I know I haven't done one of these in a few weeks. But I promise to get back on the ball with this stuff in the new year, once the holidays are over and done with.
So what's upcoming from me? The second book in the Crystalon saga called 'My Enemy Myself' will be my first release this year.
That will be followed by 'The Cagliostro Chronicles 2 : Conflagration'
After that will be at least two more novels before years end. One will be a series set in the late 1930's featuring a new pulp creation of my own. The next will be a modern day superhero adventure. 2014 is going to be a HUGE year for me, hopefully!
Keep watching this blog as well as my website http://RLAngeloJr.com
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Friday, December 20, 2013
Your Daily Ralph- Trying to find Normalcy in creativity.
I've been burying my self in writing the past few days for the reasons given in yesterday's 'Daily Ralph'. But it has not come easily. I've only been able to grind out a thousand words a night right now instead of my usual two thousand or three thousand plus. To say the least, I'm putting Captain Mark Johnson and crew through the mill in this latest adventure.
The Cagliostro Chronicles as a series is turning into something so different than what people are used to in sci-fi/space opera. A state of the art spacecraft owned by a CEO/lead engineer of an aerospace corporation that was built with his own money, it became man's first faster than light space craft and in the first 'Cagliostro Chronicles' book the crew went into the heart of the unknown enemies lair to uncover a long standing conspiracy that had been mounted against the Earth.
Now, two years later, the crew of the Cagliostro uncovers a new threat put in place by the same vile and implacable foe. One that places them within easy targeting of the Earth.
But there's more to it than that, as always. This time there are aliens and monsters on this new world as well as a mysterious commanding presence. And let's not forget the rather annoying Admiral back home who is only in it for political gain. There are battles in space as well as on the ground. As usual the crew of the Cagliostro are fighting with the odds stacked against them and the only thing hanging in the balance is the fate of the human race!
Look for 'The Cagliostro Chronicles 2: Conflagration' sometime in February. I think you'll love it !
In the meantime you can catch up to the original 'The Cagliostro Chronicles', if you haven't read it already, at my website where you will find all my novels which is http://RLAngeloJr.com
Or on my Amazon Authors page http://tinyurl.com/RalphsAmazon
The Cagliostro Chronicles as a series is turning into something so different than what people are used to in sci-fi/space opera. A state of the art spacecraft owned by a CEO/lead engineer of an aerospace corporation that was built with his own money, it became man's first faster than light space craft and in the first 'Cagliostro Chronicles' book the crew went into the heart of the unknown enemies lair to uncover a long standing conspiracy that had been mounted against the Earth.
Now, two years later, the crew of the Cagliostro uncovers a new threat put in place by the same vile and implacable foe. One that places them within easy targeting of the Earth.
But there's more to it than that, as always. This time there are aliens and monsters on this new world as well as a mysterious commanding presence. And let's not forget the rather annoying Admiral back home who is only in it for political gain. There are battles in space as well as on the ground. As usual the crew of the Cagliostro are fighting with the odds stacked against them and the only thing hanging in the balance is the fate of the human race!
Look for 'The Cagliostro Chronicles 2: Conflagration' sometime in February. I think you'll love it !
In the meantime you can catch up to the original 'The Cagliostro Chronicles', if you haven't read it already, at my website where you will find all my novels which is http://RLAngeloJr.com
Or on my Amazon Authors page http://tinyurl.com/RalphsAmazon
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Your Daily Ralph: Something personal this time
Those of you who read my blog know that usually I speak of writing or I do book reviews or some such thing. Today is going to be a little different. I'm going to speak of something deeply personal to me that I'm having to deal with. You see, this past Sunday, 12/15/13, my dad passed away. He had been sick with Parkinson's and dementia the past four years, and every year I saw a decline in him. He was at the point now where he was only able to eat pureed food and he had recently lost the ability to speak, all due to the Parkinson's.
But two days before thanksgiving he fell and banged his head. He ended up with bleeding on the brain. When I went to see him in the hospital he was awake and trying to communicate with me. Then when I went back the day after thanksgiving he was unconscious. I was told this was normal due to the brain bleed he had. As the days passed it became clear he wasn't going to wake up any time soon if at all. Every so often his eyes would open and it seemed like he saw us but we never knew for sure. After two weeks of this he was sent back to the nursing home. Less than 36 hours later I received a phone all that he was in distress and they were sending him back to the hospital. He died there a few short hours later.
I know certain things that I'm pretty straightforward about, even pragmatic where my dad was concerned. He was 81 years old and had lived the past 4 years of his life in declining health. He wasn't the man he used to be by a wide margin. But he was still my dad. When Avengers hit dvd I loaded it up on my laptop and brought it to the nursing home to watch with him. He loved it. I used to read to him too every so often. But his attention span was going, that was the dementia kicking in.
In early Oct my mother and I took him out for his birthday. I remember having to literally pick him up out of the car and carrying him to the wheelchair where I placed him in it. He was down to 135 lbs. , He at one point had been 190.
I knew he didn't have much time left, but I always figured it was another year plus away before he would leave us all. So even though I knew he was unconscious the past three weeks I was still not ready for him to leave us and return to heaven.
It's been 4 days now and I'm still not used to the idea that he's gone. I have to assume I never will get used to it. I've been fighting back tears for days in various moments. I was asked to give a eulogy at the wake two nights ago and fought back tears through most of it. At one point I had to stop and compose myself before going on.
Like every father and son throughout life we would argue and then have great moments together talking or watching a movie, going on vacations having family dinners and God only knows what else. He was a great father to the four of us. He was a hard working man who did the best he could for us all. He was also a character who did all kinds of crazy things that made us all laugh. To say we're going to miss him will be such an understatement. I already do, but I've been missing him a little more each year the past few as he began to slip away. Still he was there for the most part. Even though he really couldn't speak anymore, he was always able to understand what I was saying.
To say the least I'm very saddened by his death. It's been a terribly long week, and today was the first day where I had nothing to do. He was buried yesterday (With full military honors, which was beautiful.) Tuesday was the wake and Monday had been all the preparation leading up to it all. Today was the first quiet day where I had too much time on my hands where I ended up sitting around thinking about him. I think there are going to be a lot more of these.
So for those of you whose fathers are still around, spend as much time as you can with them, especially if they are in failing health at all. enjoy every moment you can get with them. You won't regret it in the end.
Rest in Peace Dad,
I love you.
Ralph L. Angelo Sr.
10/2/32-12/15/13
Ralph L. Angelo Jr.
But two days before thanksgiving he fell and banged his head. He ended up with bleeding on the brain. When I went to see him in the hospital he was awake and trying to communicate with me. Then when I went back the day after thanksgiving he was unconscious. I was told this was normal due to the brain bleed he had. As the days passed it became clear he wasn't going to wake up any time soon if at all. Every so often his eyes would open and it seemed like he saw us but we never knew for sure. After two weeks of this he was sent back to the nursing home. Less than 36 hours later I received a phone all that he was in distress and they were sending him back to the hospital. He died there a few short hours later.
I know certain things that I'm pretty straightforward about, even pragmatic where my dad was concerned. He was 81 years old and had lived the past 4 years of his life in declining health. He wasn't the man he used to be by a wide margin. But he was still my dad. When Avengers hit dvd I loaded it up on my laptop and brought it to the nursing home to watch with him. He loved it. I used to read to him too every so often. But his attention span was going, that was the dementia kicking in.
In early Oct my mother and I took him out for his birthday. I remember having to literally pick him up out of the car and carrying him to the wheelchair where I placed him in it. He was down to 135 lbs. , He at one point had been 190.
I knew he didn't have much time left, but I always figured it was another year plus away before he would leave us all. So even though I knew he was unconscious the past three weeks I was still not ready for him to leave us and return to heaven.
It's been 4 days now and I'm still not used to the idea that he's gone. I have to assume I never will get used to it. I've been fighting back tears for days in various moments. I was asked to give a eulogy at the wake two nights ago and fought back tears through most of it. At one point I had to stop and compose myself before going on.
Like every father and son throughout life we would argue and then have great moments together talking or watching a movie, going on vacations having family dinners and God only knows what else. He was a great father to the four of us. He was a hard working man who did the best he could for us all. He was also a character who did all kinds of crazy things that made us all laugh. To say we're going to miss him will be such an understatement. I already do, but I've been missing him a little more each year the past few as he began to slip away. Still he was there for the most part. Even though he really couldn't speak anymore, he was always able to understand what I was saying.
To say the least I'm very saddened by his death. It's been a terribly long week, and today was the first day where I had nothing to do. He was buried yesterday (With full military honors, which was beautiful.) Tuesday was the wake and Monday had been all the preparation leading up to it all. Today was the first quiet day where I had too much time on my hands where I ended up sitting around thinking about him. I think there are going to be a lot more of these.
So for those of you whose fathers are still around, spend as much time as you can with them, especially if they are in failing health at all. enjoy every moment you can get with them. You won't regret it in the end.
Rest in Peace Dad,
I love you.
Ralph L. Angelo Sr.
10/2/32-12/15/13
Ralph L. Angelo Jr.
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Your Daily Ralph: A Review of Synthetic, Electric Romance by Rodney Johnson
A very enjoyable read with interesting and different characters. A compact sci-fi story centering on two synthetic beings who are in love as well as a serial killer who is offing robotic beings. It was a quick read and it was interesting. It held my attention. The only real complaint I had with it was that at one point there were too many characters with deep descriptions introduced at once, and too many characters overall. It made it a bit difficult to keep track of everyone and what was going on as far as who was who. Overall it was an enjoyable read. Good job!
My novels are all available on my website at http://RLAngeloJr.com
My Amazon Author page : http://tionyurl.com/Ralphsamazon
My novels are all available on my website at http://RLAngeloJr.com
My Amazon Author page : http://tionyurl.com/Ralphsamazon
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Your Daily Ralph~ The Best Laid Plans...
I originally intended to have my next novel, the sequel to 'Redemption of the Sorcerer' called "My Enemy, Myself, The Crystalon Saga Book Two" released for Christmas, but things are moving more slowly than I anticipated. It will be out in January at this point, followed closely by the second in the 'Cagliostro Chronicles' series, which is entitled 'Cagliostro Chronicles 2: Conflagration' Also the second 'Torahg' book, entitled 'Tales of Torahg the Warrior' should also be released in the early portion of the new year. After that I have a few stories in anthologies coming up, mostly for Pro Se, several of which are in the can and awaiting publishing. The next novel project I do is either going to be a third Cagliostro Chronicles book, or the first in one of two new series I've planned out. The first being a modern day Super-Hero team in prose format, the second is a 1930's avenger of the night with a very modern sci-fi twist. I have names for each project but I will hold back on releasing those names until the projects are at least in the process of being written. The 1930's character I will hunt for a publisher for. The Superhero prose novel will be my own publication under 'Cosmic Comet Publishing', my own label. So what do you think?
Of course all my books are available at my website http://RLAngeloJr.com
My Amazon page is http://tinyurl.com/ralphsamazon
Of course all my books are available at my website http://RLAngeloJr.com
My Amazon page is http://tinyurl.com/ralphsamazon
Monday, December 16, 2013
Your Daily Ralph: Review of Bad Times: Cannibal Gold By Chuck Dixon
I could not put this down. It was pure escapism on a mega manly level. This is the kind of book I like to read. Lots action and zero political correctness crap. I read this book straight through in only two sittings. Started it late on a Sunday night and finished it on a Monday. It was a great book that reminded me in many ways of books like the Destroyer or Executioner series of novels. I read a lot and have read a lot of books I really liked this year, this is at the top of the heap. Chuck Dixon is one of my all time favorite comic book writers and his prose is just as good (He co-created Bane one of Batman's most famous and feared enemies. He also wrote the best Moon Knight series that was ever published by Marvel, as well as defining the Punisher with probably the longest run on that character.) BT:CG is a novel that mixes action/sci-fi and lots, and lots of gunfire. It follows a team of Ex-Army Rangers into an adventure beyond their wildest dreams. If you are a guy who loves a novel like I've described here then you cannot go wrong. This book was great. I cannot say it better than that.
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Your Daily Ralph Book review of 'The Spur-Loki's Rock, By Mark Ellis
This was a strange book for me, as I usually am not a fan of space westerns. Like I know its supposed to be sacrilege , but I don't like 'Firefly' very much at all. I think its kind of boring. I've made it through less than a dozen episodes and I have to say I'm not a fan.
This book is pretty much in the same vein as 'Firefly', but for some reason it grabbed me more that that show does.
While this is a space western it also stands on its own merits. Long story short dept.: A team is sent from earth to check out a long ago lost colony world in the Orion spur. Many years ago there was an upheaval of sorts that destroyed the world for the most part and killed millions. All contact was lost. Now earth has decided to re establish contact and sent a team of experts to check out what really happened on Loki. The team makes it to Loki's Rock which is a town filled with the dregs of the not so new world Everyone including and especially the towns leader are all amoral and evil. It's a place where anything goes and the people trade in body parts with the mysterious people in a mountain a few days ride away. The mystery of the people who await in the mountain is interesting and surprising.
This book skirts a fine line between the far flung future and the distant past. You get Indians on horseback as well as robotic drones with lasers flying around. Throw in some lost in time Nazi's as well as an unknown race of aliens and you have the makings a of a crazy thrill ride of a book. This was a very good read, I can't wait until the next volume comes out. If you like space westerns you can't go wrong here. Mark Ellis is an excellent writer who crafts decently paced books that are fun to read.
My complaints were minor and very few. The book ended rather abruptly but that's probably going to lead into the next one, at least I think it would. The first few chapters dragged a little, but as soon as it started to make sense what was going on it took off rather nicely.
Bottom line: This was an enjoyable read that went by quickly. It was a good, fun book to get lost in. I really had no complaints with it. Go read it and see what you think.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Spur-Lokis-Mark-Ellis/dp/061569781X/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1386744513&sr=1-1
Monday, December 9, 2013
YOur Daily Ralph The New Book release List for 12/9/13
The New Book release list for 12/9/13
Gunfighter Gothic: Rubber Suited Monsters (A Tribute to Doctor Who)
After the events of "Thanksgiving at the House of
Absinthe & Steam," Hanna and Jill have been not-so-delicately asked toleave London. Stealing a steam carriage from the demon hunter Charles
Francis Poseidon, the women of Gunfighter Gothic end up being pulled
through time to the 44th century, where Bellingham, a time traveling
British spy, operates out of the Last Cathedral, a space station much
smaller on the inside. Time is broken and one of the women is split
into eleven distinct duplicates, forcing the other to save both time
and her friend, all the while fighting a variety of strange monsters
seemingly ripped from a children's show.
Kindle only: http://www.amazon.com/dp/
SHERLOCK HOLMES – CONSULTING
DETECTIVE Vol V.
Airship 27 Productions is
thrilled to announce the release of its seventeenth title of the
year, SHERLOCK HOLMES – CONSULTING DETECTIVE Vol V. All four
previous volumes have been among the company’s biggest sellers as
the appeal of Arthur Conan Doyle’s characters only grows stronger
with time.
“Part of this series success is that
we made it clear from the start that we would remain true to Doyle’s
original template,” explains Airship 27 Managing Editor, Ron
Fortier. “Over the years these characters had been put into such
fanciful situations as combating Martians, meeting Tarzan or battling
monsters as Dracula or Dr. Jekyll & Mr.Hyde. It seemed there was
no end to the absurdity of these so-called crossovers.” Fortier
was adamant that the Consulting Detective books would respect Conan
Doyle’s original tales in every way possible. “This is the one
series our readers look forward to every year and are always
inquiring when the next book is due. We value their support and
promise to maintain this classic approach. We’re not about to fix
what isn’t broken.”
Amidst the fog covered alleys and
byways of London, murder and mayhem run rampant. With the dawning of
a new century, Consulting Detective Sherlock Holmes and his able
assistant, Dr. Watson represent the forces of truth and justice,
ready to confront the villainy of these new modern horrors.
Here are another quartet of unique,
perplexing cases that will challenge this noble duo and test their
fortitude and courage. Why would someone murder an old man a few
months before his hundredth birthday? Why is Holmes arch nemesis,
Prof. Moriarty hunting the city for same sadistic killer he is after?
And when the Great Detective is arrested and imprisoned for
attempting to seduce the wife of a wealthy nobleman, Watson questions
whether his friend has finally lost his mind.
Within these pages, writers Chuck
Miller, Aaron Smith, I.A. Watson and Andrew Salmon offer up four of
the most thrilling and suspenseful adventures ever devised to
confound Arthur Conan Doyle’s most beloved heroes. Pulp Factory
Award winning artist Mike Fyles provides the dramatic cover with
interior illustrations and design by fellow PFA winner, Rob Davis.
It is time to load your revolver, hail a hansom cab and prepare for
action for once again, the game is afoot!
Available from Amazon in both hard copy
and on Kindle.
As a PDF Download for only $3 at our
website.
Riverwalkers
A Collection of Poems
by Dave Wright
LUCIFER'S MACHINE
Blood Harbor
Backward Compatible
WARNING: There is no sex in this book. Your Kindle or other device will remain at a pleasant room temperature. At no point will your panties drop. Your significant other will be allowed to snore in peace as you read.
It is a time of chaotic hormones.
Two nerdy gents home for winter break have discovered a female gamer at a midnight release.
During the break, the gamer trio manages to reveal the game's secret boss, a hidden enemy with enough power to destroy anything in its path.
Pursued by other gamers who want to be the first to beat this boss, George and Katie race to level up, and, in so doing, restore decency and sexual activity to their personal galaxy...
Friday, December 6, 2013
Your daily Ralph! Book Review of 'Legion I: Lords of Fire' by Van Allen Plexico
Legion I: Lords of Fire
Lords of fire by Van Allen Plexico is the first in a series
of military sci-fi novels set in his own universe, also the same universe where
‘Lucian: Dark Gods Homecoming’ and ‘Hawk: Hand of the Machine’ take place. All
three novels are separated by both years and circumstances of characters.
In ‘Lords of Fire’ we are following the adventures of one
Colonel Ezekial Tamerlane, and his troops, the lords of fire, otherwise known
as Legion I. There are three legions, by the way.
The story is a very engaging read that I read through in
only a couple of days. I have to give Van Plexico credit, he writes very enjoyable
and engaging characters that do not bore. I actually sat for hours on end
reading this novel. It was an attention holding adventure through deep space
and well colonized worlds, as well as others that were barren wastelands.
There were at least two twists in the story that took me
unawares.
Look, putting it simply and not trying to sound like I’m falling
all over myself gushing about this book, Van knows his stuff. He’s an excellent
writer, and this may well be his best novel to date. The story was linear with
one piece falling into the next very nicely. Reading this book was comfortable.
It did not leave me scratching my head at all. There were no plot holes or open
spots that made me say “Huh? What happened there?”
In a nutshell, this novel was action packed, enjoyable, fast
paced and very easy to follow. The characters had enough depth that you got to
know them and like them, or dislike them if need be. It was a great book.
Plexico does not overwrite, which may be his greatest
strength. He gives you just enough details of each character so that the reader
does not get bogged down by the boring bits that invariably ruin many a good
story, or turn a great story into a mediocre one.
If you like a good space opera, sci-fi novel then you’ll
love this one. I wanted more when I was done. I can’t wait for the sequel to
come out this spring.
Very easily five stars.
Available at http://www.amazon.com/Legion-I-Lords-Fire-Shattering-ebook/dp/B00B6T21TM/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1386375945&sr=1-1&keywords=Legion+%21%3A+Lords+of+Fire
Visit my website at http://RLAngeloJr.com
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