CAST"S OFF! ... SMALL THINGS WITH BIG IMPACT....

Happy Friday, everyone!

As many of you know there is the Friday Small things are worth celebrating.... Thanks to Viclit....

For me, it was getting my cast off yesterday and NOT having to have surgery. Although my wrist is very stiff and painful, after a month of physical therapy and the splint, I should be back to normal. I am VERY THANKFUL this accident wasn't worse.

Our Angels not only guide us, they protect us from major harm. Yes, this was a major set back in my life, but like all of life's ups and downs we must persevere.

Thank you ALL for you prayers and kind thoughts. They've meant the world to me at a time I was crushed physically and mentally. A special thanks to my good friend, Morgan Shamy, for checking on me. There were times when I needed to vent my anger and needed a kind heart to hear my frustration and she was there for me. So, THANK YOU MORG! YOU'RE THE BEST!

This is what our community is all about. Support for ALL of life's difficulties and also for the HAPPY TIMES. Like today. This is the first time in a month I've felt like the energizer bunny... I am at the computer ... not in front of the TV watching mindless drivel. CELEBRATE my friends .... we are all truly blessed to be a part of such an amazing community.

HAVE A SPECIAL AND WONDERFUL WEEKEND ALL!

A STORM'S A BREWIN ........

Another Tuesday ....


An usual storm rolls over the bright azure skies to a gun-metal gray. Winds kick to unregistered mph as thunder cracks. "Damn. Why does it ALWAYS happen? I'm always lulled into a false sense of security. Chicago weather is so frickin' unpredictable."

I continue my journey, skirting the lakefront. Ferocious winds rip through my face and my fingertips freeze and numb. As I reposition my scarf that unraveled and took flight, a flash sparked out of the corner of my eye.

My head snaps. "What the ...." With bulging eyes, my jaw drops and a massive shiny metal monster floats toward the shore. Fire kicks from the rear of the object, catapulting the vessel to eye level. My lids blink feverishly, not fully comprehending the situation.

A clear voice calls out "Hey, Michael. Need a lift?"

Thunderstruck, I see a flash of a smile. As my vision clears the face smiles again and a hand waves.

"It's me .... Come on board, I need your help."

I shake my head, and the letters etched into the side of the vessel register through my memory. "It can't be?" I muttered. I shout over the roaring jets, "ALEX?"

He nods, beaming brighter than the lights on the aircraft. "Let's go. We're needed elsewhere. I'll fill you in on all the details as we streak to our next destination."

A side door opens and a bridge floats towards me. "Yes, Ninja Captain Alex." The smile already carved into my face broadens. I leap onto the bridge and race inside  ...


The JOURNEY continues ...

We'll all be able to take a voyage with our Ninja Captain Alex on Sept. 17th! It should be quite the JOURNEY!

ALL THE BEST, ALEX!!!!

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…

“With a talent for worldbuilding and a compelling cast of characters, Alex J. Cavanaugh combines high powered space battles and the challenges of family dynamics to provide readers a space opera with heart.” 
- Elizabeth S. Craig, author of the Southern Quilting and Myrtle Clover mysteries

“I thought the revelation was going to be one thing and I was completely wrong … CassaStorm pushes the limits…”
- Tyson Mauermann, Speculative Reviews

“…mesmerizing story of survival, personal sacrifice, tolerance, and compassion. It’s a rare jewel that successfully utilizes both character and plot to tell a story of such immense scope and intimate passion…” - Nancy S. Thompson, author of The Mistaken

$16.95 USA, 6x9 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 - 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

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

BLURBS ... HOW IMPORTANT ARE THEY? ... REALLY? ...

Hi, Everyone,

I hope you all had a great weekend. With the autumn season upon us, it's time to shake things up and move forward.

As most of you know, I have set up a new service creating blurbs. But do we realize how important these few paragraphs are to the overall sales of our books? Extremely. The cover draws the reader in, but it's the blurb that seduces the reader into wanting to read the story. Once hooked, speedy fingers click purchase.

Is your blurb strong enough? Even a published novel can be reborn again with an exciting new blurb. Fellow blogger and published author, Julie Flanders hired me to create a new blurb for her next book, The Ghosts of Aquinnah, a soon to be released novel. After I sent the final draft, she contacted me again to write a new spin on her current novel, Polar Night ...

Just by changing the focus to a different character and adding a bit of tone and atmosphere, a new blurb will appeal to even more potential readers.

Here is the original blurb ... which focuses on the main character. Although the Detective's story is interesting, he's not "the story" he's a player in the story... So Julie decided she wanted to bring the paranormal aspect of the story front and center, therefore changing the focus. 

When Detective Danny Fitzpatrick leaves his hometown of Chicago and moves to Fairbanks, Alaska he wants nothing more than to escape the violence and heartbreak that left his life in pieces. Numbed by alcohol and the frozen temperatures of an Alaskan winter, Danny is content with a dead-end job investigating Fairbanks' cold cases. That all changes when a pretty blond woman goes missing on the Winter Solstice, and Danny stumbles upon some surprising connections between her disappearance and one of his own cold cases. Forced out of his lethargy, Danny sets out to both find the missing woman and solve his old case. 

The investigation points Danny towards Aleksei Nechayev, the handsome and charming proprietor of an old asylum turned haunted tourist attraction in the Arctic town of Coldfoot. While Danny has no evidence to prove Nechayev is involved with the missing women, his instinct tells him that Nechayev is much more than what he seems. 

Danny has no idea that Nechayev is hiding a secret that is much more horrifying than he could ever have imagined. And when his determination to find the missing women sends Danny on a collision course with Nechayev, Danny's life and the world as he knows it will never be the same. 

Here is the new blurb ... I added my atmospheric spin to "the story" and created a more intriguing blurb by just focusing on one main scene. I hope you like it as much as we do ...

At noon the sun awakens as rural Dalton highway is painted on the arctic, Alaskan horizon. Silhouetted against the burning haze, a haunted asylum pierces the never-ending sky.

A woman screams.

A silken voice and a powerful grip to the throat persuades her silence. His classic, Russian features, not unlike the minted image of Czar Nicolas II, remains frozen in time. “Please do not disappoint me like the others, my darling.”

The doorbell chimes. He releases his hold and caresses her cheek. “Natasha,” escapes his lips as he ascends the creaky wooden stairs. A calm hand opens the door. The glistening snow on the front porch pales against Aleksei’s skin and charming smile. 

The callused hand of detective, Danny Fitzpatrick, flashes a search warrant. His puffy, bloodshot eyes lock onto Aleksei’s ...

The young woman cries out, but only Aleksei hears. They will never find you my dear. This beaten and hung over man does not have a clue.

Hours later, the detective crosses the threshold and shudders as if encased in a block of ice. The sun drops to sleep and an eerie shadow creeps along side him. He shakes his head.

Aleksei watches from the peephole. You feel my immortal essence ... do you not.  A forceful hand bolts the door. Aleksei probes his elongating eye teeth. 

It is time for a new plan ...

See how changing the focus draws you in more personally. You are part of the scene, not just looking in. This is how we hook our newest reader. Let them FEEL the story as if part of it. This introduction MUST grab them like icy fingers clutching their arm.

So take a look at your blurb ... would you buy your book?

Take time writing your blurbs ... it is SO important for the success of you book!

And remember I'm here if you need some atmosphere and a change of focus.

Julie Flanders is also hosting an exciting giveaway, so PLEASE drop by her bog to enter ... AND... Polar Night will be available at a special price for a limited time! So hop on over to Julie's blog.

Have a wonderful day everyone ...

A SPLIT SECOND COULD CHANGE YOUR LIFE ...

Hi, All,


Welcome to another post for the IWSG! Can you believe it's TWO years already?! Alex J. Cavanaughs' brainchild certainly has given us so much blogger love and support.

How wonderful is this monthly meeting? We can actually express our fears without judgement ... only support. Thank you, Alex.

Anyone can sign up! Just click here.... -http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html -

This month's co-hosts are:

Chemist Ken http://hogwartssabbatical.blogspot.com/

SL Hennessey http://pensuasion.blogspot.com/

Michelle Wallace http://www.writer-in-transit.co.za/

Joylene Nowell Butler http://cluculzwriter.blogspot.com/

As many of you already know, I was mowed down by a cyclist exactly two weeks ago. With the head injury I sustained, it created the kind of terror and anxiety no person should have to endure. I let few people know, keeping positive and praying. Not just to heal, but not to lose my magic ... my writing, my artistic talent... Yes, I worried ... BIG TIME. 

The concussion had left me with difficulty focusing... dizziness, and sadly lack of interest. I had watched countless hours of TV... more than I had watched in three years! I rarely watch TV. Typing one handed had frustrated me ... keeping me away from all of you ....     

Now here's the BUT....

But, each day I managed a bit more... My stubborn, bullheaded self would not give in to this. Yes, I was knocked down and broken, but persevered AS every true writer/artist MUST do... Life is full of obstacles .... some we put there ourselves, but others hit us when we least expect it.

Don't give up my dear friends. Our journey together must keep moving forward no matter what stands in our way.

I feel blessed knowing how your prayers and good wishes HAS HELPED me heal at incredible speed. I hardly believe it myself... I thought I'd be disfigured and not even recognize myself. The first week I jumped from the mirror, hating the image I saw... Now, the bright smile has returned to a ever-so-slightly scared face... even the chip in my tooth doesn't freak me anymore. And the main reason for this...  it's because my mind hasn't been scared. God and my guardian angels had protected their gifts to me. 

I am truly blessed to walk away from this with just a broken wrist and a few tiny facial scars. The six inch Frankenstein scar at the top of my forehead will take a year or so to fade. But with a new scar cream the ER nurse suggested I use, it may perform some magic... it did on her.

Thanks again everyone for your warm wishes and prayers. I hope they continue to help. I find out tomorrow whether I'll need surgery on my wrist... I will certainly keep you posted.

Don't forget to visit the other posts for inspiration. I plan to do the best I can. I know you understand if I can't get to most of you. One handed typing is very tiring.

Have a Great day everyone!

NEWS ... NEWS ... NEWS ... ATTN. Y/A AUTHORS ... ALL GENRES! ...

HAPPY LABOR DAY, EVERYONE!

I am finally back from my rehab... although still in recovery, I am doing so much better. I'm still typing with one hand, but hopefully on Thursday my splint will become a shorter cast and I'll be able to straighten my arm to attempt typing... although my wrist is broken, my fingers still work.

I'm also sending out hugs to all of you! I know your prayers and good thoughts have aided me at a very traumatic time in my life. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You all mean the world to me.


Now for THE EXCITING NEWS ....

As you all know I had illustrated a logo for a new publisher created by two authors... Well, their official site airs Today! And submissions will be open on September 9th! All genres in Y/A will be welcomed ... CONGRATULATIONS BookFishBooks!!!!! Drop by their site for submission details...

I am really excited about this new publisher, and I will be submitting my second novel, The Blinded Gardener, as soon as I tweak my synopsis.

Now Heeeeeere's Simon .... the mascot and my creation for BookFish Books ... Let me know what you think!

I hope everyone is enjoying their holiday weekend. See you all back here on Wednesday for the Insecure Writer;s Support Group!

THROUGH THE SHADOWS OF THE PAST ... THE 194O'S REVISITED ...

HI, EVERYONE!

Thank you all for your prayers and well wishes! I am hanging in ... hating every minute of my down time. Taking down an active dude is just not right. I'm no couch potato ...

Sadly my recovery will take at least six weeks! Not working out that long will surely take away all the hard work I put into keeping fit. I am very thankful that it's not worse, but I am angry that it will change my life to such an extreme. Life can be soooo challenging at times!

I wish I could at least write, BUT typing with one hand is so frustrating and TIME CONSUMING!

Anyway, enough self pity...  I'm a fighter and I will get through this like i've gotten through every other obstacle in my life!

I did manage to write over five hundred words before the accident for my entry for Denise Covey's, WRITE ... EDIT ... PUBLISH ... Another excerpt from my film noir novella ...

The prompt ... a vacation...

A bit of back story...  In 1947, a young woman, dressed as a flapper, was invited by her girlfriend to the elegant Palmer House in Chicago for a Halloween Party. There she meets her friend Doris and a blind date: a detective. He is the friend of Doris' gangster boyfriend, Marty.

The two couples get acquainted and dance the night away.... then, right after Liberace's performance, she gets abducted by Marty....

A light snow falls on this All Hallows day. 

A chilling breeze mixes with a soft haze which lingers over the city. Dim streaks wrestle their way through dense, gray clouds as the once dancing fringe of a flapper’s dress drags the pavement, tattered and fraying.

Scratched legs climb a cracked and crumbling front stoop. Hands shaking, Rosemary reaches into her purse and pulls out the front door key. Flashbacks of the struggle with Marty race through her mind. His rough hands tearing at the fine material of her dress; her feeble attempts to escape as he pulls her into that dark alley; and her screams muffled by his brutal backhand. The bruise still throbs as she places a trembling hand on her cheek. 

The door opens with an eerie creak. She drifts through and the subtle scent of rose water still perfumes the air. The artificial mink slips off her shoulder and puddles on the thread worn carpet.

What if ... 

She chews her lower lip. 

Over and over the scene replays, flickering through her mind like an old silent movie. The blinding light reflecting off the mile-long chrome of that black, glossy Packard, screeching to a halt; the two hoods jumping out, grabbing Marty, and stuffing him into the trunk; and then ...

She stares down at her beaded purse overflowing with hundred dollar bills.

His words still rung in her ears. “This is for you toots,” he said, as he reaches into his pinstriped vest and pulls out a stack of bills  ... “I can tell you ain’t no moll. Marty’s gonna get his, don’t you worry about it.” He smiles. “Take a little trip south for a while. Remember, you ain’t seen nothin.”

“A trip south?” A hushed whisper escapes from her lips. She picks up the purse. There must be over five grand in here. 

 Her heart beats faster, as the trace a smile crosses her snow-white face. “Why not?”

*     *     *

A wool coat drapes over a battered, brown suitcase, sitting next to an open door. Rosemary addresses an envelop and seals it. Tears roll down her face. She sighs. A chill runs down her back. At least Miami will be warm. 

The chair leg catches on the ragged pile of the carpet as she stands. “I certainly won’t miss this dump.” She looks around the room and takes a moment, focusing on each stick of furniture: the speckled brass bed covered with the thinnest of spreads, the scratched pine dresser with the cracked mirror, and the rickety table with only one chair. She shakes her head. No I won’t miss this.

She steps over the the smudged window. A hint of light illuminates the fire escape and dingy alley.

A tap on the door startles her. She spins around, holding her breath.

“Eh, lady. Did you call for a messenger?”

“Ah, yes.” She hands him the letter. “Please deliver it to the address on the envelope.”

“That’ll be half a buck.”

She grabs her pocket book, takes out a bill, and stuffs it into his hand.

“A Undred? A bead of sweat forms on his brow. “I-I ain’t got change for this.”

“Keep it.”

He scratches his head and knocks off his cap. Half-dollar sized eyes meet hers.

“Gee. Tanks, lady.” 

“Now, go!”

He snatches up his cap, looks up, beams, and races into the hall. 

“And get some elocution lessons with that money.”

She smiled. At least I made someone’s day.

I wanted to write more ... the vacation part is coming ... i hope to post the rest later today or tomorrow... Please drop back and let me know what you think.

Have a great weekend everyone!

A preview of what's to come ...

I WAS HIT BY A CYCLIST YESTERDAY... BASHED UP, BUT OKAY....

Hi everyone,

Sorry to post this, but I was hit by a cyclist  on the lakefront yesterday.... should've stayed with Tammy! lol.

I have a broken wrist ...left thankfully... 13 stitches in my forehead, Gotta keep up with Harry Potter, right? abrasions all over.... but thank God no swelling in my brain... so i can still write and draw! I guess my guardian angel was on a break. But she did send a medical student to my rescue... he found me... another earthly angel who  i don't even know.....

I am praying  I don't need surgery ... my insurance only covers so much. But the cyclist has insurance an hopefully it will pay my bills. the splint may be enough... it was a clean break ....

I wanted all of you to know,  I may not be as visible around the blogosphere.... but i'll try... going crazy already...i am not the laying around type....

Take care everyone!

I am hoping to finish my entry for write... edit.... publish... i have half of it done ... so I may be able to finish it....