Please Don't Come Back from the Moon

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Did we read the same book?

wonderful debut novel from a promising author.

Can they overcome their legacy?

Please don't come back from the Moon

Reads like a fake Murakami

Please Don't Come Back from the Moon
Dean Bakopoulos
Manufacturer: Harvest Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0156031671

Book Description

T he summer Michael Smolij turns seventeen, his father DEAN BAKOPOULOS, a former book-disappears. One by one other men also vanish from the seller, was named one of America's blue-collar neighborhood outside Detroit where their fathers best new fiction writers by Virginia before them had lived, raised families, and, in a more prom-Quarterly in 2004. He lives in Madison, ising era, worked. One man props open the door to his shoe Wisconsin. store and leaves a note. "I'm going to the moon," it reads. "I took the cash."

The abandoned wives drink, brawl, and sleep around, gradually settling down to make new lives and shaking off the belief in an American dream that, like their husbands, has proven to be a thing of the past. Unable to leave the neighborhood their fathers abandoned, Michael and his friends stumble through their twenties until the restlessness of the fathers blooms in them, threatening to carry them away.

Hailed as "a triumph" by O, The Oprah Magazine, this haunting, unforgettable debut novel is for anyone who has ever been left longing.

Customer Reviews:

Did we read the same book?.......2006-08-19

My book club chose this book on the basis of all the good reviews it got, and our opinions ranged from mildly disappointed to outright hatred. To me, it read like the author had a good premise for a magical-realism short story, then appended 250 more pages that supposedly fleshed it out but were really just dull and unsatisfying and riddled with cliches. Bakapoulos can clearly write -- the first chapter or two, when the fathers disappear, shows that -- but the vast majority of the book is a bad Hemingway imitation about a boring guy doing boring things without the benefit of a bit of insight about what effect all their fathers disappearing had on him and his friends. If Bakapoulos ever puts out a collection of short stories I'd check it out from the library, but give this one a pass.

wonderful debut novel from a promising author........2006-06-21

I fell in love with this novel within the first few pages and found that I couldn't put it down. Bakopoulos writes with such an understanding of the boys' minds and their understanding of what happened to their missing fathers, it's almost heart-breaking. Throughout the novel, I found wishing for the fathers to stay away because it would be too much of an emotional overload if they returned to Maple Rock. Through the end of the novel, I found myself wishing that Michael would stay and not turn into his father, however through Michael's eyes, the reader understands what drove the fathers away in the first place. It gives the story of the father's disappearances certain closure so that the reader isn't left wondering, "Why did it happen?" This is a story about heart-break and loss; it's the story of absent fathers and what happens to boys who grow up without them but with good, caring mothers who are left to pick up the pieces of the father's disappearance.

Can they overcome their legacy?.......2006-04-04

I thought this was a haunting powerful book. I was afraid to turn the pages at the end for fear of what would happen to Mikey and his friends when they realized they were men and no longer boys with some dreams of possibilites at least ahead of them. I cheered for the mothers and worried about the young wives and new mothers. I ached for Detroit.

As soon as I finished this book, I checked to see if Dean Bakopoulos had written another one. He is now on my list of authors to follow.

Please don't come back from the Moon.......2006-02-28

I very much enjoyed the style of writing. I kept wanting to read more - I very much look forward to his next book!

Reads like a fake Murakami.......2005-12-31

Did anyone ever notice how much this book tries to be like Murakami? And fails to even get close? And then the beginning sticks out and is totally different from the rest. All I have to say about this book is: "It is Overrated".

Average customer rating:

Please Don't Come Back From the Moon
Dean Bakopoulos
Manufacturer: Harcourt
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000N7A0P0

Average customer rating:

Please Don't Come Back From The Moon
Dean Bakopoulos
Manufacturer: Harcourt
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OJOIKA

Average customer rating:

Please Don't Come Back from the Moon
Dean Bakopoulos
Manufacturer: Harvest Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OJOXK0

Average customer rating:

the last of the series is the best

too long

Absolutely perfect!

The final in a trilogy

Fabulous!
Queen of Diamonds: Book Three of the House of Cards Trilogy (Signet Eclipse)
Barbara Metzger
Manufacturer: Signet
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0451218671

Book Description

All of London knows the story of the vanished Lady Charlotte Endicott and the handsome reward that will accompany her safe return. Scores of blond-haired, blue-eyed impostors have tried their luck at Jack Endicott's casino claiming to be the girl, only to be turned away-but Queenie Dennis just might be the one. Fate takes a turn when she returns to London posing as a dressmaker fresh from France. Queenie quickly becomes the talk of the town, catching the eye of the handsome Lord Harkness. As her love for him grows, Queenie's lies begin to catch up with her. Will Harkness call her bluff, or does love hold the winning hand?

Customer Reviews:

the last of the series is the best.......2007-06-30

She seems to at last have conquered the longer novel with this one. A more relaxed writing style, smoother more in depth descriptions. I still think Metzger's best at the short Trad Regency--she's the absolute Empress of the genre--but I did enjoy this book.

too long.......2006-08-01

Boy, hate to be the spoiler with all these positive reviews, but QUEEN OF DIAMONDS by Barbara Metzger, the final book in a trilogy that features the Endicott Family, was very diappointing. I love Ms. Metzger's books. Her books have a signature wit with great character development and these qualities were certainly were present in this book. But I think she forgot that this book was the last in the story of the two two brothers, who made a promise to their dying father, to search for their long lost half sister Lady Charlotte. Problem is that the story is too long, with 343 pages and I could not believe that Queenie does not actually get to meet the brothers until page 331!!!! The books are the brothers story with the search. Book 3 begins with the accident that killed Queenie's Mom, so as the reader, we know exactly who the long lost sister is. There is no mystery in that. In fact, we met her in book 2 so we knew she was heading to France and, when she returned, was planning on trying to contact them. How disappointing that the story did include more of the family getting together and rediscoving each other. When Queenie does meet and her story confirmed, how silly was Jack, practically ready to call poor Harry out because he was obviously "with" Queenie? He said he was inclinded to darken his daylights for taking liberties with his little sister. And Alex frowned when faced with Queenie and Harry getting married. He said not so fast because no one had asked his permission. Are they kidding? That was just plain dumb. These two men had not seen her in years and to think that on day one, they would take over regulating her life? She certainly was not some milk and water miss, not to survive on her own that way. How arrogant was that? It would have been fun to find out, for instance, what happens with Lady Jennifer and her Butler? How did Queenie's intro to society go anyway? After all, no matter how you cut it, she was in trade and was sort of shady so what happens?

So, for me, in the end, you do not actually need to waste your time reading book 3. Just know that yes, after reading and reading and reading, she does go to see Jack and Alex (as she planned to do in book 2) and she gets married to Harry 9 pages later...

Absolutely perfect!.......2006-06-30

A real achievement. Astonishingly good. While this finishes a trilogy (and please don't read the spoilers in the reviews!) you don't need the other two books to follow the story. While the first two books were solidly enjoyable reads, Queen of Diamonds is an instant classic on it's own merits. I've read all of Barbara Metzger's work and I was still unprepared for the emotional impact of this novel.

What sets Queen of Diamonds apart is more than solid characterization and excellent plotting. The heroine is unlike any stock character you've read this year. She is an independent woman through the entire book. She is a real person with plausible reactions and conflicts, her actions make sense and lack the foolishness a lesser book requires to move the story along. The aspects of Regency life she experiences come alive in a true way rarely achieved in genre fiction. Her Cyprian Ball isn't an excuse to get someone half raped or a 'steamy' scene underway. It's a place her characters would go, and the event is treated as sincerely as a night at Almacks. (In fact, if you're looking for a sex laden read, move along. The steam in this book is achieved through the relationships of the characters rather than heaving bosoms or throbbing anythings).

And what characters! None of them are a plot device or a waste of space - each one adds interest and depth to the tale. Maybe once a decade I'll read a genre book that actually causes me to tear up. I'm cynical like that. This one got me. I bought into the story like it was an autobiography. The hero and heroine are people of conviction making the best choices they can. Both grow and learn from their experiences. You know, I think it's better than Whitney, My Love. You need to read it and decide for yourself.

The final in a trilogy.......2006-06-25

QUEEN OF DIAMONDS by Barbara Metzger
June 24, 2006

Rating: 4 Stars

QUEEN OF DIAMONDS by Barbara Metzger is the final book in a trilogy that features the Endicott Family, and two brothers who are searching for their long lost half sister Lady Charlotte. The story begins with the actual accident that kills Charlotte's mother, who was also Alex and Jack Endicott's stepmother. Young Charlotte survives the accident and is immediately taken in by a woman who begins to call herself Molly Dennis, and the two live together for many years, with "Queenie" thinking all along that Molly is her birth mother. It isn't until Molly's death that Queenie, who was formerly Lady Charlotte, learns that she is truly an orphan, as she has no idea who her parents really were.

Queenie's adventures continue overseas, where she learns a trade through a master fashion designer in Paris, and when she finally returns to England, she changes her identity to that of Madame Denise Lescartes, in honor of the family whose money her "mother" stole over the years. Denise/Queenie vows to repay the Carde estate, not knowing that she is actually their long lost sister.

While the main plot involves the brothers search for their sister Charlotte, Queenie is trying to avoid being found by Ize, one of the men that was involved in the original plan to blackmail her father by kidnapping her. Of course Queenie has no idea who Ize really is, only that he is a dangerous man and she tries her best to hide from him, with the help of her best friend. At the same time, a gentleman by the name of Lord Harry Harkness is searching for his brother-in-law, who has stolen the family diamonds and has caused great suffering for Harry's sister. Harry also is a friend of Jack Endicott, who runs a gambling house. It is this connection that has Harry cross paths with Queenie, who also arrives at Jack's gambling house in order to return the blackmail money to the family. Neither encounters Jack, but Queenie and Harry meet, and soon Harry is involved with Queenie (or Denise Lescartes), helping her to find potential customers among the ton, since Queenie is now trying to start up a business in fashion designing.

While the novel does sound a bit convoluted, it's actually a lot of fun. What keeps Barbara Metzger's fans happy are the many interesting characters that one encounters. In QUEEN OF DIAMONDS, these characters include a cute poodle that is as endearing as the young boy that Queenie unofficially takes under her wing, a boy that had been pickpocketing to make a living, but is now loyal to Queenie and her friends. Queenie's best friend Hellen is also quite the personality, helping lend some comic relief to the story.

And of course Harry falls in love with Queenie (Denise), not knowing what he is getting himself into!

QUEEN OF DIAMONDS was yet another enjoyable novel by Barbara Metzger. While it was a tad too long and could have been edited in some places, overall her writing always entices me to pick up yet another book by the queen of regencies. They all seem to have some sort of soap-operaish story line, which is all part of the fun.

Fabulous!.......2006-06-07

Everyone knows the story of the vanished Lady Charlotte "Lottie" Endicott and the huge reward for her safe return. At the age of three, Lottie was the only survivor of a stage coach ambush. Everyone was supposed to have died, including little Lottie. Instead of finishing the deed they were hired for, Dennis Godfrey and Ezra "Ize" Iscoll, decided to implement an exotic extortion scheme. Dennis has his spinster sister, Molly, take the child far away to raise as her own. Every few months Molly would quietly collect blackmail money from a special bank account. Lottie became "Queenie", whose father died while serving his country. As only a child can do, Queenie adapted and, therefore, forgot all about her previous life. Molly loved Queenie as if the child was her own daughter. She devoted herself to bringing up Queenie as a proper lady, having her educated as such too. Molly even made sure that a dowry would be ready when Queenie was due to wed. Queenie had no idea that it was all a lie until Molly whispered, on her death bed, that she had never really been married.

Alex, the Earl of Carde, and his brother, Jack, have never given up hope on locating their sister, Lottie. Queenie actually returned to London for a short time after Molly died. She spent much of that time with her friend, Hellen Pettigrew, who is the daughter of a "kept lady". Ize has Queenie convinced that she had been adopted by Molly and was supposed to be part of a con to make the Carde family believe she was their lost daughter so they could collect the reward money, but when the scheme fell through, Molly kept Queenie as her own. Queenie felt bad for the Carde family and planned to tell the current family about the con that never happened and about the rumor she heard long ago that little Lottie had died. But Ize kept her from doing so. When news spread that the Carde family was looking for a lady going by the name of Queenie in town, Queenie fled to France, thinking she would be sent to jail.

Now Queenie returns again to London. This time she is known as Madame Denise Lescartes, a dressmaker fresh from France. Hellen is still her best friend and joins Queenie as she opens her new shop. Lord Harking is in town, hunting down his sleazy brother-in-law who has stolen the family heirlooms (diamonds) and left his sister. While searching, Madame Denise catches his eye. Queenie is soon the talk of the ton and her business begins to boom. Yet as Queenie's desire for Harking grows, her lies begin to catch up with her.

***** Absolutely outstanding! The author, Barbara Metzger, has succeeded in creating a tale within a tale. I was hooked on the very first page and unable to tear myself away. Queenie is a strong role model, doing what has to be done to survive in one of England's roughest eras for women. Watching meek little Queenie transform into a strong businesswoman is spectacular. In no way could the author have possibly made this story any better. Full of wonderful characters that I could not help but love or hate (depending on who they were), lots of action, drama, tension, and simply fantastic! Highly recommended! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

Book Description

Jerusalén. Caballo de Troya, audiolibro dramatizado en español basado en el bestseller internacional del aclamado escritor J.J. Benítez ©. En esta magistral producción, Benítez pone al descubierto la verdad nunca antes dicha sobre la figura y obra de Jesús de Nazaret, y como las grandes potencias ocultan muchos de sus proyectos espaciales y militares. "Caballo de Troya" es una prueba de esto.

En 1973 las Fuerzas Aéreas Norteamericanas, después de varios años de preparación, ejecutaron en pleno corazón de Israel uno de sus proyectos más secretos, que fue bautizado como "Operación Caballo de Troya". Un militar de aviación norteamericano retirado y a punto de morir proporciona a J.J. Benítez © documentación real acerca de este proyecto secreto en el cual dos astronautas viajaron a través del tiempo hasta el año 30 de nuestra era, tomando contacto directo con Jesucristo y descubriendo como se desarrolló realmente la historia sagrada. Ahora FonoLibro, les trae esta versión dramatizada del bestseller internacional, en formato de audiolibro, con un elenco de más de 25 actores, música original, y efectos de sonido, los cuales les harán sentir que usted está presente en la historia. (9 CDs. Aprox. 10 Horas)

Book Description

Nuevas e insólitas revelaciones del diario del norteamericano que saltó a los tiempos de Jesucristo.

Customer Reviews:

Novela.......2007-01-05

A pesar de todas las coincidencias con nuestra realidad, no deja de ser una novela... o eso lo decidirá el lector en el mejor de los casos. La trama es excelente y el tema rodea al lector de forma continua. Esta primera entrega, la mejor de todas, es una obra que todos deberian leer en algún momento dado que nos presenta ese otro punto de vista de una manera sumamente real. Ciencia Ficción, Religión, Historia, Misterio... todos los temas se tocan en la proporción adecuada.

Interesante.......2006-10-03

Este libro es muy interesante, facil de leer y nos mantiene sin soltarlo hasta el fin. Lo recomiendo.

Excelente lectura.......2006-04-18

La imaginaci?n y detalle de este libro, me marco para siempre. La emoci?n que me influyo en las ?ltimas p?ginas del libro fueron grandiosas. De verdad, si la historia es una fantas?a entretenida o existe alguna peque?a verdad en ella, no deja de ser una grata y apacible lectura de este libro.

INTERESANTE LIBRO , PERO LA VERDADERA FUENTE NO ES EL MAYOR SINO EL LIBRO DE URANTIA.......2006-04-11

Realmente el libro me gusto, pero la verdad me intrigo mucho la famosa fuente informativa que dio Juan Jose, el "militar retirado", despues de tanto buscar encontre que la verdadera fuente no es el "mayor:. La fuete es "El libro de Urantia", el cual tambien lo pueden encontrar aqui en Amazon.

Juan Jose ha hecho un muy buen trabajo con esta serie de Caballo de Troya, pero creo que pierde credibilidad al no decir realmente la verdadera fuente o de donde se fusilo todos estos libros, seria mejor que no se colgara todos los reconocimientos y diera realmente el nombre del libro de donde el se baso para escribir sus Novelas, que la historia del "mayor" es muy buena porque realmente es una novela pero.... hasta donde termina la novela y empieza la realidad?.

En esta direccion van a encontrar la informacion de Benitez Juan Jose y "Caballo de Troya".
http://www.dios.com.ar/paginas/grupos/5-personajes/indice.htm

Claro que esto no quiere decir que no merece reconocimiento su trabajo o que sus libros son mentira, por eso es que le doy 4 estrellas.
Incluso cuando vi la pelicula "La Pasion de Cristo" hay mucha de la verdad de los libros de "Caballo de Troya" o " El libro de Urantia", en ella y por eso no se puede negar que hay mucha realidad en sus libros.

Pueden incluso comparar los textos del libro con los textos del Libro de Urantia en esta pagina
http://www.urantia.org/spanish/es_docs/index.html
en la parte IV. LA VIDA Y LAS ENSE?ANZAS DE JES?S.

Pero si quieren saber mas controversia pueden ver esto
http://ministeriosprobe.org/docs/urantia-esp.html

Para quienes le gusta saber mas........

No hay mas ciego que el que no quiere ver........2006-02-25

Este libro solo nos quiere mostrar la realidad de la vida, lo que se nos ha ocultado por mas de 2000 anos, la realidad por la que Cristo vino a este mundo, no fue la de liberarnos del pecado como nos lo han hecho creer, sino a ensenarnos lo que es el amor. Que triste que apesar de que vemos tantas infamias al rededor de este precioso mundo todavia dudemos de algo que es tan real, como el de por que vino Jesus a este triste mundo. El dejo la paz de los cielos por venir a ensenarnos y dejarnos su legado mas precioso, el AMOR, el dar sin esperar nada a cambio. Solo ayudaremos a este mundo cuando aprendamos a amar, a dar, a ayudarnos los unos a los otros, cuando dejemos atras toda esa prepotencia que llevamos dentro, esas ganas de querer competir con todos y el querer superar a los demas, ese odio, guerras. Ya es hora de aprender a amarnos y ayudarnos los unos a los otros, sin discriminar razas todos somos hermanos y debemos de ayudarnos, todos somos uno solo. No nos damos cuenta que cuando hay amor hay paz y harmonia. Eso es todo lo que Jesus queria decirnos, es tan dificil de entender. Gracias a J.J. Benitez, y a todas las personas involucradas en esta magnifica obra por exponer su vida para podernos dar la oportunidad de ver esta vida de una forma mejor.

Jerusalen: Caballo de Troya [Jerusalem: The Trojan Horse, Book 1]

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Jerusalen: Caballo de Troya [Jerusalem: The Trojan Horse, Book 1]
J.J. Benitez
Manufacturer: audible.com
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Download
ASIN: B000K0YMO0

Product Description

Este libro enseña a las mujeres a obtener su fuerza y su belleza únicamente de Dios. La mano amorosa y orientadora de Dios fue evidente en la vida de Ester. Mediante el estudio del libro de Ester, Elizabeth George muestra a las mujeres como ellas también pueden cultivar una confianza ferviente en Dios para que Él pueda obrar poderosamente por medio de ellas. [This book will teach women how to draw their strength and beauty from God alone. God's loving, guiding hand was evident in Esther's life. Through a study of Esther, Elizabeth George shows women how they, too, can be like Esther and cultivate an abiding trust in God so He can work powerfully through them.]

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