Deadly by Julie Chibbaro

Deadly by Julie Chibbaro is an interesting look into the story of Mary Mallon (Typhoid Mary) who unwittingly spread typhoid among families she worked for as a cook and eventually ended her days on North Brother Island.

Ms. Chibbaro brings in a teenage fictional  character, Prudence Galewski, and puts her into the story at a time when there were no antibiotics and it was unknown how someone, who was perfectly healthy, could transmit a disease to others. Prudence Galewski has her own problems with a father missing after heading for Cuba to fight against Spain and her inner turmoil in wanting to make a difference in the medical world, but not knowing how.  Deadly is an interesting look into life in New York in the early part of the twentieth century and how the city was perplexed in how to deal with Mary Mallon, an Irish immigrant.

Although I found the constant changes in tense distracting, I did enjoy the book and found the story interesting. It would make a great book club read.

Deadly Reading Guide

Olympic Torch in Cornwall

Many of you know how much I love Cornwall where I lived for many years, and I have been tracking the progress of the Olympic torch and festivities throughout areas of Cornwall that are well known me.

The torch lands at RNAS Culdrose accompanied by David Beckham

The torch relay started in Lands End


Torch Relay
The torch reaches St. Austell
Torch Relay - Truro
Heartlands Flame Festival
Torch Relay Route





Olympic Torch Images

Mystery Author Panel

The Barnes and Noble University Village store recently held an event featuring Wendy Lyn Watson, Carole Nelson Douglas, Paula Larocque, Judy Alter, and Laurie Moore.








The panel answered a slew of questions such as:
Why write mysteries?
How do you make the settings come to life?
How do you come up with plots?


Although most of the authors have a location in mind, the names of places are fictional. Carole Nelson Douglas tends to set her crimes in Las Vegas for her Midnight Louie series, but uses fictitious names for hotels as most hoteliers would not look too kindly on an author who planted a dead a body in one of their rooms. Judy Alter has based her books in the Fort Worth area and does pepper her cozy mysteries with names of actual restaurants and places.


The general consensus of the panel was that they write the ending of their novels first.


Carole Nelson Douglas told us of her experiences with traditional publishing and shared with us the beautiful covers she has designed herself for out of print books that she will be digitally publishing. With over 60 novels in print, Carole Nelson Douglas is a prolific writer.


Look at your local Barnes and Nobel events. Getting to know an author gives you a personal look at their work and a chance to get to know new authors. Although I have known Carole Nelson Douglas for many years and have met Laurie Moore at several writing workshops, the other ladies were new to me.

Sibling Rivalry and Other Short Stories by Ann Summerville

Over the years, I've entered many short story and flash fiction competitions and also sent them to e-zines. I now have these combined in a book - Sibling Rivalry and Other Short Stories. Many of the stories, especially ones entered in Doorknobs and Bodypaint have guidelines for submissions. For example, one story (Sibling Rivalry) required the story to be set in 1942 and there were certain phrases or words that had to be included (I can't remember what those were now).  Writers are fortunate that there are so many outlets available online for creative work.

A Day in Tuscany by Dario Castagno

I first came across Dario Castagno when I read his delightful stories in Too Much Tuscan Sun - Confessions of a Chianti Tour Guide. His stories continue in A Day in Tuscany where he gives us an hour by hour look into his day when he returns from an American book tour. He tells us of the re-acquaintance with his home town of Vagliagi, after three months away from his beloved Tuscany, interspersed with history of the surrounding areas and of the local inhabitants. 
Dario was born in Wimbledon to Italian parents and lived in London until his family returned to Italy when he was nine years old and along with his brother explored the hills which they quickly embraced. Dario contemplates his past and that of his neighbors as he takes in the sights around him and describes each detail of the landscape from the flowers, to the tiny insects devouring cabbage leaves.


The only downside I see in reading this book is that you will want to book a flight and head for the beautiful Tuscan Hills.

The Big Rich by Bryan Burrough

I've lived in Fort Worth, Texas for nearly twenty years and names of well-to-do oil families such as The Hunts, The Basses, The Murchisons and The Cullens are frequently spoken of, but I knew very little about the history of these people until I read Bryan Burrough's book, The Big Rich - The Rise and Fall of the Greatest Texas Oil Fortunes.


Introduction
It's hard to tell people about Texas. It is. It's hard to explain what it means to be a Texan. To anyone who grew up in the North, it probably means nothing . . . Folks in Iowa don't strut around introducing themselves as Iowans, at least none I know.
But if you grew up in Texas, as I did, it becomes part of you, as if you're a member of a club.


Bryan Burroughs intersperses the lives of these families, known as the Big Four, with the development of the Texas oil fields. What could be a book of facts thrown on the page is turned into an interesting look at the oil industry along with flowing words and vivid descriptions by Mr. Burroughs. 

The Body on the Beach by Simon Brett

The Body on the Beach by Simon Brett is a delightful cozy mystery set in the fictional town of Fethering which Mr. Brett has set near Brighton.

From the cover:
In the seaside hamlet of Fethering (located next to the town of Tarring).Carole Seddon maintains a quiet and sensible life. She doesn't have the time or the tolerance to deal with her new bohemian neighbor, Jude, whose outgoing personality contrasts with that of the prim and proper Carole. But her new neighbor doesn't seem so bad when Carole discovers another addition to the neighborhood - a dead body on the beach.


I liked the contrast between Carole and Jude and their characters were well developed along with many of the other characters that Mr. Brett introduces in the book. This would make a great summer read.

I received the book as part of a blog book giveaway, I apologize for not giving the blogger a shout out, but can't remember what blog it was from.

Books 'N Authors 'N All That Jazz- Weatherford College

Each year Weatherford College hosts a writing workshop called Books 'N Authors 'N All That Jazz. Sadly, after ten years, Saturday was the final event. Authors from Trinity Writers' Workshop sold their books and many people attended the numerous workshops presented by Dave Lieber, Laurie Moore and Rickey Pittman to name a few.  
Before prizes for the short story and poetry contests were presented, we were treated to a mini-jazz concert featuring musicians who attend the college.
During the presentations Lori Wilde spoke of her journey as a writer, which was not without speed bumps, (she has now published 69 novels).


 
 We met several interesting authors and I had a fun day sharing a table with my fellow writers: Sharon K. Owen, Arly Pineo and Joanne Faries. 

Ahab's Wife by Sena Jeter Naslund

I was given a copy of Ahab's Wife by Sena Jeter Naslund. I can't give you much of a review because I didn't finish the book. I found the story about Captain Ahab's Wife, as a follow up to Moby Dick, less than plausible. I have enjoyed other books by Sena Jeter Naslund, such as Abundance - the story of Marie Antoinette. Maybe I just wasn't in the mood for this. 


Reading guide here 


From the cover:
From the opening line - "Captain Ahab was neither my first husband nor my last" - you will know that you are in the hands of a master storyteller and in the company of a fascinating woman hero. Inspired by a brief passage in Moby Dick, Sena Jeter Naslund has created and enthralling and compelling readable saga, spanning a rich, eventful and dramatic life. At once a family drama, a romantic adventure, and a portrait of a real and living marriage, Ahab's Wife gives a new perspective on the American experiences.

Back Spin by Harlan Coben

After a dry spell of reading, I found several Harlan Coben books in the clearance section of Half Price Books and his novels never disappoint.
Back Spin is another book featuring Myron Bolitar, the sarcastic and likeable sports writer and apart from the thrilling story, gives the reader laugh-out-loud moments with his zingers and witty comebacks.
Even the acknowledgements bring out Harlan Coben's sense of humor:
When an author is writing about an activity he enjoys about as much as sticking his tongue in a fan (golf), he needs help and lots of it. . . Myron and I tried. But we're still not sure we get it.

From the cover:
The boy was born and raised on the Main Line. But he vanished on Philadelphia's mean streets - last seen in a downtown cheater's hotel. For sports agent Myron Bolitar, his client, golf superstar Linda Coldren, comes first, and that means unraveling the mystery of her son's kidnapping. But when Myron goes after the missing boy, he crashes through a crown of lowlifes, blue bloods, and liars on both sides of the social divide. With Linda's golf-pro husband suddenly making a run at the U.S. Open championship, a family's skeletons are coming out of the closet. And Myron is about to find out how deadly the game can get.

Children's Villages

I recently met a young lady from Uganda who is now working in the U.S. While telling me interesting stories about her homeland, she mentioned the villages that have sprung up to accommodate homeless children. Each home is under the care of a house mother who cares for up to seven children between the ages of 2 and 12. The goal is to provide a haven of security, peace, education, purpose and spiritual vitality.
Although I want to help, I'm always a bit reluctant to give money to children's programs that advertise, especially on television. Who knows where the money really goes.
This is different.
The young lady has sponsored a child and contributes a few dollars each month, and also visits the child when she returns home to Uganda so can give first hand updates. She told me of the wonderful Watoto program that teaches the children how to raise livestock and farm in an effort to build a village with sustainability. Many of the children go on to obtain medical and law degrees or other skills to support themselves.

They also have a choir that tours regularly.

There are many opportunities to make a difference in a child's life and I sent in a sponsor request today. (To sponsor a child is $35 a month).

ABOUT WATOTO’S PROJECT GULU 
In 2007, Watoto expanded its programme to northern Uganda in response to the cry of the former child soldier and greater community in this region, who bore the brunt of a senseless civil war. Working alongside the local government, community and other stakeholders on the ground; Watoto has been actively involved in making northern Uganda liveable again.



Take a look at their website for more info.

http://www.watoto.com/home

What Have you Read Lately?

   I just finished reading a novel although I must admit I skipped quite a few pages as in my opinion it could have been about 150 pages shorter and been a more interesting story. Lately, I haven't found any books that I want to spend more than a few minutes reading - nothing gripping - nothing where I find myself cheering the protagonist on. So, if you have come across a gem recently that you want to share, please leave a note in the comments section. I'd love to hear from you. 

Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer

Artemis Fowl is a children's fantasy written by Eoin Colfer. While it's considered a children's book, nonetheless, adults will appreciate the wonderful writing and detailed descriptions. Children and adults alike can't fail to laugh at the antics and there are a few nail biting moments too. Eoin Colfer's descriptions and characters take you into the underworld of the fairies. He writes with humor and beautiful prose. Artemis Fowl is a twelve year old genius who has a plan to steal gold from the fairies and elves who live underground, but his plan involves kidnapping Captain Holly Short, a rebellious elf of the LEPrecon Unit. The results are disastrous for all involved. But first he has to locate the fairy manual and he hopes to persuade a drunken sprite to relinquish hers.

Excerpt:
Artemis fixed the glasses to his face. Everything became radioactive green. Taking a deep breath he turned his gaze to the squirming shadows. Something squatted on a raffia mat, shifting uneasily in the almost nonexistent light. Artemis fine-tuned the focus. The figure was small, abnormally so, and wrapped in a filthy shawl. Empty spirit jugs were half buried in the mud around her. One forearm poked from the material. It seemed green. But then, so did everything else.
"Madam," he said. "I have a proposition for you."

Radish Recipes

Unfortunately these weren't from my garden. Mine looked like stick figures when I pulled them up. But my neighbor, who is a master gardener, has abundant veggies from his patch and often shows up at my door with an armful of fresh produce.


I intend to grill some sliced radishes, along with minced garlic and a little butter to use as a side dish and add some of the others to coleslaw.


Here are some radish recipes that I found.


Cucumber and Radish Salad
Pesto with Radish Greens
Radish Dip
More Radish Recipes

Jeep Liberty Review

At the end of 2004 I purchased a Jeep Liberty Sport from Moritz in Fort Worth. According to Consumer Reports there weren't any major problems with this model. And they have been correct engine-wise. Although there was a recall of the ball joint, the only other problem I have had is the window mechanism. Without warning the windows slide down periodically and so far the dealer has been accommodating in fixing the problem until this week when I had the same problem with the driver's side window.

In August 2007 a rear window was replaced and was under warranty.

In 2009 the same window slipped down and the regulator cable was replaced. I was charged $318. I found out that three other people I work with had the same problem with their Jeeps and after confronting the manager, he admitted that they were aware that there was a manufacturing problem with the  window mechanism and my money was refunded. I was assured a new part was used and there would be no further problems.

In 2011 the same window slipped down and the mechanism was repaired again at no charge.

A few months later the driver's side window slipped down and I was told the lift plate needed to be replaced. They suggested, to prevent further problems, that all four lift plates be replaced at a cost of $200 (this included the one that was repaired only 8 months previously which I was assured at the time would not be a problem).

I didn't feel I had much option and again I was assured that once the lift plates were repaired it would solve the problem once and for all. After the work was completed I again asked for reassurance that this part would solve the problem. I was told there was only a 12 month/12,000 mile warranty on the part.

I had intended to keep the vehicle for 10 years and then purchase a new vehicle, but I won't be returning to Moritz nor will I purchase another Chrysler vehicle. They knew the manufacturer had installed a faulty part, knew that the replacement was inadequate and at one time told me Chrysler was considering a recall. If this was normal wear and tear I would have no problem paying for this as the vehicle is 8 years old, but apart from the frustration of returning several times for the work to be done and on top of that having to pay $200 for repair of a mechanism they knew was faulty is bad customer service.

I have been a customer for over 20 years and have purchased both new and used vehicles from them and also used them for service and maintenance. It's a shame that they were willing to lose a customer over $200.

More Jeep reviews/window complaints:
Car Complaints - windows fail
E-How - Jeep Liberty Window Problems
Jeep Problems - Window Regulator
Townhall Talk - Jeep Review
Fixya - Jeep Liberty Sport
Topix - Chrysler
Car Complaints - Window Regulator