Everyone's a Genius - so get to ideating now!

"Everyone's a Genius:  Simple Tips to Boost Your Brilliance Now" by Jen Fraser is a gem of a book.  Although the book is short, the results and effects of the book can have rewards long into the future.  Lot's of tips thrown at you in an organized way, but at machine gun rate - are mixed in with quotes and challenges from the author.  I did try one of her techniques, because I just "knew" that I had another book in me.  I woke up in the morning with the entire outline of the book plotted out in my head and wrote it down as quickly as I could.

There is a saying that if reading motivational books were effective, then why are there so many.  Shouldn't people be able to read just one and then be good?  They point to that as if it were a failure of self help books.  Well, I guarantee those people take showers every day.  Why?  because the benefits of the last shower they took eventually wear off. 

Everyone needs to have some words of wisdom occasionally to help guide them, or better yet expand their horizons.  "Everyone's a Genius" does just that.

This book should be in everyone's library who has run into obstacles from time to time.  In other words - it needs to be in everyone's library!

Thank you Jen Fraser for putting together this wonderful resource!

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Abracadabra! A brand new world!!! Check out "The Four Kings" by Scott Spotson

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The world is a wreck.  The economy is tanking, everyone has nuclear weapons, and there is no end in sight.  That is until a surprise visit by a group of wizards that take over everything - and I do mean everything.

Imagine if the whole world could be "reset" by all powerful beings who agree to watch over the government, can build buildings in minutes, switch to one world currency that measures exactly what you use in all ares of your life, and still has enough free time to take part in "Wizard Game Day's" that are broadcast all over the North and Central America.  This is all done with the "mortals" best interest in mind, and the wizards promise to turn everything back over to mortal control in three years.  Some people love it, and to no surprise the people that lost quite a bit of power are not happy at all.

To get the mortal point of view, a supreme liason has been chosen from a pile of applications and a few interviews that were televised live.  Enter Amanda, a college student who suddenly finds quite a bit on her plate.  Sure, she gets to hang out with wizards who can zap her into some pretty incredible places - but a nagging feeling that something may not be quite right with the wizards starts to grow.  After an incident that shakes Amanda to the core - she is forced to either resign the most powerful job a mortal could hold or stay to try to gather whatever information she can glean from the four wizard "kings" that she serves.

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Spotson's book is a huge undertaking with many different ideas and possibilities that are explored.  This almost falls into the realm of alternative historical fiction because it makes a great case for "what if" thinking.  Not that I am saying wizards are going to descend from the sky and take everything over - but what if they did and what would they do?  These questions are explored and answered in a great entertaining book that delves deep into the world and scenario that Spotson created. 

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Your actions are being dictated by "The Manipulator"

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"The Manipulator" by Steve Lundin isn't a prep book for a chiropractic final exam.  Far from it.  Instead of relief, the visitors to Blowfish's advertising firm often leave with grief and disbelief.

Jack Vance, owner of Blowfish, is one of those guys that make you really hope that there is such a thing as karma.  Jack is all about business, and the business that Jack enjoys the most is making obscene amounts of money.  Sure, there are the women, awesome cars, hard drugs, and booze - but it is money that makes Jack Vance's world turn.

So when a new mobile network that will be viewed on everyone's phones needs a big-time launch, who else are you going to turn to but Blowfish? Blowfish is THE marketing firm that puts the edge in cutting edge.  So what show does he pitch to MVN networks for their launch?  A show called "Some Will Die", which gives a fantasy life to anyone who can lose half of their body weight in a set amount of time.  But Jack always has an angle - he is willing to bet that once exposed to the good life, the winner will cut down on the expense account of the show be over indulging themselves to the point of death.

You can't get Jane Fonda or Richard Simmons to run this contest - way to tame and lame.  So who.....  Vance gets a great idea to get the Russian winner of :"Survivor: Cherynobol", Vlad Berber.  The fact that Berber is currently in a Mexican jail for manslaughter only adds to the appeal of having him as "host" of the show.

But even this isn't enough of a "event" for Vance.  He is going to launch the new network during the Super Bowl.  When people get in "all or nothing" situations - there are often a lot of "casualties" along the way.  But when a Congressman who was forced out of two political parties due to weight, a former employee of Blowfish who might have just enough knowledge of the scheme, and the CEO of a rival marketing firm form an alliance to make Jack's life miserable - things start to become personal.

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I thoroughly loved this book.  Really, I can't remember reading a book in which I despised almost every single character to the point that I had to keep reading hoping that the saying "Karma is a bitch" might turn out to be true.  The characters were built up just enough to make you look forward to them getting their due, but wanting karma to hold off long enough to see how the myriad of plots finished up around him.

I thought Steve Lundin did an excellent job with this book.  The pacing was great, the characters were at times not very likable , and the plotting and actions of everyone borders on despicable.    Put this all together, and you have something resembling a train wreck that you have to just watch.

The one thing that I appreciated was that Lundin kept Vance a complete jerk up to the end.  No moment of finding total redemption here - at least not by the end of this book.  Vance is a jerk, and he not only knows it - he embraces it!  Lundin didn't turn this into a morality play - and I think he made the exact right call.  I haven't met Steve Lundin, but I wish that George Lucas had him on his staff when he decided that Han Solo shooting Greedo first made him look like a bad guy.  Newsflash, Lucas!  Han Solo was a scoundrel -  that's why people loved him!  Oh well, if Lucas is going to take our heros and go all "politically correct" on everyone - at least we still have Jack Vance to count on for keeping in touch with who he really is....

As often is the case, when everyone has revenge on their mind, mixed with a total disregard for anyone but themselves - there just might be all losers and no winners.   Well there are a couple of definite winners - the author Steve Lundin and the readers of this book.

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Interview with "Innerearth" author S. M. Coan

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In “Innerearth”, you have created quite a unique world where most of the story occurs.  How difficult was it to describe a setting that is constantly changing and not even “there”?

Creating and maintaining the setting was very difficult. Innerearth is more impression than illusion. It is like describing an amorphous form. I considered that the book would be difficult to put on the screen for this reason. 

 

What gave you the idea of going with the “Innie” instead of “Outtie” space?

I've always enjoyed Science Fiction dealing with space travel and strange, new worlds, but I wanted to present the earth as a living organism and use that to explore the mysteries and urban legends of earth. It truly was an interesting project once you begin to consider it from that point of view.

What authors inspired you to write science fiction?

I read lots of Ray Bradbury, Isaac Asimov, Jerry Pournelle and Rod Serling when I was younger. I credit Stephen King for my character development. I now tend to read mostly mysteries and crime stories.

Which of the characters in your book do you feel the closest connection to?

The protagonist, Christian W. Falconer. I very loosely based the character on my time in the Army, so Chris was written more as myself than as a character.

How did you lay out the plot of the book before you wrote it?

I am actually an artist. Since the book deals with multiple characters, a time paradox and two worlds, I drew it all out on a 11" x 6' timeline, all color-coated and cross-referenced to my note cards.

What do you wish you knew before you started this journey that you know now?

I will definitely pay to have the work professionally edited and formatted. It is enough work to tell the story. I've always considered myself more a storyteller than a writer, so I'll step back and let fresh eyes have a go. Besides, by doing it this way, I have more time to work on the sequel. 

When there is no where to hide - seek out "Santuary 12 (Fallen Gods Saga)

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In Sanctuary 12 (Fallen Gods Saga), author T.W. Malpass   introduces the readers to a dark world filled with dark characters.  From the impeccably dressed Mr. Cradleworth, to the patchwork creation named Clover that was born from the mind of a man going mad, and last but not least - terrifying flying creatures dropping vehicles on top of buildings.

Who is going to rescue the planet from this group of baddies?  Nine strangers with different latent powers that they are just starting to discover.  A sculptor who not only creates, but heals with his hands joins up with a blind woman who "sees" how people are going to die by mere touch.

Jerrico (whose imagination is vivid as well as deadly) meets with Barnes the dimension hopping dog and his "owner" Stuart.  Stuart is a telekinetic, which is very helpful when you are confined to a wheelchair.

This is just part of the gathering of unlikely defenders of the planet.  They are formed and led by a young girl, Celeste, who also happens to be in a coma.

If you haven't gotten the idea that this novel is a collection of total misfortunate misfits (I know misfortunate isn't a word - but it should be!), then there probably is no convincing you.

This novel is the first in a series.  Most of the novel is dedicated to building up the characters, which had me guessing the entire time as to how they would meet up with each other.  

Malpass does a great job with the setting and the characters, but the plot seems to take a long time to develop.  The blending of horror and science fiction is a bit confusing to me, but I trust that this author will go into more detail on that angle in future books.

If you like books with flawed "heroes and heroines" that are extremely well developed through the novel, then you have definitely found a book to fit your niche.  As i have read in other reviews, don't worry were the journey is headed - just sit back and enjoy the ride that Malpass will happily chauffeur you on.

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Motorcycles, Werewolves, Police - Oh My!

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The Seventh Sons of Sycamore is a short novel about a small town cop; a tall, dark, handsome stranger; and a werewolf biker gang in modern-day Sanctuary, Arizona. First, we meet the small town cop, Detective Maxim Dwyer, as he locks up some brawling bikers and pines after his missing wife. He is soon joined by Diego, a mysterious man, with a dark past and an ulterior motive. They join forces in order to take down the Seventh Sons, a formidable local motorcycle gang with a strange and terrifying reputation. The unexpected occurs, and allies and enemies are found in unlikely places.

If you enjoy police dramas and the paranormal with a human twist, this book is definitely in your realm. Note that although there are werewolves and fight scenes containing gore, The Seventh Sons of  Sycamore is not a horror novel. Overall, the plot is entertaining and consistent. Domino Finn, the author, noted that he wrote each chapter as its own short story and somehow it became a book; this was not a hindrance to the readability of the story, it flows smoothly throughout. 

There are some typical jurisdiction disputes that are expected in any story involving local law enforcement and the government. Lycanthropy is given a reasonable explanation; the likes of which, I have not seen before (points for originality!). The greatest weakness in my eyes is that the writing is often verbose; however,the writing remains clear and grammatically correct, which is always a huge joy in my life. The characters are easy to differentiate and easy to imagine while reading.

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Reviewed by guest reviewer Lauren Pesci for Movies and Manuscripts.

Thank you Lauren!

It's what's on the "inside" that counts! Book review of "Innerearth" by S. M. Coan

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Ok, I admit it - when it comes to UFO's, aliens, alien abduction, Men in Black, and X-Files you can count me as all in.  

So when I hear that this book contains elements of crop circles, magnetic fields, Bermuda Triangle-like disappearances and reappearances, and erased memories - I immediately am thinking of beams of lights, implants, and little green (or grey) men.  

But sometimes the truth can be found right where you are standing (well, maybe just a few miles underneath where you are standing).  

You see, all of this time we have been looking to the skies and stars.  According to S. M. Coan’s  fantasy world of Innerearth, we would have been better off to watch dolphins and bats.  

Have I confused you yet?  Coan is able to weave a story that is both original and puts an unique spin on what “believers” have accepted as psuedo-fact - that to find intelligent life, we must look to the stars.  

The main character in the story, Chris Falconer, was an enlisted man in the Air Force that had to get out and become a surveyor after falling ill and going into a coma nine years earlier.  But then Chris is recruited to become a member of “the council” and learns that he is what is considered to be a “Red File.”  A Red File is a person who vanishes without explanation.  Some return, but have no recollection of anything that has happened.

Chris is given his “Red File” to look over, only to find that there is a gap of five years, he was an Air Force Major who flew jets, and vanished somewhere over the ocean.  To try and rediscover his past, Chris agrees to join “the council”.  Instead of being the hunter for the truth, Chris finds himself being used as bait and winds up on a “three hour tour” on a boat that even Gilligan wouldn’t believe.

I found this book to be a good paced read with some plot lines that I hadn’t come across before.  I like fantasy and science fiction, but it has to have some “meat” in it and be original in some facet to really draw me in.  "Innerearth" has both. S.M. Coan didn’t take a well trodden path that he knew from heart.  Instead he tackled a whole new world with some difficult plot lines and characters.

I don’t want to give much away, but the descriptions that Coan uses for characters that don’t have physical forms are excellent.  In a book like this, the author could have easily been sidetracked so much by the new world that they created that they fail to move the story along.  Coan does an excellent job of description and pacing to keep the readers attention.

If you are a fan of intellectual science fiction, then this book should be on your list. 

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(this review was part of a paid ad, which only gave the author 'front of the line' privileges, but in no way influenced this review.)