Tammy’s Interview Victim, May Monster Madness, Godzilla, Ninja News, Jewel of Shaylar, and Cabbage

When Tammy Theriault invited me to do an interview at her site, I knew it would be different. I knew there was a reason for the survival badge. How weird was it? Come sample the insanity HERE!

Ninja News

Ilima Todd just signed a two-book deal with Shadow Mountain – congratulations!

Mel Chelsey’s book, Adversarius, Shadow of the Rose: Book One, is now available in paperback on Amazon.

Sean McLachlan’s fantasy novella, The Quintessence of Absence, is now available! The 25,000 word story originally appeared in Black Gate magazine. Congratulations, Sean!


Jade Hart’s latest novel, Mirror Amour, is now available. Way to go, Jade!

The Best/Worst Movie Remakes Blogfest is this Friday! Name the best and worst movie remake you’ve ever seen. Sign up HERE.

Jewel of Shaylar

Laura Eno’s Jewel of Shaylar is now available!

Archaeologist David Alexander investigates the cave where his father disappeared and hurtles into another world, one filled with magic and bizarre creatures…

Purchase at: Kindle US, Kindle UK, Nook, Smashwords, Kobo, Trade Paperback, and Goodreads.

Laura Eno. Speculative Fiction wordsmith. The secret to her stories? Spread lies, blend in truths, add a pinch of snark and a dash of tears. Escape into her world. She left the porch light on so you could find your way down the rabbit hole. Follow Me: Blog, Facebook, Twitter

May Monster Madness!

Hosted by Annie Walls.
How does May Monster Madness work? Well, it's a blog hop featuring posts about monsters! Anything you can think of as long as it has something to do with monsters... crafts, lists, movies, funnies (a personal favorite)... anything!

I decided to go with my favorite monster as a kid - Godzilla.

Nothing was cooler than the Saturday afternoon monster movie featuring Godzilla. He’s ingrained in my childhood forever. He began as a terrifying, giant monster, and over the years became more of a protector and almost loveable creature. Godzilla changed the way I looked at monsters.

Yes, he was a guy in a rubber suit! But I’ll take a guy in a rubber suit over the monstrosity that was Emmerich and Devlin’s Godzilla. Here’s hoping Gareth Edwards can do better in 2014. (He rocked with 2010’s Monsters.)

And it didn’t hurt that Blue Oyster Cult did a tribute song to Godzilla!



Visit Annie Walls for other participants or to join this blogfest!

Cabbage

This is for Gary:

From Wikipedia

Have you ever been interviewed by Tammy Theriault? Excited about the new releases? Ready for Friday’s blogfest? Picking up Laura’s book? What is your favorite monster? Godzilla fan? And care to comment on the meaning of the cabbage…?

Don’t forget to visit Tammy Theriault!

Movie Blogfest Wrap-up, Ninja News, Covers, Wednesday Movie Quote, and Movie Reviews

Top Ten Movie Countdown Blogfest Wrap-up

Whoa! One of the most successful blogfests ever – 183 participants! Lots of great movies listed. If you want to continue browsing for movie suggestions, the list is HERE and all links go straight to the post. (Yes, I’m anal and took the time to do that.) Great turnout and lots of comments. Thanks to all who visited - I had almost 240 comments!

Ten movies was difficult, and I was reminded of a few that should’ve made my list – The Usual Suspects, The Princess Bride, and John Carter. (And since I visited everyone - most popular was LOTR, Avengers, and The Princess Bride.)

Did anyone visit all of the participants? I did! And special thanks to Jeremy, David, and Mark who also visited a ton of folks.

Now, who’s ready for movie night?

Ninja News

Laura Eno just found out that her book, Immortal Desires, has been nominated for Best Romance – Paranormal Romance 2012 by The Romance Reviews. Voting is now open HERE. Congratulations, Laura!

The Starcraft II: Heart of the Swarm Expansion Set arrived Monday. I’ve not had time to play it much, but so far it is awesome! Yes, like I need another time suck in my life…

Cover Reveals!

First one was supposed to go up Monday – my apologies, Christine!

1305 & 1306 - The Oracle and The Vampire
The 13th Floor series, #5
By Christine Rains
Release date: May 13th, 2013

Eye of the Soul
Pool of Souls, Book One
By Terri Rochenski

Ocean Slays
Book Two of Ocean Breeze
By Jade Hart
Release date: May 2013


Congratulations, ladies!

Wednesday Movie Quote

This week’s theme – Westerns.

My choices come from Tombstone, said by Doc Holiday –

“I’m your huckleberry.”

“It’s true, you are a good woman. Then again, you may be the antichrist.”

Next week’s movie quote theme – horror.

Movie Reviews

Resident Evil: Retribution
Still directed by Anderson and staring Milla Jovovich, the look and feel of the series remains intact. However, it just might be running out of steam.
Not much of a plot. Does it need one? Well, not really. The storyline just rolls into a new, unbelievable setting and sets it up for another movie.
I knew what I was getting and was mildly entertained.
And my wife wants Milla’s personal trainer.

Dark Shadows
Directed by Tim Burton and staring Johnny Depp. Of course!
Based on an old soap opera, the film follows cursed vampire Barnabas Collins' return to the family after years of imprisonment.
This film was odd. And overall, not very good. Instead of endearing quirkiness, it’s more like dysfunctional unease. This time Burton and Depp did not gel well for a good movie. Glad I skipped it in the theater.

Did you find some new films to watch on Monday? Vote for Laura? Pick up the new Starcraft? Dig the covers? What’s your favorite Western movie quote? And have you seen either Dark Shadows or the latest Resident Evil?

Cherie Reich and Horror Movies, Ninja News, Movie Trivia Answers, and a Personal Note

Today I have the honor of hosting Cherie Reich on her tour for The Nightmare Collection!

What I’ve Learned from Horror Movies

Thank you so much for hosting me today, Alex! Wow, being on THE Ninja Captain’s blog is so cool.

I believe we can learn a lot from horror movies and book, and I have created a list of my top five things (in no particular order) I’ve learned from them that also helped me create my horror story collection, The Nightmare Collection.

1. Never split up.
Power is in numbers, so if you split up, you’re likely to be the first to die.

2. Phones are evil.
They either don’t work when you need to contact the authorities and get help or it is the killer calling you. Just stay away from the phone and run for it.

3. Never look back.
Have you noticed in horror movies that no matter how slow the monster comes at you, it will still get you? I think that’s because people keep looking back. They then trip and fall, and it gives the monster time to catch up. Don’t look back. Keep running!

4. The best way to kill most monsters is to chop their head off.
Enough said. Just be sure you chop the right guy’s head off.

5. Don’t live in small towns, the forests, or near cornfields.
Monsters—and aliens—love to hide in rural areas. It’s just not safe.

And a special tip I’ve learned from a real life experiences ... Don’t laugh at guys with chainsaws! Seriously. Don’t! It pisses them off, and then they run after you, even if you’re an eight-year-old girl at a haunted cave.

What have you learned from horror movies/books?

Thanks, Cherie! I’ve learned always use the double-tap.

Find the awesome Cherie at her BLOG
You can order the paperback or eBook of The Nightmare Collection on Amazon or enter the giveaway on Goodreads.

Congratulations, Cherie – really looking forward to this one!

Ninja News

The A to Z Blog is looking for questions for 2013’s Challenge hosts. We had “Getting to know your hosts” posts earlier this year and need your help with fresh questions for next year. Go ahead, suggest anything!

Lisa Regan’s book, Finding Claire Fletcher, is finally out now! She has a great tour planned, so be sure to visit her site.

Thanks again to all who posted for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group and special thanks to my two co-hosts, Livia and Tasha!

Jade Hart’s new book, Ocean Kills, is available now! And look at that great cover. Congratulations, Jade!

Kittie Howard’s latest, Rings of Trust, launched on Thursday. Congratulations, Kitty! Through January 15, royalties will go to the Wounded Warrior Foundation. Find it on Amazon.

Movie Trivia Answers

1 – From Aardman Animations, this clay-animation film took place on Mrs. Tweedy’s farm. Chicken Run
2 – This 70’s animated film was set on a post-apocalyptic Earth where two brothers, Avatar and Blackwolf, do battle to control the world. Wizards
3 – This Christmas animation features the voices of James McAvoy, Hugh Laurie, and Bill Nighy – and a member of Santa’s family you never knew existed! Arthur Christmas
4 – Joss Whedon wrote the screenplay for this cell-animated space movie set in the year 3028 and featuring a spaceship that holds the secret to the salvation of the human race. Titan A.E.
5 – Before Pixar put out their take on these small critters, Woody Allen voiced the lead, “Z,” in this film. Antz
6 – Written by Ted Hughes in 1968, this science fiction story set in 1957 became a critically-acclaimed movie in 1999 with its simple innocence. The Iron Giant

Personal Note

During the chaos that will ensue on Monday, I will be posting something really different that day.
For those who believe this is just a big ego trip for me and that I think I’m all that and a bag of chips (credit to Diane’s POST) I invite you to visit Monday for what will probably be my most personal post ever.

Special thanks again to Mark, Morgan, Stephen, and David.

See you Monday…

Cherie wants to know – what have YOU learned from horror films? Got a question for the A to Z Team? See some new books to add? Get any of the trivia questions right? Ready to see a Ninja naked? (Of course, how would you know…?)

Ninja News, Amazing Spiderman Review, and Best Directors

Ninja News!

Today I have a guest post with Gabi at The Write Connexion.. She wanted to know more about organizing a blog tour. Not an expert, but I gave it my best shot!

Thanks again to everyone who posted for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. Welcome new members and appreciate all the support you guys give one another. I even received an email from a member who stated that not only has the group helped him to be a better writer, it had helped him to be a better person. Now that is just awesome! Special thanks also to Laura Eno for her post on Writer Etiquette. I also spent some time cleaning up the list of non-participants, so it should be much better next month.

Milo James Fowler at In Medias Res has a new book available - maikro - haiku and microfiction. Congratulations, Milo! (He’s also the most successful short story writer I know.)

DL Hammons at Cruising Altitude just had a short story accepting for Open Heart Publishing’s An Honest Lie anthology. Congratulations, DL!!

Cathy at Life on the Muskoka River is raising money for the YMCA Literacy Services in her area. This involves a marathon with writers locked in a room. Intrigued? Visit Cathy’s SITE for more details!

Beginning Thursday, July 26, 9 PM EST, EJ at The Open Vein will be hosting an all new regular Twitter chat focusing on New Adult literature. (Hashtag #NALitChat) Check out his site for details.

Jade Hart at Dream, Write, Publish just signed a book deal with Curiosity Quills. Congratulations, Jade!

And special thanks to Allison at Geek Banter and Rek at A Chronicle of Dreams for their wonderful reviews of CassaStar this week. You ladies rock!

Movie Review!

The Amazing Spiderman
We didn’t need a reboot of this franchise so soon, but with so many great reviews I had to check it out – and I wasn’t disappointed. Handing over this reboot to an unknown director was a risk but it paid off. Marc Webb handled the action scenes and character development well, adding a humorous edge that was missing before. I really liked the new Spiderman – the kid was the master of snark. As much as I like Sam Raimi and Spiderman 2, this movie was better. It’s not The Avengers, but it’s really good. (And you should’ve seen all the little kids dressed as Spiderman at the show!)

Best Directors

Matthew at FilmMattic recently posted a list of top one hundred directors, so I decided to do my own list of top ten. My list is what I consider the best (and my most favorite) directors.

1 - Steven Spielberg – Jurassic Park, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Close Encounters (Because of his huge body of work.)

2 - James Cameron – Aliens, The Terminator, Avatar (The man’s never made a bad film.)

3 - Christopher Nolan – Memento, Inception, The Dark Knight (He hasn’t made a bad film either.)
4 - Peter Jackson – LOTR trilogy, Dead Alive, The Frighteners

5 - Guillermo del Toro – Blade II, Hellboy, The Devil’s Backbone

6 - Michael Mann – Last of the Mohicans, Heat, Manhunter

7 - Joss Whedon – Serenity, The Avengers

8 - Quentin Tarantino – Reservoir Dogs, Inglorious Basterds, Pulp Fiction

9 - Rob Reiner – The Princess Bride, This is Spinal Tap, A Few Good Men

10 - JJ Abrams – Super 8, Star Trek

Enjoy this week’s IWSG posts? Excited about the news? Did you see The Amazing Spiderman? (It made 35 million on Tuesday alone!) And who are your favorite directors?

Don’t forget to check out Gabi's site!