CassaDark Tour, The Adam Project Review, and Star One Review

The CassaDark tour continues! Today’s stop is at Thoughts in Progress.

Here are last week’s and this week’s stops – a variety of guest post topics and one wacky interview:
April 6 – Diane Burton
April 6 – Kathy McKendry
April 7 – Cherie Colyer
April 8 – Toi Thomas
April 11 – Jemi Fraser
April 12 – Life by Chocolate – Robyn Alana Engel
April 13 – Gwen Gardner
April 14 – A to Z Challenge Blog
April 15 – Thoughts in Progress

And a special thanks to the dozens who posted about my book release. You guys rock!

For those who missed it:

“Cavanaugh returns to the world of his Cassa Series…for a fourth inventive space opera.” – Publisher’s Weekly

Find CassaDark at iTunes, Amazon, Barnes and Nobel, Kobo, Scribed, and Goodreads
And would love it if you could vote for it on Goodreads’ Can’t Wait Sci-Fi Fantasy of 2022 and mark it Want to Read.

The Adam Project Review

From the IMDB: After accidentally crash-landing in 2022, time-traveling fighter pilot Adam Reed teams up with his 12-year-old self for a mission to save the future.

Starring Ryan Reynolds, Walker Scobell, Mark Ruffalo, Jennifer Garner, and Zoe Saldana.
Direct to NetFlix and starring Reynolds, I didn’t have high hopes for this one. Which meant I was in for a big surprise!
Yes, it’s Reynolds being Reynolds, a role he does so well (with or without cursing). But the story was solid, the acting solid, and the special effects really good. And we really enjoyed it!
The film has heart, and the center of it is the two Adams. Neither is perfect – the elder scolds the younger for being so hard on his mom and then vice versa when it comes to their dad. There are some tender moments, probably the best one is when mom enters a bar for a glass of wine and elder Adam talks to her.
The movie is about conspiracy and elder Adam searching for his wife, played by Saldana. There are tense moments along with lots of banter between the two Adams.
Again, this one really surprised me. Recommended!

Star One – Revel in Time Album Review

From the mastermind and master musician, Arjen Lucassen (Ayreon), comes the third Star One album, focusing on time-travel movies.
Unlike previous albums, this one is a double CD. We get the full album, plus all eleven songs sung by alternate singers. This is a nice touch by Lucassen to include the alternates in the final product.
Lest you forget from my reviews of the other two albums, Star One creates songs about science fiction movies. (And sometimes shows.) So half the fun is figuring out what movie is represented by each song.
The title track is fun – Revel in Time. These lyrics should give you a clue as to the movie:

Climb aboard this strange machine
Hang on, enjoy the ride
Jump into this crazy dream
Step inside and let it fly

Napoleon Bonaparte, Beethoven
Joan of Arc, Genghis Khan, Abe Lincoln
Sigmund Freud, Socrates, and Billy
Snatched from time
Kidnapped from the annals of history

Yes, that is Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure!

See if you can guess this one (answer next week):

Oh newly arrived back in old 55
You're not even alive yet
But what have you done... mother and son
You're fading away, yeah

And when the lightning strikes
You have to be precise
Exactly ten-o-four
And not a second before

Overall, this is the most rocking Star One yet. A little heavier with a lot of fun.
Favorite songs - Bridge of Life, sung by Damian Wilson (movie – Frequency) and Today is Yesterday, sung by Dan Swano (movie – Groundhog Day).
If you like fun rock/prog with a nostalgic touch, this is the album for you.
Highly recommended!

Visited some of my tour stops? (And big thanks to those who’ve purchased my book!) Seen The Adam Project? Heard of Star One? Can you guess the movie? Think you could guess the other films from the lyrics?

Be sure to visit the Thoughts in Progress!

Plus we have the honor of Janice Hardy visiting the IWSG site this week.

Insecure Writer’s Support Group! Plus Minions Trailer, Tomorrowland Concept Art, A to Z Challenge Minions, and Ninja News

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.

My awesome co-hosts today are Gwen Gardner, Dolorah, Sarah Foster, and M. Pax!

I’m an even-keeled kind of guy, so I don’t have real highs or lows. With my fourth book coming out in April, there have been some shifts in these past few months, swinging back and forth.

The early reviews have been great–better than for any other book. I’d worried about this one since it branches away from the familiar Cassa universe and characters. It’s also told in third person from only one character’s point of view. Yeah, who does that? So far, so good though.

Of course, I see reviews for other books that talk about lush world building, intricate plot twists, and rich details in a multifaceted storyline. Crap. Yeah, no one will ever accuse me of deep, vivid storylines bursting with symbolism and Tolkien level world building. I’m the fast paced, adventure-style, and unfortunately more simple in my storytelling…

I’ve also read a lot of books in the past six months. Now, usually as writers, we start noticing our own flaws when seeing someone’s polished work. Which I have, but I’ve also noted some areas where I do well. I’m much better now at showing rather than telling; I’m good with character and relationship building; and I don’t overdo the details. Hmm, maybe I shouldn’t worry about the concern above…

My book comes out April 7, right in full swing of the A to Z Challenge. I’m a Challenge Co-host. I have duties and will be posting at the A to Z Blog. I’ll also be posting at the IWSG site. Plus my own daily posts. (Which are going to take about four hours each to put together.) And my blog tour. Will I survive?

Then my mood is back up again with the support and response concerning the What Are the Kargrandes? website. Thanks to those of you who’ve Tweeted about the site and spread the word. The site was a joint effort with my publisher and I enjoyed coming up with a new teaser fact for every Monday. We’re working hard to establish a grass roots effort and hope it pays off.

So there you have it. The ups and the downs. And what I am dealing with right now…

Minions Wanted!

The A to Z Challenge co-hosts need your help!

We are looking for Minions to assist with visiting participants on the list. Duties include visiting a small assigned portion of the list once a week and reporting back to the co-host any blogs that aren’t participating.

If you would like to be a Minion (you get your own A to Z Challenge Minion badge) leave a comment.

And if you’ve not joined the A to Z Challenge, please join us.

Ninja News

February 2 isn’t just Groundhog Day. It’s Lung Leaving Day. What is that? It’s the celebration of one woman’s incredible triumph over death. Learn about Heather’s incredible journey HERE. You can also watch a video about her life HERE.

Out now!
A Not So Humane World by Pat Hatt








Some really cool concept art for Tomorrowland from Blastr:

And just to make you smile, JoBlo featured the brand new trailer for Minions:

Can you help out and be an A to Z Minion? Like the Minions trailer? Think Tomorrowland will be good? What are the Kargrandes – figured it out yet? And who else goes up and down for similar reasons?
Plus - for some reason, not all blog posts are appearing in my Feedly reader. Some are showing up the next day even. Anyone else having issues?

Movie News and The Book of Life Review, Horror Movie Trivia, Mini-Alex, BOTB Results, and Ninja News

Movie News

The Book of Life movie review
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.
The animation is truly unique and I recommend seeing it in 3D. The Land of the Remembered is colorful and stunning.
While the story won’t be the greatest thing you’ve ever seen, it did have several refreshing aspects. One is the Mexican setting and the legend of the Day of the Dead festival. Another was that although the two friends, Manolo and Joaquin, are vying for Maria’s hand, neither is perfect nor a villain.
The best characters are the two Gods. La Muerte rules the Land of the Remembered and Xibalba rules the Land of the Forgotten, and their love-hate relationship is charming to watch.
Death plays a major part in the story and there is some violence, so not recommended for the really young.
For something refreshing and new, The Book of Life is a fun watch.

According to Blastr, there could be more John Carter movies, just not with Disney. Edgar Rice Burroughs Inc. regained the rights to the books and is seeking other opportunities.
"We will be seeking a new partner to help develop new adventures on film as chronicled in the eleven Mars novels Burroughs wrote," Burroughs Inc. President James Sullos said. "This adventure never stops."
I enjoyed the books and really dug the 2012 John Carter film, so I hope it happens.

Have you seen the trailer for Tommorrowland?

Ninja News

The amazing Sarah Allen is our guest at the IWSG Site today, discussing how helping other writers helps you.

Thanks to everyone who participated in the Survive and Thrive Blogfest, and my other co-hosts, Stephen Tremp, Michael Di Gesu, and Diane Wolfe!

DL Hammons is hosting his Déjà vu blogfest again.




New releases –

The Initiate by M. Pax
 

Secret Keepers by Gwen Gardner

Blocked by Jennifer Lane

Battle of the Bands Results

Last Wednesday I pitted Thin Lizzy against Metallica with the song Whisky in the Jar.

Stephen T. McCarthy made it interesting when he voted for Thinallica. (I split the difference.)

However, after casting my vote for Metallica, we have… a tie!

Thin Lizzy – 18.5 votes
Metallica – 18.5 votes

Mini-Alex

We found this large display of sunflowers recently and thought of Tina Downey…

Movie Trivia!

Since Halloween is approaching, today we focus on horror movies. Name the film from actors and year listed:

1 – Simon Pegg, Nick Frost 2004

2 – Kurt Russell, Wilford Brimley, Keith David 1982

3 – Johnny Depp, Christina Ricci 1999

4 – Gregory Peck, Lee Remick, David Warner 1976

5 – Naomi Watts, Martin Henderson, Brian Cox 2002

6 – JoBeth Williams, Craig T. Nelson, Heather O’Rourke 1982

Have you seen The Book of Life? Want more John Carter Movies? Excited about the new releases? BOTB results surprise you? Know any of the trivia? And where should Mini-Alex go next…?

I also received edits for Dragon of the Stars from my publisher, so I will be busy working on them the next week or so...

Movie News – Iron Man 4, Dark Judges, and More! Plus Music Trivia, Ninja News, and Random Ninja Stuff

Movie News

Rumor of the day: Sony and Marvel might get together on Spider-Man! (Yeah, wouldn’t that be awesome?) Get the details on Blastr.


From JoBlo - on Ellen Degeneres' talk show, Robert Downey Jr. said that yes, an Iron Man 4 movie is coming. Before that, we’ll see Iron Man in Avengers: Age of Ultron on May 2, 2015.

JoBlo also has an exclusive clip of the Guillermo del Toro-produced animated film, The Book of Life. You can view it HERE

An unofficial Dark Judges mini-series is in the works. From Blastr:
Adi Shankar, producer of the first Dredd film, has secretly been filming his own seven-part Dredd miniseries focused on the Dark Judges arc. That’s right — Shankar has created his own, unofficial Dredd project that’ll be released for free online later this month.

And if you haven’t been watching, SyFy’s Face Off is halfway through the new season, and there have been some amazing makeups and creatures so far.

Ninja News

Industry expert and author, Anne R. Allen, is our guest at the IWSG Site today!

Thanks to Michelle for including my book in her Shelfie!







New Releases –

Tempting Fate (a Serendipity novel #2) by Brinda Berry

Secret of Souls by Terri Rochenski

Ghostly Gallows (Book II - Afterlife Series) by Gwen Gardner

Music Trivia!

Album title is listed – name the band.

All in the category of hard rock and prog rock.

1 – Persistence of Time (1990)
2 – Astro-Creep: 2000 (1995)
3 – …And Justice For All (1988)
4 – Jar of Flies (1994)
5 – The Art of Balance (2002)
6 – Hold Your Fire (1988)
7 – Empire (1990)
8 – Images and Words (1992)
9 – Flying in a Blue Dream (1989)
10 – Vulgar Display of Power (1992)

Random Ninja Stuff

Many of you asked about the song that inspired my latest manuscript. When and if I know it’s a done deal with my publisher, I’ll post the video for you. The song title is similar to the manuscript title, plus the lyrics give away some of the story, so you’ll have to wait a bit.

The Flash was really good last night. Had an excellent DC comics vibe to it. 

I finally set up my Author QandA at Goodreads. Had no idea I could do that. Thanks for the tip, Elizabeth! Feel free to ask a question – Goodreads generated a few to start, but they are rather bland…

Really random - peanut butter is awesome. I won't eat pancakes without peanut butter on them.

And my wife purchased some mums, so Mini-Alex would like to dedicate these to all of the ladies! The praying mantis tried to help with the guitar solo, but he wasn’t very good with the strings…

Think Sony and Marvel might get it together? Have you been watching Face Off? Excited about the new releases? Know any of the trivia? Think Mini-Alex should make more appearances…?

Movie Posters from Interstellar, Night at the Museum III, and The Hobbit! Plus Mob Movie Trivia, Follow Fest, and Ninja News

Cool Movie Posters

Awesome posters for upcoming movies -

And thought I’d throw in this Guardians image from HitFix:

Ninja News

At the IWSG Site today is the awesome Jennifer Hillier!

Thanks to everyone who participated in the Underrated Treasures Blogfest! All links go directly to the posts, so keep looking for more unknown treasures.




New Books -

Second Death by Gwen Gardner
Book I - The Afterlife Novella Series

A Pirate a Blockade Runner and a Cat by Beverly Stowe McClure

The Inner Sibling by GB Miller

Sherry Ellis is hosting the Bucket List Blog Hop on October 20 – see her site for details.

Follow Fest

This is my entry for Melissa Maygrove's Follow Fest:

Name: Alex J. Cavanaugh

Fiction or nonfiction? Fiction

What genres do you write? Science fiction – space opera

Are you published? Yes, three books:
CassaStar – Amazon Best Seller
CassaFire – Pinnacle Book Award Winner, Amazon Best Seller
CassaStorm – eFestival of Books Award Winner, Pinnacle Book Award Winner, Amazon Best Seller
And putting final touches on my next manuscript before sending to my publisher.

Do you do anything in addition to writing? I’m the founder of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group, and a A to Z Challenge co-host.

Tell us a little about yourself. I’m married, a Christian, a guitar player, movie lover, Ninja Captain, and all around geek.

What are you reading right now? Joe Abercrombie’s Before They Are Hanged

Which authors influenced you the most? Terry Brooks, Ray Bradbury, Robert E. Heinlein, Preston and Child, Timothy Zahn

Where can people connect with you? Insecure Writer’s Support Group, Twitter, Goodreads, and Google+

Movie Trivia

Mobster movies! Name the film from the actors listed.

1 - Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Val Kilmer

2 - Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, Chris Penn

3 - Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci

4 - Kevin Spacey, Gabriel Byrne, Stephen Baldwin

5 - John Travolta, Uma Thurman, Samuel L. Jackson, Bruce Willis

6 - Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Diane Keaton

7 - Kevin Costner, Sean Connery, Robert De Niro

Answers on Monday!

Excited about the movies featured in the posters? Discover some cool new things during the Underrated Treasures Blogfest? Participating in Follow Fest? And do you know any of the trivia…?

Survivor: ParanormYA Island, New Thor: The Dark World Posters, IWSG Site, Ninja News and New Releases

The Storm continues! Today I have an interview with the awesome Belle Wong who runs My Bookish Ways. We cover everything from writing to my books to clones – check it out!

Today I welcome Gwen Gardner and Angela Brown, Partners in ParanormYA!

You are now tuning in to a special edition of Survivor: ParanormYA Island – Battle of the Sexes. The boys from They All Fall Down and A Guilty Ghost Surprised, against the girls…

*cue Survivor theme music*

Badger, Simon and Basil are gathered on the beach. Lips are moving and arms are waving about but nothing much appears to be happening.

On another part of the island, the girls are settling in. Riley has mysteriously located a cool cave to steal away in with a machete (where in the world did she get a huge blade like that?), several coconuts and bedding made of woven palm leaves and stems. Abby is just outside the cave with a warm fire stoked while performing an odd trick of warming a large blob of spinning water with a steady flame of holy fire. Indigo has a load of sticks stacked in her arms.

Franny pops onto the scene, inches from Indigo--.

--Indigo gasps, scattering the sticks in the air in her fright.

--Abby breaks concentration, spilling the water.

--Riley stumbles out of the cave.

Riley: What the – what happened?

Indigo: Franny? Can you please not scare me popping in like that? I think my heart just ran off the island.

Abby: Oh, hi Franny… *glances around* wherever you’re hovering.

Franny: Girls, the boys are getting nowhere.

Indigo: Franny…spying on them isn’t fair. But thanks. Wait, can we go to hell for cheating?

Franny: That’s not why I’m here. I spotted a few unseemly characters.

Simon slows his pace as he approaches: Like who?

Riley tucks her hands on her hips: What are you three doing here?

Badger: Franny told us to come here, er, rather, told Simon. He can’t see her but she scared the bloody dickens out of all of us when he heard her voice and screamed like a girl. Uh, no offense.

Abby: None taken. So can someone clue me in? I could see lost souls in the Withers, not on this earthly plane.

Basil: Same here. What’s going on?

Franny: They’re here, Q and SC.

Simon tosses his hands in the air, flustered: Just brilliant!

Indigo squares her shoulders, sighing: Now I see why Franny brought you guys here. The Devourer and Soul Collector are on the island. The only way we can defeat them is together.

Abby: You mean the way our authors Angela and Gwen are working together to tell the world about their, well, our new releases?

Riley: Good point. Abby, you and Basil have your elemental and shadow powers. Simon is pretty tough with those fists. Badger can scare with his scowl.

Badger scowls with emphasis.

Riley: See? *she turns to Indigo* Indigo, we can use your speed. We’ll try to keep your psychometry out of things this time.

Badger: Thanks.

Indigo gives a scowl of her own.

*cue fade-out music*

Angela and Gwen have all the confidence in the world that their characters can defeat their arch nemeses. Especially since they joined forces through book cross-over and combined some serious kick-arse talents.

But how do they fare in the novels?

Free of their duties as Cleanser and Harvestor, Abby and Basil try to move on with their lives. But some secrets remain. And what is done in the dark won’t be good when it comes to light.

Purchase They All Fall Down at Amazon and Barnes and Noble

Indigo Eady and gang are back with a feather and a Chance setting off another twisting-turning investigation to bring a cold case, and loved ones, closure at last.

Purchase A Guilty Ghost Surprised at Amazon and Barnes and Noble

About Partners in ParanormYA:
Gwen Gardner and Angela Brown - YA paranormal authors embarking on the adventure of a lifetime. Share with us as we take the Indie journey to bring our works to the world. Buckle up! There'll be mystery, mayhem, action and emotional roller coasters...oh, and a few things that go bump in the night.
Hauntings are scary but we love interaction:
Angela - Blog Facebook Twitter
Gwen - Blog Facebook Twitter

Available today!

Memories of Murder by Yolanda Renee

Decades ago, the seeds were planted …
Today, dark, fathomless eyes rake the image before him. One final task and the transformation is complete. Steady fingers screw intricately carved horns on each side of a stiff brow, and a gargoyle suitable for Notre Dame scowls from the smokey mirror in satisfaction.
A jagged smile rips through his smooth, hairless face, and inked, reptilian scales caress his naked body.
A laugh of hideous resonance emanates from his gut as the demons of hell welcome Lucifer into their fold.
In a dungeon-like chamber, his Lilith awaits. The kidnapped daughter of a nun, groomed to fit the final piece in the complex puzzle for world domination. Will Lucifer marry his bride, on the summer solstice?
Only two things stand in his way ...
His greed ...
And ...
Detective Steven Quaid.

Find Renee here - Blog Twitter Pinterest

The Vanished Knight by Misha Gericke

The Black Knight, Nordaine’s crown prince, has no legitimate blood heirs, meaning someone must be appointed to succeed him. With two of the candidates’ families willing to kill for the appointment and the third candidate being seen as a threat to all, peace is balanced on a sword’s edge.
But then the Black Knight vanishes.
Darrion and Gawain, two of his possible heirs, set out to find him, but after they rescue an earth-girl from Merithian soldiers, they discover she has possible ties to Nordaine. Not only that, but Callan Blair could be an Elvish princess. And war looms on the horizon…

Ninja News

Jai Joshi’s Day of Youth is now available. Congratulations, Jai!

Laura Pauling’s Vanishing Point, A Circle of Spies novella, is also available. Congratulations, Laura!

Coming November 13 – Moonless, Maiden of Time #1 by Crystal Collier

Alexia’s nightmares become reality: a dead baron, red-eyed wraiths, and forbidden love with a man hunted by these creatures…

Insecure Writer’s Support Group

What can I say but… wow! Thank you everyone. The Insecure Writer’s Support Group website was overwhelmed with followers and the Facebook Group doubled that following.

A schedule is already in place for the Facebook group – we’ll have Motivational Mondays, Wow! It’s Wednesday, and Fun Fridays.

I appreciate all of the words of thanks, but all I can claim is the idea and the basic site setup – the other admins took the idea and ran with it, filling the database and establishing the Facebook group. Those ladies did amazing things these past few weeks.

There is a lot I’d like to say about the group and what has happened in the past four years that I’ve been blogging. In the interest of time, I will save that for another day. For now, just thank you for the support of this group, and continue to spread the news. We want to build this database up big!

New Thor: The Dark World Posters

From Jo Blo’s site, we get a look at Volstagg and Fandral:

Would you want to be on Survivor: ParanormYA Island? Excited about the awesome new releases? Following the IWSG website and Facebook group? What did you like about the new site? Excited about Thor? And who’s seeing Gravity this weekend…?

Don’t forget to visit Belle at My Bookish Ways!

September Movie Preview, Science Fiction Lyrics Trivia Answers, and CassaFire Wins an Award! Plus Battle of the Bands, Ninja News, and Cover Reveals

Shaking things up today as we’ve a lot to cover!

Science Fiction Metal-Rock Lyrics Trivia Answers

1 – “Strange shapes light up the night, I’ve never seen ‘em though I hope I might, Don’t ask if they are real, The men in black their lips are sealed.” Blue Oyster Cult – Take Me Away
2 – “People of the earth can you hear me? Came a voice from the sky on that magical night, And in the colors of a thousand sunsets, They traveled through the world on a silvery light.” Billy Thorpe – Children of the Sun
3 – “An ill wind comes arising, Across the cities of the plain, There’s no swimming in the heavy water, No singing in the acid rain, Red alert, red alert.” Rush – Distant Early Warning
4 – “Foreign life forms inventory, Suspended state of cryogenics, Selective amnesia’s the story, Believed foretold but who’d expect, The military intelligence.” Megadeth – Hangar 18
5 – “He was turned to steel in the great magnetic field, When he travelled time for the future of mankind.” Black Sabbath – Iron Man

Cover Reveals

A GUILTY GHOST SURPRISED by Gwen Gardner

Paranormal happenings at the Eady household are the norm. Recently, things have become downright peculiar. Childish giggles at odd hours of the night lead Indigo Eady to her little cousin, Bryan, a guileless cherub spirit, complete with Spider Man pajamas and a set of faux angel wings. The problem is that Bryan died nearly three years ago in a hit and run that killed him and his mum…

Add to Goodreads
Haunt Gwen at the following: Blog, Twitter, and Facebook

THEY ALL FALL DOWN by Angela Brown

Abby and Basil: New love reaches new heights as they finally give in to their lust and desire for each other.
Q: Consumed by the Devourer within and his base need to claim Abby as his own.
The crave: What it all boils down to. A crave for souls. A crave to keep love intact beyond betrayals. A crave for a second chance. A crave for power and The Fall of mankind.

Add to Goodreads
Haunt Angela at the following: Blog, Twitter, and Facebook

Covers look awesome, ladies!!

Ninja News

Libby Heily’s latest collection of short stories is now available on Amazon. The Victory Rule is a collection of soft science fiction stories with a typical Libby Heily twist. To celebrate the release, The Victory Rule and Fourth Degree Freedom are available for free until Friday August 30. Congratulations, Libby!

Justine Dell’s latest book is available now - Until Next Time. You can also enter to win a Kindle Fire HD – see her site for details. Congratulations, Justine!

Jessica Ferguson’s book is also available this week - The Last Daughter. Congratulations, Jess!
And thanks again for letting me invade your blogs on Monday.

Battle of the Bands

Started a few weeks ago by Farawayeyes and Stephen T. McCarthy, this series pits two bands singing the same song against each other every Friday. When Arlee Bird said he was participating as well, I had to join the fun.

I decided my first offering would be two versions that are just about as far apart as possible. Which version do you like better? (I’m guessing most won’t pick Zombie, but I think it’s an awesome twist on an old 70’s hit! If KC were dead, he'd be rolling in his grave. Plus the video starts as if it’s an old monster kid’s show.)

September Movie Preview

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

6 –

Riddick
Left for dead on a sun-scorched planet, Riddick finds himself up against an alien race of predators. Activating an emergency beacon alerts two ships: one carrying a new breed of mercenary, the other captained by a man from Riddick's past.
Director: David Twohy
Stars: Vin Diesel, Karl Urban, Katee Sackhoff, Jordi Mollà
Hoping for a return to the awesomeness that was Pitch Black!

13 –

Insidious: Chapter 2
The haunted Lambert family seeks to uncover the mysterious childhood secret that has left them dangerously connected to the spirit world.
Director: James Wan
Stars: Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne, Ty Simpkins, Lin Shaye
The first one was all right but not enough for me to want to see another. However, Patrick Wilson is on a roll with paranormal movies…


20 –

Prisoners 
When Keller Dover's daughter and her friend go missing, he takes matters into his own hands as the police pursue multiple leads and the pressure mounts. But just how far will this desperate father go to protect his family?
Director: Denis Villeneuve
Stars: Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Viola Davis, Melissa Leo
Sounds depressing, but the wife digs Jackman. Sigh.


27 –

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2
Flint Lockwood now works at The Live Corp Company for his idol Chester V. But he's forced to leave his post when he learns that his most infamous machine is still operational and is churning out menacing food-animal hybrids.
Directors: Cody Cameron | Kris Pearn
Stars: Bill Hader, Anna Faris, Will Forte, Neil Patrick Harris
The first one was actually really good and I chuckle every time I see the previews for this film – “There’s a leek in the boat!”

Rush
A biography of Austrian Formula 1 champion driver Niki Lauda and the 1976 crash that almost claimed his life. Mere weeks after the accident, he got behind the wheel to challenge his British rival, James Hunt.
Director: Ron Howard
Stars: Daniel Brühl, Chris Hemsworth, Olivia Wilde, Natalie Dormer
Not my kind of film, but for the ladies, it has Hemsworth, and for the guys, Wilde.

CassaFire News!!

My publisher notified me Wednesday that CassaFire won the Pinnacle Book Achievement Award for Science Fiction!

Yes, that’s officially the first award I’ve ever won. Probably the last, but I’ll take it!

Whoa! Get any trivia right? Excited about the new and upcoming books? Which version of the song would you pick? Any September movies strike your fancy? And can you believe CassaFire won an award? (Because I sure can’t!)

Since Monday is a holiday, I’m taking it off – but will be back Wednesday for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. Remember, I’m announcing a special two-year anniversary surprise that day!