Amazon.com
Aimee Bender's funny, delicately shaded first novel is a constant delight, even at its most warped. An Invisible Sign of My Own tells the story of Mona Gray, a math wiz and a high school track star, whose ordinary childhood comes to pieces when her father is stricken with a mysterious illness. There doesn't seem to be a name for it, but he looks sort of gray and seems frail and unhappy. Whether there's anything really wrong with Mona's dad is unclear, but her fear that he will die, as well as his withdrawal from family life--no more vacations, no running practice with his daughter, no unplanned outings--triggers a corresponding withdrawal in her. Whenever she does well at anything, or starts to enjoy herself, she quits: piano class, dancing lessons, her first boyfriend, running.
I quit dessert to see if I could do it; of course I could; I quit breathing one evening until my lungs overruled; I quit touching my skin, sleeping with both hands under the pillow. When no one was home, I tied ropes around the piano, so that it would take me thirty minutes with scissors to get back to that minuet. Then I hid all the scissors.
Instead of working out her problems, Mona develops a habit of knocking on wood, and sometimes knocks for an hour before getting to sleep. Eating soap is her other dark indulgence: a surefire anti-aphrodisiac that she calls on whenever she feels sexually attracted to a man.
At 20, Mona is recruited to teach math at the local elementary school. To her surprise, she is a brilliant teacher, making addition and subtraction tangible to second graders with a game called Numbers and Materials, in which the students bring in natural or man-made objects that take the form of numbers. When 7-year-old Lisa Venus brings in a zero made of IV tubing from her dying mother's hospital room, Mona recognizes a kindred spirit. But she will have to be healthy herself to help Lisa resist her urge to take on her mother's illness out of grief and loyalty. The complicated connection between children and adults is the underlying theme of this big-hearted novel. However quirky and alarming Bender's methods may seem, An Invisible Sign of My Own is no darker than a fairy tale, and the witch--even if it's the witch within--is reliably vanquished in the end. --Regina Marler
Book Description
Aimee Bender’s stunning debut collection,
The Girl in the Flammable Skirt, proved her to be one of the freshest voices in American fiction. Now, in her first novel, she builds on that early promise.
Mona Gray was ten when her father contracted a mysterious illness and she became a quitter, abandoning each of her talents just as pleasure became intense. The only thing she can’t stop doing is math: She knocks on wood, adds her steps, and multiplies people in the park against one another. When Mona begins teaching math to second-graders, she finds a ready audience. But the difficult and wonderful facts of life keep intruding. She finds herself drawn to the new science teacher, who has an unnerving way of seeing through her intricately built façade. Bender brilliantly directs her characters, giving them unexpected emotional depth and setting them in a calamitous world, both fancifully surreal and startlingly familiar.
Customer Reviews:
Offbeat masterpiece.......2007-01-06
This book takes you into a world of pain, loneliness and insanity from which you may never recover. In other words, it's one of the best books I've ever read.
Aimee Bender's first novel is one of those offbeat reads that frees you from the constraints of your everyday life and makes you view the world from a different kind of perspective. These kinds of books are worth more than diamonds or gold because they expand your mind into new areas that you would otherwise be too preoccupied with your own life to visit. Therefore, this story, which is essentially not really about any particular event, but rather a state of mind, is a true gem. Dan Brown might entertain you for a couple of days, but Aimee Bander will change the way you view yourself and the world around you. Hey, you might even start wearing wax numbers on a necklace around your chest. I'm wearing a 26 as I write this.
A definite Five stars for this book. Anybody with a fragile spirit and a big heart should read it.
Worthwhile read!.......2006-09-09
I bought this book about 5 years ago and I still considerate it to be one of my favorite reads! Bender is amazing in this novel. The main character is original, fresh, and smart. I definitely recommend this novel to all curious readers!
Spectacularly mediocre and disappointing.......2006-02-27
I must admit, the setup that Aimee Bender constructs is fascinating: a girl in a claustrophobic town with a strangely beautiful glass hospital quits everything she adores until her routine is disrupted by the threat of her carefully sheltered world coming crashing down. However, the array of what start out as endearingly delicious quirks in Mona and the townspeople can't sustain themselves and become tiresome and forced by the end of the book. I simply could not find it within myself to care for the fates of any of the characters, whose actions and fates are all too trite and predictable.
The most frustrating thing about this book is glimpsing the potential that it failed to live up to. The book seems to awkwardly straddle the line between the grippingly realistic and the delightfully dreamlike. It would have been effective either way, but in the middle ground it seemed to take, An Invisible Sign of My Own was dull and bizarre.
One of the many plot weaknesses pertains to Mona's professed adour for math, which seems to supplemented by a knowledge nothing more complex than long division, despite a high school education. And the question of Mona's education leads to a entirely new debacle of how she is qualified to be any sort of teacher. This could very well be nitpicking, but Bender certainly doesn't seem to have done her research or have constructed a world convincingly magical enough for a reader to overlook illogical characterizations and plot twists. Mona herself comes off as irritating in her self-destructive self-pity rather than sympathetic. Her students are laughably (and not in a good way) precocious, wholly unrealistic without being interesting, and not at all endearing. Her love interest has little depth besides the plot device role he is assigned.
I could not help thinking of the whole plot as a uncompelling and unskilled rehashing of Animal Dreams by Barbara Kingsolver, which I'd have gladly reread rather than waste my time on this one. This whole book reeks of trying too hard.
Dark, quirky, disturbing -- brilliant!.......2005-10-26
Having read her short stories, I had to get my hands on Aimee Bender's novel. An Invisible Sign of My Own is much like her short fiction collections -- disturbing, quirky and bizarre. I love the aforementioned qualities in a literary novel and this story is one of the most unique and disarming ones I have read in quite a while. There is no certainty whether or not Mona Gray's father is ill or not, but that is what befalls her father, a mysterious illness that sometimes comes across as a phantom disease. Mona finds it difficult to function in her every day life and school activities. So she sets out to sabotage whatever normalcy she may encounter for a period amount of time. She develops all sorts of strange habits, which includes eating soap to kill her sexual attraction for a man. But things change for her when she becomes an elementary school teacher and meets a rather unique seven-year-old girl whose mother is terminally ill. Mona may have found a kindred spirit in both their respective ailing parents and their own inner demons. There are many twists throughout the novel.
This is truly one of the darkest novels I have read in a long time. The language is quirky and warped to the max and the protagonist is someone you will have mixed feelings about. She is someone who possesses wonderful, albeit alarming qualities and you can almost sympathize with the strange workings of her mind. I think she suffers from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Some of her behavior, which includes knocking on wood repeatedly and eating inedible items, is not unlike someone who has the aforementioned mental illness. I also got the impression that her father's ailment may have been a figment of her imagination. Either that or her father is actually a hypochondriac. That part of the story is subject to interpretation. Underneath all the weirdness, An Invisible Sign of My Own is a wonderful coming-of-age tale that will move the reader to the core. This isn't an easy book to read. You have to go beneath the surface and discover the different messages within the novel. Aimee Bender has once again impressed me with this effort. Her style is quite similar to that of Amanda Filipacchi, Banana Yoshimoto and Linn Ullmann. If you enjoy surrealistic fiction, I recommend this novel as well as Bender's short story collections, The Girl in the Flammable Skirt and Willful Creatures. These cannot be missed!
Okay..........2005-07-06
This book is well-written. That's all you'll get I think when you read this. I enjoyed it because the writer said things and well. The book doesn't have a central conflict and it doesn't have an ending which really ends -- the story just stops.
It's not a bad story though -- I enjoyed it because it's weird, and it's psychologically weird, something akin to Steve Martin's "The Pleasure of My Company." If you're into reading about odd behaviors and interesting viewpoints and ways of dealing with things, I'd reccommend this to you.
But if odd stuff makes you uncomfortable, drop the book, and for heaven's sake please don't write a review about it.
Book Description
A stormy heartAdventurous, outspoken, Payton Dixon has two passionate dreams....a clipper ship of her own and the love of Captain Connor Drake. But both seem impossibly out of reach, since her beloved captain is about to marry another, and worse, he's been given her ship as a wedding present from her traitorous father.A thwarted loveOut to prove she has right on her side, Payton manages to unleash a scandal and ignite all sorts of trouble. As for Drake, he can't decide whether to throttle the girl he's grown up with, or make love to the beautiful woman she has become.An Improper Proposal
Customer Reviews:
Holiday Fun. Just missed 5 Stars.......2004-02-09
This charming novel is the perfect companion for that Mexican vacation chair. It's quick paced, it's light reading, and it's very entertaining.
The story begins with the banter between three older brothers and their unruly baby sister, Payton Dixon. Immediately, we are aware of Payton's struggle to keep her bosom inside the unfamiliar corset she is wearing. These brothers have raised nineteen-year-old Payton, onboard their clipper ships, and she is more accustomed to wearing a man's wardrobe.
What a delightful young woman, she is unlike any leading lady I have yet to experience. Payton is wild, untamed, and frankly speaks her mind. Yet, on the other hand, she is sensitive, sensual, and naive.
Her two most desired dreams: to be the captain of her brothers' newest ship, "The Constant", and to wed her secret love -- her brothers' best friend, Connor Drake. Ah, Captain Drake, a ravishing gentleman, an English Baron, and a man honor bound to marry a scheming vixen on the morrow.
Tonight, however, the game unfolds. Captain Drake cannot take his eyes off the ripening Miss Payton Dixon. He has just become "painfully" aware that Payton has "developed" into a much desired lady. Cabot skillfully spins her words creating enormous fun.
I enjoyed this book. It is action packed, there is no arguing between the two main heartbeats, and the love scenes are steamy and sizzling. If there is a serious complaint, it is the tomfoolery of Payton's brothers. At times, their behavior seemed moronic.
Overall, a great vacation book -- no worries, mate. Fluff, but oh such pleasant gossamer.
Grace Atkinson, Ontario - Canada.
The best I've read of hers.......2002-10-17
I absolutely adored this book. Unlike most historical romances I've read, when the heroine is unconventional, it doesn't seem to really impact their lives. Payton's life, however, has been defined by her free spirit. She lives in a time when proper women sat at home darning socks. Payton, however, can fight, shoot, and navigate a ship better than her brothers. Unfortunately, being a girl, her brothers, who encouraged her before, are expecting her to be the dutiful little sister. She loses the ship she wanted to captain to Sir Connor Drake, the man she has been wild over since she was a girl. But she really steals the heart when, instead of weeping and fainting, she manages to rescue him later in the book. This is most definitely a delightful read.
Another very good cabot book........2002-05-13
I didn't think I was going to like this book at first. I really didn't like some of the characters, namely ross and georgiana. But after i got use to the bickering etc. in the beginning, and once Payton and Drake were on the ship, I loved it. I have not been disapointed yet with Ms. Cabot. She is on my must buy list.
A GREAT, QUICK READ.......2002-02-08
I finished this book in one night. It is filled with witty, sparkling diaglog, HUMOR, a spunky heroine, a hunky hero and plenty of lively secondary characters. The action never stops. The love making is hot. This was my first Patricia Cabot book, but it will not be my last. Good read. Highly recommended.
Oops, she did it again!!!.......2000-09-21
After reading her last novel, A Little Scandal, I was absolutely hooked with the phenomenon that Patricia Cabot has proven to be. She's a fresh and original author who never fails to make you laugh with her unique plots and outrageous dialogue. An Improper Proposal is the last of the 4 Patricia Cabot books I've read and it was as good as the other three. Payton Dixon is a herione you've never met in any other book -- a foul mouthed, take no prisoners tomboy with a heart of gold. She's got the formula for heartache as she's hopelessly in love with Captain Connor Drake -- a man she's known forever who only sees her as the flat-chested little sister of his best friends/employers. The plot sounds simple enough but the clincher is that as the book opens, Captain Drake is on the eve of his wedding day to a mysterious beauty. The book is fast paced with witty dialogue and steamy love scenes. I thoroughly enjoyed it. So why is my rating only three stars? Here's the reason why : Patricia Cabot manages to lure you into falling in love with her characters and plot in the book's beginning but leaves you high and dry in the end. This is a consistent problem that I've noticed in all her books. She has a perennial trouble in bringing home the bacon, so to speak. In any novel, you expect that defining romantic moment which is supposed to render the reader weak in the knees and short of breath. Her books lack this magical moment and it totally disappoints the reader since the author has built up your expectations with such a good beginning. Please editors, help Ms. Cabot. I hate to see her talent go to waste.
Customer Reviews:
Get this book if you can find it.......2004-08-16
If you're a fan of Cheryl Bolen's Brides of Bath series, be sure not to miss the final installment, An Improper Proposal. You'll have to find yourself a used copy, though, since it's now out of print. Cheryl has a lot of the characters from the series's first three books, plus a loveable new one, a vicar's daughter who speaks her mind, Sally Spencer.
In this book Cheryl gives a new spin to the marriage-of-convenience theme. The hero is George, Lord of Sedgewick, who, because of the tragic demise of his beloved wife Dianna, is once more a bachelor. While he vows never to love again, he realizes his children need a mother and he approaches Sally, who agrees to his very improper proposal to become his wife in name only. For the children's sake. Right . . . Sally has been secretly in love with George for years. Now all she has to do is get George to feel the same way about her.
While I was disappointed about the loss of Dianna, one of my favorite characters in the series, Cheryl includes a very wicked seductress in this one to make up for it. Betsey Johnson is quite conniving and will stop at nothing to ruin George for choosing to marry Sally instead of her. This installment includes all the sensuality of a classic Bolen read, and as usual, Cheryl paints an accurate picture of the Regency time period. Her writing keeps getting better and better with every book. If you can find a used copy, don't miss it.
Disappointed.......2004-08-14
It took me a while to get this book and I was really looking forward to it. I love the idea of unrequited love and thought this started off well. However, I found that I lost interest in the book, would put it down, then pick it back up. It actually took me a long time to finish it. And when I did, I realized that I didn't really like it. I liked Sally but I wish she had been a little more sparkling. I know she wasn't supposed to, but she was sort of blah. I didn't like George starting with his name. George doesn't conjure up the most romantic of images. And, I didn't feel he was good hero material. He wasn't the worst I've read, but he doesn't stand out like some others. (One of my all-time favorite heroes is Christopher Seeton in A Rose in Winter--aah!)
I also didn't like the antics of Betsey Johnson. I felt a little bit like I was reading a dirty book when the author described her encounters with Ebinezer. And I didn't like it. It just gave me an icky feeling.
Well, I am waiting for Karen Marie Moning's The Immortal Highlander to arrive. She has never disappointed me. I can't wait to read about Adam Black. All in all, An Improper Proposal was a disappointment to me.
An Improper Proposal.......2004-08-10
I think this book was the best one Ms. Bolen has written to date. The slaughter of the sheep just pointed out the extent a woman might go to when she has been spurned. Ms. Bolen does an excellent job of staying within the period she writes about. It's no different really than the woman of today who stalks the man who no longer wants her in his life, and either takes that life or does damage to something that man loves or cherishes. With every book she writes, Cheryl Bolen gains in experience and gets better and better. Just as I was unable to put this book down until I finished it, I can hardly wait for her next book to be published. Way to go, Cheryl!
Poorly written and boring.......2004-07-19
I was very disappointed with this book. The mysterious animal slaughter was gross and made no sense at all. In the end when the villian was discovered it was of no surprise and delivered no suspense or sense of commupance deserved. The herione Sally was pathetic and possessed little if any self esteem. I don't care how much you love someone, or in this case their children, you eventually need to get a clue. I love romance novels and read two to three sometimes a week if I can squeeze them in. This book took me several nights to finish , and I honestly did not care what happened to anyone in this story.
Well done plain spinster/hot brother of best friend romance........2004-07-15
George Pembroke, Viscount Sedgewick, lost his beloved wife two years ago in childbirth. Heartbroken, his only consolation is his daughter; he neglects the small son born at his wife's death. After spending his mourning period drinking, gambling, and whoring George is finally ready to take up the responsibilities of fatherhood again.
Sally Spenser is the spinster daughter of a deceased vicar. Her brother's attempts to marry her off to a disgusting old man have led her to consider becoming a governess. Plain, poor, and only faintly connected to a noble house, Sally has few other options and is staying with her oldest friend Glee while she tries to decide what to do with her life. Glee is George's sister, so Sally has known (and been in love with) the handsome George most of her life. After the death of George's wife (who Sally was secretly jealous of), Sally has made an effort to reach out to George's motherless children.
Because George's children love Sally, Glee suggests that he hire Sally as his governess. Realizing that won't work because he's a single man and she's still a young woman, George instead proposes a marriage of convenience to Sally. It's really an interesting arrangement, because while George likes Sally he can't imagine being attracted to her and the two of them also have a tendency to argue as Sally isn't afraid to criticize George for his behavior toward his children. I admire the way the author sets up their marriage, it really feels like a marriage of convenience and not just a plot device.
George is a difficult hero to take. While he is fairly real and flawed, the fact that he has held a grudge against his baby son is difficult to swallow. Not that he's been overtly cruel, he's mostly just neglected him, but then again, that's a terrible thing to do. My feelings for George are mixed. I'm sympathetic about his wife's death and enjoy the way he falls for Sally, I just wish he had treated his son a little better. The neglect could have existed without being quite so extreme.
I like Sally. She's tough emotionally, but still vulnerable. I love her interaction with his kids. There's never a time when she comes across as too "goody-goody" or "heart-of-gold", she's real, but she's nice, and I like that. Again, I appreciate that she isn't magically made an heiress or discovers that she's a beauty in the right clothes or anything. She simply is who she is and manages to get her guy anyway.
I liked "An Improper Proposal". It's one of those stories that could turn into a self-pitying disaster--or turn out to be a case of ugly duckling turns beautiful swan, but it doesn't. There's also the factor of the first wife; George really was deeply in love with his first wife, she isn't found out to be an evil slut post-mortem or anything, she was a nice woman he truly adored. The author doesn't take any of the dangerous routes with this story, but instead creates a sweet and satisfying romance where the heroine really is plain and poor and has been truly overlooked, and where the hero honestly loved his first wife and thought he'd never love again. I enjoy stories like these where the author doesn't cop out with melodrama or drastic make-overs. There were many great things about it, but there were problems too.
I had trouble with the author's style of writing. Her prose is simple, not necessarily a bad thing, but she seemed to have trouble portraying the grittier side of a tale like this. The prose and the characterization were a bit shallow, which detracted from what this story could have been. I've read some truly poorly written books, and I don't want to say that the author comes anywhere near being a bad writer. I guess essentially my problem is that her style didn't quite match her story. This is probably more an issue of taste.
The only other problem that sticks out in my mind was with her knowledge of English titles. Despite some usage by modern royalty and some variations found with medieval nobility, except in the case where a noble family's surname happens to be the same as their title, a peer and their family would not use their title in place of their surname. If Sally is George's wife, she would be Sally Pembroke, Viscountess Sedgewick--formally addressed as Lady Sedgewick, her name is Sally Pembroke, not Sally Sedgewick. Along the same lines, George Pembroke, Viscount Sedgewick is only addressed as Lord Sedgewick or George Pembroke--he is not called Lord George Pembroke or Lord George Sedgewick. The use of the courtesy title of "Lord" before a first name is reserved for the younger sons of Marquesses and Dukes (occasionally for the eldest son if no other titles are possessed by the line, but that's rare).
In the end, I give "An Improper Proposal" three stars. It is readable--in fact for me it was a page turner--with a great story told the right way. Apart from the hard to like hero and some inaccuracies, my problems were mainly with the depth of the characterization and the writer's style being a bit lighter than the story she was trying to tell. I think I'd recommend this book to fans of this type of story, or to anyone who's read as many lousy books lately as I have, because despite my somewhat lukewarm review, this book was a welcome and enjoyable read. I will most likely read Ms. Bolen again.
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An Improper Proposal: Reluctant Wife
Tiffany Bond
Manufacturer: Scarlet Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 General | Romance | Subjects | Books
General | Contemporary | Romance | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1854879065 |
Customer Reviews:
"Excellent".......1999-08-23
"Must Read" I could not put this one down before I finished...no dinner for my family!
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An Most Improper Proposal
Manufacturer: Harlquin Historiicals
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 0373304102 |
Book Description
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY
The onslaught of the Melconians was not the last conflict that humanity's interstellar Concordiat would have to face. For now the Kezdai -- a newly encountered species with war at the center of their philosophy -- have taken to arms against the Concordiat and its colony worlds. For war, the Terrans have only one answer:
Break out the Bolos!
Self-aware robotic tanks, the Bolos have fought bravely and well since the days when humans fought each other. Now they battle across the stars to defend us all...and though the times are perilous, we've never been in better hands than those of our old metal guardians: Keith Laumer's greatest creation, the Bolos.
Customer Reviews:
Send in the Bolos!.......2002-12-31
I enjoyed the three stories contained in this book. having not known that before I read the book, it was interesting to discover it. I believe the stories gave an impression of the flow of war, and that Bolos provides protection, or at least a menance to the Concordiate's enemy on all fronts.
The Bolo's and their commanders see alot of action in and around the Delas system by a horde of attacking Kezdai - creatures that resemble bird-like reptiles. Hellbores away! Infantry, tanks, and and full scale battles rage over the planet systems. And the book shows that Bolos should be left alone to do their jobs - to protect humanity.
The book earned a 4 stars instead of 5 stars because the first story - seems like it was cut off. 3 characters were introduced, and two at great length, but each had no impact on the story's ending. It seemed the story was cut off. In the second story, a Concordiate Officer ignores his Bolo, and the result is death and and some destruction to a Concordiate task force. The commander, supposedly academy trained, is told to "just forget about it" and to get back into the war because "he did a good job" because he came up with a good idea prior to his terrible orders. Only one sentence was givin to a possible court martial. I wanted the character to be punished, not patted on the back. I believe the first two stories dragged a little when they went into the Kezdai personal worlds, except for one plot line.
The third story, the shortest - was marvelous. And the final moments of the the battle should have been made into artwork for the book cover with the vivid descriptions of the battle.
A look into the future.......2001-09-18
This book is a compilation of short stories by different authors. What I found uniqe was the fact that all of the short stories take place on the same planet. A look at the future of AI and future applications in war. The star of the books, of course, are the Bolos. A self-aware robotic tank with a long distinguished history. Some of the story lines move to fast, so as to not be developed to my taste. But I assume that is the problem with short stories in this series....
No, no, no, no, no. This should not be!.......2001-09-11
I am sure that the Bolos books were a good read. It is unfortunate that I happened to begin with the dregs of short stories written by different people. This is obviously an attempt to captialise on what must have been a good series.
This book does not stand on its own. As far as I can tell the Bolos are just very big tanks that can do a bit of thinking for themselves. After that it's a case of bang bang flash, ten year old kid's stuff with ray guns. No characterisation, no empathy with the characters, who they defend or the "dreaded" enemy. Nothing. This is cheap thin cardboard and is just the kind of rubbish that should not be published.
Whoever the editor and publisher are - shame on you. There are too many good books waiting to be published to put this trash on the shelves. Go hang your heads in shame.
There is so little substance in this book, it is impossible to really attack it. How can you attack something without substance. I want my money back!
Lancelots of the future V.......2001-08-04
Time changes all things, and the latest installment in the multi-author universe of the Bolos is no exception. As the books have become either more popular or more prized, a certain sense of community seems to have developed between authors: all of the short stories in this book, unlike its predecessors, are woven together by tales of the same planet, and the same conflict.
This has obvious advantages and disadvantages- first and foremost, the line between authors has blurred. Part of the fun of the series was recognizing the times and places each author chose to put themselves in, usually by creating an entirely new conflict in which they make the rules of the plot. However, with the setting concretely agreed upon, that freedom was lost. Also, by creating a singular time in which to play, the authors didn't have a chance to tinker too much with the machinery or sentience of the Bolos themselves- which, aside from the Bolo soul, are the essence of the stories.
That said, the book was, to me, enthralling. I'm a Bolo finatic, what can I say? And the connectivity of the plot did make the anthology feel much more like a novel than previous editions- but all in all, my favorite Bolo book remains undisturbed as Book 3.
Not as good as previous books in series.......2001-02-17
Readers of the previous books in the series, take note: you may be disappointed. I was. Much of this book may not be up to the standard of quality that you're used to. Be prepared for weak storylines, relatively shallow development of human characters, a lack of character development in the bolos themselves, a *striking* (and very irritating) lack of consistency with previous books, a weak understanding of the setting, and, well, grammatical errors (sigh). This is not one of those books that's hard to put down; if anything, it's hard to pick up again. Earlier books in the series accustomed me to the casual, easygoing excellence of authors like David Weber, Linda Evans, Mercedes Lackey, David Drake and others. I don't know what happened to this book, whether it was the authoring or the editing, but much of it just doesn't "feel" like the quality work I enjoyed in the previous books. The major exception is the last story- kudos (and thanks!) to William Kieth, author of the last story (and, incidentally, author of two complete bolo novels), for the only story that reminded me of previous Bolo books. If you're a bolo fan, I'm not recommending that you not buy this book; I'm simply recommending that you be prepared to be a bit disappointed.
Customer Reviews:
A beautiful piece of literature and religious art!.......2003-08-19
This is THE book to get if you are remotely interested in prayer beads as a form of prayer and/or crafting. As a Rosary Artisan, I found the book to be vital to my craft (and my spirituality) as it reveals the meanings behind the beads from different cultures and religions. The pictures are stunning, the writing is fluid and beautiful, and the instructions/implementations are user friendly.
I highly highly highly recommend this book without any sort of reservation!
A beautiful piece of literature and religious art!.......2003-08-19
This is THE book to get if you are remotely interested in prayer beads as a form of prayer and/or crafting. As a Rosary Artisan, I found the book to be vital to my craft (and my spirituality) as it reveals the meanings behind the beads from different cultures and religions. The pictures are stunning, the writing is fluid and beautiful, and the instructions/implementations are user friendly.
I highly highly highly recommend this book without any sort of reservation!
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My rosary of rhymes;: Poetic beads of faith and friendship
James J Metcalfe
Manufacturer: hanover House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
United States
| World Literature
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
| 18th Century
| 19th Century
| 20th Century
| African American
| Asian American
| Classics
| Collections & Readers
| Drama
| General
| Hispanic
| History & Criticism
| Humor
| Jewish American
| Letters & Correspondence
| Native American
| Poetry
| Short Stories
| Women Writers
ASIN: B0007EPDLA |
Customer Reviews:
My Rosary of Rhymes.......2007-10-09
James J. Metcalfe wrote poems related to a living as a Roman Catholic, writing rhymes of prayer and catholic devotion to our lord. There are many poems devoted to the Immaculate Conception and her intercession of our prayer to our lord Jesus Christ. A dear friend of mine in the Knights Of Columbus loaned me a copy of "My Rosary of Rhymes". I could not put the book down. Yesterday I searched the internet for a copy, and ordered one. Until this book is republished (which we should pray for)this book in any condition used is a must for anyone of faith. "A Garden In My Heart" is another must by James J. Metcalfe
Books:
- Anthills of the Savannah
- Ape and Essence
- Baudolino
- Best Short Stories of Jack London
- Best Short Stories of the Modern Age
- Bringing the Devil to His Knees: The Craft of Fiction and the Writing Life
- Caballo De Troya 2: Masada (Caballo de Troya)
- Child of My Heart: A Novel
- Cities of the Red Night: A Novel
- Clockers
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- Dinner with a Perfect Stranger: An Invitation Worth Considering
- The Secret Life of Bees
- The Gospel According to the Son: A Novel
- Ready to Learn: How to Help Your Preschooler Succeed
- Sex, Lies, and Headlocks: The Real Story of Vince McMahon and World Wrestling Entertainment
- Technical Analysis of the Financial Markets: A Comprehensive Guide to Trading Methods and Applicatio
- The Falcon's Feathers
- St. Margaret Queen of Scotland
- Taxation by Political Inertia
- Don't Die Until You Read This: The 7 Step Program to Creating and Preserving Your Financial Legacy
The Girl in the Flammable Skirt: Stories
Willful Creatures
Circling the Drain: Stories
Wonder When You'll Miss Me: A Novel
The Secret Society of Demolition Writers
