The Vampire Diaries 4x12 Extended Promo "A View To A Kill"

The Vampire Diaries 4x12 "A View To A Kill" - When Rebekah (Claire Holt) turns down Klaus' (Joseph Morgan) plea to stop Kol (Nathaniel Buzolic) and protect Jeremy (Steven R. McQueen), Klaus turns to Stefan (Paul Wesley) for help. After an angry confrontation with her father, Mayor Hopkins (guest star Rick Worthy), over his unconventional approach to ending the violence in Mystic Falls, Bonnie (Kat Graham) has a frightening run-in with Kol, followed by an unexpected visitor. Klaus complicates the already tense feelings between Stefan and Damon (Ian Somerhalder) by revealing a bit of Stefan's personal life, then surprises Damon by asking for personal advice. Elena (Nina Dobrev) tells Stefan about her dangerous plan for Jeremy, leaving Stefan in a difficult spot. When the high school's 1980s Decade Dance is cancelled by Mayor Hopkins, Stefan finds a charming way to make it up to a disappointed Rebekah. Brad Turner directed the episode written by Rebecca Sonnenshine (#412).

The Walking Dead 3x09 Promo "The Suicide King"

The Walking Dead 3x09 "The Suicide King" - The Governor is heading to the prison and the group prepares to go to war. It's a fight to the death in this epic new promo for The Walking Dead Season 3's second half.

The Walking Dead 3x09 Promo "The Suicide King"

The Walking Dead 3x09 "The Suicide King" Promo - extended promo with new footage set to the song "Lead Me Home" by Jamie N Commons.

Interview: Rhiannon Frater

Rhiannon Frater is the award-winning author of the As the World Dies trilogy (The First Days, Fighting to Survive, Siege,) and the author of three other books: the vampire novels Pretty When She Dies and The Tale of the Vampire Bride and the young-adult zombie novel The Living Dead Boy and the Zombie Hunters. 

Inspired to independently produce her work from the urging of her fans, she published The First Days in late 2008 and quickly gathered a cult following. She won the Dead Letter Award back-to-back for both The First Days and Fighting to Survive, the former of which the Harrisburg Book Examiner called ‘one of the best zombie books of the decade.It was a great pleasure to interview her for our website.

Interview By David Kempf 

Tell us about Your First Novel?

Ever since I was a little girl I wanted to be a writer. I was incredibly imaginative and I had all these stories constantly brimming in my mind. It was natural that once I learned to read and write that I would create my own tales. I think I was twelve when I decided to write my first book. It was a pretty epic fan fiction of a popular sci-fi show at the time. I went on to write an original novel afterward.

How Many Novels have you Written?

I honestly don’t know. I have a few trunked from my childhood and teen years. I would guess that altogether, including my published work, somewhere around twen

I’m not really a short story writer. I have written some, but they always feel like snippets from much larger stories. I consider myself a novelist. That being said, I’ve written maybe around fifteen or so.

Are there reasons why a Male and Female writer Might view the genre?

The perception is that male writers concentrate on the action/gore and female writers concentrate on the characters and psychological issues.

Personally, I think that readers sometimes apply gender stereotypes about men and women to the book their reading. If Robert Kirkman writes about survivors in the zombocalypse in a love triangle, difficult romantic relationships or having sex, no one bats an eye. If a woman were to write the same thing, her work is slighted as being a romance novel with zombies.

Hopefully, people will just pick up a book because the story sounds compelling and they won’t care if it was written by a man or woman.

Tell us about your daily (or nightly) writing routine.

I really don’t have one. My schedule changes day to day depending on what I need to do. I just have to make time to write no matter what is going on.

What do you feel is your greatest accomplishment as an author so far?

The first thing that comes to mind is my fandom. Having a loyal readership that loves my work gives me such a great sense of accomplishment. The second thing that comes to mind is the starred review in Publishers Weekly for THE FIRST DAYS. That was a huge moment for me.

How do you come up with the original titles for your books? Pretty When She Dies comes to mind.

Late night insomniac delirium! I usually dream the titles of my book along with the actual content.

I was listening to VAST a lot when writing PRETTY WHEN SHE DIES and a line from one of the songs got twisted around in my head when I was sleeping. The villain of the novel kept whispering “So pretty when you died.” I liked it, tweaked it, and that’s how it was born.

They say vampires can be romanticized. The Vampire Bride is a very romantic title. Do you think it is possible to romanticize zombies?

Actually, THE TALE OF THE VAMPIRE BRIDE is a rather gruesome title. In a lot of the old vampire films, the title “bride” meant a female vampire who was created and subservient to her vampire maker. It’s not really about a happy woman on her wedding day. It’s about being killed, changed, and forced into servitude. I’m so steeped in vampire lore it never occurred to me that people would think it was a happy romance book about a literal vampire bride. Instead, it’s a very gory, violent story about a young woman trying to break free of her master.

As for romanticizing zombies, I don’t even want to consider it. *shiver*

Why do think zombies are so popular in books and movies these days?

We live in complex, stressful, and sometimes frightening times. A lot of us feel helpless in the face of the difficulties of our everyday lives. I don’t think people really want to see zombies killing their loved ones. I just think the idea of a big reset and starting over free of the tight constraints of modern life seems very appealing. Zombies provide a safe way to scare ourselves while indulging in the idea of the whole world being reset and all the stressors of our real lives being destroyed.

Name some of your favorite horror books.

DRACULA by Bram Stoker, CARMILLA by Sheridan LeFanu, IT and THE SHINING by Stephen King, HELL HOUSE by Richard Matheson, DARK DANCE by Tanith Lee JENNY POX, by J.L. Bryan, and UNBOUND & Other Tales by David Dunwoody.

Name some of your favorite horror films.

I love the old Hammer films and Republic films. I love George A. Romero. But the three movies that actually gave me nightmares were Psycho, Jaws, and The Ring.

Being from Texas, are you influenced by Southern Gothic literature?

No, not really. Growing up I tended to read a lot of classic literature and British authors.

What are your latest projects?

I just turned in my new horror novel called DEAD SPOTS that is being published by Tor in either late 2013 or early 2014. I just released a short story collection called CTHULHLU’S DAUGHTER AND OTHER HORROR TALES. I’m putting the final touches on my YA Paranormal Horror novel with Kody Boye called THE MIDNIGHT SPELL that will be released in early 2013.

Please in your own words tell us in a paragraph about yourself & your work

Rhiannon Frater was born and raised a Texan. Though she has lived in various towns all over the state, she finally settled in Austin, Texas where she met her husband and worked as a governmental consultant. 

During her travels for her job, she was inspired to write the story of two women fleeing into the Texas Hill Country in an attempt to survive the zombie apocalypse. Originally published as a serial online under the title AS THE WORLD DIES, she later self-published the series in three novels to satisfy the many fans of the story. The first novel in the series, THE FIRST DAYS, won the 2008 Dead Letter Award for Best Book (Fiction). The second book, FIGHTING TO SURVIVE won the 2009 Dead Letter Award in the same category.

The AS THE WORLD DIES books were purchased by Tor in 2010.The first book, THE FIRST DAYS, was released in July 2011 and received a starred review from Publishers Weekly. The second, FIGHTING TO SURVIVE, will be released on November 8, 2011. The third book, SIEGE, will be released in early 2012.

She is also the author of THE LIVING DEAD BOY AND THE ZOMBIE HUNTERS, PRETTY WHEN SHE DIES: A Vampire Novel and two novels in the Vampire Bride Series (THE TALE OF THE VAMPIRE BRIDE and THE VENGEANCE OF THE VAMPIRE BRIDE). All her works have been optioned for either TV or film.

Rhiannon continues to live in Austin, Texas with her husband and is now a full-time writer.
She is represented by Hannah Gordon of the Foundry Literary + Media agency.

http://rhiannonfrater.com

Book: Female Detective: The Original Lady Detective, 1864

Typical of detective fiction of its time, Andrew Forrester’s book features various cases narrated by Miss Gladden, or 'G' as she is also known. Her deductive methods and energetic approach anticipate those of Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes, and she can be seen as beginning a powerful tradition of female detectives. 'G' uses similar methods to her male counterparts – she enters scenes of crime incognito, tracking down killers while trying to conceal her own tracks and her identity from others.

'G', the first female detective, does much physical detective work, examining crime scenes, looking for clues and employing all manner of skill, subterfuge, observation and charm to achieve her ends. Like Holmes, 'G' regards the regular constabulary with disdain. For all the intrigue and interest of the stories, little is ever revealed about 'G' herself, and her personal circumstances remain a mystery throughout. But it is her ability to apply her considerable energy and intelligence to solve crimes that is her greatest appeal, and the reappearance of the original lady detective will be welcomed by fans of crime fiction.

This edition includes an introduction by Mike Ashley and a foreword by Alexander McCall Smith.
Also available as a Kindle ebook.

About the author
Andrew Forrester is the pseudonym of James Redding Ware (1832- c.1909), who wrote several detective stories during his career.

Reviews
`Literary ancestor to Miss Marple, Lisbeth Salander and Nancy Drew, the redoubtable Miss Gladden – the first ever female detective in British fiction – is set to make her reappearance after almost 150 years out of print.` Alison Flood, The Guardian

Published Date: October 2012
Publisher: British Library
ISBN: 9780712358781
Purchase at: British Library

Check out the Mughal India: Art, Culture and Empire exhibition at Mughal Empire

The Vampire Diaries 4x11 Promo "Catch Me If You Can"

The Vampire Diaries 4x11 "Catch Me If You Can" - Jeremy (Steven R. McQueen) is furious when Klaus (Joseph Morgan) tries to control him by putting Matt's (Zach Roerig) life in danger. Damon (Ian Somerhalder) coaches Jeremy as he prepares to take on Klaus' new vampires, but they find that Kol (guest star Nathaniel Buzolic) has beaten them to it. Kol makes it clear that he will stop at nothing to convince everyone to give up the search for the cure. Looking for a new ally, Rebekah (Claire Holt) reminds Stefan (Paul Wesley) that they were once close friends.

When Sheriff Forbes (Marguerite MacIntyre) and Mayor Hopkins (guest star Rick Worthy) question Shane (guest star David Alpay) about his involvement in the Founders' Council deaths, Bonnie (Kat Graham) steps in with questions of her own, and Shane's responses push Bonnie to the edge of her powers. Elena (Nina Dobrev) negotiates with Klaus to keep Jeremy safe, but when danger suddenly appears from a totally unexpected enemy, Elena comes up with her own daring plan for Jeremy. John Dahl directed the episode written by Brian Young & Michael Narducci (#411).

American Horror Story 2x13 Promo "Madness Ends" (HD) Season Finale

American Horror Story 2x13 "Madness Ends" (Season Finale) - Johnny sets out to complete his father's work. Lana leads the charge to finally shut down Briarcliff. Written by Tim Minear; directed by Alfonso Gomez-Rejon. Airs January 23, 10:00 pm e/p.

Book: The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov

On a hot spring afternoon in Moscow, a poet and an editor are discussing the non-existence of Jesus. A polite, foreign gentleman interrupts their debate, claiming to have known Jesus in person and to have been present when he was condemned by Pontius Pilate. Moreover, he predicts the editor’s death – a bizarre accident which happens exactly as the foreigner foretells. The Devil has arrived in Moscow and, along with his demons and a large black cat, he carves a trail of chaos and destruction through Soviet society. He exposes the hypocrisy and greed of those around him, their willingness to inform on neighbours, their urgent scrabble for power and their fear for themselves. One man seems different: a writer known as ‘the master’ who, in despair, has burned his unpublished novel about Pontius Pilate and has been incarcerated in an asylum. His lover, the passionate, courageous Margarita, will do anything to save him – including serving the Devil himself.

Writing The Master and Margarita in secret between 1928 and 1940, through the period of Stalin’s purges, Bulgakov was already deemed anti-Soviet; his plays were banned, and he had few illusions that anyone would publish this highly satirical work. Like his main character, he destroyed a draft in despair. Yet, as the Devil tells the master, in a phrase which went on to become a watchword of hope: ‘Manuscripts don’t burn’. In 1966-7, more than 25 years after Bulgakov’s death, The Master and Margarita was published with relatively minor cuts. Smuggled past the censors, its subversive message, dark humour and lyrical force combined to make it an instant success and a beacon of optimism and freedom that spread through Russia and the world. Peter Suart’s dramatic illustrations provide a fitting accompaniment to what is one of our members’ most requested titles.

Buy The Master and Margarita at The Folio Society


Introduced by Orlando Figes.
Book Illustrated by Peter Suart.
Translated by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky.
Bound in buckram.
Blocked with a design by Peter Suart.
Set in Joanna.

The Vampire Diaries 4x10 Promo "After School Special"

"After School Special" - Appearing unexpectedly at Mystic Falls High, Rebekah (Claire Holt) wastes no time trying to force Stefan (Paul Wesley), Elena (Nina Dobrev) and Caroline (Candice Accola) to answer her questions about the search for a cure, leading to a bombshell piece of information from Elena. When Bonnie's (Kat Graham) father, Rudy Owens (guest star Rick Worthy, 'Supernatural'), accepts the role of Interim Mayor, he makes it a priority to protect his daughter, who isn't at all comfortable with the role he suddenly wants to play in her life. Professor Shane (guest star David Alpay) continues to encourage Bonnie to believe in her powers, but he soon finds himself in danger when he reveals too much to the wrong person. Later, Caroline does her best to comfort Tyler (Michael Trevino) after a violent confrontation. Meanwhile, at the lake house, Damon and Matt (Zach Roerig) train Jeremy (Steven R. McQueen), trying to raise his game as a hunter, but Klaus (Joseph Morgan) is impatient with their progress and intervenes to speed up the process. David Von Ancken directed the episode written by Brett Matthews (#410).

Book Review: Good Gladys - Embrace the Dead by Martin Renaud

Good Gladys Embrace the Dead.
by Martin Renaud.

It was an easy to read book, ideal for a read on holiday for instance.

I liked the main character "Sauce", he had his problems but curiosity got to him and he took on the investigation with a lot of encouragement from Dara.

The plot is unusual and there are quite a few twists and turns which are unexpected.

The main characters were all good and fitted in well with "Sauce". I did not like the inclusion of the two young boys in the abduction though, it left a bad taste to the story, although that is just my own personal preference, each person will take something different from this part of the story.

I think there could be further stories to be written involving  "Sauce" and "BT" working together. I would recommend this book to anyone that likes a light murder/mystery, without all the blood and guts of some books that are out there.

Review by @SusieD


Official Description

A murder mystery with a psychic twist.

News reports that the famous psychic Good Gladys is missing coincide with the brutal stabbing of her business manager. Gladys's daughter Dara asks an old friend, private investigator Byrne Aase, to help find the murderer. She claims that the man the police have in custody is innocent. In fact, she believes that the accused is her mother, having been transformed into a man during a seance gone awry.

Excerpt:

“Remember that day we left for St. Martin?” asked Dara, sitting down on the edge of the sofa. “I took you home, just before we left, so I could pack a few clothes for the trip. You met Mummy and talked with her while you waited for me.” Sauce turned and raised his eyebrows. “Good,” she continued. “Do you remember the first thing you said to her?”
“No, but I hope she took offense.” 

“It was perfect. Mummy asked you some self-aggrandizing question like, ‘How do you like the place?’ You looked her in the eye and—oh, I loved your answer so much it was etched in my memory. You said, ‘Bankruptcies and broken families from your thievery is all I see.’” Dara paused, and Sauce smiled. “You despised what she was doing as much as I did. But like me, you didn’t hate her.” 

“I didn’t? You don’t know that,” challenged Sauce. “I certainly knew enough about her, from the talk shows and celebrity gossip in the news, to hate her. ‘Good Gladys, psychic to the stars’ they call her. I can predict the future better than her. Believe in Gladys’s ability to talk with the dead and she will stay in your life until you are out of money. Gladys is the kind of person people either love for the wrong reasons, or hate for the right ones.”
“I never said you loved her. No, I agreed with Mummy that you are much more useful to us than a fawning admirer or a starched-shirt, lawyer-for-hire, yes man. You understand her.” Dara smiled. 

Sauce tried to resist the manipulation. “Here’s the best I can do. Leave, and I’ll mull it over. I promise I won’t say no until I call you tomorrow.”

Print and Kindle versions