New photo book shows that
nature can teach humans
a thing or two about love

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By Nancy Arcayna
narcayna@starbulletin.com

Valentine's Day is for the birds and the bees, and polar bears and geese -- at least in Bonnie Kuchler's world. Her latest book, "Just Sweethearts," is a collection of charming photos of animals, paired with humorous and insightful verses on courtship and marriage, summing up the essence of love.

"Just Sweethearts" By Bonnie Kuchler Willow Creek Press, 2003, $14.95

Kuchler's returns to the 6-by-6-inch format she used with "Just Moms" and "Just Dads," in which she paired colorful quotes with photographs of furry and feathered creatures taking care of their young. The insightful quotations match their animal counterparts.

"There's always room for love; you just have to move a few things around," is an anonymous quote paired with a couple of amorous hippos.

Dancing polar bears, snuggly iguanas, smooching monkeys and an array of cats -- big and small -- are also among the creatures caught in affectionate display.

Black crowned herons are juxtaposed with a quote from humorist Sam Levinson: "Love at first sight is easy to understand. It's when two people have been looking at each other for years that it becomes a miracle."

And a quote from columnist Ann Wells, "You have to dance like no one is watching and love like it's never going to hurt," is illustrated by two flamingos, their necks intertwined.

Kuchler's other half is acknowledged in her dedication, accompanied by a photograph of one brown bear lying over another. It reads: "For Phillip, my husband, best friend and pillow."

"The Little Book of Hot Love Spells" By Sophia Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2002, $9.95

If you are looking to find that special someone or simply trying to rekindle an old romance, "Hot Love Spells" may provide the magic you need to succeed.

The author of the book is a psychic and astrologer who offers more than 50 incantations ranging from the "hot to trot spell" to the "hot looks spell." Her past works have included "The Little Book of Hexes for Women," "The Little Book of Office Spells," "The Magical Garden" and "The Little Book of Money Spells."

Most of the love spells require simple household items such as candles, matches, pins, peppers and honey. Others require oak and maple leaves or acorns -- objects hard to find in the tropics.

The notion of food as magic worked in the Mexican film "Like Water for Chocolate" as Tita prepared meals that inspired people to laugh, cry and fall in love. Sophia puts that principle to the test with her hotcake spell.

Of course, you'd already have to have someone to serve them to.

Even if it doesn't work, you can have a nice breakfast Saturday morning.

Hotcake Spell

Pancake mix
1/2 teaspoon fresh ginger
1/2 teaspoon fresh cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon fresh nutmeg

Follow the directions on the pancake box. Add the ginger and say, "Shakti spice, bless the cake."

Add the cinnamon and say, "Shakta spice, great power make."

Add the nutmeg and say, "Svaha spice, serpent fire, shake."

Stir the batter as fast and furiously as you can with lots of smutty thoughts and images dancing through your head. Cook, serve, then look out!

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