New Westworld Trailer

LEVIATHAN

Here's what I've been working on with Chuck Regan: 

LEVIATHAN

An Alternate History World War II Dystopian Novella . . .

The Axis forces won World War II, and a monstrous tower rising from the ruins of Philadelphia is the heart of the Nazi-occupied United States. Norm Cromwell does what he can to survive under the restrictive regime of The New Republik of America, but he is starving, and resources are dwindling, and his paranoia is building, and agents are always watching. When a riot breaks out in line at the food distribution truck, Norm and two of his coworkers must go on the run to find Free America. Hunted by scout zeppelins, massive walking tanks, and agents of the Republik, Norm must decide what is most important to him—survival or self-sacrifice for a greater good.

This Post-Apocalyptic Dieselpunk novella was inspired by 1984, The Man in the High Castle, and Metro 2033.

Dundee Frayed Review

It is always nice when a reader takes the time to leave a thoughtful assessment on something you have written and a bigger reward when that reader is someone you greatly admire. In this case, Wayne D. Dundee has reviewed my Torn and Frayed novella on Amazon. Thanks, Wayne!

Bob Seger - Still The Same

Face Blind

I’ve always thought two of the more intriguing protagonists finding themselves in a world of mierda were from the 1966 stage production of Wait Until Dark (later adapted into the Audrey Hepburn film), featuring a blind woman going up against three men who have invaded her home, and Jonathan Nolan’s 2001 short story “Memento Mori” (also made into a movie—Hollywood knows a good thing), where a man with backwards amnesia continually tattoos himself to remember imperative details related to his wife’s murder. Both of these individuals persevered without the benefit of certain functions that most of us take for granted. In Face Blind, Lance Hawvermale should have Hollywood warming up their keyboards because he has tapped into a different, brilliant deprivation plot device: prosopagnosia. 

That is the start of my review for Lance Hawvermale's FACE BLIND. Please follow the link here for the rest of my review. Comments are always welcomed... and make my boss super duper extra happy.

The Gunslinger

Beginning September 6, I’ll be doing a reread of Stephen King’s THE DARK TOWER I: THE GUNSLINGER (first published in 1982, significantly revised in 2003) for Macmillan’s Criminal Element blog. This will a be a chapter a week review (every Tuesday) and it’s a whole lot more fun if I can get some other readers involved—if you don’t have a copy I’m sure most libraries carry one. I will do a write-up of each chapter and in the comments, hopefully, you can add to my piece with your own thoughts.

There’s a 2017 film on the way starring Idris Elba as Roland/The Gunslinger and Matthew McConaughey as the Man in Black who Roland pursues. So the reread is a good way to get on board and re-familiarize yourself with the story

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How the World Map Looks Wildly Different Than You Think

Esperanza - Body & Soul

Bells and Neighbors

What a sizzler few days it has been outside with today's temp around 93 degrees. So indoors I stay, typing away, and here's two of the results: The Night Bell and Rob Thy Neighbor reviews for Criminal Element.

The Return of Sheriff Dan Rhodes

I’ve been routinely traveling to the fictional town of Clearview in Blacklin County, Texas to spend a few reading hours with the amiable Sheriff Dan Rhodes. Though I’m a Yankee, it’s not as far of a metaphysical journey as you would think because I grew up in farm country in a picturesque village in Tompkins County, New York—so I can relate.

As a youngster, on any given Saturday, Dad would take me with him to some place in town, say, Mr. Whyte’s garage, when the sheriff pulled in for whatever reason. Still can see that gun riding high on his belt and the so-very-serious look on his face. “He’d arrest his own mother,” Dad warned. 

The rest of my review can be found here. 

10 Extremely Precise Words for Emotions You Didn’t Even Know You Had

I do have a case of torschlusspanik these days. Need another eighty years at least.

Nick Cave & Kylie Minogue - Where The Wild Roses Grow

The American Girl

Here's a book I thoroughly enjoyed: The American Girl by Kate Horsley. C'mon over and see how I inserted the mathematical icosahedron into the proceedings. :)  

New Infiniti Q60 Feat. Kit Harington Official Car Tv Commercial 2016

Thanks to Jack Bates for posting this commercial of Mr. Harrington reciting “The Tyger” by William Blake. Ava and I have finished memorizing this, our second selected poem, so the ad stood out. Amusing to hear the actor elevating the poem with simple intonation, something we have to practice.

Pale Mars Cover Reveal

What I've been working on with dMix and Garnett who says it best, "'Pale Mars' is the Atompunk sequel to 'Red Venus.'"

“A” Is for Alibi

I've been a long time aficionado of Ms. Grafton's Alphabet Mysteries and jumped at the chance to say a few words on the first in the series. Here's a sample of my article:

Would you indulge me in some California dreaming? Thanks.

So, “A” Is for Alibi, featuring Sue Grafton's private investigator Kinsey Millhone, debuted in 1982—a year before author Ross Macdonald died. Macdonald had created the fictional town of Santa Teresa where his own PI, Lew Archer, routinely patrolled throughout an eighteen book series. The wealthy area (described by Grafton as “a haven for the abject rich”), which—more than a little—resembles the real Santa Barbara, is where a good chunk of the setting of Alibi takes place. I can picture both detectives sitting down at Rosie’s Tavern, Archer laying his fedora on the table, thoroughly entranced by thirty-two-year-old Kinsey Millhone—she a reflection of his younger self—in a symbolic passing of the torch. Nice to envision, right?

Please click here for the rest of the article at Macmillan's Criminal Element.

Tony's Frayed Thoughts

Well this week is starting off rather nicely thanks to Tony Lane. Bottom line: He liked it. Whew! *wipes forehead*