New cast on The Walking Dead

I wouldn't normally care about new cast members because this show is, for the most part, made up of unknown actors. My husband recognized Andrew Lincoln because he's British as is my husband and I guess he was on a few Brit shows.
I can't say anyone looked too familiar to me otherwise than someone who might have been a guest on a show.
BUT that has all changed with the addition of Lawrence Gillard Jr.

I love this guy. He was one of the lead actors in the first season of The Wire. He was also in the second season but was killed off.
It's funny but I found his drug dealer character very sympathetic probably because Gillard played him with a conscience.
The Wire was one of my favorite shows, although the later seasons were not as good as the first two. It was gritty, realistic and fascinating despite its at times gruesome subject matter.
I think Gillard will be a great addition to this emotionally overwrought show. When you think about this show in a realistic sense, it's pretty dreary and I'm not sure how I'd manage. Then again the difference between reality and this show is there is always some hope.
New season starts Oct. 13.

Cursed Giveway on Goodreads soon

Tonight I received the paperback copies of the revised Cursed for a giveaway I'm planning to hold on Goodreads.
I'm going on vacation Friday, so I'll set this up when I get back and work with a couple of blogs to promote the giveaway.
Essentially you have to be a Goodreads member and you sign up for the giveaway and the five lucky selected winners will get a book in the mail.
I've been looking forward to doing this all summer. I'll post the details in a week or so  when I have them.
Good luck.

I had a near head-on collision with crazy driver

Had super scary day today.
I was getting on the bridge heading south and rounding a curve when this brown late model SUV was swerving wildly between its lane - northbound -  and mine  - southbound - when it jerked into my lane and stayed there.
I couldn't see the people driving but the car was rocking from side to side as if there was a struggle over the steering wheel.
I want to say it was all going in slow motion. There was this car, out of control, headed straight for me. Head lights to head lights. I screamed and screamed. I know the thoughts going through my head were, what can I do, we are going to crash. Unconsciously I swerved into the lane to my right, which miraculously was clear and the erratic car continued down the bridge driving in the wrong direction.
The biggest surprise is that the right lane was clear. For the past month the 18-wheeler transport trucks have been backed up on the bridge, bumper to bumper, to the toll booth. They are tightly fit together and I can't believe the lane was clear. I didn't even get a chance to look, I just swerved instinctively to get out of the crazy car's way.
That was an occasion where if I had been injured or died it would have entirely been that other driver's fault. I am so glad I was alone in the car and my daughter wasn't with me.
I keep having flashbacks to the event and still can't believe the right lane was clear otherwise I would have crashed into the side of a transport truck.
I don't know what was wrong with that car, whether it was out of control or the person driving it was crazy. I just can't believe nothing happened. That is the closest I have ever come to having a major accident.
When I stopped at the Nexus booth I reported the car. Unfortunately I couldn't see the license plate. I didn't even see who was driving.
When I got to the office I called the U.S. Border Patrol and was surprised to hear there was no accident on the bridge. I don't know what happened to that person but I am glad no one was hurt, including myself.

There are only a few days left to get cursed for FREE at Smashwords.
Wednesday is your last day, so get it while it's available. If you already bought it, get a free copy because the story has more scenes and a lot more content.

 I chose Smashwords because you can get several different file types there including files for Kindles, Kobos and Nooks.

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/321907

Happy reading.
Monica

As promised I have put Cursed FREE at Smashwords. I've done this for anyone who bought the book already and wants to get the new file or frankly anyone who wanted to read the book but was hesitant to buy.
I chose Smashwords because you can get several different file types there including files for Kindles, Kobos and Nooks.

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/321907

I'll leave it free for a week. Enjoy.

Cursed is back on sale

So in high school you always think you'll never use the information you learn in chemistry or the physics. I can't tell you how many times I even thought, I'm never going to use this, when I was figuring out a math problem.
Well, it's just not true. I interviewed a Nobel Prize physics winner and a chemistry professor turning his inventions into gold. Both of those stories required some understanding of chemistry and physics.
The killer is I generally have to use math every day in calculating percentages or deficits or surplus. I analyze numbers and budgets all the time looking for trends and trying to figure out how a town balanced its books.
So this brings us to Cursed, my novel that I published in June. I have increased the manuscript 33 per cent in response to reviews I got that pointed out weak links in the book. Doing the revisions was a great learning experience for me and I appreciate all the helpful input I received.
I hope you enjoy the book. Happy reading.

The Killing finale - disturbing

I must opine briefly on the finale of AMC's The Killing last night. Again, the two hour finale took a few twists and turns to get to the point of revealing the real serial killer.

I thought the whole episode was well done with a lot of ups and downs especially when Skinner was able to torture Linden with memories of their affair and her personal issues.

I have to say, it took me a few moments to realize the ring on Skinner's daughter's finger was Callie's. I like to think I'm not stupid and I know that Sarah realized Skinner was the killer after seeing the ring, and Skinner knew that Sarah knew after he turned around. It just took me a minute to realize the ring wasn't a replica of Callie's but actually her ring. I know the filmmakers showed us a close-up of the ring a few frames before the revealing moment and I eventually put the pieces together, but I am sad that it took me so long!!

What is slightly confusing is that if Skinner took care to dispose of Callie's body where no one could find it, then why did he burn the last body? He was tying up a loose end but he didn't need to get rid of that girl so openly because that's what opened up the case again.

I was disappointed with the closing scene with the fade to black after Linden shoots Skinner. It leaves us hanging and it's not even clear if there is going to be a fourth season.

I thought this season was really good, way better than season two, although not as gripping as season one.

I hope there is more of The Killing to come.