For those of you who were waiting for The Shift to be released in paperback format, you can now purchase it in the UK and USA.
Here is the link which can lead you to both versions on sale:
http://www.double-dragon-ebooks.com/single.php?ISBN=1-77115-095-5
I will also be offering two copies of The Shift (Ebook version) soon – so keep your eyes peeled!
This film isn’t a new release (September 2012) but it is new to me. I watched this for the first time several nights ago, and I am not ashamed to admit I can’t get the story out of my head.
As somebody who absolutely adores the horror genre, I find it hard to find new horror movies or books that unsettle me, or scare me. I have watched and read so many that it is simply hard to find anything that really gets under my skin. The Devil’s Business, however, succeeded in doing this.
I don’t believe in spoiling a story (what’s the point?) but to give you an idea, the film revolves around two men who are hired to kill somebody in an isolated home. Their time waiting in hiding in this home is where the film captures the creepy atmosphere so chillingly. Over the course of the evening, we see these two male characters explore their experiences, history, fears and hopes, all the while battling against an impending sense of evil and doom. Is there something evil lurking in shadows of the house? Are they being watched? Is there more to this dodgy job than first meets the eye?
This film captures everything I love about horror – you don’t need gore, or heavy special effects: you need good story, and good acting, and The Devil’s Business oozes this. The dark suggestion that something evil is watching them, the idea that they are really the hunted, not the hunter, really brings about some amazing turns and unexpected moments through the movie.
It is very character driven, dark, creepy and suggestive. I found it absolutely enthralling, and will gladly be watching it again with friends and family.
If I had to say one negative (I’m always told a fair review searches for the pros and cons) I’d have to say this: there isn’t one. It’s solid, and I can’t do anything but recommend this fabulous movie.
5 out of 5: Go watch!
Whilst I will always continue updating and using this blog, I have recently decided to create a website dedicated soley to my books. Whilst this blog will always have updates on my novels, it also contains reviews, articles and interviews. My official author webpage will be solely about my projects and information regarding them. You can take a peek here:
www.http://fionadodwell1982.wix.com/
Also, I’m glad to say The Shift has received another top review. Giving it a 5 out of 5 rating, The Shift is described as “Creepy, scary and original,” by The Diary of a Book Addict.
To read it in full, punch the following link:
http://thediaryofabookaddict.wordpress.com/2013/05/22/review-the-shift-by-fiona-dodwell/
So, The Shift was released several days ago. I’m pleased to say it has received its first review on Amazon.com. Giving the novel a four star rating, the review describes The Shift as “fast paced and creepy”. Here is the full review:
I’ve been a fan of Dodwell’s for a while now, ever since I was able to read a copy of her first book The Banishing. Which, I might add, is a creepy little read that I wholly recommend. There’s this wonderful creepiness about her work that reminds me of some of the better pulp horror novels I’d read as a teen.
As you can tell from the opening paragraph, I really enjoyed this novella. A good portion of the book is set within the posh care home and I’ll admit that I have a soft spot for any place that involves creepy and remote settings. It has this instant atmosphere and helps enhance any spook activity- and there is spook activity in this book.
What also intrigued me is that so far I’ve noticed that there’s this theme in Dodwell’s books that surrounds an unhealthy/obsessive love of some sort. That is present in this book, although I can’t entirely elaborate on it because it’s ultimately the whole gist of the book. I was actually a little hesitant to reveal even that much, as it gives away quite a bit, but then again if you’ve read any of her other works then you’ll probably have expected this from Shift like I did. This is ultimately what made the ending that much cooler, as love is a theme that almost all of us can identify with in some form or fashion. We might not all be the type that creates hair dolls or carves someone’s name into our chest (neither of which happens in this book, just listing those as examples), but the concept of someone doing something out of a twisted sense of affection is one that can unsettle just about any reader.
To read the full review, click here:
I am also a guest today, on author Tim Marquitz website, talking about my new horror adventure!
I want to apologise to my readers. There’s been a lot of changes in my life recently, a lot of things to deal with, so my writing hasn’t been at the forefront for a while. However, I am currently working on a new project called ASYLUM with a good friend and paranormal researcher, Chris Donnelly.
In the mean time, I want to share with you my good news! The Shift has been released with Canadian Publisher, Double Dragon Publishing.
It is currently available as Ebook, but next week you will be able to get your hands on a paperback copy.
Here is the book cover:
To read more about the release, you can visit the Double Dragon pages:
http://www.double-dragon-ebooks.com/single.php?ISBN=1-77115-095-5
Okay, I’m a little behind in wishing you all a Happy New Year. I have a good excuse too – the Christmas break for me was a very busy affair, and on New Years Eve, when the world was partying away, I was tucked up in bed, bracing myself for a busy New Years Day. Anyway, enough of my ramblings: I hope you all had a fantastic Christmas, and I wish you all a very happy new year. Let’s make it a good one.
You know what? I already believe 2013 is going to be an amazing year. For several reasons, I have started this year with a slightly crazed smile on my face. Why, I hear you ask?
Let me list for you, in no particular order, why 2013 is going to be a little bit special…
1) MOST HAUNTED RETURNS
After a break, the famous ghost hunting show, Most Haunted, is apparantly going to be making a return. Several new shows are planned, along with interactive fan events. As a long time fan, I am incredibly curious to see what Yvette Fielding and Karl Beattie have in store for the future of this fantastic new show. So for all you fans, surely this is something to look forward to?
I don’t know any more news than that, I’m afraid, so if you want to learn more about the upcoming MH projects, you can check out Most Haunted’s new page on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/MHFans2011
MY NEW NOVEL SET TO BE RELEASED
2) My new novel, The Shift, will be released early this year with Canadian publisher, Double Dragon Publishing. It will be released first on eBook format, and hopefully followed by paperback. The Banishing and Obsessed are available in paperback and eBook through most retailers – Waterstones now stock online, as well as WHSmith and Amazon. If you’ve read my novels and want to let me know what you think, please get in touch!
A NEW HOME
3) I don’t normally write about personal things online, but this is an exciting time for me. I’ll be moving into a new home with my partner at the end of January, our first purchased home together. All togather now, “Awwwww…” A very exciting time ahead.
So, whatever you have planned for this year, I hope you too have lots to look forward to in 2013!
I’ll be back online soon, to talk about my upcoming release!
When I first saw Nicky Alan live and witnessed the work she did as a psychic medium, I was impressed by not only her accuracy, but by her warmth and kindness. Even from on stage, where she could only interact with people under the pressure of time and under heavy scrutiny, she exuded such heartfelt kindness and respect for the people she was reading for. So when I found out, through her website, that she was being slandered, abused and experiencing damage to her property because of a Christian group, I was utterly shocked.
Last week, at Nicky’s shop, ‘Heaven on Earth’ at Chelmsford, members of a Christian group damaged and defaced the property, causing in excess of £500 worth of damage. Police made aware, Nicky is still awaiting justice for the vandalism. Posters advertising her work have been defaced with abusive comments, such as “Satanist Scum!”
Nicky herself, via her online blog, has said, “Sadly, it seems that the modern-day witch hunt continues. What a sad world we live in. Every banner and board I have used to advertise has been vandalised or scrawled on. I have had to report damages to the police eight times.”
Nicky has said that this isn’t the first time she has experienced such mentality from various people and religious groups. The psychic medium recalls many occasions where she has felt belittled, abused and at the receiving end of prejudice from others. Pointing out on her online profile that other religions, churches or groups would not accept such abuse on their property, Nicky wants only the same treatment that other people, religions or groups receive. Nothing more, nothing less.
As somebody who comes from the Christian faith myself, I can say I was really upset to see how Nicky as an individual has been treated. When those who profess to be Christians ignore the teachings of the New Testament in favour of their own inclinations and beliefs, the results are tragic. Just as when people were judged and executed in centuries past, when so called witches were burnt at the stake, one would like to believe that in modern times, we have passed the mentality of ruthlessly abusing and judging other people. One would like to think that we can now live in a society where people are free to make their own choices about their belief system, and not live in fear of what others will do to them.
When Jesus Christ came to earth, He said: “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.”
He also said, “Why do you take the splinter out of your brother’s eye, when you miss the plank in your own?” The point being? Jesus wanted us to love each other, to refrain from judging. So whilst there are people out there abusing, hurting and slandering others, there will never be any love and acceptance. The irony is this: the group of people I described here are not sharing love, or acceptance, but are instead perpetuating the age-old degrading belief that those who are different should be excluded and thus become victims of modern day witch hunts.
Nicky Alan is working with a local paper about her negative experience in the hope that she can enlighten people to her plight and thus expose the hurt that such actions can cause.
I hope her work with the police, and the newspapers, will result in these people being brought to justice.
Nobody should be made to feel victimised about their beliefs – even when we feel threatened or confused about the beliefs of others, these should be enlightened times, a time of brightness. We are no longer in the dark ages, we are no longer covered by shrouds of ignorance: there is just no excuse for such intolerance to another human being.
I would like to wish my best to Nicky Alan, my experience with her so far as been nothing short of dignified and caring, even through such trying times.
