Monday, September 16, 2019

CassaSeries Tour, Alien/Area 51 Conspiracy Movies, Carnival Row Review, and 100 Years of Time Travel

Robyn at Life by Chocolate and I were asked to step into the roles of Mr. and Mrs. Claus for some kinky counselling at Just the Cheese - check it out! (Beware – a little raunchy.)

CassaSeries Tour

It continues!
Silver Dagger Tours is hosting a month-long tour for me that includes a giveaway for an Amazon gift card and swag. Full list at their site.

Monday – Guest post at The OCD Nerd News and stops at Tara Tyler Talks, Rita's reading room, and Paranormal Palace of Pleasures

Tueday – Guest posts at Always Love Me Some Books Blog, Reviews and Promos by Nyx, and The Magic Of Wor(l)ds, and a stop at Midnight Book Reader

Wednesday – Stops at nanasbookreviews, TrueYABookBlogger, and 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, and Sissy, Too!

Thursday - Book-Lover, A Pinch of Bookdust, Book Corner News and Reviews, and Paranormal Romance Trance

Friday Guest post at Tyrean's Writing Spot and stops at Bedazzled By Books, Bookriot and Sapphyria's Book Reviews



Interview with Authors from We Know the Truth, Do You?

An Anthology to Celebrate the Raid

QUESTION: What is your number one favorite alien/Area 51 conspiracy movie?



Annie Walls (Author of Lavish Lure) - Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Nothing scarier than a quiet invasion that you can’t do anything about until it’s too late.

Beverly Ovalle (Author of The Road to Eden) - My favorite is Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. I love a good comedy and this is funny and the action is great.

Cass Alex (Author of Them Versus Us) - Alien Nation (movie and series). I love the idea of what could happen after possible alien integration on Earth, when separate species try and live together.

Chrys Fey (Author of Detective Heavenborn) - Ever since I was a kid, I’ve been freaked out by alien movies. But I’d say Independence Day because of the Area 51 scenes. Those scenes helped me with my story, Detective Heavenborn.

C.L. Roman (Author of Not Your Father’s Area 51) - My favorite has to be Men In Black. I loved the first one and enjoyed the others mainly because of the acting and the human reactions to advanced alien tech.

Harley Easton (Author of In the Air Tonight) - The World's End - A ton of awesome British actors play high-school friends going on a drinking weekend, but the movie takes the unexpected turn of aliens invading a tiny town.

Jennie L. Morris (Author of Galaxy Genetics Inc.) - My favorite alien conspiracy movie is Signs. I thought it was well written, and having it centered around one family with little information about the world at large, made it suspenseful.

Jennifer Wedmore (Author of What We Became) - The only movie I can think of is Independence Day. I love this movie because of the epic speech to get them pumped about fighting aliens.

Arthur M. Doweyko (Author of P'sall Senji) - Independence Day - Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum save the world. The scene where we enter Area 51 underground hanger and discover we've had a working alien saucer all along is way fun. Add to that that the President didn't even know.

Sherry Rentschler (Author of Mermurings) - My first conspiracy series/movie seduction happened during the mid-1960's Outer Limits TV series. I always got the shivers when the TV went to the little white dot and we heard the voice say, "Do not attempt to adjust your set..."

Valerie Puri (Author of Burner Phone) - My favorite alien conspiracy movie would have to be Independence Day. It has suspense, action, and a fantastic cast to bring to life a plausible first contact scenario, albeit one that doesn't have a great outlook for the human race.


Don't bother with the raid. Stay home and learn all about it in the comfort of your own home.

What’s in Area 51? Is the government hiding aliens? Elvis? Maybe the set of the Apollo moon landing? Do you know?
We do.
Join this multi-genre group as they explore the hidden recesses of Area 51, which up until now have only been whispered conspiracies. Don’t bother with the raid. Stay home, read these awesome stories and learn all you need to know.
The truth is just a page-flip away.

*All proceeds will go to US Veterans.

Visit their website and purchase the book at Universal Book Links.



Review – Carnival Row

From the IMDB:
A human detective and a fairy rekindle a dangerous affair in a Victorian fantasy world, where the city's uneasy peace collapses when a string of murders reveals an unimaginable monster.
Orlando Bloom stars as the main character, and he’s someone you can root for – he’s a good person. Cara Delevingne is also intriguing as the fairy.
The setting is great. Something about a Victorian setting that just exudes magic.
I like that it’s a detective story with supernatural twists.
The production values are great. The makeup and special effects are first class. What I don’t like – zero humor. (You see that in a lot of shows now.) It just makes the show joyless. I can’t recall one smile or laugh in the five episodes I’ve watched. It’s difficult to go back for more when each episode is more depressing than the last. (There are eight total.)
If dark, deadly, and joyless is your thing, you’ll enjoy it. On Amazon.



100 Years of Time Travel


Courtesy of Enlightened Digital!







Have you been following the CassaSeries tour? What is your favorite alien/Area 51 conspiracy movie? (I'd have to go with a television show - The X-Files.) Have you seen Carnival Row? What do you think about time travel?
Don’t forget to visit Just the Cheese and the CassaSeries tour hosts today!

81 comments:

RaveAir said...

The Carnival Row is on my watchlist.

nashvillecats2 said...

Pleased you blog tour is going well Alex. Enjoyed the post and reviews.
Good luck with the rest of the tour...... will follow when I can.

Yvonne.

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

That's a great tour!

I like "Body Snatchers"...the 1970s version. :)

Elephant's Child said...

I have seen some of your tour - and cheered.
And laughed at the threesome's work.

lostinimaginaryworlds.blogspot.com said...

Yes, these stories are usually far too scary for me, but Carnival Row - I might risk that as I set my children’s books in the Victorian period. Good luck with the hectic tour! 🤗

kaykuala said...

You would be extremely busy on your month tour Alex, Congrats. Hank's choice has to be Independence Day. A great line-up of celebrated casts that lent strong support.

Hank

Shady Del Knight said...

Hi, Alex!

I agree with Annie Walls. Invason of the Body Snatchers (the 1955 original) is one of my favorite films about alien invasion. I also agree with Sherry Rentschler. I was a regular viewer of the TV series The Outer Limits. Both versions of The Thing are also superb.

Bust into Area 51 and you will find Jimmy Hoffa and Andy Kaufman.

I totally agree with you about Carnival Row. In the late 2010s I would think the producers of new series and films would realize the importance of infusing mystery, adventure, drama and pathos with humor. Humor sells.

Have a great week, good buddy Alex!

Sarah Foster said...

I was mildly curious about Carnival Row but I'm not sure if I'll watch it.
Good luck with the rest of the blog tour!

Mason Canyon said...

A lot of good alien movies out there. Too many to select just one. Enjoying your tour.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Elizabeth, that was the best version.

Shady, is that where they're keeping them?

Thanks, everyone!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Your tour is going great.

I always loved the Bill and Ted time travel movies.

Joanne said...

You're on the grand tour - hope you have enough clean underwear. I'm not big on alien stuff. Time travel - yes. I love Groundhog Day. And a time travel book - Life After Life by Kate Atkinson - awesome. Plays with history in WWII.
Have a super week.

Madeline Mora-Summonte said...

I haven't heard of Carnival Row. I did watch "Ma" the other day. It was okay, but I think it could've been creepier, more menacing.

Botanist said...

My wife just finished watching "Carnival Row". I don't sit down to watch whole series - too much else to do with my time - but I caught a few episodes and enjoyed them. I honestly hadn't noticed the lack of humor until you pointed it out, so that didn't bother me. Had vibes of "Ripper Street" to it, but with fantasy elements.

Tyrean Martinson said...

Love the idea behind the anthology! Favorite- that's a tough word. I'm going to go with first: Star Trek was my first entry into the SF/alien world as a child, with Star Wars coming up quickly after that. I don't have a favorite Area 51 theory, but I've always found it interesting.
I liked Carnival Row, but it does lack joy and that's sad. I hope they find some humor in the second season, even if it's just a little bit of humor.

I'll see you on Friday!

Computer Tutor said...

That is a busy schedule, Alex. It's impressive you get through that while still writing more books (oh, and then there's work).

Chrys Fey said...

Hey, Alex! Thank you so much for participating in the anthology's blog tour! And all the best with your blog tour!

Carrie-Anne said...

I really wanted to invent a time machine when I was younger, little realizing how much advanced science is necessary for such a venture, nor that such technology doesn't yet exist. As a preteen, I had plans for a series about kids who win their school science fair with a time machine and go on adventures to other eras. In the last book, the protagonist is left behind in prehistoric times and happily adapts to her new life.

Jo said...

Congratulations on your tour Alex, keeping you busy I guess.

A Victorian detective and a fairy? Sounds good except if, as you said, it's joyless. Life always has the odd bit of humour no matter what the situation.

H. R. Sinclair said...

Invasion of the Body Snatchers and World's End are at the top of my list too!

I can't believe you made it though all the episodes of Carnival Row. I like dark, deadly, and I could handle joyless, but not tedious. I barely made it though one episode. :(

Liz A. said...

Much better an anthology than actually going and storming Area 51. (Who's actually going to do that?) Love the time travel graphic.

Ella said...

Such a great post! Nicely done on the tour! I will visit...behind due to internet issues. I was just talking about the Body Snatcher movie-whoa! I am sad to hear there is no humor in Carnival Row. I will still check it out...thanks Captain for all your links to goodness.

SpacerGuy said...

Timetravel is one of those physics things - if you move forward or backward and come back to the now, some call that a time incursion or in Star Trek breaking the prime directive, so like what in jumping Jupiter. Figure this stuff out and you've got it made.

CheriLeigh42 said...

Thanks for hosting our Anthology. This is a fun blog!

Al Penwasser said...

I just read PTM's blog.
I tried searching Amazon for fuchsia nip tassels.
I am sad.

T. Powell Coltrin said...

That is an extensive book tour. What a great thing!

I like dark movies, some times, but I don't like the whole thing to be without any humor. That's too dark.

Teresa

Juneta key said...

I'm looking forward to reading Area 51. I enjoyed Carnival Row but I do get what you mean. I had to watch the second episode before I really got interested and kept watching.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Joanne, that book sounds interesting.

Ian, also reminded me of The Frankenstein Chronicles.

Tyrean, I'll take any humor.

Chrys, you're welcome!

Carrie-Anne, you should write that one.

Holly, it's a struggle to watch.

Cheri, you're welcome!

Al, none???

J E Oneil said...

Well, dark, deadly, and joyless is absolutely my thing. Honestly I'm more surprised that the MC is an actually decent human being. That feels a lot rarer these days (at least for male characters).

Anonymous said...

I've seen your books out and about on your tour. =)

Sherry said...

Lots to read! Thank you for hosting about our book on Area 51. And for your review of Canary Row. Love what you have here!

The Angry Lurker said...

I'd agree with the X-Files too!

Natalie Aguirre said...

I think I'd like Carnival Row. I like the mystery with some fantasy story line. Thanks for letting us know about it.

Andrew Leon said...

I'll try out Carnival Row at some point. You know, once I have a machine that can freeze time.

Rhonda Albom said...

Looks like a great tour. You are always so inspiring. As of alien conspiracy movies, I have only seen some of those listed. Of those, Signs is my favourite.

Susan Kane said...

Huzzah! Your tour will be awesome.

Signs, for sure. Ghostbusters. Time Bandits.

Elizabeth Mueller said...

Hi, Alex!

Sorry, I didn't know about your CassaSeries tour, apparently, I didn't post for last month's IWSG and thought I had! I'm overwhelmed with life right now and any free time goes to writing. I posted late this month, hope that's still good enough. (Sorry!)

Carnival row cover looks interesting. I don't care for episodes at all because it keeps going and going and going. I love a movie with a beginning, middle, and end, all in a single sitting--no, binging feels too gluttonous for me! I think my daughter might like it, though, she's into fairies and gothic feel. :)

~Elizabeth

J.H. Moncrieff said...

Congrats on the tour, Alex! Sorry I've missed it--this summer has been so busy, I needed to take a wee break from blogging, but I'm back now.

Sandra Ulbrich Almazan said...

Good luck with your blog tour!

I watched the first episode of Carnival Row, but I'm not sure if I want to continue. I like the premise, but I'm not a fan of grim stories.

As for time travel, I've written a few stories about it, so you could say I'm a fan.

Tonja Drecker said...

You're having quite the tour! Carnival Row sounds interesting...worth a peek...but without humor sounds dry.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I tried Carnival Row, but perhaps Marvel has ruined us. We expect some humor to break up the tragedy. Your blog tour is amazing so far.

Truedessa said...

Happy Monday!

Hmm, my favorite alien movie that question is hard for me to answer. Maybe, Arrival or Avatar. Does Guardians of the Galaxy count? Too many choices.

I just wanted to say, I think the CassaSeries Tour is great. It's been fun visiting the tour stops.

As a dreamer, I believe time travel is definitely possible.

Keep Rockin'

Cathrina Constantine said...

I have many favorite alien movie, it's difficult to name my fave. Of course, Star Wars! Recently though, would be Guardians of the Galaxy.

I watched up to episode 4 of Carnival Row. At first I really liked it. I totally agree with your review, the settings, magic, and supernatural twists, but like you said, there's no humor and it's dark. I would've like an uplifting moment or two. I haven't gone back to watch the final episodes yet. I probably will when I'm in the mood for darkness.

Powdered Toast Man said...

I love time travel movies, even if they are bad. I thought there would be more than 110.

There is a short film called 14 minutes or something (I can never remember). A guy travels back to the same party at different points in time. Some he crosses over.

Terminator is prob my favorite. The whole idea of sending your dad back thru time to impregnate your mom is mind blowing.

Fundy Blue said...

Hi, Alex! I have not been following the CassaSeries tour, but I will be starting tomorrow ~ Somehow your post got away from me last week. I read a great book about Area 51: Annie Jacobsen's "Area 51, An Uncensored History of America's Top Secret Military Base." It was mind-blowing, and I want to read it again. Terry and I drove past the Nevada Test and Training Range (which contains Area 51) a long time ago. I can still remember the spooky feeling as we were driving by and seeing a military jet take off straight up and going faster than I had ever seen until it vanished in the bright blue sky. I love time travel books and movies. I'll have to go with "Outlander," a book series and tv series (Jamie Fraser has to be my favorite romantic character ever). Another favorite is Brian D'Amato's "In the Courts of the Sun." I thought it was brilliant, not just the time travel aspect, but because of how well the author recreated the Mayan world. Good luck with your tour!!!

Birgit said...

My ex 5aped Carnival Row on a USB stick so I hope I can watch it. I love The X-Files for a tv show but I will go wit( the original The Day The Earth Stood Still starring Michael Rennie, Patricia Neal and Gort. It’s pretty apt even for today because the paranoid people are us. I will check out your Mr and Mrs. Claus ove4 at Jus5 t(e Cheese

Elizabeth Seckman said...

I'm there at most stops waving. I would say I'd throw panties on stage like a rocker, but that's not only unseemly, it's also unsanitary. I'll tick with waving.

I'll skip the dark and brooding show. At least for now. We've been watching The Boys, it's pretty dark too.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

JE, it does seem rare.

Sherry, you're welcome!

Elizabeth, I saw you did post.

Susan, it could sure use some Marvel humor.

PTM, it is mind blowing!

Louise, that's wild you've been by Area 51.

Elizabeth, thanks! And yes, The Boys is also dark.

Mary Aalgaard said...

I usually like time travel stories. Independence Day is a good film. I'd like to watch it again. The anthology sounds great!

Sandra Cox said...

You are flying all over the blogosphere. What a great tour.

Roland D. Yeomans said...

Great luck with your Tour! I couldn't last 10 minutes in Carnival Row. If I want to become depressed, I just listen to the nightly news! Give me humor at least for some of the episodes.

Erika Beebe said...

Does Contact count? I love it! Thanks for the tip on Carnival Row. I will steer clear of it. I haven't followed the tour hosts but I will now. Congratulations!!!

Mary Kirkland said...

Living in Las Vegas I've been hearing a lot about the Area 51 raid and the festivals that are popping up about it. But I've been here for 30 years and have seen countless documentaries about Area 51 so this doesn't surprise me at all.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Thanks, Sandra!

Roland, very true.

Erika, good choice - yes, there was a bit of time travel in that film.

Lidy said...

Congrats on the tour!

My favorite alien movie is Independence Day. And Flash Gordon. Already the theme song is playing inside my head.

Sandra Cox said...

Looks like another busy schedule today.
Thanks for the heads up on Carnival Row. I'm waiting for the next season of Bosch.

Intangible Hearts said...

Only 110 time travel movies? Sounds like there's room for more! I think you inspired all your followers, but you have a way of doing that.

Nilanjana Bose said...

Looks like a happy-busy month for you! All the very best!

I consume my time travel in books more than in films. In fact I just finished a book by Ben Elton on that very subject.

Ray Rousell said...

I think Harley Easton's got it right, picking a not so well known Simon Pegg film. Good call!

kimlajevardi.com said...

Congrats on the tour!

Sherry Ellis said...

Men in Black is my favorite alien movie because it's just too funny. I like funny. Not scary.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Lidy, Queen made a catchy song.

Thanks, Eve!

Sandra Cox said...

I'm with Jennie, I loved Signs.

Anonymous said...

Dark, deadly, and joyless is not my thing. I thought I'd give it a try but saw another trailer of it and decided not to. Glad I'm not missing anything.

I love the answers from all the authors of the anthology. Especially Cass Alex's. I'm a huge fan of Alien Nation. I loved that movie and show so much I bought the DVDs forever ago.

Elsie

Susan Flett Swiderski said...

I've seen and enjoyed a lot of movies about aliens. As film techniques improved over the years, the realism has made the more modern ones more chilling... or funny, depending on the flick... but they're (mostly) all enjoyable. I do like the rah!rah!rah! kinda endings like "Independence Day" movies best, though.

Pat Hatt said...

Sounds like I'll skip that one, depressing shows are just blah in my book. Independence Day sure came out the winner, a great one indeed. Stargate had some fun ones around there.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Pat, Stargate was a big winner in my book.

Fundy Blue said...

I've been visiting some of your guest posts featuring your books at various sites. I'm enjoying reading your posts about your writing process. I'm glad that you didn't have swearing in your books ~ I'm not perfect in my personal life either. (Better not be around me when the news is on the tv ~ LOL). But I get tired of coarse language in books and movies. It may be more "realistic" to use it, but I don't think it is necessary. I'm sure there would have been cursing in the Mines of Moria, but Tolkien took a higher road.

Raimey Gallant said...

Book series tours, anthology interviews--I'm learning so much about marketing from you!

Karen Lange said...

Congratulations on your newest book! Just stopped by Tyrean's blog and heard the news. Wishing you much success!

mail4rosey said...

The cover of the Bloom movie reminds me of Fantsastic Beasts...although that one had some cute moments and humor. I'm guessing from the description they are nothing alike. :)

Victoria Marie Lees said...

Okay don't disown me, Alex, but I don't watch many alien movies. The kids showed me Men in Black with Will Smith, and that was pretty cool. As for the time machine stuff, I remember seeing “The Time Machine" movie as a kid and that was really, really good. I'm talking years and years ago. Recently, the Groundhog Day one with Bill Murray is great. Until he learns to respect others, he can't move on. What a great premise. All best to you, sir!

mshatch said...

I agree with you, Alex, X-Files. Roswell the tv show was also pretty fun. And I LOVE time travel shows, movies, and books :)

DMS said...

The Carnival Row looks great- but I am not sure I am ready for more dark and depressing than the last. Maybe when fall is fully here.

Hope the tour is going well!!! Congrats!
~Jess

Roland Clarke said...

I watched the first episode of 'Carnival row' with my wife as so much appealed to us when we learnt about it. But we got no further. I suspect we're not into this version of 'dark, deadly, and joyless' - not after watching some great Brit TV mysteries recently. Perhaps, we need to time travel back to the future. And there's always saying 'get those filthy paws off my script' to someone. Loved that info-graphic with some favourite movies.

Fundy Blue said...

Hi, Alex! Right now I'm focusing on getting through the stack of books that I have already bought! And my Great Courses course on Pompeii. And, and, and! I really enjoyed Jacqui's list ~ well, maybe "enjoyed" is the wrong word, because it made me break out in a cold sweat. It's a list like that that wakes me up in the middle of the night! Have a good one, and good luck with your tour!

Toi Thomas said...

Love the Cassa Series but only made it to two stops on the tour.
Not that it's my favorite but Evolution is pretty funny and I have a soft spot for ET.
Just started Carnival Row, it is really serious, which I expected, but you're right. Sometimes it's too serious.

Blue Grumpster said...

Elvis? Now you're telling me?

Hello, Alex.

Magic Love Crow said...

Your tour is going great Alex! Congrats! I watched The X-Files faithfully! LOL!

Mina Burrows said...

I'm a bit behind on the tour but I'll be visiting.
I'm with you on the X-files. My absolute fav.
I really enjoyed Carnival Row. Different and entertaining.


J.H. Moncrieff said...

Fire in the Sky scared the crap out of me. I just can't explain those men's stories away. Really terrifying.