Book Description
When Vincent Saunders -- fresh out of college in the States -- arrives in Taiwan as a Christian volunteer and English teacher, he meets a wealthy Taiwanese businessman who wishes to marry a young woman living in China near Heaven Lake but is thwarted by political conflict. Mr. Gwa wonders: In exchange for money, will Vincent travel to China, take part in a counterfeit marriage, and bring the woman back to Taiwan for Gwa to marry legitimately? Believing that marriage is a sacrament, Vincent says no.
Soon, though, everything Vincent understands about himself and his vocation in Taiwan changes. A complicated friendship with one of the high-school girls he teaches sends him on a path toward spiritual reckoning. It also causes him to reconsider Gwa's extraordinary proposition. What follows is not just an exhilarating -- sometimes harrowing -- journey to a remote city in China, but an exploration of love, loneliness, and the nature of faith.
Customer Reviews:
Par excellant!.......2007-10-05
This book was so powerful, so filled with beautiful images, I read it twice. John, I met you at a St. Louis book signing. My autographed copy of Heaven Lake sits in a place of honor in my home library. As an aspiring writer of Asian culture, I am quite influenced by your work. Thank you and please gives us something new soon.
Steven J. Ferrill
Adventure, romance, comedy...being real.......2007-03-13
I won't say never a dull moment, but Vincent's life undergoes so many changes in this book that it's a pleasure watching him learn from his naive decisions. He goes through so much turmoil, and morphs from a wishy-washy young man to someone with a backbone. I love the culture clash, the truth from the mouths of liars, and twisted redemption. A great book, and I've noticed that writers of most of the great books I've been reading lately acknowledge help from the societies and friends who have helped them along the way. I've always wondered how people write great books by themselves, but it doesn't seem like they do.
beautiful, beautiful book.......2007-02-25
For me, this is storytelling becoming the art of literature. John Dalton does not use language to awe, nor tries to impress the reader with erudition. Only one of the (secondary) characters is neurotic, and the emotional and spiritual journey Vincent goes through is steady and reserved. "Heaven Lake" makes you laugh sometimes, and maybe cry sometimes, but it doesn't force you to. It is not a short novel, but I found nothing redundant. The book has a personality, clear and strong. Plus, ofcourse, the interesting plot and cultural context. I hope to read another book by John Dalton, soon.
A late bloomer.......2007-01-11
Heaven Lake has an interesting concept. Vincent, an American in Taiwan, is offered a considerable amount of money to go to Mainland China and participate in a sham marriage. He will then bring back the foxy bride so she can be married a second time to a Taiwanese businessman. Of course it doesn't work according to plan, the lady being a fox in more ways than one.
But before the real story can take place, the reader has to get through 190 pages. At which point, most of what has taken place becomes of secondary importance, and all that investment in the early chapters really doesn't pay off. It isn't hard to imagine an alternate setup--involving, say, two chapters--that would have served as well. Vincent suffers enough, and errs enough, once the journey begins, to show the reader what kind of person he is. It's at that point that the setting starts to come alive, as well.
The most interesting character is Alec, the Scotsman, a man who is apparently programmed to self destruct. The time spent on the crippled Taiwanese boy would probably have been better spent on Alec. Not that Vincent was close to him. Vincent isn't close to anyone.
But it isn't at all a bad read once one gets past the thesaurus-powered first chapter. It's just that it would worked better with a tighter structure. One can imagine an agent or editor writing "The story starts here!" across the manuscript, half way through. But no one did.
Heaven Lake.......2006-08-28
Looking forward to more from this talented writer. Heaven Lake is an interesting look at modern China. Dalton proves an excellent story teller!
Customer Reviews:
GOOD...........2006-01-11
LIKE JARE not much i can say but that you will like it if you know about the other books in the series and if you never read the series then get the frist book that started the series its a good quick read and enjoyable......
Everybody has a different opinion when writting a review if we all had the same reviews or opinions it would be boring. Reviews can sometimes down play a really good book or up play a really bad book its up to us to read the book and judge for ourselfs and draw our own conclusion thats the best thing about a review its like a silent debate....
Outstanding.......2005-11-10
Ms. Jackson's books are always off the chain so it was not a surprise that this one was really good. This book is HOT! Very good read! Looking forward to the next book in this series.
When we practice to deceive...........2005-08-26
If you are a Brenda Jackson fan such as myself, you're more than likely patiently waiting for Chase Westmoreland's story--well, you will just have to wait.
In her latest addition to the Westmoreland series, Ms. Jackson introduces us to Dana Rollins. Her fiancé, Luther Cord, reneged on their engagement and now he wants the ring back. He has hired the gorgeous high-powered attorney Jared Westmoreland to represent him. Doing what any lawyer is paid to do, Jared convinces Dana that it would be in her best interest if she complies with his client's wishes. Feeling she has made the right decision by giving the ring back, Dana extends Jared an invitation to one day return the favor.
Being the eldest child, Jared's mother expects him to set an example for his other siblings by bringing a guest to his father's and uncle's birthday party. Knowing full well he doesn't have a steady girlfriend, Jared is at a loss on what to do. He runs into Dana and asks her to accompany him to the party. Since she owes him a favor anyway, she says yes. While at the party his eavesdropping mother overhears the word engagement, so naturally she believes that Jared and Dana are engaged. When Jared stops by his parents' house to inform them of the misunderstanding, his father shares with him some devastating news regarding his mother's health. Not wanting to see his mother unhappy, Jared asks Dana if she would just pretend to be his fiancée, but makes it perfectly clear that she would be expected to perform as his fiancée, in every sense of the word. The problem Dana faces is enduring Jared's heated kisses and his many other tantalizing advances.
In true fashion, Ms. Jackson has written a very delightful romance filled story. The novel is well-written with a wonderful storyline, and the well-developed plot makes JARED'S COUNTERFEIT FIANCÉE a splendid read. Whenever I get my hands on a Brenda Jackson novel, I feel like a kid in a candy store. I'm counting the days until the next book in this series, The Chase Is On, is released.
Reviewed by Pamela Bolden
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers
The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men often Go Awry.......2005-08-23
Jared's Counterfeit Fiancée is the sixth book in the Westmoreland Series. In this latest installment, we meet Jared Westmoreland, the eldest of six brothers and first cousin to the other Westmoreland's that we have meet through this series.
Jared Westmoreland is a very successful attorney and confirmed bachelor. Lately his mother has been pressuring him to settle down and get married, start a family and influence his brothers to do the same. This is no easy task considering neither Jared, nor his brothers, are looking to give up their bachelor status anytime soon. In an attempt to relieve the pressure from his mother, Jared calls in a favor from Dana Rollins. Jared helped Dana through a rough spot in the past and since she feels indebted to him, she agrees to attend one family function as his date.
Jared's plan appears to be working, but just before he is in the clear, a misunderstanding happens that leaves the entire family thinking that the he and Dana are engaged!! But before Jared can clear the air, his mother has becomes ill. Since the upcoming wedding is the only thing giving her the strength to fight, Jared and Dana agree to continue the engagement charade until she is out of the woods. As the couple spends more time together, it is harder for them to deny their mutual attraction and shared passion. The real question throughout the entire ordeal is whether or not the lie that they are perpetuating will become the truth.
Jared Counterfeit Fiancée is a fast paced, entertaining read that I finished in one sitting. While the book moves at a fast pace, the plot contains the elements needed for a good romance: believable characters, passion, and a little bit of fantasy mixed with reality. The plot is well structured in that you do not feel rushed along and the story comes to a satisfying conclusion. The author has an engaging writing style that pulls you into the story quickly and gets you hooked from the beginning. Mrs. Jackson delivers the memorable scenes that fans have come to expect from this series. The secondary characters are used to add layers of seasoning to the story, without taking over or making you lose focus on the leads. Overall, this is a great read that leaves you waiting for the next installment.
La-Tessa Montgomery, Reviewer
Literary Essence Views
Jared's Counterfeit Fiancee.......2005-08-16
I loved connecting books and I can't wait for the next book.
Product Description
** PLEASE NOTE 1 BOOK HAS LARGE BLACK "B" ON FRONT COVER. 12 - BRENDA JACKSON -RIDING THE STORM - A LITTLE DARE - TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS - STONE COLD SURRENDER - THE DURANGO AFFAIR - IAN'S ULTIMATE GAMBLE - STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL ATTRACTION - SCANDAL BETWEEN THE SHEETS - JARED'S COUNTERFEIT FIANCEE - THORN'S CHALLENGE - THE CHASE IS ON - SEDUCTION, WESTMORELAND STYLE.
Product Description
**** ($3.99 USA POSTAGE FOR ALL 9 BOOKS, WHICH WILL BE MAILED AT THE MEDIA - BOOK RATE WHICH IS SLOW SURFACE MAIL AND FREQUENTLY HAS A SLOW DELIVERY TIME BY THE USA POST OFFICE).
Product Description
Ten books from Brenda Jackson's Westmoreland series. Delaney's Desert Sheikh; A Little Dare; Thorn's Challenge; Stone Cold Surrender; Riding The Storm; Jared's Counterfeit Fiancee; The Chase Is On; The Durango Affair; Ian's Ultimate Gamble; Seduction, Westmoreland Style
Average customer rating:
- Better when it first came out that it is today.
- History of the DC Universe
- Lacking
- Cleaning up after the Crisis...
- Quick historical overview of the DCU
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History of the DC Universe
Marv Wolfman , and
George Perez
Manufacturer: DC Comics
ProductGroup: Book
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Crisis on Infinite Earths
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Crisis On Multiple Earths, Vol. 1
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Identity Crisis (DC Comics)
ASIN: 1563897989 |
Customer Reviews:
Better when it first came out that it is today........2006-03-17
In other words, this book no longer serves as THE history of the DCU.
I am not sure if any one book CAN serve as a history of any comic universe, but just after the Crisis of 1986, this book did just that for DC.
Then, as the years and stories and heroes came and went and changed, so did the history.
And as comic fans know, History (some of us have to give it a capital "H" there, you know) changes with almost every issue of a comic and to some readers it is all-important to their reading of a given series and their enjoyment of comic books.
The art is George Perez at his best.
The text is fine for what it is. It does what it is meant to do: summarize in short blurbs origins and major events.
History of the DC Universe.......2005-09-26
The book tries summarize the vast (and convoluted) history of the DC Universe. While some of the artwork is excellent, some it is just adequate.
The story line wanders too much because it tries to do excessively much in a limited amount of space. It serves as a minimal primer of the DC Universe.
Lacking.......2004-06-17
History of the DC Universe is the most recent attempt by DC Comics to provide its readership with a guide to the characters who inhabit DC Comics. It is not a particularly well done volume. While the artwork is fairly good, the writing is amateurish. Nor is this book particularly thorough.
Back in the mid-1970's, at the height of comics fandom, DC put out a number of volumes that collectively amounted to a history of the DC Universe. As such, they were superior to this mishmash book.
If all you want is an introduction to the world of DC Comics, then this book will fullfill your desire. However, if you are a comics fan like this writer, you will find this book lacking.
Cleaning up after the Crisis..........2003-02-26
Ever since DC Comics jumpstarted its entire line with 1986's classic "Crisis on Infinite Earths," some people have been confused as to which elements of the pre-Crisis universe survived the transition. This book collects a two-part series DC published soon after "Crisis" that explains that in full.
With text by Marv Wolfman and artwork by George Perez (the same team that brought you "Crisis,") this book outlines the entire timeline of the DCU as it existed in the wake of the Crisis. It explains and clarifies the history of the single universe that remained following the implosion, and while some of the elements touched upon in here have changed in the 17 years since its original publication (the Legion of Super-Heroes in particular stands out, since they were jumpstarted on their own in 1994's "Zero Hour"), the book is still clear and concise enough that the casual comic reader can use it as a primer to reconcile the DCU of today with the multiple universes of the Silver and Bronze Ages. While it may not be a book for anyone, it's a good place for a comics fan to jump back in.
In a loose way, this book acts as the concluding installment of a trilogy, the other two parts being "Crisis on Multiple Earths" and "Crisis on Infinite Earths." All three books are worth reading.
Quick historical overview of the DCU.......2003-02-09
This was originally released in a 2-issue prestige format to put the cap on Crisis On Infinite Earths, presenting the restructured history of the DC Universe. The new cover by Alex Ross gets a thumbs-up, naturally. The artwork by Perez is beautiful as always, and he once again packs the pages with characters. Not to the degree of COIE, but they're still a joy to look at. Cheers to Wolfman for the concept, but the writing gets a bit tedious at times. How many different ways can the narrator, Harbinger, ask "What is a hero?" Too many times, for my taste. I think the book would have benefitted more from a chronological presentation with timelines, rather than a generic narrative. Still, it's a great one to have, especially since you get coverage of many minor characters who didn't get much attention in COIE: Firehair, Neptune Perkins, and of all people, the Viking Commando??? Waa-hoo!
Product Description
George Perez and Marv Wolfman condensed the DC universe in Crisis on InfinIte Earths, and therefore had to make this handy, dandy super informative guide about who's who and what's what. Every page is beautifully drawn by Perez and just about everyone in the DC universe is in it. A great stand alone reference work.
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The Marvel Saga : The Official History of the Marvel Universe #10 (Marvel Comics)
Peter Sanderson
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The Marvel Saga : The Official History of the Marvel Universe #11 (Marvel Comics)
Peter Sanderson
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ASIN: B000TDQN0E |
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The Marvel Saga : The Official History of the Marvel Universe #8 (Marvel Comics)
Peter Sanderson
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ASIN: B000TDQN9A |
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The Marvel Saga : The Official History of the Marvel Universe #9 (Marvel Comics)
Peter Sanderson
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ASIN: B000TDVAWU |
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The Marvel Saga: The Official History of the Marvel Universe #12 (Captain America)
Peter Sanderson
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ASIN: B000QBU9UO |
Book Description
An unprecedented, sympathetic, and wide-ranging exploration of the mysterious world of Islamic women--the people behind the veils--by female writers and Christian workers.
Customer Reviews:
Jesus is my huggie-bear?.......2007-02-02
The case stories are really interesting, but none of the Christian women telling the stories in this anthology knows enough about their own faith to make the book really captivating. It is not enough to say things like "Jesus loves me and He wants to love you too!" This does not work in the real world, and is probably also why Moslems in general have a hard time taking the popularized and Westernized version of Christianity seriously. To argue against Islam from an emotionalistic point of view and to do the "Jesus loves you" chant is to portray Christianity in a distorted way. And it is not convincing to portray God as a spiritual huggie-bear. On the contrary, Christianity is reality, it is the Truth - a Person. We need comparative publications done by people who not only care for mission - which is something this book does emphasise - but who also know Christian Theology, and is able to investigate the issues of Islam a little deeper than this book does.
Reveals Islam.......2006-05-05
I am glad someone has finaly written a book that exposes how islam rapes and degrades women. Islamic law says that if a woman refuses to have sex with a man that he is ALLOWED TO BEAT HER!! This book is excellent in pointing out how islam puts women on the level of animals and cattle. I hope we all wake up and see what kind of evil cult is spreading in our country. Will it take another Waco to wake us up?
Fascinating account of what really goes on in Islam.......2005-06-16
This book was easy to read and very informative. Particularly useful for women who are in a position to reach out to Muslim women and assist them find relief from the tragic ordeal they face under the oppresion of Islam. Muslim culture clearly prohibit any non muslim man from approaching muslim women , so it befalls on non-muslim women to make the approach. Very good book and highly recommended for those who would like to help out those unfortunate veiled muslim women find their way to freedom.
Ergun Caner's real life.......2005-04-11
Ergun Caner introduces himself as a convert. He says his father was an Islamic leader and he claims he was a devout Muslim. He says he is from a Muslim family. His father is a Turkish Muslim and his mother is a SWEDISH CHRISTIAN. At the age of 16 , in the midst of his parent's divorce he chose Christianity. I think he did this to take revenge from his father. What he knows about Islam is NOT what learned from his father until the age 16 but rather what he learned from Muslim-Hating Evangelist Christians who think all the Muslims live in tents. Please tell me why he hides his real life but fabricates all these lies. I tell you why: Because Evangelists believe to "save" and "deliver" unbelievers "lying" "cheating" "distorting" is fine and justified. That's exactly what he is doing so is his brother. These two were still kids when they chose Christianity and it was rather an emotional decision not a logical. What I do not like about this guy and his brother is not their decision about their religion but their hiding the truth about their real background and posing as "former" Muslims who knew and who know all about Islam as an insider. They were kids who wanted to take revenge from their father for the divorce and they did.
I have no complain, evangelical women told the stories........2005-03-10
In editorial review Dr Mac Brunson wrote "More than half a billion women live their entire lives peeking out from behind heavy veils." Is that right? Is not it an astronomical Christian missionary style lie? More than 70% Muslims live in Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkey, and India. Do you evangelical Christians know how many of them peek through heavy veils? Let alone wearing veil, many even do not cover their heads. If the sories in this book were indeed told by the evangelical Christian women, then these lies and deceptions make sense. I have no complain. Another slam dunk distortion by the Caner bros.
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- Jakob von Gunten (New York Review Books Classics)
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- Learn to Play Go: A Master's Guide to the Ultimate Game (Volume I) (Learn to Play Go)
- Lighthousekeeping
- Lithium for Medea
- Lydia Cassatt Reading the Morning Paper: A Novel
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