Mail Day

My doorbell rang, and I was thinking, "who would be coming here this time of day?"

I had forgotten with all that has been going on in the last two weeks that I was getting Spin by Catherine McKenzie.

I will be part of the blog tour later next month.

I have been having some personal issues and have to apologize for being behind on a few reviews.

I still have to finish reading Jolted by Arthur Slade and Cheers by Nicholas Pashley. I will try to have them up before the end of next week.

All are Harper Collins Canada books.

The Book of Spells by Michael Johnstone

This book of shadows is designed to look like a cookbook.

But don't let that fool you.

At 384 pages, this is book covers almost every type of ritual you would be looking for in an easy to understand layout. The introduction covers the basics for anyone not familiar with spellcrafting, including a brief overview of the Wiccan holidays.

The Book of Spells, is one you should have in your collection if you are a practicing Pagan.

Elvira Three Pack

Back in the mid 1990's Horror Hostess and Queen of Hallowe'en, Elvira along with her long time writing partner John Paragon, put out a series of books.

They were as campy as the Mistress of the Dark herself and filled with classic monsters but that wasn't the only gimmick they used. As the first book in the series Transylvania 90210 suggests, they mixed pop culture icons from Saved by the Bell and 90210 to create something that could only have come from The Mistress of the Dark.

These make for a light laugh out loud read at just under 200 pages each, and a series I dearly hope gets a reprint. I was little depressed to find out there were only 3 books in the series.

The Men of Jane Austen Part 3

This is the last part of the final challenge for the All Jane Austen Challenge

I know I have not covered all the men, I have to be honest, this was a challenge that was unrealistic. Which I of course would not admit when I started this one. I am admitting it now.

Does that mean I failed the challenge? Maybe.

Something I have noticed in a general sense with the men in her books, that is the age. The average age of her heroes and villains is around 34.

Almost as if the men over this age are of no interest to her at all. I can in part understand this, as I am one for younger men.

I also noticed there are not alot of father figures in general in her books. The ones that do appear, seem to have little to do with things.

It makes one wonder if Jane Austen found the lives of her male characters as interesting as she seemed to for her female ones?

And why I am about to do something completely odd. I am going to "cast my Austen men". If I was doing a production of a Jane Austen, I would choose these real life men to play her characters This would be my dream cast. Some of these names you will recognize and some will have you scratching your head as to whom they are. ( The names with ** after then are wrestlers. )

Mr. Knightley = Jay Lethal**

Mr. Elton = Randy Orton**

Frank Churchill = Austin Aries**

Colonel Brandon = I have to go with the actor who's played him and stuck in everyone mind Alan Rickman. I know there have been other actors who's played him, but for me there is no other Colonel Brandon.

Mr. Willoughby = Andrew McCarthy.

Mr. Edward Ferrars = Jack Huston

Mr. Robert Ferrars = Jimmy Jacobs**

Edmund Bertram = Jude Law

Tom Bertram = Benicio Del Toro

Mr. Crawford = Alessandro Nivola . Again, I know he played this character already, but for me there is no other Mr. Crawford. No one can live up to his version of it.

Mr. Rushworth = Ryan Reynolds.

William Elliot = Desmond Wolfe**

Captain Frederick Wentworth = Sheamus**

John Thorpe = Steven Mackintosh

Henry Tilney = James Marsters

Mr. Bingley = Chris Sabin**

Mr. Collins = Eric Young**

Mr. Wickham = Kevin Zegers. And yes I know that is a cheat as he already did the movie Jane Austen Book Club playing the character of Trey

Mr. Darcy = Alex Shelley **

I hope I remembered everyone.

So this is the final part to my final challenge. As I said, it was more then I could handle. I'll remember not to be so bold next time.

This has been fun, coming around to peoples blogs over the last 6 months seeing everyones reviews.

In the end you have to ask yourself "What would Jane Do?"

Into the Dark by Peter Abrahams

This is a children's book, but don't let that fool you, it packs a punch.

Plot: Ingrid is a devotee to Sherlock Holmes novels and seems to find one mystery after another. Her Grandfather is a war hero who is having issues with a local corporation trying to buy out his land. While out with a friend Ingrid stumbles upon a dead body on her Grandfather's farm and now must prove his innocence. Clue after clue leads Ingrid to the alibi she needs to clear her Grandfather, only he refuses to tell the truth. While this is going on, her parents break up, and her dog gets kidnapped. Can Ingrid keep her wits about her before it's too late?

I really enjoyed this novel. It had a good pace with 26 chapters and 300 pages. The characters were solid, which they would be as this is the third installment in the Echo Falls series.

You follow Ingrid exclusively as she pieces together the clues of dates, times and logic. The fact the character is a 13 year old girl lends to the quirks and pitfalls of letting something that might be obvious to an adult, expand as the next part of the puzzle.

Her sidekick shifts from her dog to her best friend, but you never feel the shift as jarring.

Using the subplot of the school play as a backdrop foreshadows the crime so subtly you don't realize it till you are in the last chapter. Brilliant.

The use of direct quotes from various Sherlock Holmes novels helps to link together plot points that would otherwise seem overlooked. It's easy to get behind the characters and it's clear who's side you should be routing for.

There was only one thing in this novel I did not like, that was the whip cracking housekeeper. It was a new take on the bad guy, but she was almost an after thought, brought in within the last two chapters.

I would recommend getting the other two novels as well, Down the Rabbit Hole and Behind the Curtain as there were references to things that happened in the past novels. Otherwise this works well as a stand alone piece.

As I said in the beginning, this is listed as a children's book, but adults who enjoy a good who done it will find it a nice bit of entertainment.

Movies about Books -part 2

Secret Window. Based on the novella by Stephen King, Secret Window Secret Garden.

Is about a writer who is being accused of stealing another writer's work. We are taken through this situation which is only a small part of his downward spiral into madness as we discover his recent divorce.

He's done this in the past, and now has to face this demons.

This being a King story right off makes it a good one, true horror comes from inside not out. Johnny Depp once again pulls you into this world and makes you believe that what you read might not be what you see.

Year of Living Biblically by AJ Jacobs

I read this book back when it first came out two years ago, and had thought I reviewed it.

This is a year and a half long journey that the author found himself on where he followed the laws as they are listed in the bible.

It made for some interesting trials. At first, I wasn't sure I could get into a book about religion, but found myself glued to it. AJ Jacobs uses humour and personal errors as the jumping off point for his quest.

Could modern man be able to live up to the "moral code" laid out in both the Old Testament and New Testament?

Maybe.

Can enlightenment and spiritual purpose be found in someone who has never really seen themselves as being spiritual or religious?

Yes.

This is a book that anyone having questions about their personal spiritual beliefs should pick up.

The Gonzo Challenge

Gonzo Journalism was brought to the forefront by one man brave enough to speak his mind even when it was a mill of rumours.

After having talked to people who all say they are big fans of Hunter S. Thompson, but yet can't list off more then one of his books, I am wondering if anyone in the last 30 years have read anything by him other then Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas ? Or If they even read it?

So it's simple, between now and Feb 20th 2010 (the 5th anniversary of his death)

I am challenging anyone who sees this post to read one of his books and tell me about your thoughts on it.

Simple.

You can leave your comments on this post or on my other blog Another Freak in the Freakdom

Buy the ticket take the ride.

Books as Comfort Food

When we are depressed, we all have a food, movie, cd or book we turn to as an emotional security blanket.

For me, it used to be Vampire Lestat by Anne Rice, but as of late for me it's been Hot Chocolate for the Mystical Lover by Arielle Ford.

I have been finding it uplifting and grounding all at the same time. Beautiful stories of real people who found their happiness.

What are your comfort food books?

Mid Nov Update and a Poll

Current reading list is crazy large.

The Shipping News is on the top of the pile, the one I have managed to get a few chapters read from this week.

If you hit up WWEGIRL's book blog you will find a Dracula book club online.

Not too mention, she's got a poll going at the moment, as do I.

I can't keep up with her, she manages to read more then I do, and I'm the one without any body around to distract me. Go figure eh?

And don't forget to Show us your all time favourite book.

Movies about Books

As I was working on my Jane Austen Challenge, I found myself returning more then once to the Jane Austen Book Club. Which is a movie about books.

And it got me thinking of the movie the Ninth Gate which is also a movie about a book.

In this case, a book written by the devil on how to bring him into flesh.

The movie is also based on a book.

What is it you think that draws us to books? To the idea of the written word? To the need to have them?

Is it the knowledge they hold, or is it the idea of what they might evoke? Wither we are reading a text book on math, a cookbook, a steamy romance or a religious text, books somehow bring out another side of us. And let's us get lost in that particular world for awhile.

The message in the movie Ninth Gate is one of caution. The book that Johnny Depp's character is chasing after is one that unlocks a puzzle to the gods. In turn, it unlocks a part of him that he didn't even know existed. Sometimes, when we go hunting for the answers, the answers are hunting for us.

Share your all time favourite book

I used my webcam so it's a backwards photo, cause my camera is still without batteries.

But my all time favourite book is The Vampire Lestat by Anne Rice

You can see by the condition of the book, it's been read alot.

I've had it since 1986 -this copy- I read it in Hardcover from the library when it first came out in 1985. It's traveled with me since grade 6. Lived in my purse and survived many trips across Canada.

My favourite quote is " Now and then eyes settled on me with some vague air of expectation. My white skin made them pause, but what was that when they let blood out of their veins themselves to keep their delicate parlor? ( Let me hold the basin for you and drink it afterwards) And my eyes, what were those in a sea of paste jewels?" page 273

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What are you Reading Monday?

J.Kaye's Book Blog has had this going for months, and I just found out about it cause you know me, I spend too much time alone under my books.

But here I go:

Monday Nov 9th 2009

I am reading Shipping News by Annie Proulx

The Pagan/Witch Challenge

Pagan Girl is hosting her first challenge.

You can find out about it on her blog here

You can read about my challenge choices here

It runs from Yule (Dec 21st 2009) until just before Hallowe'en (Oct 21st 2010)

That goes against my values

I was given a book to review that I not only could not finish, it opened a genre to me I want nothing to do with. This just was not my cup of tea.

I ended up letting a friend of mine take a look at it because of the religious and military themes running through the book.

The best she could offer was the the author exposed too much of himself with the personal reflections, and the poetry seemed forced.

How do you stay objective when dealing with a genre that goes against your religious/political beliefs?

Had I known before hand the genre/sub-genre of the book I would have politely said "no". But nowhere on it (it was a download actually ) did the book in question have any listing of it's religious/political slant.

So why didn't I ask the genre before hand?

Good question Spudgun, because the author was so desperate for someone to review it. I said yes and got the file from him without any other information. Bad on my part I know.

Where do you mark the invisible line when it comes to your work and your beliefs ?

Thunder and Blood-Review

I have been sitting on this review for over a month waiting for the Nov 5th tour stop with the author Stacey Voss.

Due to issues with the author there will be no tour stop this week. Sorry.

Plot: Two sisters are on a weekend get away when they suddenly find themselves lost in a fog. With their car having broken down, they head for the nearest house for shelter. Right off the bat there is something odd about the place given the style is over a hundred years old with no running water.

The sisters soon learn that they are in a parallel universe where vampires rule the world and blood is the only form of currency.

Each sister then goes on her own way, and each of them gets involved with a vampire. Which one of the sisters will come out alive and which one of the vampires will gain control of the land.

Now you know me, I am always up for a vampire anything so I was really looking forward to this book. As well the premise of this story isn't bad, it's fairly good.

Now before I tell you what I liked about it, I have to tell you what I didn't like about it.

Thunder Bay.

For someone living in the city of Thunder Bay, I found the first chapter really difficult to sit through. I understand for anyone living outside of the area, this will be a very new and interesting plot part, but for people like myself who have been in the shadow of the Sleeping Giant for years it's dry very dry.

Now what I liked about it.

I found the idea of having a world run on blood to be a nice story line, (yes I am aware of Repo Man the Genetic Opera has a similar plot) and the head villain Lord Radek to be worthy of the title of vampire. There was something of a flavour that reminds me of Anne Rice's character Armand. Lord Radek is the strongest character in the book with the most interesting back story and seems to have the most depth to his personality. It's a shame he's only given a small slice of actual page time.

The element of the fog (no pun intended) being a key to the space/time travel was also an interesting way to get the characters from Thunder Bay to Donner, though it does lend one to think of Shadow Over Innsmouth by H.P. Lovecraft and Evil Dead 2 and the fog sequence that Bruce Campbell encounters.

Not placing the story in this century was also a good idea, as it gave a second conflict for the two sisters in their need to adapt.

Mixing pieces that seem to be right out of the author's real life helped to ground the story in reality even though this is a sci-fi story. The good qualities out weigh the bad, but there is still something lacking for vampire fans.

It's hard to miss the shades of Vampire Masquerade and Kindred the Embraced; as the subplot stems up to offer the sectioning of land ruled by a vampire lord , but still does not hold the same edge that either offered back in the early 1990's. Or the placement of a Renfield-esque character (Gervis) in the castle of Lord Radek , who seems contented to be the male-servant to the vampire. Anyone who has seen the movie Blood and Donuts will see the psychic vampire undertones used by Lord Radek for seducing Christine into letting him drink her blood. (Again the scene in Interview with the Vampire where Louis turns Madeleine jumps to mind)

For anyone just coming into the genre of vampires this is indeed a slick and deserving take on the theme but for those who have been hanging around coffins for awhile, will find it to be treading on old ground.

As far as having vampires in Thunder Bay, it's not that far fetched, one just has to look at International Wrestling Superstar Vampiro, to know it's been done before.

Wishful Wednesday

I saw this on Bluestocking Guide

I really want to read "Dracula the Un-Dead by Darce Stoker"

But have to wait for it to go on sale.

The Men of Jane Austen Part 2

This is the second part of my final All Jane Austen Challenge

Jane Austen gave her share of bad guys to her novel Emma.

The character of Mr. Elton even out weighs the character of Frank Churchill, who is the "other bad boy" in this story. Mr. Elton is viewed as being in love with one character, then confesses the fact is wrong that he is indeed crazy about Emma, then runs off and marries someone else for their money. His motive like so many of the men in Austen's novels is money.

Her big hero in this story is Mr. Knightley. Whom, as his name suggests is the knight in shining armor not just to Emma, but to Miss. Smith and to Miss Bates. A gentleman who is not only educated, and wealthy but how has a sense of real family values. It's easy to understand why so many state Mr. Knightley as a favourite among Jane Austen's characters.

How do we feel about Mr. Collins?

I did a short post on another blog a year ago on the character traits of Mr. Collins. Once again, this villain has done nothing much more then being stuck up and greedy.

Even Jane Austen's most wicked characters Mr. Wickham, Mr. Willoughby, Captain Frederick Tilney, never seem to cross the line from seducer (wither for simply sex or money) into harsher crimes (rape and murder) giving all a chance for redemption.

Mr. Darcy is seen as the design of man in perfection. But again I ask why?

So many stories over the years have copied the idea behind Darcy for their hero. Making him tall dark and stuffy. A man who practices life while looking down his nose at it. Everyone and they're dog's grandmother has said "but look at what Mr. Darcy does for love" Um what does he do? He ruins his best friend's life for a full year by talking him into running away in the middle of the night because Mr. Darcy disapproves of Jane's station. He then helps to hide the fact Jane is in the same town as Mr. Bingley, further complicating it for them. Then only when he realizes that in order for his own ego to be centered does he mastermind to get them together. Yes he threatens Mr. Wickham into a proper marriage to Lydia, but still only because otherwise his own desires would be shut out. So tell me again why we all love Mr. Darcy?

Part 3 coming soon

Delivery Day

I had to use my webcam as the batteries are dead in my digital camera, so hey they are reading backwards on your screen.

But, here are the latest books I got from Harper Collins Canada.

Cheers An Intemperate History of Beer in Canada by Nicholas Pashley

Into the Dark by Peter Abrahams

Jolted :Newton Starker's Rules for Survival by Arthur Slade

They all look fairly cool, I am hoping to get to them by the beginning of next week.

Darren Shan : Cirque Du Freak Book 1

I received this one in the mail last week and only now had a chance to sit down and read it.

I have to get my hands on the rest of them, cause I think I found my new addiction.

Darren Shan is your average school kid. He likes playing soccer, hanging with his friends and spiders. When Steve his best friend manages to get them tickets to the traveling Freak Show, Darren can't wait.

The two boys witness what at first seems like simple stage magic while at the show but soon find out the best act is a real vampire.

Steve decides that he's tired of his life and begs the vampire to make him one. Only something goes wrong and he's left even more angry then before.

Meanwhile, Darren has a plot of his own, to steal the vampire's pet spider. Soon the two boys find themselves way in over their heads and facing their own deaths. Will they turn on each other or find another way to get away from Cirque Du Freak?

I have to admit, for a Young Adult novel this one had me glued. There is one scene between the character of Darren and his sister Annie that made me have to do a double take. It clinched the entire book for me, and I suddenly started thinking in metaphors and not taking the story as face value anymore.

Always a good thing in my view.

The characters are complex, rich and not at all what you would expect. The author managed to capture the emotional ups and down of young pre-teens with a vividness I haven't seen in this genre in years.

I love the little nod to Anne Rice by having the character writing under the pen name of Darren Shan as well as a very refreshing fact it's not set in the same old gloomy areas most vampire novels have been set. It's very much a British story so if you are unfamiliar with the British language it might throw you off at first.

This gets a 4 and a half out of 5 fangs from me.

The Kitten Diaries by Conny Manero

This is a short two story book that is written from the point of view of two kittens, Chanel and Queeny.

Though it is a short read, it's what I would call a reality read.

Warm, fun and witty, the points it makes are serious ones.

In the first part, Chanel's Story, we witness what it would feel like to be the last one picked for adoption and the uncertainty it would bring.

Even though it talks about how pets stores can become over populated, you can't help but feel that children will identify with it on a few emotional levels and see themselves as the "scruffy kitten". It is a lovely way to show that everyone has a purpose on this earth and that everyone is entitled to love.

In the second part, Queeny's Diary, we view the three weeks Queeny has to spend with friends while her owners are on vacation. It's seen as an adventure in a very light hearted way. The idea that Queeny would like the look of bowling balls was a neat little tug that seemed to then flow into setting up a connection with her new part time family.

I have to admit, I liked the lighter tone of Queeny's Dairy little more then the seriousness of Chanel's Story. Which is a good thing considering I got begged by my niece and nephew to read the "kitty book" after they spotted it on my endtable. They too liked the scenes of Queeny rolling around the floor with the yarn.

I am interested in seeing if there is a sequel in the works, as there were a few other characters whom I feel would be interesting to hear from. Would love to know what Husky was thinking during Queeny's visit.

Stacey Voss: In Person from Oct 17th 2009

Here is the new episode of my show Creeping Screams! Stacey Voss did a book signing today as part of her tour. I was there with camera in hand, a very shaky hand, and taped it.

The Men of Jane Austen Part 1

This is the last challenge for the All Jane Austen Challenge. I will be the first to admit that I picked lighter challenges at the beginning so that I would have enough time to give to this one. Had I been smart I would have been working on it from the beginning but, I am not that smart.

Even with 3 full months this was a heavy one to handle.

Mr. Darcy Mr. Darcy Mr. Darcy. Everyone loves Mr. Darcy. More spin offs have been written around him then I can count.

Why do we love him so much? That is the question.

Mr. Bingley. I have always felt should have gotten more air time.

I was going to break this down to the heroes and the villains but, was unable to keep from wanting to add Frank Churchill to the heroes when most consider him a villain. So, that idea went out the window. Then I started a list of the men, and well I know I am forgetting a few.

*Mr. Tilney

*Mr. Knightley.

*Colonel Brandon

*Mr. Wentworth

*Mr. Ferrars

See what I mean.

In Jane Austen Book Club, the character of Grigg is a mix of Mr. Knightley and Mr. Bingley. He's loyal, sweet and witty. The traits of most of Austen's men who are more the sidekicks then the center heroes.

As well in JABC, the character of Dean is viewed as a slight take on Edward Ferrars and Capt. Wentworth. Solid, dependable, passionate enough but still not the visible hero.

But what of our Henry Crawford?

In JABC the character of Trey is our token bad boy, (one of as the other "bad boy" in Jane Austen Book Club is a girl) as a full out Henry Crawford.

Few of the Austen villains are borderline nice guys, Mr. Crawford from Mansfield Park is one of them. I know I am going to get alot of reactions to that, but he does fall in love. Yes,

Mr. Crawford falls in love with the wrong woman, but he does indeed fall in love.

Once again, I bring you back to Jane Austen Book Club, and the question that is posed if when you read Austen's novels, you have to wonder if she didn't have a thing for the bad boys?

Which got me wondering, almost all of her heroines fall in love for the first time with a bad boy. Is this a lesson Jane Austen felt all must go through to end up knowing a good thing when they finally found it? Or is there another reason under it all?

Was it to warn women of the pitfalls of lust?

Or was she just wanting a reason for her heroes to be heroic?

Frank Churchill.

Another one of the borderline bad guys. He is an impossible flirt that manages to make everyone believe he is interested in them, while the whole time secretly committed to Miss Fairfax, as well as being a snob. Unlike some of the other Austen bad guys, who's crimes are far worse, his biggest fault is being a grown man with the attitude of a high schooler. I think that is why I like the Clueless version of his character the best.

Part 2 of the Men of Austen coming soon.

A challenge to any men reading my blog

I just posted a challenge on my main blog for any of the men who read it so why not post it here too.

I want to know what men really think of the Jane Austen characters.
Here is the post
and it will be ongoing no deadlines or time limits. A totally open challenge.

And yes I was inspired by my favourite scene from Jane Austen Book Club.

October Season : The Vamp Challenge

It's GingerRoot, I know I don't post much but I thought I would step in on here a bit and let everyone know that in case you didn't, that Ardeth Blood is having her first challenge.

The All Vamp Challenge.

Which is running from Nov 1st 2009 until May 1st 2010. (I'm waiting for the all werewolf challenge)

Sign up is still on until Oct 31st 2009.

With all the vampire fans out there how can you not sign up? There is a direct link at the side bar which will take you to her vampire blog and the Mr. Linky.

If you don't have a blog, but are members of ning.com, feel free to use your ning profile blog.

It's that simple.

Books, vampires, bloggers. What a wonderful mix.

Resistance is futile

Coming Soon

We'll be doing an interview on Nov. 5th with author Stacey Voss of Thunder and Blood.

It will be part of her blogging book tour so don't forget to mark your calender and check out it.

Contests and More

Everyone has a give away going on. (but not us cause we can't part with our books)

One of the latest is over at Froggaritaville's Bookcase. They are giving away Tall Dark and Fangsome.

So hop on over and check it out.

Banned Book Week

From Sept 26-Oct 3 it's time to show your love for all books.

So I went to the website with the list of 100 Banned Books and was shocked to see a few titles on there. I knew about a few of them, as we had a great English staff at our high school who always managed to get a few of the "black listed books" into the reading groups. Infact, have read a nice bunch of them. At lest three from that list still sit on my book shelf.

The ones I knew about

*Naked Lunch by William S Burroughs

* A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess

* Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

Ones I was shocked about

*On the Road by Jack Kerouac

* Charlotte's Web by E.B. White

*Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf

*Call of the Wild by Jack London

* Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne

Are you kidding me? Charlotte's Web and Winnie the Pooh? For real? What have they got in them to be banned? And Mrs Dalloway?

Now, I have Mrs Dalloway, On the Road, Clockwork Orange, Naked Lunch; in my collection. Read all of them except Clockwork Orange, that is still on my to read list.

In high school I read Catcher in the Rye and Call of the Wild. I think the only two times in high school I finished the reading projects early.

In support of these books and others on this list, check out a few other bloggers and their thoughts on the issue.

Chick with Books is what brought it to my attention.

Word Shakers

Been hanging out on Book Blogs on ning.com and saw a post for a new online book club. Fabulous.

So I joined of course.

The All Vampire Challenge Update

For those taking part in the All Vampire Challenge, I have added a Mr. Linky to the blog post over on the vampire blog

http://alucardsrose.blogspot.com/2009/09/vampire-challenge-2009.html

Just to make it easier for sign up and for following.

We already have a few people so, don't be shy, join in.

Mr. Darcy Vampyre -Review

Just finished my next Jane Austen Challenge.

This was challenge #5 out of 6. (Listed I think as item #4 on my to do list)

I was so excited about this book, I bugged and bugged the guy at the book store for a month till they got it in.

I pushed everything else aside to read this, and I read it in 2 days.

I was hyper to see the author added the character of Count Polidori based loosely on Dr. Polidori who in real life had written "The Vampyre".

Only, this book left me dry mouthed. That's not good.

It tried too much to be Anne Rice.

There were a few plot holes, and I thought the ending was just thrown together. As if the author didn't have a real ending and just let the chips fly where they may.

I wanted to love this story I really really did, but I just couldn't.

Another issue I had with it was that it is told through Elizabeth's point of view and not Darcy's. There are too many characters running around that have no purpose, they are mire window dressing, and the tease of Wickham at the very end was meaningless.

Too many unresolved questions that have you sitting there going "but why? and how?"

The author gives Elizabeth these vivid flashbacks that end up not linking to anything, and a myth connected to the first vampires that is never explained or returned to.

Too many loose ends.

Plot: It's the wedding tour for our Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth. But just as they step foot into the coach Darcy changes their plans and takes her off to Paris. The wedding night does not happen, and Elizabeth fears Darcy regrets the marriage. As the days turn into weeks, Elizabeth is introduced to people from Darcy's past who seem to have strange habits even for people who live outside of England. In the chaos she learns her husband is not what he first seemed.

She is then seduced and abused by someone from Darcy's past.

The metaphor of Darcy's vampirism being used to represent repressed sexuality has been used more often then I can count in the vampire genre.

Too predictable.

Having a guy who is Darcy's rival seducing Elizabeth in much the same way Wickham did, was just a poor spin off.

As someone who has been reading vampire novels since 1985, I found this repetitive and moldy.

Jane Austen Book Club book vs movie

Another one of my challenges for the All Jane Austen Challenge
this is number 6 on my list.

Comparing the book to the movie with a slight review.

But wait I am adding a twist. The twist is pointing out who in my social circle is an Austen iconic character.

First off, the book.

It's a retelling of all 6 novels, with a leaning towards Emma. It starts off with heavy Emma overtones, with the loss of a family member. (In Emma we see a wedding and the "loss" of her companion. In JABC it's the dead of a pet) The character of Jocelyn is Emma

The main male character Grigg (there are 4 male counterparts ) is meant to be Mr. Knightly/Mr. Bingley.

The character of Prudie is Anne Elliot.

The character of Sylvia is Fanny Price/Elinor Dashwood

The character of Allegra is Marianne Dashwood/Mary Bennet

The character of Bernadette is a little harder to nail down.

Then we are thrown into Mansfield Park on more then a few levels. Prudie's students are doing a play, and she is asked by one very seductive bad boy to help prepare. He is very much the Henry Crawford character.

Prudie's mother can be compared to Lady Bertram, by the simple issue of her being an exhippy stoner, unaware of reality.

Onto the movie

The scene when Prudie's husband is reading to her in bed, it's one of my favourite scenes from any film I have ever seen. It's so seductive.

The characters of Sylvia and Jocelyn are about a decade younger in the movie then they are in the book, but yet Allegra is around the same age as the book's character.

Most of the back stories have been left out of the film. Which is a shame, as we learn why certain characters do certain things in the book through their back stories.

And who in my social circle are Austen iconic characters?

Well, my sister would be Elizabeth Bennet.

Her friend Y.B. would be Lydia Bennet.

My friend E.K. is Emma.

And I am Miss Bates.

If I ever find a Mr. Bingley or Mr. Darcy I'll let you know.

Let's start an All Vampire Challenge

Yes you heard me.

Why do I want to do this?

Well, because I am in the process of an All Jane Austen Challenge right now, and currently reading Mr. Darcy Vampire. And thought why not? I have read god knows how many over the last 3 decades, and have at lest 10 more vampire books sitting in my to read pile.

So, starting in November 2009 I am going to do an All Vampire Challenge.

I will figure out how to proceed and post about it again soon.

Okay people seem to be missing the link. It was in the comments. But, here it is again.....

http://alucardsrose.blogspot.com/2009/09/vampire-challenge-2009.html

You will find the rules and sign up deadline.

The Shining by Stephen King- Review

As I said a few posts back, I was reading this for 2 book clubs.

I just finished it. I actually had a difficult time getting into this believe it or not.

I loved the movie version and could not get it out of my mind while reading.

I have to say, one theme by Stephen King, I have always been endeared to is the writer who looses his mind. He's done this more then once and is the best at it.

Stories about madness are always I find more scary then overly gory stories. Madness could happen to anyone at anytime for any reason.

I was alittle confused on a few elements, which I brought up in book club, that dealt with how certain items manifested themselves. And if it was a haunting or possession? It's never truly clear.

For anyone who has not read the original story it's about a man who is given a last chance to recover from his vices by taking his family to a hotel for the winter, where is has a job as the winter caretaker. His son is psychic and awakens the entity living in the hotel. Quickly one by one the three of them begin to loose control.

Given that this novel is 30 years old, it holds up brilliantly.

Twilight Series

Originally posted on my blog Alucard's Rose on Dec. 22 2008

I decided to wait til I had read all the books in the series before doing a review. That was only because I had read them all one right after the other this last week.
I did however do separate reviews for Chapters Community as I finished each book, so here one by one is what I had to say about them on that profile.

TWILIGHT

It's Pride and Prejudice with vampires.

It was a hard time for me to get into this novel. It wasn't until the rival clan was introduced that it seemed to get interesting for me. And it was more then the nod to Jane Austen near the beginning of the story that had a continued underline throughout ; that never let me stop thinking of Edward as Darcy.

Granted the film was playing more on the Romeo and Juliet idea, but this is straight up Austen style love affairs.
I was hoping through the last few chapters that the characters of Alice and Jasper would be expanded on, but they weren't.

I hope the next one in the saga will be better.


NEW MOON

I have to say I was pleasantly surprised with this one. The fact it focuses on the werewolf story line was a nice turn, and it didn't seem as depressing as Twilight had. Maybe you just don't notice the rain as much in this one?
The idea that life continues after a heartbreak has always been a favourite theme of mine in stories, and the connection to the secondary characters from the first book made this a little fleshier a plot.
The only real upsetting factor for me was how the character of Laurent was handled. I would have written his part very differently myself. And the seen in Italy with the coven reminded me very much of Armand from the Vampire Chronicles.
Overall I found New Moon to be a much better read then Twilight.


ECLIPSE

I have to admit, I am shocked that I am liking this series.
I was very skeptical with it being geared for teens but books two and three have had me glued. I read Eclipse in a day and a half.
I liked this one for the simple fact it started to unravel the idea of first love. I have never been one for the sappy sweet idea of Romeo and Juliet and was always more interested in the "what if" factor of second love.
Given that Eclipse moves a lot slower but a lot deeper then Twilight or New Moon, you don't feel anything but anxious for the families of Bella, Edward and Jacob.
With insight into a few of the minor characters you are given a balance between the daydreams of a teenager in love and the grown up responses to that love.
The question remains is it right to ask so much of love ?


BREAKING DAWN

Long, very very long.
There has been one book ever in the past to may me cry and that was Vampire Lestat by Anne Rice. Well, the last two chapters of Breaking Dawn made me cry.
That said, a nice closing to the entire Twilight series.
The last half of this story is filled with more dialog then needed, getting every point of view from the many new characters added in this novel. Unlike the last two novels, the shift is once again back on Bella and the Cullen Family. Another full circle is found with reference to real folklore and myths that the author nods to in Twilight.
The subplot in this one seems to run with the theme of myth and the power a myth can hold.






What are my feelings about this set of books? It's refreshing to see a story that collectively is 2444pages that does not feel like it because you are so captivated by the weaving web between the 3 main characters. This is a love story more then anything else, but it does edge on the side of a western in the sense that there is always a showdown at noon. Edgy and witty, even when it was a depressing teen-us against -them love story that does what alot of the books in both vampire and werewolf genres are failing to do right now; which is be tempting without being explicit. Stephenie Meyer did what I didn't think anyone in the vampire genre could or wanted to do anymore, deliver a good solid vampire story without having to resort to cheap sexual ploys.
I haven't rated anything in a long while but I give Twilight Saga a 8out of 10 fangs.

Vampires the Occult Truth by Konstantinos

This book was first released in the mid 1990's, but has since been re-printed, so don't let the cover art fool you into thinking this is fluff because it is not.
A non-fictional look at the world of vampires, this volume combines historical case studies with modern studies on energy use and manipulation.
A great guide through some theories linked to astral projection and how much of a threat that can be for some people.
The last half of the book focuses mostly on the psi vamp and with good reason.
Anyone interested in psi vampirism, mythology, psychology, astral projection should enjoy this volume, but if you are looking for something in the "gothic subculture" then look somewhere else.

Originally posted on my blog Alucard's Rose on June 15 2008

Shade by David Darke

This is one that surprised me. It is about a group of fans who are going to a book convention for a series of vampire novels. It sort of plays off of the popularity that vampires had in the 1990's as well as the role playing vampire games. The theme of this book is blurring the lines of what is real and what is not.
We meet Shade. She is a very sexy writer of vampire novels, who just happens to be a very sexy vampire. Her books lure and seduce her victims and then she finds them all over the world by using mirrors.
I liked this book because it took a fresh look at the vampire, not just as a horror story, not just as an erotic story, but as a media persona all it's own.


Originally posted on my vampire blog Alucard's Rose on July 1 2007

Mansfield Park

This is my next challenge in the Jane Austen Challenge , my first post is here

This is number one on my list.

Where to start!

This challenge was a comparative of Mansfield Park in book and movie form. I have to say right off, that it took me 2 full months to get through the novel. The copy I have, has tiny print and a 400 page count. Normally, I can zip through a book that size in about a week, but this was just not the case.

I love the 1999/2000 movie version with Francis O'Conner.

And I realize that; that movie adaptation mixes some of Jane Austen's real life with the character of Fanny Price, and makes the Uncle out to be a totally bad character. But it still has something to it that endears it to me.

I found the 2007 version with Billy Pipper to be dull and lifeless. To me, the actress played Fanny Price too scared, too zombie like. I did like that they reframed the Uncle into more a caring character. Though the Aunt Norris in this version I found to be hinting at an affair between herself and the Uncle Bertram.

The first film, brings in the character of a younger sister, which in the book is Susan. But leaves out the brother William.

The second film, brings in William, but leaves out Susan.

In the movie Jane Austen Book Club, when they get to the topic of Mansfield Park, the character Grigg brings up the fact that Fanny and Edmund are first cousins by comparing them to Star Wars characters, and asks if this incest bothered anyone else.

I think that is a good point. When reading this novel, or seeing the movie for the first time, that subplot of Fanny and Edmund falling in love is never looked at fully in that regard. It is hinted at in the beginning of both book and film as a fear of the Uncle's but dismissed. And by the end of the story you are left thinking "but your cousins" when everyone else seems to find it a fitting thing for Fanny and Edmund to marry.

I found this to be such a hard read because I did not find a single character I really liked. They seemed too stiff. The scenes that covered the play near the beginning went on too long taking up many chapters to revile nothing of solid importance.

When chatting in a few Jane Austen book groups, and telling of my dislike for most this story, I found I was not the only one who preferred the movie to the book. It's difficult for me to understand how this novel was so prized when it came out 200 years ago, unless for it's preaching of virtues, and it's shock value at the time of its incest subplot?

I come away from this book feeling sorry for Mr. Rushworth and longing for letters from people. Otherwise, I have to say, Mr. Crawford feels like an unfinished character.

Cause I didn't have enough to read

I started a book club for my horror site Disturbia.

Our first selection is Stephen King's The Shining.

So far so good. Stephen King seems to bring out the best in real horror fans. Not as many people signed up for the book group as I had hoped but it looks promising.

I will have my review on here once I am done reading.

Julie and Juila Book review

I picked this up Sunday night, and did not stop reading until just after 1 am this morning.

This is a semi-autobiography about a woman going through a life crisis. She's been told she may never have kids, she is unsatisfied in her job, and she just moved. She is coming unglued and finds the only thing that is keeping her together is cooking.

Julie Powell became an internet hit when it was still a new idea to blog. It ended up changing her life. What she blogged about was the year long challenge she set for herself to cook all the recipes in the first volume of Julia Childs most impressive book, Mastering the Art of French Cooking. This earned Powell her first book deal and a new chance to find herself.

Her second book is due this winter and I am looking forward to seeing what she has to offer this time around.

Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters

Quirk Classics already have the next book written in their Jane Austen re-write series. Hitting stores Sept 15th 2009 here is the official book trailer.

Clueless DVD review

As I posted before I joined the All Jane Austen Challenge. Here is my second challenge (the last item on my alternative list) A review of Clueless.

Okay first off, for those of you who don't know Clueless is a modern retelling of Emma. Rumours are buzzing that there is indeed a sequel in the works with original cast members returning (it could be argued that the tv show that came from the film is a sequel in itself) Just as Jane Austen was a pioneer for women writers and her novels the foundation of most romances, Clueless broke down barriers for trends, language and status. (cell phones were still a fresh thing when this movie came out, now they're so common you don't even think about it.)

I think what made this movie such an iconic piece was that it was infact a remake of Emma, but did not scream that it was. When it first came out at the cinema in 1995, there was no admitting that it was in deed a retelling of a Jane Austen film, even thought there was a Jane Austen revival going on at the time (Two other versions of Emma were in the works. One starring Kate Beckinsale (1996 tv) and one starring Gwyneth Paltrow (1996 cinema) ) it was not until it was released on video did people who were not Jane Austen fans find out. (The cover box claimed it as being a retelling of Emma)

Plot: High school student Cher is trying to make her life and the lives of her friends more connected to the world at large by playing matchmaker for her teachers, and fellow students. In the process she falls in love herself.

Adding clothing that looked like Regency styles was genus (the high empire waisted dresses, the corset cut tops, the extended use of hats, feathered collars/cuffs)

Making the character of Christian gay (the Frank Churchill character ) and removing the secret girlfriend was pure genius. This way his character could still flirt without becoming the bad guy so many feel he has been otherwise.

Tai's boyfriend (Miss Smith character ) being a pot smoking slacker with an addiction to Marty the Marson was very slick, very subtle. (Mr. Martin character was a farmer)

This is another one of those movies that no matter how many times you have seen it, you still get caught up in it. I admit, I have seen this film about a hundred times (saw it years ago at the cinema when it came out, and my sister used to have it on VHS) and watching it the other night on DVD I got so caught up, I forgot to take notes on it.

I am actually looking forward to seeing what they come up with for a sequel.

Becoming Jane : DVD review

As I posted before, I have joined the All Jane Austen Challenge, here is the first of my challenges. I decided to jump around in the list I had chosen (scheduling reasons) and am starting with the review of the movie Becoming Jane (#3 on my list)

First off, I have to say that when I first bought this film (it had a Feb 2008 dvd release) I hated it. But since, I have watched it numerous times, and find it better and better with each viewing.

This semi-biography (I think the proper term would be Historical Fiction) mixes Jane Austen's early works to express her growth. I thought the casting was just perfect, I do not believe there is another young actress who could have carried the weight of this film, and Maggie Smith as her rival in society was one of the smartest casting moves in years.

The opening scene which shows Jane writing about "propriety" intercut with her parents in bed, breaks through the stale viewpoint we have been trained to expect with adaptions of her works. We are then reminded of Jane Austen herself as being a witty and independent woman with the scene of her enticing Mr. Wesley to join them at the ball. So often her sarcastic side is downplayed painting her a total saint. The introduction of Mr. LeFroy both echos Jane and balances her. He is a weighty character that lives by society's rules while at the same time keeping his own individuality. Both their "father figures" (LeFroy's case his uncle) find them to be too wild for their stations and try to rope them in so to speak. The use of scenes taken out of her novels are good for plot connections but were alittle on the predictable side. I felt when they are in the woods and bump into each other and end up in a verbal sparing is perfect in it's comedic timing and you tend to loose yourself in this scene, as it truly is where the story starts. Pride and Prejudice is the one novel referenced over and over again in this film. The undercurrent of the film is true love, both in it's physical form (the romance with Jane/LeFroy) and the spiritual/emotional one that is expressed through words. Books and writing is where we find Jane being challenged, seduced and hiding. From her disapproval of the book LeFroy offers her to the reading she does at the end of the film. The confrontation between Jane and her cousin the Countess leaves you wondering if the Countess disapproves of LeFroy because of his supposed influence on Henry (Jane's brother) or because he represents something the Countess had taken from her when her husband was killed. When the group of four -Jane, Henry, Countess, LeFroy- go to visit LeFroy's uncle, I was feeling that should be the end of the film, but infact it's the first real sign of a conflict in the movie. The scene then when Jane meets her hero a sense of sadness and even madness over takes you as she sees for the first time the shadowside of herself. Isolation, loneliness and disregard. Until the death of Cassandra's beloved the famed relationship between the two sisters is downplayed, but given the news of LeFroy's intended marriage at this point in the plot adds to the feeling of dread (like a double death). The accepting of Mr. Wesley's marriage proposal is given off to be then more for the sake of her sister then for herself. Not too mention when she discovers the real reason for LeFroy being so money minded you feel a great loss for Jane. This movie has a surprising villain in the character of Mr. Warren , whom has maybe 4 scenes in the entire film and is quite forgettable till the end when he helps sew up some earlier plotlines.

The beauty of this film lays in it's independence and desire for freedom which colours all the love stories played out in it. With little to go on from reality of Jane Austen's life, this fleshes out beautifully.

The Journal of Mortifying Moments by Robyn Harding

I was given this by my sister. And she was right on with it. Fabulous read.

This story takes place in an office building for most of it, the rest is done in tasteful flashbacks and chic bars.

Our lead is a woman in her early 30's who some how has found herself in a string of toxic relationships and needs to get to the root of the issue inorder to solve the problem.

Her mother, who is an aging hippy takes her to get her Tarots read and it opens up a whole new viewpoint for her. Hoping that the reading will give her daughter insight into finding a husband, she is displeased when told that the reading focused on her career.

Throw in a few fabulous girlfriends who are each having their own men issues (the friend having a long term affair with her married boss, and her best gay guy chatting every morning over coffees about his ex boyfriend) and a search for Zen and you have a modern comedy that hits home. Let's not forget our lead is going to therapy behind everyone's back.

I have to say my favourite characters are her two books, the journal her therapist has her write that incases all the bad relationships, and her self-help guide that quickly becomes her bible for life. These two books that she keeps with her are a great metaphor for her past and future.

The Jane Austen Challenge

If I did this right.... Everything Austen  over on Stephanie's Written Word  blog and I heard about this from someone on Book Blog on ning.com,  the author of the blog has challenged Austen lovers to six solid months of Jane Austen themed things. 

I am going to do this.  Yes I am going to do this.

Okay so my 6 things are....  

1. Read Mansfield Park and do a comparative of the movies with the book
   
2. Read The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen by Syrie James (which has been in my to read pile for almost a year)
3. Review Becoming Jane the movie
4. Locate and read Mr. Darcy Vampyre (how did I not know about this book?)
5. Review the men in Austen's novels (that will be a tall order)
6. The Jane Austen Book Club.... do a review and comparative of the book and movie with a twist... 

And I will add one or two extra items just incase I have a difficult time....   Locate and read a copy of Jane Austen in Boca.

Locate and read one of the other Jane Austen spin offs. Which of course will have a review.  

Locate and review a copy of Bride and Prejudice. 

Locate and review a copy of Clueless (it's been 12 years since I saw that film)

The challenge starts tomorrow July 1 2009 and runs until Jan. 1 2010. 

Wish me luck. 

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies -Review

Well it took some slugging through as the middle seemed to get away from it's self for about 10 chapters, then when we hit the part where Lydia runs off with Wickham it got back on the right foot.  I can only guess that the re-author of this new classic, got bogged down with the actual love story end. 

I have said this before on my other blog  that I thought it was a joke when I first heard,  but it's not.  

P&P&Z  reads like a lost script of Buffy the Vampire Slayer/Angel, and I could not keep the idea of Mr. Darcy being played by the actor David Boreanaz (as the evil Angelus) out of my head. 

It's got all the romance we have come to love of P&P, and the witty one liners we have come to love of BTVS.  

The idea of Lady Catherine having a personal team of Ninjas is a riot in itself, but the idea that cauliflower is the perfect trap for zombies, I would not have thought.  

So many things that have left people wondering about the characters over the years are addressed in this version of the story. (Lydia being infact the town tramp and Mrs. Bennet making a move on Mr. Dacry in a subtle way)

Most of the minor characters have been given all new endings (Wickham being injured to the point of needing someone to change his depends) and a few personality traits are added to the major characters (Darcy being violent) but the story holds up. 

I can not wait to see the movie version of this  and the next offering from Quirk Classics.

How You Play The Game by Jimmy Gleacher

I bought this a few years ago, and read it without retaining anything.  It was a new idea, Guy Lit.  

I just flipped through it again trying to remember something, anything about it, held the hardcover book in my hands, read the inside cover, looked at the photo of the author, and read the recommendation by Gwyneth Paltrow on the back. Yeah, like I said read this few years ago without retaining anything.

This is about a guy who has had a bunch of bad relationships, not just with the women in his love life, but with his dad and the people around him in general. He has an affair with an older woman,  and hunts down myths of his neighbourhood.

The book is written like a bad paced script for a tv show. Short pages, or are they long paragraphs? with alot of point form speech. 

I just could not get into this story the first time around, trying to re-read it is not going to happen.