A New Book from Sandra Cox

 I wanted to do this earlier since Sandra, This wonderful lady with a heart of gold, had her book release a couple of weeks back, but I just didn't have the time or  the physical ability to do this on the weekends (pain and bad fatigue). Yesterday, it was like a switch turned off and I felt the pain severity lessen around 6pm, which is great plus I am home today because I am going for round 2 of the ...colonoscopy, oscopy, oscopy..echo fading. OK without further adieu, Here is her new book.

Geller’s Find Release Info

Tagline:

It’s summer break and Dr. Luke Geller, history prof and part-time archeologist, is in Nevada looking for potsherds. What he discovers is an antique rifle and a portal in time.

Excerpt:

“Dammit.” 

His heels caught in a patch of fuzzy green and gray weeds. Buried in their center was a large piece of chiastolite. Ancient markings all but obliterating the standard graphite cross that long ago was used to ward off evil. The hair on the back of his neck rose and his nerves twitched. He’d never seen anything like that rock before. He nudged it with his foot. When it didn’t budge, he bent to pick it up. 

The ground under his feet trembled. 

The chiastolite glowed. The markings shimmered. 

What the hell?

He flapped his arms, trying to balance himself as the ground dropped an inch.  A perfect circle below his feet gave way.  The stone stayed in place.

He fell into a cylinder of rock and stone. 

The bottom dropped.

His stomach flopped and he swirled down.  

The wind whistled in his ears as he tumbled into a deep black hole that went on forever. The chill in the air fell away. The further down he went, the hotter the air. The rocks around him began to glow. Good God. Either he was heading for hell or the earth’s core, and neither was where he wanted to be. His grip on the rifle tightened as he bounced off the hot stones that closed around him as he whirled in a tube of rock. 

Time had no meaning. Seconds, minutes, maybe more passed as the cyclone of air spun him around. His stomach pushed up to his throat and he fought off nausea.

With a scraping sound, the spinning lurched to a stop.

Then as if an elevator button was punched, he started upward. Only unlike an elevator there was no floor, just rough rock gravity glued him against.

Up. Up. Up. Faster and faster. Then momentum stopped. His body quivered. A force thrust upward and opened.

He dropped.

Hard earth rose to meet him. 

With a thud, he landed.

Character Facts:

Doctor Luke Geller is a full-time history professor and part-time archeologist. 

His specialty is Native American artifacts.

Instead of a gun, he carries a Hopi throwing stick.

He likes cats, horses with a sense of humor, and women who aren’t looking for a commitment.

Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/Gellers-Find-Sandra-Cox-ebook/dp/B0B89FY76K

Bio:

Sandra, who also writes as S. Cox, is a vegetarian, animal lover and avid gardener. She lives with her husband, their dog and cats in sunny North Carolina.

An award-winning author, her stories consist of all things Western and more.

Foodie Facts:

She spent a number of years in the Midwest chasing down good Southern BBQ. By the time she moved to North Carolina where Southern BBQ is practically a staple, she’d become a vegetarian.

Pineapple is a must-have on pizza, along with black olives and onions.

She loves pumpkin waffles. Pumpkin cream cheese, not so much.

Links:

https://sandracoxwriter.com

https://cowboytrivia.blogspot.com 

https://www.amazon.com/Sandra-Cox/e/B002BM3AKC

Last time I posted, it was a mess because not everything turned out right and Sandra was amazing with her understanding. This time I hope it comes out aok with my limited knowledge of the computer.

Have a blessed day and anyone in Florida and the Eastern Coast of Canada, I am thinking about you.

Thursday Movie Picks-Female Detectives or Cops

 

I had a tough time trying to think up female investigators. Wandering through the Shelves has been keeping me on my toes! I think I feel pretty good with my choices and no Nancy Drew in sight because I never saw a movie about this character. Here are my 3...

1. LADY OF BURLESQUE-1943

I enjoy watching a great Dame like Barbara Stanwyck and she really makes this movie shine about a series of killings, with a g-string( let's hope a clean one) in a burlesque hall. This is based on a book written by the famous, Gypsy Rose Lee, called " The G- String Murders." It's not an amazing film but risqué considering the Hays Office. When the police can't seem to find the killer, Barbara decides, with the aid of her co-horts, to find the real killer. It's a great old black & white movie that is quite entertaining.

2. COPYCAT-1995

This is an under-rated, stellar film starring Sigourney Weaver as a psychiatrist who is agoraphobic after a serial killer tries to do her in. Now, a new serial killer is on the loose and mimics the deaths from other serial killers stumping the detectives led by Holly Hunter. You feel the tension mount when the killer, played with a psychotic glee, by Harry Connick Jnr( he deserved more accolades for this role as he was really creepy) sets his sights on Sigourney. This is one of the best new thrillers I have seen and it should be better known. It keeps you riveted.

3. THE HEAT-2013

Yes, this is rude and crude but bloody hilarious! I love both of these actresses and they seem to have real chemistry. Sandra is an FBI agent who goofs up and is sent across the U.S. to investigate some murky dealings. She is uptight, by the book, and classy. She meets a cop, Melissa, who is the exact opposite, and they work against each other until they are forced to work with one another. Ok, the plot is typical, but it's just so funny especially the barbs Melissa says to the Albino cop jerk. I almost peed my pants. This is not everyone's cup of tea(Joel) but I enjoyed it.

Can you think of 3 female detectives from the movies?

Which Song Won the Oscar

 

I have to start marking down which years I have done or I will repeat myself...I just know it. I am writing this late because I procrastinated. That being said, at least i am writing this:) I decided to choose the Oscar year of 1953 and am picking the song that won the Oscar, The song that was nominated and one that got nadda. let's see if you choose the right one.

1. THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT SUNG BY FRED ASTAIRE, NANETTE FABRAY, JACK BUCHANAN AND OSCAR LEVANT

This song should be instantly recognizable even if you never saw the film, "The Bandwagon" where it was written specifically for the movie version of this stage musical. It was written by Arthur Schwartz (Music) and Howard Dietz (Lyrics) and performed by these legends. Later it was used in 3 movie versions about the great MGM musicals (with just some great non musical people like Tracy & Hepburn). When we hear this song we instantly think Hollywood, I think anyways. 

2. THAT'S AMORE SUNG BY DEAN MARTIN

This song, written by Harry Warren with lyrics by Jack Brooks, has become Dean Martin's signature song and also helped bring a better image of the Italians after Capone and Mussolini. Who knew this song came from a Dean Martin/Jerry Lewis comedy called "The Caddy." I have to say I always loved this song.

3. SECRET LOVE SUNG BY DORIS DAY

This song was introduced by Doris Day in one of her signature roles as Calamity Jane in the film with the same name. Good Ole Calamity never looked so good! This was a bona fide hit for Doris here and across the pond and became one of her signature tunes along with "Que Sera Sera." The music was written by Sammy Fain and the lyrics by Paul Francis Webster and made quite the splash back in the day.

So....which song won the Oscar, which was nominated and which tanked in both? 

Thursday Movie Picks: Media or Tech Mysteries

 

It's capers month, no, I don't mean those little fish things, but mysteries and I'm loving this month even though Wandering Through The Shelves made me put my thinking cap on. This week, it's about the media and/or technology and these are the 3 that popped into my head. I'm saving Zodiac for another time.

1. FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT-1940

Most of you know I love Alfred Hitchcock so this film came right into my sad little head. This takes place before the States entered WW2 so Hitch must have made this film with that in mind. Joel McCrea( major crush..hubba hubba) stars as a crime reporter sent by his boss to England to find put more about the war. He soon finds himself embroiled in an espionage mystery trying to convince the police what he actually saw. You have a tense moment in a windmill, spies, a beautiful Dame and George Sanders whom I love. He was just so witty. This film doesn't get the same love as his other films, but I think it is one of Hitchcock's better early films in the U.S.

2. CALL NORTHSIDE 777-1948

The title is the phone # when one used to ask for a name not just numbers. This is based on a true story with James Stewart asked, by his boss, to check in on an elderly woman who posted an ad in the paper to clear her son. Her son was charged and convicted of killing a police officer back in 1930 and now, 11 yrs later, at her wit's end, the guy's mom took out this ad. Stewart doesn't think much about this story until he digs further finding coverups, mishandling etc..at the heart of this. The cops and district attorney really hate him nosying around. It's well acted, obviously, and I like the noirish vibe to this. It was the first film to be filmed on location in Chicago.

3. TRUE CRIME-1999

Clint Eastwood plays a recovering alcoholic who has been sleeping with the boss's wife at a newspaper office. He's assigned to talk to a death row inmate to get some final words from the condemned man. He had no idea that he was going to try to free this man whom, he believes, is innocent. He has very little time to get to the truth but he must try. This is nicely acted especially by Isaiah Washington as the condemned man. I found it a good movie, not a great one, but one that hold your attention.

Which 3 films can you come up with?

For The Queen

 

As we all know, unless you have been hiding under a rock, Queen Elizabeth died and I don’t think we were expecting it even though she was 96 and never seemed to get over the Covid virus. Personally, I think it knocked the stuffing out of her and with her husband, of 70 years ( wow!) gone the year before, I guess it was just a matter of time. I have been strangely moved by her demise and didn’t expect it, to be honest, so, I thought, why not look at the top songs from her biggest moments (no births here) so, here we go...

1. BYE BYE BLACKBIRD SUNG BY GENE AUSTIN-1926

I heard of this song but never knew it was such a mega hit back in 1926. It was written by Ray Henderson with lyrics by Mort Dixon. I’ve heard this in movies and, maybe, a MASH episode, but I didn’t know it was a huge hit in the UK back when she was born.

2. THE NIGHT HAS A THOUSAND EYES BY EDDIE DUCHIN-1947

This comes from a film of the same name and I did not know that( now I want to see the film) but this song was a big hit when The Queen married her 2nd cousin 3x removed...or is that 3rd cousin twice removed?? Oh well, she married her match and she loved him. I really like this song and I tried to find the song sung by Anne Shelton but couldn't through Blogger but go to YouTube.. pretty cool. This singer with the music composed by Jerry Brainin and lyrics by Buddy Bernier.

3. HERE IN MY HEART SUNG BY AL MARTINO-1952

When her father died, she instantly became Queen and was actually in Africa when this happened so she and Prince Phillip had to get home right away. This song was a big hit in the UK written and composed by Pat Genero, Lou Levinson and Bill Borrelli. Al Martino,a U. S. Singer, made #1 only in the UK once.

4. THE SONG FROM MOULIN ROUGE BY MANTOVANI-1953

On June 2nd( my birthday just not 1953)  was the coronation and this famous song was all the rage in the UK by this Orchestra leader while Percy Faith was the leader over in our woods. It was written by George Auric and called “Where Is Your Heart” or “ It’s April Again.”

5. BADDEST OF THEM ALL WRITTEN AND SUNG BY ELIZA ROSE 2022

I know, more than my usual 3 songs but I had to pick the top parts of Queen E and her death is a tribute to her as well even with this song. I actually don’t hate it. What a difference between 1926 and today. 

Which songs would you pick as a tribute even if you didn’t care for the Queen?

Thursday Movie Picks- Historical Mysteries

 

Wandering through the Shelves chose a good one but my brain must be tired because I was stumped. I already used “The Name of the Rose” so I started to think of real mysteries and came up with the 3 I have listed below.

1. MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS-1974

Based on an Agatha Christie novel which, I am certain, she based on the famous Lindbergh baby kidnapping case, stars Albert Finney as the famous detective, Hercules Poirot, on board the famous Orient Express filled with some very interesting characters. He is asked by an American business man to find out who might be trying to kill him but Poirot shows no interest but, before you can say “knife”, the man is knifed to death. Now, Poirot must find out who the murderer is and he has the time to do it since a huge amount of snow fell on top of the tracks. I love this film with some great actors, Sean Connery, Lauren Bacall, Anthony Perkins, Wendy Hiller and Ingrid Bergman, who won an Oscar for her role, chewing up the scenery. This is a regal acting tour de force. I haven’t seen the remake but I bet it’s not as good as this original.

2. MURDER BY DECREE-1979

Sherlock Holmes, along with Dr. Watson, are trying to figure out who Jack the Ripper is in this lesser known film of this famous sleuth. Christopher Plummer plays Holmes with James Mason as Watson, decided to play these characters with more human ways than the Basil Rathbone/Nigel Bruce Films. Jack the Ripper is at large, and, as we all know, is one of the most famous serial killers that is yet unidentified. This film follows the belief that the Masonic Order is part of this horrible mystery that try to thwart Holmes and Watson from finding out the truth. I really liked this film which, I thought, was quite well acted and a new way of presenting these characters. I’d love to see it again as it has been decades.

3. THE MAN IN THE IRON MASK-1998

I need to see the original 1939 movie because, I bet, it is better than this version. This man actually did exist but he was not in an iron mask but a red velvet one and was given  everything he needed except his freedom and he was not allowed to talk. This took place during the reign of King Louis 14th, the Sun King and the hypothesis is that this man was a dead ringer for the king and may have even been his twin brother. In order to maintain his crown, the King had his doppelgänger locked up. Alexander Dumas wrote a story  based on this prisoner, but put him in an iron mask and, from there, the legend grew along with movies. This film stars Leonardo in the dual role of the snotty ass King and the humble, smelly prisoner who is liberated by the 3 Musketeers. Now they wish to place this kid on the throne and put snot in the prison but complications arise. It’s a fun frolic but Leo seemed overwhelmed by this role and the film could have been better but it’s still fun to watch.

Which films can you think of?

Driving To School With My Brother

 

School has started in my neck of the woods now and it still can make me shudder. When my brother got his driver’s license, he couldn’t wait to drive to school and who could blame him since we had to take the stupid bus for over an hour. I was so happy to get a ride with him once I entered High School, much to his chagrin, I think, because I was 3 years younger and could cramp his style...hahahaa. I’m not sure what his style was but that didn’t matter as I was happy not to be on the bus until I had to sit in his back seat and listen to that music. Now, please forgive me as I was a young 14 yr old geek who loved classical music, movie music, ABBA and ELO. I still love all I just mentioned, but I now also really enjoy the music I am about to mention and know how great it actually is. I may not own Hendrix or Joplin but I do enjoy listening to it. I wouldn’t mind the greatest hits of Steppenwolf though...

1. FOXY LADY BY JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE-1967

My brother fell in love with Jimi Hendrix’s sound and would play his music incessantly. He may differ on that, but I remember how often I had to listen to his music. This song was one I had to listen to while stuck in the back seat and thought it was disgusting. Hahahaaa

2. SOOKIE, SOOKIE BY STEPPENWOLF-1968

I didn’t mind this song, written by Don Covey and Steve Cropper from this band, but, to this day, I have no clue WTF it means and it was not a fav of mine to listen to it...often.

3.  PIECE OF MY HEART BY JANIS JOPLIN-1968

This song was written by Jerry Ragovoy and Bert Berns and introduced by Aretha’s sister, Erma Franklin but became mega famous by Janis Joplin. I truly appreciate and like how she sings this song now but, back then, I just couldn’t stand her screeching, as I used to call it. It still is a bit but I ...like the way she sings it.

I hope my brother reads this and adds his 4 cents worth. Any songs you hated back in the day but like now?

By the way, our Harley really sleeps this way. He has nothing to do with school, I just thought he is funny.