Monday, October 31, 2011

Laughing Raptor Award: MAD


The Laughing Raptor Award
created by The Photog Nazi

This award is for humorous blogs that are so funny,
they would even make a raptor laugh.
{We all know how stoic raptors can be.}


~*~

I bestow this award to...

MAD of Mary Ann DeBorde Writes (and Reads!)


In addition, MAD has managed to give me several LOL moments with her comments this month.

Here are a few...

M.A.D. has left a new comment on your post "Song of the Nile by Stephanie Dray":
-Posted by M.A.D. to vvb32 reads at October 22, 2011 3:54 PM
... *wedjat-painted eyes*
Wonder if Horus should've been the next Max Factor? ;D


~*~

M.A.D. has left a new comment on your post "Women Reading - 2":
-Posted by M.A.D. to vvb32 reads at October 12, 2011 7:33 PM
... ok. That's it. I'm officially overwhelmed by all the awesome/yummy/drool-worthy book events/giveaways/tours going on this month.

I cannot live a productive adult life AND keep up with all the book love.

Something's gotta give :O

Therefore, until further notice I will be living on the computer [unwashed & maybe unfed] until the first of November. Please instruct my loved ones to keep me turned to the light and water me occasionally.

... sigh. In my dreams ;D


~*~

M.A.D. has left a new comment on your post "PeekInside: Dead Inside":
-Posted by M.A.D. to vvb32 reads at October 12, 2011 7:21 PM
Ditto! I want this book so badly I can *taste* it!!

[tastes like chicken] ;D


~*~

M.A.D. has left a new comment on your post "Steampunk Ride":
-Posted by M.A.D. to vvb32 reads at October 13, 2011 9:51 AM
I love the cover to Subterranean!! Of course, that bartender's not half bad either lol
hmm ... what drink to order? *Sex-on-the-Beach*, perhaps? ;D


~*~

M.A.D. has left a new comment on your post "dr viiiii: ACT II":
-Posted by M.A.D. to vvb32 reads at October 20, 2011 3:53 AM
lol *groovy-gravy* ;D

... I just loves all these new books! I want to own every single one and roll around in them [ouchie], then eat a bunch of chocolate and maybe take a nap [it's good to have goals].


~*~

* all bloggers - feel free to grab this award and share it

-+0+o+ October Trix-n-Treatz schedule +o+0+-


alice challenge #5


Our Alice comes to the LAST challenge in Whenland.

GOOD LUCK!


--~ Alice in Whenland challenge ~--

PRIZE: book of your choice from October Trix-n-Treatz book list and a surprize Alice-in-Wonderland-related item.
-offer ends November 13, 2011

I shall post a challenge task each day through Oct 31.

You MUST complete all 5 tasks:
links will be provided for these as the posts go live

task 1: Journey
task 2: Pioneers
task 3: Gateway
task 4: Laurel Line
task 5: signup form - see task below

TASK: (3-parts)

1. COMMENT on at least ONE of the Whenland stops:

Alice in Whenland stop in: In The Land Of The Blind by Robert Swartwood

Alice in Whenland stop in: The Chronicles of the Mira by Christine Schulze

Alice in Whenland stop in: Dangerous Designs by Dale Meyer

Alice in Whenland stop in: Between by Cyndi Tefft

Alice in Whenland stop in: The Eternal Child by David Wasserman

2. TELL me which book from the October Trix-n-Treatz book list you would like to WIN.

3. TELL me which one of these historical eBooks you would like me to include in YOUR winning package...

Journey Along the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad:
Pictorial History of Pocono Mountain Boarding Homes,
Hotels, Inns & Resorts
from the Delaware Water Gap to Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania
by Alan Sweeney

Industrial Pioneers:
Scranton, Pennsylvania and
the Transformation of America,
1840-1902
by Patrick Brown


Gateway to the Clouds
The Story of a Short Line Railroad
The Scranton, Dunmore, Moosic Lake Railroad
1902-1926
by Alan and Judy Sweeney


Laurel Line:
An Anthracite Region Railway
by James N.J. Henwood and John G. Muncie


AND, leave your email (if I don't already have it)

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

Contest has ended - winner is here

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

~*~

* image source Alice by Strangeling

-+0+o+ October Trix-n-Treatz schedule +o+0+-


Tower of Parlen Min by Matt Xell

Tower of Parlen Min
Volume 1 (The Narrow Escapes of Ves Asirin)
by Matt Xell

Visit Matt:
Blog
Facebook
Goodreads
Shelfari
Twitter

Published: 2011
Genre: Fantasy
ebook
Rating: 4

Amazon | Barnes&Noble | Smashwords | Lulu

fyi: ebook is currently available for 99 cents

Ves Asirin, an orphaned and introverted boy with a complicated memory loss disorder, wins a trip to the TOWER OF PARLEN MIN, the home of the wealthiest inventor of the time, Jacobius Trent. There, with 19 other children, he must compete in the Sword Challenge--a series of intricate puzzles and daring tasks--for a prize of $12 million.

As dazzling, glorious and liberating as the Tower seems to be for him, Ves finds that it keeps a dark and secret history that he has been unknowingly connected to for over 150 years, a secret that will define his future and destiny ... if he can escape the shadow: a powerful and seemingly unstoppable supernatural serial killer.


Series:
Tower of Parlen Min The Narrow Escapes of Ves Asirin
Volume 1
Volume 2
Volume 3

My two-bits:
In-a-word(s): challenge
I liked this action packed story that made me root for an unlikely hero.

--~ Book Giveaway courtesy of author ~--

signup to win this book


~*~

* review copy courtesy of author

* read Matt's guest post for xEvent which include characters from this book

* part of Tower of Parlen Min tour - check out the other stops for more details on this book and goodies

-+0+o+ October Trix-n-Treatz schedule +o+0+-


Responses from Mr Poe

L A D I E S
and
G E N T L E M E N

Questions - no more.

Mr. Poe has agreed to address some of your comments from his giveaway post here.

B E H O L D he speaks...

M.A.D. said...
Salutations to Mr. Poe! Don't enter me as I've got an old 40s copy of his works, but still I'd love to pose a question for the illustrious author:

Is it true that the fall of the house of Usher was directly related to poor construction and shoddy drywall? AND ... at what point in your *relationship* with Miss Lenore did she go to the constables regarding the unfortunate mishap with that beating heart chap?

MR POE: My dear what a series of tactless questions, sigh it is at times like these that I can only be grateful that I am so long demised, but still I promised Velvet that I would attempt a civil discourse if she would feature me upon her blog so needs must. The actual reasons behind the fall of the house of Usher involved an unfortunate occurrence in the basement meth lab and rather than face criminal charges I chose to frame it in a rather different manner. As to Miss Lenore...

~*~

Yiota said...
What do you think about the movie coming out called "Raven" and John Cusack as you?"

MR POE: Young woman I am certainly not going to be represented by an actor who has once appeared in a John Hughes film furthermore many have commented (well I have commented) on the rather striking resemblance between myself and Mr. John Depp esq.

~*~

titania86 said...
Were you influenced by the German gothic novellas and dramas by Freidrich Schiller and Heinrich von Kleist? If so, which is your favorite?

MR POE: Dear Titania, I have never read these works of which you speak preferring as I do to reread myself. Furthermore, all my influences stem from my own life and a series of rather questionable real estate decisions.

~*~

AimeeKay said...
Did you ever think that your work would be as influential as it is? Does the fact that it is make you happy?

MR POE: Aimee, happiness tends to elude me fortunately there is laudanum for this but I must say I derive a certain sartorial satisfaction in having so soundly trounced those who said I was but a flash in the pan. I suppose I sound quite small when I tell you that in the small dark corners of my psyche the thought of my critics and my dear mother in law rolling over endlessly in their graves brings a certain pleasure.

~*~

M.A.D. said...
... < suspicious of folks who go around claiming they hear ravens speaking :O

... just sayin'.

MR POE: There are those who say that, to hear voices in an empty room presages the onset of hopeless insanity child but as many of today’s novelists and political candidates will tell you it may also serve as an early sign of genius this is certainly true in my case!

~*~

mbreakfield said...
Mr. Poe, I love your work, especially The Raven.

MR POE: My dear Marlene, it is my pleasure I have little use for money in my present state and so giveaways are my pleasure, though I AM attempting to hawk my shroud on eBay should you be interested in a more tangible reminder of yours truly Edgar Allan.

~*~

tore923 said...
I would love to read your books.

MR POE: Might I recommend the Pit and the Pendulum as a starting place I wrote it on my wedding night :)

~*~

Ruby M said...
Mr. Poe I absolutely love your work, especially The Raven, and I can't wait to read more!

MR POE: Thank you my dear a life without great literature is like being buried alive…which isn’t quite as grim as it sounds, join me?

~*~

marybelle said...
Dear Mr Poe, does it trouble your heart that school children everywhere cringe at your very name?

MR POE: Miss Marybelle that seems a tad excessive cringing at my very name, good lord miss I’m not nearly as fearsome a creature as young miss palin for example and in the minds of the RIGHT sort of children I believe my name glows with a certain red patina, young master King in his youth for example collected and devoured my work most assiduously.

~*~

Sharli said...
If you had the chance, would you write a poem about your own death?

MR POE: Oh I thank you for asking, a little known fact about me is the deep interest I held in a form of poetry known as the limerick please allow an old dead man to share. There once was a writer named Edgar and then he got deader and deader and now he does lie all covered in flies in a grave where the weather don’t spare him.

~*~

Jel ♡ said...
i really want to read his works. i wonder how he got or who his inspirations are for he was able to come up with such great art.

MR POE: I was often inspired in my dark journeys by the memory of my childhood which was later illustrated in the writings of a V.C. Andrews.

~*~

buddyt said...
My question for Mr Poe would be how he likes all the modern horror/ghost stories especially those aimed at YA readers.

MR POE: Are you referring young man to the Twilight books perhaps because if so I must shake my head in derision however I must say that the collected works of Miss Anne Rice prior to her religious conversion have raised some interesting possibilities regarding post rigor mortis sexual activities and do create a certain hopefulness in my decaying heart.

Presume you plan to contact him and pass on the questions via a séance?

MR POE: Allow me to answer this, I refuse to attend any séance in which I am expected to appear alongside Harry Houdini, but might consider a shared venue with Miss Monroe.

~*~

Lieder Madchen said...
My dear Mr. Poe, I have often wondered at your singular ability to invent original ways to kill your creations. Where is it that you get your inspiration?

MR POE: Well I’m a big fan of the works of Wes Craven but in my own lifetime I derived most of my ideas or fantasies if you will during my mother in laws annual holiday visits.

~*~

fredamans said...
I'd like to know.... if you died in the 1849, how are you answering questions in 2011? Is there a Oujia involved?

MR POE: No no my dear, like all the famous dead I will never truly pass into darkness as long as there are those like you who remember my name :)

~*~

Laura's Reviews said...
Do not enter me as I already own the complete works of Poe, but I just had to stop by and say how much I love the author and this poem in particular!

MR POE: Ah I thank you most sincerely Miss Laura and now plan to pen a new work in your honor which I will release next All Hallows Eve.

~*~

Pabkins said...
Why a raven....

MR POE: I had originally planned to use a monitor lizard in the poem but found it lacked the proper air of menace.

~*~

Krysykat said...
I was just like to say Mr. Poe that you are one of my favorite authors, my favorite poem is "Fairy-land".

MR POE: Thank you kindly my dear but perhaps you have not yet read my there once was a girl from Nantucket series of masterpieces so have little with which to compare?

~*~

Carlos Antunes said...
Who have you been haunting since 1850?

MR POE: It varies, in the early years it was a toothsome young lass named Lily Langtry later on I met Miss Monroe, but ever since an unfortunate channeling incident I’ve been stuck with Kurt Cobain’s widow.

~*~

Antonia said...
I love your EDGAR ALLAN POEms!

MR POE: And I my dear love the name Antonia, so very gothic, are you presently seeing anyone? :)

~*~

Rebecca said...
Mr Poe, I very much enjoyed The Raven and the Tell-Tale Heart.

MR POE: Mmmm yes yes Rebecca the Tell Tale Heart in particular is a story I hold close to my decaying breast and thank you for mentioning.

~*~


--~ Book Giveaway courtesy of author ~--


The Wedding Gift
by Kathleen McKenna

17 year old Leeann Worthier is the perfect girl in town - or so she says. George Willets is the heir to a booming petroleum business. When they announce their engagement, George's controlling mother is unimpressed, and Leeann absolutely refuses to live with her mother-in-law. So George gives his new wife a house as a wedding gift.

Thirty years before, the same house hosted a grisly scene: George's uncle and cousins were all slaughtered and his aunt Robina accused of both murder and suicide.

The house is a gorgeous, well-maintained mansion, but has stood empty since the tragedy. It's intimidating, but who is Leeann to turn down a free house? When the ghost of Robina begins to haunt Leeann, she realizes she's made a huge mistake ....


WIN a copy of this book!

Open to all.

Offer ends: November 13, 2011

TO DO: (2-parts)

1. ONE of these:

ADD this book to your Goodreads

or

LIKE this book on amazon.

or

TWEET this: (or click the twitter button on this post)
Giveaway: The Wedding Gift by Kathleen McKenna http://vvb32reads.blogspot.com/2011/10/responses-from-mr-poe.html

2. AND, let me know in comments what you did along with your email (if I don't already have it)

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Contest has ended - winner is here

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

~*~

* image source Nevermore created by the Strangeling

* Mr Poe appearance courtesy of author, Kathleen McKenna

-+0+o+ October Trix-n-Treatz schedule +o+0+-


Winners of Ashes and Toothache Man


Here are the winners for giveaways that
ended October 30, 2011

Thanks to all contestants!



Ashes by Scott Nicholson
Winner: n0velidea of Mourning Goats


The Toothache Man by Sal Conte
Winner: ebook is still AVAILABLE until the end of TODAY
next person who completes the challenge here gets it!

~*~

* to see the original giveaway offer, click on the prize title links

* I will email winners for mailing addresses.
Winners, feel free to contact me with your info if you don't get my email
or if you are just too darn excited and want to let me know -- like NOW ;-D

* contest policy

* keep in touch with my giveaways and learn about other book giveaways by joining the GoodReads Book Giveaways group

* if not this time, maybe next time

--> check out the current giveaways and upcoming events on my sidebar


Bookie Brunch: Trick or Treat


Hi! Bookie Brunch is a weekly book chat for book lovers. A new Bookie Brunch posts every Sunday, and you're welcome to join any ongoing discussion whenever you like.

In the meantime, let's have some treats for Halloween. Just click on the badges at the end of the post, for a new treat. Note - The event begins on Oct. 23, so please feel free to drop by then. In the meantime...

I will share a bit of Japanese scariness - mwah - mwah - ha ha...

WATCH some J-horror...


The Audition (1999)
thumbs up for scare factor
kiri-kiri-kiriiiiiiiii


READ some splatterpunk...

Battle Royale
by Koushun Takami


LISTEN to the Japanese version of This is Halloween...



CHECK this quite-scary Japanese costume ;-D



~*~

More about Bookie Brunch

Bookie Brunch
*Every Sunday*
Founder: Sasha Soren (Random Magic)
The first Bookie Brunch was held July 2011:
Check out that discussion
or
See all discussions


~*~

Sweets for the sweet...
One fun Halloween treat is

Halloween Cake Pops.


Feel free to leave a comment if you like, on any of the cool blogs participating in the hop.





You're welcome to share your fave treat or some other cool link for Halloween. Thanks for dropping by, and...

Happy Halloween!

~*~

* image source Japanese costume, halloween cake pops

Sunday, October 30, 2011

alice challenge #4


Our Alice takes a break from visiting stops in Whenland.

here's a chance to work on her challenge


--~ Alice in Whenland challenge ~--

PRIZE: book of your choice from October Trix-n-Treatz book list and a surprize Alice-in-Wonderland-related item.
-offer ends November 13, 2011

I shall post a challenge task each day through Oct 31.

You MUST complete all 5 tasks:
links will be provided for these as the posts go live

task 1: Journey
task 2: Pioneers
task 3: Gateway
task 4: Laurel Line - see task below
task 5: signup form

TASK: (2-parts)

Laurel Line:
An Anthracite Region Railway
by James N.J. Henwood and John G. Muncie

The dawn of the 20th century saw a new form of transportation evolve in the United States: the interurban electric railway. These enterprises were natural offshoots of the original, short urban trolley lines that quickly replaced the horse car in the 1890s.

Most trolley lines lived in relative obscurity and enjoyed a few years of prosperity, followed by decline and abandonment in the face of bus and automotive competition. A relative handful managed to survive until the post-World War II years and thus have attracted greater attention.

Among them was the Lackawanna and Wyoming Valley Railroad. The Laurel Line, as it was most commonly known, was unusual in several respects: It was built to higher-than-normal standards for electric short line railroads; it operated mostly with a third rail power system; it ran exclusively on private rights-of-way; and it served a geographically narrow region whose economy was heavily dependent on one industry - coal.

The Laurel Line's corporate records survived, and authors Henwood and Muncie made the most of this historical treasure. In the book, the railroad emerges in human terms of strife, struggle, victory and defeat. The reader learns not only what happened, but why, and who made it happen.

All railroads are interesting if properly researched - the Laurel Line as portrayed in this work is profoundly fascinating. Life in Pennsylvania's anthracite region is detailed when the Lackawanna and Wyoming Valley Railroad was fighting the good fight.


1. WATCH the Book Trailer for this:



2. Tell me what you saw at the 46 second spot.

~*~

* image source Alice by Strangeling

-+0+o+ October Trix-n-Treatz schedule +o+0+-


Alice in Whenland stop in: The Eternal Child


Our Alice finds herself amidst an author interview...

~-~-~-~-~ guest ~-~-~-~-~
by David Wasserman
~-~-~-~-~ guest ~-~-~-~-~

What is the title of your book?
The Eternal Child

What is your book about?
My book is about a fugitive vampire who has been on the run for his entire existence. He suddenly comes to the rescue of a young woman who had been attacked by what appears to be an animal. For some reason he decides to stop running, and stays with her. He integrates himself into her life, and gets to know her friends, and is finally able to pursue a human-esque life. That is until vampires from all over the globe catch up with him looking to collect his bounty. The true essence of the book is this: For every vampire, there is one human, one human in the entire world who can make that vampire a human again, but the catch is, they may come at any time, and only once. If the human dies or becomes a vampire, then that vampire will never get another chance to become human again.

Why did you decide to write it?
I decided to write this story, because I feel somewhere in the recent years, vampires have been stripped of what makes them what they are. In my opinion, vampires are the most dangerous of the mythological creatures. They are all about seduction and corruption, not to mention they have all of these illusionistic powers. I wanted to bring that back to vampires, and I hope I did.

How did you get your book published?
I sent in my manuscript to Outskirtspress, hoping that self-publishing was a smart direction, and I was more than happy with the result.

What types of readers will be interested in your book?
Hopefully the readers that are big on fiction and heavy sci-fi, but I feel it could appeal to all kinds of readers, the story is much, much more than just vampires.

What is special about your book? What differentiates it from other books in the same category?
Personally, what I feel is special about my book is it's heart, the human connections these non-human creatures make with ordinary human beings. What I feel differentiates it from other books in the same category, would have to be the depth and emotion behind the characters, especially the vampires. Because it shows how such an inhuman thing can feel human emotions stronger than most human beings could.

Have you published any other books? Do you plan to publish more?
I have not published any other books, but I plan to publish two sequels of The Eternal Child.

~end

Guest post created for October Trix-n-Treatz event by David Wasserman, author of The Eternal Child
© 2011. All rights reserved.


Visit David:
Goodreads

~-~-~-~-~ guest ~-~-~-~-~
by David Wasserman
~-~-~-~-~ guest ~-~-~-~-~

WIN the book...

--~ Book Giveaway courtesy of author ~--

The Eternal Child
by David Wasserman

signup to win this book


~*~

* image source Alice in Clockwork by Strangeling

-+0+o+ October Trix-n-Treatz schedule +o+0+-


Talk like Jane Austen Day

A Rather Lovely Soirée
for
Talk like Jane Austen Day
Event production by
Random Magic Tour
Sasha Soren (Random Magic)
Oct. 30, 2011

WELCOME, dear guests!

You've arrived at a rather lovely soirée in honor of Talk like Jane Austen Day.

Talk like Jane Austen Day is an annual event, but October 30, 2011 is a particularly special day, as it marks the 200th anniversary of the first printing of Sense and Sensibility (1811), Austen's first published novel.

In honor of the day, we've assembled a delightful collection of interesting features on all things Jane Austen and her times.

Jane Austen in her cottage garden at Chawton. Painting by Tom Clifford, 2002. -per JASA

Here's the official site for Talk like Jane Austen Day

AND NOW, here is a feature on Jane Austen, for your perusal...

Worldly and Otherworldly
Jane's Ghost
Being a sweet mystery related to that late worthy, the writer Jane Austen
vvb32 reads (@vvb32reads)




As a special gift connected to the celebration, please enjoy a complimentary download of a delightful work by Jane Austen:

Mansfield Park

About: Jane completed this book at Chawton Cottage, working on the manuscript from 1812 through 1814. Mansfield Park was published in 1814; the story follows Fanny Price, a young woman from a poor family whose life takes some twists and turns on the way to eventually finding her true home. (More)

Download this book

ADDITIONAL goodies available:

Jane's Fame:
How Jane Austen Conquered the World
by Claire Harman

WIN this book at Bookie Brunch, offer open through December 15, 2011.

About: When publisher Thomas Cadell declined an unsolicited manuscript offered to him by a Hampshire clergyman in 1797, he made one of the biggest mistakes in publishing history, for the manuscript was an early version of Pride and Prejudice, and the clergyman's daughter was destined to become one of the most recognizable names in literature... (More)

Mrs Darcy Versus the Alien
by Jonathan Pinnock

WIN this book at A Rather Lovely Soirée, offer open through November 4, 2011 (GMT). Book offer by vlogger Sable Caught, play to win thisvbook by watching a quick Jane Austen quiz and replying with your answers. (Watch video)

AND, just for fun - find out which of Jane Austen's characters is most like you:

Teapot cookies image courtesy Mischief Mari


TAKE the QUIZ

side note: i turned out to be -- how about you?



You might also have a nice time at another Jane event coming up this November:


INVITATION to Pemberley Ball, Nov. 14-19, 2011
You're also invited to another charming Jane Austen event, the annual Pemberley Ball, held every November and hosted by vvb32 reads (@vvb32reads).

More information on Pemberley Ball
Pre-event reading from Pride and Prejudice: Listen
Last season: The Party Scouts | Gallery of Gowns | Dance Card
RSVP: Reply to RSVP for this year's ball

AND...

Please feel free to browse the collection of badges below, as each one of them will feature an interesting topic related to Jane Austen and her times, and you're sure to enjoy them all.





We hope you've enjoyed Worldly and Otherworldly - Jane's Ghost. Do you have a favorite quote? Feel free to share with us in the comments.

Thank you for visiting, it's been so nice to see you.

Happy Talk like Jane Austen Day!


~*~

* Event production for A Rather Lovely Soirée by Random Magic Tour.
About Random Magic: Trailer | Print | Kindle

* E-book titles via GirleBooks

Saturday, October 29, 2011

alice challenge #3


Our Alice takes a break from visiting stops in Whenland.

here's a chance to work on her challenge


--~ Alice in Whenland challenge ~--

PRIZE: book of your choice from October Trix-n-Treatz book list and a surprize Alice-in-Wonderland-related item.
-offer ends November 13, 2011

I shall post a challenge task each day through Oct 31.

You MUST complete all 5 tasks:
links will be provided for these as the posts go live

task 1: Journey
task 2: Pioneers
task 3: Gateway - see task below
task 4: Laurel Line
task 5: signup form

TASK: (2-parts)

Gateway to the Clouds
The Story of a Short Line Railroad
The Scranton, Dunmore, Moosic Lake Railroad
1902-1926
by Alan and Judy Sweeney

Gateway to the Clouds is a story of the Scranton, Dunmore, Moosic Lake Railroad. From narrow and standard gauge steam railroading to the electric trolley, readers will ride the pages of this interesting segment (1902-1926) of Northeastern Pennsylvania history. The authors tell the story of the dream of two Irish immigrants to find a place that would allow for recreation and serve as an escape after a strenuous work week.

1. WATCH Book Trailer for this:



2. TELL me the name of the lake mentioned in the video.

~*~

* image source Alice by Strangeling

-+0+o+ October Trix-n-Treatz schedule +o+0+-


Alice in Whenland stop in: Between


Our Alice finds herself in another time shift and is witness to this scene...

~-~-~-~-~ guest ~-~-~-~-~
by Cyndi Tefft
~-~-~-~-~ guest ~-~-~-~-~

Excerpt: from Between

He hoisted himself up in one fluid motion, then called out something to the horse and it took off like a shot through the gardens. His arm tightened around my stomach and I leaned against him, holding my breath, but it wasn’t long before I relaxed and began to enjoy the wind on my face.

Aiden’s chest pressed against my back and his thighs held me firmly in place. We moved together as one, gliding in the saddle as the horse slowed to a steady gallop. The trees blurred with our passing and wisps of my hair tickled my cheeks. It was like riding in a speedboat with the wind swirling around me, but I felt a connection with the horse and the earth as we moved, something innately satisfying. The ride was over all too soon as we slowed to a walk at the edge of a clearing.

“I thought you might like to stop here and have a picnic,” he said, his breath warm on my cheek. He swung down easily and offered me his hand. I wasn’t nearly so graceful as I dismounted, but he caught me in his arms. He stopped me halfway down with my breasts pressed tight against his chest. My heart caught in my throat at the sudden flame of passion in his eyes. His lips hovered before mine for a moment too long, but then he loosened his grip and let me slide the rest of the way to the ground.

“Well, did you enjoy it?” he asked, his voice a shade deeper than usual. I wasn’t sure if he meant the horseback riding or the fact that I had been pressed against him, but the answer was an emphatic ‘yes’ regardless.

“I loved it.”

~end

Guest post created for October Trix-n-Treatz event by Cyndi Tefft, author of Between
© 2011. All rights reserved.

Visit Cyndi:
Website
Facebook
Goodreads
Shelfari
Twitter

~-~-~-~-~ guest ~-~-~-~-~
by Cyndi Tefft
~-~-~-~-~ guest ~-~-~-~-~

READ more about these characters here...

--~ Book Giveaway courtesy of author ~--

Between
by Cyndi Tefft

signup to win this book


~*~

* image source Alice in Clockwork by Strangeling

-+0+o+ October Trix-n-Treatz schedule +o+0+-


Friday, October 28, 2011

alice challenge #2


Our Alice takes a break from visiting stops in Whenland.

here's a chance to work on her challenge


--~ Alice in Whenland challenge ~--

PRIZE: book of your choice from October Trix-n-Treatz book list and a surprize Alice-in-Wonderland-related item.
-offer ends November 13, 2011

I shall post a challenge task each day through Oct 31.

You MUST complete all 5 tasks:
links will be provided for these as the posts go live

task 1: Journey
task 2: Pioneers - see task below
task 3: Gateway
task 4: Laurel Line
task 5: signup form

TASK: (2-parts)

Industrial Pioneers:
Scranton, Pennsylvania and the Transformation of America, 1840-1902
by Patrick Brown

During the nineteenth century, Scranton was the face of innovation, immigration, industrialization, and a rising America. Scranton was “the electric city” when electricity was the most exciting invention in the world, and a hub of technology and innovation—between 1840 and 1902, the city of Scranton changed from a lazy backwoods community to a modern industrial society with 100,000 residents. During this time, Scranton’s citizens desperately tried to adapt their thinking to keep up with the overwhelming changes around them, and in the process forged the world views that would define the twentieth century. As globalization, technology and immigration transform the United States today, this book revisits how the people the forefront of the industrial revolution moved from chaos to a new order, and how they found meaning within a rapidly changing world.

1. WATCH the Book Trailer for this:



2. TELL me the name of a political figure you spotted in the video.

~*~

* image source Alice by Strangeling

-+0+o+ October Trix-n-Treatz schedule +o+0+-


Alice in Whenland stop in: Dangerous Designs


Our Alice discovers a kindred spirit...
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by Dale Mayer
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Hi everyone!

I'm delighted to be here discussing one of my favourite books.

Dangerous Designs is 60,000 words, and a full on 200+ pages of action with a surprise hook ending.

Blurb:
Drawing is her world...but when her new pencil comes alive, it's his world too.

Her...Storey Dalton is seventeen and now boyfriendless after being dumped via Facebook. Drawing is her escape. It’s like as soon as she gets down one image, a dozen more are pressing in on her. Then she realizes her pictures are almost drawing themselves...or is it that her new pencil is alive?

Him...Eric Jordan is a new Ranger and the only son of the Councilman to his world. He’s crossed the veil between dimensions to retrieve a lost stylus. But Storey is already experimenting with her new pencil and what her drawings can do - like open portals.

It ... The stylus is a soul-bound intelligence from Eric’s dimension on Earth and uses Storey’s unsuspecting mind to seek its way home, giving her an unbelievable power. She unwittingly opens a third dimension, one that held a dangerous predatory species banished from Eric’s world centuries ago, releasing these animals into both dimensions.

Them... Once in Eric’s homeland, Storey is blamed for the calamity sentenced to death. When she escapes, Eric is ordered to bring her back or face that same death penalty. With nothing to lose, can they work together across dimensions to save both their worlds?

This is book 1 of the story, with several sequels coming soon. The story leaves on a hook. Not to worry, book II picks up where book one ends.


Here's an excerpt:
She pulled her sketchbook out of her backpack. Then grabbed her red binder from class. She plunked down on her bed and flipped through the pages in both books. And stopped. Yes.

Leaning close, she studied the images. The newer one was an enlargement of the lower right hand corner of the bigger drawing where she'd run out of paper. Odd how ancient the doorway in her pictures looked. She rarely drew anything medieval or historical looking and had no idea why she would have now. What did it mean?

Tracing the picture with her fingertips, she tried to understand why it was so important to sketch such detail. Her fingers moved slower and slower in a repetitive and oddly mesmerizing motion. She lost herself in the movement, feeling soothed and comforted by the knowledge that if nothing else, she'd created this.

Tapping on the window drew her attention. The sun had gone behind a cloud. Even as she watched, rain pelted the glass, giving everything a distorted look. Kind of matched her life right now. With a sigh she refocused on the large sketch.

She stopped. Then frowned. Had the picture changed? Shifted? Bending her head, she studied it closer then shook her head. No. It was the same. At least she thought so. Anything else was so not possible. As she went to close her books, she paused again.

There. A new line. She studied the picture. She hadn't drawn it — or had she? Stupid that's what it was. If she hadn't, who had? She had to have put it there. Tilting her head to look at it from another angle, she realized the line still wasn't quite right. She snatched up her pencil and thickened the left side of it, widening it on the bottom.

There, that was much better. It felt right.

Stupid maybe, but the change made her happy.

She switched to staring at the weird blow up picture she'd made in class today. With the geography notes underneath, it was irritating to look at. Within minutes, she had redrawn the picture into her sketchbook properly. Now that she could see it clearer, she realized it was a door of some kind. Without a latch or knob, yet the right size and shape. She laughed at her imagination. So there was a door. Now wouldn't it be great if that meant she could just open the door and walk right through?

The last thing she did was add a flat metal looking door handle to the right side.

Snick.

Storey glanced at her bedroom door. "Mom, is that you?" Her bedroom door was closed and stayed that way. More unnerved by her reaction that at a stupid noise, Storey hopped up and checked if someone stood outside her room.

The hallway was empty. Laminate floors and red and gold painted walls stared back at her. Remnants of the previous owners.

Closing the door on the horrible colors, Storey surveyed her own lemon and lavender room. So much easier on her eyes. The rain continued to hit the window filling the room with a steady pounding. With everything as it should be, she sat back down on the bed and picked up her drawing.

And caught her breath. She'd put the handle in as a joke.

It was no joke now. The freaking door was open. She peered closer. At least she thought it was. The edge of the door was now a thick black line hinting at a darkness on the other side.

She dropped the book on her bed and bolted to the far side of the room. She chewed her nails, not taking her eyes off her picture. The open door stared back at her.

An open door she hadn't drawn. She knew that. Still, she couldn't stop a quick glance at the pencil in her hand. Just in case. There was no way. Surely? How could those couple of lines give off such an ominous vibe? With so much power? And grace? Chills rippled across her shoulders.

Inviting her? Warning her? Freaking her out — hell yeah!

Storey knew she wasn't that good an artist.

Could she be having blackouts? Momentary relief bloomed at the idea. Then she reached up and touched her temple. She didn't suffer from headaches. She hadn't been injured. As far as she knew, she was healthy.

How could the picture have changed without her or someone else changing it? And why? She studied the lines of the door. Flat, thick lined, almost needing something from her. Waiting for her to do something. But what?

It's not like she could walk through the stupid thing. And even if she could, it's not like she would. Who knew what lay on the other side? A half chuckle escaped. Right. Now she was losing it.

Shoving the drawing deep inside her bag, she closed and tied up the outside straps as a deterrent. Determinedly, she grabbed her English reading assignment and focused on finishing her homework. When she couldn't keep her eyes open any longer, she dropped the book to the floor beside her, clicked off the light and dropped into a deep sleep — a sleep full of weird dreams and voices calling to her.

"Storey, come and get me."

"Storey come."

"We need you, Storey."


Disturbed, she bolted upright gasping for breath as she stared wildly around the room. Who said that? No one. She was alone — and clearly losing it. Her heart banged in her chest as a film of sweat covered her skin. She took several deep breaths and tried to calm down. Talk about nightmares. She shuddered and lay back down. It took several minutes to get her breathing under control and when it did, she started to get pissed.

"What the hell do you want with me?" she snapped in the direction of her backpack, the drawing safely secured inside. "Crap. This is too freaky, even for me."

"Storey, is that you, honey?"

Her mother knocked on the door and poked her head around, the light from the hallway lighting the silver streaks in her otherwise dark hair. "Can't you sleep?"

"Sorry if I woke you." Storey sat up, brushing her own jet black hair back off her face. "Just a bad dream."

"That's because you didn't have any dinner. I checked up on you after the meeting finished only you'd fallen asleep." Her mother's fingers twisted around a dangling lock of dark hair, stepping further into the room, her Wiccan robes dragging on the floor. She bit her lip. "Storey, you have to eat. You're already skinny enough."

Bone rack is what a jock had called her last month. Looking down, Storey realized they could be right. Her hip bones stuck out to match her big elbows. And her body had developed to the point she just barely missed the skinny scarecrow look. Too bad. She might have been able to make that work.

"I'm eating, Mom. They had pizza in class today, so didn't need my lunch. Ate that on the way home." She had more important things to worry about anyway.

Relief washed over her mom's pretty face. "Oh, I'm so glad to hear that. Sometimes, I worry about you."

Sometimes? Didn't she mean all the time? Was that was normal for moms? Then again, there was a world of difference between normal moms and hers.

"What time is it?" Storey looked out the window. Blackness stared back.

"It's just a little after midnight. Please get into your pajamas. You don't want to be sleeping in those jeans." She backed up to the open door. "If you're alright, I'll say good night. It is witching hour after all." With a carefree grin, her mom closed the door.

Witching hour. Right. Only in her house. Sighing at her mother's antics, Storey collapsed down on her covers and fell into a light, troubled sleep.

"Storey."

She sighed. "What now, mom?"

No answer. She sat up and glanced at the closed door. Weird. She could've sworn she'd heard someone call her. Lying down again, she pulled her blankets over top, not bothering to get changed.

"Storey."

She bolted upright. That's it. Who the hell was playing games with her?

"Storey."

Throwing back the blankets, Storey kneeled on her bed. "Who said that?" she hissed into the early morning air. Not trusting the gloomy light, she flicked her bedside lamp on, quickly scanning the room. Empty. "I am so losing it. This is nuts."
Her gaze landed on the backpack on her floor. Her gaze widened. Oh no.

"No, no. Hell, no." She shook her head, slowly at first then more wildly. "This can't be happening. It's a picture. Nothing more. Nothing less. I created you. I can destroy you."

That's exactly what she was going to do. She dragged the backpack onto her bed and opened it. The knot defied her first and second attempts, before she managed to pull the laces apart and yank out her book. "I don't know what's going on here, but enough is enough."

She flipped to the last page she'd been working on and grabbed it at the top left and ripped. It wouldn't tear off. She tightened her grip and tried again. It refused to budge. Scared now, she threw it on the floor and in a fit of defiance, she jumped on it.

And fell through the picture, through the floor even.

She went right through the doorway in her picture.

~end

Guest post created for October Trix-n-Treatz event by Dale Mayer, author of Dangerous Designs - Turn the page, I dare you!
© 2011. All rights reserved.

Visit Dale:
Website
Facebook
Goodreads
Shelfari
Twitter

~-~-~-~-~ guest ~-~-~-~-~
by Dale Mayer
~-~-~-~-~ guest ~-~-~-~-~

READ more about these characters here...

--~ Book Giveaway courtesy of author ~--

Dangerous Designs
by Dale Mayer

Amazon.com | Barnesandnoble.com | allromanceebooks.com

signup to win this book


~*~

* image source Alice in Clockwork by Strangeling

-+0+o+ October Trix-n-Treatz schedule +o+0+-


Alice in Whenland stop in: The Chronicles of the Mira


Our Alice has returned from the zombocalypse - ALIVE and well (meaning NOT undead) and her adventure continues in Whenland.

But what is Whenland?

WELL, hmmmm.

* scratches head *

'tis a place where Alice can be thrown into the past or present, fact or fiction, here or there or nowhere-at-all.

~-~-~-~-~ guest ~-~-~-~-~
by Christine E. Schulze
~-~-~-~-~ guest ~-~-~-~-~

The Chronicles of the Mira truly is a perfect fantasy collection for autumn. When Velvet asked me to do up a guest post, she said to go with the theme of “falling into” my book. Not only does this three-story anthology tell about the Mira Wood and how it came to be a place of eternal autumn, where the healing autumn leaves grow anew and fall in a continuous cycle, but it even includes a story called “Autumn Falls”.

I’m not going to glimpse into that story though. Much as I like it, my heart really pulses with the third story of the bunch called “Alastair’s Cottage”. Let’s take a peek inside that autumn tale instead.

Character Focus and Situation: Alastair Lance, of the Mira race. He is a sorcerer and healer. Once renowned amongst his people, he is now an outcast. Why? Because he has a horrible record for breaking girls hearts. He makes them fall madly in love with them, but when they speak those magic words of “I love you”, he never returns them. Is he really so cruel or too proud to really love any of those common girls? Does he never return their feelings just because he won’t—or because he can’t? What darker secrets lie within the heart of this troubled young man? And can his new love interest, the sweet unsuspecting Lily, delve inside that heart at last and illuminate those secrets, heal those wounds?

Here’s a small glimpse of Alastair’s Cottage that may help you solve the mystery for yourself.


Excerpt:

The door creaked open, and Lily slipped in and closed the door behind her. Beneath the myriad tall, lofty trees hovered hundreds of thousands of glowing discs made of radiating light. They seemed to stretch on endlessly.

Lily slowly walked up to one and carefully passed her arm through the disc of light.

Her arm did not appear on the other side but instead seemed to vanish. She knew her arm was still present for she felt it brush up against some sort of plant, and then she realized her arm had somehow slipped inside the disc.

As she drew back her hand, a forest scene flickered in the circle of light before vanishing. Lily stared at it awestruck for a moment, but soon the sound of children's laughter drew her attention to another of the circular lights. Within the light flashed a scene of children giggling as they watched a strange metal contraption taking flight. This scene, too, vanished, but then Lily's gaze snapped to another in the distance.

Upon drawing closer, she saw Alastair arguing with Elenor! She could not hear their words, but by the hurt, angry expression on Elenor's face, Alastair just told her something devastating. Then the scene morphed to show him arguing with another clearly upset girl, then another and another...

Finally, Lily tore her eyes away. So this is what Elenor wanted her to see. Alastair breaking the hearts of young girls. Had Elenor wanted her to know out of spite and jealousy, or did she truly want to help her? Lily could not believe that Alastair would delight in breaking young girls' hearts. Maybe he had broken their hearts, but certainly not without good reason like everyone said he did.

Lily suddenly realized how quick her breath and heartbeat were. She walked away from the disc and turned to leave, but Alastair suddenly rounded a tree. He jumped in surprise when he saw her, but then sighed with relief.


"Ah, good," he said. "I was worried when I woke up and you weren't there."

Lily shrugged. "You were still sound asleep, so I decided to go for a walk."

"I see you found the 'Endless Lights'."

"Yes. But what exactly are they?"

"They're portals of time and space. Each one shows what is, has been, or will be. They're a form of time travel, if you will. They're very important, not to be used lightly, which is why they're protected in the garden."

So the scenes she saw were all true. Alastair broke all those girls' hearts. And yet, she could not believe that he was a cruel, selfish--

"Lily, are you all right?" Alastair frowned.

She was breathing fast again, and she could almost feel her skin blanch paler than the moonlight. "Yes," she said, snapping out of her thoughts. "Yes," she repeated, smiling with reassurance. "I'm fine."
~end

Guest post created for October Trix-n-Treatz event by Christine E. Schulze, author of The Chronicles of the Mira
© 2011. All rights reserved.

Visit Christine:
Website
Blog
Facebook
Goodreads
Shelfari

~-~-~-~-~ guest ~-~-~-~-~
by Christine E. Schulze
~-~-~-~-~ guest ~-~-~-~-~

READ more about these characters here...

--~ eBook Giveaway courtesy of author ~--

The Chronicles of the Mira
by Christine E. Schulze

signup to win this ebook


~*~

* image source Alice in Clockwork by Strangeling

-+0+o+ October Trix-n-Treatz schedule +o+0+-


Zompacolypse HOP

Zompacolypse HOP
hosted by Paranormal Wastelands
Oct 28 - Nov 1, 2011
-my schedule of doings for this event
complete HOP list here


~*~

For zombie f(r)iends...

--~ Book Giveaway ~--

It's Okay to be a Zombie: An Unchildren's Book
by Nathaniel Lambert
illustrated by Danny Evarts
-my review

Sure, zombies are pretty scary.
They stink.
They want to eat your brains.
They're terrible house guests.

Who says zombies can't be fun, too?

Don't they look kind of silly falling down and bumping into things?

Sometimes they can even be cute.

So, before you run away screaming for your lives, stop and appreciate the beauty of the undead.

And remember, It's Okay to be a Zombie.


~*~

WIN my gently read copy!

Open to all.

Offer ends: November 1, 2011

TO DO: (2- parts)

1. Do ONE of the following...

FOLLOW me (on sidebar).

SUBSCRIBE via email to my blog (on sidebar).

SUBSCRIBE to one of my Event Alerts here.

2. Tell me what you did in comments.

AND, leave your email (if I don't already have it)

~*~

NOW, on to some hopping...












1. Paranormal Wastelands 15. Amethyst Daydreams 29. But What Are They Eating
2. vvb32 reads 16. Shandy @ Mama Knows Books 30. Jex @ Everything and Nothing
3. Mad Moose Mama 17. Violette 31. Mary @ Sweeping Me
4. Nina @ Death Books and Tea 18. Juliet @ The Attic 32. Zombie Girl Shambling
5. Cana 19. Tee @dreaming dreams 33. Books And Beyond
6. Karin Librarian 20. The Story Seekers 34. Stuck in YA
7. AH@ Badass Book Reviews 21. Vanessa Morgan 35. Annie Walls
8. Can't Put It Down 22. Avalon Cat Cartoons 36. Chrisitna Irelan
9. Lea @ LC's Adventures in Libraryland 23. Ashley Suzanne 37. Colleen @ Les Livres
10. Ambur @ Burning. x. Impossibly. x. Bright 24. Heather@ Supa Gurl Books 38. Pabkins @ Mission to Read
11. Lyndsey Lore @ STRANGEMORE 25. The Book Nympho 39. Alaskan Book Cafe
12. Bibliosaurus Text 26. Kathy @ I write, I read, I review 40. I Am A Reader, Not A Writer
13. Dawn @ Read Love 27. monkeycstars 41. The Wannabe Knight
14. Christen @ Goldilox and the Three Weres 28. Melissa @ This is Your Brain on Books


AND, feel free to signup for more of my giveaways on the sidebar !

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Contest has ended - winner is here

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Imagination Designs
Images from: Lovelytocu