Too Much NetFlix? The Shannara Chronicles, Hellboy 3, New releases in DVD-music-games, Favorite Job, Mini-Alex and Cicadas, and Ninja News!

Happy Labor Day to my friends here in the States!

Entertainment News

This article caught my eye - New Study Suggests Americans are Watching Too Much NetFlix.

From JoBlo’s site - Right now, the average Netflix subscriber watches about 90 minutes of streaming content per day. (See... viewing habits have changed.) Now that might not seem like a lot until you understand all the things we are doing throughout our day that are consuming far less time - things like eating (only 70 minutes), childcare (25 minutes) and sex (almost 2 minutes).
Now, I do watch NetFlix a lot, but usually it’s while I’m working on my job. (With an occasional movie at home.) So I’ll admit ninety minutes is conservative for me.
However, only two minutes a day for sex? Really? That is sad. Fourteen minutes a week? Now, while I won’t go into details about my sex life, but that statistic boggles my mind. Either a lot of people only do it once a week or there are a lot of women who have mastered her man’s easy button…

This disappointing news about Hellboy 3 came from Blastr. 
Ron Perlman has been trying to stir studio and fan interest in a third Hellboy movie. So far, no studio wants to foot the bill. After the second film, Guillermo del Toro had wanted to do one more, but Perlman had moved on to other things. Now that Perlman is ready to return, and del Toro still interested in directing, the movie has stalled with no backing. Bummer, I’d really like to see a third one.

Metallica, Black Sabbath, and rap fans, you have been slammed!
From the New York Daily News: Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards calls Metallica and Black Sabbath 'great jokes,' says rap is for 'tone-deaf people' in free-wheeling interview.

This is the trailer for The Shannara Chronicles (based on the second book, The Elfstones of Shannara) coming next January on MTV:

The trailer looks very cool, but I still hold reservations. Why start with the second book of the original trilogy? Also, the apocalypse images are wrong – it’s not until the Genesis trilogy that it’s revealed that Shannara is really earth. In the original trilogy (Sword, Elfstones, and Wishsong) you don’t know that. So I’m just really hoping that they do it right and MTV proves it’s not completely useless after all...

New Releases –

Mad Max: Fury Road on DVD
Best movie so far this year! Watched it again this past weekend in 3D and it’s still batshit crazy.
(And if you do a Google search for Mad Max: Fury Road, my review comes up as number nine – is that wild or what?)

Iron Maiden – Book of Souls
It’s their sixteenth studio album and their first double album. It features Eddie (of course) and marks forty years that Maiden has been a band. (That’s impressive!)

Coming soon –

Furious 7 on DVD - September 15.

Avengers: Age of Ultron on DVD – October 2

Fallout 4 PC game – November 10
I am really stoked for this game! I’ve already played and won the teaser Fallout Shelter.

Question of the Month

Hosted by Michael at A Life Examined.

“What’s the best job you’ve ever had?”

I’ve had some great jobs over the years. But since my dream was always to be a rock star, I’d have to say my current gig in a Christian contemporary rock band is the best job ever. And while it’s not my nine-to-five job, I have been paid to perform, so it qualifies as a job. Plus I get to jam while giving praise to God - how awesome is that?

Second would be my ‘job’ as an author, mostly because of the people I’ve met along the way and places it has led me, such as the IWSG.

Ninja News

Don’t forget the IWSG Anthology Contest is open until November 1! The theme is Alternate History/Parallel Universe and any member of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group is encouraged to enter – blogging (must post for the IWSG at least once in September or October) or Facebook member. Winners will be published in a royalty-paying anthology next year.

New Release -
Poison: Wind Dancer Series by Lan Chan
Find on Amazon, Smashwords, and Goodreads
And this week is a book blitz – Poison is on sale for just .99 cents from September 7 – 11!

Contemporary Romance virtual book tour seeking reviewers, bloggers, & non-bloggers to host!
It's Like the Full Moon by Glorie Townson (pen name for Toi Thomas)
Go HERE to sign up.

Mini-Alex and the Cicadas!

Can you see those little things on the ground and tree around Mini-Alex?


Those are the exoskeletons of cicadas. From them came the adult flying cicada. They always seem to emerge around pine trees and only after periods of thirteen to seventeen years. So we don’t see them often.



Right now though, we can hear them in the trees – and they are loud!

Surprised by what Richards said? Think MTV will do right by Chronicles of Shannara? Did you pick up Fury Road? Looking forward to any new releases? Participating in the IWSG anthology contest? What was your best job? Have cicadas where you live? And do you watch too much NetFlix – or have any other comments on those statistics…?

And I will online sporadically on Monday, so will catch up later this week with those I miss.

A to Z Challenge – I – Cult Classics – The Iron Giant, Iron Maiden, I Am Legend, and More! Plus a Special Tribute…

Today I am visiting Damy at Daily (w)rite. She’s been a very special friend for many years, and I’ve really missed her presence on the A to Z Challenge Team. I’m discussing the ‘What If’ of writing, so be sure to stop by!

A to Z Challenge – Cult Classics – I

Movies-Music-Sci-fi Book-Bloggers-Dragon Term

Movie –

The Iron Giant
Based on a 1968 book, the story harkens back to a more simple and innocent time and features Vin Diesel as the voice of the giant. (It was also the first DVD I ever purchased without seeing the film first - and I was not disappointed!)

Music –

Iron Maiden – Piece of Mind
First album with the iconic Maiden lineup, this Platinum selling album was listed as one of the greatest metal albums of all times and included hits such as The Trooper.

Science Fiction Books –

I Am Legend – Richard Matheson
Influential in developing the zombie genre, this book was adapted at a film three times–The Last Man on Earth (1964), The Omega Man (1971), and I Am Legend (2007.)

The Island of Dr. Moreau – H. G. Wells
Published in 1896, this book explored moral responsibility and animal cruelty. Shortly after the book’s release, the first anti-vivisection groups were formed.

Bloggers –

Holly at I am HR Sinclair
Want to know more about gemstones? Learn some things about blogging? Have access to cookbooks full of tasty treats? Then Holly is your person!

Catherine Stine at Idea City
Want to meet an author of many genres? One who is supportive of others with book features and reviews? Then Catherine is the fire you need!

Dragon of the Stars Term –

Isadore
She is Hyrath’s current Queen, overseeing the Council and all districts. Isadore understands Hyrath’s position of power and wants to keep it at all costs.

Dragon of the Stars is out now!
Check out the site What Are the Kargrandes? for clues as to how they tie into the story.

And there is a Scavenger Hunt! An autographed copy of the book, bookmarks and swag, and $20.00 iTunes gift cards to the winner. Just visit the sites below and leave a comment – where do you think Mini-Alex is in the photo? Open until midnight April 11 – winner announced here April 13. Now go!

Melissa Maygrove * Eva Solar * Father Dragon Al * Suzanne Furness * Karen Walker * Dianne Salerni * Christine Rains * Nick Wilford * EE Giorgi * Murees Dupe * L Diane Wolfe * Helena * Tyrean Martinson * Robin * Heather Gardner * Jo * Lynda Young * SL Hennessy * Toi Thomas * Lori MacLaughlin * Jess at Author Tracker, * Truedessa, * Annalisa Crawford, * Patricia Lynne, * Lisa at Flash Fiction, * Julie Flanders, * Julie Kemp Pick, * Nicki Elson, * Mark Koopmans, * Sydney Aaliyah!

Special Tribute

This has been a wild week with a book release right in the middle of the challenge. I’d like to thank those who made this week awesome.

Thanks to those listed above who posted for the scavenger hunt. Some of you added it to your Challenge posts, which was awesome.

Thanks to everyone who joined the Thunderclap campaign. I saw the full list of everyone who signed up and it really meant a lot to me.

Thanks to those who pre-ordered or purchased my book! Some of you have already finished reading it, which just blows me away.

Thanks to those who posted on their own about my book -
Cathrina Constantine, Ellie Garratt, Randi lee, Elizabeth Seckman, Lisa Buie-Collard, Susan Gourley, Mina Burrows, Dani at Entertaining Interests, Yvonne Lewis, Elana Johnson, Lanise Brown, and Ella. All links go directly to their posts, which were touching and sweet.

A special thanks to Brandon Ax! He always draws a cartoon of himself with a dragon, and he did one in honor of my book. You rock, Brandon.

And a special thanks to Roland Yeomans for sending me on yet another wild adventure across the stars. Searching for the Dragon with Mark Twain and being accosted by Princess Aura – that could only happen to me!

Bottom line, you guys all rock! As always, I am humbled by the support. And I never even wanted to be an author.

And if you are still wondering about those Kargrandes…

Seen the Iron Giant? Fan of Maiden? Read the books? (Or seen any of the many movie versions?) Following those awesome bloggers? And who has helped you this week? Who would you like to thank?

Don’t forget to visit the awesome Damy!

Retro A to Z Challenge: I – Iron Maiden 1982

Iron Maiden – Run to the Hills – 1982

This became the band’s signature arena anthem. Those old enough to remember Headbanger’s Ball can recall the video being played on an infinite loop. The clips in the video were from old (and very un-PC) cowboys and Indians movies. The band still records and tours (they are HUGE in the UK) with Eddie as their mascot.

1982 fun facts –
*Cost of new house - $82,200. / UK - 23,644 pounds sterling
*Cost of an existing house - $67,800.
*Average income - $21,050.
*USA Today debuted
*The International Whaling Commission ended commercial whaling
*The NFL players went on strike from September 21 to November 21, and the NFL resorted to using scab players (See the movie The Replacement Players)

Movies released –
The Thing
Star Trek II – The Wrath of Khan
Conan the Barbarian
Blade Runner
Poltergeist
The Beastmaster
ET
Tron

Music released –
Rush – Signals
Asia
Scorpions - Blackout
Kansas – Vinyl Confessions

Games released –
Pitfall
Pac-Man
Donkey Kong Junior
Joust

And why is 1982 special?
Because that is the year Fanny Barnes Thornton accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior when Billy Graham visited the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, England.

Fanny is an author and lives in England with her husband and lab. She posts on a lot of different topics and features many photos. Fanny is involved in the blogging community and always a joyful spirit. Her blog has a small following but is growing fast and you can find it HERE

Ninja News

Sabrina A. Fish was one of the authors selected to contribute to a miniseries called Shine. The first five installments were written by William Bernhardt, and the second five were from other authors. Sabrina’s novella contribution to Shine, Lost Haven, is available today for purchase at Amazon and through April 15, it’s only 99 cents.

Cover reveal!
Another New Life by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle
New Adult Contemporary Romance
Publication Date: June 2, 2014

LD Masterson sent me this image.
“This little guy was sitting on the counter at my granddaughter’s Tai Kwan Do class and I immediately thought of you.”
I think Mini-Alex has a new friend!

And from JoBlo’s site – director Drew Goddard (Cabin in the Woods, NetFlix Daredevil series) has dropped out of the film The Martian, adapted from the book by Andy Weir. Matt Damon is set to star, but it all hinges on his approval of the next director.

Who’s an Iron Maiden fan? Following Fanny? Think 1982 was a good year for movies? Picking up Sabrina’s installment of Shine? Have you read The Martian? And what do you remember about 1982…?