Candy's great; flowers often do the trick, but if you want to give a lasting gift for Valentine's Day, here are some suggested books that will do the trick. This list is a combination of new arrivals at Gambler's Book Shop and some popular items worthy of adding to a sweetheart's card:

Craps-Secrets of Professionals by Pascal is a 1988 work, which disappeared from bookshelves for several years, but Gambler's Book Shop found a hidden cache of them recently and so they're back in stock. The 30-page (8x11-sized) paperbound is written by a crapshooter for shooters. It contains 30 betting systems and angles, covers some of game's basics, but for the most part caters to the player looking for a variety of plays by which to spice up his or her game. It's a $14.95 book. There's one warning though-whenever author Pascal (not his real name) recommends anything on a progressive basis-for instance when he says bet $50 or $100 or even higher-back off to a lesser amount. Few people walk up to the crap tables with bankrolls as large as Pascal suggests. Other than that, this is an interesting, reasonably priced book for serious shooters.

If you like to gossip, to "tsk-tsk" about hookers, crooked politicians, corrupt rich and famous of all generations and sexes, plus assorted conmen, murderers and Ponzi-like characters throughout history, it's all in The New Encyclopedia of American Scandal by George Kohn (455 pages, paperbound, $24.95). Illustrated and indexed, this is an excellent resource for everyone from trivia buffs to potential quiz show contestants. It'll be a handy reminder that behind many great fortunes sits a great crime, and all the glitz, glitter and glamour of Hollywood, sports and high society often can't hide the seamy side of life.

Jay Privman, one of the top turf writers in America, has written the text for a marvelous history of one of the great annual events in thoroughbred racing, The Breeder's Cup. In fact that's the title of his book-Breeder's Cup: Thoroughbred Racing's Championship Day. The 200-page hardbound (coffee-table format) sells for $50. The colorful photos and descriptions of the races, their highlights and background on the horses, owners and trainers make this a fine history