White Books

'Recipe for Love' is a great anthology filled with many wonderful stories and recipes. I rarely ever have time to sit down and read a novel, so it was great to read a story completely in one setting. I loved the theme and all of the stories are enjoyable, but my personal favorites were 'Birthday Blues', 'Suspicious Minds' and 'The Man Has a Sweet Tooth'.

Suspicious Minds by Leanne Burroughs touch the heart in away all New Mothers can understand.and people who have Losted love ones.the the recipe as well.The story A Spaghetti kind of love well how can you go wrong with a story that has spagheetti in it's Title her Great Grandma red sauce looks super.A Heart's hunger is out standing Wonderful Pot Roast recipe. Kissing Kate is Super.A super Peach Cobbler recipe.Birthday Blues we all had that at one time the story just great.the recipe is so to the point Sweet'n Simple.Clam Chowder For the Soul a the story is fun the recipe look great.The Trouble with Belgian Waffles What a very unstanding lady in this story Cops and Firefigters lifes are most of the time in the air she show in this story how much and makes it fun the recipe for the Waffles super.Keeping Hannah Safe.Agood story the recipe looks out standing with is story. Recipe For Disaster very good story and recipe.Soup d' Amour,super stoy and the Cream of Mushroom Soup wonderful.OK this one I loved the title of Sweet Sauerkraut a sweet story great recipe.The Man Has A Swwet Tooth good story easy fun recipe.Yhe Pumpkin Pie Murder a very good story. Great Pumpkin Pie recipe.Cicken What Du Hell Bubba the Cat a hoot the story was so much fun just the best. THAT CAT IS TOTALLY COOL.

I enjoyed the entire book, Recipe For Love. The concept is so sweet and the recipes are just delightful. But one of the stories that really stood out for me was Anne Elizabeth's, A Heart's Hunger. It was like the wonderful pot roast recipe at the end of it - tasty and satisfying. You'll want to spend time with Carolyn and Bennett and all the characters of this heart warming story of coming full circle to find what's important.

Anne Elizabeth is a feast that can be savored over and over again. Enjoy her story and then try her recipe. I did and loved them both.

SUSPICIOUS MINDS - Leanne Burroughs - With her whole world coming down around her Darcy Sanders knew she had to keep it together, for the tiny babe her sister Janna's death had left in her care. With baby Emma's dad a casualty of the Iraq war and now her mom's death, Auntie Darcy was all the babe had left. On top of that Darcy had promised Janna to keep her dream restaurant Beale Street alive -- only Darcy had no idea how to cook. More than anything, Darcy needed someone to lean on and when Ross Grayson, owner of the building, stopped by to fix a minor problem, he became more than just Mr. Fix-it, but a stalwart friend with an impressive shoulder to lean on.

Burroughs starts this impressive anthology off to a great start with her SUSPECIOUS MINDS story. In combining all the elements needed for an emotional, passionate story, with a wee dram of humor in special moments when lines from Elvis Presley songs would mysteriously pop out of a spooky juke box at the precise moment needed to keep everyone on track. Darcy had an immense amount of stress to deal with including a broken heart for trusting the wrong man. Only Ross knew she was perfection personified, from the first moment he met her and wanted nothing more than to lift the world off her shoulders and her pert little body into his bed for the rest of his life. A truly delicious start to this anthology with a bonus recipe at the end of this story for Butterscotch Squares looking awfully yummy too!

A SPAGHETTI KIND OF LOVE - Michelle McGinnis - Dave Cipelli and Meggin had a brief romance, but when it got too comfortable, Dave called it off. Meggin after crying her eyes out for over a month was finally free of the big dumb lug and ready to start living life on her own, and part of that way to new life was to take up cooking classes.

Mama Mia, or better yet Great Grandma Carmella's red sauce; you have to admit if the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, shouldn't women have equal rights too? Well it wasn't just for Dave's grandmother's sauce recipe, but I loved the pure honesty of how Dave went about showing and telling Meggin how much she meant to him and how he wanted their future to progress. This one was short, sweet story complete with a beautifully romantic declaration of love.

A HEART'S HUNGER - Anne Elizabeth - Carolyn left to pursue her dreams leaving behind the only family she had and a plethora of angry friends. In San Francisco she achieved career advancement and financial success, but for all her success, true happiness eludes her. With a missive from Aunt Polly to visit she returns home and along with best gal pal Tina, she recalled old memories and news of those left behind while putting together a family dinner. Special were the memories and updates on Bennett, the boy she'd left behind, made her realize what was truly missing in her life.

Memories are like stealthy fun loving puppies, biting you on your heels to remind you to remember what is best not forgotten. The author uses this vehicle with Carolyn and her friend Tina as she and her best friend chat over shared memories as well as sharing the chores of putting together a family meal. The reader sees how no matter how much Carolyn wanted to forget her roots, they were always there, especially when every prospective male she met was measured up against Bennett and they all fell short of expectation. This was a sweet story, with a lovely romance stirred into the pot.

KISSING KATE - Jaquelin Lorin - When Nick Ballard surprisingly showed up at the Minerva / Ballard family gathering, Kate suspected that his grandmother had a hand in it. After leaving ten years ago, abruptly letting Kate know he wasn't interested, her sixteen year old heart had broken. Now he was back, successful and gorgeous as ever and Kate wasn't about to let him trample her heart again.

While this is a very common plot line where the boy runs away from home to seek fame and fortune leaving behind a trail of broken hearts, the authors puts a very sentimental and heart tugging emotional spin on it to reveal facts of the true reasons why Nick left and what events led him to stay away. She revealed Kate's inner turmoil over still loving him so much, in such a way that this reader shed tears as if I were the one left behind who didn't want to get hurt again. This was a perfectly lovely story, and I can't wait to try out Kate's `peach cobbler' recipe!

BIRTHDAY BLUES - Amy Blizzard - Claudia Mackay fought her way to her front door while almost being run over by children hanging dearly onto birthday balloons when she remembered it was her birthday too. It was also a day she'd like to forget, but her best friend Dawn wasn't about to let her. Dawn had sent her a private chef to cook her up a special birthday dinner. Unfortunately, she neglected to tell him that Claudia was a vegetarian; or was her friend trying to cook something else up besides Claudia's dinner?

This was a very sweet, witty and clever story. Claudia was an extremely up-tight and suspicious woman who was surprised at her door by a very handsome dude who could have been a molester or burglar and her reactions to him were completely plausible. Nick, the chef, wasn't quite sure what he'd gotten himself into by doing a favor for her friend Dawn but when Claudia let her air down, he was ready to prepare any dish she wanted. The dialogs were yummy as is the recipe for Sweet N Simple Fruit Salad.

CLAM CHOWDER FOR SAMANTHA'S SOUL - by Jill and Julia - It was not the most auspicious event when Mitch Whitaker met Samantha and he accused her of stealing clams, from HIS private beach. It also didn't help that he assumed she was just another one of his playboy neighbor's gold-digging lovers. It would take several more insults added to injury before `Lola' a `gnome chick' set him straight and on the right path to redeeming himself.

Well, I'm not sure about the recipe for `Whitaker's Clam Chowder' recipe at the end of this delightful short story, but the story itself was mighty tasty. Admittedly, Mitch acted like a real ass when he assumed all the wrong things about Samantha, but thankfully the introduction of a delightful wise-cracking gnome-chick by the name of Lola, gave him the inspiration to save his butt and not let Samantha, the next best thing to ice cream get away!

THE TROUBLE WITH BELGIAN WAFFLES - Kristi Ahlers - Since the divinely handsome detective Drake Hunter moved into the apartment across the hall, Claire had made several attempts to cook up something wonderful as a housewarming gift. This was not a great idea - Claire was a disaster in the kitchen! Knowing it was now or never, Claire bought a food basket and screwed up her courage to knock on the door to see if the way to a man's heart was really through his stomach.

I so enjoyed this story! Not only was the author able to make you laugh out loud with Claire's disastrous attempts in the culinary arts, but you had to love her klutziness as well. Detective Drake definitely noticed his neighbor, obviously not for her culinary talents, but as one very sexy looking young woman he would really like to taste. The pacing was just right in this, the dialogs were lovely and the obvious attraction both felt for one another was `smoking' - just like Claire's attempts at cooking! Loved the proposal and had a tear in my eye. Superb!

KEEPING HANNAH SAFE - Billie Warren Chai -
If you never learned how to cook like our heroine, then it's a good thing you live next door to a fireman who turns out to more of a hero than one could imagine. Brian got turned on and off very quickly by Hannah, but after an initially bumpy start, he came through to save not only the day, but captured Hannah's heart.

In one short story this author managed to grab hold of your attention with a very funny kitchen disaster, spark it up with a wild attraction, toss in a twist or two with a little bit of suspense and have it all come together in one totally enjoyable and heady romance. Excellent characterizations and with so much going on in this tale, I'd love to have seen this as a full length story!

RECIPE FOR DISASTER - Bobbi Dumas - Chef Jason is on the cover of a popular magazine, declared the most eligible hot bachelor who mentions a special someone he's in love with. Sara has guilt enough over having inheriting half of the house Jason and she now share, but is she now screwing up his lovelife?

The author paints Jason as all that is kind, considerate and loving - anyone's ideal of a special person in their life. She also paints a complex guilt ridden heroine who has loved Jason from childhood and relished her summer vacations to visit. This was very good, sweet and emotionally touching story where the author explained and showed the guilt parents could load up on a young child. Thank goodness for happy and wonderfully romantic endings.

SOUP d'AMOUR - M.J. Sager - When an inheritance comes through giving Maximilian Conner Tristam a building; Conner - as he's known to friends - goes to check it out. What he did not expect to see was a thriving community center and at its head a woman whose very presence seemed a balm to his soul!

Both the Connor and Layla were very well defined and giving Layla a gift of sight where she immediately saw herself married and making love to this stranger made this short story all the more enjoyable. What Connor's matchmaking Uncle Leo couldn't do in his life was to arrange to have the two people he knew were soul-mates to get together once and for all after his death. Well-written, humorous and sensual with a wonderful recipe for my favorite soup!

SWEET SAUERKRAUT - Gerri Bowen - At a gathering at White's Nicholas, Viscount Wharnecliffe and his war-time comrades were discussing how Nick should find a wife with a large dowry, but that might be impossible when she found out he was raising five nephews, who were out of control. Discovering that Major Reese's sister Elizabeth (Beth) had a large dowry and loved to cook, Nick was tempted to make a proposal - sight unseen - before she laid eyes on his nephews, that is!

There's nothing more I like than a sweet Regency tale and though this was short and sweet it combined all the elements I look for in a historical read with humor and a little bit of silliness to toss in the pot. The idea of a Regency lady wanting to cook was clever and original. During that period, it was one thing to cook privately in the home, but to enter a contest where the judges would be from the upper echelons of society, now that is original! Very well done, but just can't say I have a fondness for sauerkraut, sweetened or otherwise!

THE MAN HAS A SWEET TOOTH - Diane Davis White - Sadie the Shady Angel and her mentor Pricilla are back into the swing of things to help two strangers make a match. How they take the two diverse personalities of sweets loving Joe Spellings and Leonora Cullpepper, a complete health food addict makes for a sweet tasting morsel of a story!

Bottom line on this story is that the author has a marvelous sense of humor and though not the leads in this story, the reader is definitely going to remember Sadie the Shady Angel and Pricilla as these two angels argue over how to get Joe and Leonora together! The dialogs are witty, and the sexual attraction is strong making the reader smile from start to finish and the recipe for Easy Raspberry Brownies sounds positively decadent!

THE PUMPKIN PIE MURDER - Victoria Houseman - As a detective in the Charleston, S.C. homicide department, Sara Stone was sent to question the owner of the bakery, where a supposedly mob hit had occurred. Sara had heard Silas Edwards was the baker of the stars for his incredible wedding cakes and petit fours, but what Sara wasn't expecting was to have him look as gorgeous as the creamy concoctions set out in his display cases!

Shall I say this was sweet, with all the beautifully described pastries that came in only second to this "love at first sight" story? Well, it was sweet, and the old cliché of `love at first sight' was beautifully played out under this author's well-written hand. Both characters were very well fleshed out and with a tad bit of humor added into the pot, you couldn't ask for more - except maybe one of Silas's pastries!

CHICKEN WHAT DU HELL - DeborahAnne MacGillivray - Remy (aka Royce Torqhill Remington Kinross, the 13th Marquis of Dunmoor and Seafeld) and his cat Bubba were not scoring points with the gifts Bubba was dropping off at their beautiful neighbor Catonia's house. Although Bubba, who kept bumping his head in adoration of Catonia's beautiful boob seemed to be getting a lot further along in the romance department than his master; Remy was bound and determined to change that right quick!

What a wonderful story Ms. MacGillivray submitted to end this beautiful collection of short stories all featuring some fabulous recipes. I absolutely adored Bubba the cat, whom Remy thought could have been a rogue in another life and been turned into a cat by a jealous witch - he seemed so human and was getting all those booby caresses! Remy when he turned on his Cajun accent was a sensual delight, with his wonderfully delicious `pick-up' lines. All the characters were well-developed and this short story was simmering with sensuality.

All in all, I don't think the reader will find a better compilation of mouth watering short romantic love stories than in RECIPE FOR LOVE! This is a highly recommended volume - perfect for beaches, doctor's offices, or anywhere you've a few minutes to read.

Marilyn Rondeau, RIO - Reviewers International Organization

This book caused me to feel the whole gammot of emotions--from excitement to disappointment to fear. It drew me in and captured my attention with its unexpected twists and turns. Unlike other books, taboo topics are essential to character development. This is an insightful look into the delicate balance of maintaining multiple relationships throughout the course of life. I couldn't ask for anything more from a book.

Without question, the very best book I ever read. You can not but it down nor can you stop thinking about it. This is a POWERFUL book. You will be moved and your foundation shaken but your life will be richer. This is a must read.

I am a voracious reader and in my late 20's. I have just finished Red Earth White Earth for the second time. The richness and poignancy with which the characters are developed is perfectly juxtaposed with that of Weaver's descriptions of the harsh but deeply beautiful Minnesota farmland. A magnificent story of what is natural in and around all of us.

For many reasons, this is the best book I've ever read. Not only does the story take me through a gamut of emotions, but I love Will Weaver's writing and descriptions. He describes everyday things in ways that sound unique and lyrical. I have read this book several times and enjoy it more each time. Don't miss out on this one!

This book gives a fascinating glimpse into the minds and hearts of newspaper reporters. The section of how reporters covered the Black Dahlia murder case was interesting, if not a little disturbing. Very thorough look at L.A. and its newspapers.

Rob Wagner has performed a great and long overdue service. He has chronicled the history of L.A. newspapers in the first half of the 20th Century---a "Front Page" era when L.A. had a half-dozen dailies, with many editions per day. Wagner is to be particularly congratulated for recounting the rise and fall of the original L.A. Daily News, a peach-colored oversized tabloid much revered in its day. The DN, at one time the circulation leader, hosted an array of great writers, from the legendary Matt Weinstock (THE L.A. columnist of his day)to Jack Smith and Jim Murray. The book is painstaking in its research of circulation figures and union struggles---spiced with rollicking anecdotes about great newspapermen (and women) of the day. This is the definitive history of Los Angeles newspapers.

Red Ink, White Lies is an impressive and informative chronicle of the successes and failures of six Los Angeles daily newspapers during an era of the city's fiercest newspaper wars and competitions. Author Rob Wagner (who is a veteran of more than 26 years as a reporter, city editor, managing editor, and night editor) interviewed dozens of newsman and women, resulting in a vivid and candid portrait of prewar and postwar newspaper reporters, including their lifestyle, ethics and professionalism. From celebrity journalism to mob era police corruption, reportage of ethnic minority communities and the "red-baiting" 50s, Red Ink, White Lies is a thoroughly fascinating, insightful contribution to the 20th century history of journalism.

I love to read about Los Angeles history, and I thought I've studied just about everything on this city. But this book just blew me away. It's a totaly different take on early 20th century Los Angeles told by the men and women who lived it and reported on for the city's daily newspapers. It is filled with anecdotal accounts of L.A.'s most sensational crimes, mobsters, and bad cops. It tells the history of the city not from the scholarly ivory tower but through the eyes of the newspaper reporter, editor, and photographer who witnessed these actual awesome events. A real wonderful read. It's well-sourced. I got a kick out of the who's who at the end of the book that lists and provides bios of nearly 200 L.A. journalists of the day.

Zack Cole is a man used to fixing problems with one problem he can't seem to resolve. A successful entrepreneur, Zack feels a real loss in his life until he meets Abby. Abby Crowley is a young woman with a small, four-year-old son. Abby grew up in a Catholic orphanage, with the message constantly drilled into her that she must obey. In order to escape the orphanage, she married a man who turned abusive. When Zack learns of the abuse, he helps Abby escape to his house on top of a mountain near Soda Creek, TN. There, Abby finds paradise, and begins to enjoy life and its circumstances while falling in love with Zack.

Abby's young son, Sammy, is bitten by a copperhead and rushed to the hospital. Believing he is dead, Abby wanders away from the hospital in shock. Later that evening, Abby is abducted by four men who try unsuccessfully to assault her. Taken by ambulance to a hospital in Maryville, Tennessee, she can give them no information as to who she is or where she is from. Meanwhile, Zack, desperately trying to find Abby, hires a private investigator to aid in his search. Abby wanders away from the hospital in Maryville, where Delta, a homeless woman, finds her hiding under a bridge. Delta takes Abby under her wing, hoping to help her recover from her amnesia. Deciding to go to a warmer climate, Delta begins to drive to Florida with Abby. She makes one critical decision in her travel: to go east, through the mountains, instead of south through Chattanooga.

REMEMBER WHITE MEIDILANDS is an inspirational love story told in an engaging style. Ms. Gandy displays her vast knowledge of the mountainous regions of East Tennessee through her vivid descriptions of its horticulture, small communities, and unique lifestyle. Her characters are realistically portrayed, from personas to dialect. Full of twists and turns, at times the suspense will leave the reader in an anticipatory state, anxious to read what happens next. This is one book guaranteed to bring tears and smiles.

You will not be able to put down this pager turner filled with unforgettable southern friends, friends you would want on your side in dark times. Remember White Meidilands proves that a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.
R.K.G.

You gotta read this book! The characters jump off the page making you feel like you're right there with them searching through the Smokies for a missing woman during an ice storms, an attempted hanging and a gun-shot killing. It's funny, it's touching. Believe me, you'll share their excitement and love all the way to the end as the entire community's faith is renewed. This is the best all-round book I've read lately.
Gregory T.

Ms. Gandy creates characters which by the end of the book will become friends, folks you want to know more about and will wonder what they're up to after you've finished reading this! Her characters are believable and familiar to us all. The story is one of intrigue and romance, in equal portions, enough of each to keep you turning the pages. This is a fun read and one which will stay with the reader after the book is completed.

The Renfaire Tales - Book Two picks up where the first book leaves off. Once again, we find Tobias, son of Karr, a young lad living in the times of knighthood and chivalry, faced with many new and exciting adventures.

After sacrifcing the fortune he obtained from Mount Mohala in order to save his countrymen from an unfair tax, Tobias finds himself with a delimma not expected by anyone. His own family's land comes in danger of being lost due to the horrible tax.

After hearing of a great treasure in a nearby cave, the young lad and his friends Jonathan, Reptile and the recently knighted Donuel set forth on a grand adventure to find it.

Later on, they run into a group of treacherous pirates who shanghai them and force them to serve aboard their ship. Due to their incompentence as sailors, the young lads are almost thrown overboard.

But the danger and excitement doesn't end there! After being rescued from the pirates, Tobias, Jonathan, Reptile, Sir Don, Sir Terrance MacCrow, along with some new found friends set sail on their return journey to Yorkshire.

However, when they arrive, they quickly find that their home is not the same home they left behind. Along with some new friends from the pirate ship, the group of young hereos sets off on another adventure that's sure to leave you on the edge of your seat!

This is the second book in a series of books that I plan to release. The next installment, The Renfaire Tales - Book Three, is scheduled for release by early May. I hope you enjoy this book half as much as I enjoyed writing it!

Tobias, son of Karr, is a young lad living in the times of knighthood and chivalry. When his father, mother and best friend are accused of stealing the King's treasure, he sets off on a quest to clear not only their names, but his as well. On this journey he meets up with MacRaven, who, up till now, has been feared by the townspeople as a great and powerful wizard. After clearing his family's name, Tobias sets off on three more adventures. Each one turns out to be more treacherous than the last. On one adventure he must help MacRaven win the heart of his lady love by returning with a great treasure from a nearby mountain. There is a great battle with the Sultan and his men for this treasure. Later, Tobias is kidnaped, and it's up to MacRaven and Tobias' friends Sir Terrance MacCrow (a great knight), Donuel (MacCrow's Squire) and a few other colorful characters to save him. Finally, Tobias and company end up in a spooky old castle where he and his five closest friends must battle for their lives!

This is the first book in a series of books that I plan to release. The next installment, The Renfaire Tales - Book Two, is scheduled for release by late September. I hope you enjoy this book half as much as I enjoyed writing it!

Engaging, vivid characters draw the reader in and bring these tales to life! Thrilling adventure and well-plotted mystery, balanced by just the right amount of light-hearted humor, are sure to make this novel a hit with all ages.

Engaging, vivid characters draw the reader in and bring these tales to life! Thrilling adventure and well-plotted mystery, balanced by just the right amount of light-hearted humor, are sure to make this novel a hit with all ages.

I always love White's writings in the City Sun and Film Comment, and here they all are in one place! He's a real rebel, and his opinions are as shocking at times as Pauline Kael's were in the early 60's, when her voice was new (and an affront to the Bosley Crowthers of the world). Highly recommended

Everything you ever wanted to know about movies, music of the past decade is in this book. White is a brilliant critic and thinker. I attended his music video lecture in Dallas and was astounded at the wealth of information and insight he provided. This book is well worth reading, but Overlook Press ought to put it out in paperback so that more students of music video and movies can afford to have it and underline th e great insights and critiques. White is the best culture critic working in America today.

When I started reading White's controversial reviews in the New York Press I sought out this collection for more of his urbane insights and fearless honesty. This is one of the best books of cultural criticism I've ever read. I've recommended it to my American studies professors and he has already promised to use essays from The Resistance in future classes. (The Schindler's List and Spike Lee and Terence Davies pieces are especially detailed interpretations.) Among my favorties chapters are those devoted to the British singer Morrissey and the devastating critique of Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction. "Tarantino may know New Wave conventions, but he doesn't understand New Wave convictions," White says and that hits the nail on the head. What a brave, beautifully written book. I recommend it to everyone who cares about modern culture, whether film, music, TV. Everyone should know this book.

Finally! A book on pop culture that's more than a flashy press release stating the obvious--which is what most of today's criticism consists of. Finally, a book filled with intelliegence, sensitivity, careful observation and damnit--PASSION! Armond White is making sense of all the nonsense that's put out there for public consumption. For those not familiar with Armond White's work, be prepared for a shock. Along with some very fine reading; Mr. White writes on figures as challenging and popular as: Michael Jackson, Prince, Steven Spielberg, LL Cool J, Public Enemy, Eddie Murphy, Spike Lee, Madonna, Ice Cube, Brian DePalma, Janet Jackson, De La Soul, Morrissey, Metallica, Marky Mark, RuPaul, Dr. Dre, Quentin Tarantino, Fab Five Freedy, Robert Altman and many, many more!
It's not that Mr. White covers these subjects--many of these guys get coverage in such mainstream magazines like Rollling Stone, Spin, Premiere, Etc... But here's what makes Mr. White special--he writes, no he looks past hype and investigates a particular work of art and looks into what makes it special (or not so special). In short, he makes a careful examination of the ideas that these works bring up. Ideas that usually are ignored or glossed over in mainstream pop journalism. In doing this, he exposes the biases inherent in most pop culture reporting and also the segregation in pop journalism.
Subjects covered here include: the appropriation by the mainstream of hip-hop culture, the rise of Black independent and Hollywood filmmakers and the challenge (or lack thereof) their films provide, the deceptive (or is it Death-ceptive?) funkiness of Dr. Dre's music, Increasing visual illiteracy in the watching of movies, Steven Spielberg and why despite his poor crtitical reception--he matters, Understanding Michael Jackson (you'll won't find this ANYWHERE else!), etc...
The more you read Mr. White's prose, the more you'll witness for yourself the revelation it is. Take for example this excerpt !from UNDERSTANDING MICHAEL JACKSON;
(on MJ's changing physical complexion)

"...only the intimates of Jackson's life have a right to complain--or be surprised--at the physilogical changes he has made of himself. The skin lightening, eye widening, nose sharpening, chin clefting, plus hair weave and processing are mad-scientist variations on the ethnic grooming and image creation that have long been part of the Black performer's understood contract with the white-controlled world of show business. Most artists submit to it to some degree. Jackson's only gone the Jewish entertainer's nose-job ritual--known as the "Hollywood circumsicion"--several organs better..."
See! And that's only on the first page! Check it out!!!!!!

this book is a fantastic bargain. it's a lesson in how creative a mind can be when able to free associate, but it still shows the craft of a master poet. tate doesn't strain to be weird or resort to gimmicks, he just tells his funny little stories in poetic form and they always go to surprising places. i love his book.

Yes, the James Tate poems are up to something. As unique a collection of poems as you will find anywhere. In this book are poems that usurp America.

I had the pleasure of hearing James Tate read some of these poems at a writers' conference and was able to get an autograohed copy of this delightful book. The poems, some of which read like short stories, are multi-layered and you'll want to read them many times.

James Tate does it, ie does it and does it. James Tate is up to something.

I just finished reading "Sailor in the White House." Now, I finally understand what strongly influenced FDR throughout his entire government career. In his fresh and probing new biography, author Robert Cross opens up a whole new dimension in the life of our 32nd president.

FDR used his expert sailing skills and instincts to guide America through the Great Depression and on to victory in World War II. He was always ready to compromise, change tack or revise his plans based on the changing political landscape...just as he did when he sailed the world's oceans. What an ingenious way to look at President Roosevelt! I thank the author for sharing his important insights with all of us. Great job!

This was an excellent view of another side of FDR that as a sailor of the same waters, I found exceptionally interesting.

Not only was the book extremely well written but it was full of glimpses of this president which added a new perspective to my knowledge of his presidency.

It is a wonderful experience to stumble across a biographical work about a man about whom so much has been written and yet find an entirely new and different view of the person's life.

Bravo!!!

Franklin D. Roosevelt loved the sea, sailing and all things nautical. He was America's greatest seafaring president, spending more time sailing, fishing and swimming than any president in our nations's history. And this book tells very interesting minute of it.

In Robert F. Cross' terrific new book, "Sailor in the White House: the Seafaring Life of FDR," the author offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at Roosevelt's time on the sea. What makes this book such a treat, is that many of the stories are told through the voices of those who actually sailed with the president, and who shared their tales with the author for the first time.

Through interviews with Secret Service agents, Roosevelt staff and family members, and contemporaries of the president, Cross exposes a whole new dimension of FDR's life, a dimension which-until this book-has never been explored in the countless biographies of the 32nd president; but it is a dimension which is key to understanding FDR's character and governing style.

The author logs just about every minute FDR spent on the water, and lists all the vessels he was aboard during his entire lifetime-an extraordinary record for anyone, but particularly for one whose legs were paralyzed from polio. From canoes to lifeboats, schooners to destroyers, and battleships to submarienes, Roosevelt never passed up an opportunity to be on the water. The author meticulously records each vessel, noting the type of craft and the years Roosevelt was aboard. No such list existed until now.

The never-before-told stories, including one in which FDR's life was threatened when a fire broke out aboard his schooner, and rare photographs shared with the author are laid out for us within the overall framework of two world wars and the Great Depression. A never-before-published photograph shows FDR seated in a wheelchair; this is only the third such photo known to exist in the more than 35,000 photographs of the president in the FDR library. And Cross has found it!

As we tag along with Roosevelt on New York State's Barge Canal, the atlantic and Pacific Oceans and the Caribbean, and witness his many antics and adventures, the author skillfully keeps the reader current on world and national affairs, allowing us to see behind the newspaper and newsreel footage, while weaving in the unfolding and perilous world
history.

The tales of FDR hiding from his Secret Service guards are amusing, providing a glimpse of a fearless president who valued his privacy and went to great lengths to protect it. FDR never permitted secret Service agents to travel aboard his small vessels; they had to travel behind on destroyers and Coast Guard cutters. He played "cat and mouse" with the agents, who really had their hands full protecting FDR. The author's interviews with FDR's Secret Service agents are priceless.

Pulitzer Prize-winning historian, Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., calls this book "delightful." It is that to be sure-but, it is much, much more. "Sailor in the White House" provides a new and valuable insight into the make-up and character of the only American president ever elected to four terms. FDR never passed up an opportunity to be on the water, a place where he felt most at home. A place which helped him to relax and gain perspective as he tackled the most difficult problems ever filled by an American President. I recommend this book highly.

Martin Davis, Ph.D.

This is a book I could not "put down" once I started reading it. My problem is I get into the index which takes me every where in the book. However, when I finally got it all together I found it to be both historic and above all informative. I grew up in the Roosevelt era and this book has given me an entirely new insight of his time.
Thank you Mr.Cross.

This is an awesome book -- particularly to explain to young people what Christmas is about!

Written by Lois Shope, Ray Shope and illustrated by Michael White, Sandy Claws is a rhyming picturebook about the true meaning of Christmas. When a lonely orphan kitten defends a struggling mouse family from predators, they invite her to share their home - the Chris Mouse tree. Together, kitten and mouse are given the amazing opportunity to witness the birth of baby Jesus, and warm him in his sleep, while other animals decorate the Chris Mouse tree in his honor. An imaginative and warmhearted Christmas story, illustrated in a gently minimalist style.

Its a lovely little book -- nice images, sweet sort of story, good poetry. Really nice for younger children -- the pictures show the story very well and coincide with the words nicely. Younger kids can really *see* what's going on as you read to them, or they read to themselves with it. Would make a fantastic gift for kids.

This is a book that touches the child in all of us. The characters, Chris and Sandy, express the true meaning of Christmas. It is fun to read to your children, and the warmth and spirit with which it is written will evoke pleasure in all who read it.

Young Homer Easton's world crumbled around him when his parents divorced and his horse Benny Two Shoes died. Homer vicariously lived a life through the "Lone Ranger." A whiz at computers, Homer set up an online company to sell Western paraphernalia.

For his tenth birthday his father presented Homer with a magnificent white horse to replace Benny Two Shoes. The horse was repossessed due to a misunderstanding at the bank. Two desperado type characters loaded Bluestone Belle into their truck and hauled her away.

The story revolves around Homer, Dr. Willoughby, his psychiatrist, Joe, his personal trainer, and Maria, the family maid, and their efforts to save Bluestone Belle from a band of criminals.

Narrow escapes, thrilling chases, and death defying risks keep the reader in suspense throughout this fast paced adventure story, for kids, ages 9-12.

The characters are zany and loveable. Maria's frequent use of Spanish phrases gives the story an added dimension.

The illustrations by Mike Bitz are clever and expressive. The author has demonstrated an uncanny sense of understanding of this age group in her choice of vocabulary in both the narrative and in the dialog of her characters.

Young readers will identify with Homer's sense of loneliness as his parents choose career and freedom instead fulfilling parental roles. Romantic innuendos give promise to reconciliation when Homer is kidnapped while attempting to save Bluestone Belle.

This dramatic adventure story is an excellent choice for the classroom, for family night reading, and holds potential for an award winning family film. An excellent read for the whole family.

Saving Bluestone Belle is recommended for ages 9 to 12; however, this 70 year old found herself unable to put the book down until she finished it. What fun and excitement! Vivid descriptions make this book an enjoyable experience. You feel like you are there. Teachers and parents will find the hero, Homer, a good role model for young people to take control of their lives, no matter what their circumstances. Homer demonstrates that you don't need admiring peers or perfect parents to be successful. All you need is passion and wise persistence. Homer uses his wits instead of brawn and aggression. For a children's book to sell, adults have to enjoy it, too. I see 'Bluestone' as a novel that kids and parents can enjoy together. Also it will appeal to boys who normally are not interested in reading fiction.
N Lester, MA Counseling

Saving Bluestone Belle is recommended for ages 9 to 12; however, this 70 year old found herself unable to put the book down until she finished it. What fun and excitement! Vivid descriptions make this book an enjoyable experience. You feel like you are there. Teachers and parents will find the hero, Homer, a good role model for young people to take control of their lives, no matter what their circumstances. Homer demonstrates that you don't need admiring peers or perfect parents to be successful. All you need is passion and wise persistence. Homer uses his wits instead of brawn and aggression. For a children's book to sell, adults have to enjoy it, too. I see 'Bluestone' as a novel that kids and parents can enjoy together. Also it will appeal to boys who normally are not interested in reading fiction.
N Lester, MA Counseling

This is a delightful book. Fom the first page you get the exciting feel of being Homer, a smart 10 year old entrepreneur who sees every challenge as just something to overcome on the way to his goal: saving his beloved Bluestone Belle. There is a wacky cast of characters who range from the quirky adults whose job is tending Homer, his well-meaning but clueless parents, to the thrillingly rough villains. I read it to a group of wildly enthusiastic 4th graders. They loved the cover, and kept looking at it to guess what might come next: a meeting with a lion? a shark attack? We laughed a lot as we read, and the fresh modern vocabulary gave many opportunities to discuss idioms, new technology, and figurative language. They learned new words and phrases. The situations Homer encounters brought up discussions about loneliness, wealth, independence, loyalty, and characters who grow and change. It was perfect for asking "What would you do?" My own teenage daughter enjoyed the book too. I recommend it highly.