Wednesday, August 29, 2012

The Lost Girl, Ninja News and Answers, and the September Movie Preview!

The Lost Girl

The Lost Girl by Sangu Mandanna was released this week – congratulations, Sangu!

Eva’s life is not her own. She is a creation, an abomination—an echo. Made by the Weavers as a copy of someone else, she is expected to replace a girl named Amarra, her “other”, if she ever died. Eva studies what Amarra does, what she eats, what it’s like to kiss her boyfriend, Ray. So when Amarra is killed in a car crash, Eva should be ready.

But fifteen years of studying never prepared her for this.

Now she must abandon everything she’s ever known—the guardians who raised her, the boy she’s forbidden to love—to move to India and convince the world that Amarra is still alive.

What Eva finds is a grief-stricken family; parents unsure how to handle this echo they thought they wanted; and Ray, who knew every detail, every contour of Amarra. And when Eva is unexpectedly dealt a fatal blow that will change her existence forever, she is forced to choose: Stay and live out her years as a copy or leave and risk it all for the freedom to be an original. To be Eva.

Purchase The Lost Girl now from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or Amazon UK

Ninja News!

Next Wednesday is post day for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. Please remember to post the badge and a link to the IWSG list so others can find the group and join us!




Michael Abayomi’s second book in the Guardians & The Lost Paradise series, The Fall, is available now. Congratulations, Michael!!



And so many questions for the Ninja! It will take me months to answer all of them. Selected a few for today…

From Spacerguy - Alex, is there a price to pay for being Captain of the Ninja Army?
Just the willingness to invest my time and myself.

From Christine Rains - What book are you reading right now?
Just started Roland Yeomans’ The Legend of Victor Standish.

From just about everyone – a photo of me! There is one on my About Me page.
Want something better? Well, Mark Koopmans has something in mind for November…

September Movie Preview!

Here are the upcoming releases for September. As always, descriptions courtesy of the IMDB. Snarky comments by me. 


7 –

[REC]³ Génesis
A couple's wedding day turns into a horrific events as some of the guests start showing signs of a strange illness.
Director: Paco Plaza
Stars: Leticia Dolera, Diego Martín, Javier Botet, Àlex Monner
Won’t catch it in the theater, but the first two were good.

14 –

Resident Evil: Retribution
Alice fights alongside a resistance movement in the continuing battle against the Umbrella Corporation and the undead.
Director: Paul W.S. Anderson
Stars: Milla Jovovich, Sienna Guillory, Michelle Rodriguez, Kevin Durand
Fifth? Sixth? I’ve lost count. As long as they make money (and Milla stays in shape) we’ll see many more. Won’t see this in the theater either, but I will watch on NetFlix. As long as they don’t suck, I’ll keep watching!

21 –

Dredd 3D
In a violent, futuristic city where the police have the authority to act as judge, jury and executioner, a cop teams with a trainee to take down a gang that deals the reality-altering drug, SLO-MO.
Director: Pete Travis
Stars: Karl Urban, Olivia Thirlby, Lena Headey, Rachel Wood
Urban is supposed to be awesome in this! Now to wipe that awful Stallone film from my mind…

28 –

Looper
In 2072, when the mob wants to get rid of someone, the target is sent 30 years into the past, where a hired gun awaits. Someone like Joe, who one day learns the mob wants to 'close the loop' by transporting back Joe's future self.
Director: Rian Johnson
Stars: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Bruce Willis, Emily Blunt, Paul Dano
I’ve been looking forward to this film for months! Gordon-Levitt is great in everything now (and he’s in just about every movie as well) and Willis is always fun.

Hotel Transylvania
Dracula, who operates a high-end resort away from the human world, goes into overprotective mode when a boy discovers the resort and falls for the count's teen-aged daughter.
Director: Genndy Tartakovsky
Stars: Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Andy Samberg, Selena Gomez
Thought I’d throw in something for the kids. From the guy who brought us Over the Hedge.

Have you picked up The Lost Girl Yet? Or The Fall? Ready for the IWSG next week? My answers satisfy your curiosity… for now? And what September movies are on your radar?

130 comments:

VikLit said...

Looper is definitely on my radar, cannot wait! And Lost Girl sounds awesome, I'll have to check it out.

Suzanne Furness said...

Lost Girl, sounds intriguing and orignal.

Jai Joshi said...

The Lost Girl sounds fascinating! Congrats on the book release, Sangu!

Looper sounds like an interesting film too. Joseph Gorden-Levitt is a great actor, even if his name is a mouthful! I'll look forward to watching that one.

Jai

The Angry Lurker said...

Dredd is definitely on the radar and now REC 3 as I was unaware of it's existence, enjoyed the first two!

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

I must be a kid because I love movies like Hotel Transylvania :)

Unknown said...

I am a Resident Evil fan, have been playing the games for years, so I am looking forward to watching Retribution. I have never heard of [REC]3 Genesis,but the story has peaked my interest, so I will have to chase the series down.

Clare said...

Lost Girl sounds really interesting, I'm going to see if I can download a sample now.

I didn't know there was a Rec3. I hope it's better than Rec2, I could barely get through that.

Looper sounds really interesting, will have to check that out. Having just watched The Dark Knight Rises, I'm very into Joseph Gordon-Levitt right now. :D

Clare said...

And how did I miss the new Resident Evil? That's one Hubby and I will be watching. ^_^

Elise Fallson said...

Dredd 3D and Looper sound promising. I'll have to be on the lookout for these when they get released in France. Thanks for the book news too! (:

Ted Cross said...

You call that a photo?! You must be like me and not really like many of the photos taken of you. If we lived near each other we could form a shadowy garage band!

Suze said...

God, all those movies look awful.

Ciara said...

Congrats on the The Lost Girl, Sangu. It sounds amazing. Michael, I'll check out The Fall. Great questions from Christine and Spacerguy.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Jai, he's an up-and-comer.

Lynda, I like those kinds of movies as well.

CM, start at the beginning. It is a 'found footage' series, but one of the better ones.

Clare, and he is into everything right now!

Ted, we need to make that happen!!!

Brinda said...

You sort of look like the rocker that Rusty Webb made for you. *grin* Well, without the long hair and wearing a shirt...

Natalie Aguirre said...

Been seeing The Lost Girl around. It looks good. I don't have any movies on my radar. Just a lot of high school girls' swim meets where I have to time. It's that time of year.

AuthorAlden said...

Looking forward to Looper, for sure. I'm a sucker for a good time travel plot! I actually had no idea they were even doing another Judge Dredd remake until I saw a commercial for it the other day. Part of me is skeptical, but I loved the comics as a kid, so I'll definitely be checking it out!

J.W.

Karen Baldwin said...

LOve the story of Lost Girl.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Brinda, I used to have longer hair.

JW, it HAS to be better than the Stallone film!

Angela Brown said...

The Lost Girl is on my TBR list so I'm excited to get a hold of it and excited for Sangu!

I vaguely recall the first Dredd film.

Vaguely lol!!

I hadn't heard of the Looper, but of the movies mentioned, that one really caught my eye. And no, it isn't just because I think Joseph is cute :-)

Madeline Mora-Summonte said...

I made a note of Looper - sounds good! I saw commercials recently for two I want to see: Sam Raimi's The Possession - the commercial freaked me out! And a baseball movie with Clint Eastwood - one of my favorite actors. :)

Karen Lange said...

Thanks, Alex, for keeping us in the loop. Appreciate all the info!

Melissa said...

Wow - sounds like I'll have to get my hands on a copy of 'The Lost Girl.' What an awesome concept for a story!

I've been enjoying Michael A's 'The Journey,' and now this! I'd better get to reading...

And, Alex. That picture doesn't count. We can't see your face. :P

LynnRush said...

Awesome Lost Girl cover!!! Looper does look really good. I so need to see all the Resident Evils. I have time off wirk coming. Might need to do a movie marathon!!! ;)

Christine Rains said...

Thanks for answering my question! The Lost Girl sounds good. I'd like to see Dredd. The old film was hilarious! I hope Hotel Transylvania is good. There hasn't been any great kids movies lately, and maybe in a year or two, my son will be old enough to start watching some.

Unknown said...

I have been wanting to see Looper too for a long time. I just hope it doesn't have too many plot holes.

A Daft Scots Lass said...

I may give Lost Girl a whirl.

Gossip_Grl said...

Love the book cover for Lost Girl, but haven't read it. May have to add this one to my list also. I am so not ready for fall yet. It seems like summer just started.

Tonja said...

Lost Girl sounds interesting.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Angela, sure...

Madeline, that one with Eastwood might be good.

Melissa, you see enough.

Christine, you're welcome.

Nate Wilson said...

LOOPER!

Yeah, I'll watch anything with JGL.

Luanne G. Smith said...

I wasn't really into the Judge Dredd remake (wasn't into the original either), but then I saw a clip with Lena Headey in it and it looked awesome. And, of course, it's Karl Urban, so there's that...

Jack said...

I saw the preview for Looper the other day. It is on my possibly will be watched list.

Carol Kilgore said...

The Lost Girl and Loopers sound great!

Nicki Elson said...

I'm freaking out a little bit - has this always been your background or did you change it? Its very cool, either way.

Congrats to Michael & Sangu!

Julie Dao said...

Hotel Transylvania looks awesome. Can't wait to see it. And thanks for devoting your time to being our ninja captain!

Anonymous said...

Resident Evil and Dredd. Can't wait. Maybe Looper, despite the rumors about its quality.

farawayeyes said...

Lost Girl sounds interesting as well as The Fall. Added to my TBR, as long as I live to be 102, I'll make my way through it.

Can't wait to see Looper and Hotel Transylvania looks promising.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

LG, the first one was so awful, this version can only be better.

Karen, Ninjas like to taunt.

Nicki, same background!

Julie, it's an honor and a privilege.

Unknown said...

I am all in for Alice and Res Evil. My nephew and I saw the last one in the theater and we'll be doing so with this one. We are zombie/monster movie buddies. :)

Love that guitar in your pic, what do you play?

Juliana Haygert said...

Lost Girl sounds good!

Ah, I want a photo where we can really see you!!

I can't wait for Hotel Transylvania! Gonna take the kid ;)

Summer Ross said...

Lost girl looks fantastic.

I'm not sure I have much of a radar recently. LOL

Cherie Reich said...

The Lost Girl sounds really good. I'll have to check it out.

I hadn't heard of Looper before, but it looks awesome, and Hotel Transylvania looks cute and fun.

S. L. Hennessy said...

Sooo excited about Resident Evil, Looper and Hotel Transylvania. They all look amazing. And you definitely are an amazing Ninja Captain!

Nancy Thompson said...

The Lost Girl looks good, and yay for Michael! Love that pic of you. So mysterious. Hopefully Mark can further expose the Ninja Captain! Not much looks interesting on the movie front, not that I ever get to go anyway. And hmm, what shall I post about for the IWSG? So much going on.

Emily R. King said...

Congrats to Sangu!

And Looper sounds like an interesting film. I look forward to seeing it!

mshatch said...

Lost Girl sounds wonderful, love the premise. And I definitely want to see Looper; I like Joseph Gordon Levitt :)

Laura Eno said...

The Lost girl sounds really interesting and I'm waiting for Dredd.
As to a photo of Captain Ninja, I've decided you're impossible to capture on film. :)

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Melissa, I have several acoustics and electric guitars. The one in the photo is my strat. I also have a Les Paul.

Thanks, SL!

Nancy, I'm sure you'll have something by then!

Cassie Mae said...

I must've missed this 'ask Alex' day. but I so would've asked for a picture too.

I compared you to Hugh Jackman once I think. Am I close? ;)

Rachna Chhabria said...

Love the cover of Lost Girl. Sounds intriguing.

Maurice Mitchell said...

I like the mysterious shadow Alex. I'll have to try that. LOL Looper is in my must-watch list. Thanks for investing the time man.

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

Not sure about the rest of the movies, but I'm sure I'll end up seeing Hotel Transylvania with the kids!

Andrew Leon said...

I have no real desire for any of the Sept movies.
And, um, I think the reason for the requests for a pic is that one on your about me page doesn't really count. :P

N. R. Williams said...

Hi Alex
The Lost Girl sounds amazing, what a premise. Looking forward to your review of Roland's book.
Nancy

Lydia Kang said...

I'm a Gordon-Levitt fan! Sounds like a good one.

RaShelle Workman said...

Alex - I thought Urban sounded a lot like Stallone. Even his chin looks similar. LOL

I want to see Hotel Transylvania (I'm such a kid at heart. Watching a little Phineas and Ferb at the moment).

Have a great Wednesday!!!

Jeremy [Retro] said...

i love the covers to the books you are hosting today, it all starts with the cover...

the list of films coming out look great, except the looper... i think the resident evil, looks great.

and onto the the ninja you are about your image... i have one of you in a speedo that was taken at a water park when you were 18... wow that sounded funnier in my head... the typed version is really kind of creepy. ha. i guess what i am saying... take the glasses off clark, we know you are superman.

now i will wait for my answer!
have a great day!

Morgan said...

You were a music minor? I majored in music! Awww... the right brained creative types are the best ;)

And the guitar pic is AWESOME. Totally captures your ninja vibe... can't wait to see what Mark has in store... ;)

Johanna Garth said...

Alex, you're so funny. When people ask for a photo they want to see more than you in profile and in the shadows.


Btw, just saw Ruby Sparks this weekend and wondered if you've seen it too and whether you liked it? It's kind of a writerly movie.

Sherry Ellis said...

The premise of Lost Girl sounds utterly fascinating. I'll have to read it. And your picture - for such a superstar, you sure like to stay in the shadows! LOL! Do you really play guitar?

Michelle Wallace said...

Congrats to Sangu. The Lost Girl sounds wonderful... the story is built around an incredible concept.

Mina Burrows said...

I can't wait for IWSG. I missed it last month, but not next.

I can't wait for Hotel Trans. & I still want to see ParaNorman, but I think it might bet too scary for my kids. Drat!

Mina Burrows said...

Going to check out Lost Girl now. Thx.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Cassie, yes! My wife loves Hugh Jackman.

Thanks, Maurice. Ninjas like to hide in shadows.

Andrew, yes it does!

Jeremy, I'm going to be laughing about that all day. In between bouts of creepiness of course.

Morgan, yes I was.

Johanna, no I haven't - sorry.

Sherry, I own several of them and play in a band now!

Melissa Sugar said...

Looper has been on my mind for a while. It is the first movie I have really looked forward to in quite a while. Lost Girl sound intriguing. Thanks for mentioning it. It sounds like my kind of book.

Author A.O. Peart said...

Lost Girl sounds fascinating, and the cover is definitely intriguing. I would love to read it - adding to my TBR list on Goodreads (oh, that list is growing out of control!).

Congrats to Michael Abayomi on his new book. Yep, going onto my TBR too.

Okay, that photo of yours is way too secretive. I won't hold my breath but I really would like to see a "real" picture of Captain Alex :-)

randi lee said...

Great info here, Alex. As always, appreciate all of it!

Mark Koopmans said...

Photo? Photo?

I have nooo idea what you're talking about?

Nov. 19, 2012 @ 6:01 a.m. EST.

Anonymous said...

Looper has awesome written all over it. I hope it doesn't suck as I'm definitely looking forward to it.

And I'll watch Hotel Transylvania with the kids too. Yeah, I still like those kind of flicks.

Jemi Fraser said...

I hadn't heard of Looper before - sounds like something I would love :)

Golden Eagle said...

The Lost Girl is on my TBR and on hold at the library. :)

Got to write my post for IWSG!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Angela, you might have your chance later this year...

Mark, you know nothing!

Golden, don't forget!

Cate Masters said...

So much great news, as always. Wonderful you're helping get the word out there.

Theresa Milstein said...

I read an ARC of The Lost Girl about two weeks ago. It was so good.

Michael Abayomi said...

Thanks for the plug, Alex. :D

My internet is still pretty poor. Lots of (potentially bad) movies on the horizon I can see. Looking forward to the next Resident Evil though.

Tara Tyler said...

love joseph gordon levitt, ever since 3rd rock!
havent seen trailer yet but sounds awesome, esp if theres time travel and snarky bruce willis!
eager to see hotel transylvania! looks hilarious w/adam sandler & his buddies

M Pax said...

Congrats to Sangu and Michael.

Still thinking of what to post for IWSG next week, but it is marked on my calendar.

Anonymous said...

Congrats to Sangu. The Lost Girl sounds fabulous. Added it to my Wish List so I'll remember it when I'm ordering my next batch of books. Will try to get a post up for IWSG. I've always wanted to participate, but felt too insecure. ;)

Sangu Mandanna said...

Sorry it's taken me so long to stop by, Alex, it's been one of those days :-(

Thank you SO much for the shout out! And thank you for all the lovely comments, everyone, it's fantastic to see the response!

I laughed out loud when I saw your comment on the new Resident Evil because that's EXACTLY what I was thinking! I can't even remember how many there've been but I'll probably watch this one at some point like all the others...

Congratulations on your release, Michael!

Ali Cross said...

We are totally looking forward to Looper and Transylvania. Because we're die-hard fans, we'll probably check out Dredd and RE . . . guess we'll see if we regret it!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Lost Girl sounds amazing. I'm looking forward to Looper. Love Bruce Willis.

Michael Offutt, Phantom Reader said...

Oh man, IWSG is coming up already. I can't wait to see Looper.

Cindy said...

Alex...I already saw that photo a long time ago. *shakes head*

But thanks for the movie updates. :)

Leovi said...

The saga of the best that REC has recently been made ​​in Spain.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Cate, I'm trying!

Theresa, that's good to know!

Michael, you're welcome.

Tara, Looker looks amazing.

Mary, it will come to you!

Linda, you are in the right place then!

Sangu, you're welcome, and glad you've had such a great response here. The book sounds great. And yeah, I have to watch the next Resident Evil.

Michael, next week! And Looper looks awesome.

Cindy, it's the best I have to offer - right now.

Leovi, that is cool.

LynNerdKelley said...

The Lost Girl sounds like an awesome read. And Looper sounds like my kind of movie. I love your posts, Alex, always so packed with great info. Take care.

Helena said...

Lost Girl sounds intriguing, and Looper is one of the flicks I want to see.

Jeremy [Retro] said...

still thinking it is creepy... giggity!

Heather Murphy said...

The Lost Girl sounds interesting and Hotel Transylvania looks fun!
As for the picture...yeah, waiting for Mark :)

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I love Karl Urban, the most underused actor in LOTR. I can't wait for the new Dred.
Ready for Insecure day.

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

That photo is how I picture you: dark and mysterious.

Be well, Alex.
xoRobyn

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Thanks, Lynn!

Heather, in November...

Thanks, Robyn!

Unknown said...

I've already got my IWSG post scheduled to go. Luckily, I didn't publish it before I scheduled it. Haha That would have come up way funny, especially since I wrote it a week ago. Bahahaha

Carrie Butler said...

Oh, I suppose those answers will have to do for now. *Grins*

My September is looking too busy for seeing movies in the theater. Like you, I'll probably catch some of them in a few months. :)

Rusty Carl said...

Great answers to the questions. Lots going on this month here so I've not picked up much of anything. I'm spread way too thin. I didn't ask a very good question last time. Oh, I know:

What does 'J' stand for in your name?

Chuck said...

That book sounds very interesting and unique...Imay have to add this to my list.

I for sure will watch Dredd, Looper, and Resident Evil. Probably all on Video.

Come on Alex...you didn't like the Stallone Dredd...really! :)

Notes Along the Way with Mary Montague Sikes said...

Lost Girl does sound fascinating. Thanks for sharing all of this.

Monti
Mary Montague Sikes

Lisa Regan said...

I'm not sure that counts as a picture! LOL. Lost Girl sounds awesome. It reminds me of a movie with Ewan McGregor that was out years ago with a similar premise. It was quite good. I will definitely put Lost Girl on my Amazon wish list!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Julia, that would be funny!

Rusty, I', answering your questions on Friday!

Chuck, really!

Lisa, counts for me!

Pat Tillett said...

So much in this post! The Lost Girl sounds pretty good and the premise might make a good movie! Another Resident Evil? I'll see it no matter what installment it is. I don't exactly know why...

Ella said...

Yes, Congrats on The Lost Girl! It sounds really good~
Move wise...not sure... I am thinking LOOPER might be the one. Cast looks good and I might be able to convince hubby to go. He loves mob type films! I think Hotel Transylvania will be fun to watch, but I will wait for it on DVD.

I love that you answered some of your questions! Ninjas are suppose to be stealth like, so I get the photo thang ;D

Denise Covey said...

Thanks for all the interesting news, Captain. Always look forward to IWSG.

Cally Jackson said...

The Lost Girl sounds AWESOME. Definitely want to read it sooner than later.

Unknown said...

The next movie on my list is Cockneys vs. Zombies. It sounds too insane not to watch!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Alex .. the Lost Girl by Sangu Mandanna - sounds an incredible tale and an excellent read .. now I want to find out more. What a thought - to be an original or that creation ..

"Searching for Sugar Man" - I'm looking forward to seeing .. probably in London as I doubt it'll get down here ..

Cheers Hilary

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Pat, me neither!

Ella, thank you for understanding.

Jamie, that does sound odd!

Anonymous said...

I have IWSG on my calendar, but I haven't figured out my topic yet. I'll be ready, though.

Congrats to Sangu and Michael.

Old Kitty said...

I went to you About Me page expecting a full frontal...!

Ahem. Bucket of cold water here I come!
;-)
Take care
x

Bish Denham said...

The Lost Girl sounds very intriguing.

However, I can't seem to wrap my head around any of the movies! :)

Leovi said...

Very interesting Looper. Greetings.

Anonymous said...

The book sounds really interesting. I love the word echo. Especially when it's being discussed in relation to a person!

Next Wednesday will be my first IWSG and I'm really looking forward to it. Is it normal to be insecure about the post itself though?!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Medeia, you could always post something uplifting.

Sorry, Kitty! Only the wife sees the full frontal.

Rebecca, yes! Glad you're on board for the IWSG.

Mark said...

Whoa, what a concept in _The Lost Girl_. I'm both scared and intrigued by such a setting:)

Empty Nest Insider said...

Congrats to all of the authors! Looper would be my first pick on your list. Julie

Annalisa Crawford said...

Wow - Sangu's novel sounds utterly amazing, such a great concept.

mooderino said...

I'm not sure I approve of all these personal questions. What about the ninja mystique?

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Moody, don't worry - I will maintain my secrecy!

Kimberly Gabriel said...

I love the book cover for The Lost Girl - very cool! The plot is very intriguing as well!

Jen said...

So much news! Whew! Don't know if I'll ever catch up :D

Hotel Transylvania looks cute. Hadn't heard of Looper but that one sounds interesting!

Cheers!
Jen

Luna said...

Ooh...I'm going to have to check out The Lost Girl! Thanks, Alex. :)

PK HREZO said...

My son's dying to see Hotel Transylvania! lol (no pun intended)
The Lost Girl sounds awesome, as well as some of the latter movies mentioned.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Kimberly, yes it is!

Jen! Good to hear from you.

Pk, I might see it as well.

kjmckendry said...

The Lost Girl looks great!

SC Author said...

RESIDENT EVIL!!! HECKKKKK YES!!! And... Hotel Transylvania.... :) I actually kind of want to see that....

Jennifer Lane said...

Thanks for the reminder about ISWG and have fun with Mr. Standish!

M.J. Fifield said...

I'm so far behind in movies. I just saw the latest Spiderman this past week.

Looper is the only one on your list that holds any interest for me.

Anonymous said...

The Lost Girl looks like my kinda book. Will add to my Goodreads.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

SC, you sound excited!

Jennifer, I am enjoying it!

The Happy Whisk said...

I haven't seen Hotel Transylvania yet. I probably will if it comes on NetFlix.

Nicole said...

The premise of Lost Girl sounds really intriguing! And thanks for the movie round-up. I still can't believe they're remaking Dredd. ;)