Posts Tagged ‘entertainment’

Clive Cussler’s Spartan Gold

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009

Spartan Gold is the first in a new series by New York Times bestseller Clive Cussler in cooperation with action novel writer Grant Blackwood.

The new series is referred to as “Fargo Adventures,” based on its action heroes, a married couple named Sam and Remi Fargo.

After a few years of entrepreneurship early in life which made them a fortune, the Fargos have been able to devote their new lives to their main passion, archeological treasure hunting. And they generally let nothing and no one deter them from finding their prize.

The Fargo Adventures feature a new set of characters and a new approach in the form of archeological treasure hunting. (New in terms of being the main focus.) But as with any Cussler-novel, we can still expect a lot of the action to take place in and around water, as well as plenty of exotic cars, foods and drinks.

Through Spartan Gold we follow Sam and Remi Fargo as they pursue a trail of clues left behind by Napoleon Bonaparte on the back of wine-bottle labels from his lost wine cellar. Not only are the clues written as riddles but they are also in code, which they must first crack.

Of course there are also adversaries to be faced and dealt with. A former Soviet freedom fighter turned mafia billionaire sends his hired hooligans to interfere with the Fargos’ investigation, several times imperiling their very lives.

Bondaruk believes the end of the trail will lead to an ancient Greek gold-treasure once conquered by his ancestor, the Persian ruler Xerxes the Great. A treasure which Bondaruk has convinced himself is his rightful heritage, and no one will be allowed to stand in his way of getting it.

The riddles on the wine-bottles lead the Fargos and their adversaries from a WWII German submarine in the Great Pocomoke Swamp of Maryland to the Bahamas and through much of Europe including Monaco, Croatia, Italy, Germany, and Ukraine: not necessarily in that sequence.

Spartan Gold is a solid, action-filled treasure hunting novel in the spirit of The Da Vinci Code. It is also distinctly a Clive Cussler novel with all of what that entails. Another guaranteed New York Times bestseller, in other words.

Britt Hellman lives in Western North Carolina with her husband and three children. She runs her own copywriting business from home. Clive Cussler has been long time favorite author. Visit her dedicated Cussler site to order the Spartan Gold novel or read her review of the most recent Dirk Pitt novel, Arctic Drift by Clive Cussler.

Possibly Related Posts:


  • Share/Bookmark

An Elegant Affair

Sunday, December 13th, 2009

Slate and Artstone – I met this one at an elegant and formal party. I had slipped into silk, he was dressed in something more complex.

I long ago lost the need to feed, so now I feed my faded lust. He was pretty, and haughty, just the way I like them.

It did not take long to make her leave his side. One thing leads to another, which leads to another which causes this one to fall, which makes that one back up, which cases the table to shake, the cup to spill, the dress to stain.

And she’s off in a huff, not a terribly attractive way to make an exit. Plenty of room for me to slide in

Men believe anything when their hard. The first part was easy, the second was easier. Before he knew it we were walking out back, innocent enough.

I never make the first move. I don’t have to. All I have to do is wiggle the worm, present it out there, ripe and juicy.

He was a good roll, not that I feel it anymore. At least in that lust I got to take a sip of his soul, that is always sweet ecstasy. Of course that’s not why I do it.

The look on her face was even better. Everyone had seen us wander out back. I know how to be conspicuous when I want to be, and every man and woman’s eyes were on me, even as were his own, glued, locked onto me. It was a simple thing for her to ask around

and to be answered

out back…

with some woman…

But she was only gone a minute!

And then, stained, soiled, and sundered, humiliation and rage, pain, sorrow, loss, the air rushes from her lungs, the blood from her heart.

I nudge him, even as I rise, magnificent in my naked splendor. I want her to see me, to see not only what has been taken, but also that which took it, to know that I am better

Then I take my leave, and even as I go, I can feel the glow rising from them. A real, true moment, an instant of perfection, locked forever in time, crafted by my design

This story was written by Jim Slate on behalf of http://www.RolePages.com – a chat / forum roleplaying community built around a social networking dynamic, to allow you to interact with people as anything that you want.

categories: art,writing,games,entertainment,roleplaying,games

Possibly Related Posts:


  • Share/Bookmark

Book Review: Arctic Drift, by Clive and Dirk Cussler

Saturday, November 21st, 2009

As usual, Clive Cussler stays right on top of current world events in his latest Dirk Pitt novel, Arctic Drift. This time, not surprisingly, the book set in the year 2011 revolves around the financial crisis and global warming.

The bad guy of the story, Mitchell Goyette, is a Canadian energy tycoon with a public facade of green technology and renewable resource businesses. However, his dark underbelly conceals heavy involvement in oil and natural gas.

South of the Canadian border, the United States faces a financial crisis of unequaled of proportions, a crisis intensified by the looming boycott of the U.S. by the international community if the country does not cut its greenhouse gas emissions from coal burning and automobiles.

The American president in 2011, when the story takes place, plans to use natural gas from Canada to replace both coal and automobile gasoline, thereby killing two birds with one stone. The nation would make huge savings by cutting down on expensive oil imports, and simultaneously reduce greenhouse gas emissions by burning a cleaner fuel.

This desperate American play gets exploited by the industrialist Goyette to the fullest. Officially, he is the hero of the green movement because of his heavy investments in wind power and carbon dioxide sequestering. Unofficially, he holds a major interest in the Athabasca oil sands of Alberta, as well as the entire Melville natural gas field in the Canadian Arctic.

With one hand, Goyette makes a deal with the U.S. government to supply nearly limitless amounts of natural gas at market price from the Melville fields to help solve the American energy crisis, and indirectly the financial crisis. But with his other hand, he secretly strikes a deal with the Chinese to instead sell them all of the gas from Melville at 10% above market prices, with no intention of honoring his agreement with the American government.

(In reality, it seems a little farfetched that the American government would not have had an iron-clad, legally binding, written contract in place for a deal of this magnitude and importance. But it makes for a good story.)

However, Goyette’s double-dealing with the U.S. and China may actually be the least of his crimes. He’s also guilty of assassination, bribing politicians, creating toxic waste that kills people and wildlife, and almost instigating a war between the U.S. and Canada.

The only fly in Goyette’s ointment goes by the name of Dirk Pitt, Clive Cussler’s action hero of 35 years. In the end Pitt prevails over Goyette, and multiple crises are averted.

The co-authorship between father and son Cussler in Arctic Drift appears seamless. Their penmanship cannot be separated. Whatever parts of the book were written by the younger Cussler, he did a magnificent job of adopting his father’s inimitable style. (Intentional oxymoron!)

All in all, Arctic Drift is an excellent action thriller. It’s does not have the cover-to-cover non-stop action of some of the older Dirk Pitt novels by Cussler, but it does have quite enough action, plus the story line is brilliant and intriguing and keeps you wanting to read more. And as always in Dirk Pitt’s world, the villains are as clever as they are evil, and the heroes as pure as Arctic snow.

Britt Hellman resides in Western North Carolina with her spouse and three children. She runs her own copywriting company from home. Clive Cussler has been one of her favorite authors since she read his Trojan Odyssey in 2003. She writes reviews like this one on Arctic Drift for the fun of sharing that excitement.

Possibly Related Posts:


  • Share/Bookmark

The Finest Female Vocalists in Indie Rock

Thursday, November 5th, 2009

Ever since the 1990’s, the female vocalist has shared the spotlight with male singers. The singer/songwriter emerged in the 1990’s with the alternative rock scene, as artists like Alanis Morrisette, Natalie Merchant, Natalie Imbruglia, Tracy Chapman, and many others experienced some great commercial success.

Some of today’s most talented female music artists come from the indie rock world. This breed of intelligent rock allows artists to creatively express themselves, and some great talent is here for us to enjoy as a result.

This article is going to focus on a few of the biggest female talents in indie rock music today, with their vocals being the deciding factor in who makes the list. While there are dozens I could easily list here, I’m going to limit this article to my favorite four.

First, I’d like to mention Regina Spektor. I’m in a coffee house as I write this, and her music is playing. This in fact inspired me to write this article.

I love Regina’s voice, and it’s one of my favorite in music, period. She’s sang many great songs, and still in her 20s, she’s sure to come out with more classics over time.

If you haven’t heard of Chan Marshall, perhaps you’ve heard of Cat Power. Marshall goes by Cat Power as a stage name, and she’s sat atop the indie charts for many years since becoming popular earlier this decade. Power writes original compositions, in addition to covering many classic songs.

A newer arrival to the scene is Sharon Jones. While she’s not so new in the music world, this 50 something singer is certainly new to the indie scene. Having partnered up with the Dap Kings, this unique combination of musicians has some great Motown type music to show for it.

Lastly, Shara Worden, who produces music under the “My Brightest Diamond” moniker, may very well be the best of these. Listen to her cover of “Feeling Good” for affirmation of this.

If you liked this writer’s work, read his pieces about cheap individual health insurance and self employed health insurance premiums.

Possibly Related Posts:


  • Share/Bookmark

Learn Rob Parnell’s Formula For Writing A Fictional Hero Best Seller

Monday, August 3rd, 2009

Have you ever wanted to write a best-selling story? How about writing a novel based on your character’s hero or heroine?

Stories as diverse as Star Wars, Harry Potter, The Da Vinci Code, and The Color Purple along with most good action adventure, thriller, romance, fantasy and literary novels use the classic mythical 12-part journey from zero to hero as their basic plot premise.

You really need to understand the mindset and heart of your character. Telling a fascinating story means establishing its parameters. Discover simple and effective ways to start a story that will encourage sympathy from your reader.

A character must transcend his normal existence and be tested in any good story. Examine the hero’s character and motivation. The character’s separation from his ordinary world leads him to take the necessary plot to reach his goals.

How this metaphorical transformation can and must occur at the quarter point of the hero’s journey is the only way to ensure growth and eventual plot resolution. Knowing this will help you in all areas of fiction writing.

Writing should not be just a way of entertaining readers. It is also a spiritual journey of enlightenment for the writer. By the middle of the story, both the hero and the writer must be stretched to the limits of their imagination.

Explore the transformation of the hero and the writer at the crucial plot point and how to use simple guidelines to ensure the reader is transported by our story, its plot elements and our character.

The character’s ultimate reward is based on his or her ability to overcome the obstacles and achieve the agendas set out at the beginning of the story. Structure and resolve character development. Create endings that leave your reader gasping and begging for more. It’s all part of the hero’s journey.

About the Author:

Possibly Related Posts:


  • Share/Bookmark

Learn The Formula For Writing A Best Seller Based On A Fictional Hero

Friday, July 24th, 2009

Have you ever wanted to write a best-selling story? How about writing a novel based on your character’s hero or heroine?

There are stories as diverse as Star Wars, Harry Potter, The Da Vinci Code, and The Color Purple along with most good action adventure, thriller, romance, fantasy and literary novels that use the classic mythical 12-part journey from zero to hero as their basic plot premise.

You must first establish parameters when telling a compelling story. Discover ways to start a story that will encourage sympathy from your reader. You should understand the heart and mindset of the hero or heroine.

Remember, in any good story you should examine the hero’s character and motivation because he must transcend his normal existence and be tested. The character’s separation from his ordinary world leads him to take the necessary plot to reach his goals.

How this metaphorical transformation can and must occur at the quarter point of the hero’s journey is the only way to ensure growth and eventual plot resolution. Knowing this will help you in all areas of fiction writing.

Writing is not just a way of entertaining readers, it is also a spiritual journey of enlightenment for the writer. At the midpoint in a story both the hero and the writer must be stretched to the limits of their imagination.

Explore the transformation of the hero and the writer at the crucial plot point and how to use simple guidelines to ensure the reader is transported by our story, its plot elements and our character.

The character’s ultimate reward is based on his ability to overcome the obstacles and achieve the goals set out at the beginning of the story. It is all part of the hero’s journey. Create an ending that leaves your reader gasping and begging for more.

About the Author:

Possibly Related Posts:


  • Share/Bookmark

Learning A Language

Monday, July 13th, 2009

Learn another language can make your mental faculties better and give you a new tool to enjoy. However, before we go on learning another language, we should first consider a few factors that may determine our success in learning a foreign language.

An often overlooked point is the reason you want to learn a new language. Surprisingly, this point can determine whether or not you will be successful in your pursuit of a new language to add to your repertoire.

The main problem here that one can run into is if one begins to learn a language without good reason or background to do so. Learning a new language is a task which takes a great amount of effort and time and simply learning it for a weak reason will not give you enough fuel to get you through your language learning stage.

So, what is a good reason for learning a new language? If your company is sending you on a trip or if your significant other speaks the language, these can be good reasons that will keep you going during your foreign language studies.

Now, let’s take a look at a weak reason. A weak reason might include learning another language because your great-great-great grandfather came from Norway. If you live in the United States, you probably won’t come into much contact with Norwegian. For this reason, you probably will have a hard time staying motivated to learn the foreign language because there won’t be much of a reason to learn it in the first place.

Now that you have chosen a second language to learn and have a good reason behind it, you can actually begin your studies. In this case, the faster you can begin learning from real world materials in your second language, the better. The second language’s structure and grammar can be picked up this way much quicker and it will be easier in the long run. Using second language books may be a good way to begin, but watch out for stilted language and language that is no longer used anymore. Also, most textbooks use a method which is slow and will waste your time.

About the Author:

Possibly Related Posts:


  • Share/Bookmark

Learning The Steps To Writing A Book

Wednesday, July 8th, 2009

Many authors are not sure where to start when they are thinking about how to write a book. It doesn’t matter if you are thinking about self-publishing or being published by a big publishing company many of the fundamental rules still apply. The basic fundamentals must be done correctly and it is important to know how to start your publishing journey so you don’t make thousands of dollars worth of mistakes.

The very first thing you want to ask yourself is what you are looking to accomplish with being an author and publishing a book? Are you looking to make money or are you seeking exposure with your writing? These are the first two things to think about because this can help you clarify just what you are aiming at in terms of a successful end result.

The decision you make deciding where along the exposure and money scale you belong will help you to decide how you market your book. Many of the decisions you make as an author and marketer will stem from the answers to the purpose of you writing this book. Maximum exposure can be experienced if you printed a whole batch of books and gave them all for free. On the other hand a lot of money can be made by selling each and every book at premium price. You must decide what the best options is for you an your book.

If you are seeking a way to make money as an author than different elements are going to come into play. If you are writing for the main purpose to make money you are going to have to put a lot more emphasis on marketing, promoting, and advertising your written words. This is a different end of the spectrum than gaining exposure because there will not need to be as much time and effort put into these aspects when just hoping for exposure as an author. Aside from marketing you will need to decide how much money you are expecting or aiming to make. Do you want to cover the costs of the book or do you want more? Every author should want to make money from their writing if they are taking the time to write and publish a book. There is nothing wrong with feeling this way but you have to know just how much you want of each aspect.

Like I said both ends of the scale will result in different decisions and different results. It is crucial you know where you stand and what you expect from your book. This will make achieving your goals a lot easier and make the entire process much smoother and clearer.

About the Author:

Possibly Related Posts:


  • Share/Bookmark