No Escaping Food Porn, What Are the Kargrandes, Battle of the Bands, Movie Trivia Answers, New Releases, and Ninja News

Please welcome fantasy author,L. Blankenship!

No Escape

When I was in the early stages of my fantasy series, Disciple, there was a joke going around about how GRRM’s Game of Thrones would turn into food porn whenever the characters sat down at a table.

So I foolishly said: I won’t do that! How silly! My story’s about war! and romance! and magic! No room for food porn!

For a while, it went fine. My characters ate humble fare: bread, potatoes, cabbage, the occasional hunk of roasted meat. Maybe even some infamous “stew.”

But then came the elk. There was a dinner at a countryside baron’s and there were kings and queens in attendance. Nobody would serve potatoes and cabbage to kings and queens unless there was a famine going on. Serving elk was perfectly reasonable. And then sure, they’d dress it up with a nice presentation -- that impressive rack of antlers -- and some tasty side dishes. Wouldn’t they?

That one dinner opened the floodgates. Next thing I knew, everything had fancy sauces and was being wrapped in pastry. There’s just something about fantasy stories that requires food porn. No writer can escape!

Disciple
The six-part gritty fantasy romance series is now complete!
Disciple, Part VI on sale.
Disciple Omnibus, the collection of all six books, is also available now.

What Are the Kargrandes?

New clue today at What Are the Kargrandes? This is clue number ten – new clues every Monday until the release of Dragon of the Stars on April 7.

Sample Tweets for this week:

What are the Kargrandes? Tenth clue – can you guess? What are their powers? http://whatarethekargrandes.com/ #whatarethekargrandes @alexjcavanaugh

What are the Kargrandes? Are they connected to the Dragon? Solve the mystery by April 7! http://whatarethekargrandes.com/ #whatarethekargrandes

The Thunderclap continues! If you can help spread the word of Dragon’s release on April 7 through either Twitter, Facebook, or Tumblr, please join the campaign. I just need a couple more people. Many thanks to those who have joined – it’s great to know I have some awesome and supportive friends.

My good friend Spacerguy has a blog dedicated to all things Star Trek. He also has a Wikipedia page, and I’m honored to say the Kargrandes are mentioned there!

Ninja News

Donna McDine is visiting the Insecure Writer’s Support Group site on Wednesday, discussing book festivals and their importance.

The A to Z Challenge kicks off in a few weeks! It’s not too late to sign up and join the mad fun. Don’t forget the Great Theme Reveal is next Monday, March 23. Think I can outdo my theme from last year? Not sure, but I did try! We also Twitter chats every Thursday from 1:00 – 2:00 pm Eastern and 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm Eastern. Look for #azchat.

My buddy Jeremy Hawkins runs the website for Howlin’ Wolf Record’s Online Magazine. They feature movie soundtracks, video releases, interviews, and science fiction and horror conventions. Posting several times daily, you’re sure to find something fascinating there!

New Releases -

One Good Catch by Heather M. Gardner

Ignoring a recent trauma that is affecting her everyday life, ER Doctor Kate Maguire engages in some high risk activities, but putting herself in these dangerous situations isn’t enough to feed her edginess. She needs something more...



Heather's a full-time mom, works part-time from home, a chocolate enthusiast, coffee junkie, cat addict, book hoarder and fluent in sarcasm.

Of Blood and Sorrow by Christine Rains

Zodiac Killer: Newly Discovered Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Holy Ghost Writer

Loyalty by Carrie Butler
Mark of Nexus Book III

Battle of the Bands!

Hosted by Stephen T. McCarthy and Faraway Eyes.

Back in the 70’s, Elton John did a song called Love Lies Bleeding.

Several rock bands have covered it since then, including these two prog bands. You know the drill – select your favorite. And with both, the singing doesn’t start until several minutes into the song.

First, Redemption:



Now, Dream Theater:

Movie Trivia Answers

1 – Ratt – Body Talk, 1986 The Golden Child
2 – Queensryche – Real World, 1993 Last Action Hero
3 – U2 – Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me, 1995 Batman Forever
4 – AC/DC – Who Made Who, 1986 Maximum Overdrive
5 – Journey – Open Arms, 1981 Heavy Metal
6 – Guns ‘n’ Roses – You Could Be Mine, 1991 Terminator II: Judgment Day
7 – Kansas – Carry On Wayward Son, 1977 Heroes
8 – Extreme – Play With Me, 1989 Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure

Do you write about food porn? Figured out the Kargrandes yet? (Spacerguy thinks he has!) Ready for the Great Theme Reveal? Picking up some new books? Get all of the trivia right? And which band I is your pick…?
And sorry, having site issues I'm trying to solve, so some links have been removed while I try to find the problem.

Retro Zombie and a Ninja Army Giveaway, Ninja News, Celebrating the Small Things, and Which is Better…?

Today I have the honor of welcoming one of my very best blogger buddies, Jeremy Hawkins from Retro-Zombie!

Jeremy is a returning A to Z Co-Host, an author, and an amazing artist – he’s responsible for my awesome new header. He’s involved in a lot more things than that though! And not only is he here to tell you about it, Jeremy comes with a cool surprise and a giveaway.

Howlin’ Wolf… Ninja Contest and Me!

Welcome to my nightmare and to the voices I have in my head… thank you to Alex for letting play in his blogger pool.

You all might know me, but do you know what I do with my time… well I am hoping to share the light. You might have been to my Retro-Zombie and or my Horror Directory, but have you been to Howlin’ Wolf Record’s site? Well I will give you the short version it started five years ago, it didn’t really have a purpose until the start of last year. This is where good friend Wall Crumpler [Owner of Howlin’ Wolf] contacted asked if I had plans for this site… so I become the voice for this independent record label. We review films, bands, book/authors, scores/soundtracks and have had some great interviews… really stuff or people I think you should know about.

Last year in December 2012 we had just a hair under 10,000 visitors compared to 2011 which sadly was 300-500, lame…I know. I just get to do what I love to do and that is films and score/soundtrack (do I need to tell you the difference)? So many great people out in the world, I just hope to share a percent… so please visit “The Howlin’ Wolf” and say hello!

So I mentioned a contest you may have noticed a new badge to Alex’s site… well you would see a “NINJA ARMY” [thank you, Elise Fallson] t-shirt. Want one? Be the 10th caller… kidding Alex will choose one of you lucky commenter’s here [if in the US, no problem… not most likely a gift card] to the NEATORAMA’s site. Also look around it’s my store see the great and powerful art/designs I have made.

Any Questions, come on just one?
-Jeremy Hawkins

Jeremy, you the man!

And while we’re giving away a Ninja Army t-shirt here, over at the Howlin’ Wolf Records Blog, we are giving away a copy of CassaStar. Double your chance to win something! (Winners will be announced on Monday.)

Ninja News

Laura at the Daily Dodo scared of heights – but she is jumping out of a plane for charity! She is raising money for Life Works, an organization that works with young people with disabilities. Click HERE to donate. We want to see her jump!

The Bookshelf Muse is celebrating five years, a million hits, and 20,000 copies sold of the Emotional Thesaurus! They are giving away a Kindle Paperwhite loaded with 10 ebooks. (And much to my surprise, CassaStar is one of the choices.) To enter, see their SITE.

Robin at Your Daily Dose just brought back her HERE'S TO YOU THURSDAY video dedications – and she was kind enough to dedicate one to me. Thank you, Robin – you rock!

Thanks to everyone who jumped in with a movie quote on Wednesday! This is the official badge if you want to post a quote on your own blog. Every week, I will post the topic for the next week. January 30, it’s “light” fantasy. (Just so you know, LOTR is NOT light fantasy.)

The A to Z Challenge sign ups open next Wednesday! I’ll have a full description of what the Challenge is all about posted as well. Hope you can join us as we rock the blogging world for a fourth time.

Jamie Ayres’ book, 18 Things, is available now! Congratulations, Jamie. And I’ve had fun reading the entries for your 18 Things Blogfest.

Special thanks to Christine Rains for her review of CassaFire this week. Glad you enjoyed it, Christine!

Celebrate the Small Things

“Celebrate the Small Things” is hosted every Friday by VikLit.

Today I am celebrating the fact I learned not one but two new songs this week on my guitar. Actually I had three days to learn and perfect them. Including a solo. No pressure!

I was also informed by my publisher that the cover art for my next book, CassaStorm, would be ready by mid-February. Stoked to see it! I wonder if I should do a cover reveal? What do you guys think – would you sign up to reveal my next book’s cover?

Which is Better…?

And we’ll end with a round of which is better, just for the fun of it.

Which is better?

Star Trek or Star Wars?

And why?

Keep it civil, people! We all want to live long and prosper here. And yes, that should give you a clue as to who I would select, so no flaming.

Any questions for Jeremy? Ready to pick up a Ninja Army or other T-shirt? Excited about the news? Prepared for next Wednesday with your quote and to sign up for the A to Z Challenge? What small thing are you celebrating? And which is better - Star Trek or Star Wars?

Be sure to visit The Howlin’ Wolf - check it out and maybe you'll win a copy of CassaStar!