California Books

I have read every one of Padgett's books, and enjoy them all tremendously. These are mystery stories written for literate, thoughtful people, and I can't understand why Padgett's books are so hard to get! Abigail Padgett is a thoughtful, lyrical author who assumes her readers will "get it" without spoonfeeding. I read this book "out of sequence", but am grateful to get my hands on anything this talented woman writes in any way I can.

I have read every one of Padgett's books, and enjoy them all tremendously. These are mystery stories written for literate, thoughtful people, and I can't understand why Padgett's books are so hard to get! Abigail Padgett is a thoughtful, lyrical author who assumes her readers will "get it" without spoonfeeding. I read this book "out of sequence", but am grateful to get my hands on anything this talented woman writes in any way I can.

Abigail Padgett is one of today's best mystery writers, right up there with Laurie R. King. "Strawgirl" is the second in her series about Bo Bradley, a manic-depressive child-abuse investigator. Sounds like a downer, but it's not. Ms. Padgett's literate writing, deft storytelling ability and complex characterization make this a most enjoyable read. Bo Bradley is an admirable, courageous and likable character, as is the psychiatrist and cult researcher Eva Blindhawk Broussard, who is introduced in "Strawgirl." I had to seek out a secondhand copy of this book, and it was well worth the effort.

Abigail Padgett is one of today's best mystery writers, right up there with Laurie R. King (and that's high praise). "Strawgirl" is the second in her series about Bo Bradley, a manic-depressive investigator of child-abuse cases. Sounds like a downer, but it's not. Ms. Padgett's skillful, imaginative writing, ingenious plotting and complex characterization make this fascinating reading, high on my list of unputdownable books. Bo Bradley is a most admirable, courageous and likable character, as is psychiatrist and cult researcher Eva Blindhawk Broussard, who is introduced in "Strawgirl." I hope the publisher will make this book available again soon. I had to seek out a secondhand copy, and it was well worth the effort.

I don't know how the novel of crime (no use calling it a mystery because this book does not follow the standard mystery format of crime, suspects, detective discovers identity of criminal, at all) has become a favored method by which writers examine society. It probably says something about our society that here the killer and the bureaucrats seem equally souless.

Abigail Padgett has a message. The message is that the mentally ill are more often the victims than the perpetrators of criminal acts. Her positive characters are all survivors. Bo, her main character is a manic depressive, the sole surviving member of her family. Eva Boussard, a psychiatrist, is the survivor (so far) of breast cancer. Rombo is a surviver of alcoholism and hatred by his father. Andy became a pediatrician after his daughter drowned due to neglect.

And all of these people go on doing the best that they can, sometimes getting side tracked from their own purposes because of their basic humanity in an effort to save a little girl whose sister was raped and whose mother committed suicide, free an innocent man and stop the real killer. And they do it with grace, humor and much humanity.

Highly recommend.

This book was de[ressing, then it got better and was really funny in the end

No matter what she writes, the people come across as real, and never fails to grab me. GREAT series!

Another Savannah Reid mystery... Sugar And Spite. And I'm still liking this series a lot...

Savannah's ex-partner on the force, Dirk, is called by his ex-wife Polly (who Savannah can't stand) in what looks like a kiss and make up attempt. But Savannah gets a call from Dirk that turns their world upside down. Polly is dead, shot in Dirk's trailer, with Dirk's sidearm, her blood is all over Dirk, and neighbors heard them fighting before the gunshots. He says he came out of the shower to find someone there who had just shot Polly, but was unable to grab him before the intruder escaped. The chief of police seems to have it out for Dirk, and pushes hard to bring him up on murder charges. Savannah and the members and friends of her detective agency have to figure out who really did it and save Dirk from a lifetime of jail or worse.

The subplot here involves why the chief might want to have Dirk out of the picture, and what he may know about the crime. There is also a Savannah family subline (as there are in all the stories) that didn't work quite as well as the ones in the other stories. Her father who deserted the family when she was young has shown back up and wants to talk with her.

Fun read, good pacing, and some excellent themes of friendship, love, and loyalty. Probably one of the more emotionally satisfying stories I've read to date in this series.

Savannah Reid lost her San Carmelita police job when she challenged the authority of her ruthless superior Chief Norman Millquist. Savannah opened up the Moonlight Magnolia Detective agency offering private investigative services. Norman plans to be the next mayor of the small California town. Still loyal to her former police partner Dirk Colter, Savannah helps him on stakeouts when she can. When Dirk's former wife Polly returns to town, Savannah expects trouble. Polly dumped Dirk for a younger musician, but now wants something from the cop.

Savannah's instincts prove accurate as a hysterical Dirk tells her that Polly is dead. The murder weapon is Dirk's gun. Dirk claims he was taking a shower, heard a shot, and ran outside to observe an intruder bending over Polly's body. Dirk never catches the culprit. The police arrest him for premeditated murder. This leaves it to Savannah and her cohorts to find the real killer.

Savannah Reid is a sexy, voluptuous person who loves to eat and does not care that she is a full figured woman. She believes in herself and her worth, rejecting those who belittle her. G.A. McKevett provides a strong mystery that showcases Savannah's abilities. The pieces to the puzzle are in front of the reader, but placing them in the right positions is difficult and fun. The secondary characters are a group of eccentrics while the background of a Renaissance Fair adds to the overall enjoyment. SUGAR AND SPITE is a wonderful entry in a superb series.

Harriet Klausner

I thought this book was really great, even though this was the first Savannah Reid Mystery I had ever read. It's about a PI, named Savanah & her ex partner Dirk,who is arrested for the murder of his ex wife, Polly. Well Savannah has to clear his name, so the book is basically about all the things she will do for Dirk & it also shows how strongly friendships can be (now i know that sounds cheesy, but its true!). So all in all i thought this book was really great!

A must-read for anyone with roots in Italy. It's a fascinating real-life story told frankly and honestly by Elda Del Bino (with the assistance of Patricia Henley) as she looks back on her life from the age of 95. What a remarkable woman she was! It reminds all of us of the risks and sacrifices legal immigrants made in the early 1900s (and continue to make today) to become a part of our wonderful country. Elda's optimism and zest for life in the face of so many hardships, including her ongoing battle with cancer, are truly inspirational.

This is the story of a family who came to San Francisco early in the 20th century, told frankly by the youngest daughter, Elda Del Bino. I was fascinated by the tale of trials and opportunities, love and betrayal in the life of this woman who represents all of us. In the end I found that I cared about everyone in the story.

It's a must for every Italian-American, and for all who's family started as immigrants and helped to form our Great Country.

I loved how Elda's story unfolds. From her early childhood memories in Italy, through her young adulthood in fabulous San Francisco (before, during and after the depression), then marriage, family and "everyday" life, her life seems anything but "everyday" when you read it.

Patricia Henley's ability to draw you in to all of the characters is wonderful. I felt like I knew everyone in Elda's family, and that I was dancing along with her on her "fancy" dates in San Francisco in the 20's. Elda's courage, grace and attitude in facing personal setbacks is an inspiration.

My book club unanimously raved about this book. I'd give this book more than 5 stars if I could.

"The Sugar's at the Bottom of the Cup" by Patricia Henley is the inspiring biography of Elda Willitts, a remarkable woman who lived through some of the most challenging times in recent history.

"Sometimes I can't believe everything I've seen and done. Of course, most of the time I was so busy living that I didn't think about the significance of any of it. I just got on with my life." says Elda in the early pages. And in this pragmatic and humble way, she begins to tell us her story.

Starting in rural Italy in 1916, Elda's tale includes memories of the courage and closeness of her immigrant family, traveling steerage, arriving on Ellis Island with nothing but a few bundles of blankets, and journeying by train to California. Her memories are interwoven with fascinating glimpses into the early history of San Francisco and the small towns of Marin County. Elda lives through the roaring twenties, the great depression, two world wars, and the Vietnam War. Her life encompasses changes brought about by technology such as automobiles, electricity, microwaves, computers and cell phones.

Through it all, the book glows with the determination of a woman who faced her personal challenges with courage, grace and humor, and never relinquished her love of life. We come to know Elda as we follow her through an impoverished childhood, the ups and downs of marriage, career and motherhood, and her victories over cancer.

Practical and matter of fact, Elda's memories are clear, and her optimistic outlook is as charming as it is inspirational. "Every life is a story, I guess. Sometimes mine has surprised even me." Says Elda in the final pages. She died at age 95, shortly after her biography was published. All who read her enthralling tale will be enriched for having known her.

Thank you, Patricia, for immortilizing the story of the redoubtable Elda for all of us to enjoy.

This is by far the most intersting biography i've read. Elda was my grandparent's neighbor before she passed away and my grandma was in love with her. I never got a chance to meet Elda, but i would have loved to. It's amazing that she could remember every little detail of her life. I'm going to read this many times. This story is truly insprtional.

This book deals with the Sunwear and Hollywood Beauty of the 1930s to the 1950s. That happens to be the subtitle, so it's easy to explain. The book is full of pictures focused on the swimsuit models and pin ups of those years, with such greats as Maureen O'Sullivan, Penny Singleton, Jean Crawford, Betty Gable, Rita Hayworth, Veronica Lake, Marlene Dietrich, Dorothy Lamour, Barbara Stanwyck, Karen Randall and much, much more. You'll drool at how sexy the women are. So make sure to put plastic on the book.

Great photos, lots of them--my only wish is it went up to 1959 and included more of the 50's. Not many of these beauties look that tan so 'sun kissed' is a good term. If you're looking for a good resource for period bathing suits this is it.

This book is full of beautifully restored photo's and insightful commentary. A must have for anyone.

It's obvious that "Sunkissed" is a labor of love. A nostalgic look at the glamor that was once Hollywood, "Sunkissed" is a trip back in time. The author, Joshua Curtis, captures the essance of the golden age of motion pictures with brilliant color layouts, original photographs and accurate text. This is one of those rare books that should occupy a perminant spot on the shelf because it will never become dated or out of style. A pure joy for any fan of the 1930s and 40s.

This is a book that any classic movie fan will love. It is filled with gorgeous photos of movie stars modeling swimwear. Many of the photos are in color and I have never seen them published anywhere else. Paulette Goddard, Betty Grable, Carole Landis, Gene Tierney, Marie McDonald, and Marilyn Monroe are among the many actresses featured in this terrific book. There is also a nice forward written by Ann Rutherford.

I so enjoyed reading "Sunset Coast" and I, too, began looking around for Susan's next novel. In fact, when I first began reading (and realized I was going to "love") this book, I checked the back cover and was surprised this was her first - and absolutely delightful! As several other readers had already stated, this was a grown-up romance, suitable for "older" adults. Not a teenage or early 20's-type love story, but a relationship between two older people who had loved and lost in the past and now were ready to move on with their lives. Though it's a Christian novel (and contemporary - my favorite), I glanced at the back, again, to see who the publishing company was as the salvation message was not being forced on the reader (as sometimes happens in other Christian novels), a plus as non-believers could easily get caught up in the story before realizing Sally was about to have a life-changing experience in the Lord. As all love stories go, I knew he and she would eventually get together, but I wasn't sure how or when, only helping to keep me glued to the pages. My hubby and I recently took a short road trip and I read "Sunset Coast" all the way to and from our destination and I frequently chuckled out loud because, being it was written in first person, I could "read" Sally's thoughts and she reminded me of several real people in my life. All the characters are authentic! I just loaned my copy to a friend and will hold my breath until I get it back because this one is definitely a "keeper." A great story to lose myself in again and again. Susan, you did a great job and I WILL be looking for your next novel.

I loved the characters because they were the kind of people I'd like to be friends with & share with. I liked the gentle patience for the heroine as she grew, the fabulous descriptions of N. Calif., the mouth watering food, the decor, the unconditional love, & the priest...'just say Yes to God' is great wisdom. Where's her next book??? I keep looking!

I think this book is so awesome! I'm used to books that make the girl wait untill the guy became a Christian or vice versa, but in this book the woman becomes a believer after she receives a proposal from the guy. So its like she's accepting God because its the only solution for her life, not because the guy is giving her a spiritual ultimatum.

I've ended up reading this book several times, which is something I NEVER do. Have loaned it to numerous friends, all of whom said it was the best story, with the best characters, they can remember. All of them said they were surprised how much the book changed them, made them think, made them laugh, made them cry. Even people who don't like so-called romantic fiction say this book is great. It isn't a romance; it's a grown-up love story. There is a spiritual element to the story that will appeal to everyone and probably change your life

After checking this book out from the library many times, I've decided I need to purchase a copy of my own before it goes out of print! I especially loved the way music was interwoven throughout the book. The characters are real people who make rational decisions (unlike many "romance" books). They grow and develop throught the book. I've just signed up for Amazon elerts to alert me when Susan D. Williams next book will come out. Soon, I hope!

California residents and visitors now have a fine guidebook to over 200 sites where the supernatural paranormal and unknown are likely to be encountered, in an unparalleled travel guide to the top California hotspots. From lake monsters and Bigfoot to UFO places, haunted houses and businesses, and unique mystery spots, SUPERNATURAL CALIFORNIA blends eye-catching, large-size color photos with plenty of background history and details. A wonderful guide for any fascinated by the supernatural in general and California history in particular.

Diane C. Donovan, Editor
California Bookwatch

California's strange has been given a new leader in informative material. More material than previous books on the state's unusual sites, happenings and creatures. This one brings us encounters right up to the 21st century. But as I've stated in several of my other reviews, beware of certain deceptive phenomena (Ufos, ghosts, Virgin Mary sightings, etc.). If God wants to give us a special message today, it should agree with His Holy Writ; the Bible. Not bleeding statues and sap dripping from trees. All for the gullible and easily deceived. But still an overall excellent book.

California residents and visitors now have a fine guidebook to over 200 sites where the supernatural paranormal and unknown are likely to be encountered, in an unparalleled travel guide to the top California hotspots. From lake monsters and Bigfoot to UFO places, haunted houses and businesses, and unique mystery spots, SUPERNATURAL CALIFORNIA blends eye-catching, large-size color photos with plenty of background history and details. A wonderful guide for any fascinated by the supernatural in general and California history in particular.

Diane C. Donovan, Editor
California Bookwatch

California residents and visitors now have a fine guidebook to over 200 sites where the supernatural paranormal and unknown are likely to be encountered, in an unparalleled travel guide to the top California hotspots. From lake monsters and Bigfoot to UFO places, haunted houses and businesses, and unique mystery spots, SUPERNATURAL CALIFORNIA blends eye-catching, large-size color photos with plenty of background history and details. A wonderful guide for any fascinated by the supernatural in general and California history in particular.

Diane C. Donovan, Editor
California Bookwatch

California residents and visitors now have a fine guidebook to over 200 sites where the supernatural paranormal and unknown are likely to be encountered, in an unparalleled travel guide to the top California hotspots. From lake monsters and Bigfoot to UFO places, haunted houses and businesses, and unique mystery spots, SUPERNATURAL CALIFORNIA blends eye-catching, large-size color photos with plenty of background history and details. A wonderful guide for any fascinated by the supernatural in general and California history in particular.

Diane C. Donovan, Editor
California Bookwatch

For anyone who grew up in southern california in the 60's this book brings back some great memories. For anyone interested in the beach culture of this era this is a very accurate window into that space.
There are a limited amount of quality photos available of this time and place. This little book captures a nice mix of the major players who helped shape the culture and "joe ordinary" who found themselves shaped by the same events and lifestyle.
Surfing In San Diego,CA; is a nice companion piece to All For A Few Perfect Waves; the new Miki Dora Bio by David Resnin.

this is from my son, who received it as a gift from us. He knew several people memtioned in the book.Surfed wih some, worked with some at SURFER magazine. He really seemed to enjoy the book.

Unbelievable book, amazing photos and great stories. Any surfer from San Diego will LOVE this...............

Very nice insights. Saw a few people in this book who I know (and respect). Author very knowledgeable about the past of the area's surfing culture (or lack there of ;-)), I'll be buying a few more for friends

Great photos and EZ reading - captures early history of surfing in San Diego County.

The Tall Boy is a must read for gay and straight audiences alike. Jess Gregg is a gifted writer who tells a story as well as any of the great masters. This book will have you laughing out loud and quietly crying. Do yourself a favor and buy this book today!

Jess Gregg's THE TALL BOY is a beautifully written self portrait, filled with real people,touching moments, and honest introspection. Gregg looks at his life simply and writes about it with intense clarity. It was a joy to read.

If you're looking for a poignant, brilliant, funny, and deeply moving memoir, the Tall Boy is must-read material. Jess Gregg's language is polished to high finish, each story is a jewel! Jess Gregg knew so many fascinating people, and as he reveals the famous and the infamous, he also reveals himself.

Jess Gregg has written a brilliant, haunting memoir of gay life in the 20th century. Each chapter is a stand-alone gem and taken together they moved me more than any book I've read in a very long time.

Jess Gregg is a masterful storyteller. Drawing upon a lifetime filled with abundant memories, he not only recalls events but can recount even the tiniest details to draw you into his world ever so smoothly. This is his story, colored with the charm of a grown man who has lived a full life but with the poignancy and sadness of a little boy who never could resolve what he thought life should be like. I don't know what was more striking, being privy to Gregg's reactions to what actually occurred or understanding what he feared would occur if he were to just be himself.

The Tall Boy is an amalgam of vignettes that gives the reader an understanding of how sexual preference shapes a person's way of being and thinking, many times with fear becoming a driving force in decision making about where to live, how to socialize, and in whom you can put your trust. The humor throughout is astounding, the way a phrase is so delicately turned leaving the reader either laughing through tears or crying through laughter. This is even more surprising given the sometime cruel nature of some of Gregg's experiences. And what autobiography would be complete without poking around in the old family attic, and once again Jess mixes tears with laughter. The family stories, themselves, are woven together so well that we get glimpses of family members and their behaviors written so skillfully as to connect them viscerally to the reader's life, even though the stories sometimes challenged your own biases and stretched your comfort zone.

The Tall Boy is a book I could not put down and when it was finished I was left wanting more. Each vignette is just a mere brush stroke of larger equally compelling story that I hope someday will be painted. The Tall Boy is a sweet, wonderfully rich gift that Jess Gregg has given us from his heart.

Since my family moved to the San Joaquin valley in 1972, I have seen many changes on Highway 99. This book not only brought back memories, it also piqued the curiousity I have always had in travelling old highway routes. I have now covered all of old Highway 99 between Sacramento and Fresno. Someday I plan to make it to Calexico. Even if youdon't plan to make the journey, this book is a must read for anyone who has travelled or lived near Highway 99 and is interested in it's history. The photos are wonderful and informative, as is the text. Especially the appendix (Following The 99 Trail). FIVE STARS PLUS!

A truly remarkable book showing the history of hard work and visionary planning of tax paid highway workers. Their hard work allowed the families of America to make use of their automobile to provide unforgettable visual memories, wrapped in a ribbon of asphalt, for the children on the move and remembered as a vacation. This book allows us to revisit those vacations in the comfort of our home.

Both ribbon of highway books totally transported me back to the family 1950 chevy sedan rear seat with my younger sister, as the roadside scenes rolled past our windows. Traveling is, and was as a child, always a very enjoyable experience for me, and these highway 99 books let me travel the roadway while relaxing at home! The flowing discriptions and priceless photos kept me glued to my imaginary windshield for hours without asking, are we there yet. Also hidden within the books are great tips like how to eat an orange in the back car seat without making a mess. I recommend these highway reading treasures to anyone who loves past as well as today's road adventures.

That Ribbon Of Highway II: Highway 99 From The State Capital To The Mexican Border takes the reader from Sacramento to Calexico in a history that is enhanced with more than one hundred historic and contemporary photographs, an Accurate Road Log, and twenty detailed maps. Together, these two volumes present the armchair traveler with a splendid and informative entertainment, and serve the on-site traveler with a marvelous reference for a truly engaging road trip. Also highly recommended is the companion title, That Ribbon Of Highway I: Highway 99 From The Oregon Border To The State Capital.

"Society for Commercial Archeology Journal," Spring, 2000 For those of you unfamiliar with the West Coast, Highway 99 is the principal historic highway that knitted together the states of California, Oregon, and Washington. Portions of it were known early on as the Pacific Highway or the Valley Route or the Golden State Highway. However, in 1928 these various bits were sewn together and given federal designation as US 99. Despite de-designation as a US highway in 1964, Highway 99 continued to play a prominent role in western transportation. Jill Livingston and Kathryn Maloof have compiled a two-volume guide to the history and sights of Highway 99 in California. Each book, half-sheet size and paperbound, provides a general summary of the road's history and a detailed description of features along the existing road organized geographically from north to south. Both offer an extensive photographic tour of the respective route sections, as well as sections devoted to detailed maps that outline the route and provide directions on how to access often-bypassed elements or road alignments. There are generous graphics and photos throughout. I may be a biased reviewer of this topic. I grew up on Highway 99 just south of Sacramento and enjoy mostly fond and entirely vivid memories of this road. I have muddled memories of passing objects from car to car while careening down the Grapevine toward Metler, CA to rescue a friends' stranded vehicle. I also remember with fresh horror as I watched my record collection of 250 albums melt in 100+ degree heat while broken down on that same wretched hill in 1983. Livingston and Maloof have brought it all back for me. I pine for chicken dinner at Pollardville and an orange freeze at the Mammoth Orange. I mourn the passing of the Blueberry Hill Café in Chowchilla, and am startled to see a picture of the theater where I saw my first genuine rock concert in 1975. The authors have peppered their text with sidebars of interest to one and all. The evolution of the Ridge Route and disappearing/reappearing highway under Shasta Reservoir are two of my favorites. The organization of the books is clear and easy to follow; the photos are beautiful and plenty. The text is well written and enjoyable, not bogging down in non-essential detail or excess verbiage. These books are just the ticket for roadside exploration off the beaten track in the Golden State.

This guide makes it so much easier, because in Los Angeles and Orange Counties, I would need numerous individual maps, instead of this single book.

If you live in the L.A. area or spend significant amounts of time here, you need this book. Sure, you can get free maps from yahoo, mapquest or google, but when you're heading through El Monte and the 10 is blocked up, no website is going to help you find an alternate route.

It's also handy for locating a nearby post office, or most significant landmarks (the major stores at malls are identified by code, even, which helped my wife find a nearby Sears when she needed to make an exchange).

My only complaint is that the included CD-ROM version of the maps is Windows-only. They're considering a Mac version, but it'll likely be a year or two before we see it.

Since I started driving many years ago, I have always had a Thomas Guide. Even with the advent of GPS technology (a bit too expensive for me now), the Thomas Guide is invaluable. The latest version of the LA-OC guide has all the latest updates, which is very important with all the new construction in the OC. My 2001 guide was getting outdated, so I bought a new one.

One of the greatest features of the current guide is the CD included in the back. I installed it on my laptop, and it saves me time as I travel. When I need to go from one location to another and I don't have Internet access, I simply use the Thomas Guide CD.

I just spent two weeks in L.A looking for places to live. This street finder quickly found all the addresses I was looking for. And I could easily navigate from one place to another, even when crossing several cities.

I bought this product 99% for the guide as I've used previous versions in the past and have liked very much. As I've just moved to Orange county and found that the area I live in doesn't exist in prior guides (1999) I needed an upgrade. 2005 seems to have it all.

Only problem, I tried installing the software from the CD on 2 of my computers running WinXP and it was a no-go. Ended up installing all these funky .dll's and then the program wouldn't even boot when executed. Bummer as I was excited to have the guide available on my computer.