Tuesday, September 25, 2012



Just a bite: Vampire fiction

Acosta, Marta.  Happy hour at Casa Dracula
Hip, smart Milagro de Los Santos is minding her own business at a book party for Sebastian, the ex-boyfriend she’s not quite over, when Oswald, a mysterious, handsome stranger approaches her. The chemistry between them is potent, but after they accidentally exchange blood during a powerful kiss, Milagro finds herself feeling strange.—Booklist
Adrian, Lara.  Midnight rising
For journalist Dylan Alexander, it began with the discovery of a hidden tomb, thrusting her into the center of a gathering storm of violence and secrets. But nothing is as dangerous as the scarred, lethally seductive man who rises from the shadows to draw her into his world of dark desire and endless night. –Publisher’s description
Arthur, Keri.  Embraced by darkness
Part vamp, part werewolf, Riley Jenson plays by her own rules, whether it’s her stormy love life or her job as a guardian. But when her family’s alpha male demands that she solve the mystery of a vanished girl, Riley can feel a trap closing in around her. Because the job comes with a catch: if Riley fails, her own mother will die. –Publisher’s description
Ashley, Amanda.  Night’s touch
Cara DeLongpre wandered into the mysterious Nocturne club looking for a fleeting diversion from her sheltered life. Instead she found a dark, seductive stranger whose touch entices her beyond the safety she’s always known and into a heady carnal bliss. –Publisher’s description
Atherton, Nancy.  Aunt Dimity, vampire hunter
Near the start of Atherton’s engaging 13th Aunt Dimity mystery (after 2007’s Aunt Dimity Goes West), series heroine Lori Shepherd, the overprotective mother of five-year-old horse-obsessed twins, is alarmed when her sons insist they saw a vampire during their riding lessons. From her strange friendship with the spectral Aunt Dimity, Lori knows anything’s possible, even vampires, though Lori fears a pedophile may be skulking in the woods outside the Cotswolds village where she and her family live. –Publishers Weekly
Bangs, Nina.  A taste of darkness
He’d lived a thousand years for this? It’s enough to make a vampire want to rush outside to soak up some rays, order garlic mashed potatoes, or fall on a wooden stake. But minds were meant to be changed. When Reinn meets Kisa, he realizes that his sexy werecat is worth dying for. –Publisher’s description
Kresley Cole. A hunger like no other
Sheltered Emmaline Troy finally sets out to uncover the truth about her deceased parents—until a powerful Lykae claims her as his mate and forces her back to his ancestral Scottish castle. There, her fear of the Lykae—and their notorious dark desires—ebbs as he begins a slow, wicked seduction to sate her own dark cravings. –Publisher’s description
Feehan, Christine.  Dark celebration: a Carpathian reunion
The seventeenth in Feehan’s Dark series, and the first in hardcover, features the Carpathians, their lifemates, and human friends who have gathered in the Carpathian Mountains of Romania to celebrate Christmas with a children’s pageant, a feast, and a visit by their fiercest hunter as Santa Claus. –Booklist
Tate Hallaway. Tall, dark & dead
Recovering witch Garnet Lacey manages Wisconsin’s premier occult bookstore. And a fringe benefit of the job is getting customers like Sebastian Von Traum-piercing brown eyes, a sexy accent, and a killer body. The only thing missing is an aura. Which means he’s dead. And that means trouble. –Publisher’s description
Harris, Charlaine. Definitely dead
In bestseller Harris’s perky sixth Southern Vampire novel to star Sookie Stackhouse (after 2005’s Dead as a Doornail), the telepathic waitress of Bon Temps, La., is off to (pre-hurricane) New Orleans to close out her dead cousin Hadley’s apartment. Hadley’s death six weeks earlier had been unexpected, since, as a vampire, she was already dead. –Publishers Weekly 
Erin McCarthy. High stakes
Unlike other politicians, Ethan Carrick is a nice guy-and a hot, casino-owning vampire. And with elections coming up, he’d like to find his First Lady-if his opponent’s hit men don’t find him first. –Publisher’s description



Maclaine, Jenna.  Wages of sin
“Maclaine’s attention to detail and description brings this sexy, adventurous paranormal romance to life…Clever Cin matches sass and bravery with an innocence and vulnerability that will allow her to grow and develop through what promises to be a highly entertaining series.” –Publishers Weekly
Raye, Kimberley.  Just one bite:  a dead-end dating novel
“Lil is a likable mix of Bridget Jones, Carrie Bradshaw and Dracula–charming, sweet, stylish, with just a hint of fang.”Parkersburg News and Sentinel
Smith-Ready, Jeri.  Wicked game
A delightful read, part vamp romance, part ironic look at advertising’s powers of manipulation, part wry commentary on the takeover-ridden financial scene, and all entertainment.—Whitney Scott—Booklist
Sands, Lynsay. Bite me if you can
One minute Leigh is walking home in the early hours of the morning, and the next a vampire is sinking his teeth into her neck. Turns out it was a rogue vampire marked for termination, but it does Leigh little good because the damage’s already been done. She’s become one of them. –Publisher’s description
Squires, Susan.  The burning
It is 1821, and all who know the beautiful, mysterious Ann Van Helsing believe she is insane. Yet Ann’s curse is the deep psychic ability that allows her to know everything about another human being—their history, thoughts, and desires—simply by touching them. Overwhelmed by a power she can barely control, Ann roams the woods and caves near her estate, searching for an elusive peace. Here she encounters the man who will change everything…Publisher’s description



Squires, Susan.  One with the shadows
Full of colorful characters, romantic locales and vivid details of 1820s life, Squires’s newest (following One with the Night) has a delicious pace and plenty of thrills, and her vampire mythos is both mannered—almost Victorian—and intriguingly offbeat. Bound to net a wide audience of paranormal fans, this one may even convert devotees of traditional historicals. –Publishers Weekly
Stein, Jeanne C.  Blood drive
Anna discovers that her long-dead brother may have had a daughter-and the girl’s in serious trouble. There are some very dangerous people after her, but they’re about to learn that to a bounty hunter with an unnatural thirst for blood, even the deadliest human predators are easy prey. –Publisher’s description
Stein, Jeanne C. The becoming
Anna Strong is trained for anything-until she’s attacked one night, only to awaken in a dark world that exists between the living and the dead. Here, Anna struggles with her love for the two men who inhabit the realms of each: Max, a human DEA agent, and Avery, a Night Watcher who joins Anna in pursuit of the vampire who changed her life. –Publisher’s description
Stivers, Valerie.  Blood is the new black
Stivers's sly satire capitalizes on the lingering allure of The Devil Wears Prada, the bubbly appeal of Ugly Betty, the campy joy of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the drop-dead glamour of Fashion Week.—Publishers Weekly
Thurlo, David and Aimee.  Surrogate evil:  a Lee Nez novel
This wildly entertaining yarn dumps the traditional cop and fantasy genres into a blender on overdrive. The action races across the Southwest as the team confronts Newton Glover, an elusive criminal bottom-feeder who seems to have supernatural powers that surpass those of Nez. Great fun. Elliott Swanson—Booklist
Vaughn, Carrie.  Kitty and the silver bullet
Kitty’s radio show is as popular as ever and she has a boyfriend who actually seems to understand her. Can she finally settle down to a normal life? Not if this is just the calm before the storm. When her mother falls ill, Kitty rushes back to Denver—and right back to the abusive pack of werewolves she escaped a year ago. –Publisher’s description


Walker, Shiloh.  Hunters:  heart and soul
Two men. Two women. Paranormal warriors and eternal lovers who keep the undead in line by destroying those who have gone rogue. They serve as Judge, Jury, and Executioner. They are as merciless as their prey. And they are its soul. –Publisher’s description
Ward, J.R.  Lover awakened:  a novel of the Black Dagger Brotherhood
Best new series I’ve read in years! Tautly written, wickedly sexy and just plain fun. Now here’s a band of brothers who knows how to show a girl a good time.—New York Times bestseller Lisa Gardner
Warren, Christine.  One bite with a stranger
“Christine Warren has masterfully pulled together vampires, shape shifters, demons, and many ‘Others’ to create a tantalizing world of dark fantasies come to life. Way to go Warren! --Night Owl Romance
Wellington, David.  13 bullets:  a vampire tale
Minimally plotted and driven by nonstop action, this gory vampire tale is of a piece with Wellington’s zombie novels (Monster Island; Monster Nation). –Publishers Weekly
Wellington, David.  99 coffins
Vampires and mortals fight a modern battle of Gettysburg in vampire hunter Laura Caxton's gore-soaked second outing (after 2007's 13 Bullets). When a college archeological dig uncovers a cache of Civil War–era coffins, each containing a corpse minus heart, grizzled detective Jameson Arkeley recognizes these remains as evidence of a forgotten Union vampire corps and immediately summons Caxton.  –Publishers Weekly
Whiteside, Diane.  Bond of fire
Highly creative and detailed as it winds its way through history, Whiteside’s latest sensual paranormal romance will knock readers’ socks off.—Maria Hatton—Booklist
Yarbro, Chelsea Quinn.  Borne in blood:  a novel of the Count of Saint-Germain
“Saint-Germain is a compelling figure, more appealing than the modern vampires of Anne Rice and Laurell K. Hamilton.”—Romantic Times BOOKreviews


Monday, September 24, 2012

Falling Through the Earth



Falling through the earth:  a memoir by Danielle Trussoni   


The Trussoni family of Onalaska, WI, was famous for bar fights and not much else.  Daniel Trussoni was a tunnel rat in Vietnam, and when his marriage fell to pieces, two of the children went to live with their mother, Danielle stayed with her dad.  He spendt endless evenings in a local tavern, often forgetting to take Danielle home. Her father was petty and mean, but Danielle was a loyal daughter.  This is the memoir she wrote as an adult, looking back on her painful childhood.

Friday, September 21, 2012

Poor Man's Lobster



Poor Man's Lobster (4-6 servings)

There is a local restaurant that advertises “Friday night lawyer all you can eat.”

This is what they mean.


3 quarts water
 1 medium onion
 3 stalks celery, chopped
 1/2 cup lemon juice
 3 tablespoons salt
 1 bay leaf
 3 pounds lawyers (eelpout/burbot/ling cod) cut into 2-inch pieces
 1/2 pound butter
 2 cloves garlic
 Paprika 

In large kettle, boil water, onion celery, lemon juice and salt for 4 minutes. Add bay leaf and lawyers. Boil for 3 minutes. remove fish,. Place on cookie sheet . Brush with melted garlic butter. Sprinkle with paprika. Broil for 2 minutes. Serve with melted garlic butter.

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Gone for Good



Gone for Good by Harlan Coben


Will Klein, a counselor at Covenant House, a center for runaways, has painful memories when he visits his family’s home upon the death of his mother.  A neighbor’s home was the site of the brutal rape and murder of Julie Miller, Will’s former girlfriend.  And Will’s brother Ken was the prime suspect—he disappeared afterward and was a fugitive for eleven years.
     When Will’s girlfriends Sheila goes missing, he discovers his brother is not dead, but involved with some dangerous characters.  And the FBI is after him.  There is lots of suspense, plot twists, and turns in this novel.  Will seems naïve and gullible, but the bad guys are evil and scary.

Friday, September 07, 2012

The Books of August

 The Books of August

Charlie Howard, the mystery writer and thief, visits Vegas in the third book in Chris Ewan's Guide Thief Guide series. With his literary agent Victoria, Charlie visits the Fifty-Fifty casino, where he picks the pocket of magician Josh Masters, the hotel's headline act. And when Charlie later breaks into Masters' hotel room, he discovers a body in the bathtub, and that the magician's assistant is missing. Immediately putting two and two together, Charlie figures the magician is involved in something deadly, but the casino's owners think that Charlie is plotting together with Master's to rob the casino. Readers who like caper novels, like Donald Westlake or Lawrence Block's Bernie Rhodenbarr series, will enjoy getting to know Charlie Howard.

True vision authentic art journaling by L.K. Ludwig
Artful journals by Janet Takahashi
Nature inspired by Tracie Huskamp
Artful storybook by Terry Taylor
52 more scrapbooking challenges by Elizabeth karchner
Bushville wins! the wild saga of the 1957 Milwaukee Braves and the screwballs, sluggers and beer swiggers who canned the New York Yankees by John Klima
The third gate by Lincoln Child
Scrapbook embellishment handbook by Sherry Stevenson
Portable dad: fix-it advice for when Dad's not around by Steve Elliott
Dare to repair: a do-it-herself guide to fixing (almost) anything in the home by Julie Sussman
America's cheapest family gets you right on the money: your guide to living better, spending less, and cashing in on your dreams by Steve Economides
Good thief's guide to Vegas by Chris Ewan
Great gift ideas using scrapbook materials by Jill Haglund
Vanished by Joseph Finder
Tickled to death by Joan Hess
Journal junkies workshop by Eric Scott and David Modler
Winter in June by Kathryn Miller Haines
Goodbye body by Joan Hess
Ham bones by Carolyn Haines
Out on a limb by Joan Hess

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Hitman

Hitman by Parnell Hall

In ten words or less: A hit man hires PI Stanley Hastings for a job.

Review: P.I. Stanley Hastings gets most of his jobs from a lawyer. He interviews potential clients and photographs potholes and slippery floors for personal injury suits. Martin Kessler wants to hire Hastings for a particular job. Kessler is a hitman, and wants Hastings to prevent him from carrying out his latest assignment. Hastings asks his cop friend to check out Kessler, who turns out to be a school teacher with a clean record. Something isn't right, but Hastings can't quite figure it out.

Why bother? The marginally competant Stanley Hastings manages to get in over his head once again. Another entertaining installment in the series.

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Why? Because we still like you: an oral history of the Mickey Mouse Club

Jennifer Armstrong's "Why? Because we still like you: an oral history of the Mickey Mouse Club"


In ten words or less: Where are they now? Story of the original Mouseketeers

Review: Children in the 1950s grew up watching the Mickey Mouse Club, a television show produced by Walt Disney as a marketing prop to stir interest in the brand new Disneyland theme park. The kids on the show, "average" youngsters aged 8-14, sang, danced and acted in mini-series.

Annette Funicello quickly became the star of the show, and went on to a career in recording--even though she was no singer--and acting. Bobby Burgess continued in show business as a dancer on the Lawrence Welk Show, and Don Grady and Tim Considine starred in the sitcom "My Three Sons."

Cheryl Holdridge married Woolworth heir Lance Reventlow, David Stollery became an automobile designer, and Doreen Tracey posed nude for a men's magazine.

Why bother? If you can still sing along with the Mickey Mouse Club songs, you might like to see how you after-school favorites have aged. Nice black and white photos let you compare then and now photos. Fun for baby boomers!

Sunday, August 26, 2012

July's Books

Tim Moore traces the steps of a 17th century cleryman, Thomas Coryate, in his attempt at recreating a Grand Tour of Europe in his book "Continental Drifter." Coryate wrote of his travels to 45 Eurpean cities in "Crudites," considered to be the first travel book. Moore sets out, not on foot but in an old Rolls Royce and clad in a velvet suit from an Oxfam shop. Fun to read, but I'm glad I wasn't around for the ride.

1000 Artist Trading Cards by Patricia Bolton
Budget Living Home Cheap Home
Believing the Lie by Elizabeth George
Continental Drifter by Tim Moore
XO by Jeffery Deaver
The Color of Magic by Terry Pratchett
Stick a Fork in it by Robin Allen
The Yiddish Policeman's Union by Michael Chabon

Friday, July 13, 2012

June's Books


"A house without a cat is like life without sunshine." When Julia and Paul Child moved to Paris, there was one thing missing from their tiny apartment. They adopted Minette Mimosa, a tortoiseshell cat. Children who read "Minette's Fest" may have no idea who Julia Child was, but they will enjoy the story of the little cat who feasted in Julia's kitchen. Illustrated by Amy Bates, who captures the feel of post-war Paris and the mischievious cat perfectly.

As the crow flies by Craig Johnson
Artist trading cards by Leonie Pujol
Rubber stamping artist trading cards by Tweetyjill Pubs
Trading card treasures by Carol Heppner
Wallflower in bloom by Claire Cook
Camp follower by Suzanne Adair
Artist trading card workshop by Bernie Berlin
Minette's feast by Susanna Reich
Thud! by Terry Pratchett
When will Jesus bring the pork chops? by George Carlin
The ladies' man by Eleanor Lipman
Mummy dearest by Joan Hess
Rock and roll homicide by R.J. McDonnell

Saturday, June 02, 2012

Books I read in May 2012

In Just One More Thing, actor  Peter Falk relates stories from his life. Short on the details that make up a biography, this volume is mostly recollections of his roles and co-stars, such as John Cassavetes and Alan Arkin. Falk, who has a master's degree in public administration, was a washout as a public servant, but snagged roles on the stage, in film, and on television as the rumpled Lt. Columbo. He was also a talented artist, and some of his work is included. A quick, interesting read about an unconventional man.


Alpine for you by Maddy Hunter
Top o' the Mournin by Maddy Hunter
G'Day to Die by Maddy Hunter
Hula Done it by Maddy Hunter
 Cat in an Ultramarine Scheme by Carole Nelson Douglas
Must Love Dogs by Claire Cook
Redemption by Debra Lee
Hooked by Polly Iyer
Assault with a Deadly Glue Gun by Lois Winston
Pasta Imperfect by Maddy Hunter
Robert B. Parker's Lullaby by Ace Atkins
Multiple Choice by Claire Cook
Just One More Thing by Peter Falk
Reaper Man by Terry Pratchett
Sacre Bleu: a comedy d'art by Christopher Moore
Willowtree by Mike Bove
Mort by Terry Pratchett

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Saturday at the Farmer's market

Rhubarb is everywhere at the Farmers' Market. On a dreary May day, making a pot of rhubarb dumplings will help the time pass as you watch for thunderstorm warnings on the Weather Channel.

Rhubarb Dumplings


2 tbsp. butter
1/2 c. sugar
2 c. rhubarb, chopped
pinch salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1 1/2 c. water

Dumplings:
1 c. flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 c. sugar
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
2 tbsp. butter
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. milk

Combine first seven ingredients and simmer until the rhubarb is tender. Meanwhile, combine dumpling ingredients to make dough. Drop dough by the tablespoon on top of the simmering rhubarb. Cover tightly and simmer for another 15-20 minutes. Serve warm with ice cream, if you like. Makes 6 servings.

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Dark Star Safari: overland from Cairo to Capetown by Paul Theroux


Theroux revisits many of the places he lived and worked as a Peace Corps volunteer and teacher in the 1960s. He argues theology with Christian missionaries, visits natives, aid workers, and tourists. His anecdotes are entertaining but with a serious undertone, as they shed light on the political and social chaos of many of the African nations. He visits the homes of fellow authors Naguib Mafouz and Nadine Gordimer. As a priest observes to him, "Wonderful people. Terrible government. The African story." A memorable book.

Friday, May 18, 2012


The Ghost Mountain boys:  their epic march and the terrifying battle for New Guinea—the forgotten war of the South Pacific by James Campbell


James Campbell’s Ghost Mountain Boys tells the harrowing story of the 32nd Division’s WWII battle to prevent New Guinea from falling into Japanese hands. The battle for New Guinea is considered by many to be the first great land victory in the South Pacific Theater. The book tells the tale of National Guardsmen whisked from the temperate Midwest and dropped into the dense jungles of New Guinea with little training and with equipment unequal to
the task ahead.

In addition to the Japanese, soldiers of the U.S. and Australian armies faced an even more fearsome enemy, the terrain they needed to traverse to complete their mission. This grueling terrain exacted the harshest toll of all, accounting for almost 80% of the casualties of the campaign. If the enemies’ bullets were not enough, the soldiers were pitted against jungle, mountains, insects, rain, mud, dysentery and malaria.

Through Campbell’s words, the reader sees the dramatic and often deadly consequence of poor planning, indecisiveness and ego. Unlike many historical accounts, Campbell makes a real effort to humanize the enemy and illustrate how ill-advised decisions on both sides led to unneeded bloodshed,
suffering and death.

Friday, May 11, 2012


Books I read in April 2012

Dan Dye first met Gracie, star of Amazing Gracie: a Dog's Tale, an albino Great Dane puppy, and his life took an unpredictable turn. Gracie, deaf and blind in one eye, had digestive problems and Dye had a difficult time finding food she could eat. No cook, Dye experimented with natural organic ingredients until he found some she could eat. Three Dog Bakery grew out of his attempts to feed Gracie a healthful, nutritious diet. A heartwarming story sure to please dog lovers.


Death by Killer Mop Doll by Lois Winston
Deader Homes and Gardens by Joan Hess
Cinnamon Roll Murder by Joanne Fluke
The Sleeping Doll by Jeffery Deaver
Death of a Kingfisher by M.C. Beaton
On the Nickel by Maggie Toussaint
Rather Remarkable Homecoming by C.A. Belmond
Nearly Departed in Deadwood by Ann Charles
Breaking Silence by Linda Castillo
Murder Under Cover by Kate Carlisle
Ambush of my Name by Jeffrey Marks
Nipped in the Bud by Susan Sleeman
Prey for Zion by E.D. MacDavey
Amazing Gracie: A Dog's Tale by Dan Dye

Tuesday, April 03, 2012


What I Read in March 2012

Richard Conniff, author of "Every Creeping Thing" and "Spineless Wonders," educates and amuses in Swimming with Piranhas at Feeding Time. The nature writer follows wild dogs in Africa, investigates termites in New Orleans, and yes, swims with piranhas. He visits entomologist Justin O. Schmidt, who has been stung by over 150 different species of insect. That doesn't sound like fun, but this book is.

Burning Wire by Jeffery Deaver
Jenny's Adopted Brothers by Esther Averill
Knit Your Own Cat: easy-to-follow patterns for 16 frisky felines by Sally Muir
Cut the Scraps! by Joan Ford
Liver Let Die by Liz Lipperman
Now Write! Mysteries: suspense, crime, thriller and other mystery fiction exercises from today's best writers and teachers by Sherry Ellis
Murder Past Due by Miranda James
Kindle Fire: the Missing Manual by Peter Meyers
Fade to Black by Robert Goldsborough
Swimming with Piranhas at Feeding Time: my life doing dumb stuff with animals by Richard Conniff
Roadside Crosses by Jeffery Deaver
Becoming Dr. Q: my journey from migrant farm worker to brain surgeon by Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa
Sink or Swim by Stacy Juba
Artistic License by Julie Hyzy
Orange as Marmalade by Fran Stewart
Dangerous Woman by Debra Lee
Edited for Death by Michele Drier
My Gun has Bullets by Lee Goldberg
Faithful unto Death by Caroline Graham
The Missing Chapter by Robert Goldsborough
Death at Victoria Dock by Kerry Greenwood