Lita-Luise Chappell

In the first book of the Puzzler Series, Detective Chief Inspector Alfred Flavian Bowman of London’s Criminal Investigation Division applies his knowledge and intuition to solve unusual crimes. Critically injured just short of his retirement, he takes up doing jigsaw puzzles, which help him see the clues of a crime like pieces in a puzzle, thus earning the nickname “the puzzler.” His housekeeper, Ulima, her son Jason, and Jason’s wife Gia, enjoy acting as his eyes, ears, and legs on volunteer missions to assist him. Together with Detective Inspector Chester Hughes, they work to solve unusual crimes. Read more

This is a fascinating, intriguing novel of historical fiction set in the wild Yorkshire moors of England in the late 1800s. It has everything: an unexpected inheritance of a rural English manor, a young boy searching for magic, a handsome schoolmaster and a teacher with secrets, and presents superstitious beliefs and strange rituals… Read more

Alfred Flavian Bowman, a retired SW London detective chief inspector, was forced from active duty due to a crippling accident, but he still takes on unusual cases, solving mysteries from his easy chair. His mind assembles clues like the jigsaw puzzles he puts together. Alfred’s housekeeper and cook, Ulima, her son Jason, Jason’s wife Gia, and Chester, the detective who Alfred trained, form an unusual team. They do the legwork and help Alfred solve a series of bewildering mysteries. In the first book in the series, The Treasure Hunt, they follow a trail of flower petals left after a series of thefts, and come into contact with Grayson Carter, inheritor of a locomotive fortune. How they are linked, and what the team discovers, will eventually lead directly to the kingpin of one of London’s vast underground economies. Read more

For this final leg of our journey, we travelled from Bordeaux to the Dordogne department of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. We visited more medieval towns, castles, and forts; abbeys and churches; Gothic cloisters; museums; exquisite gardens; stayed at lovely B&Bs; explored underground caves; ate French goat cheese and foie gras; and of course drank fine wines. Read more

It is said that “One night in Bangkok and the world’s your oyster,” but for one American on a seemingly ordinary night in Thailand’s capital, it turns into a nightmare. Cody is a software developer and his company is in Bangkok to celebrate its proprietary point-of-sale software’s purchase by an independent Thai jewelry corporation. Little does Cody realize that his innocent yet curious foray into Patpong’s infamous red-light district, will plunge him headlong into the underworld of the black market gem trade, and a maze of interconnecting sex club tunnels, resulting in his kidnapping, all for reasons unknown… Read more

Programmer Cody Hudson works for an information technology business. The company’s employees are in Bangkok to celebrate the sale of a custom software package to one of Bangkok’s most prestigious gem and jewelry stores. Cody is hesitant about going to Thailand, but his friends take it upon themselves to widen his horizons by introducing him to Bangkok’s entertainments. Before he knows it, he is fleeing in panic through Patpong, Bangkok’s famous red-light district. He finds himself kidnapped, accused of blackmail and theft, and thrown into the dark underworld of the blood gem business. Read more

Lita has cooked up something delicious for Black Friday! For a limited time, The Thelemic Cookbook is on sale for only $15.00. Written to provide specialized recipes for the Thelemic calendar of feasts, this book offers a unique insight into foods by explaining their elements, ruling planets, astrological signs, and chakra attributions. It was also written for those who want to incorporate magical correspondences into their ritual meals, and for any person who wants new recipes with good food for their own cooking and eating pleasure. Read more

From Paris we headed to Bordeaux. This leg of the journey would take us to ancient cathedrals, art museums, vineyard towns, and ruined castles. We toured (and tasted) wineries in the Sauternes area, dined in exquisite bistros, explored monasteries, abbeys, churches, catacombs, and much more. Read more

This would be our tenth trip to France together, and Vere and I were really looking forward to it. Our 9:00 a.m. departure from the house was a more lenient one for an 11:30 a.m. domestic flight. We would be flying to Chicago and then changing planes for the long flight to Paris. Read more

From the 5-star review by Lilah Shahkhor: Consider this a warning; “The Santon Sacrifices” is not for the faint of heart. The book is filled with gore and wickedness. Like a cross between Clive Barker, H.P. Lovecraft, and James Ellroy, it delights in creating awful scenes of unspeakable violence against a backdrop of quaint domesticity and piety, peppered with clever investigative and police work, as those affected attempt to make sense of the unimaginable. Read more

This is the third and last day in our series of the Three Days of the Writing of the Book of the Law, which is unto Ra-Hoor Khuit, who is the active and solar force of Ra. So for this menu, bold, robust flavors are needed, and all foods that are red, spicy and fiery. This recipe for Corn Bread with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Chili Honey Butter from “The Thelemic Cookbook” looks very festive with the added sun-dried tomatoes and whole kernels of corn. Honey butter is required, and this one also has an added kick. Read more

For The Second Day of the Writing of the Book of the Law, we concentrate on spring fruits and vegetables that are blue and purple, yellow and orange. Since Hadit relates to the solar plexus, the yellow color will predominate. Also, since Hadit is the counterpart to Nuit, foods that are predominantly fiery will prevail. Of course some balance is always needed, and it will be provided with foods that are cooling. This side dish of Kabocha Squash, Artichoke, and Fennel Sauté has the yellow smoothness of squash, the crunch of roasted fennel, and the natural sweetness of the artichokes in a rich cinnamon butter. Read more

“The Thelemic Cookbook” employs elemental principles for those wishing to incorporate magical correspondences into their ritual meals. The book features specialized menus for each of the Three Days of the Writing of the Book of the Law (celebrated annually on April 8th, 9th & 10th) in honor of the goddess Nuit, and gods Hadit and Ra-Hoor-Khuit. As a special treat for website visitors, another delicious first night recipe for Nuit has just been posted, this one’s for Baked Cauliflower With White Cheddar. Read more

– What of Love? –

What brings on a smile in adoration?
What opens the way to captivation?
What unlocks the path toward toleration?
What produces more for fascination?
Love.
(…) Read more