Anthony Waters

The Water Lily Cross: An English Garden Mystery (English Garden Mysteries)
$23.95
As other have noted, there is a SERIOUS flaw in the book's timeline, at the end when the story is wrapped up. It was shocking and made me reread a chapter or two just to be sure my memory wasn't playing tricks on me. Nope, a glaring error, something the author shouldn't have overlooked and an editor should have caught.

There's some interesting ideas in this book, including the main plot device, a water lily capable of desalinating sea water, promising a cheap way of producing drinkable water. (This is revealed very early in the book, not a spoiler.) But the plot seems to stumble uncomfortably between cozy mystery and lowscale James Bond ripoff, and the author sometimes seems unsure of exactly what he wants to do with the plot. And a number of times he has the hero stumble into painfully obvious traps, and focuses too much on what the hero eats and the banal details of his everyday life...as if he was padding the story.

I enjoyed Eglin's first two books, especially with their hints of brooding Gothic atmosphere, but that is missing in this one. A bad stumble for the author.

My Name Water Bottle - Anthony
$6.99
Make your child feel extra special with a personalized Drink Bottle! These bottles are dishwasher safe on the top shelf and make meal time fun with the bright colors. The bottles are made of soft PVC. Colors may vary.

Open Water 2: Adrift
$9.99
I think this movie was very heartbreaking. To see a mother go thru this was awful. Those that think this can't happen. Have you ever been on a large boat? Go on one and jump over. Then look up. Try to imagine getting up without a ladder. In life situations panic sets in, you can't think straight. As a mom myself, if your child is stranded, that would put additional worry in.

This movie was excellent. It truly showed the fear and the things that can happen. The ocean is a cruel place. It's based on a true story of things that happened, it easily could happen to anyone. All it takes is too much to drink or one moment of fun without thinking. Everyone jumped in to swim, thinking someone else would lower the ladder.

We have the video and I'll watch it again. The only bad part is the ending. From reading I've found that Amy and her daughter survive, and speculation says Dan does as well.

Magic in the Water
$14.94
We rented the VHS about 12 years ago, when our kids were still kids. Not a film for the ages or anything, but almost perfect if your kids are between 6 and 10. Lots to please the kids, and - there is enough quirky humour for the adults.

But the big bonus was, we wondered about that gorgeous locale and watched the credits very carefully . . . Kaslo, B.C. We went the next summer; stayed a week in a camp across the lake, and spent another week cruising the interior of B.C.& Alberta. I could go on and on, but suffice to say it was one of our most memorable vacations - kids thought it was great too.

So - buy or rent the movie, and then visit Kaslo!