TIA Books

This book is a great gift, especially to those enterring new exciting chapters in their lives. It could as a result of death, illness, or just starting a new chapter. Life is hard but enjoy gain strengh from that around you.

This book is very inspirational and can be used a a motivator for young people embarking on their life journey. The accompanying cd is excellent as well.

I felt so connected to this and cried , I gave it to my daughter , who had just found out she had cancer . goldenyrs43

Leeann Womack does a fantastic job at describing how the song came about and how to apply it to every day life.

Being a lover of this song and of gift books, I naturally couldn't resist ordering this book the minute I saw it in a store. The lyrics of Leann Womack's classic song is featured throughout the book, along with inspirational messages and beautiful photography from those who put the book together.

I did dock a star because the messages in the book that accompanied the song occasionally came off as a little too..mushy. I'm really not that harsh a critic, not of books like these, but the beautiful words of inspiration were, a couple of times, replaced by words that were definetly too syrupy for my taste. I prefer truly moving messages and stories to speak for themselves, but it occassionally seemed like the authors wanted to hammer the point home, overdo the sentimentality, and even make their message serious and cheerfully bouncy at the exact same time (trust me, that doesn't work.) For ex: throughout the book, the lyrics of the song are printed in large bold letters in order to differentiate them from the authors' separate words of inspiration. Usually, the pages featuring the lyrics had no other words on them, but at one point, right above the words of Womack's moving song, the authors' placed a bulletin that said, "Attention! This is BIG stuff!" Considering the fact that Leann's song more than speaks for itself and doesn't need any extra emotional boosting, I found those additional words annoying and almost jarring to the flow of the song and its message.

Elsewhere in the book, as I mentioned before, the sentimentality goes into overdrive. One page is dedicated entirely to love and begins with the words, "Love, love, love. You have to love." Again, I got that idea the first time. It's nice to compliment the song with additional words of motivation, but we don't need an interpretive page with every selection of the song. In another part of the book, while speaking of youth, the narrator says, "Ah, youth..new skin, wide smiles, clear eyes..the future so bright. If only we could bottle it up, sip it now and again.." This sounded more to me like a bad commercial for a fountain of youth than a motivational speech. I don't mean to sound cynical, I usually love gift books, but the tone in this one was sometimes just too sweet for my taste.

I also didn't particularly care for the version of the song in the bonus CD. There's a mainstream version with soft rock music and female voices in the background (which I prefer) and there's a country version with male voices in the background and the occassional awful twangy instruments; this one's the latter. If you like country music, good for you, but I don't like the country version of this song.

There are plenty of good points of this book to make up for the disappointments, of course. The song is wonderful, whether you hear it or read it, and some of the separate words in the book were lovely to read. My favorite part of the book's text, other than the song, was a beautiful little haiku that the authors wrote called "You", celebrating every individual. The photographs are also gorgeous, from grinning children to nature scenery. A beautiful package, altogether.

Now, if they'd only make a gift book celebrating the beautiful song "Private Malone"..

A Heart of Devotion by Tia McCollors is a story filled with many twists and turns. It is a journey into the lives of two friends...their struggles and triumphs in relationships with God, men, family, and each other.

This page-turner delves into issues that many Christians face in their daily lives, but are not often discussed openly. It is refreshing to see them addressed in this book. What type of issues? ...issues of celibacy, dating and Christianity, unplanned pregnancy, friendship and accountability, trust in others and and faith in God.

A Heart of Devotion is an easy read and you will find it hard to put down.
Each character, major and minor, is well rounded and you will not be able to wait to find out what is going to happen with them next.

A Heart of Devotion is a compelling story of the many spiritual battles women face today in a world full of temptation. The author did a great job developing the different characters.

It's a must read for anyone needing encouragement. It spoke to me in so many ways. This is a spiritually powerful book and I highly recommend it.

I just finished reading A Heart of Devotion. This book is causing me to take a 2nd look at my relationship with the Lord! There are times we get so caught up in being a "good Christian" we forget about the human side of us. It is often easier to judge instead of understanding others'dilemmas/issues. It's a book that makes you think, reflect and decide what has been working in your life and what hasn't. If you want to be uplifted and inspired read this book. It is a testament to falling down, getting back up and thriving!

This is the BEST fiction novel that I have ever read!!! Tia McCollors did an outstanding job! As a young Atlantan woman, I felt a deep emotional connection with the main character, Anisha, who like me, can sense a deep calling towards entreprenuerial endeavors. I love that McCollors connected common life situations in the novel with it's corresponding scriptures in the Bible without being over-the-top religious (it was a classy approach and smooth enough not to scare anyone away). This book gave me hope and inspired me to keep being the Christian I am, no matter what life throws at you, even through the pains of love, heartbreak and torn relationships. I recommend this book to all single, God-fearing, Christian women who inspire to follow the perfect will of God while battling the many obstacles that this un-so perfect world throws us each day.

This book gave me the healing i needed....i'm in the same situation. It is so ironic how great this book is, i am in love with this book, and recommend it to every single woman...

I wanted to know what it's like to grow up in hard-scrabble, drug-plagued Baltimore neighborhoods - then saw this book on the new non-fiction shelf at my library. Seemed it might help me get the picture. Did it? Yes. But it raised as many questions as it answered. Now, I want to know even more about the author and her life than this little book tells me. This is a heart-breaking book - apparently self-published, by a young Baltimore woman in her early 30's. She endured and survived years of being treated like trash by her own mother: denied friends, restricted to home, school and church, whipped with electrical cords, turned against her siblings one by one as they broke away from their cruel homelife and reestablished themselves as pregnant teens, then mothers and welfare recipients, then drug addicts. So many aspects of the author's childhood were dreadful. High on the list of horrors is the appalling fact that her family's Jehovah's Witness congregation apparently condoned--even encouraged--the loveless cruelty of her childhood. As Jehovah's Witnesses, the children were denied friends outside the family, denied birthdays and holidays, and even denied the right to remain fond of their own siblings, who were literally ostracized one by one for straying from the rigid precepts of the denomination. The book begins with the brutal murder of the author's father, when she is twenty-three. It ends with the author's realization that her mother commissioned the murder and probably made her brother do it. The author can barely grasp the magnitude of her mother's sins and seems to hold to the belief she had, at times, a real relationship with this hellish female sociopath, who happened to have given birth to her. As for the quality of the writing - it is fast, smooth and clear - sometimes sliding into street vernacular. The author shows real promise. This could be a better book with more concrete descriptions of places, people and scenes. And with more insight. As the author continues to mature and to develop insight into the extreme emotional poverty of her early life, she will have more to bring to this vivid and compelling material. I hope that she has discovered the reality of steady, non-judgmental love and attentive listening, a reality totally absent from her childhood. Congratulations to her, for reading and writing her way out of the punishing ghetto of her youth. I hope she writes this book again - after giving the material time to develop...as she develops as a person, an artist and a writer.

This ia a true story book that represents Baltimore like never before. The author captures it's readers with true, easy to understantd english without a bunch of fillers. My question in, what is the author attempting to prove? I think the book, although readable, is too personal.

this is what true writting form is all about! I personally loved the book. It's like a movie script in written form without all the fillers. The author emphasizes the trueness of her life and all that she had to endure from isolation by ther familky to poverty to drug abuse. A must have for not only residents of Baltimore but to any major city worldwide. I truly loved this book.

As a resident of Baltimore city, my first reaction to the title of the book was a negative one. But as I read the Book, I discovered that the auther portrays Baltimore not in a negative light, but a positive one. There is a Child Of Baltimore in all of us.

This is a good book to read. I loved it. As a matter of fact, I read the book straight through. The only complaint that I have about the book is that it was too short. But what is packed in the book is a bold move by the author. That truely took courage.

When the realization of being adopted finally dissolves into normalcy, it becomes continual struggle with self-esteem and identity problems for Zora Bridgeforth, a twenty-nine year old trying to bridge the many gaps in her life. This is Zora's Cry, a good story from Tia McCollors that has both poignancy and a sense of belonging for those sympathetic to a character on a mission. Oftentimes happenstance and Providence are much more than willing accomplices where destiny has defined a presence. Zora finds this out while in search of for her deceased mother's bridal veil, coming across a letter revealing the circumstances surrounding her adoption status. Needless to say, this is unwelcome news to Zora as she vows to find her biological family and in the process confront issues that are necessary for her stability.

As her journey unfolds she gets involved with the annals of a sisterhood that promotes discipleship, thus meeting the acquaintances of three other women sympathetic to her plight. Meet Paula, Monet, and Belinda, if you will. As it is with all situations when women come together, real truths and intimacies are revealed through testimonial revelation and common causes are amalgamated into one. Thus, is the bonding attributes of true friendship...and through it, Zora manages to overcome much more the emotional issues she faced.

I liked the fact that the author truly gave readers a chance to discover what it means to have the means to circle the wagons to confront issues on a spiritual tip, complete with the recipients gaining value from it. The book moves along with a pace that forces you to want to know how Zora ends up taking advantage of her newfound friends' camaraderie. In the process, the author gains my respect for writing a story with a storyline that give meaning to setting to play a defining role in writing without being complacent. I think too, that there will undoubtedly be readers that can identify with characters that benefit from lessons derived from persevering once a mission is at stake for clarity. I rate this book four stars out of five, and feel that Zora's Cry can be heard over the din that is apropos when looking for a soothing read. Thank you Tia for writing from a perspective that is fresh, original and full of imagery! This truly is an inspirational read for men and women who respect how friendship and the love of God can propel priorities for practical use in life.

There aren't a lot of good christian fiction books on the market and one I find one I want people to read it. This book brought tears to my eyes. I don't want to give away the story but its great for any women's ministry group that would like to do something different. Read the book and then discuss the questions in the back or make up your own questions. Great for young women wanting values for keeping pure until marriage.

Four women with very different problems end up attending P.O.W.E.R meetings, Purpose Oriented Women Equipped and Righteous. They're not sure they want to be there, and at first they are reluctant to open up and share.
There's Zora Bridgeforth who recently lost her parents in a tragic accident, just a few months before the date of her wedding. While going through their papers, Zora discoveres that the people she called Mother and Dad were not really her birth parents. She was adopted. She's still trying to work through her grief and now she has been hit with this.

Monet Sullivan, Zora's best friend, is helping plan for the wedding. Monet is single, and hasn't had much success playing the love game. Tired of being disappointed in her relationships with the opposite sex, she's ready to give up, but God has a plan.

Paula Manns married for status and money and it turned to ashes in her hands. Her husband is seldome home, he's gambling away their money and she suspects he's having an affair.

And then there's Belinda, whose mother has cancer. She and her husband, Thomas, have just adopted a six month old daughter, Hannah, and Belinda is the primary caretaker for her mother. She's stressed to the max, with no relief in sight.

Zora's Cry is a heartwarming, touching story about four women struggling to make sense of their lives. It's a tribute to the strong bonds of sisterhood, and as the four women strive to overcome the roadblocks in their journey to God, we learn from their situations. When Belinda is overwhelmed by the changes in her life, she complains to God about being taken by surprise. He replies, "You may be caught off guard, but I never am."
No, He's not, and that's one of life's greatest blessings. Tia McCollors characters are realistic and well developed. I thorougly enjoyed reading Zora's Cry, and I'm happy to recommend it.

Power,and Faith and God, These women share there stories with each other and with the power, and faith and God they learn to handle what ever was put in there paths. These was some praying sisters and these are the sisters I would want in my life.I had gave this book a 3 but by the time I was finish it made me thing about things in my life.We all need a power group in our chruchs. Goodreading

this was my first time reading this authors work and it was a blessing to see how we as woman can be there for each other and help with the walk this story was easy to read and the character are people we all know that may be stuggling with diffcultes in life and have no one to share them with i will read her first book keep using your talent

The book showed up in a timely fashion and was brand new, just like it said online.

Terrance Hayes is a name you will see again. I promise you.

An earlier edition of this book came into my hands shortly after I worked with this wonderful poet at a seminar for younger poets. A wonderful first collection. So human it hurts. Get it now that it's back in print!

I just had the pleasure of seeing and hearing Terrance Hayes read at the University of Idaho. He was nervous, I think, and the room was big and strange, but this young man can write. He can really write. The new book--HIP LOGIC--is going to be terrific, and I'll bet each book that comes after will be better yet. A really splendid new talent.

I first became familiar with Mr. Hayes' work, when i saw his poem "Blackbird" in a 1995 double issue of ObsidianII: Black Literature In Review. It appeared opposite a poem I publshed in the journal. Every poem in Muscular Music, is a snapshot about African American life, and sings a song of america: "Late," "Goliath," "Something For Marvin," "Blackbird," "The Yummy Suite," " What I am..." The Black experience is all in here... I was laughing my ass off at " I want to be fat" and I'm a big guy.Expect Terrence Hayes to be a major poet in the literary canon.

Terrance Hayes has written a book where the poems have bite. These poems are hard-hitting, honest, sincere and yet suffused with "tenderness." "Yummy Suite" is one of the most powerful sequence of poems I have read anywhere that confront what is going on in our urban neighbourhoods today. I also loved "Late," "Goliath" and too many more to name. Here is a writer well worth getting to know. If I may riff on the Reuben Jackson quote that serves as an epilogue, Terrance Hayes' Muscular Music is a book that also "reveals itself" one splendid "black note at a time." Buy this book -- read it aloud and share it with a friend!

Okita is a poet with a unique style. If you are looking for poetry that is off the main stream, but quite artistic, his work is for you.

When creating the setting for the poem, pieces of the environment are linked to emotions, creating a world of the tangible that creates a better understanding of the intangible. "Love, that busy street" is the environment for "Crossing with the Light". In "Kitchen" the room is really more like a secluded cell for the main female character. "Parachute" takes Dwight and his friend on a playground swing ride of human relations.

And there are many other poems to explore in this collection. Give this one a chance and you won't be disappointed.

i cannot start by simply praising his words. he is beyond that. he has a way of making the ordinary incredible. making you think twice about each second in life. enough for you to cherish the unimaginable. his eyes see, what others cannot. i recommend his words to enrapture you......

Dwight Okita offers us a masterful achievement in Crossing with the Light. This slim volume contains 60 poems that build a cohesive vision in a highly accessible style. The poems are at once loving, bold, and humorous. Most of the poems describe relationships as a subject, but the collection is not about relationships. Okita has something far deeper in mind. The poems are a triumph in combining tone and image. The images are everyday, powerful, and elegant, even delicate.

Quoting poetic elements out of context is a dangerous trade, but I cannot resist a few examples. "Kitchen" tells of a woman whose dreams are dashed in a marriage. The poem opens "Here in this room/ where many women go under...." We see the despair and loss the woman experiences. At one point she silently asks her husband while he is sleeping "What have you done with my husband?" Reminiscent of Nora in Ibsen's Doll's House, but we hear no slamming doors, no screaming arguments, no threats. Okita does not do histrionics. Rather the last lines tell us "When she leaves that room, she leaves for good, / she does not bother to push in the chair." Okita here reminds us that most of life is made up of small things, small things done and left undone.

In "The Life I'm Walking Towards" we read: "I buy green bananas/ and put them on a rattan tray./ I watch them bring yellow into this house/ a brightness./ I wish I could do that,/ whatever the place." "Letter to a Friend Who Left" tells of the unexpected announcement by a shop clerk that a mutual friend has died: "your Iranian friend working behind the counter/ told me you died as he was giving me my change. / I can still hear the quarters fall, / hitting the floor with a metal sound.... //Funny how things slip through your fingers."

There is a zen moment on almost every page. You should not miss this poet.

With his vivid and beautifully haunting images, Dwight Okita shows the reader a new way of seeing the world. "Facing the Mannequin" takes the reader into the world of a department store mannequin. I will never forget the image of the mannequin watching the narrator's shirt move as he breathes.
Also in this collection are the widely anthologized "Note for a Poem on Being Asian American" and "In Response to Executive Order 9066: All Americans of Japanese Descent Must Report to Relocation Centers." Both poems hold up to being read again and again, as do the other poems in this fine collection.

In "Crossing with the Light," readers can see, feel and taste Okita's words. His clean, vivid images evoke many different worlds: the scientific and the romantic, the foreign and the familiar. He delicately links familiar objects to intangible feelings, such as in the following poem, "My Next Life":

A young man coming into his own, you said of me
and in my head I see seedless green grapes
dripping in a glass of icewater on the terrace,
a grand piano I could press my fingers against
when I am lonely. And big parties:
celery stalks swirling on glass platters,
staircases to descend from--everyone
I have ever loved climbing down them:
forgiven, delivered. (Okita 3)

These concrete images of "seedless green grapes/dripping in a glass of icewater" and "celery stalks swirling on glass platters" subtly express the abstract feelings of maturity, loneliness, and love.

A wonderful first book of poetry, hopefully to be followed by many more.

Very nice. It allows you to put your own picture neatly in the window. My niece turned 21 and I gave it to her as a gift having put a candid baby picture of her in the window of when she was in the bathtub smiling widely. Very good price, very good transaction.

I have purchased 2 of these books from amazon. The spiral bound style makes it easy to write in. The writting in the front of the book is nice and insprirational. I use this book as a gratitude journal written to my son. (currently 5yr old) You can find some great deals from vendors on this book through Amazon. The open window in the front is nice so that you can personalize the book anyway you see fit. Also, in 4 places throughout the book, the author has suprise pages he has written in .. little pick-me-ups to encourage you to keep writing. I didn't see those when I first bought the book and it was a nice suprise when I flipped through and found them as I was writting.

I would like to purchase the "I Hope You Dance" journal (ISBN: 1-4016-0030-1). However, I'm hardpressed not to. The reason: Why should I pay 14.99 when the back cover price sticker states USA 12.99? I purchased my first journal, from K Mart, for 12.99. What can Amazon do for me?

Sincerely,

T S Lenig

I was looking for journals that I could use to write to and about each of my children. I specifically wanted one with a "window" in the cover, that I could insert a photo into. The message in the beginning is very fitting for my intent - sharing my thoughts of love and inspiration with my children. All in all, this is a great journal, nice design (spiral-bound for easy access to front and back of each page), and sturdy cover. The commercial aspect is a little heavy, with the words to the song and intermittent printed messages throughout. If you are looking for a blank, generic journal, this is probably not the one for you, but it was nearly perfect for my intended use.

I purchased this journal for my daughter as a college graduation gift. As you open the first page of the journal, the authors give clear instructions for personalizing the journal with a photo. There is actually a square window opening on the front cover that allows the photograph to show through (photo corners included). You are then greeted with the beautiful lyrics of the song, "I Hope You Dance." On the following page, the author then encourages the recipient of this journal to begin their own life journey and write on the blank pages in this book. I was so drawn to the words of the song that I had to purchase this journal for my daughter. A great gift that I highly recommend!!!

Nick Carbo has us see New York through the eyes of a Filipino immigrant with such candor, humor, and savvy that it's amazing to me that this book hasn't been optioned for a movie! Or maybe it has? It's poetry to be sure but it's also a screenplay, a novel, a multi-genre cyber cartoon. Carbo enlarges world poetry and what it can do!

I would never have purchased this book, nor would I have even become familiar with the (frickin' awesome!!!) work of Carbos without my needing the book for a class... some classes really are worthwhile!! I recommend (highly) ANYTHING by Nick Carbos.

I've just discovered Nick Carbo. Thank God. Thank God.

Nick takes it to the hilt on this one. I felt like I was reading a suspense thriller as I get taken through the life of one Ang Tunay ng Lalaki who interacts both in the "real" world where he meets Nick Carbo but also falls hobnobs with kindred icons of advertising and lore: Hello Kitty, Orpheus from a previous Carbo poem, and Barbie. And it's only in this in between world where Carbo can take on Asian and American ideals head on.

One of the reasons I like to review books of poetry is it gets me out of the "ME" kick that poetry is too well known for. Ask yourself this: how many poetry readings have I been to where I spoke soley of someone else's work? Someone who is alive, but that I don't personally know? Not just to say that I like their work, but what I like about it and how it inspires me? Can I, as a poet, go for a month, talking about this person's work, pushing this person's book, without ever mentioning my own poetry? Poet Karla Huston turned me on to Nick Carbo's Secret Asian Man and he's the latest poet I'll be pushing. His new book is full of satyrical irony and poem after poem makes you both cringe and laugh out loud. This is one of the few books of poetry that I'd like to see Quintin Terrantino or the Zucker Brothers make into a movie. Carbo lives in two worlds, the American's and the Filipino immigrant's. But the reflections and dichotmy don't stop there. His main character is Ang Tulay Na Lalaki, is the Filipino version of the Marlboro Man. Carbo starts each poem off "Ang Tunay Na Lalaki..." does something. Like Lyn Lifshin's Mad Girl poems this gives the reader an instant image of who the main character is in a series format. Unlike Lifshin, Carbo forces his white American reader to face up to accepting a non-white- American name. In some poems he does shorten it to 'Lalaki' within the poem, again forcing us to confront our written prejudices. Carbo plays on both sides of the prejudice field. In one poem he criticizes American film makers for having no roles for Asian American Men (only women), while in another he pokes fun at a visiting Filipino friend who's accent is too thick. He has Wonder woman fight a fetus-eating Filipino demon-goddess, picks up Barbie from a shopping bag to tell here about her about her part overseas Asian slave labor, and as Secret Asian Man, helps unite Hello Kitty and Barney the Purple Dinosaur. Even one step better is how Secret Asian Man flows. It reads in part poetry, in part story. No poem should be randomly turned to. Like reading a Richard Brautigan story and the more you read from the beginning, the more you understand the sequence. Early on in the book, Ang Tulay Na Lalaki meets up with a character, Orpheus, who tells him that he feels like a character written by poet Nick Carbo. Later on, Ang Tulay Na Lalaki takes a writing workshop from Carbo and we get to see how Ang Tulay Na Lalaki's poetry differs from Carbo's and how Carbo would run a writing workshop. To add another layer to Carbo's maze of mirrors, I got the book from someone who attended Carbo's workshop. Now I'm beginning to wonder if she is a character written by Nick Carbo? Pushing Secret Asian Man, one might only conclude that I am just an ongoing workshop exercise by Nick Carbo.

Terry Matthews, Reviewer

I am in the first grade and I love Tia. She is brave little mouse with a big big dream. Tia has a very nice family and lot's of friends who help her. I took Tia to school and my teacher read it to my class and everyone loved it too. And my cousins loved it and took it to school too.

Tia's story is a reminder of what every parent hopes to instill in their child as they face the many challenges of life. Tia's adventure is full of trials and tribulations that ends with the greatest reward of all- the fulfillment of a dream. This is one book that every parent should have on their child's book shelf.

This is a story of the unlikely achievement of a resouceful and energtic mouse TIA. A fun story, with charming, on-target illustrations, the theme of overcoming great odds to reach your dream is touching and inspiring. Kids love it, and want to read it over and over. As a grandfather, I couldn't help but shed a tear of joy or two as Tia reaches her goal and finds it worth all the trials and tribulations. A good addition to the bookshelf of children's books, one that can be read again and again to a wide range of ages.

"Tia" is a wonderful story about the power of dreams and determination. Its message, while geared for children, is equally salient to adults. "Tia" teaches us the power of inner strength, as well as the incredible ability of external support to drive us even harder toward our goals. Setting goals is an intensely personal determination; however, more often than not, the attainment of those aspirations is due to a combination of internal and external talents. Tia is able to push herself to new heights through internal motivation coupled with familial support and an unexpected helping hand.

This is one of the best children's books that I have read in quite some time. I just could not put it down until I had read all of it. It inspires one to dream and reach for the heavens. "Tia" should be read by all children and their parents.

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R15CWBRK6PQER2 Rules of Darkness by Tia Fanning. Video/Music produced by Brett Cordle of BC3 Productions.

In a remote forest settlement, a place almost untouched by the modern world, a baby girl is born with a powerful gift. But like all wondrous gifts, this one too comes at a high price.

Because of her special ability, Katia has to follow twelve rules of darkness, rules she must abide by at all times, or else risk losing her soul forever. But when Katia accidentally breaks a rule, horrific repercussions ensue and an old love mysteriously appears at her door.

Katia will soon discover that things buried in the past can come back to haunt the present, that a promise made is a promise kept, and that no matter the circumstances, there are some rules that should never be broken.

Katia's healing gift is governed by 12 Rules of Darkness that she must follow her entire life. Life in her secluded and narrow village is hard. From her birth, she is assigned a Protector to keep her safe. When her grandmother dies, she makes the painful decision to leave the remote village to start a new life where she does not feel isolated and dependent.

Stoyan became Katia's Protector at a very young age. He has taken his responsibility to heart and has never questioned his status or devotion to Katia. When she leaves, he knows that Katia does not truly understand the bond between the Gifted and her Protector. No matter how she tries, Katia cannot run from Stoyan, her gift (that she views as a curse) and her fate.

Ms. Fanning's writing is both exquisite and wonderfully creative. Rules of Darkness employs familiar plot devices and writing antidotes that resonate through sound writing. The ending was the only area that didn't hold too many surprises for me. I still savored reading it. Rules of Darkness has a contemporary Gothic atmosphere without the camp. I never knew what was going to jump out of the shadows next, which made it more than worth my while.

Katia's narrative was hypnotic and yummy, kind of like eating a tasty bag of Jay's potato chips nonstop. There were times when I thought she was selfish and annoying, but considering her background and loss of freedom, it was understandable that Miss Thing was dealing with years of resentment and hurt. What redeems her character is the reunion with Stoyan. He bridges that gap to her past and helps her to deal with her gift. By the end, Katia evolves in so many ways that you forgive her for all the trouble she puts `poor' Stoyan through.

Stoyan is mega sexy to the max even when he is being overbearing. I visualized a tall, dark and silent Eastern European type with just the right mix of Dracula meets seductive Sorcerer. He's old school in the sense he has a strict honor code and sense of duty. Stoyan could be labeled an extinct species, which made me want to kick Katia whenever she started acting bratty.

Rules of Darkness is a marvelous novel bursting with supernatural thrills that had me turning the pages. Ms. Fanning didn't let me down either when things got hot and heavy between Katia and Stoyan. The sexual tension was intense, the descriptions steamy. It's a story I would enjoy revisiting. I'm hoping that the author will write a sequel and there are no rules to say I can't keep my fingers crossed.

Patrice
reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Rules of Darkness is a paranormal romance written in the first person. It is the story of a young woman (Katia) trying to escape a destiny she never wanted and finally coming to grips with the importance of her special abilities.

Tia is a fantastic pacer and plotter. The story grips you from the first page and refuses to let you go until you reach the conclusion. Whether it's a confrontation with an angry ghost or surrendering herself to the touch of her husband (Warning: Explicit Content), Tia's attention to detail creates a vivid picture of the world Katia must live in.


If you ever enjoy a good romance novel, I highly recommend you add this one to your collection.

Rules of Darkness is a fabulous book by new author Tia Fanning. Dark and spooky, sexy and suspenseful. Loved it!

The Rules of Darkness is written in first person, and I must admit that typically, I don't do first person--however, Tia Fanning grabbed me from the start. Katia is born with a gift of healing which she considers a curse. Trying to deny her heritage and culture (something many young, head strong women do), she runs from it. Stoyan is her yummy protector and the love of her life. He will not let her go and will overcome every odd to set the record straight and have Katia safe and by his side.
The story is compelling, fast paced, and mystical. I love Tia's style and characters.
Can't wait to read the next in the series.
Write quickly, Tia.
Aleka Nakis