Daily Archives: April 21, 2016


William Shakespeare – The Anniversary

April 21, 2016 commemorates the 400th anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare. A writer of such stature who was able to leave the world an enormous collection of poetic plays and historical accounts it leaves you breathless. A giant in the literary world.

Here is a little round up of some events paying a tribute to the Bard. To commemorate this special date the Royal Mail has commissioned a set of stamps honoring him.

The Royal Mint has created several commemorative coins for this special occasion. No doubt these will be serious collectors pieces, but be careful not to spend them!

While there why not check out the coins commemorating HRH Queen Elizabeth 2 90th birthday?

This is just a small number of special things occurring to honor William Shakespeare. For now.

In honor of this day here is a little rewind of previous Shakespeare posts to refresh your memory about the man’s greatness.

A sonnet by Shakespeare.

A sonnet read by Kim Cattrall.

Twelfth Night.

How to celebrate Shakespeare’s birthday. Or save this for Saturday.

Romeo and Juliet.

Don’t know where to start? This will help.

Whatever you do read, listen or watch some Shakespeare. And be staggered at his genius.


The Darkening | Book Spotlight!!!

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TITLE: The Darkening

AUTHOR: Chandler McGrew

ISBN (eBook): 9781941286500

PRICE: US $5.99 eBook

CATEGORY: Mystery / Thriller / Suspense

PAGES: 448 pages

FILE SIZE: 826 KB

PUB DATE: July 1, 2015

Literature / Fiction

DESCRIPTION:

Everywhere, electrical power suddenly ceases, the Sun dims, cities come to a halt, and
inhabitants vanish. A terrifying chaos grips the world. But a small, clandestine group of warriors has been preparing for this moment for centuries. Everyone’s hopes rest on two strangers, a thousand miles apart, who hold the keys to the world’s survival: Dylan Barnes and Lucy Devereau. He, a martial arts instructor teaching the art of inner balance, but plagued by shadows only he can see and voices only he can hear. She, a private investigator earning a living by trolling the lives of others, but haunted by birth-right–and the mystery of her true parents. Now, as the world around them fades to black—perhaps forever—Lucy and Dylan find themselves on the front lines of a deadly battle against something ancient, horrifying; impossibly dark.

AUTHOR BIO:

Although he is the author of four critically acclaimed supernatural/suspense thrillers, Chandler McGrew, lives in quiet seclusion in the mountains of Maine. He writes ten to twelve hours a day, fueled by liberal doses of coffee and Pepsi, with only an occasional dollop of single malt scotch to take the edge off. Born in Texas he lived for almost a decade in Alaska where his first novel, Cold Heart, is set. I Love a Mystery called the book a ‘tense and satisfying read.’ While the Contra Costa Times said it was ‘The best opening 10 pages I’ve read this year…reads like a good martini tastes: icy cold, with flecks of terror where the ice chips should be.’ Not a bad start for a man who didn’t begin to write professionally until he was in his forties. Chandler followed Cold Heart with Night Terror, a psychological thriller about a woman who has lost her only son and believes she may be losing her mind as well. Like all his novels the book is peopled by characters who might be your next door neighbor. Or they might be escapees from a boobie hatch. The Denver Post said the novel ‘…plays on the primal fears that cause most adults to lose sleep.’ That’s an adequate description of all of Chandler’s work. The Darkening, his third book, is a dark, apocalyptic thriller in which two very different individuals must not only find each other but themselves as well before discovering the path that will lead them to salvation. Publisher’s Weekly, the industry standard, said of the book that it was an “addictive…one part Rapture drama, one part Lovecraftian horror story, one part blood-soaked chase… a thrilling one-sit read.” Which brings us to In Shadows, McGrew’s latest which the Chicago Tribune called “…a born-to- be-a-TV-series story.” McGrew has the uncanny knack for touching readers and frightening the bejeesus out of them at the same time.

PRAISE FOR THE DARKENING:

“Cleverly written in a spiritual style that calls to mind Dean Koontz’s recent (and better) works… an exciting delight – a trip into realms some feared would never be explored again.”

– Best Reviews.com

“Addictive…one part Rapture drama, one part Lovecraftian horror story, one part blood-soaked chase… a thrilling one-sit read.”

– Publisher’s Weekly

CONTACT:

Jillian Ports, General Manager

Astor + Blue Editions

1441 Broadway, Suite 5015 New York, NY 10018

646-569-5565

jports@astorandblue.com

www.astorandblue.com

 


Happy Birthday Your Royal Majesty!

Happy 90th Birthday to Queen Elizabeth!!!!!

Queen Elizabeth's 90th Birthday

How awesome is that?! She looks absolutely fantastic for being 90 years old and the longest-ever reigning monarch.

In celebration, let’s listen to the wonderful Choir of Westminster Abbey sing Zadok the Priest. If the title doesn’t ring any bells, start listening to it and you’ll definitely recognize it!