MO

Very few books stir my emotions like In the Fall. The author had me inside of Max for the entire book. Great writing, believable story and I think it would make a great movie.

This is one of the best books I have ever read. Max is believeable and the author makes him come alive. The characters are well developed and I could not help but fee empathy for Max and the trying times he faced. I would recommend this book to any one who wanted a good, believeable story.

One of the best books I have read in some time. Inspiring and brings out the lost values of the family and doing the right thing regardless of the price. Max is an inspiration to all young people as they make their way in life. I loved it.

The Cornbread Killer is better than the other books in this series, except for "A Stiff Risotto", which I really enjoyed.

The Eighteenth and Vine Street Historical District is opening with a big Jazz Festival and the new Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.

Heaven Lee and her friend Mona are on the committee and things are starting out bad when the Festival Planner gets electrocuted on stage while checking out the lighting.

Who would want to kill her? Was it because she was taking kickbacks? And why would someone who had just arrived in town be given the job of Festival Planner? Did the theft of priceless paintings and Charlie's Parkers sax have any connection?

Heaven and her band of employee's and friends set out to solve the mystery and make sure that the Festival goes off without any more problems.

Although I gave this book only 2 stars, it is much better than the other books in the series, although not as good as A Stiff Risotto which I gave 3 stars.

I had disliked Heaven in the first books in this series, but she has improved over each book and I now like her more. This book, however, finally solved a problem for me that I'd been having with the series. In most books you feel an attachment to the heroine and the continuing characters. I have never felt this in this series.

In this book Heaven makes a casual remark about if high heels were ok with her attire, which were her usual tights & a T-shirt. I tried to imagine a 45ish woman who ran around in tights & a T-shirt and realized, I don't have a clue as to what Heaven looks like.

She has short, spiky red hair and that's it. I realized that there are no descriptions of these people. Not only, don't I have any kind of image of Heaven but it's the same for all the reoccurring people. As I thought of the characters, I realized that the only one who brings up an image to me, is her 25ish boyfriend, Hank.

I think that may be why the stories are hard to follow at times. There are always a lot of new characters each book and they're just names, nothing to distinguish them from each other. I think that's part of reason I found it so hard to get a feel for Heaven and her friends.

Even with these problems, this book was good. I liked the information about the Jazz Festival and the Negro League Baseball Museum.

Heaven, once again shows that she has great chemistry with other men, while having none with her boyfriend. I wish Chris and Joe were more involved in the storyline and I still miss Bo Morales.

For the first time, there were recipes that I would like to try in this book.

I had received the first 6 books as a Christmas Gift. This book made me decide, that although I have problems with the stories, I have begun to enjoy Heaven and her friends and the mysteries, so I purchased Death Is Semisweet. I decided this series is good enough that I wanted to finish it out before starting a new series.

For people who have not read any of her books, these are not Cozy Mysteries. There is a lot of profanity and sexual innuendo's.

It's on to Red Beans and Vice.

This is my first Temple novel. Temple is admittedly a very good writer. If you are looking for a new author and a good new series this is the one to see. But, in this novel I fail to see the connection between cornbread and a murderer's need to kill. Then there is the fact that Heaven has had five husbands --- only one of whom is dead. Then there is the reason for her loosing her license to practice law. What a shame.

This is the second book that I have read in the Heaven Lee series. The characters are very quirky, and the setting of a Historic District Dedication in Kansas City, leaves all sorts of possibities for mayhem. These are all fulfilled, plus a few that I didn't think about.

Evista induces ovarian cancer in both mice and rats New Drug Poses Risk of Ovarian Cancer by Samuel S. Epstein M.D. & Pat Cody Chicago, Illinois / Oakland, California Eli Lilly's current full page color ads for Evista, a synthetic hormone with both estrogenic and anti-estrogenic effects, in major national and regional newspapers claim that it offers "a new way to prevent osteoporosis" while admitting that "its effect on fractures is not yet known." The ads also claim that "women taking Evista had no increased risks of breast and uterine cancers" in contrast to hormone replacement therapy, and that it reduces LDL or bad cholesterol blood levels. This should be welcome news to women worldwide, particularly as osteoporosis has now reached epidemic proportions, affecting fifteen to twenty million American women each year; osteoporosis causes over a million fractures including 250,000 hip fractures, and killing some 50,000 elderly women from complications of their fractures. While warning of some possible side effects, such as blood clots or hot flashes, Lilly fails to warn of the more serious risks of ovarian cancer. A company-sponsored publication in the December 4, 1997 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine also ignores this risk. However, Lilly's pre-market clearance study clearly shows that Evista induces ovarian cancer in both mice and rats. Furthermore, carcinogenic effects were noted at dosages extending well below the recommended therapeutic level. However, the study concluded: "The clinical relevance of these tumor findings is not known." Lilly reached this conclusion despite the strong scientific consensus that the induction of cancer in well-designed tests in two rodent species creates the strong presumption of human risk. Nevertheless, Lilly fails to disclose this critical information in its ads and in its "Warning" to patients. Responding to such criticisms by Dr. Samuel Epstein on the January 12, 1998 "Jim Lehrer News Hour" program, a Lilly spokesman claimed that the carcinogenic effects of Evista in the ovaries of sexually mature rodents are irrelevant to such risks in post-menopausal women as their ovaries are inactive, and that no warning is therefore necessary. However, apart from the fact that the rodent studies were specifically designed to evaluate Evista's safety, ovarian cancer is a scientifically documented complication of long-term estrogen replacement therapy in the post-menopausal. Also disturbing is the claim that Evista poses no risks of breast and uterine cancers as this is based on clinical trials over only some 40 months, a period totally inadequate to possibly manifest any such risks. Ovarian cancer strikes about 24,000 U.S. women every year, accounting for 4% of all their cancers. About 15,000 women die from ovarian cancer annually, making it the most lethal of all female reproductive cancers. Lilly's suppression of its own evidence of ovarian cancer risks from Evista is reckless and threatening to women's health and life. Equally reckless is FDA's December, 1997, marketing clearance, especially in the absence of any requirement for warning. Such conduct clearly merits urgent Congressional investigation. This drug should be withdrawn from the world market immediately. As importantly, a "Cancer Alert" should be sent to the over 12,000 women who have participated in U.S. and international clinical trials in the absence of fully informed consent. The doctrine of informed consent is ethically and legally protective only when all facts relevant to benefits and risks are affirmatively disclosed. This is clearly not the case with women who have been involved in the Evista trials. These women should be offered semi-annual lifelong surveillance for the early detection of ovarian cancer, at Eli Lilly's expense.

Samuel S. Epstein M.D., University of Illinois School of Public Health, Chairman, Cancer Prevention Coalition, Chicago, and co-author of The Breast Cancer Prevention Program, Macmillan, 1997. Pat Cody, President, DES Action, Oakland, California.

Reprinted from the Chicago Tribune, April 19, 1998

Note from the editor (Nora Cody) : With so much conflicting information available, it can be difficult and frustrating to try and make the best decision about taking hormones. For personal decisions about your own health care, I encourage you to speak with your health care provider. Please do not send inquiries. For thoughtful and reasoned discussion about hormones, menopause, and alternative approaches to menopausal symptoms, I also recommend the newsletter A Friend Indeed. Related article:  "The Breast Cancer Prevention Program", Samuel S. Epstein, M.D., Book Review by Pat Cody  Doctor claims new drug (Evista) poses risk for ovarian cancer by Nora Cody

The Estrogen Alternative by Dr. Steve Goldstein and Ms. Laurie Ashner is a cutting edge resource important for ALL women. As the founder and creator of HotFlash! the online perimenopause/menopause support group and web site, I look for good usable health information. Goldstein and Ashner present a complete and very balanced presentation of the new menopause therapies. These non-hormonal remedies are cutting edge and a book like this is a must read for any woman who either does not want to take estrogen or cannot take estrogen. In addtion to common sense discussions about estrogen alternatives, both Ashner and Goldstein provide a complete health handbook-extending from weight loss to having a good night's sleep. I highly recommend this book to my online support group members and to ALL women. As a nurse and a woman it is refreshing to see a book like this; it is timely and made to help empower women in making good health choices.

I bought this book because my 60 year old mother can't take estrogen and is at serious risk for osteoporosis. This was really an honest evaluation of Evista, a drug my mother is considering. Dr. Goldstein doesn't sell it, but explains it, and who will benefit, who won't and who should wait and see. But this book is really about how to take care of yourself after menopause. It explained herbal therapies, what to do about weight gain, and even what to do about aging skin. The best part about it was that it was short, to the point and very readable. My mother, who doesn't have the patience to read anything, read this book in an evening! If you have a parent who is struggling with the estrogen dilemma, this is really reassuring.

Commendably, Mr. Brooksher has added another volume to the limited literature devoted to the American Civil War in the West. The author concentrates the majority of the text to setting the stage, discussing events leading up to and following the outbreak of the war; but then does a credible job narrating the battle itself. His prose does tend to be a little "purple," from time to time ("angel of death," "happy camper," and "spit-warm ditch water") but it is a fascinating tale, replete with colorful characters. Decent maps and well done orders of battle compliment the text. His bibliography seems a bit padded to me with Ken Burns and American Heritage thrown in with the more often seen "Jennison's Jayhawkers," Castel's "Sterling Price," and Tunnard's "3d Louisiana." A few too many secondary sources to suit me, personally. Nonetheless, good intro volume before purchasing Piston's or Bearss' volumes. I would also recommend following this work with "PEA RIDGE," by Shea and Hess.

Bill Brooksher is a retired USAF Brigadier General. He writes in a style that showcases a brilliant mind and his dry humor. Bloody Hill began the Civil war in the west. It provided the Union with its first hero, BGen Nathaniel Lyon. Bloody Hill captures the drama of the era in Missouri. It is an insightful review of the intrigue that characterized the border states. Bloody Hill is a valuable addition to the sparse literature on the American Civil War in the west.

This is a narrative of Kansas settlement troubles which culminated at Wilson's Creek. Detailed coverage of the missed opportunity by Gov. Jackson to secure the St. Louis Armory. It even mentions Belle Starr nursing the fighting men down at Carthage. Complete works cited list and end notes. Brooksher tells this true story in a way that I really enjoyed. A treat to read and I will read his other works.

I was able to finish this book only because I wanted to know who the killer was. It certainly isn't the worst book I've ever read, but, it was very dull at times. And I didn't really like how the writing was all in faxes, letters, and phone conversations. Get this one at the library so you won't waste any money on it.

In Fan Mail he is. This book was so unique in the fact that the story was told purely thru e-mails, faxes and phone messages.

The plot touches on a stalker called The Watcher, something that every personality fears but what made this book so chilling was the fact that the reader, along with the stalked, had no clue as to what the stalker was thinking.

The reader is kept in suspense by not being allowed to view what is going on inside either the stalker's head or the vicitim's. While this is not the best mystery I have ever read, it certainly wins points for creativity.

I purchased this book out of pure curiosity, and I do not regret it for even a second! Ronald Munson took a turn for the better when he wrote this book completely by letters. emails. faxes. and recorded telephone messages. Joan Carpenter, a contraversial newscaster, is new to town and must rely on her co-workers and friends for support with settling in. Not long after arriving to town, Joan begins to get letters, faxes and emails, from someone who clained to be her "biggest fan." When Joan had a problem with a fellow worker at her TV station, the stalker killed the troublemaker. Just how far would this "fan" go? Would this person..KILL... Joan? Who is this stalker?... Well they might be closer than you think.....

The information seems pretty thorough, but Fizzell has organized the book mainly by types of plants -- vegetables, annuals, perennials, trees, and so on -- and then month-by-month under each group. So when you're trying to figure out what to do in May, you have to look up "May" under "Annuals," then "May" under "Perennials," then "May" under "Trees" .... I'd much rather he'd used the months as main categories, and each type of plant as a subcategory of those.

And Fizzell is pesticide- and herbicide-crazy! Forget it if you're an organic gardener. (I'm still looking for a book on organic gardening in Michigan.)

"Month-By-Month Gardening in Michigan" is split into chapters on types of plants, e.g. Annuals, Bulbs, Herbs, Houseplants, Lawns, etc. Each chapter is then split into the following subchapters: "Introduction", "Planting Chart", "January", "February", ... "December". Here is how to use this book:

Suppose you live in Michigan and want to know whether to prune your climbing roses in March. Turn to Chapter 7, "Roses" and the subchapter called, "March". This subchapter has sections on "Planning", "Planting and Transplanting", "Rx Care for Your Roses", etc. In the section entitled "Pruning", the author recommends, "Prune climbing rose plants to fit their supports. Remove thin canes, and pinch back overly vigorous canes to force branching."

This book is very easy to use, as you can see from the above paragraph. I used to live in Winter Hardiness Zone 3 near Cadillac and am now a Zone 6 gardener down near Lake St. Claire , so I know from experience that you might have to adjust Fizzell's time-table of recommendations by as much as three or four weeks, depending on your specific zone.

Organic gardeners probably won't want to use some of the author's "Rx Care" suggestions (Fizzell recommends actual products such as "Orthene" and "D-Con"), but other than that, "Month-by-Month Gardening in Michigan" should prove useful to all of us who garden in this state, whether it be the 'helpful hints', the planting charts, or the month-specific instructions for tending to your water garden.

This is a handy reference for any Michigan gardener (like myself) who needs an occasional reminder not to start her pepper plants in January.

This is a useful guide in an easy to follow format. Month by month comments and useful advice especially for Michigans' unique gardening needs.

The book's presentation of the characters and their lives in the small towns of New Mexico are entertaining. But the developments in solving the murders are few and far between. The solving of the mystery is not dealt with well.

In the genre of blind sculptor-sleuths, Mo Bowdre stands alone. It's interesting that another author who uses a blind sleuth also had a Georgia O'Keeffe theme in a mystery. Both have their strong points. This is a pleasant read just for spending time with Mo and the inhabitants of his community. It's not the best of the Mo books, but it's a keeper for the time being. Mo uses his ability to think things out to solve local mysteries when he isn't creating powerful animal sculptures.

Longview We Remember could have been a really great first hand account of a notable agricultural experiment. Instead, it shows the need for a strong editorial hand.
The accounts of the various people who were interviewed for this book rambled and repeated with no clear direction for the narrative. Too bad - first hand accounts about history are important sources for future historians and citizens. This book will put you to sleep slowly if you are interested in Longview and quickly if you are not.

I absolutely LOVED this book! It takes the reader to another time and place in history and introduces them to a group of people who lived and worked in a place as close to "perfect" that there ever was. Not only is it a great compilation of stories about the great horse woman, Loua Long-Combs, it tells the story about her wonderful home: Longview Farm. The details about it's conception and construction were fascinating. And the stories of the day-to-day life on this farm are very heart-warming and allow modern-day people a glimpse into what it was like to have lived and worked there.

Longview Farm is truly a masterpiece of archetecture, and was an ideal community in it's day. It truly deserves to be remembered as an icon of American History!

I had high hopes after reading Duane's writing about the surfing world, but was greatly disappointed by the shallowness of this novel.

A favorable review had me looking forward to this one. Unfortunately, the self absorbed narrator's fuzzy saga of a mixed-up friendship never seemed remotely real to me. Throw in plot devices to include a poorly explained antipathy from the father of the "best friend" plus an unconvincing infatuation with a new girlfriend and it all spells a novel in need of an editor or a rewrite. Luckily the late chapter climb sequence on El Cap redeems some of the early awkwardness. Still, I have to believe that Duane's next work will be more coherent and better overall.

I enjoyed my first book of D.Duane's. It was "required" reading for our informal climbing club, although I'm not sure why. It was easy to relate to the narrator's search for fulfillment. The metaphors were entertaining and insightful and simple to digest. The narrator's struggle with relationships and where one fits in the bigger scheme of life fit well in the context of El Cap. However, I was left with a yearning of my own satisfaction or closure, perhaps a guide for my own quest for fulfillment. Regardless, I recommend this book and look forward to more from Duane.

Like other products of obsession - Henry Darger's work, for example - this novel has a peculiar, rather unwholesome authority. There's no mistaking that every line is "poetry written with a splash of blood", to use Yukio Mishima's phrase. I have to agree with Salman Rushdie when he gallantly claimed that this book was "worth ten safe well-written little novels."

Nonetheless, "The Runaway Soul" has to be shelved alongside other years-in-the-writing would-be masterpieces like "The Rosy Crucifixion" and "Ancient Evenings" as a noble failure. It's possible that Brodkey just chewed his cud a few years too long. (The "sketch versions" of this material collected in "Stories in an Almost Classical Mode" are substantially more rewarding, in my opinion.) Whatever the reason, he fails to transmute his suffering into literature on anything like a consistent basis. Brodkey would have done well to heed the editorial advice of an old Danish queen: "More matter and less art."

When a novel starts out with a young boy masturbating and his thoughts during(not what you'd imagine) and after, you know something big is coming. Whether it's going to be shocking or if it's going to be something else is hard to tell. But the author's got your attention. And he keeps it for the most part. The novel encompasses the life of Wiley Silenowicz. And it's almost like experiencing every thought, feeling, and sense that he has.

What a book! Brodkey's intimate portrayal of his characters remains true. This streaming-conscious book is a challenging work of prose that begs the reader to take it slowly, savor the words, feel the emotions, understand the characters. Brodkey executes this book beautifully, forming a triumphantly orignial and poignant story. I'd find myself, after reading a few chapters, putting the book down to revel and contemplate the viewpoints of the characters and my own. Time reading this book is time well spent.