Customer Reviews (3)

Great story
I really enjoyed this book because I liked the change of pace for the story line.I loved the Captain's personality and Jacinda's as well.Mystery, murder, romance, this one has it all!

Page- turning mystery
This is an action packed adventure with a murder mystery that keeps you guessing.When Jacinda Blanchett's father is murdered, she is taken into hiding by a trusted family servant.But life gives her several more knocks until she is left the sole guardian of her servant's nephew.By the time she remeets her "betrothed" who abandoned his 12 year-old future mate, he too has grown from impetious young man into a responsible ship's captain determined to right his youthful bad behavior.But Jacinda has spent the last eight years thinking Drew and his father were murders.Her world is turned upside down when she finds that all her theories are challenged by the man she saves from impressment.
I highly recommend this story.Lynn Collum has penned an exciting story with all the great elements of romance.Action, adventure, masquerades, murder and finding true love.

Don't judge a book by its cover
At age twelve, Jacinda Blanchett is betrothed to Andrew Morrow. At the time, Andrew is a mannerless teenager, in love with another girl. Jacinda's fate takes a terrible turn when her father is murdered--and someone is out to murder Jacinda too! Subsequently, she goes into hiding for 8 years.

Since then, Jacinda has been living her life as "Jack," a young boy taking hard jobs. These days, Jacinda's not the delicate little flower she used to be. When circumstances land her in the company of Andrew Morrow (now Captain Morrow) once again, she doesn't know whether to accuse him of her father's murder... or fall in love with him.

"The Captain" is a very enjoyable story. It's full of adventure, especially at the beginning. There's also the murder mystery to solve. Strong and level-headed, Jacinda was a refreshing heroine. I really cared about the characters.

However, when I picked up the book, I was expecting something else. The ship on the cover made me think it was going to be a sweeping epic taking place on a ship. And the back cover boasts "still waters, stormy passions," which made me think it was going to be a little spicier than the average Regency, but that's not the case. "The Captain" is a very chaiste book, with little or no romantic tension for the first two thirds. However, I liked it much, much better for what it was. ... Read more

Product Description
This true-crime police procedural is the riveting story of the racially-motivated serial killings that terrorized San Francisco from 1973 to 1974 and how they were solved. Code named the Zebra Murders, the case involved a series of random violent attacks by African-American men against whites, resulting in fifteen deaths. Author Prentice Earl Sanders, the SFPD's first African-American police chief and one of the lead detectives on the case, takes us back through his investigation as he tried to determine whether the murders were to be considered mere serial killings or acts of political terror. At the same time, he describes the racial discrimination within the police force and how that influenced his investigation. The Zebra Murders is a fascinating look at an era of social and political turbulence and how justice was sought amidst its most violent eruptions. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (23)

A Work of Fiction?
When this book came out I was really happy to see that a long overdue update of
the Zebra case had been done. What a disappointment.
I would have thought that Prentice Sanders would have been embarrassed to put his name
on this work of fiction penned by Mr. Cohen, but after reading a bit about the career of Mr.
Sanders (fast tracked to promotion, not discriminated against by the eternally politically
correct SF politicos who run the SFPD) I was not surprised that he went along with the fantasy.
Clark Howard's book Zebra, long out of print, remains the authoritative study of the horrific
crimes by some Nation of Islam renegades (I'll give the NOI the benefit of the doubt).
Sanders and Cohen add nothing more than a footnote or two to what is already known about the Zebra crimes.
Hardly any investigation about those murders was done for this book - but that's simply because the book
was really about Prentice Sanders, not the Zebra case. A better title for the book would have been Sanders' Lament.
More needs to be known about the Zebra killings. How many more of the killers escaped justice? How many more victims
were there? Were there more NOI killing groups around the country, as some have alleged? Were the "Death's Angels" renegade
NOI, or were they sanctioned by the group's top leadership?
I guess that after so many years, it is too much to hope that some of the surviving detectives who investigated the Zebra crimes might write a book about the case and address some of these questions. It's a shame Prentice Sanders did not.
By the way, I'm happy to say that I picked this book up at a thrift shop for less than a dollar. The copy appeared to have
been unread.

The Easy Way to Write a Screenplay
I wanted to like this book a great deal, really. I even waited several months after reading the book to commit my thoughts. I've met Chief Sanders on a couple of occasions and he is quite gracious, and I thought he took an unfair fall for "Fajitagate."

However, Mr. Cohen's blatant screenplay-writing style left much to be desired; even my husband commented on the melodramatic deification of each victim. Don't let the co-author credits fool you, this is Cohen's book all the way. If Sanders were a co-author, his contributions wouldn't all be in quotes. Also, if Cohen were a good investigative writer he would have interviewed and had epilogues on other people aside from Sanders and his late partner Rotea, such as the other living investigators, surviving victims, and maybe even some of the perps and the dude who is still in jail? But no, it's easier for a screenplay writer to just rely on one guy for your source material.

Although I remember some details about the Zebra murders, I have no specific knowledge nor connection to anyone involved. I must add, however, that even a retired African-American SFPD veteran I met last year did not think highly of Sanders or want to read the book. 'nuff said?

There is still enough suspense to make this bargain read worthwhile, though, and come to your own conclusions; and I'll still watch Jaime Foxx in the movie, though, especially if it's at least partially filmed in SF, because these events are part of the Collective Unconscious of any native San Franciscan over the age of 40.

Great Service Again
As usual book arrived in record time in great condition. Very interesting good read about a horrifying true subject!

Madness and murder in San Francisco
ZEBRA MURDERS: A Season of Killing, Racial Madness, and Civil Rights by Prentice Earl Sanders and Bennett Cohen is the true story of serial killings that took place in San Francisco in 1973 and 1974. The killings were racially motivated during a period when the United States was being forced to treat African Americans in a more equal manner. Although the Brown v. Board of Education decision had been made several years earlier, apartheid still existed. There were angry African Americans - some who were ready to step outside the law.

The atmosphere surrounding the murders included the kidnapping of Patty Hearst, the birth of the Black Panther Party and continued segregation in the work place. Early in the police investigation, it was noted that all the victims were white and black men were seen running from the scene of the crime. Two police officers, Prentice Earl Sanders and Rotea Gilford, who were fighting their own racial discrimination battle with the San Francisco police department, were assigned to the case. All black men who were out after dark were stopped, searched and questioned. This behavior brought lawsuits to the city. In addition, the two black officers were concerned there was going to be a white backlash and so they pushed hard to solve the case, sometimes staying up for days on end. The killings were upsetting the entire city and Sanders and Gilford were afraid the 'racial profiling' was only serving to make matters worse.

This is a well-written true story of American apartheid in the San Francisco police department and the ability of two black officers to overcome the obstacles and still solve the mystery. It moves along swiftly while interjecting the needed nuggets of history of segregation and discrimination in the United States. You can feel the frustration Sanders and Gilford felt as they fought the police department in a lawsuit and attempted to solve the mystery of black men randomly killing white people. Enough background was given so that the atmosphere surrounding San Francisco in 1973 was apparent. It is definitely a must read book.

Reviewed by Alice Holman
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Any California collection must have it.
Any long-time resident of the San Francisco Bay Area will recall the Zebra killer, whose racially motivated drive-by shootings terrorized the city in 1973-74, and how they were eventually solved by a team led by two black detectives. This story comes alive under the hand of the city's first Afro-American police chief, who was one of these detectives, and pro ides behind-the-scenes expose information about the reign of terror and its investigation. The underlying politics and discrimination within the SFPD comes to life, as does the time of social turmoil, in this riveting story of a crime spree thwarted. Any California collection must have it.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch ... Read more

Product Description

Product Description
What if a rake refused to reform?

Convinced that reformed rakes make the best husbands, beautiful and spirited Clarissa Derhurst is determined to find one of her own--and reform him for herself. Only a rake will be capable of the grand passion she craves, but finding the right one isn't as easy as she expected. Then she meets Evan Fortesque, Lord Wolviston, and discovers that despite his considerably less than wicked appearance, he's a rouge of the first order...

To teach the lovely Clarissa a lesson she won't soon forget, Wolviston decides to play the part of an irredeemable rake for all it's worth--until he finds that Clarissa has attracted the attention of the true article. Suddenly Wolviston must stoop to some scandalously flirtatious behavior to win the woman who has stolen his heart... ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

One of the silliest heroines. . .
As a matter of fact, Clarissa reminds me a great deal of Lydia Bennett of "Pride and Prejudice." (In case you're not a fan, Lydia's the one who ran off with a rake who had to be bribed to marry her.)

Just like Lydia, Clarissa is shatter-brained and totally out of control. She is determined to marry a rake because she wants a Grand Passion. When her friend Jane questions the future faithfulness of a man who has had a lot of mistresses, Clarissa airily replies that Love for her will make him forget all of those women.

Most silly heroines have parents or guardians to keep them in check. This one does not. It really is not surprising that in a fit of pique over the hero's deception (the revelation that he is an honorable man and not a rake), she agrees to become the mistress of one of the worst rakes (who, ironically, becomes the hero of Ms. Donnelly's next book).

What self-respecting hero would run off to rescue such a brainless heroine? At this point, the book became a wall-banger for me.

Somehow, Lydia Bennett never appealed to me as a heroine. "Happy ever after" is much more believable with sensible romantic couples such as Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy.

a captivating read
Shannon Donnelly has done it again! She's written a really brilliant sequel to her first book, "A Compromising Situation." "A Dangerous Compromise" is a rich and complex book, and quite a bit darker than the usual fare. For while this book is primarily about a young girl's very first foray into the social swirl that is the London Season, it is not the light hearted romp you might expect it to be. For Clarissa Dewhurst, the beautiful heroine at the heart of this novel, is a young woman full of doubts, questions and fears, and a rather foolish quest that is bound to land her in trouble. Somehow she's gotten it into her head that she can only find fulfillment and peace if she experiences a Grand Passion. And, she believes, only a rake can provide her with this Grand Passion. So, Clarissa has come to London in order to find her rake, make him fall in love with her, and the reform him. And when she finds out that her best friend's (Jane Preston) brother has plans of promoting a match between Jane and his best friend, Evan Fortesque, Clarissa is outraged and urges Jane to reject Evan, esp as this Evan Fortesque is not a rake, and is probably as boring as he is respectable.

Unfortunately, Evan overhears Clarissa's dismissive comments about him. Evan has spent the past few years taking care of his family estates and his family, and he is now in London for a well deserved holiday. And when he overhears Clarissa, he decides to teach her a lesson by presenting himself as a rake, and showing her what a rake is truly like, and how dangerous he can be. However Clarissa truly does fascinate him: she's an audacious mix of vulnerability and willful stubbornness, and Evan finds himself constantly stepping in to protect her form her own folly. And after a while, the reason he constantly seeks her out, whether it is to teach her a lesson or if it is because he cannot stay away from her, becomes completely mixed up in his mind. And then Clarissa attracts the attention of a true rake, St. Albans. Suddenly Evan finds himself flirting in earnest with Clarissa in order to make sure that Clarissa does not fall under St. Albans's spell, and in order to keep this very fascinating young lady for himself. But what will happen when Clarissa discovers that Evan is not the rake she thinks he is?

Plot-wise, "A Dangerous Compromise" is very straight forward read. However the reason to read this novel lies in the complexities of the characters depicted in this novel. To begin with there is Clarissa Dewhurst: is one of the most complex of young romance heroines I've ever come across -- mercurial in her humours, willful and stubborn; she is also generous and loyal, and very vulnerable. The bleak insights that Shannon Donnelly provides us with about Clarissa's childhood and her parents makes us empathise with this very bullheaded heroine, and hope that she discovers what she is TRULY looking for before it is too late. It also successfully explains her rather twisted fixation on finding a rake. Also I really liked that Shannon Donnelly made every character, secondary and primary, really interesting. Clarissa's best friend, Jane, for example. She does not figure much in this novel, but when she is onstage, we are treated to what a plainnish young woman, thinks and feels about being the best friend of a real beauty -- the alternating flashes of envy, love, and concern really come through. Likewise, I also liked her portrayal of the rake St. Albans. Ms Donnelly lets us see why rakes are so dangerous by accurately portraying both the charming and the cold and ruthless aspects of his character.

"A Dangerous Compromise" is not your usual Regency romance fair. It's quite a bit darker, and far more rich and complex. And if you are a fan of the works of Maria Edgeworth and Mary Brunton, then you will definitely enjoy this wonderful novel. ... Read more

Product Description
This is one in a series of appealing board books for baby that tells a little story about a friendly animal. When baby presses the a big, bright plastic button on the front cover, he willhear the storyÂ's animal make an amusing noise. In this book, the running zebra goes clop, clop, clop! The book has a free-form shape with thick, sturdy pages and rounded edges. Charming color illustrations on every page complement a simple and engaging story. ... Read more

Product Description
Annabelle Makepeace is en route to a position as a lady's companion when an encounter at an inn persuades her to exchange identities with a look-alike new friend, Lillie, who is bound for her late husband's lavish London townhouse. But when Lillie also tempts her to search for a long-lost heirloom bracelet, Annabelle finds trouble--and love. A Regency romance original. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Most entertaining
I found this author rather late in the day, and thoroughly enjoyed all 3 of her books, but this is the best.I would love to read a sequel.Kensington has stopped publishing Regencies.Some of the newer authors get a bit too racy, but this one relies on plot, character and research, a great combo for some light , escapist entertqinment.

Implausible plot well-enough handled
The writing in this book is okay (the first star). The plot is stupid to the point of unbelievable, but the author manages to make the parts involving the two women swapping places seem more or less plausible most of the time (the second star). The hero is unappealing for most of the book; the plot hinges on his choices, and most of the time, they are only thinly motivated. I kept thinking to myself "Oh, yes, this is necessary so that the whole house-of-cards plot doesn't come tumbling down on page 75".

On the whole, it wasn't a huge waste of time, but I sure won't be rereading it or recommending it to anyone else. I only gave it the third star because I liked the cat.

Filbert is Fabulous!!
I loved this book.The plot--two women temporarily switching identities--might have been too absurd handled by another writer, but Ms. Watson tells the story deftly.Annabelle (masquerading as Lillie) vows to live a quiet life in London while her friend goes off on an adventure, but Belle can't avoid some very funny scrapes with Lillie's relatives and especially her too charming and handsome childfriend boyfriend.

While trying to avoid him, Belle spends her time looking for the long-lost Cat's Bracelet hidden somewhere inside the London house.Watson's cat, Filbert, is the most marvelous fictional cat you'll meet in a long while.His antics and asides are real and humorous. This book kept me wanting more!

I also read Watson's "The Changeable Rose," and recommend it as well as her, "Changing Seasons."

nice reading
I enjoyed reading this book, but I didn't really get engrossed in it. Probably because the plot is rather slow.

Good Fluff Reading for the Weekend
I found this book to be very entertaining.It was exactly what I needed.It has mystery, romance, and lots of laughs.It's A LOT of FUN! ... Read more

Product Description
Think Rather of Zebra is a collection of short stories adapted from more than 40 classic and modern folktales, reset in an urban neighborhood. Stailey's two main characters, Pete and Carlos, tell stories and adventures from their poor neighborhood through which the reader learns about the "hidden rules" of economic class.

Each chapter relates to a section in A Framework for Understanding Poverty by Dr. Ruby Payne, along with her questions to be used for discussion.

The books is useful for understanding people from different economic classes, and builds mutual respect for the skills that arise naturally from each economic environment. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Not what I thought it would be
I purchased this book after a training session at my school, however, it was not what I anticipated and was not useful to me.I understand the idea behind the story telling, however, for the age I teach (high school) it did not seem appropriate.Perhaps a younger audience would benefit from the stories.

Seeing Stripes
Jay Stailey and Ruby Payne have created a great resource for dealing with a very tough topic.Poverty is all around us.I find it particularly helpful as a pastor to use it as a starter for conversations about poverty.The stories really make you think!I particularly like the discussionquestions at the end of each section. Great book! ... Read more

Product Description
Victoria Ashton has intelligence and ambition - qualities of little value to most marriage-minded gentlemen of the ton. Her own father has no idea of Victoria's hidden life as an anonymous trader in London's stock market. But her hopes of independence are shattered when her father's enemy, Blake Mallorey, assumes Charles Ashton's debts and presents Victoria with a stark choice: live with him as his mistress for one year, or condemn her family to bankruptcy. For years Blake has dreamed of justice, and his scheme becomes all the sweeter when he sees the beauty that Victoria has become. Scoundrel he may be, but Blake will not force anyone into his bed. He intends to entice Victoria, one wicked kiss at a time. But with a woman as spirited and sensual as Victoria, seduction works both ways - and a plan rooted revenge can blossom into a scandalous passion... ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

hated the ending
I really was upset with the ending.The father of the heroine tries to kill the hero and they let him flee to France. I guess it's OK that this felon is allowed to go to France and maybe try and kill someone there that makes him mad. What? I totally agree with other reviews about the heroines misplaced loyalty to her father.

Excellent regency
I took a gamble on this book and it paid off. Great story with well developed characters. I really liked that Victoria had to make the best decisions for herself and not fall in line with what Blake wanted all the time.

Not a total waste of time
This was an not a total waste of my time, but not a book I will keep.I too found it very hard to believe that Victoria would continue in her dedication to her horrible beast of a father.That she would choose to assist him against a man who is nothing but faithful to her just left me frustrated again and again.

4.5 STARS - VERY NICE READ
Lady Victoria Ashton has been secretly helping her brother settle his gambling debts with her wits and intelligence.No one but her brother knows of her ability to invest in the stock exchange and be very good at it.

In comes the Earl of Ravenspar - Blake Mallory, who has been abroad for nine long years.Victoria's father is responsible for his family's demise: his father's suicide and the horrible end his mother and sister encountered in a squalid London workhouse where both eventually lost their lives.Blake has come for revenge and he will extract it from Victoria's father in the form of taking her as his mistress for a year or he will ensure that her father and her family end up in the same conditions that befell his family.

Victoria's father hands her over to Blake without the blink of an eye.His callous behavior towards his daughter is no surprise to Blake - but Victoria agrees with the despicable scheme and goes off with Blake to his country estate to ensure her family's debt is paid off.

Much to her surprise, she finds Blake, a man who has made his fortune, is very caring and concerned to those around him.His kindness towards his tenants and everyone he interacts with is a mystery to Victoria as well as the fact that though she may be residing under his roof - he has made no attempt to debauch her and bed her.

I agree with one reviewer here - it was very difficult to understand the staunch loyalty that Victoria exhibits towards her father - a man who has never treated her with any respect or kindness and cares nothing for her reputation when he handed her over to Blake to be his mistress.

Other than that "flaw" the story was quite interesting and enjoyable.I liked how Victoria finally succumbs to Blake's charm and in turn how he is fascinated by Victoria's intelligence, loyalty and innocence.Even after he finds out that she has spied on his financial deals and reported them to her father - he realizes that he has fallen in love with her courage, spirit and her beauty.

Good story by Gabrielle. Goes highly recommended.

First-rate debut with great chemistry
Blake Mallory, Earl of Ravenspear, returns to England after a ten-year absence and encounters his enemy's daughter, Victoria Ashton.A child of ten when he left, Victoria has grown into a beautiful woman.Blake is instantly taken with her, but it is not marriage he has in mind.Ten years ago, Victoria's unscrupulous father caused the financial ruin and resultant suicide of Blake's father, which ultimately destroyed Blake's family.Blake is now an extremely wealthy man and is bent on revenge.He is determined to make Victoria his mistress to embarrass her father and ruin the reputation of the Ashton family.

Victoria's father has borrowed heavily from numerous banks.Blake secretly purchases the promissory notes and then demands immediate payment from Ashton, which he does not have.Ashton is faced with bankruptcy and the very real possibility that he and his family will be sent to the poor house.Blake offers him a deal: a year's grace period on the loan in return for one year with Victoria as his mistress.Ashton callously agrees, despite his daughter's protestations, and she is soon ensconced in Blake's country estate.But nothing is as straightforward as Blake had envisioned...for although he hates the father, his feelings - and protectiveness - towards Victoria are not so easy to sort out.

This book was hard book to put down.The electric interplay between Blake and Victoria hooked me from the start, and the intrigues of their living under the same roof - though often at cross-purposes - kept me riveted till the end. The couple has great chemistry and both leads are very likable.Although Blake starts out forcing Victoria to his will, he is nonetheless an endearing and sympathetic hero.He is an alpha male with a heart, alternately tough and tender.Victoria is very appealing as well, strong and smart yet definitely feminine.I particularly enjoyed the story's business angle, curious to see how Victoria's dual allegiances would play out.My two quibbles are the over-the-top badness of Victoria's father, and the conspicuous absence of friends and servants who might discover/expose Victoria's illicit arrangement.Overall, though, this is an excellent read:good story, well-paced, charismatic leads, and an exciting romance nicely developed.A first-rate debut by Ms. Gabrielle.
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Product Description

The story of two young Kenyan boys, one Maasai and one Kikuyu, who find a way to overcome their traditional rivalries and become friends.

... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

The gentle message that people should put aside their differences and unite for the good of all was very inspiring!
The landscape in Kenya was lush with vegetation, but neighboring Tanzania had its grass "grazed down to the grown."It was time for the wildlife to migrate.First would come the zebra, who would nibble the top of each blade of grass for its nourishment.Next would come the wildebeest for their share and lastly would come the Thompson's gazelle who would "eat the final few inches of the grass."There were other creatures who inhabited these grasslands and they were the Maasi and the Kikuyu.Two boys from each tribe, unlike the animals of the grasslands, would soon find themselves at odds with one another.

Abaani, a young Maasai cattle herder, spotted a Kikuyu tending his family's vegetable stall and asked who he was."Jina langu ni Haki." His name was Haki and became angry when Abaani, whose tribe highly valued their cattle, accused his people of destroying their land.After a nasty verbal exchange, Haki went back to work tending his stall.Some women had come to exchange their baskets for produce and he had to pay attention.One of the women put her young toddler on the ground so she could make her selection.The baby started to wander and held his arms out toward some fierce warthogs "rooting in the grass."Abaani became greatly alarmed because he would not be able to save the baby alone. Would Abaani and Kikuyu, tribal enemies, be able to put aside their differences and save this child?

The gentle message that people should put aside their differences and unite for the good of all was very inspiring.This unique book gives a nice bit of history not only about African animal migration, but also about tribal customs and feelings toward other groups.The soothing watercolors lent a lot to this work and meshed perfectly, giving the reader a feel for the African grassland.In the back of the book is a small inset map, a pronunciation guide and glossary and a very interesting note describing in more detail the customs and culture of the Maasai and the Kikuyu and their ongoing rivalry.This would be an excellent read and discuss book in the homeschool or classroom setting!

EDUCATIONAL AND ENTERTAINING


In Kenya as is unfortunately true in many of the world's places people from one tribe, family or region dislike those from another.Why?Often, because it has always been so.That was the case with the Massai and the Kikuyu in FIRST COME THE ZEBRA, a story of encouragement and hope for peace throughout the world.

Set in the grassland of Kenya it is the time of the great migration when almost two million animals will leave Tanzania where all the grass has been eatento find the lush, green grass in Kenya.First come the zebras who eat only the top of the grass. Next is the wildebeest who eats the middle sections of grass, and finally the Thomson's gazelle who eats the last few inches.A lovely example of sharing.

Abaani is a young Massai boy who helps his family with their cattle by taking them out to graze.One morning he sees a fruit and vegetable stall along the road.He has not seen it before and it is being tended by a Kikuyu boy about Abaani's age.The boys take an immediate dislike to each other, repeating the cruelwords they have heard their elders say.

How two small boys learn to know and like each other is the crux of Lynne Barasch's story written in the hope that the youth of all countries will workto change attitudes and opinions so that people will come together and live in peace.

- Gail Cooke

Sweet Story!
This was a very sweet story about putting aside differences and prejudices. The art was very pretty and would keep a children's eye moving about the page. Very enjoyable!

Will appeal to children age 5 and up
"First Come the Zebra" is a beautiful, sensitively illustrated book about two young boys of Kenya from rival tribes. Albaani is a young Maasai boy who herds cattle every day. Haki is a Kikuyu boy who sells vegetables planted and tended by Kikuyu farmers. The two tribes are historic rivals for the resources of land, grass, and water. Despite their differences, Haki and Albaani find a way to cooperate in a crisis and gradually they become friends, even sharing joy in a game of mancala. Just as the animals who graze the grasslands share the wealth and resources of the land, Haki and Albaani begin to think of ways they can share their resources and work together rather than struggling uselessly against each other. "First Come the Zebra" is a hopeful fable of cooperative prosperity, and its precious text is brought to full realization by the delicate ink and watercolor illustrations. "First Come the Zebras" will appeal to children age 5 and up.

Rutgers University Project on Economics and Children
Abaani, a Maasai youngster who helps his family by taking the cattle out to graze, notices a new roadside stall one day and another boy selling fruits and vegetables.The boy, Haki, is a member of the Kikuyu tribe.Both boys have learned about the hostilities between the Maasai and the Kikuyu, and it does not take long before they are trading insults and threatening each other.It takes the unexpected need for cooperation to avoid a serious accident for the boys to start a new path toward trust and friendship.

Interwoven into this tale is an important lesson in economics about barter: when the boys resolve their differences they quickly figure out they can exchange cow's milk for produce.The author's note further explains that economic issues are a source of the conflicts between the Maasai and Kikuyu in Kenya, particularly with the Maasai having lost much of their grazing land to new farms, and the Kikuyu having lost crops to cattle that have strayed to their farmland. Lynne Barasch has produced yet another outstanding book as rich in substantive content as it is lovely in artistic impression.
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Product Description
After seeing his first rainbow, Zebert loves the multicolored spectacle so much that he wishes his stripes could be the same colors. Once his wish comes true, however, Zebert has trouble fitting in with his monochromatic herd. As Zebert s friends learn it s not what s on the outside that matters , so too will the young readers of Zebert The Rainbow Striped Zebra. A story about diversity, Zebert The Rainbow Striped Zebra encourages tolerance while teaching acceptance of those who may look different. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Stories for Children Magazine 5 Star Review
Reviewed by:Debbie Smart

ZEBERT THE RAINBOW STRIPED ZEBRA is a story told about a young zebra who loves the colors of the rainbow.In fact, Zebert loves the colors so much he tells his mother he wishes his stripes could be rainbow-colored.Although his mother tells him zebras stripes must be the same color - he wakes up one morning to find all the other zebras staring at him because his stripes are different.When Zebert looks at his reflection in the water he sees he got what he wished for - rainbow-colored stripes!

When Zebert begins showing off his beautifully colored stripes the other animals think he looks funny or odd because he looks different than they do.So Zebert tries to do everything he can to remove his stripes.He tries washing them off.He tries rubbing them off.But they won't come off.Zebert soon learns (as does his friends) that although he may look different he can still be a great friend.

ZEBERT THE RAINBOW STRIPED ZEBRA is whimsically illustrated by the author.The hand-painted illustrations are rich and colorful. ... Read more

Product Description
Wed by proxy to the Marquess of Daniston, Regina Morrisey, a witty, impertinent, and clever beauty, finds herself married to a stuffy aristocrat wanting a proper wife, who would stay out of his affairs, run his home efficiently, and provide him with an heir. Original. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Not A Fun Read
When I read a romance, it is for fun escapism.This book is not fun and it is not escapism.Although the plot is interesting (woman, daughter of foreign diplomat, married to peer by proxy and sent to England and pursued by evil henchman from foreign country), the characters simply make this piece fall apart.

Neither the "hero" nor "heroine" are at all likeable.The hero is a jerk.He bullies his wife around, refuses to stop sleeping with his mistress, and generally acts like a cad while he tries to seduce his wife.The heroine, we are told, is a spunky, independent thinker, but we have no evidence of this.In fact, the heroine is supposed to be enamoured with politics, but isn't, and fights to change the role of women, but doesn't.She wrings her hands and blames herself when her new in-laws are incredibly rude to her.She claims to dislike her role as a female, but she has absolutely no talents at all, wifely or not (no wonder her husband gets exasperated with her).And, she is fighting her attraction to her bore of a husband, but immediately capitulates when ever he touches her and she feels that "spark."To add to this mess, the secondary characters are inconsistent and stupid.

And the end of this book, I was relieved it was over.The promising plot set-up gets the 2 stars in this review.The writing, the characters, and the action make this book worth only one star.I recommend that you leave this book on the shelf and try some of Ferguson's other efforts, which are at least amusing. ... Read more

Product Description
"In six quietly powerful stories, Potok explores varieties of inner and outer healing, both in individuals and families: 'Zebra' begins to regain use of his crushed hand and leg creating art assigned by an intinerant teacher; 'Isabel' finds unexpected solace in the company of her new stepsister. In the collection's haunting centerpiece, 'Nava' uses her father's experiences in war, and his connection with a Navajo healer, to fend off a frighteningly persistent drug dealer. The families represented are all middle-class or upper-middle-class, but the relationships, the feelings of loss, grief, regret, hope, and relief are universal; readers sensitive to nuances of language and situation will be totally absorbed by these profound character studies."--Kirkus Reviews, Pointer
Amazon.com Review
Each of the six stories in Chaim Potok's lovely collection is titled simplywith the name of the main character, reflecting the essence of these quietselections--intense, exquisitely drawn portraits of the ordinary lives ofyoung people. In "Zebra" a boy, with the help of a mysterious,unconventional art teacher, begins to regain the use of his crushedhand--and in the process heals a bit of his injured spirit. Secretsabound in "B.B.," where a young girl whose baby brother has died must copewith discovering the hidden realities about her family that are "too muchof a secret for me to be carrying alone." "Nava" describes how a youngwoman handles a bully, calling upon the strength inspired by the words of aNative American family friend to confront a violent drug dealer.

The issues faced by these young adults--trust, divorce, grief, hope, peerand family dynamics--are common coming-of-age milestones. But what makesPotok's powerful work shine is that he clearly holds respect for theintelligence and intuition of young people, allowing them to decipher theirown truths--refraining from preaching or hammering a point home. Potok,author of The Chosen, published several ofthese stories previously in adult publications. Nevertheless, these voicesnever sound dubiously mature for their teen years; they speak thestraightforward, often strikingly insightful language of youth. As oneyoung character notes, "I think losing your soul is when you can't tell astory about something that has happened to you." Indeed. Judging by thequality and craftsmanship of these tales, it's obvious that Potok isbrimming with soul. (Ages 12 and older). --Brangien Davis ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

Iqbal Massih, Senator Heinz, and "married" stepsisters
The story "Moon" is based on the tragic life of Iqbal Massih, a Pakistani boy who fought against child labor and was murdered in Pakistan at the age of 12, after returning from a visit to the U. S.Pakistan should erect a memorial to Iqubal, but instead the country's elite live off the labor of thousands of children who live in abject poverty with no hope for any better future.

The aircraft collision that happens over Emmie's school as described in the story "Max," in which a "United States senator" is killed, is a fairly accurate description of the accident that killed Republican Senator H. John Heinz of Pennsylvania in 1991. Two first-grade girls were killed when the helicopter fell into the schoolyard at Merion Elementary School in a suburb of Philadelphia--only 30 feet from the main building.The airplane fell on the other side of the building. Along with Sen. Heinz, both the pilots and co-pilots of the airplane and helicopter were also killed.Sen. Heinz's widow, Teresa, inherited almot $1 billion after her husband's death.She later married Democratic Senator and presidential candidate John Kerry.

The two stepsisters in "Isabel" are symbolically "married" when Betsy slips one of her late mother's rings on Isabel's finger--immediately after the wedding of Betsy's father and Isabel's widowed mother. On their parents' wedding night, as Betsy enters Isabel's room, Isabel remarks "Daddy wouldn't've wanted me to be alone," echoing her mother's earlier remark about her late husband's wishes for her.Zebra and Other Stories

Good For Class Discussions
Zebra and Other Stories by Chaim Potok is a great way to introduce students to voice and author.Each story presents a unique psychological insight to the characters, and possibly the author's own feelings about adolescent crises.

I especially enjoyed "Moon," which highlighted the disconnection many adolescents experience with their parents.The main character also undergoes a transformation, through the use of his music, which is an interest and need many adolescents identify with.

Though the stories left me with way more questions that answers, and a bit of confusion, I think Potok intended this for discussion purposes.The stories touch on very sensitive subjects, and can be a good way for students to be introduced to how we can discuss these subjects respectfully.

insightful stories
I thought this way this book was structured with the variety of different stories and perspectives help it to move quickly.I thought particularly Zebra and Nava were excellent stories about young adolescent experience.Potok did a great job of structuring each story with relevant and fast-paced events.I think students might find some of the characters or stories boring, but as a college education student, I enjoyed this collection.

Good for a school assignment, but otherwise, no...
Our opinions on three of the stories:

ZEBRA: I think that the story Zebra was well written. The downside of the story is it's really boring. I think that stories like this are boring. Some people like them, but I don't. This would not be my first choice in books. I think it brings great shame to literature as we know it. It is a stupid and boring story which someone with nothing better to do would write. Who would want to read about a stupid kid who runs out in front of a car and gets hit by it? It's depressing! Sure the ending may be happy, but up to that point it's about a sad boy who ran into a car and broke most of his bones. ....

MOON: A critically acclaimed short story or a literary disaster? In my opinion, it is comparable to Hiroshima. I admit it was well written enough, but the plot was truly awful...for me, anyway. I'd rather have my appendix removed than read a book with a plot concerning people, their hardships, and how they grow afterwards, and that pretty much describes most of Mr. Potok's books. I hate books like that; Chicken Soup-like books. If, for whatever reason, you like books like that, then you'd probably like this book ...

NAVA: In my opinion, Nava is the best out of all the stories compiled into Zebra. However, the ending is one that doesn't fit the story very well, and it leaves you wanting more. The characters are believable, all except for the father, and the story isn't that well written."How can one say all these negative things and still call it the best story of the book," you ask?Well, that is because this was the best story, which lets you know what I thought of the other ones. Zebra is a great book for classwork, because the stories are short enough that they can be read and discussed within a 42 minute class period, but I would never read this if I had a choice for pleasure reading.

...

Thought Prevoking
Chaim Potok's, book Zebra and Other Stories is very insightful. It gives us a glimpse of the complex lives of teens today. I really was able to identify with the emotions and feelings of the characters. I even felt at times as if I was a "fly on the wall", sneaking a peek! ... Read more

Product Description
A DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH

Kate was used to the rougher side of life. Raised in an orphanage, shesurvived as a cut-purse on the streets of London. So when her worldcollided with the rich in a botched robbery attempt, she expected noless than prison. Instead, she found herself the recipient of awealthy man's kindness -- and discovered that she wanted his heart.

THE BRIGHTEST GEM OF ALL

When Lord Alec Breckridge decided to help the lovely thief, he neverimagined himself falling for her -- or that it was he who must win hertrust. Now, as a dangerous secret threatened to take Kate from him, hewould risk everything to prove his love to the woman who had stolenhis heart . . . a woman LIKE NO OTHER. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (24)

WHAT A GREAT BOOK!
FROM THE CHARACTERS TO THE STORY LINE, MELANIE GEORGE DOES NOT MISS A SINGLE DETAIL.THIS BOOK IS ONE YOU DEFINITELY WON'T PUT DOWN... HAPPY READING:)

Captivating and Funny
Ms. George has done it again. By that I mean, even if I did start reading this author with one of her more recent novels, I have now set out to read all she has done and, so far, I am not disappointed. This, "Like No Other", is not your run of the mill romance. Her heroine is a cocky street smart urchin and her hero is an absolutely tender, strong, smart, sensual...need I say more...I loved him! Kate, aka the Fox, was a delight, making you both laugh and cry. Secondary characters, especially Holmes the butler provided the perfect foil for Ms. George to perfect her talent for snappy dialog in a most amusing and delightful way. Hat's off to you on this keeper and am looking forward to reading "Handsome Devil".

A really fun read!
I got this book as a trade having heard a lot of good things about it. I'm a skeptical person by nature, but LIKE NO OTHER lived up to everything people said about it. It is a lot of laughs and, yes, a few tear-jerking moments. I can't wait for Ms. George's next book.

4 1/2 Stars - A wonderful read
LIKE NO OTHER is a wonderful read. Melanie George has a strong writingstyle that brings her characters and their environment alive in your mind.The author took me from the blase attitude of Alec's friend, Anthony to theemotional turmoil of Alec and Kate with ease, making me laugh out loud oneminute and turn pages fast enough to make a breeze the next.

LOTS OF FUN!!!
I really love a book that can make me laugh AND cry (perhaps laugh morethan cry ). LIKE NO OTHER did both -- and did them well. Kate wasdelightful. Alec was my kind of hero. And Holmes and Anthony -- well, all Ican say about them is that I hope to see them return in future books by Ms.George. ... Read more

Product Description

Cord Tanner has a very simple plan: get paid to be Beatrix Northroupe's husband for a month so the prim, but sexy, Englishwoman can gain rightful ownership of her family's stud farm. Money in hand, he's going to get as far away from Revolt, Kansas, as a fast horse can take him.
          
But Cord soon finds that he admires his Trixie's reckless courage--not to mention she's one great kisser. Maybe he's crazy to hope for a real future with her instead of heading for the hills, but now that someone's staking a dangerous claim to her farm, Cord's decided to stick around as long as the lady needs protecting. That wedding ring he put on her finger means her reputation is safe--and he's determined to win her heart. Cord Tanner may not be the most refined man on the frontier, but he sure is the lovingest..."

Customer Reviews (7)

Engaging Western
This novel is a well written Western with interesting characters. The plot however was pedictable and i knew the ending long before we got there.the sex scenes contained some purple prose which I do not like.But all in all it is worth the current price.

Good story
Cord is broke and horseless so when he is offered a job as temporary husband to the English owner of a stud farm in Kansas he accepts. Beatrice needs a husband to ensure that she will get the ranch after her father dies and her grandfather is considering selling the property. She is willing to do almost anything to keep the ranch anything from bootlegging to entering into a temporary alliance with a stranger. When the Grandfather shows up bringing her widowed aunt and her former fiance the sham newlyweds find themselves forced to share a bed. Cord and Trixie soon find themselves fighting their attraction to each other, the bad guys, and their pasts to find the love they move want and need.It is a good story, a little improbable on some points but that is okay. I look forward to reading Gil's story in the next book.

One Real Cowboy
This was a good story.Cord is a down on his luck cowboy who agrees to marry Beatrix for one month in order to help her keep her prospering ranch.She is afraid her English grandfather will sell it and make her return to England, because Beatrix's father was killed in a freak horse accident.Once Cord arrives, everyone takes to him and finds him to be kind and knowledgable.He discovers that there are secrets afoot and sets out to find the answers and to right wrongs that Beatrix is unaware of.When her grandfather and aunt arrive from England, Beatrix is afraid they'll see through her and Cord's ploy of man and wife, but Cord is good at portraying the loving husband, and eventually of course they no longer want to pretend, but want to become man and wife in fact and deed.Throughout all this Cord learns secrets of his own past while ferreting out the trouble surround Beatrix's ranch.In end, everything comes together in a satisfying way, and when you close the book, it is with a "that was a good story".

Fun Western
I like to read Westerns, and this was a good addition to my usual type of books. I couldn't put it down, it was humorous and described the settings and characters very well.

Agree with first review
I whole-heartedly agree with D. Crawford's review and rating of 5 stars. I especially loved the author's humor, often reflected in the thoughts of both the hero and heroine. Cord, for example, finding himself more and more inconveniently aroused by his convenient-marriage wife, vows to himself to "aim to keep the little rustler [in his pants] corraled." I thought this was a wonderful read and I sure hope that Ms Kenny writes many more! ... Read more

Product Description

Over the past two decades, Harriet Ritvo has established herself as a leading scholar in animal studies and one of those most responsible for establishing this field of study as a crucial part of environmental and social history. Her two well-known books,The Platypus and the Mermaid andThe Animal Estate, did much to introduce and illuminate the importance of nonhuman animals to the study of human culture. Hunting and husbandry, as well as petkeeping and zoo-going, forge powerful connections between animal lives and those of humans: in fact, animals have helped define what a human is. They have also been one of the most reliable measures of humans' disproportionate influence on the environment. From domestication to extinction, the human impact on animal populations has been profound.

In the essays collected inNoble Cows and Hybrid Zebras, Ritvo explores our attitudes toward animals, from cruelty to sentimentality to the indifference of pure practicality, and touches on many social and scientific issues, including genetic engineering and an animal protection movement much older than most readers would think (animal advocacy was a cause embraced by many Victorians).

While Ritvo's writing represents the cutting edge in animal history, it has always been characterized by its accessibility, and these essays originally appeared not only in scholarly journals but also in Grand Street, Daedalus, and American Scholar. Collected for the first time in a single volume, they reveal an important dimension of human history by looking to those other creatures that have surrounded us all along.

Product Description
Nancy Wright Beasley's columns for "Richmond Magazine" have been gathered in this collection to provide a unique and humorous outlook on life and love. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Touching, Funny, Thought-provoking
Cradle a cup of tea in your favorite chair and read this warm and funny book leisurely, for that is how it's meant to be enjoyed. The book is based on seven years of columns in Richmond Magazine, allowing us to observe the world changing even as Beasley's own life changes. Watching the years go by in monthly time capsules is fascinating.

We pass the gates of Beasley's life, as she reflects on the death of her young husband, cares for her aging parents, and then sees the two of them dying. Her sons are getting older; her grandchildren are born.

Beasley's writing is intensely personal. We feel the pain of 9/11 as though it were fresh, for in that column it was. I was mesmerized by her story of the dying eagle, which she cradled by the side of the highway after its trauma of being hit by several cars. I felt with her the souls of beauty she has encountered along the way as a reporter in Richmond, Virginia--just ordinary folks that Mrs. Beasley has found something extraordinary in. Wonderfully captivating.

Connie Lapallo
Author of Dark Enough to See the Stars in a Jamestown Sky ... Read more

Product Description
It's an alphabet explosion!

18 things in this book begin with the letter "A", 19 start with "H", and there are 37 ways of counting "S".

Can you find them all?

As you search, discover dazzling worlds where poodles paint, crows ride in corn-on-the-cob cars, unicorns wear underwear, and so much more. And when you've counted your way from A-Z, check your answers in the back of the book that lists all 421 things that appear. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Seriously Engaging
This book is just fascinating.
We got it from the library and it kept my five year old's attention (and mine!) for well over a week. It is really hard to find all the illustrations for any given letter, even for adults. It was great fun to work together on this each evening. Really fun quality time. I highly recommend this book and will be getting it for both Trey's cousins for Christmas!

It's fun
It was not easy to find the hidden words and even an adult can enjoy this.

Teach kids the alphabet with a different kind of picture book
Teach kids the alphabet with a different kind of picture book: one which invites a treasure hunt through crazy worlds where poodles paint, crows ride in corncob cars, frog nurses administer care, and more. Each page holds a caption telling how many 'a' 'b' or other letter objects appear on the colorful image-laden page: it's up to the kids to find and identify them! ... Read more

Product Description
The introduction and rapid spread of the zebra mussel in North American waters has caused great concern among industrial and recreational users of these waters. This bivalve mollusk is a biofouler that attaches to any firm substrate (e.g. rocks, piers, water intake pipes, boat hulls) and has already created significant problems for raw water users such as water treatment plants and power plants.Zebra Mussels: Biology, Impacts and Control provides essential information regarding the biology of the zebra mussel in North America and Europe, presents case studies of environmental and industrial impacts, and outlines control strategies. Summary articles detail its life history, origins, and morphology. The book also examines techniques used to culture and maintain this organism in the laboratory. Thirty-two color plates illustrate some of the dramatic problems created by the explosive population growth of this species. Zebra Mussels: Biology, Impacts, and Control is an important resource for ecologists, conservationists, environmental consultants, water quality engineers, regulatory officials, power utilities, and libraries. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Boring, Boring, Boring
I purchased this book based on the reviews, mostly 5 stars.Unlike another reviewer who claimed she could not put the book down after the first chapter, I barely made it past the first chapter.This book has all the negatives imaginable, a plain, boring heroine, a totally unsympathetic "hero" and a lackluster story.There is virtually no romance and there cetainly is not any kind of romantic emotion between the couple.If you want to read this, get it at your library, don't waste your money.

Feisty Heroine
I read this book in a few hours.Olivia was a great heroine. I liked the way she stood up to the bigots in the town refusing to let them intimidate her by word or deed,some of her snappy comebacks to them had me laughing my head off.I liked Matt too but the book focused more on Olivia.She is the town's wealthiest resident,owning the mill which buys all their cotton.All the residents hate her because she also owns the deeds to their property.She had only bought to prevent the town from being destroyed like other Southern towns after the war.She allowed everyone to think that she was greedy and grasping when she was actually doing alot to help them.My only problems with the book are,Matt's role was "supporting actor" role,Olivia was bitter over his betrayal for a really long time without seeking to find out why he had married another,she allowed Rodger to take advantage of her and trusted him far too much.

unforgettable
I really enjoyed this book. It kept my attention through the whole book. I really liked Olivia and Matthew. Aunt Eula kept me laughing too. It was one of those books that will make you laugh and make you cry. I thought it was extremely good. If you are looking for a good book to read chose this one.

Outstanding
This book was outstanding.The strong characters and versatile story line made the book unable to put down.Ms. Higdon is an outstanding author and I look forward to her next book.

Unforsaken
This is a wonderful story about two people in love but seperated.Oliviaand Matthew are strong believable characters and I enjoyed them.I couldnot put the book down.It will make you laugh, make you cry and simplykeep you reading.Take the time to read it and you'll be glad you did. ... Read more