Product Description
Best known for his role as Captain Sheridan on "Babylon 5," Bruce Boxleitner has created a brand new science fiction legend featuring a stranger-an alien from another world-in a strange land: the American West of the late 1800s. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

Western science fiction - an interesting blend
I picked this one up because it's no secret that Bruce Boxleitner is a fan and reader of science fiction and a history buff. I thought it would be interesting to see how he managed to combine the two in this tale purporting to be first contact with aliens in 1881 in the Old West

The protagonist is Monitor Macklin, a human being from stock that came originally from Earth, and sent to Earth to keep us safe from the predator aliens. There's a couple problems, though: the predator Kra'augh are already here, getting ready to move in, strip-mine the planet and enjoy hunting the Food -- us. And Macklin's ship crash-landed and he's lost a chunk of his memory. His AI implant is working hard to feed him data, but his head injury is making it hard to get through. To make it more interesting, Macklin arrives in Tombstone shortly before the OK Corral shootout (and if you don't know what this is, go watch Tombstone).

The story focuses on Macklin trying to figure out why he's here and who he is and why he knows what horses and saddles are, but has obviously never ridden. Meanwwhile, Monitor Doreen, Macklin's partner and lover, who did land safely (they were both dodging the predator ships when they landed), is busy looking for him. Concurrent with that, two predator scouts are on the move, killing some Food (and pleased with the sport can give) and trying to find the Monitors so they can't send for help.

It's competently written, if a little clumsy sometimes. Nothing fancy in the structure, just the linear storyline ad a few memory flashes of the past from Macklin. I'd guess that Boxleitner is a man with a story to tell, and has chosen to tell it more like a western than sf. I think the humorous side of the Monitors and aliens (who can take on the appearance of Food they have absorbed, but still smell and act strange) trying to fit into the "wild west," is not a well-developed as it could be. It's the beginning of a series. Not all the questions get answered, not all the problems solved. I am, however, interested enough to read the next one.

Well Done
This is not a hard sci-fi bok. It tells an easy story to follow that blends in a little history.

A good effort
This book, as far as I know the first from Boxleitner, was a fine Sci-Fi/Western story.The plot, while not entirely original, was well-crafted, and the characters fleshed out really well.
Looking forward to the ongoing adventures of Macklin

Frontier earth
A really good concept for a Sci Fi book. I always enjoy when the sci fi plot is wrapped in with a real historic event. I only had 2 complaints about this book, 1. was Mr. Boxleitner's take on Tombstone and the gunfight and 2. the seemingly unavoidable political correctness which has to be in every book these days to reach the "mass". If you erase all 21st century references, this a a 4 star book. With them it gets 3.

frontier earth
Excellent, combines SF with western folklore. I would highly recommend it. ... Read more

Product Description
"Babylon 5"'s Captain Sheridan, Bruce Boxleitner, has crafted his own science fiction legend in this terrific new series. The enigmatic gunman known as Macklin continues his quest across the 19th-century American West to fulfill his purpose on Earth: preventing the invasion of a sinister predatory race of aliens. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Well Done
An easy read. Very elementary story line. Looking forward to the next book. I can't wait until his hottie girlfriend returns !

SEARCHER, a hint of Good things to come from Mr. Boxleitner
In Bruce Boxleitner's "Frontier Earth: Searcher", the story picks ups shortly after the end of the "Frontier Earth", the first book in this series.I write series, because it is my hope that this is a long running series. I found the first book Frontier Earth, and now the sequel Searcher to be very entertaining and well-written books.Strong character development and historical research combined with an "Alien" influence add a unique twist to events in the desert southwest of the late 1800s. My order arrived on a Friday afternoon, and I was finished with the book bySaturday evening.It's one of those books that you just don't want to put down until you are finished. I look forward to the next installment.(Mr. Boxleitner, please give us more!) ... Read more

Product Description
Chapters: Madman Muntz, Barlowgirl, Steve Rauschenberger, Peter Fitzgerald, Lloyd Hall, Paul Flory, Bruce Boxleitner, John Qualen, James G. Roche, Nina Burleigh, Peter B. Gillis, Tom Shales, Bill Holden, Dan Andriano, Howard Lincoln Hodgkins, Earl Britton, Chelsea Brummet, John Platt, Trygve Rovelstad, Dan Sheldon, E. C. Alft, Lou North, Douglas J. Mink, Hunkey Hines, Max Adler, Jane Peterson, Lawrence B. Hamlin, John Austen Hamlin, Lysander Hamlin. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 115. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: Earl William "Madman" Muntz (January 3, 1914 June 21, 1987) was an American businessman and engineer who sold and promoted cars and consumer electronics in the United States from the 1930s until his death in 1987. He was a pioneer in television commercials with his oddball "Madman" persona an alter ego who generated publicity with his unusual costumes, stunts, and outrageous claims. Muntz also pioneered car stereos by creating the Muntz Stereo-Pak, better known as the 4-track cartridge, a predecessor to the 8-track cartridge developed by Lear Industries. He invented the practice that came to be known as Muntzing, which involved simplifying otherwise complicated electronic devices. Muntz produced and marketed the first black-and-white television receivers to sell for less than $100, and created one of the earliest functional widescreen projection TVs. He was credited with coining the abbreviation "TV" for television, although the term had earlier been in use in call letters for stations such as WCBS-TV. A high school dropout, Muntz made fortunes by selling automobiles, TV receivers, and car stereos and tapes. A 1968 Los Angeles Times article noted that in one year he sold $72 million worth of cars, that five years later he sold $55 million worth of TV receivers, and t...More: http://booksllc.net/?id=553588 ... Read more

Product Description
This digital document, covering the life and work of Bruce Boxleitner, is an entry from Contemporary Authors, a reference volume published by Thompson Gale. The length of the entry is 1039 words. The page length listed above is based on a typical 300-word page. Although the exact content of each entry from this volume can vary, typical entries include the following information:

• Place and date of birth and death (if deceased)
• Family members
• Education
• Professional associations and honors
• Employment
• Writings, including books and periodicals
• A description of the author's work
• References to further readings about the author

Product Description
A trend-setting hardback, Buckskin Brigades is sure to be an instant hit with hundreds of thousands of L. Ron Hubbard fans. " . . . it's set on the northern frontier shortly after the Lewis and Clark expedition and tells of Indian lovers who are swept into a war between rival British and American fur traders."--Waldenbooks. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Heavy Handed
The main point of this book, as I see it, is to illustrate the supreme goodness of the Native Americans of the 18th and 19th century, while depicting the vile loathsomeness of the white European encroachers. Thispoint is made with every character and scene description in the book. WhileI enjoyed learning the author's opinions, eventually I felt pummeled by therepeated blows. This is the first book I have given up reading aftercompleting 85% of the story. I just couldn't take it anymore.

A good piece of work from an experienced story teller!
I think the thing that grabbed me was the realism.You definitely get the feeling that the author had been there, understood Indians and their culture.I have compared it to anthropological BLACK ELK SPEAKS and the classic historical novel THE DELIGHT MAKERS and it's feel for authenticity is on par.Add to that the sheer story-teller talent of the author and it is well worth reading. That it was written long before our "civilization" was aware of the Amerindian culture and its depth is quite amazing.

Overrated but readable
I'm a bit puzzled by all the positive reviews of Buckskin Brigades. Did we all read the same book? This is definitely not top notch fiction. Yellow Hair is a white man raised by Blackfeet, who eventually encounters "his own kind," with fireworks resulting. There isn't much plot to speak of, the action isn't gripping, and as usual for Hubbard the characters are pretty shallow. I do remember enjoying it somewhat, but for a relatively short book (c. 300 pages) it sure does drag on. Almost the only part worth recommending is that it's sort of an "anti-Western," in that the whites are depicted as the bad guys. Pretty unusual for the mid-30s, and a refreshing perspective even now. Other than that, this book isn't terrible, but IMO it's not worth more than a library browse.

The West portrayed as you always knew it really was like!
I consider this western to be among the best I have ever read.It not only is a great tale, but it is told with incredible accuracy.One really gets the feeling you are really there!This magnificent novel by L.Ron Hubbard portrays the West as you always knew it was like, not like some colorful Saturday morning cliche' western. This novel captures your heart with its sincere 'realness' and wraps you up in the struggle and plight of a forgotten people.I wanted to grab my rifle and join them on the plains.I loved it!What a great story!Hubbard really nails this one!

The true story of the old west
I am not usually a fan of "westerns," but this book is definitely an exception.It opens with an incident which actually happened to Lewis & Carrol, written from the explorers' viewpoint thenit relates the same incident from the viewpoint of the Blackfeet Indians.The effect is startling: suddenly the roles of "civilized" white men and "savage" indians are completely reversed and the book continues from there.The story itself is a page turner but the added realism of what the lives and cultures of the European settlers and the Native Americans were really like is fascinating.I highly recommend it ... Read more

Product Description
Two former high school sweethearts are reunited in their small hometown--a reunion that could be their last chance to find happiness. 2 cassettes. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (16)

4.5 stars - needed an epilogue
This was my 2nd Spencer novel, Home Song was my 1st, so I only have the one story to compare this to.I liked this book and I liked how the story flowed.The only thing that I didn't like was the ending.The book just...ended.I wish there would have been an epilogue, but other than that it was a good read.

A nice story of second chances and redemption
The old saying that love will find a way is the thread of this interesting story of two young people who were unfairly manipulated by their parents for all the wrong reasons when they were teenagers. LaVyrle Spencer's gift for developing realistic characters and coloring them with realistic feelings is present throughout the novel. Many of the main players here are tested by their capacity to forgive past hurts and resentments and the author gets the most out of the supporting characters who are believable with honest human emotions. Rachel and Tommy Lee struggle with the strong undercurrent of their feelings for each other but it is Rachel who wonders if the risks are worth the reward of the love they experienced many years ago.

Needed an epiloge....
I was very disapointed that there was no final epiloge to tie up some of the loose ends......(Spoilers!)...

Does Rachel get pregnant?She is certainly not too old and I would love to know if she and Tommy Lee were ever able to share this experience..

Did they ever try to find the other "Beth"?What a great ending to have them be able to at least meet her and explain why she had been givenup for adoption.

Did Tommy Lee ever quit smoking?My God, he to to have tasted like an ashtray, and she had already lost one husband to cancer. She needed to insist he give up the the cigarettes NOW!

Did any of the parents ever apologize to their children for what they had done?

Would have given this one 4 stars if these issued had been addressed.(Plus they lived in Alabama but didn't have a southern accent!?!)

The Hellion is worth a Billion
This is one of my two favorite Lavryle stories, Twice Loved being the other. I like a guy who still loves his woman through thick and thin, 4 ex-wives, ship wrecks and what have you and will do whatever it takes to win her love back.

Lovely!
Hallelujah!This time my TBR shelf produced a real winner - LaVyrle Spencer's THE HELLION. A touching story about lost love and wasted years. THE HELLION is simply beautiful!

As children, Rachel Talmadge and Tommy Lee Gentry were best friends; as teenagers, Rachel and Tommy Lee were lovers; and by seventeen, Rachel and Tommy Lee were parents.Teenage parents who, regrettably, gave away their child.A tough decision forced by well-meaning parents. Unfortunately, along with their child, Rachel and Tommy Lee also lost each other!

Time slipped away. Rachel Talmadge married another man and Tommy Lee Gentry lived life on the edge.He married other women, fathered more children, and drank! Now, twenty-four years later, Tommy Lee is divorced and Rachel is a childless widow and again destiny steps in. The ill-fated couple receive a second-chance, but can they control the golden moment?

LaVryle Spencer took the "Second-chance Topic" by the horns and ran with it!Oh how, the author moved me with this sensitive love story. Outstandingly, Ms. Spencer applied tenderness, longing, and gentle humor. And as I turned the last page, I felt fate had truly granted the characters that rare second chance!Rachel and Tommy Lee would finally have a wonderful life . . . together! And LaVryle Spencer - well she wrote a gem! So why not the perfect A+ (10)?Because throughout the story, one nagging question loomed - why didn't Rachel and Tommy Lee contact each other during their college years? A nagging question . . . but minor and it will certainly not influence my final decision . . . from TBR shelf . . . straight to Keeper shelf!
Grade: A

MaryGrace Meloche. ... Read more

Product Description

It's not Carmen Colson and her ironworker husband Wayne's fault that they were in the real estate office when a pair of thugs walked in with extortion on their minds. But as far as aging Ojibway Indian hit man Armand Degas is concerned the Colsons are going to have to pay dearly for seeing too much . . . and for the damage Wayne inflicted on Armand and his sicko partner Richie Nix with a tire iron. The cops here in middle-of-nowhere Michigan can't help Carmen and Wayne out, and the best the Feds can offer is the Witness Protection Program. So ultimately it's going to have to come down to one wife, one husband, two killers . . . and one lethal shot.

Customer Reviews (35)

One of Leonard's best
Let me say right up front, I am an Elmore Leonard freak.He is just an amazing writer whose books have inspired me for years, and KILLSHOT is one of my favorites.It has his usual delicious villains and sneaky plotting, but what I particularly like about this book is that the heroes are a married couple.Usually his hero is a man on his own who meets a woman in the course of the narrative and falls into lust which eventually becomes love or something like it.His portrayal of a marriage under duress takes him into new emotional territory and it's worth the trip.And, of course, no one does dialogue like Leonard--spare but so revealing.This is probably why so many of his books have become films.(Side note: Killshot the movie was awful, one of the worst Leonard adaptations I've seen.Heartbreaking how they could have screwed up such choice material.)If you've never read an Elmore Leonard novel, KILLSHOT is a great place to start.

Not very exciting
When I bought this book I was under the impression it was going to be action packed.It was slow and boring to read.I contemplated stop reading this halfway through but pushed on waiting for a good ending that never came.Don't waste your money.

The BEST Cat and Mouse Story I've Ever Listened To....
When a couple unwittingly witnesses a crime, their lives get turned upside down.A hitman that was seen by the wife is now out to "tie up" loose ends and they must defend themselves.Ryder Strong, the narrator, with his low and menacing voice really brings the characters, especially Arman the hitman, to life.He keeps the listener in suspense, hungry for the next part of the plot to unfold.

Leonard Blasts Away With This Winner
This is my favorite Elmore Leonard book.It is a real page-turner and he picks up nuances of characterization while also melding the comic and tragic in human action - - both the despicable and the admirable.

Wayne and Carmen are true salt of the the earth people.They have great sensitivity and are strongly centered and grounded.Ricky and Armond are sociopathic nightmare-comics.Donna (with her 'Elvis is Alive' and her loving to have sex with convicts) is a lonely, pathetic woman.

The author juxtaposes solid human values with emptiness.All of this revolves around a good adventure thriller and crime novel.

My introduction to Elmore Leonard
Killshot is the first Elmore Leonard novel I read and it made me a fan of his within the first two pages. Great story with well-developed and engaging characters. He is a true master of fiction and I'm anxious to see the movie when it comes out. ... Read more

Product Description
When a race-fixing scandal gets him barred from the track, a premier jockey loses his job and his girlfriend. 2 cassettes. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

a great mystery!!
I had been looking for a good mystery and I found it.This book was very well written and it centers around horse racing much better than Dick Francis' books do.I love racing and mysteries.Shoemaker knows exactlywhat he's taking about and makes you feel like you're really there. OverallI loved it. ... Read more

Product Description
An unforgettable American story, Dances With Wolves was an international bestseller that has be-come a modern classic. The 1990 film adaptation won seven Academy Awards. In The Holy Road, master storyteller Michael Blake at long last continues the saga.

Eleven years have passed since Lieutenant John Dunbar became the Comanche warrior Dances With Wolves and married Stands With A Fist, a white-born woman raised as a Comanche from early childhood. With their three children, they live peacefully in the village of Ten Bears. But there is unease in the air, caused by increased reports of violent confrontations with white soldiers, who want to drive the Comanches onto reservations–a movement symbolized by the railroad, the white man’s holy road. Disquiet turns to horror, and then to rage, when a band of white rangers descends on Ten Bears’ village, slaughtering half its inhabitants and abducting Stands With A Fist and her infant daughter. The three surviving great warriors–Wind In His Hair, Kicking Bird, and Dances With Wolves –decide they must go to war with the white inva-ders. At the same time, Dances With Wolves realizes that only he can move unnoticed among the white men to rescue his wife and child.

Told with the same sweep, insight, and majesty that have made Dances With Wolves a worldwide phenomenon, The Holy Road is an epic story of courage and honor.


From the Trade Paperback edition. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (18)

No Happy Ending Here
I think it would be challenging to write a sequel to a novel that was made into such a popular movie. I, like others, was a fan of the movie, and though it took me awhile, I picked up this book because of the movie.

Unlike Dances with Wolves, there is no 'main character' in this book. That is both a plus and a minus.

On the plus side, it allows Blake to share several very distinct points of view (from staunch resistance to resigned acquiescence) - which is probably a very accurate depiction of the internal struggles of the Native Americans (considering the history in play here). I was impressed by Blake's ability to do this.

On the minus side, it is difficult to empathize with any one character when you're jumping from one head to another every chapter. For me, the minus over-rode the plus - in the first story I cheered for Dances with Wolves as I got to know him and his deep struggles. Although I could feel respect toward the various characters in this novel, that strong bond between reader and character did not have a chance to form.

Waste of Time!
I loved reading Dances with Wolves, but Holy Road is a sore disappointment!I can't believe it's written by the same author.Blake spends chapters describing hallucinations and slaughter houses, but only a page on the death of the hero and other main characters.Way too many characters and way too disjointed.Holy Road lacks a cohesive story.I only read it because I enjoyed the original so much.If I hadn't read Dances with Wolves first, I would have put Holy Road down after the first forty pages.My opinion...watch the epic movie and leave it at that.

A Non-Historical Novel
Although I could find no verifiable historical facts within the writing, it is a good read and has a good plot. It is PROBABLY typical of the events that could have happened during the time frame exhibited. I recommend the Novel for an enjoyable reading.

fred shannon

The Holy Road
To much history mixed with fiction. Blake uses historical events and persons to write a mostly fictional book. Not enjoyabel fora historical interested person.

May the People and the buffalo rise again
I really enjoyed this book. No, I really, REALLY enjoyed this book. The characters are so knowable, mournable, unforgettable. The stark closure of the story fits perfectly, to my taste, with the last condition of the Commanche, and was no doubt intended that way. As for Michael Blake, a great success is never without critics. I am not one of them.

I look forward to the celluloid version of this book. When this movie is made with the same vision and startling delivery as its predecessor, it will no doubt be a great film.

Since I was a young man, I have felt keenly and helplessly the loss of native languages, cultures, and civilizations on the American continents. May the People and the buffalo rise again. ... Read more

Product Description
FORSYTH, THE MASTER STORYTELLER, PRESENTS FIVE BRILLIANTLY INGENIOUS TALES OF MURDER, JUSTICE, INTRIGUE AND REVENGEA miracle in war-torn Siena that begins with the persecution of a young nun in the turbulent days of the sixteenth century and culminates in the bitter German retreat from Italy; a drug-smuggling heist on an international flight where the knock are only one step ahead of the smugglers; a ruthless urban murder, where a brilliant QC decides to defend the killers, resulting in a startling act of justice; an incandescent art scam at a famous London auction house, and a brilliantly plotted revenge that shatters the elegant world of Old Masters - each story is a remarkable tour de force.And above all here is a brilliant novella, 'Whispering Wind', which begins with the single survivor of Custer's Last Stand at the battle of Little Big Horn. It follows the defense from rape and murder of a Cheyenne girl and a flight across the mountains and forests of the West, ending in a savage present-day manhunt in the wild lands of Montana.Whether his theme is international espionage, miraculous events in war-torn Italy or a Customs drug bust, these stories all share Forsyth's trademark for compulsive storytelling, his clinical eye for authentic detail and an unnerving sense of suspense. Not since his New York Times bestselling story collection No Comebacks has he crafted such remarkable work.FIVE BREATHTAKING TALES FROM THE GREATEST STORYTELLER OF THEM ALL. AUTHORBIO: Frederick Forsyth is the author of ten bestselling novels.He lives in Hertfordshire, England.Amazon.com Review
Penzler Pick, September 2001: Frederick Forsyth is known as the bestselling author of classic thrillers such as The Day of the Jackal and The Odessa File, among others. He is far less known as one of our premier short story writers (even though he won an Edgar for "There Are No Snakes in Ireland"), so it is a pleasure to have a new book from this superb storyteller.

"The Veteran" tells the story of an incident in one of the seedier parts of London. A Ugandan shopkeeper witnesses the mugging of a middle-aged man by two thugs. The shopkeeper has a perfect view of the crime so, when the man dies of his injuries, it would appear that the two thugs, now up on a murder charge, will be convicted. But justice does not always come easily, and it comes in many guises.

"The Art of the Matter" recounts an ingenious and deliciously satisfying art scam. The twists and turns are breathlessly entertaining and just when you think it's over, there's one more way for the bad guys to get their comeuppance. "The Miracle" tells the story of an American couple in Siena on their way to a festival. They are stopped when a stranger tells them the story of the courtyard in which they stand. Some very wonderful things happened right there during the Second World War. Will the couple get to the festival? Will they care?

"The Citizen" is a heart-stopping suspense story set on board a flight from Bangkok to London. We get to know the flight crew and some of the passengers very well, and they are not all who they might appear to be. And "Whispering Wind," the longest story in the book, is a very ambitious piece about the Battle of Little Big Horn and what came later for several of the participants.

Each of the stories in this volume is Forsyth in top form. The writing exceeds expectations, the stories are never less than compelling, and the suspense in each of them is nonstop. --Otto Penzler ... Read more

Customer Reviews (45)

The last story was terrible

First time i 've read the author with short stories. 3 Stars and well spaced out interms of believablity and holding one's interest.
An exception is the last storyin the book. Hard to believe an writer of Forsyth ability could pen such drivel.
Over the top to say the least. Not close to his quality.If i didn't know better i would suspect he borrowed it from some 5 th grader.
TThrasher

An entertaining and well written collection of short stories
When I came across this collection of short stories, I was aware of Fredrick Forsyth and some of his most famous books, including The Day of the Jackal, but I had never actually read any of his work.I decided to pick up The Veteran thinking if I don't like the first story, I won't bother reading the rest.It did not take very long for me to be drawn into Forsyth's web of suspense, intrigue and twisted view of justice.Needless to say, I ended up reading and enjoying every story in the collection.

Besides each tale being well crafted, engaging, and and entertaining, I enjoyed the unlikely and often unpredictable plot surprises thrown at the reader in the last few lines of each selection.I also appreciated the variety of the stories and unmistakable amount of research that Forsyth must have done to make each piece believable and accurate.

Reading this book has also made me eager and excited to read more of Forsyth's other offerings. If you enjoy stories with interesting characters, international flavor, and a sense of surprise at the end, this may be the book you've been looking for.

Samples from a master
These five stories, ranging from weak to strong, are nevertheless the unmistakable craft of a master storyteller. The words flow from the page as if spoken aloud in a quiet firelit room by someone accustomed to entertaining a rapt audience.

Forsyth, like a distinct cuisine, should be sampled, and this collection is the perfect opportunity to do so. Not all the stories will be appealing, but they are all masterful.

Dusted-off odd bits
The only relevant thing you really need to know about THE VETERAN, especially if you buy it, as I did, thinking it a single story, is that it's a compendium of five shorts. The fifth chapter, "Whispering Wind", is perhaps a novelette as it comprises roughly 40% of the 344-page volume.

Two of the stories were previously published, which suggests that Frederick Forsyth's publisher asked him to scour his odds bin for material to flesh out a profitable new release. Or perhaps the author just needed something to forestall the demands of his publisher made cranky by a delay in the contractual delivery of a feature-length novel. Or maybe Forsyth just needed an infusion of funds to refurbish his home's loo.

All five tales revolve around a veteran of some profession or another: "The Veteran" (British Para trooper), "The Art of the Matter" (bit-part actor), "The Miracle" (WWII Wehrmacht medical officer), "The Citizen" (British drug enforcement cop), "Whispering Wind" (19th century U.S. Seventh Cavalry scout).

All stories were above average in their ability to engage and retain my interest even so far as to attract my attention between snaps during yesterday's USC-Notre Dame football contest. (USC 38, Irish 3. Fight on!) All five had a plot twist, and the author's attention to detail gave added value. In particular for those with no prior knowledge of Custer's Last Stand in 1876 in the present state of Montana, Forsyth's summary of the U.S. Army's greatest defeat at the hands of the native tribes provides a very nice introductory overview.

The first four stories take place in more or less the present and, unlike the fifth and last, completely exclude any paranormality. This sudden change in direction may be slightly disconcerting, much like finding an otherworldly Sci-Fi plot rounding out a collection of sagebrush Western shoot-'em-ups.

THE VETERAN is the perfect accompaniment for that flight home for the holidays or the wait through the wash and spin cycles at the launderette.

The Veteran

The Veteran by Frederick Forsyth is by far my favorite author and I may be therefore biased. However, this is a collection of short stories which are captivating as well as extraordinary. The reader will be pleasantly pleased with each delivers. I highly recommend this book as well as all his books. T.Ware ... Read more

Product Description
A 36-year-old single mother recovering from a wrecked marriage jogs along the shores of Cape Cod and finds a half-buried bottle containing a love letter. Upon reading the touching heartfelt words a man wrote to his "darling Catherine" only three weeks earlier, she decides to take a dramatic leap that will change her life forever. As she boards a plane for an unspecified destination, her future is uncertain, yet brims with the promise of wisdom gained from a voyage of self-discovery, and the possibility of finding the deepest kind of love.Amazon.com Review
If you thought The Notebook was atearjerker, get out the hankies, pull up a chair, and get ready tohave your heart monkey-wrenched by Nicholas Sparks's second star-crossed love story, Message in a Bottle. When Theresa Osbornetakes a much-needed summer holiday at Cape Cod, she finds a lot morethan a break from the hustle and bustle. On an early-morning jog alongCape Cod Bay, she comes across a corked bottle with a scrolled-upmessage inside that reads, "My Dearest Catherine, I miss you, mydarling, as I always do, but today is especially hard because theocean has been singing to me, and the song is that of our lifetogether..." It bobbles around in the same vein for several moreparagraphs and ends with "...am alone on the pier and I do notcare what others think as I bow my head and cry and cry andcry. Garret."

Garret may eat quiche, but no bother--beforeyou can say "Look!I found two more letters!" Theresa ishot on his trail and determined to find this mysterious yet sensitivemessage-in-a-bottle man. She finds him at a sleepy North Carolinaport, working on his beloved sailboat, The Happenstance.Fromthere, a romance buds and blossoms into a colorful bouquet ofemotional baggage. Theresa has problems with her past--or, moreaccurately, her past is a problem. She is so scarred from her"I'm a super churchgoing guy now that I've run out on mywife" ex-husband that she hasn't tried to date since her divorcesome three or four years before. And who is Catherine? And what'sGarret's bag, anyway? When Theresa finds out, she plunges to thedepths of her soul and uncorks a whopper of a secret about herself,bringing Garret to terms with who he really is.

Message in aBottle has the earmarks of sentimental tongue-wagging at itsfinest and should please romantics and cynics alike--it's sure tobring romantics to their knees, while cynics will be slapping theirsin laughter. --Rebekah Warren ... Read more

Customer Reviews (915)

nicholas sparks novels
love, love, love his books.haven't read one yet that i could actually put down.

Grab the Kleenex...
While not quite on par with The Notebook, Sparks delights us with an intricately wound love story that will move you to tears throughout.

disappointed
I have enjoyed Mr. Sparks books until the end of this one.Great story up to the conclusion. This is only the second book I have ever thrown away in hopes that I can save someone else the disappointment this story brings.

Message in a Bottle.....
Wonderful Novel. It's going to be a favorite of mine for a long time to come.
Enjoy!

If you find this bottle, throw it back in the ocean!!!
This is the story: Divorcee Theresa, 36, writes a column about childrearing and dotes on her 12 year old son. One day she is jogging and ruminating vainly over her decent but aging appearance when up from the shore washes a bottle full of the most sentimental tripe imaginable. The message is from an amorous Garret to a dear lost Katherine. It is "so beautiful" that Theresa and her friend cry and cry. Theresa, so touched that a man could love a woman with such unabashed sentimentallity and wanting very much to believe in a monogamous universe full of lovestruck men, covets the letter writer for her own and starts to look for him. Later,they fall in love and then it doesn't work out so they send one final message in the bottle to each other, etc. But their parting is a thank you to each other, i.e."cool breeze on my cheek will always be your spirit.."
Now I am normally a mild mannered librarian, but I found myself fervently hoping that the main character would die and this would turn into a murder mystery.I kept thinking, "is he serious?" I don't think he is, for this is one hilariously maudlin book.
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Product Description
MARCH 1996 ISSUE OF SCI-FI UNIVERSE MAGAZINE. THE COVER FEATURES BRUCE BOXLEITNER OF BABYLON 5. OTHER ARTICLES FEATURE STAR TREK VOYAGER, JOHN TRAVOLTA, FOREVER KNIGHT, PATRICK STEWART, AND MORE. ... Read more