It's that time of year again.
That's right. It's CHRISTMAS TIME.
Or at least it will be when Cyber Monday is over.
Tuesday, December 1, 2015
Christmas Music Blog: Oh, Holy Night
It's that time of year again.
That's right. It's CHRISTMAS TIME.
Or at least it will be when Cyber Monday is over.
Monday, November 16, 2015
Black Friday Book Shopping list.
Once again, Christmas decorations went on sale in August. August! ARRGGHH.
Anyway, black Friday is coming, and we must be prepared. This is yet another list to make your shopping lives easier -- for Black Friday, or for the upcoming Cyber Monday. I've reviewed some of these books (links attached), and others are new even to me, but have come recommended to me. You might want to try some of these items below.
A Pius Man: A Holy Thriller -- of course I'd start with my own novel. It's surprisingly well reviewed, no one hates it (yet, give me time), where I take the war to Dan Brown, and every other nimrod who thinks they can write bad history in a thriller and get away with it.
A Pius Legacy: A Political Thriller -- The villains who survived A Pius Man have decided that some payback is involved. Step one? Kidnap the Pope. Then the fun really starts. Surprisingly, this one had better reviews than the first.... also fewer. Anyway, please buy the book already. Thank you.
A Pius Stand: A Global Thriller (UPDATED, yes, this wasn't here last time.): The end of the trilogy. Saving the Pope has consequences. And army. A war. And no quarter given. It's time to finish the fight.
And, while I"m doing this.....
Codename: Winterborn .... the "other" novel, also strangely well reviewed. Genre: character-driven scifi espionage. While on a mission to the Islamic Republic of France, Lt. Kevin Anderson's team is betrayed by the politicians who sent them. As the only survivor, Anderson must stop the senators involved before the next team is slaughtered on the altar of political greed. He's certain he won't survive, but he will make this sacrifice, for his Codename is Winterborn. I recommend this for all fans of Baen novels -- like John Ringo, David Weber, and even your straight up thriller writers, like Vince Flynn, Brad Thor, et al.
On with everyone else.
Several of the following books you may have seen before. Trust me, there's a reason they made one of my top reading lists.
Murder in The Vatican: The Church Mysteries of Sherlock Holmes -- if you've been reading my blog for a long time, you know that I loved this one, and I can't possibly recommend it enough.... and then there's The Watson Chronicles, which is even better. The only books I will recommend over my own, and I'm told my books are pretty awesome, so, yeah...
The Book of Helen -- dang, this was a kickass little novel. The West Wing meets the Trojan war, this novel goes beyond the "they all lived strangely ever after" of Helen of Troy, and follows the rest of her life after she came home from Troy. Yes, Helen did have an "after Troy." You know the mythology, and now, this is the rest of the story.
Ordinance 93: I've reviewed this book, I've interviewed this author, and I somehow still haven't mentioned her on the blog yet. Ordinance 93 is a thriller that sort-of centers around abortion. It's not really a pro-life book, despite how I referred to it in the Examiner posts. It's a very long story, but if you're interest, check out the review. It would take too long otherwise.
Mind Over Mind -- The short version? "No, he's not crazy, aliens really are messing with his brain." Then there's Mind Over Psyche, which feels like CS Lewis' science fiction trilogy. Then again, Karina was already involved with a scifi-anthology, so, yeah...
Greater Treasures -- Imagine the Maltese Falcon with dragons. Nuff said.
Stealing Jenny, by Ellen Gable: After 5 miscarriages, Jenny is about to have a pregnancy come to full term... until a psychotic woman kidnaps her and chains her in her basement with the intention of taking the child for her own. I liked this one.
Night Machines by Kia Heavey .... this one was interesting. Almost Doctor Who-ish by way of Rod Serling.
And, of course, there is an endless list of books I can recommend, which happen to be a different tab at the top of the page -- includes Flynn, Ringo, Weber, Thor, etc, etc.
Now, as far as books I haven't looked at yet.... [Below the break.]
Tears of Paradox, by Daniella Bova.
In the not so distant future, Michelle hides in the shadowy cornfields of rural Pennsylvania, waiting for her unborn child, targeted by the untouchables who have assumed absolute power . Michelle’s husband, Jason, remains in their hometown, struggling against overwhelming odds to keep his wife and child from being found.
The blue-collar Catholic couple have already endured numerous losses, including that of a baby son, born under mysterious circumstances. This pair of childhood sweethearts and their family and friends have always stuck together, but the storms of transformation turn everything upside down. Friendships disintegrate, fathers and sons become enemies, and trust is a thing of the past. The ways of traditional America have gradually become what those in power term evil. What used to be evil is now the law, strictly enforced by the bureaucracy, and for ordinary people there is no middle ground; you either play or pay.
Deviation from government policy will land you in jail… or worse. Media figures who aren’t part of the power structure begin slowly disappearing, and Jason must depend solely on God to help him save his wife and baby.
Fast Cars and Rock & Roll -- American Graffiti, the book.
The Boys Upstairs: A jaded cop needs to save three homeless children a few nights before Christmas, with temperatures below zero and falling, but the only one he can ask for help is his estranged brother, a crippled priest.
From Roundheel To Revolutionary: Linda Franklin After "Campus Sexpot" by Susan Kaufield
From the author:
Set against the civil rights, antiwar, and feminist movements of the 1960s, From Roundheel To Revolutionary: Linda Franklin After Campus Sexpot follows Linda Franklin as, having in a previous novel renounced the promiscuity of her teen-aged years, she becomes a prominent advocate for women's rights.
She does not have an easy time of it. Her husband, who loves her steadfastly, is nonetheless unconvinced that women need "liberating". When she then publicly rejects U. S. involvement in Viet-Nam, he and his father, who work for a company benefiting from Defense Department contracts, are especially upset.
She is also opposed by some feminists for her focus on individualism, and must contend with the mockery of those in her hometown who remember her wayward period.
The novel is 65-66 thousand words long. It is set in the fictional town of Wattsville , California (near Sacramento ). The book is written in the voice of Susan Kaufield, the older daughter of one of Linda's "conquests" -- the affair which, in the earlier book, was the catalyst for Linda's metamorphosis. There are a few interjections by Betty, the younger daughter.
And this one comes from my acqusitions editor at Damnation: Anarchy Zone Time Yarns
Fatal Rhythm: Latino surgery resident must determine the cause of suspicious deaths to salvage the career he thought he wanted, but in the process must re-examine his religious and ethnic heritage
Chasing Liberty: Chasing Liberty is a dystopian fiction that explores a future where the government has grown too strong. The traditional family is nonexistent, human life loses value, and the earth is elevated above man. It is meant to encourage reflection on what we have, what we stand to lose and why it's worth fighting for.
Hijacked:
Pilot Lannis Parker’s carefully constructed, sterile life is upended when her small plane is hijacked before dawn on a wintry Louisville morning. Her captor does more than force her to fly him to the Appalachian wilderness, though. He resurrects memories she’s tried to bury, memories of a brutal attack she’d survived four years earlier, an attack she didn’t report and tries to pretend didn’t happen.
Wounded, and losing strength by the minute, Ben Martin knows he has no choice but to commandeer a plane before he’s set upon by a ruthless band of drug dealers intent on wiping him out, along with the information he’s acquired. He’s horrified to discover the pilot is a woman—but once his plan is launched, there’s no turning back.
During a week in the wilderness, Lannis learns her hijacker is fair and honorable, compassionate and insightful—strange attributes for a criminal. And when he discovers her secret, he vows to be the friend she desperately needs but refuses to accept.
Will she come to terms with her past? And will he be part of her future?
And a collection by a friend of mine.
Trusting God with St. Therese: Are your fears, weaknesses, doubts, and anger keeping you from intimacy with Christ? Do you struggle with despair? Let St. Therese teach you perfect trust. Learn how Therese of Lisieux trusted God through tragedy, scruples, spiritual darkness, and physical suffering. Connie Rossini pairs episodic stories from the saint’s life with memories of her own quest to trust. With Sacred Scripture, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and insights from psychology, Rossini leads readers to surrender their lives completely to Jesus. Practical and accessible, Trusting God with St. Therese includes questions for reflection that make it perfect for book clubs and faith-sharing groups. The Catholic Writers Guild awarded it their Seal of Approval
A Special Mother is Born: Parents Share How God Called Them to the Extraordinary Vocation of Parenting a Special Needs Child ... yeah, I think that explains itself.
In Name Only: also by Ellen Gable. It's historical romance... which means you're already interested, or moving onto the next entry.
End of the road, by Amy Bennett: This looks like a fun one, a straight up, old fashioned murder mystery......Corrie Black, owner of the Black Horse Campground, hopes for a successful start to her summer season but the discovery of Marvin Landry, a long-time guest, shot dead in his own RV, along with $50,000 in cash missing, does not herald a good beginning… especially since the victim’s handicapped wife and angry stepson seem to have little interest in discovering who murdered him. Was Marvin’s murder planned or just convenient? And is the appearance of a mysterious biker with a shadowy past that includes a recently deceased wife merely a coincidence? Despite opposition from former flame, Sheriff Rick Sutton, Corrie is determined to find out who murdered her guest. But will she find out who is friend or foe before the murderer decides it’s the end of the road for Corrie?
Palace of the 12 Pillars -- Short version: YA Christian fiction. The long version .... is really long, please follow the link.
Fools, Liars, Cheaters, and Other Bible Heroes... I think the title is self explanatory, don't you?
Hope for the Workplace - Christ in You by Bill Dalgetty. Drawing from extensive experience in business and workplace ministry, Dalgetty examines the challenges faced by Catholics seeking to live out their faith in today's workplace. Readers will discover practical tips for:
- Dealing with a difficult colleague or boss
- Maintaining integrity and ethics in business decisions
- Seeking Excellence in one's work
- Balancing family and career
- Caring for co-workers
Relying on Scripture, Church teaching, the writings of both Catholic and Protestant leaders, and fifty real-life stories of people in the workplace, God's solutions to these common workplace issues are set forth in a straightforward, conversational style. The author shows how we can accept God's offer to dwell in us and allow the Holy Spirit to empower us to bring hope and transformation to our workplaces. "A very readable and inspiring book for busy Christians who need to overcome a compartmentalized life." Dr. Michael J. Naughton, Moss Chair in Catholic Social Thought, University of St. Thomas Christmas Special Price of $12.95, $2.00 off the regular price of $14.95 on www.zacchaeuspublications.com.
The Life I Dreamed is a Catholic, pro-life novel about a young family living out their faith and their beliefs despite many challenges. It is a story about the struggle to live out one’s faith and values, and about the importance of standing up for them as well. It is truly Catholic and truly pro-life, but at the same time it is a story that mothers the world over can relate to. The Life I Dreamed has been featured in Catholic Digest, on Catholic Lane, and has received the CWG Seal of Approval. This uplifting, yet realistic tale of living an authentically Catholic life in a harsh, difficult world is the perfect gift for any mother in your life. It is a story that entertains and at the same time builds up women in their vocation by honoring and valuing the true blessing that mothers are to their families and to the world.
White Seed. What really happened to the Lost Colony? One of the most haunting mysteries in American history - The Lost Colony of Roanoke - comes roaring back to life in White Seed!
By the Hands of Men, Book One: The Old World. As the Great War rages around them, wounded Lt. Robert Fitzgerald falls in love with Russian nurse Charlotte Braninov. Torn apart by illness and betrayal, they pursue separate quests that take them across a world convulsed by change. From the trenches of France to revolutionary Russia, they learn that hands of men can create a hell on earth – or, through the redemptive power of love, a heaven in which to truly live.
If you have something you'd like to suggest for gifting opportunities, please feel free to mention it below.
Good luck with shopping, everyone.
Thursday, November 5, 2015
Who would Norman Osborn Vote For? Election special, the Villain's edition
Last week, I posted an article that suggested who various and sundry superheroes would vote for.
This week, I think it's time the villains got a shot at it.
Norman Osborn aka: the Green Goblin (Marvel).
One of the most evil bastards in the Marvel universe, Norman Osborn, by day, is a seriously big big business Wall Street CEO. He is a vicious psychopath and merciless killer. Norman Osborn mostly resides in New York City, which makes him a definite shoe-in for a Democratic voter, no matter who the candidate is.
Also, keep in mind that a lot of Wall Street tycoons are supporters to the Democratic party -- John Corzine, Robert Rubin (Goldman Sachs), Citibank, and George Soros (Democrat and Obama's biggest supporter), Brookfield Asset Management, Lehman Brothers (who now work for the Obama Administration).
And can you imagine what Osborn would do with a stimulus package?
VOTE GOES TO: Obama.
Wilson Fisk aka The Kingpin (Marvel)
By day, he is a businessman, though not as big as Norman Osborn in the business world. He is more local in his business interests and his crime. And, in his personal life, he left the crime world and moved to Japan, mostly for his family. He actually stayed out of the crime business for his wife. Only when his family was threatened, and his wife lost to him that he reentered the world of crime. Add to that he spent a lot of time in Japan learning philosophy, martial arts, etc. While you can say many things about the Japanese, their traditional culture is very, very conservative. And, between that and his [relatively] small business interests, Fisk probably comes out as both an economic and social conservative.
VOTE GOES TO: Romney.
Poison Ivy, aka Dr Pamela Isley (DC).
A radical environmentalist, heavy on the mental, Poison Ivy is the ultimate eco-terrorist. She also happens to be bat-guano insane, taking monomania to a whole new level of crazy. A one issue voter, she cares nothing for the "War on Women," since she has already declared the human race something worthy of extinction, and only about environmental issues. Since she makes current Left-wing ecofreaks seem reasonable, she'd probably find the most hard-line environmentalist she can. Barring that, she might actually approve of standard contraception and abortion, since it means fewer people to trample her precious flowers.
VOTE GOES TO: Obama
Harley Quinn, aka Harleen Quinzel.
A former shrink, Harley Quinn went quite mad a while ago, falling for the Joker. She has a long history of tolerating abuse and putting up with whatever his narcissism and whimsy dictates. However, she also had had enough at one point, and shot the little bugger. Her mind would hear the phrase "War on Women" and think "War? What War? Who's shooting?" Her sources of information would rely on either her precious "Mista Jay" or her best friend, Poison Ivy. And, let's face it, Joker would enter a polling place to gas everyone to death, and then vote for Ron Paul.
VOTE GOES TO: Whoever Joker tells her to vote for (see above), or whoever Ivy tells her (see above).
Catwoman, aka Selina Kyle.
A professional thief, Selina would not be the type of person to complain about the 1%. She loves the 1%. After all, without them, who else would she rob? She is also a single mother (or she was, pre-nDCU), so she's not exactly the pro-abortion type, assuming she even dwells on the matter. And, let's face she, she has a tendency to jump the bones of the richest person in town. However, would this make her a Romney voter? Not necessarily.
However, Selina has also occasionally worked as a thief for the federal government, and if she voted, she would vote her paycheck, and go for the guy most likely to invest in defense spending and funding the Company she works for.
Also, Romney might remind her of another rich white conservative she occasionally sleeps with.
VOTE GOES TO: Romney.
[More below the break]
Two Face, aka Harvey Dent. Harvey has a split personality, in more ways than one. Before he went crazy, Harvey was a prosecutor, which makes him a perfect shoe-in for a Republican voter. However, after he was disfigured with acid, he has a serious problem of making up his mind on anything at all. Almost all binary problems are solved with a flip of a two-headed coin, one side scarred.
VOTE GOES TO: It's a toss up. A coin toss you might say
Penguin, aka Oswald Cobblepot.
The Penguin is a white collar criminal who dabbles in the occasional violent crime. He owns his own bar, deals in information, and assorted (usually) non-violent felonies. This wouldn't come down to policy, but it would boil down to personality. To start with, Penguin smokes, drinks, and is usually in various levels of obesity -- the Michelle Obama health craze would seriously piss him off.
Not to mention, as a white collar criminal, the Penguin would be in the business of tax evasion, and he would probably vote for anyone who threatens to cut taxes.
VOTE GOES TO: Romney
Mister Freeze, aka Dr. Victor Fries.
Victor puts the "mad" in mad scientist, as in "mad as hell and not going to take it anymore," with a touch of "madman" thrown in. A cold personality, Victor has only one real passion in his life, outside of cryogenics, and that is his wife Nora. His entire life is dedicated to restoring her to full health and getting her out of cryogenic suspension. This would probably qualify as being, at base, conservative by desire (shooting for family values of a warped variety), however, his love of his wife has turned into a mania. When love turns into psychosis, it's one of the worst negatives.
On the other hand, Freeze occasionally ends up as an protagonist, sort of, on Batman's side when the situation warrants, so maybe he hasn't been completely warped. So, if we presume that his values haven't been completely distorted beyond all recognition, the psychotic bits may not be that important.
Also, Freeze is also European in background, so we can probably figure him for either very left wing or very right wing, there are no real middle grounds in European politics. So, figure him for more right wing.
VOTE GOES TO: Romney? Maybe?
Nonstarters
These are nonstarters in general, and I couldn't really scrounge up enough of these folks for their own entry. They are both heroes and villains. And, while I would have loved to title this post "WWJVF: Who would Joker vote for," well, he's not really that complicated.
Joker -- As noted, he's probably kill everyone in the polling place, and vote Ron Paul.
Lex Luthor -- Would vote for himself. He was President once, after all.
Wonder Woman -- won't vote, since both candidates are men with no military service. Maybe if Hillary ran......
Thor -- Not a citizen, and therefore, can't vote. Can I can see him voting for Paul Ryan .. not Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan.
Loki -- As a demigod of chaos, you can almost lay money that he would have organized Occupy Wall Street. But, again, not a citizen
Peter Parker, aka Spider-Man -- as a New Yorker, he would vote Obama, but it wouldn't matter, because he would approach the polls, hear sirens, and webswing away to the rescue, and remain busy until the polls closed. He would then walk home in a slump because he couldn't do what he wanted to. He would then retire from being Spider-man for five minutes, or five issues, whichever came first. Then he makes a deal with Mephisto so that the last few decades of voting never happened the way everyone remembers.
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
Sunday, November 1, 2015
Friday, October 30, 2015
Thursday, October 22, 2015
Catholics, politics, and the world.
Yes, I'm going to do politics again, but probably from an angle you wouldn't expect. You might even enjoy it, because it's a trip into the twilight zone.
I know the American populace has been credited with the memory retention of your average house fly, but still, you'd think there have to be limits. For example, does anyone remember when Mitt Romney was considered way too liberal to be nominated for the Republican presidential nominee? Now, he's being cast as an evil, right-wing psychopath that makes George W. Bush look reasonable. What alternate reality have I fallen into?
Now, granted, Romney is different from the moderate we got last time, Senator John "Mumra" McCain, who was perfectly moderate, and perfectly boring. Romney's only real conservatism seems to lie in his being fiscally conservative, and that's on a good day, but that's still more than John McCain had .... and Romney also looks like he has a pulse, though that is a more recent development.
Now, keep in mind, I'm a New Yorker. If I'm not in the most Left-wing city in the United States, it's in the running for the position. So, I get daily reports and updates about why people are voting for who they're voting for, even though I really would rather smother them so I can be left alone.
However, since no one will leave me alone, here are some thoughts.
#1) Romney is not going to be touching abortion, contraception, birth control, in any significant way. Sorry, but it's the truth. No one is going to, no one can, and therefore it is an irrelevant issue. At this point in time, you'd need an act of law to alter the way any of that is currently functioning, and I can't see any congress voting that way, do you? Even if Republicans took over the entire house and senate, please realize that there are such things as pro-choice Republicans, even if there is no such thing as a pro-life democrat.
#2) You have the right to tell no one to shut up. Everyone has a right to their opinions. You may not share that opinion, but may not like their opinion, but you have no right to issue death threats. You can do what everyone else does, and walk away. Insults are also a waste of your time. A friend or mine has basically declared "every woman who votes for Romney is stupid!!!!" Now, since the candidates are tied for women voters, that is a really bad move, and will alienate all those who you could have won over. You lost them, kiss the votes goodbye.
#3) Considering that the key issues this year seem to be about the economy or foreign policy, making a play for social issues is a fairly obvious play at changing the subject. That was a problem I had with Rick "I believe in the Devil!" Santorum. Most religions believe in devils, demons, what have you, but to make a public statement about your belief during a Presidential run is just so irrelevant, and boils down to "What does that have to do about anything?" And, now, that seems to be a running theme -- ignore everything else that is taking precedence, or taking place, and focus on something shiny over somewhere else.
Can you tell that I'm tired of living in spin?
Maybe we can have an honest debate where everyone tells the truth, no one interrupts each other, and the audience can shot the moderator if they become too annoying.
And maybe pigs will fly.
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