Hi and welcome to Episode Seven of Forecast Stormy. The music you were listening to (or would be if you were listening to the podcast rather than reading the blog) is Harry Gore – God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen from The Lee Harris Christmas Compilations courtesy of the Pod Safe Music Network at music.podshow.com. Did you hear the finger cymbals in there? That was me! I bought them for myself as a Christmas present and gave them to myself as soon as they got here. I’d wanted some my whole life. Aren’t they fantastic?! They bring me great joy! So that’s my wish for you this Christmas. Buy yourself something totally impractical and useless but that brings you joy. [The podcast is available at http://forecaststormy.libsyn.com/]
If you’ve got cabin fever and are looking for some video adventure, I think your best bet is BATMAN BEGINS. This movie is the best Batman movie yet. Though I’m sure you already know the story, Bruce Wayne grows up to be the world’s greatest crime fighter after seeing his parents gunned down. In this movie, however, Bruce seeks vengeance on their murderer when he is up for parole. The fact that he entered the courthouse with the intention of killing the parolee makes Bruce question his values. He goes off to seek training and to delve into the criminal mind prior to fighting crime. Everything comes together and is actually pretty plausible. Even access from Wayne Manor to the Batcave is explained, as one of the Wayne ancestors aided in the Underground Railroad back in the days before the Civil War. Christian Bale is wonderful as the tormented Bruce Wayne, and Michael Caine breathes life, compassion and heart into Alfred Pennyworth, the loyal Wayne butler. Morgan Freeman is terrific in his role as a technology expert, too. You’ve gotta love his line at the end, “Didn’t you get the memo?”
Although BATMAN features car crashes, fights and excitement galore, if you don’t get your fill, check out SAHARA. Starring Matthew McConaughey, Penelope Cruz and Steve Zahn, SAHARA (based on the novel by Clive Cussler) has speed boat chases, camels, treasure and a yucky, incurable disease. Sometimes it appears there’s too much going on in the movie at once, but it’s still a good movie.
I got an e-mail from iTunes and they’re now offering TV episode downloads. It’s the coolest thing! You can get individual episodes (both current shows and vintage) for $1.99 each. The episodes are ad-free and include LAW AND ORDER, MONK, ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS and many others. And for the kids (or the kids-at-heart) they have Pixar short films. Check all this out at iTunes.
Also, if you’re as big a fan of the show MONK as I am, you’ll want to catch the marathon on USA on January 1. I already have a note on my calendar to videotape a few of the episodes I’ve missed including one co-starring Jason Alexander called “Mr. Monk and the Other Detective.”
Kat Martin sent me an advanced reading copy of her latest novel THE HANDMAIDEN’S NECKLACE, due out this month from Mira Books. THE HANDMAIDEN’S NECKLACE is the third in the Necklace trilogy and is the story of Rafael, the Duke of Sheffield, and Danielle Fuval. Rafe and Dani were once engaged but an act of trickery by a scorned suitor made Rafe believe Dani had been unfaithful to him. When he learns the truth, he sets off to America to find her and to stop her from marrying the wrong man. The novel follows Rafe and Dani through their perilous adventures as they learn to trust and love each other once again. If you’re in the mood for romance, THE HANDMAIDEN’S NECKLACE will surely fit the bill. Read an excerpt at Kat Martin’s site: www.katbooks.com
Another romance laced with intrigue is MCLEARY’S MULLIGAN by Bridget Bell Webber. MCLEARY’S MULLIGAN is Bridget’s first novel, and it’s a gem. When Chase McLeary loses his wife and his golfing career in one fell swoop, his future looks grim indeed. Can a cute golf student and a second chance at the pro circuit be his Mulligan (or second chance)? Not if his former agent has any say in the matter. Here’s a brief excerpt:
Jake leaned back. “Sorry. No Mulligans.”
“Come on,” Chase said, his voice cracking. “My wife died less than a year ago. I’ve got a toddler to raise. Between the medical bills and the funeral costs, I’m totally broke. You can’t expect me to just snap back. Give me some time.”
Jake appraised the lunch specials. “The sympathy card’s already been played.” He pushed back the menu. Two young women seated nearby smiled. Jake cocked his head in acknowledgment.
“You arrogant, son-of-a—”
“You want to blame someone? Look in the mirror.” Jake snapped his fingers. “The minute you were arrested is exactly the moment that your career as a professional golfer ended.”
Chase bumped his water glass but saved it from spilling. “It was a terrible mistake.”
“I’d say. You almost killed your son.”
The sound of ice cubes tinkling against glass turned into ambulance sirens. The disappearing sight of River, bruised and broken in Roper Hospital Emergency room as the police dragged Chase off in handcuffs, flashed before his eyes. “I was in so much pain.” He rubbed the tops of his khaki pants and removed a long piece of string. It reminded him of that time, after the radiation, he awoke to find clumps of Terry’s hair on her pillow. It was only one of the escalating humiliations she had suffered as the cancer overtook her body.
Chase snapped back his head. “Try to understand. All I could think about was numbing it and. . . that’s not important anymore. As soon as I get through rehab and community service, I’ll start making my way back up the money list.” Remorse assailed him. He remembered the look of love and respect on his late wife’s face when he broke fiftieth on the money list. I’m so proud of you. What would she say if she were alive today? What have you done to our son? What have you done to yourself? Chase’s breathing labored. He stared into Jake’s eyes. “I’m a rising star. You said so yourself.”
“More like an imploding star.” Sunshine sliced through the blinds. “Anyway, time is up.” Jake donned his wraparound sunglasses. “Your endorsement contracts have been canceled.”
You can learn more about this cozy mystery at Grace Abraham Publishing’s site: http://www.graceabraham.com/. Also, check out Grace Abraham’s gift baskets at www.graceabraham.com/page5.html. Let them do your shopping for you! No stress, no hassle, no standing in line at the post office…. Sounds good to me.
I hope all of you have a wonderful, blessed holiday season!
As always, if you have any ideas for me, or any movies, books or TV shows to recommend, please e-mail me at [email protected].
