Alex the Great AND Follow Fest!

Part One
As promised ... the Ninja himself - Alex J. Cavanaugh - answering three questions:

Ninja Secrets Revealed

The first thing Carol asked me to share was something unique about myself. I was hoping for juicy dirt :) That proved harder than I expected, as I’m just a regular guy who’s lived a normal, boring, and safe life. Mmm hmmm...I still want dirt :) What could I tell you that was unique and new?

I decided I would share a few random things instead.

I used to live in Arizona and my brother and I would ride our bikes through the desert. One time we’d stopped for a moment only to hear a loud rattle. I guarantee you've never seen two kids pedal faster in your life. And you told your mother this when you were what? 30? 35? WHAT? You haven't told her yet?!

I lived in Japan for a while and I remember getting lots of attention from Japanese women. And candy! Did I mention free candy? Bribery. Or as they say in Japan (per Google): Zōshūwai. Was it Hot Tamales???

Horses and I don’t get along. Last time I was on a horse he kept trying to bite me and nearly backed into a deep pit. He wanted your candy!

I've probably seen a hundred concerts in my lifetime. No joke! I'm not at all surprised. Did you take your candy?

My wife thought I was obnoxious when we first met. Yeah, I probably was back then. Maybe it's because you wouldn't share your candy. Or because she couldn't kiss you through your ninja mask :)

When living in London, I visited every castle I could find. I even had to fight a dragon in a dungeon. No wait – that was during a game of Dungeons and Dragons! I really did visit a lot of castles though. Do dragons like candy?

Crazy Little Thing Called Love

What I've learned most about writing this series is the importance of love.

For one thing, it became the overall theme of my series. I didn't plan it that way, but each book focuses on a different aspect – the love for a brother, the love for a spouse, and the love for a child. Love shows up in most books in one form or another because people crave it. As a Christian, my God embodies every kind of love, so to me it’s vital. Excellent theme! Love is the most important thing in this world.

I also learned how important love is when it comes to friendships. My series wouldn't be a success without the unwavering support of my fans and friends, especially online. So many have given freely, without expecting anything in return, and that’s true love.

A Story in A Story in A Story . . .

You asked if there was a story within the story, and the character of Piten comes to mind. You’ll meet him in CassaStorm, but he nearly didn't happen. His scene was to be small and he didn't even have a name. My critique partner, Rusty Webb, suggested a stronger scene, one that changed the course of the storyline. Once I began altering the last third of the outline, the character took on a new role and became a pivotal part of the story. He went from a no name character to one of my favorite secondary characters, and I hope others enjoy him as well. Cool! Does he like candy :)

Thanks, Carol! I hope I have amused everyone.

You amused me :)

Thank you for guest blogging with me, Alex. You're welcome here anytime.

CassaStorm

By Alex J Cavanaugh

From the Amazon Best Selling Series!

A storm gathers across the galaxy…

Commanding the Cassan base on Tgren, Byron thought he’d put the days of battle behind him. As a galaxy-wide war encroaches upon the desert planet, Byron’s ideal life is threatened and he’s caught between the Tgrens and the Cassans.

After enemy ships attack the desert planet, Byron discovers another battle within his own family. The declaration of war between all ten races triggers nightmares in his son, threatening to destroy the boy’s mind.

Meanwhile the ancient alien ship is transmitting a code that might signal the end of all life in the galaxy. And the mysterious probe that almost destroyed Tgren twenty years ago could return. As his world begins to crumble, Byron suspects a connection. The storm is about to break, and Byron is caught in the middle…

“CassaStorM is a touching and mesmerizing space opera full of action and emotion with strong characters and a cosmic mystery.” 

– Edi’s Book Lighhouse

"Cavanaugh makes world building on the galactic scale look easy. The stakes affect the entire known universe and yet Cavanaugh makes it intensely personal for our hero. The final installment of this series will break your heart and put it back together."
- Charity Bradford, science fantasy author of The Magic Wakes

“Cavanaugh has created wonderfully moving moments of great poignancy… CassaStorm could have been a dark story full of hardship and angst, but instead it's a cleverly balanced story about hope and triumph.”
- Lynda R. Young, author of Make Believe

$16.95 USA, 6x9 Trade paperback, 268 pages, Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C.

Science fiction/adventure and science fiction/space opera

Print ISBN 9781939844002 eBook ISBN 9781939844019

$4.99 EBook available in all formats

Find CassaStorm:

Barnes and Noble - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1116848619?ean=9781939844002

Amazon -

http://www.amazon.com/CassaStorm-Alex-J-Cavanaugh/dp/1939844002/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1378484337&sr=1-1&keywords=cassastorm

Amazon Kindle - http://www.amazon.com/CassaStorm-ebook/dp/B00F2O9QMC/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1378811366&sr=1-1&keywords=cassastorm

Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17670532-cassastorm

Book trailer - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Umm2l0XdHc&feature=youtu.be

Alex J. Cavanaugh has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and works in web design and graphics. He is experienced in technical editing and worked with an adult literacy program for several years. A fan of all things science fiction, his interests range from books and movies to music and games. Online he is the Ninja Captain and founder of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. The author of the Amazon bestsellers, CassaStar and CassaFire, he lives in the Carolinas with his wife.

Website – http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/

Twitter – http://twitter.com/AlexJCavanaugh  

Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4287922.Alex_J_Cavanaugh

Part Two

I'm participating in Melissa Maygrove's Follow Fest. Melissa says:

a cyber meet-and-greet with social media links for business cards.

So without further ado...a tiny bit of explanation, and I will much appreciate any clicks you care to bestow in my favor to the links over in the sidebar.

Name: 

Carol Kilgore

Fiction Genres:

Mystery - Suspense - Romance

Crime Fiction with a Kiss

Titles:

In Name Only

Solomon's Compass

WIP coming 2014

I Belong To:

Sisters in Crime

Mystery Writers of America

Romance Writers of America

Connect with me here:

All my general links are over there in my right-hand sidebar. Starting at the top with the link to my Amazon Author Page. 

Moving through Google Friend Connect, Bloglovin', Feedly and to subscribe by email in order to connect to this blog.

Then there are the other social links - you'll recognize the icons for all the usual suspects. My Facebook for writers link is my regular timeline. My Facebook for readers link is my Facebook Author Page. You are invited to friend or like me or both. I put up different content on each.

If you click on the "G" for Goodreads link and scroll down just a little, you'll see both my books. I would love if you added them to your to-be read shelves. I tried to add the widget to the sidebar for you to do that directly, but either the widget or I failed to perform correctly. I'm betting it was operator error :)

This is my first week back after a five-week hiatus. It will likely take me all week to get around to all your blogs.

See you back here next Monday!