Book Review: Accidental Lazarus (Dead & Busy Episode 1) by Kfir Luzzatto + giveaway

Accidental Lazarus (Dead & Busy Episode 1)

by Kfir Luzzatto
September 21, 2017

39 pages
Genre: Humorous Noir, Supernatural Mystery
It is sort of annoying having dead people dropping by at all hours...

A paranormal detective like Dave Callaghan has already seen everything, but he never expected to find a presumed dead mobster drinking scotch in his armchair. He is definitely unhappy when he (it?) engages him to find out who shot him. But the worse is yet to come; Dave’s girlfriend gets involved and the real trouble begins.

Episode 1 of the DEAD & BUSY series will keep you laughing to the (bitter) end.

"Dave Callaghan is not here to bring you profound, life-changing thoughts; only quick, unadulterated fun."

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Imagine coming home to a mafioso sitting in the dark pointing a gun at you. That’s bad but even worse.....he’s sitting there with a big hole in his chest, leaking whiskey! He wants you to solve his murder AND he wants to be your partner....decaying minute by minute. Explain his appearance to a witness!

This is the first book in a series of “Dead and Busy”. I think it might be set up like a half-hour TV series where each “episode” for this paranormal investigator is a telling of another day, another client. There are 4 so far. The story went quick and the plot cute and funny. Just the right amount of snark, humor, and great descriptive scenes!

Humor threads it’s way through the story with a good writing style. Continuous action with one complication after another. I really enjoyed the read and will definitely pick up another when I need an in-between fun break!

Gets 4 “NOT ON THE CARPET!” sheep

Jeanie G

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About the Author:

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Kfir Luzzatto is the author of eight novels, several short stories and six non-fiction books. Kfir was born and raised in Italy, and moved to Israel as a teenager. He acquired the love for the English language from his father, a former U.S. soldier, a voracious reader, and a prolific writer. He holds a PhD in chemical engineering and works as a patent attorney. In pursuit of his interest in the mind-body connection, Kfir was certified as a Clinical Hypnotherapist by the Anglo European College of Therapeutic Hypnosis. 

Kfir is an HWA (Horror Writers Association) and ITW (International Thriller Writers) member.

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Midnight, Texas...my thoughts on episode one (spoiler-free)

Midnight, Texas

Mondays at 10/9cNetwork: NBC
Executive producers: Monica Owusu-Breen, David Janollari, Niels Arden Oplev, Mark Hentemann
Genres: Drama, Supernatural

Based on Charlaine Harris' book series by the same name, "Midnight, Texas" follows the lives of the inhabitants of a small town where the concept of normal is relative. A haven for vampires, witches, psychics, hit men and others with extraordinary backgrounds, Midnight gives outsiders a place to belong. The town members form a strong and unlikely family as they work together to fend off the pressures of unruly biker gangs, questioning police officers and shades of their own dangerous pasts.

Series cast summary:

François Arnaud ... Manfred Bernardo

Dylan Bruce ... Bobo Winthrop 

Parisa Fitz-Henley ... Fiji Cavanaugh

Arielle Kebbel ... Olivia

Jason Lewis ... Joe Strong

Peter Mensah ... Lemuel Bridger

Sarah Ramos ... Creek

Yul Vazquez ... Rev. Emilio Sheehan

Bernardo Saracino ... Chuy Strong

Joanne Camp ... Xylda

Joe Smith ... Mr. Snuggly

I'm gonna have to give this one some more episodes before I can decide how I feel about it. Having read the books works against the TV show. I need time to let go of my preconceived ideas and embrace this new version. My biggest problem is, with the exception of a few, that the characters look nothing like they do in the books. I have nothing against the TV show versions, I just can't reconcile the changes yet. Especially with the lead character Manfred. In the book, he's a skinny, young, bleached haired guy with lots of piercings. Readers met him in Charlaine Harris' Harper Connelly Mystery Series. The one change I do like is the new look of Lem...he's one sexy vampire now!

Another problem is the information dump. It took two books for the reader, and Manfred, to discover the supernatural side of the residents of Midnight. They are a very private and protective bunch. But in the TV version, it is all revealed in episode one. Book one opens with Aubrey's death, and that holds true for the show. Of course, I know who did it, but I am curious to see how this version of the story will progress.

I was surprised the writers brought up the big bad evil under the town. In the books, the characters didn't know why they'd been drawn to Midnight until book three when they started putting things together.

I'm gonna have to give the show a few more episodes before I decide if I will continue watching. I'm torn between wanting the writers to stay as true to the story as possible and wanting them to change things up enough that fans of the books will have some surprises.

So, what did you guys think? I'm curious what people who haven't read the books think of Midnight, Texas.

Spotight: Jubal Van Zandt and the Revenge of the Bloodslinger by eden Hudson + giveaway

Jubal Van Zandt and the Revenge of the Bloodslinger A Jubal Van Zandt Novel Episode 1

by eden Hudson
Genre: Urban Fantasy / Cyber Punk
Publisher: Shadow Alley Press Inc.
October 14, 2016
Number of pages: Approx. 265
Word Count: 50,000
Cover Artist: Lou Harper
Narcissist, sociopath, and shameless backstabber Jubal Van Zandt is the best damn thief in the history of the Revived Earth...and he won't shut up about it.

But not everybody in the swampy, soggy, feudal future approves of Jubal's vocation. The Guild—the religious fanatics who helped rebuild civilization after the collapse—in particular are waiting for their opportunity to slip the noose around his neck.

Which is why when the renowned Guild knight Carina Xiao—a.k.a. the Bloodslinger—contacts Jubal about an off-the-books job that violates Guild Law, he's too intrigued to say no. He is the best damn thief in the history of the Revived Earth, after all.

Part bizarro ecopunk, part outworld thriller, part odd-couple roadtrip, Jubal Van Zandt and the Revenge of the Bloodslinger is a 150% futurepunk quest for blood and betrayal across the Revived Earth.

I clapped my hands together. “Let’s get started. How did you hear about me?”

“Guild files,” Carina said. “Their records on you are full of suspicions, first-person accounts, and rumors. No arrests, no charges, and no incriminating evidence that you didn’t purposely leave behind for someone to find. I investigated Laars Gonzalez’s allegations that—”

She broke off, pulling a well-worn knuckgun from inside her leather jacket and pointing it at the two big guys approaching our booth.

“Don’t take another step,” she said. “Drop your weapons.”

They stopped, but didn’t drop the rust-caked knife or the stunclub.

“Uh-oh,” I said. “Looks like somebody recognized me. I’ll sign one autograph apiece, guys, but then I’ve really got to get back to work.”

The bigger of the two, who looked like he dogfought for funsies on the weekends, growled, “The Guild has no jurisdiction here, knight. The man you’re associating with is a wanted fugitive in Argameri.”

“That’s true,” I told Carina. “Dead or alive. The bounty’s huge.”

She didn’t take her eyes off the bruisers as she asked me, “Why didn’t you say something when I suggested meeting here?”

“Aw, come on, look at these guys! They couldn’t take a cucumber from a slime whore. Besides, I wanted to see what you’d do. Shoot ’em and let’s get back to business.”

“What are you wanted for?” she asked.

“For being better than them. They’re jealous that I sold them out before they could think of a way to do it to me.”

The second guy, whose face was covered in fishhook tattoos, pointed his snapping and sparking stunclub at me. “Your betrayal cost hundreds of Argamerian lives!”

“Really?” I said. “Because I heard it was thousands.”

About the Author:

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I am invincible. I am a mutant. I have 3 hearts and was born with no eyes. I had eyes implanted later. I didn't have hands, either, just stumps. When my eyes were implanted they asked if I would like hands as well and I said, "Yes, I'll take those," and pointed with my stump. But sometimes I'm a hellbender peeking out from under a rock. When it rains, I live in a music box.

But I'm also a tattoo-addict, coffee-junkie, drummer, and aspiring skateboarder. Jesus actually is my homeboy.

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TV Series Review: Damien: The Beast Rises Season 1- Episode 1

Damien: The Beast Rises
A&E

TV-14 V, LS 1 -E 1

Mar 07, 2016

Duration: 43m 9s
Staring: Bradley James

After experiencing a traumatic event while on assignment in Syria, acclaimed war photographer Damien Thorn is forced to confront his past and face the fact that he is the Antichrist.

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The original movie, The Omen, was released in 1976. I was 9 years old and the commercials with that dog scene scared the bejeebus out of me. It was years later when I read the book and saw the movie.

The A&E TV series picks up 25 years after the first movie. It is Damien Thorn's 30th birthday and we find out he has no memory of his childhood. He is now a photo journalist working on a story in the Middle East. An old lady touches him and brings back flashes of memory. He has always felt like a dark cloud hung over him and he pushed away people who got too close. He tries to find answers and people start dying. The dogs are back too! This time 3 Rottweilers. The episode ends with Damien realizing who he really is.

I liked it. There will be no acting awards or script writing awards, but they nailed the horror and foreboding atmosphere. Bradley James plays Damien and he is mighty nice to look at. The music score is reminiscent of the original movie, but updated. I'll be keeping up with this one. If stories of the Antichrist and the religious connection with it make you nervous or unsettled, you might want to skip this one.

4 AntiSheep 

SharonS