Rancho Diablo #3 Is Live!

The third book in the Rancho Diablo series I'm co-authoring with Bill Crider and James Reasoner is now on sale at Amazon for $2.99.  It's a steal, folks, and the series is getting great reception from Western fans.  Our cover artist is the amazing Keith Birdsong, who has knocked himself out to provide some absolutely stellar.

This is Bill Crider's first book in the series, and it's a good one.  Yeah, I know, I'm not exactly an unbiased source.

If True Grit has reawakened your taste for the Old West, hop on board for another fast-paced and action-packed tale set in Shooter's Cross, Texas where the Blaylock family is struggling to carve out a home for themselves against all odds.

Evil Is Suddenly Cheaper!

To celebrate the release of the SECOND book in the exciting new THE DEAD MAN SERIES, the first volume is being priced at 99 cents for the next two weeks.  You wanna know who Mr. Dark is?  And what all thos lesions on people around you mean?  You wanna know how hero Matt Cahill can be frozen solid for months, then pick up his grandfather's axe and start hunting evil?

It all begins here, pilgrim!

And you can dive right into Book 2!



And check out THE DEAD MAN blog here!

Mike King Titles

One of my students at the University of Oklahoma has thrown his hat (eh, fedora) into the Kindle market.  He's written two period piece gangster stories set in and around Maine (his home state) and the Northeast.  I worked with him on both stories, so maybe I'm leading wth my heart a little here, but I think he did a great job.

If you're looking for some tough guy/gangster fiction for your Kindle, give it a try.  He blogs at http://www.crimetypeguy.blogspot.com/.



Get a FREE eBook!

Tyndale Books is currently putting ebook versions of the first book in my NCIS series out for FREE!  You can download it to your Nook or your Kindle in seconds at Barnes & Noble or Amazon respectively.

Special Price!

For the next week, The Colossus of Mahrass is specially priced at 99 cents.  Lemme know what you think.

Joe Lansdale's New Hap and Leonard Novel!

Joe Lansdale writes some of the finest small town crime fiction around.  I've been hanging with Hap and Leonard, his two good ol' boys with a gift for staring down Texas-sized trouble, for years.  Y'all pick up a book and read.

Redemption, Kansas



My buddy James Reasoner's new book is out today!  Give it a whirl!

Review coming soon.

DEAD MAN

Just agreed to do one of the upcoming DEAD MAN books sometime in the summer.  Looking forward to it.  For more information, go to the Facebook page:

here

And if you'd like to read an in-depth review:

here

Green Lantern Game

Not only do we have a cool movie to look forward to, but this game actually looks pretty nice too.



Coming Movies I'm Going To See

This one looks awesome.  Coming in April.



And I'm starting to warm up to this one.



Raylan Givens Is Back And Looking For Justice!

Chandler and I will be glued to the tube tonight!

The Chicago Code Premieres Tonight

So far everything I've seen concerning this new show appeals to me.  Tonight we'll see how it rolls.  Looks like plenty of action and lots of drama.



John Carter of Mars

I grew up on Edgar Rice Burroughs novels, and John Carter of Mars was probably my favorite.  Even over Tarzan.  Carter was an eternal warrior and I loved the science fiction background, especially while I was growing up in the 1970s and the space race was the thing.

I read an article today that talked about the upcoming movie (2012).  I hadn't really paid attention to Taylor Kitsch, the guy playing John Carter, because I'm going to see the movie anyway, no matter who's starring.  But I have to admit, Kitsch has a good look for the character.  I can definitely see him as John Carter.

Bill Crider's Dead On The Island Now in Print and Eprint

Bill is currently working on the third book in the Rancho Diablo series he's doing with James Reasoner and me.  This is Bill's first Truman Smith novel, and it's a gentle exploration of character and a confounding mystery.  I read it years ago and now have it loaded up on my Kindle to reread.

Covers That Make Me Take Books Home

Yep, I picked it up, but I also read the back cover copy.

The man of her dreams might be the cause of her nightmares.



Six months ago, Abby Sinclair was struggling to pick up the pieces of her shattered life. Now, she has an enchanted iPod, a miniature unicorn living in her underwear drawer, and a magical marketplace to manage. But despite her growing knowledge of the OtherWorld, Abby isn't at all prepared for Brystion, the dark, mysterious, and sexy-as- sin incubus searching for his sister, convinced Abby has the key to the succubus's whereabouts. Abby has enough problems without having this seductive shape-shifter literally invade her dreams to get information. But when her Faery boss and some of her friends vanish, as well, Abby and Brystion must form an uneasy alliance. As she is sucked deeper and deeper into this perilous world of faeries, angels, and daemons, Abby realizes her life is in as much danger as her heart—and there's no one she can trust to save her.

Then I took it home with me.  :)

Johnny Depp Is Tonto?

Johnny Depp has signed on to star as Tonto in an upcoming Lone Ranger movie.  The mind boggles.  There's some mention of a comedic approach, but I just can't see this character getting a good treatment if that's what they do.

Of course the recent Green Hornet movie didn't meet my approval either.  It was Seth Rogen playing a superhero goof.  I liked it for that, but I immediately discounted that the film had anything to do with the Green Hornet character I love.

How many of you know that the Lone Ranger and the Green Hornet were created by the same creator and writer?  George W. Trendle and Fran Striker.

Did you know that John Reid (the Lone Ranger) is the great-uncle of Britt Reid (the Green Hornet)?  I'm beginning to suspect that today's filmmakers don't respect the Reid family tree.

I used to watch the old television series in reruns every day after school.  They were thirty minutes of sheer pleasure for me.  A true hero for a boy that wanted to wear a mask in his grownup job.

I mean, the Lone Ranger was totally cool.  It was one thing to talk to a dog for an animal sidekick, but you could ride a horse and believe it could haul you out of a well.  I struggled to believe that Lassie could pull that off.

Now Gentle Ben could have managed that with one big paw tied behind him.  Moving the bear from Alaska to the Florida Everglades flew in the face of the original book, but I loved Dennis Weaver on that swamp boat.  I wanted one of those when I grew up.



Probably could have rode him too.

I also enjoyed the cartoon series that came out and shared time with Zorro.

But for an absolutely fantastic treatment of the Lone Ranger in present day media, check out Dynamite Comics' series.  Several of the issues have been put out as graphic novels which have amazing writing and art.

And for those of you that still believe in heroes, I leave you with this, one of the most iconic voices in all of TV land.



A Holiday Every Day of the Year?

Did you know that every day of the year is a holiday?

I didn't, but it is.  I recently met a college student at OU who is doing a celebration every day of holidays she discovers.  The days are fun and quirky, and The Celebrationist enjoys them.

She's a wonderful and bright personality, and can fill a room with charm.  I've been enjoying her blog and I think you might too.



Did you know that Jan 31 was Bubble Wrap Day?  Me neither!  But I do now.

Go to http://www.thecelebrationist.com/ to find more days to celebrate!  Go now!

THIS Is Oklahoma?

You can ONLY say WOW! and shake your head in disbelief.

Snowmegeddon!



The mother of all winter storms is presently hammering Oklahoma, and we're in the center of it.  School has already been cancelled.  I'm just hoping to keep warm and the computer going.  Should be pretty in the morning!

Pics will follow!

Sean Phillips Blogs!

I'm a fan of Sean Phillips's artwork.  He's been working with Ed Brubaker on Criminal, Incognito, and Sleeper, all titles I've enjoyed immensely for the art and the story.

I didn't know until today that he had a blog.  So I signed up to see what he's gonna share.

Thanks to Paul Bishop for letting me know about this.

One I'll Be Picking Up

Double win!  The cover totally rocks and the premise sounds intriguing!

Synopsis:  In the depths of night, customs officers board a galley in a harbor and overpower its guards. In the hold they find oil and silver, and a naked boy chained to the bulkhead. Stunningly beautiful but half-starved, the boy has no name. The officers break the boy's chains to rescue him, but he escapes.

Venice is at the height of its power. In theory Duke Marco commands. But Marco is a simpleton so his aunt and uncle rule in his stead. They command the seas, tax the colonies, and, like those in power before them, fear assassins better than their own.

In a side chapel, Marco's fifteen-year old cousin prays for deliverance from her forced marriage. It is her bad fortune to be there when Mamluk pirates break in to steal a chalice, but it is the Mamluks' good luck - they kidnap her.

In the gardens beside the chapel, Atilo, the Duke's chief assassin, prepares to kill his latest victim. Having cut the man's throat, he turns back, having heard a noise, and finds a boy crouched over the dying man, drinking blood from the wound. The speed with which the boy dodges a dagger and scales a wall stuns Atilo. And the assassin knows he has to find the boy.

Not to kill him, but because he's finally found what he thought he would never find. Someone fit to be his apprentice.

Badlands

Carina Press is an independent publishing arm of Harlequin Books. I've been watching their website for a while and gotten curious about the books they've published. This cover and premise caught my eye and I ordered it from Amazon. Carina looks like a place for good books, but none will comfortably fit within the lines presently being published by Harlequin.

Description

After a brutal Civil War, America is a land divided. As commander of her nation's border guards, Ever is a warrior sworn to protect her country and her queen. When an airship attacks and kills the monarch, Ever must infiltrate enemy territory to bring home the heir to the throne, and the dirigible Dark Hawk is her fastest way to the Union.

Captain Spencer Pierce just wants to pay off the debt he owes on the Dark Hawk and make a life for himself trading across the border. When the queen's assassination puts the shipping routes at risk, he finds himself Ever's reluctant ally.

As they fly into danger, Ever and Spencer must battle not only the enemy but also their growing attraction. She refuses to place her heart before duty, and he has always put the needs of his ship and crew above his own desires. Once the princess is rescued, perhaps they can find love in the Badlands—if death doesn't find them first...









Heavy Rain Movie Adaptation Underway



Don't know what the thinking in Hollywood is here, but they're going to make a movie of this game.  Loved the game's overall plot and story pacing, but once you solve it there's no way to make the ending a surprise again.  That kind of limits the replay value, but it's a beautiful game to simply watch.



However, I've heard that they've got a sequel in the works.  And now a movie.  Stories are crossing over into all kinds of venues, then making their way back to traditional forms.

With the Mature rating, the game was a strictly enforced 17+ purchase.  Definitely gonna be an R rating at the theater too.  Still, it would be interesting to see how the game and movie vision are the same/different.



Fairly Legal

The cute star caught my eye and I plugged the series info into the DVR.  I liked the way she winked, and I liked the conceit of the series -- a mediator working on bringing legal battles to an amicable close.

I watched my first episode tonight and enjoyed it.  Unfortunately, it was the second show because something malfunctioned with the DVR last week.  I enjoyed the episode a lot and found it quite touching, but I'd already figured out how it was going to end because my mind is still locked into creative mode with deadlines looming.

Also, I'm still uncertain if this is a drama or comedy or romance or family oriented.  Too many irons in the fire, I think.

There's also supposed to be a big romance between our heroine and the D. A.  For me, the chemistry isn't there.  I also think the guy is dumber than a box of rocks and too inflexible.  Got no points from me, though the actor has been good in other things I've seen.

The cliffhanger at the end of the scene is kind of cheesey, but I'm coming back next week to see what's going to happen.



Thar Be Pirates

Yesterday my buddy Bill Crider blogged about Cutthroat Island being a forgotten movie. Not by me. I still love this one and have decided I'm going to have to show it and the one below to my son. He's 13 and I can now totally corrupt his idea of heroes. These guys don't have to have super powers to man up. And Geena Davis is gorgeous in this film, as well as independent.

Tommy Lee Jones was relatively unknown when Nate and Hayes  came out,, but boy did he explode onto the screen later.  I saw this one about the time I watched The River Rat (which I wish would be released on DVD).



Hobo Sapien

A few years ago in one of my adult writing classes, I had the great and good fortune to meet Wayne Iverson, certainly one of the most interesting people I've ever met.  At times in his life, he's been a freight train riding hobo, a zen buddhist monk, a teacher, a city planner, a truck driver, and went to university at Yale.  He's also from Minnesota, where my wife is from, and which is a state that seems to grow interesting people by the bushelful.

When I was talking with Wayne, he didn't really want to write fiction but he wanted to write something.  After listening to his history, I suggested he write an article on "catching out," hopping a train without benefit of a ticket.  :)

That article started something, a need to write, a need to explain, and a desire to teach compassion.  Now, years later, Wayne showed up in my office and handed me a copy of his book.

If you want something different, something that offers you looks at things off the beaten path, or to take a look at everyday things with new eyes, Hobo Sapien is the book for you.  It's been compared to Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.

Congrats, Wayne!

Limitless

I saw the trailer for this one at The Green Hornet.  It strikes me as something Phillip K. Dick would have done with the mind-altering pills.  Of course, some scientists insist that we're actually using all of our brains, not just 10 percent or the 20 percent mentioned in this trailer.  But I like the conceit, the action seems good, and Bradley Cooper has gotten to be one of my favorite actors.  Loved him in The Hangover and was really rooting for him to be Green Lantern.  After seeing Ryan Reynolds as Hal Jordan, though, I'm sold and anxiously awaiting that movie.



Top Suspense Group

If you start feeling overwhelmed by all the offerings for your new Kindle, check out Top Suspense Group, a coalition of bestselling mystery and suspense authors.  They've got a showcase of their work and quick links to get copies for the Kindle or the Nook.

Authors include Max Allan Collins, Lee Goldberg, Ed Gorman, Paul Levine, Dave Zelterserman, Bill Crider, Joel Goldman, Vicki Hendricks, and Harry Shannon.

The Voyages of Jaelik Tarlsson Begin!

I put this one up on Amazon last year and I'd made a truly horrible cover for it.  No one seemed to see it and only a handful bought it.  I love the book and the characters and wanted to see if I could make the overall package more attractive.  Keith Birdsong did this stunning cover.

I have more adventures planned for Jaelik and his crew as they track down deadly weapons across a dangerous world.

Fight Card

As I mentioned a few days ago, Paul Bishop and I are going to be writing a new straight-to-ebook fight series set in the 1950s.  We've got the first cover planned, but we have two versions and were looking for some feedback as far as which image has more "pop."

Comments are welcome.