Thursday, June 21, 2012

Summer Solstice, Baby!


LAURA: Hi all!
On average, the Sun is 1.496×108 km away.
That's
8 min 19 s for those of you
travelling at light speed.

DEBBIE: Damn it’s hot! Where are we?

LAURA: We’re in central Mexico checking out some Aztec ruins.

DEBBIE: Why???? And why did you have to pick the hottest day of the year to do this?

LAURA: It’s the summer solstice. It’s the day marking that summer is halfway over already.

DEBBIE: Ummm, didn't summer just begin?

LAURA: Yeah, kinda. For the kids out of school, absolutely. Course, I’m not really an expert in any of this solstice stuff—but I do find it fascinating. I do know today is the longest day of the year. You've got over fifteen hours of daylight today! Fifteen hours of sightseeing. Fifteen hours of cruising the local markets.

DEBBIE: Fifteen hours of drinking margaritas.

LAURA: Fifteen hours of writing time…which reminds me, where is that next chapter?

DEBBIE: I thought this was a research day? Pushy, pushy, pushy. So why are we in Mexico on the longest hottest day of the year?

LAURA: No clue. Hey look…an alter. Why don’t you crawl up there and take a load off?

Sacrifices were made while the person was
still alive. The heart was ripped from the chest
and held up to the gods while still beating.
Often, the priest would take a bite.
Yummy....
DEBBIE: Ummm. You are the one who dragged me here for no good reason, YOU crawl your butt up there. Sheesh, next time you want to do research, GOOGLE!

LAURA: You know, the Aztecs did a lot of sacrifices... If crops didn't grow and the people were starving, the priests made sacrifices.
....Here. Let me help you up on this alter....now layback (eases Deb back). Comfy? Now, imagine that the people are all disgruntled and want food. What better way to do it than to rip out a heart and offer it to the gods?
....(unzips fanny pack) And check out this knife. (Holds it over Deb so she can see it) I got it at a local shop where the owner flintnaps his own blades. And I’m pretty sure this handle is an actual animal bone! Pretty cool, huh?

DEBBIE: Laura, I swear to all your Aztec gods if we don't get off this damn thing now I'll never let you have coffee again. I am NOT your sacrificial lamb here. Get what we need for this next Red River book and we’re out!

LAURA: (puts knife back in fanny pack) Sheesh. I wasn’t really gonna sacrifice you.

Aztec Priest or Summer Solstice Eye Candy?
Either way, Debbie says she's
volunteering for the sacrifice.
"Somebody's gotta do him- er, it. Um, yeah."
DEBBIE: Uh huh. I know you want to sell books, but damn, woman.

LAURA: Well, we all have to make sacrifi— er, I mean do what needs to be done to get the word out.

DEBBIE: And who is going to write the next book with you if you sacrifice me???? You will never find anyone like me.

LAURA: Yes, you are unique!

DEBBIE: HAHAHAHA, you’re stuck.

LAURA: Okay, so…since the summer solstice has been around for, well, since the beginning of time. I can easily imagine that the Aztec’s understood the significance and took advantage of pleasing their gods through sacrifice.

DEBBIE: Sounds bloody.

LAURA: I’m sure it was. I thought since the next book in our Red River series has an Aztec tie, we should visit and get a feel for the place. Did lying on the alter get you in the mood to write?

Aztec Sun Calendar - Is time running out?
DEBBIE: No. But I am hungry. Let's go get a steak.

LAURA: Now you’re talking!

DEBBIE: But first, let’s share an excerpt from Sins of the Mind, the first book in the Red River series. Don’t forget! One lucky commenter will get a free copy.

LAURA: Cool! AND by commenting on our blog, readers get entered into the Grand Drawing with the following 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.

RRR

Red River Series: Book 1
Sins of the Mind
L.J. Garland & Debbie Gould
BLURB:....Seven years ago, Abby Montgomery survived a brutal attack. Now she is ready to put her pain in the past and move on with her life. The problem is, one by one the men in her life are being viciously murdered.
....The detective assigned to the case, Ethan Parker, has demons of his own to hide. As the danger gets closer to Abby, so does Ethan. But can they get past his secrets before the killer gets to them? Sometimes the sins of the mind are more depraved than the sins of the heart.


EXCERPT:
....“Moment?” He raised his eyebrows, tried for a surprised expression. “We were having a moment? Where was I?”
....A husky laugh escaped Abby’s lips. She gave him a playful shove, but he caught her hand, his fingers encircling her delicate wrist. With great care, he bowed his head and pressed his lips to the center of her palm. Her sharp intake of air told him she liked it.
....“Is this the moment you were referring to?” He kissed her wrist. “Or this?” His mouth grazed along her skin, up the side of her neck to the tender point below her ear.
....“Mmm.” She shivered.
....He inhaled, reveled in her unique scent. A mixture of spicy vanilla and exotic flowers invaded his senses and sent the room slowly spinning. Primal lust roared through him, demanded he possess her in a rush of carnal passion.
....But Ethan resisted.
....Intent on enticing Abby into a wild, heated frenzy, he trailed the tip of his tongue along her throat. Her pulse hammered beneath his ardent attention, and he reveled in her response. His fingers slid over her supple skin. One hand sought the silky tresses adorning her head while the other coaxed her legs across his lap and then slipped around her waist.
....He pulled back, stared into her lovely face. Eyelids fluttering, she sighed in his arms. When she looked at him, desire burned bright in her eyes. His heart stuttered at the sight, and hot need rushed to his groin.
....“Abby.” Her name rolled from his tongue in a mix of desperation and lust. A voracious hunger to taste every inch of her body washed over him. The urge to kiss the small of her back, to run his tongue along her skin, delving and dipping into her secret, sensitive places, all but overwhelmed him. “Tell me to stop. If you’re not ready, honey, tell me to stop right now and by all that’s holy, I will. But you need to know how much I want you right now.”
RETURN TO SFR BRIGADE HERE

1st Prize - winner's choice of a Kindle Touch or a Nook Touch
2nd Prize - a library of science fiction romance titles donated by various authors and an Anabanana Gift Card. Most of the books will be in digital format, with one print anthology.
Midsummer Blog Hop Participants

1. Pippa Jay 13. Liana Brooks 25. Debra A. Soles
2. Misa Buckley 14. A. R. Norris 26. Marlene @ Reading Reality
3. Arlene Webb 15. L.J. Garland & Debbie Gould  27. Rae Lori
4. Pauline Baird Jones 16. Sandra Sookoo 28. Bella Street
5. Frances Pauli 17. Cara Michaels 29. Kyn Hatch
6. Imogene Nix 18. Sheryl Nantus 30. T.K. Anthony
7. Natalie Wright 19. Diane Dooley 31. Jo Jones
8. Greta van der Rol 20. Kathleen Scott 32. A.B. Gayle
9. Jessica E. Subject 21. Ella Drake 33. Sue Ann Bowling
10. Kayelle Allen 22. Cathy Pegau 34. S. Reesa Herberth and Michelle Moore
11. Joanne Elder 23. T. C. Archer 35. DL Jackson
12. Melisse Aires 24. Kitty Roads 36. Hywela Lyn

38 comments:

  1. Sounds like you had fun down there in Mexico! Happy Solstice!

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  2. Phew! Glad Debbie wasn't used as the sacrifice. LOL More time is always a bonus. Happy Solstice!

    And no need to enter me, as I already have a copy.

    All the best! :)

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  3. Great snippet and ooooo, I lurve your Aztec Priest. :)

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    Replies
    1. Hey Pippa! Yes, he's quite the hottie. Debbie says he'd definitely be worth the sacrifice. LOL

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  4. Oooh I love the ruins in South America. They speak of a civilization with primitive beliefs with technologies way beyond their time.

    Now a question for you: You've been transported back in time and are being chased by Aztec priests to become their next blood-letting and all you have are chopsticks and floss....

    *snickers*

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    Replies
    1. I'd use the chopsticks as throwing knives and fend off the priests. Use the extra-strength floss to repel down the side of the temple...then I'd make like Indiana Jones and head for the plane.

      Debbie says she'd flash him her boobs and suggest some type of compromise where there's mutual satisfaction.

      Delete
    2. Hey, boob flashing works. Just saying.

      Delete
  5. This is one of the most fun posts I've read. Love it. I'm also hooked by your excerpt for Sins of the Mind. Thanks for sharing and thanks for not bleeding out Debbie.

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  6. Love the way you put this post together. It is great fun.

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  7. LOLOLOL! You two crack me up!!!

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  8. Debbie and Laura are amazing. Thank you for the giveaway and hop.
    Artemis

    artgiote at gmail dot com

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  9. Your book sounds really good. Great cover. It's really hot in the midwest USA too.
    katsrus@gmail.com

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  10. This was one of the most hilarious posts I've read! Great job!

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  11. Hi I loved you presentation it was fun and thanks for taking part in the giveaway. Joannie jscddmj[at]aol[dot]com

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  12. I would go with eye candy for sure. Great fun post ladies.

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  13. Very fun post. Couldn't help but laugh. :) Also, love the Kellan Lutz eye-candy. :D

    And the excerpt ... awesome!!

    Thank you for the giveaway opportunity!

    Pam
    vanillaorchids69(at)gmail(dot)com

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  14. Word to the wise - Never lay down on an altar that has been used in a sacrifice. *I think I actually did the heebie jeebie dance.*

    Great excerpt.

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  15. Ooo, Sins of the Mind sounds good! Thanks for the giveaway!
    suz2(at)cox(dot)net

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  16. Great post! Loved it! ;) Your book sounds good! Thanks for sharing and for the fun hop!
    shadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com

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  17. I so got distracted by the Summer Solstice Eye Candy. *dreamy sigh*

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  18. 15 hours? At what latitude? (We have close to 22.)

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    Replies
    1. Hey, Sue-
      For Mexico City the Internet shows:
      Sunrise: 6:59am
      Sunset: 8:18pm
      Which is actually around 12.5-ish hours.

      Delete
  19. Thanks for the excerpt and the giveaway!

    elizabeth @ bookattict . com
    GFC: BookAttict

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  20. What a fun post - and I liked the Aztec priest too! I also enjoyed the sizzling excerpt!

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  21. Lol. This was a fun read. And yup, like the Aztec priest!

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  22. Whew. Midsummer ain't the only thing that's hot...

    (Glad to see you made it off that altar, Deb.)

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  23. Enjoyed the post! Though all I could think about was the movie Apocalypto... very graphic depiction of those sacrifices. Ew. Yours was much better (not having a sacrifice and all). Thanks for sharing!

    Cheryl
    cheryl(at)cherylcorbin(dot)com

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  24. You two are hilarious, and the book looks intriguing.

    liana.brooks1(at)gmail(dot)com

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  25. Fun post. The book sounds good.

    bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  26. Now that was some serious Aztec Eye Candy!

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  27. What a premise for a book. I'd really like to read it. Lisacordes (at) yah00 (d0t) c0m

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  28. Book sounds great and LOVED the post!!
    thanks for the hop and giveaway :)
    drmgrl99atyahoodotcom

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  29. Enjoyed your post very much and the excerpt is interesting. Thanks for the contest!

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  30. Thank you for all the great comments, we hope you enjoy our sense of humor, lol. The winner of the free copy of Sins of the Mind is Liana Brooks. I will contact you personally.

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