Friday, June 22, 2012

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!

34 comments:

  1. Sniff, was not about to hop away. LOL
    Love the excerpt and I'll be adding you to my TBR. Thanks for sharing. :)

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  2. Cool...I never considered how teens might find their moments to remember. Great concept.

    Oh yeah and bring on those prizes too!

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  3. I too wish to go to Eden. Duty and Devotion is on my must read list as well. I'm reluctant to hop away, but will look back on this lovely post with pangs of nostalgia and yes, I really am hooked on the premise of Duty and Devotion. Thanks for sharing.

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  4. I already own Duty and Devotion so leave me out of your drawing but leave me in the big one. Loved you post.

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  5. Fun way to twist into the theme! LOL! How cool that you got your summer love.

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  6. Thanks all for stopping by!

    Eden *sigh*, I know. I really tried to find a reason to go there when I was writing the story, but couldn't work it in. (I've got the world down and hope to find a way to use it in a future story somewhere.)

    *eyes DL suspiciously* Okay, okay. I'll believe you, but have to admit the prizes are tempting enough I was looking away from my OWN post.

    I never really thought about it either until my kids entered teenage-ism.

    Thanks Arlene, I'm glad to pass on some of that nostalgia...trust me, I have loads to spare.

    Oh, shoot, I wish I had another prize to give you JC.

    Thanks Pauline. I do like to twist it up a bit...keep people on their toes and all that mumbo.

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  7. Duty and Devotion has very beautiful story! Thank you for the giveaway and hop.
    Artemis

    artgiote at gmail dot com

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  8. Sounds like you had a wonderful summer! Great excerpt!

    Jess
    jessicasubject.writer at gmail dot com

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  9. No, no! I read the whole post. No flipping to the next blog just yet. :)

    Thank you for the excerpt and the giveaway opportunity!

    Pam
    vanillaorchids69(at)gmail(dot)com

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  10. Hi thanks for the story of your youth. It reminds me of a time when i was young. LOL Joannie jscddmj[at]aol[dot]com

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  11. Your post was so funny. I loved it and wow what a great book cover.

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  12. Thanks for sharing the excerpt. Teens are resilient and will find fond memories in just about any situation.

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  13. What a fun post! Thanks for the chance to win!
    suz2(at)cox(dot)net

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  14. Nice. Just added a new book to my to read list.

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  15. We all have different special times to remember.

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  16. lol Loved your post! I couldnt help but laugh. By the way, i have really bad aim, you wont have to dodge the bricks i throw. lol Fun post! Your book sounds very good! :) Thanks for sharing and for the fun hop!
    shadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com

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  17. Thanks for the excerpt and the giveaway!

    elizabeth @ bookattict . com
    GFC: BookAttict

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  18. 'Duty and Devotion' sounds like a great read! I really enjoyed the excerpt,

    Happy Solstice!

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  19. 'Duty and Devotion' sounds like a great read! I really enjoyed the excerpt,

    Happy Solstice!

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  20. A summer to remember! I'm glad you haven't forgotten the teenagers in your SF!(Sez the mom of 3 teen daughters).

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  21. A.R., you really build a world here...and a vulnerable human heart to go with it.

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  22. Thank you for sharing part of Duty and Devotion. Sounds great!

    Cheryl
    cheryl(at)cherylcorbin(dot)com

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  23. I love your writing style. Refugees is definitely getting added to my growing TBR pi... nvm ... I went to download and found I'd picked up the sample already. Now I just need time to read!

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  24. Very nice post and excerpt.

    bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  25. Loved your post and the book sounds just as good.Thanks for the chance to win.

    Lisacordes (at) yah00 (d0t) c0m

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  26. Love your blog!

    kazouaher12@hotmail.com

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  27. I'm so glad you all liked the posts. Wanted to reply to everyone but my smallest got a tummyache last night and needed "mommy snuggles".

    I'll post the winner tomorrow after I run everyone through random.org.

    Good luck everyone!!

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  28. Super cute and funny post- thanks for the laugh and the book looks great!
    drmgrl99atyahoodotcom

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  29. Enjoyed your post very much. Thanks for the contest!

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  30. LOL! I love your sense of humor. Hardass geeks, indeed. ;) Great excerpt!

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