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TV: Forever Knight

Vampire fans might be pleased to know that the first two seasons of the cult classic, Forever Knight, are available on hulu.com. I used to watch this show on that old “Crime Time After Prime Time” CBS used to do when I was in grad school. Back then, the we just called it “Vampire Cops from Canada”.

I’m having a lot of fun re-watching this show in order. At least the first two seasons. I just might have to buy the DVD’s one of these days (when I hit the lottery, of course, because I have a huge list of shows I want on DVD).

If you’ve never seen it, you should definitely check it out. The basic premise is that Nick Knight was made a vampire in 1228 and now is attempting to atone for all his sins by catching criminals as a Toronto homicide detective. The coroner knows about him and is trying to help him scientifically solve his little being a vampire problem. LOL

His evil vampire mentor, LaCroix, played by Nigel Bennet, steals just about every scene he’s in. The vampire temptress, Jeanette, is hauntingly beautiful and mysterious. Nick’s police partner, aptly named Skanke, is completely obnoxious and well acted. I also like the little glimpses into Nick’s past, complete with period costumes, etc.

The image I found was of the Season 3 DVD collection. I chose to use that one because it features a creepy image of Nigel Bennet and Geraint Wyn Davies as vampires. The chick on the box doesn’t show up until season 3, I believe, so you won’t see her on the hulu episodes, I don’t think. If you like vamps, go check out this series that was definitely before its time. First episode here: http://www.hulu.com/watch/60333/forever-knight-dark-knight-part-1#x-0,vepisode,1

Enjoy!

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Almost Home

I’m on my way back from RT. Yes, I drove. It’s just over 1000 miles from my house to FL, so I took it in stages, visiting family all along the way. Whenever I go southward, I like to drive and mix the drive with visits to people I otherwise wouldn’t see. I’m almost home now – just a few hundred miles to go – but I stopped to recover a bit and visit with my folks for a bit.

RT was stupendous! Although I really didn’t enjoy the hot sun of Florida, I did enjoy seeing everyone and meeting new people. My presentations, both to the booksellers, and my moderating duties on the “Demons Unplugged” panel went really well. Larissa Ione’s one-word answers notwithstanding, that panel was a very big big success and even Larissa got a lot of laughs with her reluctance to talk in public.

Hanging with Samhain people, other authors and meeting all kinds of great new people really made the week fly by. I also was on a mission to try to find an agent, but I’m not entirely certain that will pan out. I met with a few agents at RT, but I like to surround myself with positive people – not silly/happy people, but people with a positive outlook on the world, on their business and on life in general. I’m not sure I encountered that kind of attitude in any of the agents I spoke to and in fact, was incredibly depressed after talking to some of them. :-O I know that’s kind of weird criteria to go by, but having spent most of my life in the corporate world, I know how important it is to find the right fit with people you intend to work with long-term.

So the week was full of ups and downs. I encountered an editor or two who were very enthusiastic about my work. Those were the highest points of the convention, of course. Then there were the parties and events, which are always fun. The usual hotel hassle was slightly different this year – no messing with elevators, but very long walks between buildings. The grounds of the hotel were gorgeously manicured, so the walks weren’t even that bad, except in the heat of the day. The little lizards all over the place made me jump, of course, having never encountered that before. The ducks and other wildlife were enchanting.

I’ll tell you more later, when I finally get home.

Off to the Races!

Today is by far my busiest day at RT this year and I’ll be spending most of it giving a 2-hour workshop (split down the middle with a break for lunch, so it’s more like 3 hours) for booksellers. I can’t wait! I had a great time with this group last year and I anticipate and even better time this year!

Then the authors of Samhain are hosting a small party for the same group (hopefully by then, they won’t be sick of me!). I’m not exactly sure what’s planned for the party, but with all the authors there, it should be fun times.

Later this afternoon is the ebook expo. I hate to be critical, but I don’t think it’s any secret that last year’s first attempt at this was a total disaster as far as the authors go. Hopefully this year will be better. If you plan to be there, I’ll have a few copies of my 3 new vampire novellas available for sale, goody bags to give away and things to sign.

I’m then supposed to be interviewed for the ARe radio show by my friend, Cat Johnson. If we don’t giggle too much, it should be interesting actually seeing her face to face while recording this thing for their radio show. In the past, when I’ve been a guest, I’ve phoned in and it’s always somewhat awkward. Cat and I often do booksignings together since we both live in the NY Metro area, so hopefully that easy camaraderie will come through in the interview.

And then I hear there’s an Ellora’s Cave party scheduled. If I’m still awake by that point and able to work up the energy to go, I might check it out.

If you’re at RT, look me up! If you’re not, rest assured I’m gathering goodies to give away once I return home, so stay tuned! I’ll try to report in tomorrow if I can get online and let you know how it all went.

On My Way…

To all those of you who are attending the RT Conference in Florida, look me up when you get there! I have a very full agenda planned for the days I’ll be there that looks something like this:

Wednesday

11:45-4:30: Bookseller Workshop & Party

4:30-6:30: eBook Fair (at which I’ll be “signing”/selling copies of One & Only, Rare Vintage & Phantom Desires)

8:00-8:30: I’m being interviewed by ARe for their radio show

Thursday

10:15-11:15: Demons Unplugged Panel – I’m moderating (you know I don’t write demons!) what promises to be a lively discussion between folks like Jacki Frank, Larissa Ione, Stella Price and Jenna Black. Should be a fun group! (And we have giveaways!)

2:30-3:00: Club RT – The Authors After Dark take over Club RT! Come by for free goody bags and fun times!

Friday

8:30-9:45: Jacki Frank’s Morning Mixer – I have a fun little goody in Jacki’s giveaway bags.

10:30-11:00: Club RT

Saturday

11:00-2:00: Book Fair – I’ll be signing copies of Sweeter Than Wine, FireDrake and Davin’s Quest, plus any of my books that you might bring with you. Look for me!

I hope to see a bunch of you there!

Creature Feature: Ice Dragons

 Ice Dragons

 They come from the farthest reaches of the frozen North and are wild creatures seldom seen by men. Their scales are so shiny, they look like mirrors, refracting and reflecting all the colors of the visible spectrum, making them unseen hunters in the ice fields they inhabit.

At home on ice, their claws are stronger and longer than most dragons and they are huge in comparison to their colorful lowland brethren. Living wild, most Ice Dragons do not have large families or strong family units. Ice Dragon mothers care for their dragonets for just a few years, until they’re big enough and strong enough to make their way on their own. Ice Dragon fathers seldom stick around. Food is too scarce and too spread out over the frozen North for more than one or two dragons to live together for any length of time.

They are the most independent of the dragon breeds and perhaps, the lonliest, yet they are sworn, like all other dragons, to the protection of their world. They guard the Citadel, hidden in the ice at the top of the world, and the hereditary Guardian. They will answer the Guardian’s call if ever the Citadel is threatened, but otherwise live separate, wild and free.

Fun Stuff on hulu: The Tick

I never seem to actually catch TV shows when they’re aired, so sites like hulu.com are really fantastic for me. Recently, I watched the 9 episodes the live action version The Tick got before being cancelled. If you liked The Tick as a cartoon – personally, it was something I got turned on to by the guys in the lab I used to work in - then you’ll enjoy the nuttiness of the live action version. (Find all 9 episodes here: http://www.hulu.com/the-tick)

The Tick was one of those too-clever-for-kids cartoons that had hilarious super heroes like “American Maid” (Captain Liberty in the live series), ”Bi-Polar Bear” and “Die Fledermouse” (who became “Bat Manuel” in the live series), and villains like “El Seed” (who had a sunflower for his head) and “Apocalypse Cow”.

The first episode of the live series features a cameo appearance by Christopher Lloyd, so if you like him, take a look. If nothing else, it’s crazy, campy weirdness!

Any New Canadians Out There?

Apparently Canada changed their laws and now a lot more people qualify for dual citizenship with Canada. To get the word out, they put a cute ad on YouTube. Check it out:

So, any new Canadians out there?

Vid: Britain’s Got Talent

I just LOVE these kinds of things, when someone totally unexpected does something absolutely fantastic. Watch this…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luRmM1J1sfg

(It won’t let me embed, so follow the link – it’s worth it!)

GO SUSAN!!!

Wallpaper Wednesdays

Sweeter Than Wine is the book that ties my weres and my vamps together. It’s available in print and ebook forms right now!

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