Awards sell books! Our annual awards program is now open. Take advantage of our 'early bird' reduced nomination fee and nominate your book today!
http://www.featheredquill.com/awardprogram.shtml
Monday, July 20, 2015
Awards Sell Books!
Awards sell books! Our annual awards program is now open. Take advantage of our 'early bird' reduced nomination fee and nominate your book today!
http://www.featheredquill.com/awardprogram.shtml
Sunday, July 19, 2015
Interview with Author Rich Zahradnik
Today, Feathered Quill reviewer Ellen Feld is talking with Rich Zahradnik, author of Drop Dead Punk: Coleridge Taylor Mystery
FQ: I understand the setting of New York City but why choose the 1975 financial crisis as the story’s backdrop? What drew you to it from a writer’s point of view?
ZAHRADNIK: It all started when I set the first book of the series in March of 1975 because I wanted a time period before the typical tech tropes of today’s mysteries: CSI-instant DNA typing, facial recognition software that works in seconds, video-camera coverage everywhere, cell phones. That novel occurs right as the Vietnam War is ending—as opposed to when the U.S. pulled out—something I wanted to play off of. I decided the next time period for a book in the series should be the financial crisis seven months later, as there are several nice parallels between New York’s near bankruptcy and the financial crisis we’ve recently come through. Ratings agencies ignored warning signals and maintained ratings on bonds. Banks kept lending money because they wanted the fees. Lies were told.
FQ: You spent over 30 years as a reporter. What sort of news did you cover? Was there a deep-seated desire to be a crime reporter (or perhaps you were)?
ZAHRADNIK: I covered local news for newspapers in Westchester County, including one I owned, and it was there that I did some police reporting, though I can’t claim to have done a great deal of it. I actually started out wanting to be a political reporter. That never happened. After local newspapers, my career moved into business journalism and Internet news sites. I also did some work in cable news. Taylor has far more crime reporting experience than I do, and in many ways, is a better reporter than I ever was because of his single-minded focus. Other things distracted me. Building web sites. Soccer. Writing fiction.
FQ: As I mentioned in the review, I found Callahan’s struggles to prove herself to her fellow officers quite interesting. Any insight into what made a woman want to join the force back in the 70s? Did they have to be tougher than their male counterparts?
ZAHRADNIK: In Samantha’s case, I think it was because of her father and a subconscious understanding the times were changing. She’s not (yet) a table-banging feminist. I don’t have a deep insight beyond that except that as a teenager during that period I was well aware that women were pushing into many different jobs where they had not worked and were not at all welcome. Like Samantha, they had to be far tougher than their male counterparts because they were doing a difficult job and weren’t welcomed by the men. Who had their backs? This continued for a lot of years.
FQ: As soon as we learn that Johnny Mort was a dog lover who helped Alphabet City’s homeless dogs, it was hard to not like him and feel bad for him. Was this why you added the dog lover aspect to Mort’s character?
ZAHRADNIK: It did make him a sympathetic character. I needed Taylor to quickly find a small piece of evidence from his contacts that would make him question the police assumptions about the shooting. So really this is a case where a plot need drove character (though that’s not always the case, nor should it be).
FQ: “Talk to the dead cop’s wife” was something Taylor knew to do from years of experience. Was this something you knew from your reporter career or simply an idea you had? It seems too perfect a concept not to have come from somewhere.
ZAHRADNIK: I think a good reporter would always try and get to the nearest relative, particularly if there are questions about how and why someone died. The problem is the interview usually is the trite and terrible: “How do you feel now that your loved one is dead?” In cases of questionable death, you have to figure the spouse may have something that will help in the case.
FQ: There’s a lot in the book about the police culture in New York. How did you research this?
ZAHRADNIK: Living in and around New York and watching police work helped a lot. For the corruption angle in the book, I read Serpico, which is the non-fiction book on the topic. I also read Fort Apache: New York’s Most Violent Precinct, which it was during the mid-seventies. And some of the culture comes from my imagination.
FQ: The characters of Rayban and Sally were my favorites. Were they based on anyone or entirely made up?
ZAHRADNIK: Totally made up, though I suppose as composites of many street people I’ve seen from the time I started visiting the city as a teen in the mid-seventies.
FQ: Are you still working as a reporter or did you leave that life behind to write mysteries?
ZAHRADNIK: I’m writing novels full time now.
FQ: I understand you now work with elementary school children and teach them about putting together newspapers. What is it like working with a younger crowd?
ZAHRADNIK: It’s great fun and a tonic for a fiction writer. Many a Thursday during the past four years, the kids turned a bummer of a novel-writing morning into the best day of my week with their ideas, enthusiasm and energy. One kid smiling at coming up with the interview, the lead or the great story idea was it all it took. They were enthusiastic about everything we’d try to do, which made a change from most newsrooms I’d worked in.
FQ: What’s next for Coleridge Taylor? Would you give our readers a peek into his next case?
ZAHRADNIK: The next book is set during the days around July 4, 1976, when the Bicentennial was celebrated in New York City with Operation Sail, a parade of 16 tall sailing ships and hundreds of smaller vessels through New York Harbor and up the Hudson River. Taylor will be covering this because he has to, but he’ll also be chasing a murder that appears linked to a drug war after a body is pulled from the harbor on the eve of the festivities. It’s titled A Black Sail, but that could change.
Last Words, now available in paperback and all ebook formats, won honorable mention for mystery in Foreword Reviews' IndieFab Book of the Year Awards. Visit www.richzahradnik.com
To learn more about Drop Dead Punk: Coleridge Taylor Mystery please read the review at: Feathered Quill Book Reviews.
FQ: I understand the setting of New York City but why choose the 1975 financial crisis as the story’s backdrop? What drew you to it from a writer’s point of view?
ZAHRADNIK: It all started when I set the first book of the series in March of 1975 because I wanted a time period before the typical tech tropes of today’s mysteries: CSI-instant DNA typing, facial recognition software that works in seconds, video-camera coverage everywhere, cell phones. That novel occurs right as the Vietnam War is ending—as opposed to when the U.S. pulled out—something I wanted to play off of. I decided the next time period for a book in the series should be the financial crisis seven months later, as there are several nice parallels between New York’s near bankruptcy and the financial crisis we’ve recently come through. Ratings agencies ignored warning signals and maintained ratings on bonds. Banks kept lending money because they wanted the fees. Lies were told.
FQ: You spent over 30 years as a reporter. What sort of news did you cover? Was there a deep-seated desire to be a crime reporter (or perhaps you were)?
ZAHRADNIK: I covered local news for newspapers in Westchester County, including one I owned, and it was there that I did some police reporting, though I can’t claim to have done a great deal of it. I actually started out wanting to be a political reporter. That never happened. After local newspapers, my career moved into business journalism and Internet news sites. I also did some work in cable news. Taylor has far more crime reporting experience than I do, and in many ways, is a better reporter than I ever was because of his single-minded focus. Other things distracted me. Building web sites. Soccer. Writing fiction.
 |
| Author Rich Zahradnik |
FQ: As I mentioned in the review, I found Callahan’s struggles to prove herself to her fellow officers quite interesting. Any insight into what made a woman want to join the force back in the 70s? Did they have to be tougher than their male counterparts?
ZAHRADNIK: In Samantha’s case, I think it was because of her father and a subconscious understanding the times were changing. She’s not (yet) a table-banging feminist. I don’t have a deep insight beyond that except that as a teenager during that period I was well aware that women were pushing into many different jobs where they had not worked and were not at all welcome. Like Samantha, they had to be far tougher than their male counterparts because they were doing a difficult job and weren’t welcomed by the men. Who had their backs? This continued for a lot of years.
FQ: As soon as we learn that Johnny Mort was a dog lover who helped Alphabet City’s homeless dogs, it was hard to not like him and feel bad for him. Was this why you added the dog lover aspect to Mort’s character?
ZAHRADNIK: It did make him a sympathetic character. I needed Taylor to quickly find a small piece of evidence from his contacts that would make him question the police assumptions about the shooting. So really this is a case where a plot need drove character (though that’s not always the case, nor should it be).
FQ: “Talk to the dead cop’s wife” was something Taylor knew to do from years of experience. Was this something you knew from your reporter career or simply an idea you had? It seems too perfect a concept not to have come from somewhere.
ZAHRADNIK: I think a good reporter would always try and get to the nearest relative, particularly if there are questions about how and why someone died. The problem is the interview usually is the trite and terrible: “How do you feel now that your loved one is dead?” In cases of questionable death, you have to figure the spouse may have something that will help in the case.
FQ: There’s a lot in the book about the police culture in New York. How did you research this?
ZAHRADNIK: Living in and around New York and watching police work helped a lot. For the corruption angle in the book, I read Serpico, which is the non-fiction book on the topic. I also read Fort Apache: New York’s Most Violent Precinct, which it was during the mid-seventies. And some of the culture comes from my imagination.
FQ: The characters of Rayban and Sally were my favorites. Were they based on anyone or entirely made up?
ZAHRADNIK: Totally made up, though I suppose as composites of many street people I’ve seen from the time I started visiting the city as a teen in the mid-seventies.
FQ: Are you still working as a reporter or did you leave that life behind to write mysteries?
ZAHRADNIK: I’m writing novels full time now.
FQ: I understand you now work with elementary school children and teach them about putting together newspapers. What is it like working with a younger crowd?
ZAHRADNIK: It’s great fun and a tonic for a fiction writer. Many a Thursday during the past four years, the kids turned a bummer of a novel-writing morning into the best day of my week with their ideas, enthusiasm and energy. One kid smiling at coming up with the interview, the lead or the great story idea was it all it took. They were enthusiastic about everything we’d try to do, which made a change from most newsrooms I’d worked in.
FQ: What’s next for Coleridge Taylor? Would you give our readers a peek into his next case?
ZAHRADNIK: The next book is set during the days around July 4, 1976, when the Bicentennial was celebrated in New York City with Operation Sail, a parade of 16 tall sailing ships and hundreds of smaller vessels through New York Harbor and up the Hudson River. Taylor will be covering this because he has to, but he’ll also be chasing a murder that appears linked to a drug war after a body is pulled from the harbor on the eve of the festivities. It’s titled A Black Sail, but that could change.
Last Words, now available in paperback and all ebook formats, won honorable mention for mystery in Foreword Reviews' IndieFab Book of the Year Awards. Visit www.richzahradnik.com
To learn more about Drop Dead Punk: Coleridge Taylor Mystery please read the review at: Feathered Quill Book Reviews.
Friday, July 10, 2015
Books In For Review
Here's the latest batch of books to arrive for review. Check them out and then stop by our site in a few weeks to read the reviews!
The Road Behind Me: The Lie of Hannah by Rj Cook It's been said a man falls in love an average of three times in his life. If that's an accurate assessment, it stands to reason two of those three must end in heartbreak. Author RjCook had the misfortune of experiencing two of his three heartaches before the age of twenty-both within the same year separated by only a few months. The Road behind Me narrates his story of lost love, a tale of a journey, and a late-in-life epiphany all predicated on a single deception that he lived with for the better part of forty years. This memoir tells how, from the summer of 1974 to the summer of 1975, he traveled from New Jersey to California to escape the pain of a broken heart, only to discover that distance did nothing to diminish his memories. A true story of the author's failed attempt to create a new life for himself, The Road behind Me shares the adventures he encountered almost a continent away from home. It's a story of growing up and falling in love in suburban New Jersey; of losing love and seeking refuge in the land of milk, honey, and Disney; and of returning home a defeated and forlorn road warrior-all during the time of peace and love, Woodstock, Nixon, and Vietnam.
The Children of Darkness by David Litwack Evolved Publishing presents the first book in the new dystopian series "The Seekers," from the author of the multiple award-winning fantasy saga, "The Daughter of the Sea and the Sky." ~~~ "But what are we without dreams?" ~ A thousand years ago the Darkness came-a terrible time of violence, fear, and social collapse when technology ran rampant. But the vicars of the Temple of Light brought peace, ushering in an era of blessed simplicity. For ten centuries they have kept the madness at bay with "temple magic," and by eliminating forever the rush of progress that nearly caused the destruction of everything. ~ Childhood friends, Orah and Nathaniel, have always lived in the tiny village of Little Pond, longing for more from life but unwilling to challenge the rigid status quo. When their friend Thomas returns from the Temple after his "teaching"-the secret coming-of-age ritual that binds young men and women eternally to the Light-they barely recognize the broken and brooding young man the boy has become. Then when Orah is summoned as well, Nathaniel follows in a foolhardy attempt to save her. ~ In the prisons of Temple City, they discover a terrible secret that launches the three on a journey to find the forbidden keep, placing their lives in jeopardy, for a truth from the past awaits that threatens the foundation of the Temple. If they reveal that truth, they might once again release the potential of their people. ~ Yet they would also incur the Temple's wrath as it is written: "If there comes among you a prophet saying, 'Let us return to the darkness,' you shall stone him, because he has sought to thrust you away from the Light."
The Last Word: A Treasury of Women's Quotes edited by Carolyn Warner With more than 2,000 timeless quotes by women, representing everyone from Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots (1542-1587) to pop megastar Madonna, The Last Word is a must-have for any woman looking for inspiration, kinship and a way to meaningfully connect with audiences of one to one million. However, to simply call it a compendium of quotes is a misnomer. Carolyn Warner’s book is a valuable resource to anyone seeking to be heard. Whether a novice or seasoned public speaker desiring to enrich a presentation, or a person seeking to be understood and acknowledged by colleagues and authority figures, readers of The Last Word will find the tools they need to achieve success—and then some. As Warner would say, her book helps women find the right words for the right time, as well as the right time for the right words.
Lady Maybe by Julie Klassen One final cry…“God almighty, help us!” and suddenly her world shifted violently, until a blinding collision scattered her mind and shook her bones. Then, the pain. The freezing water. And as all sensation drifted away, a hand reached for hers, before all faded into darkness. Now she has awakened as though from some strange, suffocating dream in a warm and welcoming room she has never seen before, and tended to by kind, unfamiliar faces. But not all has been swept away. She recalls fragments of the accident. She remembers a baby. And a ring on her finger reminds her of a lie. But most of all, there is a secret. And in this house of strangers she can trust no one but herself to keep it.
The Gates of Rutherford by Elizabeth Cooke Charlotte Cavendish has been dreaming of her old home at Rutherford Park. It is April 1917; she is nineteen years old. And everywhere there is change. The war still rages on the Continent, where her brother fights for the Royal Flying Corps. Her parents’ marriage is in jeopardy, with her mother falling for a charming American in London. But not all is grim. Charlotte is marrying Preston, the blinded soldier whom she nursed back to health. Her parents couldn’t be happier about this. The young man hails from a well-established and wealthy family in Kent, and he’s solid and respectable. They hope he’s the one to tame their notoriously headstrong daughter. But as time passes, Charlotte slowly comes to the realization that she is not truly happy. And for a reason she is only just beginning to understand. A reason she dare not reveal to the family—or the world...
Wabanaki Blues: Book 1 of The Wabanaki Trilogy by Melissa Zobel “Some days you appreciate the dead; others, you don’t dare think about them.” These are the words of Mona Lisa LaPierre, teen blues musician, also known as the girl who never smiles. When her out-of-touch parents send her to the New Hampshire boondocks to stay with Grumps, her reclusive grandfather, Mona is not exactly thrilled. She nevertheless slings her beloved guitar, Rosalita, over her shoulder, says goodbye to Beetle, the oblivious boy she adores and sets out to meet her destiny. Destiny pops up in various forms: a blonde bear name Marilynn with a fondness for bananas, a fellow musician named Del, and a green-flamed motorcycle that was last seen racing away from her high school the day a girl from her school named Mia Delaney disappeared eighteen years ago. Mona’s search for Mia’s murderer becomes a quest for identity, love, and meaning. She is guided along the way by Grumps and her dead Grandmother, Bilki, whose spirit speaks to her in moments of need. Mona’s amazing journey is enriched by Native American traditions, a passion for music and art, and her growing realization that to achieve what is most important in her life, she must sacrifice what she most loves. This is the first book in the Wabanaki Trilogy.
High Country Nocturne: A David Mapstone Mystery by Jon Talton A cache of diamonds is stolen in Phoenix. The prime suspect is former Maricopa County Sheriff Mike Peralta, now a private investigator. Disappearing into Arizona’s mountainous High Country, Peralta leaves his business partner and longtime friend David Mapstone with a stark choice. He can cooperate with the FBI, or strike out on his own to find Peralta and what really happened. Mapstone knows he can count on his wife Lindsey, one of the top “good hackers” in law enforcement. But what if they’ve both been betrayed? Mapstone is tested further when the new sheriff wants him back as a deputy, putting to use his historian’s expertise to solve a very special cold case. The stakes turn deadly when David and Lindsey are stalked by a trained killer whose specialty is “suiciding” her targets. In depressed, post-recession Phoenix, every certainty has become scrambled, from the short hustle of the powerful real-estate industry to the loyalties Mapstone once took for granted. Could Peralta really be a jewel thief or worse? The deeper Mapstone digs into the world of sun-baked hustlers, corrupt cops, moneyed retirees, and mobsters, the more things are not what they seem. Ultimately, Mapstone must risk everything to find the truth.
Lessons from Tara: Life Advice from the World's Most Brilliant Dog by David Rosenfelt David Rosenfelt's loyal readers of the Andy Carpenter series are familiar with Tara, the golden retriever sidekick. Many also got to know Tara from Dogtripping, David's nonfiction book about becoming a slightly nutty dog rescuer and the dog that started it all. Here, finally, is a book all about the inspirational canine who taught David everything he knows. Well, he did know how to tie his shoes before he met and came to love Tara, but that's about it. Through Tara, David learned about dating, about being able to share his emotions, and also about everyday stuff like who gets to use the pillow if several dogs are sleeping in your bed (clue: It's not the human) and why random barking will never be something that can be eliminated. Lessons From Tara is infused with David's trademark wry and self-deprecating sense of humor, and will move readers to tears and laughter.
Lawyer for the Dog by Lee Robinson One of the sharpest attorneys in Charleston, S.C., Sally Baynard isn't your typical southern belle. She's certainly not what her mother hoped she'd grow up to be, especially since she divorced her husband, Family Court Judge Joe Baynard, and his historic family with their historic wealth and historic houses. Maybe Sally was never going to be a proper society lady, but her success as a public defender and family lawyer have been enough for her. She's represented murderers, burglars, drug dealers and lately has taken on some of the thorniest divorces, all cases closed with her Sally Bright Baynard wit, charm and brains. Or have they? One case she's never successfully closed is her marriage. And when Judge Joe assigns her to one of his divorce cases by appointing her as the Lawyer for the Dog -- Sherman, a miniature schnauzer-- she's forced into close quarters with him again. Juggling the needs of the dog, the angry owners, her amorous but uncommunicative ex-husband, her aging, Alzheimer's-ridden mother, and the expectations of the court is more than Sally could have imagined. And as rascally Sherman digs his way into Sally's heart, he brings along his charming vet Tony, a man who makes Sally question her views on love and marriage.
The Ship Captain's Tale: A Counting Adventure by V. A. Boeholt There’s a problem on board The Queen of the Sea. How will the ship’s captain solve it? In signature fashion, award-winning author V.A. Boeholt’s clever poetry and engaging prose take young readers on an exciting adventure, helping them understand the passage of time, recognize/sequence numbers and appreciate cause and effect. With charming illustrations by Jeff Yesh, The Ship Captain’s Tale draws children, parents and teachers into a vibrant voyage, complete with an interactive curriculum guide.
The Road Behind Me: The Lie of Hannah by Rj Cook It's been said a man falls in love an average of three times in his life. If that's an accurate assessment, it stands to reason two of those three must end in heartbreak. Author RjCook had the misfortune of experiencing two of his three heartaches before the age of twenty-both within the same year separated by only a few months. The Road behind Me narrates his story of lost love, a tale of a journey, and a late-in-life epiphany all predicated on a single deception that he lived with for the better part of forty years. This memoir tells how, from the summer of 1974 to the summer of 1975, he traveled from New Jersey to California to escape the pain of a broken heart, only to discover that distance did nothing to diminish his memories. A true story of the author's failed attempt to create a new life for himself, The Road behind Me shares the adventures he encountered almost a continent away from home. It's a story of growing up and falling in love in suburban New Jersey; of losing love and seeking refuge in the land of milk, honey, and Disney; and of returning home a defeated and forlorn road warrior-all during the time of peace and love, Woodstock, Nixon, and Vietnam.
The Children of Darkness by David Litwack Evolved Publishing presents the first book in the new dystopian series "The Seekers," from the author of the multiple award-winning fantasy saga, "The Daughter of the Sea and the Sky." ~~~ "But what are we without dreams?" ~ A thousand years ago the Darkness came-a terrible time of violence, fear, and social collapse when technology ran rampant. But the vicars of the Temple of Light brought peace, ushering in an era of blessed simplicity. For ten centuries they have kept the madness at bay with "temple magic," and by eliminating forever the rush of progress that nearly caused the destruction of everything. ~ Childhood friends, Orah and Nathaniel, have always lived in the tiny village of Little Pond, longing for more from life but unwilling to challenge the rigid status quo. When their friend Thomas returns from the Temple after his "teaching"-the secret coming-of-age ritual that binds young men and women eternally to the Light-they barely recognize the broken and brooding young man the boy has become. Then when Orah is summoned as well, Nathaniel follows in a foolhardy attempt to save her. ~ In the prisons of Temple City, they discover a terrible secret that launches the three on a journey to find the forbidden keep, placing their lives in jeopardy, for a truth from the past awaits that threatens the foundation of the Temple. If they reveal that truth, they might once again release the potential of their people. ~ Yet they would also incur the Temple's wrath as it is written: "If there comes among you a prophet saying, 'Let us return to the darkness,' you shall stone him, because he has sought to thrust you away from the Light."
The Last Word: A Treasury of Women's Quotes edited by Carolyn Warner With more than 2,000 timeless quotes by women, representing everyone from Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots (1542-1587) to pop megastar Madonna, The Last Word is a must-have for any woman looking for inspiration, kinship and a way to meaningfully connect with audiences of one to one million. However, to simply call it a compendium of quotes is a misnomer. Carolyn Warner’s book is a valuable resource to anyone seeking to be heard. Whether a novice or seasoned public speaker desiring to enrich a presentation, or a person seeking to be understood and acknowledged by colleagues and authority figures, readers of The Last Word will find the tools they need to achieve success—and then some. As Warner would say, her book helps women find the right words for the right time, as well as the right time for the right words.
Lady Maybe by Julie Klassen One final cry…“God almighty, help us!” and suddenly her world shifted violently, until a blinding collision scattered her mind and shook her bones. Then, the pain. The freezing water. And as all sensation drifted away, a hand reached for hers, before all faded into darkness. Now she has awakened as though from some strange, suffocating dream in a warm and welcoming room she has never seen before, and tended to by kind, unfamiliar faces. But not all has been swept away. She recalls fragments of the accident. She remembers a baby. And a ring on her finger reminds her of a lie. But most of all, there is a secret. And in this house of strangers she can trust no one but herself to keep it.
The Gates of Rutherford by Elizabeth Cooke Charlotte Cavendish has been dreaming of her old home at Rutherford Park. It is April 1917; she is nineteen years old. And everywhere there is change. The war still rages on the Continent, where her brother fights for the Royal Flying Corps. Her parents’ marriage is in jeopardy, with her mother falling for a charming American in London. But not all is grim. Charlotte is marrying Preston, the blinded soldier whom she nursed back to health. Her parents couldn’t be happier about this. The young man hails from a well-established and wealthy family in Kent, and he’s solid and respectable. They hope he’s the one to tame their notoriously headstrong daughter. But as time passes, Charlotte slowly comes to the realization that she is not truly happy. And for a reason she is only just beginning to understand. A reason she dare not reveal to the family—or the world...
Wabanaki Blues: Book 1 of The Wabanaki Trilogy by Melissa Zobel “Some days you appreciate the dead; others, you don’t dare think about them.” These are the words of Mona Lisa LaPierre, teen blues musician, also known as the girl who never smiles. When her out-of-touch parents send her to the New Hampshire boondocks to stay with Grumps, her reclusive grandfather, Mona is not exactly thrilled. She nevertheless slings her beloved guitar, Rosalita, over her shoulder, says goodbye to Beetle, the oblivious boy she adores and sets out to meet her destiny. Destiny pops up in various forms: a blonde bear name Marilynn with a fondness for bananas, a fellow musician named Del, and a green-flamed motorcycle that was last seen racing away from her high school the day a girl from her school named Mia Delaney disappeared eighteen years ago. Mona’s search for Mia’s murderer becomes a quest for identity, love, and meaning. She is guided along the way by Grumps and her dead Grandmother, Bilki, whose spirit speaks to her in moments of need. Mona’s amazing journey is enriched by Native American traditions, a passion for music and art, and her growing realization that to achieve what is most important in her life, she must sacrifice what she most loves. This is the first book in the Wabanaki Trilogy.
High Country Nocturne: A David Mapstone Mystery by Jon Talton A cache of diamonds is stolen in Phoenix. The prime suspect is former Maricopa County Sheriff Mike Peralta, now a private investigator. Disappearing into Arizona’s mountainous High Country, Peralta leaves his business partner and longtime friend David Mapstone with a stark choice. He can cooperate with the FBI, or strike out on his own to find Peralta and what really happened. Mapstone knows he can count on his wife Lindsey, one of the top “good hackers” in law enforcement. But what if they’ve both been betrayed? Mapstone is tested further when the new sheriff wants him back as a deputy, putting to use his historian’s expertise to solve a very special cold case. The stakes turn deadly when David and Lindsey are stalked by a trained killer whose specialty is “suiciding” her targets. In depressed, post-recession Phoenix, every certainty has become scrambled, from the short hustle of the powerful real-estate industry to the loyalties Mapstone once took for granted. Could Peralta really be a jewel thief or worse? The deeper Mapstone digs into the world of sun-baked hustlers, corrupt cops, moneyed retirees, and mobsters, the more things are not what they seem. Ultimately, Mapstone must risk everything to find the truth.
Lessons from Tara: Life Advice from the World's Most Brilliant Dog by David Rosenfelt David Rosenfelt's loyal readers of the Andy Carpenter series are familiar with Tara, the golden retriever sidekick. Many also got to know Tara from Dogtripping, David's nonfiction book about becoming a slightly nutty dog rescuer and the dog that started it all. Here, finally, is a book all about the inspirational canine who taught David everything he knows. Well, he did know how to tie his shoes before he met and came to love Tara, but that's about it. Through Tara, David learned about dating, about being able to share his emotions, and also about everyday stuff like who gets to use the pillow if several dogs are sleeping in your bed (clue: It's not the human) and why random barking will never be something that can be eliminated. Lessons From Tara is infused with David's trademark wry and self-deprecating sense of humor, and will move readers to tears and laughter.
Lawyer for the Dog by Lee Robinson One of the sharpest attorneys in Charleston, S.C., Sally Baynard isn't your typical southern belle. She's certainly not what her mother hoped she'd grow up to be, especially since she divorced her husband, Family Court Judge Joe Baynard, and his historic family with their historic wealth and historic houses. Maybe Sally was never going to be a proper society lady, but her success as a public defender and family lawyer have been enough for her. She's represented murderers, burglars, drug dealers and lately has taken on some of the thorniest divorces, all cases closed with her Sally Bright Baynard wit, charm and brains. Or have they? One case she's never successfully closed is her marriage. And when Judge Joe assigns her to one of his divorce cases by appointing her as the Lawyer for the Dog -- Sherman, a miniature schnauzer-- she's forced into close quarters with him again. Juggling the needs of the dog, the angry owners, her amorous but uncommunicative ex-husband, her aging, Alzheimer's-ridden mother, and the expectations of the court is more than Sally could have imagined. And as rascally Sherman digs his way into Sally's heart, he brings along his charming vet Tony, a man who makes Sally question her views on love and marriage.
The Ship Captain's Tale: A Counting Adventure by V. A. Boeholt There’s a problem on board The Queen of the Sea. How will the ship’s captain solve it? In signature fashion, award-winning author V.A. Boeholt’s clever poetry and engaging prose take young readers on an exciting adventure, helping them understand the passage of time, recognize/sequence numbers and appreciate cause and effect. With charming illustrations by Jeff Yesh, The Ship Captain’s Tale draws children, parents and teachers into a vibrant voyage, complete with an interactive curriculum guide.
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
Book Review - Hope In Every Raindrop
Hope In Every Raindrop
By: Wesley Banks
Publisher: Chasing Pace Publishing
Publication Date: May 2015
ISBN: 978-0-9861934-1-5
Reviewed By: Kristi Benedict
Review Date: July 9, 2015
Publisher: Chasing Pace Publishing
Publication Date: May 2015
ISBN: 978-0-9861934-1-5
Reviewed By: Kristi Benedict
Review Date: July 9, 2015
Packing pretty much just her laptop, journal, and a few clothes, Katie heads off across the country with no plan on what she is going to do when she gets there. Coming into Bishopville, Katie comes up to what looks like an old general store but she discovers it also has a small restaurant, so she decides to see if perhaps she can find the beginning of a story there. While talking to the owner she is told of a man who trains specialized racing dogs, and not just any racing dogs but these particular ones are mesmerizing. With renewed excitement she heads off following the directions she was given and comes to a small trailer house owned by a man who introduces himself as Doc Andersen. It turns out his nephew Kyle is the trainer of these famous dogs so Katie starts thinking that she has hit the jackpot for another best seller.
However, when Kyle finally comes around he seems to have no interest in allowing Katie to ask him questions or spend any real time with the dogs. Of all the people who she could have come across Katie did not expect someone who doesn’t even want her around but she is determined to find her story no matter what challenges stand in her way. In an amazing twist of fate Katie ends up finding much more than a story, she finds out things about herself she never knew existed and also a whole new appreciation for life.
This was an absolutely wonderfully written book and I was hooked from the first page as the storyline was quite unique in that it starts with no plan from the main character. It’s just a fun, quirky beginning that leads into an intriguing and inspirational novel that touched my heart. Any book that involves animals definitely draws my attention so this one also caught my eye and I am so glad that I picked it up to read. I would recommend this for any reader as it still has a little bit of excitement, a captivating storyline, amazing animals, and an incredible inspirational message.
Quill says: This is a book that will have you wanting to curl up on the couch and not leave until you reach the very last page.
Book Review - Fatal Reservations
Fatal Reservations: A Key West Food Critic Mystery
By: Lucy Burdette
Publisher: Obsidian
Publication Date: July 2015
ISBN: 978-0451474827
Reviewed by: Deb Fowler
Review Date: July 9, 2015
Publisher: Obsidian
Publication Date: July 2015
ISBN: 978-0451474827
Reviewed by: Deb Fowler
Review Date: July 9, 2015
Haley was going to do a review on Edwin Mastin’s floating restaurant, “For Goodness Sake.” The “Sake” was a take on the Japanese drink and she was hoping the meal would live up to her expectations. Aside from a bit of disgruntled huff about the lack of regulations from other restaurant owners, a.k.a. landlubbers, the only gossip in town was about the “cemetery burglar.” There had been a rash of burglaries near the Key West cemetery, something that threatened to put a damper on the upcoming Sunset Celebration. Money was money and no one wanted to turn off the tourists. Like never ever, never.
The tourists would come in droves for the Sunset Celebration, bringing their bathing suits, floaties, and moolah. All was well until one little floatie showed up in the water near Palm Avenue. “Is it true,” a man shouted at a city government meeting, “that the victim was Bart Frontgate?” Indeed it was and Miss Gloria thought she’d spotted the corpse earlier. Things were certainly heating up in Key West and it wasn’t the temperature. Oddly enough Lorenzo hadn’t seen it in the cards and was some nervous about the whole deal. In fact, Lorenzo hoofed it on out of town, heading west on the Vomit Comet.
Lorenzo, a.k.a. Marvin Smith, had been sharing space with Bart at Sunset...and fighting with him. It was getting more complicated by the second and Haley was determined to find out who really stabbed Bart with a fork and threw him in the water. Lieutenant Torrence more or less told her Lorenzo-Marvin was as guilty as they come and not to interfere with the investigation. Haley was fine with that. Not. Things quickly got even more complicated when she just happened to spot some blond hair in a crypt at the cemetery. “Move away right now,” Detective Bransford shouted at her. Who, me? Was that “possible four-one-nine” corpse going to land Haley in the slammer?
I’ve only read one other in the “Key West Food Critic Mystery” series, but had no problem picking up where I left off. I do recall adoring Lorenzo and was flummoxed to find out that he was in more trouble than that flambéed grouper that landed on someone’s plate. I was not surprised to find out that Haley was still on the job, defying the KWPD. I love her zest, pun intended, and totally enjoy this spicy, tangy series. The humorous touches, like when Bransford dismiss her “woo-woo hunches,” are marvelously charming. Haley Snow is one sleuth I definitely need to put back on my list again!
Quill says: Fatal Reservations is one Key West recipe for murder that’s even better than a slice of key lime pie with a dollop of cream on top.
Book Review - It's a Seashell Day
It’s a Seashell Day
By: Dianne Ochiltree
Illustrated by: Elliot Kreloff
Publisher: Blue Apple Books
Publication Date: July 2015
ISBN: 978-160905530-1
Reviewed by: Amy Lignor
Date: July 8, 2015
Illustrated by: Elliot Kreloff
Publisher: Blue Apple Books
Publication Date: July 2015
ISBN: 978-160905530-1
Reviewed by: Amy Lignor
Date: July 8, 2015
This new, beautifully illustrated book, is a true treasure that a whole lot of parents will be wanting (and can’t afford to miss). This is the wonderful story of a child and mommy who spend that quality time together on a warm beach, relaxing while taking a vacation from the hectic world, and gathering seashells. The child is all about discovery, wondering why each and every shell (like snowflakes) possess different qualities. They find out that certain, unique shells are the homes to tiny creatures, while others possess the power that when you place them to your ear, you can hear the mighty roar of the ocean echo from deep inside.
With each new page, the light grows brighter in the child’s eyes from the absolute fun to be had on this beautiful warm day by the ocean. Spending time with Mommy (and pet pup, of course), brand new things are learned and a pretty special family memory that they will one day pass on to their own child is had.
Not only is math offered up as an educational tool in this fun story, but the author has also given an education to readers regarding everything from a Scallop shell to a Conch shell, so your child can learn exciting things and imagine enjoying their own day on a sandy beach, gathering up their own special prizes, and having a wonderful family moment they will never forget.
Quill says: A charming story that warms both heart and soul. Add this one to your home library.
Saturday, July 4, 2015
Book Review - Sweet Cast Iron Creations
Sweet Cast Iron Creations: Dutch Oven Desserts
By: Doug Martin
Publisher: Hobble Creek Press
Publication Date: February 2015
ISBN: 978-1462114450
Reviewed by: Holly Connors
Review Date: July 5, 2015
Publisher: Hobble Creek Press
Publication Date: February 2015
ISBN: 978-1462114450
Reviewed by: Holly Connors
Review Date: July 5, 2015
Before delving into the delectable recipes in this book, the author smartly chose to give the reader an introduction on cast iron cooking. Martin first discusses the art of selecting the best cast iron for your needs. Size, vintage vs. new and indoor vs. outdoor are covered with pros and cons of each addressed. Next up is ‘Stripping, Seasoning, Cleaning, and Storage of Cast Iron’ followed by ‘Cast Iron Cooking Methods.’ I found these sections to be very interesting and even the most seasoned of cooks is likely to discover some tidbits in here to help bring out the best in cast iron meals.
The bulk of Sweet Cast Iron Creations, of course, is devoted to cooking sweets. The author has divided the book into six chapters: Pies; Cakes; Crisps, Cobblers, and Tarts; Cookies; Sweet Rolls and Dessert Breads; Frosting, Ganaches, and Compotes. I selected one recipe from each chapter to test and am quite pleased with my results. For my first recipe, I chose Snickerdoodles. The cookies came out of my cast iron chewy and very tasty – I’ve since made them two more times. Next up was the Cheesecake Brownie Pie (I did mention I have a serious sweet tooth, right?). Different recipe with the same tasty results. In fact, all of the treats I prepared came out quite delicious. In addition, because I don’t consider myself a cook, what I truly appreciated was that each recipe was short, simple, and very easy to follow. A bit of advice – if you want to be THE most popular person at your next outing, then before you pack up your tent and camping gear, be sure to get a copy of this book.
Quill says: Tasty treats with simple, easy to follow directions makes Sweet Cast Iron Creations a winner.
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