Each year around this time I pick up my copy of The Winter Solstice: The Sacred Traditions of Christmas, by John Matthews (with contributions from Caitlin Matthews). (more…)

A recent writing challenge from Vikk Simmons at Down the Writer’s Path reminded me of this DVD, which I’ve watched about a dozen times. It contains a memorable scene depicting the creation of a first draft, the subject of Vikk’s post.

Sean Connery plays William Forrester, the reclusive author of a single, renowned literary novel, who’s been holed up in his family’s Bronx apartment for years. He never goes out, and is known only by an alias to the superficial young man who delivers his groceries. (more…)

How much trouble can an American schoolteacher get into while on sabbatical in the Lake District of England? When the schoolteacher in question is Grace Hollister, and when ex-jewel thief Peter Fox is involved, the result may be disaster.

Verse of the Vampyre opens with Grace Hollister hiding in a graveyard, late at night, waiting for—well, spying on—Peter Fox, who’s to meet with a mysterious woman. (more…)

Diana Killian’s High Rhymes and Misdemeanors transports you to the Lake District of England, in the footsteps of the Romantic poets. Grace Hollister is there on vacation from her teaching position (more…)

Novels are mini-vacations, they take us on guided tours of new places, and introduce us to new people who are involved in occupations or activities other than our own, and who experience unusual circumstances. A good book pulls you in and holds your attention through the story so well that, when it ends, you want more.

Sharan Newman’s To Wear the White Cloak held me this way. (more…)

Before I Say Goodbye by Mary Higgins Clark started out slow for me, mainly because I don’t consider politicians all that intriguing. However, I kept reading and I’m glad I did. (more…)

He Shall Thunder In The Sky is the second of Elizabeth Peters’ books that I’ve read. I’m now planning to go back and read all of that series, as well as anything else of hers I can get my hands on. (more…)

In Canis, by Robert E. Armstrong, the head of Houston’s Bureau of Animal Regulation & Care is Dr. Duncan MacDonell, a man of compassion, intelligence and common sense who’s already doing what anyone will recognize as a difficult, depressing, and thankless job. Then street people begin to turn up dead (more…)

In Beacon Street Mourning, Fremont Jones, suspicious her ailing father is being neglected by his wife Augusta, returns to Boston to see him. Her father begins to improve, then suddenly dies. Fremont must solve what she believes to be murder by poison, while others, including his doctor, contend that her father died of natural causes. (more…)