Leonard & Sanders

I finished Stick (42) by Elmore Leonard this weekend. I realized after I got into this book that I had read it before.. but that is ok.. I didnt remember much of it.. but it did have one of my very favorite lines in it. When the butler is taking to the new driver (both ex-cons) about the wealthy man they work about he says "What the man likes is to rub against danger without getting any on him" Cornell said. "Makes him feel like the macho man. You know what I'm saying?"
This book was cool because the character Stick is from Swag. This picks up with Stick after he gets out of Jackson prison and moves to FLA to see his daughter. Leonards books are mostly about the characters.. but I have noticed that the woman often is the downfall of the characters plans. In Swag they get busted when the girlfriend changes her mind and takes off leaving the money for them.. if she had followed plans they would not have been caught. In this book Stick runs a scam and nets $72,500. After he quits his job he reads the summons left for him.. his ex-wife is suing for back childsupport $10,000 per year.. for the 7 years he was in prison.
I also read The Dream Lover by Lawrence Sanders (43). This was a bit different for him.. it was set in the 1920's pre drepression Hollywood... And follows a man who has lost his wife (sucide) and his having troubles coping.. along with all the problems of work world. Parts of the studio want to go to sound.. he is against it.. they studio is waiting to hear on their bank loan.. In the mean time he meets a new starlite and falls for her.. only he doesn know she is 15.. it is a set up from his co-worker who wants to change the studio and have sound.. he is in with the bankers and others that want to take over.. the ending is a bit confusing and does not tie up many lose ends.. but an enjoyable book.
I am on to a Cussler book.. 500+ pages.. a hard cover.. working in the booths this week I figured that would be good :)