Steps to the Altar (Benni Harper Mystery)

Book Description

Ninth in the Agatha Award-winning series that's been hailed as engrossing, Steps to the Altar finds California folk art expert Benni Harper preparing for two upcoming weddings, digging up clues to a decades-old unsolved murder-and struggling with a very personal crisis of the heart...

Customer Reviews:

The mysterious and baffling human heart.......2006-07-17

Benni Harper is involved with two fast-approaching weddings. Her best friend is marrying her favorite cousin, and her headstrong grandmother Dove is marrying again after decades of widowhood. Also, she's managing an arts festival, and she and husband Gabe Ortiz are buying a home and moving.

Though her plate is full, she's asked - and agrees - to catalog four trunks of possessions left behind by a local woman who disappeared in the 1940's at the time her husband's body was found. Everyone assumed she shot him and absconded with his best friend; nobody's heard anything from or of either of them since that day. Benni's not satisfied with that assumption. She wants to know what really happened. With some unwelcome help from a local sheriff's deputy, she starts reading the woman's diaries and other writings and asking questions.

This distracts her from serious emotional pain. She learns that way back when he was a cop in LA, Gabe's undercover assignment partner was a sexy woman with whom he had a long-running affair that broke up his first marriage. Now Del, that former partner, is in town and making serious moves on Gabe. Who can't seem to tell her to get lost.

This book is short on traditional mystery and detection. Instead, it explores dilemmas of the human heart: love, marriage, lust, trust. There are graceful passages glowing with insight. And not a little suspense, as characters teeter on the brink of destructive actions.

Benni resolves the 50-year-old mystery, which resonates with the issues wrenching her heart in the present. Altogether, Steps to the Altar is a much deeper and more thoughtful read than the average cozy mystery.

5 stars and 2 thumbs way, way up!.......2005-12-30

This is the first Benni Harper/Earlene Fowler book I've read and it won't be my last. Boy can Ms. Fowler write a page-turner! I was almost crying through 1/3 of the book. Her characters are so achingly real and you just felt for Benni. The mystery was good, too. I didn't quite have it figured out but I did have an idea. But it turned out even better than I expected. Gabe and Benni are wonderful together and I thought they really deserved some happiness. Everyone who loves mysteries/small towns/realistic situations/bold humor and good books should read this moving novel!

One of the Best.......2005-01-26

I am an avid mystery reader and the Benni Harper series is one of the best. Reading the books in order allows the reader to see the growth of Benni Harper in all aspects of her life, but you don't need to do this to enjoy a Benni Harper mystery. It's clear Ms. Fowler has a strong faith in God and is able to bring this to her characters in a natural, non-threatening way. I have enjoyed every book in the series and STEPS TO THE ALTAR is one of my favorites.

As Benni is involved in planning wedding showers for her grandmother, Dove, and her best friend, Elvia, she's asked to go through trunks owned by a woman, who disappeared after the murder of her prominent San Celina husband 50 years before. As Benni does so, with the help of San Celina sheriff, Hudson Ford, her curiosity grows as does her conviction of the the innocence of the "murderess". There are also some interesting twists in the evolving relationship between Benni and Hud.

Paralleling this is the appearance of one of Gabe's former undercover partners, who just happens to be a woman with whom Gabe had more than a professional relationship years before, which contributed to the break-up of his first marriage. This brings unexpected and possibly devastating consequences to his relationship with Benni.

As is generally the case in her other books, Earlene Fowler deftly weaves the various stories together into a satisfying conclusion and leaves the door open for more adventures for Benni Harper. All in all a great read for anyone who loves well-written mysteries.

Wonderful!.......2003-05-31

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I loved getting into Gabe's head -- knowing his thoughts and feelings. Dove keeps plenty of humor in the book. And Hud is back -- reason enough to love the book!

Yet another great story of Benni and Gabe.......2003-05-08

I truly loved this book... I think it is her best yet!

Average customer rating:

fine Second Chance contemporary tale

Four Steps to the Altar
Jean Stone
Manufacturer: Bantam
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

General | Romance | Subjects | Books

General | Contemporary | Romance | Subjects | Books

Domestic Life | Women's Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Friendship | Women's Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Romance | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
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ASIN: 0553588532
Release Date: 2006-07-25

Book Description

They say true love is priceless, but is it worth fifty million dollars? With Second Chances, their wedding planning business, starting to take off, four best friends must decide whether they’ll take some second chances of their own. Free-spirited Lily finds herself forced to choose between her sure-thing inheritance and a chance at true love; the no-longer-predictable Elaine surprises everyone–including herself–when romance comes calling from her past; Sarah, the uncompromisingly unconventional artist, finds herself contemplating the most unexpected choice of all; and the always-clear-eyed Jo suddenly finds herself second-guessing her own second chance at happily-ever-after. The choice for each of them is “I do” or “I don’t,” and the decision will change their lives.

Breakups, makeups, and romance at every turn–life always offers up its best surprises to those who leave themselves open to the possibility of second chances.

Customer Reviews:

fine Second Chance contemporary tale .......2006-07-25

Fortyish Lily Beckwith of Second Chance Wedding planners is considering marrying her boyfriend, Frank Forbes, but has a stipulation that she must not lose control of her late husband's fifty million dollar estate. However, any romantic endeavor like saying I do might mean her adversary, her ex-sister-in-law Antonia Beckwith, who controls much of the family fortune, could gain total access.

The other three partners are dealing with family issues too. Jo wants to be a great stepmother to her new spouse's twelve years old daughter, but her actions drive her husband to despair and his offspring to scorn. Elaine wants to marry her beau, but fears holy matrimony means the loss of her recently gained highly prized independence. Finally Sarah keeps an emotional distance from her boyfriend who wants more.

The fourth Second Chance contemporary tale is a well written story that continues the saga of four friends and partners. The recurring characters seem real and remain consistent so that those who have read the previous three novels will enjoy this entry though some of the euphoria of especially the first novel (see ONCE UPON A BRIDE) is diminished. New fans will be better off starting with the previous tales to learn more about the stars.

Harriet Klausner

Average customer rating:

The Altar Steps
Compton MacKenzie
Manufacturer: BiblioBazaar
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1434624994
Release Date: 2007-06-06

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Altar Steps
Rev. R.P. Haakonson
Manufacturer: Lutheran Colportage Service, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000L3KFMO

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Altar steps
Reidar Pareli Haakonson
Manufacturer: Lutheran Colportage Service
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Seven Steps to the Altar: Preparation for Priesthood

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Seven Steps to the Altar: Preparation for Priesthood
Bernardin Goebel
Manufacturer: Sheed & ward
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B0000CLRT9

Steps to the Altar (A Benni Harper Mystery)

Average customer rating:

Steps to the Altar (A Benni Harper Mystery)
Earlene Fowler
Manufacturer: Prime Crime
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000NXUMSE

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Steps To The Altar - A Benni Harper Mystery
Earlene Fowler
Manufacturer: Berkley Prime Crime
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000W7QE2Y

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Steps to the Altar - E. Fowler
E. Fowler
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B000NM4J6Q

Steps to the Altar a Manual of Devotions and Meditations for the Blessed Eucharist

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Steps to the Altar a Manual of Devotions and Meditations for the Blessed Eucharist

Manufacturer: STANFORD AND SWORDS
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000E1EUK6

Book Description

This is Hugo-Award-winning author C.J. Cherryh's Del Rey debut--the story of Rusalka, the ghost of a murdered girl still seeking to exist by drawing the energy of life from all nearby living things, and the attempt to bring her back to life by her father Ulamets, and Pyetr, the young man who loved her.

Customer Reviews:

a fairly good read.......2007-04-01

I bought this in 1990 and promptly lost it, couldn't find another copy for years. Purchased it on Amazon who sent it to the last address. Got it again on e- bay who didn't screw it up.

Fairly good story, angst and anger ridden though. Very good treatise on the mechanics of magic in a quasi magical universe. As you can imagine a story about a murdered girl can be rather dark. The ending was interesting and borrowed from Tolkein a bit. I liked the book as a whole.

Unique and beautifully done!!.......2005-09-11

First, I would like to say that I do not know about Russian culture. A friend of mine told me that there are plays and operas based on Rusalka. Depending from different parts of Russia, Rusalka is a ghost with past different mythologies & varieties of powers. Well, Ms. Cherryh create a great fantasy based on the concept of a Rusalka.

The intorduction of the book is fast paced where one the the characters, Pyetr falsely accused of something and the village wants him dead. Along the way, he gets unexpected help from a wet behind ears teenage boy and escape the village of Vojvoda.
Pyetr learns a little bit more about his new companion, tries to portray the real harshness of life & squash fairy tales of magic. Pyetr getting weak & near death they fortunately meet the likelihood of Uulamets. Uulamets a proud wizard in own right does something that is believe that can't be done. The trio soon become somewhat of a family when a new chartacter, Eveshka comes into the mix. Don't want to give away to much but this a great read especially for a book that was written sometime in the 80's.

Okay book.......2005-07-11

A good book but not outstanding. Sometimes the story seemed to drag a bit and I had a hard time relating to the characters. But I did really like that it was based off Russian folklore because I haven't read many other fantasy books that have done so.

Great if you like stories about friendship (and angst).......2004-05-31

I reread this trilogy (this is the first -- followed by Chernevog and Yvgenie) every few years. I love it. Obviously it isn't to everyone's taste, judging by some of the other reviews, but if you like stories about the power of friendship -- which is more powerful than wizardry as far as CJ Cherryh is concerned -- then this is well worth reading.

Just be prepared for some "stream of consciousness" writing.

N

Oddly unfulfilling.......2002-10-12

I'm usually a big Cherryh fan, I have enjoyed everything else I have read by her. But Rusalka just left me cold. It seems to go on forever with the main characters bickering, to be brightened by momentary flashes of action after which ... the characters resume bickering.

Average customer rating:

Rusalka
C.J. Cherryh
Manufacturer: New York: Ballantine Books, 1989
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NXHTNA

Average customer rating:

Rusalka
introd James Gunn, Artwork Keith Parkinson , coloured frontispiece C. J. Cherryh SIGNED by author
Manufacturer: Easton Press,,
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Leather Bound
ASIN: B000JD5YW2

Dramaticheskie proizvedeniia: Malenkie tragedii. Rusalka. Boris Godunov. Pikovaia dama. (audiokniga Mp3)

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Dramaticheskie proizvedeniia: Malenkie tragedii. Rusalka. Boris Godunov. Pikovaia dama. (audiokniga Mp3)
Pushkin Aleksander.
Manufacturer: Ardis
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000QG27QS

Average customer rating:

This Book is Terrible

Rage of the bear (Rusalka)
Bert Byfield
Manufacturer: Caravela Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Book Description

*Rage of the Bear* Russalka is thrown into the savage Russian Civil War. This book tells the story of the Russian Civil War as it has never been told in the American school system. It is also the story of the transformation of a beautiful young girl, Russalka, from a 'southern belle' to a Zen-oriented commando soldier. As Bert Byfield has said on occasion: "Karate lessons are better than hoping men will be kind."

Customer Reviews:

This Book is Terrible.......2003-04-01

This is quite possibly one of the very worst books I have ever read.

Save your money on this one

Average customer rating:
Rusalka
Cherryth
Manufacturer: Ballantine Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000JF7CFC

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Rusalka
C. J. Cherryh
Manufacturer: Del Rey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OVBWIY

Average customer rating:
Rusalka
C. J. Cherryh
Manufacturer: Del Rey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NQF8JY

Average customer rating:
Rusalka (Partitura)
Antonin Dvorak
Manufacturer: Artia
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000RDG4GY

Average customer rating:
Rusalka (Signed First Edition)

Manufacturer: Easton Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Leather Bound
ASIN: B000CRJJYY

Book Description

Thoughts and Feelings adapts the powerful and widely adaptable techniques of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) into a set of tools readers can use, not to solve a particular problem, but to overcome any of the emotional and behavioral changes that life throws their way. CBT recognizes that most negative feelings arise from confused, irrational thoughts. By learning to identify and change these thoughts and by replacing destructive and limiting behaviors with new, more constructive ones, readers can start steering their lives in the direction they want to go.

Changes to this new edition include revisions and updates to the core CBT chapters as well as a new chapter on how to use mindfulness to bring focus and intention to the process of change.

Customer Reviews:

Some good chapters, but not that fantastic.......2007-05-17

I was expecting a little more with this book and so a little disappointed in the end. It has some good chapters like "worry" and suggests some helpful strategies but I was somehow expecting more. It is probably more designed for the naive reader rather than a psychological resource material. However, because it presents information in a very simplistic way it can have some use if you want your patients to read up on somethings.

Thoughts & Feelings: Taking Control of Your Moods and Your Life: A Workbook of Cognitive Behavioral Techni.......2007-01-26

just the job

Terrific, helpful exercises for your anxious mind.......2007-01-23

If you're interested in how cognitive behavioral therapy can help you, you should look into this book. It will give you a taste of the methods of CBT and healing your mind from debilitating thoughts.

Good book, but a better one is .......2006-11-02

The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook by Edmond Borne now in 4th edition. It has all that is in this one plus 10 other areas for mental and emotional healing. A ten star workbook... A MUST BUY.

Thoughts & Feelings Taking control of Your Moods and Your Life.......2006-10-21

This book has attracted the attention of my roomate, who has taken it for herself. Thanks for such a great book to help us regain our true selfs. I would recommend this book to anyone who feels their life is out of control, they themselves need to get back in touch with his/her self.

Book Description

For the sexy bitch, a party is an opportunity to release her creative wild spark. This book helps women gain confidence and showcase their uninhibited, individual style at any party.

The author shows how to develop a party persona, including flirting techniques, accessorizing the ultimate party outfit, and mastering the art of entrances and exits. The book is packed with tips for everything from breathing life into a dead party to finding a fashionable male accessory (aka "date") and dealing with any unwanted morning-after hangovers (including male accessories). The Sexy Bitch's Party — Living It, Throwing It, and Being It features sexy bitch makeovers of traditional parties, including birthday, Halloween, New Year's Eve, and bachelorette parties.

When it's time to hostess a party, this book shows how to elevate any get together to legendary status. There's down-and-dirty advice on how to set the scene, serve great food, mix cool drinks, and seed the party with playful things that will turn ordinary guests into sexy bitch cohorts.

Average customer rating:

Excellent

The Everything Horse Book: Buying, Riding, and Caring for Your Equine Companion..So Complete You'll Think a Horse Wrote It (Ever

it's ok...

Very good guide for caring for a horse

A pretty good book....

The Everything Horse Book: Buying, Riding, and Caring for Your Equine Companion..So Complete You'll Think a Horse Wrote It (Everything Series)
Cheryl Kimball
Manufacturer: Adams Media Corporation
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Animal Care & Pets | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
General | Horses | Animal Care & Pets | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Riding | Horses | Animal Care & Pets | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Equestrian | Horses | Individual Sports | Sports | Subjects | Books
General | Sports | Subjects | Books
Physiology | Zoology | Biological Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books
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Horses For Dummies (For Dummies (Pets))

The Whole Horse Catalog: The Complete Guide to Buying, Stabling and Stable Management, Equine Health, Tack, Rider Apparel, Equestrian Activities and Organizations...and ... Else a Horse Owner and Rider Will Ever Need

The Everything Horseback Riding Book: Step-by-step Instruction to Riding Like a Pro (Everything: Sports and Hobbies)

Getting Your First Horse (Horse-Wise Guides Series)

Horse Handling & Grooming: A Step-By-Step Photographic Guide to Mastering over 100 Horsekeeping Skills (Horsekeeping Skills Library)

ASIN: 1580625649

Book Description

The Everything Horse Book is a detailed introduction to loving and appreciating these majestic animals, from the basics of riding to important information on care and feeding.

This exciting book is perfect for horse lovers of all ages and skill levels. You'll learn what breed is best suited to a rider's needs and skills, as well as how to buy a horse, how to choose a reliable vet, and how to detect early symptoms of various health issues. Packed with professional suggestions, horse trivia, and definitions of equine jargon, The Everything Horse Book is an ideal gift for anyone who has ever been interested in our equestrian friends.

Features all you need to know about horses, including:
Anatomy and physiology
Behavior patterns
Feeding and grooming
Traditional and alternative treatments for healthy problems
Dressage, jumping, trail riding, and other types of horsemanship
Careers with horses

Customer Reviews:

Excellent.......2007-09-25

When I bought this book I honestly didn't think I'd ever read it, let alone read the entire thing. But I gave it a try and now I can't put it down. The advice she gives is very helpful and really lets me know what I'm going to have to do when I buy my own horse. This book really opened my eyes and has prepared me for someday becoming an experienced horsehandler. Cheryl Kimball does a wonderful job with this book!

The Everything Horse Book: Buying, Riding, and Caring for Your Equine Companion..So Complete You'll Think a Horse Wrote It (Ever.......2007-05-12

The Everything Horse Book: Buying, Riding, and Caring for Your Equine Companion..So Complete You'll Think a Horse Wrote It (Everything Series)
by Cheryl Kimball
This is a complete book of everything you need to know about horses the best descriptions the easiest reading. Would buy any of Cheryl Kimball's books due to the easy reading content.
Excellant and fully descriptive. My daughter wants to be a horse handler and has had not experience with horses this is a great book that gives a complete guide for beginners.

Excellant service, communication and packaging. Have bought many books and would not hesitate to buy more.

it's ok..........2006-08-14

When i first got this book i thought it was going to be much better. I thoroughly enjoyed it however. I am 14 years old and when i passed it down to my younger sister (who is 10) to read, she got bored really easily with it. It might be because she is just the type of person who bores easily, but there really is no motavation for someone of her age. there are very little pictures and is not written in a way which younger people understand

Very good guide for caring for a horse.......2004-09-14

This is a good book for the person who doesn't own a horse yet but would like to sometime. It is very complete, going over stuff from hoof anatomy to how to introduce your horse to an electric fence for the first time. However, I think that Horses for Dummies by Audrey Pavia is even MORE complete and I liked that better, but overall this is a very, very good book.

A pretty good book...........2001-12-16

I think this is a great book for someone who owns a horse. Since I don't yet own one, I found it not as interesting as some horse books. It talks about trailering your horse, what to feed it, ect.... I still enjoyed it though, because I really like reading anything on horses. And someday since I'll be owning a horse someday (I hope!!), I think this book will come in handy. :)

Book Description

Suzanne Keene's pioneering book shows how museums and other cultural organizations fit into the new world of information and electronic communications and, most importantly, how they can take advantage of what it has to offer.

By using new technology museums can build knowledge bases around information about collections. A collection object can be the central link for information about past and present, places, people and concepts, technologies, ways of working and evidence of the natural world. 'Digital Collections' explains how this vision can be realized. Sound, video and animations can be digitized and developed as a central resource that can be drawn on for many varied access routes: via the World Wide Web; CD ROMs; through on-gallery screens, and other future products still in development.

These technological capabilities raise many compelling issues that need to be understood in order to successfully develop information collections. In this book Suzanne Keene reviews these issues clearly and comprehensively. Her accompanying Click-Through Guide provides the latest news and links to Internet information:

http://www.users.dircon.co.uk/~s-keene/infoage/infoage.htm

Suzanne Keene is a senior manager of museum collections and information at the Science Museum, London. She led the UK LASSI project to select a collections information system for UK museums. This, with her experience in directing information technology and multimedia projects, means that she is accustomed to translating the highly technical concepts of information technology into high level issues for senior and strategic management.

* Explains the Information Age/Information Economy and the strategic implications for museums

* Describes the effects of increasing use of IT in museums and its future developments

Customer Reviews:

Lovely!.......2007-03-15

Very nice projects. Even if you work with other fabrics rather than Mary's, I am sure I will get wonderful things for my house. Well explained step-by-step instructions.

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