I, Strahd: The War Against Azalin

Book Description

...Some of the parchment pages were the color of cream, thick and substantial, made to last many, many lifetimes. Other pages were thin and desiccated, positively yellow from age, and crackled alarmingly as Van Richten turned them over. There were no ornate illuminations, no fussy borders, only lines of plain text in hard black ink. The flowing handwriting was a bit difficult to follow at first; the writer's style of calligraphy had not been in common use for three hundred years. No table of contents, but from the dates it looked to be some kind of history.

He turned to the first page and read:

I, Strahd, Lord of Barovia, well aware certain events of my reign have been desperately misunderstood by those who are better at garbling history than recording it, hereby set down an exact record of those events, that the truth may at last be known . . . .

He caught his breath. By all the good gods, a personal journal?

Customer Reviews:

Awesome.......2005-12-14

This is kinda like the sequel to I, Strahd: Memories of a Vampire..

But for true Azalin fans you still need to acquire 2 more books which he stars in..

King of the Dead
Lord of Nercopolis

A must have if you liked the first I, Strahd book........2005-07-26

Like the title says, A must have if you liked the first I, Strahd book.

its very good at the end ...need action some more.......2000-11-13

War against azalin is worthy book, Elrod's Narrating really awesome , In my opinion if there was some action more it could be excellent work, but its still very good and must read. I like faster-movin acts so gave it 4 stars but i impressed....

Couldn't put it down.......2000-10-02

There is somthing about the appeal to this novel I cannot put into words. I really can't say what it is. I found myself so enthralled in the text it felt like I wasn't reading a book, but rather Strahd was standing over my shoulder reading his thoughts out loud. Creepy. Surreal. Those two words come to mind.

Strahd is an evil worth rooting for. But Azalin the lich is worse. The author invariable gives us the lesser of two evils to choose from. While Strahd seems only to be striving to protect his own, one can't help but wonder the real meaning to his actions. Everyone colors their own stories. Strahd's viewpoint must indeed conflict with Azalin's, and we catch a glimpse of it through a few biting commentaries by the master wizard himself. It would be very interesting to read the title, "I, Azalin: The War Against Strahd".

A was unlike any you have ever known.......2000-07-19

When I started reading the book I had no idea as to what Azalin was. When Strahd found out it was almost as much of a surprise to me as it was to him. Both of the characters are well portrayed, and the plot is well developed. This makes an excellent sequel to "I Strahd: The Memories of a Vampire."

The first part of the book had a good plot that continually increased the tension, and even had me on the edge of my seat, even in the last couple of chapters the action was superb. But after finishing the novel I was a little disappointed, there had a been "A war unlike any you have ever known" promised (and I can imagine Strahd has seen some nasty wars), but it just turned out to be a kidnapping and an assignation on 6 people. It was a nice ending, but I was expecting a grand war to take place.

All in all, it was a really good book for the Strahd fans out there.

Average customer rating:
I, STRAHD - The Memoirs of a Vampire; The War Against Azalin - Ravenloft
P. N. Elrod
Manufacturer: TSR Ravenloft Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000NRWWBK

Average customer rating:
I, STRAHD: THE WAR AGAINST AZALIN (RAVENLOFT)
P.N. ELROD
Manufacturer: TSR Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000KK2CWO

Book Description

Desire came like a wildfire to the Colorado hills...to claim a woman's property...and her heart.

For five years after her father died, lithe, beautiful Dee Swann held on to Angel Creek valley and her independence. The homestead was hers, and she vowed no one else would ever own it...or her. Then Lucas Cochran came back to Colorado. In the drought-cursed high country, he needed Angel Creek and its cool water to turn his Double C ranch into the cattle dynasty he craved. His ruthless ambition guaranteed he would fight to take it away from the black-haired, green-eyed spitfire who claimed it.

But the passion that blazed when Dee Swann and Lucas Cochran met shocked them both. Unbidden, unexpected, their kisses swept them toward a dangerous destiny where dreams might be scattered...men could be killed...or love would be born as wild and unfettered as this glorious frontier.

Customer Reviews:

Self respect.......2007-04-15

The book's story is good, but you have to know that I like the stories when the lady in distress endeavors to save herself no-matter how big are her problems. Don't expect a thriller or whatever happens here could be real, but is a good read.

Bad history, I can deal with. Bad sex? Not so much........2006-12-31

This book....look, if you're into pseudo-historical romances with an overt flavor of rape fantasy, this book is for you. I'm all for historical romances, but I'd prefer something where the author put in a bit of effort on re-creating at least the feel of the place and time, and not just 'I saw a Western movie once.'

The sex scenes made me actually uncomfortable. I mean, first he strips her against her will, then he physically pushes her down and tells her to try and fight him, and when she actually BITES him, he calls her a bitch and then forces himself into her. And then the author spends two pages describing how much Dee doesn't like the pain. That is NOT sexy, and it's not romantic. It's rapefantasy. And that's just not my kink.

Not One Of Her Bests.......2006-10-03

I usually love Howards books but every now and again our favorite authors fall short. This is one of those times. I found the plot boring. The secondary characters boring. And then we have the real problem in this book - Lucus and Dee.

Problems with Lucas - Everything. If you like your heros to be dominerring, frequent to yelling, sex craved to the point if your not sure that its Dee or any willing female. A man who gives lingering kisses to a saloon girl after his involvment with Dee (just because she such a beautiful woman). And lastly a man who wrongs the woman he (loves) terribly.

Problems with Dee - Everything. She is independent to the point of annoying. Headstrong to the point of annoying and frequently yells.Caries a shotgun like a man and acts like a man and has no use for a man. Likes to live in solitude for whatever reason, I never did figure that out. Does not go to town and has no friends to speak of except Olivia. Wow that makes her a wonderful character don't you think.

This book was supposed to be Romantic - not the term I would use to describe this book.

Howard is a great writer, this is just not one of her bests - try "Cry No More" or "Mr. Perfect" to name a few.

pretty good book.......2006-06-11

This book was a pretty good book. You should definately read 'A Lady of the West' first though. It is set ten years prior to this book. I like 'A Lady of the West' better than this book though.

Shoot outs, cowboys and sizzling romance.......2006-04-10

In the late 1800s in a small town in Colorado returns the prodigal son of Prosper's most powerful family. Ten years after abandoning the family ranch to his father, Lucas Cochran returns to take over the Double C. Focused in turning the already prosperous ranch into an empire, Lucas sets his sights on the nearby land known for its rich soil and abundant water supply. But if he thought he could just ride into the property and throw his weight around, then he is in for a shock when he meets the defiant owner of Angel Creek.

Orphaned five years ago, Dee Swann relied on her need for survival to keep Angel Creek. While young ladies her age were enjoying the delights that came with being courted, she worked from sunup to sundown to make the small valley the abundant land that it is now. But with her land's prosperity always comes the threat of other ranchers who wish to acquire her land. And while she has managed to keep them away, she is in for a tougher fight with the owner of Double C.

Although I'm not a real fan of romance novels set in the West, I had a great time reading this novel. I liked Dee's character; her strength and iron will is truly admirable. As for Lucas, I liked how he can easily change from a ruthless rancher to a tender lover where Dee is concerned. The way he comes to respect what Angel Creek means to Dee and what it represents to her is quite touching. The secondary characters are good too. I enjoyed reading the romance that blossoms between Dee's best friend Olivia and the Mexican gunman Luis Fonteras, who is actually from Howard's other book, A LADY OF THE WEST. If you happen to buy the book that combines these two novels, I recommend reading A LADY OF THE WEST first to give you a better understanding of Luis.

Overall, ANGEL CREEK is a nice and entertaining read. It is not only the setting that is hot, but the seductive encounters between the characters make the page sizzle too!

Average customer rating:

Good... but also not so good...
Reverse order?!

Angel Creek and A Lady of the West
Linda Howard
Manufacturer: Pocket Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Western | Romance | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1416507329

Product Description

Two seductive novels of the passionate American frontier.

Customer Reviews:

Good... but also not so good..........2006-08-01

Both stories were very good, and I agree that they should've been put in order. I loved Angel Creek, but I wasn't very fond of Lady of the West. What kept this from being a four or five star read was the fact that in Lady of the West, the main hero hits the heroine and accuses her of trying to pass her first husband's baby as his, when it really was his. What made me even madder was the fact that he believed a [...] word more than his own wife's word. Men like Jake just irritates me. But other than that, I loved Victoria, Emma, and Celia. This story was so heartbreaking. I also loved Emma's little story that was included in A Lady of the West. Another problem with the book is that they use one of the same characters in Angel Creek and he told something that ruined Lady of the West for me.

Reverse order?!.......2003-03-22

I really liked both stories...but then I am a devoted reader of Linda Howard. They only reason I will not give this a 5 star rating is the fact that the editor put the stories out of order. Read Lady of the West FIRST. Since there is a character that first appears here and then again later in time in Angel Creek.

Both stories are quick and totally engrossing reads. Once you start it is hard to put them down.

Book Description

Meet Augusta Goodnight-a super-sleuth guardian angel who died during World War II-and who answers the prayers of a woman trying to get to the bottom of her aunt's suspicious death.

Customer Reviews:

Okay Afternoon.......2006-03-11

I was somewhat disappointed in this book. It really wasn't that exciting and the "sleuth" really doesn't do that much. The character that Augusta is assigned to does most of the work. This character - Mary George - is actually pretty whiny as well. It wasn't a bad read, I just wouldn't read another by the same author based on this book.

Similar to Nick Charles Mysteries.......2004-10-07

This is a refreshing read - similar to the 1940 Nick Charles mystery series - full of real mystery, some murder, plots evolving around family and community characters - and fun --- lots of fun reading due to the appearance of a guardian angel by the name of Augusta Goodnight. You finish reading by wishing Augusta would pay a visit to your life. Augusta makes the story - and leaves the strawberry smell of happiness for days. I am only sorry there are just 4 books so far. Please read - these stories will give you days of pleasure.

Sweet.......2002-07-23

Mary George Murphy is heartbroken when her last remaining relative dies in mysterious circumstances. When she joins forces with her unusual partner, substitute guardian angel Augusta Goodnight, she is reunited with her childhood friend Sam and solves the murder of her beloved aunt. The strength of this book is the cast of charming characters and cozy setting.

Enjoyable Reading.......2002-05-04

This is an enjoyable story about a woman whose life is upside down. Her fiance has left her, her aunt has died, and her substitute gaurdian angel pops in and out at will. BUT- her aunt's death is suspicious and with the help of her gaurdian angel Mary George Murphy manages to find an old friend, make new friends, and solve the murder of her aunt. Very interesting.

This is a nice little book to cozy up to and enjoy when you need a little chuckle. I enjoyed it.

A very enjoyable cozy.......2001-10-18

Mary George Murphy's life is a mess. She's lost her job, her fiance', and now her adopted mother Aunt Caroline. Aunt Caroline fell down the attic stairs. Only, she never went up there if she didn't have to. Mary George is in dispair and decides to end it all. She is stopped by her substitute guardian angel, Augusta Goodnight. What an angel, the last time she was on earth it was the forties and she is having a hard time dealing with everything 50 years later, not that she doesn't try. She is usually in charge of the strawberries in heaven. With Augusta's help, she gets her life back on track, reconnects with an old friend, and solves the mystery of her Aunt Caroline's death, as well as a few others.

Customer Reviews:

Delightful!.......2000-07-07

The story begins with a young woman running away from those who would threaten her life. Her car breaks down in front of the parsonage in a small town. With her car lights behind her, two young boys open the door and think the light is her halo. The boys' widowed father is a cynical former minister. He rents the parsonage since there is no minister in the small town. Can they all save each other and the town from from their worst fears? Quite Enjoyable!

AAA California's Mother Lode Guide Map: Angels Camp,California Caverns,Columbia,Downieville,Empire Mine,Jamestown,Malakoff Diggins,Mariposa,Marshall Gold Discovery,Mercer Caverns,Moaning Cavern,Murphys,Nevada City,Railtown,Sutter Creek,Volcano (730335006810, 2007-43547505)

Average customer rating:

AAA California's Mother Lode Guide Map: Angels Camp,California Caverns,Columbia,Downieville,Empire Mine,Jamestown,Malakoff Diggins,Mariposa,Marshall Gold Discovery,Mercer Caverns,Moaning Cavern,Murphys,Nevada City,Railtown,Sutter Creek,Volcano (730335006810, 2007-43547505)
ACSC , and AAA
Manufacturer: ACSC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Map

Product Description

A map plus details on California's storied Gold Rush country, including historic towns, points of interest and the colorful personalities of the period. Explore Series 2007. Folded Map.

Average customer rating:

Angel Creek
Linda Howard
Manufacturer: Pocket Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000NY23XK

Average customer rating:

Angel Creek

Manufacturer: Pocket Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000GYC7CE

Product Description

Desire came like wildfire to the Colorado hills...to claim a woman's property...and her heart.

An Angel for Dry Creek (Love Inspired Christmas Classic)

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An Angel for Dry Creek (Love Inspired Christmas Classic)
Janet Tronstad
Manufacturer: Steeple Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: 0373360908

Book Description

Recently qualified as a forensic investigator, Luke Harding is assigned to the slums of London, where he and Malc investigate a doctor's murder. They find a bullet wound to her head, but rain has washed away the bulletand all other clues. As more innocent doctors die, Luke's sleuthing leads him to a mysterious cult called The Visionaries. With no time to lose, Luke must infiltrate the sect and find the culprit before the bizarre shooting spree becomes an all-out massacre.

Customer Reviews:

Lost Bullet.......2006-04-17

This book is suitable for middle school grades. It's about Forensic Inspector Luke Harding, and his Mobile Aid to Law and Crime(Malc), investigate murders in a future London. The case gets much bigger when F.I Harding figures out that it is a serial killer and connects related crimes. The killer killed 3 doctors, and 3 "pairing" committee members He connects this to The World Church of Eternal Vision. The killer is a member of the church, but who? In the book, Luke uses this connection to catch the killer but I won't reveal the name in case you want to enjoy this book someday.

I really enjoyed this book because of the desriptive clues and the heart-pounding suspense. This book kept me on the edge of my seat. But its not for people with weak stomaches.

A good adventure that is feasible.......2005-09-18

In book two of the Traces series, we re-join Luke Harding, a forensic investigator, and his robotic sidekick in London. The city has fallen into disrepair and roaming wild animals are reclaiming the city. Amid all this chaos, a war between brown and white people rages. A white boy named Owen is shot and is aided at a hospital. His doctor ends up shot soon after treating him. Is this a brown vs. white crime? Is she killed because she's a doctor? Is this one of the random crimes that plagues London so often? With the bullet washed away in the rain, Luke must infiltrate one of the most secretive organizations in London to find out the truth.

The book was really good. It requires you to examine your own morals and choose someone with whom to agree. It's a wonderful mystery story almost impossible to anticipate with every new twist set against a haunting and ominous London. There is a point in the book where I guarantee your palms will sweat and you will block everything else out. A fast-paced story coupled with true forensic techniques makes this a must-read for anyone who favors .

Reviewed by a student reviewer for Flamingnet Book Reviews
www.flamingnet.com
Preteen, teen, and young adult book reviews

Magic Bullets, Lost Horizons: The Rise and Fall of Antibiotics

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Magic Bullets, Lost Horizons: The Rise and Fall of Antibiotics
Sebastian G. B. Amyes
Manufacturer: CRC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Microbiology | Basic Science | Medicine | Subjects | Books

General | Pharmacology | Medicine | Subjects | Books

Pharmacy | Pharmacology | Medicine | Subjects | Books

General | Medicine | Subjects | Books

General | Reference | Medicine | Subjects | Books

General | Reference | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0415272033

Book Description

From the day that Paul Ehrlich hailed his newly discovered treatment for syphilis as the "magic bullet," antibiotics have transformed medical practice. They are considered one of the miracle drugs of the 20th century. However, the massive and increasing misuse of these agents is causing a problem of resistance that may prove to be one of the greatest threats to health in the 21st century. Magic Bullets, Lost Horizons aims to put some of the media sensationalism into perspective. It examines not only the development of modern antibiotics but also the obstacles faced during application of the drugs and their expected efficacy in the future.

STAR WESTERN - Volume 1, number 4 - September Sept 1942 : Bullwhip Bill Returns; Hell's Lost Legion Rides to War; Nesters' Graves Pay For Barb Wire; Blood on the Yucca; Bullets For Boom Town Voters

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STAR WESTERN - Volume 1, number 4 - September Sept 1942 : Bullwhip Bill Returns; Hell's Lost Legion Rides to War; Nesters' Graves Pay For Barb Wire; Blood on the Yucca; Bullets For Boom Town Voters
Anonymous. (editor) (Tom Roan; Cliff Farrell; Art Lawson; Stone Cody; William R. Cox)
Manufacturer: Popular Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000HP6ITA

Average customer rating:

Lost Bullet

Manufacturer: Tandem Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: 1417675918

Average customer rating:

excellent guide to connecting stories with ritual in worship and in pastoral care

Newly Analysis of Pastoral Ministry about Various Rituals

The Strength of Story

Connecting story and ritual

Mighty Good, Dangerously Accurate

Mighty Stories, Dangerous Rituals: Weaving Together the Human and the Divine
Herbert Anderson , and Edward Foley
Manufacturer: Jossey-Bass
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Church Administration | Ministry & Church Leadership | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
General | Ministry & Church Leadership | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Worship | Christian Living | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Ritual | Other Practices | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
General | Spirituality | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0787956481

Book Description

Bringing together two of our greatest sources of meaning and transformation

This book marries two partners that are made for each other. The result, as in all good unions, is mutual enrichment and deeper life.
--Jack Shea, author of Stories of God

Now available in paperback, this moving and enlightening book presents us with a compelling vision of what can happen when we take the opportunity to connect stories and rituals--a vision of individuals and communities transformed through a deeper sense of connection to our loved ones, our communities, and God. Herbert Anderson and Edward Foley reveal how when stories and rituals work together, they have the potential to be both mighty and dangerous--mighty in their ability to lift us up and help us make these connections beyond ourselves and dangerous in challenging us to learn to live with complexity and contradiction.

They show how much more meaningful a baptism, wedding, or funeral can be when liturgy is made to include and recognize the personal stories of those involved. Suddenly, these familiar life-cycle rituals are infused with new life as their participants become connected in a narrative web linking past and present, human and divine. Newly created rituals can also help us connect our stories to the divine story, giving meaning to what we experience and bringing us closer to God.

Ministers, worship leaders, and pastoral caregivers can use this approach to storytelling and ritual to find ways to bring together worship and pastoral care, diminishing fragmentation and fostering coherence in their religious communities.

Customer Reviews:

excellent guide to connecting stories with ritual in worship and in pastoral care.......2007-04-19

Lutheran pastor Herbert Anderson and Roman Catholic priest Edward Foley thoughtfully examine the importance of connecting stories with ritual in worship and in pastoral care. They believe that our storytelling and ritual enactment can be both mighty and dangerous: "mighty" because human stories and ritual-making are "potential windows to the story of God"; "dangerous" because stories and rituals can also conceal reality and isolate us. This book explores how bringing storytelling and ritual enactment together can enrich baptisms, weddings, and funerals. It also explores the need for new rituals during such crises as miscarriage and divorce--as well as during such transitions as adoption and leaving home. Pastoral caregivers, worship leaders, and others will find the authors' points thought-provoking and their suggestions for joining story and ritual helpful.

Newly Analysis of Pastoral Ministry about Various Rituals.......2005-03-22

Anderson and Foley are using of a wide range of scholarly research about meaning of storytelling and rituals in the book Mighty Stories, Dangerous Rituals. Vivid real storytelling of common persons in their life and newly analysis of pastoral ministry about various rituals which we cannot easily be aware in our life from birth to death! These are characteristics of this book. While reading this book, we find ourselves we give ourselves up to Anderson and Foley's analysis and nod the head their thoughts.

I recommend this book for pastors and Christian persons. Through this book, I hope the relationship between individual and community, pastoral care and worship, and human and divine is developed. Finally I will quote an interesting passage to those who have some problem for their marriage. "...by reminding parents that their children are not their children because they belong to God. When parents take seriously this understanding of baptism, children are free to leave with a blessing, find their place in the world, and marry, if they choose (p81)."

The Strength of Story.......2005-03-20

As a gospel storyteller I have highest regard for the power of the story. This book does a wonderful job of not only explaining the importance for stories in our daily lives, but how our stories connect us with each other and with God. Stories of our lives are not just for each of us individually, but they are also for us as part of the community and they are part of all of our relationships. This book shows the blend between stories and the rituals of our lives as well as how we can revitalize rituals with our stories or how we can create rituals that go with our stories. The way the book is written it draws you in with all of its stories. The authors themselves are wonderful storytellers it seems, and because of this they have been able to show the strength of story for one's life.

Connecting story and ritual.......2005-03-19

"Mighty Stories, Dangerous Rituals" outlines for us what can happen when we connect our personal stories with rituals, and can create deeper connections between individuals, communities and God. Throughout the book, the authors cite a variety of different stories, including their own gift of storytelling.

One of the benefits that you can walk away with from having read this book is perhaps creating more meaningful rituals, such as baptism and weddings. The rituals are designed to include and recognize the personal stories of the people involved.

For anyone who is a minister, worship leader or pastoral caregiver, this might be a useful book to find new ways to bring together both worship and pastoral care.

Mighty Good, Dangerously Accurate.......2005-03-14

Anderson and Foley do a wonderful job of collecting stories and demonstrating how important these stories become in the lives of those who have shared and or experienced them. The beauty of this book is that they allow the reader to see themselves in the stories, these are not only the stories of the people mentioned in them, but they are the stories of all of us in one way or another, to one degree or another. Finally, they relate to the reader how the stories of us help to define ourselves. This is a wonderful book, a joy to read, and provides insight to how our stories become ritualized in our lives.

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