Third Time’s a Charm, Mini-Alex, Gratitude, Wormfest, Movie Trivia Answers, and Ninja News

All of the Challenge Co-Hosts are to do an ‘About Me’ post at the A to Z Blog.
I decided to pass the job to Mini-Alex and let him post instead.
I really hope he did a good job.

Mini-Alex wouldn’t turn on me, would he…?

Third Time's A Charm

By the awesome Hart Johnson (aka: Alyse Carlson)

So you know how the first time you are nervous and excited and you worry that you don't know what you're doing, but you're also in a rush and want to just do it already, so you go for it. You fumble a bit because you don't quite have this skill set, but people are helpful if you ask... Though some of THEM don't know what they're doing, either...

And it goes okay, but mostly you are just stunned to have gotten through it. You are a little wiser now, if a little bruised around the ego.

So you get another chance to give it a go and you think... yeah, I've done this before... I can do it again! I know what I'm doing! I've got nimble fingers and moxy... Dare I say it? I'm sexy! And you give it a try... and somehow you realize you have forgotten some things... and there were things you maybe we excused on the first time as a newbie that this time you should have gotten right... and it's just... AWKWARD. In fact you have to give it a couple attempts before everyone is even satisfied, which is not very satisfying...

But see the THIRD TIME... you know how to do it and you even feel the confidence to try a few new things... break a couple rules... get a little kinky!

So I am releasing my third book tomorrow... What? You thought this was TMI Hour? *cough* Seriously, folks... and it was a BLAST to write, because I neither had the 'I don't know what the heck I'm doings' OR the 'Yeah, I got this... wait, WHAT?'s when I was writing it. I knew my characters well and knew my genre well enough to follow all the necessary rules, while adding some twists to shake things up from typical Cozy fare. My two most reliable beta readers BOTH said it is their favorite of the set, so I think it comes across how much fun I was having.

Keeping Mum is the third Cozy Mystery in the Garden Society Mysteries by Alyse Carlson (pen name for Hart Johnson).

Cam and her best friend, Annie, are planning a gala for a local Senate candidate—a murder mystery themed silent auction where the guests bid on who will be the night’s “victim.”
Murder mystery dinner. What could go wrong?

Hart/Alyse writes books from her bathtub and can be found at Confessions of a Watery Tart and multiple places on Facebook (Hart Johnson personal, Hart Johnson Author, Alyse Carlson Author). On rare occasions she Tweets, but she's sort of a Twit about it.

Ninja News

Jeremy Hawkins is back today! He broke his ankle several weeks ago and has not been online, but he rejoins us today.

Jamie Ayers posted about a boy in her class (she’s a teacher) who died last week. She came to know him better because he read and enjoyed her books, and her touching post is about how we as authors can make a difference. God really can use us to change lives!

Tara Watson is hosting the Self-Lovin’ Bloghop. Between March 17-21, writers are to share what they are good at. (I signed up – anyone care to tell me what I’m good at?)

Steven Symes is looking for critique partners!
“…my paranormal writing crosses genre lines many times. It's not really horror, my current book touches on some low fantasy and science fiction as well as thriller, and I have interests in writing for pretty much all age groups as well as fiction and nonfiction. The big common thread is the paranormal slant on my stories.”

Nigel Mitchell posted a list of links to some really good writing articles, especially if you write in our genre, science fiction.

Cover reveal –
Sidelined (Game On Book 3) by Kyra Lennon
Release Date: March 31st 2014
At the age of twenty-one, Bree Collinson has more than she ever dreamed of. A handsome husband, a fancy house, and more shoes than Carrie Bradshaw and Imelda Marcos combined. But having everything handed to her isn’t the way Bree wants to live the rest of her life. When an idea to better herself pops into her head, she doesn’t expect her husband to question her, and keep her tied by her apron strings to the kitchen.

Don’t forget, Wednesday is Insecure Writer’s Support Group post day!!!

Movie Trivia Answers

1 – Title character from The Iron Giant, 1999 – Vin Diesel
2 – Z from Antz, 1998 – Woody Allen
3 – Title character from Puss in Boots, 2011 – Antonio Banderas
4 – Moses from Prince of Egypt, 1998 – Val Kilmer
5 – Sulley from Monsters, Inc., 2001 – John Goodman
6 – Rocky from Chicken Run, 2000 – Mel Gibson
7 – Fozzie Bear from Muppets From Space, 1999 – Frank Oz
8 – Emperor Kuzco from The Emperor’s New Groove, 2000 – David Spade

Wormfest Potluck Party!

On Monday March14th, Stephen Tremp will be kicking off his Escalation Blog Tour right here! He thought the best way to launch his tour is have one big party for the inhabitants of Blogdom. And you’re all invited. Just bring a dish cleverly named as a pun. Example. Stephen Tremp is bringing Square pies (pi) and Interstellar Cookies. They’re out of this world.

You can choose a food inspired by science, sci-fi, a book, movie, or music. But it’s open to any and all food puns. You can leave the food you’re bringing in my comments. Examples of dishes you could bring: Harry Potter jelly beans, Motley Crutons, Souper Salad, You should get married if you cantaloupe, A salt and battery Fish and Chips, Tequila Mockingbird, Locks Stocks and Bagels, Lettuce enjoy this salad, Iggy Popsicles, etc.

Use your imagination or Google food puns, then stop by Stephen’s blog Monday March 10th and leave what you bring in the comments. (This is separate from the actual 2014 Wormfest Bloghop, although both events kick off the same day.)

It’s All About Gratitude Bloghop

Hosted by SA Larsen

There are so many things I am grateful for – my beautiful wife, my church family, my Lord and Savior, my job and home, the talents God has given me… I’m really grateful for this amazing community. You guys have always been there for me.

Gratitude keeps me humble. None of this is a given. I didn’t earn it. It’s a gift from God.

All I can do is to attempt to pass on the blessings.

What has gratitude done for you?

Is the third time a charm? (I know my best writing is in my third book, even if it’s not sold as many as the other two.) Did you read Jamie’s post? Can you critique for Steven? Ready for IWSG day? Get any of the trivia correct? What can you bring to the Wormfest potluck party? And what has gratitude done for you…?

Be sure to visit Mini-Alex at the A to Z Blog!

The A to Z Challenge – Blazing Saddles and Big Bad Moon, Plus Ninja News

My theme for the A to Z Challenge is Favorite Movies, Bloggers, and Music! I’ll name a favorite movie that corresponds with the letter, and then select a character from the film. I will then name a favorite blogger who reminds me of that character, and then dedicate a song to him. (Also corresponding with the alphabet.) I’ll wrap it all up with trivia and/or fun facts about the movie, the blogger, or the music!

In addition, two lucky commenters this month will receive a review copy of CassaStorm! One comment per day and each is worth one entry except – the first and one hundredth comments on each day will receive ten entries!

Blazing Saddles

Bottom line – it’s hilarious! It skewered racism and homophobia back when such a thing was frowned upon. It was really bold for its time. The cast is outstanding and it makes me laugh every single time I watch it.

Bart is the sheriff, and he’s walked into a potentially explosive situation. Regardless, he still has a great attitude and a sense of humor. He’s slick and surrounds himself with good people.

Who is Bart?

Mark Means at Left and Write!

Mark has swagger and he’s quick on the draw. (You think I’m fast to comment?) He’s a solid individual with an awesome attitude. Mark understands what this community is all about and he’s sworn to protect it.

Mark is a writer with a bit of a geek edge.

To you I dedicate Big Bad Moon, by Joe Satriani, because you are just as bad ass!

“Big bad moon’s looking down on me tonight.”

Facts and Trivia –

Satriani was recruited to play lead guitar on the solo tour of the lead singer for one of the biggest bands ever – name the band.

A’s trivia answer – Joe Johnston directed the Rocketeer in 1991.

Ninja News!

Special thanks to Medeia Sharif - I and my book were her post for A yesterday! That was an awesome surprise. Thanks, Medeia!

Win a Twenty dollar Amazon gift card by nominating/voting for an A to Z blogger you appreciate! See CM Brown’s SITE to vote.

Carol Kilgore’s latest, Solomon’s Compass, releases today!

The lure of buried treasure. A sexy former SEAL. Could USCG CDR Taylor Campbell want more? Don't ask. A story of love, loyalty, and the value of keeping a promise,

Coming May 30 from Rachel Morgan - The Faerie Prince! 

Guardian trainee Violet Fairdale is just weeks away from one of the most important occasions of her life…

Coming this June from Hart Johnson, a.k.a. Alyse Carlson, at Confessions of a Watery Tart - The Begonia Bribe: 2nd in the Garden Society Cozy Mystery series!

Roanoke, Virginia, is home to some of the country’s most exquisite gardens, and it’s Camellia Harris’s job to promote them. But when a pint-sized beauty contest comes to town, someone decides to deliver a final judgment …

Challenge Opens With A Bang!

Didn’t yesterday just rock? So many participants (over 1900) and so many comments. (Crap, I had over two hundred and fifty comments – even I can’t keep up with that!!) Thanks to everyone for your efforts, including my Ninja Minions, because I saw your comments everywhere.

And I would like to apologize in advance, but I will not be able to visit as many as I did on Monday every single day. Between blogger buddies, commenters, and my section of the Challenge list, I’m just not going to be able to visit everyone every single day. So if I skip a post, please don’t be offended. I just need to maintain my sanity this month without burning out either myself or my clones. (Or Al’s dwarves! He will want them back intact.)

Fan of Blazing Saddles? Fan of Mark? Know the rock band? Excited about the upcoming releases? Forgive me if I can’t get to everyone? I’ll still give it my best effort!

Don’t forget – the Insecure Writer’s Support Group posts tomorrow! And come back to see who I feature next...

Ninja Naked with Hart Johnson, Movie Review, and Ninja News!

Special Guest, Hart Johnson, Gets Ninja Naked!

Ninja Fail

First of all, I want to throw out a HUGE thanks to Alex. Alex is probably the most generous blogger I know for spreading the love and helping us feel like a big blogging family. (So we're clear... I am one of the black sheep—erm... maybe rainbow sheep (I only WANT to be a black sheep)—and he loves me anyway). So I really appreciate the chance to share a little love with the Ninja Team today.

I thought, in honor of Alex, I would do a little Ninja assessment of my MC and her posse... though it's not really a posse, you understand... Cam being neither cowboy, nor rapper... But she has a best friend, a boyfriend, a dad, a sister, a brother-in-law... are there any ninja's in The Azalea Assault?

Cam: My MC is darned efficient when it comes to damage control. She spots a problem and can either hide it or spin it so her client, the Roanoke Garden Society comes out smelling like jasmine (which is better than roses, by the way, unless there is a dead body contaminating the experience *shifty*). As the book begins, Cam and Rob (the boyfriend) have a nearly ninja coup! (other than the near groping experience, but never mind), but honestly... Cam gets caught more often than not... her heart is in the right place, but she is NO NINJA!

Her sister Petunia doesn't even TRY to be a ninja. She is so non-ninja she can't deliver a cocktail without being goosed! Poor woman. Her husband, likewise, fails to blend... but for him it is a shady past... a ninja should NEVER have a shady past or EVERYBODY will think he is UP TO SOMETHING!

Cam's dad, Nelson is in his 60s, but that has NOTHING to do with his non-ninja status... you see, HIS problem is he is a BABE magnet. I kid you not. Eligible women of a certain age just are drawn to his charm... hard to be a ninja with a harem... [want to know a secret? Revealed HERE first—the inspiration for this character is the dad on the TV series Frazier—talk about a charmer!--if you were a 50+ woman, wouldn't YOU want to hang out with him?]

So we are left with Annie. Oh, Annie shows PROMISE. She LOVES to sneak around and get away with stuff. But she has a contagious sense of fun and a bit too strong of a channeling of a certain Tart some of you might now... Do you remember the scene in My Cousin Vinny where Marissa Tomei says, “Oh, you blend,”? Unfortunately, THAT is Annie. Very hard to ignore the woman daring people to streak or paint each other with frosting. (And in a blueblood crowd? Not so much...)

On the PLUS side... while Ninjas ROCK, they are better as friends than mystery characters... no suspense in anybody who always succeeds...Much more amusing to watch them SQUIRM! *cue evil laughter*

And we are ALL Ninjas in spirit, eh?

The Azalea Assault

Cam Harris loves her job as public relations manager for the Roanoke Garden Society. It allows her to combine her three loves, spinning the press, showing off her favorite town, and promoting her favorite activity. She's just achieved a huge coup by enlisting Garden Delights, the country's premiere gardening magazine, to feature the exquisite garden of RGS founder, Neil Patrick. She's even managed to enlist world-famous photographer Jean-Jacques Georges. Unfortunately, Jean-Jacques is a first-rate cad—insulting the RGS members and gardening, goosing every woman in the room, and drinking like a lush. It is hardly a surprise when he turns up dead. But when Cam's brother-in-law is accused and her sister begs her to solve the crime, that is when things really get prickly.

Alyse Carlson is the pen name for the author some of you may know as Hart Johnson. She writes books from her bathtub and when she isn't writing, does research for a large, midwest University or leads the Naked World Domination Movement (your choice).

Links
Barnes & Noble Paperback or Nook Amazon Paperback or Kindle
Visit Hart at Confessions of a Watery Tart

Movie Review

We Bought a Zoo
Yes, the stupid zoo movie, (Not to be confused with the stupid owl movie or either stupid horse movies.)
Directed by Cameron Crowe and staring Matt Damon, it’s the true story of a widowed man who takes his two kids to the country to run a dilapidated zoo. (The movie is set in America, but the real zoo is the Dartmoor Zoo, located in the UK.)
This was a sweet story about a family finding themselves again and I was surprised how much I enjoyed the film. A lot deals with handling death, including a situation at the zoo with an aging tiger. Be warned, it is a tearjerker. Overall, a good story with solid performances.
(All right, bring on the next stupid animal movie – I’m ready!)

Ninja News!

Stephanie at Scribbler to Scribe noted that Nightmare Magazine is now open for submissions!

Time-sensitive news from a Challenge co-host buddy - Stephen Tremp’s book, Breakthrough, is free June 18 and 19 on AMAZON Get your copy today!

A.J. Walker’s latest book, a fantasy entitled Hard Winter, was just released. Congratulations, AJ! Check it out on Amazon

It’s cool when someone posts a review of your book – twice as cool as when someone posts two at once! Big thanks to DG Hudson for the reviews of CassaStar and CassaFire.

Do you consider yourself a Ninja? Have you picked up Hart’s new book? Seen We Bought a Zoo? Catch another movie this weekend? Ready for more books? Or do you just want to get naked?