The Ultimatum by Karen Robards (Crime/Adventure Novel, 2017). Bianca St. Ives leads a double life, heading up a more-or-less legit security consulting firm in Savannah, Georgia as a cover for the real ‘family business’ (as a super-slick international thief). She’s learned that trade from best–a legendary figure who she’s always thought of as her father. But […]
Read more "REVIEWED: The Ultimatum"Well, was it bound to happen or what? The one day I post an advance blog about that evening’s coffeehouse in Windber’s much-haunted hotel, of course it turns out that the Wi-Fi isn’t available for the first time in over a month. Oops! It was an odd night at the Grand Midway. In honor of […]
Read more "Coffeehouse Misfire–Morning After Recap"Tonight’s the weekly Shangri-La Coffeehouse @ Windber’s Grand Midway Hotel. As usual, doors the famed haunted hotel will open at 6 PM. $3 entry fee per person buys you all the hot coffee, tea or hot cocoa you need to warm your innards (finally feeling like October around here). Plus there will be DVD movies, […]
Read more "COFFEEHOUSE TONIGHT–With New T-Shirts!"Murder Wears Mittens by Sally Goldenbaum (Cozy Murder Mystery, 2017). This cozy mystery is set in Sea Harbor, a fictional New England town where four ladies of varying ages and circumstances get together to do some knitting, confirm their close mutual friendship and occasionally turn amateur detective when a new murder mystery pops up. This time, the victim is […]
Read more "REVIEWED: Murder Wears Mittens"This morning got an email from Jesse Dedman, online publisher/editor, concerning my story “Appraised Risk.” It seems I’m about to receive a royalty payment via Paypal for this erotic horror tale, which appeared in November 2016 in his online/wordpress publication Deadman’s Tome. It’s a rather modest, but very welcome and very gratefully acknowledged sum and many, […]
Read more "New Royalty Statement–A Most excellent Surprise!"A quiet night so far at the coffeehouse of Windber’s fabled Grand Midway Hotel. Blair had to work till 6 PM (which is when it was to open–so I was drafted to come in early and do the prep work). Our lead movie tonight was the great Tim Burton epic Ed Wood–Johnny Depp, the wondrous Martin […]
Read more "COFFEEHOUSE NIGHTS: October 19 at the Grand Midway Hotel"War Cry by Wilbur Smith and David Churchill (Historical Novel, 2017). I found this sprawling historical novel readable, yet somewhat disappointing. Smith is a very experienced and respected historical novelist (take note of Stephen King’s front cover proclamation as to his abilities). He’s published several highly successful series, including the Courtney Family books, of which this […]
Read more "REVIEWED: War Cry"It’s Friday the 13th and spooky, pre-Halloween things are hopping in Windber, PA! The coffeehouse at the Grand Midway Hotel is open for the evening. A decent crowd so far tonight. The first DVD movie playing here is….The Crow! Yes, the original, starring Brandon Lee! Meanwhile, a little shop called THE BLACK RAVEN is having […]
Read more "Coffeehouse Nights: October 13, 2017 at the Grand Midway"No Middle Name by Lee Child (Crime/Adventure Story Collection, 2017). Lee Child’s extremely successful and prolific series of books about the tough, ruthless yet honorable (at least on his own particular terms) Jack Reacher are mostly novels. Very successful novels–exciting, uncompromising and damned cool. It’s made him a #1 Bestseller several times over. But Reacher (nobody […]
Read more "REVIEWED: No Middle Name"Trajectory by Richard Russo (Story Collection, 2017). The latest book from Pulitzer Prize-winner Richard Russo is a collection of four novella-length works. Three previously saw publication elsewhere, while the fourth is new. They all display Russo’s skills in characterization, as well as deftly presenting their various settings. In “Horseman,” a young college professor confronts plagiarism from […]
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