For a Few Demons More (Rachel Morgan, Book 5)

Amazon.com

With her action-packed Hollows series, featuring former bounty hunter--and mistress of the dark arts--Rachel Morgan, Kim Harrison has become one of the hottest authors in the incredibly popular genre of sexy supernaturalism. In her latest Hollows tale, For a Few Dollars More, Rachel unleashes all kinds of undead fury on the greater Cincinnati area when she tries to track down a serial killer. To catch up on the Hollows series so far, and to see the music that has inspired the stories, see below.

Follow the Hollows

Dead Witch Walking (Book 1)
The Good, the Bad, and the Undead (Book 2)
Every Which Way but Dead (Book 3)
A Fistful of Charms (Book 4)

Music Is the Muse

For Kim Harrison, music inspires her stories, and especially her characters. In her exclusive Music Is the Muse list for us, she reveals some favorite records that have provided the source, and the soul, for Rachel, Ivy, Trent, and more of her passionate and powerful characters. Among her muses:

Bleed Like Me, Garbage
With Teeth, Nine Inch Nails
Fallen, Evanescence

Book Description

Despite dating one vampire and living with another, Rachel Morgan has always managed to stay just ahead of trouble . . . until now.

A fiendish serial killer stalks the Hollows, claiming victims across society, and the resulting terror ignites a vicious Inderland gang war. And while the ancient artifact Rachel is hiding may be the key to stopping the murderer, revealing it could also create a battle to the death among the numerous supernatural races that live in and around Cincinnati.

For every action has its price, and when the vampire master Piscary is set free and the demonic Algaliarept dares to walk openly under the sun, even Rachel Morgan can't hide forever.

Customer Reviews:

go kim .......2007-10-18

I loved the new book except for one of the characters that did not make it. I would have loved to see this person in a couple of more books. I won't tell you who it is in case you have not read it yet. But I love this series.

Fantastic!.......2007-10-02

I love this series immensely. The characters are believable and fun. Kim Harrison knows how to write a story. I've love all of her previous books and this one is no different. The plot is intense. It's the kind of book you can't put down. I love how Rachel is portrayed. I look foward to the next ones!

OMGOSH! Amazing!.......2007-09-17

Everytime I think a book cant get any better i get shocked and this book was awesome!! I love Rachel although im a HUGE fan of IVEY! she rocks. I love how this book plays out i think its the best in the series so far!

She is getting better and better.......2007-09-17

Ms Harrison is getting better with each installation. Can't wait for her next book!. The addition of a "few more demons" was brilliant and diversified the storyline nicely.

For a Few Demons More.......2007-09-05

This entire series rocks!!! Pick them up and you can't put them down. The cast of characters are memorable and believable. I had given up on urban fantasy, Laurel K Hamilton will do that to you. (that's called fair warning folks)

However Kim Harrison saved the day. I have all the Rachel Morgan books and have my calender marked as to when I can get the next one coming out. The plots MOVE.. and in unexpected ways at times. While relationships are there, Ms. Harrison doesn't let it become the whole story (thank the goddess for that!)

This books are a must read for all urban fantasy fans!!

Odd Girl Out: The Hidden Culture of Aggression in Girls

Average customer rating:

On the upside...
Good to get it out there
Odd Girl Out---the book
Interesting interviews, but feels repetitive and incomplete.
Now I understand why some girls are suddenly so mean!

Odd Girl Out: The Hidden Culture of Aggression in Girls
Rachel Simmons
Manufacturer: Harvest Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0156027348

Amazon.com

There is little sugar but lots of spice in journalist Rachel Simmons's brave and brilliant book that skewers the stereotype of girls as the kinder, gentler gender. Odd Girl Out begins with the premise that girls are socialized to be sweet with a double bind: they must value friendships; but they must not express the anger that might destroy them. Lacking cultural permission to acknowledge conflict, girls develop what Simmons calls "a hidden culture of silent and indirect aggression."

The author, who visited 30 schools and talked to 300 girls, catalogues chilling and heartbreaking acts of aggression, including the silent treatment, note-passing, glaring, gossiping, ganging up, fashion police, and being nice in private/mean in public. She decodes the vocabulary of these sneak attacks, explaining, for example, three ways to parse the meaning of "I'm fat."

Simmons is a gifted writer who is skilled at describing destructive patterns and prescribing clear-cut strategies for parents, teachers, and girls to resist them. "The heart of resistance is truth telling," advises Simmons. She guides readers to nurture emotional honesty in girls and to discover a language for public discussions of bullying. She offers innovative ideas for changing the dynamics of the classroom, sample dialogues for talking to daughters, and exercises for girls and their friends to explore and resolve messy feelings and conflicts head-on.

One intriguing chapter contrasts truth telling in white middle class, African-American, Latino, and working-class communities. Odd Girl Out is that rare book with the power to touch individual lives and transform the culture that constrains girls--and boys--from speaking the truth. --Barbara Mackoff

Book Description

Dirty looks and taunting notes are just a few examples of girl bullying that girls and women have long suffered through silently and painfully. With this book Rachel Simmons elevated the nation's consciousness and has shown millions of girls, parents, counselors, and teachers how to deal with this devastating problem. Poised to reach a wider audience in paperback, including the teenagers who are its subject, Odd Girl Out puts the spotlight on this issue, using real-life examples from both the perspective of the victim and of the bully.

Customer Reviews:

On the upside..........2007-06-09

What an incredible walk through our nation's schools--though only eye-opening because I didn't realize how prevalent my own experiences were among others. How sad that girlhood aggression has been labeled a "culture". On the upside, that ought to give it the attention that such destructive behavior is due. I know, I know, it's been said before: EVERY girl and her mother needs to read this.

Good to get it out there.......2007-05-02

I think the value in this book is its ablility to open up discussions about this subject. For generations, nothing has been said about it. Parents, teachers, school administrators, nobody wanted to talk about it. Without that discussion, nothing will ever change.

Odd Girl Out is beautifully written, sometimes heart-breaking, often maddening. I would have liked to have seen the author offer more solutions to the problem, but overall, I think it is a very valuable book and would recommend it to anyone with daughters.

Odd Girl Out---the book.......2007-04-15

Great book, very easy to read. Parents and girls should read this.

Interesting interviews, but feels repetitive and incomplete........2007-04-10

In Rachel Simmons' book, "Odd Girl Out: The Hidden Culture of Aggression in Girls," she introduces us to three hundred girls from thirty schools across the country. Blasting the stereotype that girls are the kinder, gentler sex, Simmons' premise is that girls are taught to "be nice" and to "make friends," and, as a result, are unable to express anger that might destroy the façade of friendship. Because our culture does not grant girls "permission" to confront conflict directly, Simmons asserts, there exists a "hidden culture of silent and indirect aggression" consisting of "backbiting, exclusion, rumors, name-calling, and manipulation to inflict psychological pain on targeted victims." Simmons remembers how she felt when a third grader named Abby told the other girls not to play with her; she remembers her own responsibility in giving another girl the silent treatment. It is from that base of personal experience that Simmons conducted her interviews.

The book consists of Simmons interviews...many, many interviews. Over time, the interviews begin to seem mind-numbingly similar. Natalie's story, Lisa's story, Molly's story, Dina's story...each story becomes repetitive. At one point, I set the book aside for a week and found that I had lost my place. I attempted to find the exact page where I had stopped reading, but I found that it was impossible to do so. Since none of the stories stood out distinctly in my mind, I gave up my search for the "right" page; I picked a random early chapter that I knew I must have read already and resumed my reading.

I enjoyed reading the book, even given its repetitiveness problems, and with a lifetime of experience being the "odd girl out," I found it somewhat cathartic to read stories of young women who had experienced similar trauma. Simmons does some things well. Her explanation of the devastating impact of girls' aggression is compelling, and she does an excellent job of describing the dynamics of the hidden aggression. In addition, Simmons relates the various interviews in a compassionate and thoughtful manner.

Where she does not succeed, however, is in giving her readers tangible suggestions about ways to address the problems she emphasizes.
Odd Girl Out contains two hundred and seventy pages, but it is only during the last thirty of those pages that Simmons addresses possible solutions to the problems she outlines. In those thirty pages, Simmons tells readers to talk to their daughters, to tell teachers about what is happening, and to make sure that teachers take the problems seriously. Those are reasonable suggestions, but I wanted more. I did not find a plan to keep these things from happening to my young adult daughter in the first place, nor did I find a plan of action in the event these things happen to my daughter. It is not enough to recommend we talk to our daughters and to their teachers - my friends and I could suggest that plan to one another over a cup of coffee at Starbucks. Simmons has made a good first step in raising awareness of the problem. She needed to work harder, though, to provide parents and teachers with skills and with plans for action when facing these issues.

Now I understand why some girls are suddenly so mean!.......2007-03-14

I read this book in preparation for my daughter's middle school years. I can honestly say it helped prepare me the first time she came home in distress over a friendship that had taken a negative turn. It gives insight into what might be going on in a girl's mind when she suddenly starts displaying RA tactics, and the devastating effects it has on both the aggressor and the victim.

My daughter took great comfort from this book as well as the companion book, Odd Girl Speaks Out - they helped her understand her friend's possible motives and gave her some tools to use to turn the situation around. It also helped me open up a dialogue with her school, who were very responsive. RA can be overcome, but you have to educate yourself and your community. Sometimes this has to start with the parent, not the teachers. This book is a fantastic first step.

Every Which Way But Dead (Rachel Morgan, Book 3)

Average customer rating:

Sex, suspense and supernatural
Super Reader
Couldn't put it down!
What a witch!
The Life of a Demon Familiar

Every Which Way But Dead (Rachel Morgan, Book 3)
Kim Harrison
Manufacturer: Eos
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 006057299X
Release Date: 2005-06-28

Book Description

Rachel Morgan's back! Bestselling author Kim Harrison returns with a new supernatural adventure that fans of Laurell K. Hamilton and Charlaine Harris won't want to miss.

Some days, you just can't win. Witch and former bounty hunter Rachel Morgan's managed to escape her corrupt company, survive living with a vampire, start her own runner service, and face down a vampire master.

But her vampire roommate Ivy is off the wagon, her human boyfriend Nick is out of town indefinitely and doesn't sound like he's coming back while the far–too–seductive vampire Kisten is looking way too tempting, and there's a turf war erupting in Cincinnati's underworld.

And there's a greater evil still. To put the vampire master behind bars and save her family, Rachel made a desperate bargain and now there's hell to pay––literally. For if Rachel cannot stop him, the archdemon Algaliarept will pull her into the sorcerous ever–after to forfeit her soul as his slave. Forever.

Download Description

There's no witch in Cincinnati tougher, sexier, or more screwed up than bounty hunter Rachel Morgan, who's already put her love life and her soul in dire jeopardy through her determined efforts to bring criminal night creatures to justice.

Between ""runs,"" she has her hands full fending off the attentions of her blood-drinking partner, keeping a deadly secret from her backup, and resisting a hot new vamp suitor.

Rachel must also take a stand in the war that's raging in the city's underworld, since she helped put away its former vampire kingpin -- and made a deal with a powerful demon to do so that could cost her an eternity of pain, torment, and degradation.

And now her dark ""master"" is coming to collect his due.

Customer Reviews:

Sex, suspense and supernatural.......2007-09-12

I just started reading Kim Harrison so I've been reading her out of chronological order. Talk about lots of fun! She makes it easy to be a supernatural fan. lots of adventure and sex spice up her book...I wish she could write faster.

Super Reader.......2007-08-26

More demonic dirty deeds are to be seen here. Rachel encounters one of her demon's past slaves, and it turns out she is an elf. Suddenly there are elves everywhere, ex demon-slaves are elves, the super villain and annoying henchmen are elves. These guys are supposed to be gone, what is the story, etc.

Mysterious elderly next door neighbour, as well.

With arguments with her boyfriend, and the amusing pixie going on, this perhaps runs the risk of turning into a crazed supernatural fest, with no human characters left, despite their overwhelming majority numbers in the city.

Couldn't put it down!.......2007-08-20

I'm new to this series, but have been tearing through them! I'll always be a fan of Anita Blake, but this world has even more types of characters and the plot hasn't deviated into the relationship-only type yet. I'm already halfway through the next one!

What a witch!.......2007-08-04

OK, so since reading the first of the Rachel Morgan series, I have grown to love getting the next in the chain. Every time I dive into the pages and submerge into the world that Kim Harrison so eloquently portrays, I feel a part of the story. Her extraordinary gift is making such fantasy feel whole, real and totally believable.

This to me was the failing of others like buffy, which always felt unreal. Rachel is sassy, and knows what real life is, and to me they should put these into film ASAP!

Book 3 Rachel starts to think she can start getting her life in order, but as always things never quite go to plan. Living with a family of Pixies, a living vampire and having your boyfriend as a familiar would suggest 'normality' is a dream that will never come true, but lets hope Rachel can do it.

If you are looking to drop out of the hum-drum and into a complex and real fantasy world, with adult emotions shown with grit and feeling, these are the books for you, and book 3 is even better!

The Life of a Demon Familiar.......2007-07-17

Every Which Way But Dead (2005) is the third Urban Fantasy in the Rachel Morgan series, following The Good, the Bad, and the Undead. In the previous volume, Rachel slams Piscary into unconsciousness and turns him over to the FIBs. Later she convinces the Howlers to pay her fee for searching for their mascot fish.

In this novel, Piscary is convicted for the murders of several ley line witches after the demon Algaliarept testifies against him. Now Rachel summons the demon to fulfill her promise in exchange for his testimony. She goes through the rites to become his familiar.

After accepting her service, Al no longer needs his former familiar, the elf Ceri. Despite his sadistic intentions, Rachel convinces Al to release Ceri and then she gets Ceri onto sanctified ground. Ceri is now free after a thousand years of service to the demon.

Although Ceri is rapidly adjusting to her new freedom, Rachel needs to find her another home. Jenks is frustrated because he can't tell what kind of creature she is. He knows that she is the same kind as Trent Kalamack, but Rachel prefers not to release that information and pixies are not known for keeping secrets. Besides, Rachel, Ivy and Jenks are not exactly a normal household living in a typical lifestyle.

Rachel invites Keasley, the old witch living across the street, to come over and meet Ceri. While Keasley is not exactly a typical inderlander himself, he is more so than the Vampiric Charms team. At first Ceri and Keasley are a bit reluctant, but soon find much to like in each other. Keasley returns home to install Ceri in his spare bedroom.

In this story, Rachel notices that an older Were has been following her and confronts him in a back corner of the zoo. David Hue is an insurance adjuster who has a few questions about the fish that Rachel had taken from Mr. Ray's office. It seems that the fish had been stolen and the original owner has filed a claim. He also has some papers for Rachel to sign concerning the final disposition of the fish.

Algaliarept cannot use Rachel as his familiar without taking her back to the ever-after and is less than happy about her refusal to cross over. One day, when Rachel uses the ley line in her back yard, Al unexpectedly appears and starts dragging her away. Since the backyard ley line is surrounded by sanctified ground, the nearest available ley line is eight blocks away and Al is determined to drag or carry her to it. But Ceri, Keasley and David form a circle to stop him and Rachel, as the de facto summoner, then banishes him back to the ever-after.

This story also tells of Rachel's troubled relationship with Nick Sparagmos. After he became her familiar, Nick was subject to seizures and other upsets whenever Rachel drew upon a ley line. Now that she is Algaliarept's familiar, that tie has been broken, but Nick still isn't returning home. Then Kristen takes her out on a date and she finds herself becoming more attracted toward him.

With Piscary in prison, the criminal underground in Cincinnati becomes more unstable. Rachel gradually becomes aware of a new player. She first learns of Stanley Saladan from Takata in regard to his annual concert. Then Kristen takes her to Lee Saladan's gambling boat. Later, Quen hires her to protect Trent during a meeting with Saladan.

As usual, Rachel gets into all kinds of trouble with both her friends and her enemies. Sometimes it is hard to tell one from another, since today's friend is tomorrow's enemy and vice-versa. Her life is so screwed up!

Highly recommended for Harrison fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of inderlanders, humans and romance.

-Arthur W. Jordin

Average customer rating:

The Facts!!
Important but boring
A Classic Read
last minute purchase
Al Gore surely loves this

Silent Spring
Rachel Carson
Manufacturer: Mariner Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0618249060

Amazon.com

Silent Spring, released in 1962, offered the first shattering look at widespread ecological degradation and touched off an environmental awareness that still exists. Rachel Carson's book focused on the poisons from insecticides, weed killers, and other common products as well as the use of sprays in agriculture, a practice that led to dangerous chemicals to the food source. Carson argued that those chemicals were more dangerous than radiation and that for the first time in history, humans were exposed to chemicals that stayed in their systems from birth to death. Presented with thorough documentation, the book opened more than a few eyes about the dangers of the modern world and stands today as a landmark work.

Book Description

First published by Houghton Mifflin in 1962, Silent Spring alerted a large audience to the environmental and human dangers of indiscriminate use of pesticides, spurring revolutionary changes in the laws affecting our air, land, and water."Silent Spring became a runaway bestseller, with international reverberations . . . [It is] well crafted, fearless and succinct . . . Even if she had not inspired a generation of activists, Carson would prevail as one of the greatest nature writers in American letters" (Peter Matthiessen, forTime's 100 Most Influential People of the Century). This fortieth anniversary edition celebrates Rachel Carson's watershed book with a new introduction by the author and activist Terry Tempest Williams and a new afterword by the acclaimed Rachel Carson biographer Linda Lear, who tells the story of Carson's courageous defense of her truths in the face of ruthless assault from the chemical industry in the year following the publication of Silent Spring and before her untimely death in 1964.

Customer Reviews:

The Facts!!.......2007-08-07

Perhaps her cause was just in writing this book, but her short-sighted ignorance of the repercussions was inexcusable. Because of the ban on DDT which largely resulted from Silent Spring, the WHO has estimated that around 20 MILLION children have died of malaria.

DDT was, & still is, one of the very best insecticides to control mosquitoes, the sole transporter of this deadly disease. Best of all, DDT is very NON-toxic to humans.

The need for DDT is so urgent that even the Sierra Club is justifying it's use inside houses in malaria stricken locations of Africa, South America, & Asia.

Way to go Rachel. Save the Birds, Kill the Children...Wake Up People!!

Important but boring.......2007-06-13

I thought that "Silent Spring" would be an interesting book to read. After all, is supposedly launched the modern environmental movement. However, after reading about 80 pages into the book I started to feel like I was reading the same thing over and over again: pesticides and herbicides are bad and should not be applied to the side of the road. OK, I get the point. I then flipped to page 250 or so, and do you know what I saw? More discussion of how pesticides and herbicides are bad!

Maybe back at that time it was not a self-evident truth that it is a bad thing to go around spraying shit all over the side of the road. But even then, you would think that a disucssion of this matter could be confined to 100 pages or less. A final issue is that the book does not seem to possess a modern understanding of certain subjects (since when do hydrologists refer to groundwater as "underground rivers"?). Although this is not the fault of the book, I do not know why anyone other than a science historian would want to spend much time on it.

Oh Yeah, this book also killed millions of people. The banning of DDT probably led to millions of deaths from malaria. Even today, about 2 million people die from it every year.

A Classic Read.......2007-05-11

Joni Mitchell perhaps most aptly summarizes the driving idea of Silent Spring in her song "Big Yellow Taxi": "Hey farmer farmer / Put away that DDT now / Give me spots on my apples / But leave me the birds and the bees. Please!" While both the book and the song are a bit outdated in the United States as DDT was banned in 1972, it's still an interesting analysis of insecticides/herbicides, societies relationship with science, and the effects a capitalistic driven culture has on the environment. Likewise, the interaction of the natural web and human's impact on it is greatly emphasized. Something I've always found interesting about Carson and her book was the publics (often misogynistic) reaction to her as being "hysterical" and my favorite quote from a board member of the Federal Pest Control Review Board: "I thought she was a spinster. What's she so worried about genetics for?"

last minute purchase.......2007-04-04

My daughter had to have this for English and of course she waited till the last minute. To her surprise, she enjoyed the book and the author's writing very much. As usual Amazon saved the day with a huge selection and fast shipping.

Al Gore surely loves this.......2007-03-26

Hurrah for "sustainability" and "biodiversity"! Down with the human race!

The Good, the Bad, and the Undead (Rachel Morgan, Book 2)

Average customer rating:

First Time 'Fantasy' genre reader
Kim Harrison does it again
Super Reader
they are getting better
Another Lively Mess

The Good, the Bad, and the Undead (Rachel Morgan, Book 2)
Kim Harrison
Manufacturer: HarperTorch
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0060572973
Release Date: 2005-01-25

Book Description

Rachel Morgan's back, and in more trouble than ever! Fans of Laurell K. Hamilton and other vampire novels won't want to miss the second novel in Kim Harrison's addictive supernatural series.

Former–bounty–hunter Rachel Morgan has it pretty good. She's left the corrupt Inderland Runner Service and started her own independent service. She's survived werewolves, shape–changing demons, bad–hair days, and sharing a church with her vampire roommate Ivy. She even has a cute (if human) boyfriend–what more could a witch want?

But living with a reformed vampire isn't all it's cracked up to be, particularly when your roommate's very bad ex–boyfriend wants her back, and wouldn't mind you in the process. And especially when he's six feet of sheer supernatural seduction, and you've got a demon mark that makes vampires literally hotter than hell....

To save herself and Ivy, Rachel must confront the vampire master–and the dark secrets she's hidden even from herself.

Download Description

"1 Hollows Timeline 2 Of Vampires -- Living and Not So Living 3 Pixies and Fairies. Yes, There is a Difference 4 Music as My Inspiration

It's a tough life for witch Rachel Morgan, sexy, independent bounty hunter, prowling the darkest shadows of downtown Cincinnati for criminal creatures of the night.

She can handle the leather-clad vamps and even tangle with a cunning demon or two. But a serial killer who feeds on the experts in the most dangerous kind of black magic is definitely pressing the limits.

Confronting an ancient, implacable evil is more than just child's play -- and this time, Rachel will be lucky to escape with her very soul.

Customer Reviews:

First Time 'Fantasy' genre reader.......2007-10-17

I read the first book with hesitation being that I've always been a fiction reader. i realized when reading Kim Harrison's books, it's like getting a bad car started; first it's hard to turn it on and ya gotta keep checking and rechecking the ignition, finally when it's started it's predictably smooth sailing with a few shut offs here and there. What i'm trying to say is, The book i find is a GREAT read, but the beginning chapters are always awkward. I wish that she would explain certain words she uses in Inderland language. Assuming what she's talking abotu can get a bit tiresome.

Now, to my favorite character, Ivy. Ivy is not given any justice as far as her character is concerned. I feel that she Harrison does not give us a strong sense of who Ivy is. One minute she's cold and stable minded, the next she's crying on the floor or shy like a little girl. I would have liked a stronger sense of Ivy.

Rachel, everyone, pretty much has said what i was thinking. She is clever but not intelligent. Most people cant relate to her, becuase she doesn't think. And it can get quite annoying when she's acting like a stereotyped blonde. Her freaking out every time ivy walks in the room is SOO annoying. i felt like screaming "Oh get over it already!!" Rachels c

Kim Harrison does it again.......2007-09-03

I absolutely love the Rachel Morgan series. I cannot say enough good things about it.

Super Reader.......2007-08-26

Let's see. You have dead vampire and live ones. That is one problem. Rachel has both kinds that want to shag her, bite her, do both, or some combination of them. This includes her roommate and her roommate's boyfriend. There is also a demon that wants to do considerably worse things than that.

She ends up helping the human investigator types deal with a case that is out of her league, by going undercover to witch school, basically.

they are getting better.......2007-07-23

I got the first book, read it, and was not sure I would read any more.
However thought I would at least try the next couple books.
They get better with each book and the lead character starts becoming more.
The lead character sometimes gets on my nerves with her childish reasoning,
but it gets better less reactive and more thoughtful.
I will try the next 2 with hopes that she becomes even better.

Another Lively Mess.......2007-07-05

The Good, the Bad, and the Undead (2005) is the second Urban Fantasy novel in the Rachel Morgan series, following Dead Witch Walking. In the previous volume, Rachel finessed threats from Inderlander Security by gaining support from the Federal Inderland Bureau -- and blackmailing Trent Kalamack -- but her former IS boss was still out to get her.

In this novel, Rachel is looking for a stolen tropical fish. She locates an extra fish in the tank outside the office of Mr. Ray, a Were Alpha known for his fish collection, and gets it out of the building. Yet the Were pack is searching the area and spots her. Rachel only gets away by coopting a FIB car and its driver.

Unfortunately, Detective Glenn has been looking for Rachel. Now Glenn won't let her out of the car. She is on her way to the FIB building for a meeting with Captain Edden regardless of her feelings on the matter.

Luckily, Edden likes her and only wants help interrogating a warlock. Sara Jane is the secretary of Trent Kalamack -- Rachel's bete noire -- and she has reported the disappearance of her boy friend. Dan Smather is also a warlock and has been missing since Sunday. Sara Jane is convinced that his absencee is associated with the witch hunter murders.

The witch hunter has been killing witches experienced in ley line magic. Edden not only wants Rachel to assist in the interrogation, but also to start checking out the ley line aspect. He has enrolled her in the same course that Smather was taking.

In this story, Edden assigns Detective Glenn to work with Rachel. Jenks disparages the whole idea; he doesn't like Glenn and has already pixed him once. Rachel also objects, but is trumped by Edden admitting that Glenn is all that they say, but is still his son. Glenn joins the team, at least temporarily.

After Glenn takes them home, Rachel calls the Howlers to report her success in recovering the fish. Despite some confusion -- caused by the name of their firm -- Rachel passes on the message and is told that the fish was not really missing. She has risked her life and they say they are sorry, but them are the breaks. Apparently the Howlers are not going to pay her fee.

Since Sara Jane is not yet available to show them Smather's apartment, Detective Glenn stays over for supper. When Ivy comes home, she is surprised to see Glenn, but he is really upset to see a vampire. Then he says a few things out of fear that are better left unsaid and Ivy's eyes go black. Rachel talks Ivy out of her mood, but Glenn freaks out to the point of drawing his pistol. Finally Rachel gets him unwound and Ivy back to normal.

As thing are settling down, Ivy asks about the presence of Glenn in the church and Rachel eventually tells her of Sara Jane. Ivy seems to accept this news calmly, but is adamant that Rachel is not going to take the case. Like Jenks, she thinks that it is all a setup by Trent. She gets violent after learning that Rachel plans to interview Piscary. Glenn draws his pistol again and everything goes to pieces until Jenks returns and gets Glenn out of the kitchen.

At the University, Rachel is feeling the usual awkwardness of a newcomer in a tight group of students. Outside the classroom, she encounters Denon -- her former boss -- and receives the usual threats. Then she meets Dr. Anders . . . again. Naturally, Dr. Anders remembers her and informs her, in a definite tone of voice, that she will be flunked out (again) if she doesn't get a familiar.

This story involves Rachel in some convoluted magic. She finds an old grimoire in the church that contains a spell for producing a familiar. She faithfully follows the directions and the spell works, but not quite in the way she expects.

The Vampiric Charms crew introduces Glenn to tomato products. Ever since the great dying, humans have been terrified of tomatoes. At first, Glenn is too horrified to eat anything with tomatoes in it. Eventually, he is coaxed into a first bite and he likes it. Now Rachel is buying him tomato products on the sly.

As you may have noticed, Rachel Morgan has a definite problem with planning. Most of the time she just goes with the flow and improvises, but sometimes she tries to plan ahead. Yet she only takes favorable circumstances into account; she seldom considers that something might go wrong. When something usually does, she is forced to wing it.

Rachel assumes too much and seems to have never learned about the term "assume". No wonder older characters try to take her under their wing and explain the facts of life! Even Jenks -- the eighteen year old pixie -- has more common sense than she does! Still, her flaws are very familiar to anyone with a twenty-something daughter.

Highly recommended for Harrison fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of high magic, mysterious deaths and contorted relationships.

-Arthur W. Jordin

The Dead Girls' Dance (The Morganville Vampires, Book 2)

Average customer rating:

Great Follow-up
NOT MUCH OF A DANCE
Couldn't put it down
5 stars
Much better then Glass Houses

The Dead Girls' Dance (The Morganville Vampires, Book 2)
Rachel Caine
Manufacturer: Signet
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0451220897

Book Description

Claire has her share of challenges. Like being a genius in a school that favors beauty over brains; homicidal girls in her dorm, and finding out that her college town is overrun with the living dead. On the up side, she has a new boyfriend with a vampire-hunting dad. But when a local fraternity throws the Dead Girls' Dance, hell is really going to break loose.

Customer Reviews:

Great Follow-up.......2007-10-15

This was an amazing sequel to an amazing novel. Caine might just be the next best thing.

NOT MUCH OF A DANCE.......2007-10-05

I did enjoy reading it; however it did not live up to the 1st book. The character development is interesting though. Feels like it's slightly unfinished. Not a stand alone book-read book 1 first.

Couldn't put it down.......2007-06-15

I was lucky enough to pick this up just days after I'd read Glass Houses and had cooled off from facing the unwelcome cliffhanger that topped off what was otherwise a terrific book. As the other reviewers say, this picks up moments later and the action is non-stop until the end -- where we get another cliffhanger, though not QUITE as traumatic. I mean, this one you have to think about for the full scope of the potential trauma to set in.

The characters are getting more dimensional and interesting and the worldbuilding shows how intricate it is, hiding so many mysteries that we want to investigate. I don't usually like vampire novels, but this series has lots of original ideas in it -- and its characters carry them to even higher levels. The cliffhangers are frustrating, but I'm currently writing a series that has its own set so I guess I should welcome this as setting a precedent. Be assured that the basic plot of the book is complete within it; you won't be dissatisfied.

You'll also get some really good scares. Have fun reading it! (And Rachel Caine: WRITE FASTER!!!)

5 stars.......2007-06-12

Picking up right where Glass Houses ended, the story of Claire, Shane, Michael, and Eve not only continues, but turns up the volume and intensity. A cold war, cold as only vampires could make it, has been declared now that Shane's father and his vampire hunters have arrived. When one of the "leading citizens" among the undead is killed, Shane is implicated and his life forfeit unless his three friends can do something to stop it. Even those who claim to know he is innocent refuse to help, and so, Claire and Eve are forced to take desperate risks to save him. None of them could have foreseen the terrible prices that will have to be paid for the sake of love.

***** Book one in this series left me emotionally spent, in a good way. The intensity is cubed in this latest entry. It was hard to put this down for even the slightest break and, forget what happens to the kid with the scar and glasses, I want to know what happens next in Morganville. If you love to read about characters with whom you can get deeply involved, Rachel Caine is so far a one hundred percent sure bet to satisfy that need. I love her Weather Warden stories, and her vampires are even better. *****

Amanda Killgore

Much better then Glass Houses.......2007-06-06

I just recently finished this book and I definitely enjoyed it a lot more then Glass Houses. I sped through GH and didn't take it all in and on a second reading I was kind of disappointed (I would rate it 3 stars). But Dead Girls' Dance is a LOT better.

The story isn't as crazy this time around, all the introduction of the characters and the town is over and done with so you can now concentrate on the story itself which is turning out to be interesting.

I felt Glass Houses was a bit rushed, like Rachel tried to fit in too much stuff into the book. This one is much more even. The story is non-stop as it usually is in all of Rachel's book, but it doesn't feel rushed or overdone.

This book is short, but it squeezes a lot in - deaths, vampires, a crazy party and even a bit of romance. I'm glad Claire and Shane got together even though he still thinks Claire is a little bit too young for him.

When I finished Glass Houses I wasn't so enthused to read Dead Girls' Dance as I didn't enjoy the 1st book but I'm glad I read it now as it's a LOT better.

This book ain't no Weather Warden book (Rachel's other series, one of the best book series ever written), but it's still loads of good fun and a great quick read. I'm looking forward to the 3rd book, released in October. 4 stars.

Average customer rating:

It's a powerful tarot reference no serious new age library should miss.
Seventy Eight Degrees of Wisdom
Rachel Pollack Fan
A Must for all Tarot Book Collections
A Classic!

Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom
Rachel Pollack
Manufacturer: Thorsons
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0722535724

Book Description

Together in one volume for the first time, these are the classic texts that helped launch the modern Tarot renaissance. Often described as the Bible of Tarot readers, they bring awareness of myth and modern psychology to the Tarot's ancient symbolism.

Customer Reviews:

It's a powerful tarot reference no serious new age library should miss........2007-10-06

Tarot users will find SEVENTY-EIGHT DEGREES OF WISDOM: A BOOK OF TAROT a fine compilation of two previous volumes under one cover, joining THE MAJOR ARCANA and THE MINOR ARCANA in one revised, updated volume with a new introduction by the author. As such it's a powerful tarot reference no serious new age library should miss.

Seventy Eight Degrees of Wisdom.......2007-09-21

These days most anybody can do a tarot reading. There are literally hundreds of different decks all complete with canned readings for each card. In a way, it's rather like reading your daily horoscope as the results are rather generalized to match virtually anyone.

Definitely, not every tarot reader is equal in quality. The best readers go beyond simplistic generalizations. They not only tailor their layouts and reading results to match the individual but also look to the deeper meanings of the cards. These unique abilities are both invaluable skills and amazing talents.

Seventy Eight Degrees of Wisdom is a must have resource for anyone wanting to do real tarot readings. The author has an inherent ability to see depth within the cards that many need to be taught to notice. Within this book, she shares her valuable insights and urges the reader to follow suit. Originally this book was two books separating out the major and minor arcane. This new format brings these important references into one easier to access resource.

Rachel Pollack Fan.......2007-07-31

I have this in Part I - Major Arcana & Part II Minor Arcana
I absolutely love Rachel Pollack's work & this is no exception
in fact it is my all time favorite book of hers.... I find
it's down to earth, to the point at the same time I know exactly
what she means about a card.......
Worth the money if you want help interpreting cards & like me
favor her work.

A Must for all Tarot Book Collections.......2007-07-30

I was once asked: "If you could only own one tarot book, which one would it be?" The clear answer is Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom by Rachel Pollack. I have also found that this classic book works very well for my beginning tarot classes at the local University. Despite the author's indepth treatment of the cards (see other excellent reviews), tarot beginners enjoy the comprehensive, classic and clear insights into the tarot and how to work with it.

I would also like to say that my beginning and intermediate students enjoy Rachel Pollack's spreads also because of their depth of meaning.

So I sincerely recommend this for all tarot book collections and for students of tarot.

A Classic! .......2007-04-14

This is one book that I can't recommend strongly enough, and one that I feel belongs on the shelf of every Tarot enthusiast. Using the popular Rider-Waite deck for illustration, this book contains essays on each card, covering all aspects of the symbology, as well as origins, history, mythology, and sociological, psychological, esoteric and religious implications. It's rare to say that a book on Tarot is a can't put down page-turner, but this one is it! I learned so very much from it, and use it as a reference to this day. Be warned, however, that this isn't a book that you would want to use to look up cards during a reading. Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom is very well written and easy to understand, no matter what your level of expertise. Ms. Pollack has obviously done massive amounts of research and manages to convey a true love for the art of Tarot on each and every page, speaking to the reader as a patient, knowledgeable and wise teacher with years of experience. She also includes tutorials in the back of the book, covering such subjects as layouts, the Tree of Life, making a Mandala, and Meditations. On the whole, this is a wonderful, wonderful book and in my opinion, a classic.

My Grandfathers Blessings : Stories of Strength, Refuge, and Belonging

Average customer rating:

A truly inspirational book!
Beautiful
A Blessing to Read
A Blessing In Itself
One not to be missed

My Grandfathers Blessings : Stories of Strength, Refuge, and Belonging
Rachel Naomi Remen
Manufacturer: Riverhead Trade
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1573228567
Release Date: 2001-04-10

Amazon.com

When doctor and author Rachel Naomi Remen (Kitchen Table Wisdom) was young, she was caught between two different views of life: that of her rabbi grandfather and that of her highly academic, research-oriented parents, who believed religion was the opiate of the masses. As Remen gravitated toward academics and serving the world as a medical doctor, her grandfather became an "island of mysticism in a vast sea of science." But over time, Remen discovered that two seemingly divergent paths could lead to the same destination, especially as she learned to blend her spiritual beliefs with her medical treatment.

Remen uses the heart-rending stories of her patients to teach readers how to follow in her example, that is, combining a life of service with a life of receiving and giving blessings (a combination that avoids common problems such as burnout, self-sacrifice, and navel gazing). Remen also includes personal stories of her grandfather, who showered the world with his mystical beliefs and wizened blessings. While this story-by-story structure is similar to the bestselling Kitchen Table Wisdom, it is still a tearful and satisfying formula. --Gail Hudson

Book Description

As a small child, Rachel Remen sat at the feet of her grandfather, an orthodox rabbi and scholar of the kabbalah, and learned the secret of life: that love and blessings given to others heals our loneliness, unhappiness, and in fact all our wounds. Remen uses her power as a master storyteller to bring to life the extraordinary blessings of ordinary existence. These exquisite pieces show us how we bless and serve each other most often without knowing it, how much life gives to us, and how many of our own blessings we have still yet to receive.

There is nothing more comforting than hearing Rachel's grandfather speak of love, life, and God to a small, lonely, and very spiritual child who was trying to find her way in an unspiritual world. These are stories for keeping at the bedside, for those dark nights when we go out in search of our souls.

Rachel's grandfather has blessed not only his beloved granddaughter but, through her, has blessed us all.

Customer Reviews:

A truly inspirational book!.......2007-10-11

I was deeply moved and inspired by this book. I bought 3 more copies and gave them to friends and family.

Beautiful.......2007-09-24

I love this book - it's absolutely beautiful. The stories can help you grow. I would recommend this treasure to anyone.

A Blessing to Read.......2007-09-14

Easy to Read, Much food for thought.....Life lessons for all of us to learn and use. Short chapters with a new theme in each. Can read short snippets at a time.

A Blessing In Itself.......2007-07-22

I feel bad. Apparently, I'm only the 6th person out of 47 people to give this book anything less than a 5-star rating. And there's only one reason I did that. As a writer myself, I feel that there are too many stories in this book. Some of these little narratives just aren't as powerful or focused as others. And I would have left them out. But please don't let that get in the way of your enjoyment of this wonderful work. It is every bit as inspiring, uplifting, and profound as most of the other reviewers say it is. I especially like the common theme I see running through most of the pieces presented here. And that's the idea that the wholeness of an individual not only includes his or her health, talents and accomplishments, but his or her pain, suffering, shortcomings, and illnesses, too. In life we are called to embrace it all, and resist nothing. And that is the key to a life that is truly fulfilling and rewarding.

Steven Lane Taylor, author of Row, Row, Row Your Boat: A Guide For Living Life In The Divine Flow

One not to be missed.......2007-05-19

I have found My Grandfather's Blessings to be among the most moving books I have ever read. Each brief story can stand on its own. The author relates a simple incident, as many of us have lived, but then goes on in a simple and succinct manner to reveal a deeper meaning within the experience. Ms. Remen does not talk down to the reader, but rather sweeps us up into the experience with her. Upon finishing this book, I immediately ordered five more and sent them out to friends.

Average customer rating:

vampires, werewolves, and pirates oh my!
Anthologies can be tricky things...
One of the best anthologies I've read
teaser!
Wow! great collection

My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding
Sherrilyn Kenyon , Charlaine Harris , L. A. Banks , Jim Butcher , Rachel Caine , Esther M. Friesner , Lori Handeland , and Susan Krinard
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Griffin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0312343604
Release Date: 2006-10-03

Book Description

Werewolves, vampires, witches, voodoo, Elvis---and weddings An 'ordinary' wedding can get crazy enough, so can you imagine what happens when otherworldly creatures are involved? Nine of the hottest authors of paranormal fiction answer that question in this delightful collection of supernatural wedding stories. What's the seating plan when rival clans of werewolves and vampires meet under the same roof? How can a couple in the throes of love overcome traps set by feuding relatives---who are experts at voodoo? Will you have a good marriage if your high-seas wedding is held on a cursed ship? How do you deal with a wedding singer who's just a little too good at impersonating Elvis? -+L. A. Banks-+Jim Butcher-+Rachel Caine-+P. N. Elrod-+Esther M. Friesner-+Lori Handeland-+Charlaine Harris-+Sherrilyn Kenyon-+Susan Krinard Shape-shifters, wizards, and magic, oh my!

Customer Reviews:

vampires, werewolves, and pirates oh my!.......2007-09-29

some of the stories were fantastic, some were just good, but hey, isn't that the whole point of getting a collection of short stories? that way you can check out what all the authors are like without committing to a ton of books. i think the book is pretty good.

Anthologies can be tricky things..........2007-08-24

You're never 100% certain of what you're going to get. They can be great for finding new authors and/or filling in the waiting period til the next book from your favourite author. Or they can make you feel like you've wasted your time.

Although word of mouth said that My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding was an uninspiring collection as a big fan of Jim Butcher, Charlaine Harris and Sherrilyn Kenyon I wanted to find out for myself.

Where it works - the stories that are set in an ongoing series. Jim Butcher's Something Borrowed is a solid entry into the Harry Dresden series. Although I'm not familiar with Lori Handeland's Night Creatures universe her story (Charmed by the Moon) still managed to draw me in, keep me interested and made me want to check out her backlist.

Sherrilyn Kenyon's story whilst not reaching the emotional intensity of Phantom Lover from the Midnight Pleasures anthology is a vast improvement on Until Death Do We Part (Velkan and Retta's story from the Love at First Bite antho.)Though I wish she would cut down on the point of view head hopping.

One other story that stood out for me was Esther Friesner's The Wedding of Wylda Serene. Whilst slow to get into it had some very witty lines that had me laughing out loud.

Having read the stories I am disappointed. Overall the anthology is okay, but there is not enough here that stands out. Maybe it's a case of trying to cram too many authors in to one book.

Anthologies I would recommend - for Sherrilyn Kenyon - Midnight Pleasures, Stroke of Midnight. For Charlaine Harris - Bite (as part of the ongoing Sookie series), Night's Edge (standalone story).

One of the best anthologies I've read.......2007-06-08

Usually anthologies are like panning for gold. You've got to sift through a lot of dirt to get the gold nuggets. This anthology, however, was the motherlode. All the stories were entertaining. Out of the nine, the last two were the weakest, but still a good short read.

I was pleasantly surprised by Charlaine Harris's contribution. I expected a Sookie story, but instead received a good vampire/werewolf story with no Sookie in sight. It is alwasy nice to see another part of the world which an author has created.

Jim Butcher was in true form with his entry. Gee I just love Harry Dresden, no matter what he is doing.

All in all I recommend this book for a short quick read. I already have a waiting list of people who want to borrow it from me.

teaser!.......2007-05-31

what a teaser! Just when u are getting into one of the story, its over! but i guess that is what u can expect from and anthology.

Wow! great collection.......2007-04-23

This collection was just stunning! Great combo, some of the stories are amazingly funny and a few are very spooky. Wonderful read, but a few at a time, there is definitely some overlap of ideas. P.S. LOOOved the Esther Freisner story. But I'm biased.

A Fistful of Charms (Rachel Morgan, Book 4)

Average customer rating:

So Sad
bad book binding
Good book sad ending
Werewolf Difficulties
The fourth book is great.

A Fistful of Charms (Rachel Morgan, Book 4)
Kim Harrison
Manufacturer: HarperTorch
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0060788194
Release Date: 2006-06-27

Book Description

The evil night things that prowl Cincinnati despise witch and bounty hunter Rachel Morgan. Her new reputation for the dark arts is turning human and undead heads alike with the intent to possess, bed, and kill her -- not necessarily in that order.

Now a mortal lover who abandoned Rachel has returned, haunted by his secret past. And there are those who covet what Nick possesses -- savage beasts willing to destroy the Hollows and everyone in it if necessary.

Forced to keep a low profile or eternally suffer the wrath of a vengeful demon, Rachel must nevertheless act quickly. For the pack is gathering for the first time in millennia to ravage and to rule. And suddenly more than Rachel's soul is at stake.

Customer Reviews:

So Sad.......2007-09-10

I only mildly enjoyed book 1, but I saw potential, so I went ahead and purchased books 2 & 3. They were by far much better books and I was excited to read the 4th. Unfortunately, it was a very sorry addition to the series. None of the characters do any growing and the only real plot development is the addition of werewolves into the mix, which does nothing to improve the story. It just bogs down an already complicated story line started in the first three books. For some reason we leave all of the interesting side characters behind for these flat underdeveloped weres. I'm sorry but it turned Rachel into a poorman's Anita Blake. Hopefully, book 5 will get back on track, but I'm waiting for the reviews before purchasing.

bad book binding.......2007-08-23

Unrelated to the actual content of the book, I've discovered that there is weak binding for my copy of this book. Pages have fallen out, and I am actually left with a chunk of paper with no cover.

Good book sad ending.......2007-08-08

Personally I love rachel and the gang. I was saddened by the ending of this book. I will be curious to see where the next one will lead. Very entertaining novel.

Werewolf Difficulties.......2007-08-06

A Fistful of Charms (2006) is the fourth Urban Fantasy novel in the Rachel Morgan series, following Every Which Way But Dead. In the previous volume, Rachel almost caught Stanley Saladan, but Lee jerked her into the ever-after, where they were confronted by the demon Algaliarept. Rachel escaped only with the assistance of the very powerful Newt, but returned to the real world with another demon mark.

In this novel, a group of Werewolf alpha males, including David Hue's boss, are upset about her status as the alpha female of David's pack. They lure Rachel and David to a deserted building, escort David back out, and strap Rachel so that she cannot use ley line magic. Then Karen -- an old flame of David's -- challenges Rachel for the position. Since Rachel is not a Werewolf and cannot use her magic, it will be Rachel in human form fighting against Karen as a wolf.

Rachel learns something new about Werewolves during the fight. A pack can share their power with a member. Karen turns to wolf form in thirty seconds flat and doesn't feel any pain despite the injuries inflicted by Rachel. Then David returns without his escorts and starts distracting the remaining alpha males.

Karen soon learns that the human form can inflict pain on a wolf. Rachel punches, bites and throws Karen around the floor and every bit of it causes pain. When David tosses the splat ball gun to Rachel, the fight comes to an abrupt ending. Since the three alpha males who went out with David never returned, the requisite eight alphas were not available to witness the fight, so Rachel wins on a technicality.

After that unexpected occurrence, Rachel gets together with Ceri and they modify a ley line spell to allow Rachel to turn into a wolf. The next time anyone tries to challenge her for alpha status, Rachel is going to give them a surprise. She can become a wolf on the whisper of a single keyword.

In this story, Rachel also has problems with fairies. Ever since Jenks -- the pixie partner in Vampiric Charms -- moved out with his family, the churchyard garden has been open to invasion by fairies. Now Rachel has a nest full of the hateful creatures tearing up the herbs and dandelions just to get at bugs and she isn't doing too well at driving them off.

Luckily, Matalina and Jih -- the eldest daughter -- come visiting to ask Rachel for a favor. Upon seeing the fairies, Matalina draws an arrow in her bow and orders the fairies off the property. Jih waves her silver sword at the fairies. After a single arrow through a fairy wing, the garden is soon free of the fairy presence. Pixies are very deadly little creatures.

When Matalina returns from checking out Jih's garden, Rachel learns that her ex-boyfriend Nick Sparagmos had talked Jax -- the eldest son of Jenks and Matalina -- into going with him to steal a statue. Matalina told her husband to ask Rachel and Ivy for help, but Jenks refused. Now he is trying to raise money to take a plane to Michigan to rescue Jax, which only shows how poorly he is thinking since pixies get really sick flying in planes due to the pressure changes.

Rachel finds out where Jenks will be working and ambushes him in an alley. She forces him to listen to her as she casually mentions that she will soon be driving to Michigan and might have room for him in the van. Unfortunately for Jenks, he agrees to go with her before learning that Rachel plans to transform him into human size so that he can help drive and eat human food on the way.

The next day, Rachel and Jenks are on their way to Michigan. Ivy and Kristen remain behind to watch out for Piscary's interests. Jenks is dressed in an old set of sweats donated by Kristen, so Rachel plans on a shopping excursion as soon as they reach Mackinaw.

This story achieves a new high point in tensions and action. Rachel finds herself in situations that she had never previously even imagined. Maybe she IS an adrenaline junky!

Highly recommended for Harrison fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of preternatural creatures, high adventure, and some sexual antics.

-Arthur W. Jordin

The fourth book is great........2007-07-10

Rachel and company must survive radical changes in both their outlook and in their lives.

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