Thursday, May 17, 2012

Top 10 things to do in Iceland: Guest blog and Giveaway with Hannah Clark




Top 10 things to do in Iceland:

I’ve never actually been to Iceland in real life, but I have been there many times in my imagination and through research—I think I’ve even been there once or twice in my dreams.  If I could actually go there, however, these are the places I would visit.

1)       The Blue Lagoon.  This is Iceland’s most famous geothermal pool, and you can bathe in it.  It’s huge and is fed by mineral rich seawater that is heated by a nearby geothermal plant. http://www.bluelagoon.com/Geothermal-spa/

2)       Camp out in the middle of Iceland’s unpopulated tundra, away from all city lights just to watch the Northern Lights dance across the sky.  http://www.iww.is/art/shs/pages/thumbs.html

3)       Visit Gullfoss, Iceland’s most famous waterfall.  Take a picnic and hope for a rainbow to show up in the midst of the falls—better yet, get lucky and see a double rainbow, and then ponder about what it could possibly mean. J http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gullfoss

4)       Hike Mount Hekla and know once and for all what the “Gateway to Hell” really looks like. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hekla

5)       While in Southern Iceland, so close to Hella, visit Aegissida farm along the Ytri-Ranga river and check out the 12 Caves of Aegissida—yes they really do exist.  These caves look like little houses squished up against a hill side, and were believed to be made by Irish monks before the Vikings even settled Iceland.  There are even Celtic markings on the walls of the caves. http://www.nat.is/travelguideeng/plofin_hellar.htm

6)       While in Hella, stick around for the Icelandic horse races.  Just southeast of town is a race course where Icelandic horses (mini-versions of our horses) race. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icelandic_horse

7)       If the thrill seeking type—which I am not—visit Iceland during a volcanic eruption.  That could be pretty cool, and possibly life altering—literally. J http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/04/photogalleries/100419-iceland-volcano-lightning-ash-pictures/#/iceland-volcano-lightning-1_19113_600x450.jpg

8)       Visit the Black Volcanic beach in the town of Vik, located on the southern coast of Iceland.  The black sand on the beaches is made from volcanic eruptions over the years, and the mountains close by the shore look incredible! http://www.flickr.com/photos/karnevil/513542117/

9)       Of course, one should definitely visit Iceland’s capital, Reykjavic.  I hear it’s one of the coolest cities in the Northern Hemisphere with great music, happy natives, and some amazing Viking museums. http://www.visitreykjavik.is/desktopdefault.aspx

10)   Finally, I would check out some of Iceland’s cool elf rocks and their elf/troll museum in.  I read an article once that Icelanders still believe that elves and possibly trolls exist, and that they live in the peculiar rock formations that have been created over years of volcanic eruptions and extremely harsh weather conditions.  Apparently, if superstitious Icelanders come across one of these rock formations while building a road, they won’t blast through the boulder, or even move it; they’ll build their roads around them. I find that fascinating in today’s world. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHvOeiGHgfw


May 14 Tour Intro
Fang-tastic Books

May 15 Promo
The YA Café

May 16 Promo
Roxanne’s Realm

May 17 Guest Blog
The Creatively Green Write at Home Mom

May 28 Promo
Bornean Bookworm Reads

May 29 Guest blog
I Just Wanna Sit Here and Read! 

May 30 Interview
Second Bookshelf on the Right

June 1 Review
Mindy Wall Dreamer2229 Books, Books, and More Books 


June 2 Saturday
June 3 Sunday

June 4 Promo

June 6 Promo

June 7 Promo
B'Tween Prose  

June 8 Review 

June 8 Promo
Nilsas boom blog

June 8 review 


June 9 Promo and Interview
JeanzBookReadNReview       

June 9 Saturday
June 10 Sunday

June 11 Guest blog

June 12 Interview and review 
The Pretty Good Gatsby 

June 15 SQAI Night Owl Interview





Cobbogoth 
 By Hannah L Clark 
Genre: YA Fantasy romance 

 Book Blurb: 

To seventeen-year-old Norah Lukens, the Cobbogothians were just a myth. But after her archeologist uncle's brutal murder, and being asked to translate one of his old research journals for evidence, she begins a journey to discover the truth for herself. 

Chasing the myth her uncle was obsessed with, Norah learns that his murder was a cover up for something far more sinister. If she hopes to save others from suffering the same fate he did--including the peculiarly magnetic James Riley--she must head to Iceland in order to find out the truth once and for all. If she succeeds, she'll gain the one thing she's always longed for. But if she fails, not even the gods can help her. 

Book site: www.cobbogoth.com 

Cobbogoth Facebook Page: 



About the Author: 

Hannah L. Clark was raised in the very small town of Oak City, UT with seven sisters and one brother. She spent most of her childhood daydreaming, writing stories, building forts, chasing after boys, and working really hard to earn money. (With six older sisters, her parents were really poor by the time she came along.) 

In spite of great learning difficulty brought on by dyslexia, Hannah graduated from high school with honors and was awarded a scholarship in English to Utah Valley University. In 2006 she graduated from UVU with her Bachelor’s degree in English Literature and immediately began two of her most exciting adventures yet: Motherhood and writing her first novel. 

Five and a half years later, Hannah completed Cobbogoth, a Young Adult Fantasy-Adventure novel, and book one in a seven book series.    

She currently lives in Pleasant Grove, Utah with her husband Michael, and their son. Hannah actively seeks to inspire kids and adults by speaking about her experiences of becoming an author in spite of dyslexia. 

Hannah still daydreams, writes stories, builds forts, chases after her boys, and works really hard to earn money. 

Favorite Quote: "Whatever you think you can or can't do, you're right." -Henry Ford 

Visit her online:





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Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Managing writing, marketing, & blogging with a new baby in the house Guest blog and Giveaway with Katie Salidas


Managing writing, marketing, & blogging with a new baby in the house…. Yeah right!

Let’s just call this sleep deprivation 101.

I’ve got a beautiful bouncing baby boy at home now. Our recent addition (4 months old) takes up quite a lot of my day. As a Write at Home Mom that means I struggle daily to find this mystical thing called “balance.” Trying to do it all with a newborn is tough. I just posted a few days ago on Facebook that I haven’t written anything substantial since my boy was born. Blogging and marketing have taken up what little free time I have left. By 9pm (when both of my kids are in bed (if I’m lucky)I just don’t have the brain power left to string together coherent sentences. I fear my next novel might read something like those “See Spot Run,” books. LoL.

Just to give you an idea of what a regular day looks like, here’s a little insight into a day in the life of a Write at Home Mom.


My day goes a little something like this:

6:00 AM - Baby boy is up, but I’m not ready to start the day. We attempt to nurse in bed and sleep for a little bit longer. Attempt being the operative word here. He usually just plays around next to me while I slowly come into consciousness.

7:00 AM – Alarm starts going off and I’m the one crying, “I don’t want to get up.” But, I can’t ignore the call of the morning, though I really want to! Time to get The Girl (she’s 8 years old) up and ready for school, make breakfast, pack a lunch for The Girl and The Hubby, feed The Boy again, and attempt to get dressed somewhere in between.

9:00 AM – The Girl is off to school, The Hubby is off to work, and The Boy is starting to look like he might take a morning nap. Time to get some social networking done, and maybe throw in a load of laundry. I get myself a soda and get cracking on work!

9:30 AM – Damn that nap was short. “C’mon baby, momma was just getting started. Oh well, let’s pull out the toys and play.”

12:00 PM – Grab a quick bite to eat while The Boy sleeps next to me on his play mat. Yes, I regularly picnic on the living room floor next to my sleeping baby. Napping in a crib, in his own room… Nope, we’re not that cool. We sleep wherever he wants to sleep at this point. I’ve learned my lesson. Trying to move baby into his crib almost always ends badly. I’m better off just letting him sleep where he is.

12:30 PM – Really, only a half hour nap? Guess I’m not getting much done today. Oh well, more play time with the cute little baby. How can I resist, right?

Hey let’s play “help mommy fold some laundry,” and Dance around the living room while sweeping the floor. I’m lucky if I get even the smallest amount of cleaning done. My house is such a mess. Let’s just say, I won’t be hosting any dinner parties anytime soon.

1:30 PM – Nap time. Quick! Grab the computer and answer some emails before The Boy wakes up again.

2:00 PM – The Boy is up again. I wonder if I put Baby Einstein on if I might get at least 30 more minutes of work done? Hmmmm. Probably not, but we’ll try.

2:30 PM – I think I’m more glued to the TV than The Boy. There is something hypnotic about those darn movies! Let’s play it again.

3:00 PM – Where did the time go? Let’s pack up in the stroller and walk to get The Girl from school.

9:00 PM -  Dinner, dishes, homework, bath, and bedtime are all done. Both of the munchkins are sleeping (I hope). I really want to lay down too, but I know I should do something productive. Do I dare attempt a shower, or jump right in and get some work and writing done?

12:00 AM – The Boy wakes up for a midnight snack.  I realize how fast time does fly, and after writing one blog post, I don’t feel like I’ve accomplished anything. I better get some sleep though, the night is fading away and I’ve got another full day ahead of me.

3:00 AM – Middle of the night baby wake up time… Mommy says “Just let me sleep 5 more minutes, baby.”  I check a few emails while nursing, but don’t dare respond. Trust me, you don’t want to receive the gibberish that is a middle of the night beary-eyed email. LoL.

6:00 AM – The Boy is awake… Time to start a new day… “Where’s my coffee?”

It’s so funny how quickly the day disappears when a cute little baby occupies your day. That little smile and those squeaky giggles are worth getting behind on your work and enduring the sleepless nights. At some point though, work does need to get done. And I’m sure I’ll get to it eventually… Maybe when The Boy is in college. LoL!



Soulstone

Book 4 Immortalis Series
By Katie Salidas


It’s a desperate time for rookie vampire Alyssa, and her sanity is hanging by a slender thread. Her clan is still reeling from the monumental battle with Aniketos; a battle that claimed the body of Lysander, her sire and lover, and trapped his spirit in a mysterious crystal. A Soulstone.

Unfortunately, no amount of magic has been able to release Lysander’s spirit, and the stone is starting to fade. Weeks of effort have proved futile. Her clan, the Peregrinus, have all but given up hope. Only Alyssa still believes her lover can be released. In despair, Alyssa begs the help of the local witch coven, and unwittingly exposes the supernaturals of Boston to unwanted attention from the Acta Sanctorum.

The Saints converge on the city and begin their cleansing crusade to rid the world of all things “Unnatural.” In the middle of an all-out war, but no closer to a solution to the dying stone, Alyssa is left with an unenviable choice: save her mate, or save her clan.

About KATIE SALIDAS



Katie Salidas is a Super Woman!

Endowed with special powers and abilities, beyond those of mortal women, She can get the munchkin off to gymnastics, cheerleading, Girl Scouts, and swim lessons. She can put hot food on the table for dinner while assisting with homework, baths, and bedtime… And, She still finds the time to keep the hubby happy (nudge nudge wink wink). She can do all of this and still have time to write.
And if you can believe all of those lies, there is some beautiful swamp land in Florida for sale…

Katie Salidas resides in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mother, wife, and author, she does try to do it all, often causing sleep deprivation and many nights passed out at the computer. Writing books is her passion, and she hopes that her passion will bring you hours of entertainment.


http://www.katiesalidas.com/

Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Katie-Salidas-Author/214780936916

LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/profile?viewProfile=&key=58814031&trk=tab_pro

Twitter
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Monday, May 14, 2012

Seven Point Eight by Marie Harbon



Be prepared for a journey, an expedition that draws together fringe science, psychic powers, alternate dimensions, time travel, past lives, miracles, folklore, consciousness, conspiracy and nostalgia, in a soap opera for the soul.  Welcome to the new paranormal/science fiction series entitled ‘Seven Point Eight’.

Crossing genres and gender appeal, it blends character driven plot with an intriguing story line, full of geeky science underpinning a thrilling and clever plot.

‘Seven Point Eight is a twist of scifi confusion that asks some interesting questions. If one had special abilities to travel out of body, what would one do with them? What would the government do with it if they could? How far could one go?’
Kindle Book Review

‘every page is chock-a-block full of quantum theory, wildly idiosyncratic characters, out-of-body experiences, weird occurrences, and loose ends, all of which are tied together with a fanciful yet plausible conception of the grand unifying theory underlying the world around us. Oh yeah, and there's some sex, drugs, and rock-and-roll thrown in for kicks’.
Jill-Elizabeth.com

Written in the style of a TV series, ‘Seven Point Eight’ interweaves the human dramas of love, betrayal, bitterness and above all, courage in a world where everyone must face their own dark shadow. Plus, it asks some pretty existential questions regarding the meaning of our lives and destiny, our karma and dharma, and last but not least, God and the universe.

This plays out through the lives of five key characters:
·         Tahra – the smart, provocative and psychically talented new recruit.
·         Paul - the boundary-breaking physicist.
·         Max - the enigmatic businessman with military connections.
·         Ava - the intelligent geneticist, bewildered by her surreal experiences.
·         Sam - the bitter artist/musician who, together with Ava, seeks answers to a shrouded past.

‘Seven Point Eight: The First Chronicle’ lays the groundwork, and sweeps through the 40s, 50s and 60s to modern day in a wild nostalgic, scientific, paranormal ride.  The physicist, Paul, begins a quest to measure the soul but soon founds himself swept into Max’s world, where research is sold to the military at the highest bid.  When the talented psychic, Tahra, walks into his life, they soon embark on a ground-breaking project designed to stretch the frontiers of exploration, only to make a reality shattering discovery….

"Captivating and intelligently written - definitely could appeal to fans of Star Trek, Star Wars, Dan Brown books, fans of the Jodie Foster film 'Contact' and anyone who loves X-Men"Dream Reads

'an enthralling read from start to finish... this book has real originality and portrays an intricate journey... an intriguing and mind-bending journey that leaves the reader asking themselves huge life questions.'
BookStackReviews.com

‘Seven Point Eight: The First Chronicle’ is available on Kindle at a special promotional price of 99 cents.

 The next book in the series, ‘Seven Point Eight: The Second Chronicle’ is due for release this summer.



Seven Point Eight

The First Chronicle
By Marie Harbon

Genre: Sci fi fantasy

Book Description

Seven Point Eight

The most powerful number in the universe

The number that connects everything.

It is time to wake up....

A physicist begins a quest to measure the soul but soon finds himself drawn into the world of the enigmatic Max Richardson, where research is sold to the military at the highest bid. However, he soon discovers another purpose when an extremely talented young psychic enters his life. He devises a project and builds a team to stretch the frontiers of exploration, only to make a reality-shattering discovery...

Written in the style of a TV series, The First Chronicle is the beginning of a 5 part epic which follows the spiritual and emotional journey of five people; their quest to understand the universe and our place within it.

Quantum physics meets spirituality in a tale which begins in the 1940s, unfolds during the 1960s; an era of social and spiritual transformation and reaches its conclusion in the modern age.

It interweaves the human dramas of love, betrayal, bitterness and above all, courage in a world where everyone must face their own dark shadow.


For fans of the paranormal, big sweeping epics, metaphysics, science fiction, Lost, Fringe, contemporary fantasy, alternate realities and new age/spirituality.


It's also highly suited to Young Adult readers, who like sci-fi along with their paranormal, or those who like a more challenging read.



Content guidance: Suitable for readers aged 15 and over. Sexual scenes are suggestive as opposed to explicit. Some references to psychedelic drugs.


Get it on Amazon Paperback         Kindle

What Reviewers Are Saying:


This book appeals to almost everyone. It may be fictional but it is not beyond the realms of possibility... read this book and you will be asking for answers to questions you may never have thought of before ~ BookStackReviews.com


For a realistic sci-fi novel with just enough drama to keep you turning pages, look no further. This was a mind-opening, very interesting and imaginative read!
~Collette Scott, author of Forever Sunshine


An enthralling read from start to finish... this book has real originality and portrays an intricate journey... an intriguing and mind-bending journey that leaves the reader asking themselves huge life questions.~ BookStackReviews.com


If you like your novels Dan Brown style with lots of geeky science underpinning a thrilling and clever plot, you'll love this. ~Alison Chester-Lambert, author of The Future In The Stars - The Planets’Message for 2012 And Beyond


Every page is chock-a-block full of quantum theory, wildly idiosyncratic characters, out-of-body experiences, weird occurrences, and loose ends, all of which are tied together with a fanciful yet plausible conception of the grand unifying theory underlying the world around us. Oh yeah, and there's some sex, drugs, and rock-and-roll thrown in for kicks. ~Jill-Elizabeth.com




Seven Point Eight has to be one of the most fascinating reads I've come by in quite a while... It's always risky to mix several genres and sub-genres but for this book, the execution was flawless... Captivating and intelligently written - definitely could appeal to fans of Star Trek, Star Wars, Dan Brown books, fans of the Jodie Foster film 'Contact' and anyone who loves X-Men~ Dream Reads


A clever and intriguing story that blends science and spirituality and calls us to question what we believe in - what is reality... a thought provoking read that those who enjoy fantasy and science fiction are sure to enjoy. It will be a series to keep looking at and I will certainly look out for the second chronicle~ Paradigm Shift Magazine Issue 55


About the Author: 

Marie Harbon has worked in both the retail and fitness industry. She has a degree in sport and fitness and taught group exercise for several years before settling into a post delivering BTEC Sport courses for two years. Since then, she has instructed dance with children and has decided to focus on writing as her main career. 

She wrote her first novel length story at the age of twelve and has written on and off subsequently, evolving her style and literary maturity. ‘Seven Point Eight’ began life as a short story in the early nineties and was later developed into a full five part series of books. Work on ‘The Second Chronicle’ has already begun. 

Marie has two children and lives with her son and four guitars in the town of Eastwood, Nottinghamshire, which is in England. She divides her time between writing novels and scripts, making things, teaching and being a mum. Her vice is fabric and she creates bags, corsets and clothes in the vintage and retro style. 



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