus is the inclusion of new information (having nothing to do with African Americans) that are not commonplace in "traditional" history-- one example is the apparent conflict over the use of Nationalist Chinese troops in the Korean War.

The negatives are few but troublesome. Not once, but twice, Buckley refers to Gen. Jimmy Doolittle as commander of the Flying Tigers (in fact: Gen. Claire Chennault commanded the Flying Tigers; Doolittle commanded the carrier-launched B-25 raid on Tokyo in April 1942). Also, Fred V. Cherry's Korean War fighter plane is described as a "F89G" (in fact: a Republic F-84G). Occasional errors in equipment designations are forgivable, but the mis-read on Doolittle is something that even casual military historians will catch. When such basic errors exist, it casts doubt on the "new" information that this book presents.

My concern is that unsympathetic reviewers will use the innaccuracies as an excuse to dismiss this volume as "revisionist history." The actual history, which this book takes great strides to portray, does not deserve that. Discipline and excellence, the qualities that which Gen. Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. expected from his subordinates, are what this subject's research and presentation deserve.

A Time For Heroes.......2001-10-20

This is story telling and American history at its combined best. Of course, it should be required reading for all highschool and college students. But it should be top of the list, too, for anyone who, like me, thinks that there has never been a greater need for heroes. I cannot recall ever having seen a more inspiring collection of them. Long may this book wave! JEFFREY ROBINSON

Black Music of Two Worlds: African, Caribbean, Latin, and African-American Traditions

Average customer rating:

A Classic Look at a Vast Wonderous World of Sounds.

Black Music of Two Worlds: African, Caribbean, Latin, and African-American Traditions
John Storm Roberts
Manufacturer: Schirmer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

Qualifying Textbooks - Spring 2007 | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

African Rhythm and African Sensibility: Aesthetics and Social Action in African Musical Idioms
Caribbean Currents: Caribbean Music from Rumba to Reggae, Revised Edition
The Latin Beat: The Rhythms and Roots of Latin Music, from Bossa Nova to Salsa and Beyond
Afro-Cuban Jazz : Third Ear - The Essential Listening Companion
The Latin Tinge: The Impact of Latin American Music on the United States

ASIN: 002864929X

Book Description

BLACK MUSIC OF TWO WORLDS defines the scope of world music studies, by exploring the impact that both African and European cultures had on music of the Americas.

Customer Reviews:

A Classic Look at a Vast Wonderous World of Sounds. .......2006-08-06

This is essential reading for anyone seeking an introduction to and overview of the complex sonic wealth of musical forms from Africa and the African Diaspora.

It is a fine orientation from an intrepid Brit who has been seeking these wonders since the early 1950's.

It was hard enough to find recordings of compelling planetary noise for a kid in the 70's in provincial America.

Roberts was discovering it all in its homeworlds before I was born.

Roberts work helped me make sense of Merengue, High Life, Blues Shouters, Santeria Drummers and many other glistening things from the hearts and minds of Africa here and there.

Books:

Books