New Release -- Adieu at the Zoo (A Jefferson Zoo Mystery) by Harol Marshall #firestarpress #prairierosepubs #cozymystery

The discovery of a dead body in Jefferson County Zoo’s new Wetlands exhibit turns the life of Horticulture Curator Samantha Clark upside down. Worse than that, she and her Hort tech, Jodie, find themselves implicated as possible suspects—until someone runs them off the road in an attempt to see them dead, also.

Sam believes she may be on to a trail of clues when she’s approached by one of the zoo’s wealthy private donors in what seems to be an attempt to draw her into the illegal sale of rare and endangered plants. With the help of Dan Saunders, the zoo’s Head of Security, Sam devises a plan to get to the bottom of what looks to be a murder, a suspicious disappearance, and her own near-death.

The mystery deepens when one of the zoo’s security guards goes missing. Will another dead body turn up? As things heat up between Sam and Dan, they realize they could lose everything if they can’t solve these mysteries before another murder takes place.

EXCERPT

     I parked my cart at the edge of the marsh and tromped up the boardwalk. “Hey, Jo, what’s up?”

     She leaned over the wooden railing and pointed to the concrete catch basin that traps refuse and keeps detritus from contaminating the lake when the waters overflow.

     “Have a look,” she said.

     I bent over the railing and blinked wildly. A large sheet of black plastic tied with strands of rope stuck halfway into the catch basin. A few inches of water lay in the bottom of the trough. Protruding from the far edge of the plastic I could see a pair of mottled, purplish-gray human feet. An Eastern Box Turtle nibbled away on the big toe of the left foot. Jodie pried the turtle off with the handle of her rake and moved it away, but the stubborn creature crawled right back and snagged another toe.

     “What the—” I nearly bit off my tongue for the second time that evening.

     “Yeah,” Jodie said, with a grim shake of her head, “see why I told you we had an emergency here?”

     

May 28, 1955 - Ballad of Davy Crockett – Popular single in the U.S. by Kaye Spencer #firestarpress #prairierosepubs #classictv

On May 28, 1955, The Ballad of Davy Crockett performed by Bill Hayes was the most popular song in the U. S.¹ The song ended 1955 in the Number 6 position. Here are the Top Ten singles for 1955².

1. Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White by Perez Prado
2. Rock Around the Clock by Bill Haley and His Comets
3. The Yellow Rose of Texas by Mitch Miller
4. Autumn Leaves by Roger Williams
5. Unchained Melody by Lex Baxter
6. The Ballad of Davy Crockett by Bill Hayes
7. Love is a Many –Splendored Thing by the Four Aces
8. Sincerely by The McGuire Sisters
9. Aint’t that a Shame by Pat Boone
10. The Wallflower (Dance with Me, Henry) by Georgia Gibbs
    

I have a 45 rpm of The Ballad of Davy Crockett by the Sons of the Pioneers. The “B” Side is The Grave Yard Filler of the West. I don't recall the lyrics, but I remember it has an upbeat tempo and silly lyrics. Due to a basement flood a few years ago, I lost the covers to my vinyl records, but I salvaged the records. Unfortunately, I don’t have a record player. It would be great fun to listen to this record.

Kaye's 45 rpm - Ballad of Davy Crockett by the Sons of the Pioneers

 A little history of The Ballad of Davy Crockett and the made-for-tv movie³:

Buena Vista Distribution poster⁶

George Bruns⁴ wrote the music and Thomas W. Blackburn wrote the lyrics. George Bruns is considered a Disney Legend⁴. His film scores include Johnny Tremain, One Hundred and One Dalmations, The Sword in the Stone, The Jungle Book, The Aristocats, and Robin Hood, to name a few. He was also the recipient of several Academy Awards.

Thomas W. Blackburn was an American Author, screenwriter, and lyricist⁵. The lyrics to The Ballad of Davy Crockett were his first musical lyrics. He was a Disney employee who worked in the story department. He wrote several novels and screenplays for movies and television. Examples are Raton Pass, Colt .45, The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok, Cattle Queen of Montana, Johnny Tremain, Davy Crockett (King of the Wild Frontier), Maverick (several episodes), and single episodes for other popular television westerns of the time.

Fess Parker played Davy Crockett for the live-action Disney television miniseries, and he also sang the song as the show’s theme. Buddy Ebsen was his co-star. The show had three episodes: 

• Davy Crockett Indian Fighter (aired December 15, 1954)
• Davy Crocket Goes to Congress (aired January 26, 1955)
• Davy Crockett at the Alamo (February 23, 1955)

The song was covered by a host of artists, and it ultimately sold ten million copies. The television show became wildly popular the world over thanks to Disney’s targeted marketing campaign in the UK to piggyback on the show’s U.S. popularity. It was called the “Crockett craze” in the U.S., particularly the signature coonskin cap that Crockett wore.

Here is Bill Hayes singing The Ballad of Davy Crockett.

 

Until next time,

Kaye Spencer

• Website/Blog- https://www.kayespencer.com
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 Resources (Note: Wikipedia as a reliable resource should be taken with a grain of salt… preferably around the rim of a Margarita.) ;-)

1- On-This-Day.com. Music History for May 28. http://on-this-day.com/onthisday/thedays/music/may28.htm. 1999-2018. 26 May 2018

2- Billboard year-end top 30 singles of 1955. Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia.org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billboard_year-end_top_30_singles_of_1955. 31 March 2018. 26 May 2018.

3- The Ballad of Davy Crockett. Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia.org.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ballad_of_Davy_Crockett. 30 March 2018. 26 May 2018.

4- George Bruns. Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia.org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Bruns. 12 February 2018. 26 May 2018.

5- Tom. W. Blackburn. Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia.org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_W._Blackburn. 8 January 2018. 26 May 2018.

6- Buena Vista Distribution. Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier. Movie poster. By Source, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=32739297. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Davy_Crockett,_King_of_the_ Wild_Frontier#/media/File:Davy_Crockett,_King_of_the_Wild_Frontier_FilmPoster.jpeg.15 may 2018. 26 May 2018.

New Release -- Forgotten Son (Men of Maine Series Book 5) by Diana Tobin

When Zoe Jarrett moves to Webster, Maine, she is interested in only one thing—re-inventing herself. A career change from the boring CPA she’d been for so many years to the outgoing, flirtatious massage therapist isn’t her only ‘makeover’—she’s also running from her own heart. A fifteen-year-long betrayal has her believing there is no ‘happy-ever-after’ for her in life, but a good time is always available somewhere!

Tom Lansing has returned to Webster determined to learn the truth about his childhood—and his father. Tom’s mother was once married to Wil Owens, but is Wil truly Tom’s father? In the midst of his search for the truth, he’s blindsided by a sassy blonde pixie with an exotic flair that matches her name—Zoe. Her outrageous flirting embarrasses the serious construction company owner, but Tom is attracted to her beautiful looks and kind heart.

As they each struggle to put the past behind them, can Tom convince Zoe they have a future together? With new beginnings ahead, can Tom forgive the man he believes deserted him—and can Wil make things right with his FORGOTTEN SON?

EXCERPT

     Zoe Jarrett squealed in delight. “Oh, Michaela! You wonderful girl. You got me a welcoming gift.” She clapped a hand over her chest and fluttered her dark eyelashes. Her voice lowered and deepened to a purr. “Looks like a big one, too.”

     Michaela Reigh, owner of the beauty salon, The Hair Mousse, gaped, then giggled as she realized to what, or rather whom, her new employee referred. “He doesn’t come cheap, but he’s worth every penny.”

     Tom Lansing, owner of Lansing Construction, looked over his shoulder from where he crouched on the floor. “Hey, Micki.” He stood up to greet the two women. “Had a few minutes so thought I’d check around. I’m not completely sure I know what you want.” His smile was polite even as his gaze traveled over the mostly blonde pixie standing next to his client.

     “Don’t worry, handsome. I can clear up any mysteries.” She slid a glance at Michaela. “Don’tcha love a man in a tool belt?” She licked her lips and grinned as his face flushed red.

     “Don’t scare him away before you see what he can do,” admonished Michaela with a smile.

     

FLEETING, by Mollie Hunt, Cat Writer

Artist, M. Boulanger unsigned

Spring has sprung. Here in Portland Oregon, the gardens are abundant with blossoms. Lilac, calendula, wisteria, snap dragons; even the roses have decided it’s close enough to June to show their pretty heads. The grass is green and growing like the weed it is. The foliage is fresh and new.

But as I ponder my back yard garden, I see brown creeping into the color. The lilacs are already fading; the hot-pink rhododendron poms are beginning to bleach. Azalea petals dangle from their filaments to fall and litter the ground. The hyacinths and daffodils that started this flower frenzy are relegated to memory.

Fleeting. So anticipated; so beautiful; so quickly gone.

Yes, I know there will be buds to come: lilies, zinnia, and of course more roses. There will be daisies in the fields and marigolds in the borders. Gladiolas will reach up bright, colorful stalks. Fuchsias will hang from baskets on porches where we can sit quietly, evading the summer heat.

Before we know it, chrysanthemums and dahlias will push their way through the drying soil. Reds and browns and golds, mimicking their season.

Which brings us to winter. All in the blink of an eye.

For me, writing is like the flowers of the seasons: the anticipation of the new story, so perfect and unique in my mind; the first draft giving way to a second and a third (and a fourth). The editing, the publishing… 

Where did that virgin story go? Is it still abloom somewhere in the finished product? (yes, I said “product”.) That seed from my imagination— will it be what people take away when they read the book?

Check out more blogs by Mollie Hunt, Cat Writer at:

Mollie Hunt: Crazy Cat Lady Mysteries and more

Happy reading!

Self-aggrandizement by Michael E. Gonzales

Ah, May. The month of my birth, but enough painful reminders.

A friend of mine, a former Special Forces NCO, (all my friends are veterans…hmm)

is today an outstanding professional photographer. He has offered to take a headshot of me for use on the back cover of my books.

As intriguing as that thought was, at first, I began to struggle with two thoughts. What if younger readers turn the book over and see a gray haired old guy.

Might that not cause them to turn away from my literary offering?

The second hits me a bit harder.

The thought of self-aggrandizement.

Some would say that is the very essence of advertising.

I don’t agree, my advertisements promote the novels, not the author.

The same with using quotes from your reviews. Is it really cool for an author to do that? Might not the reader conclude that the author has only selected the positive comments?

Example: a recent comment reads, “If you like to sleep then DON’T buy this book. It will keep you up at nights until you're finished.”

And platitudes like, “One of the best science fiction stories I have ever read! Non-stop heart pounding action from beginning to end!”

I mean…that stuff makes me blush.

And come on, a review like, “Fantastic story! Well written. Reminds me of the greats of the golden age of science fiction.”

Really? The greats…WOW. I am so humbled! (And I mean that, now!)

It’s one thing to read these things in the privacy of one’s own study, but to know they are out there for anyone to read, well―

And then a fan goes as far as to suggest: “His descriptions, at every turn, places you on the moon and in the room as the main characters struggle for survival. Intrigue permeates this novel as we are introduced to AI and aliens in a way that brings this story to life. I am excited about the next book and can't wait to see this sci-fi series in IMAX Technicolor.

IMAX? I truly feel that is going way overboard. Regular old 3-D will be just fine. No, really. (And not to put too fine a point on it, but…what’s not shot in technicolor anymore?)

At the same time, an astute observer will find hints to tell him what he’s doing right, and what he needs to improve on, “I feared a non-techie, such as myself, might get lost in scientific techno speak, but not so; there was just enough to explain what was going on, I didn’t feel overwhelmed by it.”

And of course, there are areas that need improvement… “I have never been a science fiction person, however, half way through this book I am already excited to read the rest of the series!” 

Half way? I certainly should have grabbed her far earlier than that!

Then, as we all know, come the personal attacks. One critic started with, “The world of science fiction authors and readers will welcome new author Michael Gonzales.” And with that the writer went on to accuse me of being a “world builder!”

I want to make it quite clear, right now, I have absolutely no political aspirations…none!

So, in conclusion, I feel I shall have to achieve considerably more fame before I post pictures of myself or stoop to quoting from reviews of my work in public forums.

I thank you,

Mike

(All quotes in this bit of protracted rambling can be found on my Amazon site. https://www.amazon.com/product-reviews/1540645681/ ).

And while your there, do feel free to purchase any or all of my novels.

My Web Site:  http://www.mikegonzalesauthor.com/home.html

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Life in the Slow Lane

I believe we all have that one special place that soothes our soul and fills us with peace. For me, it's the mountains. I've been to the mountains, in various locations, on countless occasions. On each trip, I eagerly await the appearance of the first peaks in the distance. As soon as they come into view, I sigh and peace flows through me, any worry and stress falling away.

My husband is a beach guy. His family spent a week at the same beach every summer. He's natural for the beach - he loves the water and tans easily. We've made several trips to the beach of his childhood many times since our marriage but it was always a bit of a struggle for me. I'm both a non-swimmer and a fair-skinned redhead. I practically burst into flames in direct sunlight, even when coated in SPF 50+ sunscreen. I also suffer from an irrational fear of sharks. Three days at the beach was about all I could handle. At that point, I was ready to go home even if it meant leaving the rest of the family behind, LOL.

 There is SO much truth in this image courtesy of How to be a Redhead

However, over the years, things have changed. My husband has learned to enjoy the peace and quiet of the mountains as much as I do. As for me, I have learned to enjoy the beach. I still can't swim and have to take extreme measures to avoid blistering sunburn. What changed? I discovered the joy of fossil hunting. The first shark's tooth I found ignited something in me. I guesstimate that I've found a few hundred shark's teeth over the years. I've found other items that I knew must be some sort of fossil but never knew what they were. On our last trip to the beach, one of our fellow campers was also a fossil enthusiast; he was able to identify a couple of my mystery fossils: puffer fish plates and pieces of a sting ray barb. I also found some sort of vertebrae that had him stumped. My biggest find (literally), was the large tooth in the picture below.

Fossilized Great White tooth

So, while you are reading this post, I will be scouring the waterline in search of more fossilized finds. I can't wait!

What is your favorite vacation location?

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