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Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post

Feb 6, 2021 (Updated Feb 6, 2021)  
Sneak a peek at the science fiction medical thriller FACTOR-7 by J.D. May, and check out the awesome author interview video on my blog. Enter the giveaway to win a signed paperback of the book, a travel mug, a coffee mug, coaster, pen, tote bag, and a bookmark - 5 winners total.

https://alltheupsandowns.blogspot.com/2021/02/book-blog-tour-and-giveaway-factor-7-by.html

**BOOK SYNOPSIS**
Dr. Sam Hawkins’s friend and mentor, Dr. William Roberts, has been struck down by an unknown and hideous disease. Roberts’s dying words are cryptic, and Sam is soon confronted by a massive cover up of his friend’s death. He reluctantly partners with Dr. Rainee Arienzo, an Italian infectious disease specialist, and together they uncover the terrifying truth about Factor-7, a bio-weapon with a 98 percent mortality rate.

Roberts’s journal tips them off that a clandestine plot for using the virus is about to be unleashed by a secret society, the Keepers Collegium. The Collegium, an international group of rogue intelligence agents, ex-military, and government officials, has a demonic plan to use the pathogen to destroy anyone who threatens their twisted ideology. Sam and Rainee soon realize that public exposure of the evil plot would be as dangerous to the world’s security as the bio-weapon itself—the fallout could lead to World War III. Therefore, they must not only shut down the plans of the Collegium, but also keep the top- secret information away from the media.

But as they work to stop the plot, Sam and Rainee are kidnapped by the drug cartel. The kingpin, who financed much of the Collegium’s plot, wants them to hand over Roberts’s journal because it lists the names of the major players in the Collegium who had double-crossed him. He plans to carry out his own revenge. In order to survive, Sam and Rainee have no choice—they must play with one of two devils or be burned by both.
     
Vampire in Brooklyn (1995)
Vampire in Brooklyn (1995)
1995 | Comedy, Horror
7
6.5 (6 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Eddie Murphy (0 more)
Brooklyn's Own Vampire
Vampire in Brooklyn- is a entertaining movie. It has horror, comedy and eddie Murphy as the bad guy.

The plot: In the wake of her mother's death in a mental institution, detective Rita Veder (Angela Bassett) is assigned to a baffling serial murder case. After examining the crime scene -- a corpse-filled ship found adrift at sea -- Rita meets Maximilian (Eddie Murphy), a smooth-talking Caribbean playboy determined to romance her. When Rita begins suffering from crippling hallucinations, she calls upon Dr. Zeko (Zakes Mokae), an occultist who suspects a vampire is on the loose.

According to Charlie Murphy, the movie was originally going to be a straight horror film with no laughs but Wes Craven brought a different focus to it. He also said: "Maximilian wasn't going to have any redeeming qualities. But Wes taught us that we must get the audience to care about our characters. And even if they didn't know any vampires personally, they would at least have to identify with the type of person he was.

About the movie, Eddie Murphy said: "I've always wanted to do something where I was the villain in the movie. I love horror pictures and I was a big fan of Wes Craven. This movie started out as something small, this was a movie my company was just going to produce and the screenplay came together so well that I thought it will be a fun role to play. Because I got to do something kind of scary and had a safety net because the vampire can turn into other peoples. I get to be funny when I'm the preacher and I get to be funny when I'm the Italian guy. And the vampire is pretty straight and I got all these funny stuff happening around me. I felt it was a unique piece to do."

Although contemporary reviews were negative, Vampire In Brooklyn has since become a cult classic.

Like i said its a good comedy horror film.
  
Maybe I should have read the first book in this series before asking for this via NetGalley. Unfortunately, I don't think I can finish reading this.

For example, I was terribly confused by the scene which has DeLuca saving Van Buren from almost drowning. The whole episode just wasn't described so that I could visualize what was going on, who was where, how she got into the water, and how he was able to find her to save her. I'm hoping that this is fixed in the final version.

By the way, I don't think that this author knows Chicago that well. She describes a warehouse there near the lake, but by her description, it sounds like it is only yards from the lakefront. However, as far as I know there were never any shipping warehouses on the lakefront, only on the river. That means the characters in that scene couldn't have been looking out on Lake Michigan, but only onto the Chicago River.

Another thing that confused me was why the author gave DeLuca - who is so Italian that he translates from that language into English - a very Scottish first name like Hamish. If that's explained in the first novel, I really wish the author had added a line about it in this one.

Finally, the "romance" bit here - or should I call it angst - was too overpowering for me. DeLuca goes on and on about every aspect of this woman and why he adores her and how he feels when he's around her. When she started in on her feelings towards him, well... that's when I gave up on this book. (I only read about 15%.)

This is really a shame because I've been trying to find a good cozy mystery series where I can fall in love with the protagonist/s and enjoy some harmless sleuthing on a historical backdrop. I'm afraid this one didn't deliver for me.

Now I have to figure out what I'm going to tell NetGalley when I tell them I'll not be reviewing this book.
  
Cursed Films - Season 1
Cursed Films - Season 1
2020 | Documentary, Horror
Cursed Films is a 5 part series focusing on the ins and outs of film productions that were deemed cursed for one reason or another - the 5 parts concentrate on The Exorcist, The Omen, Poltergeist, The Crow, and The Twilight Zone movie respectively.

When this series is focused on the films themselves, it's a real treat. Some of the interviews are moving as hell - in particular the conversations with Richard Sawyer, Lance Anderson, Jeff Most, and Gary Sherman. These guys are to this day still affected by some of the things that happened during their film productions.
The Twilight Zone episode includes footage of the infamous on set accident which is genuinely haunting, and is honestly a really powerful part of the documentary having Sawyer's interview running alongside it.
The Crow episode is great as well, and the look we get at Anderson's relationship with Brandon Lee is so human and raw.
These moments really shine a light on how ridiculous the curse theories are, when in fact, they are just tragic events that effected real people, people who then had to deal with a following media circus.

The big thing I really didn't like about this series is only really relevant to The Omen and Exorcist episodes. It's almost like they didn't have enough material to fill the runtime of these segments, and so opt to pad it out with interviews with real exorcists, or magicians that practice black magic. I'm sure that there are interesting stories to be told by these people, but it feels really out of place and forced here. It's even cringe inducing at times and feels like very obvious filler. It detracts somewhat from what is otherwise a pretty solid documentary series.

Cursed Films is certainly an interesting watch, and is easy to digest in the 30 minute episodes that are presented. Also, that theme music is wild (found out it's by an Italian space-prog band from the 70s called I Signori Della Galassia!)
Worth a watch for sure, just ignore the silly filler parts.
  
The House By The Cypress Trees
The House By The Cypress Trees
Elena Mikalsen | 2019 | Romance
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I have always wanted to travel to Italy. My father was in the Navy and was stationed in Italy for some time and my aunt and uncle lived there during their military career. So, I have always heard lots of amazing stories about the culture there. I was excited to read this book by Dr. Mikalsen because, due to health reasons, I will never get to visit Italy. Upon opening this beautiful book, I was instantly taken to the heart of the story and felt as though I got to be there, in the middle of Italy, just like my dad and uncle got to be. Oh and let's not forget to eat before reading this book because Mikalsen will leave you hungering for delicious Italian food!

Julia Ramos and Daniel Stafford are both wonderfully chiseled characters! I loved how Mikalsen created their chance encounter when Daniel nearly ran her over! The attraction between them could be felt as if I was right there standing next to them. Nothing is seeming to go right for either of them while they are in Italy, and it just doesn't seem like the universe is going to help ease their predicaments with all the misunderstandings, the sparks flying and interference from family! But, one night stranded on the side of the road, may be just what they need.

With vivid details of the country side of Italy, and two characters who are from two separate worlds, yet fall into each others paths, and a plot line filled with emotional moments, this is a beautifully written, page turning novel that I highly recommend! Britain, Italy and America collide, quite literally, in this romantic roller coaster ride of a story. It's 4 star worthy, and I look forward to reading it again and again.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Author, Publisher and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
  
    Scriptural Rosary

    Scriptural Rosary

    Utilities and Reference

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    App

    This app is a great way of praying the Rosary, because each Hail Mary is preceded by short scripture...

    Runtastic Butt Trainer

    Runtastic Butt Trainer

    Health & Fitness and Sports

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    App

    Stop sitting on your butt, get up and work it out! Download the Runtastic Butt Trainer app and build...