Senior News--JULY 2013 Column

For some time now I have been writing a monthly book review column for the Senior News newspaper. The Senior News is aimed to the 50 and over crowd with news relevant to seniors regarding various issues, humor pieces, and my review column among other things. The newspaper is a giveaway at doctor offices, stores, etc. and can be received by mail via a paid subscription. There are multiple editions across the state of Texas and therefore there is some fluctuation in content in each edition.

My column every month focuses on books of interest to the Texas audience. Therefore the books selected for the column, fiction or non-fiction, are written by Texas residents, feature Texans in some way, or would have some other connection to the Texas based readership. At least two books are covered each month in the short space I am given.

Below is/was my July 2013 column with the addition here of the relevant book covers…

Arrowmoon: A Bill Travis Mystery

George Wier

Flagstone Books

E-Book

(Estimated print length 170 pages)

If it wasn’t for the road being built through the land, the isolated and decaying barn and its secrets would have been left undisturbed. Bill Travis, who manages money from his office on the western edge of downtown Austin would not have had to come out to the isolated spot in near College Station, Texas to keep his client Lief Prescott happy.  But, he has to come out because Leif Prescott and his construction company have been hit with a restraining order stopping all construction for at least fourteen days.

As readers know who have followed this series from the beginning with The Last Call, this will be another wild tale featuring many players along with plenty of mystery and adventure from Texas author George Weir.  They won’t be disappointed. Like every book in the series, Arrowmoon: A Bill Travis Mystery is a fun, fast paced, and very complicated mystery read that keeps readers well entertained.

The Gardener & The Grill: The Bounty Of The Garden Meets The Sizzle Of the Grill

Karen Adler and Judith Fertig

Running Press (Perseus Books Group)

ISBN# 978-0762441112

Paperback (also available in e-book form)

224 Pages

The Gardener & The Grill the Bounty of the Garden Meets the Sizzle of the Grill is a book designed to help the novice or experienced cook. After an acknowledgement page and a brief introduction it is on the some basic knowledge sections. From “Specialty Grilling Techniques” (pages 8-9) to the first chapter on what you should have in your pantry, the information is basic and helpful. The first chapter covers various seasonings, rubs, vinaigrettes and other things designed to get the most out of the produce you put on the grill. Even experienced cooks can pick up some tips in this section.

Recipes begin in the second chapter and cover appetizers, sandwiches, salads and soups, sides of all types, and, of course, meats, chicken and fish. Deserts followed by a ten page index bring this well done 224 page cookbook to a close. While the lack of nutritional information on the recipes is a definite negative, the variety regarding the recipes is a definite plus. Novice cooks as well as grill masters will find recipes in The Gardener & The Grill the Bounty of the Garden Meets the Sizzle of the Grill to meet their skill levels.

Kevin R. Tipple ©2013