Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Guest Blog by Elizabeth Eagan Cox's Lap-Cats




A Guest Blog 
by Lucy and Darby













Lap-Cat Favorite Books.

By Lucy and Darby, 

(Jack’s Catnip-loving Friends.)

Lucy, here. I’m the oldest and wisest of the two cats who share a home with the authoress, Elizabeth Eagan-Cox. Being a writer’s best friend has its drawbacks. As hard as it is to believe, sometimes my mistress is too busy to give me a well-deserved scratch behind my ears. In those moments I retreat to my own library, a secreted pocket of our home where I keep a few of my favorites books in paw.

Elizabeth, in one of her wiser moments, asked me to pen a few reviews of my feline favorite books, in other words, to let the cat out of the bag as to which books are worth their scratch. I figure my review is a good lesson for Darby. He’s the newest member of our family and, at 19-months old, he’s finally ready for some serious reading… something he can sink his claws into, instead of that nonsense he’s been reading about Puss and Boots!

First up is a must-have for all cats and their adoring persons:
ASPCA Complete Cat Care Manual. 
   (We have an old library copy purchased from a library book sale, and though it is aged, I will vouch for it not being out of date.) 
   Aside from the crucial basics that all cat lovers should know, such as ear cleaning, feeding, bathing, how to deal with poisons, injuries and illness, there are chapters relating to esoteric topics.

The chapter on Assessing a Cat’s Mood is fascinating! Every human should take note of this chapter because discerning, and appreciating, what mood we are in is vital to happy home. Happy cat, happy life, I always say.  

Recently, another chapter proved to be priceless. The chapter on Dealing with Unwanted Behavior assisted us in training Darby to stop playing in his water bowl. Yikes! He certainly was making a watery mess of things in our kitchen! We learned that Darby’s excuse for water play were lame. He kept saying he was hard-wired to play with water because he’s a Maine Coon! Well, we found out that being a Maine Coon is not a reason for creating a water polo field on the kitchen floor!

Second on my list is:
99 Lives:Cats in History, Legend and Literature 
by Howard Loxton. 
   This book makes my toes curl, it is that good! Imagine, an entire book that honors the fantastic culture of felines. The book covers centuries of worldly content, including; Personalities, "A Cat’s Life," "Cats on Location," and my favorite chapter: "Cats of Make-believe and Magic!"
    In addition, wise and witty truths are shared in succinct phrases, such as: "A cat’s eye is the mirror of the soul," and, "God made the cat to give humankind the pleasure of caressing the tiger."

Third on my list is… uh, one moment please…

Hey, folks! Darby here, Lucy got called to the office about something, or another, don’t know, and don’t care. Now is my chance to put in my catnip’s worth of reading ideas. Other than Puss and Boots, which I believe is the best cat-action adventure story, ever… well, I guess the other book would be:
The Cat Catalog: The Ultimate Cat Book. 
   The book is edited by Judy Fireman, and I’d sure like to lick her paw to thank her for putting together this treasure trove of fun facts and trivia. As soon as I opened the book, I knew it was the greatest book, ever, because it has two big pages of funny illustrations by an artist named Edward Gorey.
   Yeah! Gotta love that guy, if ever there was a major, really major, cat lover, it’s Gorey. The rest of the book is good, too. I’m on page 5, out of 352, but on this page it tells about how the ancient Egyptians adored us felines. Can you believe it? They worshipped us as gods!
   So, you know if a book starts out like this, the rest of it must be good! Hey, I hear Lucy padding it up the stairs, so, I best skedaddle.
      Later....

   Hmmm, I see that Darby could not leave well enough alone and he has tracked his big snowshoe feet all over the keyboard!
   At least he mentioned the third book on my list, though I do believe he mostly looks at the pictures.
   Now, before I sign off, there is one other book, one that my mistress wrote, that I’d like to mention: 

 A Ghost of Brother Jonathan’s
by Elizabeth Eagan-Cox 

   And wouldn’t you know it, there are ghost cats in that book!
   The concept of a ghost cat is my genius at work. I have to admit that I planted that idea in Elizabeth’s ear. It is sooo easy to influence her thoughts while she sleeps; a few words purred softly into her ear... and BINGO! Her novel has ghost cats in it!

But, shhhh… don’t tell Elizabeth this was my idea or I may never have another opportunity to write to Jack.

Thank you, THANK you, Thank YOU both
Lucy and Darby. 
I am so glad you wrote something for my blog!

Please write again, and let me know of any other good books to read!

JACK!


Mmmm, now let me see if Arline has a copy of Puss and Boots!  Oh, there it is! On the top shelf, right between the bird house, the Jan Elmy papier mache fish, and a picture of one of her favorite poets. Now that I'm down to only 16 pounds, I can easily...LEAP.


WHACK!

BOOM!

OUCH!
Mmuph! Whew!

Okay, no worries. We're all in the floor, but nothing is broken, not even the picture frame...

Now, let me see...hmmm.  

While I'm down here it will be easy to get it open. Yep, those six toes really work good on the pages.

Great Pictures Darby!  

THANKS!

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Reader's PARADISE and a recipe


by Carolyn LeComte

Sara Chandler has come to the big island of Hawaii to escape her troubled past and find peace in this place all the guidebooks call "Paradise." Lucas Henshaw is the first obstacle in her path to happiness. But he's not the last…



Luau Chicken Recipe

Friday, September 25, 2015

Catching UP!

Catching UP!

No books went to press this week:

Also there are Computer Problems Galore!  The Guru is on Vacation, but We will get things UP and Running ASAP!

Galleys that came in and are STILL waiting for final publication:
THE MURDER OF SECRETARY Judd KANE: Adventures on Capital Hill Series, Vol. 2, by Christine Rose, Mariotti
   Second in the popular political thriller series.


PAYBACK: Kathy Sear and Greg Hawkins Series, Vol. 5, by  Michael Field
   During a routine prisoner transfer a dramatic prison escape by four hardened criminals shocks the law enforcement community. A review of their extensive criminal histories reveals they all have one thing in common – Pineview Detectives Greg Hawkins and Kathy Sear are responsible for them being incarcerated.
   The detectives suddenly find themselves in a unique situation as the hunters become the hunted. They are forced to match wits with not only the escaped prisoners but also those that assisted and carried out the prison break.


Work began or continued on the following:

The Kid Who Wasn't There, by C. M. Albrecht
Jonas gets in pretty deep with a powerful talk show hostess, a mobster and art dealers and a very big Navajo, not to mention a lot of women who try to make him forget he's a happily married man with two children at home, and his troubles extend to home too. Life can be tough!


BLEEDING HEARTS: Killian Kendall Mystery Series, Vol. 1
   Winner of the Stonewall Society's 2002 Pride in the Arts Literary Award in the Whodunit Category! 

REVEREND CASTLE'S CRISIS, Rev. Castle series, Vol. 2 by Celine Rose Mariotti
  
   Rev. Castle is back in another cozy mystery.  


REAP THE WHIRLWIND: Killian Kendall Mystery Series, Vol. 2,  by Josh Aterovis. 
   Suicide, or murder? That's the question in the second Killian Kendall mystery. Will Smith suspects murder when an old childhood pal drowns, and asks his friend Killian for help in solving the mystery.


TRUTH OF YESTERDAY,  by Josh Aterovis

ALL LOST THINGS, by Josh Aterovis

CHANGE  OF WORLDS, by Josh Aterovis


Jack's News!

  by your bookstore cat, 
and gossip columnist!
Things going pretty darned slow around here right now. Arline still not up to much. Also (What a FOOL!) SHE tried to install Windows 10 herSELF so NOW the computer is sick, sick, SICK! Even when she's well, she couldn't do THAT! Really! I tried to tell her!

Well, She DID call the computer man, but he is away this week. Meanwhile, new work is coming in like crazy and the Electronic Beast is functioning after a fashion, but being VERY uncooperative...Even the printer won't work.



Tom Ward has a new book in the VOLUNTEER series, vol. 4 all ready to send in. STATION 1260, is the title. I can't wait to find out what volunteer firefighter Robert Doyle and his cohorts are up to this time.


Elena Bowman wrote that she is at work on a new addition to one of her series. Sorry, I'm not sure which one, but all of them are grrrrreat! I especially liked the time-travel theme in the series above.  Me? I'm a big time-travel fan -- don't want to waste any of my nine lives.



C.M. Albrecht has a new Jonas McCoy,  Vol. 3, called THE KID WHO WASN'T THERE.  If you haven't read any of the earlier Jonas McCoy stories, you'll like them.  



As I may have mentioned before, Barbara Grengs is working on the last in her popular young adult -- Toby Martin Series. That's the first one and it was written long before that darned movie stole her title...

What little work Arline did this week was on his C.M. Albrecht's new cover, but hasn't got anything ready to show anyone yet. I stayed on the desk and helped all I could! But she thought I was napping. Me?  

Arline's the one who's fast asleep most of the time.  I do think her shots are helping, but her vet said her count was "pretty low," whatever that means. I never understand human doctor stuff. We feline people are MUCH easier. We just get a shot once a year and as long as we stay out of the street, that's IT! First she took shots every day. NOW it's once a week.  It sure is taking a LONG, Darned, TIME to fix her! 

Please don't forget to let me know 
what you are all up to! 

Just send arline@mail.com a message with 

 "News for Jack" 

in the subject line, and

I'll make sure it shows up right here. 

  Thanks!

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Free Book for September

September is Native American Month
Free for September
Just go to ebooksonthe.net and order as usual
You will not be Charged!
   
    After a broken engagement, Christy goes west for “her health” and meets a medicine man.... Rowan Cameron, a Blackfoot captive scheduled for a hanging. With her help, he escapes and then ignores her attempts to “civilize” him. But Rowan does his best to heal Christy’s spirit, and mend her broken heart.
Epic Award Finalist.

Rowan Cameron’s 
Venison Stew*
   *non-hunters may substitute beef

1 to 2   pounds of venison haunch or flank meat cubed
3 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
1 can baked beans (you’ll have to trade for this)
3 medium tomatoes (if they are out of season, the white man has them in cans, too)
3/4 cup minced green onion (tops and all)
1 Leaf from the bush called Miracle (bay)
1 tsp. Dried sage
1 tsp. Dried garlic
Salt to taste.
    Water as needed.

Heat medium sized rocks in your camp fire until they get red hot. Trim all tallow from the meat! Deer fat can taste rank, especially it the deer was old, or a buck. Slice and dice a good sized haunch round, or flank steak into 1 inch pieces. And place in a leather pot. Add spices, and water to cover plus 6 inches, and enough red hot rocks to make the pot boil hard.** When venison is good and tender and rocks have cooled to make the pot simmer, add the other ingredients. 

   ** You can use a stove and a soup pot, but you have to let it boil hard until the meat falls apart at the touch of a fork. Then reduce the heat, add the vegetables, and simmer until done. 

   **This recipe works equally well with elk.

Contributor’s note: This is the stew Christy serves to her sister and ex-fiancé when they arrive from the east in GHOST DANCER. 


   Contributed by Arline Chase, author of GHOST DANCER. 

Friday, September 18, 2015

Catching UP!

No books went to press this week:

Galleys that came in and are waiting for final publication:

PAYBACK: Kathy Sear and Greg Hawkins Series, Vol. 5, by  Michael Field
   During a routine prisoner transfer a dramatic prison escape by four hardened criminals shocks the law enforcement community. A review of their extensive criminal histories reveals they all have one thing in common – Pineview Detectives Greg Hawkins and Kathy Sear are responsible for them being incarcerated.
   The detectives suddenly find themselves in a unique situation as the hunters become the hunted. They are forced to match wits with not only the escaped prisoners but also those that assisted and carried out the prison break.

THE MURDER OF SECRETARY Judd KANE: Adventures on Capital Hill Series, Vol. 2, by Christine Rose, Mariotti
   Second in the popular political thriller series.

Work began or continued on the following:

The Kid Who Wasn't There, by C. M. Albrecht
Jonas gets in pretty deep with a powerful talk show hostess, a mobster and art dealers and a very big Navajo, not to mention a lot of women who try to make him forget he's a happily married man with two children at home, and his troubles extend to home too. Life can be tough!


BLEEDING HEARTS: Killian Kendall Mystery Series, Vol. 1
   Winner of the Stonewall Society's 2002 Pride in the Arts Literary Award in the Whodunit Category! 

REVEREND CASTLE'S CRISIS, Rev. Castle series, Vol. 2 by Celine Rose Mariotti
  
   Rev. Castle is back in another cozy mystery.  


REAP THE WHIRLWIND: Killian Kendall Mystery Series, Vol. 2,  by Josh Aterovis. 
   Suicide, or murder? That's the question in the second Killian Kendall mystery. Will Smith suspects murder when an old childhood pal drowns, and asks his friend Killian for help in solving the mystery.


TRUTH OF YESTERDAY,  by Josh Aterovis

ALL LOST THINGS, by Josh Aterovis

CHANGE  OF WORLDS, by Josh Aterovis


Jack's News!

  by your bookstore cat, 
and gossip columnist!

Had a note from Debi Emmons this week. Here's the latest news about her new book THE TIGER'S CUB.

Hey - 

Just in case you missed the post, I wanted to let you know that Chase Benton and Aloriah Starbird now have their own Facebook page.  At another block on "Fireblossom and the Dream Weaver" - never work with a red head - and these two have so many interesting scenes to show me....

*grin*

So here's the link if you want to check out the new model for Aloriah (and FYI, Dylan Griner - aka "The Face of Chase" - has been in touch and loves the attention and comments from the fan base.  He's a really sweet young man).   

https://www.facebook.com/TheTigersCub

Hope the business is booming!

That Debi Emmons, she sure is a nice lady. Not sure if she has a cat, but she sure knows how to write!

The Writer's Bloc will meet tomorrow, Saturday, September 19, in Meeting Room 3 of the Salisbury Library from 1 to 3. Hope you can make it. 

As for me, your bookstore cat, I have been reading and helping with a lot of new queries about books that look pretty good to me, though I'm still waiting for final answers for one Book Committee Member who has been a bit under the weather. 

We also have work coming in as well from some old friends with new additions to their series books. So it's shaping up to being a busy fall, if I can get Arline back in shape! 


Tom Ward has a new book in the VOLUNTEER series, vol. 4 all ready to send in. STATION 1260, is the title. I can't wait to find out what volunteer firefighter Robert Doyle and his cohorts are up to this time.


Elena Bowman wrote that she is at work on a new addition to one of her series. Sorry, I'm not sure which one, but all of them are grrrrreat! I especially liked the time-travel theme in the series above.  Me? I'm a big time-travel fan -- don't want to waste any of my nine lives.



C.M. Albrecht has a new Jonas McCoy, also vol. 4., called THE KID WHO WASN'T THERE.  If you haven't ready any of the earlier jonas McCoy stories, you'll like them.  



As I may have mentioned before, Barbara Grengs is working on the last in her popular young adult -- Toby Martin Series. That's the first one and it was written long before that darned movie stole her title...

What little work Arline did this week was on his C.M. Albrecht's new cover, but hasn't got anything ready to show anyone yet. I stayed on the desk and helped all I could! But she thought I was napping. Me?  

Arline's the one who's fast asleep most of the time.  I do think her shots are helping, but her vet said her count was "pretty low," whatever that means. I never understand human doctor stuff. We feline people are MUCH easier. We just get a shot once a year and as long as we stay out of the street, that's IT! First she took shots every day. NOW it's once a week.  It sure is taking a LONG, Darned, TIME to fix her! 

Please don't forget to let me know 
what you are all up to! 

Just send arline@mail.com a message with 

 "News for Jack" 

in the subject line, and

I'll make sure it shows up right here. 

  Thanks!

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

A Free read and a wedding recipe


FREE For SEPTEMBER!
Just go to ebooksonthe.net and order
as usual, you will not be charged.
Novella:  While hundreds of guests wait in the church, a bride learns  that the groom has betrayed her. Does she go through with it?


Italian Wedding Cake

Ingredients

1 h 35 m101044

Directions

  • Prep
  • Cook
  • Ready In
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour three 8 inch pans. Combine the buttermilk, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, cream together the shortening, margarine and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg yolks one at a time, then stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla and almond extract. Beat in the buttermilk mixture alternately with the flour, mixing just until incorporated. In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites until they form stiff peaks. Gently fold the egg whites into the batter. Stir in pineapple, coconut and 1 cup pecans.
  3. Pour batter evenly into prepared pans. Bake in the preheated oven for 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow cake layers to cool 10 minutes in pans, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.
  4. To make the frosting: Cream together the butter, cream cheese and confectioners' sugar until blended. Stir in 2 teaspoons vanilla and 1 cup pecans. If frosting is too stiff to spread, stir in milk a teaspoon at a time until it reaches desired consistency.