Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Review of NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH

Surprise, I'm going to review a movie instead of a book!



Editorial Synopsis: Journalist Rachel Armstrong (Kate Beckinsale) turns Washington on its ear when she outs a casual acquaintance (Vera Farmiga) as a CIA agent. The government's formidable prosecutor (Matt Dillon) sends Rachel to jail for contempt, where she discovers the true impact of her decision. David Schwimmer, Alan Alda and Edie Falco co-star in this drama from Rod Lurie.

Roger Ebert posted on rogerebert.com: Nothing But the Truth" is a finely-crafted film of people and ideas, of the sort more common before the movie mainstream became a sausage factory. It respects the intelligence of the audience, it contains real drama, it earns its suspense, and it has a point to make. In the ordinary course of events, it would have had a high-profile release and plausibly won nominations. But the economic downturn struck down its distributor, the film missed its release window, and its life must be on DVD. It is far above the "straight-to-DVD" category, and I hope filmgoers discover that.


Robin says: I LOVED this movie. Loved the acting. Loved the twist at the end (nope, not gonna spoil it, even though I figured it out before it was revealed). Loved that the filmmaker made a viable point--The over-extension of power our government has, and uses at will. All in all, I give this movie a "don't miss" recommendation.

Has anyone else seen it? What are your thoughts?

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Oh, What A Feeling!

Ever wonder how JK Rowling and Stephanie Meyers feel? I have a glimpse. I went to Nashville to my wonderful publisher, B&H's sales conference. From the moment I stepped off the plane, I had the red carpet treatment. I was met by editor extraordinare, Karen Ball. I so love that woman!

We got me checked into my hotel, then she took me over to meet some wonderful folks at B&H. Talk about some great, Christian people! Then she and I were joined by the brilliant Julie Gwinn (yep, trying to locate the picture of us two) for supper. We talked marketing, but laughed a whole lot. Imagine that--laughing with Karen. Far reach, huh? LOL

The next day was the sales conference. Talk about a warm reception. Every single person I met was enthusiastic about B&H's Pure Enjoyment fiction line. Eager. And so friendly. Made me feel right at home. And when they showed the trailer for my upcoming book, Deliver Us From Evil, up on the big screen? Well, let's just say I got chills. And to see my book cover up on the wall when I came into the conference room...so big and beautiful. Ah, what a feeling.

That night, again I had supper with Karen and Julie, but we were joined by two really great members of the sales team. We had such a wonderful time. Great ideas and beautiful fellowship and discussion.

I left early the next morning, but blessed beyond belief by my experience. I had an awesome time and am in awe of some pretty wonderful people.

Now, back to reality and the business of writing!

Friday, June 12, 2009

K9 For Humans???

Okay, so my beloved Moodoo (mix of lab and Catahoula)
tells me it's time to go outside. (He whines twice, then nudges me. If I don't respond immediately, he puts his paws on my arm and pushes me) Being a devoted dog owner, I slip on my shoes, grab his leash, and we head out the door. Now, he decides he wants to do his business in the woods around the house. Okay, works for me. (He's trained not to go in the "lawn" where hubby would have a fit) So off we go. The squirrels are playing in the trees, so we move slower. I'm looking at a squirrel and BlueJay having it out. Amusing me. (Hey, I'm procrastinating writing chapter 7, okay? Give me some latitude here) We're strolling along, Moodoo enjoying being outside since it's cooler today than it has been all week. He's sniffing the air, the bushes, the ground, the trees...everything. So after about 30 minutes, we head on back into the house. I brush him right quick before I let him in. (beggars lice is abundant in the woods here in Arkansas) and get the doggie wipe for his paws so he doesn't bring in any dirt, twigs, etc. He's good. Comes in, drinks some water, and plops down for a nap at my feet under my desk. All good, right?

WRONG!

I sit down and check email, Twitter, and Facebook (told you I was procrastinating) and I feel something "crawling" on my arm. Look down and Oh. My. Gosh. It's a tick. Ick. Grab it, kill it, flush it down the toliet. Shake off the ick feeling. Probably brushed against a tree or bush or something. No biggie, right? It's dead and flushed, not to worry anymore, right?

WRONG!

Back to checking email, Twitter, and Facebook (hey, I was away from my desk for a minute or so...might've had something come in. Remember, I'm procrastinating) and I feel something crawling on my leg. More than what I felt on my arm. Push out from under desk and find three ticks crawling on me. Triple ick. Get them off. Kill them. Flush them in toliet. But not taking any chances. Run and draw a hot shower. Take said hot shower. Get new clean clothes and throw others in washing machine and start it. I feel mucho better.

Then it dawns on me--poor Moodoo. What if he's eaten up with ticks?

Sigh. So I call him to me, make him flip over and check his legs, belly, tail, back, head, ears, etc. What did I find? NOT A SINGLE TICK. Nothing.

Why can't they make a K9 Advantage for humans?

Monday, June 08, 2009

Review: EXPOSURE by Brandilyn Collins




First let me state that I REALLY wanted to read this book because EXPOSURE was the working title of my novel releasing in February. Since I had to change my title (which I LOVE the one the B&H team came up with--DELIVER US FROM EVIL), I asked Brandilyn to send me a copy of her Exposure. She graciously did. And wow, I was totally enthralled in the book from the first page.

What happens when your greatest fear becomes reality? That's the premise of this book. Brandilyn drags you into the story immediately. While I won't give away plot points, I'll mention some of the things I liked best about this book:
--The characterization of the heroine and her journey. She's flawed. She's trying. She makes the reader assess their own fears and how they're handling them. That, in and of itself, can be scary enough! LOL But the change she goes through during the course of the book is realistic and natural.
--The plot twists and turns, so just when the reader feels "comfortable", we're pushed into a different direction, out of the comfort zone. This, imho, is awesome because normally, I figure out the suspense plot early in the book. I didn't in Exposure.
--The secondary characters really added a whole other level to the subplots and layers in this book. Make the reader think, feel, care.

I have to give Exposure top marks. Personally, I think this is one of Brandilyn's best books ever. Ingenious plot. Great premise. Awesome characters. Yep, Exposure isn't a book to miss. If you love suspense, I highly recommend Exposure by Brandilyn Collins. Get it. Now. What are you waiting for?