Every morning at our hotel ‘Pietra di Luna’ (‘Moonstone’ in English) in the small but bustling town of Maori, waking up every morning to a balcony view of glistening Mediterranean water with the mountainous backdrop was the best way to start the day. Scooters galore sped past down below on the street, followed by mini coopers and fiats, and the odd 3-wheeled truck that sounded like a kazoo. Then comes breakfast, where you were greeted by Raphael, Antonio and Luigi (and one Canadian waiter that randomly showed up partway through the trip) ready and waiting to get your off-the-menu eggs and bacon. Cause you know, what’s better than BACON in Italy?? Freshly squeezed juices, followed by equally fresh croissants, what more can you ask for? A frothy cappuccino to top it all off. Every day for two weeks was a new adventure, but just the highlights will be mentioned in this post because I don’t want to bore you away from Italy… wait, is that even possible? After a day of overcoming most of the jet-lag, we decided to head to the picturesque village of Ravello up in the mountain. Sitting right near the top are Villa Rufolo and Cimbrone, ancient villas bursting with gardens that you could spend hours strolling through. A place known for its music festivals, at night we headed to a little spot where a 4-string quartet was playing classical music. Truly a magnificent way to spend the evening… oh and they served Limoncello afterwards too, which is pretty awesome! If you’re a lover of seafood, you can definitely eat to your hearts content in the town of Amalfi. After my plate of mussels, we headed deeper to see what the bounteous shops had to offer. The amount of gelato shops there are like the McDonalds here in the Americas, and I would gladly take gelato over the golden arches any day. After visiting the oldest paper mill in Europe where my wife was able to make her own paper, we headed back to the hotel for a glorious 3 course meal as we watched the sunset over the mountains. The next day we headed to the ruins of Herculeneum, which was encased in mud caused from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. The cobblestone streets lead you through to rooms that were kept mostly pristine, showing off mosaics on the floor and paint still on the walls. Our excellent tour guide Roberta took us to one room that was used as a spa, with a mosaic of the Greek god Poseidon, as well as a pattern that Adolf Hitler copied to use as the well known swastika. After the ruins, we headed into Naples where after heading to a beautiful lookout, it started to rain. Best thing to do when that happens, is go for some pizza and calzones! After the rain let up, we continued our stroll through the busy streets, where we came across a family who creates incredibly detailed miniature Italian scenes with dolls and everything handmade. Once we returned to the hotel, we headed to dinner for more pasta, some seafood, and some of the best desserts you'll ever try. Salivating yet? A day later, after my first time trying anchovies on pizza (which I came to discover I don’t mind) we were on our way to Positano by a picturesque boat ride along the coast. Checking out the shops, we came to find a lot of ceramics once again, and saw more of the Italian clothing styles. Definitely a busy spot in the late spring/early summer, be sure to head as high as you can up the town to get the best pictures of the scenery. Heading home, the sunlight on the town makes it look more like a man-made jewel on the breathtaking coast. Oh and if you enjoy prawns, you HAVE to try lemon encrusted… Truly amazing! Do I have you hungry yet? Have you bought your tickets? If you want to know more about the trip, come back next week for ‘Part 2’ of ‘An Author in Amalfi’… you know you want to!
And if you have any questions, please ask them below in the comments section. If you've also been to the Amalfi coast, I'd love to hear what you thought of it and what stories you have! D. R. J. Borne Mission Blog Complete
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When it comes to first creating a character, what they look like, their backgrounds, sense of humor, favorite flavor of ice cream (after going to Italy, honestly, gelato is AMAZING!), we never really think about the movie-verse of what our novel would be like. But that doesn't mean that it's not fun to think about it. Who doesn't want their novel to make it to the big screen? If you follow either the Pinterest boards, or via instagram and twitter for the last week and a half, I've been creating my very own "Dream Cast". Funny thing is, it's harder than it looks. But without further ado, I give you the following cast of amazing actors and actresses (in my humble opinion) that could perfectly portray the characters in the "Ultimate Agent" universe: (Click the names to view their IMDB profile) Chris Pine as Devon Bertrand aka "The Ultimate Agent" The titular hero of the Ultimate Agency, Chris Pine brings the charisma and knack for humor when he needs to be. Plus it's about time he puts on a superhero outfit. Tom Hiddleston as Brett Bourne aka "The Specialist" Tom is brilliant with everything he plays. He can bringing depth, wit, and genius to the character of the scientific minded Brett Bourne. And who wouldn't love to see him in a heroic role? Alexandra Daddario as Jade Hathaway She has proven herself as an actress who can deliver on both emotional and physical performances. The main love interest of Devon, those two would make quite the on-screen couple. Jessica Chastain as Valeriya Romanov aka "Dynama" A big name in movies now, Chastain can do almost anything as she commits to every role she plays. Her ability to do a Russian accent also helps with the character of Valeriya. Keith David as Franklin "Franky" Thomas Have you ever listened to this man speak? Everything that comes out of this man's mouth turns to gold, with his velvety and sometimes booming voice, he commands attention on whichever screen he inhabits. But he also has heart, which makes him the perfect actor for the role of good ol' Franky, the owner, head and heart of the Ultimate Agency. Russell Crowe as Maximus Romanov Yes he's played a Maximus in the past, but there was only one actor that came to mind. Evil Russian terrorist or not, Crowe brings tremendous gravitas to every role he plays. Alan Cumming as Dmitry Slava Definitely a favorite that I wish would be in more movies. He's quirky, and would bring so much life to the loyal Russian scientist who's love for science outweighs the reason for it's use. Olek Krupa as Konstantin Kozlov Ever watched a movie with Russians in the story? Krupa is most likely in it, and so he should be. Olek would perfectly capture the driving leader of the Russian terrorist group, Konstantin. Charlie Day as Spencer Raymond aka "Tigershark" Jumping ahead to UA2, Agent Raymond should be played by none other than Mr. Day. His comedic delivery is perfect, and is the top pick for the lovable genetically spliced aqua-feline. Megan Boone as Rachel Locke Only seeing her TV roles, it's more than enough to know that Boone has emotional and physical acting chops. She can play a force to be reckoned with, yet sweet and emotional for tender moments, perfect for Mrs. Locke. Alan Tudyk as Isaiah Manning aka "The Professor" A fan favorite in every project he takes on, Tudyk can play anything under the sun. It's clear to see that he works with passion, and it would be a treat to see him take on the role of "The Professor". Rachael Taylor as Yvonne Hammond She brings sultry intrigue to a character that plays a part in UA2, and has even more to do as the series continues... Peter Gallagher as Matthew Bertrand He played everyone's favorite dad in the O.C., so why not play another as the father of a superhero? Gallagher has been a personal favorite for years. Lea Thompson as Nora Bertrand She has an impressive sci-fi resume, how about adding another one to the list? Also a fan favorite, she would make a perfect addition as Devon's mother. Dennis Quaid as Jim Hathaway "Dennis Quaid is here!" Who doesn't love this man? Always wearing a winning smile, it's hard to deny his genuine acting style that people undoubtedly enjoy. Diane Lane as Holly Hathaway An actress who never misses a beat, she still makes audiences smile with every role she inhabits. Also a personal favorite for years, she would play the perfect mother for Jade. Hilarie Burton as Sierra Stone Always a pleasure to watch on the small screen, it's time she jumped to the big one! She brings the emotional and playful nature to the girl from Devon's past, introduced in UA3... Adewale Akinnouye-Agbaje as Colonel Marcus Michaels Show me someone with a cooler name than this guy. He would bring an amazing physical presence to the respected and respectful Colonel, also introduced in UA3. Mel Gibson as President Henry Simmons President Gibson, anyone? Anyone? For someone as iconic as him, he hasn't played a White House inhabitant yet. I think it's about time. Eva Green as Vice President Victoria "Toria" Parker The perfect actress to play someone in power who may or may not have ulterior motives in the big scheme of things... That's the "Dream Cast"! Have Any Thoughts? Sound Off Below!D. R. J. Borne
Mission Blog Complete With the 3rd novel in the series arriving earlier this year, here are the first reviews! A big thank you once again to "The Literary Device" and the "Daily Perusal" for taking out the time, and for their kind words! Enjoy! In UA3 the author makes a radical departure from the style of the previous 2 installments. The unfolding present-day plot is interspersed with flashback sequences which offer unique insights into the events of the first 2 novels. As in the previous installments, a wide variety of exotic locations are showcased. These include Los Angeles, Mexico, and the Canadian Rockies, with the customary fight sequences erupting in San Juan, Alaska, the Grand Canyon, and Washington D.C. Battling aside, the primary narrative presents us with a series of character studies which encompass family relationships, romantic entanglements, corporate agendas, and individual choices. We are presented with the sobering truth that corruption can surface anywhere, be it within the family circle or inside the government, in ways which we cannot fathom. The true underdog of this story is Jade Bertrand, who must cope with the aftermath of the 2nd novel. She finds in Valeriya a true friend who stands by her during this difficult ordeal. Later, in a truly heartwarming moment, Jade confides her feelings of loss and insecurity to her mother, a touching scene which illustrates the value of strong family ties. Ultimately, Jade must go on a journey of discovery to find her power and inner strength. This is just one of the many storylines woven into this diverse tale. The style may be different, but it’s safe to say that it’s the same “Ultimate” experience! - The Daily Perusal This latest installment puts every character through the ultimate test, and is sure to evoke the reader’s emotions. As the story twists and turns, it explores new territory and revisits old territory in surprising ways: the reader is left with a newfound appreciation for the previous stories, while still allowing the UA universe to continue on its path.
- The Literary Device Today I visited my old highschool, and spent some time with the students in Mr. North's Writers Craft.
Passing my novels around and business cards, they all had a question to ask that I did my best in answering. Questions about being an author, where I get my inspirations from, and what do I do in my spare time. Really a great bunch of inquisitive minds. At the end of the visit, I asked the group a question of, "What would be your super power of choice?" A student named Carter gave the best answer, and won a 1st edition of the first "Ultimate Agent" signed by yours truly. Thank you P.D.H.S. and Mr. North for letting me get to spend some time with these great young minds! Yesterday a good friend of mine and myself filmed an author interview, and here it is! If you'd like to learn more about me and my work, give it a watch! |
Derek BorneHere you can find my 'Mission Blogs' and news on upcoming novels... and stuff Archives
June 2021
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