Bookie Brunch: Trick or Treat! (Oct. 23-31) - 'Dracula'

Welcome to Bookie Brunch: Trick or Treat!

The revels have begun...

Oct. 23-31

Welcome to Bookie Brunch: Trick or Treat! The first blog hop was a Bookie Brunch special event for Halloween, and it was a lot of fun, so we're just continuing the tradition.

On each blog stop from now through Halloween, a blogger or vlogger will have a handpicked Halloween treat to share with you - it might be a video clip, or a feature about great spooky films, a playlist of great, creepy songs, a recipe for treats, or a gallery of witches.

It might be anything! But it's sure to be something fun, so feel free to drop by each day from October 23-31, to pick up some cute treats to put you in the Halloween mood. All the treats will be added into the linky at the end of this post, so feel free to browse.

Just click on any of badges at the end of the post, to find a new treat! There'll be some fun new things to enjoy every day, all week (Oct. 23-31).

Here's a treat from Random Magic Tour - The Coven

The treat: Dim the lights and turn up the speakers as you enjoy a theatrical reading of that spookiest of creepy tales, Dracula.

Notes (via Librivox): Bram Stoker did not invent the vampire story, but he popularized it with his classic 1897 novel. In form, Dracula is an epistolary novel, told through a series of journal entries, letters, newspaper articles, and telegrams. 

It begins with lawyer Jonathan Harker's perilous journey to Castle Dracula in Transylvania, and chronicles the vampire's invasion of England, where he preys upon the lovely Lucy Westenra. Summary by Elizabeth Klett, artwork shown above courtesy of TheCount68. Technical details: 18:02:32, MP3 format, free download, streamable. Alternate audio book version is available here.

CLICK TO START

About Bookie Brunch: Bookie Brunch was a weekly book discussion founded by Sasha Soren, the author of Random Magic. Browse archive

get the InLinkz code

get the InLinkz code

A Fanciful Twist's Halloween party 2012 (Oct. 27)

Hi! Thanks for stopping by for Random Magic Tour's treat for A Fanciful Twist's Halloween party. For this stop, we're sharing a classic movie treat. So, dim the lights and pull out some popcorn, and treat yourself to a romantic, scary movie - Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.

Shown above: Preview the trailer for this film

About (Via IMDB): When Victor Frankenstein rejects the artificial man he just created, the monster escapes and later swears bitter revenge on his creator.

Shown above: Mary Shelley, circa 1840. Artist was Richard Rothwell.

The novel, Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus, was written by novelist Mary Shelley. The first edition of her novel was published anonymously in London, England, in 1818, and the story of Frankenstein and his pitiable creature have since been adapted into dozens of movie versions.

As a Halloween treat, we present the 1994 film version of this Gothic classic, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, courtesy of broadcaster Crackle. This film is recommended for mature audiences only. Running time: 2:03:12, rated R, age verification will be requested before streaming begins.

Crackle's summary of the film: In the most famous horror story of all time, young Victor Frankenstein (Kenneth Branagh, who also directed) leaves Geneva for the university, leaving behind his adopted sister Elizabeth (Helena Bonham Carter), with whom he is wildly in love.

Inspired by the sinister Professor Waldman (John Cleese), Victor becomes obsessed and reclusive as he experiments with the possibilities of man-made creation. But one night, as his creature (Robert De Niro) struggles to life, Victor realizes too late the full horror of what he has done, and vainly tries to destroy his abominable creation.

Believing the creature has perished of cholera, Victor returns home and makes plans for his marriage. Alone, despised and driven by a rage born of emotional agony, the creature sets off to find his maker, and so begins the nightmare that will engulf Victor Frankenstein and all those he loves. In this suspenseful horror tale, film legend Robert DeNiro brings a frightening realism to his portrayal of the tragic creature created, then abandoned, by Victor Frankenstein. 

CLICK TO BEGIN WATCHING

If you can't get enough Halloween events to suit you, or you're just on the lookout for more interesting events this month, you might also enjoy...

CLICK to find some treats

CLICK to find some Austenian treats

CLICK for the schedule and goodies info

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ENTER to win this cute prize bundle 

(Offer valid from Oct. 21 through Nov. 21, 2012)

Shown above: Oscar Wilde action figure, part of cute prize bundle listed above. Feel free to click above to browse and enter if this tickles your fancy, and have fun...

Thanks for stopping by, and Happy Halloween!

Bookie Brunch: Trick or Treat! (Oct. 23-31)

Welcome to Bookie Brunch: Trick or Treat

The revels have begun...

Oct. 23-31

Hi! Welcome to Bookie Brunch: Trick or Treat! The first blog hop was a Bookie Brunch special event for Halloween, and it was a lot of fun, so we're just continuing the tradition.

On each blog stop from now through Halloween, a blogger or vlogger will have a handpicked Halloween treat to share with you - it might be a video clip, or a feature about great spooky films, a playlist of great, creepy songs, a recipe for treats, or a gallery of witches.

It might be anything! But it's sure to be something fun, so feel free to drop by each day from October 23-31, to pick up some cute treats to put you in the Halloween mood. All the treats will be added into the linky at the end of this post, so feel free to browse.

Here's a treat from Random Magic Tour - The Coven

The treat: Dim the lights and turn up the speakers, to enjoy a free audio book experience - a theatrical reading of one of the spookiest of deliciously creepy tales, Dracula.

Notes (via Librivox): Bram Stoker did not invent the vampire story, but he popularized it with his classic 1897 novel. In form, Dracula is an epistolary novel, told through a series of journal entries, letters, newspaper articles, and telegrams. It begins with lawyer Jonathan Harker's perilous journey to Castle Dracula in Transylvania, and chronicles the vampire's invasion of England, where he preys upon the lovely Lucy Westenra. Summary by Elizabeth Klett, image courtesy TheCount68. Technical details: 18:02:32 hours, MP3 format.

Click to start

Random Magic: Spooky Tunes

Well! The storm clouds are gathering for the start of Bookie Brunch: Trick or Treat (Oct. 23-31), but in the meantime, enjoying some low-key Halloween celebrations.

If you've stopped by from A Fanciful Twist, you're welcome to pick the spooky character that interests you the most, and be able to check out a matching song.

If you're curious about the book Random Magic by Sasha Soren, that video can be browsed here:

Yes, Random Magic does indeed have a few characters of the distinctly Halloweeny variety - witches, vampires, werewolves...

So. What's your fancy? Hmmmmmm?

Songs for: Vampires

Vampires in Random Magic: The count smiled, his heavy-lidded hazel eyes gleaming with the prospect of unexpected diversion…Fresh blood was exactly what they required. (Browse the book)

Songs for: Werewolves

Werewolves in Random Magic: Brute edged cautiously up to the big black door of a huge gate. In the distance, Henry could just make out the twinkling lights of something large, dark, and spooky. With turrets.

They dismounted.

Brute stretched, then shook out his wobbly legs, spattering Henry with mud. 'That’s as far as I go, sorry,' he growled gently. He shivered suddenly, his fur bristling like a nervous cat. 'They give me the creeps.' (Browse the book - Kindle format)

Songs for: Spiders

Spiders in Random Magic:

Henry sank down onto the only chair in the room.

She looked at him sharply. 'You’d better ask permission, first. Wouldn’t sit there, otherwise.'

'Oh. Sorry, do you mind if I--' 'Not me,” she snapped. 'The chair.'

The chair? What a strange girl. Why on earth would he--

'Ow!' he squeaked, train of thought completely gone. The chair's long furry legs had come up and slapped him in the face. In a flash, the spider chair tossed him onto the floor and scuttled away through a window.

'Euw-yech,' Henry said. 'Yech. Euw. Yech.' (Browse the book)

Songs for: Witches

Witches in Random Magic: 'Wind above, so below, faster than the wind I go; strength of iron and bite of flame, I lay my will upon your mane,' Winnie chanted, and hurled the horseshoe to the ground...

Why, lookie here!

Preview pages for Random Magic

Kindle edition

Yes, please - gimme!

and

If you fancy joining the Halloween party underway (Oct. 22) at A Fanciful Twist, feel free to pop in with a fun and spooky post of your own.

Yes, please - gimme!

and

You're invited! If you're up for more spooky revels, feel free to drop by tomorrow and throughout the week, as cute new treats will be added daily by a group of cool bloggers.

Bookie Brunch: Trick or Treat (Oct. 23-31)

Yes, please - gimme!

and

If you're in the mood for some early treats, feel free to drop by Bookie Brunch to win this lovely perfume, perfect for fall. To win, just say something sensible. No, seriously.

Yes, please - gimme!

Thanks so much for stopping by, and hope you enjoy your musical browse and find a perfect Halloween tune from the Random Magic Halloween playlist.

If you're dropping by from the Halloween party at A Fanciful Twist and would like to leave a souvenir badge to your post, feel free to add yours to the collection below.

And, yes, if you'd like to preview pages from Random Magic for your Kindle, you can do that here: Download preview

Happy Halloween

Oct. 23-31 - Bookie Brunch: Trick or Treat

Bookie Brunch: Trick or Treat

Hi! Bookie Brunch is a weekly book chat for book lovers. A new Bookie Brunch posts every Sunday, and you're welcome to join any ongoing discussion whenever you like.

In the meantime, let's have some treats for Halloween. Just click on the badges at the end of the post, for a new treat. Note - The event begins on Oct. 23, so please feel free to drop by then. In the meantime...

Here's a treat from Random Magic Tour - The Coven

Songs for witches: Witchcraft, by Frank Sinatra



Witchcraft is a mellow, laid-back tribute to a witchy charmer, sung by crooner Frank Sinatra. Here are some other great songs about witches, vampires and werewolves, from Random Magic Tour's Halloween tour: Playlist

Shown above: The Familiar
Artist: PaperDreamz at Deviant Art

From Wiccan Magick: In legend, a familiar is a supernatural being that helps and supports a witch or magician. Traditionally, a familiar is an animal. The stereotypical familiar in Western culture is the black cat, and black cats are strongly associated with witchcraft. (Source)

More witchy things to browse

Bell, Book and Candle: A Modern Witch's Toolkit
Crafty Dames: Famous Witches
and
A love spell!

More about Bookie Brunch

Bookie Brunch
*Every Sunday*
Founder: Sasha Soren (Random Magic)

The first Bookie Brunch was held July 2011:

Check out that discussion
or

See all discussions

Sweets for the sweet...

One fun Halloween treat is

a crunchy candy apple.

Candy apples are only around for Halloween, so they're a rare and colorful treat.

Feel free to leave a comment if you like, on any of the cool blogs participating in the hop. You're welcome to share your fave treat or some other cool link for Halloween. Thanks for dropping by, and...

Happy Halloween!

The badges and links for the hop will be live on October 23, so please feel free to drop by then. Happy trick or treating...

Update (Oct. 23): The revels have begun...

get the InLinkz code

[Pre-event: This teaser post and invitation also shared at WhipperBerry, Simply Link, Six Sisters, Show and Tell Saturday, Fish who likes Flowers, Once Upon a Weekend, Sunday Showcase, Monday Link Party, So Very Creative, Falloween and Ultimate Halloween Party. Hi, any visitors from those blogs, feel free to enjoy some treats with us.]

Bookie Brunch - Trick or Treat - Planning page

What you'll need:
1. Image header
2. Intro text
3. Whatever you like for featured content
4. Linky code 


Materials below:

- Image, event header (standard)

- Image, event header (medium)

- Image, sidebar

- Intro text
- Linky code (TBA on Oct. 21-22)
- Sample post



Modifications: Vloggers 
If you don't have matching blog for your video channel, please just feel free to use the event header image at start of video, and just put event schedule below video. You can add direct link to your video into linky, and everything's fine, you're fully included in and participating in the party.


Vloggers - What you'll need:
1. Image header
2. Intro text - Can just use this as script to explain briefly in vlog what the event is about 
3. Whatever you like for featured content
4. Linky code - Just add direct link to your video in any of the linkies shown in any of the BB posts, you only have to add direct link once, the software will add each person everywhere.
5. Add your own blurb about the event under your video, can also link to schedule if you like: Schedule (http://tinyurl.com/3glfga6) (Link is not live but it will be after Oct. 23)

[Event header]

[Event header - slightly smaller (medium)]

[Event sidebar]

[Bookie Brunch small badge]

[Intro text info]

(Please just grab this intro text so every post has some continuity. It's no problem to modify text to suit your own style, only want to give visitors a quick way to orient themselves - what is Bookie Brunch, what's your connection to it, where can they find a brunch, what can they find on this event, and where can they find it, etc. 


Anything that's a link will just be cut-and-paste, to become a link for the text it follows.
For example: Bookie Brunch is a weekly book chat, and you're welcome to join a discussion  whenever you like.)


--- Intro text ---

Welcome to Bookie Brunch: Trick or Treat 

Bookie Brunch is a weekly book chat for book lovers. A new Bookie Brunch posts every Sunday, and you're welcome to join any ongoing discussion [URL] (http://tinyurl.com/3hgz5jp) whenever you like.

In the meantime, let's have some treats for Halloween. Just click on the badges at the end of the post, for a new treat!

Here's a treat from [me/us] at [your blog title]:

[What goes here: Whatever you like, go for it! :)

Content only has to be something cute

like candy, for Halloween. But what the content 

in is up to you, whatever you like. Since the theme is trick or treat, preference should be for something cute, fun, quirky, colorful. Video clips or music or images or other widgets like polls or quizzes can be used to enhance text, or just as stand-alone features. Basically, if you like something and enjoy it or get a laugh out of it, someone else most likely will love it, too!]

[Image - BB small badge]
(Please feel free to make this smaller, if you think it takes up too much room by itself, only trying to have familiar visual marker, doesn't have to be large at all.)

Bookie Brunch
*Every Sunday*Founder: Sasha Soren (Random Magic)

[I/We] [was/were] a guest at Bookie Brunch in [month], 2011.
(or)
[I/We] [was/were] a guest at Bookie Brunch:

Check out that discussion [URL] (Link to your discussion)

or

 See all discussions [URL] (http://tinyurl.com/3hgz5jp)

My favorite Halloween candy [or treat] is

[Image - Candy of your choice]

because [why it's your favorite].

What's yours? Tell us!


 Feel free to leave a comment if you like, to share your fave Halloween treat or some other cool link for Halloween. Thanks for dropping by, and...

[large font]

Happy Halloween!

Find more cute treats by clicking on any of the pix below:


UPDATE (Oct. 16): The linky code is here, just not activated until Oct. 22. But you can pull the code now, if you like. For some reason, there's a space gap between text and badges when you put the code in, you might have to remove a span line or two in HTML, or can just leave it that way it is, if it doesn't bother you.

get the InLinkz code


Click here for the code page: Code Page
and use Code #3 to generate your badge collection. You just cut and paste the code at bottom of your post.

[The linky code will go here, will be available probably 24-48 hours before event starts, please just check back here a day or so ahead of Oct. 23 start date, should be here. 


The linky will be self-service and very easy to use, just grab and paste, but if you need help, please just ask, @RandomMagicTour will help you out. 


A sample of the way all the cute posts will look all together can be found here, at bottom of BB post, just skip to bottom of post to see a sample collection of nice images for posts: Sample badges. 


Linky notes that might be helpful:


The linky gives you the option of picking the image you want as a badge, and you can also change your badge info if you make a mistake or want to try something else, etc. 


As long as you see a red X next to your badge, you will be able to modify the info. Once the collection is closed, you won't be able to modify the text or image, so please feel free to experiment, but eventually pick a combo you like a lot.]

[Have fun! :)]




[Sample post, if useful]


 

Welcome to Bookie Brunch: Trick or Treat 

Bookie Brunch is a weekly book chat for book lovers. A new Bookie Brunch posts every Sunday, and you're welcome to join any ongoing discussion whenever you like. In the meantime, let's have some treats for Halloween. Just click on the badges at the end of the post, for a new treat!

Here's a treat from Random Magic Tour - The Coven


Songs for witches: Witchcraft, by Frank Sinatra





Witchcraft is a mellow, laid-back tribute to a witchy charmer, sung by crooner Frank Sinatra. Here are some other great songs about witches, vampires and werewolves, from Random Magic Tour's Halloween tour: Playlist

Shown above: The Familiar
Artist: PaperDreamz at Deviant Art


From Wiccan Magick: In legend, a familiar is a supernatural being that helps and supports a witch or magician. Traditionally, a familiar is an animal. The stereotypical familiar in Western culture is the black cat, and black cats are strongly associated with witchcraft. (Source)




More witchy things to browse


Bell, Book and Candle: A Modern Witch's Toolkit
Crafty Dames: Famous Witches
and
A love spell!


More about Bookie Brunch

Bookie Brunch
*Every Sunday*
Founder: Sasha Soren (Random Magic) 

We were guests at Bookie Brunch:

Check out that discussion 
or

 See all discussions

Sweets for the sweet...

My favorite Halloween treat is

a crunchy candy apple. 
Candy apples are only around for Halloween, so they're a rare and colorful treat.

What's your favorite treat? Tell us!


 Feel free to leave a comment if you like, to share your fave treat or some other cool link for Halloween. Thanks for dropping by, and...

Happy Halloween!

Find more cute treats by clicking on any of the pix below:

Random Magic Halloween Tour 2010: Schedule and Archive

Random Magic Halloween Tour
Oct. 24 - Nov. 2, 2010

About: Random Magic
Tour organization: Lyrika Publicis
Tour prize coordinator: @LaFemmeReaders
Contact the tour: @RandomMagicTour

Win something wicked: (Contest wrapped Nov. 2, 2010)
Gift-wrapped first edition, Random Magic
Cute wicked witch rag doll (Mme. Alexander collectible)


Oct. 24

Halloween Musical Blog Hop!
Come along on a fun, musical blog hop,
featuring creepy characters and tunes for ghouls:

(Menu: All blog stops)

#1 of 8: Well-Read Reviews (@wellreadreviews)
Songs for: Vampires

#2 of 8: Elbit Blog (@MeriGreenleaf)
Songs for: Shapeshifters

#3 of 8: Cerebrate's Contemplations (@cerebrate)
Songs for: Edgar Allan Poe

#4 of 8: A Reader's Adventure (@ReaderAdventure)
Songs for: Werewolves

#5 of 8: La Femme Readers (@LaFemmeReaders)
Songs for: Zombies

#6 of 8: StoryWings (@storywings)
Songs for: Ghosts

#7 of 8: Diary of a Bookworm (Twitter: n/a)
Songs for: Spiders

#8 of 8: What Book Is That? (@heynocupcake)
Songs for: Witches

Oct. 25

Diary of a Bookworm
Twitter: N/A
Review (Five-star rating)
Feature (incl. excerpt): 'Crafty Dames: Famous Witches'

Oct. 26

Daisy Chain Book Reviews
Twitter: @daisychainbook
Tour announcement
Feature (incl. excerpt): 'Haunting Places: Creepiest Irish Castles'
Other mentions: Halloween on the blog
Other mentions: Month in review


Oct. 27

Escape Between The Pages
Twitter: @LoriAtEBTP
Review
Feature (incl. excerpt): 'Bell, Book and Candle: A Modern Witch's Toolkit'

Oct. 28

La Femme Readers
Twitter: @LaFemmeReaders
Feature (incl. pix gallery): 'Casting Random Magic'
Other mentions: Several Twitter posts

Oct. 29

Spellbound By Books
Twitter: @Meeka_21
Review (Five-star rating)
Feature: Live-Blogging Random Magic

and

Related event: Book Spooks (WORD for Teens)
Twitter: @wordforteens
Feature (incl. excerpt): 'Haunted Places'

Oct. 30

Related event: Spookfest (Spellbound by Books)
Feature (incl. excerpt): 'Here Be Vampires!'

Oct. 31

StoryWings
Twitter: @storywings
Feature (incl. excerpt): A love spell!
Other mentions (incl. quote): Friday 56

and

Related event: Trix-'n'-Treatz (vvb32 Reads)
Feature (incl. excerpt and movie): 'Vamps!'


Nov. 2

Electrifying Reviews
Twitter: @ABennettBooks
Review