Broken Keys Publishing's Blog, page 44

Breaking the Lovecraftian Mould

July 21st, 2016 interview.CKCU- FM 93.1Literary Landscape, hosted by Kate HuntCKCU Literary Landscape's host Kate Hunt speaks with local author Michel Weatherall about how his writings adheres to typical Lovecraftian Horror and drastically deviates.Typical Lovecraftian Horror's main characters are exclusively male, academic, reclusive, and often isolated.Although the protagonist in the first novel (The Symbiot) most definitely meets this 'criteria', by the time we arrive at the final book in the series (Necropolis) we see this chauvinistic or misogynist abandoned.Many main characters (both heros and villians) are female and are powerful women. A far cry from a 'damsel in destress' nor secondary background characters. Not pretty eye-candy (well, some are). These are powerful women facing nearly insurmountable challenges.From Donita, the adventuring, gun-toting heroine from the '30's to Veronica (from both previous books,The SymbiotandThe Hunt: Symbiosys), to the main character, Tamara.

Samhain Craft & Psychic Fair

The Samhain Craft & Psychic Fair Saturday, October 8th11:30 am - 4:00 pmCheck it out!I'll be there!

Author's Market at The Byward Market, September 24th

Welcome toThe Authors' Market!It's amazing the great people you'll meet!Other local authors,New and old fans to the Mayor himself!The Authors' Market.Outdoor space amongst the Market vendors allow local authors to highlight, showcase, promote and sell their works!Just a reminder. I'll be returning to the Byward Market tomorrow,Saturday, September 24thbetween 10:00 am - 4:00 pmCome down! Meet and greet with me! Check out my work! Get your books signed!Follow me onFacebookandTwitterfor future releases!

Samhain Craft & Psychic Fair - October 8th

H.P. Lovecraft and PaganismI'll be atThe Samhain Craft & Psychic Fair Saturday, October 8th11:30 am - 4:00 pmMeet & Greet and Book Signing!The entireSymbiot Serieswill be available for sale at this event (along withA Dark Corner of My Soul)."In the Symbiot, Weatherall has created a spine chilling tale reminiscent of the style of Stephen King"TDC Book Reviews​“Lovecraftian atmosphere and themes at their best. Michel Weatherall is a master of this style of horror - he’ll keep you up all night reading, then for days just thinking about it.”Apt 613's Laurie Stewart,  AuthorPick-up your copies ofThe Symbiot,The Hunt: Symbiosys, andNecropolis!(Don't forget to check out my latest release,UNCGSC: The Facility, my first excusion into sci-fi/theology fiction, available fordownload for FREE from Smashwordsfor a limited time only!)AvailabliltyPrefer ebooks?AmazonKoboBarnes & NobleGoogle PlayApple iBooksSmashwordsPrefer to order your copies online?Michel Weatherall - Author - websiteSinging Pebble BooksPrefer print editions?Perfect BooksBlack Squirrel Books & CafeKobold's CornerComet ComicsOctopus BooksSinging Pebble BooksBooks on BeechwoodColes - BayshoreRadio & TV Interviews CKCU-FM 93.1 Tuesday Special Blend, hosted by Adam Coombs (begins @ approx. 29:00) (July 26/16) CKCU- FM 93.1 Literary Landscape, hosted by Kate Hunt(July 21/16)Daytime Ottawa, Live TV appearance,Rogers Channel 22(July 19th) CKCU - FM 93.1 Wednesday Special Blend, hosted by Tic(Begins @ 67:20 - 119:11) (July 13/16) The Carol Anne Meehan Show, Live Radio Interview(June 17/16)​Daytime Ottawa,with Derick Fage & Danaielle Allard,Live TV Interview(@ 2:07)(Nov 20/15)

Heidelberg: The Kiss of Dagon

Heidelberg: The Kiss of Dagonis now available!Currently the 3rd novelette of the upcoming The Refuse Chronicles, and the 8th title inThe Symbiot Series!​Following the 1925 storyline fromNecropolis: Pharaoh(“Schäfer's Expedition”) and returning to our heroine - Donita de LaFontaine - our story continues as both a sequel to the tragic 1930 events at the Great Pagan Temple of Shub-Niggurath (Necropolis: R'lyeh) and a prequel toThe Symbiot(1987).​Traveling with her adolescent daughter Nadia between Nazi Germany and the Allies' England, Donita's playing a dangerous game.​Returning thirteen years later, Donita finds herself caught in the subterfuge machinations of the Nazi's and other dark cults desperate to attainThe Music of the Spheres. With Otto Zann comatose it is only Donita de LaFontaine that knowsThe Music!Heidelberg: The Kiss of Dagonis now available onSmashwords,Pronoun, Amazon, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, Google Play, and Apple iBooks

"Fresh & Homemade Asian Cooking", by Laurie Stewart, book review

Although I have reviewed a number of books, most belong in the genre of fiction, possibly graphic novels, several theological pieces, and one children's book.Cookbooks on the other hand - although I never had thought about it before - are a strange and unique creature when it comes to writing reviews for. Definitely within the realm of non-fiction, these tend to be more along the lines of technical manuals, or instruction manuals. They deal with facts.How does one assess and review a cookbook?My wife, owns and operatesCMB Catering, focusing primarily on Corporate Catering and Luncheons and Summer BBQ events. She has over 25 years in the food industry, having held positions of line-cooks, head-cooks, catering manager and owner.So I will hand this book review over to Jackie:What I likedThe Glossary and appendix of certain specialty items and their availability were a great and useful help!I particularly liked the section of home-made spices for those inclined.In the case of a cookbook, its easy accessibility and use in an active kitchen as a reference needs to be considered. This book works well as both; well laid out with its contents easily referenced and found.The recipes are easily accessible to anybody, with few specialized ingredients. Some of the world's best dishes are simple and rustic and this cookbook matches these criteria.Often cookbooks – intentionally or not – are aimed at a particular skill-set. Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, or Professional. I felt some instructions were somewhat ambiguous and could have been phrased clearer, especially for a beginner. For this reason I would place this cookbook's target audience at the Intermediate culinary skill-level.Test DishI choseGeneral Tao's Chicken on a bed of Jasmine Rice. It is true that we eat with your eyes and this dish is visually appealing!I began this dish following the recipe's exact instructions.I often cook traditional Chinese food with a good friend of mine from Taipei, Taiwan. The Chinese food as we are used to it is nothing like Traditional Chinese food (which is so much better!)Often, as Westerners, we are far too used to Americanized versions of traditional Asian dishes. This dish is an excellent example of the traditional dish outdoing our Westernized version. This recipe is drastically different than any restaurant's. This recipe is nice in that its spiciness can easily be controlled by its amounts of chili pepper. As the book's title suggests, it isfreshand its ingredients' individual tastes shine through! Considering this recipe has a good amount of ginger and quite a bit of garlic, neither overwhelms the dish, creating a beautifully balanced blend. After preparing this recipe, myself, my husband, my daughter, and her boyfriend all sat down for diner. Everybody loved it. Delicious!What I'd Like to seeI would have liked to have seen some history or origins to their traditional sources.Many of the recipes can be easily modified to meet gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, and vegan diets. I would have liked to have seen suggestions of substitutions within the recipes to achieve these various diets.It would have been advantageous to have included photos. I would have given this book 4 stars had it included photos.Would I used some of these recipes professionally for catered events? Absolutely!Three and a half stars!Michel here!Laurie's Ultimate Goods Presents: Fresh & Home-make Asian Cookingare also available in ebook atAmazonandSmashwords.I look forward to tasting other dishes as well a checking our Laurie's second cookbook in her Ultimate Goods Presents series:Fresh & Home-made Indian Cooking!Laurie Stewart is a local author from Ottawa, the nation's capital.You can find more books from Laurie Stewart from her website,Write! Paint! Create!

Author's Market at The Byward Market, September 24th

Welcome toThe Authors' Market!The Authors' MarketDid you know the City of Ottawa Markets Management has launched an initiative at theByward Market?Outdoor space amongst the Market vendors allow local authors to highlight, showcase, promote and sell their works!I will be there on the following date (with another possible, as of yet unconfirmed, date coming!)Saturday, September 24th10:00 am - 3:00 pmCome down! Meet and greet with me! Check out my work! Get your books signed!Follow me onFacebookandTwitterfor future releases!

The Refuse Chronicles' Cover Preview

The artwork for the upcomingThe Refuse Chroniclesis coming together, as are its five (possibly six) novelettes!UNCGSC: The Facility(available now!)Matriarch (about 50% written)Heidelberg (written - soon to be available!)Das Ghul (about 90% written)Convergence (about 20% written)Taking place primarily during the decade gap betweenThe HuntandNecropolis,The Refuse Chroniclesfollows the stories of numerous incidental and secondary characters fromThe Symbiot Series.Its finale - Convergence - concludes in the year 2019 with the return of an adult Tamara Takahara and its obliterating consequences!

Author's Market at The Byward Market, September 24th

Welcome toThe Authors' Market!The Authors'Market.Did you know the City of Ottawa Markets Management has launched an initiative at the Byward Market?Outdoor space amongst the Market vendors allow local authors to highlight, showcase, promote and sell their works!I will be there on the following date (with another possible, as of yet unconfirmed, date coming!)Saturday, September 24th10:00 am - 4:00 pmCome down! Meet and greet with me! Check out my work! Get your books signed!Follow me onFacebookandTwitterfor future releases!

Coming Soon: Heidelberg

Heidelberg​ISBN: 978-1-988253-04-6 (digital)Currently scheduled to be the 3rd novelette in the upcoming Refuse Chronicles.Following the 1925 storyline fromNecropolis: Pharaoh(“Schäfer's Expedition”) and returning to our heroine - Donita de LaFontaine - our story continues as both a sequel to the tragic 1930 events at the Great Pagan Temple of Shub-Niggurath (Necropolis: R'lyeh) and a prequel toThe Symbiot(1987).Traveling with her adolescent daughter Nadia between Nazi Germany and the Allies' England, Donita's playing a dangerous game.​Returning thirteen years later, Donita finds herself caught in the subterfuge machinations of the Nazi's and other dark cults desperate to attainThe Music of the Spheres. With Otto Zann comatose it is only Donita de LaFontaine that knowsThe Music!