Free ebook: Ice Cracker II

Ice Cracker II 

by Lindsay Buroker 

Genre: Fantasy, Short Stories

She’s wanted for crimes against the throne. He’s the empire’s most notorious assassin. With bounties on their heads, they’re not likely candidates for heroics, but they’re on a quest for redemption. Unfortunately, they’ll have to pursue and conquer great threats to earn the emperor’s recognition.

Three short fantasy stories set in the author’s “Emperor’s Edge” universe.

Ice Cracker II — When wanted criminals Sicarius and Amaranthe unearth a plot against the military’s premier ice breaking ship, they may be the only ones who can thwart the saboteurs…if the soldiers don’t kill them first.

Through Fire Distilled — An assignment to investigate a “haunted” distillery turns sour when mercenaries try to collect on Amaranthe’s bounty.

The Frozen Water Trade — A mission to help an old friend results in a night trapped in a cabin with blizzards and underworld predators on the outside and vengeful relatives on the inside. Alas, it’s bad form to kill the client’s father.

Total word count: 17,500

Genre: a fantasy blend of steampunk and swords & sorcery

Click here to download from Amazon for the Kindle.
Click here to download from B&N for the Nook.

Cowboys and Aliens

Cowboys and Aliens

Directed by: Jon Favreau

Released in theaters July 29, 2011

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of western and sci-fi action and violence, some partial nudity and a brief crude reference.

My Rating: ★★★★★

It’s 1873 in the Wild West of the Arizona territory.  You’ve got cowboys.  You’ve got Indians.  You’ve got….aliens…

Jake Lonergan (Daniel Craig) wakes in the desert, injured, with no clue who he is or why he’s there. He also wears some fancy bracelet which he cannot seem to remove.  Moseying back into Absolution as a stranger, he is soon recognized as a wanted man and apprehended.  When the local head honcho, Colonel Dolarhyde (Harrison Ford) comes to retrieve his delinquent brat of a son, he also discovers Jake who previously stole from him.  Suddenly, strange lights are on the horizon manifesting into peculiar flying vehicles that begin snatching the town’s citizens.  The enemies, Lonergan and Dolarhyde have to work together to learn exactly what these demon creatures are and how they can rescue their loved ones.

While this film is based on the graphic novel Cowboys and Aliens by Scott Mitchell Rosenberg, from what I gather, the only thing they really have in common is the idea of cowboys fighting an alien invasion (and maybe a couple other points that could possibly be spoilers).  Just skimming through the comic, it really focuses on comparing the alien invasion with the immigration and migration of the first white settlers in America, while the movie only occasionally mentions war between whites and Indians.  One screenwriter, Roberto Orci, did point out that while they did take many elements from the comic, the screenplay was completely edited and adapted for live action.  It was also interesting to find out this film has been in process since 1997 when Universal bought the film rights on Rosenberg’s proposed story.

Personally, I loved this film.  It might have something to do with Harrison Ford—who knows?  But, really, the story is interesting.  They knew how to get the essence of the West and then throw in the aliens without it being too cheesy.  (They actually researched and handled this very carefully).  Daniel Craig makes a perfect lead, with his James Bond lethalness contrasted with his humanity and vulnerability.  I was disappointed that Ford wasn’t present for a large part of the beginning of the film.  One supporting character that I felt made a huge impression on the film was Doc (Sam Rockwell).  He added some extra wit and complexity to the story. 

The aliens themselves were appropriately creepy.  Their appearance was influenced by the creatures from Predator and Alien, and they were loosely based on the Anunnaki gods of Babylonian religion, who have a distinct interest in gold.  They also used the tried and true method from the 1980s films, revealing the creatures bit by bit and using lighting, camera work, and music to enhance the experience.  I feel it was quite effective, and I commend everyone involved for successfully combining the western and sci-fi genres in this way!

This is definitely one to own; my son was even asking when we could watch it again…

Feature: Shadows of Wormwood by T.J. Koll

This week, I am featuring Shadows of Wormwood by the talented T.J. Koll.  T.J. will be by tomorrow (August 5, 2011) with a great guest post!  Be sure to stop by and check that out!  For now, here's what I have to say about this wonderful book...

Shadows of Wormwood

By:  T.J. Koll

ISBN:  9781461094616

Published April 15, 2011 by CreateSpace

Available Format: Paperback, ebook

My Rating: ★★★★☆

Bitsy Cooper isn’t your typical boy-crazy, fashionista thirteen-year-old.  While nursing a tragic heartache, she must endure the disintegration of her parents’ marriage and, now, protect her younger brother from a sadistic bully.  This story, which deals with everything from alcoholism to religion, will tug at your heartstrings and perhaps even teach you a few lessons about life, family, and survival.

It is still refreshing to find an author with such a graceful style.  Koll takes a rich, honest plot and turns it into a beautiful, intriguing tale.  I literally read the entire novel in one sitting, which is hard for me to do these days! 

There are several elements to this story with the main undercurrent being loss.  Bitsy and her family have lost her older brother in the war.  The pain and grief seeps into every part of their lives and brings so many related issues to the surface.  The family seems so overwhelmed; they can barely function together any longer.  The Old Woman lost her young daughter in a tragic accident, which she certainly blames herself for.  As a result, her relationship with her living daughter is strained as well.  Through such a genuine and powerful delivery, it is so easy for the reader to feel every emotion of every character in this novel (yep, I cried...).

I both loved and hated the bit about Harriet the chicken. I’m not sure what it is about animals in books (and movies), but they get me every time!  Obviously, it doesn’t matter what species either.  There is something about having that presence in your life—something you must care for but so often gives you so much more in return.  Just in that rather minor portion of the story, a whole new understanding was introduced about the kind of person the so-called River Witch really was and the sort of person Bitsy was growing into.

There is also the relationship between the siblings and the children and their father.  The connection between brother and sister was so completely normal, yet so telling and fulfilling.  I tell my son all the time he is going to need his sister someday, so he’d better be nice to her!  Of course, he could care less, but the point is that bond between brother and sister adds another layer to the main character and the life around her.  Her father is so completely torn between the loss of his son and his failing marriage.  He just wants to prove his love for his family but doesn’t understand how to achieve that.  I got the feeling that Bitsy and her father were very much alike, they just hadn’t had the opportunity to get to know each other that well.

Aside from all that rambling, I just wanted you to know that this is a beautiful story and you really should read it and see for yourself!! :-)

You can learn more about TJ and his work on his website:  www.tjkoll.com

Captain America: The First Avenger

Captain America: The First Avenger

Directed by: Joe Johnston

Released in theaters July 22, 2011

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action.

My Rating:  ★★★½

Steve Rogers (Chris Evans), a wisp of a man, is sick of being rejected by the military.  When Dr. Erskine (Stanley Tucci) overhears a discussion between Rogers and a friend and he proves himself morally worthy, Erskine gives him a chance at Project Rebirth, which enhances Rogers’ weak body into the epitome of maximum human potential.  As Captain America, Rogers must defend his country and the entire world against an evil threat who feels he has harnessed the power of the gods, the Red Skull (Hugo Weaving).

I really wanted to love this movie.  I just couldn’t help it.  There was something missing, something that would have given it that bit of oomph it needed to be really great.  The build-up seemed to take forever; my six-year-old almost couldn’t take it (he’s an action sort of guy).  The action scenes either felt forced or were far too short.  The romance was even downplayed too much.  The power source was never even explained, unless I missed it somehow.  I spent most of the movie slightly confused.

My favorite part of the whole film was the ending.  I’m not being facetious.  The twist at the end was genuinely the most exciting part of the whole story.  Hopefully the next installment, which I am almost positive will happen, will be much more entertaining!

Thank God for Tommy Lee Jones’ and Stanley Tucci’s humor and Chris Evans’ and Haley Atwell’s pretty faces!  Hugo Weaving makes a pretty convincing Red Skull.  I also love the take on World War II and Hitler’s rule (though it was not focused on that at all).  The comic provides a great storyline with tons of potential, but I think maybe a different screenwriter or even director might have been helpful. 

You’ll have to check it out sometime and let me know what you think!

Blog Awards...

My dear friend Cambria at The Unlocked Diary nominated Gathering Leaves for some sweet blog awards!  I'm horrible at this...haha...  But, I'll at least try to answer the questions :-).

What to do:

1. Tag the person who nominated you.
2. Give 7 facts about yourself and answer the Favorites Questions 
3. Pass these awards to 15 Bloggers.
4. Notify the bloggers of their awards

The awards:

Seven facts about moi:
1. In college, I changed my minor five times: sociology, philosophy, premed, history, religion... :-) I never changed my major!

2. I taught myself to play piano as a child, aside from several months of lessons AFTER I already knew the basics.  I love to play for myself.  I hate for other people to listen...


3. I have never traveled farther north than Washington, Illinois or farther west than Kansas City.  

4. While I don't really care for spiders and snakes, I have a rather irrational fear of crickets!  I don't mind grasshoppers so much, but crickets make my heart skip a beat!

5. I talk to myself a lot.  It helps me keep things organized in my mind and work out problems or prepare for things to come...


6. I can "give the finger" with my middle toes (curl the other toes down and keep those two up).  It is my one amazing talent! :-)

7.  I gave birth to my youngest child at home, and it was the BEST experience of my entire life!!!


Favorites Questions:

1. Name your favorite colors.
    Grass green, red, purple, brown

2. Name your favorite song.
    This is as impossible as favorite book!  Today I'll go with "Blackbird" by Alter Bridge

3. Name your favorite dessert.
    Also an impossible question!  I have a hankering for fresh peach cobbler right now!  I love ice cream, especially homemade Yoohoo.  I make a delicious banana pudding :-)...  Cookie dough...  

4. What pisses you off.
     I'm beginning to think these are all impossible!  LOL  Overly judgmental people--the ones that forget that plank in their own eye...  People that treat my son like there is something "wrong" with him or me like I am a bad mother because of his unique needs.  Smoking in public.  


5. When you are upset you.
    Depends on what has upset me.  I may talk to my husband or mom or a friend.  99.999% of the time, I will cry about it :-).  Do some major cleaning or organizational project...  Put my headphones in and listen to music.

6. Favorite Pet.
    I have a Yorkie, cat, and sugar glider.  Of the three, I love Hermione (glider) because she is fairly clean, doesn't stink, doesn't make a bunch of noise, and is SO easy to take care of!  She is also stinking cute and fun to watch.  I love Cocoa (Yorkie) because he is my lap baby.  He loves lying down with me and just hanging out.  He also doesn't shed!  Sookie (cat) is the most fun to play with (as in scare the crap out of and watch her jump and scat!).   

If I could have any animal as a pet, I would love to have a river otter! :-)

7. Black or White?
    Both.  Black...

8. Biggest Fear?
    Something happening to my children!

9. Best Feature?
    My unequivocal genius! :-P  I think I have nice eyes, but wish my lashes were fuller/longer. Everyone loves my thick, extremely curly hair--sometimes I love it, sometimes not so much...  

10. Everyday attitude:
     Well, I often fail miserably, but I try to always just take things as they come.  I want to see the positive of everything and not let disappointments keep me down for long!  I don't want to waste all my time worrying about the bad that MIGHT come.  Otherwise, I wouldn't have time to enjoy the little blessings that are all around me!

11. What is Perfection:
      A sleeping baby, a crisp fall morning, a song that weaves itself into your very soul, being so happy your heart smiles...

12. Guilty Pleasures:
      Sleeping in as often as I can!  True Blood...  White Chocolate Mochas and Strawberry milkshakes...  A good video game (okay, I rarely have time for this...)...  



Okay, once again I believe I will forego the nominations.  It isn't that I don't know of SO many wonderful blogs, but it really just takes so much darn time to pass all this info on and make sure that those bloggers don't mind participating...etc...  So, anyone who reads this, please consider yourself tagged and feel free to share on your blog!!! :-)  


Thanks again, Cambria!!  


Hope everyone has a wonderful week! :-)

Free ebook: Waterfall: A Novel (River of Time)

Waterfall: A Nevel (River of Time Series)
By:  Lisa T. Bergren
AISN:  B004NBYFA8

Gabriella has never spent a summer in Italy like this one.

Remaining means giving up all she’s known and loved…

and leaving means forfeiting what she’s come to know…and love itself.

 

Most American teenagers want a vacation in Italy, but the Bentarrini sisters have spent every summer of their lives with their parents, famed Etruscan scholars, among the romantic hills. Stuck among the rubble of medieval castles in rural Tuscany on yet another hot, dusty archeological site, Gabi and Lia are bored out of their minds… until Gabi places her hand atop a handprint in an ancient tomb and finds herself in fourteenth-century Italy. And worse yet, in the middle of a fierce battle between knights of two opposing forces.

And thus does she come to be rescued by the knight-prince Marcello Falassi, who takes her back to his father’s castle—a castle Gabi has seen in ruins in another life. Suddenly Gabi’s summer in Italy is much, much more interesting. But what do you do when your knight in shining armor lives, literally, in a different world?

Grab your free copy HERE while it lasts!

Free ebook: A Kiss of Adventure

A Kiss of Adventure
By: Catherine Palmer
AISN:  B005CR0O7A


Product Description

Desperate and on the run, Tillie Thornton finds herself in an uneasy partnership with Graeme McLeod, a daring adventurer who comes out of nowhere to thwart the plot of Tillie’s would-be kidnappers. Now these two must join forces against their common enemies, as well as the challenges of nature, as they embark on a quest that could bring them the answers they seek—or cost them everything.
Formerly published as The Treasure of Timbuktu.

   About the Author

Catherine Palmer lives in Missouri with her husband, Tim, and sons Geoffrey and Andrei. She is a graduate of Southwest Baptist University and holds a master's degree in English from Baylor University. Her first book was published in 1988. Since then she has published nearly forty novels, many of them national bestsellers. Catherine has won numerous awards for her writing, including the Christy Award, the highest honor in Christian fiction. Twice she has been nominated for the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award. Total sales of her novels number nearly two million copies.

Go HERE to snag your free copy while it lasts!!