Monday, October 31, 2011

Hot News, Dark Spells, and on Fire!

News first! No time to explain, let me sum up.

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group’s next post is THIS Wednesday!!!

Jen Daiker will be published in a collection of romantic stories next year – way to go, Jen!

I won Laura B. Writer’s 200 followers contest – an eBook copy of Kristen Lamb's Are You There Blog? It's Me, Author! Thank you, Laura.

Saw Puss in Boots – great animation and solid story. Think adventure rather than comedy. And not for real little kids, as they simply won’t follow the storyline.

Madeleine Scribble and Edit gave me the Friendly blogger award. Thank you, Madeleine!

And appreciate all the words of congratulations on CassaStar cracking Amazon’s Top Ten in science fiction – and special thanks to Rusty for catching a screen shot of it at number eight. I still can’t believe it…

Darkspell's Launch Spookfesta

Darkspell by Elizabeth Mueller – available today!
Winter Sky believes she is everything ordinary . . .until she is kissed by Alex Stormhold.
As seer of Stormhold Coven, Alex is sworn to be Winter’s protector against the darkness that hunts her. Violently thrust into a magical realm she always thought impossible, she stumbles upon a disturbing secret of her own. Will love prove thicker than magic?
Purchase Darkspell on Amazon and visit Elizabeth at her BLOG or WEBSITE

Spookfesta question - "If I had all the magic in the world, I'd . . ."
Return the earth to its original state – as Heaven. (Of course, I couldn’t really do that – but fortunately, God can!)

On Fire!

Thanks to everyone who has signed up for CassaFire’s Catch Fire! blog party on February 28, 2012! If you haven’t, visit HERE (see also tabbed page under my header) to join the fun and a chance to win a copy of CassaFire.

And thanks to those who’ve spread the word about this blog party. My official tour is now set and CassaFire is already on Goodreads with a four star review.

Happy Halloween! Anyone else have a wild week or weekend? Participating in Elizabeth’s fest? See a movie? About to panic because NaNo starts soon…?

110 comments:

Laila Knight said...

Good morning. Congratulations on winning the book and the award. I loved your answer to the magic question. And wouldn't that be amazing. I'd still tack on all the ethereal creatures though. :) Didn't watch anything cool, not doing NaNo. And I'm still on my weekend. Have a great day! :)

Laura Pauling said...

I hadn't heard the news about breaking the top ten! That's terrific! yaya! :)

Gail said...

Congratulations on reaching the top ten!!!

Maybe you will believe those who read this now, it is good!

Suze said...

Congratulations to Jen.

And you certainly deserve the friendly blogger award!

Jemi Fraser said...

Lots of news today! :) So happy for everyone!

Natalie Aguirre said...

Thanks for sharing all the awesome news. Congrats to Jen and to you for getting a good review on Goodreads.

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

Congrats on your prize, well deserved.

Thanks for your visit much appreciated.
Yvonne.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Laila, we'd still need all those wild critters even in Heaven!

Laura, thanks!

Gail, I least believe it was all right.

Natalie, thanks - that surprised me this weekend.

Rusty Carl said...

Congrats again - you should change your blog header to reflect your amazon ranking. It's funny that I didn't go see Puss and Boots, I've got kids staying with me that would love to see it, but they might distract me so I want to wait until they're not around.

Bish Denham said...

YEAH Jen and YEAH Alex for your good work!

Didn't see any movies but, now that the weather has cooled off, hubby and I had a couple of nice drives in our '57 Chevy. We like to hang out at the Sonic.

Rhonda said...

Yay! Congrats on Amazon top 10. Busy week, lots of excitement.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Alex - so much going on .. Spooky times, insecure times .. and publication future .. I'll be joining your Cassa Star promotion .. February's not far away ..

Fantastic about CassaStar's success .. and Jen too for her Romantic stories publication date - cheers for now .. Hilary

Huntress said...

Puss n Boots is on my list of must-sees.

Congrats on CassaStar! A well-deserved accolade.

DL Hammons said...

I have your badge up now! Thanks for the updates. :)

Nicki Elson said...

Top TEN! Yahoo!! That is so, so awesome. Congratulations.

Excellent use of magic. :)

Charles Gramlich said...

I'm looking forward to seeing Puss and boots

Luanne G. Smith said...

Puss in Boots looks really funny. I went and saw Anonymous this weekend, which I really liked.

Tara Tyler said...

so puss n boots has authenticity as a story? great!
lots of super stuff! thanks for the notices =)

HaPpY HaLLoWeeN!

~Sia McKye~ said...

You would mention Nano, wouldn't you? Lolol! Yah, I'm doing it.

I'm not going to be able to do my Insecure Writers piece unless I write it for Tuesday. Lydia Dare had an announcement and asked if I could break the news, so I gave them today's spot. If I don't, I'll try to get it in for next month.

Darkspell sound good.

No blogfests for me during Nano. In fact, if you don't hear from me, send in the Marines to rescue me from my characters.

Sia McKye's Thoughts...OVER COFFEE

Jeremy [Retro] said...

awesome news on a spooky day... hap's h'llween boss.

where is the candy?

jeremy

Creepy Query Girl said...

Blogger isn't liking me today. Congrats on your contest win and yeah Jen and Elizabeth! Happy Halloween!

Just Another Day in Paradise said...

Enjoy your blog, you ARE a most "Friendly Blogger".

appreciate your answer to "Magic" - wish you could.

Will do my best to participate in"Catch Fire". I'm cyber challenged, so sometimes, I want tofollow through, I just get "stuck".

spent the weekend in the Dominican Republic. It was exciting. More about it at www.babsinparadise.blogspot.com

Elizabeth Mueller said...

IWSG: Got my post waiting!

Puss in Boots: I'd LOVE to watch it!

Madeleine: Congrats--woot!

Alex: Congrats, on CassaStar! :D

Me: Hooray--a part of my soul is now world wide. *gulp*

CassaFire: done! :P

Happy Halloween, Alex!


♥.•*¨Elizabeth¨*•.♥

julie fedderson said...

When I got up this morning the sky was such a crystal blue and the fall leaves against it were just amazing and I was all warm and fuzzy. And then I went to work, which totally killed the buzz, so I'd like some of that Heaven on Earth stuff right now if possible. Congrats on your award. I think I want to see Puss in Boots, if only for the sultry spoken goodness of Antonio Banderas.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Rusty, I think the adults were more distracting than the kids.

Thank you, Hilary!

Thanks, DL.

Tara, despite a lack of plot in the ads, it had a real story.

Sia, I'll send the whole Ninja Army!

Just, I'll help you if you get stuck.

Elizabeth, yes it is! Now the whole world will see it. Congratulations!

Anonymous said...

Cock full of information! Thanks for all of that.

S.A. Larsenッ said...

So many congrats! So little time...

Thanks for supporting them all. And YAY! for Elizabeth's release!

Anonymous said...

I'm up for Nano. I wrote 25,000 words the past two years. Hope to do the same this time around. And we saw Puss in Boots over the weekend. It was a fun film. We'll buy it when its released.

Marta Szemik said...

I saw Puss in Boots as well! Great movie and a nice mental break.

Carol Kilgore said...

Happy Halloween, Alex!

Jeff Beesler said...

I'm not panicking about NaNo. I just need 70 hours out of the month to accomplish what my NaNo project requires of me.

What I am worried about is my time to continue editing the project I want to have submitted by January 1st. That's going to be the clencher for me.

Amy said...

Great answer for the Spookfesta, it definitely covers everything! Puss in Boots looks great, I can't wait to see it. I did see Rio this weekend, it was a lot better than I thought it was going to be. Happy Halloween! :)

Sangu Mandanna said...

I didn't do much for Halloween weekend - nothing Halloweeny anyway! I had a lazy time because I knew I'd have to kick into copyedits this week!

Matt Conlon said...

Congrats, that's terrific!

Budd said...

Happy Halloween!

Michael Offutt, Phantom Reader said...

To hear that you've cracked the top 10 in sci-fi is awesome news, Alex. I've been reading Cassa Star and I really like it. I can see why others do to. Byron is a great character (but I also like Bassa as well).

I'm looking forward to February. :)

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Karen, I'm just blessed.

Salarsen, you got that right!

Stephen, we will as well.

Jeffrey, you can do it!

Michael, really glad you're enjoying it!

Copyboy said...

Glad the Shrek franchise is still safe! Ooo. Darkspell looks great!

Anonymous said...

Wow, lots of great news happening!!!!

Christopher Hudson said...

Congrats again Alex ... you're kickin' it.

Lydia Kang said...

I love hearing all the good news on your blog!

Old Kitty said...

Can't wait for Puss in Boots!! Yay!! Awwwww love what you'd do with your magic!

Awww huge congrats to Elizabeth and her booklaunch fest!

Take care
x

Donna K. Weaver said...

Nice being a winner, isn't it? And of contests, too. ;)

Wendy Tyler Ryan said...

Congrats Alex! That is great news. I wish you all the same success with the next one!

Ella said...

Congrats again~ :D
Yes, I posted in Elizabeth's book launch; how fitting to be released on Halloween~

It was a great weekend to go to the movies; I so wanted to. There was a lot of magic encounters this weekend to attend...lol

J.L. Campbell said...

Many thanks for dropping in. Gotta admire your energy on having your blogfest and tour ready already organized.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Copyboy, it's safe.

Kitty, hope Charlie isn't jealous of Puss.

Ella, I bet you had fun anyway.

JL, I've learned to book early for tours!

George Beremov [Nebular] said...

Puss in Boots looks so much fan. I can't wait to see it!

Happy Halloween to you too, Alex, and thank you so much for nominating me for best design @ The Movie411 blog awards. :)

Mark said...

Thanks for the reminder about Wed, otherwise I forget these things;)

Christine Rains said...

Happy Halloween! I'm not panicking about NaNo. I'm cool about it... and more worrying about a toddler not feeling good today.

Kelley said...

I'm panicking with excitement....lol. :) Best of luck with it if you're doing it too! <3

Laura S. said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Laura S. said...

Congrats on your success with CassaStar, Alex! I'm adding you to my blog's page for blog buddies' book releases. :)

My husband and I are planning to take our niece (she's 11) to see Puss in Boots. She's a huge Shrek fan and can't wait to see this movie.

Happy Halloween!!!

Liza said...

Happy Halloween Alex! Congratulations on Amazons top 10! Fantastic!

Talli Roland said...

Wow! Loads of great stuff happening. Congrats to Jen, congrats to Elizabeth, congrats to you!

Karen M. Peterson said...

I'm glad Puss in Boots was watchable. I love the character, but had doubts about him headlining an entire movie.

N. R. Williams said...

So many exciting things happening. I'm am thrilled for all.
Nancy
N. R. Williams, Fantasy Author

Southpaw said...

Wow, congrats on making it into the coveted top ten spot! Woohoo!

Julie Dao said...

Congratulations on making the top ten!!! That's AMAZING news. I hope you have a well-deserved sugar overload tonight!

Laura said...

Go you! for all your winnings :) Congrats to Elizabeth and yay for Jen. Happy Happy Monday !
Lx

Sarah Ahiers said...

How would you compare Puss N Boots to Shrek 3 and 4? Better? A lot better? I hope you say a lot better...

Johanna Garth said...

Happy Halloween Alex and congrats to Elizabeth and Jen! Lots of good news floating around the ether!!

Mary Aalgaard said...

Happy Halloween! So many reasons to celebrate.

Isis Rushdan said...

I'm ready to support loads of friends doing NaNo, but it's not for me. Haven't seen anything exciting yet. Only thing I'm fretting over is my upcoming move and still not having a house to move to. Thought we had one, but after the inspection we changed our minds. Now choosing a house from pics. FRIGHTENING process ;).

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

Thanks for the tips, Alex. I've finally caught fire!

Happy Halloween. I think I'll do something different like give out (vs eat) candy.

xoRobyn

Cate Masters said...

Wild due to the weather, unfortunately!
Darkspell sounds great. Thanks for the tip!
Off to join the CassaFire fun...

Denise Covey said...

A lot of stuff here Alex! Congrats on already having a 4 star review. Wouldn't it be nice if it was heaven on earth!

Denise

M Pax said...

Congrats to Elizabeth! And to you!

I spent the weekend with a household crisis. Not much fun. Siigh.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

You're welcome, George! I nominated you for Gold as well.

Mark, you've been reminded.

Thank you, Laura! And you guys will enjoy Puss in Boots.

Karen, it was better that the past couple Shrek movies.

Thanks, Holly!

Julie, I had it last week when I found out.

Sarah, a lot better.

Isis, I hope you are blessed with a good house then!

Robyn, yeah!

Denise, yes it would.

Mary, I'm sorry!

Golden Eagle said...

Happy Halloween!

Congratulations on the ebook and award.

I'm not panicking about NaNoWriMo . . . though I am a bit nervous at starting my novel tomorrow. Part of my mind seemed to think the preparation was all theory, and now it's fully hitting me. :P

Anonymous said...

So want to watch Puss In Boots... Ohh never been to a blog party before... am going to check it out now:)

LD Masterson said...

Wow, Alex, some days you have so much news to share.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

NaNo starts today for me in Oz... EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK!!!!!!!!! (I'm not panicing... no, really... ok, maybe just a little... lol.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I'm ready for Wednesday's post and signed up for Catch Fire.

Empty Nest Insider said...

Gongratulations on all the great news! I caught fire!

Leovi said...

I saw the trailer of Puss in Boots when I went to see Tintin. It seems fun.

TS Hendrik said...

If Puss and Boots is not for real little children what hope do I have? I've got the maturity of 3 year old.

TL Conway said...

I love how you're already promoting your blogfest for next February. I'm still trying to figure out what I'm having for lunch tomorrow. :) Your organizational skills are impressive!

Congrats on the Amazon stats--that truly is amazing!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Golden, you'll do fine!

TF, I'd be honored if you joined the party.

LD, I just get around. Wait, that sounds bad.

Lynda, shh... you'll scare the Trick-or-Treaters here.

TS, just admire the pretty colors then...

TL, I don't want to get caught unaware. This is serious stuff!

Nancy Thompson said...

You are like the "AJC Morning News!" I would be clueless without tuning into your "show"! Thanks Alex! And as always, thanks for coming by and commenting today. I should make a blogger award for World's Greatest Commenter. You'd be my #1 recipient!!

Ciara said...

I've added CassaFire to my TBR pile.

Arlee Bird said...

After a tiring weekend of family visiting and travel time I'm home in my Halloween hide-a-way. Congratulations on making that top 10 list--quite an achievement.
I'm about halfway through CassaFire and enjoying it. I read so darn slow it's pitiful.


Lee
Tossing It Out

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Nancy, thank you! Mind if I steal that show title for my next news post?

Ciara, thank you!

Thanks, Lee! Glad you are enjoying it. And I bet you don't read as slow as I write. Now THAT is pitiful!

Theresa Milstein said...

You are the link guy!

I'm excited for Jen Daiker.

Happy Halloween!

Maurice Mitchell said...

Number eight?! Awesome man. Can't wait to catch the blog party. And an extra special thanks for mobile formatting. I try and catch up on my blogs on my phone and its a pain trying to load the whole page.

Unknown said...

Congrats on cracking the Top 10!!! Whoo Hoo!! Paarrtteee!!!! Did the scary ovie thing this weekend with my annual fright Fest. I'm hoping to catch The Thing next weekend or Rum Diary...I've heard it flopped, but I don't care. It's Johnny Depp and a Hunter S. Thompson tale. That equals hilarious and strange in my book and I am so there.

reka sang said...

Congrats on the top ten, that's really great. The ebook and all the good news on the blog sounds good...My Nano time has started already....don't know how much will fun it will turn out to be.
Puss sounds like an interesting movie.

dolorah said...

Way to be concise Alex :)

Congrats on all your accomplishments. And have a happy halloween :)

........dhole

Anonymous said...

hey alex
That's awesome congratulations, you sure deserve it, and thank you for sharing all the other news with us :)
Also in reply to your comment on my blog, I suppose if you like horror movies Halloween is as good a time as any to watch them all. I'm a bit of a baby so i won't watch them lol.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Maurice, Rusty had requested the mobile formatting - glad it helps.

Melissa, thanks and I'm sure The Rum Diary is a lot of fun.

Reka, NaNo will be fun - just enjoy!

Eve, I dig horror films, so I'm good to go.

Susan Fields said...

Wow - that's a lot of news! I see lots of congratulations are in order, so congrats all around!

Vicki Rocho said...

Wow - so much good news! And somehow I missed most of it (am I surfing the same blogosphere???)

Congrats on #8 that's amazing!!!

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the bestseller list!! That is awesome. Love it when good things happen to nice people. :)

Helena said...

Wow, top ten? That's fantastic for you (I'm so jealous)!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Vicki, same planet, different worlds! And thanks.

Liz, I try to be nice.

Thanks, Helena. And if it could happen to me, it could happen to anyone.

Luna said...

Congratulations, Alex! I liked your magical answer. :)

Copyboy said...

oh and BTW...princess bride.

Author A.O. Peart said...

Oh, I'm posting the comment number 100 :-)

Alex, you will love Kristen’s book. I took her class a few months ago and I’m in a complete awe for her social media for writers expertize.

Once again, congrats on the Amazon’s Top Ten. That’s huge. Now I’m off to check out your Goodreads book tour.

Jen, congratulations!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Thanks, Jamie!

Angela, I look forward to reading it.

Leovi said...

In just have to think to celebrate the release of Catch Fire!

PK HREZO said...

Just signed up for yours!
I love Puss in Boots. He made Shrek 2 and 3. Was curious if he could keep a whole movie going on his own...and sounds like he can!

Chuck said...

Alex, that is so cool that you made Amazon's top ten! Still anxious for CassaFire's release...I am jealous of those who get to review it early. Can't wait til Feb!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Pk, he did! My wife loves Puss in Boots as well. That's why we saw it this weekend.

Thanks, Chuck! Less than four months. It will happen faster than you think...

Carolina M. Valdez Schneider said...

Congratulations to Elizabeth! I wish her the very best. And to Jen, too! What a great accomplishment.

Good luck with your blog tour, Alex! So exciting, book 2!!

Tyrean Martinson said...

Congrats on the award!
Thanks for the movie review!!! - my husband and I were without kids on Friday night and made a semi-poor choice of watching The Three Musketeers . . .great sword fights, plot with flying pirate ships - not so great.
So, next weekend - Puss in Boots!
And for your response to the Spookfesta question - Amen!

anthony stemke said...

Elizabeth Mueller's Darkspell looks like a terrific read.

Lindi said...

Congrats on the Amazon news!! And thanks for sharing the other news.

Michael Di Gesu said...

How AWESOME Alex.... Congrats on topping 8! That is SO AMAZING. I couldn't be happier for you!

Of course I was in Elizabeth's fest. I leave for Florida tomorrow. A LONG drive. So I won't get to hop around for the Insecure writers as much as I'd like.

I just noticed you topped 1000 followers! Congrats again! I am still inching toward 500... lol. It's slow go, but I will get there.

What a lovely thought for the spookfest....

Donea Lee said...

Hope you had a fun Halloween!! My daughter and I really want to go see Puss in Boots, we'll definitely have to do that soon! And congrats to all that have some wonderful writerly things going on! :)

The Man-Cave said...

Sincerely excited about the sequel after just finding out about it! What can I say...I've been away from the 'verse for a while.