Reviewing Children's Book: "Davey BigHead: Dream Big"

Self published through Amazon’s Book Surge Division, this children’s book tells of Davey’s experiences at his first day of school. Davey has a very big head that is far out of proportion to the rest of his body. He can’t get on the bus because his head is too big. He gets caught in the jungle gym, is quickly out in dodge ball, and gets found easily during hide-and-go-seek after school all thanks to his giant head. His first day of school wasn’t very good. That night he has a great idea.

On his second day of school, he asks to play soccer and is told yes. Davey gets a uniform and before long is having a blast as his giant head is perfect for a soccer goalie. With cheers raining down on him along with the soccer ball, Davey leads his team to victory.

This is the start of a series, according to author Peter J. Hayden, and it is a very good start. Unlike many books published by Book Surge, the illustrations here are done very well and feature colorful pictures with many details. The text does not clash with the illustrations underneath it and serves to complement the artwork. This book is actually well made and in all appearances comes across as a children’s book from a traditional publisher. Marketed at kids of ages 9 to 12, the book appeals to a lower age range as children in the targeted group may find it way too simplistic for their reading level.

Teaching a message of acceptance and embracing differences, the book works well on a storyline level as well. Davey suffers setbacks and on his own figures out a way to succeed. Something that isn’t always easy to do.

Sure to be a hit with kids, it is going to be a pleasure to incorpate this book into my classes this fall.


Davey BigHead: Dream Big
Peter J. Hayden
http://www.daveybighead.com/
Book Surge Publishing
http://www.booksurge.com/
2009
ISBN# 1-4392-2972-4
26 Pages
12.99

Material provided through Bostick for the author for my objective review.


Kevin R. Tipple © 2009

Reviewing: "Strangle a Loaf of Italian Bread" by Denise Dietz

Ellie Bernstein likes to clip coupons and watch police shows when she isn’t doing her things as leader of a local chapter of “weight winners” or reading a complex mystery novel. That is, when she isn’t helping out her boyfriend, Lieutenant Peter Miller of the Colorado Springs Police Dept. These days find her also babysitting a dog for one of her diet club members.

Rachel Lester has to be out of town and Ellie is in charge of the dog named “Scout.” While the dog and Ellie’s own cat are getting along despite her initial concern, Ellie is a bit bored. September has been very slow on the crime action front and she wants something to happen so that Peter has to consult with her. She’d also like the coach of the Broncos to consult with her on why they just lost to the Chicago Bears.

She soon gets her wish, at least on the murder front, when waitress Sara Lee is found dead in the alley behind “Uncle Vinnie’s Gourmet Italian Restaurant.” Peter tells her some details and admits to not having a suspect. It certainly isn’t for want of trying to find one.

“Everybody liked Sara Lee. And that’s all I am going to tell you.” (Page 31)

Clearly, someone didn’t. Clearly, Peter needs help whether he knows it or not. Before long, in between thinking about food and how to link movie star Kevin Bacon to anything and everyone, Ellie gets to poking around the case. Her methods aren’t always orthodox, but are always highly entertaining as she solves more than one case bugging the Colorado Springs Police Dept.

This is the fourth installment of a highly entertaining series. It features not only Ellie and Peter, but the other characters familiar to readers such as Ellie’s brother Tab and her overbearing mother. The various storylines weave together slowly with the main focus being on food in various delectable forms. Ingredients and recipes are described in the text with an additional recipe at the end. Like some series, at least one ongoing storyline is left hanging wide open at the end to entice readers into picking up the next book. Despite that, the overall read is enjoyable with plenty of fun characters, romance, and murder to keep almost any reader who likes the cozy style of murder mystery entertained.


Strangle a Loaf of Italian Bread: An Ellie Bernstein / Lt. Peter Miller Mystery
http://www.eclectics.com/denise
Five Star Mystery Series
Gale/Cenage/Five Star
http://www.gale.cengage.com/fivestar/
May 2009
ISBN 978-1-58414-76909
E-Book


E-book version provided direct by the author for my objective review.

I also strongly recommend the very good novel "Eye of Newt" and I am still awaiting another one in that series. I refuse to accept the idea that it is one and done.




Kevin R. Tipple © 2009

Reviewing: "Wool Pets" by Laurie Sharp

Needle felting is using wool fibers and shaping them to create an object like a butterfly, kitten, rabbit, etc. The basics are wool, a barbed needle and a foam pad, though in the materials section, the author explains in words and pictures that it can be a bit more complicated than that. For example, the basic felting needle is “…a long, sharp, three-or five-sided barbed instrument.” (Page 6) Needles come in a variety of gauges and vary in the number of sides and locations of the barbs.

After an introduction that also discusses what to use as a foam pad and the types of wool, the book goes into basic techniques starting on page ten. How to properly “needle,” “roll the wool,”“making flat shapes,” and sculpting are covered in two pages of text and numerous photographs. The photographs, like all the ones in this book are done by Kevin Sharp, the author’s husband, and are fairly close in detail.

The patterns begin on page 13 with “Bug Magnets.” Patterns for “Bumble Bee” and “Lady Bug” are used with the “Bumble Bee” result much more realistic looking. That is quickly followed with a “Penguin & Chick “pattern, a “Butterfly Pin” one, and a “Bunny” pattern. Each of the twenty patterns in this book ranging from a “Border Collie” (Page 74), to a “Cat” (Page 80) to a “Giraffe” (Page 104) feature a close up large and in color picture of the finished item with detailed step by step instructions along with numerous pictures during various stages of the construction process. They range from the simple such as the previously mentioned “Bug Magnets” to the complex “Mermaid” found on pages 110-117 or the “Gnome Girl” on pages 118-125.

A gallery of a few more pictures, a list of resources and a brief author bio that includes a plug for her website and business brings this 128 page book to a close.

This a fun book full of interesting patterns and techniques and one sure to entertain and enlighten creative folks. The numerous pictures taken by her professional photographer husband add a level of detail and helpfulness to the book.


Wool Pets: making 20 Figures with Wool Roving and a Barbed Needle
Laurie Sharp
Creative Publishing International
http://www.creativepub.com/
2008
ISBN# 1-58923-385-9
Hardback
$19.95



Material provided by the good folks of the Plano, Texas Public Library System.


Kevin R. Tipple © 2009

Cookbook Review: "Back of the Box Cooking" by Barbara Greenman

If you are tired of saving recipes off of boxes, this book is for you. It features 500 recipes from over fifty brands in a hardback spiraled book format. These recipes are ones consumers requested the most from companies.

The thirteen chapters cover every meal time, snack time and desert. Each contributed recipe is just as it would be on the box so the directions are short and there isn’t any nutritional information. Nor are there any pictures. Color and flash are missing here as all you get are recipes and lots of them.

Also included in the 352 cookbook is information on the homepages for the various companies as well as a multi page index.

Edited by Barbara Greenman, the cookbook is a delight to use and an excellent way to reduce some kitchen clutter.


Back of the Box Cooking
Edited by Barbara Greenman
Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers
http://www.blackdogandleventhal.com/
ISBN# 978-1-57912-780-8
$19.95


Material provided by the good folks of the Plano, Texas Public Library System.


Kevin R. Tipple © 2009

Reviewing: "Mad Mouse: A John Ceepak Mystery" by Chris Grabenstein

“Mad Mouse” is the second in the series after “Tilt a Whirl” and features another interesting and dangerous case for police officers Danny Boyle and John Ceepak. It is late August and a few weeks after the events of the previous novel. Sea Heaven has returned to normal and much of the media attention has finally moved on to other targets leaving Danny to contemplate what the coming end of the summer means. The new police chief intends to hire one of the summer cops as a permant officer and Danny is hoping to move up.

In the meantime, it is time for the old gang of Danny, Katie Landry, (who Danny is hopeful will become a very special friend) Jess Garrett, Olivia Chibbs, Becca Adkinson and Harley Mook to meet. Every August 30th in honor of “National Toasted Marshmallow Day” the group gets together in an annual party ritual. It dates back to when they were teens and they still get together even though the friendships amongst the group are far different now then when they were kids. It should have been a simple late night party at the beach.

It was until the sniper opened fire.

At first, despite Becca’s serious eye injury, it appears that the attack was nothing more than an idiot with a paintball gun. Later investigation and subsequent attacks prove that bullets, along with paintballs are being fired at the group. And it just could be that Danny is the main target.

Being a tourist spot means that the local politicos want this to be kept quiet. The FBI already spent time in Sea Heaven working the Tilt a Whirl case and the local economy can’t take another visit from the FBI and media scrutiny. John Ceepak and Danny Boyle don’t care about that. They just want to end the escalating carnage.

Featuring the same quirky characters, flashes of humor, plenty of action, and another twisting mystery, “Mad Mouse” builds upon the strong foundation of the first book. Everyone is back, and while little more of Ceepak is revealed, readers really get a strong sense of who Danny Boyle was as a teenager and how far he has come in two novels. While the books should be read in order, it is possible to read this one first as there is a minimum of references to the first book.


Mad Mouse: A John Ceepak Mystery
Chris Grabenstein
http://www.chrisgrabenstein.com/
Carol & Graf (Avalon Publishing Group, Inc.)
2007
ISBN# 0-7867-1936-2
Trade Paperback
323 Pages
$14.95



Book provided by the author in exchange for my objective review. By the way, if you haven't read "Tilt A Whirl" you really should. Check it out!


Kevin R. Tipple © 2009

Reviewing: "Gone Tomorrow: A Reacher Novel" by Lee Child

“Gone Tomorrow” is the thirteenth novel in the Jack Reacher series and this one opens in a subway car in New York City. There are five passengers in the subway car with Jack and only one of them gives him any cause for concern. Twenty years ago when Jack was in detached duty with an Israeli army captain he learned the list of suicide bomber characteristics. The female passenger he is watching fits every single one of them.

But, Susan Mark, that female passenger was not a suicide bomber. Moments after Jack started talking to her, she pulled a gun and quickly committed suicide. According to one of the detectives who came to the resulting crime scene, Jack pushed her to do it by approaching her. Maybe he did. Or maybe, something or someone else caused it.

As long time readers know, once involved in something Reacher isn’t going to let it go until he decides it is over. A succession of suits from various governmental agencies arrive to ensure the cooperation of the NYPD, Jack, and anyone else involved. The bad guys have other ideas. With all of these people involved and telling Reacher to go home and forget about it, once knows that Reacher is just going to keep pushing with violent repercussions for everyone.

This latest Reacher novel is another good one despite the author’s need to constantly remind the readers of the freedoms lost in the wake of 9/11 tragedies. A drum that he has beat before to great effect and does tone down some in this novel while making the same points he has in recent novels. Much of the storyline is back dropped against the modern scourge of Al Quada and the fact that at one time they were our friends when they were fighting the Russians in the eighties. As he has done before, Lee Child has taken current political events and dropped Jack into the thick of a part of it.

While Reacher was always a taciturn fellow, he seems to be even more withdrawn in this book. Dialogue as a result is limited with most of the prose concerning action scenes or scenes where Reacher contemplates events while riding subway cars and trains or standing outside of various locations. As in the recent reads, he once again befriends a member of local Law Enforcement and before the final epic battle, spends some quality private time with her.

Oh, the sacrifices one must make for his country.

Still this is one of the better Reacher novels of recent memory. “Gone Tomorrow” is full of misdirection while moving forward at a rapid pace and only features one rather ridiculous plot coincidence. Though, as recent real world history has shown, just about anything is possible.



Gone Tomorrow: A Reacher Novel
Lee Child
http://www.leechild.com/
Delacorte Press (Bantam Dell)
http://bantamdell.com/
June 2009
ISBN #978-0-385-34057-1
Hardback
421 Pages
$27.00



Material supplied by the good folks of the Plano, Texas Public Library System.



Kevin R. Tipple © 2009

Reviewing: "The Scarecrow" by Michael Connelly

Last seen primarily in “The Poet,” Jack McEvoy returns in this novel which is both a mystery and a lament to the world of newspaper publishing. It’s been a lot of years since the celebrity success of his book on the poet serial killer and Jack is on the wrong side of 40. The LA Times has seen its best days and the latest round of staff cuts have included Jack. They will give him one break which at the same time is a bit of an insult. He can leave now or he can train his replacement, Angela Cook, for the next two weeks and collect another paycheck. Beyond that his options are few and he knows not much else.

“Death is my beat,” I whispered to myself. “I make my living from it. I forge my professional reputation on it.” ( P. 25)

In a final one finger salute to the management of the paper, he comes up with a plan. Contacted by a family member of Alonzo Wilson, who claims he didn’t do the murder he was arrested for, Jack decides to write about the case. With Alonzo being sixteen, living in the projects and dealing drugs, the story of how society created a killer almost writes itself. That is until Jack realizes the kid is innocent and was used by a serial killer as a scapegoat.

Society did create a serial killer. Not the teenager, at least not yet, but someone else who can use the internet and the digital world to track potential victims and those that would hunt him. Nothing and no one is safe from his online reach.

With frequent heart felt observations about the demise of newspapers, author Michal Connelly, aims a spotlight at what is happening today. Much of the early part of the book is spent on a tirade against what is happening in the newspaper industry today and unfortunately, it comes across as a whine and not a rallying call to save anything. It also serves to tell readers what they already know, if they are paying attention, and slows down the development of the story.

Against the backdrop of the slow collapse in newspaper publishing, Connelly has weaved together a good mystery using the classic clichéd pieces of the super smart computer guy who is a killer (which is told in the opening thereby killing much of the possible suspense), that nothing is safe online from a hacker or nefarious forces, and that a romance interrupted but meant to be can be rekindled. Each of the elements is a bit hackneyed and yet they all work together fairly well in the novel. After a rocky start, the reader is pulled into the fictional world and despite the author’s occasional heavy handed allusion to reality in the form of references to his own writing career; the overall read is a good one.

Simply put---It isn’t Bosch. But, it will do.


The Scarecrow
Michael Connelly
http://www.michaelconnelly.com/
Little, Brown And Company (Hatchette Book Group)
http://www.hatchettebookgroup.com/
May 2009
ISBN# 978-0-316-16630-0
Hardback
419 Pages (Additional 14 page preview of the October release of the latest Bosch —NINE DRAGONS)
$27.99


Material supplied by the good folks of the Plano, Texas Public Library System.


Kevin R. Tipple © 2009

Reviewing: "Quick Food: Gourmet Recipes in Just 30 Minutes"

At over 700 pages, this recently released paperback cookbook from Reader’s Digest boasts at containing over 300 recipes blending home style cooking and ethnic cuisine. Most are listed as easy to make and all are supposed to be made within thirty minutes. Fresh ingredients, not canned or frozen, is paramount here in most recipes with something available to serve the most finicky eater.



After a brief introduction, Chapter One opens with “Snacks and Starters” featuring “Smoked Salmon Dip” (Pages 18-19), “Sausage and Tabbouleh Wraps” (Page 28-29) and “Tuna Pastry Pies” (Pages 36-37) among others. With each recipe, the directions and ingredients are on the left page with a full page color picture on the right. Separate preparation and cooking times are listed which combined add up to thirty minutes, along with portion size and cooking difficulty level. Extra tips are few and far between because most info is included in the straightforward directions.

Chapter Two is on “Salads” and starts on pages 88 and 89 with “Smoked Chicken And Avocado Salad.” That is quickly followed by the “Arugula, Pancetta, And Tomato Salad” (Pages 90-91) and “Italian Sausage, Artichoke, And Asparagus Salad “(Pages 92-93) and many more. While many of the recipes in this chapter are labeled as “Level 1” meaning they are the simplest to make, they involve cooking meats and or vegetables first and then adding them to a salad. Therefore, if you like your salad relatively plain and simple, most of these recipes won’t work for you. Beans and nuts also pay a prominent role in many of these salads as well.

“Thai Tofu And Mushroom Soup” kicks off the “Soup” section starting on page 150. A hearty “Tomato, Vegetable And Bean Soup” (Page 158-159) and a “Hot And Sour Chicken Soup” (Pages 174-175) follow among many others.

Chapter Four is on “Pasta.” Of course, spaghetti is in here but this time it is as “Spaghetti With Mint, Garlic, And Olives,” (Pages 196-197) or “Spaghetti With Peas, Crisp Bacon, And Parmesan” (Pages 198-199) or “Spaghetti With Butter And Sage Bread Crumbs” (Pages 200-201) and several other variations. Recipes for fettuccine, angel hair pasta, penne, macaroni, and others are included.

“Noodles” is the theme of the next chapter with “Chicken Udon Noodle Soup” (pages 270-271), “Chile And Lime Shrimp Noodle Salad” (Pages 276-277) and “Warm Black Bean Lamb And Rice Noodle Salad” (Pages 280-281) among others. Many of the recipes here could have been included in the salad section. If you are really into noodles, you will love this section because they seem to have the topic well covered.

Chapter Six begins on page 318 with “Grains.” Risotto is the main ingredient here though there are a few rice recipes such as “Rice With Herb Pesto And Feta” (pages 352-353) and “Brown Rice Salad” (Pages 354-355). A noted earlier, there are recipes in this Chapter such as “Tuna Couscous Salad” (Pages 364-365) which easily could have appeared in the salads chapter section instead of here.

“Seafood” comes next and opens with “Spicy Mussel Soup.” (Pages 370-371) followed by the eye opening “Salt And Pepper Squid.” (Pages 372-373) There is also “Sea Bream With Fennel And Onions” (Pages 388-389) and “Cod With Potatoes” (Pages 394-395) among many others.

Chapter Eight is all about “Poultry.” Whether it is “Chicken With Asparagus And Prosciutto” (Pages 428-429) or “Grilled Chicken With Garlic, Lemon And Parsley” (Pages 431-432) or something else, chicken is prominent here. Duck is also occasionally included such as in “Duck And Green Onion Yakitori” (Pages 462-463). Also briefly mentioned are quail and turkey.

The ode to carnivores continues in the next chapter on “Meat.” The chapter opens with “Beef Fillets With Tomato Pesto and Prosciutto “(Pages 488-489) soon followed by “Beef Sirloin With Tomato And Olive Sauce” (Pages 494-495) and “Beef Steaks With Mushrooms And Sweet Potatoes” (Pages 496-497) and others. Numerous pork, lamb, and veal recipes are also included.

“Eggs And Cheese” also known as Chapter Ten begins with “Pan-Fried Eggs With Potatoes And Tomatoes” (Pages 552-553). Recipes for “Florentine Pizzas (Pages 560-561) and “Egg And Bacon Pies” (Pages 566-567) among others soon follow. None of these are the simple scrambled eggs and toast variety.

Chapter Eleven is on “Vegetables.” These include “Thai Vegetable Green Curry” (Pages 596-597), “Tomato, Garbanzo Bean, And Olive Pilaf” (Pages 600-601) and “Spicy Lentils With Spinach” (Pages 610-611) among others. Beans of a variety of types play a dominant role here along with a variety of nuts and grains.

“Desserts” is the final chapter and begins with “Chocolate Chip Puddings” on pages 644-645. A “Quick Tiramisu” (Pages 674-675) which uses coffee and sweet sherry follows among other delectable treats.

A six page index brings this colorful book to a close.

It should be noted that the thirty minutes claim is a little misleading for some of the recipes because it does not take into account total cooking time nor the occasional use of a prepared pizza dough or other base. Speed of meal preparation is important to many people and was used as a marketing tool here. The fact that some of these recipes take longer than 30 minutes is not necessarily a negative if you plan accordingly.

While this is a well done cookbook full of intriguing recipes, it does have a huge drawback. The book contains zero nutritional information. While the prevalence of fresh ingredients is clearly more healthful than use of canned, frozen, or prepared materials, the lack of nutritional information severely impacts its usefulness for those of us who must monitor such information.


Quick Food: Gourmet Recipes in Just 30 Minutes
Jenny Fanshaw & Annette Forrest
Reader’s Digest Association, Inc.
http://www.rd.com/
2009
ISBN# 978-0-7621-0981-4
Paperback
704 Pages
$24.95


Material provided by the good folks of the Plano, Texas Public Library System.



Kevin R. Tipple © 2009

Reviewing: "Pilikia is My Business" by Mark Troy

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. It is a very good one.



Pilikia is My Business
Mark Troy
http://hawaiian-eye.blogspot.com/
LTD Books
2001
ISBN# 1-55316-533-0
Trade Paperback
245 Pages


Material provided by the author in exchange for my objective review.



Kevin R. Tipple ©2009

Reviewing: "The Container Gardener’s Bible" by Joanna K. Harrison and Miranda Smith

Broken into four sections, this book is designed to teach you everything you every wanted to know about container gardening. The first section is about design and how to come up with a workable design for your gardening area. Before it gets to that though, the section opens with a multi page history lesson on containers which may tell you far more than you every wanted to know. After six pages of history, the book moves into “Why use a container?” There are multiple reasons and not just because of space limitations.

After answering that question in detail, the first section moves through various areas of design, types of planters and pots, colors, single species plantings as well as seasonal single species, formal, informal, etc. Pictures are frequently used to illustrate each idea with text explaining what was trying to be achieved, the setting or location of the containers, type of containers, plants involved or showcased, as well as tips on little extra things you can do to pull off the look. Your personal space, whether it is a balcony, roof top terrace, passageway, sunken garden, etc. plays a huge role as it is part the design and such scenarios are addressed in great detail. Attracting wildlife and being “green” are dominant themes throughout the book and are present here with several pages devoted to aquatic life as well as other ideas.

The second section is devoted to “Seasonal Planting” and starting with page 70 begins with “Spring Planting Ideas.” Tulips, Daffodils, Rosemary, Hyacinth, are all common but this book showcases ways to use them differently. Words won’t really describe how. Like virtually everything in the book, the pictures are what do the idea justice.

After moving through the four seasons with splashes of color everywhere it is time to do the same in “The Kitchen Garden.” No, this isn’t all about a few herbs that can be grown in a windowsill though that is covered. Instead, this third section of the book is about growing fruit and vegetables “…in containers and hanging baskets that will look attractive, taste good, and be far more economical than pricey store-bought produce.” (page 87) So along with herbs and strawberries planters, there are ideas for growing lettuce in a hanging basket, chard and rhubarbs in various pots, fruit trees in pots, and plants that can serve as living aromatics among other ideas.

Of course, buying the best plants is a waste if you don’t know anything about “Preparation and Planting.” Starting with things to consider when buying containers and pots, this fourth section of the book takes readers through everything they need to know about the many choices out there. The right potting mix is as important and again, going “green” or organic is the focus before detailed instructions on how to plant and trees in a variety of containers and locations. Watering, fertilizing, grooming and dealing with pests are just some of the other topics in this thirty-three page section.

A detailed plant directory featuring photographs and information on each plant follows. The information is broken in to mini sections by types of plants such as perennials, annuals, bulbs, climbers, grasses, bamboos, etc. Detailed info that has also appeared in the book earlier is listed here in a quick and easy reference guide.

A glossary, a world wide hardness zone map and a multi page index bring this 191 page book to a close.

Recently released, this book is not only a book of colorful big ideas; it is also a book of day to day practical advice. It helps both the novice gardener get started as well as the seasoned pro see things in a new way. With something for everyone, this book full of colorful photos, tons of information, and practical ideas makes a great gift as well as a personal resource.


The Container Gardener’s Bible: A Step-By-Step Guide To Growing In All Kinds Of Containers, Conditions And Locations
Joanna K. Harrison and Miranda Smith
Quarto Publishing (Rodale)
http://www.rodaleinc.com
2009
ISBN# 1594869588
Paperback
192 Pages
$21.95



Material provided by the good folks of the Plano, Texas Public Library System.


Kevin R. Tipple ©2009

Saturday Meeting of MWA-SW

JUMPING INTO THE DIGITAL PUBLISHING WORLD: A WRITER'S TOOL KIT Doris Booth, CEO Authorlink.com and WritersEducation. com speaks to writers on how to SUCCEED AND NAVIGATE within the soaring electronic and declining traditional book industry. The electronic book industry is growing by triple digits. The good news for writers is that this new animal is content hungry.

MWA-SW meet monthly on the first Saturday at Texas Land & Cattle, 812 South Central Expressway, Richardson, TX 75080 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. The $5.00 door fee pays for our free coffee/tea and use of the room. Stay, eat lunch and mingle/network.

For more information, Call Jeannie Furlong @ 214-663-1708 Info.

Reviewing: "Tilt A Whirl" by Chris Grabenstein

Sea Haven, New Jersey is an eighteen mile long barrier island consisting of motels, beach houses, bait shops, etc. For twenty-four year old Danny Boyle it is home and he works part time as an unarmed summer cop who helps with the influx of tourists in the muggy summer months. He just never expected to work a murder scene.

But, that is exactly what quickly happens because Danny also serves as the driver for John Ceepak. Ceepak used to be a military policeman, spent time in Iraq, and has been forced to deal with some really bad guys on more than one occasion. War is hell and Ceepak has lived it and has the memories. Ceepak is the man you want to follow into battle and is the man you want on your side. He lives by “The Code” that few these days can understand let alone follow.

The blonde girl, about thirteen years old, wearing a blood soaked dress and screaming as she comes up an avenue towards The Pancake Palace early one morning is a reminder that few live by Ceepak’s code. She is Ashley Hart, the daughter of Reginald and Betty Hall Heart. Betty Hall used to be on the local TV as the bubbly weather person. Reginald Hart was a businessman and real estate developer who did some rather unorthodox things and was very wealthy. Now, he is very dead having been gunned down on the Tilt-A-Whirl ride while sitting next to his daughter. The fact that the ride at the Sunnyside Play Land wasn’t even open yet this Saturday morning isn’t going to matter to the media or scared tourists. The fact that a crazed killer is wandering around the area is a chamber of commerce disaster and Chief Cosgrove wants it solved fast. He puts Ceepak and by extension his driver, Boyle, on the case. Murder is just the start of a twisting tale that ultimately leads to a horrifying conclusion.

Told at a fast pace, this is a read that quickly pulls the reader into the quirks of location and character. Both elements quickly come to life for the reader as back story is skillfully woven into dialogue and the occasional flashback. In a departure from most mysteries, the story is told in the first person from the Danny Boyle’s perspective while the real protagonist is Ceepak. This allows readers to get deeper into the Ceepak character because he is being observed while also getting a good idea of Danny’s character. It also works with the other characters that are never cardboard cutouts and instead are usually realistic and sometimes a bit quirky.

As some have noted, the cover does not remotely do justice to the book. Hot pink in background the cover prominently features a rollercoaster and not the ride depicted in the book. Though, there is a rollercoaster ride at the mythical Sunnyside Play Land so there is a vague link. While the design created by Michael Fusco seems very wrong, it does bring glances and inquires from folks when the book is out in public. More than one neighbor came over to see what I was working on now because they had spotted the cover as I sat reading on my apartment porch. Sometimes they came over at the most inopportune times.

The bottom line here is this is a book that fires on all cylinders and takes the reader on a very good ride. Sometimes funny, sometimes dark, this is a novel that quickly becomes riveting and one of the best I have read in a very long time. Start of a series, this is a very good one and a book you simply have to read.


Tilt-A Whirl
Chris Grabenstein
http://www.chrisgrabenstein.com/
Carol & Graf (Avalon Publishing Group, Inc.)
2006
ISBN# 0-78671-781-5
Trade Paperback
330 Pages
$14.95


Book provided by the author in exchange for my objective review.


Kevin R. Tipple © 2009

Reviewing: "The Duchess To The Rescue: A Bones & The Duchess Mystery"

At first Bones thinks it has to be a joke. Bones used to be a cop in the small town of Ephesus, Pennsylvania. He got fired for doing a good thing for a homeless woman. He’s made the local police and especially the police chief look weak by solving cases with the help of The Duchess (Verity Buscador). But, this really takes the cake.

Arrested while eating at the Broad Street Hotel, Bones is quickly transported to the local jail. He is accused of hit and run with his car and spray painting graffiti around town. Most of the graffiti makes fun of Police Chief Hunsicker and it is no secret that the two men don’t get along.

Clearly Bones needs the help of The Duchess to prove that he didn’t do any of it. The case looks bad because his car is damaged, there are empty spray paint cans in the backseat area of his car, and he has no witnesses to prove that he is innocent. Good thing her mom, Quintessa, is a lawyer. With mom handling stuff in the courtroom and The Duchess working the teen graffiti artist angle, it won’t be long before the real person who did all of it will be identified.

As in the other books in the series, Aspergers and the role it plays in the life of The Duchess and those that care about her is discussed in the course of the solving the mystery. While the Aspergers is always present, it does not dominate the story. Instead, issues familiar to kids of feeling alone, bullying, and other things are at the forefront of this book. The truth can be a heavy burden and once again The Duchess sees things clearly while the adults in her world do not. The result is another strong mystery for readers in the targeted age group of forth to seventh grade readers that provides a good moral and a good tale.


The Duchess To The Rescue: A Bones & The Duchess Mystery
Alexandra Eden
Allen A. Knoll, Publishers
http://www.knollpublishers.com/
2006
ISBN# 1-888310-55-3
Hardback
122 Pages
$16.00


Book provided by the publisher in exchange for my objective review.


Kevin R. Tipple © 2009

Reviewing: "Hose Monkey" by Tony Spinosa

Mid February 2004 finds Long Island, New York cold and dreary. So too is the life of former NYPD Detective Joe Serpe. His life is a wreckage of shattered dreams and hopes. His fifteen year marriage has collapsed with no hope of reconciliation. His former partner committed suicide during a police corruption investigation that took both of their jobs and ended any chance of having a career in law enforcement. Then, there is his brother, Vinny, a firefighter who died running for his life as Tower One fell. Vinny had been the only one to stand by him while his life crumbled and it was Vinny who took him into his home where he had no other place to go but the streets. Vinny’s home became Joe Serpe’s with Vinny’s death and his voice still plays daily on the outgoing message on the phone answering machine. Joe Serpe’s existence has shrunk down to living as a ghost of his former self while he delivers home heating oil by day and drinks Vodka heavily each night.

Also dealing with loss is Bob Healy who lost his wife Mary to pancreatic cancer. His period of loss has been shorter, only six months, but it is just as painfully deep. He’s trying to adjust, not only to her loss, but to doing all the things she used to routinely take care of which includes getting the heating oil delivered. He also was the lead Internal Affairs Detective on Serpe’s case.

By coincidence or stroke of luck, Joe Serpe ends up making a delivery to Healy’s home. That visit rekindles bitterness between the two men as well as long unfinished business. At almost the same time a mentally handicapped coworker of Joe’s is killed. The local police figure it to be the work of gangs. Joe disagrees and before long Joe Serpe and Bob Healy are in contact and soon grudgingly working together to find justice for the dead while trying to bury their burdens from the past.

You may not have heard of Tony Spinosa. If you have heard of Reed Farrel Coleman the author who has a slew of awards for his Moe Prager series (“Walking The Perfect Square” and others)



then you will be interested in his pseudonym Tony Spinosa. This book is a far different book than the Moe Prager series though familiar themes are again present here.

Grittier in all aspects, this first novel in the Joe Serpe series features tough language, graphic violence and a man at the proverbial end of the line in many ways. Joe is just going through the motions of a bare existence that is empathetically painful for the reader. His depression and anger at the world fueled nightly by Vodka figuratively drips off of the pages in the first half of the book.

Guilt is a powerful motivator and Joe has plenty to feel guilty about. Love is a powerful motivator as well and that works on Joe almost as well as the guilt does. Once Joe begins to come alive as a human being again along with being an investigator, he becomes a threat to others. Readers quickly learn just how good a cop Joe was back in the day.

Written in a third person tough guy style far different than the Moe Prager series, this complex intriguing read blends plenty of mystery, violence, and the beginnings of a romance into a hard hitting story.


Hose Monkey
Tony Spinosa
http://www.tonyspinosa.com/
Bleak House Books (Big Earth Publishing)
http://www.bleakhousebooks.com/
2006
ISBN# 1-932557-18-0
Hardback
292 Pages
$23.95


My sincere thanks to the staff of the Irving Public Library in Irving, Texas who sent a copy of the book to my local library in Plano, Texas. Interlibrary loan is a wonderful thing.


Kevin R. Tipple © 2009

Reviewing: "Nightwalkers: A Novel" by P. T. Deutermann

It began with “The Cat Dancers” and now in this fourth book, Cam Richter needs a break. “Hide and Seek Investigations” is doing well and the events of “The Moonpool” case are finally beginning to fade somewhat. Cam is tired of living in Triboro and tired of the tedium of the usual cases the company has going. Unlike Sharon McCone in “Burn Out” (written by Marcia Muller) he isn’t depressed or anything like that. Cam Richter has always done best when he has had a challenge and these days he needs a new challenge and a change of scenery.

He may have found both with his purchase of “Glory’s End.” A sprawling antebellum plantation of 700 acres located on the banks of the Dan River in North Carolina that also happens to be home to a Civil War massacre. History that hasn’t ever changed for some of his neighbors and is just as powerful today as then. Their ways are very strange to Cam and he has to adjust to their expectations as well as changing a few of his own.

Cam has another problem that takes a higher priority over the home renovation project. Renovation of the plantation home could take years. He won’t have that time if ex-con Billie Ray Breen follows through on his often made threats to get even. Billie Ray Breen unfortunately survived the shoot out with Cam years ago and the nasty piece of work is getting early release from prison.

Before long, “Glory’s End” becomes the site of a psychological and occasional shooting war as Cam deals with the past in more ways than one. Vendettas are an age old theme of the human race and its literature and that idea is worked well here.

This fourth in the series sheds little new light on the Cam Richter character or for that matter any of his team from “Hide and Seek Investigations.” Instead, much like what James Lee Burke often does in his Dave Robicheaux novels, the primary focus is on the past. The past becomes a character in its own right and that certainly is true here. “Glory’s End” officially established in 1838 has had a long and storied history as has the surrounding North Carolina and Virginia countryside. There is literally blood in the land and the land still draws blood in this modern age. Deutermann brings that Civil War past to life and pays homage to it while at the same time not celebrating the heinous aspects of it.

Along the way, he populates the book with a complex mystery that is obvious only in a couple of spots, plenty of action and intrigue, along with fully formed realistic characters engaged in their lives. The result is another very good book in a series that one hopes is not ending but branching off into a new direction for Cam and his dogs.


Nightwalkers: A Novel
P. T. Deutermann
http://www.ptdeutermann.com/
St. Martin’s Press
http://www.stmartins.com/
June 2009
ISBN# 0-312-37241-8
Hardback
311 Pages
$24.95



Review copy provided by the good folks of the Plano, Texas Library System.

If you haven't read this series, start with "The Cat Dancers."





Kevin R. Tipple © 2009

MOONDAY: The 40th Anniversary of the First Moon Landing!

THE FRONTIERS OF FLIGHT MUSEUM

And

The National Space Society of North Texas

Present

MOONDAY

The 40th Anniversary of the First Moon Landing!
Sunday, July 19, 2009—1:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Door prizes will be awarded every half-hour (from 1:30-5:00) in addition to the special prizes given during auditorium presentations.

Visitors will receive a "space kit" with space flight-oriented posters, mouse pads, Moon maps, stickers, puzzles, and other items, while supplies last.

1:30-2:15: Marianne Dyson, former NASA Flight Controller and author of space-themed books including Home on the Moon for middle-school readers, presents "Next Step: The Moon" for families (see http://www.mdyson.com/)




2:30-3:15: Craig Nelson (see www.craignelson.us) will speak about his newest book, Rocket Men: The Epic Story of the First Men on the Moon. Both he and Marianne Dyson will be available to sign their books thoughout the day.





3:30-4:15: Ron DiIulio, Planetarium and Astronomy Lab Director in the Department of Physics at the University of North Texas, presents "How to Find a Fallen Star" about the origins of the solar system, and awards an actual meteorite from outer space to one lucky audience member.

Chaz Hafey, Astronomy and Physics Lab Coordinator for Brookhaven College, fascinates students of all ages with actual lunar soil and rock samples provided by NASA. The program, at 2:00, 3:00 and 4:00 p.m., is free—but space is limited, so call (214) 350-1651 for a reservation.

The Dallas Area Rocket Society (DARS) will give a model rocket- building class at 2:30 p.m. for students age 10 and up. The $25.00 fee includes the model rocket kit, two rocket motors and a one-year membership in DARS which provides students a launch venue for their rockets. Call (214) 350-1651 to enroll.

And many more exciting presentations.

Go to www.flightmuseum.com or call (214) 350-1651 for more information.

Frontiers of Flight Museum
6911 Lemmon Avenue
Dallas, Texas 75209

Reviewing: "Don't Look Twice" by Andrew Gross

Lieutenant Ty Hauck returns in this sequel to “The Dark Tide” with a bang. It has been a year since those events and much has changed. Hauck has become something of a media darling. His relationship with Karen has become increasingly problematic far beyond the different worlds they inhabit. Then, there is his 13 year old daughter, Jessie who is moving into adolescence and Ty is experiencing the culture shock that hits all fathers. He has all that and a lot more on his mind on a routine Saturday morning when he stops to pick up a few things at the local Exxon station.

A routine morning until the gunman, seemingly targeting Ty Hauck at first, opens fire sending bullets into the Exxon station. In the aftermath, while Jessie and Ty survive, the man in line behind them was shot twice in the chest and killed. The dead man was a federal prosecutor by the name of David Sanger working out of Hartford, Connecticut. Ty and his team from the Violent Crimes Unit of the Greenwich Police will soon be working a wide ranging investigation that leads far from the initial shooting with the help and hindrance of the FBI.

Experience has shown that the more strident blurbs on a book or in the promotional copy, the weaker the book and that is certainly the case here. Following the same tired formula of the previous book with this character, this is another paint by the numbers thriller despite the promising beginning. It doesn’t take too long to meet the newest vulnerable widow who had no idea her husband had hundreds of thousands of dollars in a secret account. Ty Hauck is, of course, attracted to her and her family while the last widow he romanced seems to be moving on with her life. There are other comparisons but it becomes tedious to list all the way this book follows the same format of "The Dark Tide".


Formulaic with its clichéd and shallow characters, teasers at the end of each very short chapter, frantic pacing encouraging readers to ignore the shallowness of this extended short story, the resulting read shows virtually zero improvement over the previous book. Fans of the author’s work as co-author to James Patterson through a number of novels may appreciate this read. Those looking for something beyond clichéd, shallow characters and an actual story of any depth, will not.


Don’t Look Twice
Andrew Gross
William Morrow (Harper Collins Publishers)
http://www.harpercollins.com
March 2009
ISBN#
Hardback
384 Pages
$25.99


ARC received through the Amazon Vine Program in exchange for my objective review.

Kevin R. Tipple © 2009

Mini Review: "Asian Texans" edited by Irwin A. Tang

Lost in much of the discussion and exploration of the history of Texas is the role of the Asian culture in Texas. Charting the history of The Chinese, Koreans, Vietnamese, and others in Texas, Editor Irwin A. Tang puts the past and the recent present into interesting perspective. Thanks to his team of more than 20 researchers and writers and a five year effort, the resulting 404 page book is a comprehensive and detailed accounting of an often overlooked area of Texas History. Heavy with facts and figures, the work is dry at times, but consistently highly informative.

Asian Texans: Our Histories and Our Lives
Edited by Irwin A. Tang
The it Works
http://www.irwinbooks.com/
March 2008
ISBN# 978-0-9679433-7-4
402 Pages

Book provided by the good folks of the Plano, Texas Public Library System.

Kevin R. Tipple (c) 2009

Reviewing: "Landscaping With Fruit" by Lee Reich

Growing your own vegetables and fruits has come back into favor in the last year thanks to the bad economy. Instead of focusing primarily on beauty in the landscape a lot of folks went in a new direction and began planting with the idea of growing food. As the author notes in the introduction, one can plant fruit producing plants that also provide beauty in the landscape.

After the introduction, the book is essentially divided into two parts though that organization is never expressly stated by the author. The first half of the book is all about the technical details. The second half is all about the various plants. Of course, various plants are discussed and there are photographs of them in the first section, but the overriding material is regarding landscape design and placement of the plants as well as how to maintain them.

The first chapter covers “Landscape Design Basics.” As implied by the title, it is how to figure out how one yard looks better that another(and not just because everything is alive and thriving), how to figure out what you have, what you want, how to use different plants to achieve different goals, etc.

“Considerations In Planting” follows with topics on weather, your local soil, types of sunlight in your area, etc.

This leads directly into the chapter titled “Growing The Plants.” Spending money and effort on planting is doomed to failure if you don’t know what will grow best, how to care for your soil, prune and protect against pests of all types, among other topics.

Various plans for several different layouts are found in the next section titled “Home Landscape Plans.” Starting on page 61, you are led through “A Patio Fruitscape,” and “A Modular Backyard” and a very neat design for “A Children’s Garden” (which also appeals to adults as a retreat) and many others.

Starting on page 73 is the “Guide To Fruiting Landscape Plants.” The plants were selected for landscaping in temperate climates which the author interestingly defines as “… having distinct winter and summer seasons.” (P.73) After an overview table listing the name of the plant, what it usually produces in terms of quantity, zones it lives in according to USDA and AHS, landscape use, prominent ornamental qualities, ( types of bloom, leaf, color, etc.) among other categories, the book moves into very detailed descriptions of the plants. Along with much of the info listed in the chart being repeated here there are photographs of the plants and plenty of growing tips. Nearly forty plants are listed and include several varieties of cherries, currants, kiwi fruit, pear and others. There are also suggestions for fruit trees in pots using various types of citrus, as well as fig, kumquat, and others.

A list of suppliers, reading resources, zone maps and eleven page index bring this very helpful book to a close.

Despite the photographed lusciousness of many of the plants in the book, which would indicate a heavy need of water, many plants such as the “Russian Olive” ( Pages 162-163) prefer it drier with low humidity. So, while not specific to Texas readers, this book does feature plants that will work here as well as various other places in this country. Be sure to read all the info for each plant so that you can make a good decision as to what fits best in your landscape.

Comprehensive and detailed, 191 page book provides a wealth of good advice in how to incorporate fruit bearing plants your landscape. While it might be trendy among some right now to do so, this book will show you what to do to keep fruit coming from your landscape long after the fad has passed.


Landscaping With Fruit
Lee Reich
Storey Publishing
http://www.storey.com/
2009
ISBN# 978-1-60342-091-4
$19.95
191 Pages


Book provided by the good folks of the Plano, Texas Public Library System.



Kevin R. Tipple © 2009

Reviewing: "Williams-Sonoma: New Flavors for Soups--Classic Recipes Redefined"

With recipes by Adam Ried, this colorful book is organized by four sections labeled for each season of the year. The forty-four soup and a few stew recipes are organized that way to take advantage of what should be in stock and of the highest quality at that time. After an intro that pushes using locally grown produce, organic when possible, and seasonal importance along with being bold in flavors and providing texture in the soup, “Spring” kicks off the recipes.

It begins on pages 16/ 17 with “Leek And Asparagus Vichyssoise” and includes a full color picture. Like others cookbooks from Williams-Sonoma each recipe has detailed directions, an extensive list of ingredients, a serving count, and some general tips along with directions on how to serve the completed dish. That same formula continues through other recipes in this chapter such as “Artichoke And Onion Soup With Green Garlic” (Pages 22-25), “Caramelized Onion Soup With Cheese Croutons” (Pages 28-29), “Chilled Sour Cherry Soup With Tarragon” (Pages 40-41) and others.

“Summer” section kicks off rightfully so with a soup using tomatoes in “Summer Vegetable Minestra With Orzo And Arugula Pesto” (Pages 48-49). If that doesn’t appeal, there is the “Grilled Vegetable Gazpacho” (Pages 54-55), “Lobster And Sweet Corn Chowder” (Pages 60-61) or the “Tomato- Bread Soup With Toasted Garlic Oil” (Pages 62-63 which really means adding at the end toasted garlic smothered in oil) among many others. Zucchini, the afore mentioned garlic, and tomatoes are frequent ingredients in these recipes.

The “Fall” section kicks off on pages 80 and 81 with the “Pumpkin Soup With Sweet And Spicy Pumpkin Seeds.” If that doesn’t appeal the following recipe is “Mussels In Yellow Curry Broth With Thai Basil” (Pages 82-83). Tomatoes, peppers and mushrooms are the primary ingredients for these recipes along with turkey and ham.

Pages 112-173 kick off “Winter” with “Kale And Roasted Sweet Potato Soup With Lamb Sausage.” Beans and cheeses are primary here with recipes such as “Cheddar And Hard Cider Soup With Fried Shallots” (Pages 118-119) and “Chicken And Hominy Soup With Ancho Chiles “(Pages 132-155) among others.

The book moves to a close with a section on fundamentals aimed at making stocks and broths of various types and cooking dried beans, nuts and seeds and other tips. That is followed by a multi page easy to use chart listing various ingredients and their seasonal availabilities. A multi page glossary and index follow bringing this 160 page book to a close.

Like other books in the series, each dish is lovingly photographed and often rather complex. Those with strong cooking skills won’t be intimidated but those with weak skills or very finicky eaters in the family may wish to consider other books in this area. Screams of “Yuck!” and “Oh, that looks so gross!” from my sons while examining this book do not bode well for the future use of the book in my kitchen.


Servings or proportions are noted, but it would appear based on the extreme close up photography that the portions are small. It is also worth noting that this recently released book contains absolutely zero nutritional info. So readers concerned with fat intake, sodium, etc, will have to examine the ingredients for each recipe to determine suitability. In a few recipes, suggestions are made for using a low sodium broth or stock as part of the soup base. With the rising problem of obesity in this country and so many people watching their diets for such important needs, it is surprising that cookbooks are still being published without such very important information. One hopes that is something that Williams-Sonoma will rectify in the future.

Other than that dietary concern, overall the 160 page cookbook is done very well. Filled with numerous recipes that will take you in many different ways the cookbook does live up to its title very well. Whether it works for you and your family depends on your abilities in the kitchen and the taste buds involved.



Williams-Sonoma: New Flavors for Soups—Classic Recipes Redefined
Recipes by Adam Ried
Photos by Kate Sears
Oxmoor House
http://www.oxmoorhouse.com/
February, 2009
ISBN# 0-8487-3271-5
159 Pages
$22.95


Review copy provided by the good folks of the Plano, Texas Public Library System.


Kevin R. Tipple © 2009