Storm Continues – Space Opera Basics at Mithril Wisdom! Plus Launch Recap, CassaFacts, CassaTrivia, and Ninja News

Today’s tour stop is with the awesome Jamie at Mithril Wisdom! I met Jamie during the very first A to Z Challenge, so we’ve know each other a long time. He’s one sharp fantasy geek and studied Egyptology in college. My guest post today is an easy introduction into the space opera genre, covering books, movies, shows, etc. Plus – we’re giving away a Cassa Universe poster! Check it out.

And CassaStorm’s release week kicks off with prizes every day! Comment between September 16 and 20 to enter. (Ends 6:00 pm EST Sunday, September 22.)
Prizes include:
Cassa mousepad
Cassa Universe poster
Cassa magnet
Cassa mug
Autographed copy of CassaStorm
One person will be randomly selected each day and the five names will be drawn from a hat – first person gets first choice and so on.

This week I will be featuring my tour, unique Cassa facts, trivia, and prizes every day. Plus others are announcing CassaStorm’s release, and almost every post features a unique interview question. List of participants on the CassaStorm Page. So join the fun!

Launch Day Recap

Huge thanks to everyone who has made announcements thus far or purchased CassaStorm! Launch day was awesome – this whole week has been awesome!

The #RUSHED Twitter party with Lynn Rush was fun! Fortunately it wasn’t a huge turnout, or I would’ve been even more confused…

I wanted to point out some really special posts:

Many thanks to Edi at Edi’s Book Lighthouse for hosting me on release day with a review, interview, and giveaway.

Father Dragon Al had a wonderful, fiery tribute and touching review of CassaStar. (As far as I know, no dwarves were singed.)

Leovi posted the most amazing photo in tribute to CassaStorm.

Melanie Schulz posted a wonderful review of CassaStorm.

Tammy Theriault’s announcement was very amusing!

Randy at Not the Baseball Pitcher posted a review of CassaStorm.

And the links to announcement posts have been updated on the CassaStorm Page so you can go directly to the answers if that person has posted.

Thanks, everyone – you made the Ninja’s day!

Ninja News

Samantha Redstreake Geary, the genius behind the Illumination Collaborative Flash Fiction Challenge – Tree of Life, has a special announcement today and a giveaway!

Lynn Rush’s latest came out yesterday – Frostbite! Congratulations, Lynn.

Liesel Hill’s latest came out yesterday - Quantum Entanglement! Plus there’s a Goodreads giveaway in progress, so check it out. Congratulations, Liesel!

Movie Review

Hansel and Gretel
In a nutshell – dumb but fun! It’s a misfire, but an interesting one to watch. Add a weird mix of steampunk weaponry and medieval folklore and you have one strange twist. It’s bloody and violent, which actually works in its favor. (Water this stuff down too far and it’s unwatchable.) Leave brain at door.

Cassa Facts

“A lack of female characters…”

Yes, I heard that more than once. There were virtually no female characters in CassaStar. (Outside of a very brief scene with Byron’s older sister in the beginning.) And that is one of the reasons some readers have dinged it with a poor review.

There are two reasons why no women appear in the first book.

The first has to do with my skills as a writer. It was my first book. I knew I had a lot of things working against me. I didn’t want my incompetence when it came to portraying the opposite sex to be one of those. So I didn’t include any female characters, not even in casual passing on the Cassan Flagship.

Unfortunately, I didn’t think to explain the second reason in CassaStar, and readers didn’t find the answer until CassaFire. There is a legitimate reason why Cassan women don’t serve on Flagships or fly Cassan fighters. I won’t reveal it here, but you can read about it in CassaFire.

So for those of you who still wonder – no, I did not intend to exclude women from my books. I just wasn’t ready to write them in the first book. And as you’ll discover in the second book, their strengths lay elsewhere.

Cassa Trivia

For those who’ve read the Cassa books – or at least read the synopsis of each one! 

1 – Who was Byron’s first navigator?

2 – What was Athee’s relationship to Prefect Orellen?

3 – Who was Byron’s Cosbolt pilot friend in all three books?

4 – What was the name of the Flagship in CassaStar?

5 – What is the name of Athee’s home world?

Did you catch any of those cool posts? Excited about the new books? Seen Hansel and Gretel? Do you struggle with writing the opposite sex? (Or wondered why there were no women in CassaStar?) And do you know any of the trivia?

Don’t forget to visit Mithril Wisdom!

Ninja News, Secondhand Shoes, Movie Trivia Answers, She Said What Blogfest, and the Level Up! Blogfest

Today I am visiting the The Alliterative Allomorph! Jessica Bell is a super talented author and musician and somehow she talked me into a guest post that compares the two. (Yes, it’s garage-band man meets Joe Satriani.)

Ninja News

Literary Rambles is holding a 3000 followers giveaway with tons of books and a five page critique. They are also looking for young adult and middle grade writers and authors, so stop by.

Mark Koopmans won the “2013 Best Memoir” Award at the Southern California Writers' Conference last weekend. Way to go, Madman Mark!

Misha Gericke’s Paying it Forward Awards are now open for February nominations, and there are twice the prizes available!

Friday is the big reveal for CassaStorm’s cover! Thanks to all who signed up to help HERE. (I’ll be sending the cover and back cover synopsis Thursday.)
And just a sneak peek…

Run-Away-Bride Give-a-way

Secondhand Shoes by Shelly Arkon is available now!

Spread the News and Cheer on the Run-Away-Bride Give-a-way! The eBook is free through February 21. She’s also be giving away two fifteen dollar amazon cards and two autographed copies of Secondhand Shoes, but they must give Lila some helpful advice and promise to spread the news. I mean, it is her wedding day, after all.

Secondhand Shoes is now available on Amazon either in paperback or as an eBook. Paperback is $13.50. Ebook is $4.99. But from February 19 through the 21 the eBook is FREE to everyone.

Movie Trivia Answers

1 – Kurt Russell and James Spader, 1994 - Stargate
2 – Peter Weller and Nancy Allen, 1987 - Robocop
3 – Bruce Willis and Brad Pitt, 1995 - Twelve Monkeys
4 – Ron Pearlman and John Hurt, 2004 - Hellboy
5 – Lori Petty and Ice-T, 1995 - Tank Girl
6 – Keanu Reeves and George Carlin, 1989 - Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure

She Said What Blogfest

Hosted by Elise Fallson and Michelle at Writer In Transit. Fill in the blank captions.

Michelle: I over-twisted the braids on my head. I'm pretty sure I'm hallucinating.

Elise: You think you got problems. I just barfed up a hairball.

Elise: Oh, for the love of....did you just get tangled in my hairball vomit?

Michelle: Yes, hoist me up before the champagne and LSD start running out my nose.

V-Boy: Pardon me ladies....but do you have any Grey Poupon?

Elise: On my honor...this is the last time I mix Orange Tango with massive amounts of psychotropic drugs.

Michelle: All right...my buzz is starting to wear off.

Elise: Are these breasts or pockets?

Extinct Dino Dude: Kids, drugs are dangerous. Take my advice.....just say no.

Ladies: A message from Mothers Against Cheeky Children Doing Drugs.

Level Up! Blogfest

Hosted by Jamie at Mithril Wisdom and Allison at Geek Banter - name your favorite games.

1. Movie Trivia Games
If you need someone to fill out your movie trivia team, then I am your man. I've watched so many movies that it's either very impressive or really pathetic. I have a knack for remembering actors, directors, plots and titles. I love all sorts of movie trivia from board games to iPad apps. I give my wife fits because when I am dialed in, I can win a game without giving her a turn. However, this happens with less frequency because I've watched so many movies that my brain is turning to tapioca.

2. StarCraft
This is a no brainer (which is helpful for good ol' tapioca brain.) For my money, the greatest RTS game ever made (that's Real Time Strategy for you noobs.) Featuring three distinct races (Terran, Zerg and Protoss), a great tech tree, an engaging campaign, and a pop-culture sense of humor, StarCraft is a rare game that works on every level and has amazing replay ability. Even though the graphics are a bit dated, the game still rocks and deserves a spot on the Mount Rushmore of gaming.

3. Dungeons & Dragons
I know, this just screams nerd in the basement with a 20-sided die and a half-elf named HoHo the Magic Newt. Well, that nerd was me. This game helped me to harness my imagination, develop problem solving, and taught invaluable lessons on how to work as a team. (And the consequences if you don't.) It also played a role in my moral upbringing. The scenarios that we encountered offered so many moral and social dilemmas. It's been a long time since I played but I will always treasure the friendships and the camaraderie.

Whoa! Some awesome news today. Picking up Shelly’s Secondhand Shoes? Get any of the movie trivia right? Participating in Elise and Michelle’s blogfest? What are some of your favorite games? Think I watch too many movies…?

Don’t forget to visit Jessica Bell.

And Friday… prepare for a CassaStorm!

Ninja News, Wednesday Movie Quote, and the A to Z Sign-up List is OPEN!!!

I discussed nosh with two hungry pups at The Life of a Novice Writer yesterday. If you missed it, check it out. Those pups like to talk to any author with nosh!

Ninja News!

Thanks to Stephen, Mark, Elise, and CM for hosting the Re-Introduce Myself Blogfest on Monday. So sorry, I still wasn’t able to get around to all of the participants AND all of my blogger buddies the past two days. Epic Ninja fail…

Jamie at Mithril Wisdom and Allison at Geek Banter are hosting the Level Up! Blogfest. “On February 20th, talk about a game you play or used to play; tell us how it works and share your love of the game with the rest of us. It can be any kind of game you like, from World of Warcraft to Hopscotch, from Monopoly to Blackjack and everything else in between. Tell us what you love about that game.”

Kimberly at Art of Infiltration shared twenty-two books she enjoyed reading last year (or wanted to read this year) with her seventh grade class. She said the kids were excited about three books – Possession by Elana Johnson, 18 Things by Jamie Ayers, and CassaStar. Whoa!!! Kimberly, that made my week.

With all of the books being published, I wanted to highlight another published artist. Ella at Ella’s Edge is a poet, photographer, and master craftswoman. If she can envision it, she can make it. Ella has had many of her beautiful pieces featured in magazines, and this past December she had several in Somerset Studio Gallery and Somerset Life. Ella, you are talented beyond words!

Liz Fichera’s latest book, Hooked, is available today. Congratulations, Liz!

Wednesday Movie Quote

Today’s favorite movie quote theme is “Light Fantasy.”

My favorite: (Double today!)

“Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya, You killed my father. Prepare to die.”

“Have fun storming the castle!”

Both from The Princess Bride.

What is yours?

A to Z Challenge Sign-ups Open!!

Sign-ups open today – but read first before entering your name!!

The A to Z Challenge is posting every day in April except Sundays (we get those off for good behavior.) And since there are 26 days, that matches the 26 letters of the alphabet. On April 1, blog about something that begins with the letter “A.” April 2 is “B,” April 3 is “C,” and so on. You can use a theme for the month or go random – just as long as it matches the letter of the alphabet for the day. We recommend short posts, turn off Word Verification, and visit five blogs (or more) a day beginning with the one after yours on the list.

This year there are categories for those looking for like-minded blogs. Select ONE category code and enter it after your blog’s title/name. The code applies to your blog, not your theme for the Challenge and is purely optional. However, if your blog has adult content, you MUST mark it (AC) or it will be removed from the list. Codes are as follows:

1. WRITING : (WR)
2. BOOKS: (BO)
3. FILM : (FM)
4. PHOTOGRAPHY: (PH)
5. GARDENING: (GR)
6. CRAFT: (CR)
7. ART: (AR)
8. MUSIC: (MU)
9. CULINARY: (CU)
10. LIFESTYLE: (LI )
11. FASHION: (FA)
12. PERSONAL: (PR)
13. SOCIAL MEDIA: (SO)
14. GAMING: (GA)
15. EDUCATION : (ED)
16. POLITICS: (PO)
17. HISTORY: (HI)
18. SCIENCE: (SC)
19. HUMOR: (HU)
20. TRAVEL: (TR)
21. MISCELLANEOUS: (MI)
22. ADULT CONTENT: (AC)

Be sure to grab the badge and display it in your sidebar so we know you are participating and link to the A to Z Blog.

You’re A to Z Hosts are founder Arlee Bird at Tossing It Out, Damyanti Biswas at Amlokiblogs, Alex J. Cavanaugh, Tina Downey at Life is Good, DL Hammons at Cruising Altitude 2.0, Jeremy Hawkins at Retro-Zombie, Shannon Lawrence at The Warrior Muse, Matthew MacNish at The QQQE, Konstanz Silverbow at No Thought 2 Small, Stephen Tremp at Breakthrough Blogs, Livia Peterson at Leave it to Livia, L. Diane Wolfe at Spunk on a Stick, and Nicole at The Madlab Post.

This is the fourth Challenge. The very first one changed my blog forever! Are you ready to join us in the greatest blogging event ever?


Enjoy Monday’s blogfest? Joining the game blogfest? Follow the talented Ella? What is your favorite light fantasy movie quote? Joining us this April for the A to Z Challenge? If you have ANY question, please ask. I am a co-host and here to help. And do you have a theme…?

Don’t forget to visit The Life of a Novice Writer!

Mistress Snark, Ninja News, Best Movies of 2012, and Thoughts on 2012-2013

Tuesday I was a guest of Laura Eno and Mistress Snark. If you missed the exchange (and my escape) visit Laura’s SITE. (Just don’t drink the punch…)

Ninja News

This will be my last post of the year. I’m taking some time off to celebrate Christmas and will return on January 2, 2013 for the next posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. Your co-hosts will be Jamie Gibbs from Mithril Wisdom and Tyrean Martinson. But don’t worry – the Ninja will be lurking…

The final installment of Michael Abayomi’s series, Guardians and the Lost Paradise, is finally available! You can pick up The Other Side at Amazon or buy all six books in a bundle HERE. Congratulations, Michael!!

And Mini Alex took a road trip! Elise took him with her to Paris and Mini Alex ended up in several photographs. Thanks, Elise! Poor little dude will be bored with my place…

Favorite Movies of 2012

Thought I’d do a roundup of my favorite movies of the year, even though Tarantino’s Django Unchained isn’t out yet. These are the films I enjoyed in 2012:

#9 – The Cabin in the Woods – Joss Whedon and a bat-shit crazy ending. It turned the horror genre on its head.

#8 - The Amazing Spiderman – No, we didn’t need a reboot this soon, but I enjoyed this version far more than Sam Raimi’s movies. Spiderman had snark!

#7 – The Hobbit – Fun, beautiful visuals, and charming. It was a comfortable and familiar place I didn’t want to leave.

#6 – Argo – Incredibly well acted and tense! And best unofficial tagline of the year. (If you’ve seen it, you know what I’m talking about.)

#5 – Lincoln – Powerful and riveting. Day-Lewis made me believe he was Lincoln.

#4 – The Dark Knight Rises – A little dark but a powerful ending to the trilogy. Yes, I am a DC geek and Christopher Nolan fanboy. So sue me.

#3 - John Carter – This is what a space opera/adventure is supposed to be! Epic. (And yes, I really wish I’d written it.)

#2 – Looper – Highly underrated small-scale science fiction film Great performances and second in plot twists only to Memento.

#1 – The Avengers – Best superhero film EVER. Joss Whedon hit this one out of the park.

And I wanted to note a couple other films:

Dumbest fun movie – Battleship – Yup, and just as dumb but fun the second time. Maybe even more so. And the Battleship references are hysterical.

Biggest Disappointment – Prometheus – The more I thought about it, the more I didn’t like it. The Swiss cheese of movie plots.

Worst movie – Lockout – Save yourself and skip this film! Bad on every level except for Guy Pearce. Dude, you used to do great films like Memento and L.A. Confidential! What happened?

Did you see any memorable films this year?

Thoughts on 2012/2013

As we close out 2012, I have to say this has been one heck of a year! Everything about it was amazing. On the book front, my second book came out, I wrote the third book, and the first two both became Amazon Best Sellers. Online the IWSG continues to rock, I got to host the A to Z Challenge again, hosted some blogfests, and even WAS a blogfest. (Still singed, but I lived.) And on the home front I’m playing in a band and even got to take some real vacations this year.

Next year of course will be more awesome IWSG posts, the fourth A to Z Challenge, and of course the third and final book, CassaStorm, in September.

The final book? I’m not sure. Toying with the idea of co-writing a book with another author. Also thinking that I will miss the Cassan universe. I think three books is good though. Besides, since I keep jumping ahead twenty years, Byron will soon be a hundred, and I don’t think he’ll be all that exciting at that point.

But whether I continue writing or choose to focus on my guitar playing, I still intend to remain here for you guys. I’ve made so many awesome friends and found a tremendous community online. I want to continue to serve you and be a blessing! Thanks for making this year awesome. You guys rock!

Ready to kick off 2013 with the IWSG? Did you see Mini Alex in Paris? How was your 2012 and what are your plans for 2013? And what were some of your favorite movies this year?

Everyone have a Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Insecure Writer’s Support Group, Ninja News, and Animated Movie Trivia

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.

And this month I have two awesome co-hosts helping - Livia and Tasha! Be sure to visit them and say thanks for their willingness to help.

Right now, I am in waiting mode. My publisher has my manuscript and their editor is going over it before sending it back to me next month for revisions. CassaStorm has been my focus all year, and until the final edits are done, it will remain on my mind. I’m happy with what I created (and special thanks to Rusty, Cassie, Jeffrey, and my two test readers for making it SO much better) and won’t start thinking about another project until next year.

So while I’m not really insecure right now, I’ve been thinking about certain writing aspects. Seems like the great works are always far deeper than what’s on the surface. They are full of symbolism and metaphors. They tap into a basic human desire or drive in an all-consuming way. They are planned with care, guiding the reader down a path of inner discovery.

Um, yeah. And then there are my books. What you see is what you get. If you read anything deeper into them, it’s not there on purpose.

However, upon completion of the first draft of my latest, I realized I did have a theme! Again, not planned. Which means the theme rather surprised me. (Is that bad?) And at the risk of losing my “Stud-muffin” image (insert laughter here) the theme is LOVE.

CassaStar – love of a friend

CassaFire – love of a spouse

CassaStorm – love of a child

Yeah, I’m stunned. No idea how that happened.

Is it a good theme? Does your work or books have a theme?

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

Ninja News

Talli Roland’s latest book, The Pollyanna Plan, is available now. Congratulations, Talli! Wish I had your writing chops.

Jamie at Mithril Wisdom just celebrated three years of blogging. We started blogging within weeks of each other in 2009 and met during the first A to Z Challenge, so I feel like I’ve known Jamie forever. Congratulations, dude! Let’s keep rocking.

Writers4Writers kicks off on Thursday! Hosted by Stephen Tremp, Mary Pax, Christine Rains, and CM Brown, the first spotlighted author will be Nancy Thompson and her book The Mistaken. Visit the hosts for information on how YOU can help! You can also visit the W4WS Facebook page HERE.

Jeffrey Beesler has declared December to be Milk and Cookies Month! He kicked it off yesterday by listing a couple Chocolate Chip Hipsters. (EJ and I were listed,) Thank you, Jeffrey! You rock, my man. Shame you ate all the cookies though…

LG at Writing Off the Edge is celebrating her one year blog anniversary with a blogfest - The Beginnings Blogfest, Wednesday, January 9, 2013. Lots of options for telling us about your beginnings. See her site for details. And congratulations, LG!


I just hit 1700 followers. Thanks so much, guys! Whoa… Crap! Need to party or something. Let me think about it and get back to you on Friday.

And just to clarify one of my answers for Monday’s blogfest – yes, my Gibson Les Paul guitar cost A LOT more than $100. Add a digit and some bigger numbers and you get the picture. (And for you musicians, it has a Floyd Rose tremolo!)

Movie Trivia!

Because I haven’t done this in a while. Animation edition.

1 – From Aardman Animations, this clay-animation film took place on Mrs. Tweedy’s farm.

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.

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!

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.

5 – Before Pixar put out their take on these small critters, Woody Allen voiced the lead, “Z,” in this film.

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.

What are your insecurities today? Have you signed up for Writers4Writers? (Come on – Nancy’s book ROCKS!) Ready to kick of 2013 with a blogfest? And know any of the answers to the animated film trivia questions…?

Ninja News, iPad 4, Guest Post Controversy, and Movie Trivia

Ninja News

Thanks to everyone who signed up for the I Miss You Blogfest on November 16!

Ciara Knight’s final book in the Battle for Souls series is now out - Ascension of Evil. Congratulations, Ciara!

Next Monday is Tim Brannan’s Monstrous Monday Blogfest

Siv Maria’s short story was accepted for the anthology, OPEN DOORS-Fractured Fairy Tales and she revealed the cover this week!

White Cat Magazine is introducing a mystery magazine soon! Plus they have science fiction and fantasy magazines in the works. Good stuff, Rick!

Next Wednesday is Budd’s Scare Me Blogfest – just in time for Halloween!

Rachel Morgan has just released An A to Z of Creepy Hollow Fae. Those of you who’ve enjoyed her series will want to pick this one up!

And for those of you who read my guest post earlier this week, Jamie posted the answers to my music-movie questions at Mithril Wisdom.

The iPad 4

Yes, the next generation of iPad will be available soon! It’s twice as fast as the iPad 3, with improvements to camera, Wi-Fi, and LTE. While games and graphics won’t be noticeably faster, if you live in a city with LTE access, the Internet will be much faster. This is the tablet Apple wanted to release last spring but it wasn’t ready. It also brings the iPad up to speed with the latest iPhone.

Will I get one? I’ll probably skip this upgrade and just wait for the iPad 5. Yes, my goal is an iPad in every room of the house, but I have my eye on a new guitar right now and that purchase comes first. (Soon I’ll have a guitar in every room in the house, which is just as cool!) And who knows? There’s always Christmas…

Guest Post Controversy and Update

Two reasons for this topic!

First, I adjusted my guidelines one more time. A request a couple weeks ago clued me in to the fact it still wasn’t clear enough:

Due to the high volume of requests I receive, guest posts are reserved for my regular blogger buddies ONLY. (Most of whom are listed in my sidebar.) Other followers I will mention in a Ninja News update.

The controversy? I’m really sorry if that offends anyone! But my blogger buddies are the ones who visit and support me (and I them) on a regular basis, and since I only post eleven to thirteen times a month, they deserve first consideration. I am more than happy to do a shout-out in the Ninja News for anyone else.

Second reason – my calendar is full through February right now. (I still have one opening in January.) So, if any of my blogger buddies have a book coming out next spring or want to do a guest post at that time, please contact me soon!

Any questions? Am I being unfair? Do you need to contact me really soon?!

Movie Trivia

With Halloween right around the corner, these questions all have a horror slant:

1 – Which actress is known as “The Scream Queen?”

2 – The category of Best Makeup began in 1981 and was won by this film.

3 – Who did the music for Dario Argento’s Suspiria?

4 – What actor has been in almost every single Sam Raimi film?

5 – What horror/thriller won five of the biggest Oscars in 1991?

Are you ready for the upcoming blogfests? Excited about the new releases? Getting an iPad 4? Are my guest post guidelines clear and fair? Care to share your guidelines? And do you know any of today’s trivia?

Metal & Science Fiction, Ninja News, Wish The Awakening, Movie Review, and the Next Great Blogfest!

Today I am visiting Jamie at Mithril Wisdom! Jamie has been a special blogger buddy since the first A to Z Challenge. His theme for this past Challenge was fantasy metal. Well, my guest post today is about science fiction metal! If you like science fiction or rock music, visit Mithril Wisdom for the best of both worlds. There may be movie-music trivia involved...

Ninja News

Thanks for all the kind words you guys left on Friday’s POST! Nancy was very happy to see so much support for her new book, The Mistaken, and I was grateful for the comments regarding the two-year anniversary of CassaStar’s release. You guys rock!

Tara Tyler just signed a book deal with Curiosity Quills – congratulations, Tara!

Wish, The Awakening

The ever-awesome Laura Eno has a new book!

Wish, The Awakening – by Laura Eno
YA dark fantasy

Most residents of Pine Hill shy away from seventeen-year-old Lelah without knowing why. It's the Djinn magic surging through her blood. She lives in a world where wishes are really curses, dark power meant to twist and deceive in unimaginable ways. When a fit of temper exposes Lelah for what she really is, she must flee to a sanctuary only whispered about, before her family is exposed and enslaved by their ancient enemy. What she discovers is a treacherous path filled with power, lies, and betrayal – a path that's destined to ensnare her and destroy a civilization.

Purchase it in print at Amazon and as an eBook at Amazon US, Amazon UK, Barnes and Noble, and Smashwords.

About the Author:
Laura Eno lives in Florida with a very tolerant husband, three skulking cats and two absurdly happy dogs. After spending years immersed in college but never figuring out what she wanted to be when she grew up, she now writes novels late at night with the help of muses from the underworld. And, no, she still hasn't grown up but that's okay.

Laura, we hope you don’t ever grow up!

Movie Review

The Hunger Games
Finally watched this one on NetFlix. The storyline borrows from Battle Royale (sans extreme violence and action) and The Running Man (sans extreme violence and action and the cheesy fun factor.) I’ve not read the books, but I can understand the appeal of a strong female heroine. Don’t hate me, but sorry, I was a little bored watching this film. Maybe I missed something…

The Next Great Blogfest – Are You Ready?

I Miss You Blogfest
November 16 2012
Hosted by Andrew Leon, Matthew MacNish, and Alex J. Cavanaugh

The bloggers we really miss…
and the ones we would really miss!

Do you have a couple blogger buddies who aren’t posting as often? Those who’ve pulled back and seem absent from the blogging world? Do you have blogger buddies you are grateful they are still around and would miss if they vanished? Now is your chance to show your appreciation and spotlight them!

On November 16, list one to three bloggers you really miss and one to three bloggers you would miss if they stopped blogging. Then go leave a comment on those blogs.

Our blogger friends are special – time to let them know!

Sign up below:



Did you pick up Nancy’s book? Excited for Tara? Picking up Laura’s book? And are you ready for a blogfest where we can show our blogging buddies how much we appreciate them?

Don’t forget to visit Mithril Wisdom!
 
And I may not be posting Wednesday... Just so you know.

Angela and Gwen – Partners in ParanormYA, Major Ninja News, and Movie Trivia Answers

Launch Day for the Partners in ParanormYA!

Thanks, Alex, for hosting Partners in ParanormYA for today’s all-important launch. Here at mission control, we’ve completed the basic go-no go checklist with authors Angela Brown and Gwen Gardner.

First, second, third and fourth rounds of drafting, rewriting, and revising completed.

Book covers revealed.

Manuscripts had to be pried from their OCD-edit hands – both Angela and Gwen – but that section completed. Plans are in place to make sure Angela hasn’t nervously chewed her fingernails down to the nubs.

Formatting and uploaded done.

The authors are now settled in the shuttle, nose to the sky, powered by rocket fuel made of perseverance, determination and a combined word count way over 100k. Ready to blast--

*giggly voice cuts in*: I can’t believe it Gwen. Launch day is here!

Gwen *sighing*: You know, it’s good to finally leave the streets of Daydreamer and round the corner to Dream Realized.

Angela *still giggling*: Oh my God, oh my God, oh my G- uh oh…

Gwen: What’s wrong?

Angela: I got so nervous, happy and excited that my stomach just did a loopty-loo. Do space suits hold in silent-but-deadlies? *giggles nervously*

Gwen *joins the giggles*: OMG, Angela! There’s no farting at launch time!

Angela: We probably should have done a go-no go for extra underwear. I may need them.

Gwen and Angela burst into laughter.

This is PIP mission control. Your mics are hot, ladies. I say again, your mics are hot.

Silence…then roaring laughter.

PIP Mission Control: Back to you Alex for the final countdown as it appears the ladies are a bit excited right now. If you wouldn’t mind doing the honors?

Alex: Launch commencing in three, two, one…

PIP Mission Control: Engines fired and they’re off. I repeat, Angela Brown and Gwen Gardner have now thrust Neverlove and Givin’ Up The Ghost into publishing space. All of you are invited to use live links to purchase your copy today to make this launch a success. You can also enter to win in the Partners in ParanormYA weekly giveaway along with the main swag giveaway located at the PIP headquarters.

Mission control out.

Purchase Angela Brown’s Neverlove at Amazon US, Amazon UK, Barnes and Noble, Amazon FR, and Amazon DE.
Purchase Gwen Gardner’s Givin’ Up The Ghost at Amazon US and Amazon UK.

And there are two giveaways! Visit Partners in ParanormYA for the Big Swag Giveaway and for the Week One Giveaway!

Angela and Gwen – you ladies rock! (And giggle a lot...)

Major Ninja News!

A big thanks to everyone who offered to help co-host the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. My plan is to make this a rotating position, so watch for new co-hosts every month.

The latest issue of White Cat Magazine is out! And Rick at The Writer and the White Cat was awesome enough to include a BIG ad for both CassaStar and CassaFire as a thank you for what I do in the blogging world. Thank YOU Rick – you rock!

Retro-Zombie Jeremy interviewed the composer of the movie Looper at Howling Wolf Records. Really interesting how he put it together! Jeremy is also hosting a five hundred follower contest at his blog, Retro-Zombie, and he’s THIS close to hitting five hundred!!!

Jamie at Mithril Wisdom is celebrating his birthday in Hobbit style – he’s giving away presents! Check out his site for the giveaway and the birthday dragon. Happy birthday, Jamie!

Authors Nancy S. Thompson and Jennifer Hillier sent me this picture from BoucherCon! Is that not awesome? I just adore both of those ladies.

Sheena-kay Graham is hosting a Blogoversary: Sacrifice Book 4 Bloghop on October 25. Visit her site for details and to sign up. Congratulations on one year of blogging, Sheena-kay!

Kyra Lennon’s new book, If I Let You Go, is available on Amazon now! Congratulations, Kyra.

Milo James Fowler at In Medias Res is celebrating this month with Creepy Freebies! Visit his site for this week’s free book. And congratulate him on the placement of two more of his short stories.

Miss Jack Lewis Baillot’s new book, Lisbeth’s Choice, is available now. Congratulations, Miss Jack!

And don’t forget the Did I Notice Your Book Blogfest is October 17!

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

For the first time ever, they are allowing fans to vote – and RUSH is on the ballot! For those who don’t know, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is privately owned by a man who hates the band Rush and claimes he will never allow them to enter. Well, now we can change that! So go HERE to cast your vote for this highly influential progressive rock band.

Horror Movie Trivia Answers

1 – Be afraid. Be very afraid. The Fly
2 – I will not be threatened by a walking meatloaf! An American Werewolf in London
3 – I met this 6-year-old child, with this blank, pale, emotionless face and the blackest eyes… the devil’s eyes. Halloween
4 – Listen to them, the children of the night. What sweet music they make. Dracula
5 – Whatever you do, don’t fall asleep. Nightmare on Elm Street

Picking up Angela and Gwen’s books? (Don’t forget the giveaways.) Don’t forget all the new books, magazines, and contests this month. Get the trivia correct? (Second one was tough, wasn’t it?) And did you see any good movies this weekend? I finally watched my 3D Bluray of The Avengers – what an awesome film!

And I may not post again until Friday, when a modest Internet star will grace this blog with his presence. But I will be lurking and reading. (And reading on my iPad – so many good books!)

Ninja News, Super Quiz Answers, and the August Movie Preview

Ninja News!

Author Cindy Borgne at Dreamer’s Perch is hosting the Summer Speculative E-book Giveaway Contest this week! Visit her site for your chances to win.

Jamie at Mithril Wisdom is hosting a 350 Followers Giveaway Extravaganza! You could win a moleskin journal or a vial of Zombie Gone.

Diane at Spunk on a Stick’s Tips is hosting a Supportive Blogger Extraordinaire Contest with prizes for nominators and the winner. I’ve made my nomination already…

J.C. Martin’s new book, Oracle, releases today! She’ll be visiting this Friday as part of her blog tour. Congratulations, JC!

Tyrean Martinson’s poem "Fruit Sale Cinquain" will be featured today at Every Day Poets. Congratulations, Tyrean!

Thanks to everyone who visited Annalisa Crawford on Friday. My answer for a popular blog was simple but it’s what works.

And welcome new followers! I hit 1600 this weekend, Whoa…

Super Quiz Answers

Science – How many colors are there considered to be in a rainbow? Seven

Sports – What is the official diameter of a hockey puck in inches? Three inches

Geography – Name the reef off the NE coast of Australia. The Great Barrier Reef

History – Name the first permanent English colony on the American mainland. Jamestown, Virginia

Movies – Who played Hawkeye in the movie M.A.S.H? Donald Sutherland (Alan Aldo played him in the TV series.)

Words – A handwriting expert is called a ___? Graphologist

August Movie Preview

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

3 -

Total Recall
A factory worker, Douglas Quaid, begins to suspect that he is a spy after visiting Rekall - a company that provides its clients with implanted fake memories of a life they would like to have led - goes wrong and he finds himself on the run.
Director: Len Wiseman
Stars: Colin Farrell, Bokeem Woodbine, Bryan Cranston, Kate Beckinsale

Didn’t need a remake, but the storyline appears different enough to be interesting. And it has Kate!

10 -

The Bourne Legacy
An expansion of the universe from Robert Ludlum's novels, centered on a new hero whose stakes have been triggered by the events of the previous three films.
Director: Tony Gilroy
Stars: Jeremy Renner, Rachel Weisz, Edward Norton, Donna Murphy

This is going to be wicked, bad-ass cool! My must-see movie of August.

The Campaign

In order to gain influence over their North Carolina district, two CEOs seize an opportunity to oust long-term congressman Cam Brady by putting up a rival candidate. Their man: naive Marty Huggins, director of the local Tourism Center.
Director: Jay Roach
Stars: Will Ferrell, Zach Galifianakis, Jason Sudeikis, Sarah Baker

Not a big fan of Ferrell, but could be funny. Could be stupid as well.

17 -

The Expendables 2
Mr. Church reunites the Expendables for what should be an easy paycheck, but when one of their men is murdered on the job, their quest for revenge puts them deep in enemy territory and up against an unexpected threat.
Director: Simon West
Stars: Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Bruce Willis, Liam Hemsworth, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jet Li, Chuck Noriss, Dolph Lundgren

The first one was predictable and vanilla. Hoping the second one will be better. (Come on guys - look at all those action stars! Make a good movie for them.)

ParaNorman
A misunderstood boy who can speak with the dead, takes on ghosts, zombies and grown-ups to save his town from a centuries-old curse.
Directors: Chris Butler | Sam Fell
Stars: Kodi Smit-McPhee, Anna Kendrick, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Leslie Mann

Looks quirky and odd.

29 -

Lawless
Set in the Depression-era Franklin County, Virginia, a bootlegging gang is threatened by authorities who want a cut of their profits.
Director: John Hillcoat
Stars: Tom Hardy, Shia LaBeouf, Guy Pearce, Gary Oldman

Oldman, Pearce, and Hardy? You have me intrigued…

Lots of good news this week! Entering any of the contests? Did you get any trivia answers correct? Any movies catch your eye? And are you ready for Wednesday’s Insecure Writer’s Support Group post?