A Promise To Protect
Logan Point, book 2
by Patrcia Bradley
Publisher: Revell
Pub. Date: October 7, 2014
ISBN: 978-0800722814
Pages: 336
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:

Available now on paperback is exciting second novel in the Logan Point series from author Patrica Bradley, titled A Promise to Protect. Unfortunately, I have a new habit of picking out books by their covers alone, especially when the author is new to me. The cover to this book looks like an advertisement for a made-for-television movie on Lifetime. By the cover alone, I predicted that the plot would be either a thriller or mystery with a little bit of romance tossed into the mix. And I wasn't too far off.

I would like to point out that I have never read the first book the series, Shadows of the Past, and it never really bothered me, as 2nd installment is more of a standalone sequel, well at least in opinion it is.

A Promise To Protect centers on single mother, Dr. Leigh Somerall, who has a full set of problems in her life from paying her tuition bills to raising her son. Her life takes an unexpected turn when her brother Ben needs her help, therefore she turns to her ex-love, Ben Logan - the now acting sheriff, for help, but too little too late as her brother is murdered! Though their relationship ended rocky ten years ago, Sheriff Ben Logan vows to protect Leigh and her son from the incoming danger that threatens them.

House of the Devil
Director: Ti West
Starring: Jocelin Donahue, Tom Noonan, Mary Woronov, Greta Gerwig, Dee Wallace
Studio: Dark Sky Films
Releae Date: February 2, 2010
ASIN: B002OVO18A
Running Time: 95 minutes
Rated: R
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:

Like I have already said before this month, I do consider myself a big horror fan, but there are some movies that just slip by my radar, which includes the 2009 horror film The House of the Devil. I would have never known that the movie even existed if I didn't watch the horror film The Innkeepers from same director Ti West, which I loved watching. After doing a quick Google search I learned about The House of the Devil and I bought the DVD off of eBay earlier this year.

The House of the Devil centers on Samantha Hughes (played by Jocelin Donahue), a college student in dire need of cash for a deposit on her first apartment. She takes a babysitting job for Mr. Ulman (played by Tom Noonan) and his wife (played by Mary Woronov) without even meeting them. Her friend, Megan (played by Greta Gerwig), drive her to the Ulman's house and leaves her there, where she quickly learns that she isn't babysitting a kid, but instead she is babysitting Ulman's sick mother. She tries to talk herself out of the job, but then Ulman offers her $400 and she gladly accepts.


There isn't much for her to do there, except for listening to her Walkman while she explores the old house. After ordering a nasty pizza, she stumbles upon a few photos that suggests that Ulman and his wife aren't the owners of the house. After feeling a bit ill, she starts to wonder if the pizza she ate was drugged with something. She eventually passes out and wakes up to an unimaginable horror that may cost her her life.

With Halloween right around the corner the season to be spooked is upon us! As the leaves slowly change and fall from the trees, the cold wind blows in, and jack-o-lanterns light up windows, the world looks a little more ominous. It’s the perfect time of year to get scared out of your mind watching a great horror film. There are generally two camps when it comes to horror films; those who prefer the classics before it because all guts and gore, and those who love the edge modern technology has give to the genre. So, in honor of both of those camps, and Halloween, let’s take a look at the five (arguably) best horror films from each time period. While these are entirely subjective lists, chances are you’ll agree with at least a few.




This classic Hitchcock film has long served as a shining beacon in his trophy case of horror and suspense films. Based off the 1952 novella of the same name written by Daphne du Maurier, it tells the horrific story of what happens when nature turns on man, or more specifically in the film, woman.

Hitchcock based the film around his trademark “Hitchcock Blonde”, this time an unknown actress named Tippi Hedren. Hedren plays the San Franciscan socialite Melanie Daniels in the film who is present to a growing number of mysterious incidents involving birds. After two separate incidents involving attacks by seagulls and sparrows, we soon realize that it’s all the birds that are out for blood. As more and more people begin to report bird attacks they start to increase in frequency and aggressiveness before reaching a frantic climax (which includes the infamous telephone booth scene.)

What the film managed to do was create an irrational fear in all of us since we’ve all been around flocks of birds. Hitchcock was a master at manipulating reality and making his viewers completely terrified of the everyday. The Birds is a shining example and is still regarded as one of the best horror films of all time.


Another gem in Hitchcock’s resume is this 1960 thriller that made all of us completely terrified to take a shower for at least a week after watching it. The film follows Marion Crane (played by Janet Leigh) as she goes on the lamb after stealing money from her office to help fund her pending marriage. As she flees the scene and tries to evade the authorities she comes across the rundown and largely empty Bates Motel with it’s strange proprietor Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins) who takes care of the hotel and his aging mother Norma.

From there the film delved into completely uncharted territory with its violence and sexuality, but these only served to create even more buzz for the film with lines around the block when it hit theaters. It’s also proved to be one of the most successful horror films of all time with a box office take of $32 million for a film made on only $800,000.


Based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Ira Levin, this 1968 Roman Polanski film put a whole new sense of fear into expectant mothers thanks to it’s creative storyline involving carrying the spawn of Satan. Starring Mia Farrow at the titular character in her most famous role, it follows Rosemary’s difficult pregnancy that sees her become so ill it appears as if she’s slowly dying, a far cry from the typical glow and fullness that typically comes with pregnancy.

As her body is thrown into turmoil she slowly begins to question those around her including her strange neighbors and new friends of her husbands. She soon uncovers the truth about what’s happening to her, the shocking role her husband played in it, and the shocking secrets of those around her.

The new horror flick, The Devil's Hand, is now out on VOD, ITunes and in select theaters. The film stars Jennifer Carpenter (Dexter), Rufus Sewell (Dark City), and Adelaide Kane (The CW’s Reign), it will give you thrills and chills this Halloween!

The film centers on  six girls whom are all born on the sixth day of the sixth month to different mothers in the small, devout village of New Bethlehem an ancient prophecy is set in motion - on their 18th birthday one of the girls will become the Devil's Hand. As the day approaches and one by one the young women begin to disappear, terror overtakes the quiet community and those remaining girls band together to uncover who or what is behind these treacherous acts.

To celebrate the film's release, I'm sharing the new LOVE The Devil's Hand Blog App, which you can play with your friends.

Beethoven's Treasure Tail
Director: Ron Oliver
Starring: Jonathan Silverman, Kristy Swanson, David DeLuise and Jeffrey Combs
Studio: Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Release Date: October 28, 2014
Retail: $26.98
ASIN: B00LTO33X2
Running Time: 98 minutes
Rating: PG
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:

Honestly, I didn't realize that it has been over twenty-two years since the original Beethoven film was released to theaters. No, I'm not referring to the famous musician of the same name, but instead I'm referring to the St. Bernard dog who starred in the 1992 blockbuster that was co-written by the late John Hughes, under the name Edmond Dantès. A sequel, Beethoven's 2nd, was released to theaters a year later. It would be seven years until the dog would return in the direct-to-video Beethoven's 3rd, quickly followed by Beethoven's 4th and Beethoven's 5th. In 2008, the franchise received a reboot with Beethoven's Big Break and its sequel, Beethoven's Christmas Adventure, in 2011.

Arriving on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD on Tuesday October 28, 2014 from Universal 1440 Entertainment is newest St. Benard adventure, titled Beethoven's Treasure Tail. The film is directed by Ron Oliver and stars Jonathan Silverman reprising his role as Eddie from Beethoven's Big Break. Co-starring is Kristy Swanson (Buffy, the Vampire Slayer) and Jeffrey Combs (Re-Animator Trilogy). There are no extras or special features on the Blu-ray or DVD.

The film centers on the movie star dog, Beethoven, filming his newest movie with his trainer Eddie Bob, but he can't get the scenes right. It seems the dog is depressed or as his veterinarian said, "He has lost his mojo." The dog's lack of energy has gotten him fired the movie, so Eddie has no choice but to pack his bags and leave the movie set with Beethoven.

2. Enter the link to your terrifying tale in the haunting list below (enter your Blog Name and the direct link to your post answering this week’s question. Failure to do so will result in a curse).

 

3. Visit other haunters in the list and comment on their posts. Try to spend some time on the blogs reading other posts and possible become a new creeper.  The purpose of the hop is to give bloggers a chance to follow other blogs, learn about new books, befriend other bloggers, and receive new followers to your own blog.
 

If this situation occurred, then I would have to ask Van Helsing from Bram Stroker's Dracula (book or movie version). I'm sure he would know how to dispose of the ghouls.

Linky List:

There are literally too many book in the world and it isn't possible for me to keep up with every new release, let alone read every book that has ever been written, well, unless a nuclear apocalypse occurs giving me all the time in the world to read any book I want to, like in the classic Twilight Zone episode "Time Enough at Last." In reality I don't have a whole lot of time to read anymore. Yes, I can speed read through a novel in an hour if I wanted to, but I have a hard time reviewing a book I just skimmed. I prefer to read every word on every page of a novel. Being a blog reviewer, I have any books piled up to review and the first ones to get reviewed are the ones for blog tours. That being said, I sometimes have to shove a few books aside until I have time to properly read them. This includes the fantasy novel The Sword of Darrow and its sequel The Dragon and the Firefly.

The Sword of Darrow (ISBN-13: 978-1935618478) is set in a magical realm of Sonnencrest, a peaceful kingdom that is until the evil goblin King Malmut and his army of creatures seizes the kingdom. The only survivor of the royal family is Princess Babette, who barely escapes the goblin's grasps. A powerful wizard, Asterux, takes in the young princess and agrees to teach her magic. Ten years passes by and Babette is now ready to take back her kingdom, but she cannot do it alone, so along the way she encourages a young boy, Darrow, to become a hero by giving him a sword that is light as a feather.

The Dragon and the Firefly (ISBN-13: 978-0984980987) takes place twenty-eight years later and focuses on the Queen Babette's twins, Prince Fenn and Princess Aster. A new enemy of the kingdom takes form and kidnaps Fenn. It is up to Aster and her dragon, Moakie, to rescue him. The twins must put aside their fears in order to defeat the upcoming evil.

The Quite Ones
Director: John Pogue
Starring: Jared Harris, Sam Claflin, Olivia Cooke
Studio: LionsGate
Release Date: August 19, 2014
Retail: $19.98
ASIN: B00KOBUNBQ
Running Time: 98 minutes
Rated: PG-13
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:

Despite being a lifelong horror fan, I tend to avoid all the recent  so-called PG-13 horror flicks as typically they are horribly filmed. The Quite Ones happens to be one of the exceptions that caught by eye for two reasons:


The Quite Ones is a found-footage flick and centers on a college professor (played by Jared Harris) and a group of students, Brian McNeil (played by Sam Claflin), Krissi (played by Erin Richards) and Harry (played by Rory Fleck-Byrne), who are all trying to prove that supernatural occurrences do not exist. They are especially trying to discredit a video of a possessed boy. Their plan is to run experiments on Jane Harper (played by Olivia Cooke). Of course strange occurrences occur, leading the students to speculate that a  demonic presence called Evey has possessed Jane.