Taking The World By Storm! Release day of Cassastorm by Alex J. Cavanaugh

This week is a huge celebration party for our own Captain ninja, Alex J. Cavanaugh. His final book in his Cassa trilogy series, Cassastorm, has arrived!! Woot!

One of the great things about this celebration is he personally answered one question from each of his followers (trust me, that's a lot!).

Here is mine:

Of your three books, which one is your favorite?

Now that’s tough! All three have aspects I like and of course I improved as a writer over the course of the series. I think CassaStar still has a special place since it was a story I carried with me for over thirty years.

Thanks Alex!

Here is the blurb and some great reviews on Cassastorm:

A storm gathers across the galaxy…

Commanding the Cassan base on Tgren, Byron thought he’d put the days of battle behind him. As a galaxy-wide war encroaches upon the desert planet, Byron’s ideal life is threatened and he’s caught between the Tgrens and the Cassans.

After enemy ships attack the desert planet, Byron discovers another battle within his own family. The declaration of war between all ten races triggers nightmares in his son, threatening to destroy the boy’s mind.

Meanwhile the ancient alien ship is transmitting a code that might signal the end of all life in the galaxy. And the mysterious probe that almost destroyed Tgren twenty years ago could return. As his world begins to crumble, Byron suspects a connection. The storm is about to break, and Byron is caught in the middle…

“CassaStorM is a touching and mesmerizing space opera full of action and emotion with strong characters and a cosmic mystery.” – Edi’s Book Lighhouse 

“Cavanaugh creates such an unforgettable world, and these characters will stay with you long after their story is over.”
- Cassie Mae, author of Friday Night Alibi and How to Date a Nerd

“…the racial conflicts propelled much of the plot in this story, driving home a message that's relevant to our own world and giving the book an interesting texture.”
- C. Lee. McKenzie, author of Alligators Overhead

You can find Cassastorm:

Barnes and Noble - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1116848619?ean=9781939844002

Amazon -

http://www.amazon.com/CassaStorm-Alex-J-Cavanaugh/dp/1939844002/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1378484337&sr=1-1&keywords=cassastorm

Amazon Kindle - http://www.amazon.com/CassaStorm-ebook/dp/B00F2O9QMC/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1378811366&sr=1-1&keywords=cassastorm

 

Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17670532-cassastorm

 

Book trailer -  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Umm2l0XdHc&feature=youtu.be%3Ciframe%20width=%22560%22%20height=%22315%22%20src=%22//www.youtube.com/embed/7Umm2l0XdHc%22%20frameborder=%220%22%20allowfullscreen%3E%3C/iframe%3E

And of course if you don't know know Alex J. Cavanaugh:

Alex J. Cavanaugh has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and works in web design and graphics. He is experienced in technical editing and worked with an adult literacy program for several years. A fan of all things science fiction, his interests range from books and movies to music and games. Online he is the Ninja Captain and founder of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. The author of the Amazon bestsellers, CassaStar and CassaFire, he lives in the Carolinas with his wife.

Website – http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/

Twitter – http://twitter.com/AlexJCavanaugh  

Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4287922.Alex_J_Cavanaugh

9/11: Remembrance

It’s been 12 years since the horrific 9/11 tragedy. A lot has happened and changed in that span of time. Families’ lives altered forever, realizing America is not impenetrable, The New York skyline which was an icon to everyone around the world, realizing that terrorism wasn’t just an overseas issue, the list goes on and on.

         Twin Towers                                                                 Freedom Tower

I decided the best way to pay tribute today was to look for the positive effects this has brought to us Americans. And there are a good amount.

1) A new respect for our soldiers both here at home and oversees. And a new respect for our police, firefighters, first responders, and EMTs.

2) We have become much more patriotic. We now fly more American flags than we ever have before. Having the National Anthem played at all sporting events has become more meaningful and heartfelt.

3) Our families became even more precious to us because we are more aware now that our lives can be irrevocably changed in an instant.

4) I believe we became more aware of our neighbors and our communities. More people on the streets saying hello to one another. A more collectiveness.

5) An improved overall security with our transportation and country. Yes, it’s a royal pain at the airports, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I certainly don’t want another 9/11 or anything remotely close to that to happen again.

I know there are plenty more positive effects. I would like to see you all list one each. If you can’t come up with one, that’s okay … no punishments, I promise. Even if you’d like to post a thought or whatever. Chime in!

IWSG's Two Year Anniversary

In case this is your first time hearing about us, our wonderful group, founded by our awesome 'Ninja' great Alex J. Cavanaugh, meets once a month to encourage and inspire one another through our writing journeys. It's real simple to join us. Go here to sign up and visit a few of the blogs listed. Leave some encouragement as your words could make a difference in someone's life. And feel free to post one of your own.

This month is IWSG's two year anniversary! Wow, and it's been a great couple of years. I've met tons of new people through here and have had so much encouraging words come from them. They've helped me through a couple of rough spots.

I'm going through the publishing cycle again. If you've been here before, you know I wrote a new paranormal romantic suspense, loosely titled Boneknapper. Well, with some great help from my sister-in-law, Kathy, it has turned into a full blown series, 6 books to be exact. (It never fails, I begin crawling and before you know it, I'm leaping into whatever full force and then some.) Don't get me wrong ... I love it! But, that doesn't mean anyone else will. I've sent Boneknapper and the summaries for the other 5 books into my publisher.

And it's back to the stomach flip flopping, nail biting, praying I don't get a rejection. UGH.

However, one of the things this group has taught me so well is when you fall, dust yourself off and get back up again. And of course, go at it full force.

We have such an awesome group here. If this is your first time coming in and reading some of our blog posts or your fifth, but still haven't signed up, what are you waiting for? You won't be sorry you did :)

Sexy Snippets

It's Sunday. And what does that mean? Yes, it's time for Sexy Snippets! What's that you ask? Every Sunday, some of us girls post up 7 sentences (and at times quite steamy) either from one of our published works or from a WIP we're currently working on. To sign up or to check out other great snippets, click here. 

My 7 is coming from my WIP, working title Boneknapper, in which is turning into a paranormal book series.

Trent has been nearly plowed down  by a truck, nearly taking Ciarra with him. And Ciarra finally admits to herself that she loves him and can't lose him:

Grabbing her hair, he gently pulled her back and attacked her lips again, nipping at the bottom one and prodding her mouth open.

Ciarra’s head swam. She hated to admit it, but she had strong feelings for this man. And she had to have him completely. She wanted to go back to the farmhouse or somewhere. Anywhere so she could rip his clothes off and wrap her legs around him.

Trent pulled away panting. “Ciarra, we can’t do this.”

Free Download of Secrets of Jenkins Bridge

My new plan for blogging has gone from once a week to twice a week (Wednesdays and Sundays). And that plan is still on. However, today is an exception to the rule.

Why you ask? Because over at Amazon, today and tomorrow only, Secrets of Jenkins Bridge is available for download ... for FREE. That's right, absolutely free for 48 hours. It's the perfect read for the weekend if you are looking for a good romance mixed with some great suspense.

If it's on your TBR list, but you haven't downloaded it yet, what are you waiting for? Even if you don't own a Kindle, as long as you have a computer to read it on, you can download it along with Kindle's app for PCs.

Here's the link to my online event party over at Facebook

And the link to download Secrets of Jenkins Bridge

IWSG-Blogging Topics

In case this is your first time hearing about us, our wonderful group, founded by our awesome 'Ninja' great Alex J. Cavanaugh, meets once a month to encourage and inspire one another through our writing journeys. It's real simple to join us. Go here to sign up and visit a few of the blogs listed. Leave some encouragement as your words could make a difference in someone's life. And feel free to post one of your own.

The last time I posted for IWSG, it was back in January. Since then, it's been merely a juggling act in my life: letting go of some things while taking on more responsibility with other things, revamping my entire schedule, taking care of my grandchild, etc. Blogging was one I had to let go for awhile.

But, now I'm back. And my insecurity for the month is finding topics to blog about. Oh sure, there are all kinds of topics, but I don't want to put anyone to sleep, lol.  Part of the schedule revamping includes attempting to post at least once a week from now on ... ahead of time.

Of course, I've had writer's block while working on a WIP, but whiling blogging? Never. Not until now. It's kind of like stage fright. I want to be able to engage my blogging readers, to have topics they might enjoy reading. It's great if they comment, too. But, I will definitely settle for simply reading.

So, this is my challenge for the month. Four posts, including this one, set up and scheduled to post. To engage my readers ... to entertain ... to have them return for each new post ... to win back the ones who have drifted away due to my lack of blogging.

I think I may be up for the challenge ...

Please welcome Andrew P. Weston, author of The Cambion Journals: Rage of Augustus

I am excited to have Andrew P. Weston here today for his Book Cover Tour for his new release The Cambion Journals: Rage of Augustus. It sounds like a great Paranormal Thriller read. While I'm going to go buy my copy, feel free to read on all about Andrew and Rage of Augustus!

About The Cambion Journals - Rage of Augustus

They say revenge is a dish best served cold.
Whoever they are, they’ve never met Augustus Thorne.
Born a Cambion—half-demon, half-human—and cursed with a terrible hunger he can barely control, Augustus spends his life hunting and exterminating any Incubi and Succubae he can find. But no matter how many he destroys, he can always find room for one more. Especially if it’s the foul scum who raped his mother, Augustus’s own father, Fanon.
Driven by rage, his quest leads Augustus through the centuries and around the world until fate suddenly hands him his heart’s desire.
But things are not as they appear and the revelations Augustus uncovers are mind boggling. When he finally corners his father in London, events take an unexpected twist.
Is revenge served upon a bed of scalding rage?
Discover the awful truth in Book One of the Cambion Journals: Rage of Augustus.

Excerpt

I waited in the shadows. I was very, very good at that. I had to be considering the prey I was hunting. He was old, he was powerful and his appetites gave him strength way beyond any other foe I’d ever had to face.
It had taken me decades to get close to him and months to track him to North America, because up until now, he was nomadic. The world was his garden—or his dining room, dependent on your view—and he’d always been cautious and restrained in his choice of delicacies. But at last he’d slipped up!
I’d been scouting the internet and scanning coroner’s reports as usual when I noticed a pattern developing here in Los Angeles. Over a period of only six weeks, five apparently healthy young women had simply wasted away and died. Three were married, one was in a steady same-sex relationship, and the other was single. Further digging had revealed all were extremely popular, active and good-looking.
As you know, Los Angeles is a big city. Just scratching the surface a little will reveal all sorts of sordid goings-on and shady dealings that would make your hair curl. So why would these particular deaths stand out?
I specialize in a very particular method of death. When usually vigorous, energetic people simply fade away and die for no reason, it gets my attention. That by itself would have been enough to warrant a visit. But what kept my interest in these cases were the descriptions of the young women involved.
All ranged from their early twenties to mid-thirties and every single one of them was blonde and extremely attractive. And that was what made me get on a plane and travel thousands of miles across the Atlantic within hours of reading the reports, because only one scum-bag I knew of ever restricted his victims to such a narrow profile. Fanon!
As I mentioned, he was getting old now, and they were just his type. For him to select so many similar victims in such a confined area and in such a short period of time was either a huge mistake or it indicated an arrogance that surprised me. I didn’t really care which; I’d wanted to take him for over two hundred years. And can you blame me?
It was because of him I existed. It was because of him I was a monster, a menace to society, cursed with a hunger I could barely control.
Yes, I am what I am because of my accursed father.
I didn’t care how long I had to wait. Soon he’d arrive, and when he did, I’d make sure he paid in full for what he’d done to my mother.

*****

The shadows are coming…


You can find The Cambion Journals: Rage of Augustus over at Amazon, click here.

About Andrew P. Weston

Andrew P. Weston was born in the city of Birmingham, in the UK and grew up in the towns of Bearwood and Edgbaston. He eventually attended Holly Lodge Grammar School for Boy’s where he was School Captain and Head Boy.
He was an active sportsperson for the school, college and a variety of rugby, martial art, swimming and athletics teams throughout the city.
On graduation in 1977 he joined the Royal Marines fulfilling a number of specialist roles both in the UK and abroad.
In 1985 he became a police officer with the Devon & Cornwall Constabulary, and served in a variety of uniformed and plain clothed departments until his retirement in 2008.
Over those years, he wrote and illustrated a selection of private books for his children regarding the life of a tiny kitten, called, “The Adventures of Willy Whiskers,” gained further qualifications in Law and Religious Studies, was an active member of Mensa and continued to be an active sportsperson, providing lessons free of charge to local communities.
An unfortunate accident received on duty meant Andrew had to retire early from the police force, but after moving to the sunny Greek island of Kos to speed up his recuperation, he was at last able to devote time to the “Guardian Concept” he had developed over his years in the military and police.
When not writing, Andrew enjoys Greek dancing and language lessons, being told what to do by his wife, Annette, and hunting shadows in the dark. He also has a magnificent mustache collection.
Andrew is now contracted to Pagan Writers Press for three books. Fairy Tail, is a short, but dark and gritty erotic paranormal/thriller with a twist. The second book, Guardian Angels is the introductory book to the Guardian Series, a sci-fi action/adventure epic set in the near future. And the latest short story, Blood Moon, is a paranormal action/thriller set in the jungles of South America.

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