Gone for a few days....

Heading for a lovely Overhead Door convention in Dallas. See ya on the flip side....

Much love,

PK the Bookeemosnter

Adventures in Shopping

Today's Blog/Website of the Day is Donna Moore's new blog Big Beat from Badsville found at http://bigbeatfrombadsville.blogspot.com/. Welcome to the blogosphere, Donna!

I read COCAINE BLUES by Kerry Greenwood in the past day. It is first in a beloved series. I found it okay. I think for me, this protagonist, Phryne Fisher, will have to be read in small doses. A little goes a long way. So I'm auditioning again. I'm still holding off on starting the new Michael Connelly until I'm on the jet heading to Dallas on Sunday. Garage door convention with Steve. Let me (not) tell you how exciting those can be. Oy.

So I went shirt shopping this morning because it's going to be HOT down there and I want the flimsiest of tops that still look decent that can be found. I tried on many many shirts and blouses. Who are these people designing for?!? Some of the ugliest I've never seen were on display to be sold. Some only made me look like I was wearing maternity wear. Others had huge buttons or bows or really ugly prints or construction that was strange. I did manage to find a couple that I think will be okay. Nice and filmy but okay to wear if you have a tank or camisole underneath. But in trying on these tops I realized I was past due for new bras (yes, Mother). So that was another adventure. It was actually difficult to find any that didn't have underwire. Why do women want to wear underwires? They're so uncomfortable. So anyway, a succesful shopping trip.

Shopping took up early walking time with Tug so we got going shortly after noon. It was HOT (80s). Tug fortunately is able to jump in the ditches every once in a while. He didn't start to limp a bit until the last third of the walk which I think is an improvement. We got home and I slugged ice water and stood in front of the fan on its highest setting. Hot. Tug, however, doesn't let us walk early than 11 in the morning -- when it's cooler -- because he either doesn't remember it or it doesn't count. Either way, if we do it earlier than 11, he's at me again in the afternoon. And he doesn't believe me when I say it's too hot; let's do it later in the evening when it's cooler. He believes he'll never get a walk ever again if we don't do it midday. Silly puppy.

I'm on day 16 of the tea detox. I don't think I'll be taking it with me on the trip. Can you imagine trying to get "green leafy material" through security when they don't even let you carry on bottled water? And the food restriction may be difficult to manage with food limitations of a convention. I'll be doing the detox through day 18 of 22 and call it good, I think. I never did have the emotional reactions that Jody and the tea lady were warning about. Hunh. Nor the weight loss. Damn.

Say Yes to the Dress isn't on tonight so I don't think there's anything for me to view on tv so I will probably read again.

We leave Sunday morning so tomorrow I'll have to do all cleaning and plan the packing strategy. I don't think we're taking the laptop so I'll be out of contact Sunday for a few days. Coming back, I imagine I'll have a few stories to tell.

See you tomorrow....

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Holding auditions

Today's Blog/Website of the Day is author Jennifer Crusie's found at http://www.arghink.com/.

I finished DEATH OF RILEY by Rhys Bowen. A pleasant historical mystery read. I'm now holding auditions again. I'm saving THE SCARECROW, Michael Connelly's latest and greatest for the trip to Dallas. I really only need one more read for the month of May to be at an average of 10 books a month read for the year thus far (I had a couple extras in previous months). (yes, I'm a book addict and I want to keep my average up).

What I'm looking for is a light-ish quick but enjoyable read in the mystery genre. I stopped by the library and here's what I'm looking at:

1) THE TAVERN IN THE MORNING by Alys Clare

This is 3rd of 12 in series featuring Abbess Helewise and Sir Josse d’Acquin, a French knight, at the Hawkenly Abbey in England during the 12th century.

Here's a description:

Market day, and the inn at Tonbridge has been busy since early morning. As night closes in, a man lies dying in the guest chamber, poisoned by a piece of pie made by the inn's hostess, Goody Anne. Josse d'Acquin, a regular visitor to the tavern and an admirer of Goody Anne's culinary skills, arrives to investigate. He discovers wolf's bane in the remnants of the pie, and learns that, among all the strangers in the tavern that day, one stood out -- a charming, handsome nobleman who asked for the same chicken and vegetable pie. When he fails to persuade the Sheriff that the death is suspicious, Josse turns to his old friend, Abbess Helewise. Weakened from a severe bout of fever, she nonetheless provides a thread of common sense as Josse follows the trail of murder into the great Wealden Forest, where he finds something that will change his life forever.

It was published in 2000 and has 230 pages. A series I've started and would like to keep with; sometimes gets a little too light.

2) TO DAVY JONES BELOW by Carola Dunn

This is 9th of 17 in series featuring Daisy Dalrymple, a journalist in 1920's England.

Here's a description:

In late 1923, the newly married Daisy Dalrymple and Detective Chief Inspector Alec Fletcher of Scotland Yard take an ocean voyage to America for their honeymoon. Accompanied by Daisy's childhood friend Phillip Petrie, his wife Gloria, and Gloria's father - American millionaire industrialist Caleb P. Arbuckle, Daisy and Alec are looking forward to a pleasant, uneventful trip. But at the last minute they are joined by Arbuckle's new friend - Yorkshire millionaire Jethro Gotobed and his new wife Wanda, a showgirl whom all but Gotobed are convinced is a golddigger of the worst sort. Then, having barely lifted anchor, the ocean liner is beset by a series of suspicious accidents and deaths. With harsh weather and rough seas putting many - including Alec - out of commission due to seasickness, it soon falls to Daisy to figure out what connection there might be between the seemingly unrelated incidents. Convinced that there's a murderer aboard ship, Daisy must unmask the culprit or culprits before anyone else - especially herself - falls victim.

It was published in 2001 and has 256 pages. A solid book; a series that I've continued reading.

3) COCAINE BLUES by Kerry Greenwood

This is first of 18 in series featuring Phryne Fisher, in 1920s Melbourne, Australia.

Here's a description:

The London season is in full fling at the end of the 1920s, but the Honourable Phryne Fishershe of the green-gray eyes, diamant garters, and outfits that should not be sprung suddenly on those of nervous dispositionsis rapidly tiring of the tedium of arranging flowers, making polite conversations with retired colonels, and dancing with weak-chinned men. Instead, Phryne decides it might be rather amusing to try her hand at being a lady detective in Melbourne, Australia. Almost immediately from the time she arrives, Phryne is embroiled in mystery: poisoned wives, cocaine smuggling rings, corrupt cops, and communismnot to mention erotic encounters with a beautiful Russian danceruntil her adventure reaches its steamy end in the Turkish baths of Little Lonsdale Street.

This was published in 1989 and has 175 pages. I've been meaning to try to read this series; I've tried once before and couldn't get into it. The plus side is that it is a shorter book to read.

4) FATAL LAWS by Jim Michael Hansen

This is 3rd of 7 (though I'm told they don't have to read in order) featuring Bryson Coventry, a homicide detective in Denver, Colorado.

Here's a desciption:

Denver homicide detective Bryson Coventry senses something different about his current case, involving the murders of four young women. Part of the difference is that one of the suspects, a mysterious woman named Tianca, is getting under Coventry's skin in the most inappropriate of ways. Another difference is the mixed message being sent by the victims. Are they victims of a serial killer, as it first appears? If so, why were they all killed in different ways? Baffled, Coventry and steadfast colleague Shalifa Netherwood grind their way through the evidence. Meanwhile, a young law associate who had once worked with one of the victims inadvertently involves herself with the investigation, possibly to her own peril.

Published in 2007 and has 400 pages. Getting raves on 4MA so would like to give it a try but it may have to wait until next week.

Another hot day -- mid 80s. Tug is still limping a bit but we're slowly extending our walks back to normal. I don't think there's anything on tv tonight for me so perhaps I'll be able to make a decision about the reading thing.

'til tomorrow...

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Oh, it's Wednesday already?

Today's Blog/Website of the Day is The Book Case found at http://bookpage.wordpress.com/. Here you’ll find news and thoughts on publishing and more from the editors of BookPage, a publication you can find for free in most libraries. Lots of reading and book world tidbits to be found. For instance:

Legions of Stephen King fans are in for a treat November 10th, when Scribner will release Under the Dome—an 1,136 page “tour de force” from the master storyteller.
From the Scribner catalog:“On an entirely normal, beautiful fall day in Chester’s Mill, Maine, the town is inexplicably and suddenly sealed off from the rest of the world by an invisible force field. Planes crash into it and fall from the sky in flaming wreckage, a gardener’s hand is severed as “the dome” comes down on it, people running errands in the neighboring town are divided from their families, and cars explode on impact. No one can fathom what this barrier is, where it came from, and when—or if—it will go away.” Featuring more than 100 characters facing a menacing supernatural element in their small Maine town, early reads are comparing Under the Dome to King’s classic epic, The Stand.

I'm currently reading DEATH OF RILEY by Rhys Bowen. This is 2nd of 8 in series featuring Molly Murphy, an Irish immigrant in early 20th-century who wants to be a private investigator, in New York City. Here's a description:

Molly Murphy has finally begun to forget the unpleasant murder of a would-be rapist back in Ireland, not to mention her investigation into the murder of a fellow recent Irish immigrant, and is finally free to begin her life in New York City. Given her experiences so far in the New World, Molly has decided that her first order of business is to become a private investigator, a people finder of sorts, working for families in Europe who've lost touch with relatives in America. Paddy Riley is a tough old Cockney P.I. who specializes in divorce work, and with a little persuasion he's ready to take on Molly as an apprentice. It's not exactly what she imagined, but she plans to make the most of it. That is, until she comes in to work one day to find her new world turned upside down and all expectations for her professional life suddenly up in the air. Before long, Molly has set off on a journey that will take her through the back alleys of Manhattan and into the bars and lounges of the literary scene, where she spends time with writers, actors, poets, and musicians. It's quite an eye-opening turn for innocent young Molly, but she's resolute in her decision to find out exactly what happened that day in the office of Paddy Riley. Armed with nothing more than her fiery will and matching wild red hair, Molly has no idea of the danger her pursuit may bring.

This book was published in 2002 and was a Finalist 2002 Agatha Award for Best Novel. It has 320 pages.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Dash it all!

Sorry for being late to post. Another day has gotten by me.



I had an appointment this morning but I also had to take Tug to the vet to get a final answer about his injury. Two x-rays and mummble mummble dollars later, it's not an injury to his paw, rather his elbows are riddled with arthritis so says the vet. So we have a prescription to give him and he's not to jump or run (yeah right). The poor baby. He's only six but apparently in big dogs...

Today's Blog/Website of the Day is Things I'd Rather Be Doing found at http://www.tirbd.com/.

I'm currently reading A FINER END by Deborah Crombie. This is 7th of 13 in series featuring Duncan Kincaid, a Scotland Yard superintendent, and Gemma James, a sergeant, in London, England. Here's a description:

When Duncan Kincaid’s cousin Jack calls from Glastonbury to ask for his help on a rather unusual matter, Duncan welcomes the chance to spend a relaxing weekend outside of London with Gemma--but relaxation isn’t on the agenda. Glastonbury is revered as the site of an ancient abbey, the mythical burial place of King Arthur and Guinevere, and a source of strong druid power. Jack has no more than a passing interest in its history--until he comes across an extraordinary chronicle almost a thousand years old. The record reveals something terrible and bloody shattered the abbey’s peace long ago--knowledge that will spark violence that reaches into the present. Soon it is up to Duncan and Gemma to find the truth the local police cannot see. But no one envisions the peril that lies ahead--or that there is more at stake than they ever dreamed possible.

The book was published in 2001 and has 368 pages.

It's been a beautiful day out. I'm thinking of having hamburgers for dinner (we'll see if Steve will cook them on the grill). I don't think anything is on tv for me tonight so I shall continue to read.

Have a lovely!

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Memorial Day

Update on Tug: yesterday afternoon he was putting some weight on his paw so we think it was a sprain and will continue to get better.

Today's Blog/Website of the Day is Roman Mysteries Blog found at http://flavias.blogspot.com/.

I'm currently reading THE SPIDER'S TOUCH by Patricia Wynn. This is 2nd of 3 in series featuringGideon St. Mars, a viscount who becomes the highwayman Blue Satan, and his friend Mrs. Kean, in early 18th century England. Here is a description:

It is 1715, and George I has just ascended the English throne, causing heart palpitations among the ardent supporters of James Stuart, the exiled Pretender. Gideon, unjustly accused of the murder of his father, leaves his own French exile on a fact-finding mission for James but refuses complete allegiance. Hester, meanwhile, suffers (somewhat) in the retinue of the Earl of Hawkhurst, the man who holds Gideon's rightful place in England. Pretender King James offers Gideon the return of his estate if he joins his cause. Gideon sees this as a chance to right the unfair injustice he suffered so he agrees. James sends him to England to meet with the head of his army to learn when the rebellion will begin. However, when Gideon sees Hester enter the home of a Jacobite, he warns her to beware of whom she befriends. Not long afterward a murder at a Theater private box points towards Isabella's brother as the culprit. Hester asks Gideon to clear the Hawkhurst name as only he as the Blue Satan can do.

First Sentence: A pair of tiny overlapping circles embossed the baby's forehead, carving an edge like an embryo moon.

This book was published in 2002 and has 345 pages.

Taking it easy today with Tug - I don't think we'll be walking him again today. Probably more reading and finishing the laundry.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Sunday

My dog, Tug, hurt himself yesterday on our walk. He was fence racing with some labs when he gave out a yelp, starting limping, and then laid down. Tug is a 6-year-old Lab/Malamute mix, weighing between 135-140. Steve and I rested him for a few minutes to see if that would help. When it didn't, Steve left to get the car -- about a 15 minute walk home. About 5 minutes after he left, Tug decided to follow and we walked and paused and walked and paused for another five minutes when Steve drove up. Tug made it up the stairs but after that didn't put weight on his foot. A quick inspection seemed like nothing was broken but the area around his front left toes looked a little swollen. We held an ice pack to it for a while. We had some leftover dog prescription for pain/inflammation from last year that didn't expire until 2010 and gave him one of those. We've kept him as still and quiet as possible. This morning I gave him another pill and queried an online vet. We think it is a sprain. He seems to be able to put a little weight on his foot now. We're hoping to not have to go to the vet this holiday weekend. We're continuing to keep him still as possible.

This has, however, given me some reading time while I sit with him. I've finished MARTYR by Rory Clements and started and finished HAIL TO THE CHEF by Julie Hyzy, 2nd of 2 in series featuring Olivia (Ollie) Paras, White House assistant chef in Washington DC, in the White House Chef mysteries. Now I'm reading the 2nd of 3 in the series featuring Gideon St. Mars, a viscount who becomes the highwayman Blue Satan, and his friend Mrs. Kean, in early 18th century England, THE SPIDER'S TOUCH by Patricia Wynn.

Tug is our only "baby" so he's got our attention this weekend. Hope the weekend is being enjoyable for all.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Saturday!!

Sorry for missing yesterday. Too much to do. I spot cleaned the house and then moved the books I'm getting rid of out to the family room so my sister and BIL could see what they liked. After their visit, I went grocery shopping and then walked Tug and then went over to my parents' for the rest of the day visiting with family. When we got home after 8pm, Steve wanted to watch the movie Taken (starring Liam Neeson). I don't even think I was on the computer more than 5 minutes yesterday which is unusual.

It is perhaps the official start to the Memorial Day Weekend (Some started Wednesday, some Thursday, etc.). The past three days have seen people all over getting ready to go RV-ing. The neighborhood here will most likely be pretty deserted. Steve and I plan to just do nothing. I hope to get a lot of reading time. Because of the cleaning yesterday I really only have laundry to do in terms of chores. The weather, I believe, is supposed to get up in the 70s but breezy.

I'm making my way through MARTYR by Rory Clements. I have a book to pick up at the library but not in a rush to get there. I have many many books next in line to read from the personal stack.

Today's Blog/Website of the Day is Knock 'Em Dead found at http://knock-em-dead.blogspot.com/. This is "a forum hosted by the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association for mystery authors and mystery booksellers to share ideas about what makes mysteries fun to read and easy to sell."

Enjoy the long weekend!

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

A family get together...

Today's Blog/Website of the Day is Hardboiled Wonderland found at http://spaceythompson.blogspot.com/ featuring noir literature, film and culture.

I'm still reading MARTYR by Rory Clements and still liking it. I'm on day 8 of the tea detox and things are going well with that as far as I can tell. I've gotten groceries and walked Tug. I'm just waiting for the call that my sister is at M&Ds before heading over there. There may be time for a quick nap ahead of time which would be nice.

Hopefully, I'll be able to check in tomorrow...

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Mid Week Bits and Stuff

Today's Blog/Website of the Day is a fantastic article on the Christian Science Monitor website called "Why Journalists Deserve Low Pay" found at http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0519/p09s02-coop.html. Here's the first couple paragraphs:

Journalists like to think of their work in moral or even sacred terms. With each new layoff or paper closing, they tell themselves that no business model could adequately compensate the holy work of enriching democratic society, speaking truth to power, and comforting the afflicted.

Actually, journalists deserve low pay.

Wages are compensation for value creation. And journalists simply aren't creating much value these days.

It is a very well thought out opinion on the state of media today that I enjoyed very much.

Talking about the Teaser yesterday re-sparked my interest in the book and perhaps has gotten me past my reading slump. Yay! This book, MARTYR by Rory Clements is the first book in a new series set during the later years of Queen Elizabeth I -- the spies and intrigues, the pending decision to execute Mary Queen of Scots, the imminent Spanish invasion. Wonderful stuff. There is already a second book announced. I hope it catches on. It feels similar-ish to CJ Sansom's great books set during Henry VIII in terms of historical detail and the intrigues.

Nothing on TV tonight as my usual viewing had their season finales last week. I may watch the On Demand season finale of The Tudors tonight and then otherwise read.

Yesterday's walk was so hot (mid 80s) and humid. Today the temps only got into the 60s which was lovely. It will get back in the 70s tomorrow so this was a nice respite. I opened all the windows to let in the fresh, cool air.

Tomorrow my sister and her husband are coming for a visit so most of the next two days will be spent at my parents'. They only visit a couple times a year so we try to make the most of it. I think there will lots of good chatting and laughing.

I went to the post office today and along the way a truck in front me stopped in the middle of the road for no apparent reason. Looking slightly ahead of the truck were a mama duck and a bunch of wee little baby ducks walking across the road. I like that nature can stop the world for a few moments. Make way for the ducklings!!

I watched the movie Last Chance Harvey yesterday. This film stars Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson as two lonely people who meet in London and perhaps will share a life together. It was sweet and melancholy and the two actors have a charming chemistry.

So I think that's it for today. Have a good midweek and I'll see you in the morning!

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Teaser Tuesday

Today's Blog/Website of the Day is Murder She Writes found at http://www.murdershewrites.com/. This is an author conglomerate blog featuring
Allison Brennan, Deborah LeBlanc, Debra Webb, Heather Graham, Jennifer Lyon, Karin Tabke, Natalie R. Collins, Roxanne St. Claire, S.J. Day, and Toni McGee Causey.









One of the books from the library that I'd like to be reading if I weren't slumping is called MARTYR by Rory Clements. Here's a description:

Rory Clements introduces John Shakespeare, Elizabethan England’s most remarkable investigator, and delivers a tale of murder and conspiracy that succeeds brilliantly as both historical fiction and a crime thriller. In a burnt-out house, one of Queen Elizabeth’s aristocratic cousins is found murdered, her young flesh marked with profane symbols. At the same time, a plot to assassinate Sir Francis Drake, England’s most famous sea warrior, is discovered—a plot which, if successful, could leave the country utterly defenseless against a Spanish invasion. It’s 1587, the Queen’s reign is in jeopardy, and one man is charged with the desperate task of solving both cases: John Shakespeare. With the Spanish Armada poised to strike, Mary Queen of Scots awaiting execution, and the pikes above London Bridge decorated with the grim evidence of treachery, the country is in peril of being overwhelmed by fear and chaos. Following a trail of illicit passions and family secrets, Shakespeare travels through an underworld of spies, sorcerers, whores, and theater people, among whom is his own younger brother, the struggling playwright, Will. Shadowed by his rival, the Queen’s chief torturer, who employs his own methods of terror, Shakespeare begins to piece together a complex and breathtaking conspiracy whose implications are almost too horrific to contemplate. For a zealous and cunning killer is stalking England’s streets. And as Shakespeare threatens to reveal a madman’s shocking identity, he and the beautiful woman he desires come ever closer to becoming the next martyrs to a passion for murder and conspiracy whose terrifying consequences might still be felt today….

Amazon.com has an interview with the author:

A Q&A with Rory Clements

Question: Martyr is your first book. What did you do before you became a novelist?

Rory Clements: Before coming to Norfolk, in the east of England, I was a national newspaper journalist in London. Journalism is the worst and best of careers. The worst because you are always the bystander, watching other people saving lives, making world-changing decisions, winning tournaments; the best because I love the company of journalists.

Q: How did you adjust from living a fast-paced life in London, to moving to a village in the country?

RC: I loved the city, but felt it was time for a change. At first, I feared I would miss the pace and noise, but I couldn't be happier. Norfolk is simply magical—full of wide open spaces and birdsong. My wife and I live in an old farmhouse, parts of which are believed to date from 1675. It has a mellow redbrick frontage which was probably added in about 1800. The good thing about old farmhouses is that the ceilings are low, which means it is easy to keep snug and warm in winter.
We don’t have pets, but then we don’t really need them because we have so many wild animals in the garden—moles, frogs (they seem to live in the utility room), shrews, ducks (sometimes to be found in the kitchen), many different songbirds, even the occasional fallow deer.
Apart from the lack of mountains, Norfolk is perfect. I haven’t seen a traffic warden since I have been here, though I am sure there must be one or two skulking somewhere.

Q: You are fascinated by the Elizabethan world. What do you make of Queen Elizabeth?

RC: I doubt she was a nice person. In fact, the evidence seems to suggest she could be a vicious old crone at times. But she did keep the theatres open in defiance of the killjoy Puritans. Without her, there would have been no William Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe or Ben Jonson. Unfortunately the Puritans are still with us, doing their best to make life miserable and risk-free for everyone else.

Q: Do you have any habits that have become part of your daily writing process?

RC: Well, because I often work late at night, I start the day very slowly. I make my own version of mocha using strong coffee, cocoa, milk and sugar, then do a sudoku puzzle to fire up the brain.

Q: What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

RC: My advice to would-be novelists is this: have a great story (no amount of brilliant, poetic writing will disguise a weak tale) and try to make every sentence count. If the readers are bored, it's the author's fault, not theirs.
Additionally, I would advise writers and journalists to become Samaritans. This is a UK organization of volunteers who help distressed and suicidal people simply by listening, either on the phone or in person. The volunteers bring comfort to an enormous number of people—but also do wonders for themselves, by gaining insight into the lives of others and the human condition generally. In recent years, Samaritans have also offered an email service, which is used by people all around the world, especially north America.

The first 41 pages of the book can be read on the publisher's site at http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780385342827.


Working on the computer this morning. Then lunch and walking Tug. TV tonight consists of Deadliest Catch. Otherwise, I hope to read and journal.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Quick Monday

Argh, I've been having a headache this afternoon so I may not be online long. It's been a gorgeous day out again today (mid-80s). Walked Tug an hour earlier to not hit SO much heat. He jumped in the ditches twice.

Last night's Survivor finale turned out great; the good guy won. They were both good guys at the end but one had a bit of an edge over the other and got all the jury votes, only the second time in the history of the show. What a great season this turned out to be and topped with not someone yucky winning the million dollars.

I was able to watch The Tudors episode prior to Survivor via On Demand but I still have the taping of PBS's Mystery from last night to view. And I saw that the season finale of The Tudors is available to watch On Demand as well so one could see it a few days earlier than broadcast. Tonight is the season finale of Paranormal State -- I don't know if I'll watch it because I had a nasty dream before waking up this morning that was too much like one of their shows. Ugh.

Today's Blog/Website of the Day is Book Group Buzz found at http://bookgroupbuzz.booklistonline.com/. This site features book group tips, reading lists, & lively talk of literary news from the experts at Booklist Online.

Talk to you tomorrow...

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Quiet Sunday Morning

Yesterday turned out to be a pretty good day. Steve liked his presents for the most part. We didn't go out for dinner because he had had a big, late lunch and wanted popcorn at the movie so we'll do that some other time.

We went to the new Star Trek movie, which had me the most excited because I'm a Trekker from way back. I've loved Captain Kirk for a long long time. Overall, it was very well done. Some of the casting was terrific: Spock was amazingly dead on, Kirk was suitably cheeky and the look-before-you-leap kind of guy, even Dr. McCoy you could see the curmudgeon he'd become, but Checkov was completely wrong. I had one fundamental problem with the film, a fatal flaw that I can't overlook....

Spoiler space




Spoiler space -- don't read it if you want to see the movie



Spoiler space

Spock would NOT be romantic with Uhura. Period. Wrong wrong wrong. He's embraced his Vulcan side and participates in Pon Farr every 7 years, he doesn't dabble with Uhura.

End spoiler space



End spoiler space


So today, I will finish weekend cleaning and laundry. Steve may be mowing the lawn (fingers crossed). We'll be having dinner with his parents at 4 (they eat WAY early).

Tonight on tv, I'll have to tape PBS Mystery's Wallander episode because the Survivor finale is showing.

Today's Blog/Website of the Day is walking on the cosy side on a quiet Sunday, My Cosy Book Nook found at http://mycozybooknook.blogspot.com/.

Hopefully your Sunday is turning out to be as gorgeous as it is here; the sun is shining, there's a sweet smell in the air. Go out and enjoy it whether it be doing yard work or sitting in a chair on a deck.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Happy Birthday to my Love

Today is Steve's birthday so I'm not going to be spending much time on the computer. Therefore no featured author post. I love that photo; it was taken on our wedding 11 1/2 years ago so there's a lot more gray in the hair and beard now.

Today's Blog/Website of the Day is Clerical Detectives found at http://homepage.ntlworld.com/philipg/detectives/. There is something intriguing to me about mysteries set in religious tones: historical, the Vatican, a country cleric, etc.

I'm experiencing a sort of reading slump at the moment. You may have noticed that I haven't been ripping through the books this month in the monthly listing. Some kind of stupid "can't read during the day" guilt has kicked in which leaves very little time in the evening. I have some wonderful things to read but something internal is slowing things down. Silly.

I'm currently on day 3 of 22 of my tea detox with no problems other than having to avoid "whites" like rice, potatoes, sugar, and anything milk product (argh). I have included whole wheat pasta and I can have the wholest of grain bread -- apparently there is a brand called "Ezekial" to be had that fits the bill very well. I have to go to the store today anyway. I can have eggs and I can have wild rice, and so forth. So not starving, obviously.

Birthday Boy is currently sleeping in. I've got some gifts for him that I think he'll like. Tonight, I'm planning on taking him to dinner at a restaurent we like and a movie. Tomorrow, Steve's parents are taking us out to dinner for his b-day since I apparently claimed the day itself. Bwa ha ha!

Otherwise, the usual will be happening: cleaning, vacuuming, laundry, walking Tug...

Happy 42nd Annual Event, Steve!

PK the Bookeemonster

Forgotten Author: Daniel Hecht

Perhaps this should be labeled "lost" author. Daniel Hecht started a great series and then disappeared. This three book series features Cree Black, a parapsychologist with a haunted past in Seattle, Washington. CITY OF MASKS (2003)

Cree (short for Lucretia) Black is a parapsychologist--what the skeptics disdainfully call a "ghostbuster." Since her husband's untimely death nine years ago, she has been able to use her empathic abilities to sense the presence of ghostly manifestations and to liberate them from the realm of the living. Cree's newest case involves the haunted Beauforte House, located in the Garden District of New Orleans. The Beaufortes are your typical southern Gothic family: Charmaine, the aristocratic but monstrous mother; debonairly dissipated son Ronald; Jack, the social-climbing son-in-law; and daughter Lila, who is the only one to have actually seen the ghost. The rest of the Beauforte clan believe Lila is mentally unbalanced and have agreed to hire Cree in an
effort to humor her. But, soon after arriving at the house, Cree also sees the ghost and is physically attacked by it.

LAND OF ECHOES (2004)

At a New Mexico boarding school for gifted Navajo children, a 15-year-old boy endures a series of violent, agonizing seizures. The boy's convulsions are all the more troubling because extensive medical tests have ruled out a physical cause--and because the boys surrounding him during his seizures seem to become paralyzed by the same force. Parapsychologist Cree Black is almost forcibly brought in on the case by her mentor and is soon convinced that the boarding school is facing a bout with demonic possession. Cree explains a ghost as "fragments of a once-living human personality that somehow keep manifesting in the absence of a physical body." If she can puzzle out what the ghost wants, she reasons, then it can be banished. The isolation of the sagebrush desert surrounding the school is especially effective as are the ties with the Navajo legends of malevolent ghosts and skinwalkers.

BONES OF THE BARBARY COAST (2006)

An old family friend, SFPD homicide detective Bert Marchetti, who's nearing retirement and wishes to leave the force with as few loose ends as possible, enlists Cree's help with an unusual skeletal find"an apparent victim of the 1906 earthquake whose strange physiognomy leads the forensic anthropologists on the case to dub him the Wolfman. The detective's motives become suspect when Cree realizes that his agenda may include settling scores with a deformed radiologist Marchetti believes is an unpunished murderer. The chance discovery of a 19th-century diary enables Cree to piece together some details about the Wolfman

About the Author:

Daniel Hecht was a professional guitarist for twenty years. In 1989, he retired from musical performance to take up writing, and he received his MFA from the Iowa Writers Workshop in 1992. He is the author of two previous novels, Skull Session and The Babel Effect.

Tea in the sahara

Have I done, for Blog/Website of the Day, The Lipstick Chronicles? I don't remember doing so, so here they are: http://thelipstickchronicles.typepad.com/

I had a great meeting with Jody and friend at a tea place called Boston Harbor, locally owned and operated. This woman knows her stuff. And the place smells very good and a wonderful ambiance. I'm going to be doing a 22 day tea detox starting tomorrow. Cleans out your liver and mucus and some people have lost weight (!) so that would be a plus. Twice a day of this mixture of flowers/herbs for 22 days. No milk products or white foods (that alone will help with the weight). So keep your fingers crossed that I can go the full 22 days.

I've got to do some proofreading of a biz plan so I can't dawdle today. Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Time at home/Teaser Tuesday

After a quick errand this morning, I hope to spend some time at home. I need to spend time at the computer to proofread the biz plan among other things. I do have to run to the library and post office later.

Last night I had a slight headache so spent most of the free time I had in the evening dealing with it: a neck massage from Steve, a hot soak in the shower, etc. The only reason why I share this is that I therefore didn't make a decision about what to read next. It may be the Gabriel Hunt for something fun and light. Here's an teaser:

Chapter 1
Gabriel Hunt tugged at the tight collar around his neck and grimaced as he failed to loosen it. He stuck the thumb of his other hand inside the cummerbund cinched around his waist and pulled it out a little.
“I hate tuxedos,” he muttered.
His brother Michael leaned closer to him.
Without altering the beaming smile on his face, Michael said from the corner of
his mouth, “Stop fidgeting.”
“Easy for you to say, yours probably fits.”
“You could have had one made as well,” Michael said. “Thomas would have been
delighted. If instead you choose to rent from some off- the-rack dealer . . .”
“Best part of wearing a tuxedo’s getting to give the damn thing back,”
Gabriel said. Then he spotted something that interested him more than the
collar’s constraints.
Someone, actually.
The loveliest woman he had seen in quite some time.
She moved toward the Hunt brothers, her natural grace allowing her to glide with apparent ease through the crowd that thronged the Great Hall of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. She was as beautiful as any of the masterpieces hung on the walls in the museum’s many galleries.
A mass of midnight- black curls framed a compelling, high- cheekboned face
dominated by dark, intense eyes. Those curls tumbled over honey- skinned
shoulders left bare by the strapless evening gown of dark green silk that clung
to the generous curves of her body. She possessed a timeless, natural beauty
that was more attractive to Gabriel than anything the multitude of stick-
thin, face-lifted society women attending this reception could ever muster.
And she appeared to be coming straight toward him.
“Who’s that?” Gabriel asked his brother.
“I have no idea,” Michael replied. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen her before.”
“You’d remember if you had,” Gabriel said. “I thought you knew everyone here.”
Tonight’s reception was in honor of a new exhibit of Egyptian art and artifacts, many of which the Hunt Foundation had provided on loan to the museum. Gabriel had brought several of those artifacts back with him from a recent trip to Egypt— some of them even with the knowledge of the Egyptian government. The exhibit would open to the public the next day, but tonight was an advance showing for the museum’s wealthiest benefactors.
Gabriel snagged a couple of glasses of champagne from a tray carried by a
passing waiter. The beautiful young woman might be thirsty, and if she was, he
was going to be ready.
“What’s that she’s carry ing?” Michael asked in an undertone.
It was Gabriel’s turn to say, “I have no idea.” Instead of some glittery, fashionable purse, the young woman carried a cloth-wrapped bundle of some sort. The cloth was a faded red, and to Gabriel’s eye, it appeared old. The fabric looked distressed, the edges frayed.
A waiter moved in front of her, offering her a drink. She shook her head and looked irritated that the man had interrupted her progress across the hall. When Gabriel saw that, he tossed back the champagne in one of the glasses he held, then pressed
the other into Michael’s hand.
Either the lady didn’t drink, or she had something else on her mind at the moment.
Gabriel set the empty glass on a pedestal supporting a clay vase, then turned to greet the young woman with a smile as she finally reached the spot where he and Michael were standing, near one of the pillars that ran along the sides of the hall.
“Señor Hunt?” she said. He caught a hint of a South American accent, but only a hint.
“That’s right,” Gabriel said, but before he could ask her who she was, she spoke again.
“Señor Michael Hunt?”
Gabriel shot a sidelong glance Michael’s way and Michael stepped forward, smiling. Shorter, younger, and studious- looking rather than ruggedly handsome, he was accustomed to paling into insignificance next to his more dynamic older brother. But that didn’t mean he had to like it.

“I’m Michael Hunt,” he said. “And you are ...?”
“My name is Mariella Montez,” she told him.
“And what can I do for you, Miss Montez?”
Before she could reply, the waiter who had stopped her on her way across the hall appeared behind her sleek, bare left shoulder. “Excuse me, ma’am, but I believe you
dropped this.”
With an annoyed look again on her face, she turned toward the red- jacketed man and said, “I didn’t drop anything—”
But what the waiter was extending toward her was a pistol, aimed directly between her ample breasts. He reached out with his other hand to snatch the bundle she was carry ing.
Mariella jerked back and said, “No!”
Incredulous and instantly tensed for trouble, Gabriel stepped between Mariella and the waiter. “Hey, buddy, put that thing down. This is a museum, not a firing range.”
“This is not your concern,” the waiter said, and swung the pistol at Gabriel’s head.
Instinct brought Gabriel’s left arm up to block the blow. His right fist shot up and out in a short, sharp punch that rocked the waiter’s head back and bloodied his nose.

Today's Blog/Website of the Day is Reading Matters found at http://kimbofo.typepad.com/readingmatters/.

It's a nice, dark, sprinkly day. The kind of day that lets you have cups of tea and bowl of soup and maybe some reading/studying time. I hope it won't be too muddy when I walk Tug. I hear him now doing a big stretch and scratching his claws along the wall.

Tonight on tv will be Deadliest Catch and that's about it. I'll make lasagna for dinner for something different.

Must get to work...

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Monday

Still holding auditions for my next read but maybe I'll be able to make a decision tonight. Adding to the mix is Gabriel Hunt's HUNT AT THE WELL OF ETERNITY, an Indiana Jones-type pulp adventure and the new Caro Ramsay.

Today's Blog/Website of the Day is Hey, There's a Dead Guy in the Living Room found at http://heydeadguy.typepad.com/heydeadguy/. On Mondays, you'll find the author's viewpoint from Jeffrey Cohen. Tuesdays, you'll read about publishing from a literary agent's point of view, through Barbara Poelle of the Irene Goodman Agency. But this blog isn't just about the author's perspective: on Wednesdays, Lynne Patrick of Creme de la Crime, the U.K. publishing company specializing in debut crime fiction, gives us the publisher's perspective. On Thursdays, Sharon Wheeler, editor of the online review site Reviewing the Evidence, discusses new books, old books, and reviewing. Fridays see PJ Nunn, owner of BreakThrough Promotions, blog on publicity: how she does it and what it can do for you. Saturdays, Robin Agnew, owner of Aunt Agatha's mystery bookshop in Ann Arbor, Michigan, writes about her passion for selling books. And on Sundays, book editor Alison Janssen of Bleak House Books gives her views on what makes a book good, attractive and marketable.

I watched PBS's Mystery last night featuring Kenneth Branagh as Wallander. I have a low tolerance, unfortunately, for televised mysteries but I stuck with it for the sake of Branagh. The scenery in Sweden was beautiful. Branagh looked pretty suitably world weary. The pace...slow.

Tonight I only have Paranormal State, a half hour show, so I should be able to get some reading and journaling in the last couple hours of the evening.

I had a meeting this morning with a consultant (who will be providing me with a list of some reads) and Jody and I are having tea with a friend on Wednesday and another on Thursday. Meeting with the EDA on Friday. Social butterfly, eh.

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

I missed a day -- bad Bookeemonster!

Sorry for missing yesterday's post. I spent a chunk of the morning over at my M&D's, giving Mom her Mother's Day present(s): books. Not a surprise; she's a book addict, too, though perhaps not as devouring as I am being the Bookeemonster. She got the new Donna Leon, and a couple other mysteries, THE SEX CLUB by LJ Sellers (not really about sex) and MAMA DOES TIME by Deborah Sharp -- both are books that have been mentioned on 4MA that I know she was interested in.

Last year for some reason, I guess I developed allergies to stuff outdoors like you hear about allergy sufferers in allergy medicine commercials. Well, yesterday they kicked in on me so I took a Zyrtec when I got home. Did some cleaning, walked Tug, and then had to lay down for a bit because of the Zyrtec. I don't know why this has suddenly developed at age 42, but there it is.

I finished Lis Wiehl & April Henry's FACE OF BETRAYAL last night. Lis Wiehl is a former attorney and now commentator on the Fox News Channel (which we prefer because of balanced reporting) and therefore has some killer blurbers like Bill O'Reilly, Sean Hannity, Nancy Grace, etc. This book is being called the first in the "The Triple Threat" series because the POV pretty much goes between three female friends who cover crime in the Portland area - one's in the FBI, one's a reporter, one's an attorney. I would dub this book as a light thriller. It had enough plot in it but the bones needed fleshing out to be a better book. I read it one day. Yes, I'm a fast reader, but it is a fast read: chapters can consist of one to four pages. The story is your basic Chandra Levy Senate page gone missing and senator may be involved speculation. I will read her next book -- coming out April 2010 -- but I hope the author has learned from her first book and it will have some more heft to it.

I don't know what I'm going to read next. I have the next in series for me by Michael Jecks or maybe it's time to jump into the second Steig Larsson.

Today's Blog/Website of the Day is Sunnies Book Blog found at http://sunniesbookblog.blogspot.com/. Have I not posted Sunnie's blog before this? If I overlooked Sunnie's, then I'm a big doofus. Go; go now.

Tonight on tv is The Tudors and PBS's Mystery with the first showing in the US of Kenneth Branagh playing Henning Mankell's Wallander. I have been a Branagh fan since 20 years ago Henry V came out and I bought his autobiography. (sigh) He hasn't quite been the wunkerkind he was touted to be, but he's just been a good actor making a good living doing theatre, tv, movies, audiobooks, etc.

The rest of today: clothes laundry and proofreading the biz plan. Steve got the lawn mowed yesterday (yay!) and met the new behind us neighbors. I think we plan a relaxing day. You should too, tell them I said it was okay.

Love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Friday again and again

The day got by me again with stuff going on so no forgotten author today.

Today's Blog/Website of the Day is In Reference to Murder found at http://inreferencetomurder.typepad.com/my_weblog/.

I had coffee with Jody and a friend that I haven't seen in several months, Sara, who used to work at the museum with us. She just got engaged and it very happy. It was good to get caught up with what's been happening with her.

I had to take Tug to the vet because of a thing I found on his side that might have been a tick but it wasn't, don't know what it was but they "fixed" it. Then took him for a walk. Then had to pick up a prescription for Steve, then stop by the library to pick up a couple holds, then stopped by the stop to see Steve.

I'm about to start one of the libary holds, FACE OF BETRAYAL by Lis Wiehl and April Henry. Here's a description:

When 17-year-old Senate page Katie Converse goes missing on her Christmas break near her parents' white Victorian home in Portland, Ore., law enforcement and media personnel go into overdrive in a search for clues. Three friends at the pinnacle of their respective careers—Allison Pierce, a federal prosecutor; Cassidy Shaw, a crime reporter; and Nicole Hedges, an FBI special agent—soon discover that Katie wasn't the picture of innocence painted by her parents. It appears Katie was having an affair with a much older man, a senator whose political career could be derailed if the affair was publicized.

It has 320 pages and was just published.

Tonight on tv I just have a half hour show, Say Yes to the Dress. Otherwise I'll journal and read.

It would be nice to be going to the new Star Trek movie that opens tonight but I don't want to deal with the crowds. I'm VERY happy that there's new blood in the franchise; yes, I'm a Trekker. I fell in love with Captain Kirk at a very young age. (sigh) We'll be going to the new movie soon.

I'll be stopping by M&D's tomorrow to drop off Mother's Day card, but otherwise I don't think we have any plans for the weekend aside from the usual ... cleaning, etc.

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Just kickin' back...

Today's Blog/Website of the Day is Wheredunnit found at http://wheredunnit.blogspot.com/.

I'm just a few pages from finished THE LANGUAGE OF BEES by Laurie R. King. I haven't been making a lot of time to read so I'm not making very quick progress this month. I am, however, definitely ready for another book; I hate spending more than three days or four tops with any one story. I have a book on hold at the library waiting for me to pick up, THE FACE OF BETRAYAL by Lis Wiehl. So maybe that one is next.

I have many emails to catch up on, including about 6 or 7 4MA digests. I just haven't been spending a lot of time on the downstairs computer.

Tonight we'll watch Survivor on TV and then I'll either read or do some journaling. Same old same old. And then it will be Friday. Woo hoo!

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Sorry Sorry!!

I don't know where the day went all together. Spent some time on the project, walked Tug, went grocery shopping, etc. then tv night. Oy. Wednesday just got by me. Hopefully better tomorrow.

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Teaser Tuesday

Today's Blog/Website of the Day is The Kill Zone Authors found at http://killzoneauthors.blogspot.com/. The blog says, "The Kill Zone is the musings of 6 top thriller and mystery authors covering topics that inspire, anger, amuse, and entertain us. Each day, we’ll share what goes on inside our heads as we observe and write about the world around us. The Kill Zone is a doorway into the thriller and mystery writer’s mind. Enter at your own risk!"

Today's Teaser comes from the book I'm currently reading, THE LANGUAGE OF BEES. I'm on page 225:

I gently closed the cupboard door and slid the rucksack onto my shoulders, then disassembled the blockade on the door and eased it open.

No glowering PC awaited me.

Moving along the edge of the hallway to lessen the chance of squeaks underfoot, I explored the other doors, putting my head inside each room and giving a brief shot from the torch to tell me what it contained. The Adlers' bedroom was the room whose dim light I had seen from the garden, from a fixture high on a wall that looked a if it stayed on all of the time. They had a single wide bed, a table on either side with reading lights. Her bed-side table had a drawer with several hand lotions and nail files. His table held a framed photograph of Yolanda in a traditional high-necked Chinese dress, looking less at home than she had in the Western dress of the other
photo.

Today I went over to Jody's for a couple hours to work on the project. Came home, quick lunch, and then walked Tug. It thundered five times but only a couple sprinkles. Steve has a board meeting tonight and won't have a lot of time between coming home and leaving again so I suggested he pick up sandwiches on the way home. I've got to do some computer work here for a bit so I'll be seeing you tomorrow...

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Ta Da! Monday's Here!

Today's Blog/Website of the Day is Moments in Crime found at http://www.momentsincrime.com/, presented by Minotaur Books.

I'm getting close to the halfway mark in THE LANGUAGE OF BEES by Laurie R. King. I don't know why, but I do like the analytical "speech" of the first person narration by Mary Russell. I don't picture her as blonde as she is in the book for some reason. I see her perhaps as a younger version of the actress Kristin Scott Thomas. Not beautiful but compelling and intelligent.

I've taken care of Steve's birthday present. Phew! His annual event is on a Saturday this year. I don't know yet whether we should eat out or bring something in. Maybe a dinner/movie thing. Hmmm. CJ's is close to the movie theatre and they have good food. Hmmm.

The tv season is coming to a close therefore I don't really have much to watch tonight for a Monday. Amazing. Chuck is concluded. Paranormal State I could watch. I've gotten away from Castle so maybe I could do some reading or journaling tonight. Yay.

So I'm sitting here having a cup of green tea. The sun is going in and out behind clouds. The wind has been blowing quite a bit all day. I'm listening to a new-to-me musician named Peter Kater; the piece is called Compassion. I could do some computer work or I could go through the box of stuff I got at the library sale or I could go read.

Go find something to do....

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Just a nice, snuggly day

Today's Blog/Website of the Day is Books to the Ceiling found at http://robertarood.wordpress.com/. Roberta says she's "recently retired from my job as a library associate in a busy public library. I am obsessed with books but right now I miss having people to share them with in person. I love crime fiction, especially of the British variety."

Yesterday was a glorious spring day - sun and a little breeze. This morning, it's a little dark and sprinkling out; a perfect day to get caught up on emails and blogs and reading. Even though the lawn needs to be mowed, I hope it stays this way all day.

I'm currently reading THE LANGUAGE OF BEES by Laurie R. King. This is 9th of 9 in series featuring Mary Russell, student and then wife of Sherlock Holmes. Here's a description:

In a case that will push their relationship to the breaking point, Mary Russell must help reverse the greatest failure of her legendary husband’s storied past—a painful and personal defeat that still has the power to sting…this time fatally. For Mary Russell and her husband, Sherlock Holmes, returning to the Sussex coast after seven months abroad was especially sweet. There was even a mystery to solve--the unexplained disappearance of an entire colony of bees from one of Holmes’s beloved hives. But the anticipated sweetness of their homecoming is quickly tempered by a galling memory from her husband’s past. Mary had met Damian Adler only once before, when the promising surrealist painter had been charged with--and exonerated from--murder. Now the talented and troubled young man was enlisting their help again, this time in a desperate search for his missing wife and child.

This was just published and has 448 pages.

I need to do some Internet browsing: Steve's birthday is coming up and I'm not sure what to get for him so I need to do some scoping for possibilities. What I'd really like to do is take a nap already. :) Tug is snoring in his "den" behind me: behind the recliner in my office. Steve is still sleeping since he was up late last night.

So have a good 2nd day of the weekend. Do something you enjoy just for you!

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster

Where did Saturday go?

Well, shoot, another day got by me and not being able to write a bigger post. As yesterday, there won't be a Featured Author.

I went to the library sale today and three hours later.... yeah, I always have to look at everything so time passes more quickly than I think. I always manage to find something but this time I got away with not SUCH a big haul. I got some nonfiction, books by authors that I'm reading in order that will be later in the series for me so nice to have on hand, etc. But it did eat up a big chunk of time in my day.

Got home, ate a quick lunch then walked Tug. It was a beautiful Spring day out there. I've been doing some cleaning and then remembered the Kentucky Derby. Got there right before the race -- and what a finish! A 50 to 1 odds winner! Amazing. And off we go on the Triple Crown.

My meeting yesterday with Jody and meeting Omi went very well. What a great vibe this woman has! Then, as mentioned quickly yesterday, I spent the rest of the day answering phones at the shop. Maybe tomorrow I can take some time to get other stuff done that needs it.

I haven't quite picked a book to read yet. I'll post that in the Currently Reading as soon as I do.

Have a good rest of the Saturday....

Much love,
PK the Bookeemonster

Patient Zero

Via www.cuteoverload.com (photo taken in 2006)

I don't know if I'll have a chance to post again today. Meeting at 9 but then got called in to help out at the shop and I don't know if that will be all day or not. Have a terrific Friday!

Much love,

PK the Bookeemonster