California Books

This is not just a story about a First Amendment battle to keep the klan in check. This is a story about who we are. In so many of the characters, I saw a little piece of myself - sometimes liking what I saw, sometimes not, but always reading on, to see which part of me pulled for which character. It's a great American story.

It took me a few weeks to read the book, because I've had such a very hectic schedule lately. But, Sign of the Cross is a sensational True-to-Life Drama that kept me anxiously turning each and every page. The book was extremely well-written and I think we need more books like this one, so that people in our society can be aware of what's going on in society (both historically and currently).

I would love to see the book adapted as a screen-play. I think it would make for a sensational film.

If you want true legal drama at its best, with insights into the inner workings of the Klan and the prosecutor who challenged it, this book will fascinate and captivate. First Amendment issues are eloquently presented by both sides. In this case, the Klan's freedom of speech is contrasted with a community's right to be free from fear. But can any one man perservere against an unwilling legal system and the most notorious terrorist groups in America?

John Phillips' Sign Of The Cross provides a prosecutor's true story of a trial against the Klan, and uses police records, courtroom proceedings and testimony in the course of relating Phillips' stormy legal battle against An involving history.

Sign of the Cross is a riveting account of hate crime. It takes you deep into the mind of a prosecutor, and into the shadowy world of subversive forces he seeks to bring to justice. Mr. Phillip's book is very well written, and keeps you turning pages continuously. I would love to see a movie based on this book. A must read.

Wow! I just finished this book & am amazed at the example Joe Massengale has lived by. If you're looking for a book on parenting & how to live your life, this is it. Character, determination, focus, love, confidence... what else can you say. Joe Massengale leads his life by example & instills all of the above qualities in his children.

I would encourage any parent or anyone looking for a blueprint on how they should live their life to the fullest to read this book.

As the father of two sons, ages 14 and 11, I found the book to be very inspiring, uplifting, and valuable. The authors deliver beautifully on the title's promise to tell a powerful story about how a father succeeded in raising six successful sons and the back cover's promise to articulate the ways in which the qualities of confidence, fortitude, pride, persistence, fearlessness, and focus are important for a successful life. But beyond that, the way the book is organized and the excellent writing gave the experience a depth of richness that was much greater than I anticipated and more pleasure than I could have felt justified in expecting.

We can all learn from Massengale. Each of us has our own story; our own past,our own struggles. What makes Joe's story special is how he transcended incredible adversity all the while teaching his children these invaluable lessons.

Joe Massengale is a remarkable man who's led an extraordinary rags-to-riches-to-rags-back-to-riches life...from fearing for his own poverty-stricken life in the days of lynchings, to working his way up to owning his own race horses in Hollywood. His biography alone would make an inspiring, thoroughly readable book -- but having it woven through such valuable lessons, and memorable object lessons, all in service of passing on hard-earned down-to-earth wisdom on something as crucial as character-development...well it makes this book all the more important. And how refreshing to have a "good for you" book that's so well-written! David Clow not only writes elegantly, but knows how to get out of Joe Massengale's way to let his subject's own distinctive voice come through clearly. That Joe Massengale happens to be African-American makes me wonder why Oprah Winfrey hasn't devoted an hour to him yet, but let me hasten to add - his lessons are UNIVERSALLY relevant. You do NOT have to be any particular color to "get" this wisdom, nor to need it. Turning children into responsible adults is the hardest and most important job in the world, no matter your color, age, station in life...or gender. Yes, I'm saying even moms can get something valuable from ths book. So could kids, single adults, you name it - anyone with an interest in the being, and shaping, productive, respected members of society. Only perfect people need not learn these lessons, and if you think you're perfect you need this book more than anyone! Need I mention, as I glance at the calendar, that this would make a HECK of a Father's Day gift?

Six Lessons for Six Sons, written by Joe Massengale and David Clow provides a enlightening approach to providing your children with important gifts to guide them through life. The authors have identified the gifts that help individuals believe in themselves and develop the strength to deal with the inevitable setbacks we all experience, and rise above them. This book is extremely well written, unpretentious, and presents, in a simple straight forward way, six qualities that lay down a foundation for living a rich, admirable and principled life. Massengale and Clow do an outstanding job of presenting these lessons in a way that should inspire fathers (and mothers too) to look at the art of raising children to be productive members of society. It stands head and shoulders above all of the self help books on the market today.

The six lessons are ones that I wish I had in raising my own sons.


Kevin J. Lyons, Ph.D.
Editor, Journal of Allied Health

I have read many of her books, and have yet to read one yet I did not enjoy. Speak No Evil is no exception. Ir is well written, and I was suprised by the ending, enjoy.

First book I read by this author - and I now plan to order all the rest! I read this book in one day - couldn't put it down ! A really good legal courtroom suspense story which keeps you guessing right until the last few pages. Recommended

Young criminal defense attorney Debra Laslow, observant daughter of an Orthodox rabbi, faces agonizing moral dilemmas and mortal danger in this outing.

When the beautiful, brilliant and heartless Madeleine Chase is found murdered, Debra inherits her client, a respected doctor accused of date rape. She also finds herself under scrutiny for the murder - she had quarreled publicly with Chase and had been seen coming from her building around the time of the murder. Then another attorney, a friend, is murdered and Debra finds the body. As police suspicion deepens, Debra begins to get threats from the killer.

Meanwhile, her client's victim is an Orthodox Jewish girl, a member of Debra's community, and there is strong pressure on her to drop the case. And, in fear for her life, Debra begins an investigation of her own.

Krich's approach is thoughtful, literate and absorbing. She depicts the difficulties of being an Orthodox Jew in a high-powered job, the close knit comforts of the community and the application of Jewish philosophy to moral decisions.

And she doesn't neglect suspense. Her heroine is resourceful but not foolhardy in the face of mortal danger and the solution of the mystery (in a smashing climax) is a total surprise - although the reader will be a step or two ahead of Debra in the last few pages.

This is a legal thriller that you don't want to put down. I read the last 230 pages in a morning, and will now read her other books. In the genre of Faye Kellerman, Rochelle Krich's writing easily matches or exceeds Kellerman, which is quite an accomplishment.

In my opinion, Krich is the most intelligent and readable mystery novelist of the 90's. Her female heroines are always exceptional, and Debra Lazlow (of Speak No Evil) is a prime example. Krich's premise is highly believable and seems to come from today's headlines. The action moves at a rapid clip, and there are plenty of hairpin plot-twists and moral quandries to delight fans of both detective stories and legal courtroom dramas. Also make sure to check out Fair Game, by the same author.

Robert L. Holt's "STOP Skyjackers" is a must-read for all who fly the once friendly skies as a passenger. Since 9/11/01, every passenger must be extremely aware of the fact that your own life may depend on your own reactions to a radical or radicals' attempt to takeover a plane in the air, or on the ground, while you are a passanger on that aircraft. STOP Skyjackers gives you the many concepts and planning tools to be prepared to save your own life, if needed during a skyjacking. This book, if read by most air passengers, could create the bond we all need as customers aboard the world's heavily traveled airlines. If you think that the devastating skyjackings of 9/11 were a one-time-event...think again! The War on Terrorism has just begun, and we, all residents of earth, are a part of it. STOP Skyjacking is the first truly training manual of this long-term war against terrorism.

This is for real... if you're going to be traveling you must read this book. Knowledge is power. Gain all the power you can! Even if one is not traveling, this book is important to read. We need to know all we can to better understand the situation which we are all dealing with against any and all terrorists. The author gives us serious tools to deal! Thank you Mr. Holt!

Everyone should read this! Not just travelers! But definitely all travelers should! It's a must read!

Transportation authorities may assure us that flying has never been safer. But why is it that pilots still want to carry guns? Perhaps they feel, as Bob Holt certainly does, that you can never feel too secure. A former Marine pilot, Bob wrote this book to share his own insights into the responsibility we all have to help make travel safe for everyone.

I know Bob Holt personally, so I cannot be objective about his book. I watched him put everything aside in the months after September 11 in order to write it. His passion and his sincerity are real. His suggestions are certainly worth knowing, even if you don't agree with them. Who knows? They may be life-savers.

Stop Sky Jackers: 60 Steps That Can Save Your Life is a solid, eminently practical, no-nonsense traveler's guide and instruction book specifically designed for airplane passengers whether they are on local, regional, national, or international flights. Written by a former Captain of the U.S. Marine Corps Robert Lawrence Holt, Stop Sky Jackers informs passengers about suspicious behaviors to watch for, how to prepare to fight back against attempted skyjackings, rallying other passengers to resist, and what to expect in a hostile, possibly lethal situation that has become all to common in the last few decades. Simply put, in the wake of the September 11 attacks, Stop Sky Jackers should be mandatory reading for all air travelers -- it could save lives, both in the air and on the ground.

This is a great history book on the great Mongol Empire. It clears up a lot misunderstandings and superstitions about the supposedly horrible Mongol barbarians and gives a reliable account of their rule in this time period. It covers Temujin's (aka Genghis Khan) beginnings to the end of his forebears rule. It has pictures from the past and of re-enactments of Mongol cavalry - you will rarely find this elsewhere. The Mongol Empire was a militaristic nation, so this book lacks on the military strategy and warfare of the Mongols. Only the basics are covered.

I love the occasional suprises in life; you know the very unexpected which enriches you forever.
When I bought this book I really wasn't interested in Ghengis Khan but I thought maybe I could find out more about the group. Well, the book ws written beautifully which madefollowing the sory and timeline very easy.
I found the author had a scholastic approach to the subject which is what I sought and had the ability to incorporate mady other aspects tpo the Khans which gave me the unusual perspective that I always desire. You know the knowledge that lets you lord over others who happen to feel they are experts and expect that noone else knows. Thats my kind of fun.
Anyway, the book incorporates the necessary maps and some beautiful artwork that really enhances the book. Unfortunately, I mark up all of my good book with underlines, exclamation points and many many stars for futile future reference
The only criticism I can offer is that beside his references to many of the major cities that he invaded and then re-constructed there was no mention of the modern names of these places which requers me to search them out on the internet.
If you are a history lover and want a dry but fascinating look at this period, BUY THIS BOOK!
I fmr: Marshall reads this- well thank you for writing this book you have given me the power of knowledge.

This is a great overview of the part of Mongolian history that most intrigues westerners, the years of the great Khans. It is a very accessible book that doesn't require any prior knowledge on the part of the reader, and hopefully inspires them to look deeper into the people and the nation of Mongolia.

In the west we've all heard of Ghengis Khan, and we have our preconceptions of "barbarian" cultures or the terrible hordes of Mongol warriors; the reality behind the myths and legends is well worth knowing. I first encountered the "Storm from the East" video series on TLC and it has since re-played {but rarely} on THC. The film or video is only on offer to educational institutions at a very high price, so the most a layman can hope for is a quality tape from TV -or- this book.

The book follows the video script almost verbatum, with many of the same maps, diagrams and stills from the live footage shot in Mongolia. It's a wonderful substitute, and an easy to digest history lesson.

The relationship of the medieval Mongolian nation to China and the western European nations is fascinating, and thanks to "Storm from the East" it is easily understood. The book is written with a gentle sense of humor, but does not belittle nor aggrandize the Mongolian people or the historical Khans.

An excellent book for all interested in the rise and fall of the Mongol Empire. Written in an exciting and lively way, the reader is left thirsty for more, even though the book itself is factually complete without inundating the interested layman with boring, left-alone facts and dates.

This book is based on a BBC documentary of the same name. The book is written so that any history freak can read and enjoy it. Many, Many pictures and maps make it more understandable. Some of the pictures are even re-enactments and are very interesting to look at.

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!