I'm In Like Flynn & The Beat On The Street

- Over at Absolutely * Kate's blog At The Bijou, she's been hosting The Rat Pack Review. The star of the event has been crime writing machine Robert Randisi, who's latest venture is crime novels featuring those ultra-cool, swinging cats of the infamous Rat Pack.  There's a great lineup of writer's who chose members or associates of the pack and wrote stories in their persona. I'm very proud to say I was included (as Errol Flynn) along with A*K, Anthony Venutolo, Kevin Michaels, Julie Morrigan, Paul Brazill, Eric Beetner, and of course Mr. Randisi. You can check out my story "Bung Ho!" as well as all the others HERE

- Speaking of Kevin Michaels, I am in the middle of his debut novel "Lost Exit" and it is very good. I'll be posting a review when done, but you can check it out HERE

- "She's no Agatha Christie". That's how an excellent feature story on Julie Morrigan (wink, wink) Lewthwaite's "Gone Bad" collection stars out in the Newcastle Journal HERE

- One of my fav crime writers, who's style I love, John McFetridge, has landed a TV gig and I could not be happier for him. Find out more HERE

- Another crime writer, I really dig for both story and style is Allan Guthrie. He's got a cool new blog focusing on ebooks HERE

-Finally, Glenna has another great review and excerpt up at her blog. This time it is Adrian McKinty's latest "Falling Glass". To be honest, I didn't  read it because I am waiting for my copy to arrive and hate to find out any details of a novel that I am so looking forward to read. If you have not read any of Adrian's crime novels, you don't know what you are missing out on. He's also got a great BLOG and actually interacts with his followers, which I find is not very common with other big-time writers, who love to post about themselves, yet never take the time to interact with fans.  Check out Glenna's review HERE

REVIEW: GONE BAD by Julie Morrigan

A large, seemingly never ending work project and running a youth lacrosse program have kept me really busy lately. Been able to keep track of my fav blogs, but commenting, and posting on mine has been tough. So, I figured I would get things back on track with a review of Julie Morrigan's "Gone Bad" story collection.

Back in Sept 2010, thanks to Paul Brazill's blog, I found out about one of my favorite crime writers, Julie Lewthwaite ( Morgan, Morrigan) and had the following to say HERE  Since that post I have read many more of Julie's stories and others that have not yet been published, or are excepts from larger to be completed works.  Man, can she write hard edged, kick-ass crime stories. It's one thing to write about bad guys and killing people, but to do it with such a well written style takes a real talent. Her latest collection of stories is called "Gone Bad" and it is a winner in so many ways. You can buy it in ebook form for just .99 cents at SMASHWORDS, AMAZON, and AMAZON UK

Here is the on-line review I posted, and for .99 cents, you can't find better entertaiment.

5 Stars
"This was a terrific read. A great mix of flash and short stories make up this hard nosed, no-nonsense collection of crime stories showcasing both the bottom and top rungs of the UK crime world. Believable, authentic dialogue and excellent characters are what really made this work for me. The flash stories all catch you with a great twist and pack a big punch, but it is with the longer short stories that the author does her best work. Flawless writing / editing and excellent formatting made this a very enjoyable read on my nook. Highly recommend to any crime, drama, or thriller fans."

The Beat On The Street

When I was a kid Lost in Space was my favorite show and man did I hate Dr. Smith. I always wondered when Don was going to give him the beat down he earned and deserved every episode. This guy was the definition of a scoundel. Anyway, lot's going on in the blogsphere.

- Julie over at the Gone Bad blog has just released a collection of her crime stories. I have it on my nook and it is awesome. Details HERE

- Alan Griffith has chosen Anonymous-9's "Hard Bite" as his crime fiction choice at Col Bury's blog. What a story it is. A-9  (way cool name) is my kind of writer for sure. Find a link to the story HERE

- Glenna has a great review of Adrian McKinty's new novel "Falling Glass" HERE

- Chris Allinotte's Madness in March stories start on March 13th. Find them HERE

- Thanks to the always entertaining Nerd of Noir, I found out about a free PDF collection that features great stories by some big-time writers. Downloaded it HERE

- Richard Godwin's novel "Aposte Rising" is now for sale. Paul Brazill can tell you about it HERE

- The A Twist of Noir's 600-700 challenge resumes en force on Monday HERE

- Chris Rhatigan had a cool flash piece published at Michael Solender's blog HERE

- If you have a great 200 word opening to a short story, the American Pop Lit blog is having a contest. deadline is March 21. Check it out HERE

- R.S Bohn has a really moving flash story at her blog HERE

- If there is a better source for what's going on in the world of publishing opportunities than Sandra Seaman's blog, I have not found it. These 3 items came from her.

- Allen Guthrie's writing rules HERE

- If you have a Bigfoot story. You can submit it HERE

- A riotous essay on the evolution of the use of shit and fuck in literature and film HERE

- Lastly, Dave Barber has done such a good job as the new editor of the Flash Fiction Offensive that submissions have been put on temporary hold. Details HERE