Black Caviar's Half Brother Jimmy Euthanized

December 30, 2013

Dear Readers,

            I promised to keep you updated on Black Caviar’s half brother Jimmy, the five million dollar Australian sale yearling. The news over the wires is that he was euthanized on Sunday morning for humane reasons.

 

            The story doesn’t end with his death, and unfortunately some very alarming allegations are being postulated by various entities on the internet. I’m not inclined to comment on any of these rumors and for those of you interested in the details, there is plenty of fodder out there for the fires to keep burning.

            Conspiracy and intrigue aside, and though I didn’t know Jimmy, by all accounts he was a particularly charismatic colt. I, like so many others, was ready to embrace the promise his family tree guaranteed. I feel the loss, not as if he was my own, but as a lover of horses.

               There is a sadness I can’t deny with the news that this particularly bright light was snuffed out so soon. But even worse, that he had to suffer from a very painful condition.

            I hope with all my might that the worst of these rumors is untrue. To think otherwise is incomprehensible.

Take care,

Shelley Lee Riley

Author of: Casual Lies – A Triple Crown Adventure

www.shelleyriley.com

The Road to the Kentucky Derby

December 29, 2013

Dear Readers,

            It's past time for me to be getting caught up on the big races that lead up to the Kentucky Derby. Though in my opinion it’s still to early to be picking a favorite, but I do love to window shop.

            Since uncertainty is a mainstay when plotting a course nearly six months in advance, I say, where’s the harm in spending $600.00 for an early bird nomination to the Triple Crown? At best the horses that have already proved themselves solid contenders may not be around come the first Saturday in May. At worst it might be your horse munching grass in a layup pasture, nursing a quarter crack, bone chip or bucked shins.

            None-the-less let us dream, after all what’s $600.00 in the overall scheme of things. There are people who spend more on a wallet. Like this Mont Blanc Men’s Wallet I’ve seen advertised for $676.00 on line.   

            If you don’t want to sabotage your dream by nominating to a race that seems unattainable, and fear the thought of being ridiculed, take a page out of my book. Peel the sticky notes off your forehead labeling you stupid and do it anyway. It’s not about the money, it’s about the opportunity to live the dream, and the only person who can make that impossible is you.

            The early bird nominations will close towards the end of January for the 2014 Triple Crown season. After that there is a late nomination near the end of March that requires an expenditure of $6,000 dollars.

            And finally there is the ultimate cost for those owners of talented juvenile racehorses, and who waited for a somewhat higher ranking on the certainty scale. Supplemental nominations and they can get pretty costly.

            After you’ve paid a whopping $200,000 supplement to enter just the Kentucky Derby, you’d have to pass on this Louis Vuitton Urban Satchel. A mere $150,000 accessory that all well heeled green environmental missionaries would covet.  

            If your horse does well in Kentucky you might find yourself plunking down another $100,000 each, in order to supplement him or her to the Preakness and Belmont Stakes.

            I’m just saying, sometimes it’s cheaper to dream than wait for uncertainty to clarify into a calculated risk. Win or lose, there is nothing like taking part in the stampede down The Road to the Kentucky Derby. And I know, because I’ve been down that road, sticky notes and all.

            I’ll spend some time on contenders next time. In the meantime, Happy New Year and get those nominations submitted.

Take care,

Shelley Lee Riley

Author of: Casual Lies – A Triple Crown Adventure

www.shelleyriley.com      

And Then You Die-Iris Johansen

December 28, 2013

Dear Readers,

            I’ve been immersed in writing short stories of late and I've neglected the blog. So today I will add a book review on one of the books I've read in the last month, Iris Johansen’s “And Then You Die.”

            Let’s start off with my opinion of Iris Johansen’s body of work. Though I haven’t read everything she's written, I have read a lot of the early Eve Duncan novels. Very engaging and I was quick to pick up the next book in the series after each one I finished. I did get sidetracked along the way, and I must admit I haven’t finished all the books about Eve and Quinn.

            With this prior experience of Iris Johansen's writing, I was sure when I picked up “And Then You Die” I would like it. I was wrong. I could go down a long list of what I didn’t like about the plot and character development in this book, but that would be just as boring as the book. So I’ll voice my biggest complaint and what I disliked the most with this story and leave it at that—the main character.  

            What I did like was the prologue and it set me up to turn the pages. I settled in to go along for the ride as Bess Grady, photo journalist, exposes to the world an atrocity that she has captured on film. I was sure that Bess would partner up with some gorgeous hunk that would keep Bess safe, as together they uncover the duplicity of various entities and governments in this crime against humanity. Once again I was wrong.

            What I got was probably the most unlikable protagonist I have ever seen in any book. At some point in the story the hero or heroine has to become either likable or do something to gain our respect and admiration, to engage us so we can root for them to succeed. It didn’t happen. Bess was obnoxious and belligerent to the point I almost hoped she would get what she deserved, which in my opinion was to be cut lose to make it, or not, on her own.

            I will gladly pick up another Iris Johansen book; one unfortunate mishap won’t poison me against her writing. She’s written plenty of first rate stories that I have enjoyed immensely. Just not this one, save your money, or better yet, spend your precious reading time on something else she’s written.

            In closing I want to thank all of you who have bought Casual Lies – A Triple Crown Adventure for holiday giving.

Take care,

Shelley Lee Riley

www.shelleyriley.com

Lee Child - The Enemy

December 18, 2013

Dear Readers,

            My stack of books to review has been taking up precious desk space and increasing at a rapid rate. Today I wanted to make a few comments on a Lee Child novel I recently finished. Entitled The Enemy, and this is another Jack Reacher adventure.

            As I’ve stated in the past, I’m a huge Lee Child fan, having discovered his first book while I was living in England. I thoroughly enjoyed it and anticipated more from this talented author, and he didn’t disappoint. Over the years I’ve been somewhat remiss in keeping up with each new title Mr. Child has produced. But I’ve read enough of them to reinforce my first impression of his encaging storytelling and style.

            Three Lee Child titles have lingered on my to-read shelf; The Affair, One Shot and The Enemy. And when I finished Iris Johansen’s The Beloved Scoundrel, yes I read romance; I wanted something different, a lot different. I picked up and discarded a Western, a fantasy and a political satire. When my eyes landed on the Lee Child stack, I grabbed the one on top, and settled in for a well written, entertaining adventure.

            I was destined to be disappointed.  The Enemy wasn’t terrible, it just wasn’t as good as I have come to expect from Mr. Child. I get that its fiction, and I understand that the author can take his story in any direction he wants. But this story line was so far-fetched I couldn’t suspend my believe system long enough to find it remotely probable.

            It was preposterous and fraught with impossibilities that gave the overall story a lack of credibility. Furthermore if I hadn’t already been familiar with Reacher’s character from previous novels, I wouldn’t have been as enthusiastic about the Reacher depicted in this one. He seemed as passionless as was the author when he wrote this book.

            To put it succinctly, I was so incredulous at times that I verbally addressed the book with a “give me a break!”

            Lee Child will remain one of my favorite authors despite this entry in his body of work. I’ll be putting The Enemy in the charity bag rather than passing it onto a friend.

Take care,

 

Shelley Riley

Author of Casual Lies – A Triple Crown Adventure

www.shelleyriley.com

Book Review of ZERO HOUR by Clive Cussler and Graham Brown

December 9, 2013

Dear Readers,

            I’ve been reading quite a bit lately, and I realized it’s been awhile since I posted a book review. So I thought I would spend the next couple of posts, sharing my reading list with those who are interested.

            I started Clive Cussler and Graham Brown’s most recent collaboration; Zero Hour, and it’s vivid and exciting first chapter was terrific. My problem was that I was expecting one of three genres’s when I picked up this book; thriller, action or suspense, and that is how it was marketed. So I was left a bit confused by the prologue, in that it was  written more like a science fiction piece.

            As stated before I really liked the pace of the action in the first chapter and I was enthusiastic about the adventure ahead. Alas, the authors didn’t keep me turning the pages at a pace which would make it difficult for me to put the book down. I even left it behind, half finished, as I went off to Kentucky.

            I found, over all, the book was okay, even though I was required frequently to suspend my belief system. The book never reached the heights of true science fiction, but enough that it spoiled its credibility as an action/adventure piece. The story was at least consistent in its mediocrity, and I did finish it. I expected more from Clive and though I was disappointed, it wasn’t like I was horribly disappointed. Nonetheless, overall I like Mr. Cussler’s work, I will try again. I have not read any of Graham Brown’s endeavors, other than this particular collaboration. If I ever do, I will share my opinion.

Take care,

Shelley Riley

Author of Casual Lies – A Triple Crown Adventure

www.shelleyriley.com

Appreciating Free Debate

December 4, 2013

Dear Readers,

            For about two years now I’ve been giving my version of an Art Appreciation class at an assisted living facility. We look at images and examples of the work of each individual we’ve decided to appreciate, like a Picasso or Monet. We dig out personal information that will help enlighten us as to what influenced their life and development as an artist, and all the while we discuss what we find.

            Yesterday we were appreciating Gustave Courbet, a French painter involved in the Realist movement. Bold and controversial, Gustave used his art to emphasize his politics and enlighten the viewer about the less popular social issues of the time.

            As we worked our way through Courbet’s history, we came across this statement in the Wikipedia – Free Encyclopedia:

Until about 1861, Napoléon's regime had exhibited authoritarian characteristics, using press censorship to prevent the spread of opposition, manipulating elections, and depriving Parliament the right to free debate or any real power.

            As a group we were struck by the correlation to some of the events that have been transpiring in our country. In particular, highlighted in bold type above, we were cognizant of how those three statements could have been pulled, in whole or part from the headlines of today.

            The discussion took us down another avenue, in particular—quotes about mistakes. This brought us to George Santayana, who was a Spanish-American philosopher, poet, essayist and novelist. He is best remembered for two sayings, so familiar and used so often, they are considered by many to be clichéd.

“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it,” and “Only the dead have seen the end of war.”

            There was a lot of life experience in that room yesterday and I was inspired by the insight these wonderful elders gave to the subject. No shouting, no fighting, while opinions and observations were voiced and listened to with respect.

            I gain so much each and every time I spend an hour with this remarkable group. If inclined, I urge you to investigate doing the same thing in your community. Activity directors are always looking for people to share with their seniors.

Take care,

Shelley Riley

Author of Casual Lies – A Triple Crown Adventure

www.shelleyriley.com

Black Caviar, Jimmy and the Kentucky Horse Park

December 2, 2013

Dear Readers,

            As promised I wanted to give you an update on Black Caviar’s half-brother Jimmy. The latest news has him being weaned off the medication to reduce the inflammation attacking his hoofs.

            Reportedly a spokesman for BC3 Thoroughbreds said Jimmy who is a phenomenal colt, is making steady improvement and possesses a remarkable fighting spirit. Though it’s still a day-by-day situation, the improvement in the colt has raised everyone’s hopes.

            There is nothing like the will to live when it comes to surviving a life threatening situation. With the help Jimmy is getting from the medical team, his tremendous spirit will keep him headed in the right direction while he recovers. Will he ever run? It’s too soon to say. It depends on how severe and lasting the damage to his hoofs has been.

            As for Black Caviar, check out the cover of the Australian Vogue Magazine. As big as this mare is, the model must be standing on a box.

            I’ve been getting a rush of orders on the memoir as a perfect Holiday gift; you will find it available on Amazon or contact me through my website for a personalized signed copy. Also I’m thrilled to advise signed copies are currently available at the Kentucky Horse Park, while they last.

Take care,

Shelley Riley

Author of Casual Lies – A Triple Crown Adventure

www.shelleyriley.com