David M. Brown's Blog, page 105
May 29, 2012
Guest infographic: Moving with Pets: How to Keep Your Furry Companions
To an animal lover, having to give up a pet is like having to give up one of your children. Sadly, every single day pet owners are forced to part ways with their furry little pals when they move into a new home. What would you do if you found out that your new home didn’t allow pets or that your new roommate was allergic to your darling cat or dog?
My Move’s infographic “Moving with Pets: How to Keep Your Furry Companions” explores ways that pet owners can hang on to their furry friends when moving to a new home that may not allow pets. Do you have references for your pet, or is there some way that you can show your new landlord how well trained your dog really is? Can you afford to buy pet insurance or pay a little extra to your landlord to show him that you are serious about taking care of your pet? If you’re planning a move and don’t want to be forced to leave your pet behind, check out this infographic today!
If you are planning a move and want to bring your pets with you visit My Move today to learn more about moving with pets and how you can help your furry friends feel comfortable in their new home.
Guest infographic: Moving with Pets: How to Keep Your Furry Companions | Thank you for reading Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave
Guest Post: The Other Side of Songwriting – Kevin M. Kirker
It’s my absolute pleasure to welcome an extremely talented musician to the blog today. Kevin M. Kirker is sharing a wonderful guest post, plus an amazing video. Enjoy!
The Other Side of Songwriting – Kevin M. Kirker
Among musicians, there is a phrase that gets repeated very often. Variations of it includes ”I do this only to express myself.” and ”I do this for me. If people happen to like it, then that’s fine.” While I am in no way saying this approach is bad or doesn’t produce results, it’s never been a philosophy that I agree with. To me, the most important aspect of music has always been the communal aspect. Somewhere along the way, it became popular to have this very nonchalant attitude about trying to connect with people when it came to music. In my opinion, there is much more to be gained when you embrace it.
[image error]From personal experience, I find that it’s simply far too easy to hit the point in which you satisfy yourself. Even if you are a perfectionist to the highest degree, the additional challenge you will present yourself when asked ”How can I satisfy other people as well as myself?” will be monumental. In trying to reach this point, I think you will gain the most important thing of all from this approach: self growth. When you try to understand what people need to grow from and learn from music, you yourself will grow, learn, and understand it more as well. I typically find that this approach blossoms subliminally in both you and your listener. You will see that there is something in the songs you didn’t notice before, a yearning desire to be understood and to connect.
I realize that a lot of these words may come across as metaphysical or spiritual in nature, but I mean them in the most practical way possible. And I also realize that it’s the rebellious nature of the musician that makes them tick. But, next time you are completely satisfied, try putting yourself in someone else’s shoes. You might find something new.
About Kevin M. Kirker
[image error]Kevin M. Kirker is a multi instrumentalist singer/songwriter focusing on the harp. Kevin was born and raised in California. His music incorporates odd structures, non-linear narratives, unusual arrangements, and stories based on real events in a folk context.
He has three albums, available online and in most streaming services.
Guest Post: The Other Side of Songwriting – Kevin M. Kirker | Thank you for reading Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave
Guest post: The Other Side of Songwriting – Kevin M. Kirker
It’s my absolute pleasure to welcome an extremely talented musician to the blog today. Kevin M. Kirker is sharing a wonderful guest post, plus an amazing video. Enjoy!
The Other Side of Songwriting – Kevin M. Kirker
Among musicians, there is a phrase that gets repeated very often. Variations of it includes ”I do this only to express myself.” and ”I do this for me. If people happen to like it, then that’s fine.” While I am in no way saying this approach is bad or doesn’t produce results, it’s never been a philosophy that I agree with. To me, the most important aspect of music has always been the communal aspect. Somewhere along the way, it became popular to have this very nonchalant attitude about trying to connect with people when it came to music. In my opinion, there is much more to be gained when you embrace it.
[image error]From personal experience, I find that it’s simply far too easy to hit the point in which you satisfy yourself. Even if you are a perfectionist to the highest degree, the additional challenge you will present yourself when asked ”How can I satisfy other people as well as myself?” will be monumental. In trying to reach this point, I think you will gain the most important thing of all from this approach: self growth. When you try to understand what people need to grow from and learn from music, you yourself will grow, learn, and understand it more as well. I typically find that this approach blossoms subliminally in both you and your listener. You will see that there is something in the songs you didn’t notice before, a yearning desire to be understood and to connect.
I realize that a lot of these words may come across as metaphysical or spiritual in nature, but I mean them in the most practical way possible. And I also realize that it’s the rebellious nature of the musician that makes them tick. But, next time you are completely satisfied, try putting yourself in someone else’s shoes. You might find something new.
About Kevin M. Kirker
[image error]Kevin M. Kirker is a multi instrumentalist singer/songwriter focusing on the harp. Kevin was born and raised in California. His music incorporates odd structures, non-linear narratives, unusual arrangements, and stories based on real events in a folk context.
He has three albums, available online and in most streaming services.
Guest post: The Other Side of Songwriting – Kevin M. Kirker | Thank you for reading Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave
Book Review: The Crimson Pact: Volume One – Paul Genesse (Ed.)
[image error]The moment of the demons’ defeat became their greatest victory.
In the carnage after the last great battle against the demons, a doomed general discovers their hidden victory. Instead of being annihilated, unspeakable evil escaped into many unsuspecting worlds. To fight them, the men and women of the Crimson Pact must sacrifice everything—including their own lives.
In volume one, explore 26 stories (over 500 pages in print!) based on the worlds of The Crimson Pact about the valiant men and women who refuse to let the demons win, and those unfortunate souls caught in the epic struggle raging across the multiverse. New York Times Bestselling author and Campbell award nominee, Larry Correia and many urban fantasy, steampunk, sci-fi, horror, and fantasy writers tell the tales in this diverse collection of short stories, flash fiction, and novellas. Volume One has stories by Patrick M. Tracy, Richard Lee Byers, Jess Hartley, Donald J. Bingle, Chris Pierson, Barbara J. Webb, Kelly Swails, Sarah Hans, Patrick S. Tomlinson, Sarah Kanning, Isaac Bell, Elaine Blose, Kathy Watness, Daniel Myers, Justin Swapp, Rebecca L. Brown, Gloria Weber, Garrett Piglia, T.S. Rhodes, Lester Smith, Chanté McCoy, Suzzane Myers, EA Younker, Craig Nybo, and Larry Correia.
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Review: The Crimson Pact
Heaven and hell, angels and demons, the battle between good and evil is an enduring theme that will never grow old. The last time I was fighting demons was on the PS3 in Darksiders so the prospect of a compilation of short stories involving battles against demons was certainly appealing. A variety of authors came forward to contribute to this collection but is this a selection of gems?
The compilation begins with The Failed Crusade where General Cruek Ostor has won yet another battle against the demons. Having captured one demon, Kaivahno, General Ostor is horrified to learn that there are many worlds and that previously the demons had access to only a few. The crusade against them has been a clever orchestration to open the doors to more worlds and the demons have escaped. To follow them Ostor must be killed in his world which he gladly allows. This story is the focal point of the anthology and the other writers have taken this theme to develop their own takes on the Crimson Pact – the alliance sworn to battle the demons to the death and across many worlds.
The selection of 26 stories may be united by the same theme but they are very different in their execution. Some have a modern setting, others appear to be from a medieval period. The likes of monks, students and gangsters all pop up at some point and you’ll immediately feel refreshed at the versatility that these writers offer. Sometimes the story will build slowly to the presence of a demon and an inevitable battle, other times we’ll be thrown straight into the mix and have no time to pause for breath.
Readers will vary in their preferences but aside from The Failed Crusade which I thought was a brilliant opening, I would say my favourite stories from this selection were Solitary Life, To Duty Sworn, Hidden Collection, The Transition, Brotherhood: Fall of New York, Frankie’s Girl and Love, Gangsters, and Demons. Solitary Life in particular was very good but I would highly recommend all of the stories I have listed here.
As with all collections it’s difficult to please every reader and I will be honest by saying that not all of the stories here appealed to me. I felt that every writer embraced the theme set out in The Failed Crusade but some stories just didn’t work as well for me. I would still recommend The Crimson Pact which has a rewarding collection of stories and just because I didn’t enjoy all of them certainly doesn’t mean other readers will feel the same. I’ll certainly be partaking of Volume Two.
The Crimson Pact: Volume One is a good collection of stories, well put together and embracing the theme and world of one story, which is impressive in itself. While not all of the stories appealed to me, there were still some that made for fantastic reads. Whether you’re a fan of demons or not this is still a good collection.
Verdict: 3/5
(Book source: reviewer received a copy in exchange for a fair and honest review)
Book Review: The Crimson Pact: Volume One – Paul Genesse (Ed.) | Thank you for reading Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave
May 27, 2012
Book Excerpt: Sound Bites: A Rock & Roll Love Story – Rachel K. Burke
Today I’m welcoming Rachel K. Burke to the site as part of her tour with AToMR Book Blog Tours. You can check out the full schedule or read my review.
Excerpt: Sound Bites: A Rock & Roll Love Story
After our high school graduation, Justine and I wasted no time plotting our escape out of the hells of Rockland. The small-town scene wasn’t for us, and we craved a destination full of skanky rock clubs, sweaty musicians, and lots of nightlife. So, six months after receiving our acceptance letters to UCLA, we made the forty-two hour drive west to the city of Lost Angels.
So many things I never would have imagined. Living in L.A. was like one long vacation. We oo’ed and ah’ed over all the things that we didn’t have back home, the little things that homegrown Los Angelites undoubtedly took for granted: In and Out Burger, twenty-four hour diners, the ninety-nine cent supermarket. We spent our days on Venice Beach and our nights on the Sunset Strip, enamored with the seedy sinkholes that lined the majority of West Hollywood. Occasionally we’d throw aside the rock gear and layer ourselves in scarves and high heels and pretend we fit in with the high-class L.A. sector, treating ourselves to fruity champagne drinks at the Ivy, Santa Monica shopping, rooftop pool parties at the Standard. California, aside from the overpopulation and traffic, was heaven on earth.
During my senior year, I landed an internship as a music columnist for Pace, a local magazine that specialized in all aspects of the über-hip L.A. scene from fashion to nightlife. It was there that I met my boyfriend, Pace’s sports editor, David Whitman, a broad-shouldered, macho-masculine jock whom I had virtually nothing in common with. However, his charm and matching dimples were a socially and ethically acceptable diversion from this clear relationship roadblock.
Originally, I had assumed that once our four-year UCLA stint was complete, Justine and I would move back east to be with our families. But now the thought of giving up the daily dose of L.A. excitement in exchange for bleak Boston winters and small-town gossip didn’t seem the least bit appealing. So, after several heart-to-heart discussions over martinis, Justine and I made the alcohol-infused unanimous decision that we were here to stay.
The plan was set. We’d renew our lease and driver’s licenses. We’d land real jobs, ones that paid us in wages instead of school credits. We’d let our families know we’d be home to visit every summer and every Christmas, and make a list of all the things we loved about L.A. in case we ever got homesick.
Then one day, something happened that ruined our plan completely. It was the day that I walked in on Justine and my boyfriend in bed together.
About Sound Bites: A Rock & Roll Love Story (2012)
[image error]Renee Evans has a knack for trouble. After walking in on her best friend and boyfriend in bed together, twenty-five year-old Renee flees sunny Los Angeles and her dream job as a music journalist and returns to her hometown of Boston – only to meet Dylan Cavallari, the mysterious, aspiring musician who lives in her apartment building. Dylan’s piercing gaze and womanizing demeanor make him exactly the type of guy that Renee should steer clear of – which is most likely the reason she falls for him. But when Renee’s troublesome ex comes back and threatens to drive her and Dylan apart, Renee is forced to face her past and save her relationship with Dylan before it’s too late.
Sound Bites dramatizes what happens when Renee finds herself caught between a painful past and an uncertain future. Happiness turns out to be within her grasp, but it all depends on whether she can trust herself enough to make the right decisions. Sound Bites is a novel about love, friendship, betrayal, forgiveness, and the power of music to help you find your way.
Amazon USAmazon UKB&NGoodreads
About Rachel K. Burke
[image error]Rachel was born and raised in Boston, MA. She currently resides in Los Angeles, CA. She graduated from Bridgewater University in 2011 with a B.A. in Communications and Media Studies.
Rachel’s work has appeared in Prevention Magazine, Worcester Magazine and Starpulse News Entertainment.
BlogTwitterFacebookGoodreadsAmazon
Giveaway
Book Excerpt: Sound Bites: A Rock & Roll Love Story – Rachel K. Burke | Thank you for reading Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave
Book Excerpt: Sound Bites: A Rock & Roll Love Story
Today I’m welcoming Rachel K. Burke to the site as part of her tour with AToMR Book Blog Tours. You can check out the full schedule or read my review.
Excerpt: Sound Bites: A Rock & Roll Love Story
After our high school graduation, Justine and I wasted no time plotting our escape out of the hells of Rockland. The small-town scene wasn’t for us, and we craved a destination full of skanky rock clubs, sweaty musicians, and lots of nightlife. So, six months after receiving our acceptance letters to UCLA, we made the forty-two hour drive west to the city of Lost Angels.
So many things I never would have imagined. Living in L.A. was like one long vacation. We oo’ed and ah’ed over all the things that we didn’t have back home, the little things that homegrown Los Angelites undoubtedly took for granted: In and Out Burger, twenty-four hour diners, the ninety-nine cent supermarket. We spent our days on Venice Beach and our nights on the Sunset Strip, enamored with the seedy sinkholes that lined the majority of West Hollywood. Occasionally we’d throw aside the rock gear and layer ourselves in scarves and high heels and pretend we fit in with the high-class L.A. sector, treating ourselves to fruity champagne drinks at the Ivy, Santa Monica shopping, rooftop pool parties at the Standard. California, aside from the overpopulation and traffic, was heaven on earth.
During my senior year, I landed an internship as a music columnist for Pace, a local magazine that specialized in all aspects of the über-hip L.A. scene from fashion to nightlife. It was there that I met my boyfriend, Pace’s sports editor, David Whitman, a broad-shouldered, macho-masculine jock whom I had virtually nothing in common with. However, his charm and matching dimples were a socially and ethically acceptable diversion from this clear relationship roadblock.
Originally, I had assumed that once our four-year UCLA stint was complete, Justine and I would move back east to be with our families. But now the thought of giving up the daily dose of L.A. excitement in exchange for bleak Boston winters and small-town gossip didn’t seem the least bit appealing. So, after several heart-to-heart discussions over martinis, Justine and I made the alcohol-infused unanimous decision that we were here to stay.
The plan was set. We’d renew our lease and driver’s licenses. We’d land real jobs, ones that paid us in wages instead of school credits. We’d let our families know we’d be home to visit every summer and every Christmas, and make a list of all the things we loved about L.A. in case we ever got homesick.
Then one day, something happened that ruined our plan completely. It was the day that I walked in on Justine and my boyfriend in bed together.
About Sound Bites: A Rock & Roll Love Story (2012)
[image error]Renee Evans has a knack for trouble. After walking in on her best friend and boyfriend in bed together, twenty-five year-old Renee flees sunny Los Angeles and her dream job as a music journalist and returns to her hometown of Boston – only to meet Dylan Cavallari, the mysterious, aspiring musician who lives in her apartment building. Dylan’s piercing gaze and womanizing demeanor make him exactly the type of guy that Renee should steer clear of – which is most likely the reason she falls for him. But when Renee’s troublesome ex comes back and threatens to drive her and Dylan apart, Renee is forced to face her past and save her relationship with Dylan before it’s too late.
Sound Bites dramatizes what happens when Renee finds herself caught between a painful past and an uncertain future. Happiness turns out to be within her grasp, but it all depends on whether she can trust herself enough to make the right decisions. Sound Bites is a novel about love, friendship, betrayal, forgiveness, and the power of music to help you find your way.
Amazon US Amazon UK B&N Goodreads
About Rachel K. Burke
[image error]Rachel was born and raised in Boston, MA. She currently resides in Los Angeles, CA. She graduated from Bridgewater University in 2011 with a B.A. in Communications and Media Studies.
Rachel’s work has appeared in Prevention Magazine, Worcester Magazine and Starpulse News Entertainment.
Blog Twitter Facebook Goodreads Amazon
Giveaway
Book Excerpt: Sound Bites: A Rock & Roll Love Story | Thank you for reading Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave
Guest Post: My Writing Cave – Rachel K. Burke
Today I’m welcoming Rachel K. Burke to the site as part of her tour with AToMR Book Blog Tours. You can check out the full schedule or read my review.
My Writing Cave – Rachel K. Burke
My favorite time to write is in the morning, usually in my bed with my laptop and a cup of coffee. Rainy days are the best for writing (or snowy days when I lived on the east coast). I have a hard time writing when it’s sunny out, because I feel like I should be out enjoying the weather. But if it’s cloudy or rainy, I can usually curl up for hours at a time and write.
I also like to have a favorite book or a book I’m currently reading nearby when I write. Sometimes when I get stuck on a scene or need to feel inspired, I like to take a break, pick up a book, and get my creativity flowing again.
When I’ve completed a novel, all it takes it to read a few pages of a new novel to feel inspired and start developing a new storyline again. And when that happens, it’s right back to my bed, with my coffee and laptop – all over again.
About Sound Bites: A Rock & Roll Love Story (2012)
[image error]Renee Evans has a knack for trouble. After walking in on her best friend and boyfriend in bed together, twenty-five year-old Renee flees sunny Los Angeles and her dream job as a music journalist and returns to her hometown of Boston – only to meet Dylan Cavallari, the mysterious, aspiring musician who lives in her apartment building. Dylan’s piercing gaze and womanizing demeanor make him exactly the type of guy that Renee should steer clear of – which is most likely the reason she falls for him. But when Renee’s troublesome ex comes back and threatens to drive her and Dylan apart, Renee is forced to face her past and save her relationship with Dylan before it’s too late.
Sound Bites dramatizes what happens when Renee finds herself caught between a painful past and an uncertain future. Happiness turns out to be within her grasp, but it all depends on whether she can trust herself enough to make the right decisions. Sound Bites is a novel about love, friendship, betrayal, forgiveness, and the power of music to help you find your way.
Amazon USAmazon UKB&NGoodreads
About Rachel K. Burke
[image error]Rachel was born and raised in Boston, MA. She currently resides in Los Angeles, CA. She graduated from Bridgewater University in 2011 with a B.A. in Communications and Media Studies.
Rachel’s work has appeared in Prevention Magazine, Worcester Magazine and Starpulse News Entertainment.
BlogTwitterFacebookGoodreadsAmazon
Giveaway
Guest Post: My Writing Cave – Rachel K. Burke | Thank you for reading Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave
Guest post: My Writing Cave – Rachel K. Burke
Today I’m welcoming Rachel K. Burke to the site as part of her tour with AToMR Book Blog Tours. You can check out the full schedule or read my review.
My Writing Cave – Rachel K. Burke
My favorite time to write is in the morning, usually in my bed with my laptop and a cup of coffee. Rainy days are the best for writing (or snowy days when I lived on the east coast). I have a hard time writing when it’s sunny out, because I feel like I should be out enjoying the weather. But if it’s cloudy or rainy, I can usually curl up for hours at a time and write.
I also like to have a favorite book or a book I’m currently reading nearby when I write. Sometimes when I get stuck on a scene or need to feel inspired, I like to take a break, pick up a book, and get my creativity flowing again.
When I’ve completed a novel, all it takes it to read a few pages of a new novel to feel inspired and start developing a new storyline again. And when that happens, it’s right back to my bed, with my coffee and laptop – all over again.
About Sound Bites: A Rock & Roll Love Story (2012)
[image error]Renee Evans has a knack for trouble. After walking in on her best friend and boyfriend in bed together, twenty-five year-old Renee flees sunny Los Angeles and her dream job as a music journalist and returns to her hometown of Boston – only to meet Dylan Cavallari, the mysterious, aspiring musician who lives in her apartment building. Dylan’s piercing gaze and womanizing demeanor make him exactly the type of guy that Renee should steer clear of – which is most likely the reason she falls for him. But when Renee’s troublesome ex comes back and threatens to drive her and Dylan apart, Renee is forced to face her past and save her relationship with Dylan before it’s too late.
Sound Bites dramatizes what happens when Renee finds herself caught between a painful past and an uncertain future. Happiness turns out to be within her grasp, but it all depends on whether she can trust herself enough to make the right decisions. Sound Bites is a novel about love, friendship, betrayal, forgiveness, and the power of music to help you find your way.
Amazon US Amazon UK B&N Goodreads
About Rachel K. Burke
[image error]Rachel was born and raised in Boston, MA. She currently resides in Los Angeles, CA. She graduated from Bridgewater University in 2011 with a B.A. in Communications and Media Studies.
Rachel’s work has appeared in Prevention Magazine, Worcester Magazine and Starpulse News Entertainment.
Blog Twitter Facebook Goodreads Amazon
Giveaway
Guest post: My Writing Cave – Rachel K. Burke | Thank you for reading Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave
Book Review: Sound Bites: A Rock & Roll Love Story – Rachel K. Burke
[image error]Renee Evans has a knack for trouble. After walking in on her best friend and boyfriend in bed together, twenty-five year-old Renee flees sunny Los Angeles and her dream job as a music journalist and returns to her hometown of Boston – only to meet Dylan Cavallari, the mysterious, aspiring musician who lives in her apartment building. Dylan’s piercing gaze and womanizing demeanor make him exactly the type of guy that Renee should steer clear of – which is most likely the reason she falls for him. But when Renee’s troublesome ex comes back and threatens to drive her and Dylan apart, Renee is forced to face her past and save her relationship with Dylan before it’s too late.
Sound Bites dramatizes what happens when Renee finds herself caught between a painful past and an uncertain future. Happiness turns out to be within her grasp, but it all depends on whether she can trust herself enough to make the right decisions. Sound Bites is a novel about love, friendship, betrayal, forgiveness, and the power of music to help you find your way.
Amazon US Amazon UK B&N Goodreads
Review: Sound Bites: A Rock & Roll Love Story
Romance and music – what’s not to like? Well, that was my rationale behind agreeing to review Sound Bites: A Rock & Roll Love Story. It feels a bit like a ‘coming of age’ story, with the characters finally having to grow up and face difficult choices – but yet at the same time the characters feel a bit beyond that stage already.
Renee is the main character and faces several dilemmas/crises during the book – the key one being her cruel betrayal by her best friend and boyfriend. She has to walk away from the comforting familiarity of her life and return to an even more familiar locale in her hometown of Boston. It’s a chance to pick up the pieces and maybe embrace love, as long as she doesn’t let the scars from her previous life overwhelm her.
Sound Bites was an interesting story, with pretty well written characters but it felt a little lacking for me in some areas. At once it seems to be trying to be tender and touching and gritty and shocking and I didn’t always feel the mix came off. I think I also expected there to be a touch more rock and roll and perhaps the book could have been marginally longer to encompass that.
That notwithstanding, Burke has produced a good story with some touching moments – I think for readers who enjoy romance this is certainly worth checking out. Burke writes well and convincingly and I’m absolutely certain that future novels will only see her go from strength to strength and produce even more enjoyable stories.
Verdict 3/5
(Book source: reviewer received a copy from AToMR Blog Tours in exchange for a fair and honest review)
Book Review: Sound Bites: A Rock & Roll Love Story – Rachel K. Burke | Thank you for reading Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave
Awww…Mondays: Cats Get Everywhere…
This week (and every week!) we’ll be taking part in Awww…Mondays, posting a weekly dose of cuteness. To find out more about ‘Awww….Mondays’, click here.
This is actually quite an old picture but I came across it yesterday and thought it would be a perfect Awww Monday pick! It really is true that cats get everywhere. When Charlie was little no territory went unexplored – including my handbag!
Leave a comment and let us know what made you go ‘Awww’ this Monday!
Awww…Mondays: Cats Get Everywhere… | Thank you for reading Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave
