“Poem Journey” by Joyce Benvenuto (Thunder Bay Press, $17.95) is
subtitled “More Poems and Prose from along Old Grand River.”
This is a sequel to her first book of poetry, “A Grand River: Poems for
Michigan”, (Thunder Bay Press, $15.95) published in 2012.
But it’s more than just a sequel, Benvenuto has added many more vintage
photographs as well as sections of carefully-crafted prose.
It’s a small, well-designed 110-page hardback, with an intriguing cover
design made of colorful street signs of areas along the flowing Old Grand
River waterway or the winding Grand River Avenue.
Both books are organized similarly, following strands of history
geographically from Detroit to Grand Haven - and chronologically, from
early ancestors to present times.
Benvenuto skillfully combines fact and fiction in her myth-making, noting
in her brief introduction “Reader be warned: I am a storyteller.”
She describes many fond memories of her childhood, teen years and more
spent along the bustling roadway or quiet riverside.
Benvenuto also writes smoothly about assorted experiences in her Michigan
travels in relevant areas, dealing with friendships and encounters made
during her explorations and journeys.
One of the most fascinating sections is “Time”, involving a trip to
nearby Portland, to see if she and a friend might be able to locate a
long-and well-kept secret place – the burial site of Chief Okemos.
They face many challenges, as the location is not highly publicized as a
tourist attraction and is far off the beaten trail.
She discloses her not easily-duplicated method of discovery and shows
proof – a photograph that shows a memorial marker: “Grave of Okemos,
noted Chippewa Chief 1858 - Erected by the Daughters of the American
Revolution – 1921.”
Benvenuto offers enjoyable escapism, deftly using vivid imagery to make
the past come alive with superb visualization.
It is best to relax with both books, starting with the first, and savor
the words slowly – preferably under warm bedcovers or near the light of a
glowing fireplace.
The author is a Haslett resident and MSU graduate, having taught in the
Haslett Public Schools for 18 years and taught creative writing students.
Sunday, March 20, 2016
Ray's Reviews: Poem Journey by Joyce Benvenuto
Monday, March 14, 2016
63rd Michigan Antiquarian Book and Paper Show (Press Release)
Sunday, March 13, 2016
Ray's Reviews: Peninsulam Publishing Books by Michigan Writers
In the world of small press publishing, it can be tough to make your own
niche. Green Lake author Russell Slater is trying to be successful with
Peninsulam Publishing, uniquely devoted to books by Michigan authors that
are set in Michigan.
Here’s a quick look at four recent books, with a wide variety of subjects.
“Traveling Circus” by author/illustrator Ingar Rudholm is a well-designed
166-page $14.95 trade paperback that’s aimed at young adults, although
it’s also likely to appeal to older readers.
The entertaining tale opens in Whitehall, introducing Flynn Parkes, a shy
14-year-old who’s being bullied in school. Trying to escape parental
problems, Flynn breaks away and rides his bike to an unusual traveling
circus.
He’s kidnapped by the circus’ shifty ringmaster, who has devious plans.
There are many intriguing characters, including a wise fortuneteller, a
pair of strange clowns, a muscular strong man and a beautiful mermaid.
Flynn becomes a human cannonball, is almost eaten by lions and nearly
drowns – he’s desperately trying to escape. All the action takes place in
just a few days; this is an unusual coming-of-age story with unexpected
results.
This fast-paced memorable tale deals with decision-making, confidence and
belief in oneself – with a touch of magic thrown in for good measure.
“Return to Strange Home” by Pater Wilmerink ($6.95) is a 60-page military
science fiction novella set in 2065, ten years after a madman released a
cloud of deadly bioagents that decimated Western Michigan.
Space-traveling Captain Paul Wells returns to the planet and his home in
the quarantined area on the shores of Lake Michigan, only to find that
something alien has taken over his house.
Strange entities abound; he faces tough challenges as he struggles for
survival in a changed world.
“I’m a Michigander” by Slater ($12.99) features colorful illustrations by
Jordan Richardson. It’s aimed at younger readers, showcasing a big-eyed
young boy who promotes various aspects of the state, using rhymed
couplets.
“Eddy Elk and Mandy Moose” by Slater, illustrated by Laura Gordon,
($6.99) is also designed for younger readers. It explores insights
offered the two large animals about the state's natural wonders, after
they’ve stepped out of the Michigan State Flag.
These two books are great fun, ideal for local libraries or families with
small kids.
More information can be found on their website: www.peninsulampublishing.com
Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing’s Curious book Shop, has reviewed crime
novels and Michigan books regularly since 1987.
Sunday, March 6, 2016
Ray's Reviews: Kentucky Woman by Mike Brogan
“Kentucky Woman” by Michigan author Mike Brogan (Lighthouse, $15.99) is
another exciting thriller that’s almost impossible to put down.
In this strange and snowy winter season, that’s not altogether bad – it’s
sometimes tough to find good mysteries that won’t lull you easily into
sleep.
Brogan’s latest fast-paced tale grabs you from the first page and propels
you through 80 short chapters – you’re liable not to get anything else
done!
Ellie Stuart is a young law student in Louisville KY, whose adoptive
parents were killed in a terrible boating accident. She’s trying to track
down her real parents and is having little luck.
When a student with a similar name is attacked nearby and Ellie is almost
run over on her bicycle by a man in a van, she begins to worry that
someone may be after her.
She meets Quinn Parker, an injured football player who’s also studying
law at the University of Louisville.
He gets assigned by his professor to do a research project. He’s to
interview the attorney in charge of the estate of Harlan Radford, a
self-made Kentucky billionaire, who left no major heirs.
Quinn is going to visit an attorney in charge of the estate in
Manchester, near the area where Ellie grew up. She joins Quinn on a quick
trip there; they stop at the local court house to try to get more
information.
Meanwhile, there are other attempts on Ellie’s life; they think they’re
being followed as unusual incidents occur.
Ellie and Quinn make startling discoveries that lead them to believe that
she may indeed by the rightful heir of Radford’s fortune.
The body count quickly rises as the pair continue their investigation. A
nasty villain, who has a lot to lose, is frustrated when his attempts to
kill Ellie are thwarted.
Brogan deftly raises the tension level to the boiling point with many
plot twists that are both surprising yet believable. He utilizes the best
elements of a police procedural novel while dealing with clever killers
and break-through DNA scientific discoveries.
The author, a former advertising executive who lives in suburban Detroit,
has also written a number of other excellent suspense novels, including
“Business to Die For”, “Dead Air” and “G-8”.
This gripping novel could be made into a great movie!
Sunday, February 14, 2016
Ray's Reviews: Seized by Elizabeth Heiter
“Seized” by University of Michigan graduate Elizabeth Heiter (Mira Books,
$7.99) is a taut thriller that could be torn from tomorrow’s newspaper
headlines.
The third paperback in the acclaimed “Profiler” series again focuses on
biracial FBI profiler Evelyn Baine.
She is sent out to Montana State Prison to interview a bomber
who’d blown up two black churches and a mosque.
Baine had been assigned there by her boss at the FBI’s Behavioral
Analysis Unit as punishment for not following orders months earlier.
Getting ready to fly back, Baine is approached by Jen Martinez, from a
different FBI Unit. Martinez suspects that a nearby survivalist cult is
planning terrorist activities but can’t get her superiors to respond.
Baine’s interest is piqued; she joins Martinez on a trip to “Butler’s
Compound”, where she’s met by Ward Butler, the group’s forceful leader.
Soon Baine and the other agent are held captive; when the Hostage Rescue
Unit arrives, the exceptionally stressful situation boils over.
Locked away at the compound, the two agents seek a way out – but there’s
little opportunity as danger abounds and the terrorist threat becomes
reality.
The fast-paced novel gets considerably more complicated; significant
problems arise when carefully-orchestrated efforts don’t work exactly as
planned.
Baine doesn’t really get to use her special profiler talents much until
the last third of the book, when she realizes that some of her earlier
observations were not based on all the facts.
The convoluted plot twists and turns in so many ways that the reader may
need to keep a scorecard to keep track of it all.
Fortunately, Heiter provides a bit of assistance with a detailed two-page
list of the FBI’s terms and acronyms.
This is a well-researched novel showcasing a flawed character who must
make quick decisions – sometimes with dire consequences.
There’s significantly less romance in this installment than the last
book, “Vanished”. Heiter began the series with “Hunted” and more books
are on the way.
The Profiler series could easily be turned into a dandy television
series. Heiter’s latest is a thought-provoking thriller by a rising star
in contemporary crime fiction.
The author has also written another series featuring the F.B.I., “The
Lawmen” but they are romances showcasing different female main
characters.
Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing’s Curious Book Shop, has reviewed crime
novels and Michigan books regularly since 1987.
Sunday, January 17, 2016
Ray's Reviews: KITTEN EDITION!
If you’re feline friendly or just a cat-lover, here’s a quick look at a
pair of recent releases that should definitely make you smile.
One is jam-packed with striking color images; the other is a collection
of insights by a well-known American underground poet and author.
“Felines of New York” by Jim Tews (Simon & Shuster, $14.99) is an
oversized 232-page paperback showcasing cats at home, work or play, with
hardly a human in sight.
Most photographs are full page, with an opposing page used for captions.
All of the cats are identified by name and locale in New York City.
The majority of images were taken inside, which is understandable – many
pet owners contacted Tews after visiting his photo website.
Tews is a successful stand-up comedian – this book is an unabashed
take-off on the best-selling photo book “Humans of New York” by Brandon
Stanton.
Cats are shown perched on windowsills, in comfortable chairs, inside
boxes, sitting in front of doorways or often on highly polished floors.
Some are also depicted playing with toys, hiding, getting ready to pounce
or just sauntering along. My favorite is “Tiny the Usurper” from Park
Slope, taken inside a bookshop.
Unfortunately, this book isn’t ideal for every cat-lover. Usage of
unnecessary f-words in a few of the captions may cause straight-laced
potential buyers to rightfully hesitate before buying this as a gift.
“Charles Bukowski on Cats” edited by Abel Debritto (HarperCollins,
$25.99) is a slim 120-page hardback that offers an entertaining mixture
of poetry and prose.
Bukowski (1920-1994) was a prolific off-beat writer who still is
exceptionally popular, particularly on college campuses.
These snippets and short pieces or poems about cats were taken from a
variety of sources, including obscure magazines, books and numerous
unpublished manuscripts accessed by Debritto.
There are a few black-and-white photos of Bukowski with assorted cats; it
also includes his only known drawing of a cat.
Some poems and writings may seem a bit repetitious, but they are often
just different views of a memorable incident. Strong imagery abounds –
his love for cats shines through, without getting mushy.
“Bukowki on Writing” edited by Debritto was the first in this series;
“Bukowski on Love” is due out next month.
Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing’s Curious Book Shop, has reviewed books
regularly since 1987. He has two cats, Parker and Callie.
Sunday, January 10, 2016
Ray's Reviews: Grisham's Rogue Lawyer and The Crossing by Michael Connelly
Two recent crime novels by exceptionally popular writers showcase
aggressive attorneys who often take cases that nobody else wants.
“Rogue Lawyer” by bestselling author John Grisham (Doubleday, $28.95)
introduces Sebastian Rudd, an atypical lawyer who’s working out of a
beat-up, bullet-proof customized van since his office was firebombed.
He’s got one employee, Partner, who is his heavily armed driver/
bodyguard/law clerk/confidant and golf caddie.
This book is actually four intertwined novellas, dealing with a child
molester, a nasty crime lord and a man who fired at a SWAT team that
invaded the wrong house – his house.
There’s much more, including cage fighting, kidnapping and human
trafficking; Rudd’s ex-wife adds more problems as she squabbles over
visitation rights to their son.
Grisham’s latest colorful novel isn’t spectacular, but’s it’s still a
fast-and-easy read for those who are looking for solid escapism
There’s even the possibility of a sequel, with Grisham recounting
more unnerving situations facing the quick-thinking attorney and
his desperate clients.
“The Crossing” by award-winning author Michael Connelly (Little, Brown,
$28) involves a case that a sleazy Los Angeles defense lawyer is
handling.
Mickey Haller (“The Lincoln Lawyer”) is representing a reformed former
gang member who’s accused of viciously murdering a pretty woman, leaving
evidence at the scene.
Haller calls his half-brother Harry Bosch, a retired Los Angeles Police
Department Homicide and Cold Case detective, asking for his help.
Bosch initially doesn’t want to work for Haller and feels that his
reputation would be compromised after working thirty years as a cop.
He agrees to look into the facts of the case, examining files and making
notations. He slowly discovers holes in the prosecution’s presentation.
But if Haller’s client didn’t commit the crime, who did?
The private eye is hired to investigate further. Bosch calls in favors
from a variety of former associates, seeking the truth regardless of
where the chips may fall.
Complications arise when Haller is arrested and jailed on a spurious
traffic offense. Bosch’s efforts lead him to believe that a major clue
has been overlooked – and that there is a cover-up from inside the LAPD.
Connelly is in fine form with a compelling tale of tense suspense; it’s a
solid police procedural that also works well as a legal thriller.