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About Toi

All About Me Monday No. 02 #thetoiboxofwords #geek

I’d like to start the day off by counting my blessings. Here’s number 25.

blessings

Currency (printed or coin money)

While working on a story, set in a time of little technical and social-economic advancements, I begin to realize what a blessing currency is. I’m not talking about a love of money and the pursuit of it; this isn’t about greed. I’m talking about economic exchanges. While the barter system will never go out of existence, it’s nice to not have to depend on it daily.

Currency gives us options and opportunities. If everything we acquired in our lives was based on trading, I don’t believe many of the riches people in the world would still be so rich (this could be a good thing or a bad thing). Currency eliminates the need to always have something that someone else wants in order to get what you want or need. If I had to carry chickens with me everywhere I went in order to pay for clothes, fuel, entertainment, etc. I don’t think I’d be going out very much, not that I do anyway. I’m blessed to live in a world with currency, even if it isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be.

Now it’s time for some inspiration with My Geekdom 25: Hellboy

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My Geekdom

You may or may not have noticed that I have a thing for angels, demons, and other similar creatures. For me, Hellboy is the ultimate misunderstood hero. As much trouble as the Hulk has to face, Hellboy may actually have it worse- I mean “Hell” is in his name.

So let’s break this down into the most basic quandary. He’s red (that’s not normal). He has horns and a tail all the time, not a shapeshifter (that’s really odd and scary). He has a hand that looks like a brick wall (that’s really intimidating). Oh and he’s the spawn of hell, an actual demon, but still a good guy (see why adoption and proper care is so important).

I like heroes that break the norm and challenge people to look at themselves and face their own demons, so to speak. Even with the current popularity of superheroes, in general, there are still many people who won’t even consider reading about or watching anything related to Hellboy. I think that’s part of the reason some people won’t pick up my Eternal Curse Series, but there’s more to it.

In any case, people who do give Hellboy a chance soon find that the wise-cracking, cat-loving, monster to be a true blue hero who just happens to be more than a little rough around the edges.

Now it’s time to get a little personal with my Top 5Animated Comic Book Movies (24).

sample This is a list of my top five something. Most of the time my lists are pretty static, but sometimes I do change my mind. While I do try to apply some logic to my choices, sometimes I pick things that make no sense and for no good reason other than “I like it.”

Wikipedia

Animated Comic Book Movies

1. New Frontier, DC

2. Batman – Red Hood, DC

3. JLA Paradox, DC

4. Planet Hulk, Marvel

5. Next Avengers, Marvel

If DC could consistently do with their live action films what they’ve done with their animated features, and some of their TV shows, maybe they could have a movie monopoly like Marvel. As of right now all they currently have is one good Superman movie that they are trying to use as a bridge to bring in a new Batman and all new Justice League down the road. Until recently, you’d think Batman was the only hero in the DC universe because of the success of past movie franchises, but hopefully that will all change soon.
BTW- I <3 Batman!

So now, it’s time to end things on a more biographical note with my Listography of: My Guilty Pleasures (24).

listography

These are the lists that tell my life story. They are in no particular order and some of them are very personal. Please be nice, and if you want to share, I’d be glad to take a look at what you have.

My Guilty Pleasures & Vices

– White Cheddar popcorn and chocolate together

– Violent Foreign Films (not sure why they have to be foreign, but violent US films don’t appeal as much)

– Saying I’m “pissed off”. (I rarely am, usually only annoyed, but I need to find a better way to express myself.)

– Shifter love stories (though finding non-erotica or non-YA ones is becoming harder, I might lose this GP)

– Dog and puppy videos any time of the day.

– Cursing when I’m angry (I’ve actually gotten better at this, and all my anger issues in general, but until I get complete control of my tongue, it’ll always be on my list).

– Robot/Android/Cyborg, etc… movies, books, shows, whether A-list or D-list. Can’t get enough of em.

While I’m no monster, I’m definitely not a saint, but this is all I can think of right now.

Listography are books and a website dedicated to helping you write or consider your autobiography through the process of making lists.

Go ahead, add your two cents. I’d love to know about you.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords

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EC: Battleground EC: Giovanni's Angel Promotion Videos

Video miniseries & Book Blast by @toithomas. There’s a #yorkie, a #giveaway, and Eternal Curse: Battleground.

Welcome back friends to The ToiBox of Words. I want to thank you for giving me a chance to tell you all about my latest book. Eternal Curse: BATTLEGROUND is the second book in my EternalCurse Series and it is bigger and better than the first. Written for both teens and adults, this paranormal adventure is packed full of diverse and dynamic characters, exotic and remote locations, a not too distant future, and of course the ongoing battle between good and evil. Eternal Curse: BATTLEGROUND officially releases (one month from today) May 16, 2015 at the Tidewater Comicon in Virginia Beach, VA and also online. This is a great time to pre-order your copy today!

Sound interesting, but just not sure if the sequel is a good place to start? Have no fear, my You Tube miniseries Eternal Curse Influences and a Yorkie will help you feel right at home with this book series. So go ahead and check out this episode of the five part miniseries and be sure to enter my EC: BATTLEGROUND Pre-release Giveaway for a chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card, from April 13th through April 17th. Sorry, the Yorkie is not included in the giveaway and no purchase is necessary. 

This giveaway has been extended to April 30th.

Like that? Be part of the conversation on twitter and tell me what media (book/movie/show etc…) you think was influenced by some other creative work. Click here to reply to my tweet and use the hash-tag #influenced in your reply. I can’t wait to see what you all have to say.

One random tweeter will receive a free digital copy of both Eternal Curse companion guides. Qualification ends 4/18/15 at 11:59 pm ET. Winner announced via Twitter on 4/21/15 around 12:00 pm ET. And now, the book…

Book Title: Eternal Curse: BATTLEGROUND
Series: Eternal Curse Series (book 2)
Author Name: Toi Thomas
Publisher: Amazon, CreateSpace, The ToiBox of Words
Reading Level: Teen/Adult
Genre: Paranormal Adventure, Religious Urban Fantasy
Content Rating: PG-13
Available Formats: paperback, ebook
Number of Pages: 305
Pre-order: The ToiBox of Words

The Blurb
In the future, will all the petty problems of everyday life be fixed or will it all go down the tubes? Giovanni and Mira can’t really say since they are too busy fighting the ongoing battle between good and evil in order to save the world- fixing it will simply have to wait.

Sometime in the fairly distant future, Giovanni and Mira are enjoying a life together but they are living no fairytale. When tragedy strikes in a way Giovanni is not prepared to deal with, he will have to decide whether life amongst the humans is worth fighting for or leave it all behind to seek a righteous calling.

Giovanni, along with a new ensemble of half-breed comrades and human companions, head into battle to face Marcos, his greatest foe. Blood, bone, and ash will be left on the battleground and the world will never be the same.

~

Don’t forget about my giveaway. Just think, it only takes 1 entry for a chance to win this prize, but if you’re feeling frisky, go for more. Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords

 
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My Geekdom

My Geekdom 11: Batman

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Pins from Pinterest that inspire me and indulge my geekness. http://pinterest.com/toinette_thomas/my-geekdom/

Please do not copy this image. Click this image to visit Pinterest and share, share, share 🙂

Here is some more cool conceptual art. If there is still someone out there who didn’t know I like Batman, well, now you know. He’s my favorite comic book hero. The only other hero I’m liking as much as him right now is, Giovanni, from my Eternal Curse Series, but that of course is a little biased.

Batman is my favorite comic book hero whether he’s the caped crusader, part of the dynamic duo, the world’s greatest detective, or the dark knight. He’s my favorite for three basic reasons.

1. He’s super smart and observant.

2. He’s not afraid to admit it when he doesn’t know something; that’s why he spends so much time researching and training, so he can know as much as possible. If anything, he’s a role model for doing your homework and not wasting a good mind. (We’ll just overlook his policy on following the rules.)

3. He has no super powers, but is the first to be called when the super heroes need help.

Don’t get me wrong, I know billions of dollars have helped Batman’s cause, but that’s one more reason why I like him as a person (real or fake good qualities count). Bruce Wayne, or whatever Batman is popular at the time, is who he is because of tragedy. Batman could easily have chosen to become a villain, but he chose to be good (or at least fright crime). Speaking specifically of Bruce Wayne, despite his playboy persona, he’s a hero because, even with all his money, he knows he could never be happy knowing that there is evil unchecked in this world as he sat around and did nothing.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords