After my huge disappointment in the season premiere of Medium, I am happy to report that I truly enjoyed the second episode. It should have been the premiere! :)
In it, we find the characters acting more like we are used to. Ariel acts like her usual spoiled self, but we're also treated to her softer side. And it was very interesting to see her dreams in relation to Allison's.
Joe had his witty charm back.
Smaller cast this time, but lots of interaction with Anjelica Houston's character who starts off as rather cold and skeptical and then becomes a believer.
Best of all, the plot was UNpredictable. I felt that tug of suspense and urgency that I expect to have with this show. And I loved the mother/daughter theme.
10 out of 10 stars on this one. KUDOS!
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Introducing the Whale Song Discussion Guide for Book Clubs and Schools
Whale Song is the perfect choice for book clubs and schools!
Not only is Whale Song a “beautiful” and “compelling” novel, it has had an emotional impact on many readers and it explores numerous topics. Reading it, you will learn about living in an isolated town, the lives of killer whales, west coast native traditions and legends, the effects of racism, the impact of bullying and abuse, the choice and consequences of assisted death, the depth of a parent’s love, and surviving great tragedy. In the end, I hope you will come away feeling inspired and hopeful.
And now there is the Whale Song Discussion Guide for Book Clubs and Schools, the first discussion guide to complement a Kunati title.
This guide was designed to help book clubs, schools and individuals get the most out of Whale Song. It will give you some insight into how to interpret this work of fiction and the subtle or not-so-subtle messages found in the book. While this novel was originally marketed mainly for women 30-60 years old, it has now broken all boundaries in age and gender. My youngest reader that I know of is 7 and the oldest is 108. And Whale Song has become an international hit.
Spoiler Warning: The following book club discussion questions on Whale Song reveal important details from the novel. You should finish reading it before continuing.
View the Discussion Guide online or download the PDF.
Not only is Whale Song a “beautiful” and “compelling” novel, it has had an emotional impact on many readers and it explores numerous topics. Reading it, you will learn about living in an isolated town, the lives of killer whales, west coast native traditions and legends, the effects of racism, the impact of bullying and abuse, the choice and consequences of assisted death, the depth of a parent’s love, and surviving great tragedy. In the end, I hope you will come away feeling inspired and hopeful.
And now there is the Whale Song Discussion Guide for Book Clubs and Schools, the first discussion guide to complement a Kunati title.
This guide was designed to help book clubs, schools and individuals get the most out of Whale Song. It will give you some insight into how to interpret this work of fiction and the subtle or not-so-subtle messages found in the book. While this novel was originally marketed mainly for women 30-60 years old, it has now broken all boundaries in age and gender. My youngest reader that I know of is 7 and the oldest is 108. And Whale Song has become an international hit.
Spoiler Warning: The following book club discussion questions on Whale Song reveal important details from the novel. You should finish reading it before continuing.
View the Discussion Guide online or download the PDF.
Out with the old and in with the new!
As we head into January and a new year, I'd like to wish you all the very best in success and hapiness. January has always been a time of renewal. That's why we like to reaffirm our New Year's resolutions. It is the one month of the year that we feel anything is possible, that we can make a new start--out with the old and in with the new.
January has aways been the time of year where I focus on my next novel, putting my marketing of existing novels in second place. I won't be doing any book signings now for a while. There aren't many other events lined up for the next 2 to 3 months, except an occasional book club meeting (I love attending book clubs). This is the time of year when I am most at peace--creating...writing.
I have no news yet about Children of the Fog, but when I do, I'll let you know.
I am now throwing myself (headfirst?) into Divine Justice--book 2 in the Divine series. If all goes well, it may be available as early as fall '08. But I can't make any promises. If you're a Divine Intervention fan, please know I'm doing my best. If you haven't read Divine Intervention yet, now's your chance. :)
I will be updating my websites, blogging, and I have some new contests planned for next month and beyond. I still have some active contests that you should check out. :)
Don't forget, I have also posted some excerpts from my books. And I have 2 short stories available as Amazon Shorts: Picture Perfect and A Grave Error.
So while I'm writing, please check out all three of my published novels:
*If you order any of them, I would be happy to send you a signed bookplate (a beautiful sticker) for the inside of your book and a bookmark.
This offer is good while supplies last. Just email me and let me know how many you need (signed books make great gifts), who they are for and include your mailing address.
Happy New Year to you all!
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Medium premiere - "And Then"...everyone was depressed
Last night I sat down to watch the highly anticipated season premiere of Medium, one of my favorite shows. My first reaction to the episode titled "And Then", was: "Good God, what did they do with the writers?" I am not sure if this was the product of the writers' strike or if it was taped earlier, but the episode was flat, predictable and...in one word, BORING. Sorry, NBC.Spoiler alert!
In the premiere, we are given a recap of what happened last season and left with a depressed cast who should all go on some meds.
Allison (Patricia Arquette) was depressed because no one would take her calls or listen to her dreams and she was having money problems.
Her usually witty husband Joe (Jake Weber) was depressed because he was out of work and his mother wouldn't lend him money.
Their teenage daughter Ariel (Sofia Vassilieva) was depressed because she realized that another girl sang better than her (and maybe she was depressed because the writers made her do something nice instead of act like the spoiled brat that we have all come to want to smack).
Detective Lee Scanlon (David Cubitt) was depressed because he has been demoted to playing with puppets instead of being an active crime investigator.
His girlfriend (what's her name) was also equally depressed (and depressing) as she waded through her few lines as if reading off a cereal box. Though maybe her depression is justified--NBC doesn't even see fit to acknowledge her role in the cast, even though she's been in many episodes.
Allison's former boss D.A. Devalos (Miguel Sandoval) was depressed because someone else has his job and now he'll have to go back to being just a...sigh...lawyer.
Then there's Academy Award-winning Anjelica Huston who plays Cynthia Keener, an investigator for "Ameritips". I'm sure that she was depressed because her role was so minute. I hope they develop her character better in future episodes.
Let's see...who else was depressed? Oh yes, let's not forget the millions of viewers who watched, predicted every step and tried to keep from dozing off. Pass the Valium!
As for plot, it was equally as depressing: a kidnapped boy, a pointless side-story about Ariel auditioning for a school musical, a dream of the kidnapper's feet (he likes to dance) and another dream of mice, a scene where Scanlon finds the dead boy packaged up in a doll box and mice running around.
At this point I thought, the killer is a young man who likes to dance and he's an exterminator. And lo and behold, it seems that maybe I should take over for Allison Dubois. What's disappointing is that there's no real investigation. The killer just conveniently shows up, let's himself into the scene of the crime (dancing to music, of course)...
"And Then"?
The show is over. (Thank God!) Talk about anti-climactic. A visit to your dentist for a root canal would be more suspenseful and less painful.
So please, NBC...get some good writers! I loved this show! I love the cast! But hey, there are other new shows on now, so give us some credit here and write for the intelligent viewer. We deserve better.
By the way, my paranormal suspense novel Divine Intervention is often compared to Medium (and CSI and Ghost Whisperer) and will definitely appeal to fans of the show. And I can promise you there are no flat characters and the story line is anything but predictable or boring. So while you're waiting for Medium to get back on track, feel free to pick up a copy of Divine Intervention at Amazon.
Thursday, January 03, 2008
Law & Order premiere mimics Dr. Death's life
Assisted death is still a sensitive and timely topic, and even the hit TV show Law & Order is discussing this controversial topic.
Because of the assisted dying theme in Whale Song, I have read many articles about right-to-die activist and retired pathologist Jack Kevorkian, who was paroled in June 2007, after spending 8 years in prison. He had been convicted of second-degree murder [People v. Kevorkian, 248 Mich. App. 373, 639 N.W. 2d 291 (2001)]. So when I sat down last night to watch the season premiere of Law & Order, I was surprised at how similar the plot was to reality.
WARNING: Spoilers!
In the premiere of Law & Order, Jeremy Sisto joins the cast as Cyrus Lupo, a detective who comes home after 4 years abroad and finds that his brother has committed suicide by lethal injection. Shortly after, a second man is found dead in the same manner, after being diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease. Both men had their deaths videotaped, to be aired by a well-known television reporter. This is similar to the real-life case of Thomas Youk, whose assisted death aired on November 22, 1998, on 60 Minutes.
In the Law & Order episode, there is graphic mention of how the suicide machine is used and the side effects of the drugs. It is then discovered that Lupo's brother's death was assisted by a young woman who turns out to be the daughter of a recent parolee (ironically nicknamed "Dr. Death") who spent 10 years in prison, and detectives believe that he had something to do with the men's deaths.
In many of the articles I read about Jack Kevorkian, he was referred to as "Dr. Death". Many anti-right-to-die activists proclaim that Kevorkian's chosen method--lethal injection--is painful and slow, making it an inhumane way to die. But others argue that lethal injection, if done correctly, is fast and virtually painless. Law & Order mentions that death can be painful, yet we see two men slip away rather peacefully.
The first scene with the Kevorkian-like character shows a man who still holds onto his beliefs but cannot do anything with them. He professes to the detectives that because of his parole stipulations, he cannot help anyone who wants an assisted death, and that it's the fault of the legal system. This is also very much like the words of Jack Kevorkian, who proclaims that he will work now towards changes in the laws, rather than violate his parole terms and break the law. "I can't talk in detail about the procedure or advocate a procedure, especially with individuals," Kevorkian says in a recent interview with Mike Wallace of 60 Minutes.
Assisted death has been in the news a lot this past year. Dignitas, the Swiss right-to-die organization was ousted from their offices and forced to make other accomodations for their clients who come to them in their final days. Sharon and Ozzie Osbourne loudly voiced their own personal assisted-suicide pact, should either of them lose their mental faculties. (Some may argue that has already happened.)
While Whale Song does have a theme (one of many) of assisted dying, the novel itself neither condones nor condemns this personal of all choices. It is not the key focus of the novel, which is why I have readers as young as 7 reading it and loving it. The messages in Whale Song deal more with surviving traumatic experiences, such as bullying, racism, the death of a mother, the loss of a father. The message is really about redemption and forgiveness. Life does go on, even after tragedy. And the messages I have received from readers of all ages have expressed how much they have loved the delicate handling of assisted dying and that it has opened doors to discussion with friends, spouses and kids.
Order Whale Song.
See my article on Kevorkian.
The following sites are listed for information purposes only and represent both sides of the argument on assisted dying. My personal belief is that one cannot truly make such a decision unless in this situation. If I had to watch someone I loved dying a slow and painful death with no hope of recovery and no quality of life, I admit, I would be tempted to consider assisted dying. However, I cannot say for sure that I would follow through.
Here are a few sites that may help you understand this issue.
Because of the assisted dying theme in Whale Song, I have read many articles about right-to-die activist and retired pathologist Jack Kevorkian, who was paroled in June 2007, after spending 8 years in prison. He had been convicted of second-degree murder [People v. Kevorkian, 248 Mich. App. 373, 639 N.W. 2d 291 (2001)]. So when I sat down last night to watch the season premiere of Law & Order, I was surprised at how similar the plot was to reality.
WARNING: Spoilers!
In the premiere of Law & Order, Jeremy Sisto joins the cast as Cyrus Lupo, a detective who comes home after 4 years abroad and finds that his brother has committed suicide by lethal injection. Shortly after, a second man is found dead in the same manner, after being diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease. Both men had their deaths videotaped, to be aired by a well-known television reporter. This is similar to the real-life case of Thomas Youk, whose assisted death aired on November 22, 1998, on 60 Minutes.
In the Law & Order episode, there is graphic mention of how the suicide machine is used and the side effects of the drugs. It is then discovered that Lupo's brother's death was assisted by a young woman who turns out to be the daughter of a recent parolee (ironically nicknamed "Dr. Death") who spent 10 years in prison, and detectives believe that he had something to do with the men's deaths.
In many of the articles I read about Jack Kevorkian, he was referred to as "Dr. Death". Many anti-right-to-die activists proclaim that Kevorkian's chosen method--lethal injection--is painful and slow, making it an inhumane way to die. But others argue that lethal injection, if done correctly, is fast and virtually painless. Law & Order mentions that death can be painful, yet we see two men slip away rather peacefully.
The first scene with the Kevorkian-like character shows a man who still holds onto his beliefs but cannot do anything with them. He professes to the detectives that because of his parole stipulations, he cannot help anyone who wants an assisted death, and that it's the fault of the legal system. This is also very much like the words of Jack Kevorkian, who proclaims that he will work now towards changes in the laws, rather than violate his parole terms and break the law. "I can't talk in detail about the procedure or advocate a procedure, especially with individuals," Kevorkian says in a recent interview with Mike Wallace of 60 Minutes.
Assisted death has been in the news a lot this past year. Dignitas, the Swiss right-to-die organization was ousted from their offices and forced to make other accomodations for their clients who come to them in their final days. Sharon and Ozzie Osbourne loudly voiced their own personal assisted-suicide pact, should either of them lose their mental faculties. (Some may argue that has already happened.)
While Whale Song does have a theme (one of many) of assisted dying, the novel itself neither condones nor condemns this personal of all choices. It is not the key focus of the novel, which is why I have readers as young as 7 reading it and loving it. The messages in Whale Song deal more with surviving traumatic experiences, such as bullying, racism, the death of a mother, the loss of a father. The message is really about redemption and forgiveness. Life does go on, even after tragedy. And the messages I have received from readers of all ages have expressed how much they have loved the delicate handling of assisted dying and that it has opened doors to discussion with friends, spouses and kids.
Order Whale Song.
See my article on Kevorkian.
The following sites are listed for information purposes only and represent both sides of the argument on assisted dying. My personal belief is that one cannot truly make such a decision unless in this situation. If I had to watch someone I loved dying a slow and painful death with no hope of recovery and no quality of life, I admit, I would be tempted to consider assisted dying. However, I cannot say for sure that I would follow through.
Here are a few sites that may help you understand this issue.
Right to die/assisted dying organizations:
Pro-life oranizations:Whale Song is mandatory reading for victims of violence
Because of everything that happened with Alliance for Children's Enrichment (ACE), I was contacted by a few of ACE's board members. One of them is Linda, the Executive Director of Community Welcome House, a shelter in Newnan, Georgia, for women and children who are victims of violence. I received this email from her.
Cheryl,
I love the book. I have been reading it in between the business of the Christmas Season which is always tragic for women and children who are victims of domestic violence. As soon as I complete the book, I am almost there, I will send the critique to Amazon.com. It is going to be included in our mandatory reading for our residents of Community Welcome House. It will be a wonderful addition to our library. I can't thank you enough.
Community Welcome House is looking for volunteers, so if you live in the Newnan area and would like to help out, please contact Morgan Reese at Reese1819@numail.org.
CWH is also looking for donations of gift card from department stores such as Target, Walmart, Belks, Kohls, etc., older cars that are still driveable, and monetary donations.
You can donate online at:
http://www.communitywelcomehouse.org/donations.html
Or arrange a donation by calling 770-304-0966 or emailing lindakirk@charter.net
Order Whale Song.
Amazon and Chapters/Indigo gift cards
This year for Christmas, I gave out a few Chapters/Indigo gift cards. Strangely enough, I didn't get any in my stocking. :(
But I did get Tim Horton's and Starbucks cards. (They know me sooo well!)
With all of the book signings I've done over the years, I am still surprised at how many people in Edmonton (and possibly across Canada) aren't aware that the Chapters gift cards are actually good for the following stores:
So for those of you who received either of these cards, I invite you to consider ordering some of my novels. January is a great month to start reading again. Reward yourself and give yourself permission to relax and enjoy some time to yourself.
*Anyone who orders my books in January can email me and request a personalized and autographed bookplate and a colorful bookmark.
If you have an Amazon gift card, here are the links to my books:
But I did get Tim Horton's and Starbucks cards. (They know me sooo well!)
With all of the book signings I've done over the years, I am still surprised at how many people in Edmonton (and possibly across Canada) aren't aware that the Chapters gift cards are actually good for the following stores:
- Chapters
- Indigo Books & Music
- Coles
- Smithbooks
So for those of you who received either of these cards, I invite you to consider ordering some of my novels. January is a great month to start reading again. Reward yourself and give yourself permission to relax and enjoy some time to yourself.
*Anyone who orders my books in January can email me and request a personalized and autographed bookplate and a colorful bookmark.
If you have an Amazon gift card, here are the links to my books:
- Whale Song $10.36 US
- The River $22.50 US
- Divine Intervention $22.50 US
- Whale Song $13.95 Cdn ($13.25 with iRewards
- The River $17.15 Cdn ($16.29 with iRewards)
- Divine Intervention $17.15 Cdn ($16.29 with iRewards )
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
