Cheers, Cavanaugh Blogfest!

Welcome to the Cheers, Cavanaugh Blogfest.

Here’s the lowdown:

Have you ever attended a holiday party where you bump into the one person who's always been there for you throughout the last year? You’d want to thank them for being incredibly stellar, right? If there’s one person in the Blogosphere who you would want to say cheers to, who would it be?

For us, it was a no-brainer - Alex “no hyperlink needed” Cavanaugh!

Without being asked, Alex has become a blogging enigma, always helping hundreds of his fellow authors by announcing book releases, hosting guest posts, guest interviews and always leaving positive comments. We can’t have a live party for the Ninja Captain, but we can host a yuletide BlogFest!

Hosted by Mark Koopmans, Morgan Shamy, David Powers King and Stephen Tremp, this blogfest will run from December 10 - 12!

On those days, answer these four questions as creatively as you'd like:

·        In +/- 20 words, what does Alex look like?

·        In +/- 20 words, who could play Alex in a documentary (living or dead)?

·        In +/- 20 words, who does Alex remind you of?

·        In +/- 100 words, (excluding the title) write flash fiction using all these prompts:  Cavanaugh, Ninja, IWGS, Cosbolt, guitar

Here are the rules:

·        Be a Follower

·        Join the Linky List

·        Post your 200 word contribution       

·        Have fun?

I chose to write my entire tribute below as a piece of flash fiction, clocking in at 199 words.

Interpret it as you will.  I just hope you enjoy it, Alex.  Thanks for all you do!  XOXO

~ Nancy

“Your Pain is Self-Chosen”

A single light shone down onto the darkened seven-inch high platform The Cosbolt referred to as a stage.  A narrow triangle of smoke-filled air glowed above a lone performer’s head.  He sat on a wooden stool, one foot propped up, a guitar slung across his knee.  His chin lowered, his short, dark hair glistened like a halo.  As he raised his hazel eyes to the black space before him, his broad shoulders lifted, and he drew in a measured breath. 

Silence surrendered to gentle strums of the metal strings and soft vibrato of Cavanaugh’s recorded voice, a perfect rendition of Layne Staley’s Nutshell.  His gaze held firm to the dark form of the actress playing his wife, sitting four feet away at a small round table.  A knowing smile split her ruby-red lips and a flash of white dazzled the music ninja as the lyrics trailed away and the music ebbed. 

He mouthed I love you before the light above faded.  The hushed crowd, still cocooned in darkness, erupted into untamed applause and howls of admiration.  Spotlights flickered on, illuminating the red IWSG banner behind the stage.

The director yelled, “Cut!  Thanks, Mr. Jackman.  You’ve done Alex proud!”  

       

THE MISTAKEN Blog Tour: Day One

I can’t believe I actually made it here—launch day for my debut novel, THE MISTAKEN.  It's been quite a journey, filled with many ups and downs.  Some goals I've achieved and others I haven't, but I never let anything get in the way of my goal, to see this book published.  They say your first book is your favorite, your baby, and I couldn't agree more.  Even if my writing does get better, as with most writers, I can't imagine any other being quite the labor of love that this one was.  I hope those of you who read it will enjoy it.  But for right now, grab my badge (custom-made by the lovely Carrie Butler) and join me and my friends on my blog tour.

First stop—Mark Koopmans.

I met Mark about a year ago and was quite impressed with the man.  He’s one of those rare gents women can totally relate to, who truly seems to understand us.  An Irishman living in Hawaii, Mark is sweet, kind, and generous, a stay-at-home writer-dad with stunningly beautiful children.  Check out my interview over at his blog today.

FYI – Every follower who comments here over the next two weeks will be entered into a drawing for an ARC of The Mistaken and a bookmark.  Plus, 5 runner-up winners will each receive an ebook copy.  Winners will be determined using Random.org and notified via email.   

Tomorrow, Alex J. Cavanaugh marks the two year anniversary of his own debut release of CassaStar by hosting me in a discussion on theme and symbolism.  Also tomorrow, Arlee Bird has permitted me to jack his blog over at Tossing It Out.  I hope you stop by both.

____________

THE MISTAKEN  ~  the hell of revenge, the hope of redemption

Obsessed with revenge following the violent death of his pregnant wife, Tyler Karras pledges the woman who killed her to sex-traffickers in San Francisco’s Russian Mafia.  In exchange, they’ll finally let his brother leave the business for good—with his debt wiped clean and his heart still beating.  But when Tyler mistakenly targets the wrong woman, he’s forced to protect his own victim from the very enemy he's unleashed, and the Russians are holding his brother as leverage to force Ty to complete their deal.  Caught in a no-win situation, Ty must find a way to save himself, his brother, and the woman, but with the Russian Mafia, even two out of three makes for very long odds.    

Available at:
Kindle   Barnes and Noble   Nook   Amazon   Kobo   iBooks

Coming soon to Sony, Diesel Bookstore, and Baker & Taylor.

____________

Early praise for The Mistaken:

“A deliciously slow burn that builds to a ferocious crescendo, Nancy S. Thompson's THE MISTAKEN kept me riveted until the very last page. Tyler Karras is a complex and flawed protagonist, and his redemptive journey makes him the perfect anti-hero. This psychological suspense is a standout, and I can't wait for Thompson's next book.”

~ Jennifer Hillier, author of CREEP and FREAK

“Nancy S. Thompson's debut novel, The Mistaken, is a first-rate thriller full of hair-raising twists and turns.  Pursued by the police and the Russian mafia in San Francisco, brothers Tyler and Nick Karras are fascinating, fully-drawn, desperate characters.  The action is non-stop.  Thompson's taut, intriguing tale of revenge, mistaken identity, kidnapping and murder will keep you enthralled and entertained.” 

~Kevin O’Brien, New York Times Bestselling Author of DISTURBED and TERRIFIED

“Fast-paced and emotionally gripping - once the ride begins, you won't stop reading until it ends."  ~Alex J. Cavanaugh, author of CASSAFIRE and CASSASTAR

The Mistaken Blog Tour:

10/18:  An interview at Mark Koopmans’

10/19:  A discussion on theme & symbolism over at Alex J. Cavanaugh’s 

And my book trailer at Arlee Bird’s Tossing It Out

10/22:  Some court-ordered therapy for my MC over at Carrie Butler’s So You’re a Writer 

Plus a different interview with Jeff O’Handley, The Doubting Writer

10/23:  Questions and answers about writing and publishing with Julie Musil

10/24:  Voice, 1^st person perspective & multiple POVs at Weaving a Tale or Two

An author spotlight & an excerpt at Melissa Maygrove’s

And some SSP over at Hope Roberson’s Writing With Hope

10/25:  Discussion on organized crime in literature at Matthew MacNish’s The QQQE

10/26:  Killing off major characters at LG Smith’s Bards & Prophets

10/27:  Some one-on-one with Aimee Jodoin at A Portrait of an Artist as a Young Woman

10/29:  Compromising on content at Heather M. Gardner’s The Waiting is the Hardest Part

10/30:  Learn why I chose the Russian mafia as my antagonists over at Lisa Regan’s

           Find out more about where I live at Falling For Fiction

10/31   My thoughts on villains over at Jennifer Hillier's The Serial Killer Files

11/1:    Why building a platform is so important at Livia Peterson’s Leave It to Livia

            Another author spotlight and excerpt at Angela Orlowski-Peart’s

11/19:  Arlee Bird’s Tossing It Out for a follow-up on my launch and tour.