Insecure Writer’s Support Group, Movie Reviews, New Book Releases, and December Movie Preview

It’s time for another group posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! Time to release our fears to the world – or offer encouragement to those who are feeling neurotic. If you’d like to join us, click on the tab above and sign up. We post the first Wednesday of every month. I encourage everyone to visit at least a dozen new blogs and leave a comment. Your words might be the encouragement someone needs.

The awesome co-hosts for the December 6 posting of the IWSG are C. Lee McKenzie, JQ Rose, Jennifer Lane, and Jacqui Murray!

Today’s question: Book reviews are for the readers. When you leave a book review, do you review for the Reader or the Author? Is it about what you liked and enjoyed about your reading experience, or do you critique the author?

Probably a little of both. I won’t leave a review that is less than three stars because I know how much it hurts to get those super-bad reviews. (That and if I’m not enjoying it, I won’t finish the book, and I won’t review what I haven’t completely read.) I never critique the author though, only the story itself.

Rattlesnake and the Old West

The old west is chock full of stories about courageous and foolhardy people who followed the lure of gold to California and forever changed the history of our nation. Two documentaries capture the fascination, the intrigue, and the haunting truth about what are now remnants those people left behind—old mines and ghosts of former towns.

Trailers for these documentaries: Ghosts of the West and America the Story of Us: Gold Rush

In Rattlesnake I hope I’ve captured the same old west atmosphere as these movies did. My challenge was to do that in two different centuries—the 1850s and the late 1900s

For a moment, the sun balanced on the tip of the tallest peak, then slipped behind the mountains, turning them black against the sky. They were out of options all except for going back to Old Cemetery Road and dealing with the property. From somewhere far out in the desert came the loneliest sound Jonah had ever heard. That high-pitched yowl caught him at the center of his stomach. Suddenly, he felt eyes on him from every direction, and the shadows grew teeth.

Rattlesnake releases this month! Find it here: Goodreads, Amazon, Kobo, Smashwords, Barnes and Noble, book trailer on YouTube
Connect with C. Lee McKenzie on her site

Movie Reviews

Godzilla Minus One
Japan’s love letter to the original Godzilla film, now almost seventy years old.
Remakes usually fall short because they use the excuse of ‘upgrading the special effects’ and yet do nothing with the plot. With this film, they actually upgraded everything. And in turn, created a film that is similar to the original and yet unique on its own.
It opens in the final days of WWII with a Kamikaze pilot who has chickened out and lands at a base on a remote island. Godzilla appears and the carnage and drama unfolds from there.
Godzilla is in rare form here. He looks as good as the last three American Godzilla films. And he is badass. This Godzilla only wants to kill and destroy. You will be glued to every scene involving him, especially when he unleashes that mighty breath weapon.
This movie is similar to the original, and yet there are so many new elements, so much upgrade…it’s its own creation. And yet, it still gives tribute to its origins, even a nod to the Raymond Burr scenes that weren’t even in the original movie.
Its only downside is a few slow scenes and some melodrama. But I think the latter fits with the times. As usual, more Godzilla, less people, please. But the human story is very moving.
Highly recommended to fans of Godzilla and monster movies!

Journey to Bethlehem
First, a big thanks to Rosey - I won tickets to see this film from her site.
Had no idea what to expect (outside of The Greatest Story Ever Told, of course) and the fact it’s a musical caught me off guard. But it was really enjoyable! Unlike some Christian films, this boasted quality production, great effects, great acting, great singing, and a unique, funny, but mostly accurate take on the story of Mary and Joseph and the birth of the King of Kings.
Biggest name actor is Antonio Banderas as King Herod. And boy, does he chew up the scenery!
Highly recommended. And it’s only ninety minutes long!!

New Releases!

Conduction by Tara Tyler
Sci Fi Detective Thriller or Techno Thriller
Book 4 in Pop Travel series
In 2085, cutting edge technology is the most valuable currency, and the black tech market offers high pay-offs for diamond-level code.
Find it on Amazon

Your Life with Jesus: How to Spark Memories and Write Your Spiritual Memoir by JQ Rose
Your life with Jesus guides you in penning your sacred story and invites you to journey into a deeper faith experience.
Find Your Life with Jesus at Amazon and other retailers

Doom and Bloom by Elizabeth Spann Craig
There's some shady business at the garden club event.
A Myrtle Clover Mystery, #23
Find Doom and Bloom’s purchase links here.

December Movie Preview

Here are the theatrical releases for December. Descriptions courtesy of the IMDB. Snark provided by me.

15 –
Wonka
Director: Paul King
Stars: Timothée Chalamet, Olivia Colman, Hugh Grant
The story will focus specifically on a young Willy Wonka and how he met the Oompa-Loompas on one of his earliest adventures.
Oompa loompa doompety don’t!

22 –
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
Director: James Wan
Stars: Jason Momoa, Ben Affleck, Patrick Wilson
Aquaman balances his duties as king and as a member of the Justice League, all while planning a wedding. Black Manta is on the hunt for Atlantean tech to help rebuild his armor. Orm plots to escape his Atlantean prison.'
Aquaman’s real quest – recover Amber Heard’s career.

How do you write book reviews? Seen either movie? Ready to read Rattlesnake or the other new releases? Any movies interest you this month?
I have a special interview with Doreen McGettigan - please check it out!
I will be taking a break for most of December, so I’m wishing everyone a blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year!

CassaDark Tour Ends and New Releases

The last stop of the CassaDark tour on May 29, Sunday - Armed With a Book!

New Releases!!

Spine Tingling by Elizabeth S. Craig
The Village Library Mysteries | Book 7
Unintended snooping can mean getting into someone's bad books.
Links to purchase o all platforms can be found here.

Fool’s Iron by Melissa Maygrove
The way to a man's heart is through his ego.
The way to a woman's heart is through her child.
Find it on Amazon

Chaos in the Jungle and Other Stories by Rachna Chhabria
Enter a forest, a garden, a meadow, a field, and a classroom, where the birds, insects and animals are all too human.
Find it on Amazon

Visit Armed With a Book on Sunday and I will see you Wednesday, June 1 for Insecure Writer’s Support Group day!

Series Reviews: Book of Boba Fett, Peacemaker, and Clarkson’s Farm; CassaDark Help, February Movies, and New Book Releases

New Series Reviews

Descriptions courtesy of the IMDB.

Book of Boba Fett
On Disney+
Bounty hunter Boba Fett & mercenary Fennec Shand navigate the underworld when they return to Tatooine to claim Jabba the Hutt's old turf.
Created by Jon Favreau and starring Temuera Morrison and Ming-N Wen, this Star Wars series is fast paced and fascinating. You will learn a lot about the Sand People you never knew.
Boba Fett is an interesting and complex character. Certainly not the villain you thought.
The inclusion of the Mandalorian and Grogu helps ties it all together.
Every episode was more and more fun right up to end.
Highly recommended!

Peacemaker
On HBO Max
Picking up where The Suicide Squad (2021) left off, Peacemaker returns home after recovering from his encounter with Bloodsport - only to discover that his freedom comes at a price.
John Cena returns as Peacemaker and is forced to work with a group tracking down Project Butterfly.
Whereas Peacemaker turned against his teammates in The Suicide Squad, making him the bad guy (or in the case of The Suicide Squad, the bad-bad guy), here you really empathize with him. He had a rough childhood and just wants to belong and be accepted. He starts questioning his own actions.
It’s very funny, but be warned – the show is crude, far beyond anything in The Suicide Squad.
The intro is hilarious and totally original.
And my wife’s favorite character – Eagly! (His best friend, the eagle.)
Recommended! (And if you can handle the crude, highly recommended.)

Clarkson’s Farm
On Amazon Prime
Follow Jeremy Clarkson as he attempts to run a farm in the countryside.
Clarkson, from Top Gear and Grand Tour fame, buys a good-sized farm and decides to run it like a farm. Hilarity ensues.
Actually, it’s equal parts hilarious and educational. I’ve learned so much about farming. But Clarkson’s dry British wit does steal the show. Especially when he’s driving around on his Lamborghini tractor!
Kaleb Cooper, the young buck he’s hired to help him, is both farm-smart and a smart-aleck. Then there’s very experienced Gerald Cooper who, well, no one can understand due to his thick, mush-mouth accent.

This is officially the only show about farming where I’m really excited for season two!
Highly recommended!

New Releases

A Dash of Murder
Myrtle Clover Cozy Mysteries | Book 19
By Elizabeth S. Craig
Food for thought: seasoning with these berries results in a dash of murder.
It's been a quiet autumn so far in the small town of Bradley, North Carolina. Or, as Myrtle would put it, a boring one. The slow pace and lingering post-summer heat are making life in Bradley very slow-paced, indeed.
That all changes when a local resident is poisoned by what looks like a scrumptious pie. The victim is a boorish man who has plenty of enemies in Bradley. Despite this, suspicion falls heavily on Myrtle and Miles's friend—a botanist who grows the deadly nightshade the man was poisoned with.
Can Myrtle and Miles solve the case and help their friend before the killer strikes again?
Find it at Amazon, iTunes, Barnes and Noble, and Kobo

Zanzibar’s Rings
Book 3 in the Viridian System series
By Jemima Pett
A galactic crisis: the entire comms system destroyed. No waypoints, no navigation aids, no database access... and how will spaceships in flight get home--or to any destination? Dolores is stuck in warp with a very dangerous passenger, Pete gets his shuttle back home on manual. But why does anything in close contact with pure orichalcum fix itself? Just flying through Zanzibar's Rings solves the problem--as the Federation's Fighters find, as they descend on the Viridian System to take possession of the planets.
Find it at Amazon, iTunes, Barnes and Noble, and Kobo on February 22.

February Movie Preview

Here are the theatrical releases for February, which I didn’t have room for in my last post. Descriptions courtesy of the IMDB. Snark provided by me.

Out now:

Moonfall
A mysterious force knocks the moon from its orbit around Earth and sends it hurtling on a collision course with life as we know it.
Director: Roland Emmerich
Stars: Halle Berry, Patrick Wilson, John Bradley, Charlie Plummer
Name generic, trailer terrible, reviews abysmal – that’s all you need to know.

Just opened:

Death on the Nile
While on vacation on the Nile, Hercule Poirot must investigate the murder of a young heiress.
Director: Kenneth Branagh
Stars: Tom Bateman, Annette Bening, Kenneth Branagh, Russell Brand, Gal Gadot
I know a little of the plot – sounds like it would make a great book.

Blacklight
Travis Block is a government operative coming to terms with his shadowy past. When he discovers a plot targeting U.S. citizens, Block finds himself in the crosshairs of the FBI director he once helped protect.
Director: Mark Williams
Stars: Liam Neeson, Aidan Quinn, Taylor John Smith, Emmy Raver-Lampman
Liam Neeson plays a man with a particular set of skills…blah, blah, blah, blah, blah…

18 –

Uncharted
Street-smart Nathan Drake is recruited by seasoned treasure hunter Victor "Sully" Sullivan to recover a fortune amassed by Ferdinand Magellan and lost 500 years ago by the House of Moncada.
Director: Ruben Fleischer
Stars: Tom Holland, Mark Wahlberg, Sophia Ali, Tati Gabrielle
Will this finally break the video game to movie jinx? Place your bets now…

A Favor to Ask!

My next book (and first novel in seven years) comes out April 6.

CassaDark is the fourth in the Cassan series. (It does stand on its own as it follows a different character.)

Goodreads, like it or not, is a good place to get books noticed. The more ‘Want to Reads’ and reviews, the better.

Can you mark CassaDark as ‘Want to Read’ for me?

It's also on the list for 'Can't Wait Sci-Fi Fantasy of 2022, page 2 last I looked.

Really appreciate it!

Have you watched any of those series? Picking up a new book or two? Any movies interest you? And can you add CassaDark to your ‘Want to Read’ list?
I’ll see you March 2 for the next IWSG day!

Insecure Writers Support Group, November Movie Releases, Book Sale, and New Books!

It’s time for another group posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! Time to release our fears to the world – or offer encouragement to those who are feeling neurotic. If you’d like to join us, click on the tab above and sign up. We post the first Wednesday of every month. I encourage everyone to visit at least a dozen new blogs and leave a comment. Your words might be the encouragement someone needs.


The awesome co-hosts for the November 4 posting of the IWSG are Jemi Fraser, Kim Lajevardi, L.G Keltner, Tyrean Martinson, and Rachna Chhabria!

November 4 question - Albert Camus once said, “The purpose of a writer is to keep civilization from destroying itself.” Flannery O’Conner said, “I write to discover what I know.” Authors across time and distance have had many reasons to write. Why do you write what you write?

Let me start with saying as writers, we need to work harder on that first quote.

My answer is simple – I write to read what I can’t find elsewhere.

And...I got my manuscript back from my last test reader and am now editing!

Ninja News
 

My publisher is doing a holiday sale-

Buy 1 print book, get 1 print book free
Buy 1 eBook, get 1 eBook free
Buy 1 audio book, get 1 audio book free
Print & eBooks – must be purchased directly from Dancing Lemur Press’ website; free book must be same price or lower; when paying, note your desired free book in the comments section; free swag provided with print orders
Audio books – purchase from Audible, iTunes, or Amazon and send us your receipt stating your desired free audio book and we will send you a code for a free audio book: free audio book must be same price or lower
Offer good through December 10, 2020
Visit Dancing Lemur Press and explore their titles.

New books:

Flip my Heart by Elizabeth Seckman

Some hearts are fixer-uppers, hers is a total flip.

Find it on Amazon

Knot a Clue by Elizabeth S. Craig
Southern Quilting Mysteries | Book 13

Sometimes it doesn’t pay to go to work.

Find it at Amazon, iTunes, Barnes and Noble, and more

Shooting by the Sea by Ellen Jacobson
A Mollie McGhie Cozy Sailing Mystery Book 5

When Mollie McGhie attends the grand opening of her friend’s nail salon, she’s looking forward to getting a manicure and sipping on champagne. The event is going great until Mollie discovers a dead body nearby and her friend’s brother is arrested for murder.

Find it through all major retailers HERE

For Opal by Yolanda Renée

For Opal is a collection of poems written in memory of Lilly Opal Stansberry, my grandmother, and the inspiration for my writing.

Find it on Amazon

November Movie Releases

Here are the upcoming theatrical releases for November! (And it’s slim pickens.) As always, descriptions courtesy of the IMDB. Snark provided by me.

6 –

Mortal
Fantasy adventure origin story about a young man discovering he has God-like powers based on ancient Norwegian mythology.
Director: André Øvredal
Stars: Nat Wolff, Priyanka Bose, Iben Akerlie, Arthur Hakalahti
The incredibly true story of how Thor became Chris Helmsworth.

27 –

Stardust
Stardust will chronicle the young David Bowie's first visit to the US in 1971 - a trip that inspired the invention of his iconic alter ego Ziggy Stardust.
Director: Gabriel Range
Stars: Jena Malone, Johnny Flynn, Marc Maron, Aaron Poole
Between David Bowie and Freddie Mercury, Elton John must wonder if people still know he’s alive.

Why do you write? Ready for some new books? Either movie pique your interest?
I will be back with a guest and some movie and music reviews on November 16!

And everyone visit the IWSG Anthologies blog for my article on how to Twitter Pitch with Gusto!

#IWSGPit and The Write Life! Flaming Crimes Story, Tick Tock Cover, Movie Controversy, Threshold Review, and Ninja News

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group made The Write Life’s 100 Best Websites for Writers again this year!
Thanks to all of you for supporting and participating. We wouldn’t exist without you.

The IWSG Twitter Pitch Party is this Thursday!
We have hundreds of agents and publishers invited.
The first event last summer comprised of about 2300 Tweets and was a Trending Topic that day.
Check out the site for genres and hashtags.
Then send out your Twitter book pitch with the hashtag #IWSGPit this Thursday.
See you then!

Flaming Crimes Story

AUTHOR NOTE: Many scenes in Flaming Crimes (Disaster Crimes #4) came from real life. For this short blog tour, I am sharing my memories as a ten-part continuous story, so hop along for the entire experience.

BUY LINKS: Amazon, Barnes and Nobel, and The Wild Rose Press

FLAMING GUEST POST PART SIX:
My parents and my best friend’s parents decided it was best that the two of us were taken away from there. So, my best friend’s dad drove us to their house. We had one of our other cats who had just had kittens. They were tiny little things. In my best friend’s room, my cat nursed her babies as if nothing was amiss.
When my best friend’s dad returned, he reported what was happening—a firefighter had been burned in my backyard, a brush truck had gotten stuck in the woods behind my house, and my friend’s uncle was going crazy, running through the flames, laughing, and apparently having fun.
Except, for my friend’s uncle, I brought those two scenes to life in my story.

FLAMING CRIMES EXCERPT:
The paramedics appeared out of the smoky cloud carrying the backboard with the assistance of two firefighters. Beth stopped breathing. If Donovan was strapped to the backboard, she would spring into the ambulance after him. She loved their home, but she loved Donovan more. She wouldn’t let him get taken to the hospital alone. Even if he was unconscious, she would want to be with him, to hold his hand, to kiss him, and to pray. When she saw a firefighter on that backboard, she felt a mixture of relief and horror. The fire was winning.

The story will continue on these blogs:
1/8 Circle of Friends Books - Part 1
1/9 Sandra Cox – Part 2
1/10 Elements of Emaginette – Part 3
1/11 Julie Flanders – Part 4
1/12 I Think; Therefore, I Yam – Part 5
1/15 Alex J. Cavanaugh – Part 6
1/16 Just Jemi – Part 7
1/17 Sandra Dailey – Part 8
1/18 Fundinmental – Part 9
1/19 Elizabeth Seckman – Part 10

Chrys Fey is the author of the Disaster Crimes Series, a unique concept blending romance, crimes, and disasters. She’s partnered with the Insecure Writer’s Support Group and runs their Goodreads book club. She’s also an editor for Dancing Lemur Press.
Author Links: Website, Blog, Goodreads, Facebook Twitter and Amazon

Album Review – Threshold: Legends of the Shires

When this was released last year, I discovered that Damian Wilson was no longer the lead singer. He was an amazing singer and I decided I wouldn’t listen to or support the new album. .
Then the album started turning up on progressive rock top ten lists. So I finally caved and downloaded it. And I’m so glad I did!
This is an amazing disc from start to finish. Every song is catchy while still maintaining that prog rock sensibility.
It’s also one of the best mixed albums I’ve ever heard. Every instrument, voice, and element is perfectly balanced. Nothing is muddled or in the background.
It’s definitely the best prog album of 2017. If you’re a prog fan, this is a no-brainer – buy it now. Even if you’re not a fan, it’s very accessible and catchy.

Very highly recommended!

Ninja News

On a sad note, Edi’s Book Lighthouse is closing down. Edi said his farewells on Saturday, stating that the advances in technology at his job have only made him ten times busier, and he is unable to continue reading and reviewing.
Edi, you will be missed! Thanks for the years of support and friendship. You rock.

New Releases!

A Body in the Trunk byElizabeth S. Craig
Myrtle Clover book 12
Sometimes taking a spin makes you crash and burn…
Find it on Amazon

The Case of the Purloined Pyramid by Sean McLachlan
From Kindle Press
An ancient mystery. A modern murder.
Find it on Amazon

Movie Controversy

Last week, Michael posted about the controversy of The Last Jedi. It’s divided the fans and received a lot of flack despite the great critical reviews.

That got me thinking about movies in general and why some are so panned by one side or the other and why some divide fans. I think it comes down to two things – a person’s investment in the original source and their critical level when it comes to movies in general.

As far as The Last Jedi, the backlash is mind-boggling. If you go to the IMDB, the first hundred or so user reviews are all one star. (And yet the overall rating is 7.5 stars – guess enough people gave it ten to balance out all those ones.) It wasn’t exactly the movie the die-hards who’d read all the books, played all the games, and followed every post-Return of the Jedi myth out there wanted. So they absolutely hated it. Which was unfair to a movie that the general population enjoyed and critics loved.

I think in general, people just get too hung up on details and perfection. They hold standards and requirements so high that few films will reach – which means they won’t enjoy very many of them. Now, everyone is guilty of this to some degree. (Read my review of Threshold above and you’ll see I was guilty of that with music.) But the key to enjoying movies is just to relax and remember – it’s just a movie.

I re-watched an older episode of Big Bang Theory the other day where the guys are so stoked and worried as they sit waiting to watch The Force Awakens and Wil Wheaton turns to them and says, ‘Guys, it’s just a movie. No matter if it’s good or bad, it’s not going to change your life.’ And you know what – he’s right.

When I was a teen, pretty much anything would entertain me. Then somewhere around college, I became picky. And critical. I could tear apart a film with the best of them. A single plot hole would ruin a movie for me. But somewhere along in my thirties, I began to relax. I realized that perfection was impossible. And most movies weren’t aiming to be big critical successes and win Oscars – they just wanted to entertain. I finally accepted that and began to enjoy films again.

Take my review last week for King Arthur: Legend of the Sword. No, it wasn’t perfect. Parts of it were a bit of a mess and it was quirky. But was I entertained? Absolutely! I enjoyed it and appreciated what the director was trying to do. And I’d watch it again.

Take Justice League. Now, the big difference between DC and Marvel films is their aim – Marvel films are big-budget spectacles aimed at the general public. They are light, humorous, and designed to appeal to all movie-goers, not just Marvel comic fans. DC movies are more aimed at the comic fans and are darker in tone. And they’ve stumbled a bit – with the exception of the Batman films and Wonder Woman, critics have hated them and many movie-goers have been disappointed by their un-Marvel qualities. (And of course, there is a lot of hate for director Zach Snyder.)

But here is where a relaxed attitude pays off. I am a big Justice League fan. It was the first comic book I ever purchased. So I did have expectations, but after the past few movies, I tempered them. The result – I completely enjoyed the film! It did have issues. You could see the difference in the two directors. (Since Joss Whedon stepped in to finish when Snyder took leave after a family suicide.) But it nailed two things – the characters, who were spot on perfect, and the comic book feel, which is what I wanted. I was entertained and this fan satisfied with the result.

So again, I think people just need to relax. I feel sorry for those who think movies are a one or a ten and there’s no in between. You’re missing out on some fun flicks that way. Many of you are authors – are your books perfect tens? No. But they are still enjoyable.

And that’s all we are after in life – a little joy and happiness.

So in the words of MST3K – Just repeat to yourself ‘It’s just a show, I really should relax!’ 



Cover Reveal - Tick Tock: A Stich in Crime

Tick Tock: A Stitch in Crime
An Insecure Writer’s Support Group Anthology

The clock is ticking...
Can a dead child’s cross-stitch pendant find a missing nun? Is revenge possible in just 48 minutes? Can a killer be stopped before the rescuers are engulfed by a city ablaze? Who killed what the tide brought in? Can a soliloquizing gumshoe stay out of jail?
Exploring the facets of time, eleven authors delve into mysteries and crimes that linger in both dark corners and plain sight. Featuring the talents of Gwen Gardner, Rebecca M. Douglass, Tara Tyler, S. R. Betler, C.D. Gallant-King, Jemi Fraser, J. R. Ferguson, Yolanda Renée, C. Lee McKenzie, Christine Clemetson, and Mary Aalgaard.
Hand-picked by a panel of agents and authors, these eleven tales will take you on a thrilling ride into jeopardy and secrecy. Trail along, find the clues, and stay out of danger. Time is wasting...

Release date - May 1, 2018
Mystery & Detective (FIC022000) / Crime (FIC050000) / Thrillers (FIC031000)
Print ISBN 9781939844545 eBook ISBN 9781939844552

Do you have fire memory? Fan of Threshold? Do you think people are just too critical when it comes to movies? Doesn't the Tick Tock cover rock? And are you participating in #IWSGPit on Thursday?

Hero Lost Anthology, Tsunami Movies, Midnight Special Review, Movie Trivia Answers, and Ninja News

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group anthology has a cover and a release date!

Hero Lost
Mysteries of  Death and Life

An Insecure Writer’s Support Group Anthology

Can a lost hero find redemption? 

What if Death himself wanted to die? Can deliverance be found on a bloody battlefield? Could the gift of silvering become a prison for those who possessed it? Will an ancient warrior be forever the caretaker of a house of mystery?
Delving into the depths of the tortured hero, twelve authors explore the realms of fantasy in this enthralling and thought-provoking collection. Featuring the talents of Jen Chandler, L. Nahay, Renee Cheung, Roland Yeomans, Elizabeth Seckman, Olga Godim, Yvonne Ventresca, Ellen Jacobson, Sean McLachlan, Erika Beebe, Tyrean Martinson, and Sarah Foster.
Hand-picked by a panel of agents and authors, these twelve tales will take you into the heart of heroes who have fallen from grace. Join the journey and discover a hero’s redemption!

Release date: May 2, 2017
Fantasy (FIC009000) Freedom Fox Press
Print ISBN 9781939844361 eBook ISBN 9781939844378

Chrys Fey and Tsunamis

Alex’s Question for Chrys: Do the movies accurately capture tsunamis?

I’m not as big of a movie buff as Ninja Captain Alex, but I love disaster movies! Movies like Deep Impact and The Day After Tomorrow mostly used tsunamis for visual effects. They wanted the audience to be amazed by the grand size, but they don’t really get on ground level, in the perspective of people, specifically people caught in the water.

In The Hereafter, there is a tsunami that sweeps away a woman. We get to see what happens to her, and it is shocking, but I personally felt that the water was way too fast. Yes, a tsunami is fast and fierce, but the speed of the one in this movie didn’t seem right to me. And the water is clear, whereas it would’ve turned dirty from everything it picked up on the ground.

The movie that is super realistic is The Impossible, which is based after the Thailand Tsunami of 2004. You have to see this if you haven’t. I took notes when I watched it the first time. Actual notes. It helped me to figure out what it’s like to be caught in a Tsunami, and what would most likely happen following one. We see Naomi Watts beaten by the water. We see a second wave. And we see the destruction. It is done so well. You will watch the tsunami scenes in absolute terror. I did.

Chrys Fey is the author of the Disaster Crimes Series. She is a blogger, reader, auntie, vegetarian, and cat Lover. Find her at Facebook, Twitter, Blog, Website, Amazon, and Goodreads

Find Tsunami Crimes at: Amazon, Amazon UK, Amazon CA Nook, Kobo, and Wild Rose Press

Hurricane Crimes and Seismic Crimes are on sale for 99 cents.
Get Lightning Crimes (Disaster Crimes 2.5) for FREE!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Movie Review - Midnight Special

A man rescues his son, who has unique abilities, from a cult. Believing the boy is a savior, the cult will do anything to get him back. Believing the boy is a weapon and a threat, the FBI is also in pursuit.
The film is slow paced but not dull. It was super intriguing from start to finish.
It’s not an original story, but it’s wonderfully told. The director pulls everything together really well and on a really low budget. It’s engaging, thought-provoking, and truly a well-told science fiction tale.
And the science fiction is a very small part of the story. It’s part drama, part chase, and part science fiction.
Starring Michael Shannon, Joel Edgerton, Kirsten Dunst, and Adam Driver, who all turn in great performances. (And where else are you going to see Superman’s General Zod and Star Wars’ Kylo Ren in the same film?)
On NetFlix – highly recommended.

Ninja News

Here is an update on Michael Offutt. He took a break over the holidays because he purchased his first house! However, he had no Internet, and there is a bit of a battle to get Internet to his new neighborhood. Until then, his only source of Internet is his phone. He’ll return to the blogging world when he has Internet in his new house.

Mason Canyon started a book blog tour service, MC Book Tours. She’s hosted several of my fellow authors and one of them will be making an appearance here next month.

Juneta Key posted about Mystery Thriller Week.
Get the details HERE.

New release:
Fall to Pieces : Book Seven in the Southern Quilting Mysteries
By Elizabeth S. Craig

When a quilting event falls to pieces, Beatrice works to patch things up…

Movie Trivia Answers

Here are the disaster movie taglines and the answers:

1 – Heads up - Armegeddon
2 – It’s five miles wide…it’s coming at 30,000 mph…and there’s no place on Earth to hide - Meteor
3 – We were warned - 2012
4 – Where will you be? – The Day After Tomorrow
5 – The pressure is building. Whatever you do, don’t look back – Dante’s Peak
6 – Oceans rise. Cities fall. Hope survives. – Deep Impact
7 – The only way out is in – The Core
8 – The coast is toast - Volcano

Excited about the IWSG anthology, Hero Lost? Have you watched any tsunami movies? Seen Midnight Special? Need to set up a book tour or interested in Mystery Thriller Week? And how many taglines did you get right?