PROJECT MAYHEM: The Paradoxical Extremes of Middle Grade Students:...

PROJECT MAYHEM: The Paradoxical Extremes of Middle Grade Students:...: To write middle grade fiction, it is critical to understand the age group. However, that is tricky because children at this age ...

Review: "Marcia DeCoster’s Beads In Motion: 24 Jewelry Projects That Spin, Sway, Swing, And Slide" by Marcia Decoster

As the subtitle of 24 Jewelry Projects That Spin, Sway, Swing, and Slide makes clear Marcia DeCoster’s Beads In Motion is a beading book that is all about the motion. According to the introduction by the author, in addition to the motion present in each piece there are designed to make sure the pieces complement each other.

“Chapter 1: Tools & Supplies” provides an overview of what you need to make the projects.  Over four pages the author shares what tools and supplies work for her. She encourages the reader to explore and find what works best for him or her. That exploration of what the reader personally prefers is a major secondary theme throughout the colorful and informative book.

Starting on page 14 “Chapter 2: Fundamentals” is all about how to tie various stitches and knots for the beadwork.  The heavily illustrated pages of this chapter take the reader through various necessary skills as a refresher for experienced pros or as a how to do guide for new readers.

Starting on page 27 with “Chapter 3: Earrings & Rings it is on to the very colorful projects. Whether you prefer something long and dangly such as the “Swing Dance Earrings (pages 28-34) or something shorter and conservative such as the “Lavender Earrings” (pages 40-42) variety and color are always present.  In addition to a supply list, each project has numerous colorful pictures and is accompanied by large illustrations and detailed text that explains how to make it. This same format continues throughout the entire book.

If your personal style leans towards “Bracelets” they are the focus of Chapter Four starting on page 49.  Four very different projects make up this chapter.

That leads readers naturally to “Chapter 5: Necklaces.” The section opens with the relatively simple and yet beautiful “Glimmer Necklace” (pages 67-69) before giving way to the “Spin City Necklace (pages 76-81) and others. A visual treat that also uses pearls and small crystals is fond on pages 92-95 with the “Tassel Necklace.”  Nine additional projects complete this final project chapter of the book.

This nearly 130 page book from “Lark Jewelry & Beading Bead Inspirations” series provides another visually appealing and artistically inspiring read. The projects and styles in Marcia DeCoster’s Beads In Motion: 24 Jewelry Projects That Spin. Sway, Swing And Slide are colorful and varied and are ones that over time a reader can learn to do. The projects here will provide hours of inspiration that can be used for one’s own wardrobe or to create personal gifts for others.

Marcia DeCoster’s Beads In Motion: 24 Jewelry Projects That Spin. Sway, Swing, And Slide

Marcia Decoster

http://www.marciadecoster.com

Lark Jewelry & Beading (Imprint of Sterling Publishing)

http://www.larkcrafts.com

August 2013

ISBN# 978-1-4547-0335-8

Workbook

$27.95

128 Pages

Material obtained through my local library for my use in a future newspaper review for my Senior News column.

Kevin R. Tipple ©2013

Sandi Today

As expected things took quite awhile today. The upshot is she is about the same on various things so they adjusted a couple of med dosages and left everything else alone.

She is currently scheduled to have a test done on her neck next Tuesday to see if the blood clot is still in her neck. The swelling in the area of the clot has finally gone away and so has the pain she had. that leads everyone involved to think the clot has massively shrunk if not finally vanished. If so that would mean they could stop the blood thinner and that might help some other things.

They are still trying to get those in charge to agree to let her have the Pet Scan she is now 90 plus overdue for here as she simply can't travel to Mayo in Jacksonville. Not only is she not physically strong enough to travel--especially after the latest setback--but since she is oxygen dependent and has to have the cylinders with her that violates TSA regulations. We need somebody with a lick of sense at the insurance side of things to take charge, approve it, and let her get on with getting it done.We all need to know what her cancer stage currently is and nobody seems to be able to cut through the red tape.

Not only does she need it done asap for medical reasons, she also needs it for insurance reasons. January 1 marks the new year and the 10k deductible again with means the whole cost of roughly 4900 bucks would be on us if they won't cover it. We are going under as it is and can't swing that as the hospital is going to want the money upfront because of the previous bills we are making very small installments on each month.

Of course, this would not be such an issue of Texas Medicaid would cover her medical bills. They won't as she does not qualify because she does not have a child under the age of 18 in the home. The fact that she is terminal with no assets means nothing to them.

It is all very discouraging and frustrating. The fact she is so ill is bad enough, but dealing with the complications from insurance, my worsening health, the collection agencies, and other nonsense is just too much. I'm sick of being an adult.

Review: "Thuglit: Issue 7" Edited by Todd Robinson

Reviewing collections and anthologies can be tricky due to the nature of the short stories involved. One does not want to say too much and ruin the reads. Such is the case here with Thuglit: Issue 7 where the reading is once again very good.

Kim wasn’t really obtainable in “Mouthbreather” by Joe Gifford.  The man known as “Slim” has always been at her beck and call since they grew up together in different trailers in “Copperhead Canyon. A bond that even his wife Rene doesn’t understand will cause him late one night to once again come to her aid.

Poke had a plan and true to form like everything Poke did, the plan was crazy bad. “Pegleg” by Ed Kurtz points out in detail just how crazy bad an idea it was.

Corporate theft and espionage are just a couple of things at work in “The Last Job” by Justin Ordonez.  It takes skill to steal from major corporations and this particular thief is good at it.  But, skill isn’t everything.

Chad wanted out of the drugs and more in “Two Sides of the Same Coin” by Christopher E. Long. While he wants out, his girlfriend Jen wants totally into his life. A trip to Vegas and their very lives is at stake.

Mitch has got his gun and his club and is going to chase down Ruby Jean. Nobody is ever going to come into his house and hurt his brother.  She and others will learn hard lessons in “Cinders” by Marie S. Crosswell.

Sid Hartsell can really throw it and the other boys in Harrison County can’t handle his pitches. In “Quiet Dell, 1914” by Benjamin Welton at the beginning there isn’t much known about Sid.  Reporter Thaddeus O’Connor knows the real story, most of it anyway, and is glad to tell you what happened that horrendously hot summer of 1914.

Considering the nature of his wife’s behavior, he has to be careful when he talks to the new young neighbor. She has two dogs and that might be a conversation starter in “The Neighbor’s Dog” by Edward Hagelstein. Mira seems worth getting to know for a variety of reasons, but, he should be thinking how much in common he has with the dog.

He just wants to go catch a shark in “Chum” by Michael Sears. It has been a bad day and he just wants a shark if the guy in the bar will just accept his money and cooperate.

As in previous issues in this series, the eight stories here are about dark deeds. Crime stories full of people often at the edge doing desperate things because of fate and/or personal stupidity.  Each tale pulls you in and slaps you around awhile before you are drop kicked from behind into the arms of the next author. Simply good stuff that will remind you again that humanity is about as bad as you think it is most days.

Thuglit: Issue 7

Edited by Todd Robinson

Thuglit Publishing

http://www.thuglit.com

August 2013

ASIN: B00EWS12L2

E-book (also available in print)

144 Pages

$0.99

Material obtained by purchase using funds in my Amazon Associates account for an objective review.

Kevin R. Tipple ©2013

Batman

Always did have the coolest toys......

Gumshoe Online Update-- The December issue of Gumshoe Review is now online

As posted elsewhere earlier today.....

Gumshoe Review December 2013 now Online @
http://www.gumshoereview.com

Senior Editor: Gayle Surrette
Editor Emeritus: Ernest Lilley

Editorial License:
Just the Facts - December 2013 by Gayle Surrette

several columns

US Book Reviews:
Billionaire Blend (A Coffeehouse Mystery) by Cleo Coyle
Crooked Numbers (Raymond Donne) by Tim O'Mara
The Cure by Douglas E. Richards
Dangerous Connections (Blackthorne, Inc.) by Terry Odell
Duck the Halls: A Meg Langslow Mystery by Donna Andrews
In Retrospect by Ellen Larson
Lending a Paw: A Bookmobile Cat Mystery (Bookmobile Cat Mysteries) by Laurie Cass
Mortal Arts (A Lady Darby Mystery) by Anna Lee Huber
The Mortsafe: A Short Jean Fairbairn/Alasdair Cameron Mystery by Lillian Stewart Carl
-- Gayle Surrette
Brandywine, MD 20613
Email: davinci@amperzen.com
Blog: http://amperzen.com/blog

Lady Sandra: Sewing Christmas Projects

Her latest project on the blog....

Lady Sandra: Sewing Christmas Projects: One probably should start some of these projects at the end of November or very beginning of December.   When the kids where born, I go...

Her store is here  http://www.ioffer.com/selling/sanditipple if you are looking for a holiday item or something else. 

She is not doing very well so it may be a good thing we have an early  doctor appointment and blood work down at the cancer doctor tomorrow. Could be a very long day.

Bill Crider's Pop Culture Magazine: Twenty Question With Patti Abbott

Bill Crider's Pop Culture Magazine: Twenty Question With Patti Abbott: One Bite at a Time: Twenty Question With Patti Abbott

The South Jersey Writers' Group Blog: SJWG Membership Is Open!

The South Jersey Writers' Group Blog: SJWG Membership Is Open!: Our great new logo by member Shelley Szajner Welcome Writers! Are you a writer in the South Jersey area and looking for a group of ...

Review: "Cleveland In My Dreams" by Lawrence Block

Hackett has a serious problem and his therapist by the name of Loebner is not helping at all.  Hackett has told him again and again that his dream every night is always the same. Hackett dreams that a mysterious

caller rings him up and tells him he has to drive to Cleveland. In his dream he gets dressed and goes out to his car where a briefcase is waiting for him on the passenger seat. He drives the briefcase to Cleveland and then drives back. Since the very real drive takes four hours to get there and four hours to get back it is exhausting.

Hackett needs help and Loebrer isn’t doing much to help him. Telling his dream over and over again isn’t doing any good. Something has to change.

This is one of those short stories where one thinks it is going to go one way and instead it goes in a far different direction. Once that is accomplished author Lawrence Block ups the ante by throwing in a couple of more twists. Cleveland in My Dreams is a fast and ultimately very funny read.

This short story e-book also includes Chapter One of the new book The Burglar Who Counted Spoons.

Cleveland In My Dreams

Lawrence Block

http://www.lawrenceblock.com

A Lawrence Block Production

ASIN: B00GEKR68O

E-Book

21 Pages

$2.99

Material was picked up during the author’s recent free read promotion for my use in an objective review.

Kevin R. Tipple ©2013

The List-- November 2013 Reads and Reviews

In addition to everything else on the blog are the reviews. Below is the complete list of the “November 2013 Reads and Reviews.” My massive thanks to talented Texas authors Earl Staggs and Caroline Clemmons for their contributions this month as well as the continuing contributions from Patrick Ohl.

Monsters I Know by Peter W. Collier

The Drowning Pool by Ross Macdonald (FFB Review--Patrick Ohl)

The Killer Wore Cranberry: Room For Thirds Editor: J. Alan Hartman

The Rules by Mark Troy (Earl Staggs)

Mind Prison: A Short Story by Dave Zeltserman

One Thousand Dollars A Word by Lawrence Block

When The Sacred Ginmill Closes by Lawrence Block (FFB Review)

Thuglit 8 Edited by Todd Robinson

The Shamus Sampler Edited by Jochem Vandersteen

Out Of the Night by Geri Foster (Caroline Clemmons)

Genre Shotgun: A Collection Of Short Fiction by Terry W. Ervin II

On Dangerous Ground: Stories Of Western Noir  Edited by Ed Gorman, Dave Zeltserman, and Martin H. Greenberg (FFB Review)

Crochet One-Skein Wonders: 101 Projects From Crocheters Around The World Edited by Judith Durant & Edie Eckman

The Rising of the Moon by Gladys Micthell (FFB Review--Patrick Ohl)

Blade of Dishonor by Thomas Pluck

Thank you for your support of the blog.  I am glad to keep this going as long as I can.

Kevin

Shop Amazon - Cyber Monday Deals Week

Lady Sandra: Ornaments to make for gifts and/or your tree

 The latest from my talented wife.....
Lady Sandra: Ornaments to make for gifts and/or your tree: This is some you need to start making now.   Your kids might like to join in making these ornaments.   I always like to pick up ornamen...

Bill Crider's Pop Culture Magazine: Pimpage: An Occasional Feature in Which I call Att...

Bill Crider's Pop Culture Magazine: Pimpage: An Occasional Feature in Which I call Att...: Amazon.com: Livin' on Jacks and Queens eBook: Johnny D. Boggs, Phil Dunlap, Randy Lee Eickhoff, Jerry Guin, Christine Matthews, Matthew ...

Bill Crider's Pop Culture Magazine: Free for Kindle for a Limited Time

Bill Crider's Pop Culture Magazine: Free for Kindle for a Limited Time: Amazon.com: The Killing Bee (A Jacob Burns Mystery) eBook: Matt Witten: Kindle Store : Controversy abounds at the public elementary school...

Via The Passive Voice--- Banning the Negative Book Review

Banning the Negative Book Review

What this really is ----banning the overtly negative review. Years ago I workded for several sites that banned negative reviews. I learned how to be negative without being overtly negative in my book and movie reviews for those sites. Discerning readers, as well as the editors involved, knew exactly what I was doing and got the point.

It can be done. One does not have to use a flame thrower like the ones referenced in the piece to make it clear. 

Kings River Life-- New mystery short story by Claire Murray in KRL & much more

I'm late with this as I as well as Karl spent much of yesterday over at my Mom's house trying to help her deal with various things. As posted elsewhere yesterday....

Up this morning in Kings River Life Magazine a mystery short story by Claire Murray http://kingsriverlife.com/11/30/the-drop-a-mystery-short-story/

Also up this morning a review & giveaway of Heather Blake's new mystery novel "A Potion to Die" For and a fun interview with Heather http://kingsriverlife.com/11/30/a-potion-to-die-for-by-heather-blake/

We also have reviews & giveaways of 3 more fun Penguin mystery novels-"Freezer or I’ll Shoot" by Victoria Hamilton, "Read It and Weep" by Jenn McKinlay, and "Charms and Chocolate Chips": A Magical Bakery Mystery By Bailey Cates http://kingsriverlife.com/11/30/new-mysteries-from-hamilton-mckinlay-cates/

Also we have an article about Take Your Child To A Bookstore Day--a day started by mystery author Jenny Milchman, that is dedicated to encouraging our kids to read and enjoy the wonders of bookstores http://kingsriverlife.com/11/30/take-a-child-to-a-bookstore-day/

For those who enjoy fantasy with their mystery this morning we have a review & giveaway of Laura Resnick's new novel "The Misfortune Cookie" http://kingsriverlife.com/11/30/the-misfortune-cookie-by-laura-resnick/

And for the writers among us, we have an article about social media for writers written by mystery author  Sunny Frazier http://kingsriverlife.com/11/30/yea-sayers-and-nay-sayers-writers-and-social-media/

Lastly, over on KRL Lite, we have a review and giveaway of "Locked Within" by Helen Macie Osterman  http://kingsriverlife.blogspot.com/2013/11/locked-within-by-helen-macie-osterman.html

And as always, if you're having trouble with links in yahoo groups just go to our home page and scroll down to find all of these articles and more http://KingsRiverLife.com

Happy reading,

Lorie Ham

--

KRL is now selling advertising & we have special discounts for
mystery authors & bookstores! Ask me about it!
Mystery section in Kings River Life http://KingsRiverLife.com

Check out my own blog at http://mysteryratscloset.blogspot.com/

Via The Passive Voice--- Is there a return problem for digital books?

Is there a return problem for digital books?

My personal opinion is there is not one. I have noticed that some of the same people screaming about this issue are the same folks who want libraries closed because supposedly they cost book sales. Not buying the argument in either case.

A Message from author Elizabeth Zelvin (Bruce Kohler Series)

As posted elsewhere earlier today....

DEATH WILL EXTEND YOUR VACATION, the third Bruce Kohler mystery, is free today through Tuesday for Kindle. This is the one where Bruce and his friends take shares in a clean and sober group house in the Hamptons. Amazon has it in the Top 100 for both cozies and hardboiled. A lot of readers who have enjoyed Bruce's other adventures haven't read it yet, because the hardcover price never came down even on Amazon, so I hope many will take advantage of this opportunity.


And while you're at it...VOYAGE OF STRANGERS, my novel about what really happened when Columbus discovered America--the sequel to the Agatha-nominated story "The Green Cross"--is now live for Kindle.


BTW, if you are missing out on e-books because you don't have a Kindle, it's dead easy to download a free app to your iPad or tablet or whatever device you read on. Google Amazon.com: Free Kindle Reading Apps and the link will be right there.


Liz


Elizabeth Zelvin, three-time Agatha & Derringer nominee
DEATH WILL GET YOU SOBER 
www.elizabethzelvin.com

Liz Zelvin
OUTRAGEOUS OLDER WOMAN (CD or download)
www.lizzelvin.com

Sample Sunday--"Hell, Here & Now" in "Mind Slices: A Collection Of New And Previously Published Stories"

It is that time again for “Sample Sunday.” Today I thought I would share with you the beginning of the story that started everything long ago. Hell, Here & Now is a little dated, as Barry pointed out when he edited Mind Slices. But, considering it had been published first in the now defunct Starblade Magazine back in the 90s and then later elsewhere I made the decision not to try and update it. While self publishing allows one to make all sorts of changes to works previously published, that was not right for me.

Hell, Here & Now

I am Dantelus, the many-generational grandson of Dante. I have received special permission in the past to visit Hell in the hope that my works would bring a message to a world bent on self-destruction. Unfortunately, the message does not seem to be working on society. It is once again time to journey through the dark wood to the gates of hell. 

My only restriction was to not write movie sequels. While limiting my works in one sense, I can safely say that the sequels, “Lethal Weapon 16, A Time to Die” and “Batman12: The Frogman Strikes Back” were not mine. I could have made millions. Instead, I am trudging through the dark woods back to hell for more ideas after yet another box office disaster.

I came around a dark corner and, as always, the lion, the leopard, and the she-wolf sat waiting at the entrance. The lion yawned and sat back and presently went to sleep. The other two seemed to think that was a good idea and settled down then. Really, good help is so hard to find these days. This wouldn’t happen if my great-great (etc.) grandfather was still alive.

With a nod to tradition, I gave the creatures a wide berth as I stepped around them and Virgil appeared. Virgil has absolutely no sense of humor so I call him Virg. He hates being called Virg which is half the fun. It must be that old-school background of his.

“Hey, Virg! How’re they hanging, buddy?” He hates that question. I mean, he really hates that question.

Virgil looked at me coldly. “As I have told you numerous times before, Dantelus, I hate that question. As a shade, there is nothing left to hang. We are only shadows of our former selves. There are no physical bodies and therefore nothing can hang anywhere. I would suggest you save you witty repartee for your screenplays. Now, are you coming? I have a lot of work to do and I really don’t have time for this nonsense. By the way, how much did the last movie lose?”

“You already know that, don’t you? After all, this one was a bigger failure than that stupid futuristic water movie. At least my leading man didn’t try to direct.” I was annoyed and it showed. Virg had won that point and he knew it. “Let’s go.”

I fell in step behind Virgil and entered through the massive gate. We passed the banner and the line of people in the entranceway. These shades were doomed to circle behind the banner for all eternity for their failure to make a choice between good and evil during their lives. Amazingly, there seemed to be even more politicians and judges in the group than the last time I was down.

We crossed the river with the surly Charon into Hell proper and soon stood on the rim of the valley. We had entered the first circle. When we started down the winding road in the valley I noticed there was a portal in the wall along the road with closed doors.

“That appears to be an elevator, Virg. What’s going on?"

“Well, Dantelus, the state of the world has caused massive construction in Hell. We put in the elevator shaft so that the construction shades could move directly to the work areas and avoid delays and interference by going through each level. Come, get on and watch your step. Some of the rock around here is still loose and liability coverage is so expensive.” 

We stepped on board and Virgil punched the button for the first circle. “But Virg, if you need more space, then why doesn’t Satan – or God, for that matter—just create it?”

“Dantelus, my friend, God and Satan are just not hands-on management anymore. Thanks to your modern society producing so much managerial talent with their MBAs and what not, God and Satan now take things pretty easy. Most days you can find them in the park, drinking beer and playing chess. Of course, God always takes white.”

“But what about the construction?”

 “Well, the MBA shades decided that it would be cost-effective to put the shades that had done construction in their previous lives to work. That way, everyone works a little closer to heaven.”

As the elevator drifted downward, Virgil turned toward me. “Remember, all of this was originally created to save souls. Once his or her time is served and the proper remorse for past actions is shown, then a shade can begin the long journey to heaven. It is something like your prison system without the mockery of the accompanying justice system. We don’t have to worry about good-time, early release, et cetera. In fact—“

A thunderous roar shook the elevator suddenly. Alarmed, I asked, “What was that?”

“That was Satan, slamming the table, Dantelus. God won again, so Satan pays for the beer.” 

We traveled ....

The very positively reviewed book is  available for $2.99 at the following sites….

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009OIV346 

Smashwords http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/243655

Barnes and Noble’s NOOK  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mind-slices-kevin-tipple/1113576100?ean=2940044983076

I hope you will take a look.

Kevin

Blending Concepts

in ways that make some folks scream......