John Rosenman Takes Over!!

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action, adventure, fellow MuseItUp author, John Rosenman, science-fiction, space travel

Today, I’m turning my blog over to a fellow author from MuseItUp, the super organized John Rosenman. He’s made my job easy. What an imagination he must have. His stories really sound fascinating! Take it away, John.

Hi. Let me tell you a little about myself. I’m a retired English professor who plays a lot of tennis, at least when the weather’s friendly. I’ve also published twenty books and three hundred short stories, most of them in the science fiction, speculative fiction, fantasy, paranormal romance, and horror genres. Two of my major themes are the endless, mind-stretching wonders of the universe and the limitless possibilities of transformation—sexual, cosmic, and otherwise. I’m the former Chairman of the Board of the Horror Writers Association and the previous editor of Horror Magazine.

When it comes to writing, a surprising thing has happened to me. I never thought it would take to my seventies before I wrote my first fiction series (The Inspector of the Cross series). Thirty-four years ago, I wrote a novel called Inspector of the Cross about a half black, half white man named Turtan who is nearly 4000 years old.  Why? Because this elite agent or Inspector travels in freeze ships in suspended animation from planet to planet to investigate reports of devices or weapons that might turn the tide against humanity’s vicious and seemingly invincible alien enemy.  In the process, our hero has outlived many generations, including his own children and countless lovers.  He has also almost singlehandedly saved humanity. However, if he doesn’t find a solution, we are ultimately doomed anyway.

I thought it was a cool concept.  I even had Turtan and a member of the enemy flying down the raging, mind-warping tunnel of a black hole together. Trouble was, I couldn’t sell the novel.

Flash forward over three decades.  I dug the story out, revised it, sent it to MuseItUp Publishing, they accepted it, it received excellent editing, and it was published.

Inspector of the Cross has received excellent reviews, and for the first time in my life, I’ve found one of my characters acquiring a life and staying power of his own.  In the sequel Kingdom of the Jax, Turtan continues to travel about the galaxy, experiencing adventures and encountering dangers from emperor and aliens alike. Marvels and mind-blowing wonders abound.

In Book 3, Defender of the Flame, Turtan returns to the space academy he graduated from 4000 years before for a glorious homecoming.  He believes he finally possesses the weapon he needs to defeat the aliens and win the 5000 year war, but he must have the cooperation of officials at the First Station to do so.  Will he get that cooperation or will he only be betrayed once again by his own leaders? If that happens, the people will die, and humanity itself will be doomed to extinction.

 

Currently I’m at work on Book 4, Conqueror of the Stars, in which more adventures await our hero.   Please stay tuned.

Recently, MuseItUp released a four book bundle of my fiction, The Amazing Worlds of John B. Rosenman.   My publisher made up the title, so please don’t think I’m vain even though I am. This collection contains four books—two novels and two short stories.   One of the stories, The Blue of Her Hair, the Gold of Her Eyes won Preditor’s and Editor’s 2011 Reader’s Poll award for best SF/F short story. It exemplifies one of the two major themes I mention above: the limitless possibilities of transformation. Rachel Ross contracts a mysterious disease which makes people fear and shun her.   Soon her body starts to change in strange ways. What will she turn into? If you’ve ever had a strange disease or illness which doctors found hard to diagnose, then this tale might resonate for you.

 

As for me, about the time this story was published, I fell sick with a mysterious disease which my doctor was unable to diagnose.   “Could I have cancer?” I finally asked him when I’d lost nearly thirty pounds and he had run every test.   What happened to me? What was the disease?   Did I die? Ah, that’s another story.

 

Some of my fiction belongs in other categories.   For example, I write humor as well as metafiction (fiction that often pokes fun of fiction itself and the act of writing it). And yes, I’ve written some mainstream or realistic fiction.   For example, The Merry-Go-Round Man is a novel that takes place in the 1950’s mostly in Ohio, and it’s based on three kids I knew. This is a coming-of-age/rite of passage story featuring violence, sexual initiation, and self-discovery. Do you believe in destiny or that anyone can ever change it or escape his fate?   One day when they are twelve, Jimmy Wiggins says that the boy who climbs first to the top of the school merry-go-round will be The Merry-Go-Round Man, or a winner for the rest of his life. So the three boys run to the merry-go-round and scramble madly over each other’s bodies to reach the top first. Who will win, and will he really be “The King of the Mountain” until he dies?

 

My thanks to Susan for hosting me, and I invite you all to write me about anything. My e-mail is jroseman@cox.net or johnr829@gmail.com, and my website is www.johnrosenman.com. You can also visit my Amazon Author Page at http://www.amazon.com/John-B.-Rosenman/e/B001KMN69E.

Check out John’s books at these links.

INSPECTOR OF THE CROSS – http://amzn.to/1xfv02X

KINGDOM OF THE JAX – http://amzn.to/1O77OsL

DEFENDER OF THE FLAME – http://amzn.to/1Cuc6G1

THE MERRY-GO-ROUND MAN – http://amzn.to/1DBdKap

THE AMAZING WORLDS OF JOHN B. ROSENMAN – http://amzn.to/18IS2DT

Thanks for coming again, John. You are welcome to come back and visit anytime!

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Dinner and a Movie Monday ~ Hunger Games

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action, adventure, Hunger Games, Jennifer Lawrence, post apocalyptic, Sausage Venison Stew, young adult

Like most post-apocalyptic stories, The Hunger Games trilogy depicts a bleak world for all but the ruling class. It takes place in the future in Panem, a nation built on the ruins of North America. The Capitol is located in the Rocky Mountains and is lavishly rich and technologically advanced in contrast to the rest of the country which supply its resources. The rest of the country consists of twelve districts existing in varying states of poverty. Every year one boy and one girl, between the ages of twelve and eighteen, are randomly chosen from the districts to participate in the “Hunger Games”. The Games are a televised event where the participants, called “tributes”, are forced to fight to the death in a dangerous public arena. The winning tribute and his/her home district is then rewarded with food, supplies, and riches for a time. The purpose of the Hunger Games is to provide entertainment for the Capitol and to serve as a reminder to the Districts of the Capitol’s power and lack of remorse.

Katniss Everdeen, a 16 year old girl from District 12 volunteers for the 74^th Hunger Games in place of her younger sister, Primrose. From the beginning Katniss questions the rules and refuses to follow then. In an act of defiance, she places flowers over the body of one of the other participants, and in order to save Peeta’s life she threatens a double suicide. Her ruse is successful, and both tributes return home victorious. Because of her actions she becomes a symbol of hope that fuels the rebellion against President Snow.

The Hunger Games can be considered violent for YA, but I enjoyed them. Jennifer Lawrence plays the part of Katniss with just the right amount of grit and determination. She’s tough and she’s a survivor, yet she allows us to see the turmoil she carries inside. She have no love for the government, but she has no desire to be a symbol for the rebels. All she wants is to be left alone, along with those she loves.

A dish made from wild game would be appropriate to go with this movie, so here is one of my old favorites. A real stick to your ribs stew that’s great on a chilly night.

Sausage-Venison Stew

1 lb. Kiolbassa sausage, sliced

1 lb venison, cut in small chunks

1 onion, sliced thin

½ pkg Italian Beans (frozen)

3 medium potatoes, peeled and cut in chunks

water

1-2 Beef Bouillon cubes

1 T oil

Salt, Pepper, garlic salt to taste

Put oil in a dutch kettle, heat sausage until fat is rendered. Add onions and venison. Cook until onions are sauteed and meat is browned on both sides. Add potatoes, green beans, bouillon cubes, potates. Add water to cover. Season to taste.

Cook on top of stop at medium heat for 30-45 minutes until meat is done and vegetables are tender. Or cook in oven on 350 for about an hour. Great with rolls, biscuits or cornbread.

An Evening at the Majestic Theatre

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"Once", Majestic Theatre, San Antonio Texas

Last year a good friend of mine took me to see “Into The Woods”, which was performed at the restored Woodlawn Theatre in San Antonio, Texas. This year I was thrilled when she invited me to a performance of “Once” held at my favorite theatre of all times, the Majestic.

Being there brought back lots of memories. I used to love going there. I spent so much time gawking at the décor it’s a wonder I paid any attention to my date or the movie that was showing. The atmosphere was and still is captivating…the decorated box seats, the stage, the mezzanine, the ladies’ lounge and especially being able to look up and see the stars.

The Majestic is one of the city’s oldest and largest theatres and was designed by architect John Eberson, for Kar Hoblitzelle’s Interstate Theatres in 1929. The Majestic was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1993 and has been home to the San Antonio Symphony for some time. It opened its doors on June 14, 1929. At the time, it was second in the nation only to Atlanta Georgia’s Fox Theatre was the first theatre in Texas to be fully air-conditioned, something that alone was a major attraction in the 1920s South. A cast-iron canopy covered the sidewalk, which opened to a cave-like single-story lobby including lanterns and ceiling murals. The auditorium featured mask-like carvings alongside the stage and under the mezzanine. In direct translation of atmospheric theater design, the Majestic’s blue ceiling “cloud scape” disguises the interior dome as an evening sky in conjunction with a cloud projector and small bulbs simulating stars. The bulbs are actually positioned according to consultations with experts at the National Geographic Society who instructed the designer as to the positioning of the real stars on the night of the theater’s opening.

During the early years of the depression the Majestic closed its doors for several weeks, until it was able to reopen “because Americans were turning to movies for escape.” It continued to provide that escape with a schedule of films and live entertainment throughout the 40s and the 50s. World premieres held there include The Texans (1938), The Lusty Men (1952), To Hell and Back (1955), Selena (1997) and The Alamo (2004).

Many thanks for another memorable evening, Beverly!

You Can Go Home Again

Tags

childhood, memories

     On a rainy weekend recently, my husband and I made a trip to the small town in south Texas where he grew up. It’s been a long time since he’s been there…things had changed so much he was afraid he wasn’t going to be able to find any of the places where he lived with his family. In fact we were on our way out of town and had decided to stop for a bite to eat at a little diner when we passed the small white frame house in the photo. When we pulled into the parking lot next door, his face lit up when he realized it was his grandparent’s place.

     The house where he lived had been torn down and the diner was built in its place, but the big old tree out front was still standing. The tree he climbed every day. Where he played in the shade on a hot summer afternoons. The one with the rope swings. For the next hour I listened to him tell stories about his childhood…his German Shepherd dog called Wolf, the snowman he built with his aunt, planting watermelon seeds all over the yard, running back and forth between houses, visiting.

     They say you can’t go home again, but that isn’t quite true. All it takes is something to trigger the memories. In spite of the cold, rainy day and all the things that had changed since he’d been visited last, it turned out to be a good day after all. I’m glad I got to share it with him.

TELL ME A SECRET BOOK REVIEW

TELL ME A SECRET – by Ann Everett

A lot of us have something in common with Maggie Fielding. It’s called insecurity. She’s smart and beautiful, but she lacks confidence in herself. Even though she knows handsome Jace Sloan isn’t her type any more than she’s his, she falls for him. And he falls for her. Hard enough to start thinking about his future. Just about the time you think Jace and Maggie will live happily ever after, there’s trouble in paradise. But Maggie has things under control. Or does she? I always enjoy Ann Everett’s sharp wit and fast-paced stories that keep you turning the page.

(BTW I LOVE this cover, don’t you?)

Travel to the Past with Cheryl Carpinello

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Cheryl Carpinello, MuseItUp Publishing, Sons of the Sphinx

Cheryl Carpinello is a fellow author from Muse Publishing. Delighted to have you here today, Cheryl. Tell us a little more about yourself.

I love the Ancient and Medieval Worlds! As a retired English teacher, I hope to inspire young readers to read more through my Quest Books. Please follow me on these adventures in the ancient and medieval worlds.

Also please visit my other sites: Carpinello’s Writing Pages where I interview childrens/MG/Tween/YA authors; and The Quest Books where I’ve teamed up with Fiona Ingram from South Africa and Wendy Leighton-Porter of Abu Dhabi to enable readers to find all of our Ancient and Medieval quest books in one place.

This is the part of the interview I enjoy the most. I try to give readers a different perspective by asking other than the normal questions.

1. What made you finally decide to get serious about writing?

It wasn’t until I retired from teaching that I actually had the time to write. Being a high school English teacher didn’t leave a lot of free time as I was forever reading, editing, and grading my students’ papers. The last year before I retired, I started my first MG Arthurian tale Guinevere: On the Eve of Legend. About three and a half years later Guinevere was published.

2. Name a book/author you can read again and again and always learn something new.

Boy, that’s a tough one. I’m notorious for re-reading lots of books. I always discover something different each time. Picking one, I would have to pick the classic A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. The complex nature of the writing is what draws me back to this story. Dickens’ use of literary conventions exceeds any other authors I’ve read. His extensive use of symbolism, foreshadowing, and political commentary add several layers of meaning to what is commonly described as a love story set in the midst of the French Revolution.

3. Where do you go for inspiration?

To the stories that take me into worlds full of wonder, magic, and adventure. I watch movies like I re-read my favorite books: over and over again. Seeds of my inspiration come from JRR Tolkien, Indiana Jones, Star Wars, Harry Potter, Joseph Campbell, and a host of others. I also listen to music in much the same way. Albums like Mumford & Sons The Road to Red Rocks, the soundtracks from The Lord of the Rings trilogy,The Hobbit trilogy, and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty are ones that I often listen to as I write.

4. Tell us about your Current WIP.

I’m working with two at the moment.

I’ve finished the first draft of Guinevere: At the Dawn of Legend—Cedwyn’s Story, the sequel to my first Arthurian tale, Guinevere: On the Eve of Legend. This story focuses on Guinevere’s young friend who longs to be a knight. In fact, in Eve of Legend, Cedwyn tells Guinevere that is the reason she must agree to marry Arthur, so he can be a knight. Now, a few years later, neither is where they thought they’d be: Guinevere is still a princess, and Cedwyn has yet to train to be a knight. However, in Cedwyn’s Story, he achieves his goal of being a knight but not in the way he thought and at great cost to Guinevere and him.

I’m in the process of finishing the first draft in my new trilogy The Feathers of the Phoenix. The first story involves the lost city of Atlantis. Finding out that their grandfather, and by extension, themselves, are actually descendants of the last surviving Atlantean, two siblings are tasked with finding and protecting one of three feathers of the last Phoenix bird. Their adventures lead them into danger and discovery.

5. What is something you’ve always wanted to do but don’t have the nerve?

Skydive! I have a fear of heights so I would never attempt this. Even if I said yes and got in the plane, you would have to literally tear my arms from my body to break my hold on the straps in the plane and pry my feet off the floor. If you managed to do that, I would still have to be thrown out of the plane. There is just no way I can jump!

6. What do you like to do when you aren’t writing?

Spending time with my husband, kids, and grandkids as well as the rest of the family. I also like to read, work in the yard, and hike. Oh yeah, I absolutely love to travel! I can catch a plane on a moment’s notice! We love to go to Mexico and Las Vegas. We just spent September 2014 driving around the UK and visiting London, Wales, and Scotland.

Blog

Author Sites:

Beyond Today Educator

The Quest Books

Facebook

GoodReads

Twitter

Amazon Author Page

 

~Excerpt~

In front of me is desert, sand, open sky, and heat for as far as I can see. Already sweat is starting to run down my face and neck. I thought gym class was bad. I’m not even moving here, and it’s as if a river is coursing through me. I sweat more standing still in this country than I ever did playing basketball.

Turning around, I stare at the sight in front of me. The Pyramids. I’ve seen millions of pictures of them, but this is different. I’m standing here on the same ground, in the presence of these mathematical wonders. Perfectly shaped pyramids, over four thousand years old in my world. In this world, well over a thousand years old. And all around is desert. I twirl around. Nothing but desert in all directions. This can’t be real.

“Tut, is that really the great pyramid of Khufu?” I ask, needing confirmation of where I am.

“I’m not sure it’s great, but yes, that is Khufu’s pyramid. And those of his son, Khafre, and his grandson, Menkaure.”

Only momentarily does Khufu’s monument dwarf the others. The sun’s glare draws my attention to Khafre’s burial pyramid revealing the one shining difference between our times. Here Khafre’s tomb is covered in polished limestone; in today’s world, only the crown remains covered. The rest has been stolen and re-used over the centuries. What I wouldn’t give to touch those building blocks. To put my hands where ancient laborers laid theirs.

“Can we go closer? Can we climb up Khufu’s?”

“Of course we cannot. That is forbidden. These are the resting homes of Pharaohs, Egypt’s gods. We do not climb, but we may go closer,” he adds. “Come, let us see the stela at the Sphinx, and then we’ll go.”

“Where is the Sphinx? I thought it was right here with the pyramids?”

“It is. Right there.” He points to a huge mound of sand.

“No way. Where is it really?”

“This is it, Roosa. We are just around the back. Come, I will show you.”

I follow him with difficulty. I don’t know how he walks in all this sand without it getting into his sandals. My feet feel like they’re standing on a million peas, you know like that story ‘The Princess and the Pea’? I stop to dump the sand out.

“Come, Roosa. You must hurry. We haven’t much time. Another day has passed.”

“I’m coming. Just emptying the desert out of my shoes.” I hustle to catch up with him and realize the peas are already back. “How do you walk in this without all the sand getting in your sandals?”

“I’ve had thousands of years to learn to walk the sands of my Egypt. You will learn.”

“Not me,” I mutter. “I’m not staying around for thousands of years. On the other hand, if we don’t hurry, I might find the desert more welcoming than my parents.”

Buy Links: Sons of the Sphinx 

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MVGC96Y/

Tattered Cover Book Store: http://www.tatteredcover.com/book/9781500554934
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/469860

Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sons-of-the-sphinx-cheryl-carpinello/1120481788?ean=2940046213232

iBookstore: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/sons-of-the-sphinx/id925912370?mt=11&uo=4

Other Books by Cheryl Carpinello 

Guinevere: On the Eve of Legend – Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0025KUJ36
Young Knights of the Round Table: The King’s Ransom – MuseItUp Publishing book page:  http://museituppublishing.com/bookstore/index.php/museityoung/action-adventure/the-king-s-ransom-detail

Tutankhamen Speaks – Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E18KH46

Thanks so much for being here today. Guys, if  you get the chance, stop by over at http://carpinelloswritingpages.blogspot.com/ where Cheryl is hosting me.

Dinner And A Movie Monday ~ Sommersby

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Dinner and Movie Monday, noble, period movie, romantic, Sommersby, Southern Fried Chicken, War Between The States

Sommersby , a 1993 film starring Richard Gere and Jodie Foster. It was adapted from the historical account of 16^th century French peasant Martin Guerre. This version takes place in the Reconstruction period following the War Between the States. It’s a period movie, with a touching love story and the chance for redemption.

Six long years after leaving his farm to fight in the war, Jack Sommersby is presumed dead. In spite of the hardships, his young widow and son are content in his absence, because he was an unpleasant and abusive husband. Even so, she reluctantly considers remarriage to her neighbor.

Imagine her surprise when Jack returns and us a changed man. He’s kind and loving to Laurel and their young son, Rob. He even reads from Homer to them, something the old Jack never would have done. When she asks him why, he claims “War changes you; makes you appreciate things.”

Laurel’s jealous suitor suspects Jack is an impostor. And he’s not the only one. Everyone says he seems like a completely different man. After taking the townspeople’s money, he sets off to buy the tobacco seed claiming that the crops will raise enough funds to rebuild the town church. All those that bought in on the deal set to work, transforming the dull and lifeless plantation into a breeding ground of promise and prosperity. Laurel gives birth to a daughter, Rachel.

Shortly after Rachel’s birth, two US Marshals come to town town to arrest Jack for murder, Once the trial begins, Laurel’s attempts to save her husband quickly focus on the question of his identity: whether this “Jack” is who he claims to be, or a lookalike who met the real Sommersby while in prison. Laurel and Jack’s lawyer agree to argue that her husband is an impostor, not the same man who left Laurel to fight in the war. This would save her husband from being hanged, but it would mean those people who believed him to be the real Somersby would lose everything. Although Laurel tries to convince the jury the man she loves is not a murderer, Jack is determined to be noble.

This was another ‘sister’ movie. I’ve never cared for Richard Gere, but I do love a well-done movie about the old south after the War Between the States, and this one did not disappoint. The scenery was rich and earthy, the colors were vibrant, the characters real and the love story between Jack and Laurel was exquisite.

Southern Fried Chicken

Nothing personifies the south better than fried chicken. To make the best batter ever for chicken or anything fried, this is my recipe.

1 c. milk

1 egg

Salt

Pepper

1-2 c flour (depending on how much chicken you’re frying.

I either pull the skin off or use skinless chicken. Salt and pepper each piece and roll in flour. Dip in a mixture of milk and beaten egg. Roll in flour again. Use a cast iron skillet on medium heat with about a ½ inch of olive oil and fry on both sides. Makes a wonderful, crunchy golden brown crust. Take care to cook thick pieces long enough or they’ll be raw on the inside.

I like to serve it with mashed potatoes and gravy, fresh green beans and homemade biscuits, dripping with butter.Add iced tea, of course, and lots of it. Makes my mouth water just to think about it.

Makes my mouth water just to think of it.