Entertainment Books

When Becky Simpson began clearing out her father's office after his sudden death from a heart attack, she found more questions than answers about her mother's disappearance almost fifteen years earlier.

Becky hired private investigator, Tom Casey, also known as Hawkman, to try to find out what happened to her mother. Infidelity, hidden compartments, anonymous threats, lies, deceit, and bones buried in a rose garden lead the reader through an array of gripping suspense elements right to the end.

Grave Web is an excellent mystery suspense novel. I couldn't put it down.

Imagine being a young girl when your mother disappears. No one will answer your questions not even your father. And on top of that your father wont even speak about her. The Grave Web is a story about a woman named Becky, whose mother had disappeared when her brother and she were young. They can remember things about her but being young, they didn't know why she left. After their father's death the young girl, now an adult, seeks to find her mother. She hires a private investigator and discovers the secrets her father hid.

Some of those secrets were; one, their father's affair with another woman and the possibility of the other woman being pregnant. Another was the rental properties that her mother had inherited from her parents that were signed over to her father, with Becky and her brother co-owners, a month after their mothers disappearance. There was also a bank account for herself and one for her brother with large amounts of money in them.

As the private investigator and Becky search through this mystery they get threatening phone calls and letters. The private investigator also has someone try to shoot him. Someone doesn't want them to find out about her mother and discover all of the secrets that seems to span through so many people.

This was an exciting book with many twists and turns. I couldn't put it down and it kept me wanting more. Anyone that likes a mystery will like this one. I recommend it highly.

If you like a lot of action, with guns going off, car chases, stalking, and sinister threats, Betty Sullivan LaPierre's latest in her Hawkman series is the book for you.

The story opens as Becky Simpson mourns the death of her father. He leaves Becky and her brother Cory some real estate, a couple bank accounts, and the mystery of what happened to Carole Ann, their mother, fifteen years before. Becky can't let it go unsolved. With a very pregnant wife, Cory's attention is focused elsewhere, but Becky hungers for some answers. Their mom simply disappeared one day. The children had observed nothing amiss in their family life, but a mother who loves her kids doesn't leave without a word unless something is very wrong.

Becky Simpson makes up her mind to hire the best investigator around, a man who has a mysterious past of his own with something cryptically called The Agency, Tom Casey. Still, she worries about digging into ancient history.

"She gnawed her lower lip, and wondered how much information Mr. Casey would need before he could take the case. Surely, he'd need names to start a search. She let out an audible sigh. Looks like any private investigator will have quite a job on his hands with this cold case."

Tom Casey, known as Hawkman to the locals, hasn't handled many cold cases since he hung out his private investigator's shingle, but he's willing --- maybe even eager --- to tackle this one. After listening carefully to Becky's story and perusing old ledgers and papers she gives him, he tells his new client not to worry; he'll unearth the answers she's looking for. But when she gets a menacing phone call soon after hiring Hawkman, she starts to get edgy. Casey, his interest piqued at the sudden interest in his activities on this case, tells her to be watchful and keep him informed of anything out of the ordinary. It seems that the more he pokes around, the more he stirs up a hornet's nest. Someone out there doesn't want Carole Ann found.

Becky has held out hopes that her mother is still alive, but her optimism starts to fade as the evidence mounts up, pointing to foul play. And if she is dead, there are plenty of suspects in town and folks who just want to let the whole thing stay buried.

GRAVE WEB shows off Ms. LaPierre's well-honed skills for creating a good mystery. And the bonus is that Tom Casey is such a beloved character --- along with his lovely wife Jennifer, family cat Miss Marple, and falcon Pretty Girl --- it is easy to get drawn into the story, and their lives, very quickly.

Becky Simpson has just lost her father and in acting as executrix of his estate she uncovers secrets and mysteries that he had hidden from her and her brother all their lives. At the same time she is trying to recover from her loss, she decides this is the time to find her missing mother. She hires Hawkman to discover her whereabouts.

With no idea as to the hornet's nest they are about to stir up, Hawkman begins almost immediately to ask questions. One clue leads to another and then threats begin to both Hawkman and his client. And he is worried.

What dangerous person has he antagonized with his investigation? Who among those he's talked to feels threatened? Is it the yardman, the neighbor, her father's friends or tenants, or another?

Talented author Betty Sullilvan La Pierre has, as always, crafted a tale of intrigue, dark secrets and plenty of action. The people will seem like old friends and you'll want to read all of her books.

This is a book I'm pleased to recommend to any reader. A fun read all the way through, a great way to pass some pleasant hours. Enjoy. I sure did.

After Becky Simpson's father dies, she has a strong urge to find out what happened to her mother. Carole Ann Simpson has been missing for over fifteen years with no real explanation for her disappearance, and no one seemed to even care. Her brother warns her that she might not like what she finds after digging into old and forgotten family problems.

Becky hires Private Investigator Tom Casey, better known as Hawkman. It's a cold case, and more difficult to solve, but the case intrigues him so he takes her on as a client. As Hawkman questions the neighbors, he finds out Carole Ann wasn't much liked, and everyone prefers to keep their noses in their own business. Most people think she simply ran off because of her husband's affair with another woman. But why wouldn't she contact her children in all that time?

When both Hawkman & Becky start getting threatening messages, warning them to back off, Hawkman becomes certain something much more sinister happened to Carole Ann Simpson all those years ago.

Ms. La Pierre has outdone herself with #10 in the Hawkman Series. Grave Web is a complex web of secrets and lies, keeping you guessing right up to the shocking unveiling. I didn't have a clue how the mystery would be solved, so I was both surprised and delighted with the very plausible ending. Baffle me, and you go on my shelf of great mystery writers. Ms. La Pierre has won her place there with Grave Web.

i just finished it i read it all the time i love these series they are really funny all my friends love them too! i love all the sabrina books but this one is really good!

They really are great books. They'll make ya laugh on a day when you just want to cry, and they aren't so farfetched, either. Sabrina may have supernatural powers, but she deals with the same things us teens have to face everyday: being shunned by the most popular girl at school, having a weird family, liking your best guy friend... It's not as unusal as some may think. In fact, I can sometimes more than relate (of course, I'm not a witch though). And having the most cool girl in school reck your halloween party, can defintely happen.

Sabrina's throwing a Halloween party with a B-movie monster theme. But only Harvey & Jenny show up. Everyone else is at Libby's super-secret "surprise" Halloween affair. Libby's winning the popularity game-until Sabrina's Aunt Vesta, a real witch, invites some of her friends over a genuine monster bash. Soon everyone is partying at Sabrina's, where the zombies, mummy, Wolfman, and Frankenstein's monster are stealing the show. Sabrina's busy trying to keep her friends from learning the truth. That's when Libby discovers the magic pantry and meets the young warlock who can help her create some havoc of her own.

Suddenly, the party's out of control, and Sabrina's cover as a normal teenager is about to be blown!

Sabrina's throwing a Halloween party with a B-movie monster theme. But only Harvey & Jenny show up. Everyone else is at Libby's super-secret "surprise" Halloween affair. Libby's winning the popularity game-until Sabrina's Aunt Vesta, a real witch, invites some of her friends over a genuine monster bash.

Soon everyone is partying at Sabrina's, where the zombies, mummy, Wolfman, and Frankenstein's monster are stealing the show. Sabrina's busy trying to keep her friends from learning the truth. That's when Libby discovers the magic pantry and meets the young warlock who can help her create some havoc of her own.

Suddenly, the party's out of control, and Sabrina's cover as a normal teenager is about to be blown!

If you like to read Sabrina books then you MUST read this book. It was the most excitingest one i ever read and i could not put it down. It's about sabrina throwing a b-movie monster theme and during the party her aunt vesta shows up bringing along with her 2 witches and a worlock. Soon the party is out of controll all thanks to that warlock who is trying to make some hovac with libby. I call this a must read book.

This is a truly remarkable book and a delight to read. You feel as though you are right there as Terence Knapp reminisces about his life. In conversational detail Knapp tells of his intimate relationships with Britain's theater geniuses--Sirs Laurence Olivier, Derek Jacobi, Michael Redgrave, the irrepressible Judi Dench, and Lynn Redgrave and so many others.

But it is more than a book about stars. It is about a man's odyssey. He takes the reader from the hard times and poverty of wartime London, through the trials and triumphs of becoming an Actor; he shifts to the exotic orient in a quest to broaden his knowledge by learning about and contributing to theater in Japan. Finally, he realizes his second calling--teaching aspiring actors and bringing his love of Shakespeare and the theater to Hawaii.

In the Hawaiian Islands he has become a beloved and revered figure not only for his stunning Peabody award-winning portrayal of the leper priest, Father Damien, but for the countless other performances he has given for more than 30 years.

Knapp candidly reveals that although the dream of great stardom and great financial reward may have eluded him, he has found peace and satisfaction in touching the lives of so many in his beloved three islands--Britain, Japan and Hawaii. It is a story that helps us all in understanding and appreciating our own personal quest of peace and achievement.

This is a great tale of a life in the British Theatre during its mid-20th century Golden Era. Terry Knapp starts his story with his audition for the legendary actor-director,Sir Laurence Oliver when he created the inaugural company of the Chichester Festival Theatre and continues with a rare insider's view of the founding of the Royal National Theatre when its home was the historic Old Vic Theatre in London's Waterloo Road. Like a born story-teller Terry tells, in a well paced and charmingly informal way, the saga of the birth of what is now the theatrical pride of Great Britain. Terry traces its development during the first three years of artistic feuds and back-stage infighting and its Everestian peak of Olivier's magnificent OTHELLO in Moscow in the very heart of the Kremlin. Terry goes on to tell of being on tour in South East Asia, and his remarkable first visit to Japan which coincided with the visit of the Beatles to Tokyo. Awarded the first ever Churchill Fellowship to an actor Terry later returned to Japan to study its tradional performance arts encountering some remarkable theatre artists.His account makes informative reading about some of the world's most exotic Acting traditions which date back several centuries. He shares his experiences of working with Sir Yehudi Menuhin in Mozart's THE IMPRESSARIO and Dame Cleo Laine in a musical about the amours of George Bernard Shaw. These memoires have been praised for their style and content by the distinguished theatre biographer and critic, Sheridan Morley and by Gavan Daws, author oF HOLY MAN, the outstanding biography of Father Damien of Molokai. Terry was acclaimed internationally for his TV portrait of DAMIEN in a one man play by Aldyth Morris, (the title bestowed on him by the Hawaii State Legislature also being the title of his book.) This is first class, highly informative and very entertaining reading.

This is a truly remarkable book and a delight to read. You feel as though you are right there as Terence Knapp reminisces about his life. In conversational detail Knapp tells of his intimate relationships with Britain's theater geniuses--from Sirs Laurence Olivier, Derek Jacobi, Michael Redgrave, the irrepressible Judi Dench, and Lynn Redgrave and so many others.

But it is more than a book about stars. It is about a man's odyssey. He takes the reader from the hard times and poverty of wartime London, through the trials and triumphs of becoming an Actor; he shifts to the exotic orient in a quest to broaden his knowledge by learning about and contributing to theater in Japan. Finally, he realizes his second calling--teaching aspiring actors and bringing his love of Shakespeare and the theater to Hawaii.

In the Hawaiian Islands he has become a beloved and revered figure not only for his stunning Peabody award-winning portrayal of the leper priest, Father Damien, but for the countless other performances he has given for more than 30 years.

Knapp candidly reveals that although the dream of great stardom and great financial reward may have eluded him, he has found peace and satisfaction in touching the lives of so many in his beloved three islands--Britain, Japan and Hawaii. It is a story that helps us all in understanding and appreciating our own personal quest for peace and achievement.

Terence Knapp has lead a fascinating and truly inspiring life...and writes all about it with panache and style. The Farmer review gives you the details on the books contents, so just let me add that this breezy, lively read is a must for any theatre-lover, aspiring actor, Anglophile, or anyone who just wants to sit down and read something entertaining.

This is a jewel, an insider's view of the golden era of British theatre following World War II and the still-emerging synthesis of East and West aesthetic traditions. Terence Knapp has worked as an actor, director and sensei (master teacher) in Britain (as an inaugural player with Sir Laurence Olivier's fabled National Theatre), West Africa (on tour with Dame Judi Dench and others), the United States (especially Hawaii) and Japan. He has won accolades for his many memorable roles on stage and public television, most notably for his incarnation of Father Damien, the leper priest of Molokai.

Knapp tells of his day-to-day intimacy and friendships with some of the most celebrated productions and stellar performances of the 20th century: Olivier, Dench, Sir Michael Redgrave, Lynn Redgrave, Dame Maggie Smith, Peter O'Toole and Sir Derek Jacobi, among many others.

Knapp's great love of theatre, of the art of acting, and of the joy of mentoring illuminates this book with delicious candor and honesty. A must for any serious student of not only theatre, but also the arts and the spiritual life of the 20th Century.

This book is packed with great info. It contains information on a variety of topics concerning the raw food diet and our food supply. It's an easy read and highly informational. More than half of the book is dedicated to recipes and food preparation such as sprouting, making seed and nut milks, dehydration, etc. There is also a listing of restaurants, stores and suppliers where you can find products. This is my favorite raw food publication to date. Eat Raw and live longer, stronger, and smarter!

This collection of Love in recipe form is THE one book that I use all the time for "everyday" Raw Foods meal prep.

One recipe that I know by heart now is the "Toona" spread for a "gardenburger-type" spread on cucumbers or crackers or as a side for a salad. In fact, dehydrated this spread itself makes the tastiest crackers.

Rhio's book is delightful and the recipes taste great. There is a lot more information in addition to just recipies too.

What more is there to say?

Ah, one more thing. Sergie and Valya Boutenko have just also released a recipe book that I have yet to see. I am looking forward to that one too.

Whatever you decide, any Raw Recipe Book is better than none. They all have something new and fresh to offer.
Take care, eat well.

This is a really great addition to any raw fooders library and an essential for the beginner. It really gives some wonderful and easy recipes that don't all require expensive kitchen gadgets to make. The marinated greens are the bomb!

This is a wonderful raw book... lots of recipes and they taste great! If you're into raw... you'll like it. If you haven't tried it... you will be amazed how great you feel eating this way... and how good you look!

This is my favorite live foods recipe book. It's a great book for people new to raw foods and those of us who've been traveling this path (or trying to) for some time. I use it as both a reference and a recipe book. "Hooked on Raw," Nomi Shannon's "Raw Gourmet," and Frederic Patenaude's "The Sunfood Cuisine" are the three best out there (see below). I have most of the major raw foods recipe books, and I rarely open any but these three anymore. Mostly I eat simple fruits and prepare soups or salads, but these books are perfect for company meals and pot luck suppers...and the occasional elaborate meal.

Rhio talks about several transitions to raw foods, including her own, as well as presents different sides of many of the controversies within the raw foods movement -- all without being dogmatic. Her premise is that we all must choose what is right for ourselves based on our own educated opinions and knowledge of our bodies.

After presenting background, the book then goes into discussions about sprouting and food prep equipment.

This book is unusual in that most of the recipes are for main courses. This has been lacking in raw foods books until now. But Rhio also provides salad/dressing, soup/sauce, and dessert recipes, as well as some "unusual food info" and recipes for cosmetics. There is also a small section of pictures. I only wish there were a better index: the only recipe index is by Rhio's recipe name, not by main ingredient or common name.

Still, the best book out there. Other great ones are: Nomi Shannon's "Raw Gourmet" (lots of salads/soups/dressings and good info for new and seasoned raw foodists) and Frederic Patenaude's "The Sunfood Cuisine," although it reads like a continuous, annoying ad for Nature's First Law products. Cherie Soria's "Angel Foods" is wonderful, too, although there are lots of cooked recipes in there along with the raw ones and it's sometimes hard for a new raw foodist to tell which is which. Juliano's "Raw" is unique, creative, and interesting but far too rich and overdone for every day...maybe even for special occasions without some tone-down (or reduced nuts/seeds/oils/sweeteners).

If you're looking for excellent information on transitioning to live foods (with a few recipes), sticking with it, and/or getting healthier in mind/body/spirit, I highly recommend Paul Nison's books, although -- just a warning -- they are best for their interviews of long-time raw foodists, as the boxing and "lost in a castle" analogies and writing are childish. Also excellent is Gabriel Cousens' "Conscious Eating" for raw food/general vegetarian diet/spirituality/health information. For those of you who have been on this path for a while, Fred Patenaude's "Raw Secrets" is the best book out there!

this book is awesome, wicked cool photos and biological articles. you guys should read this book

It doesen't get any better than this, this book covers monsters, psycho's, aliens, Zombies, mutants and anything else you can think of. Be prepared for what ever lurks out inthe woods, under your bed, in your town, or under your sink it's all here! Enjoy!

This book is hilarious. It runs downs numerous monsters/killers from well known and not so well known horror and sci-fi movies. The run down has the movie it was from, a quote from the film, the habitat, origin, behavior, cravings, how dangerous they are, how to kill them, their current status, and the body count of their victims. That is all well and good, but they way they explain some of is it done in a very humorus way. I'll be honest and say I wasn't expecting much when I ordered it, because I got it with another order. But when I started reading it, I was incredibly happy that I got it. I highly recommend it!!

This book is good readin'.Even though it doesn't cover every single movie ever made, the selection of monsters was great.If you have ran out of horror movies to see, get this. Note:If anybody knows where to find the film Basket Case, include it in your review. Note 2: You can find a lot of these films at Blockbuster.

The Horror Movie Survival Guide is a must have read for horror buffs, and those just needing to hone up on their monsters. This indispensible guide is insightful, fact-filled, and chalked with campy humor, just like those schlocky B movies we all know and love. A handy reference guide for ridding yourself of monsters the right way. Shelve this one between Dr Spock's Baby Care Guide and Miss Manners Fine Etiquette... Gary S. Potter Author/Poet.

We all know Bloom the scientist. Here's Bloom the agitator - and writer. I'm particularly glad to learn the real secret behind what happened to America some forty years ago. This is a fun, sexy, provocative ride through a decade that really hasn't been shared properly until now.

Bloom has done it again. The man that produced such astounding works as "Lucifer Principle" and "Global Brain" has created yet another great tale of non-fiction, complete with his trademark of fluid-logic storytelling. Anyone who is a fan of the aforementioned books would do themselves a great favor by indulging in this new series. This first book was totally captivating, keeping my attention from the first sentence to the last. Full of wit, humor and hints of sarcasm, Bloom effectively tells the beginning of the story of the Western cultural revolution in the early 1960's, and reveals his place in carving out the story. I was born some twenty-odd years after these adventorous excursions, but through Bloom's masterful storytelling and sharp writing style I felt as if I were with him every step of the way. I cannot wait to follow up and read the rest of the series. Although it is a bit different from his more scientific books, this series is sure to delight anyone fortunate enough to recognize the talents of this brilliant, keen mind.

Howard Bloom is the heart and soul of science. He represents the deepest spiritual, personal, emotional profundity of the process of discovery and learning, and this book absolutely secures him, without a doubt, as the only person suited to speak to people at large on the matter. Endlessly witty, delightful, and gut-punchingly astonishing in its weightiness, How I Accidentally Started the 60s is one of those reads that makes you stop every chapter because you have to get up and smile for a while. This is a life affirming book, this is a story that makes even the most hard hearted empirical thinker realize that there is love, beauty, and salvation for us wretched humans. To use an oft overused cliche, this book will simply "make you believe again".

For those familiar with Howard Bloom's earlier works, The Lucifer Principle and Global Brain, this will prove a delightful surprise. Here, he offers a comedic autobiographical account of his coming of age. A warning for literalists: If you're looking for precise causal mechanisms that attribute a social movement to the actions of one man, you won't find them here. A more accurate, and more awkward title would be: How I began living out the sex, drugs, and rock and roll (plus Eastern mysticism) cultural archetype of the late 1960's about five years before anybody else in America. This little gem deserves a wide readership and acclaim as a warmer, funnier, smarter version of On The Road.

I'm a huge fan of Bloom's science books, Global Brain and Lucifer Principle. Actually I consume all science books, and my two all-time favorites are the two I just mentioned, just above Consilience, The Selfish Gene, and The Blank Slate. So naturally I was interested in this. A humorous memoir? Hard to believe it's the same genius, except for the unmistakably colorful literary style. I couldn't stop reading! What a rip-roaring story! It made me realize the reason Howard Bloom isn't frequently mentioned in the same breath as Stephen Hawking, Richard Dawkins, and EO Wilson is that his genius is not comparable to any other. Is this the life you need lead to become a scientific visionary? If so, Steven Gould should have dropped more acid and shoplifted with his jock strap.

At first I thought this book wouldnt be that great because there are a lot of names that I didnt recognize when looking at the index of people interviewed. However, that is because a lot of the names are the behind the scenes people who may not be 'names' unless you study the credits at the end of movies. There are some very interesting stories here. There is one good interview where a guy indicates how he screwed people all the way to the top of his field and later himself was screwed by someone he trusted. Payback. Karma. I hated that guy, but Im glad he told the truth. Each interviwed person is shown in a photograph. This is a well crafted book, done in a simple way and it works.

Major Hollywood stars had to work hard to break into the industry and make it big, but few places chart their stories under one cover. HOW I BROKE INTO HOLLYWOOD: SUCCESS STORIES FROM THE TRENCHES gathers dozens of Hollywood's greatest successes under one cover, including not just actors but writers, directors, designers and more to provide profiles of the best and how they worked to achieve their goals. Inspirational chapters profile nearly fifty such Hollywood success stories and will appeal to any interested in learning from experience.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

I loved this book, and highly recommend it to anyone interested in working in Hollywood, or to any creative type struggling to find career success. There are 67 first-person stories (from a variety of producers, actors, editors, lawyers, writers, etc.), and the interviewees have been incredibly generous in sharing not only their successes, but also their humble beginnings, self-doubts and failings. That willingness to show the true journey, warts and all, is what makes this book so inspiring, and such a gift. Many thanks to those who participated, and to the authors for making it happen.

A word to the publisher: this book has all the hallmarks of a classic, but the cover art and title don't match the contents. I almost passed it over on the shelf because the graphic design looked low rent, and it seemed to just be the personal story of the two authors, whose names I didn't recognize (sorry, guys). When it comes out in paperback (which it should--promote this baby!), how about listing some of the well-known participants on the cover, and changing the title to How I Broke Into Hollywood, 67 Success Stories from the Trenches? This book is a winner!

I thoroughly emjoyed this book, very readable, lively and interesting. The interviews flow like fascinating stories. The advice from those who made it will apply to almost any endeavor so the book should appeal to a wide audience.

If you are looking for some gossip-rag style tales of how Hollywood's biggest names got to where they are, then this isn't the book for you. There are a few big names in this book, Bernie Mac among them, but they are the exception rather than the rule.

This book, rather, is a thoughtfully introspective look at how many of the behind-the-scenes people working in Hollywood accepted crushing rejection time and time again, dealt with monetary difficulties while pursuing their dream, the tips and tricks they used to become known and well-employed in Hollywood.

Screenwriters, producers, actors, music supervisors, agents, and costume designers are featured, among other jobs, and their tales are inspiring and really helpful. Each person interviewed in this book really seemed to set aside their ego and talk truthfully about the times they doubted themselves and what could have made things go more smoothly in their journey to Hollywood elite. The advice given is really solid, and could benefit anyone in any career, but especially in the brutal film/ TV industry.

I'd definitely buy this book for any friend considering trying to make it in Hollywood. The advice and stories are entertainingly given and would be valuable and interesting even if they didn't end up pursuing that particular dream.

If you're one of those people that think only of Kaye Ballard as one of the "Mothers-In-Law" from TV, or that funny album with the balloons on it, treat yourself to her wonderful autobiography, "How I Lost 10 Pounds in 53 Years.!" Not only a fascinating story of the lady herself, but a warm-hearted look at practically the history of show business (Vaudeville, Broadway, Night Clubs, movies, radio & television). She's done it all, and you'll meet your favorites (and a few not-so) as only someone who's been there and done it can tell. Best of all, Kaye is her honest and humble self (What? A star with humility?) Yup, throughout her illustrious career, she's still the star-struck kid in Cleveland's RKO Palace worshiping the idols on the silver screen, and dreaming of Hollywood. Haven't we all been there? Starting as a teenager, performing in a Chinese restaurant (it's funny already!), through to today's still very active cancer-surviving octogenarian, here's Kaye at her funny, loveable best, sharing her successes and disappointments in one of the best autobiographies in a long, long time! Read it, you'' love it!

Loved it. Wish she had written more, could read her stories forever!!!! She is too funny...

I recently read Ms. Ballard's memoir in 10 days while I was staying with my parents as my mother recovered from knee replacement surgery. It was the perfect book to read during this time--very funny and light--but also an honest, heartfelt tale. If you don't know who Kaye Ballard is, well, you should. She's a wonderful comic actress who's starred in films (The Ritz), on TV (Cinderella, The Doris Day Show, The Mothers-in-Law) and on stage (The Golden Apple, Carnival, The Pirates of Penzance, Follies). I saw her perform back in the '90s in a small cabaret called Toulouse in Chicago (now sadly closed). It was a horrible snowy night--and my friends and I were the only ones who braved the elements to see her show. And so Ms. Ballard--being the classy, talented dame that she is--performed for us. We all LOVED her--and you will LOVE her book. The lady knows how to write an honest, entertaining account of her fascinating life. So sit back, relax and let Kaye tell you all about her legendary 60-year career. You'll have a wonderful time--I know I did.

I enjoyed reading this book very much - it gave real insight into the life of a single woman in show business. Kaye is a fantastic personality and very honest in this book about her career and friendshiips. She is a real lady with a great sense of humor. Nice photos too of some old favorites when they were younger. I would definitely buy this book again. A+

Kaye Ballard's name is well known in show business: she's performed in burlesque, nightclubs, big bands, and stage and here provides a memoir packed with anecdotes from her career. Her upbeat memoir comes packed with anecdotes from her 50-year career and will prove a real treat for any familiar with either Kaye Ballard's career or the world of stage and TV.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

I was definitely experiencing some stress while figuring out how to start my own label. I have spent a couple of years tryin to get my sound heard. It is now my time to record and produce my own music. This book was an awesome guide on how to do just that. Definitely simplified the whole process for me.

Who doesn't dream of owning their own record label? C'mon everybody does. I did the walk to walk from record company to record company. That's a blast, but it really gets you nowhere. So I came upon this book, and a light went on.
Cohen lays it down, step by step. I learned how to set up my own company, market it, and make it a last. I'm just starting, but already it's worth every penny!

I just got this in about 2 weeks ago so I have not had a chance to really dig into it, but so far from what I see Secrets to Making Money In the Music Industry is an excellent resource no matter what part of the music business you are in. This is a great guide for those who are looking to make money with their music, but they just don't know where to start. Ty has uncovered every secret that would take musicians years to learn. This CD set is just what every musician or band manager needs. The strategies work and they are easy to understand and implement. I'm only 1/4 way thru the set and I already have pages and pages full of notes.

This book is a wealth of information. It takes you step by step into how to set up a record label, get the artists signed and make money. Then as if that wasn't enough it shows you how to promote your artists and label, all on a shoestring budget. I am just finishing the book now and can't wait to get started.

I would recommend this book to anyone out there who has a group or knows of a group wondering how to get started in the industry.

Ty Cohen's done it again! In "How to Start Your Own Successful Record Label in 21 Days or Less!", he shows you how to eschew the traditional, tedious process of signing your soul over to a major record label by simply forming your own. With a clear strategy, having your own label is a lot simpler than most people realize, and Cohen does an excellent job of simplifying even the most complicated parts of the process. This is truly a step-by-step guide with ample material to get you up and running within three weeks. Perfect for musicians of every experience level and genre.

Author Christopher Gullo chronicles the career of Mr. Cushing, from his earliest work to his last days, and in general it is an entertaining read; it does, though, have some shortcomings.

To begin with, Mr. Gullo is not a particularly engaging writer, even taking into consideration that this is basically a movie bio. He's stiff, and his grammar is not the best. He also likes to add his personal critique of each film, which is generally fawning, and eventually annoying.

Then there's his accuracy. I'm a big fan of the early Hammer works, especially The Curse of Frankenstein, and Horror of Dracula (in fact, I don't think that they receive the credit deserved for the high level of fright delivered to their unsuspecting audiences, with taut screenplays, vivid effects, dynamic scores, and believable acting). So I was dismayed when Mr. Gullo recounted storylines from both of these little classics incorrectly. It made me wonder if he had ever seen the very films that launched the horror career of the subject of his own book. He then refers to a trademark Cushing habit of holding up his forefinger to emphasize a point as having originated in The Hound of the Baskervilles, which is inaccurate---Cushing does this in both "Frankenstein" and "Dracula", and both predate "Baskervilles"---irritating to the devotee.

So, is this book worth buying? Yeah, if you're a Cushing fan. He was the greatest. The best Baron Frankenstein and Van Helsing that I've ever seen. There are interviews, some nice pictures, and interesting tidbits (such as Cushing and Lee loving to watch Warner Brother cartoons together). It's a little pricey at $24.99, but with the extra cash maybe Mr. Gullo can now buy The Curse of Frankenstein and Horror of Dracula on DVD and see what he's been missing.

If you are a fan [like many of us] or just have a passing interest in one of the truly great actors of the past 60 years, then this book is a must. Although there have been plenty of recent books devoted to the life and times of Peter Cushing, this volume stands out due to the meticulous research by the author along with it's easy flowing style. A joy to read and a future source book for fans of the great man I'm sure - packed from cover to cover with fascinating details of the great man and his career. Well done Chris - step out!! 5 Stars!

First things first: It's a pity that the author may lose a few sales seeing that Amazon - probably *the* major online venue for books - has listed this book under an incorrect title. The correct title is IN ALL SINCERITY... PETER CUSHING, not "In all sincerely" which doesn't even make any sense grammatically.

This is the first time I observed such a faux pas from Amazon and I hope this can be rectified as the book deserves to be easily found via a regular title search.

The title refers to the way Cushing always signed his letters or autographs. It's become such a trademark for him that if you ever come across a signed item from him that does not carry this sentence, it more than likely is not authentic.

Cushing was one of the most popular actors of the Horror Screen. Both admired by public and fellow colleagues as the "gentle man" of horrors, he was one of the last of a breed of courteous and ever polite people who seem to belong to a long forgotten era. There doesn't appear to be *anyone* who has even the slightest disparaging thing to say about him.

There are already a number of excellent books on Cushing on the market, but the angle of this one is that the author had approached as many of Cushing's fellow-actors and directors that he could get in contact with.

As such the book is told from the perspective of celebrities who knew him and freely shared their insights into this man's personality. His love for his wife Helen is well documented and runs like a thread through the whole book.

When I initially heard about the project I expected a thin booklet with a couple of quotations by the people interviewed. I couldn't believe it when I noticed that the final product covers more than 400 pages and as such is one of the most in depth books about the actor on the market. It is very well researched and the only thing annoying is the lack of an index, something that would have come in handy to find all the relevant quotations again. The actual interview passages are also a little bit too much in the simple form of "What was it like working with....?", but these are only minor niggles and shouldn't deter anyone from reading this book.

At the beginning of every chapter you will also find illustrations from comic artist Neil ("Black Forest"/"Wicked West") Vokes.

As the editor of "In All Sincerity. . . Peter Cushing," I am somewhat biased, but as a reader of fine biography, Christopher Gullo has done an amazing job with this book. His research is meticulous, as is his ability to tell a great story through the use of facts and data. His insight is deep yet constrained and reveals many ephemeral details that Cushing himself often glossed over or ignored due to his modesty and lack of self-aggrandizement. As his first book effort, Gullo has done himself and Peter Cushing a great service. Compared to other works on this subject, "In All Sincerity" epitomizes the nature of a true devotee and leaves the proverbial door wide open for more research and exploration on a fabulous actor and a true "Gentle Man" of the human race.

If you are a Peter Cushing fan, then you MUST buy this book. It will give you a detailed history of Peter's life and take you on a journey you won't forget. Knowing Peter as I did, I know he would be proud that "In All Sincerity" was written about him.

A wonderful book, a wonderful title and a wonderful writer! Christpher Gullo has left us ALL Peter's legacy to be enjoyed for years to come, and for ALL new Peter Cushing fans.

Peter Cushing was my hero.