A Video Portal to the Dark Ages

By Cornelia Amiri

Immortalized in the ancient epic poem, the 6^th century warrior Beowulf is coming to the big screen this month. In his honor, in addition to a review on that movie trailer, are ten book video reviews with a Dark Age theme.

1.  Beowulf

View the two large movie trailers for the November 16^th release of Beowulf, "forever king, forever strong, mighty beyond imagination." Based on the oldest epic tale in the English language and brought to the screen with the modern technology of digitally enhanced live-action. "They say you have a monster here. I am Beowulf, I will kill your monster." http://www.apple.com/trailers/paramount/beowulf/

2.  Of Water and Dragons by Kelley Heckart

Experience ancient Britain like never before. The trailer features the heroine of the story, Nemu, as shown on the book cover, a half human/half fey woman allied with the northern tribes in the war against the invading Romans. The enchanting background music is a perfect fit.

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=CelticChick9

3.  Wind Follower by Carole Mcdonnell

Upbeat, rhythmic drum music along with stunning images sweeps the viewer away to medieval Africa in this trailer of the Christian/Romance novel, Wind Follower. Imagine the sacred lost book of the creator is in the hands of the enemy who conquered and oppressed your people.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W79CuWwRqFU

4.  The Duke's Handmaid by Caprice Hokstad

Escape to another world, to the enchanted kingdom of Latoph, where an orphaned farm girl and a prince discover adventure, mystery, and romance. The soft, romantic tune is a fitting choice for the medieval themed story and images.  
www.Latoph.com

5.  Thwarting Magic by Ann Tracy Marr

This trailer is a magical mix of dramatic classical music, professional narration, and bewitching light show images depicting the Camelot inspired Regency/Fantasy, Thwarting Magic by Ann Tracy Marr, in which Merlin and the round table are real.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ixrTLYvZ-5E

6.  One Heart One Way by Cornelia Amiri

An ancient god, a magic sword, and a hot prince named Blaise. The images are accompanied by a traditional Welsh tune, The Doleful King of the Ghost by Mickie & Elizabeth from CelticWeddingMusic.net. The images include a breathtaking photo by Daniel Andrew of Dinnas Bran where One Heart One Way is set.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=coEb_yxIDOc

7.  The Warlord's Woman by Tracy L. Ranson

Wills clash and passion erupts as a man driven by hate kidnaps Catherine of Scotland, a woman destined to be queen. Falling in love was not supposed to be part of the bargain. The image of Alexander of Kent is simply scrumptious. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSKrEfdgHBk

8. The Hidden Stars Trailer by Madeline Howard

A sorceress and self proclaimed dark goddess rises to power, all hope seems lost, until a perilous quest begins. Shot in the San Francisco Bay area with the help of SCA members. The music was composed for the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J30cPmDVQQ8

9.  The Vixen Princess by Cornelia Amiri

A fiery middle aged widow is thrown together with a dark warrior by a matchmaking ghost in 5^th century England. The ghost has his work cut out for him as these two would rather fight than love. Will a little haunting be enough to unlock these two warrior hearts?  The accompanying Celtic music is a perfect fit for this Arthurian age tale.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laC3wuKVkV4

10.  The Lady of Serpents by Douglas Clegg

The Queen of Wolves waits for him to come to her. This book trailer is for the newly released paperback of Douglas Clegg's novel, The Lady of Serpents, Book Two of The Vampyricon. Rich, haunting music blended with mystical chanting adds to the black and white stills which stunningly transform into moving, color film.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMWG6Byf3u4

11.  Darius Prince of Legend by L. M. Owens

A bargain made between a wizard and a peasant girl unleashes a catastrophic chain of events, leaving the people of Scottshire in need of a savior. The background music by Brodigan Bards adds to the medieval images and gives you a good feel of place and time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7W4VyG1C2Y

Paranormal Peaks for Halloween

by Cornelia Amiri

Get in the Halloween/Samhain spirit with these ten spine-tingling book videos, full of magic and romance, which add enchantment to the bewitching season.

1. THE PASSENGER by Joie Lesin

The haunting, bittersweet music is a masterful fit for this suspenseful book video for Joie Lesin's Paranormal/Historical Romance set in 1945, The Passenger. The signs forewarn Elizabeth Reilly that a ghostly visitor seeks her aid to pass from this realm to the next. A spirited video trailer for a dead on, perfect book to curl up in bed with on All Hallows Eve.

http://www.joielesin.com/movie.html

2. PROPHECY: CHILD OF LIGHT by F E Heaton

Rising symphonic music lends a wicked atmos-fear to this EBook trailer for the paranormal romance Prophecy: Child of Light by F E Heaton. A young female vampire of pure blood is about to discover she is not all she seems to be, a truth about her had been hidden.  Kidnapped by her executioner, in love with the enemy, and hunted by her kind, she is destined to save or destroy the world as the battle begins. Part of the Vampires Realm series. http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=tOv3e7M8qNA

3. SOUL GUARDIAN by Tara Manderino

This fang-tastic trailer and book are sure to put you in the Halloween mood. Soul Guardian by Tara Manderino is a romance with a twist, with a vampire hero and a psychic heroine. In the struggle between good and evil, ancient vampires seek revenge and innocent souls need protection. The dramatic music adds to the video's suspense. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ununc6nIVU

4. A MIDNIGHT INFATUATION by Christie Silvers

A cliffhanger book video with a bite, featuring the vampire hero and werewolf heroine from Christie Silvers' new novel, A Midnight Infatuation. It begins with a scent. A 150 year old vampire is infatuated by a beautiful female werewolf. After her own pack attacks her, Fiona lies dying on the forest floor.  Alex is forced to do what vampires do, turn her. But Fiona's werewolf pack is still hot on her trail. This trailer is for a new release, October 1, just in time for a Halloween read.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMIjlL2fCZU

5. LOVE & LORE     

This book video for, the Love & Lore anthology from Samhain Publishing, is a journey to the heart of Celtic Legend. This sultry brew of Celtic lore is a mix of three novellas which will lure you into a labyrinth of the old myths and the old ways: Wildish Things by Carolan Ivey, A Fairy Special Gift by Gia Dawn and Heart of the Sea by Sela Carson. Discover the magic of this new anthology, coming November 1.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=o5daEFcVeaI

6. THE WAKEFIELD DISTURBANCE by Susanne Marie Knight

A hauntingly good, spine-tingling trailer for the new novel, The Wakefield Disturbance by Susanne Marie Knight, coming February 2008. Psychic, Lara Wakefield communicates with the dead. Is it a gift or a curse? From beyond the grave, a young, murdered girl employs Lara to find her killer. The Murderer objects. A reluctant private investigator, who wants nothing to do with supernatural phenomena, is called in to help.  Can he protect Lara when the killer is one step ahead?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tTLQySlNAk .

7. MUST LOVE DRAGONS by Stephanie Rowe

I loved this book, so it was a bonus to watch the video. Must Love Dragons by Stephanie Rowe has dragons, dragon slayers, guardians, and a hilarious love struck Satan in it. An internet-dating dragon wants to meet the man of her dreams, so she makes a deal with Satan to get a human body. But her internet hunk turns out to be a dragon slayer? What's a dragon/girl to do? The trailer, set against jazzy, upbeat music is almost as must fun as the book. A great Halloween treat.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=8LePf4JkHnw

8. LEGEND OF THE BLACK DRAGON by Julie D'Arcy'

Take a Drake Break this Halloween with the book video Legend of the Black Dragon. Julie D'Arcy has hatched a delectable treat, sweeter than ripe dragon-fruit with her trailer and novel, Legend of the Black Dragon. Brimming with high fantasy, dark sorcery, legend, myth, and romance, this trailer depicts a dramatic, draconic saga of soul mates who battle an invincible foe.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=nsV1MSYUjWA

9. WARRIOR'S WITCH by Mackenzie McKade

This spellbinding BookPeek of love and magic will cast the Halloween mood over you.  Half man/ half beast, he comes to change her life forever. Fate will bind them Betrayal will test them Will love and magic keep them together? Spend this Halloween with the Warrior's Witch by Mackenzie McKade.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=tCTvykBaVH4

10. WICKED MAGIC by Cheyenne McCray

This bewitchingly enchanting bookpeak and novel is a magical brew for Halloween. In Wicked Magic, a winged warrior awakens wicked desires in a gifted witch as a new menace rises from the underworld to threaten her secret and her love.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=HlDZbl5sB_Y

TV on the Internet on Video

by Cornelia Amiri

I always think of September as Back to School & New Television Month. So for September's Surf the Net, I've lined up ten, top TV shows on video on the Internet.  

1. Dharma Initiative Video Clip

Sneak Peak at Lost Season 4

This lost Dharma Initiative training tape exposes Station 6, also known as the Orchid, which, you will discover, was not for botanical research but a volatile and dangerous field of study. What were those Dharma people really up to? This tape will ignite your cravings for the new season, you'll feel lost without Lost.  But when you watch this film, just as with the show, you'll come away with more questions than answers. http://www.lostfanatics.com/Lost_Season_4_Premiere_Sneak_Peek.html 

2. Ugly Betty

Best Amanda Moments.

FYI, it's Amanda, the Receptionist we all love to hate. For all you who love Betty, here are clips of best Amanda moments. The highlights are those with the gray rubber dress.  "It's an Oswell Lorenzo. The Amanda"  When she's in the restroom stall crying out for help, I almost died laughing. Hilarious.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=bLXGmOAKVSQ

3. Project Runway

Mad-TV

Designers . . . Designers . . . Designers. Who's in and who's out. Mad TV is in with this funny, funny, funny spoof on The Fashion World's best Reality as we "carry on" awaiting the next season.   Project Runway fans will fall to the floor with laughter throughout this video. "I love babies"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upVwAqCM7fg

4. The Closer

American Woman

Video clips form the Closer with Deputy Chief Brenda Johnson and Fritz, her FBI boyfriend, and Brenda with her detectives, Brenda interrogating the bad guys, and Brenda alone with her Ding Dongs played to American Woman by the Guess Who.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=of9LHfSOPXc

5. CSI

Endless Caruso One Liners

"I'm Horatio Caine, and this much I know. At CSI Miami we never Close." Great editing in these clips of corny one-liners by David Caruso on CSI Miami. Complete with dramatic pauses and the cool gesture of Horatio sliding on the dark shades just before speaking. After all, It's Miami, everyone wears sunglasses.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=_sarYH0z948

6. Big Love

Big Love - HBO 2nd Season Promo

Second wife, Nikki's oldest son who is also Bill's second son, Wayne, narrates this synopsis of the main characters with the innocent outlook of a child.   The video is full of symbolism (Nikki sharpening the knives, Ben pushing Margene on the swing, Barbara serving everyone-mothering everyone, the sadness in Sarah's eyes, the darkening sky at the onset of a sudden storm.) This is the promo for season two which recently ended. The promo for season three hasn't come out yet. I have to say this is a show that really hooks you, so much happens in each episode, just as so much happens in this trailer.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=r2NS2e28GPE&mode=related&search =

7. HBO's True Blood

Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse series

Yes Yes Yes Sookie Stackhouse and all the Shreveport vamps, shape shifters, witches, fairies, and demons will soon hit HBO. Production on the series begins this fall. Six Feet Under" creator Alan Ball is "switching from the dead to the undead" with True Blood, based on Charlene Harris' Southern Vampire series. If it's half as good as the books it'll be a great hit. I can't wait.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=_7iD70tamoM

Photos of the set http://www.charlaineharris.com/trueblood_press.html

8. Simpsons

Evolution Introduction

"Global warming did not eat my homework." The Simpsons always deliver chuckles and laughs as it makes the ridiculous subline, like this evolution introduction from The Simpsons season 18 episode 16 (Homerazzi). Freaking b(more)rilliant, hilarious, and strange.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEyt8qqaWD8

9. Top Chef

Weird Al Yakovich – EAT It.

All you Top Chef fans will love this laugh out loud music video of clips from season one, set to the song 'Eat It' by Weird Al Yankovic. "don't want to hear about what kind of food you hate" "Just get an egg and beat it" Superb Editing! (more )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xotY2Mt__iw

10. Tudors

Fix You

Speaking of eating, Jonathan Rhys Meyers is so yummy.  This video, featuring the kingly hunk, is an amazing fit of the song Fix You with clips of Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII burning up the screen from the first season of Showtime's Tudors. I can't wait for season two. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKG1XhL_f-w 

ABOUT THIS AUTHOR: Cornelia Amiri's Celtic Romance novels, The Fox Prince and One Heart, One Way are currently available through Awe-Struck E-books/Earthling Press http://www.awe-struck.net/. Also her paranormal romance, Danger Is Sweet, (a selkie story) is now available. Visit her website to read the first three chapters free and to enter her monthly contest.

Cornelia's Tales of Historical Romance
http://www.authorsden.com/visit/author.asp?AuthorID=4165

E-mail This Author: Coramiri@yahoo.com

*No part of this article may be reproduced without written permission from the author. (c) 2007

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