BOOK REVIEW: HEAT WAVE BY RICHARD CASTLE

From Hyperion, cover artist(s) unknown

Okay, for those few out there that may not know the premise behind all of this; Castle is an entertaining series on the ABC television network about a famous mystery writer who, among other things, helps Detective Kate Beckett and her squad at the New York Police Department solve homicide cases.

One of the show's initial ideas was that author Richard Castle got permission to ride along with Beckett and company because he decided to use her as the inspiration for a new book series, which resulted in HEAT WAVE, released in 2009 between the first and second seasons of the program.

Detective Nikki Heat of the NYPD and her squad face a sweltering New York City summer, the death of a real estate mogul with suspects and alibis aplenty, and the unnecessary(?) presence of journalist Jameson Rook, assigned to write an in-depth article about her squad.

After reading the first novel, it is way too easy to draw parallels between book and television characters, especially when both follow similar background plot points regarding the main casts. Yet the book is more than capable of standing on its own merits. HEAT WAVE is also a guilty pleasure of enjoyment for both the casual reader and the long time mystery fan; especially because the novel took full advantage of the excellent opportunity to tell a more complete, detailed story outside the restrictive confines of an hour of commercial television.

In reel life, Richard Castle is the accredited author and, as a fan of both the book and television series, I will do nothing to discourage that premise.
For review purposes, I will note that in real life, the author(s?) remain anonymous, although actor Nathan Fillion sometimes makes appearances in character as Castle the author at book store signings and new release events.

I have also read NAKED HEAT, the second novel in this series. There are five to date, with a sixth scheduled for release this fall. That volume will be the subject of a future book review, but I look forward to reading the others as time permits.

SUNDAY FUNNIES: DIGGING READING!

"I read, therefore I am."

Hello Everybody! Autumn the Puppy here.
Now let's face facts. I love to dig, especially into a good book.

If I wasn't born a dog, I'd be a bookworm, which is a lot healthier for you than heart worms or tape worms I can assure you.

In any event, let's take a look at the list of books I've read since the last time I did a column on this.

"I Didn't Do It!" by Ivan Alibi

Right. But what do the facts say?

More For Your Money by Max Amize

Saving money is a good thing, except I will not eat cheap dog food!

Gone Fishing by Rod Andreel

This wasn't a bad book, but some of the fishing stories were hard to believe. Besides, what dog actually eats fish?

Cry Wolf by Al Armist

It's getting to the point where even our shadows are afraid of their shadows!

Bee Keeping For Beginners by A. P. Arry

The buzz on this book was pretty good.

Auto Wrecks by Bahd Driver

It wasn't a good book, but I just couldn't turn away from it until I finished.

The Truancy Problem In Education by Marcus Absent

You have to get your children interested in school before they'll stay in school.

I Love Bullfighting by Matt Adore

The author did. I didn't. Was rooting for the bulls throughout the entire book!

How To Annoy Those You Love by Aunt Agonize

Was hoping to find out how to control my flea problem better. Then I realized that despite how they feel about me, I certainly don't love them.

Positive Reinforcement by Wade Gogh

♪"Making your way in the world today, takes everything you got.

Taking a break from all your worries, sure would help a lot."♫

The History of Soda Pop by Ginger Aile

This book was quite refreshing!

The McDonald's Banquet by Tommy Ayk

Everybody has their own taste. Please hold the pickles on mine.

Well, that's it for this weekend. Have a great week everybody and please be back here next time for more Sunday Funnies!—AtP.

THE WEEK IN REVIEW: AUGUST 3-9, 2014

AUGUST 9TH IS THE INTERNATIONAL CELEBRATION OF

THE WORLD'S INDIGENOUS PEOPLE.

TODAY IS THE 160TH PUBLISHING ANNIVERSARY OF

HENRY DAVID THOREAU'S WALDEN.

TODAY IS THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THEN PRESIDENT

RICHARD NIXON RESIGNING FROM OFFICE TO AVOID

PROSECUTION IN THE WATERGATE SCANDAL.

THE LAST "SUPER MOON" CYCLE FOR 2014 IS AUGUST 9-11.

THE ANNUAL PERSEID METEOR SHOW

"PEAKS" BETWEEN AUGUST 11-13.

AUGUST 11TH MARKS THE 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF

THE (IN)FAMOUS ALCATRAZ PRISON OFFICIALLY OPERATIONAL.

AMONGST EVENTS HAPPENING AROUND THE WORLD THIS PAST WEEK...
*Egypt managed to broker a 72 hour cease fire between Israel and Hamas forces, but it didn't last the full 3 days as Hamas resumed their attack, forcing Israel to go back on the defensive.
*A 6.1 earthquake has been reported, with its epicenter in Yunnan, China. Over 580 people have lost their lives with many more injured.
*The World Health Organization has declared the Ebola Virus outbreak in West Africa an International Public Health Emergency, as the death toll has exceeded 900 victims, while Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has declared a state of emergency in her country over the outbreak.
*President Juan Manuel Santos of Columbia has been sworn in for a second term.
*The Senate of Italy has decided to reduce its size and powers.
*While no known formal charges have been filed, South Korean authorities are looking into a massive water fight that took place in Seoul August
*The European Space Agency's probe Rosetta has reached Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, with the intention of an eventual landing upon the comet.
*A dead zone (devoid of all sea life) has been discovered in the Gulf of Mexico reported to be the size of America's state of Connecticut.
*Milly Zantow, the woman who developed the system used today for sorting and recycling plastics, has passed away of natural causes at age 91.
*Noted film director/producer Menaham Golan has taken his final bow.
*Civil unrest continues along the Gaza Strip and in Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan.

BETWEEN THE UKRAINE AND RUSSIA...

*Pro-Russian separatists currently holding Donetsk fear being overcome by Ukrainian forces and are urging Russia to send them more military support. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian government is urging civilians to flee the area immediately.
*Russia's Dobrolet Airlines has suspended all flights in the wake of current sanctions against the country. In return, Russia has banned a major list of imports from America and the European Union.

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA...

*While Congress is on vacation until September 8th, many of its members are out and about campaigning across the United States.
*Hawaii faced Hurricane Iselle, which just passed the island chain without making actual landfall, thus maintaining their recorded history of no hurricane ever actually striking them; while preparing as Tropical Storm Julio draws near.
*The recent death of former President Ronald Reagan's Press Secretary James Brady has been ruled a homicide because he died from complications stemming from his 1981 shooting by John Hinckley. There is no word whether or not Hinkley, currently held in a mental institution, will face additional charges.
*In professional basketball, the San Antonio Spurs have hired former WNBA's San Antonio Star's player Becky Hammon to be an assistant coach, making her the first woman coach in any of the predominantly male professional sports.

For more news at any time, either scroll down to our IN OTHER NEWS feature at the bottom of your screen or visit any other reputable news source.

THE PUZZLE CORNER: AUGUST 9, 2014

FUN FACT
Without any wind support, rain can fall up to 22 miles per hour on its own.

NEXT?
Given the sequence below, can you figure out what the next item should be?
8 = 56
7 = 42
6 = 30
5 = 20
3 = ????

BEFORE AND AFTER
Two separate things share at least one word in common and can be combined to make something new.
Based upon the clue below, do you know what it is?

A C. S. Lewis novel about an infamous Super Bowl event?

We'll reveal all next weekend. But for now, let's open up THE ANSWERS BOX and discover the results from the August 2, 2014Puzzle Corner.


THE LETTER SHUFFLE
Each answer began with the same 2 letters, but it was up to you to complete
the rest of the word, based upon the clues below.

01. A tree = OAK
02. An idiot = OAF
03. Boat necessity = OAR
04. A grain = OAT

REBUS
The image below represented (Space) The Final Frontier.

SUNDAY FUNNIES: YOU ANIMAL, YOU

The Court Jester?

Hello Everybody.
My name is Waxy.
I'm a baby dragon, and today's jokes are animal related, because I just found out we animals have a kingdom all to ourselves!
I wonder why I haven't been invited to the castle yet?
Anyway, get ready to laugh!

What is smarter than a talking horse?
A spelling bee.

What did the Cinderella Fish wear to the ball?
Glass flippers.

If fish are so smart from staying in schools all the time, how come none have never decided to run a country?

"I see you, but hide too good to be seen."

I think I just answered my own question. Fish are too smart to ever enter politics to begin with!

When is it polite to drink milk from a saucer?
When you're a cat.

Why did the rooster cross the road?
To prove he wasn't chicken.

What did the monkeys have for dessert?
Chocolate Chimp Cookies.

Guest Commentator

I hope Autumn the Puppy doesn't get insulted over this one, but why do dogs wag their tails?
It's easier than wagging their tongues!

"Gee Waxy. You know I don't speak unless I have something to say. But I do know several busybody gossips who will wag their tongues all day long if you don't stop them soon enough."
Autumn the Puppy.

"I'll perch where I want to!"

Where does a 500 pound canary sit?
The answer is supposed to be "Anyplace it wants to", but I can't picture any perch strong enough to hold a 500 pound canary in the first place!

And on that n♪te, have a great week everybody and please be back here next weekend for more Sunday Funnies!--wd.

THE WEEK IN REVIEW: JULY 27-AUGUST 2, 2014

THIS IS REPUBLIC DAY IN MACEDONIA.

TODAY IS CHINA'S ANNUAL QIXI FESTIVAL.

AMONGST EVENTS HAPPENING AROUND THE WORLD THIS PAST WEEK...

*As the fighting between Israel and the Hamas continues, the violence against those of the Jewish faith seems to be spreading elsewhere, with reports of attacks on temples and individuals outside the country. Meanwhile, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei of Iran has offered weapons donations to the West Bank, provided they are used against Tel Aviv and other Jewish targets.

*A cease fire has been reached in the Central African Republic's Civil War.

*Some airlines have suspended service to Liberia, which has closed schools and is quarantining communities, and Sierra Leone as the Ebola outbreak continues in West Africa. The death toll has now passed 720 people, including Sheik Umar Khan, the doctor leading the efforts against the disease.

*The 45th Annual Pacific Islands Forum was held this past week, with climate change the main topic of discussion.

*The population of the Philippines is now over 100 MILLION souls.

*Vincenzo Nibali of Italy has won the 2014 Tour de France.

*Civil unrest continues in Libya, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Syria, and Pakistan.

THE LATEST BETWEEN RUSSIA AND THE UKRAINE...

*The Hague Permanent Court of Arbitration has ruled Russia deliberately took illegal actions which led to the bankruptcy of the Yukos Oil Company and has fined the country over 50 BILLION Euros.

*Land mines have been found around the crash site of Malaysia Flight 17, preventing investigators from examining the wreckage.

*Meanwhile, Japan has started issuing their own sanctions against Russia because of pro-separatist forces shooting down Malaysia Flight 17, an act Russian representatives claims is an unfriendly step that will harm Russia/Japan relations.

*The United States and the European Union have increased their sanctions against Russia.

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA...

*In reaction to Congressional Republicans going forward with the Boehner lawsuit against President Barack Obama, Democrats are reporting record donations and fund raising efforts in support of the President and his party.
*Meanwhile, as of August 1, Congress has gone on their summer vacation. They will resume their (lack of?) work September 8th.

*Florida's Miami-Dade County is allowing the acreage of an endangered pine rockland preserve to be reduced so developers can establish a retail center!

*The Dollar Tree discount chain has reached a deal to buy the competing Family Dollar discount chain for $8.5 BILLION US dollars!

*Linda Rondstat has been awarded a National Medal of Art.

*Bobby Cox, Tom Glavine, Tony LaRussa, Greg Maddux, Frank Thomas, and Joe Torre are the 2014 inductees into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame.

The Free Choice E-zine finished July with 4,139 page views; giving us both our 5th straight month of 3000+ page views AND our second month ever of 4000+ page views, thanks to our loyal readership!

For more news at any time, either scroll down to our IN OTHER NEWS feature at the bottom of your screen or visit any other reputable news source.

THE PUZZLE CORNER: AUGUST 2, 2014

FUN FACT
Snakes smell with their tongues!


THE LETTER SHUFFLE
We are going to do something a little different this time.
Each answer will begin with the same 2 letters, but you have to supply the rest to complete the word, based upon the clues below.
Ready?

01. A tree
02. An idiot
03. Boat necessity?
04. A grain

REBUS
Something familiar is represented in the image below.
Do you know what it is?

We'll reveal all next weekend. But for now, let's open up THE ANSWERS BOX and discover the results from the July 26, 2014 Puzzle Corner.


TRIVIA TIME
What is a pukwudgie?
A mythological creature of the Wampanoag Indians, known for causing mischief, whether the target deserves it or not.

AKA (Also Known As)
Barbara Millicent Roberts is better known as... Barbie, from Mattel Toys.