tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31277256380846956652024-03-14T03:31:17.808-05:00Rachel TsoumbakosRachel Tsoumbakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08350366082746219383noreply@blogger.comBlogger68125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3127725638084695665.post-62408434683612997082012-11-26T18:54:00.003-06:002012-11-26T18:54:48.216-06:00Rachel Tsoumbakos is Moving...<span style="font-size: large;">...you can find my new blog here:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.racheltsoumbakos.wordpress.com/">www.racheltsoumbakos.wordpress.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">See you all there!</span></div>
Rachel Tsoumbakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08350366082746219383noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3127725638084695665.post-65594902458595219152012-11-17T05:52:00.000-06:002012-11-17T05:52:00.575-06:00American Horror Story Asylum Recap – Episode 5: I Am Anne Frank (Part 2)<br />
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<a data-mce-href="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/ahs-grace-4.jpg" href="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/ahs-grace-4.jpg" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;"><img alt="Lizzie Brochere (Grace) sees aliens in FX's American Horror Story Asylum" class="wp-image-369 aligncenter" data-mce-src="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/ahs-grace-4.jpg?w=1024" data-mce-style="border: 2px solid black; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px;" height="279" src="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/ahs-grace-4.jpg?w=1024" style="border: 2px solid black; clear: both; color: #444444; cursor: default; display: block; line-height: 1.5; margin: 5px auto;" title="Lizzie Brochere (Grace) sees aliens in FX's American Horror Story Asylum" width="573" /></a></h3>
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I Am Anne Frank (Part 2)</h3>
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So, where to start? In <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">episode 5</strong> of <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">FX's American Horror Story Asylum</strong>, we find out our dear <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Anne Frank (Franka Potente)</strong> is just delusional - or is she? Well, we won't find out now since she was returned to her <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">dear husband</strong>. He was concerned enough to search and locate her. He was even worried enough to divulge a whole heap of back story. Then, after only a short amount of time, he has her recommitted to <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Briarcliff!</strong></div>
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And this is really the first time we start to feel that maybe <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Sister Jude (Jessica Lange)</strong> isn't as bad as we first thought. She pleads with the husband of <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Anne/Charlotte</strong> and begs him to look after her, even offering advice as to how he should go about it. The husband can't cope and agrees to let <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Dr. Arden (James Cromwell)</strong> perform a <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">lobotomy</strong> on his wife - WHICH HE THEN PROCEEDS TO WATCH! Anne becomes Charlotte after that and it's a <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">'Leave It To Beaver'</strong> moment.</div>
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Sister Jude is convinced her job is over after not only losing patients during the storm (and let me get to <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Pepper</strong> later on), allowing Anne/Charlotte to go home after shooting Dr. Arden (who says he will press charges against Sister Jude for this) and then (as the last straw) finding out <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Lana (Sarah Paulson)</strong> is missing. She returns to her previous life as a result. <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Hello hooker!</strong></div>
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<a data-mce-href="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/ahs-lana.jpg" href="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/ahs-lana.jpg" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;"><img alt="Sarah Paulson as Lana in FX American Horror Story Asylum" class=" wp-image-364 aligncenter" data-mce-src="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/ahs-lana.jpg" data-mce-style="border: 2px solid black; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px;" height="260" src="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/ahs-lana.jpg" style="border: 2px solid black; clear: both; color: #444444; cursor: default; display: block; line-height: 1.5; margin: 5px auto;" title="Sarah Paulson as Lana in FX American Horror Story Asylum" width="486" /></a></div>
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Speaking of Lana, she has managed to escape the <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">evil clutches</strong> of Briarcliff by ending up in the evil clutches of <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Dr. Thredson (Zachary Quinto).</strong> He takes Lana back to his house and it's obvious as soon as he turns on the <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">nipple lamp</strong> and offers Lana a <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">brain mint</strong> from the <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">skull bowl</strong> that he's <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Bloody Face</strong>. Lana catches on just as quickly, Dr. Thredson is smarter than that though and Lana ends up in a <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">secret room</strong> that can only be described (to use another horror movie plot yet AGAIN) as something out of <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Saw</strong>. Just when you think it can't get any worse for Lana, she discovers Dr. Thredson has been saving up her <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">girlfriend, Wendy (Clea Duvall)</strong>. Imagine what it feels like to wake up to the <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">defrosting corpse</strong> of the person you love? Then Dr. Thredson gets all <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">super creepy</strong> and announces it's time for <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">necrophilia</strong> - all in the name of <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">aversion therapy</strong> though.<strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"> </strong>Man, is HIS back story gonna be interesting!</div>
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What about the good <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Sister Eunice-Devil (Lily Rabe)?</strong> Well, she seems to covering up for Dr. Arden and hides <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Shelley (Chloe Sevigny) the Nymphomanical-mutant-monster</strong> in the woods (or so the Doc thinks). She give <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Kit (Evan Peters)</strong> a <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">'Get Out of Jail Free'</strong> card by announcing he'll be avoiding sterilisation, but then lets <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Grace (Lizzie Brochere)</strong> know she will still be going under the knife and getting sterilised. I'm starting to think that maybe she isn't the devil any more, just a well placed <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">alien plant.</strong></div>
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Yes, you heard right. We're back to the alien story line in this episode. After her surgery, Grace is convinced that Kit's wife is still alive and we even see snippets of <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">alien probing</strong> going on. Of course this is no help to Kit who has been promised amunity from the <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">electric chair</strong> by Dr. Thredson. Well, guess who's a liar? Yep, Kit is arrested and will be tried as a <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">sane person.</strong></div>
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Now, what about Shelley, you ask? Well, (and this is why I think maybe Sister Eunice may be nicer than we first thought) Sister Eunice 'hid' Shelley in the stairwell of a school. She has been discovered, so it will be interesting to see how she helps on the outside.</div>
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And, finally, I want to know what is going on with <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Pepper (Naomi Grossman).</strong> She went missing during the storm and has been unaccounted for since. This is an intriguing little mystery that will no doubt play out later on in the season. On a side note, is it just me, or was anyone else wondering what the actor who plays Pepper looks like in real life? Well, here's one of her professional shots from <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">IMDb:</strong></div>
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<a data-mce-href="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/ahs-pepper.jpg" href="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/ahs-pepper.jpg" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;"><img alt="Naomi Grossman who plays Pepper in American Horror Story (Photo Credit: Vanie Poyey)" class="wp-image-361 aligncenter" data-mce-src="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/ahs-pepper.jpg?w=204" data-mce-style="border: 2px solid black; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px;" height="300" src="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/ahs-pepper.jpg?w=204" style="border: 2px solid black; clear: both; color: #444444; cursor: default; display: block; line-height: 1.5; margin: 5px auto;" title="Naomi Grossman who plays Pepper in American Horror Story (Photo Credit: Vanie Poyey)" width="204" /></a></div>
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Does anyone else think the show feels like it's peaked too early? We're only 5 episodes in after all.</h3>
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(Photo Credits: FX and IMDb.com/Vanie Poyey)</div>
Rachel Tsoumbakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08350366082746219383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3127725638084695665.post-38658707010233679632012-11-17T05:50:00.002-06:002012-11-17T05:50:36.165-06:00The Walking Dead Storylines - Conspiracy Theories or Plot Bunnies?<br />
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Okay, so with last week's episode and the notion a lot of <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Walking Dead</strong> fans hold that <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Carol (Melissa McBride)</strong> isn't dead, I got to thinking (thanks <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Tracy Gollins!</strong>) about all the theories and ideas I have had or heard about the show.</div>
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Let's make this fun by posting some of the more interesting <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">theories</strong> out there for <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Season 3</strong> of <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">AMC's The Walking Dead</strong>. As time passes, and theories get added, changed, proved or disproved, I'll edit and repost the list. Anyone who has an interesting idea, or who has <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">read the comic series</strong> and would like to prove or disprove theories, let me know in the comments below and I will alter concepts at will.</div>
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Carol Isn't Dead</h2>
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<img alt="Carol (Melissa McBride) in AMC's The Walking Dead" class="wp-image-327 alignleft" data-mce-src="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/wd-carol.jpg?w=300" data-mce-style="border: 2px solid black; margin: 5px;" height="120" src="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/wd-carol.jpg?w=300" style="border: 2px solid black; cursor: default; display: inline; float: left; line-height: 1.5; margin: 5px;" title="Carol (Melissa McBride) in AMC's The Walking Dead" width="162" /></div>
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<li style="line-height: 1.5;"><span data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="line-height: 1.5; text-align: center;">She's the vo</span><span data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="line-height: 1.5; text-align: center;">ice on the end of the phone</span></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5;"><span data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="line-height: 1.5; text-align: center;">She's hidd</span><span data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="line-height: 1.5; text-align: center;">e</span><span data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="line-height: 1.5; text-align: center;">n somewhere in the prison</span></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5;">She is dead and just not found yet</li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5;">She's a <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">zombie</strong></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.wetpaint.com/network/articles/major-walking-dead-season-3-spoilers-what-happens-to-carol-rick-michonne-governor-on-episode-6-hounded" href="http://www.wetpaint.com/network/articles/major-walking-dead-season-3-spoilers-what-happens-to-carol-rick-michonne-governor-on-episode-6-hounded" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;">WetPaint</a> have mentioned a spoiler that has <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Daryl (Norman Reedus)</strong> searching the prison for Carol and finds a zombie with a fresh knife wound. Assuming it's Carol, he panics because she now no longer has a weapon. He eventually finds Carol but she is near death/almost powerless</li>
</ul>
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Lori Isn't Dead</h2>
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<a data-mce-href="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/wd-meme-lori.jpg" href="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/wd-meme-lori.jpg" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;"><img alt="Lori ( Sarah Wayne Callies) on AMC's The Walking Dead" class=" wp-image-328 alignright" data-mce-src="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/wd-meme-lori.jpg?w=300" data-mce-style="border: 2px solid black; margin: 5px;" height="126" src="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/wd-meme-lori.jpg?w=300" style="border: 2px solid black; color: #444444; cursor: default; display: inline; float: right; line-height: 1.5; margin: 5px;" title="Lori ( Sarah Wayne Callies) on AMC's The Walking Dead" width="165" /></a></h3>
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<li style="line-height: 1.5;">She didn't get eaten by the zombie (after all, didn't the blood trail lead AWAY from the zombie?)</li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5;">She is a zombie (Really, did we SEE <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Carl (Chandler Riggs)</strong> shoot his mum? Or did he shoot while not looking and didn't check for the head shot before leaving)</li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5;">Carol found <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Lori (Sarah Wayne Callies)</strong> and patched her up before she died (hence the reason for her operating practise on zombies AND the blood trail)</li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5;">Did <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Rick (Andrew Lincoln)</strong> pick up a tooth? Didn't <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Michonne (Danai Guriri)</strong> say by removing the teeth, zombies become more docile? Just putting it out there...</li>
</ul>
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The Governor</h2>
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<a data-mce-href="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/wd-governor.jpg" href="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/wd-governor.jpg" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;"><img alt="The Governor (David Morrissey) in AMC's The Walking Dead" class="wp-image-329 alignright" data-mce-src="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/wd-governor.jpg?w=300" data-mce-style="border: 2px solid black; margin: 5px;" height="111" src="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/wd-governor.jpg?w=300" style="border: 2px solid black; color: #444444; cursor: default; display: inline; float: right; line-height: 1.5; margin: 5px;" title="The Governor (David Morrissey) in AMC's The Walking Dead" width="136" /></a></h3>
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<li style="line-height: 1.5;">This guy is a fruit loop - anything is possible! So hit me up with your ideas everyone :-D</li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5;">He's keeping more than his <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">zombie daughter</strong>, his wife is floating around too</li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5;">Each of those zombie-head fishes belong to someone he knows (or personal conquests of his)</li>
</ul>
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The Person/People Watching the Prison</h2>
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<a data-mce-href="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/wd-prison.jpg" href="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/wd-prison.jpg" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;"><img alt="The Prison in AMC's The Walking Dead" class=" wp-image-330 alignright" data-mce-src="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/wd-prison.jpg?w=297" data-mce-style="border: 2px solid black; margin: 5px;" height="146" src="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/wd-prison.jpg?w=297" style="border: 2px solid black; color: #444444; cursor: default; display: inline; float: right; line-height: 1.5; margin: 5px;" title="The Prison in AMC's The Walking Dead" width="144" /></a></h3>
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<li style="line-height: 1.5;">The <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Governor's (David Morrissey)</strong> crew</li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5;"><strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Andrew (Markice Moore)</strong> (the inmate Rick locked out with the zombies). He found a weak point in the wire and escaped. Since then he kept watching the prison, looking for a way to get back in and stir up trouble.</li>
</ul>
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Who's on the Phone?</h2>
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<a data-mce-href="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/wd-gif.gif" href="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/wd-gif.gif" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;"><img alt="Rick (Andrew Lincoln) Answers the Phone in AMC's The Walking Dead" class="wp-image-331 alignleft" data-mce-src="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/wd-gif.gif" height="122" src="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/wd-gif.gif" style="border: 0px; color: #444444; cursor: default; display: inline; float: left; line-height: 1.5; margin: 4px 24px 12px 0px;" title="Rick (Andrew Lincoln) Answers the Phone in AMC's The Walking Dead" width="198" /></a></h3>
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<li style="line-height: 1.5;">Carol - she's stuck in another part of the prison, trapped in by zombies and she's that desperate she tried calling out</li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5;">Lori - Rick is crazy</li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5;"><strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Amy (Emma Bell)</strong> and/or <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Jim (Andrew Rothenberg)</strong> - there is a theory that Rick gets 3 calls, the first from Amy (<strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Andrea's (Laurie Holden)</strong> deceased sister), the second from Jim (who died in <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Season 1</strong>) and the final call from Lori - once again, Rick is koo-koo-la-la (Source: <a data-mce-href="http://www.wetpaint.com/network/articles/major-walking-dead-season-3-spoilers-what-happens-to-carol-rick-michonne-governor-on-episode-6-hounded" href="http://www.wetpaint.com/network/articles/major-walking-dead-season-3-spoilers-what-happens-to-carol-rick-michonne-governor-on-episode-6-hounded" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;">Wetpaint</a>)</li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5;">The Governor is messing with Rick's head</li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5;"><strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Morgan (Lennie James)</strong> - remember walkie-talkie guy? That's Morgan. maybe Rick is still trying to contact him and has mentioned the name of the prison.</li>
</ul>
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Zombie Fight Club</h2>
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<a data-mce-href="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/wd-merle.png" href="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/wd-merle.png" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;"><img alt="Merle (Michael Rooker) in AMC's The Walking Dead" class=" wp-image-332 alignright" data-mce-src="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/wd-merle.png?w=300" data-mce-style="border: 2px solid black; margin: 5px;" height="118" src="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/wd-merle.png?w=300" style="border: 2px solid black; color: #444444; cursor: default; display: inline; float: right; line-height: 1.5; margin: 5px;" title="Merle (Michael Rooker) in AMC's The Walking Dead" width="180" /></a></h3>
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<li style="line-height: 1.5;">This is apparently a crucial plot bunny according to <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Michael Rooker (Merle).</strong> Once again, this source is credited to <a data-mce-href="http://www.wetpaint.com/network/articles/major-walking-dead-season-3-spoilers-what-happens-to-carol-rick-michonne-governor-on-episode-6-hounded" href="http://www.wetpaint.com/network/articles/major-walking-dead-season-3-spoilers-what-happens-to-carol-rick-michonne-governor-on-episode-6-hounded" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;">WetPaint</a>. Can't work out WHY it would be a big plot point though - any ideas?</li>
</ul>
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Please let me know if you would like to add to the list!</h3>
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Source: WetPaint.com - <a data-mce-href="http://www.wetpaint.com/network/articles/major-walking-dead-season-3-spoilers-what-happens-to-carol-rick-michonne-governor-on-episode-6-hounded" href="http://www.wetpaint.com/network/articles/major-walking-dead-season-3-spoilers-what-happens-to-carol-rick-michonne-governor-on-episode-6-hounded" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;">Major Walking Dead Season 3 Spoilers: What Happens to Carol, Rick, Michonne, Governor on Episode 6, "Hounded"?</a></div>
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(Photo Credits: AMC)</div>
Rachel Tsoumbakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08350366082746219383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3127725638084695665.post-22598988686306986272012-11-17T05:49:00.000-06:002012-11-17T05:49:08.463-06:00NaNoWriMo: How Indiana Lost her Mind (and so did her Author)<br />
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<a data-mce-href="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/nanowrimo_2_w.jpg" href="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/nanowrimo_2_w.jpg" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;"><img alt="NaNoWriMo 2012" class="size-medium wp-image-322 aligncenter" data-mce-src="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/nanowrimo_2_w.jpg?w=300" data-mce-style="border: 2px solid black; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px;" height="187" src="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/nanowrimo_2_w.jpg?w=300" style="border: 2px solid black; clear: both; color: #444444; cursor: default; display: block; height: auto; line-height: 1.5; margin: 5px auto; max-width: 100%;" title="NaNoWriMo 2012" width="300" /></a></div>
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So it's been <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">15 days</strong> of <a data-mce-href="http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/participants/barefootgardener/" href="http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/participants/barefootgardener/" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;">NaNoWriMo</a> <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">(National Novel Writing Month)</strong> already! Can you believe it?! I hit the <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">50K</strong> mark pretty early on in the piece. My cat helped me celebrate the last 2K by typing the odd word (ie. walking CONSTANTLY across the keyboard) and massaging my legs as I worked (try explaining those pinholes when you wear shorts to pick your kids up from school :-/).</div>
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Now I have discovered the hard part. <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">'How Indiana lost Her Mind (But Found Herself)'</strong> ORIGINALLY told the story of how Indiana met a <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">vampire</strong> and got her memory back. Before I even started writing this book the first time around, I had a slightly different plan for the novel, one which involved <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">wood nymphs</strong> rather than <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">genies</strong> (oh yeah, the 'baddie' turned out to be one bad-arsed genie that just didn't want to go back into her bottle). With this years rewrite, I am going back to my original plan. I was never really happy with the vampire aspect of the novel (although, the vampire characters will be staying, just in a more subdued way) and thanks to NaNoWriMo, am now discovering just how hard it is to rewrite a novel.</div>
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<a data-mce-href="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/nymphs-finding-the-head-of-orpheus-by-john-william-waterhouse-1900.jpg" href="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/nymphs-finding-the-head-of-orpheus-by-john-william-waterhouse-1900.jpg" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;"><img alt="Nymphs Finding the Head of Orpheus, by John William Waterhouse (1900)" class="size-medium wp-image-323 aligncenter" data-mce-src="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/nymphs-finding-the-head-of-orpheus-by-john-william-waterhouse-1900.jpg?w=198" data-mce-style="border: 2px solid black; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px;" height="300" src="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/nymphs-finding-the-head-of-orpheus-by-john-william-waterhouse-1900.jpg?w=198" style="border: 2px solid black; clear: both; color: #444444; cursor: default; display: block; height: auto; line-height: 1.5; margin: 5px auto; max-width: 100%;" title="Nymphs Finding the Head of Orpheus, by John William Waterhouse (1900)" width="198" /></a></div>
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In the last three days, according to the NaNoWriMo website, I have written around 1,000 words. Previous to that (ie. the part of the book that is remaining basically the same except the change from 1st person to 3rd person perspective) I was averaging 4,000 a day. So what happened?</div>
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Well, for starters, I added a <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">love triangle</strong>. This means I have had to rip the guts out of various sections, losing thousands of words at a time. Then these sections were written again. My baddie has become a man, rather than a woman, so I have also been carefully reading over sections to delete all the 'S's' from 'She' and changing 'hers' to 'his'. Those 1,000 words have actually been about 5,000 lost and 6,000 rewritten!</div>
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Also, I have hit that stage of the game where <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">research</strong> is involved. In the last 48 hours I have had a crash course in <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">nymphs, dryads, satyrs</strong> and the <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Sagittarius constellation</strong>.</div>
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Now, I just need to collate the lot and get this story FINISHED by the 30th of November!</div>
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So, how's everyone else going with <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">NaNoWriMo?</strong></div>
Rachel Tsoumbakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08350366082746219383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3127725638084695665.post-46509498816671756212012-11-17T05:46:00.001-06:002012-11-17T05:46:47.991-06:00Do You Want 20% Off Your Next Book Purchase?<br />
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<a data-mce-href="http://www.lulu.com/au" href="http://www.lulu.com/au" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;"><img alt="Lulu.com 20% off sale. Valid until 11.59pm on the 16th November 2012" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-299" data-mce-src="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/lulu-20-percent-off-until-161112.jpg?w=300" data-mce-style="border: 0;" height="166" src="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/lulu-20-percent-off-until-161112.jpg?w=300" style="border: 0px; clear: both; color: #444444; cursor: default; display: block; height: auto; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px auto 12px; max-width: 100%;" title="Lulu.com 20% off sale. Valid until 11.59pm on the 16th November 2012" width="300" /></a></div>
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Well then just head on over to Lulu.com and use the code: SERENTIS</div>
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This code will entitle the user to 20% off ALL books purchased through Lulu.com until 11.59pm on 16th November</div>
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So why not check out my books as well as surf their catalogue for some other fabulous purchases!</div>
Rachel Tsoumbakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08350366082746219383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3127725638084695665.post-89680599293494836652012-11-14T17:52:00.002-06:002012-11-14T17:54:55.039-06:00Rachel Tsoumbakos is Moving.......from Blogger to WordPress.<br />
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I will still be updating blog entries here for a short time, but please find my new home in the Blogisphere here:<br />
<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.racheltsoumbakos.wordpress.com/">www.racheltsoumbakos.wordpress.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
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Can't <span style="font-size: large;">wait</span> to see you there!</div>
Rachel Tsoumbakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08350366082746219383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3127725638084695665.post-52197293804326515432012-11-12T18:49:00.000-06:002012-11-12T18:49:04.994-06:00American Horror Story Asylum Season 2 Recap - Episode 3: I Am Anne Frank (Part 1)<br />
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<a data-mce-href="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/ahs-anne-frank.jpg" href="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/ahs-anne-frank.jpg" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;"><img alt="Lana (Sarah Paulson) talks to Anne Frank (Franka Potente) in FX's American Horror Story Asylum" class="size-medium wp-image-251 aligncenter" data-mce-src="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/ahs-anne-frank.jpg?w=300" data-mce-style="border: 2px solid black; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px;" height="223" src="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/ahs-anne-frank.jpg?w=300" style="border: 2px solid black; clear: both; color: #444444; cursor: default; display: block; height: auto; line-height: 1.5; margin: 5px auto; max-width: 100%;" title="Lana (Sarah Paulson) talks to Anne Frank (Franka Potente) in FX 's American Horror Story Asylum" width="300" /></a></div>
<h3 data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="color: black; font-size: 1.4em; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 20px;">
Episode 4: I am Anne Frank (Part 1)</h3>
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So, who thinks maybe <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Anne Frank (played by Franka Potente)</strong> being alive and 'well' in <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Episode 4</strong> of <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">FX American Horror Story Asylum</strong> just a little more than they can bite off and chew? Me too. Although, the paranoia it brings to the whole cast when she accuses <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Dr. Arden (James Cromwell)</strong> of being a <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Nazi war criminal</strong> almost makes it worth it. <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Sister Jude (Jessica Lange)</strong> is, naturally, eager to usurp the lofty position Dr. Arden holds by bringing these suspicions to the <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Monsignor's (Joseph Fiennes)</strong> attention (and who missed the opportunity last week for Sister Jude to don<strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"> 'Ravish Me Red'</strong> for the Monsignor's benefit, hey FX?) Of course, he's onto her motive and is quick to point this out. Once Sister Jude leaves, however, we discover that maybe the Monsignor is not a godly man as he rings Dr. Arden and warns him to tie up any loose ends. All I can say is; Poor <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Shelly (Chloe Sevigny)</strong>. Speaking of the<strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"> nymphomaniac</strong>, the three escapee/returnees from last week are under the assumption (thanks to Sister Jude's announcement) that Shelly really did escape from <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Briarcliff</strong>. The poor little dears are so excited to hear this.</div>
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We also learn <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Grace's (Lizzie Brochere)</strong> story this week. Or so we think. She tells a tale of mistaken identity and as a result, <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Kit (Evan Peters)</strong> and her get hot and heavy in the kitchen -<strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">SMOKING!</strong> Or it is until they get busted and wind up in Sister Jude's office. Uh-oh, can anyone say<strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"> 'fifty shades'</strong> quicker than <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Sister Eunice (Lily Rabe)</strong> can pull a cane out of the cupboard? Looks like it's sterilisation for the pair of them until Sister Jude is interrupted by the two detectives that are hot on Dr. Arden's heels about the 'rough up' he gave the <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">good-nun-hooker</strong>. While Kit and Grace count their blessings, Sister Eunice messes with Kit's head. Later on, he asks Grace about her back story and we discover another version of it, a not so 'poor me, I'm innocent' tale. Kit still thinks she's hot none the less.</div>
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<strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Lana (Sarah Paulson)</strong> and <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Dr. Thredson (Zachary Quinto)</strong> are developing a 'friendship'. Either the good doctor wants Lana to expose the goings on at Briarcliff or he is falling for the <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">lesbian journalist</strong> but it's not clear which yet. Although, after Lana undergoes <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">aversion therapy</strong> (possibly the most humiliating television viewing I have ever seen) to 'cure' her homosexual tendencies, the audience is just left thinking that maybe Dr. Thredson is a <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">perverted voyeur</strong>.</div>
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Dr. Thredson is also hard at work with Kit. He doesn't want Kit go to the <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">electric chair,</strong> but to pronounce the man as<strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"> insane</strong> will leave him locked up in the care of Sister Jude for the rest of his natural life. Hello Rock, meet Hard Place.</div>
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Getting back to Anne Frank and Dr. Arden, we finish this episode with Anne making a <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">five finger discount</strong> purchase off the two detectives as they leave Briarcliff. She then confronts Dr. Arden about his past. It get ugly. Anne pulls the detective's gun on Dr. Arden and shoots him in the leg. She threatens to shoot him again unless he hands over the keys. The bad doctor does this and Anne opens a door. We are confronted with this:</div>
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<a data-mce-href="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/ahs-asylum7.jpg" href="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/ahs-asylum7.jpg" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;"><img alt="Chloe Sevigny stars as Shelly the nymphomaniac in FX's American Horror Story Asylum" class="size-medium wp-image-255 aligncenter" data-mce-src="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/ahs-asylum7.jpg?w=300" data-mce-style="border: 2px solid black; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px;" height="186" src="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/ahs-asylum7.jpg?w=300" style="border: 2px solid black; clear: both; color: #444444; cursor: default; display: block; height: auto; line-height: 1.5; margin: 5px auto; max-width: 100%;" title="Chloe Sevigny stars as Shelly the nymphomaniac in FX's American Horror Story Asylum" width="300" /></a></div>
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Is anyone getting the feeling <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Bloody Face</strong> is actually based on one of those 'based on a real story' horror movie characters? Let me know what you think in the comments below.</div>
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And while you wait for next week's episode, why not check out <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">The Ring of Lost Souls</strong> on <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00879OR6O" href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00879OR6O" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Amazon</a> </strong>or <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-ring-of-lost-souls/id551780796?mt=11" href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-ring-of-lost-souls/id551780796?mt=11" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">iTunes</a>?</strong></div>
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(Photo Credits: FX)</div>
<br />Rachel Tsoumbakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08350366082746219383noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3127725638084695665.post-74021780052571151902012-11-12T18:48:00.000-06:002012-11-12T19:20:29.733-06:00The Walking Dead Season 3 Recap - Episode 5: Say The Word<br />
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<a data-mce-href="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/walking-dead-daryl-is-your-daddy-590x391.jpg" href="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/walking-dead-daryl-is-your-daddy-590x391.jpg" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;"><img alt="Norman Reedus stars as Daryl Dixon in AMC's The Walking Dead" class="size-medium wp-image-273 aligncenter" data-mce-src="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/walking-dead-daryl-is-your-daddy-590x391.jpg?w=300" data-mce-style="border: 2px solid black; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px;" height="198" src="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/walking-dead-daryl-is-your-daddy-590x391.jpg?w=300" style="border: 2px solid black; clear: both; color: #444444; cursor: default; display: block; height: auto; line-height: 1.5; margin: 5px auto; max-width: 100%;" title="Norman Reedus stars as Daryl Dixon in AMC's The Walking Dead" width="300" /></a></div>
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Say The Word</h3>
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Oh, looky, the <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Governor (David Morrissey)</strong> has a secret! Turns out he is keeping his <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">undead daughter</strong> a secret from the rest of the compound. No wonder he has a research team and he wants <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Michonne (Danai Gurira)</strong> on it.</div>
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What a way to kick start <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Episode 5</strong> of <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">AMC's The Walking Dead!</strong></div>
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<strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Daryl (Norman Reedus)</strong> and <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Maggie (Lauren Cohan)</strong> go on an expedition to find baby formula to feed the newest <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Grimes</strong> (which turns out to be a little girl). They find a daycare centre - and dinner! Thankfully there are no more <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">undead children</strong> for this episode though.</div>
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<strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Rick (Andrew Lincoln)</strong>, meanwhile, is loosing his marbles: big time! He winds up skulking around in the bowels of the prison looking suspiciously like<strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"> Gollum</strong> from <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">The Lord of the Rings</strong> looking for his <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">precious</strong>. Unfortunately he finds it (her) in the <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">belly of a zombie</strong>. Once again, who knew zombies ate ALL their food and not just the brains?!</div>
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The Governor decides to throw a party. It's a shame <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Milton (Dallas Roberts)</strong> is more interested in his experiments and not merry-making, but once again, the Governor works his people skills (read: bullies) and Milton relents. This party also gives Michonne the ideal excuse to <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">snoop</strong>. She manages to regain her sword and find a <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">secret diary</strong> before she's interrupted Luckily she has a window to escape via and that's when she comes across a <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">cage full of zombies</strong>. It takes barely three shakes of her sword to dispatch them. Of course she gets busted and has the Governor to answer to.</div>
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Not only does she pull her sword on the Governor, she then tries to woo <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Andrea (Laurie Holden)</strong> away from <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Woodbury</strong>. Andrea is nearly swayed too, when <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Merle (Michael Rooker)</strong> makes it difficult for them to leave. Eventually he opens the gates and Andrea decides she prefers it on the (apparently safe) inside and Michonne leaves her behind.</div>
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<a data-mce-href="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/the-walking-dead-season-3-episode-5-say-the-word-500x351.jpg" href="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/the-walking-dead-season-3-episode-5-say-the-word-500x351.jpg" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;"><img alt="Andrea (Laurie Holden) and the Governor (David Morrissey) party hard in AMC's The Walking Dead" class="size-medium wp-image-276 aligncenter" data-mce-src="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/the-walking-dead-season-3-episode-5-say-the-word-500x351.jpg?w=300" data-mce-style="border: 2px solid black; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px;" height="210" src="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/the-walking-dead-season-3-episode-5-say-the-word-500x351.jpg?w=300" style="border: 2px solid black; clear: both; color: #444444; cursor: default; display: block; height: auto; line-height: 1.5; margin: 5px auto; max-width: 100%;" title="Andrea (Laurie Holden) and the Governor (David Morrissey) party hard in AMC's The Walking Dead" width="300" /></a></div>
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Now, speaking of the Governor, I have been trying to work out who he reminds me of. Well, last night, I FINALLY worked it out! It turns out the good (?) Governor bears a remarkable resemblance to a character in my book <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004PGNBCO" href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004PGNBCO" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank"><strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Emeline and the Mutants</strong></a> called <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Milosh</strong>. A character who holds together the 'perfect' community of <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Daisy Hill</strong>. Milosh seems too good to be true - and there's a reason for that. Unfortunately, the main character, <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Emeline Hart</strong> only discovers this AFTER she has sex with him. And based on what happens in my book, I am REALLY starting to get scared for Andrea now :-/</div>
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Anyway, back to this <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">grand party</strong> the Governor is holding. It turns out the good people of Woodbury love to let their hair down - even if this entails <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">street fighting</strong> bouts while the 'athletes' are surrounded by <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">chained zombies</strong>. Is this the <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">doomsday</strong> equivalent of a dog or cock fight? It's sickening to watch, more so for the crowd reaction than for anything else. It's at this point that Andrea realises she should have followed Michonne.</div>
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<strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Daryl (Norman Reedus)</strong> turns out to be the <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">baby whisperer</strong> - then goes ahead and calls the <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Grimes</strong> baby <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">'arse kicker'</strong> instead of the names <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Carl (Chandler Riggs)</strong> suggests. (Yeah we all KNEW he wanted his little sister named after his mum!)</div>
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So, how's poor <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Rick/Gollum</strong> coping? Well, we end <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Episode 5</strong> with this:</div>
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<img alt="" data-mce-src="http://c.gigcount.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEzNTI3NjYzODgyMjQmcHQ9MTM1Mjc2NjQxODIxNCZwPTU3OTAzMiZkPWdpY2tyLmNvbSZnPTEmbz*2NGQ2YTlkMzc1/Yzc*MjYwOTI2NWZlM2VmNDA1NjE5MSZvZj*w.gif" data-mce-style="visibility: hidden; width: 0; height: 0;" height="0" src="http://c.gigcount.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEzNTI3NjYzODgyMjQmcHQ9MTM1Mjc2NjQxODIxNCZwPTU3OTAzMiZkPWdpY2tyLmNvbSZnPTEmbz*2NGQ2YTlkMzc1/Yzc*MjYwOTI2NWZlM2VmNDA1NjE5MSZvZj*w.gif" style="border: 0px; cursor: default; height: 0px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; visibility: hidden; width: 0px;" width="0" /><a data-mce-href="http://gickr.com" href="http://gickr.com/" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank" title="gif creator"><img alt="Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) answers the phone in AMC's The Walking Dead" class="aligncenter" data-mce-src="http://gickr.com/results3/anim_0998fd3b-85ad-54e4-01c0-ca7b8ae8ece6.gif" data-mce-style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; border: 2px solid black;" height="185" src="http://gickr.com/results3/anim_0998fd3b-85ad-54e4-01c0-ca7b8ae8ece6.gif" style="border: 2px solid black; clear: both; color: #444444; cursor: default; display: block; line-height: 1.5; margin: 5px auto;" title="Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) answers the phone in AMC's The Walking Dead" width="300" /></a><br />
<a data-mce-href="http://gickr.com" href="http://gickr.com/" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">gif maker</a></div>
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What's your theory on who's on the other end of the line? Personally, I think it's <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Carol</strong>...</div>
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(Photo Credits: AMC)</div>
Rachel Tsoumbakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08350366082746219383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3127725638084695665.post-65724418187205563912012-11-09T19:06:00.000-06:002012-11-09T19:06:00.488-06:00The Walking Dead Season 3 Recap - Episode 4: Killer Within<br />
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<a data-mce-href="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/walking-dead-maggie.jpg" href="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/walking-dead-maggie.jpg" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;"><img alt="Lauren Cohan as Maggie Greene in AMD's The Walking Dead" class="size-medium wp-image-206 aligncenter" data-mce-src="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/walking-dead-maggie.jpg?w=300" data-mce-style="border: 2px solid black; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px;" height="199" src="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/walking-dead-maggie.jpg?w=300" style="border: 2px solid black; clear: both; color: #444444; cursor: default; display: block; height: auto; line-height: 1.5; margin: 5px auto; max-width: 100%;" title="Lauren Cohan as Maggie Greene in AMD's The Walking Dead" width="300" /></a></div>
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Episode 4: Killer Within</h3>
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Now, I know the image above contains the words<strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"> 'No Profanity'</strong>, but this ain't going to be the case for this recap. No, sir-ee! If your sensitive ears can't handle the <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">F-bomb</strong>, please walk away now, otherwise <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Maggie</strong> really <em style="border: none; color: inherit; line-height: 1.5;">will</em> have to shoot you.</div>
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So, we open this weeks episode with someone <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">baiting zombies</strong>. Now it's interesting to note here that the zombies were quite happy to eat deer guts - WTF?! Aren't they only supposed to eat BRAINS?! But, anyway, some mysterious person is seriously messing with the <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Ricktatorship</strong> gang by doing this as we find out a little later on when masses of zombies appear <em style="border: none; color: inherit; line-height: 1.5;">everywhere <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"></strong></em>- it seems the baiter is also opening up all the gates in the prison too!</div>
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The last two <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">inmate</strong>s are starting to get <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">cabin fever</strong> and try damn hard to wheedle their way into the <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">cool gang</strong>. Using 'chief' and 'bro' in every sentence apparently isn't the way to go about it - who would think that wouldn't work?</div>
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While last week was all about the <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Governor's (David Morrissey)</strong> group, this week is split between the two compounds and we find <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Andrea (Laurie Holden)</strong> having second thoughts about leaving his little <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">'uptopia'</strong>. <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Michonne (Danai Girira)</strong> is all pissy about this, but then again what else do you expect from <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Michohh-my-god-can't-that-woman-ever-smile?</strong></div>
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Andrea is also very helpful to <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Merle Dixon (Michael Rooker)</strong> by giving him a map with the <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">location</strong> of <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Hershel's (Scott Wilson) farm</strong>. Who thinks this will end badly? It seems the Governor is not happy about this and doesn't allow Merle to go looking for his brother, <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Daryl (Norman Reedus)</strong>. Although, let me say, the Governor is a fine shot with a golf cub and a walker... He seems mighty happy with Andrea though - can any one say '<strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">fifty shades</strong> of creepy relationship' here?</div>
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So the baited zombies appear (Who let the walkers in? Who? Who? - Go on, I <em style="border: none; color: inherit; line-height: 1.5;">know</em> you're singing it...) and it all goes to hell in a hand basket pretty quickly after that. Pregnant <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Lori (Sarah Wayne Callies)</strong> puts up a real good fight, but goes into <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">labour</strong> in the process. With only her son <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Carl (Chandler Riggs)</strong> and <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Glenn's (Steven Yuen)</strong> girlfriend <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Maggie (Lauren Cohan)</strong> for support, the odds don't look good.</div>
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<a data-mce-href="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/walking-dead-tdog-590x393.jpg" href="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/walking-dead-tdog-590x393.jpg" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;"><img alt="IronE Singleton plays Theodore 'T-Dog' Douglas in AMD's The Walking Dead" class="size-medium wp-image-207 aligncenter" data-mce-src="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/walking-dead-tdog-590x393.jpg?w=300" data-mce-style="border: 2px solid black; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px;" height="199" src="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/walking-dead-tdog-590x393.jpg?w=300" style="border: 2px solid black; clear: both; color: #444444; cursor: default; display: block; height: auto; line-height: 1.5; margin: 5px auto; max-width: 100%;" title="IronE Singleton plays Theodore 'T-Dog' Douglas in AMD's The Walking Dead" width="300" /></a></div>
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While Lori struggles with keeping quiet during her contractions, we have come across another shock - <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">T-Dog (IronE Singleton)</strong> gets <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">bitten</strong> by a zombie. It doesn't look good either, since it's a shoulder bite, but he soldiers on with <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Carol (Melissa McBride)</strong> in tow as they try to find a safe haven. Unfortunately for T-Dog there is no safe haven, but at least he saves Carol by being a human <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">snack-o</strong> when they are overrun by zombies. While it appears Carol escapes, later on, when T-Dog's body is found, they also find Carol's head scarf.</div>
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During the <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">zombie kerfuffle,</strong> sirens start going off. It's another WTF moment. Is it the same person who baited the zombies? <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Rick (Andrew Lincoln)</strong> heads out to find the generator room inside the prison and is confronted by another human. This guy attacks Rick and the others, but thanks to one of the inmates, he is killed and Rick now knows his crew will grow by at least one more.</div>
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<a data-mce-href="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/walking-dead-lori.jpg" href="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/walking-dead-lori.jpg" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;"><img alt="Sarah Wayne Callies stars as Lori Grimes in AMD's The Walking Dead" class="size-full wp-image-208 aligncenter" data-mce-src="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/walking-dead-lori.jpg" data-mce-style="border: 2px solid black; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px;" height="240" src="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/walking-dead-lori.jpg" style="border: 2px solid black; clear: both; color: #444444; cursor: default; display: block; height: auto; line-height: 1.5; margin: 5px auto; max-width: 100%;" title="Sarah Wayne Callies stars as Lori Grimes in AMD's The Walking Dead" width="360" /></a></div>
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Okay, now we come to the pure guts of this episode - <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Lori giving birth</strong>. Now, what pissed me off the most about this scene was not the fact that Lori dies (yeah, sorry, <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">SPOILER ALERT</strong>) or the fact that her own son Carl has to<strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"> shoot his mum IN THE HEAD</strong> after she dies. It's not even the fact that Maggie has to slice the poor woman open without pain killers to get the baby out. What messes with my head the most is when Lori pulls up her top so that Maggie can perform a C-Section <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">AND REVEALS AN OLD C-SECTION SCAR! What the FUCKING fuck?!</strong> Right from the start Lori knew she should have gotten rid of that baby. But, no, selfishly she chooses to leave behind an husband and a son in a world that has already claimed so many.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And then we have to deal with this scene:</span></div>
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<a data-mce-href="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/the-walking-dead-rick.jpg" href="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/the-walking-dead-rick.jpg" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;"><img alt="Andrew Lincoln stars as Rick Grimes in AMD's The Walking Dead" class="size-medium wp-image-209 aligncenter" data-mce-src="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/the-walking-dead-rick.jpg?w=300" data-mce-style="border: 2px solid black; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px;" height="182" src="http://racheltsoumbakos.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/the-walking-dead-rick.jpg?w=300" style="border: 2px solid black; clear: both; color: #444444; cursor: default; display: block; height: auto; line-height: 1.5; margin: 5px auto; max-width: 100%;" title="Andrew Lincoln stars as Rick Grimes in AMD's The Walking Dead" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Who else cried hardcore at the end of this episode?</span></div>
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(Photo Credits: AMD)</div>
Rachel Tsoumbakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08350366082746219383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3127725638084695665.post-50059560484200606952012-11-06T22:30:00.000-06:002012-11-06T19:08:08.441-06:00American Horror Story Asylum Season 2 Recap - Episode 3: Nor'easter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Episode 3: Nor'easter</h2>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">Thank you, thank you , thank you </span><b style="text-align: justify;">FX</b><span style="text-align: justify;"> for making this episode </span><span style="text-align: justify;">of</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><b style="text-align: justify;">American Horror Story Asylum</b><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><b style="text-align: justify;">SO</b><span style="text-align: justify;"> much better than the last! This week is like holding a torch up under your chin and telling </span><b style="text-align: justify;">ghosts stories</b><span style="text-align: justify;"> around a camp fire until someone pees themselves with fright.</span></div>
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<b>Episode 3</b> (entitled <b>'Nor-easter'</b>) opens with the classic ghost tale (set in the present day abandoned <b>Briarcliff</b> and the two horny but unfortunate honeymooners) of the killer who turns out to be a <b>copycat</b> and then gets killed by the real deal! Needless to say, poor <b>Leo (Adam Levine)</b> and <b>Teresa (Jenna Dewan Tatum)</b> are deader than dead. Sadly, this is the only time we find the cool time change stuff occurring, although there was PLENTY of opportunity for it!</div>
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So <b>Sister Mary Eunice (Lily Rabe)</b> is possessed by the <b>devil</b>, and my what a wonderful job she does of playing the role. Not only is she <b>deliciously creepy</b>, but she is messing with <b>Sister Jude's (Jessica Lange)</b> head. It seems the devil knows all about Jude's hit and run fifteen years earlier (another great ghost story to tell by the fire) and is hell bent on reminding her of this fact. Sister Jude, as a result seems to be 'coming apart at the seams' (as the horrible <b>Dr. Arden (James Cromwell)</b> so eloquently puts it).</div>
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She is not the only one loosing it though. Dr. Arden himself gets seduced by <b>Sister Devil Eunice</b> and flips out; one statue gets tarted up with lipstick and smashed as a result. In his more lucid moments though, the good doctor pokes and prods <b>Kit (Evan Peters)</b> in an attempt to introduce <b>conspiracy theories</b> into <b>American Horror Story Asylum</b> - you can't have a <b>nut house</b> without at least a few of these!</div>
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Speaking of Kit, he is still attempting to escape with <b>Grace (Lizzie Brochere)</b>. When a movie night is planned during the <b>freakish storm</b> that is ominously working it's way through this episode, they realise it is the perfect time to try again. <b>Shelly the nymphomaniac (Chloe Sevigny)</b> wants in and eventually convinces them to let her come with them. Even <b>Lana (Sarah Paulson)</b> gets a second chance once she has words with <b>Dr. Thredson (Zachary Quinto)</b> and realises that her girlfriend, <b>Wendy (Clea Duvall)</b>, may be in danger. She also realises that maybe Kit isn't the serial killer <b>Bloody Face</b>. Oops, hopes she apologises for the caning he got as a result!</div>
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We also start to learn more about the <b>creature</b> that Sister Devil Eunice keeps feeding in the forest. In fact, we discover there is more than one of them and apparently they only need to be fed over <b>winter</b>. These creatures turn out to be a crucial plot point this week. not only does one of the <b>patients</b> (who identifies the fact that Sister Eunice is possessed by the devil) get fed to them, but when Kit, Grace and Lana attempt their escape (with the help of Shelly, but more on that later), they encounter these creatures and as a result end up back in the very <b>tunnel</b> they used to escape through! Sister Jude also uses the (now noticed) <b>escapees</b> as a reason to get rid of a few other missing patients by claiming <b>SIX</b> people have escaped instead of only four.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_POEeMAybmzDrnFzpBtf9I5JTdu1sLK5nVsZ2VsOJAWtqwyLE3zThb6og9x1VlGvJqMGIX3JKmRTostCBFMsEmliIWddq3wtPsh1N9YZY6g0GLAHAYEZAxCYfCaNB7CneVhf-CXZ2vrkj/s1600/AHSA.3a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_POEeMAybmzDrnFzpBtf9I5JTdu1sLK5nVsZ2VsOJAWtqwyLE3zThb6og9x1VlGvJqMGIX3JKmRTostCBFMsEmliIWddq3wtPsh1N9YZY6g0GLAHAYEZAxCYfCaNB7CneVhf-CXZ2vrkj/s320/AHSA.3a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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So, Shelly wants to escape. She actually stops thinking about <b>sex</b> for long enough to act as a look out. Her favour with the male staff is definitely to her advantage and we find her back on the <b>sex bandwagon</b> as soon as needed. Once <b>Carl the orderly</b> is distracted, Shelly realises that her need to escape is more important than her need for sex, so the poor man is left wanting. Unfortunately it is too little, too late and Shelly jumps straight out of the <b>frying pan</b> and into the <b>scorching flames of hell</b> (read: Dr. Arden). It seems the poor doctor is still <b>toey</b>. Shelly is actually forced to put out. Or at least until Dr. Arden has a <b>'little accident'</b>. Shelly finds this hilarious, as a result, Dr. Arden gets <b>pissy</b> and poor Shelly also meets with a little accident.....</div>
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Sister Jude is not coping well and as a result gets completely <b>inebriated</b>. She staggers around the <b>abandoned halls</b> in search of someone only she appears to see. Now would have been an awesome moment to put in a<b> time change</b>. The other would have been when Kit, Lana and Grace are escaping back <b>INTO</b> Briarcliff, but these small details were the only set backs in this episode.</div>
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Although, if you were to speak to Shelly in the last scene, she may disagree, since we find her minus the lower half of her legs and still in the care of Dr. Arden.....</div>
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Can't WAIT for the next episode!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Was this week as good for you as it was for me?</span></div>
<br />Rachel Tsoumbakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08350366082746219383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3127725638084695665.post-53144614461040209372012-11-04T21:17:00.000-06:002012-11-04T21:17:19.192-06:00TrueBloodNet Exclusive: True Blood Cast Interview at Club Fangtasia<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiayF8OxFKNBXLg6coxTHmwbyB2TANvoPYVphmmPidvqnmMGwT2f8hGzMHq834t4gMhP_ltIghtJyPrzIV2righFvEtJun6m2DgiwcwmtJoZJnov3r8D3fcVe_1OtMqeFudbRUB3SvH8xog/s1600/177635_335271763238170_939502831_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiayF8OxFKNBXLg6coxTHmwbyB2TANvoPYVphmmPidvqnmMGwT2f8hGzMHq834t4gMhP_ltIghtJyPrzIV2righFvEtJun6m2DgiwcwmtJoZJnov3r8D3fcVe_1OtMqeFudbRUB3SvH8xog/s400/177635_335271763238170_939502831_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">True Blood stars Marshall Allman (Tommy Mickens & Tara Buck (Ginger)</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">Being a writer for </span><b style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://truebloodnet.com/" target="_blank">TrueBloodNet</a></b><span style="text-align: justify;"> is loads of fun - especially when you are given the opportunity to attend events such as </span><b style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.clubfangtasia.com.au/" target="_blank">Club Fangtasia</a></b><span style="text-align: justify;">. It's even more fun when you get to interview the </span><b style="text-align: justify;">True Blood</b><span style="text-align: justify;"> cast that are attending this event!</span><br />
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The stars have a busy schedule, between <b>autograph signings</b> at the <b><a href="http://www.seamus.com.au/" target="_blank">Seamus O'Tooles Irish Pub</a></b> at <b>Knox Ozone</b> and their public appearances at both <b><a href="http://www.firstcontactconventions.com.au/first_contact_launch_004.htm" target="_blank">First Contact's Full Blood</a></b> convention and the <b>Club Fangtasia True Blood Halloween party</b>. But I was lucky enough to interview <b>Marshall Allman</b> (who plays <b>Tommy Mickens</b> on <b>HBO's True Blood</b>) and <b>Tara Buck</b> (AKA <b>Ginger The Screamer</b> in <b>HBO's True Blood</b>).</div>
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While <b>Kevin Alejandro</b> <b>(Jesus Velasquez)</b> and <b>Janina Gavankar (Luna Garza)</b> were unable to attend this event due to the devastating effect of <b>Hurricane Sandy</b> (you can help out by donating to <a href="http://www.redcross.org/" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">Red Cross</a> or using the <b>iTunes</b> app), fans will certainly not be disappointed by Marshall and Tara!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The full interview can be viewed at <b><a href="http://truebloodnet.com/true-blood-net-exclusive-club-fangtasia-interview-tara-buck-marshall-allman/" target="_blank">TrueBloodNet</a></b>.</span></div>
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Now that all my media obligations have been met, it's just a matter of donning my costume - I'm going as <b>Jessica Hamby (Deborah Ann Woll)</b>, which is the reason I am now a redhead - and joining in the festivities at <b>Club Fangtasia</b>, which is truly the most fun ever!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Make sure you check back here for my <b>Club Fangtasia Recap</b>.</span></div>
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Rachel Tsoumbakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08350366082746219383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3127725638084695665.post-10697389211031906252012-10-31T19:04:00.000-05:002012-10-31T19:04:32.296-05:00The Walking Dead Season 3 Recap - Episode 3: Walk With Me<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Walk With Me</h2>
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Well, there you go, last week I whinged about the lack of <b>Andrea (Laurie Holden)</b> in <b>Season 3</b> of <b>AMC's The Walking Dead</b>, and finally we got to catch up of what's been happening in her world. Which turns out to be a whole lot of sickness, swords, armless camouflage and jumping from the frying pan, into the fire and back again!</div>
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Since I haven't read any of the <b>comics</b>, I didn't know much about the <b>Governor (David Morrissey)</b>, but I had heard a few people hinting at his arrival. It was nice to finally meet him and find out what all the fuss was about, that's for sure - although <b>Michonne (Danai Gurira)</b> would disagree (if she ever opened up her mouth and talked, that is)!</div>
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All the way through this episode there is an ongoing sense of <b>dread</b>. We just know Michonne is right in her suspicions about this new-found <b>Utopia</b>, yet, at first, we are lulled into a false sense of security. Everyone loves the Governor and praise his actions for protecting his motley crew of <b>survivors</b>.</div>
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Slowly, the episode unfolds and we start to see the chinks in this new idyllic world and when we witness the brutal slaying of some military guys that are left overs from the episode's opening helicopter scene, we just know that poor Andrea is going to get a tad more whiny before this season is over. Michonne will probably pout and frown so much that she will look like some sort of marine life.</div>
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It's at this point that I began to miss the normal crew. I missed <b>Lori (Sarah Wayne Callies)</b> and her constant panic over her baby and her crumbling relationship with <b>Rick Andrew Lincoln)</b>. I missed <b>Glenn (Steven Yuen) </b>and his girlfriend, <b>Hershel (Scott Wilson)</b> and his new role as the team pirate and most of all I missed <b>Daryl (Norman Reedus)</b> and his crossbow.</div>
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Which brings me to how it all links up. Remember Daryl's brother <b>Merle(Michael Rooker)?</b> Yeah, that obnoxious, racist <b>redneck</b> that lopped his own hand off to escape <b>zombies</b>. Well, he's found the Governor also - and they are perfect for each other. He remembers Andrea too. I can see this ending badly.</div>
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And then, just when you think it can't get any worse, the episode ends with this image....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQHPqdjjZttQSv6x0gD4HWVCn1nFzRCMzjvgubyOCVx-MbkXxT6paqZ9ZHJ-V1aW5hzoHju-hiZROSGvPs_y8OLdbnCxq_lL3uuKVQ1YXuZLcX845UJjCFA_ndI_Jsxgnupd6XcuB-DC3a/s1600/the-walking-dead-fish-tanks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQHPqdjjZttQSv6x0gD4HWVCn1nFzRCMzjvgubyOCVx-MbkXxT6paqZ9ZHJ-V1aW5hzoHju-hiZROSGvPs_y8OLdbnCxq_lL3uuKVQ1YXuZLcX845UJjCFA_ndI_Jsxgnupd6XcuB-DC3a/s320/the-walking-dead-fish-tanks.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Which world do you prefer to watch? Rick and his Ricktatorship or The Governor and his Goons?</span></div>
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<br />Rachel Tsoumbakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08350366082746219383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3127725638084695665.post-42498396017765600432012-10-31T00:00:00.000-05:002012-10-31T14:57:40.012-05:00#BlogFlash Halloween Flash Fiction: Spooky<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It's </span><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">#BlogFlash Halloween</span></b><span style="font-size: large;"> time! The theme is </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">"<b>Spooky"</b> </span><span style="font-size: large;">(naturally) and the limit is 500 words! So, without further ado, here is the picture from </span><b><a href="http://racheltsoumbakos.blogspot.com.au/2012/09/the-history-of-larundel-part-1-1938-1950.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Larundel</span></a></b><span style="font-size: large;"> that has inspired my little piece...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMHUbOIFvxPPUec23Z3xr6lovQjEhM9KEZHAhzFD466OjUNqziDlDkN13aVmPTlPpv6zbI_9NH6XSUtFmvqnyNuzGCmiGYc7P6LjnrRLxxty8FTCF5sCTZ8HlGzxUjJTUjTy6jMotPAIz-/s1600/111111+(day)+66.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMHUbOIFvxPPUec23Z3xr6lovQjEhM9KEZHAhzFD466OjUNqziDlDkN13aVmPTlPpv6zbI_9NH6XSUtFmvqnyNuzGCmiGYc7P6LjnrRLxxty8FTCF5sCTZ8HlGzxUjJTUjTy6jMotPAIz-/s320/111111+(day)+66.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Spooky</h2>
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She runs her finger along the edge of the jagged glass; feeling brave, feeling scared. The whisper of a vine tickles her wrist and she gasps before realising what it is. Another sound, this time a true whisper, makes her jump. Turning, she sees no one but a sharp pain tells her that the angry glass has bitten her and she draws her finger up to her lips and sucks away the pain. Small droplets of red lead a trail from the remains of the window and across the floor. It is a short journey.</div>
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"Imogen...." The sound is enticing and she follows it.</div>
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A music box starts a discordant tune.</div>
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The old building moulds and crumbles around her. The remains of a hundred shattered windows crunch beneath her shoes. A raven squawks outside, high above her. Its claws scrape briefly at a broken roof tile, at Imogen’s soul. She glances upwards and sees the bird through the gaping maw of a hole in the roof. The tile shudders before falling. Imogen jumps back, out of the way.</div>
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“Follow the music…” The butterfly wings of a voice tease and she pushes forward, her heart pounding and her hands all shaky and bloody.</div>
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A shadow emerges from the fallen tile, leading the way, although Imogen cannot see it. Sensing the change, she squints into the bleakness. Nothing. Just shadows and long gone memories, she decides before pressing on. The long hall is dark with old smoke and the floor bears the brunt of long gone fires. Tip-toeing carefully around the dark holes in the floorboards, she tries not to think about hands reaching up and grabbing at her ankles.</div>
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Still the faint music plays on. It is a tune familiar to Imogen, singing to her soul as she creeps along.</div>
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A swift shadow zooms down the hallway towards her. The music intensifies as the darkness approaches. Imogen ducks at the last moment; fear causing her to gag before she realises it is just the damn raven again. Turning and straightening in one fluid movement, she raises her fist and shakes it at the black beast. The bird replies by cawing once more and dropping a golden object at her feet.</div>
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It is a key; old and ornate. Squashed at one end, but that does not detract from its beauty. While picking it up, a cold, gold ring on a long chain around her neck swings free from her tank top and clinks against the ancient key, like lovers yearning to touch one another. </div>
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The eager shadow shivers; the hint of a smile is seen on the hint of a face. Its job is done here.</div>
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The music plays louder and the shadow creeps up close to its victim.</div>
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“Find the music box…” It's voice is feathery, like a raven, and Imogen shivers as the dusty breath caresses her neck.</div>
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Adding the bent key to the ring on the chain around her neck, she follows blindly. The shadow leads the way…</div>
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<span style="font-size: large; text-align: center;">Make sure you check out all the other great </span><b style="font-size: x-large; text-align: center;">spooky-inspired flash fiction</b><span style="font-size: large; text-align: center;"> and vote for your favourite!</span></h4>
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Rachel Tsoumbakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08350366082746219383noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3127725638084695665.post-25100842663264594182012-10-30T00:26:00.001-05:002012-10-30T00:26:11.150-05:00American Horror Story Asylum Season 2 Recap - Episodes 1 & 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I hadn't been privy to the awesomeness that is <b>FX's American Horror Story</b> last year. When I saw wicked adverts splashed across <b>Facebook</b> of <b>Season 2; American Horror Story Asylum</b>, I was hooked before even watching an episode!</div>
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Now that I have watched the first two episodes (and promptly watched eight episodes of <b>Season 1</b> while waiting for the second episode), what do I think? Here's my recap:</div>
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Episode 1: Welcome To Briarcliff</h2>
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The first episode starts with just the right mix of <b>creepy asylum</b> back story, <b>sex</b> and <b>gore</b>. We find two <b>horror buffs </b>honeymooning their way through all the <b>haunted</b> places across America. They are <b>fornicating</b> in each place, which we find out pretty quickly would be considered a no-no to the fantastically stereotypical (but excellently portrayed) <b>Sister Jude (Jessica Lange)</b>. What could possibly go wrong with having sex in abandoned creepy places? Well, it can get your arm ripped off, that's what! And this is an excellent way to mess with the time frame and send us back in time to meet the aforementioned Sister Jude; a woman who hates sex of any description (especially of the homosexual persuasion). The time changes are super cool and crazy-creepy by the way!</div>
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We also meet some pretty great characters. There is <b>Shelly the Nymphomaniac (Chloë Sevigny)</b>, <b>Kit Walker (Evan Peters)</b>;<b> </b>who loves his wife in an age when blacks and whites don't mix, <b>Sister Mary Eunice (Lily Rabe), Lana Winters (Sarah Paulson)</b>;<b> </b>a journalist who is gay - this has to end badly for her and the terribly evil <b>Dr. Arthur Arden (James Cromwell)</b>.</div>
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There is so much story being set up in this first episode that the time flies with incredible speed! Basically, after we leave the poor unfortunate honeymooners (the groom being played by the hunky <b>Adam Levine</b> from <b>Maroon 5</b>), we discover that in <b>1964</b> there was a <b>serial killer</b> on the loose; a horrible person who goes by the name of <b>Bloody Face</b>. When Kit is arrested for killing his coloured wife, he is also accused of being Bloody Face and sent to <b>Briarcliff</b> for psychiatric evaluation. Is he the killer? I don't think so, neither do the writers at FX - they blame the <b>aliens!</b> Lana arrives on the scene and attempts to interview Sister Jude. Needless to say, she 'accidently' gets herself committed and her girlfriend signs the relevant paperwork rather than being outed as a <b>lesbian</b>.</div>
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Dr. Arden appears to be a <b>sicko</b> that would rival Bloody Face. He not only has strange mutated plants in his lab, but <b>patients</b> seem to be <b>dying</b> on his watch - patients who have no family to kick up any great stink. Sister Eunice appears to be a quiet little meek thing, but I have my suspicions about her (or maybe it's just because I have been watching her in <b>Season 1</b> of <b>American Horror Story</b>).</div>
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We also discover that the <b>prudish</b> Sister Jude is such a nasty bitch and so <b>Fifty Shades</b> because she really just wants the <b>Monsignor</b> to see her <b>sexy red lingerie</b>. As a result of built up <b>sexual tension</b>, people get <b>whipped</b> with <b>canes</b>.</div>
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Episode 2: Trick and Treats</h2>
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The first episode had so much promise. Unfortunately, <b>Episode 2</b> left me feelings a little dejected. There was so much promise and yet I found myself checking how long I had to go to the end of the episode this time round. I hope it is just a temporary glitch, since <b>Season 1</b> is just so damn fantastic.</div>
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This week we find our <b>honeymooners</b> still in strife. <b>Teresa (Jenna Dewan Tatum)</b> hides in a closet and watches <b>Bloody face</b> stab her husband, <b>Leo (Adam Levine)</b>. I can't see Leo lasting to <b>Episode 3</b>. We then get one of those cool <b>time changes</b> where Bloody Face is banging on the closet door and the door morphs into a <b>1964</b> door belonging to <b>Lana's (Sarah Paulson) girlfriend, Wendy (Clea DuVall)</b>. Speaking of not lasting to Episode 3, poor Wendy ends up getting stabbed by Bloody Face!</div>
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So how is Lana faring as an inpatient? Not so great, she manages to gets caught writing notes, receive <b>electric shock therapy</b>, make a friend, attempt an <b>escape</b> and get <b>Kit (Evan Peters)</b> punished for trying to escape with her. Her week sure does suck.</div>
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The<b>Dr Arden (James Cromwell)</b> character is explored more this week. This is the only interesting part of the episode, as far as I'm concerned. We find he has a thing for <b>nuns</b>. Especially ones that go by the name of <b>Sister Eunice (Lily Rabe)</b>. We find he likes her so much that he hires <b>hookers</b> to dress just like her. He has a sick 'good girl' <b>fetish</b> going on which freaks the hooker out so much she kicks him in the balls and escapes without payment.</div>
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<b>Dr. Thredson (Zachary Quinto)</b> is introduced in this episode. He is one of the reoccurring cast members from Season 1. He is horrified at the way in which the <b>Briarcliff asylum</b> is run. <b>Sister Jude (Jessica Lange)</b> tells him to suck it up and then they both get to witness an <b>exorcism</b>. This exorcism goes terribly wrong; it seems the <b>devil</b> is well and truly stuck in the body of the poor man and he dies as a result. The spirit of the devil then escapes upon death and it appears that Sister Eunice just may be possessed now - I told you this character was too nice for words!</div>
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What did you think of the second episode of American Horror Story? Do you think it will live up to the first season?</h3>
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And if you can't wait until next week's episode, why not try reading my book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Ring-Lost-Souls-ebook/dp/B00879OR6O" target="_blank">The Ring of Lost Souls</a> - set in the real <b>abandoned asylum, Larundel</b> and the reason I started watching <b>American Horror Story Asylum</b>. </div>
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Check out the comparisons between the two institutions <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://racheltsoumbakos.blogspot.com.au/2012/10/american-horror-story-asylum-vs.html" target="_blank">here</a></span>.</div>
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Rachel Tsoumbakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08350366082746219383noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3127725638084695665.post-76723566615223048332012-10-28T20:35:00.002-05:002012-10-28T21:13:50.440-05:00The Walking Dead Season 3 Recap: Episodes 1 & 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Who else was as excited as I was about the <b>Season 3 premiere</b> of <b>AMC's The Walking Dead?</b> Is it just wrong to love the <b>undead</b> this much? Well, my hubby seems to think so.....</div>
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In tribute of this fabulous show, I will be posting my weekly <b>recap</b> on each episode. And because we all can't get enough of the show, the very first recap is a two-for-one deal!</div>
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Episode 1: Seed</h2>
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We start this episode with the discovery that our fave <b>zombie-hunting crew</b> are just a little bit older and quite a bit more wiser! They have established a 'taunt and kill' regime that is proving valuable for the livelihood of the group and (final-time) deadly to the undead. It's disturbing to see young <b>Carl (Chandler Riggs)</b> in the midst of all this killing, but I guess if you were in this situation, morals and general society standards fly out the window pretty quickly. I just hope the poor young actor who plays Carl is not scarred for life.</div>
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Speaking of children, a very noticeably pregnant <b>Lori (Sarah Wayne Callies)</b> is now beginning to ponder the wisdom of bringing another child into the <b>post-apocalyptic world</b> they now live in. It's too late to go back, but as she voices her concerns with <b>Hershel (Scott Wilson)</b>, the group's <strike>veterinarian</strike> medical consultant, we discover just how sickening it may get. What if that baby dies before being born? Considering everyone is infected with the <b>zombie virus</b>, will the little critter re-animate and attack it's own mother from the inside? Also, consider the fact that the baby may survive childbirth, but Lori may not. What happens then? Lori pleads for Hershel to give her the final death if this happens, before she attacks her own child. Of course, there was no mention of what would happen if Lori dies while she is pregnant and the baby still lives on. Only time will tell, I guess....</div>
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So what's happened to poor <b>Andrea (Laurie Holden)</b>, I hear you ask? We find her (very briefly) with another woman called <b>Michonne (Danai Gurira)</b>. This woman travels with two undead who are chained and have missing limbs and lower jaws. She does this in a bid to keep her living scent masked by that of the undead zombies - what an ingenious idea! Poor Andrea is sick though and Michonne must find aspirin for her.</div>
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The group have found a prison It's a safe haven in a deadly world. They just have to get in and kill all the zombies first! It takes the whole episode to do this. Once they are inside the prison they discover they are not alone. After Hershel is attacked and bitten on the ankle by a zombie, <b>Rick (Andrew Lincoln)</b> takes only a split second to amputate his leg in an effort to save the man's life. I wonder if it will work? And we end this episode with the visuals of living humans peering out at the group from behind a wire window after they hear all the commotion of the amputation. </div>
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Will these people be good or bad, considering the place they are trapped in?</div>
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Episode 2: Sick</h2>
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So who are these new people? It's obvious they're <b>inmates</b> from the go-get. Some of them nastier than others. It's very clear, in this episode, that the writers are trying to show that age old problem that arises in <b>post-apocalyptic worlds</b>: who do you trust? It is portrayed in a very black and white scenario. There is no grey areas, no reason to feel empathy for these inmates who have been trapped in hell for a whole year without any idea of what the outside world is like. There is simply <b style="text-align: justify;">Rick (Andrew Lincoln) </b><span style="text-align: justify;">who mistrusts them and</span><b style="text-align: justify;"> Darryl (Norman Reedus)</b><span style="text-align: justify;"> who wants to kill them. To make a long story short, Daryl wins in that battle of wits, but only because the inmate 'leader' <b>Tomas (Nick Gomez)</b> attempts to 'accidently' kill Rick when they are fighting <b>zombies</b> en masse. Rick retaliates by a machete chop to the head and then chases down another inmate who appears overly sympathetic to Tomas. The inmate is trapped in with some zombies and Rick locks him in there and walks away. My haven't times changed! The <b>Ricktatorship</b> is now in full swing!</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">As a result of this 'battle' for supremacy, only two inmates are left. Rick and Daryl let them have their very own cell block and help themselves to half of the remaining food. They also openly threaten to kill the inmates if they come anywhere near the rest of their group.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">It is touch and go for poor <b>Hershel</b></span><b> (Scott Wilson)</b> for a while there, but <b>Carl (Chandler Riggs)</b> finds some medical supplies and kills a couple of zombies in a bid to help him. This results in a very unhappy <b>Lori (Sarah Wayne Callies)</b> - oh, so she'll let him kill them in a pack, but not alone? Hershel almost dies anyway, but after Lori gives him mouth-to-mouth, he manages to survive - this is lucky for <b>Glenn (Steven Yuen)</b> who was tasked with the possibility of having to kill the <b>zombified</b> remains of his girlfriend's dad!</div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">Now, while they are all assuming that Hershel will become a zombie, <b>Carol (Melissa McBride)</b> prepares herself for becoming the main medical <strike>hack</strike> guru. This means that her and Glen catch and kill a zombie (hang on, why didn't they just use one of the finally dead ones lying around?) and she practises hacking it open, just in case Lori needs a C-section during delivery. This scene is creepy enough - and then it appears that someone else is watching Carol, while hidden away in the trees surrounding the prison.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">It seems they forgot about poor <b>Andrea</b> in this episode.....</span></div>
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So, what did you think of the return of The Walking Dead?</div>
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And while you're waiting for episode 3 to hit the screens, why not check out <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Emeline-and-the-Mutants-ebook/dp/B004PGNBCO" target="_blank">Emeline and the Mutants</a> or <a href="http://sanitarium.eyetraumapress.com/" target="_blank">Zombie Apocalypse Now!</a>?</div>
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(Photo Credits: AMC Inc.)</div>
Rachel Tsoumbakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08350366082746219383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3127725638084695665.post-79214332489410912982012-10-28T15:47:00.001-05:002012-10-28T18:44:01.231-05:00Heart Search Review<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX156926402" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
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Recently, you've probably seen a few posts popping up about the <b>blog tour</b> I'm doing for <b>Carlie M.A. Cullen's </b>new book, <b><i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/HEART-SEARCH-book-Lost-ebook/dp/B009MWXU40" target="_blank">Heart Search: Lost</a></i>.</b> Now, I'm sure you want to know <b>my</b> opinion of the book? Have I read it? Is it any good? Should I fork out the dollars for it?</div>
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In a nut shell? <b>YES!!</b> In fact it's that's good that you should probably gift a few copies to your besties, because they are going to love it too!</div>
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I was going to do a standard <b>book review</b> on it, but I know many of you (myself included) tend to look at those big long reviews and get all glassy-eyed. Personally, I just want to cut to the chase and find out about the <b>awesome bits</b> and the <b>not so awesome bits</b>.</div>
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So here they are:</div>
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AWESOME</h3>
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Vampires</b> - and not the ones that <b>sparkle</b> and get all morally obnoxious about sex before marriage. There is <b>blood</b> and murder and downright glorification of the fact that these <b>vampires </b>see us as <b>food</b>. They consider themselves superior to mere <b>mortals</b> and hang only with their own kind (unless they're dining out, of course). The main vampire character, <b>Joshua</b> (who is turned at the very start of the story and leaves his <b>fiancé</b> practically at the altar), does tend to suffer a little from just-turned angst, but that is perfectly acceptable behaviour as far as I'm concerned!</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Romance</b> - Now you know me, I'm not a big fan of <b>sickly sweet romance</b> so I am always a little hesitant when I pick up any book in this genre - especially <b>paranormal romance</b> and even more so when it is in the <b>YA</b> genre. The romance in <b><i>Heart Search: Lost</i></b> is sweet and by the end of the book, poignant. There is plenty of passion between the main characters and they are certainly in love at the start of the book. Once Joshua is turned into a vampire and disappears, the love <b>Remy</b> maintains for him is truly inspiring.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Paranormal/reality fusion</b> - As the author, <b>Carlie M. A. Cullen</b> discussed recently in her <b><a href="http://racheltsoumbakos.blogspot.com.au/2012/10/heart-search-guest-blog.html" target="_blank">guest blog post</a></b>, there needs to be a realistic and credible fusion between the world we live in and the <b>fantasy</b> world of a vampire novel. The author creates this seamlessly and at no time throughout the novel are you wondering how things are possible - they just <i>are.</i></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Writing Style</b> - Cullen's style of writing is just beautiful. There are sections of descriptives that makes your heart do little flip-flops. In some places the author just manages to <i>nail</i> a complex idea or emotional state in one clearly defined sentence.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>It's a series</b> - <b><i>Heart Search: Lost</i></b> is book one in a <b>series</b>. So after investing the time with this first novel, you can eventually devour more of these wonderful characters in subsequent books. I always love it when I discover a book I've read is just the start for the characters I've fallen in love with. There is something so rewarding with following their progress over a great length of time.</li>
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NOT SO AWESOME</h3>
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Size</b> - this is a long book at over <b>150,000 words</b>. While I found the story flew by and I was quickly engaged in the story line, there are people out there who download books onto their <b>Kindle</b>, see how long the little length line underneath the title is and promptly pick a shorter novel to read. I'm not sure why that is, but for some reason many people are in a hurry to read on their <b>eReaders</b> *sighs and shakes her head at the fact that some people will miss out on this gem*</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Writing Style</b> - I <b>know</b> I included this in the 'awesome' section also, but, once again, there are people out there who do not like fanciful descriptives. If you are one of them, please try to overlook this fact and give the book a try anyway!</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Two Paths, One Story</b> - I <b>loved</b> the two story lines of this novel, don't get me wrong there. <b>However,</b> there were a couple of times (mainly in the middle of the book) when I just wondered if <b>Remy</b> and <b>Joshua's </b>paths would ever meet up again. While I thoroughly enjoyed reading the separate journeys of the two main characters, I just occasionally wished that these two paths were, somehow, a little more interlocking.</li>
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So there you have it. If I had to give it a <b>rating</b> out of five, I would give it a very solid <b>4 stars</b>. I just can't <b>wait </b>to see where the storyline goes in the second book! I am <i>itching</i> to find out if my theory on that surprising twist is correct and I just wish Carlie would get a hurry on and finish book two so I can find out!</div>
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You can purchase <b>Heart Search: Lost </b>by <b>Carlie M. A. Cullen</b> at the following places:</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/HEART-SEARCH-book-Lost-ebook/dp/B009MWXU40" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/HEART-SEARCH-book-Lost-ebook/dp/B009MWXU40" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a></span></div>
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</script>Rachel Tsoumbakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08350366082746219383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3127725638084695665.post-10591339808938628862012-10-26T02:20:00.000-05:002012-10-26T03:21:43.689-05:00True Blood Club Fangtasia Halloween Party is Approaching Fast!<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It's Time to Announce the Awesome Stuff!</span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, you've heard me mention it time and again <a href="http://racheltsoumbakos.blogspot.com.au/2011/10/halloween-nanowrimo-and-new-friend.html" target="_blank">here</a>, on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/rtsoumbakos" target="_blank">Facebook</a> <i>and </i>on the <a href="http://truebloodnet.com/true-blood-comes-to-seamus-otooles-for-halloween/" target="_blank"><b>TrueBloodNet</b></a> website. <a href="http://www.clubfangtasia.com.au/" target="_blank"><b>Club Fangtasia</b></a> is being hosted once more by the fabulous crew at the <a href="http://www.seamus.com.au/" target="_blank"><b>Seamus O'Tooles Irish Pub</b></a> in Knox. While the first two events were truly spectacular, this year promises to top all current expectations! But you need to get in quick as the very last 20 VIP tickets and 20 General Admission tickets have been released. Go to the <a href="http://www.clubfangtasia.com.au/" target="_blank">Club Fangtasia</a> website quickly if you want to snap a few up!</span></div>
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So what's new?</h3>
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<li style="text-align: justify;">This year there are <b>True Blood</b> celebrities - yes you can meet some of the actors that make the show so darn <b><i>HOT!</i></b></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Spectacular <b>prizes</b> are on offer. Want a piece of your fave <b>True Blood </b>star? Then this is the best bet you have of winning it for nothing more than the purchase of your ticket</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">An all day event has been organised by <a href="http://www.firstcontactconventions.com.au/" target="_blank">First Contact Conventions</a> called <a href="http://www.firstcontactconventions.com.au/first_contact_launch_004.htm" target="_blank">Full Blood</a> and will include a day of <b>True Blood</b> activities. (Check <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.firstcontactconventions.com.au/first_contact_launch_010.htm" target="_blank">here</a></span> to see if tickets are still available)</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Personalised autographs (of the celebrities attending the <b>Halloween party</b>) can be purchased at <b>Seamus O'Tooles</b> from <b>2-4pm</b> on <b>Saturday the 3rd of November</b> (the day <i>before</i> the event)</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>True Blood auctions</b> - bid on personal <b>True Blood</b> items belonging to the stars of the show! All proceeds will go to the charities of the celebrities choice - a win-win situation for all involved</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">True Blood merchandise - buy bottles of <b>Tru Blood</b> and <b>Merlotte's</b> T-shirts amongst other great items</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Fangtails:</b> <b>Tru Blood</b> cocktails - need I say more?!</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Oh, and, I will be <b>interviewing</b> the celebrities!</li>
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So, who are these celebrities that I will be chatting to for <b><a href="http://truebloodnet.com/" target="_blank">TrueBloodNet</a></b>? Well, as per the recent email sent from <b>Club Fangtasia</b> headquarters, it was announced that <b>Pam (Kristin Bauer)</b> has been summoned by <b>The Authority</b> and can no longer attend. <b>Holly (Lauren Bowles)</b> has unfortunately been caught up in one of her very own <b>wiccan spells</b> and will not be released in time, which means she will no longer be attending either. But there is still a super line up to keep even the most avid <b>True Blood fans</b> happy!</div>
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Replacing <b>Pam</b> is the fabulous <b>Tommy Mickens (Marshal Allman)</b>, which is sure a fantastical feat since he was killed in a previous season! <b>Luna </b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: start;"><b>(Janina Gavankar)</b></span><strong style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: start;"> </strong>has also graciously decided to replace <b>Holly</b> and is <b>shape-shifting</b> into a bird as we speak in order to make it to Australia before the <b>4th of November</b>. <b>Jesus (Kevin Alejandro), Lafayette's brujo</b> boyfriend is also confirmed as attending - his whole body and not just his head ;-) And, finally, <b>Ginger, the screamer, (Tara Buck)</b> is confirmed as well. Let's just hope we can hear the music over her <b>blood-curdling wails!</b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Want me to ask the celebrities a question on your behalf? Then let me know in the comments below and I'll see what I can do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Make sure you <b>bookmark</b> or <b>subscribe</b> to this blog in order to view the exclusive <a href="http://truebloodnet.com/" target="_blank"><b>TrueBloodNet</b></a> <b>video interviews</b> with the <b>stars</b> of <b>True Blood</b> as well as my recap of the <b>Club Fangtasia Halloween party!</b></span><br />
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(Photo Credits: Garth O'Hehir/ClubFangtasia.com.au)</div>
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Rachel Tsoumbakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08350366082746219383noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3127725638084695665.post-52628844075752337182012-10-25T04:25:00.000-05:002012-10-25T15:19:40.048-05:00Heart Search Guest Blog<br />
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<span class="TextRun SCX42160482" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-size: large;">We've seen the trailer for <b>Heart Search</b>, we've read the excerpt and interviewed the author, <b>Carlie M. A. Cullen</b>, now, let's get inside the world of her very own version of <b>reality</b>......</span></span></div>
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<span class="EOP SCX42160482" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b>(Guest Blog by author Carlie M.A. Cullen)</b></span></h3>
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<span class="TextRun SCX42160482" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">When you are a <b>writer</b>, you can create any type of world you want</span><span class="TextRun SCX42160482" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> – the only limit is that of the writer’s own <b>imagination</b>. <b>Fantastical worlds</b> filled with all manner of creatures and <b>magic systems</b>, or planets with alien species complete with hierarchy and monsters adorn many a page, so is it difficult to blend the <b>paranormal</b> into what anyone would consider the ‘real’ world?</span><span class="EOP SCX42160482" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="TextRun SCX42160482" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">My answer to that question is, no! For a moment, let’s examine what <b>paranormal elements</b> already exist in the world we know.</span><span class="EOP SCX42160482" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="TextRun SCX42160482" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">There are well-documented cases of <b>poltergeist activity</b> around the globe; there are even TV shows dedicated to it where the evidence is irrefutable. Evidence exists of <b>hauntings</b>, <b>ghost sightings</b> and <b>malevolent spirits</b> and again these things have been shown on the small screen in our lounges</span><span class="TextRun SCX42160482" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> and at the movies too</span><span class="TextRun SCX42160482" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">. Studies have been carried out to prove the possibility of <b>Telekinesis</b> and other paranormal ‘talents’. And finally you have mediums or <b>clairvoyants</b> as they are sometimes known, who receive messages from ‘<b>the other side</b>’</span><span class="TextRun SCX42160482" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">.</span><span class="EOP SCX42160482" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="TextRun SCX42160482" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">Bearing all this in mind, writing a story which blends our world with the paranormal<span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">isn't</span></span><span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 23px;"> </span></span></span><span class="TextRun SCX42160482" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: windowtext; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">quite</span><span class="TextRun SCX42160482" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: windowtext; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> as fantastical, or difficult, as it sounds.</span><span class="EOP SCX42160482" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: windowtext; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="TextRun SCX42160482" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">Writers have to have the mentality that ‘</span></span><b style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px;">anything is possible</b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">’ yet at the same time they need to make at least some of it believable and realistic. As </span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">I've</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 23px;"> just released a book about </span></span><b style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px;">vampires</b></span><span class="TextRun SCX42160482" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">,</span><span class="TextRun SCX42160482" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> w</span><span class="TextRun SCX42160482" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: windowtext; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">hich is set in <b>England</b></span><span class="TextRun SCX42160482" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: windowtext; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">,</span><span class="TextRun SCX42160482" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: windowtext; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> I’m climbing the fence of two genres. Although it’s classified as <b>Paranormal Romance</b>, because there are vampires involved it also borders on <b>Fantasy</b>. What I had to do was ensure the fantasy/paranormal element married up with the human world in a way that didn’t make it jar or too incredible.</span><span class="EOP SCX42160482" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: windowtext; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="TextRun SCX42160482" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">I had to plan out the structure of the <b>vampire</b> side of the book carefully. I had to decide whether any of them would have ‘powers’ or ‘talents’ and what they would be. Some of the ones I chose do actually exist. For example, one of the vampire characters is an <b>Empath </b>who can </span><span class="TextRun SCX42160482" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">feel pain and emotions from those</span><span class="TextRun SCX42160482" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> around her. I actually know at l</span><span class="TextRun SCX42160482" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">east three Empaths so taking this</span><span class="TextRun SCX42160482" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> into consideration, that pa</span><span class="TextRun SCX42160482" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">rticular vampire’s abilities are believable. I understand not everyone considers Empaths to be real, </span><span class="TextRun SCX42160482" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">just like not everybody believes in the abilities of clairvoyants, </span><span class="TextRun SCX42160482" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">but I know different</span><span class="TextRun SCX42160482" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> from<b> first-hand experience!</b></span><span class="EOP SCX42160482" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="TextRun SCX42160482" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">By using ‘gifts’ which are documented</span><span class="TextRun SCX42160482" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">,</span><span class="TextRun SCX42160482" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> it helps to blend the <b>paranormal</b> into my real life situation and enables me to use my imagination to ramp up the not quite so real ones.</span><span class="TextRun SCX42160482" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> Creating the <b>vampire lair</b> in the type of property dotted around not only England but other countries in the world, gives the story more authenticity. Describing the area the house is in and the<b> immortals’</b> abilities to drive cars or walk down the main street of a town or village at night, incorporating sounds and smells which are easily relatable, like the smell of <b>beer</b> from a pub or bar, also helps to balance the real with the paranormal.</span><span class="EOP SCX42160482" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="TextRun SCX42160482" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">If you want to write a story set in our world </span><span class="TextRun SCX42160482" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">which incorporates <b>paranormal elements</b> you need to use your imagination to create it in such a way as to make it . . . possible, believable and, to a certain extent, realistic.</span><span class="TextRun SCX42160482" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> </span></div>
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<span class="TextRun SCX42160482" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-GB">So pick up your whisk and blend away.</span><span class="EOP SCX42160482" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="EOP SCX42160482" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: windowtext; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thanks so much for that wonderful insight into how an <b>author </b>creates a world. Now why don't you check out <b>Carlie's</b> fantastical reality in her new book <b>Heart Search</b>. Available now from <a href="http://amazon.com/">Amazon.com</a>:</span></span></div>
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<span class="EOP SCX42160482" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: windowtext; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/HEART-SEARCH-book-Lost-ebook/dp/B009MWXU40" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span></span></div>
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Rachel Tsoumbakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08350366082746219383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3127725638084695665.post-79294006619699965842012-10-23T18:54:00.001-05:002012-10-23T19:45:56.070-05:00Hot New Release by Author Monique McDonell; 'Hearts Afire'<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Time to get excited everyone - <b>book number two</b> is hot off the presses for <b>Australian author, Monique McDonell!</b> Here's the blurb to wet your appetite ;-)</span></div>
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<span class="TextRun SCX182844143" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">A jilted bride, a sexy fireman, a tropical island, a fear of the ocean, </span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject SCX182844143" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: windowtext; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="SCX182844143" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="TextRun SCX182844143" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">a fear of commitment, a new neighbour, an old flame, a secret identity – this is the story of HEARTS AFIRE.</span><span class="EOP SCX182844143" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="TextRun SCX182844143" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: windowtext; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Cassie Callahan is not having a great day. First her fiancé jilts her hours before the wedding and then her sister sets off the alarm and sprinklers at her catering business, flooding the premises, soaking the wedding banquet and bringing the fire department.</span><span class="EOP SCX182844143" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: windowtext; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="TextRun SCX182844143" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: windowtext; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">When Jack </span><span class="TextRun SCX182844143" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: windowtext; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Urquhart</span><span class="TextRun SCX182844143" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: windowtext; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> the cute fireman offers her a shoulder to cry on they both feel an instant attraction but they each know the other is not what they are looking for. She isn’t looking for a player and he is definitely not looking for the marrying kind.</span><span class="EOP SCX182844143" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: windowtext; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="TextRun SCX182844143" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: windowtext; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Hearts Afire takes them on a journey from Sydney’s inner-west to Tropical North Queensland, and back, in search of and avoidance of love.</span><span class="EOP SCX182844143" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: windowtext; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="TextRun SCX182844143" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: windowtext; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Will </span><span class="TextRun SCX182844143" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: windowtext; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">either of them</span><span class="TextRun SCX182844143" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: windowtext; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="TextRun SCX182844143" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: windowtext; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="SpellingError SCX182844143" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; background-image: url(data:image/gif; background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-color: transparent; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">realise</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX182844143" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: windowtext; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> that there is no risk at all in trusting your heart to the right person?</span><span class="EOP SCX182844143" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: windowtext; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="EOP SCX182844143" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Sexy firemen</b>? <b>Jilted brides</b>, awesome <b>Aussie backdrop</b> - if this sounds like your cup of tea, then head over to <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009V2UKWQ">Amazon.com</a> now and pick </span><span style="font-size: large;">up</span><span style="font-size: large;"> your copy today!</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="EOP SCX182844143" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009V2UKWQ"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Amazon</span></a></span></span></div>
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<span class="EOP SCX182844143" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">You can also subscribe to her blog:</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="EOP SCX182844143" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.moniquemcdonell.com.au/"><span style="font-size: x-large;">www.moniquemcdonell.com.au</span></a></span></span></div>
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Rachel Tsoumbakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08350366082746219383noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3127725638084695665.post-45144504789365639112012-10-22T15:47:00.000-05:002012-10-25T00:20:26.820-05:00The Twilight-land of NaNoWriMo - Are You Game to Enter?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvaZRbq6WYG0QoSt1R4gpOhvBWVWnRR9c0WKIVyq5E9ZNQjKBfiHnUgJiFLrt3kkiKqCVO_uI2j3odt8Xt8y0jAx9avJFfvFyEWfDCpC3jmPBkFBFgNdb_yGbqNdbIHtKcNRt2rzvzmqIB/s1600/nanowrimo+logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvaZRbq6WYG0QoSt1R4gpOhvBWVWnRR9c0WKIVyq5E9ZNQjKBfiHnUgJiFLrt3kkiKqCVO_uI2j3odt8Xt8y0jAx9avJFfvFyEWfDCpC3jmPBkFBFgNdb_yGbqNdbIHtKcNRt2rzvzmqIB/s1600/nanowrimo+logo.jpg" /></a></div>
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For the fourth year running I will be committing the month of <b>November</b> to pure insanity! This is also known as <b><a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org/">NaNoWriMo</a></b> or <b>National Novel Writing Month</b>. For 30 days I will buckle down, eat a truckload of <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3127725638084695665#editor/target=post;postID=2981537384985829885">red bullets</a>, avoid chores and human contact - all in the crazy notion I can get a <b>novel</b> completed in that time. Three years straight have proved that I can.</div>
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This year is a little different though. Normally, the month of <b>October</b> is spent researching my chosen topic. The topic is normally finalised sometime around <b>August/September,</b> although the search for it starts on <b>December the 1st.</b> This October I have researched...nothing.</div>
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Not once have I typed something into <b>Google</b> and wondered if this will be the final straw that breaks the camel at the <b>FBI headquarters'</b> back. In previous years I have <i>actually</i> typed the following terms into Google: AIDS, cold & flu viruses, genetic mutations, crossing the common cold with another virus, glock, red glock, how to use a gun, mental institutions of Australia, floor plans of Larundel, mental health act of Victoria, delusional episodes, Lithium, legal requirements for mental illness, mental illness boundaries within the confines of the law, conspiracy theories, how to use a bow and arrow, <b>deer stalking</b> (actually, that last one was my husband, but it's sure to muddy the water some more). Yep, the FBI <i>have</i> to be concerned by now!</div>
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So what inspired this turn of events? Surely, with three completed manuscripts, I have have proven to myself that this is the magical formula needed? Well, actually, the first manuscript was completed, but absolute rubbish. This year I am attempting to rectify this.</div>
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In the far away year of <b>2009</b>, back in the days when dreaming about being a published author was a full time occupation for me, I had also read a little known book by an author you've probably never heard of, a Mormon bird called <b>Stephenie Meyers.</b> That book had the peculiar title of <b><i>Twilight</i></b>. It was my first foray into the <b>vampire</b> genre and I am embarrassed to say that I delved into that book three times (and the subsequent unheard of follow-ups <b><i>New Moon</i></b>, <b><i>Eclipse</i></b> and <i style="font-weight: bold;">Breaking Dawn</i>). I found it delicious yet not nearly bad enough for me. I wanted my vampires to be just a little more kick arse in the <b>nasty but drool worthy</b> department. If Meyers could write about vampires, then anyone could, I decided before embarking on the NaNoWriMo ship, <b>Viking hat</b> firmly planted on top of my head!</div>
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So I attempted to write my own vampire novel. As a result, <b><i>Indiana Meets A Vampire</i></b> was written in 30 days and 30,000 words over budget. I wrote the whole thing in <b>1st person</b>. It was glorified, albeit badly written, <b>porn</b> but it was mine and I loved it dearly.</div>
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During that month I also picked up my second vampire crush. A small tome called <b><i>Dead Until Dark</i></b>, written by a quaint little southerner called <b>Charlaine Harris</b>. I wish I had the time to read this novel <i>during</i> NaNoWriMo. Some would say I should have read it <i>instead</i> of writing <b><i>Indiana Meets A Vampire.</i></b></div>
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So, after my second attempt at NaNoWriMo, I scored my first <i>publishable</i> novel, you've probably heard me speak of it occasionally? If not, you can buy it <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004PGNBCO"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>here</b></span></a>. <b><i>Emeline and the Mutants</i></b> taught me that I should only ever write in <b>3rd person</b> - especially when there are <b>sex scenes</b> involved! Reading my biting, dirty, nasty vampire/human sex scenes is why some people cannot look me in the eye to this day. I still apologise to my beta readers for this.</div>
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In an attempt to rectify the horrific mental images I forced upon people in 2009, I will be ripping apart <b><i>Indiana Meets A Vampire</i></b> (and giving it the tentative working title of <b><i>Indiana Loses Her Mind But Finds Her Way</i></b>). Sure, there will still be vampires in it, the story just wouldn't be the same without <b>Sam</b>, the vamp who travelled to <b>Australia</b> on the <b>First Fleet</b>. <b>Camilla Le Fanu</b> will be there also, but I suspect the major role she plays in <b>book three</b> (oh, did I forget to mention that I tortured my beta readers three times that year?), will be dimmed quite significantly. The story this time round will be more about Indiana and her unique abilities. Her memory loss will still be there and playing an integral part in the plot. I won't deny readers vast amounts of blood and gore and sex either, but hopefully I can keep most of it justifiable this time round!</div>
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So, is this considered <b>cheating</b>? Well, I don't, but other might, is the short answer. I will be keeping the plot line for the first two novels basically the same. The third novel now has a very distinct and remarkably tragic ending, but no start or middle (and probably no need for it's current title of <i style="font-weight: bold;">Indiana Goes to a Brothel!</i>). I will be reading the original manuscript before rewriting it, but then things will get interesting as I write the lot from scratch!</div>
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Want to watch my progress during <b>November</b>, then either check back here, or watch the live updates on my <b>NaNoWriMo</b> profile <a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/participants/barefootgardener"><b><span style="font-size: large;">here</span></b></a>. The burning question is though - will I eat more red bullets than last year?<br />
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Rachel Tsoumbakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08350366082746219383noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3127725638084695665.post-87017948517261489582012-10-20T18:38:00.000-05:002012-10-25T00:20:04.724-05:00Is it Too Late to Dislike Psy's 'Gangnam Style'?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So if you've been following me on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/rtsoumbakos" target="_blank">Facebook</a> or <a href="http://twitter.com/mrszoomby" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, you just might have noticed my posts every Sunday morning. You know the ones, they all have the <b>#SBSPopAsia</b> hashtag on them. Let me start by saying I <b>LOVE</b> Asian music. Everything about <a href="http://www.sbs.com.au/chinese/program/popasia/?siteLanguage=en_AU" target="_blank">SBS's PopAsia</a> makes my heart sing. I love the crazy dress styles by both the girl <b><i>and</i></b> boy bands and the sometimes oddly phrased lyrics (Did they really just say they want a 'taxi, taxi, taxi on my tooshie, tooshie, tooshie?' Or, really, she's singing a song about how awesome her boyfriend and all of a sudden she wants a taco?!) There are moments when I am madly dancing around the house and others when I am embarrassed to admit had me shedding a tear. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So why am I suddenly hating on <b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bZkp7q19f0" target="_blank">Psy's 'Gangnam Style'</a></b>?</span></div>
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A month ago I was posting the <b>YouTube</b> link because I loved it so much. I found the dancing child hilarious and the elevator scene giggle-worthy too (even if it was just as weird as the photo I posted above of Psy sitting on the toilet while singing to us).</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What's changed?</span></div>
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Mass saturation is what has changed. I know I should love a song for it's merits alone, but being a <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/" target="_blank"><b>Triple J</b> </a>listener and a lover of alternative music in general, I find myself cringing every time a song becomes so popular that celebrities everywhere are dancing like a horse *sigh*</div>
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So who else is game enough to admit they're over this song? Or are there other songs that make you cringe because they've been played so much?</div>
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And finally, here's a couple of PopAsia alternatives to get you dancing again. Just be warned (guys), that hot blonde (<b>Yohio</b>) is really a dude ;-P And make sure you look for the <b>Aussie</b> link in <b>f(x)'s 'Electric Shock'.</b></div>
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Rachel Tsoumbakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08350366082746219383noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3127725638084695665.post-57428427472903866202012-10-19T21:35:00.000-05:002012-10-25T00:19:47.363-05:00Issue 2 of New Horror Magazine Sanitarium Hits the Shelves 20th October!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj63aW5SfUUSL68OBMpgT6qGGB9mN1YJd-Kyvm01UUFujQd63mubf5syUOHkoECeql5YpkV38gvitzIFR4K8OOoP3kefg5LT_Xsbmyqz4jfFoXuetY08kDlOmcJ3fk84j1cPWtEGSymWLeq/s1600/Sanitarium2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj63aW5SfUUSL68OBMpgT6qGGB9mN1YJd-Kyvm01UUFujQd63mubf5syUOHkoECeql5YpkV38gvitzIFR4K8OOoP3kefg5LT_Xsbmyqz4jfFoXuetY08kDlOmcJ3fk84j1cPWtEGSymWLeq/s320/Sanitarium2.jpg" width="245" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Okay, so you want to know what happens next in <b>Zombie Apocalypse Now!?</b> Well, the next exciting instalment is about to hit the <b>cyber-shelves!</b> Make sure you head on over to <b><a href="http://www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/455071" target="_blank">HP's MagCloud</a></b> on the <b>20th of October </b>for the newest edition of <b>Sanitarium</b> magazine - it's only <b>$2.99</b>. It's certainly a (trick or) treat at that price, so spoil yourself this <b>Halloween</b> while scaring yourself silly at the same time ;-D</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Purchase <b>Sanitarium</b> magazine </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/455071" target="_blank">here</a></span><span style="font-size: large;">.</span><br />
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Rachel Tsoumbakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08350366082746219383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3127725638084695665.post-87719439267976151982012-10-18T18:05:00.002-05:002012-10-25T00:19:33.104-05:00American Horror Story: Asylum vs. Australian Horror Story: Larundel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg077rnc4YILkqHqkIC7_l0wOXhqK-gXsuR_RZHt206mBSxPJsZxXmX48qKIaZBKCz2tdCQnd3j4L_rP7JK77qxS7VFGUOg8XY0yVPiDzibOQs4WskF1-GAnuXJFC47z_yKruFHx-ZEm4kg/s1600/AmericanHorrorStoryAsylum1-610x839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg077rnc4YILkqHqkIC7_l0wOXhqK-gXsuR_RZHt206mBSxPJsZxXmX48qKIaZBKCz2tdCQnd3j4L_rP7JK77qxS7VFGUOg8XY0yVPiDzibOQs4WskF1-GAnuXJFC47z_yKruFHx-ZEm4kg/s320/AmericanHorrorStoryAsylum1-610x839.jpg" width="232" /></a></div>
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So, who watched the premiere episode of <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Horror_Story:_Asylum" target="_blank">American Horror Story: Asylum</a></b>? Besides the fact that there appears to be an even level of <b>sex</b> and <b>gore</b> in this show, I am finding other things interesting too. Having only watched the first ten minutes so far, I already am making comparisons between the <b>institution</b> that inspired my novel, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Ring-Lost-Souls-ebook/dp/B00879OR6O" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">The Ring of Lost Souls</a><b>, </b>called<b> </b><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Larundel/165286520185684?fref=ts" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">Larundel</a> and the one in the show called <b>Briarcliff</b>.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzZwkpQwCyyxy5ydIwqCNlB6YgzHAUpN8_doJPqpsNOkBGuWkt3VcDh6v1YSSdlasNAFHMBYJKfGHt2ZqT3BjmjhI9-3cQN5K5dzuITUochImVjc3t6u5tPqClCJoWmGCbpFeh1SMB59M-/s1600/AHS+Asylum2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzZwkpQwCyyxy5ydIwqCNlB6YgzHAUpN8_doJPqpsNOkBGuWkt3VcDh6v1YSSdlasNAFHMBYJKfGHt2ZqT3BjmjhI9-3cQN5K5dzuITUochImVjc3t6u5tPqClCJoWmGCbpFeh1SMB59M-/s320/AHS+Asylum2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Horror Story Asylum: Briarcliff</td></tr>
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So lets have a look at the similarities so far:</div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;">Both were built at the start of twentieth century. Briarcliff in 1908 and Larundel in 1938 (but the larger facility it belonged to, <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mont_Park_Asylum" target="_blank">Mont Park</a></b>, was founded in 1912. However the oldest buildings which were built around 1911, now officially belong to the Larundel section)</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Briarcliff was originally a tuberculosis centre. While Larundel never housed tuberculosis sufferers, the buildings that did, were situated in the very next suburb</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Larundel housed the <b>criminally insane</b>. People like <b>serial killer Peter Dupas</b> spent time there. These <b>'locked wards'</b> have now been demolished, but there are plenty of stories on the <b>Internet</b> that claim the houses built over that area are now <b>haunted</b>. Briarcliff converted to a centre for the criminally insane in the <b>1960s</b></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Even the name forms a coincidence. While Larundel is in the suburb of <b>Bundoora</b>, a mere three suburbs away is one called<b> Briar <i>Hill</i></b></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Bloody Face</b> the serial killer. As I said in an earlier point, Larundel housed serial killers. While Dupas was not known by any fancy serial killer tag, he was known to mutilate his female victims in a bloody fashion</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dr. Arthur Arden</b> performs <b>torture</b> on his patients in an attempt to discover the meaning of <b>madness</b>. While there have been no <i>actual</i> reports of behaviour like this at Larundel, there have been <i>plenty</i> of unsubstantiated <b>rumours</b></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Graffiti - both places have <i>tons</i> of it! Not to mention the mess! People just don't seem kind to old asylums :-/ </li>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOUXbx78saBdWFLtvcqEJCIuPdDaE1P-rwqF3sBlnhMrXovECaauZGe7_T1oJ0O166Rdgua1A3t1dX94eDr6n8VfsCSl-TAA2oIETqWG6lt3of5lCQKiWMpYS2uUPeBs3TIZ-pRS98hml9/s1600/Larundel+AHS+comparision.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOUXbx78saBdWFLtvcqEJCIuPdDaE1P-rwqF3sBlnhMrXovECaauZGe7_T1oJ0O166Rdgua1A3t1dX94eDr6n8VfsCSl-TAA2oIETqWG6lt3of5lCQKiWMpYS2uUPeBs3TIZ-pRS98hml9/s320/Larundel+AHS+comparision.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Australian Horror Story Asylum: Larundel</td></tr>
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All this and so far I have only watched a small portion of <b>American Horror Story: Asylum</b>!</div>
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Let me know if I have missed any.<br />
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Rachel Tsoumbakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08350366082746219383noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3127725638084695665.post-88713718889848468202012-10-18T04:23:00.000-05:002012-10-25T00:18:11.171-05:00Heart Search Interview<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX212061792" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB">Today I have been lucky enough to score an interview with the fabulous author of </span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB">Heart Search: Lost, Carlie. M.A. Cullen</span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> (apparently no relation to </span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB">Edward</span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB">, but I have my doubts, since she really seems to know her genre!) Here's what she had to say:</span><span class="EOP SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><b>CC: </b>G’day</span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> Rachel, thank you so much for having me here today.</span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> I’m so excited to be in Oz!</span><span class="EOP SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="EOP SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #2a2a2a; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB">RT: You're very welcome Carlie! First off, can you tell me a little about your book?</span><span class="EOP SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;"> </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><b>CC: </b>It’s about a young couple,</span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> Remy</span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> and </span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB">Joshua</span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB">, who are on the verge of getting married when he ups and disappears after hurting her physically just two days before the wedding. Remy is understandable distraught, but after taking advice from her twin, decides to set off to find him. </span><span class="EOP SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;"> </span></span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCX156926402" paraid="170195293" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; background-color: white; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: normal !important;">
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<br /></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX156926402" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX156926402" paraid="1188773892" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; background-color: white; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: normal !important;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB">She embarks on a long, lonely journey which is full of emotion and tests her mettle in more ways than one. When weird things begin to happen to her, she even begins to doubt her sanity.</span><span class="EOP SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;"> </span></span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX156926402" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX156926402" paraid="1285502787" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; background-color: white; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: normal !important;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX156926402" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX156926402" paraid="277660153" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; background-color: white; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: normal !important;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB">In the meantime, Joshua has become immortal and finds his </span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB">maker</span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB">. He learns not only how </span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB">vampires</span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> feed, but that he has gifts above and beyond the norm. He has his own battles as he tries to forget Remy and becomes embroiled in coven politics, endangering his new life.</span><span class="EOP SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;"> </span></span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX156926402" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX156926402" paraid="5149175" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; background-color: white; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: normal !important;">
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<br /></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX156926402" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX156926402" paraid="1508198099" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; background-color: white; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: normal !important;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB">Their parallel journeys have connections running through the story and there’s a killer ending.</span><span class="EOP SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;"> </span></span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCX156926402" paraid="1787207498" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; background-color: white; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: normal !important;">
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #2a2a2a; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB">RT: What inspired you to write this novel?</span><span class="EOP SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;"> </span></b></span></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX156926402" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX156926402" paraid="932279345" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; background-color: white; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX156926402" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX156926402" paraid="1829387519" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; background-color: white; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: normal !important;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><b>CC:</b> I’ve written since I was a child and I’d had this idea floating around in my head for a while. I began making notes and then Remy and Joshua popped into my head, almost fully formed and demanded I tell their story their way. Who was I to refuse?</span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> Once I began writing it, they took over and nine months later the first draft was finished.</span><span class="EOP SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;"> </span></span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCX156926402" paraid="1137217841" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; background-color: white; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: normal !important;">
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX156926402" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #2a2a2a; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB">RT: Heart Search is quite a personal journey for Remy, did any of this come from your own personal experiences?</span><span class="EOP SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;"> </span></b></span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCX156926402" paraid="1247237165" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; background-color: white; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-US">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX156926402" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX156926402" paraid="1296602451" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; background-color: white; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: normal !important;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><b>CC: </b>Well, as far as I know, none of my ex’s have been</span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> bitten</span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> and become</span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> immortal!</span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> [Chuckles] </span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB">*<b>RT:</b> Once again, I <i>seriously</i> think she's related ;-P*</span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> I’ve also never set off on a journey like Remy did. However, I think all writers take something from past experiences and put it into their writing, no matter how insignificant. Like virtually every other woman on the planet, I’ve had my</span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> fair</span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> share of <b>heartbreak</b> </span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB">over the years </span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB">and I </span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB">did </span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB">dr</span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB">a</span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB">w on some of that for the emotional scenes with Remy</span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB">. I think when writing something of that nature, it’s good to reflect back on </span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB">the </span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB">way one reacts as it makes it more realistic. I have had a <b>personal journey</b> of my own to find myself in the past few years and it does take a certain amount of inner strength. I’d like to think some of that rubbed off on Remy.</span><span class="EOP SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;"> </span></span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCX156926402" paraid="1932823145" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; background-color: white; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: normal !important;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #2a2a2a; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB">RT: Recently I interviewed an author about Fifty Shades and why women seem to love stories that involve bad boys. In this instance, the bad boys are vampires, why do you think we love them so much?</span><span class="EOP SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;"> </span></b></span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCX156926402" paraid="163298392" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; background-color: white; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-US">
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<div class="Paragraph SCX156926402" paraid="1601564552" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; background-color: white; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: normal !important;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><b>CC: </b>Hmmm.</span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> I think it’s a combination of things actually. Vampires are generally portrayed as being handsome and charismatic, despite their </span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB">blood-thirsty</span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> natures, and the </span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB">immortality</span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> issue is attractive. So many people dread getting old and dying and as vampires almost never die, staying young and beautiful </span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB">forever,</span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> it’s the same type of thing as finding the fabled</span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> ‘Fountain of Youth’</span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB">. Also, I think women sometimes</span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> fantasise</span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> about having a </span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB">bad boy</span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> as it’s so atypical to their real natures; the danger and excitement </span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB">which</span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> surrounds them is attractive</span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB">.</span><span class="EOP SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;"> </span></span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCX156926402" paraid="1511241103" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; background-color: white; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: normal !important;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #2a2a2a; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB">RT: Can you give us any hints about Remy and Joshua's journey in the next novel?</span><span class="EOP SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;"> </span></b></span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCX156926402" paraid="1220096737" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; background-color: white; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-US">
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<br /></div>
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<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX156926402" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX156926402" paraid="1424499614" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; background-color: white; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: normal !important;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><b>CC: </b>Uh-oh! Now you’re pushing your luck, Rachel! [Laughs] What can I tell you that won’t give too much away? Remy’s</span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> heartache</span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> isn’t over by a long shot yet you come to see the real fighter in her emerge – much more so than in book one. Joshua still has battles to fight and not just in his coven. There’s a</span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> twist early in the book</span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> that shakes both Remy and Joshua’s worlds enormously, but for different reasons. The coven leader has a new lady on his arm and the sins of the past are revisited. That’s all I’m going to say.</span><span class="EOP SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;"> </span></span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCX156926402" paraid="2141142580" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; background-color: white; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: normal !important;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #2a2a2a; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB">RT: Rats! I was hoping to get a scoop there. Okay, so how many books are planned for this series?</span><span class="EOP SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;"> </span></b></span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCX156926402" paraid="390912991" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; background-color: white; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-US">
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<br /></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCX156926402" paraid="1957707932" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; background-color: white; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: normal !important;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><b>CC: </b>Three in total at the moment.</span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> However, the way Remy and Joshua take me over when I’m writing, who knows what they have planned?</span><span class="EOP SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;"> </span></span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCX156926402" paraid="847861222" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; background-color: white; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: normal !important;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #2a2a2a; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB">RT: I agree, characters certainly have a way of getting under your skin and ruling the show sometimes ;-P So there turns out to be more than three books, I can CERTAINLY live with that! Speaking of books, do you have any </span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #2a2a2a; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB">other</span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #2a2a2a; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> novels in the pipe works?</span><span class="EOP SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;"> </span></b></span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCX156926402" paraid="419034421" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; background-color: white; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: normal !important;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><b>CC: </b>Um, yes I do. I’m sketching out some ideas for a </span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB">fantasy</span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> one featuring the lovely lady I use as my </span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB">avatar</span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB">. She gives me a great deal of inspiration so I’ve decided she needs her own book or two. I have a working title and a rough theme, but in this one I’ve got some serious</span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> world-building</span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> to plan and</span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> </span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB">magic systems</span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> to work out. I’m excited by the prospect, but will do little more than make notes as I think of things until I’m done with </span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB">Heart Search</span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB">. I’m not the sort of writer who can have several projects on the go at once – I prefer to concentrate on one project at a time.</span><span class="EOP SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #2a2a2a; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB">RT: I agree, creating worlds takes time, one at a time for me too please. I am in AWE at the authors who can drop one world and pick up half way through in another one though. So, how did you start writing?</span><span class="EOP SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;"> </span></b></span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCX156926402" paraid="1770456738" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; background-color: white; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: normal !important;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><b>CC: </b>I started writing for my own amusement as a kid. I had to learn to amuse myself as I grew up as an only child with parents who both worked. I loved reading, especially</span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> fairy tales</span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> and began writing my own before I reached double digits. I’ve never really looked back since.</span><span class="EOP SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #2a2a2a; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB">RT: Who inspires you (Literary or otherwise)?</span><span class="EOP SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;"> </span></b></span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCX156926402" paraid="1791669516" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; background-color: white; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: normal !important;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><b>CC: </b>How long have we got? [Chuckles] </span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB">My late parents inspire me – losing them taught me that life is too short to be unhappy and to follow my dreams while I can. My daughter is also a great inspiration; she is so supportive of my writing and brings such joy to my life.</span><span class="EOP SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;"> </span></span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCX156926402" paraid="992177771" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; background-color: white; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: normal !important;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB">Outside of them, I’m inspired by ‘my family’ at</span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> Myrddin Publishing</span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB">, the late </span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB">Princess Diana, J K Rowling</span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> and a whole host of other </span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB">authors</span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> whose books have enriched my life.</span><span class="EOP SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #2a2a2a; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB">RT: And, finally, just for fun...If you could have any superpower, what would it be, and why?</span><span class="EOP SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;"> </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><b>CC: </b>Oh this is a hard one! Why are the fun questions so damn difficult? There are too many awesome choices! [Laughs] Ok-ay, I think I’ll go with the ability to</span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> teleport</span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB">. It would be beyond cool to just be able to decide</span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> to go somewhere, like a beach in the </span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB">Caribbean</span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> when it’s freezing cold and chucking it down with rain at home, or to pop in on my family in the US or Canada or even those in the UK in the blink of an eye, or visit places I’ve always wanted to go, but never been able to afford. But I’d have to be able to take my daughter with me – and my laptop!</span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> :)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><b>RT: Ooooh, teleporting sure does sound like a LOT of fun! Thanks so much for popping in and saying hello. I know your schedule is completely crazy this month, so I really do appreciate it!</b></span><span class="EOP SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;"><b> </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><b>CC: </b>I’ve had a </span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB">bonza</span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> time here with you today, Rachel. Thank you so much for having me. Now did you say something about a </span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB">barbeque</span><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: #0070c0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB">??</span><span class="EOP SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB">RT: *Chucks another shrimp on the barbie for Carlie*</span><span class="EOP SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;"> </span></b></span></div>
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<div class="Paragraph SCX156926402" paraid="1837443641" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: windowtext; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-US">
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB">Now, I think I have an idea what that twist may be in<b> book 2</b>, but why don't you head on over to <a href="http://amazon.com/">Amazon.com</a> and pick up your copy of <b>Heart Search: Lost</b> and once you've finished reading it, stop back here and let me know what you think the twist is!</span><span class="EOP SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/HEART-SEARCH-book-Lost-ebook/dp/B009MWXU40">Amazon</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="TextRun SCX156926402" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: normal !important;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/HEART-SEARCH-book-Lost-ebook/dp/B009MWXU40">Amazon UK</a></span></span></span></div>
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Rachel Tsoumbakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08350366082746219383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3127725638084695665.post-6269994332876390212012-10-12T00:47:00.002-05:002012-10-25T00:17:36.173-05:00Zombie Apocalypse! Comes to Sanitarium Magazine<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCTjmwhgH-cx3CL8Nzc2-xinjZXMj86ZIs-NfighrW8oqdkh8HJZW3y4mhgfO3AJsU-hnyuhxB7DodO_AsoShejSWit_BfXY6cR8Nxvz9u3PCJ1z8gQN4fg02GvZMhEC-gcOWDkXgpXeZs/s1600/Zombie+Apocalypse+Now%2521+A1+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCTjmwhgH-cx3CL8Nzc2-xinjZXMj86ZIs-NfighrW8oqdkh8HJZW3y4mhgfO3AJsU-hnyuhxB7DodO_AsoShejSWit_BfXY6cR8Nxvz9u3PCJ1z8gQN4fg02GvZMhEC-gcOWDkXgpXeZs/s200/Zombie+Apocalypse+Now%2521+A1+%25283%2529.jpg" width="141" /></a></div>
Recently, I started up a quaint little serial called <a href="http://racheltsoumbakos.blogspot.com.au/p/zombie-apocalypse-now.html"><b>Zombie Apocalypse Now!</b></a> I was posting weekly editions to <a href="http://www.wattpad.com/user/mrszoomby">Wattpad</a> merely to entertain my <b>zombie</b> friends and fans. For those of you who have noticed that the entries are no longer up on Wattpad, I can now tell you why.</div>
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<b>Zombie Apocalypse Now!</b> is being made available exclusively through <b><a href="http://www.magcloud.com/browse/magazine/447145">Sanitarium magazine</a></b>! Starting from <b>Issue 1</b> which went live on the <b>October 2nd</b>, you can follow the stories of four women who are bought together in a <b>post-apocalyptic</b> adventure involving the <b>undead</b>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYvG4zjcWFP8bWX7Eegv3URbekkHps98PlMcnMFFKGsdfK2Sfz5ztyEUXQ1keU0XMQtvekTAJrIr5V8VpJY3UaMJsyqgirc_L5-6pYtLNxhgPrB-jlJeFj8_sCLHt_TnVEv887gXCu-rOc/s1600/549125_428181307224725_746360841_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYvG4zjcWFP8bWX7Eegv3URbekkHps98PlMcnMFFKGsdfK2Sfz5ztyEUXQ1keU0XMQtvekTAJrIr5V8VpJY3UaMJsyqgirc_L5-6pYtLNxhgPrB-jlJeFj8_sCLHt_TnVEv887gXCu-rOc/s1600/549125_428181307224725_746360841_n.jpg" /></a></div>
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In Issue 1, <b>Rosalyn</b> was introduced. On the <b>20th of October</b>, <b>Berta</b> (also known as the crazy cat lady), will be gracing the pages of this wonderful new magazine.</div>
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So what is <b>Sanitarium?</b> It's a brand new <b>digital magazine</b> that showcases the <b>best new horror short stories </b>from across the globe. The first magazine included works from </div>
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<b>Rick Allden </b></div>
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<b>Marie Robinson </b></div>
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<b>Patrick Hayes</b></div>
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<b>W.B. Stickel</b></div>
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<b>Hannah M. Richardson</b></div>
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<b>Mitchell John Bryan</b></div>
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<b>Teijay</b></div>
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<b>and</b></div>
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<b>Cristel Kaa Hedberb</b></div>
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Each edition is only<span style="font-size: large;"> <b>$2.99</b></span> and can be downloaded to your <b>iPad,</b> in <b>PDF</b> or <b>Webviewer</b>, so there is no excuse not to check it out now!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimpofDlpp0ed8FlRKdGmwZ8_4-eCigaBXU2xO2i-1ReWUbFkfAgD631_cT6LJ5MmM4-pb8EPBV3m-5VJcdcriUWgsLwbOuc3vR4vg8GiHi4pSlFy4yu7m0wAzWBT7jCVyRYSkf_hjlivHl/s1600/286575_450350595007796_2062796552_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimpofDlpp0ed8FlRKdGmwZ8_4-eCigaBXU2xO2i-1ReWUbFkfAgD631_cT6LJ5MmM4-pb8EPBV3m-5VJcdcriUWgsLwbOuc3vR4vg8GiHi4pSlFy4yu7m0wAzWBT7jCVyRYSkf_hjlivHl/s320/286575_450350595007796_2062796552_o.jpg" width="249" /></a></div>
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The upcoming issue will include stories from the following authors:</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Russell C. Connor</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Gavin Wilson</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Michael Clifton</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Ron J. Cruz</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Ray T. Woodruff</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Rob Salem</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>and</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>A.R. White</b></span><br />
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<span style="text-align: justify;">Make sure you like them on </span><b style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/SanitariumMagazine">Facebook</a>,</span></b><span style="text-align: justify;"> follow them on </span><a href="http://twitter.com/@eyetraumapress" style="font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">Twitter</a><b style="font-size: x-large; text-align: justify;"> </b><span style="text-align: justify;">and subscribe to their </span><span style="font-size: large; text-align: justify;"><b><a href="http://sanitarium.eyetraumapress.com/">Blog</a></b></span><span style="text-align: justify;"> to find out all the updates on this new and exciting new magazine.</span></div>
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Let me know what you think of this great new magazine! And don't forget to share the news wherever you go ;-)</div>
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Rachel Tsoumbakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08350366082746219383noreply@blogger.com3