Wood Books

Another 'White Pine' book set in Los Pinos, Texas. This time the hero is Harlan Patrick Adams, cousin of Justin Adams (Natural Born Lawman). There are minor appearances by several other recurring characters, and we get to witness the less-than-successful first meeting of Slade Sutton & Val Harding (Suddenly, Annie's Father). Books in this series are: A Christmas Blessing (Luke Adams & Jessie Adams); Natural Born Daddy (Jordan Adams & Kelly Flint); The Cowboy and His Baby (Cody Adams & Melissa Horton); The Rancher and His Unexpected Daughter (Harlan Adams & Janet Runningbear); The Littlest Angel (Angela Adams & Clint Brady); Natural Born Trouble (Dani Adams & Duke Jenkins); Unexpected Mummy (Chance Adams & Jenny Runningbear Adams); The Cowgirl and the Unexpected Wedding (Lizzy Adams & Hank Robbins); Natural Born Lawman (Justin Adams & Patsy Longhorn); The Unclaimed Baby (Sharon Lynn Adams & Cord Branson); The Cowboy and his Wayward Bride (Harlan Patrick Adams & Laurie Jensen); Suddenly, Annie's Father (Slade Sutton & Val Harding); The Cowboy and the New Years Baby (Trish Delacourt & Hardy Jones); Dylan and the Baby Doctor (Dylan Delacourt & Kelsey James); The Pint Sized Secret (Jeb Delacourt & Brianna O'Ryan); Marrying a Delacourt (Mchael Delacourt & Grace Foster); The Delacourt Scandal (Tyler Delacourt & Maddie Kent).

Description from the book back cover:

This Child is Mine ... Rugged rancher Harlan Patrick Adams was fed up with his childhood sweetheart Laurie Jensen. After all, she had admitted she loved him - and then left him, with no explanation. But then he saw her picture in the tabloid newspaper. Clutching a tiny baby girl ... who had his eyes! Well, that did it. Harlan Patrick was going to go to the mother of his child and knock down her door, if that's what it took. Demand some answers. Claim what was rightly his. Maybe even ... get down on one knee and beg her to marry him? A man had to do what a man had to do ...

I thought that this story of love separated by life desires was true to life and very sweet. Harlan Patrick became one of my favorite characters right at the beginning of Natural Born Lawman, and I was thrilled to hear that he had his own book. His heartache over losing his longtime love to the career she had ben dreaming about for years was very true to life, as many people sacrifice love for their dreams. But I was definately happy that their love survived and prospered. It was a wonderful book, and I hope that I can find many just as good.

Book Review
That "Cut & Run" Loggin' Off the Big Woods" is a coffee table book is obvious when you see its cover with the three lumberjacks posed with their axes but, it is much more than that. There are over 150 pictures in its 144 pages all of them clear as bells and none of them seen before by me.
In addition to the pictures, there is text on each page and the text is what sets it apart from other books of its type. The book is written by Mike Monte, who I know. He lives in Crandon, Wisconsin, is a former logger and the son and grandson of old time lumberjacks. Where he got all the original photos I don't know but, the writing comes naturally to him from a life long interest in the logging history of the north woods. If its possible to love the sinner while hating the sin, Mike does that. He makes plain his contempt for the timber barons who were responsible for the cutting and running but his love and respect for those people who actually did the work and lived the life shows through on every page.
Although most of the book is about the loggers, teamsters, railroaders, sawmillers and river rats who did the work, there is also a lot about their wives and families. There is an entire chapter on "Padus" a typical "sawdust" town which no longer exists. Its now part of the small town of Wabeno. There are pictures of boiler explosions, train wrecks and fires all of which plagued these early towns and mills. Pictures of stores and saloons and mud choked main streets. People in their Sunday best and lumberjacks sleeping 4 and 5 to a bed in the logging camps. All with colorful descriptions , some from elderly people who actually lived the history.
You learn a lot about those days. Beneath a shot of a 'Jack with a two bitted axe, for example, Mike explains that they kept one edge sharp, the other dull and used the dull end on frozen wood since a sharp edge would chip out on frozen wood.
Since the timber companies all paid about the same wages, food in the camps made all the difference. Mike says that 'jacks would quit jobs to follow good cooks from one job to the next.
The book doesn't stop with the clearing of the pines. There are sections on the follow up harvests of hemlock and hardwoods and, finally, the cutting of what was left for pulpwood. By the 1920s it was pretty much all over. Some 70 years to take it all.
For those who are really interested, Mike shows pictures and explains, for example, the difference between an A frame jammer and a slide ass jammer, both of which were used to load logs onto railway cars. The book can serve as a history lesson into a colorful industry of the past and/or, simply a collection of interesting photos. Either way, its well worth owning

Dave Johnson

The publisher stumbled onto a treasure in this collection of photographs of early logging in America. Mike Monte's enthusiasm shines through his commentary on the history of logging. He's interested in the loggers, their trees, their lifestyle, their machinery, their locales, their women, in short, in everything associated with the logging industry in the United States more than a century ago. I keep wondering what it would be like to eat in the logging tent at the table with these rough-looking guys, or sleep on a plywood cot next to a fellow still wearing his hobnail boots--or hang out the laundry in a couple feet of snow....this book is to die for!

his poems are different than the traditional "love/glove/dove" types i've read so many of...they're thought-provoking and original...delving into the tough topics of addiction and suicide...and inspiring pieces reflecting the impact his faith has had in his life - having gotten him through and to rise above those hard times. i've read this one more than once...i really enjoy his writing style. overall, it's a good book for group study and discussion and i recommend it highly. i'm looking forward to reading whatever is next to come from this author.

This young man has a true gift in poetry and is quite insiteful. I would recommend this book for those in poetry groups, individuals, and possible use as required reading in poetry classes. The book is very well written and has many life lessons in it.

This book is a "must have" for anyone, especially the Wichitans who live where most of Gino's sculptures are located! Artists, sculptors and painters will also enjoy and appreciate the talent of Gino Salerno. Not only does it serve as interesting piece of local history, it would make a great tabletop book or unique gift for someone.

Unfortunately, some of the statues only exist as photos presented in the book, due to acts of vandalism. Some have been relocated to private organizations or homes. It is such a delight to be able to see them around Wichita, and some are still around for our viewing pleasure.

This truly is a beautiful book, with some insights shared by the author on his favorite types of woods and tools that he uses.

He still does sculptures, and his contact information is in the book. After seeing all these, you'll want one of your own.

As soon as Gino started with his wood sculptures, a kind lady started to secretly keep track of his work, taking pictures and notes of all of his pieces.

Some years later she died, and left Gino a complete record of his own artistic carreer.

That's why this book offers a unique perpective of Salerno's art, from it's origins to his last pieces, including some that have been destroyed by vandalism or weather, and others that have been stolen. You'll be able to see all the techniques, styles and themes that the artist has explored over the last decade. Some of the sculptures are simply superb.

It's 95% photographic, with just enough explanation to get an idea of his personality, the way he works and some secrets of intrest for other wood artists.

I have enjoyed exploring the work that this peruvian artist living in Wichita, Kansas; a work that is just starting it's way into the rest of America.

These co-authors take you on a captivating journey into the complex relationship between these twin brothers. As children the twins share essentially all lived experiences and into adulthood the pattern perpetuates. They grow up to become esteemed gynecologists and share the successes of their work. What becomes evident however, is their marked intra-psychical differences as one demonstrates dominant and aggressive traits while the other twin, highly sensitive and submissive traits. Both end up in a downward spiral as they can not function outside of their powerful psychological and biological connection.

These authours write with a style that goes deep causing you to lift your taboos for the moment! They address the grey and very human factors within the characters that might on the outside only be labelled as good and evil. One identifies with the entrapment of the twin whose painful innocence and sensitivity leads us to forgive his inadequacies and make him the hero. One desperately hopes he can break free from his relentlessly, over-bearing brother.

This is truly one of the best reads I've ever come across and since I read this almost 10 years ago I've tried hunting down other works from these authors. I'm glad I discovered this site!

These co-authors take you on a captivating journey into the complex relationship between these twin brothers. As children the twins share essentially all lived experiences and into adulthood the pattern perpetuates. They grow up to become esteemed gynecologists and share the successes of their work. What becomes evident however, is their marked intra-psychical differences as one demonstrates dominant and aggressive traits while the other twin, highly sensitive and submissive traits. Both end up in a downward spiral as they can not function outside of their powerful psychological and biological connection.

These authours write with a style that goes deep causing you to lift your taboos for the moment! They address the grey and very human factors within the characters that might on the outside only be labelled as good and evil. One identifies with the entrapment of the twin whose painful innocence and sensitivity leads us to forgive his inadequacies and make him the hero. One desperately hopes he can break free from his relentlessly, over-bearing brother.

This is truly one of the best reads I've ever come across and since I read this almost 10 years ago I've tried hunting down other works from these authors. I'm glad I discovered this site!

Absolutely magnificent ... extremely helpful. I cannot recommend this book enough for anyone who wants to learn woodcarving (and I have many books on the subject), it is a shame it is out of print but chase it up on zshops or marketplace, it is worth it. Well written, enjoyable and useful.

I would say, if you are going to get a single book on woodcarving, get this one - it shows you everything from tool selection (even pointing out the differences in mallet handle shapes and their advantages) to tool sharpening, then goes through many different projects building your skills with each one. The techniques are explained in detail, with all the subtle differences required. Examples are shown of works gone wrong - even though only slightly wrong - and an explanation given for what went wrong. It is more important to show what goes wrong than just show perfect examples, otherwise you would not even know what was wrong with your piece or how it could be improved. The examples cover everything and build a great skillset.

Also, the many, many, many photos are COLOUR, and excellent quality.

Considering what you would pay to do a course such as this, it's a steal.

I am the author of DECORATIVE WOODCARVING THE COMPLETE COURSE. This book is unique as it describes the real life experiences of a group of my students during their learning process. It encompasses the things that went wrong, how they should have been, why, and how they were corrected. It is a description of the reality of the learning curve for decorative woodcarving, about real people who started with no knowledge or skill and ended with a considerable degree of both. If you follow the text and illustrations, you too can enjoy these new horizons. We start with the background essentials of tool sharpening, drawing, modeling, and wood, and then move through a series of carvings each of which adds new skills and knowledge to complete the learning process.

My young son is a tough critic when it comes to books. He's pretty discerning. This wonderful little book thrilled him. He comes running with it and loves reading it. Its below his reading level but he still loves it. The colors are amazing as is the progression of the simple story. I'd highly recommend it!

This book is fun to read; it is rhythmic and the story builds page by page. It's different than most children's books: big, simple, crisp and bright (computer generated?). My son gives a little giggle when we pull it out.

Deep in the Woods was a joy to read to with my child, her face was all smiles as we turned the pages of this joyful book..I highly recommend it as a great addition to your family library.

The book is wonderful for children learning to count. The illustrations make you feel like you are part of the story. I would highly recommend it to any parent!! It will surely be your child's favorite book!

Once I started "Deep in the Woods" I couldn't put it down. The characters are fun to get to know (like Cody in Mr. Hillhouse's other novels). This one will keep you guessing along the way, and with the cliff hanger at the end, I can't wait for the continuation! I highly recommend all of the books by this author!

I enjoyed this book from several viewpoints. It is suspenseful, spooky, shows an insight of a young girl's struggles, has a quirky humor, and finally, a thought provoking introduction to the internal workings of the brain! If you like alien stories, or simply fun reading, this is a good selection.

This book is an excellent history of the different eras of logging in the U.P. It thoroughly covers the pine era, hardwood era, and the pulpwood era. It also goes into detail about many of the most important men behind the lumber companies, both large and small. If you are at all interested in the history of logging, or have an interest in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, this book is an excellent choice.

Highly recommended if you have any interest in the timber industry's history. Book includes commentary on the results of some poor management practices and the attempts to farm clear-cuts. A good history of logging and the lessons learned. Lots of interesting characters and stories, as well. Obviously a well researched book.