And well worth your time......
Ed Gorman's blog: Eyewitness: Beautiful Losers Written by Kevin Burton Smith
Saturday, June 08, 2013
The Latest "All Mystery" is out--June 8th
Per Rebecca who has posted the below...
Oh boy, new books, new authors in this week's issue Berkowitz, Ira Black Angel New release Beyman, Guilia Words in the Dark Conway, James In Cold Blonde New release Franklin, Lynn The Blue Diamond George, Kaye Eine Kleine Murder New release Helle, Darcia Killing Instinct New release Hubbard, S.W. Another Man's Treasure Preston, Mar NO Dice Roberts, Wendy Drop Dead Beauty New release Vallere, Diane Buyer Beware New release Please note: We're on the last two weeks before All Mystery Newsletter combines with Dirt Cheap Mystery Reads--link will still be http://allmysternewsletter.com But starting first Sat. of July, we'll be promoting Kindle e-books priced $0.99 to $3.99 ONLY, and listed as Kindle Deals for the week. And since we have so many UK crime writers, we'll also have links for both US and UK readers.
Sandi's Latest Project
came about because of me and my need for a walker. She thought I could use something that would carry my reading glasses and book when I had to go out. She saw a couple of patterns and while she has been at The Atria she used up some of her yarn to make this in her first attempt.
The front side is to the left and the backside of the caddy is below.
I'm told that she will donate this to a new friend there at The Atria and she will make me a more "manly" one when she is back home. How she is going to make one with rocket launchers, machine guns, and footballs all over it I do not know.....
The front side is to the left and the backside of the caddy is below.
I'm told that she will donate this to a new friend there at The Atria and she will make me a more "manly" one when she is back home. How she is going to make one with rocket launchers, machine guns, and footballs all over it I do not know.....
Interesting Reading Elsewhere----MAKE MINE MYSTERY: Publishing and Other Perils - A Rant
And very much worth your time.....
MAKE MINE MYSTERY: Publishing and Other Perils - A Rant: In the greatly lamented and only partially mythic ‘Golden Era’ of publishing printing books was a gentlemen’s game. The publ...
MAKE MINE MYSTERY: Publishing and Other Perils - A Rant: In the greatly lamented and only partially mythic ‘Golden Era’ of publishing printing books was a gentlemen’s game. The publ...
Friday, June 07, 2013
Sandi Tonight
Sandi had a long afternoon of doctor stuff, but, the news is really good. The main thing is the fact the blood clot is gone. She had an ultrasound to make sure and it is gone. She will need to be on the cumidin awhile longer, but, the clolt is dissolved and the danger has passed.
They did have to give some magnesium today because she was a little low so they put a bag into her. She was borderline needing it and since they are sending her home to Texas on Monday they felt they should go ahead and give her one for the flight.
Yes, you read that right! Sandi is coming home Monday on a direct flight from Jacksonville to Dallas Fort Worth Airport. If everything runs on time she should be here by late afternoon Monday.
She is coming home to quarantine here and will not be able to see anyone or go anywhere excect for the doctor's office at the hospital. Her first appointment with her cancer doctor at Medical City Dallas is for the afternoon of the 19th. They will do blood work on her, check a few other things, and then lay out how the followup care here is going to work. All we know at this point is that in about 70 days she will need to be back at Mayo for a week of tests and doctor visits.
She is finally coming home. I can hardly believe it.
They did have to give some magnesium today because she was a little low so they put a bag into her. She was borderline needing it and since they are sending her home to Texas on Monday they felt they should go ahead and give her one for the flight.
Yes, you read that right! Sandi is coming home Monday on a direct flight from Jacksonville to Dallas Fort Worth Airport. If everything runs on time she should be here by late afternoon Monday.
She is coming home to quarantine here and will not be able to see anyone or go anywhere excect for the doctor's office at the hospital. Her first appointment with her cancer doctor at Medical City Dallas is for the afternoon of the 19th. They will do blood work on her, check a few other things, and then lay out how the followup care here is going to work. All we know at this point is that in about 70 days she will need to be back at Mayo for a week of tests and doctor visits.
She is finally coming home. I can hardly believe it.
FFB Review: "Pilikia Is My Business" by Mark Troy
Friday means Friday’s
Forgotten Books hosted by Patti Abbott. This week I selected Pilikia Is My Business by Mark Troy. Faithful readers of this blog will know I selected this book before when it came out from a new publisher three years ago. This was a book Mark completed long before I was invited to join the local writing group we both belong. If you missed the news, Mark's new book, The Splintered Paddle, has been picked up by Five Star Books. This is the same book we saw in group as he worked on it when it was titled The Law of the Splintered Paddle. It also came in second last year for the Claymore Award. Mark shortened the title at Five Star's request, but I must say the original title had more meaning to the story. While I won't be able to review that book since it went through our group, I can and did review this way back when before I joined the group.....
Written
by 2002 Shamus Award Nominee Mark Troy, this fast paced and suspenseful
novel revolves around Hawaii based private investigator Val Lyon. An ex
cop, ex-con, and former pro basketball player, Val Lyon doesn’t
tolerate idiots and has little patience for those who don’t do the right
thing. Her latest case brings her to the office of Brian Magruder who
used to work in the Honolulu Public Defender’s Office before going out
on his own.
Part of the wealthy and politically connected Magruder family, Brian is a bit of a black sheep of the family as he has gone his own way. Among his many clients is Jean Pfeifer whose case has turned into a media firestorm. Jean claims that her ex-husband, Jason “Jock” Pfeifer abused their son, Nathan. Jean has stopped the visitations and has hidden their son in an effort to protect him from further abuse from his father. She faces contempt charges and jail time unless she brings Nathan back out of hiding and lets him see his dad. Something she isn’t going to do.
This strikes a chord with the media and the viewing public causing a media firestorm with Jean and her attorney at the center of things. Numerous groups get involved making Jean and by extension Nathan part of their agendas. That also ratchets up further the media scrutiny. Brian Magruder initially just wants Val to be part of the security team, and to protect Jean at a public rally the next day. With emotions running high on all sides, something is sure to go bade and it does. Soon, a simple body guard job morphs into a case involving death threat, blackmail, extortion and a missing child as well as the beginnings of a romance between Val and Brian Magruder.
While occasionally reminiscent of the Stephenie Plum type character because Val is also a woman with a sarcastic wit, Val is a much better character. Not only does she have a deeper and more complex background, she also learns from what happens and takes precautions as opposed to Stephanie who makes the same fundamental mistakes in book after book after book. Val is an evolving character over the course of the novel and one that builds quickly on experience.
That fact, coupled with a steady pace, plenty of twists and turns, and characters that come alive for the reader, it is no wonder this book was a Shamus Nominee. simply put, Pilikia Is My Business is a very good one.
Pilikia is My Business
Mark Troy
http://www.marktroy.net/
Ilium Books
2011
ISBN# 978-0578069661
Trade Paperback (also available as an e-book)
302 Pages
Material provided by the author in exchange for my objective review.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2009, 2010, 2013
Part of the wealthy and politically connected Magruder family, Brian is a bit of a black sheep of the family as he has gone his own way. Among his many clients is Jean Pfeifer whose case has turned into a media firestorm. Jean claims that her ex-husband, Jason “Jock” Pfeifer abused their son, Nathan. Jean has stopped the visitations and has hidden their son in an effort to protect him from further abuse from his father. She faces contempt charges and jail time unless she brings Nathan back out of hiding and lets him see his dad. Something she isn’t going to do.
This strikes a chord with the media and the viewing public causing a media firestorm with Jean and her attorney at the center of things. Numerous groups get involved making Jean and by extension Nathan part of their agendas. That also ratchets up further the media scrutiny. Brian Magruder initially just wants Val to be part of the security team, and to protect Jean at a public rally the next day. With emotions running high on all sides, something is sure to go bade and it does. Soon, a simple body guard job morphs into a case involving death threat, blackmail, extortion and a missing child as well as the beginnings of a romance between Val and Brian Magruder.
While occasionally reminiscent of the Stephenie Plum type character because Val is also a woman with a sarcastic wit, Val is a much better character. Not only does she have a deeper and more complex background, she also learns from what happens and takes precautions as opposed to Stephanie who makes the same fundamental mistakes in book after book after book. Val is an evolving character over the course of the novel and one that builds quickly on experience.
That fact, coupled with a steady pace, plenty of twists and turns, and characters that come alive for the reader, it is no wonder this book was a Shamus Nominee. simply put, Pilikia Is My Business is a very good one.
Pilikia is My Business
Mark Troy
http://www.marktroy.net/
Ilium Books
2011
ISBN# 978-0578069661
Trade Paperback (also available as an e-book)
302 Pages
Material provided by the author in exchange for my objective review.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2009, 2010, 2013
Thursday, June 06, 2013
Birthday--Plus 25
As Tropical Storm Andrea works her way northward across Florida this evening, Sandi is finishing up her 25th day since she had her stem cell transplant. She continues to do amazing well all things considered. She still has some pain in her neck in the area of the blood clot, but the swelling seems to have gone away. Hopefully this does mean the cumidin has gotten to a high enough level that the blood clot is finally dissolving.
Tomorrow afternoon she has approximately four different appointments in different labs and back and forth to the cancer doctor office to see how she is. Sandi is still wanting desperately to come back home. The original plan was for late June, but they gave her a little hope last week she might be home sooner. As much as I want her back home too, I want that damn blood clot gone first as I am very worried about her flying with it.
I don't expect any information from her until late tomorrow--possibly early evening--and will update when I know something.
Tomorrow afternoon she has approximately four different appointments in different labs and back and forth to the cancer doctor office to see how she is. Sandi is still wanting desperately to come back home. The original plan was for late June, but they gave her a little hope last week she might be home sooner. As much as I want her back home too, I want that damn blood clot gone first as I am very worried about her flying with it.
I don't expect any information from her until late tomorrow--possibly early evening--and will update when I know something.
Wednesday, June 05, 2013
Sandi Wendesday Evening
As Tropical Storm Andrea churns in the Gulf heading on a path predicted to take it just north of Jacksonville, Florida, Sandi is doing okay. Her next doctor stuff is not until Friday afternoon so hopefully the worst of the storm will have passed on by the time she has to get out in it. Kind of hard to wear one of those paper surgical masks they want her wearing at all times when the rain is flying around you.
She seems to be doing okay. Everything feels the same at this point, according to her, and nothing new medically has cropped up. Apparently bingo is a serious business at The Atria and she has been playing a lot of bingo to pass the time. That is when she isn't crocheting or being asked to teach crocheting. I think they ought to put her on staff as a morale director because she is doing what she does best and pumping up all who meet her.
She seems to be doing okay. Everything feels the same at this point, according to her, and nothing new medically has cropped up. Apparently bingo is a serious business at The Atria and she has been playing a lot of bingo to pass the time. That is when she isn't crocheting or being asked to teach crocheting. I think they ought to put her on staff as a morale director because she is doing what she does best and pumping up all who meet her.
Tuesday, June 04, 2013
Sandi Tuesday Evening
The patient is not in the best of moods tonight.
First, she did NOT get yarn yesterday at Target. I apparently totally misunderstood the situation.
Second, they did not do an ultrasound on her blood clot. Her cumidin level is 1.9 and since that was below 2 they did not do the test. Her other blood work continues to show improvement so that is good. They seem happy with where she is, but did not really do anything testing wise she thought would be done today or tell her that things are drawing to a close in Florida. She had the idea that would happen today.
So, the long and the short of it is they will see her Friday and put her through a number of appointments/ blood work to see how she is. She wants to come home NOW, but that is not happening yet.
First, she did NOT get yarn yesterday at Target. I apparently totally misunderstood the situation.
Second, they did not do an ultrasound on her blood clot. Her cumidin level is 1.9 and since that was below 2 they did not do the test. Her other blood work continues to show improvement so that is good. They seem happy with where she is, but did not really do anything testing wise she thought would be done today or tell her that things are drawing to a close in Florida. She had the idea that would happen today.
So, the long and the short of it is they will see her Friday and put her through a number of appointments/ blood work to see how she is. She wants to come home NOW, but that is not happening yet.
Monday, June 03, 2013
Sandi Today
Just talked to her and she enjoyed her trip out to Target today. Said it was nice to go poke around like a normal person. Apparently she was able to get some yarn too so that made her happy.
More importantly she reports that her neck is better today. Less pain and less swelling in the area. Sandi says the neck is not as stiff as it has been in recent days either. Still not right, but better which might be a good sign. This was the first night in a week that she hasn't sounded very raspy. Hopefully the cumidin level is now high enough that the clot has begun dissolving.
She has five appointments tomorrow starting just after nine with various doctors and testing folks. Hopefully, by the late afternoon all the news will be in and it will be good.
More importantly she reports that her neck is better today. Less pain and less swelling in the area. Sandi says the neck is not as stiff as it has been in recent days either. Still not right, but better which might be a good sign. This was the first night in a week that she hasn't sounded very raspy. Hopefully the cumidin level is now high enough that the clot has begun dissolving.
She has five appointments tomorrow starting just after nine with various doctors and testing folks. Hopefully, by the late afternoon all the news will be in and it will be good.
Lesa's Latest Contest
Lesa posted the below yesterday....
This week, I'm giving away 2 cozy mysteries, Cat Nap and The Sleeping Salesman Enquiry. Details on my blog, http://www.lesasbookcritiques.blogspot.com. Entries from the U.S. only, please.
This week, I'm giving away 2 cozy mysteries, Cat Nap and The Sleeping Salesman Enquiry. Details on my blog, http://www.lesasbookcritiques.blogspot.com. Entries from the U.S. only, please.
Lesa Holstine
Skeet Bannion returns in "Every Broken Trust" by Linda Rodriguez
“’Just remember. No criminal
has the power those with wealth and political clout have. The ultra criminals
use politics to thrive unmolested.’” ( Page 231)
If chief of campus police
Skeet Bannion liked politics she could have stayed with the Kansas City Police Department
where she just might have been their first female police chief. Instead, she
bailed out on the politics and more when she left for the calmer setting of
nearby Chouteau University. At least that was the plan though things have not
really worked out that way. Recent events in Every Last Secret have taught
her that there is no running from politics or her ties to Kansas City.
It has been a few months
since those events happened as Every Broken Trust begins. As a
favor to good friend Karen Wise, Skeet has agreed to open her home for a small
party to welcome the new dean of the Chouteau University Law School. George “Mel”
Melvin who has ties to Skeet, Karen, and many others is to be the new dean. The
guest list created by Karen is getting longer and longer as is the depth of complexity
to the party. Despite Karen's assurances that everything is going to be fine,
Skeet is getting more and more stressed by the upcoming party as well as some
of the people surrounding Mel.
The party turns out to be a
disaster, but not in the way Skeet had feared. After an incident with a drunk
at the party, Karen calls for help asking Skeet to come to a nearby underground
storage area known as “the Caves.” A complex built into the limestone caves
that run beneath the university is now is the scene of a murder victim and an
injured Karen. Leonard Klameth, one of many attending the party, is now dead
and Karen has suffered a serious head injury.
Who did this and why are the
first two threads of a puzzle that will cause Skeet Bannion to learn far more
than she ever wanted about the personal lives of those she thought of as
friends. “Like many things in this case, the truth was worlds apart from
appearances. A murder always opened a can or two of worms. Sometimes the worms
turned out to be snakes.” (Page 158)
This second novel in the series penned by author Linda Rodriguez lives up to the highly entertaining first book. Having well established the primary character of Skeet Bannion, the focus here character development wise is on the many other characters in her life such as her ward, Brian, her current possible romantic interest, Joe Louzon, her past romantic interest, Sam, and numerous other friends that first appeared in Every Last Secret. Her relationship with every single person in her life will be fundamentally altered in some way by the events that happen in Every Broken Trust. A complex cozy style read this latest book in the series is not only very good, it further establishes the fact that Skeet Bannion is a powerful character in her own right on every level.
Every Broken Trust: A Mystery
Linda Rodriguez
Minotaur Books (A Thomas Dunne
Book)
May 2013
ISBN# 978-1-250-03035-1
Hardback
304 Pages
$25.99
Material supplied by the good folks
of the Plano, Texas Public Library System. If you are in the area and would
like more information about Plano libraries go here.
My September 2012 review of Every Last Secret can be
found here.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2013
Sunday, June 02, 2013
Sandi Tonight
Nothing new to report as everything is pretty much the same with her. She does not see the doctors until Tuesday so she has signed up to go on the hospital shuttle to a local Target store tomorrow to get out a bit.
Her room is nice and all, but I think it is getting to her.
Despite the blood clot in her neck, they cleared her to go last Friday and she is looking forward to getting out somewhere normal for the first time in weeks. I think she wants to pick up a few things to make her stay a little bit easier as, for one thing, she is out of yarn.
Sandi without yarn is not a pretty sight. I mean there is that whole green Hulk rage thing.......
Her room is nice and all, but I think it is getting to her.
Despite the blood clot in her neck, they cleared her to go last Friday and she is looking forward to getting out somewhere normal for the first time in weeks. I think she wants to pick up a few things to make her stay a little bit easier as, for one thing, she is out of yarn.
Sandi without yarn is not a pretty sight. I mean there is that whole green Hulk rage thing.......
Review Queries
I remain swamped with a huge
backlog of books and therefore I am saying yes to very little. Currently
with Sandi far from home having her stem cell transplant, my biggest
issue is my own health and how slow I am these days with books. If I do ever
start working on my own stuff again I will be even slower in terms of
reading and reviewing.
Authors who I have enjoyed and reviewed their work before have the best chance with me right now due to my incredible TBR pile. Also authors who fit the guidelines for my column in the Senior News Newspaper also have a major leg up on the competition. If you don't fit either category, your chances of me accepting your work are very low. That lack of acceptance has nothing to do with the quality of your work and everything to do with my personal situation here.
At this time I don't envision any changes in this situation for the foreseeable future.
Authors who I have enjoyed and reviewed their work before have the best chance with me right now due to my incredible TBR pile. Also authors who fit the guidelines for my column in the Senior News Newspaper also have a major leg up on the competition. If you don't fit either category, your chances of me accepting your work are very low. That lack of acceptance has nothing to do with the quality of your work and everything to do with my personal situation here.
At this time I don't envision any changes in this situation for the foreseeable future.
The Latest "All Mystery" Is Out--June 1-7
according to Rebecca who posted the below.....
This week's newsletter includes, a crime busting pilot, a pirate, a depression era PI, and a serial killer after a editor (Oh boy!) Brown, Duffy Iced Chiffon Castillo, Mary Lost in the Light Dahlke, RP A Dead Red Heart McLaughlin, Staci All Natural Murder Myers, Ruth M. No Game for a Dame Moats, Bob Fatal Rejection Odell, Terry Deadly Bones Stephens, Richard Pirate Tales Watson, Galen The Psalter Wood, Nancy Due Date http://allmysterynewsletter.com
Saturday, June 01, 2013
No News
Sandi, me, the boys, and everything else --crappy or otherwise-- is the same. Nothing has changed and no news to report.
Interesting Reading Elsewhere-- Bookbrowsing Blog
Publicist PJ Nunn of Breakthrough Promotions has a blog post from author Neil Plakcy about using Pinterest today. I have a Pinterest deal though I have not done that much with it. Neil's post titled Pinterest for Inspiration and Profit has some tips here.
After you read that, make sure you surf around on the blog as there are other interesting things to read. There always are!
After you read that, make sure you surf around on the blog as there are other interesting things to read. There always are!
Interesting Reading Elsewhere--Kent's Rants
First, if you are not reading mystery author William Kent Krueger, you should be.
Second, you ought to read his recent post "The B&N Ban." You can read it here. Basically, it seems the ongoing feud between Simon and Schuster and Barnes and Noble has reached epic stupidity as Simon and Schuster authors can't do book events at the stores and their books are not being ordered.
While the heavy weights slap each other silly, the authors involved and potential customers suffer. And you know who the real winner is in all this crap--Amazon. One would think those in charge at Barnes and Noble would have bigger things to think about --like saving the company--then being stupid like this.
Just makes one want to pull the car over and scream at the offspring in the back seat.
Second, you ought to read his recent post "The B&N Ban." You can read it here. Basically, it seems the ongoing feud between Simon and Schuster and Barnes and Noble has reached epic stupidity as Simon and Schuster authors can't do book events at the stores and their books are not being ordered.
While the heavy weights slap each other silly, the authors involved and potential customers suffer. And you know who the real winner is in all this crap--Amazon. One would think those in charge at Barnes and Noble would have bigger things to think about --like saving the company--then being stupid like this.
Just makes one want to pull the car over and scream at the offspring in the back seat.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
