#I try to draw Henry looking more gruff most of the time

[pushing500]

Candlelight is making sure Andy learns every important skill he will need to survive in the far reaches of the galaxy.

Irwin is very proud of this masterwork bucket he made. Good job, Irwin, I'm sure that valiant effort could not have been better spent on any other projects.

Every time I see stuff like this, I like to imagine that my colonists can hear everything that's happening on the other side of the wall and just stoically try to ignore it.

His surname may be Cook, but he's engineered as a soldier and has zero cooking ability. I'm sorry, Henry, but you won't be doing any kitchen work anytime soon.

Fortunately, freshly resurrected Wendy is willing to give Henry a cooking lesson, so hopefully, this will make him feel better about not being allowed to use the stove.

Wendy does have two bionic eyes now, but she didn't when I drew this. The 'regrow limb' psycast does not fix blindness or dementia, but I figured it was worth a shot.

Do you think Fafo has been writing letters to Grand-Aunty Rebi or calling her on the Comms Console to chat about life? Maybe Fafo mentioned Barghest in passing, and Grand-Aunty Rebi decided he sounded nice (her proposal was politely rejected because Barghest is asexual, and also, I don't want him to leave).

I don't know any jokes about fighting orcas, so this one will have to do. Ugh. Wookshys is, unfortunately, a very good fiance. It annoys me.

There were four manhunter guinea pigs in this attack, which Irwin and Zonovo dealt with all by themselves. Good job, boys!

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[lgbtqiahistoricalromance]

LGBTQIA+ Historical Romance Novels with Ghosts, Ghouls, and Gothic themes-October 2018

(Warning: Some books may have triggers such as abuse, questionable family morality, dub-con, and mentions of suicide attempts.)

James Eyre by Jade Astor

- A gender twisting adaptation of the classic Gothic romance Jane Eyre!

In Victorian England, 21-year-old James Eyre, frightened by his feeling for another man, decides to leave the boys’ school where he has spent ten years, first as a student and then as a teacher. He manages to secure a position as a private tutor for Axel Vance, the ward of a wealthy man who owns an estate in Yorkshire.

From the night of his arrival, James begins to sense that things are not as they should be at Thistleton Manor, the home of the enigmatic Edmond Manchester. Late at night, wild screams seem to echo through the house, and during the daytime objects disappear from James’s room and are replaced with sinister-looking voodoo dolls. Though his instincts tell him to flee, James stays on because he enjoys his duties and the company of his pupil—and even more so because he has begun to develop an attraction for his employer, Mr. Manchester.

To his surprise, Mr. Manchester seems to return his feelings. However, a jealous former lover and a phantomlike presence in the house seem determined to tear them apart. If he is to have any hope of a happy future with the man he loves, James must solve the mystery of Thistleton Manor and save Edmond’s life as well.

Resurrected Heart by Jade Astor

- Knowing that the kind of relationship his heart longs for is forbidden by the laws of Victorian England, college student Gray Langley fights his loneliness by throwing himself into his studies and his artwork. One gloomy afternoon, he is out sketching a graveyard when he meets Dr. Arthur Striker, a man who seems to share Gray’s scandalous desires. Though Gray is encouraged when Arthur seems to return his feelings, he is unnerved by the scientific experiments Arthur seems to be conducting in his home. Even more frightening is the strange and violent madman who appears and tries to kill him whenever he and Arthur get close. And why does his attacker look exactly like Arthur?

The Secret Casebook of Simon Feximal by KJ Charles (I’ve read this one several times. Several short stories in one, with lots of creepy details, arguably the least romantic MC of all time, and wonderful erotic elements w/light D/s. Also, Charles joined forces with Jordan L Hawk to create a crossover with Hawk’s Whyborne & Griffin series. The short story is called Remnant, and it’s free on the authors’ sites.)

- A story too secret, too terrifying—and too shockingly intimate—for Victorian eyes. A note to the Editor Dear Henry, I have been Simon Feximal’s companion, assistant and chronicler for twenty years now, and during that time my Casebooks of Feximal the Ghost-Hunter have spread the reputation of this most accomplished of ghost-hunters far and wide. You have asked me often for the tale of our first meeting, and how my association with Feximal came about. I have always declined, because it is a story too private to be truthfully recounted, and a memory too precious to be falsified. But none knows better than I that stories must be told. So here is it, Henry, a full and accurate account of how I met Simon Feximal, which I shall leave with my solicitor to pass to you after my death. I dare say it may not be quite what you expect. Robert Caldwell September 1914

An Unnatural Vice by KJ Charles (Few authors do the Enemies to Lovers trope as well as Charles does.)

- In the sordid streets of Victorian London, unwanted desire flares between two bitter enemies. Crusading journalist Nathaniel Roy is determined to expose spiritualists who exploit the grief of bereaved and vulnerable people. First on his list is the so-called Seer of London, Justin Lazarus. Nathaniel expects him to be a cheap, heartless fraud. He doesn’t expect to meet a man with a sinful smile and the eyes of a fallen angel—or that a shameless swindler will spark his desires for the first time in years.Justin feels no remorse for the lies he spins during his séances. His gullible clients simply bore him. Hostile, disbelieving, utterly irresistible Nathaniel is a fascinating challenge. And as their battle of wills and wits heats up, Justin finds he can’t stop thinking about the man who’s determined to ruin him.But Justin and Nathaniel are linked by more than their fast-growing obsession with one another. They are both caught up in an aristocratic family’s secrets, and Justin holds information that could be lethal. As killers, fanatics, and fog close in, Nathaniel is the only man Justin can trust—and, perhaps, the only man he could love.

Merrick & William (sequel) by Claire Cray (Merrick was a pleasant surprise, and William is on my TBR.)

- New York, 1799: the future looks bright for the charming young book dealer William Lacy, until a raucous night of drinking lands him in shackles. He narrowly avoids the brutal prison system thanks to his mother, who negotiates with the judge to secure him a five year apprenticeship in lieu of a prison sentence. And so William finds himself in a carriage bound for the remote woods upstate, where he'll spend the next years of his life learning a new trade under some old master. When he first sees Merrick, William thinks he's been dropped into a medieval horror story. Tall and gruff, dressed in a hooded robe that completely conceals his features, and riding a black mare, Merrick might as well be the Grim Reaper. But appearances are deceiving. An uncannily skilled apothecary and healer, Merrick proves to be a generous host and a gentle teacher, and William soon finds himself surprisingly comfortable in his new surroundings. Yet troubling mysteries abound: Why does Merrick never show his face or hands? Why do his movements seem so young and sure beneath his robes? What lies within the cave behind the stone cottage? Something unnatural is afoot. But most alarming by far is William's own reaction to his new master. For Merrick's strange charms are bewitching enough by day; but by night, in the darkness of the room and the bed they share, William finds himself entirely overwhelmed by desires he never imagined...

The Captain’s Ghostly Gamble (Seasonal novella from the Captivating Captains series. It’s actually modern day, but the ghosts dominate the story, so you hardly notice.) by Catherine Curzon and Eleanor Harkstead

- When a ghostly dandy and his roguish companion try their hand at matchmaking, things definitely go bump in the night.

For centuries, foppish Captain Cornelius Sheridan and brooding John Rookwood have haunted the mansion they duelled and died for. Now these phantom foes must join forces to save both their home and their feuding descendents.But when Captain Sheridan sacrifices his afterlife for the sake of true love, will Rookwood risk everything to keep his companion by his side, or is it too late to say "I love you"?

The Medium by Bonnie Dee (This is one of her best, in my opinion, and I’ve read most of her material.)

- To win a heart, he must risk his soul… Cast out of his family for being a freak, psychic Justin Crump helps others find peace by using his ability. When he’s called upon to release a distressed soul from a haunted house, a child’s angry spirit draws him into a dark mystery. Equally intriguing is the skeptical homeowner, Albert, a man who has buried his sexuality deeper than the grave. Albert Henderson humors his mother’s wishes by inviting the medium for a visit. While he doubts Justin’s gifts, he can’t deny one truth: the man stirs desire in him that Albert has spent a lifetime denying. Slowly, the walls of his proper life crumble. And when Justin proposes some emotion-free experimentation, neither imagines it might lead to love…and danger. After learning the terrifying truth about the deceased child’s persecutor, the two men pursue a perpetrator of great evil. When they coax a confession from their quarry, the vengeful spirit unleashes power nearly beyond control. To free the earthbound ghost from the past that holds it shackled, Justin must risk his own soul. And Albert must find the courage to break free of the chains of doubt that will deny him and Justin the future of which they once only dreamed. 

(Part of Victorian Holiday Hearts Boxed Set) by Summer Devon and Bonnie Dee

- Delaney and the Autumn Masque: Delaney, a member of the Andrews theater clan, performs magic tricks at a fancy dress ball where he's struck by the dramatic figure of the Grim Reaper. He follows Death to a quiet room for a glorious, lustful encounter. With his identity hidden, impoverished gentleman Bartholomew Bancroft dares to indulge in an impulsive liaison, but can he find love with the magician when the masks come off?

The Psychic and the Sleuth by Bonnie Dee and Summer Devon

- Psychic and skeptic—how could their love affair go wrong? Inspector Robert Court’s relentless insistence the wrong man hanged for the murder of Court’s cousin has him on his superintendent’s bad side. Court is assigned lowly vice cases such as exposing a confidence man posing as a medium to fleece the wealthy. Down on his luck, Oliver Marsh learned he had an aptitude for conducting séances. He assuages his guilt by bringing comfort to the grieving and offering occasional insights coming from true psychic flashes. Marsh has tried to deny these flashes, but when he’s bowled over by a vivid memory of murder coming from the other side, he can no longer pretend he doesn’t possess a gift. Marsh reveals details about that night which only Court’s cousin would know, and the detective vows to track down the truth—by staying as close to the fake psychic as humanly possible. But close leads to closer and soon the pair is involved in not only a torrid affair but a hunt for a killer—before he strikes again.

The Bird by Eli Easton (Novella from the Dreamspinner Press anthology Bones. Excellent read, as long as you keep in mind it’s written from the perspective of an Englishman in 19th century Jamaica.)

- Third son Colin Hastings has subverted his desires for his entire life, intent now on bringing his family’s plantation back to its former state of solvency, and marrying his friend Elizabeth. But, when he helps save the life of one of the plantation workers, he’s gifted his passion back, and must come to terms with his love for his lifelong friend, Richard. What happens when nightmares are not what they seem, and horror is not as bad one fears?

A Brush with Darkness by Erestes

- Florence, 1875 After making a grisly discovery one night, I needed proof that there was still goodness in the world. I never dreamt it would come to me during my next commission—with a subject whose very name means light... Yuri was glorious in his otherworldly beauty, surrounded by a bright halo of iridescence, but I detected a fierce darkness lurking underneath the surface. Sketching all night, I could hardly wait to capture his likeness in a painting. For Yuri has stimulated not only my creative urges, but my sexual ones as well. His very presence infuses me with joy and passion, but what will happen if my patron should discover our trysts? Dependent on his good graces, I can't afford to lose his support. But I fear the time will soon come when I must choose between restoring my family's fortunes and obeying the temptation of the muse before me... Previously published as Chiaroscuro, newly revised by author.

The Gilda Stories: 25th Anniversary Expanded Edition by Jewelle Gomez (This is not exactly romance per se, but does include a lesbian protagonist, and follows her world through all that comes with being a vampire, including romantic interests.)

- This remarkable novel begins in 1850s Louisiana, where Gilda escapes slavery and learns about freedom while working in a brothel. After being initiated into eternal life as one who "shares the blood" by two women there, Gilda spends the next two hundred years searching for a place to call home. An instant lesbian classic when it was first published in 1991, The Gilda Stories has endured as an auspiciously prescient book in its explorations of blackness, radical ecology, re-definitions of family, and yes, the erotic potential of the vampire story.

Unchained by Ainsley Gray Review

- If he takes their life, they can never truly leave. That's the mantra Noah Wilmington has lived by for years. He picks up whores and deviants from the local taverns, enjoys their company for an evening...and then hides their bodies in the woods. Edward Yorke has approached the same man in the same public house time and again, never deterred by the cool dismissal he receives. There's something about Noah that calls to him. A shared pain, a shared sadness... But Noah doesn't trust himself. It's too risky to permit someone too close, and Edward is the one person in the world whose life Noah wants to spare. So, every time Edward has asked to buy him a drink, Noah declines. Then one night, out of sheer loneliness, that "no" becomes a "yes." When Edward's night with him sheds light on some of Noah's dark secrets, Noah cannot simply let him walk out the door. But if he doesn't want Edward dead, and he cannot let him leave, only one option really remains... 

Briarley by Astor Glenn Gray (This novel was so unique and it’s just a charming May/December romance.)

- An m/m World War II-era retelling of Beauty and the Beast. During a chance summer shower, an English country parson takes refuge in a country house. The house seems deserted, yet the table is laid with a sumptuous banquet such as the parson has not seen since before war rationing. Unnerved by the uncanny house, he flees, but stops to pluck a single perfect rose from the garden for his daughter - only for the master of the house to appear, breathing fire with rage. Literally. At first, the parson can't stand this dragon-man. But slowly, he begins to feel the injustice of the curse that holds the dragon captive. What can break this vengeful curse?

Lover’s Knot by Donald Hardy

- Jonathan Williams has inherited Trevaglan Farm from a distant relative. With his best friend, Alayne, in tow, Jonathan returns to the estate to take possession, meet the current staff, and generally learn what it’s like to live as the landed gentry now. He’d only been there once before, fourteen years earlier. But that was a different time, he’s a different person now, determined to put that experience out of his mind and his heart….The locals agree that Jonathan is indeed different from the lost young man he was that long ago summer, when he arrived at the farm for a stay after his mother died. Back then the hot summer days were filled with sunshine, the nearby ocean, and a new friend, Nat. Jonathan and the farmhand had quickly grown close, Jonathan needing comfort in the wake of his grief, and Nat basking in the peace and love he didn’t have at home. But that was also a summer of rumors and strange happenings in the surrounding countryside, romantic triangles and wronged lovers. Tempers would flare like a summer lightning storm, and ebb just as quickly. By the summer’s end, one young man was dead, and another haunted for life. Now Jonathan is determined to start anew. Until he starts seeing the ghost of his former friend everywhere he looks. Until mementos of that summer idyll reappear. Until Alayne’s life is in danger. Until the town’s resident witch tells Jonathan that ghosts are real. And this one is tied to Jonathan unto death…

Man & Monster (Book two of The Savage Land) by Michael Jensen

- A monster stalks the ancient forests... It’s 1799, and Cole Seavey is a trapper running from a guilty past, seeking refuge on the vast American frontier. Lost in a raging storm, he finds himself face to face with a terrifying, otherworldly creature that seems to have emerged from a nightmare. Cole is saved from certain death by a handsome Delaware Indian named Pakim. Together they learn that the monster is the fearsome Wendigo from native legends: a creature with a heart of ice, drawn to the evil of men. Soon the Wendigo is terrorizing the frontier — settler and Indian alike — and Cole and Pakim join together to defeat the mysterious monster. In the process, Cole finds himself falling for the strapping brave and the promise of a new life together. Unfortunately, the legends say that the Wendigo can only be killed by another creature with a heart of ice. But how can Cole hope to defeat the monster if it means denying the love he's finally allowed himself to feel?

Stoker & Bash by Selina Kray (Book two coming soon!)

- At Scotland Yard, DI Timothy Stoker is no better than a ghost. A master of arcane documents and niggling details who, unlike his celebrity-chasing colleagues, prefers hard work to headlines. But an invisible man is needed to unmask the city’s newest amateur detective, Hieronymus Bash. A bon vivant long on flash and style but short on personal history, Bash just may be a Cheapside rogue in Savile Row finery. When the four fangs of the Demon Cats of Scavo—trophies that protect the hunters who killed the two vicious beasts—disappear one by one, Stoker's forced to team with the very man he was sent to investigate to maintain his cover. He finds himself thrust into a world of wailing mediums, spiritualist societies, man-eating lions, and a consulting detective with more ambition than sense. Will this case be the end of his career, or the start of an unexpected liaison? Or will the mysterious forces at play be the death of them both? And just who is Hieronymus Bash?

Gothic Romance by LV Lloyd (Gothic light, but includes a trans side character.)

- When Jonathan Winters accepts a post as tutor to the only son of Lord D’Anvers, he looks forward to sharing his love of learning with his young pupil.  Not even arriving at Castle Blackstone in the middle of a thunderstorm can dampen his enthusiasm, nor the fact that the wing above his head is forbidden. Absorbed with Evelyn’s education, Jonathan is completely unprepared to find himself the object of Lord D’Anvers’ attentions. Until D’Anvers kisses him...

Threadbare by Clare London (Beautifully written, but NOT HEA!)

- When Edward inherits the family textile mill from his deceased parents, he knows where his duty lies. As a young Victorian gentleman, he devotes himself to the family business and doing right by his customers and employees. What concern is it that he surrenders his own artistic ambitions and romantic passions? But a hideous accident at the mill one day brings him into close contact with Mori, one of his most productive workers, a beautiful yet seemingly delicate and vulnerable young man. Edward takes Mori under his protection, bringing him back to his house. At last, Edward has found a friend and companion. His fascination for Mori grows swiftly into love, and he’s drawn out of his quiet introspection into a world of delight and passion. Yet Mori has a private task that both baffles and concerns Edward: the completion of a stunningly beautiful, abstract tapestry. Edward doesn’t understand its significance, Mori’s devotion to it, or Mori’s strange behaviour when Edward tries to part the man from his mission. Mori loves him in return, he’s sure – but can that ever be enough? As Edward is tangled more deeply and irretrievably into the web of Mori’s love and mystery, what bittersweet price might he have to pay?

Precious Possession by Clare London (Ambiguous ending!)

- Lucas Fides has inherited his Victorian family’s auction house, good looks and a keen, passionate mind. But he has far less control over his body’s desires than his business, hiding an illicit and unspoken love for his boyhood friend and dependent, Valentine. As a result, Lucas suffers recurring, deeply erotic dreams, where a mystery lover demands and guides his sexual responses. When the auction house runs into financial difficulty, Valentine introduces a new client to Lucas. Gideon Arnaud is a mysterious and charismatic man who seems to scorn society’s restrictions. He offers Lucas a spectacular collection of jewels for auction and also his intense, seductive attention. He appears to know more about Lucas than any stranger should. Affronted by Gideon’s bold pursuit, Lucas puts up a spirited defence, despite being increasingly exhausted by his dreams. His heart is already committed to Valentine, even if he thinks it’s his secret alone. When Valentine announces his engagement to Lucas’s sister, Lucas’s pain and frustration are almost intolerable. Torn between his need for Valentine’s comfort and the determination to avoid Gideon Arnaud’s disturbing presence, Lucas becomes more vulnerable by the day, until his loneliness forces his desire out of his dreams and into the light of day. The consequences will change his life forever.

The Blue Ribbon by Katherine Marlowe (I love everything she’s written, but this is one my faves.)

- Theo Aylmer's perfectly satisfactory life as a chemistry professor at Cambridge is upended when he receives word of his father's illness. Forced to return to Cornwall, he is robbed for everything he's worth by a dashing young highwayman. When he finally reaches his father's stagecoach inn, he finds it dilapidated and the village around it groaning beneath the thumb of the hateful Earl of Glynn. All Theo wants to do is return to his life and work in Cambridge, but as he tries to recoup the funds necessary to travel, he finds himself plagued by brandy-smugglers and rumours of ghosts. And at the center of all Theo's problems is a certain handsome highwayman who has charmed his way into Theo's bed and heart. When the highwayman turns up shot, Theo can't turn him away, even though doing so risks bringing the wrath of the customs men, the law, and the Earl of Glynn upon them both.

The Possession of Lawrence Eugene Davis by EE Ottoman

- At the beginning of the Great Depression Lawrence Eugene Davis returns to his family's ranch to set his father's affairs in order. But the house stirs memories of his unhappy childhood and his miserable time in the trenches. Memories are not the only thing woken, however, and Lawrence finds himself hunted and eventually overcome by the sinister presence. Salvation comes at the eleventh hour in the form of a stranger who claims he can rid Lawrence of the demon threatening to possess him—but in exchange he wants Lawrence for himself.

To Serve the Count by Cassandra Pierce

- In 1815 Austria, Rupert is cast out of his village after he is caught kissing another man and seeks refuge in the mysterious Castle Blutstark. He soon realizes that this is no ordinary castle, and his new master, Count Kaspar, is far from an ordinary employer. In fact, he isn't even alive in the conventional sense, and he wastes no time informing Rupert of his unusual new duties. Everything Rupert has ever learned in life tells him to run for his life, but then again nothing has ever prepared him to deal with the undeniable allure of his enigmatic new employer.

The Master of Seacliff by Max Pierce (I barely finished this one, because I didn’t like what seemed to be an abusive relationship and a vapid MC, but it follows in the tradition of Holt and Varga, with overall great reviews.)

- Seacliff is a mansion enshrouded in near-eternal fog, dark mystery and suspicion - perhaps a reflection of the house's master. An imposing Blackbeard of a man, Duncan Stewart is both feared and admired by his business associates as well as the people he calls friends. And his home, in which young tutor and aspiring artist Andrew Wyndham now resides, holds terrible secrets - secrets that could destroy everyone within its walls.

Guardian Angel by Hayden Thorne

- When nineteen-year-old Dominic Coville’s parents die in an accident, leaving him not only alone but on the brink of poverty, he desperately searches for work and is thrilled when the post of secretary is awarded to him despite his obvious inexperience and ignorance. Mr. Wynyard Knight of Mandrake Abbey, however, gladly welcomes Dominic and earns the young man’s immediate sympathy for his fragile health as well as gratitude for the promising new life now awaiting Dominic. Inside rock and timber, hungry shadows seek... But unusual things soon happen and appear to focus solely on him, and Dominic begins to wonder about the true history of Mr. Knight, the strange young man haunting the third floor, and Mandrake Abbey. With the persistent and increasingly violent attempts at communication by an angry ghost shadowing his hours, Dominic struggles to unravel the mysteries of his new home. And even with the help of a handsome young gentleman who’s an aspiring supernaturalist as well as his clairvoyant sister, danger closes in far too quickly. Then it’s only a matter of time before carefully constructed façades fall away, and the sickly, decaying underbelly of Mandrake Abbey’s centuries-old collection of stone and timber will reveal itself. Set in an alternate England sometime before the mid-19th century, Guardian Angel weaves a tangled and dark tapestry of old magic, romance, and madness, a celebration of classic gothic fiction and its macabre sensibilities.

Cast From The Earth by Leandra Vane (poly romance)

- An epidemic that turns men into monsters has seized the nation. At first the disease only spreads in cities but soon cannibals are roaming the prairie, threatening the quiet little towns of the late 19th Century heartland. At an isolated poor farm in rural America, Sara Warren has survived a tumultuous life of loss and an accident that leaves her with one leg – but she is hopeless of any other future until a woman named Cordelia arrives at the farm and changes Sara's life forever. Along with Dan, a man who can't hear and Grace, a young woman who is more concerned with her sewing needles than people, they face the oncoming apocalypse with their wits and their bare hands. When it seems like all is lost, a man from Sara's past named Jack returns to her life and they all realize the only way to survive is together. A story of romance, violence, sex, and the wild prairie that proves broken bodies still feel pleasure and broken souls can find love – even at the end of the world.

Gaywyck by Victor Varga (Book one of trilogy)

- The first gothic romance featuring gay MCs.

Robert Whyte replaces the traditional damsel in distress in the household of Donough Gaylord. He’s young, beautiful, an introvert not wishing to follow in his father footsteps--he longs to be an artist. Family friend helps him to become the librarian of Gaywyck, a house teaming with strange characters, and artists of various sorts. The house is in New England, but due to the original Gaylord owners, was built in the style of an antebellum mansion.

Donough Gaylord lives a grand lifestyle, is rich beyond imagining, but tortured by memories of dead twin and secrets that have dominated his life since boyhood. He spoils those of his household constantly, especially young Robert, who is like a breath of fresh air.

Without giving anything crucial away, I will just say that the events that cause Donough such pain are far from ordinary, and familial love is tested to the breaking point. If you don’t mind your romances a bit twisted, and with a million references to literature, drama, music, and painting, you will love this novel.

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Deanna Wadsworth (Thoroughly enjoyed this one. It’s erotic, but also has a the enemies to lovers is really well done, and there is a twist ending.)

- Ichabod Crane, town schoolmaster and self-proclaimed supernatural expert, wants to better his situation by marrying the wealthy Katrina Van Tassel. But, there is a rival for her attentions. Local hero, Brom Bones. Brom lives to torment and tease Ichabod, leaving the schoolmaster wondering if he is more interested in besting his rival than winning Katrina’s hand. Especially when each time Ichabod goes into the backroom of his favorite tavern – a place men can be men –his imagination conjures Brom's face on every lover. Late one night, Ichabod is chased by the legendary Headless Horseman. Terrified the ghost wants his head, he tries to outrun the specter. To his horror, he is taken captive by the evil spirit. Ichabod awakens, naked and tied to a bed, only to discover the Headless Horseman is none other than his rival Brom Bones! Brom confesses that Ichabod has been haunting his own fantasies and he vows to make Ichabod Crane his in every way. Ichabod wants to believe the pleasure Brom offers comes from his heart, but he is afraid it is another one of Brom’s tricks. Though surely an enemy's touch has never felt like this...

Affinity by Sarah Waters (f/f)

- An upper-class woman recovering from a suicide attempt, Margaret Prior has begun visiting the women’s ward of Millbank prison, Victorian London’s grimmest jail, as part of her rehabilitative charity work. Amongst Millbank’s murderers and common thieves, Margaret finds herself increasingly fascinated by one apparently innocent inmate, the enigmatic spiritualist Selina Dawes. Selina was imprisoned after a séance she was conducting went horribly awry, leaving an elderly matron dead and a young woman deeply disturbed. Although initially skeptical of Selina’s gifts, Margaret is soon drawn into a twilight world of ghosts and shadows, unruly spirits and unseemly passions, until she is at last driven to concoct a desperate plot to secure Selina’s freedom, and her own.

A Light Amongst Shadows by Kelley York and Rowan Altwood (Dark is the Night series book one)

- James Spencer is hardly the typical troubled youth who ends up at Whisperwood School for Boys. Instead of hating the strict schedules and tight oversight by staff, James blossoms, quickly making friends, indulging in his love of writing, and contemplating the merits of sneaking love poems to the elusive and aloof William Esher. The rumours about William’s sexuality and opium reliance are prime gossip material amongst the third years…rumours that only further pique James' curiosity to uncover what William is really like beneath all that emotional armor. And, when the normally collected William stumbles in one night, shaken and ranting of ghosts, James is the only one who believes him. James himself has heard the nails dragging down his bedroom door and the sobs echoing in the halls at night. He knows others have, too, even if no one will admit it. The staff refuses to entertain such ridiculous tales, and punishment awaits anyone who brings it up. Their fervent denial and the disappearance of students only furthers James’ determination to find out what secrets Whisperwood is hiding...especially if it prevents William and himself from becoming the next victims.​​content warning: violence, sexual/physical abuse, some sexual themes

Recommended series w/Mediums and Things That Go Bump in the Night beneath the cut...

Hexworld series by Jordan L Hawk (I cannot express how much I love this series, and another novel is on the way!! A different couple in each novel, but they all work together or are related.)

- Dominic Kopecky dreamed of becoming a member of New York’s Metropolitan Witch Police—a dream dashed when he failed the test for magical aptitude. Now he spends his days drawing the hexes the MWP relies on for their investigations. But when a murder by patent hex brings crow familiar Rook to his desk, Dominic can’t resist the chance to experience magic. And as the heat grows between Dominic and Rook, so does the danger. Because the case has been declared closed—and someone is willing to kill to keep it that way. The 13th Hex is the prequel short story to the all-new Hexworld series. If you like shifters, magic, and romance, you’ll love Jordan L. Hawk’s world of witch policemen and the familiars they bond with.

Spirits series by Jordan L Hawk (Such detail. This series is amazing, and features a Native American MC and trans supporting character that is so well done.)

- After losing the family fortune to a fraudulent psychic, inventor Henry Strauss is determined to bring the otherworld under control through the application of science. All he needs is a genuine haunting to prove his Electro-Séance will work. A letter from wealthy industrialist Dominic Gladfield seems the answer to his prayers. Gladfield’s proposition: a contest pitting science against spiritualism, with a hefty prize for the winner. The contest takes Henry to Reyhome Castle, the site of a series of brutal murders decades earlier. There he meets his rival for the prize, the dangerously appealing Vincent Night. Vincent is handsome, charming…and determined to get Henry into bed. Henry can’t afford to fall for a spirit medium, let alone the competition. But nothing in the haunted mansion is quite as it seems, and soon winning the contest is the least of Henry’s concerns. For the evil stalking the halls of Reyhome Castle wants to claim not just Henry and Vincent’s lives, but their very souls.

Whyborne & Griffin series by Jordan L Hawk (I’ve read this series three times, and Griffin is one of my favorite characters in any series.)

- A reclusive scholar. A private detective. And a book of spells that could destroy the world. Love is dangerous. Ever since the tragic death of the friend he adored, Percival Endicott Whyborne has ruthlessly suppressed any desire for another man. Instead, he spends his days studying dead languages at the museum where he works. So when handsome ex-Pinkerton Griffin Flaherty approaches him to translate a mysterious book, Whyborne wants to finish the job and get rid of the detective as quickly as possible. Griffin left the Pinkertons after the death of his partner. Now in business for himself, he must investigate the murder of a wealthy young man. His only clue: an encrypted book that once belonged to the victim. As the investigation draws them closer, Griffin’s rakish charm threatens to shatter Whyborne’s iron control. But when they uncover evidence of a powerful cult determined to rule the world, Whyborne must choose: to remain safely alone, or to risk everything for the man he loves.

[startistdoodles]

How did you meet your wife, Hyde?

(I was in the mood to write something and I’ve always wanted to tell the story of their meeting so I put this together :3 Hope you enjoy!)

‘Where’s Joey?’had gone from the most asked question to the least asked question in a matterof months once the boy figured out he could sneak away from home when hischores were done. And the worry that his parents once displayed was turned toa simple roll of the eyes as they figured he was off to that place again—his sanctuary.His spot where the grass had split in accustom to him sitting himself downagainst the rough bark of the grand oak tree behind.

It was a small, tranquil space just outside of town and up andover the hill where lush trees and soft grasses had made themselves a littlehome of their own among the wildflowers. It was the perfect spot for watchingthe butterflies dance over yellow blooms and listen to the trees rustle as ifthey were speaking to one another. Joey may not have believed in magic, but if therereally was any, he knew that this spot was where it called home.

And that spot was exactly where he sat on this Septemberafternoon, its harvest skies shifting from cool blue to a warm orange and soon,violet. Which meant that if Joey didn’t want to be carried home by the seat ofhis pants in the firm grasp of his father, he should be making his way back downthe hill.

But the boy dismissed this thought as his legs curled to sitmore comfortably, sketchbook in his lap. One more sketch is all, he decided.Then, he’ll at least start thinking about heading back.

Maybe.

And he would forever be glad he stayed.

The lead of the pencil scratched against the page, outlininga small, horned monster among various other sketches, its large mouth curvedinto a sharp-toothed snarl with a slender, arrow-tipped tail trailing behind itsback. Joey smiled to himself in pride of his work. He had always had afascination with the strange and mysterious. Perhaps this would make a goodcharacter to add to his little brother’s bedtime story.

But his daydreaming thoughts were interrupted by a swish ofblonde and a button nose very nearly smushing against his own as a kid—a girl, swung from a branch above like ananimal and hung her head down in the face of the young creator below. And wasthere ever a louder or more pathetic scream to come from him.

The dark, doe-like eyes of the girl stared into the shaken duel-coloredones of her terrified victim, his hand over his chest as he took deep and heavybreaths. His face flushed bright as he could hear his screech echo through thetrees.

“Why did you–!” he began once had caught his breath,turning his fear into frustration. But he wasn’t allowed to answer.

“Are you a alien?” The girl tilted her head to the side, herface scrunched in almost exaggerated questioning.

“…what?”

“You have weird eyes,” she explains, her hands reaching downtowards her reddening face as blood began to rush to her head. “Are you aalien?”

Joey scrunched his brows at this comment. And though hehated to admit how insecure he was about people pointing out his odd eyes, hedecided now wasn’t the time to waste explaining such feelings to this…kid.

“No, I am not an alien,” he huffed. “I’m a person. Like you.Although you appear to be more monkey than human if I’m to be honest. You’regonna pass out, kid.”

The girl appeared to agree and after a moment of haulingherself upright on the branch, she slid herself back down to reunite with theearth beneath her feet. Her hair was able to be quite easily compared to anatural disaster after what it had gone through what with all the swinging aroundand such, but it seemed not to bother her as she waddled over next to the boyand settled down at his side. Joey, however, was already scooting himself awayas he stayed close to the perimeter of the wide trunk.

“What are you drawing?” she inquired as she continued tocrawl alongside him as he inched himself around the tree uncomfortably.

“…Nothing.” He mumbled.

“Show me!”

“No!”

“Show me!!”

“No, leave me alone, kid!”

The girl made a final grab for his arm in an effort to makehim stop moving. And it worked, as Joey turned to look at her red face anddesperate, curious young eyes.

“…Please?” she asked more quietly. And despite him notknowing this girl or where she came from, what she was doing in his tree in thefirst place, he offered her a low sigh and finally settled down again.

“Fine. If you…really want to see, I guess.” He agreed as hebrushed off the cover of the sketchbook with another small huff through hisnose.

“I do!!” She chirped happily, snuggling closer into his sideand looking over his shoulder with a bright smile—a smile so curious and kinddespite lacking two front teeth.

Joey winced a bit as she curled next to him, the red in hischeeks returning. But as he opened his sketchbook, all attention that mighthave been drawn to his face was instead hooked to his doodles.

“Wow,” she breathed as the boy slowly turned the delicatepages of the worn book. “You’re the best artist I’ve ever seen,”

“It’s just a hobby,” he mumbled, flattered as he continued flippingthrough. He listened as his admirer and possibly biggest fan next to Henry ‘ohhh’and ‘ahhh’ at his work, his lips curling into a proud smile and cheeks pressingup into his eyes.

It wasn’t long until he reached the last page in his book,revealing the sharp-toothed monster he had drawn just minutes earlier. This one,however, made the girl frown a bit.

“…It looks mean,” she admitted.

“Well of course it’s mean,” Joey explained matter-of-fact. “It’sa demon-monster. Like the ones they teach us about in church.”

“Not all demon-monsters have to be mean,” She replied as herhead tilted up to look at him, her hand brushing stray, pale strands out of herface. “Some can be…good, right?”

“I don’t think you understand—”

“Can I try?”

The boy winced at this question—kids always want to have achance to do the same as older kids do. Which is why it didn’t necessarily surprise him that she wanted a chance todraw, but it did still make him laugh nervously as he tried to stall for timeand think about how to feel about someone else drawing in his sketchbook.

“…Okay,” he finally sighed after handing her the pencil. He supposed hecould always erase it later if he needed.

And as the young girl took the pencil, she gently erased thesnarl from the monster, replacing it with a wide and friendly toothed grin andadding scribbly rosy cheeks for good measure.

“There,” she said finally, leaning her head on Joey’sshoulder once she had finished her work. “She’s perfect now.”

“’She…?’” hemuttered questioningly before fixating on the drawing. And after a moment, hiseyes softened as he took a hand to gently ruffle the hair of the girl at hisside.

“…Yeah,” he admitted, the smile in the drawing beginning to reflecton his own lips as well as the ones on the girl’s face. “She is.”

“What’s her name?”

“She…doesn’t have one.”

“She has to have a name, you know.”

“I know, but I’m not too terribly good at names.”

“That’s alright, name her whatever you want!”

The pressure began to sink as he desperately looked aroundfor inspiration. But there was nothing here, just plants and shrubs and mosslaced together with ivy as they climbed up the tree trunks…–

“…Ivy,” he saidsuddenly.

“Huh?”

“Her name is Ivy.”

The girl took a glance back down at the drawing in his lap,her lips pursed in thought before her head nodded excitedly. “I like that name,”she agreed with a small yawn. “It’s…pretty.”

Joey smiled to himself before he looked back down to thedrawing, only to notice it was getting a bit harder to see. And almost as if itwas on queue, he could hear the gruff voice of his father calling his name inthe distance. Drat–

“Listen, kid,” he said suddenly, rising to his feet andbrushing off clinging bits of grass from his overalls. “I gotta get back homenow. My father is calling and if I don’t get back, I’ll…uh…I’ll get in trouble.”

“Oh,” she replied softly, wiping sleepiness from her eyes asshe pushed herself to her feet. “Ok then…I guess…”

The boy only had to take one step before he turned back tothe younger child, almost hesitantly.

“What’s your name, kid?” he raised the question to her asher head lifted back up slowly.

“Charlotte,” she answered gently. “What’s yours?”

“Joey,” he said with a smile. “Joey Drew,” and once again hetook a hesitant step away but not able to pull himself to go back home. Justyet, at least.

“Uhhh…Charlotte, huh? Will you, um…be here tomorrow?”

At that, Charlotte’s eyes lit up with surprise and her headnodded excitedly, long strands of hair bouncing on her head.

“Yeah! Yeah, of course!” She agreed with a bright smilepaired with eager bounciness in her feet. “Wh-when? Tomorrow night?”

“Oh anytime,” the boy grinned as he took a few steps backtowards home and his father’s voice. “I’m always around.”

[paladin-andric]

11 Questions Tag Game

Tagged by @corishadowfang! Thank you!

Rules: Answer the 11 questions and then make 11 of your own, then tag some people.

1: Is there a real-life location you’d like to base a story off of/in?

Would I?! Well, there’s the Byzantine Empire, modern day Greece and Turkey. Just look up some pictures of Constantinople and you could see why I’d love to have that sort of setting. I already have a story idea for it. An alt-history fantasy where the empire never fell, and mythical beasts invade Europe...

As for places I’ve already based a story off of...the entire continent of Deaco is full of nations based on real life places. The central region, the human Kingdom of Geralthin, is based off of medieval England (with better weather though!) which can be seen with such names like Henry, Elizabeth, Albert and Edward, along with the English feudal system of Earls, Dukes and Barons, along with “Shire” and “Bury” being included in some town and province names.

The Koutu Kingdom is lightly based on  a blend of Gaelic cultures such as the Scottish and Irish, along with some Hellenic additions. Though their homeland is more plains than the Emerald Isle or the rough Highlands, their names reflect this. Domnall, Cuan, Conchobar...there’s also their pasttimes of the great Arena Marathon and other competitions of physical sport that draw on the Greek culture.

The Dacuni Tribes are heavily inspired by the Vikings. Their constant invasions to the south against every one of their neighbors, along with their constant use of battleaxe infantry should make that obvious. The wolfmen also share the similar “-nar”, “-vin”, “nir” at the end of a lot of their names. The tundra environment is similar as well, but I also just wanted an excuse for beautiful winter scenery and an aurora that lights up the sky.

The Pona Federation is a tribal republic that takes light inspiration from the Native Americans of North America. Light. I mostly just got the idea of their government from The Iroquois. The Pona are bipedal turtlefolk that live in a swampy marshland and mostly keep to themselves. I wanted some sort of republic among all the kingdoms of the world, so here they are! They develop into a modern, Constitutional Republic later down the timeline as well, one of the few places in the world that’s a bastion of freedom and liberty in a world full of autocrats and tyrants.

The Abinsil Kingdom is a subcontinent off the coast of Geralthin to the south that’s inspired by medieval Arabic kingdoms. The lizardfolk there are pious (for good reason), isolationist, and mystical. They have sects of holy warriors that guard the groves of saints, strange magic that bends reality around them, wardrakes instead of horses, and a minority of insectoids!

Finally there’s two places I haven’t really touched on, but are part of the world. The Qin Empire, a place based off medieval China (complete with eastern dragons that regularly patrol the skies), and the Republic of Salisca, based VERY heavily off of the United States (where humans have suffered at the hands of dragon-tyrants for millennia before gaining their independence).

2: What are some themes you haven’t used that you think would be fun to touch on?

I’ve touched on The Power of Friendship™ in Blackheart, but its strongest theme was that of determination and perseverance. Never give up! Fight the darkness! As long as you have a reason to believe, something to love, the corruption can never fully claim you!

Another theme I’d like to touch on is the blood of the covenant! The idea that bonds of friendship forged strong enough can be greater than even family! Themes of faith would be interesting too, a long and difficult journey where the hero questions their faith could have some really interesting and powerful results and messages.

3: What character have you created that’s the most like you? The least?

Gotta say Charles. While I’m not a winged, fire-breathing half-dragon wizard, our personalities are very similar. He’s shy, anxious, a bit of a nerd, but a good person and brave when he needs to be...really once you get past that whole dragon part we’re pretty much the same!

As for the least? Well...probably Razorwing. I mean, after what I just told you about Charles, Razorwing is a famous hero who’s always in the spotlight. He’s graceful, and skilled, and charismatic, and loved the world over...so you could see why I think he’s a far cry from me! He’s still a good person though, most characters in Blackheart are.

4: Are there any songs that really encompass what your WIP’s about?

Cold Rain and Snow

“What are we marching for?

What is this trial with our lives?

How will we win this war?

Who among will survive?”

5: Have you ever created unique races/monsters for a story? What are they?

There’s the stock dragons and kobolds, but aside from that I’ve strayed from typical fantasy, for the most part. No elves or dwarves for example. There’s the Koutu, a species of avian adventurers who revel in the unknown and make great company wherever they go.

There’s the wolfmen (Dacuni), though I’m sure there’s similar races in other media. They’re rough, gruff and prone to flying off the handle at the slightest provocation, but they’re ferociously loyal as well.

The Pona, the turtle-men of the East, were made from scratch. I wanted a calm, wise and otherworldly species that had the potential for interesting settings and circumstances (a tribal council sitting around a fire, surrounded by massive trees that go up hundreds of feet and block out the sky, anyone?)

The Ssalik of the Abinsil Kingdom are lizardmen, though not really based on any of other media. They’re friendly with humans and have their own things going on (the mystic magic, the drakes and dragons roaming their deserts...)

The half-dragons take that “dragonblood” thing and take it to the next level, the people taking on the forms of dragons because of it. They’re the size of humans and stand upright, but otherwise look just like dragons. Due to the transformation of body and mind, they have quick wits and an affinity for magic. As such, they make great sorcerers and paladins, and tend to be more accepted in academies and churches as a result.

Pseudodragons didn’t originally exist in the world. They were created, in universe, artificially by a powerful sorcerer. They’re tiny dragons the size of people that have natural urges to do good and help humanity. They love fruits and typically settle in human villages to help the villagers in their day-to-day jobs and activities. They’re near-universally selfless and kind.

The Qin...well, imagine the half-dragons, but use eastern dragons instead of european dragons as the base. They have long, flowing bodies, fins, whiskers, and no wings.

6: What’s your favorite book?

Probably The Outsiders. I can’t say I relate to the characters...but I feel for them, you know?

7: Traditional heroes or anti-heroes?

Traditional! I love classical heroes who always try to do the right thing! I think the edgy dark hero has gotten overused to the point that classical heroes are making a comeback in popularity, and I’m glad to see it. In Blackheart, most are traditional heroes. Paul or “Crux” is the closest to an anti-hero considering his background, but in the city of demons, there’s not much chance for anyone to be anything but heroic.

8: What is your favorite character from any piece of media?

Solid Snake from the Metal Gear series. A legendary hero of uncomparable skill that has somehow pulled through some of the most hopeless of situations, went rogue in an effort to save the world from Metal Gears, and has suffered and struggled against way more than he deserved to.

9: What is an AU of your WIP you think would be fun to explore?

Modern fantasy. There’s just something about fantasy races having guns and using cellphones...

10: Where do you get your inspiration from?

Demon’s Souls. The colorless fog and ruined Boletaria being so close to the black fog and ruined Palethorn are pretty obvious giveaways. Also D&D, as all the dragons, priests, holy magic and kobolds might make clear.

11: What is something you love about your WIP?

The ending. It, uh...kinda ruined me while I was writing it. I’m absolutely in love with the characters, too.

Now for my questions! (Mostly just an excuse to hear some worldbuilding!)

1: What’s your favorite genre and why?

2: Unusual themes or plot points that are important in your story? (Music or cooking, for example)

3: Which two characters are the most polar opposites? What is their relationship in the story?

4: Prophecy vs. Defying fate? Which do you think makes for a better story?

5: Which character are you most proud of, for any reason?

6: If your story could be told in any other sort of media, what would it be? How would you like it made?

7: Which part of your world is the most interesting, in your opinion? Location, lore, whatever really drew you into making it.

8: How much do your experiences color the world or characters of your story? Is it born of a worldview you either have or something you wish reality was closer to?

9: What government system does the setting follow? If it’s an international journey, how are the nations different from each other?

10: What role does culture play in the world? Where did you get the idea for such traditions and pasttimes?

11: How do you like your villains and heroes? How do they think and act most of the time?

Tagging @oceanwriter, @paper-shield-and-wooden-sword, @elliewritesfantasy, @caffienefuelsmywriting and @lady-redshield-writes!

[dcbicki]

Pirates of the Caribbean: DMTNT/Salazar’s Revenge - spoiler-packed review

Been back home from the cinema for a couple hours now, and it’s time to jot down all my thoughts concerning Dead Men Tell No Tales (or Salazar’s Revenge, according to my movie stub). I’m gonna be breaking this down into sections to make it all a little bit clearer, but I won’t delve too much into the actually plot of the film and - well, basically this isn’t going to be a summary. I’ll end it on a recap of those Will/Elizabeth scenes. Spoilers ahead though, mateys!

Acting: 6/10

First off, it’s safe to say that the new additions to the cast were much needed. I say this because Brenton Thwaites manages to portray Henry in such a way that you just know who his parents are, and Kaya Scodelario’s strong Carina manages to save the rest of the cast from me labeling them as half-arsed. Orlando Bloom tries a little too hard to sound gruff and haunted in his first scene, but he’s seemingly let the charade drop by his reemergence at the climax of the movie, wherein his chemistry with Thwaites is reminiscent of two old friends catching up. (I’ll bite. More on that later.)

Geoffrey Rush is in form, but you get the sense that his time with the franchise would be coming to an end even if his character’s fate wasn’t set in stone in this film. The crew of the freshly freed Black Pearl don’t seem to have much of a purpose, other than to feed lines off of Jack, or rather have him feed off of them. My sister probably said it best: Gibbs is wasted in this film, and there is no good reason as to why that is. I can’t speak much on Javier Bardem’s Armando Salazar because, for the most part, he’s underwhelming. I really don’t think they should have promoted him as the greatest villain to ever walk across the screen of a Pirates film; faced with Davy Jones’ downright frightfulness or Beckett’s cunning scheming, Salazar’s huskiness and slouching leaves little to no impression. Or maybe I was just too distracted by the fact that he was half floating, half standing.

The main problem though, is Depp’s Sparrow. It’s disappointing how a once iconic character has become such a caricature of himself, better suited for a low-rent pantomime than an adventure film of epic proportion. When he isn’t flailing around, swaying back and forth and talking to himself, drunker than usual, he’s spewing out innuendos and coming across as that one dirty uncle you never want to invite to those family get-togethers. The drunken scenes in which we first find him this time around are easier to swallow than later ones.

Writing: 5/10

Many of the jokes rely upon male-favouring misogynistic humour, and the level of unease I felt when Carina starts undressing and Jack urges her on would break the scales. He’s the creepy aging man in the corner, and his crew aren’t much better. The horologist jokes aren’t nearly as funny as they’re intended to be, but despite myself I did end up giggling once or twice at the sheer stupidity of some of what these pirates say. (This is mostly due to Stephen Graham’s stellar delivery though).

I would say a highlight for me were the callbacks to the earlier films, and the majority of my favourite snippets of dialogue come from Barbossa. Drawing his sword and pointing it at Jack, he once again points out that the Pearl can only have one captain.

If you read the novelization, then you will probably notice that plenty of dialogue made it into the film. And this I’m thankful for, because Barbossa’s final answer to Carina’s question cuts me deep and it damn near made me cry in the cinema. There’s heart in the tale, and you sense as much whenever Henry is gazing off into the distance, and you’re never quite sure if he’s just keeping an eye out, or keeping a weather eye on the horizon.

Thankfully, the chemistry between Scodelario and Thwaites works just fine, so their flirting flows quite nicely and it never feels too forced. They don’t try to mimic or copy Bloom and Knightley’s characters, and they work better together than On Strangers Tides’ forgetful missionary-mermaid lovers ever could have.

Effects: 7/10

I’ll admit I was a little skeptical at first, when the trailers first came out and everything seemed to … hollow. Ghost sharks and people with half of their bodies missing screamed Disaster! Abort! to me, but much to my surprise (and delight), the visual effects were actually pretty solid. The ocean parting ways was an epic sight to behold, and I thought I’d need some serious convincing to even consider watching a young Jack prance around, but it worked. And it worked well (if only the flashback hadn’t been such a bore…). The cinematography is beautiful, and the colour palette is hands down better than that of On Stranger Tides. Cyan blue has made its comeback to the franchise and I’m grateful.

3D experience: 7/10

I had the chance to see it for the first time in 3D (but not in IMAX), and I have to say it wasn’t half as bad as I imagined it was going to be. Usually, I avoid watching blockbusters in 3D because the effects never seem to pop and I always leave disappointed, ticked off I spent more money than I needed to. But the opportunity arose and, to my better judgment, I’m glad I went for the 3D viewing rather the original digital format.

Essentially, what stuck out to me, and made me feel as though I was truly there (which is what we want when we go for 3D), involved Salazar, his crew, or The Silent Mary. Their flaking skin constantly looked as though it was shedding, leaving embers floating in the air. (This did require me to lift my head a little big higher though, to basically crop out all those scalps from the audience below since I was sat at the very back, in the very center of the room.)

Score: 8/10

Rather than working solely on new compositions, Geoff Zanelli decided to integrate many of the older themes and suites into his scoring of the film, and I’m glad. I kept my ears attentive for any and all uses of the Love Theme from At World’s End (and there are many! But more on that later…), but I’d say the scores from Curse of the Black Pearl and At World’s End get the most use here. I was on the edge of my seat through that entire bank robbery scene, and only Hans Zimmer’s killer pieces of music can do that to a person. All those classic themes we recognize and love are there, and they help bring the audience back into the sometimes sketchy plot. But the new additions are nice too, and they add a touch of magic to some scenes. I think (if I’m not mistaken) that the music playing over Carina’s discovery of the island full of stars was new, and I’m definitely going to be on the look out for that one.

But my real love, my true love where the Pirates scores are concerned remains the Love Theme from AWE. Pieces of ‘One Day’ are played at several reprises, and the film wastes no time in letting its melody wash over the audience as it airs during the opening scene of a young Henry finding his father aboard the Dutchman. It’s become a recurring theme of sorts where the Turner family is concerned, and this isn’t a problem. It’s almost as though whenever Henry is on screen a segment of this piece has to play so we remember who he is and what his goals are. It works, though. But the best use of this theme comes at the end, and the much-awaited reunion scene between Will and Elizabeth would never have worked without it.

Will/Elizabeth:

I won’t lie, one of the main reasons I was so determined - excited - to go and see this was for my two favourite characters from the franchise. We’d been left hanging (in a way) for near a decade when it came to Will and Elizabeth’s endgame. The writers seemingly gave them an out, but canonically they were destined for a lifetime of waiting and longing. It sucked, but this latest installment tried its best to make up for their unfortunate ending. And, though their situation could have been dealt with a thousand different ways, I’m not unhappy with the way they chose to settle their love story for once and for all. How could I be? They’re two of my all-time my favourite characters, and they are the romantic ship I hold above all others.

Yes, it’s a little annoying that Elizabeth doesn’t even speak at all, but I’m honestly they convinced to Keira to film something rather than nothing at all. She was - I’m sure - a last minute addition to the film, but you would never have thought it. Her first scene works, and it’s well placed and perfectly ends their journey. Granted, one does wonder why their son is the one setting off on an adventure to free Will from his curse when Elizabeth is there, and alive, and healthy, and a former badass pirate herself. But she’s just that: a former pirate. Narratively, and structurally, it’s easier to make Elizabeth the love Will returns home to at the end of the movie than anyone else, because it’s either that or nothing (no Elizabeth) at all. So I will settle for her being the wife waiting ashore that day because otherwise we don’t get anything. And this something is better than nothing.

For those of you seeking a detailed description of their embrace, I’ll try my best. (It has been some hours since I saw it).

Henry is standing ashore with Carina, post-embrace, not too far from where a lighthouse towers over them in the background. This plot of land is where he grew up, and the lighthouse is seemingly the Turner home.

Now that the curse has been broken, he’s patiently waiting for his father’s reemergence from below the depths of the sea. He pulls his spyglass from his waist, holds it up to his eye to gaze out at the sea in search of the Flying Dutchman.

A freshly resurrected Dutchman - with white sails and a healthy glow about it - has already risen to surface. There’s focus on the crew off in the distance aboard the ship for a moment but, through Henry’s spyglass, Will comes into focus, walking towards them.

He stops before his son and Carina, and the two men make their way towards each other. They exchange a hug, pat each other on the back as father and son do, and Will doesn’t seem able to believe that Henry truly freed him.  They both smile, and Will says he will have to tell him all about how he broke the curse he thought unbreakable.

Henry pulls the old necklace Will wore in earlier films from around his neck and hands it back over to his father, crunched up in his fist. He kept his promise, and he wishes to return it to his father.

But, as they begin to walk off, Will’s hand on his son’s shoulder tenderly, he finds himself peering off into the distance. From over a hill, we see Elizabeth cross a field of grass. She slowly makes her way towards them, skirts gathered in her hands.

Her face is a picture at the sight before her, and a smile slowly etches onto her face at the realisation of what has happened. Will is free, and her family is reunited.

Only a moment later, the two are hurrying over the bluff to meet each other. It somehow happens slowly yet much too quickly at one time, and the sound of my heart pounding against my chest at the sight of this reunion is no doubt how we can imagine they felt in that moment, too.

It’s hurried, the way they run to each other over the grass and dirt. It’s desperate, and those ten years of longing are felt through their on-screen presence, through their facial expressions. A foot away from each other, they stare, but only for an instant. They hug, embrace as though they’ve dreamt of this moment for years now - and doubtless they have. It’s testament to Orlando and Keira’s chemistry that they can still silence almost an entire room within but ten seconds of re-connecting. At this point, I feel my heart fucking caving in on itself. Their love theme is playing over the scene, and I focus entirely on their faces.

Their embrace is passionate, one of absolute despair turned to sheer glee, and the tightness with which he holds her fucking wrecks my soul. She’s basically clutching at him. I believe their eyes close, and their slowly begin to pull apart from each other, after both of their faces are focused on, all smiles - after they’ve breathed each other in. Though they never let go of each other, it takes a couple of seconds for the shot to pan out and focus on them as pair. He focuses on her lips, looks resolute on kissing her, but she focuses her gaze on his entire face, but mostly on his eyes.

His hands on her waist, it’s Elizabeth who makes that first fraction of an inch to kiss him. Her hands run over his shoulders until they reach his head, and they kiss as needy lovers who’ve been apart for a decade, his hands encasing her, cradling her. (I’m uncertain if the camera pans around them or not, that could just be wishful thinking on my part.) Moving away from them, the focus is then placed on the field beside the lighthouse, when they remain standing, loving.

It doesn’t end here though. Once the final scene has passed and the credits have stopped rolling, you’re in for a treat.

The post-credits is deliberately left ambiguous so we wonder if there’s more to come, and I’m honestly not that surprised by this fact. I would honestly prefer if this were the final installment in the saga. The scene could work as a reminder of Will’s suffering, and the finalization of his curse. To each their own speculation and interpretation though.

The shot starts off on Elizabeth’s face. She’s fast asleep in bed, in a white nightgown with her hair sprawled across the pillow. Next to her, as the cameras slides over, Will is sleeping also, white shirt open and now long hair free, and they’re back to back.

In the doorway to their bedroom, the shadow of Davy Jones haunting figure appears in the darkness as a harsh wind blows through an open window and the moon’s glow highlights his frame. He seemingly approaches the bed, and it’s only when the focus is placed on his claw of a hand that Will wakes up from his sleep and springs back to reality. He was having a nightmare, we’re to assume, and he’s shaken by the nightmare of his old nemesis.

Will sighs, takes a deep breath to calm himself, quickly scans the room. He turns to Elizabeth, places a hand on the far side of her waist, tucked beneath her body against the sheets. It’s a slow and soft move, when he gently pulls her into his side to rest. She lets out a quiet moan, and they fall back into a comfortable sleep, nestled together as man and wife, finally.

Headcanon: They had hot sex for five hours prior to this. (I’m writing the fanfic, don’t worry…)

[spicynbachili1]

The greatest facial hair to ever grace a screen belongs to Kurt Russell

When beards get severe, Kurt Russell will get seriouser

Each November a motion happens during which individuals elevate funds to assist help these battling most cancers by not shaving. There’s No-Shave November the place of us are inspired to place down the razor and as a substitute donate the month’s shaving funds to most cancers analysis or to these in want of monetary help as they undergo chemotherapy. Then there’s Movember, the place the main focus is on letting that lovely higher lip hair develop to assist elevate consciousness surrounding prostate and testicular most cancers, in addition to suicide. 

Whereas not one of the workers at Flixist are manly sufficient to develop any facial hair in any respect, in honor of this facially targeted month, we are celebrating our favourite completely groomed beards, mustaches, and Fu Manchus as seen all through cinema. To kick issues off, I current to you the one true best face fluff: Kurt Russell in Hateful Eight. 

“Grizzled” is the very best phrase to explain John “The Hangman” Ruth. His mustache solely amplifies his demeanor as he rides to assert the bounty of the recalcitrant Daisy Domergue. Ruth’s gloriously overflowing whiskers portend his inside angle. He is over-confident and direct, not one to draw back from confrontation or be the one to instigate it. He instructions consideration and the free-flowing facial fur solely bolsters the respect he feels he deserves. In a film with gruff outlaws and demise hiding across the nook, Ruth’s mustache has a je ne sais quoi that simply merely suits the bounty hunter’s aura. 

The Wonderful Mustache Gary (Remaining Area) – Sian Francis-Cox

Gary is a prisoner aboard the Galaxy One, a lonely spacecraft drifting via the void. Serving a 5-year sentence for destroying 92 star cruisers at a Mexican household restaurant (in an effort to impress the gorgeous however aloof pilot Quinn) – properly, life isn’t actually going nice for him. However when he meets Mooncake, a wonderful lil’ gumball of affection of an alien, who occurs to be a planet-destroyer and hunted by an evil overlord, issues begin to warmth up. And with a view to face what lies forward, Gary has to face what’s inside himself.

What’s inside himself occurs to be The Wonderful Mustache Gary, an infinitely superior imaginary iteration of Gary with a wealthy, thick, luscious mustache. He is aware of it. He flaunts it. He even has a tiny little comb to maintain it clear. A comb! The Wonderful Mustache Gary completely embodies all the things Gary desires to be in life, all the things he is aware of he should reside as much as, all the things he’s not. It’s a second of readability, an identification epiphany for Gary: realizing he’s solely human, and may solely be the Gary he’s proper now, mustache or no mustache.

It’s profound. It’s inspiring. And it’s what will get Gary able to face the final word evil. All I can say is that Olan Rogers can have my timeless affection for bringing The Wonderful Mustache Gary into existence.

All of The Dude’s Hair (The Huge Lebowski) – Drew Stuart

Lengthy, flowing, soiled blonde hair. A goatee, fairly unkempt. That is The Dude’s coiffure. And it is excellent. To The Dude, it says that he is a float form of man. He is all the way down to see your band subsequent Friday, and he does not even have to know what vices your lead singer has. Alternatively, he is a slacker. A loser. A halfwit. A numbskull. That is all properly and good too. It is the form of hair that matches in with a T-shirt or a gown. With a desecrated rug. With something, man….

The Dude’s hair is so iconic due to how ubiquitous it’s. Everybody is aware of The Dude. We have all met him, in his many alternative types. And his goatee, his lengthy flowing locks, are a lifeless giveway for somebody who’d favor something however The Eagles.

The Complete Solid of Tombstone’s Higher Lips (Tombstone) – Rick Lash

The wild, wild west. Whiskey. Mud. Gunfights. Gold! Ranches. Cattle. Whiiiiiiiiiskey. And mustaches, the deadliest mustaches that e’er lived. Positive, Tombstone is in regards to the increase and bust mining city of the 19th century, made singularly well-known by the Gun Combat on the O.Okay. Corral involving each Wyatt Earp and Doc Vacation. However extra so, it’s a few civilization constructed round facial ornamentation backed up with chilly metal and sizzling lead. In a world the place tempers ran excessive, fueled by a ne’er ending swimming pools of whiskey, a person might be judged not by his phrase or ethical fiber, however by the machismo, pomp, and circumstance of his whiskers.

Suppose on it. Each desperado, miner, card shark, bartender and cowboy on this movie is adorned with face fungus most distinguished. These soup-strainers are wild, gentle or organized rank and file. The face lace is available in all varieties, however their mannerisms imply, severe, lethal and don’t fuck with me. When a person crossing the road was as more likely to have a gunfight as attain the opposite aspect, one’s nostril bug was the primary line of protection in deterring the riffraff. Positive, the pistol in your hand despatched a message, however your finely trimmed (or careless and unkempt) taste saver backed it up. 

Henry Cavill’s Million Greenback Mustache (Mission: Not possible—Fallout, Justice League) – Chris Compendio

Anybody who is aware of me properly will probably not be stunned that I’m nonetheless far too obsessed over this absurdity. Any cultured moviegoer will keep in mind the predicament that ensued because of reshoots for Justice League and manufacturing of Mission: Not possible—Fallout, with Henry Cavill starring in each. Cavill sported facial hair for the latter movie, and the Superman we all know doesn’t sport any as such. A compromise between Justice League studio Warner Bros. and Mission studio Paramount had Cavill, facial hair and all, carry out as Superman, with stated facial hair being eliminated in post-production. The outcomes had been delightfully eerie, with Cavill trying like he was affected by extreme allergy symptoms at factors, and at some angles, showing as an unintentional John Travolta.

It is all humorous by itself, however what makes the story extra stunning is the truth that Paramount reportedly declined Warner’s provide of getting Cavill’s face shaven and masking the prices of getting CGI facial hair, which theoretically was extra sensible and cheaper, to not point out it in all probability would have appeared higher. However no, the stache needed to keep, as a result of… the facial hair was essential to Cavill’s character? I can solely think about Paramount executives making an attempt to stifle their snickers whereas on a convention name with Warner Bros., and I would wish to assume that this was a deliberate act of sabotage in opposition to Justice League, not that it wanted that yet another factor to make that movie even worse. Having seen, reviewed, and liked Fallout, I could not inform you why the facial hair was important for Cavill’s character of August Walker, however I assume it helped me to distinguish this character from Superman and his Man from U.N.C.L.E. undercover agent character. Cavill is a monster on this movie, a hulking cannonball of testosterone, so in a manner, maybe it was important.

Nonetheless, Warner Bros. may have saved some huge cash if they simply gave Superman a mustache.

Cesar Romero and The Unique Superhero Mustache Coverup (Batman) – Matthew Razak

Chris is manner off base together with his choose and that is due to the straightforward indisputable fact that Henry Cavill’s mustache controversy was merely a pale reflection of the unique superhero mustache kerfuffle. You see, again when the Batman TV collection was casting its Joker the producers wished Cesar Romero, he of the debonair appears and iconic mustache. It’s kind of of casting that on its face worth appeared off as Romero was a Hollywood heartthrob (Sound acquainted?). Romero agreed to play The Joker, however he refused to shave off that horny mustache. The answer? Paint over the factor. 

Here is the distinction between captain digital-no-stache up there, and Romero’s Joker: the unshaved mustache match completely into the splendidly odd and campy manufacturing that was each the Adam West Batman TV present and Batman film. The white mustache is the proper metaphor for the present’s deadpan supply of its distinctive model of madness. Not that we would realize it, however had the Joker not had a mustache he would have been lower than, regular, run-of-the-mill. Romero’s guffawing and manic interpretation of the clown prince of crime was good, but it surely was the not-so-hidden mustache that pushed it into true camp. How was this their resolution to this drawback? The reply, it seems, is as a result of it was the appropriate one. For that, it’s clearly the only best piece of facial hair identified to any display.

Groucho Marx’s Greasepaint Mustache (Marx Brothers movies) – Hubert Vigilla

The perfect cinematic facial hair doesn’t have to be actual. Groucho Marx’s iconic mustache is as pretend as a three-dollar invoice, however that’s by design. It’s facial hair that performs to a budget seats, which had been all paid for with three-dollar payments (I’ll inform you, that millionaire theater proprietor goes to change into a thousandaire very quickly, and a hundredaire by the point I get via with him.). The thick greasepaint mustache was pure serendipity. Groucho didn’t have time to placed on an actual fake-mustache earlier than a vaudeville present. As a fast repair, he painted on a pretend mustache, and a legendary look was born. All through the Marx Brothers’ basic movies, the stache was all greasepaint, on a regular basis. Later in life, Groucho Marx would develop an actual mustache, which might be seen clearly from a budget seats so long as these seats had been close to a TV.

The Groucho Marx look is so iconic that it gave delivery to Groucho Glasses. what they’re: thick-rimmed glasses, pretend eyebrows, pretend schnozz, and an actual fake-mustache. These ubiquitous tchotchkes allowed regular of us to change into the snarky, quip-a-minute nogoodnik everyone knows and love. Groucho Glasses additionally gave financial institution robbers who don’t have time for greasepaint a helpful disguise that might be bought on the nearest Cracker Barrel for a crisp three-dollar invoice.

Mr. Turtle and the Full Lack of Hair (The Grasp of Disguise) – Bradley Sexton

This complete matter was a trick query for those who ask me as a result of clearly, no hair is the very best form of facial hair. Why waste precious time sustaining an unsightly, itchy tuft of facial hair when you possibly can have a easy, clear look and a robust jawline as well. No, facial hair will get in the way in which of the golden ratio faces we anticipate our stars and starlets to have.

Because of this Dana Carvey as Mr. Turtle is the proper sort of facial hair. Not solely does he not have a beard or mustache, however he does not have any hair in any respect! Positive, he often is the most unfunny, obnoxious character in a film that perfected unfunny, obnoxious characters, however have a look at the shine on his head. You possibly can fry an egg on prime of that factor or rattle off a sick bongo solo. If he had hair, this scene could be silly, ugly and dumb as a substitute of simply silly and dumb.

Pei Mei’s Legendary Fu Manchu (Kill Invoice) – Jesse Lab

It stuns me how we have gotten to the ultimate entry on this checklist, but nobody determined to speak about Pei Mei and his legendary facial hair! It could not have value hundreds of thousands of , however I might argue that there is no such thing as a higher facial hair in existence than Pei Mei’s wonderful stache. I am tempted to not even name it a stache since there is a good lengthy white tendril rising down from his chin. In my books, Pei Mei has the very best mustache in addition to the very best beard. 

After which you will have his wonderful beard/stache flip. Let me set the scene for you. The Bride travels the world over to be skilled by Pai Mei, creator of the 5 Fingered Dying Punch. When she meets him, he berates her after which promptly kicks her ass. However that is nothing in comparison with… the flip. Laughing at her face, Pai Mei gently strokes his Fu Manchu and offers it a stable flip up, giving it just some seconds of hold time to actually rub it in her face. His mustache and beard combo turned the cinematic definition of badass facial hair. It is a look that may solely exist on display, by no means in actual life. THAT’S a film mustache.

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[seriouslyhooked]

Blue Eyes (The CS Mixtape) Part 139/?

Series of CS oneshots inspired by music. Collection on FF Here.

A/N: Scene rewrite that creates some dialogue when Emma and Killian are dancing in Camelot (episode 5x02) and conveniently ends before Robin gets hurt and everything goes to shit. Inspired by a reader request for ‘Blue Eyes’ by The Cary Brothers.

Since the moment she’d shown up in Camelot, Emma had been struggling. Struggling to control her newfound urges to use black magic. Struggling to keep Rumplestilskin out of her thoughts. Struggling to act the way everyone needed her to so they all didn’t worry too much about her being on the edge of darkness.

It was an impossible balancing act, and Emma’s mind was being pulled in a million different directions. There was the side of her that was a devoted mother and that would give anything to spare her son and family from feeling any pain on her behalf, and then there was the new, ugly residue that darkness bestowed upon her. Rumplestilskin was only the tip of the iceberg and the voices in her head were loud and angry, taunting and tempting all in one. But for the moment she was treading water and keeping her head above it all. For the moment Emma was holding on in the hopes of finding a way out of this mess and back home where she belonged.

There was one person in this ballroom right now, one person in the world really, who provided her with most of that hope. He was the only person who wasn’t constantly looking at her with pity and regret and his understanding and unyielding faith in her was a power greater than the voices in her head. Killian was still here, still seeing her as Emma and not the product of a sacrifice she’d willingly made. Just as he’d always seen her as more than the savior, he saw her now as more than someone that was a liability or tainted goods.

Yes he was worried, yes Emma could see that fear deep in his heart, but it wasn’t of her: It was of letting her down. Killian hadn’t wanted this ball at all, urging everyone to forget such a scheme and to focus all of their efforts on helping her, but now, as Emma descended the staircase to the sound of some royal crier announcing her name, she saw his hesitations disappear. There was the man she loved, looking at her with his blue eyes the way he always did – with love and trust and so much joy it made her heart skip a beat.

Breathe, Emma. She counseled herself internally. Just one foot in front of the other.

It was easier said than done since all eyes were on her and her mother and she was never going to be fully comfortable in a fairy tale world donning a gown like this, but Emma powered through, guided by Killian’s gentle smile and how handsome he looked. He stood there beside her father, looking every bit the pirate in a sea of noble people and she loved that. He wasn’t pretending to be anything he wasn’t; he was just Killian Jones, a pirate, a hero, and a man who loved her with everything in him.

The response she had to Killian in this moment was dizzying, and though her body had felt mired down by a slowly descending despair since appearing in this land, Emma couldn’t feel anything but lightness now. The sun had set long ago but it felt like it was shining for the first time since everything had happened, and the moment Emma made it down the stairs and took his hand, she felt freed from so many of the troubles she was facing.

“Swan, you look…” Killian began, failing to find words when he so often had the best ones waiting for her.

“I know,” she countered, recalling another bright moment from their past. This was a mirroring in a way of their first date, where she had been a little speechless and he had been the cocky charming one. Now Emma clung to this sense of fun and humor and the butterflies fluttering through her. Only moments ago it hadn’t felt like there was space for such thoughts in her life, but maybe she was wrong. Maybe she could be strong enough to fend all of this off if she had Killian to hold onto.

They waited for a moment then as Regina was presented as savior to secure their charade here in Camelot, and as Henry’s other mother made her way to be honored by the royals of this realm, Killian grumbled out a gruff assessment of the situation before them.

“If you ask me, the Queen is enjoying this just a bit too much.”

Emma smiled despite herself, not because she disagreed with Killian. If anything she thought he was right – there was a part of Regina that fed off the attention and was probably enjoying being celebrated in a ballroom like this instead of actively feared and hated. But Emma’s smile was more because of him and his continued protectiveness than anything else. Killian always said what was on his mind, especially when he thought Emma might be doubting herself in any way.

“Maybe so. But think of it this way: now you can spin me around the room with less people staring. Who knows? We might even be able to sneak a moment alone.”

Emma’s words were purposefully chosen to rile him up, and she delighted in the moment where Killian’s body tensed. He was so predictable in some ways, falling into her flirtation so quickly, but it made Emma feel powerful and sure of herself. Killian was undeniably attached to her, and it was nice not having to wonder where they stood. Now she knew, and before Emma had been dragged away into the darkness she’d told him too. This was love, and even if there were a lot of problematic elements in their lives right now, for tonight at least they could linger in that and let the rest of the world fade away.

Soon enough the dancing commenced and Killian pulled her into the fray of the other people milling about the space. The music was familiar to the dances they had during their stint in the past, and with the help of her partner, and her own past experience, Emma felt herself easily moving through all the steps and through every twirl and curtsy. But the best part wasn’t the fairytale-like setting or the spinning around in her favorite pirate’s arms, it was the way Killian continuously engaged her, making her laugh and smile and hope even in the midst of so much going on.

“What do you think it says about us that all our dances come in moments of great trial?” Killian asked at one point and Emma chuckled, letting that serene feeling that laughter could bring wash over her.

“I think it says we live a little more dangerously than most people. But the future has to hold some dances that don’t feel quite so life and death. We have to have hit our quota for moments like these.”

She expected Killian to laugh at her quip, but instead she watched as an intensity that hadn’t just been there came to his expression. He wasn’t angry in any way, but he also wasn’t laughing which concerned Emma. Had she done something wrong?

“What? Why are you looking at me like that?” she asked quietly, feeling the creeping of a blush upon her face.

“Do you see a great many dances together in our future, Emma?” He asked, and now Emma understood his response. Emma wasn’t exactly the biggest planner and this hint at more longevity and continued romance for them when all of this was done was still new to their relationship. She wanted to give him comfort and to confirm that they were permanent and not going anywhere, but Emma also wondered if this was the right time for grand declarations. In the end she decided to go with some humor that held an underlying truth.

“If you play your cards right, yes. I can see more than a few for us to come,” Emma countered, trying and succeeding this time to lighten the mood.

Killian used her shift in tone to his advantage, however, twirling her around in an unexpected spin that made Emma laugh loud enough to draw attention from her parents and Henry. She only glanced their way for a second (and part of her wondered at the girl by Henry’s side), but she could see that Killian’s calming her was calming all of them too. Emma appreciated that more than she could say, but then she focused again as her fingers traced his outstretched hook and she tried to keep her footing. The last thing she wanted was to spoil the moment with the reappearance of her two left feet.

“You truly are remarkable, Swan,” Killian finally said when that set had ended and another began and Emma beamed at him, loving and accepting the compliment. She’d fought off his advances for so long and in the beginning she’d found herself rejecting his praise and reasoning that he couldn’t really mean it, but the truth of his feelings was so clearly on display here for everyone to see that she had no choice but to take it as fact.

“My dancing really impresses you that much, huh?”

“It’s more than that, love, as you well know. It’s everything. You’ve always been the strongest person in the room – hell you’re the stronger person I’ve ever known – but you never cease to amaze me in just how much you’ll overcome.”

Hearing words like that were bittersweet in a way. Honestly Emma didn’t feel particularly tough, and more often than not she was terrified that with one wrong move she’d fall off the edge and become that darkness she’d sworn to fight against. But knowing that Killian saw her this way helped, and there was a difference between his acknowledging her perseverance and the pressure everyone else was putting on her. Killian would never fault Emma for stumbling on her way to being rid of this. He’d just continue to stand here beside her with his hand in hers, helping her stay in the light.

“It’s easy to be strong when you aren’t alone,” Emma admitted.

Emma’s eyes watched Killian’s cerulean ones go slightly darker. They still held all the same warmth and affection, but the hint that they were in this together had added an extra layer of sincerity. Emma noticed in all the times they’d been a couple that Killian wanted nothing more than to be tied to her, to belong to her and in this sphere of people who meant the world to her. He was looking for home and he found it in her, just as she was beginning to find room in her  world for a certain charming Captain.    

“You’ll never have to be alone again, love. I can promise you that.”

The sweetness of his words was a balm for the meanness that swirled inside of Emma. It fully silenced the dueling parts of light and dark within her, and left just her and Killian in a room Emma rationally knew was filled with people. She stopped her movements, forgetting the dance and their audience all together, and watched as her intentions dawned on the handsome man before her. Then Emma pulled Killian in for a kiss by the familiar leather collar and felt her world click back into place.

When their lips met the full effect of his power over her (or really their power over each other) was realized and Emma rejoiced in that feeling of rightness that had alluded her since leaving Storybrooke. This was something she’d missed and something she needed. It was a beautiful reminder of what she still had, Dark One or not, and it also cemented the fact that the two of them together made a real magic no darkness could overtake.

But even if this moment was pretty close to perfect, it surely had to end, especially when Emma and Killian were being watched by her parents and her son. Emma honestly didn’t know which sound pulled her out of the kiss. It could have been her father’s grumblings, her mother’s sounds of thrilled appreciation, or Henry’s teenage annoyance at seeing his mother make out with someone, but when she pulled back from Killian she found herself laughing again. It was absurd, but here in a ballroom in Camelot, things almost felt – dare she say it? – normal.

“Perhaps we should return to dancing, Swan… just for the time being.”

The innuendo in Killian’s voice that hinted at their having more together later made Emma shiver, but she knew he was right. For now they’d just have to wait, but at least Emma knew that she had everything to keep fighting for and a surefire weapon against the darkness battling for her heart. And it might not be tomorrow or the next day when she found answers, but Emma knew that she would. They were all going to win in the fight for her heart, and then they were all going to go home and get that happily ever after they’d been promised.

…………..

Wish enough, wise man'll tell you a lie Window broke, torn up screens Who'd have thought that you'd dream Of a single tragic scene

I just want to sing a song with you I just want to take it off of you

'Cause Blue Eyes You are all that I need 'Cause Blue Eyes You're the sweet to my mean

Fess it up, dot on the palm of your hand I can help you to stand Saved it up for this dance Tell me all the things you can

I just want to sing a song with you I just want to be the one that's true

'Cause Blue Eyes You're the secret I keep 'Cause Blue Eyes

All the lights on and you are alive But you can't point the way to your heart So sublime, when the stars are aligned But you don't know You don't know the greatness you are

'Cause Blue Eyes You are destiny's scene 'Cause Blue Eyes I just want to be the one

I just want to sing a song with you I just want to get it on with you

'Cause Blue Eyes You're the secret I keep 'Cause Blue Eyes I just want to sing a song with you

I just want to sing a song with you I just want to sing a song with you

Post-Note: It’s always so hard for me to decide which story arcs are my favorite, but when it came to 5B I had so much I liked, and yet also so many moments I wish there was just a little more detail for. The ball was one of them, and so this was a shameless attempt on my part to rewrite a scene I thought could have been fluffier. But I should also say thank you the reader who requested this song a long while back, and to all of you who have also sent requests my way I appreciate it! You’ve all given me the chance to see this mixtape continue on and on and that’s an awesome feeling for me as a writer. Anyway, hope you all enjoyed and thank you guys so much for reading!

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10,Part 11, Part 12,Part 13, Part 14, Part 15, Part 16, Part 17, Part 18, Part 19, Part 20, Part 21, Part 22, Part 23, Part 24, Part 25, Part 26, Part 27, Part 28, Part 29, Part 30, Part 31, Part 32, Part 33, Part 34, Part 35, Part 36, Part 37, Part 38, Part 39, Part 40, Part 41, Part 42, Part 43, Part 44, Part 45, Part 46, Part 47, Part 48, Part 49, Part 50, Part 51, Part 52, Part 53, Part 54, Part 55, Part 56, Part 57, Part 58, Part 59, Part 60, Part 61, Part 62, Part 63, Part 64, Part 65, Part 66, Part 67, Part 68, Part 69, Part 70, Part 71, Part 72, Part 73, Part 74, Part 75, Part 76, Part 77, Part 78, Part 79, Part 80, Part 81, Part 82, Part 83, Part 84, Part 85, Part 86, Part 87, Part 88, Part 89, Part 90, Part 91, Part 92, Part 93, Part 94, Part 95, Part 96, Part 97, Part 98, Part 99, Part 100, Part 101, Part 102, Part 103, Part 104, Part 105, Part 106, Part 107,Part 108, Part 109, Part 110,Part 111, Part 112, Part 113, Part 114, Part 115,Part 116, Part 117, Part 118, Part 119,Part 120, Part 121, Part 122, Part 123,Part 124, Part 125, Part 126, Part 127, Part 128,Part 129,Part 130, Part 131,Part 132, Part 133, Part 134, Part 135, Part 136, Part 137, Part 138

[latestnews2018-blog]

Neil Simon, Broadway Playwright, Dies At 91

New Post has been published on https://latestnews2018.com/neil-simon-broadway-playwright-dies-at-91/

Neil Simon, Broadway Playwright, Dies At 91

By MARK KENNEDY, AP Entertainment Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — Playwright Neil Simon, a master of comedy whose laugh-filled hits such as “The Odd Couple,” ″Barefoot in the Park” and his “Brighton Beach” trilogy dominated Broadway for decades, has died. He was 91.

Simon died early Sunday of complications from pneumonia surrounded by family at New York Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan, said Bill Evans, his longtime friend and the Shubert Organization director of media relations.

In the second half of the 20th century, Simon was one of the American theater’s most successful and prolific playwrights, often chronicling middle class issues and fears.

Starting with “Come Blow Your Horn” in 1961 and continuing into the next century, he rarely stopped working on a new play or musical. His list of credits is staggering.

Simon’s stage successes included “The Prisoner of Second Avenue,” ″Last of the Red Hot Lovers,” ″The Sunshine Boys,” ″Plaza Suite,” ″Chapter Two,” ″Sweet Charity” and “Promises, Promises,” but there were other plays and musicals, too, more than 30 in all. Many of his plays were adapted into movies and one, “The Odd Couple,” even became a popular television series.

For seven months in 1967, he had four productions running at the same time on Broadway: “Barefoot in the Park”; “The Odd Couple”; “Sweet Charity”; and “The Star-Spangled Girl.”

Even before he launched his theater career, he made history as one of the famed stable of writers for comedian Sid Caesar that also included Woody Allen, Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner.

Simon was the recipient of four Tony Awards, the Pulitzer Prize, the Kennedy Center honors (1995), four Writers Guild of America Awards, an American Comedy Awards Lifetime Achievement honor and, in 1983, he even had a Broadway theater named after him when the Alvin was rechristened the Neil Simon Theatre.

In 2006, he won the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, which honors work that draws from the American experience. The previous year had seen a popular revival of “The Odd Couple,” reuniting Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick after their enormous success in “The Producers” several years earlier.

In a 1997 interview with The Washington Post, Simon reflected on his success. “I know that I have reached the pinnacle of rewards. There’s no more money anyone can pay me that I need. There are no awards they can give me that I haven’t won. I have no reason to write another play except that I am alive and I like to do it,” he said.

Simon had a rare stumble in the fall of 2009, however, when a Broadway revival of his “Brighton Beach Memoirs” closed abruptly after only nine performances because of poor ticket sales. It was to have run in repertory with Simon’s “Broadway Bound,” which was also canceled.

The bespectacled, mild-looking Simon (described in a New York Times magazine profile as looking like an accountant or librarian who dressed “just this side of drab”) was a relentless writer — and rewriter.

“I am most alive and most fulfilled sitting alone in a room, hoping that those words forming on the paper in the Smith-Corona will be the first perfect play ever written in a single draft,” Simon wrote in the introduction to one of the many anthologies of his plays.

He was a meticulous joke smith, peppering his plays, especially the early ones, with comic one-liners and humorous situations that critics said sometimes came at the expense of character and believability. No matter. For much of his career, audiences embraced his work, which often focused on middle-class, urban life, many of the plots drawn from his own personal experience.

“I don’t write social and political plays, because I’ve always thought the family was the microcosm of what goes on in the world,” he told The Paris Review in 1992.

Simon received his first Tony Award in 1965 as best author — a category now discontinued — for “The Odd Couple,” although the comedy lost the best-play prize to Frank D. Gilroy’s “The Subject Was Roses.” He won a best-play Tony 20 years later for “Biloxi Blues.” In 1991, “Lost in Yonkers” received both the Tony and the Pulitzer Prize. And there was a special achievement Tony, too, in 1975.

Simon’s own life figured most prominently in what became known as his “Brighton Beach” trilogy — “Brighton Beach Memoirs,” ″Biloxi Blues” and “Broadway Bound” — which many consider his finest works. In them, Simon’s alter ego, Eugene Morris Jerome, makes his way from childhood to the U.S. Army to finally, on the verge of adulthood, a budding career as a writer.

Simon was born Marvin Neil Simon in New York and was raised in the Bronx and Washington Heights. He was a Depression-era child, his father, Irving, a garment-industry salesman. He was raised mostly by his strong-willed mother, Mamie, and mentored by his older brother, Danny, who nicknamed his younger sibling, Doc.

Simon attended New York University and the University of Colorado. After serving in the military in 1945-46, he began writing with his brother for radio in 1948 and then, for television, a period in their lives chronicled in Simon’s 1993 play, “Laughter on the 23rd Floor.”

The brothers wrote for such classic 1950s television series as “Your Show of Shows,” 90 minutes of live, original comedy starring Caesar and Imogene Coca, and later for “The Phil Silvers Show,” in which the popular comedian portrayed the conniving Army Sgt. Ernie Bilko.

Yet Simon grew dissatisfied with television writing and the network restrictions that accompanied it. Out of his frustration came “Come Blow Your Horn,” which starred Hal March and Warren Berlinger as two brothers (not unlike Danny and Neil Simon) trying to figure out what to do with their lives. The comedy ran for more than a year on Broadway. An audience member is said to have died on opening night.

But it was his second play, “Barefoot in the Park,” that really put Simon on the map. Critically well-received, the 1963 comedy, directed by Mike Nichols, concerned the tribulations of a pair of newlyweds, played by Elizabeth Ashley and Robert Redford, who lived on the top floor of a New York brownstone.

Simon cemented that success two years later with “The Odd Couple,” a comedy about bickering roommates: Oscar, a gruff, slovenly sportswriter, and Felix, a neat, fussy photographer. Walter Matthau, as Oscar, and Art Carney, as Felix, starred on Broadway, with Matthau and Jack Lemmon playing the roles in a successful movie version. Jack Klugman and Tony Randall appeared in the TV series, which ran on ABC from 1970-1975. A female stage version was done on Broadway in 1985 with Rita Moreno as Olive (Oscar) and Sally Struthers as Florence (Felix). It was revived again as a TV series from 2015-17, starring Matthew Perry.

The play remains one of Simon’s most durable and popular works. Nathan Lane as Oscar and Matthew Broderick as Felix starred in a revival that was one of the biggest hits of the 2005-2006 Broadway season.

Besides “Sweet Charity” (1966), which starred Gwen Verdon as a goodhearted dance-hall hostess, and “Promises, Promises” (1968), based on Billy Wilder’s film “The Apartment,” Simon wrote the books for several other musicals.

“Little Me” (1962), adapted from Patrick Dennis’ best-selling spoof of show-biz autobiographies, featured a hardworking Sid Caesar in seven different roles. “They’re Playing Our Song” (1979), which had music by Marvin Hamlisch and lyrics by Carole Bayer Sager, ran for more than two years. But a musical version of Simon’s movie “The Goodbye Girl,” starring Martin Short and Bernadette Peters, had only a short run in 1993.

Many of his plays were turned into films as well. Besides “The Odd Couple,” he wrote the screenplays for movie versions of “Barefoot in the Park,” ″The Sunshine Boys,” ″The Prisoner of Second Avenue” and more.

Simon also wrote original screenplays, the best known being “The Goodbye Girl,” starring Richard Dreyfuss as a struggling actor, and “The Heartbreak Kid,” which featured Charles Grodin as a recently married man, lusting to drop his new wife for a blonde goddess played by Cybill Shepherd.

In his later years, Simon had more difficulty on Broadway. After the success of “Lost in Yonkers,” which starred Mercedes Ruehl as a gentle, simple-minded woman controlled by her domineering mother (Irene Worth), the playwright had a string of financially unsuccessful plays including “Jake’s Women,” ″Laughter on the 23rd Floor” and “Proposals.” Simon even went off-Broadway with “London Suite” in 1995 but it didn’t run long either.

“The Dinner Party,” a comedy set in Paris about husbands and ex-wives, was a modest hit in 2000, primarily because of the box-office strength of its two stars, Henry Winkler and John Ritter. A hit revival of “Promises, Promises” in 2010 starred Kristin Chenoweth and Sean Hayes.

Perhaps Simon’s most infamous production was the critically panned “Rose’s Dilemma,” which opened at off-Broadway’s nonprofit Manhattan Theatre Club in December 2003. Its star, Mary Tyler Moore, walked out of the show during preview performances after receiving a note from the playwright criticizing her performance. Moore was replaced by her understudy.

He wrote two memoirs, “Rewrites” (1996) and “The Play Goes On” (1999). They were combined into “Neil Simon’s Memoirs.”

Simon was married five times, twice to the same woman. His first wife, Joan Baim, died of cancer in 1973, after 20 years of marriage. They had two daughters, Ellen and Nancy, who survive him. Simon dealt with her death in “Chapter Two” (1977), telling the story of a widower who starts anew.

The playwright then married actress Marsha Mason, who had appeared in his stage comedy “The Good Doctor” and who went on to star in several films written by Simon including “The Goodbye Girl,” ″The Cheap Detective,” ″Chapter Two,” ″Only When I Laugh” and “Max Dugan Returns.” They were divorced in 1982.

The playwright was married to his third wife, Diane Lander, twice — once in 1987-1988 and again in 1990-1998. Simon adopted Lander’s daughter, Bryn, from a previous marriage. Simon married his fourth wife, actress Elaine Joyce, in 1999. He also survived by three grandchildren; and one great-grandson.

“I suspect I shall keep on writing in a vain search for that perfect play. I hope I will keep my equilibrium and sense of humor when I’m told I haven’t achieved it,” Simon once said about his voluminous output of work. “At any rate, the trip has been wonderful. As George and Ira Gershwin said, ‘They Can’t Take That Away From Me.’”

Mark Kennedy is at http://twitter.com/KennedyTwits

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