Horror Book Review - Dean Koontz “The Darkest Evening of the Year”

Horror Book Review - Dean Koontz “The Darkest Evening of the Year” - Love it Or Hate It!
By Carlene Rae Dater

I picked up this book at the library mainly because it’s the story of a woman who helps to rescue Golden Retrievers. I personally became involved with Labrador rescue recently when my husband and I adopted a three-year-old Lab, so of course I had to read the book.

The story held my interest, but was hard to read in part because, unfortunately, too many dogs are abused in puppy mills and Koontz goes into detail about them and how they operate, yuck. At one point, when he talked about putting a dog to sleep, I wept. I’ve had to do it too often and it was a reminder that dogs do not live nearly long enough. There was also a long thread about the abuse of a disabled Down syndrome child which was stomach turning - very tough to read. Well, Koontz IS a horror writer.

I enjoyed Darkest Evening for the most part. The story was told from various view points, by apparently unrelated people. It was interesting to see how Koontz wove all the disparate threads together towards the finish of the book. However, the ending didn’t work for me - or for many people who reviewed the book on amazon.com. It almost seemed like Koontz got to a certain point, looked at his watch and said, “Boogers, I’ve got to wrap this up!”, and he did.

There’s a big element of woo-woo in this book, so be prepared. Nickie, the Golden Retriever, who shows up in the beginning of the book may or may not hold the spirit of a previous dog or person. I think the dogs were more complete, interesting characters than the people who seem to me like caricatures. Once again, the woman were all gorgeous and the men handsome, the minor characters witty and rich. Give me a break.

In spite of the dark element of this novel, there are some very funny, laugh-out-loud lines in the book. The humor is a nice counter-balance to all the horror. I loved reading about the Golden’s even though I’m a Labrador Retriever lover. I’ve lived with dogs long enough to know that they each have their own unique personalities and funny little quirks.

A lot of Koontz books are very long - partly I think because he just LOVES to describe! He’s good at it but often it’s just too much - it makes my teeth hurt. This book had lots of lush description, and frequently I got lost in it all and had to go back to see what was happening to the people! Unlike some of his longer tomes this one is a more normal length at 354 pages. All in all I guess I’d have to say I didn’t love it and I didn’t hate it but I finished the book and that’s something I don’t always do!

Carlene Rae Dater has been a writer of both fiction and non-fiction for over 25 years and has been published in a variety of genres. Writing, reading and talking about mysteries is her passion. Please visit and leave comments on her mystery blog at: http://www.themysterystartshere.com Please also visit her published books at: http://www.silveradopublishing.com

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Darkfaery Subculture Magazine @ Soonercon

Darkfaery Subculture Magazine @ Soonercon
 
Hey, Everyone! Well, it’s spring/summer 2008 and you know that means! Events, contests, and shows! 
  This year Darkfaery Subculture/Darkspace is pleased to announce we will attending Soonercon ‘08 in a professional fashion. That’s right! After being in the hospital for most of last year I am back to work on hundreds of new projects and attending events is number one on my list. (Doing some of my own shows is second!)
If you are attending Soonercon, please come over to us and give a shout, it’s been a year or two since we were out with video and I have missed you guys. VNV Nation doesn’t really count since I was still sick and couldn’t socialize.
   We’ll be taking photos and video so you guys who are always asking when we’ll be updating our gallery with fan photos and event photos now is your chance to get in them. There will be lots of events to choose from at Soonercon so if you are trying to nail us down look for us in costume at Rocky Horror Picture Show, The Masquerade Ball, Sinnercon Dance, and probably most of the kinky events, like the kinky meet-and-greet, complete with a performance by Wicked Harem Belly Dance from Tulsa. Plans include a workshop series on the ethics and etiquette of convention (not conventional) sex, frank discussions of alternative life/lovestyles, and erotic art how-to’s. Z wanted me to remind you we can be found at the gaming tables too.
If you can’t attend, don’t worry, I’ll post info on how you can watch our videos on cable, MySpace, and YouTube. If you do come out, don’t be afraid of the camera, it won’t be afraid of you!
About DFSM/Darkspace
http://www.darkfaery-subculture.com/
http://www.dfsm.org/

About Soonercon
http://www.soonercon.info/

SoonerCon is a fan run multi-genre convention held annually in Oklahoma City.

If you’ve been around the Oklahoma City area for a while, the name may sound familiar. Here’s why. There used to be a club in Oklahoma City called STAR OKC. Like most fans, they wanted a convention. After putting on a few one-shot types in the late 1970s and early 1980s, these folks, mostly high-school age through just out of college youngsters, decided to get organized, work hard to raise some money, and try to get something started. SoonerCon 1 happened twenty one years ago, in June of 1986. The con was begun and ramrodded by the Chair of SoonerCon 1, Mike Hodge. What he and many other helpers achieved lasted through SoonerCon 13 in 1997. Lots of artist and writer guests, from Tim Powers and Gene Wolfe to Brad Foster and Robin Bailey, were welcomed to Oklahoma City. During those years SoonerCon had hundreds of staff and helpers, and up until the last few years SoonerCon was “owned” by STAR OKC.

With SoonerCon’s exclusive emphasis on traditional SF/fantasy books and art, making it a “lit con,” a move arose as well for a local charity “media con” emphasizing genre TV/film, comics, gaming and pop culture actors, designers, and other guests–especially from Star Trek. Thus was born ThunderCon, which debuted in June 2001, balancing SoonerCon’s November setting, and lasted through seven annual editions and often with staff and helpers working both. The new con operated with a non-profit board and involved all the local fan clubs interested, from Dr. Who, Babylon 5 and Trek’s Starfleet chapters to gaming, modelbuilding, real space and even Dark Shadows! With “BoomerCon” judged a little too cute for a sister event, this project was named in honor of both Oklahoma’s spring weather, its Indian heritage and the state’s heroic 45th Infantry Division, the Thunderbirds—and so ThunderCon was born, its logo even adapted from the 45th’s patch. ThunderCon was created and first run by another member of STAR OKC named Larry Nemecek, who with his wife Janet later moved to Hollywood to work on STAR TREK for Paramount. Yea, fanboys! A few other conventions have also taken place in the OKC area, but haven’t “taken root” for more than a year.

Participants in the 2008 SoonerCon Art Show Include:

Tom Kidd - http://spellcaster.com/tomkidd - SoonerCon 2008 Artist Guest of Honor!
David Lee Anderson - http://www.davidleeanderson.com
Peri Charlifu
Brad Foster - http://www.jabberwockygraphix.com
Ashen Gray - http://www.ashengray.com
Denise Hill
Rocky Kelley - http://www.rockykelley.com
Michael Sheyahshe - http://www.alternativemedia.biz
Terry Southard
Allison Stein - http://www.allisonstein.com
Bob Trobaugh
Evan Wardwell
Tim Chessmore
Cat Conrad - http://artistsinresidence.com/cat
Jan Sherrill Gephardt
W. J. Hodgson - http://www.wjhodgson.com
Dirk Hooper - http://www.dirkhooper.com
Kevin Hopkins
Marla Satterfield
Tony Trammell - http://www.dreamshipart.com
Alain Viesca - http://www.AlainVArts.com

Also Attending

Bill Allen
David Lee Anderson
Gary Babb
Julie Barrett
M. H. Bonham
Peter Bradley
James K. Burk
ShIrron Butterfly
Rachel Caine
Kimber Chessmore
Tim Chessmore
Deborah Chester
Casey Christofferson
R. Cat Conrad
Sherri Dean
Linda Donahue
Rhonda Eudaly
Randy Farran
Melanie Miller Fletcher
Brad Foster
Jan Sherrill Gephardt
Count Gregore
Bennie Grezlik
Beverly A. Hale
W.J. Hodgson
James Hollaman
Brian A. Hopkins
Kevin Hopkins
K. Hutson-Price
Gary Jonas
Rocky Kelley
Julie Kenner
Katherine Eliska Kimbriel
William Ledbetter
Julia Mandala
Mel Odom
Gloria Oliver
Cary Osborne
Jeff Provine
Oscar Ray
Marla Satterfield
Susan Satterfield
Michael Sheyahshe
Wm. Mark Simmons
Brad Sinor
Sue Sinor
Allison Stein
David Thayer aka Teddy Harvia
Tony Trammell
Steven Wedel
Martha Wells
Craig Wolf
Mario Wytch
Dr. Fear aka Brian Young
 

Fairy Tale Appeal

Fairy Tale Appeal
By Mary Jensen

As a child, I loved the Gem Classics Library of Fairy Tales. These were multiple books containing collections of the classic fairy tales - Emerald Fairy Tales, Sapphire, Ruby, Diamond, etc. I fell in love with fairy tales, and continue to enjoy them today. Why are so many people drawn to these stories, all around the world?

Fairy tales appeal to our very basic human needs. In Snow White we have a queen that epitomizes vanity and jealousy. Snow White is beauty. We can relate because even the best of us have felt these emotions, dealt with the insecurities of a world obsessed by beauty. These stories allow us to confront these fears and emotions. We see the dangers of being consumed with jealousy. The queen destroys herself in her efforts to destroy Snow White.

And the endings feel good, they leave us with a sense of rightness. We want to believe that good values will conquer over bad. At the same time, it appeals to our carnal nature. The villains don’t just disappear, or go to jail. The queen in Snow White is punished by wearing hot iron shoes. Versions of Rumpelstiltskin end in his stomping into the floor and tearing himself in two.

All around the world, people have been telling stories with the same themes. For example, almost every culture has a Cinderella story. What changed over time is the values and message of the tales. Victorian tales dealt with the wish fulfillment of good things come to those who wait, and had very passive heroines. Modern retellings generally have stronger, more active heroines, to reflect the independence of modern women.

Not only am I a fan of the traditional tales, I also seek out retellings. Robin McKinley and Donna Jo Napoli write wonderful young adult versions (though enjoyable for more than youth). For a fantasy targeted to adults, try Juliet Marillier’s Sevenwaters Trilogy. The first book, “Daughter of the Forest” is based on the tale of The Six Swans.

Since I can never get enough of fairy tales, I’ve even written a couple of my own, one based on Sleeping Beauty, and one on Snow White. If writing your own, you can change everything but the bare bones - the basic structure or theme. Change the motivations, the protagonist, the setting, whatever else you want. It will work as long as your characters are believable.

If you stray so far from the original fairy tale that it’s no longer recognizable, you may lose the ability to label it a fairy tale, but don’t let that stop you if you have a different story to tell. Does it matter the roots as long as it entertains?

Mary W. Jensen is an author on http://www.Writing.Com/
which is a site for Creative Writing She is an editor for the Writing.com Fantasy newsletter, and the cofounder of an offline writing group. Mary is working on a fantasy novel, Emergence of the Fey

Evanescence “Open Door” Pop Music CD Review

Evanescence “Open Door” Pop Music CD Review
By Clyde Lee Dennis

I can describe the latest release from Pop sensation Evanescence for you with just one word… Outstanding!

The CD opens with a great track, Sweet Sacrafice, that I anticipate will be heard on radio stations everywhere, and deservedly so. It’s a really nice track.

I give Open Door my highest recommendation. It just plain belongs in any serious music collectors collection regardless of genre preference. It shows a slower more mellow side of Evanescence that kind of surprised me in a very nice way. I found it to be a nice new sound, it’s just a real departure from their previous release Fallen. It should be noted as well that lead singer Amy Lee does a superb job with the lyrics throughout the entire collection.

While the entire CD is really very good the truly standout tracks are Call Me When You’re Sober [track 2], Lithium [track 4], and Lose Control [track 9].

My SmoothLee Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 8, Like You. It’s a great track!

Open Door Release Notes:

Evanescence originally released Open Door on Oct 03, 2006 on the Wind-Up Records label.

CD Track List Follows:

1. Sweet Sacrifice
2. Call Me When You’re Sober
3. Weight Of The World
4. Lithium
5. Cloud Nine
6. Snow White Queen
7. Lacrymosa
8. Like You
9. Lose Control
10. The Only One
11. Your Star
12. All That I’m Living For
13. Good Enough

Evanescence: Amy Lee (vocals); Terry Balsamo, John LaCompt (guitar); Will Boyd (bass guitar); Rocky Gray (drums). Recording information: Record Plant, Hollywood, California.

Evanescence Fallen Rock Music CD Review

Evanescence Fallen Rock Music CD Review

Fallen is the latest Rock CD put out by the highly group Evanescence and they
have once again delivered a brilliant collection of tracks. I’m confident
Evanescence fans, and Rock fans alike will be pleased with this one.
Unfortunately, it’s not everyday that I get a CD for review that I can just pop
in and comfortably listen to from beginning to end. There is usually a song or
two that I just can’t force myself to get through. Not at all the case with
Fallen. Every track is enjoyable and was pretty easy for me to listen to from
start to finish.

These days it’s a very rare CD on which every single song is good or better than
the one before it. This CD is certainly one of those rare CDs.

Fallen is a nicely varied, mix of 11 tracks that are very well written and
brilliantly performed songs by these clearly talented musicians. Most of the
songs display a lot of the kind emotion that makes for a really great listen.
Clearly drawing from what I can only imagine are their own real life
experiences. At different points touching on the most real emotions of love, and
the pain of failed relationships can certainly be heard.

If you're even mildly into Rock music you'll enjoy this album. Overall Fallen is
an outstanding release. I give it my double thumbs up. You will not be
disappointed with one single track.

Overall Fallen is outstanding from beginning to end. One of those CDs that after
a few listens the songs are just etched into your memory. A must have for the
Rock fan. Really sensational from beginning to end.

While the entire album is outstanding the truly standout tunes are track 2 -
Bring Me To Life, track 4 - My Immortal, and track 8 - Taking Over Me.

My SmoothLee Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"]
is track 10 - My Last Breath. This is a great track!

Fallen Release Notes:

Evanescence originally released Fallen on Mar 04, 2003 on the Wind-Up Records
label.

CD Track List Follows:

1. Going Under 2. Bring Me To Life 3. Everybody's Fool 4. My Immortal 5. Haunted
6. Tourniquet 7. Imaginary 8. Taking Over Me 9. Hello 10. My Last Breath 11.
Whisper

Evanescence: Amy Lee (vocals); Ben Moody (guitar, percussion, programming).
Additional personnel: Paul McCoy (vocals); David Hodges (piano, keyboards,
programming); Francesco DiCosmo (bass); Josh Freese, Rocky Gray (drums); Zac
Baird, Chris Johnson (programming).

Audioslave Out Of Exile Rock Music CD Review

Audioslave Out Of Exile Rock Music CD Review

The exceptionally talented Rock group Audioslave have released their CD entitled Out Of Exile. I am very confident and happy to announce that I believe Audioslave fans, and Rock fans alike will be pleased with this one. With the release of Out Of Exile their artistic excellence is on full display as they have once again delivered a brilliant collection of tracks that could very well be their best work to date.
I wish it weren’t the case but, it’s not everyday that I get a CD for review that I can just pop in and comfortably listen to from beginning to end. There is usually a song or two that I just can’t force myself to get through. Not at all the case with Out Of Exile. Every track is enjoyable and was pretty easy for me to listen to from start to finish.

These days it’s a very rare CD on which every single song is good or better than the one before it. This CD is certainly one of those rare CDs.

Overall Out Of Exile is an outstanding release. What I call must have music. I give it two thumbs up and is most definitely a worthy addition to any Rock collection. Truly an outstanding Rock CD. One of those that is completely void of any wasted time, as each track is simply superb.

While this entire CD is outstanding some of my favorites are track 1 - Your Time Has Come, track 9 - Yesterday To Tommorrow, and track 12 - The Curse

My Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 5 - Drown Me Slowly. This is a great track!

Out Of Exile Release Notes:

Audioslave originally released Out Of Exile on May 24, 2005 on the Interscope Records label.

CD Track List Follows:

1. Your Time Has Come 2. Out Of Exile 3. Be Yourself 4. Doesn’t Remind Me 5. Drown Me Slowly 6. Heaven’s Dead 7. Worm, The 8. Man Or Animal 9. Yesterday To Tommorrow 10. Dandelion 11. #1 Zero 12. Curse, The

Audioslave: Chris Cornell (vocals); Tom Morello (guitar); Timothy Commerford (bass guitar); Brad Wilk (drums).

Red Hot Chili Peppers “Stadium Arcadium” Rock Music CD Review

Red Hot Chili Peppers “Stadium Arcadium” Rock Music CD Review
By Clyde Lee Dennis

Stadium Arcadium is the long awaited latest release from release from Red Hot Chili Peppers. Like it’s predecessor, Blood Sugar Sex Magic, Stadium Arcadium is destined to be a smash hit.

RHCP fans will absolutely delight in this double disc, 28 song release. Probably will be the very best double album of the year.

Disc 1 starts with Dani California, the first single from the collection and frankly just rolls right through more than 100 hours of Red Hot Chili Peppers Utopia.

From the slowed down tempo of track 2, Snow (Hey Oh) to the bangin C’mon Girl, track 12 this CD is chock full of very well written, passionately played, and expertly produced tracks.

By the way the 2 Discs, though very similar in styles are titled Mars and Jupiter.

Overall the collection that is Stadium Arcadium is a delight to listen to. I give it two thumbs up. It’s a CD anyone who enjoys music will like a lot.

While this entire CD collection is outstanding the truly standout tunes are Charlie [track 3, Disc 1], Stadium Arcadium [track 4, Disc 1], and Hard to Concentrate [track 3, Disc 2]. My SmoothLee Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 2, Disc 2, Tell Me Baby. Nice!

Release Notes:

Red Hot Chili Peppers originally released Stadium Arcadium on May 9, 2006 on the Warner Bros. record label.

CD track list follows:

Jupiter - Disc 1

1. Dani California

2. Snow (Hey Oh)

3. Charlie

4. Stadium Arcadium

5. Hump De Bump

6. She’s Only 18

7. Slow Cheetah

8. Torture Me

9. Strip My Mind

10. Especially In Michigan

Mars - Disc 2

1. Desecration Smile

2. Tell Me Baby

3. Hard to Concentrate

4. 21st Century

5. She Looks To Me

6. Readymade

7. If

8. Make You Feel Better

9. Animal Bar

10. So Much I

Red Hot Chili Peppers “Californication” Rock Music CD Review

Red Hot Chili Peppers “Californication” Rock Music CD Review
By Clyde Lee Dennis

Californication is the latest Rock CD realeased by the extremely talented group Red Hot Chili Peppers and they have once again have delivered a brilliant collection of tracks. I’m confident Red Hot Chili Peppers fans, and Rock fans alike will be pleased with this one.

Unfortunately, it’s not everyday that I get a CD from an artist that I can just pop in and comfortably listen to from beginning to end. There is usually a song or two that I just can’t force myself to get through. Not at all the case with Californication. Every track is enjoyable and was pretty easy for me to listen to from start to finish.

One of the refreshingly nice things about this CD is the way all of the participating artists seem to be really enjoying themselves. Combine that with the overall presentation and you’ve got one of Red Hot Chili Peppers’s most impressive releases ever.

Listen to and I think you’ll agree that the song choices are excellent, the production is outstanding and Red Hot Chili Peppers are in top form.

While this entire album is really very good the truly standout tunes are Around The World [track 1], This Velvet Glove [track 11], and Right On Time [track 14].

My SmoothLee Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 9, Emit Remmus. Wow!

Californication Release Notes:

Red Hot Chili Peppers originally released Californication on Jun 08, 1999 on the Warner Bros. Records label.

CD Track List Follows:

1. Around The World
2. Parallel Universe
3. Scar Tissue
4. Otherside
5. Get On Top
6. Californication
7. Easily
8. Porcelain
9. Emit Remmus
10. I Like Dirt
11. This Velvet Glove
12. Savior
13. Purple Stain
14. Right On Time
15. Road Trippin’

Red Hot Chili Peppers: Anthony Kiedis (vocals); John Frusciante (guitar); Flea (bass); Chad Smith (drums). Additional personnel: Patrick Warren (Chamberlin organ); Greg Kurstin (keyboards). Engineers include: Jim Scott, John Sorenson, Greg Fidelman.

Nickelback “All The Right Reasons” Rock Music CD Review

Nickelback “All The Right Reasons” Rock Music CD Review
By Clyde Lee Dennis

All The Right Reasons is the latest Rock CD put out by the richly talented group Nickelback have once again has delivered a brilliant collection of tracks. I’m confident Nickelback fans, and Rock fans alike will be pleased with this one.

Unfortunately, it’s not everyday that I get a CD from an artist that I can just pop in and comfortably listen to from beginning to end. There is usually a song or two that I just can’t force myself to get through. Not at all the case with All The Right Reasons. Every track is enjoyable and was pretty easy for me to listen to from start to finish.

Nickelback is one of those musicians that has the ability to just bowl you over with their overall talent. The kind of artist it’s really a treat to be able to listen to.

Overall All The Right Reasons is outstanding from beginning to end. One of those CDs that after a few listens the songs are just etched into your memory. A must have for the Rock fan. Really spectacular from beginning to end.

While this entire album is really very good some of my favorites are track 1, Follow You Home, track 5, Savin’ Me, and track 8, Side Of A Bullet.

My SmoothLee Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 7, Next Contestant. Outstanding!

All The Right Reasons Release Notes:

Nickelback originally released All The Right Reasons on Oct 04, 2005 on the Roadrunner Records label.

CD Track List Follows:
1. Follow You Home
2. Fight For All The Wrong Reasons
3. Photograph
4. Animals
5. Savin’ Me
6. Far Away
7. Next Contestant
8. Side Of A Bullet
9. If Everyone Cared
10. Someone That You’re With
11. Rock Star

Nickelback: Ryan Peake, Chad Kroeger (vocals, guitar); Mike Kroeger (bass guitar); Daniel Adair (drums).