Dean Martin... Do you know him?

Advantages: 30 classic hits on one budget priced album nicely made
Disadvantages: Not remastered but not that bad really it as sounds fine

...Dino Paul Crocetti, or Dean Martin as we all know him, member of the original Rat Pack, was one of the greatest performers of his time. I purchased this CD in Virgin some time ago now, so I don't know what the going rate online for this album currently is. There are many places you can look for cheap CDs but it isn't my job to list websites, but to review this compilation CD. First of all, I'm not sure how many young people Dean would appeal to. I think the younger generation ought to be introduced to him and this album is the perfect introduction. It has all his number one hits, some obscure songs and my personal favourite, Volare. Sadly, this compilation is not remastered in any way, but in some ways it adds to the closeness you feel while listening to the album. You feel he is in the same room with you. I think this album is...

cuteygirl 27.11.2007 · Read review
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Review of Dino (The Essential Dean Martin) - Dean Martin

Dean Martin Came Too

Advantages: putting faces to names
Disadvantages: putting real faces to imagined characters

...planners/musicians) arrived along with the youngest Ciao guest - their little baby - who by the way is gorgeous. Following a quick half hour to check into our room and nip out for a sandwich, we returned to the 'do' and there was a bit of a quiz and some good wishes were read out by our organiser. A lady whose name might remind us oldies of the tv programme, The Virginian, proved herself to be the most knowledgable on Ciao matters by winning a bottle of plonk at the quiz. Then we had some touching moments when the messages were read - especially the one that was read 3 times from the lady over in the land of the Mounties. She was soley responsible for making many of us cry (I kid you not) with her kind words and invitation to bow before her (as she did us). Her words also explain how the late Dean Martin came to be at the event...

mrsandrewsjk 23.08.2002 · Read review
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Review of Birmingham Ciao Meet 2002

The Husband by Dean Koontz

Advantages: fast paced, great read, imaginative, interesting characters and plot
Disadvantages: it's over too quick!

...This is a fantastic read, one of my favourite Dean Koontz books and possibly even one of my favourite thriller books of all time. An ordinary guy, Mitch Rafferty, gets a call from his wife whilst he is at work, she has been abducted and her kidnappers demand a two million dollar ransom for her safe return, but of course Mitch does not have that kind of money, however the kidnappers know a place where he can get it. Through desperation of trying to get his loved one back Mitch is lead on an unforgettable journey. This novel is so fast paced that you can't stop yourself from read more and more, Mitch's character is so endearing and you instantly feel sympathy for him, allowing you to relate better to this book than to many other thrillers. Although a slightly clichéd storyline of ordinary guy versus pschopathic villain, Koontz does it...

CLDbizz 11.11.2008 · Read review
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Review of The Husband - Dean Koontz

Martine's Musicality Magic

Advantages: Great Musical Songs.
Disadvantages: Not as good as origanal artistes.

...Martine McCutcheon's Musicality CD Who is Martine McCutcheon? Born 14th May 1976 - Hackney London - Martine trained at Italia Conti Stage School and at 15 was picked to be in girl band Milan, the toured with East 17 in 1994. It was in January 1995 they she got her big break when she was cast as Tiffany Raymond in East Enders a long running soap on BBC1. She stayed with the soap and before long 'Tiff' was a household name. Her dramatic relationship with Grant Mitchell kept viewers avidly watching, but despite her success she decided to leave the soap for good and was killed off. Martine then went on to pursue her acting career and was a hit with her first single 'Perfect Moment'. In 2001 Martine took to the stage as Eliza Doolittle in My fair Lady. Most recently Martine most recently starred, as Hough grants love...

LIZKEMPO 01.02.2006 · Read review
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Review of Musicality - Martine McCutcheon

"Desserts" by James Martin

Advantages: Good old fashioned puddings. Easy to read. Good Value
Disadvantages: Lacked the secret Pastry Chef tips I had hoped for.

..."Desserts" by James Martin is described as a 'fabulous collection of recipes from Sweet Baby James' the BBC2 TV Series. I think this book is a worthwhile purchase, particularly for those amongst us that share a sweet tooth. I adore puddings and so when I heard that James Martin was to create a TV series solely featuring puddings I was delighted. This book features the recipes from the series. It is divided into the following chapters: Introduction This sets the tone of the book as James uses the first three pages to explain the background to his love of puddings. As with many great cooks he acknowledges the influence his older relations had in giving him inspiration to cook. In particular he singles out a memory of his Gran "rubbing in" the pastry in a bowl balanced on her knees whilst watching Coronation Street. James has...

smilesarefree 18.02.2008 · Read review
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Review of James Martin - Desserts - James Martin

Dean Koontz - Icebound

Advantages: Good thriller that's worth a read
Disadvantages: Not his usual horror story

...I got this book from my local library as i spend quite a bit of time travelling on the train now and need something to do, and books are soooooo expensive when you read them in like two days. So whilst browsing the shelfs in the library i'm looking at the Koontz books and most of them i've read, but not this one so i get it on loan. This book was not what i was expecting and is totally different to what i know and respect Dean koontz for. I like Dean koontz for his horror stories that make Steven Kings look weak, but are not as good as Richard Laymon (if you haven't read any of his, do so you will not be disappointed!!!), however this book is totally different but not in a bad way. It is more of a thriller book than a horror, but still a damn good read and at times difficult to put down. The basic story is that a widespread drought is...

markyeadon 10.07.2007 (19.07.2007) · Read review
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Review of Icebound - Dean Koontz

My heart belongs to him, once more! Dean Koontz Relentless

Advantages: Pace, characters, thrill.
Disadvantages: Not long enough

...I have always been a Koontz fan. I read my first novel at nine years old, and have read everything in print, from this bestselling novelist. However in recent years I have felt his work has lacked heart, direction, and 'meat'. The stories were always exciting and fast paced, don't get me wrong, but they seemed so formulaic. It was as if he had re-read some of his earlier work and morphed them into one book, with no depth to the characters (unusual for Dean) and I have to admit, after reading 'Your heart Belongs to Me' I began to question whether it was time for Dean to put down his well used pen and retire in the Californian sunshine. Then Relentless appeared in print, and made me consider the fact that Dean may never be ready to stop telling stories. Nor am I ready for him to stop. The characters are loveable, and of course, once...

alaynasmummy 21.09.2009 · Read review
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Review of Relentless - Dean Koontz

"oh God, I thought. Please , no, no more, please." Sue Martin

Advantages: A terrifying good read
Disadvantages: Would have liked the book to have carried on longer

... NO WAY HOME SUE MARTIN ?I have always said if you like Maths, get a job in a bank. If you like English???become a teacher or a journalist. If you like abusing kids?..get a job in a children?s Home.? Sue Martin ?No Way Home? I have just finished a wonderful little book, ?No Way Home? by Sue Martin. I don?t know if it is right for me to say that I ?enjoyed? it because of the subject matter, but the 272 pages flew past as I read it eagerly to see how Sue?s life progressed. This is an astonishing biography documenting the life of a young girl from when she was almost three in a children?s home up to the age of seventeen as she struggled to make a normal life for herself. I was absolutely appalled at times of some of the descriptions of her wretched life that I was gasping out loud. Sue was one of six...

oldchem 21.08.2009 · Read review
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Review of No Way Home - Sue Martin

Dean Koontz - Brother Odd book review

Advantages: Thrilling, Gripping, Fantastic Plot
Disadvantages: Quite a saddening book in parts

...I have recently just finished reading Dean Koontz's 'Brother Odd'. Because it is a book set in a monastery I assumed it was not going to interest me because I have never been to a monastery or met a monk. However in his usual manner Dean Koontz dragged me in and showed me something new and amazing whilst enriching my knowledge of something new. [ There will be no spoilers in this review ] - Characters - The characters in the book are excellent and provide a much needed humour to balance the terror in the book. Dean Koontz even manages to weave in a tiny bit of political humour with 'As dangerous as a woman with a knife, a man with a gun or a U.S Senator with an idea.' His dry sense of humour makes me actually laugh out loud whilst reading the book. I got some strange looks from parents and colleagues There is a character...

Autumn1991 26.07.2009 · Read review
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Review of Brother Odd - Dean Koontz

"Dragon Tears" by Dean Koontz

Advantages: Great Theme and Characters
Disadvantages: Pacing and Ending are Slow and Bland

..."Dragon Tears" is not a novel for the timid. Neither is it for those searching for an easy read. You see, this horror novel by Dean Koontz, is slow paced and at times difficult to focus on. In it, you do find great and somewhat poetically descriptive writing. Yet sadly, the author concentrates too much on description and ultimately leaves us wondering why we should read on. Now, by no means is this novel void of anything good for it holds creative and intriguing characters. The thing is, it would have been nice to receive a story that went some were? rather than just ending up at a dead end. Dragon Tears is a story of five people: all attempting to find some way of surviving the deadly harassment of a being with powers who is seeking to make them dead by dawn. It all begins as delightful Tuesday in the life of cops Harry Lyon...

zenmachado 18.12.2005 · Read review
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Review of Dragon Tears - Dean Koontz