The Mislaid Magician or Ten Years After

Book Description

Ten years have passed since Kate and Cecy married Thomas and James, and England is now being transformed by the first railways. When the Duke of Wellington asks James to look into the sudden disappearance of a German railway engineer, James and Cecy's search reveals a shocking truth: The railway lines are wreaking havoc with ancient underground magic, which could endanger the very unity of England. Meanwhile, Kate has her hands full taking care of all their children, not to mention the mysterious mute girl they rescued from a kidnapper!

Written in letters between Kate and Cecy--and between their husbands--this installment of the cousins' adventures is another satisfying blend of magic, mystery, adventure, humor, and romance.

Customer Reviews:

Magic and intrigue in the British countryside.......2007-09-14

It's 1828, 10 years since the eventful honeymoon trip chronicled in The Grand Tour, and James and Cecy Tarleton and Thomas and Kate Schofield have settled down to a quiet and contented life in the country. The Tarletons have four children--twins Arthur and Eleanor, nine; Diana, four; and Alexander, an infant. The Schofields have two sons, Edward, six, and baby Laurence. Then the gentlemen's old commanding officer, the Duke of Wellington, recently created Prime Minister, gets in touch. A German magician/engineer, Herr Schellen, has mysteriously disappeared, and the Duke wants James to find him. Since James has no magical skills at all, Cecy must accompany him, which means that the four young Tarletons have to be parked with their "Aunt" Kate--whose sister, the beautiful and fashionable Georgina (now married to Daniel, the Duke of Waltham), has arrived without warning at the very start of the London Season. Then it turns out that several of the children have inherited the parental gift and are experimenting with magic themselves. While Kate tries to cope with this juvenile precocity and with her sister's moods--plus a mysterious prowler who seems immune to her attempts to bespell him--the Tarletons become entangled with a sinister brother and sister, the fittingly named Webbs, whose ancestral home is a nexus of the mysterious ley lines Herr Schellen was supposed to be investigating in connection with the new railroads now being lain across England. When Edward Schofield is inadvertantly kidnapped by what appears to be a female tinker (she isn't), Kate also finds herself responsible for a little girl who not only has a regal bearing suitable to a queen but refuses to talk to any adult. (If you've read any amount of English history you'll guess well ahead of time who Drina really is.) Comic transformations and a vividly described magical duel are among the high points of the tale, which, like its predecessors, is skilfully paced and wonderfully complex, yet in the end is neatly resolved, and also increases our understanding of the magic of this just-slightly-alternate world. With a copyright date of 2006 and the promise that the children will be put in charge of competent magical tutors, we may well look for yet another volume in the adventures of Kate, Cecy, and their families.

The Magician Trap.......2007-03-23

The Mislaid Magician (2006) is the third Fantasy novel of the Cecy and Kate series, following The Grand Tour. In the ten years since the last magical adventure, Cecelia has birthed the nine year old twins, Arthur and Eleanor, four year old Diana and the baby Alexander. Katherine now has six year old Edward and baby Laurence. In 1828, their life seems to revolve around the nursery.

In this novel, James is called to London to meet with the new prime minister, the Duke of Wellington. While he is gone, Arthur detects a prowler on the grounds of Tangleford Hall and Cecy casts a Greater Cessation spell on him. She expects the intruder to be immobilized, but instead he creeps away, gaining more speed with greater distance.

James receives orders to investigate the disappearance of a Prussian railway surveyor-magician. He and Cecy will be leaving soon for Leeds to discover the whereabouts of Herr Magus Franz Wilhelm Schellen. Apparently the duke has not considered the uproar that would ensue with both parents leaving their children behind.

Naturally, Kate agrees to take the children into the Schofield household. She sends Thomas to meet with the Tarletons in London and take the children in hand for the trip back to Skeynes. While at the Bull and Mouth, Arthur sees the prowler in the stables and gives chase, only to lose contact due to an altercation with a stable boy.

After much too long a ride, Thomas finally arrives back home and lets lose the Tarleton children among his own. Since they are returning to a familiar estate, the children soon reestablish old connections. This time Arthur gets Thomas to teach him how to scry with a bowl of ink and the children start using this skill to play a new form of hide and seek.

In Leeds, James soon discovers traces of the surveyor-magician. He also runs into Daniel, the Duke of Waltham and errant husband of Georgy. The duke is staying with Ramsey and Adella Webb, who invite the Tarletons to the house party at Haliwar Tower.

Meanwhile, the Duchess of Waltham has appeared at Skeynes in a very despondent state, shedding tears on the carpets and furniture. Despite Kate's best efforts, Georgy refuses to discuss her problems. Only the children provide some relief from her vaporish mood; indeed, she is quite cheerful with the babies.

Arthur and Eleanor begin detailed mapping the grounds of Skeynes. Edward develops an interest in the household wards. Then another child joins the nursery and Diana becomes her devoted follower.

Like its predecessors, this story is a mystery with magical overtones. Naturally, Thomas is the best trained magician in the group, but Cecy is quite proficient. Kate knows fewer spells -- actually only three -- but she is very competent with those; in fact, she demonstrates great strength with those spells when her children are threatened. Then there are the twins, who develop surprising competency with scrying spells.

Highly recommended for Wrede & Stevermer fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of domestic crises, magical and mundane investigations, and political conspiracies in a historical milieu.

-Arthur W. Jordin

better than book 2 but still searching for the magic.......2007-01-20

I will assume the reader has read Sorcery And Cecelia. If not, go out and do so right away.

The second book was a letdown in many ways, but this third book does better at capturing the spark that made the first one so fun. Part of this is that, as in the first one, the main characters are separated the entire time. All we see are letters they write to each other.

The problem is that the plot is weak. Very weak. The bad guys are silly and not directly threatening, their motivations are boring, and we never get the sense of mysterious evil that we have in the first book.

Also, the railroad thing was probably something that sounded like a good idea but, in the end, didn't really work. There's no real resolution of it, nor is it really important.

In fact, resolution is a problem all around, because everything gets resolved much to quickly and with not nearly enough direct input from the main characters.

All that being said, the characters feel real and likeable again. This would have been a great second book -- another look at some wonderful characters even though the plot doesn't really hold water. As a third book it's a little more disappointing, because I expect more plot from a third book.

My guess is that if there is a fourth book, it will be about the kids. At least, that's what it should be about!

About on parr with the second book.......2007-01-14

It might be that I read the second two books in this series more sporadicly than the first and so I didn't fully grasp the plot, on the other hand I didn't read them as quickly because the plot did not fully grab me. If I could I would probably give it a 3.5 because I didn't find it all that memorable. the first book really made an impression which seems to have been fading ever so slightly with each consequential book.

Shifting from how the second book was written this is again in pure letter form, with additional missives from James and Thomas (I agree that they might be a bit excessive and that like in the second where we had more than one person narrating the same set of events it got slightly tedious at times).

Again like the second one Ithought it focused too much WAY WAY toomuch on the mechanics of the magic. Not only were James and Cecy bored to tears with ley lines and locomotives, so was I. Those poor characters their plot only got really interesting towards the very end when every one kept turning into dogs.

This might be the difference in the strengths of the authors, but I found the Kate and Thomas storyline much more interesting, it was rolicking and moving and less stagnent and technical than Cecy and James. (Ironic since Kate and Thomas stay at home while Cecy and James travel the country side)

They have been saddled with the care and keeping of all of Cecy and James' children--alot. In addition they find another child, the almost mute Drina. Thomas is still wonderfully Thomas and writes some of the funniest letters towards the end in regards to a certain dog. Georgy has a plot as well, which I found very amusing (she has a penchant for sappy poetry, how apropos)

Still a fun read but I wouldn't put off reading it too long after the first and second because things might get forgotten in the interim.

Mediocre Sequel.......2007-01-11

After the first two collaborations by these authors, I was looking forward to yet another adventure. While this book was all right, it missed out on being great. The plot was a little thin, and the characters tame in comparison to past attempts. In sum, worth a read but maybe not a purchase.

Second Careers: New Ways to Work after 50

Average customer rating:

Second Careers: New Ways to Work after 50
Caroline Bird
Manufacturer: Little, Brown and Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0316095990

Bounce Back Into Shape After Baby: The Ultimate Guide to a Fun-Filled, Time and Energy Efficient Workout-With Your Baby

Average customer rating:

Much different than other exercise books, a must-have
Recommended for young mothers who may feel overwhelmed
Therapeutic, as well as fun for everyone!
A great program

Bounce Back Into Shape After Baby: The Ultimate Guide to a Fun-Filled, Time and Energy Efficient Workout-With Your Baby
Caroline C. Creager
Manufacturer: Executive Physical Therapy, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Exercise & Fitness | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

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Accessories:

ASIN: 0964115352

Book Description

New mothers and health care practitioners alike will benefit from these postpartum exercise ideas. Photos depicting full-body stretching and strengthening workouts are complemented by helpful advice on tightening abdominal muscles; squeezing in workout time; spicing up routine exercises using an exercise ball; exercising with baby; and improving posture. Female "taboo" topics are boldly addressed, including urinary incontinence and cesarean and episiotomy scar tissue. Included are 18 unique workouts, 40 strengthening exercises, and 17 stretching exercises, many of which can be performed within 24 hours after giving birth. A flow chart helps users keep track of progress, and a glossary assists with medical terminology.

Customer Reviews:

Much different than other exercise books, a must-have.......2002-08-18

This is a gentle, flexible exercise routine that begins with exercise routines suitable 24 hours after birth that start off with 5 minutes of floor exercises (with no balance ball or other equipment at this point) and 5 minutes of walking.

The goal for the first level of exercises is not to lose weight but to enhance the mothers' physical condition and to enhance recovery after childbirth. There are special exercises to help heal c-section incision area and simple things to do to help prevent c-section scar adhesions. Other exercises help episiotomy site healing, separation of diastasis recti (abdominal muscles) due to pregnancy and exercises for recovering from urinary incontinence and fecal incontinence (which has been linked in a study to be caused by episiotomies).

Another important focus of the book is the goal of not having back pain. The book teaches prevention of back and shoulder injury by teaching proper positions for holding baby, breastfeeding, and lifting baby up, such as when lifting out of crib. Using a stroller is discouraged if the woman has carpal tunnel syndrome due to pregnancy as pushing the stroller can further aggravate the pain and the condition. Use of a front pack baby carrier is recommended as a back-healthy way to carry baby and proper usage of it (so it is comfortable and doesn't cause back pain) is outlined by the author. I have witnessed many people wearning their baby carriers in a way that causes back pain, I encourage everyone to read the manufacturers directions and this authors' directions so using this style baby carrier doesn't cause you pain!

The program progresses in stages up to a 5-star difficulty rating, as the woman desires to get into physical shape with increased aerobic activity designed for fat burning, weight loss and increased muscle strength.

The book features cutout one-sided pages that illustrate an entire workout by name, order, and illustration so the mother can carry it with her for reference rather than propping up the book and trying to keep the book open during the workout. Later in the book are the longer, detailed instructions for each exercise.

There are loads of references to studies on everything from why a vaginal birth is easier on a woman's body to why an episiotomy can cause a woman physical problems to why breastfeeding is beneficial. I was surprised to see so many studies cited throughout the text and in side bar quotes.

Other than some stretching exercises, breathing and abdominal exercies, the baby is incorporated into the routine (but it looks to me that this is only possible when the baby can strongly hold up his/her neck), which is great because doing the exercises won't require mother and baby separation. The exercises can be done in short segments multiple times during the day when the busy mother can carve out these small time segments.

Breastfeeding is portrayed in a positive light, including a photo of the author breastfeeding and with tidbits of positive research about breastfeeding's health benefits and personal opinions of the author about enhancing bonding between mother and baby.

An attitude and emphasis on the woman being the expert of her body is throughout. It begins with self-tests for separation of abdominal exercises, Kegel muscle self tests, etc. and urges the woman to listen to her own body. Using the information in this book the woman can design her own workout schedule and assess her own body's strengths, weaknesses and areas that would benefit from exercising. This book does not promote reliance on exercise clubs, gyms, etc. so this is a low-expense workout. The balance ball that is used in later parts of the text costs about $30 and can be used in the home (which is far less money than most exercise shoes cost).

I especially appreciated that this book does not portray pregnancy or childbirth in a negative light. It is not like other books that almost treat pregnancy as a bad thing for making the woman gain weight and other body changes occur that are negative. It does *not* have the attitude that as soon as the baby is born a mission must begin to get in shape and lose fat. There is no negative language about the physical appearance of the body while pregnant or after the baby is born. The book is more focused on feeling good, developing strong core muscles, and being able to live pain-free.

This is not a killer-workout that requires huge amounts of time and energy; it is definitely do-able at all the stages of difficulty, and will definitely help any mother who uses it.

Recommended for young mothers who may feel overwhelmed.......2002-05-06

Bounce Back Into Shape After Baby by physical therapist and exercise specialist Caroline C. Creager (Founder and CEO, Executive Physical Therapy, Inc., Berthoud, Colorado) is an energetic, authoritative health and workout guide designed specifically for new mothers. Individual chapters address exercise guidelines for mothers recovering from vaginal delivery, Cesarean delivery recovery, techniques for managing Cesarean scar tissue, ways to strengthen weakened abdominal muscles, balancing exercise with breast feeding, the value of working out on a ball, fitting exercise into a busy schedule and much more. Bounce Back Into Shape After Baby is a superbly presented and "user friendly" health and exercise guidebook and especially recommended for young mothers who may feel overwhelmed but don't want to neglect their physical well-being.

Therapeutic, as well as fun for everyone!.......2001-11-24

I highly recommend this book! As a middle-aged grandma, I was initially interested in this book for myself, as I will soon have an abdominal hysterectomy, and will be needing some gentle, yet effective post-op abdominal exercises. I am also an RN/certified fitness trainer, so I have used Caroline Creager's books in the past. I am finding this book to be an excellent source for my clients, especially new moms, and people like myself, needing strengthening after surgery. The section on diaphragmatic breathing is essential for the post-op period. Although this is a postpartum program, most exercises could apply to anyone, as they emphasize strengthening the core, which is fundamental in beginning an exercise program. The exercises and stretches using the Swiss ball would benefit anyone, young and old, as they are safe, functional, and help to improve posture and balance.

But first and foremost, this book is a must for the new mother, full of fun, energy-efficient workouts,demonstrated by Caroline and her baby. There is emphasis on posture, as well as the proper body mechanics in lifting and carrying baby to support your back and prevent injury. The exercises are beneficial to baby as well, aiding sleep, improving strength, balance and socialization. What a great way to interact and bond with your baby! This would be a unique and much appreciated gift for mom and baby.

A great program.......2001-11-21

Finally an excercise program that is written by a mom who understands, that working out is not a priority. Caroline fully understands the time limitation of moms. This has been a great program to get me going again, I feel good about myself. I kept thinking I would start working out, tomorrow, next week, next month etc., but this program makes working out attainable by working it into my day. By starting out with just 10 minutes a day I felt like I was accomplising something, now I do it twice a day and feel like I can add more time. THANK YOU - this is the best and strongest I've felt in a long time!

Average customer rating:

Supernatural, Super Romance, Super Thriller
A definite read!
After Caroline should be a definite read!
Good mystery romance
A Psychic Connection from Beyond the Grave

After Caroline
Kay Hooper
Manufacturer: Bantam
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0553588575
Release Date: 2005-08-30

Book Description

Joanna Flynn was lucky to be alive. Twice in a matter of minutes she almost died on a patch of oil-slicked highway. But when the doctors told her that she would suffer no lasting effects, they were wrong. For that night the dream began...

It was only of a house perched high above the sea, of a ticking clock and the lingering scent of roses. Yet night after night it awoke Joanna with a sense of panic. Its terror lingered throughout her days, urging her to do something—but what?

Then two strangers on the street called her Caroline, and Joanna knew she had to find an explanation for what was happening, or she'd lose her mind. What she finally uncovered was an obituary for a woman named Caroline McKenna—a woman who looked enough like her to be her twin, a woman who was killed in a car accident on the same day Joanna should have perished.

Now her torturous nightmares and a tenuous connection have brought Joanna three thousand miles across country to the town where Caroline lived--and died. Almost everyone has stories to tell about Cliffside's leading lady, and yet no one seems to have known her. Was she the shy wife or the seductress of men? The devoted mother or the selfish beauty?

Too soon Joanna realizes that it's not her sanity at stake, but her life. For unraveling the mystery of Caroline means uncovering the secrets in this picturesque town, secrets someone may have killed to hide. And that someone appears all too willing to kill again.

Customer Reviews:

Supernatural, Super Romance, Super Thriller.......2005-09-22

Cliffside, how come she sees the sign for that small town in her dreams? How come two different people in Atlanta have called her Caroline when her name is Joanna? These are only two of the questions that have come to puzzle research librarian Joanna Flynn after her near fatal auto accident. Joanna, puts the clues together, finds out that a woman named Caroline McKenna, who is her exact age, died in an accident in Cliffside, Oregan at the same time she survived her own accident and to make matters even more coincidental, they could have been twins. Caroline goes to Oregon and finds more than she bargained for, more than anyone could have bargained for.

I enjoyed this five star, character driven book more than I can say, this book is so much more than a romance novel, so much more than even romantic suspense. Dean Koontz fans would appreciate this book.

Reviewed by Vesta Irene

A definite read!.......2005-03-05

Kay Hooper has become one of my favorite authors. After Caroline was a great romance suspense novel. I enjoyed it from the first page until the last page! I am currently reading Finding Laura now by Ms. Hooper and enjoying it also. I do not think anyone will be disappointed in this book one bit. It was very hard to put down.

After Caroline should be a definite read!.......2004-12-19

Good mystery romance.......2004-02-18

This was an entertaining read and I found it hard to put down. I loved reading Kay Hooper's stories when I first read "Haunting Rachel". Was not disappointed reading this story. It had just the right mystique and romance to keep me reading till I was finished. I liked this story better than the Shadow series, which had less romantic interest but still good suspense. I recommend highly "After Caroline" to all Kay Hooper fans! A MUST read. If you like this story, I recommend reading: "Finding Laura", "Amanda", and "Haunting Rachel".

A Psychic Connection from Beyond the Grave.......2003-09-22

I read this book after reading Kay Hooper's "Shadow" and "Evil" books and considering that those books were written well after "After Caroline," one might think that this novel might not hold up, but one would be wrong. "Caroline is every bit the book Hooper's later works are. I was hooked from the first page. Yes, there was an awful lot of coincidence, two accidents, one near fatal, one fatal, that take place at the same time to identical women who are the same age, but that's okay, because Hooper deals with it in a way that makes us believe. She pulls us into the story with suspense, romance and richly drawn characters.

I liked this book four stars worth and would highly recommend it to anyone who loves good romance, good suspense and a touch of the strange.

Reviewed by Captain Katie Osborne

Average customer rating:

Mature motherhood and Parenting.

excellent resource

A wonderful gift!

useful information for new older Moms

Essential reading for those considering pregnancy in their 30s
Pregnancy and Parenting after Thirty-Five: Mid Life, New Life (A Johns Hopkins Press Health Book)
Michele C. Moore , and Caroline M. de Costa
Manufacturer: The Johns Hopkins University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Pregnancy & Childbirth | Women's Health | Personal Health | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
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Your Over-35 Week-by-Week Pregnancy Guide: All the Answers to All Your Questions About Pregnancy, Birth, and Your Developing Baby

Midlife Motherhood: A Woman-to-Woman Guide to Pregnancy and Parenting

But I Don't Feel Too Old to Be a Mommy!: The Complete Sourcebook for Starting (and Re-Starting) Motherhood Beyond 35 and After 40

Healthy Pregnancy Over 35

What Every Woman Should Know About Fertility and Her Biological Clock

ASIN: 0801883202

Book Description

More and more women are having babies after the age of thirty-five and experiencing the joy of motherhood. But mothers-to-be in this age group sometimes face unique medical, emotional, and social challenges. Conception may be difficult and the risk of miscarriage during early pregnancy is higher, as is the potential for complications such as hypertension and diabetes. And having a child later in life can also be surprisingly disruptive to well-established domestic routines and carefully cultivated careers.

Michele Moore and Caroline de Costa -- two physicians who have been down this road themselves -- offer reliable medical expertise and personal reassurance to women tackling these challenges. Pregnancy and Parenting after Thirty-Five covers a broad range of issues for mothers in mid life, from the possibility of Cesarean section to the awkwardness of being the oldest mom at PTA meetings to the joy of holding your infant in your arms.

Incorporating the stories of real women who have gone through mid-life pregnancy, Moore and de Costa have created a valuable resource that will help other women do so realistically and with confidence. One of the few books devoted to prospective mothers over thirty-five, this one also includes information on surrogacy, adoption, and the first few months of being a new mother.

Customer Reviews:

Mature motherhood and Parenting. .......2007-06-16

The world of motherhood, most especially in developed countries, has undergone profound changes in the latter half of the 20th century. For the first time in history, many women elected to delay starting a family until they completed their education, had secured their professional path, found the right partner and/or had the financial means to nurture and educate a child. Many of us including myself know women who waited until after thirty or later to have their first baby and possibly some who continued having children into their forties. My mother was thirty-four when I was born and thirty-six when she gave birth to my younger brother. My maternal grandmother who lived in rural Texas continued having children until well into her forties and a first cousin remarried in her late thirties and found herself a mother at the age of thirty-seven and later, at thirty-nine.

In addition to massive social changes that have stopped, at least in some quarters, the finger-pointing at women who postponed motherhood until they were ready, advancements in the world of gynecology have made profound changes for women who were previously infertile. There are now myriad options including in vitro fertilization and egg implantation that allow women to give birth in their fifties and sixties and I'm sure a seventy-year-old mom may be just a few years away!

The doctors, Michele C. Moore, M.D. and Caroline M. de Costa, M.D., have added a fascinating new book to their "Mid Life, New Life" series. "Pregnancy and Parenting after Thirty-Five" is a must have for any mature woman considering giving birth or adopting an infant, a non-judgmental, beautifully written work by two medical professionals who have experienced late pregnancies themselves. Dr. Moore gave birth to her son at thirty-five while Dr. de Costa, after having already having five children, found herself changing the diapers of two very healthy and vibrant children in her early forties.

Pregnancy and Parenting after Thirty-Five looks at every aspect of mature parenting including available testing for the health of the mother, options for assistance with conception, adoption and a major concern for mature mothers-to-be, screening for chromosomal abnormalities. They also look at multiple births, a common occurrence with the increased use of fertility drugs to assist in motherhood. The book is written in clear but concise language that breaks down complicated medical procedures and statistical information into advice that any layman and most importantly, laywoman, can both comprehend and use. Doctors Moore and de Costa also give multiple scenarios based on their own case histories and personal experiences as mature moms. This book is a must-have for anyone contemplating parenting an infant after thirty-five whether through birth or adoption and will be just as useful for expectant fathers as it is for hopeful mothers.

Francesca Miller

excellent resource.......2007-05-27

Gifted writers, Drs. Moore and de Costa draw upon their extensive medical training and the experiences of real women to provide older moms-to-be with valuable information. They focus on discussing the many issues and challenges older women may face when having a baby. While expecting my first at 37, I could not put this book down! It proved to be a great resource and easy to understand. It also helped me feel much more confident about making decisions surrounding my own pregnancy. I highly recommend it to anyone expecting or considering a baby ...a little later in life!

A wonderful gift!.......2006-08-15

My cousin gave me this as an engagement gift. At first, I was a little dismayed, but then I read it and I'll be forever grateful to my cousin and to these authors. My fiance and I want to start a family in a couple of years and this book will be an invaluable aid.

useful information for new older Moms.......2006-08-13

I found this book while waiting for my second child at age 39. 8 years since the last so a lot has been forgotten and a lot has changed. It's a mine of useful information especially the whole issue of what tests to have/not have for the possibility of abnormality. I really liked that the writers understand that not all pregnancies end happily ever after. The fact that they both went through this themselves really shows through.Silvia S.

Essential reading for those considering pregnancy in their 30s.......2006-08-06

I really recommend this book to all women thinking about getting pregnant a bit later in life, you don't have to wait to 35. I had my daughter at age 33 two years ago and found it the most challenging thing I've ever done! I've just recommended the book to two friends going through the same thing. There are hundred of pregnancy books but in this there's lots of really useful information about antenatal testing and how to choose a birth plan that I would have liked to have had before Maddy was born, and the authors talk to you in a very positive way. I give it five stars.

Average customer rating:

Anticlimactic Ending
A worthy sophomore effort.
Down Under skullduggery!
A compelling thriller with some twists
powerful sweltering tale of murder and survival

Dead Heat
Caroline Carver
Manufacturer: Mysterious Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0892967781

Book Description

A survivor of a plane crash in Australia's wild outback fights for her life in this new novel from the critically acclaimed author of Blood Junction.Georgia Parish never regretted leaving northern Queensland, Australia, to pursue her career. But after surviving a plane crash she finds herself back there, struggling to comprehend a sinister fact--the plane she was on was sabotaged. Was it someone hoping to kill the man who never arrived to take the flight? Or did it have something to do with the two other strange passengers? Georgia's search for the truth plunges her into a harsh and unforgiving landscape, across oceans and into crocodile-infested swamps. There, unable to trust anyone, she discovers more than just her own life is at stake.

Customer Reviews:

Anticlimactic Ending.......2006-01-18

Following her grandfather's funeral, Georgia Parish just wanted to get back to Sydney, Australia, and her life. Fate had other plans. When a crash landing kills a fellow passenger, Georgia finds herself caught up in a deadly mystery. The trail takes her through Australia's extreme climates, Asian gangs, and old acquaintances.

"Dead Heat" is a mystery full of action and suspense, all well written. The characters are engaging, especially Georgia, who is completely human. The plot is well paced, the setting is incredibly lush, and the bad guys are truly evil.

One drawback to this novel is the presence of two climaxes. The first climax seems to provide the answers, and the reader feels all there is left is to wrap up loose ends in the wind down to the last page; yet, there is one more climax before the end. This is a risky technique, and some stories pull it off well. In this case, however, this final action scene is anticlimactic. It is overshadowed by the scene of triumph, much like the ending to the movie "AI."

"Dead Heat" gets three books for the anticlimactic ending to an otherwise outstanding book.

-C.W.

A worthy sophomore effort........2004-07-15

As Dead Heat opens, Georgia Parish has just struck and killed a cassowary, one of the rarest birds in the Australian Wet Tropics, while speeding towards an airport in a borrowed four wheel drive Suzuki. After assessing the damage, the regretful Georgia reflects on the fact that her mother would consider the accident a bad omen. That's exactly what it turns out to be, as, mere hours later, Georgia finds herself embroiled in a high stakes business transaction involving Chinese gangs, corrupt police, and a wonder drug that fights off even the most virulent infection. Because of her involvement, she is threatened, tortured, and subjected to hardships which would push the average person to the brink of madness.

Carver follows her award-winning debut with a riveting sophomore effort, doing for the Australian outback what Nevada Barr has done for America's national parks. Once again chronicling the adventures of a resourceful female (the book even features journalist India Kane, star of Carver's debut novel Blood Junction, in a supporting role), Carver delivers a fast paced, tightly written thriller, bursting at the seams with action and surprises. In the hands of a lesser writer, Dead Heat could have easily degenerated into "The Perils of Georgia". Carver artfully avoids this trap, however, by imbuing her protagonist with an air of believability that grounds the sometimes over the top action sequences in reality, even when Georgia is forced to deal with, in rapid succession, plane crashes, vicious gunmen, officious immigration officials, death traps, and, this being Australia, crocodile infested swamps.

Down Under skullduggery!.......2004-05-27

DEAD HEAT is a rip-snortin' adventure in a wildly beautiful part of the world, the tropical rainforest coast of Australia, where killer crocs roam, deadly diseases dwell, the long arm of Communism reaches out, & a large cast of inter-connected characters fight for freedom & profit. Georgia is a gutsy heroine who takes wild chances & her promises seriously. She isn't above lying when she's cornered or running away if it means she'll live another day...until the Red Bamboo Gang gets hold of her. & that pisses her off.

Rebeccasreads recommends DEAD HEAT as an exciting, sweaty, hell-raising rampage of secrets & stories, computer programs to die for & life-saving medical research, illegal refugees & culture clashes, with death & redemption, payback & honor, all churning into one hurricane of a read!

A compelling thriller with some twists.......2004-04-12

DEAD HEAT by Caroline Carver (Orion, 17.99)
Georgia Parish, a bookseller, is in Nugarra, Far Northern Queensland to attend the funeral of her grandfather. She is to travel home by a small plane. However, the plane crashes but Georgia survives. Suzie, a fellow passenger gives Georgia a bag containing a computer disc and as her dying wish, asks her to give it to Suzie's brother. Georgia also meets Lee on the flight, a mysterious man who saves her life yet remains enigmatic. As it becomes known that Georgia has the disc, she is placed in increasing danger including having her life threatened by a Chinese gang desperate to get their hands on Suzie's brother. Georgia must get to the bottom of the mystery to save not only her own life but that of her mother's.
Caroline Carver has written a compelling thriller that never lets up on the suspense and even manages to throw a few curves to the reader just as the story begins to wind down. Length is a bit of a problem as the story goes on a bit too long. Yet, competently created characters, a fast paced plot and excellent sense of locale raise the book above the merely ordinary.

powerful sweltering tale of murder and survival.......2004-03-22

Georgia Parrish returns home to Nulgarra in Far Northern Queensland, Australia to attend a funeral. Knowing that the townsfolk detest her and struggling with keeping calm against the constant verbal assault of her temporary bunkmate, Georgia decides now that the funeral is over to leave where she is not welcome. She heads to the small airport hoping to gain a seat on a flight out though she knows that is doubtful. She picks up two stranded people also heading to the airport. Luck is with her as someone fails to show up for the flight.

Luck deserts Georgia as the plane crashes killing two people. Georgia learns that the plane was sabotaged and the no show was found dead on a nearby beach. Not trusting local law enforcement to seek the truth, Georgia investigates only to find Chinese thugs believe she was partners with the dead passengers, who include a research scientist on the brink of an antibody breakthrough potentially rivaling that of penicillin. Her deadly foes abduct Georgia's mother because they demand to know what she knows or else.

DEAD HEAT lives up to its title as fans will feel the torrid tropical climate of Northern Queensland especially when the corpse count rises and the crocodiles dominate the local quagmire population. The picturesque background is so compelling at times the view overwhelms a strong thriller starring a terrific protagonist. Though the villains seem more out of a 1930s Fu Manchu tale, readers will appreciate this powerful sweltering tale of murder and survival in the remote Australian swamps.

Book Description

In order to understand today's Russia and former Soviet republics, it is vital to consider their socialist past. Caroline Humphrey, one of anthropology's most highly regarded thinkers on a number of topics including consumption, identity, and ritual, is the ideal guide to the intricacies of post-Soviet culture. The Unmaking of Soviet Life brings together ten of Humphrey's best essays, which cover, geographically, Central Russia, Siberia, and Mongolia; and thematically, the politics of locality, property, and persons.

Bridging the strongest of Humphrey's work from 1991 to 2001, the essays do a great deal to demystify the sensational topics of mafia, barter, bribery, and the new shamanism by locating them in the lived experiences of a wide range of subjects. The Unmaking of Soviet Life includes a foreword and introductory paragraphs by Bruce Grant and Nancy Ries that precede each essay.

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No-fuss Dinners: Deliciously Simple Recipes for Cooking After Work
Caroline Marson
Manufacturer: Ryland Peters & Small
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
General | Quick & Easy | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
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Food Made Fast: Weeknight (Williams-Sonoma)

Everyday Food: Great Food Fast

ASIN: 1845972120

Book Description

After a busy day at work the last thing anyone wants to do is spend hours in the kitchen. Discover the secret to No-cook Deli Suppers with great ideas for pizzas, pastas and platters, all of which can be put together in an instant. Home too late for a heavy meal? Light Bites, such as Tom Yum Prawn Noodle Soup, are the solution. In Simple Suppers you'll find easy recipes for everyday dishes. If limited time has always meant that mid-week entertaining is a no-no, then try a simple yet sophisticated dish from Supper with Friends, such as Vodka Poached Salmon with Coriander Mayo and Buttered Green Beans. Treat your partner or friends to delicious Sweet Things, like Iced Summer Berries with Hot White Chocolate Sauce. *Full of great ideas for good food in a flash, "No-fuss Suppers" is the essential cookbook for busy people! *Tempting photography by Peter Cassidy.

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Art History after Modernism
Hans Belting
Manufacturer: University Of Chicago Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | History & Criticism | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Modern | Schools, Periods & Styles | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

jp-unknown1 | Specialty Stores | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
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ASIN: 0226041840

Book Description

"Art history after modernism" does not only mean that art looks different today; it also means that our discourse on art has taken a different direction, if it is safe to say it has taken a direction at all.

So begins Hans Belting's brilliant, iconoclastic reconsideration of art and art history at the end of the millennium, which builds upon his earlier and highly successful volume, The End of the History of Art?. "Known for his striking and original theories about the nature of art," according to the Economist, Belting here examines how art is made, viewed, and interpreted today. Arguing that contemporary art has burst out of the frame that art history had built for it, Belting calls for an entirely new approach to thinking and writing about art. He moves effortlessly between contemporary issues—the rise of global and minority art and its consequences for Western art history, installation and video art, and the troubled institution of the art museum—and questions central to art history's definition of itself, such as the distinction between high and low culture, art criticism versus art history, and the invention of modernism in art history. Forty-eight black and white images illustrate the text, perfectly reflecting the state of contemporary art.

With Art History after Modernism, Belting retains his place as one of the most original thinkers working in the visual arts today.

After Dark (Harlequin Intrigue, No. 525)

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Wow--Light Street and Familiar in one book. What a deal!

After Dark (Harlequin Intrigue, No. 525)
Rebecca York , and Caroline Burnes
Manufacturer: harlequin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Anthologies | Romance | Subjects | Books

Harlequin Intrigue | Series | Romance | Subjects | Books

General | Contemporary | Romance | Subjects | Books

Anthologies | Contemporary | Romance | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0373225253

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Wow--Light Street and Familiar in one book. What a deal!.......1999-08-16

No faithful Intrigue reader will want to miss this volume, a rare two-for-one that's worth a lot more than the cover price. Ruth Glick proves that the incredible "Nowhere Man" was no fluke and that she's perfectly capable of carrying the Rebecca York name by herself in "Counterfeit Wife." Opening with high drama and never letting up for a moment, Ms. Glick provides twists and turns and more than a few surprises in this tale of how the past can catch up with us. Meanwhile, Caroline Burnes packs so much action, emotion, and suspense into "Familiar Stranger" that it's amazing that this isn't a full-length book by itself. With an unusual hero and our favorite feline detective in action, it's a secret child story with Ms. Burnes' unique storytelling style. You almost wish "After Dark" was released in the winter, since these two stories are destined to heat up a dark night.

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