Customer Reviews (8)

A Great Book About A Great Woman
Sadly, Alice Faye seems to be forgotten these days.She made some major pictures in the 30's and early 40's but, as she never had a comeback role, today she has been replaced in historians minds with Betty Grable (ironically, Ms. Faye led the way for Betty).

This book is a fast, easy read which starts off by explaining that Alice Faye was never a very reliable source for historical data about her own life.Once you know that, a few omissions here and there do nothing to take the reader away from the fascinating person that Alice Faye must have been.

Details about her, her movies and her personal life are told to the readers in an informative, respectful, manner.From her start in films through her abrupt self-dismissal from Hollywood, you feel you really know (and like) the woman.Her marriage to Phil Harris, their radio show and the final years of her life are also carefully told.

This is what a book should be and I highly recommend it.

An excellent read
Alice Faye deserved the best and with this biography she got it. The author has captured her reserve, talent, wit and determination beautifully. The fact that Alice's daughters and friends participated so willingly is testament to both herself and the tact and skill with which the author has put the story together. Most impressively, the author has captured the milieu in which Alice Faye developed and this makes for a fascinating insight into New York during the depression.

All of her films are described in detail with a real feel for the pressures with which Faye dealt as she emerged as a superstar and from which she eventually walked away. Her relationship with husband Phil Harris is also analysed and it is a case book study in how 2 people make a life together - commitment, independence, humour etc. Faye's unexpected and extraordinary re-emergence into the limelight in her seventies as a spokeswoman for Phizer Pharmeceuticals is also included. As the author states, her elderly years were truly golden as she worked in a meaningful job and enjoyed her family and grandchildren.

The author's prose is literate with a low key style, like its subject.This makes for easy and entertaining reading.

Only complete biography
This is the only complete biography of Alice Faye written since her death in 1998. To those who admire Alice Faye it is a very well researched and interesting book covering her entire life. But the pictures in the book do not do her full justice. The best book there is The Alice Faye movie book,

An All-Round Interesting Book
Good things do happen to good people! In Ms. Elder's comprehensive biography of Alice Faye's we experience a young girl who emerges from a broken and impoverished home unscarred and loving.Her dreams of becoming a dancer place her in an atmosphere of traveling bands and their leaders, one night stands, and the New York night club scene, and in this atmosphere where so many others lost their ideals, she enjoys the friendship and respect of all her co-workers, male and female, as well as success..She enters the Hollywood movie arena of the 40's and 50's, where Mr. Zanuck and moguls of the movie studios try to dictate movie roles to her, yet she holds fast to what she inherently knows is correct and triumphs.And when she knows the time is right for her to quit show business and begin a private life, she does so and has many happy years with her family in a good marriage.

Ms. Elder's excellent writing maintains a balance between the career of Ms. Faye and the social and business environment in which she found herself.Indeed, this book gives splendid insight into the world of show business, from the early night club scene in New York to the developing Hollywood movie business with its contract players, radio broadcasts, and the early days of television. Of particular interest is the role of the newspaper reporters andthe film magazines, as well as the role of the movie studios' publicity departments.

This is an all-round interesting book, well researched and documented.I felt I really knew Alice by the end of the book, and admired her strength and values.

More Than Just A Biography
Alice Faye was an ordinary woman who led an extraordinary life. In this well researched, lucidly written biography, Jane Lenz Elder explores the many contradictions of Alice Faye: her struggles with stage fright and poor self image despite her enormous stage presence and success, her commitment to marriage and family despite a busy professional life, and her courageous willingness to act in her own best interests in a day when performers were expected to conform to the rigid codes of the Hollywood contract system.

But this book is more than just another biography of a silver screen legend. Ms Elder's background as a historian is evident in the detailed background provided. The reader will learn about the difficulties of life in Hell's Kitchen in the early years of the 20th century,how Prohibition created the night club milieu in which Faye developed her skills, and how business was conducted during the heyday of the great Hollywood studio chiefs.

The result is a rich story about a simple woman during one of the most interesting times in Hollywood history. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

So Very Much More Than a Screen Work Record
The author, W. Franklyn Moshier, offers the book as ..."a record of the screen work . . ." of Alice Faye. Believe me, it is so very much more than that! I have owned this book for only a year but it truly captures as well as enhances my memories of Sunday afternoon movie-watching as a young girl in the 1970's. The films were broadcast from Cincinnati, and the most vivid image remaining is that of "Lillian Russell", with the title character protrayed by the statuesque Alice Faye. The hours of programming set aside for televising movies from twenty and thirty years ealier was entitled, "When Movies Were Movies" and the films of Alice Faye were always among those broadcast. Therefore, I found it quite fitting for me that this book edition was published in 1974. Even more fitting is the reference on the inside front flap of the dust jacket to the thirties as being the time when movies were movies. This printed tribute to Alice Faye is so much more than a record of her screen work. The chronology provided is a true timeline of her talent, charm, and elegance. The hundreds of priceless photographs included are beyond fabulous. The carefully complete descriptions of the movies are filled with more than mere details and trivia. As each page is turned, one receives a revelation of production realities, thought-provoking reviews, and insight into the personableness of a true screen star legend. I was enthralled from cover to cover. I have always felt I was born about 40 years too late. Fortunately, this treasure has made it possible to feel like having a front-row seat and being backstage at the very same time!

ALICE FAYE MOVIE BOOK"SINGS!"
I have owned this book (1st Edition) since 1974) and It is a swell rememberance of the delightful Alice. I know personally that Alice was delighted with it and considered it her "Oscar". The photos and movie reviews are stunning and also a testament to How to grow older withSTYLE! We miss her terribly, as her talent , grace and charm is very rareto find! Though she has left us, her music and the movies linger..Perhaps alittle girl of 10 will be watching "Stowaway"this weekend, andwonder"Who was the Lady singing?" Thats how the new fansstart..Well, "ONE NEVER KNOWS, DOES ONE?" ... Read more

Product Description
Some of the prettiest paper doll books came out in the 1940s, and this Alice Faye book is no exception. The cover art, expertly drawn by Norman Mingo features three Alice Faye dolls, and the clothing pages by Clara Ernst include costumes from Alice Faye movies Tin Pan Alley, Lillian Russell, Hello Frisco Hello, Weekend in Havana and others. Star biography by fashion expert, David Wolfe. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an MP3 Audio CD of Phil Harris & Alice Faye, an oldtime radio show from the 1940's. If you love agood comedy, you'll love these. You get all these (and many others plus bonus shows):Selling The HousePhil Sees The DoctorPhil's HobbyThe Live SteerGuest Jack BennyPhyllis' BoyfriendJob for WillieThe New DrugHealth Food DietWillie Is Engaged Phil Has To Fire FrankSomeone Sends Alice Flowersvacation plansSponsor's DaughterDinner For TeacherMovie RoleSpring CleaningMother's DayCadillac In The Swimming PoolPhils BoatThe PicnicTonsilectomyfrankie's foster sonThe OptionThe OfficeA Car For AliceBeauty ShopMarket FightMr Scott's PartyUkelele LessonOn TVReWiring The HouseTalent Scout Wants KidsFemale WrestlerSponsor to Hire MyrtleMink Coat For AliceCity Hall Christmas TreeSinging LessonsMr. Scott's DogHome LatePhil's Birthday StatueSaving Marjorietrying to break up julius alice gets a new carhiring a secretary for philPlus many more and bonus shows. Relive the magic of oldtime radio! This is an mp3 audio CD, so it won't play on a standard cd player. You'll need to download the files to your ipod or other mp3 player or play them on your computer or use a mp3 CD player. This listing is in compliance with existing copyright laws and Amazon's policies. These are public domain oldtime radio shows legally produced by our company. ... Read more

Book Description
This is the most definitive survey yet of Alice Faye's unique career in film, recording, broadcasting and on stage, a career that began in 1933 and which is still flourishing today as a spokesperson for the elderly on health issues. Even as a child, Alice Faye, born Alice Jean Leppert, was drawn to the stage. On Saturdays Alice and her mother would attend matinees at the Broadway theaters, where Alice would loiter by the stage door pretending she was leaving for her own engagement. Faye's first break came as a dancer for the Chester Hale troupe. Her dancing chores trained her well for when she auditioned successfully for impressario George White. Faye was cast in the eleventh edition of "George White's Scandals," which opened on September 14, 1931. Faye was now making $60 a week, in a company that included such young luminaries as Ethel Merman and Ray Bolger. Faye was soon taken under the wing of Rudy Vallee, the renowned radio crooner and recording star of the day. She debuted on his radio program in December of 1932, and became a regular shortly thereafter. Her career in film musicals began a year later when she was signed to do a musical number on a restyled movie edition of "George White's Scandals," at Fox Studios in Hollywood. In addition to individual chapters on each facet of her life, the book features an annotated bibliography of book, magazine, and newspaper sources. All undocumented quotes in the introductory biography are from first hand remarks of people contacted by the author. The filmography of feature films is arranged in chronological order, with five other Faye appearances in clips or film shorts listed separately. The discography chapter lists her recordings alphabetically and by category. This section also lists compact disc releases and miscellaneous compilations on tape. The broadcasting chapter covers appearances on radio and television in chronological order. The stage chapter also lists Faye's appearances in chronological order. The annotated bibliography is arranged in alphabetical order by author or by article title if no author is identified. Specialized appendixes and a general index and song index complete the volume. The song index lists songs exclusively featuring Faye (or in accompaniment with others) in her film, broadcasting and stage appearances. This book will be of interest to all Alice Faye fans and to anyone interested in the history of film musicals. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Comprehensive but faulty

Theses Bio-bibliographies vary in quality.This is not one of the better ones.The volume is full of inaccuracies and VERY expensive but it certainly captures the breadth of Alice Faye's career and for anyone who thinks of her only as a film actress, it is a revelation.

However, the errors and sloppy editing could have been avoided because the author had access to all the corrections but did not bother.Sadly, this perpetuates the errors so that the uninformed just does not know what is correct and what is not.

The references to articles about Faye and interviews with her are particularly useful for those who wish to learn more.

Definitely Worthwhile For Faye Fans
I've owned the Alice Faye book for several years, and consider it a very useful, and even affectionate, look at Faye's career. The author clearly admires the star, and in the filmography chapter he does print contemporary reviews that prove how highly Faye was regarded. The bibliography alone encompasses an enormous amount of material that has been written about Faye, andeven the complete log of her radio show with husband Phil Harris is accounted for. The volume even includes information I previously had no knowledge of-- such as Faye's post-Hollywood career as a representative for a pharmaceutical firm.I appreciate that a reference book as this has been done--there are some excellent photographs too.

A Well Intentioned Mess
Greenwood Press offers yet another example of it's policy of publishing something... anything... just because it's not yet in their cataloge.Those seeking an overview of Alice Faye's career will find all the basicfacts (many of them wrong) in this work, which resembles nothing so much asxeroxed pages stapled together. In no instance do we get any feeling forthe performer as a person, just a rundown of "and then shedid..." or "and then she recorded..." etc.Such a longlived and important career deserves far, far better than this overpricedrubbish.

Alice Faye deserves better
To anyone looking at this book for information it is quite impressive. People giving these rave reviews aaasume the information in the book iscorrect.Anyone who knows about Alice Faye would know that theinformation in this book is unreliable.There is a mistake of some kind onalmost every page.The author was given a wealth ofinformation/corrections to work with but he and the publisher were moreinterested in getting it done now than getting it done right.It's ashame that people refer to these so-called "reference books",assume what their reading is fact, and the mistakes get copied over andover.To sum it up - opportunity lost. A big let-down for people wholove Alice Faye.The book to find, although not as broad in scope, is"The Alice Faye Movie Book" (aka "The Films of AliceFaye").It was written by someone who actually saw every film. ... Read more

Book Description
This digital document, covering the life and work of Alice Faye Duncan, is an entry from Contemporary Authors, a reference volume published by Thompson Gale. The length of the entry is 921 words. The page length listed above is based on a typical 300-word page. Although the exact content of each entry from this volume can vary, typical entries include the following information:

• Place and date of birth and death (if deceased)
• Family members
• Education
• Professional associations and honors
• Employment
• Writings, including books and periodicals
• A description of the author's work
• References to further readings about the author

Product Description
This is an MP3 Audio CD of Phil Harris & Alice Faye Disc 2, an oldtime radio show from the 1940's. If you love agood comedy, you'll love these. You get all these (and many others plus bonus shows):cooking dinner for aliceSouth PacificThe Golf GameSong WritersHorse RaceLittle Alice's First Date Barbells Of ScotlandRepairing The Living Room From Here To EternityA Dog For The KidsHomeworkFrankie Borrows The KidsHiring A Santa ClausPhil Is DraftedBroken Hearted PhilKangaroo Three Grey Hairs Television TestDishwasher And Garbage DisposalRed Paint On PoodleFixing The FurnaceJump Off Brooklyn BridgeFortune HunterFrankie And The Flying SaucerThe Easter BunnyGangster's TrunkGirl Friend ProblemsPhil Donates Blood Courtship Of Elliott Lewis How To Repair A Living RoomRomance Of Alice And PhilTrip To The MoonJessica, You're DragginThe ChaparoneAnnual Christmas ShowPlus many more related shows from the same era. Relive the magic of oldtime radio! This is an mp3 audio CD, so it won't play on a standard cd player. You'll need to download the files to your ipod or other mp3 player or play them on your computer or use a mp3 CD player. This listing is in compliance with existing copyright laws and Amazon's policies. These are public domain oldtime radio shows legally produced by our company. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Where's the Romance?
There was no romance whatsoever in this book.The heroine was in a lackluster marriage where there was no spark between them.There was not even a pretense of a relationship going on in this book.The only semi-romance going on was with the abused secondary character with a slightly older man. (ho hum)

this is so delightful, an easy read
This book was just one of those where you feel like you are sucked in to these people's everyday lives and living every day with themEven though it is set in the '20's, I felt a real familiarity with a lot of the lingo, and behaviors (this must mean my family was just as crazy and wonderful!)..the everyday details from clothes to cars to pets I found wonderful to read and so fun to compare to my own life and attitudes.Thank you Alice Duncan!Hope you are writing sequels to this one. I sure would love to hear more about Daisy and more about Sam.. lots of good potential plots in the making! Write on! :)

Dazzling characterizations - Very highly recommended
Desdemona Daisy Gumm Majesty earns her living, much to her husband's chagrin, as a spiritual medium to Pasadena's wealthy. When her regular client Mrs. Bissel requests an exorcism, Daisy attempts to sidestep the appeal. Husband Billy's deteriorating health and continued resentment at his debilitating war injuries leave Daisy torn between the need to support her family and her need for her husband's support. To please Billy, Daisy extracts the promise of a puppy in payment of her services.

Meanwhile, eighteen year old Marianne Wagner has disappeared. Empty cans of food quickly lead Daisy to the conclusion that Mrs. Bissel's ghost might be the missing girl instead. Rather than simply reporting her conclusions, however, Daisy finds herself drawn to help the missing girl. But to protect her, Daisy will have to sidestep the police, her family and some very inquisitive household residents.

Author Alice Duncan's STRONG SPIRITS defied categorization, as does its sequel FINE SPIRITS. Duncan's narrative talents flourish within this marvelous tale, displaying humor and droll observations in equal measure. While FINE SPIRITS loosely centers on a missing heiress, the strength of the novel lies in its poignant rendering of the relationship between Daisy and her husband Billy. As his health continues to deteriorate and as the antipathy between Daisy and Sam increases, readers will eagerly await the next step of these difficult and challenging relationships. Daisy's candid comments sharply contrast her occassional obtuseness, revealing a woman of amazing depth and devotion. Duncan has certainly found her stride within this marvelous series! Indeed, readers seeking a novel completely out of the ordinary will cherish this series and eagerly anticipate its next installment. FINE SPIRITS comes very highly recommended.

A strong historical cozy
In 1920 Pasadena, California, wealthy Mrs. Bissel calls spiritualist Daisy Gumm Majesty to rid her house of a ghost.Daisy tried to persuade her client that she communicates with the spirits but does not do exorcisms, but the distraught widow insists that she only trusts her.Not wanting to alienate a rich patron, Daisy agrees to try, saying she never has done anything like this so may need to experiment.

Daisy quickly concludes that the haunting of the Bissel mansion is more likely occurring due to mortal happenings than that of the other world.She begins to solve the mystery, but also struggles to avoid police detective Sam Rotondo, who she is half in love with though she is married to a disabled vet.

The second 1920s "Spirit" tale is a strong historical cozy that brings to life a bygone era.The story line opens with a deep look at the 1920 with Daisy's party line and the Colorado 13 number and opens the window into the past even further.The "ghost" turns into a neat trick that haunts Daisy even after she uncovers the truth.Historical readers will enjoy FINE SPIRITS and its predecessor STRONG SPIRITS as both provide interesting glances at Americana.

Harriet Klausner ... Read more

Book Description
A mother expresses her everlasting love for her child in this warm, poetic picture book. Alice Faye Duncan's playful, affectionate text and Susan Keeter's tender paintings will touch your heart and soul.

I'm gone always be yo sweet Ma'Dear, and you gone always be my baby.

... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

great if you hav son
I have a son and I love him so much. This book is so beautiful. Everytime we read it together, it is a celebration of our love for each other.I think that it is very important for black mothers to express that kind of love to theirs sons daily given the type of world we live in. In addition, the paintings in this book are a feast to the eyes. My son loves it and I do too.

Warm and Endearing
I LOVE this book!!!!!The words are short and sweet, enough to grab and hold the childs attention for days.The illustrations are beautiful. The pictures really grasp the love that is felt in each and every page.I love to read this story aloud to the children I work with, they just love the colors and the repetative language. I can't wait for her to write the nextbook!

Just Because
"Honey Baby Sugar Child, Lord knows I love you so." This is the simple first line that begins HONEY BABY SUGAR CHILD, a wonderful book that celebrates the love a mother has for her child.The warm and inviting illustrations mirror the sentiments of the storyline and help maintain interest.In a nutshell, the book is filled with various expressions of love that are realistic and full of emotion.

This book has become a part of a daily reading ritual with my toddler.Sometimes he turns the pages as I read and other times we act out some of the scenes.As a mother of a boy, I really appreciate the fact that the child in the book is male; however, the story will appeal to readers of either gender.The story reminds parents of the importance of telling their children they are loved unconditionally, while maintaining a timbre that makes the book just plain fun to read.

Reviewed by Stacey Seay
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers

Rock while you Read!
This gem of a book was written to be read aloud.It reads like a snappy little song. I heard a librarian read it at the public library today and all the little kids left the reading singing, "HONEY BABY SUGAR CHILD!"The actual plot is a mother's love declaration to her young child.Every new mother and newborn should experience the tenderness offered here. Every kid in elementary school should experience the unconditional love and affirmation in the text.

I am stocking up on this one for Chrismas Gifts if amazon can deliver.Otherwise, my friends' kids will receive this one for birthday presents in the '05.

... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A very rhytmic and meaningful children's book
I purchased this book after seeing the author read it live here in Memphis.I found that the story has a very compelling message that reaches children and adults alike. I also have to say that I have seen my fair share of live children's book readings and have never seen an author read a story as dynamically as Ms. Duncan.She really gets into it ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Fantastic fun!4 and 9/10 stars!
Heroine:  average

      Redheaded Daisy Gumm Majesty is not your average 1920s spiritual medium. Rather, she's a canny and perceptive girl who lacks an actual connection to the "other side", but who uses her unique understanding of the human condition as a "spiritual counselor" to make a good living for her family, including a young husband ruined from fighting the Huns in Germany.

Unfortunately, Daisy's chosen career is just a tad bit illegal as the police would see it more as fortune telling than psychological and emotional assistance.Not that any of her wealthy, satisfied (if a bit flighty) customers would ever dream of turning her in, but Daisy's wheelchair-bound husband's new best friend is none other than her own archenemy Detective Sam Rotondo, a cranky police officer who just misses catching her in the act of her questionable occupation with alarming frequency.But the brusque cop may be willing to overlook Daisy's profession as it appears that her countless social connections would make an excellent unofficial snoop for his cases.

Now if only this card-carrying choir member con-artist can just get past her morally superior ethics and agree!

What worked for me:

Sweet and lovable Daisy is just darling, if a bit garrulous!She's so sincere in her belief that she is helping people that you almost forget that she's truly a con-artist in the eyes of the law.The rest of the cast of characters are also very real and sympathetic.I easily could envision before and after "the Big War" images of Daisy's broken young husband Billy. (Shades of Lord Chatterley, anyone?)

Size-wise Daisy is a bit curvier than is fashionable for the era of boyish flappers, but she doesn't reflect on it very much.She is like many young women, however, in that she's a bit taken aback when she sees a larger, older woman wearing bright colors or getting down on her hands and knees to play with puppies.Life as a large woman is a foreign concept to Daisy for now, but she owns that it may become more familiar to her one day thanks to her fondness for her Aunt Vi's fine cooking.

What didn't work for me:  
  
I don't have a problem with it, but those who have strict genre preferences might.This series defies simple categorization having elements of both cozy mysteries and romance, but you could just as easily consider it light historical fiction with occasional dealings in darker matters like the treatment of homosexuals or the suffering of war veterans.

There were a couple of passages that were so information intensive that I felt like I was getting a history lesson, but aside from that it was smooth sailing.

Overall:

Charming and delightful, Daisy is sure to please readers of many genres, especially fans of novels set in the Roaring Twenties.

     If you liked the Daisy Gumm Majesty mystery series you might also enjoy the "Daisy Dalrymple" mystery series, the "Miss Marple" mystery series ,"The Edge of Town", "High on a Hill","A Place Called Rainwater", "Lady Chatterley's Lover", or "Ulysses".

"Strong Spirits" is Strong Entertainment
Alice Duncan has published a couple dozen novels, mainly Western
romances. With "Strong Spirits," she ventures out into the comic
romance arena to wonderful effect. The book stars Daisy Majesty, a
bright, somewhat cynical young lady who reads fortunes and holds
seances for a living, and who tells us -- in a chatty, charming, and
humorous voice -- of her misadventures in the world of the rich and
cunning in 1920s Pasadena. Her main client is the beleaguered Mrs.
Kincaid, whose wealth cannot shield her from many family problems,
chief among which is her penurious, cranky, mean husband. When Mr.
Kincaid disappears, along with a pile of bank notes, pandemonium
ensues, and Daisy must navigate skillfully between the demands of
Mrs. Kincaid and the suspicions of the attractive, albeit rather
grumpy, Detective Sam Rotondo. Meanwhile, Daisy has a war-invalid
husband smouldering at home, and her love for him is tempered by her
frustrations with his moods. How will she deal with all this? Much,
but not all, is resolved in this book, and Daisy is scheduled to
appear again in subsequent volumes.

Daisy's voice is often sardonic, sometimes hilarious. The author
achieves the breezy charm of someone telling a wonderful story off
the cuff, as if over coffee and biscuits, though sometimes Daisy
indulges her every thought to the reader's dismay. Still, she can
elicit guffaws. Here are a few samples (one or two of which bring to
mind Mark Twain):

"According to my mother, a sharp smack delivered to the rear portion
of the anatomy did wonders to clear up fuzzy thinking in the head
portion of the same body."

"I really hated it when people assumed I was a cheat and a humbug,
even though it was true."

"It would be terrible if I burst out laughing when I was supposed to
be summoning the dead."

"I glanced at the ceiling, hoping God would spot my face among the
millions he saw daily, and asked Him if He didn't think I had enough

burdens to bear already . . . "

"I was seriously beginning to consider purchasing a Hudson as my
next car. You know, when I got rich. Ha! Sorry. Sometimes I get
these silly fancies."

Having fun reading this book, however, is no silly fancy. "Strong
Spirits" is strong medicine for readers who've grown tired of the
same old romances. This one is quick, funny, and knowing. Here's
hoping Daisy Majesty sticks around to tell us many more of her
adventures.

Daisy Gumm Majesty is Pasadena's "Spiritualist"
After WWI Daisy finds she can make more money to support her ill husband and her whole family being a spiritualist--it's not fortunetelling though! She reads Tarot cards, has seances and works the Ouija board with her "rich clients".She gives the clients the news they want to hear that gives them hope. That thought also helps her justify her making of the "spirit" by the name of Rolly for this purpose!
Daisy finds herself in the middle of a police investigation by Detective Sam Rotondo due to the daughter and father of her rich client Mrs. Kincaid. The daughter was arrested in a speakeasy and the husband absconded with all the bearer bonds in his own bank. Sam looks into Daisy's life and finds Billy Majesty, her husband,who was in WWI gassed in France and now in a wheelchair most of the time and in great pain. Billy and Sam become friends along with Daisy's extended family but Daisy's reaction to Sam is very mixed but she is happy Billy has a friend. Solving the crime of Mr Kincaid takes Daisy getting involved in a round about way.
Ms Duncan has done a wonderful job creating all the characters. Daisy is great! I hope this is the start of a series. I'm eager to read more about Daisy, Billy & Sam.FINE SPIRITS will be released in July '03 I can hardly wait.

Dazzling! Very highly recommended
At the age of ten, Daisy Gumm discovers the allure of the Ouija Board, quickly learning to use it on the gullible wealthy. During her teens, Daisy's working class family comes to depend upon her income for survival, as does her war veteran husband when he comes home crippled. Daisy's very practical philosophy summarizes her approach to the world: "It's only the rich in this world who can afford to be disenchanted and blasé. The rest of us are too busy trying to earn a living."

Daisy makes her living off of people like the Kincaids, who "possessed more money than sense." Mrs. Kincaid quickly comes to rely upon Daisy to restore hope when her family seems to disintegrate around her. Her daughter is arrested for drinking in a speakeasy. Her son has his own particular proclivities. And her husband chases the maids from his wheelchair before disappearing under suspicious circumstances. Daisy finds herself caught in the midst of it all, comforting Mrs. Kincaid and guiltily fullfilling Detective Sam Rotondo's demands that she spy on the wealthy family.

STRONG SPIRITS defies an easy categorization, although Kensington lists historical romance on the spine. Instead, STRONG SPIRITS possess a uniquely original tone, imaginative narrative voice, and a marvelous level of the levity. Author Alice Duncan gracefully captures the roaring twenties with its Fizgeraldian affluence and defiance of the war just finished and the one yet to come. Furthermore, Daisy Gumm Majesty is one of the most delightful heroines I have ever encountered, practical, courageous, and determined. Her youthful enthusiasm never abates even when facing daunting challenges. Indeed, Alice Duncan has outdone herself with this sparkling novel. STRONG SPIRITS comes very highly recommended.

strong period piece police procedural
Seventeen years old Daisy Gumm marries Bill Majesty just before the latter goes off to fight in the Great War.In France, the Kaiser's troops gas Billy before shooting him.Billy returns home not as a World War One hero, but as an invalid with bad lungs and legs.Daisy must bring in money for the family to live on if they are to survive.She applies her only talent, conducting séances, a skill she has developed since she turned ten.Much of her repeat clientele consists of the wealthy living in the Pasadena, California area.

Daisy's best customer is Mrs. Kincaid, wife of a banker.When Mrs. Kincaid hysterically calls her, Daisy arrives to provide solace to her client.Apparently, someone stole several thousand dollars worth of bearer bonds from her husband's bank.Detective Sam Rotondo believes either the wheelchair bound Kincaid or cashier Del Farrington committed the crime.Sam demands Daisy work undercover finding relevant information about the Kincaids on her visits.

Fans of 1920s mysteries will gain much pleasure from Alice Duncan's strong period piece police procedural.The story line provides a feel for the era as tidbits are treated as a matter of fact so that readers will feel they entered a time warp.Daisy who tells much of the tale is the nucleus that keeps the plot together as the rest of the cast interact through her though some of her humorous Twain-like soliloquies can distract a reader from the investigation.Fans will enjoy the strong spirited debut of Daisy Gumm and want more works like this one from Alice Duncan, an author who has taken over the early twentieth century bailiwick.

Harriet Klausner ... Read more

Book Description
Heavenly Inspirations contains religious, easy reading and rhyming poetry, which reflects the ups and downs of everyday life and my walk with the Lord. My ministry to others is writing poetry about our Lord, Jesus and His saving grace. I have been writing poetry since childhood and am inspired to write religious poetry when at high points and low points during life, and especially when I need a touch from Jesus. My poetry reflects times when I cried out to the Lord or when I praised Him for His blessings. It gives me hope and comfort when suffering loss of loved ones and also draws me closer to God. My aim is to glorify God through my poetry. Hopefully all others who read my poetry will find the same joy, hope, and peace I did in writing it. My prayer is they will also be drawn closer to God and experience His saving grace. ... Read more