CassaStorm Launch Week! Awesome Tour Stops and Prizes! Plus Cassa Facts, Cassa Trivia, and Ninja News

I was incredibly honored when Natalie asked to be part of my tour. Literary Rambles is a HUGE site, focusing on children’s and young adult books. Today’s stop is an interview at Literary Rambles, focusing on my books and blogging tips. Natalie, really appreciate it!


For those who don’t blog on the weekend, I was also honored with a guest post at a Writer’s Digest Best Site - Anne R Allen’s Blog - where I outlined how to create an online community. Anne often features New York Times best-selling authors, so it was an incredible privilege to contribute to her site. Thanks, Anne!!


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!

And tomorrow night is the RUSHED Twitter party! Between 8:00 and 9:00 pm EST, follow the hashtag #RUSHED for an hour of fun, questions, answers, treasure hunts, and giveaways. Hosted by the awesome Lynn Rush and featuring giveaways from both of us. It’s my first ever Twitter party, so I hope someone shows up!

Ninja News

Writers4Writers is today! Visit Cherie Reich and Helen Ginger for their suggested Tweets and Facebook posts.

Roland Yeomans is hosting the HAPPY HALLOWEEN BLOGFEST. “From now until Halloween describe the book that scared you the most and what you think of my LUCIFER'S ORPHAN serial monthly trilogy.” Winner receives an autographed Brad Pitt photo. See Roland’s site for details.

Great opportunity! Lynn Kelley posted this: “Attention teachers and librarians! The Emblazoner’s New Catalog – filled with great middle grade and tween titles your students and patrons will love – is coming soon! To celebrate, we’re holding a giveaway of stuff you can use: gift cards to add books to your collection and swag to hand out to your students and patrons. The giveaway is from September 16th – 23rd!”

Jackie at Bouquet of Books and Dani at Entertaining Interests are hosting Spooktoberfest the last week of October. See their sites for details.

RaShelle Workman’s latest is out - Volume 2 in the Cindy Chronicles - Witch Land. Congratulations, RaShelle – you rock!

Cassa Facts

One of the influences on my first book was the original Battlestar Galactica series. (As Bob so aptly nailed in his review.)

When I rewrote the story several years ago, I still envisioned the Galactica’s fighters when describing the Cassan’s Cosbolts. In the first round of edits with my publisher, they suggested I alter the ships and make them more unique. While I didn’t picture them exactly as the cover artist depicted, they still came out rather cool.

And I still got to use that basic design for the smaller Dartens!

Battlestar Galactica’s fighters weren’t the only idea I used. In the series, Apollo had a sister, Athena. I shortened the name and came up with Athee. (So, for those of you still wondering how to pronounce Athee, it’s Athena without the ‘na.’)

Cassa Trivia!

Since it was an early influence, here is some original Battlestar Galactica trivia for you!


1 – What was the name of the Galactica’s fighters?

2 – Boxey had a mechanical daggit for a pet – what was its name?

3 – Who played Starbuck?

4 – Four pilots were in almost every episode – Captain Apollo, Lt. Starbuck, Lt. Boomer, and Flight Sgt. ____

5 – Who played Serina, Boxey’s mother, in the first three episodes?

6 – At the time, it was the most expensive television show ever. How much did each episode cost to make?

7 – Who was the head writer and executive producer of the series?

One more day! Don’t forget to leave a comment to be entered in the drawing. Big thanks to all who are announcing this week.

See any good blogfests or opportunities? Anyone else watch the original Battlestar Galactica? Know any of the trivia? Placing bets on whether I sleep tonight or not…?

Please be sure to visit Literary Rambles! And Anne R Allen’s Blog if you missed it yesterday.

The Geek Twins and Greatest Movies Based on Science Fiction Stories! Plus Ninja News and CassaStorm Launch and Tour Updates.

Today I welcome Nigel and Maurice, the awesome brothers who run The Geek Twins!

My brother Maurice and I run the blog, The Geek Twins, where we celebrate sci-fi movies and TV shows. Sci-fi writers have always had a cozy relationship with Hollywood. Their imagination and grand vision have been translated into some fantastic movies. To celebrate them, we present the ten greatest movies based on a sci-fi story.

10. A Clockwork Orange - In a dystopian Britain, a sociopathic youth is subjected to an experiment that makes him physically incapable of violence. Based on the novel of the same name by Anthony Burgess.

9. 1984 - In a dystopian Britain, one man tries to deft the government that monitors and controls all aspects of life. Based on the novel of the same name by George Orwell.

8. Children of Men - In a near future where mankind has become infertile, a man must escort the last pregnant woman to safety. Based on the novel of the same name by PD James.

7. Planet of the Apes - When astronauts crash land on another planet, they find simians are dominant and humans treated like beasts. Based on the novel of the same name by Pierre Boulle.

6. Soylent Green - In an overpopulated future, a cop uncovers a horrifying secret about the popular food, Soylent Green. Loosely based on the novel Make Room! Make Room! By Harry Harrison.

5. Solaris - A spaceship crew orbiting around a mysterious planet finds their dreams coming to life. Based on the novel of the same name by Stanislaw Lem.

4. The Thing - An Antarctic crew is overrun with paranoia when a shape-shifting alien invades their camp. Based on the novella, Who Goes There? By John W. Campbell Jr.

3. Jurassic Park - When a theme park full of genetically engineered dinosaurs goes wrong, the first visitors must escape with their lives. Based on the novel of the same name by Michael Crichton.

2. 2001 - A mission from Earth to investigate a mysterious black monolith becomes threatened by the ship's computer. Based on the novel by Arthur C. Clarke.

1. Blade Runner - In a broken-down city of the future, a cop hunts down robots passing as humans. Based on Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick.

Maurice Mitchell and Nigel Mitchell are The Geek Twins, lovers of all things geek. Nigel Mitchell is an author of several scifi novels, including Flying Saucers and Dead Links. Find his book here on Amazon.

Ninja News

Thanks to everyone who visited The Unicorn Bell on Wednesday. They were in the middle of query week and had lots of posts – if you missed it, click on the link to go directly to my post, Secrets of the Blogging Ninja.

Annalisa Crawford’s That Sadie Thing is now available in paperback!

The 2013 Joust and Realms Faire is now open! This is a great chance to get involved and promote your book. (Sadly I will be on vacation that week, so I had to decline the offer to joust. It would’ve been epic though!) Visit M. Pax’s SITE for details.

Julia King is giving away two signed copies of her novel, Félicité Found.

Briane Pagel’s book is available today - Temporary Anne. He’s also on tour, writing a short horror story as guided by the comments at each of the stops. The tour kicks off today at Life is Good. Good luck, Briane!

13th Floor Complete Collection

The 13th Floor Complete Collection by Christine Rains
Genre: paranormal romance
Release date: October 13th, 2013

Six supernatural tenants
Living in a haunted apartment building
On a floor that doesn't exist.

Includes “The Shadow,” a bonus short story.

Mark it to read on Goodreads.

Find Christine - Website, Blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads

CassaStorm Launch and Tour Updates!

CassaStorm launches next Tuesday!

All information has been sent to those participating in the launch party. Today is the last day to sign up to participate for a chance to win a Cassa mousepad, Cassa mug, swag, and $25 iTunes gift card. Go HERE to join the fun.

Thursday I had two surprises! An amazing review from Bob at Beauty in Ruins in which he absolutely nailed everything I was trying to convey in the story. There was also a wonderful tribute from my buddy Roland Yeomans that is sure to make you laugh.

My next tour stop is actually Sunday, and I have the honor of appearing on Anne R Allen’s Blog. Her site is a Writer’s Digest 101 Best Websites for Writers winner, and she brings in some top best-selling authors and professionals. And oh yeah, me!

Next week I will be posting Monday through Friday, updating you on the week’s tour stops and events. And I will be giving away prizes!! One comment per day enters you to win – Cassa magnet, Cassa mug, Cassa mousepad, Cassa poster, and a copy of CassaStorm. So now is not the time to be shy – comment to win!!

And I want to thank all of my hosts and everyone participating in the launch event. I never thought I’d come this far on this crazy journey or experience any kind of real success. You guys helped prove me wrong. Thanks for your support. Your friendship is the greatest treasure and reward.

What movie based on a science fiction story or book would you call the greatest? Ready to joust? Ready to win some stuff? Ready to watch me have an Epic Ninja Meltdown next week…?

Science Fiction and Movie News, Fantasy Book Cover Reveals, IWSG News, Ninja News, and What’s the Weirdest Film You’ve Ever Seen?

My tour stop is at the Unicorn Bell today - The Secret Blogging Ways of the Ninja Captain. (You know you want to know!)

Science Fiction and Movie News

Caught this at Hero Complex - Roland Emmerich intends to reboot his own movie, Stargate. He wants to remake it as three films and is in the planning stage.

I’m a HUGE fan of the series Stargate: SG1 and Stargate: Atlantis, but the original movie was average at best. I don’t have a big problem with the remake, but no one will take the place of Richard Dean Anderson as Jack O’Neill in the series. (Come on – the dude was MacGyver!)

Box Office Updates-
Despicable Me 2 is the summer’s big animated film winner - $832.8 million dollars worldwide.
Critics claim Star Trek Into Darkness was a flop. Ironically, it’s the highest grossing Star Trek film ever at $462.8 million. (Made even more than the original Thor.) Yeah, I think we’ll get another sequel.
The Conjuring made $259.7 million worldwide. Yes, they have announced a sequel. Big surprise.
And the biggest box office losers of the year so far – White House Down and The Lone Ranger. The year’s not over yet though…

And here’s another wild image from Blastr - a Japanese engineer spent eleven years making this seventeen-ton beetle mech. It actually works and can carry six people! (His wife suggested he could ride it to take out the trash.)

IWSG Updates

I’m putting out the call again for Insecure Writer’s Support Group co-hosts. If you can help in either October, November, or December, let me know. Looking for four co-hosts each month now.

Work continues on the IWSG website. It’s going to take a lot to put this together and we want to make it awesome for you. Many of you have sent me sites and resources – keep them coming!

Ninja News

Big thanks to everyone who visited The Non-Review on Monday for the cats’ interview with me. (Melvin is really sad, isn’t he?)
Guest posts and tour stops are always an extra step and I know most people don’t visit. So I really appreciate those of you who go the extra mile and visit those gracious enough to host me. It may not seem like a big deal, but it means a lot to both host and guest.

Keep making suggestions for the next person featured in this year’s CheersFest! Remember, it needs to be someone who is a MAJOR player on the Internet and a consistent, positive force.


SC Write is hosting Nightmare on Query Street. “The submission window opens at 12 noon (EST) on October 19th. The window will close at 8pm or when we receive 100 entries, so please please send early. Michelle, Mike, and I will make ten picks each, and those ten picks will go up on our blogs from the 25th through the 27th, where agents will make requests.” See SC’s site for details.

Ciara Knight revealed the cover for her next book, Pendulum - Book II of The Neumarian Chronicles.

Haunting memories.
Terrifying dreams.
Crippling lies.

Looks awesome, Ciara!



And Speculative Book Reviews posted a review of CassaStorm!

Special Cover Reveal

Sacrifice HER by Sheena-kay Graham
Release Date: December 2013
Find it on Goodreads

When a city is at stake is the life of one sixteen-year old girl worth risking thousands? Deidra Moore goes on the run after escaping from a group of human sacrifices for Bane: God of War. She doesn't believe he exists and sees uncertainty in the scorching desert as a better alternative. But Faux City isn't finished with her and their leader Lord Brinn is ordered by Bane - through one of his maiden worshipers- to bring her back or face dire consequences. In the desert Deidra meets a wanderer named Kane and as feelings spark can they find a safe place to lead a new life before Lord Brinn and his soldiers catch up with them? Yet the question remains. Does Bane really exist and if he does what will happen if either side succeeds or fails? Told in alternating perspectives of both the runaway servant girl and the blonde strong willed leader.

Find Sheena-kay -
Blog, Goodreads, Facebook, and Twitter.

Congratulations, Sheena-kay!!!

Random Question of the Day

What’s the weirdest film you’ve ever seen?

My pick would be Tetsuo: The Iron Man. Part cyberpunk, part metal fetish, all mind-blowing weird. Watch at your own risk.

Think they should remake Stargate? What would you do with a beetle mech? Can you be an IWSG co-host this year? Excited about the covers or query contest? And what’s the weirdest film you’ve ever seen…?

Don’t forget to visit the Unicorn Bell - Ninja secrets revealed! (Sorry Kitty, nothing else revealed…)

Riddick Movie Review, CassaStorm Tour Launches, Movie Trivia Answers, Ninja News, and CheersFest 2013!

Today kicks off my blog tour for CassaStorm! Still intrigued by snarky cats? Then find out what cats are asking me about CassaStorm at The Non Review. TS buddy, you rock! (We're live now!)

Movie Review

Riddick
The third movie in the series finds Riddick struggling to survive after being left for dead on a barren planet and dealing with bounty hunters and mercenaries.
This story is more like the original Pitch Black and returns to familiar territory. Riddick is just as resourceful and brutal, and there are some good fights with both man and beast. It has a much slower pace than either of the first two movies as well.
Unfortunately, it lacked in two areas. Part of the story felt contrived, forcing Riddick into a situation just so a scene could take place and occasionally missing a few steps of logic. The other problem was a lack of memorable or sympathetic characters. (Which is what made the first one work so well.) Outside of Riddick, no one had any depth.
Actually, the one with the most character was Riddick’s alien dog. (The scene with the pistachios is great.)
However, for two hours of mindless fun, it did deliver, and it was pretty much what I expected. If you dig Riddick or Diesel, go and enjoy and leave your brain at the door. Otherwise, just wait for the DVD or NetFlix.

Ninja News

Today over at the A to Z Blog, I’ve interviewed the lovely Elise Fallson for the monthly Challenge Participant Feature. Her theme rocked so be sure to check out her thoughts on ‘ologies.’

Those of you who enjoyed Milo James Fowler’s book, Immaterial Evidence, can now read the novelette prequel, "Girl of Great Price". The Malfeasance Occasional: Girl Trouble will be out September 24th courtesy of St. Martin's Press, and you can pre-order it now from both Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Don’t forget the Norse Gods Blogfest with Siv Maria on October 9 – you can sign up HERE.

Last week to sign up for the CassaStorm announcement blitz next week! Sign up to help me spread the word HERE - you can just sign up or ask one question. And you could win a $25 iTunes card, Cassa mousepad, Cassa mug, and other cool swag!

Comedy Movie Trivia Answers

1 – “When someone asks if you are a god, you say YES!” - Ghostbusters
2 – “You made a woman meow?” – When Harry Met Sally
3 – “What is the matter with you? I thought Mothers were sweet and nice a-a-and patient. I know loan sharks who are more forgiving than you. Your husband ain't dead, lady. He's hiding.” – The Ref
4 – “He’s an angry elf.” - Elf
5 – “Eddie, Eddie, I swear to God, don't start with me or so help me, I will shoot him and dump him in a ___ swamp!” – Midnight Run
6 – “I was in the Virgin Islands once. I met a girl. We ate lobster, drank piña coladas. At sunset, we made love like sea otters. *That* was a pretty good day. Why couldn't I get *that* day over, and over, and over..." – Groundhog Day

The 2013 CheersFest and Nominations! 

That’s right! Time to roast a new victim. This year’s hosts are Mark “Madman” Koopmans, Alex “Clone me a” Cavanaugh, Morg “the Borg” Shamy, Stephen “Wormhole” Tremp, and David “Don’t Mess with the” King.

Here are the details:

What: CheersFest 2013. Someone deserving will be roasted like a little, brown coffee bean.
When: December 9, 2013
Who: One person will be roasted via popular vote. This someone is a constant presence, is positive, possesses integrity, is involved in the online community (participating and hosting), is supportive of others and is a major force in the blogging community.
How: Once launched, each host has seven days to review comments and the selections made via their comments and pick one. We then present our selections and the co-hosts vote from that point. The recipient (Roastee) is announced at least two weeks out and folks can join a Linky ahead of their roasting posting.

Here’s what we need from you guys – nominations. Who best fits the criteria above? Who is a positive force, an active participant, always positive, and makes a big difference in the blogging world? Leave your nomination in the comments and next week, the five hosts will pick one person each and then we’ll vote from that point.

Those who remember last year’s first CheersFest know it was a lot of fun.

However, I am really looking forward to being on the opposite side of the roasting this time!



Anyone else see Riddick this weekend? (Or something better?) Get any of the trivia correct? And who would you nominate for the second CheersFest?

Don’t forget to visit The Non Review. Those cats have snark down to a science…