A to Z Challenge - R - and calling my friends!!!

For the A to Z Challenge, I am featuring some awesome bloggers. These individuals have offered so much support of my book, CassaStar, and me on my blogger journey. Of course, I’ll be keeping up with the world of movies, music, and pop culture stuff as well! Ninjas are just talented that way...


Rambles and Randomness
Vicki is a hoot! You never know what she’ll come up with next. Whether she’s recalling an amusing past incident or stalking Craig Niedermaier, you are in for a fun ride. The laughs are not random, I guarantee it!

The Rainy Day Wanderer
The Words Crafter is such a thoughtful person. She’s so considerate of her followers and friends, and she writes very reflective posts. No gloomy rain here - she’s a ray of sunshine!

And today I am honored that my book is a “R” post by Donna Hole and Familiar Spirits, as they are reviewing CassaStar.

What’s cool is Donna and Gail both understood the real theme of my book. Yes, it’s science fiction. But it’s about friendship. And in the grand scheme of things, that’s what really matters in life.

So thanks Donna and Gail! And a big thank you to all of my followers who have visited the bloggers I’ve recommended during the Challenge. Thanks for supporting my friends!

SPECIAL REQUEST OF MY FRIENDS!!!

And I know my regular followers are sick of this, but my book trailer is in another contest! Voting starts today at You Gotta Read Videos If you think my trailer is worthy and cool and all that, please go vote!!! My publisher did such an awesome job with the trailer…

Starting the New Year off with a Smile!

Happy New Year! Today, it’s all about the smiles…

Today is the Eye Candy Blogfest, hosted by Vicki at Rambles and Randomness “Post a favorite picture - something that makes you smile every time you see it.” Be sure to check out the others entries as well! I thought long and hard (and almost hurt myself) over which picture to select. Yes, my first thought was Kate Beckinsale. I won’t deny it. But ultimately, I selected an image that holds a special meaning for me. This is Frank Frazetta’s “Battlestar Galactica,” created for the original TV show:  Battlestar Galactica and Star Wars were big influences on my original idea for CassaStar. This painting sparked my imagination more than any other medium. I could see the Cassans and their ships, and the adventures of Byron and Bassa came to life. The desolate, rocky planet in the painting even became a scene in my story, and the only one to survive the rewrite. (I’m sure those who’ve read the book know the scene, as it was also the most difficult to write.) So when I look at this picture, I smile – the raw beginnings of CassaStar!

I also received the Making Smiles on Faces Award from L’Aussie. Thanks so much! Most of my blogging friends are good at making me smile! (Which made narrowing it down REALLY tough.) But I couldn’t list everyone, so I just selected a few special charmers: Abby at Above Water Yvonne at Welcome to my World of Poetry Old Kitty at Ten Lives and Second Chances Jules at Trying to Get Over the Rainbow Thanks to everyone who voted for my trailer at Parajunkee. She’ll announce the winners soon! Meanwhile, the book trailer contest voting at Spunk On A Stick’s Tips starts today! Mine’s one of almost twenty trailers. If you think it’s the best, hop on over and vote! And a special thanks to Edi’s Book Lighthouse - he just posted the best books of 2010 and CassaStar was in the top three from small publishers. Thanks, Edi – that definitely makes me smile!

Unique Christmas Gifts and Blogfests!

Still searching for that perfect Christmas gift? Look no further!

Cthulhu Plushie
Let your kids snuggle with a Lovecraft demi-god!
$19.74

AK Bullet Ice Cube Tray
For that killer drink...
$15.95

Samsung 65" Class 8000 Series 3D 1080p LED HDTV
Because you know you really want one!
$6,000.00

Alien Queen Lifesize Prop Replica Statue
Besides, how on earth would you take care of a real alien queen?
$24,999.95

Bugatti Veyron
Second fastest car in the world and my choice when playing Need For Speed. Enough said!
$1.5 million

Blogfests!!

January 1, 2011 – Eye Candy Blogfest
Post a favorite picture, any picture you want (ummm...PG-13 please) as long as it's something that makes you smile or say 'ahhhh' every time you see it.
Hosted by Vicki at Rambles and Randomness
And I've a great picture for this one! (No, it's not Kate!)

January 3, 2011 – Show me Yours Blogfest.
The point of this blogfest is to share an excerpt of your NaNoWriMo novel. It can be any scene but try to keep it at 500 words so we can all get around to as many blogs as possible.
Hosted by Falen Formulates Fiction, Musings of a Palindrome, and And This Time, Concentrate

So, who’s buying me the Bugatti this year? Anyone?