One Day Book Blitz Servant of the Goddess by Denise Verrico

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Release Day Blitz The Silence of Lir

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Destiny Unveiled Soundtrack and Giveaway

The Destiny Soundtrack

When I was writing Destiny and Destiny Unveiled, I was working at an insurance company with my good friend and unofficial editor, Erin Coffey.  Erin and I used to proof read a chapter together each day after hours. After spending a day dealing with a bunch of angry and obnoxious clients (some of which became characters in Destiny), making fun of my typographical errors was therapeutic for us. I still laugh at her side comments on my original manuscripts. Things like, “Um, are you sure you want Darron toying his hoagie? That sounds a little dirty.” LOL

As we were reading, another thing that we did was create a soundtrack for the Destiny series, in the hopes that the books might someday be made into a movie. There were a few songs I already had in mind, but Erin was an essential part of picking out the full soundtrack.  So I had to give her some credit, especially since we spent literally hours proof reading together.  Now, this soundtrack is probably going to show our age. Erin and I, in addition to being co-workers for years, are also proud alumni of the Wildwood Catholic graduating class of 1994. Most of the songs we picked are ones that were popular in our high school and college years.  So without further ado, here is the soundtrack for the Destiny Series.  

Disc  One - Destiny

Do You Believe In Magic - The Lovin' Spoonful   - Yes, this song is almost too cliché, but it just fits so well because the very first question posed to my heroine is whether or not she believes in magick. I can see the opening credits rolling as this song plays, leading up to Gabby and her friends at their lockers.

So She Dances – Josh Groban – It may be true that Josh Groban is the only man alive I would actually consider having an affair with, but that’s not the only reason he’s on my soundtrack. This song would work wonderfully in Chapter 6 when Darron meets Gabriella’s mother for the first time.

I Can’t Get Next to You – Annie Lennox  This song was destined to be in the coffee house scene in Chapter 12, a scene where Gabrielle and Darron get into a heated argument.  It has a nice beatnik beat that would fit a coffee house theme, and the lyrics are perfect for this pair of star crossed witches.

“I can turn the grey sky blue

And I can make it rain whenever I want it to

And I can build a castle from a single grain of sand

And I can make a ship sail on dry land

But my life is incomplete and I'm so blue

'Cause I can't get next to you”

My Destiny – Kathleen McPee   This is my favorite song in the whole soundtrack. It would play in the background during the dance scene. I can see the circles of light swirling as Gabby and Darron gaze into each other’s eyes   Just listen to the video below, and if you read the book, you’ll know why I love it so much. It’s more than just a track on the soundtrack. It’s the official Destiny theme song.

Lullaby - Josh Groban   Yes, Josh is back again. I admit it. I’m a Gronbanite. But can you think of a better man to sing at a funeral? Yes, someone is going to die, but you’ll need to read the book to see who doesn’t make it to the sequel.

Underneath My Clothes – Shakira   I think the title of this song speaks for itself. I picked this ballad for a love scene because I like that it’s told from the point of view of the woman getting all that she knows she deserves.

Oh, Ho Ho, Its Magic – Pilot   This is the closing song for book number one. But don’t think that just because it’s a little upbeat, that everything turns out okay. Obviously, there are still going to be issues to resolve or we wouldn’t have…

Disc Two -  Destiny Unveiled

Graduation (Friends Forever) – Vitamin C  Okay, so I told you I’m a dork from the nineties. But you have to admit, this is the perfect opening song for a high school graduation scene. Although Erin did threaten to kick my butt if I ever played this tune anywhere near her.

Miami – Will Smith   I am nothing if not diverse, so we have to throw a little Will Smith into the mix. When the gang’s plane arrives in Miami, I can imagine this song playing as scenes from all the Miami hot spots flash by.

Magic – Colby Caillat  This would be the beach scene, and these lyrics totally sum up Gabriella’s feeling for Darron. 

“You've got magic inside your finger tips

Its leaking out all over my skin

Every time that I get close to you

your makin’ me weak with the way you

look through those eyes”

Brain Stew – Green Day  There is one scene in Destiny Unveiled where Darron really loses control, and this song comes as close as possible to describing his emotions at that time. Of course since this is a YA book, we would have to bleep out a few curse words... 

I Feel the Magic – Belinda Carisle – This one Erin hand picked out for me, mostly because she got really sick of me singing Yo Ho, Ho Its Magic all day.   I had never heard it before, but I knew it was perfect. It really helps tie things up in the final chapters.

It’s the End of the World – R.E.M. – This would be the closing credits, and I definitely think it hints that there is more to come…and guess what they’re will be….

Destiny’s Path (tentative title), the third book is the Destiny series is well underway, and will be dedicated to Erin to thank her for all her hard work.  Time for us to start planning the next soundtrack! In the meantime, I still have these soundtracks in my car. Yes, I actually made CDS and listened to them every single day at work the whole time I was writing the books, much to Erin’s displeasure. I know. I’m such a dork… In closing, I just want to thank my friend Erin Coffey one more time, for her help in the soundtrack selections, for her unwavering support, and of course, for not killing me the 66^th time I belted out “Miami” while she was trying to work.  I’m really not very good at rapping…Love you Erin!!

Destiny Unveiled 

Book Two 

Blurb 

Gabriella and Darron thought their magickal battle was over when they defeated the evil warlock, Richard. When her Aunt Donna seeks Gabriella’s help in rescuing her catatonic daughter from the Dark Coven, Gabriella discovers that her cousin holds a power within her that would be catastrophic in the hands of the evil witches. 

Gabriella’s coven sets out on a journey that may be their last. Along the way, they meet new allies, face devastating treachery, and battle not only the Dark Coven, but the darkness within themselves. 

When Gabriella finally comes face to face with the cousin she never knew existed, her true destiny is unveiled, and the fate of the mortal world is in her hands. 

Excerpt of Destiny Unveiled 

http://authorlauradeluca.blogspot.com/2011/08/excerpt-from-search-for-destiny-sequel.html

About the Author 

Laura “Luna” DeLuca lives at the beautiful Jersey shore with her husband and four children. She loves writing in the young adult genre because it keeps her young at heart. 

In addition to writing fiction, Laura is also the sole author of a popular review blog called New Age Mama. She is an active member of her local pagan community, and has been studying Wicca for close to eight years. 

Blog : http://authorlauradeluca.blogspot.com 

Twitter: www.twitter.com/authorldeluca 

Face book: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLauraDeLuca

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/authorldeluca/

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77 Days in September

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Review of the Skil Isio 3.6V Li-Ion Garden Trimmer w/ 2 Blades

My mother had a small handheld power garden trimmer when I was kid, I used it all the time. Eventually it died and I had never seen anything similar at yard and garden stores even though I had looked. Many times.

One day, frustrated with my garden and the lack of tools to do things how I wanted, I decided to scour the web for power garden shear/trimmers. Something small enough that I could use. But powerful enough to make a difference in my garden.

The only place I could find anything was QVC. I had never purchased anything from them before so I was a bit dubious.

The first trimmer I came across on QVC was made by Sun Joe, I had never heard of this brand before and the reviews were less than awesome. They also have one by Worx, I have never used this brand before either. Then I came across Skil. Now this is a brand I know. My husband has Skil tools and I've never heard him complain. Most of the reviews for the product were also pretty good so I decided to buy it.

I am not disappointed at all.

I cleared out my garden in probably one tenth of the time it would have taken me to do it by hand. It cut through all the weeds with no problem. I was able to get close to my edges, borders, porch and even around my plants without damaging them.

I was so amazed and so very pleased.

The best thing about this tool though is how lightweight it is. It is small and easy to hold in my small hands and like I said, lightweight. It is not heavy at all so your hands won't tire quickly while using.

I think this product was definitely designed with women in mind because of it's small size and light weight.

I love it A LOT. I'm thinking of buying another one for my mom.

And I haven't even used the hedge trimmer saw blade yet- only the clippers.

Thank you Skil for making such an awesome product for female gardeners. I would love to see more easy to use lightweight products like this. I would probably use power tools a lot more if more products were this easy to use.

I highly recommend this for the female gardeners out there.


Info from the QVC site:

Keep your lawn in line. This handheld garden trimmer sports an ergonomic soft-grip handle, making it comfortable to use--while two laser-cut, diamond-ground blades make it a powerful tool in your trimming arsenal. From Skil.

• Includes trimmer, shrub-trimming blade, grass-trimming blade, and wall-mounted battery charger
• Trimmer measures 14"L; weighs 1 lb
• UL listed charger; 1-year Limited Manufacturer's Warranty
• Trimmer assembled in Hungary; Charger made in China

Garden Rocker Saves Your Back

My husband and kids bought me the Garden Rocker for Mother's Day.

It doesn't look like much right?

OMG, it is one of the best garden tools ever. I love it.

Take it out to the garden, put it where you'll be working and have a seat. It saves your back and neck from bending over and works better than the stools and pads where you have to kneel. Because I have a bad knee and those kneeling pads still kill me.

Not this.

The garden rocker gives me a range of motion so I can lean, bend and move, making digging, planting and weeding so much easier. It is fabulous.

At first you may feel like a weeble wobble but after a bit yo get used to it and it becomes an extension of you. So easy to use.

If you garden you will want to add this to your must have tools and accessories.

I think they can be purchased at Home Depot and possibly other stores, I found a link to one at Home Depot here

Review of the ThermaCell Mosquito Repellent Patio Lantern

My Review:

I received the ThermaCell Mosquito Lantern for review. I was a little dubious that it would work well. Most mosquito repelling products never work like they say they will.

Fortunately the ThermaCell Lantern did.

Not only did it help keep the mosquitoes away it looks fabulous lit up. And it is very long lasting. My daughter had a sleepover and the lantern stayed lit all night and kept the mosquitoes away- and even after being on all night it still lit up the next day when we turned it on. We thought for sure it would dead.

Now this lantern goes outside with us for every camp out, cookout, bonfire, etc.

I think we;ll be purchasing an additional lantern for when we go on our camping trip later this summer. Yeah it's that great. It provides great outdoor lighting and mosquito repellent all in one. I love it.

Info From the website:

Mosquito Repellent Patio Lantern

It's up to 98% effective at repelling black flies, mosquitoes, and other flying nuisances. When you're choosing mosquito lamps or bug repellent lights for your patio, consider the benefits of this dual-function outdoor lantern bugs hate.

• Effective protection from pests: Keeps away up to 98% of mosquitoes and other pests within a 15 x15-foot area, the size of an average patio or deck
• Safe: No open flames or hot wax, no DEET, approved by U.S. EPA
• Comfortable: No smelly lotions, sprays, or oils
• Convenient: Attractive size, portable, lightweight

• Quiet: Silent operation
• Dual-function: Repellent and light features can be used together or separately
• Ideal for backyards, decks, picnics, barbecues, camping, and outdoor parties
• Mosquito repellent operates on a single butane cartridge (included)
  • The butane warms an insect repellent mat that releases allethrin
  • Allethrin is a synthetic copy of a natural repellent found in pyrethrum flowers, a member of the chrysanthemum family
• 4 LED lights have "low" and "high" illumination settings; lights operate on 4 AA batteries (not included)
• Decorative design for patio and backyard entertaining
• Contains: 1 reusable Mosquito Repellent Patio Lantern, 1 butane cartridge (lasts up to 12 hours), 3 insect repellent mats (lasts up to 4 hours each)
• Refills sold separately

http://www.thermacell.com/mosquito-repellent/lanterns/patio-lantern