Frozen Movie Review and December Movie Preview!! Plus Curiosity Quills and the IWSG, and Some Awesome Ninja News.

I was asked to do an article about the Insecure Writer’s Support Group for Curiosity Quills! It’s up today at their website.

Movie Review

Frozen
Inspired by Hans Christian Anderson’s The Snow Queen, Frozen is the story of two princess sisters, Anna and Elsa. When Else’s secret powers plunge their kingdom into an eternal winter and she runs away, Anna sets off to find her and make things right.
This is a very sweet story, genuine and innocent. It’s not an epic story, but it’s really enjoyable to watch.
The animation is stunning, especially in 3D. The frozen ice is incredible. (And my wife now wants an ice castle.)
The strength of the story lies with the sisters, especially Anna. She is a true heroine. She’s also a combination of resourceful awkwardness, which makes for some humorous situations.
Olaf the snowman is a riot. Most of the humor comes from his optimistic sweetness and desire to experience summer. Sven the reindeer is also funny.
If you’re looking for a sweet story about love and family devotion, wrapped up with amazing animation and great humor, then this is your film. Highly recommended.

Ninja News

Roland Yeomans is this month’s featured Challenge participant at the A to Z Blog. His theme was “Words of Wisdom for Writers,” so check it out.

Those of you signed up with The Fussy Librarian - CassaStar is the featured science fiction book for Tuesday this week!

Cassie Mae’s Switched is out today – congratulations, Cassie!

CD Coffelt’s prequel to Wilder Mage, Out of Magic, is available for free on Tuesday, December 3.



Created by Pat Hatt of It’s Rhyme Time have been working on a project - Translate Your eBook. It’s really awesome, so visit his SITE for details.


Sean McLachlan is looking for beta readers for his next novel. Radio Hope is a post-apocalyptic thriller, sans zombies, and it comes out February 1. Details HERE. Also, check out his "How Can I Help You?" page for some cool stuff he offers.

Nutschell at The Writing Nut is raising money two ways to help the typhoon victims back home in the Philippines:

1. CBW-LA.ORG, my nonprofit group, is donating 50% of its book sales (for STORY SPROUTS: CBW-LA WRITING DAY EXERCISES & ANTHOLOGY) from Nov. 2013 to the end of Jan. 2014. Find it on Amazon HERE.

2. Doce Pares L.A., my Filipino martial arts group is raising money through the Payong Drive campaign. Basically they are selling shirts for $20 each. Up to Dec.15, if you have other friends/relatives interested in supporting our fund drive, send the number of shirts and sizes (Small up to 3XL) to: LADocePares@yahoo.com (Sizing Chart) You can make checks payable to "Erwin Mosqueda" or via Paypal: PayongFundDrive@gmail.com Local U.S. shipping and handling will be free (except Hawaii, Alaska & Puerto Rico).

David List has started a Kickstarter project for his upcoming novel, A Sawmill’s Hope:
 
Visit Kickstarter HERE for more information and to contribute. Good luck, David!

CheersFest 2.0 is one week away on December 9! We are roasting Lee ‘Arlee Bird’ of Tossing it Out.

The next posting for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group is this Wednesday.

There will also be a cool contest with some awesome prizes announced at the IWSG Website on Wednesday, so don’t miss it! 

December Movies

Here are the upcoming movies for December! As always, descriptions courtesy of the IMDB. Snarky comments by me.

6 –

Out of the Furnace
When Rodney Baze mysteriously disappears and law enforcement fails to follow through, his older brother, Russell, takes matters into his own hands to find justice.
Director: Scott Cooper
Stars: Christian Bale, Casey Affleck, Zoe Saldana, Woody Harrelson
It’s Christian Bale month – he also stars in American Hustle, coming out on December 20.

10 – DVD – Despicable Me II

13 –

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
The dwarves, along with Bilbo Baggins and Gandalf the Grey, continue their quest to reclaim Erebor, their homeland, from Smaug. Bilbo Baggins is in possession of a mysterious and magical ring.
Director: Peter Jackson
Stars:Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, Benedict Cumberbatch
Despite the haters, I still thought the first installment was amazing and can’t wait for this one. Bring on Smaug!

20 –

Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues
With the 70s behind him, San Diego's top rated newsman, Ron Burgundy, returns to take New York's first 24-hour news channel by storm.
Director: Adam McKay
Stars: Will Ferrell, Christina Applegate, Paul Rudd, Steve Carell
The first one really wasn’t the funny, but I give them credit for hyping this one to the max.

Saving Mr. Banks
Author P. L. Travers reflects on her difficult childhood while meeting with filmmaker Walt Disney during production for the adaptation of her novel, Mary Poppins.
Director: John Lee Hancock
Stars: Emma Thompson, Tom Hanks, Colin Farrell, Ruth Wilson
Sappy, sentimental, and feisty – one heck of combination. Sure it will be really good as well.

25 –

47 Ronin
A band of samurai set out to avenge the death and dishonor of their master at the hands of a ruthless shogun.
Director: Carl Rinsch
Stars: Keanu Reeves, Hiroyuki Sanada, Kô Shibasaki, Tadanobu Asano
Looks amazing. Now if I can just get Ted Theodore Logan out of my head…


Did everyone have a great Thanksgiving? Did you see Frozen? Anything in the Ninja News catch your eye? Ready for the IWSG post this week? And what movies are looking forward to in December?

Don’t forget to visit Curiosity Quills!

CassaStorm Cover Reveal! And Ninja News, Cover Reveals and Releases, and Celebrating the Small Things

CassaStorm cover reveal today! But first...

I am visiting Allison at Geek Banter today! Signed up for the A to Z Challenge but don’t have a topic yet? Want a geeky topic? Then head on over to Allison’s site when you finish here.

Ninja News

A to Z Challenge co-hosts, Nicole and Tina, were interviewed over at Curiosity Quills. If you want to learn a little more about the Challenge, check it out – the ladies did a fantastic job.

MJ Joachim had a great post about making it easy to find and follow one’s blog.

There was so much happening on Wednesday, I completely forgot the Wednesday Movie Quote!! Epic Ninja fail. (Thank you Robin for pointing it out.) Third time’s a charm – next Wednesday, romantic comedy quotes for sure. It’s in my calendar.

And found out yesterday that CassatStar is on Goodreads’ top Space Jocks books. If you have the time, would appreciate your vote! And thanks to the person who got it on the list.

Cover Reveals and Releases!

Several today!

A couple break up on a rainy night; a runaway longs to go home; a woman finds comfort from eating lunch as her best friend lies in hospital; a teenager feels oppressed by her father. All of the characters in these stories are trying to find their place in the world, attempting to find connections that matter with the people around them.

This collection brings together prize-winning and published stories from the past twenty years: the ‘greatest hits’.

That Sadie Thing and other stories will be available on

Kindle Monday 25th February 2013.

Annalisa Crawford lives and writes in Cornwall with a good supply of beaches and moorland to keep her inspired. She finds endless possibilities in the relationships between people. As this collection testifies, she has been writing for twenty years - but doesn't feel a day over twenty-one.

Find her on her blog, Twitter, Facebook and Goodreads.

The Truth About Letting Go 
by Leigh Talbert Moore


Purchase here: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and iBookstore.


Find Leigh: Blog, Twitter, Goodreads, and Facebook.

Unleashing the CassaStorm!

Are you ready?

CassaStorm by Alex J. Cavanaugh

A storm gathers across the galaxy…

Byron thought he’d put the days of battle behind him. Commanding the Cassan base on Tgren, his only struggles are occasional rogue pirate raids and endless government bureaucracies. As a galaxy-wide war encroaches upon the desert planet, Byron’s ideal life is threatened and he’s caught between the Tgrens and the Cassans.

After enemy ships attack the desert planet, Byron discovers another battle within his own family. The declaration of war between all ten races triggers nightmares in his son, shaking Bassan to the core and threatening to destroy the boy’s mind.

Meanwhile the ancient alien ship is transmitting a code that might signal the end of all life in the galaxy. And the mysterious probe that almost destroyed Tgren twenty years ago could be on its way back. As his world begins to crumble, Byron suspects a connection. The storm is about to break, and Byron is caught in the middle…

Release date: September 17, 2013
Science Fiction - Space Opera/Adventure
Print ISBN 9781939844002
E-book ISBN 9781939844019

Yes, I am very stoked!!!!! That cover rocks.

Celebrating the Small Things

VikLit’s weekly meme.

Sharing my cover was a big thing, but something else cool is happening today.

Yes, sex and controversy sell. But I have never (nor will ever) put sex, foul language, or anything immoral in my books. I wanted my books to be accessible to everyone, just as I enjoyed reading the genre as a kid.

And I’m really glad I made that decision, because Kimberly Gabriel shared my books with her seventh grade class and they were very excited to read them. Now, not only did they order several copies and received bookmarks, the kids put together some questions for me. And today, Kimberly is sharing my answers with her class, along with the cover for CassaStorm.

Score!!!

Hope the kids enjoyed it, Kimberly.

(And if any of you are teachers, let me know – I’d love to do that again!)

Ready for the A to Z Challenge? Excited about the upcoming books? What small thing are you celebrating? And what do think of CassaStorm’s cover? (It’s been tough to sit on this for a whole week!)

Don’t forget to visit Geek Banter for some geeky A to Z Challenge topic suggestions.

Special Updates, Ninja News, Lynda Young and Make Believe, Angela Felsted and Chaste, and the “And You Are…?” Blogfest!

There was a snafu last Friday with the timing of my article at Curiosity Quills Press about the beginnings and purpose of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. Sharon Bayliss (who has a book coming out soon, The Charge) apologized for the delay, but sometimes these things happen. So if you missed it Friday morning, the article is HERE. Thanks again Sharon for the opportunity to share. (And remember that the next posting for the IWSG is THIS Wednesday!)

One more week until the Ninja dies. Yes, I’ve seen all those comments about roasting and embarrassing me!! But I’m honored and touched by the amount of people who signed up for the blogfest. I’m glad I’ve made a difference to so many. And that you care enough to say something. I guess it takes an embarrassing blogfest thrown in your honor to find out who your real friends are. Thank you.You guys rock.
And if you somehow missed it, read about it HERE.

Ninja News

The fifth book in Michael Abayomi’s epic fantasy series is out – The Passage. Congratulations, Michael!

Siv Ottem and Roland Yeomans have short stories in the anthology, Open Doors: Fractured Fairy Tales. The publisher states: “A socially conscious press, Wayman is dedicated to helping those in need. Much of the profit from this anthology will be donated to Primary Children's Hospital in the form of Christmas gifts we'll bring to the long-term patients staying there.” Congratulations Siv and Roland – and what an awesome cause!

Jeremy interviewed Chris Sarandon this weekend over at Howling Wolf Records.
Yes, THE Chris Sarandon of Fright Night and The Princess Bride fame! So go check it out.

Marta Szemik’s next book in the Two Halves series was just released, Evil-Bent. Congratulations, Marta!

Make Believe

Lynda R. Young’s short story titled Birthright, published by J. Taylor Publishing in the Make Believe anthology, launched TODAY! Make Believe is currently available in e-book format and includes Paranormal Romance and Fantasy stories inspired by the image on the cover. Congratulations, Lynda! 

Birthright by Lynda R. Young
Christa can mask the pain and hide the scars, but running from a birthright is impossible.
She’s tried to escape her grief by fleeing to a small town in Florida. Much to her frustration, the locals think they recognize her even though she's never been there before. To make things worse, a man named Jack spouts outrageous theories about her.
Both spur Christa to bolt, to start fresh yet again, but there’s something about Jack that intrigues her enough to stay. The only problem? Someone else wants her to leave, and they won’t stop until she’s dead.

About Lynda R. Young:
Lynda R. Young lives in Sydney, Australia, with her sweetheart of a husband who is her rock, and a cat who believes world domination starts in the home. She writes speculative short stories and is currently writing novels for young adults. In her spare time she also dabbles in photography and all things creative. You can find her here: Blog, Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads

Purchase Make Believe: J Taylor Publishing, Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Lynda, way to go! You are an amazing writer and dear friend and I couldn’t be more excited for you.

Chaste

Now available – Chaste by Angela Felsted!

When he steps into his physics class on the first day of senior year, Quinn Walker is too exhausted from staying up all night with his three-month-old nephew to deal with moral dilemmas. As a devout Mormon who has vowed to wait until marriage for sex, the last thing he needs is a very hot and very sexy Katarina Jackson as his physics partner. Regrettably, he has no choice.
Kat feels invisible in her mansion of a home six months after losing her older brother in a fatal car crash and will do anything to get her parents? attention. Since her pastor father has no love for Quinn?s ?fake? religion and her ex-boyfriend refuses to leave her alone, she makes an impulsive bet with her friends to seduce her holier-than-thou lab partner by Christmas.

Angela Felsted is a Northern Virginia native who is overly fond of Olive Garden and Red Lobster. She grew up in a faithful Mormon home with three brothers and one sister where she learned to stand up for herself by tickling her attackers until they broke out into laughing fits. Her work has appeared in issue fifteen of Drown in Your Own Fears, Chanterelle's Notebook and Vine Leaves Literary Journal. Her chapbook, Cleave, was published by finishing line press in 2012.
Find Angela here: Blog, Twitter, and Goodreads
Purchase Chaste at Amazon or Barnes and Noble.
View the trailer on YouTube.

Congratulations, Angela!!!!

“And You Are…?” Blogfest!

Hosted by Emily R King and Tammy Theriault.

We are to answer these questions or David Spade loses his Christmas bonus:

1. How many speeding tickets have you gotten? Two. I’ve been REALLY lucky!

2. Can you pitch a tent? Is that like pitching a story? No? Then no would be my answer.

3. What was your worst vacation ever? Anything involving the woods and tents. That’s what four-star hotels are for.

4. What was the last thing you bought over $100? You really want to know? Splurged this past weekend and purchased a Gibson Les Paul guitar. Yeah, just a little over $100…

5. We're handing you the keys to what? A Bugatti Veyron!!! Hey, it’s my fantasy.

6. What was the last meal cooked that made even you sick? Twenty-five years ago – it involved Tuna Helper. I’ll never touch the stuff again.

7. Fill in the blank: Oh my gosh! Becky, look at her butt! It is so big. She looks like John Goodman in a bikini!

8. What was your first car? A two-door Ford something. One of those crap cars you drive when you’re sixteen.

9. Your best friend falls and gets hurt. Do you ask if he/she's okay or laugh first? My best friend is my wife – if I laugh, I’ll never be allowed in the house again!

10. What's the worst song ever? Wham’s Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go. No explanation needed.

Visit Emily or Tammy for a list of participants or to join us.

Did you finally see the article at Curiosity Quills? Ready for Wednesday’s IWSG? Picking up either Lynda or Angela’s books? And you are…?

Curiosity Quills and the IWSG, Ninja News, Just the Right Time, Personal Values in Writing, and the December Movie Preview

I have the greatest honor of a guest post at Curiosity Quills today. Sharon Bayliss asked me to write a piece on the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. Those of you familiar with Curiosity Quills know this is a big thing, so stop by there today for some history and to learn more about the IWSG.

It's up now!

And thanks for all the cheers for CassaStorm's acceptance by my publisher and schedulded release next September. You guys rock!

Ninja News

Jeremy Bates is holding a Christmas giveaway – twenty eBook copies of The Taste of Fear

Visit Roland Yeomans’ SITE to find out how you can win an autographed Ray Bradbury book! He also has this CONTEST going on with so much cool, signed stuff, it will blow your mind!

Sean McLachlan is giving away two copies of his book, A Fine Likeness. Sign up to win one at Goodreads.

Next Wednesday, December 5, is the next posting for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! Livia and Tasha are helping with co-host duties that day. Thank you ladies! If you’re a writer and you’ve not yet joined the IWSG, I recommend joining us – it’s the most supportive, encouraging group you will ever find.

Just the Right Time

I am very stoked to announce that my dear blogger buddy, Robyn Alana Engel at Life by Chocolate, has a book out!

“It's Just the Right Time: a magical mixture of poetry and paintings for folks of all ages. It's not too late It's not too soon To watch the stars dance towards the moon. So begins this little jewel, featuring Robyn Engel's poetry and Robin Mead's artwork. "Just the Right Time is a blessing, a loving embrace with colorful, whimsical pictures and words. I can't wait to read these poems to my grandson and show him the beautiful, twinkly illustrations. You'll want to visit these pages again and again." -Susan Wooldridge, author of poemcrazy: freeing your life with words.

Buy it now at Amazon.

Robyn, congratulations!!! I am very excited for you.

Does Your Writing Reflect Your Morals and Values?

I don’t talk writing often (and with good reason) but a few posts lately got me to thinking about this one.

Does your writing reflect your morals and values?

Now, I’ll watch movies and read books with all sorts of vile characters in them. If the character redeems himself at the end, I’m good with it. But as far as my own writing, I can’t write characters like that. My moral compass won’t let me.

For example:

In CassaStar, Bassa comments that the women of Spaceport 89 are “pretty fast.” Let’s be real – thousands of men on a flagship get a day to relax on a spaceport. Think wild west – of course there are brothels! However, I was not about to show Bassa and Byron visiting one.

In CassaFire, you learn more about “bonding.” Cassan and Tgren women have the ability to “bond,” which means a permanent mental connection to their mate. Once a man and woman are bonded as mates, they are in effect “married.”

So yes, my own moral compass appears in my work, as I place great value on the sanctity of marriage.

(And I'd like to note that Byron does do things I would never do, and there are some immoral secondary characters. It isn't all pure!)

How about you?

December Movie Releases

Here are the upcoming movies for December! As always, descriptions courtesy of the IMDB. Snarky comments by me.

7 -

Deadfall
A thriller that follows two siblings who decide to fend for themselves in the wake of a botched casino heist, and their unlikely reunion during another family's Thanksgiving celebration.
Director: Stefan Ruzowitzky
Stars: Eric Bana, Olivia Wilde, Charlie Hunnam, Sissy Spacek
Could be intense and Olivia Wilde is a bonus.


14-

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
A curious Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, journeys to the Lonely Mountain with a vigorous group of Dwarves to reclaim a treasure stolen from them by the dragon Smaug.
Director: Peter Jackson
Stars: Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, Andy Serkis
Are you kidding? I’m hitting the first showing! 


21 -

Jack Reacher
A homicide investigator digs deeper into a case involving a trained military sniper who shot five random victims.
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Stars: Tom Cruise, Rosamund Pike, Richard Jenkins, Robert Duvall
I’ve never read the books, but the preview was funny.


28 -

Django Unchained
With the help of his mentor, a slave-turned-bounty hunter sets out to rescue his wife from a brutal Mississippi plantation owner.
Director: Quentin Tarantino
Stars: Jamie Foxx, Don Johnson, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kerry Washington
Tarantino can do no wrong… And it’s a Western!



Any contests entice you? Ready for the IWSG next week? Do your values wind up in your work? And what movies look good to you?

Don’t forget to visit the awesome Curiosity Quills website!