Nathaniel Rose evokes shades of Mike Hammer and Parker with some unique textures of his own. The stories were entertaining original fiction, written with honor threaded throughout the tough action and dialogue.
The reader is left wanting more tales from this almost anti-hero.
In a genre overly criticized for its wanton violence and sexuality, it's refreshing to see Michael Bracken stare the critics down for the sake of a story done right.
Bracken's work can stand alongside Mickey Spillane, Richard Stark, Dennis Lehane, George Pelecanos and Ed McBain as the most entertaining writing of its genre.
Having read four other Bracken books (All White Girls, Bad Girls, Psi Cops as well as Tequila Sunrise), the feeling is that Bracken will make a major breakthrough into mainstream entertainment.
Hopefully,his Nathaniel Rose creation will follow him there, because crime fiction needs a breath of fresh air.

The subtitle, "Bullets, Booze and Broads," is a highly accurate summation of this short story collection. There is certainly no mistaking this book for a cozy tea party at the vicarage. In all honesty, I'm much more a cozy fan than a hardboiled fan, and the more graphic sex scenes pushed my "too much information" button. Bracken tells a good story, though, and there is no denying that Nathaniel Rose has a distinctive voice.

All of the stories are set in St. Louis, and as someone who visits St. Louis maybe once every few years, I enjoyed Rose's tour of some of those sites not on the typical tourist itinerary. The city's unique personality comes through very subtly yet effectively, seeming to make the setting a character of its own.

I was particularly impressed with the plot lines, both within each story and in the progression of stories. Bracken's plot twists are fresh and innovative where so many hardboiled stories fall back on the tried and true devices. Bracken even seems to poke fun at some of those hardboiled conventions, like when Rose describes how he and his secretary are caught by surprise when a client actually shows up completely unannounced. The character development as Rose proceeds from "Partners" (first published in 1988) through four stories from the 1995 collection Even Roses Bleed, to the final two stories written for this anthology, also indicate Bracken's concentration on craft. And despite my cozy leanings, I couldn't help but admire Bracken's willingness to shed just about anybody's blood in order to keep the plot coherent.

If you like your fiction brief and noir (and maybe even if you don't) I think you'll find Tequila Sunrise an intoxicating treat.

(adapted from a "Skullduggery" review)

Tequila Sunrise contains seven private eye stories, all great. These stories are faithful to the hardboiled genre, and make no apology for their rough, tough nature.

I knew I was in for a good time when Nathaniel Rose's car blew up on page one of the first story. The excitement and suspense didn't let up until the last page of the last story.

If you like stories of private eyes with codes of honor, willing to do what it takes to find the truth no matter wshat the personal cost, this is the book for you.

I love this book. It is not only very useful, but very ecologically advanced for the time it was written (i.e. you don't need 5 cleaning products for 5 jobs if one will do). I still use the hints, and nobody complains about my house.

Also includes good recipes and menus--simple ones that don't cost too much.

I inherited this book and I had no idea that anyone else had shared my totally insatiable need to read and reread this little treasure. I thought that Peg Bracken was my personal little treasure trove. Although the book was written and published A DECADE before I was born, it has been time honored and continues to be THE HOUSEKEEPING BOOK FOR ALL GENERATIONS.

Finally, some cleaning advice that I can use! Peg Bracken sorts the wheat from the chaff and passes on realistic tips and techniques for those of us who would rather be doing just about ANYTHING but cleaning house. This book is the perfect remedy for anyone who has ever passed out after reading one of those housekeeping books that expect you to jump through 101 hoops in order to keep the house clean. Since it was written 40 years ago, some of Bracken's personal comments may seem a little outdated, but her witty, conversational style more than makes up for this. I have never before laughed out loud while learning the best way to polish silver. This book is a must-have for anybody whose domestic skills could best be classified as "random".

Very nice book. Nice colors, nice pictures.
Very handy to teach little ones about + Action words + shapes and Colors + counting + opposites + feelings.
But what I love the most is the diversity of little people. You can find an asian boy, a black mother, a girl with glasses... Nice game to play: "where is the grand-dad?"

Flaps look strong, but i still want to be with my baby right now so he doesn't tear them all! It's such a nice book...

My 19 month old loves this book, and prefers it over all of his other books. The flaps have won him over. He loves pulling them up and down to see what "opposite" is on the other side. Because it's centered around school, he relates to it easily since he's in daycare. It's the first book he's started "reading" to himself and to his little buddy doll, and he's even started "counting" all the little people in the book. He wants to take the book everywhere we go! I'm going to get the other books in this series, so that he'll have new adventures to pursue once he's "finished" his fascinating bus ride.

My children love Little People and being able to buy books where they can recognise the characters is exciting for them. The lift-the-flaps get my children involved in the story while I read it to them. No matter how many times we read it, it's always a surprise to find out what is under the flap. A lovely book to share with your growing children and one that isn't too babyish when they start to read themselves.

My first (and favorite) mother-in-law gave this to me as a wedding present, twenty years ago. At the time I fancied myself quite the gourmet cook, and was mildly insulted. Finally, out of boredom one day, I read it cover to cover. I fell in love with it. There are several laugh-out-loud phrases in it, and Hilary Knight's illustrations are gems. Then, as I started working longer hours and no longer wanted to do something en croute for my husband for dinner, I turned to the recipes. They are simple, good and fast, and most of them can be crammed down a child's throat without too much fuss. They were written in the days before we knew about cholesterol, but hey, not everything's perfect. Are you tired of presenting Tuna Helper to your family? This will give the effect of a much more home-cooked meal. Good everyday family meals, relatively nutritious.

You should also read Peg Bracken's other books. They're terrific, too.

Peg Bracken's "I Hate to Cook Book" sure has an awful lot of good, simple recipes for a book that purports not to be about cooking. It's fun, fun, fun to read and the recipes truly are simple and good.

The best thing about the book is Bracken's inimitably breezy voice. When she tells you to stir "Company Carrots" until they're well-coated, she writes, " . . . stirring so that all the strips get well acquainted with the sauce." When introducing a recipe for "Rosy Radish Salad," she prefaces the instructions with, "This next one uses up radishes and some of your canned beans." No doubt she's always eager to get beyond dinner because she wants to get out of the kitchen and be seated with her guests, enjoying the conversation! She's a hoot to read, and the recipes work. I love the recipe names: Lamb Shanks Tra-La, Elevator Lady Spice Cookies, Sour Cream Cinch No. 1 and No. 2, Philosopher's Chowder, Breakthrough Salad, Immediate Fudge Cake, Dazzleberry Tart (which begins, "If the dazzleberries aren't ripe yet, use canned cherry pie filling"), and more. Even the chapter names are funny (No. 22 is entitled "Stealing from Knowledgeable People"). Get this book if you enjoy cooking or hate cooking--it doesn't matter--but definitely get it if you like a good laugh and good, plain, simple recipes.

I used this cookbook as a newlywed. It saved many a dinner party. I thought the author was Erma Bombeck.(obviouslt I was wrong) Before I order this book I would like to know if there are afew recipes which I remember. That way I can be sure this is indeed the book I want.

Is there a chicken recipe called Chicken George?
Also is there one called Hamburger Stroganoff?

Thanks for your help. I really appreciate it.

Sincerely,
Pat Rahimi

I'm strictly a layman here; this sounded like a nice (and inexpensive) overview and I didn't know anything about Descartes before. You don't have to be a philosophy major to follow this (most of it!), and the author presents the material in a very interesting manner. Highly recommended!

I thought this book was very readable. I'm doing a course on philosophy and this was perfect for getting me interested in Descartes and his ideas. Bracken is a very clear writer. I can recommend it.

I found this book in a Flea Market(published in 66') and thought it would be funny to read it. I was right. But also, it was amazingly easy to cook with this book! What a nice surprise: the recipes are simple and woderful! It's my cooking bible since -all the other books are past!

Fans of Bear in the Big Blue House will love Bear's Birthday. Color your way through this book as Bear and his friends celebrate Bear's birthday. I gave copies of this book as party favors at my son's second birthday party. What a hit! The children loved adding color to the illustrations and completing the activity pages. This book is perfect for your little one!

If I could have just one recent book on my shelf to use as a reference for leadership development, organizational effectiveness, performance feedback and coaching, this would be the one. Each chapter is authoritatively written in clear, approachable language. Reflected in the chapters is a high level of professional and scientific discipline without a hint of academic arrogance. Unlike many edited books having different authors for each chapter, this book is well structured and integrated so as to be readable either from beginning-to-end (probably the best way) or each chapter standing alone. The chapter authors, each a recogonized expert, obviously paid attention to the others' writings. Each author provides a complementary piece of the puzzle while avoiding repetition. This handbook is an excellent example of how a compendium should be edited, and how a team of authors can blend their efforts on a complex subject.

I was dissapointed in the book. I truely hate to cook, and found many of the recipes seem to be for those who actually want to chop onions and green peppers, or spend time hunting for all the right spices. I'd rather buy a prepackaged mix, or something frozen. The author does have a good sence of humor though, and you cant help but chuckle.

My mother had the I Hate To Cook Book when I was growing up in the 60s. The recipes are good and fast (if not very healthy -- when was the last time you browned ground beef in a little oil?) and the text is just hilarious. The one I've always remembered is "let it simmer while you light a cigarette and stare sullenly at the sink." It's a lot of fun, especially for those days when only the food you grew up with will do.

This is cook book that is worth having. It's easy to follow, and FUN to read. The recipies use products that are easy to understand, and they taste good! An excellent recipe is the "Chilly night Chili" which is easy and fast. I especially enjoy this book as I am not a person who enjoys spending a lot of time in the kitchen unless there is a party there. This book is helpful in all cooking situations: parties, everyday meals even leftovers. It's also very funny!