Happy New Year 2007

And a belated Happy New Year to one and all! I’m just a few days late so hopefully you will forgive my recent long absence. Bacterial Bronchitis is an evil, evil thing. Yes, I know there are worse things but it was pretty rough and very gross for awhile there. I’m glad it is over. So is the family as well.

Been reading a lot the last few weeks and have to write a number of reviews. I don’t do New Year’s resolutions per se, but one of the things I am working on is getting my review pile cut down a bit. So, if you have sent a book and you know who you are, trust that I am working on it or will be very soon. And of course, if you have a question about your book’s status, drop me a line at kevin_tipple@att.net and I will try to explain where I am in relation to your book.

In the meantime, below is my December column for SENIOR NEWS edited by Michael Bracken. I’m lucky that I have a several great bosses to work for and he is most definitely one of them. The newspaper is available across newsstands in Texas, many Whole Foods stores, as well as in doctor’s offices and the like. It’s also available by mail for those so inclined.

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THE SEA OF MONSTERS: PERCY JACKSON & THE OLYMPIANS BOOK TWO
By Rick Riordan
Hyperion Books For Children
ISBN# 0-7868-5686-6

San Antonio Author Rick Riordan has penned another enjoyable entry in this series based on Greek mythology. Seventh grade has been a pretty good year for Percy Jackson. That is until the last day of school when the resulting chaos leads him back to Camp Half-Blood. The camp is not a sanctuary this time around as the camp is under serious attack and the magical defenses are failing. Another quest is needed and this one should be as difficult as the first. This young adult novel follows “The Lightening Thief” which should be read first before this exciting sequel. Both books are guaranteed to appeal to young and old readers alike.


13 DAYS: THE PYTHAGORAS CONSPIRACY
By L. A Starks
Brown Books Publishing Group
ISBN # 1-933285-45-1


Executive Vice President Lynn Dayton convinced her bosses to buy Centennial Refinery right before it landed in bankruptcy court. They did and Lynn Dayton and her company is somewhat resented by the employees. That isn’t her concern though as she has just four short weeks left to finish the refit and prove to the board that her argument to buy the plant was worth it to the bottom line of the parent company.

Then people start dying. Not just employees at her refinery but at other ones up and down the Houston Ship Channel as a series of what appears to be freak accidents begins. The casualties in terms of the dead and injured and losses in production steadily mount while all involved are unable to stop it. As hurricane season brings a storm of steadily increasing strength on a deadly course towards Centennial, Lynn Davis is forced to not only save her employees and her refinery, she is also forced into a life or death struggle to save her family in this enjoyable, though at times excessively technical, thriller.

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The January issue, now available, has my reviews of “Cooking With Texas Highways” and “Delayed Legacy.” Both books are good and they were a pleasure to read and review. And speaking of reviews, I guess I better get back to work as I just don’t type that fast.

Watch this space as more reviews start to come in and don’t forget to head over to Mouth Full Of Bullets at www.mouthfullofbullets.com for more reviews and make sure you check out the new review area---Small Caliber Reviews.

Kevin R. Tipple © 2006