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Yet again this great author has another hit series, We had the great Alex Rider series, Diamond Brothers, Jason Steed (Under a pen name) and now Ravens Gate.
This is great for both Young adult and adults. I am looking foward to more from this great author.

Matt has been accused of committing a crime which actually he really didn't do. So now he has a choice to either go to jail or stay with an old lady named Mrs. Deverill in a remote area called Lesser Malling because of the government's new law called the LEAF Project. Matt should have chosen jail because he will soon find out that someone is planning something there at Lesser Malling, and Matt is in the middle of all the commotion.

Matt's past hasn't been the best. His parents died in a car crash six years ago and he has been living with his mom's stepsister, who doesn't necessarily treat him very well. But Matt has discovered that he has some kind of weird magical power--but doesn't know what it is.

When he gets to Mrs. Deverill's house he isn't treated in the best way possible. Even though he thinks the food is good he has to do chores and basically clean up all of Mrs. Deverill's property. After a while he has had enough of this bizarre nonsense and wants to leave, because this was supposed to be a volunteer act.

But when he tries to take a bike out to the main road back to Greater Malling and then back to London, every road he takes just brings him back to the place he started from. Well, he went home after that, and thought that he'd try the next day.

When coming back to the same spot, a guy named Tom Burgess appears and says he wants to help Matt out because this isn't a safe place to be. He also says that he will explain everything tomorrow at his farm, but what Matt doesn't know is that he will find Tom dead the next day.

After Tom's death things got even worse. Mrs. Deverill starts to come out more strongly and everyone that tries to help him get out of this creepy place just ends up dead. Is Matt's new helper bound to turn up dead, too?

Find out! Read the book.

I think this book is incredible!! Once you start reading you can't stop! This book has a twist at every turn. I recommend this book to anybody interested in books like the Harry Potter series--it's just so magnificent!!

This was a great book, I couldn't put it down. I wanted to know more about Matt and felt bad for him and his grim situation. I hope that the Gatekeepers would be made into a movie, it would be filled with suspense and intrigue, like the book series. I havent gotten the other books in the series yet, but am excited to read them. Matt Freeman is a great charactor, Horowitz wrote a fab book. I would recommend this book to not only the junior high set, but older kids and adults, its hard to stop reading it once you get started.

Author: Anthony horowitz Ravens Gate *****
It all starts on a rainy night while Matt is waiting for the older boy, tonight they would rob the wharehouse. He didn't feel good about this but he needed the money. After they where in the wharehouse, he heard a scream, then sirens. Next thing he knew he was being asked if he wanted jail or to live with a old women named Jayne Devirell. He should've chosen jail. This a great fantasy book that you can't put down.
Review by: Adam watts

During a summer visit to my home town,my nephew Chris, introduced me to the Gate Keepers series. I was hooked.What a refreshing and thrilling writer Anthony Horowitz is! I am now starting in on the Alex Rider series. You can't go wrong with this author for young teens!

As a professional eco-friendly interior designer, I find Harmonious Environment: Beautify, Detoxify & Energize Your Life, Your Home & Your Planet by Norma Lehmeier Hartie to be an indispensable tool for my work.

This book started the "green part" of my career. The sections on green living and green products for the home, along with the hundreds of resources, taught me everything I need to know--and where to purchase--green products for the home. There is also a chapter on organic and healthy food and eco-friendly personal care products and on cleaning supplies.

I utilize the tips on organizing and de-cluttering for my clients, too. (For those clients that simply can't get rid of stuff or organize, I give them the book as a gift! It works!)

The sections on Feng Shui are fantastic. Hartie makes difficult concepts easy to understand and execute. I also appreciate the fact that she takes Feng Shui into the 21st century and advises based on Western culture what makes sense. Superstitions based on eastern culture from 1000's of years ago are replaced with down-to-earth and timely advice.

As an interior designer, color is a big part of my job. Hartie incorporates the psychology of color into decorating and this works really well. For example, cool colors like purples and blues work best in rooms that need quiet--like bedrooms--because they will decrease your blood pressure and allow you to rest.

The book has tons of information, but it is easily understood and includes a good index for future reference.

Harmonious Environment is a must-have!

Harmonious Environment: Beautify, Detoxify & Energize Your Life, Your Home & Your Planet, by Norma Lehmeier Hartie, is an indispensable reference book for anyone who cares about their health and well being and for the future of the planet.

Hartie concisely covers a wide range of subjects and includes a comprehensive listing of advisory organizations, product and service resources. Part I of the book, "Banish the Ugly from Your Life," is a blueprint for green, sustainable living. Discover how to replace toxic and unsustainable products from household cleaners to food (including recipes) to furniture to personal care products with safe, eco-friendly ones. Hartie is the tough but motivational Life Coach in her approach to cleaning, removing clutter and on organizing the home or office.

Part II, "Bring in the Beautiful to Create a Harmonious Environment and Self," includes a chapter on Earth-based spirituality and a fascinating look at the Four Elements (Earth, Fire, Air and Water) and the Medicine Wheel. The core of Hartie's philosophy blossoms in Chapter Seven, "Applying Harmonious Adjustments(tm): Using Feng Shui and Other Techniques for Powerful Results." Unlike other Feng Shui authors, Hartie has experience as a designer and her skills are apparent in this chapter and the following two. She has combined principles of Feng Shui, the Four Elements, color, energy, Vastu, creative visualization, and good design principles that create a unique and eclectic approach to home decorating. Finally, Hartie provides guidance on how to manifest personal or professional desires.

In Part III, "Putting the Pieces Together," Hartie skillfully integrates the many subjects of the book into a unified and cohesive whole.

At its cover price of $19.95, Harmonious Environment is a value alone for the comprehensive green living product suppliers in the Resources section.

What makes this book so truly ambitious, however, is what lies beneath the surface. In a sense, this book is only marginally about decorating ones home per se; it is a tome about personal transformation and about saving the earth. A theme that runs throughout the book is that all beings on earth are interconnected energetically. It is empowering to read that each person has the ability to manipulate their homes and self to both raise the collective energy and to manifest their own desires. Motivational, enlightening and well organized, Harmonious Environment is one remarkable book.

The most impressive aspect of Harmonious Environment is the cover of the book. I found the information to be very basic, idealistic, or common sense. If someone has lived in total chaos and now wants to morph into harmony, this is the book for you! If, however, you're already seeking harmony in your home, I would not recommend this book to you. Harmonious Environment is a primer and only for beginners.

This is a great book for both the beginner and those working on clearing their environment. A very interesting read.

This book has a little bit of everything - feng shui, zodiac signs, dowsing, recipes, and organizational tips. It's so full of information it can be a little overwhelming, but she does organize the book very well. I enjoyed the food recipes and the recipes for natural cleaning solutions. The author also states that dogs prefer positive energy and that cats prefer negative energy, which I have long suspected.

The book has too much of a mystical hoopla vibe for me, though. I stopped when she got to the section about the negative effects of tampons on my spiritual energy or whatever.

I'm not a vet, but Cat Owners Veterinary handbook seems to be thorough and rather easy to understand. It offers a great deal of detailed information regarding feline diseases and treatment options. It is a guide I feel comfortable with and will always use to learn about feline health.

Maria B.

I received this book as a gift, at first I just thought it was interesting. Our cat has always been in fine/perfect health and I rarely had to use it, however now that he has some medical necessities I find that I refer to this often. This book has proven easy to read and full of appropriate information that can help you make decisions on the treatment your feline might need. I feel more educated on options for medical treatment as well as when I should seek medical help. We have recently got our first dog and we are purchasing the canine version of this book too. I have purchased the feline book for a friend who also loves it. Great gift to give or receive, people who want to be more educated about their pets medical needs should definitely purchase and have on hand as a reference.

This is great reference book for beginners but it has alot of things missing which is why I say it's a good book for beginners.

I have the Dog Owner's edition so, when I became a Cat owner I bought this. I wouldn't dream of not having the book in my household. It can answer all your questions and ease your worries at times as well. A must for anyone that has a cat in the family!

This is an excellently-presented, very well-written, informative and complete guide to your cat's health concerns. Presenting veterinary medicine in lay language can be difficult, but this book does so, and should be your primary reference guide when Cleo gets droopy.

No one likes to see pictures of sick and injured cats, but the authors, a group of D.V.M.s, don't shy away from illustrating some of the more unpleasant conditions that catflesh is heir to, nor should they. After all, illness and injury plague cats as much as they plague humans, and there's no denying that fact.

My only criticism of this book is that many of the conditions described are encapsulated in overly brief paragraphs. Symptoms are given and linked to all manner of serious and less-serious conditions. There is little differential diagnosis offered between them. Hence, the tenor of the book is rather alarmist at times. The authors' bottom line is usually, "See your Vet," but realistically, not every situation requires a visit to the doctor. Few people can afford to consult a Vet every time a minor issue like a transient case of the sneezies occurs, but home care and treatment is rather slighted in this book. Since the authors are Veterinarians perhaps that's understandable, but describing a swelling as a "possible cyst" without also mentioning that it might just be an aftereffect at an injection site can cause upset, cost a cat owner money for nothing, and cause this book to be less-readily consulted in the future. It happened to me, so I speak from experience.

I was disappointed with this book It read more like a diary than a book to help organise your life, The authors seemed to be more interested in their life than mine. Give it a miss and try Flyladys books if you need help

Had this book along time ago. Worked wonders, then I got side tracked and lost the book. It will work wonders again.

The book arrived in a timely fashion and in very good shape. Love these authors!

I have enjoyed reading both of the slob sister's books. "Get Your Act Together" and "Sidetracked Home Executives". I enjoyed the "Sidetracked Home Executives" so much that I read it twice. They offer great insights on organizing your life. They also make it fun and humorous.

I bought Sidetracked Home Executive in 1983 and I did the program. It worked for me as a mother of two young boys. I bought SHE as a gift for a newly-wed friend and "Get Your Act Together" for me. I read the book and laughed and cried as I related to the sisters stories and tricks and tips for those of us who are born disorganized. I like the new format for the card system. I can't wait to set up my box for my new stage in life--empty nest. If you buy both books life I did--read the GYAT book first. This will save you a lot to time when you do your card system. Read the SHE book second and laugh with these two crazy sisters.

When I was 7, my parents got divorced. I am now 18, and looking back I realize how confused I was about the breakup. Recently, my dad gave me an advanced copy of Mom's House, Dad's House for Kids, and asked for my opinion on the book. With the intention of only skimming a few pages, I found myself unable to put it down, and read the book in its entirety. I was amazed at the clear, simple, and compassionate way Dr. Ricci answered questions about divorce that baffled me in the past. The thing that impressed me most about Mom's House, Dad's House for Kids was the consistent positive message it conveyed. Without preaching, the book encourages children to make and fulfill positive goals, respect themselves and others, and above all come to acceptance about their parent's divorce. I know this book would have helped me in the past, and I would highly recommend it to any child going through divorce.

This book can be a young person's full-time guide not just to the logistics, emotions, and decisions that arise during parents' divorce, but also to growing up strong under any conditions. As a mother whose daughter was 9 at the time of divorce (or until she turned 18 or so - she's an adult now), I would have bought two copies - one for me and one for her - so that each of us could have it handy 24/7 and write our own marginal notes. Three copies. One for dad, too. Arguments may be commonplace during and after divorce, but no one could argue with the solid foundation and practical value of Dr. Ricci's ideas or her profound love of children and families. It should be in the waiting room of every therapist, as well.

Mom's House, Dad's House for Kids is terrific! The author knows how to speak to kids in a way that helps them understand and cope with the changes that come with separation, divorce, and remarriage. The focus is positive and proactive: things kids can do to feel better, tips on how to talk to parents about problems, strategies for addressing and resolving problems, a framework for exploring consequences when making choices, answers to kids' unasked questions, and more. There's even a section giving answers to the questions that kids hesitate to ask. The book doesn't end with the divorce, but continues with what to expect and how to cope when the family changes once again into a stepfamily. The tone, the format, and the content are super child-friendly. A must-read for kids whose parents are separating, divorcing, dating, or remarrying.

This book is one of the worst let-downs I've read in a long, long time. The plot is tired. The characters are not in the least endearing...halfway through the book, you're still wondering why you should care about them. Worst of all, the prose is extremely cliche.

If you're looking for something to read at bedtime, this yawner will put you to sleep. If you're looking for something to while away the hours, you could do worse, but not much.

I found the town of Acorn Hill to be sweet and endearing the kind of town you would like to live. I enjoyed Alice and her sisters. But it's kind of boring read...not much of a plot. I was looking for something more along the lines of the Mitford Series by Jan Karon or Harmony Series by Philip Gulley; this book was not even close.

Newly available in paperback, and the first in a series by multiple authors, BACK HOME AGAIN delivers just what its cover promises --- a nice, faith-filled escapist read. Veteran author Melody Carlson (who has written more than 90 books) pens book one in the Tales from Grace Chapel Inn.

The saga of three aging sisters begins as they succumb to the Christian fiction cliché: turning their family's old Victorian house into a bed and breakfast. Yes, you've seen this in so many other Christian novels, but Carlson is a competent author and crafts a relatively smooth story around this worn plot idea. The house is in need of paint and a new roof, and hasn't been kept up for many decades. Alice, the protagonist, notes, "Of course, she knew the house was run down, but it was a friendly sort of wornness, like a pair of old slippers that had been properly broken in, or so it seemed to her." The three Howard sisters converge upon the rambling Victorian after their father's death, and their inheritance proves to be a turning point for their future.

Alice is an even-tempered nurse looking into retirement, Louise a feminine "fuddy-duddy" musician who teaches piano, and Jane a free spirit and new divorcee who is artistically inclined and enjoys cooking a good meal. Some mild tension ensues as they squabble over paint chips, wallpaper samples and the direction of the B&B, but Alice the peacekeeper smoothes everything over without a lot of trouble. More remodeling glitches lie ahead, but faith and family lend resilience to the women, and readers will never feel more than a mild concern that the eventual outcome will be just fine.

The setting is Acorn Hill, Pennsylvania, a quiet town whose most avant-garde business is Nine Lives Bookstore where Viola Reed, the owner, is quick to criticize the customer's taste in books. (This reviewer, a former bookseller, would like to note that this seems bad for business.) Plainly named, The Coffee Shop provides opportunities for readers to meet other members of Acorn Hill, including Craig, the owner of a small florist business called Wild Things, and Hope, the proprietor of the coffee business.

Acorn Hill is one of those timeless small towns that eschew change, and when the sisters begin their renovations some mild tension ensues. Several of the church board movers and shakers of Grace Chapel next door are upset that the former parsonage is about to become a business, and some of the townsfolk are up in arms that the color of the house is changing from peach to the original hues. "...There are plenty of folks in this town who like things just fine the way they are," notes Alice's walking companion, Vera. But the plucky Alice replies, "Sometimes change is good."

Aunt Ethel provides some light conflict when she can't control her tongue, but the family fracas never really progresses to anything heavy. Forgiveness and apologies are abundant and never long in coming when needed. Faith is woven throughout the lives of the sisters, whether Alice is attending a church board meeting and navigating the diverse personalities there, or creating the motto for the B&B, "A place where God is at home."

Some wordiness and repetition of words slow down the pacing, and there's not much depth to the story or the characters. But this is a pleasant, restful read that won't tax you; a nice escape from reality that promises nothing more upsetting than remodeling troubles or a few mildly troublesome relatives. Pick up this story on a cold winter's afternoon along with a cup of hot chocolate, or on a day at the beach when you want something light and soothing. If you enjoy BACK HOME AGAIN, look for book two in the series, RECIPES AND WOODEN SPOONS, by Judy Baer.

--- Reviewed by Cindy Crosby

This is a good book if you are looking at remodeling a craftman type home or if you are planning to build one. I did like some of the idea's and the pictures.

If you are planning any kind work where you are going using allot of wood this is a great book, it is full of ideas. The photos have great detail. One of best books I have on Craftsman/Arts& Crafts interiors.

So you've bought a bungalow--now, what do you do with it? Maybe it's a fixer-upper; maybe it's too small, or doesn't have enough storage space; maybe you're just not sure what kind of furniture to get. This book is a great start toward deciding where to go next. Illustrated with hundreds of full-color photographs, it shows not only many of the features by which you can tell an Arts & Crafts house when you see it (I was surprised to learn that the big old foursquares such as my grandparents lived in for 40 years are included in this classification), but gives actual ideas carried out by other homeowners, even unto before-and-after floor plans. The author's advice is thoughtful and well suited to the houses she writes about, too. And if you just like to look at pictures of vintage American homes, this would be a good volume to add to your collection.

My wife and I appreciated this detailed book and incorporated many ideas we found in our new (old) residence

I was very excited to get this book as we plan to incorporate some craftsman style elements into the 1970s bungalo we're buying. The interiors in the photos were not terribly attractive and leaned towards kitschy. Unless you want to turn you house into a museum to 20th century cheasiness, don't buy this book.

Like all the "dummies" books this one has expert advice. Unwittingly, I always assumed growing orchids was something only for the "experts". Not so, once I screwed up enough courage to purchase a few, I find it is both fun and rewarding.

So far So good , I know nothing about orchids and have just started to collect them. This book is easy to read and understand,now I am just waiting for results.

this book thoroughly takes on how to grow orchids. Very easy to comprehend the complexities of what you've taken on. Very good reference source. Also would recommend 'Ortho's Guide to Orchids'.

A good starter book. Gives a complete, detailed and no-assumptions information about most orchids and the varieties, care and handling.

This is actually a pretty good starter book. There are a vast number of books out there addressing the subjects of growing, identification, history, etc. of these wonderful plants, but for those that just bought their first orchid, or are contemplating such, then this is as good a book to start with as any. Needless to say, no book can do it all for you and as you grow in this wonderful hobby, you will want to check on more of the wonderful resources available. When I first began raising orchids, it was hard to find anything that was meant for the general public, and most orchid books were unreadable (if you could even find them) unless you had a degree on horticulture. I killed off quite a few of these plants in my learning process, still do for that matter, but that is what is so fascinating about this hobby, i.e. there is always so much more to learn.

As with all the idiot books, this one covers your basic informational needs, from selecting a good starter plant on to its care and maintenance. It has humor thrown in here and there, which makes for a pleasing read. Now this in not a "picture book" of orchids nor is it meant to be. Goodness knows there are many high dollar books out there to fulfill this need. I liked this particular work as it does well illustrate that orchids are not as difficult to raise as many feel they are. Yes, some have very specialized needs, but for the most part, the orchids you have access to are not all that difficult if you just know what you are doing. This book gives you that basic knowledge to get you started. It uses simple terms and written in an easy style that does not send you running to the dictionary with every turned page. The illustrations are quite well done.

Now as for this being a book only for beginners, hmmm, I am not quite sure what to say about that. Granted, much of the information found here is basic and the entire work is not written in the dry, academic mode so often found in these works. I am certainly no expert myself, but have been messing with these plants for quite a number of years now, and to be quite frank, I learned a few things myself. Some of the stuff I thought I knew, I did not know. It may be just me, but I have found that as with most things you need to beware of "experts" and their advice. It is nice to hear their opinion, but you always need to check the facts our for yourself and from multiple sources.

I highly recommend this one for beginners and feel that a lot of the "old timers" could probably benefit from giving this one a read.

Don Blankenship
The Ozarks

I think the idea or basis behind the book is very good. However, this book bored me from page one. It was also very repeticious; the author doesn't quite give recommendations on how to create this art in your home but instead goes in circles saying that we are all creators and can create art. I was looking for actual ideas on how to incorporate art into my home and this book definitely did not come through. Her descriptions were also very hard to follow and I'm not sure if she's from England or just an old hippie type. Or maybe both...but her words were hard to put into ideas.

I loved this book, Schaeffer does an excellent job of inspiring her readers to brining art into every day life. She has an abundance of great ideas, and is a very easy-to-read authoress. I bought 6 copies and have given them away as gifts to several friends.

Boring.... I bought this book because it came soooo recommended but I couldn't wait to pass it on to someone else. I talked with one of my friends that also bought it. She totally agreed with me. It is just boring. I don't know why this book was republished. Mrs. Schaeffer has other books that are better!

A friend of mine recommended this book to me and I read it with surprising enthusiasm. I recently bought it for a friend of mine so that she could experience the same surprising and lovely blessings I did when I read it.

Schaeffer describes the simplicity of homemaking, how small gestures can create great elegance in a world that too often eats its fast food lunches out of a paper bag while driving in a car hurrying from point A to point B. Schaeffer draws on her own experience, her life's wisdom, as well as her Biblical faith to remind the reader that creating a home is not about having things but sharing one's self. Even a person who travels a lot can carry a piece of home with them in having a few personal items they take from hotel to hotel turning at least a corner of even the most anonymous and homogenized environment into something personal and unique.

An elegant and loving book.

What a treasure. A wonderful book that encourages you to use your gifts and to be creative! And to make it a priority! All tired and burnt out housewives should read.