Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Serials and Scenarios ~ Frenzy~ Robert Liparulo

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Frenzy

Thomas Nelson (May 18, 2010)

by

Robert Liparulo


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Robert Liparulo is a former journalist, with over a thousand articles and multiple writing awards to his name. His first novel, Comes a Horseman, released to critical acclaim. Each of his subsequent thrillers—Germ, Deadfall, and Deadlock—secured his place as one of today’s most popular and daring thriller writers.

He is known for investing deep research and chillingly accurate predictions of near-future scenarios into his stories. In fact, his thorough, journalistic approach to research has resulted in his becoming an expert on the various topics he explores in his fiction, and he has appeared on such media outlets as CNN and ABC Radio.

Liparulo’s visual style of writing has caught the eye of Hollywood producers. Currently, three of his novels for adults are in various stages of development for the big screen: the film rights to Comes A Horseman. were purchased by the producer of Tom Clancy’s movies; and Liparulo is penning the screenplays for GERM and Deadfall for two top producers. He is also working with the director Andrew Davis (The Fugitive, Holes) on a political thriller. Novelist Michael Palmer calls Deadfall “a brilliantly crafted thriller.” March 31st marked the publication of Deadfall’s follow-up, Deadlock, which novelist Gayle Lynds calls, “best of high-octane suspense.”

Liparulo’s bestselling young adult series, Dreamhouse Kings, debuted in 2008 with House of Dark Shadows and Watcher in the Woods. Book three, Gatekeepers, released in January 2009, and number four, Timescape, in July 2009, and number five, Whirlwind in December 2009. The series has garnered praise from readers, both young and old, as well as attracting famous fans who themselves know the genre inside and out. Of the series, Goosebumps creator R.L. Stine says, “I loved wandering around in these books. With a house of so many great, haunting stories, why would you ever want to go outside?”

With the next two Dreamhouse books “in the can,” he is currently working on his next thriller, which for the first time injects supernatural elements into his brand of gun-blazing storytelling. The story is so compelling, two Hollywood studios are already in talks to acquire it—despite its publication date being more than a year away. After that comes a trilogy of novels, based on his acclaimed short story, which appeared in James Patterson’s Thriller anthology. New York Times bestselling author Steve Berry calls Liparulo’s writing “Inventive, suspenseful, and highly entertaining . . . Robert Liparulo is a storyteller, pure and simple.” He lives with his family in Colorado.

Visit Robert Liparulo's Facebook Fan page: http://www.facebook.com/LiparuloFans


ABOUT THE BOOK


Their destiny is to fix history. Their dream is to get home.



When you live in a house that's really a gateway between past and present, you have to be ready for anything. It's a painful fact the Kings have faced since moving to Pinedale eight days ago. Desperately trying to rescue their mother from an unknown time and place, brothers Xander and David have lunged headlong into the chaos of history's greatest--and most volatile--events. But their goal has continually escaped their grasp.

And worse: Finding Mom is only a small part of what they must do, thanks to the barbaric Taksidian. His ruthless quest to seize their house and its power from them has put not only the family, but all of mankind, in grave danger.

Somehow, the key to it all hinges on Uncle Jesse's words to the boys: "Fixing time is what our family was made to do." But how can they fix a world that has been turned upside down--much less ever find their way home?

At long last, the secrets of the house and the King family are revealed in the stunning conclusion to this epic series.


If you would like to read the Prologue and first Chapter of Frenzy, go HERE.
Sign up for the Frenzy Newsletter HERE.

To read reviews of Bob's other books and his Dregs interviews. Here.


My Thoughts:

With more twists and turns than the crazy Dreamhouse, Robert Liparulo whips, yanks and stretches the complex storyline to a close...well...not exactly. How about a rest? Kind of.

The six book series span a week in real time and centuries in time travel. The King family is stretched to breaking during their adventures that made me weak in the knees more than once.

Frenzy pulls loose ends tight and reveals more pieces of the Dreamhouse puzzle. Liparulo played out the tiny Christian element beautifully and the book series ended on a satisfying note. There are elements that would be a lot scary for easily disturbed kids so keep that in mind. Otherwise this series is a terrific, page-turning read.

Monday, May 24, 2010

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ Hands

















Today, while my father-in-law dozed, I noticed his hands.


Remarkably, I recognized them because my husband's are copies of the original. At first I choked up because Dad is in the hospital and he's feeling cruddy and he's in the process of... is there a pretty or gentle way to say this... dying.

But then I began to think about what his hands have accomplished in his eighty years on this planet and I wanted to weep for another reason. Like a potter working with soft, wet clay, his hands have shaped my life and the lives of so many others. We all bear unique marks from this man. Almost as if he pressed a thumbprint into us that is covered by the different glazes we wear.

Dad's hands are the hands of a hard-working man of great character. I imagine there are still a few callouses on his hands because he has never really retired from working for his family and their futures. He has been unafraid to get his hands dirty while being a picture of a faithful and loving husband, a tireless listener, and a problem solver. He is respectful but he cuts through the nonsense and gets to the point. He laughs and though rare, I've now seen him cry. Above all he points, unashamedly, to God as the ultimate need in our lives.

Though he is weakening, and I saw a slight tremor, those hands remain as a testimony of who he has been and what he has accomplished. And they are doing a new work. They are teaching us about dying with faith, with dignity and with character.

Friday, May 21, 2010

Scribbles and Scrambles - Fruitfulness by Any Other Name

















Wow.

Somehow I missed a big, big moment at Scrambled Dregs.

This is my 1,002nd post.

Hmmm. Didn't know I had reached this level of....loss for words here....verbal diarrhea is not appropriate because these words are primarily typed and I'm pretty sure that particular ailment doesn't apply to fingers.

Expressive...that's good...let me go google something, I'll be right back.....definitely not fertility or fruitfulness, don't like either of those word pictures...how about

fe·cund

[fee-kuhnd, -kuhnd, fek-uhnd, -uhnd]
–adjective
1.
producing or capable of producing offspring, fruit, vegetation, etc., in abundance; prolific; fruitful: fecund parents; fecund farmland.
2.
very productive or creative intellectually: the fecund years of the Italian Renaissance. But that's not exactly there yet. fecundity. Yes.

I had not realized that I had reached expressive fecundity in my blogging.


My sincere apologies to all who have had to slog through posts such as this where the fecundity leaves a slight odor.


Happy Friday. I am off to do mother of graduate things today and must get coffee in me.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ What a Horrible Thing to do to Dessert


If desserts spelled backwards is stressed that may explain it.
I just downed a chocolate coconut granola bar....just because it contained chocolate. Coconut would NEVER tempt me. But chocolate coated anything just might if presented at a time of stress.

I'm at one of those points. When it's slightly too early to do anything else right now, and the what-needs-to-be-done is looming on the horizon. And the window of the "right time" is narrow. But. Why is this different than any of the other regularly occurring situations that roll around? I'm not sure.

Maybe because a graduation means the start and clear finish of something, wherein visits and Christmas and Thanksgiving are more just being together. Or maybe it's because the graduation is happening during a time of tremendous change within our family. This is the last graduation of this particular generation. And it is one that is bittersweet for lots of different reasons.

If you are still with me...and you understand what I'm saying. Then bear with me as I power through this week and weeks end and do my best to embrace the sweet and shake off the bitter.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Scribbles and Scrambles ~ Scrambled Thoughts...Think of Eggs Which Takes Them to Recipes.....













Thoughts. Not eggs.

Recipe websites I'm wanting to check out.

Eat Better America. I get a newsletter but have yet to try any recipes.

The diabetic pastry chef doesn't have a lot of recipes but her "formula" is interesting and she's got a cookbook which I plan to check out. Tweaking is good, no funky aftertaste or texture funkiness is even better.

I have tried several of Sneaky Chef's recipes....and they are good stuff.

All Recipes: I have two friends who are great cooks and they get tons of recipes here. Haven't made anything but have tried a thing or two. Pretty sure none of them were even close to healthy.

Monday, May 17, 2010

Scribble and Scrambles ~ An Ode to Bloodsucking Freeloaders ` The Next in the Series of Really Bad Poems













Tick tock

You SO don't rock
You creep about
And stalk

The innocent
The unsuspecting
Those out to enjoy sunshine
Nature, a nice breeze

What makes you think
I want to share
Some plasma or white cells?

No hesitation to strike a match
Or crush your tiny head
Beneath my grocery cart wheels?

Inspired by a walk and a freeloading nest of nasty bloodsucking ticks.

Friday, May 14, 2010

Super Cinema Saturday A Little Early and a Bonus ~ Documentary Day

A few favorite foodie/green living documentary reviews...



No Impact Man

A couple of years ago I ran across a magazine blurb and photograph of a family in big city America attempting to live a carbon footprintless year. I was fascinated bu
t never bothered to check into the book that had just been released.

But when I saw the documentary I had to watch it. I love reality-TV-type journeys of self-discovery.

Colin Beavan ignited a bit of controversy during his journey and some of it came with his interaction with his wife and her agreement to join him in his experiment. I'd say the process ended up costing her a little more as she was a Starbuck's junkie and addicted to shopping. They ended up spending several months eating from various homemade coolers, feeding their garbage to a box full of worms, living by candlelight and without toilet paper.

The obst
acles faced and the information gathered by this family was fascinating. Of course there was a bent as in all documentaries. But, overall, the entertainment, educational and voyeuristic appeal was high and it was well worth the time investment. There is a bit of language so parents may want to preview it.


Super Size Me


Super Size Me inspired my family's love of quirky documentaries. (Super Size Me is also joined by the classic Best In Show Mockumentary on our list of favorites.) Thou
gh we first saw Super Size Me a few years ago it is in our DVD library and we have watched it several times. And our youngest daughter used Spurlock's findings in a recent term paper.

Though this documentary was just the beginning of our awareness of what you eat can kill you, Super Size Me made a lasting difference in our lives. Now bad choices in food are still guilt-ridden but Spurlock's experiment and the knowledge that came from it helps us to avoid mindless eating. This documentary was fascinating from a medical and psychological standpoint and entertaining, too. The extras are worth watching.


King Corn



My family loved Super Size Me. We've watched it several times and always with
horrified fascination at the downward spiral of Morgan Spurlock during his 30-day fast-food experiment.

A friend recommended King Corn and once she told me the premise I had to see it.

King Corn does with ingredients what Super Size Me did with McDonald's.

Two recent college
grads set out to discover the whats, whys and hows of high fructose corn syrup. They rent an acre of land in the heart of Iowa and grow their own corn crop.

Entertaining, shocking and horrifying details follow and the viewer gets an education that may inspire some serious rethinking of what is allowed on said viewer's table. Well worth the time investment.