Saturday is Horror Day #159 - Saw X

 Saw X

John Kramer's (Tobin Bell) cancer isn't getting any better. He attends a support group made up of fellow cancer patients. A few months later, he runs into one of them, Henry (Michael Beach) who tells him a miraculous story - he is in remission. And he owes it all to a doctor he found on the internet, Cecilia Pederson (Synnove Macody Lund) whose father is a world-renowned surgeon. John begins to see hope where none existed before and contacts Cecilia. Shortly after, he is on his way to Mexico City.

If something seems too good to be true, it probably is, and this is no exception, as John discovers to his horror. But these people made a serious mistake when they decided to scam John Kramer.

The latest installment in the Saw franchise takes place some years before, when John is still alive. I was glad to see him actually back in the picture. Once I realized he'd been duped, I knew he would get revenge as only John can. And justice.

The devices are just as complicated and gory as ever. So many people were involved in this plot, but John is fair. If someone passes his test, they go free, as we've witnessed in the past. He gets Amanda  (Shawnee Smith) to help him, but I confess to being distracted by her strange haircut. We get to see and hear Detective Hoffman (Costas Mandylor) but only briefly.

This was everything I'd hoped for and more. I was really impressed by the writing and character development. The next Saw is coming out in September and takes place right after this one. I'm looking forward to seeing that. I'll give this film 4.5 Stars

Wednesday Briefs: Dracula #9 (3.1)

  Good morning and Happy Hump Day! If it's Wednesday, then it must be time for more flash fiction from the Wednesday Briefers! We're a group of authors who bring you our finest flash fiction every week, 500 to 1000 words, inspired by one of our prompts.

While keeping an eye on the village blacksmith to keep him from finding out about Dracula and his wife, Avram converses with his friend, Father Gunther. But something isn't quite right and Avram knows it. See what's going on in this week's chapter of Dracula. Don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what they're up to. Their links follow my tale! Enjoy!

Dracula #9 (3.1)

Gunther fell silent. Tendrils of anxiety wrapped about Avram’s heart.  Why was it beating so fast? Something was wrong. and whatever it was it was about to get worse. Someone dropped a glass, which shattered, and he visibly flinched at the explosion.

 This was no time to panic, and no time to borrow trouble. He forced himself to take deep breaths. Maybe he should step outside for a moment. He needed to think, but without all the noise. He glanced across the room. Bogdan was still there. One less worry.

He started to rise, but Gunther’s hand on his coat sleeve stopped him. His friend leaned across the table, speaking in a low voice that necessitated Avram’s full attention. “I’m afraid they’re beginning to talk, Avram.”

“Who is? What do you mean?” He slid back into his chair and moved it closer, keeping a suspicious eye on their nearest neighbors, although he didn’t think that’s who he meant. Whatever Gunther was about to say, though, he knew it wouldn’t be good.

The tavern door blew open unexpectedly. Avram jumped again, then reprimanded himself for his skittishness as one of the villagers entered and slammed it shut behind him. All sound ceased for a split second. “Watch out for the stafi,” the newcomer announced before joining Bogdan’s table.

Avram shivered. Not because he believed in the Romanian equivalent of the Irish banshee, but he knew these people did… and more. He turned his attention back to Gunther.

“I mean the people of the village. They notice things, some of them. Such as how young Dracula looks. Still”

“How young he looks? He is young,” Avram bluffed. “How old do you think he is? Older than me, yes, but…” He gave up that losing argument before it was even truly begun. Despite his many years of existence—Avram wasn’t even sure how old the vampire was, to be honest—he looked to be no older than a man in his thirties, while Avram was already forty.  A well-preserved forty, to be sure.

His lips had turned suddenly dry. He picked up his ale and drank. How was he going to explain this?

“Some of the older people still remember his father and they say he looks exactly like him.”

“Is that surprising, that a son should look like his father?”  Of course that wasn’t true. Dracula’s father died centuries ago, none of them had ever seen him. And of course, Dracula resembled his “father”, as he was both father and son. How else to explain his many years as lord and master of the castle other than by changing his name on a regular basis so the villagers would not suspect his actual longevity? His ruse had worked for many ears. This was not good.

Calm down and listen. He lightly strummed his fingers across the brim of his hat on the table before him and waited.

“Avram, you’ve been my friend ever since we were little. I understand that you feel you owe him a debt. He took you in after your parents died. He’s been like a father to you, when most of the village turned its back on you.”

“Not your parents,” Avram pointed out. “Or you. Your family has been nothing but good to me. And things here have improved.” He ran one hand through his too curly black hair, the bane of his existence. ”Mostly.” Some people could never forgive him for being Jewish.  “And yes, I do owe Dracula my life. I don’t know how I would have survived without him. So please can we have no more of this nonsense?” In his heart, Avram knew he should hear more, learn what was being said. But he was suddenly more afraid than before that something truly bad was about to happen and he could do nothing to stop it.

“I don’t want to see you get hurt because of him.” Gunther paused, as if searching for the right words. What, was there something worse than what he’d already said? Avram grew more apprehensive as silence stretched between them, until at last, the words were spoken. “The old stories are being revived.”

Scheiss.

Avram didn’t bother to ask which stories Gunther meant. He knew only too well.

“Old wives’ tales, nothing more.” His lies fell limply onto the table between them like wounded birds… or bats.  Perhaps it was time to go abroad. There were women in other countries who would love nothing more than to see their favorite Count once more… women with money, which they badly needed. Not to mention, there was a certain Parisian publisher who was waiting for more material of the erotic kind that Avram wrote so well, even if Dracula did take the credit for his writing. That was a practicality, since it was easier to sell his books if people thought they were being written by a mysterious handsome nobleman than by a Jew.

“I’ve known you for a long time, Avram. You’re my best friend and I would do anything for you. Are you in any danger?”

The question caught Avram by surprise. Danger? Him? “From what?” His hand stilled on the hat brim, his brow furrowed as he met his friend’s gaze.

“I think you know what.” Gunther patted Avram’s hand. “You’re a good man, a very loyal friend. I just worry for you, that’s all. Worried that you’ve given your allegiance to someone who doesn’t deserve it.”

Avram forced a chuckle he was far from feeling. “I appreciate the sentiment, Gunther. I think you are a good man too, perhaps a little naïve. I mean, to believe such tales?” He clucked his tongue and shook his head, as if to dismiss the very idea.

“What are you saying about my wife?” An angry roar rose above the hubbub of the alehouse. All heads turned toward the source of the disturbance. It was Bogdan, who else?

Avram had a bad feeling all hell was about to break loose.

to be continued

Now go see what the other Briefers are up to!

Cia Nordwell

J Ray Lamb

 

 

 

 

Book Review: Spy x Family, Vol 11 by Tatsuya Endo

 

Spy x Family, Vol 11        

Author: Tatsuya Endo

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date: March 19, 2024

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/comedy manga/208 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

 

Loid Forger, aka Twilight, has a cover as a psychiatrist at a local hospital where he is loved by patients and staff alike. But there is one man who does not care for Loid at all – Chief Medical Director, Gerald Gorey.  Fiona, aka Nightfall, points out that Gorey is not only envious of Loid, but he has also been grumbling about him. This could be bad. Loid has to do his best to make the director look more competent than he himself is, which will be no easy task!

Yor Forger, aka Thorn Princess, comes up against an opponent who calls himself Steel-Gut Gullickson! She takes him down but hurts her hands in the process! She gives her family a cover story about a fire door. With unfortunate timing, Yuri Briar unexpectedly has the day off and comes to spend it with his sister. Alarmed at her injuries, he berates Loid that he has to help her (although he always does).  Yuri is determined to hold a competition – him against Loid – to prove which of them is more useful to Yor.

The Red Circus is an extremist group who have largely disbanded. But rumors have arisen that the leader is back in the country. What could they be up to? Meanwhile, some of the classes at Eden Academy are taking a field trip to the Berlint Museum, including Anya’s class. Having read Loid’s mind regarding his relationship with his Chief Medical Director, Anya determines to apply those techniques to Damien Desmond, aka Sy-on Boy.  But these plans go awry when terrorists board the bus and take it over!  Loid is out of town on assignment, and Anya has no way of contacting Yor. The terrorists know exactly who they’ve kidnapped, and they plan to make use of who these kids’ parents are! Things don’t look good for Anya and Sy-on Boy and the other kids!

I just love this series so much! In the first story, poor Loid has to mask his usual brilliance in order to keep the peace, no easy task! The second story made me laugh, with Yuri competing with Loid to help Yor (and he is just no competition for him). The last story is the best, with Anya using her abilities as an empath to her advantage so she can remain calm in a crisis, which the others mistake for her having nerves of steel. Whatever works, right? If you like the manga, you’ll like the anime. I just ordered Season 1 on Blu Ray.  I have pre-ordered the next volume and hope there will be more after that. At some point, I expect all the secrets to come out. At that point, they can create a whole new crime-fighting Forger family, not to mention I believe the Forgers will become a real family and not just a pretend one.

 

Saturday is Horror Day #158 - The Other Side of the Door

 The Other Side of the Door

Sarah's (Sarah Wayne Callies) world collapses when her young son Oliver (Logan Creran) dies in an accident. She's having a difficult time accepting what happened, despite the best efforts of her loving husband Michael (Jeremy Sisto) and her daughter Lucy (Sofia Rosinsky). They live in India, having fallen in love with the country while searching for antiques for their business and relocated there. Sarah's housekeeper Piki (Suchitra Pillai), knowing how devastated Maria is, tells her that there is a way in which she can communicate with Oliver one last time, in order to get closure. But she warns Maria that there are strict rules that have to be follow. Whatever happens, she tells her, do not open the door.

Despite the warnings, Maria can't help herself, and she opens the door. Has Oliver really returned? And what will the consequences of her actions be?

This wasn't a bad film, and I think it could have been better, having a different twist on horror. But it 

wasn't great either. I think one of the problems is that the underutilized Jeremy Sisto (whom I really like) overshadows the main actress. I think this movie might resonate more with parents, who can identify with the grief of losing a child and wanting to see that child so badly you'd disobey the rules to do so. I admit I didn't see the ending coming either. I'll give this movie E for effort and 3 Stars

Wednesday Briefs: Dracula #8 (2.4)

 Good morning and Happy Hump Day! If it's Wednesday, then it must be time for more flash fiction from the Wednesday Briefers! We're a group of authors who bring you our finest flash fiction every week, 500 to 1000 words, inspired by one of our prompts.

Avram goes to the local alehouse and spends time with his friend, the priest, but mostly he is keeping an eye on the blacksmith and worrying about what Dracula is doing. See what's happening in this week's chapter of Dracula. Don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what's up with them. Their links follow my tale! Enjoy!

Dracula #8 (2.4)

Despite his light-hearted words, Avram knew his friend was troubled by the defection of so many of his parishioners, but he never betrayed those feelings, either by word or manner, when he encountered those people as he went about the village. He treated them as he always had—with kindness and patience—and was always ready and willing to lend a helping hand to someone in need. If they felt guilty or disloyal in any way, that was a matter for their conscience, not his. Still, fewer church members meant fewer tithes, which made maintaining the church difficult. Avram (with the consent of Dracula) helped when he could, but when times were lean, such as they were now, money was difficult to find. Yet another reason to curb Dracula’s spending, although that was easier said than done. And attempting to explain economics to the man was well-nigh impossible.

“I have your bread, Father.”

Avram startled at the unexpected approach, nearly spilling his ale, before he recognized the newcomer as one of the young men from the village. Dracula’s behavior had him more on edge than he’d realized, he really needed to pay better attention to his surroundings. A quick inspection of the far corner assured him that the blacksmith was still there.  Gunther gave him an appraising glance but said nothing as the young man set a covered serving platter on the table. The enticing fragrance of freshly baked lipie bread wafted from beneath a bright red cloth. “Can I get you anything else, Father?”

“No, my son. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, Father.” For a moment, Avram thought he was going to genuflect, but the moment passed. Instead, the man’s hand flew to the silver cross that hung on a chain about his neck, his eyes refusing to meet Avram’s. If the child only knew that symbol of Christianity was useless when it came to either vampires or Jews.

“I’m good, thanks for asking,” Avram quipped.

The server visibly flinched but made no reply as he backed away from the table and was quickly lost to view.

“Care to break bread with me, Avram?” Gunther made no comment on the boy’s behavior, but none was really needed. Not everyone loved Avram, both because of his employer as well as his religions. The priest lifted the cloth to reveal a loaf of golden-brown bread as well as a generous portion of the sheep’s milk bryndza cheese much loved by the villagers. Avram didn’t dare to keep this type of cheese at the castle for Dracula disliked its strong smell, being very sensitive to such things. But Avram had eaten it often, growing up, and appreciated the tanginess of this white cheese, as well as the slightly salty finish. It served as a wonderful accompaniment to the bread.

The smell of the bread was quite tempting. Only then did Avram realize he’d not eaten recently, too concerned with what Dracula intended to do to have an appetite. The priest used his knife to cut a hunk of bread and a piece of the crumbly cheese and handed them to Avram before taking some for himself.

“Eat up, eat up.” Gunther waved a piece of bread and cheese in the air before he popped it into his mouth. “So good, so good,” he mumbled before washing everything down with ale. He dabbed at his face with a cloth and emitted a loud belch of satisfaction before turning his shrewd eyes to Aram. “Is everything well with you, my friend?  You seem a little uneasy. Is there some problem with your employer? Is he not well?”

Avram took a bite to forestall an immediate response. The slightly salty white cheese almost melted on his tongue. As a boy, he’d considered this to be a treat whenever he visited Gunther and his family. They had always been good to him and allowed him to stay in their home as long as he wanted. He suspected it was only fear of the nobleman that prevented them from offering him a permanent home. Dracula had been a surprisingly lenient guardian and encouraged Avram in his studies. He’d received no formal education, as he couldn’t very well attend the church school due to his religion, but Dracula made sure he had access to the vast library at the castle. Avram had availed himself of that generosity and became a voracious reader.

But he could avoid the question for only so long. “We may have to go abroad again soon,” he said obliquely.

“Business reasons?”

Avram nodded. Maybe strictly speaking that was not the whole truth, but it was close enough. As close as he felt comfortable speaking, anyway. It wasn’t exactly a lie either. The way things were currently going, they might actually need to leave the country, at least long enough for each of them to do what he did best in order to earn money. Unconventional? Perhaps, but also necessary.

His people had a saying: Di kats hot lib fish, nor zi vil di fis nit ayn-netsn. The cat loves fish but doesn’t want to get her feet wet.

Sometimes you just had to get your feet wet if you wanted to survive.

 to be continued

Don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what's up with them!

Cia Nordwell

J Ray Lamb

 

 

 

 

Saturday is Horror Day #157 - The Barrens, May

 The Barrens

Richard Vineyard (Stephen Moyer) is trying to bring his family closer together. He has a daughter Sadie (Allie MacDonald) by his late first wife. He's married to Cynthia (Mia Kirshner) now and they have a six-year-old son Danny (Peter DaCunha). Sadie doesn't respect Cynthia and finds Danny annoying. He decides to take them on a camping trip to a place called The Barrens, in New Jersey, where his late father used to take him. The trip will also serve to scatter his dad's ashes in this place where they once bonded. Danny doesn't want to go because his dog Oscar is missing, but he is persuaded to go.

Along the way, they pass a sign advertising the Jersey Devil. Richard assures Danny that it's just a story, nothing to worry about. They arrive and check in to the camping area, then head to a site to set up. To their dismay, a number of people are there, not quite the idyll he had anticipated. That night, there is a campfire and ghost stories, and a young man scares Danny, which angers Richard and he overreacts. The same young man makes friends with Sadie, which doesn't sit well with him either.

The family ends up leaving the the next day for another site. But so far this trip hasn't helped in any 

way, and Richard is acting more and more oddly, favoring his arm. But he won't let his wife look at it. And he is not only overprotective of his daughter and paranoid about his wife. Things go from bad to worse when they run across an abandoned camp with a couple of dead bodies. Richard becomes convinced it's the work of the Jersey Devil, and he's been after him ever since he was a child.

I'll be honest, I was primarily drawn to watch this because of Stephen Moyer, but I really liked this movie. It kept me guessing the whole time as to what was going on, whether Richard was imagining things because he was ill or was there really a monster known as the Jersey Devil? The acting was good, it felt like watching a family disintegrating in so many ways, but it's also about the love that ultimately keeps them together. Plenty of suspense and scary moments. This was written and directed by Darren Lynn Bousman, who also brought us Repo the Genetic Opera and a couple of Saw films, including Spiral, which I plan to rewatch soon. This was a good film. I'll give it 4 Stars.

May

As a child, May (Angela Bettis) had few friends because of her lazy eye. Her mother gives her a strange doll in a glass case, warning her not to remove it from the case, and she becomes May's only friend. May grows up socially awkward and lonely and becomes a veterinary assistant at an office where she works with Polly (Anna Faris). May is still shy, but Polly is always nice to her, and May is good with the animals. One day she spies a good-looking young mechanic named Adam (Jeremy Sisto). she develops a crush on him, especially his hands, and goes out of her way to insert herself into his life. She is ecstatic to become his girlfriend, but things don't work out. Then May and Polly get together, and once again, things don't work out. So May decides to take the best parts of the people who have wronged her and make herself a friend.

May is a quirky and unusual film, not your run of the mill horror story. I found it hard to actually root 

for May, because she is not very tightly wrapped, when you get down to it.  You gotta worry about someone who takes advice from a doll, and holds conversations with it. And though Adam was good to look at, he wasn't necessarily nice inside. Polly really cared about May but she wasn't serious enough to settle down. It is an interesting film, but sometimes I found my mind wandering, so it didn't completely catch my attention. It is worth watching, though, even if not exactly my cup of tea. Worth it to see Jeremy Sisto.  I'll give this film 3.5 Stars.

Book Review: In Search of Dracula: The History of Dracula and Vampires ( by Raymond T McNally & Radu Florescu)

 

In Search of Dracula: The History of Dracula and Vampires (revised)   

Author: Radu Florescu and Raymond T McNally

Publisher: Mariner Books

American release date: October 31, 1994

Format/Genre/Length: Hardback/History/320 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★

 

Everyone has heard of the infamous vampire Count Dracula, immortalized by Bram Stoker in his novel Dracula, first published in 1896. But not everyone knows that there was a real Dracula, Vlad Dracula, aka Vlad Tepes, a Wallachian prince who lived in the 15^th century, a powerful ruler who was both feared and admired by people of his time. (And yes, Transylvania is a real place!)

Dracula experts Radu Florescu and Raymond McNally have taken their original book, first published in 1972, and completely revised and updated it. The real Dracula’s story is a fascinating one, filled with violence and intrigue. The authors explore his life and the circumstances that molded his character. The things he did were often cruel, but at the same time he was a product of his times, a violent era filled with wars and shifting political and religious allegiances. It’s hard to know who to trust when even your own family conspires against you, and survival depends on caution and knowing when to act. There is no doubt he did some terrible things, especially impaling many people, innocent women and children among them. But even to this day, he is revered as a hero by people in his own country.

This book delves into his life, as well as the life of author Bram Stoker, who brought the Romanian prince back to life, so to speak, in the form of his vampire count.  Did you know that Stoker was gay? Besides being an author, he was a long-time manager of the famous actor Henry Irving, whom he also had a crush on. In the section on Stoker, the authors talk about the research that went into the writing of Stoker’s novel. They also discuss the vampire on stage, in fiction, and on film.  The appendixes include stories about Dracula told by people of various nationalities. For example, there are the Turkish ambassadors who appeared before him, wearing turbans. When Dracula requested they remove the turbans, the men said they could not for national reasons. So Dracula assisted them in their desire to keep them on by driving nails through the turbans into their heads and sent them back to their sultan. (Keep in mind, Dracula had good reason not to like the sultan, and had been held hostage by him for five years as a boy).

This book was very fascinating, and is a must-have for anyone who enjoys history and Dracula, whether the real one or the fictional one.  These authors are foremost in their field for a reason.

Wednesday Briefs: Dracula #7 (2.3)

 Good morning and Happy Hump Day! If it's Wednesday, then it must be time for more flash fiction from the Wednesday Briefers! We're a group of authors who bring you our finest flash fiction every week, 500 to 1000 words, inspired by one of our prompts.

Avram has gone into the village since Dracula is out and about, but he can't help but be worried that the vampire is being foolish. See what's going on in this week's chapter of Dracula. Don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what's up with them. Their links follow my tale! Enjoy!

Dracula #7 (2.3)

Avram shook his head as he pushed open the heavy wooden door of the alehouse after leaving his horse stabled nearby. An uneasy feeling had taken up residence in the pit of his stomach. He wished Dracula wouldn’t take such risks just for sexual gratification, particularly this close to home. And a married woman at that. What if the husband found out? While he was sure the vampire could more than handle himself in a fight, the ramifications of being outed would be detrimental to both of them. Dracula may be on the immortal side, but he was neither invincible nor invulnerable—given the right circumstances, he could be killed. At least Avram didn’t have to worry that he was using this woman for her blood. That would be disastrous indeed.

Sometimes I think the man is just meshuggeneh.

He glanced around him as he made his way across the room to the bar, as if he were looking for someone. Most were faces familiar to him, lifelong residents of Bistritz. He returned their greetings, albeit somewhat distractedly. Truth be told he was searching for one face in particular. When he didn’t see him immediately, a chill coursed up his spine. But then he heard a loud bray from the far side of the room. He glanced over to spy a tall, broad-shouldered ape of a man, seated at a table with a few of his friends. He seemed to be entertaining them with an amusing tale from his undoubtedly limited repertoire. Bogdan the blacksmith. Dumb but strong. Generally, he was known as a good-natured fellow, but when it came to his pretty wife, he was said to possess more than a small streak of jealousy. At least since he was currently sitting here, he could be nowhere near Dracula’s vicinity. The whole group seemed rather ferschnickered. None of them were likely to be going anywhere soon, not in their drunken condition. Avram released a sigh of relief and prayed that the vampire would take his pleasure and quickly leave the village.

“Would you like some ale, Avram?”

Somewhat mollified by the presence of the blacksmith, Avram turned his attention to the young woman behind the bar whose father owned the establishment. Instinctively he checked her neck for any sign that Dracula had been there, despite knowing the vampire was dallying with another woman. Seeing nothing, he relaxed a little. “Yes, please.”

She poured him a tankard of ale and set it on the bar in front of him. “Looking for someone?”

“No, no one,” he assured her. Found someone he had but he wasn’t about to tell her that. Turning slightly, he surveyed the room more carefully, deciding where he should sit. He needed a vantage point from which he could watch Bogdan as well as the door, in case the blacksmith developed the sudden urge to leave. He couldn’t allow that to happen, at least not for a while.

The large public area contained a dozen or so tables where villagers could spend their free time, drinking ale and socializing with their neighbors. Simple iron sconces dotted the larch wood walls to supplement the inviting fire that blazed in the hearth, lending an air of comfort and warmth to the establishment. Avram was familiar with most everyone he saw as visitors were not common in Bistritz, usually tradespeople picking up or delivering trade goods from neighboring towns. These tended to conduct their business during the day before hastening elsewhere. Thanks to the infamy of some members of Dracula’s family, the area had developed a sinister reputation, especially after dark. Outsiders tended to stay away after nightfall, although the residents were not quite as wary. They realized that the days of Vlad Dracula were long gone, and no one had been impaled in many years. But even they weren’t so sure about some of the mythical creatures said to roam about the countryside. Tales abounded of dragons and ogres, werewolves and ghosts. And of course, the ever-popular strigoi, also known as the vampire. Avram prayed the truth would never be discovered.

“Avram!  My friend! Over here!”

Avram glanced toward the caller, a pudgy man about his own age, whose close-cropped blond hair showed more and more scalp with each passing year. Avram teasingly referred to it as his tonsure. The man had bright blue eyes and a contagious smile. Avram couldn’t help but return that smile as he turned his steps toward the table where he sat. Father Gunther, the parish priest at the Old Church. Avram considered the priest to be a friend despite their religious differences, but they never let those interfere with their friendship. In fact, those same differences often led to rather lively and entertaining discussions between them.

As Avram drew near, the priest shifted from one seat to another, leaving Avram a chair that held a better view of the room. Father Gunther had known Avram since they were both boys and knew, as did everyone in the village, who he worked for. Despite the friendly faces, there were still those who eyed Avram with open suspicion. Some went so far as to cross themselves in his vicinity, as if that were protection against either him or Dracula. That was no more effective than their use of the sign of the horns to ward off evil. But if the gesture was of comfort to them, far be it from him to interfere with their peace of mind.

“How are things with you?” As Avram took a seat, he noticed sullen glances from some of the villagers who sat nearby, but these turned their heads quickly, as if afraid of being noticed. “Save any sinners this week?”

The priest chuckled. “No, I sent them all to the new church. We have to keep Father Damien employed, don’t we?” He raised his own mug and Avram followed suit. “To your health, my friend.”

“L’chaim,” Avram readily responded. To life.

to be continued

Now go see what the other Briefers are up to!

Cia Nordwell

J Ray Lamb

 

 

 

 

 

   

Virtual Book Tour: Picasso's Lovers by

 Good morning, everyone! Please welcome author Jeannie Mackin to Full Moon Dreaming. She is here to tell us about her new release, Picasso's Lovers.  Jeannie will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to one randomly drawn commenter via Rafflecopter during the tour. The more you comment, the greater your chances of winning. To find the other stops on her tour, go here. Don't forget to look for the Rafflecopter at the end of this post!

 

PICASSO'S LOVERS

Jeanne Mackin

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

GENRE:  Historical Fiction

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

BLURB:

 

You know Pablo Picasso.  Now meet the women behind the masterpieces. The women of Picasso's life are glamorous and elusive, existing in the shadow of his fame - until, in the 1950's, aspiring journalist Alana Olsen determines to bring one into the light and discovers a past complicated by secrets and intrigue.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

EXCERPT:

 

Gazes from Pablo Picasso are like brushstrokes.  Some are long, lingering, full of texture and pigment. Some are short, shallow, even accidental.  His gaze on me now falls somewhere between the two.

 

Once, his gaze would have found enough for an entire painting. He would have seen flesh, and the bone and muscle under the flesh, the question or certainty of the eyes. He would have seen past, present, and future and painted them in a way that made time irrelevant.

 

Yes, that was how he pained me. Everything and at once, all the angles and geometry of the body, and he made of me something eternal and always beautiful.  That is what an artists can do for a woman.  When most men looked at me, all I saw in their faces was desire, the urge to possess. When Pablo looked at me, his face filled with wonder waiting to be translated to lines and brushstrokes.

 

Spring. The second year of the Great War. I wasn’t twenty yet, and had returned from cold, starving Moscow, where a loaf of bread coast as much as a silk dress…Back to Paris for me!

 

When Pablo first saw me, I was sitting on the rim of the Wallace Fountain in Place Emile, face turned up to the sun like a basking cat, enjoying the fine day and wondering what adventure I might  find…It was early summer. I had stolen a bunch of cherries at Les Halles and a roll, but my stomach rattled.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Jeanne Mackin is the author of several historical novels, including The Last Collection, which has been translated into five languages, and The Beautiful American, which won a CNY award for fiction.  She has taught in the MFA Creative Writing program at Goddard College and won journalism awards, and is currently at work on her next novel.

 

Website: http://www.jeannemackin.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JeanneMackinAuthor

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/JeanneMackin1

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/JeanneMackinAuthor

 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Picassos-Lovers-Jeanne-Mackin-ebook/dp/B0C3C2J4FH/ref=sr_1_1

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Saturday is Horror Day #156 - Silent Night (2021), Lake Mungo

 Silent Night (2021)

The apocalypse is happening... and everyone knows when. Nothing can be done to stop it. In preparation for the event, the government has provided citizens with Exit Pills, to avoid suffering when it does occur. Nell (Keira Knightley) and Simon (Matthew Goode) have a happy marriage and three sons. They decide they don't want to face this alone, so they invite their group of long-time friends to join them at a house in the countryside to have one last hurrah and see each other one last time before they accept the end by taking their pills. Everyone seems to be in relatively high spirits, and much drinking ensures. But not surprisingly, loose tongues reveal long-kept secrets, straining even the best of relationships as this group of friends waits for the apocalypse to occur. And one of Nell and Simon's sons, Art (Roman Griffin Davis) questions what the adults are doing.

I found this a very thought-provoking film, and one that it isn't impossible to envision. If not this 

particular scenario, then something similar. Like Art, I had so many questions about what was going on and how the adults were responding. This is the perfect what-would-I-do movie as you imagine yourself in their shows and think about how you would react to what is going on. Yes, there are some secrets revealed that might have/should have been kept to the grave, but some people just can't hold their liquor. It's also about love and shared history and togetherness. It's well acted, especially Knightley and Goode. I am a huge fan of Goode, which is how I became interested in watching this when I accidentally ran across it while looking up the other series, the Silent Night, Deadly Night series. Similar name, totally different. Also, you might remember seeing the boy who plays Art in JoJo Rabbit, which is a very interesting film.

My only real complaint, and a minor one at that, is something I found their accents difficult to understand, but if anyone is concerned about that, you can always turn on close captioning. I didn't, and I was fine with it. Like I said, this film gives you a lot to think about, and unlike a lot of horror films, it is a believable scenario. I'll give this film 4.5 Stars.

Lake Mungo

Alice Palmer (Talia Zucker) is only 16 when she drowns. Her parents, June (Rosie Traynor) and Russell (David Pledger) are grief-stricken, wanting to know why this happened, as is her brother Matthew (Martin Sharpe). But after her death, strange things start to happen, and the figure of the late girl begins appearing in new photographs.

The search for understanding what happened leads to the discovery of things about Alice her family didn't realize, that she led a secret double life. 

To be honest, this film didn't do it for me, although I've seen a number of good reviews for it. They talk about grief and how to deal with it, but that wasn't the kind of ghost story I was expecting, so maybe that's why I wasn't impressed. I kind of lost interest early on but kept going anyway. If this sort of thing interests, give it a try, just wasn't for me. I'll give this film 2 Stars.

Book Review: Assassination Classroom, Vol 13 by Yusei Matsui

 

Assassination Classroom, Vol 13        

Author: Yusei Matsui

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date: December 6, 2016

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/Action Adventure Manga//200 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

 

Still holding the students of Class 3E hostage, the Grim Reaper watches as Karasuma comes to the rescue, seemingly undeterred by the traps the Reaper has laid. So then he unleashes what he believes to be his ultimate weapon – Irina! But she is also being used as bait, and he explodes the ceiling on both of them. Irina is pinned under the rubble, but Karasuma fails to be ensnared. Still in contact with Koro Sensei and the students, he explains what happened and intends to move on, but they plead for him to help Irina, explaining how she is still young herself and the product of her upbringing. He should be understanding and forgive her.

The Grim Reaper turns his attention back to his hostages and is shocked and dismayed to find they’ve escaped!  But how? Frustrated, he detonates the collars around their necks. Turnabout being fair play, now Irina is being used as bait… for the Grim Reaper. When he takes it, Karasuma is ready, and now the two of them are going to face off! Will it be to the death?

Koro Sensei decides to play career counselor to his students, asking them what they plan to do for a vocation – assuming they assassinate him, of course. If they don’t, then no one has a future, do they? The students make some surprising choices, including Nagisa, who feels he should become a professional assassin!

Nagisa’s classmates and teacher are unaware of his horrific home life with his controlling mother. She decides she wants him out of Class 3E, for his own good, no matter what it takes. Not only is she abusive, but she has treated him like a girl for years, wishing she’d had a daughter instead of a son. She decides she will talk to Nagisa’s home room teacher and get him transferred to the main building, despite Nagisa’s efforts to dissuade her from going there. What can they do? Unfortunately, Karasuma is unavailable, and Irina is a poor choice, as they discover. That only leads Koro Sensei, which is cause for great concern, despite his attempts to disguise himself as Karasuma. During the interview, it quickly becomes apparent how unstable Nagisa’s mother really is. Just when it seems that maybe everything will turn out all right after they return home, his mother drugs him and takes him to the classroom in the dead of night, demanding her son burn it down with his own two hands! This can’t end well, can it?

It's time for the School Festival! Class A is determined to get revenge on Class E, and everyone is stoked to find out how the two rivals will fare against one another.  Koro Sensei’s students feel they are at a disadvantage, being isolated on the mountain as they are. Who will want to trudge up there for cheap eats? But Koro Sensei shows them how to turn disadvantages to advantages!

This volume of the series sees the students deal with the Grim Reaper once and for all… hopefully.  They are able to utilize the skills they’ve learned from Koro Sensei so far and learn some more. We learn a lot about Irina’s backstory and what has made her what she is. It’s easy to forget she’s not much more than a child herself, one who’s had to grow up in a harsh environment and make difficult choices. Karasuma is beginning to change as well. Perhaps he’s not as hard as he appears to be. Nagisa’s mother is just nuts. What he has to deal with is horrible. I wonder if he becomes an assassin, will she be his first target?

I love the ingenuity of Koro Sensei and the class as they brainstorm how to do well in the upcoming festival, which continues into the next volume. This was a lot of fun, looking forward to seeing what they are able to do, and hopefully outsell Class A, even if they cheat (which of course they will)

 

 

Wednesday Briefs: Dracula #6 (2.2)

  Good morning and Happy Hump Day! If it's Wednesday, then it must be time for more flash fiction from the Wednesday Briefers! We're a group of authors who bring you our finest flash fiction every week, 500 to 1000 words, inspired by one of our prompts.

Dracula meets the blacksmith's wife in the church for a clandestine rendezvous, and she is most eager to be with him. All's well that ends well, right?  See what is happening in this week's chapter of Dracula. Don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what's up with them. Their links follow my tale! Enjoy!

Dracula #6 (2.2)

He teased the soft skin of her neck with his tongue, tasting her, savoring the lavender and cloves scent that had first drawn him to her. She shivered in response. The throbbing of her jugular vein intoxicated him, filled as it was with primal promises of what would be. So enticing... so tempting. How provident that Avram had provided his master with sustenance before he left the castle, as if anticipating what the vampire intended to do and forestalling a… problem… should his desire for blood outweigh his common sense. Being mostly satiated, he would allow himself just a mere sip of her sweetness, but not until matters of the carnal kind had been attended to.

Memories of her blood that he’d drawn during previous encounters distracted him momentarily. His thoughts began to wander although his body continued to respond to her abundant charms. His lady du jour, clearly growing impatient to have him inside her, bunched up her skirt past her hips revealing she wore nothing underneath. His lust for her burned even more brightly.

 She gave a small moan as she spread her legs a little wider. “My lord,” she pleaded.  Her husky voice betrayed her passion as she pushed up against him needily.

Someone was more than a little eager for him to make his entrance, despite the fact that his breeches were still fully buttoned and he’d made no move to undo them. His own breathing was becoming more labored, while his manhood ached for release. And still he continued to draw out his pleasure, knowing that would only serve to inflame her lust for him further.

She wrapped her legs about him and pulled him against her, so close he could feel her wetness through the silk. “I am yours,” she whispered. “Please make me your own forever.”

She had no idea what those words really meant, and he was not willing to show her. Creating more of his kind was the farthest thing from his mind at the best of times, but most certainly not here and now. He had no need for either possible rivals or boon companions, and he wasn’t willing to sacrifice his freedom by tethering himself to a wife, not to mention she was already married to the idiot blacksmith. Dracula’s desire to remain unencumbered by the bonds of matrimony did not preclude him, however, from engaging in short-term sexual relations with women… or men. He found himself attracted to people of all sexes and did not discriminate against his lovers on the basis of gender, race, nationality, or religion. Over the course of the many years of his life thus far, he’d thoroughly enjoyed himself with a variety of people on his extensive travels around the globe, making commitments to none of them. He was not foolish enough to fall in love. Due to the nature of what he was, that would be disastrous indeed.

Instead of responding, he claimed her lips instead. He gently nudged them apart, tracing their contours with his tongue. Her moan of approval vibrated inside his mouth. When he repositioned one hand between her legs and slid two fingers inside her, she arched her back in response.

“Yes, yes!” she cried. “More, my lord, more. Say my name, please! Tell me you love me as I love you!” she begged him, her voice growing in intensity as she frantically rutted against him, her actions only serving to feed his self-conceit.

He loved the effect he had on his partners, loved the responses he evoked from them in acknowledgement of his sexual prowess. Avram often accused him of having vainglory, but Dracula’s rejoinder was that he appreciated himself for who he was so why should he pretend otherwise?  But neither was he kind enough to accede to her wishes.

So caught up was he in the heat of the moment and his own lust that he momentarily became oblivious to his surroundings—always a grave mistake—until a voice boomed out from the back of the church.

“Doina!”

Dracula jerked his head up, instantly on the alert, all else forgotten. Damn, the idiot blacksmith.

* * * *

The alehouse in Bistritz had no official name but was well known by one and all. The men of the village were often to be found there after a hard day of work (or not, in the case of some) while the wives were usually grateful to be rid of their presence inside the home, at least for a little while longer. For the men, it was a place to relax without the pressures of marriage or familial obligations. A time to discuss important happenings in the village, and occasionally the outside world, although for the most part the villagers were rather insular. It didn’t hurt that news traveled slowly, if at all, which gave them less incentive to understand or know about the world they lived in. And, of course, there were usually barmaids to be admired and flirted with, if not more. Not surprisingly, the sale of beer and ale rose whenever pretty young women were working.

Avram had been coming to the alehouse for years, having grown up there, for the most part. The villagers gave Dracula a wide berth on the rare occasions when he chose to enter the town, but Avram was treated as one of them. He had never done anything that would cause them to think badly of him. Not that Dracula had ever done anything overt, and they were certainly unaware of his true nature, but his family’s reputation was not particularly good, stretching back to the time of the infamous Impaler. No one wanted to give the current Dracula cause to revive his ancestor’s cruel method of torture for any reason.

 to be continued

No go visit the other Briefers and see what's up with them!

Cia Nordwell

J Ray Lamb