L.A. Mental

Seemingly unrelated events would have gone right by Dr. Thomas Crandall if he hadn't received a phone call from his party boy brother, Nick, in the middle of the night. Tom rushes to his aid but Nick is acting more than just a little strange. Soon Tom finds himself in the middle of a bizarre scuffle with Nick who is alternately angry and rubbing his head.
"There are worms eating my brain!" he says, then drops like a stone. Tom has to find a way to save Nick from whatever is going on in his head.
Tom finds some evidence of drugs, but the test results he gets back are not what he expected. His concern takes him back to his family and soon he realizes everyone of them has a little secret.
His brother Paul had allowed a film crew to build a strange looking set on one of their properties, with an odd scientist turned movie producer and a company called Parallax. When one of the actresses takes a liking to Tom, he wonders how all the pieces fit together.

This exciting story has been one of my best summer reads. Neil McMahon has co-authored with the prolific James Patterson and this novel has all the makings of a number one best seller. It had me guessing every inch of the way to its surprising conclusion. If you enjoy thrilles you will enjoy this up and coming author. And if you're like me, you will be waiting anxiously for his next novel.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Amazon Vine program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

Confused to Clear in 60 Minutes

I had invested in a software program called Final Draft about four years ago. It seemed to be somewhat of an industry standard, or so I thought when I got it. It did what I needed it to do. Having never produced an actual film with it, I didn't really know what others thought of it.
When I joined a film makers group, they were ga-ga over Celtx (pronounced Kel-tx) the attractiveness of it that it could be downloaded off the Internet for free and several people were already familiar with it.

I didn't like the idea of having purchased software I wasn't going to be using, but promised I would learn it and switch. I continued writing scripts in FD while minimally dabbling in Celtx. In fact, I had gone so far as to download it, look around, get intimidated and re-open Final Draft. Then, I found Mastering Celtx The Official Guide written by Terry Borst. It seemed to be the needed nudge toward keeping my promise.

The Official Guide is over 300 pages, laid out like a course book, with images of what your computer screen should look like as he takes you step by step thought each feature of the program. I decided to go with it and popped open a window and followed along. It was straight forward and easy to work with.
They explained how to import a screenplay from Final Draft, which I tried. I imported a text document and a text with formatting document. The straight text version imported a lump of text that needed to be untangled line by line. The latter turned out to be the better choice. The first half-page needed to be tweaked to fit the formatting, but amazingly, the rest of it fell right into place. The smoothest import I've experienced so far.

This book is going to become part of my permanent library of reference material and I highly recommend this book if you are using this program. It is clear, concise and I wouldn't be with out it. I went from not understanding too much of the program to complete understanding in less than an hour. Well done, Terry!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the AmazonVine program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

Belkin 7-Port Powered Desktop Hub

Dilemma: You have 2 USB ports and five pieces of equipment that need them, simultaneously.  You need to transfer data between them, and would like to have access to all of them at the same time.

Solution: The Belkin 7-Port Powered Hub. It comes with a power adapter and the USB 2.0 cable and the hub. All of the components are compact, and fit right in my computer bag.

We had planned a vacation and were able to download photos from the camera, upload music from the net into the cell phone and the MP3player, store all of it on a data stick easily and interchangeably on the screen. Although it didn’t charge my cell phone, it did charge the MP3 player and a solar charger that we use as a backup energy source if the charge runs low on cell phones or music players.

Even though my current laptop has three USB ports, one is always plugged with the power booster. Additionally, I’m considering something much more portable like a net book, and with extra ports available simultaneously, it will make the transition less painful.

The hub design is slim and sturdy. It doesn’t need a light, but I thought it might be nice to have one so you know it’s working. I notice that all the jump drives,  and power cords have them now.

But the speed at which we were able to complete our downloads and uploads made writing on the go that much easier. I will be recommending it to my friends and making sure they don't snag mine!

You Were Born For This

Maybe you’ve read The Prayer of Jabez and Secrets of the Vine. I like Bruce Wilkinson easy to follow approach and his accessible perspective. Certain books of his seem to appear at the times in my life when I start thinking, is this all there is? You Were Born for This is that book.
Have you been missing signals from Heaven? How would you like to learn the 7 keys to a life filled with predictable miracles?
Maybe you’ve been the recipient of a miracle. Someone you didn’t know, reawakened a dream? Gave you financial provision when you needed it most? Helped you forgive so you could be set free from torment?
I have to admit, that the role of Miracle Deliverer is one that I never would have imagined that I was born for. Would you like to tune into God’s plan and do more of it? This book will show you how to read the signals that God is sending and lead you step by step to delivering a miracle that will be life changing.
The book is important more now than ever. Almost everyone is looking for a leg up, encouragement, financial provision or a touch from God. You will learn how to know who is in need of a miracle, and the kind of miracle God wants to deliver. In you, there is a divine calling to be the miracle deliverer, too. I challenge you to pick up a copy of this book and see if it doesn’t change your perspective, and the world, one person at a time.




For more about this go to http://www.youwerebornforthis.com/


An electronic copy of this book was provided to me by Eidelweiss Above the Tree Line in exchange for my  honest opinion.

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