Taste of Cyn

Leave The World Behind

By Cynthia Sax on February 10, 2024

Spoiler Alert – This post will talk about the movie Leave The World Behind and will contain spoilers. If you haven’t yet watched this interesting end-of-the-world SciFi movie, you might wish to skip this post.

I had heard quite a few things about Leave The World Behind before we watched it.

I had heard there was no ‘ending’.

For both myself and the Dear Wonderful Hubby, the ending was solid. It was happy for one specific character. That character had one quest throughout the movie and that quest was completed. We also got a glimpse as to what the future held for the other characters. We were happy for the one character and we were satisfied for the others.

Another thing I had heard was there was no explanation for the incidents.

We thought the explanation given was sufficient (and thought provoking). Did it explain everything? No. But strange things happen during disasters.

The final main thing I had heard was the characters weren’t likable.

Julia Roberts’ character was EXTREMELY unlikable. She was a mean selfish person who verbally attacked other people constantly.

But that presented an interesting premise – what would you do if you were stuck in a disaster situation with a terrible person, if you had to semi-rely on that terrible person to not be terrible to you?

I thought the other characters had enough good in them for me to cheer for them and care what happened to them. I liked Mahershala Ali’s character and I REALLY liked Myha’la’s character. She nailed the young 20 something female. I know and love several people who are very much like her. (grins)

Anyhoo…the Dear Wonderful Hubby and I really enjoyed Leave The World Behind. It was a great spin on a disaster/apocalyptic movie.

***

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Strike Zone

A cyborg devoted to duty…and to her.

***

While attending a party, Kesser, the daughter of her planet’s leader, witnesses the abduction of her best friend and her best friend’s mate.

She’s determined to rescue them. Preferably without fracturing the fragile peace agreement her mom has crafted with the abductors’ planet.

The only issue is…she has never participated in a retrieval mission.

Searching for assistance, she approaches the mate’s guard. The male, with his big broad shoulders and deep growly voice, affects her like no other being ever has.

Kesser wants him. She trusts him. And she requires his stealth combat skills.

Desperately.

Strike is no guard. The D Model cyborg has been sent to the sector to discreetly investigate a potential planet-destroying situation.

When a curvy human female with big brown eyes requests his help with a rescue, he doesn’t hesitate to say yes. She’s his genetic match, the one being he was manufactured to protect.

She’s also traveling to the next planet he has to search. He plans to claim his female while he fulfills his responsibilities to his kind.

Neither Strike nor Kesser realizes the dangers facing them are far greater than they imagine. Their enemies are converging, and one failed mission could doom the entire universe.

***

Strike Zone is a standalone, mistaken-identity, Cyborg SciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes-violent universe.

It features a cyborg warrior with a finely honed sense of honor, a human support being taking on her first dangerous mission, and an evil that threatens everyone in existence.

Pre-order Now:

Amazon US:

https://www.amazon.com/Strike-Zone-Romance-Dauntless-Cyborgs-ebook/dp/B0CL5QZBQ8/

Amazon UK:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Strike-Zone-Romance-Dauntless-Cyborgs-ebook/dp/B0CL5QZBQ8/

Amazon AUS:

https://www.amazon.com.au/Strike-Zone-Romance-Dauntless-Cyborgs-ebook/dp/B0CL5QZBQ8/

Amazon Canada:

https://www.amazon.ca/Strike-Zone-Romance-Dauntless-Cyborgs-ebook/dp/B0CL5QZBQ8/

Apple Books:

https://books.apple.com/us/book/strike-zone/id6469583228

B&N:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/strike-zone-cynthia-sax/1144231998

Kobo:

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/strike-zone-13

Smashwords:

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1466811

Topics: Movie Reviews | Comments Off on Leave The World Behind

Lucifer And Having Fun

By Cynthia Sax on June 21, 2021

I talked the Dear Wonderful Hubby into watching the first few episodes of Lucifer (available on Netflix in my corner of the universe) and he is now addicted to the TV show (which is based on characters crafted by Neil Gaiman). We’re watching it from the beginning.

There are a number of reasons why I love Lucifer. Tom Ellis, who plays Lucifer, is super hot. (grins) I also find D.B. Woodside, who plays Amenadiel, extremely attractive. There’s tremendous girl power in the show. The female characters often have bonding and supportive moments. There are demons and angels and, of course, the devil. I really enjoy the casually delivered quips and insults. They make me laugh.

But, most of all, I love how the cast always seems to be having fun. They have glints in their eyes when they are on screen, like they’re sharing a private joke. I feel the joy, the love in even the darkest episodes.

Joy is important for writers also. I think readers can feel when a writer is having fun, is loving a story. When I re-read a story, sometimes for the fifteenth time, I note if it makes me smile.

If the story makes me smile, I hope it will make you smile.

***

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Under Strain

A damaged cyborg warrior is hunted by a peace-loving human female.

***

Strain is severely malfunctioning. The D Model cyborg was the sole survivor after a horrific decision was made by his cruel manufacturers. He hates all humans, and when he attacks one who is under his cyborg leader’s protection, he is reprimanded, stripped of his weapons, and told to watch and not actively participate in the next mission.

That mission takes place on a small remote planet. Its lush terrain should only be inhabited by the cyborgs they were sent to rescue, but Strain senses another presence on the surface. She is watching him, tracking him, hunting him.

A fully operational cyborg would end her lifespan.

Strain wants to claim her. Forever.

Kamyelle is the only one left of her kind. Warriors have killed the other nonviolent human inhabitants of her planet. She survived…barely…by hiding in the trees, observing her enemies, and covering herself with lifeform scan-concealing mud.

When a handsome, gray-skinned, brilliant-blue-eyed male arrives, surrounded by weapon-carrying warriors, she has to save him. Warriors harm and they kill. That is what they do.

She won’t allow them to hurt Strain.

***

Under Strain is a STANDALONE Cyborg SciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes-violent universe.

It features a broken warrior, a human female who thinks he’s perfect, and velociraptor-like dinosaurs who view them both as light, tasty snacks.

Buy Now:

Amazon US:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08R322L7S

Amazon UK:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08R322L7S

Amazon AUS:

https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B08R322L7S

Apple Books:

https://books.apple.com/us/book/under-strain/id1545957749

B&N:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/under-strain-cynthia-sax/1138505613

Kobo:

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/under-strain

Smashwords:

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/10602

Topics: Movie Reviews | Comments Off on Lucifer And Having Fun

The Old Guard And Minor Characters

By Cynthia Sax on November 21, 2020

The Dear Wonderful Hubby and I watched The Old Guard last night on Netflix.

We both really enjoyed this movie. It was action-packed yet emotional, had a message of finding hope in a dark world that really appealed to me, especially in these pandemic times. I could easily relate to Andy (played by Charlize Theron), a warrior who has seen too much and is weary of everyone’s sh*t. (grins) Nile (played by KiKi Layne), was convincing as the brand new addition to the team.

But the characters who stole my heart, who really made the movie wonderful for me were Joe (played by Marwan Kenzari) and Nicky (played by Luca Marinelli). They have a M/M romance subplot that would make any romance reader super happy.

The declaration of love scene was one of the best I’ve ever seen on screen. It inspires me to ramp up my own scenes. Their how-I-met story was adorable and fresh and so very appropriate for two warriors. The brief scenes of tenderness, the cuddles, the glances, the speaking without words, melted my heart. There was a protectiveness in them worthy of any romance novel alpha. Their relationship was SO well done.

I feel no shame about watching the movie mostly for them. Just as I don’t mind it when reading buddies tell me they read Warlord’s Return for Kralj and Dita. Every character is different and we will, of course, be drawn to some characters more than others.

IMHO…this is one of the many reasons why storytellers include minor characters in their stories.

Oh and if you love minor characters and would like to see more stories or shows or movies about them, tell the writers/other creators. I’ve written many extra scenes and snippets and even a novella or two because reading buddies have requested more time with certain characters.

***

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Warlord’s Return

Ariq is a barbarian warrior seeking a war.

He locates that battle when he meets Xareni.

* * *

Ariq is one of Chamele’s top warriors. A genetic predisposition to fighting, paired with intensive training and experience, has honed the scarred male into an effective killing machine. He loves war, can’t live without combat.

The Succession Wars, however, have finally ended and the Chamele sector is now at peace. Seeking excitement and purpose, the barbarian warrior accompanies his Second to the Refuge, an outlaw settlement on Carinae E. He hopes to locate the battle he’s been craving there.

Ariq finds that conflict and more when he meets his fated mate.

Xareni owes the Ruler of the Refuge a favor. That’s the only reason she has returned to the settlement. She doesn’t like crowds or structures or a certain barbarian warrior who insists on following her everywhere. It doesn’t matter that there’s a connection between them, that he makes her burn with desire, that he looks at her with heat in his dark eyes.

She’s a monster and monsters don’t need anyone.

* * *

Warlord’s Return is a STANDALONE Alien Barbarian SciFi Romance featuring a determined barbarian warrior, an equally resolute human female, and an eyeball-eating mini dragon.

Buy Today:

Amazon US:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08FTJY7P1

Amazon UK:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08FTJY7P1

Amazon AUS:

https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B08FTJY7P1

Apple Books:

https://books.apple.com/us/book/warlords-return/id1527631786

B&N:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/warlords-return-cynthia-sax/1137482152

Kobo:

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/warlord-s-return

Smashwords:

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1038052

Topics: Movie Reviews | Comments Off on The Old Guard And Minor Characters

Extinction And Making Viewers Uneasy

By Cynthia Sax on July 4, 2020

The Dear Wonderful Hubby and I recently watched the Netflix SciFi movie Extinction.

I almost didn’t stick with this movie. Yes, there were awesome explosions and great invasion scenes but when I watched the main characters, I was uncomfortable.

Everything was a bit…off. The timing of their responses was slightly delayed. The emotions weren’t quite right. The kids seemed determined to put themselves in the most vulnerable positions possible, having to be saved by the parents again and again.

What I believed were annoying ticks or instances of surprisingly bad acting were, in reality, brilliant storytelling decisions. I was supposed to feel that way. I was meant to pick up on all of that.

Those small irritations were all, as I call them, breadcrumbs. The uneasiness I felt was gifted foreshadowing, something I aspire to in my own stories.

I love dropping clues about the big plot twist, giving reading buddies who pay close attention the opportunity to guess what comes next. I love when reading buddies re-read a story to pick up hints they might not have noticed during the first read. That makes me happy.

Does every reader ‘get’ what I am trying to do? No. Does every attempt I make to do this work? Again, no. And it didn’t work for all viewers of Extinction. That’s why there are so many bad reviews for this movie.

But when it works for a reader, for a viewer…stars, it is magical.

(Also, I LOVED that Lizzy Caplan was one of the stars in this movie. I loved her in Cloverfield and the subconscious coupling with that movie made Extinction even more enjoyable for me. It helped guide me in the absolute wrong direction. – grins)

***

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Other Chameles view him as the enemy.

She sees the warrior hero he never believed he could be.

* * *

Tolui is a Warlord in search of a planet to rule. He has been leading his fellow clones in a stealth battle, fighting for both control of the Chamele sector and the right to exist. The brave warriors he commands warrant respect, and they deserve the best.

That best isn’t the barren, dangerous terrain on Chamele 4. When Tolui crashes on that planet’s surface, he’s determined to leave it as soon as possible. The tiny human female rescuing him might be as beautiful and as wild as the land she inhabits, but her flowing words, trusting gaze, and enthralling submission won’t stop him from rejoining the war.

After many solar cycles of living alone, Lea is overjoyed when a tall, scarred, muscular warrior falls from the sky. Her savage stranger is strong and severe, and he makes her feel safe, an emotion she hasn’t experienced in a long, long time.

He also insists they must part. Before they do, she’ll show him the splendor of her home, and she’ll enjoy his big form, collecting passionate moments she can revisit when she’s solitary once more.

Every additional moment Lea and Tolui spend together increases the chance they’ll both die. Lea is being chased by female-hating fiends. Tolui is being hunted by the best bounty hunters in the universe. War will soon arrive on their threshold, and the blood spilled might be their own.

* * *

Warlord’s Mercy is based on a much shorter story sharing the same title.

It is a STANDALONE Alien Barbarian SciFi Romance featuring a villain turned hero and a brave, chatty heroine set in a dark, gritty, sometimes-violent universe.

Warlord’s Mercy is the fifth of six core stories in the Chamele Barbarian Warlord series.

Book 1: Warlord Sky

Book 2: Warlord’s Bounty

Book 3: Warlord Unarmed

Book 4: Warlord Reunited

Book 5: Warlord’s Mercy

Book 6: Warlord’s Return

Buy Now:

Amazon US:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0886K65F9

Amazon UK:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0886K65F9

Amazon AUS:
https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0886K65F9

Apple Books:
https://books.apple.com/us/book/warlords-mercy/id1511995733