Joseph Baneth Allen's Blog, page 28
October 7, 2024
Zagor versus Supermike
Just finished reading "Zagor versus Supermike" by Guido Nolitta and Gallieno Ferri, released by Epicenter Comics.
At first glance, Mike Gordon, appears to be a quick study who can catch on to anything almost at first glance and quickly master any task he sees. But his need to be "the best" at anything soon puts him at odds with Zagor, who suspects him in setting up the cold blooded murder of a convict who was being transported to trail and an eventual hanging.
Even though Zagor doesn't have any proof, he does beat Gordon rather badly, which causes the young man to disappear for a while until he sets up a diabolical plan in motion to take Zagor down, and he almost succeeds until Zagor sets up a challenge which will finally prove who should be the rightful king of Darkwood.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/165743858004
At first glance, Mike Gordon, appears to be a quick study who can catch on to anything almost at first glance and quickly master any task he sees. But his need to be "the best" at anything soon puts him at odds with Zagor, who suspects him in setting up the cold blooded murder of a convict who was being transported to trail and an eventual hanging.
Even though Zagor doesn't have any proof, he does beat Gordon rather badly, which causes the young man to disappear for a while until he sets up a diabolical plan in motion to take Zagor down, and he almost succeeds until Zagor sets up a challenge which will finally prove who should be the rightful king of Darkwood.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/165743858004
Darkside
Just finished reading "Darkside" by Michael Mammy, published by Harper Voyager.
I greatly enjoyed the previous three novels in Mammy's Planetside science fiction/military/mystery adventure series featuring forcibly retired Colonel Carl Butler.
Butler is currently getting back into the trying to enjoy his retirement on Ridia 2. It's been two years after his last adventure and now he's approached by Eliza Ramiro, a 12-year-old girl, who wants to hire him to find Jorge Ramiro, her father who went missing when he hired onto an archaeological on a barely habitable moon of the gas giant Ridia 5. Eliza has even raised funds through crowd funding to hire Butler to find her missing father.
Butler, who feels empathy for the young girl because his own daughter was killed in action, agrees to take the case and assembles his team again, with some new comers.
Butler and his people go up against two big powerful mining corporations he’s had rough dealings with in the past and he’s even got the local military keyed up about his presence because of his notorious past missions. He’s walking a tightrope the whole time. He finds out quickly this is much bigger and more complicated than locating a missing man. I enjoyed the twisting, exciting trail he had to follow to the truth. There are so many times he seems to be checkmated, but then he pulls a brilliant move and outwits his opponents.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Darkside-Novel...
I greatly enjoyed the previous three novels in Mammy's Planetside science fiction/military/mystery adventure series featuring forcibly retired Colonel Carl Butler.
Butler is currently getting back into the trying to enjoy his retirement on Ridia 2. It's been two years after his last adventure and now he's approached by Eliza Ramiro, a 12-year-old girl, who wants to hire him to find Jorge Ramiro, her father who went missing when he hired onto an archaeological on a barely habitable moon of the gas giant Ridia 5. Eliza has even raised funds through crowd funding to hire Butler to find her missing father.
Butler, who feels empathy for the young girl because his own daughter was killed in action, agrees to take the case and assembles his team again, with some new comers.
Butler and his people go up against two big powerful mining corporations he’s had rough dealings with in the past and he’s even got the local military keyed up about his presence because of his notorious past missions. He’s walking a tightrope the whole time. He finds out quickly this is much bigger and more complicated than locating a missing man. I enjoyed the twisting, exciting trail he had to follow to the truth. There are so many times he seems to be checkmated, but then he pulls a brilliant move and outwits his opponents.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Darkside-Novel...
October 1, 2024
The Adventures of Frank Race
Just finished listening to "The Adventures of Frank Race" released by Radio Spirits.
"The Adventures of Frank Race" was an American radio adventure serial syndicated by Bruce Eells Productions. The 30-minute program's first East Coast broadcast was 1949, and the show ran 43 episodes. Because it was syndicated, it aired on different stations on different days. For instance, in New York City, the first episode ran on WINS on April 9, 1949.
Frank Race mainly investigated international insurance scams around the globe in various exotic locations, making him something of a cross between James Bond, the Saint, and Johnny Dollar. After Tom Collins played the title role for the first 22 episodes, Paul Dubov took over the lead role. Tony Barrett portrayed Race's sidekick, Mark Donovan, who was a cab driver.
Radio Spirits' release of "The Adventures of Frank Race" collects the first 16 episodes of the series.
My favorite episodes in the collection are: "The Adventure of the Daring Debutante," "The Adventure of the Vanishing President," "The Adventure of the Talking Bullet," and "The Airborne Adventure."
Think of "The Adventures of Frank Race" as a gritter Johnny Dollar without the charm.
Recommended.
Three Stars.
https://store.radiospirits.com/advent...
"The Adventures of Frank Race" was an American radio adventure serial syndicated by Bruce Eells Productions. The 30-minute program's first East Coast broadcast was 1949, and the show ran 43 episodes. Because it was syndicated, it aired on different stations on different days. For instance, in New York City, the first episode ran on WINS on April 9, 1949.
Frank Race mainly investigated international insurance scams around the globe in various exotic locations, making him something of a cross between James Bond, the Saint, and Johnny Dollar. After Tom Collins played the title role for the first 22 episodes, Paul Dubov took over the lead role. Tony Barrett portrayed Race's sidekick, Mark Donovan, who was a cab driver.
Radio Spirits' release of "The Adventures of Frank Race" collects the first 16 episodes of the series.
My favorite episodes in the collection are: "The Adventure of the Daring Debutante," "The Adventure of the Vanishing President," "The Adventure of the Talking Bullet," and "The Airborne Adventure."
Think of "The Adventures of Frank Race" as a gritter Johnny Dollar without the charm.
Recommended.
Three Stars.
https://store.radiospirits.com/advent...
Just finished reading "A Season On The Wind - Inside The World Of Spring Migration
Just finished reading "Just finished reading "A Season On The Wind - Inside The World Of Spring Migration" by Kenn Kaufman by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Kaufman provides marvelous descriptions of the wonders of bird migration are both informative and inspiring. He grounds it all in the day-to-day, week-to-week lived experience of observing birds in the marshes along the shore of Lake Erie. The collateral history and phenomenon of the roles of birders, hunters, scientists, farmers and local citizenry, including their contributions to the protection and enjoyment of an increasingly endangered ecosystem
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Season-Wind-In...
Kaufman provides marvelous descriptions of the wonders of bird migration are both informative and inspiring. He grounds it all in the day-to-day, week-to-week lived experience of observing birds in the marshes along the shore of Lake Erie. The collateral history and phenomenon of the roles of birders, hunters, scientists, farmers and local citizenry, including their contributions to the protection and enjoyment of an increasingly endangered ecosystem
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Season-Wind-In...
Somewhere Beyond The Sea
Just finished reading "Somewhere Beyond The Sea" by TJ Klune, published by TOR Books.
Now for those who may recall, there was some push back by a co-worker of mine when they saw me reading this book. Now I enjoy reading a variety of fiction and non-fiction books and I honestly thought I was free from being judged for reading a book that someone disapproved of. Silly me, and I was able to resolve the issue at work with no difficulty after letting my supervisor know.
"Somewhere Beyond The Sea" is the sequel to The House In The Cerulean Sea."
Now here's the problem with "Somewhere Beyond The Sea" - TJ Klune has declared himself the anti-J.K. Rowling and that "Somewhere Beyond The Sea" as his manifesto against J.K. Rowling and anyone who expresses concerns over the trans-movement and how it harms women and children.
Klune has the absolute right to speak his "truth" in the pages of "Somewhere Beyond The Sea." But Klune doesn't have the right to try to silence others and other people, including those who disagree with him and the transgender movement have the right to be heard and express their concerns.
Klune states here that "no one can understand what it's like to be different." Excuse me. Who in the hell does he think he is?
Something tells me that Klune wouldn't have survived being the only Jewish child in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina during the 1960s and 1970s who had no friends because he was a Christ Killer - and I was called that by some of my teachers too.
Since Klune has declared war, he should remember that other people can declare war too and speak up and out.
While a bit more of Arthur Parnassus' backstory is explored, which provides insight into his character, "Somewhere Beyond The Sea"doesn't provide anything new to the Cerulean Sea story and relies too heavily on stereotypes all around and descends into cartoonist territory.
I really wanted to like this sequel.
Two and a half stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Somewhere-Beyo...
Now for those who may recall, there was some push back by a co-worker of mine when they saw me reading this book. Now I enjoy reading a variety of fiction and non-fiction books and I honestly thought I was free from being judged for reading a book that someone disapproved of. Silly me, and I was able to resolve the issue at work with no difficulty after letting my supervisor know.
"Somewhere Beyond The Sea" is the sequel to The House In The Cerulean Sea."
Now here's the problem with "Somewhere Beyond The Sea" - TJ Klune has declared himself the anti-J.K. Rowling and that "Somewhere Beyond The Sea" as his manifesto against J.K. Rowling and anyone who expresses concerns over the trans-movement and how it harms women and children.
Klune has the absolute right to speak his "truth" in the pages of "Somewhere Beyond The Sea." But Klune doesn't have the right to try to silence others and other people, including those who disagree with him and the transgender movement have the right to be heard and express their concerns.
Klune states here that "no one can understand what it's like to be different." Excuse me. Who in the hell does he think he is?
Something tells me that Klune wouldn't have survived being the only Jewish child in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina during the 1960s and 1970s who had no friends because he was a Christ Killer - and I was called that by some of my teachers too.
Since Klune has declared war, he should remember that other people can declare war too and speak up and out.
While a bit more of Arthur Parnassus' backstory is explored, which provides insight into his character, "Somewhere Beyond The Sea"doesn't provide anything new to the Cerulean Sea story and relies too heavily on stereotypes all around and descends into cartoonist territory.
I really wanted to like this sequel.
Two and a half stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Somewhere-Beyo...
September 22, 2024
The Light Eaters - How The Unseen World of Plant Intelligence Offer A New Understanding Of Life On Earth
Just finished reading "The Light Eaters - How The Unseen World of Plant Intelligence Offer A New Understanding Of Life On Earth" by Zoe Schlanger, published by Harper Collins.
Atlantic magazine staff writer Zoe Schlanger has written an absorbing book on how the paradigm has shifted in thinking how plants interact in the world we share with them.
Schlanger does a brilliant job of bringing her own awe and wonder about plants into her study of recent scientific breakthroughs. The latest science proves an intelligence, creativity, and even high awareness that will forever change how you view plants.
Plants have memories; some time their flower display to the intervals between bee visits, and will change the next day if the interval changes. They can count, which guides the Venus Fly Trap whether a touch is by prey, more touches, or some random object blown by wind. They can distinguish kin from others which impacts how loudly they send out chemical distress signals or how aggressively they promote their root growth. A root can determine not only in which direction there is a source of water, but whether it will encounter soft clay or hard rock. Depending on the quality of light falling on them, a plant can sense if it is being reflected from rival plant leaves so that it needs to grow taller. In a lab, parasitic dodder vine seedlings appeared to detect the size, shape, and distance of neighboring plants, and used that information to decide which plants to grow toward and parasitism. Depending on the sound of chewing, a plant can summon an appropriate predator. If a plant senses a drier environment, it can modify its seeds so they have more porous surface area.
Plants are experts in formulating appropriate chemicals. They can make their leaves distasteful or even deadly to predators. They use volatile chemicals for communicating with other plants, or between different plant parts; for the latter, they also use electrical signals, hormones, and other non-volatile chemicals. Some plants can make their leaves appear like those plants they are growing among, possibly using sight, but more likely because of microbial RNA shared with the other plants. Like humans, microbial RNAs play a big role. Plants also rely on fungi attached to their roots for gathering resources, communicating, and possibly sensing the environment.
How do plants do all this without a brain – by distributed intelligence. Note, “when neuroscientists peer inside the (human) brain, they find a distributed network. No discernible command post exists.” Pollution, and even rising CO2 levels, can impair the plant’s use of volatile chemicals. Breeding plants in a protected environment can have the side effect of selecting for plants with less innate capability to withstand pests.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Light-Eaters-U...
Atlantic magazine staff writer Zoe Schlanger has written an absorbing book on how the paradigm has shifted in thinking how plants interact in the world we share with them.
Schlanger does a brilliant job of bringing her own awe and wonder about plants into her study of recent scientific breakthroughs. The latest science proves an intelligence, creativity, and even high awareness that will forever change how you view plants.
Plants have memories; some time their flower display to the intervals between bee visits, and will change the next day if the interval changes. They can count, which guides the Venus Fly Trap whether a touch is by prey, more touches, or some random object blown by wind. They can distinguish kin from others which impacts how loudly they send out chemical distress signals or how aggressively they promote their root growth. A root can determine not only in which direction there is a source of water, but whether it will encounter soft clay or hard rock. Depending on the quality of light falling on them, a plant can sense if it is being reflected from rival plant leaves so that it needs to grow taller. In a lab, parasitic dodder vine seedlings appeared to detect the size, shape, and distance of neighboring plants, and used that information to decide which plants to grow toward and parasitism. Depending on the sound of chewing, a plant can summon an appropriate predator. If a plant senses a drier environment, it can modify its seeds so they have more porous surface area.
Plants are experts in formulating appropriate chemicals. They can make their leaves distasteful or even deadly to predators. They use volatile chemicals for communicating with other plants, or between different plant parts; for the latter, they also use electrical signals, hormones, and other non-volatile chemicals. Some plants can make their leaves appear like those plants they are growing among, possibly using sight, but more likely because of microbial RNA shared with the other plants. Like humans, microbial RNAs play a big role. Plants also rely on fungi attached to their roots for gathering resources, communicating, and possibly sensing the environment.
How do plants do all this without a brain – by distributed intelligence. Note, “when neuroscientists peer inside the (human) brain, they find a distributed network. No discernible command post exists.” Pollution, and even rising CO2 levels, can impair the plant’s use of volatile chemicals. Breeding plants in a protected environment can have the side effect of selecting for plants with less innate capability to withstand pests.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Light-Eaters-U...
The Primevals
Just finished watching "The Primevals" by Full Moon Pictures.
"The Primevals" was the last movie by stop motion model animator David W. Allen [no relation], who passed away back in 1999 after filming had been completed on this movie.
For reasons I'm still not exactly clear on, work on "The Primevals" came to a complete halt after Allen's untimely passing, even though filming had been fully completed. I suspect funding might have been one reason, and another reason was probably Allen was no Stanley Kubrick. Perhaps inheritance rights also came in to play. Who knows?
Fortunately, Full Moon Picture was able to take the unreleased movie off the shelf and save it from a similar fate of the destroyed for a tax-write off Bat Girl movie and released it on the festival and convention circuits.
The story behind "The Primevals" is simple. Undeniable proof of the Yeti has been found and an expedition to Nepal is mounted to discover and bring back more.
All the special effects, as far as I can tell, are done with old school practical effects like classic stop motion techniques and matte paintings with what looks like some digital composites done here and there. There's no bad CGI effects anywhere to be seen here, which is nice; and what few digital composites we see, only use practical miniatures or matte paintings. The whole look and tone of the movie feels like something that came out in the 60s while the story feels like something Edgar Rice Burroughs or Julies Vern would have written with less of an emphasis on action and more so on adventure and discovery.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Primevals-Blu-...
"The Primevals" was the last movie by stop motion model animator David W. Allen [no relation], who passed away back in 1999 after filming had been completed on this movie.
For reasons I'm still not exactly clear on, work on "The Primevals" came to a complete halt after Allen's untimely passing, even though filming had been fully completed. I suspect funding might have been one reason, and another reason was probably Allen was no Stanley Kubrick. Perhaps inheritance rights also came in to play. Who knows?
Fortunately, Full Moon Picture was able to take the unreleased movie off the shelf and save it from a similar fate of the destroyed for a tax-write off Bat Girl movie and released it on the festival and convention circuits.
The story behind "The Primevals" is simple. Undeniable proof of the Yeti has been found and an expedition to Nepal is mounted to discover and bring back more.
All the special effects, as far as I can tell, are done with old school practical effects like classic stop motion techniques and matte paintings with what looks like some digital composites done here and there. There's no bad CGI effects anywhere to be seen here, which is nice; and what few digital composites we see, only use practical miniatures or matte paintings. The whole look and tone of the movie feels like something that came out in the 60s while the story feels like something Edgar Rice Burroughs or Julies Vern would have written with less of an emphasis on action and more so on adventure and discovery.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Primevals-Blu-...
Late Night With The Devil
Just finished watching "Late Night With The Devil" released by Shudder and Future Pictures and Spooky Pictures.
Now I think it will actually surprise some people to learn that I enjoy watching intense psychological and suspenseful horror movies. For example, I greatly enjoyed "Nope." I'm not a fan of slasher movies though that just go for a high kill count.
How far would you go to achieve success in Hollywood?
The premise of "Late Night With The Devil" is based on the real-life, so-called Great Late Night Ratings War between Johnny Carson, David Letterman, Aresnio Hall, Joan Rivers, and many other network and syndicated late night television shows.
On October 31, 1977, Jack Delroy. one of Johny Carson's late night rivals, hosts a syndicated late night talk show ‘Night Owls’ that has long been a trusted companion to insomniacs around the country. A year after the tragic death of Jack’s wife, ratings have plummeted. Desperate to turn his fortunes around, Jack plans a Halloween special like no other, unaware that he is about to unleash evil into the living rooms of America.
Delroy is played by David Dastmalchian. He carries the film well; and although he is surrounded by largely unknown performers, but they all pitch their work at the same level. The film is aware that the trappings of the '70s make it look vaguely ridiculous and the movie therefore plays for something akin to satire or comedy, although it is not really a comedy. But it also builds a convincing sense of foreboding. When Delroy tells his home audience that they're going to do things like interview a demon, we all know just how stupid a move this is likely to be despite the strong element of doubt of what viewers are seeing - because there is a strong hint that Delroy is losing his grip on sanity.
"Late Night With The Devil" is believable horror that captures the essence of 1970s television horror movies.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Late-Night-Dev...
Now I think it will actually surprise some people to learn that I enjoy watching intense psychological and suspenseful horror movies. For example, I greatly enjoyed "Nope." I'm not a fan of slasher movies though that just go for a high kill count.
How far would you go to achieve success in Hollywood?
The premise of "Late Night With The Devil" is based on the real-life, so-called Great Late Night Ratings War between Johnny Carson, David Letterman, Aresnio Hall, Joan Rivers, and many other network and syndicated late night television shows.
On October 31, 1977, Jack Delroy. one of Johny Carson's late night rivals, hosts a syndicated late night talk show ‘Night Owls’ that has long been a trusted companion to insomniacs around the country. A year after the tragic death of Jack’s wife, ratings have plummeted. Desperate to turn his fortunes around, Jack plans a Halloween special like no other, unaware that he is about to unleash evil into the living rooms of America.
Delroy is played by David Dastmalchian. He carries the film well; and although he is surrounded by largely unknown performers, but they all pitch their work at the same level. The film is aware that the trappings of the '70s make it look vaguely ridiculous and the movie therefore plays for something akin to satire or comedy, although it is not really a comedy. But it also builds a convincing sense of foreboding. When Delroy tells his home audience that they're going to do things like interview a demon, we all know just how stupid a move this is likely to be despite the strong element of doubt of what viewers are seeing - because there is a strong hint that Delroy is losing his grip on sanity.
"Late Night With The Devil" is believable horror that captures the essence of 1970s television horror movies.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Late-Night-Dev...
September 21, 2024
The Master of Seacliff
Just finished reading "The Master of Seacliff" by Max Pierce, published by Harrington Park Press.
Now as regular readers of my reviews here on Facebook, Goodreads, and other social media websites know, I always come forth and reveal whenever I have a connection to a book, music CD, movie, and/or audio drama that I am reviewing.
Now I do not know Max Pierce, nor have I had the pleasure of interacting with him. But we do share a publisher.
Back in 2003, Lambda Literary Award winner Greg Herren, bought “Empty Noise Between The Stars” a novella I had written for his Distant Horizons GLBT Science Fiction anthology that would have been published for the now defunct Haworth Press, which was a subsidiary of the Harrington Park Press.
There was a lot of behind the scenes DRAMA regarding "Distant Horizons." Oh, I got paid, and I was happy and thrilled that I had finally made my first fiction sale; but other contributors weren't as happy as I was since there was a delay in the anthology being published.
Greg sent a group email addressing the concerns and revealed the reason for the daily - Distant Horizons was being split into two separate anthologies and "Empty Noise Between The Stars" was going to appear in the first Distant Horizons anthology - which I was happy about - and the two anthologies would be released in hardcover. [It was a flat out sale, no royalties.]
Now a friend of mine Greg Appelt, who was also a coworker of mine at Honeywell Technological Solutions, Inc., had read the story and was shocked at my rather not really all that graphic description about the almost "conquering" of a straight man by the protagonist that is interrupted by the arrival by secret service agents at the request of the President of the United States, who kidnap the journalist who was about to go where no one had gone before - if you get my meaning.
Sadly, to make a long story short, neither of the two anthologies were ever published by Haworth Press because the company went under, and I don't think Greg Herren was able to find a new publisher for the anthology.
Yes, I'm still trying to find a home for my novella about a possible solution to the SETI enigma of where are the aliens?
Now back to "The Master of Seacliff" - which is a romantic Gothic mystery much in the style of the late Victoria Holt, Phyllis Whitney, and yes, I'm going to shock a few people with this, but Andre Norton also wrote a few Gothic romance mystery novels, and perhaps the first transgender Regency romance novel "Maid-At-Arms," by Enid Cushing - a one-time co-writer of Andre Norton's.
Now it's important to note that "The Master of Seacliff," which was published back in 2007, was not the first gay Gothic Regency Romance novel to be published and enjoy success as a best selling novel. The first gay Gothic Regency Romance novel to be published was "Gaywyck" by Vincent Virga by Avon Books back in 1980.
In need of money in 1899 New York to travel to France and study to become an artist, twenty-year-old Andrew Wyndham, an orphan, accepts a position as a tutor secured for him by a friend for the summer. His pupil will be an eight-year-old boy by the name of Tim whose last governess lasted “only two months.” The boy’s father is Gordon Stewart, a single parent, who pays far more attention to his business than he does his son. He is also the owner of huge, rambling mansion named Seacliff and a man around whom numerous rumors, very few of which are positive and many of which are scandalous, have long swirled. Traveling in the Stewart private railcar, Andrew Wyndham arrives alone at his destination having been warned earlier by a stranger to “Get back on that train. There’s nothin’ but death and despair at Seacliff.”
Pierce creates a fascinating cast of characters for "The Master Of Seacliff" in the grand Gothic romance tradition. Gordon Stewart is a domineering, stern, dour, aloof, hirsute man with a temper which is quick to flare. Andrew surmises “Stewart would have looked comfortable with a sword and eye patch.” Gordon’s valet, Fellowes, previously also valet to Gordon’s father is as cold, rigid, and unapproachable as the cook and housekeeper, Mrs. Johnson, is warm and embracing. Andrew’s charge, Tim, is “chock full of temper,” precocious, a prankster, stubborn, lonely, and mostly out of control. Elena Van Horne and her brother Leo live at a nearby, lesser estate and are the closest to friends Gordon Stewart and Tim have. Although they don’t reside at Seacliff, they play major roles in the novel.
The novel’s protagonist and narrator, Andrew Wyndham, carries many secrets with which he struggles—primarily secrets about his personal desires and needs. If there is a ghost which haunts Andrew, it is the fate of Oscar Wilde—an author whose work Andrew brings with him to Seacliff. Pierce does an amazing job of keeping readers engaged with the story, eager to learn which of the many secrets are true and which ones are not.
Pierce would go on to be nominated for a Lambda Literary Award for "The Master Of Seacliff," and his publisher did want a sequel, but as Pierce himself pointed out the story came to an end with all the loose ends rather neatly tied up.
Highly Recommended.
Eight Stars - because I suspect that Pierce rushed the ending because he wanted to be done with the novel.
https://www.amazon.com/Master-Seaclif...
Now as regular readers of my reviews here on Facebook, Goodreads, and other social media websites know, I always come forth and reveal whenever I have a connection to a book, music CD, movie, and/or audio drama that I am reviewing.
Now I do not know Max Pierce, nor have I had the pleasure of interacting with him. But we do share a publisher.
Back in 2003, Lambda Literary Award winner Greg Herren, bought “Empty Noise Between The Stars” a novella I had written for his Distant Horizons GLBT Science Fiction anthology that would have been published for the now defunct Haworth Press, which was a subsidiary of the Harrington Park Press.
There was a lot of behind the scenes DRAMA regarding "Distant Horizons." Oh, I got paid, and I was happy and thrilled that I had finally made my first fiction sale; but other contributors weren't as happy as I was since there was a delay in the anthology being published.
Greg sent a group email addressing the concerns and revealed the reason for the daily - Distant Horizons was being split into two separate anthologies and "Empty Noise Between The Stars" was going to appear in the first Distant Horizons anthology - which I was happy about - and the two anthologies would be released in hardcover. [It was a flat out sale, no royalties.]
Now a friend of mine Greg Appelt, who was also a coworker of mine at Honeywell Technological Solutions, Inc., had read the story and was shocked at my rather not really all that graphic description about the almost "conquering" of a straight man by the protagonist that is interrupted by the arrival by secret service agents at the request of the President of the United States, who kidnap the journalist who was about to go where no one had gone before - if you get my meaning.
Sadly, to make a long story short, neither of the two anthologies were ever published by Haworth Press because the company went under, and I don't think Greg Herren was able to find a new publisher for the anthology.
Yes, I'm still trying to find a home for my novella about a possible solution to the SETI enigma of where are the aliens?
Now back to "The Master of Seacliff" - which is a romantic Gothic mystery much in the style of the late Victoria Holt, Phyllis Whitney, and yes, I'm going to shock a few people with this, but Andre Norton also wrote a few Gothic romance mystery novels, and perhaps the first transgender Regency romance novel "Maid-At-Arms," by Enid Cushing - a one-time co-writer of Andre Norton's.
Now it's important to note that "The Master of Seacliff," which was published back in 2007, was not the first gay Gothic Regency Romance novel to be published and enjoy success as a best selling novel. The first gay Gothic Regency Romance novel to be published was "Gaywyck" by Vincent Virga by Avon Books back in 1980.
In need of money in 1899 New York to travel to France and study to become an artist, twenty-year-old Andrew Wyndham, an orphan, accepts a position as a tutor secured for him by a friend for the summer. His pupil will be an eight-year-old boy by the name of Tim whose last governess lasted “only two months.” The boy’s father is Gordon Stewart, a single parent, who pays far more attention to his business than he does his son. He is also the owner of huge, rambling mansion named Seacliff and a man around whom numerous rumors, very few of which are positive and many of which are scandalous, have long swirled. Traveling in the Stewart private railcar, Andrew Wyndham arrives alone at his destination having been warned earlier by a stranger to “Get back on that train. There’s nothin’ but death and despair at Seacliff.”
Pierce creates a fascinating cast of characters for "The Master Of Seacliff" in the grand Gothic romance tradition. Gordon Stewart is a domineering, stern, dour, aloof, hirsute man with a temper which is quick to flare. Andrew surmises “Stewart would have looked comfortable with a sword and eye patch.” Gordon’s valet, Fellowes, previously also valet to Gordon’s father is as cold, rigid, and unapproachable as the cook and housekeeper, Mrs. Johnson, is warm and embracing. Andrew’s charge, Tim, is “chock full of temper,” precocious, a prankster, stubborn, lonely, and mostly out of control. Elena Van Horne and her brother Leo live at a nearby, lesser estate and are the closest to friends Gordon Stewart and Tim have. Although they don’t reside at Seacliff, they play major roles in the novel.
The novel’s protagonist and narrator, Andrew Wyndham, carries many secrets with which he struggles—primarily secrets about his personal desires and needs. If there is a ghost which haunts Andrew, it is the fate of Oscar Wilde—an author whose work Andrew brings with him to Seacliff. Pierce does an amazing job of keeping readers engaged with the story, eager to learn which of the many secrets are true and which ones are not.
Pierce would go on to be nominated for a Lambda Literary Award for "The Master Of Seacliff," and his publisher did want a sequel, but as Pierce himself pointed out the story came to an end with all the loose ends rather neatly tied up.
Highly Recommended.
Eight Stars - because I suspect that Pierce rushed the ending because he wanted to be done with the novel.
https://www.amazon.com/Master-Seaclif...
September 15, 2024
"Barnaby Unboxed!"
Just finished reading "Barnaby Unboxed!" by The Fan Brothers, released by Tundra Books.
I have been a fan of The Fan Brothers ever since I came across their wonderful book "The Night Gardener" which was a wonderful exploration on how creativity and wonderful magical memories are created in the real world.
"Barnaby Unboxed!" is a sequel of sorts to their book "The Barnabus Project" a few years back.
Barnaby is a genetically created pet that combines elements of a mouse and elephant, with a dash of pink flamingo thrown in for color. Barnaby sits patiently waiting in his box a a store called Perfect Pets, where he is the last one of his kind. He is bought by a little girl who takes him home and adores him, teaching him new tricks and caring for him, until she sees the television add for the brand new Rainbow Barnaby. Then Barnaby is forgotten by her and he soon becomes lost in a city park and learns how to survive with the help of squirrels who befriend him as he yearns for the little girl who loves him, while unbeknownst to him, she is searching for him and the two are reunited after she is able to see that he is her long lost Barnaby.
Another great story with fantastic artwork by the Fan Brothers.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Barnaby-Unboxe...
I have been a fan of The Fan Brothers ever since I came across their wonderful book "The Night Gardener" which was a wonderful exploration on how creativity and wonderful magical memories are created in the real world.
"Barnaby Unboxed!" is a sequel of sorts to their book "The Barnabus Project" a few years back.
Barnaby is a genetically created pet that combines elements of a mouse and elephant, with a dash of pink flamingo thrown in for color. Barnaby sits patiently waiting in his box a a store called Perfect Pets, where he is the last one of his kind. He is bought by a little girl who takes him home and adores him, teaching him new tricks and caring for him, until she sees the television add for the brand new Rainbow Barnaby. Then Barnaby is forgotten by her and he soon becomes lost in a city park and learns how to survive with the help of squirrels who befriend him as he yearns for the little girl who loves him, while unbeknownst to him, she is searching for him and the two are reunited after she is able to see that he is her long lost Barnaby.
Another great story with fantastic artwork by the Fan Brothers.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/Barnaby-Unboxe...
