A to Z Challenge - The Princess Bride and Passion, plus the Ninja News

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!

The Princess Bride

This film is just about as close to a perfect movie as one can get. It has a good heart, great comedy, and a genuine spirit. This movie will have you smiling from beginning to end – and quoting the awesome lines for years to come!

Buttercup is the princess-to-be who still believes in true love. She is the gentle spirit that captivates the heart of those who come in contact with her. Innocent but knowing, Buttercup seeks truth, fairness, and her chance for happily-ever-after.

Who is Buttercup?

Kimberly at Art of Infiltration!

She not only possesses Buttercup’s spirit, she even looks a little like her! Kimberly is a believer in everyone she encounters. A seeker of truth and knowledge, she desires the happily-ever-after for everyone.

Kimberly is a writer, a teacher, and a mother.

To you I dedicate Passion by Stream of Passion. (Title leads to YouTube,)

Because passion is what you possess!

Trivia and Facts:

Did you know there was a real Dread Pirate Roberts, also known as Black Bart, who is reckoned by many to be the greatest pirate ever?

Who wrote both the novel and the screenplay for The Princess Bride?

O’s trivia answers – Annalisa Crawford lives in Cornwall, UK, and Orgy’s first hit was a cover of New Order’s Blue Monday.

Ninja News

Julie Musil walks you through the steps to setting up an author Facebook page.

Roland Yeoman’s book, The Legend of Victor Standish, will be released as an audio book this summer! That is so cool – congratulations, Roland!

My awesome co-hosts for the May 1 posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group will be Lynda Young, Mark Koopmans, and Rachna Chhabria! Thanks to all of you who offered – I will be getting back to you guys in the coming months.

Don’t forget to sign up for the Best/Worst Movie Remake Blogfest on May 17!



Can you rattle off Princess Bride Quotes? Following Kimberly? Fan of Stream of Passion? (You now know they are a Dutch prog rock band.) Know the trivia? Do you have an author Facebook page? And are you still having fun with the Challenge? I may break the clone machine by the time it’s over…

CassaStorm Cover Reveal! And Ninja News, Cover Reveals and Releases, and Celebrating the Small Things

CassaStorm cover reveal today! But first...

I am visiting Allison at Geek Banter today! Signed up for the A to Z Challenge but don’t have a topic yet? Want a geeky topic? Then head on over to Allison’s site when you finish here.

Ninja News

A to Z Challenge co-hosts, Nicole and Tina, were interviewed over at Curiosity Quills. If you want to learn a little more about the Challenge, check it out – the ladies did a fantastic job.

MJ Joachim had a great post about making it easy to find and follow one’s blog.

There was so much happening on Wednesday, I completely forgot the Wednesday Movie Quote!! Epic Ninja fail. (Thank you Robin for pointing it out.) Third time’s a charm – next Wednesday, romantic comedy quotes for sure. It’s in my calendar.

And found out yesterday that CassatStar is on Goodreads’ top Space Jocks books. If you have the time, would appreciate your vote! And thanks to the person who got it on the list.

Cover Reveals and Releases!

Several today!

A couple break up on a rainy night; a runaway longs to go home; a woman finds comfort from eating lunch as her best friend lies in hospital; a teenager feels oppressed by her father. All of the characters in these stories are trying to find their place in the world, attempting to find connections that matter with the people around them.

This collection brings together prize-winning and published stories from the past twenty years: the ‘greatest hits’.

That Sadie Thing and other stories will be available on

Kindle Monday 25th February 2013.

Annalisa Crawford lives and writes in Cornwall with a good supply of beaches and moorland to keep her inspired. She finds endless possibilities in the relationships between people. As this collection testifies, she has been writing for twenty years - but doesn't feel a day over twenty-one.

Find her on her blog, Twitter, Facebook and Goodreads.

The Truth About Letting Go 
by Leigh Talbert Moore


Purchase here: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and iBookstore.


Find Leigh: Blog, Twitter, Goodreads, and Facebook.

Unleashing the CassaStorm!

Are you ready?

CassaStorm by Alex J. Cavanaugh

A storm gathers across the galaxy…

Byron thought he’d put the days of battle behind him. Commanding the Cassan base on Tgren, his only struggles are occasional rogue pirate raids and endless government bureaucracies. As a galaxy-wide war encroaches upon the desert planet, Byron’s ideal life is threatened and he’s caught between the Tgrens and the Cassans.

After enemy ships attack the desert planet, Byron discovers another battle within his own family. The declaration of war between all ten races triggers nightmares in his son, shaking Bassan to the core and threatening to destroy the boy’s mind.

Meanwhile the ancient alien ship is transmitting a code that might signal the end of all life in the galaxy. And the mysterious probe that almost destroyed Tgren twenty years ago could be on its way back. As his world begins to crumble, Byron suspects a connection. The storm is about to break, and Byron is caught in the middle…

Release date: September 17, 2013
Science Fiction - Space Opera/Adventure
Print ISBN 9781939844002
E-book ISBN 9781939844019

Yes, I am very stoked!!!!! That cover rocks.

Celebrating the Small Things

VikLit’s weekly meme.

Sharing my cover was a big thing, but something else cool is happening today.

Yes, sex and controversy sell. But I have never (nor will ever) put sex, foul language, or anything immoral in my books. I wanted my books to be accessible to everyone, just as I enjoyed reading the genre as a kid.

And I’m really glad I made that decision, because Kimberly Gabriel shared my books with her seventh grade class and they were very excited to read them. Now, not only did they order several copies and received bookmarks, the kids put together some questions for me. And today, Kimberly is sharing my answers with her class, along with the cover for CassaStorm.

Score!!!

Hope the kids enjoyed it, Kimberly.

(And if any of you are teachers, let me know – I’d love to do that again!)

Ready for the A to Z Challenge? Excited about the upcoming books? What small thing are you celebrating? And what do think of CassaStorm’s cover? (It’s been tough to sit on this for a whole week!)

Don’t forget to visit Geek Banter for some geeky A to Z Challenge topic suggestions.