Immaterial Evidence - Milo James Fowler

If you like mysteries and illusive villains, look at Milo's latest. . .

Cover, Immaterial Evidence, Milo James Fowler

A detective with a price on his head. An invisible criminal with nothing to lose...

The vault door never opened. The bank went into lockdown in less than a minute. Yet the security footage was unmistakable: a hundred silver bars had simply vanished.

 

Ever since the city’s most dangerous crime boss put a price on his head, private investigator Charlie Madison has lived as an exile in Little Tokyo. But now an old friend and police sergeant has lured Madison back into the city to hunt down an invisible criminal—if he can.

As Madison makes his clandestine return, high-profile people start disappearing. And when federal agents swoop onto the scene to take matters into their own hands, they offer Madison a deal he can't refuse—as long as he agrees to work with them. With Japanese freedom fighters and refurbished killing machines threatening to take the world to the brink of nuclear holocaust, the United World government needs all the help it can get.

 

Embroiled in an unimaginable mystery, one private eye must rely on his wits to solve a case where the evidence is immaterial, and the odds are stacked high against him at every turn.
 

IMMATERIAL EVIDENCE - Check this link to Musa Publishing!

 

A Milo James Fowler Release

 

Milo James Fowler writes to intrigue and entertain. I've never been disappointed in one of his stories, and now he has a novella which offers a bigger bite of Milo's writing. Good Luck with this new venture, Milo!

Milo's Blog, In Media Res, be sure to visit!
 

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Are you familiar with Milo's short stories? Do you like detective noir, especially in the Big City where many things can hide. . .?

 

Please share in the comments and don't forget to check the link. And lock your windows. Just in case. Thanks for dropping by!

 

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Get Healthy Blog Hop

Do you spend a lot of time sitting at a computer desk in your study, or at your work desk?

 
Can an apple 'help keep the doctor away'? Yes, the juice from the apple is said to disinfect the mouth of harmful bacteria. Changing your diet can reduce the number of times you get sick as you boost your immune system. What you eat does matter.


THANKS to our Hosts:  Stephen Tremp, L. Diane Wolfe, Michael DiGesu and Alex Cavanaugh who have teamed up for the Get Healthy Blog Hop. Participating is one way to jumpstart a change in your habits and in your mindset. Our hosts have asked us to contribute our best tips on health and what we do to maintain it. What could you do to make 2013 a healthier year?



The Trigger that got me started. . .
 
After a car accident, I started a weight training program to help counter the pain I felt in my upper body. I suffered nerve trauma in my right arm and one of the neck vertebrae from bracing for the impact of a rear-ender. I needed to strengthen the muscles of the shoulders, arms, back and neck to prevent constant pain. When I returned to work, I went to the employee gym.

What helped me: a full-body 45 minute weight-training workout five days a week at lunch. I used cable resistance machines, free weights, exercise balls and I walked. This plan was created by an instructor at the gym specifically to work around my injuries. Within a few months, I could sleep without pain and had less headaches. (NOTE: This type of full-body workout which tones is different from a body-building routine where the objective is to build bulk.)


What can you do to keep yourself healthy and prevent illness?

Start with the little things. . .
 
Walk every day or as much as you can. This helps keep joints flexible and improves circulation.
 
Motivate yourself with a class, a new routine or discipline, or get a friend to join you

'Clean' your diet by changing a few things for the better. Reducing salt or sugar is a start. Eating more veggies, greens, and fruits is another healthful change that's easy to do.

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Do you work around a health issue? Have a favorite way to stay in shape? What do teachers do with all those apples?
Please share in the comments, and thanks for dropping by!

To continue reading health tips and stories, refer to the list at Get Healthy Blog Hop.

 

Topiary sculpture on Burnaby Mtn, Vancouver, by DG Hudson 

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The Book, by Jessica Bell - A Review

A child's viewpoint is simple, unfettered and direct. . .if something causes pain, then you cast it out. Bonnie, at five years, senses much more than her parents know. She hears, she sees and watches the adults each in their own worlds, and wonders at what she doesn't understand.

Cover of The Book by Jessica Bell

Initially, the book comes into being as a journal for the young child, an attempt to tell the child about her parents, who both write in it. It evolves into a entirely different creature, spawning emotions from all who touch it. In a split family, we watch a child in distress, intelligent beyond her years in the ways of adults and how they say one thing and do another. She's not sure who to trust, since she loves them all. But not the book, never the book.

It's coming - The Book Blog Tour by Expresso June 2013

Bonnie resists, in every way she can. She knows adults can be fooled. She reaches out to the adults, but withdraws when they don't measure up. An engaging story, The Book should be read by anyone who deals with children, but especially parents. It's important to recognize the intellectual jumps some children can make by observing those closest to them.  In Bonnie's mind, The Book is the cause of the discord wrecking her family.

When families break apart, it's not easy to pick up the pieces. Four different people, each with a different yearning. I finished my review copy of The Book today, and by the last page, my emotions were in turmoil. You have to read it to find out why. This is a book that will grip your heart and not let go. Bravo, Jessica, I felt this one in my core.
Highly recommended.

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Author Jessica Bell



Jessica Bell, Author of The Book

An Australian-native, the smiling beauty in the photo currently resides in Athens, Greece. She is a contemporary fiction author, poet and sing/songwriter/guitarist, whose literary inspiration often stems from songs she's written. Jessica is the Co-Publishing Editor of Vine Leaves Literary Journal and runs the Homeric Retreat and Workshop on the the Greek Island of Ithaca.

For more information, please visit her website: www.jessicabellauthor.com



If you don't currently follow Jessica's Blog, The Alliterative Allomorph, give it a preview. She features The Artist Unleashed-a series of guest posts, news about the self-publishing world, and what to do or what to avoid, when submitting to Vine Leaves Literary Journal.

For information about The Book Blog Tour in June and to see the trailer, visit Jessica's site. Jessica's books can be found on Amazon US, Amazon UK, Kobo, and Goodreads.

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Are you familiar with Jessica Bell's writing? Own any of her other books? Are you intrigued by the viewpoint of a small child?
Please leave a comment, I'm interested in what you have to say, and thanks for dropping by.

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References:

http://www.jessicabellauthor.com/ The Author, Jessica Bell website

http://thealliterativeallomorph.blogspot.gr/ The Alliterative Allomorph Blog

http://www.jessicabellauthor.com/books.html  Books by the Author


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F. Scott Fitzgerald's Last Novel - A Review

. . .and a Mini-Liebster. Have you ever wondered what the studio life was like for someone working there in the 1920s and 1930s, when cinema was young?

The Last Tycoon

The Last Tycoon, F. S. Fitzgerald, cover for Penguin Canada

In this interesting tale of Hollywood during the 'reign of producers' in the late 1930s, F. Scott Fitzgerald shows us the behind-the-scene life of the producers, the stars and their circling firmament of support people in the film industry: writers, actors and extras, technical wizards in production and the executive (money) of the studios. Fitzgerald spent the second half of the 1930s in Hollywood employed by MGM, working on commercial short stories, and scripts while penning his final novel, published as The Last Tycoon. Originally, the title for the movie was The Love of the Last Tycoon.


Cecilia Brady, the daughter of one of the film producers relates what she sees and what she guesses. As a narrator, she has an ideal vantage point, bringing to the story her insider's interpretation of the events and the people living the 'Hollywood' studio life.


In the beginning of the story, Cecilia introduces us to the main characters, Stahr, herself, her father, and the writers. These are the 'regulars' around the studio, the focus of the novel, however, is on Monroe Stahr, a producer of the Golden Age variety, who took an interest other than monetary, in the quality of the movies he was producing.


Then, Stahr meets the One. She looks like his beloved dead wife, Minna. He finds her after much searching, she exists on the outer edges, not a member of the film industry. Their mini-story uplifts the last half of the book that Fitzgerald completed.


At this point, the manuscript stops with the untimely death of Fitzgerald. The synopsis he left behind is used to show the reader what he had planned to do with the end of the novel. A letter indicates he considered serializing the novel, something many authors are considering in today's world. Fitzgerald wanted to show the industry in all its glory, but also to reveal some of the shoddiness beneath.


Fitzgerald gave us a semi-realistic look at a fantasy business. I liked this book, and the main character, Monroe Stahr. You might like it, too.


***And Now, for something completely different. . .


The MINI-Liebster

The lovely Suze included me on her list of bloggers for the Liebster Award and since it was Mother's Day, I decided to do a mini-version.

Thanks to Suze, an award I can't refuse. Why? Go look at the distinguished company listed at Suze's place, 'Sublimininal Coffee', after you've finished reading here.

For a quick run down of the rules for the Liebster Award, and to use the badge if you'd like to, please click here.


One unknown thing about me?

I've had three close calls with extreme danger, all auto related.

In a car accident with 3 friends in my teens, I was a passenger. My side of the car narrowly missed a tree when our rear fender was winged by a drunk driver running the light. Our car spun in a circle and up an embankment towards the tree.

As a kid, the way I usually walked to the corner store was down the sidewalk on the main road. On this day, I walked the back way which was a little cooler (in the US south in the muggy summer). Just a whim. On my way back I saw a lot of people in front of one of the houses next to ours, and went to see what the problem was. A car had run up onto the front sidewalk crashing into the utility pole.

Another car accident: riding in hubs sports car years ago, we stopped behind a car turning, but the car behind us didn't see us until too late.  We could hear the screeching tires and braced ourselves for the impact. (one of those moments when you feel like Wiley Coyote). We were the filling in the sandwich of cars. Evasive action helped.

I hope there's no pattern forming here. . .

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Liebster Mini-questions:

Where are you living now? Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

What book are you reading now?
Two books, Roland Yoeman's 'The Bear with Two Shadows' and 'Three Spirit Knight'.

Greatest struggle as a writer? The administration part. My creative half rebels.

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I don't usually do Two-for-One Posts, so I apologize for the length. Hope you have time to comment.

Have you read this novel by Fitzgerald? Do you like books about the Hollywood industry and the background of movies?

Thanks for dropping by if you came here from the Liebster List and please continue checking out the other blogs on Suze's list.

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References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F._Scott_Fitzgerald The Author, The Fitzgerald

 http://subliminalcoffee.blogspot.ca/ Suze's Blog

Juxtaposition - Vancouver Views

Vancouver combines the Old and the New, and blends it into Now. Certain heritage buildings have been saved from destruction and sit juxtapositioned between the shiny, reflective, and sleek in the downtown core.  We'll start at the water.


Canada Place Convention Centre - Dockside

Vancouver's premier convention centre with a beautiful view.  The marine traffic sports variety, too. Parking can be tough in our city.

Canada Place with Submarine and Ship in berths, by DG Hudson

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The Vancouver Sun building, a newspaper icon, is shown in the background on the left (the name emblazoned at the very top ledge) and the original Sears Tower, now called Harbour Centre, is on the right background. In between these two stalwarts, this new blue design has added a bit of colour.

Vancouver Style - Old and New by DG Hudson

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The Marine Building, with its Art Deco design is contrasted by its neighbors, mirrored and reflective. In the foreground is a polished sculpture of Dolphins. In my haste, I neglected to get the details about the sculpture.

Marine Building with Dolphin sculpture, DG Hudson

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The Vancouver Art Gallery (formerly the Courthouse) faces Robson Street, a popular meeting spot. Robson Square offers street buskers and other interesting events, wide sidewalks, shops and eateries of various types. In spring and summer, you might find a band or two performing here.


The Hotel Vancouver , known for the greenish tinge of its copper roof, is on the left behind the Art Gallery. This Fairmont hotel was one of several 'railway hotels' owned by the rail companies which connected the provinces.

Art Gallery, Hotel Vancouver, and Robson St. by DG Hudson

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Dramatic design, minimal and reflective to lighten the effect. The sleek exterior may appeal to those who value a great view.

Vancouver Architecture by DG Hudson

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Christ Church Cathedral at Georgia and Burrard, sits across the street from The  Hotel Vancouver. These photos were taken when we were on our way to Christ Church Cathedral, another Heritage building in the downtown core, for a by-donation concert performed by the West Coast Symphony.
Update:
On my other blog, 21st Century Journal-Music in the Rafters, I've written about this old church in Vancouver.

Christ Church Cathedral and Hotel Vancouver, by DG Hudson

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Do you have buildings like this in your city or town? Older? More modern? Know any of these sights? I'd be interested in your responses. Please share in the comments and thanks for visiting.


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References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marine_Building The Marine Building

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hotel_Vancouver The Hotel Vancouver

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