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Archive for the ‘Fantasy literature’ Category

My debut novel Swept into the Darkness: Chronicles of the Celestial book one is currently being re-edited. After the book is complete, I will re-publish the book, and start the promotion process all over again. I will host a book giveaway and have a book blast followed by a tour, hosted by Promotional book tours.com.

I’m also working on the finishing the second book in the series Dark Betrayal, which is expected to be released early summer. I had to push back the release date for Dark Betrayal because of the re-launch of SITD. The cover for book two has been finalized so there will be a cover reveal event announced soon.
Addition book updates will be posted.
Happy Reading and Writing
L.L.

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the walking dead poster

The Walking Dead Rant
Last night’s episode of The Walking Dead was absolutely mind blowing!! I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. Rick has a meeting scheduled with The Governor and has been pondering over the deal that The Governor has offered, Surrendering Michone. At first Rick decides to offer Michone but is not sure if that is the right thing to do. He confides in Daryl which he can trust, but then he also confides in Merl, which was a huge mistake. Meanwhile Glen has a moment with Hershal and asks him for his blessing to marry Maggie. Hershal is proud and happy that his daughter has found love despite the fact that the world is different. He is pleased that his faith, values and morals have impacted his daughters in such a way that the condition of world does not change what they believe in. Carol has some time to talk with Merl and his brother on two separate occasions. Merl wanders off into the prison and Daryl stumbles up on him. They talk about what he did to Glen and Daryl tries to suggest ways that Merl can try to patch up things between Glen and Maggie. Merl says something very interesting. “Your people look as me as if I am the scum of the earth.” They hate Merl and everything that he represents.
Daryl tries to make things right between him and his brother but the relationship they once had does not exist anymore. Daryl wants his brother to change but Merl knows that change and acceptance into Rick group is not realistic. Merl walks away from his brother and soon lures Michone into a trap within the prison.
Rick decides to not offer Michone to The Governor and knows that what The Governor is asking for is wrong. Rick approaches the group and tells them what The Governor offered him.
It does not take long for Rick to realize that Michone and Merl are gone. Merl takes it into his own hands and makes an attempt to deliver Michone to The Governor but he has is own agenda in mind. They have a very interesting conversation in a car that Merl retrieves on the street near a bar, after a major zombie attack that they barely escaped from.
Michone does her best to talk Merl out of giving her up to The Governor. He opens up to her in a way that only Merl can considering his personality. For a moment I thought that they were going to have a quickie, when he cut her hands free. He surprisingly lets Michone go, says that he has to do something alone and goes back to that bar to have a drink. I should known then…
Daryl searches for his brother and runs into Michone on the road. They have words he asks her if she killed him. She shakes her head no. I wish this woman would be more verbal. It only would have taken her a second to tell Daryl that he was driving a car.
Merl lures a group of walkers towards the area where Rick and The Governor met before. The guys from Woodbury are all in place ready to meet Rick but Merl goes there armed instead. He slithers around shooting a couple of people. The walkers create a nice diversion as Merl makes his way into the abandoned building. He has The Governor in plain sight aiming for his head. He fires and Ben takes the bullet for Philip. Walkers attack and Merl is quickly ambushed. The Governor wastes no time as he beats Merl down but Merl gets in a few good blows before he is shot in the chest.
Daryl tracks his brother and ends up in the meeting area after the brawl. He shoots a walker with his crossbow and notices another walker. The walker lifts his head and it’s Merl!! Shocked, hurt and dismayed Daryl falls to his knees crying. He kills walker Merl and trembles from the pain of loosing his brother.
During Rick’s talk with the group he tells them that are a team,a family and that they can stay and fight or pack up and leave. I think that they are going to leave and by the time Woodbury attacks they will be gone.
I started reading the comic books and I must admit that I was never really into comics until The Walking Dead came along. I am completely hooked and even though it is different I still love the books. I am on Book four and can’t wait to see what is going to happen. The Governor has yet to be introduced and Michone has just surfaced.
The season finale of the show is expected to be very exciting and I am looking forward to seeing what next season has offer. I am so happy the Merl is finally dead and out of the way. He has been nothing but trouble since the beginning and just slows down Rick’s group. He was not going to survive in Rick’s group anyway. His personality was better suited for someone like The Governor,that is why he thrived and did so well in Woodbury. I hope that his baby brother grieves and moves on without any breakdowns, I know that he always wanted his brother to do right and be right. Daryl loved Merl more than Merl could ever love anyone. The one thing good I can say about Merl is that he did show a deep loyalty toward his brother.
All you Walker Fans out there this is LaTaeya embracing something new,
L.L.

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Bert wonder poster

The Incredible Burt Wonderstone Movie Review
The Incredible Burt Wonderstone directed by Don Scardino, known for directing many popular television shows including 30 Rock, stars Steve Carell and follows the story of a middle aged Las Vegas Magician as he struggles to remain one of the top magicians in Sin City.
Wonderstone and his partner/best friend Anton Marvelton played by Steve Buscemi have had an act based at Balleys hotel and Casino for over ten years. Stuck in their old school magician ways, their careers and friendship is put to the test when fellow magician and rival Steve Gray portrayed by Jim Carrey attempts to show the world a fresh new form of creating illusions.
The team of magicians try to keep up with the competition by creating a stunt that hopefully will boast ticket sales, But Burt and Anton soon part ways when the idea of the new stunt goes terribly wrong and Anton gets hurt.
Burt struggles to maintain the show on his own, but the show sinks without his partner. As a result of the act loosing money Burt is fired. Unable to properly adjust, Burt is faced with living in a motel with accommodations that do not suit him.
During his travels and transition he meets the king of magic and learns that throughout the years he has lost his passion for the art of magic.
As realizes that the passion he once had can be regained, he reconstitutes his friendships and opens himself up to new ideas.
The movie was funny but still was not 40 Year Old Virgin funny. That is what I was expecting. Jim Carry’s character was very funny and it was nice to see him back on the screen doing what he loves. Carrell and Buscemi were a great team and had great chemistry.
I give this movie 3 stars and recommend it to anyone that wants to laugh and enjoys the combination of all actors.

Happy Reading and Writing
L.L

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oz poster

Oz The Great and Powerful:movie review
Oz The Great and Powerful directed by the talented and creative Sam Raimi and starring James Franco tells how the origin of the Wizard of Oz came to be. Franco plays a struggling magician part of a traveling circus. A good man at heart, unfortunately Oscar learns how to live his life by tricking the people around him in order to make ends meet. After a day of creating illusions for a show Oscar is swept away in a hot air balloon when he is caught in a tornado.
(The introduction of the movie starts out in black and white just like the original Wizard of Oz.)
Oscar prays that if his life is spared he will change. And suddenly everything stops and he enters another world, Oz. From there on the movie is (shot in color.)
Oscar is memorized by the magic and uniqueness of this place. He soon meets a beautiful woman (Mila Kunis) that admits she is a witch and charms her just like he charms every beauty that walks into his life. In no time Oscar learns that this beautiful land is in trouble and is in search for the one that will save the people of Oz from the wrath of a wicked witch. Oscar quickly makes the people believe that he is the Great Wizard that the prophecy predicted. He uses his charms,wit and ability to create illusions to claim a throne of riches and fame that does not truly belong to him. Once he learns that he is in the middle of a great battle for power among three powerful witches (Rachel Weisz and Mila Kunis and Michelle Williams) he backs out trying to turn his back on the people and the mission to save the land. Forced to demonstrate his true nature of good he soon teams up with Glina the good witch and utilizes his trickster ways to create the ultimate illusion to defeat the two witches.
This movie is actually a prequel to the Judy Garland original. Sam Raimi did an excellent job directing this epic adventure. It was different than the classic Sam Raimi films that his fans know so well but he did not disappoint. The movie was filled with special effects. The effects were created with skill but there were times that I felt I was in Tim Burton’s world. Overall the movie was very entertaining and thrilling. The 3D version of this film did not enhance the cinematic experience for movie goers. That component was pointless. I would not recommend spending the extra money to see this film in 3D. The writing was creative and the make up was artistically developed. Mila Kunis’ makeup as the wicked witch was over the top with added laytex and construction considering the original witch had an elongated nose, warts and green face paint. The costume design was another element that added to the magic of this film. My goal for this review was not be long and obviously I did not meet that goal. ( LOL) The movie is a must see for adults and children to enjoy. I give this movie four stars.
Happy Reading!
L.L

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Review:

Swept into Darkness was a fantastic book to read. It entangled Angels both good and bad along with Greek mythology which kept me hooked.
Sydney, she blames herself for her fathers death and her mother being in a mental institute because of what happened to her father.
Sydney was no ordinary girl though she had abilities of seeing things before they happened and seeing other being.
With her best friend dying and her going on a journey or self discovery but ends up finding out that she is half human half angel and who her true mother is, but that is not all, The dark angels want her to join their counsel.
This is an absolute brilliant book and I could not put it down. It was written really well.

This review was provided by Racheal
Blog tour stop one courtesy of http://stressedrach.co.uk

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Walking Dead Rant
I know every one was tuned into watching the midseason premier of AMC’s The Walking Dead. I along with everyone else have been itching to find out what would happen to the Dixon brothers. About to battle to the death as they both take blows from each other two walkers enter the ring, suddenly shots fire and the crowd seperates like ants running from a foot that’s about to stomp on them. Rick’s group is weaker than ever and they all are struggling with their own demons, which are many. Glen can’t get past the sexual harassment and beating that he and girlfriend Maggie endured while in custody in Woodbury. As the group recoups briefly, Daryl decides that if Rick will not accept his brother then he will leave the group. Rick does not feel safe with bringing Merl back to the prison. So the brothers set off on their own. Rick takes Michone in temporarily and heads back to the prison. A new problem arises which is the new group of people that seek refuge. A war has broken out between Rick’s group and Woodbury. ANDREA finally learns that her old group made contact with the Woodbury group. She should leave considering all the weird things she has witnessed. The people of Woodbury are afraid and want to leave. The Governor has lost control and wants revenge against Ricks group. Towards the end of the episode Rick seeks Hershal’s council as he tries to make a decision on whether to accept the new people. Pondering over what to do, Rick sees a ghostly apparition that remembles Lori. At this point he blacks out loosing his mind. Everyone gets nervous and gives Rick some space. Considering that it has only been a week since Lori gave birth, Rick has not had the chance to mourn her absence. We never really saw Carl shoot Lori. I’m waiting to see her surface again as a walker. I don’t believe Carl killed her. The role of being the groups leader has taken a toll on Rick on a level that is and can be internally damaging. The future of the post apocalyptic survivors is uncertain but their struggle to endure and stay strong remains prevalent.
From a writers perspective I would have killed off Merl. He is untrusting and unpredictable. He is nothing like his brother and does not deserve a chance. But I understand his role to stir up conflict and action. If I did decide to go with keeping Merl alive my second option would have been to just let the brothers go their separate ways. Daryl makes the choice to stay with Rick. Daryl completes Rick’s group. The unspoken love that he shares with Carol is almost painful to watch. Just to know that they love each other and do not express it is hurtful. I would have spent time developing their love story. Just taking the time to be human beings is something that Rick’s group must do. The people of Woodbury had their time now it is Rick’s group’s turn. The last time the group had some real time to relax was the time they briefly spent at the CDC. I am looking forward to seeing what the next episode reveals.
Embracing Something New
L.L

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I usually don’t blog about things related to the entertainment industry but I had to get this off my chest. Okay so what if Beyonce lip sang during the Presidential Inauguration. People think that it is the end of the world and the media eats it up. It makes me sick. There are so many other important things going on in the world that we as a society need to worry about. When I saw the news story this morning and saw Beyonce singing live, I said to my self “oh boy!” now she needs to prove to everyone and validate herself as a performer. Then on top of that Beyonce’s appearance is just to promote her upcoming Superbowl Performance. Its all about getting the right PR and piggybacking off of whatever publicity you can get. just look at Lindsay Lohan. So many entertainers are so over rated these days. People need to do something else with their time!!! Gotta go, I have writing to work on.
Embracing Something New
L.L

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Happy New Year Everyone! First I would like to update all readers on some of the book promotional aspects that have been put into action concerning my debut novel Swept into the Darkness. I launched a book blast hosted by Promotional Book Tours that started on December 21st and ended on January 6th. The blast was a great success and gave my book the appropriate exposure. Next on the promotional agenda will be a giveaway hosted by Goodreads. That will take place starting this Monday. In addition my book tour is in the early stages of the planning process and will begin February 13,2013. That event will also be hosted by Promotional book tours. During Valentines week I will be participating in a special book promotional event where Swept into the Darkness will be featured on several blogs, a group giveaway will be included in the promotion. I have more good good news. My Facebook author page now has over 500 LIKEs and I am so happy that everyone has been so supportive. I am looking to increase book sales and start the process of starting my own publishing company. Stop by my author page at http://www.facebook.com/authorlataeyalane
Happy Reading and writing
I have some movie reviews I will include in my posts for this weekend
L.L

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First of all I want to wish everyone a Happy, and Healthy Christmas and New Year. I know everyone is busy shopping, cooking or preparing their homes for the holiday, and I had promised myself that I was not going do any work for the next couple of days but there is just so much to be done. I will be working on chapter six in both book two and three and I have decided that I will be writing a fourth book in my Chronicles of the Celestial series. After that project is complete, I will start on my next project which will be a post-apocalyptic fantasy.
I have been hard at work with promoting Swept into the Darkness. For the next two weeks the book will be involved in a Book Blast hosted by Promotional Book tours. My book Swept into the Darkness (Chronicles of the Celestial book one) will be featured on several blogs across the internet. The book promotion will include a Kindle prize giveaway as well as ebook copies at a special promotional price of 99.cents at Smashwords. Enter coupon code NM25R to receive the special discount price. The promotion ends on January 6, 2013. The Smashwords book page is here https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/164123
Happy Holidays
L.L

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The hobbit

Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit starring Martin Freeman is the spectacular genesis of an epic adventure that follows a small hobbit a young “Bilbo Baggins” as he sets off on a journey to help a clan of dwarves reclaim their homeland at the Lonely Mountain which was stolen from them by a fierce dragon called Smaug. Recruited by the great wizard Gandalf, Bilbo is approached by the dwarves and their King Thorin to assist in their efforts. Labeled as a “thief” Bilbo is Reluctant to leave the comforts of home and branch off into the world. As the dwarves try to convince Bilbo to take on the task, he continues to let his fears of the outside world get the best of him.
Once the dwarves make way out the Shire, Bilbo soon decides that he will not be a product of his own fears and sets off on “an unexpected journey.”
Bilbo’s travels open him up to a vast array of possibilities that Middle Earth has to offer including the most important aspect of his journey which is his encounter with the creature Gollum and finding “The Ring of Power.” Bilbo and the dwarves encounter trolls, orcs, and even battles goblins on the journey to recapture the dwarf land.
The opening of the film was just wonderful. Bilbo starts off as the Bilbo we know and love in The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. He and Frodo (yes Elijah Wood makes an appearance!) are preparing for Bilbo’s birthday party. Bilbo is in the process of writing his book An Unexpected Journey.
This movie is the most perfect prequel that I have ever seen. I was looking at this movie as if I hadn’t seen the others. We learn more about the character that makes up Bilbo, as well as the relationship between Gandalf, Saruman, Elrond and Galadriel. It amazing how well Jackson tells this story.
Without giving away anything else, this movie is a must see and fans will be in awe once again over this cinematic experience.
The cast was stunning in their collective performance which included Ian Holm, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Ian Mckellen, Elijah Wood, Cate Blanchett, Andy Serkis, and Christopher Lee. Howard Shore graced the musical scene for The Hobbit and Jackson’s team of creatures and makeup artists ultimately created a film of sensational measure.
I give “The Hobbit” five stars.
L.L

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