Giving Thanks

I love Christmas. I love all of the decorations, the music, the food, and all of the excitement.

But, Thanksgiving is always special. It's a time to slow down before the rush of the Christmas holidays, and just say thank you for the blessings of the last year.

So, I'm grateful for all of you for reading Lesa's Book Critiques for the last year. It's been fun to talk books with all of you in the last year, and I hope we keep in touch here and on other blogs and websites for the next year.

I appreciate all the authors who take time to put their thoughts, and their hearts, out there for all us to touch. I'm thankful for your books, and for all of the publishers and publicists who sent me books in the last year. I hope I continue to make it worthwhile for you to send books. I'll try to continue to share my enthusiasm for them. I don't know what my life would be like without books.

I'm thankful for the career I've had in public libraries, working in them since I was sixteen. I've worked with wonderful people, met great people at the library, and had the opportunity to talk and share books with people in Ohio, Florida and Arizona over the years. And, I'm sending my hugs to all of you I've worked with. Thank you for being in my life.

I'm glad I have all of the cats in my life. They add joy and laughter to every day. I'm glad we were able to add the little one this year, Jinx.



The actual picture of my mother and sisters is terrific, but taking a picture of it distorts it a little. Two years ago, my mother, Elizabeth Growel, and my sisters, Linda and Christie, came out to surprise me for my 50th birthday. These are my favorite women in my life. I love you, and I'm so thankful you're my family.





And, a final thank you to Jim, for twenty-six years. I love you, and I'm thankful for the life we lead now, the books and sports we've shared over the years, the cats we love, and all of our time together.





Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!

Putting a Face on Harlequin

Harlequin recently announced they were going into the vanity publishing business, with the formation of a new venture between Harlequin Enterprises and ASI Solutions to form Harlequin Horizons, a vanity/subsidy press. The discussion of this, and how it will affect the ability of authors to be members of professional organizations, and eligible for awards, is all over the web. Responses are summarized very well here. Romance Writers of America, Mystery Writers of America, and Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America have all issued statements, as has Sisters in Crime. On a personal level, I have to respect the different organizations that are speaking up on behalf of authors.

All of these organizations are dedicated to protecting the rights of authors. They point out that a vanity press does not benefit authors, and because of that, Harlequin is endangering the rights of their authors to belong to any of the organizations mentioned above, or to be eligible for the prestigious prizes given out by those organizations. All of this information is summed up online, and the site I linked to gives excellent information and responses.

But, let's put faces to Harlequin. If Harlequin continues in their venture (and coming days will show if they will or not), these authors, if they were starting out today, could not join the organizations, if their only published works were through Harlequin. They can continue to belong, but any future books they publish with Harlequin will not be eligible for awards.

Mira is an imprint familiar to many readers of this blog. The Mira line is from
Harlequin. Hank Phillippi Ryan's Charlie McNally mysteries are published by Mira. Her debut novel, Prime Time, was the winner of the prestigious AGATHA Award for Best First Novel, a RITA Nominee for Best First Novel and Best Romantic Suspense, a DAPHNE Nominee for Best Romantic Suspense and RT Reviewers Choice Award Winner and TOP PICK. Now, her next book, Drive Time, would not be eligible for any RITA awards, if Harlequin persists in their plans. It would not be eligible for Edgar awards, either.

Jason Pinter's books are from Mira. His Henry Parker series would not be eligible for Edgar awards. Here's just a few authors whose books are published with Mira: Debbie Macomber, Susan Wiggs, Alex Kava, Kat Martin, Pamela Morsi, Emilie Richards, Heather Graham, Brenda Novak, Rick Mofina, J.T. Ellison, Michelle Gagnon, Kate Wilhelm.

The Luna line would be affected by the statement from the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. These are books by Catherine Asaro, P.C. Cast, Mercedes Lackey, and Diana Palmer, among others.

And, of course, there's Harlequin itself. Can you imagine my holiday books without a romance by Holly Jacobs? Can you imagine the RITA Awards given out, and Debbie Macomber, Linda Lael Miller, and Diana Palmer are not eligible?

As I said, go to the earlier website, and read about the controversy. Or, put Harlequin Horizons in Google, and find out what the issues are. They're discussing them all over the blogs. I just thought I'd take a slightly different angle, and mention the authors who will be affected, in some way, by Harlequin's decision. I just wanted to put a face on the issue.

How Not to Survive the Holidays by Desert Sleuths Sisters in Crime

Are you a little tired of the sweet Christmas stories with happy endings? The Desert Sleuths Chapter of Sisters in Crime has just the story collection for you, How Not to Survive the Holidays.

The anthology has a little bit of crime for everyone. Deborah J. Ledford's "A Christmas Tail" is a story for those of us who are cat lovers. There's something sneaky going on in Connie Flynn's story, "There's a Dead Elf in Santa's Workshop." Try Roni Olson's "Relativity," a traditional mystery about a family trapped by a blizzard at Christmas. JoAnne Zeterberg brings us a protective ghost in "The Gift. And, try two favorites, Judy Starbuck's story of a mystery writer who takes her life into her own hands, "A Christmas Stalking," and Merle McCann's "Yule Night," a historical piece set in 1902.

I'm a fan of short stories, and anthologies provide the opportunity to discover new authors. How Not to Survive the Holidays might be just the gift for the person who needs a break from holiday festivities. Give the gift of crime this year.

How Not to Survive the Holidays by Desert Sleuths Sisters in Crime. DS Publishing,
©2009. ISBN 9780615306650 (paperback), 218p.

FTC Full Disclosure: The Desert Sleuths Chapter of Sisters in Crime will be appearing at the Velma Teague Library for Authors@The Teague on Saturday, Dec. 5 at
2 PM. I was given a copy of the book to read since they'll be appearing at the library.

The Treacherous Teddy by John J. Lamb

It's just a crime that The Treacherous Teddy will probably be the last book in John J. Lamb's Bear Collector's Mystery Series. These unique mysteries just didn't sell enough books. I will say Berkley Prime Crime gave them terrific covers by artist Jeff Crosby, and there were five books in the series, but I don't know that they ever found the right market.

How do you market an outstanding police procedural series that appears under the auspices of a cozy series, and includes teddy bear shows and collecting? I don't know how Lamb and Berkley could have done a better job, so I feel we bloggers didn't do a good enough job promoting these books. I only discovered them in the last couple months, so I fell a few years short in getting behind these books. And, I apologize to all of Lamb's fans who are going to miss further adventures from Brad and Ashleigh Lyon.

Saying that, The Treacherous Teddy would actually wrap up the series if it has to do that. Brad and Ashleigh Lyon are quite content with their life in the Shenandoah Valley. Brad, a retired homicide inspector from San Francisco, acts as an investigation consultant to the local sheriff's department. Ashleigh is now a volunteer deputy sheriff. And, they enjoy their lives as bear collectors and artists. They have good friends, including the local sheriff, Tina Barron, and the owner of a local restaurant, a Russian immigrant with a mysterious past.

When The Treacherous Teddy opens, Brad is home working on a bear, and listening to the police scanner when he hears Ash assisting the local game warden until she's sideswiped by a car. Giving up the chase when she's afraid to endanger others, she returns to the farm where the car appeared, and finds a body. Now that Saab is of even more interest to the sheriff's department.

It's a busy time for Brad, Ashleigh, and Tina. They're all involved in the first local bear collector's show, but murder takes precedence. And, there are too many suspects, a local poacher, a neighbor that hated the victim, and the driver of the mysterious Saab. As they wear out, running from one suspect to another, and back to the scene of the crime, a local house goes up in flames. Just what they need, arson on top of murder.

John J. Lamb's mysteries are strong police procedurals, with heart. Brad Lyon uses puns and gallows humor to get through life. And, Brad and Ashleigh are a terrific couple, very much in love after over twenty-five years of marriage. It's a pleasure to read about a married team that respects each other, and enjoys their lives together. I'm going to miss Brad and Ashleigh Lyon.

If this is the last book in the Bear Collector's Mystery series, The Treacherous Teddy takes Brad and Ashleigh Lyon out on a high note. I hope John J. Lamb has success with future books.

John J. Lamb's website is www.johnjlamb.net

The Treacherous Teddy by John J. Lamb. Berkley Prime Crime, ©2009. ISBN 9780425230329 (paperback), 320p.

FTC Full Disclosure: Library book

Sunday Tidbits

Today, I'm starting a new feature, filled with newsy tidbits discovered over the last week. Most of them aren't big enough for an entire blog, but I'd like to keep you updated. So, here are a few pieces of the book world.

Leighton Gage had the following information on DorothyL this week. Yrsa Sigurdárdottir, Cara Black, Dan Waddell, Michael Stanley and Gage have always had one thing in common - they write mysteries set in vastly different areas of the globe. So, they've just launched a blog together, http://murderiseverywhere.blogspot.com. Check it out!

Betty Webb will appear at the Velma Teague Library on Jan. 25, for Authors@The Teague, so it's a pleasure to repeat her announcement. Library Journal voted Desert Lost, her new Lena Jones novel, one of the TOP FIVE MYSTERY NOVELS OF 2009. Congratulations, Betty! Betty's website is http://www.bettywebb-mystery.com.

And, a note - two of those five top mystery novels were published by Poisoned Pen Press. The other title, also by an Arizona author, was J.M. Hayes' Server Down: A Mad Dog & Englishman Mystery. Nice going, Poisoned Pen!

Last Sunday, I reviewed Lorna Barrett's Bookplate Special, her latest Booktown Mystery. Today, on The Lipstick Chronicles, she discusses a poor review of that book on Amazon. Oh, and Bookplate Special just happens to appear at #27 on the New York Times Mass Market Paperback List today. Congratulations, Lorna!

And, I'm a little late with Jim's tip of the week. Last weekend, he started Stephen King's Under the Dome. He wanted me to tell you then that it's a fantastic read, back to the old Stephen King. He said it will grab you immediately. It hadn't yet appeared at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list, so he wanted to give you the tip, and I didn't get it done. But, at the time, he was curious that he hadn't seen any publicity about the book. There's no information about it on the flyleaf, and no picture of King on the book. So, he wondered if King was just curious what would happen with word-of-mouth. Well, Jim's words say it's 1000 pages that will keep you engrossed.

We'll see if I have enough Sunday Tidbits to make this a weekly feature.

Sunday Salon: PostSecret: Confessions on Life, Death, and God by Frank Warren

A salon is a place for the exchange of ideas, so what better place to discuss Frank Warren's latest PostSecret book than Sunday Salon? It's been two years since Warren's last collection, so some readers might not be familiar with his fascinating compilations. The new book is PostSecret: Confessions on Life, Death, and God.

In 2004, Frank Warren started the PostSecret project, asking people to share their secrets with him by sending them on postcards. Since then, he's received over four hundred thousand postcards, many of them anonymous. People have bared their souls, revealing secrets they never told anyone about their feelings and their lives. Naturally, they're short, usually one or two lines since they're on a postcard. But, all of the secrets of the world can be revealed in those lines. There are stories that will make you smile, even more that will break your heart, and so many that will make you think of your own life. Some stories stay with you once you read it. A co-worker has always remembered an early postcard, "I am a Southern Baptist Pastor's Wife. No one knows that I do not believe in God." It must have been a powerful message because it's included in the Foreward to this book.

Rebecca Alban Hoffberger, Founder and Director of the American Visionary Art Museum, wrote the forward since she asked Warren to curate a PostSecret mini-exhibition in conjunction with a show, "All Faiths Beautiful: From Atheism to Zoroastrianism, Respect for Diversity of Belief." This book is the result, a small book with powerful messages.

Everyone will be struck by different messages, depending on your own life. I do know it feels voyeuristic peering into other people's secrets. But, show this book, or any other PostSecret book, to a friend, and they'll be hooked.

My favorite postcards in this book are my favorites because my father died when he was only 59. One says, "Sometimes when my dad tells me stories I've already heard, I can't help but think about how much I'll miss hearing them when he's gone. I love you, Dad." And, the other is, "If I died today, would there be anything you wish you had said to me?" College students and other young adults are big fans of the PostSecret books. They're for all audiences, but think of them as a gift for a young adult.

Religion, death, sex, families. All of these secrets have been revealed to Frank Warren, and, through Warren, to all of us. They're beautiful, tragic, sad, funny. And, they will move you. They're our lives, with the latest peek in PostSecret: Confessions on Life, Death, and God.

The PostSecret website is www.postsecret.com

FTC Full Disclosure: Library book

PostSecret: Confessions on Life, Death, and God by Frank Warren. HarperCollins, ©2009. ISBN 9780061859335 (hardcover), 404p.

Christmas Jars Reunion by Jason F. Wright

Jason F. Wright's Christmas Jars was a magical book. Now, he brings back some of the cast, and retells the story in Christmas Jars Reunion, a sequel that tells about how lives can change with a little "change."

As a baby, Hope Jensen was left in a booth at Chuck's Chicken 'n' Biscuits. Now, twenty-five years later, she lost the mother who adopted her, found her birth mother, and lost two men who took her under their wings. And, both of those men wholeheartedly took part in the Christmas Jars tradition, filling jars with change, and giving it anonymously on Christmas Eve to someone who needed it. So, Hope takes the Christmas Jars as a mission, and her plan this year is to give away 1001 jars.

But, somehow, Hope gets carried away, viewing quantities of the Christmas Jars, and publicity for the mission, as important. She links up with a salesman, Al, who sees expansion of the Christmas Jars as a project with potential. Clark Maxwell, who gave up a baseball dream to come home and take over a furniture restoration business, sees the change in the woman he's grown to love, but he allows her to find her own way. It will take a little girl with her own Christmas Jar to remind Hope of the importance of those single jars.

Jason F. Wright's books are Christmas stories with messages, but the Christmas Jars stories show the power of simple acts to bring about change. If you want a Christmas story with a message, this is a warm, touching one, with a happy ending, preceded by a few tears.

Jason F. Wright's website is www.jasonfwright.com

Christmas Jars Reunion by Jason F. Wright. Shadow Mountain, ©2009. ISBN 9781606411650 (hardcover), 176p.

FTC Full Disclosure: Library book

Red, Green, or Murder by Steven F. Havill

A couple days ago, I mentioned that the final issue of Mystery News had been published. In the year I reviewed for them, I discovered a few authors, including Steven F. Havill. His books have become some of my favorite. My last review for Mystery News is reprinted here, with permission. It's a review of the most recent book in the Posadas County series, Red, Green, or Murder.

Red, Green, or Murder
by Steven Havill
Poisoned Pen Press
$24.95
ISBN 978-1-59058-665-5
Hardcover
November
Police Procedural

Former Posadas County, New Mexico, Sheriff Bill Gastner retired, and is now working as a Livestock Inspector for the state. It’s a job that fits him. He can still visit friends, and he has a chance to travel the rural county. His knowledge of old friends, and the county, will stand him in good stead in this mystery.

Gastner’s official visit to Herb Torrance’s ranch sends him hurtling toward an ambulance, carrying the rancher’s son, after the young man’s knee was crushed in an accident. That one accident allowed for the opportunity for two other tragedies.

When Gastner was running late, due to the accident, he cancelled lunch with an old friend, George Payton. It wasn’t more than a couple hours before Bill received a phone call saying his protégée, Undersheriff Estelle Reyes-Guzman, wanted to see him at Payton’s house. Payton’s son-in-law found him dead, and, as much as Gastner, wanted to think the old man’s time was just up, Estelle thinks there is something suspicious about the death.

If one incident wasn’t bad enough, Gastner received another phone call, saying Torrance’s cattle were in the road, herded by a dog. While the rancher was at the hospital with his son, his ranchhand disappeared, along with his truck, leaving the cattle and dog behind. Gastner, an old sheriff who knows people, doesn’t believe the young man would have left his dog behind, and he travels those familiar county roads, looking for evidence.

Red, Green, or Murder is the sixteenth book in Havill’s Posadas County series. Havill does so many things well in his novels. His descriptions of the border county are vivid, showing the dry, empty land – “the broad sweep of the dry short bunch-grass prairie, rugged mesas with rims crumpling, arroyos so deep you could effortlessly hide a herd of cattle or a tractor trailer.” Havill understands the issues and politics of a border county, and those issues are vital to the storylines. The characters in this series, particularly Bill Gastner and Undersheriff Estelle Reyes-Guzman, come alive, as police officers, and, as people. They are involved with the community, and their knowledge of the people assists in their cases. These are solid police procedurals, involving multiple investigations at the same time. Best of all, Havill’s Posados County mysteries, including this one, are riveting, well-developed stories.

Rating: 5

Courtesy Mystery News, Vol. 27/Issue 5, Oct/Nov 2009.


FTC Full Disclosure: I received Red, Green, or Murder from Mystery News so that I could review it for publication.