Midsummer Blog Hop: Midsummer Mischevious

Welcome to my blog for the SFR Brigade's Midsummer Blog Hop! WHOOT!!

Okay. Down to business. Midsummer. June. Heat.

For me, midsummer always brings back a case of nostalgia. (For my blogging buddies, shoosh. The newcomers don't have to know a fly could send me into a nostalgic mood.)

Quick Pause: See what I did there? I tricked you all! Mwhuahahaha! You were all so sure I'd go all scifi-ish on the topic. But, really, the science of solstice is pretty standard stuff. Plus, the blog hop is for the SFR Brigade. These aren't just wimpy SF geeks who love to swoon. These are a bunch of hardass geeks. There is nothing I can't blog about that they aren't going to blog about in more and better detail. So...there!

Where was I? Oh, yeah...summer nostalgia.

I can't help remembering the summer right after freshman year high school, when I spent the summer at a family friend's and had my first crush that was reciprocated. (The geeky girl got the cute lifeguard that summer...imagine that!) We each knew there wouldn't be declarations of love. Both of us perfectly aware and happy to experience the romance for exactly what it was, a summer romance.

What a summer!

The daily trips to the pool to hang with new friends, which drifted into meals at the local fast food joint and then evenings at either the bowling alley or the youth group's billiard table. (We weren't old enough to frequent the bars or the pool halls where they served alcohol...yet.)

Oh, okay...we all know I can't NOT go SF-y. Even as I'm reminiscing, the SF in me is turning the thought wheel, like a damn hamster.

It's a sickness.

What will be the equivalent of a "summer memory" for galactic teens growing up? In a future, where who only knows what will be happening in the world(s) and where, how will they build those moments?

In my first SFR novel, Duty and Devotion, the sisters get caught up in a war right as they're experiencing this period in their lives. Poor younger sister, Rinny Matterville, has barely even started. Partly because the sheltered life she's led, but war has no shelter. Below is an excerpt of her, and a couple new friends on a Mars excursion. This was before her world, and reality, were torn apart. One of the better times, shall we say.

EXCERPT

Guiding the Mars cruiser out of the exit bay, Rinny marveled again at its beauty. She didn't think she'd ever adjust to real land and open space. It took a few moments to break out of the shadow of the Colombia Hills dome. In the distance, the impressive Gusev Crater edge stood, contrasting with the Mars horizon as a backdrop. Two kilometers out she sped up and enjoyed the control of piloting the land cruiser.

In the rear seat, Danny leaned forward to observe the sky from out the roof viewer. "It's so beautiful here."

Journey leaned over to join him. "Eden Station is a great place, but even their views of space pale in comparison to this."

"Really? I'd love to visit Eden," Rinny smiled at her. "Windmore City seems like living in a fish bowl compared to life here. Can you believe it? Here we are cruising along in free space towards a real mountain region. I feel like we're on an adventure."

Journey laughed and took a bag from behind her seat. "I had a feeling you'd say that, so I got us these."

She took out three big hats, which looked like upside down bowls with deep rims. Rinny wondered when she'd had time to buy three hats. They weren't even sure Danny would be coming. Man, she was quick to plan and more confident in me than I am to myself.

"What are those?" Rinny and Danny asked in unison, glancing at the odd hats with suspicion.

* * * * * *

I guess the season doesn't really matter. It's the experiences, and teenagers will find "the moments to remember" in any conditions. When it comes down to it, it's the interactions, the people, and the places you encounter during that phase in your life that sticks with you.

Okay, now the prizes. Ahhh, I see I've recaptured your attention, didn't I? Admit it, you were about to flip to the next blog on the blog-o-hop. Weren't you?

I forgive you.

My prize is an ebook copy of Duty and Devotion. Now, remember, most blog hop participants are giving away individual prizes, AND there's an overall blog hop grand prize and runner up prize.

What are these grand and runner up prizes, you ask? Wait for it....wait for it...wait for it...Hey! Watch where you're throwing the bricks people! (And they say SF geeks have no aim. Pfft!)

Fine, fine. It's a Kindle for the grand prize. Runner up gets a cool prize to, 20 SFR titles and a gift card. Not too shabby, eh? Winners will be chosen using random.org.

Well, what are you waiting for? Go! Visit those other blogs and leave comments!