I think I got more than I bargained for here in The Clockwork Man. I usually enjoy novels that have things blow up, wise cracking detectives, international tales of intrigue, secret agents saving the world from the next newest megalomaniac. Here I get to read about a guy made of clock parts and he brings upon me some serious introspective questions, making me examine things I don’t wish to think about or knew I needed to ponder. Go figure. This is essentially a diary from a man made of clock pieces, original idea, you bet. This is no Frankenstein tale; it is the life and times of Ernst.
Here is a little something about the novel if you don’t believe me: “Ernst’s world is one of endless admirers, including foreign dignitaries and heads of state. Hailed as a marvel of the late 19th century automation, he is the crowning achievement of his master, Karl Gruber. A world-famous builder of automated clocks, Gruber has reached the pinnacle of his art in Ernst- a man constructed entirely of clockwork.
Educated and raised in the Gruber household to be a gentle, caring soul, Ernst begins to discover a profound love for his master’s daughter, Giselle. Just as their relationship becomes intimate, however, tragedy strikes and the family falls apart. Ernst’s serene and happy existence is shattered and changed forever. Abandoned, knowing no other life but the one he has led, Ernst allows himself to wind down in a kind of suicide. Over 100 years later, he awakens in a strange new land, the world he’s known long gone.”
I have the feeling that William Jablonsky uses a few literary tools here to make us think of the world around us. Me being the simplistic one, had to dig deep to understand the direction he was traveling in. Do I enjoy that type of thing, once in a while, yes? Thankfully this is once in a while. The lines he draws and the plotline with the Clockwork Man was very interesting and raised a number of questions for me: How do I view people? Why do I view them in the way I do? How is it I wish to be viewed and accepted? What does it feel like to be the only one your kind and viewed just a little bit differently than the rest? The diary of the Clockwork Man is definitely a different flav, be prepared.
What are you reading today? Check us out and become our friend on Facebook & Linkedin. Go to Goodreads and become our friend there and suggest books for us to read and post on. You can also follow us on Twitter, and the Gelati’s Scoop Facebook Fan Page. Did you know you can shop directly on Amazon by clicking the Gelati’s Store Tab on our blog? Thanks for stopping by today; We will see you tomorrow. Have a great day. http://www.gelatisscoop.blogspot.com
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Guest Post Julian Adorney
Being Original
By: Julian Adorney
We’ve all read them. Stories with solid characters and a fast plot and vivid descriptions, but nothing to make them unique. Stories that we finish reading with the vague sense that we’ve read the exact same story a hundred times before.
The reason we feel this way is that the author didn’t put anything new into his writing. He cobbled together ideas from other writers, plugged them into a stock plot and put pen to paper. His stories lack any originality. And, because of that, they suck.
As a writer, and more importantly as a person, you have something unique to say. Somehow, in some way, your unique combination of experiences and genetics and choices gives you a unique perspective. You view the world a little differently than everyone else. Maybe you’re schizophrenic who manages to juggle two lives pretty easily. Maybe you fell in love with a crazy girl (or guy) for a couple years. Maybe you visited Peru for six months and had your future told by a shaman.
Or maybe it was something more ordinary. Maybe you went to see a psychic and couldn’t suppress the suspicion that he was the real thing. Maybe your parents were fascist control-freaks, or maybe they never gave you any rules.
My point is that all of us – every single person – is unique, with unique experiences and a unique perspective. This uniqueness gives rise to originality. It is your job as a writer to infuse this originality into your writing.
Philip K. Dick did this in A Scanner Darkly. He melded his schizophrenia and drug use and came up with a completely novel idea: what if you were schizophrenic, but one half of your personality manifested as a cop trying to bust your other half for drug sales. Terry Brooks did it in Sword of Shannara. He melded his experiences as a lawyer and a person to come up with the idea: what if the truth was so powerful that it could kill an immortal sorcerer (queue about 30 lawyers-vs-truth jokes). It’s what I’ve done with Deals. I’ve melded my regrets, my yearning for success, and my lost-love relationship with my best friend, to create something original and (hopefully) powerful.
If you can marshal your uniqueness and use it as a catalyst to spark originality, and then plug that originality into your writing, your writing will become exponentially better. I’m not saying that being original will automatically make you publishable, or make you the next J.K Rowling (whose books, by the way, sparkle with originality). But it will put you give you a much better shot.
You can do this. I’ve done it with Deals (available at http://www.untreedreads.com/?p=1708), and the results speak for themselves. It’s no Harry Potter, but the story’s a foot better than it would be if I hadn’t given it that spark of originality. And if I can do it, than you can too.
What are you reading today? Check us out and become our friend on Facebook & Linkedin. Go to Goodreads and become our friend there and suggest books for us to read and post on. You can also follow us on Twitter, and the Gelati’s Scoop Facebook Fan Page. Did you know you can shop directly on Amazon by clicking the Gelati’s Store Tab on our blog? Thanks for stopping by today; We will see you tomorrow. Have a great day. http://www.gelatisscoop.blogspot.com
By: Julian Adorney
We’ve all read them. Stories with solid characters and a fast plot and vivid descriptions, but nothing to make them unique. Stories that we finish reading with the vague sense that we’ve read the exact same story a hundred times before.
The reason we feel this way is that the author didn’t put anything new into his writing. He cobbled together ideas from other writers, plugged them into a stock plot and put pen to paper. His stories lack any originality. And, because of that, they suck.
As a writer, and more importantly as a person, you have something unique to say. Somehow, in some way, your unique combination of experiences and genetics and choices gives you a unique perspective. You view the world a little differently than everyone else. Maybe you’re schizophrenic who manages to juggle two lives pretty easily. Maybe you fell in love with a crazy girl (or guy) for a couple years. Maybe you visited Peru for six months and had your future told by a shaman.
Or maybe it was something more ordinary. Maybe you went to see a psychic and couldn’t suppress the suspicion that he was the real thing. Maybe your parents were fascist control-freaks, or maybe they never gave you any rules.
My point is that all of us – every single person – is unique, with unique experiences and a unique perspective. This uniqueness gives rise to originality. It is your job as a writer to infuse this originality into your writing.
Philip K. Dick did this in A Scanner Darkly. He melded his schizophrenia and drug use and came up with a completely novel idea: what if you were schizophrenic, but one half of your personality manifested as a cop trying to bust your other half for drug sales. Terry Brooks did it in Sword of Shannara. He melded his experiences as a lawyer and a person to come up with the idea: what if the truth was so powerful that it could kill an immortal sorcerer (queue about 30 lawyers-vs-truth jokes). It’s what I’ve done with Deals. I’ve melded my regrets, my yearning for success, and my lost-love relationship with my best friend, to create something original and (hopefully) powerful.
If you can marshal your uniqueness and use it as a catalyst to spark originality, and then plug that originality into your writing, your writing will become exponentially better. I’m not saying that being original will automatically make you publishable, or make you the next J.K Rowling (whose books, by the way, sparkle with originality). But it will put you give you a much better shot.
You can do this. I’ve done it with Deals (available at http://www.untreedreads.com/?p=1708), and the results speak for themselves. It’s no Harry Potter, but the story’s a foot better than it would be if I hadn’t given it that spark of originality. And if I can do it, than you can too.
What are you reading today? Check us out and become our friend on Facebook & Linkedin. Go to Goodreads and become our friend there and suggest books for us to read and post on. You can also follow us on Twitter, and the Gelati’s Scoop Facebook Fan Page. Did you know you can shop directly on Amazon by clicking the Gelati’s Store Tab on our blog? Thanks for stopping by today; We will see you tomorrow. Have a great day. http://www.gelatisscoop.blogspot.com
Guest Post Marvin Lindberg
Ponzied Guest Post
One of the joys in writing fiction is the development of a character that can carry the writer through the entire story. Sometimes that character isn’t even there at the start of the novel. He isn’t even there at the original outline of the story.
I have written three novels with Wayne Davis as the central character. In the first book, ‘The Cutting Edge’, Wayne wasn’t even on my radar screen at the start. This was going to be a story of a country music band that was about to head to Nashville, with very high hopes. Their van, with all their equipment was stolen. Toby, the band leader, and lead guitar player, was highly motivated to get his van back, so he heads out west in pursuit of the thieves.
However, along the way he meets, you guessed it, Wayne Davis, a former policeman, who is a throwback to Texas cowboys. He wears a cowboy hat, cowboy boots and Stetson hat. Wayne immediately becomes the focus of the chase, as Toby could not have done it on his own. Wayne is also a man of principled action, and has fun doing it.
Now, because Wayne Davis is such an interesting and compelling character, I just had to develop him further. Thus my next novel: ‘Saving Vegas’. Wayne is now working for the casinos, along with playing an occasional poker game. I hadn’t planned on getting him romantically involved, but a professional poker player named Ruby Redstone was in one of his games, and sure enough another wonderful character appears that I hadn’t planned on.
Wayne has now developed into a real American hero. There was a terrorist attempt on Las Vegas, and fortunately Wayne and his new buddy, Rhino, are able to thwart it just in time.
In my newest novel, Ponzied, I weave together a Ponzi scheme, also taking place in Las Vegas. Wayne is now married to Ruby, and living in Amarillo. His “friend”, Big Daddy, wants him to come to Vegas and get him out of trouble. Wayne uncovers a terrorist attack being planned against Israel. Once again, he is immersed in another heroic attempt to stop it.
This novel also introduces another character that I had no idea of developing when I outlined the original story. Rebo Rabin, an Israeli Commando, has escaped from an Iranian prison. He comes to America, and ends up in Las Vegas. Wayne meets his match when he and Rebo team up. Together they make an incredible team in their attempt to stop this attack against Israel.
Wayne Davis has evolved through the three novels. He has always been his own man, a man of courage. He has become a true American hero, one who is willing to face danger head on, as much as any true patriot would, to help his country.
Oh, by the way, I am a self-published author, but I think you knew that already. All of my books are available on Amazon.com.
What are you reading today? Check us out and become our friend on Facebook & Linkedin. Go to Goodreads and become our friend there and suggest books for us to read and post on. You can also follow us on Twitter, and the Gelati’s Scoop Facebook Fan Page. Did you know you can shop directly on Amazon by clicking the Gelati’s Store Tab on our blog? Thanks for stopping by today; We will see you tomorrow. Have a great day. http://www.gelatisscoop.blogspot.com
One of the joys in writing fiction is the development of a character that can carry the writer through the entire story. Sometimes that character isn’t even there at the start of the novel. He isn’t even there at the original outline of the story.
I have written three novels with Wayne Davis as the central character. In the first book, ‘The Cutting Edge’, Wayne wasn’t even on my radar screen at the start. This was going to be a story of a country music band that was about to head to Nashville, with very high hopes. Their van, with all their equipment was stolen. Toby, the band leader, and lead guitar player, was highly motivated to get his van back, so he heads out west in pursuit of the thieves.
However, along the way he meets, you guessed it, Wayne Davis, a former policeman, who is a throwback to Texas cowboys. He wears a cowboy hat, cowboy boots and Stetson hat. Wayne immediately becomes the focus of the chase, as Toby could not have done it on his own. Wayne is also a man of principled action, and has fun doing it.
Now, because Wayne Davis is such an interesting and compelling character, I just had to develop him further. Thus my next novel: ‘Saving Vegas’. Wayne is now working for the casinos, along with playing an occasional poker game. I hadn’t planned on getting him romantically involved, but a professional poker player named Ruby Redstone was in one of his games, and sure enough another wonderful character appears that I hadn’t planned on.
Wayne has now developed into a real American hero. There was a terrorist attempt on Las Vegas, and fortunately Wayne and his new buddy, Rhino, are able to thwart it just in time.
In my newest novel, Ponzied, I weave together a Ponzi scheme, also taking place in Las Vegas. Wayne is now married to Ruby, and living in Amarillo. His “friend”, Big Daddy, wants him to come to Vegas and get him out of trouble. Wayne uncovers a terrorist attack being planned against Israel. Once again, he is immersed in another heroic attempt to stop it.
This novel also introduces another character that I had no idea of developing when I outlined the original story. Rebo Rabin, an Israeli Commando, has escaped from an Iranian prison. He comes to America, and ends up in Las Vegas. Wayne meets his match when he and Rebo team up. Together they make an incredible team in their attempt to stop this attack against Israel.
Wayne Davis has evolved through the three novels. He has always been his own man, a man of courage. He has become a true American hero, one who is willing to face danger head on, as much as any true patriot would, to help his country.
Oh, by the way, I am a self-published author, but I think you knew that already. All of my books are available on Amazon.com.
What are you reading today? Check us out and become our friend on Facebook & Linkedin. Go to Goodreads and become our friend there and suggest books for us to read and post on. You can also follow us on Twitter, and the Gelati’s Scoop Facebook Fan Page. Did you know you can shop directly on Amazon by clicking the Gelati’s Store Tab on our blog? Thanks for stopping by today; We will see you tomorrow. Have a great day. http://www.gelatisscoop.blogspot.com
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Top 20 Novel Releases Before Christmas
20 Big Time Novel Releases Before Christmas
Far be it from me to be thinking about the big jolly man in the suit already, but there seems to be a crush of novels coming everybody’s way starting last week. Yes, last week. Stuart Woods has Santa Fe Edge and John Sandford dropped Bad Blood. There are many more novels being released than the 20 I am listing but I just wanted to highlight the heavy hitters in the genres that I usually read and post on. To add as a side note if any of these writers happens to read my blog and wishes to send an autographed copy in advance of its release, I will not be shy in accepting it, hahaha. Early Christmas for the G-Man: but I digress yet again.
The novels cover the spectrum and are from some of the biggest names in the book world. Without further ado here is the list in order of release:
Today Sept 28th- Mark Greaney- On Target
Stephen Jay Schwartz-Beat
Ken Follet-Fall of the Giants
October 5th-Robert Parker-Painted Ladies
October 11th-The Reversal –Michael Connolly
Vince Flynn –American Assassin
The Lost Hero-Rick Riordan
October 18th Lee Child- Worth Dying For
October 26th-John Grisham- The Confession
James Patterson-Witch & Wizard
November 9th- Stephen King - Full Dark, No Stars
Moonlight Mile – Dennis Lehane
David Baldacci-Hell’s Corner
November 15th- James Patterson – Cross Fire
Vincent Zandri- The Remains
November 23rd- Steve Berry – The Emperor’s Tomb
November 30th Patricia Cornwell- Port Mortuary
December 7th- Tom Clancy- Dead or Alive
January 24th- James Patterson –Tick ,Tock
I know that Tick, Tock comes out after the holiday, but I just wanted to fit that one in. I really enjoy Michael Bennett and his family. For the way I read and the posts I write, I think I have the bases covered for the time period. If you think there should be any major additions to this please feel free to correct me as I am not infallible, or so my wife continues to tell me on a daily basis.
What about the self –published authors we cover and the people writing the digital shorts? I am trying to put together a list for you in case you want an alternative to round out your reading pleasure. In mid- October I will put up a list; so stayed tuned and keep an eye out for it.
What are you reading today? Check us out and become our friend on Facebook & Linkedin. Go to Goodreads and become our friend there and suggest books for us to read and post on. You can also follow us on Twitter, and the Gelati’s Scoop Facebook Fan Page. Did you know you can shop directly on Amazon by clicking the Gelati’s Store Tab on our blog? Thanks for stopping by today; We will see you tomorrow. Have a great day. http://www.gelatisscoop.blogspot.com
Far be it from me to be thinking about the big jolly man in the suit already, but there seems to be a crush of novels coming everybody’s way starting last week. Yes, last week. Stuart Woods has Santa Fe Edge and John Sandford dropped Bad Blood. There are many more novels being released than the 20 I am listing but I just wanted to highlight the heavy hitters in the genres that I usually read and post on. To add as a side note if any of these writers happens to read my blog and wishes to send an autographed copy in advance of its release, I will not be shy in accepting it, hahaha. Early Christmas for the G-Man: but I digress yet again.
The novels cover the spectrum and are from some of the biggest names in the book world. Without further ado here is the list in order of release:
Today Sept 28th- Mark Greaney- On Target
Stephen Jay Schwartz-Beat
Ken Follet-Fall of the Giants
October 5th-Robert Parker-Painted Ladies
October 11th-The Reversal –Michael Connolly
Vince Flynn –American Assassin
The Lost Hero-Rick Riordan
October 18th Lee Child- Worth Dying For
October 26th-John Grisham- The Confession
James Patterson-Witch & Wizard
November 9th- Stephen King - Full Dark, No Stars
Moonlight Mile – Dennis Lehane
David Baldacci-Hell’s Corner
November 15th- James Patterson – Cross Fire
Vincent Zandri- The Remains
November 23rd- Steve Berry – The Emperor’s Tomb
November 30th Patricia Cornwell- Port Mortuary
December 7th- Tom Clancy- Dead or Alive
January 24th- James Patterson –Tick ,Tock
I know that Tick, Tock comes out after the holiday, but I just wanted to fit that one in. I really enjoy Michael Bennett and his family. For the way I read and the posts I write, I think I have the bases covered for the time period. If you think there should be any major additions to this please feel free to correct me as I am not infallible, or so my wife continues to tell me on a daily basis.
What about the self –published authors we cover and the people writing the digital shorts? I am trying to put together a list for you in case you want an alternative to round out your reading pleasure. In mid- October I will put up a list; so stayed tuned and keep an eye out for it.
What are you reading today? Check us out and become our friend on Facebook & Linkedin. Go to Goodreads and become our friend there and suggest books for us to read and post on. You can also follow us on Twitter, and the Gelati’s Scoop Facebook Fan Page. Did you know you can shop directly on Amazon by clicking the Gelati’s Store Tab on our blog? Thanks for stopping by today; We will see you tomorrow. Have a great day. http://www.gelatisscoop.blogspot.com
Guest Post Kathryn Shay
Dear Gelati’s Scoop,
Thanks so much for allowing me to blog on your site. Let me say what a cool name you have. I’ve eaten terrific scoops of your namesake in Italy, the best in Rome. I even wrote a short novella that takes place in Rome and they have gelati there.
First, let me introduce myself. I’m Kathryn Shay and I’ve been published by Harlequin and The Berkley Publishing Group for the last fifteen years. THE PERFECT FAMILY, released from Bold Strokes Books this September, is my thirty-seventh book. I’m a wife, mother, former teacher, now retired. I like to read, take yoga, walk my dog, and do volunteer work. Right now, I’m totally immersed in promoting this new book.
THE PERFECT FAMILY is the story of the Davidsons: they’re an average American family with a good life and they consider themselves lucky to have each other. Then their seventeen year old son tells them he’s gay and their world shifts. They have no idea what they will go through after Jamie’s disclosure: Jamie's father Mike can't reconcile his religious beliefs with his son's sexuality. His brother Brian is harassed by his jock buddies and angry at Jamie for complicating all their lives. Maggie, his mother, fears being able to protect her son while struggling to save her crumbling marriage. And Jamie feels guilty for the unhappiness his disclosure has caused. The book is full of both conflict and love, ending on a redeeming note.
I’m frequently asked why I wrote this book. When my own son came out gay, I decided I wanted to tell a story around that issue. THE PERFECT FAMILY is fiction, but touches on some of the things my own family went through. I wished then I’d had a book like this to help me understand that a family’s struggle when a teen comes out is common, but he deserves love and support from them. As I already mentioned, I was also a high school teacher for many years and I know teenagers. I know how they react to people who are different from them, how sexual orientation can freak them out and how they can be cruel. But they can also be unbelievably loyal and supportive. I tried to show all this in the book.
Having raised kids of my own, I’m also aware of how a child’s problems can affect the whole family. I originally wrote the book in first person narrative from the mother’s point of view (it was called A MOTHER’S STORY) because I knew what Maggie, the mom, was going through. I’ve also experienced the pain when spouses disagree on what’s best for their children. However, it wasn’t long before I realized this book was more than Maggie’s story; it was each family member’s journey. On the first of many revisions, I put in the viewpoints of Mike, Brian and Jamie. I think this expansion enriched the book and made it more relevant. After several revisions, I added a secondary storyline to mirror the first which gives the book an added dimension.
The character of Jamie is based on my own son, Ben. He read the manuscript twice, the beginning draft and the last one. I was amazed at the insights he had into the characters. His comments led me to make some further revisions. And we have a gift for my readers. Ben is a singer/songwriter and made a CD in high school about “loving a boy” and other adolescent issues. We’re offering it free at the publisher’s website when you order a book from them (http://www.boldstrokesbooks.com/products.php?product=Perfect-Family%252C-The-%25252d-by-Kathryn-Shay) and it will be also be offered on my website, www.kathrnyshay.com while copies last.
I’m sure you can tell from my comments that this is the book of my heart and a labor of love. I hope readers enjoy it.
Kathryn Shay
PS— If you’re interested in reading my other books, I’m working on new projects now so check my website for that. I’m also making plans to put nine previously published in print novels up on Kindle and Smashwords by the time THE PERFECT FAMILY is released.
Kathryn Shay is a lifelong writer. At fifteen, she penned her first ‘romance,’ a short story about a female newspaper reporter in New York City and her fight to make a name for herself in a world of male journalists – and with one hardheaded editor in particular. Looking back, Kathryn says she should have known then that writing was in her future. But as so often happens, fate sent her detouring down another path.
Fully intending to pursue her dream of big city lights and success in the literary world, Kathryn took every creative writing class available at the small private women’s college she attended in upstate New York. Instead, other dreams took precedence. She met and subsequently married a wonderful guy who’d attended a neighboring school, then completed her practice teaching, a requirement for the education degree she never intended to use. But says Kathryn, “I fell in love with teaching the first day I was up in front of a class, and knew I was meant to do that.”
Kathryn went on to build a successful career in the New York state school system, thoroughly enjoying her work with adolescents. But by the early 1990s, she’d again made room in her life for writing. It was then that she submitted her first manuscript to publishers and agents. Despite enduring two years of rejections, she persevered. And on a snowy December afternoon in 1994, Kathryn Shay sold her first book to Harlequin Superromance.
Since that first sale, Kathryn has written twenty-five books for Harlequin, nine mainstream contemporary romances for the Berkley Publishing Group, and two online novellas, which Berkley then published in traditional print format. Her first mainstream fiction book will be out from Bold Strokes Books in September, 2010
Kathryn has become known for her powerful characterizations – readers say they feel they know the people in her books – and her heart-wrenching, emotional writing (her favorite comments are that fans cried while reading her books or stayed up late to finish them). In testament to her skill, the author has won five RT BookClub Magazine Reviewers Choice Awards, three Holt Medallions, two Desert Quill Awards, the Golden Leaf Award, and several online accolades.
Even in light of her writing success, that initial love of teaching never wavered for Kathryn. She finished out her teaching career in 2004, retiring from the same school where her career began. These days, she lives in upstate New York with her husband and two children. “My life is very full,” she reports, “but very happy. I consider myself fortunate to have been able to pursue and achieve my dreams.”
Kathryn’s latest book is The Perfect Family.
You can visit Kathryn’s website at www.kathrynshay.com.
What are you reading today? Check us out and become our friend on Facebook & Linkedin. Go to Goodreads and become our friend there and suggest books for us to read and post on. You can also follow us on Twitter, and the Gelati’s Scoop Facebook Fan Page. Did you know you can shop directly on Amazon by clicking the Gelati’s Store Tab on our blog? Thanks for stopping by today; We will see you tomorrow. Have a great day. http://www.gelatisscoop.blogspot.com
Thanks so much for allowing me to blog on your site. Let me say what a cool name you have. I’ve eaten terrific scoops of your namesake in Italy, the best in Rome. I even wrote a short novella that takes place in Rome and they have gelati there.
First, let me introduce myself. I’m Kathryn Shay and I’ve been published by Harlequin and The Berkley Publishing Group for the last fifteen years. THE PERFECT FAMILY, released from Bold Strokes Books this September, is my thirty-seventh book. I’m a wife, mother, former teacher, now retired. I like to read, take yoga, walk my dog, and do volunteer work. Right now, I’m totally immersed in promoting this new book.
THE PERFECT FAMILY is the story of the Davidsons: they’re an average American family with a good life and they consider themselves lucky to have each other. Then their seventeen year old son tells them he’s gay and their world shifts. They have no idea what they will go through after Jamie’s disclosure: Jamie's father Mike can't reconcile his religious beliefs with his son's sexuality. His brother Brian is harassed by his jock buddies and angry at Jamie for complicating all their lives. Maggie, his mother, fears being able to protect her son while struggling to save her crumbling marriage. And Jamie feels guilty for the unhappiness his disclosure has caused. The book is full of both conflict and love, ending on a redeeming note.
I’m frequently asked why I wrote this book. When my own son came out gay, I decided I wanted to tell a story around that issue. THE PERFECT FAMILY is fiction, but touches on some of the things my own family went through. I wished then I’d had a book like this to help me understand that a family’s struggle when a teen comes out is common, but he deserves love and support from them. As I already mentioned, I was also a high school teacher for many years and I know teenagers. I know how they react to people who are different from them, how sexual orientation can freak them out and how they can be cruel. But they can also be unbelievably loyal and supportive. I tried to show all this in the book.
Having raised kids of my own, I’m also aware of how a child’s problems can affect the whole family. I originally wrote the book in first person narrative from the mother’s point of view (it was called A MOTHER’S STORY) because I knew what Maggie, the mom, was going through. I’ve also experienced the pain when spouses disagree on what’s best for their children. However, it wasn’t long before I realized this book was more than Maggie’s story; it was each family member’s journey. On the first of many revisions, I put in the viewpoints of Mike, Brian and Jamie. I think this expansion enriched the book and made it more relevant. After several revisions, I added a secondary storyline to mirror the first which gives the book an added dimension.
The character of Jamie is based on my own son, Ben. He read the manuscript twice, the beginning draft and the last one. I was amazed at the insights he had into the characters. His comments led me to make some further revisions. And we have a gift for my readers. Ben is a singer/songwriter and made a CD in high school about “loving a boy” and other adolescent issues. We’re offering it free at the publisher’s website when you order a book from them (http://www.boldstrokesbooks.com/products.php?product=Perfect-Family%252C-The-%25252d-by-Kathryn-Shay) and it will be also be offered on my website, www.kathrnyshay.com while copies last.
I’m sure you can tell from my comments that this is the book of my heart and a labor of love. I hope readers enjoy it.
Kathryn Shay
PS— If you’re interested in reading my other books, I’m working on new projects now so check my website for that. I’m also making plans to put nine previously published in print novels up on Kindle and Smashwords by the time THE PERFECT FAMILY is released.
Kathryn Shay is a lifelong writer. At fifteen, she penned her first ‘romance,’ a short story about a female newspaper reporter in New York City and her fight to make a name for herself in a world of male journalists – and with one hardheaded editor in particular. Looking back, Kathryn says she should have known then that writing was in her future. But as so often happens, fate sent her detouring down another path.
Fully intending to pursue her dream of big city lights and success in the literary world, Kathryn took every creative writing class available at the small private women’s college she attended in upstate New York. Instead, other dreams took precedence. She met and subsequently married a wonderful guy who’d attended a neighboring school, then completed her practice teaching, a requirement for the education degree she never intended to use. But says Kathryn, “I fell in love with teaching the first day I was up in front of a class, and knew I was meant to do that.”
Kathryn went on to build a successful career in the New York state school system, thoroughly enjoying her work with adolescents. But by the early 1990s, she’d again made room in her life for writing. It was then that she submitted her first manuscript to publishers and agents. Despite enduring two years of rejections, she persevered. And on a snowy December afternoon in 1994, Kathryn Shay sold her first book to Harlequin Superromance.
Since that first sale, Kathryn has written twenty-five books for Harlequin, nine mainstream contemporary romances for the Berkley Publishing Group, and two online novellas, which Berkley then published in traditional print format. Her first mainstream fiction book will be out from Bold Strokes Books in September, 2010
Kathryn has become known for her powerful characterizations – readers say they feel they know the people in her books – and her heart-wrenching, emotional writing (her favorite comments are that fans cried while reading her books or stayed up late to finish them). In testament to her skill, the author has won five RT BookClub Magazine Reviewers Choice Awards, three Holt Medallions, two Desert Quill Awards, the Golden Leaf Award, and several online accolades.
Even in light of her writing success, that initial love of teaching never wavered for Kathryn. She finished out her teaching career in 2004, retiring from the same school where her career began. These days, she lives in upstate New York with her husband and two children. “My life is very full,” she reports, “but very happy. I consider myself fortunate to have been able to pursue and achieve my dreams.”
Kathryn’s latest book is The Perfect Family.
You can visit Kathryn’s website at www.kathrynshay.com.
What are you reading today? Check us out and become our friend on Facebook & Linkedin. Go to Goodreads and become our friend there and suggest books for us to read and post on. You can also follow us on Twitter, and the Gelati’s Scoop Facebook Fan Page. Did you know you can shop directly on Amazon by clicking the Gelati’s Store Tab on our blog? Thanks for stopping by today; We will see you tomorrow. Have a great day. http://www.gelatisscoop.blogspot.com
Monday, September 27, 2010
John Sandford Bad Blood a Virgil Flowers Novel
Right off the bat I want to say that I am a huge fan of John Sandford. I have devoured all 20 of his Prey novels and each of the Virgil Flowers spinoffs. There are three other Virgil Flower novels: Dark of the Moon, Heat Lightening, Rough Country and now Bad Blood. Do you have to read them in order? No. Do you need to read them, yes. They rock. I find it incredibly hard to put any of his novels down once I get on a roll. The book just doesn’t want to leave my hand or my mind. Okay, I guess you have to understand that I like the guy’s style and substance.
Bad Blood in my estimation is his best work to date with that %$#@Flowers. The dialogue in between the characters is incredible, the repartee fun and at times intense, and the action swift. I offer no spoilers as usual but here is a sample of the dialogue. ”Yeah, but….not like that. Not like some giant conspiracy. “Clinton said.” Then there was that whole thing about morals and good behavior. I’m not sure exactly… I’d like to know what their definition of ‘moral’ is. I mean ,you smell that place?”
“You mean the soup? It smelled pretty good.”
“I mean the smoke. The dope. The spliff, the ganj. As these good Germans would say, the dank.”
Virgil put a hand to his forehead and rubbed. “That’s what it was. I was thinking it was some kind of herb in the soup.”
“It is some kind of herb, but I don’t think it was in the soup, ”Clinton said,” I think it was in the curtains and the couch and the rugs. I think she was cooking up that soup to cover the odor. Those people are Christian fundamentalist stoners. I was sitting there grinning the whole time, listening to them. They were totally full of $%^&….depending on how you define moral.”
‘What is it with these guys?” Virgil asked. “These church people…I talked to one today who was carrying a gun in her pocket. I think some of them know more about Kelly Baker than they are saying, I think…”
“I’ll tell you what it is,” Bill Clinton said,” What it is, is, something is seriously*&^%%$, I wish you luck in detecting what it is.”
That came from page 125. The novel totally rocks the whole way through. The plotline is excellent and Sandford as his usual self just crafts another intense narrative with Flowers leading the way, turning over stones and pushing things to a conclusion. I really enjoy novels by the heavyhitters in the genre that continue to push themselves and not just mail it in. This is in my opinion the best Virgil flowers stand-alone of the bunch. If you are a fan of this character in any way shape or form then this is going to be a fun ride for you. If you are a first timer, then you are going to be getting an introduction to Virgil Flowers at his best. I would suggest then that you backtrack and pick up the rest after that.
There are some very big novels coming out between now and Christmas, and John Sandford has set the bar very high. Tomorrow I am going to run a post with a preview of novels to come this fall and winter. I can guarantee that this novel will appear in the top 10 if not the top 5 for the quarter when we do our little top 20 list before Christmas. If you are a fan of excellent writing, enjoy a well-crafted plotline, humor, action, and great character driven fiction like I do , then this novel needs to be read. What is your favorite John Sanford novel? Is Lucas Davenport still numero uno or is Virgil working his way there?
What are you reading today? Check us out and become our friend on Facebook & Linkedin. Go to Goodreads and become our friend there and suggest books for us to read and post on. You can also follow us on Twitter, and the Gelati’s Scoop Facebook Fan Page. Did you know you can shop directly on Amazon by clicking the Gelati’s Store Tab on our blog? Thanks for stopping by today; We will see you tomorrow. Have a great day. http://www.gelatisscoop.blogspot.com
Guest Post JasonMcIntyre
A Non-Genre Writer's Look at Suspense by Jason McIntyre
What creates suspense?
Years ago, a film-maker friend of mine told me he wanted to try something radically
different with his next project: he wanted to shoot a story that had absolutely no conflict.
He told me he didn't want to have a boy-meets-girl-then-loses-girl-love-story or a manrobs-
bank-to-provide-for-his-family morality play or anything else that showed person A
coming up against person B or obstacle C or life-changing circumstance D.
I thought about it for a bit, concluding that it definitely would have been unique among
popular films at the time, but also would have been maddeningly boring. It might have
made a somewhat interesting, avant garde music video done the right way, but it most
assuredly wouldn't be a story. Conflict, and by association, suspense, is the very core of
a good story. Without it, there is nothing to read, view or listen to that has any real
value.
And, it doesn't really matter whether your medium is film, music or literature, holding the
audience in your hand and doling out to them enough to keep them glued to your tale,
but not so much that they're walking away, is the true test of a good bit of storytelling…
and my definition of suspense.
You can write in a horror or suspense genre or you can be entrenched in serious drama,
but if you're doing it right, there will always be some level of suspension. Your words are
the bridge from the beginning of the story to the other side of a great chasm. How you
use them keeps the bridge from falling and the reader held aloft, far above the churning
waters, but close enough to feel the spray when it white waters crash on the rocks. The
danger of falling needs to always be present, even if it's not a dangerous kind of story --
even if it's only a story about two lovers who are twenty years apart in age.
There, that's suspense. It might not be huge, or life-threatening, but everyone in the
room can put up their hand and say that they could foresee some difficulty in that: a
man in his twenties, a woman in her forties, the two of them still mad with passion for
each other. Roll cameras. And. Action!
I look at suspense in fiction and I say it's well-done if it meets two criteria.
First, has the author created an expectation that something is very wrong?
And, if not very wrong, then maybe it is currently sitting at "not quite right" and he is
presently building-building-building with each major "moment" in the story to that spot of
being very wrong. If so, tighten the straps and release the button on the drip bag next to
your gurney. Things will get pulled out of proportion. And they should.
Good authors do "wrong" very well and the tricks employed come across as natural, so,
basically, not as tricks at all. The concept of "building" is also key here. You want to see
something amiss right out of the gate, but you also want room to grow the feelings of
unease in the opening forty pages of a story. It should rise like the crescendo of a
classical piece of music, and, contrary to what some may say, it should build at a
predictable rate.
A solid current example of this in pop fiction is the readily available excerpt from
Stephen King's new story collection, Full Dark, No Stars. The story is "A Good Marriage"
and the snippet is here:
http://books.simonandschuster.com/Full-Dark-No-Stars/Stephen-King/9781439192566/
excerpt_with_id/16875?custd=32884&mcd=ea&view_pc_site=1
Now, I won't ruin it for you if you haven't read it. Go ahead, if you're curious. I'll wait.
There. Neat, huh? Obviously I don't know where this story is going. And I don't want to.
But what he's done is a very solid, very suspenseful piece. King is obviously very good
at this. I don't need to remind any of you that he's one of the reigning masters, but I
don't know if this story will wind up being good in the end. Who knows, right? Not until
the final sentence. But at this moment, it illustrates my point very nicely. No one is
clinging to the edge of a cliff in a thunderstorm. No one is holding a knife to my throat
and threatening to cut. But I'm suspended, nonetheless. I want to keep reading and find
out what the bloody hell this wife has found in the garage she shares with her husband.
Second, does the author create a world where we, the readers, do the opposite of
"suspending our disbelief?"
The reader needs to believe that what is happening could happen, may have happened,
will happen, or, in fact, happens every single day in the world that he calls home. This is
done through impeccable research and staying true to what most reasonable people
would believe they would do in a similar situation, given the same facts. Even if it's
science fiction or dark horror with strange things making scheduled visits in the dark of
the night (read my free short novel, Shed, for more of this kind of weirdness), the world
should be recognizable, either by its physical make-up or by its characters.
The above example by King gives a good dose of what I mean here, too. Anyone who's
ever been, married--even for five minutes--will "get" what King is saying about these two
people, their habits, their foibles, there angst and their love. Colliding and sparking and
retreating over the course of time, these two people are married. Plain. Simple. Married.
And the "realness" of it shows in every sentence. With a set up like this, how can we not
believe whatever is about to come next, even if it is at once off the wall and, well,
unbelievable?
So my bottom line for feeling appropriately suspended while I read a book (in any genre,
not just the suspense genre) or while I watch a tv show, a flick or the top of the pizza
box are these two ideas: Is something itching that spot behind my eyes, making me
think twice about whether this should be happening? And. Do I truly believe I'm reading
or seeing something in the real world as I've come to know it?
Could this really be happening?
And, if it could, then I will immediately be freaked out when the bed moves under me,
even if it's only an inch.
* * *
Jason McIntyre is the author of the current Smashwords bestseller, "On The Gathering
Storm". He has also written the acclaimed short novel "Shed" and many other stories.
You can connect with him and learn more about his work by visiting his official website,
http://www.thefarthestreaches.com .
What are you reading today? Check us out and become our friend on Facebook & Linkedin. Go to Goodreads and become our friend there and suggest books for us to read and post on. You can also follow us on Twitter, and the Gelati’s Scoop Facebook Fan Page. Did you know you can shop directly on Amazon by clicking the Gelati’s Store Tab on our blog? Thanks for stopping by today; We will see you tomorrow. Have a great day. http://www.gelatisscoop.blogspot.com
What creates suspense?
Years ago, a film-maker friend of mine told me he wanted to try something radically
different with his next project: he wanted to shoot a story that had absolutely no conflict.
He told me he didn't want to have a boy-meets-girl-then-loses-girl-love-story or a manrobs-
bank-to-provide-for-his-family morality play or anything else that showed person A
coming up against person B or obstacle C or life-changing circumstance D.
I thought about it for a bit, concluding that it definitely would have been unique among
popular films at the time, but also would have been maddeningly boring. It might have
made a somewhat interesting, avant garde music video done the right way, but it most
assuredly wouldn't be a story. Conflict, and by association, suspense, is the very core of
a good story. Without it, there is nothing to read, view or listen to that has any real
value.
And, it doesn't really matter whether your medium is film, music or literature, holding the
audience in your hand and doling out to them enough to keep them glued to your tale,
but not so much that they're walking away, is the true test of a good bit of storytelling…
and my definition of suspense.
You can write in a horror or suspense genre or you can be entrenched in serious drama,
but if you're doing it right, there will always be some level of suspension. Your words are
the bridge from the beginning of the story to the other side of a great chasm. How you
use them keeps the bridge from falling and the reader held aloft, far above the churning
waters, but close enough to feel the spray when it white waters crash on the rocks. The
danger of falling needs to always be present, even if it's not a dangerous kind of story --
even if it's only a story about two lovers who are twenty years apart in age.
There, that's suspense. It might not be huge, or life-threatening, but everyone in the
room can put up their hand and say that they could foresee some difficulty in that: a
man in his twenties, a woman in her forties, the two of them still mad with passion for
each other. Roll cameras. And. Action!
I look at suspense in fiction and I say it's well-done if it meets two criteria.
First, has the author created an expectation that something is very wrong?
And, if not very wrong, then maybe it is currently sitting at "not quite right" and he is
presently building-building-building with each major "moment" in the story to that spot of
being very wrong. If so, tighten the straps and release the button on the drip bag next to
your gurney. Things will get pulled out of proportion. And they should.
Good authors do "wrong" very well and the tricks employed come across as natural, so,
basically, not as tricks at all. The concept of "building" is also key here. You want to see
something amiss right out of the gate, but you also want room to grow the feelings of
unease in the opening forty pages of a story. It should rise like the crescendo of a
classical piece of music, and, contrary to what some may say, it should build at a
predictable rate.
A solid current example of this in pop fiction is the readily available excerpt from
Stephen King's new story collection, Full Dark, No Stars. The story is "A Good Marriage"
and the snippet is here:
http://books.simonandschuster.com/Full-Dark-No-Stars/Stephen-King/9781439192566/
excerpt_with_id/16875?custd=32884&mcd=ea&view_pc_site=1
Now, I won't ruin it for you if you haven't read it. Go ahead, if you're curious. I'll wait.
There. Neat, huh? Obviously I don't know where this story is going. And I don't want to.
But what he's done is a very solid, very suspenseful piece. King is obviously very good
at this. I don't need to remind any of you that he's one of the reigning masters, but I
don't know if this story will wind up being good in the end. Who knows, right? Not until
the final sentence. But at this moment, it illustrates my point very nicely. No one is
clinging to the edge of a cliff in a thunderstorm. No one is holding a knife to my throat
and threatening to cut. But I'm suspended, nonetheless. I want to keep reading and find
out what the bloody hell this wife has found in the garage she shares with her husband.
Second, does the author create a world where we, the readers, do the opposite of
"suspending our disbelief?"
The reader needs to believe that what is happening could happen, may have happened,
will happen, or, in fact, happens every single day in the world that he calls home. This is
done through impeccable research and staying true to what most reasonable people
would believe they would do in a similar situation, given the same facts. Even if it's
science fiction or dark horror with strange things making scheduled visits in the dark of
the night (read my free short novel, Shed, for more of this kind of weirdness), the world
should be recognizable, either by its physical make-up or by its characters.
The above example by King gives a good dose of what I mean here, too. Anyone who's
ever been, married--even for five minutes--will "get" what King is saying about these two
people, their habits, their foibles, there angst and their love. Colliding and sparking and
retreating over the course of time, these two people are married. Plain. Simple. Married.
And the "realness" of it shows in every sentence. With a set up like this, how can we not
believe whatever is about to come next, even if it is at once off the wall and, well,
unbelievable?
So my bottom line for feeling appropriately suspended while I read a book (in any genre,
not just the suspense genre) or while I watch a tv show, a flick or the top of the pizza
box are these two ideas: Is something itching that spot behind my eyes, making me
think twice about whether this should be happening? And. Do I truly believe I'm reading
or seeing something in the real world as I've come to know it?
Could this really be happening?
And, if it could, then I will immediately be freaked out when the bed moves under me,
even if it's only an inch.
* * *
Jason McIntyre is the author of the current Smashwords bestseller, "On The Gathering
Storm". He has also written the acclaimed short novel "Shed" and many other stories.
You can connect with him and learn more about his work by visiting his official website,
http://www.thefarthestreaches.com .
What are you reading today? Check us out and become our friend on Facebook & Linkedin. Go to Goodreads and become our friend there and suggest books for us to read and post on. You can also follow us on Twitter, and the Gelati’s Scoop Facebook Fan Page. Did you know you can shop directly on Amazon by clicking the Gelati’s Store Tab on our blog? Thanks for stopping by today; We will see you tomorrow. Have a great day. http://www.gelatisscoop.blogspot.com
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Self Published Sunday Marvin Lindberg Ponzied
Sundays are fast becoming one of the biggest viewing days of the week here @ The Scoop. I don’t know if it is all literary agents scouting new talent or just the fact that there are a lot of very good writers out there and you enjoy discovering them for the first time as much as I do. The writers are putting themselves out there to the masses hoping that their hard work and talent get recognized and consumed. I personally get a lot of satisfaction from digging a little deeper and finding novels like the ones I have put before you the last few weeks. It makes the search and hunt that much more enjoyable. Let‘s get into today’s novel shall we?
Ponzied is the third novel in the Wayne Davis series. Before you say anything, this is a detective novel, nothing like Wall Street, or anything about that. There is a Ponzi scheme as the central point, but the main thrust of the novel is Wayne Davis, his partner Rhino, and his professional gambler wife, Ruby. Here is a little something about the novel from the back cover:”There is a Ponzi scam taking place in Las Vegas with tragic international consequences if not stopped. Wayne Davis, a private detective in Amarillo, is lured to Las Vegas by a “friend” to help him out of a nasty mess. Little does he know that he is being drawn into a Ponzi scheme that has a terrorist connection. Time is not on his side, as he and his partner, Rhino, delve head first into something much more than they bargained for.”
If you have read any of my past posts, ( If you haven’t and have some time why not go through the archives and read as many as you wish), you have come to understand I enjoy the character driven stories as long as the action and dialogue are fun and enjoyable. Marvin Lindberg delivers on all that. I like Las Vegas as the backdrop and thought the characters did too; they meshed well with it. There was no fish out of water here. The action was good, the suspense built to a nice level and Lindberg kept my attention the entire read. I am satisfied and happy I got the opportunity to enjoy this novel.
Here is The Scoop on his two other Wayne Davis novels:
The Cutting Edge-A country music performer is trying to make it to Nashville. His van with all the equipment is stolen, and he sets out to get it back. He meets up with Wayne Davis, a no-holds barred cowboy, former cop.
Saving Vegas- A Border Patrol agent is killed near the Mexican border, and he sets out to investigate his death, only to discover a terrorist plot.
The covers for the novels are right here for you so order away and support a risk taker, someone that has a voice that is waiting to be heard and enjoyed. Wayne Davis is a good character to hang onto and spend some time with. If have already read any of the series, which novel is your favorite? Who is your favorite character?
What are you reading today? Check us out and become our friend on Facebook & Linkedin. Go to Goodreads and become our friend there and suggest books for us to read and post on. You can also follow us on Twitter, and the Gelati’s Scoop Facebook Fan Page. Did you know you can shop directly on Amazon by clicking the Gelati’s Store Tab on our blog? Thanks for stopping by today; We will see you tomorrow. Have a great day. http://www.gelatisscoop.blogspot.com
Ponzied is the third novel in the Wayne Davis series. Before you say anything, this is a detective novel, nothing like Wall Street, or anything about that. There is a Ponzi scheme as the central point, but the main thrust of the novel is Wayne Davis, his partner Rhino, and his professional gambler wife, Ruby. Here is a little something about the novel from the back cover:”There is a Ponzi scam taking place in Las Vegas with tragic international consequences if not stopped. Wayne Davis, a private detective in Amarillo, is lured to Las Vegas by a “friend” to help him out of a nasty mess. Little does he know that he is being drawn into a Ponzi scheme that has a terrorist connection. Time is not on his side, as he and his partner, Rhino, delve head first into something much more than they bargained for.”
If you have read any of my past posts, ( If you haven’t and have some time why not go through the archives and read as many as you wish), you have come to understand I enjoy the character driven stories as long as the action and dialogue are fun and enjoyable. Marvin Lindberg delivers on all that. I like Las Vegas as the backdrop and thought the characters did too; they meshed well with it. There was no fish out of water here. The action was good, the suspense built to a nice level and Lindberg kept my attention the entire read. I am satisfied and happy I got the opportunity to enjoy this novel.
Here is The Scoop on his two other Wayne Davis novels:
The Cutting Edge-A country music performer is trying to make it to Nashville. His van with all the equipment is stolen, and he sets out to get it back. He meets up with Wayne Davis, a no-holds barred cowboy, former cop.
Saving Vegas- A Border Patrol agent is killed near the Mexican border, and he sets out to investigate his death, only to discover a terrorist plot.
The covers for the novels are right here for you so order away and support a risk taker, someone that has a voice that is waiting to be heard and enjoyed. Wayne Davis is a good character to hang onto and spend some time with. If have already read any of the series, which novel is your favorite? Who is your favorite character?
What are you reading today? Check us out and become our friend on Facebook & Linkedin. Go to Goodreads and become our friend there and suggest books for us to read and post on. You can also follow us on Twitter, and the Gelati’s Scoop Facebook Fan Page. Did you know you can shop directly on Amazon by clicking the Gelati’s Store Tab on our blog? Thanks for stopping by today; We will see you tomorrow. Have a great day. http://www.gelatisscoop.blogspot.com
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Digital Short Saturday Julian Adorney Deals
Deals by Julian Adorney is a really neat read. It is told in a very short words count, 1730 words, but it packs one heck of a wallope. I didn’t know what to expect when I received it, but very quickly I felt fortunate to get the read in. Here is a synopsis of the digital short: “James is determined to provide a comfortable life for his family, but when his college degree fails to provide the goods he finds himself making deals he hadn't ever imagined. “
This was serious from the start and I can say that she moved the action rather quickly. The story raises many questions and sympathies. I would be interested to know where you fall on this and if you have any sympathy for James. I am not going to give mine right now, as I have no desire to spoil your enjoyment of the digital short. I would just say that don’t judge a story by its word count, this packs a punch, and gets under the skin a bit. She has put together a very good plotline and executed it well. Make a ‘Deal” with yourself, don’t pass this up.
News Flash from Julian Adorney herself: I have a contemporary fantasy short out on free podcast called 'Souls & Snowboarding', url is http://www.shadowcastaudio.com/?p=928. I'll also have a sci-fi thriller short coming out on Oct. 14, Murder, available free at Cynic Online Mag.
What are you reading today? Check us out and become our friend on Facebook & Linkedin. Go to Goodreads and become our friend there and suggest books for us to read and post on. You can also follow us on Twitter, and the Gelati’s Scoop Facebook Fan Page. Did you know you can shop directly on Amazon by clicking the Gelati’s Store Tab on our blog? Thanks for stopping by today; We will see you tomorrow. Have a great day. http://www.gelatisscoop.blogspot.com
This was serious from the start and I can say that she moved the action rather quickly. The story raises many questions and sympathies. I would be interested to know where you fall on this and if you have any sympathy for James. I am not going to give mine right now, as I have no desire to spoil your enjoyment of the digital short. I would just say that don’t judge a story by its word count, this packs a punch, and gets under the skin a bit. She has put together a very good plotline and executed it well. Make a ‘Deal” with yourself, don’t pass this up.
News Flash from Julian Adorney herself: I have a contemporary fantasy short out on free podcast called 'Souls & Snowboarding', url is http://www.shadowcastaudio.com/?p=928. I'll also have a sci-fi thriller short coming out on Oct. 14, Murder, available free at Cynic Online Mag.
What are you reading today? Check us out and become our friend on Facebook & Linkedin. Go to Goodreads and become our friend there and suggest books for us to read and post on. You can also follow us on Twitter, and the Gelati’s Scoop Facebook Fan Page. Did you know you can shop directly on Amazon by clicking the Gelati’s Store Tab on our blog? Thanks for stopping by today; We will see you tomorrow. Have a great day. http://www.gelatisscoop.blogspot.com
Friday, September 24, 2010
Graphic Novel Friday Dusk David Doub
I have been fortunate to begin to find alternatives to the Marvel and Dc stable of superheroes. I am looking forward to meeting many more when I go to the New York City Comic Con Friday October 8th.Finding these gems is part of what makes doing this fun, besides reading a good graphic novel. Dusk by David Doub is just that a well written, well put together graphic novel, which utilizes different forms of artwork.
Here is a little something from the graphic novel to best explain the story of Dusk as seen through the eyes of the characters creator, David Doub: “As a battered Wife Eve’s only concern was to keep her marriage together. But when she is kidnapped in to the sordid supernatural world of vampires and foul magic, Eve finds she doesn’t want to leave. Her mysterious benefactor, the Vampire Lord Ash, wish her to have a normal life but Eve choses to stay in the service of Ash. Dusk is the stories about Eve and her challenges living in the darkness. Dusk is a supernatural action/ drama story done in a dramatic blending of the sequential art style of American Comics and Japanese Manga. Several artists help tell these stark noir tales of Vampires and unrequited love.”
I think that is a pretty full description and I like that it comes from the author himself. He is sharing his vision and having the graphic novel I would say that he fulfilled that vision and more. Dusk is a different sort of supernatural story I feel because of its deeper dark side. It separates itself in that manner from what I am used to in the more commercial/conventional/ mainstream graphic novel world. Don’t misunderstand me, I mean it in the best possible context, not in an unflattering way, quite the opposite. If you are looking for something with an edge, moxie, a little kick in the pants, different styles of art, then this is your type of graphic novel, pick it up and enjoy it.
News Flash straight from the man himself, David Doub: Dusk #2 is out and here is the back cover blurb of the book -Eve is still in a trap of her own devising. She tries to find her place in a horrid supernatural world that does not want her. She thinks she loves a vampire and is definitely addicted to the power of his blood. She encounters everything from Zombies to Demons and the morality of her life is always murky at best. Dusk continues to explore the dark recesses of the Vampire mythos, mining out a hauntingly entertaining read. Come join in Eve's continuing journey of damnation and possible redemption. 150 Pages
What are you reading today? Check us out and become our friend on Facebook & Linkedin. Go to Goodreads and become our friend there and suggest books for us to read and post on. You can also follow us on Twitter, and the Gelati’s Scoop Facebook Fan Page. Did you know you can shop directly on Amazon by clicking the Gelati’s Store Tab on our blog? Thanks for stopping by today; We will see you tomorrow. Have a great day. http://www.gelatisscoop.blogspot.com
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Ronald Malfi The Ascent
I had to wonder about the title of this, as I began to read it all the action was happening underground in a cave. I quickly got over that and moved on as the action was beginning to kick into high gear. This novel covers a lot of ground both geographically and emotionally. Here is a synopsis of the novel so maybe you can better understand what I mean:
“After the death of his wife, successful sculptor Tim Overleigh trades in his lucrative career for the world of extreme sports. But when a caving accident nearly ends his life, Tim falls into a self-destructive downward spiral. On the cusp of losing his mind, Tim runs into an old friend who tries to convince him to join a team of men climbing the Godesh Ridge in Nepal. The journey requires crossing the Tibetan Beyul- the hidden lands – to seek out the elusive Canyon of Souls. Knowing he needs to get away and put his life back on track, Tim departs for Nepal. But what begins as a journey steeped in Tibetan folklore and mysticism soon turns into an experiment in torment, destruction, and death. Will any of the men escape the mountain with their lives?”
Okay, one might ask: If everybody that has issues crop up in their lives went to climb a mountain in Nepal to get their life back on track, would it be more popular than Disneyworld? HMMM, I am going to say that that is what fiction is all about. The Ascent is filled with many things, plenty of action, heartache, pain, redemption, and a nicely tied together ending. There is plenty of symbolism and metaphors and I think the deeper aspects of the novel made the climb and Tim’s struggle that much more tangible to me. It helped me put the plotline into perspective as he was totally bent on basically destroying his very nice centered life that he had prior to his wife’s passing.
The Ascent is the first novel I have read by Ronald Malfi. I enjoyed his style of writing and the manner in which he went about executing his plotline and using various tools to drive home his main points. He is also the author of: The Fall of Never, The Nature of Monsters, Via Dolorosa, and also numerous digital shorts. Ronald Malfi’s next novel is Shamrock Alley and that has been optioned for a film. I think your question is : Do I recommend this novel? Certainly. It took me to different places I will never go. The author’s descriptive ability made me feel like I was in the cave with Tim in the beginning and also on the mountain as the action was in high gear. Go for The Ascent it isn’t a downer.
What are you reading today? Check us out and become our friend on Facebook & Linkedin. Go to Goodreads and become our friend there and suggest books for us to read and post on. You can also follow us on Twitter, and the Gelati’s Scoop Facebook Fan Page. Did you know you can shop directly on Amazon by clicking the Gelati’s Store Tab on our blog? Thanks for stopping by today; We will see you tomorrow. Have a great day. http://www.gelatisscoop.blogspot.com
Guest Post Patrick Brown
The Story Behind Industrial Pioneers
by Patrick Brown
Industrial Pioneers began as my senior history thesis at Georgetown University. While searching for a topic, I was drawn to the city of Scranton, Pennsylvania, where I have family roots. I stumbled on some basic facts about the growth of Scranton in the nineteenth century that convinced me that the city had a story to tell—it had grown from 100 to 100,000 people in just sixty years, it produced the steel, iron and coal for an industrializing America, and was “the Electric City” when electricity was the most exciting innovation in the world. While a great deal of information about Scranton during the nineteenth century was available, and a great deal had been written about that general period in American history, I realized that no author had written a comprehensive account of Scranton in the nineteenth century. I sensed an opportunity.
The question underlying Industrial Pioneers is how people adapted their worldviews in response to the extraordinary changes that shaped Scranton in the nineteenth century. I began researching online and in the Georgetown library, and quickly realized that I needed more resources. I travelled to Scranton, where I found rare books about the city’s early history at the Albright Memorial Library and the Lackawanna Historical Society. When I returned, I began writing. I decided to divide my book into four chapters, each of which corresponded with a distinct mindset that residents of Scranton held, and worked on them one by one.
I finished the thesis by May of my senior year of college, and began teaching in the Mississippi Delta the next year. During my first year of teaching, I worked with the Lackawanna Historical Society and Tribute Books to get Industrial Pioneers published. To revise my thesis I went through two rounds of edits with two different editors, revised the introduction and conclusion, compiled an index, assembled a timeline, took an author photo, chose a cover image, sought out endorsements, and worked to find media outlets that might be interested in the book. I sent the information to the publisher and waited. The book was released this past summer.
Patrick Brown was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania. He graduated Magna cum Laude from Georgetown University, where he won the Morris Medal for best senior history honors thesis. He currently teaches high school social studies in the Mississippi Delta through Teach for America.
His latest book is Industrial Pioneers: Scranton, Pennsylvania and the Transformation of America, 1840-1902, a detailed history account of the town of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
You can visit his website at http://www.industrialpioneers.com.
What are you reading today? Check us out and become our friend on Facebook & Linkedin. Go to Goodreads and become our friend there and suggest books for us to read and post on. You can also follow us on Twitter, and the Gelati’s Scoop Facebook Fan Page. Did you know you can shop directly on Amazon by clicking the Gelati’s Store Tab on our blog? Thanks for stopping by today; We will see you tomorrow. Have a great day. http://www.gelatisscoop.blogspot.com
by Patrick Brown
Industrial Pioneers began as my senior history thesis at Georgetown University. While searching for a topic, I was drawn to the city of Scranton, Pennsylvania, where I have family roots. I stumbled on some basic facts about the growth of Scranton in the nineteenth century that convinced me that the city had a story to tell—it had grown from 100 to 100,000 people in just sixty years, it produced the steel, iron and coal for an industrializing America, and was “the Electric City” when electricity was the most exciting innovation in the world. While a great deal of information about Scranton during the nineteenth century was available, and a great deal had been written about that general period in American history, I realized that no author had written a comprehensive account of Scranton in the nineteenth century. I sensed an opportunity.
The question underlying Industrial Pioneers is how people adapted their worldviews in response to the extraordinary changes that shaped Scranton in the nineteenth century. I began researching online and in the Georgetown library, and quickly realized that I needed more resources. I travelled to Scranton, where I found rare books about the city’s early history at the Albright Memorial Library and the Lackawanna Historical Society. When I returned, I began writing. I decided to divide my book into four chapters, each of which corresponded with a distinct mindset that residents of Scranton held, and worked on them one by one.
I finished the thesis by May of my senior year of college, and began teaching in the Mississippi Delta the next year. During my first year of teaching, I worked with the Lackawanna Historical Society and Tribute Books to get Industrial Pioneers published. To revise my thesis I went through two rounds of edits with two different editors, revised the introduction and conclusion, compiled an index, assembled a timeline, took an author photo, chose a cover image, sought out endorsements, and worked to find media outlets that might be interested in the book. I sent the information to the publisher and waited. The book was released this past summer.
Patrick Brown was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania. He graduated Magna cum Laude from Georgetown University, where he won the Morris Medal for best senior history honors thesis. He currently teaches high school social studies in the Mississippi Delta through Teach for America.
His latest book is Industrial Pioneers: Scranton, Pennsylvania and the Transformation of America, 1840-1902, a detailed history account of the town of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
You can visit his website at http://www.industrialpioneers.com.
What are you reading today? Check us out and become our friend on Facebook & Linkedin. Go to Goodreads and become our friend there and suggest books for us to read and post on. You can also follow us on Twitter, and the Gelati’s Scoop Facebook Fan Page. Did you know you can shop directly on Amazon by clicking the Gelati’s Store Tab on our blog? Thanks for stopping by today; We will see you tomorrow. Have a great day. http://www.gelatisscoop.blogspot.com
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Aura Imbarus Out of The Transylvania Night
To read this novel is to take a ride on an emotional rollercoaster that has many twists and turns. The story chronicles the life and times of Aura and her family as they live in a Communist country. The many hardships they must endure just to get through a “normal” day, is enough to depress anyone. Shopping for just the basic essentials as outlined by the leaders would leave one totally devoid of any hope. The story sets out revealing what Aura’s life is like on a daily basis and then everything kicks into high gear as the 1989 revolution starts up.
The adventure takes us into different directions and chronicles the life of someone that is not willing to let all that life has defeat her. Instead the action leans towards what can be done, not just survive but flourish and enjoy. Sacrifice, reward and atonement are the hallmarks of this novel and the points are brought home with such ease that it makes this difficult story an easy one to take. I for one was taken aback by how much I enjoyed this novel and was very happy to have taken the ride.
Surprisingly I haven’t made any wise cracks through this post. It is a serious novel with a serious message but delivered in such a manner that it is not depressing, and makes the reader think a little, but also reflect on the things and people that surround us. The little and the big things we take for granted on a daily basis that some people just don’t have or have to really fight for just to survive. I for one look at things a little differently having read the novel. Aura Imbarus takes us on a journey, not just to different geographical places, but to places in the heart and the mind. Don’t pass this novel up; the trip is worth the taking.
NEWS FLASH: The official book signing will be at Barnes and Noble, at The Grove, BH, on Oct 23, 2pm.On Sept 28, 4pm, She will be the main speaker at the opening of Redondo Beach Library.
What are you reading today? Check us out and become our friend on Facebook & Linkedin. Go to Goodreads and become our friend there and suggest books for us to read and post on. You can also follow us on Twitter, and the Gelati’s Scoop Facebook Fan Page. Did you know you can shop directly on Amazon by clicking the Gelati’s Store Tab on our blog? Thanks for stopping by today; We will see you tomorrow. Have a great day. http://www.gelatisscoop.blogspot.com
The adventure takes us into different directions and chronicles the life of someone that is not willing to let all that life has defeat her. Instead the action leans towards what can be done, not just survive but flourish and enjoy. Sacrifice, reward and atonement are the hallmarks of this novel and the points are brought home with such ease that it makes this difficult story an easy one to take. I for one was taken aback by how much I enjoyed this novel and was very happy to have taken the ride.
Surprisingly I haven’t made any wise cracks through this post. It is a serious novel with a serious message but delivered in such a manner that it is not depressing, and makes the reader think a little, but also reflect on the things and people that surround us. The little and the big things we take for granted on a daily basis that some people just don’t have or have to really fight for just to survive. I for one look at things a little differently having read the novel. Aura Imbarus takes us on a journey, not just to different geographical places, but to places in the heart and the mind. Don’t pass this novel up; the trip is worth the taking.
NEWS FLASH: The official book signing will be at Barnes and Noble, at The Grove, BH, on Oct 23, 2pm.On Sept 28, 4pm, She will be the main speaker at the opening of Redondo Beach Library.
What are you reading today? Check us out and become our friend on Facebook & Linkedin. Go to Goodreads and become our friend there and suggest books for us to read and post on. You can also follow us on Twitter, and the Gelati’s Scoop Facebook Fan Page. Did you know you can shop directly on Amazon by clicking the Gelati’s Store Tab on our blog? Thanks for stopping by today; We will see you tomorrow. Have a great day. http://www.gelatisscoop.blogspot.com
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Anthony Robinson The American Golfer
Golf is not my game. I can putt well, my short game isn’t so bad and I can whack the heck out of the ball off the tee, problem is that it never goes in the same direction twice. Straight is not a description I hear much about my drives. Anthony Robinson with The American Golfer drives this novel right up onto the green, a beautiful drive and finish to this passionate novel that uses golf as a backdrop. There are no bogies in these pages.
Here is the description of the novel by the author from the back page: ” In The American Golfer, PGA Tour golfer Charlie Kingston, down on his luck, goes to Ireland for the summer for a much needed change of pace. What starts out as a peaceful stay in his great-grandmothers village becomes an adventure fraught with conflict and danger.
Charlie falls in love with Lora, a beautiful Irish woman whose husband, a wealthy Brit, owns an estate in the village with its own ultra-private golf course. When Charlie meets aging pub owner Emily Pharr, whose memories go back to Ireland’s 1920 War of Independence with England, he becomes involved in Ireland’s ever-simmering political scene.
The American Golfer is a novel of romance, political intrigue, and personal revelation. Set against the backdrop of Ireland and the great game of golf, it tells the story of Charlie Kingston’s journey to awareness and self –discovery.”
Some things that I look for in a novel that has a sports element to it are does the author include too much of it? Do they know how to convey the nuances of the action? Can they adequately bring emotion to what someone else may not enjoy and make them enjoy it? I really got into Anthony Robinson’s ability to capture all this. I haven’t held much but a putter in my hands in a while, but after reading this I was almost encouraged to whack a bucket of balls. I haven’t yet, but I digress. The plotline is well constructed and he equally cares out all the elements he set forward to do, staying the course without straying too far into romance, history, politics or the game of golf. Many balls so few pages, but he does it and it is nice ride.
If you haven’t golfed you will be able to appreciate this novel, if you do golf you will enjoy it that much more. I like the manner in which he used the game as a tool to deliver the rest of the story; not many authors can do this. Focus, focus, focus. Anthony Robinson is the author of six novels to date and he is currently working on his newest effort The Floodplain.I encourage you to support this author and his work, click on the cover her at the post and check it out.
What are you reading today? Check us out and become our friend on Facebook & Linkedin. Go to Goodreads and become our friend there and suggest books for us to read and post on. You can also follow us on Twitter, and the Gelati’s Scoop Facebook Fan Page. Did you know you can shop directly on Amazon by clicking the Gelati’s Store Tab on our blog? Thanks for stopping by today; We will see you tomorrow. Have a great day. http://www.gelatisscoop.blogspot.com
Monday, September 20, 2010
Janet Evanovich Wicked Appetite
I have received a lot of messages and questions about this novel. What do you think of it? How good is it? Does she deliver again? How much is Diesel actually in it? I could go on and on and on. I love it. Hopefully within the confines of this post I will answer all the questions that you may have, and then just do yourself a favor and click on the Amazon book cover here and suck this bad boy up. I laughed my fanny off and then some. I had many of the same questions you had. Can she pull a full length novel off using Diesel, not just a shortened Between the Plums type thing?
Here is the central plotline in a nutshell:” Seven Stones of Power. No one knows when they were created or by whom, each said to represent one of the Seven Deadly Sins.” Cryptic yes, but how else are you going to tie together a story with a muffin baker, an Unmentionable, Carl the Monkey, a wannabe witch, and a one eyed –half tailed cat? The simple answer is here before you, Wicked Appetite. Janet Evanovich should patent her style as she continues to make me laugh and provides me with simple minded entertainment as only she can. Do I believe that a monkey knows when to spontaneously give anyone and everyone the you are numero uno hand gesture? If it is a Janet Evanovich novel, yes! Carl the monkey has always made me laugh and he is ever present in this novel. Diesel is Diesel; I don’t think I can say much more about him as he seems to be one of the coolest good guys in this genre besides Ranger.
Here is a taste of the novel: Diesel is speaking first” Honey, you smell bad way beyond the nasty.”
I closed my eyes and slumped back in the seat.” Can we review what’s happened here? In the interest of saving the world from a hellish future, we’ve got some poor woman talking nonsense, we’ve blown a man’s house to smithereens, and now we’ve totally trashed another man’s apartment. And if that’s not enough, we’ve acquired a cat with one eye, and a monkey.”
Diesel looked at me.” Your point.”
I blew out a sigh ”I don’t have a point. My life is out of control. Everything was looking so good a couple days ago, with my own house and a terrific job. And now everything is facaca.”
“Your life isn’t out of control,” Diesel said, “It’s expanded.”
I know that some are going to say that this is almost a Plum novel without Lulu, but you know what, in my book, Janet Evanovich delivered the goods and entertained me. I have always enjoyed Diesel and all the mystical stuff that surrounds him. The way she used him, giving us a fuller explanation of him and his world, was just the thing. Bringing in Carl the Monkey, the cat, the mystery and history of Salem , Mass. all came together and worked well. Do I suggest this novel, without a doubt. My wife is enjoying it now and all of a sudden I am the most popular father to a bunch of daughters looking to get to read it before the other. That usually only happens to me each mid- June. I am not minding a double dose of that. Pick it up and laugh a little, now if I could only find my fanny.
What are you reading today? Check us out and become our friend on Facebook & Linkedin. Go to Goodreads and become our friend there and suggest books for us to read and post on. You can also follow us on Twitter, and the Gelati’s Scoop Facebook Fan Page. Did you know you can shop directly on Amazon by clicking the Gelati’s Store Tab on our blog? Thanks for stopping by today; We will see you tomorrow. Have a great day. http://www.gelatisscoop.blogspot.com
Here is the central plotline in a nutshell:” Seven Stones of Power. No one knows when they were created or by whom, each said to represent one of the Seven Deadly Sins.” Cryptic yes, but how else are you going to tie together a story with a muffin baker, an Unmentionable, Carl the Monkey, a wannabe witch, and a one eyed –half tailed cat? The simple answer is here before you, Wicked Appetite. Janet Evanovich should patent her style as she continues to make me laugh and provides me with simple minded entertainment as only she can. Do I believe that a monkey knows when to spontaneously give anyone and everyone the you are numero uno hand gesture? If it is a Janet Evanovich novel, yes! Carl the monkey has always made me laugh and he is ever present in this novel. Diesel is Diesel; I don’t think I can say much more about him as he seems to be one of the coolest good guys in this genre besides Ranger.
Here is a taste of the novel: Diesel is speaking first” Honey, you smell bad way beyond the nasty.”
I closed my eyes and slumped back in the seat.” Can we review what’s happened here? In the interest of saving the world from a hellish future, we’ve got some poor woman talking nonsense, we’ve blown a man’s house to smithereens, and now we’ve totally trashed another man’s apartment. And if that’s not enough, we’ve acquired a cat with one eye, and a monkey.”
Diesel looked at me.” Your point.”
I blew out a sigh ”I don’t have a point. My life is out of control. Everything was looking so good a couple days ago, with my own house and a terrific job. And now everything is facaca.”
“Your life isn’t out of control,” Diesel said, “It’s expanded.”
I know that some are going to say that this is almost a Plum novel without Lulu, but you know what, in my book, Janet Evanovich delivered the goods and entertained me. I have always enjoyed Diesel and all the mystical stuff that surrounds him. The way she used him, giving us a fuller explanation of him and his world, was just the thing. Bringing in Carl the Monkey, the cat, the mystery and history of Salem , Mass. all came together and worked well. Do I suggest this novel, without a doubt. My wife is enjoying it now and all of a sudden I am the most popular father to a bunch of daughters looking to get to read it before the other. That usually only happens to me each mid- June. I am not minding a double dose of that. Pick it up and laugh a little, now if I could only find my fanny.
What are you reading today? Check us out and become our friend on Facebook & Linkedin. Go to Goodreads and become our friend there and suggest books for us to read and post on. You can also follow us on Twitter, and the Gelati’s Scoop Facebook Fan Page. Did you know you can shop directly on Amazon by clicking the Gelati’s Store Tab on our blog? Thanks for stopping by today; We will see you tomorrow. Have a great day. http://www.gelatisscoop.blogspot.com
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Digital Short Saturday The Night Walk Men Jason Mcintyre
Here is the second digital short of the day, one that will make your mind expand in a total different direction than Bite This!. Before I get into that though, I just would like to offer up some background on this post’s author Jason McIntyre: Born on the prairies, Jason McIntyre eventually lived and worked on Vancouver Island where the vibrant characters and vivid surroundings stayed with him and coalesced into what would become his novel, On the Gathering Storm. Before his time as an editor, writer and communications professional, he spent several years as a graphic designer and commercial artist. On The Gathering Storm is his first novel. Currently, Jason is hard at work on a follow-up novel series about The Night Walk Men and a coming-of-age tale which will be told in a trilogy of books http://www.thefarthestreaches.com .
I am glad I got that out of the way. As far as On the Gathering Storm goes, I will be featuring that tomorrow as part of our Self Published Sunday. The digital short was nothing like I expected it to be. There is a mature content warning and I was cringing, waiting for the part that was to come that I had to be over 18 to read. I am not going to spoil that part for you, nor will I try to spoil any other part of the story for you. What I do want to say is this: the download costs you nothing, but gives you a glimpse into Jason McIntyre’s style, his prose, and his ability to craft and twist as he sees fit to take us on a journey that we may have overlooked or chosen to turn a blind eye to. How and why? Things happen in the world and we shake our heads, The Night Walk Men decides that. Here is the brief description from Smashwords: “A little girl named Gabriela is playing with her brother on a train platform and two mysterious strangers will decide her fate over a cup of tea. Is there such a thing as destiny? And, what is the value of doing your job, even if you don’t think it’s right?”
I can honestly say I was riveted as I turned each virtual page. The digital short is 8845 words of suspense and deep thought. No one has ever accused me of being a deep thinker but I couldn’t pry myself from this. I wanted to follow this to the end and find out what and why. Free things are not supposed to be this good, and this thought provoking. Usually if you get something for free, it gets quickly discarded; this story will follow you and make you think a little bit. One cannot say that about much these days. Check this out, all it will cost is some of your time. Then go to our post tomorrow and give that a quick read and click the Amazon button for his full length novel we will be featuring tomorrow, On The Gathering Storm. This artist, this author should be supported and read. I will get down off the soap box till tomorrow, thanks.
What are you reading today? Check us out and become our friend on Facebook & Linkedin. Go to Goodreads and become our friend there and suggest books for us to read and post on. You can also follow us on Twitter, and the Gelati’s Scoop Facebook Fan Page. Did you know you can shop directly on Amazon by clicking the Gelati’s Store Tab on our blog? Thanks for stopping by today; We will see you tomorrow. Have a great day. http://www.gelatisscoop.blogspot.com
I am glad I got that out of the way. As far as On the Gathering Storm goes, I will be featuring that tomorrow as part of our Self Published Sunday. The digital short was nothing like I expected it to be. There is a mature content warning and I was cringing, waiting for the part that was to come that I had to be over 18 to read. I am not going to spoil that part for you, nor will I try to spoil any other part of the story for you. What I do want to say is this: the download costs you nothing, but gives you a glimpse into Jason McIntyre’s style, his prose, and his ability to craft and twist as he sees fit to take us on a journey that we may have overlooked or chosen to turn a blind eye to. How and why? Things happen in the world and we shake our heads, The Night Walk Men decides that. Here is the brief description from Smashwords: “A little girl named Gabriela is playing with her brother on a train platform and two mysterious strangers will decide her fate over a cup of tea. Is there such a thing as destiny? And, what is the value of doing your job, even if you don’t think it’s right?”
I can honestly say I was riveted as I turned each virtual page. The digital short is 8845 words of suspense and deep thought. No one has ever accused me of being a deep thinker but I couldn’t pry myself from this. I wanted to follow this to the end and find out what and why. Free things are not supposed to be this good, and this thought provoking. Usually if you get something for free, it gets quickly discarded; this story will follow you and make you think a little bit. One cannot say that about much these days. Check this out, all it will cost is some of your time. Then go to our post tomorrow and give that a quick read and click the Amazon button for his full length novel we will be featuring tomorrow, On The Gathering Storm. This artist, this author should be supported and read. I will get down off the soap box till tomorrow, thanks.
What are you reading today? Check us out and become our friend on Facebook & Linkedin. Go to Goodreads and become our friend there and suggest books for us to read and post on. You can also follow us on Twitter, and the Gelati’s Scoop Facebook Fan Page. Did you know you can shop directly on Amazon by clicking the Gelati’s Store Tab on our blog? Thanks for stopping by today; We will see you tomorrow. Have a great day. http://www.gelatisscoop.blogspot.com
Friday, September 17, 2010
Graphic Novel Friday Anita Blake Vampire Hunter/ Guilty Pleasures & The Laughing Corpse Animator BY Laurell K. Hamilton
I am doing two graphic novels together here in this post. I have been trying to vary the stuff I am reading and always looking for new stuff to throw at you and this was just something I couldn’t pass up. I am going to admit from the get go that I had not run into Laurell K. Hamilton’s work before this, but am glad I did. I think it gave me a firm base to start from if I grab any of her full length novels. For those like myself that haven’t come across her New York Times Bestselling full length novels she is the author of Anita Blake : Vampire Hunter and also the Merry Gentry novels. She has more than twenty novels in print and continues to more. She has millions of fans all over the world that enjoy her creative blend of fantasy, mythology and horror.
Anita Blake is a great character. I really enjoy it when a big time author crosses over into the graphic novel arena and does a different take on their characters. I feel it gives us the fans a new perspective and appreciation for the authors skills as we finally see what their written world looks like and how it flows. I have to say for me the entire plotline was very original and was not your usual run of the mill vampire, paranormal storyline. The main character herself is a breath of fresh air amongst many soon to be animated corpses.
Both graphic novels were well paced and chock full of action and interesting characters. There are plenty of villain’s, or are they good guys, I am not sure, read at your pearl. Hamilton has the goods to hang with the best with these stories; I can say that having read a few of them. The artwork is excellent the colors are vivid, the plotlines are fun .If you are into this sort of stuff, the vampire, paranormal funfest, these are excellent graphic novels, give them a try.
What are you reading today? Check us out and become our friend on Facebook & Linkedin. Go to Goodreads and become our friend there and suggest books for us to read and post on. You can also follow us on Twitter, and the Gelati’s Scoop Facebook Fan Page. Did you know you can shop directly on Amazon by clicking the Gelati’s Store Tab on our blog? Thanks for stopping by today; We will see you tomorrow. Have a great day. http://www.gelatisscoop.blogspot.com
Anita Blake is a great character. I really enjoy it when a big time author crosses over into the graphic novel arena and does a different take on their characters. I feel it gives us the fans a new perspective and appreciation for the authors skills as we finally see what their written world looks like and how it flows. I have to say for me the entire plotline was very original and was not your usual run of the mill vampire, paranormal storyline. The main character herself is a breath of fresh air amongst many soon to be animated corpses.
Both graphic novels were well paced and chock full of action and interesting characters. There are plenty of villain’s, or are they good guys, I am not sure, read at your pearl. Hamilton has the goods to hang with the best with these stories; I can say that having read a few of them. The artwork is excellent the colors are vivid, the plotlines are fun .If you are into this sort of stuff, the vampire, paranormal funfest, these are excellent graphic novels, give them a try.
What are you reading today? Check us out and become our friend on Facebook & Linkedin. Go to Goodreads and become our friend there and suggest books for us to read and post on. You can also follow us on Twitter, and the Gelati’s Scoop Facebook Fan Page. Did you know you can shop directly on Amazon by clicking the Gelati’s Store Tab on our blog? Thanks for stopping by today; We will see you tomorrow. Have a great day. http://www.gelatisscoop.blogspot.com
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