Breaking News!

This couldn’t wait until IWSG day. Cover reveal and CassaDark will be available for preorder this week!

CassaDark
By Alex J. Cavanaugh
Print - 9781939844842
EBook – 9781939844859
Science Fiction – Adventure/Space Opera/Space Exploration
Coming April 5, 2022

His world is unraveling…

Bassan’s father is stepping down from command. His best friend almost dies when Bassan freezes. Now, he’s being sent across the galaxy to speak at an important conference. Despite saving the eleven races years ago, he’s paralyzed by doubt. Could things get any worse?

Once there, new acquaintance Zendar convinces Bassan to visit his planet for a humanitarian mission. Bassan’s special connection to ancient technology is the key to saving Zendar’s people. One problem though—it’s a prison planet.

On Ugar, he discovers things aren’t so straightforward. As each truth reveals itself, the situation grows more desperate. If he can’t find the right answers, he might die along with Zendar’s people. Can Bassan summon the courage to be a hero again?

Movie Reviews

A Quiet Place Part 2
Just as good as the first one, this movie picks up exactly where the other one left off, with a quick flashback to show the invasion of the aliens. Many tense moments, made more intense as the characters split up and face new challenges. Couple times I wondered why the person was doing that, but overall an excellent film that is worth seeing in the theater.

F9
Dumb and over the top, just as expected. The scene in the previews with Dom and Letty’s car catching the rope and swinging wide over a large canyon? Nowhere near the craziest stunt in the film. They bring back many characters from the past, which is fun.
If you are a fan of the series, you’ll enjoy it.

The Conjuring III: The Devil Made Me Do It
The least of the three films so far. Not bad, but they pose a question throughout the film and then never resolve it! Frustrating. Glad I saw this at home and didn’t pay money for it.




I have an awesome guest next weeks, so be sure to stop by.

Don’t forget the Insecure Writer’s Support Group Anthology Contest is now open! Genre – sweet romance, theme – first love. See the site for details.

See you next Wednesday for Insecure Writer’s Support Group post day!



What do you think of CassaDark’s cover? Seen any of the movies? Ready for IWSG day? Happy July Fourth to my American friends!

Quick Mid-June Update

Now that today is a National holiday, I am starting my vacation a day early. I’ll be offline for the next week, checking emails and Twitter only once a day.

The next Insecure Writer’s Support Group post is July 7. I’ll also have a guest that day, author Damien Larkin as well as the July movie preview and some movie reviews.

The IWSG Anthology Contest is open until September 1, so check out the details.

Happy Fourth of July to my American friends as we celebrate freedoms fought for and won two hundred and forty years ago. God bless America!

Insecure Writer’s Support Group, June Movie Preview, and IWSG Anthology Contest

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 June 2 posting of the IWSG are Sarah Foster, Natalie Aguirre, Lee Lowery, and Rachna Chhabria!

June 2 question - For how long do you shelve your first draft, before reading it and re-drafting? Is this dependent on your writing experience and the number of stories/books under your belt?

By the time I finish a first draft, I’ve completely forgotten how it began, so I usually start in on revisions within a couple days. After the torture of getting the darn thing on paper, I’m ready for some relaxing editing!

Don’t forget the Insecure Writer’s Support Group Anthology Contest is now open! Genre – sweet romance, theme – first love. See the site for details.



Here are the upcoming theatrical releases for June. As always, descriptions courtesy of the IMDB. Snark provided by me.

4 –

The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It
The Warrens investigate a murder that may be linked to a demonic possession.
Director: Michael Chaves
Stars: Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga, Ruairi O'Connor, Sarah Catherine Hook
A movie and political statement all in one subtitle.

18 –

The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard
The bodyguard Michael Bryce continues his friendship with assassin Darius Kincaid as they try to save Darius's wife Sonia.
Director: Patrick Hughes
Stars: Ryan Reynolds, Salma Hayek, Frank Grillo, Samuel L. Jackson
Because The Hitman’s Shameless Cash Grab was too obvious a title.

25 –

F9
Cipher enlists the help of Jakob, Dom's younger brother to take revenge on Dom and his team.
Director: Justin Lin
Stars: Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson
F yes!

How long do you let a first draft sit? Entering the IWSG contest? Watching any movies this month? I will be posting once a month during the summer but back into a regular groove in September. Too much to do this summer!

Gojira-Fortitude Review: The Nevers, Mitchells vs Machines, Without Remorse Reviews; and Alex’s You Rock Award!

Gojira - Fortitude

Gojira’s latest is more prog than their previous albums. It’s heavy but accessible.
Standout songs include Amazonia, Hold On, and Into the Storm.
There are lots of messages in the music – destruction of the rain forest, the plight of the people of Tibet, etc.
Start to finish, this is one of their most enjoyable albums.
You enjoy French metal/prog, I recommend it!

Here is The Chant, which highlights the horrible things China has done to Tibet – and continues to do to this day:



Movie/Series Reviews

The Mitchells vs. the Machines
Stars: Michael B. Jordan, Jodie Turner-Smith, Jamie Bell
From the IMDB:
A quirky, dysfunctional family's road trip is upended when they find themselves in the middle of the robot apocalypse and suddenly become humanity's unlikeliest last hope.
It was enjoyable but not really memorable.
At two hours, this animated film was way too long.
The message is good – adjusting during that awkward transition from teen to adult. But they did beat you over the head with it.

Pig-dog was funny. Best part of the film.
Worth a watch if you’ve nothing better to do for two hours.

Tom Clancy’s Without Remorse
Stars: Michael B. Jordan, Jodie Turner-Smith, Jamie Bell
From the IMDB:
An elite Navy SEAL, goes on a path to avenge his wife's murder only to find himself inside of a larger conspiracy.
Jordan does a fine job as an action hero. Nice to see him in a hero role. (He was the antagonist in Black Panther.)
However, it felt like the least Clancy story of all the Clancy movies. I’ve never read the book, but I’m guessing they are vastly different.
Passible entertainment but not really memorable.

The Nevers
Stars: Laura Donnelly, Ann Skelly, Olivia Williams
From the IMDB:
An epic tale following a gang of Victorian women who find themselves with unusual abilities, relentless enemies, and a mission that might change the world.
Think of it as X-Men in 1890’s London.
Joss Whedon wrote and directed this series, and it has his style all over it. I don’t know if the mistreatment rumors about him are true but the dude can make a great series.
It’s filled with great characters, funny dialogue, violence, and of course – unnecessary gratuitous nudity. (It’s HBO Max – of course!)
The plot and pacing are fantastic. I’m very intrigued where the show is going.
Airs Sunday nights.
Highly recommended!

Alex’s You Rock Award!

Every year, I give out this award to special blogger buddies. There are so many deserving, but I am keeping the list very short this year.

First, here are the previous recipients of the award, some of whom no longer blog… Arlee, Yvonne, RaShelle, Hannah, Jeffrey, Gail, Rusty, Chuck, George, Jeremy, Matthew, Old Kitty, Ella, M Pax, Roland, Melissa, Robyn, Lynda, Michael, Heather, Stephen, Father Dragon Al, the late Tina, Damyanti, Edi, Karen, Elizabeth, Suze, Susan, Pat, Jo, Michelle, Brandon and Bryan, Christine, Truedessa, Rachna Chhabria, Fundy Blue, Hank Kaykuala, JH Moncrieff, Nilanjana Bos, Liza, Yolanda Renee, Spacer Guy, Elsie Amata, L. Diane Wolfe, Natalie Aguirre, Sandra Cox, C. Lee McKenzie, Elizabeth Seckman, Magic Love Crow, Birgit, JE Oneil, LG Keltner, Chemist Ken, Sherry Ellis Kim Lajevardi, Shady, Jemi Fraser, Mason Canyon, and Stacy McKitrick!

And now for the bloggers who have made this journey a heck of a lot more special:

Mary @ Dark Thoughts
I’m not sure when I found Mary’s blog, but she has some great weekly features. While I can’t get into the book reviews (you review what you like, Mary!) she does an Apartment Life Hell, Raturday, and weekly freebies. Mary entertains us, but I often worry about her, mostly because of where she lives in Vegas. Mary, you rock!

Liesbet @ Roaming About
She has spent the past few years roaming the country in Zesty and before that on her sailboat. It’s not a lifestyle for the faint of heart, but she and her husband see some amazing places. She recently launched her book, Plunge, about her adventures on the high sea. Liesbet has such a great attitude – she rocks!

Carrie @ Welcome to my Magick Theatre
I started following Carrie’s blog many, many years ago. Probably from an early A to Z Challenge. Carrie writes historical fiction, mostly European and Russian, and it’s fascinating stuff. She stands her ground, both on her writing and what she believes in, and I admire that. Carrie, you rock!

Picked up the new Gojira? Seen either movie or the series? What bloggers rock your world?

Don’t forget the new IWSG Anthology Contest is open! Genre is sweet romance, theme is first love. See the site for details.

See you June 2 for the monthly posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group!