Controversy continues to swirl around the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, with conflicting reports emerging about how soon Ethiopia will begin storing water there.
Read more: http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2016/03/egypt-ethiopia-renaissance-dam-water-storage-nile-dispute.html#ixzz424aXh6L1
The basis of my novel, The Nile Conspiracy, is becoming eerily real. No, don't say 'forboding.' It's a novel...
However, I also just read President el-Sisi (whom I sort of 'replaced' in my novel) is cracking down (well, jailing, actually) novelists for reasons only known to him and his henchmen...
I guess, I better not schedule a trip over there right now! But that shouldn't prevent you from reading Book 5 of my Legends of the Winged Scarab.
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Saturday, March 5, 2016
Friday, February 26, 2016
‘Gods of Egypt’ (The Movie)
Rarely have the lesser gods of Hollywood produced a decent (believable) movie about Ancient Egypt – and this one seems to be no different. In the words of Cecil B. DeMille: "Creativity is a drug I cannot live without." Problem: One needs to take the right drug, or all mayhem breaks loose.
The following is an amusing partial Review by MANOHLA DARGIS as
featured in the New York Times Section of the Egypt Monitor:
Bosomy
damsels and brawny slabs; cheering digital crowds; a lachrymose sphinx; a
bedazzled Geoffrey Rush; a galactic cruise ship; an Egyptian god played by
the Dane Nikolaj Coster-Waldau; the sword-and-sandals enabler Gerard Butler; a smoky monster that from one angle looks like a
fanged doughnut and from another an alarmingly enraged anus — “Gods of Egypt”
attests that they do make them like they used to, or at least like the King of
the Bs, Roger
Corman, once did, except with far more money.
If “Gods of Egypt” were any
worse, it might be a masterpiece.
A glowing threat in “Gods of Egypt.” Credit Lionsgate
It
is instead a demented entertainment, an embarrassment of kitsch riches that, in
between inspiring giggles and snorts, incites you to consider imponderables
like, who greenlighted this, and why? Is there really still a market for
would-be spectaculars with cartoonish effects and self-parodying dialogue
delivered with “Downton Abbey” drawls?
How does a cast like this take shape?
Did Mr. Rush sign on first and the others follow like lemmings? And how did Mr.
Butler, with his furred musculature and marble-mouthed Scottish accent, become
a standard-bearer for midlevel exploitation cinema?
Perhaps, before you head to the movies, you may want to read the entire Review here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/26/movies/gods-of-egypt-review.html
I just happen to have one for you:
Tuesday, February 23, 2016
Genre–Bound?
When I started reading early on in my life, I read
pretty much everything I could get my little hands on, mostly with my parents’
acquiescence. Although, there were those times when I hid some frowned upon
sci-fi pulp—handed to me under the table by no other than my grandmother!—under my mattress,
only to find the cheap pamphlets in my school-book drawer. So much for trying
to deceive a mother.
It didn’t seem there was such a thing as strict
“genre” then; one was more likely to follow an author rather than a set subject
matter. Well, except perhaps the book club offerings my mother had subscribed
to about the pampered mistresses of Europe’s kings. Madame de Pompadour, Madame du Barry, Lola Montez, Désirée.
Yes, even Cleopatra got a bad rap as a courtesan. It was mild 1950s ‘heaving-bosom
eroticism’ foisted upon a romance-hungry readership needing an escape from their
trying post-war struggles or--as in my case--a girl's awakening curiosity.
These days, it seems writers need to package
themselves neatly into specific genres in order to aspire to some measure of loyal followers.
Anything else they might produce is apt to fall by the wayside. And – heaven
forbid – if several genres are combined under one hat, writers are apt to be chided
or – worse – abandoned; although, the imaginative and curious reader might laud
them for not producing cookie-cutter sequels, one after the other, siphoning
off from a first success.
My Legends of the Winged Scarab series, for instance, spins Historical Fiction into a modern-day thriller, to continue with post-apocalyptic adventure, ending with international intrigue - only to loop back to the mysticism of Ancient Egypt.
Then, under the same author name, up pops the sweetest-ever cat together with his animal shelter buddies.
To confound things even more, a book of poems and short stories gets thrown into the fray.
And let's not forget about Edward, Con Extraordinaire, a small "teaser" of things to come for the versatile Brit who keeps popping up in the Legends.
The marketing pundits might say "not smart."
But what’s a writer to do who writes from the heart and not necessarily the head?
I would love to hear how readers feel about it all.
Then, I lastly must admit, there is a novella of perhaps literary pretense. In order to make it more visible (or palatable) the poor thing has endured several title and cover changes.
And just for reading all of the above:
It is On Sale for 99c just for you - February 25 - 29, 2016
Friday, February 19, 2016
Is the Nile Running Dry?
An interesting clip about Egypt's struggle over the waters of the Nile.
It also talks about Mubarak's failed Toshka Project
(mentioned in The Nile Conspiracy).
Thursday, February 18, 2016
Ethiopian Dam Still Under Construction
The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam,
previously scheduled to be finished in 2015,
is still only 50% completed.
Available now for Kindle and in Print at
Friday, February 12, 2016
My Favorite Bad Boy - FREE
February 13 - 17, 2016
on Amazon.com
Edward Guernsey-Crock became such an important character that
several reviewers mention him in their Reviews of The Legends of the Winged Scarab series. (Alas, as time and the
series progress, the delightful Edward turns a lot less ‘charming’ and increasingly
villainous; I enjoyed writing about him. I guess, even good girls become
fascinated with bad boys.)
From The Nile Conspiracy (Book 5):
"Not only
has Borg published four [five] full length books, there is a novella that enlightens us about one of
the main protagonists, Edward. I
haven’t read it yet, but I did buy it, for it seems key to grappling with this
vital character."
"Borg's
narrative is eloquent, witty and stylish; her characters are memorable and
there is a great balance between ironic detachment and powerful dramatic
involvement."
* * *
"Borg
takes her characters and story to different types of adventures and genres."
From The Crystal Curse (Book 4):
"Are there
other books by this author that might also be helpful? An intriguing novella, Edward, Con Extraordinaire, Stories of
Deceit nicely deals with one of the main characters and, due to its
brevity, provides a nice relief."
* * *
"A few
characters [Edward] from the
previous books also make an appearance here to add to Jonathan and Naunet's
discomfort."
From After the Cataclysm (Book 3):
"Borg's
characters all grow in this book, some in ways more pleasant than others." [Oh,
yeah. Edward is becoming slimier by
the day.]
From Sirocco, Storm over Land and Sea (Book 2):
"Edward convinces Naunet to join him for lunch and the
adventure begins... He and Karakurt have taken two of the tablets. They need
Naunet to clear and translate them. She is kidnapped."
*
Several Reviewers could see Edward played by David Niven ("at his most cheeky"); In a movie-version (don't I wish) I see my Brit dashingly portrayed by a younger Charles Dance (as in White Mischief, or Pasquale's Island). What do you think?Wednesday, February 10, 2016
Festival of Drunkenness
In today’s newsletter from an interesting site
called Ancient Origins (- Check it out on the web -) one of the articles is titled,
“Provocative Yet
Sacred: The Ancient Egyptian Festival of Drunkenness.”
Those Ancient Egyptians knew how to live.
Note the Scarab -
My "Legends of the Winged Scarab" fit right in with this story.
(Public Domain)
Monday, February 8, 2016
Rowing Across the Atlantic
In today’s news, an intrepid group of men is setting
out to row across the Atlantic from Portugal all the way down to Venezuela. Not
in a comfy yacht or even sailboat. They are hoping to accomplish this audacious
feat in an open rowboat!
Photo: Tobi Corney
Their projected route is of particular interest to me since I am describing almost the same route (in reverse) in my novel, After the Cataclysm, Book 3 of the Legends of the Winged Scarab series.
Except, I am giving my protagonists a little more protection
against the elements in their 34-foot Pilothouse Fisher, a sturdy sailboat (they make it, too).
Quite a difference, isn't it?
As a sailing enthusiast, my best wishes go
with these men.
I will be following Team
Essence on their progress to their hopefully successful completion all the way.
Sunday, January 31, 2016
FREE Read & Review - Starts Feb 3rd
Still Ongoing:
The Nile Conspiracy
The Nile Conspiracy
will be available from
February 3rd onward for FREE
through the
Read and Review Program
from
The Choosy Bookworm
Sign up and look for The Nile Conspiracy in the Suspense Category.
The Mobi-File will be sent directly by the Author.
Monday, January 18, 2016
Christoph Fischer's LUDWIKA
This is a great opportunity either to continue to enjoy another of
Christoph Fischer's
sensitive treatment of difficult times in history,
or to acquaint yourself with this exceptional writer.
Until January 22
Friday, January 15, 2016
Looming Conflict over Water
Potable water is becoming scarcer all around the
world. Today, The Economist has an
interesting article about Egypt’s growing concern over the scheduled 2017 completion
of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (Map below from the Economist.com).
Comments to the article reveal both sides of the border.
This very dam is the basis of Book 4 of my Legends
of the Winged Scarab,
The Nile Conspiracy.
While it is of
course a fictional account of the looming conflict between the two countries,
one can only wonder about the future of the Blue Nile; and with it, the future of Egypt.
Friday, January 8, 2016
The Crystal Curse - ON SALE
In Celebration of publishing The Nile Conspiracy, Book 5 of the "Legends of the Winged Scarab"
is
ON SALE
for $0.99 (down from $3.99)
From January 8 through 12
While characters from the previous books continue their quests in search of the Golden Tablets, as a story, this latest Adventure/Thriller can stand alone.
Of course, it is always preferable to read the previous stories from at least the modern-day sequels:
Books 2 and 3.
* * *
Unscrupulous
profiteers implement a New World Order. Millions are to be ‘neutralized.’
Pitted
against them are Egyptologist Naunet Wilkins, her scientist husband Jonathan.
They are kidnapped onto a ship carrying a ton of ancient golden tablets
bartered away by former Cairo Museum director Jabari El-Masri.
At a
conference on Malta, the power mongers hammer out their diabolical agenda.
El-Masri lies about wondrous crystals on Crete. He finally admits they only grow deep within
the Lost Labyrinth of Egypt. There, El-Hanash, the Crystal Snake, coils for those who dare defy the Crystal Curse. Who will live? Who will die?
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
Khamsin - A Sandstorm and A Novel
KHAMSIN - On SALE
99c
The ferocious Saharan sandstorm forms the basis of my Historical Fiction Novel, Khamsin, The Devil Wind of The Nile.
Metaphorically speaking, this is a storm within an ancient ba.
"This reawakened soul, an essence that had lived through paradise and cataclysms, was destined yet to live through many other storms for it was a sinner's soul that had not yet found atonement on this earth."
The "khamsin" or "khamasin" or "khamseen," is a vicious sandstorm having devastated Egypt periodically for thousands of years.
The name actually means "Of Fifty Days."
Lucky for modern Man, it rarely lasts fifty days now - but its destruction is equally great in modern times as it was in Ancient Egypt.
THE NILE CONSPIRACY
THE NILE CONSPIRACY
Book 5
Imagine
the mighty Nile running dry due to human interference.
Impossible?
Only too
soon, this very threat may become a devastating reality.
Riveting
adventure and international intrigue find Naunet and Jonathan Wilkins back in
Egypt where the construction of The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam portends a
catastrophe of biblical proportions.
Amidst
their struggle to save an ancient site, the archaeologists are caught up in a
dangerous conspiracy. Their explorations become a death trap when the desperate
Egyptians decide to turn a huge secret underground labyrinth into an emergency
reservoir.
Will
the combined recklessness of two governments explode
into the annihilation of its people?
In
The
Nile Conspiracy, several characters, good and evil, from the series’
preceding volumes are once again pitted against each other, the elements, and
time. The novel captures the struggles of an economically depressed Egypt by combining the challenges of an post-apocalyptic world with the
awe-inspiring legends of an ancient culture.
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