Succulent River Cuisine

Every now and then a book with a snazzy cover or title catches my eye! The library recently purchased The Paddling Chef: A Cookbook for Canoeists, Kayakers and Rafters, by Dian Weimer. Being a canoe and kayaker myself, I was intrigued when this book was cataloged and made available for checkout. The author was born and raised in Vancouver, and is a big fan of adventure kayaking, which she does all over Canada. Whether you are an experienced paddler, or strictly a beginner, you will love this book! In a friendly, non-nonsense manner, Weimer explains how to plan your menus, whether you are taking a two-day or a seven-day trip, and how to organize your food in dry bags (pack the frozen meat on the bottom and place the cheese on top of it so it will stay cool as the meat unfreezes) or in plastic tubs. She also gives great tips on how to pack your items so that your veggies receive the least amount of bruising and you don't have to empty your whole pack each time you make a meal. The best part of the book are the recipes included: from meat to pasta to vegetable and dairy recipes, the recipes range from easy to hard and include helpful advice about how many pans or pots you need to prepare the recipe. I especially enjoyed the dessert and saucy companions recipe sections. I agree with Weimer--the right sauce can cover up any mistakes made by overcooking your meat on a camp stove you can't regulate properly! Weimer also includes a section on drying food for longer trips and several anecdotes about disasters and successful meals she has prepared on her paddling trips. This is a great book for any paddling or camping enthusiast!

Unwrap a Christmas Story

Lakeshore Christmas by Susan Wiggs is part of the Lakeshore Chronicles. Prim librarian Maureen Davenport is finally getting her chance to direct Avalon’s annual holiday pageant, and she’s determined to make it truly spectacular. But it might just require one of those Christmas miracles she’s always reading about. Former child star Eddie Haven can’t stand Christmas, but a court order from a judge has landed him right in the middle of the merry-making as Maureen’s co-director. Maureen and Eddie spar over every detail of the pageant, from casting troubled kids to Eddie’s original and distinctly untraditional holiday music. Is he trying to sabotage the performance to spite her? Or is she trying too hard to fit the show into her storybook-perfect notion of Christmas? This was a pleasant Christmas story. I read this author when she wrote historical romances and enjoyed those. This is my first modern day story by her. I think I picked this one up because the heroine is a librarian. And one thing the blurb did not mention was the fact the town library was due to close due to lack of funding. The town rich person wants his nephew to star in the pageant and for that he would establish the necessary funding. All Maureen has to do is cast the nephew, whether he is perfect for the role or not. This part hit really close to home. With the recent economic downturn, I can see a community having to decide between police, fire, or the library. And it seems that there is often someone who wants to put on a display of power and call the shots. One of best parts of this book is the fact that the denoument occurs at a fundraiser at the New York Public Library!

Holiday Grind by Cleo Coyle continues the adventures of New York coffee shop owner Clair Cosi. She is looking forward to the holidays and seeing her daughter Joy, who is studying at a culinary school in Paris. She’s also hoping to spend sometime with her new boyfriend, Police Detective Mike Quinn. However as often happens in Clair’s life, her plans go awry, starting with finding the body of a friend who is a traveling Santa Claus. She soon becomes embroiled in the case vowing to find out why her friend was murdered and who did it. Joy calls and says she’s staying in Paris and Mike is assigned a cold case that promises to keep him busy the whole holiday. She decides to focus on the case and in the process is stalked and attacked. Then she hears Mike is seeing someone else. Will things ever be merry and bright? Just in the nick of time, Clair, with the usual suspects—her ex-husband, Matt; her ex-mother-in-law, Madame; and her ever faithful baristas--unravels not only the Santa Claus murder but opens doors to Mike’s cold case. With every book, this series gets better and better. I love the interplay between Clair and her daughter and the way her ex-husband keeps popping back on the scene. Her romance with Mike Quinn is developing, but the appearance of his ex-wife is a bit jarring, if true to life. Madame is still one of my favorite characters, even though she only has a minor part in this book.

The Christmas Dog by Melody Carlson is another pleasant Christmas read. After all—any story combining a dog and Christmas, well, enough said. Betty Kowalski isn’t looking forward to the holidays. She just can’t seem to find Christmas in her heart. Maybe it’s because her husband is gone. Maybe it’s because she’s missing her grown children. Or maybe it had something to do with her obnoxious new neighbor, who seems to be tearing his house apart and rearranging it on the lawn. But when a mangy dog appears at her doorstep, the stage is set for Betty to learn what Christmas is really all about. Melody Carlson is primarily a Christian writer and the cover photo of the scruffy dog looking through a window caught my fancy. While the characters are pretty standard and stereotypical, this is a short and enjoyable read if you are looking to de-stress from the holidays.

Mama Dearest

It was with great sadness that I learned that author E. Lynn Harris died suddenly several months ago, at the age of fifty-four. He has been one of my favorite authors for several years, as he has the ability to make his characters leap of the page. When you read Harris' books you start thinking, "Hey, that Yancy character acts exactly like my sister's best friend" or other similar thoughts. A ten-time New York Times bestselling author and a #1 national bestselling author, E. Lynn Harris wrote twelve novels before his untimely death this year. If you want to learn more information about E. Lynn Harris, visit his website at http://www.elynnharris.com/. E. Lynn Harris' last novel Mama Dearest, was published in October 2009 and stars one of his most memorable characters, Yancy Harrington Braxton and her scoundrel of a mother, Ava Middlebrooks. Set in New York, the book stars a wide cast of African American men and women, trying to make their way in the world. Yancy is a down-on-her-luck actress who has suffered some major rises and falls in her life and is trying to made amends and follow the right path in order to revive her acting career. Life is moving along for Yancy until her mother, Ava(recently released from prison), drops back into her life and starts wreaking havoc. Harris is known for having several plot lines that twist and turn around each other until they meet and join together at the end of the book. In this aspect, Mama Dearest will not disappoint any fan of Harris' books. This book is a fitting tribute to the full writing career of an author that will be missed.

How to Catch a Falling Star

(The following is another guest blog entry from library patron Ashley N. Please e-mail Jennifer at jensmith@warren.lib.ms.us if you'd like to become a guest blogger too!)

It’s a bird, no..it’s a plane; no…it’s a Star! Read Stardust by Neil Gaiman and join Tristan Thorn as he searches for his Star; a star he promised to his love, Victoria Forester. Tristan's city of Wall has everything a simple country boy could ever want, except adventure! There is a guard posted at the only opening in the wall that separates the city from the forest to the east. Tristan has served as tje guard several times; however, he has often wondered about the world beyond the wall. One night, while confessing his love for Victoria, a star falls from the sky beyond the wall. Victoria agrees to marry Tristan on the condition that he retrieves the star. Tristan figures out how to pass the guard and discovers the magical town of Faerie right before his eyes--though he has never seen the likes of this magical place, Tristan is determined to find his love’s fallen Star. What Tristan does not realize is that his father, Dunstan Thorn, had started a similar journey seventeen years prior to retrieve a gift for his love, Daisy Hempstock. When Tristan finds the Star, he quickly realizes that she will not easily become someone’s gift. Yvaine, the star, tells him how she was knocked out of the sky by something and how she is going to find herself a magic black traveling candle to get her back to her home in the sky. Tristan uses this quest to coax Yvaine into coming with him, with the promise that he will give her his remaining candle if she helps him win over Victoria, and she agrees. What the pair don't know is that there are several people searching for Yvaine, to use her for their own dark purposes. Three witches collectively known as the Lilim, are after her to regain their youth by eating her heart; the living sons of Lord of Stormhold are searching for her because they all want to be the next Lord, and since the current Lord is on his death bed, they try to kill each other while searching for Yvaine. This novel is full of suspense, mystery, and magic, and the characters are very colorful and well written. Stardust won the Alex Award in 2000, given by the American Library Association. In 2007, Stardust was made into a movie; starring: Claire Danes, Charlie Cox, Robert De Niro, Michelle Phillips, and narrated by Ian McKellan. This novel was Neil Gaiman’s first solo prose novel.

Vincent Calvino Strikes Again

Christopher G. Moore has written another hard-boiled mystery laced with humor in his latest book, Paying Back Jack. Fans of Elmore Leonard will love reading this series, starring Private Detective Vincent Calvino, that are set in Bangkok. Moore does a great job of making the reader feel as if they are in Bangkok, following Vincent as he barrels through the city, searching for clues to solve his cases. The books are a real blend of "East-West encounters" and are a wonderful way to discover the culture of Thailand. Paying Back Jack is a pulse-pounding tale of human trafficking, mercenaries, international conspiracies and revenge--these events are made more real because they are set against the lovely and sordid streets of Bangkok, where anything can be purchased for the right price. Vincent Calvino is a disbarred American lawyer, who helps a retired General with a non-paying tenant and gains more trouble than he thought when his solution to the problem plays on a powerful Thailand superstition. Calvino develops some dangerous enemies and must get out of town to avoid them. Paying Back Jack is a fast-paced book that is sure to gain Moore some new fans.

Gaiman's gods

(This blog entry was written by one of the library's patrons, Ashley N., who really enjoyed this book and wanted to share her opinion with you . Keep checking the blog for more entries by guest writers!)
American Gods is a novel about a man named Shadow, his unknown past, and his not so clear future. It’s filled with plenty of alliterations, flashbacks, and mystery. Written by Neil Gaiman, the book delves into the ancient world of mythology and the modern up-rise of technology. In the book, there is a war going on between the ancient gods and the progressive gods, as immigrants that came to America also brought forth their beliefs, cultures, and their gods. This book tells how these ancient gods came to be and how they’ve all but vanished in the modern world. These ancient gods are fading away because the people of America no longer believe, nor worship these gods. American people are more consumed with technology: computers, cell phone, and the internet. Meanwhile, Shadow is dealing with the loss of his wife and his best friend. His dead wife comes to visit him several times and Shadow tries to figure out the visions of his dreams. Mr. Wednesday, a very shady character, enters the book in order to offer a job to Shadow and together, they journey across America, visiting Wednesday’s “friends” and gathering support for his cause. This novel will take you into a world meshed between fantasy and fact. Which side will you take or will you be forgotten? Neil Gaiman is also the author of Stardust, Neverwhere, and the Sandman graphic novels. Check out his website at www.neilgaiman.com.

Shhh....it's a Grave Secret

I am a big fan of Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse "Southern Vampire Series." Even though that series (and the HBO series "True Blood" which is based on the books) has made Harris more popular, I am pleased to note that she is still writing new books in her "Harper Connelly series." The newest title is Grave Secrets, and the book traces the events of the lives of Harper Connelly and her stepbrother Tolliver. Harper and Tolliver are not related by blood-- Harper's mom and Tolliver's dad were married after Harper and Tolliver were born. Harper and Tolliver have a unique relationship, as they banded together to survive their horrible childhood with drug-addicted parents, struggling to attend school and work enough so that they could take care of their little sisters Gracie and Mariella. Harper was a normal girl, until she was struck by lightning--ever since then she has been able to "hear" the thoughts of dead people by standing on their graves and using her "extra sense" to learn their last thoughts before they died. This talent is especially helpful when it comes to finding murderers and other types of secrets. When Grave Secrets opens, Harper has been hired by a Texas rancher family to discover how the patriarch of the family died. The police were satisfied that it was an accident, but at least one of his children believes it could be foul play. When Harper puts her talents to work, she finds plenty of secrets in this Texas family, that eventually bleed into her own life and add to the mystery of her oldest sister's disappearance. I love the character development in this book! Harper and Tolliver are very "real" to me and I enjoy the "family developments" in the book, almost as much as the mystery. I have enjoyed watching Harper and Tolliver's relationship develop (you'll have to read the book to find out what happens) as well as the bits of their childhood experiences that Harris weaves into the story. This book is a great blend of suspense, action, romance and paranormal mystery that is a fast and easy read. Try it out this book, or one of the others in the series (Grave Secret, Grave Surpise, An Ice Cold Grave) and let us know if you like it!

Discover the writing of Glen Albert Ebisch

(This entry was written by Evangeline Cessna, who will soon be a regular contributor to this blog!)

What do the murders of three men in 1944 have to do with the murder of a farmer sixty years later? Perhaps nothing, but why the similarity to the earlier murders? This is exactly what Marcie Ducasse, assistant editor of Roaming New England magazine keeps asking herself. In the first two mysteries of this series, The Crying Girl and Grave Justice, editor Amanda Vickers leads and Marcie follows, however, author Glen Albert Edisch puts athletic, quick-witted Marcie front-and-center in his third mystery, Ghosts From the Past. Amanda is stuck in the office in Maine whle Marcie is "roaming" in Vermont looking for stories for the "Weird Happenings" section of the magazine. An elderly farmer has written to Marcie to tell her about the ghosts in his barn, as three men were hung there in 1944 during World War II, but back then no one could figure out how or why. When Marcie arrives at the farm, she immediately realizes that the elderly farmer, Sel Hayes, is a few bales shy of a load. Sel claims he has evidence to prove who killed the men sixty years ago, but he wants to be paid a great deal more than Marcie can offer. Back at her hotel, Marcie goes over her notes while preparing for dinner that she shares with a boyish freelance journalist named Kevin Murray. The next morning, Sel Hayes turns up dead and Marcie is questioned as she was the last person to see Sel alive. Marcie realizes that she and Kevin are working the same story, so they band together to investigate Sel's murder. By piecing together what happened sixty years ago, Marcie and Ken paint a picture of why Sel Hayes was killed, but the answer to who killed him eludes them until the very end. By putting the "ghosts from the past" to rest, they are able to figure out the present. I won't give away the ending, but I will say that this cozy little mystery is a fun and quick read. The characters are worth caring about and are multi-dimensional. Although it is not necessary to read the first two books in the series to understand the action, it would be worthwhile to do so. I sincerely hope the Ebisch continues this series and gives us more views into the lives of Amanda Vickers and Marcie Ducasse.

Get Seduced by Some Animal Magnetism

Many of you may be familiar with Rita Mae Brown's works. She writes several series and has written many stand-alone novels and non-fiction novels about the art of writing. The first is a popular cozy mystery series that she co-writes with her cat, Sneaky Pie Brown, starring Mary Minor Harristeen, Postmistress of Crozet, VA, and the second is a series starring octogenarian Sister Arnold, a Master of Foxhounds in her 70's. Several of the stand-alone novels hilariously describe the lives of two sisters who live in a town that straddles the Mason-Dixon line, and one is a historical fiction story about the life of Dolly Madison. Rita Mae Brown's most recent book is a biography discussing her relationship with the animals that have influenced or are currently in her life. The book, Animal Magnetism is a well-written treatise on why animals are special to Rita Mae Brown and allows the reader to get into the mind of the author. I appreciate the fact that Ms. Brown does not apologize for how she feels animals should be treated and enjoyed discovering that there is much more of Ms. Brown in her fiction books than I had previously thought. If you are an animal lover, or want to discover a little more about Rita Mae Brown, then this book is one that you will truly treasure! It made me proud to be "Southern" and hug my dogs after I finished reading it.

Read a Charming Christian Fiction Book

The Carousel Painter is novel of romantic suspense set against a historical background, and was written by Judith Miller, one of the top Christian writers in America today. When Carrie Brouwer received the enviable job of painting carousel horses for a factory in Ohio, she believed her future was secure. But after an expensive necklace disappears from the home where she’s been staying, she’s caught up in a search for the truth that puts her entire livelihood—and her developing relationship with the factory manager—at risk. Can she lead police to the real culprit before she loses everything? The setting of this story is wonderfully crafted and the reader will be caught up in Carrie's search for the truth, as she works to uncover the mystery behind the stolen necklace. An excellent, cozy read for a nice, crisp, October night!

Explore a Collection of Autumn Stories

Upland Autumn: Birds, Dogs, and Shotgun Shells by William G. Tapply is a collection of twenty stories. William Tapply is a devoted and passionate grouse hunter who takes his 20-gauge Parker, his gundog, and a friend or two and roams the hills and valleys of New England every autumn, seeking an elusive bird not much larger than your hand. In these stories, he takes us along as he explores new coverts, tromps though old ones, makes great shots and memorable misses, and reminisces with old friends about hunting in the good old days. Reading through these pages, you’ll meet Tapply’s father who took young Bill along on hunts and taught him not only how to shoot, but also how to appreciate the woods, the waters, and an elusive little bird that has such a devoted following. You’ll also meet Bill’s father’s friends; men who helped establish the traditions associated with upland bird hunting. And of course you’ll get to hunt with Tapply’s dogs, including Burt his most recent Brittany.
Tapply’s knack for evoking the subtle, telling details of people, places, and things will hit home with every reader. If you yearn for crisp autumn days, blazing foliage, the tinkle of dog bells in thick cover, and the explosive whir as a grouse blasts into the air; if the smell of wood smoke, apple orchards, and gunpowder stirs something in your soul; then this book is for you.

Mad for the Mouse

Do you “Whistle while you work?” Do you find that when you wish upon a star your dreams come true? Or perhaps you are hoping that someday your prince will come. Do you long to be covered in pixie dust? If you have said yes to all of these, then chances are you are a Mousejunkie.
What is a Mousejunkie? This is a person totally immersed in the magic of Disney; a person who makes yearly (or more) treks to Disneyworld or Disneyland. We have a new book that is the best I have read on the Disney experience. It’s called appropriately enough Mousejunkies: Tips, Tales, and Tricks for a Disneyworld Fix by Bill Burke. While other guide books (i.e. Fodor’s and Mobile Travel Guides) give general information, this is the first book I have found that keeps it real. For example, Fodor’s and Mobile will say the temperature will be in the 90 degree range so wear light, loose clothing. Mousejunkies tells you that in August you will melt. They explain pros and cons of staying on property versus off, fastpasses, the various dining plans, and much more. In fact in just about a week I’ll be headed to see Mickey myself, so if you have time before then, stop by to wish me a supercalifragilisticexpalidocious time!

Yummy Treats with Bobby Flay

I was watching the Food Network yesterday during lunch and spent a nice half-hour drooling over Bobby Flay making homemade lamb chili with a red pepper relish, a cumin creme fraiche, guacamole and fry bread. It looked so delicious! When I returned to work, I was inspired to explore some other recipes in cookbooks written by Bobby Flay. One cookbook that caught my eye was Bobby Flay's Burgers, Fries and Shakes. The book discusses all sorts of relishes and condiments to elevate the "classic burger flavored with salt and pepper" to the status of a gourmet meal. After you've mastered the burger, you can experiment with making the best French fries, whether they are grilled, fried, or oven roasted, or made from potatoes, sweet potatoes or plantains. You can then top off your meal with a scrumptious, creamy shake! The recipes in this book are easy to follow and have beautiful colored photograph illustrations. I love Bobby Flay's relaxed manner and way of teaching--this cookbook is perfect for any level of cook. If you aren't fond of burgers, the library also has several other Bobby Flay cookbooks you could try! Bobby Flay is the chef-owner of three Mesa Grill restaurants (in New York City, Caesar's Palace Las Vegas, and the Bahamas), Bar Americain, Bobby Flay Steak and Bobby's Burger Palace. You can discover more information about Bobby Flay by checking out his website at http://www.bobbyflay.com/.

Take a Hawaiian Vacation

Corson Hirschfeld's Aloha, Mr. Lucky is a humorous, irreverent look at life in Hawaii. The book's lead character is Star Hollie, a down-on-his-luck surfer and journalist trying to find some quick cash to pay off his debt to the infamous loan shark Mako. Star decides to run a personals ad to gather research for an article that he's writing about married women looking for extramarital fun. Star's daily interviews with beautiful and lonely women produce some unanticipated results, especially when he falls for one of the women and she ends up dead on the beach. Caddy MacConnell, the dead woman's geologist sister soon seeks Star out, to enlist his help in finding his sister's killer. Star and Caddy work together to find the killer, unraveling a bizarre conspiracy involving an ex-military sadist, two dim-witted Appalachian twins, and an unscrupulous financial backer who dreams of turning a rumbly volcano into the ultimate golf resort. Star Hollis' character is deeply flawed, which makes him a very appealing hero. He's charming, but recognizes his faults and doesn't believe he should fix them. The setting of the story beautifully describes the tropical lushness of Hawaii and the plot is fast-paced and entertaining. If you like reading Elmore Leonard or Carl Hiaasen, you will love reading this book!

New Cookbooks for Diabetics

As more people in the United States, and our community, are diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, more books are published to help these folks win the fight over this disease. The library recently received two new book donations to help with meal planning for diabetics. The first title, Diabetes Meal Planning Made Easy gives lots of tips on how to enjoy food while managing your diabetes. Author Hope S. Warshaw, a nationaly recognized expert on healthly eating and diabetes, acknowledges that meal planning can be one of the hardest parts of managing diabetes. This is a new edition of her best-selling guide, and it is divided into three sections: 1) basic nutrition and healthy eating goals for pre-diabetics and diabetics; 2) an explanation of each major food groups with tips and strategies on how to fit the food groups into your diet; and 3) how to put your healthy eating plan into action. The book is easy to read and would be a helpful guide for someone newly-diagnosed with diabetes or needing a "refresher course" on how to keep their blood glucose levels on target. I especially enjoyed the section on how to read food labels! So, once you've figured out how to eat when you are a diabetic, exactly what do you eat? Nancy S. Hughes' The 4-Ingredient Diabetes Cookbook gives lots of simple, quick and delicious recipes using just four ingredients or less! The book opens with some handy tips about kitchen tools and preparation basics. There are recipes for each food course, from beverages to snacks, vegetarian dishes, seafood, vegetables and fruit sides and desserts. The book has a big typeface and includes "Cook's Tips" on each recipe. The book also includes the Exchanges and nutrition information for each recipe and both books have been endorsed by the American Diabetes Association.

Learn to Love Dexter Morgan

Dexter by Design is the newest book by Jeff Lindsay, and is the fourth in the series starring Dexter Morgan. The books inspired the hit Showtime series, "Dexter," and this book is another entry in this intriguing series. Dexter Morgan is a character that you love and hate equally- by day, he's a blood splatter expert for the Miami Police Department, and by night he's a serial killer who only kills people that he can prove are bad through extensive research. This book was a revelation to me, as it's the only time I have ever felt sympathetic towards a killer. Dexter is cold and methodical, but has learned how to interact successfully in the world. To make things more complicated, his sister Deborah is a detective on the same force and is always doing research of her own. The story is interesting and its fascinating to see how Dexter stays one step ahead of everyone. If you want to discover a different take on serial killers, try reading this book. Don't feel bad if you sympathize with Dexter--it's allowed :)

Get Thrilled with Chelsea Cain

Chelsea Cain is one of the best thriller writers I have ever read. Her first novel, Heartsick, was so intense that it made me want to sleep with the lights on for a couple of days! Cain's novels feature Portland Detective Archie Sheridan and serial killer Gretchen Lowell. Heartsick details Gretchen's capture and torture of Archie, a bizarre sort of pyschological and emotional relationship that has become its own sort of twisted love affair for Archie. The second novel, Sweetheart, furthers Gretchen's story, and the newest novel, Evil at Heart continues to develop the saga of Gretchen Lowell's life as the "beauty killer." The unique aspect of these stories is that the interaction between Gretchen and Archie is a side story to the book's main action. These three books are the ultimate story of cat and mouse. If you like pulse-pounding action, a serial killer with a bizarre motivation and a detective unable to stop his fascination with a killer, try reading these books.

Jump Into a "Hot Homicide!"

We are currently on the cusp of Autumn, breathlessly waiting for a nip of cold air and the excitement of watching the seasons change. What better way to celebrate the appearance of Fall than with a great mystery about a frozen wilderness or a tropical paradise! The Mystery Book Club met at 6:00 pm. on Monday, September 28 to discuss "Cold Crimes" and "Hot Homicides." In honor of this book club meeting, the blog this week will discuss a mystery set in Alaska and a mystery set in Hawaii. One of the first Alaskan mysteries I read was Dana Stabenow's Cold Day for Murder. The book stars Kate Shugak, who has recently returned to her "roots" in Northern Alaska after leaving her job in the Anchorage District Attorney's Office. When a Ranger disappears, it is up to her to discover the clues of his disappearance, amongst the hard-working men of the Aleutian pipeliners. This book has a great, strong heroine, who easily moves among the male-dominated pipeline world with a "take-no-prisoners" attitude. She has similar traits to Nevada Barr's Anna Pigeon, and is just as an enjoyable character as Anna. The setting in Northern Alaska, and it figures prominently in the story. You are bound to love this great story filled with wildlife and folk tales about Alaska.

The Devil's Punchbowl

Greg Iles' latest book, The Devil's Punchbowl is another rollicking ride set in Natchez. Iles re-visits beloved characters Penn Cage, his daughter Annie and the rest of his family, as well as his ex-girlfriend, Caitlin Masters. Penn is fulfilling his duties as Mayor of Natchez, when one of his high school buddies, Tim Jessup, pays him a surprise visit. Tim works on the casino boat, the Magnolia Queen, and while working there discovers a few unsavory things about his employers, two men from Northern Ireland, and asks for Penn's help in bringing them to justice. The book's action is fast-paced, and once the story is set up, it flies by. This book is another example of great writing by Greg Iles. Fans of Natchez, and Mississippi politics, will get a big kick out of reading about the inner workings of the city of Natchez, its customs and cultural activities. Included is a wonderful description of the annual hot-air balloon festival which I'm sure will encourage several readers to plan a visit! There are a few graphic descriptions of dog fighting in this book, so reader be forewarned. If you like action-packed books filled with drama, good family stories and descriptions of Mississippi, you'll really enjoy this book!

Visit New Orleans for a Haunting Mystery

Mary Ann Evans' newest book, Floodgates, is set in the beautiful city of New Orleans. Faye Lonchamp, the heroine of the story is an archaeologist who, along with her team, are fighting to save New Orleans' past. Centuries of tragedy surround New Orleans, from the Civil War to slavery and hurricane Katrina. Faye and her team are horrified when they discover a corpse that is "too newly dead" to be an archaeological find. The police assume the body is just another victim of Katrina, until Faye convinces them that the debris piled on top of the woman is wrong for a flood victim, and that someone brought Shelly Broussard to a flooded house and left her body behind. A smart New Orleans Detective is convinced that Faye Longchamp and her assistant, Joe Wolf Mantooth, are crucial components of the case, and can use their expertise to assist them in finding the killer. One big question arises from the police's investigation: Was Shelly's heroic rescue work after Katrina the reason why she was murdered? This book is the fourth archaeological mystery written by Mary Anna Evans. Ms. Evans is a mother of three, an avid amateur musician and can be reached at http://www.maryannaevans.com/.

Have a Laugh

I picked up Laugh Track by David Galef recently, because I noticed that my library had placed a "Mississippi Author" sticker on its spine. David Galef is an Associate Professor of English at the University of Mississippi who has published two novels (Flesh and Turning Japanese) as well as many short stories and essays and reviews that have appeared in the New York Times and Twentieth Century Literature. He has also written eight other books, including Japanese translations, literary criticism and children's stories. Laugh Track is a collection of fifteen stories that are an eclectic mix of styles and explore fifteen different worlds. Some of the stories are based in the United States, while others are set in Mexico or the not-too-distant future. According to the book flap, all of the stories "flirt with the veil of fantasy and yet in the end reveal vulnerable sides of humanity." Each character in the fifteen stories does share one common trait; they are all looking for the one thing in their lives that will solve all of their problems. However, what each person wishes for may end up not being the solution that they need. This story collection is a great exploration of complex characters and is an enjoyable read.

A Cat’s a Cat and That’s That

Homer’s Odyssey by Gwen Cooper is the story of a fearless feline. The last thing Gwen wanted was another cat, because she already had two, not to mention a phenomenally underpaying job and a recently broken heart. Then Gwen’s vet called with a story about a three-week-old eyeless kitten (he lost his eyes due to an infection) who’d been abandoned. It was love at first sight. Everyone warned her that Homer would always be an "underachiever,” never as playful or as independent as the other cats. But the kitten nobody believed in quickly grew into a three-pound dynamo, a tiny daredevil with a giant heart who eagerly made friends with every human who crossed his path. Homer scaled seven-foot bookcases with ease and leapt five feet into the air to catch flies in mid-buzz. He survived being trapped alone for days after 9/11 in an apartment near the World Trade Center, and even saved Gwen’s life when he chased off an intruder who broke into their home in the middle of the night.

But, it was Homer’ unswerving loyalty, his infinite capacity for love and his joy in the face of all obstacles that inspired Gwen daily and transformed her life. And by the time she met the man she would marry, she realized that Homer had taught her the most important lesson of all: Love isn’t something you see with your eyes. This book is a wonderful read for cat lovers, and is an inspirational story that many readers will appreciate.

Get Obsessed or have an Everest Adventure!

The library recently added two wonderful dramas to its DVD collection: Obsessed and Everest. Obsessed stars Beyonce' Knowles, Ali Larter and Idris Elba. When successful financial advisor Derek Charles (Idris Elba) moves into a new neighborhood with his loving wife Sharon (Beyonce' Knowles) and their young son Kyle, Derek believes he has the perfect life. Then, a new temporary employee, Lisa (Ali Larter) joins the firm and sets her sights on Derek. After several misunderstood encounters, Lisa's behavior begins to spiral out of control and it is up to Derek and Sharon to take charge of the situation and Lisa's outrageous behavior.

Everest is the chilling motion picture adventure based on a group of climbers' 1982 trip to Mt. Everest. When an unexpected solo mountain climb ends in catastrophe for John Laughlin (played by Jason Priestley), his fellow climber friends decide to follow his dream and conquer the world's tallest peak. The film examines their daily struggles to reach the summit, including the drama of accidents and rescues, the tragedies of death, and the challenges of dealing with the elements. The scenery in the film is beautiful and the events are harrowing. Both of these films are action packed thrillers that will leave you breathless.

Humor in the Movies

I've spent some time recently watching movies, and watched two really funny ones that I wanted to share with you. The first one is 17 Again, starring Zac Efron (the really cute guy that stars in the "High School Musical" series) and Matthew Perry (from the "Friends" television show). The basis of the story is that Mike O'Donnell (Matthew Perry) is getting a divorce, because he's bitter and angry and has blamed his wife for his really unlucky life that he's had for the past eighteen years. The reason why O'Donnell has had such a bad life is that on the day that he, a huge basketball star, had a scout visit him during the game of his life, his girlfriend revealed a huge secret and he "gave up" his chance to be a college athlete in order to help her out. O'Donnell is musing on his past when he receives a chance to be "17 again" and he goes back to High School to try and change the outcome of his life. Zac Efron plays the 17-year-old Mike O'Donnell and Matthew Perry plays the 35-year-old Mike O'Donnell--both men are great actors and there are many humorous scenes. If you've ever wanted to go back to high school and re-live your stellar moments, this is the perfect movie for you! The movie is rated PG-13, and it would be a good movie to share with your kids.

Another humorous movie I've watched lately is Applause for Miss E, a stage play filmed live and produced on DVD. The play stars Vanessa Bell Calloway, Jazsmin Lewis, Gina Torres and Roger Guenveur Smith, in a funny but poignant family drama. Miss E (played by Calloway) walked away from a promising career as a comedienne to save her marriage and raise her daughter. Years later, Miss E has another chance to fulfill her dreams but she has to first rely on her sleazy ex-manager (Roger Smith) who's sudden appearance leads to the hysterical revelation of some long-held family secrets. Miss E's interactions with her friends are funny and the filming is superb. The play was filmed with a live audience in attendance, so the watcher is treated to a fine "laugh track" while watching the DVD. There is some strong language in the film, and it is not rated, so mature audiences might enjoy this film more than kids would.

Join Us on an Iron Hunt

Iron Hunt by Margaret Liu is one of the best supernatural stories I have read in a long time. The basis of the story is that Maxine Kiss, by day, is a fearless woman covered neck to toe in tattoos. At night, however, the tattoos peel off and become her loyal protectors. The five tattoos Maxine carries on her body are demons and her friends as well as an extinction of herself--they make her impossible to kill during the day and become her shadowy guardians at night. Each demon has a distinct personality, and they have been Maxine's friends (and her mother and grandmother's friends) for many years. Maxine hunts demons, and is known as the "Hunter" --in a world of zombies and other supernatural beings, she is kept very busy! The story is set in Seattle and the writing is beautiful. Maxine is a strong, flawed character and the reader grows to love her tough exterior covering up her vulnerable insides. In this story, Maxine is trying to corral the demons that have escaped the prison veil that exists in the dimension between Earth and other worlds, as well as figure out some crucial details about her past. If you enjoy reading Iron Hunt, try also reading Witchling by Yasmine Galenorn, another supernatural suspense story.

Experience a Panic Attack!

Jason Starr's Panic Attack is a taut, psychological thriller that will leave you breathless from the minute you open the first page. The story centers around Dr. Adam Bloom, who is living the perfect life in a beautiful home with his wife and their twenty-two year old daughter, Marissa, a recent college graduate. Dr. Bloom's life is wonderful until one night when his daughter wakes him up with the announcement that "someone is downstairs." Dr. Bloom heroically kills one of the unarmed thieves, but the other one escapes--this begins a harrowing ordeal as Dr. Bloom and his family face the daily fear that the other thief knows where they live, is lurking around every corner, and wants to seek revenge for the death of his friend. The fear of not knowing when the thief might re-appear creates a rocky relationship between Adam and Dana, his wife, and when Marissa meets a suspiciously-acting artist named Xan, Dr. Bloom begins to suspect that his life is about to get much worse. This is a wonderfully written, action-packed story that tempts you to read it all in one sitting. If you like this story, try also reading 24 Hours by Greg Iles--it too is an "edge-of-your-seat" thriller full of non-stop action.

Having Bad Thoughts?

If you are having Bad Thoughts, don't despair--Dave Zeltserman is here to help them survive! Bad Thoughts is Zeltserman's newest book and it is a real page turner. The premise of the mystery is this: Detective Bill Shannon works in Cambridge and has recurring blackouts, usually once a year around the anniversary date of a horrific psychological event. He has been trying desperately for years to manage the blackouts, but nothing seems to work, including drowning the darkness with alchohol. The real clencher is that when he was thirteen, he came home to discover his mother being assaulted and the criminal waiting for him. Shannon suffered unspeakable torture at the hands of this person, and his mother ended up being murdered. Now, Shannon must continue to heal himself, pick up the pieces of his marriage, and find the source of his blackouts as he tries to solve the case of a serial killer who is assaulting victims in a weirdly similar manner to the way Shannon's mother was assaulted. As the evidence grows, suspicion begins to point towards Shannon's involvement in the murders, and soon Shannon's partner, wife, fellow police officers and his therapist begin to believe that Shannon's blackouts have something to do with the crimes. If you want to know true evil, try reading this book--I suggest you do not read it alone!!! This fast-moving thriller is chock full of twists, and is a mix between a mystery and a horror story. It is gritty and gory but a real treat for readers who love their mysteries taut and with a taste of the occult.

Take a Sip from a Strange Brew

Strange Brew is a collection of tales of powerful witches and dark magic, from nine contemporary urban fantasy authors: Patricia Briggs, Jim Butcher, Rachel Caine, Karen Chance, P. N. Elrod, Charlaine Harris, Faith Hunter, Catilin Kittredge and Jenna Maclaine. If you like tales of revenge and magic, witches, vampires, werewolves and wizards, then this collection of stories is the perfect book for you. Edited by P. N. Elrod, each story is approximately 40 pages long and can be read quickly. If you do not currently read some of the above authors, this book is the perfect way to explore a "taste" of their writing, and perhaps be encouraged to read other stories they have written. Sit a spell, open this book and lose yourself in a different reality!

Chilly Reads for a Hot Night

With the weather hot and humid it’s the perfect time to read something that gives you the chills. Here are just a few of the new books that have come in recently.

“The Memory Collector” by Meg Gardiner takes us to the San Francisco of Jo Beckett. Her specialty is psychological autopsy—an investigation into a person’s life to determine whether a death was natural, accidental, suicide, or homicide. She has dubbed herself a deadshrinker instead of a headshrinker. The silence is a key part of the job’s attraction. Her next case is that of an airline passenger that is behaving erratically and she figures out he has anteretrograde amnesia and can’t form new memories. Jo finds herself racing to save a patient who can walk and talk yet can’t help her figure out just what happened to him. For every cryptic clue he is able to drag up from his memory, Jo has to sift through a dozen nonsensical statements. Suddenly a string of clues arises—something to do with a superdeadly biological agent codenamed “Slick,” missing people and a secret partnership gone horribly wrong. Jo realizes her patient’s addled mind may hold the key to prevent something from happening in her beloved San Francisco. In order to prevent it she will have to get deeper into the life of a patient than she ever has before, hoping the truth emerges from the fog of his mind in time to save her city and herself.

“Skeleton Justice” by Dr. Michael Baden & Linda K. Baden is set in New York City and features Dr. Jake Rosen and Manny Manfreda. A bizarre serial killer has emerged. He stalks his victims for the purpose of extracting a vial of blood, earning him the tabloid nickname the Vampire. As the attacks become more and more vicious and escalate to torture and then to murder, Jake and Manny begin t suspect there is a connection between the killer’s seemingly random victims. But what is the link between the Vampire and a case that Manny’s been working for a kid whose high school prank-gone-wrong has earned him the moniker the Preppy Terrorist and an FBI electronic bracelet? Jake’s careful forensic examinations, Manny’s courtroom tenaciousness, and an unusual clue suggesting that a high-ranking politician has risen from the grave take the pair from the bowels of the morgue to the worlds of international intrigue.

“Dismantled” by Jennifer McMahon introduces us to Henry, Tess, Winnie, and Suz, who banded together in college to form a group called the Compassionate Dismantlers. Following the first rule of their manifesto—“To understand the nature of a thing it must be taken apart”—these daring misfits spend the summer after graduation in a remote cabin the Vermont woods committing acts of meaningful vandalism and plotting elaborate, often dangerous, pranks. But everything changes when one particularly twisted experiment ends in Suz’s death and the others decide to cover it up. Nearly a decade later, Henry and Tess are living just an hour’s drive from the old cabin. Each is desperate to move on from the summer of the Dismantlers but their guilt isn’t ready to let them go. When a victim of their past pranks commits suicide—apparently triggered by a mysterious Dismantler-style postcard—it sets off a chain of eerie events that threatens to engulf Henry, Tess, and their inquisitive nine-year-old daughter, Emma. Is there someone who wants to reveal their secrets? Is it possible that Suz did not really die—or has she somehow found a way back to seek revenge?

“Roadside Crosses” by Jeffrey Deaver is the third in the High-Tech Thriller Trilogy. The Monterey Peninsula is rocked when a killer begins to leave roadside crosses beside local highways—not in memoriam, but as announcements of his intention to kill, and to kill in particularly horrific and efficient ways: using the personal details about the victims that they’ve carelessly posted in blogs and on social networking websites. The case lands on the desk of Kathryn Dance, the California Bureau of Investigation’s foremost kinesics expert. She and Deputy Michael O’Neil follow the leads to Travis Brigham, a troubled teenager whose role in a fatal car accident has inspired vicious attacks against him on a popular blog, The Chilton Report. As the investigation progresses, Travis vanishes. Using techniques he learned as a brilliant participant in MMORPGs, he easily eludes his pursuers and continues to track his victims, some of whom Kathryn is able to save, some not. Among the obstacles Kathryn must hurdle are politicians, paranoid parents, and the blogger himself, James Chilton, whose belief in the importance of blogging and the new media threatens to derail the case and potentially Dance’s career. It is this threat that causes Dance to take desperate and risky measures.

"The Neighbor” by Lisa Gardner opens when a young, pretty mother disappears without a trace from her South Boston home, leaving behind her four-year-old daughter as the only witness and her handsome, secretive husband as her prime suspect. But from the moment Detective Sergeant D.D. Warren arrives at the Joneses’ snug little bungalow, she senses something off about the picture of wholesome normality the couple worked so hard to create. On the surface, Jason and Sandra Jones were like any other hardworking young couple raising a child. But just under the surface things grew murkier. With the clock ticking on the life of a missing woman and the media firestorm building, Jason Jones seems more intent on destroying evidence and isolating his daughter than searching for his “beloved” wife. Is the perfect husband trying to hide his guilt—or just trying to hide? And will the only witness to the crime be the killer’s next victim?

Visit the Tunnels

Michelle Gagnon's debut mystery novel, The Tunnels, is an edge-of-your-seat story of suspense and intrigue. The setting of the story is an old, abandoned tunnel system lying beneath a prestigious New England college, that becomes the gruesome stalking grounds of a serial killer. When the bodies of two female students are found mutilated and oddly positioned in the tunnel labyrinth, in a darkly ritual manner, FBI Special Agent Kelly Jones is called in to help. Jones has tracked serial killers for ten years, but the killings that have occured at her alma mater have left her feeling unhinged. All of the victims have at least one glaring thing in common--they are all the daughters of powerful men. Special Agent Jones follows the killer as he spirals further down his dark path. Soon, Kelly realizes that the killer is taunting her and that in order to track him down, she must commit to going down a path she is not sure she'll return from. Kelly Jones is a great heroine--tough, committed and likable, and her attitude helps move along the action of the book. This thriller is definitely a story that you will have a hard time putting down!

Women's Fiction

Waiting for Daybreak by Kathryn Cushman

This was my first time to read a book by this author. I was captured from the very beginning. The setting takes place at a small town pharmacy.Clarissa Richardson is pharmacist at her grandfather’s pharmacy. She aims to please her grandfather so that he’ll allow her to open her own pharmacy in a building that her deceased grandmother worked in. Clarissa’s grandfather meets Paige Woodward and is impressed with her compassion for people and her customer service. He hires Paige to work for Clarissa at his pharmacy without asking Clarissa’s permission. Paige accepts his offer because this will allow her to move back home with her parents and help with the cost of her mother’s experimental cancer treatment. A battle of wills takes place because Clarissa doesn’t agree with her grandfather’s decision to hire Paige. Clarissa hires a private investigator and schemes against Paige. Paige realizes what Clarissa is doing but is determined to stand her ground because of her need to support her family. There are some very dramatic scenes and you’ll not be disappointed with the outcome of this novel. Check out the author’s website at http://www.kathryncushman.com/

Take a Vanilla Ride

Vanilla Ride is the new novel by Joe R. Lansdale, starring Hap Collins and Leonard Pine, best friends who are also trouble makers and guys with the best intentions. In this book, they once again stumble into a bad situation, this time with several members of the Dixie Mafia. Hap Collins is from East Texas and Leonard Collins is a gay, black, veteran who's heart is pining for his lost love. An old friend asks Leonard to rescue his daughter from an abusive drug dealer and he agrees, and invites Hap along to help him. The drug dealer is a member of the Dixie Mafia, and even though he is on the bottom rung of the organization's ladder, when Hap and Leonard rough him up, the mafia feels obligated to give back some revenge of their own. Hap and Leonard narrowly escape, but end up on the radar of Vanilla Ride, the legendary hit man who's goal is to eliminate them as a threat. Set in Texas, this page-turning, filled with humor novel will carry readers along for the ride throughout all of the pages of the book. The first novel in the Hap and Leonard series is Savage Season; this book gives great background on how Hap and Leonard became friends.

Find Yourself Neverwhere

Nail Gaiman is one of the most interesting and talented writers in the world of fantasy! A friend of mine insisted I read Neverwhere this past week, and I really enjoyed every moment of the book. The book is centered around the life of Richard Mayhew, who moves from Scotland to London for a new job, and is leading a perfectly average life until Lady Door comes crashing, literally, into his path. Rescuing Door from the people who are chasing her leads Richard into the dark, mysterious Underside world of London, where he encounters many strange and wondrous creatures and humans. Gaiman weaves a beautiful story, intermingled with wonderful descriptions of the encounters Richard makes. Richard ends up helping Door on her quest to discover and avenge the folks who killed her family, and along the way they gather a ragtag group of friends who are on their own quests. The book is magical and complex and intense, and I believe that once you start it, you won't be able to quit until you finish it! Neil Gaiman was born in Portchester, England, but now lives in Minnesota. Check out Neil Gaiman's website at http://www.neilgaiman.com/

Have a Date with a Demon Mistress

Yasmine Galenorn's latest book, Demon Mistress is the sixth novel in the series starring the D'Artigo sisters, three half-Fae/half-human women who work for the Otherworld Intelligence Agency and are stationed on Earth. Camille D'Artigo is a witch, Delilah is a changeling (she transforms into a cat) and Menolly is a vampire. Demon Mistress focuses on Menolly mainly, and is told from her point of view, although the reader does receive information about the lives of the other two sisters and all of the D'Artigo's assorted fae, demon and human friends. I am not a big fan of fantasy novels, but this series has hooked me from the beginning! The sisters take part in an on-going battle with demons from Otherworld, who keep coming Earthside through portals that have been opened between both worlds. The battles are ferocious and the day-to-day lives of the sisters are enjoyable, as is the interactions between the three of them. There are some detailed descriptions of intimate encounters, in this book, but they add to the book's appeal. This is another great entry in this series and I look forward to many more! Be sure to check out her web site at http://www.galenorn.com/

Introducing Leonid McGill...

All readers who are fans of Walter Mosley should take note--he has created a new character for you to admire and respect! The Long Fall stars Leonid McGill, an African American "old-school" Private Investigator, who is an an ex-boxer and a drinker, and is trying to use the techniques he learned in the past to solve a mystery in 21st centry Manhattan. Never a person to shy away from taking a not-so-legitimate job to make a quick buck and keep a roof over the head of his wife and kids, Leonid decides to turn over a new leaf and "go from crooked to slightly bent." This attitude is what makes Leonid McGill so charming! McGill is adept at sliding through the seamy side of New York City--the old-time mobsters, hidden folks who play city politics like a puppet show, hit men masquerading as taxi drivers and computer tech's who enjoy tapping into everyone's information and stealing identities. McGill's trouble begins when he innocently calls in a favor in order to receive some seemingly harmless information for a client and learns that "playing by the rules" is going to be pretty hard for him in this world. The tight plot of this story makes it an interesting read, and it's perfect for fans of Robert Parker. Walter Mosley was born in Los Angeles, but lives in in New York City, so the description of the novel's setting is wonderful. For more information on Walter Mosley, check out his web site at http://www.waltermosley.com/!

Relationships

Love is a Verb by Gary Chapman
The author shares forty true stories from everyday people that chose to show love in action. There are times in each of our lives when we choose to show love even when the feeling is not there. Showing love is not always easy but it’s something we all need to do. I enjoyed reading each of these personal accounts and found inspiration from them. Read these stories to find out what happens when love comes alive.

Gary Chapman is also the author of the bestselling book, The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate. In this book he identifies the five basic languages of love; quality time, words of affirmation, gifts, acts of service and physical touch. He helps couples to better understand their unique love language. This book will also help identify the unique love languages of your children and other special people in your lives.

Know the Rules Against Murder

During the height of summer, Armand and Reine-Marie Gamache are celebrating their wedding anniversary at Manoir Bellechasse, a luxurious, isolated inn near the village of Three Pines, in Canada. When a terrible storm leaves behind a dead body, it is the job of Chief Inspector Gamache to unearth the secrets of the murder. A Rule Against Murder by Louise Penny is a beautifully written cozy that describes the landscape of Canada, and the intricacies of the luxurious inn. The mystery contrasts nicely with the peaceful nature setting of the woods around Three Pines, and Inspector Gamache is your classic inspector/detective. Louise Penny was an award-winning journalist with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation before she left to write crime fiction. Her first Three Pines mystery, Still Life, won the Anthony and Barry Awards and the Dilys Award and her second book in the series, A Fatal Grace won the 2007 Agatha Award for Best Novel. Louise Penny currently lives in a small village south of Montreal with her husband, Michael, and two golden retrievers. Visit her site at http://www.louisepenny.com/.

The Lost Witness

Robert Ellis' The Lost Witness is a gripping, spooky crime novel. The book is a thriller set in Los Angeles that blends the suspense style of Michael Crichton with the pulse-pounding psychological suspense of Dean Koontz. Los Angeles Police Detective Lena Gamble is a cop held in disgrace by her superiors as a result of the way her case "ended up" in her first book, City of Fire. Her colleagues hail her as a hero because she captured the killer, but she has been punished and has not headed up a case in 8 months. When she finally receives a case, it is of a body chopped up and dropped in a Dumpster, a case the media finds very intriguing but Lena doesn't have any leads on. Lena Gamble is a tough, no-nonsense heroine, trying to find her way in a man's world. If you like toough heroines, you'll love this book!