#AtoZChallenge A to Z Reflections & the May #IWSG & the BBC Blogfest!

Boy, I sure got lots to talk about in this post.

Let's get right to it.

The 2015 Blogging from A to Z April Challenge was awesome. It was busy and crazy and time-consuming and rewarding and just plain awesome.

I only came up with my theme shortly before it began even though I knew well in advance I'd be doing the Challenge. I always say that I work better under pressure.

Truly, The X-Files theme fell into my lap with the announcement of a six-part mini series. I consider myself lucky that I had 'almost' enough stuff to show you guys for the whole month. :)

As a Co-Host I spent a lot of time looking at other people's blogs. I saw some really amazing ones with fantastic themes. I wasn't smart enough to jot them all down, but I did write down a few.

Of course ... my three amazing Stormy Sidekicks!

Sarah Foster from The Faux Fountain Pen! - Her theme: **My theme for this year’s A to Z Challenge is THE NAME GAME. Everything you’d want to know about naming characters.**

Jennifer L. Hawes from The Writing Game! Her theme: Greetings from Hannibal, MO, Mark Twain's boyhood hometown, my theme for this year's AtoZ Challenge.

Diana Gordon from Part Time Monster! Her theme: We’ll be talking about Lady Monsters all month long.

All the incredible co-hosts!
Arlee Bird @ Tossing it Out
Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh
Jeremy @ Hollywood Nuts
Nicole Ayers @ The Madlab Post
Author Stephen Tremp
AJ Lauer
Pam @ An Unconventional Librarian
Matthew MacNish @ The QQQE
Zalka Csenge Virág @ The Multicolored Diary
S. L. Hennessy @ Pensuasion
C. Lee McKenzie @ The Write Game
Joy Campbell @ The Character Depot
Susan Gourley @ Susan Says
John Holton @The Sound of One Hand Typing
Lisa Buie-Collard, Author

And these blogs!

Katie @ TheCyborgMom

Gene’O @ Sourcerer

Chuck Allen

Kelly @ Saucy Dryad

Tim S. Brannan @ The Other Side  
Victim to Charm 
J.H. Moncrieff  
Nick Wilford @ Scattergun Scribblings


There were more. I know there were more. When I run across them again, I will certainly share them.

THANK YOU again for coming to visit Stormy, BOB the Alien, and me for the Challenge!

***

#IWSG

Alex J. Cavanaugh: Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

His awesome co-hosts for the May 6 posting of the IWSG will be Eva Solar, Melanie Schulz, Lisa-Buie Collard, and Stephen Tremp!

My first book is supposed to be re-released on May 20th and I don't have my edits back yet.

Sales have come to a crashing halt.

Upcoming advertising for the books is slower than molasses.

My MUSE is MIA!

I'm losin' it!

But...

...I know its only temporary.

Right?

***

The BBC Blogfest!

Blood, Boobs, and Carnage Blogfest!

Hosted by Alex J. Cavanaugh and Heather M. Gardner. 

Yes, Blood, Boobs, and Carnage!

Alex used that phrase last year to describe an upcoming movie release. It amused many people, including ME. (Okay, mostly me)  So, naturally we decided to make it a blogfest.

What falls into that category? Here’s a few examples – Conan the Barbarian, Breaking Bad, Fast and Furious, The Watchmen, etc.

Here’s the details, short and simple:

On May 18, 2015, post about a movie, television show, book, or all three that falls into the category of Blood, Boobs, and Carnage. (Or just Blood and Carnage or other mixture.) It can be any genre that fits the bill – fantasy, science fiction, action, adventure, western, thriller, etc. Post the badge and visit other participants.

Have you signed up? I can't wait to see what you guys come up with!

Go HERE!!!

[Insert sigh of relief here] April is done. Bring on May! #marvelmoviemarathon & Melinda De Ross!

Howdy.

The month of April is really long! Did you know that? I mean, not as long as those months with the 31 days, but still, really long!

The Blogging from A to Z April Challenge is now (*almost) over and I can get back to my normal stuff around here.

Complaining.

But first!

It's Avengers 2: Age of Ultron opening weekend!

Yeah, baby!

The BOY and I are doing a re-watch of all our favorite Marvel movies (thanks to our local library) before we go see A2 on the big screen.

7 from the library. 3 are mine. One day I will own them all.

We started with Iron Man, but I think we may have to change it up. 

There are two ways to go about this. Watch the movies in release date order or chronological order.

What do I mean? Here are the lists.

Release Date order: (*updated)
Iron Man 5-2-2008
The Incredible Hulk 6-13-2008
Iron Man 2 5-7-2010
Thor 5-6-2011
Captain America: The First Avenger 7-22-2011
The Avengers 5-4-2012
Iron Man 3 5-3-2013
Thor: The Dark World 11-8-2013
Captain America: The Winter Soldier 4-4-2014
Guardians of The Galaxy 8-1-2014

Chronological order: (**updated)
Captain America: The First Avenger
Iron Man
The Incredible Hulk
Iron Man 2
Thor
The Avengers
Iron Man 3
Thor: The Dark World
Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Guardians of The Galaxy

*dates from IMDB
** According to CNet my order was wrong.

Really only the top half of the list changes, but if we want to follow the actual Marvel Universe timeline...

I know. I know. Most of you have already skipped to the bottom of this post.

Either way its awesome. So excited!

According to CNet, my list was wrong so I did update it. Check out their LIST with all the TV shows mixed into the timeline!

***

*I did say almost. :)

If you're interested in the A to Z Reflections post head over to the Main Challenge Blog to get more information on when to post and when to sign up! Remember, you sign-up on the Linky List AFTER you post on your blog!

You'll also find your 2015 Survivor badge there!

***

I have a special two book share from my former FPR buddy, Melinda De Ross!

Italian businessman Giovanni Coriola and English target-shooting trainer Sonia Galsworthy have only two things in common—a sizzling chemistry and no desire for commitment. When they meet in London, the world starts spinning faster and they quickly become addicted to each other. The incendiary passion between them skyrockets into smoldering, once-in-a-lifetime love.

Just as they thought they had things settled, a strange discovery triggers a mysterious spiral of events that puts their lives in danger more than once, with no apparent reason.

What connection could there be between an ancient amulet, a secret society and the long-dead poet Dante Alighieri? A sinister, complicated conspiracy that gradually catches up with the characters. And of course, one last twist before the ending.

*Dante’s Amulet is a follow-up of Mirage Beyond Flames.

 

~~~<>~~~

Ironically, it all starts with a popular book about BDSM. When Angelina Jameson steps into her boss's office armed with an acid article about 'Billionaires, BDSM and Blah-blah-blah', she thinks her career will take off. But her career aspirations drop into second place when she finds herself face to face with her nemesis.
Blade Spencer is the new editor-in-chief of Unabridged—the literary magazine where his ex-lover Angelina works. For three years, since she fled small town Jamestown without a word of explanation, they haven't heard from one another. Now, when they meet again, the past and all the feelings they once had between them come rushing back, making them realize their love has never died. But can they reconcile their new circumstances and the changes that have occurred during the three years they were apart? Neither is the person the other used to know.
Then there is the faceless shadow who hunts them from the dark, driven by obsession and greed...

*This book contains strong language and explicit descriptions of sex.

 

Find these & more on Amazon

Melinda De Ross lives in her native Romania with her husband and a pair of rude parrots. She attended Law School, got her degree but worked as a journalist for several newspapers, polishing her writing skills.

It never occurred to her that she wanted a career as an author until she began writing, as therapy to get perspective on a crucial part of her life.

Melinda was a professional target shooter for a decade, winning multiple National Championships. She was breaking records in her teens until health issues forced her to give up the sport.

Out of that heartbreak, Rendezvous with Faith—her first novel— started taking shape and so began her career as a Romantic Suspense author.

 Other books by Melinda De Ross include:

-       Rendezvous with Faith (initially published under the title Rendezvous with Hymera);

-       Unabridged;

-       Mirage Beyond Flames;

-       Dante’s Amulet;

-       Chronicles of The Blood Countess;

-       Be My Valentine;

-       A Touch Of Poetry.

-        

She loves to hear from her readers, and you can find her at:

http://melindadeross.com/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Melinda-De-Ross/513999791983330

https://twitter.com/melinda_de_ross

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7163748.Melinda_De_Ross