Muffin Man Coulda Been Better--By Cutting Half of the Book... Just My Personal Opinion, of course...

"Pushing herself backwards, away
from the face pressed close to hers,
Louise replied only with a prim: I
bed your pardon?"
"She noticed he was carrying some
kind of bagel in his hand. With eyes
peering between hat and scarf, the
half-hidden face repeated the question,
impatiently:
"I said: when do you think it's going
to start?"
"Louise uncomfortable being so close
to the strange, furtive face in the
gathering early evening gloom, voiced
another question in an uneasy voice:
"What are you talking about?
"His answer was a gruff, peremptory:
"Always questions; can't get a straight
answer nowadays. Listen, if you really
don't know anything, then you'd
better be careful..."

Guess that's why U.S. cops stick to
doughnuts!

Muffin Man*

Stephan Collina

I think I've read enough fiction by now that I sometimes resent authors that I know could do better but seemingly goes, instead, for what maybe will sell better... What would that be? Drugs and sex, of course...

"General, you know I respect you more than any
man alive. I'd like to help you out, I would, but
I've promised Emily I wouldn't go back.
"Abrams, beginning to speak even before Ed had
mouthed the last word: "Oh, don't give me that
bullshit. You were born to soldier.
"Ed: "Maybe, but I've had enough. And Emily and
me, well, it's been tough. I've changed. Fitting in
here is hard. I don't want to have to go through
all that again when it's finally over.
Abrams: "You can't leave a job undone, Ed. It's
not in your nature.
"Ed: It's tough, I'll grant you that. But a promise
is a promise...
"As soon as the General's car disappeared from
view, a frustrated Ed walked over to his daughter
and slapped her hard on the wrist, reddening the
skin, saying as he did so: "That's for being so
clumsy."
~~~

Believe me,, there are millions of people who do not take drugs, deal, or enjoy reading about the joys of sitting around being high and/or the promiscuous sex that accompanies those activities. I'm one of those individuals. It is just NOT fun to read about somebody stealing, taking, using, and talking about stealing, taking, using... In fact, it was boring. So much so, that many pages are skimmed and passed by since they add nothing but many--too many words to a book... IF you like the scene, then, hey, go for it! 

"Among the observers of the dawn but uncaring of its splendor, stepping out like two young birds furtively fleeing their nest, their strutting gait emphasizing the birdlike nature of their flight, were a giggling Adrian and Pete. Their prize was carried lightly under Pete's arm. Talking loudly as they walked, they were already reminiscing about the events of the preceding few hours...
"Leaving while the others slept had been Adrian's idea. Shaken awake by Adrian as he dozed half undressed, Pete had quickly and quietly agreed to leave, as he always did, and gently eased away from the similarly half-dressed sleeping beauty lying across him. Pete hoped he would see her again. She had been fun, he thought, superficially but genuinely, and wondered if she might still be there when he returned. He had not thought to ask for her phone number...
"They aimed to cache the box with a friend of his younger sister, who lived just around the corner and who Pete had been seeing secretly and regularly for some months. Sixteen years old, the young girl was besotted with him and their relationship was unknown to anyone except the two of them and Adrian. They reasoned correctly that it would therefore be a perfectly safe location, and one to which Pete could return at almost any time, and with a female bonus available..."

~~~

The book starts in 1968 while the Vietnam War was still "happening." I've read quite a few fiction and non-fiction books about the war--this was not too different. In fact, the idea of a world-wide group supposedly representing Christians has been done by others. This novel hones in on one soldier--a good soldier--who recognized the problems of the war and then being pulled out so that U.S. soldiers felt they should have been better led and actually done what needed to be done.

Now we know that many men came back with some form of PTSD. Ed seemed to be fine, but as he settled in, back home,  he would be contacted by earlier officers and asked to come back to Vietnam. Perhaps he should have, because he soon started a small group of his own... which led to his being noticed and picked by this group of Christians to come work for him... Obviously you can guess what he would be doing...

The most intriguing character in the book is Ed's daughter. Anne. She remembered her loving father before he went to war. Now she could not understand why he was treating her, and her mother as well, like he was...

She leaves home as soon as she can. Unfortunately, she ultimately got involved with the drugs and, although she doesn't know it, actually works for the same organization for which her father works.

Another character, David, had some potential, but got involved with friends who were users, as well as the ones who steal them, and then the drug dealing as well. His girlfriend--who makes it quite clear to readers that she has no deep love for David, soon has left him and moved in with a U.K. inspector who is also dirty and into drugs... David later meets and falls for Anne... Too late...

"On a late July Sunday, four years after his return
from Vietnam, everything abruptly changed. Where
before there had existed confusion and subjugation,
suddenly reigned clarify...Ed had made no special
preparation, except to have attended a Church service
in the morning, but he had uttered there no prayer
beyond the routine mutterings of the occasional
worshiper...
"...Ed turned to his wife, saying: Don't be afraid.
It's finally all clear to me...
"As part of his revelation, Ed knew he would have to
be patient in his explanations, circumspect with words,
and not only with his wife. Therefore, he patiently
replied: "I mean God has spoken to me. He has told
me what I must do...
"...create a Christian army, and of working both
within the system and without..."
~~~

"Within two years of leaving Vietnam for good, Ed in his unsuspected madness knew with absolute certainly that his devil was a real, living entity that had entered into his entrails, was connected directly to his brain, affecting and even directing his thoughts. It would no longer whisper phrases from outside, but speak its demonic commands and suggestions internally: wordless, unheard by others, but with meanings crystal clear to him...The demon became his constant companion, advising and directly him how to feel, how to react, how to behave with others around him. Ed would not be forced to react to its orders zombie-like, as in some dreadful b-movie but indirectly, sometimes after thought and reflection had convinced him of its truth and propriety. The demon's power over him became nonetheless absolute. Its instruction simply had to be followed.
                                                              ~~~

The novel continues on until 2001 and then ends with an allusion which some readers may or may not
understand...

I early on had some issues with the writer's style of presentation, contrary to routine sentence structure in novels, most commonly the use of colons which tended to be used instead of normal dialogue. There are also issues of extremely long sentences and/or
paragraphs. For me, reading the novel was tedious...

Bottom line, there was too much extraneous material that prevented the story from being easily absorbed. Throwing in the bits of immaturity of the drug users quickly pulls readers away from what could be a fairly interesting story line. I never did discover the significance of the title with the individual who would appear once in a while. Given the abrupt ending, it could very well be that all of this is still going on somewhere over in England by those fanatic individuals playing at "saving the world" for what they call their religion... We all know there are lots of those across the world, don't we? May we be saved from their reality inside and outside of a book...These comments are  just my opinion, of course...Check it out for yourself...


GABixlerReviews

Stephan grew up in the 1970s: a troubled time of recession, poverty, industrial disruption, political tension and terrorism. But for younger people, it was also a post-1960s wide-flared, drug-enhanced and extravagant-haired innocence.

Stephan later became a prominent businessman, acquainted with a number of high-ranking politicians. Stephen ran international technology businesses, spending a great deal of time in the USA and various European and African countries.

The Muffin Man grew from a combination of these unique experiences: his early knowledge of the sometime innocent business of drug dealing (although he never inhaled), and of the much dirtier businesses of covert political and military action, and of international business practices.

Stephan’s first novel explored the nefarious and complicated emotional and sexual relationships of a remote village in Wales, where he had spent his early years.

Stephan holds a degree in Philosophy. He is also a qualified commercial ship’s captain. He now lives quietly by the sea, and concentrates on his writing and related filmmaking activities.

"The Miracles of LaGuardia Airport by Caitlin Campbell is Simply A Delight!

http://www.nbclosangeles.com/the-scene/events/
Like-the-Little-DevilAngel-on-Your-Shoulder-But-Sexier.html

"The angel perfected Its form in an out-of-order ladies' room. Busty, very busty--It sensed that George adored a good rack. Wide-hipped, broad-shouldered. About forty pounds overweight, which made It petite relative to George. Beautiful red lipstick on big, voluptuous lips. Long, red hair that tumbled down in luxurious curls. Studying Itself in the mirror, the angel worried that It was too attractive--George had to believe he stood a chance with the woman. It tangled Its hair and added a stain to Its white blouse and a greasy sheen to Its forehead and nose.
"The angel next arranged that Gat 5, where George was waiting, become more fragrant, more peaceful, altogether more pleasant than any other gate. Soon all the seats were full except for the one next to George, which looked alternately rickety, torn, and covered with sticky soda until the angel sat down there. It glanced over George's shoulder. He was reading a sword and sorcery pulp novel with a sexy princess on the cover...

~~~

"The angel wasn't sure how this next part would work. Although It often took human form in the course of Its duties. It had never seduced anyone before. After a little digging through George's mind, It found what It was looking for and began to hum a tune.

"It took a few bars for George's neck to go stiff and his cheeks to turn red and another few before he spoke to the angel. "Is that 'Summertime'?" he asked gruffly.

"It sure is," the angel said, loosing an amber-hued laugh. "Not exactly right for this weather, I guess. Betcha all this snow is what got me started on wishful thinking."

"My mother used to sing me to sleep with that song," he said...

~~~

The Miracles of LaGuardia Airport (Delta Terminal)

By Caitlin Campbell

For we humans, I think we all have a little bit of both good and bad in us; however, when I met the Angel of Delta Terminal, I was instantly enthralled...

An angel is assigned to airports to help ensure that flyers are safe and to hopefully meet any special needs... In these days, we probably need to "call 10,000 angels" to prevent today's type of criminal actions! Still, it was fun to see what the angel did do to help...

But it started to get funny fast as it was easy to see that this angel had been around and was quick to make decisions about the one blessing each day she was to give. For instance, she briefly considered a young woman, but when she failed to wash her hands after using the bathroom...she was bypassed! Then there was the pilot who the "angel admired in a not entirely asexual way..."

"...Saint Christopher strolling around, evaluating the terminal. Saint Christopher
getting seated at the departures sports bar and ordering without looking at the
menu. The angel waited a moment for its boss to get settled, and then another
moment, just because.
"The angel drew Its scattered particles together and coalesced into a human shape,
which was considered good manners when interacting with the saints. It took Its
favorite form: slim, Japanese, so perfectly androgynous as to be equipped with both
sets of sex organs.
"Praise be the Lord our God, and hail His soldier, Saint Christopher," the angel
said as It approached the table.
"Praise be the Lord our God, and hail his agent, the Angel of LaGuardia Airport
(Delta Terminal)...
"I had a bit of a look around; great work you're doing here," the saint said...
"Fact is," said Saint Christopher, "I like you, and I like the way you do your
job. Your peers respect you. The Angel of London Heathrow International
Airport (Terminal 2) is transferring...and recommended you as Its
replacement...
"Enough, you're far too modest. I've decided; you'll begin tomorrow. Enjoy your
last night in Queens...
~~~

Choosing just one was very time consuming as you can imagine--she never "peeked into their minds..." enjoying a little mystery as she decided...LOL

All in all she was happy most of the hours she worked. But then one day a heavenly entity entered the terminal. Everybody wondered who he was because he didn't even remove his shoes! Of course, even if they had glanced in his direction, they would have immediately forgotten!

Ok, I know that I've probably given away more than I should about this story, but, hey, my formal review has already been posted for the Weird Tales Magazine, Issue 361, in which this story appears...

Soooo, I took the liberty of moving this one into my adult blog and sharing with my readers that, even angels, are known to act, ahhhh, what you might call, irrationally once in a while???

Actually, I'm not quite sure that the big boss up in the sky was quite as upset as was Saint Christopher, as her immediate supervisor... And, me, I just loved this story! 

P.S. If you can't figure out what happened when she found out she was leaving, ahhhh, you probably shouldn't be reading an adult blog!!! LOL..............................................................................

GABixlerReviews

JMPO - A Different Look at November Echo...and Talanov... Pitted Against the CIA Team Leader...

Upstairs in the casino's darkened security center, 
agent Glenda Bixler and her team had been
 watching Talanov on a TV monitor. Bixler was
 the CIA's European Chief of Operations. 
With her was agent Donna Pilgrim and
 Spanish interpreter, Paul Franco. 
In front of them were other monitors 
connected  to feeds from various cameras 
located  in the foyer, corridors, and
throughout the hotel and casino.
The room was filled with the quiet hum of
 electronic equipment.
     "Did you see the way he looked up
 at us just then?" Bixler said.
 "It's as if he knows we're watching."
    A women's rowing champion from
 Dartmouth who majored in European history,
 the blond-haired Bixler was a competitive
 woman of twenty-nine who spoke fluent
 Russian and German. Her hair was
 cut in a classic bob and she was dressed in
 a dark blue slack suit and white shirt.
An identification badge was
clipped to her lapel.
~~~

Yesterday, I added a carousel at the top of Book Readers Heaven which contained the top read articles in the past year...all had over 600 page hits...

I was a little surprised at first that November Echo popped up on my statistics, since I'd only had one announcement up earlier and my review has just gone up this week... The announcement got well over 1000 hits... Talanov is famous! And his Fans are multiplying fast!

Please realize that this article is not a review and that my professional, official review has been published...

Buttttt, as I was thinking about the book...and its characters...well, I just had to start thinking of this book being made into a movie! And who would play one particular character...

Well, after you read the book, I'm sure you will agree that my choice is perfect. After all, she's already playing the role on television...And her name is Annie. I happen to know that the middle name for this new character is Ann, so that works out, right?

Now listen, I'm not closed to my choice, so if you have other suggestions, just jot them below... I guess I'll have to let the author James Houston Turner...and, of course, the leading man Talanov, help choose...but I'm sure they won't mind if we do some brainstorming and give them our own thoughts...

After all, a Talanov movie is going to bring in lots and lots of Fans!

Now, I have to admit that hot tamale, as Franco called her, was indeed....ah...intimidating, shall we say. But for myself, I preferred the blond CIA leader, what about you?

Besides, there's a pic of this woman already, remember I showed her in my review who may be considered for that character. Besides, we've got to have the CIA team leader somebody we know will win over the Russian spy...LOL

Now, you realize that my interest is in Talanov, so I was surprised that this agent showed a similar interest in what Talanov is all about...

"He knows, all right," said Bixler. "I can tell by that cocky smirk."

"He does come across as a bit of a show pony," Pilgrim replied, "throwing money around the way he has. If he's supposed to be some super-secret top-notch spy, he's doing a lousy job. He even made reservations here at the hotel in his own name."

"Which is exactly the reason I'm worried," said Bixler. 

"Who's the glam there with him?" asked Franco. 

"Man, she is one hot tamale. Definitely thetallest tamale I've ever seen, but totally bombdigity bitchin." 

Bixler stared at Franco with incredulity, "Bombdigity bitchin?"

"What's wrong with that?" 

"Nothing, if you happen to be fifteen years old."

~~~

"But why?"     

"Talanov hasn't exactly been following protocol," said Pilgrim.

     "Meaning he may have pissed off some of the permafrosts in Moscow with his extravagant living?"

     "It's possible," answered Pilgrim

. "We have to assume Talanov is here because of Gorev's defection, obviously to prevent it. We also have to assume the Soviets would send someone like Babikov to take out Gorev if it looks like Talanov can't stop the defection."

     "What I don't get is Talanov's flamboyant behavior," said Bixler, looking back at the roulette monitor. "Look at him down there, living it up. Why would he be drawing attention to himself like that?"

     Pilgrim scooted over in front of the roulette table monitor, where the white ball was starting to bounce on the frets while everyone looked eagerly on.

 "Maybe Talanov's a diversion? Maybe Moscow wants us to be watching him while Babikov slips in unnoticed?"

     "To do what?" asked Bixler. 

    "Kill Gorev."

     "If that were the case, Babikov wouldn't be following Talanov. He'd be honing in on Gorev. But according to what you just said, Babikov's following Talanov, right?"

     "Affirmative." 

    "Could Talanov be the target?"

     "Maybe," said Pilgrim.

 "Another scenario is that Moscow believes Talanov knows what he's doing and will eventually locate Gorev, so the hitman is tagging along to see what happens. One thing is certain: no way will the KGB allow Gorev to tell us what he knows. Nor will they allow his family to live, since they can't risk them telling us anything, either. They're walking dead people, all of them, and Babikov may well be their killer." 

    On the roulette table monitor, the white ball bounced several more times before settling into a slot.     A loud moan went up from the crowd.     "He lost, Talanov lost!" exclaimed Franco, his excitement broadcasting loud and clear over the speaker.     Upstairs, Bixler laughed and clapped her hands. 

On the monitor, people were patting Talanov consolingly on the back while the croupier raked in the two stacks of money.     "This guy is too much," continued Franco. "He bets a cool fifty grand, and with one bounce of the ball, loses all of that money. And he didn't even flinch. He simply shrugged like he'd just lost two bucks at the race track."

     "How can he lose that much money and not throw a tantrum?" asked Bixler.

     "Uh, because he's not you?" asked Franco.

     "Shut up!" growled Bixler while Franco chuckled.

~~~

I don't mind telling you that I was impatiently waiting for Talanov to meet with the CIA agent...If you haven't figured out why by now, you're not a regular reader of mine, are you? LOL... Anyway, I figured somehow, because Talanov was not the type to murder the Soviet defector, that there would be an amiable meet, even hopefully cordial...
NOT...


"Bixler slowly raised her hands. "But you you're supposed to be---" she began just as another police car raced past out front. "Inside," commanded Talanov, who was dressed in black fatigues and rubber-soled boots. 
"Bixler noticed several scuff marks and rips on Talanov's fatigues, as if he had been in a fight.  After herding everyone into the house, Talanov shut the door and motioned for Sofia to search the rest of the house. Sofia placed her aluminum briefcase on the floor and crept quickly down the hallway, leading with her pistol, moving silently from room to room. Talanov directed everyone into the living room and told them to sit in front of the fireplace. On each side of the fireplace were built-in bookcases and cabinets. Couches and stuffed chairs were positioned against the walls, with a colorful, mosaic-tiled coffee table in between.     
"When she sat, Bixler saw Talanov using the back of his hand to blot a cut on the side of his forehead. There had been no cut there before, she thought, recalling the CCTV footage.
"Talanov saw Bixler studying him.
"For the record," he said, his eyes combing the group, "we are not here to hurt anyone, so I hope none of you attempts to interfere. If you do, these Makarovs are loaded with cartridges that can penetrate 4mm titanium body armor, which none of you is wearing. In other words, you would not survive. Nor would anyone hear the shots. Our suppressors would reduce the muzzle noise to roughly that of a hairdryer." Talanov looked each person directly in the eye to make sure they understood. He then directed his attention back to Gorev. "Dr. Gorev, my name is Colonel Aleksandr Talanov of the KGB. I am here to escort you and your family back to the Soviet Union. If you cooperate, I will make sure your family is not executed. Everything hinges on your good behavior. Do I make myself clear?"
"A terrified Gorev looked over at Bixler.     
"Agent Bixler will be unable to assist you," Talanov continued. "In fact, Agent Bixler is now your enemy as her orders will be to kill you and your family now that we are stopping your defection."     
"That's a lie!" yelled Bixler. "You've been sent here to kill him."
~~~


Well, I don't mind telling you that I was very disappointed that they didn't get along... But, then, you don't know what's going to happen later, do you?  Let's just say if Annie plays the part, I hope she's faster in the movie...

Sooo, what do you think? Is our Covert Affairs star, Annie Walker, the one to play this new character in November Echo???

You all know, of course, that this is all Just My Personal Opinion...