Insecure Writer’s Support Group, CassaDark’s Release, April Movie Preview, and Book 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.

The awesome co-hosts for the April 6 posting of the IWSG are Joylene Nowell Butler, Jemima Pett, Patricia Josephine, Louise - Fundy Blue, and Kim Lajevardi!

April 6 question - Have any of your books been made into audio books? If so, what is the main challenge in producing an audiobook?

Yes! My four novels and the Cassa boxed set are all available as audio books. Since my publisher did all of the work, my only challenge was listening to the first auditions and picking one. And I picked a good one, as he did a fantastic job on all of them.

You can find the first book, CassaStar, here - Amazon, iTunes, and Audible

CassaDark Available Today!

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

His world is unraveling…

Bassan’s father is stepping down from command. His best friend almost dies when Bassan freezes. Now, he’s being sent across the galaxy to speak at an important conference. Despite saving the eleven races years ago, he’s paralyzed by doubt. Could things get any worse?

Once there, new acquaintance Zendar convinces Bassan to visit his planet for a humanitarian mission. Bassan’s special connection to ancient technology is the key to saving Zendar’s people. One problem though—it’s a prisoner planet.

On Ugar, he discovers things aren’t so straightforward. As each truth reveals itself, the situation grows more desperate. If he can’t find the right answers, he might die along with Zendar’s people. Can Bassan summon the courage to be a hero again?

Print – 9781939844842 / EBook – 9781939844859
Science Fiction – Adventure/Space Opera/Space Exploration

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.

And here is last week’s and this week’s tour dates!

March 30 – Ronel Janse van Vuuren
March 31 - Bookworm for Kids – Tonja Drecker
April 1 – Sandra Cox
April 4 – Elizabeth S. Craig
April 5 – Melissa Maygrove
April 6 – Diane Burton
April 6 – Kathy McKendry
April 7 – Cherie Colyer
April 8 – Toi Thomas
Appreciate you visiting any of those you can.

Other Book News

KISS OF THE ASSASSIN by Joylene Nowell Butler
The Wild Rose Press, Inc (March 23, 2022)
Paperback: 424 pages, ASIN: B09P7T1ZRS

Marina Antonovna, a Soviet spy, and Mateo Arcusa, an American homicide lieutenant first meet in Cambodia during the Vietnam War as enemies. Fearful that the most powerful man in the Soviet Union, KGB Chairman Vladimir Kurenkov, has ordered her death, Marina risks everything to defect to the United States.
She promises Mateo that her days as an assassin are over. Vladimir is determined to do whatever it takes to bring her back and, by threatening Mateo’s life, forces Marina to break her promise.

Joylene Butler lives with her husband in the tiny village of Cluculz Lake in central B.C... She is the author of three suspense novels and a contributor to one anthology. For more on Joylene and her writing, visit her website and blog, as well as connect with her on Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter, and Amazon.

Captain Quasar: The Complete Series: A Humorous Space Opera Boxed Set by Milo James Fowler is on sale for just .99!
Find it on Amazon

April Movie Preview

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

8 –

Ambulance
Director: Michael Bay
Stars: Jake Gyllenhaal, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Eiza González, Garret Dillahunt
Two robbers steal an ambulance after their heist goes awry.
It’s a Michael Bay film – LA explodes, the ambulance explodes, heck, even Jake Gyllenhaal explodes!

15 –

Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore
Director: David Yates
Stars: Mads Mikkelsen, Ezra Miller, Katherine Waterston, Jude Law
The third installment of "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them," which follows the continuing adventures of Newt Scamander.
The original subtitle was What the Heck Happened to Johnny Depp?

22 –

The Northman
Director: Robert Eggers
Stars: Alexander Skarsgård, Nicole Kidman, Claes Bang, Ethan Hawke
From visionary director Robert Eggers comes The Northman, an action-filled epic that follows a young Viking prince on his quest to avenge his father's murder.
Another weird, bloody, violent outing from Robert Eggers that might make you long for The Norseman with Lee Majors…

29 –

Memory
Director: Martin Campbell
Stars: Liam Neeson, Monica Bellucci, Ray Stevenson, Guy Pearce
An assassin-for-hire finds that he's become a target after he refuses to complete a job for a dangerous criminal organization. A remake of the 2003 Belgian film 'The Memory of a Killer'.
Just take any great line from Taken and replace skills with memory.

Any of your books on audio? See some new books to pick up? (How about CassaDark?) And what April movies catch your attention?
Be sure to visit Toi Thomas today!

Fate of the Furious Review, MST3K Season Eleven, Last Jedi Trailer, Spacerguy and Star Trek, Mini-Alex, and New Releases

I’m Back! And I’m also posting at the IWSG today - Three Publishers Weigh in on Queries, Marketing, and the Publishing Model.

The Fate of the Furious Review

Dom turns on his team, performing jobs for a woman bent on world terrorism.
The fate? A whole lot of fun!
This was probably one of the funnest rides so far in the franchise. Crazy car stunts and action scenes galore. Plus a sub and a rainstorm of cars! And much of it manifested by some computer wizardry and hacking.
The gang is all back, including Jason Statham now working with the team. Great to see Kurt Russell and Scott Eastwood as Little Nobody was a great addition. Most of the characters had moments of humor, but Tyrese Gibson’s character wins for all out hilarious. Charlize Theron as the bad guy – she was chilling. I think she’s found her calling.
It’s probably just a little too long (runtime 2:16) but eighth instalment and first without Paul Walker is worth the prices of admission. The action is balanced out by human moments, including some sad one. The effects are stunning as always. And of course, they left it wide open for number nine.
The movie also broke the worldwide opening weekend record with $532.5 million dollars.
If you don’t like the series, this one won’t change your mind.
If you do, then highly recommended!

Star Wars – The Last Jedi Trailer

In case you missed it last week…

Plus Rogue One came out a couple weeks ago and we snagged our 3D Blueray right away.

MST3K – New Season

The full season of the new MST3K was unleashed by NetFlix on Friday – and it was all I could do not to binge-watch them all weekend!

Could the new team pull it off? Safe to say, they did!

Since Joel Robinson, the original founder, is in charge, it feels like the earlier seasons of the old MST3K. They’ve reintroduced the kids’ letters to MST3K (although I don’t think kids really get many of the jokes) and it has a lighter feel. The segments in between still need a little work, but they'll get it eventually.

While not as edgy or snarky as the later years, it was still hilariously funny. I laughed out loud many, many times. The highlight is still the movie.

Some of the other cast members will be making appearances this season, and the second episode featured Mary Jo, Bill, and Kevin as Pearl, Brain Guy, and Professor Bobo. It’s still odd hearing different voices for the robots, although Crow is fairly close.

If you’re a fan of the original series or RiffTrax, check it out!

Blogger Feature

Today I’d like to draw your attention to a special blogger friend, Spacerguy aka Kieran O'Toole. He runs the Star Trek Sci Fi blog and the first time I landed there, I knew I would keep coming back. He’ll throw out other science fiction stuff, but if you’re a Star Trek fan like me, you’ll be in seventh Heaven. He’s participating in the Challenge, so there’s lots to see this month!

Where are you located?
I beam down to Ireland, Dublin occasionally, hehe- which is terra incognita actually I enjoy the privacy my Pen-name gives me. "Blogger" universal URLs have I think kept my location extra secret/mysterious.

Why the passion for Star Trek?
I got bit by the space bug which got me infected on the original shows alien anomalies and stories.

When did it begin?
At an early age the futurism of "Star Trek" made me dream. At first I puzzled over why so many black scratches flickered over the tv set and then, Ahh Haa! I had an epiphany. Thecamera lens was getting dirty from space dust, so trek's producers were filming in earth's orbit, Star Trek was real!

How many Star Trek conventions have you been to?
Here you've got me. In 1995 I was thrilled to meet Leonard Nimoy under the glare of paparazzi lights and cameras at Easons. People took my photo with Leonard and I don't have any!!!
In 2011, I trekked with my friend Nova to the Star Wars Invasion at the RDS. It took Star Wars to be the first!!! I was lucky enough to meet Julian Glover himself aka General Veers and Danny Baker aka R2D2 with Nova getting snapshots.

Do you own a Bat'leth or other Klingon weapon?
No I don't, I do have a Klingon Warbird with amazing sound effects and it took me two weeks to construct Captain Kirk's Starship with Lights and sound effects for the AMT USS Enterprise NCC1701.

What is your favorite Star Trek movie?
That’s easy, I'm going to talk Prime Universe movies only. At No1: The Wrath of Khan is the obvious winner. However Star Trek IV is good fun, doesn't take itself seriously and because its good, people like it, which gets my vote haha. I'm a sucker for all the light hearted comedy and saving whales. God bless them all.


Live long and Prosper, Spacerguy aka Kieran

New Releases

Joylene Nowell Butler is stepping down as IWSG Admin due to real life taking over. We will miss her so much! She also had a health challenge last week that has put her out of commission for a while – so much that she is not able to enjoy her book’s release day on Tuesday, April 18. So, we need to help her spread the word!

Maski: Broken But Not Dead
By Joylene Nowell Butler
Psychological Thriller
$4.99 eBook ISBN 9781939844385
An IPPY Silver Medalist!

To the Breaking Point...
When Brendell Meshango resigns from her university professor position and retreats to her isolated cabin to repair her psyche, she is confronted by a masked intruder. His racial comments lead her to believe she is the solitary victim of a hate crime.
However, is all as it appears? After two bizarre days, the intruder mysteriously disappears but continues to play mind games with her. Taught by her mother to distrust the mainstream-based power structures, and with her stalker possibly linked to a high level of government, Brendell conceals the incident from the police. But will her silence keep her safe?
Then her beloved daughter, Zoë, is threatened and Brendell takes matters into her own hands. To save Zoë, Brendell searches for the stalker and confronts not just a depraved madman but her own fears and prejudices.

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

Learn A Word in 100 Words by Patricia Josephine
A collection of flash fiction inspired by unusual words. Each tiny tale is crafted around a word that is unique or no longer in use. Read them while waiting in line or before bed. They range from sweet and lighthearted to dark and disturbing. Look out for the supernatural, but don’t turn your back on the average human. A killer might be lurking underneath. Expand your vocabulary, and get some inspiration of your own.
Find it at Smashwords, Kobo, and Barnes and Noble

For those of you who celebrate Easter and the Resurrection, I hope you had a blessed Sunday.

Mini-Alex was hanging with his peeps of course.

I think a few of those peeps have since gone missing…

Anyone else see the Furious movie? Stoked for the next Star Wars film? Watched any of the new MST3K season? Following Spacerguy? Can you help Joylene spread the word? And did you have a good Easter?

Don’t forget to visit the IWSG and Three Publishers Weigh in on Queries, Marketing, and the Publishing Model.

I’m taking another break next week – catch you May 3 for the IWSG post, May movie preview, and the release of the IWSG anthology - Hero Lost: Mysteries of Death and Life!

Insecure Writer’s Support Group! Plus Massive Book 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 Mark Koopmans, Joylene Nowell Butler, Elsie, and Lisa Buie-Collard! Please stop by their sites and thank them for helping today.

Now that the insanity of the Challenge is over – I am working on my manuscript again! I’m in the final stretch and it was no effort to jump back in and continue with the story. Endings have always come first for me, so what I am about to write has played over in my head a hundred times. So I am eager to finish the first draft. Then editing, which will involve adding many new elements and twists. Good thing I really like the editing phase.

But I did write more than blog posts during April!

I was asked to contribute to audiomachine’s next project, an eighteen track movie soundtrack called Phenomena. There will be a free eBook available for download. With every purchase, audiomachine will make a donation to the LA Youth orchestra. My story will accompany a piece called Drakon's Empire.

What’s my story about? Well, it focuses on a young man by the name of Bassan…

Be sure to visit other IWSG members!

Book Releases and More!!

Break Time
A Steampunk Anthology
by Pat Bertram, J.Conrad Guest, J.J. Dare, Dale Cozort, Suzanne Francis, and Joylene Nowell Butler

Welcome to Break Time, a collaborative steampunk anthology written by seven authors from four countries -- USA, New Zealand, Canada, Australia -- who have never met.

Available on Amazon - eBook and Print

Living the Afterlife: A Death and Chronos flash fiction collection
By River Fairchild

Thirty stories filled with laughter and mishaps as a Harley-riding Death and anachronistic Chronos create havoc in Purgatory and on Earth. A host of Immortals join in the misadventures.

Buy it on Amazon

How to Seduce a Band Geek (How To #2)
by Cassie Mae
Buy it at Amazon


Hey, I resemble that...

Rescue Squad, Book 9 of A Shot in the Light
By Hart Johnson
Buy it at Amazon

Chasing Luck
by Brinda Berry
A Serendipity novel - New Adult Romantic Suspense
Buy it at Amazon, Kobo, and Barnes and Noble

Second Chances 101, the fifth Ripple Effect Romance Novella
By Donna K. Weaver
Buy it at Amazon and Barnes and Noble

Stones of Power: The Invasion
By Eric Buffington
Buy it at Center One Publishing and Smashwords








Altered Perceptions is an anthology of great authors, donating their work to help author Robison Wells, who's crippled by debt, caused by his mental illnesses. David Powers King is pledging one dollar for every comment on his IWSG post today. So visit David and donate his money!

Whoa!
Anyone else diving back into their writing this month? Picking up Phenomena? (You should see the list of authors contributing stories to the eBook!) Picking up any of the new releases? And what’s your writing insecurity today…?

And heads up – I will be out and about enjoying life this weekend, so you won’t see me around much. After last month, I hope I remember how…

And please, special prayers for Melissa Bradley. She was admitted to the hospital on Monday and they discovered a huge mass around her lymph nodes. The biopsy is today, so please keep her in your thoughts.

A to Z Challenge – X2 and Xanadu, Plus Ninjs News, Rise of the Guardians Review, and Writing Erotica

My theme for the A to Z Challenge is Favorite Movies, Bloggers, and Music! I’ll name a favorite movie that corresponds with the letter, and then select a character from the film. I will then name a favorite blogger who reminds me of that character, and then dedicate a song to him. (Also corresponding with the alphabet.) I’ll wrap it all up with trivia and/or fun facts about the movie, the blogger, or the music!

In addition, two lucky commenters this month will receive a review copy of CassaStorm! One comment per day and each is worth one entry except – the first and one hundredth comments on each day will receive ten entries!

X2

This is my favorite of the X-Men series, as I felt it captured the feel of the comics best. Great opening sequence with Nightcrawler in the White House and every scene with Wolverine kicked butt. It also showed us a lot more of the vast X-Men army.

Jean Grey grows stronger as a person in this film. The only X-Men member without a nickname might not stand out in the crowd, but she’s a powerful force. She has abilities beyond what the others can imagine.

Who is Jean Grey?

Joylene Nowell Butler!

She might seem like just another author, but there’s a lot more to her than meets the eye. Joylene is a dedicated force, both to her craft and her friends. She’s already won an IPPY award, so there’s no telling what else she will accomplish!

Joylene is the author of Broken But Not Dead and Dead Witness.

To you I dedicate Xanadu by Rush. (Title leads to YouTube.)

The song is based on the poem “Kubla Khan,” something I thought you would appreciate. “To stand within the pleasure dome, Decreed by Kubla Khan…”

Trivia and Facts:

Who played the villain William Stryker in X2?

W’s trivia answers – Karen lives in Albuquerque, NM, USA, and HG Wells wrote War of the Worlds in 1898.

Ninja News

SC announced the agents for Query Combat – and a mini contest before it begins.

Movie Review

Rise of the Guardians

Finally got a chance to see this one. I liked their take on the characters – a Russian Santa, an Australian Easter Bunny, etc. The animation is unique – the people were done simplistic while the scenery was in amazing detail. Overall, too long (even at ninety minutes) but worth a rental.

Writing Erotica

Richard Hughes posted about why writing erotica is a woman’s thing.

My response was that I don’t want to write it, I want to do it. (Hey, being honest here!)

Here’s what would happen if I tried to write a sex scene:

Write one line.

“Crap, that’s awful.”

Delete. Write a new line.

Bark of laughter. “That’s even worse!”

Delete. Write another line.

“Now that’s not bad…”

Ditches writing sex scene and goes in search of wife for the real thing.

That’s why you’ll never get anything remotely sexual from me! (Not to mention it just goes against my morals.) Any other men feel the same way?

Fan of the X-Men movies? Following the awesome Joylene? Know the trivia? Excited about the agent contest? Seen Rise of the Guardians? And how do you feel about erotica?

Cindy Borgne Discusses Wormholes, Ninja News, Celebrating Small Things, Mini-Alex and his Peeps, Special Thanks, and Movie Quotes Trivia

Today I welcome fellow science fiction author, Cindy Borgne!

Wormholes:

In my first book “Seer of Mars”, the main reason for mankind coming to Mars is a long-term project to reach an Earth-like planet called Hinun in the Cancri fifty-five system, which is almost identical to our solar system. Someone told me that it sounded so Star Wars-ish like the Dagobah system.

However, Mars and Cancri 55 are real places, and for the sequel “Visionary of Peace”, I needed to answer a question. How do they plan to reach Hinun? Finally, I settled on using a wormhole for travel purposes - maybe because they’re more artistic.

Although a wormhole has never been created, they aren’t just something from science fiction. The theory for them is based in physics. This led to the challenge of my characters creating the first wormhole in the most difficult of circumstances. Early attempts were less than impressive. At first, my physicists ended up generating small, unpredictable wormholes only capable of lasting for a few seconds in a lab.

No such thing as a small wormhole you say? According to astrophysicist Stephen Hawking, “wormholes may exist in quantum foam, the smallest environment in the universe. Here, tiny tunnels constantly blink in and out of existence, momentarily linking separate places and time.”

Yet even small wormholes don’t run on thin air and need something to generate them. I needed exotic matter – another conceptual aspect of physics. Where could I get this stuff? When reading the definitions for exotic matter.

Exotic Matter: Any kind of matter that is not made up of baryons (protons and neutrons) and has both negative energy density and negative pressure or tension that exceeds the energy density.

How rambling is that?

However, the biggest problem with the small, short-term wormhole is that it has no use in reaching Hinun. Still, I couldn’t let the dream of reaching Hinun die for my long suffering characters. I needed something more and I found it.

Thanks for having me today, Alex.

Find Cindy - Blog, Website, Twitter, Goodreads, and Amazon
And her books - Visionary of Peace and Seer of Mars

Ninja News

Angela Brown’s book, Frailties of the Bond, is now available – congratulations, Angela!

Kelley Lynn’s book, Fraction of Stone, was released on Thursday! Congratulations, Kelley.
She’s on her blog tour right now and you can win a copy of her book. Check her site for details.


Misha Gericke announced the categories for this month’s Paying it Forward Awards:
Blogger Who Makes the Bloggosphere Amazing
Blogger With Unrivaled Determination
Blogger With Amazing Team Spirit
Blogger Who Brightens Every Day
Visit her blog to cast your nominations now!

And for VikLit’s “Celebrating the Small Things,” I have two things I'm celebrating!
First, this is post number 600. Whoa!
Second, I have over 1800 followers now. Double whoa!!

Mini-Alex and His Peeps

Mini-Alex may not get out much, but he does have friends!

Here he is hanging with his peeps, admiring Robyn Alana Engel’s book, Just the Right Time!

And it’s really cold today, so he hopes his scarf arrives soon.

Special Peeps

I want to mention two special ladies.

As I’ve noted before, my guest post guidelines state that I only allow blogger buddies.

I get requests every week, and I’m polite when I explain my guidelines and why. Most I never hear from again. One guy unfollowed me immediately.

However, two ladies, once I explained how it works, decided to become my blogger buddies. Two out of hundreds.

Joylene Nowell Butler and Sandra Ulbrich Almazan, I want to thank you for taking that step. You two can guest post anytime you like!

Movie Trivia

Movie quotes today – all science fiction! Name the movie – and the actor/character if you can:

1 – “If this is foreplay, I’m a dead man.”

2 – “The Fourth of July will no longer be known as an American holiday, but as the day when the world declared in one voice, ‘We will not go quietly into the night…’”

3 – “His pattern indicates two-dimensional thinking.”

4 – “Can I ask you a personal question? Have you ever retired a human by mistake?”

5 - “I just want to know that it’s really happening.”

Ready to read Cindy's books? Nominating someone for the Paying it Forward Awards? Ready to hang with Mini-Alex and his Peeps? And know any of the trivia answers?

Insecure Writer’s Support Group, Ninja News, Movie Reviews, and the Wednesday Movie Quote

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 two awesome co-hosts this month are Misha Gericke and Joylene Nowell Butler! Please be sure to thank them for their time and effort to make all IWSG members feel welcome.

This month I have an odd writing insecurity.

In a recent post by Roland Yeomans, he wondered if blogging was becoming less effective with so many cover reveals, book announcements, etc. (I admit, there does seem to be a lot of them lately.) But I started thinking and I realized I really don’t write much for my own blog anymore.

Now, I enjoy shouting out my blogger buddies’ accomplishments! That won’t ever change. The Ninja News is never going away. I enjoy keeping up with the blogging world. But I would like to write something here now and then. I haven’t even done a movie review in months. (Which is why you are getting two today!)

If I shrink some of the announcements down a bit, would that be all right? I’ll still post, just… shorter.

Be sure to visit other participants of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group!

And, since I do cull the list now and then, make sure you are still on the list if you are posting now.

Ninja News

The Happy Whisk is hosting a giveaway for hitting 444 posts! Some awesome books (including one of mine) so check it out.

I can’t remember how I found this site - Christian Fiction for Your Kindle. It lists both fiction and non-fiction Christian books that are on sale or free that day.

 FRAILTIES OF THE BOND by Angela Brown

In Frailties of the Bond, it only takes one bite to change a life…

FRAILTIES OF THE BOND is the first in a series of novellas and short stories introducing heroes and heroines of the secret organization, NEO – Network of Extraordinaires and Otherwordlies.

Add to Goodreads

Movie Reviews!

Jack the Giant Slayer
Yes, it’s a retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk.
And you know what? It was fun.
Some of the reviewers have been harsh, but I didn’t find anything wrong with the movie. It’s not the most memorable thing you’ll ever see, but it’s not cheesy or bad.
The special effects and acting were all great. (Saw it in 3D,) Story even had a few unexpected twists and some good laughs.
Go and enjoy!

Premium Rush
It’s a thriller involving a Manhattan bicycle delivery guy. How thrilling could it really be?
Turns out, it was really damn good! Toss in a crooked cop, a roommate with a secret, and competition among the bikers and it’s a heck of a ride. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is the lead, and he takes you on a wild chase through the city – all without brakes!
Definitely recommend it!

Bonus Review!
House of Cards
For those of you with NetFlix, have you been watching their original series, House of Cards? It’s political drama with one heck of a cast, including Kevin Spacey. The show takes no sides – everyone is motivated by money and re-election without a care about the country. (Slimy politicians? Really?)
It’s a watch now and highly recommended!

Wednesday Movie Quote!

Today it’s cell animation. (Yeah, need to go back a couple years for that one.)


I selected an exchange from The Emperor’s New Groove:

Pacha: Uh-oh.
Kuzco: Don't tell me. We're about to go over a huge waterfall.
Pacha: Yep.
Kuzco: Sharp rocks at the bottom?
Pacha: Most likely.
Kuzco: Bring it on.

Next week – computer animation film quote!

What is your insecurity today? Entered Happy Whisk’s contest? Have you seen either of those movies or the NetFlix show? And what’s your favorite cell animation film quote?
And Friday I’m tackling an interesting subject. (And Mini-Alex might make an appearance…)

WE’VE GOT MOVIE SIGN! Ninja News, Wednesday Movie Quote, Movie Review, March Movies, and Movie Trivia

And bonus points if you can name the movie/show from that first sentence!

Ninja News

Justine Dell’s All-American Girl hit the shelves on Tuesday. She’s on tour with many opportunities to win free books and stuff. Congratulations, Justine!

Isis Rushdan, awesome person that she is, will be giving away copies of my books today! You rock, Isis.

Don’t forget, Wednesday March 6 is the next posting for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. My awesome co-hosts will be Misha Gericke and Joylene Nowell Butler!

Thanks to those who’ve continued to post my next book’s cover this week. (And to clarify, my publisher did the cover for CassaStorm. Carrie Butler made the three book graphic.)
Michael Di Gesu at In Time posted on Monday with a “Journey into Space” and the series continues all week – check it out!The Ninja Captain and Cadet Michael are traveling the universe.

And since today is all about movies, don’t forget that March 18 is my Top Ten Movie Countdown Blogfest.

Wednesday Movie Quote

Leave your favorite quote in the comments or play along on your own blog.

Today – romantic comedies.

My quote comes from one of the best romantic comedies ever made, When Harry Met Sally, and it’s a classic:

“I’ll have what she’s having.”

Next week – cell animation movies.

Movie Review

Ted
Despite the fact it was directed by Seth MacFarlane, I couldn’t bring myself to see this in the theater, but I caught it last weekend on NetFlix.
A childhood wish brings Ted to life, and many years later, he and Wahlburg’s character are still friends. Yes, it’s crude, and crosses the line more than once. (A lot less than Family Guy does though, which surprised me.) Ted is snarky but not mean-spirited. Their friendship is tested when Wahlburg’s girlfriend suggests Ted moves out on his own.
I liked it more than I thought I would. What surprised me was that at its heart, this is romantic comedy. If you can get past the crude aspects, it’s both funny and sweet.

March Movie Preview

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

1 -

Jack the Giant Slayer
The ancient war between humans and a race of giants is reignited when Jack, a young farmhand fighting for a kingdom and the love of a princess, opens a gateway between the two worlds.
Director: Bryan Singer
Stars: Nicholas Hoult, Stanley Tucci, Ewan McGregor, Bill Nighy
If you’ve seen the original (preferably the version slayed by MST3K’s Riff Trax guys) then you know this has to be better!

8 –

Oz the Great and Powerful
A small-time magician with dubious ethics arrives in a magical land and must decide if he will be a good man or a great one.
Director: Sam Raimi
Stars: James Franco, Michelle Williams, Rachel Weisz, Mila Kunis
The previews are great and Rami as director raises its chances. (And it has Rachel Weisz!)

Don’t Stop Believin’: Everyman’s Journey
Don't Stop Believin': Everyman's Journey follows the real life rock-n-roll fairy tale story of Filipino Arnel Pineda, who was plucked from You Tube to become the front man for iconic American rock band, Journey, thereby becoming the latest performer to go from the Internet to real life celebrity. Having already overcome a life full of painful obstacles and now saddled with the immense pressures of leading a world renowned band and replacing a legendary singer, the film follows Arnel on this personal journey.
Director: Ramona S. Diaz
Stars: Arnel Pineda, Neal Schon, Jonathan Cain, Ross Valory
I won’t catch it in theaters, but the success of Pineda as Journey’s new front man is amazing.

15 –

Upside Down
Adam and Eden fell in love as teens despite the fact that they live on twinned worlds with gravities that pull in opposite directions. Ten years after a forced separation, Adam sets out on a dangerous quest to reconnect with his love.
Director: Juan Solanas
Stars: Jim Sturgess, Kirsten Dunst, Timothy Spall, Agnieshka Wnorowska
This one has been delayed a while. Never a good sign!

22 –

The Croods
The world's very first prehistoric family goes on a road trip to an uncharted and fantastical world. Directors: Kirk De Micco | Chris Sanders
Stars: Nicolas Cage, Ryan Reynolds, Emma Stone, Catherine Keener
Can anyone name a Nicolas Cage film in the last ten years that was good? Maybe since he’s just a voice it will be all right.


29 –

G.I. Joe: Retaliation
The G.I. Joes are not only fighting their mortal enemy Cobra; they are forced to contend with threats from within the government that jeopardize their very existence. Director: Jon M. Chu
Stars: Channing Tatum, Dwayne Johnson, Ray Park, Bruce Willis
This one was delayed from last summer. And it has Dwayne Johnson. This could be road kill.

Movie Trivia!

Quotes from blockbuster movies – name the movie:

1 – "Certainty of death, small chance of success… What are we waiting for?"

2 – "You HAVE the right to remain silent. What you lack is the capacity."

3 – "Sir, I’m gonna have to ask you to exit the donut."

4 – "No, I’m, I’m simply saying that life, uh… finds a way."

5 – "That when a willing victim who has committed no treachery, is killed in a traitor’s stead, the stone table will crack, and even death itself would turn backwards."

Ready for next week’s IWSG? Following the Journey into Space? What’s your favorite romantic movie quote? Excited about any of the March movies? And care to take a stab at the trivia?