Raining Cats & Dogs (A Melanie Travis Mystery)

Customer Reviews:

Great find!.......2007-07-25

I was looking for a mystery book and came across this book. I like how Berenson keeps you guessing until the end. You think you know who committed the crime, but she leaves you with a little doubt. Berenson adds humor with the antics of her son and Aunt Peg and a little romance with Sam. This book has a little of everything. I like her mystery books, because they are not gruesome as some mysteries are.

New Characters Replace the Old Standbys.......2006-10-23

Not being a cat-lover, I was unimpressed with Berenson's play to capture a corner of the cat-mystery market. And I couldn't help but wonder if one of the new characters introduced in this book--an underdressed but overly endowed (with misbehaving cats) neighbor with a curiously absent husband--will reappear. Perhaps as a love interest or tormentor for Melanie's ex-husband, who now lives in Melanie's old house.

This book--like so many of Kensington Press's--suffers from lazy editing. On page 122, for example, one minor character, a habitue of the posh nursing home that figures in the mystery, mourns the loss of her large ("big as a grape") ruby ring. But by page 283, readers wonder if Melanie's hanging around with old people throughout the book has affected HER memory, because she refers to the character's missing "ruby brooch." I know, I know, this is nitpicking and not germane to the mystery. But the truth is, when I read this kind of ephemera (and I do all the time), the most fun of all is not the light-weight mysteries, but the search for these kind of hidden gems. Unfortunately, Kensington makes this game almost too easy for the reader. I wish this press would better serve its writers and spend a little more time, effort and cash on proper editing. But then I'd be out a game!

Too many characters, too little time.......2006-09-11

I have always really enjoyed the books in this series. That made my disappointment w/this one all the more--well, disappointing. The obedience class members were thrown in and never really developed. The "old" people at the nursing home were treated in much the same way. The new characters were static and two-dimensional. Add to that what seems to have been the obligatory sexual innuendoes and I just did not find this book as enjoyable as the previous ones. If this book were the first one read, I doubt that I would have bought another. As it is, I'll hope this was just a glitch.

Enjoyable story--but a bit light on mystery.......2005-10-07

Seeking a way to escape the influence of her dominating aunt, Melanie Travis, and her champion poodle Faith, sign up for dog obedience classes. The class is a hotbed of rumor and past affairs, but they do one good thing--they visit a senior housing center weekly to let the residents visit with their dogs. Meanwhile, Melanie's life is getting very complicated with a new husband, her seven-year-old son, and five poodles living in a very small house, plus a job where one of her fellow teachers seems unduely interested in a well developed, but still 12-year-old seventh grader. Then there's the sexy neighbor with cats and a permanently missing husband.

On her first visit to the senior housing campus, one of the guests dies--and the police discover it is murder. Recognizing Melanie's history of solving mysteries, her fellow obedience school members urge her to discover the killer. With a bit of pressure, and some help, from her aunt, Melanie sets off to do just that.

Author Laurien Berenson maintains a light tone, provides lots of information about dog training and showing, if not so much about the mysteries she's solving, and recognizes the importance of personal life in her sleuth. Indeed, half the fun is watching Melanie solve mysteries between running around with her dogs, trying to keep her son entertained, exploring the sexy side of her new marriage, and dealing with an overcrowded life.

RAINING CATS AND DOGS is an enjoyable story. I would have liked to see a bit more sleuthing and mystery mixed in with the 'life of Melanie Travis,' but that didn't keep RAINING from being an enjoyable story. Dog-lovers, in particular, will appreciate Berenson's attention to the interaction between dogs and their human-companions.

Another great read!.......2005-09-26

I love this series and look forward to every new book - my sister and I both read the Melanie Travis books and love them! We both show dogs (not poodles) so can relate to all the dog show references - most of which are accurate! This is a very entertaining series and I hope Ms.Berenson writes lots more Melanie Travis mysteries.

It's Raining Cats And Dogs: Making Sense of Animal Phrases

Average customer rating:

Not just an Idiom
A total delight!
The Most Clever and Amusing Pet Book EVER!!!!

It's Raining Cats And Dogs: Making Sense of Animal Phrases
Jackie Franza
Manufacturer: BowTie Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Animal Care & Pets | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Etymology | Words & Language | Reference | Subjects | Books

Grammar | Words & Language | Reference | Subjects | Books

Linguistics | Words & Language | Reference | Subjects | Books

General | Reference | Subjects | Books

General | Foreign Languages | Reference | Subjects | Books

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

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

101 Reasons Why Cats Make Great Kids
An Unlikely Cat Lady: Feral Adventures in the Backyard Jungle
Just Gus: A Rescued Dog and the Woman He Loved
Dog Heroes of September 11th: A Tribute to America's Search and Rescue Dogs
Night at the Museum (Widescreen Edition)

ASIN: 1931993742

Book Description

There's no better gift book than one that combines animals and fascinating phrase facts! It's Raining Cats & Dogs: Making Sense of Animal Phrases will make you "go hog wild" when you learn the meanings and origins of animal expressions used every day. With this fun book from the publisher of Cat Fancy and Dog Fancy magazines, you can be "the cat's meow." It's Raining Cats & Dogs is the perfect resource or gift for anyone who love language or animals.

Customer Reviews:

Not just an Idiom.......2007-05-12

Idioms are everywhere, and often we do not know what they mean. This book is a great addition to any library reference section! Learn about the origin of animal idioms and sayings. See colorful pictures and interesting literal interpretations of these idioms and sayings. Great book!

A total delight!.......2006-04-06

Without a doubt this was the most intersting book I have read in years. I always wondered where those silly sayings came from - now I know. This book was well written and easy to read. I liked the illustrations as well.

The Most Clever and Amusing Pet Book EVER!!!!.......2006-04-05

I loved this book so much. It was clever and charming and I was chuckling all the way to the end of the book. It was interesting to learn how everyday sayings came into use and the meaning behind them. I can't wait to impress people with the new sayings that I learned as well. I have never enjoyed a pet book as much as I enjoyed this one.I would definitely recommend this author to everyone. I hope that she comes out with more books as fun and witty as this one.

It's Raining Cats & Dogs: Paper-Pieced Quilts for Pet Lovers

Average customer rating:

A perfect paper piecing book for cat and dog lovers :)
Must for a Pet Lover
Whimsical but not "cutesy"!
Quick, easy, whimsical designs!

It's Raining Cats & Dogs: Paper-Pieced Quilts for Pet Lovers
Janet Kime
Manufacturer: Martingale and Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Quilts & Quilting | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Textile Arts | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Christmas Cats and Dogs: Quilts to Celebrate the Season (That Patchwork Place)
The Cat's Meow: Purr-fect Quilts for Cat Lovers, 10th Anniversary Special Edition

ASIN: 156477242X

Book Description

Stitch up a tribute to your most devoted, trusted pal--your pet! Instructions for 17 cat and dog projects will delight animal-loving quilters everywhere. You'll even learn to customize designs to match your pet's proportions perfectly. Whether you need to make longer ears, shorter legs, or, yes--bigger bellies--you can do it in the shake of a tail!

• Seventeen cat and dog designs use simple foundation piecing, so even beginners can stitch up a fun pet portrait

• Includes quick rotary-cutting and speed-piecing techniques, plus easy variations for personalizing each project

• Find tips on reversing, enlarging, and designing original patterns

Customer Reviews:

A perfect paper piecing book for cat and dog lovers :).......2003-10-24

This book has detailed colored pictures of all projects, and patterns that INCLUDE the seam allowance (my 2 most important factors in buying a paper piecing book).

Each project lists all the pertinent information you might require (i.e. quilt size, block size, fabric requirements, fabric cutting sizes). There are lots of tips and how-to's throughout the book, and "personalization" ideas are included for a number of the projects. The projects themselves are absolutely adorable.

Only one project in the book looked like it might be on the difficult side (Hanging BasKats) - the rest looked like they would be doable by most people with a little bit of sewing experience.

The color project pictures are all at the front, separate from the pattern/instruction pages, so it's sometimes necessary to go to the front of the book when working. Each project does clearly state where the colored photo is, but it would have been nice to have the color project photo WITH the project.

I certainly look forward to buying more books from this author and fellow cat lover :).

Must for a Pet Lover.......2003-02-08

This is a must for any cat or dog lover. I don't usually paper piece but I couldn't resist some of these designs for my animal loving family. 2 Cats on the fence sharing the moonlight made a great anniversary gift for my parents - was easy to do and turned out perfectly. The dachshunds are next on my list for my neice.

Whimsical but not "cutesy"!.......1999-07-02

I loved the way Janet Klime came up with cat quilts that are not cutesy or countrified, but rather some that are funky and even, in the case of the Siamese, sophisticated. The dog designs are great, too, but some of them do lean a little to the cute side. There are lots of different styles to choose from, so everyone is bound to find something that they like in this book. The designs are simple, unlike some paper pieced patterns with 33 pieces to a block. I completed a two-cat design called "tryst" (two cats with entwined tails) in about two hours with NO ripping out! I know that I will actually USE this book many times over, rather than just keeping it on my quilt book shelf. Have already purchased the fabric for the gorgeous Siamese!

Quick, easy, whimsical designs!.......1999-01-09

This book is one of the better ones that I own and will definitely be one of my 'favorites'. The designs have a lot of eye appeal and are refreshing. The patterns are easy to trace and because of its simplicity, very easy to enlarge or decrease in size. Because of this, customizing your project is a breeze. I just received it and have 'shared' it (but haven't let it out of my sight yet. :-) ) with my sister and couple of friends. They too have gotten excited over the fun, whimsical designs. Get the book...you won't be disappointed! Am look'g fwd to purchasing more books by Janet Kime in the near future. Aloha!

It's Raining Cats and Dogs: Cat and Dog Jokes

Average customer rating:

It's Raining Cats and Dogs: Cat and Dog Jokes
Charles Keller
Manufacturer: Pippin Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Cats, Dogs & Animals | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0945912013

Average customer rating:

Raining Cats and Dogs (Pictureback(R))
Irene Trimble
Manufacturer: Random House Books for Young Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Picture Books | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Zak and Wheezie Clean Up (Pictureback(R))
Ord Makes A Wish (Dragon Tales Books with Wings)

ASIN: 0375814272
Release Date: 2003-01-14

It's Raining Cats and Dogs: All Kinds of Weather, and Why We Have It

Average customer rating:

Fun Reading

It's Raining Cats and Dogs: All Kinds of Weather, and Why We Have It
Franklyn M Branley
Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Physics | Science, Nature & How It Works | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Weather and Climate: Geography Facts and Experiments (Young Discoverers Series)
What Will the Weather Be? (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2)
Sunshine Makes the Seasons (reillustrated) (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2)
Weather
Storms (Reading Rainbow Book)

ASIN: 039533070X

Book Description

Discusses weather phenomena with a collection of facts and folklore, experiments, and weather events.

Customer Reviews:

Fun Reading.......2000-04-16

I really enjoyed reading this book. It helped me understand about the weather. It explained many things and gave a lot of fun experiments to do and charts to look at. The information was shocking (lightning, get it?)! I truly loved this book. I am 11 years old.

Average customer rating:

It's Raining Cats and Dogs
Christine Ammer
Manufacturer: Laurel
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Mythology & Folklore | Encyclopedias | Reference | Subjects | Books

Etymology | Words & Language | Reference | Subjects | Books

Linguistics | Words & Language | Reference | Subjects | Books

General | Reference | Subjects | Books

It's Raining Cats & Dogs: How Idioms Make Our Language Exciting

Average customer rating:

It's Raining Cats & Dogs: How Idioms Make Our Language Exciting
Rh Value Publishing
Manufacturer: Crescent
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Reference | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0517688824
Release Date: 1990-02-24

Average customer rating:

It's Raining Cats and Dogs

Manufacturer: Blackie Children's Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Average customer rating:

It's Raining Cats and Dogs
Wincey Willis
Manufacturer: Elm Tree Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

General | Animal Care & Pets | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0241118484

A Quilter's Ark: More Than 50 Designs for Foundation Piecing
Average customer rating:
A Quilter's Ark: More Than 50 Designs for Foundation Piecing
Margaret Rolfe
Manufacturer: That Patchwork Place
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Quilts & Quilting | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Textile Arts | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Backyard Bird Quilts

300 Paper-pieced Quilt Blocks

365 Foundation Quilt Blocks

24 Flower Quilt Blocks

Easy Machine Paper Piecing

ASIN: 1564771970

A Quilter's Ark : More Than 50 Designs for Foundation Piecing
Average customer rating:
A Quilter's Ark : More Than 50 Designs for Foundation Piecing
Margaret Rolfe
Manufacturer: That Patchwork Place
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000KK42F4

Amazon.com

The first edition of this workbook is regarded as a classic in its field, and was the first book to introduce trigger point therapy to the general public as a self-care tool for alleviating chronic pain caused by a variety of conditions, including arthritis, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia, headache, muscle ache, and repetitive strain injuries. As the author makes clear, all such conditions are related to lack of oxygen in exhausted or injured muscle tissue. Trigger point therapy has been used for decades by doctors, pain specialists, and massage therapists to quickly stimulate the flow of oxygen and promote rapid pain reduction. This book makes the same techniques available to the general public with instructions that are easy to follow, and abetted by an extensive collection of charts and corresponding illustrations.

The author's interest in trigger point therapy began when he used it to successfully treat his frozen shoulder. Since that time, he has dedicated himself to teaching others the same techniques. That dedication is obvious throughout his writing and the care he takes to make the therapy understandable to the lay public. Also included in this new edition is updated information that should be of great interest to pain specialists and bodyworkers, as well as useful instruction in a variety of relaxation techniques. Overall, this book is an excellent self-care resource for anyone interested in pain relief.--Larry Trivieri Jr.

Book Description

Trigger point therapy is one of the most intriguing and fastest-growing bodywork styles in the world. Medical doctors, chiropractors, physical therapists, and massage therapists are all beginning to use this technique to relieve formerly undiagnosable muscle and joint pain—conditions that studies have shown to be the cause of nearly 25 percent of all doctor visits. The technique involves applying short, repeated massage strokes to trigger points, tiny contraction knots in muscle tissue where restricted circulation and lack of oxygen cause referred pain. Trigger points create pain throughout the body in predictable patterns characteristic to each muscle, producing discomfort ranging from mild to severe. Trigger point massage increases circulation and oxygenation in the area and often produces instant relief. This dynamic technique has made a huge impact among health professionals and the public alike, becoming an overnight classic in the field of pain relief. The book has sold over 145,000 copies since the release of the first edition in 2001. The second edition is a complete update and includes a new chapter specifically for massage professionals, as well as a chapter on systematic muscle relaxation techniques that can reinforce the therapeutic power of trigger point work.

Customer Reviews:

This book is a must have........2007-10-15

I have been suffering from TMJ for about 2 years now. As with everyone else with this condition, I have searched high and low for relief. While searching on Amazon for new insight I found this book and ordered it. After receiving it I immediately started reading it and concentrated on my area of pain. I have been using the techniques for about a week now and have been getting incredible results. Although I still have some pain, I am now going through times of day with none. What a miracle. Imagine spending all that money on specialists with no relief and then buying a book for $20.00 and getting better results. If you have any kind of pain, you need this book.

Helped eliminate my headaches.......2007-10-06

I knew I'd made a good purchase when I was flipping through the pages right after it came in the mail, looking at the diagrams of referred pain patterns, and saw the very pain pattern for the headaches I'd been having. It was an extremely gratifying experience to know that there was an actual cause for this weird pattern of pain on my head, and that there was something I could do about it. I also learned that my pressure points were caused by bad posture. So, with an adjustment to how I sit at my desk, and the massage techniques for my pressure points, I've pretty much eliminated my headaches.

The only mild criticism I have about the book is in its diagrams of massage techniques. They're very rudimentary and are all of an older looking man in what looks like a Speedo (and he has no eyes or mouth). As a woman, there are some of the pressure points that are more difficult to reach because of breast tissue and while the author addresses this in the text, there's not a single picture of a woman doing the techniques. I'd rather have had a androgenous figure than this man consistently through the book. On the other hand, the diagrams of the muscles and the pressure point location are very good.

Like I said - it's a minor point - the main reason to get the book is because its techniques are effective.

Trigger Point Therapy.......2007-09-23

The Trigger Point Therapy Workwork has allowed me to try to pinpoint the problem muscles in my leg and to do self-massage to relieve the pain. It has been useful and I do have to admit that I have had less pain than I did before using the workwork.

A must-have for anyone in pain!.......2007-09-20

I use this book regularly in my massage practice and recommend it to my clients often. The author uses clear and concise verbiage with graphics, describing the techniques. These therapies WORK!

I was skeptical, but it works!.......2007-09-18

I had my doubts - while reading it and especially after I started using the self-therapy method. I got tendonitis in one elbow nearly 2 years ago, and it has never completely healed to the point that I can use it like I could before the tendonitis. It's much better than in the beginning, but because I "baby" that arm, I got it in the other elbow about a month and a half ago. I've been wearing the elbow brace I got from the doctor when I got the tendonitis in the first elbow, and started the self-therapy about 3 weeks ago. In the beginning it (the therapy) hurt like h***! I just "knew" I was making it worse than it already was. But I kept at it, just like the book instructed, and low and behold suddenly it's 85% better. A week ago I still could not use a pump dispenser with my index finger on that arm without horrible pain, and today I could carry a 10 lb. object with that arm (no brace) with barely any discomfort.

When I originally got tendonitis in the first elbow nearly 2 years ago, it took 9 months to get to the point that I could use my arm without major discomfort (I wore the brace the entire 9 months), and it has just very gradually gotten better to the point it is at now. The first arm started out much worse than the second arm that I did the self-therapy on, but I was having major pain in this elbow and couldn't lift much of anything. About 3 days ago, it just felt like it was healing and now I'm not wearing the brace anymore either.

It's very important to read the first 3 chapters carefully, and then go on to read about your particular area of pain. The author explains everything very clearly and you do not need to have medical knowledge to use this book.

The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook: Your Self-treatment Guide for Pain Relief

Average customer rating:

The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook: Your Self-treatment Guide for Pain Relief
Clair Davies
Manufacturer: New Harbinger Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000N676U8

The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook: Your Self-Treatment Guide for Pain Relief, Second Edition

Average customer rating:

The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook: Your Self-Treatment Guide for Pain Relief, Second Edition
Amber Davies, David G., Md. Simons Clair Davies
Manufacturer: New Harbinger
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000LZJ7OO

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books