Once again, Ted Dekker has woven a mind bending tale of suspense that will grip you in the beginning and keep you on the edge of your seat until the end. It is a novel that will challenge you to "dive deep" and examine who you really are.

Thr3e is tightly wound in the concept of three. First, it is a story about three people -- a seminary student, Kevin, his childhood friend, Samantha, and a man so twisted you cannot fathom knowing anyone like him. Second, it is a story steeped in three realities -- what is real, what you perceive to be real and what everyone else perceives as real. Finally, it is a story about the triune nature of man -- "the good, the evil and the man struggling between."

Not only is Thr3e a novel that will challenge your conventional belief system, it is a piece of suspense that will take you on a roller coaster of a ride. Dekker will make your skin crawl! On more than one occasion I looked over my shoulder and all but jumped at noises I heard in the night.

As you may already know, Thr3e falls into the Christian fiction genre. Despite this, it is a great read for almost anyone. However, being Christian fiction, you will find some differences between how Dekker molds his characters as opposed to non-Christian suspense authors. For some reviewers, the lack of four letter expletives cheapened the story. I disagree. A poor choice of language neither develops the story, nor deepens the characters.

The only weakness I found slightly bothersome was the romantic aspect. It was not only unnecessary for this particular story, it did not appear to be fully developed. I almost felt as if it was an afterthought to appease the women out there, of which I am one. Having read 6 of Dekker's 7 novels I can say with some authority that this aspect, a little bit of romance, is a common thread throughout his writing.

Overall, this is an excellent piece of suspense. More importantly, this is a novel that will challenge your belief system. Are you willing to examine yourself? If you want a novel that engages your mind and does not let go, Thr3e is for you!

The first thing that comes to mind when I look at this book is how beautifully illustrated it is. The images are rich, engaging and a delight to absorb. Unfortunately, they are almost identical to those found within "How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night?" However, I feel this gives them a sense of familiarity for children who know the bedtime story.

The book covers ten dinosaurs -- Brachiosaurus, Carnotaurus, Dilophosaurus, Euoplocephalus, Gallimimus, Parasaurolophus, Styracosaurus, Tropeognathus, Tuojiangosaurus, and Velociraptor. All of them appear so friendly that your child just might invite them over the next time he's sick. Moreover, they are anatomically correct, insofar as they can be for cartoon like illustrations.

One of the most interactive pieces of the book is that each illustration has hidden within it the name of the dinosaur. Everytime my son and I read this book he seeks out the dinosaur's name. It's a dino I Spy game for him.

He's also fascinated with the fact that he can match the dinosaurs from the inside covers (front and back) with those within the story.

Of course, beautiful illustrations are important, but so is the story line. This one is done well. The illustrations show the dinosaurs engaging in all sorts of antics so familiar to parents of ill preschoolers. In the end, the dinosaurs do the right thing, "He drinks lots of juice, and he gets lots of rest." Fans of "How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight" will notice that the story ending is almost identical to that book -- our dino friend closes his eyes and whispers good night.

Overall, I would recommend this book for dinosaur loving preschoolers! It is beautiful, interactive and well written. However, if your already a fan of the first book, you may find this one to be a repeat of the first with a slightly different topic.

The first thing that comes to mind when I look at this book is how beautifully illustrated it is. The images are rich, engaging and a delight to absorb.

The book covers ten dinosaurs -- Allosaurus, Ankylosaurus, Apatosaurus, Corythosaurus, Dimetrodon, Pteranodon, Stegosaurus, Trachodon, Triceratops and Tyrannosaurus Rex. All of them appear so friendly that your child just might invite them for a sleepover. Moreover, they are anatomically correct, insofar as they can be for cartoon like illustrations.

One of the most interactive pieces of the book is that each illustration has hidden within it the name of the dinosaur. Everytime my son and I read this book he seeks out the dinosaur's name. It's a dino I Spy game for him.

He's also fascinated with the fact that he can match the dinosaurs from the inside covers (front and back) with those within the story.

Of course, beautiful illustrations are important, but so is the story line. This one is done well. The illustrations show the dinosaurs engaging in all sorts of antics to avoid going to sleep. However, the point of this is to question whether or not dinosaurs show "naughty" bedtime behavior. They do not. In the end, dinosaurs "tuck in their tails" and "whisper, 'Good night!'

Overally, I would highly recommend this book for dinosaur loving preschoolers! It is beautiful, interactive and well written.

Clean House, Clean Planet by Karen Logan is one of the best books I've read recently! Ms. Logan discusses why you should switch, what is in the commercial cleaners found in the store, how to put together the essentials for green cleaning and how to make your own homemade cleaners. However, she goes above and beyond most authors. Ms. Logan explains the recipe's effectiveness and compares the costs of the particular recipe with the commercial alternative.

What I like most about this book is the recipes -they are inexpensive, easy and *effective*. Moreover, with or without the use of the essential oils she recommends, they leave your home smelling fresh! Perhaps the most effective suggestion I've tried is "Hollywood Bowl" and a pumice stick. Together, they elminated a toilet bowl ring that has plagued me for months. Now, if Ms. Logan could help me wipe out the mold and mildew on my bath tiles, this book would be perfect!

Overall, Clean House, Clean Planet is a must for every home. Fun to read, easy to implement, and refreshing to use!

Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way is an excellent resource on the Bradley Method. Author, Susan McCutcheon introduces you to the Bradley Method, explains how it differs from Lamaze, discusses how to choose your childbirth educator and your doctor, explains the importance of nutrition and how to prepare yourself for this life transforming experience.

In addition to the general information she provides in helping you to prepare, she thoroughly walks you through the Bradley Method. Through exercise, illustration, nutrition, and practice, McCutcheon completely covers how you should prepare and deal with both First and Second Stage of Childbirth. Finally, she closes the text with a discussion of various childbirth controversies -- episiotomies, caesarean sections and homebirth.

This book excels in preparing you for a Natural Childbirth, as defined by the American Academy of Husband Coached Childbirth -- a birth that is without unnecessary medical intervention. However, some view her tone as "fear tactics" or "outdated" ideas. I disagree. Rather, she educates you on the principles of Bradley and provides you with the ability to recognize when the medical personnel are undertaking a procedure for their convenience or for your best interest. In short, she provides you with information and proven tools to make informed decisions and take responsibility for your birth.

Despite the strengths of this book, I highly recommend that, whenever physically possible, the reader enroll in a Bradley class to supplement the reading in this book. If you *really* desire a Natural Childbirth, the class will provide you with the knowledge, practice and support you need to achieve your goals. Though this book is excellent, your instructor is almost essential -- she can guide you in recognizing when you need medical assistance and when you do not!

Upon purchasing Vegetarian Times four years ago I used it several times a week. Gradually, that tapered off and nowadays I pull it out occasionally. Typically, when I do use it, it is to refer to a recipe I have made before.

Most discouraging about Vegetarian Times is the numerous ingredients required by the recipes, the difficulty in obtaining some of the ingredients, the extensive prep time (even those recipes in the "Under Thirty Minutes" chapter take more time than the recipes suggest), and the all too common mediocre results.

However, I must add, I have encountered a few really good recipes! The Mexican Lasagna (p. 244) is fabulous and a relatively quick and easy meal to make when time is of the essence. The the Mexican Corn Stew (p. 232-233) is one of my favorites, but it is time consuming. Likewise, I often find myself craving the Calzones With Sun Dried Tomatoes and Garlic (p. 218-219), but they take so much time to prepare we reserve these for lazy Sunday afternoons.

Vegetarian Times might best serve someone who already owns a few other vegetarian cookbooks -- someone who is looking for a few good recipes. However, I would not recommend Vegetarian Times to someone just beginning with vegetarian cooking.

Gentle Birth Choices is an excellent book for all expectant parents, regardless of their birthing intentions (i.e. birth center, home birth, hospital birth, natural birth or water birth). Moreover, childbirth educators of any affiliation will benefit from the information covered in the text and on video.

Gentle Birth Choices is riveting, yet powerful. Barbara Harper guides the reader through a history of birth and birthing procedures, dispels the myths perpetuated by the medical establishment and presents alternatives to hospital birth. However, for those who are unable to birth outside of a hospital, Ms. Harper provides guidance so that the reader may obtain the best, "gentle" birth possible. The book benefits expectant parents in that it presents them with options, some of which they may have not previously considered. Moreover, childbirth educators will not only find the book informative for teaching purposes, but also useful for influencing the medical establishment in a tactful manner.

Like the book, the video is an asset for both expectant parents and educators. Whether you have never seen a birth before or have witnessed thousands, the births contained in the video tape are absolutely beautiful and refreshing, relaxing yet empowering. After watching the video you will want to share it with everyone you know!

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend both book and video! In fact, I've already gone one further -- I purchased it for my cousin who is expecting in April.

You never know when you might need to pinch hit for the "professionals" and assist in the birth process. Emergency Childbirth prepares you to do just that! Emergency Childbirth walks you through the birth process from preparation to delivery. Subjects covered include how to recognize First Stage Labor, assisting with the birth in Second Stage, and receiving the placenta in Third Stage.

However, Emergency Childbirth covers not only preparations and birth for a "normal" birth, but also equips you to deal with the rare and unusual -- buttocks or legs breech births, hands first, cord first, hemorrhage, recognizing babies in danger, artificial respiration, dealing with eclampsia, and other illnesses or accidental injuries you may encounter.

Overall, Emergency Childbirth is easy to understand and use, regardless of your age or birth experience. I heartily recommend this manual for anyone who might need it in a pinch -- from expectant parents to EMT's, Fire, Police and Taxi Drivers.