Archive for the ‘Book reviews’ Category

Filming continues on epic global arthouse movie Anno 2020

Posted: July 24, 2021 in ANNO 2020, Book reviews, Books in general, Morcan Books & Films, Morcan films
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Hi all, I have been working on this book-film creative project ever since lockdowns began in early 2020…This has been my attempt to make sense of, or mentally process, our strangely altered reality…

And I’m feelin’ blessed to be working with New York actor/rapper Andre Doc Williams who starred in and wrote the music for this promo of our film Anno 2020…

La Rivers, Shaun Huff, Dilia Corujo, Adryanna Elmendorf and Sharod Giles also star in the Rochester, NY plot.

This Rochester section is one of half a dozen plots set all over the world in this beast of a production I’m directing – and which is based on my recently published novel. As the title suggests, Anno 2020 is set during last year’s global meltdown and explores intense relationships in this chaotic and uncertain period of time.

I’m also very grateful to have other award-winning actors including Australian cast members Erin Connor (Occupation, Dino King 3D), Greg Poppleton (Narnia, Moulin Rouge), Brett Partridge (Water Rats) and Audrey Nitschke (who I highly recommend if anyone needs a child actor). Plus Americans Kevin Scott Allen, Sheila Ball and Jessica Castello, Israeli Lital Luzon and Italian Adriana Moccia.

The entire cast has been pushed to their absolute limit as the rare performance style we are employing is emotionally raw, semi-improvisational and mostly shot via close-ups…And each actor is also bravely infusing their own real-life experiences that evolve their characters into something very genuine, almost like a docu-drama.

Simon Carter is our director of photography – and inspires me every day with his ideas and enthusiasm for the story.

And my long-time Sydney-based collaborator Gil Ben-Moshe, of MoneyShot Productions, is lead producer and is also one of our main actors. And I must say it’s wonderful to work with an actor/producer who is very respectful of all involved and trusts a director’s storytelling process – so thanks for your faith in me, Gil!

We are 80% thru shooting Anno 2020 and will soon be in post. Our whole team appreciates your support!

Thanks,

James Morcan

Anno 2020 on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13455748/

Anno 2020 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCndxcZbWFGcNQ76TLVSZaeg

Anno 2020 (novel) on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Anno-2020-James-Morcan-ebook/dp/B08LS91VV6

Book review of Anno 2020:

‘Heads You Win’ – another thrilling novel from master storyteller Jeffrey Archer

Posted: December 18, 2020 in Book reviews
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Alexander Karpenko is no ordinary child, and from an early age, it is clear he is destined to lead his countrymen. But when his father is assassinated by the KGB for defying the state, he and his mother will have to escape from Russia if they hope to survive. At the docks, they are confronted with an irreversible choice: should they board a container ship bound for America, or Great Britain? Alexander leaves that choice to the toss of a coin…

Heads You Win by [Jeffrey Archer]
https://www.amazon.com/Heads-You-Win-Jeffrey-Archer-ebook/dp/B07BGY4YH1/

My review:

★★★★★  Archer’s Heads You Win is essentially two stories about the same people – one about a young Russian and his mom who, after a coin toss flee to make a new life for themselves in America, and the other about the same pair who flee to England to make a new life there. Spanning two continents and 30 years, the concept and the writing are brilliant with mind-bending plot twists guaranteed to keep you turning the pages. Warning, spoiler ahead: I note some reviewers are critical of the ending. I found it both startling and unsettling. Whilst it’s an ending that has apparently disappointed some, it doesn’t detract from can only be described as a brilliant read. –Lance Morcan

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New release book ‘Broken Albion’ takes a poetic and satirical look at Brexit

Posted: March 22, 2020 in Book reviews
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Jaded over Brexit? Do yourself a favour and read English author-poet Harry Whitewolf’s new release, straight-talking, poetry book Broken Albion.

 

Broken Albion by [Whitewolf, Harry]

Broken Albion, Whitewolf’s ninth poetry book, takes a satirical, logical, humorous, and opinionated look at the contemporary UK Brexit-led political and cultural landscape, and imagines a world beyond division, where having compassion for one another is more important than flags.

One reviewer describes it as a “must-read” for anyone confused by Brexit; another recommends it “for fans of poetry, politics, or anyone searching for a quick enjoyable read” – and yet another says “It (Brexit) is complicated, but Broken Albion explains it all.”

Harry Whitewolf is the author of two raffish true travelling tales that read like fiction (Route Number 11 and The Road To Purification), and seven collections of contemporary poetry, including Underdogs Unite, New Beat Newbie, Two Beat Newbie, and Rhyme and Rebellion, which was one of Readfree.ly’s 50 Best Indie Books of 2016.

You can find out more about Whitewolf at his website: http://www.harrywhitewolf.com 

Harry Whitewolf

To check out his other books, do yourself a BIG favour and visit Amazon’s Harry Whitewolf page at: https://www.amazon.com/Harry-Whitewolf/e/B00DTFUT7C/

“Harry Whitewolf is one of the best kept secrets in alternative literature.”

– Raegan Butcher

 

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Historical fiction novels remain favorites with readers

Posted: April 27, 2019 in Book reviews
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White Spirit  and Into the Americas, our two historical fiction novels that are both based on true-life, wilderness survival tales, remain firm favorites with our followers, currently enjoying an average 4.5 star rating with Amazon book reviewers.

 

White Spirit (A novel based on a true story)            Into the Americas (A novel based on a true story)

Two novels for lovers of true-life, wilderness survival tales.

 

To see what the critics are saying go to:

White Spirit: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LWIRH9J/ 

Into the Americas: https://www.amazon.com/Into-Americas-novel-based-story-ebook/dp/B00YJKM51E/  

 

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Yvonne Crowe’s Requiem for Ari may be best in gripping series

Posted: November 6, 2017 in Book reviews
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The early reviews are in for author Yvonne Crowe’s mystery-thriller novel Requiem for Ari: A Race to the death against their enemies, Book 7 in the Nicolina Fabiani Series, and the consensus is this may be the best book in the series.

 

Requiem for Ari: A Race to the death against their enemies (Book 7 Nicolina Fabiani Series) by [Crowe, Yvonne]

Early reviews excellent.

 

Book critic John Carlin says, “I love this series! The writing is so good you feel like you are right there with David, Lina, and Ari as they go through what can only be described as hell more horrific than anything most people could ever conjure up in there minds. The torture scenes are absolutely chilling.

“As is usual with Crowe’s style, she manages to make a teaching event of it as well by putting her considerable research about the Middle East on display. I love this, especially when coupled with the powerful writing she has.

“If you want entertaining reads, this whole series will do it for you, and this book might possibly be the best of the series. It allowed Crowe to take the characters to higher levels, and that is no trivial undertaking. Get it! Read it! You will love it!”

 

Requiem for Ari — the storyline:

The Institute always brings home its own.

Being an Israeli Katsa is a dangerous occupation. The tight knit teams form a bond as strong as that of a marriage. When one of David Baron’s unit is captured by Hamas operating inside Syria, he is faced with an impossible choice.

Risk his own life to bring Ari home; or play it safe now his wife Lina is pregnant with their first child?

Duty on the one hand, love on the other.

From Tunisia to the Golan Heights and Damascus. Lebanon to Yazidi Iraq. Their lives crisscross as David wages war, and Lina the journalist, covers it.

What choice will he make?

 

The author:

Yvonne Crowe is a successful New Zealand writer who enjoys writing provocative mystery/thriller novels. She has also conquered breast cancer with a natural therapy.

Yvonne Crowe

Author Yvonne Crowe.

You can visit Yvonne’s Amazon author page at: https://www.amazon.com/Yvonne-Crowe/e/B00AH2JACK/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1

 

Requiem for Ari: A Race to the death against their enemies is available via Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073WVBS2Y

 

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Adventure-romance novel ‘A Walk in the Rain’ exquisite!

Posted: April 13, 2015 in Book reviews
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Book review:

A Walk in the Rain  –by Udai Yadla

★★★★★ Exquisite!

This reader discovered ‘A Walk in the Rain’ is an oft-used title, gracing the covers of a number of books. However, Udai Yadla’s version must surely stand alone. It’s truly unique and beautifully written. Exquisite!

Aptly subtitled ‘A journey of love and redemption,’ it is exactly that. A romantic, often intense, occasionally delicate and always gripping tale of a love found and lost, and an unforgettable journey of self-discovery.

The writing is tight but not rushed, the characterization is excellent and the storyline grabs you from the prologue right through to the last page. A must-read! –Sterling Gate Books

Synopsis:
Love is poison that kills you. Love is elixir that keeps you alive. An unreciprocated love keeps you alive, but kills every day.

Heartbroken Sunny lives a reclusive life, trapped in the past, living in his memories. He has no complaints about his life, but refuses to embrace the present.

Saloni is a prostitute who is desperate to earn money by any means. She does not care about exploiting others to fulfill her purpose.

Fate unites the loner and the prostitute to embark on a life changing journey of retribution and self discovery.

Lovelorn Sunny turns misogynistic after Sandy, the only girl he loved walks away from his life, unannounced. He suffers painful solitude for almost two decades with the relentless haunting of her thoughts. A distressed friend Imran, vows to change his life forever. A surprise planned for his birthday turns into a tragedy that claims the life of his dear friend, triggering a series of unbelievable events. As Imran gets killed by a stranger, Sunny’s calm life suddenly turns into a turbulent storm. With nothing left to live for, vengeance becomes his ultimate mission. His reluctant alliance with a prostitute to trace the killer sets him onto a nerve racking adventure of life and death.

Both are bound to a common goal with different motives, but destiny has its own motive.

A walk in the rain is an intricate tale of intense emotions, driven by hair raising twists and turns.

Product Details
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Pour yourself a margarita & settle in for an engrossing read!

Posted: October 19, 2014 in Book reviews
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★★★★★ BOOK REVIEW:

DIABLO NIGHTS

by Carmen Amato

Diablo Nights is a novel that takes you inside Mexico’s drug wars and introduces you to Detective Emilia Cruz, a conniving, fast-thinking, fearless crime-fighter who isn’t afraid to kick some ass. In short – a woman you are unlikely to forget in a hurry.

This is an international mystery and crime thriller that’s truly worthy of that description. One of the best novels I’ve read in some time.

Set in and around Acapulco, it’s fast-moving, intriguing and always surprising. The writing flows, drawing the reader in.

There’s a bonus for readers, too, in that even if you’ve never been to Acapulco, you’ll know it better than most tourists by the time you finish this book. The writer takes you beneath city’s postcard exterior to the mean streets – the side that tourists seldom see – where the drug lords rule.

So, pour yourself a margarita and settle in for an engrossing read! -Lance Morcan

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‘Orange Town’ a fair dinkum 5-star read!

Posted: October 12, 2014 in Book reviews
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BOOK REVIEW:  Orange Town: FIFO 3-2-1 – by Paul Rhoden

★★★★★

In a message to the reader, author Paul Rhoden says, “Orange Town: FIFO 3-2-1 is a book I have always wanted to write.” Well, in a message to the author, this reviewer says this is a book I have always wanted to read!

From one Down Under bloke to another…It’s fair dinkum brilliant mate!

  

Firstly, the title intrigued me. Even though, in another time, I worked in the mining industry in Outback Australia, and mixed with many of the (types of) colourful characters who feature in this must-read novel, I wasn’t familiar with the term FIFO. Now I know: it’s the description given those hard-nosed, hard-working, hard-drinking, hard-living individuals who ‘Fly In Fly Out’ to earn a living in Aussie’s unforgiving earthmoving, construction and mining industries.

Rhoden focusses on hard case Brent Williams – better known as ‘Rooster’ – who morphs from a cattle ranch roustabout and bareknuckle fighter to a charismatic, smooth, lady’s man who scales the corporate ladder during Aussie’s mining boom of the early Nineties. In the process, he manages the biggest FIFO contract around.

Unfortunately for Rooster, he carries a dark secret around with him. Though this may be unfortunate for him, it’s very fortunate for the reader as it adds another beguiling dimension to this breathtaking novel.

Love the humour, too. It’s humour Colonials will relate to, but this is a novel deserving of a much wider audience.

Summary: This is one you have to read, mate! (The ladies will enjoy it, too). -Reviewer Lance Morcan

Paul Rhoden…author of Orange Town: FIFO 3-2-1.

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Reviewers love “the imagery and description” of Fiji: A Novel

Posted: July 9, 2014 in Book reviews, Fiji: A Novel
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Our historical adventure FIJI: A NOVEL (The World Duology, #2) has passed another milestone, receiving its 30th Five-star review on Amazon.

Product Details

One reviewer said, “It was well researched, well written, and the imagery and description was beautiful and incredible.” According to Amazon, 16 reviewers made a similar statement.

Other reviewers have this to say about Fiji: A Novel –

“A bit of everything – sex, violence, humor, historic detail & plenty of twists.” –Great Historicals

“Reads like an epic movie.” –Author Susan M.Heim

“A real page turner.” –Ted Pawlikowski

“A flowing 19th Century tale of life, lust and love.” –Kate Campbell

“There is much to praise here.” –Gregory S.Kuhn

“Great read. Descriptions…were outstanding.” –James Glenny

Here’s the storyline (in brief):
By the mid-1800’s, Fiji has become a melting pot of cannibals, warring native tribes, sailors, traders, prostitutes, escaped convicts and all manner of foreign undesirables. It’s in this hostile environment an innocent young Englishwoman and a worldly American adventurer find themselves.

Susannah Drake, a missionary, questions her calling to spread God’s Word as she’s torn between her spiritual and sexual selves. As her forbidden desires intensify, she turns to the scriptures and prayer to quash the sinful thoughts – without success.

Nathan Johnson arrives to trade muskets to the Fijians and immediately finds himself at odds with Susannah. She despises him for introducing the white man’s weapons to the very people she is trying to convert and he pities her for her naivety. Despite their differences, there’s an undeniable chemistry between them.

When their lives are suddenly endangered by marauding cannibals, Susannah and Nathan are forced to rely on each other for their very survival.

Fiji: A Novel is available via Amazon as a trade paperback or Kindle ebook:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0057YCZM0/ 
Happy reading! –Lance & James
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Readers “not psychologically prepared” advised not to read this book

Posted: June 25, 2014 in Book reviews, The Ninth Orphan
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After reading THE NINTH ORPHAN (The Orphan Trilogy, #1), Amazon reviewer Daniel Sinclair Pearson has a warning for readers: “Reading this novel is like opening Pandora’s Box and discovering the Matrix inside it.”

Pearson calls the conspiracy thriller novel “groundbreaking” and talks of “terrifying secrets and horrendous political facts” that are “much stranger than any fiction.”

Here’s an excerpt from his review:

Warning, reading this novel is like opening Pandora’s Box and discovering the Matrix inside it. There are some extremely dangerous global conspiracies and radical ideas put forth in this book, and there are no known antidotes for exposing the thinking mind to the potent light of truth.

This is a unique story, a fast paced thriller spy novel that is unlike any other spy novel that you have ever read before.

If you are not psychologically prepared to handle the disturbing type of information that is revealed in this groundbreaking new novel, then please don’t read the Ninth Orphan series. The entire cast of fully developed intelligent, extremely complex characters will simultaneously both thrill and horrify you.

This is a work of fiction, however, this superbly crafted spy novel is a fantastic read and at least 90% of the conspiracy theories cleverly woven into its brilliant plot are actually based on well documented facts.

 

To read the full review, and others, of The Ninth Orphan go to: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0056I4FKC

 

Happy reading! –Lance & James

 

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