Who Is Your Favorite Fictional Hero?

(Photo by Janko Ferlic on Pexels.com)

In continuing my series on favorite fictional characters, I decided to ask today’s question about heroes. This one is very tough for me, because there are so many possibilities from which I can choose. Among the many I have considered are Mina Harker from Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Henry V from Shakespeare’s play of the same name, and Captain America from the Marvel Comics. I will, however, use the technique that I recommend for students on tests and quizzes–to go with your first choice when asked a question.  Now, that typically refers to memory, but I will still use it.

The one character who came to mind before any other was Aragorn from J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Lord Of The Rings.  He is the leader who does not care about his own safety, who fights in the front lines with the soldiers he leads into combat, and he views the hobbits as his equals.

(https://en.wikipedia.org)

So, I ask all of you: who is your favorite fictional hero?

Who Is Your Favorite Fictional Villain?

(https://en.wikipedia.org)

In continuing my series of favorite characters from books, I wanted today to explore fictional villains, those people we love to hate or who capture our imagination.  They sometimes make us quake in fear and wonder about the darkness.

There are so many wonderfully written villains to draw from that the choice of my favorite is difficult. Among the many possibilities are Sauron from J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord Of The Rings, Dracula from Bram Stoker’s novel, Dr. Hannibel Lechter from Thomas Harris’ The Silence Of The Lambs, and Claudius from Shakespeare’s Hamlet. As I mentioned, there are many other possibilities. Would it be immodest to suggest my own character Maledicus from my novel Maledicus The Investigative Paranormal Society Book 1?

My choice, however, is from the book that is one of the largest influences on me as a reader and writer, and that is Dracula!

(https://en.wikipedia.org)

So, I ask all of you: who is your favorite fictional villain?

 

Gallows Hill can be found here in ebook.

Gallows Hill in paperback can be found here.

An interview about Gallows Hill can be found here.

Please follow the following links to find my novel:

ebook

Print book

Thank you!

The book trailer:

Maledicus:Investigative Paranormal Society Book I

My radio interview:

interview

 

Available on Amazon

Available on Amazon

 

Who Is Your Favorite Magical Character?

(Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com)

I am beginning a new series for this blog today about favorite characters.  I will begin with magical/mystical characters, but the one requirement for these choices is that they are from books or poetry or drama–some kind of writing.

When I ask who is your favorite magical/mystical character, I mean specifically any character who can perform magic, not simply someone who appears in a magical world.

For me, this is very difficult, because I have so many from which I can choose; among them are Merlin from Le Morte d’Arthur by Sir Thomas Mallory, Prospero from The Tempest by Shakespeare, Harry Potter and Dumbledore from The Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling, and Gandalf from The Lord Of The Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien. I am sure I am forgetting some, but I will make a choice, and my favorite magical character is Gandalf!

(https://pixabay.com)

 

So,  I ask all of you: who is your favorite magical/mystical character?

What Book Would You Read On A Winter Day?

(Photo by Ricardo Esquivel on Pexels.com)

I have asked in previous posts about what book you would read on a lazy summer day, so I want to change this question slightly. Assuming that you have some time off, or even a few spare hours, and you have the opportunity to curl up with a book, what book would it be?

I am currently reading A Book Of Bones by John Connolly. It is another in his series on the detective Charlie Parker who lives in Maine and who, with his friends, battles human and supernatural evil.  Connolly, an Irish writer, imbues these works with lyricism and Catholic mysticism, as well as a deep dive into the darkness in the human soul by some and the good in others who battle that evil.  If you like your fiction dark but written as well as any piece of so-called high literature, then I recommend John Connolly, especially the Charlie Parker series. But, you need to start with the first novel and work through them in order.

So, I ask you now: what book would you or are you reading on a Winter’s day?

(Photo by Domen Mirtič Dolenec on Pexels.com)

Beginning Of The Year Promote Your Book Party!

(Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com)

It is the beginning of a new year and a new decade! It is time to stand up and shout for your books! Come and join this party, and celebrate your writing. Do not be shy–you must be your own biggest promoter!

So, regardless of the genre, tell about your book.  Include where it can be found, and be proud of your writing! Then, so as many as possible can see this promotion for all, please reblog and tweet this post!

And remember, always, keep writing!

 

Gallows Hill can be found here in ebook.

Gallows Hill in paperback can be found here.

An interview about Gallows Hill can be found here.

Please follow the following links to find my novel:

ebook

Print book

Thank you!

The book trailer:

Maledicus:Investigative Paranormal Society Book I

My radio interview:

interview

 

Available on Amazon

Available on Amazon

What Is One Of Your Favorite Holiday Songs?

(Photo by Oleg Magni on Pexels.com)

I recently asked about favorite holiday movies, and today, I thought I would move the discussion to a different art form–music, specifically holiday songs.  For me, I think of two in particular that are among my favorites: one is “Snoopy’s Christmas,” which I have loved since I was a child; another is “Little Drummer Boy,” which speaks to the importance of the poor and what they can contribute to the world.

I ask all of you: what is your favorite holiday song or songs?

(Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com)

Favorite Christmas Movies — The Man Who Invented Christmas

(https://en.wikipedia.org)

I have several Christmas movies that carry great meaning to me and that I have loved over many years. I have written about them before in this blog, and I will continue to do so. Now, however, I want to make a new entry into my list of favorite Christmas movies.

The Man Who Invented Christmas is an extraordinary film that was released two years ago. It is a wonderful movie  that explores the creative process of Charles Dickens as he wrote the classic novel, A Christmas Carol. The director is Bharat Nalluri, and this work is marvelous! We get a direct entrance into Dickens’ mind as he struggles with his writing. His characters appear and talk to him, which is an excellent touch.

The film is based on the book by Les Standiford, and the stars are Dan Stevens, Christopher Plummer, and Jonathan Pryce. The entire cast, without exception, give extraordinary performances. Christopher Plummer as Scrooge is especially brilliant. Dan Stevens should be recognized as one of the finest actors today.

This film delivers the message of Dickens’ masterpiece, that humanity should be the business of everyone, that money should not be the focus of our lives, and that we should all try to help each other. It will capture your heart and soul, and it is a film I recommend completely! On a system of 5 stars, I give it five!

Please, do yourself a favor, and watch this movie!