C.A. Milson's Blog, page 224
April 18, 2015
Dino Hunt – Goodreads Contest
Dino Hunt
by Max Davine
Exclusive Goodreads Giveaway
2 people will be selected at random to win a paperback copy of Dino Hunt by Aussie author Max Davine.
Contest Closes May 10, 2015.
Goodreads Book Giveaway
Dino Hunt
by Max Davine
Giveaway ends May 10, 2015.
See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.
Filed under: Events Tagged: Dino Hunt, dinosaurs, free book, Goodreads author, Max Davine, Writing
April 17, 2015
April 16, 2015
Off The Map – Goodreads Contest
Off The Map
by Max Davine
Exclusive Goodreads Giveaway
2 people will be selected at random to win a paperback copy of Off The Map by Aussie author Max Davine.
Contest closes May 10, 2015.
Goodreads Book Giveaway
Off The Map
by Max Davine
Giveaway ends May 10, 2015.
See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.
Filed under: Events Tagged: Adventure, Fiction, Goodreads author, Goodreads giveaway, Max Davine, Off The Map, Pirates, Writing
Goodreads Contest Winner – A Cross In Time
Congratulations to Lynn A. from Mineola TX who has won a copy of��A Cross In Time by Richard W. Black.
Thank you to everyone who recently entered the Goodreads Giveaway.
Filed under: Events Tagged: A Cross In Time, Antichrist, free book, Goodreads giveaway, Historical Fiction, Richard W. Black
April 11, 2015
Nightlight – Movie Trailer
Nightlight (2015)
Stars: Shelby Young, Chloe Bridges, Carter Jenkins
IMDB Rating: 4.8
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Plot: Five friends play a game in a ”mysterious” forest with a long history as a beacon for troubled young people contemplating suicide.
Review: For years, the Covington forest has been shrouded in mystery, with a dark past as a final destination for troubled youths. Undeterred by the news of a classmate who recently took his life in those woods, five teens journey into the forest for an evening of flashlight games and ghost stories. But their plans go awry when the friends awaken a demonic presence, an unseen evil that will seize upon their deepest fears-and plunge them into a nightmare of absolute terror.
We all know the drill here. Anytime a group of mates head to a forest, cabin, whatever, you already know that none of them are going home alive. In this latest take, 5 teens (typical) head off to the forest to play a game of hide and seek, only to be stalked by a mysterious presence that will kill them off, one by one.
While this is certainly nothing new by any means, I will give this one a thumbs up for their effort, and the added effects of the demonic wolf and not to forget the shadow creature (which looked abit like a bad version of GROOT).
Suspense – Yep there is that
Horror – Hmmmm… Seen scarier
Acting – Passable
This movie was okay, but I have seen better, and there were a few things that stood out that some of the characters should not have done. I wont say what those are, as you can see for yourself, but, anyone with common sense just wouldn’t do …..
Verdict: Scare factor supplied by Groot!
Rating: 4 out of 10
Filed under: Movie Reviews, Movie Trailers Tagged: Carter Jenkins, Chloe Bridges, Covington forest, Found Footage Film, GROOT, horror movie, Nightlight (2015), Shelby Young
April 9, 2015
The Cobbler – Movie Review
The Cobbler (2014)
Stars: Adam Sandler, Steve Buscemi, Ellen Barkin, Dustin Hoffman
IMDB Rating: 5.8
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Plot: Max Simkin repairs shoes in the same New York shop that has been in his family for generations. Disenchanted with the grind of daily life, Max stumbles upon a magical heirloom that allows him to step into the lives of his customers and see the world in a new way. Sometimes walking in another man’s shoes is the only way one can discover who they really are.
Review: Imagine for a moment being able to walk in another mans shoes. What would you do? In this lighthearted comedy, Adam Sandler does exactly that. Sandler stars as Max Simkin. A show repair fellow who has inherited the family business of … shoe repairs.
Max is unsatisfied with his life, and wants to sell up and explore what life can offer. That is until he discovers the machine that gives him the power to walk in anyone else shoes…. To say anything more is going to give away the fun.
This film is not the typical Sandler movie. So if you are expecting Click or another campy comedy, then think again. This film is one that has some twists and pleasant surprises.
Also starring in this line up is Steve Buscemi, Ellen Barkin and Dustin Hoffman.
This is one film I would recommend.
Verdict: To walk in another mans shoes…
Rating: 7 out of 10
Filed under: Movie Reviews Tagged: @thecobblermovie, Adam Sandler, Dustin Hoffman, Ellen Barkin, Steve Buscemi, The Cobbler (2014)
April 8, 2015
Interview With…. Sarah Remy, author of Stonehill Downs
Hi readers. Today I am chatting to Sarah Remy, author or Stonehill Downs. In 1994 Sarah Remy earned a BA in English Literature and Creative Writing from Pomona College in California. Since then she���s been employed as a receptionist at a high-powered brokerage firm, managed a boutique bookstore, read television scripts for a small production company, and, more recently, worked playground duty at the local elementary school.
When she���s not taking the service industry by storm, she���s writing fantasy and science fiction. Sarah likes her fantasy worlds gritty, her characters diverse and fallible, and she doesn���t believe every protagonist deserves a happy ending.
Before joining the Harper Voyager family, she published with EDGE, Reuts, and Madison Place Press.
Sarah lives in Washington State with plenty of animals and people, both. In her limited spare time she rides horses, rehabs her old home, and supervises a chaotic household. She can talk to you endlessly about Sherlock Holmes, World of Warcraft, and backyard chicken husbandry, and she���s been a member of one of Robin Hobb���s longest-running online fan clubs since 2002.
Sarah, thanks for being my guest today. What inspires you to get out of bed each day?
If I could sleep twenty- four hours a day, I would. I love sleep. Which is why I schedule myself ruthlessly. I���m very OCD and I���d never not show where I���m needed. So from the moment my alarm goes off at 5AM I���m thinking of who expects which and what from me, and how to accomplish those goals.
Also, coffee. Coffee gets me out of bed each day.
If you could hang out with one famous person for one day, who would it be and why?
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Which is cheating, because he���s dead. But I���m a huge Sherlock Holmes fan and I have a few pressing questions I���d love to ask Sir Conan Doyle. If I had to choose a living famous person? Neil Gaiman. I���d love to follow him around like a puppy, just soaking up his creative energy. Hi, Neil!
What’s the story behind your latest book?
It���s actually sort of a funny one. Roughly three years back HarperCollins held an open call for previously unpublished scifi and fantasy. They wanted to build up their Impulse Line (read: ebook first, followed by print copy). Over 5000 manuscripts were submitted. Harper took eighteen months to extend a handful of authors contracts. Stonehill Downs was one of those manuscripts selected.
Tell us your writing process
As I indicated earlier, I���m a highly scheduled individual. I generally write between lunch and mid afternoon, and then again for a few late hours before bed. If I don���t stick to process, it just doesn���t get done.
When did you realize you wanted to be a writer?
In third grade, after I���d read all of Tolkien���s Middle Earth books. I wanted to create worlds and fantastical stories. To this end I got a degree and English Literature and Creative Writing, which meant I had all the skills necessary to take the service industry by storm. I���ve worked a lot of retail, and that���s just fine, because in my off hours I had time to write.
Tell us about your main character:
Stonehill���s blessed with two main characters: Avani, a foreign hedge-witch and sheep herder unwittingly sucked into murder and mutiny, and Mal, the last remaining magus on the continent. Mal���s dealing with the loss of his wife and the stresses of keeping a kingdom intact. Avani���s trying to find her way in a strange land while remaining true to herself and her Goddess. They become friends and allies and in general they���re good for each other, if two very different people.
What are you working on next?
Stonehill���s�� sequel, Across the Long Sea, is still in the editing process. I also have a young adult urban fantasy series, The Manhattan Exiles, and I���m just finishing up volume two in that world, as well.
Do you have any special/extraordinary talents?
I���m ambidextrous. Also, I can burn soup without any effort at all.
Who are your favorite authors?
I mentioned Conan Doyle, and Gaiman, and Tolkien. I���m also a huge Robin Hobb fan. Judith Tarr, Tanith Lee, Charles Dickens, J.D. Robb, James Joyce. I���m really all over the place, so long as it���s fiction. I enjoy escapism.
What do you like to do with your free time?
I spend a lot of time rehabbing my old house. I mentioned the horse shows, which takes up a ton of time in the summer. I���m also an admitted geek and fan girl. I go to cons when I can, and I waste a lot of time on Tumblr.
Tell us about your plans for upcoming books.
Across the Long Sea is slated for June. Summer, volume two of The Manhattan Exiles, should be out by end of April. And I���m working on a twisted version of Beauty and the Beast, do out early summer.
Where can people find you on the web?
Twitter: @sarahremywrites
Amazon: Stonehill Downs.
Sarah Remy���s website.
Facebook
Goodreads.
blog.
Any final thoughts?
Thanks for having me. I love discourse with readers, come and find me. I���m particularly passionate about diversity in fantasy – especially when it comes to female representation and non-binary characters. The world���s changing for the better and I think fantasy and scifi needs to keep up. Come and talk to me about it. I love people.
About the Book
Title: Stonehill Downs
Author: Sarah Remy
Publisher: Harper Collins/Voyager
Pages: 400
Genre: Fantasy
Format: Paperback/Kindle/Nook
Stonehill Downs follows Mal, a powerful mage who functions as Lord Vocent, the king���s personal forensic scientist and detective. ��Magic and murder are his calling.�� Never have the two entangled in quite as terrifying a manner as on Stonehill Downs, where Avani, a Goddess-gifted outsider, has discovered a host of gruesome corpses reeking of supernatural malfeasance.�� The investigation is haunted by ghosts of Mal���s past, and the two quickly learn that they must cast aside their secrets if they are to succeed in unearthing the pervading evil���before it���s unleashed from the boundaries of the Downs, straight into the heart of the kingdom.
For More Information
Stonehill Downs is available at Amazon.
Pick up your copy at Barnes & Noble.
Discuss this book at PUYB Virtual Book Club at Goodreads.
Book Excerpt:
Dusk
Andrew struggled.
Mal held him down. The old man���s skin burned, and sweat turned his mottled flesh slick, but still he shuddered as if chilled. Where Mal���s long fingers encircled his wrists, bruises blossomed.
Perspiration dampened Mal���s own brow, running in rivulets along his nose and into the corners of his eyes, stinging. He didn���t move to wipe them away. All of his strength was focused on the man convulsing beneath his hands.
���Let him go, Mal.���
���No.��� He refused to spare Siobahn a glance. He refused to acknowledge the disapproval he felt vibrating across the room.
���Malachi. You mustn���t keep him back. It���s too painful.���
���For him? Or for you?��� He knew the words were unkind. He didn���t care.
The air moved as Siobahn shifted. The candles in the close room flickered, shedding plumes of smoke. Her breath stirred the hair on the back of his head.
Still, he wouldn���t look around.
The dying man twisted on silken bedclothes. His mouth gaped open, showing yellow teeth, and his eyes rolled in his skull.
Mal knew the old man was all but senseless, but he couldn���t help himself; he bent forward and peered into the wizened face.
���Andrew,��� he whispered, willing the other man to hear.
���Mal.��� Siobahn forced the issue, stepping away from the shadows and into his line of sight.
Her gown rustled. He could hear the soft pad of her slippers along the stone floor. She slid through the haze of incense, and set her palms flat on the edge of the bed, leaning across the mattress until he was forced to meet her gaze.
���Let him go,��� she said again. This time she put just a touch of ice into the words.
Mal no longer took orders, not even from the young woman who had once been his wife. But she could still pierce him through with her deep blue eyes, and she knew it.
No matter how often he wished it otherwise, Siobahn never failed to move him. She knew that, also.
So he looked away from Andrew���s gaping mouth, and let her rake him with her gaze. She was angry, he saw, and disappointed. Maybe she was frightened, but she kept her smile sweet.
���You���re holding him back,��� she warned. ���Don���t make him struggle.���
���He might still be saved,��� Mal argued, even though his heart knew better. Already the bitter tang of grief roughened the back of his throat.
Andrew was the last, and Mal didn���t want to be alone.
Siobahn lifted one hand from the mattress, and set it on Mal���s arm. His tendons quivered at her touch. Beneath his own fingers Andrew���s muscles convulsed in response. The ravaged body arched up off the bed, then snapped back onto the bedclothes.
Blooded scented the air; a trickle of the dark liquid stained Andrew���s chin. The old man had bitten through his tongue.
The violence of the struggle touched Mal at last. He flinched away from the bed, releasing frail bones. The moment his fingers left Andrew���s flesh, the old man convulsed again, as though plucked off the mattress by the hands of the gods. Mal heard bones in the tortured spine snap.
���He���s on his way,��� Siobahn whispered, relieved.
Mal shuddered. The gods were never gentle with the ones they favored.
He bent over the bed, and took Andrew���s right hand in his own. There was no response. The old man was well and truly gone.
Mal stroked Andrew���s cooling palm with his thumb. Tears still scratched at the back of his throat. He forced them down, waited until he knew his eyes were dry, and then he reached over and wiped the blood from Andrew���s mouth with the edge of his sleeve.
The blood disappeared into the grain of the dark leather he wore. Mal studied the cuff, searching for a stain that didn���t show. Then he straightened his shoulders and set Andrew���s hand back onto the silks.
He turned from the canopied bed and stepped off the sleeping dais. The suite was gloomy, the air too thick. The smoke from the massive candles Andrew had so loved twined with the fumes of eastern incense.
Mal stumbled over the flagstones, intending to wrench open the windows. He wanted to breath in the night air, to clear away the headache lurking behind his eyes.
���Malachi,��� Siobahn warned, just as his hand settled on the window latch. ���Tradition. Renault would not be pleased ������
She broke off, sensing his silent fury.
She was correct. He almost lifted the latch anyway. If only he could get a taste of fresh air. He needed the breeze across his face to cool his growing rage. And Renault would never know.
He pulled his hand back from the latch and curled his fingers carefully behind his back. Standing alone in the hazy darkness, he could almost feel the chill of the night through the windowpane.
Glass was dearly bought. Only the king���s most beloved were lucky enough to have paned windows. Mal had glass in his own rooms, but not so much.
Andrew had been Renualt���s most beloved.
���And now he���s dead.��� Mal forced himself to say it aloud. Briefly, he set his brow against one cool pane.
���You need to tell him,��� Siobahn said from somewhere over his left shoulder. ���You���ve already waited too long. Renault should have been here earlier. To order the windows covered and������
This time he stopped her words with a snarl. He heard her teeth click as she bit back the rest of her lecture. He sighed. Again, she was correct. She almost always was.
���I���ll go to him now,��� he allowed, turning away from his reflection in the glass.
Siobahn lingered over the bed, poised as though in mid grasp, her fingers still hovering over Andrew���s face. Mal followed the drift of her unnatural blue gaze to the glitter of yellow on the dead man���s thumb.
Now it was his turn to use the power of their connection, to twist her guilt into a weapon. He strode back across the room until he could pin her with his frown. She flinched beneath his stare. Her cheeks pinked soft rose in embarrassment or fear.
���I thought you had forgotten,��� she said.
He loomed at her side, towering four full handspans above the crown of her head, and regarded the yellow stone in Andrew���s ring with distaste.
���And you hoped to remove it for me?��� His laugh was bitter, his mouth hard.
���You know better.���
She stood in the soft gown she had worn on their wedding day and faced his fury with dignity.
He set his hands on her small shoulders and shook her once, gently, but with passion. Siobahn allowed his touch for a heartbeat. Then she slipped from under his grasp. Mal almost went after her, but something in her half smile stopped him.
He watched as she moved to stand before one of Andrew���s giant candelabras. The flames bowed, drawn by her very breath.
For an instant Mal heard as she did; the king���s heavy footsteps echoed between his ears, pounding with the headache behind his nose.
He swallowed hard, blinked the pain away, and lifted Andrew���s fingers.
The ring slid easily over a bony knuckle. The true gold was warm in Mal���s hand. The yellow jewel burst to life, sending a scattering of starbursts across dead man, bedclothes, and wall.
���The king!��� she whispered, starbursts glittering in her hair. She let him hear again. Renault���s footfall almost punched holes in Mal���s tender skull.
He shoved Andrew���s ring into the small pouch he kept on his belt. Then he moved away from the canopy, standing where he could be seen from the massive wooden door Andrew never barred.
He could hear the march of booted feet in truth, now. It sounded as though Renault had gathered his entire guard.
���He knows,��� Siobahn murmured from her place among the candles and smoke.
���How?���
���He slept,��� she replied. ���He dreamed, as Andrew died. I sent him a vision.���
Mal heard regret in her admission. No doubt she feared he would be angry.
He was too exhausted to fume any longer, weighed by grief. He looked over his shoulder, thinking to reassure, but at that moment the footsteps rolled to a stop in the corridor outside Andrew���s suite. The heavy door slammed open, rattling the antechamber.
A gust of cool air made the candles gutter and go out. Smoke wreathed the room. Mal���s eyes watered in response. He blinked. When his vision cleared, Siobahn was gone, snuffed out along with Andrew���s pretty tapers. Mal rubbed his throbbing brow. Then he set his shoulders, touched the pouch at his belt, and went to greet his king.
Filed under: Guest Authors, Interviews Tagged: @sarahremywrites, Across the Long Sea, Beauty and the Beast, Book Tour, HarperCollins, Impulse Line, Pump Up Your Book, Sarah Remy, Stonehill Downs, The Manhattan Exiles, virtual book tour
April 7, 2015
Seventh Son – Movie Trailer
Seventh Son (2014)
Stars: Julianne Moore, Jeff Bridges, Ben Barnes
IMDB Rating: 5.6
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Plot: John Gregory, who is a seventh son of a seventh son and also the local spook, has protected his country from witches, boggarts, ghouls and all manner of things that go bump in the night. However John is not young anymore, and has been seeking an apprentice to carry on his trade. Most have failed to survive. The last hope is a young farmer’s son named Thomas Ward. Will he survive the training to become the spook that so many others couldn’t? Should he trust the girl with pointy shoes? How can Thomas stand a chance against Mother Malkin, the most dangerous witch in the county?
Fast Review: Seventh Son tells the tale of a seventh son. Tom (Ben Barnes), who is chosen by Master Gregory (Jeff Bridges) to fight the evil witch, Mother Malkin (Julianne Moore) who will rule the land.
The visual effects and acting were good.
If you’re a fan of dragons, witches, and knights of old, then give this one a shot.
Verdict: Passable
Rating: 5 out of 10
Filed under: Movie Trailers Tagged: @SeventhSon, Ben Barnes, film trailer, Jeff Bridges, Julianne Moore, Movie Review, Seventh Son
April 6, 2015
Robot Overlords – Movie Review
Robot Overlords (2014)
Stars: Gillian Anderson, Ben Kingsley,
IMDB Rating: 4.7
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Plot: Earth has been conquered by robots from a distant galaxy. survivors are confined to their houses and must wear electronic implants, risking incineration by robot sentries if they venture outside.
Review: “After eleven days the Robots from space took over Earth, three years later a group of youngsters figure out a way to fight back”.
The back story of this British sci-fi family film was summarized at the very beginning. “Three years ago… the Robots invaded Earth.” “The war lasted just eleven days.” Then a robotic being with an adult female face and a little boy’s body declares that they mean Earth no harm… After their study of humanity, they will leave and never come back. They only have one strict rule for the earthlings to follow during their occupation: “Stay indoors!”
The idea for the film had its merits but also a lot of plot holes. The major fault I found was if they came here to “Study” humanity (they must have been exchange students lol), why start an all-out war? Why disintegrate anyone who even ventures outside of their front door?
With the likes of Sir Ben Kingsley and Gillian Anderson starring in this film, even they could not save this from what it could have been. Maybe they should have enlisted Dr. Who to save humanity from these campy robots.
If you have seen this film and think that it is similar to Falling Skies… Then you are right :)
Verdict: Watch Falling Skies instead
Rating: 4 out of 10
Filed under: Movie Reviews Tagged: @Robot_Overlords, Ben Kingsley, Callan McAuliffe, film critic, Film Review, Gillian Anderson, Jon Wright, Movie Review, Robot Overlords
April 5, 2015
The Students Sold Us Secrets Book Blog Tour
Title:��The Students Sold Us Secrets
Author:��Lee J Mavin
Series:��Volume 1
Hosted by:��Beautiful Promotions
– Blurb –
No one is safe! The school has become a war-zone and the innocent are turning fast! A brave and nameless teacher has collected some awful and disturbing documents from some ghastly students. These are their stories and they will shock and amaze both teacher and student. But they haven���t been given away for free. This terrified individual has paid a hefty price to get the truth and is paying for it, with his freedom. In his report he states: ���If you are considering a career in teaching I would advise against it completely. It has become a profession far more dangerous than a police officer or even an army soldier in open war.��� ���I���m risking my life giving you this information, but I feel you need to know the truth. On the surface these children appear innocent and well-mannered but it is inside where their darkness dwells.��� The Students Sold Us Secrets Volume 1 is the first collection of short stories from the writer that brought you Reverse the Universe, Lee J Mavin, and will take you down a path you never thought existed. It���s packed with twelve short stories, all equally alarming and unsettling, as well as a secret report written by an undercover teacher.
GET YOUR COPY NOW!!! ONLY $4.99!!
Lee J Mavin previously published a collection of poetry titled��Reverse The Universe: collected poems and unused lyrics��and has also published a children���s novel titled��The Diary Of A 7th��Grade Hybrid. This year he will be publishing more mad fiction in the form of a wicked a weird fantastic adventure titled��The Intergalactic Custody��Battle��and the book he has always wanted to finish, also another young adult novel without a title yet.
He is currently enrolled at Sydney University as a Ph.D. in Arts and teaches ESL and Japanese between shots of caffeine to keep him awake.
He��sneaks as much writing��he��can in between lessons, it helps to ease the pain.��He��has��started��a series of stories titled “The Students Sold Us Secrets Volume One” with ASJ Publishing. Volume 2 to the series is out now!
He is��also kept on��his��toes by��his��feisty wife and five year old daughter both of whom are Chinese. They like to let me know how bad my Chinese is on a daily basis.
Filed under: Book Tour, Events Tagged: Australian author, goodreads, Horror, Lee J. Mavin, Novel, The Students Sold Us Secrets, Writer, Writing
