Monday, January 31, 2011

Teaser trailer for independent horror Down the Road

Down the Road posterUp-and-coming writer-director Jason Christopher (The Pendant) has just finished shooting his second feature, a throwback slasher entitled Down the Road that pays homage to iconic genre classics such as Friday the 13th and Halloween. Featuring veteran character actor Clint Howard (Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, Apollo 13, The Water Boy) and with script mentoring from Friday the 13th scribe Victor Miller, Down the Road is currently in post-production for a release later in the year.

Check out the synopsis and official teaser trailer...

"A father, Hunter Isth, is rocked by a tragic accident in his life. He flees town and is no longer seen. Partying teenagers fall victim to a town lunatic. Through out the years the stories become urban legends and more than likely, myths. In present day we meet Jenn, a tough and beautiful girl, who has just been released from an extensive stay at the hospital. When her parents bring her home she barely has time to rest as her friends come over and drag her out camping for the weekend. Seven friends venture out to the woods but as each friend starts dissapearing one by one they each try to survive the wrath of a true mad man."


You can check out an interview with Clint Howard over at FEARnet, who will also be interviewing director Jason Christopher and producer Deven Lobascio later this month for a feature entitled "Film Makers to Watch in 2011", hosted by Saw creators James Wan and Leigh Whannell.

LR Cafe's Official Winner List for Best of 2010 Reader Awards

Here is the complete and official winner list from the LR Cafe's Best of 2010 Reader Awards.

*Note-any winners/runner ups who want a button to sho off can contact Dawn at dawn_roberto@yahoo(dot)com. Honorable Mentions do not get a button.

Best Contemporary Book-2010

Winner: 'This Can't be Love' by Debra St John
Runner Up: Keeping Promise Rock by Amy Lane
Honorable Mention (no button): Hunting JC by Dominique Eastwick

***

Best Fantasy Book-2010

Winner: Glimpses by Lynn Flewelling
Runner Up: Omarati by DC Juris
Honorable Mention (no button): Branded by Clare London

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Best Paranormal/Urban Fantasy Book-2010

Winner: Micah by Joyee Flynn
Runner Up: Witch's Fire by Tabitha Shay
Honorable Mention (no button): Motor City Fae by Cindy Spencer Pape

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Best Historical Book-2010

Winner: Raeliksen by Renee Vincent
Runner Up: Laird of the Mist by Foery MacDonell
Honorable Mention (no button): Texas Promise by Celia Yeary

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Best Thriller/Romantic Suspense/Mystery Book-2010

Winner: Fire and Ash by Anne Patrick
Runner Up: Blood Pond by DJ Manly
Honorable Mention (no button): Written In Blood by Elaina Lee

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Best Paranormal author

Winner: Stormy Glenn
Runner Up: Joyee Flynn
Honorable Mention (no button): Adrianne Brennan

 ***
Best GBLTQ Author

Winner: Josh Lanyon
Runner Up: Stormy Glen
Honorable Mention (no button): Joyee Flynn

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Best GBLTQ Book-2010

Winner: Lust and Fae by Joyee Flynn
Runner Up: Caught by Surprise, LD Madison
Honorable Mention (no button): Blaque/Bleu by Belinda McBride & A Taste of Love by Andrew Grey (TIE)

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Best BDSM Book

Winner: Two Masters for Samantha by Michele Zurlo
Runner Up: Masters of the Shadowlands 4: Lean on Me by Cherise Sinclair
Honorable Mention (no button): A Matter of Trust by A.C. Katt

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Best Anthology/Multi-Authors Book 2010

Winner: Chameleon Wolf by Stormy Glenn and Joyee Flynn
Runner up: His for the Holidays by Josh Lanyon, LB Gregg, ZA Maxfield & Harper Fox
Honorable Mention (no button): Doms of Dark Haven Anthology

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Best Science Fiction/Futuristic Book-2010

Winner: Slave Auction by Stormy Glenn
Runner Up: The Starlight Rite by Cherise Sinclair
Honorable Mention (no button): Soothe the Burn by TA Chase

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Best Book Cover

Winner: Raeliksen by Renee Vincent & Spencer's Secret by Joyee Flynn (TIE)
Runner Up: Oracle by RJ Scott
Honorable Mention (no button): Taste of Passion by Savannah Chase

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Best Erotic Book

Winner: Keeping Promise Rock by Amy Lane
Runner Up: Taste of Passion by Savannah Chase
Honorable Mention (no button): The Distance between Us, L. A. Witt

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Best E-publisher-2010

Winner: Silver Publishing
Runner up: Samhain Publishing
Honorable Mention (no button): Dreamspinner Press

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Best Shape-shifter Book-2010

Winner: The Cat’s Meow by Stormy Glenn
Runner Up: Avoiding Hell's Gate by Joyee Flynn & Changing Their Wolfen Heritage by Missy Martine (TIE)
Honorable Mention (no button): Deadly Mates 2: Wings of Moonlight by Scarlet Hyacinth

***
Best book all around

Winner: Spell Kissed by Kari Thomas
Runner Up: Cowboy Boots and Unfinished Business by Natalie Acres
Honorable Mention (no button): Love Means…Freedom by Andrew Grey

 ***
Best Vampire Book

Winner: Love’s Indecision (Warrior Camp#2) by Joyee Flynn
Runner Up: Lover Mine by JR Ward
Honorable Mention (no button): The Vampire Hunters by Scott Baker & MIA Case Files: Blood Relations by KC Burn (TIE)

***
Best Series

Winner: Black Dagger Brotherhood by JR Ward & Marius Brothers by Joyee Flynn (TIE)
Runner Up: Love Means… by Andrew Grey & Men of Smithfield Series by LB Gregg (TIE)
Honorable Mention (no button): Ancient Prophecy Series by Leiland Dale

Black Swan, The Fighter, The King's Speech and Boardwalk Empire rule the SAG Awards

With awards season it full swing it seems a day doesn't go by without another ceremony to honour the very best in film from the past twelve months, and this weekend was no different as the 17th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards were presented on Sunday night from the Los Angeles Shrine Exposition Centre. The King's Speech star Colin Firth was honoured with the award for Outstanding Performance for a Male Actor in a Leading Role, while Black Swan leading lady Natalie Portman took home the award for Female Actor. Christian Bale and Melissa Leo received both supporting actor gongs for David O. Russell's The Fighter, while The King's Speech received the award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture and Boardwalk Empire enjoyed success in the television field.

Check out the complete list of winners...

THEATRICAL MOTION PICTURES

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
Colin Firth (The King's Speech)

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role
Natalie Portman (Black Swan)

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role
Christian Bale (The Fighter)

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role
Melissa Leo (The Fighter)

Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
Anthony Andrews, Helena Bonham Carter, Jennifer Ehle, Colin Firth, Michael Gambon, Derek Jacobi, Guy Pearce, Geoffrey Rush and Timothy Spall (The King's Speech)

PRIMETIME TELEVISION

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries
Al Pacino (You Don't Know Jack)

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries
Claire Danes (Temple Grandin)

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series
Steve Buscemi (Boardwalk Empire)

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series
Julianna Marguiles (The Good Wife)

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series
Alec Baldwin (30 Rock)

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series
Betty White (Hot in Cleveland)

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
Greg Antonacci, Steve Buscemi, Dabney Coleman, Paz de la Heurta, Stephen Graham, Gretchen Mol, Aleksa Palladino, Vincent Piazza, Michael Pitt, Michael Shannon, Paul Sparks, Michael Stuhlbarg, Shea Whigham (Boardwalk Empire)

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
Julie Bowen, Ty Burrell, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Nolan Gould, Sarah Hyland, Ed O'Neill, Rico Rodriguez, Eric Stonestreet, Sofia VErgara, Ariel Winter (Modern Family)

SAG HONORS FOR STUNT ENSEMBLES

Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture
Inception

Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Television Series
True Blood

LIFE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Screen Actors Guild Awards 47th Annual Life Achievement Award
Ernest Borgnine

The Screen Actor's Guild Awards are known to have an Oscar prediction rate of around 75%, and in terms of the four big acting awards I think they'll be 100% spot on this year. We'll find out when the Academy Awards are presented on February 27th.

Like Crazy and How to Die in Oregon take Grand Jury Prizes at Sundance

2011 Sundance Film Festival Winners...

Long distance love story Like Crazy wins the grand jury prize for best drama on Saturday's penultimate day of the festival, with How to die in Oregon – which follows the real-life decisions of terminally ill women to end their lives, picking up the best documentary award.

Like Crazy stars Anton Yelchin and Felicity Jones and was directed by Drake Doremus. Jones is the British student who falls for Yelchin's American 'Jacob' but, after overstaying her visa, is kept apart from her new found love by beauracracy and they must strive to somehow find a way back to each other. Felicity Jones has also scooped the special jury prize for her work in the film.

Best documentary winner How to die in Oregon has been collecting praise for it's unflinching and sensitive capturing of a difficult, heartfelt subject. Beginning with a scene of a terminally ill cancer patient's last moments after a barbituate overdose (Oregon legalised assisted suicide in 1994 for those diagnosed with less than six months to live), the film has won over the audiences and judges at Sundance with it's gentle and understanding approach. Director Peter Richardson and his crew followed multiple women as they wrangled with the decision to end their own lives.

Winners of the main awards...

Grand Jury Prize Documentary: How to Die in Oregon, dir. Peter Richardson.
Grand Jury Prize Drama: Like Crazy, dir. Drake Doremus.
World Cinema Jury Prize Documentary: Hell and Back Again, dir. Danfung Dennis.
World Cinema Jury Prize Drama: Happy, Happy, dir. Anne Sewitsky.
Special Jury Prize Drama: Another Earth, dir Mike Cahill.
Special Jury Prize Documentary: Being Elmo: A Puppeteer’s Journey, dir. Constance Marks.
World Cinema Special Jury Prize Drama: Tyrannosaur, dir. Paddy Considine.
World Cinema Special Jury Prize Documentary: Position Among The Stars, dir. Leonard Retel Helmrich.

Georgia Bulldogs: Will They Be As Good In 2011 As Auburn Was In 2010?

Let me be the first to say this: when E$PN personalities talk, I rarely listen. In my very humble opinion, E$PN is a spin factory and most of what they say is driven by an agenda—a network agenda—to bring in more ad dollars, more reader subscriptions, and more viewers.

Now, they aren't alone in that respect, many of today's networks operate in that way, but E$PN is the big daddy of them all, and that makes them a little easier to criticize.

That said, this response by Bruce Feldman, to the following question was intriguing. Here is the question and the answer in their entirety—well, in the most complete form one could get them in without paying for more:

From mattplanet: What impact do you think these latest big recruits will have in improving the Georgia Bulldogs' chances in the SEC East next year?

This "dream team" plan at UGA of bringing together many of the top local players seems to be working out great. Landing five-star DE Ray Drew is a big addition to a defense that needs help. Drew, by most accounts, has the tools to be an impact guy for the Dawgs in their 3-4. Jay Rome, the nation's top tight end, is a guy who can block and catch and should team well with speedy Orson Charles. Malcolm Mitchell, the nation's No. 7 WR, won't be A.J. Green, but his outstanding speed and ball skills will only make their passing game more dangerous. Now, if they can reel in Isaiah Crowell, the country's top back, that could take even more pressure off of quarterback Aaron Murray and pump some much-needed juice back into the Bulldogs run game.

While it's easy to see this 2011 class shaping up to be something special, it isn't the first time that Mark Richt will have had a good class. Prior to 2009, Georgia was often in the Top 10 or Top 15 for recruiting some of the best prospects in the nation—both in and out of the state.

That said, the question isn't what this "dream team" will do for Georgia, but what Georgia will do for this "dream team".

Crowell will be an important part of the puzzle, but Caleb King was every bit that part four-years ago was he not? One player can bring hope, but none offer a guarantee. Shoot, not even Vince Dooley could have told you how good Herschel was going to be when he got to Georgia.

It's a crap shoot and nothing is a given.

The point is this: the success of this recruiting class, on the field, has as much to do with the coaching as it does the players, and no one knows, as of right now, if the coaching will be exponentially better, the same, or worse.

Everything is a work in progress and this Georgia program is no different. There are still many questions that will need answering before long—strength and conditioning cannot be the only piece of the puzzle in need of replacing or tweaking.

Is Georgia capable of making the kind of turnaround in 2011 that Auburn did in 2010? Absolutely, but lets not put the cart before the horse just yet.

What say you?

DVD Review - Brotherhood (2010)

Brotherhood, 2010.



Directed by Will Canon.

Starring Trevor Morgan, Jon Foster, Lou Taylor Pucci, Arlen Escarpeta, Jesse Steccato and Jennifer Sipes.



Brotherhood

SYNOPSIS:



When an initiation prank goes horribly wrong the members of a college fraternity desperately try to suppress the truth and take ever more desperate steps to cover their tracks, forcing one pledge to make a stand in order to save the life of a friend.



Brotherhood

Maybe I’ve seen National Lampoon’s Animal House too many times, but to me there’s always been something idiotic about American college fraternities. Grown men engaging in homoerotic initiation rituals that typically involve the paddling of bare bottoms and such like all seems a bit odd quite frankly. However, while my understanding of the ‘frat house’ concept has mainly been formed by the aforementioned comedy classic, I can now add another film to that list, Will Canon’s feature debut Brotherhood. Going against the usual comedy grain to deliver a straight-up thriller, Brotherhood revolves around a fraternity initiation gone bad and really confirms the moronic nature of the whole subculture.



The film begins as two pledges, Adam (Trevor Morgan) and Kevin (Lou Taylor Pucci), prepare to complete the final phase of their initiation. Spurred on by alpha male Frank (Jon Foster) they are to jump out from a van and hold up a nearby convenience store for the princely sum of $19.10, a tribute to the year of the fraternity’s establishment. Only this being a ‘hazing’, the idea isn’t to commit a crime, but rather to test their devotion to the ‘brotherhood’ of Sigma Zeta Chi; someone is waiting outside to prevent them from entering the store and while everything goes smoothly for Adam, a mix-up results in Kevin taking a bullet to the shoulder as he attempts to hold-up cashier Mike (Arlen Escarpeta), a former high-school classmate.



Bleeding profusely, Kevin is in desperate need of medical attention but rather than facing up to the consequences of their foolish actions, Frank and his jock buddies opt to take him back to the frat house where a party is in full swing. Despite protests from Adam and medical student Bean (Jesse Steccato), Frank refuses to take Kevin to a hospital and puts into action plans to cover up the robbery at any cost, with each action digging them further into the mire. In their desperation to avoid jail they abduct Mike and tie him up in the basement, and it soon becomes a race against time to prevent things spiralling completely beyond their control.



Discussing the influences on his debut feature, director Canon pointed to the work of Joe Carnahan and Michael Mann, while a review from Inside Pulse likened Brotherhood to “an extended episode of The Shield”, a description which I feel is entirely appropriate. Running at just under 80 minutes, Brotherhood moves at a blistering, breakneck pace; from opening scene we are thrust right into the action and not a moment is wasted as each passing scene cranks up the tension, which is further enhanced by effective use of ‘shakycam’ and strong, believable performances from its cast (particularly Morgan, who has enjoyed quite an impressive career to date with roles in the likes of The Sixth Sense, Jurassic Park III and Mean Creek).



Brotherhood had quite a successful run on the festival circuit last year, picking up Audience Awards at SXSW and the Dallas International Film Festival, along with a Gotham Award nomination, losing out to eventual winner Waiting for Superman. Having enjoyed a limited theatrical run here in the UK earlier this month, Brotherhood now arrives on DVD (complete with filmmaker’s commentary, making of documentary and Roslyn, Canon’s 8-minute student short that inspired the feature) and is certainly worth checking out. It’s not earth-shattering by any means, but a capable debut from a promising talent.





Brotherhood is released on DVD in the UK today and will receive a limited theatrical run in the US from February 18th.



Gary Collinson



Movie Review Archive

Georgia Bulldogs: The New Football Facility Already Earning Its Weight (VIDEO)

If a recruiting prospect is seriously considering signing with Georgia for the next four-to-five years, the new Butts-Mehre Expansion project has to be a nice selling point.

It looks amazing (the steel steps with the trademark 'G' inserted into the face is a nice touch) and the great technological touches will be a major plus as the staff tries to make 2011 a banner year—already talking BCS trophies in Butts-Mehre (well, at least they're doing it tongue-in cheek)—for Mark Richt's football program.

Below is a video tour, put together by Dean Legge of DawgPost.com, and it gives you a little taste of what the future prospects on Georgia's target list will see when they visit the campus and what the current commits and roster players have to look forward to next season.






Guest Author Day with Taige Crenshaw


To get us started can you tell us a little about what you are working on or have coming out?

Power of Attraction, book 1 in my Blackstone Haven series releases today.

Indigo Rain, book 1 in my Phoenix Intelligence Agency will be released on March 14, 2011.

I just submitted a few days ago Power of Instinct book 2 in the Blackstone Haven series. Started working on 3rd book in the Blackstone Haven series. And 2nd book in the Phoenix Intelligence Agency.  I’m working on some joint projects.  There are a few surprises I have in store for the series. I’m also self editing some books in my series that I have at various publishers. It is going to be a sizzling and busy year. LOL.


Do you have any guilty pleasures?

Yes I am an avid movie fan. Love all types of movies and make plans to go see them when they are coming out. 
What is the hardest scene you have had to write (published or not)? Why?
Wow that is hard. Hmm… well when I have to write a scene that makes people cry. I love to bring out all the emotions but I find myself crying as I write it and I have to stop before I can continue.
If you had a reporter follow you around for the day, what would the readers get to see in your daily schedule?
If I’m writing then they would see me growling when the phone rings then taking it off hook to not be disturbed. My family running knowing not to come near me when I am writing. And random moments of me dancing when I get a scene how I want it. LOL.
When you begin your stories, do you go with the flow, or go with an outline?
Flow all the way. I tried outlines and the stories don’t ever go like how I outline. So I’ve given up on outlines.

Is it hard coming up with titles or characters names?
No. I have a file with titles and characters name. I collect them. 
What does your workstation look like?
Notes on the world I’m working in and characters sketches. Research books that I need. And music and the TV playing in background for noise. 
When you're not writing, what do you like to do to just kick back and have fun?

I love to draw. I’m an avid seamstress. I can whip up an outfit quick if I have to go someplace special and have nothing to wear. I love to cook. I’m a voracious reader. My library in my house and on my computer is massive. That’s one of the first things you notice when you come to my house.  

Do you ever experience writer's block? If you do, how do you cope with it?

No. Thankfully. My mind is always racing with ideas.

Were you an avid reader as a child? What type of books did you enjoy reading?

Oh yes. I loved reading. And used to make up my own stories and perform them in front of my family.

Tell us a bit about your latest book, and what inspired you to write such a story.

Peyton and Wesley are two complex characters who have so much to face.

Peyton Blackstone is a natural born witch who has to face her family legacy, destiny, and a prophecy that could mean her end. When she meets this man she is taken with him but he has some hidden shadows. He has some things he must face. When they find out what it complicates an already tenuous situation.

Wesley McCarty is a man on edge. He thinks he is losing his mind. With unexplained blackouts and mysterious absences he doesn’t know what is going on. Meeting Peyton he thinks she is an illusion but when he realizes she is very much real he won’t let anything stand in his way to make her his. No matter what he must face he will. But what happens when his own problems come front and center. He is shaken. His beliefs shattered. Can he look past all he learns before it is too late.

There is so much riding on the outcome of what they do.

I wrote the book because I love building worlds and Blackstone Haven came to me as I was working on another world and it was so fully formed I put aside what I was doing and went with it. 

Is there any books coming that you are itching to read (either electronic or print) from your favorite authors?
There are too much to list. I read a lot.

If you were to replenish your cabinets with one junk food, what would it be?
Marshmallow. I love them.

What is one thing scientists should invent?
A way that when I think of a story it writes as I think it. LOL. I could get so much done. 

Are you a morning person or a night person?
An all day person. I’ve been know to get up early to write then sit all day and write through the night to next morning. LOL. 

Where can readers find you on the ‘Net?
My Website: http://www.taigecrenshaw.com/

My Blog - http://www.taigecrenshaw.com/blog

Chat Group ~ Crenshaw Café - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/crenshawcafe

To sign up for my Newsletter ~  http://www.taigecrenshaw.com/newsletterandgroups.shtml

Satin Notes (Free Reads): http://www.satinnotes.com

Sneak Peek into Power of Attraction
Book one in the Blackstone Haven Series

A man will come to you in the darkest moon. The trees will shade and protect your union of the soul. Before the final step to merge your body is taken, a choice must be made.

Peyton Blackstone, a natural born witch, knew from the prophecy that accompanied her birth that a man would come to her. Yet, when the man who is set to be her’s arrives, Peyton isn’t ready for him or the ramifications his coming will cause. This man who deals with reality has a few secrets of his own - secrets that could very well destroy them both.

Wesley McCarty believes the woman he meets under the moonlight is not real. Suffering from unexplained blackouts, he believes he is losing his mind. When he sees her again, he realises not only is his fantasy woman real, but she is within his reach. He must have her, no matter the cost. Nothing will stop him. Not his blackouts, or any legacies or prophecies. He will have this woman who sets his blood on fire and completes his soul.

Legacies, destiny, and prophecy can not withstand this power of attraction.

Reader Advisory: This book is best read in sequence as part of a series

Excerpt:

Wesley was amused by the look of fury mixed with distress on Ian’s normally affable face. He turned, interested in seeing the person who caused such a reaction. Shocked emerald green eyes stared at him. His heart skipped a beat.

Wesley hungrily took in the woman from the forest. She was real. He wasn’t losing his mind. Unconsciously, he took a step towards her. She backed up a step.

Fury filled him. She had run from him once, and she wasn’t doing it again. With a determined stride, he closed the space between them and grabbed her arm. She tried to shrug him off. He changed his grip and yanked her against his body. A shudder racked him as their bodies touched. The scent of cinnamon and vanilla he had thought he imagined cloyed around them. He felt her shiver in reaction. Her eyes heated then went cool.

A click sounded behind him. Absently, he looked away from her compelling gaze. He stilled at the sight of the gun trained on him. The wrath in the other woman’s amber gaze let him know she was waiting for an excuse to blow him away. Her features, so much like those of the woman he held, told him they were somehow related.

The woman in his arms moved against him. The feel of her soft breasts against his chest drove all sane thought from his mind. He turned and jerked her up into his arms.

“Wrap your legs around me,” Wesley growled.

The woman’s eyes narrowed, but she clamped her legs around his waist.

“Don’t order me around.” Her husky voice stroked along his senses.

He put his face close to hers. “Don’t give me reason to.”
She jerked back. He clamped his hands on her ass to hold her against him. She stilled. Wesley gritted his teeth at the feel of her jean-clad mound against him. His mind flashed to the forest and their kiss. He saw the answering flare in her green gaze.

Copyright © Taige Crenshaw, 2011.
All Rights Reserved, Total E Bound.

R.I.P. John Barry (1933-2011)

Academy Award winning composer John Barry has passed away after suffering a fatal heart attack, aged 77. Born in York in 1933, Barry began performing as a musician during his National Service and formed The John Barry Seven before going on to work for the BBC on the likes of Juke Box Jury and Drumbeat. Barry made the step into motion pictures when he composed the soundtrack to the British youth drama Beat Girl (1960) starring Adam Faith and Christopher Lee, which became the first soundtrack album to be released on LP in the UK, and after working for EMI between 1959-1962 Barry was hired by the producers of Dr. No (1962) to rework a theme tune by Monty Norman, which led to the creation of the signature 'James Bond Theme'.

With Dr. No giving Barry his breakthrough, he went on to become one of film's most recognised composers, scoring a further eleven Bond movies (From Russia with Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball, You Only Live Twice, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, Diamonds Are Forever, The Man With The Golden Gun, Moonraker, Octopussy, A View to a Kill and The Living Daylights), while his extensive work outside of the Bond franchise led to five Academy Award wins (two for Born Free, and one each for The Lion in Winter, Out of Africa and Dances with Wolves). Barry's other notable film credits include The Ipcress File, Midnight Cowboy, Mary, Queen of Scots, King Kong, The Deep, Body Heat, The Cotton Club, Howard the Duck, Peggy Sue Got Married, Chaplin, Indecent Proposal and Enigma.

Auburn Is Selling Freeze-Dried Turf To Commemorate Their BCS Victory

So, Auburn fans, how deep is your love? Is it deep enough to shell out 99.99 for a piece of dirt—wait, sorry—I mean, freeze-dried turf? It's a lovely item that comes packaged in a block of plastic with an overhead shot of the field where your championship Tigers played their way to a Sears Trophy.

Well, if you're hankering to get that dirt freeze-dried turf on your shelf before the start of the 2011 season, go ahead and go "all in", Auburn begins taking pre-orders February 4.

It certainly looks authentic (not really), Tiger fans. I mean, wow, this is a piece of the field where Nick Fairley and Cam Newton ran, tackled, and passed (at least that's what the product info says) so who cares if it looks like it could've come from Gene Chizik's lawn, right? You're getting a piece of history (I guess).

I kid, I kid. Have at it, Tiger fans, enjoy your moment.

Photo Credit: Auburn Tigers Online Turf Store






Sunday, January 30, 2011

Zack Snyder to make you believe Henry Cavill can fly in Superman: Man of Steel

Henry Cavill Superman Man of SteelRising British actor Henry Cavill has been cast as Superman in Zack Snyder's upcoming reboot Man of Steel, with the director releasing a statement today to confirm the news. Cavill is best known for his work on the television period drama The Tudors, while his feature credits include The Count of Monte Cristo (2002, dir. Kevin Reynolds), Hellraiser: Hellworld (2005, dir. Rick Bota), Tristan + Isolde (2006, dir. Kevin Reynolds), Stardust (2007, dir. Matthew Vaughn), Blood Creek (2009, dir. Joel Schumacher), Whatever Works (2009, dir. Woody Allen) and the upcoming action fantasy Immortals (2011, dir. Tarsem Singh). Cavill has a prior history with Superman; he was under consideration for the role when McG and Brett Ratner were attached to Superman Returns (2006), losing out to Brandon Routh when Bryan Singer came on board, while he was also a contender for franchise reboots Batman Begins (2005) and Casino Royale (2006).

In his statement, Snyder said: "In the pantheon of superheroes, Superman is the most recognized and revered character of all time, and I am honored to be a part of his return to the big screen. I also join Warner Bros., Legendary and the producers in saying how excited we are about the casting of Henry. He is the perfect choice to don the cape and S shield.” The film is gearing up for production in Vancouver, Canada with a likely summer start date and a hefty budget of $175m. Christopher Nolan produces from a screenplay by Jonathan Nolan and David S. Goyer, all of whom are set to have a busy couple of years with Snyder's Superman: Man of Steel and The Dark Kight Rises occupying their slate.

Superman is set to hit the skies once again when Man of Steel arrives in December 2012. Meanwhile /Film have already received a rather impressive mock-up of Cavill in the red and blue which you can check out here.

Book Review: Protect & Serve: Badge Bunny by Cynthia Sax

I heard so much about Badge Bunny on the loops and blogs that I had to read it, just to see what all the fuss was about. Needless to say, what I found had me hoping there was a sequel coming in the future. Author Cynthia Sax's contribution to the Protect & Serve multi-author series at Changeling Press that had me giggling one minute and the next squirming in my seat.

Now when I saw this cover I was drooling all over the dang keyboard. The cover alone had me eager to see if the story would match it in hotness and I am happy to say it did.

Now onto my review of Badge Bunny (Protect and Serve book) available at Changeling Press.

Officer Drake is human though you can say he also has a few modifications. He’s a genetically enhanced human and oh can’t forget…he is a cop as well. Designed to serve and protect, he gets more than he bargains for when he finds himself knee deep in a mystery with the sexy bunny shifter, Hunny Lapin. She is the one woman who has Drake’s number and before long, these two are engulfed in a passion that flairs into something much more. What is this super cop to do but do his job and love every passionate minute?

          BADGE BUNNY is one hilariously fun book to read on a cold winter’s afternoon. Officer Drake had me drooling all over the keyboard with his alpha male sexiness and the sparks that flew between Hunny and Drake had me checking the computer screen time and again to make sure there were no smoke coming from it. Author Cynthia Sax delivers a story that had me at times laughing out loud and then the next, squirming in my seat. All those sexy scenes had me wanting a cold shower to cool off. The writing was tight, the passion was so hot I almost ran outside into a snow bank and the characters were delicious. If there is an Officer Drake running around, can he please come by my house to protect me?

          Officer Drake is an enhanced human, one who can break werewolves in half and run faster than speeding car. He lives to serve and protect andh e has his job cut out for him when he is drawn into the world of Hunny Lupine. She is a bunny shifter who finds something going on with a vampire mob boss that puts her life in jeopardy. These two heat the pages up in BADGE BUNNY and I, for one, loved every minute of it. Drake is pure sex on two legs and his alpha male approach had me whimpering in delight. Hunny is a woman not afraid to go after what she wants and she wants Drake. The characters are well rounded and really kept my attention till the very end of the book. There were some wonderful secondary characters that had me giggling at times and kept the story flowing smoothly.

          BADGE BUNNY is a hot, fun tale that will keep you flipping the pages until the very end. With the right amount of sexiness, lust and characters that fairly brim with life, Ms. Sax delivers a story that will leave you breathless. I am really hoping this author returns to Officer Drake and Hunny Lupine in the future. If you are looking for a short, hot story to heat your day up, I highly recommend grabbing BADGE BUNNY.

Guest Author Day with Rachel Brimble/Excerpt

Why don't you start with telling us a little about yourself? What genre do you write in and why?

I live in the UK with my husband of thirteen years and our two daughters. We are lucky enough to live between the gorgeous Cotswold countryside and the Georgian City of Bath so we have the best Southwest England can offer! I write across the romance genres, everything from suspense, to contemporary to Victorian historical.

Please tell us about your latest book.  What can we expect from you in the future?
Getting It Right This Time is a contemporary romance set in the fictional town of Foxton, England, published by Lyrical Press. Here's the blurb:

She's back, but this time she’s a mother…intent on protecting her young.

Two years after her husband’s death, Kate Marshall returns home seeking security and stability for her three-year-old daughter. But when her path crosses with ‘the one who got away’…her husband’s best friend, she has to fight the desire to be with him for the sake of further heartbreak for her and her daughter.

A tough, straight talking theatrical agent, Mark Johnston is dangerously handsome, exceedingly rich, irresistibly charming – and branded by the tabloids as one of the UK’s most eligible bachelors. So even though Mark lost the girl of his dreams to his best friend, he finds no hardship in being single. Or so he thought.

Determined not to lose her a second time, Mark has to find a way to convince her they can work.  But can Kate cope with the media interest and ruthless, money-hungry clients surrounding him, being anywhere near her daughter?  Or accept that Mark Johnston is really the family man he claims to be?

My next book has just been contracted by Lyrical Press. It's called Paying The Piper and it's another contemporary romance but with a darker more grittier feel and underlying subject matter. It is due for release in September and I can hardly wait!

 How do we find out about you and your books?
I am usually guest blogging somewhere but here are my links:

www.rachelbrimble.com
www.rachelbrimble.blogspot.com
www.twitter.com/rachelbrimble
How much of your personality and life experiences are in your writing?
A lot - I think all writers consciously and unconsciously include their experiences/feelings within some parts of every piece of work. There might be something of your personality in every character on the page in some shape or form. The trick is not to let people who know you, recognize themselves or you!
When did you first think about writing and what prompted you to submit your first ms?
 I've always wanted to be a novelist but it was when my youngest daughter started school that I began to think, it's now or never. I knew if I didn't start a book when I had the house back to myself for a few hours every day, I never would.
Now I work part-time at an insurance brokers too but still manage to write at least 500 words a day - that's my absolute minimum.

What is your normal day like?
Up at 7am, kids sorted and out the door for school (I walk the youngest daughter with the dog!) and then back and write for an hour before getting ready for the day job. Day job 10-2pm. Hours writing. Walk dog back to school to pick up youngest. Hours writing. Dinner. Bath-time. An half hour writing. Family time (usually involving kids/TV and a sofa!)
When did you know you wanted to be a writer?
Eleven - I knew I wanted to be a journalist or novelist.

Where do you get most of the ideas for your stories?

Everywhere, but mostly TV shows or news stories. Something will catch my interest and I wonder what I would have done differently than the real or fictional characters did. And then my characters start talking to me and I'm off writing the next book.

What are some of your hobbies?
Reading, knitting, walking - I'm quite a quiet person until I go out with hubby and/or friends and then after one or two glasses of white wine, I am the complete opposite of quiet!

Who are some of your favorite authors, and if we were to visit your home, what books would we find on your bookshelf, end table, floor or e-reader?
Nora Roberts, Jodi Picoult, Phillipa Gregory, Jilly Cooper, Martina Cole, the list goes on. As for what you'd find, all of the above and probably fifty other authors as well. I read anything and everything.

If you could be any character of any book or movie, who would you be?

Ooh, that's a tough one! I like all of Nora Roberts heroines. I think she gives them great stories and fabulous leading men. I would happily live one of their lives and deal with all their problems and end up in bed with one of those lovely leading men!

You’re on a remote island with a handsome man, a computer, and a “mysterious” source of electricity to power your computer. What do you do?
Use him as research for my next book, of course - the question is whether I venture into the erotic romance genre or not…
Which do you prefer:
Denim or Leather on a man/woman/significant other?
Denim
Irish or Italian accent in a man?
Italian
Front seat or Back seat to make out in?
Back seat
Dark eyes or Light eyes?
Dark
Sleeping bag or Bed?
Bed
Dinner or Movie for a first date?
Movie
Coffee or Tea?
Coffee
Chiseled jaw line or Chiseled abs?
Abs

Sneak Peek into Getting It Right This Time
Available at Lyrical Press
Contemporary Romance

She’s back, but this time she’s a mother…intent on protecting her young.

Two years after her husband’s death, Kate Marshall returns home seeking security and stability for her three-year-old daughter. But when her path crosses with ‘the one who got away’…her husband’s best friend, she has to fight the desire to be with him for the sake of further heartbreak for her and her daughter.

A tough, straight talking theatrical agent, Mark Johnston is dangerously handsome, exceedingly rich, irresistibly charming – and branded by the tabloids as one of the UK’s most eligible bachelors. So even though Mark lost the girl of his dreams to his best friend, he finds no hardship in being single. Or so he thought.

Determined not to lose her a second time, Mark has to find a way to convince her they can work.  But can Kate cope with the media interest and ruthless, money-hungry clients surrounding him, being anywhere near her daughter?  Or accept that Mark Johnston is really the family man he claims to be?

Excerpt:

“You came.”
She lifted her eyes to his. “Didn’t you think I would?”
“No.”
“Oh.” His gaze lingered over every inch of her face, and Kate’s cheeks warmed under the soft study in his eyes. “Aren’t you going to sit down?”
He started as though remembering where he was. “You look beautiful.”
Her heart lurched in her chest as Kate forced herself to keep her eyes on the clear hazel of his. “Thank you. You don’t look too bad yourself.”
He smiled and reached for the menu. Once he was sufficiently engrossed, Kate picked up her own menu and opened it like a shield. But she didn’t read the offerings, instead she used the advantage to surreptitiously check him out. Peering over the top of the leather-bound pages, her gaze wandered over the charcoal gray suit, the open neck collar of his snow-white shirt and the casual style of his newly washed hair. He looked up and she quickly looked at the menu.
“Do you know what you want?” she asked quickly.
“I knew exactly what I wanted years ago.”
She snapped her head up, the menu slipping from her hands. His unwavering gaze burned straight through her skin and flesh to her very center. An intense heat flared behind her breastbone and between her legs simultaneously. She opened her mouth but no words came, and the only sound stretching between them was her pathetically feminine struggling gasps of breath. She couldn’t take her eyes from his and knew he would recognize her shock, her confusion…and worst of all, her desire. His fingers lightly touched hers.
“Kate, I’ve wanted to see you for so long…”
“Yet you never contacted me for five years.”



Guest Author Day with L. K. Below


Almost since the moment I first put my pen to paper, I’ve been challenging myself to try something different, to try something new. I’ve explored different points of view, different methods of storytelling, all in search of something else I haven’t tried yet. It has, in fact, been my secret desire to complete something that no one has written yet.

Along the way, I broke into the regular genres, too. One of which is erotic romance. I currently have two releases out -- His Familiar Touch, a paranormal in the Paramourtal anthology, and Unveiling His Princess, a fairytale-like historical out with Liquid Silver Books. While I was writing these and the others currently under contract, I started to think to myself. What hasn’t been done? And it came to me.

When I first proposed an erotic romance written in verse to my critique partner and good friend, Gina Gordon, she told me to finish one of my many works in progress. When I turned to the other advisor in my life, my boyfriend Travis, he told me not to bother (but then, he despises poetry). For a long time, I kept the idea shrouded in the back of my mind, packed away in a dusty little box.

But one day, it sprang forward again, this time with a call I couldn’t resist. After a few days of furious writing, His Smoldering Eyes was born. I took a scene which I could have written as a short, quick story, and instead, I wrote it in verse. After all, falling in love is a poetic thing.

And now, without further ado, I’d like to offer it to you, absolutely FREE. To read this book or download it in PDF form, click this link.*

In return, I’d like you to do something for me. I’d like some feedback on this piece. Is erotic romance written in verse a genre that shouldn’t see the light of day? Or would you read (or buy) more books like this, written in the various subgenres? If you’ve read this book, please email me at lbelow(at)lbelow.net and tell me: Yea or Nay? Was this a success or should I continue to write more conventional romances (or both)?


L. K. Below writes romance and speculative fiction. Under her full name, Lindsay Below, she pens books suitable for the young reader in us all. Find her online at www.lbelow.net or on her blog at http://lbelow.blogspot.com.


*The link should lead to: http://www.lbelow.net/lkbelow/books/free-reads/his-smoldering-eyes

Tom Hooper wins the DGA Award for The King's Speech

The Director's Guild of America announced the recipients of their awards last night, with English filmmaker Tom Hooper taking home the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film for his work on the acclaimed period drama The King's Speech.

It was believed that The Social Network's David Fincher was a strong favourite to receive the accolade, particularly after his success at the Golden Globes earlier this month, while Hooper also fended off competition from fellow nominees Darren Aronofsky (Black Swan), Christopher Nolan (Inception) and David O. Russell (The Fighter).

It is very rare that the winner of the DGA's top prize doesn't go on to claim the Best Director gong at the Academy Awards (in fact, it's only happened on six occasions to date), and Hooper must now be considered favourite to collect the Oscar. The King's Speech received the most nominations with twelve including Best Picture, and February 27th is starting to look like it could be a very successful night indeed for the British film.

Check out the full list of winners from last night's DGA Awards evening...

Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film
Tom Hooper (The King’s Speech)

Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Documentary
Charles Ferguson (Inside Job)

Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television and Mini-Series
Mick Jackson (Temple Grandin, HBO)

Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series
Martin Scorsese (Boardwalk Empire, HBO)

Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy Series
Michael Spiller (Modern Family, “Halloween”, ABC)

Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Musical Variety
Glenn Weiss (64th Annual Tony Awards, CBS)

Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Reality Programs
Eytan Keller (The Next Iron Chef, “Episode #301”, Food Network)

Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Daytime Serials
Larry Carpenter (One Life to Live, “Episode #10,687”, ABC)

Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children’s Programs
Eric Bross (The Boy Who Cried Werewolf, Nickelodeon)

Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Commercials
Stacy Wall (Imperial Woodpecker, Nike)

We are currently running an in-depth tw-part filmmaker's profile on the career of Tom Hooper, which you can read here.