I'm baaaaaack!!!

Wow, after nearly nine months, blogspot and I have finally corrected the issue of my access to this blog. Nine months... A child is born.

I will be shaking off the rust and diving back in to blogspot bloggery soon enough.

It's good to be back.

Byte Marks (vol. 1 / no. 9)

A Ghost Story by Keith Latch

Keith Latch is a writer with purpose and with a confident prose. Unfortunately, "A Ghost Story" loses focus three-fourths of the way into the tale, deciding that, instead of a ghost story, as the unimaginative title suggests, it is a suspensful thriller. A fine line? Not really. It is such a brutal shift in storytelling that it jars the reader right out of the moment. And it's really too bad. Latch has a lot to offer. He put effort into creating believable characters and has a real knack for setting a mood. As a first novel, it's a valiant effort, but sadly falls short. I think with time, Latch will be a writer to be reckoned with. He has the skills. Right now, he needs experience.

A Ghost Story is available at Shocklines and is a "New Voices Guarantee".

2 out of 5 stars

Byte Marks (vol. 1 / no. 8)

This is a reposting of a review I did for a wonderful paranormal romance penned by one of my new favorite authors. And I'm not just saying that because my artwork graces the cover of this title's re-release. This review was made before I called its author a friend. So, read on and then, if you've a mind to, order this book. You won't be disappointed...

Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you the Queen of Gothic Romance.

Tracy Jones has woven a tale steeped in mystery, intrigue, and romance that will quite simply keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. She hits all of the conceits of Gothic Romance - imperiled heroine, exotic locale, brooding and malevolent castle, devilishly handsome dark hero, labyrinthian family secrets - without any of it seeming cliche.

The characters are well developed throughout, from our protagonist right down to the castle staff. Each comes alive on the page, and each carry a piece of the underlying mystery, but perhaps the most vivid character is the atmosphere itself. Ms Jones breathes dark life into the peregrine landscape and makes you feel like you are there in a way that few authors can.

What sets Scent of the Wolf apart is a palpable evil that lies waiting just beyond the printed word. You are drawn in and expect with each turn of the page to be confronted with your darkest fears. This really is a novel that will carry you along. Its maddening pace leads to but one place, and I guarantee it will not be what you expect. Not by any stretch.

Tracy Jones is able to do what few others have done before and that is to create an authentic Gothic Romance that is filled with true horror. I cannot recommend this novel highly enough.

4.25 out of 5 stars

Order your copy HERE

Byte Marks (Vol. 1 / No. 7)

The Wide Game: A Novel of Terror and Suspense by Michael West (Publish America, 2003)

One of the first things that jumped out at me about The Wide Game is that it is a book written for horror movie fans. With cinematic pacing, Michael West draws the reader in with a director's touch. With a deft hand, West creates wonderful characters who live and breathe on the page. While some of the dialogue is somewhat forced, it is easily forgiven because of the depth West invokes within them.

The true star of the book is something I'm all too familar with... the Corn. Having grown up in a rural farming community not unlike Harmony, I played similar games in my youth. It was easy for me to allow Michael to lure me into those terror filled rows and make me cringe at what might lurk there in the dark.

A fine first novel, Michael West has crafted a story he can be proud of and one I would encourage any horror fan to take a chance on. There are moments where his inexperience comes to bear, but they are few and far between... and overshadowed by a undeniable potential to be an important voice in the realm of horror fiction.

3 out of 5 stars

Byte Marks (vol.1 / no.6)

The Dresden Files (SciFi, Sundays 9-10pm)
Episode 1 "Birds of a Feather"

Want a recap? I was going to write a concise overview, but look what the SciFi Channel posted:

I've been having these dreams.

Now, I'm a wizard-for-hire-in the phone book and everything-and I face the stuff of nightmares regularly. Lately, I've been dreaming about me and Dad when I was a kid and he was a lousy stage magician. This was after my mother-a wizard like me-died, and Dad was trying hard to keep me out of the family business.

Bob says having this dream all week means something, and maybe the old spirit is right, but that isn't my biggest concern-it's Scott.

When he hired me, I figured he's a normal kid who let the monsters in his closet get to him, and I blew him off. But Bob kept hounding me to check Scott's situation out just in case. He's persistent, and probably pissed that I ruined a powerful talisman called a Doom Box that he was building.

So I reluctantly asked Melissa, one of my sources, to check High Council records for any mention of Scott. She said she found nothing about Scott. I played it safe, and gave the kid a protection symbol to keep the nasties out.

Along the way, I met Scott's teacher, Ms. Timmons. That last part's important, because right then I got a call from Murphy, the Chicago cop who sometimes hires me to help with the weird cases. This time, it was a woman who'd been skinned, but her clothes had been left intact and bloodless.

Looking at pictures in the victim's apartment, it was clear that Timmons was the victim. She had to have been dead when I met her. She'd been killed and replaced by a skinwalker, who was now wearing a Timmons suit.

I ran to Scott's house, but he'd already been taken-by Ravens, who're neutral, and can't be stopped by my protection symbol. I theorized that the Ravens are working for the skinwalker. Melissa, too. She lied about Scott not being on the High Council's radar. Scott has huge magic potential.

Then the skinwalker herself showed up and blew my theory all to hell by torturing me to find Scott.

Whoops. Bob, who hates the sight of my blood even more than I do, caved and gave up the Ravens. "Timmons" left to track Scott, but it took a while.

I got to the Ravens first, and Bob whipped up another Doom Box. I convinced them to let Scott go home to his mother while I took care of the skinwalker.

She couldn't resist the Doom Box-which lived up to its name and disintegrated her. Bob does good work.

This isn't the last time someone's gonna come after Scott, especially once his powers start to manifest. His mother promises to call me if something else happens, but still, I worry...

All in all a good premiere for this fledgling series. Some of the acting left a lot to be desired, but then it is SciFi... not sure if I should be expecting Shakespeare in the Park. It was intrigueing enough to draw me back next week, and I suppose that's good enough... for now.

2.75 out of 5 stars

Heroes (NBC, Mondays 9-10pm)
Episode 12: "Godsend"

From Yahoo TV: Picking up two weeks after recent events, Nathans determination to save a comatose Peter forces him to turn to Simone for help. Isaacs puzzling "Hiro vs. T-Rex" painting inspires Hiro and Ando to search for the pictured samurai sword. Jessica struggles against Nikis decision to turn herself into police. With his associate Eden dead and Matt on his heels, H.R.G. tries to focus on his orders regarding Sylar. After being offered a choice by the Haitian, Claire struggles with changes her decision has wrought. Taking up his fathers quest, Suresh attempts to share information about who is "on the list" of people with special abilities and the threats to their lives. Meanwhile, a new hero makes a shocking debut.

Could this show be any better? Once again Ali Larter amazes me with her acting chops as Nikki/Jessica deals with life in prison. Hiro steals the show...again... with his breath of fresh air innocence. And we get a new hero: the Invisible Man. Highlight for me was the Cheerleader and the Haitian. Their scene together really throws a curveball into the mix. As the story unfolds, I am glued to ongoing tapestry of television perfection.

Anybody else get the creeps from Radioactive Guy sitting in his shack and setting off little explosions in the palms of his hands?

Awesome stuff.

4.99 out of 5 stars

Byte Marks (vol.1 / no.5)

As a long time comic fan, I am one of the voices that can be heard decrying the state of the industry. I can offer up a laundry list of all the things I think that are wrong in the four color world. It is always a pleasure for me to be able to shine a light on what is right in comics.

One of the shining examples of what is right is Scott and Benita Story's Johnny Saturn. Take tight storytelling and old school artwork, toss them in a blender with the best of what has come before and the hope of things to come and Johnny Saturn is what is born from that volatile concoction.

Johnny Saturn, for me, is definitely a throwback to those heady days of mid-twentieth century "mystery men", ala The Shadow, Doc Savage, and even The Batman (as originally conceived). He is the embodiment of that spartan work ethic and sure moral center that is largely missing in todays comics.

Johnny Saturn is hard-boiled, tooth and nail heroism that invokes the old school stylings of Jack Kirby, Wally Wood, Joe Simon, and Gil Kane, but matched with that peculier blend of modern angst and classic art that has been the trademark of creators like Frank Miller and Dave Gibbons.

Johnny Saturn is larger than life in a way that can only be showcased by the "street-level" adventures of a man of mystery. It is a snapshot of reality, played out on a grand stage, with all the inner turmoil that is wrestled with by we, the readers, and that's what makes Johnny Saturn tick. We know we are lesser men than Johnny Saturn, but his will and moral fibre are inspiring, and that kids, is what comics were meant to do. Not to be masterbatory fantasies, but inspiring tales that show us what we can be...

Johnny Saturn, in summation, rocks.

'Nuff Said...

Visit Scott Story's MySpace for more information...

4 out of 5 stars

Byte Marks (vol 1 / no 4)

The Brotherhood of the Holy Shroud by Julia Navarro

All right DaVinci Code fans, I know you're out there. Time to stand up and be counted. For me, every time a publisher releases a book like Navarro's Brotherhood, Dan Brown's magnum opus rises a notch. Treading familiar ground, do not expect the roller coaster, adreneline pumping exploits found in Brown's best seller. No, Julia Navarro offers up a dull and plodding epic that bounces between centuries like an epeleptic ping pong game. A monster hit worldwide, The Brotherhood of the Holy Shroud is simply dreadful. Originally published in Spanish, I am forced to wonder if perhaps something was lost in translation.

A quick recap: Someone's trying to steal the Shroud of Turin, art cops and Knights Templars are on the case, and I really couldn't have cared less.

1.75 out of 5 stars


Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz

I was really late to the game on this one. Koontz burned me a long time ago. His books just didn't do it for me and I swore off of them... Finally, after twenty years, I bit the bullet and took up the challenge of reading Odd Thomas. "Oh, it's different from his early works," they said. "You'll love it."

Damn if they weren't right.

If you have not read this book then you are doing yourself a disservice. Koontz breathes the sort of life into loveable Odd and his terrific supporting cast of characters that they will become fast friends. The novel paces itself, building tension here and there like a prize fighter setting up a haymaker. In the end, it's not a preternatural horror that punches you in the gut, but something far more personal and moving.

I fell in love with Odd... I think you will too.

4.5 out of 5 stars