Wesley Britton's Blog, page 12
April 13, 2019
New Beta-Earth Chronicles Story available as Kindle!
It's been some time since Wes Britton published a story set on Beta-Earth, the planet where it all began.
"The Wayward Missiles" changes all that with a completely new cast of characters operating as a resistance cell during the Alman War. It's a war story full of espionage and a dash of romance. It's free for members of Kindle Select and only $1.99 for everyone else at:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QQDB7NJ/...
While you're there, you can also find the six book Beta-Earth Chronicles Omnibus and this year's Mary Carpenter mysteries.
Enjoy!
"The Wayward Missiles" changes all that with a completely new cast of characters operating as a resistance cell during the Alman War. It's a war story full of espionage and a dash of romance. It's free for members of Kindle Select and only $1.99 for everyone else at:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QQDB7NJ/...
While you're there, you can also find the six book Beta-Earth Chronicles Omnibus and this year's Mary Carpenter mysteries.
Enjoy!
April 3, 2019
"Fates of Evil men" at Amazon Kindle!
Announcing: A new series of stand-alone Beta-Earth stories you can download from Amazon's Kindle store!
To kick off this month, we offer "The Fates of Evil Men," one of Wes Britton's favorite Mary Carpenter mystery/espionage yarns! Set nearly 40 years in the future, Earth has been decimated by both climate change and horrific biological weapons. Captain Mary Carpenter has to investigate the hideous murder of an Islamic informer to her Dallas, Texas police department. Was it Islamic followers of the Holy Allah Movement taking out a traitor to their cause? Or was it the Tex-Zis, the Texas-Nazis wanting to purify their state of all non-whites?
Either way, the danger of an incurable skin-splitting virus threatens Dallas. Can Mary Carpenter stop the cold-blooded mass killers?
Find out at:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Q89NHMT
Coming soon: The Wayward Missiles," "It's Not About Death, It's About Fear," and "Murder on the Magic Mabel." Now's the time to join the tribe and see what the future might hold--if we're not careful--
To kick off this month, we offer "The Fates of Evil Men," one of Wes Britton's favorite Mary Carpenter mystery/espionage yarns! Set nearly 40 years in the future, Earth has been decimated by both climate change and horrific biological weapons. Captain Mary Carpenter has to investigate the hideous murder of an Islamic informer to her Dallas, Texas police department. Was it Islamic followers of the Holy Allah Movement taking out a traitor to their cause? Or was it the Tex-Zis, the Texas-Nazis wanting to purify their state of all non-whites?
Either way, the danger of an incurable skin-splitting virus threatens Dallas. Can Mary Carpenter stop the cold-blooded mass killers?
Find out at:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Q89NHMT
Coming soon: The Wayward Missiles," "It's Not About Death, It's About Fear," and "Murder on the Magic Mabel." Now's the time to join the tribe and see what the future might hold--if we're not careful--
April 2, 2019
Are you signed up for the Beta-Earth newsletter yet?
I've just learned some good friends of mine haven't signed up for my monthly newsletter. I gather some folks didn't even know i have one.
Well, now's an ideal time to come on board due to the popularity of my latest story, "The Dutiful Detective and the Deadly Decoys," easily the most-down-loaded adventure in my Beta-Earth Chronicles! Newsletter subscribers can still get it for free! And you'd be among the ones first alerted to coming stories full of mystery and espionage!
http://eepurl.com/dwvfQr
Well, now's an ideal time to come on board due to the popularity of my latest story, "The Dutiful Detective and the Deadly Decoys," easily the most-down-loaded adventure in my Beta-Earth Chronicles! Newsletter subscribers can still get it for free! And you'd be among the ones first alerted to coming stories full of mystery and espionage!
http://eepurl.com/dwvfQr
March 19, 2019
For Ed Wood and Bela Lugosi fans only
If you're a fan of filmmaker Ed Wood or actor Bela Lugosi, then BearManor Media has some books that might trip your trigger--
Angora Fever: The Collected Short Stories of Edward D. Wood, Jr.
By Edward D. Wood, Jr.
While remembered today as the director of some of the most notoriously bad movies in the history of cinema, there was another side to Wood’s questionable creativity of which most people remain unaware. When his career as a motion picture auteur fizzled out, mostly from lack of funding, Wood searched for another way to make ends meet while not having to surrender his personal artistic vision.
The Cinematic Misadventures of Ed Wood
by Andrew J. Rausch and Charles E. Pratt, Jr.
Authors Andrew J. Rausch and Charles E. Pratt Jr. unravel the unreal back stories of the much-maligned “Worst Filmmaker of All Time” and his 29 films that sometimes outshone Wood’s off screen shenanigans. In the 1950s, audiences cringed at Glen or Glenda, Jail Bait with Steve Reeves, Bride of the Monster and Plan 9 From Outer Space with Bela Lugosi, The Violent Years, and Night of the Ghouls. In the 1960s, moviegoers winced at The Sinister Urge and Orgy of the Dead.
Scripts from the Crypt: Ed Wood's Bride of the Monster
by Gary D. Rhodes with Tom Weaver
Shovel in hand, the redoubtable Gary D. Rhodes returns to the Graveyard of Forgotten Facts, unearthing a treasure trove of terrific illustrations and a casket-full of new information and insights on Bela Lugosi, Ed Wood and Bride of the Monster (1956). Also exhumed are Bride’s shooting script and a vault full of decaying extras. Accompanying him in this 60th anniversary “Bela-bration” of the film’s release is partner-in-crime Tom Weaver, as well as contributors Sam Sherman, Robert J. Kiss and Michael Lee.
Scripts from the Crypt: Ed Wood and the Lost Lugosi Screenplays
by Gary D. Rhodes, Tom Weaver, Robert Cremer, and Lee R. Harris
Delving into the most mythical aspects of the Wood saga, this book examines the facts and mysteries of these unproduced works. Essential for genre enthusiasts.
No Traveler Returns: The Lost Years of Bela Lugosi
by Gary D. Rhodes and Bill Kaffenberger
Bela Lugosi scholar extraordinaire Gary D. Rhodes and Bill Kaffenberger provide a fascinating time travel journey back to the late 1940s/early 1950s, when Lugosi – largely out of favor in Hollywood – embarked on a Gypsy-like existence of vaudeville, summer stock, and magic shows.
All these titles are available at:
http://www.bearmanormedia.com/
Angora Fever: The Collected Short Stories of Edward D. Wood, Jr.
By Edward D. Wood, Jr.
While remembered today as the director of some of the most notoriously bad movies in the history of cinema, there was another side to Wood’s questionable creativity of which most people remain unaware. When his career as a motion picture auteur fizzled out, mostly from lack of funding, Wood searched for another way to make ends meet while not having to surrender his personal artistic vision.
The Cinematic Misadventures of Ed Wood
by Andrew J. Rausch and Charles E. Pratt, Jr.
Authors Andrew J. Rausch and Charles E. Pratt Jr. unravel the unreal back stories of the much-maligned “Worst Filmmaker of All Time” and his 29 films that sometimes outshone Wood’s off screen shenanigans. In the 1950s, audiences cringed at Glen or Glenda, Jail Bait with Steve Reeves, Bride of the Monster and Plan 9 From Outer Space with Bela Lugosi, The Violent Years, and Night of the Ghouls. In the 1960s, moviegoers winced at The Sinister Urge and Orgy of the Dead.
Scripts from the Crypt: Ed Wood's Bride of the Monster
by Gary D. Rhodes with Tom Weaver
Shovel in hand, the redoubtable Gary D. Rhodes returns to the Graveyard of Forgotten Facts, unearthing a treasure trove of terrific illustrations and a casket-full of new information and insights on Bela Lugosi, Ed Wood and Bride of the Monster (1956). Also exhumed are Bride’s shooting script and a vault full of decaying extras. Accompanying him in this 60th anniversary “Bela-bration” of the film’s release is partner-in-crime Tom Weaver, as well as contributors Sam Sherman, Robert J. Kiss and Michael Lee.
Scripts from the Crypt: Ed Wood and the Lost Lugosi Screenplays
by Gary D. Rhodes, Tom Weaver, Robert Cremer, and Lee R. Harris
Delving into the most mythical aspects of the Wood saga, this book examines the facts and mysteries of these unproduced works. Essential for genre enthusiasts.
No Traveler Returns: The Lost Years of Bela Lugosi
by Gary D. Rhodes and Bill Kaffenberger
Bela Lugosi scholar extraordinaire Gary D. Rhodes and Bill Kaffenberger provide a fascinating time travel journey back to the late 1940s/early 1950s, when Lugosi – largely out of favor in Hollywood – embarked on a Gypsy-like existence of vaudeville, summer stock, and magic shows.
All these titles are available at:
http://www.bearmanormedia.com/
March 18, 2019
Looking for Book Reviews
As many of you have realised, most of my posts are of book reviews, both fiction and non-fiction.
I am always looking for reviews for my 7 books. So if you would like to do a review swap, please send me a message at:
spywise@verizon.net
My reviews are posted on Goodreads, Booklikes and Book Pleasures only. Some are reposted at the New Book Review blog.
Have a great week.
Wesley.
Mailing list sign up (which includes free stories each month).
http://eepurl.com/dwvfQr
Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/BetaEarthChr...
Blind Alien Amazon -
http://bit.ly/BAAMA
The Blood of Balnakin -
http://bit.ly/TBOBAMA
When War Returns -
http://bit.ly/WWRBEC
A Throne For An Alien -
http://bit.ly/ATFAA
Third Earth Amazon-
http://bit.ly/TTEAMA
Return To Alpha -
http://bit.ly/WBRTABEC
Alpha Tales 2044 -
http://bit.ly/AT204
Lulu -
http://bit.ly/LUAT2044
Books2read -
http://bit.ly/B2RAT2044
I am always looking for reviews for my 7 books. So if you would like to do a review swap, please send me a message at:
spywise@verizon.net
My reviews are posted on Goodreads, Booklikes and Book Pleasures only. Some are reposted at the New Book Review blog.
Have a great week.
Wesley.
Mailing list sign up (which includes free stories each month).
http://eepurl.com/dwvfQr
Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/BetaEarthChr...
Blind Alien Amazon -
http://bit.ly/BAAMA
The Blood of Balnakin -
http://bit.ly/TBOBAMA
When War Returns -
http://bit.ly/WWRBEC
A Throne For An Alien -
http://bit.ly/ATFAA
Third Earth Amazon-
http://bit.ly/TTEAMA
Return To Alpha -
http://bit.ly/WBRTABEC
Alpha Tales 2044 -
http://bit.ly/AT204
Lulu -
http://bit.ly/LUAT2044
Books2read -
http://bit.ly/B2RAT2044
March 17, 2019
Book Review: Shooting the Breeze With Baby Boomer Stars!: Surprising Celebrity Conversations for the Retro Generation by Torchy Smith
Shooting the Breeze With Baby Boomer Stars!: Surprising Celebrity Conversations for the Retro Generation
Torchy Smith
Paperback: 338 pages
Publisher: Archway (October 2, 2018)
ISBN-10: 1480867845
ISBN-13: 978-1480867840
https://www.amazon.com/Shooting-Breez...
Reviewed by Dr. Wesley Britton
From 2007 to 2015, I had the great pleasure of co-hosting an online radio show for KSAV.org where I interviewed a wide range of musicians, actors, and other entertainment insiders geared for Baby Boomer listeners.
One thing I learned is that if the interviewer is knowledgeable and pleasant and the interviewee is agreeable and warm, listeners interested in the celebrity in question will get a special audio treat.
Well, interviewer and writer Torchy Smith has created something of a personal industry
celebrating Baby Boomer stars where he too has shown how entertaining old entertainers can be if they can reminisce about their glory days with a friendly and informed interviewer.
In the case of his new book, Shooting the breeze, Smith offers a series of shortened interviews with many actors and actresses whose fame came mostly from roles on the small screen. They include most of the Mouseketeers, Angela and Veronica Cartwrite, Bill Mumy, Jerry Mathers, Tony Dow, James Drury, Larry Matthews, Marion Ross, Anson Williams, Cindy Williams and many, many more.
Altogether, the stars describe a time of much greater innocence on television and the repeated complaints most feel about not getting residuals for their work. We hear how most of them found their way into often unexpected stardom and they tell many stories of what happened to them after their glory days. Woven throughout these conversations are Smith's personal commentary and insights that augment what the stars say about themselves and sheds a bit of light on the art of interviewing.
While giving readers online access points to some of his guests so we too can connect with some celebs, Smith makes many valid points as to why readers should read his book and not rely on what Google can provide. From personal experience, I can tell you Smith is correct when he says what much of what we can find online just simply isn't so.
Naturally, to be interested in this book, you got to be interested in television and film of the not-so-distant past and be curious about the faces and voices that made a stamp on your own life. Some interviews are probably going to be the reason you tried out this book, others may be with folks you're less familiar with. So Shooting the Breeze can be a cover-to-cover read for Baby Boomers or a skip around or skim some passages experience for you. Me, I was glad to get a peek into a lot of folks I don't remember as well as those I too had the pleasure to talk to. It's a warm and inviting read for all of us.
This review first appeared at BookPleasures.com on March 16, 2019:
https://waa.ai/oW18
Torchy Smith
Paperback: 338 pages
Publisher: Archway (October 2, 2018)
ISBN-10: 1480867845
ISBN-13: 978-1480867840
https://www.amazon.com/Shooting-Breez...
Reviewed by Dr. Wesley Britton
From 2007 to 2015, I had the great pleasure of co-hosting an online radio show for KSAV.org where I interviewed a wide range of musicians, actors, and other entertainment insiders geared for Baby Boomer listeners.
One thing I learned is that if the interviewer is knowledgeable and pleasant and the interviewee is agreeable and warm, listeners interested in the celebrity in question will get a special audio treat.
Well, interviewer and writer Torchy Smith has created something of a personal industry
celebrating Baby Boomer stars where he too has shown how entertaining old entertainers can be if they can reminisce about their glory days with a friendly and informed interviewer.
In the case of his new book, Shooting the breeze, Smith offers a series of shortened interviews with many actors and actresses whose fame came mostly from roles on the small screen. They include most of the Mouseketeers, Angela and Veronica Cartwrite, Bill Mumy, Jerry Mathers, Tony Dow, James Drury, Larry Matthews, Marion Ross, Anson Williams, Cindy Williams and many, many more.
Altogether, the stars describe a time of much greater innocence on television and the repeated complaints most feel about not getting residuals for their work. We hear how most of them found their way into often unexpected stardom and they tell many stories of what happened to them after their glory days. Woven throughout these conversations are Smith's personal commentary and insights that augment what the stars say about themselves and sheds a bit of light on the art of interviewing.
While giving readers online access points to some of his guests so we too can connect with some celebs, Smith makes many valid points as to why readers should read his book and not rely on what Google can provide. From personal experience, I can tell you Smith is correct when he says what much of what we can find online just simply isn't so.
Naturally, to be interested in this book, you got to be interested in television and film of the not-so-distant past and be curious about the faces and voices that made a stamp on your own life. Some interviews are probably going to be the reason you tried out this book, others may be with folks you're less familiar with. So Shooting the Breeze can be a cover-to-cover read for Baby Boomers or a skip around or skim some passages experience for you. Me, I was glad to get a peek into a lot of folks I don't remember as well as those I too had the pleasure to talk to. It's a warm and inviting read for all of us.
This review first appeared at BookPleasures.com on March 16, 2019:
https://waa.ai/oW18
March 13, 2019
Book Review: Somewhere Beyond the Heavens: Exploring Battlestar Galactica
Somewhere Beyond the Heavens: Exploring Battlestar Galactica
edited by Rich Handley and Lou Tambone.
Publisher: Sequart Organization (December 18, 2018)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
ASIN: B07LGFF1NP
https://www.amazon.com/Somewhere-Beyo...
Reviewed by: Dr. Wesley ?Britton
Back in 1978, I considered a new TV series I dubbed Battlestar: Ponderosa (due to the presence of actor Loren Green as Commander Adama), along with sister production, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, as two disposable, diverting attempts by producer Glen A. Larson to capitalize on the success of Star Wars for the small screen. As both series had short lives, I didn't expect to see much more of either of them. Little did I know.
In the case of Battlestar: Galactica, forty years have gone by with many repeated attempts to reinvigorate the franchise. We got novelizations, original novels, comics, films, webisodes, board and video games, unproduced attempts at revivals, and, most impressing of all, Ronald D. Moore's extraordinary 2003 re-imagining of the concept for the SyFy channel and elsewhere that earned considerable praise for a remarkable reboot.
Now, the Sequart Organization has published the fifth, yes, fifth, serious book-length academic analysis of all things Galactica by forty comic historians, novelists, bloggers, subject-matter experts, and franchise insiders including Jim Beard, Joseph F. Berenato, Joe Bongiorno, Jeffrey Carver, and October Crifasi.
Sequart is touting the fact their new title runs 572 pages, making it the longest book in their history. This is rather surprising considering their past essay collections on popular culture subjects included Batman, The X-Men, Star Wars, and Planet of the Apes, to scratch the surface of their catalogue. As with all their tomes, Somewhere Beyond the Heavens touches every conceivable base you can think of regarding Battlestar: Galactica including close scrutiny of the creative processes, analyses of key episodes and characters, not to mention deep dives into the ephemera associated with the franchise.
Clearly, Somewhere Beyond the Heavens is not a useful introduction for the uninitiated and not a simple overview for the mildly interested or simply curious. It's intended for serious devotees who might not need to explore every essay, especially if you're a fan of only the Glen A. Larson version or the Ronald Moore revision. For example, do you care about the background of the mysterious Count Iblis as portrayed by Patrick Macnee in a two-part episode in the original series? If so, this collection is for you.
This review first appeared at BookPleasures.com on March 13, 2019:
https://waa.ai/o8Rj
edited by Rich Handley and Lou Tambone.
Publisher: Sequart Organization (December 18, 2018)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
ASIN: B07LGFF1NP
https://www.amazon.com/Somewhere-Beyo...
Reviewed by: Dr. Wesley ?Britton
Back in 1978, I considered a new TV series I dubbed Battlestar: Ponderosa (due to the presence of actor Loren Green as Commander Adama), along with sister production, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, as two disposable, diverting attempts by producer Glen A. Larson to capitalize on the success of Star Wars for the small screen. As both series had short lives, I didn't expect to see much more of either of them. Little did I know.
In the case of Battlestar: Galactica, forty years have gone by with many repeated attempts to reinvigorate the franchise. We got novelizations, original novels, comics, films, webisodes, board and video games, unproduced attempts at revivals, and, most impressing of all, Ronald D. Moore's extraordinary 2003 re-imagining of the concept for the SyFy channel and elsewhere that earned considerable praise for a remarkable reboot.
Now, the Sequart Organization has published the fifth, yes, fifth, serious book-length academic analysis of all things Galactica by forty comic historians, novelists, bloggers, subject-matter experts, and franchise insiders including Jim Beard, Joseph F. Berenato, Joe Bongiorno, Jeffrey Carver, and October Crifasi.
Sequart is touting the fact their new title runs 572 pages, making it the longest book in their history. This is rather surprising considering their past essay collections on popular culture subjects included Batman, The X-Men, Star Wars, and Planet of the Apes, to scratch the surface of their catalogue. As with all their tomes, Somewhere Beyond the Heavens touches every conceivable base you can think of regarding Battlestar: Galactica including close scrutiny of the creative processes, analyses of key episodes and characters, not to mention deep dives into the ephemera associated with the franchise.
Clearly, Somewhere Beyond the Heavens is not a useful introduction for the uninitiated and not a simple overview for the mildly interested or simply curious. It's intended for serious devotees who might not need to explore every essay, especially if you're a fan of only the Glen A. Larson version or the Ronald Moore revision. For example, do you care about the background of the mysterious Count Iblis as portrayed by Patrick Macnee in a two-part episode in the original series? If so, this collection is for you.
This review first appeared at BookPleasures.com on March 13, 2019:
https://waa.ai/o8Rj
March 12, 2019
New Sci-Fi Mystery!
Find your next favorite mystery or thriller title among these FREE stories. Click on the covers of the books you want, sign up to learn a little more about the authors, and start reading! Don't forget to enter to win a $25 gift card! Enjoy!
This is also your first chance to read my latest story, "THE DUTIFUL DETECTIVE AND THE DEADLY DECOYS."
https://mybookcave.com/g/4acc53e0/
This is also your first chance to read my latest story, "THE DUTIFUL DETECTIVE AND THE DEADLY DECOYS."
https://mybookcave.com/g/4acc53e0/
February 20, 2019
For Patrons of BookShare.org
As of today, every book from Wes Britton's Beta-Earth Chronicles is available for free for blind and visually-impaired patrons of BookShare.org. Book 1, The Blind Alien, and Book 7, Alpha Tales 2044, have been up at BookShare already. The rest of the series can be found at:
The Blood of Balnakin (The Beta-Earth Chronicles #2)
https://www.bookshare.org/browse/book....
When War Returns (The Beta-Earth Chronicles #3)
https://www.bookshare.org/browse/book....
A Throne for an Alien (The Beta-Earth Chronicles #4)
https://www.bookshare.org/browse/book....
The Third Earth (The Beta-Earth Chronicles #5)
https://www.bookshare.org/browse/book....
Return to Alpha (The Beta-Earth Chronicles #6)
https://www.bookshare.org/browse/book....
The Blood of Balnakin (The Beta-Earth Chronicles #2)
https://www.bookshare.org/browse/book....
When War Returns (The Beta-Earth Chronicles #3)
https://www.bookshare.org/browse/book....
A Throne for an Alien (The Beta-Earth Chronicles #4)
https://www.bookshare.org/browse/book....
The Third Earth (The Beta-Earth Chronicles #5)
https://www.bookshare.org/browse/book....
Return to Alpha (The Beta-Earth Chronicles #6)
https://www.bookshare.org/browse/book....
February 19, 2019
New Star Trek History Audiobook
Jacobs Brown Media Group LLC has released their first audio bookof Marc Cushman's astonishing and thorough *These Are The Voyages: Star Trek The Original Series Audio Book.* The nearly 28 hours are narrated by Vic Mignogna (Captain Kirk in the web series Star Trek Continues) taking you into the writers' room, production offices,
and onto the sound stages to witness the making of this historic TV series. Joining Vic will be many who were actually there - the contributors to the
making of Star Trek. They include the legendary D.C. Fontana, Clint Howard (Balok from "The Corbomite Maneuver"), and Joe D'Agosta.
Find out more at:
http://www.jacobsbrownmediagroup.com/...
and onto the sound stages to witness the making of this historic TV series. Joining Vic will be many who were actually there - the contributors to the
making of Star Trek. They include the legendary D.C. Fontana, Clint Howard (Balok from "The Corbomite Maneuver"), and Joe D'Agosta.
Find out more at:
http://www.jacobsbrownmediagroup.com/...
Wesley Britton's Blog
This just came in. My favorite two sentences of all time!
“The Blind Alien is a story with a highly original concept, fascinating characters, and not-too-subtle but truthful allegories. Don’t let the ...more
“The Blind Alien is a story with a highly original concept, fascinating characters, and not-too-subtle but truthful allegories. Don’t let the ...more
- Wesley Britton's profile
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