The Circle of the Swan by Jana Oliver is being revised

 

Jana is reworking her early catalog and this is the new cover fot The Circle of the Swan and this review is based on the original release. Give it a try. She is one of the best! 

The Circle of the Swan
Janna G. Oliver
www.magespell.com, $12.95
reviewed by Jim Brock

THE CIRCLE OF THE SWAN is fantasy at its finest. It is Jana G. Olivers’ second book from Magespell (the first being the recently reviewed and forcefully recommended THE LOVER‘S KNOT). SWAN is the first of a series to be known as The Dragon Fire Series. The second book, THE SUMMONING STONE, is due in December and evidenced by the short excerpt herein promises to be another winner.

But back to the book at hand. THE CIRCLE OF THE SWAN pleased and delighted me much as did the early works of Anne McCaffrey. The delineation of good and evil, the strength of female characters and the likeability of the good guys contribute to a story that you don’t read so much as you actually seem to participate in. If you want to indulge in fantasy, THE CIRCLE OF THE SWAN is an excellent choice.

Oliver has created a world of warriors and castles – of vengeful women and ambitious lords – and magic. Her main character, Morwyn is selected to be an adept and to join the magical Circle of the Swan, she is removed from her mother and twin brother and their small village in a brutal fashion by the unscrupulous adept sent to fetch her. That adept, known as Adwyth, has her own hateful agenda unknown to her fellow adepts. Thus Morwyn becomes involved in plots of revenge and one lord’s attempts to conquer the lands of another. She becomes a full-fledged adept because she needs all those powers to save the lives and fortunes of those she loves and those she comes to love. In a novel full of strong characters, Morwyn becomes the strongest and the smartest of the lot, but she pays a terrible price to win through.

Jana Oliver is a wonderful writer. She possesses a creativity nd imagination far above many of the more established authors. Case in point is the enchantment placed on the warrior Belwyn in this book. After I read THE LOVER’S KNOT, I put Oliver on my list of must-read authors. Due to restraints of time and otherwise, that list is much more select than it used to be. THE CIRCLE OF THE SWAN merely confirmed my good taste. Jana Oliver deserves to be on everyone’s must-read list.

//I have to heartily agree with Jim. This book may contain the common elements of a magical fantasy, but Jana Oliver gives them a unique twist to make them seem fresh and new. Be sure and check out the website and pick up both THE LOVER’S KNOT and THE CIRCLE OF THE SWAN. Jim and I both agree that Jana Oliver is a name to be remembered. You will not be disappointed. //

 

TARZANA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL NEWS

 

Legendary Producer Gale Anne Hurd to Receive the Prestigious Edgar Rice Burroughs Legacy Award at the 2026 Tarzana International Film Festival Gale Anne Hurd Award-winning producer behind The Terminator, Aliens, The Abyss, Tremors, and countless genre classics to be honored for her extraordinary contributions to science fiction, fantasy, and adventure filmmaking. Thursday, August 13, 2026 (Tarzana, California) The Tarzana International Film Festival (TZIFF) is proud to announce that legendary film and television producer Gale Anne Hurd will receive the prestigious Edgar Rice Burroughs Legacy Award during the festival's Closing Night Awards Gala on Sunday, October 4, 2026. The award will be presented by acclaimed filmmaker Ernest Dickerson. Named in honor of the visionary creator of Tarzan®, John Carter of Mars®, The Land That Time Forgot®, and numerous other beloved adventure classics, the Edgar Rice Burroughs Legacy Award recognizes individuals whose careers have profoundly advanced the genres of science fiction, fantasy, adventure, and imaginative storytelling. Few filmmakers embody that legacy more completely than Gale Anne Hurd. Throughout an extraordinary career spanning more than four decades, Hurd has produced some of the most influential and groundbreaking films in modern cinema, including The Terminator, Aliens, The Abyss, Tremors, Armageddon, and many other acclaimed productions. Her impact on television has been equally remarkable, serving as executive producer of the global phenomenon The Walking Dead, along with numerous other successful series that have captivated audiences around the world. Known for championing visionary filmmakers, groundbreaking visual effects, and unforgettable characters, Hurd has consistently pushed the boundaries of cinematic storytelling while helping define the modern science fiction, fantasy, and action genres. "It is a tremendous honor to recognize Gale Anne Hurd with the Edgar Rice Burroughs Legacy Award," said Jeff Rector, President and Festival Director of the Tarzana International Film Festival. "Her remarkable body of work has inspired generations of filmmakers and audiences alike—including me. Like Edgar Rice Burroughs, she has continually expanded the boundaries of imagination, creating unforgettable worlds and characters that continue to influence popular culture around the globe. Her career exemplifies the spirit of adventure, innovation, and imagination that this award was created to celebrate." The award presentation will take place during the festival’s Closing Night Awards Gala, a semi-formal evening featuring a celebrity red carpet, cocktail reception, dinner, and special presentations celebrating excellence in independent filmmaking. Hurd will be joined by an array of distinguished guests and celebrity presenters, tentatively including Dee Wallace (E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial) and Phil Morris (Bosch: Legacy), with additional special guests to be announced. The evening will also feature a special tribute honoring legendary actor, martial artist, and humanitarian Chuck Norris, presented by actor Sean Kanan, recognizing Norris's extraordinary contributions to film, television, and humanitarian service. The Tarzana International Film Festival holds a unique connection to Edgar Rice Burroughs. In 1919, Burroughs purchased a sprawling ranch in California's San Fernando Valley and named it Tarzana Ranch after his legendary literary hero. As the property was later developed into a thriving community, residents chose to preserve the name, making Tarzana the only community in the world named after a fictional character. Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. has proudly served as a festival sponsor for the past five years, helping preserve and celebrate Burroughs' enduring legacy. Now in its fifth year, the Tarzana International Film Festival celebrates excellence in independent filmmaking while honoring the spirit of imagination, creativity, and storytelling that Edgar Rice Burroughs inspired for generations. The 2026 Tarzana International Film Festival will take place October 2–4, 2026, featuring film screenings, filmmaker panels, networking events, celebrity appearances, and its annual Closing Night Awards Gala. The Edgar Rice Burroughs Legacy Award celebrates visionary storytellers whose work has inspired audiences to dream bigger, explore farther, and imagine worlds beyond their own. Few recipients embody that spirit more completely than Gale Anne Hurd, whose extraordinary career continues to shape the future of science fiction, fantasy, and adventure filmmaking. About Gale Anne Hurd Gale Anne Hurd is one of Hollywood's most accomplished and influential producers. Her extraordinary body of work includes landmark films such as The Terminator, Aliens, The Abyss, Tremors, Armageddon, and The Incredible Hulk, as well as the record-breaking television phenomenon The Walking Dead. Throughout her career, she has championed visionary filmmakers, groundbreaking technology, and unforgettable storytelling, earning recognition as one of the entertainment industry's most influential producers. About the Tarzana International Film Festival The Tarzana International Film Festival showcases exceptional independent films from around the world while celebrating the enduring legacy of Edgar Rice Burroughs, whose imagination helped shape modern adventure fiction. Founded to honor both independent filmmakers and one of America's greatest storytellers, the festival provides a platform for emerging and established artists while fostering creativity, innovation, and the future of cinematic storytelling. Festival tickets are now available at https://www.itsmyseat.com/events/594391.html About Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. The corporation administers the intellectual property of American author Edgar Rice Burroughs who is one of the twentieth century’s most prolific and enduring writers. Mr. Burroughs’ stories have been adapted into 60 films and 250 television episodes. See erburroughs.com for more information.

The Demon Trappers by Jana Oliver

 

Available on Amazon or your favorite bookseller.

Bonnie Tyler, 1951-2026

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcOxhH8N3Bo&list=RDlcOxhH8N3Bo&start_radio=1

 

SWAMP THING VISITS DC

 I DON'T USUALLY GET INVOLVED WITH POLITICS BUT THIS ONE IS TOO GOOD TO PASS.

 

FIRST CHANCE by Kasey Lansdale, Blackstone Books

 

 

FIRST CHANCE by Kasey Lansdale, Blackstone Books

There is a serial killer loose in Hopeful Texas. The only thing is no one knows about it until Chance Kirby is hired for her first case as a Private Investigator.

 It has been ten months since Patience Murray’s body was discovered and her sister, Debra, feels the police have hit the pause button. She has hired Chance to investigate and find the killer.

 Chance lives with Tia, a teen-age ward with a scary background, and their German Shepard rescue, Sissy. Right now, Chance works out of the kitchen office and Tia aides her with her computer skills and Sissy is there for moral support.

 Chance has a friend in the Police Chief, Izzy Lopez, and a more than passing interest in Officer Ken Riley, who could be a suspect in the small pool that is Hopeful. Other suspects range from a high school coach, a pool boy, a pizza restaurant manager and a couple of workers at animal rescue.

 Lansdale has populated her landscape with memorable characters. She has created a marvelously painted landscape of Southern Texas that fits in with my memories of the area.

 There is plenty of good writing here and it shows that the talent runs strong in the Lansdale family.

My first meetings with Kasey go back to her musical abilities and her whirlwind tour of radio stations in the South and her fantastical stories.

 This is a fun easy read that is filled with a promise of more to come. I think FIRST CHANCE is the proper title for this volume and that I really want to have a SECOND CHANCE to meet up with our marvelous cast of characters.

 Thanks, Kasey, I’m ready to see what happens next.

 

Tarzan: The Lost Adventure Retro Paperback by Edgar Rice Burroughs & Joe R. Lansdale

 

Tuesday, May 19, 2026 (Tarzana, California) For nearly fifty years, Edgar Rice Burroughs’ last Tarzan manuscript lay untouched and unfinished, locked away in a vault. It was the stuff of legend until, finally, the magnificent tale was completed in the mid-1990s, with the help of award-winning author Joe R. Lansdale. We are pleased to commemorate the 30th anniversary of that historic work with the release of a new Retro Paperback Edition Tarzan: The Lost Adventure by Edgar Rice Burroughs and Joe R. Lansdale, designed to resemble and fit on your shelf alongside the Ballantine mass-market paperback editions of the Tarzan series from the late 1970s and 1980s. This new Retro Paperback Edition features a new introduction by Joe R. Lansdale and a new foreword by ERB’s great-granddaughter, Llana Jane Burroughs, whose father, Danton Burroughs, was instrumental in rescuing ERB’s unfinished manuscript from oblivion and presenting it to the world. The Retro Paperback Edition of Tarzan: The Lost Adventure is now in stock and shipping, and has two options for ordering: Unsigned book ($15) Book signed by Joe R. Lansdale and Llana Jane Burroughs, with a commemorative Tarzan: The Lost Adventure bookmark ($25) – See below—supplies limited!

SIGNED COPIES WITH COMMEMORATIVE BOOKMARK AVAILABLE—WHILE SUPPLIES LAST! We are also thrilled to announce that we have a limited number of copies of the book available that were signed by Joe R. Lansdale and Llana Jane Burroughs when we soft-launched the new Retro Paperback Edition at WonderCon this past March. Each signed copy will ship with a special bookmark to commemorate the novel’s 30th anniversary (the bookmark is NOT included with orders of unsigned copies of the book). Grab the signed copies while you can—we don’t expect them to remain in stock for long!

A LOST CITY AND AN ANCIENT EVIL... Once again the roar of Tarzan resounds through Africa as the Lord of the Jungle battles the savage creatures of the wild and helps a beautiful woman search for ancient Ur, lost city of gold. But Tarzan discovers they aren’t alone in their quest. For evil follows in his path, and terror awaits him and his fierce lion Jad-bal-ja. Incredible treasures lie in the ancient city, and horrors even more awesome hunger to destroy the mighty hero.

TRIVIA FOR THE FANS... You will notice that we have numbered the book as "26" in the Tarzan series. What’s up with that? Aren’t there 24 books in the original Tarzan series by Edgar Rice Burroughs, and so shouldn’t Tarzan: The Lost Adventure be #25? And what about Tarzan and the Valley of Gold by Fritz Leiber, which Ballantine Books released in 1966 as #25 in the Tarzan series? The answer to all these questions is that, in the future, we plan to release a Retro Paperback Edition of Tarzan and the Tarzan Twins by Edgar Rice Burroughs as #25 in the Tarzan series (this will also be the numbering when we eventually release the book in the Edgar Rice Burroughs Authorized Library). The rationale for this is that books that are entirely written by ERB go first. As much as we love Joe R. Lansdale and Fritz Leiber (and we do!), they don’t take precedence over ERB. The Master of Adventure takes priority in the beloved series that he created. And if we ever decide to release other Tarzan books by other authors in the Retro Paperback format, we’ll begin with #27 (we’re looking at you, Fritz Leiber!) and then move on to #28 (Tarzan and the Dark Heart of Time by Philip José Farmer), and so on. But we are getting ahead of ourselves! Right now, we do have plans to release Tarzan and the Tarzan Twins in a Retro Paperback Edition in the future, and that’s it. We’ll just have to wait and see what lies up ahead on the jungle trail after that! A Note to Collectors: Please note that a slightly different version of this Retro Paperback was offered by our friends at Pandi Press in their April 2026 Pandi Pack. The Special Pandi Press Edition included a special signature page and had "SPECIAL PANDI PRESS EDITION" printed on the front cover beneath the title instead of "THE ADVENTURES OF LORD GREYSTOKE." The Special Pandi Press Edition is now SOLD OUT. About the Authors The creator of the immortal characters Tarzan of the Apes and John Carter of Mars, EDGAR RICE BURROUGHS is one of the world’s most popular authors. His timeless tales of heroes and heroines transport readers from the jungles of Africa and the dead sea bottoms of Barsoom to the miles-high forests of Amtor and the savage inner world of Pellucidar, and even to alien civilizations beyond the farthest star. Mr. Burroughs’ books are estimated to have sold hundreds of millions of copies, and they have spawned 60 films and 250 television episodes. JOE R. LANSDALE is the author of fifty novels and four hundred shorter works, including stories, essays, reviews, film and TV scripts, introductions and magazine articles, and a book of poetry. His work has been made into such films as Bubba Ho-Tep and Cold in July, as well as the acclaimed TV series Hap and Leonard. He has received numerous recognitions for his work, including two Edgar Awards, ten Bram Stoker Awards, the Grand Master Award and Lifetime Achievement Award from the Horror Writers Association, the Inkpot Life Achievement Award, the British Fantasy Award, the Sugar Pulp Prize for Fiction, the Raymond Chandler Lifetime Achievement Award, the American Mystery Award, the Horror Critics Award, the Shot in the Dark International Crime Writers Award, and others. He was recognized for his contributions to the legacy of Edgar Rice Burroughs with the Golden Lion Award from the Burroughs Bibliophiles. He lives in Nacogdoches, Texas, with his wife, Karen.