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 2 posting of the IWSG are Jennifer Lane, L Diane Wolfe, Jenni Enzor, and Natalie Aguirre!
April 2 question - What fantasy character would you like to fight, go on a quest with, or have a beer/glass of wine with?
Conan the Barbarian was always a fun drunk! Or Conan O’Brien. Either works.
The IWSG had a guest article at the My Story Doctor site! Quite the honor. We talk about dealing with negative, so please check it out.
We could also use one more co-host on May 7! Let me know if you can help.
Reuban Hayes
Alex asked for five movies similar to my new release. My picks: Big Jake, Silverado, Shane, Jeremiah Johnson and The Virginian. In all the movies the plots differ but the Western ethos or trope remains the same. A strong moral code, possessed by men and women of the old West. They did what was right. Regardless of risk. Regardless of consequence.
Reuben is no different.
Reuben is no different.
A young woman shows up at the Hayes’ ranch, bringing bad news and danger.
Sage Baylor is the daughter of the only woman Reuben ever loved. Now she’s on his doorstep, bringing with her the news her mother is dead. Shortly after her arrival, her father, the Honorable Senator James Baylor from Missouri, arrives. That’s when bullets start flying.
Both the senator and Sage are in danger from an unknown source. When the senator leaves, he tasks Reuben with keeping his daughter safe. Help comes from an unexpected source in the form of an engaging young gunslinger. Between the two men, and Reuben’s cranky ole cook, they’ll keep the Senator’s daughter safe. No matter the peril. No matter the cost.
Sage Baylor is the daughter of the only woman Reuben ever loved. Now she’s on his doorstep, bringing with her the news her mother is dead. Shortly after her arrival, her father, the Honorable Senator James Baylor from Missouri, arrives. That’s when bullets start flying.
Both the senator and Sage are in danger from an unknown source. When the senator leaves, he tasks Reuben with keeping his daughter safe. Help comes from an unexpected source in the form of an engaging young gunslinger. Between the two men, and Reuben’s cranky ole cook, they’ll keep the Senator’s daughter safe. No matter the peril. No matter the cost.
Behind the Catcher’s Mask
Behind the Catcher’s Mask features a sweet romance between a softball pitcher and baseball catcher. As an author of sports romance and a psychologist who works with athletes, I adore all things sports-related, including sports movies. Here are some of my favorites:
Hoosiers (1986). A tiny high school basketball team coached by Gene Hackman (RIP to a fantastic actor) dreams of a state championship. When I counsel athletes feeling anxious about the big game or taper swim meet, I show them this genius coaching lesson.
A League of Their Own (1992). With all the men off fighting WWII, Major League Baseball has to recruit women to fill the rosters. Shining moments include a compelling character arc for the coach played by Tom Hanks, an intense sibling rivalry, and the delights of female friendship.
Remember the Titans (2000). When a 1971 Virginia school board integrates all-Black and all-White high schools, football coach Denzel Washington has his work cut out for him. One of the best parts of sports is bringing people from disparate backgrounds together, and working toward a common goal may just be the unifier these students need.
Cutting Edge (1992). A rich, snobbish pairs figure skater needs a partner, so her Russian coach recruits an ice hockey player down on his luck. It’s an opposite-attracts romance with all the feels. Toe pick!
Honorable Mentions: The Karate Kid (fun Netflix series, too), Slap Shot (hysterical), Field of Dreams, The Way Back, Rudy, Breaking Away, Rocky IV, Miracle, and the TV show Ted Lasso.
Fast-pitch softball is Andie Wilson’s life. She’s a fierce pitcher hoping to score a college scholarship, and she hates the annoying distraction of cocky baseball players crashing her high-school charity game. But she doesn’t anticipate the impact of one baseball player: Colt Turner. As Colt stares at her through his catcher’s mask, his steadfast gaze may be just what she needs to guide her through a crisis. And Colt may need Andie, too—to cope with the secret hiding behind his mask.
Hoosiers (1986). A tiny high school basketball team coached by Gene Hackman (RIP to a fantastic actor) dreams of a state championship. When I counsel athletes feeling anxious about the big game or taper swim meet, I show them this genius coaching lesson.
A League of Their Own (1992). With all the men off fighting WWII, Major League Baseball has to recruit women to fill the rosters. Shining moments include a compelling character arc for the coach played by Tom Hanks, an intense sibling rivalry, and the delights of female friendship.
Remember the Titans (2000). When a 1971 Virginia school board integrates all-Black and all-White high schools, football coach Denzel Washington has his work cut out for him. One of the best parts of sports is bringing people from disparate backgrounds together, and working toward a common goal may just be the unifier these students need.
Cutting Edge (1992). A rich, snobbish pairs figure skater needs a partner, so her Russian coach recruits an ice hockey player down on his luck. It’s an opposite-attracts romance with all the feels. Toe pick!
Honorable Mentions: The Karate Kid (fun Netflix series, too), Slap Shot (hysterical), Field of Dreams, The Way Back, Rudy, Breaking Away, Rocky IV, Miracle, and the TV show Ted Lasso.
Fast-pitch softball is Andie Wilson’s life. She’s a fierce pitcher hoping to score a college scholarship, and she hates the annoying distraction of cocky baseball players crashing her high-school charity game. But she doesn’t anticipate the impact of one baseball player: Colt Turner. As Colt stares at her through his catcher’s mask, his steadfast gaze may be just what she needs to guide her through a crisis. And Colt may need Andie, too—to cope with the secret hiding behind his mask.
Universal Book Link or Amazon
Author Jennifer Lane - Psychologist/author (psycho author) Jennifer Lane invites you to her world of sports romance and romantic suspense with a psychological twist!
Author Jennifer Lane - Psychologist/author (psycho author) Jennifer Lane invites you to her world of sports romance and romantic suspense with a psychological twist!
April Movie Preview
Here are the theatrical releases for April. Descriptions courtesy of the IMDB. Snark provided by me.
4 –
Minecraft
Four misfits are suddenly pulled through a mysterious portal into a bizarre, cubic wonderland that thrives on imagination. To get back home, they'll have to master this world while embarking on a quest with an unexpected, expert crafter.
Director - Jared Hess
Stars - Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa, Emma Myers
In the game, you make crap. In the movie, they hopefully avoid making crap.
11 –
The King of Kings
The story of our Lord Jesus Christ as told by Charles Dickens and seen through the innocent eyes of a child.
Director - Seong-ho Jang
Stars - Pierce Brosnan, Mark Hamill, Oscar Isaac
Dickens telling the story of Jesus – sounds odd, but it looks inspirational.
18 –
Sinners
Trying to leave their troubled lives behind, twin brothers return to their hometown to start again, only to discover that an even greater evil is waiting to welcome them back.
Director - Ryan Coogler
Stars - Hailee Steinfeld, Jack O'Connell, Michael B. Jordan
It’s about vampires, so we certainly hope it sucks!
The Accountant 2
Christian Wolff applies his brilliant mind and illegal methods to reconstruct the unsolved puzzle of a Treasury chief's murder.
Director - Gavin O'Connor
Stars - Ben Affleck, Jon Bernthal, Cynthia Addai-Robinson
Never in the history of cinema has filling out a 1040 tax form been so dangerous!
Until Dawn
A group of friends trapped in a time loop, where mysterious foes are chasing and killing them in gruesome ways, must survive until dawn to escape it.
Director - David F. Sandberg
Stars - Ella Rubin, Odessa A'zion, Michael Cimino
Unlike Sinners, I really hope this one doesn’t suck!
Who would you like to go on a quest with? Can you co-host next month? Into Westerns? How about sports films? And what movie do you want to watch this month?
You crazy A to Z Challenge people have fun this month!
