Book Review: Mistress Firebrand by Donna Thorland

British Occupied Manhattan, 1777. American actress Jenny Leighton has been packing the John Street Theater with her witty comedies, but she longs to escape the provincial circuit for the glamour of the London stage. When the playwright General John Burgoyne visits the city, fresh from a recent success in the capitol, she seizes the opportunity to court his patronage. But her plan is foiled by British intelligence officer Severin Devere.

Severin’s mission is to keep the pleasure-loving general focused on the war effort…and away from pretty young actresses. But the tables are turned when Severin himself can’t resist Jenny Leighton…

Months later, Jenny has abandoned her dreams of stage glory and begun writing seditious plays for the Rebels under the pen name “Cornelia,” ridiculing “Gentleman Johnny” Burgoyne and his army—and undermining the crown’s campaign to take Albany. With Jenny’s name now on the hanging list, Severin is ordered to find her—and deliver her to certain death. Soon, the two are launched on a desperate journey through the wilderness, toward an uncertain future shaped by the revolution—and their passion for each other…

Book Review/Giveaway: Ivory Ghosts by Caitlyn O'Connell

Still grieving over the tragic death of her fiancé, American wildlife biologist Catherine Sohon leaves South Africa and drives to a remote outpost in northeast Namibia, where she plans to face off against the shadowy forces of corruption and relentless human greed in the fight against elephant poaching. Undercover as a census pilot tracking the local elephant population, she’ll really be collecting evidence on the ruthless ivory traffickers.

But before she even reaches her destination, Catherine stumbles onto a scene of horrifying carnage: three people shot dead in their car, and a fourth nearby—with his brain removed. The slaughter appears to be the handiwork of a Zambian smuggler known as “the witchdoctor,” a figure reviled by activists and poachers alike. Forced to play nice with local officials, Catherine finds herself drawn to the prickly but charismatic Jon Baggs, head of the Ministry of Conservation, whose blustery exterior belies his deep investment in the poaching wars.

Torn between her developing feelings and her unofficial investigation, she takes to the air, only to be grounded by a vicious turf war between competing factions of a black-market operation that reaches far beyond the borders of Africa. With the mortality rate—both human and animal—skyrocketing, Catherine races to intercept a valuable shipment. Now she’s flying blind, and a cunning killer is on the move.

Author Interview: Caitlyn O'Connell of Ivory Ghosts

  

Still grieving over the tragic death of her fiancé, American wildlife biologist Catherine Sohon leaves South Africa and drives to a remote outpost in northeast Namibia, where she plans to face off against the shadowy forces of corruption and relentless human greed in the fight against elephant poaching. Undercover as a census pilot tracking the local elephant population, she’ll really be collecting evidence on the ruthless ivory traffickers.

But before she even reaches her destination, Catherine stumbles onto a scene of horrifying carnage: three people shot dead in their car, and a fourth nearby—with his brain removed. The slaughter appears to be the handiwork of a Zambian smuggler known as “the witchdoctor,” a figure reviled by activists and poachers alike. Forced to play nice with local officials, Catherine finds herself drawn to the prickly but charismatic Jon Baggs, head of the Ministry of Conservation, whose blustery exterior belies his deep investment in the poaching wars.

Torn between her developing feelings and her unofficial investigation, she takes to the air, only to be grounded by a vicious turf war between competing factions of a black-market operation that reaches far beyond the borders of Africa. With the mortality rate—both human and animal—skyrocketing, Catherine races to intercept a valuable shipment. Now she’s flying blind, and a cunning killer is on the move.

#AtoZChallenge - All Gallow's Eve - S

SOMERNITES CRUISE

(graphic from www.somernitescruise.org)

Click the Somernites button to go to the official page of the Cruise!  From the home page:

Beautiful and historic Somerset, KY is recognized by the Kentucky State Legislature as “The Car Cruise Capital of Kentucky” and is home to Somernites Cruise, the largest monthly classic car show in the state. Held on the fourth Saturday, April-October, rain or shine, Somernites has garnered national attention with coverage on various TV shows including My Classic Car and Horsepower TV. Now more than half-way into its second decade, the Cruise shows no signs of waning in popularity.

"Somernites Cruise" weekends are the 4th weekend of each month from April through October.  Most of the festivities take place on Saturdays, with vehicles of all shapes, makes, models, ages etc. lining the streets of town with their hoods up.  People walk by, talk with the owners of the vehicles, etc.  People and their cars come from all over the US.  The 15th Annual Somernites Cruise kicks off this Saturday, April 25!

Most of the streets around 'fountain square' are closed to all but Cruise-entry cars after 9 or 10 am.  The crowds are usually large enough that no local would drive through town anyway.  Seriously!  I was on my way to work one day and even as far out from the center of town as I was, it took about 30 minutes to go 1/4 mile.  But when you visit, email me and I'll let you know the best ways to get around the crowds. ;)

(from the Somernites Cruise Facebook Page photo stream)

After 7:00 pm on Cruise weekend, cars take to the 6 lanes of Highway 27, Somerset's 'main drag', but maybe a mile from downtown.  They drive up and down the road, sometimes until well after dark, and the sides of the road are generally crowded with spectators.  Serious spectators.  People who camp out the night before to get their favorite spot.

(from the Somernites Cruise Facebook Page photo stream)

If you are a car enthusiast, this is really a must-see event!

~~~oOo~~~

So have you ever been to a Somernites Cruise?  Are you nuts about cars and antiques?  Let me know in the comments!  

And while you're here, if you click on the butterfly graphic at the top of the post, that will take you to the 2015 A to Z Challenge participant list, where you can find hundreds (I'm not joking here - HUNDREDS!) of other folks who are writing about the A to Z of just about any and every topic under the sun!

#AtoZChallenge - All Gallow's Eve - Q & R

QIANA, ROPE

Originally, I was going to use the name "JC" for the MC's name - short for something like Jesse Christina.  But then I thought I'd change the C to a Q (for the express purposes of having something to write about for the letter "Q" in this challenge!

My other choice was 'quince' as in the fruit.  It looks somewhat like an apple or pear, sometimes bumpy and kind of hard to eat (if memory serves).  My mother used to make a very sweet but delicious jelly from quince when we were growing up.

Anyway, back to the name.  I asked my 12-year old daughter to look up some "Q" names for me and she printed out a list - there were like all of 5 of them.  Qiana resonated the most.  But then Jesse Qiana sounded odd, so I may just go with the one name.  It could bring upsome interesting "Star Trek" related 'Q'-bits in All Gallow's Eve!

With a name like "All Gallow's Eve", it almost scream for a rope to appear, at least in this case.  (In one of the last books I read, Wicked Stitch by Amanda Lee, the victim was strangled by someone using a scarf on which the victim was still working!)

Luckily, the county being a mining/farming area, everybody and their dog has access to rope so it doesn't really narrow the field of suspects.  But further into the investigation maybe something about the component materials or wear patterns could pop-up.

~~~oOo~~~

Click on the sunflower button at the top of the page to go to the 2015 Blogging from A to Z Challenge participant list.  There is something for everyone on that list, as there are several hundred participants!

Author Interview: Dr. John Yeoman of The Cunning Man

  

Looking for clever, fast-paced historical mysteries? Here you’ll discover seven ‘impossible’ crimes, locked room puzzles, passion and riddles galore. Enjoy these lusty crime stories set in Elizabethan England where a ‘cunning man’, Hippo Yeoman, must solve devilish cases to save his friends’ lives, or even his own.

This anthology of short historical mystery stories is a world ‘first’. It’s not only a joy to read in its own right, but it’s also a ‘fictorial': a collection of crime thrillers packed with clever but unobtrusive tips that show you precisely how they were written, to help you write your own stories! They will appeal equally to avid readers of historical crime and students of creative writing who want to enhance their story or novel writing skills, in any genre.

Can you find the culprit before Hippo does? Challenge your own detective skills, enjoy a thundering good read in settings that are wholly authentic to 16th century London, and discover – while you read – how to write a great story!

~~~oOo~~~

INTERVIEW

1. What do the letters after your name stand for? MA Oxon, MA (Res), MPhil, PhD, FSRS.

Master of Arts, Oxford University; MA by Research; Master of Philosophy (a sort of mini-PhD), Doctor of Philosophy; Founder the Society for the Rehabilitation of the Semi-Colon. (All my qualifications, apart from the last one, are real.)

2. From where did the idea for 'fictorials' come?

I developed the ‘fictorial’ approach, plus an interest in historical fiction, in 2001 when I self-published Gardening Secrets That Time Forgot. It was a how-to gardening manual disguised as a novel. (Yes, it was very odd!) In every chapter I had my 15th century gardener stumble on a clever new gardening idea which the ‘editor’ solemnly explained in a footnote so the modern reader could use it in their own garden.

I sold the book through ads in gardening magazines and netted around $130,000. I knew I was onto something with the ‘fictorial’ approach but I lost interest in gardening and didn’t apply the idea to fiction again until this year, with The Cunning Man.

3. What is a witchcraft cabaret?

In my twenties, I chanced upon a professional witch (don't ask me how) who was touting his coven around night clubs. They'd re-enact a spooky witchcraft cabaret, very louche but low on authenticity, for just a few groats. I was newly down from Oxford, a would-be entrepreneur, so I hired the cellar of the Phoenix pub in Cavendish Square, London, and ran a classified ad in Time Out Magazine. Just two lines pulled in over 200 people. I was too busy at the door to see the show, alas, but at one point a naked girl ran through the lobby, howling. And I prayed it was part of the act.

4. One of the stories in The Cunning Man mentions him polishing glass containers with his beard?

Yes, the cover shows a youthful Hippo Yeoman with a short beard. He grew his beard down to his waist later to appear wise and attract bigger fees. Alas, it didn't work. In my stories, he is perennially poor.

5. Are the books in which Hippo appears a series of sorts?

Yes. I have four Hippo books up at Amazon: Fear Of Evil, Dream Of Darkness, an anthology The Cunning Man and a single long story The Hog Lane Murders.

6. If you could live at any time throughout history, when would it be and why?

It would have to be today, because medical science was almost non-existent before the 20th century. (Up until the 19th century, as many as 10% of people died from tooth infections. If you lived in London, you were unlikely to survive beyond your 40th year.) But if I had to choose an historic era, it would be Dr Johnson's London. Ale, ribaldry and coffee house gossip had their heyday. It was my kind of place.

7. If you could invite any writer from history to your house for supper, who would it be and what would be on the menu?

Dr Samuel Johnson. The menu would consist of a large bowl of punch and Johnson's irritating scribe, Boswell, would be locked away in the outhouse.

8. Do you ever speak at children's schools and what do (or would) you say?

No, I don't, but if I did I'd say: write for fun. And don't let anyone ever tell you that your stories are no good. After all, what do they know?

9. What is a morris dance?

This is a traditional English entertainment - still performed at pubs - in which a group of half-drunken men (and occasionally women) leap about very dangerously waving sticks, swords and handkerchiefs, to the sound of fiddles, drums and concertinas. The name goes back to the 15th century and is supposedly derived from 'Moorish dance', although it may have originated in Cornwall. Tourists visiting an English pub are strongly discouraged from taking part as their travel insurance does not cover the inevitable accidents.

10. What place in the world have you never visited, but would most like to?

Sybil's Club in Paris in 1893. It was the haunt of princes and poets, rogues and millionaires (but I repeat myself). It is the venue for my next novels in which Hippo's great grandson, much removed, is hired to discover who murdered the city's literary agents. He accepts the contract for one reason only: so he can shake the killer's hand.

~~~oOo~~~

Thank you, Dr. Yeoman for giving my readers a little more insight into your life and works!

Book Review/Giveaway: The Deadly Dog Show by Jerold Last

The sixth book in the popular Roger and Suzanne mystery series finds Roger and Bruce hired to go undercover impersonating the owner and handler of a Champion German Shorthaired Pointer named Juliet to investigate certain irregularities that might be occurring at dog shows in California. To complicate this case the bodies of dead judges start popping up and Suzanne picks up a mysterious stalker sending her most unwelcome gifts. Throw in drug cartels and corrupt cops and it sounds like a typical job for our detective couple.

The Deadly Dog Show can be read as a stand-alone novel.

#AtoZChallenge - All Gallow's Eve - O and P

OAKWOOD

Oakwood is the name at a 'residential/teaching facility for adults with MR/DD' (mental retardation and developmental disabilities).  I worked there for four years.  So, it's not a tourist-y thing that you could see when you visit Kentucky.  But there seem to be an incredible amount of services for people with, shall we say, intellectual differences, here in my state.

My job as a 'residential associate' was both the best and the worst job I've ever had.  A residential associate assisted the residents (although the preferred term was 'client') with ADL's (activities of daily living) and the acquisition of new skills.

The first book idea I had in recent years involved going undercover as a resident at a facility such as Oakwood.  But it would have to be carefully *ahem* worded.

The best thing about the place was working with the residents.  I started out in a 'cottage' that had all high-functioning male clients.  I went to the ER five times in the first six months of employment.  Some years later I heard that the one man who had been the most difficult had gone to a group home with other high-functioning 'alpha' males and wound up getting beaten to death.  He was a jerk, but he didn't deserve that.

After six months, I was transferred to a cottage that had men on one side and women on the other.  I worked with the women and most of them were in wheelchairs at least for transport.  Some of them I considered a second family.  My second inter-house transfer came about 3 years later after a *ahem* rather vocal disagreement with one of the so-called 'professionals' concerning one of the clients.  She attempted to have me 'taken off the floor', but that failed.  So she reported the home manager for some imagined offense and that woman was transferred.  What a joke.

Anyway, I got transferred with a client (over whom the aforementioned disagreement took place) to a home with higher-functioning females, where I was injured severely enough on two occasions to warrant more than a year of medical leave.

And I took up smoking less than a year after I started working there.  It was either than or bang my head or my fist against a wall in frustration.

It wasn't all bad, though.  I developed several close friendships that continue to this day.  I would still step between one of my 'clients' and any danger.  And I have a lot less hesitation when going into a potentially physically dangerous situation.

~~~oOo~~~

POTATO CANDY

One day, before my husband and I got married, I was speaking on the phone with my future mother-in-law.  She told me about DH's favorite candy in the world and said that he would love me forever if I made it for him.  Wanting to encourage that, I took down the recipe she dictated over the phone:

-1/2 c. mashed potato

-1/2 c. butter

1.  cream that all together, then add

-powdered sugar

2.  in sufficient quantity to make the mixture workable without sticking to your hands.

So I did that.

DH was sitting in the living room at a computer.  I walked out there with a bowl of the stuff and made him close his eyes.  Then I spoon-fed him a little bit of this fondant and asked him what he thought of it.  He said it tasted good, then asked what it was.  I said, "Isn't this your favorite candy - potato candy?  Your mom said it was your favorite!"

"What about the peanut butter," he asked.  WHAT?!?!

She had forgotten to tell me that part, maybe thinking that I would have known it somehow.  Anyway, the recipe should continue like this:

3.  Roll out the mixture into a rectangular shape on a piece of waxed paper or plastic wrap.  Spread a thin-ish layer of peanut butter over the mixture.  Then, roll it up like you would a cinnamon roll log.  Cool for a while in the refrigerator for easier cutting.  But if it's too cold it's more likely to crumble.

~~~oOo~~~

Click the big sunflower graphic at the top of the page in order to go to the participant list for the 2015 Blogging from A to Z Challenge to find more great writer-bloggers!

Book Review: The Cunning Man by John Yeoman

Looking for clever, fast-paced historical mysteries? Here you’ll discover seven ‘impossible’ crimes, locked room puzzles, passion and riddles galore. Enjoy these lusty crime stories set in Elizabethan England where a ‘cunning man’, Hippo Yeoman, must solve devilish cases to save his friends’ lives, or even his own.

This anthology of short historical mystery stories is a world ‘first’. It’s not only a joy to read in its own right, but it’s also a ‘fictorial': a collection of crime thrillers packed with clever but unobtrusive tips that show you precisely how they were written, to help you write your own stories! They will appeal equally to avid readers of historical crime and students of creative writing who want to enhance their story or novel writing skills, in any genre.

Can you find the culprit before Hippo does? Challenge your own detective skills, enjoy a thundering good read in settings that are wholly authentic to 16th century London, and discover – while you read – how to write a great story!

#AtoZChallenge - All Gallow's Eve - N

NEWPORT AQUARIUM

According to the Newport Aquarium site, they were voted the #1 aquarium in the country.  It just doesn't say when.  I did not get to go on this trip that my husband, children and mother-in-law took, as I had to work.  There have been several occasions like that and on one occasion I got a tattoo on my right shoulder with my kids' initials and birthstone colors in hearts so I wouldn't miss them as much.  I'm glad the kids had a wonderful experience, but I have to admit to being a wee bit jealous at such times.

Even if you couldn't tell by the date on the photos, you could tell that these are *ahem* old pictures, because the kids here are the same ones in the cave pictures from yesterday.  Only they're more like young adults now.  Heck, the boys are old enough to drive!

Aside from the Louisville Zoo, and maybe Kentucky Kingdom (amusement park) I'd hazard a guess that the Newport Aquarium is probably the most visited family-oriented destination in the state.

I can see a school field-trip or two in All Gallow's Eve where "the poor ignorant country children are treated to the educational experiences available only in the big city".  At this point, I can hear DS2 (far right in the above picture) say, "do I notice a hint of sarcasm"?  Hmmm.  What do you think?

Ok.  I'll stop now.

~~~oOo~~~

Click on the sunflower graphic at the very top of this post to see the list of 2015 A to Z Challenge participants and visit their blogs to see what they are writing about this year!

#AtoZChallenge - All Gallow's Eve - M

MAMMOTH CAVE

I guess I was feeling lazy yesterday, or maybe I was worried about the flooding state of emergency in our county, or both.  Anyway, I thought I would repost some pictures we took in Mammoth Cave in Western Kentucky.

Above is DD (dear daughter-sitting), DS2 and DS1.  DS2 is not really taller than DS1 (he might have been standing on a rock.  And since then he has 'grown into his height'.  He's definitely not as stocky anymore.  But in this silhouette, he does look AMAZINGLY like his paternal grandfather.

This was in the first chamber where we topped for some history information.  That was after descending some 400 stairs.  Now, since I got kicked in the knee at a job 4-5 years ago, and had an operation on that same knee. I can count the number of times on one hand that I have not gone down steps like a toddler, both feet landing on each step one foot after the other.  There was simply no time if I did not want to hold up the entire group.  I was holding onto the railings for dear life.

There were four (or maybe five) tours available from that area going to different parts of the 400 mile cave network.  We chose a medium-length tour.  The kids kind of wanted to do that one, and I did not want to be what made us choose something else.  The guides made several general warnings before we left about the degree of difficulty on the hike and anyone who thought they might have trouble could till back out.  I was *ahem* not thinking straight and said, "No problem!"  

It was that with that thought of not disappointing my children (and not wanting them to worry about me) , and with God's help I made it through without having to be carried out.  I was 'purt near' delirious by the time we got to the final chamber.  When they said, up the walkway and outside, I think I bit on my tongue to keep from crying tears of joy! *lol*  (Yeah, sure, NOW I can laugh about it!)

There was a 3-4 hour drive home, interrupted by stopping at a restaurant.  We had never been there before, but I swear that was just about the best food I have ever tasted!  (It is a regional chain, and we have visited several of their locations since then.  The food is really good, but that day ... mmm, mmm, GOOD!)

And I don't know about the kids but my husband admitted being sore the next day.  Me?  I could hardly move for the following two days.  

I wasn't born in the hills of Kentucky, but I have some of the mule-stubbornness that seems to run in my in-laws' family.  And my father's side of my ancestors came from West Virginia, next door to the east from Kentucky.  Maybe all this contributes to my love for the Appalachian region.

One word of caution - if you ever take one of the Mammoth Cave tours, make sure someone in your party has a working flashlight.  (In our case, of course, the park rangers all had flashlights.)  Because, if the lights go out while you are down there, you cannot see your hand even if it is touching your nose.

~~~oOo~~~

The sunflower graphic at the top contains a link to the participants' page at A to Z Central, where you have a choice of literally hundreds of blogs to explore!

AUDIO BOOK REVIEW/GIVEAWAY - Shelf Life by Christina George

Publishing: An industry of out-of-control of egos, unrealistic expectations, and books with the shelf life of milk. This is Kate’s world, but for how long?

When one of Kate Mitchell’s star authors is carted away in handcuffs, she thinks it’s only the beginning of her troubles. As her world crumbles around her, Kate desperately looks for anyone to hold on to but finds that happy endings are truly works of fiction. When her career and love affair hit their expiration dates, Kate sets off on a new adventure....

Starting over in California is easy, but Kate soon learns that leaving her old life behind isn’t. Nicholas Lavigne is eager to help her forget, but two things still own her heart: the dream of discovering the next great American novel and MacDermott Ellis. As Kate tries to rebuild her life, she finds a surprising gift that reboots her career in a new and unexpected direction. Suddenly her name becomes synonymous with one of the biggest best sellers publishing has seen in ages, and she's welcomed back with open arms. At the height of her success, the ghosts of her past come back to remind her of the world she'd been trying to forget and the man who never let go of her heart. Behind the book there’s always more to the story.

#AtoZChallenge - All Gallow's Eve - L

LOUISVILLE - A CITY STORY

Before we moved to Kentucky, we lived in Texas.  One two occasions, we drove up here with the kids to visit Chris's Dad and Mamaw.  Both times, our vehicle broke down beyond simple repair and Chris's Dad had to come and rescue us several hundred miles away from his home.  Yeah, I know most parents would do that for their children, and certainly grandparents for grandchildren.  But there are a couple of exceptional additions to this set-up.

First of all, my father-in-law's right leg is amputated above the knew due to an infection that had set in after a surgery.  Secondly, he had not met our two boys before our first visit.  Secondly, the first time I met my father-in-law was when he knocked on our motel room door at 2am after he arrived from Kentucky to pick us up.

So, that was all set up for the real story.  We were waiting in a gas station-cafe while someone was trying to fix our vehicle when I overheard the following story.  Some version of this will probably wind up in All Gallow's Eve.

A table of locals were sitting there talking amongst themselves.  They were trying to determine the pronunciation of the capital city of Kentucky, whether it was "Loo-iss-ville" or "Loo-ee-ville".  My mind played the following retort:

"First of all, the capital of Kentucky if FRANKFORT!  Secondly, it's not pronounced "Loo-iss-ville" OR "Loo-ee-ville", *ahem* silly, it's "LOO-uh-vull", or even "LOO-vull".  You'll be pegged for an outsider right off talking like that!"

~~~oOo~~~

Click the sunflower graphic at the top of the page to see the LONG list of other #AtoZChallenge participants and see what they're on about this month!

#AtoZChallenge - All Gallow's Eve - K

A SHORT FIELD GUIDE TO KENTUCKY-ISMS

Book Review/Giveaway: Wicked Stitch by Amanda Lee

When murder strikes the small town of Tallulah Falls, embroidery shop owner Marcy Singer isn’t afraid of getting into the knitty-gritty to clear her own name…

For most small-business owners in Tallulah Falls, the upcoming Renaissance Faire is a wonderful way to promote their specialty shops. For Marcy’s nemesis, Nellie, and her sister Clara, it’s an opportunity to finally put Marcy and her shop, the Seven-Year Stitch, out of business. Apparently the sisters like to keep their grudges all in the family and have set up a competing booth right next to Marcy’s at the Faire.

When Clara is discovered dead in her own booth—strangled by the scarf she had almost finished knitting—Marcy becomes the prime suspect. Now she has to do whatever it takes to keep her reputation from unraveling and get to the bottom of a most deadly yarn…

Book Review/Giveaway: Chef Maurice and a Spot of Truffle by J. A. Lang

It’s autumn in the Cotswolds, and Chef Maurice is facing a problem of mushrooming proportion.

Not only has his wild herb and mushroom supplier, Ollie Meadows, missed his weekly delivery—he’s missing vital signs too, when he turns up dead in the woods near Beakley village.

Soon, Chef Maurice is up to his nose in some seriously rotten business—complete with threatening notes, a pignapping, and an extremely well-catered stake-out.

Can he solve Ollie’s murder before his home-made investigation brings the killer out for second helpings?

Book Review/Giveaway: A Bookmarked Death by Judi Culbertson

For the first time in nearly twenty years, Delhi Laine’s family is whole. But that doesn’t mean everything is back to normal. With no proof to condemn her daughter’s kidnappers, Delhi’s family is forced to share Elisa with her “adopted” parents. But when they suddenly perish in a mysterious house fire, Elisa is heartbroken…and Delhi’s husband, Colin, is charged with their murder. Delhi knows it’s up to her to prove his innocence, but the deeper she digs, the more it becomes evident that nothing is as it seems. When Elisa goes missing, Delhi fears her nightmare may be repeating itself. If she can’t clear Colin’s name and find Elisa again, there may not be another chance. Twenty years ago she lost her daughter…if she fails now, she might lose everything—and everyone—she holds dear.

#AtoZChallenge - All Gallow's Eve - J

JULEP

Book Review: A Chance Kill by Paul Letters

A Chance Kill is a wartime thriller where an old-fashioned love story forges through a conspiracy of authentic, action-filled adventures.

Based upon the author’s grandmother’s experience, seventeen-year-old Polish catholic Dyta Zając finds herself forced away from wartime Warsaw due to her family’s shadowy connections. Dyta’s time on the run sets her on a path towards confronting the ultimate Nazi.

Half a continent away, an RAF bomber crew embarks upon Britain’s little-known first offensive of the war. Courtship edges Dyta’s destiny closer to that of members of the RAF crew – and toward the Allies’ most brazen covert operation to strike at the Nazi elite.

But more dangerous than the enemy, however, is the assumption that your enemy’s enemy is your friend…

#AtoZChallenge - All Gallow's Eve - I

ICE STORMS

I was going to write a little about the ice storms we get here in Kentucky.  A couple of years back, there was a paralyzing ice storm in Kentucky.  Power was out in parts of our rural county for almost two weeks.  Part of me knows that with a widespread outage like that, the power company will help more people by getting the power (and heat) back on in more populated areas first.  Part of me resents having to wait until last.  Luckily, the country turns out a pretty gritty kind of resident.  At the time, we came to Chris's paternal grandmother's house, because she had a wood-burning stove in her kitchen (in additional to the one normally used for cooking. 

Well, Mamaw passed in 2011, and last year we bought her house from my father-in-law and his two brothers.  So when we had a couple of (less severe but dang cold nonetheless) ice storms this last winter, we were ready.  

But, I'm not going to go into more detail because I am very sad tonight.

A few weeks ago, one of our dogs had eight puppies.  One of them was a runt, about half the size of her brothers and sisters.  I've been losing sleep the last couple of weeks, getting up several nights a week to feed her with an eyedropper.  She seemed to be picking up and we felt safe enough to leave as a family for a couple of hours tonight.

When we came back, she was Gone.  Not as in missing gone, but Gone with a capital G.  As in the 'big sleep'.  As in "All Dogs go to Heaven".  My daughter, who is taking it worse than I am, called her "Ivory".  Chris and our oldest son called her "Runt".  I took to calling her "Little Bit".

Cup you hand for a minute.  Not both, just one.  Imagine a puppy small enough to fit there with space left over.  Little Bit was that little.  But she had a big heart.

Review and Giveaway: Knight of Rapture by Ruth A. Casie

He crossed the centuries to find her…

For months Lord Arik has been trying to find the right combination of runes to create the precise spell to rescue his wife, Rebeka, but the druid knight will soon discover that reaching her four hundred years in the future is only the beginning of his quest. He arrives in the 21st century to find her memory of him erased, his legacy on the brink of destruction, and traces of dark magick at every turn.

A threat has followed to take away all they hold dear—forever…

Bran, the dark druid, is more determined than ever to get his revenge. His evil has spread across the centuries. Arik will lose all. Time is his weapon, and he’s made sure his plan leaves no one dear to Arik, in past or present, safe from the destruction.

But their enemy has overlooked the strongest magick of all…

Professor Rebeka Tyler is dealing with more than just a faulty memory. Ownership of Fayne Manor, her home, has been called into question. Convenient accidents begin happening putting those she cares for in the line of fire. And then there’s the unexpected arrival of a strange man dressed like he belonged in a medieval fair—a man who somehow is always around when needed, and always on her mind. She doesn’t know who to trust. But one thing is certain. Her family line and manor have survived for over eleven centuries. She won’t let them fall, not on her watch… in any century.

#AtoZChallenge - All Gallow's Eve - H

HATS & HOMEBREW

Hats

I couple of days ago, I mentioned the Kentucky Derby and its traditions.  One of those traditions that gathers a lot of attention every year is the array of showy hats.  Mostly the women seem to be the creative ones, but every once in a while you get a gentleman who gets into the Derby spirit as well.  At the official Kentucky Derby site, there is a gallery of pictures of recent hats.

The first and the last in the series are my favorite.  I'm going to post them here (with attribution) and hope that nobody gets mad.

(photo:  Dan Dry/Power Creative at the Kentucky Derby site)

I like this one because it's huge and an attention-grabber, but there are elements of style as well.

(photo:  Chris Burkhardt at Kentucky Derby site)

I don't know who these people are, but I love them!  Amidst all the seriousness of the race, with the training and work and getting bets in on time, these folks know that the essence of the Derby is to celebrate and have fun!

~~~oOo~~~

Homebrew

One of the things that absolutely SHOCKED me about Kentucky when we moved here was that there are still places that are "dry" - where it is illegal to sell alcohol.  There are no restrictions on making your own, you just can't sell it.  And my brother and sister Kentuckians are an enterprising bunch, so there is quite the thriving homebrew community out there.

And I make a distinction between homebrew and moonshine.  People hear 'moonshine' and they think illegal production and distribution and hillbillies, (like Granny Clampett's 'rheumatiz medicine' on the Beverly Hillbillies)!  And while I cannot declare unequivocally that 'moonshine is now mainstream' you do tend to see bottles in liquor stores with the term on the label.  We even got a bottle of "Blackberry Moonshine" that was packaged in a Mason jar (of course!) a while back.  We used it mostly for cooking.  No really!  For drinks we are either a Dr. Pepper, Coke Zero or sweet iced tea family, and in the biggest cups we can find.  And that's just not the way to drink moonshine, if you are looking for any kind of 'pleasant' experience.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.  Don't hesitate to click on the logo at the very top to visit more of the participants in the 2015 Blogging from A to Z Challenge!

#AtoZChallenge - All Gallow's Eve - G

GREEN LIVING AND GLASGOW HIGHLAND GAMES

Green Living

In 2013, my family attended a Kentucky Green Living Fair at the Barn at Redgate.  From their website:

Workshops, demonstrations, green market, live music, heirloom seed swap, and local food… all in one place!

Topics this year include beekeeping, gardening, self-sufficiency, composting toilets, aquaponics, backyard poultry, mead-making, and more!

Our green market features over five dozen sustainable exhibitors from around the state of Kentucky and beyond! On the exhibit hall floor, you will find demonstrations, book signings, live animals, and lots of hands-on kids activities.

This is Kentucky’s largest sustainability event with almost 2,000 attendees. 

(picture from the KGL Fair website-attribution not available)

There is a LOT of interest in green living in Kentucky.  Part of it is because it's good stewardship of our planet. Another part is because Kentuckians are fiercely proud, independent.  And part is because since the decline of the tobacco and coal industries, a lot of Kentucky families are struggling and very much live the Depression-era saying, "Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without."

~~~oOo~~~

Glasgow Highland Games

So what does a city in Scotland have to do with Kentucky and/or All Gallow's Eve?

Because these Glasgow Highland Games are in Glasgow, Kentucky (just down the Cumberland Parkway from Edmonton, Kentucky).  A lot of cities and towns in Kentucky bear the names of places from where its immigrants came.

(from the GHG website - attribution not available)

I'm not saying that there will be a Highland Games in All Gallow's Eve, but some kind of heritage festival will be in order.  

Review/Giveaway: Learning the Secret Language of Cats by Dr. Carol Teed DVM

Dr. Teed began to write this book because she felt a book like this was missing from the bookshelves of cat owners and lovers. It became a labour of love with each page written as she realized she could impact so many cat lives and hopefully prevent preventable disease, behavioural issues and euthanasia. With humour, candor and intelligence, Dr. Teed not only provides insight into modern day feline health and welfare issues, but describes how the experiences of the cat are mirrored in our own lives. 

Dr. Teed explores the body-mind-soul connection and notes what feeds the mind is often deficient in the modern world we have constructed for ourselves and our cats. These deficiencies then become written on the body. She feels a more integrated approach to care of our felines is what is needed now for the modern cat. Through personal stories of lessons learned over her years as a veterinarian in feline practice and as an overall cat lover, Dr. Teed calls the cat the ultimate success story and through careful study has found the secrets to his success. She has observed first hand time and time again the positive power of the cat to affect change in small sprees and reflects what an amazing thing it would be if we were all a bit more cat-like. In her words, every household can benefit from a cat.