tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85003756515122548932024-03-12T20:02:54.219-07:00Benito Corral Reviews...My reviews of Horror, Urban/Dark Fantasy, LGBT Fiction, SF & WTF?! (and everywhere in between!)benitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08558041870855891513noreply@blogger.comBlogger138125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8500375651512254893.post-44716383652453413072014-11-05T16:55:00.000-08:002014-11-06T10:19:11.155-08:00A Chat With MARK ALLAN GUNNELLS Today we're talking to one of my favorite writers, Mark Allan Gunnells. To readers of the blog he needs no introduction, but to the uninitiated, he is the author of numerous collections and novels of horror, including <i>The Quarry, Asylum, The Summer of Winters, Sequel </i>(a personal favorite of mine!) and so many others. Now Mark has teamed once again with <a href="http://eviljesterpress.com/">Evil Jester Press</a> to bring you a new collection of dark delights, <i style="font-weight: bold;">Welcome to the Graveyard</i>. Mark was generous enough to take some time to chat with us about the book, his Halloween plans and sheds some light on his writing process.<br />
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<b>BRC: </b>Autumn is finally here, my favorite time of year! And Halloween is just around the corner, which of course, is my favorite holiday!! Mark, how do you feel about Halloween and how will you be celebrating it this year? </div>
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<b>MAG: </b>Autumn is my absolute favorite season, seeing the leaves raining down and hearing the scratching sounds they make skittering across pavement brings out a child-like glee in me. And Halloween is my absolute favorite time of the year; as a horror hound I love that there is a holiday during which the public at large is encourage to embrace a love of horror. This year my fiance and I will be taking a trip to Pawley's Island here in South Carolina for a 3 day weekend, and we'll be taking in a haunted house and seeing a live theatrical production of Little Shop of Horrors.</div>
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<b>BRC: </b>WELCOME TO THE GRAVEYARD is your newest collection from Evil Jester, and once again, it's an awesome book! How did this collection come about? </div>
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<b>MAG: </b>Short stories are my passion and I had been wanting to put out another collection, but honestly I'd gotten complacent and hadn't really done anything to try to make that happen. Then my fiance took me to the South Carolina Book Festival, and we attended a panel discussion on the art of the short story, and it rekindled that passion, reaffirmed my desire to master that form and promote it. I knew I had to put together a collection, and since I'd been so happy with my previous experiences with Evil Jester, I approached them and asked if they'd be interested.</div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.3333339691162px;"><b>BRC: </b>You have a long history with Evil Jester; it must feel wonderful to have a supportive, trusting relationship with your publisher! How collaborative is it? How does it work? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.3333339691162px;"><b>MAG: </b>Charles Day and Peter Giglio at Evil Jester have been wonderful to me. Peter has been my editor on all three books I've released with them--THE QUARRY, THE SUMMER OF WINTERS, and WELCOME TO THE GRAVEYARD--and he has a wonderful eye and offers suggestions that really tighten up my prose and make my work stronger. Peter will actually be focusing on his own writing in the future, however, so my next book with them (fingers crossed) will have a new editor. I trust it will be as wonderful an experience as before, but Peter will be missed.</span></div>
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<b>BRC: </b><span style="font-size: 13.3333339691162px;">In this blogger's opinion, you're a bright star in the horror field; how do you keep the stories fresh for yourself? I mean, as a reader, I always enjoy how engaged I become in your stories; is it hard to keep the writing fresh after telling so many wonderful tales? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.3333339691162px;"> <b>MAG: </b>For me, the secret to keeping it fresh and exciting is that I always write for me first and foremost. I love my readers and want to entertain them, but I think the best way to do that is to make sure I'm entertaining myself. I don't </span><span style="font-size: 13.3333339691162px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13.3333339691162px;">I don't write to please publishers, editors, or even readers per se. I write to please me, I write what thrills and interests me. And above all, I always try to have fun. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.3333339691162px;"><b>BRC: </b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13.3333339691162px;">Would that be your advise to budding writers out there? Have fun and write for yourself first? </span></div>
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<b style="font-size: 13.3333339691162px;">MAG: </b><span style="font-size: 13.3333339691162px;">Write the stories you want to read, not the stories you think the public wants or market research says will sell. I think that kind of writing is rather empty, but if you write to entertain and please yourself, that's going to come through in the work.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b>BRC: </b>And also, the question every writer dreads: where do your ideas come from? I really appreciated that you had author's notes before each story but it must be hard to keep track..? </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b>MAG: </b>I think the reason writers don't like that question is that there's no easy answer. They come from so many different places. Things that happen to me, things I overhear, songs I hear on the radio, and sometimes they just seem to come from nowhere, just little gifts sent down from the muses.</span></div>
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<b style="font-size: 13.3333339691162px;">BRC: </b><span style="font-size: 13.3333339691162px;">You're a very prolific writer, Mark; what's forthcoming from you? I'm excited about a rumor I heard about a sequel/spin off of (one of my personal favorites) ASYLUM? </span></div>
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<b>MAG: </b> Earlier this year I co-authored a werewolf novel called DOG DAYS O' SUMMER with the very talented James Newman, and it has been purchased by a publisher but we cannot officially announce it until they do. I also wrote a zombie novella entitled FORT, which is a semi-sequel to ASYLUM. It takes place in the same fictional universe. I'm also writing a sequel to THE QUARRY, tentatively titled THE CULT OF OCASTA, which I hope to place with Evil Jester when it's done, and I'm working on putting together a new Halloween collection.</div>
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<b>BRC: </b>So can we expect an annual Halloween collection from you? I'm already anticipating my annual Mark Allan Gunnells rereads!! :) </div>
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<b>MAG: </b>Well, I do write Halloween themed stories every year, but I don't think I'll be able to manage a full collection every year. But I would definitely love to do a series of them.</div>
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Once again, I'd like to thank Mark Allan Gunnells for taking the time to talk with us and do check out his latest collection, <i style="font-weight: bold;">Welcome to the Graveyard</i>; you'll be happy you did! </div>
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Happy reading!</div>
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benitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08558041870855891513noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8500375651512254893.post-60862629422817533632014-07-01T09:02:00.000-07:002014-07-01T17:53:13.242-07:00Review:THE CHILDREN OF OLD LEECH edited by Ross E Lockhart & Justin Steele (Word Horde)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As I've <a href="http://betwixtbookreviews.blogspot.com/2014/02/review-imago-sequence.html">recently stated</a>, I've been trying to catch up and read all of Laird Barron's works. The man's writing is magnificent; it draws you in and doesn't let you go easily. I've found myself more than once reading the last page, closing the book and then simply laying there, absorbing what I'd just read. Embracing the weird. Relishing the dread.<br />
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Apparently I wasn't the only one so transfixed. Ross Lockhart, editor extraordinaire from <a href="http://wordhorde.com/">Word Horde</a>, and Justin Steele, author of the wonderful blog <a href="http://www.arkhamdigest.com/">The Arkham Digest</a>, have gathered together a stellar list of speculative fiction writers to pay tribute to the inimitable Mr Barron. With <i style="font-weight: bold;">The Children of Old Leech</i>, Lockhart and Steele have not only assembled a brilliant collection of dark, weird fiction but they also present a truly fitting homage to a writer whose imprint on the horror and weird fiction genres is epic.<br />
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Each story in <i>The Children of Old Leech </i>leads you deeper and deeper into the "carnivorous cosmos" of Laird Barron; all the authors here have crafted glorious tributes to the master, faithfully plumbing his Mythos to create a truly stunning collection. Each story is indeed worthy of its own review; here are my favorites:<br />
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<b><i>The Harrow</i></b> by Gemma Files opens the collection with a dark story that descends into true horror at the end. Sets the bar high for the following tales, loved it.<br />
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Orrin Grey is a writer who I find myself enjoying more and more. <i style="font-weight: bold;">Walpurgisnacht </i>continues that trend, telling the story of a revel held for a retiring artist that turns into quite another kind of celebration.<br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">Snake Wine </i>by Jeffrey Thomas takes us to Vietnam and an ex-pat pub owner from Melbourne who is seduced by an exotic young woman What follows after their night of passion is an increasingly sinister mystery told with frightening imagery.<br />
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Both <i style="font-weight: bold;">Love Songs from the Hydrogen Jukebox</i> and <i style="font-weight: bold;">Firedancing </i>feature protagonists that are caught up in the rapturous spell of their worldly mentors, leading them to higher places and unknown fates. In <i>Love Songs</i>, T.E. Grau perfectly captures the feeling of the 1950s and delivers a truly horrifying climax. Meanwhile, in <i>Firedancing, </i> Michael Griffin presents a dark tale of art, relationships and enlightment. A nice one, two punch.<br />
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Reading Cody Goodfellow's <i style="font-weight: bold;">Of a Thousand Cuts </i>made me squirm. Which for me is the sign of a story that is really getting under my skin with its imagery and language. A <i style="font-weight: bold;">good </i>sign. Excellent story, masterful storytelling.<br />
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And finally, my favorite jewel in this dark treasure chest, John Langan's <i style="font-weight: bold;">Ymir</i>. The story acts a continuation of Barron's classic "Hallucigenia" and revisits the story of Wallace and Helen Smith and the mysterious Choate clan brilliantly. Langan channels Barron here so completely and the climax is so stunning that the reader is left breathless.<br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">The Children of Old Leech </i>is a triumph for Lockhart and Steele, and a tremendous gift for purveyors of dark fiction. Look for this volume to be on multiple "best of" lists this year. Mr Barron would be proud!<br />
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Happy reading!<br />
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<br />benitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08558041870855891513noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8500375651512254893.post-44031155856035720192014-04-09T21:50:00.000-07:002014-07-01T17:52:52.315-07:00Review: SWORD AND MYTHOS edited by Silvia Moreno-Garcia & Paula R Stiles (Innsmouth Free Press)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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SWORDS AND MYTHOS is the latest anthology from <a href="http://www.innsmouthfreepress.com/">Innsmouth Free Press</a>, combining tropes of heroic sword and sorcery with classic Cthulhu Mythos elements. I'd been looking forward to reading this since I first heard of it's coming out and was pleased to be able to include it in my "Year In Weird". It is a very strong collection of stories and essays that excels in not only paying homage to the classic sword and sorcery genre but also explores the Mythos in new and original ways; many of the stories include non-traditional protagonists and take place in unusual settings. For me, themed anthologies are normally a mixed bag but with SWORD AND MYTHOS I was reading gem after gem and it was hard to pick out my favorites. Here are the stories that stayed with me:<br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">Jon Carver of Barzoon, You Misunderstood </i>by Graham Darling is a powerful prose poem that brilliantly brings to life a faraway world with vivid, alien imagery...<br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">The Wood of Ephraim </i>by Edward M Erdelac is for me the stand out piece in the collection. Erdelac firmly places his tale in the time of King David and writes the creepiest, most gruesome of the entries here that kept me turning page after page to get to the end, only to turn around and start it over again...<br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">Truth Is Order and Order Is Truth </i>by Nadia Bulkin is a beautifully written tale that incorporates Father Dagon and Mother Hydra into the story of Princess Dhani and her search for the land of her dead mother, fabled Jungkuno...<i style="font-weight: bold;"> </i><br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">The Bones of Heroes </i>by Orrin Grey is a short, dark tale the real horror hiding behind the story of a child abducting witch...<br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">The Serpents of Albion </i>by Adrian Chamberlin brings the Cthulhu and Arthurian mythologies together in a wonderful mash up that cleverly reimagines the fall of King Arthur to Mordred...<br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">In Xochitl in Cuicatl in Shub-Niggurath </i>by Nelly Geraldine Garcia-Rosas (translated from the Spanish by Silvia Moreno-Garcia) is exotic tale of warriors, blood sacrifice and ancient gods. I should definitely look for more from this author...<br />
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The collection is rounded out by informative essays from G W Thomas, Silvia Moreno-Garcia and Paula R Stiles that detail how, in many cultures and media, "sword and mythos" has really been around for awhile.<br />
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SWORD AND MYTHOS is a great collection of stories that answers the question "What if..." by blending the Cthulhu Mythos throughout history, across the oceans and on other worlds, taking the beloved Mythos in new, wonderful directions. I cannot recommend it enough; it's a must read for lovers of weird fiction and disciples of Cthulhu both! <br />
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Happy reading!<br />
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<br />benitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08558041870855891513noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8500375651512254893.post-55625837940310821532014-03-27T15:56:00.000-07:002014-03-27T15:56:05.839-07:00Review: HANG WIRE by Adam Christopher (Angry Robot)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I don't know how Adam Christopher does it. <br />
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First the genre-bending, retro-futuristic <i>Empire State </i>books, then the technicolor action of <i>Seven Wonders</i>; with each novel, Christopher gets better and better. I repeatedly find myself wishing I could peek into his brain, just to see how he wrangles all these wildly original ideas into the words that keep me glued to the pages of his books. Again, I don't know how he does it.<br />
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With <i style="font-weight: bold;">Hang Wire</i>, Christopher keeps the reading fun going, this time giving us an urban fantasy novel that brings gods, a traveling circus and a serial killer all to the rolling streets of San Francisco. Readers that are familiar with Christopher's work will find more of the same enjoyment here; if you're experiencing Adam Christopher for the first time-Welcome!-and make yourself comfortable, since you will be kept reading in your seat til the book is finished. <br />
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<i>Hang Wire </i>starts off with a bang-an explosion, actually-which gets the action going right from the gate, and Christopher keeps the pace up throughout the book, using a multiple POV narrative that is perfectly suited to telling this story. There isn't too much time spent on world building here, Christopher preferring to dole these details out to us piece by piece, so we are left to find things out when the characters do. Also with each chapter, we are given more and more of the characters' histories, oftentimes traveling back in time and place as the story progresses. I found myself enjoying these characters very much and felt they were fleshed out fully as <i>Hang Wire</i> unfolded.<br />
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Typical of Christopher's work, there is <i><b>alot</b> </i>going on in <i>Hang Wire</i>, so please take your time and read carefully. You definitely don't want to miss anything and trust me, it will be worth it. Christopher's strength is in his storytelling, which is always superior, and the manner in which he keeps all the plot lines woven together is masterful. Everything comes to an action packed climax in the end and Christopher fits all the pieces together nicely. <br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">Hang Wire </i>is another feather in Adam Christopher's cap. It is a great, fun book and perfect summer reading. <a href="http://angryrobotbooks.com/books/hang-wire-by-adam-christopher/">Pick up a copy</a> and take it with you everywhere you go. You won't be sorry!<br />
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Happy reading!<br />
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<br />benitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08558041870855891513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8500375651512254893.post-82699721856879538112014-03-19T21:55:00.000-07:002014-03-19T21:55:22.196-07:00Review: JUST SO YOU KNOW I'M NOT DEAD by Anonymous-9JUST SO YOU KNOW I'M NOT DEAD is a short collection of three stories that is highly entertaining and also serves as a great introduction to Anonymous-9's writing. Incredibly, this is the first time I've had the pleasure of reading this author's work but I can tell you now, very soon I shall be placing her other works near the top of the Reading List.<br />
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I came across <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Just-You-Know-not-Dead-ebook/dp/B00IIAT5AA/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1395283280&sr=1-1&keywords=anonymous-9">this collection</a> while searching for "weird" fiction to read for my "Year In Weird" feature. I knew Anonymous-9 as an acclaimed writer of mystery and noir fiction but the closing story here, "Dreaming Deep", is an homage to the old master himself, H.P. Lovecraft.<br />
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"Dreaming Deep" is a moody story that I feel nicely captures the atmosphere Lovecraftian fiction ought to have; a story where something dark and incomprehensible is happening off stage, yet still manages to permeate the action going on right before our eyes. What really happened to the young boy lost at sea? The local folk believe it to be the work of a serial killer but the boy's father knows the truth...and he is locked away in an asylum. It would be awesome if 9 decided to continue this story elsewhere, or at least write more in this genre; she is as adept here as she is in her noir fiction.<br />
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And speaking of which, let's talk about "Triangulation". I did predict the outcome of the story but still had a blast getting there. For being such a short piece, 9 still manages to build tension as she goes, and before you know it, sadly for we the readers, the story is over. I felt the way 9 has written here <i>very </i>cinematic and I could easily see this piece at home in a Tarantino movie.<br />
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"2,984,000 Pounds of Pressure" is the middle story in the collection and again, the suspense ratchets tighter and tighter as someone from the protagonist's past stumbles back into his life and he realizes whichever decision he is about to make will change his life forever. To say more would spoil the story but I have to say, I loved the final choice that the character makes.<br />
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JUST SO YOU KNOW I'M NOT DEAD is a wonderful little gift that Anonymous-9 has given to us; as a thank you, as an introduction, as a reminder that she is someone to watch out for. Preferably over your shoulder, of course.<br />
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Happy reading!benitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08558041870855891513noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8500375651512254893.post-6565324007993256742014-02-21T09:50:00.000-08:002014-02-21T09:50:16.226-08:00Weird News<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This morning via Twitter <a href="http://silviamoreno-garcia.com/blog/">Silvia Moreno-Garcia</a> <u>a</u>nnounced that her all female anthology of Lovecraftian fiction <i style="font-weight: bold;">She Walks In Shadows </i>is 50% funded!!! Thanks to all the contributors for joining #TeamSquid, I have faith that this campaign is going to be a great success. There are still 21 days to help fund this project and you can learn more <a href="http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/she-walks-in-shadows">here</a>.<br />
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Also, the inaugural edition of <a href="http://chizine.com/">ChiZine</a> Publications <i style="font-weight: bold;">Year's Best Weird Fiction</i>, guest edited by Laird Barron, finally has a cover!<br />
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I'm super excited about this book and am anxiously awaiting its arrival. I know Mr Barron is going to pick out the best of last year's weirdest stories! <i>The Year's Best Weird Fiction </i>will be released August this year from ChiZine's imprint <a href="http://www.undertowbooks.com/">Undertow Publications</a>.<br />
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Happy reading!benitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08558041870855891513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8500375651512254893.post-84792048296810622842014-02-10T21:11:00.000-08:002014-07-01T17:51:49.044-07:00Review: THE IMAGO SEQUENCE (Night Shade Books)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In a word, WOW.<br />
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I have read Mr Barron's work on many occasions in various anthologies and enjoyed each piece so much, I decided it was time to explore the man's writing more thoroughly. <i style="font-weight: bold;">The Imago Sequence</i>, published in 2007, is Barron's first collection.<br />
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WOW.<br />
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As I've said <a href="http://betwixtbookreviews.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-year-in-weird.html">before</a>, I am no expert in the field of "weird" fiction, but I do know when I've read a book that is special, and one that I am going to keep with me long after the spine is cracked and the pages are yellow. <i>The Imago Sequence </i>is such a book.<br />
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What Barron does with this collection is slowly envelop his readers with an increasing sense of dread and horror, each tale like taking step after creeping step into the dark woods of the Pacific Northwest that feature in so many of his stories. Barron is an expert wordsmith; his writing is unearthly and he dips his pen in noir, psychological and cosmic horror, and the weird. The stories here are chilling and disturbing, and the horror here goes far beyond mere slasher and gore. These stories stay with you, embedded in your memory for a good, long while. My favorites:<br />
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"Old Virginia" opens the collection and also sets the tone for the entire set. A government experiment has gone horribly awry and humankind are pawns in a game way beyond its ken...<br />
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"Procession Of The Black Sloth" is an atmospheric stand out in the collection. It is a creepy, Chinese phantasia complete with ghosts and witchcraft...<br />
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"Bulldozer" is a type of Weird West story, with a Pinkerton detective hot on the trail of a mysterious serial killer...<br />
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"Hallucigenia" is another story with Barron's signature brand of cosmic horror; the imagery here is surreal and unsettling. Probably my favorite piece in the collection.<br />
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"The Imago Sequence" brings the collection to a close, and involves a series of photographs that are surrounded by mystery and the occult...<br />
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As a dark fantasy/horror collection, <i>The Imago Sequence </i>is amazing, truly one of the best such collections I've read in a long time. With each story I finished, I was reminded of how excited I was reading Clive Barker's <i>Book Of Blood </i>for the first time. Barron is showing here the same flashes of brilliance and is firmly establishing his own mythos with these tales. As a collection of weird fiction, it is for me a great introduction of what heights the genre can reach, going beyond pastiche and into modern day classics. If it isn't already, this volume needs to be on your bookshelves.<br />
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Happy reading!<br />
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<br />benitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08558041870855891513noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8500375651512254893.post-841021642556709232014-02-10T17:36:00.000-08:002014-02-10T17:38:55.325-08:00CHICKS DO DIG CTHULHU!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://silviamoreno-garcia.com/blog/2014/02/she-walks-in-shadows/">Here</a> is some Q & A on Silvia Moreno-Garcia's <i style="font-weight: bold;">She Walks In Shadows</i>, the first all-female anthology of Lovecraft inspired fiction, plus click <a href="http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/she-walks-in-shadows">here</a> for info on how to fund the project (Check out those perks! What a treasure trove!!)<br />
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Can't wait for this! Happy reading!!benitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08558041870855891513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8500375651512254893.post-59090605756766399482014-02-08T19:46:00.000-08:002014-02-08T19:46:51.479-08:00The Year In WeirdSo for 2014 I have set myself a goal of reading and delving into more "weird" fiction. Not necessarily "Lovecraftian", although there will be plenty of that, but hopefully a well rounded exposure to all things weird. I've already got plenty to read but suggestions are always welcome, thank you!<br />
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And speaking of weird things, writer/editor/publisher <a href="http://silviamoreno-garcia.com/blog/">Silvia Moreno-Garcia</a> has sent out a call to female writers of weird fiction, to put together a collection of Lovecraftian fiction focusing on the female characters from HPL's writings. You will find the details and updates <a href="http://silviamoreno-garcia.com/blog/2014/02/of-women-and-squids/">here</a>. The projected date for this isn't til 2015, so too late for my year of weird reading, but totally count me in #TeamSquid!<br />
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Happy reading!<br />
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<br />benitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08558041870855891513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8500375651512254893.post-41802619117771747752013-12-17T19:38:00.000-08:002014-02-04T18:39:33.576-08:00Review: I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS by Andrew WolterIt has been too long since we've heard from one <a href="http://www.andrewwolter.com/">Andrew Wolter</a>. <br />
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The man is a prolific writer with many, many irons in the fire right now but just in time for the holidays, he has found the time to time to bestow a scary little stocking stuffer upon us, <i style="font-weight: bold;">I'll Be Home For Christmas</i>.<br />
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<i>I'll Be Home For Christmas</i> is the story of Jessie Sutter, all alone in the family home after the death of his mother, dealing with the first Christmas since her passing. Christmastime holds the fondest memories of his childhood for him, because it was a time when the family acted as a family; no fighting, no screaming, only peace.<br />
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Wolter savors every word he writes and just as swirling wine in a glass releases the wine's bouquet, his storytelling swirls around us, enveloping us in his words. You will keep reading til the end, as I did, as Jessie recalls a surreal meeting with Santa, the secret that Santa gave him and the reason why his hair and beard are white. <br />
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<i>I'll Be Home For Christmas </i>is a delicious little tapas of a tale, a tasty morsel to tide us over til Wolter's next big book and you <i>will</i> devour it in one sitting. It's dark, it's glam...it's Christmas.<br />
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Happy Reading!<br />
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(This counts towards the <a href="http://midnytereader.com/2013/01/2013-horror-reading-challenge.html">2013 Horror Reading Challenge</a> hosted by <a href="http://www.midnytereader.com/">Midnyte Reader</a>)benitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08558041870855891513noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8500375651512254893.post-14249154887171320392013-12-01T13:29:00.000-08:002013-12-01T13:29:53.162-08:00I Couldn't Resist The Power of the Dark SideOk, only because she's hosting it again and only because I enjoyed last year's challenge so much, I am once again going to participate in the <a href="http://www.midnytereader.com/2013/12/2014-horror-reading-challenge.html">2014 Horror Reading Challenge</a> hosted by the lovely <a href="http://www.midnytereader.com/">Midnyte Reader</a>. It was a blast and I got to encounter a lot of book/authors that I hadn't had the pleasure of reading before. So here we go again. :)<br />
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Happy reading!<br />
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<br />benitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08558041870855891513noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8500375651512254893.post-53665500099294363412013-11-28T21:17:00.000-08:002014-03-27T10:21:26.200-07:002014 Netgalley Reading ChallengeSo in 2013, my success with the reading challenges I'd entered was hit and miss; I excelled at a couple, while a couple fell to the way side. In an effort to not overextend myself, with the added benefit of putting a dent in my Netgalley TBR pile, I will be entering only one challenge this year, the 2014 Netgalley Reading Challenge hosted by Ariel Avalon. The goal is to get your feedback percent to 80, so I have decided to go "hardcore" by reading 21 or more books. Wish me luck! Happy reading!<br />
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<br />benitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08558041870855891513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8500375651512254893.post-82946954873832945922013-11-01T14:41:00.000-07:002014-02-04T18:38:56.456-08:00Review: BUDDY by Brett Williams (Zoe Books)I read <i style="font-weight: bold;">Buddy </i>by <a href="http://www.brettwilliamsfiction.com/">Brett Williams</a> based solely on Mr Williams' reputation, and I am glad I did. In all honesty, there were several moments reading this story that made me cringe, or plucked unmercifully at my heart strings, but Mr Williams' skill as a writer was not to denied and I soldiered through til the end. <i>Buddy </i>is a harrowing read, and not one for the faint of heart.<br />
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The story opens with our young protagonist, Danny James, saving a young puppy from attack by rats. The vermin have already injured the dog but Danny rescues it and wanting to heal it from its injuries, sneaks it into the house to nurse it back to health. Dogs are not allowed in the house, so Danny has to hide the puppy, which he names Buddy, in his room, the better to avoid the wrath of his mother and her boyfriend. We also find out that Danny's brother Tom bullies him at every turn, so Danny and Buddy spend alot of time in his bedroom. Unfortunately, Tom finds out about Buddy and threatens both the boy and his dog daily, making life a living Hell for the young companions.<br />
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Again, <i>Buddy </i>is a hard read but it is fast paced and Williams knows how to keep you in your seat, hanging on every word. There were plenty of times I wanted to put the book down for a minute, if only to shake off the emotions the story was wringing out of me but I didn't. The material is not easy to stomach but Williams writes with a very sure hand, telling a story of abuse and love and companionship and trust that hits home all the more harder because stories like this are happening everyday, these things are real. And that's the real horror. <br />
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(This counts towards the <a href="http://midnytereader.com/2013/01/2013-horror-reading-challenge.html">2013 Horror Reading Challenge</a> hosted by <a href="http://www.midnytereader.com/">Midnyte Reader</a>)<br />
<br />benitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08558041870855891513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8500375651512254893.post-33767943401944896462013-10-03T14:09:00.000-07:002013-10-03T14:09:26.704-07:00Review: THE WOKEN GODS by Gwenda Bond (Strange Chemistry)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I don't usually read too much Young Adult fiction, unless word of mouth is so rampant that my interest can't help but be piqued. But when one of my favorite publishers <a href="http://angryrobotbooks.com/">Angry Robot</a> started releasing daring, new YA fiction under its <a href="http://strangechemistrybooks.com/">Strange Chemistry</a> imprint, I threw caution to the winds and took a chance. First came <i>Blackwood </i>by Gwenda Bond, then <i>Shift </i>by Kim Curran and I thought to myself, now here was YA fiction that I could sink my teeth into and really enjoy! There were no angst ridden teenage girls or pale, tragic vampire teen heartthrobs in sight, just more great speculative fiction in the glorious Angry Robot tradition, and I started to read all the SC titles that I could get my hands on.<br />
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And along came <i style="font-weight: bold;">The Woken Gods</i>.<br />
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When I was younger, and due to my father's influence, I read alot of books on mythology and ever since then have always enjoyed reading fiction that integrates those familiar myths and legends. So I was very interested in <i>The Woken Gods </i>from the start. And I can report that it is a novel that I enjoyed very much; full of enough adventure to keep me satisfied but leaving me wanting more from the promise I feel went unfulfilled.<br />
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The premise is awesome: gods from the earth's mythologies are very real and have returned to earth. All the major pantheons are here and Bond chooses to keep the gods among us as they should be; mysterious, aloof and certainly beyond the understanding of we mere mortals. In Washington, D.C.,where the novel takes place, there are liaisons from each pantheon that interact with the Society of the Sun, an organization created to deal with the newly awoken gods. <br />
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Also in Washington live Kyra Locke and her father, a "librarian" with the Society. Only, unbeknownst to Kyra, he isn't really a librarian at all and has made off with an ancient relic that the Society would like to have returned to it...<br />
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Both the action and fantasy sequences in <i>The Woken Gods </i>are well written, and once the pacing of the book picks up, keep it moving right along. For me, it is a book with a slow introduction; there is <i>alot</i> of information and back story that Bond has to impart to us to get the party started and sometimes the expositions got to be quite lengthy. After a few chapters, however, the narrative found its legs and I dived right in.<br />
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Kyra and Oz, the two main characters, are well developed and they and their supporting cast kept me engaged throughout the book. I do feel that <i>The Woken Gods </i>is just the first adventure that we will share with them, since the climax of the book feels open ended and I believe that there is plenty more of this world that Bond can explore.<br />
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I would honestly recommend <i>The Woken Gods </i>to anyone who are looking for something different in the YA field, or who are just looking for a great read. I was entertained and am now left wanting to see what happens next...happy reading!<br />
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(This counts toward the <a href="http://www.bookchickcity.com/2013/01/details-sign-up-bccs-urban-fantasy-paranormal-romance-reading-challenge-2013.html">Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance Reading Challenge 2013</a> hosted by <a href="http://www.bookchickcity.com/">Book Chick City</a>)<br />
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<br />benitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08558041870855891513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8500375651512254893.post-16137200360629171192013-09-19T14:44:00.000-07:002013-09-19T14:44:28.501-07:00"UNDER COLLAPSING SHELF", a Mini-Death TaleAs a thank-you for reviewing <i style="font-weight: bold;">This Is How You Die: Stories Of The Inscrutable, Infallible, Inescapable Machine Of Death</i>, contributor <a href="http://redroom.com/member/nathan-burgoine">'Nathan Burgoine</a> wrote a "mini-death" tale for each of the reviewers, picking a card from that dread machine himself. My review is <a href="http://betwixtbookreviews.blogspot.com/2013/08/review-this-is-how-you-die-edited-by.html">here</a> and this is the death that was dealt to me. I am especially chuffed by it because 'Nathan could have had no idea ahead of time, but the though of this particular death would terrify me, so I was tickled and traumatized at the same time! Thank you, 'Nathan!<br />
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"In return for his lovely review of This is How You Die, here's the fourth "mini-death" thank you story. The reviewer drew "UNDER COLLAPSING SHELF" from my remaining cards, but you can get a result from the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.machineofdeath.com%2F&h=FAQG-0zTp&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #7c1315; outline: none; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://www.machineofdeath.com/</a> site, too.</div>
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If you want a mini-death tale of your own, just write a review of This is How You Die wherever you'd like, and link it back to this page for me (or my facebook page: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/aprostrophen" rel="nofollow" style="color: #7c1315; outline: none; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/apostrophen</a>).</div>
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UNDER COLLAPSING SHELF</div>
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Finding a house without them had been too tricky, so in the end, he took a generous part of his inheritance and had a small home of his own design built. A perk, he supposed, of being an interior designer.</div>
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A retired interior designer.</div>
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Thanks to the world of e-reading, he didn’t miss his books, and thanks to online streaming, he didn’t miss his movies. Shoes and sweaters were placed on the floor, or inside hollow bench-seats that run along all the glass windows that faced the other side of the valley. He had similar ones installed in the kitchen – the other most challenging room, given the limitations. Top-load freezers and fridges.</div>
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Reselling, if it ever came to that, would be a bitch.</div>
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Still, it wasn’t the weirdest home that had been built since the machines had appeared. He’d heard of a woman who’d received SPLINTER as her result, and had a house built entirely of adobe and stone. </div>
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He smiled, and went out to sit on the stone deck. There was no cover – that felt a bit too similar to him – and besides, it was a cool night with no rain. He drank some wine, and relaxed, and opened his portfolio. He set to work with a pencil, sketching out a rough idea for a Thai-Japanese fusion restaurant that had hired him to design their tables and chairs.</div>
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He only noticed the first tremor when it caused his pencil to scratch a line he hadn’t intended. He looked up when it happened again, frowning. He picked up his phone and thumbed the screen, moving to the social networks. The hashtags crossed his screen even as he watched.</div>
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#Earthquake.</div>
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He raised his eyebrows. It was his first in the new home. He refreshed the screen, and one of the hashtags was linked to an article. He tapped the screen.</div>
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It was a history of the earthquakes in the coastal areas, due to the nearby fault line and the continental shelf.</div>
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He dropped the glass of wine, and it shattered as the earthquake began in earnest."</div>
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Yes, I hate earthquakes...happy reading!</div>
benitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08558041870855891513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8500375651512254893.post-77278043403767919962013-09-19T14:24:00.000-07:002013-09-19T14:24:25.198-07:00American Horror Story: Coven Posters and TeaserOn October 9, one of my favorite television shows, <i style="font-weight: bold;">American Horror Story </i>is returning for its third season on FX with a new horror story, this one entitled <b><i>Coven.</i></b><br />
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After the amazing, wild insanity of last year's <i>Asylum</i>, I just didn't know how Ryan Murphy and team were going to top it. Turns out, I needn't have worried. This season is going to be (as the title suggests) all about witches! And not just any witches...both <b>Angela Bassett </b>and the incredible <b>Kathy Bates </b>have joined the cast this season! Imagining these two legendary actresses sharing the screen with show veteran <b>Jessica Lange</b> has me counting the days until the show's premiere!<br />
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As usual, there are plenty of creepy posters and teaser trailers to tide us over til then; here are my faves:<br />
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And the trailer that sent my head spinning, finally featuring all three actresses, "Initiation":<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/vaY7k2GjguM" width="420"></iframe>benitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08558041870855891513noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8500375651512254893.post-47342942081917435862013-08-22T15:57:00.000-07:002013-08-22T15:57:42.022-07:00Review: THIS IS HOW YOU DIE edited by Ryan North, Matthew Bennardo and David Malki ! (Grand Central Publishing)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In 2010, there was quite a lot of buzz around a new anthology entitled <i style="font-weight: bold;">Machine of Death </i>which collected stories exploring a single premise; a machine that could predict, without fail, the manner in which you would die. All it needed was a sample of your blood and<i style="font-weight: bold;"> </i>a tiny slip of paper would have your ultimate fate written on it. I myself never read it but definitely had it on the ever growing TBR pile. Then this year, the editors unleashed upon the world a sequel, <i style="font-weight: bold;">This Is How You Die: Stories of the Inscrutable, Infallible, Inescapable Machine of Death. </i>Word of mouth was that this volume was even bigger, better and not to be missed. So I gave in to the siren song, threw caution to the wind and picked up <i><b>This Is How You Die</b>.</i><br />
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The collection opens with the heartbreakingly brilliant <i><b>Old Age, Surrounded by Loved Ones</b> </i>by 'Nathan Burgoine. Burgoine is now on my list of go-to writers that I know will deliver a great story; I have yet to be disappointed. Also, the story wasn't what I expected at all; Burgoine has written an emotional story about sisters that will require tissues after reading it. If you're not teary eyed after this, then you have no heart to break. <br />
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Other favorites:<br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">Execution by Beheading </i>by Chandler Kaiden is a thriller that features three children who, upon hearing a rumor about someone who is different, go to extremes to collect a rare "Cause Of Death" card from their machine...<br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">Apitoxin </i>is a very clever spin on the book's premise by John Takis, who places his tale right in the hands of none other than Sherlock Holmes. <i>Apitoxin </i>is both a wonderful tribute to the famous detective and a well written mystery that was great fun to read.<br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">Monsters from the Deep</i>, editor David Malki !'s contribution to the anthology, is a weird, creepy tale complete with aliens and a delightful Lovecraftian atmosphere.<br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">Lake Titicaca </i>by editor Matthew Bennardo instantly reminded me of <i>The Body </i>and<i> Goonies</i>, with kids a little afraid of what they're doing but too excited not to go off and have an adventure.<br />
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Be warned: <i>This Is How You Die </i>is indeed a long book but the stories are so varied and encompass so many genres that you will continually be pulled along to keep reading, unwilling to put the book down. And with a collection like this, that is exactly what you want;<i> </i>great story after great story that keeps you glued to the page til the last sentence is read.<br />
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Then you start over again.<br />
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Happy reading!<br />
<br />benitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08558041870855891513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8500375651512254893.post-67496378498933692142013-07-03T14:43:00.001-07:002013-07-03T14:43:38.500-07:00New Book Deal for Adam Christopher, plus New Cover Art for THE BURNING DARK Today on his blog <a href="http://adam%20christopher/">Adam Christopher</a> finally revealed the new cover art for his next book (and his first for <a href="http://tor/">Tor</a>) <i style="font-weight: bold;">The Burning Dark</i>, PLUS the exciting news that he has inked a deal for two more books set in the same universe! Here is the final cover:<br />
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which is pretty awesome and clearly more hard SF than the <i>Empire State </i>books. Plus, Adam also revealed tentative titles and release dates for the next two book; in March 2015 we can expect <i style="font-weight: bold;">The Jovian Conspiracy </i>and a year later in March 2016, <i style="font-weight: bold;">The Stars Below</i>.<br />
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<a href="http://tor.com/">Tor.com</a> also got in on the shenanigans of the cover art reveal plus offered the <a href="http://alternate%20covers/">alternate covers</a> that were in the running before the final decision was made.<br />
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Congratulations to Adam, who has given me many, many hours of reading bliss! Now I can look forward to many, many more!<br />
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<br />benitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08558041870855891513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8500375651512254893.post-80930030299310593052013-06-18T15:25:00.001-07:002013-06-18T15:25:40.414-07:00Pride Month: Interview with STEVE BERMAN<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;">For my lil' ol' Pride Month, I knew that I wanted to have an interview with someone that was a prominent figure in the gay literary scene and that wrote the kind of fiction that I, as a gay man, love to read and try to help promote here on my humble blog. And as my reading continued, the same name kept popping up, via either his own marvelous fiction or through helping others get their voices heard. So without further ado, may I present Mr <a href="http://www.steveberman.com/">Steve Berman</a>!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Tell us about yourself: </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;">Hmm, not sure what secrets to reveal. Actually, I'm a rather mundane, average fellow. Well, perhaps if you saw my apartment with its collection of plush monsters, Halloween artwork, and mad scientist lab-style decor you might not think that. But I rarely have guests. I wonder why?</span><br />
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<b><i>Your contribution to GHOSTS IN GASLIGHT, MONSTERS IN STEAM was my favorite in the book; where did the idea for "Feeding Desire" come from? It's definitely a darker, more graphic story... </i></b></div>
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<b>Actually, I had intended the story for the 2011 Bear-themed anthology <span style="font-style: italic;">Tales from the Den </span>(ed. by R. Jackson). But I could not finish the tale by the deadline. This often happens to me. I am a slow writer. And I did not have a good grasp of the protagonist or what he would encounter at the sinister restaurant. Other than the Gourmands. I had come up with them as villains some years earlier and just needed the right story to feature cannibalism.</b></div>
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<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">You are a great champion of Speculative and Young Adult fiction; have you always felt a connection to these genres? </span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Oh, yes. My favorite books have always been the strange and spooky. And I often feel like a hapless adolescent trapped in an aging body. Both genres champion the Outsider. As does some of the best gay literature. I am about as interested in the stereotypical twink party boy as I am catching bubonic plague from a prairie dog. Now the quiet, buck-toothed 15 yr old that happens to be gay and believes that the abandoned wishing well in the park is the key to his finding a date for the prom? That starts my imagination. Especially when the silver dollar he throws in is pitched right back at him. By something...</span></div>
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<b><i>You wear more than one hat, Steve; besides an acclaimed writer, you are also owner/publisher of Lethe Press, arguably one of the most prolific gay presses today AND you've been an award finalist many times! How do you juggle all that?! </i></b></div>
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<b>Well, it's not easy. I think whenever a writer starts a press and takes on additional roles their creative energy is channeled away from fiction or poetry or whatever. I never intended (back in 2001) that Lethe would be the behemoth it is. I think we're the second or third largest LGBT press in the nation. I do not regret enabling authors to share their voices, though. And I have made many new and vital friends through my work with Lethe.</b></div>
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<b><i>I've noticed that your're also having success with two new imprints, Tinture and BrazenHead. First, congratulations and second, what made you feel the need to create two new imprints versus publishing these works under the Lethe banner?</i></b></div>
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<b><i> </i>Tincture was needed to address the paucity of quality books written by and for LGBT people of color. The publishing world is still a very white-washed field and if I can help remedy that, then I am doing some good. BrazenHead was truly the brainchild of author and graphic designer Alex Jeffers. There are few markets for novellas, let alone gay spec fic novellas. He's pretty damn particular in accepting manuscripts, which explains why his release of <span style="font-style: italic;">Green Thumb</span> by Tom Cardamone won us our third Lammy Award.</b></div>
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<b><i>I've enjoyed many, many of your anthologies; as a matter of fact, a favorite of mine SO FEY: QUEER FAIRY FICTION was one of the first Lethe books I ever reviewed. How can you tell when a story is going to be a perfect fit? </i></b></div>
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<b>I am flattered you enjoyed that anthology. All I can say is that every editor has a vision for their book's needs. I hope to fill an anthology with fiction that is not only entertaining but also evocative. I remember at least two stories from <span style="font-style: italic;">So Fey </span>that I thought so beautiful, so moving, that I cried when I read the manuscripts. That has happened since, and it is a wonderful feeling.</b></div>
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">And finally, what is coming up for Steve Berman? What can we be looking forward to? Will we be seeing more of your own fiction out there? </i></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-weight: bold;">Well, this is the year when I have a lot of anthologies releasing. From Lethe Press there is Best Gay Stories 2013 and Wilde Stories 2013 in June. July is Where They Dark Eye Glances: Queering Edgar Allan Poe </span><span style="color: blue;">(BC: Yes!)</span><span style="color: #222222; font-weight: bold;">. August is Heiresses of Russ 2013 with co-editor Tenea D. Johnson. And in October is Suffered from the Night: Queering Bram Stoker's Dracula </span><span style="color: blue;">(BC: YES!!)</span><span style="color: #222222; font-weight: bold;">. And I have edited horror anthologies for Prime Books: Bad Seeds in July, Zombies: Shambling through the Ages in August, and Shades of Blue and Gray: Ghosts of the Civil War in September. Whew. I think in October the Strange Horizons website will feature a new gay YA tale from me. Other than all that...I'd like to sleep. Alas, I sleep alone.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;">Steve, thanks again for taking the time to chat with me! I'm looking forward to plenty of hours of amazing reading this year, thanks to you!</span></div>
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You can find out more about <i style="font-weight: bold;">Ghosts in Gaslight, Monsters in Steam </i>due out in July <a href="https://www.gaycity.org/anthologies/">here</a> and <a href="http://www.minorarcanapress.com/">here</a>.</div>
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For all things Lethe Press, Tincture, White Crane, Bear Bones Books, BrazenHead and Icarus <a href="http://lethepressbooks.com/">here</a>.</div>
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And help yourself to Steve Berman's writing <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Steve-Berman/e/B001JRVK48">here</a>.</div>
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Happy reading!</div>
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benitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08558041870855891513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8500375651512254893.post-88656787565251711892013-06-18T14:38:00.000-07:002013-06-18T15:31:33.360-07:00Review: GHOSTS IN GASLIGHT, MONSTERS IN STEAM edited by Evan J Peterson and Vincent Kovar (Minor Arcana Press)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><i><br /></i></b>Another queer horror anthology, with the added bonus of steampunk?! Count me in!<br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">Ghosts in Gaslight, Monsters in Steam </i>is the new anthology in the <a href="http://gay%20city%20anthology/">Gay City Anthology</a> series from Minor Arcana Press and the Gay City Health Project based in Seattle. The series "produces vibrant, multi-disciplinary collections comprised of fiction, comics, poetry, photography and art" that raise awareness of the Gay City Health Project. This volume, the first one I've had the opportunity to read, features a steampunk/queer monster theme and boasts fiction, poetry and some great illustrations.<br />
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The book is divided into two "acts"; "<i>Victorian Venom</i>" and "<i>Modern Monsters</i>", and for me, the stories progressed from good to great, making for a very strong second half. The highlights for me:<br />
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Evan Peterson's introduction. It really sets up his process behind editing the book and what to expect inside, and also had me recalling my younger self, growing up gay and being drawn to that <i>otherness </i>that all LGBT people feel at one point in their lives...<br />
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<i>Medium Mechanique </i>by Catherine Lundoff is a wonderful story that successfully blends the steampunk and horror theme of the book with the desperation of wanting to be with that lost love just one more time...<br />
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Anthony Rella's <i>The Heart of the Labyrinth </i>offers a mystery, a bathhouse and what secrets lie deep in its core. Excellent storytelling here!<br />
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<i>Monster Movie </i>by Rebecca Brown is a moving remembrance of loving, and even sympathizing with, those classic movie monsters as young person, and knowing what it feels like to be different...<br />
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<i>B.E.M.s </i>by Gregory L. Norris is a fun, clever tale that is both light hearted and entertaining and pays homage to classic shows like <i>Outer Limits </i>and <i>The Twilight Zone.</i><br />
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<i>Splinter </i>by Ryan Crawford is a weird tale that takes place in the woods...please do not hike in the forest at night. You've been warned!<br />
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And lastly, Steve Berman brings the collection to a satisfying close with what I think is his most horrifying piece to date. Boasting the most gruesome villains I've encountered in awhile, <i>Feeding Desire </i>is worth the price of admission alone, with its mix of suspense, burly men, and...meat. LOVED IT!<br />
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<i>Ghosts in Gaslight</i>...is being released in July and you can find out more info <a href="http://www.minorarcanapress.com/">here</a> at Minor Arcana's website.<br />
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Happy reading!<br />
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(This counts towards the <a href="http://midnytereader.com/2013/01/2013-horror-reading-challenge.html">2013 Horror Reading Challenge</a> hosted by <a href="http://midnytereader.com/">Midnyte Reader</a>)<br />
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<br />benitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08558041870855891513noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8500375651512254893.post-74026036081486987582013-06-11T12:39:00.000-07:002013-06-11T13:15:47.137-07:00First Trailer for THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUGWe interrupt Pride Month to bring you, via <a href="http://www.tor.com/">Tor.com</a>, the first trailer for <i><b>The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug</b></i>! Enjoy!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/fnaojlfdUbs" width="560"></iframe>benitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08558041870855891513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8500375651512254893.post-31092412461874422122013-06-07T16:31:00.000-07:002013-06-07T16:31:23.228-07:00Review: PACIFIC RIMMING by Tom Cardamone (Chelsea Station Editions)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Tom Cardamone's writing is addictive.<br />
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I was first introduced to his work last year when I had the pleasure of reviewing the Lambda Literary Award winning <a href="http://betwixtbookreviews.blogspot.com/2012/06/short-fiction-month-green-thumb-by-tom.html">Green Thumb</a>. Since then I've sought out his other work and recently crossed paths with the filthy, gorgeous <i style="font-weight: bold;">Pacific Rimming</i>. <br />
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<i>Pacific Rimming </i>chronicles the sexual adventures of a nameless narrator who loses himself in drugs, the Manhattan gay club scene and his obsession with Asian men. He forms no attachments, preferring to move from one night stand to one night stand, attending only the bars and clubs where he knows he can indulge his paticular fetish. <br />
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This novella is worlds away from the speculative cataclysm of <i>Green Thumb. </i>Cardamone keeps this tale firmly rooted in 1990s New York City. And there is a grittiness and immediacy to his writing here that envelops the reader; you can feel the tingle of the drugs, smell the smoke and sex. <br />
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<i>Pacific Rimming </i>is yet another example of an artist who writes with a sure hand, comfortably at home in any genre he chooses to write in and navigating with ease the language that each tale needs to be told in. I'm very thankful to <a href="http://www.chelseastationeditions.com/">Chelsea Station Editions</a> for bringing this book back into print, since it is not to be missed. If your looking for an unapologetic, graphic slice of the sexual underground and enjoy writing that will place you firmly in the story, then <i>Pacific Rimming </i>is the book for you and <a href="http://pumpkinteeth.net/">Tom Cardamone</a> is the man that will bring it to you.<br />
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Happy reading! <br />
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<br />benitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08558041870855891513noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8500375651512254893.post-61621414096271650482013-06-06T16:10:00.002-07:002013-06-06T17:15:11.383-07:00Review: GHOSTS IN THE ATTIC by Mark Allan Gunnells (Evil Jester Press)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I love me some Mark Allan Gunnells.<br />
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He is an author whose work I enjoy reading again and again; whenever I'm immersed in one of his novels or numerous short stories, I am never disappointed. His writing is always a feast for the imagination. And <i style="font-weight: bold;">Ghosts In The Attic </i>is no exception.<br />
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Trying to list my favorites from the choice morsels here was made nigh impossible by Mr Gunnells, as the stories range from great to excellent, but I managed to whittle it down to the gems:<br />
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The collection opens with <i style="font-weight: bold;">911</i>, a poignant ghost story with its origin straight out of 9/11.<br />
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Another stand out for me is <i style="font-weight: bold;">The Delivery Boy</i>, a great thriller about a seemingly crazy pizza delivery boy that ends with a bang!<br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">Wasted On The Young </i>starts out pretty straight forward then takes an unexpected turn that brings the story to a creepy end.<br />
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The crown jewel of the collection, <i style="font-weight: bold;">The Ghost Of Winnie Davis Hall</i>, is a lovely, haunting story about belief and myth. In it, we meet a ghost who over the years has become lost, and now only wants to find her place in the world again. Beautiful!<br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">Circular </i>is a graphic tale about grief and desperation that can lead to obsession. Very creepy!<br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">A Stranger Comes To Lipscomb Street </i>and <i style="font-weight: bold;">Finders Keepers </i>are both love stories at their core, yet surreal and weird.<br />
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<i>Ghosts In The Attic </i>is another superb collection by an author who injects his writing with thoughtfulness and heart. Even his "horror" stories are emotive, and those collected here are wistful and wicked. Probably my only complaint is that the majority of these stories are very short and while that makes for quick reading, when I am reading Mark Allan Gunnells, I want to be lost in the writing for as long as possible.<br />
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Happy reading!<br />
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(This counts towards the <a href="http://midnytereader.com/2013/01/2013-horror-reading-challenge.html">2013 Horror Reading Challenge</a> hosted by <a href="http://midnytereader.com/2013/01/2013-horror-reading-challenge.html">Midnyte Reader</a>)benitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08558041870855891513noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8500375651512254893.post-84127911165859732622013-06-05T15:10:00.001-07:002013-06-05T15:10:06.718-07:00MiscellanyJune is Pride Month and over at the SF Signal website, they've compiled a list of favorite LGBT authors, stories and novels, asking some authors to chime in with their own recommendations. Here is that list; use it to help find books and authors for your own reading lists!<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px;">"Q: LGBT themes and characters have, thankfully, enjoyed an emergence in speculative fiction the past few years, and we’d love to know who some of your favorite LGBT authors, stories, and novels are, and why?"</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://www.sfsignal.com/archives/2013/06/mind-meld-lgbt-themes-in-fantasy-and-sf-recommendations/">http://www.sfsignal.com/archives/2013/06/mind-meld-lgbt-themes-in-fantasy-and-sf-recommendations/</a><br />
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Happy reading!benitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08558041870855891513noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8500375651512254893.post-63342844945712622632013-06-03T09:26:00.000-07:002013-06-05T15:10:44.525-07:00Review: HUSTLER RAVE XXX by David Caleb Acevedo and Charlie Vazquez (Tincture)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Admittedly, I do not read poetry often. However, when an author whose work I respect and enjoy releases a new collection of poems chronicling the joys and pains of the street hustler, I will sit up and take notice.<br />
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With <i style="font-weight: bold;">Hustler Rave XXX: Poetry of the Eternal Survivor</i>, <a href="http://firekingpress.wordpress.com/about/">Charlie Vazquez</a> and David Caleb Acevedo have put together a collection that makes for erotic, compulsive, and at times, poignant reading. Each author puts a magnifying glass to what transpires between these hustlers and their "johns", illuminating what is more often than not a tragic, lonely and dangerous existence. Acevedo, in his introduction, is very open about his own past as a hustler and pulls some very graphic imagery from his experiences and Vazquez's pieces also sear themselves into your brain; these poems combine to give voice to the countless young men that have found themselves on the streets. They are cautionary tales. They are memorials.<br />
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As is often the case with poetry, several readings may be needed to help interpret the meaning behind the words on the page, and <i style="font-weight: bold;">Hustler Rave XXX </i>is no different. Each time I reread the poems, I learned a little more and my heart broke a little more for these poor souls out there on the streets. I found myself hoping that somehow, these eternal survivors would know their stories were being told and that they were not forgotten.<br />
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I'll end this review with a thank you to the authors, for bringing to light such a controversial subject and handling it with both honesty and heart. benitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08558041870855891513noreply@blogger.com0