The Journey of Crazy Horse, A Lakota History
Joseph M. Marshall, III
Penguin Group, (USA) Inc.
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
ISBN 0670033553 $24.95 294 pages
B.A. Brittingham
Reviewer
If you are old enough to remember childhood games built on the budding imagination of
youngsters
rather than lines of computer programming, then you will recall such things as "Cops and
Robbers"
and "Cowboys and Indians." Who among us over the age of thirty-five can forget Saturday movie
matinees where cheers erupted when a bugle heralded the arrival of soldiers coming to save
besieged
settlers from attacking 'savages'?
We were learning and playing out our burgeoning perceptions of good and evil. Cops and
cowboys
were good; robbers and Indians were bad.
This book reminds us that there is another side. Or maybe that much of the American experience
is
subjective. As the saying goes, "History is rewritten by the victors."
It is one of the reasons Lakota (Sioux) educator-historian Joseph M. Marshall has undertaken this
biography of his childhood hero, Crazy Horse. In describing this revered warrior's life, we are told
(or reminded) of the dishonesties perpetrated by white culture on indigenous people in the name
of
"Manifest Destiny."
We tend to hold suspect anything without a lengthy written chronicle to back it up. In an age
when
computerization allows instantaneous deletion or alteration of a word, this is an ironic attitude.
Thus, we tend to ignore the ancient oral traditions of all tribes. Marshall gently takes us to task
for
this, by suggesting that the lopsided history we carry in our printed texts is inaccurate because we
have chosen to exclude those who carry the other half of the story.
Marshall gives us the native peoples' view of several major Indian treaties of the mid-nineteenth
century. We ought to feel shame in the face of our forbearers' manipulation of a group whose
culture
simply did not include most of the odd concepts that shaped these pacts. "The whites seemed to
want to say where the land ended and where it began by drawing a picture on a parched hide.
but
who could find that line on the earth?"
Most regrettable is the fact that of the 371 treaties made with various indigenous people, it is we,
the writers and inciters of those treaties, who have broken all 371. So much for national
honor.
Of course in the nineteenth century the American Indian was regarded as being in almost the same
class as black people imported to slavery. Labeling another society 'savage' or 'animal-like'
provides
a convenient pretext for asserting our alleged superiority while promoting whatever the current
agenda is.
By sketching a picture derived from Lakota oral tradition of Crazy Horse's childhood and growth
into a warrior, the author shows us something of the vanished Plains Indian way of life. Their
child-rearing approach was far from 'savage.' All women were considered mothers, aunts, or
grandmothers to a child whether or not there was a direct familial connection. Men were teachers,
particularly when male children began to show curiosity about the knowledge they would need to
function as adults. There were definite positive attributes that were to be cultivated if one was to
stand proud before his own people. These included "generosity, courage, fortitude, and wisdom."
Among Jews, a man is expected to be a mensch, a charitable, ethical, fulfilled person. The Lakota
male had a similar goal to become wica, or complete. Bravery in battle was not always defined by
killing as it was to the white. It was considered a greater show of courage to ride up and touch
one's
enemy leaving him to fight again.
Most military minds now accept that the Plains Indians were, in most cases, superior fighters,
horsemen and tacticians. Their ability to live off the land allowed them to move swiftly using the
element of surprise. (It is impossible to hide the cloud of dust generated by a hundred men
dragging
with them a herd of extra horses, supply wagons, and artillery.) These first people were defeated
not
by lack of civilized attitude, or absent valor, but by sheer force of numbers. Ultimately, what
Crazy
Horse, Sitting Bull and other leaders had to face was that they simply could not hold back the
inundation of white settlers bent on taking "free" land.
Joseph Marshall brings alive a segment of time and a slice of the population that we descendants
of
the first Europeans conveniently ignore. This book is a valuable addition to any public or personal
library. We cannot undo the creation of a reservation system that evolved into an economic
ghetto,
home to people who wished only to live close to the land without destroying it. But we should
back
positive legislation that could return to them confiscated territory or other recompense for what
they
have lost.
The Memory of Running
Ron McLarty
Viking Adult
ISBN: 0670033634 $24.95 368 pp.
Catherine Ekbert
Reviewer
Rating 4 stars
One could define Smithy Ide as a typical middle-aged loser - unmarried with a dead end job and
nothing to do but eat and get drunk. We see them every day and pay little attention. Ron McLarty
provides us with an extraordinary window into one such person. The Memory of Running is a rare
opportunity to get to know Smithy Ide, the caring, big-hearted man who takes care of his mom
and
pop and constantly worries about his older sister Bethany, afflicted with the voice of a demon
which
despite numerous doctors and hospital stays, refuses to let her go.
All through his childhood, Smithy's own life takes a back seat to his sister's illness. As if this
wasn't
bad enough, his neighbor Norma insists upon intruding in his already dysfunctional family until a
freak accident renders her a cripple.
Smithy experiences an awakening when his mom and pop are killed in a horrible automobile
accident. He returns home to discover a letter addressed to his father concerning matching dental
records and Bethany's body lying unclaimed in a morgue in California. He knows Norma is
watching
him from behind a closed blind in the house next door. He's felt her watching for years. Bethany's
voice echoes through the empty house, 'Don't ever stop running Hook. If you stop, you become a
fat
ass."
Well, he did stop running and he did become a fat ass. Retracing his childhood haunts, he jumps
on
his old bike and rides down to the old fishing holes where he spent much of his time . . . and just
keeps on going all the way to the west coast.
Ron McLarty produces a solid first novel with The Memory of Running. Told in the first person
narrative, it is an insightful tale of the turning point for Smithy Ide, who both loses himself and
finds
himself on a cross country journey to claim his sister's body and reclaim a part of him that had
been
put on hold for too long. Along the way, he mends the rift between himself and Norma and finds
in
her a best friend who's loved him in silence for a very long time.
McLarty combines vibrant and real characters, a gripping plot of personal growth, and
awe-inspiring
descriptions of his cross-country adventure into an absolute joy of words. It has a relaxing start
and
pulls you into the story until you can't put the book down. The telephone relationship between
Smithy and Norma begins as choppy and unclear dialogue and ends with the understanding of
Norma's pain and Smithy's initial inability to cope with her accident when he was younger. The
pace
with which McLarty pulls the reader from past recollections to present day can be a bit
exhausting,
but the journey is well worth the effort.
Dress Your Children in Corduroy and Denim
David Sedaris
Little Brown and Company
1271 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
0316143464, $24.00, 257 pp
Coletta Ollerer
Reviewer
This is a light-hearted tour of the life of a dysfunctional family member, told in vignettes. The
author's shock and aversion, as a 9 year old, when his mother required him to give the neighbor's
children his Halloween candy the day after the holiday because they were not in town on October
31. "I knew it was just a matter of time before she came into my room and started collecting the
candy herself, grabbing indiscriminately, with no regard to my rating system." (p10)
His Dad's unkept promise to purchase a beach home discourages the children. "We grew to think
of
him as an actor auditioning for the role of a benevolent millionaire. He'd never get the part but
liked
the way that the words felt in his mouth." (p28)
The geeky 12 year old boy's chagrin when he is invited to a sleep-over with three "gregarious and
athletic boys, which meant that we had absolutely nothing in common." (p31) His parents insist
that
he attend
As a sixth grader he comes into contact with members of an "in" group discussing their rejected
peers during a Labor Day Celebration at the Raleigh Country Club. "So complete was their (the
"in"
group's) power that I actually felt honored when one of them hit me in the mouth with a rock."
(p44)
At 13 the author meets his first hippie. The boy gladly gives him his coke and potato chip money,
50
cents, and continues observing the hippie's 'cool'. "He (the hippie) was a grown-up's worst
nightmare
and I wanted to be just like him." (p75)
When the author was a young man, his parents invested in rental property. While his mother was
the
more personable one, he saw that "if a tenant wanted any kind of a break, he soon learned to go
to
my father, who displayed a level of compassion we rarely saw at home. His own children couldn't
get a dime out of him." (p94) While assisting his father with clean-up of part of the property a
tenant
griped loudly about his efforts. "I was dragging a branch toward the curb, and he complained that
in
doing so, I was disturbing the integrity of his yard, which was alternately bald and overgrown and
had all the integrity of a litter box." (99)
As an adult traveling in a foreign land, the author attempts to get the 'feel' for the country by
asking
probing questions of the natives. In the Netherlands, he spoke to a person named Oscar about the
Dutch version of Santa Claus. Oscar described how Saint Nicholas "arrives by boat and then
transfers to a white horse." (p160) The author asked if he were alone or in the company of elves.
"Maybe I'm overly sensitive, but I couldn't help but feel personally insulted when Oscar
denounced
the very idea as grotesque and unrealistic. 'Elves,' he said. 'They are just so silly.'" (p160)
The author speaks of meeting the future wife of his brother. "I finally met the girlfriend, a licensed
hairdresser named Kathy. Erase the tattoos and the nicotine patch and she resembled one of those
tranquil Flemish Madonnas, the ubiquitous Christ child replaced by a hacking pug. Her grace, her
humor, her fur-matted sweaters -- we loved her immediately." (p169)
David Sedaris' manner of interpreting the world is thoroughly enjoyable.
Pitch Like A Girl: How A Woman Can Be Herself And Still Succeed
Ronna Lichtenberg
Rodale Press
RodaleStore.com 800-848-4735
ISBN 1594860092 $23.95 346 Pages
Peter Hupalo
Reviewer
Ronna Lichtenberg wrote Pitch Like A Girl: How A Woman Can Be Herself And Still Succeed to
help women learn to promote themselves and get what they want in business and in life.
Lichtenberg writes: "A pitch is using your influence, skills, and powers of persuasion to gain
support and to get people to do what you want them to do. Pitching is about enlisting someone's
support for your goals. It's about asserting your vision of what should happen, asking for support,
and making it clear to the other party why it's in their best interests to come along with you for
the
ride. When you pitch, you are basically saying to someone, 'I need your resources to make my
idea
happen.'"
Lichtenberg points out that we pitch in many situations, not only in business situations, such as
applying for a job, seeking a promotion, or trying to raise capital for a new business, but also in
non-business situations, such as seeking to get the best medical care available or influencing one's
spouse.
However, many women aren't natural self-promoters, and a lack of pitching skills holds many
women back.
Lichtenberg writes: " when we tell ourselves it's okay not to pitch, we give ourselves permission
to
be smaller, duller, and less complete than we otherwise could be. Yet it's choosing to rip yourself
out of your comfort zone that will make all the difference in your life. If you don't go where the
fear
is, you somehow live a lesser life."
Lichtenberg tells us that research into leadership styles shows men and women lead in different
ways. Successful men tend to distance themselves from those below them in the
business-food-chain
and tend to take things relatively impersonally. For successful women, on the other hand,
authority
and power often come from connecting to people. The least successful women executives are
those
who try to imitate male leadership styles that don't match their inner style.
Pitch Like A Girl: How A Woman Can Be Herself And Still Succeed discusses many of the "brain
sex" differences between men and women. For example, MRI brain scans show female brains tend
to
be better at multitasking. Women were " always doing a zillion things at once: tending our own
and others' children, gathering food and preparing it. Men, as hunters, needed to pay deep
attention
to the one critter that would become dinner. Our brains are still operating on the same
wiring."
Research shows male brains tend to be stronger at systematizing, while female brains tend to be
stronger at empathizing. Lichtenberg calls those who focus more upon relationship building the
"pinks." Those who focus most upon the task at hand are called the "blues."
Men tend to be blues. Women tend to be pinks. But, Lichtenberg says many people have a
"stripped" style, utilizing the strengths of both blues and pinks. And, some women, such as
Martha
Stewart, tend to have a natural blue leadership style.
Lichtenberg writes: " you can even go for rose navy, aquamarine, indigo, fuchsia (just don't tell a
blue guy you think of him as a lovely aquamarine)" (or a cornball yellow). Men tend to have less
color vocabulary than women. We also learn that men tend to interrupt more, being responsible
for
98% of conversational interruptions.
Lichtenberg says that many women tend to pitch pink to blues and, thus, seem unfocused to the
blues. Lichtenberg suggests that "In any business situation, if you can't detect the color of your
prospect immediately, go blue."
Lichtenberg does a great job discussing motivational differences between men and women. While
men tend to view success in purely financial terms, women tend to have a more complex view of
what being successful means.
To help women learn to be more assertive, Lichtenberg develops the concept of "Me, Inc." which
gives women "a way to toggle mentally out of a relationship perspective, out of responding to
other
people's feelings, reactions, and desires, long enough to get a fix on what is fair in the
marketplace."
I highly recommend Pitch Like A Girl: How A Woman Can Be Herself And Still Succeed to both
men and women who want to improve their pitching skills.
Book Marketing From A-Z: 300+ authors share their best strategies
Francine Silverman Franalive@optonline.net
Infinity Publishing
1094 New Dehaven Street, Suite 100, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2713
www.Infinitypublishing.com
www.bookpromotionnewsletter.com
www.buybooksontheweb.com
ISBN: 0741424312, $18.95 400 pp.
Francine Silverman, a former newspaper reporter and freelance writer, has also authored Catskills
Alive and Long Island Alive. Book Marketing From A-Z was written to assist fellow writers
market
their book through the experiences of others.
The book is divided into numerous short chapters, all of which are full of tips and best expert
advice
on how to promote your book. The Internet section is exceptionally interesting, as it is a very
popular way of book promoting and caters to a wider audience. All eight subsections are packed
with invaluable information no serious writer can ignore.
Moreover, the information on Special sections, such as Ghost Writing, Resume Writing and Web
Designing are very useful and highly interesting for all writers. The originality of this book lies in
the
fact that all sections are represented by a variety of writers who tell themselves how they
promoted
their book and the results of their attempts. Each entry is enriched by web links the readers can
access and, thus, search the sites of their preference.
BOOK MARKETING From A-Z saves the writer precious time , as it is really a concise guide to
Book Marketing , easy to search and unique in its kind. The information included is undoubtedly
invaluable to writers, as is it first-hand advice from over 300 authors and publicists. There is
reference to all genres in the table of contents at the beginning of the book, so as to facilitate
searching. It is an original book that is not only practical, but encouraging as well; a book that
deserves to be read cover-to-cover!
Noah and the Ziz
Jacqueline Jules
Illustrated by Katherine Janus Kahn
Kar-Ben Publishing, Inc.
A Division of Lerner Publishing Group
241 First Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55401 USA
www.karben.com 1-800-4KARBEN
ISBN 1580131212; $7.95 32 pp.
Lynne Marie Pisano
Reviewer
Picture Book (Hardback), Ages 5 - 8
The story of Noah's Ark has fascinated people for centuries. Notably, this unusual version of the
story features a lesser-known biblical character, the Ziz. The introduction of this strange bird in
the
title proved a point of intrigue for me. Supposedly, the Ziz is a monstrous, mythical bird created
by
God on the fifth day. I don't recall ever hearing about this creature and am not certain why or how
it's connected to Noah's story. No author note clears up any confusion a reader like myself might
have.
The summary relates a story about a huge and clumsy, but well meaning bird. I did not get a sense
of
this from the text. Instead, I met with a reckless character who rushes too much in spite of Noah's
words of wisdom (the story problem). Of course, this wouldn't be so much a problem to a reader
if
the summary didn't promise something different. And, while the storytelling was mostly intact,
certain details proved irritating in the reading.
The story has a good moral, although a somewhat heavy-handed one. Most disturbing though, is
that even after the Ziz learns his lesson, he brags about his speed on the last page. While both the
story and the illustrations (drawn in black ink and colored in bold watercolors) strived to please,
they were just not to my taste.
Keep Reading!
Imogene of the Pacific Kingdom
Teresa Saari
Trafford Publishing
ISBN: 1412016428 $10.99 233 pages
Shirley Roe, Reviewer
www.allbooksreviews.com
Five-year old Imogene finds herself living alone with her crotchety Aunt Agnes. Imogene and
Agnes
live in a mansion with a forbidden "east wing" and although the sea is right below the window,
swimming in it is not allowed. Her Mother Elsie has promised to return in five years but her
reason
for leaving is unknown to our little heroine. Imogene's only friend is Sampson, the butler and five
years later the two find themselves down by the sea in the dark of night. Here the adventure
begins.
Imogene finds her way to a mysterious land under the sea, much like life on the surface but new
and
delightful. Here she learns why her Mother had to leave and why she too may never return to the
surface.
Canadian author Teresa Saari's vivid imagination brings the characters to life. The magical
Kingdom
under the sea reminds us of Atlantis. Older children will delight in sharing Imogene's adventures in
the Pacific Kingdom both happy and troublesome but always entertaining. Imogene of the Pacific
Kingdom is the winner of the Allbook Reviews Editor's Choice for 2004 in the Children's
genre.
Watch for other books in the series. Dager of the Tasman Empire to released late 2004. Available
at
Amazon.com.
Business Daffynitions: Humor from the Workplace
Joe Heuer
Daffynitions Press
Glendale, WI
ISBN: 0964761858 $9.95 128 pages
Happiness is seeing your boss's face on the side of a milk carton.
Stupidity is a pre-existing condition not covered by insurance.
Quips like these can be found in Business Daffynitions: Humor from the Workplace, a collection
of
workplace "definitions" by motivational speaker and author, Joe Heuer. Heuer has assembled
more
than 300 witticisms, puns, and one-liners lampooning cubicle culture from the mail room to the
sales
floor to the boardroom.
Middle managers, for instance, are "people who are out of the loop, but stuck in the
run-around."
Attention spam is "the time it takes to decide whether an e-mail is worth reading."
Many of the book's mock definitions are certainly worth posting on the cubicle wall or computer
monitor.
Daffynitions seems to lack organization, however. The definitions aren't listed in any particular
order-alphabetical or grouped by category-making it difficult to find that chuckle-sparking
item.
Although most of the definitions are tightly written, some are cluttered by language, making the
punch line hard to grasp immediately, which invariably ruins the joke. The definition of grumble,
for
example, is "what employees do both when they do and when they do not receive what's coming
to
them." And, I'm still wondering how Heuer's explanation of corporate policy connects: "Limping
along until the new system is in place ... ."
Still, Heuer shows his insightfulness with elucidations that are almost too true. That raise you got
last month is only "a monetary amount large enough to increase your taxes, yet small enough to
have
no effect on your take-home pay," Heuer writes.
Priced at a recommended $9.95, management may not start giving the book away in place of a
coffee mug; however, Daffynitions almost certainly will rise to "pass around" status.
If the book is not enough, Daffynition fans can visit Heuer's Web site at www.daffynitions.com
where they can sign up to receive a new jape each day via e-mail.
Heuer is the founder of JoeSpeaks!, a Wisconsin-based speaking, training, and consulting
company.
He is the author of The Wit and Wisdom of a Regular Joe and The Idiot-Proof Guide to
Customer
Loyalty.
Arlene's Bookshelf
No Ocean Deep
Cate Swannell
Yellow Rose Books
PMB 210, 8691 9th Avenue, Port Arthur, TX 77642-8025
ISBN: 1932300368; $18.95; 305 pages
No Ocean Deep is the much anticipated sequel to Cate Swannell's outstanding freshman novel,
Heart's Passage. As Cadie Jones gazes at her sleeping lover, Jo Madison, she thinks, "We have so
many loose ends to tidy up before life settles down for us" (p.5). Little does Cadie realize that the
previous six weeks, which she and Jo have shared, will pale in comparison to what lies ahead for
the
attractive couple. Set in the Australian tropics where Jo operates a pricey yacht-for-charter
business,
the women soon find their path to happiness and a stable future will take them far from their
spectacularly idyllic Great Barrier Reef to the clamorous activity of Chicago, the home of Senator
Naomi Silverberg, Cadie's former lover, who does not take kindly to rejection. When Cadie
decides
to unconditionally settle things with Naomi and Jo opts to reveal her lurid past to her estranged
family, the course of events far exceeds their wildest imaginings. The Senator from Illinois has had
a
difficult time in the political arena, and more significantly, her precariously tenuous hold on her
sanity has transformed her into an even more treacherous enemy. For Josie, it has been fifteen
years
since she left her family in Coonyabby. Secrets furtively kept too long, love twisted into
obsession,
and horrifying violence ultimately coalesce to create for Jo and Cadie a perilous journey which
could
alter their lives forever.
Writing a successful sequel for a popular book can be a daunting task. However, Swannell has
managed to do so quite effectively. The beginning of the sequel provides just enough information
for
the reader which makes having had to have read the first book irrelevant. No Ocean Deep could
very
well be a stand-alone novel. For those who have read Heart's Passage, they will find the segue
between the books to be seamlessly credible. The opening scene has an easy natural flow to it that
immediately immerses the reader in the action. The main characters' personalities are rapidly
established, and quickly the reader finds Jo and Cadie to be a most congenial, amusing, and
committed couple, two women anyone would desire to know better. They are realistic, round,
three-dimensional characters, and the dialogue between these two women has that special quality
of
familiarity and intimacy. The playful give and take and the endearing repartee show the reader that
they are indeed intelligent, witty, and caring individuals who belong together.
There is a tranquil, comfortably languid sense to various portions of the book. Swannell manages
to
capture that laid-back tropical feeling in her setting. "The sun blazed out of a cloudless blue sky
and
the yacht bobbed gently on a calm jewel-green ocean" (p. 9). She is equally adept at creating a
vivid
picture of the Australian outback, "Its harsh lines and dry colors shimmered in the oppressive
heat"
(p. 89). The place descriptions along with the occasional Aussie slang envelope the reader; one
easily becomes part of Jo's and Cadie's environment. Swannell is equally adept at creating the tone
and atmosphere of Chicago. From the bureaucratic tedium of O'Hare airport to the congenial
banter
of a taxi driver, the author creates a distinct departure from the first half of the novel.
There is no hidden symbolism here, no profound philosophical commentary. What is here is
simply
good, old-fashioned, straightforward romantic storytelling. When Cadie and the Senator meet
again,
the story assumes a much darker and more malevolent tone and mood. Masterful use of
foreshadowing enables the suspense to build incrementally, and then the reader is squarely in the
midst of this terrifying confrontation. Swannell has created one of lesbian fiction's more perverse
antagonists in the figure of Naomi Silverberg. For her, charming and rational are only a stone's
throw away from diabolical and psychotic. The good senator is indeed someone the reader loves
to
hate.
Swannell's secondary characters are first-rate additions to the storyline. Jo's father, David,
reticently
displays all of the emotional pain, ambivalence, and bewilderment of a parent whose child has
inexplicably disappeared and then has re-emerged after fifteen years of no contact. Conversely,
Maggie, Jo's more demonstrative mother, reacts as the reader would hope, "Don't you worry
about
that. If you're happy, that's all I care about" (p. 94).
No Ocean Deep is a genuine delight to read. It is capably written in a prose style which swiftly
carries the reader from page to page. The sexual scenes are sensual and satisfying, the action
scenes
are energetic and suspenseful, the characters are appealing and unpretentious, and the conflicts are
resolved in a satisfying and logical scheme. Cate Swannell's No Ocean Deep is unquestionably
worth
reading. It is that type of novel that captivates the reader with its first few pages and maintains
that
focused interest throughout the totally compelling journey.
The Intersection of Law and Desire
J.M. Redmann
Bywater Books
P.O. Box 3671, Ann Arbor, MI 48106-3671
ISBN: 1932859012; $12.95; 357 pages
In 2004, a relatively new lesbian press, Bywater Books, has re-printed J. M. Redmann's
award-winning novel, The Intersection of Law and Desire, the third installment of the four-book
Micky Knight series. The intervening ten years have neither diminished the emotional power of
this
book nor rendered it a literary anachronism in any way. Redmann has created a complex and
multifaceted female private investigator unlike others found in this genre. At times brash, aloof,
even
morose, Micky Knight is a reflection of the Louisiana bayou where she was raised and the seamy
underbelly of the New Orleans which provides her often distasteful livelihood. Quietly vulnerable
yet
ruthlessly straightforward, Micky is an intricate woman whose personal demons color her every
professional action and personal interaction. Through Redmann's carefully constructed
articulation
of every nuance of her main character, she has created a woman about whom the reader cannot
remain ambivalent. Micky is no superhero, no Wonder Woman. What she is is a woman beset
with
petty foibles, exaggerated perceptions, and often sardonically cynical and contemptuous words.
However, despite this seemingly callous fa‡ade, the reader discovers a worthy, valiant, and ethical
woman whose perspective on life is quite simple. When told to let the law deal with an egregious
adversary, Micky responds, "The law? I want justice" (p. 355). This simple statement serves as
the
thematic underpinning for Redmann's story and proclaims one of the few certainties in the
detective's
life.
Micky is working two cases, one involving the young daughter of a friend and the other the
discontented relative of her lover, Dr. Cordelia James. As she delves deeper into what initially
appear to be disparate circumstances, Micky soon discovers that prostitution, drugs,
pornography,
and an exclusive private club's clientele are all intertwined. Events will spiral beyond her control,
test
her increasingly tenuous relationship, and cause her to finally verbalize and examine her early
childhood experiences from a new perspective.
Redmann has crafted a multi-layered narrative with outstanding prose. The word choice is rich
and
evocative of the New Orleans setting. Following a lead, Micky drives through a rough section of
town to locate a bar. "Heart of Desire sat on one corner, a tawdry whore of a bar" (p. 137). The
dialogue is extremely well written, often times poignant, witty, and figurative. To enhance the
characterization the author frequently has Micky reflect her world-weary attitude through a
sardonic
or self-deprecating comment. Micky is the quintessential hard-boiled private eye doing all the
things
good detectives do. Yet, when she ventures beyond the scope of her profession, the reader
recognizes an emotionally crippled woman, who at best, is reaching for a lifeline with one hand
while
cutting it with the other. Redmann has created a profoundly memorable character with whom the
reader genuinely empathizes. Despite her trenchant flaws and human failings, Micky
conscientiously
attempts to put things right, to replace chaos with some degree of order, to save those she can, if
not herself.
Redmann's stylish depiction of ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances has and will
continue
to withstand the test of time. The Micky Knight novels are intricately developed with meticulously
drawn characterizations and thoroughly satisfying action scenes. Micky's casual sexual encounters
in
the novel serve the reader more to illustrate her inadequacies rather than to titillate. Her intimate
scenes with Cornelia display a range of emotions: tenderness, obligation, humor, and anguish.
Micky
and Cornelia are in so many ways complete opposites. Yet, each woman recognizes in the other
that
essential component each needs to give her life purpose and a measure of joy.
Redmann's use of the first person point of view is a fairly common device used in detective fiction,
but to write the story in any other would certainly detract from the immediacy the reader feels
with
the protagonist. Micky does have tunnel vision when it comes to certain things in her life, but
through this storytelling device, the reader has a better understanding of her motivation, her
rationale for acting the way she does, even when it is detrimental to her or those around her. The
tone of the story is clearly established through the first person voice. It strips away the layers of
pretense, excess, and perplexity in a way that enables the reader to experience a visceral rather
than
a passive response. Redmann's superlative pacing keeps the action-oriented scenes swiftly moving
along with twists and turns that are deftly developed. There is a kind of film noir quality to Micky
and her world of crime, deception, and banal immorality. At the same time, Redmann explores
those
intrinsic qualities like loyalty and compassion that many aspire to yet few achieve. And, it is all
done
through the steamy haze of the Big Easy and the enigmatic bayou.
The Intersection of Law and Desire is further confirmation that J. M. Redmann is an author of
detective novels which transcend the typical format. Her distinctly literary style sets Redmann
apart
from the others. She has created a memorable persona in the anti-heroine Micky Knight. This is a
character who resonantly affects the reader through Micky's arduous struggles to seek both
redemption and affirmation. If you are searching for that detective story with depth, style, and
quality writing, this novel will not disappoint you. Having read and immensely appreciated all four
books in the Knight series, this reviewer hopes that there will indeed be a fifth installment.
Imperfect Past: Book Three of the Boston Friends' Series
Jessica Casavant
Yellow Rose Books
PMB 210, 8691 9th Avenue, Port Arthur, TX 77642-8025
ISBN: 1932300341; $16.95; 197 pages
Imperfect Past is the third installment of Jessica Casavant's Boston Friends' Series. Jamie
Saunders, a
Boston PD detective, and her partner Alex Ryan are investigating the murder of an eight year-old
girl. This heinous crime has affected Jamie far more than most cases, and it's beginning to take its
emotional toll. Her already vulnerable condition is further exacerbated by an additional case, the
murder in a posh downtown hotel of Chief Justice Reynolds, a man whose identity Jamie would
rather not delve into for a variety of personal reasons. Complicate this situation even more when
Jamie discovers that her partner in a casual one-night stand during the night of the murder, Shane
Scott, is now a prime suspect! By withholding evidence and committing various sins of omission,
Jamie attempts to solve these cases on her own. As the events intensify, Jamie Saunders' actions
threaten her relationships, jeopardize her job with the police department, and plunge her
self-esteem
to an unprecedented low. Willing to neither examine her troubling past nor ponder her uncertain
future, Detective Saunders seems to be descending into a morass from which she sees no
deliverance.
One of the advantages of the Casavant Boston Friends' series of books is that the main characters
skillfully float in and out of the plotlines in each novel so that the reader can enjoy them in no
particular order. The close circle of friends presents alternating main characters for each story.
Each
woman has her moment while the others provide supporting details. This enables the author to
explore through her continuing narrative the many plot possibilities for each character.
Casavant's writing style is forthright with the emphasis upon dialogue. As the characters speak to
one another, one has the sense that she is listening to authentic conversation. The tone used,
especially that of Jamie, deftly conveys the conundrum that this woman believes has enveloped
her.
Even incidental speeches in their frank and concise manner serve to move the story along at a
rapid
tempo. Credible dialogue augments not only the characters but the actions of those characters.
When Jamie asks Shane a question and is promptly told to "Go to hell," Jamie responds, "Thanks
anyway. I've been there since I first laid eyes on you" (p. 52).
The author has created conflict on several levels throughout her storytelling, and the unexpected
twists and turns experienced by the characters immerse the reader in a web of deceit so absorbing
that one logically discovers along with the detectives just where the pieces fall into the puzzle. Far
too many books solve their mysteries without a hint of credible or legitimate foreshadowing, and
this
inevitably will cause the reader to feel somehow deceived. Casavant writes a plausible and
satisfying
denouement.
The sexual encounters are tastefully explicit. One can sense the uncertainty, ambivalence,
tenderness,
and confusion when Jamie interacts with her partners. The irony of a brief, emotionally
meaningless
dalliance's affecting the course of so many lives is skillfully written, from the clever barroom pick
up
to the reaction of Alex to Jamie's involvement. There is a commendable balance of romance and
mystery here which is attributable to Casavant's understanding of pacing.
Imperfect Past is well worth the investment of time for the reader. It is a tightly written novel with
interesting plot devices, likable characters, and pleasing Boston and its environs setting. This is a
worthy addition to Casavant's series. Having read all three installments, with Twist of Fate (Book
One) still my favorite segment, I look forward to the release of the fourth novel in the series.
A Guarded Heart
Jennifer Fulton
Yellow Rose Books
PMB 210, 8691 9th Avenue, Port Arthur, TX 77642-8025
ISBN: 1932300376; $16.95; 194 pages
Jennifer Fulton's fourth and thoroughly enjoyable entry in her Moon Island Series is entitled A
Guarded Heart. Lauren Douglas, a closeted lesbian, plays the starring role in the hit daytime soap
opera, Dr. Kate. The twenty-eight year-old actress is also the daughter of a powerful politician,
Congressman Wendall Douglas III. When Lauren is publicly outed by a spurned unfaithful former
lover, her acting career and the public reputation of her father are placed at risk. Making this
awkward situation even more troublesome is a devoted fan of Dr. Kate, a fanatical young man
who
feels personally betrayed by the revelation of Lauren's sexual identity. So offended is he that he
tracks Lauren to a parking garage, and there, after an irrational rant, he shoots her and flees the
scene. While the gunman is still at large, Congressman Douglas decides to take no further chances
with his daughter's safety. He hires a female bodyguard, FBI Special Agent Pat Rousell, who is
currently on leave from a harrowing serial murder case, and dispatches them to a remote island in
the South Pacific, called Moon Island, where they will remain until the gunman is apprehended.
Lauren and Pat could not be any more dissimilar, but they must now forge some kind of tenable
relationship for the duration of Lauren's exile. These two captivating and competent women will
now face challenges which will forever change their lives.
Jennifer Fulton begins her novel with an amusing scene on the set of Dr. Kate. "Lauren ripped off
her mask and gloves and tossed them on the operating floor. 'Am I removing a kidney or a leg?'
"(p.
1) The strong opening immediately engages the reader and creates that essential appeal for
continuing reading. In many instances, if an author has not hooked the audience in those first few
pages or even by the end of chapter one, the magic is not going to occur. Fulton manages to
achieve
this with humor and an unconventional setting. The storyline flows effortlessly; one scene segues
consistently into the next. This thorough development of plot is enhanced by the author's skill in
blending the narrative portion with the dialogue. Tension and conflict are created and sustained
with
a tightly controlled technique, suspense is gradually intensified, and the resolutions for the various
conflicts are presented in credible prose, realistic dialogue, and viable action scenes. Fulton
skillfully
executes that primary requisite of successful writing, the suspension of disbelief.
Lauren and Pat are two engaging women; they are protagonists with whom the reader can
empathize and connect. They are tenacious, capable, assertive women who have both experienced
painful past relationships. Pat comes equipped with the necessary FBI fire power, but more
importantly and detrimentally, with emotional barriers she has developed over a lifetime. On the
other hand, Lauren, despite her bravado and immaturity, is a woman who desperately wants to
find
the path that will enable her to feel that she has a contribution to make beyond her television role.
She possesses the wherewithal to make that difference, if she only knew what it was she wanted
to
do with her life. These two women would seem to be an odd couple, but their passionate
encounters
reveal something beneath the surface for both of them. As the action escalates toward the climax,
the dangers become more blatant and the shared misinterpretations and preconceptions of intent
become more perplexing. It has become increasingly more obvious that Lauren and Pat each must
make crucial life-altering decisions and each must live with the consequences and possible
repercussions.
A Guarded Heart is a story with several themes, and it is a novel which can be interpreted on
several
levels. However, it is, first and foremost, an excellent example of the romance genre. Substantial
and
realistic characters with problematic situations create an intense and dramatic story. Fluid and
believable dialogue strengthens the development of the characterization. Obstacles, both tangible
and
intangible, provide the necessary impetus for the characters to change, grow, and hopefully
succeed.
As important as the setting is in a novel, it isn't the lush tropical paradise surrounding Lauren and
Pat that enthralls and satisfies the reader. It is the wondrous metamorphosis each woman
experiences which this reader found often poignant and heartbreaking, but more importantly,
emphatically and profoundly reaffirming.
Sudden Loss of Serenity
Jacqueline Wallen
New Victoria
PO Box 27, Norwich, VT 05055
ISBN: 189228121X; $12.95; 191 pages
Dr. Claire Winston, a college professor, awakens to a day unlike any other. There has been a
brutally
violent murder of a woman; ironically, the body has been discovered in the local cemetery. Claire's
best friend and neighbor, Marlene Lundstrom, fails to keep an early morning appointment with
her.
Then, to make matters even more appalling, she discovers that her teenage daughter, Serenity, is
missing. Soon, Claire realizes that the deceased is Marlene, and there appears to be a connection
between her dear friend's demise and her absent child. Unbeknownst to Claire, apparently both
Marlene and Serenity were involved in a Buddhist group, led by a monk called Sonam, practicing
Chod, the ancient ritual of releasing demons. Events slowly unfold, shocking revelations surface,
and
the most personal of secrets are revealed, but Serenity has yet to be found. Claire Winston will
discover how little she knew about the two people closest to her, and she will finally be forced to
deal with some personal issues of her own.
Jacqueline Wallen's first novel is a commendable effort. It has an original mystery premise, an
array
of intriguing characters, elements of suspense, more than a few red herrings, and a realistic
denouement between mother and child. The Buddhist slant and its impact for some of the main
characters are also a refreshing departure from the more common and formulaic mystery plots.
Wallen's writing style moves the storyline along at a swift pace. The first few chapters engage the
reader by not revealing too hastily the important plot elements. Although some may question the
plausibility of the resolution to the crime and this reader might have made an adjustment or two,
this
is such a minor point that it fails to detract from the overall quality of story.
Sudden Loss of Serenity has several memorable characters, people who are distinctly original and
well-crafted. Claire plays well as the distraught and confused protagonist whose witty retorts
serve
to deflect her true feelings. Sharon Goldstein, the police detective in charge of the investigation, is
low key, sardonic at times, and thoroughly enjoyable. Harry, the distraught widower, plays the
suffering and betrayed husband with enough anger and stupidity to make one experience his
situation. Wallen also captures the essence of speaking to teenage girls when she attempts to get
some answers from one of Serenity's friends. "Prying information out of Allison was like opening
one of those heavy duty shrink-wrappers, she seemed hermetically sealed" (p. 18). The dialogue is
right on the mark. The reader feels she is actually standing nearby listening to these typical
exchanges of teenage ambiguity and equivocation.
The interaction among characters drives the plot much more than the actual crime. This diverse
group of characters sustains the interest of the reader, and as one becomes more familiar with
them,
one realizes that this development of personalities is the central focus of the story. Complex
situations and relationships make for excellent narrative material, and Wallen manages quite
handily
to deliver both.
Sudden Loss of Serenity is a quirky, amusing, fiction delight. This first person narrative is an
enjoyable way to spend a few hours with the citizens of the sleepy little village of Hector's Mill.
The
conclusion certainly provides a graceful and logical segue to into a sequel. This reader would very
much like to continue getting to know Dr. Winston.
The Trouble Boy
Tom Dolby
Kensington Books
850 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022
ISBN: 0758206178; $14.00; 262 pages
Toby Griffin is a twenty-two year-old Yale graduate with a degree in film studies. However, he is
the first one to admit that instead of finding " .the promised light and truth to those who passed
through its portals," "What I found instead was beer and boys" (p. 3). His parents have given him
an
ultimatum of one year in which to prove himself in screenwriting, or he must return home to San
Francisco and work in his father's biotech business. At the same time Toby is desperately trying to
achieve his fortune and fame, he is desperate to find the love of his life. At a party, Toby meets
Jaime Weissman, a gay banker, and is introduced to his circle of friends. Jamie tells Toby about a
job
opening as an online nightlife editor. To say that Toby throws himself body and soul into this new
assignment would be the grossest of understatements. Toby believes that plunging into this
enthralling scene, replete with all the alcohol, sex, and drugs he could possibly desire, is his free
ticket to breaking into the movie business. As he begins to live the New York City life he has
always
fantasized, he finds that obtaining one's dream may come with a few strings attached. The
decisions
he makes could alter the course of not only his superficial life but also the complicated lives of
those
he knows. The path to some semblance of maturity, self-acceptance, and realistic expectations is a
convoluted one for this young man. Toby's life spirals towards the actualization of the old clich‚,
be
careful what you wish for.
Tom Dolby has managed to capture the Manhattan scene and the pretentious quest for success at
all
costs through his often acerbic and witty depiction of Toby, a sort of Everyboy here. His vivid,
convincing, and provocative account of Toby's character flaws, and there are many, is symbolic of
all those eager young gay boys who traipse to the Big Apple to grasp the brass ring, which in the
end, is nothing more than a quest not to wind up alone and forgotten.
Dolby has created in Toby a memorable young man for whom the reader can feel some degree of
empathy. Herein is a shallow, narcissistic, naive, and at times, pathetic individual. Yet through
Dolby's forthright and droll style of writing, the reader still finds Toby a likable person. Despite
his
questionable and at times self-serving actions, Toby is a protagonist the reader hopes will
overcome
all adversaries, especially himself.
The Trouble Boy is a much more than a promising freshman novel. Fast pacing, clever dialogue,
amusing and engaging characters, and a real understanding about which he writes make this book
a
pleasurable way to spend a few hours. This world of twenty- something gay men clambering to
find
their places in the economic as well as the social scheme of things is a quest that the reader will
not
soon forget. Tom Dolby has indeed laid the groundwork for an entertaining sequel.
Arlene Germain
Reviewer
Bethany's Bookshelf
The Long Ride
Don Regier & Karen Pritchett
KidsZone/Kregel Publications
PO Box 2607, Grand Rapids, MI 49501
0825435773 $12.99 1-800-733-2607
Expertly written by Don Regier and deftly illustrated by Karen Pritchett, The Long Ride is
actually
two stories in one "flip it over" book. One one side it's the story of a child's search for his family
when they get separated in a large Chinese city. Flip it over and it's the story of the family's search
for their missing young one! The alagorical message is one of adoption and the family of God.
Bright, detailed color illustrations bring the hustle and bustle of a busy city to life, in this
entertaining
two-part tale recommended for young readers age 5 and up.
The Coat Of Many Colors
Jenny Koralek & Pauline Baynes
Eerdmans Books for Young Readers
c/o Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
255 Jefferson Avenue, S.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49503
0802852777 $16.00 1-800-253-7521 www.eerdmans.com/youngreaders
Elegantly illustrated by the artwork of Pauline Baynes, The Coat Of Many Colors by Jenny
Koralek
is a picturebook retelling the Biblical story of Joseph. When his ten brothers became jealous of his
coat of many colors, they decided to teach him a lesson. Joseph was sold into slavery - yet his
astounding gift to interpret dreams would come to the pharaoh's attention, and Joseph taught him
how to protect the land from the threat of famine. One day Joseph and his brothers would meet
again, with repentance filling the brothers' hearts, all of them far wiser than they once were so
many
years ago. A powerful and timeless legend.
The Legend Of The Sand Dollar
Chris Auer & Rick Johnson
Zondervan Publishing House
5300 Patterson Avenue, S.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49530
0310707803 $15.99 www.zonderkidz.com
Illustrated with a superb elegance of grace and form by Rick Johnson, The Legend Of The Sand
Dollar: An Inspirational Story Of Hope For Easter by Chris Auer is the story of an eight-year-old
girl who learns the story of Easter in the sand dollar. The five holes in the sand dollar shell (only
dead sand dollars wash up on beaches, and live sand dollars shouldn't be collected, the author
notes
in the very back of the book) symbolize the nails and the spear that pierced Jesus Christ, who died
for humanity's sins. And when the sand dollar is broken, there appear five white particles
representing doves and their promise of new life - the promise of Easter. A tender and
heartwarming
story of renewal.
A Hat For Ivan
Max Lucado & David Wenzel
Crossway Books
1300 Crescent Street, Wheaton, IL 60187
1581344147 $15.99 1-800-323-3890
Max Lucado's books for readers of all ages have made him one of the most popular writers of
books
for a Christian readership. Engagingly illustrated by David Wenzel, Lucado's A Hat For Ivan is an
original picturebook story that wonderfully captures a very special truth -- everyone was made by
God for a special purpose. This is the story of the hatmaker's son, who sees his father create the
perfect hat for each person. But when Ivan is worried about his future, he tries on all sorts of hats
-
musician, baker, firefighter - and none of them seem to fit! The feel heavy and ridiculous, and
make
him feel tired. At the end of the day, his father offers him some choice words of wisdom; there
will
be a hat - and a life - meant just for him, based on what he most likes to do. Highly
recommended.
Susan Bethany
Reviewer
Betty's Bookshelf
This Old Souse: A Bed-and-Breakfast Mystery
Mary Daheim
William Morrow
HarperCollins Publishers Inc.
10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022
http://www.harpercollins.com
ISBN 0380978695; $23.95
Writers are often told, "Write what you know." Apparently, Mary Daheim really took it to
heart. Not only does she base many of the characters in her books on family members
(who don't seem to mind), her mysteries are all set in Washington, her home state, with
the Emma Lord series set in Alpine (the Washington mill town Daheim's family lived in
before she was born) and the Bed-and-Breakfast series, starring owner/operator Judith
Flynn and her cousin Renie, set in Daheim's hometown of Seattle.
Seattle isn't just Daheim's hometown, either; she still lives in Seattle, and its scenery, its
weather, its way of life permeate each of her mysteries. Check out the following
paragraphs (both taken from This Old Souse, her latest B&B title) and see what I mean:
"Just three days away from the start of summer, the spring shrubs, trees, and bulbs had faded
away.
The grass was green, the leaves were glossy, and some of the roses were in full bloom. But the
sky
was overcast, the temperature lingered in the midfifties, and there was a 40 percent chance of rain.
It
was, Judith knew, a typical June day in the Pacific Northwest. [pg. 2]"
"The sun, which had sneaked a peek at the city earlier in the morning, had now gone behind dark
clouds. Renie, however, kept her sunglasses on. Not only did she have a chronic eye problem, she
was a typical Northwest resident who insisted she was so unused to the sun that its irregular
appearances bothered her eyes. Judith never argued [with her]. They lived in a city that bought
more
sunglasses per capita than any other place in the United States. Renie referred to the locals -
especially the natives - as Mole People. [pg. 89]"
See? Pure Seattle!
In This Old Souse, Daheim's twentieth B&B book, Judith and Renie have their hands full with
husbands (ex-cop Joe and retired psychologist and consultant Bill), cantankerous elderly moms
(Gertrude and Deborah), the B&B's religious zealot maid (Phyliss) and psychotic cat, demanding
careers, and goings-on at their church, Our Lady, Star of the Sea. Despite it all, though, they
seem
to have time to get into lots of trouble. This time, at least, it's Renie's fault.
Ever since she lived in the neighborhood as a child, Renie's been obsessed with the
family that lived in the rundown (and apparently deserted) manse on nearby Moonfleet
Street. Who lives there? Why does no one ever seem to come in or out? What's with the
kids' toys in the front yard, the regular food orders that don't look big enough to feed a
whole family, and the annual package delivered UPS from Austria? Knowing Judith is
temporarily at loose ends with Joe out of town for a few days, Renie talks her cousin into
snooping around behind the scenes.
When Judith agrees, she discovers a dead body in her car's trunk. It's not the first body
she's found, either. In fact, she has such a reputation with Joe's former colleagues that
when she calls 9-1-1 to report a dead body, the dispatcher sighs and says, "Is that you,
Mrs. Flynn?" This time, though, she knows the identity of the victim, and the responding
officers not only don't know her or Joe - they think she is the killer! And when it
becomes obvious that the Blands (who own the house) can't or won't help and the cops
aren't inclined to look any further for the real killer, it's up to Judith and Renie to figure
out who really did it. Now, the question is, can they do it before one of them becomes the
next victim?
I really enjoy Daheim's B&B books, which combine two of my loves: mysteries and
B&B's. True, This Old Souse was a bit sparse on scenes in Hillside Manor itself, but it
made up for it with a lot of Seattle atmosphere. I'd love to go to Seattle in person some
day, but despite standing invitations from friends who live there, I haven't been able to
afford it yet. Until then, my visits will take place between the covers of a book, and
Daheim's fill the bill nicely.
Two Old Women: An Alaska Legend of Betrayal, Courage and Survival
Velma Wallis
illustrations by Jim Grant
Epicenter Press Inc.
Box 82368, Kenmore, WA 98028
http://www.epicenterpress.com/index.html
ISBN 0972494499; $17.95.
Alaskan author Velma Wallis was born in Fort Yukon, about 140 miles northeast of
Fairbanks, where she grew up in a traditional Athabaskan Indian family, surrounded by
twelve siblings. When she was thirteen, her father died, and she dropped out of school to
help her mother raise the younger children.
When they no longer needed her, Wallis took (and passed) her high school equivalency
exam and moved to an isolated cabin twelve miles away. There, she trapped, fished, and
hunted to survive. She filled the quiet inside of her with the stories she'd been told as a
girl. And she read everything she could get her hands on and dreamed of someday
becoming a writer herself. She was there twelve years.
When she finally did write down a traditional story she'd been raised on, no traditional
publisher wanted it. In the Editor's Afterword, editor Lael Morgan says, "Wallis was an
unknown with no powerful Native backers. She was also female, and the decision-makers
were male. [And although] all agreed that Wallis was a promising young writer, [no one
would publish her book.]"
Why? Fear of public opinion. Famine among the Athabaskans was a touchy subject, and
Wallis's portrayal of it in Two Old Women was too gritty, too realistic. Too cruel. "It
makes Athabaskan people look bad," one Native leader told Morgan. "If you publish it,
you will make Athabaskan people look bad." Despite tribal opinion, Morgan believed
Wallis's book was too important to ignore. She kept trying to get it to market and she
finally succeeded in 1993. Two Old Women was published, and Wallis's dream of
becoming a writer finally came true.
Two Old Women tells the story of two elderly Athabaskans, Ch'idzigyaak (aged eighty
summers) and Sa' (aged seventy-five summers), who are no longer able to provide for
themselves. Instead, they spend their days hobbling around with walking sticks
complaining and wistfully describing how much better things used to be, while being
cared for by younger tribe members.
Then famine comes. As the tribe begins to starve, they no longer have the luxury of
feeding those who cannot provide anything to the tribe in return. Therefore, Ch'idzigyaak
and Sa' are wrapped in blankets and left behind in the snow with their meager
possessions. Even Ch'idzigyaak's daughter and grandson acquiesce, for they fear the
desperation and anger of the hungry tribe.
Ch'idzigyaak and Sa' are devastated. Are they truly no longer valuable to the tribe?
Unworthy to be cared for? It is winter! They have no food, and no weapons except for the
hatchet Ch'idzigyaak's grandson secretly left for them. Perhaps they should just lie down
in the snow and go to sleep, never to wake again. It's a quiet, painless way to go. But then
Sa' says, "They think we are too old and useless. They forget that we, too, have earned
the right to live! So I say if we are going to die, my friend, let us die trying, not sitting."
And as they struggle on, they prove to themselves and their loved ones that age and
infirmities don't have to mean having nothing left to give.
It reminds me of one of my favorite quotes, by Martha Bolton: "There is nothing sadder
than an unfulfilled life. Someone who is well past the halfway point of life, convinced
that they missed out on their true calling. Dreams don't come with expiration dates. Take
advantage of the years that lie ahead of you and do what you were created to do, whatever
that happens to be. Whether it is in education, politics, science, medicine, arts, or any
other field, the world needs what you still have to offer."
Wallis believed the world needed what she had to offer, and like Ch'idzigyaak and Sa',
she never gave up. Since 1993, she's become a best-selling author, with several more
books and a tenth anniversary edition of Two Old Women to her credit. I'm sure she has
more books in her and I hope we get to see them all. However, for those of us facing the
second half of our lives, the most important words she ever writes may be these: Let us
die trying, not sitting.
Betty Winslow
Reviewer
Carey's Bookshelf
Buzz Riff
Sam Hill
Carol & Graf Publishers
245 West 17th Street, New York, NY 10011
ISBN 0786713909 $25.00 325 pages
This was by far one of the coolest books I've read. A lot of adventure, mixed with a little romance
and much emotion, Buzz Riff (Carroll & Graf Publishers) is the second novel by author Sam
Hill.
Set in the deep-south, Buzz Riff is a wild story about Top Kiernan, a former employer of Shaw's
Mercantile Marine, who was let go because his adrenaline addiction was getting in the way of his
duties. But if that wasn't enough, Top is now faced with even bigger problems. The research firm
that he now owns is about to go belly up thanks to his former office manager/scorned ex-lover,
who
has stolen half of his clients and the majority of his money. Six months behind on his mortgage,
Top
decides to take on a job that includes having to recover a stolen confederate flag in hopes of
earning
part of the money needed to avoid foreclosure. But the job is not as easy as Top has anticipated
and
he finds himself caught in a tangled web that consist of several determined Civil War Memorabilia
collectors, the KKK, redneck bikers, ATF agents, and a right-wing religious organization. If you
are
a mature reader looking for a novel with non-stop adventure and features very cool characters
that
sometimes live over the top, then you need to pick up a copy of Buzz Riff and start reading it
today.
Sam Hill is also the author of Buzz Monkey, his first novel and several nonfiction books. His
work
has also appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, Fortune and the Harvard
Business
Review. He lives just outside of Chicago.
Dying in the Dark
Valerie Wilson Wesley
One World Book/Ballantine Books
New York, N.Y.
www.ballantinebooks.com/one/
ISBN 0345468066 $22.95 222 pages
Dying in the Dark is the latest in a series of Tamara Hayle Mysteries by author Valerie Wilson
Wesley. If you are a fan of Wesley and her private investigator character, Tamara Hayle, then we
both have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of her newest novel.
This time around Tamara has been hired to find the killer of her used-to-be-best friend, Celia
Jones,
who has been in contact with Tamara through her dreams, begging for help. But as Tamara gets
closer to the truth she discovers a little more than she bargained for. In addition to Celia having
several lovers who held lethal grudges, Tamara also stumbles across some ugly secrets that some
people would literary kill to keep them from getting out. But going against her better judgment,
Tamara continues to push forward with her investigation. As always, Wesley does a fantastic job
of
intertwining information from her previous novels into her latest story. Walking away with a
feeling
of familiarity, Wesley keeps the reader well connected to Tamara, thus giving the impression that
she
is a part of our lives. Tamara could be your sister, mother or even a best friend. Her character
continues to be very believable which makes this novel easy to relate to. The rhythm of Wesley's
writing style was slow in the beginning, but as you continued through the novel, the nonstop
action
appears to pick up the speed and it quick becomes difficult to put down. Dying in the Dark is
another great piece of work that should be well received by both young adults and mature
readers.
Valerie Wilson Wesley is the Blackboard best-selling author of six Tamara Hayle mysteries. She is
also the author of Always True to You in My Fashion and Ain't Nobody's Business If I Do. A
former executive editor at Essence magazine, she lives in New Jersey. For additional information
on
the author please visit www.tamarahayle.com.
Upstate
Kalisha Buckhanon
St. Martin Press
175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010
ISBN 0312332688 $19.95 247 pages
Rarely has it been that I have read such a powerful novel that has the capabilities to transcend
across
generations, but Upstate (St. Martin's Press) by Kalisha Buckhanon does just that. A beautiful
story
about love, lose and lessons learned is told through the eyes of Natasha and Antonio, two inner
city
adolescents.
Based on written correspondence between the two main characters, Natasha a high school student
and her sweetheart Antonio, who is serving time in prison, Upstate is a moving work of art that
can
be appreciated by all readers. Buckhanon impresses us with her usage of language and creativity
while giving the reader a glimpse into the lives of these urban teens as they transition from
adolescence into adulthood. A modern Romeo and Juliet, Upstate offers a fresh and honest
perspective on young love in 2005.
Kalisha Buckhanon is a recipient of awards and fellowships from the NAACP, Illinois Arts
Council,
Illinois Young Authors Commission and the Chicago Black Writers Conference. She holds an
MFA
in creative writing from New School University and a BA in English language and literature from
the
University of Chicago. She currently lives in New York. For more information on this author visit
www.kalisha.com.
Carey Yazeed
Reviewer
Carroll's Bookshelf
The Lives of Danielle Steel
Vickie L. Bane and Lorenzo Benet
St. Martins Press
0312112572 $22.95
Fans of Danielle Steel, best-selling writer, might be surprised by the diminutive author's real
life.
Bane and Benet chronicle Steel's life in the unauthorized biography that runs from Steel's
self-proclaimed unhappy childhood to the early nineties.
In the book, the authors site parallels between Steel's life and her fiction that many of her readers
may not know exists. Quoting a number of Steel's friends, her former husbands and in-laws, Bane
and Genet tell about Steels first marriage to a wealthy banker, her second marriage to a convicted
rapist, then to a recovering heroin addict who couldn't stay clean.
Throughout the second and third ill-fated relationships, Steel was writing for Dell, and her books
were gaining recognition. Those first books dealt with prisons, addictions, pregnancies, and the
fear
of kidnapping, things the author was living at the time.
Steel had two children when she married John Traina, Jr., her fourth husband. He also had two
children.
Steel quickly became pregnant. Despite a history of miscarriages, she became the mother of nine
including her two foster sons.
Bane and Benet write a most informative book with backgrounds on not just Steel but many of
the
people in "The lives of Danielle Steel."
A New Moon for Emily
Ann Staadt
PublishAmerica, LLLP.
1413731392 $21.95
Will 27-year-old Emily McAllen ever break away from her father's dominance? Will she be able to
shuck her staid librarian demeanor and live her own life?
Emily longs to quit her job at the library and move to St. John's Island and live with her
grandmother, but before she has a chance to test her own strength, her grandmother dies. When
the
will is read, Emily is shocked to learn her grandmother left almost everything to her, including the
home on St. John's Island, Nova Scotia.
None of the relatives are pleased, including Emily's father, but especially her Aunt Sylvia, who
demands the house be turned over to her.
As the book unfolds and Emily goes from Indiana to the island, more questions arise. Will Emily's
Aunt Sylvia be able to contest her mother's will and get the house away from Emily? Will Emily
be
able to make a go of the bed and breakfast she plans for the house, or is she incabable of handling
her own finances, as her father warns?
More complications set in as three men enter Emily's life on St. John's Island. One is attorney
Peter
St. John, who read the will that gave the house to Emily. He he is quick to make a move on
Emily.
He also handles Emily's legal work as Aunt Sylvia tries to take the house.
Mike Yorke, who runs the ferry between the mainland and St. John's Island is another man
interested in Emily, and so is Jared Adams, an accomplished handyman and lobster trapper. Both
are
friends from when Emily visited her Gram each summer, and both are on hand to help her and ask
her out.
In the first chapters of the book, the reader meets many different characters, from family members
to
island dwellers, but the author introduces the character in a way that doesn't leave the reader
scratching her head wondering who this is and how he or she fits into the story. Each character
has
his or her place in the framework of Emily's new life and each has a distinct personality.
Staadt takes Emily and the reader through a detailed account of the first days of Emily's life on the
island from the remodling of the old house to going on a lobster run, to what is served for
meals.
Ann Staadt lives in Fort Wayne and travels with her husband, Richard. A trip to Nova Scotia,
where
she saw a rose-colored Victorian house, inspired Emily's story.
A second book, Claire in Love, is soon to be released. It continues the story of St. John's
Island.
Jean Carroll
Reviewer
Cheri's Bookshelf
The Trouble Boy
Tom Dolby
Kensington Publishing Corp.
850 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022
ISBN: 0758206178 US $14.00 Canada $20.00
Tom Dolby has accurately captured the essence of what makes twenty-something preppy gay men
on the Upper East Side of Manhattan tick in his refreshing and honest novel The Trouble Boy. A
native of San Francisco, Toby Griffin is a privileged Yale graduate who majored in film studies.
Toby confides, "After a sexless four years at boarding school, I was ready to sleep with every
available gay undergrad in the tristate area." [p. 3] Having had his fill of meaningless one-night
stands he is more mature now at twenty-two, and is looking for the one guy that he can spend the
rest of his life with. He moves to the Big Apple with dreams of fame, fortune, and a long-term
relationship. His accomplished wealthy parents - his mother is a famous fashion designer and his
father made his fortune at a firm specializing in biotechnology - have given him one year to prove
himself in NYC, if not he has to go back home and work in his father's business. Talk about
pressure Toby's parents succeeded in their careers while still in their twenties and expect no less
from their progeny.
The Trouble Boy begins with Toby meeting Jamie Weissman who introduces him to the guys who
become his friends in Manhattan. A Princeton graduate, Jamie is an investment banker, hardly the
type of guy Toby would assume was gay. Jamie introduces himself to Toby at the type of party
" where people don't talk to anyone they don't know already." [p. 1]. Jamie tells Toby about a job
opening for a freelance writer at a web site called CityStyle.com. Toby becomes their nightlife
editor
and reviews nightclubs and interviews rent boys. The job has its perks including many
opportunities
for sex, drugs, and alcohol. Even after landing a job, Toby never loses sight of his dream to
become
a famous screenwriter despite his parents' desire for him to get a "real job" and have a respectable
career. Toby is determined to succeed and when one job ends, he lands a more lucrative position
as
the personal assistant to an unscrupulous film magnate, Cameron Cole. Toby feels taking the job
could be just the contact he needs to break into the movie business.
While Jamie lusts after Toby, Toby lusts after a series of boys, from a co-worker Donovon, to a
whole cast of characters including Subway Boy, Loft Boy, Army Guy, and others. The fantasies
of
domestic bliss Toby conjures up as he sees a potential mate, is an endearing quality of the
ever-hopeful young man. The reader hopes Toby can find true love, but first he has to get his life
together and clean up his act. Will he succeed in business and in love?
When I wasn't laughing out loud, I was grinning from ear to ear at Dolby's wit, humor, and
candor.
Even in the face of inner turmoil and catastrophic events, Toby maintains his sense of humor
which
gets him through sticky situations. Toby is portrayed warts and all, or more accurately, pimples
and
all. He is not always a very nice person, but he is likeable even though the reader can't help but
notice his shallow, egotistical, juvenile side. Toby makes mistakes but at least he has a conscience
making him all the more human and believable. Hopefully, Toby can be saved from being the
Trouble Boy and from making poor choices.
Dolby intimately tells Toby's story in the first person, except when he switches to the third person
in
chapter three as Toby has a flashback of his freshman year at college. What at first seemed jarring
proved to be a well thought out tactic that emphasizes Toby's feelings that "it happened to
another
person, another Toby Griffin." [p. 40]. Who hasn't felt, or wished, that certain life events had
happened to someone else?
With the gay Mecca Upper East Side of Manhattan lingo perfected in Tom Dolby's debut novel,
The
Trouble Boy, it's hard to imagine not being there along with the characters. Vivid descriptions,
catchy phrases, irresistible jargon all add to the charm of this fast-paced gay boy romp. The
Trouble
Boy is reminiscent of William J. Mann's The Men from the Boys in that Toby is like so many gay
boys - he's desperate not to end up living alone. He goes from one anonymous sexual encounter
to
another searching for love and a permanent relationship, most of the time for the wrong reasons
and
in the wrong places. Dolby's insightful observations are wonderful. One example is when Toby
admits, "Unlike those who had discovered a loss of libido on antidepressants, my libido was as
strong as ever, which made the situation worse. I felt like an injured athlete who could only cheer
his
team on from the sidelines." [p. 37]. The metaphor was great as Toby describes the sexual side
effects of Paxil.
While The Trouble Boy is classified as gay fiction, straight readers will be able to relate to Toby's
dreams and aspirations quite well. This fun but troubling journey into the gay world should not be
bound by genre. The Trouble Boy is engrossing, believable, and funny. The dialogue rings true,
and
the pace is quick. It could easily be turned into a screenplay and major motion picture. I give The
Trouble Boy five stars and look forward to the sequel.
Under the Gun
Lori L. Lake
Renaissance Alliance Publishing, Inc.
PMB 238, 8691 9th Ave., Port Arthur, Texas 77642-8025
ISBN 1930928440 $22.95 490 pages
In the second gripping police drama in Lori L. Lake's Gun series, Under the Gun delightfully picks
up where Gun Shy left off and sets the stage for the third novel, Have Gun We'll Travel. Once you
make the acquaintance of the beautiful, big, strong, yet vulnerable Officer Desiree [Dez] Reilly
and
her partner and lover Rookie Officer Jaylynn [Jay] Savage you won't be able to get enough of this
dynamic duo. The two cops are as different as night and day in looks and personality. Always the
macho cop, Dez, affectionately referred to as "tall, dark, and dangerous," maintains a tough
impenetrable shell and demeanor to hide her fears. "[Jaylynn] liked the fact that there was a
defensive fortress around her taciturn partner, but that the tall cop had let her find the few chinks
in
the armor so that she had free access to come and go as she pleased." [p. 378] Dez bottles up her
emotions until the pressure becomes so great that an explosion is inevitable, while Jay is not
embarrassed or afraid to show her emotions. "It occurred to [Dez] that one major thing she liked
about Jaylynn was how alive she was. She took on life with zest, whether she was investigating a
crime, talking on the phone, eating something tasty, making love, or crying at a sad movie." [p.
271]
Under the Gun begins with Dez hopelessly in love with the vivacious, white haired bundle of
energy,
but as happy as she is with the current arrangement, that's how terrified she is that something
terrible
will happen to destroy her bliss. Jay is proving to be an excellent officer with a good head on her
shoulders, but she has an impulsive streak which has Dez nervous on more than one occasion, as
Jay
repeatedly gets hurt on the job. It's understandable that the introspective cop, who withdraws and
equates showing emotions with being weak, is afraid of losing the one person who understands
her,
tolerates her moodiness, and who adds meaning, love, and joy to her life. Lake explores their
evolving relationship with rich detail while Dez goes through the biggest transformation of
all.
Dez is so adept at concealing her inner turmoil that even she is not aware she is doing it. Having
suffered serious traumatic events in her life including the loss of her beloved father, also a police
officer, and her partner and close friend Officer Ryan Michaelson, it is only a matter of time until
Dez snaps and ends up suspended with no alternative than to see psychiatrist Marie Montague, or
be
kicked off the force. Reluctantly, the skeptical secretive officer works with Marie. Can Marie save
Dez from self-destructing, and going to a very lonely and isolated place where she denies her
heart's
desire for fear of loss and rejection? Will the astute psychiatrist help Dez learn to bridge the gap in
all of her severed relationships, including the ones with her mother Collette and her brother
Patrick?
Luella is Dez's "confidante, nurturer, and friend." [p. 17] Can Marie help Dez believe Luella when
she says, "You can't hold onto someone so tight that you choke the life out of them." [p. 280]
Luella
tries to convince Dez that loving and losing someone is painful, but avoiding love to avoid pain is
not the solution. She also tells her surrogate daughter "You are a strong person, Desiree Reilly,
and
you deserve to love and be loved. But you have to make a choice to take the chance." [p.
280]
Lori Lake's completely satisfying action/romance novel will engage a full range of emotions that
will
leave the reader wanting more. No stone is left unturned as all the loose ends are tied up. The
psychological journey of the characters' growth and development, particularly Dez's, is just as
intriguing as the crime drama, murder investigation, and police work. In Under the Gun, Jaylynn's
character is delved into more deeply, we get to know Dez's mother better, and Luella and most of
the other characters are back too. There are a few new characters, including Luella's sister Vanita,
who enrich the story.
A crime drama would not be complete without antagonists. Nielsen is a hateful and despicable
rookie officer who graduated from the police academy with Jaylynn. He has it in for the girls and
rats out on their relationship to Lt. Malcolm, adding another layer to the plot. How will Dez's
colleagues react to the confirmation of what they suspected all along that Dez, the cop they
admire
and respect, is gay? Every character, no matter how small their role, has a place and reason for
being
in the story. Lake does not rush through her narrative and 490 pages go by in a blink.
I could not recommend Under the Gun, nor praise the skill of Lori Lake any higher. She paints a
vivid picture that allows the reader to jump into the story and become a part of Dez's world.
Luckily,
I won't have to miss my favorite characters for long since Have Gun We'll Travel is now available.
Five stars are not enough for Under the Gun - read it and you will see what I mean.
Cheri Rosenberg
Reviewer
Christina's Bookshelf
In Her Presence: A Husband's Dirty Secret
Nancy Weaver
Time and Chance Publishing
P.O. Box 488, New York, N.Y. 10116
www.TimeandChacePublishing.com
ISBN 0974827401 $15.95
A man has the right to do what he wishes to his family, doesn't he? He owns his woman's and
children's bodies too, right?
"It's no one's dam business," says Rufus Poygoode, one of the main characters from Weaver's
book.
This black man owns a sizable amount of acres with a big beautiful house and furnishings, quite a
feat in the 1950's, especially in Mississippi. Rufus realized his luck, and wasn't about to allow
anyone
to ruin it. Those girls were lucky to have a father like him. They had food and nicer clothes than
other people of their race. And, why couldn't people leave his family alone? If he thinks his
children
should stay home and not go to school, who are they to say otherwise? He had their lives planned
out anyway. "A man has a right to rule his house the way he sees fit," says Rufus.
Tara Poygoode realizes something needs to be done. Her grandmother wouldn't help; her fear
went
beyond reason. The woman did anything her man asked her to. Tara didn't agree with what her
father did to her sisters. So far, he'd left her alone, but why? He'd claimed he wanted her to move
up
to the main house, and said she needed to learn how to run the farm. Tara did exceptionally well
in
school, and held dreams of going to college. At first, Rufus didn't tell Tara his true plans, but Tara
found out one horrible day. She decides it's time to devise a plan, one to save her family and
herself.
It had to be flawless, because the penalty, it discovered, would be high, and Rufus watched their
every move.
Unspeakable crimes know every skin color. This is a story of emotional and physical torture, of
difficult choices, incredible courage; and second chances, and of offense against children and
women. A girl's father should protect her, but Rufus' views are twisted, and his attitude vindictive.
To survive in his house, meant the summoning of enormous strength.
Book Excerpts:
Rudi looked back at Adam. "Shut up, you little runt. It don't matter and girls don't matter, I'm
telling
y'all. I heard Lynn and Jackie talking about how Daddy's their stepfather, and that he shouldn't be
doing nasty to them. But Daddy makes them do him. So you see Adam, it don't matter what girls
think. Ain't nothin' wrong 'bout humpin' no girls. That's what they are made for."
"She's ten and a half. And I'm nine," Lynn confided. Then she crooked her finger and beckoned
her
Hailey's ear.
Hailey bent down again.
Lynn pushed back Hailey's gray hair, whispering in her ear. "He made Jackie take off all her
clothes!
He was on top of her. We saw his thing. Jackie woke up the whole house screaming. Then Daddy
and Mama started fighting."
Weaver captures her character's raw personalities. At first, I had a difficult time getting into this
story. I couldn't find a character to like and the writing is a bit rough in places.
Not a tale of beauty. All the characters in the beginning are un-appealing. Morals? They're
unknown
to these characters. The concern is only about having sex or getting revenge. After hanging
around
long enough, along came characters to like. Weaver finally has me then. I cared how things turned
out. Not all readers will wait, particularly if they can't like the theme.
Weaver reveals heinous crimes. Her tale becomes real. I hear her character's screams, tears, and of
living on pins and needles. Rape isn't a pretty thing to write about.
About the Author: Nancy Weaver is a native of Marks, Mississippi, and alumni of State
University
New York Empire State College, and is working on more novels.
How does this book measure up?
Weaver's ability to tell a story is good, but could be better. Her story itself is excellent. This is
what
holds her readers.
The theme is disturbing, but worth telling.
The plot provides insight to how some men in the 50's viewed, and still do today, women and
children, and how people knowingly allow children to be harmed, if they gain by it.
Target audience: Recommended for adults who are able to handle tales of abuse, the raping of
women and children, and exploitation. Not a pretty narrative, yet life-like.
The most scathing criticism Weaver offers is of how heads turn the other way to secure
themselves,
even when the horrendous crime is against children. Despite the prevailing darkness, and the
beginning, 'In Her Presence' has wonderful moments of warmth. The author's most important
accomplishment is her message. It is our business when our neighbor's wife or children are being
neglected or abused. To men, you don't own women and children. This misconception will cause
you to loose them in the end.
I have always been interested in the fair treatment of women and children. This story touches a
sensitive spot in my heart. This account is important, believable, and worth spending time with.
Just
be prepared for a difficult start filled with an unabashed bluntness. An emotional topic with a
strong
message. Powerful.
Traveler's Joy
Juliette de Bairacli Levy
Ash Tree Publishing
P.O. Box 64, Woodstock, NY 12498 USA
ISBN 0879836512 $11.95
Ahhh, the life of a wanderer. Is it as romantic as it sounds or a way filled with misery and
hardship?
Maybe it depends on what you know and who taught you, if anyone.
Levy trusted her instincts and chose to absorb the customs of the wise nomads, the masters from
around the world.
Traveler's Joy is a first-person account of facts, observations, poems, memories, guides, and tips,
based upon these experiences. Levy explains how to stay healthy and strong, provides various
recipes for wounds, fevers, poisonings and stings, and shares her happy, free approach to life.
From the time she was old enough to leave home, Levy wanted to follow the nomad way. Her
travels first began in the late nineteen thirties. She left a northern England university where she
studied veterinary medicine. After being disappointed by modern medicines ability to save animals
she began to think about the healing powers of herbs. Thus, her research began. Eventually, Levy
decided to become a modern "Scholar Gypsy."
Contents of the book include:
* Foreword by Helen Scott Nearing
About travel
About water
About fire and weather
About dwellings
About medicine
About food
About travelers
Index
Also, sprinkled throughout the book, are lovely poems by various people and peaceful
sketchings.
Excerpt from the book:
P. 61
Weather signs
"* Aromatic plants scent the air and are unusually strong before wet weather; they are opening
out
to receive the coming rains.
* House flys swarming indoors in large numbers are a sign rain is due.
* Goats and sheep bleating unduly foretell bad weather, often severe storms.
* Cows lie down for long sessions before storms. They are said to be keeping their udders
warm.
* The woodpecker cries with unusual loudness before rain, and owls hoot loud and frequently
before
a night storm."
What are others saying?
Helen Scott Nearing has written this:
"This book is a joy to travel through. She stays healthy and strong in all situations, but gives
recipes
in detail for combating all types of ailments."
Along with all the positive points, this book just might change the way gypsies are believed to be.
These people revealed to Levy unique wisdom, knowledge, hardiness and beauty.
'Traveler's Joy' does what it claims, which is to celebrate the delights of the wanderer's life,
provide
information on how to live simply, enjoy the beauty of it, and Levy's observations made along the
way. It instructs while persuading one to realize the natural abundance around them.
This is the third book I've read by this author. All are thoughtful, enlightening and well organized.
I
like the way they make me feel, and the simple, teachings. This incredible woman led the life of a
traveler and lived off what nature provided while maintaining her health. She recorded tips and
customs from gypsies throughout the world.
I recommend this book for anyone interested in natural living, traveling, and healing; those
curious
about gypsies from all over the world; or those fascinated by interesting people who've led
interesting lives. 'Traveler's Joy' contains all these elements.
Even if you don't plan to lead the life of a gypsy or nomad, you'll learn many secrets of survival
and
healthy living. After all, life is a trip and surviving it isn't the only goal. You want to enjoy it along
the way too.
Christina Francine Whitcher
http://www.CFrancine.bizland.com
Christy's Bookshelf
Fire in the Ice
Katlyn Stewart
PublishAmerica
P.O. Box 151, Frederick, MD 21705
www.publishamerica.com 301-695-1707
ISBN 141373278X $19.95 200 pages
All of her adult life, Deedra Marlan has been married to a man who has stifled her independence
and
dominated her to the point that she accedes all decisions to him. When Deedra's husband is killed
in
a car wreck, she finds herself adrift and unsure of herself. Deedra decides to run the restaurant her
husband owned in order to keep occupied and gain more independence. When Josh McKenzie
steps
into the restaurant, she is not prepared for her body's heated reaction to him, nor her instant
mental
rejection of the man.
Josh McKenzie does not hold much respect for women after divorcing his wife, who seemed to
want
him only for monetary gains. But when Josh meets Deedra, he senses a specialness about her and
becomes determined to make her his own. Which proves to be difficult, as Deedra thwarts his
advances at each and every turn.
Katlyn Stewart provides a fun, tantalizing read with FIRE IN THE ICE, playing to great
advantage
the sexual chemistry between Deedra and Josh. The story is heartwarming; a life journey for two
people with diverse personalities who challenge one another in ways neither has faced before. The
mindset of the characters is portrayed with sensitivity, realism and true clarity, the plot paced to
perfection. But one cannot forget the love story, which is the essence of the book, one that will
linger in the mind long after the read is finished.
Holding Hands at Midnight
G. William Gray
PublishAmerica
P.O. Box 151, Frederick, MD 21705
www.publishamerica.com 301-695-1707
ISBN 1413743072 $19.95 213 pages
HOLDING HANDS AT MIDNIGHT follows the life of Mark Williams, from a young sailor
during
World War II to a retired public relations executive. Central to Mark's adulthood are five women.
Each enter and leave at different phases of his life and impact Mark in diverse ways. HOLDING
HANDS AT MIDNIGHT is an evolving love story with a unique perspective. Told from the male
point of view, the story offers an interesting peek into the maturation and emotional growth of a
man through his relationships with women. An insightful, poignant read.
Iokaste: the Novel of the Mother-Wife of Oedipus
Victoria Grossack and Alice Underwood
Publish America
P.O. Box 151, Frederick, MD 21705
www.publishamerica.com 301-695-1707
ISBN 1413726755 $24.95 307 pages
Most readers are familiar with the tale of Oedipus Rex, as well as the psychological term Oedipus
complex, derived from the relationship between Oedipus and his mother and subsequent wife,
Iokaste. Unlike the Greek tragedy, this book is told from the point of view of Iokaste and takes
the
tale many levels higher, revealing psychological subtleties within the personas of Iokaste and the
characters surrounding her.
At age 14, Iokaste is chosen by the god Apollo to wed Prince Alphenor, son of King Amphion of
Thebes. When Amphion's wife blasphemes the god Apollo, the oracle predicts doom for her 14
children, and Iokaste's betrothed dies. Laius, son of King Labdakus, who ruled Thebes 30 years
before, returns to Thebes to claim the kingdom and weds Iokaste. On the night of their wedding,
the
oracle warns Laius that he will be killed by his own son. Laius withdraws from Iokaste, not
knowing
she is already with child. When their son is born, Laius binds his feet and instructs he be left on a
mountain to die. Instead, the child is given to King Polybus of Korinth, who recently lost his son.
Polybus names the child Oedipus, meaning swollen feet.
As a young man, Oedipus is told by the Delphic oracle that he will kill his father and marry his
mother. Never having learned he was adopted, Oedipus is distraught over this news and vows
never
to see his parents again. He meets up with Laius, who is traveling to Delphi to seek the oracle's
counsel, and the two argue. Oedipus kills Laius, unaware that he has set in motion the ultimate
fulfillment of the oracle's prophecy.
With profound vibrancy, IOKASTE magically transports the reader into the ancient world of
Greek
mythology. The visual imagery created by the authors is vividly detailed, the mindset of the
characters engrossing. It is interesting to note the politics of the time, constant dedication to the
ritualistic worship of gods, and delegation of all things good and bad to a particular god's mood.
The
Sphinx is a fascinating character, made more realistic by her portrayal in this book, specifically her
role in the contest of wit to choose the next king of Thebes. The conspiracies and subsequent
rationalizations of Iokaste and her brother Kreon are thought-provoking and insightful.
This riveting story flows fluidly from page to page, written in an engaging style that holds the
reader's attention from the very beginning. This is one book that begs to be read more than once
in
order to appreciate and absorb each and every nuance of the characters, history, and tale of
tragedy.
It is suggested educational facilities utilize IOKASTE as an introduction to Greek mythology, as
this
is one book that will instill fascination and respect, leaving no room for boredom.
Christy Tillery French
Reviewer
Debra's Bookshelf
Deception
Denise Mina
Little, Brown
ISBN: 0316735922 $23.95 311 pages
Denise Mina's novel Deception purports to be a transcription of a diary written by Lachlan
Harriot,
the 29-year-old husband of convicted murderess Dr. Susie Harriot. Lachlan begins the diary on
the
day his wife is convicted of murdering Andrew Gow, a serial killer with whom she had worked
closely in her capacity as his court-appointed psychologist. Lachlan's diary is in part a record of
his
attempt to uncover the truth behind Gow's murder--he cannot believe his wife is guilty. It includes
his transcriptions of the newspaper accounts and other documents pertaining to the case that his
wife
had squirreled away in her private--padlocked--study. At the same time the diary records
Lachlan's
attempts to cope with normal life in the months following his wife's conviction--the mothers at his
daughter's day care center conspicuously friendly, an "elderly triumvirate" of relatives making a
show of their support by coming to stay with him--uninvited, unwelcome, and ultimately
unhelpful.
(Lachlan is kicked out of his bathroom one evening by Susie's aunt, who cannot find the other
bathrooms in his house. "It is not without a frisson of compensatory pleasure that I stood on the
landing, holding my limp newspaper, and watched her lock herself in with the rank stench of my
lower intestines.")
In the course of the period covered by his diary, Lachlan eventually comes to understand the
riddle
of Gow's murder and of his wife's strange, secretive behavior. It is a mystery that will keep
readers
engrossed and guessing until the book's final pages. Mina's Deception is a smart, well-written
thriller. Highly recommended.
All Fishermen are Liars
Linda Greenlaw
Hyperion
ISBN: 1401300707 $22.95 228 pages
In her latest book author and fisherman Linda Greenlaw introduces readers to the salty denizens
of
the Dry Dock Bar in Portland, Maine. Greenlaw's lunch date there with her mentor and friend of
25
years, Alden Leeman, provides the framework for the series of stories she shares with readers--the
very stories, or so the author alleges (though the book's title may give one pause)--that she and
Alden and hangers on at their table swapped that day at the Dry Dock over a very extended
luncheon.
The stories Greenlaw includes in the book are a mixed bunch--rough seas and unlikely survivals,
noisome deck hands and shiv-wielding mates, a refrigerated dead guy. Many of the stories are
stirring; the rest are at least good reads. Greenlaw writes nicely, and her characterization of her
friend Alden--for whom her affection is palpable--is well done: "I ordered a glass of Chardonnay
and
waited for Alden to think about what he might like to drink. I knew that he would eventually
order a
rum and Coke, but he did not know this. He never did."
It is not necessary to know anything whatever about fishing or sailing to enjoy All Fishermen are
Liars. Nautical types will surely want to view their world through Greenlaw's lens, but landlubbers
like myself will appreciate the author's readable introduction to an unfamiliar world. She and her
gang of mendacious fishing buddies make for good company for the book's duration.
Faked to Death
Dean James
Kensington Books
ISBN: 1575668882 $5.99 255 pages
The second installment in author Dean James' charming series of vampire cozies finds undead
amateur sleuth Simon Kirby-Jones at a writers' conference hosted by local aristocrat Lady
Hermione
Kinsale. Simon's host and the clutch of other writers at the conference know him as the author of
two highly respected biographies, but Simon also publishes novels pseudonymously, including a
bestselling series of mysteries under the name Dorinda Darlington. The fun starts when a woman
claiming to be Dorinda shows up at the conference and sets about infuriating her "colleagues." A
corpse or two later, Simon is back to putting his vampiric attributes--acute hearing, the ability to
sense when people are lying--to good use, helping the local constabulary solve a double
murder.
The toothsome Watson to Simon's toothy Sherlock is Sir Giles Blitherington, the young lord
Simon
hired as an assistant in the first Kirby-Jones mystery, shortly after he moved to the quaint village
of
Snupperton Mumsley. In Faked to Death Simon is still warding off Giles' incessant but not wholly
unwelcome advances. He is also still remembering to take twice daily the pills that, in this modern
age, allow vampires to live like mortals, gadding about in the sunlight and eschewing the drinking
of
blood.
Perhaps perversely, I'm hoping Simon will forget his medication one day: I'd like to see how the
polite society of Snupperton Mumsley would react should Simon start showing his fangs. I'm also
hoping Dean Jones will continue chronicling Simon's exploits for a long time to come.
Debra Hamel, Reviewer
http://www.tryingneaira.com
Emanuel's Bookshelf
A Brand New Night For Murder
Arthur Burton, III
PublishAmerica
www.asylum11.com
ISBN 1413750710, $19.95, pp 204
When special agent Fred Soleos of the American Security Organization is assigned to investigate
a
string of murders in New York City, he finds that the task is even more daunting than he
imagined.
Upon arrival, he is partnered with Detective Meyers, a bald-headed, tough-talking, hard-nosed
cop
who is feared by all who know him. As the story unfolds, we learn that Meyers is a bad cop who
is a
little too close to the criminal element of New York. He is also Soleos's number one suspect. So
begins the premise for Arthur Burton's (Savior of the Woods) murder mystery, "A Brand New
Night
For Murder."
Soleos enlists the assistance of Rick, his fellow agent from Washington D.C., in helping to solve
the
murders. Rick is a young agent full of energy and wit and has just enough tenacity to compliment
Soleos's laid back, experienced approach. When the two of them hit the streets of the Bronx, they
do
so with vigor and purpose. But can the agents outsmart a cunning and mean-spirited
murderer?
Reading "A Brand New Night For Murder" may remind you of watching an extended version of
TV's "New York Undercover." Burton paints a descriptive picture of a Bronx city full of
prostitution, drug dealing, and indifference. By the time you arrive at the story's mysterious
conclusion, it may leave you longing for more closure, or better yet, a sequel.
Pen on Fire
Barbara DeMarco-Barrett
Harcourt, Inc.
www.penonfire.com
ISBN 0156029782, $13.00, pp. 262
If there is a profession that requires ongoing motivation, mentoring, and lifelong learning, it is
surely
writing. Writers face a number of obstacles, including dealing with rejection letters, going through
writer's block, and let's not forget, finding time to write. In "Pen of Fire," author and University of
California Creative Writing teacher Barbara DeMarco-Barrett serves as a catalyst in helping
writers
achieve their goals through discipline and planning.
Although the book is geared towards women writers with busy lives, there's clearly enough useful
information for everyone who is serious about the craft. Barrett draws on her own experiences (as
well as the experiences of other professional writers who've experienced trials and triumphs) when
discussing a wide range of topics, including how to make time for writing on a daily basis,
structuring plot and creating interesting characters, and what to look for when searching for a
literary agent or a publisher just to name a few. What makes the book unique is that every chapter
is
succeeded with Barrett's "Set the Timer" instructions, allowing the reader to take a more
proactive
approach while reading the book. The result is an incredibly motivating and informative book on
the
craft from a writer with experience, intelligence, and industry know-how.
Though there are so many quotable passages that could be remembered for a lifetime, one of the
best is when the author says "My own experience tells me that to succeed with your writing, you
need a combination of patience, instinct, awareness, and timing. But mostly you need a belief in
yourself and your project, and the willingness to do what it takes to work as long and hard as you
must to get out there."
"Pen on Fire" is just what the marketplace needed, a thoroughly researched, highly motivational,
and
instructional book that will cater to all writers who love to write. Keep this one on your bookshelf
to
refer to over and over again.
Highly Recommended
Emanuel Carpenter
www.emanuelcarpenter.com
Gary's Bookshelf
Woman
Richard Matheson
Gauntlet Press
5307 Arroyo St., Colorado Springs CO 80922
www.gauntletpress.com
ISBN 1887368752 $12.95
I've been a fan of this author since high school when I read his short story collections as well as
"The
Incredible Shrinking Man" and other novels. I am very pleased to say that this is one of the best
Matheson novels I've ever read. It ranks along with "I Am Legend" for being a page-turner. But
there is also something else that makes this a very enjoyable tale. His characters are very clearly
defined. David Harper a talk show psychologist has a problem; Gannie Woodbury a female
neighbor
wants to have a session with the doctor. Not only is her name bizarre but also the things she does
are not the acts of a rational person. As the story unfolds David, his wife, and their friends are all
drawn into her web of strangeness. I especially liked the way this novel unfolded very much like
his
short story "Button Button" But I also enjoyed that Matheson is also commenting on the issue of
the
differences between the sexes with David's talk show and conversations throughout the novel.
Another aspect that is nice is that this is the first time this publisher has put out a book at such a
low
price. They usually publish limited collector editions geared to a certain audience. Hopefully this
will
be the beginning of more titles geared to a mainstream audience reasonably priced.
Tweakers
Frank Sannello
Alyson Publications
6922 Hollywood Blvd Suite 1000, Los Angeles, California 90028
www.alyson.com 323-860-6045
ISBN 1555838847 $15.95
Sannello has written a book that is more terrifying than any novel of horror, because everything
he
tells is true. "Tweakers" is a full expose of the newest deadliest drug to run rampant throughout
the
gay population at the present time. What he shows is that this new drug that is so easy to make
has a
devastating effect. Some of the negatives are that it is so easy to make, gays who are having sex
after taking this drug are not using precautions like condoms, the high created by the drug can last
for at least 48 hours. Many in the straight population may say "doesn't affect me," true not at this
time but the way this drug infiltrated the gay population shows that it is just a question of time
before it replaces such things as LSD, Cocaine, and Ecstasy for those of the drug culture. The
author also shows how law enforcement is dealing with the problem as well as what society
should
be doing to cut down this menace.
The Wit and Wisdom of a Regular Joe
Joe Heuer
Daffynitions Press
Glendale Wisconsin
www.daffynitions.com 1-800-492-3548
ISBN 096476184X $7.00
Heuer is again on the beat to show that there is humor in business that we can all relate to. What I
really like here is that he has found many statements that we have all said and done. Now he has
gathered them into a very funny collection that is the perfect gift for any occasion, where you
want
to give someone something they can read over and over again and find something new to laugh
about each time it is read.
Sexual Wandering and Pandering Through Life
Tim Martin
Authorhouse
1663 Liberty Dr., Bloomington In 47404-5161
www.authorhouse.com 800-839-8640
ISBN 1418446998 $19.95
This is a whirlwind tour of one man's female sexual conquests internationally. The main character
is
a government auditor who travels to military bases all over the world who indulges in world
cultures, as well as has opportunities most of us never have to have sex with women from all parts
of the world. The writing is easy to follow and the story moves along at a brisk pace. As I read
the
accounts of this man who said he was happily married with children, I can see why. He was not
home long enough to have the normal problems of married life. I think he should have had a tally
sheet or something in the back of the book to tell just how many women he slept with. I also felt
that
maybe a better title would have been "Confessions of a Government Auditor."
Silverfin
Charlie Higson
Miramax Books
Hyperion Books for Children
1114 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10011-5690
www.hyperionbooksforchildren.com
ISBN 078683661X $16.95
Well, folks, they had to go and do it. Take a perfectly good character and ruin him. I'm referring
to
James Bond, the super secret agent has been going since the 1950s when Ian Fleming first created
the series of novels that have thrilled many generations in book and movie forms. Now this new
novel begins a new series that takes place long before the first Fleming novel. In fact, Bond is only
14 years old. What I, as a fan of the original Bond works disliked here is that this character is not
very bright and is just not close to the one all of us know and love. This is the same thing that was
done with the Indiana Jones character with the Young Indy TV series that did not last very long.
Hopefully this one won't either. I feel when you re-write someone else's character so drastically,
like
the TV show "Enterprise" it is only doomed to failure because fans don't accept the concept. I'm
sure this series will find an audience, but I'm sure for those of us who are true Bond buffs that
won't
happen.
On the Run I: Chasing the Falconers
Gordon Korman
Scholastic Inc
557 Broadway, New York, NY 10012
www.scholastic.com 212-343-6100
ISBN 0439651360 $4.99
The parents of Aidan and Meg Falconer made a deal with an agent of the CIA to work for the
government covertly. Something happens and they are tried and sent to prison. Aidan and Meg
meet
a similar fate until, through a fluke, they are able to escape. They are on a mission to find out
what
really happened to their parents, as they are fugitives from the law. What I enjoyed was how many
people along the way helped the two children escape the law enforcement agents out to return
them
to the government facility. The characters are believable while the writing is tight in a very fast
paced thriller that is the first of three novels of a series. I look forward to the two other tales and
hope they are as good as this one.
Mr. President a Book of Prisidents
George Sullivan
Scholastic Inc
557 Broadway, New York, NY 10012
www.scholastic.com 212-343-6100
ISBN 04394703352 $4.99
This is a fun book that tells interesting things about all 43 presidents. It is an easy to read very
interesting factual recording of many unknown facts most of us did not really know about.
Things Change
Patrick Jones
Walker & Company
104 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10011
www.walkeryoungreaders.com 1-800-289-2553
ISBN 0802789013 $16.95
I love novels that start from the first page and hold my interest to the last as this one does. It has
solid writing, strong characters involved in conflicts that are resolved by the end of the story, and
a
lot to say about how our society deals with teenage problems. Jones draws the reader into a
wonderful book for all ages to enjoy.
Ghost Stories of Sarasota
Kim Cool
Historic Venice Press
P.O. Box 800, Venice FL 34284
www.historicvenicepress.com 941-468-6556
ISBN 0972165517 $12.95
Cool takes the reader all around the Sarasota area of Florida and tells the legends and stories
about
ghosts, haunted homes and other eerie frights that are not on most tours and writings of this area
of
the state. There are many photos, some taken by the author herself, that add to the whole idea of
looking for strange things in this area of Florida. This collection of stories is a good resource for
any
writer telling some kind of eerie tale.
The Other Orlando: What to Do When You've Done Disney and Universal
Kelly Monaghan
The Intrepid Traveler
P. O. Box 531, Branford, CT 06405
www.TheOtherOrlando.com 203-488-5341
ISBN 1887140506 $15.95
Everyone who goes to Orlando most of the time visits the theme parks of Disney and Universal
and
not much else. Well, this book has the lowdown on the other things to do when in Orlando
including
Sea World, The Holy Land, shopping, Busch Gardens in Tampa, nightlife, and a lot more. This
book
is crammed with so many good things to do that travelers will just have to come back many times
to
try the many other things that Central Florida are has to offer.
Florida Spring Training Your Guide to Touring the Grapefruit League
Alan Byrd
The Intrepid Traveler
P. O. Box 531, Branford, CT 06405
www.intrepidtraveler.com 203-488-5341
ISBN 1887140506 $15.95
This is the most up to date book about the ever-changing spring training major league baseball
that
is all over the state of Florida. The author tells about each team, its stadium, parking, ease of
getting
players autographs, entertainment in and around each city. Here are just some of the things the
author tells. This is the one book to have for anyone who wants to see a game of professional
baseball during the two months of the pre-season.
Kipton at the Martian Games
Charles L. Fontenay
Royal Fireworks Press
First Avenue, PO Box 399, Unionville, NY 10988
www.royalfireworkspress.com 845-726-4444
ISBN 0880923962 $7.99
The 14th novel in the series has Kipton solving a murder at the first Martian sports games.
At conventions of SF that I've been to, there are many discussions on should the two genres of
mystery and science fiction be combined. The answer is yes, if it is done well. Many attendees
forget
that authors Andre Norton and Robert Heinlien, who brought so many into the fold of science
fiction, were writing this type of story in the fifties and sixties. Mr. Fontenay does it perfectly,
while
he also puts the fun back in this type of work. Though the series is geared toward younger
readers,
anyone can read these charming novels and enjoy them.
Gary Roen
Reviewer
Glavas' Bookshelf
Zolar's Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Dreams
Simon and Schuster (Australia) Pty Ltd
PO Box 33, PYMBLE NSW 2073
ISBN: 0743222636 US $14.00 AUD $24.95 469 pages
Believe it or not I have never owned a dream interpretation book before looking at Zolar's
Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Dreams. I wasn't really sure what to expect.
The first edition of this book sold half a million copies worldwide and this is the first major
revision
of this dream dictionary. The revision includes interpretations for cell phones, computers, beepers
and much more, while the listings for subjects like girdles, gleaners and grenadiers have been
taken
out. Personally I think that they should have been left in - some people still dream about these
topics! A lucky number for each dream category has been added too, although I'm not sure how
these should be used.
Zolar (R. Donald Papon B.A., D.Sc., D. Hom.) has written several popular books on dreams,
metaphysics and the occult including Zolar's It's All in the Stars and Zolar's Book of Dreams,
Numbers, and Lucky Days. He has dedicated much of his adult life to teaching holistic living
incorporating mind, body, and spirit. He received his graduate degrees in holistic health, nutrition,
and his Doctor of Homeopathic Medicine from the Institutum Internationale Homeopathie in
Mexico in 1983. Zolar has served as an adjunct lecturer at the New School, Hunter College, and
Brooklyn College and as a consulting homeopath, with private practices in New York and
Florida,
for almost two decades. The author lives in Ozona, Florida.
The entries in this encyclopedia are detailed, for example the entry for cigarette include: enjoying
a;
half-smoked, in hands, holding a; lighting a; loose cigarettes; man and woman smoking together;
rolling a; smoking a; stubbing out a, with determination; suddenly repulsive to you; trying to give
up;
women dreaming of smoking a.
As with any system of interpretation, I believe that dream interpretation is a highly individual
subject. I would recommend that if you want to find out more about the author and his style of
interpreting dreams you can visit his website at www.zolar-thoth.org. You can click on the
'Dream
weaver' section to interpret your dream online.
I would recommend Zolar's Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Dreams to those of you needing help
in
understanding the various symbolism found in dreams.
The Dictionary of the Esoteric
Nevill Drury
Simon & Schuster (Australia) Pty Ltd
PO Box 33, PYMBLE NSW 2073
ISBN: 1842930419 $AUD 29.95 344 pages
The author, Nevill Drury is the author of more than forty books on subjects including shamanism,
magic, contemporary art and holistic health. Some of these books have been published in fifteen
languages.
Nevill was born in England but has lived most of his life in Australia. He holds a Master of Arts
(Honours) degree in anthropology from Macquarie University in Sydney and has worked in the
book
industry since 1976. Nevill Drury is also well known for his workshops and lectures on magical
visualisation and shamanic drumming.
Some of the places the author has been involved in include: working as a managing editor for
Harper
& Row and for Doubleday in Australia, and as the Manager of Adyar Bookshop in Sydney. Adyar
Bookshop is owned by the Theosophical Society and is the largest metaphysical bookshop in the
southern hemisphere.
Given his extensive and varied involvement in the publishing and 'new age' areas Nevill seems
perfect for putting this title together.
The Dictionary of the Esoteric (Over 3,000 articles on the Mystical and Occult Traditions) is a
fabulous reference book for the student of occult or metaphysical subjects. Not only will you find
things you would expect such as Aries, or Loch Ness Monster, you are also likely to learn about a
few things you've never heard about! A couple of the entries I found interesting, for example,
were:
Alomancy Divination by sprinkling salt. The diviner interprets future events by analysing the
patters
made by this action. Alomancy has probably given rise to the superstition that spilling salt is
unlucky.
Misfortune is averted by casting a small amount of the salt over the left shoulder.
Hesper The name given to the planet Venus after sunset. It is also known as the Evening
Star.
This book is comprehensive in its coverage of astrology, tarot, and important figures in the history
of metaphysical development. It is also cross-referenced fabulously so you will have the chance to
explore topics related to your interests as well as what you first wanted to look up!
I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in the occult, but particularly for
students
of any topics that come under this umbrella. It is easy to read and navigate and has an extensive
list
of suggestions for further reading.
Rose Glavas
Reviewer
Gorden's Bookshelf
The First Edgar Rice Burroughs Omnibus
Edgar Rice Burroughs
Renaissance E Books
P.O. Box 1432, Northampton, MA 01060
www.renebooks.com
ISBN: 1588734048 $4.99 electronic download 2000 pages
Disclosure: I have 4 novels published through Renaissance
Edgar Rice Burroughs was one of the best storytellers of the Twentieth Century. His stories are
simple raw action/adventures. This Omnibus is a collection of four of his lesser known novels.
The
first novel is 'Beyond Thirty.' It is a classic science fiction tale. The story is more fun than H.G.
Wells but it has as much science and thought placed into its plot. Burroughs lived through World
War I and foretold that the fighting hadn't ended between the European countries. In 'Beyond
Thirty,' Burroughs speculated that the isolationist movement in the US was powerful enough to
keep
the US out of WW II and that the developing war would destroy the social structure of the
continent
for hundreds of years. 'Beyond Thirty' is the story of the re-discovery of Europe by the Pan
American continents. It is pure action with enough science and social commentary to enthrall any
reader.
'The Man-eater' is a tale Burroughs was so interested in that he re-told it time and time again in
various forms. The Aesop type story is about a relationship between a carnivorous killer and a
man.
His other versions are stronger tales but this still holds the interest of the reader.
'The Jungle Girl' is the Tarzan style that we expect from Burroughs. I personally like this better
than
the Tarzan series. The hero is easier to relate to and the jungle action is just as non-stop.
'The Monster Men 'is the final book in the omnibus. In many ways it is a must read for anyone
who
enjoys Burroughs. It is a blend of the classic jungle hero story and the horror tales of the mad
scientist experimenting on creating life. The ending is a bit contrived but rest of the tale is
fun.
'The First Edgar Rice Burroughs Omnibus' gives a strong spectrum of the depth of the writing
ability
of Burroughs. It is a must read for anyone interested in classic storytelling.
The City at the World's End
Edmond Hamilton
Renaissance E Books
P.O. Box 1432, Northampton, MA 01060
www.renebooks.com
ISBN: 1588733416 $4.00 187 pages
Disclosure: I have 5 novels published through Renaissance
When I was a high school student, I would visit a musty eighty-year-old building four blocks off
the
main street of a nearby city. I would bring in a grocery bag full of books and receive a few dollars
for them. I would then spend two or three hours in the crowded building. Stacks of books reached
the ten foot ceilings with narrow footpaths threading a way from one room to the next. The only
lighting was the occasional bare sixty watt light bulb hanging in the middle of each room. Buried
two stacks in on the shelf, I found an old Ace back-to-back double novel for twenty cents. One
side
had 'Star Kings' by Edmond Hamilton. It was a prize that has affected my reading and writing
since.
'The City at the World's End' starts with a fellow by the name of Kenniston walking down Mill
Street in the Midwestern city of Middletown on a warm summer day. He sees a super-atomic
bomb
explode above him. He is thrown to the ground. When he gets back to his feet, he is amazed that
he
is still alive. The atomic bomb has blasted a hole in space and time and pushed the city of
Middletown millions of years into the future. A future where the sun and the earth are dying.
The science is fifty years old and the psychological aspects of the story are a little extreme but the
quality of the writer comes through and you are swept into a future so far off that only
imagination
can get you there. The story isn't the epic tale of 'Star Kings' or the pure fun of 'A Yank in
Valhalla '
but it is the solid pulp storytelling typical of the Classic Age of science fiction. It is a story that
should be read by any interested in the burst of writing talent that exploded into American
literature
during the middle of the Twentieth Century and shaped the writing that followed.
Patterns of the Hypnotic Techniques of Milton H. Erickson, MD
Richard Bandler and John Grinder
Grinder, DeLozier Associates
NLP Centre Canada, 5375 Free Crest Court, Mississauga, ON, L5R 3Z6
ISBN 1555520529, $27.95 284 pp.
Sir Cyril Burt achieved unparalleled results in researching the effects of environment and heredity
on
identical twins. Only after his death did it become clear that the alleged research had never
happened, that Burt lied to further what he perceived to be a greater truth. Sadly, the possibility
must be considered that Milton Erickson did likewise. Not only do the results he claimed to have
achieved involve impossible to believe coincidences and phenomena far beyond anything ever
achieved by anyone else. They also include results that even unshakable believers in hypnotism's
real
existence concede are unreplicable and should be impossible. If Erickson really accomplished
what
he claimed in various medical journals, then he was a miracle worker beyond compare. Somehow
I
doubt that.
Memoirs of a Sword Swallower
Daniel P. Mannix
Re/Search Publications
20 Romolo, Ste B, San Francisco, CA 94133
ISBN 0965046958, $15.99 128 pp.
Nightmare Alley
William L. Gresham
Fantagraphics Books
ISBN 1560975113, $14.95 136 pp.
Both of these books present a sympathetic insider's perspective of the freaks and geeks of the side
show carnival industry. Where they separate is that one author allows his protagonist to be
corrupted by the unreality of his make-believe environment, and the other does not. Other than
that,
the books are equally entertaining and equally frightening. Perhaps my years of plodding the
touring
show circuit has biased me in favor of books that evoke memories of the business there's no
business
like. But I have no hesitation in recommending these classics of a vanishing industry to anyone
interested in the ins and outs of pre-television show business, or simply in entertaining
read
