Well, this just stinks...

I've just finished an amazing book, Hinterland, Book Two of the Godslayer Chronicles by James Clemens... only to discover that book three isn't on the horizon for this year or next.

I cannot tell you how much I've enjoyed these two books and how badly I want to pick up book three. I know I need to be patient, the man has a life, after all but really. Now would be so nice.

So, what do you suggest I do now? How do you give up the need to read the next book in an amazing series and move on to something else?

I am open to suggestions.

Book Review: Blue Wolf in Green Fire by Joseph Heywood

Blue Wolf in Green Fire by Joseph Heywood
The Lyons Press
392 Pages
Copyright 2002

From the back of the book:

Upper Michigan Conservation Officer Grady Service has a case on his hands that doesn't make sense. A series of protests and bombings by animal rights activists appears to have culminated in a double murder at a wolf lab, which releases into the wild an extraordinarily rare animal: a blue wolf. To the Ojibwa a blue wolf represents good luck, unless it is captured or killed - and then it is an omen of Armageddon. Service suspects that the murders aren't what they seem to be when the FBI takes over the investigation and reaches far beyond its jurisdiction. Meanwhile, an elusive poaching ring sets its sights on wolves. Once again, Service must defend the hallowed Mosquito Wilderness in a race against time when it becomes clear that its final target is the blue wolf.

Service is an interesting character; tough, strong, dedicated, fully capable of handling anything the wilds of the UP can throw at him.

In spite of that, I had a couple of problems with the second book of Heywood's Woods Cop series. Activism in the UP is almost unheard of; we're too busy on living lives that can be tough enough without adding to things. My familiarity with the areas Heywood wrote about also played against me in this one - I've been to Vermillion, the site of the murders, and know it is nothing like portrayed in the book. I had to remind myself that it was just that; a book.  Once I had, things went much more smoothly and I could enjoy the story.

Recommendation: Heywood's characters are an interesting group and his stories are suspenseful and well-told. I love reading about my little corner of the world, even when it's been twisted a bit by the author. This one is worth the read, especially if you enjoy a good mystery.

Book Review: The Reagan Diaries by Ronald Reagan

The Reagan Diaries by Ronald Reagan
HarperCollins
704 Pages
Copyright 2007

Ronald Reagan was the 40th President of the United States. He is, without a doubt, a polarizing figure in American history. There can also be little doubt that he was, and still is, a much-loved figure in American history.

He was also the only President in the history of the United States to have kept a diary for his entire time in office.

There are so many markers in this book that I could literally tear them up and have enough confetti for a wedding reception. I doubt that I could pick any one quote and do the book any sort of justice so I'll settle for giving my thoughts on what I took away from the book.

The first thing I noticed was his complete, unending love for his wife, Nancy. He constantly remarks on how lonely the White House is when she is gone and how eager he is to have her back. Theirs is a truly remarkable love story, one told in a separate book titled "I Love You, Ronnie". It's also an amazing insight into the man.

The second thing I noticed was how crazy life becomes when you become President. Reagan's days were scheduled in 15 minute increments. What truly surprised me was the number of people who had to be fit into the schedule for nothing more than a photo op and a quick handshake. While I understand the necessity of such things (The March of Dimes poster child is every bit as important as a head of state.) I found myself wondering how anything got done.

The third thing? Reading the same names involved in politics back in the 1980's that are still involved in politics today has me believing in term limits. Seriously.

Finally, what also came through was Reagan's faith and love for his country and the American people. He believed in America, believed that the American people were capable of anything . . . and he believed that all government truly needed to do was get out of the way.

I'll leave you with one quote:

Thursday, January 19, 1989

. . . Then over to the Dr's. office - upstairs to shower. John H. came up & put a new bandage on my hand. Then it was final packing time. Dinner with Ted. Merme & Dennis went out to attend ofe of the Inaugural Gala's. And after signing a whole stack of pictures & letters brought by Jim Kuhn to bed.

Tomorrow I stop being President.

Recommendation: It's an amazing peek into the life of the President. It's also an insightful look into the man himself and it is well worth the read.

Book Review: The Lock Artist by Steven Hamilton

Time to do some catching up. This is a full review but some of the following ones will be the speed-round version.


The Lock Artist by Steve Hamilton
Minotaur Books (St. Martin's Publishing Group)
304 Pages
Copyright 2009

From the inside cover flap:

"I was the Miracle Boy, once upon a time. Later on, the Milford Mute. The Golden Boy. The Young Ghost. The Kid. The Boxman. The Lock Artist. That was all me.

But you can call me Mike."

Mike is a traumatized young man, suffering a horrendous even at the age of eight that left him unable to speak. Marked by his silence, he finds himself an outcast, existing on the fringes of things until he finds two talents - art, and the ability to open any lock.


After a high school prank goes wrong, Mike finds himself serving his sentence at the home of Amelia Marsh. She is young, beautiful, and an artist. She is also the love of Mike's life and when her life hangs in the balance, he does what he has to do; he becomes The Lock Artist.


Hamilton writes a series of books set in Michigan's Upper Peninsula that includes my home town. This book as a stand alone but I knew going in it would be an amazing read and I wasn't disappointed. Mike is an intriguing character, his story told in bits and pieces, traveling back and forth from present day to past, finally coming back to the day that changed Mike's life forever.

I was eight years old when it happened. Not two years old. Not three years old. I was eight, and like any other kid my age, I knew exactly what was happening to me. Every single second, every single moment. I knew what was happening, and when it was all over, I could go back and reply it in my mind. Every single second, every single moment. Th next day, I could still do that. A week later, I could do that. A year later. Five years later. Ten years later. I could still go back to that day in June for the simple reason that I had never left it.

It is a gripping story that draws you in and holds you until the very last page. I cared enough about Mike and Amelia that I wanted to know what happened to them after the story ended. For me, that's a sign of an excellent story teller and Hamilton is clearly on his way to being one of the best.


Recommendation: Hamilton's story is one about love and what people do in the name of love. It is also about hate and what people do for it. And it is about triumphing over both. You can't beat a combination like that.

A challenge? Me? Hope springs eternal...

Trish, of Trish's Reading Nook, is once again holding the Classics Challenge.

Whil I seem to do poorly with challenges (I rarely finish and when I do, I'm horrid about posting my results), I'm signing up for this one for two reasons: One, it's hosted by one of my favorite bloggers, and two, I want to read more classics! I honestly feel like I'm a poor reader because I haven't read many of those books called 'classics'. Hopefully, this challenge will give me a push.

Here are the rules:

Classics: We love them, we hate them, now we are going to challenge ourselves to read more of them.

**Choose Your Level (Keep reading for Bonus)
1. Classics Snack - Read FOUR classics
2. Classics Entree - Read FIVE classics
3. Classics Feast - Read SIX classics

**Rules/Guidelines
1. Cross-posting with other challenges is allowed (and encouraged!)
2. Audiobooks are fine
3. Re-reads are acceptable, BUT books must be finished after April 1st to count for the challenge
4. Lists don't have to be set in stone; you can change your selections at any time
5. Have Fun!!
6. You do NOT need a blog to participate.

**Bonus!! (Optional)
In the past two challenges we compiled a list of books that we think might be considered classics one day. I've wiped out that old list so we can start fresh, but to get an idea of what others suggested in the past, see HERE and HERE. To start off the list, I'm going to suggest Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver.

You can click on the link above to get to the Challenge page itself with the links to the above lists.

I'm going with Level 1 - four classics:

1. A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway
2. Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne
3. The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling
4. My Antonia by Willa Cather

And my bonus book? Who knows. I'll wait for a list to pick from.

The challenge runs April 1 through October 31, 2010

One bright, sunny Sunday...

Life definitely went on.

This is Levi. He's the new boy in my niece's life. She's back to square one in many ways; he's young, he's skinny, he needs training and polishing... but they will both benefit from their partnership.

It will take time, of course, but I can see the change in her already.  Her life has balance again.

Today, life was pretty good.

Just thought I'd pop in and say 'hi'

The photo is from a trail cam my niece's fella set up on the trails near my sister's house. It's kinda cool knowing there are deer roaming the woods.

Life here continues on. Not much alternative, is there? I've been reading and just finished a book that I couldn't wait to be done with. That's not the same as saying I couldn't wait to finish it, is it? I'm proud of myself for finishing it but it was pretty much an overall disappointment.

The weather continues to be about the same - strange. Temps above normal and snow falling all around us but not here. Not sure how to feel about that. A good snow pack is always good for the lake and keeps the fire danger down in the spring but it's now so late in the season that I'm not sure we want any more.

The Olympics are proving to be entertaining in spite of all the glitches. I've rediscovered my love for curling; how bizarre is that? I couldn't tell you any of the rules but there's just something about the game. No idea what.

Speaking of spring...

Pitchers and catchers report today to spring training! If you've been with me the last couple of springs, you'll know that this is my first undeniable sign of Spring. Good news indeed!

Hope things are going well for all.

What would we do without books?

I haven't been in a very good place since last Tuesday. Grief is difficult to deal with and, in some ways, it's harder when you'r grieving over an animal. Not everyone understands.

Besides spending time with my family, I've been reading. I've already read one more book than I did the entire month of January. They've kept the dark thoughts away, kept me from thinking about things I don't really want to think about.

The strange thing about it is this - I've been reading Spenser stories, probably the last two that Robert B. Parker wrote. They fit my mood perfectly - well written, interesting plots, favorite characters, and easy reads. Finishing the last one was truly bittersweet.

Damn, life sucks at times.

Requiem for a Golden Boy

What can I say about the golden boy who came into our lives during a snow storm and left us so suddenly on another cold winter's day?

What is there to say but he was beautiful, sweet, loving, and wrapped around our hearts so totally?

He started out gangly, not much to look at yet there was something about him, something that told you he was going to be special.

And he was. He grew into every hope and expectation my niece had for him. It lead them to a champion season last summer. They grew up together, my niece and her Sonny boy.

Now, all that's left is for us to pick up the pieces and learn how to live with a huge hole where he once stood.

All that's left to say is good bye, my sweet golden boy. You are loved and will be in our hearts forever.