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This book is a journey through time to celebrate the wild independence of women of all eras. The tale shatters the myth of Helen of Troy, renowned for being so beautiful that she inspired men to war to possess her. It fills in the years before she was able to employ her beauty, creating a real, and vividly human person, rather than the vacuous siren that mythology has painted. Girls of all ages will appreciate the strength and desires of this mythological heroine through this engagingly written story before the story.

While this exceptional book was written for a young audience, as an adult, I found this book to be absolutely engaging! Immersing one in the culture of pre-civil war south, this book transports the reader in a way that helps one to understand the issues surrounding human slavery emotionally, not just intellectually. A GREAT read, especially for a parent and child to read in tandem and then discuss over the summer.

In this latest offering in JD Robb's ...In Death series, the focus is on Eve Dallas' professional life as she battles a murderer with ties to the Urban Wars as well as the fine arts. A more cultured and less romantic offering, the finer points of Eve's relationship with her mentor, partner, and other coworker are examined. For those who appreciate the mystery aspect of the ...In Death series, this will certainly NOT disappoint.

If Wicked left you craving more, then Son of a Witch will sate that thirst. Soaring through the story of Liir, the young man who suspects that he is the son of Elphaba the Wicked Witch of the West, the tale jumps from breeze to breeze until you realize that it's all the same wind. Told in a disjointed style, it very aptly communicates the broken phases of Liir's life and explores how our upbringing affects who we are and how we choose to live. Or how that lack of upbringing can stunt our emotional growth. The entire mystery of Wicked and Son of a Witch is revealed in the last four words, but don't skip the wonderful mystic journey to get there.

The Wizard of Oz was a child's tale, merely the brightly colored surface of a world and the lovable characters who reside there in technicolor. Where the movie took you from the black and white of reality to the color of fantasy, Wicked takes you back to the dark shades of blacks and grays (with a spot of green) of the realities of Oz. Exploring darker issues such as class discrimination, racial inequality, and the ancient question of spiritual purpose, Wicked explores the life of a "bad guy" where we learn that Wickedness is Relative. Good Guys aren't always good and Bad Guys aren't always Bad.

The Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich is definitely a book written for girls by girls. One for the Money is a story about a woman who does what has to be done, despite the well meaning obstructions placed in her path by a childhood "friend", a frightening yet attractive mentor, and her parents and grandmother. The obstacles in her path are a lot more fun than those we face, as well. Armed with wit and perseverance, Stephanie Plum is our generation's Super Girl Hero, the Prettiest Bounty Hunter around.

A half credible tale weaves throughout the south during the turbulent times of racial enlightenment in the 60's. Told from the perspective of the young lady who runs away from a secret in her past, racism, and a neglectful and emotionally abusive father, the story is sometimes very disjointed and confused. As you travel along on the adventure of the young lady and her black "nanny", you will bounce over the issues of racism, womens' rights, religion, and coming of age. At the end of the journey, you will be able to tie all of the pieces together and at least understand the logic that exists in her life, sharing the revelations of maturity, both physical and social, of a young girl in the 60's.

Coben weaves a true suspense thriller in "Promise Me". The main character finds himself an unwilling accomplice in the "kidnapping" of his friend's daughter. Throughout the headlong tumble of events, a challenging internal dialogue proceeds as to the value of personal integrity and a man's duty to fulfill his promises to others. Comparable to a fast paced basketball game, the author fakes to the left, passes around the opposition, fakes to the right, and then slam dunks. Don't give up on the ending too soon, though, or you'll miss the amazing three pointer at the very end that wins the "game".

One for the Money is a wonderfully light story with some heavy overtones that keeps you riveted until the very twisted end. Love is a slick and slippery chasm that the main character, Stephanie Plum, struggles to keep from sliding into. Antagonism and sarcasm lightens a serious story, providing both intellectual stimulation as well as laughs.

Fresh is the best word to describe this book!! Peppered throughout Rev Cymbala's encouragement and advice, you will find stories of the infamous Brooklyn Tabernacle. Such a fascinating battle to claim God's church! His back to the basics approach to refreshing our relationship with God is both logical and spiritual. I never intended to like this book, but it's really revived my soul.

Not one of Patterson's best. The story explores the power of money and the lawlessness of those who have it. While quite suspenseful, the ending was wholly unbelievable. If you are a fan of Patterson, you'll enjoy this as a break from the Cross series.

This book was assigned by my daughter's sixth grade teacher. (Thanks, Mrs. Frhese) I visited class the other day and picked it up to read during "quiet time". Couldn't put it down. Even though it's written for the elementary/junior high audience, the story is compelling, if not a little unbeleivable, but is a fun jaunt in the fantasty life of a child. Has underlying message of racial equality. Buy this for your child and you won't be sorry.

Deep in the Cross series, you'll find yourself caught up in yet another murder mystery. Predictable at times, this mystery offers up a surprise ending--no ending at all. Be prepared to read the next book in the series if you're going to tackle this one.

This is an unusual book that defies definition. Faith is a definite plus for understanding the story. but it's not really necessary. This is the story of a young man who impetuously takes justice into his own hands and then attempts to evade the consequences of his actions by running away. The rest of his family embarks on an adventure to try to find him and, in the process, finds more than they bargain for. I think that on a deeper level, this is a coming of age story about a young man defining his own faith. This is a fantastic read for anyone who prefers a complex tale.

The first of the Alex Cross novels, this book has spun a worthy opponent and realistic hero into a complicated web of intrigue, serial murder, and psychological battle. The hunt involves many twists and turns that are both unpredictable and seemingly unexplainable (until the end). The protagonist and his adversary are very evenly matched intellectually, providing an engaging battle for readers to enjoy vicariously. Great read. Action, adventure, mystery, minimal romance.