A young eight-year-old girl discovers life, the meaning of love, and loss, and change… A Father guides his daughter through an awakening to life's hardest but unending cycle. Ariana Overton's first children's book is a personal piece, beautifully conceived and enhanced with photos that pull the reader into an adventure with nature. Not only is the story a lesson in living, but a metaphor for life. Little Roo and her kind caring father share in the small joys of being a family. The two teach one another the reality of life's disappointments as a small fuzzy caterpillar guides them to realize the gifts they have been given. Young readers will gain a subtle lesson in caring for the world around them, and some warm fuzzies from the love between a parent and child.

Young Ruth Olivia Overton, thoughtful little Roo, shares her life with her father, Max, a botanist, who works long hours at the university. She spends her alone hours observing the world of nature that her father has taught her to respect and care for. One rainy day, Roo sits in her apartment window in Australia, waiting for her father to come home from work. Bored and curious, she disobeys him and goes out to the nearby park, rescues a castaway caterpillar from certain watery death, and brings it home. In turn, the caterpillar repairs two lonesome hearts.

Under her father's guidance, Roo cares for her little friend as it grows into a furry black caterpillar who spins its cocoon, hatches, and flies off. The warmth between father and daughter is nicely drawn, as are the lessons of living, losing and loving that the returning butterfly and its mate provide.

The book is a lovely dance of fancy and truth.

Reviewed by Sara N. Tanner, c.1999
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'A Glass Darkly' is the second in the trilogy penned by the very talented author Ariana Overton. An incredible amount of research and study has gone into creating this literary masterpiece where truth seeps indiscernibly into exciting fiction.

'Glass House' is the first of a trilogy to paint on a rich canvass a culture where undeniable fact and creative fiction form a work of art that will keep the reader wondering long after the last page is turned.

When you open this book be prepared not to be able to put it down until the very last page is turned. The author has done a fantastic job capturing the flavors of different genres and weaving them in to a work of art. TAPESTRY pulls you in and wraps you into its threads of suspense and romance, fantasy and murder.

Katherine (Kat) Hurston, a 48 year old Professional Computer Consultant, is trying to put the pieces of her life back together. Chuck and Callie Barnes have been friends of Kat's for 16 years. Callie tries to warn Kat that the relationship between Kat and Steve Davis would end so she could prepare herself for it. Dr. Max Martin is a college buddy of Chucks who specializes in Paranormal Psychology. Max has just moved there to Silicon Valley, California to head a project for Ancorp to research the possibility of people traveling from this reality to another.

During this research, they discover that Kat can travel through time to a different reality. Max' s boss, Nick Kharija, CEO and owner of Ancorp, finds out about the discovery and pleads with them to find the lost Scrolls of Egypt as they contain a cure for his daughter's rare illness. Dr. Michael Renner found the Scrolls, but was killed last year and his murder remains unsolved and the Scrolls undiscovered. Suddenly, the four friends are in a race against time and Kat has some hard choices to make. Should she try to change her past to get what she wants in the present? Or does she search for the lost Egyptian Scrolls so a cure can be found? Should she try to solve the murder?

This is an excellent book from beginning to end. Definitely a must read for mystery readers to romance readers alike. You won't be left disappointed at this book's end.

Word Wrap: A book review by Tracy Eastgate
www.wordweaving.com 
December 1999

With TRAPDOOR, Ariana Overton has created a suspenseful tale that will delight mystery lovers. Be prepared to be pulled into a world of illusion and danger that will hold you in rapt attention.

Author Brianna Kilmer, participant of email writing list services, becomes a target of a serial killer when she releases the first few chapters of her manuscript for critique. She cannot rely on protection from local law enforcement, since Chief Kilmer, her former brother-in-law, has a personal vendetta against her. Indeed, he goes so far as to warn the FBI from protecting her, claiming she's a nut case. Even though UPS delivers a package which includes a dismembered body part. The chief claims it's a hoax -- meat from the local slaughterhouse -- and a mere attempt by Brianna to play cop and make his life uncomfortable.

Internet friend Hank, son Brian, and daughter-in-law Ariel rally to Brianna's side as she joins forces with police detective Devon to find the malignant force that stalks her. As they learn of the connection of the serial killer to other victims, the revolting murder details foretell dangers to come.

Ariana has mastered the art of weaving an intricate plot, with exquisite detail and interesting metaphors. The use of the trapdoor -- something found in stages, magic acts, and associated with the trapdoor spiders -- is brilliant. I recommend this novel to all lovers of suspense and mystery

Word Wrap: A book review by Cindy Penn
www.wordweaving.com 
January 2000

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