One of the great things about running a blog or even writing a book is working with others to promote not only your own work, but theirs.  One way to do this is to provide author interviews.  Another blogger has recently posted an interview with me on his website.  Please check it out here:  http://rastephensonauthor.blogspot.com/2013/03/author-interview-td-wilson.html.  If you are author and interested in having an interview with me or Mr. Stephenson, please contact us via our blogs and we will be sure to get you a list of questions.

Mark Your Calendars!

Coming April 26th!

The Cygni system was just one space-fold jump away.  One more jump to a new world with a fledgling colony that Earth desperately needed.  Its importance resonated in Captain James Hood's mind, but could he reach the colony in time or even defend it against attack.

So much depends on him now, but Hood’s confidence is shaken.  Only a few days earlier, a deceptive trap by a mysterious vessel nearly claimed his ship and the lives of his crew.  On the journey to the new colony, Hood was so focused on encountering Earth’s old enemy, the Cilik’ti, that he was oblivious to the undermining activities of a new and elusive foe.  They had managed to turn his strategic and tactical strengths against him; something few had ever accomplished.

Now, the specter of self-doubt resurfaced inside him.  Hood knew it as a brutal mind-killer for all military commanders.  It was something Hood thought he cast aside long ago.

Hood needed to get to Cygni and fast.  The plot to derail his mission to Cygni cost him something more important than just his confidence.  It cost him time—time the colonists at Cygni may not have.  With the Cilik’ti and his new adversary still out there somewhere, the consequences for the colony could be dire if he didn’t reach them first.

What will Hood and his crew find when they arrive at the colony?   Hood didn’t know, but one thing was certain.  If he didn’t win his battle within, the fate of the colony would be sealed.

Crucible is the second book in the exciting sci-fi series, The Epherium Chronicles. 

In anticipation for the release of the next Epherium Chronicles novel, Crucible, I have placed the first book, Embrace, on sale for $0.99 until April 26, 2013.

You can find it here:
Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009LTU1KU
Smashwords:  http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/242012 with the coupon code PW87U

My family took a trip to the land of Oz this weekend.  I was highly optimistic about this film.  I am a huge Sam Raimi fan and I really wanted to see what he planned to do with this storyline.  We saw the 2D version of the film, and from that vantage I could easily tell it was made for 3D.  The story was good, but not great.  Perhaps I am too jaded as an old fan of the Dorothy classic.  After all, The Wizard of Oz is a fantasy epic in all its glory.  Also, I had the pleasure of seeing the play Wicked on stage and that musical and back story was a brilliant adaptation for Oz.  I know the book was much darker, but the musical lightened it up and made it fun.

I found that the story here for Oz was superficial.  It needed something more, but I couldn't put my finger on it.  I know that Robert Downey, Jr was originally supposed to play the Wizard and I think he may have been the best choice.  James Franco did well with the con-man side, but when it came to how he truly cared for the people of Oz and Glenda, it didn't come through.  Michelle Williams did play a very enchanting Glenda, but in this version she was the Good Witch of the South... I was always under the impression she was the Good Witch of the North.  The other two witch sisters played by Rachel Weisz and Mila Kunis were ok as the "Wicked" witches, but I did like the back story of how the Wicked Witch of the West came to be (Mila Kunis).  It was very Disney-like.

All in all, I give this a rating of 6 out of 10.  For kids, they will like it, albeit a few scary parts for them.  It seems set up for a remake of Dorothy's adventure, but will really need to step up for all us fans of the classic film.

My job offers very weird quirks.  Well, I needed to travel to Washington, DC this week and it turned out that one of my favorite authors was conducting a book signing in Baltimore.  That man was R.A. Salvatore.  I had to go and it was well worth it.  I got a chance to listen to his stories about creating some of my favorite characters.  It was a great time.  I was able to share some of my experiences writing and my reasons to self publish.

I did ask him about his Star Wars: Vector Prime novel.  It was the Star Wars publishers that asked him to kill off Chewbacca and I know he took a lot of heat from fans.  Wow.  What would I do?   Turn down a chance to write a spectacular novel for one of the most popular Sci-fi universes today?  I doubt I would either, but I know it had to be hard.  Killing off a beloved character had to be super hard and I imagine Karen Traviss had to feel the same when she killed off Mara Jade Skywalker in Sacrifice.

This trip already was a win for me and I hope to complete it by finishing The Last Threshold.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey - Review

Ok, I have been quiet after my viewing of the first of the trio of Hobbit movies.  I wasn't sure what direction Peter Jackson was going to go.  I loved the movie.  It shined with his usual grand spectacle as the LOTR series did, but I am still wondering could this have been done in just the originally planned 2 films instead of 1.

I know Mr. Jackson has really added a great deal to the story.  He has tapped more Tolkien works (The Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales) for some great backstory related to Dol Guldur and Sauron (Cough..) I mean, The Necromancer.  Radaghast's visit sets off a great controversy for the White Council and
I believe Jackson intends to show the Elvish assault on Dol Guldur to oust hum from the fortress.

The initial visage of Smaug was very pleasing and the second movie will indeed be something to see.

I give Mr. Jackson a 8.5 for this one.  I love Tolkien and the entire genre, but two hours and forty five minutes for movie #1 was too much.....  Another movie that I didn't want to leave, lest I miss something, but my bladder just couldn't take it...sorry.

Jack: The Giant Slayer

Ever been to one of those movies that you just couldn't run to the bathroom or you might miss something important?  Well, this movie was one of those for me.  I love Jack: The Giant Slayer.  It had a good mix of humor, romance, giants smashing stuff, bad guy intrigue (I love Stanley Tucci... he always plays the subtle villian),  and good special effects.  It also wasn't too scary for kids... If my two 9 year olds can handle it, it is ok for that age.

Since movies are rated on 10 point scales, I give this one a 9.