Guardians and Other Geek Gifts, Star Wars Holiday Special, Merry Christmas from Mini-Alex, Battle of the Bands, New Book Releases, and Ninja News

I have a guest post at MJ Joachim’s Writing Tips – Juggling For Writers. Want some tips on how to juggle it all? (And they don’t involve tennis balls or clones!)

I’m also posting today at the IWSG site - Where to Find a Great Book Cover Artist. Some great samples and lots of links, so check it out.

Last Minute Geek Gifts

We watched Guardians of the Galaxy DVD in 3D this past week – such an awesome movie! (If you haven’t seen it, just buy the disc.)


Since Dancing Groots are nowhere to be found right now, I thought I’d give you some last minute alternatives.

From Stylin Online - a Guardians of the Galaxy Star Lord Blaster.

From Pop Vinyl - Pop! Marvel: Guardians of the Galaxy Rocket.

Think Geek had a ton of gift ideas, including hundreds of Star Trek items.
Including this Borg Fridge, ready to assimilate your beverages.

Think Geek also had a long list of Star Wars gifts.
How about a Han Solo in Carbonite Shower Curtain?

Maybe Dr. Who is your thing instead.
Want to play some Dr. Who Yahtzee?

Fantasy isn’t forgotten at Think Geek either – they even have Game of Thrones gifts.
Can I interest you in a Game of Thrones Dragon Egg Canister? (Sorry, dragon not included.)

The Star Wars Holiday Special

Lucas would prefer this remained buried, but the RiffTrax guys dug up an old VCR tape, complete with bad commercials from this 1978 ‘special.’

And it is ‘special,’ as it provides serious competition to Manos: The Hands of Fate and Plane 9 From Outer Space for the worst movie ever made.

You get Chewbacca’s family, Art Carney, Bea Arthur, Jefferson Starship, and the stars of Star Wars. The main storyline is trying to get Chewbacca home to his family for Life Day, but there is so much padding and strange elements, you’ll soon forget the movie has any meaning. The film goes from too childish for kids to really risqué with Diahann Carroll as a singing holographic prostitute.

The 1978 commercials are just as horrific.

Download it at RiffTrax and watch it – if you dare…

Ninja News

We need IWSG co-hosts!
If you can co-host in January, let me know – we need two more.
And if you could co-host in February or March, leave a comment as well.
Thanks!

I was honored to find Dragon of the Stars on Beauty in Ruins’ list of most anticipated science fiction books of 2015 – top pick for April. Thanks, Bob!

LG Keltner is celebrating her third blogging anniversary on January 9 with a Snarky blogfest! See her site for details.

New Releases

People of Foxwick and Their Neighbors
By Cherie Reich
Find it on Amazon, iTunes, and other sites.

Vitamins and Death
By Medeia Sharif
Deidra Battle wants nothing more than to be invisible…
Purchase from Prism Books or Amazon

Hope for Her (Hope Series Book #2)
By Sydney Aaliyah Michelle
Find it on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and others.

2084
By Melanie Schulz
Find it on Amazon

Battle of the Bands

Welcome to Battle of the Bands! Founded by Stephen T McCarthy and Faraway Eyes. You know the routine – pick your favorite.

Since it’s Christmas, you’re getting Christmas music – Muppet style!
Here are two very different versions of Jingle Bells from our felt-covered friends.

Merry Christmas!

With the holidays coming, I will not be posting again until January 5. I will be lurking, although the week of Christmas, probably not much.

I make no secret that I am a born-again Christian, and Christmas is the celebration of the birth of my Lord and Savior. I will spend the holidays with family and friends, grateful for the precious gift God gave us.

Mini-Alex and friends would like to wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy New Year, and holiday greetings to all!

Any of those geek gifts fit someone on your list? (Or do you want it for yourself?) Ever watched the Star Wars Holiday Special? Can you help co-host the IWSG? See any good books? Which version of the song is your favorite? And what are your plans for the holidays?

Don’t forget to visit MJ Joachim’s Writing Tips and the IWSG site!

Big Hero 6 Movie Review, Robot Movie Trivia, the Power of Friendship, and Ninja News

Big Hero 6 Movie Review

Five geeks and one personal medical assistant robot make for an unlikely bunch of heroes.

This film is all heart. It has a very gentle spirit and solid relationships among the characters. Love your family and stick by your friends is a great message.

The animation is the best so far this year. You don’t want to miss it in 3D.

The humor is spot on. Robot Baymax steals the show, both with his actions and words. (‘We jumped out a window!’ is one of the best.) Fred the fanboy also has some great lines.

The story is fresh, fun, and original. (Except for a device that looks like the Stargate, but we can let that slide.) Set in San Fransokyo, it’s a blend of high tech, America, and the Orient, and it’s dazzling to behold.

Considering the lack of competition this year, Big Hero 6 will likely win the Oscar for best animated film. Take the family and enjoy. Highly recommended!

Ninja News

The Realms Faire continues!! My official joust was Monday, but you can visit M. Pax every single day to cheer for the Ninja Knight – Ninja Army Rocks!! Prizes daily and there is a review copy of Dragon of the Stars up for grabs.
And don’t forget you can add Dragon of the Stars on Goodreads now!



Today at the IWSG site is rhyme master and prolific author, Pat Hatt! He’s as skillful as the Ninja when it comes to juggling many obligations – read how he does it.


Thursday, at the A to Z Blog - we are officially announcing the 2015 A to Z Challenge Team!!

MJ Joachim wants your writing and author tips! Visit her site if you are interested in a guest post.

Tuesday saw the release of How to Train Your Dragon 2 on DVD and Pink Floyd’s The Endless River on CD.

Out now - Captured Love by Juliana Haygert

Ted Cross’ first book was just released - sci-fi thriller, The Immortality Game.
Awesome cover, Ted!

Be sure to sign up for the Miss You Blogfest - those bloggers you miss and those you would miss the most. Coming November 24.

Movie Trivia

In honor of Big Hero 6 – robots!
Robots listed – name the films.

1 - Hector (1980)
2 - Fembots (1997)
3 - Johnny 5 (1986)
4 - Pris (1980)
5 - Dot Matrix (1987)
6 - Huey, Dewey, and Louie (1972)
7 - EVE (2008)
8 - V.I.N.C.E.N.T. (1980)

Answers on Monday!

The Power of Friends

I’m part of a special group of people, the Fellowship of the Dragon. We have a private blog where we keep one another on track with our goals and we email daily quotes of encouragement. (There is also a fair amount of good-natured bantering that goes back and forth.)

One of our members was in need recently. The rest of us conspired to help and came up with a plan. In secret (and with the help of two other bloggers) we pooled money together to help this person. It was a complete surprise and from what I understand, will cover the cost of what this person needed.

The power of friendship is amazing. I feel blessed to be a part of this group. Most of us have never met, but we pulled together to help another member and trusted one person to send the money. And we did it without question because the person in need had touched all of us and been an amazing friend.

And that’s what it takes sometimes – one person to pull together many. One friend who has everyone’s back, who stands against the enemies, who is the champion, and who goes above and beyond every time.

I’m blessed to have the Fellowship of the Dragon, along with the A to Z Co-Host Team, the IWSG Admins and members, and a great group of blogging friends. (Along with a couple great groups of friends offline.)

Do you have friends like that?

Have you seen Big Hero 6? Participating in the Realms Faire? Fan of the awesome Pat Hatt? Know any of the trivia? And do you have a group of friends that pull together for one another…?

Insecure Writer’s Support Group, plus Dragon of the Stars Cover, November Movie Preview, Dragon and Ninja, 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 LG Keltner, Donna Hole, Lisa Buie-Collard and SL Hennessy! Be sure to thank them for their efforts.

We are a month away from the release of the IWSG Guide to Publishing and Beyond. So much effort has gone into this book, and I’m proud of the IWSG Admins for their efforts. And I’m very proud of the contributors – the book is packed with awesome information and tips!

I’m not insecure about that book.

However, I am nervous about the next step in my personal author journey.

April 7, 2015 is the official release date for my next (and last) book, Dragon of the Stars. (Yes, right in the middle of the A to Z Challenge. I may have a meltdown that month.)

However, I am not nervous about the cover art, which I finally got to see Monday afternoon:

One more time – can I do it?

My Dear Dragon Friend

The Dragon and Ninja, created by the amazing and talented Father Dragon Al, arrived last week.

Thank you, Al. You are one of the best friends I’ve ever had and an amazing person.

Ninja News

Leandra Wallace and many others have started an awesome new blog. Across the Board is a group blog featuring writers from all different genres, kidlit to adult, posting on Mondays and Thursdays. They love to have visitors stop by!

The Realms Faire is coming next week! And guess what – I am one of the jousting Knights. My joust is Monday and you can cheer for me then and throughout the week. Tons of prizes, from books to gift cards. Don’t miss it!






New Releases -

Wickedly They Dream by Catherine Constantine
After Seeley is possessed by an evil wraith, Jordan must dig deeper into the Satanic realm. Against Markus's direct orders she offers herself, body and should in a blood covenant to rescue Seeley from the clutches of hell. Jordan assumes her guardian angel will not leave her to fight along. But there's trouble in paradise, and Markus has been reassigned. Can Jordan defeat both her internal and external demons to win him back? Or is he gone for good this time?
Find it on Amazon

Max Blizzard and The Gem of Camelot by Pat Hatt

Yakuza Territory by Milo James Fowler

Guide to Hot Water Bath Canning by MJ Joachim

November Movie Preview

Here are the upcoming theatrical releases for November! As always, descriptions courtesy of the IMDB. Snarky comments by me.

7 –

Interstellar
A group of explorers make use of a newly discovered wormhole to surpass the limitations on human space travel and conquer the vast distances involved in an interstellar voyage.
Director: Christopher Nolan
Stars: Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, Mackenzie Foy
Nolan is an amazing director – feels like I’ve been waiting years for this one.

Big Hero 6
The special bond that develops between plus-sized inflatable robot Baymax, and prodigy Hiro Hamada, who team up with a group of friends to form a band of high-tech heroes.
Directors: Don Hall | Chris Williams
Stars: Ryan Potter, Scott Adsit, Jamie Chung, T.J. Miller
Marvel’s foray into kid friendly heroes – and the previews are pretty darn funny.




21 –

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1
Katniss Everdeen is in District 13 after she shatters the games forever. Under the leadership of President Coin and the advice of her trusted friends, Katniss spreads her wings as she fights to save Peeta and a nation moved by her courage.
Director: Francis Lawrence
Stars: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson
I’m looking forward to part ten where Katniss is eligible for social security benefits…

Extraterrestrial
A group of friends on a weekend trip to a cabin in the woods find themselves terrorized by alien visitors.
Director: Colin Minihan
Stars: Brittany Allen, Freddie Stroma, Melanie Papalia, Jesse Moss
Part horror, part science fiction, all probing!





28 –

Penguins of Madagascar
Super spy teams aren't born...they're hatched. Discover the secrets of the greatest and most hilarious covert birds in the global espionage biz: Skipper, Kowalski, Rico and Private. These elitists of the elite are joining forces with a chic undercover organization, The North Wind. Together, they must stop the villainous Dr. Octavius Brine, from destroying the world as we know it.
Directors: Eric Darnell | Simon J. Smith
Stars: Tom McGrath, Chris Miller, Christopher Knights, Benedict Cumberbatch
Ninety-nine percent sure my wife will drag me to this one…

The Babadook 
A single mother, plagued by the violent death of her husband, battles with her son's fear of a monster lurking in the house, but soon discovers a sinister presence all around her.
Director: Jennifer Kent
Stars: Essie Davis, Daniel Henshall, Tim Purcell, Tiffany Lyndall-Knight
Heard great things about this film, but doubt it will be playing anywhere in the Carolinas. (Thus I will be dragged to see Penguin movie above.)



What are your writing insecurities today? Picking up some new books? What do you think of Mini-Alex’s new friends? What movie catches your eye this month? Think I can survive another book release? And what do you think of the cover art…?

Ninja News, The Partner's Progeny, Guests, NetFlix Reviews, and World Trivia!

Ninjas lead secret lives, but MJ Joachim asked if I would share a few personal things for my Blog Hopper Marathon spot. Visit her site today for the inside scoop.

Ninja News!

The Challenge Participate Feature is back at the A to Z Blog, and today it’s Mary Montague Sikes, who did a painting a day for the Challenge.


Big thanks to Rachna and everyone who visited Rachna’s Scriptorium last Friday for my time management tips!

Rebecca Bradley has an agent for Shallow Waters - Kate Nash of the Kate Nash Literary Agency. Congratulations, Rebecca!

TF Walsh just signed with Crimson Romance for her novel Cloaked in Fur, an adult urban fantasy. Congratulations, TF!

Doralynn Kennedy just signed a contract for her book, Spiders, with the Wild Rose Press. Congratulations, Doralynn!

Special thanks to MJ for her touching post about generosity and the awesomeness of this online community.

Book Release!

The Partner's Progeny by Shelly Arkon

Bullies rule … or do they?
For seventeen years, Victoria Sheek has been a paralegal surpervisor at the Law Offices of Pereene, Carr, and Sevino, specializing in injury law. Rumors portray her as a bully. She remains confident that her position will never cease because of close relations to one of the founding partners, Mr. Carr.
Until Mr. Pereene, the head partner, hires Monica Bowman. Smitten with her because of her resemblance to his deceases granddaughter, Melissa, and his memories of her, she can do no wrong.
Which one of the two girls will keep their position at the firm? It takes and unexpected event to decide the outcome of this rivalry.

Shelly Arkon is the author of Secondhand Shoes. She lives in New Port Richey with her husband and two dogs. She’s also a member of Florida Writer’s Association and Writer’s of Mass Distraction.

Guest Spots

I enjoy featuring my blogger buddies and welcome a couple guests here every month. My calendar tends to fill quickly, so if you have a book coming out or something interesting you’d like to share, drop me an email. Guest spots are open to my blogger buddies (most of whom are listed in my sidebar) and the guidelines are HERE.

Recently on NetFlix

I really have almost reached the end of NetFlix. Here are some recent watches:

Kill List
Death cult goes to great lengths to recruit man to be their anti-Christ.
Disturbing, creepy, weird, and depressing. Plus evil
Only recommended if you like those things in your movies.
I’ve also come to the conclusion that there are some really bad horror movies out there.

John Dies at the End
Man accidentally takes drug called ‘soy sauce’ and it gives him the ability to see other dimensions.
Weird, fun, quirky, and trippy.
Recommended if you enjoy those four things.

The Finder
Man comes back from the war with the ability to find anything, and once he starts, he can’t stop.
Very fun and funny. Yet another great show tragically cut short after only thirteen episodes.
Check this gem out – highly recommended!

World Trivia

For those of you stumped by my movie and music trivia, this one might be more your style.

1 – What drink did the Incas invent?

2 – Name either of the countries that are home to the Mayan Pyramids.

3 – What large tree grows in Yosemite National Park?

4 – What body of water is the saltiest in the world?

5 – Who is buried under Paris’ Arc de Triomphe?

Answers on Wednesday!

Cheers to everyone who signed contracts recently! Picking up Shelly’s book? Want a guest spot later this year? Seen either NetFlix movie or the show? And do you know any of the trivia answers?

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group posts this Wednesday.

And be sure to visit MJ Joachim today for the inside scoop on the Ninja.

Time Management Ninja Style; Movie News – Iron Man III, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and After Earth; Major Book Releases; Small Things; and the Ninja News!

Want to know how this Ninja manages his time? Then visit the awesome Rachna Chhabria at Rachna's Scriptorium today to learn a trick or two. (None of which involves clones, I promise!)

Ninja News

Thanks to everyone who participated in the Get Healthy Bloghop! There were some really good tips and ideas. Thanks to Stephen for inviting me and thanks to my fellow co-hosts, Diane and Michael.

Father Dragon Al gave me the Semper Fidelis Award. “I think Semper Fidelis is the motto of the navy in the US but also Mexican navy uses it. In my own life "Always faithful" means a lot to me. I'm faithful to my beliefs, my principles and to my friends.” In the interest of space (and being a rebel) I will just pass it on to last week’s YOU ROCK Award recipients, as I’ve already described why they are awesome friends.

MJ Joachim started the Blog Hopper Marathon this week. She tosses the challenges out and you have a small window of opportunity in which to respond. I won the first one: “Alex J. Cavanaugh for visiting and commenting on 25 blogs in 30 minutes in our very first Blog Hopper Marathon! Congratulations, Alex! Your prize includes being listed as the very first award recipient in our Blog Hopper Marathon Hall of Fame and being featured in a future post right here on this blog.”
Thanks, MJ! I think I hurt myself doing that…

Book Releases!!!!

Some awesome new books today and this past week:

Forged by Magic by Angela Orlowski Peart
Young Adult Fantasy
Available today!

“Forged by Magic: Origins is a collection of short stories, featuring the characters from the Forged series. This is the first of two prequels to the series. Each story is told from a different character’s point-of-view.
Find out how the Amulet and the Dasht-e Kavir have been created, and how the powers of the Universe opened the gates to other dimensions, inadvertently releasing unworldly supernatural creatures into the Human World.”

Immaterial Evidence by Milo James Fowler
Novella
Available today from Musa Publishing!

“A detective with a price on his head. An invisible criminal with nothing to lose...”

The vault door never opened. The bank went into lockdown in less than a minute. Yet the security footage was unmistakable: a hundred silver bars had simply vanished.

Ever since the city’s most dangerous crime boss put a price on his head, private investigator Charlie Madison has lived as an exile in Little Tokyo. But now an old friend and police sergeant has lured Madison back into the city to hunt down an invisible criminal—if he can.

As Madison makes his clandestine return, high-profile people start disappearing. And when federal agents swoop onto the scene to take matters into their own hands, they offer Madison a deal he can't refuse—as long as he agrees to work with them. With Japanese freedom fighters and refurbished killing machines threatening to take the world to the brink of nuclear holocaust, the United World government needs all the help it can get.

Embroiled in an unimaginable mystery, one private eye must rely on his wits to solve a case where the evidence is immaterial, and the odds are stacked high against him at every turn.

Moonsongs Anthology I by EJ Wesley

It collects the first three Moonsongs books (Blood Fugue, Witch's Nocturne, & Dark Prelude) in one volume.

Secondary Characters by Rachel Schieffelbein

“When Mabel's best friend, Amber, drags her along on a double date she finds herself falling for Lance, the obnoxious class clown whom she swore she'd have no interest in…”

Uprising (Children of the Gods #2) by Jessica Therrien

“The Descendants have waited long enough for freedom…”

And Jessica will be visiting the Ninja Army soon on her tour!

The Spirit of Nimue by Donna Hosie
Available today!

“Natasha Roth and her older brother, Arthur, have removed the magical darkness that had fallen over the land of Logres. But all actions have consequences…”

Going Home by Rusty Webb

The tale of one of the last human soldiers left after an alien invasion.

From Rusty:
“Every dime I make in book sales this month goes towards helping young Ben Wolverton, the teenage child of Author David Wolverton that had a skateboarding accident that left him with about $1,000,000 in medical bills.”

Celebrating the Small Things

VikLit’s “Celebrating the Small Things” is today. I’m celebrating a successful bloghop, nailing a recent band performance, and some time away from the Internet this week.

Movie News

Iron Man III is fifth on the All-Time World-Wide Box Office chart with 1.15 billion dollars. It’s supposed to surpass Harry Potter: Deathly Hallows II but not The Avengers.

There are now sixteen films that have made over a billion dollars.




From JoBlo’s Site, one of the first images of Sebastian Stan in his Winter Soldier costume:

Captain America: The Winter Soldier picks up where The Avengers left off, as Steve Rogers struggles to embrace his role in the modern world and teams up with Natasha Romanoff, aka Black Widow, to battle a powerful yet shadowy enemy in present-day Washington, D.C.
Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo and starring Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, Samuel L. Jackson, and Robert Redford, it hits theaters on April 4, 2014.

The reviews are in for After Earth:

“Had the ad mentioned him, it probably would have said, ‘An M. Night Shyamalan film. Sorry.’” – Matt Pais, RedEye

“After Earth is no Titan AE.” – William Bibbiani, CraveOnline

“They set out to make a sci-fi film with the power to change the way you look at your fellow man. And they made one that just made me want to leave this planet that much sooner.” – Brian Tallerico, HollywoodChicago

Yeah, I think we’ll be skipping that one this weekend…

Did you gather some healthy tips on Wednesday? Picking up any of the new books this week? Excited for the next Captain America or contribute to Iron Man III’s box office? And are you watching a movie this weekend? (Presumably not After Earth…)

Don’t forget to visit Rachna's Scriptorium for time management Ninja tricks!