Please Note: The House on Black Lake has been adapted to screenplay. Cinematic trailer and music video with trapeze acts may be viewed on Home Page.

A great way to show your love for someone is by purchasing Cirque Du Soleil tickets, e-cards, music, or gifts. The Cirque shows are arguably the sexiest, most romantic forms of entertainment on earth. You can also join club for future discounts.

As a trapeze student and lover of all forms of performance art I attend every Cirque Du Soleil show that comes to town. Dinner at a romantic restaurant, followed by the show is one of the greatest ways I can imagine to share passion with family, friends, and especially a loved one.

More information on their website:

http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/promo/valentin/extras/extras.aspx

Please Note: [amazon_link id="0982500203" target="_blank" container="" container_class="" ]The House on Black Lake [/amazon_link]has been adapted to screenplay. Go to Home Page to view trailer and music video for contemporary gothic suspense.

The film adaptation of [amazon_link id="0307745317" target="_blank" container="" container_class="" ]The Woman in Black[/amazon_link] by Susan Hill has given a shot of newfound interest to the gothic genre. The classic haunted house that contains dramas of the old inhabitants played against the struggles of contemporary guests will likely always find an audience. The film features Daniel Radcliffe in a role that suits him well, post Harry Potter. If you enjoy the book and film, perhaps you might desire to take a journey to Black Lake.

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

Please Note: The House on Black Lake has been adapted to screenplay. Go to Home Page to view provocative trailer and music video based on scene from novel.

Game of Thrones HBO series will return in April to continue the story based on the best selling novel. It is a glorious show with fantastic acting, beautiful scenery, and intense scenes that bring to life the wonderful story created by George R.R. Martin. The long five books beginning with "[amazon_link id="0553386794" target="_blank" container="" container_class="" ]A Song of Fire and Ice[/amazon_link]" are filled with romance, passion, and danger.  If you have not yet read the books then you must - [amazon_link id="0307292134" target="_blank" container="" container_class="" ]Game of Thrones[/amazon_link]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=rOzXsqoJhtE

Join me on March 10, 2012 at Make it Right Foundations benefit. The evening of March 10 Brad Pitt and Ellen DeGeneres are hosting "A Night to Make It Right" at the Hyatt Regency, featuring a celebrity guest list.

NOIR CITY celebrates its 10th anniversary as the world's most popular film noir festival with a 10-day extravaganza featuring San Francisco treats, a Dashiell Hammett marathon, freshly preserved 35mm rarities, by-popular-demand encore screenings, surprises galore, and super special guest star ANGIE DICKINSON! Join us January 20-29, 2012 for what promises to be the darkest and most delirious incarnation yet of San Francisco's most popular classic film festival: NOIR CITY!

Among the rarities being presented this year: a brand new 35mm print of 1949's The Great Gatsby, starring Alan Ladd as F. Scott Fitzgerald's legendary lovelorn hero. The film has been buried for decades, but Muller's perseverance persuaded Universal Pictures to strike a preservation print for NOIR CITY. The studio also is providing a brand new 35mm print of 1954's Naked Alibi, starring noir's favorite bad girl, Gloria Grahame. The Film Noir Foundation has also funded a new 35mm preservation of the "lost" 1946 classic Three Strangers, which had no viewable prints and has never been released on DVD. NOIR CITY is also proud to have been chosen to premiere the Film Foundation's recently completed preservation of the superb 1950 Michael Curtiz film The Breaking Point, starring John Garfield.

Everyone Comes to Eddie's,
The NOIR CITY Nightclub

Swedish American Hall , 2174 Market St.
(within walking distance of the Castro Theatre!)

TO BETTER ACCOMMODATE OUR NOIR CITY PATRONS, THE TICKET PRICE FOR EVERYONE COMES TO EDDIE'S HAS BEEN REDUCED TO $40 PER TICKET BEGINNING WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25! WE WANT EVERYONE TO CELEBRATE NOIR CITY'S 10TH ANNIVERSARY ON SATURDAY NIGHT, JANUARY 28!

NOTICE: For those individuals who have already purchased a $75 NOIR CITY Nightclub ticket, the Film Noir Foundation will refund your $35 on Saturday night at the door to "Eddie's"

Swinging lounge tunes, torrid torch songs, classic burlesque, and a helping of neo-noir rock-and-roll is the bill of fare Saturday night, January 28, 2012, as the NOIR CITY film festival breaks out of the majestic Castro Theatre to present Everyone Comes to Eddie's, a swanky, sexy, and slightly sinister soiree in which the Swedish American Hall is transformed into a vintage 1940s-era nightclub. The one-night special event is an added celebration of NOIR CITY's 10th anniversary. Performances include the mid-century musical stylings of Mr. Lucky and the Cocktail Party with Ralph Carney, vintage noir-inspired torch songs from the luscious Laura Ellis, spectacular striptease from world-renowned burlesque beauty Evie Lovelle, and the dark, mysterious, and danceable sounds of Kansas City's The Latenight Callers, described as "the house band at David Lynch's pool party." Expect more surprises as the night unfolds! "People who make a point of attending all the films on the festival schedule need not fear," said impresario Eddie Muller. "We're running the same double bill that day and night at the Castro, so you can see films in the afternoon and party that night." Cocktail attire preferred.

Tickets for the show, a fundraiser for the Film Noir Foundation, are now priced at $40 each (as of January 25). Admission includes hors d'oeuvres and an open bar, plus entertainment. NOIR CITY Passports do not grant party admission. Separate ticket required. Sorry, no passes. Tickets are now available at the Castro Theatre or online through Brown Paper Tickets.

Protect freedom of speach. Sign petition against SOPA and PIPA today.

http://sopastrike.com/strike

The 2012 Edwardian Faire and Ball will be held in San Francisco on January 20-21,  I plan to attend to get inspiration for my  nearly complete new novel. "The Chamber of Curiosities" is a love story between a charismatic circus freak and a beautiful young trapeze artist set in carnival on a bastion overlooking the sea in land on the brink of revolution. 

More information about the event, including evocative pictures, maybe be found at:

http://edwardianball.com/2012-events

What, dare say, is The Edwardian Ball?

THE EDWARDIAN BALL is an elegant and whimsical celebration of art, music, theatre, fashion, technology, circus, and the beloved creations of the late, great author Edward Gorey. Set in “Edwardian” times, this multi-media festival has grown over the past decade from a small underground club night into an internationally recognized event, even earning the blessing of The Edward Gorey Charitable Trust.

Costumed and enthusiastic attendees, traveling from as far as Australia, Japan, and the UK, flock to this San Francisco tradition for a delightful blend of ballroom dancing, live music, riveting stage shows, DJs, fine art galleries, a vending marketplace, absinthe cocktails, steam machinery, parlour games, sideshows, and more. All ages are welcome and appropriate in this darkly humorous and elegant setting, where literary aficionados rub elbows with insect-like creatures parading on stilts… where historically-accurate Edwardian recreationists waltz by a steam-powered tea garden… where the only guiding rule is that you join in on the fun!

The Edwardian Ball has been called “the quintessential must-not-miss event of the year,” “a defining annual San Francisco tradition,” and “a literary circus of the highest caliber” for good reason… come see for yourself!

Please note: The House on Black Lake has been adapted to screenplay - go to Home Page to see teaser trailer

Please note: Go to Home Page to view cinematic trailer and new music video for [amazon_link id="0982500203" target="_blank" container="" container_class="" ]The House on Black Lake[/amazon_link].

Scene from "The House on Black Lake" trailer

Every romance novel has at least one sexy hero, many books have numerous objects of desire. Each individual has their own notion of what is sexually appealing, so all tastes are different. However, there are a number of alphas who appeal to a broad range of women and are consistently mentioned as the sexiest of the breed.

In the [amazon_link id="0982500203" target="_blank" container="" container_class="" ]House on Black Lake[/amazon_link] there are three alphas competing for the sexiest slot, although only one will merge a hero.  Ramey Sandeley is the scion of an old Montreal family as well as a successful entrepreneur with preternatural good looks and devilish charm, Georgie La Pointe a glamorous French Canadian rock star with a flare for dangerous love, and sultry French artist Andre Labat a master of romance and seduction.

The top 25 sexiest heroes are in no particular order.

1. Thomas Walker - [amazon_link id="051513399X" target="_blank" container="" container_class="" ]Smoke in Mirors[/amazon_link] by Jane Anne Krentz

2 Luthor Malone- [amazon_link id="B0040RMFJS" target="_blank" container="" container_class="" ]Running Hot [/amazon_link]by Jane Anne Krentz

3. Rafe McCay - [amazon_link id="0671019724" target="_blank" container="" container_class="" ]The Touch of Fire[/amazon_link] by Linda Howard

4. Elvis Donnelly - [amazon_link id="1420117165" target="_blank" container="" container_class="" ]Exposure[/amazon_link] by Susan Andersen

5. Jacob Caitlin - [amazon_link id="B0000AA9K6" target="_blank" container="" container_class="" ]Tell Me No Lies[/amazon_link] by Elizabeth Lowell

6. Jack Sheridan - [amazon_link id="077832978X" target="_blank" container="" container_class="" ]Virgin River[/amazon_link] by Robyn Carr

7. Joe Ramsey - [amazon_link id="0061136093" target="_blank" container="" container_class="" ]Tempt Me Tonight[/amazon_link] by Toni Blake

8. Derek Taggart - [amazon_link id="B002VPE86O" target="_blank" container="" container_class="" ]Kept[/amazon_link] by Jami Alden

9. Iain MacKinnon - [amazon_link id="0425244946" target="_blank" container="" container_class="" ]Surrender[/amazon_link] by Pamela Clare

10. Dageus Mackeltar - [amazon_link id="0440237556" target="_blank" container="" container_class="" ]The Dark Highlander[/amazon_link] by Karen Marie Moning

11. Alex Markov - [amazon_link id="0380782332" target="_blank" container="" container_class="" ]Kiss An Angel[/amazon_link] by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

12. Jared Maxwell - [amazon_link id="0373766750" target="_blank" container="" container_class="" ]Condition of Marriage[/amazon_link] by Emilie Rose

13. James Diaz - [amazon_link id="0345453425" target="_blank" container="" container_class="" ]Cry no More[/amazon_link] by Linda Howard

14. Burke Halifax - [amazon_link id="1599982579" target="_blank" container="" container_class="" ]Betting Hearts[/amazon_link] by Dee Tenorio

15. Colby - [amazon_link id="B0030N6DUK" target="_blank" container="" container_class="" ]Guilty Needs[/amazon_link] by Shiloh Walker

16. Theo Buchanan - [amazon_link id="0671034022" target="_blank" container="" container_class="" ]Mercy[/amazon_link] by Julie Garwood

17 Max - [amazon_link id="0446326925" target="_blank" container="" container_class="" ]Wild Orchids[/amazon_link] by Karen Robards

18. Hunter Hawksworth - [amazon_link id="038078145X" target="_blank" container="" container_class="" ]Stranger in My Arms[/amazon_link] by Lisa Kleypas

19. Derek Craven - [amazon_link id="038077352X" target="_blank" container="" container_class="" ]Dreaming of You[/amazon_link] by Lisa Kleypas

20. Jacob Jarmon - [amazon_link id="1558176985" target="_blank" container="" container_class="" ]Tender Torment[/amazon_link] by J. Archer

21. Zsadist - [amazon_link id="0451219368" target="_blank" container="" container_class="" ]Lover Awakened[/amazon_link]by J.R. Ward

22. Jamie - [amazon_link id="0440423201" target="_blank" container="" container_class="" ]Outlander [/amazon_link]by Diana Galandon

23. Broderick - [amazon_link id="1451648332" target="_blank" container="" container_class="" ]Ransom[/amazon_link] by Julie Garwood

24. Bones - [amazon_link id="0061245089" target="_blank" container="" container_class="" ]Night Huntress[/amazon_link] by Jeaniene Frost

25. Ethan MacCarrick - [amazon_link id="1416503617" target="_blank" container="" container_class="" ]If You Deceive[/amazon_link] by Kresley Cole

The following article was written by Michael Hiltzik for the Los Angeles Times, March 16, 2006.

Note from Author: A terrifying experience in a haunted house on an island in Montreal segued with cruel treatment in the chambers of a private judge, and "The House on Black Lake" was born. The use of private judges is only legal in a few states, but what is most disturbing are the states  that allow laymen attorney to don the robe of a judge and precide over trials.

                                                                                         ***

       You don't need me to tell you how grand it is to be rich in California. You don't have to care about the condition of public education because your kids go to private school. You don't have to worry about higher park fees, because you can lock up access to your private beach and hire thugs to run off any riffraff who get near the water. You don't have to do your own gardening, because there are plenty of illegals around to trim your perennials.

        And you don't have to subject yourself to litigating your private disputes in open court, because you can buy yourself a judge to run interference for you - under cover of the state Constitution, no less.

        If your private judge violates state judicial rules and bends the public court system to your personal ends, what's the downside? Your judge is outside the reach of the state's disciplinary system for misbehaving jurists. If your case happens to involve matters of manifest public importance and interest, too bad about the public. After all, the system belongs to you.

        Many states allow retired judges to fulfill limited judicial roles - as referees in evidentiary disputes or as fill-in udges to relieve docket gridlock, for example. But California, apparently uniquely, is much more liberal. Its Constitution allows attorneys and ex-judges to conduct actual trials in the guise of temporary jurists. Once selected by litigants, they're sworn in as Superior Court judges and endowed with almost all the powers and authority of any active judge.

        They then proceed to abuse their power. Documents and hearings in the cases before them are supposed to be public, but often the papers don't end up in public files, trial schedules are kept secret, and even those that leak out are held in private offices behind layers of security. The sealing of a court document is an important decision that involves a core principle of the public judicial system; these judges do it all the time, secretly, simply by sticking sensitive papers in their briefcases and dodging requests for access.

        So justice ends up belonging, like a private preserve, to the rich and powerful - indeed, anyone who can pay a judge $400-$500 an hour. It's unsurprising that the public knows little about this system because the judicial establishment isn't even sure how widespread it is; court clerks don't keep a tally of how many cases are tried by privately temporary judges.

        Instead of reining in this system, the Legislature is preparing to expand it. A bill to give temporary judges the authority to seal many documents in divorce  cases is currently moving through Sacramento, despite  evidence that temporary judges have overstepped their nonexistent authority in the past.

        The corrosive influence of this two-tier system is hardly a secret. In 1992 when a plan to expand the authority of private judges came into consideration by the court administration came up for consideration Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Robert H. O'Brien complained in a letter that that a double tier system - one for the wealthy, one for the poor (or even not so wealthy)" was a "real evil." He dismissed the complaint that public dockets were jammed - as a "feeble rationalization" for the creation of a money making scheme.

        One corrupting feature of the process is the immunity of privately from from disciplinary action. The state commission on judicial performance, which has the power to remove ordinary judges from the bench, has no jurisdiction overy temporary judges, even when they misbehave. Even a county's  judge is powerless to force temporary judges to comply with local procedural rules.

        Why should we care about this? Not only because the very idea of a two-tier justice should enrage every citizen but also because as conditions get better for the privileged they become worse for everyone else. As long as the wealthy and powerful can buy their own civil justice the system goes to hell, and the road to its collapse will become even steeper.

The complete article may be viewed at:

http://articles.latimes.com/2006/mar/16/business/fi-golden16