Vicki's Vegan Kitchen: Eating with Sanity, Compassion and Taste-Vicki Chelf

Vicki's Vegan Kitchen: Eating with Sanity, Compassion and Taste


Vicki Chelf

Square One, Nov 2010, $17.95 paper

www.squareonepublishers.com

ISBN 9780757002519



This cookbook starts off with an insightful look at Vegan 101 as Vicki Chelf describes healthy eating with a glossary of what is good for you, what to avoid and basic kitchen equipment. The author quickly gets into Vegan recipes as Ms. Chelf provides a variety of meatless meals that range from difficult to extremely easy to prepare. There are over 375 “kitchen-tested vegetarian recipes” that include soup, pasta, pizza, dessert (the tofu-carob brownies are scrumptious reminding me of my late mother-in-law’s brownies) and chili, etc. Her recipe on rutabaga and sweet potato casseroles remind me of one of my late grandma who used to make similar casseroles. There are also instructions for instance on how to make a wrap and a crust, etc. With pictures to enhance the step by step book, more than just vegan aficionados will appreciate this excellent cookbook that is summed up nicely with a remarkable meatless “beef stew”.



Harriet Klausner

Bloom: Finding Beauty in the Unexpected--A Memoir-Kelle Hampton

Bloom: Finding Beauty in the Unexpected--A Memoir


Kelle Hampton

Morrow, Apr 3 2012, $24.99

ISBN: 9780062045034



Brett and Kelle Hampton were euphoric with the birth of their second daughter Nella. However, their initial euphoria turns to shock and dismay that their newborn was born with Down syndrome as their first child two years old Lainey was a healthy baby. Once Ms. Hampton moved pass the denial phase to acceptance, she, her spouse and Lainey realized how wonderful Nella is and that they were fortunate that God chose them to raise her. The author of the Enjoying the Small Things blog is her daughter’s champion as she has become an advocate for Downs’ syndrome people. Her optimism is addicting though some of the difficulties of raising a special needs child is glossed over by the upbeat philosophy (try getting a baby-sitter for a night out when your family lives a thousand miles away). With great photos and expanding on entries from her blog and adding much more, Kelle Hampton provides a wonderful from the heart memoir that encourages families to mentally hug the upbeat moments as “Beauty in the Unexpected” can be our inspirational norm.



Harriet Klausner

Oklahoma City: What the Investigation Missed--and Why It Still Matters-Andrew Gumbel and Roger G. Charles

Oklahoma City: What the Investigation Missed--and Why It Still Matters


Andrew Gumbel and Roger G. Charles

Morrow, Apr 24 2012, $27.99

ISBN: 9780061986444



The premise of this deeply researched look at the 1995 home gown terrorist attack of the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City is that there were more active conspirators than just Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols. The two journalists insist the investigation focused on two low hanging fruits as for instance several eyewitnesses claimed there was “John Doe Two” with McVeigh when the truck was rented. Andrew Gumbel and Roger G. Charles provide a detailed though somewhat convoluted investigation into the background leading to the tragic event, the bombing and its aftermath with first responders acting with courage to save lives. The authors are insightful with their vivid descriptions of the right wing rabid anti-government militia who vowed vengeance for Ruby Ridge and Waco; McVeigh and Nichols were part of this fringe. They make a strong case that the Feds (FEMA, FBI and ATF) fumbled the full inquiry but name no one specifically as active in the deadly attack. Using tons of documents and interviews, readers and Congress will be reminded by this excellent tome that not all terrorist attacks come from radical Islam as the second worst murderous assault on our soil was caused by extreme non-Muslim Americans.



Harriet Klausner

Sidney Sheldon's Angel of the Dark-Tilly Babshawe

Sidney Sheldon's Angel of the Dark


Tilly Babshawe

Morrow, Apr 3 2012, $26.99

ISBN: 9780062073419



In Beverly Hills, the police respond to a domestic violence call. They enter the Jakes mansion to find the elderly art dealer Andrew Jakes dead from knife wounds and his head nearly decapitated. Tied to the body of the deceased is his much younger wife Angela, who was battered and brutally raped. Detective Danny McGuire investigates the homicide while falling in love with Angela. As the case turns cold, Angela vanishes shortly after leaving the hospital and the estate eventually goes to children’s charities.



Danny leaves LAPD to join Interpol. Ten years since the Jakes murder, he lives in France with his wife. Jakes’ son Matt Daley visits Danny with evidence that three other homicides contain the identical M.O. as that of his late father to include the raped bound to her dead spouse younger wife vanishing and the money going to charity. Stunned Danny and Matt make inquiries, but soon learn of another similar murder in Hong Kong. They race there to meet the widow Lisa Baring before she disappears. While Matt falls for the widow just like Danny did with Angela, a clue sends the cop to Mumbai hoping to prevent the next homicide by an internationally diabolical serial killer.



The latest Tilly Babshawe homage to Sidney Sheldon (see Sidney Sheldon’s After the Darkness and Sidney Sheldon’s Mistress of the Game) is by far the best of her entries. The fast-paced storyline combines glamour and desire with wrenching crime scenes in a fast-paced global twisting cat and mouse thriller.



Harriet Klausner

Sunrise Point-Robyn Carr

Sunrise Point

Robyn Carr

Harlequin HQN, Apr 24 2012, $7.99
ISBN: 9780778313175





Her boyfriend Chad abandoned Nora Crane and their two infant daughters (two year old Berry and nine month old Fay) in Virgin River, California. Stranded without a car, the townsfolk help her and her babies. She sees a notice at the Virgin River Presbyterian Church for seasonal full time employment picking apples at Cavanaugh Orchard. Though she works at the clinic, Nora needs the money. Reverend Noah Kincaid drives her 3.4 miles so that she would need to walk only one way to the Cavanaugh Orchard.



Manager former marine Tom Cavanaugh takes one look at Nora, hears her story of need, and says no. Noah persuades Tom’s septuagenarian grandmother Maxie the owner to hire her. Tom is attracted to his new employee, but her kids are baggage he does not want to deal with. In turn, she ignores her feelings for her boss as she needs money not a tryst. Both are stubborn about their attraction, but former significant others and meeting her father Jed for the first time in years enforce their love for one another.



The latest Virgin River rustic romance (see Redwood Bend) is an entertaining and delightful contemporary as Nora learns it takes a caring village to raise a child and Tom learns that most mothers can and will do anything for their younglings. Although Nora’s mom was certifiable (and a counselor no less), readers will enjoy romance in the apple orchard.



Harriet Klausner

Somebody To Love-Kristan Higgins

Somebody To Love


Kristan Higgins

Harlequin HQN, Apr 24 2012, $7.99

ISBN: 9780373776580



Parker Harrington Welles’ preschool age son Nicky spends time with his father Ethan and his new stepmother Lucy who is also her BFF (see The Next Best Thing). Meanwhile the kiddie lit author of the Holy Rollers, Parker struggles to accept her father is in prison and her once affluent family is broke; he even lost his grandson’s trust fund.



Unprepared for financial ruin, Parker plans to sell her remaining asset a fixer-upper in Gideon's Cove, Maine. Her father’s “Thing One” boot licker James Cahill the attorney asks if he can accompany her to help flip the place. She has no respect for him while he has loved her from a distance for years. As she takes a job as a floral assistant, Parker begins to learn living without a gold spoon means accepting decisions you hate. James proves he is more than her dad’s lackey, but will that be enough to overcome her iconic image of him as a butt kisser.



This entertaining contemporary romance is a fun tale due to the female lead who begins to understand life for the 99% of the population who having to eat means accepting decisions you may dislike as economic freedom (and subsequent social freedom) belongs only to the 1%. Enhancing the heroine’s likability is her “chats” in her head with angelic characters from the Holy Rollers. James has issues too starting with a terrible mistake he made as a child cost his loved ones’ plenty. Fans will enjoy Parker’s revelation that “ When the truth is found to be lies and all the joy within you dies … You better find Somebody To Love” (Jefferson Airplane).



Harriet Klausner

George R. R. Martin: A Game of Thrones: The Graphic Novel: Volume One-Daniel Abraham (adapter) and Tommy Patterson (illustrator)

George R. R. Martin: A Game of Thrones: The Graphic Novel: Volume One


Daniel Abraham (adapter) and Tommy Patterson (illustrator)

Bantam, Mar 27 2012, $25.00

ISBN: 9780440423218



The seemingly everlasting winter is beginning to arrive in the Seven Kingdoms after decades of summer. Winter emboldens some to grab power deploying various means from armed combat to magic to assassination. North beyond the Wall, the Others like feral Wildings and creatures much more bellicose begin to invade the south starting with assaults on the House Stark fiefdom loyal to King Robert Baratheon. In the capital King’s Landing, the King’s Councilor Eddard Stark of Winterfell is the actual ruler. South of King’s Landing, the Hand of the King is mysteriously dead; leaving a power vacuum for those ambitious enough to make a move. Meanwhile King Robert and his extended family head to Eddard’s home Winterfell. Across the Narrow Sea, Prince Viserys of the once proud House Targaryen, former rulers of Westeros, plans to regain what his family lost by selling his sister Daenerys to Dothraki the barbarian in exchange for his military support. Under the frozen gray of winter, loyalties will be tested.



This graphic version of the first A Song of Ice and Fire fantasy is a great adaptation as Daniel Abraham captures the essence of George R. R. Martin’s opening act (the novel not the TV show; though both are superb). The art work by Tommy Patterson enhances the tale though there will be adjustment to his portraits as we have the HBO version of the key players and our own perceptions; think of the Jackson Lord of the Ring movies vs. how each of us perceived how the cast looked in the Tolkien books before the films.



Harriet Klausner