F – Favorite People

Another departure from the tattoo theme to bring you a special announcement regarding one of my FAVORITE people on the web. It’s release day for Alex J. Cavanaugh. -Sydney Aaliyah Michelle

SCAVENGER HUNT! Comment to win an autographed copy of Dragon of the Stars, tons of bookmarks & postcards, and a $20.00 iTunes gift card–where is Mini-Alex? Visit Alex for a list of the participants.

(Open through April 11 – winner announced April 13 at Alex’s blog.)
Dragon of the Stars - Alex J CavanaughAvailable today!
Dragon of the Stars
By Alex J. Cavanaugh
Science Fiction – Space Opera/Adventure/Military
Print ISBN 9781939844064 EBook ISBN 9781939844057
What Are the Kargrandes?

The ship of legends…

The future is set for Lt. Commander Aden Pendar, son of a Hyrathian Duke. Poised to secure his own command and marriage to the queen’s daughter, he’ll stop at nothing to achieve his goals.

But when the Alliance denies Hyrath’s claim on the planet of Kavil and declares war on their world, Aden finds his plans in disarray. Entrenched in battle and told he won’t make captain, Aden’s world begins to collapse. How will he salvage his career and future during Hyrath’s darkest hour?

One chance remains–the Dragon. Lost many years prior, the legendary ship’s unique weapon is Hyrath’s only hope. Can Aden find the Dragon, save his people, and prove he’s capable of commanding his own ship?
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Amazon | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Chapters | iBook | Overdrive | Amazon PB

Mini Alex 9Author Bio:  Alex J. Cavanaugh has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and works in web design, graphics, and technical editing. 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. He’s the author of Amazon Best-Sellers CassaStar, CassaFire, and CassaStorm.

Blog | IWSG | Twitter

Sydney Reviews Shattered Veil by Tracy E. Banghart

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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Synopsis: When everything that defines you is stripped away, who do you become?For Aris, a talented wingjet pilot, war means sacrificing everything: her home, her name, her face–and the one promise she swore she’d never break.In the small village of Lux, everyone flies wingjets, but nobody flies them like Aris Haan. When she’s not dancing through the skies, she’s spending every minute with Calix, whom she’s loved since childhood. They plan to Promise, but instead he is sent to defend their dominion against a bloody invasion. Determined not to lose him, Aris follows, joining an underground network of women inside the male-only military. Using secret technology that allows her to pass as a man, she becomes “Aristos”, a Flyer in a search-and-rescue unit.As Aris grows stronger on the battlefield and more comfortable in her guise as Aristos, her personal mission becomes less and less clear. When she and her enigmatic commander, Major Vidar, uncover an astonishing conspiracy that could destroy everything, she must make a choice that will determine not only the fate of her heart, but the future of her dominion.

Mulan meets Battlestar Galactica in Shattered Veil, the story of how one young woman’s quest to save her beloved leads her to save the world.

Review: It’s been a recent occurrence in my long reading life that I have grown quite fond of science fiction books.  I am envious of the skill of world building. Creating a world from scratch and being able to describe the site, sounds, smells, air, ground, and space for the reader is nothing short of a miracle to me. 

Tracy E. Banghart doesn’t this like a master and Shattered Veil is a well done book. The world she builds, the technology she invents, the characters she  creates makes me want to pack up and move to this world and see it up close and personal.  

On top of the amazing new world, there is a great New Adult story about a girl who though her world was heading in one direction, but finds herself in a situations that turns her world upside and changes the way she thinks about everything. Typical New Adult theme taken in a completely different direction and I enjoyed the journey it took me on as I read the book.

I also want to take the opportunity to thank Banghart for making this book the start of a true series. I’ve read so many 1st books in series where I had no desire to see what else happens to the main character. Writing a series seems to be the popular thing at this time.

Shattered Veil is book 1 because Aris’ story isn’t done and I am so looking forward to seeing how she continues to grow.

I am ready to declare Aris the new Katniss. Shattered Veil is all that is good about New Adult Science Fiction books and more.

A few of my favorite things

Tattoo References: “blood-red tattoo that encircled the women’s shaved head. ” “a tattoo of a sleek blue and black fish dove down his cheek, another curling under his ear and along his throat.” “large and black with leaf-green accents, impossible to miss. She’d asked for an olive tree to remind her of Lux.” It was a tattoo rich environment. 

Movie References:  The book had a great movie-like pace and I loved the characters. It would make an amazing movie.

Favorite Line:  “Travelers often suffered vertigo when visit Lux; the milky walkways that connected the buildings, built high on carbonated stilts, were translucent, and the impenetrable chest-high path walls transparent.”  – An amazing example of Banghart’s world building.

*Just a few of my favorite things. 

Author Bio:  

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Tracy E. Banghart is a cheesy movie–loving, fantasy football–playing (go Ravens!), globe-trotting Army wife who began “practicing” her craft at the age of five, when she wrote her first story. She loves visiting the international friends she met while pursuing her MA in Publishing and spends a portion of every summer at her family’s cabin in Canada, where she finds inspiration and lots of time to relax on the dock. She lives with her husband, son, two lazy dogs and one ornery cat. When not writing or spending time with her family, she is on a mission to bake the perfect cupcake.

Blog | Twitter | Goodreads

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CassaStorm by Alex J. Cavanaugh – It’s Finally Here!

CassaStorm by Alex J Cavanaugh

Comment on Alex’s blog this week for a chance to win a Cassa mug, mousepad, magnet, and swag!

When Alex volunteered to answer our questions, I’m not sure he knew what he was getting into. It was a great idea in order to engage his fans and allowing us to be a part of the most anticipated book release of 2013. My question:

What technological advancement in the Cassa series is most likely to be invented in our lifetime? What is the least likely?

We already have computer tablets in the form of iPads, although ours aren’t connected to a network at all times and no matter where we are. That would be handy. I can also see us developing spaceships with full gravity. (If we work fast enough.)

Sadly, I doubt we’ll ever see teleporters in our lifetime. Bummer.

Bummer is right. I would pay big money for a teleporter. No more planes and no more traffic!

CassaStorm

By Alex J Cavanaugh

From the Amazon Best Selling Series!

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
$16.95 USA, 6×9 Trade paperback, 268 pages, Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C.
Science fiction/adventure and science fiction/space opera
Print ISBN 9781939844002 eBook ISBN 9781939844019
$4.99 EBook available in all formats

Find CassaStorm:

Barnes and Noble Amazon Amazon Kindle Goodreads

Book Trailer:

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

Cassa Trilogy

Best and Worst Movie Remakes Blogfest

Best and Worst Movie Remakes Blogfest

Hosted by Alex CavanaughStephen Tremp, Livia Peterson, and Al Diaz.

What a cool line up!

Best Movie Remake – Total Recall

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The original was good, but let’s face it, it was an Arnold Schwarzenegger movie.

The remake stared Colin Farrell (love him) and Kate Beckinsale (love her) and included hot fight scenes between the two (love it).

The movie made me want to write science fiction. I wanted to build worlds and create technology and choreograph chase scenes through multi level, maze like hotels. The world created in this movie was inspiring.

Worst Movie Remake – Father of the Bride

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Steve Martin is a good actor, but he could not fill the shoes of Mr. Spencer Tracy in this classic role.

And, the original had Elizabeth Taylor as the bride.  I can’t even remember who played the bride in the remake.

Spencer Tracy is brilliant. He was nominated for an Oscar for best actor for this role and the movie and the screenplay were also nominated.

Have you seen the new Total Recall?  Have you seen the old Father of the Bride? What do you think are some of the best and worst remakes?  

The Ninja Captains Big Reveal!

CassaStorm by Alex J Cavanaugh

CassaStorm by Alex J. Cavanaugh

http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/

A storm gathers across the galaxy…

Byron thought he’d put the days of battle behind him. Commanding the Cassan base on Tgren, his only struggles are occasional rogue pirate raids and endless government bureaucracies. 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, shaking Bassan to the core and 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 be on its way back. As his world begins to crumble, Byron suspects a connection. The storm is about to break, and Byron is caught in the middle…

Release Date: September 17, 2013

Science Fiction – Space Opera/Adventure
Print ISBN 9781939844002
E-book ISBN 9781939844019