4 comments about Getting Past the Affair: A Program to Help You Cope, Heal, and Move On -- Together or Apart.

1. I highly recommend this book for anyone trying to live through infidelity. I have read several books and this one had so much helpful information. It was written in a way that didn't attack the participating party or the injured party but gave good information for all parties involved. Unfortunately my spouse chose not to read the book with me but reading it really helped me to understand and validate what I was going through. If you are faced with the heartbreak of infidelty this is a must read book. If you don't read anything else, read this.



2. This book is very 'real'! Not so clinical like many others and helps with both parties to heal together. I bought three books and I find this one the best so far.



3. This is a great book for both partners in the damaged marriage. It uses non-offensive terms to refer to each of the involved parties. It provides very good strategies and examples for coping with the initial stages after the affair is discovered, as well as for working on repairing the marital relationship. It is particularly helpful with suggesting ways for each individual as well as the couple to reflect on why the affair occurred, to deal with emotional reactions, and to communicate with each other going forward. I have read several books, and this is one of the top two or three.



4. It was a good book for people who are going though betrayal. It did give a lot of good information.

5 comments about Oceans of Fire (Drake Sisters, Book 3).

1. This is an awesome series. Very HOT!! A great addition for Christine Feehan-aholics!!



2. This was a terrific seller and the book was in great condition. Thank you for the great service!



3. I listen to a wide selection of audio books and I still cannot believe that I actually listened to 8 out of the 12 CDs of this publication. While listening to this, I was really wondering if there are adults who truthfully enjoy such stories. Witches, dolphins, Interpol, Russian mafia, lots of sex and nothing to the storyline. What a waste of my time!



4. This is the first book of Christine Feehan's that I have read. Actually, it was the first time I heard of her, since I typically stay away from the "cheap sex-filled romances." As I am a sucker for dolphins (yeah, I know it is definitly girly of me), the cover caught me attention and since I have read everything else at home I bought it.
   
   At first, I thought it started out slow and drab but it quickly warmed up. Since it was seven sisters, it really didn't spend much time elaborating on the other characters as much as I would have liked. It really just focused on a few characters, and left the others up to imagination.
   
   Alexsandr upon first impression was very controlling. I understand why his character was made that way because of his background but I couldn't understand why sweet Abby would go for that sort of thing. His betrayal of Abby seemed so horrible that I had a really hard time forgiving him myself. Although, I understand that kind of love well and under the same circumstances I may have done the same. By the end of the book, I had really come to enjoy the Russian heartthrob.
   
   I was also really intrigued by Prakenskii and wished that the author followed him a little more so that we could learn more about him and his background. If he is really a carrier of all the gifts doesn't he need to carry on his gifts? To do that doesn't he need to fall in love? I thought there was a little spark between him and the headstrong Joley. I could see a hate-love relationship between them.
   
   I was really disappointed when the little subtle hints between Jonas and Hannah didn't result into a sweet love affair.
   
   Another disappointment was that even though two of the sisters were engaged (which two I couldn't tell you because there were so many of them that I have some of them confused with the other) and I never was really introduced to their fiancés.
   
   The characters that did get some elaboration I did enjoy and the story line went fast enough to capture my attention. I would take it into the bathroom and sit on the toilet while I watched my children play in the tub while reading it. I would read one chapter so that there water would not get too cold. It quickly became an obsession of mine and let's just say that my kids were the cleanest kids that you ever did see.
   
   She is not my favorite author but she got my attention enough to go and get some of her other books.



5. This book is a great addition to the drake sisters series and is an awesome example of what christine feehan can accomplish.

5 comments about The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families.

1. Ordered the Steven Covey CD's to listen to and share with my husband. We have both found the CD's to be valuable to our ever changing family life. The discs are clear in their presentation of advice and give sensible suggestions on how to nuture your family in a busy world. Glad to have found this resource and happy to share it!



2. THE BEST BOOK EVER PROVIDING STEP BY STEP GUIDANCE ON HOW TO CREATE BETTER FAMILY LIFE.
   
   WE READ IT OVER AND OVER AGAIN.



3. Amazing book that shaped my entire family culture. Filled with lots of good, practical advice and real life examples, taken from Covey's own life, in his children's own words. A book you read again and again as your family changes and grows and improves and regresses. . .



4. This book is the positive, realistic guide all parents should have. I found the real life examples especially helpful and advice practical enough that anyone could use. Having been raised in a very difficult and punishing manner, I wanted to read a book which suggests a better way and when I meet and talk to new parents this is one of the books I always suggest parents read. It really is worth it.
   
   I am the author of:
   
   One Boy's Struggle: A Memoir: Surviving Life with Undiagnosed ADD
   
   Bryan



5. I got this book because EVERYONE reccommends the 7 habits books. I have thoroughly enjoyed the first couple chapters.

5 comments about Unequal Childhoods: Class, Race, and Family Life.

1. Everyone knows that socioeconomic status is related to academic success, but not many books have examined the lives of kids outside of school in detail to reveal how differences in social class are related to differences in use of language, organizing time, dealing with authorities, family disputes, and doing homework.
   
   I'm a professor in a graduate school of education, and it was important to me that Lareau was a careful researcher as well as a clear and lively writer. She studied 12 families, each with a fourth-grade child. Half were white, half were black. Half were from low social positions, and half from relatively high social positions. Lareau found that the upper-middle class families deliberately stimlated their child's development and conveyed a sense of entitlement, whereas lower class families believed that kids matured "naturally" -- regardless of race. I found it so persuasive and well-written that I'm assigning it to my students.



2. I am a university student who purchased this textbook for a class. It came exactly as the seller said. I will use this service in the futute.



3. Lareau provides a very descriptive account of the social resources available to middle class, working class and poor families and children. A useful tool for teachers and administrators who wonder why some parents are not able to make it to PTA, parent/teacher conferences, sporting events, ect.



4. Very interesting and readable book about childrearing differences in different social classes. As a parent, it reminded me that there are different ways to approach parenting, and that a particular way isn't necessarily "better" than the others. Observations and conclusions drawn seemed accurate for my situation. I appreciated her non-judgemental attitude. Only downside is that the actual fieldwork was conducted over 10 years ago - however, from my perspective it is still very relevant. I would recommend it.



5. This book offers a thoughtful, in-depth exploration of how parenting strategies differ between middle class and working class families, and how these differences embody both strengths and weaknesses. Lareau argues that whereas the "concerted cultivation" approach in middle class parenting means that busy & overscheduled middle class kids are perhaps better prepared to speak up for themselves and their needs, they are also more likely to approach life from a standpoint of entitlement and are fairly unskilled at managing time on their own. In contrast, whereas the "natural growth" approach that working class parents take can lend itself to a passivity in the face of societal institutions, there's also a greater respect for the collective and for connections with others. The book offers great insights that will challenge those who unselfconsciously promote middle class values as models of success. It's also a great model of how to conduct and then write about qualitative sociological research. My qualitative research methods class will be reading this book!

5 comments about Controlling People: How to Recognize, Understand, and Deal with People Who Try to Control You.

1. Stay away from this book! Evans makes up terms for stuff that's been in psych textbooks for ages. Not only is this book not useful (since, as the other reviewers stated, her advice for dealing with controlling people is to simply say "What?" and a few other phrases), but it poses a danger to anyone in a severe controlling relationship--it might actually make that relationship worse by aggravating a controller. Although it's not quite the same, the book "Toxic Parents" by Susan Forward is much more recommended than this trite nonsense.



2. The is a perfect follow up to Patricia Evans book THE VERBALLY ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP. I was in an emotionally abusive relationship for years. I read Ms. Evans first book which gave me validation that I was not the "crazy one" nor did I deserve this abuse. I was able to leave that relationship and move on. And I credit the book by Ms. Evans as a guide to give me the strength to leave. I still wondered for years why someone wants to control another. CONTROLLING PEOPLE gave some understandable answers. It is written without the psychobable that many books of this genre contain. I bought three more copies - one for each of my children - as they still have a relationship with their father who continues to attempt to control them even though they are adults. Sometimes if we can get to know "the enemy" better we can learn how to protect ourselves from their hurtful and damaging ways. Thank you Patricia Evans for this book and for all of your books! Good luck to you, the reader, should you require this help. You will receive the help you need from CONTROLLING PEOPLE. You might also find THE VERBALLY ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP to be a guide as well. There really can be light at the end of the tunnel and daybreak if you follow that light!



3. Patricia Evans has done it again. She has written a book that I could not put down. "Controlling People" examines much of the subtle and not so subtle behavior you and I have experienced from others, have felt uncomfortable about and even felt worse because of. I always knew someone in my family was controlling but now I have a greater understanding of the depth of the problem as well as how to respond. Very good book for those with relationships with persons who want to control them. Dee



4. I liked this book, however, if it's the first that you read on the subject of Controlling personalities, I think that it would be too academic and dry. It does provide a broad perspective on the issue, and do feel it was worthwhile, I just realize that if you are looking for practical information on this that you can use to understand a relationship you are in you might want to read something that isn't so dry.



5. disappointing - not a very helpful book for some circumstances, clunky writing style - very repetitive

5 comments about Keeping The Love You Find: A Guide for Singles.

1. If you are really committed to personal growth and to not repeating the same old mistakes in your next relationship, then this is the book. it is not an easy read. I was recommended this book by my therapist and it's the most intense self help book I have ever worked through (and I have been doing this for some time).
   Doing the exercises in the book has helped me to bring all kinds of thoughts and habits that I wasn't aware of into consciousness where I stand a chance of healing them and doing things differently in the future. The process has been painful and uncomfortable at times and I had to take breaks and come back to it, but it has accelerated my personal growth dramatically. Really worth it.



2. This is another excellent book by Harville Hendrix in which you can learn a lot about what makes you do the things you do in a relationship, and why others do what they do. I found both this book and Hendrix's Guide for Couples extremely enlightening and I've read a lot of self-help books! (The Guide for Couples is fine for Singles, by the way)



3. This is a great self-help book. If you complete the exercises you will learn a lot about yourself.



4. I read this book and didn't really like a lot of the sections in it. Everybody is different though. It wasn't of value to me, but it could help you.



5. As a psychotherapy training supervisor, I highly recommend this book for singles, couples and those professionals open to a different slant on relationships.

5 comments about Mars and Venus on a Date: A Guide for Navigating the 5 Stages of Dating to Create a Loving and Lasting Relationship.

1. i never learned to date. it's good to have some insight. it's opened my eyes to improving myself as a dater--and i'm seeing the fruits of those improvements.



2. I hated the book, Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus........... However, this book really seemed right on. Great insight for women on how men think, how men date, when and when not to call and the especially important, "Stage Two: Uncertainty period". Explains why men wait to get involved, etc. If you are baffled about men like I was, this book is worth it's weight in gold.



3. Do you have this book on your shelf? If you don't, order it NOW. It will help you put the understanding and FUN back in dating. Gray makes it so clear on how to understand men and women; you don't even know you are learning.
   
   Dating skills seem so obvious once he points them out, but I wish I would have read this book yearsss ago. ~
   
   Order today, you won't regret it!
   
   Merna Throne
   
   Pocket of Pearls: A 30-day pocket workbook to start hearing a softer voice inside of you!



4. John Gray's book emphasizes open communication in his book between men and women This is clearly important.
   
   But, the open communication isn't so open at times. Gray doesn't encourage being candid at times. This is a slippery slope. For example, Gray says that if a man is late because of an accident on a bridge, he should apologize without explaining the reason for being late, and the woman should be nonjudgmental. Is this communication relationship enhancing?
   
   Also, he frequently over emphasizes the differerences in men and women without acknowledging their similarities enough. For example, Gray's simplistic view of men as the wrongdoers in relationships and women as the saviors weakens the material. He explains in detail how men should learn to apologize and women should learn to forgive, but not vice versa. We all make mistakes in relationships and both parties need to learn the importance of sincere apology and forgiveness.
   
   Good communication is clearly important in any relationship and I applaud John Gray's attempt to get couples to communicate, but emphasizing non candid behaviors dilutes the main message of the book.
   
   Also, stereotyping the sexes can lead to polarization and a breakdown in communication. Understanding gender differences is important, but equally important is the acceptance and celebration of our similarities.
   
   The Re-Discovery of Common Sense: A Guide to: The Lost Art of Critical Thinking



5. This book changed the way I relate to men. The techniques really work and I wish I would've read this book 20 years ago. I realized I can be feminine and receive love. I can allow a man to help me and not do everything myself. Since reading the book I've really enjoyed my new dating life and love being more feminine and having the ability to attract men. It's a lot more fun. I look forward to reading and learning more from this author.

5 comments about Lipstick Jungle : A Novel.

1. Lipstick Jungle reads exactly like what it was meant for: a script for Bushnell's next television show. I deliberately plucked it out of sales bin as I was looking for my next no-brainer-entertainment-purposes-only-summertime-reading novel. I was not disappointed. Ms. Bushnell's writing certainly isn't the most eloquent I've ever encountered, and she does overuse the thesaurus a bit, plugging in seldom-used "big" words that seemed a clumsy attempt at sophisticated writing. While the characters have completely no relevance to my life, it stayed with me enough so that I could finish it... and frankly, I was entertained. My only criticism with her novel is the contemptuous attitude towards men. These high-powered women who are in constant competition with men is really a testament to what little self-esteem these "modern" women possess. I, for one, miss those days when being referred to as a "[...]" was an insult, now women wear it as a badge of honor--pathetic! And for being "smart" women, they make idiotic, desperate choices in men. The two married characters in her book allow themselves to be treated badly by their husbands -- for years -- and they put up with it? A true woman in control and empowered has the courage to speak her mind, expect respect, gives respect, and yet fearless of being vulnerable to the right man, and because of that she is treated well and adored and respected. Those lipstick jungle broads can have that high-flying lifestyle, because when you're at the top, the only place to go is down. The whole time I'm reading this novel all I can think of is how emotionally, physically, and mentally exhausting it must be to maintain it.



2. I purchased this book for i believe under $8.00 from AMZ. $8.00 or $7.00 (Hardcover Edition Brand New) free shipping and no tax. I love a good bargain. But i kind of regret it. Those few dollars gave me nothing but a world of pain. Candance writes decent. I give her 1 star for being able to write over 200 pages, but that's it. That's the only accomplishment here. The book is just very JUMPY it keeps going from scenario to scenario in an odd pacing. Because of this it came out to be a difficult READ! Also i know she tries to show the fabulous life of girls in Manhattan and if anyone lives in NYC you will know life is glamorous only to a certain extent. Anyways, the way she writes about these characters you end up just not feeling a thing for them. They are not very likeable people or people anyone would root for. I believe in Chick Lit it's all about rooting for the underdog and not characters that come off as shallow and vapid. I thought I would enjoy this because of the price and regret every minute of it. Getting through the 1st chapter was just slow torture. I also had another Candace book called 4 Blondes which was a mess of a READ as well. In all honesty I purchased her books because she was the creator of SATC and in the end she really has nothing interesting to offer literature fans of the world.



3. 
   Completely unrealistic. How can anyone identify with these super-powerful and rich women? Buying your ex-husband a flat right next to yours so you can both be next to the kids? And so unimaginative. The producer woman's movies are called "Ragged Pilgrims" and "The Spotted Pig" (which is a romance). Was Bushnell trying to be humorous? So horrible. Read it if you have nothing else to do.



4. I'm not sure what message Candace Bushnell was intending to convey, but the one I came away with was that women can't have it all, but it's maybe OK if you make an obscene amount of money and have great girlfriends.
   
   The author does a great job of portraying good female friendships. Wendy, Nico and Victory are slightly older than the Sex and the City women but significantly wealthier and more powerful. But they have two things in common with their SATC predecessors: a long-lasting deep friendship and lousy love lives. The latter is more sad in this book because two of the three women are married and have children!
   
   I thought the book was an interesting look into the ficticious lives of highly successful women in the fields of magazines, movies and fashion. It kept me interested even though it made me a little sad that the characters were too often anxious or unhappy. And like SATC before it, I'm guessing there is a lot of truth written into the fiction.
   
   Just don't read the book expecting the characters to have perfect careers and perfect families!



5. Lipstick Jungle is written by the same woman who wrote Sex and the City so it has extremely similar themes. If you liked the show Sex and the City or the book, then you are guarenteed to like this one. This book focuses on women who are at the top of their careers but are having romantic troubles. It's funny, racy, and perfect for a rainy day or a day on the beach. It is not an intellectual book by any means and you can finish it in one day. It's not a bad book, just does not have anything of real weight or consequence to it.
   
   It's an entertaining read but you are probably better off just grabbing a copy from your library instead of buying it. I bought my copy but I got it used so it was only a couple dollars.

5 comments about Positive Discipline.

1. There is much to recommend about this book. It explains, for example, why discipline based on punishment and fear doesn't work in the long run. Every parent ultimately must determine their own parenting style, adopting those techniques that work for them. This works for me and is an excellent place for any parent to begin.



2. The most important part is, Nelsen writes from experience. Most of the would-be "authorities" writing about childrearing turn our to have raised only two or three, or maybe four, children of their own. Nelsen raised seven! So if she says spanking is unnecessary, that other techniques do indeed work, I say she has enough experience to know this.
   
   The original edition of this book was written in a format suitable to be used in parent discussion groups -- Nelsen intended for parents interested in her methods to get together, seminar-style, and discuss their successes and failures in using the techniques in this book. There are no quick-fixes here. Raising children takes work and commitment, no way around that. In fact, Nelsen warns parents that when they first switch to her methods, the children's behavior will temporarily get worse before it gets better, as they test the parent's resolve; to succeed at Positive Disciplne, you must be willing to stick it out through this short-term setback, and hold out for the long-term success.



3. The entire concept of positive discipline runs contrary to what most people think of when they hear the word "discipline". I was given the book when I took the workshop. I have a very high-needs 12 year old and parenting him has been very difficult. Nothing we tried seemed to help. Everyone else was focused on consequences for "nad" behavior and praise for "good" behavior. The idea was to get him to behave the way we wanted him to. Something about this never felt quite right to me, but I couldn't figure out a better way.
   This book offers some amazing ideas that I believe children everywhere would greatly benefit from. It explains why "kids these days" don't have the same sense of responsibility and respect that they had in the past. There is a strong focus on letting go of the idea that making a child feel worse will then make them do better. The focus is on solutions and long-term outcome...not punishment and immediate behavior. It is not, however, about "letting them get away with it" (whatever it may be). It explains the difference between praise and encouragement, a difficult but important distinction.
   Not only do I recommend the book, but I recommend the workshop.
   
   Kids don't come with instructions, but every now and then, somebody comes along with ideas that really make sense and work. I believe the concept of positive discipline is one of those ideas.



4. I haven't listened to the cd's yet but have been listening to the podcasts and have several of the books. I look forward to hearing them. I received them in excellent condition.



5. I bought this book along with "Siblings Without Rivalry: How to Help Your Children Live Together So You Can Live Too", by Adele Faber and think they complement each other. Positive Discipline has given me the crucial tools that I have been lacking for years. I've had to struggle to bring my girls up while trying to avoid an overly strict upbringing, but found myself struggling one too many times to try and find good solutions. Now I have the tools and I feel wonderful! We never had big problems (everything is relative) but the problems we were experiencing were unacceptable for our family. We've only had about three months of non stop bickering, but we simply couldn't imagine going through that for years!
   
   One review commented negatively on the author "blaming parents" or something to that effect. I agree with the author. We are responsible for our children. We are supposed to show them effective ways of communicating their feelings. So of course we have to take the responsibility. I could have gone around thinking, "I'm the best parent that I can be, so not much to do there", but what about personal growth? It's a never ending process. I can ALWAYS be better, no matter how good I think I am. So yes, we must take that responsibility and educate ourselves so that we can teach our children to the best of our abilities.
   
   I sincerely believe that the author was just asking parents to take responsibility for their actions and words. Blame is a word which I've learned serves no purpose, however, looking for solutions will achieve positive results and this book teaches you everything you need to know to achieve those positive results!
   
   I've seen a significant difference between all of the relationships in our home and it hasn't even been two weeks yet! This is another wonderful thing about the book. I've found that my relationship with my husband has improved too. "Sore subjects" are now discussed in a way that we just never managed before. I feel free from frustration. I haven't raised my voice since I started reading this book! A good amount of anger and frustration has just vanished! This book, if you read it thoroughly "forces" you to look at your own childhood and deal with left over issues from that time. Just an amazing read - I could write about it all day! :o)

5 comments about She's No Faerie Princess (The Others, Book 2).

1. I loved the first book in the series and Ms. Warren is an great writer, I just a hard time with this one. I struggled to finish it.



2. this book was great! It was funny, the dialogue was witty and the love scenes were hot, lol. Strongly recommend to all!



3. Fiona has the supreme pleasure of being the niece of the current faerie queen; not. Despising court life, she yearns for the freedom afforded her when she sneaks into the human world. Today is one of those days and while her interesting companions, a pixie and an imp, try and talk her out of sneaking away from Court, Fiona doesn't listen and heads towards the human world. Once there she runs into a bit of trouble in the form of a huge, hoof-footed demon intent on causing her immediate demise. Rescue comes in the unlikely form of a werewolf of all things. An attractive, somewhat irritated werewolf that Fiona suddenly desires very much.
   
   Ever since negotiations began six months ago between the Others and humans, Tobias Walker has been patrolling his area of the park without much help. Tired, horny, and just downright disagreeable at times, he yearns for uninterrupted sleep and a nice good session of sex. When he hears a scream in the area he is monitoring, Tobias runs to find the source of the disturbance and comes face to face with an alluring, somewhat alternative looking woman being chased by a demon. Coming to her aid, he is surprised and completely taken aback by what she makes him feel. Now if only he can keep her alive long enough to explore the attraction he has for her.
   
   After reading Wolf at the Door, I was looking forward to She's No Faerie Princess very much and wasn't disappointed in the least. I love how Tobias started out being grumpy and Alpha, and after one encounter with Fiona, his entire life changes for the better, even if at first he doesn't even understand what hit him. I adored Fiona from the first scene of the book and loved her by the end. Not afraid to be herself, even if different, was enlightening to me and I thought her a most worthy heroine as well as the perfect mate to Tobias.
   
   I first discovered Christine Warren's wolves and shape shifters novels at Ellora's Cave and I can't be more proud of the fact that her wonderful tales of mating, Alpha-ness, and just downright sexy shape shifters are now in mass market. I have yet to read a Christine Warren book that I haven't enjoyed and She's No Faerie Princess was plain and simply just a stunningly fun book to read. I can't wait for the next installment!
   
   Talia
   reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed



4. All she wanted was just a vacation! Okay, so vacationing to the human world is banned by Queen Mab but Fiona's never listened well to authority. Especially not when the authority is her aunt! However, a demon isn't supposed to be waiting for her when she arrives. Worse yet, the way back to Faerie is now barred and she's trapped with cranky werewolf Tobias Walker as an escort. Can things get any worse?
   
   I thought WOLF AT THE DOOR was good but SHE'S NO FAERIE PRINCESS simply blows the first book away! The tension between Fiona and Tobias crackles as the snappy retorts fly fast and furious. Fiona is a feisty heroine and she's not going to let one overbearing werewolf get the best of her! Tobias is used to being the top dog, er werewolf that is, next to his Pack's Alpha and he's certainly not going to listen to some Faerie woman. Oh my, the sparks between these two simply sizzle!
   
   I can't believe I took so long to get to this series. SHE'S NO FAERIE PRINCESS has been hovering in my TBR stacks ever since it was first published. I was worried it was going to be another stereotypical Faerie book. Oh boy, was I wrong! The twists and turns keep SHE'S NO FAERIE PRINCESS rolling along with the fast paced plot where nothing ever goes quite the way you'd expect. Superb, absolutely superb!
   
   COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES



5. I wasn't sure I'd like this book because I don't normally read or enjoy stories or books about the Fae. But I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I actually laughed out loud at the parts Squick (and briefly Babbage) had. I do enjoy stories that mix a little humor in them. I'm looking forward to the next in the series.