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Publishing updates

February 16, 2012 by LaTaeya

Everything has been so crazy lately.  But crazy in a good way.  I am moving along with my final rounds of edits of my debut novel Swept into the Darkness.  I am working on my final chapters and then finally I will be ready to send it to my editor.  I am going over the book with a fine tooth comb so that I can give her a clean manuscript without her having to do too much editing.  I am so excited to be at this point in my work.  I am also more than half way done with book two Swept into Revenge.  I completed my press release and will be ready to officially send it very soon.  I really see that publishing your own work comes with a long list of responsibilities especially if you are taking it as a serious new career move like me.  The list makes me even more motivated and focused on what I really want as a published author.  My husband and I found out that we are having a baby boy, which excites me greatly, so I have also been busy with making plans and getting myself more organized for the baby.  I havent seen any other good movies lately but I think within the next week I will make it to the theater.  I am still reading History is Wrong.  It’s taking me a while but I find it hard to read at night sometimes, I’ve been so tired that by the time my head hits the pillow I am out.  Some times I don’t even realize I dozed off until I hear the book fall to the floor.  Lol and sorry for all the “I’s”

Happy reading and writing!!!!!

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The Woman in Black Review

February 5, 2012 by LaTaeya

The Woman in Black Directed by James Watkins and starring Daniel Radcliffe is a story about a young lawyer who is plagued with the grief of his wife’s death.  Now a single father Arthur Kipp must do everything he can to keep from falling apart.  He is sent on a job to a small village to retrieve paper work for a house that must be put back on the market.  Little does he know that this job would open him up to a world of paranormal activity and capture him upon the border between life and death.

This Spiritual Horror is based on the novel written by Susan Hill.  Set in the late 1800’s in a dreary England, the slow-moving beginning opens with the scene of three young girls playing happily.  Their happiness soon turns into despair when they suddenly stop playing and make their way over to the window to jump out.  Obviously not in their right minds,  This scene does not do too much for movie goers but we were all eager to take the theatrical journey.  After the suicide the movie proceeds to introduce the main character and his purpose.

On the verge of loosing his job, Arthur arrives at the remote village to begin his work.  He finds that the towns folk are very distant and unwelcoming.  There is something terribly wrong with the atmosphere of this town, and there is no doubt that Arthur feels the tension that the town is giving off.  He eventually settles in and makes his way over the house.  Transported by horse and carriage he arrives at the eerie mansion.  All alone he is left with his thoughts and the work he must do.  Once he settled in he, familiarized himself with the property and automatically is distracted by suspicious sounds and the visions of ghostly apparitions.  The subtlety of the activity up to this point is not impressive to me.  Creepy bumps, and other noises just makes Arthur feel like he must investigate the house and property.  What is interesting about this part is that Arthur learns some valid information about the owner of the house and her family history.    Fortunately by the time things slightly intensify he is picked up and must return to the village for the night.

At this point in the movie things really start to pick up as the director fully takes you into the story deeper.  A child ends up dead and Arthur’s presence sets off a chain of events that makes the towns folk more fearful than ever.  The ghostly superstitions that the town holds slowly surfaces  and turns real the longer Arthur works in the house and stays in the village.  Determined to get his work done to provide for his four-year son he decides to spend the night in the house to get more accomplished.  This night is the most chilling and is the turning point where the director and writers as a whole step it up in their cinematic delivery.  The woman in black makes her presence fully known as this thriller now officially turns into a horror.  Things go pump in the night and the haunting of this woman deeply intensifies.  Screams heard near and far, the movie is filled with suspense and action and keep you interested.

I do not want to provide any more spoilers but The Woman in Black for me was a fresh take on an old recurring theme.  It was not the traditional hunted house movie, despite some of the traditional elements, such as the screams, or the anticipation building music, and the parts where you think something is about to jump out but it is something totally non threatening.   Daniel Radcliffe preformed very well considering this is his first on-screen movie role since Deathly Hallows part II.  It was hard to not see Daniel as Harry.  I felt like his glasses and wand were missing in some parts, but I feel that taking on new and exciting adult roles will be great for his career.

Over all I think that the movie was quite thrilling and the director  and crew did a wonderful job with creating and drawing you into the authentic element of the original novelist’s vision.  I give this movie a B+ rating.  I cant wait to see what Radcliffe has planned for his next project.

 

 

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Swept Into the Darkness Updates

January 23, 2012 by LaTaeya

As January comes to a close, and winter officially sets in, So has so many other things in my life.  On a sad note, I lost a friend from High School to Cancer.  Molakia Motley was a dear friend to many.  My heart goes out to her family and those who were extremely close to her.  We went to grammar school together and high school.  She was truly a bright light and the world lost a very special person.  I know she is in Heaven at Peace.  It’s so hard to think that she is no longer on this Earth.  It leaves an emptiness.  Almost feeling like a gap or a hole in your body and spirit.

My pregnancy is going pretty well, but I came down with a terrible cold last week.   I have been sick in bed since last Tuesday Night.  I was not even able to make it to Molakia’s services.  I am struggling to get over the hump and expect to make a full recovery within the next few days.  I guess the cold just had to play it self out.  Now I have to watch everything, I got the ok to take over the counter meds that are safe for the baby, but it is sill on a limited basis.  Which is annoying.  I am so used to just running to CVS and grabbing a bottle of Vicks Ny Quil and boom Im back on my feet  within two days.  During that time I was not in the mood to do any type of writing, but I tried to push through it when the urge came along.  Of Course that is the reason why I didn’t get the chance to see Underworld Awakening last weekend.  I hope to be able to take a trip to the theater sometime this weekend.

I just finished reading and editing the last chapters of Swept into the Darkness, and will be doing one more read through before I officially submit it to my editor.  After I send the manuscript to her and everything goes smoothly with all the finalizations, the book will finally be available for purchase on Smashwords and several other e-book formats.  I am not rushing to have the paperback released, but it will be released in time for readers to enjoy it for the Spring or Early summer months.  As I go though the third dose of rereading my work I will be looking into advertising packages and also preparing and setting up a Midwinter Book tour.  Right Now I will be hosting two book tours.  One in Midwinter to present my debut Novel to the Publishing world and the Second in the Summer to garner all the attention and attract readers to experience an unforgettable journey.

I am extremely proud of my self and have over come lot of challenges along the way.  Once Swept into the Darkness  is on book shelves I will resume with writing book two Swept into Revenge.  I can’t express how excited I am about this project and look forward to a bright successful future in the Publishing industry.

Happy Reading and Writing!!!

 

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“The Devil Inside” Movie Review

January 8, 2012 by LaTaeya

 “The Devil Inside” Directed by William Brent Bell and starring a cast of relative unknowns, tells the story about a young girl that suffers from a tragic past that resulted in her being separated from her mother.  Plagued by an illness that is believed to be demonic possession by some, Maria Rossi is transferred to a mental hospital in Rome.  Her daughter Isabella travels there twenty years later searching for answers and the hope that she can reconnect on some level with her mother.  Isabella enters the world where the paranormal and spirituality collide.  She is introduced to a team of exorcists and believes that she can finally get the answers that she seeks about her mother’s condition.  Maria was exposed to the idea of exorcism when Isabella was a child.  The result was a deadly one which was the contributing factor in Isabella growing up without a mother.

The fast-moving film is shot in the form of a documentary which disappointed me greatly.  Overall there were a few good scenes, like when the Priests first wanted to expose Isabella to a real exorcism.  That was pretty intense.  The scene when the Priest was possessed, was interesting and of course the final scene when Isabella herself was possessed and the demon took control of her and her film partner that was driving.  The movie ended too abruptly and made movie goers upset that they invested time and twelve bucks into a movie ticket.  Honestly there was nothing new or different that this film contributed to the genre.  I always give movies a chance and hate that I gave this one the time of day.  I think that too many production crews are coping off of the orignal idea of “Documenting” as seen in “The Blair Witch”.  It is ok to see it every once in a while but now I feel that writers for films are coming up dry with fresh new ideas.  Another thing that bothers me is that they feel that they can slap up the phrase “based on a true story, or inspired by true events” and that is supposed to make us flock to the theaters.  I know a lot of you are real fans of exorcism movies like me, and I can truly say that the last really good one was “The Rite” starring Anthony Hopkins.

I think that as a whole community Hollywood and Film better their acts together if they plan on continuing to entertain us in the years to come.  I see that there are a lot of small and independent film companies that are producing some really good stuff out there.  As of now going to the movies is at an all time low.  I would think that since people are cutting back in other aspects of their lives they would indulge in going to the movies at least once a month, but If we don’t have anything good to watch then me might as well stay home.

The next movie I will see is the upcoming Underworld film.  I know that is not going to be a disappointment especially since Kate B is BACK!!

I give “The Devil Inside” a C-

Happy Reading and Writing!!!

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American Horror Story

January 6, 2012 by LaTaeya

  Well I know I am a little late but I finally had the chance to see the final two episodes of American Horror Story.  Thanks to OnDemand being so late with posting the season finale, I watched episode eleven and twelve last night.  Wow what a great season for a debut show.  It had me on the edge of my seat just as much as “Ringer” but that show is for a another post at another time.  I was shocked that Vivian went into labor so early in her pregnancy and ended up loosing both her babies and her life.  I could not believe that the doctor, nurse and some of the other ghosts made an appearance.  I could not get over the fact that Ben allowed them to touch his wife and deliver the babies.   Mother and daughter are together in death, which made me feel more comfortable knowing that Violet was no longer alone.  I was actually happy that she confessed to her dad Ben that she killed herself and that she was a ghost.  Constance and her storyline got stranger and stranger as the season proceeded.  I see now that she was not trying to change and really help out the Harmon family.  She has her own twisted agenda.  But at this point I have no idea what her plans are.  Now that Vivian is officially a ghost I was surprised that she took it so well but I really did want her to embrace her new life more directly after she died.  I guess the writers were waiting for that perfect moment after Ben joined the deathly gang.  Finally adhering to the warnings of Constance and even his dead wife and daughter Ben makes an attempt to flee the house but not in time to save himself or the baby.  His whore of an ex mistress bands together with other malevolent ghosts and hangs the poor man  above the main stairwell in the home.  The living twin goes missing and Ben is now a dead man.(This is the twin that is fathered by Tate)  The Harmon family are trapped in the house with other ghosts but it actually makes them closer as a family.  Vivian finds that her dead baby can be part of the family. (This is the twin that is fathered by Ben)  They openly accept their current condition and I guess there is no “unfinished business” when it comes to the three of them.  I was thrilled when Violet learned the truth about Tate and dismissed him.  And I found it quite interesting that the Harmon Family planned on driving out the new owners of the house.  For a second I thought that Tate was really going to make another kill.   Shocked that Tate went to Ben with a so-called apology.  I fully agree with Violet that Tate is the darkness.  He is one of the darkest entities that dwell in that home.  I think that Violet should go to her parents and seriously propose a full cleansing of the house to rid the property of all the other evil spirits.  During the Christmas scene I noticed that the Harmon family was the dominate group in the home.  With them displaying their strength now they have  the power to control whats goes on in that house.

Towards the end of the episode they fast forward to three years in the future.  Constance comes home from a hair appointment to find blood all over the place.  She discovers that the child she believes is her grandson has just murdered the babysitter.  I guess the apple does not fall from the tree. We all know what Constance is going to do, bury the body somewhere and clean up the blood.  I just want to know what is she going to do with this child?

American Horror story is a great show and I am curious to find out what the writers have planned for next season since the main characters  are all ghosts.  Personally I feel that the writing style and plot is somewhat similar to something  Steven King would do.  When I sit and watch the show I think of him.  I appreciate the creativeness that goes into making a show like this.  I get extremely excited and I am eager to see what else AH has in store for its fans.  For those of you who have not seen the show, I suggest you check it out as soon as you can.

Until Next time

Happy Reading and Writing!!

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New Years Resolutions

December 31, 2011 by LaTaeya

At the end of every year thousands maybe millions of people sit down and think about a New Years Resolution.  Why is it so important that we make a New Years Resolution?  I know it is supposed to mean that you are making a positive change in your life, but really who actually sticks to their Resolution?  People talk about loosing weight, (which is the most popular one) quitting smoking, eating healthy and so on.  The Resolution talk lasts for about a week and then after that first week is over all the buzz is over.  So the real question is why is it so hard for us to actually stick to our Resolution?  I will tell you why.  The reason is because we do not set realistic goals in order for us to accomplish the Resolution.  Do you really think you can quit smoking with the snap of a finger?  Or cut out hamburgers and fried foods the minute the ball drops?  And lets not talk about drinking.  Now don’t get me wrong I am not trying to deter anyone from making their Resolution come true, but I am just trying to be realistic, which is something that everyone should be when considering the steps they need to take to make their Resolution a success.  Since I am a planner, it is about planning it out and making that life change in gradual steps.  Write down your resolution, and then make a list of pros and cons that will contribute to your resolution.  The pros are obviously all the positive things that will benefit you in the long run and the cons are all the negative things and obstacles that get in your way of accomplishing your goal.  The next thing you should do is make a list of those obstacles and describe how you are going to face and defeat them.  These suggestions are only for those people who are serious about having a successful resolution but just need a little help in getting started.  As for me I do not have a New Years Resolution, but a list of things that I would like to accomplish in the year 2012.  I am currently working one number one right now.  So for everyone that plans on executing a New Years Resolution Good Luck and be strong in your efforts to reach your goal.  Never lose hope and always know that as long as you believe in your self you can accomplish anything your heart desires.

Number One

Become a successful Published Author!!!!

Have a Happy and Healthy New Year That is filled with Creativity!!!

Happy Reading and Writing

XOXO L.L.

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“The Holidays”

December 24, 2011 by LaTaeya

The Holidays are always a busy time in many people’s lives.  With the hustle and bustle of hunting for the perfect gift to traveling on the road near and far, this time of year can be very stressful.  I think that as time goes on and our lives continue to evolve, we as a society in general have lost the true meaning and purpose of what the holidays really mean.  A generation or two ago the holidays did not mean going out and standing in line to wait for the Apple Store to open so you could purchase one item for four or five hundred bucks.  It wasn’t about competing to catch the earliest Wal-Mart sale or bumbrushing others to get the last Playstation 3 in Toys R Us.  Christmas was not about having our husbands and boyfriends planted on the sofa all day watching a bunch of men try to make a touchdown.  The Holidays were a time for family to gather around, fellowship and reconnect with each other, to go to Mass or what ever services you attend, to serve, worship and sing praises to God.  The Holidays were a time to truly be thankful for what you have spiritually.  It was not about showing off, or shoving money to a charity just because you had to for tax reasons. The holidays meant sharing and giving to those in need and making it last all year round not only during Christmas.  The world has lost so many things but actually believes that we are heading forward instead of backward.  We need to get back to our roots and rediscover the true meaning behind  “The Holidays”.

Happy Reading and Writing!

Merry Christmas

Happy Hanaka

Happy Kwanza

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My News!

December 20, 2011 by LaTaeya

I know it has been a while but a lot has been going on.  First and foremost I have very important news.  My husband and I are expecting our first child in June.  Overjoyed and excited I have also been experiencing all the perks that pregnancy comes with.  Becoming a mother is something that thrills and scares me at the same time.  It has always been just me and my husband.  Now things will be very different and I will be responsible for this tiny little person.  I have always dreamed of being a mother and now it’s really going to happen.   It’s amazing how life works.  I already started making plans and trying to make an attempt to organize the room that will be the nursery.  I finished most of my Holiday shopping but still need to get a few more things.  My house is very festive and I even managed to get my Christmas cards out in enough time.  Progress on my debut novel is going well.  I have my last two chapters to edit and then I will be rereading it.  Book Two is also coming along nicely.  I am currently writing chapter seven, rolling into chapter eight.  I am looking forward to my time off from work so that I can fully concentrate on my writing.  Lately I have been going to bed so early that I have not had the opportunity to pick up any of my other books to read.  Hopefully I can finish both and start a new one on the Holiday break! smile

Until Next Time

Happy Reading and Writing!

 

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“Swept Into the Darkness” News

December 6, 2011 by LaTaeya

I miss blogging.  I have been so busy lately that I can’t hardly find the time to blog anymore.  I am still working on edits for book one in my series “Swept Into the Darkness.”  I just made it to chapter nine.  I think I am making good progress considering that I have a personal time line to be finished.   My mom and husband think I am rushing it and putting too much pressure on myself but I don’t think I am.  I am just anxious to get moving with my project.   I am writing chapter five of book two which has some interesting developments.  I am introducing new characters and my main character is definitely going through some major changes.  With Christmas break coming up, I actually hope to finish book two and at least start book three.  “Swept Into The Darkness” ended up being over 270 pages and way over 80,000 words, so for the next two books I am shooting for at least 60,000 words.  If I go a little over, no big deal, but I can’t make the next couple of books so lengthy.  I would rather stretch out the series before I make them too long.

Until next time my friends

Happy Reading and Writing!!!

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The Walking Dead recap

November 28, 2011 by LaTaeya

      AMC’s The Walking Dead, midseason finale was a spectacular episode.  So far the gang has been to hell and back trying to seek refuge in a world filled with zombies.  Their journey from the CDC in season 2, left them heart-broken and hopeless and now as they embark upon a new journey as guests at on an old Vet’s farmland, the somewhat comfortable life they thought they could get used to has been shattered with shocking new developments.  As Lori struggles to deal with learning that she is pregnant, now worries settle in regarding if she really wants to bring up a child in an apocalyptic world, not to mention that she really does not know who her baby’s father is.  I adore Rick but there is no doubt in my mind that the baby is Shane’s.  I was wondering how long it was going to take for Lori to spill the beans about  her and Shane.  To my surprise Rick took it pretty well.    But I do understand the circumstances.  Her quick decision to take the morning after pill was out of sheer panic.  I would panic too in a situation like that.  On the edge of my seat when my boy Daryl almost got killed, I could barely pull my self to gether.  Happy to see him recovering his determination to find and rescue Sophia touched my heart.  Not living up to the self-centered redneck bastard that his brother wanted him to be just shows that goodness in others can always push through no matter how dark they may try to appear.    Glenn is trying to be a nice guy and experience love, but his new farm girl crush keeps pushing him away.  A night of potential passion leads to shock when Glen learns that Walkers are in the barn only a few yards away from the main house.  Troubled by keeping secrets he lets the cat out of the bag to Dale.  Dale then approaches the old man, and tries to talk some sense into him which does not work.    Andrea and Dale’s relationship slowly is in the process of rebuilding.  Andrea surprisingly has a sexual encounter with Shane while he is teaching her how to shoot.  Dale does have a fatherly intuition and knows things before anyone even opens their mouth.

The search for a missing Sophia continues, and the next thing you know Glenn tells everyone about the Walkers in the barn.  Uncomfortable over the news, Rick confronts the Old Man about making the place safe and pleading his case to let them all stay.  Viewing the Walkers as people the Old Man does not change his mind about the zombies.  Persistent in the concept that Rick and the gang can hold their own out in the world, he eventually tells Rick that he will think about his decision more.  Everyone on edge, the Old man gets word that “it’s happened again.”  Curious about what his son meant, I know all audience members wanted to know what the heck was going on.  Rick is led into the woods by the Old Man and his son, only to find that two Walkers are stuck in a stream struggling to get out.  Neighbors as the Old Man looks at it, instructs Rick to help lure them back to the property.

Shane and Dale have an unusual encounter in the woods when Dale makes the stupid decision to try to hide the guns.  I am not really a fan of Shane’s but I do like how he operates.   He thinks logically.  After retrieving the guns and having words with Dale he is quickly back on the farmland.   Trying to convince everyone that the place is not safe, he feels that they all must do what they can to survive.  Each member of the group that shoots a gun has one in their possession.  They all notice that Rick and the Old Man is approaching with two Walkers.  This is the point where I lose it.  Shane looses it as well.  I could not believe that the Old Man was willing to go any lengths to see where Rick’s loyalty lied.  As they approach the barn Shane goes ballistic shooting a Walker, trying to show the Old Man that they are not people.  He breaks open the doors to the barn and Walkers spill out one by one getting shot in the head.  As the last one falls to the ground the sound of one final Walker slowly emerges and it is the missing now fleshing eating zombie Sophia.  Stunned over the shock of the girl, mouths are dropped and tears flow.   Squirming in my seat, my eyes widened the moment I heard the sound and I knew it was Sophia.

I could not believe that the Old Man caught the girl and was well aware that she was in the barn.  What was his purpose for doing that?  Giving Carol a false sence of hope?  I just do not understand that.  Daryl almost lost his life going on a wild goose chase.  Maybe he really did think there was a cure for them.  I know that Carol is heart-broken and so is Carl.  Sophia was the only other child he has been around.  The whole gang is distraught over this and I know they have many questions for their host.  Betrayed in the worse way I wonder how the gang is going to get over this?

I am looking forward to seeing the continuation of the season, I just hate that we have to wait for February.  I saw the book in Barnes and Noble, maybe I will pick it up the next time I go….

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