A.L. Butcher's Blog, page 134
April 17, 2017
Review – The Clone Wars – Animated Series #Starwars #scifi
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Star-Wars-Clone-Season-1-5/dp/B00APGRMRI/
As many of you know I am a geek and a nerd – and proud of it. I love Star Wars – don’t ask how many times I’ve seen the original trilogy. Anyway, I’d seen a couple of these episodes on youtube and on recommendation picked these up. It took me a while to get into this – (as the first series is a little disjointed) but now I love it. It’s very easy to get hooked on these. And I did. This was my little treat, a couple of episodes before bed and life was good. Seriously this is an EXCELLENT set of animated works and the animation is great.
The individual episodes are short but there are lots and it took us a month or so to work through them all. The stories are ‘canon’ so add a lot to the mythos and storylines of Star Wars. The characters introduced (such as Clone captain Rex and Ahsoka) enhance the more well-known characters such as Obi-wan and Anakin Skywalker. These compelling and rather tragic characters bring a good deal of life to the stories.
Oh and just because this is a cartoon don’t expect the body count to be low – it’s not. People die – clones, droids, jedi, civilians, aliens, monsters. There is a trail of death and destruction right across the galaxy. It’s PG rated but if this was a film with ‘real’ people then I’m pretty sure that rating would be upped. The death (and the pointlessness of the unwinnable war) is a key part of the series, and certainly later on the characters question the rationale and the reasons for the war. Of course ‘Senator’ Palpatine is not all he seems. He really is a weapons-grade devious bastard. I found myself wanting to yell ‘don’t trust him!’ He’s evil but not obviously so in the way of say General Grevious or Darth Maul.
This series fills in a lot of gaps in the storylines, showing that Anakin Skywalker’s fall was not as quick as it appears. The Clone Wars are dealt with in the second movie (Attack of the Clones) but it really doesn’t do justice to that side of the story. Thousands, if not millions of clones bred ONLY to fight, and Battledroids wage a war no one can win and few care about the rapidly rising body count. Of course, it’s not that simple – the Jedi are involved, and the Jedi council do not come out of this series especially well. Arrogant, rather partial and often devoid of emotion they ‘peacekeep’ the galaxy against the ‘separatists’ but they are peacekeeping in a war zone where everyone is just a piece in a far greater, and more cunning game. In many places, it’s hard to tell who are the good guys and the bad, but there are some great villains and heroes but the line between ‘good and evil’ is blurred, to say the least.
I felt real pity for Anakin and Ahsoka – certainly, for the former the ‘light side’ wasn’t as squeaky clean as it appears. Good and evil are rather relative and truth is dependent on where you stand. This series answers questions cements relationships with characters and the diverse and complex world of Star Wars. It’s a must for any Star Wars fan.
I wanted more when the series ended and I know I will watch these again regularly.
April 16, 2017
Book Spotlight – Pirates in Hell #Fantasy #historicalfiction #heroesinhell
Arrgh! Shiver me timbers *whatever the hell that means….
The latest Heroes in Hell anthology has been blown by a Hellish Maelstrom onto these shores. Hell Week 2017 will be along in good time but for now here’s a taster.
Perdition Goes Viral As Floods Overrun Infernity!
From Perseid Press:
Avast, ye readers! Here be Pyrates! Feast yer eyes on the cursed treasures before you! Hoist the skull ‘n’ crossbones! Walk the plank with hell’s sorest losers! Join the damnedest buccaneers and privateers ever to sail infernal seas. The depths of hell chill the boldest sinner as damned souls learn why the deeper in hell you go, the colder it gets.
Come on down: Join us in the depths of hell where a few of our damnedest writers break every rule of perdition, resulting in longer stories overflowing with torment. Amid more horrific punishments than ever, only a few survive Satan’s cruellest purges, while hell’s bowels runneth over.
Janet Morris, Chris Morris, Nancy Asire, Paul Freeman, Rob Hinkle, Michael H. Hanson, Joe Bonadonna, Andrew P. Weston, S. E. Lindberg, Jack William Finley come together to bring us piratical hellish adventures.
Shakespeare denounces plagiarism but learns what’s in a name when Marlowe takes the blame, as Satan pronounces a penance built for two. Not even eleven flayed Rameses have a dry place to stand when blood overruns the Vile’s banks and Hatshepsut confronts history’s worst pirates, while Howard Carter seeks to loot yet another tomb before Germany’s Haeckel can take the credit.
Attila the Hun and Admiral Nelson square off until the Iron Duke and Napoleon brave an expanding lake to take the tide at its flood.
Daemon Grim, The devil’s Reaper, heads for Skull Island on His Satanic Majesty’s most infernal service to quench his taste for blood money, hell’s truest treasure.
Jason and the Argonauts find that piracy in hell isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, as Medea proves you can’t teach an old witch new tricks.
Elliott Ness and Frank Nitti tangle with Hell’s Demon Minister of Copyright Enforcement, who insists that the price for musical copyright violation be paid in severed heads, including the head of King James I of England, but not even decapitation can still those wagging tongues. Doctor Frankenstein and Quasimodo swashbuckle on a voyage through Hades, searching for a way out of hell, while the Fairbanks boys and Errol Flynn capture a real vampire on film, showing that hell’s damnedest actors are never ready for their close-ups. Fleet Admiral Ogle and his nemesis Bartholomew Roberts quest for a mythical bottle of wine which may prove once and for all that damnation is just a test of faith. Kit Marlowe loses his Rose while Shakespeare finds out that a cold day in hell isn’t merely a turn of phrase. Grace O’Malley, pirate queen, and Strongbow, 2nd Earl of Pembroke confront the Vilekings with the help of Shaka Zulu, but not even Brendan the Navigator can help the ghostly Children of Lir.
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Review Carnelian Throne – Janet Morris – #Sci-fi #fantasy #dystopian
REVIEW #sci-fi #fantasy #dystopian #heroicfiction
The fourth in Silistra Quartet does not disappoint. As ever the action starts immediately, with incredible creatures, fierce battles and searching of souls. Our heroes are, by this time, ‘more than men (and women), and less than gods’ but in a land of largely bronze age people, ruled by creatures of ‘Wehrkind’ gods they appear. And the locals aren’t impressed. In a quest for answers and revenge Sereth, Estri and Chayin must battle to free themselves from old rules, old beliefs, old prejudices and ghosts of their own pasts and emerge not only victorious but as rulers of this land. Ties of loyalty are truly tested, and the question of evolution, species selection and ranking is very much to the fore.
The Wehrdom creatures are fascinating – semi-telepathic creatures of all shapes and sizes, from eagle like creatures, to half man half beast, to those who just communicate with them. Led by a ‘dreaming’ king for a thousand years they wage war, they live, they die and they are manipulated in a kind of selective breeding or eugenic programme to remove the lesser (ie human) species and in ‘Wehr rage’ they are truly formidable.
As allies and enemies, these beings shape this story and this part of the world they inhabit. I found them worthy of pity (as pawns), frightening for their strangeness, enlightening for their intelligence and loyalty, and infinitely intriguing. They appealed to the mythic aspect I love so much in this author’s work.
Delcrit – the simple and lowly character we are introduced to early on – proves his worth and his destiny in a surprising twist.
The entire quartet brings forth questions on the wisdom of technology, the place in the world for the sexes, species, politics and laws. Biology is queen here, nature is queen, but the heroes must find their place among their own kind, and forge a future and protect their world from enemies many of which are of their own making.
The Silistra books are not simple, or easy to read but they are enthralling, exciting and thought-provoking. Silistra is dystopian – it is not Earth – but it COULD be. The characters are not us – but they COULD be.
As with all Morris’s work, the prose is very lyrical and very poetic. There is a beat to her work which pulls in the reader. No words are wasted, no scenes are out of place or unnecessary and thus it makes for a thrilling and evocative read.
There is treachery, love, bravery, intrigue, a lot of ‘fight or die’, complex characters and a supremely crafted world – everything one would expect in such a work.
Loose ends are firmly tied off, scores are settled and places allotted, and answers found.
5 stars.[image error]
April 14, 2017
Release Blitz for Illicit Relations – M/M Romance #MMromance #bookblitz #audio
Illicit Relations by Lucy Felthouse Now Available in Audiobook Format! #audiobook #audible #gay #romance
Lucy Felthouse’s almost-but-not-quite taboo M/M erotic romance novella, Illicit Relations, is now available in audiobook format. Narrated by voice artist Nick Dee, you can now listen to this coming-out romance on the go!
Illicit Relations Blurb:
Terry’s had a crush on his second cousin Justin for what seems like forever. He’s hidden it as well as possible, knowing that the other man is out of bounds, forbidden fruit. Second cousins getting together isn’t actually illegal, but for Justin the relationship is too close—he just can’t contemplate them being together.
But when some new information comes to light about Terry’s birth and his place in the family, the whole game changes. Suddenly the relationship isn’t so impossible, and things soon begin to get hot and heavy.
Audio links:
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2ocNNeZ
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2oLWJ98
Audible UK: http://adbl.co/2obmWfM
Audible US: http://adbl.co/2pxXthN
iTunes UK: http://apple.co/2oDrjUD
iTunes US: http://apple.co/2p0K99s
eBook available here: http://lucyfelthouse.co.uk/published-works/illicit-relations/
*****
Praise for Illicit Relations:
“One of the sweeter stories as it unfolded of the M/M romance that I have read, the sex is hot and steamy, and enhanced by the POV of the characters in the wonder of the moment, and the descriptions used. At just over 60 pages, this isn’t a long and complicated read, but a quick reading story that gives detail and breath to the characters, and provides some incredibly steamy moments for readers, leaving everyone with a smile.” 4 out of 5, The Jeep Diva
“Lucy has done it again with another great story that both entertain and enjoyable to read. Surprises are plenty in this quick read. Solid 4 star read.” In the Pages of a Good Book
“I would highly recommend this to anyone who is looking for a short, highly erotic and romantic read. Illicit Relations would appeal to readers of both sexes.” 4 out of 5, Blood, Lust and Erotica
*****
Author Bio:
Lucy Felthouse is the award-winning author of erotic romance novels Stately Pleasures (named in the top 5 of Cliterati.co.uk’s 100 Modern Erotic Classics That You’ve Never Heard Of, and an Amazon bestseller), Eyes Wide Open (winner of the Love Romances Café’s Best Ménage Book 2015 award, and an Amazon bestseller) and The Persecution of the Wolves. Including novels, short stories and novellas, she has over 150 publications to her name. She owns Erotica For All, and is one eighth of The Brit Babes. Find out more about her writing at http://lucyfelthouse.co.uk, or on Twitter or Facebook. Sign up for automatic updates on Amazon or BookBub. You can also subscribe to her monthly newsletter at: http://eepurl.com/gMQb9
Release blitz hosted by Writer Marketing Services.
April 13, 2017
Ebook Bundles
I’m in the process of uploading all of mine, so I’ll post up if and when I get selected.
Have you thought about participating in eBook Bundles?
BundleRabbit.com sells eBook bundles at all eBook distributors as well as on their own web site.
I have heard good things about BundleRabbit, so uploaded Rider, the first in my Tracker Series, to see how the process worked. And have been selected for an upcoming bundle.
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April 8, 2017
Plants Poisonous for Cats and Dogs – Infographic…
We have some of these in the garden. Best not let doggy go a munchin’
Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog
April 6, 2017
Reader Interview – Melanie Fraser
Welcome to Melanie Fraser
Where are you from? Born in South Africa but have lived in the UK since the age of 10.
Please tell us a little about yourself. I’m an Actress (and former singer and dancer) and performed in theatre, TV and film for several decades. I started my professional training aged 5 in Cape Town before moving to England. I have a recording studio in a peaceful part of the Isle of Wight where I record voice-overs and narrate and produce audiobooks.
I have two pet rabbits and also enjoy jazz music and reading – mostly historical espionage and crime thrillers.
On average how many books do you read in a month? Oh, usually one and a bit as I read fiction and non-fiction although I don’t get much time to read so it takes a while to complete a book.
Where is your favourite place to read? At night at bedtime!
What genres do you prefer and why? Do you have any genres you avoid? My favourite genre is espionage (love the mystery and intrigue)
Other favourites are historical fiction and non-fiction (one learns so much about the world’s past events – if only history lessons had been so interesting)
Crime/thrillers I enjoy too as I like to guess whodunnit and enjoy the suspense.
Why are books important to you and what does reading bring to your life? Those with non-fiction elements are the most important. Reading is my special treat at the end of the day.
Do you have a favourite book or author, why do you think you like this book/author so much? I have many favourite books and authors – too many to mention here. However, the following are some of them:
Rachel’s Shoe by Peter Lihou
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6…
Rachel’s mother’s ingenuity in protecting her daughter and Rachel’s admirable strength of character in dodging her former captors had me hooked.
Angels and Demons by Dan Brown
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/960
The graphic detail of the killer’s methods and the pursuit of the Illuminati were compelling.
Birth of An Assassin by Rik Stone
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1…
Great atmosphere and descriptions of the terrain as a backdrop to Jez’s dangerous challenges – one of the best books I’ve found so far.
I also love the styles of authors, Simon Sebag Montefiore and BenMacintyre.
What medium do you prefer – e-books, audiobooks or paper books? Would you care to expand on this? I prefer hard copy as I like the feel of a book. However, e-books are convenient for downloading and as one can increase the font size, that helps too.
How do you usually find the books you read? For example: recommendations from friends, promotion on social networks, your local library, following authors you already know? I browse bookshops and charity shops as well as finding them on Amazon and Goodreads – the latter through information in groups. Once I find an author whose style I really like, I follow their upcoming books. Recently though, I found Ted Allbeury’s “The Twentieth Day of January” after hearing about it on BBC Radio 4 and loved it.
When choosing a book what makes you stop and give it a second look? What makes you turn away? The blurb will attract me if it is a subject that intrigues me. Then the first page has to capture my interest for me to continue to read it. The cover isn’t vital but it helps if it is suitable for the story.
What makes me turn away is if there are glaring grammatical and editing errors – I feel this is insulting to the reader and shows sloppiness and a lack of professionalism. If the book doesn’t capture my interest on the first page – as mentioned above – or the writing is clumsy, I move on.
Do you read reviews by others and if so do they influence your choice? Yes I do read reviews but usually after reading a book as I prefer not to be influenced by anyone.
Do you “judge a book by its cover?” No. Often a cover can be ghastly but the writing is superb and vice versa. The writing is much more important to me.
What do you think is the most important aspect of a book for you? Plot, world-building, strong characters etc.? What turns you off? Short sentences, good grammar and spelling and excellent research are vital as well as the plot and believable characters. I like a good pace to the book. Too much description hinders pace and can be monotonous which would definitely put me off.
Does the behaviour of an author affect your choice to read one of their books? No, I don’t think so.
What are your views on authors commenting on reviews on sites such as Goodreads? I think it’s fine for other people’s books but I don’t think authors should give ratings or reviews for their own books – that’s bizarre.
If you had to pick three favourite books to take to a desert island what would they be? I’d say the three I listed above! Although I’m currently reading a wonderful book which meets all the criteria I mentioned above called “Beneath Sunless Waves” by Stephen Makk so If I could squeeze in another one, that would be great!
Do you think bricks and mortar bookshops are in decline? Hopefully not. I’m sure there will always be a need for actual books for us in venues.
April 2, 2017
RESURRECT – Book 3 of the action-packed Whitney Steel series is here! #newrelease #IAN1
A new suspense/thriller from Kim Cresswell. Check out the original post on her blog
Kim Cresswell - Canadian Author of Suspense & Thrillers
Resurrect is here!
Whitney Steel is back in the third book of the action-packed Whitney Steel series! A heart-pounding thriller about an infectious outbreak in the tradition of Robin Cook and John J. Nance.
After two prominent scientists working at privately owned BSL-4 labs in Nevada and Texas are found murdered, no one makes the connection until investigative reporter, Whitney Steel, receives information about a possible biological attack using a new chimera virus known as ‘Resurrect’.
But when Whitney begins to unravel the truth as to who is behind the threat, enemies far and near surface, and a shocking discovery into the past may change her life forever in a race against the clock.
NEW RELEASE DISCOUNT – Save $2.00 (limited time)
Only $2.99 US
Amazon
Kobo
Chapters/Indigo
Coming soon to Barnes & Noble, iBooks and other online vendors!
Coming soon in trade paperback and audio!
___________________________________________________________________
Get caught up…
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March 31, 2017
Dirty Dozen Author Interview T. M. Lakomy – Fantasy
I’m pleased to welcome back author Tamara Lakomy, who visited us in February and March with her new book.
Author name: T.M Lakomy (Tamara Lakomy)
What first prompted you to publish your work? The characters have been germinating in my mind for years, I was always enamoured with ancient religions, specifically how they mirrored each other. The insatiable desire of humanity for a messiah has influenced civilisation to a much larger extent than we believe. The desire to believe we are god’s children and precious souls is the core of our religious identity, and I wanted to challenge the blind dogma.
What have you found the most challenging part of the process? Not getting carried away with delving deep into the characters back stories and anecdotes, it is difficult not to fall so far in love with your characters that you could abandon the plot just to discover them further.
What are your views on authors commenting on reviews? I think it is very important for authors to support each other, because authors understand how hard the process is, and how much love and labour we have bled into the process.
Sort these into order of importance:
Great characters
Good plot
Awesome world-building
Technically perfect
How much research do you do for your work? What’s the wildest subject you’ve looked at? I have immersed myself since I was young in the old folklore and my academic archaeology studies merely furthered my curiosity.
At the wilder ends of my studies, the process of decomposition of a body, as in my second book I tackle necromancy magic.
How influential is storytelling to our culture? In my culture storytelling has been the backbone of our society. It has been the passed down wisdom and storytelling that has kept the spirit of my people alive through conflict, colonialism and revolutions. Stories bear the collective memory and moral code of a people.
If you could be any fantasy/mythical or legendary person/creature what would you be and why? Galadriel. I would have done more to mitigate against Sauron in the early stages. To be the voice of reason in Feanor’s life.
What is your writing space like? Cats lounging around happily, plenty of white wine, fluffy cushions and a view onto our garden. A desk littered with books and all sorts of random stuff.
Tell us about your latest piece? Sol Invictus – The power struggle between the Cult of the Sun King, seeking Apotheosis; man becoming God, aided by his faithful followers the Silver Brigade, to find his soul a vessel and the Shrine; the indigenous tribal magicians whose hoarded relics hold djinns powerful enough to thin the veil between life and death, holding the key to the forbidden necromantic Arts.
The impediment to the Sun King’s plan is the enigmatic Narya, a crime lord who forsook her guild education and the Shrine’s protection, shrouding her identity in mystery, and Maxilan the deadliest lieutenant called also the “White Devil”. Maxilan discovers his draw to Narya to be the fulfilment of his destiny; also his demise, resulting in him facing the reality of his purpose, the eugenics program that created him.
What’s your next writing adventure? Voice of the gods. As a writer I have pushed myself to my limits. I think it will be the most controversial work I have written.
Is there a message in your books? To encourage people to delve into their subconscious. I am questioning the roots of people’s beliefs and the identities that are predicated on those dogmas. Institutions and morality codes are built around creeds that have evolved from far more ancient sources.
How important is writing to you? It keeps my sanity in a world that does not make sense to me.
Bio
I am T. M Lakomy (Tamara Lakomy). I was born in London, but grew up as a tribal girl in a North African repressive regime. I spent my childhood between the slums of Mellasine and the affluent neighbourhoods in Tunis.
I studied archaeology and became enamoured with the shamanistic practices of indigenous people.
I am an author and poet who seeks to challenge our notions of reality, and see life with a different perspective.
I work in East Africa with indigenous tribes studying the origins of mankind and the salient golden thread in the tapestry of humanity’s beliefs.
Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RedFernManor/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15558568.T_M_Lakomy
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Shadow_Crucible
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Crucible-Blind-God/dp/1590794141
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-shadow-crucible-t-m-lakomy/1124245404?ean=9781590794142
