A to Z Challenge – Avengers, Captain America, and As I Am - Plus Ninja News and Special Thanks

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 Avengers

One of the greatest superhero films ever. It really captures the feel of the comic book. It was amazing to see all the heroes come to life on the big screen. Whedon did a great job creating a cohesive, engaging story.

Captain America is a gentle, innocent soul with a heart of gold. He’s truly unselfish, placing the concerns of others above himself.

Who is Captain America?

Father Dragon, Al Diaz!
Blogging at Father Dragon Writes, Al is a very genuine person. He stands ready to champion those in need. He came into this community curious and eager to learn. Al possesses great wisdom and is willing to share with anyone who will listen. It’s been an honor to get to know him better and call Al my friend. He’s a Dragon Captain now, but one day he’ll be the Dragon General!

Al is a translator, artist, writer, and dwarf wrangler.

To you Al, I dedicate As I Am, by Dream Theater

“To those who understand, I extend my hand, to the doubtful I demand, take me as I am”

You are your own Dragon – stay that way!

Facts and Trivia –

This Ninja may have clones, but did you know Al employs dwarves to assist him? Although this month, they are part of my Ninja Minions team!

Joe Johnston directed Captain America. What other superhero/adventure type movie did he direct twenty years ago?

Ninja News

Want another chance to win CassaStorm? The Goodreads giveaway opens today!!

Goodreads Book Giveaway

CassaStorm

by Alex J. Cavanaugh

Giveaway ends April 21, 2013.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

Susan Gourley’s latest book, Marine’s Queen, was released by New Concepts Publishing last week. Congratulations, Susan!

Yolanda Renee at Defending the Pen signed a deal for two books with Curiosity Quills Press. Congratulations, Yolanda!!

RaShelle Workman’s latest book, Cindy Witch, is available now. You rock, RaShelle!

Juliana Haygert’s book, Destiny Gift, is really available today! I know I posted about it on Friday, but in the A to Z Challenge confusion, I got the date wrong.

Special Thanks – This is For You, Lee!

Three years ago, a fellow blogger announced a challenge to blog the letters of the alphabet in April. I waited until the last moment to commit, and joined a hundred other bloggers attempting the same challenge. I winged it, coming up with brilliant topics such as Q*Bert and Q (yes, the awful 80’s flim) for “Q.”

By the end of the month, my blog was changed forever. I went from thirty followers to over eighty and made so many amazing friends, such as Ella, Yvonne, and Jamie. I’d connected with the community in an amazing way and found my groove as a blogger.

And I owe all of that to Arlee Bird at Tossing it Out. Lee, had you not thrown out that Challenge, I don’t know where I’d be today, because I’d floundered here online for five months without any real success at that point. It’s been an honor to serve as a co-host for the past three Challenges. Lee, you can count on my support and friendship forever! Thank you.

Fan of the Avengers or Captain America? (Melissa, don’t answer that!) Following the awesome Father Dragon? Know the movie Joe Johnston directed? Excited about the new book releases? And Challenge veterans, what has the Challenge meant to you?

News, Reviews, Blogfests, Books, and the Kitchen Sink!

NEWS FIRST!

For those who missed it earlier this week, Cassie put together the most incredible special feature for me at Falling For Fiction. Morgan, Mark, David, and Leigh all contributed and I felt like a celebrity. Thank you all – this Ninja was very honored by your words!

I also had a special interview/feature with Callie Leuck this week, and she was so creative the way she put it together. Thanks, Callie!

Don’t forget the First Loves Blogfest is Monday, May 14! For details and to sign up, go HERE.

The A to Z Challenge Reflections List will be open through Saturday if you’ve not added a link to your post yet. Lee will be compiling participant's thoughts, ideas, and concerns at the main A to Z Blog in the coming weeks.

I’ve been trying to update both my blogroll and the Awesome Authors page. If you are a blogger buddy (regular commenter) and you do not see your blog or current book listed, please let me know!

REVIEWS

The Avengers
One word – awesome! Joss Whedon masterfully worked together storyline, action scenes, and character development to bring us the perfect super hero ensemble movie. For me, the Hulk stole the show. “Puny God!” I rarely see films twice in the theater, but this will be an exception. 3D BluRay DVD purchase for sure! (And currently it is $702+ million world wide – almost $100 million ahead of The Hunger Games.)

Handling Negative Reviews
I learned a new trick for handling negative book reviews this week and thought I’d share it with you guys.
Another blogger/soon-to-be author posted a one star rating of CassaStar on Goodreads this past weekend. At first it bothered me, and then I remembered the movie Good Will Hunting. There’s a scene where Matt Damon’s character says something awful about Robin Williams’ deceased wife, and the next time they meet, Williams tells him that at first it bothered him – and then he though, “He’s just a stupid kid.” And that’s how you should view reviews like that, because one star with no explanation is meaningless. Maybe that person didn’t like your book. Or maybe he just doesn’t like you or anyone else. Or maybe he gives out one star reviews to almost everyone. Regardless, it’s not worth stressing over.
Maybe I’ve just coined a new term for meaningless, crappy ratings – “He’s just a stupid kid!”

BOOKS!

I’m not through reading it yet, so I can’t offer a review, but hopefully everyone has picked up M. Pax’s new book, The Backworlds!
Here’s the synopsis:

After the war with Earth, bioengineered humans scatter across the Backworlds. Competition is fierce and pickings are scant. Scant enough that Craze’s father decides to hoard his fortune by destroying his son. Cut off from family and friends, with little money, and even less knowledge of the worlds beyond his own, Craze heads into an uncertain future. Boarding the transport to Elstwhere, he vows to make his father regret this day.

Available from: Amazon Smashwords and Feedbooks

Lynn Rush’s new book, Awaited, is now available. Congratulations, Lynn!

And Laura Pauling is currently on tour for her new book, A Spy Like Me. Congratulations, Laura!

Wow! See what happens when I take a day off? Ready for Monday’s First Loves Blogfest? Have you seen The Avengers – again? Seeing Dark Shadows? Prepared now for the “just a stupid kid” reviews? Reading M. Pax’s book? Is there anything I missed????

XTRA SPECIAL/X FOR MOVIE SIGN - A to Z Challenge

It’s the third A to Z Challenge! Blog the letters of the alphabet in order every day except Sundays The participation list is HERE – start with the blog after yours and visit at least five blogs a day. Mostly, make new friends and have fun!

My theme – I have selected a word for each day and will present to you blogger buddies who fit that description, along with movies, music, etc. My theme is to give back, highlight some awesome bloggers, and have fun in the process.

XTRA SPECIAL/X FOR MOVIE SIGN

Ali Cross
She is the original Ninja! The DoJo Master leads her own army of Ninjas in training through a website, chats, and an online conference. The author of Become was also one of my first blogger buddy to review CassaStar, and she even did a video review. (Complete with space ship sound effects!) Get to know the Dojo Master – she is a sweetheart!

And now the upcoming big movies for May! As always, descriptions courtesy of the IMDB. Snarky comments by me.

4 -

The Avengers
Nick Fury of S.H.I.E.L.D. brings together a team of super humans to form The Avengers to help save the Earth from Loki and his army.
Director: Joss Whedon
Stars: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner

Joss Whedon? All of the Avengers? Are you kidding? There’s only one other movie I’m more excited about than this film.

8 -

DVD - Underworld: Awakening - What could be better than Kate in 3D?

11 -

Dark Shadows
An imprisoned vampire, Barnabas Collins, is set free and returns to his ancestral home, where his dysfunctional descendants are in need of his protection.
Director: Tim Burton
Stars: Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Eva Green, Helena Bonham Carter

While the Burton-Depp pairing is usually great, I’m not totally sold on this one yet.

15 -

DVD - The Grey - Excellent drama
DVD - Chronicle - Dark and effective

18 -

Battleship
A fleet of ships is forced to do battle with an armada of unknown origins in order to discover and thwart their destructive goals.
Director: Peter Berg
Stars: Alexander Skarsgård, Brooklyn Decker, Liam Neeson, Rihanna

Funny, I don’t remember aliens landing on the board and melting my plastic ships when I played this game as a kid…

25 -

Men in Black III
Agent J travels in time to MIB's early years in the 1960s, to stop an alien from assassinating his friend Agent K and changing history.
Director: Barry Sonnenfeld
Stars: Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones, Josh Brolin, Alice Eve

Can you believe the first one was fifteen years ago? Whoa…

NINJA CONTEST – LAST DAY!

To celebrate 1500 followers, I’m holding a giveaway – a copy of CassaStar and CassaFire! The books will be donated to the winner’s choice of public or high school library, along with a selection of bookmarks. (The winner also gets bookmarks.)

How to enter: (and must be a follower)

Comment on my posts (just once each) U-X (Tuesday through Friday) – one point

Ten extra points for the first comment (please don’t melt my blog)

Ten extra points if you blog about this contest (leave a link so I know)

Winner will be announced Monday during the Z post!

Following Ali? See any movies that perk your interest? Don’t forget, last day to enter the giveaway! And who in your life is xtra special?