Attencion, mes enfants--it's time for another wonderful column and "visiting" with each other, even though I am the principal communicator with you being the attentive and respectful listener --that is, you read what I write and disagree or agree with me--mainly, I hope you will find some choices of books that pique your curiosity, you get in the car, come to the library (with your card!), look the books over and depart with one or two. Now, you'll notice I did not guarantee you'll like every story you begin but, on the other hand, we learn even from that experience. 

Summer and late Fall are perfect times to read--indoors or out--with hot tea or iced--barefoot or saddled--and sometimes you're in the mood for a mystery or a love story or simply read a good biography of someone whom you admire or, perhaps, a new book of poetry--come in and do something for your pleasure.  Everyone understands a hedonist, even if they feel they, themselves, are not one, we all understand wanting comfort and that "being contented" feeling once in awhile. 

Alors! In line with giving you ideas of a tiny portion of what's available in Fiction, let us consider, "Devil May Care; The New James Bond Novel", by Sebastian Faulks. James is called off a sabbatical leave/rest/vacation by M, who is now head of M16 (which you'd know if you saw the last movie), because of an odd incident in  the grisly execution of an Algerian drug runner on the edge of Paris' city limits. I mean, the civilized world, in these Cold War years, seems to be "going to Hell in a handbasket", as the old saying goes, so why would they need Bond to investigate a small-time murder?

In any case, Bond is assigned to follow and report on "the mysterious DR. Julius Gorner, a power-crazed pharmaceutical magnate, whose wealth if exceeded only by his greed." Mr. Gorner seems inordinately interested in acquiring and distribution opiates, whether legally or otherwise. Then, we have a gorgeous, sexy lady from Paris, Scarlett Papava and she agrees to help him--cut over to another piece of the puzzle when a British passenger jet goes missing over Iraq and the Middle East is making definite war-like noises.  This author has the undertones of this story, set years ago, echoing some of the problems we face today, and if you want a well-written and fast-paced story, come and check this book out!

I, personally, love Miss Moneypenny, whose been with M16 and Bond and M since the beginning--she keeps trying to remain true to her arranged-hair, houndstooth suit worn with pearls outer appearance--but she has a definite weak spot for James and he knows it as he greets her every time affectionately with a kiss on the cheek. We all have our favorites in this life, don't we?

Let's look at John Sandford's "Phantom Prey"and it's said that "this time he's got something quite special in store" concerning a widow who comes home to a shock--blood all over the walls, no body to be seen, but her daughter's missing--and Alyssa Austin asks her friend Weather ("Weather"? what kind of a name is that?) Davenport to enlist the aid of Lucas, her husband, to help find the daughter, Francis. Davenport and his wife, both, and the mother and daughter and the evil people in this story are all, under Sandford's storytelling ability, believable and grab hold of your attention. 

Where is Frances? Is she with a group of Goths, imitating their black eye makeup, skimpy clothes, possibly doing drugs?  Come in and enjoy seeing the pieces of the puzzle fit together.

One of the toughest genres  for me to review is Sci-Fi or Fantasy but there is this one book--"Renegade's Magic", by Robin Hobb--that I think might be a winner, so, bear with me and I'll tell you about it.  This story is the conclusion of a trilogy and it is the story of Nevare Burvelle, "loyal, privileged, and brave" who was proud to be in the King of Gernie's service--then, the ax fell. He is exposed to enemy sorcery that kills many of his fellow soldiers but he survives--"but at a terrible cost to his soul, body, and heart." He now stands accused of terribly crimes, among which is murder, shunned and testified against by his fellow soldiers and, indeed, sentenced to death.

He has to try and escape his death warrant and does--but he is a hostage to a terrible alter ego who would destroy his world and mind. Then, he begins to think that maybe the vengeful magic that is cruelly treating him could be used by him to make things turn around.  The only question is, where will this new road lead him and how will it affect Lisana, the enemy whom he loves?  Really, come in and read a little bit of it, as I have been doing, and you'll find that you won't want to stop--a sure sign of a "good read." 

Anybody for Westerns? Both HImself and I really like them and the title, alone, of this one would intrigue me--"Burn English", by William Luckey--and it seems this author knows whereof he speaks, when speaking of horses, their dispositions and their responses to training. He says, "I've owned 150 horses personally, been riding for almost 60 years and have taught riding for 40", and this book is a story about a man, the above-named Burn English, who loved a woman who, although she nursed him back to health from a barbed wire injury, chose to marry another man, Davy Hildahl.

English stayed around and continued to raise and train wonderful horseflesh and be an adored uncle to the Hildahl children and then he hits a "mid-life crisis" and decides that he's getting older and needs to move on. He disappears, having taken with him only his prize mare, but burned his corrals, his house, and carries wire cutters so he can go wherever he wants to and stops at Salt Pond, knowing this is the place that will heal his soul and body.  Of course, no place is totally isolated and there are those in the valley who wonder what he's doing there and, soon enough, a series of events reveal human frailty, character, and courage and finding the love of your life--and explaining that to her teen-age sons!  Really  a nice story and full of "horse stuff", which some of us love, so come in and look it over.

Keep your plants watered, eat a foot-long chili cheese dog, treat yourself to sitting out on your patio after 9 at night to enjoy the end of the day, enjoy the July fireworks, and, yes, if you get a chance, look at the Country Club golf course--it's much greener and nicer looking (something tennis players never had to worry about!) I'm off for Texas next week and will look forward to seeing you all when I return and I'm leaving a Non-Fiction column for July 13! Take care of yourselves--bye!