Tales From the Edge of Forever by Alexander Hammond: A Review

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A few weeks ago I told you all about a cool new book called Tales from the Edge of Forever by Alexander Hammond. I had not read it and now that I have, here is my review.

Tales is a nothing-short-of-brilliant anthology that mixes sci fi, fantasy and horror with a dash of spirituality and suspense. Each story is a mind-blowing adventure that inspires an amazing plethora of reactions ranging from incredulous to shocked to Ah Ha to Oh. My. God. From the first page, one is transported into a Serlingesque world where anything can happen. The Universe as we know it is completely flipped. Hammond pushes the envelope in every conceivable way.

The writing is clever, stylish and highly original. Hammond has a real command of description and dialogue that infuses his tales with a unique sensibility. His gift for characterization is bold and compelling. The cast of intriguing characters within these pages range from a boy who realizes he's God to an Air Force colonel who discovers he's really part of an alien/human experiment to an exobiologist attempting to report on a new species.

I had a hard time putting this book down to go to bed, to get off the train, to work on my own stories, anything. In fact, when I absolutely had to work on my edits, I gave this to a friend for safe keeping. And I got her addicted. This book is literary prescription drugs and I guarantee you will be rereading. Why? Because you will find something new that you missed the first time around.

More Good News and Reviews

I am very excited because my newest story, Byzantine Provocateur has received its first review. The awesome Deniz Bevan over at The One Hundred Romances Project has given Byzantine a 4 star review.

I am so hugely happy right now, I don't have the words. This story is very close to me because it has taken me over two years to finally get it out. I started it at a very low point in my life and it spiraled fast. I didn't think it would ever see the light of publication. I finished that manuscript in November and sent it in. And here we are four months later and it's getting a 4 star review. Sounds like a cheesy Lifetime movie I know, but it all happened. Hand to the Big Guy. I learned it is possible to get through the abysmal shit to the other side and publish the story I was meant to. So to all my fellow writers out there who are struggling, DO NOT EVER GIVE UP.



In other news, you should check out this quirky, cool little film called Monogamy starring Chris Messina and Rashida Jones. Winner of the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival award for Best New York Narrative, it tells the story of Theo and Nat, a Brooklyn couple whose relationship is beginning to unravel. It's very intimate, raw and awkwardly honest. I wrote a review for it over at Static Multimedia.

Maxie Briscoe: Werewolf: A Review by Dempsey Sanders

Dempsey Sanders, all around awesome movie guy and friend of the Imaginarium,is making his inaugural guest appearance today with his first ever book review. I am so proud and happy that he chose my own Maxie Briscoe: Werewolf. Welcome Dempsey and take it away...

Hi Imaginarians!

This is the first time I have ever guest appeared over at someone else’s blog, and I am delighted to have the chance to write here. As an avid follower of Melissa’s Imaginarium I have read many musings and reviews from Melissa Bradley, I have come to respect her opinion on all matters of things especially novels and movies.
Though previously not reading many novels and preferring the visual aspect of what I see on TV and the big screen, in January I received Maxie Briscoe: Werewolf, a new novel written by Melissa Bradley herself.

Now just to give you an insight before I begin this review - I had promised a review of the novel giving my honest opinion regardless if I like the author personally or not, for in the blogging world your written word is your bond and if I had to let one of my own favourite followers down by saying her novel was a complete load of boll**ks with the risk of me looking like a Simon Cowell wannabe, then so be it.
For those of you that have not read or heard of the book, the back of the novel reads…

The name’s Maxie Briscoe and I am a werewolf…

That’s right, Maxie’s a real life, full-moon-loving, Halloween icon. It’s hard for a girl like Maxie. To survive, she hides her true self and acts the part of a normal human, all the while discreetly indulging the Beast within her. Talk about walking a narrow ledge. And that’s not even the worst part of her life. Sex is. Maxie can bench press a pick-up truck and that spells disaster in the bedroom. She can’t have any real fun knowing she might accidentally crush a lover while in the throes. Kind of kills the mood.

When a friend’s murder shatters the careful existence Maxie has carved out for herself, she comes face to face with Damien and Noah, two of the hottest men she’s ever laid eyes on. And it only stirs her Beast and turns her on more when she realizes they’re hot for each other. They’re also the first werewolves she’s run across since her own conversion. The attraction between the three of them is instant, but complicated, and the sex...explosive.

Too bad there’s a killer out there with his sights set on her...
　
Now like many of you I would imagine, I read the back first, and though intrigued - was I about to read a Stephanie Meyer alternate Twilight story?, a book that I had not long read and was not all that content with, well let me relieve you right there by saying NO, it was clear from the very first chapter that it would be nothing like it which has you hooked at every turn of the page.

From an attack by a werewolf when she was 15 years old, Maxie herself was burdened with the curse of the wolf. She learns to manage both human and wolf sides of her personality by her mother and best friend, and it would seem life is all dandy until she comes across two sexy males who also howl at the moon on a frequent basis, and they want to claim Maxie for their own.

Damien and Noah, two werewolf’s that have been searching all over the country for ‘people like them’, have their sites set on Maxie as a mate after scenting her in a club. Damien is the alpha male, the most dominant one and has a need to take care of everyone. Maxie’s inner beast wants them also, but her human side withdraws for fear of her secret being exposed.

Through the intrigue and excitement both of these dashing men, Maxie’s life takes a dramatic turn after she finds her neighbour dead and she herself looks to be the main suspect. She takes it on herself to investigate the killing, in the hope that the killer does not find her first. Damien and Noah assist with her investigation.

My opinion

From the very first word, the one thing this novel has is plenty of attitude which I found refreshing and quite brilliant, author Melissa Bradley not frightened of delivering a raunchy R-rated line.

Maxie’s character is well thought out and executed throughout the novel, with great character build up to the story. Maxie’s sassy ways, strength and attitude make her a marvellous and enjoyable character that on many occasions are belly aching funny.
The chemistry between Maxie, Damien and Noah continues to work well all the way through the book, the sexual tension between the three enough to creep out from the page and slap you in the face.

Of course then there’s the mystery surrounding the killing which again Melissa Bradley delivers very well, making turning the page more of a must than putting a bookmark in there for later.

Overall this book made me excited, intrigued, and laugh for a 178 pages of absolute pleasure which I found hard to put down.

I may not have experience of reading books or reviewing them for that matter, but Maxie Briscoe: Werewolf is a novel I very much enjoyed, and has made me interested in giving reading a go instead of always venturing out to the big screen.

Here’s hoping Maxie’s adventures don’t end quite yet!

To find out more about Dempsey and his passion for film, visit The Movie411

Mel's Dirty Dozen: A Guest Post

Come out and have a Drrrty Saturday with me at the awesomely cool film blog Cinemarvellous run by my great friend and all around bad ass movie man George aka Nebular. We have Union soldiers, aliens, wookies and homicidal aunts among the party guests. I've picked my top twelve movies all time, my dirty dozen.

Beneath Dark Stars by KC Kendricks

Uber-talented M/M writer KC Kendricks has a new release out called Beneath Dark Stars. I am very excited because I just love her work. This is the anticipated sequel to her highly successful The Back Stairs. You can read an excerpt at KC's blog Between the Keys.

Fallon Roxbury is back with a mystery on his hands that ties into an old case, but he's reached a dead end and could use a little help. Who better than his sexy partner, Sundown. Being a shifter, Sundown can into places Fallon can't.

Sounds cool, right? Go out and get a copy of both of these wicked sexy stories at Amber Allure.

My Journey into March Madness

Men and Basketball, it's inevitable here at this time of year. The insanity sets in on the males of the species as the field of 68 is chosen. "Did you get your bracket? How much you putting on...? You picked who?" And so on and so forth. But the fever afflicts yours truly as well. Deeply, rabidly...Do not dare come between me and my picks. You might lose a finger or something else more important.

I got started in this insanity a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, i.e. college. I went to DePaul where basketball is pretty much a religion. I played a few times, having fun, learning the ropes from guy friends. Things did not get serious until I started work at a male dominated law firm. When March came around and the office pool opened, I naturally asked for a sheet. And was met with incredulity followed by condescending male laughter. Then "Are you sure you know how to play, Melissa?" "Do you know anything about basketball?" Oh my inner bitch was rearing to go off, but I refrained. I simply nodded and smiled, thinking violent thoughts. My blonde hair and blue eyes belying my inner homicidal tendencies.

Then came the arrogant offers of help. Yeah, I can still here them. "You want me to help you pick your teams?" "Here, why don't you copy my teams, I actually follow basketball." "Melissa, you don't want to take this team because they don't finish strong." "So and so's guard has a knee problem." "Are you sure you want those guys?" Oh. My. God. They are so lucky I did not go postal and mow them down with an AK-47. I grit my teeth, ignored all their advice and turned in my picks.

Much to my embarrassment, I went down early with most of my picks losing in the first two rounds, but the big ones survived. I kept hearing comments all tournament long and getting those pitying looks. I was the only woman who played who did my own picks, never asking for advice from the guys. When all was said and done,though, I had the last laugh.

I leap-frogged over most of the rest of the pack at the end, correctly picking the Final Four and the National Champion. Thank you, UCLA, Oklahoma State, Arkansas and North Carolina 1995. I never won the office pool again, but oh the satisfaction of collecting my share of the winnings that year. To the tune of 400 smackers. Oh yeah, I rule.

Ever since then, it's on when the tourney rolls around. And now, I am off to make my picks. Go Illini!

Where in the world I am...

Like a big dork I totally forgot to mention some really cool posts. If you want all the info on some interesting novels hitting the big screen, come on over to The Movie 411. I've done my first post as a newly minted co-editor. Yay!! I'll have a review of Red Riding Hood sometime this week there as well.

Sloane Taylor, a truly awesome writer, has graciously spotlighted my newest release, Byzantine Provocateur over at her blog. Sweet as honey...Hotter than Hell is her tag and she sure is.