Celluloid Diaries: December 2013

Sunday, December 29, 2013

Writing at the coffee shop

writing at the coffee shop

I've been spending my days and nights in coffee shops over the past few weeks, working on my upcoming book about Avalon. Authors such as J.K. Rowling, Ernest Hemingway, T.S. Eliot and F. Scott Fitzgerald have written their novels from the comfort of a coffee shop, and I'm no different. The nutty whiffs of coffee in the air, the holiday-themed drinks, the twinkling Christmas decorations... Nothing enthuses me more to get some writing done. But going to a coffee shop also implies that I'll be concentrating solely on my book, and not spend my time creating blog posts, filling in e-mail interviews, or answering e-mails and blog comments.

I particularly love writing from the airport, especially at night, when departure flights are paused, and desks and halls are abandoned. Remember the scene from Stephen King's The Langoliers where, upon arrival, the airport bears no signs of life? That kind of abandoned. The airport's Starbucks is open all night, and, with only a handful of people at the most, it's an incredibly peaceful place to spin ideas for hours on end, especially around this time of the year when there are gingerbread lattes on the menu and Christmas music in the background.

The two-storey coffee shop Or in Brussels is my second favorite. I always go there in the afternoon during weekdays as it's quiet, warm, cozy, and because they serve fantastic chai tea lattes. Or is only a few blocks from my boyfriend's flat, which makes it super easy to include in my work schedule.

Finally, there's the Coffee Company in Brussels. This coffee shop is usually a bit too crowded, even on weekdays. But around Christmas, they treat their customers to a variety of seasonal specialty beverages such as Christmas lattes and hot orange juice spiced with fresh ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. That definitely compensates for the noise.

Do you also love to work and write from a coffee shop? Which one is your favorite?

Have a wonderful end of the year!

Image source: David Giral

writing in a coffee shop

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Life lately - Christmas, puzzles, and gingerbread lattes

Starbucks Gingerbread Latte
Christmas Brussels
Tapas Locas
Zaventem Brico
Christmas Brico
Christmas baking
Advent tea
Christmas latte
Christmas puzzle with cats
Tigris
If you've been a reader of my blog for any amount of time, you might have caught on that I love Christmas. It's all about creating magic in real life and having some down time with my family. So the past few weeks have been mostly about that really. Even work has been revolving around Christmas as I've been spending quite a lot of time writing from coffee shops with a gingerbread latte or a hot spiced orange juice at hand and Christmas music in the background. I've been really soaking it in.

From left to right, top to bottom: 1/ Working on my book about Avalon at Starbucks with a gingerbread latte on the side. 2/ to 5/ Christmas market in Brussels. 6/ Dinner date at Tapas Locas in Brussels. 7/ Visiting my grandmother in Zaventem. 8/ to 10/ Shopping for Christmas decorations with my sister. 11/ Making Christmas chocolate mousse with my grandmother. 12/ Going to bed early with the books A Dog Named Leaf and Chi's Sweet Home. 13/ to 16/ Christmas drinks I've been enjoying. 17/ Christmas decoration. 18/ Making a Christmas puzzle with cats. 19/ Tigris. 20/ A few books I inherited from my mom's boyfriend who passed away this summer.

What Christmassy things have you been doing lately?

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Reading / watching / listening to...

the twilight zone tv series

Reading:

* Not From Around Here by Larry Hochwald. Inventiveness is definitely what sets Larry Hochwald's science fiction/horror anthology apart. I just wish the characters and the way they express themselves would have been more mature. Join The Club, a story about a boy who's dared to spend the night in a haunted house, was by far the best of the bundle.

* Master Of The Inn and Inn For The Holidays by Ella Jade. These were really sexy, kinky reads set against autumn and winter settings. A quaint inn, a picnic among the autumn leaves, laying tangled together by the huge picture window watching the snow fall... Ella Jade knows how to make things cozy for her readers... and then cleverly breaks that coziness to introduce you to her kinky games. Highly recommended.

* Cats Of Italy/Gatti d'Italia by Janet Wellington. Janet and I got into contact recently because we both share a passion for feline photography. Collecting all the cats of Italy in a photo essay and adding cat quotes to the whole is definitely an idea that speaks to me. Just a pity that Cats Of Italy/Gatti d'Italia is only available as an eBook.

* Santa Claws by Meg Mims. An evil cat that ruins its owner's Christmas. If this description sounds fun... it's not. Meg Mims never leaves her comfort zone and Santa Claws is seriously lacking surprises.

*A Dog Named Leaf by Allan Anderson. The true story of a man who undergoes brain surgery due to an aneurysm. Not a bad book at all. The author just shouldn't have forced his story around a dog whose impact on his personal changes isn't nearly as important as that of his wife, his past as a cop, and the fear surrounding the surgery.


Watching: 

* Masquerade. In this Korean historical film, set in the era of the Joseon Dynasty, the tyrannical king Gwanghae collapses from a poison, and his body double becomes the new king. Will the newcomer save the country, avoid assassination, and pull off the biggest masquerade in history? This film was recommended to me as a masterpiece. It's a little too long for that (over two hours) as my mind was wandering for the last half hour. The rest of the movie is excellent and extremely funny.

* The Punishment Of Anne / The Image. Holds the middle between a stylish porn film and a drama. It's completely kinky and weird and puts the viewer ill at ease. Loved it. From cult director Radley Metzger.

* All The Colors Of The Dark. In this giallo by Sergio Martino, a blue-eyed maniac with a knife follows a woman wherever she goes. Despite its cult status, All The Colors Of The Dark is rather repetitive and badly acted. The music makes up for a lot of its misses.

* Wrong Turn part 2 and Wrong Turn part 5. The second installment of this horror series about a group of mutated cannibals is highly stereotypical, but unlike many slasher movies, it's not easy to guess who will survive. Part five, on the other hand, was one of the better of the series, especially because the murders were so gruesome.

* Surviving Christmas. This is one of my favorite Christmas movies. Don't judge me.

* The Fury. It's been a good twenty years since I last saw this Brian De Palma movie. While not engaging for its entirety, I particularly liked its atmosphere, aesthetics, and "explosive" ending.

* Contracted. A lesbian girl sleeps with a man and gets infected with a disease that slowly turns her into a zombie. Amateurish acting and questionable cinematic technique made it hard to enjoy this film.

* Safe. Julianne Moore plays a woman who believes she suffers from multiple chemical sensitivity, even though her physician can't find anything wrong with her. She ends up in a new age community that challenges her weak personality even more. Director Todd Haynes succeeds in setting an uneasy mood for this film, but it's Julianne Moore's precise portrayal of the physically and mentally unstable Carol White that really makes us question what is safe in this world.

* The Twilight Zone: The Complete Definitive Collection. I recently received this 28-DVD set as a present and I'm hooked once more. Supernatural stories don't get much better than this.

* Homeland season three. The third season of Homeland builds up slow and ends in fireworks of brilliance and emotion.

* American Horror Story: Season 3 – Coven. I stopped in the middle of this season. So much silliness.


Listening to:

* Word Play by Kormac. I absolutely love the latest CD from this Irish DJ, especially the songs Another Screen and Rainstorm. In the vein of Chinese Man and Wax Tailor.

* Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas. This double CD belonged to my grandfather and we listened to it over and over again every Christmas during the last years of his life. It contains 38 Christmas classics such as Happy Holiday, Here Comes Santa Claus, It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year, and Do You Hear What I Hear? Whenever A Christmas Prayer by Bobby Vinton is on, I picture how he closed his eyes in order to savor this song and how he softly moved his hands through the air to accompany the tone. If there's one CD that brings back beautiful memories, then it's without a doubt Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.

 * Ultra-Lounge: Christmas Cocktails vol. 1 and Ultra-Lounge: Christmas Cocktails vol. 4. An original big band arrangement of well-known Christmas songs. Even if you don't like Christmas music, you'll at least have to listen to Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer played in mambo-tempo.


What are your favorite eighties songs?
Do you have favorite Christmas books, movies, and music?

Friday, December 6, 2013

Re-release Drowned Sorrow

Drowned Sorrow by Vanessa Morgan

After five years, I've decided to leave my publisher and re-release my supernatural thriller Drowned Sorrow. It's been re-vamped with a new cover by Gilles Vranckx and additional edits.

This novel about a remote village where water has become a supernatural element that can think, move and kill is selling at an introductory price of only $0.99. The price will go up after the weekend, so get your copy now through Amazon, Smashwords or Barnes and Noble.


Here's what a few others have said about Drowned Sorrow:

"A disturbing gem of the horror genre." - The Current Reader

"Drowned Sorrow is definitely creepy. Possibly even crawly. I wouldn't sleep in the same room with it." - SP Review

"Pretty damn spooky." - Book Cover Justice

"If Jaws kept you away from the ocean, Drowned Sorrow will keep you away from any water." - The Literary Lioness

"The scariest story of the year." - Sword and Magic

"A breath of fresh air in the horror literature." - Dark Sites

"Everything horror fiction should be: creepy, scary, suspenseful, and yet also touching." - Suko's Notebook

More reviews on Drowned Sorrow at http://vanessa-morgan.blogspot.be/2010/11/drowned-sorrow-reviews.html.


Thursday, December 5, 2013

Lucia y el Sexo filming locations on Formentera

formentera es cap de barbaria lighthouse

I recently spent a day on the Balearic island Formentera, known for its white sandy beaches and turquoise sea. All the beaches on Formentera are natural and almost always set within an unspoiled landscape. Small hotels and apartments can mainly be found in Es Pujols. 

Being a fan of Spanish director Julio Medem, I also visited the Formentera filming locations for his movie Lucia y el Sexo.

I'm sure you will recognize Es Cap de Barbaria Lighthouse (including the famous hole) which is one of the most striking locations in the movie.

Also featured below is Ses Salinas Natural Park and Cala Illetes, which has been recognized as the third most beautiful beach in the world.

Have you seen Lucia y el Sexo? Can you recognize the filming locations?

es cap de barbaria lighthouse
formentera filming locations
formentera lucia y el sexo
formentera sea
ses salinas natural park
filming locations formentera
formentera turquoise sea
formentera beach
formentera filming locations
cala illetes movie locations formentera
cala illetes formentera
formentera cala illetes
formentera movie locations
formentera boat
cala illetes

lucia y el sexo filming location on formentera

Sunday, December 1, 2013

December book giveaway

I'm excited to be part of this very special December book giveaway, organized by Dangling Carat author, Hilary Grossman. She's giving away a total of fourteen books from different authors. I'm donating my vampire story A Good Man for this occasion. To enter, go to Hilary Grossman's blog Feeling Beachie

Below are all the books you can win...

Guardian by Sara Mack
THE GUARDIAN by SARA MACK

Genre: Paranormal Romance
#pages 326

True love never dies. Emma Donohue begs to differ. When a late night accident claims the love of her life, Emma secludes herself in memories of James. In his sandy brown hair and clear blue eyes. In their innocent first kiss and declarations of love. In their plans for a life together after college. But happy dreams can’t rid her of the guilt she carries. She can’t erase her actions the night he died. She can’t erase her reaction at his funeral. And she can’t erase the hollow void that fills her chest and consumes her heart. The first time Emma hears James’ voice, she’s astounded. It sounds as if he’s standing right beside her, and she fears her shattered heart is trying to drive her mad. But, as she continues to hear the voice, she finds comfort in it. With the help of her best friend Shel and handsome newcomer Dane, she tries to move forward and start living again. Until the voice in her head turns out to be more. So much more. You know what they say. True love never dies.

Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble

A Good Man by Vanessa Morgan
A GOOD MAN by VANESSA MORGAN

Genre: horror, screenplay
#pages 92

Louis Caron is a good man: he feeds the homeless, takes care of animals, and is concerned with the ecological future of the planet. But his altruism has a sinister edge – he’s a vampire – and local detective Taglioni is getting increasingly suspicious. Louis’ attempts to escape the police will take him on a journey into his own private hell where he is not only forced to confront his worst fears, but also to destroy the lives of those he cares about most.

Available at Amazon, Smashwords, Barnes & Noble

Dangled Carat by Hilary Grossman
DANGLED CARAT by HILARY GROSSMAN

Genre: Memoir / Chick-Lit
#pages: 281

Hilary had gotten used to dating the commitment-phobic Marc. They had a great relationship—why rush into things? But after four years together, their friends decided to take matters into their own hands, pushing Marc to propose. Unfortunately, Marc still wasn’t ready—and their friends’ meddling in the form of a faux engagement party led to a disastrous New Year’s Eve that brought their relationship to a turning point. In this relatable, playful memoir, Hilary reminisces about her life before Marc—from the awkward teenage years to her early relationships and, finally, to the day she met Marc and realized that she really wanted to see him again. Through the ease of their early time together up until that fateful New Year’s Eve, Hilary shares the details and considers how Marc’s inability to commit led her to find an inner strength and confidence she didn’t know she possessed. For anyone who has ever dated a commitment-phobe, who has found their patience wearing thin, or who has sat around wondering if he is ever going to pop the question while trying to remain the picture of patience and grace, Hilary’s humorous and honest story will hit home.

Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords


White Lies by Emily Harper
WHITE LIES by EMILY HARPER

Genre: Chicklit/Contemporary Romance
#pages 241

Imagine standing in line at Harvey Nichols waiting to buy the most gorgeous silk Gucci dress. The only minor problem? You can’t afford it, it’s a size smaller than you are, and you have absolutely no place to wear it. Meet Natalie Flemming: a twenty-something woman working in London for a fabulous shoe-designing firm, but the only thing they let her touch is the company’s tax forms. She has decided to give fate a vacation and takes the task of finding the man of her dreams (or Johnny Depp if he would just return her calls…) into her own hands. She craves adventure, spontaneity, passion- or will just settle for a decent date.

Available at Amazon

Quake by Lisa Arrington
QUAKE by LISA ARRINGTON

Genre: Science Fiction
#pages 286

Ali and Caden thought they were your average teenagers trying to navigate high school pressures and college decisions. During a camping trip all of that changes when an earthquake ushers in an Alien invasion on their small desert hometown. Lives are lost and friendships are tested as Ali and Caden, along with their best friends, begin running for their lives. However, nothing can prepare them for the secrets they discover when they begin learning more about themselves then they ever thought possible.

Available at Amazon

Marionette by T.B. Markinson
MARIONETTE by T.B. MARKINSON

Genre: LGBT Young Adult
# pages 290

Paige Alexander is seventeen and has her whole life in front of her. One day her girlfriend comes home to discover that Paige has slit her wrists. Paige isn’t insane, but she acts like she is. Why? After the incident, Paige agrees to go to therapy to appease her girlfriend, Jess. However, Paige doesn’t believe that therapy will help her. She believes she’s beyond help. Paige doesn’t want to find herself and she doesn’t want to relive her painful past in order to come to terms with it. What Paige wants is control over her life, which she hasn’t had since her birth. During her childhood, Paige is blamed for a family tragedy, when in fact, her twin sister, Abbie was responsible. Abbie doesn’t come forward and Paige becomes the pariah of the family. To add to Paige’s woes, while attending a college in a small town in Colorado, the residents are in the midst of debating whether or not gays and lesbians should have equal rights. Tension is high and there’s a threat of violence. She isn’t out of the closet and pretends to be straight at school since she fears what will happen if her parents find out she’s a lesbian. Will she end up dead like her best friend, Alex?

Available at Amazon

Snowflakes and Beeswax by Jess Scheera
SNOWFLAKES AND BEESWAX by JESS SCHIRA

Genre: Historical romance
#pages 96

Madelyn Wickham is a shy farmer’s daughter who wants to be left alone to tend to her bees and make candles so elegant they captured Queen Charlotte’s attention. For years, she and her father had a good system. Madelyn made the candles the queen requested for the Christmas celebration she hosted at the Queen’s Lodge, and Madelyn’s father handled the men the queen sent to fetch the merchandise. Her father’s death changes everything. The idea of dealing with the queen’s men terrifies her, people have always made her feel uncomfortable, but she has no choice. It takes all of her courage, but she manages to walk up to them and start a conversation. Moments later they find the candles she’s prepared for the Queen’s celebration have been destroyed. Oliver Hamilton has always had a knack for seeing the bright side of every situation. He understands the seriousness of the situation, but doesn’t see any reason for despair. He sees the situation as a chance to spend time with a woman who’s always intrigued him, but who he’s only ever seen from a distance. He has no idea he’s stepping into the middle of a tense sibling rivalry, and a bitter fight custody fight over the small farm, a battle Madelyn can’t handle by herself.

Available at Amazon

Unbreakable by Joann Lee
UNBREAKABLE by JOANN LEE

Genre: lesbian romance
#pages 251

Sequel to Broken Star After finding happiness, Lynn Feoras was convinced life with Alexis and Calista would be perfect. But when she and Alexis begin the tedious journey of expanding their family, she soon comes to learn that money doesn’t buy everything. In the midst of doctor’s visits, a move to New York, and a whirlwind tour, life remains chaotic for the Feoras family. New friends emerge, old ones return, and an unexpected reappearance of someone from Lynn’s past leaves her questioning her ability to be a parent. Will Lynn and Alexis be able to overcome the obstacles placed before them? Will their relationship crumble under the strain or will they come out on top, stronger than before?

Available at Amazon

Wildcat In Moscow by Storm Chase
WILDCAT IN MOSCOW by STORM CHASE

Genre: contemporary romance
#pages 253

When Chelsea comes back from Alaska she discovers her stepfather has embezzled her multimillion pound inheritance.Not only is Chelsea broke but the police think she has colluded with her stepfather in a financial swindle. Worse, loan shark Carlos Santiago is after her too, determined to make her pay up for her stepfather’s debts.Then Vladimir Voyeykov, a Russian business tycoon rumoured to be a member of the Red Mafia, enters the mix. He whisks Chelsea to Moscow where she is catapulted into a world filled with intrigue, uncertainty – and passion.

Available at Amazon, Smashwords

Lost Weekend: An Erotic Romance In Wales by Storm Chase
LOST WEEKEND: AN EROTIC ROMANCE IN WALES by STORM CHASE

Genre: romance erotica
#pages 97

“What’s going on?” Micah asked gently. “You say you’re an escort and you’re dressed like a wet dream come true. But you are embarrassed when I look at you. And when I offer to hire you, you turn me down flat. Furthermore, you were so frightened of me earlier that you hit me over the head with a frozen leg of lamb and yet now you are here, all curled up and cosy – in my bed I might add – when you could be halfway back to London or the nearest police station.” “I, I,” Bryony stuttered. “It’s complicated.” “So I see,” Micah said.When Micah accidentally kills a major drug dealer, and Bryony is the only witness, Micah decides the only solution is to keep an eye on her while he makes plans to leave the country. However, when Micah and Bryony start talking to each other, things don’t work out quite as either of them expect.Lost Weekend is a love story with a hint of murder and a heroine who decides she likes it best when she’s on top.

Available at Amazon, Smashwords

The Unicorn's Daughter by Norma Beishir
THE UNICORN’S DAUGHTER by NORMA BEISHIR

Genre:Thriller
#pages 353

Codename: Unicorn. Jaime Lynde adored her father. She was devastated when she was told he was dead–but she refused to believe he was a traitor to his country. Her determination to prove his innocence sent her on a journey from Washington DC to Paris to Libya and put her on a collision course with a double agent in Tripoli at the time of the 1986 air strike…

Available at Amazon, Smashwords, Barnes & Noble

Pohoi and Comanche Spirit Power by J.L. Chalfant
POHOI AND COMANCHE SPIRIT POWER by J. L. CHALFANT

Genre: Native American Historical with elements of Native American mysticism, romance and suspense.
#pages 307

 A battle for power is about to begin. It is 1860, early spring on the high plains of Texas. Pohoi, a young Comanche woman, learns how the winds of spring open doorways into the world of spirits. She ignores the concerns of a certain young warrior she loves and breaks tradition, all to gain Comanche Spirit Power when friendly traders, assisted by her beloved aunt, attack and murder her father and kidnap her white mother. As predicted by her medicine woman aunt, the Great Spirit Storms arrive. No longer can Pohoi wait to right the recent wrongs committed against her family, especially since she can no longer marry Yellow Bear. She transforms into a ghost warrior and charges toward the plains, home to the dreaded Texans and soldiers, and where she believes the kidnappers have taken her mother. But not until Yellow Bear tracks her location, bringing with him her traitorous aunt’s unwanted child, does Pohoi realize her real battle is where she least expected. Soon she learns a shocking truth that quickly blurs the line between friend and foe, revealing a route back to love, and to life if she can relinquish her need for power. Even if Pohoi finds her mother, how can she set her father’s spirit free and end the Great Spirit Storms if Power turns against her? And, if she gains Comanche Spirit Power, will Yellow Bear still love her?

Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble

Closure by Angela Ford
CLOSURE by ANGELA FORD

Genre: romantic suspense
#pages 176

Closure…a gripping FBI search grounded by an as-yet-unrealized love story…Jess, a young FBI profiler is compelled to save the fourth victim from a sexual predator, only to put her life into the hands of a serial killer. Exciting new romantic suspense from debut author, Angela Ford. An elite FBI task force tracks online predators while they hunt their prey. A series of murders in Presario Heights has forced Special Agent Jessica Resario to follow her gut instinct to save the next victim. Supervisory Special Agent Tom Erickson removes her from the case. The only place to escape the danger is her family beach home. She hadn’t been there since her parents were murdered. The level of intensity climbs higher with her discovery of postcards marked “I Crave You”. Old ghosts, secrets, imminent threats and an inevitable attraction to Tom send her on an emotional roller coaster. If that wasn’t enough, she opens the door to a man she thought was dead. Tom is stabbed and his case files go missing…high emotions put Jess at the killer’s mercy.

Available at Amazon

No Longer A Bridesmaid by Terry Cato
NO LONGER A BRIDESMAID! by TERRY CATO

Genre: memoir
#pages 166

For years, Terry Cato was always the bridesmaid, but never the bride. In this poignant memoir, this first-time author tells the story of her seven years of preparation, finally becoming a Lady-in-Waiting (engaged) and then a bride. During her years of being single, Terry observed seven personality types–her own included–that can get in the way of progress toward the altar. In this book, learn: The seven types of single women and how they could be harming their chances of getting married; why dating is just practicing for divorce; how to deal with and heal old emotional wounds; the seven steps the author used to successfully prepare for her husband; how to live a happy, celibate life as you prepare for your husband and more.

Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble