#ContactForm1 { display: none ! important; }

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Midsummer Magic - Part of the SFR Brigade Midsummer Blog Hop

There's something a little magic about Midsummer, isn't there? The sultry air, the song of the crickets, the stars twinkling above you. Midsummer nights are made for falling in love while you walk in the moonlight with that special someone.

I've always wanted to attend a masked ball on midsummer's eve, no doubt inspired by watching Shakespeare's BEATRICE AND BENEDICT ... er... I mean MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING one too many times as a child. Which is funny since a midsummer post should lead naturally to thoughts of The Bard's MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, but I like Beatrice and Benedict better. There's a bit of magic in their romance.

And what is magic if not science that we don't understand?

One of the best parts of science-fiction romance is that we get to explore the shadowy region separating magic from science. Love, in every form, is magical. No matter how much we study love, or try to reduce it to its chemical parts, love defies scientific understanding. The expression of devotion between a couple who are truly in love is something science can't define. Something that can't be recreated in a lab (except between the scientists perhaps, but that's another story).

My new story, FEY LIGHTS, goes even further into the dark jungle dividing magic and science to explore two civilizations divided by the loss of technology. Jeani is a genetically modified human from a technologically advanced civilization who crash lands onto a human world that has lost their technological advancements. On that world strange lights that we might call comets or auroras are called Fey Lights, and are considered a gateway to the fairy realm. When Jeani's rescuer finds her under the Fey Lights... well... you'll see! Let's just say that fairy magic isn't the only thing lighting up the night sky.

Blog Hop Prizes
1 Scarf and Fairy Scarf Ornament from Artease Wearable Art - open to US residents only

2 SFR Prize packs - open internationally - The winners will receive two SFR books of novella length or longer and a recommended reading list of ten books selected just for them based on their reading interests. This prize will include emails from Liana and is perfect for someone new to SFR who doesn't know where to start and SFR fans who are looking for something new to read.

50 Advanced Reader Copies of FEY LIGHTS to the first fifty people who comment on the blog with their email and preferred e-reader format. A copy of FEY LIGHTS will be included with the other prize packs as well. *note* Don't be intimidated by the number of comments, about half of those are mine. There are still ARCs available!



a Rafflecopter giveaway


*Note* Buying EVEN VILLAINS FALL IN LOVE this weekend counts twice because it also an SFR Brigade book.

Now... go enjoy the rest of the hop!

On Friday 22nd June (Pacific Time) the SFR Brigade will be holding its first ever Blog Hop to celebrate Midsummer. 36 fabulous science fiction romance authors will be telling you mystical or scientific stories related to the event, and they'll each be giving away a prize - books, gift cards, swag bags...and lots more!

Plus there's TWO GRAND PRIZES!

1st Prize - a Kindle Touch or Nook Touch
2nd Prize -a library of science fiction romance titles from over 20 authors (these will be mostly ebooks with one print anthology), and an Anabanana Gift Card.

All you need to do to enter is pop along to the blogs listed below and comment on as many as you want (only ONE comment per site will count as an entry). Each time you comment at a stop, you'll earn one entry into the grand prize - so the more sites you visit, the greater your chances of winning. The winners will be drawn at random on the 24th June and announced on this site. The list of participating authors can be found below this post. Spread the news!


68 comments:

  1. I love that idea about science being a magic we just don't understand.:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I spent one semester trying to work out the skeleton of a dragon while I was taking a comparative invertebrate anatomy class. I wanted a logical evolution for dragons, alas, I don't believe one exists.

      Delete
    2. I remember watching this 'documentary' where they found a dragon's body and they did a reconstruction of its biology, figuring out how it flew, breathed fire, reproduced, and how it died out. Will see if I can fond it on YouTube later. BTW I'd like FEY LIGHTS in Kindle/mobi format please. I'll also need the names/addies of those who entered the rafflecopter for the grand draw.

      Delete
  2. ooh-pick me, pick me. I have a Nook, so e-reader is fine.
    Science being magic we don't understand is a wonderful concept. Thanks for sharing.

    Dawn

    ReplyDelete
  3. Fun post, Liana! I like the idea of science as magic, too!

    ReplyDelete
  4. It's easy to imagine science walking hand in hand with magic, and I know you combine them with a fantastic imagination in your stories.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're so sweet! *hugs* Are you going to leave an email so I can send you an ARC of FEY LIGHTS?

      Delete
  5. Gardening is my favoite summer activity. Fey Lights looks like a great book. I love epub and my email is jonesjnd at yahoo dot com.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for including your email! I'll send all the books out at the end of the hop. :o)

      Delete
  6. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Swimming used to be my favorite summer activity. When we had a pool and lived somewhere it made sense to have a pool. Now, I like to hide out in a cool basement and work on writing stuff. (ePub or PDF work for me since I'm on iPad. novicewriteranonymous (at) gmail (dot) com)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love swimming! ... This probably isn't a big secret is it? But I love hitting the water as much as I can. :o)

      Delete
  8. I used to swim and play outside all the time when I was a kid. Now I have work and hiding from the heat (getting old).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm right there with you. I used to hit the neighborhood pool every day. Now I'm lucky if I get in the water once every few weeks.

      Delete
  9. All water activities are the best part of summer. :)

    Email - dyaroo (at) hotmail
    Format - kindle

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thoughtful post, as usual, Liana. :)
    And... Of course I'll comment for a free book--ePub, of course, to tonya dot cannariato at gmail dot com.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I figured people would be willing to comment for a free book. :)

      Delete
  11. I am just going to read this summer and also have nice walks with the dog.
    Preferred e-reader format: Kindle
    liquiddemize (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  12. My favorite summer activity as a kid was participating in the summer library reading program. Having an excuse to take home a stack of books from the library was heaven! In fact, I'd still like to do that now. :)
    Preferred format: Kindle
    cherylccorbin (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I spent one summer hiding in the library reading Garfield comics and the collection of Hercule Pirot mysteries because the AC broke at our house and the library was within walking distance. I learned how to do origami with the kid's program at that library, and I was heartbroken when it closed while I was in high school.

      Delete
  13. Great blog hop, Liana! Love the cover, too.
    You have my email...right? Kindle format :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Oh! Love the sound of your book. I have to add it to my TBR pile. I'm another fan of Beatrice and Benedict. They have such great wordplay with each other!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I love to go to the zoo or just for a drive in the summer. I would love Kindle format or a PDF works too. Thank you.
    katsrus@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. My fave Summer activity is reading at the beach!


    Thanks for another amazing giveaway!
    elizabeth @ bookattict . com
    GFC: BookAttict
    Format: Kindle

    ReplyDelete
  17. Ah yes, magic and science...the great divide of misunderstanding.

    So funny, when I created my Midsummer post Midsummer's Night didn't even cross my mind and it's one of my favorite non-SF stories.

    ReplyDelete
  18. My favorite summer activity is to go hiking, when it's not too hot, of course. :)

    All the best!
    Jess
    jessicasubject.writer at gmail dot com
    EPUB, please

    ReplyDelete
  19. I honestly don't know what to say to the question. Since I ended up with skin cancer on my face a couple years back, I pretty much avoid the sun as much as I can, so I don't do a lot of outdoor activities unless in a shaded area. No money for vacations, no longer have a pool. LOL Well, I'll probably just read a lot when I'm not doing yard work in the evenings. :)

    Thanks for participating in this blog hop,for the giveaway and the free book offer! Would love a Kindle copy!

    Pam
    vanillaorchids69(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Reading is definitely a great summer activity for you, or swimming in a shaded grotto maybe. There's a nice one outside Austin, Texas if you happen to live in that part of the world,

      Delete
    2. I'm in Pennsylvania, but I appreciate the suggestion. :)

      Delete
  20. Hi I never thought of magic being a science but that is a great idea and I LOVE IT. I am disable now so my summer outing are quite different. I just like to read under a tree when its cool but warm. I hate the heat now. I use to Love to swim. thanks Joannie jscddmj[at]aol[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  21. I would love to have a copy of Fey Lights! May I have a MOBI format, please?

    And my fav summer activity is reading by the pool.

    Thanks for doing a giveaway ... I'm a new follower!
    Danielle
    artist_wanna_be(at)yahoo(dot)com
    http://knowntoread.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  22. Enjoying the outdoors, walking, swimming, gardening and watermelon. Thank you for the giveaways and hop!
    Format: epub
    Artemis

    artgiote at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  23. Ah got to love the Fey. Great post.

    ReplyDelete
  24. I always loved Beatrice and Benedict too. Though I will admit my favorite of the Bard's plays is Twelfth Night. And I love the idea of marrying low tech with high tech. It always makes more an interesting read.

    ReplyDelete
  25. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  26. I want an ARC of FEY LIGHTS! :) madisonlouisesbooks@hotmail.com :) PDF plz.

    ReplyDelete
  27. I think the bit about magic being science we don't understand came from Arthur Clarke. (Or sufficiently advanced science being impossible to distinguish from magic.) (I have a nook, btw.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I think it did. I didn't come up with the idea but I agree with it.

      Delete
  28. One of my favorite things to do during the summer is play in the rain. I love thunderstorms. :) Thanks for sharing and for the fun hop!
    shadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  29. When we have a summer here in the UK, I love spending time with my two horses and rescue dog, pottering around in the garden, or writing on my laptop outside. However so far it looks like summer doesn't want to come at all this year! :)

    I loved reading about 'Fey Lights' I'm rather fond of S.F. stories involving worlds without technology. I'd love a pdf copy!

    Happy Solstice!

    Lyn
    (Lyn at hywelalyn dot co dot uk)

    ReplyDelete
  30. If the weather wasn't so darn hot here I would love to spend my summer gardening and reading outside. Thanks for the giveaway!
    suz2(at)cox(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We have a garden, I thought rabbits were eating my basil but I found Bambino out there today ripping off leaves and munching on them. Eating all that basil salad while I was pregnant with him has backfired.

      Delete
  31. This year is kayaking! Thanks for the awesome giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, my hubby wants to do that but we don't have a kayak. We do go tubing down one of the rivers here when the water isn't too high and the gators aren't out.

      Do you have an email so we can contact you if you win a prize? And a format preference if you want an ARC of FEY LIGHTS?

      Delete
  32. Oh! Forgot to tell you thank you for the advanced reader copies of Fey Lights. Very awesome and sweet of you and its very much appreciated! Id love to have a copy in pdf or kindle format please. Thank you so much!!
    shadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  33. What a great give away! I would love to read Fey Lights! Mobi or prc format.

    melisseaires@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  34. I think I might be just under the wire for that 50th comment! If so, make mine Kindle, please...

    ReplyDelete
  35. Can I still comment to win your book? I love your stories. :)
    You should still have my email. ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You can still enter. My replies are showing up as comments. There's still ARCs to give away!

      What format would you like and what's your email?

      Delete
  36. I like to go to the beach.

    I'd like to read your book in a PDF format.

    bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  37. Fun post and hop. Thanks for sharing it!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Fey Lights sounds quite interesting. I'd loveto win a Kindle edition. Thanks for the giveaway chances. Lisacordes (at) yah00 (dot) c0m

    ReplyDelete
  39. Nice Blog!

    kazouaher12@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  40. I love to swim in my pool and hang out with friends to BBQ :)

    ReplyDelete
  41. My favorite activity any time is reading. But reading by the pool or on the beach makes it more fun in the summer. Fey lights looks quite interesting. If I win, I'd like a kindle edition. Thanks for the contest!

    ReplyDelete
  42. I absolutely love reading. It's relaxing, refreshing and inspiring

    ReplyDelete
  43. Hello! This is your friendly twin, commenting away! Yay! :D

    ReplyDelete
  44. Ooh, an ARC! I would love a chance to read Fey Lights. Preferably for the Nook since that's the e-reader I have. :)

    Email: kimtralto at gmail

    ReplyDelete
  45. "The expression of devotion between a couple who are truly in love is something science can't define."

    That is so beautiful, and so true. "Fey Lights" sounds wonderful!

    ReplyDelete