Confession #8: Sailor Moon

16/04/201414/05/2014 / Dani Hoots Author / Leave a comment

I confess, I was part of the Sailor Moon craze in the 90s, who that loved anime wasn’t?! I knew everything about the Sailor Scouts, had every manga and the entire series on VHS (I feel old)…. Each having only a couple of episodes on them so I had a whole bookcase full of Sailor Moon VHS.

I hope the release them on DVD for the US again, it is ridiculous trying to find them at affordable price. I found them on ebay for sale, but not quite sure if its the official licensing…

Anyway, my favorite character has always been Sailor Uranus. She is awesome and is the reason I cut my hair so short and wear boots :).

When I reread the manga last summer, I fell in love with Sailor Mars. I didn’t originally like her but since it had been so long since I read them, I didn’t realize how much different she was in the manga than the anime. She’s a lot more snobby in the anime but in the manga you see a different side of her. I like it a lot.

And we can’t forget Tuxedo Mask! Such a hunk, I had a crush on him. Crazy enough, I accidentally (I swear it was an accident) bought my husband Darien’s outfit in the anime. A green jacket, jeans, black shirt. I was sitting the store thinking oh that looks really good! And familiar…… hmmmm….. It wasn’t until three days later did I realize why it looked familiar!

So who is ready for the remake this summer?! I cannot wait!!! They are supposed to follow the manga closer and I really hope they include the short stories as well! It is going to be great, I’m counting the days!!!

In that name of the moon, you shall follow my blog!

Dani

Confession #7: Stargate Atlantis fan

09/04/201411/04/2014 / Dani Hoots Author / Leave a comment

I have to confess, I actually haven’t seen all of SG-1. My parents watched it when I was a little girl, but I really don’t remember much of it. My husband and I started the first season, but I really like ~~Joe Flanigan~~ Stargate Atlantis better…. Sorry!

I am actually re-watching the series right now, almost done with season 1. So far, there are four Star Trek references and John Sheppard has said he likes ferris wheels at least four times as well. If I ever meet Joe Flanigan I will ~~faint~~ ask him if he actually likes ferris wheels because now I am very curious. Also, has anyone noticed Joe Flanigan has very pointy ears? Some reason, to me, it’s really sexy….

Anyway, back to the show. I find it very interesting, especially since I love history and mysteries such as Atlantis. But the ancients leave Atlantis 10,000 years ago, and Plato is the one who talked about the myth, would the myth still be circulating 7,500 years later? Just a thought… Although myths about Homo Floresiensis circulated for a while after the species disappeared. Anthropological concerns…

I diverge again! I love how every planet they go to is at different levels of progression. It’s like snap shots of our history. I wish the made this different, not all cultures progress in the same way, especially if they are on different planets. Again, Anthropology major speaking… The other problem I have is with character decisions. I don’t like Lt. Ford’s reaction when given orders. He argues with them usually, which I don’t think would happen because he was picked for this mission because how good he was in the military. Therefore he would take orders and shut up. The other problem I had is when Sheppard was going to leave people behind on a planet that was attacked by the wraith. I really don’t think he would, he woke the wraith in the first place because he couldn’t leave people behind, not to mention his record talks about not obeying orders because he doesn’t like leaving people behind… Just something I thought I would pick on. I love all the physics stuff, makes me feel like I’m back in modern physics class…

My favorite episode is Conversion. I think Joe Flanigan did a great job acting like he was becoming a wraith in this episode. ~~It’s exactly how I think he would act if he were to play the part of a certain character in my novel…~~

So what are your favorite episodes?

Dani

Emerald City Comicon!!!

01/04/201407/04/2014 / Dani Hoots Author / Leave a comment

My husband and I had a blast flying up to Seattle and attending Emerald City Comicon. We met a bunch of fantastic people and brought home a bunch of goodies, including two Alan Tudyk signed dinosaurs! It was a very busy con and I had a lot of fun! Included here are some pictures of people at the con and a couple of my husband and I with some actors. We got to see a few of our friends and can’t wait to one day move up to the NorthWest.

Enjoy the pictures!

Sneak peek for the future #1

28/03/201404/06/2014 / Dani Hoots Author / Leave a comment

Hi all!

I wanted to let you know what is scheduled to come out in the next few months on Amazon(all tentative):

May-Damon Salvatore: Life After Lost #3

June-Damon Salvatore: Life After Lost #4

July-Damon Salvatore: Life After Lost #5, A Falling Starr Trilogy: Forgotten

September-A Falling Starr Trilogy: Found, A World of Vampires #1

October-A World of Vampires #2

November-A World of Vampires #3

December-A Falling Starr Trilogy: Free, A Falling Starr Trilogy: Complete Paperback Edition, A World of Vampires #4, A World of Vampires #1-4 Paperback Edition

Along with these stories I will be posting artwork, downloadable murder mystery parties, and new photography on my etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/UrbanWriter13

Thanks for following and I look forward in creating these works for you all to enjoy!

Dani

Release Announcement #2: Fallen Back

27/03/201427/03/2014 / Dani Hoots Author / Leave a comment

It’s here! The second installment of Damon Salvatore: Life After Lost. We dig deeper into Damon’s story as he now befriends the human Katherine. But what Damon doesn’t know is that there is something even darker than him lurking in London. Will he find out what it is before it is too late? Find out in this all new story!

I want to say thank you to my writing group that keeps me on pace! My friends V, Faye and Ruben that help edit my work. Also thanks to my parents for helping me edit as well, to my husband who always has faith in me, and to everyone who has helped me get this far. Thank you all!

Fallen Back is available here: http://www.amazon.com/The-Vampire-Diaries-Fallen-Salvatore-ebook/dp/B00J9NHLEW/ref=zg_bs_6118587011_28

Confession # 6: Space Invaders

19/03/201426/03/2015 / Dani Hoots Author / Leave a comment

I llllllllllllllloooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooovvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvveeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Space Invaders! Especially Nintendo 64 version. I used to play for hours, trying to beat all the masters at each level. My dad and I used to play every night to see how far we could beat it. I remember the day we finally defeated the final boss, taking at least 10 lives for both of us (that boss is hard!).

Now I can beat the entire game in 40 minutes. If I am stressed and need I break, I pop the cartridge in the 64 and play until I beat it (again, 40 minutes). I love how easy it is for me now and cuss at the game every time the mothership doesn’t give me what I need, but the same stupid item for the fifth time! Double shot is a necessity in that game and when that stupid mothership doesn’t give it to me, I get pissed.

I have the game on my phone, little magnets on my fridge, and I really want a tattoo of the alien ship someday. One of my writing group members has floppy disks on his classroom wall shaped like a space invaders. I am soooooo stealing that idea when I move to Washington. I had a little hand held game in my purse, but it kept going off randomly in public.

I wish the arcade down the street had it, but then I would spend way too much time there so it is probably a good thing it doesn’t. I am also good at a few racing games, but that is for another post.

What are some of your favorite classic games? Reply below!

Bloop bloop bloop pew pew!

Dani

Confession #5: Wonderland

12/03/201425/03/2014 / Dani Hoots Author / Leave a comment

I love Alice in Wonderland!

The quirkiness, the hidden mockery, the not-so-hidden mockery, the curiosity, the adventure, it’s truly a wonderful story. I love a lot of the remakes and spin-offs, especially syfy channel’s Alice and QuinRose’s Alice in the Country of Hearts.

Mad Hatter is definitely my favorite character, especially in the spin-off’s I mentioned above. He’s quirky, and mad (of course) and you just don’t know exactly what he’s going to do.

I love the strangeness behind it all, how anything is possible and nothing is what it seems. That is why I love Simon Green’s Nightside Series, with his stories, anything is possible and you never know what’s going to happen. Same with Wonderland, you don’t know what’s in your future, or is it just a dream? I’m currently working on a novel that is inspired and based off of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, and hope to get it published one day. I have a lot of fun thinking of strange things to happen, and then have to go back and make them stranger. There are no boundaries and that is why I love writing science fiction and fantasy.

Last Halloween I threw a Alice in Wonderland Murder Mystery Party. I downloaded the story off of http://www.printablemysterygames.com/?page_id=26 and put it all together. I decorated my patio, made tea snacks and had a bunch of tea (of course) a long with miss-matched cups and saucers that I found on etsy. Everyone had a blast and I have included pictures below. I was Alice since I was the host and my husband was the Mad Hatter. I let everyone have their own take on their character and let them have fun with it.

I always try to find some new take on Alice and am currently reading Splintered by AG Howard. I just started it (like on the first page) so I don’t quite know where she is going with it but I will probably enjoy it. If there is anything you think I should check out, please comment and let me know.

We’re all mad here,

Dani

The Cook and Cheshire Cat (stealing a cookie)

Tweedledum (Alice in the Country of Hearts style)

Ace and the Queen of Hearts

Everyone having fun after the mystery

amazing food I put together

Alice! (Me)

The Cook and the Maid

The Maid

Alice and Cheshire Cat

My decorating 🙂

White Rabbit

Mad Hatter and Alice

The mystery unfolds!

Confession #4: I am a Browncoat

05/03/201422/03/2014 / Dani Hoots Author / Leave a comment

I have to confess that I am a Browncoat. If you don’t know what that is, close this window immediately and watch Firefly on Netflix. Yes it is only one season. No, do not ask where they other seasons are or you will make a Browncoat cry. Seriously, we will cry. For those who have seen Firefly and Serenity, you know exactly what I am talking about.

I didn’t see Firefly until it was off the air, sadly. I watched the movie first, so I wasn’t as connected to the characters when certain things happened to certain people (not going to give away spoilers) but after I went back and watched the show, I became more attached, and, well, you know the rest. My favorite episode was”Trash”, with YoSaffBridge being my favorite secondary character. I love her, she is amazing and kicks a**. My other favorite commentary has to be with the episode “War Stories” since Nathan Fillion and Alan Tudyk are talking about their time with that episode. It’s amazing if you haven’t seen that one, go watch it with commentary. I promise you won’t regret it.

My goal is to meet all of the main cast in person and get their autograph and a picture take with them. So far I have met Adam Baldwin and Jewel Staite. This year I will be going to cons that have Alan Tudyk, Nathan Fillion, and Mark Shepard, so I cannot wait for those. Pictures with the two actors are at the bottom of this post 🙂 I had Adam sign a cunning hat, Jewel a bear patch, and Alan will sign toy dinosaurs, Nathan a replica of his gun, and Mark I will have sign a bowler’s hat.

I totally geek out everything there is a Firefly references on any show, especially Castle. Nathan Fillion is the master at randomly referencing the show. I cannot wait for his panel at Phoenix Comicon, it is going to be terrific!

I have attended a Browncoat Ball/Shindig in Phoenix. It was last October and I had the most amazing time with my husband. It was an all weekend event and we took the Lassiter Track, which we got to play laser tag. I met some of the coolest people ever there. I would love to attend again, but next year it is in the East Coast and I don’t think I will have the time or money (especially with so many actors going to Phoenix Comicon). Next year it is going to be a murder mystery so if you get the chance, do attend one, it is worth the money.

I’m excited about the new comics, I need to go buy the first two of the new series. I hope Nathan talks Joss into making a new movie or something, but with Marvel owning his soul I don’t think it will be any time soon. (Although he did get Much Ado About Nothing out in a week…). Here is to dreaming!

Stay Shiny!

Dani

Adam Baldwin!

Jewel Staite!

Release Announcement #1: Buried Heart

27/02/201402/03/2014 / Dani Hoots Author / Leave a comment

Hi all!

Amazon has a wonderful program called Kindle Worlds where authors can post stories in different worlds that they have copyright to. So, of course, I wrote one for Damon Salvatore from Vampire Diaries. The title is Buried Heart, Book 1 of the Damon Salvatore: Life after Lost series. The series takes place in Europe during the time between when Damon was turned into a vampire, and when he sees Stefan for the first time in 1912. I’m hoping to release one everyone month so stayed tune for more!

Here is the link! I hope you all enjoy!

http://www.amazon.com/The-Vampire-Diaries-Buried-Salvatore-ebook/dp/B00IPOIOGU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1393781171&sr=8-1&keywords=dani+hoots

Confession #3: Renaissance Faire

26/02/201427/02/2014 / Dani Hoots Author / Leave a comment

Just so you know, I LOVE the renaissance faire! What is there not to love? Great food, great music, great acts… it’s brilliant!

The first thing I do when I get to the faire in the morning is go straight for breakfast. Can you all say “bread pudding”? The best bread pudding EVER! They even put creamy sauce on top and some strawberries. Nothing is better than strawberries!

Once I get my bread pudding, I go straight to watch Tartanic. Bagpipes, drums, men in kilts. Perfect morning entertainment. Tartanic is a great celtic band that if you haven’t heard of them, go check them out right now! Nothing wakes you up better than blasting bagpipe music from your boom-box! (Yes, I just said boom-box).

After Tartanic, I usually walk around and check out all the shops. There are hundreds, I swear! Shops for jewelry, leather work, kilts, hammocks, swords, garlic, and so on. And if you dare, you can even get your fortune told from one of the five or so fortune tellers.

There are many shows, such as birds of prey show (not good for people afraid of birds such as me), Tortuga Twins (sssssooooooo funny!!!), real-life jousting (real-life part new this year), Barely Balanced, and so on. There is definitely enough to keep you entertained all day, not to mention people dressed up and talking to you all funny as you pass by. That’s alway the best.

I, of course, dressed up for the faire. I went as a woodland fairy. My friend made me the most awesome wings and they came out FANTASTIC! I got the outfit itself on etsy and the shoes are from Rue 21. The belt and pouches my friend made more for graduation/christmas/birthday. He does amazing leatherwork and needs to open his own shop! My friend went as a pirate, the sword and belt from my collection. Went perfect with her outfit. My husband went as the Dread Pirate Roberts! A lot of people recognized him too, which was great. Got one person yelling Zorro. Idiots.

For lunch I had one of the best sheppard pies I had ever had. The turkey leg (really emu) are amazing as well, along with bread bowls and anything else you can find there. I found out I don’t like mead, it taste like cough syrup, disgusting! I love honey too, its sad really.

There is a jewelry shop that sells puzzle rings. It is actually where my husband and I got our wedding rings. They have beautiful jewelry and the people there are super nice. Here is their website if you are interested in puzzle rings: http://www.puzzlering.net/

All in all, I had a great day at the faire and will definitely be there again.

Huzzah!

Dani