Kim Iverson Headlee's Blog: Book Musings from the Maze of Twisty Passages, page 72
May 12, 2013
Robin Allen likes Kim Headlee's Maze of Twisty Passages's status: "Well, color me pleased. I just figured..."
Robin Allen likes Kim Headlee's Maze of Twisty Passages's status: "Well, color me pleased. I just figured..."
Robin Allen and Kim Headlee like Kim Headlee's Maze of Twisty Passages's link: "From my daughter, who wrote, "Nothing..."
Robin Allen and Kim Headlee like Kim Headlee's Maze of Twisty Passages's link: "From my daughter, who wrote, "Nothing..."
What Started My Lifelong Interest(*) in the Arthurian Legends
(*)That would be "interest" spelled "o-b-s-e-s-s-i-o-n"!
This post is going to date me, but those of you who have known me through Facebook and (gasp!) the Real World can tell you I couldn't care less about that sort of thing. Life is too short to fuss over appearances.
The movie Camelot, starring Richard Harris and Vanessa Redgrave, was released by Warner Brothers on October 25th, 1967, a mere two days before my 8th birthday. My parents took me to see it on opening day, and we would later view it several times during its theatrical run. The action, the romance, the splendor, the triumph, the tragedy: I was hooked for life.
I began begging my parents for books about this fascinating tale, and they bought me the 1962 edition of Le Morte d'Arthur, translated by Keith Baines -- which I still own. I read it cover-to-cover at the tender age of 9. I won't claim to have understood every element of this multifaceted chronicle during that first reading, but it did inspire me to begin writing my own version of the timeless tales.
That first juvenile foray into creating Arthurian literature is now lost, and thankfully so. The esteemed corpus does not need yet another mediocre Malory rehash.
My present endeavors -- while paying homage to many aspects of the Legends -- are far more creative, unique, and significant, if I do say so myself. :)
Le Morte d'Arthur: King Arthur and the Legends of the Round Table
This post is going to date me, but those of you who have known me through Facebook and (gasp!) the Real World can tell you I couldn't care less about that sort of thing. Life is too short to fuss over appearances.
The movie Camelot, starring Richard Harris and Vanessa Redgrave, was released by Warner Brothers on October 25th, 1967, a mere two days before my 8th birthday. My parents took me to see it on opening day, and we would later view it several times during its theatrical run. The action, the romance, the splendor, the triumph, the tragedy: I was hooked for life.
I began begging my parents for books about this fascinating tale, and they bought me the 1962 edition of Le Morte d'Arthur, translated by Keith Baines -- which I still own. I read it cover-to-cover at the tender age of 9. I won't claim to have understood every element of this multifaceted chronicle during that first reading, but it did inspire me to begin writing my own version of the timeless tales.
That first juvenile foray into creating Arthurian literature is now lost, and thankfully so. The esteemed corpus does not need yet another mediocre Malory rehash.
My present endeavors -- while paying homage to many aspects of the Legends -- are far more creative, unique, and significant, if I do say so myself. :)
Le Morte d'Arthur: King Arthur and the Legends of the Round Table
Review: NEVER LIE TO AN ANGEL by Kate Welsh
Never Lie to an Angel by Kate WelshMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
I had the privilege of judging this book for a contest shortly after it was published, and it is the most outstanding example of Christian fiction I have read to date. Excellent action, well-drawn characters, and a good message without being preachy. That last point, in fact, is the make-or-break with me in this genre.
My original review, published in Crescent Blues and reprinted here with permission, read as follows:
Author Kate Welsh accomplished two things with this inspirational romance: she shattered my inherent dislike of contemporary crime stories and kept me up way past my bedtime. Each one deserves a hearty round of applause. To achieve both in one novel is nothing short of miraculous.
Angelica DeVoe sacrificed the good wishes of her socially elite family to minister to the destitute flooding the North Riverside Mission. Appalled by her life choices and personal commitment to the hungry, Angelica's parents conspire to deprive Angelica of the fortune willed to her by her beloved grandmother -- a fortune earmarked for the mission.
Undercover cop Greg Peterson vowed to avenge the deaths of his brother and partner by doing everything in his power to rid Riverside of drug traffic. Greg bears a burden of guilt heavy enough for any six human beings.
The paths of cop and "Angel" converge during Greg's investigation to determine whether the "Angel of North Riverside" is in fact the local drug kingpin. Greg establishes Angelica's innocence quickly, realizing her zeal to save their corner of Pennsylvania burns as fervently as his. As kindred spirits united in a common cause, they cannot deny their growing physical attraction for each another. But neither innocence nor love can shield them from the drug-spun web of violence and corruption ensnaring local residents, gang members, police and beyond.
Often in romances, the plot would dry up and blow away if the hero and heroine ever sat down and talked with each other at the outset. Not so with Never Lie to an Angel. Greg cannot blow his cover, even with his Angel, and, knowing how deeply she despises lies, he despises himself for perpetuating the deceit. Angelica tries to draw him out, and he divulges what he can, but those snippets are, at best, half-truths. And the flip side of every half-truth is half a lie.
Welsh pulls no punches with her stunning portrayal of real people battling real issues of violence, deception, betrayal, failure, guilt, temptation, forgiveness, faith, hope and love. The main characters' riveting outer and inner battles hit painfully close to home. Nothing comes easily, even for those choosing to make life-transforming decisions. Never does Welsh rely upon the fairy-tale platitude of "love conquers all." All too often, love needs a generous dose of courage to look beyond the ugliness around us, in each other, and within ourselves. Thank you, Kate Welsh, for reminding us the ugliness can be dealt with in a decisive, practical and ultimately redeeming manner.
View all my reviews
Never Lie to an Angel
May 11, 2013
Susan Tarr likes Kim Headlee's Maze of Twisty Passages's status: "Well, that was weird. I just got one of..."
Susan Tarr likes Kim Headlee's Maze of Twisty Passages's status: "Well, that was weird. I just got one of..."
Book Musings from the Maze of Twisty Passages
Welcome to my Maze of Twisty Passages, Goodreads edition! Here I share reviews of books old and new, information about my own critically acclaimed, award-winning books, and whatever else winds its way
...more
- Kim Iverson Headlee's profile
- 339 followers
