Burns Night Books

“Galveston … Lore, Legend, & Downright Lies” is a delightful , entertaining potpourri of life in days gone by on Texas’ famed island city, once known as the Wall Street of the South. The city boasted electric lights and the best of practically everything west of the Mississippi.

The collection of stories was compiled by Gini Fendler-Brown and Max Rizley Jr., Texas writers, and published by Eakin Press, Austin, Texas in a 164 page package sure to please history-lovers near and far.

“Galveston … Lore…” brings to the reader stories ranging from the disastrous 1900 hurricane -- the worst natural disaster to occur in this country, to the fact that the extinct Karankawa Indians cared for Cabeza de Vaca and his shipwrecked party in 1588, and tales of fabled pirate-patriot-lover Jean LaFitte.

Stories abound telling of the history of Galveston’s moniker as “The Oleander City” and the true origin of the Oleanders, to the fact that Galvestonians took on the challenge to rebuild after the 1900 storm and physically raised 2,100 structures above the sand during the city grade raising to avoid any repeat of the disaster. Extreme hardship, loss and Pride.

The book, easy to read and hard to put down, is bound to be a big winner for all who are fortunate enough to get their hands on it.

Galveston Island is home to a unique community. Although it is connected to the Texas Gulf Coast by two bridges and a ferry service, in many ways it is its own society separated by much more than a mere few miles of saltwater.

This book takes us into the distant and more recent history of the island and its colorful inhabitants, telling us stories in a way that leaves one feeling like you're sitting around a fire at a family reunion recalling old friends, neighbors and family members. Some stories one might tell only in hushed whispers. Others provoke knowing interjections from all quarters. These are tales that deserve to be shared far outside the circle of sand.

Whether you were born on the island and want to learn about the gossip you might have missed, or live far away and merely wonder what life is like in a seaside city, this book delivers. From pirates to revered community traditions, it explores a vast scope of history in an easy way that leaves you wanting more.

Caution: You may be tempted to move to Galveston after reading this book, if you don't already live there.

Gini and Max's book captures the essence of Galveston past, with first-hand reminiscences of people who lived that past. Most of us know the main outline of Galveston history, but this book tells the stories of ordinary people, going about their lives on this sliver of sand in the Gulf of Mexico. Gini has been telling her stories to audiences for years in the bandstand behind Ashton Villa during breaks in the band concert. Max helps shape these stories into delightful nuggets you will want to savor while lying on wet sand. Experience Galveston all over again, and next time you're there in person, go to an old-fashioned band concert and listen to the history lady tell a new tale.

“Galveston … Lore, Legend, & Downright Lies” is a delightful , entertaining potpourri of life in days gone by on Texas’ famed island city, once known as the Wall Street of the South. The city boasted electric lights and the best of practically everything west of the Mississippi.

The collection of stories was compiled by Gini Fendler-Brown and Max Rizley Jr., Texas writers, and published by Eakin Press, Austin, Texas in a 164 page package sure to please history-lovers near and far.

“Galveston … Lore…” brings to the reader stories ranging from the disastrous 1900 hurricane -- the worst natural disaster to occur in this country, to the fact that the extinct Karankawa Indians cared for Cabeza de Vaca and his shipwrecked party in 1588, and tales of fabled pirate-patriot-lover Jean LaFitte.

Stories abound telling of the history of Galveston’s moniker as “The Oleander City” and the true origin of the Oleanders, to the fact that Galvestonians took on the challenge to rebuild after the 1900 storm and physically raised 2,100 structures above the sand during the city grade raising to avoid any repeat of the disaster. Extreme hardship, loss and Pride.

The book, easy to read and hard to put down, is bound to be a big winner for all who are fortunate enough to get their hands on it.

I was born on the island, and heard many stories from my father and mother, and my grandparents, uncles and aunts. However, Max and Gini's book has filled in all the gaps, either out of my own memory bank, or the stuff just left out by a father, protecting his daughter from the "sordid" tales. Galveston: Lore, Legend and Downright Lies has added even more to my "love of the island." I have bought the book twice, once for myself and once for my father. He loves it! I plan on ordering more from Amazon for Xmas gifts. A great "thumber" and definitely should be a part of everyone's home library. Thank you, Max, and Gini, and Robert John, and Amazon.....the world needs more books like this one!

This imaginative first book author has executed some interesting twists and turns from a believable hard scrabble early life. A reader's heart bleeds for a fine, upstanding person's recalling such a painful young life--(I know him as a fine person today).

David Burns then takes us on a flight of fantasy that is thrilling, interwoven with locales which are familiar to Oregonians as well as to those who have visited Oregon... I would sense there is another book brewing in D.H. Burns' prolific mind and I can't wait for it to be produced!
--Vyrne Samco

This is a romp and a great retrospective on the Baby Boomers generation of growing up in alcoholism, abject poverty and coming of age in the tumultuous 60s... It's a man's man kind of read too! It's a terrific insight into the male psyche for all us boomer fems too! It's a hoot, a page-turner, a real unique yarn!

This novel was over 20 years in the making and has proven thus far to be well worth the wait! It's a debut novel, but the author is not a newcomer to story-telling, having completed it and found a publisher in his later years after having mostly recovered from a childhood not unlike the protagonist's.

Take an adventure of a lifetime, as you follow little Everett Carson from pre-World War II times in the Pacific Northwest, learning how his parents struggled, fought, and drank their way toward carving out a living for themselves and him, seeing how badly things can go wrong on the smallest of miscues in an historic spring flood that wiped out a growing city between Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington as it swept young Everett's beloved mother from him.

In a narrative that artfully employs flashback and inner dialogue, we observe the times that follow his mother's death and later his father's. We see a lovable, sensitive boy bounced around like last week's grocery ads. We gain trememdous insights into our own demons as our hearts ache for "the kid," hoping he'll find some inner peace and joy in a succession of so-called homes that amazingly afford only momentary respite from a violent and disconnected childhood. Everett learns survival skills at the hands of strangers, drunks and tormented ne'er-do-wells.

What's a child to do, but invent some imaginary friends, when life provides no real ones? Their presence in Everett's life helps save his sanity (or does it?) and his very life more than once. In the coming of age chapters, as hard-drinking Everett and his imaginary associates join the US Navy to learn and find a way in life, we get rich glimpses of life aboard ship, life in the exotic Caribbean and a symbolic revue or two of the wrenching times in the American fabric during the Sixties.

Throw in some intrigue, some deftly drawn characters,sparkling dialogue, some life and death drama, and a chase across country from New York City to Oregon and you have all the makings for a truly fine and captivating novel.

Suspenseful, funny, quirky, written in a lean and sparse style that makes the reading easily absorbed and thoroughly enjoyable, the reader is hard-pressed to put it down before completing it, and the reader then feels as though on some level he/she has also "lived" through some pretty horrific circumstance and some very different times in the U.S. than today!

A perfect escape! And at the same time, an important read that allows some homage paid to the "walking wounded" among us in society today. Far too many children grew up in the Boomer generation, (and in those generations immediately preceeding), with alcohol controlling the lives of their families and themselves. The psychological damage is still being paid-out in the lives of the younger generations who saw what it did to their parents and with new cultural awareness, are beginning to stem the boozy tide of a debilitating legacy. Hopefully in time.

Portions of the proceeds of this wonderfully well-crafted debut novel are being donated, the author tells me, to a non-profit organization called the Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The author is my husband; I know much of his childhood story. Much needs to be done to bring enlightenment to those who need it most: the beaten and abused souls who have long-suffered psychologically and physically at the hands of violent drunks, drunken guardians of tender souls.

Praise for the literary achievement! Praise too for the potential social benefits and societal contribution! A must read--for fun and wisdom!

Everett Carson is the dysfunctional main character. His Psychological journey from orphaned child to mentally ill adult is wrought with heartbreak and humor. The descriptions and details of his mental illness are more authentic and creative then "A Beautiful Mind". (You will never forget "The Wedge")
If you happen to be from Oregon you will find the historic backdrop to be fascinating. D.H. Burns first novel is as poetic and soul stirring as one could ever hope for me in a good read. I can't wait for the movie!

I am the author's 48-year-old daughter. My mother's voice is unique. She speaks with compassion, love, and a rare level of insight. I have shared these poems with friends of all ages and backgrounds, and they all have taken keen pleasure in their discovery of this book. Many have told me that they read and re-read it. I highly recommend it.

This book has the finest poems that can really touch your heart. There are poems about family members that really distantly you can meet the authors family her writing is so descriptive! There are so many poems in here that you will just have to read over and over again they're so amazing! If you read this book you will find yourself going back for seconds! Elizabeth Elliot obviusly worked very hard on this book for the writing is so detailed!

Having performed in this play, I can testify that it is very fun to perform, and see. And it makes a good read, too.

Having both seen and read Psycho Night, I can definately say it is a truly funny story with creative characters all twisted together in a murder-mystery plot. Keeps you in suspenseful curiousity the entire time!

The essential book on Scotlands most famous and favouritre son in large and easy to read print.

If only this classic book were back in print-not only is it a biography of George & Gracie, but it has several pages of pictures(many never before seen)as well as an appendix in the back giving the synopsis of every television episode from October 1950 thru September 1958. The book is a good alternate to Gracie-A Love Story written by George himself. On another note, if I may go a step further, why doesn't Nick-At-Nite pick up the series, surely it's been in syndication for about 40 years? It'd be great fun seeing them again-George, Gracie, their son Ronnie, Blanche & Harry Morton, & Harry Von Zell. Though they are quite dated, these shows are still screamingly funny today. Gracie Allen was the 2nd funniest woman in television, the 1st being the incomparable Lucille Ball. Highly recommended, especially if you are able to find it!

I've seen Clark McGinn perform at Burns Suppers -- he knows what he's writing about! Wonderful.

R=This book is a comprehensive review of that ancient and lasting annaul geathering : the Burns Supper. The centerpiece of the event is the toast to the poet himself, known as the Immortal Memory. The speech takes the form of a special tribute and commentary as to why this 18th century poet farmer from an obscure corner of the globe remains so popular and relevant today.
This book is a superb aid to anyone invited to give this speech, and in fact to anyone who has fallen under the spell of Burns' magic ability to write poetry.

Burn Down the Night was an interesting yet at times funny and disturbing book. Although I read this book when I was in high school for pleasure I can still remember Jim Morrison's so-called escapades and the intense partying that takes place in this fictional work. Strete's writing style is exceptional and keeps you truning the page. Quick and easy reading even for a high school student who dislikes reading!!!

A non-traditional book in a hight tempo. It showes an other side of the Jim Morrison most people know. The story takes place in the time before Jim was into the musicbusiness, and more into poetry (and his theatrical thoughts). It gives you an idea of the dramatical way of living he loved. (After all, we only have an image of who he was, but who was he for real?)
Easy reading, once you pick it up, you can't stop

I'm sure that by using Jim Morrison as one of the main characters helped to boost the sales of this piece of tacky pulp fiction more than just a little.
I feel sorry for the reviewer who actually thought that it was a true story.
There are so many good factual books out there about Jim, or the 60's.
Spend your hard earned dosh on one of those instead.

Just don't be fooled by the association with Jim Morrison; although it ostensibly conveys the "spirit" of Jim Morrison, the book is fictional.

"Burn Down The Night" is a fictionalized account of a homeless teenager in the heady days of the mid to late 1960s, and his life doing drugs and traveling as a roadie with a rock group (after accidentally committing a murder in the course of a robbery, the group takes him in). The main character bumps into Jim Morrison at a party, and they start hanging together and acting crazy. Sounds silly, but it's all in the writing style; Strete is wonderfully poetic and humorous, and the story moves with the easy flow of a 1960's friday night keg party. Very depressing in parts, very funny in others, it's a fast and easy read with a high re-readability factor.

It's kind of sad to see books like this out of print these days -- I suppose people think it glamorizes the drugging/partying lifestyle, and in a way it does. Yet Strete's talent as a writer and poet cannot be denied. The trouble is that there's no clear target audience for a book of this nature. If you bump into a copy of this book somewhere and appreciate quirky titles lacking in modern market appeal, give it a shot. I've got a copy of it myself, and it's one of those personally valued books I'd never sell or give away (along with "Auschwitz," "This Perfect Day" and other OOP but fascinating reads).

Without doubt this is the most insightful Jim Morrison biography in print. The authors portray Morrison unlike any of the other writers who have attempted to tackle the subject. The narrative is intertwined with fragments of Morrison's own poetry, which illustrates how life affected him, and helps unlock the mysteries hidden in the verse. The authors don't get caught up in their own egos like Densmore, Manzarek, and Sugerman did -- they show a real person, a poet, suffocating in his own fame and the persona he created. If you ever want to know how this artist suffered, this is the book for you.

This book was ok. It's the first one that I have read by her. She is not my favorite writer but certainly worthy of praise. I enjoyed the book and will most likely purchase more from her in the future.

the books were great i couldnt put them down and i was mad when it was over

This collection is the first three vampire romances from Susan Sizemore which have been bundled together in one volume, "Crave The Night", although they are also available separately.

"I Burn For You" is the story of Domini Lancer, a woman who works for her grandfather's company which is a security/bodyguarding service. Domini's parents are both dead and she and her grandfather have a close and sparky relationship.

The story begins with Domini having a strange dream or premonition. We learn that she sometimes gets these and they tend to be true - she has some psychic powers which she tries to ignore. Domini's compulsion is to walk to the local market to buy some peaches - when she arrives there she sees a strange man and sees a voice in her head. She's a little spooked and rushes back off to work.

Alexander Reynard is the man she saw across the marketplace - except that he's not a man, he's a vampire. Vampires are able to live in daylight and avoid their problems with garlic and silver if they take the right series of drugs. Alec is discovering that his drugs aren't working entirely properly for him, but he suddenly bumps into Domini and realises instantly that she's his bondmate - the woman he is destined to partner. It's a bad time with him because of his health problems - the imbalance in the drugs can cause him to become a feral vampire and out of control.

Alec is a former Delta Forces operative and is hired by Domini's grandfather for bodyguard detail. Of course as soon as he walks into the building and meets Domini his problems escalate. Domini's friend Holly, a singing star, has had death threats and both Domini and Alec are detailed to protect her. It takes a little while before they realise that the death threats are actually a little closer to home, and that there are secrets in Domini's family history which can be dangerous.

The beginning of this book was pretty good - I found the explanation of the bodyguarding detail interesting. However it pretty soon degenerated into a love-fest with descriptions of Alec as Mr Dishy and übermale and various psychic/telepathic thoughts of sex between them. Domini seems pretty dense not to realise he's a vampire and he seems pretty dense not to explain things to her earlier - although this would have been disadvantageous to the plot. There's a thin line trod between masculine eagerness and violence towards Domini and I'm not sure the line was in the right place - somehow I didn't find him a very engaging hero; it was all about his looks and body and his actual personality seemed a bit one-dimensional. Equally I couldn't see what was so great about Domini - she seemed to spend a lot of her time getting angry with him, apart from the time she was in bed with him.

The book moves towards a crescendo ending which was actually rather a damp squib. There is some interesting world-building in that there are different kinds of vampires and Alec's actually the member of a group who serve mortals and try to keep them safe, but it wasn't enough to redeem a rather thin plot. Overall I found the book disappointing.


I Thirst For You is the second of Susan Sizemore's vampire romance novels set in the modern day. In this world, vampires live alongside mortals, pay taxes, have normal jobs, but their vampire nature is hidden from humans. This is an interesting new take on vampires and mortals and I like the way it's panning out so far.

Josephine Elliott is a former pilot who was flying a plane which crashed, causing some fatalities. Since the accident which left her with some scars she has been unable to fly and spends a lot of time camping on her own out in the desert - this is partly because she's developed some psychic abilities since the accident which mean she can read minds. Not very restful.

At the beginning of this story she's camping out again when she is kidnapped by a large, scary man. This man, Marcus Cage, keeps her prisoner in the car and then in a hotel room. She initially fears rape but eventually discovers that the situation that she's in is not that of a traditional kidnappee. Marc Cage is a strange person and she tries to understand what's going on, especially when she discovers she can communicate with him telepathically. Like all good vampires in fiction, he doesn't explain to her what's going on so she's always rather in the dark about things.

Marc has escaped from a group of people who are carrying out experiments on him and he knows it's vital that he gets clean away. However, discovering his bondmate, Jo, has rather put a spanner in the works.

Like the previous book by this author, "I Burn For You", the major thread of this book is the bondmate relationship between the two principal characters and their sex life together. There's a lot of sex in this - too much really, it got repetitive - and not really too much character development or understanding. Again the motif of dreams that are partly telling the future is used and there are vast tracts of conversations held all in the mind between the two of them, signified by writing in italics; I often found it difficult to keep track of who was saying what.

I found this book overall a disappointment, as with the previous one. There are some fairly exciting scenes when they escape imprisonment and another time when they are running from a forest fire but mostly it's a bit sedentary and repetitive. There are a couple of interesting side characters, one introduced at the end is the hero of the next book, but there's nothing really deep and engaging about our main characters. They meet, they fall in lust, they have lots of sex and it's all a bit boring really. There's plenty of potential in the world she's built with the Clans, Families and Tribes - I just wish the author had made better use of it.



I Hunger For You is the third of Susan Sizemore's vampire stories and it mentions some of the characters from her previous books, I Burn For You and I Thirst For You. It also introduces a couple of new characters and I have a strong suspicion there might be books about them in the offing.

There are good things about this series - the worldbuilding is interesting: vampires live alongside mortals and have jobs (the hero of this book, Colin Foxe, is a SWAT police officer), they can go about in daylight if they take particular drugs and they sometimes have relationships with mortals.

The heroine of this book is Caramia Luchese, a fit young woman who finds herself involved in a hostage situation to which Colin Foxe is called. After they meet they have a three month affair which Foxe eventually breaks off - he is a vampire and doesn't want anything long term with a mortal.

However neither of them are able to forget about the other and Colin finds himself virtually stalking Mia and comes to her rescue when other vampires of the Tribe (who treat mortals as lunch) try to attack her. It's not entirely clear initially why the Tribe are so interested in Mia and she and Colin don't ever seem to get much opportunity to actually discuss anything as they are always jumping into bed.

Like in the previous two books, the main thing that seems to bind heroine and hero together is sex. In this book, however, Colin doesn't want to even consider Mia as a long-term partner as he is dismissive of mortals. Over the course of the book he learns that some things are more powerful than his preconceived ideas. Mia is from a family of vampire hunters whose mission is to rid the world of all vampires, even those from the Clan (who work to protect mortals), such as Colin. There is the tension between the two of them, an antagonism, that is there when they aren't having sex; fortunately for them they seem to spend most of their time having sex so get along quite well.

This book revisits the case of the Patron who escaped Colin at the end of the last book (I Thirst For You). Colin is focused on finding the Patron and stopping him but he finds Mia is both a spanner in the works and an aid to his mission. But can either of them trust each other?

I found parts of this book rather slow and, like the other two novels, the characterisation seemed rather one-dimensional. The author evidently likes her Alpha Males (or "Primes") in these books and the vampires tend to seem rather caveman-like over their women. This book did improve and get more exciting towards the end but the plot always felt rather like something to hang the sex part of the book around, rather than the major point of the novel.

It's an OK read but, like the other two books, nothing very special. There are many significantly better vampire books out there which have a plot and some characters alongside the worldbuilding that is important in these stories.