Talanov News - Cover Reveal - Movie! Check out A Favorite Book Character!

Dear friends and family,

As many of you know, I've been working the past year -- that's right, I said year -- on the screen adaptation of my upcoming Talanov thriller, DRAGON HEAD. And I am proud to present the official book cover to you here and now. The same artist who designed the gold-medal-award-winning cover for November Echo also designed this one. Her name is Frauke Spanuth and her work is absolute genius.

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Needless to say, I am very proud of the Dragon Head cover. I think it rocks. Naturally, this means I have to produce a story that matches expectations generated by Frauke's  cover, so the pressure is definitely on! It's all good, however, because pressure like this makes me dig deep and work hard.  If I'm asking you to invest a few bucks and your time in one of my books, it is my responsibility to provide you with a story that honors that investment. For me, such a task is a privilege. Thank you for allowing me that privilege.

As far as the film is concerned, like I said earlier, the screenplay is completed after a very long year of editing (and editing and editing!). We also have a line producer's budget, which currently sits at twelve million dollars. We have money budgeted for a major star to play the part of Talanov. We have money budgeted to attract major supporting actors, as well as provide the film with some cool visual effects. But VFX is not what this film is about. Action thrillers often rely on the "shock and awe" of special effects to masquerade a weak story. I have worked hard to make this a dynamite story that will be enhanced by a few visual effects. You, of course, will be the final judge as to whether or not we succeeded (assuming everything goes according to plan and this film gets made the way we want it to be made).

So, what is the story about? In short: Talanov finds himself caught between a ruthless triad leader -- Dragon Head -- and a kill squad sent by the CIA when he tries to save the lives of three trafficked orphans. The story has already been described as "Bond-meets-Bourne-meets-Taken" in a visual sweep from the grim shantytowns of South Africa to the corridors of power in Washington to the neon chaos of Hong Kong. At its heart is a Bible verse -- Hebrews 13:5 -- I will never desert you. And Talanov discovers just how costly a promise it is when he makes such a promise to these kids.

We've set up a Dragon Head Facebook page, which I hope you will visit and "Like." Here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/dragonheadthemovie.

Plus, if you're on Facebook, please share the Dragon Head page on your own FB page.

As for my ambitions for this film, I've already partnered with some relief groups digging wells and building schools and houses around the world. I want this to be more than just a film. I can't speak for others involved in the production, but I will be directing some of my money toward helping provide some of life's basic necessities with those in need. So the more you can help by spreading the word, the better chance I have of making a difference with needed essentials like clean water, housing, schools, teachers, food, clothing, and medical supplies -- activities that helped create Talanov in the first place.

For those of you who know my story, Talanov the fictional hero was an outcome of an heroic act by an actual KGB agent who once leaked word out of Moscow that I was on a KGB watchlist for my smuggling activities behind the old Iron Curtain. What he did for me -- someone he had never met -- inspired the idea of a good-guy KGB agent who became a deep-cover spy for America during the Cold War ... a man whose past will not leave him alone now, when he's trying to atone for his old life in the KGB. So I hope you'll lend your support by visiting the Dragon Head page. To show my appreciation, down the road there will be free copies of books as well as movie tickets.

I also want to acknowledge the "5x Team" -- a group of totally awesome Christian family who faithfully pray for me, as well as support me with emails of encouragement. THANK YOU for helping me get to this point. (If anyone else wishes to join the group -- it's simply a prayer team helping underpin me with the wisdom and stamina needed to get this job done -- just let me know and I will add you to the list.)

Well, my friends, that is it for now. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving. I'll be back in touch again soon with more Talanov news.

Blessings to you all,

Jim

 

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...