Awards Books

Out of all my cookbooks,this is the best organized and the binding makes it so easy to work with. I can tell a lot of thought and work went into it. The large print is helpful for me. The size is perfect for the counter and the "tips" are an extra delightful bonus. The recipes are so easy to follow and most ingredients are already on hand. I've tried some of the recipes and they are delicious! This cookbook is a wonderful addition to any kitchen.

Reviewed by Juanita Watson for Reader Views (3/06)
Having lived in the South, I can really appreciate this cookbook. It contains a wide range of recipes that are generally referred to as `soul food.' These are dishes that you might find being cooked daily in the home, for weekend family get-togethers, or neighborhood potlucks. Most of the ingredients would generally be found in a typical southern kitchen cupboard, and/or easily acquired at the supermarket. It is a very practical collection suggesting that good Southern cooking doesn't need to be difficult.

Many of the recipes are "award winning recipes" from the New Orleans Times-Picayune. Scattered throughout are other recipes that could stand as equals with the `winners'. I especially liked Lil's Jambalaya, Spicy Chicken Casserole, and Apple Cake. The only downfall with a few of the recipes is that the dish is cooked in the microwave. Someone with basic cooking experience could easily figure out temperature and cooking times in a conventional oven, but this may not be every reader.
I really liked this cookbook. It is presented in an easy to follow manner and has a coil spine making it stay in place on the kitchen counter. The instructions are simple and uncomplicated suggesting these are realistic recipes for everyday. If you are looking for a cookbook filled with Southern comfort food recipes, this would be a great choice.

Do you love Southern home-cooked foods? If you have ever been to Louisiana, you know that there is nothing like the flavors that come from that historic State. Cooking in the Louisiana tradition is close to my heart since all of my family comes from Louisiana. That's why I love to collect cookbooks of Louisiana recipes. So it was a natural for me to pick up the "Louisiana's Award-Winning Recipes Cookbook" by Missy Armstrong, Dottie Brewer and Harrietta Randazzo. If you're looking for simple to prepare, real home-cooking, tasty recipes, you'll enjoy this compact cookbook.

Louisiana is known for rich, savory dishes and this collection of award-winning recipes by home cooks presents a good variety of dishes to explore. The "Louisiana Award-Winning Cookbook" is comprised mainly from a collection of recipes that were submitted to the New Orleans Times Picayune Newspaper for a contest to see who could cook up the best recipes. The authors say this book contains award winning recipes from Louisiana "that reveal methods of preparing the dishes that were kept secret for generations."

One thing for sure, you have to love rich, high-fat foods to really enjoy authentic Louisiana cooking. The recipes in this cookbook carry on that tradition and do not bend to the rules of any contemporary diet craze. For example, the "Everyday Country Cornbread" lists Gold Metal self-rising flour and 2 tablespoons of Crisco butter flavored shortening with the option to use plain Crisco shortening in the ingredients. Another example is the "Surprise Chicken Kiev" that calls for 2 teaspoons of Tony Chachere's Creole seasoning to flavor the pounded chicken breasts. You might need to substitute these types of ingredients with something more accessible or fitting into your diet choices. However, if you can stick as close as possible to the recipe, you will have a great experience of the basic flavor and zest of the authentic Louisiana dish.

For the most part, the ingredients used are readily available and I tried several of the dishes in my kitchen as a treat for my family. The "Spicy Okra Puffs" were easy to prepare and added just a bit of heat on the tongue with the addition of Tabasco Sauce in the mixture. My family enjoyed the "Steak au Poivre" dish for Sunday dinner that was marinated in a cup of dry Vermouth which tenderized the meat and added to the simple flavors which is another little known tradition of Louisiana cooking.

You'll find some dishes for special occasions that you might have wondered how to prepare such as the "New Orleans Cajun Fried Turkey" with Cajun Injection Seasoning, or the "Golden Glazed Rock Cornish Hens" with a homemade golden glaze.

The cookbook does not have an index which means you have to skim whole sections to find a recipe. But the short chapters make it easy to find what you need. Although the book is not too large, it provides a full range of dishes to try, from appetizers and dips to beverages, vegetables, meats and desserts. I like this cookbook. Good recipes from this region are a treat and it's even better when you find no-frills recipes that come from the home kitchen of cooks from the area. "Louisiana's Award-Winning Recipes" represents a labor of love that will be a welcome addition to the shelves of cooks who love Louisiana foods.

Consuelo S. Meux, Ph.D.
[...]

Louisiana's Award Winning Recipes has a wide variety of recipes with a distinctly Southern flavor. Sure to add some "spice" to your meals. I particularly liked the division of chapters - it's easy to find your favorites like the award-winning Pork Chop Casserole for Ordinary People on page 74. I also liked the binding, which made the book very easy to use.

I meant to give this 5 stars! I love Southern cooking and I was very impressed with the recipes contained in this cookbook. There is a marvelous selection of tasty recipes covering every food category imaginable. The recipes are clear and easy to follow and the tips are very helpful. This will easily become my favorite cookbook.

I'm anxious to find out more about this nutty mother and her offspring. Part mystery, part farce, mixed with a dash of family issues that most people can relate to. Sibling rivalry at it's most hilarious. Good job Ms. Kaye. You've left me hungry for more.

The story and characters are very engaging and draw you in immediately. A Mother's Day party and Mom has gone missing. Through Sandy we learn that Mom's unusual, quirky lifestyle seems to have had a distinctly different impact on each of her children. There's a humorous, irrerevant tone to the writing and everyone is bound to see a little bit of their own dysfunctional family in these characters and their relationships. I want to learn more about all of them and especially want to know what happened to Mom -- I hope I get the chance to read the entire book!

I printed out copies of Kaye's pages to give to family and friends--because I know they'll love them and because I know someday they'll forgive me for not giving them the entire book. The story sank its teeth into me instantly: the voice is wry and winning; the characters, vivid yet familiar (oh, isn't that just like my family, like any family). Three adult siblings gather to celebrate Mother's Day, but Mom fails to show up--because she's neglectful, self-absorbed, in serious trouble? Right away, you sense Mom might be all of these (and more), and you understand she has wrought amusing but not quite forgivable havoc in her children's lives. Kaye accomplishes that in just fifteen pages. Read this!

This is one wacko family and from the very beginning the reader is thrown into the middle of it, longing for a little peace just to be able to sort out all the relationships and get a handle on whose neurosis is whose. It feels as though Sandy, through whose eyes we get to know these people, is longing for the same thing... just a bit of normalcy, please. It reminded me of the beginning of an HBO show like Six Feet Under, and I know that I would be a faithful follower because I need now to know who all these people are and what happen to them. I'm hooked!

After a bit of a cacophonous beginning, I got in sync with the rhythm of this intriguing story. The characters are quirky, and as new information is revealed about each of them, they grow in depth and become more interesting. Although there is tension between the siblings, there also is humor - a great combination. I guess the most telling reaction I had to this excerpt is that I was really sorry when it ended mid-sentence. I hope I'll get a chance to get to know Sandra, Carol, Larry, Jae, and the rest of the kids...and, of course, to find out what happened to Mom.

This is wonderful writing, full of vivid images and delicate, half-felt resonances, conjuring imagined memories, calling to mind treasured recollections of favorite spooky books from the dim past. I can't wait to settle into a sleeping compartment on the Orient Express and read the whole thing! Don't miss the Prologue the author has provided.

The book: "Music of the Mists" written by Leona Francombe pulls the reader in from the very beginning. The prologue sets the tone, one of foreboding and fright. The protagonist, a musician, lives in Cornwall and the house, its surroundings and the eerie wind blowing around the house make for a feeling of suspense, carefully crafted in beautiful prose by this author. The reader experiences a sense of urgency heightened by a letter the protagonist receives from her uncle in Brussels. The Prologue and the first two chapters entice the reader to wish for more.

Read the prologue first (see author's comments), then get pulled right into this intriguing mystery. Evocative descriptions of places and characters--I can't wait to read the rest of the novel!

Music of the Mists by Leona Francombe promises to be a must-read for all ages. The Prologue and first two chapters of this book are well-written, gripping and obviously thoroughly researched. It leaves the reader hoping for publication of the remainder in a timely fashion!

I was immediately swept into the atomosphere and mystery of the book. The prologue and two first chapters set up an intriguing and interesting scenario. I'm looking forward to the rest of the book!

I think that this book was really very good. The characters kept me interested in reading more because they didn't seem fictional at all. I'm not much of a reader, but I read this book so fast because I could relate to almost everything that was going on. Understanding what the characters actions is so easy because you can see exactly what they are going through.

I love this book. The main character, Colton Trammel, is written with wonderful depth. The author shows him with all his faults-- not too bright, sometimes cocky and insensitive-- but he's written as such a real, heartfelt character that I grew to care about him almost as if he were a real person. The female characters are also presented in full dimension-- the horrible Grace who doesn't realize she's horrible; sad Dori; and Corinne, who is more like Colton than either of them realize.

Besides the terrific voice and characterizations, there is great humor and a gripping pace to this novel. I can't wait to read more books by A.M. Jenkins.

Although I own 5 copies of this book, I haven't read it yet. Why? Because the boys in my 9th grade English class keep it checked out of my classroom constantly. As soon as a boy returns a copy, the next young man on the waiting list checks it out. I have never seen teenage boys respond to a book like this. Back in August when school started, I only had one copy, but I have purchased 4 additional copies since then. During SSR time, a boy started reading it because I insisted he read something. He would have preferred to put his head down on his desk - absolutely not allowed. He said, "But, Miss, I HATE to read!" I told him that's OK, just stare at the book until the bell rings. That way if the principal had dropped in to make sure we were doing SSR, I wouldn't get in trouble. When the bell rang 15 minutes later, the young man begged me to let take the book home to finish it. He returned it the next morning and started to recommend it to others. Not one boy has yet to read the first 2 pages and not finish the book. Most of my students have read the book in no more than 2 days. Some said that they stayed up all night to finish it because it was so good. No female students have expressed any interest in the book...maybe because the cover has a picture of a baseball on it. As far as I'm concerned, this book works magic on boys. Every boy who has read it in my classes has gone on to read several more books. What more could a teacher ask for? (FYI - My school is in a low socio-economic area, high poverty rate, almost every student is on free/reduced lunch, gang related crime, urban area, etc.)

I absolutely loved this book. It was your everyday life as a teenager in your typical high school. It includes all of the negative things that go on in high school too, so that makes the book a little restrictive for kids younger than 8th grade. But I still liked it. It covered everything from relationships to falling into peer pressure to constantly harassing people. Colt, the main character, is very rude, and really sucks at school work. He is really only good at baseball. But that makes him a bully to everyone around him that he considers, "lower than him". But as he starts to get a taste of what he's been dealing out to everyone when a new girl moves to their school and doesn't take any crap from him. She just sends it right back his way. What made the book so good was when he finally realized how mean he really was to everyone, and he matures. It is kind of eye opening though, because I know there are probably people like that in my school, and I realized that the situations in this book really do happen. But I give you this warning... there are many cuss words, and bad conversations. But it makes up for all of that in the end, I think.

Colt Trammel is trying to make sense of his high school world. His classes are like gibberish, his girlfriend Grace freaks after he tells her he loves her, and his lab partner is a new girl with green hair, for Pete's sake. The only time Colt knows what's going on is when he's playing baseball.

A.M. Jenkins is a master at drawing readers right into the characters. Colt is not a simple jock stereotype. His love for Grace makes him vulnerable, and the failures he experiences in his classes make him feel perpetually stupid.

Colt's struggle with the romantic poets from his English class becomes crucial when his grades drop below what is acceptable for playing athletes. He finds a tutor in Chloe, formerly of the green hair. Jenkins writes their tutoring sessions with humor. Anyone who has struggled to understand classic poems will especially enjoy these parts of the books.

It is also nice to see in a book the boy's side of a painful dating relationship. Readers will sympathize with this supposed tough guy as he pines for Grace, who doesn't treat him well.

Jenkins gives us a three-dimensional character in Colt, who is likable despite some bad choices that will have the reader cringing. OUT OF ORDER is a realistic book, and readers will want to see more of what happens to Colt.

--- Reviewed by Amy Alessio

Heard this story as a child from my grandparents who were on German background. This story is just like they told it. Beautiful illustrations complete the story that swirled in my head so many years ago!!

Ok.I HAVE NOT READ THIS BOOK.I hope that you don`t hurt my reviews for this,but in a way,I HAVE read this book.I am in this play,so I have read this script.And since the play is going to be on Saturday,(5th) and Sunday(6th) and also for the next weekend,I have to read this script over and over and over again.I think that this book is a very good book.In the play I am Miss Applebee but I think that this book is very good it must be.

When I was about seven-years-old a family member gave me a recording, (78s) of the Pied Piper of Hamelin narrated by Ingrid Bergman. As I listened, I could see the characters in my head and never tired of the story.

A month ago I bought the book for my eight-year-old granddaughter who lives about eight hundred miles away from me, because I was afraid with the passing of one more generation, the story might be forgotten.

It is a lovely book, written by Robert Browning more than a century ago. The drawings are perfect, given the dated language used in this book. And the story has a simple message, about honoring our promises.

Sadly, my granddaughter glanced at the book and was clearly not interested. I wanted to read it with her, intending to make clear the English used by Browning.

So, a tale almost twelve hundred years old bit the dust, at least in our family it did.

But if you are a lover of this fable, it is worth your time to try it out on the children in your family. They will be the richer for it.

This book would be a wonderful treasure for the pictures alone. Kate Greenaway, noted children's illustrator, has created a magical world of beautiful children, innocent faces, and romantic, nostalgic costumes. The colors on these pages are breathtaking, and the details (although Greenaway is always faulted for not drawing hands and feet well) are superb. This story is not for very young children, as it contains some troublesome themes. For the older child, perhaps 7+, the story might provoke some interesting post-read family discussions about honesty, trust, and the actual state of the children at the end of the tale. This is even a beautiful book to give to adults, as the messages about human nature can be appreciated on a deeper level.

"Rats!
They fought the dogs, and killed the cats,
And bit the babies in the cradles,
And ate the cheeses out of the vats,
And licked the soup from the cook's own ladles,
Split open the kegs of salted sprats,
Made nests inside men's Sunday hats,
And even spoiled the women's chats,
By drowning their speaking
With shrieking and squeaking
In fifty different sharps and flats."

Robert Browning (1812-1889) first published his poem "The Pied Piper of Hamelin, A Child's Story" in 1842, based on an old German legend which may or may not have had some basis in historical fact. Browning was a serious poet; even in a poem filled with playful rhymes written specifically for children, he did not "dumb down" his language, but expected his readers to do a little work in understanding some of his "big words."

Kate Greenaway (1846-1901) was one of the most famous and popular illustrators of children's literature in the latter part of the 19th Century. She had grown up loving Browning's poem, and shortly before his death she requested and received his permission to republish it accompanied by her own illustrations. This edition was initially published in 1888 under the imprint of George Routledge & Sons, which was at that same time in the process of splitting between Routledge and Frederick Warne. Starting in 1889 all subsequent editions carried the Warne imprint. The book continued to be popular, and Frederick Warne has issued reprints from time to time, well into the late 20th Century. This Warne edition is not in print at present, but used copies with various reprint dates are available from Amazon Marketplace sellers.

However, two different reprint editions are currently available, each with the complete original text and illustrations, and each presented with loving care from an eminently respectable publisher, in well-made but modestly priced editions. The Dover reprint (ISBN 0486296199) is full-size, in a sturdy paperback; the Alfred A Knopf/Borzoi/Everyman's Library reprint (ISBN 0679428127) is part of their Children's Classics series, in a very sturdily constructed hardcover with sewn sections that will not crack with use, but the page size is somewhat smaller. Both are beautiful books, and either is an excellent value.

As noted in the Editorial Reviews above, there have been other editions of "The Pied Piper," with different illustrations, and at least one seems to have been issued with the poem itself "retold" to make the language simpler; neither of those reviews is discussing this original version. Some readers may prefer one or another of these different versions. But anyone wanting to stick with Browning's original full text and Greenaway's original charming, muted and subtle illustrations should choose between the Dover or the Everyman's, or visit Amazon's Marketplace sellers to look for a copy of the Frederick Warne.

I bought this story for my 3-year-old niece after her dog died. I read it to my girls before giving it to her and my 5-year-old and I both cried. The book is a very touching example of a girl's relationship with her dog. The pictures are excellent and the words simple enough for many ages. My sister said she found it helpful to help her daughter with the experience.

This box of Kleenex book is about a young girl preparing to say goodbye to her beautiful dog LuLu. She, like the young boy in I'LL ALWAYS LOVE YOU describes how she and the dog grew up together and have been lifelong friends. She recounts how she and her beautiful dog played together, yet lately her dog no longer can see or hear or move around comfortably. LuLu becomes lethargic and spends a lot of her time sleeping.

LuLu eventually dies and the girl's mother tells her the sad news. The girl goes through the usual and expected grieving states of sadness and anger. Her father tells her that she can pick out another dog, but the girl insists that LuLu in her healthier days is the only dog she wants.

Like the boy in I'LL ALWAYS LOVE YOU, the family buries LuLu in their back yard. To honor the dog's memory, they plant a cherry tree over her grave. It is then when that tree is in blossom that the girl can finally say goodbye and fully accept the death of her beloved dog. She even gets a new puppy.

This is a very moving and wonderful book that might even make you cry. It was especially poignant for me because as a child I had a terrier mix who looked a lot like LuLu and I was quite sad when she became old and infirm and died. She was a wonderful dog.

This is a book that will help ALL ages move through and recognize the grieving process. Excellent books like this and I'll Always Love You, Old Dog and the Christmas Wish, Jasper's Day and The Rainbow Bridge: Pet Loss Is Heaven's Gain help children AND adults realize that not only is it okay to be sad, but it is understandable and even accepted. Anger is often part of the grieving process, especially when a beloved pet dies. This astute author reminds all readers and listeners that these feelings will eventually pass and in time the child and others who loved the pet can think fondly on the animal with love and happiness.

I give this book the highest possible endorsement. People of ANY age who have ever lost a pet or who have a pet near death will find comfort in this book.

To Corinne Demas, I say a heartfelt (with tears in my eyes) THANK YOU!

In this heart-felt book, a young girl must learn to deal with the impending death of her beloved dog, Lu Lu. Told in first-person style, the little girl and her loyal dog have been friends for many years. Lu Lu wags her tail when the girl comes home from school, and they spend hours playing together. However, the little girl has noticed that Lu Lu is unable to do many of the things she used to. She's getting old, and she's lost her sight and hearing.

The little girl seems to realize what's happening to her best friend. She has to carry Lu Lu outside and feed her food and water to her. Lu Lu has lost most of her energy, and she spends most of her time sleeping.

Finally, the sad day arrives, and the girl's mother tells the little girl that Lu Lu has died. The little girl is sad, but she's also upset and angry. Her father tells her that she may have another dog, but she only wants Lu Lu back the way she was when she was a puppy. The family buries Lu Lu in a box in the back yard. The following spring, they plant a cherry tree over Lu Lu's tiny gravesite. Only then can the little girl say goodbye. She even gets a new puppy to love.

This is a very touching book. My family has a terminally ill dog, and this book helps young children to understand the grieving process in losing a beloved pet. My children have known our dog their entire lives, and great books like this one help them understand that its ok to be sad, upset, and even angry when a pet dies. The most important thing that this book points out is that eventually, the anger, pain, and sadness will eventually go away, then the child can look back on their times with the pet with happiness.

I give this book my highest recommendation. Children and adults who have lost, or are going to lose a pet will find its story touching and moving, and the ideas contained inside will help with the grieving process; not just the process for children, but adults as well.

Saying Goodbye to Lulu is a wonderfully written and illustrated book, depicting the thoughts and emotions surrounding the last days and passing on of a beloved pet. It captures the feeling that most pet owners have as our pets age; that we want our pets to be back the way they were when they were younger and healthier. The pictures and descriptions show Lulu's days and activities in the present time, and the things her young friend does to accomodate Lulu's infirmities, in a loving and matter-of-fact way. Interspersed are pictures showing Lulu during her younger days, and pictures showing her and her young friend growing up together---pictures any pet owner can relate to.

When Lulu passes on, the book captures the sadness that lingers, until finally, time has made it possible for our young friend to open her heart to a new little life to love and cherish. We are left with the feeling that we can continue to love our departed pets, while having the ability to love a new one as well.

Thankfully, our pet is neither old or sick; however, my daughter still loves the book. In the book, the changing seasons is a gentle metaphor for the life cycle. Highly recommend!

"You Never Know" leaves you with wanting to find out the rest of the story! To be able to create characters that weave us into there life is a special gift that Robert Newman gives us. His descriptions leap out of the page and give you a real visual picture of where you are in time. From Bertha to Yussel, from Ida to Sarah and others in between we develop an emotional connection that frankly just leaves us wanting to know what happens to these ordinary but extraordinary people.

For me the most pleasure from reading comes when the fiction takes you there. I was personally familiar with the East side of Detroit. I saw the house on Kirby Street, rode the same streetcar and gazed at the Detroit River. Many of us had our feet x-rayed at the shoe department of J.L.Hudsons.
The people and events in this excerpt were born and took place long before my time, but I could see myself running alongside the boy to fetch the midwife, and I went to the dance with Ida. That is the true test of the successful writer of fiction - namely haiving the reader feel that he or she is reading reality and can truly emphathize with the charachters.
Robert Newman, the author, succeeded in doing this for me and I am anxious to read the entire book.
"A review from Phoenix"

You Never Know is a story of American immigration. It opens up a world that revolves around a Jewish family in Detroit at the beginning of the last century, and immerses you in it: you can hear them speaking in their Yiddish accent, see their modest possessions, and feel the chill of the winter wind. Change a few names and it could be your family, and your life that has yet to unfold.

I found myself intrigued with Bertha & anxious to read more about how much of her mother will come through in Ida. Beginning with the heart-wrenching departure from her family in Eastern Europe to her meeting Yussel & moving to Detroit, Bertha's character literally calls to me from the page. Bertha is first a wife & mother, a miser, a saver, a haggler and negotiator & then a home owner. After that, a landlord a true sister to Michel & then a mother to teenagers! I can't wait to explore Newman's other characters, "you never know"

"You Never Know" draws you right in. The story of these immigrants, their relationships and the creativity they must draw upon to adapt to their new surroundings is both interesting and inspiring. New children, marriages, coping with both economic demands and relationships within their families and communities is a compelling read. Robert Newman brings color and a deep feeling of humanity to his characters. These pages are beautifully written and left me wanting more.

a great book to review past Academy Award winners and nominees
i really enjoyed the notes from previous award winners and their thoughts on receiving the award
i have given this as a gift to fellow movie lovers and it is a big hit
has also helped me in a few movie trivia contests too!!

This is a must-have of any film buff and is the most comprehen-
sive book of its kind that I have seen.

This book is not a history in the since of most history books. It does not detail how the academy began, or how it changed over the years, or give you any kind of insider view of its workings. Instead, it is a complete listing of every nominee and every winner in every category since the award ceremony's inception in 1927. There are plenty of photographs of the nominees and images of scenes from the nominated films for each year, so it is not dry in the way many reference books are. In fact, Mr. Osborne's love of film and its history really shine through in the book. It is interesting to look through this book and see what we consider to be films that have withstood the test of time versus which ones were rewarded by the academy at the time. For example, in 1939, the Academy did recognize that "Gone with the Wind" was the best picture of the year, which people were lining up to watch in movie theaters until its television broadcast premiere in 1976. However, in 1941, "How Green was My Valley" won best picture, which is a film that hardly anyone watches anymore, while "Citizen Kane" was completely ignored. It's also interesting to see how the Academy compensated for past oversights by awarding performances that were less than stellar in subsequent years. For instance, in 1934 Bette Davis was overlooked in her performance in "Of Human Bondage". This caused a huge public outcry. The following year the Academy gave her the best actress award for her performance in "Dangerous"- a move that has largely been seen over the years as a consolation prize for what happened the year before.
This book is full of little insights such as these, and it is a fun book that gives hours of entertainment for film history buffs. I bought my first copy of this history by Mr. Osborne back in 1987 when he was then detailing the 60 years of the Oscar, and I enjoyed it so much I have been updating my copy every time he releases a new edition. Highly recommended.

Over the years, I have picked up a few books about the Academy Awards. I did so primarily to get a list of winners but I have also been interested in knowing the nominees. In the early days of the award it wasn't unusual to have eight or nine nominees for a particular award. However, the inference was still that there was something special about this particular movie in regards to this particular awards. I like that "75 Years of the Oscar" lists not only each award winner but each award nominee as well. I espcially appreciate the listing of all nominees for the Best Foreign Language award. I hadn't come across that before in any of the books I'd found.

"75 Years of the Oscar" makes for a large tome and I did have to send back the first edition of the book that I received due to weak binding for a book this size. The book provides an overview of each individual year as well as each decade of the award. Over the years the Academy Awards have over-rated some turkeys and ignored some movies now considered classics. The Academy has had a tendency, over the years, to focus on five to eight movies a year for 95% of all nominees. It certainly seems that it is a popularity contest more than an artistic examination. However, it's still a fairly reliable source for finding good movies of the past and that's what I use it for.

This book is chock full of facts about everything to do with the Academy and it's evolving from nothing to what it is today. It tells how and who started it, and how the different categories for Oscars were added as the years went by. The first 2 chapters or so overwhelm you with dry details which make it tedious reading; at least that is how I felt about it.
The rest of the book's chapters go year by year telling you all the nominations and winners of Oscars in all the different categories, and show you dozens of good pictures of the stars. You can also read the acceptance speeches given in the book by the stars that won Academy Awards.
There also is a section that lists the names of all the stars that have won 2 or more Academy Awards. This is what I really liked. This is what I bought the book for.
It is a huge book to read, so just take your time and read a little bit at a time.
I'm glad I bought it because I am a movie fan and have learned from it; and can always refer back to it when I want to find something out.

Sassy and witty is the plot formula for this totally enjoyable "who-done-it". Intrigue, deception, betrayal, lust, passion, sex are coupled with sarcasim, cynicism, and biting commentary to produce a novel worth of an award itself. The story line is written with such clarity that the book is a very easy read, and THEREIN, lies the trap for the reader. READ CAREFULLY, and you just might be able to figure out who the "bad" guy/gal is. The clues are there, but they are so nicely hidden that a casual reader (which most of us are) will skim past the clues that would, if one was more judicious in one's reading, bite them in the proverbial butt. Have fun with this one.

This surprising "inside" Hollywood mystery is a delightful romp through the seedy world of Hollywood. It is delightfully satirical of Hollywood and its ways and waywardness. Though very funny, it is also suspenseful and engaging. Perhaps the most delightful gay comedy/mystery since the wonderful Aldyne series and the Grant Michaels masterpieces.

Pushes close to the edge of heavyhandedness, but does not cross it. A good, fast read! Recommended!

For the seventh year, Hollywood gossip columnist Rick Domino hosts a live pre-show broadcast of the Academy Awards. Rick has mixed feelings about this year's show because his lover actor Shane Kirk is up for a Best Actor award. He is proud that Shane received the nomination, but disappointed that his beloved refuses to come out of the closet and acknowledge that he is gay let alone in a relationship with Rick. Adding to that insult is the fact that Shane is keeping a straight image by escorting best actress nominee Tara Perez to the ceremony.

Though Rick has to share the spotlight with predator Mitzie McGuire, their show goes over relatively smoothly though Rick does less clothing dissing of the attendees than usual as he mopes over Shane. Afterward Rick looks for Shane only to find his beloved near the corpse of Tara. The police arrive as Shane shouts his innocence and Rick is nearer to the corpse and holding the murder weapon that he picked off the ground. Though the police arrest Rick, homicide detective Terry Zane thinks things are too pat. He and Rick investigate the Hollywood scene as only a veteran police officer and a catty gossip columnist could do.

The who-done-it is fun to follow as the obviously gay Rick and his new partner the straight Terry make a humorous team who uncover a lot of Hollywood secrets during their investigation. However what makes THE BEST MURDER OF THE YEAR so enjoyable is not the homicide or the inquiries, but the satirical look at Hollywood at its most pompous and even more subtly strips the invincibility of the mystery genre fictional superstars. The movies that the nominees star in are hilarious and worth the read by themselves. Fans of a tongue in cheek (not saying which one) will want to read the adventures of Rick Domino in the world of make believe.

Harriet Klausner

This surprising "inside" Hollywood mystery is a delightful romp through the seedy world of Hollywood. It is delightfully satirical of Hollywood and its ways and waywardness. Though very funny, it is also suspenseful and engaging. Perhaps the most delightful gay comedy/mystery since the wonderful Aldyne series and the Grant Michaels masterpieces.

Pushes close to the edge of heavyhandedness, but does not cross it. A good, fast read! Recommended!

When the beautiful winner of the best actress Oscar is murdered outside the theater, all the evidence points to Rick Domino, gay movie gossip columnist. After all, Tara Perez just stole Rick's boyfriend, his fingerprints are on the gun whose bullets are inside Tara, and he was found standing over the body. The only problem is, Rick knows he didn't do it. Now he has one week to find out who did--and find a way to keep himself alive while he does it. Fortunately, one of the arresting cops decides to take some time off to help Rick look--or is he simply trying to get more evidence for the State? Rick sets off to investigate Hollywood and finds that there were plenty of other people with motive and opportunity to kill Tara. She cheated, lied, and slept her way to the top, and Hollywood doesn't forget. But motive isn't enough when the prosecution has all the physical evidence it needs to convict Rick.

Author Jon P. Bloch writes convincingly of a Hollywood where sexual roles are blurred by secrets and fear of being 'outed' can cause almost any crime. Rick manages to meet the standard stereotypes but in a believable and sympathetic way.

Although Rick's investigations are entertaining and believable, the wrapup to BEST MURDER OF THE YEAR was not. Frequent mystery readers might guess the killer's identity, but Bloch didn't really deliver the clues to give us a sense of satisfaction in figuring it out. The resolution of the sexual tension between the gay Rick and his straight cop-sidekick also seemed a little forced--less clever than the rest of the novel led me to hope for.

Overall, BEST MURDER OF THE YEAR is enjoyable reading--but maybe not the best mystery of the year.

I guess there are two distinct ways to tell Vampire stories, on the one hand you have the blood and gore variety (horror stories) and then you have the vampire love (romance stories). This definitely is not a horror story.

This is a very charming story. Parents murdered, little girl hiding in closet, murderers are killed, girl gets rescued. Usually, this is the happy ending. Notwithstanding, the girl's rescuers just happen to be vampires. A husband and wife, Martine and Lewis, save the little girl (Fiona) and adopts her as their daughter, but keeping her human and not turning her. (I hope the author will divulge more on why they didn't turn her in future chapters.)

As creatures of the night, where would they live? A little tiny town in
Illinois. The author, Samantha Bina, has described Fiona's life in illustrious detail, from the description of Fiona's adopted family members and townfolk, to the color of certain buildings in the quaint town. Very picturesque, filling our imagination and drawing us into Fiona's life.

Now that we're entrenched in Fiona's routined life, Samantha will take us
even further, by disrupting Fiona's tranquility. And so, a new family moves in that despises them. I suspect we're going to feel Fiona's pains next. Nice job Samantha.

I really liked the matter-of-fact tone of voice in this excerpt. Fiona relates her history without overdramatic emotion, and leaves room for all different theories of what happened the night of her parents' death. This makes it clear that her situation is one she's thought a great deal about and has heard people talking about for her entire life.

Fiona gives a great whirlwind description of her town, which is dark and a little depressing--a gret place for vampires to settle. I liked the details of the vampires Fiona calls her parents. Their family has an interesting vibe.

I wasn't sure how the Danvers family managed to get custody of a small child who wasn't related to them and who they didn't know before they came to town, especially since they were new in town themselves. Why didn't someone else insist on taking in Fiona when her parents died?

Sebastian is an interesting character, and introducing him so early and Fiona describing how he makes her feel sets the stage for some interesting tension to develop in this story.

I thought this was an excellent excerpt. The narrator is likable and complex, with a fascinating history and hints of a fascinating future. The supporting cast of this story are well rounded and strong, and there is plenty of space for intrigue to develop. I would love to read more of this story.

A sudden murder of her birth parents leaves Fiona Goodman to be raised by a family of vampires. For 18 years, she lives a peciluar lifestyle with a family that sleeps when she is awake and vice versa. When suddenly, a new family of vampires that have no problem killing humans move in and turn her life around.

Samantha Bina creates extraordinary characters with multiple layers of personalities. Fiona is both thankful and somewhat disappointed in the fact that she never got to live with her real family. Her brothers are both protectful of her enormously, but they don't prevent her from having a life with others.

A somewhat overused plot of a classic love story is infused with the blood and gore of vampires. Well presented with a quick introduction subtlely included with the exposition. The action quickly starts due to flashbacks and the quick arrival of the Turner family.

The story is somewhat near reality in that the problems are those commonly encountered. Overly protective brothers, and a person that likes you but isn't liked. This creates a more easily related to story for the reader.

An excellent twist on a classic tale.

I am a reader, not a writer. So my review probably will not help other readers (sorry). However, I do want to rate this story to help the author. I have an eclectic taste in books and read many many books for long time. So after reading couple of chapters, I know whether I will enjoy the rest of book or not. So I will just say that I enjoyed reading the sample chapters of this book and if this book becomes available, I will definitely buy it.

The author's intimate style will pull you in, and the characters will do the rest. You won't be able to resist this fantastic turn on the typical vampire romance novel.

Fiona Goodman, raised by vampires, is torn between two of them, and her small-town life is about to be turned upside down because she is promised to one, yet the other has her sweating and swearing she "can't stand him." We've heard that before, haven't we?

The free preview has me drooling to read the rest, and it will you, too! Check this one out, now!