Lynn L. Clark's Blog: Writing in Retirement, page 14

The Evil Dead and the Versatile Bruce Campbell

Bruce Campbell in Evil Dead II: photo courtesy of the IGN websiteFans of The Evil Dead cult horror movies will be pleased to learn that there will be a new television series next year called Ash Vs. Evil Dead. Director Sam Raimi, who made the original movie in 1981, followed by Evil Dead II and Army of Darkness, will be the executive producer of the new show, as well as writing and directing its first episode. And, of course, actor Bruce Campbell of Evil Dead movie fame will play Ash Williams in the new series.

My son is a huge fan of cult horror movies, especially The Evil Dead franchise, and was able to get an autograph from Bruce Campbell at this year's ComicCon in Ottawa. Mr. Campbell signed the autograph despite the fact that his booth had technically closed for the day, and he was very kind to my son, who will be a fan of his for life.

I'm currently watching Bruce Campbell in the series Burn Notice, which I bought on DVD. He plays a thoroughly enjoyable character who is ethically-challenged, but always comes through for his friends.

In addition to starring in many cult horror films and co-starring in the Burn Notice television series, the versatile Campbell has had roles in mainstream movies and numerous other television shows, as well as being a voice talent for Disney. And believe it or not, he is an ordained minister who has performed marriages. (Source: Wikipedia)

To visit Bruce Campbell's official website, please click here. To read more about his upcoming TV series, please click here.

The Home Child: A New Release from The Plaid Raccoon Press

The Plaid Raccoon Press is pleased to announce the publication of The Home Child by Lynn L. Clark. The novel tells the story of Jake Hall, a transplanted city dweller who is trying to adjust to the realities of country life. Jake knows it isn't going to be an easy transition, and he's prepared for major renovations to the old farm house he's purchased. But what he hasn't counted on is finding a former resident still inhabiting the house in spirit form!

 Synopsis

Set in eastern Ontario, Canada, against the backdrop of a rural town in transition, the novel combines historical detail and the supernatural in the poignant story of a Scottish home child who wants simply to be reunited with the family he lost so many years ago.


Historical Context
 
Starting in 1869 and continuing to the mid-twentieth century, approximately 100,000 children were sent to Canada from the United Kingdom. Although the majority of the children were from England, approximately 7,000 children came from the Quarrier orphan homes in Scotland. Organized as a mission of mercy, this child migration was supposed to allow poverty-stricken children to have a better life abroad. But only two per cent of the home children were in factorphans. Separated from their parents and siblings, many of these children were abused and exploited as a source of cheap labour when they came to Canada.

 
 Author Biography

Lynn L. Clark was born in Woodstock, New Brunswick. She received her B.A. and M.A. from Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. Prior to her retirement in 2011, she worked for the federal government in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. She lives in a small town in eastern Ontario with her husband, crime fiction writer Michael J. McCann. Lynn is currently working on her second supernatural novel. 

  
Excerpt and Buy Links

To read an excerpt from The Home Child, please click here.
The paperback version is available from Amazon.com or Amazon.ca. 
The e-book version for your Amazon Kindle is available at http://www.amazon.com/Home-Child-supernatural-novel-ebook/dp/B00QEBQNPK/. 
 For all other e-readers and devices, please click here: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/497674. To enter a Goodreads giveaway for this book, please click here.

 
A Final Note

Now that Lynn has published her first novel of the supernatural, she has agreed to assume full editorial control of Behind the Walls of Nightmare, which will continue to focus on the horror genre, including topics related to my supernatural thriller, The Ghost Man . Meanwhile, I'll be managing The Overnight Bestseller blog on crime fiction, writing, and other adventures.

Lynn also has a new Goodreads blog, Writing in Retirement, which is available at https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10057406.Lynn_L_Clark/blog. 

The Spirit of Christmas

One of my earliest and fondest memories of Christmas is of my older brother Jimmy--who sadly has been deceased for 27 years--pointing to the snow-covered lawn of our house on Christmas Eve and whispering to me that Santa was out there waiting and watching and would soon be on his way. I still remember vividly the sense of magic and excitement I felt.

I'm not sure why Christmas has always been so important to me, but it continues to be a time--though not quite so magical--when I enjoy hokey songs and movies, overload the house and outdoors with decorations and lights, and turn the TV to the burning log and watch the guy with the flannel shirt poking in the embers and building up the fire.

I guess if I had to articulate a reason, it would be that I have always associated Christmas with a sense of wonder that's missing from our daily lives. It's so very easy to be cynical of the holiday with its rampant commercialism, but I still like to be the first one up Christmas morning, waiting for my grown-up son and very sleepy husband to come to the living room and open up their stockings.

Christmas still matters to me.

Publication of The Home Child

The Plaid Raccoon Press is pleased to announce the publication of The Home Child by Lynn L. Clark.

Synopsis

The novel tells the story of Jake Hall, a transplanted city dweller who is trying to adjust to the realities of country life. Jake knows it isn't going to be an easy transition, and he's prepared for major renovations to the old farm house he's purchased. But what he hasn't counted on is finding a former resident still inhabiting the house in spirit form!

Set in eastern Ontario, Canada, against the backdrop of a rural town in transition, the novel combines historical detail and the supernatural in the poignant story of a Scottish home child who wants simply to be reunited with the family he lost so many years ago.

Historical Context

Starting in 1869 and continuing to the mid-twentieth century, approximately 100,000 children were sent to Canada from the United Kingdom. Although the majority of the children were from England, approximately 7,000 children came from the Quarrier orphan homes in Scotland. Organized as a mission of mercy, this child migration was supposed to allow poverty-stricken children to have a better life abroad. But only two per cent of the home children were in fact orphans. Separated from their parents and siblings, many of these children were abused and exploited as a source of cheap labour when they came to Canada.

Author Biography

Lynn L. Clark was born in Woodstock, New Brunswick. She received her B.A. and M.A. from Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. Prior to her retirement in 2011, she worked for the federal government in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. She lives in a small town in eastern Ontario with her husband, crime fiction writer Michael J. McCann. Lynn is currently working on her second supernatural novel.

Excerpt and Buy Links

To read an excerpt from The Home Child, please see http://www.theplaidraccoonpress.com/h....

The paperback version is available from Amazon.com at http://www.amazon.com/Home-Child-Lynn... or Amazon.ca at http://www.amazon.ca/Home-Child-Lynn-....

The e-book version for Amazon Kindle is available at http://www.amazon.com/Home-Child-supe....

For all other e-readers and devices, please visit https://www.smashwords.com/books/view....

Lynn will also be writing posts on her supernatural blog, Behind the Walls of Nightmare: http://wallsofnightmare.blogspot.ca/.

Christmas Gifts for Horror Lovers

Now that it's December, I did some internet research to see what gifts are available for horror lovers. They range from the traditional horror movies, posters, and books to many novelty items, including gargoyle pens, Frankenstein tins with candy, and cracked doll head candles. However, these novelty items tend to be pricey unless there are still some Halloween markdowns out there in cyberspace that you can find.


For those on a budget, I'm reprinting a list I prepared for last year's blog post:


- Record some of the free offerings on television and make a themed set of horror movies (e.g., killer clowns; exorcisms; haunted houses);


- Give a subscription to a horror magazine or buy a horror-themed calendar;

- Take advantage of sales on t-shirts from printing companies that have no minimum purchase requirement and order a custom-made t-shirt for less (as low as $5-$7.50) with horror graphics downloaded from the internet;

- Visit dollar stores and local flea markets to see if there are horror collectibles that are reasonably priced; or

- Give your own gift certificate for a night of horror movie viewing at your house or a Walking Dead festival (complete with costumes if you're up for it).

If you have some free reading time over the holidays, you might want to download the works of Poe (for free or minimal cost). If you like psychological horror, Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House is also a natural.

Have fun!

A Review of Dark Is the Sea by Heather Blanchard

In this week's post, we are pleased to present Dark is the Sea by British author Heather Blanchard.


Synopsis

Haunted by her mother's disappearance and plagued by nightmares, eighteen year old Rowan Munro abandons London for Dorchay, the remote Scottish village where she spent her childhood. With the help of her eccentric aunt and a familiar face from the past, she unlocks a power in her that is at once terrifying yet curiously addictive.

As she uncovers the deeply buried secrets of her family, she awakens something only imaginable in her worst nightmares. The Hunter: centuries old, malevolent, ferocious...and intent on killing Rowan and those closest to her. To survive, Rowan must learn to harness her newfound inheritance, and use her powers to finally confront the brutal, murderous force which has haunted her family for generations.

 Buy Links

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00OL07HO2

 http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Sea-Heather-Blanchard-ebook/dp/B00OL07HO2

http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/products/heather+blanchard/dark+is+the+sea/11428224/

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dark-is-the-sea-heather-blanchard/1120585824

  Author's Bio

Heather Blanchard lives in London with her husband Paul. With a childhood spent in the Scottish Highlands and Yorkshire, she developed a passion not only for books, but also for creative writing. Dark is the Sea, her first novel, emerged from a love of ghost stories, fairy tales, folklore, and old movies.


Our Review of Dark is the Sea


In her debut novel, Heather Blanchard skilfully combines elements of the Gothic novel, romance, native folklore, witchcraft, and fantasy to create a story that will appeal to young adults and older readers alike. The Scottish Highlands provide an evocative backdrop as the heroine confronts her past.and realizes her strengths as a rightful part of her inheritance. The themes of family and loss are central to the novel, and Ms. Blanchard makes us genuinely care for and share in the fate of Rowan Munro.

Ms. Blanchard has carefully researched the language and folklore of the region to add authenticity to her story. Her prose is cadenced, and she does an excellent job of using descriptive prose to engage the reader and add to the intimacy of the story.

Dark is the Sea will appeal to lovers of Gothic novels, romance, intrigue, sorcery, and fantasy.


Related Links

Author's Website:  http://www.darkisthesea.com/

Author's Blog: http://www.inkcoffeeandgolddust.com/

 

A Review of Santa's Little Helper by H.D. Gordon

Just in time for Christmas, we are pleased to showcase Santa's Little Helper by H.D. Gordon.

 
SYNOPSIS

He shows up in a white box, with a bright red book under his arm... He wears a jolly grin and hat, a suit with gold bells and green yarn... He watches you for Santa, or so his red book claims... But though his grin is jolly, he's not here for fun and games... 

The children have been chosen, such precious little souls they are... And may the gods be with them, if they wish to make it very far... For Santa's Little Helper does not say, but knows important things... He knows when you've been bad or good, and what monsters stalk your dreams... He knows when you are sleeping, he knows when you're awake...He's picking out his presents...He's got some souls to take.



 AUTHOR'S BIO

H.D. Gordon is the bestselling author of the Alexa Montgomery Saga, the Joe Knowe series, and the Surah Stormsong novels. She is a lifelong reader and writer, a true lover of words. When she is not reading or writing she is raising her two daughters, playing a little guitar, and spending time with her family. She lives in the northeastern United States.

 
OUR REVIEW OF SANTA'S LITTLE HELPER

Heather Gordon is a young writer who already has an impressive number of books to her credit. Like any good horror writer, she knows how to frighten us by undermining our comfort level with the familiar. In Santa's Little Helper, she takes the benign elf that we traditionally associate with the Christmas season and turns it into a grotesque and frightening symbol of evil. "Santa's" little helper becomes "Satan's" little helper.

Ms. Gordon tells the story of four different children--recipients of the elf doll--and their families.The children recognize instinctively that the doll is evil and try their hardest to get rid of it, but they must convince the less imaginative adults in their lives of the danger it represents. Although the narrative could have been shortened and tightened up, the author does a good job in creating and maintaining suspense until the final confrontation between good and evil.

After reading this book, you won't look at Santa's elves in quite the same light!

NOTE: This novel will appeal to horror lovers at a young adult or older level. It is not suitable for children.

  Trailer Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvFPqZk_wM4

Author's Website (to read excerpts): http://www.hdgordonbooks.com/#!SANTAS-LITTLE-HELPER-CHAPTERS-16/c1q8z/0E0E337D-19EA-4A2D-945A-FC5BFC9B17C5

Amazon Buy Link: http://www.amazon.com/Santas-Little-Helper-H-Gordon-ebook/dp/B00O2AZFQS/.

Mutantis: A New Film from Dire Wit Films

  We're pleased to introduce Mutantis, a new film  produced by Dire Wit Films, an indie company. It is a parody of and homage to the more sleazy monster films of the '70s, and is written by Mark Leake and directed by Kelly Fitzgerald.
    Synopsis When an unscrupulous scientist drags his stepchildren out into the forest to use them as bait--in the hopes of luring out Bigfoot--not even the team of hillbillies he hires can contain the horror they find: the horror of Mutantis! Only the adventurer Dr. William Fury may be able to stop the beast, but hope dwindles fast once Dr. Fury realizes that the monster is not only intent on murder, but procreation as well. Could this be the end of the world as we know it?


Our Review of Mutantis Horror film buffs--especially those who like campy movies--will enjoy this send-up of the "more sleazy" horror movies of the '70s. There are the really bad special effects, such as the toy helicopter, that pay homage to Ed Wood, the badly dubbed dialogue which recreates the worst of the old Italian horror movies, a hokey and badly-costumed Godzilla-like monster who personifies EVIL, and a plot worthy of the best/worst of low-budget horror films, with the theme of toxic sludge mutation thrown in for good measure. To add to the general confusion, Mutantis is not only half-man and half-beast, but also half-female and half-male, and the female roles in the film are played by males.  If you're looking for "buckets of gore, cheese, [and] sleaze," Mutantis is definitely your film! (Quotation from Amazon: Editorial Review of Mutantis)
NOTE: Due to the graphic nature of this film, it is not suitable for viewing by children and young teens.  Additional Information  If you'd like to watch a trailer of Mutantis, please go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttb40xc5JEQ Amazon Buy Link (DVD): http://www.amazon.com/Mutantis-Darren-Bolk/dp/B00ND52RMI/. 
Digital copies are also available  for purchase or rental at the Dire Wit Films website.