Christopher C. Payne's Blog, page 13

White Out

Title: White Out

Author: Cambria Hebert

Format: Ebook

Publisher: Otherworld Publications

 

Christmas is just around the corner and Grace has decided to spend some time at a secluded cabin in the woods before going to see her family, when she comes upon an injured animal at death's door in the forest.

She does what any good Samaritan would, she takes the animal home to try to nurse it back to health.

The questions is, can she save this life and survive the trouble coming her way?

This story, without a doubt has become one of my most favorite reads and that is NOT an easy feat. So many aspects made this story extremely enjoyable for me! Hebert writes characters with such detail that you can envision them in your mind and find yourself thinking of them as real people that you would love to meet. She gives you dialogue and banter that leave you both breathless and at times laughing.

Let's not forget the suspense and action that Hebert was also able to weave into this short tale.               Writing a short story that can captivate, hold your focus, keep you turning the pages, contain all the elements of a great story such as action, romance, suspense and comedy and leave you with a fulfilling ending is no easy feat!

Yet, Cambria Hebert does it effortlessly.

This is one story that I will read over and over again and believe that you will, too! Hebert shows more than just promising talent, she is delivering it in every book that she writes. She has found a huge fan in me and I cannot wait to see what else she has in store for us!

In short, I recommend this short story to anyone and everyone who is looking for a great read especially if you are short on time.

It will give you a great introduction to this phenomenal author and leave you clamoring for more!

 

Review written by:

Jenn P.

 

Before

 

Title: Before

Author: Cambria Hebert

Format: Ebook

Publisher: Otherworld Publications

"Before" serves as a prequel to Cambria Hebert's debut novel, Masquerade. Heven is your normal teenage girl, her biggest worries are if her crush likes her, what to wear to school and if she will be made the head cheerleader. You know, the stuff majority of girls think about or even dream about when they are little. Heven has it all in this story, she is beautiful and popular and it seems like everything is going her way. But the question is, how long can it last? Cambria Hebert was able to capture the average teenage female thought process perfectly. So well, in fact, I found myself rolling my eyes at the trivial things that Heven and her friends talked and obsessed about in the story. But, I had to remind myself that I was once a teenager too (What? I was) and admittedly acted the same way. Don't get discouraged or turned off though, the happy happy joy joy feeling of the story doesn't last long. Something wicked this way comes after Heven. What is it? Why is it after her and what happens to Heven? Hebert drops a bomb on you like nobody's business leaving you dying for more. I believe that this is a great introduction to her next book, Masquerade, and will definitely have you running out to get it and find out exactly what happened and where this series is going to go. If "Before" is any indication of what to look forward to, this is gonna be one heck of a ride!

Review by: Jenn P.

The Three Musketeers (2011)

The Three Musketeers

Directed by Paul W.S. Anderson

Starring:  Matthew Macfadyen, Milla Jovovich, Luke Evans,

Ray Stevenson, Logan Lerman, Orlando Bloom,

Freddie Fox, and Christoph Waltz

Released in theaters October 21, 2011

Rated PG-13 for sequences of adventure action violence

My Rating:  ★★★★☆

This movie is loosely based on the novel by Alexandre Dumas.  The hot-headed D'Artagnan (Logan Lerman) heads to Paris in hopes of becoming a Musketeer like his father, only to learn the group has been disbanded.  Through a little humorous fate, he manages to bring them all back together in order to save the kingdoms of France and England from going to war.  Will they succeed?  Only time and probably a sequel will tell.

Where to start…  On one hand, I am a bit disappointed.  I think this movie could have been a little more in the Sherlock Holmes direction.  There was just a spark of something missing here, maybe something darker.  It didn't hold my attention quite like I felt it should have.  On the other hand, it was good fun.  Most of the characters were delightfully quirky, especially King Louis.  Matthew Macfadyen is a favorite of mine, and he brought something interesting to Athos.  Each of the Musketeers actually shined in their own way, even D'Artagnan with that hair.  Christoph Waltz was a perfect Richelieu; he is just so good at being so bad!

The plot is simple and straightforward, which means predictable, but that's okay because it is so much fun!  There are some interesting twists and contraptions involved and some pretty entertaining action scenes.  The scenery and cinematography is really beautiful.  There's a little bit of everything except a lot of drama.  It's fast paced, so you're not getting bogged down with deep, emotional scenes.  There's definitely action and adventure with an enjoyable sprinkling of comedy and romance mixed in.

Is this one to own?  Probably.  It at least made for a relaxing Sunday evening with the family.

Review by Cassie McCown

Silence

Silence

Becca Fitzpatrick

SIMON & SCHUSTER

ISBN: 978-4424-4960-2

Format Available: Hardcover & ebook

Nora Grey can't remember the past five months of her life. After the initial shock of waking up in a cemetery and being told that she has been missing for weeks- with no one knowing where she was or who she was with- she tries to get her life back on track: go to school, hang out with her friend, Vee, and dodge her mom's creepy new boyfriend.

But there is the voice in the back of her head, an idea that she can almost reach out and touch. Visions of angel wings and unearthly creatures that have nothing to do with the life she knows. And this unshakable feeling that a part of her is missing.

Then Nora crosses paths with a very sexy stranger, who she feels a mesmerizing connection to. He seems to hold all the answers… and her heart. Every minute she spends with him grows more and more intense until she realizes she could be falling in love. Again.

If I could describe this book in one word I would and guess what, I'm going to: amazing! I couldn't believe how much this book drew me in. When I read the summary and learned that Nora lost her memory I was really kind of nervous. I didn't think I would enjoy it that much, but then he came back into the picture and I was smiling like a schoolgirl. As I read the book I found myself laughing, smiling, wanting to scream, tear my hair, and really really punch someone whose name starts with a H. I ended up finishing the book and hardly being able to wait for the fourth installment in Fall 2012. If you have yet to read this series I can honestly say you should! It's great and you won't regret it!

Plot – ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Nora is back but things have gone from bad to worse: she's lost her memory and can't remember anything from the past 5 months. She wakes up in Coldwater Cemetery and has no knowledge of how she got there. After a lot of news that it's not the month she thinks it is and that she has been MIA for only three months. She doesn't understand any of it and is determined to get down to the bottom of it. The plot was very good I couldn't keep the book closed for more then a few minutes without picking it back up and beginning to read it again.

Writing – ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ The writing was great! It drew me in and I couldn't kept my nose out of this book! It was that good. The writing is detail and you feel as if your there as a invisible bystander as the story progresses. The writing hasn't changed at all and I love that about it.

Characters – Nora and Patch are back and I found myself squealing like a fangirl when Patch showed back up. I couldn't get enough of the characters and I can't wait to read the next book in the Hush, Hush series!

Overall I give this book ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ – no more and no less!

Review by Lura

The Haunted World

Title: The Haunted World

Author: Mark Powers

Created by: Mark Powers and Chris Lie

Artwork by: Caravan Studio

Genre: Paranormal

Publisher: Sea Lion Books, October 2011

Format: Graphic Novel

Do you believe in the Supernatural?

Do think that there are things that go bump in the night?

If you don't, maybe you should. If you don't you might change your mind once you read The Haunted World.

This graphic novel follows the lives of several people, several people that have been touched by the paranormal world…people who have never met but are connected in unnatural ways.

The first man: an injured solider. A man wounded in combat. What happened on that mission? Why did he survive when his comrades did not? He is clear headed and knows what happened but the military won't listen, they think he suffers from PTSD.

Another man: a paranormal scientist. His fingerprints have been discovered at several violent crime scenes and now he sits in a jail cell. He tries to tell his lawyer he's innocent. Unfortunately his public defender is overworked and without patience. He doesn't hear when he is told that this man visits the scenes of crimes searching for paranormal activity. But then his jail mates start dying…the cause? No one knows.

Yet another man: involved in a bombing. The news had dubbed it a terrorist attack. But is it? I don't think so. You won't either. There is a ghost or some form of supernatural at work here.

How are all these events linked?

How are these men linked?

We don't know. But there is a politician, a man who has his eyes on becoming president, who wants to find out. When he starts digging it's hard to tell what he will find…

The Haunted World, the first chapter, is a great beginning to what promises to be a supernatural ride. I am unsure yet as to how all these people and events are linked, only knowing that they are. I enjoyed the idea that there is a greater power at work here. I am eagerly awaiting who and what the motive is for such chaos.

The illustrations were very well done and of high quality. It is a quality that I am beginning to expect from Sea Lion. They bring only the best to their readers.

The plot line is intriguing and the chapter ends in a way that made me want to keep reading. This is a story that I will continue to read because I want to know what indeed haunts this world.

So there you have it. My opinion.

This review is written by Cambria Hebert

Pariah, Issue #4

Title: Pariah, Issue #4

Author: Aron Warner and Philip Gellat

Illustrations by: Brett Weldele

Genre: Fantasy

Format: paperback (graphic novel)

Publisher: Sea Lion Books

Franklin Hyde.

A vitro.

Is he their savior or their condemner?

From birth Franklin Hyde was hidden. Hidden from prying eyes, from himself and even from his parents. He was an abomination. He was the dark spot to his parent's otherwise impeccable reputation.

Franklin was kept under lock and key, kept in the family home and abandoned of affection and love. His only companions were books.

Did that make him angry? Did that make him loathe himself…and others like him?

When news of the war against Vitro's hit the news Franklin decided that he was no longer going to hide. His parents had other ideas…

But being a vitro with a brilliant and conniving mind he was able to convince them to go along with his plan. His plan, he thought – he said, would help the Vitro's and give them a place to call their own.

He began helping the government to round up the Vitros.

But just when he thought his plan was going along the way he hoped, something changed. Something happened…

And it left me to wonder if Franklin Hyde really was trying to help the Vitro's and he was betrayed like he rest OR if perhaps this was his way of getting revenge on the very thing he seems to despise the most: who he is. A Vitro.

This was another fantastic installment of the Pariah Issues. Finally we get to learn about this Hyde. Finally we get a glimpse of his plans…but are they what we think they are?

We get to revisit some old favorites from previous issues and learn of a new challenge that befell them…

The ending was quite a shock. I will not reveal it here. (You didn't really think I would, did you?) But let me say that I didn't see that coming…how will the Vitros get out of this one?

My only thought on this is that they WILL get out of it, what was done to them will not last. You cannot throw a group of exceptionally intelligent people into this kind of situation and not expect them to come out on top…

And now, very likely, pissed off.

I, for one, would be frightened of what Maudsley will do as revenge.

Once, again the illustrations are brilliant and the scenes are very telling beyond the words. The further I go into the series the more I want. Sea Lion Books is putting out some quality work here. I would recommend this series to everyone, including people like me who are fairly new to graphic novels.

You better grab yourself a copy before there are none left on the shelves to grab.

So there you have it. My opinion.

This review is written by Cambria Hebert

Real Steel

Real Steel

Directed by:  Shawn Levy

Written by:  John Gatins, Dan Gilroy, and Jeremy Leven

Starring: Hugh Jackman, Evangeline Lilly, and Dakota Goyo

Released in theaters October 7, 2011

Rated PG-13

My Rating: ★★★★★

Charlie Kenton (Huge Jackman), a former boxer, is a deadbeat dad who tries, fairly unsuccessfully, to make a living fighting robots.  He owes just a few too many of the wrong kind of people, and he's always on the hunt for the next big break.  One day, as he tries to skip out on a bet gone wrong, he is approached by authorities who inform him that his ex-wife is dead and his eleven-year-old son is now under his care.  His ex-sister-in-law (Hope Davis) wants to adopt Max (Dakota Goyo), but Charlie sees another opportunity to make some cash and takes the boy for the summer with plans to sell him to the couple afterward.  What Charlie doesn't expect is the incredible bond that he and Max will make over a junkyard find, the sparring robot, Atom.  Can the unlikely trio work their way to a championship or will they find something far more important to fight for along the way?

This was another mommy-needs-a-break movie at the drive-in with the kiddos.  It most definitely did NOT disappoint!  This movie was chock full of action and excitement with just the perfect amount of sentiment.  I'm not going to lie, I'm a pretty big Hugh Jackman fan, so it already had that going for it, although he had to drop his Australian accent for the role.  It's nice to see Evangeline Lilly doing movies after her fantastic role in Lost, and then add in a cute kid and some interesting robots and you're sure to have a winner!

The plot for this film is seamless.  It isn't set too far into the future to be completely unbelievable.  It doesn't overload your brain with too much high tech information.  There is the perfect balance between the action and the emotion, and there is a lot of both.  I cannot praise this film enough.  My children loved it.  My oldest son was so wrapped up in the story, he got physically upset when a fight did not go like he wanted.  As we were leaving, my daughter exclaimed, "That was a good time, Mommy!"  Beware, however…  You may have a two-and-a-half-year-old who is suddenly very interested in boxing everyone and everything he sees!

Review by Cassie McCown

 

The Body Finder

Published: March 16th 2010 by HarperTeen
(first published February 15th 2010)



ISBN:0061779814
ISBN13: 9780061779817
Available editions : eBook, Paperback, Kindle, Hardcover

The Body Finder – Kimberly Derting

Violet Ambrose is grappling with two major issues: Jay Heaton and her morbid secret ability. While the sixteen-year-old is confused by her new feelings for her best friend since childhood, she is more disturbed by her "power" to sense dead bodies—or at least those that have been murdered. Since she was a little girl, she has felt the echoes that the dead leave behind in the world… and the imprints that attach to their killers.

Violet has never considered her strange talent to be a gift; it mostly just led her to find the dead birds her cat had tired of playing with. But now that a serial killer has begun terrorizing her small town, and the echoes of the local girls he's claimed haunt her daily, she realizes she might be the only person who can stop him.

Despite his fierce protectiveness over her, Jay reluctantly agrees to help Violet on her quest to find the murderer—and Violet is unnerved to find herself hoping that Jay's intentions are much more than friendly. But even as she's falling intensely in love, Violet is getting closer and closer to discovering a killer… and becoming his prey herself.

The concept of a body finder is extremely unique. Since she was young, Violet has been able to sense echos (a certain aura given out by restless bodies) and to her dismay, she would be continually drawn to these callings until their bodies were finally laid to rest. She might be awkward, but she has Jay, her inseparable best friend who seemed to understand her completely and always followed her around on 'hunting-the-dead-animals' adventures. Violet also has her family, who understood that she inherited her 'gifts' from her grandmother and would go to the extreme to protect her emotionally and physically.

I was hooked from page one, and was very much reluctant to extricate myself from the story I was so engrossed in. Having watched The Walking Dead rerun on TV a few hours before, reading The Body Finder sort of creep me out. It was one of the books that managed to raise my goose bumps! (Which I gave extra points for that)

All I have to say is this book has an impressive 'scare' factor, swoon-worthy romance and awesome plot. I love the way the story was narrated in two different points of view, one from the Violet's POV and the other from the murderer's POV, this made the story even more exciting!

And being a teenager, a book will not be complete without romance. Best friend turn boyfriend? What else could compare? Jay and Violet shared a deep bond, and it was very romantic to read about how Jay took care of Violet.

Pick up this book. You will not regret!

Reviewed by,

Natasha Anne

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Writing Tips – Criticism

A few weeks ago we discussed our first Writing Tip – Editing. Here is the link to that post if you missed it.   Writing Tips – Editing This week we go directly to your heart again and make an issue of criticism; it can be misunderstood.

We believe there are three basic types: Good, bad and indifferent. Let's get the most ambiguous out of the way.

Indifferent criticism. It is the query that came back, "…not for us." or, "Sorry, we can't use this." It is the type which comes from anyone and tells you nothing. The reader found nothing terribly wrong; they just didn't like the story. Most authors wonder why they are hearing such news in the first place. It does seem pointless to have an indifferent opinion about a book and then state that fact.

However, indifferent criticism tells an author many things. The book obviously needs 'general' work; higher highs, lower lows, scarier frights, perhaps even reworking some characters to bring them more to life. Ambiguous criticism indicates the work itself is ambiguous. A story should create some reaction.

Take heart! We are talking about a story that has some room to grow. If the reader cannot focus on the elements they did not like, then overall, the work may be in good shape. But it might be best to admit that it is really a second or third draft form. It would be a mistake to only think one reader missed the point. Authors miss a lot of points too, and they are closer than anyone to their text.

Bad (unhelpful) criticism. There are so many forms of this reaction that it could be a list of several pages. Let's focus on the two most important to helping a writer become a published author. Criticism that warns the whole story is failing—and criticism that tells an author the wrong thing about the text.

If you have just been told the whole story is bad, requesting a second opinion is wise. Be prepared though, it is your job to listen to your reader. Your ego and your own pride will be your worst enemies, if you allow them. Readers who take time to point out specific elements have done a good portion of the authors work for them. After the author has determined whether it is a real critique of the text or just a poor opinion of the manuscript, that writer must get to work. They should investigate thoroughly, every comment the reader offered.

However, that is only the beginning step. In a well-crafted book, the threads lead in many directions. Follow them all and don't shirk deeper study of the criticism itself. Major flaws lead to smaller ones, etc. All of this effort takes time. Whether it is a friend, or a publisher/agent who has come back with comments, there are few weak books which can be repaired in a month of evenings and spare time. This type of work requires thought and always involves an editor. They should have caught at least some of the same points.

Authors should have a great deal of time invested anyway, after they typed the wonderful words, "The End". But, as we have said: the criticism is bad, the book doesn't work and there are lots of reasons. What if some of those reasons are incorrect? How in the world does a writer see through that type of comment?

If you are getting opposing criticism: too much romance!; too little romance! or some such comments, then you are only hearing an opinion. Sometimes, opinion can be ignored, even if it is a bad opinion. Other clues will usually surface in the comments, telling the author that most of the criticism is subjective. Key phrases might be, "This isn't usually my type of book…" or, "I wish the author had…." An author should think twice about beginning some rewrites based on those opinions. Beware the reader who would be your ghost writer. It's not their book, they can write one of their own.

Actually, an author should hold off on any rewrites that feel like they are remaking the story. Criticism should be helpful in improving what is already there. Only bad criticism will have the author making an entirely new tale. The very worst criticism to act upon is criticism the author does not understand. If you do not grasp how the changes will improve the story, or feel that too much of your creation will be lost, then do nothing. Ask for more opinions, perhaps from a beta reader—and tell them your concern up front. You don't want to invest a great deal of time in rewrites to only hear a publisher tell you the story doesn't work. They are not likely to offer to read an older version, even if you beg, swearing that it was better.

Good criticism. The very type of opinion an author must embrace. It will come from people who understand the story, who understand the author's creation. Those readers will have comments which make sense. They will offer ideas that help, and most importantly, they will give advice that improves the next reader's experience. The very best criticism will be about specific, even subtle things. They will be the sort of remarks that turn on little lights in an author's head. Ping! Yes, that needs to be fixed.

Good criticism might also tell you things you do not care to hear. Don't turn away from those comments only because you don't like them. If they expose a poor writing habit, or a poorly executed story element, please learn from them. As your writing begins to improve, the criticism will turn to praise, and mere comments will become good reviews.

Next time, we discuss your willingness to act on criticism, since your attitude about change can affect the balance between publication and rejection—even after a publisher had indicated they are interested in your book.

Dinétah Dragon (Phantom Squadron #2)

 

Dinétah Dragon (Phantom Squadron #2)

By:  Don A. Martinez

Published February 23, 2011 by CreateSpace

ISBN:  9781456431075

Available Format:  Paperback, ebook

My Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:  In 2015, the author discovered by accident a budget accounting for a mysterious Special Forces team operated solely by the CIA. In questioning its origins, he was put in contact with Ariel Sharpe, one of the team's members, who agreed to meet with him in a secret location to share the story of the team and that of her own life. Ariel's life is one of isolated existence, both physically in the Arizona desert and emotionally from her surrounding peers. The isolation becomes even greater when she volunteers to become among the first wave of the nation's new Super Soldiers, only to wind up bound to a genetically-engineered dragon, complete with the scaly complexion and beastly abilities.

When she escapes this sinister project, she crosses paths with a Navy man who steers her into Special Forces. This team of professional soldiers, all of which embody legendary archetypes, becomes her new family, a place where she truly feels welcomed among people for the first time. The team's adventures in the shadowy supernatural world, though, hold the fate of the entire world in the balance, culminating in their final mission to stop Armageddon itself from commencing in the place where Ariel's story first began, the deserts and mesas of the American southwest. Through pain and joy, through suicide attempts and vicious fighting, Ariel survived to tell her tale. Learn how she not only reached a peaceful existence…she truly earned it.

This book has a little bit of everything!  Native American life, college, military operations, supernatural soldiers, terrorists, religion, demons, angels, magic, and a sweet love story or two.  Phew!  Martinez does a fantastic job of weaving such a diverse story together to make sense and above all, entertain.  I was very impressed.

[image error]I haven't read the first book of the series, so I cannot compare.  The writing was smooth and perfectly descriptive.  All of the scenes and characters were easy to picture and follow.  I love the way the story was told by Ariel through the author with his little notes here and there.

My favorite part was near the end where the team essentially prevents Armageddon, led by "Gabe."  I don't want to give anything away, but having a certain someone call on the cell phone and perform a miracle—priceless!  I was a little surprised that it took a more religious turn toward the end.  It worked, but earlier in the book, the tone isn't quite the same.  They are fighting evil, but it's not necessarily a demon/angel sort of thing.  It didn't bother me; the shift just struck me.

I definitely recommend this one for anyone who is into the supernatural, especially mixed in with military themes.  It might get off to a teensy bit of a slow start, but it is well worth the read!

Review by Cassie McCown

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