May 22 2013

Universal Stays on Track with ‘Fast and Furious 6’

by Stacey Longo

fast-and-furious-6-movie-poster-3Universal Pictures continues to tap into one of its most successful franchises with the release of Fast and Furious 6.

Vin Diesel and Paul Walker are back as Dominic Toretto and Brian O’Conner, hiding out in Mexico (“no extradition,” Toretto points out early on.) O’Conner and Toretto’s sister,  Mia (played by Jordana Brewster) have just welcomed their first child into the world when Agent Lou Hobbs, portrayed by a well-muscled Dwayne Johnson, arrives to ask for help. It seems that Interpol is having difficulty stopping a group of mercenary drivers headed by criminal mastermind Owen Shaw (Luke Evans). The hook to ensure Toretto’s assistance is that Shaw’s crew includes Lettie Ortiz (Michelle Rodriguez), the love of Toretto’s life who was assumed to be killed in Fast and Furious, the fourth installment. Lettie’s alive, and Toretto assembles his team, currently spread across the world, enjoying the riches they earned from their last heist. Tyrese Gibson, Ludicris, Gal Gadot, and Sung Kang return to round out a fantastic supporting cast that gets Furious 6 racing into action.

This movie was fun and exciting. Toretto’s team provides comic relief along with several thrilling car chases and fight scenes.  Toretto’s encounters with Lettie are steeped with emotion and trepidation as Toretto tries hard to help Lettie remember who she once was. Rodriguez excels in brooding tough girl roles, and Lettie is no exception. Toretto’s racing scenes are impressive, but it’s his mid-air rescue of Lettie that will leave you cheering.

Brewster’s Mia has little screen time, and Walker also steps to the sidelines in this installment. One sequence, in which O’Conner returns to the states to interview a criminal, was amusing, but felt like it was only written in to give Walker something to do. However, don’t let this one script flaw keep you from seeing the movie.

Furious 6 was entertaining, well paced, exciting, and a great way to spend an evening.  Plus, with this lineup of action stars, how could you possibly go wrong?

May 16 2013

Meet Author Rob Watts this Sunday

2012-11-10 02.07.54editAuthor Rob Watts will have a table at the Southcoast Toy and Comic Show this Sunday, May 19. The convention runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Watts will be selling and signing copies of Huldufolk and Crabapples. Each book comes with a CD of music that he personally created for each book. Don’t be afraid to ask him about his books or the craft of writing.

This is his second time at the Southcoast Toy and Comic Show. The last time he was there was back in 2011 with the New England Horror Writers organization.

The convention takes place at the Seaport Inn and Marina, located at 110 Middle Street in Fairhaven, MA. For more information about the convention, click here.

For more information about Watts, visit his website by clicking here.

Check out this article that includes a write-up and pictures from the 2011 Southcoast Toy and Comic Show. You can find the article here.

May 10 2013

TOC Announced for NEHW’s Second Anthology (Updated 5/28/13)

The table of content has been announced for the second New England Horror Writers’ anthology, which is being edited by Stacey Longo.

The tentative title for this new collection is Wicked Seasons and will be released at Anthocon 2013 in November.

Introduction: Jeff Strand

“Furious Demon” by Addison Clift
“The Basement Legs” by Robert DuPerre
“Hungry For More” by Michael Evans
“The Secret Backs of Things” by Christopher Golden
“Blood Prophet” by Scott Goudsward
“Three Fat Guys Soap” by Catherine Grant
“Chuffers” by Paul McMahon
“Spirits” by James A. Moore
“Bleedthrough” by Gregory Norris
“Lycanthrobastards” by Errick Nunnally
“To Chance Tomorrow” by Kristi Petersen Schoonover
“A Night at the Show” by Robert Smales
“The Girl Who Wouldn’t Break” by Lucien Spelman
“The Widow Mills” by Trisha Wooldridge

The first anthology, Epitaphs, was published in October of 2011.

May 9 2013

The Book Shop is the Place for Readers

The Book Shop in Somerville, MA. welcomes Dennis Lehane and several authors of Pink Narcissus Press next week.

DlehaneOn Wednesday, May 15, author Dennis Lehane, who grew up in Boston, will be talking about his books and giving a Q & A at 7 p.m. A book signing will follow.

Since his first novel, A Drink Before the War, won the Shamus Award, Lehane has published eight more novels with William Morrow & Co. that have been translated into more than 30 languages and become international bestsellers: Darkness, Take My Hand, Sacred, Gone, Baby, Gone, Prayers for Rain, Mystic River, Shutter Island, The Given Day, and Moonlight Mile.

Morrow also published Coronado, a collection of five stories and his play of the same name, in 2007. Coronado has received stage productions in New York City, Chicago, San Francisco, and Genoa, Italy. Three of his novels — Mystic River, Gone, Baby, Gone, and Shutter Island — have been adapted into award-winning films.

His tenth novel, Live By Night, which was published last October, has just won an Edgar Award. The store will have tradesize paperback editions available for purchase as well as some of his other books.

On Saturday, May 18, a number of authors of Pink Narcissus Press will be at the bookstore at 3 p.m.

Pink Narcissus Press is a local publisher of quirky fantasy and other speculative fiction and is located in Auburn, Ma. The press is led by Rose Mambert along with the help of Bill Racicot. It’s novels and story collections boast authors from all over the world.

The May 18 event will feature these authors; Mambert from Auburn, Racicot from Medford, J.P. LaFond from Somerville, David Vernaglia from Providence, and Matt MacKenzie from Cambridge.

The Books Shop is located at 694 Broadway in Somerville.

May 8 2013

‘The Proteus Cure’ has been Released

In April, The Proteus Cure by Tracy L. Carbone and F. Paul Wilson was released in paperback and on e-book from Shadowridge Press.proteus cure

“Wilson and Carbone have penned a winner. The suspense is razor sharp and the characters masterfully drawn.”

Book’s description: “In medical ethics, the line between right and wrong is often blurred. Who is to decide what is for the good of humanity? Changing the world. One person at a time … That is the mission statement of Tethys Hospital, run by Dr. Bill Gilchrist and his deformed sister, Abra. VG723, their revolutionary stem-cell-based therapy, appears to be capable of doing just that for the cancer patients who come to Tethys. VG723 is often their last hope. But if they match the protocol, they’re virtually guaranteed a cure. Dr. Sheila Takamura, a young, dedicated oncologist, is proud to be involved in the clinical trials. Once the FDA approves it for widespread use, VG723 will revolutionize cancer therapy. That is why she’s alarmed when former patients return with bizarre syndromes. Yes, they’re cancer free, but they’re experiencing dramatic changes in their hair and skin and general appearance. When she investigates a possible link to the protocol, those patients start dying. As the body count grows, Sheila finds her own life in danger. She comes to suspect there might be a literal meaning behind the Tethys motto – but can she learn the truth in time to save herself and millions of others?”

Carbone, who was a former co-chair of the New England Horror Writers before stepping down at the beginning of this year, has had a number of short stories published in different anthologies. She has also had a few books published including The Soul Collector and Restitution. For more information on the author, check out her website.

Wilson, who is a New York Times bestselling author, has written more than forty books including science fiction, horror thrillers, and contemporary thrillers. Some of his titles are The Tomb, Legacies, The Keep, and An Enemy of the State. For more information on the author, check out his website.

May 3 2013

Do You Know about Books & Boos?

2013-05-03 12.44.46Books & Boos is a bookstore that opened last year on Nov. 20. It’s located in Colchester, CT and is owned by Stacey and Jason Harris.

The bookstore offers previously read books, of which they have over 5,000. Not all of them are at the store, so if you don’t see something be sure to ask since they may have it in storage. Along with the previously read books, they have new books. The new books include ones by local authors who live in Connecticut and throughout New England. Some of the titles are Skeletons in the Swimmin’ Hole and Bad Apple by Kristi Petersen Schoonover, The Authority of Outhouse/Backhouse/Privy Building by Georg Papp, Sr., Die, You Bastard! Die! by Jan Kozlowski, Beware the Hawk by A.J. O’Connell, and From Schoolboy to Soldier by Quincy S. Abbot, to name just a few of the books by local authors.

The bookstore also sells unusual novelties like black cats made from reused flatware and zombie gnomes. No one’s garden is complete without a zombie gnome.

2013-05-03 13.55.31

Portrait of Edgar Allan Poe by Amanda Doughty

There are also paintings for sale including a portrait of Edgar Allan Poe created with ink and coffee by Amanda Doughty, an artist living in Norwich, Connecticut. Another Poe design by her has been placed on a gray t-shirt, which is being sold at the bookstore.

You can find Books & Boos at 514 Westchester Road in Colchester, Connecticut or online here. They also have a Facebook page and Twitter page.

May 1 2013

Author Erin Thorne Promotes Latest Book at Four Places in May

new author picMassachusetts author Erin Thorne will be appearing at four places this month to promote her latest book, Behind the Wheel.

The first stop on her tour is the Westfield Athenaeum on Tuesday, May 14, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. She’ll read from her latest work, Behind The Wheel. She will be signing copies of all of her books, which will be available for purchase. Her other books are Diane’s Descent and Deals Diabolical.

The Athenaeum is located at 6 Elm Street in Westfield, MA. This event is free and open to the public.

Her second stop is Books & Boos on Saturday, May 18, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. She will be reading from Behind the Wheel. Her other books will also be available for purchase at this event, which is free and open to the public.

The bookstore is located at 514 Westchester Road in Colchester, CT.

Her third stop is at Books & Beans on Saturday, May 25. She will be signing copies of all her books, which will be available for purchase from 10 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. This event is free and open to the public.

The store is located at 100 Central Street in Southbridge, MA.

Her fourth and last stop in May is at the Sutton Public Library on Thursday, May 30, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. She will read from Behind the Wheel and sign copies of all of her books, which will be available for purchase. This event is free and open to the public.

The library is located at 4 Uxbridge Road in Sutton, MA.

Please check out Erin Thorne’s Amazon page here or her Facebook page here where you can find out about her and her three books, Behind the Wheel, Diane’s Descent and Deals Diabolical.

Erin Thorne welcomes different types of speaking engagements and signings. Feel free to contact her by phone at (508) 347-3677 or (774) 757-7159. She can be contacted by email too, AuthorErinThorne@gmail.com

Apr 30 2013

Extras Needed in Worcester Area this Saturday

The filmmakers, who brought audiences Mourning Wood (you can read a review here), needs extras in the Worcester, MA. area this coming Saturday for a short film, The P.U.S.S.Y. Committee. 

Fat Foot Films needs extras at Green Hill Park in Worcester this Saturday, May 4, at 12 p.m. All extras will need to be dressed as Mexican thugs with gold chains, white tank tops, bandanas, collared shirts top button buttoned, high white sox, sunglasses, etc. (you must come dressed up.)   The filmmakers need the angry mob of Mexicans to run over a hill after the 3 main actors in the skit, the shoot will take no more than an hour.

All extras will be credited, which will be listed on IMDB.com.  If you are under the age of 18, they will need a parent present to sign a release form. The P.U.S.S.Y. Committee is a R-rated comedy short film.  

This is also an unpaid gig, but the filmmakers promise that it will be a blast! They will be meeting at the Green Hill Parkway entrance off of Lincoln Street.  This is considered the back entrance of Green Hill Park once you enter there will be a little parking lot on your left.  You will see a bright yellow Scion XB, you can’t miss it. Any questions or problems, email ryan@fatfootfilms.com.

For more information on The P.U.S.S.Y. Committee click here.

Apr 29 2013

Author Appearing at Used Book Superstore

dale_image_ebookAuthor Dale T. Phillips will be appearing this Saturday (May 4) at the Used Book Superstore in Burlington, Massachusetts from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Superstore is located at 256 Cambridge Street in Burlington. The phone number is (781) 272-6657.

Check out his website for more information about him and his work.

Apr 28 2013

Author Donating Story Sales to Brain Cancer Research

68d36afb2fcfda3ae627830b8e3ce9a5cfc6e322Author F.R. Michaels is donating the sales of his short story, “Pale Pink Walls and White Furniture,” to brain cancer research. It was published on April 26 and is available for $0.99 on Smashwords, which gives this description of the story a “man awakens to a series of disturbing disjointed illusions, revealing, piece by piece, a hideous truth that will blur the lines between consciousness and oblivion, sanity and madness, and life and death.”

Click here if you want to purchase the story from Smashwords or here from Amazon.