October Movie Preview, Survive and Thrive Bloghop, Movie Trivia Answers, Ninja News, and Writing Update

October Movie Preview!

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

10 –

Dracula Untold
Facing threats to his kingdom and his family, Vlad Tepes looks to make a deal with dangerous supernatural forces - without succumbing to the darkness himself.
Director: Gary Shore
Stars: Luke Evans, Dominic Cooper, Sarah Gadon, Art Parkinson
A sympathetic Dracula? As long as he doesn’t sparkle, I guess that’s all right.


17 –

Fury
April, 1945. As the Allies make their final push in the European Theatre, a battle-hardened army sergeant named Wardaddy commands a Sherman tank and her five-man crew on a deadly mission behind enemy lines. Out-numbered, out-gunned, and with a rookie soldier thrust into their platoon, Wardaddy and his men face overwhelming odds in their heroic attempts to strike at the heart of Nazi Germany.
Director: David Ayer
Stars: Brad Pitt, Shia LaBeouf, Logan Lerman, Michael Peña
Apparently there are still untold stories about WWII as well…

The Book of Life
Manolo, a young man who is torn between fulfilling the expectations of his family and following his heart, embarks on an adventure that spans three fantastic worlds where he must face his greatest fears.
Director: Jorge R. Gutierrez
Stars: Zoe Saldana, Channing Tatum, Ron Perlman, Christina Applegate
It looks unique, and with Del Toro’s name attached, there’s a good chance it will also be odd.


24 –

John Wick
When Russian mobsters kill his beloved dog, retired hit man John Wick returns to the game he played best - and brings bloody vengeance with him.
Director: Chad Stahelski
Stars: Keanu Reeves, Bridget Moynahan, Willem Dafoe, Ian McShane
Yes, it’s Keanu Reeves, but don’t run! The film is actually getting a great buzz. 

Personal Update

Last Thursday, I finally finished all of my edits on my next manuscript! I’d been polishing and adding small scenes for weeks and almost to the point that I didn’t want to look at the story anymore. But I completed my task and sent it to my publisher Friday morning. Will talk more about it on Wednesday for my IWSG post.

I celebrated Friday night with pizza, beer, and Godzilla in 3D. (And the film was even better the second time. So was the 3D.)

Ninja News

Tree of Life now available!
All proceeds of the TREE OF LIFE ebook will benefit the Downey Education Fund set up for Tina’s children.
Buy it on Amazon

A Whisper of Rue by Decadent Kane

Death Knocks by Jay Noel and Miranda Hardy

Nicki Elson posted her Shelfie and look what book was just over her right shoulder. Thanks, Nicki!

Don’t forget this Wednesday is IWSG post day! If you are contributing to the anthology, IWSG Guide to Publishing and Beyond, be sure to either submit your work or post on October 1. (We’ve received a lot of writing pieces already and need more on publishing and marketing.)

Movie Trivia Answers

1 - Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Val Kilmer - Heat
2 - Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, Chris Penn – Reservoir Dogs
3 - Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci - Goodfellas
4 - Kevin Spacey, Gabriel Byrne, Stephen Baldwin – The Usual Suspects
5 - John Travolta, Uma Thurman, Samuel L. Jackson, Bruce Willis – Pulp Fiction
6 - Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Diane Keaton – The Godfather
7 - Kevin Costner, Sean Connery, Robert De Niro – The Untouchables

Survive and Thrive Bloghop

Monday, October 20, 2014

Stephen Tremp, Michael Di Gesu, Diane Wolfe, and myself. 

(Yes, Mark, I did just hyperlink myself…)

The blogfest is meant to bring awareness of disease prevention and early detection regarding medical conditions that may be averted or treated if caught in the early stages. Our desire is to motivate people to go in for early screening, and if a condition is caught early and treated, then our world just became a little better place to live.

The topics are wide open. You can post about a particular cause you support. Or you can share a personal or family experience that is near to your heart. What’s great about this Blogfest is you can inspire people to take care of themselves and their loved ones early enough to make a difference in their lives.

Sign up below and join us on October 20 –



Picking up some new books? Get the trivia right? Ready for IWSG post day? Joining us in the bloghop? And what movies catch your attention in October…?

How to Train Your Dragon 2 Review, Wonder Woman, Random Alex, Ninja News, and More Movie Reviews

Movie Review – How to Train Your Dragon 2

Hiccup, Toothless, and the gang are back for another great adventure!

The characters have grown and now face new challenges. This tale takes them far beyond the boundaries of home and really expands the world in which they live.

There’s a good balance of funny and serious. Be warned though that the serious is often dark, dealing with death, abandonment, and intense situations. This film is not for really young children.

Animation is stunning and awesome in 3D.

And no, Hiccup does not lose any more body parts!

Recommended

If I Wasn’t a Writer, I’d be Wonder Woman

From the awesome Annalisa Crawford!

Thanks for inviting me to your blog today, Alex, it’s an honour to be here, and I’m very excited. I always wondered what it looked like from this side. It’s nice, especially the glitter ball!

When I was little, one of my favourite shows was Wonder Woman.

I’m just a rookie-geek when it comes to comic books and superheroes, and I wouldn’t dare hold a conversation with a real aficionado – I have never read a comic book, they’d probably spot that!

Everything I know about Woman Woman is what I knew when I was four – she’s got indestructible bracelets, a tiara that works as a weapon and a lasso (along with cool lasso skills).

And, really, what more does a girl need?

She was strong enough to lift cars, bend metal, and throw men across a room. I loved the way she spun around to get changed, and – as with all superheroes with secret identities – how she could disguise herself with just a pair of glasses!

There weren’t many women in my childhood that I could look up to. The boys tied their jackets around their neck to be Superman, they climbed up the slide to be Spiderman, and they growled to be the Hulk. The girls just got saved, a lot…

Until we discovered Wonder Woman, and span ourselves into a dizzy heap. But we looked cool while we did it, honest.

I am pretty ecstatic that she’s going to be making an appearance in the Batman vs Superman film – just a year or so to wait!

Annalisa’s new mirror

Find Annalisa and Our Beautiful Child at Blog, Website, Amazon and Smashwords

Ninja News

The talented Ella has had her artwork featured in many magazines. To gain more exposure, she needs your help – can you LIKE her work on the magazine’s Facebook page? Thanks!

River Fairchild has released another tantalizing morsel of creepiness - Darkest Days, Blackest Nights: Tales of Lust, Greed, Vengeance, Death.

Juliana Haygert’s latest book is out – Breaking Fences.

Rachel Morgan’s book, The Faerie Guardian, is now part of this amazing boxed set, Girls on Fire.

Decadent Kane’s Steele Your Soul came out last month and you find it at Breathless Press




And a cool blog if you haven’t found it yet is Sleepy Bison’s MEKANIKAL, which features futuristic stuff like Bitcoin, emerging cryptocurrencies, science/tech projects, and sometimes silly stuff.

Random Alex Stuff

The issues with Feedly last week meant I was relying on my sidebar to catch new blog posts. (My apologies to everyone I missed. Using the sidebar is time consuming and not always effective.) Since some of you were not listed in my sidebar, I made some adjustments. If you are a regular visitor here and you don’t see your blog listed, please let me know!

For the release of Annalisa’s A Beautiful Child, Rachel Schieffelbein asked about what she’d want named after her. Since both Annalisa and Rachel selected a food item, Iwent with the flow and picked a breakfast cereal:
Ninja Captain Choco-Bits!
What would pick?

All three of my books are on the Best Space Opera list at Goodreads. If you enjoyed them, please jump over and vote. CassaStar is still in the top five, but CassaFire and CassaStorm could use some love.

Quick Movie Reviews

Some DVD reviews since this was the weekend for movie sequels…

Red 2

I’m not sure why the critics were so harsh on this film. It’s another fun instalment, full of action, wit, and humor. It’s a bit too long, but other than that, a really good film.

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2

The storyline is very simple but it works. This film is as fun as the first one, with many laugh out loud moments. It’s definitely aimed at kids but will keep adults amused.




Anyone else see Dragon 2 this weekend? Have you seen the other two films? Picking up some new books? Annoyed with Feedly last week? What food item do you want named after you? Can you help on Goodreads? And if not Wonder Woman, how would you decorate your mirror…?

Movie Reviews, Movie Trivia, Ninja News, and Cosmic Knighthood!

Something cool is happening at David Powers King’s blog today – the Ninja is now a Cosmic Knight! Check it out as we discuss teleporters, blogging, and Hot Tamales.

Movie Reviews

The Croods - 2012
A caveman family trying to survive as their world falls apart.
It was better than expected and had a good heart. Beautiful visuals, humor, and a good story about being willing to try new things. Probably the best film Nicolas Cage has done in the past ten years.
Recommended

The Sorcerer and the While Snake - 2011
A monk (played by Jet Li) tries to protect a young man from a thousand year old snake demon.
While the sets are colorful and lavish, the special effects fall short. So does the story, which is all over the map, following several characters. The movie isn’t sure what it wants to be – it’s too intense for kids and yet the dialogue and action are too childish for adults. I’ve seen worse, but I’ve seen a lot better!
Not recommended

Movie Trivia

Location, location, location! In what city or town does most of the action in these films take place?

1 – Rango 2011
2 – Tremors 1990
3 – Ocean’s Eleven 2001
4 – Doc Hollywood 1991
5 – Ghostbusters 1984
6 – Ferris Bueller’s Day Off 1986
7 – Ratatouille 2007

Ninja News

Sarah Ahiers has an agent!!! Congratulations, Sarah.

Michelle Wallace is celebrating three years of blogging with THE UBUNTU BLOGHOP February 18-21.
What is ubuntu? "In Africa, there is a concept known as UBUNTU – the profound sense that we are human only through the humanity of others; that if we are to accomplish anything in this world, it will in equal measure be due to the work and achievement of others." – Nelson Mandela. Any form of creativity that captures the spirit of ubuntu is welcome!
See her site for details and to sign up.

On February 28, Kyra and Rachel are hosting the WIP Movie Bloghop. See their sites for details.

Julie Musil’s book, The Boy Who Loved Fire, was released this week!

This Friday is the release of Decadent Kane’s second book in The Trouble With Elves series, Tempting Clover!

Ali Cross announced the dates for IndieReCon 2014 - February 25-27. See her site for details.

The A to Z Challenge list is open and filling fast! You don’t want to miss the biggest blogging event of the year. And if you need ideas for your Challenge theme, Lisa at Flash Fiction posted a great list.

Don’t forget the Insecure Writer’s Support Group post date is next Wednesday!

And the Epic 2000 Followers Giveaway continues!

Who will be GFC follower number 2000?




Have you seen either movie? Know the trivia answers? Excited about the new books and blogfests? Did you sign up for the A to Z Challenge? You know resistance is futile…

Don’t forget to visit David Powers King!

Books Galore! Ender’s Game Review, New Releases, Cover Art, and Book Trivia Answers. Plus Battle of the Bands and Ninja News

Today, it’s all about the books…

Cover Reveals

Dragonfly Warrior by Jay Noel
The first book of The Mechanica Wars, a steampunk adventure like no other.
Release date - January 6, 2014

The Mechanica Wars: Savage Machines Are Afoot...
At the age of twenty, Kanze Zenjiro's bloody footprints mark the bodies of those who stood in his way to protect the throne of Nihon. Now, the tyrannical Iberian Empire is bent on destroying his kingdom, and they send their steam-powered giants and iron spiders against him.
Zen embarks on a quest that takes him on the most dangerous journey of his life. To succeed, Zen must live up to his nickname, the Dragonfly Warrior, and kill all his enemies with only a sword and a pair of six-guns. He is called upon to somehow survive a test of faith and loyalty in a world so cruel and merciless, it borders on madness.

Find Jay at: Blog, Facebook, and Twitter.

Ribbon of Darkness by Decadent Kane
Release date December 13, 2013

An old family secret draws Ribbon into an Elven world while Draven is forced to find a way to drag her back home to save Christmas magic…

Fun Fact: In Iceland, 80% believe in existence of elves and roads are rerouted and buildings not built anywhere an 'elf home' might have been said to exist.

Find out more about the author, Decadent Kane: Blog, Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads
Sign up for the newsletter to be notified of publications: HERE
She is also known as the awesome Summer Ross!

New Releases and Free Books

Time on Her Side by Shelly Arkon

They say God gives second chances.
Forty years have shown Wilhelmina has nothing but a lifetime of four failed marriages, a job she hates, and her most recent affair with a married businessman. Until one day, while sipping coffee her silent prayers are answered--she’s visited by her future self, offering Wilhelmina a chance to re-do her life, giving her a mission to save the future world from the baby she’s unknowingly pregnant with.
Is it the miracle she hoped for, or will this lead into a whole new set of problems?

Shelly Arkon is the author of Secondhand Shoes
Find Time on Her Side on Amazon - free November 1-5.

The Bashan Agenda by Melanie Schulz

Part two of The Newstead Trilogy, The Bashan Agenda picks up right where The Newstead Project left off. Nathan's truck eventually stops in the small town of Wilson, NY, and Rachel's still in it, not that she wants to be. But she figures at least in Wilson she'll be able to have a fresh start. She forgot one thing: they can be anywhere. As Joel trains with his father, doubts begin to rise in his mind. Is he really who he claims to be- and more importantly does he have an agenda all his own? When the maps to Bashan come out, Joel realizes maybe it's not such a good idea to be putting so much trust in one man.

Find The Bashan Agenda: Amazon and Amazon Kindle
Find Melanie on: Blog, Wattpad, and Facebook

Anticipation of the Penitent by Nancy LaRonda Johnson

Trapped by the devil, Alezea bears Satan’s son and knows her life will never be her own...

Find it on Amazon - free November 1!

Masked for Love by Nicole Zoltack

Isabelle is content being a maid, and will do anything for her lady--even accompany her to a masquerade ball…

Find Masked for Love at Amazon and Barnes and Noble

Last Christmas by Talli Roland

For Lucy, the best Christmas present is forgetting the past…

Purchase at: Amazon and Amazon UK



Congratulations, everyone!

Ninja News

How I Miss You Blogfest is next Friday, November 8, hosted by Andrew Leon, Alex J. Cavanaugh, and Matthew MacNish
The bloggers you miss and the ones you would miss. Sign up HERE


NaNo begins today! Good luck to all participating. I wrote my second book, CassaFire, during Nano 2010, so it can be done.
Today is also the blogfest in honor of the release of The Spirit of Christmas Anthology, featuring JA Bennett, Kelly Lynn, David Powers King, Jessica Salyer, and Cassie Mae. Proceeds all go to NaNo!

And the Insecure Writer’s Support Group posts next Wednesday!
My awesome co-hosts will be CD Coffelt, Tina Downey, Isis Rushdan, and Michelle Wallace!

Horror Story Trivia Answers

1 – The Exorcist 1971 – William Peter Blatty
2 – Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde 1886 – Robert Lewis Stevenson
3 – The Dark Tower 1938 – CS Lewis
4 – The Anubis Gates 1983 – Tim Powers
5 – At the Mountain of Madness 1931 – HP Lovecraft

Battle of the Bands

I finally get to participate again!

Pink Floyd’s Welcome to the Machine has been remade numerous times. A couple of my favorite bands tackled this classic, resulting in two very different and yet still true to the original versions. Shadows Fall did a more straightforward take while Arjen added his own flair. Both are much heavier than the original – bonus!

Shadows Fall


Arjen Anthony Lucassen

Ender’s Game Book Review

I finally read it this past summer, knowing the movie was coming out and to satisfy my curiosity about comparisons made to my first book. It does pose an interesting question – is it right to destroy someone for the greater good?

It’s also NOT a young adult book – it’s just a science fiction book with kids in it. The theme is dark and the main character kills.

The ending surprised me and yet it didn’t.

Overall, it was good but not great.

And as for comparisons to CassaStar – both feature a main character who’s a loner with great potential, difficult to like, and undergoes military training. (Actually I found most of the characters in Ender's Game difficult to like.) But that is where the similarity ends – they are very different stories.

Hearing that they may have toned down the story and changed the ending for the movie makes me leery. However, I still intend to see it – must support a science fiction film!

Whoa!

See any new books you have to pick up? (With that list, I hope so!) Participating in NaNo? Ready for the Miss You Blogfest and IWSG next week? Get any of the trivia right? (Yes Suze, I will do more book trivia.) Read Ender’s Game? And which version of Welcome to the Machine do you like best…?