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Readers & Writers
Many thanks to all of you
who read “the Merry Mascot.” You apparently enjoyed the
story as we received five-star reviews from all over as
well as numerous simple messages saying you thought this
cozy style mystery was (in the words of one e-mailer)
“delightful.”
We were asked if the Merry Mascot’s cover artist, Ms. Julia
Bozzelli, and the artist mentioned on page 20 were one and
the same person. The answer is “Yes” and we’ve added this
to our F.A.Q. page along with additional information about
this fine artist.
A number of readers told us how much they liked the humor
of malapropisms found in “the Merry Mascot” and contributed
some of their favorites. Like:
“Always completely extinguish your campfire
to protect this nation’s florists.”
We’re considering adding a new page devoted entirely to
malapropisms and welcome contributions from all of you.
Everyone is welcome to send along a recommendation for Good
Reading. An e-mail to
staff@accoladebooks.biz or a toll-free phone call to
1-888-318-4794 with the name of the title, author, and a
brief summary of the book you enjoyed and we’ll be happy to
add it to this Readers & Writers page.
GOOD READING
Elizabeth D, Chicago, IL
told us she enjoys Bobby Jaye’s books and trusted Bobby
Jaye’s recommendation to read
Settler’s Law
by Doris Eraldi. “This was
the first western I’ve ever read and, it was so interesting
and well written, I felt I was reading American literature
at its finest. That made me search for more western novels
written by women and I found
They Saw the Elephant: Women in the
California Gold Rush
by JoAnn Levy. Her book is
non-fiction and took eight years researching the lives of
women involved in the gold rush years of 1849 through the
1850s. Some women were abandoned and learned to scratch out
an existence; others endured one disaster after another;
still others searched for gold competing along side the
men. They wrote about their experiences, ran boarding
houses, taught school, were missionaries, and engaged in
prostitution. Ms. Levy’s book gives a wonderful account of
how women’s lives played out in that period of our history
and I’m certain every woman who reads her book will be
proud of them.”
Dan Brown’s The Da
Vinci Code
brought comments from Suzie DeL, New Orleans, LA;
Laura F, Tucson, AZ;
TJA, Fargo, ND; and
Warren W, Kent, OH.
Here are brief summaries of their recommendations to read
this book: “The painstaking
research gives the reader a world of information and is a
five-star thriller at the same time.”
“With a plot that includes the
Louvre Museum, an ancient secret society, a cryptographer,
the Mona Lisa, and the Holy Grail, what more could a Dan
Brown fan want or need?”
“I think I held my breath from
beginning to end of this murder mystery and, by the time I
reached the last page, I was exhausted but knew I’d read a
great classic that will be popular for decades.”
“Is Dan Brown a genius, or what?”
Likewise, readers of Mitch Albom’s
The Five People You Meet in Heaven
sent in multiple recommendations. Terry D,
Farmington Hills, MI told us
“I always enjoyed Mitch Albom’s
sports column so didn’t know what to expect. Believe me
when I tell you this is one heck-of-a-book that you can’t
put down even after you’ve read the final page.”
From Al A, Erie, PA
“If you’re skeptical about heaven
and an afterlife, you must read this book. I especially
liked the way the author told the story without delivering
a sermon.”
Bettianne C, Columbus, OH
said “I felt humble when I
finished [this book] realizing that we all have a purpose
and have a fresh perspective on our everyday lives.”
For a change of pace Jill S, Charlotte, NC
presents Master of None
by N. Lee Wood. “This
science fiction piece about a turn-about world in which
women rule society and men have no rights was, to me, very
startling. It’ll make you think and, unless you cannot
tolerate brutal violence, graphic sex and language, I
recommend you find a copy.”
“When Julia Childs
died and the networks ran snippets of her wonderful cooking
shows, I was moved to find a copy of her
The Way to Cook
originally published in 1993. The book’s description,
‘Julia’s most creative and instinctive cookbook blending
classic techniques with free-style American cooking,’ is
absolutely accurate. Every kitchen would benefit by having
a copy of this beautifully illustrated cooking
masterpiece.”
Sarah L, Mobile, AL.
“If you’re looking for an
occasional chuckle, read
Since You’re Leaving Anyway, Take Out
the Trash
by Dixie Cash. The heroine,
Debbie Sue, divorces Buddy, the sheriff of Salt Lick,
Texas, and receives an old filling station in the property
settlement. There’s plenty of action in this murder mystery
and the characters make the book fun to read. The
attention-grabbing title of this story comes from the
lyrics of a song written by Debbie Sue’s mother. This is an
easy-to-read-and-enjoy book.”
Cathy I, Santa Monica, CA.
(This is Cathy’s second Good Reading recommendation and we
appreciate hearing from her.)
“You’ll
experience joy, laughter, tears, and a wonderful sense of
patriotism reading
The
Best Loved Poems of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.
These poems were compiled by her daughter, Caroline, who
includes her own thoughtful testimonial to her mother.
Emily Dickenson’s “Hope is the thing with feathers, That
perches in the soul, And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all” was among my favorites. You’ll also
find poetry about love, romance, America, and adventure. I
keep this book close at hand to read again and again.”
Terry R., Wichita Falls, KS
“Captiva
by Randy Wayne White is
another Doc Ford adventure set in Florida. This time the
former intelligence agent turned seaside biologist and his
buddy, an existentialist, are caught up in a feud between
sport and net fishermen over a netting ban while the two
investigate a man’s death from explosives. This author also
wrote
The Man Who Invented
Florida,
another great adventure story.”
Eric J., Jacksonville, FL
Pam S. of Philadelphia, PA
recommends
To
Wed A Stranger,
a historical romance, by Edith Layton.
“My favorite novels are written in the English Regency era
and Ms. Layton combines romance with suspense in a
wonderful story. Lady Annabelle, a woman of questionable
reputation, enters into a loveless marriage with the
Viscount of Pelham. How the couple survive London’s vicious
society of that period makes a book that’s hard to put
down.”
“Having grown up in Baltimore, I had to read
The
Last Place
written by Laura Lippman.
Private investigator, Tess Monaghan, sets out to discover
why five unsolved homicides in six years in Baltimore all
started with domestic violence. The title is well chosen as
the author carries you to new and dangerous places and I
know you’ll enjoy the trip.”
Molly R., Annapolis, MD
Investigative mystery fan, Cathy I., Santa
Monica, CA
recommends
Caught in the Act
by Joyce Lamb. “The heroine
and newspaper reporter, Jessie, has a terrible auto
accident while investigating a story of improper police
behavior. She’s rescued from the wreck by Clay, a freelance
reporter and recent widower. While their relationship
deepens, the reader learns about the newspaper business and
is entertained with plenty of action and suspense making
this a very interesting and enjoyable book.”
“After I
finished reading Bobby Jaye Allen’s wonderful ‘On
the Chopping Block,’
I remembered another bookstore mystery,
White Elephant Dead,
by Carolyn Hart. In this
story, the bookstore, ‘Death on Demand,’ is operated by
Annie and Max Darling. As amateur sleuths, the Darlings
help a customer clear herself of the charge of murdering a
local Women’s Club volunteer. Reading this book a second
time was as much fun as the first time and I think everyone
will enjoy it, too.” Gwen I., East St. Louis,
IL
Carlene C., Baton Rouge, LA
told us the title, I Am
What I Ate . . . and I’m Frightened,
by Comedian Bill Cosby, hit
so close to home she had to buy a copy.
“It’s good to know those of us who’ve
spent much of our lives overindulging in chocolate cake,
cheese, leftover pizza, salt, fat, and, of course,
cigarettes have Mr. Cosby for company. At times I laughed;
at times I cried; and will always think of Bill Cosby as a
wonderful man and writer.”
“I’m a
long time Maeve Binchy fan and
Quentins
didn’t let me down. Quentins is an Irish restaurant where
we meet its patrons and learn about their fascinating
lives. If you find yourself a little confused at times, my
advise is don’t worry. You’ll have it figured out by the
end of this story if you take your time reading every
well-chosen word.” Harriet F., NYC, NY
“I was
lucky to be given a copy of
Ladies
by Feather Schwartz Foster.
It’s a combination of fiction and fact about our First
Ladies from Martha Washington to Mamie Eisenhower with
comments from Betty Ford, Nancy Reagan, and Barbara Bush.
The author did extensive research into the lives of the
First Ladies and brought them to life in a most
entertaining way,” Jackee R., Parma, OH
Juanita V., Taos, NM read
Exit Wounds
by J.A. Jance. “I was on the edge
of my chair reading this suspense novel. It’s a Joanna
Brady mystery about finding the bodies of reclusive Carol
Mossman and her 17 dogs in her trailer parked in the desert
of Arizona. The title of this book comes from finding and
tracing the bullets that murdered the recluse as well as
two newswomen. The heroine’s private life is as interesting
as the main plot and it’s easy to recommend this wonderful
book.”
Dottie J., Greenwood, SC
found Hidden Places
by Lynn Austin a story to completely relax with.
“During the Great Depression of the
1930s, Eliza finds herself a widow with the responsibility
of raising three children. Her prayers for help are
answered when Gabe, an injured hobo, shows up asking for
food. In return he stays and helps Eliza with her orchard.
Then Aunt Betty needs a place to live and joins Eliza and
Gabe. The book reveals how ordinary people rise above their
past and their problems. This is a story that will
strengthen your faith in God without being preachy.”
“My earliest memory of Judy
Garland was from The
Wizard of Oz.
During her career, she was a bigger-than-life dynamo to me
and it was always sad to learn of her troubled personal
life. John Fricke has written Judy Garland combining
pictures, posters, home movie photos, and direct quotes,
and pays tribute to the multi-talented Judy who starred in
vaudeville, radio, television, theater, personal
performances, and movies. If you weren’t a Judy Garland fan
before, you will be after you read this book. “
Chester P., Enid, OK.
Delia B. of Muskogee, OK
told us she bought Margaret Truman’s
The President’s House
as a gift for her mother. “Before
I wrapped it, I started reading this wonderful inside look
at White House life from the time it opened in 1800 through
Bill Clinton’s presidency. Margaret Truman gives a history
lesson that is entertaining as well as informative. I
couldn’t put it down.”
Alicia D of Fon du Lac, WI
says, “I’m a Bobby Jaye fan so it
will be no surprise I also love any book from 'The Cat Who
. . .' series written by Lilian Jackson Braun. I recently
finished The Cat Who
Smelled a Rat,
that I understand is the 23rd Koko and Yum Yum story. This
time a series of suspicious fires, along with a murder, is
investigated by newspaperman Qwillernan with help from the
pair of Siamese cats. This is another enchanting cozy from
Mrs. Braun I’m sure many will enjoy.”
Angela G of Utica, NY
wrote, “I used to panic every year
as the holidays approached that my house will look like a
tornado ripped through when my family arrived for dinner.
Then I read Sink
Reflections
by Marla Cilley. The book is a good-humored guide how to
make housecleaning more fun. According to “Shiny Sink 101,”
a clean sink is the stepping stone to a well-ordered house.
Other wonderful chapters ask “Do You Know Where Your
Laundry Is?” or discuss “Paper Clutter: You’ll Never Have
to Spring Clean Again.” (Amen to that.) This book makes a
wonderful holiday gift for the person who cooks, cleans the
house, and needs laugh or two.”
Our own Bobby Jaye
asked to mention Settler’s
Law by Doris H.
Eraldi. “I’m not a western fan but
this story hooked me from page one. The setting is the
Montana territory in the 1800s and this beautifully written
book has good guys, bad guys, suspense, and a lovely
romance. I hope you’ll find a copy and enjoy it as much as
I did.”
Mary Anne K of Enid, OK
recommends Jezebel
by Daisy Dexter Dobbs. “This is a
madcap classic about quirky, foolish behavior between two
adults who try to ignore the plain fact they were meant for
each other. You’ll love it.”
C.M.M. of Euclid, OH
read Dragon’s Lair,
a medieval mystery, written by Sharon Kay Penman.
“The basic plot revolves around the
central character, Justin, trying to recover the stolen
ransom paid by Queen Eleanor to rescue Richard the
Lionhearted. This story is fast-paced and gives a wonderful
description of Wales in medieval times.”
Chinese Takeout
by Arthur Nersesian is general fiction about the art world
in New York City. It’s described by Alicia J of
Albany, NY as
“Sometimes funny, sometimes sad, and
always realistic. A warning: It contains some explicit
language and sex if that bothers anybody. It’s a
hard-to-put-down book.”
John C of Tyler, TX
read Given Up for Dead,
a nonfiction military history by Bill Sloan. “My
grandfather was a veteran of World War Two and I regret I
never talked to him about his war experiences while he was
alive. This book will make everyone who reads it appreciate
him and all the brave boys who fought that war and brings
that sad part of our history to life.”
The Shocking Miss Shaw,
a romance novel by Justine Willich, is recommended by
Pat G of Sacramento,
CA. “This
is a Victorian romance with plenty of suspense. I felt I
was right there in England beside Sierra and Fitzhugh as
they thrash around solving their problems and trying to
ignore their attraction to one another.”
“If
you like Grisham stories, you’ll like
Absolute Certainty
written by Rose Connors. Set in Cape Cod, a jury quickly
finds a killer guilty. Then another murder occurs with
alarming similarity. Was the wrong man convicted? You have
283 pages to find out.”
Kate B of Boston, MA.
“It’s Spring, we’re in a new house, and I’ve never tried to
make a garden before.
So I bought Gardening for
Dummies by Mike MacCaskey
and Bill Marken and think I know the difference now between
mulch and bone meal. The book has no photographs but the
diagrams, lists, and charts are easy to follow. With luck
this dummy will have a blooming garden before this summer
is over.”
Maryalice J., Springfield, MO
“I must share another Lilian Braun
Jackson story. This time it’s
The Cat Who Brought Down the House.
After a long career in Hollywood, Thelma Thackery returns
to Pickax, the tiny town in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula,
‘400 miles from anywhere.’ You won’t be disappointed how
newspaperman Qwilleran and his pair of Siamese cats once
again catch the bad guy and make you glad you read this
charming mystery.”
Alicia D., Fon du Lac, WI
“I knew I was going to enjoy
Home Cooking: A Writer in
the Kitchen when I looked
over the Table of Contents. With chapters like ‘Alone in
the Kitchen with an Eggplant’ or ‘Bread Baking Without
Agony’ and, especially for a mother with children, ‘How to
Disguise Vegetables,’ this book has become my cooking
helper. Laurie Colwin is the author and Anna Shapiro is the
illustrator. It’s fun and guidance in the kitchen in one
attractive package.”
Bernice A., Warren, OH
We were pleased to hear
from Kevin T., Plano, TX, well-respected reviewer,
who recommends Big Ice
by Christopher Bonn Jones. Here is an excerpt from the
review about Seth Peterson, a polar ice researcher able to
identify where and when large slabs of the Antarctic Ice
Shelf might break away creating a disaster for which the
world is unprepared. “The author
has once again combined intriguing, complicated characters
with cutting edge science to produce another intense read.
This novel is an example of an author who
can be counted on to write tight well-written novels and
[one]
you should definitely keep your eye on for the future.”
"I seldom buy what’s known as
omnibus editions—that is, several of an author’s books
under one cover. However, when I found three Sue
Grafton alphabet series mysteries
bound together, I couldn’t resist. Though I read all three
stories some years ago, I recently enjoyed
“G” is for Gumshoe,
“H” is for Homicide,
and “I” is for Innocent
all over again and, best of all, the price was right."
Suzan F., Lockport, NY
“My wife was certain I’d enjoy
The Poet Game
by Salar Abdoh. The central
character in this spy novel is Iranian operative, Sami Amir,
who is in New York to check out rumors of terrorist plots.
In the midst of all the suspense and intrigue, he falls in
love. This book is complicated and has many characters.
Lucky for me, my wife read the book first and made a list
of the characters and their relationship to the plot. This
story moves along quickly and we both had a ball reading
it.”
Roger R., Monroe, MI
We received nearly a half-dozen recommendations for
John Adams by
David McCullough. We congratulate all who tackled this
wonderful 700-plus page book and agree a brief summary
cannot do it justice. Every reader mentioned the letters
between John and his wife, Abigail, were particularly
interesting and revealed much about their personalities.
Among memorable quotations from John Adams:
“The vice presidency—the most
insignificant office that ever the invention of man
contrived.” Or “I am an
ordinary man. The times alone have destined me to fame.”
About wife Abigail, “Where others
might see a stout, bluff little man, she saw a giant of
great heart.”
CLEVER THOUGHTS
Seen on tee shirts:
I saw Elvis.
He was sitting next to Big Foot on a UFO!
If you don’t like my driving,
GET OFF THE SIDEWALK!
You can’t scare me.
I have a two-year-old!
When you get tired holiday
shopping, just sit down and try on shoes.
Tell us, please, do vegetarians eat animal crackers?
Whenever you feel stressed
remember:
“STRESSED spelled backwards is
DESSERTS.”
Getting ready for the coming holidays, we admit
“We Love Cooking With Wine.
Sometimes We Even Put It In The Food.”
Kate B of Boston also sent along this thought from a
cross-stitched sampler framed and hanging in her home:
May your troubles be less and your
blessings be more,
And nothing but happiness come through your door.
Don’t forget: A Well-Balanced Diet
Is A Cookie in Both Hands
Here
at Accolade Books, we say:
We’d Rather Be Read Than Be Rich
* Editor’s Note: We
doubled the recommended number of words for reviews and
comments after hearing from visitors that fifty words was a
bit stingy. So, say what you want to—we’re not going to
count.
We
intend to update this page frequently, so how about you?
Do you have anything to contribute to this little corner of
the web?
staff@accoladebooks.biz
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