September 30, 2007

FAR Reviews Bootlegger's Bride

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The hits just keep on comin'!

Many thanks to Linda L @ Fallen Angel Reviews:

Bootlegger's Bride is a tale with characters that stand out, show their weaknesses or strength and grabs hold of the reader. I wanted to jump into the pages and reach out to Aidan and Grace. I could hear their hearts screaming in pain to be together again and remove the barrier that stood between them. The freedom they sought to be away from their families and to be with each other could be felt by this reader. Marty Kindall creates a fantastic read that breathes life with each page. Her unique characters really make the story convincing and a complete joy to read. With the aftermath of the war, along with prohibition and bootlegging, not to mention the lengths that some politicians will go to, this tale spins with great creativity. This is my first story by Ms. Kindall, and it certainly won't be my last.

For the full review:
http://www.fallenangelreviews.com/2007/September/LindaL-BootleggersBride.htm

Posted by Marty at 03:44 PM | 2 comments

September 18, 2007

What's new?

This quarter, one of my dreams for my school came true. We've instituted an honor society, and inducted our first members. This is truly a reward for those students who have worked so hard over a stretch of time. I'm glad it's finally here!

And, this will indeed be my last quarter in the classroom, at least for a while. I accepted a new position with my current school, and I'll be starting up the Advising and Registration Center (ARC). It's going to be a big job, a definite challenge for me, but I also know how much it can help the students, faculty, and staff. So Thursday will be my final day in the classroom. I've had lots of great students, plenty of solid work, and had students go the extra mile.

Here's one of them, from class today. He was dressed for a presentation on Iraq, demonstrating typical dress. When he mentioned he'd breakdance in costume if I could find some cardboard...who turns that down???

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AND...I finished my final galley for All in Good Time!

Posted by Marty at 08:51 PM | 5 comments

September 16, 2007

Movie Review: 3:10 to Yuma


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It's a shame the studios did not know how to market this movie correctly. The trailers portray 3:10 to Yuma as a new take on the classic western, as an action film. But it's not. It's a story that can be told against any backdrop. And while there are stretches of action, don't expect to sit on the edge of your seat and gnaw your fingernails. The catalyst of this film is not the plot...it's the characters.

Russell Crowe plays outlaw Ben Wade, who heads up a vicious gang responsible for innumerable killings, and 22 robberies that have garnered the crew over 400 thousand k. His counterpart is failing rancher Dan Evans, played by Christian Bale, who is under pressure to sell his land for the railroad, and is trying desperately to hang on through a drought. He needs money, so when men are needed to help get Wade on the 3:10 train to Yuma prison, he goes along for the cash--and for the opportunity to show his sons he's not a coward.

The interesting part about this film is the juxtaposition of these two characters. How are they different, how are they similar? Wade is charming while Evans has a hard time with relationships. They're both under tremendous pressure, and how they respond to the pressure, and to each other is a great study. It came to me that it's not about bringing a killer to justice (what is justice, after all?), but it's about the ability to change, and perhaps have the chance to be the person you've always wanted to be. If you're a plotter who has a hard time with characterization or character-driven plots, give this a shot. You won't be disappointed.

Posted by Marty at 12:42 PM | 4 comments

September 09, 2007

Are you ready?

Are you ready for some football? Not only does September mean the start of the college and professional football seasons, it (hopefully) signals cooler temperatures and a fun, downhill slide into the "holidays"--Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas (or some variation thereof).

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So while I cat-sit for Her Majesty, Sable, I have one eye on the hurricane making landfall on the Outer Banks and the other eye on the Panther's game with St. Louis. Yesterday, Ohio State beat Akron, and Michigan lost to Oregon...so we're off to a great start!

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Who's your team, and how did they start the season?

Posted by Marty at 01:52 PM | 1 comment