C. Lee McKenzie

Young Adult and Middle Grade Author

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Good News, More Good News with the Muffin Commando Squad, AtoZ and Hat’s Off Corner Welcomes Heather Gardner

March 16, 2015 By C. Lee McKenzie 54 Comments

Good News

James Robertson’s car gave up the ghost ten years ago, and James had no way to replace it. Then Detroit cut its bus services and James had no way to get to work–no way except to walk. And he did, everyday–21 miles to and from. He got very little sleep, but he never missed a day of work, and he was never late. The good news is someone heard about it and now James has over $300,000. because people cared, because people admired this man. Read More

More Good News


Some of you may have heard about the #AtoZChallenge 2015, right? If you haven’t signed up yet, now’s your chance.  If you want to read a little about what make good THEMES, I’ve posted about them today.

And look who’s here to help your AtoZChallenge experience be the very best. The Muffin Commando Squad. Today you have a chance to meet four members of this amazing team. Please visit their sites and read their answers to all of the questions. Each of us will answer 3-4. Stay tuned for the rest of team!

MISSION STATMENT 
(Kind of 🙂
We’re the muffin commandos. 
As delicious as we can be.
Mixing it together to whip the A-Z. 
Fully baked, crispy crusts- we’ll make it to the end.

We’re the muffin commando, the net’s sweetest blend.

Q. What was your theme last year. Why did you choose it?

“ My theme was writing inspiration. I wanted a theme specific enough to interest me, but broad enough to help other writers. I have links to last year’s posts here and on Pinterest.”
Find out more about
Yvonne Ventresca, author of Pandemic

Q: What’s your latest book, short story, publication?
“LOYALTY (Mark of Nexus #3) is slated for March 7th release
the pre-order is available now!—with the series’ boxed set hot on its heels.”

Find out more about Carrie Butler

Q. You have to evacuate your home in three minutes. What would you take?
“My children, hubby, pocketbook and my favorite Graf von Faber-Castell pen.”

Find out more about Donna McDine, and her Award Winning Books

Q. If you really were a muffin, what kind of muffin would you be?
“There are so many different kinds of muffins. I have a cookbook devoted to them and cupcakes. I would be a mixed berry muffin with a hint of lemon (that’s because I LOVE lemon in dessert.)”

Find out more about  Patricia Lynne, author  of Snapshots (Patricia Josephine)

Hats Off Corner Welcomes Heather Gardner 
The cover is here! Ta da!

KOBO ALL ROMANCE EBOOKS B&N AMAZON































Quote for the Day: “You can’t be that kid standing at the top of the waterslide, overthinking it. You have to go down the chute.” Tina Fey

Does good news make you feel that some things are right in the world? Are you ready for April 1? Are these AtoZ team member top notch or what? Hope you’ll give Heather a hand with her new book.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Arlee Bird, AtoZChallenge2015, Muffins

Comments

  1. Heather M. Gardner says

    March 26, 2015 at 1:22 am

    I loved coming back here to read all the wonderful comments! You have a great group of people on here, C. Lee!
    Thank you!
    Heather

    Reply
  2. J.L. Campbell says

    March 23, 2015 at 11:58 am

    It's great to put a face to the squad members I don't know.

    Reply
  3. Karen Lange says

    March 23, 2015 at 1:13 am

    I love the name – Muffin Commando Squad – great idea! Thanks for the good news and notes. Have a great week! 🙂

    Reply
  4. Joylene Nowell Butler says

    March 21, 2015 at 2:54 pm

    That's a wonderful story about James. It's sad that he felt so unsafe. But everything's going to be all right. Excellent. And speaking of excellent, that's a pretty nifty bunch of muffins you got there.

    Reply
  5. Caryn Caldwell says

    March 21, 2015 at 1:20 am

    Thanks for sharing the good news! So much fun to read it, especially in a world where so many people only seem to share the bad. I loved the quotes, too. Fun!

    Reply
  6. Caffe Maggieato says

    March 20, 2015 at 6:38 pm

    There's so much bad stuff on the news and all around us, it's hard to always have a positive outlook, so good news is always wonderful. And wow on Heather's cover!! I love it! Loved the little tidbits from the Muffin Squad.

    Reply
  7. Cathrina Constantine says

    March 20, 2015 at 2:16 pm

    Love Heather's cover!!! Just the type of book I'd pick up. I've seen and heard all about James Robertson. He's amazing!!!

    Reply
  8. Yvonne Ventresca says

    March 20, 2015 at 2:17 am

    Thanks for the good news and the mention! The link to my last year's A to Z posts didn't copy over — the pinterest link is http://www.pinterest.com/yvonneventresca/writing-inspiration-atozchallenge-writing.

    Yvonne

    Reply
  9. Catherine Stine says

    March 19, 2015 at 4:32 pm

    So many exciting happenings and book launches. I LOVE Heather G's cover, with all of the pretty violet hues.

    Reply
  10. Arlee Bird says

    March 19, 2015 at 1:04 pm

    Great news for Heather! And good to see your wonderful Muffin Squad and learn more about them. They're doing a great job.

    Arlee Bird
    A to Z Challenge Co-host
    A Faraway View

    Reply
  11. Misha Gericke says

    March 19, 2015 at 8:56 am

    Wow James Robertson is simply amazing. Hi to all the muffin commandos! 🙂

    Reply
  12. Heather Holden says

    March 19, 2015 at 1:34 am

    Congrats to Heather! Hope she has lots of success with her latest release. Also, great quote of the day! I tend to be one of those people who overthinks things, I must admit, haha…

    Reply
  13. Pam Margolis says

    March 19, 2015 at 12:29 am

    i'm totally out of the loop about the Muffin Squad name?

    Reply
  14. Empty Nest Insider says

    March 18, 2015 at 10:34 pm

    It's wonderful how so many people pitched in to help James. It's a shame that these acts of kindness have put him in a potentially dangerous situation. I enjoyed learning more about your Muffin Commando Squad! You've really assembled a great team, Lee!

    Julie

    Reply
  15. M Pax says

    March 18, 2015 at 8:13 pm

    That's a great story about Mr. Robertson. Congrats to Heather. Glad you have your muffin commandos ready to go. Is there such a thing as a gingerbread muffin? For some reason I want one.

    Reply
  16. Sherry Ellis says

    March 18, 2015 at 6:19 pm

    I'd probably be a pumpkin chocolate chip muffin, because they're so yummy. Mixed berry with lemon sounds pretty good, too.

    Reply
  17. Tyrean Martinson says

    March 18, 2015 at 5:54 pm

    Love your good news! And yes, good news inspires me. I love our commando team!

    Reply
  18. David P. King says

    March 18, 2015 at 4:08 pm

    I love muffins. By extension, I love your team. And good on that guy who walked his way to work. His efforts paid off in a big way! 🙂

    Reply
  19. SA Larsenッ says

    March 18, 2015 at 11:51 am

    YAY! for your lovely commandos!!! They are all amazing! #sighs You are making it so hard for me to pass this year's A to Z. #sniffles This will be the first year I miss it. With having to take the entire month of February off while my dad recovered from surgery, I just have soooo much work to get done.

    Reply
  20. Donna McDine says

    March 18, 2015 at 12:21 am

    Amazing cover for Heather's book. Wishing her and all writer's much success! What a heartwarming story of the Detroit man. I'm delighted to be part of the Muffin Commando Squad!

    Reply
  21. Carol Kilgore says

    March 17, 2015 at 11:57 pm

    Love your good news story. And the quote from Tina Fey. And everything else 🙂 Have fun with A to Z!

    Reply
  22. Michelle Wallace says

    March 17, 2015 at 9:19 pm

    "…but he never missed a day of work, and he was never late." Two qualities that are often sorely lacking in today's workforce… James is a good example to other employees.

    That's a great squad you've assembled!
    Love your "Commando Creed"! VERY creative!

    Reply
  23. Shooting Stars Mag says

    March 17, 2015 at 7:44 pm

    I had actually heard about James and his situation; it's amazing what good people will do, and yay for him for never missing work and having such perseverance.

    Reply
  24. Birgit says

    March 17, 2015 at 7:09 pm

    I heard about this man and he deserves the money and the recognition. I hope his employers recognize what a good man they have

    Reply
  25. Michael Di Gesu says

    March 17, 2015 at 6:56 pm

    HI, Lee,

    Thanks for sharing James' story with us. I haven't read about him until now.

    Congrats on your CHARMING team!

    AND CONGRATS to Heather, too! All the best!!!!!

    Reply
  26. Mark Noce says

    March 17, 2015 at 5:57 pm

    I heard about that guy walking so far to work each day. Just shows you that there are heroes persevering all around us:)

    Reply
  27. Mina Burrows says

    March 17, 2015 at 1:59 pm

    I love your commando squad! You've got a great group there!

    Reply
  28. Dianne K. Salerni says

    March 17, 2015 at 1:52 pm

    I saw that story on the news about people donating money to buy him a car. Looks like he's got enough for a car and a sizable chunk to put away toward retirement!

    Reply
  29. Lexa Cain says

    March 17, 2015 at 8:25 am

    I love the story about James. It's wonderful to hear about hard work and little encouragement really paying off in the end — sort of like our writerly publication journeys, right? Yay for James and to the rest of us who try so hard for so long.

    Yay for the Muffin Commandos!! Congrats to Heather!!

    Reply
  30. Barbara In Caneyhead says

    March 17, 2015 at 3:34 am

    I love, love, love the story about James! Great team on the Muffin squad!
    Life & Faith in Caneyhead
    I am Ensign B ~ One of Tremp's Troops with the
    A to Z Challenge

    Reply
  31. Denise Covey says

    March 17, 2015 at 3:10 am

    Hi Clem.
    I read that story about James in today's paper in Oz, so his fame has spread far and wide. What a good news story when we need just that! Congrats to Heather. I think I'd like to read that book. No A-Z for me but I will enjoy reading some posts that catch my eye! 🙂

    Reply
  32. lorilmaclaughlin.com says

    March 17, 2015 at 2:12 am

    Wonderful story about James. Things like that help restore some faith in the human race. It was fun reading the muffin commando questions and answers. Congrats to Heather!

    Reply
  33. Nicole says

    March 17, 2015 at 12:30 am

    Your Muffin Commando mission is a joy to read. Patricia has me wanting some lemon cookies now. Faber-Castell makes some of the best quality writing and drawing utensils I've ever seen. Heather's book cover looks really nice and I remember reading a news story about James earlier this month; his good news reminds me of how many more people there are in our country who are in similar circumstances, putting themselves through a lot just to keep their head above water.

    It also makes me think of how many people could benefit from learning about his work ethic and can-do attitude. I also agree with Susan Gourley/Kelley's comment….including all the way up to the part about your lovely commandos!

    Reply
  34. Susan Gourley/Kelley says

    March 16, 2015 at 11:48 pm

    I love James' story because his hard work was rewarded. If only everyone was as responsible.
    Your commandos are lovely and give such cute answers.

    Reply
  35. DL Hammons says

    March 16, 2015 at 11:44 pm

    I can't wait to read Heather's book! And I'm doing A-Z as a different sort of Commando! 🙂

    Reply
  36. Heather M. Gardner says

    March 16, 2015 at 11:31 pm

    Thank you so much everyone!

    I love the Muffin Commando Squad!

    Great group of bloggers!

    Thanks for sharing about my book! I'm so lucky to have such blog friends!

    Heather

    Reply
  37. Beverly Stowe McClure says

    March 16, 2015 at 11:14 pm

    It's wonderful to read the good things that people are doing in the world.
    The Muffin Commandoes sound like a lot of fun.
    Congratulations, Heather, on your new book. The cover is gorgeous.

    Reply
  38. Christine Rains says

    March 16, 2015 at 10:50 pm

    Now that's a man who is dedicated and hard-working. I'm happy to hear people have helped him out. Yay for Heather! I can't wait to read her new book. And hurrah for the Muffin Commandos! You have an awesome team. 🙂

    Reply
  39. DMS says

    March 16, 2015 at 10:36 pm

    Heather's cover is so pretty. 🙂

    Loved finding out more about the A-Z Muffin Squad- some of them I know and some are new to me. Will stop by their sites!

    I am so glad that James was given a new car that he loves. It is sad he had to move because he didn't feel safe, but I am glad he went to the authorities and they helped move him somewhere he feels better while he gets his future finances in order. What a dedicated guy to walk to work for 10 years. Wow!
    ~Jess

    Reply
  40. Suzanne Furness says

    March 16, 2015 at 7:47 pm

    I like good news and you have shared some with us today. I hope the A-Z is lots of fun. I am not taking part but I will not doubt be reading lots of posts. I look forward to it.

    Reply
  41. Kelly Hashway says

    March 16, 2015 at 7:38 pm

    I love the colors on Heather's cover! Very pretty.

    Reply
  42. ~Sia McKye~ says

    March 16, 2015 at 6:36 pm

    I enjoyed your James Robertson. Lot of respect for someone willing to walk to work and never be late. Even at my peak time with walking 21 miles would take almost 5 hrs. Man, 10 hrs commute time and 8 hour work day? 6 hrs sleep? Man, that's determination. I think I would have invested in a bicycle. Wow.

    Loved your introduction to your helpers!

    Sia McKye Over Coffee

    Reply
  43. Hilary Melton-Butcher says

    March 16, 2015 at 5:46 pm

    Hi Lee – that's great so many supported James. We had a guy here who was beat up .. but he was disabled … and a pensioner, while a hairdresser youngster set up up a donation site for him … he's now comfortable – people are just appalling, but so many more are just wonderful and caring …

    Love your Muffin helpers … cheers Hilary

    Reply
  44. Chrys Fey says

    March 16, 2015 at 4:39 pm

    It's amazing how much support James got. We need more thing like this to happen. 🙂

    Reply
  45. Patricia Lynne says

    March 16, 2015 at 3:38 pm

    I read about James a few weeks ago. What an awesome story.

    Reply
  46. Angela Brown says

    March 16, 2015 at 2:52 pm

    I recall reading about James's story. I couldn't help admiring him for his choice to stick to his guns, work to earn his keep and walk to make it happen. Seeing so many people join together to see his situation improved is wonderful. The whole situation makes me smile 🙂

    Congrats to Heather for her new release. Wishing her the very best!

    And look out Team Muffin. Woot!

    Reply
  47. T. Drecker says

    March 16, 2015 at 2:49 pm

    Congrats to Heather. Your muffin squad is wonderful – I love the name!
    I saw the story about James. Always comforting to know that people do care.

    Reply
  48. Natalie Aguirre says

    March 16, 2015 at 2:25 pm

    I live in the Detroit area so have learned a lot about James and his life. There was just an article yesterday about how he moved to Troy and has a whole new life now. It's great to see how a little money from a lot of people can really impact on someone's life.

    Reply
  49. L. Diane Wolfe says

    March 16, 2015 at 1:45 pm

    Congrats to Heather.

    That was some dedication to walk 21 miles every day for work. Most people would use that as an excuse.

    Reply
  50. Elizabeth Varadan, Author says

    March 16, 2015 at 1:40 pm

    That was a wonderful share (good news) and I'm glad that James has some security now. It's wonderful how people really do respond when they see someone in need. Congratulations to Heather. I haven't done the A-Z challenge yet, although I'm always tempted. This year is out, because I'm marketing a book that's being published in June, and I won't have time to blog daily, but maybe next year. It does look like so much fun.

    Reply
    • C. Lee McKenzie says

      March 16, 2015 at 7:54 pm

      It's a challenge to write, promote and blog. I'm often chasing my tail trying to figure out just where I am in all of this. 🙂

      Reply
  51. Jemi Fraser says

    March 16, 2015 at 1:36 pm

    I saw that story about James – nice to see a hard working man helped out by so many!
    Your team is awesome!
    Congrats to Heather – looking forward to the book!

    Reply
  52. Southpaw HR Sinclair says

    March 16, 2015 at 1:00 pm

    James' story is heartwarming.
    Nice squad!
    Congrats to Heather.

    Reply
  53. Alex J. Cavanaugh says

    March 16, 2015 at 12:08 pm

    That's awesome people helped out James.
    You have a great bunch of muffins there.
    And big congratulations to Heather! She rocks.

    Reply

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