tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38653572010540344312024-02-20T11:51:59.713-06:00EOLYNKarin Rita Gastreichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13788750258292938903noreply@blogger.comBlogger227125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3865357201054034431.post-38923486857481878252014-09-30T19:33:00.000-05:002014-09-30T19:33:45.865-05:00Thank you for visiting!Eolyn's great adventure has moved elsewhere. Please click the image below to share your magic with other magas and mages at <a href="http://krgastreich.com/">Karin Rita Gastreich's official web site</a>. Looking forward to seeing you there!<br />
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<br />Karin Rita Gastreichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13788750258292938903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3865357201054034431.post-40094643688354091722014-09-24T07:58:00.002-05:002014-09-24T07:59:20.939-05:00Small EscapesI've been reflecting lately on the importance of momentary escapes in our lives, when we break away from routine on a small but important scale. The afternoon cup of coffee, for example. Or the evening glass of wine. A walk through the woods at sunset. An unexpected call from an old friend.<br />
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This past weekend I had two small escapes worth noting, one expected and one unexpected.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnK19esseZqySpfK1pvxjrBVQBsrPBhQO4di4HFfi3kmA-EVLjSgkQisf3o12X5GInEVz_qpszcmWmJs6MV8QFsnMKQ7NiTPz8pJIDYAnB4J-HTgEnaCl_8A9X2i3LQra94Hh8eUlx6zY/s1600/10401521_10204197745097000_6753117934058932628_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnK19esseZqySpfK1pvxjrBVQBsrPBhQO4di4HFfi3kmA-EVLjSgkQisf3o12X5GInEVz_qpszcmWmJs6MV8QFsnMKQ7NiTPz8pJIDYAnB4J-HTgEnaCl_8A9X2i3LQra94Hh8eUlx6zY/s1600/10401521_10204197745097000_6753117934058932628_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A new friend from Konza Prairie.</td></tr>
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My expected escape was an overnight trip to Konza Prairie, a reserve and biological station located in the Flint Hills of Kansas. The site is truly spectacular. The wildflowers are in bloom right now, and the sumacs are beginning to turn scarlet red, leaving splashes of color across a sage sea. We saw bees, butterflies, and beautiful spiders; hawks, turkeys, deer, and bison. Amy Milakovic and I will be taking a course there in a few weeks, and I look forward to sharing that adventure with you.<br />
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My unexpected small escape was sinking into the opening passages of a truly engaging novel.<br />
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I've read a lot of good books these past few months, but not every story teller can convince you in the first couple of pages that you are in for a great tale. It's been a while since I've come across an author with that particular gift.<br />
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The author in question is Susan Carroll, and the novel is <i>The Dark Queen, </i>a historical fantasy set in France during the reign of Catherine de Medici. It has been on my shelf for a long while. I believe I picked it up in the used section of the Boulder Book Store during one of my visits to Colorado. It caught my attention because I had just read a biography about the infamous queen. I brought the novel home, put it on my shelf, and promptly forgot about it for months and years to come.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A new treasure for my reading list.</td></tr>
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I have a habit of doing this; snatching up a book in the moment and then setting it aside for rediscovery at a later date. It's kind of like organizing my own personal Easter egg hunt. Because I have a variety of books I've stashed away for later, I'm never quite sure what treasure I'll find the next time I search my shelf.<br />
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In addition to the book being very well written, I feel like I may have come across a kindred spirit in the author. Carroll's main character, Ariane, is a "daughter of the earth", a descendant of practitioners of white magic whose craft has long been forbidden and buried beneath the customs of her people. The parallels with Eolyn and the magas are apparent, though of course the stories are very different. Still, reading this book feels like coming home and settling into a familiar place.<br />
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Those are some of my small escapes right now.<br />
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To celebrate the fall equinox, the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Eolyn-Karin-Rita-Gastreich-ebook/dp/B005BEIGZG/">Kindle</a> and <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/eolyn-karin-rita-gastreich/1100046332">Nook</a> editions of <i>Eolyn </i>are on sale this week for just $0.99! Also, don't forget to enter the Goodreads Giveaway for <i>High Maga, </i>which ends on September 30.<br />
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We are in the final countdown to moving to my new web site at <a href="http://krgastreich.com/">krgastreich.com</a>. I'm excited, but also nervous and nostalgic. I've been at this blogspot site since 2010, and I've really enjoyed it. But I also feel it's time for a change. I'm looking forward to exploring my new domain and sharing it with you. Plus, the site looks great! Be sure to join us on October 1 as we inaugurate the new site. There will be more special offers and giveaways then.<br />
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<br />Karin Rita Gastreichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13788750258292938903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3865357201054034431.post-66599901835097411522014-09-14T20:55:00.001-05:002014-09-14T20:55:47.643-05:00Ask the AuthorThis week I'm trying out Goodreads new "Ask the Author" program as a way of engaging with readers and other lovers of fantasy, sci fi, and historical fiction. If you're a Goodreads member, please <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4431702.Karin_Rita_Gastreich">visit my profile page</a> for a chance to ask any questions you like about my books, writing, and publishing in general. Friend and follow me, too! I'm always looking to widen my circle of fellow book lovers, and I'd love to see you in that neck of the virtual woods.<br />
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Don't forget we are running a <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/106352-high-maga">Goodreads Giveaway for <i>High Maga</i>.</a> The Giveaway ends on September 30. You can enter by clicking the announcement at the end of this post, or on the right hand bar of the blog.<br />
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Last week, I started back in my regular slot on <i>Heroines of Fantasy. </i>If you haven't already, stop by to check out my latest post on <a href="http://heroinesoffantasy.blogspot.com/2014/09/making-romance-real.html">romantic elements in epic fantasy</a>. For the next six months, I will have a regular spot on HoF every second Monday of the month.<br />
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As HoF coordinator for September and October, I am also lining up our guest posts. On September 22, DelSheree Gladden returns to talk about her dark and intriguing <i>Wicked Hunger </i>series. September 29, we will welcome Jon Cleaves, owner of DGS Games, in a first-ever post from a gaming master. On October 27 we will feature historical fiction and fantasy author Joseph Finley.<br />
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Only two weeks left before we move this blog to the new website at krgastreich.com. That move will be celebrated with some very special offers, events, and giveaways as well. Stay tuned!<br />
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/" target="_new">Goodreads</a> Book Giveaway
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20928327"><img alt="High Maga by Karin Rita Gastreich" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1393470819l/20928327.jpg" title="High Maga by Karin Rita Gastreich" width="100" /></a>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20928327">High Maga</a>
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by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4431702.Karin_Rita_Gastreich" style="text-decoration: none;">Karin Rita Gastreich</a>
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Giveaway ends September 30, 2014.
<br />
See the <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/106352" style="text-decoration: none;">giveaway details</a>
at Goodreads.
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<script charset="utf-8" src="https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/widget/106352" type="text/javascript"></script>Karin Rita Gastreichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13788750258292938903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3865357201054034431.post-8392851604321385812014-09-11T06:00:00.000-05:002014-09-11T06:00:00.619-05:00The Magic of KirI am very happy today to welcome L. Blankenship as a guest author. I met L. Blankenship through the Magic Appreciation Tour. <br />
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L. Blankenship started writing animal stories as a kid and it's just gotten completely out of hand since then. Now she's out publishing her gritty fantasy and hard science fiction adventures. L grew up in New Hampshire but currently lives near Washington, DC.<br />
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L. Blankenship has written a great post on the unique magic system of her <em>Disciple</em> series. Please join me in welcoming her to the blog!<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>A simple plan<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The kir-magic system in Disciple is rooted in three deceptively simple
rules: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">1. All magical charms
(spells) are fueled by kir.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The laws of physics,
conservation of mass and energy, etc., fully apply.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>No other
“para-normal” forces or beings actually exist. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Kir<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Kir is sort of a cold plasma that’s reactive to willpower. The stuff
wells up out of the earth in select places called founts. Kir founts always
involve a water spring as well, regardless of whether a spring “ought” to be in
that location, and kir-laced water is especially bright, clear, and attractive.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There’s energy inherent in kir. In its raw state, it takes the form of
a green mist that even un-gifted people (or animals) can detect when it’s close
by or concentrated. Drinking kir-laced water or absorbing raw kir is energizing
for anybody, but few people get the chance to do that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since kir is in limited supply, it’s
carefully controlled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Humans generate small amounts of surplus kir simply by living -- it’s
an energy reserve, both biological and mental. It’s only enough for one small
charm every few days, though. Once used in a charm, kir disintegrates and
returns to the earth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Laws of physics<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Within these, kir can do almost anything. I took a fairly conservative,
reality-based version of physics -- no quantum effects or anything too
theoretical, and came up with these limitations: </span></div>
<ul>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">No teleportation. Time/space can’t be torn open, worm-holed or otherwise screwed with. </span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">No clairvoyance/ESP. See above.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">No true telepathy or mind reading. Body language can be read to a fine degree and that can resemble mind-reading. Saint-bonds allow for a limited sort of telepathy. </span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">No “luck” manipulation.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">No prophesy.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">No “spirit-walking”.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Conservation of mass applies to shape-shifters, though they can play with their density a bit if they are skilled enough. </span></div>
</li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Plus two rules:<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Line-of-sight limitation. Charms cannot be targeted at something or
someone the caster cannot see. If the enemy’s standing behind a door, it’s
perfectly legit to kill him by ramming the door into the far wall -- but you
can’t telekinetically reach through the keyhole and strangle him, for example. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Only kir cuts kir. When it’s acting under the influence of a mage, kir
can project force. It can be a club or a blade, but no ordinary club or blade
can break it. Kir-blades also have an unnerving ability to “skip” armor or
flesh and cut through the victim’s vitals. So when a kir-mage goes on a
rampage, the goodfolk’s only defense is another kir-mage. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Only game in town<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The goodfolk believe in kobolds (goblins), shades (ghosts), various
denizens of the Winter Wood (hell), and things like luck, fate, or prophetic
visions -- but these spring from the same roots as they do in our world. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Innate skill<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Everyone has at least a little ability to manipulate kir. Training will
improve one’s skill, but the ultimate limit is determined by innate talent.
Technically speaking, this a multi-factor para-genomic predisposition which I
am not going to clarify any further than that. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Saints are the strongest of the kir-mages, and the Elect are the next
step down. It’s said that there might be a hundred saints in the world, at any
given time. Perhaps two or three hundred Elect. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As of <em>Disciple, Part V</em>, Kate has reached the rank of Elect and works
directly with Saint Qadeem in defending the kingdom against the invading
Empire. The rest of her life, however, is in shambles. Love and war have both
taken their toll on her, but she must find her strength and face the final
attack.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnwcK7MLOiKRo5ldLGCyAvJHgICbLIggHPrEuVgPQUcw_PI6Ja0WMrr37xz5WWk5j_hdBW9CiA6CwfqHs3pQxsH3smBGRLpl7Im3KLkWxcTMcnP2DfW96WuNjtoexzWhIniMGLACQRbXk/s1600/Disciple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnwcK7MLOiKRo5ldLGCyAvJHgICbLIggHPrEuVgPQUcw_PI6Ja0WMrr37xz5WWk5j_hdBW9CiA6CwfqHs3pQxsH3smBGRLpl7Im3KLkWxcTMcnP2DfW96WuNjtoexzWhIniMGLACQRbXk/s1600/Disciple.jpg" height="320" width="210" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Back cover<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Kate faces winter with a broken heart: betrayed by one lover, the other
lost to her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Kiefan will not give up on the alliance his kingdom desperately needs —
even though the Caer queen refuses to speak to him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Anders, alone and despairing, faces the Empress’s seductive offers of
power and privilege. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Each of them must carry the ongoing war in their own way, whether cold,
alone, or backed into a corner. Each must patch together a broken heart as best
they can. Duty will throw them together soon enough and they must be ready.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>On Sale Now!</strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N427YUU"><span style="color: #1155cc;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">Amazon</span></strong></span></a><strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">
•</span></strong><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/disciple-part-v-l-blankenship/1120219810"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></strong></span></a><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/disciple-part-v-l-blankenship/1120219810"><span style="color: #1155cc;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">B</span></strong></span></a><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/disciple-part-v-l-blankenship/1120219810"><span style="color: #1155cc;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">&</span></strong></span></a><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/disciple-part-v-l-blankenship/1120219810"><span style="color: #1155cc;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">N</span></strong></span></a><strong><span style="font-family: Arial;"> •</span></strong><a href="http://discipleofthefount.blogspot.com/p/find-disciple.html"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></strong></span></a><a href="http://discipleofthefount.blogspot.com/p/find-disciple.html"><span style="color: #1155cc;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">Other</span></strong></span></a><a href="http://discipleofthefount.blogspot.com/p/find-disciple.html"><span style="color: #1155cc;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></strong></span></a><a href="http://discipleofthefount.blogspot.com/p/find-disciple.html"><span style="color: #1155cc;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">retailers</span></strong></span></a></span></div>
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<strong>Read <em>Disciple, Part I </em>for FREE</strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Disciple-Part-I-ebook/dp/B009QZK99C/"><b><span style="color: #1155cc;">Amazon</span></b></a><b> •</b><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/disciple-part-i-l-blankenship/1112872724"><b><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span></b></a><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/disciple-part-i-l-blankenship/1112872724"><b><span style="color: #1155cc;">B</span></b></a><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/disciple-part-i-l-blankenship/1112872724"><b><span style="color: #1155cc;">&</span></b></a><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/disciple-part-i-l-blankenship/1112872724"><b><span style="color: #1155cc;">N</span></b></a><b> •</b><a href="http://discipleofthefount.blogspot.com/p/find-disciple.html#PartI"><b><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span></b></a><a href="http://discipleofthefount.blogspot.com/p/find-disciple.html#PartI"><b><span style="color: #1155cc;">Other</span></b></a><a href="http://discipleofthefount.blogspot.com/p/find-disciple.html#PartI"><b><span style="color: #1155cc;"> </span></b></a><a href="http://discipleofthefount.blogspot.com/p/find-disciple.html#PartI"><b><span style="color: #1155cc;">retailers</span></b></a></span></strong></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><em>Disciple, Part VI </em>ends the series early next year!</strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><a href="http://discipleofthefount.blogspot.com/p/mcembedsignupbackgroundfff-clearleft.html"><b><span style="color: #1155cc;">Join</span></b></a><a href="http://discipleofthefount.blogspot.com/p/mcembedsignupbackgroundfff-clearleft.html"><b><span style="color: #1155cc;"> </span></b></a><a href="http://discipleofthefount.blogspot.com/p/mcembedsignupbackgroundfff-clearleft.html"><b><span style="color: #1155cc;">my</span></b></a><a href="http://discipleofthefount.blogspot.com/p/mcembedsignupbackgroundfff-clearleft.html"><b><span style="color: #1155cc;"> </span></b></a><a href="http://discipleofthefount.blogspot.com/p/mcembedsignupbackgroundfff-clearleft.html"><b><span style="color: #1155cc;">mailing</span></b></a><a href="http://discipleofthefount.blogspot.com/p/mcembedsignupbackgroundfff-clearleft.html"><b><span style="color: #1155cc;"> </span></b></a><a href="http://discipleofthefount.blogspot.com/p/mcembedsignupbackgroundfff-clearleft.html"><b><span style="color: #1155cc;">list</span></b></a><a href="http://discipleofthefount.blogspot.com/p/mcembedsignupbackgroundfff-clearleft.html"><b><span style="color: #1155cc;"> </span></b></a><a href="http://discipleofthefount.blogspot.com/p/mcembedsignupbackgroundfff-clearleft.html"><b><span style="color: #1155cc;">to</span></b></a><a href="http://discipleofthefount.blogspot.com/p/mcembedsignupbackgroundfff-clearleft.html"><b><span style="color: #1155cc;"> </span></b></a><a href="http://discipleofthefount.blogspot.com/p/mcembedsignupbackgroundfff-clearleft.html"><b><span style="color: #1155cc;">get</span></b></a><a href="http://discipleofthefount.blogspot.com/p/mcembedsignupbackgroundfff-clearleft.html"><b><span style="color: #1155cc;"> </span></b></a><a href="http://discipleofthefount.blogspot.com/p/mcembedsignupbackgroundfff-clearleft.html"><b><span style="color: #1155cc;">reminders</span></b></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><o:p></o:p></strong></span> </div>
Karin Rita Gastreichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13788750258292938903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3865357201054034431.post-25010027204447126962014-09-07T06:00:00.000-05:002014-09-07T06:00:01.675-05:00Back to School Blog Hop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUO6EB8a7DogWP_lOuMnWNAcbdU_87EwCC4KL7i4w6mmewvSOQXU8XdqhwvbKX92ZwrsTn4_kMPNk7qUjI5Lr4fHN8UayIdj0XKGcSs09RnyV5u_KiQnAPeZESg8KorNQoKqvDohTzSQo/s1600/Linda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUO6EB8a7DogWP_lOuMnWNAcbdU_87EwCC4KL7i4w6mmewvSOQXU8XdqhwvbKX92ZwrsTn4_kMPNk7qUjI5Lr4fHN8UayIdj0XKGcSs09RnyV5u_KiQnAPeZESg8KorNQoKqvDohTzSQo/s1600/Linda.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I am very happy today to welcome author Linda
Ulleseit to my blog.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Linda was born and raised in Saratoga, California, and has taught elementary
school in San Jose since 1996. She enjoys cooking, cross-stitching, reading,
and spending time with her family. Her favorite subject is writing, and her
students get a lot of practice scribbling stories and essays. Someday Linda
hopes to see books written by former students alongside hers in bookstores.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Her first
novel, ON A WING AND A DARE, was published in 2012. It is a Young Adult fantasy
set in medieval Wales, complete with flying horses, a love triangle, and
treachery. It’s sequel, IN THE WINDS OF DANGER, was released March, 2013. The
focus of that book is the misty past of a groom and the murky future of a
rider. The last book in the trilogy is UNDER A WILD AND DARKENING SKY, May
2014. It follows a brother and sister, new to High Meadow, who become involved
in a plot to steal flying horses.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As a child,
Linda always loved to write. She took her first creative writing course in
seventh grade, accumulating a closet full of stories that she never showed
anyone until 2007. At that time, she gave the first draft of a flying horse
book to a teacher colleague to read. ON A WING AND A DARE began as a NaNoWriMo
novel in 2009. It was revised with the help of reviewers on
thenextbigwriter.com over the next two years. For NaNo 2011, Linda drafted the
sequel, IN THE WINDS OF DANGER. NaNoWriMo 2012 brought the first draft of UNDER
A WILD AND DARKENING SKY, and NaNoWriMo 2013 saw the completion of UNDER THE
ALMOND TREES. This last is a historical fiction that follows three women who
struggle for women’s rights in early California.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Linda has also written a novella titled WINGS
OVER TREMEIRCHSON, released as an ebook in Fall 2013. It follows the story of
Hoel and Neste, parents of a main character in ON A WING AND A DARE. </span><br />
<br />
Linda is celebrating the new school year with a month-long blog hop. Check out her novels below; you just might find your next favorite book. You can visit Linda at her blog <a href="http://ulleseit.wordpress.com/">Books Books Books</a><br />
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ON A WING AND A DARE<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1OkPTzgf40Aw0MO68Igu_vgz8y4TFXFxdysipsJaYP9bBeXJTkbDW-o8T2c0IZPDZpEYX5KNVyiHfoffZxbgPxqpMTQfObLLZShEyVbRAo7utHjMPU_h4y1a1HRKwrwJVdtOvqVxWgpU/s1600/Cover+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1OkPTzgf40Aw0MO68Igu_vgz8y4TFXFxdysipsJaYP9bBeXJTkbDW-o8T2c0IZPDZpEYX5KNVyiHfoffZxbgPxqpMTQfObLLZShEyVbRAo7utHjMPU_h4y1a1HRKwrwJVdtOvqVxWgpU/s1600/Cover+1.jpg" height="320" width="218" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Purchase<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">On Amazon: </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wing-Flying-Horse-Books-ebook/dp/B00B3OF412"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">http://www.amazon.com/Wing-Flying-Horse-Books-ebook/dp/B00B3OF412</span></a><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">On
Smashwords: </span><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/282169"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/282169</span></a><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b>Book Blurb</b>: Flying
horses…a love triangle…poison….Welcome to Tremeirchson.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In Tremeirchson, a barn leader’s children are expected to follow their
parents into the sky, becoming riders of the magnificent winged horses that are
the medieval Welsh village’s legacy. Neither Emma nor Davyd, however, want to
follow that tradition. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Sixteen-year-old Emma risks losing her family by following her heart.
Eager to take her place in the air, she longs to ride a forbidden winged colt
born in barn of her father’s biggest rival. She also dreams of the rival’s
sons, not sure which she truly loves. Bold and exciting, Evan will someday lead
his father’s barn. Davyd is quieter, more dependable, with an ability to get
things done. Her father disapproves of both boys and pushes her toward an
ambitious newcomer. He also insists she ride the colt he’s picked for her.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Davyd, also sixteen, is plagued with a secret—he is afraid of heights.
Refusing to become a rider means public humiliation, his parents’
disappointment, and lifelong ridicule from his brother, Evan. He reluctantly
prepares to join his family aloft in the Aerial Games that provide the entire
village with its livelihood and tries desperately to think of an alternative.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As Tremeirchson’s barns prepare for the Rider Ceremony, winged horses
suddenly start dying. Shocked, the adults hesitate, mired in tradition and
politics. Is it a disease or poison? Accidental or purposeful? Someone must
discover the answer and act before all the winged horses in the world are gone
forever.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil0zwVG_L-XLcmc_E5Qzdcgw4QPzxwtcAI000BvwoBun7E5DEa-e9pTmEN5RCJP6wNNywD-9JZAJYaJDWkjrGPFIeuZUm6SHJS21BEp4_3leXJt99LmTNSt-hUHscP6VCPeNARY_uPo_s/s1600/Cover+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil0zwVG_L-XLcmc_E5Qzdcgw4QPzxwtcAI000BvwoBun7E5DEa-e9pTmEN5RCJP6wNNywD-9JZAJYaJDWkjrGPFIeuZUm6SHJS21BEp4_3leXJt99LmTNSt-hUHscP6VCPeNARY_uPo_s/s1600/Cover+2.jpg" height="320" width="207" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Purchase<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">On Amazon: </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Winds-Danger-Flying-Horse-Books/dp/1482302489/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1406429133&sr=8-3">http://www.amazon.com/Winds-Danger-Flying-Horse-Books/dp/1482302489/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1406429133&sr=8-3</a><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Smashwords: </span><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/324425"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/324425</span></a><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b>Book blurb:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Nineteen year old Nia is shocked when she is secretly
offered the leadership of Third Barn. This new barn full of flying horses will
need someone confident, experienced, and innovative, so why are both warring
factions pursuing an untried girl? Suspicious that both sides want a puppet
instead of a leader, Nia races to discover their secrets before making the
biggest decision of her life.<br />
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Some of those secrets are unknowingly buried in the
disconnected memories of a young groom named Owain. Terror and guilt haunt
Owain’s dreams – and then a face from his nightmare arrives in High Meadow.
Owain looks for answers in his past and uncovers a dangerous plot that could
doom High Meadow's future. How can he foil the plot and save his people as well
as the winged horses?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">UNDER A WILD AND DARKENING SKY<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL8nPMkkaflRVVKLVhddftfVsnp7489KsSf6i7pppvbHOgYwSFcIKV0_q_KWoj6vZWSaxyi4ZFR25O4fCyWIT3tjHeXLf7_8A4qg3OryIrvb5WVcDwiA3JtsypxN9lysdr1a0CzY92tTw/s1600/Cover+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL8nPMkkaflRVVKLVhddftfVsnp7489KsSf6i7pppvbHOgYwSFcIKV0_q_KWoj6vZWSaxyi4ZFR25O4fCyWIT3tjHeXLf7_8A4qg3OryIrvb5WVcDwiA3JtsypxN9lysdr1a0CzY92tTw/s1600/Cover+3.jpg" height="320" width="194" /></a></div>
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Purchase<o:p></o:p></div>
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On Amazon: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Under-Darkening-Flying-Horse-Books/dp/1499260717/ref=la_B004HA7L0G_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1406429304&sr=1-4">http://www.amazon.com/Under-Darkening-Flying-Horse-Books/dp/1499260717/ref=la_B004HA7L0G_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1406429304&sr=1-4</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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On Smashwords: <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/437332">https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/437332</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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Ralf knows he must take over his father’s bakery, but is it
wrong to want some adventure before he does? New to High Meadow, he is
befriended by the beautiful and dangerous Branwen, who has her own goal—to
entice Ralf to help her steal a winged horse and return it to Tremeirchson.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Meanwhile, Ralf’s sister, Alyna, dives into barn life.
Becoming a groom to a winged foal is a lot of responsibility to the horse, to
the barn, and to her father, who idolizes the wrong barn leader. Politics,
greed, and revenge swirl around the teenaged siblings as they struggle to be
true to their family and their future.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">WINGS OVER TREMEIRCHSON </span></b><i><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">(a flying horse novella)</span></i><b><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjHY5-NukG4XUDO7ol4Utgl72tXC_FpnM4tH-U9R4atAAMZlYrC4tYFsccZdRZUeS_YG6AprmVPQT0aiVHfkMWwL_hDI4UKreSuRheusEmi3tcGR6KP5KI2ekmMq7ecg7StTG1T90q5h4/s1600/Cover+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjHY5-NukG4XUDO7ol4Utgl72tXC_FpnM4tH-U9R4atAAMZlYrC4tYFsccZdRZUeS_YG6AprmVPQT0aiVHfkMWwL_hDI4UKreSuRheusEmi3tcGR6KP5KI2ekmMq7ecg7StTG1T90q5h4/s1600/Cover+4.jpg" height="320" width="210" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Book Blurb</span></b><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">: Eighteen year old Neste rides a
winged horse in Tremeirchson's Aerial Games and she is betrothed to the barn
leader's son, Hoel. Life would be wonderful if Hoel wasn't so unpleasant to the
other riders. Adam, on the other hand, is handsome and nice but a terrible
rider. Together, Hoel and Adam are the perfect man. Obviously she can't have
both of them. When Neste's winged horse is involved in a terrible accident, her
life changes and she must make different choices about her future. Can she go
against her father's dying wish that she marry Hoel? Can she forgive Adam? Can
she make a life away from the barn and the winged horses she loves? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Wattpad: </span><a href="http://www.wattpad.com/story/7819282-wings-over-tremeirchson">http://www.wattpad.com/story/7819282-wings-over-tremeirchson</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Free on Smashwords</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">:</span> <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/444563">https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/444563</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ALSO BY LINDA ULLESEIT:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">UNDER THE ALMOND TREES<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbeznGuGNB-H2mMJMeq3ubQzcObVXqrpHkAhMamupiq7EpZ-m1qRG82BWcayhUmQGx3Dx-OenFtdG9D1Uc4MXuezU-ydz-OxP-bK-EDdRm5o6i6P055HrmOH79pXUb3vy1bSqfIYHFRQ8/s1600/Cover+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbeznGuGNB-H2mMJMeq3ubQzcObVXqrpHkAhMamupiq7EpZ-m1qRG82BWcayhUmQGx3Dx-OenFtdG9D1Uc4MXuezU-ydz-OxP-bK-EDdRm5o6i6P055HrmOH79pXUb3vy1bSqfIYHFRQ8/s1600/Cover+5.jpg" height="320" width="216" /></a></div>
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Purchase<o:p></o:p></div>
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On Amazon: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Under-Almond-Trees-Linda-Ulleseit/dp/149925220X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1406430428&sr=8-1&keywords=under+the+almond+trees">http://www.amazon.com/Under-Almond-Trees-Linda-Ulleseit/dp/149925220X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1406430428&sr=8-1&keywords=under+the+almond+trees</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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Smashwords: <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/438310">https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/438310</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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Under the Almond Trees is the story of my family – three
ordinary women in California who lived extraordinary lives. It started with a
falling tree branch that killed Ellen VanValkenburgh’s husband in 1862, forcing
her to assume leadership of his paper mill, something women weren’t allowed to
do. Women weren’t allowed to vote yet, either. Ellen decided that had to
change, and became a suffragette. In 1901, Emily Williams , Ellen’s
daughter-in-law, became an architect – very much against her family’s wishes.
No one would hire a woman, but Emily would not be deterred. She and her life
partner Lillian set out to build homes themselves. By the 1930’s women enjoyed
more freedom, including the vote. Even so, Ellen’s granddaughter Eva
VanValkenburgh chose a traditional life of marriage and children, even closing
her photography business at her husband’s insistence. When he later refused to
pay for their daughter’s college education, Eva followed the example of her
Aunt Emily and reopened her photography business. I am proud to call these
women family and honored to share their story.<o:p></o:p></div>
Karin Rita Gastreichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13788750258292938903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3865357201054034431.post-303324752151876892014-09-02T07:00:00.000-05:002014-09-02T07:00:08.838-05:00Dicho y HechoWhat does <i>Dicho y Hecho</i> mean?<br />
<br />
"Said and Done."<br />
<br />
When I get a project in my head - something I am really exciting about - it's almost impossible for me to think about anything else until I get that project done.<br />
<br />
This can be both a blessing and a curse, but I like to think that more often than not, it's a blessing.<br />
<br />
Last month I got it in my head that I wanted a proper web site - that is, a domain that carries my name. This is not a new idea; I've been toying with it almost since I published my first novel. But for many reasons, now seems the right time. I have several publications out and more on the way. I have a better idea now of how I want to engage with my readers and develop my brand as an author. I've also been around on the internet and interacted with enough authors to know what website platforms are out there, and which of those might work best for me.<br />
<br />
So [drum roll please], I have at last purchased my own domain and set up a true author web site. You can visit me now at http://krgastreich.com. In fact, I cannot wait to see you there! I am integrating the site with my Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads accounts, so we can have various avenues of communication converging in one place.<br />
<br />
I will also, at the end of this month, move my blog to krgastreich.com. All of my past posts, from 2010 forward, will be exported to the new domain, and as of September 30 I will no longer be sharing new posts here. The blogspot site will remain on line for archival purposes, and also to receive and redirect any stray visitors who still have the old address.<br />
<br />
I am very excited about this move and I sincerely hope you will make it with me. Click on the image below to stop by the new site. Sign up to follow via email or wordpress, and let the adventure continue. I look forward to receiving you in my new home!<br />
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<a href="http://krgastreich.com/"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd9F4082wCXGSHBa4tQDIVoGzzG0zGKFCNIJd-Dh24sH7xz6fKVIljBtYESRQr5brQGdwHNVBvsfxT-w_0Nw9bNIIdmWKsTzNXMOoqG1gxL1WJiJeDopCFJCIw76hldacutGHJP9sQTkQ/s1600/fantasy+dark+fantasy+romance.jpg" height="146" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />Karin Rita Gastreichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13788750258292938903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3865357201054034431.post-16741425064229012662014-08-28T16:11:00.003-05:002014-08-28T16:11:41.281-05:00Plans and Prospects<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9MvqowD1dnaQL9-UWLcTZyvBFvkHyeqGqhRicBZPhiMJcy1H_rsbX8RHgkdG308s9QpqKgZJq3YH3aJzJs-pz3LzRqZbAdnCT1-uhVW7hfgOydnIDX_2TXB8J5JgnQvKUWMngnU2pnrQ/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9MvqowD1dnaQL9-UWLcTZyvBFvkHyeqGqhRicBZPhiMJcy1H_rsbX8RHgkdG308s9QpqKgZJq3YH3aJzJs-pz3LzRqZbAdnCT1-uhVW7hfgOydnIDX_2TXB8J5JgnQvKUWMngnU2pnrQ/s1600/photo.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nothing pleases a geek more than<br />a fresh set of bookshelves!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Classes have started now at Avila, and wow! We have hit the ground running. New offices, new labs, new faculty, new students, new textbooks, new courses, and soon in my house - out of necessity - a new air conditioner.<br />
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Sometimes it seems the whole universe has gone into renewal mode. Not surprisingly, I am inspired to follow suit.<br />
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Setting up my new office and labs at Avila has been thoroughly exciting. The space is so much more comfortable than what I had before, with a big desk and proper bookshelves, and most important, space to receive and meet with students. The first time I walked into my office, I thought, "I could have a party in here!" In a sense, I will be hosting a party, an academic party focused on supporting students in their journey through the exciting and challenging field of biology.<br />
<br />
Maybe I'll inspire a few of them to write, too.<br />
<br />
Having new digs on campus has pricked my skin a little, and now I want new digs on line, too. I've been thinking a lot these past few weeks about new and better forums for engaging with fans of Eolyn and readers of fantasy.<br />
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<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
Typically about once a year I remodel my blog, and that will almost certainly happen again between now and December. But I would also like to set up an entirely new 'virtual' office. So I am in the process of designing a proper website, a domain that carries my name and that will serve as a central gathering point for readers interested in the kinds of stories I have to offer.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3joUsO3kQK3t83Ea3E13jGSGpMXD73saMhq-0xEpVrV9MQ7jjR2ntm2zh6IiwrGK5VI91X-HgADL_SBtUJKIA9i-rMvCFrZyEjbScBm2k-t_VUzKvdFSiFw1zOXh8cv951NxdvHv6Yis/s1600/Flint_hills_in_summer_B-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3joUsO3kQK3t83Ea3E13jGSGpMXD73saMhq-0xEpVrV9MQ7jjR2ntm2zh6IiwrGK5VI91X-HgADL_SBtUJKIA9i-rMvCFrZyEjbScBm2k-t_VUzKvdFSiFw1zOXh8cv951NxdvHv6Yis/s1600/Flint_hills_in_summer_B-1.jpg" height="242" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Konza Prairie is the destination for our new interdisciplinary<br />course, <i>Ecology Through the Writer's Lens.</i></td></tr>
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There's no tight deadline on the new web site, but as a loose goal I intend to have something up and running for the World Fantasy Convention at the beginning of November. It may happen before then, depending on time and inspiration.<br />
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For those of you who follow this blog, <i>Eolyn Chronicles </i>will continue to be my place for weekly posts. The website will include links to this site as well as to <i>Heroines of Fantasy. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
What do I want from my new web site? I want it to be cosy, exciting, inviting. I hope that, upon arriving at the site, my visitors will feel welcome, and that they will have the sense of standing on the threshold of a great and magical adventure. To that end, I'm working on banner ideas, text copy, and so forth. As the web site comes together, I will probably make changes here and on my Facebook page to have continuity between the different platforms.<br />
<br />
This is the start of the exciting news - there is more to come. This fall I will be welcoming guest authors and hosting giveaways and special offers. We are also looking forward to the release of an audio edition of <i>High Maga </i>before the year is out. And of course, work continues on <i>Daughter of Aithne. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Those are the updates for the moment. Have something new in your life right now? I'd love to hear about it! Let the fun begin.<br />
<br />
Karin Rita Gastreichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13788750258292938903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3865357201054034431.post-25225783753102342922014-08-23T15:28:00.001-05:002014-08-23T15:28:53.295-05:00Slow and Steady Wins the RaceI've had to hit the ground running after an amazing and intense summer with the Native American and Pacific Islander Research Experience (NAPIRE) Program in Costa Rica.<br />
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With classes starting on Wednesday at Avila, I am working hard to organize syllabi and lectures. I have one brand new course plus two courses with new edition textbooks. So there's a lot of work ahead in the coming months, but also a lot of excitement.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_IZ5L540KW2UF8n8ujBS4pL55Se4_dyOF_H-k9XlFurZTiORiZS3_e8itLGVuqkW5X4e1FKzkGLEESzyHulp9Y9eYkZ6xIXVL8i3o1-aZ_wzrWFabdXuRsh6dizC46psSD3wDPC7mRAI/s1600/10561561_10203823966632772_1959785066829953604_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_IZ5L540KW2UF8n8ujBS4pL55Se4_dyOF_H-k9XlFurZTiORiZS3_e8itLGVuqkW5X4e1FKzkGLEESzyHulp9Y9eYkZ6xIXVL8i3o1-aZ_wzrWFabdXuRsh6dizC46psSD3wDPC7mRAI/s1600/10561561_10203823966632772_1959785066829953604_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new general biology lab at Avila University.</td></tr>
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As if preparing for class weren't enough, we have brand new installations in O'Reilly Hall. Offices and labs were gutted last summer and completely remodeled. I have a beautiful office complete with shiny new furniture and REAL bookshelves. I also, for the first time since joining the faculty at Avila, have my own designated lab for personal and student research. Setting up house in the new digs this week has been a real joy, but also a real distraction. At this point I'm not sure just what I will have ready for my students by the time classes start on Wednesday (save for my bright and happy smile), but I've been in this business long enough to know that somehow it will all get done.<br />
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Speaking of that "somehow", while the NAPIRE experience was unforgettable, and while I am so very glad I participated in the program as co-coordinator this year, it is true that the decision to work at Las Cruces meant some sacrifices in other parts of my life.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7MnAIxnpdCz9DMuRxU6XCm6V78t9zDzIxPEif76aKnLtw9X73Kp2BXvEElzcxAIRu-ayBEzqH3RYvcGd_qaBQ359oSXilfRnj9FOGSexJluvk4qKW21rEvM3aFjERtSVH3l8a3qwOZaI/s1600/Chloe+in+King+Tut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7MnAIxnpdCz9DMuRxU6XCm6V78t9zDzIxPEif76aKnLtw9X73Kp2BXvEElzcxAIRu-ayBEzqH3RYvcGd_qaBQ359oSXilfRnj9FOGSexJluvk4qKW21rEvM3aFjERtSVH3l8a3qwOZaI/s1600/Chloe+in+King+Tut.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My niece with Grandpa, Dad, and cousin Gary at the <br />King Tut exhibit, Union Station, Kansas City, Missoui.</td></tr>
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One of those sacrifices was time with my family, most especially my husband, but I also missed a valuable opportunity to see my brother when he came through Kansas City with my nieces, ages 3 and 6, this summer. He and his family live in Hong Kong, so every moment they spend with us in the States is precious, especially with the girls growing up so fast.<br />
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The other sacrifice was my writing. Summer has traditionally been a time to get a significant chunk done on the WIP (work in progress), but with the level of dedication required to keep NAPIRE running, it just wasn't possible to move forward that much on Eolyn's final adventure in <i>Daughter of Aithne. </i><br />
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That being said, I can't really complain. While I didn't get as much done as I would have liked, I did complete the revision of the first 70,000 words of the manuscript, which began last January. During the course of eight months, I threw out major chunks of material, rewrote entire scenes and chapters, and tightened up everything that I decided to keep. And while the word count ticker didn't moved that much, I am approaching the 80K mark on this project. I guess that's nothing to sneeze at.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmQOichFxLgyzzIundHPU03iHK3GobxTRgkXGNgybHfrBov2FjdR3Rqr1kWJgGjyLNLD8tRuZgII2gB6PlnP66_ypBTlUmm7zN3HH9FAejb6jSYyEHJdtRmu4KwPuyxuluHY1POIu8kIU/s1600/IMG_2987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmQOichFxLgyzzIundHPU03iHK3GobxTRgkXGNgybHfrBov2FjdR3Rqr1kWJgGjyLNLD8tRuZgII2gB6PlnP66_ypBTlUmm7zN3HH9FAejb6jSYyEHJdtRmu4KwPuyxuluHY1POIu8kIU/s1600/IMG_2987.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All things considered, this is where I wanted<br />to be this summer. Everything else would<br />just have to wait.</td></tr>
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I also at last finished my short story submission for the Faelon Anthology, a special project of DGS Games and the Dead Horse Society. Will they accept it? I don't know, but at least I managed to write a short story, and one that I am proud of. <br />
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Those of you who follow my blog may be aware that short stories are my nemesis. I have a couple out there floating around, but for the most part it's hard for me to confine my story telling to something inside 5000 or 10,000 words. The Faelon short, for the moment entitled "Lamya of the Sea" clocks in at around 6500 words. I started it last November and finished about two weeks ago, which puts my average on this one at 650 words a month.<br />
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Sometimes I despair at how little writing I can get done with all my other commitments, but if the Faelon project has taught me anything, it is that the old saying still holds true:<br />
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Slow and steady wins the race. </div>
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With the fall semester just starting, you can look forward to regular posts on this blog again. Many thanks to everyone who followed me during the summer as I blog hopped during Eolyn's Amazing Audio Book Tour. <i>High Maga </i>is scheduled for release this fall, so be looking for another blog tour and giveaway not too far down the road.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg65DPn8OKORs5xHwhhKSscu9jaeKKTD6SelLobzTiXIqiKhRooRlxytQ68vuZFw0fUCBt6gEJSwzQg8w-v5MA3-1FV-AXzg8assK2ZBiYUeWdChuWv8-JSD7b7gF_3YaeCizRUarMEzH4/s1600/Napire_Group_7-30-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg65DPn8OKORs5xHwhhKSscu9jaeKKTD6SelLobzTiXIqiKhRooRlxytQ68vuZFw0fUCBt6gEJSwzQg8w-v5MA3-1FV-AXzg8assK2ZBiYUeWdChuWv8-JSD7b7gF_3YaeCizRUarMEzH4/s1600/Napire_Group_7-30-14.jpg" height="195" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My other family: NAPIRE 2014</td></tr>
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<br />Karin Rita Gastreichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13788750258292938903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3865357201054034431.post-11590247897633731112014-08-12T18:00:00.004-05:002014-08-12T18:00:58.007-05:00Winners of Eolyn's Audio Book GiveawayMany thanks to everyone who participated in Eolyn's Amazing Audio Book Tour and Giveaway! We had so many Rafflecopter entries that I decided to be extra generous and give away seven free copies instead of five. (Many thanks to my publisher Hadley Rille Books for being amenable to this idea!) The winners are:<br />
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Keri Rison</div>
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Elliot Waugh</div>
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Blair Smyth</div>
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Zoe Blair</div>
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Lora Madera</div>
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Rob Finney</div>
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Lucki Grrl</div>
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If you are on the winner's list and you haven't heard from me by email, drop me a line at eolyn.of.the.south.woods[at]gmail[dot]com. I will get your download code to you right away.<br />
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Thank you again, and enjoy the adventure!<br />
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<br />Karin Rita Gastreichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13788750258292938903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3865357201054034431.post-173788144931762312014-07-13T08:52:00.000-05:002014-08-05T20:22:10.831-05:00Eolyn's Amazing Audio Book Tour and Giveaway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQQ8fuII-i0bG7M7VOkewW22RKJIIJPCnKUzd_M966f2ujqgp3dndFwj-WPOgLjY0PlCeRY0aiLaXpOk2Xg_zvlULC_IJK4pv_fFA8E_6_A4_TFZ7_bBZSEJkgDNTZU4ZbcNd_RKbdaA/s1600/audio+cover+draft.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQQ8fuII-i0bG7M7VOkewW22RKJIIJPCnKUzd_M966f2ujqgp3dndFwj-WPOgLjY0PlCeRY0aiLaXpOk2Xg_zvlULC_IJK4pv_fFA8E_6_A4_TFZ7_bBZSEJkgDNTZU4ZbcNd_RKbdaA/s1600/audio+cover+draft.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
Welcome to our month-long celebration of the release of the audio edition of <i>Eolyn</i>!<br />
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We have a lot of exciting activities planned over the next four weeks, including author interviews, posts about magic, and previews of Darla Middlebrook's wonderful interpretation of this epic tale.</div>
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Best of all, as part of the tour you have the opportunity to win a FREE copy of the audio book! Just sign up for the Rafflecopter Giveaway below, or at any of the stops on the tour. Five copies are being raffled. There are lots of opportunities for entries. The winners will be announced at the end of the tour on August 11. </div>
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Many thanks to <a href="http://www.magicappreciationtour.com/">The Magic Appreciation Tour</a> for helping me put together this awesome list of blog stops. Join us for a virtual adventure through the Kingdom of Mosiehén. All are welcome. Enjoy!<br />
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July 14-Aug 11 Eolyn's Amazing Audio Book Tour and Giveaway </h3>
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Scroll down to enter for your chance to win one of five FREE copies </div>
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of the audible edition of <i>Eolyn. </i>Winners will be announced on August 11th. </div>
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<b><a href="http://theediblebookshelf.blogspot.com/2014/07/guest-post-and-giveaway-karin-rita.html">July 14 </a></b><i><b><a href="http://theediblebookshelf.blogspot.com/2014/07/guest-post-and-giveaway-karin-rita.html">The Places that Inspired Eolyn's World: Talamanca.</a></b> </i>Eolyn's source of magical power can be found in the South Woods, a dense wilderness inspired by the highlands of Costa Rica. Learn about these forests and why I love them so at DelSheree Gladden's <i><a href="http://theediblebookshelf.blogspot.com/2014/07/guest-post-and-giveaway-karin-rita.html">The Edible Bookshelf</a>.</i></div>
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<b><a href="http://susan-stuckey.storytellersinn.com/author-interview-karin-gastreich/">July 16 Author Interview</a> at <i><a href="http://susan-stuckey.storytellersinn.com/">The Story Teller's Inn.</a> </i></b>Join me and fellow author Susan Stuckey for a virtual cup of coffee and a chat about all things magical<i>. </i></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.danielrmarvello.com/">July 18 </a><i><a href="http://www.danielrmarvello.com/karin-rita-gastreich-magic-of-eolyn/">Magic in Eolyn's World.</a> </i></b> A full overview of the history and structure of magic in the Kingdom of Moisehén. Join us for a discussion of this and other systems of magic at Daniel Marvello's <i><a href="http://www.danielrmarvello.com/">The Vaetra Files</a>. </i><br />
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<b><a href="http://www.whiteravenwriting.blogspot.com/">July 21 </a><i><a href="http://whiteravenwriting.blogspot.com/2014/07/the-mythological-dragon-of-author-karin.html?">Dragon</a>. </i></b>Author Lori Fitzgerald's recent release <i>The Dragon's Message </i>provides a perfect opportunity to talk about the role of Dragon in Eolyn's world. Stop by and share your favorite dragon stories, too!<br />
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<b><a href="http://mathewreuther.com/">July 23 </a></b><i style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://mathewreuther.com/blog/2014/07/23/guest-karin-rita-gastreich-on-the-origin-of-magic-in-eolyn/">The Origins of Magic.</a> </i>Every young mage and maga learns this story. Now, thanks to a special request by author Matthew Reuter, you will learn it, too!<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.hlburkeblog.com/2014/07/author-interview-karin-rita-gastreich.html">July 25 Author Interview with Heidi Lynne Burke</a>.</b> My second author interview on the tour. Questions about what inspired <i>Eolyn, </i>why an audiobook, and what to expect next from Eolyn's world.<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.herladyshipsquest.com/">July 28 </a><i><a href="http://www.herladyshipsquest.com/2014/07/the-magic-of-love-and-desire-in-eolyn.html">Aen-lasati: The Magic of Love and Desire</a>. </i> </b>One of my favorite posts about one of the most intriguing yet controversial aspects of Eolyn's world. Check it out at author Tracy Falbe's blog, <i><a href="http://www.herladyshipsquest.com/">Her Ladyship's Quest.</a></i><br />
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<b><a href="http://marshaamoore.blogspot.com/">July 30 </a></b><b><a href="http://marshaamoore.blogspot.com/2014/07/the-romantic-leads-of-eolyns-world.html"><i>The Romantic Leads of </i>Eolyn</a>.<i> </i> </b>A visit to Marsha Moore's blog <i><a href="http://marshaamoore.blogspot.com/">Illusions of Intimacy</a></i> inspires the romantic in me. Learn about the men who compete for Eolyn's heart -- and the readers' hearts, as well!<br />
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<b><a href="http://ulleseit.wordpress.com/">August 1 </a></b><i><b><a href="http://ulleseit.wordpress.com/2014/08/01/a-new-adventure-for-eolyn/">Born of Fire: the Ancient Forests of East Selen</a>. </b> </i>The forests of the Pacific Northwest reflect the wild beauty of the home of the Clan of East Selen, an ancient and powerful line of mages and magas. Explore these forests with me on Linda Ulleseit's blog <i><a href="http://ulleseit.wordpress.com/">Books Books Books</a></i>.<br />
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<b><a href="http://independentbookworm.com/">Aug 4 </a></b><b style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://independentbookworm.com/2014/08/04/audiobooks-will-and-karin-chat-on-the-other-way-to-your-readers/">Chat at the Independent Bookworm</a>. </b>Author Will Hahn and I kick back for a friendly chat about the ups, downs, ins, and outs of producing an audio book. Bring your questions, and help yourself to the virtual brownies at the back of the room.<br />
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<b><a href="http://ermiliablog.wordpress.com/">Aug 8 Author Interview with Eliabeth Hawthorne</a>. </b> My last stop on the tour is a visit with the co-authors of the YA fantasy series <i>Blind Sight. </i> If you've got any lingering questions about <i>Eolyn </i>and it's audio edition, here is your chance to ask them! <br />
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<b><i>On August 11, Winners of Amazing Audio Book Tour Giveaway will be announced on this site! Good luck to all our participants. </i></b><br />
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/9280113/" id="rc-9280113" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
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Karin Rita Gastreichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13788750258292938903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3865357201054034431.post-87856299406569703702014-07-08T11:45:00.000-05:002014-07-08T11:45:36.800-05:00Checking in From Las Cruces<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik3Z_QPR0oCPV4xvQ0iQ1ZNQs9-Tw_ZHGCYUfwK4HKGSfOmM09s33oOl5XiYXe9v_rLZIopuTdZETvgiIcg-yfoMXarc_AGB_p18Qc35OkhQBElpxZslVEM0oWHdEn8B7MAFqv4xcJBfs/s1600/IMG_2987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik3Z_QPR0oCPV4xvQ0iQ1ZNQs9-Tw_ZHGCYUfwK4HKGSfOmM09s33oOl5XiYXe9v_rLZIopuTdZETvgiIcg-yfoMXarc_AGB_p18Qc35OkhQBElpxZslVEM0oWHdEn8B7MAFqv4xcJBfs/s1600/IMG_2987.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the trail in Amistad Biosphere Reserve.</td></tr>
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This summer has been so extraordinarily active, I've had very little time to just "hang out" on the internet.<br />
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All in all, NAPIRE has been an amazing new journey through Costa Rica. From the lowland Caribbean forests to the high reaches of the Talamanca mountain ranges, we have seen a lot in a very short period of time. The students are running a great blog about the program, and I invite you to <a href="http://napire.tumblr.com/">visit their website</a>. There are a lot of photos and updates on the various sites we have visited, including La Selva Biological Station, the Bribri indigenous community, and of course, Las Cruces.<br />
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My role this summer is very different from previous NAPIRE programs. As a NAPIRE mentor, I was basically out in the forest every single day. Now, I am more tied to the station as we seek to facilitate some twenty research projects over the next few weeks.<br />
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Still, I get my chances. Yesterday I took a half-day hike up the Ridge Trail and along the Wilson loop. I was able to visit the plants that my students have worked with in the past. They are looking well; probably enjoying the rest from nosy scientists like me. <br />
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Wildlife was a little scarce compared to previous summers; no monkeys or snakes or elusive cat-like animals. I did come across a giant toad. Well situated in the middle of the path, it sat like a stone while I took pictures. Not one of my photos really did it justice, but at least it was patient with all the flashes.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our happy-go-lucky group at the peak of Cerro Chai.</td></tr>
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We spent last weekend at Las Alturas Biological Station, on the border of La Amistad Biosphere Reserve in Costa Rica. Amistad stretches across the Talamanca mountain range into Panama and provides a home for many montane ecosystems, including the highland oak forests that inspired <i>Eolyn. </i>There we saw countless animals, including two species of monkeys, various birds, and a wonderful variety of colorful butterflies. I was secretly hoping to come across the giant peccaries I saw two years ago, but no such luck on this trip.<br />
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Las Alturas and Las Cruces are not that distant from each other, and are only 300m apart in elevation. So it's always striking to see the difference in animal life between the two sites. Probably the main reason for fewer mammal species at Las Cruces is that the forest here is much smaller and more isolated. <br />
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The station director, Dr. Rakan Zahawi, has done a great job of adding pieces to the reserve over the past decade, bringing the total area to about 250 hectares. Still, that pales compared to the 570,000 has set aside for La Amistad International Park. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS9823B7hoO-SqeaAmbeH3s2rHhGXjhsWi1Rz1ABpdQXFYo6QYudwzpsg7k2_Jfprb64e2CaLy61jw-gzV3ZNrmmte2-Eu2VRPveQGHS9csEmfvT_Vdcp-p0P5k-kiT2549JlS0-KiVrY/s1600/IMG_3044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS9823B7hoO-SqeaAmbeH3s2rHhGXjhsWi1Rz1ABpdQXFYo6QYudwzpsg7k2_Jfprb64e2CaLy61jw-gzV3ZNrmmte2-Eu2VRPveQGHS9csEmfvT_Vdcp-p0P5k-kiT2549JlS0-KiVrY/s1600/IMG_3044.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A glimpse of the vast expanse of La Amistad.</td></tr>
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There is a long term project to connect Las Cruces to the nearby Ngobe Indigenous Territory, and from there create a corridor that runs all the way from Amistad to the Pacific lowlands. A corridor that size would transform the natural landscape and ensure the future of wildlife in the region. If you're looking for a great conservation cause to contribute to, <a href="http://ots.duke.edu/">visit OTS' website</a> and make a donation to <a href="http://ots.ac.cr/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=220&Itemid=422">Las Cruces Biological Station</a>. You can specify what you want your donation to go to; in this case, indicate the funds are for land purchases for the biological corridor. <br />
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Speaking of great causes, <a href="http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/support-the-growth-of-hadley-rille-books-a-quality-small-press-publisher">Hadley Rille Books indiegogo campaign</a> is in full swing, and looking for more donations. Hadley Rille Books provides a different sort of habitat for another rare and beautiful species, the True Heroine. There are many great perks for all levels of donation, but the best perk of all is knowing your money is going toward a quality small press that supports historically underrepresented voices in the genre. Please <a href="http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/support-the-growth-of-hadley-rille-books-a-quality-small-press-publisher">visit their site</a> to learn more about the campaign and make your contribution today.<br />
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Last but not least: Eolyn's Amazing Audio Book Tour is about to begin! I've coordinated this tour through Daniel Marvelo's<a href="http://www.magicappreciationtour.com/"> Magic Appreciation Tour</a> network, and added a couple friends of my own in the mix. In addition to many great posts about magic, publishing, and the adventure of producing an audio book, the tour will include a giveaway of 5 free copies of the audio edition of <i>Eolyn. </i>I will post the full tour schedule by Monday, July 14th, so look for that in the coming days.<br />
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Those are the updates for now. I'll leave you with this fun video by Juan Luis Guerra; it's a song that has for some reason become my personal theme for Summer 2014. (Must be the road trip through the Latin American country side!) Enjoy.<br />
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Pura Vida!<br />
<br />Karin Rita Gastreichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13788750258292938903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3865357201054034431.post-67393045863346472062014-06-30T17:10:00.001-05:002014-06-30T17:13:34.255-05:00The Appeal of the "Underdog"<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSOPfZ8V5WxUnAXfEMAKentzthF4AvTnEeH6nMXwTL84v2pmh97_W7uHAV4S_IWdBeE-ifN2XYeGOxvd0MoKIajYnCcgdgc3r3HYmrEaFcPunZJdenGQmV_YJ9sMa0RbViWT90BustSHM/s1600/costa-rica_655x438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSOPfZ8V5WxUnAXfEMAKentzthF4AvTnEeH6nMXwTL84v2pmh97_W7uHAV4S_IWdBeE-ifN2XYeGOxvd0MoKIajYnCcgdgc3r3HYmrEaFcPunZJdenGQmV_YJ9sMa0RbViWT90BustSHM/s1600/costa-rica_655x438.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Costa Rica's National Soccer Team</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It's so exciting to be in Costa Rica this summer, with the national soccer team carving out its little piece of history in the World Cup. <br />
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A couple weeks ago, even Costa Ricans were doubtful that their team would make it past the first round. Group D, which included Uruguay, Italy, and England, was popularly referred to as <i>El Grupo de la Muerte, </i>or "The Group of Death". <br />
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Then on June 14th, Costa Rica defeated Uruguay with a stunning 3-1 win. Since then, the entire country has watched each game with bated breath, and celebrated each victory with increasing confidence and enthusiasm.<br />
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I watched yesterday's game against Greece on a small, old-style television set here in Las Cruces. We were a modest group, but we packed the room that was available to us. Many NAPIRE students and mentors opted to travel to nearby San Vito to see the event in restaurants and bars. It was a long and difficult game; toward the end our collective experience degenerated into a series of groans and cheers. We were all sweating so much our little room began to smell like a <i>futbol </i>locker. <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv7TbiA15YV31mkLCJcsuDuQmO95HrQb8zpZjJF_eTFlE24ECissuo7fMtWYJTZb9SHUm7EIjO0Lv8X3qSzyiIIPygNB-4y5mCmEB2EdR2E0NbAnH7Genin0fjtk1xGDTazFCSrkppPsM/s1600/Michael_Umana-Keylor_Navas-Seleccion_Nacional_ALDIMA20140629_0070_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv7TbiA15YV31mkLCJcsuDuQmO95HrQb8zpZjJF_eTFlE24ECissuo7fMtWYJTZb9SHUm7EIjO0Lv8X3qSzyiIIPygNB-4y5mCmEB2EdR2E0NbAnH7Genin0fjtk1xGDTazFCSrkppPsM/s1600/Michael_Umana-Keylor_Navas-Seleccion_Nacional_ALDIMA20140629_0070_3.jpg" height="187" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keylor Navas and Michael Umaña moments after making<br />
history.</td></tr>
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When Keylor Navas deflected Greece's fourth shot, everyone in the room fell silent. Those seconds while Michael Umaña stepped forward, set down the ball, and prepared for his kick were probably the longest I've ever experienced during a soccer game.<br />
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Then in split second, it was over. The ball shot past Karnezis, and Costa Rica had won.<br />
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Costa Rica had WON!!<br />
<br />
Shouts, dancing, and hugs exploded not only in our little TV room in Las Cruces, but across the nation. For hours after the game, one could watch televised reports of the riot of celebration that took hold of Costa Ricans everywhere.<br />
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I've sung the praises of Costa Rica many times and for many reasons. Once again I'm impressed by how this little country holds in own in the big leagues, in politics, conservation, and now in sports. Not without effort, and certainly not without cost. But always with a sense of joyful determination, a passion for the game that often pays off.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU_jAaEepd1DYHSMOUH7eMXDUqql2sIk1zAsUgrquCjv48ypw-9jB4fyoqnqs17Zc9kb34-yKoMYsFplS02wEErDb9wBDK9ymPvHJ7HicXTN0Dp0dD-ngshTI7-SOdWcp2FtWOn3D6nZc/s1600/600x400_1403296523_SanJose.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU_jAaEepd1DYHSMOUH7eMXDUqql2sIk1zAsUgrquCjv48ypw-9jB4fyoqnqs17Zc9kb34-yKoMYsFplS02wEErDb9wBDK9ymPvHJ7HicXTN0Dp0dD-ngshTI7-SOdWcp2FtWOn3D6nZc/s1600/600x400_1403296523_SanJose.JPG" height="203" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Costa Ricans celebrate the win against Greece in one<br />
of the major intersections of San Jose.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As a Gringa, I sometimes think my own country has lost something along the way when I witness events like these. We no longer seem to have national projects, not even in sports, that pull us together as a nation, and the fill us with shared joy when an extraordinary goal is reached. The Olympics used to fill that hole, but those games don't seem to resonate among Americans like they used to when I was a little girl. The Space Program was another effort that brought the nation together decades ago, but that too has fallen out of fashion with the current generation.<br />
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Tomorrow, the U.S. team will play Belgium in the World Cup, hoping for its own spot in the Round of Eight. I'll be watching that game with baited breath, too. I hope we win, but even if we do, I know the party back home won't be nearly as good as yesterday's party in Costa Rica. <br />
<br />
<br />
...Let me just close by saying that I simply <i>must </i>use the name Keylor in one of my future fantasy novels.<br />
<br />
Pura Vida.<br />
Felicidades, Costa Rica!<br />
<br />
<br />Karin Rita Gastreichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13788750258292938903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3865357201054034431.post-67652287331603421352014-06-26T06:00:00.000-05:002014-06-26T06:00:02.937-05:00Will Hahn on the Good Fight<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtPDHt_MEj894OwjuKxxmEjauBMwj8Y_ockiNEc7PoL48H-1_3LSs0GlNtRRrtE5jNOJyMqSOtFJkS8M7B1_NT8nfZ6GheZ_LyoCgrpx_A6tOMu6pg2-zMlcV4iNBZQYMd_GcuF7tJyoA/s1600/Will+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtPDHt_MEj894OwjuKxxmEjauBMwj8Y_ockiNEc7PoL48H-1_3LSs0GlNtRRrtE5jNOJyMqSOtFJkS8M7B1_NT8nfZ6GheZ_LyoCgrpx_A6tOMu6pg2-zMlcV4iNBZQYMd_GcuF7tJyoA/s1600/Will+8.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
I'm delighted today to welcome author Will Hahn, as part of his blog tour for the new release <i>Judgement's Tale </i>from <i>Games of Chance. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Will Hahn has been in love with heroic tales since age four, when his father read him the <i>Lays of Ancient Rome </i>and the <i>Tales of King Arthur. </i>He taught Ancient-Medieval History for years, but the line between this world and others has always been thin; the far reaches of fantasy, like the distant past, still bring him face to face with people like us, who have choices to make.<br />
<i><br /></i>
Will didn't always make the right choices when he was young. Any stick or vaguely stick-like object became a sword in his hands, to the great dismay of his five sister. Everyone survived, in part by virtue of a rule forbidding him from handling umbrellas, ski poles, curtain rods and more.<br />
<i><br /></i>
Will has written about the Lands of Hope since his college days (which by now are also part of ancient history). With the publication of <i>Judement's Tale Part One, Games of Chance, </i>he begins at last to tell the tale of the Land's most unique hero, The Man in Grey.<br />
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I've never had a post about writing fight scenes on this blog, so I've asked Will to do one as part of his tour.<br />
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Will is also raffling off a FREE copy of <i>Tales of Hope, </i>so make sure you enter the giveaway for a chance to win a great read.<br />
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<h3>
Worth Fighting For: How to Write Combat</h3>
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When Karin first asked me to do this post I was quaking with
excitement. Ancient-Medieval History major, military history nut, figurines on
my shelves, cardboard counter wargames all over the table, maps on the walls.
I’m the guy your mom didn’t need to warn you about- you could warn yourself
just fine. I know the difference between a mace and a main-gauche (it’s a big
one) or a morningstar (not so big). More bits of useless trivia than you could
shake a rhomphast at (after all, eight feet long with a hammer on one end,
that’s tough to shake).<o:p></o:p></div>
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Then I thought about it some more, and I got worried.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’ve SEEN combat, tons of it, in movies and reading about it
in books. And I know what I like- everybody does. But the chef could explain
all about gazpacho, and it still might taste like cold soup to you.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I can give you one piece of news you won’t find surprising-
it’s very easy to do fights poorly.
Sometimes the description itself is “unrealistic” if that’s a word that
applies to fantasy writing. More often, I think, you read a fight that serves
no purpose- or to be accurate, it serves the wrong purpose at the time you read
it. It’s almost as if the writer feels, when a fight or battle or war breaks
out, they have permission to take off their thinking caps and just let ‘er rip.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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War, especially today, doesn’t make a lot of sense to many
people. I often see the bumper sticker that says “WAR IS NOT THE ANSWER”.<o:p></o:p></div>
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But your readers never stop wanting to know <b><u>why</u></b>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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When I see that bumper sticker, I always mutter “What was
the question?” Writing about combat is the same as writing about everything
else, in that you need to know:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>The Stakes</b> and<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>The Objective</b></div>
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It’s the conflict part that gets easier- fighting IS
conflict (but maybe not the only one in a good fight scene).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Rockwell","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Stakes<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
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I wrote a bit on this earlier when I gave my opinion at the
blog site I share, on the <a href="http://independentbookworm.com/2013/02/01/fantasy-by-the-planets-my-faults-are-in-the-stars/">various
genres of fantasy</a>. Basically, when the stakes are crucial (“Save the World”)
the tale is Epic Fantasy: you tend to see combat less often, and the sides
involved cannot afford mistakes because that would be the end. On the other
hand, with casual stakes (“Save Your Skin”) fighting is more frequent,
sometimes constant: these are Sword and Sorcery tales, and the fight can be
trivial (it’s all fun and games until somebody loses an arm). Deciding the
stakes of your tale will help inform the frequency and tone needed in your
fights. <o:p></o:p></div>
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As an example of good fantasy fighting that many folks might
know, I would recommend the incredible sword duel between Inigo Montoya and the
Man in Black from <i>The Princess Bride</i>.
This is an example of the middle-ground in Stakes, Heroic Fantasy. The kingdom
is at risk, or at least the future happiness of most folks in it- not just one
or two lives, but not the entire world. Either combatant could die- it is set
up as a fight to the death. But neither man is fighting only to save his own
skin. In fact, the two men are not in combat for the same purpose, and that’s
one reason it is so entertaining either to read or see. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Rockwell","serif";">Objective<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
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The plot usually makes Stakes clear for the writer, but Objective-
not so much. Again, the key is never to lose sight of “why”, which in my
opinion relates to characters. Why are they in this fight? Because it’s been
twenty pages since the last one?<o:p></o:p></div>
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The duel in Princess Bride is a great example. Inigo is
fighting to kill the Man in Black- why? Because he’s been ordered to. Why is he
taking those orders? Why is his boss so confident he’ll succeed? These
questions come rolling out as you see the scene (for the first time, from
Inigo’s PoV). You catch up- there’s flashback and humor and heart. You don’t
know who the Man in Black is, but you don’t want Inigo to die.<o:p></o:p></div>
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And the Man in Black doesn’t seem to want to kill him. His
objective is to catch up to the Princess- and now all your “why” questions
remain unanswered. The author stiffs you completely- what a bum! But you are
glued to the scene, and some of the most deathless descriptions of dueling and
battle chatter ever recorded.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Rockwell","serif";"><br /></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "Rockwell","serif";">It’s Never NOT About Character<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
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This is I think the final and best advice I can give you.
Fighting is alien to ALL of us- unless you’re a war vet writing non-fiction. If
you think you can make up for a wandering plot by having some people killed, or
throw in a bunch of accurate detail about missile and shock weapons because you
don’t know what should happen next, then you’re going to lose the readers.
Combat scenes are almost always life and death- for your story.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Yes, you need to be familiar with what weapons and soldiers
do. I recall rolling my eyes when halberds were getting thrown in combat (yes,
it has a spear-end, but it also has an AX-BLADE, you think that might alter the
balance a bit?). On the other hand, I have seen publication guidelines that
promise any manuscript will be rejected if a character calls upon archers to
“fire” their arrows, because presumably that wasn’t the call in medieval times.
But I could live with the first action, if the thrower was really strong and
desperate- it might be even better. And can you imagine Kiera Knightly in <i>Pirates of the Caribbean</i> turning to her
crew and screaming “Loose!”? Not quite the impact the screenwriters were
looking for.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Remember the characters are there for a reason and never
stop telling us about that. Even when it’s armies fighting, look at what
Tolkein did with Legolas and Gimli- their competition and argument over the
finer points shows so much. It’s grim humor, and their pride on display- it
implies that the fighting, in itself, is not much of a threat to two such
experienced warriors, and of course it reveals a growing bond forged in a
battle that now means something more because of what these characters carry
through it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Partway through my tale <i>The
Plane of Dreams</i>, the Tributarians are camped in the open by a fire, about
to get ambushed. They know it’s an ambush, and have prepared a surprise to turn
the tables on their attackers. But what they most need is not to win- their
assailants evidently wish only to rob them and, oddly, put them all to sleep.
The Tributarians need information, they must capture at least one of the
leaders alive and question him. So before the combat even starts, the stakes
and objective are clearly off-center: and who really knows if an
ambush-of-an-ambush can work?<o:p></o:p></div>
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This is your story, don’t be intimidated by a fight- would
your heroes ever back down? Certainly not, but you serve them best by knowing
their reasons and goals before the first blade leaves its scabbard. Good
fortune to you!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<h3>
Games of Chance</h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYZveAWJLkHEcnDA22toF9UXASJSs2WwLQMZpgiNy-SDz3KTHanZfURbQWlrPO7F4TDOSzN_eWHtluVrpNyUJU27-KJaCKKJHwx4SpjfrFKBPwoIiJ0yOH0ZFka0pDpafWBFbbQf1lho/s1600/LoHI_JT_front_cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYZveAWJLkHEcnDA22toF9UXASJSs2WwLQMZpgiNy-SDz3KTHanZfURbQWlrPO7F4TDOSzN_eWHtluVrpNyUJU27-KJaCKKJHwx4SpjfrFKBPwoIiJ0yOH0ZFka0pDpafWBFbbQf1lho/s1600/LoHI_JT_front_cover.jpg" height="320" width="207" /></a></div>
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For twenty centuries the Lands of Hope prospered from their
Heroes’ peace, but suffer now from their absence as a curse thickens over the
central kingdom known as the Percentalion. An immortal omniscient conspirator schemes
to escape the extra-worldly prison restraining his tide of undeath, using a
demonic ally in a plot to bring back hell on earth. Solemn Judgement steps onto
these Lands both a stranger and an orphan, driven to complete the lore his
father died to give him. <o:p></o:p></div>
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In a world beset with increasing chaos, the bravest Children
of Hope must take mortal risks. A young woodsman’s spear-cast, a desperate bid
to save his comrades; the Healers Guildmistress’ cheery smile, hiding a grim
secret and a heavy burden of guilt; the prince of Shilar’s speech in a foreign
tongue, a gambit to avoid bloodshed or even war. As a new generation of heroes,
scattered across the kingdoms, bets their lives and more, Solemn Judgement-
soon to be known as The Man in Grey- must learn to play… <i>Games of Chance:</i> Part One of <i>Judgement’s
Tale</i><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
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<h3>
Contact Information</h3>
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<a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/226745"><i>The</i></a><em><span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif;"> </span></em><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/226745"><i>Plane of Dreams</i></a>- <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mECMipJxYtE&feature=plcp" target="_blank"><strong><i><span style="color: purple; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">See the trailer!</span></i></strong></a><br />
<a href="http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/67461"><i>The Ring and the
Flag</i></a>- <a href="https://www.scribl.com/books/E4ZHZ/the-ring-and-the-flag"><i><span style="color: #c13fbb;">Try the Audio
Book at Scribl!</span></i></a><br />
<a href="http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/79733"><i>Fencing
Reputation</i></a>- <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/69309"><i>Three Minutes to Midnight</i></a>- <br />
<a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/267189"><em><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">The Book of Tales</span></em></a><u>- <o:p></o:p></u></div>
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<br />
<a href="http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/WillHahn">Will Hahn at
Smashwords</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Will-Hahn/e/B0057RBIO8/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1345657829&sr=1-2-ent">Will’s
Amazon Page</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/wm.-l.-hahn">Will’s B&N Page</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />
<a href="http://independentbookworm.com/category/authors-will-hahn/">Will's
Blog Thoughts</a>- Including tales of a happy
childhood (which continues), hopes for a writer's journey, and analysis of
Classics You've Never Read<o:p></o:p></div>
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<h3 style="text-indent: 0in;">
Rafflecopter Giveaway</h3>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/688b2410/" id="rc-688b2410" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//widget.rafflecopter.com/load.js"></script>
Karin Rita Gastreichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13788750258292938903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3865357201054034431.post-20555119958630282592014-06-18T10:09:00.000-05:002014-06-18T10:09:24.984-05:00Hadley Rille Books Indiegogo CampaignI wanted to take a moment to let you know about <a href="http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/support-the-growth-of-hadley-rille-books-a-quality-small-press-publisher">Hadley Rille Books Indiegogo Campaign</a>, which started on June 15 and will run through the end of July.<br />
<br />
Those of you who have followed my blog know how very attached I've become to this small press. HRB is a wonderful family of publishing professionals committed to providing readers with quality fantasy, science fiction, and historical fiction titles. The press was founded in 2005 by Eric T. Reynolds, and since then has given a home to many authors and titles, with a clear emphasis on facilitating a greater representation of women in fantasy fiction.<br />
<br />
If you enjoyed <i>Eolyn </i>and <i>High Maga</i> and would like to see more novels feature<b> True Heroines</b>, now is your chance to make a difference. Hadley Rille Books has hit some hard times this year, most notably with the massive stroke suffered by our founder and editor-in-chief last January. The press is in need of additional funds to continue operations under these new circumstances, and also to expand its activities so that our stories are made available to as wide an audience as possible. <br />
<br />
I invite you to watch Rose Reynolds' presentation about the press and its campaign below, and to visit <a href="http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/support-the-growth-of-hadley-rille-books-a-quality-small-press-publisher">Hadley Rille Books Indiegogo Page</a> to learn how you can help. Every donation, no matter how small, will be greatly appreciated and make a positive difference in HRB's efforts to bring a universe of adventure to its readers. Please spread the word to your friends and family as well. Everyone who is committed to promoting alternative voices in speculative fiction has a stake in this campaign. Together, we can make it happen.<br />
<br />
Thank you in advance for your support!<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/w-GZguphwJM" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />Karin Rita Gastreichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13788750258292938903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3865357201054034431.post-74712735308240634302014-06-13T22:40:00.000-05:002014-06-13T22:43:52.995-05:00The Bridges We Build<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span lang="ES-CR" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: ES-CR;"><i>La Selva,
Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui, </i></span></b><b><span lang="ES-CR" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><i>Costa Rica</i></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="ES-CR" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: ES-CR;">Notebook:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Today we saw<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Peccaries Bullet ants<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Iguanas Stingless bees<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Motmots Poison dart frogs<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Howler monkeys<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Strangler figs<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Cycads and palms<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Pipers and Melastomes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The Kapok (also called <i>Ceiba</i>) tree with its pale towering trunk<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Inch worms<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Millipedes <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Crazy fruits<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Roots that smell like
pepper<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Leaves that climb trees<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Cement paths over
nascent swamps<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Fish the color of mud<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Butterflies with a flash
of sky on their wings</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Tonight it rains water
upon water upon water <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Frogs chirp and crickets
croak</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">~*~</span></div>
</div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Reflection:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUG-lQ43MBbp9giauYLxSytE97_doACah1qDKmgY3DGSvgvSmr_m41HZlQikvlXnVQZp9vmY34MEOy0lal4xzWIsl0C6rZX8OYCdZ1uhGcdlkdCp_iydSQPYb8kkyWI3wmfCNfPQ2e_yM/s1600/IMG_2691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUG-lQ43MBbp9giauYLxSytE97_doACah1qDKmgY3DGSvgvSmr_m41HZlQikvlXnVQZp9vmY34MEOy0lal4xzWIsl0C6rZX8OYCdZ1uhGcdlkdCp_iydSQPYb8kkyWI3wmfCNfPQ2e_yM/s1600/IMG_2691.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Stone Bridge brings the visitor across the<br />
Sarapiqui River and into La Selva's forest.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Today I gave an introductory lecture to the NAPIRE group about the
forging of Central America. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">This is a story I like
to tell, one that I’ve shared with many different audiences in just as many
different ways: How this mass of stone and fire tumbled upward from the ocean
floor, laying a bridge between two worlds that had been separated nearly 140
million years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The landscape
of Central America, a crucible of perpetual struggle for control over the Panama strait and the San Juan River, was fixed at least a million years before the
first individuals of the genus <i>Homo </i>walked the plains of Africa. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Fate determined by
geography, or perhaps better stated, fate determined by the interaction between geography and human ambition. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Was there something in
the creative impulse behind Central America that “reached” toward this role in the
history of the planet? Islands rose,
sank, and rose again. Land masses moved north and east to make room for other
contenders, fingers lengthened their reach toward the two continental land masses,
until at last the gap was closed and the Great American Faunal Exchange
ignited. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Pw5vtM-1IRE" width="480"></iframe><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">What was the Great American
Faunal Exchange? An explosion of movement by animals, 3-5 million years ago, that marked the reunion of North and
South America, and laid the foundation for a rich mosaic of ecosystems that
characterizes Costa Rica today.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">We’ve had countless bridges
built across our history: physical, emotional, economic, psychological. Often
these bridges have brought opportunity, exchange, new horizons and a brighter
world. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/38/Great_American_Biotic_Interchange_examples.svg/640px-Great_American_Biotic_Interchange_examples.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/38/Great_American_Biotic_Interchange_examples.svg/640px-Great_American_Biotic_Interchange_examples.svg.png" height="320" width="273" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the animals that participated in the<br />
Great American Faunal Exchange.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Yet on too many
occasions, we have built bridges of destruction, unleashing forces that erode
biological diversity, cultural diversity, linguistic diversity, and the rich
heritage built by the deep and dramatic history of our planet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Today I ask myself, “What
kind of bridge do I want to be?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I don’t want to be a
Christopher Columbus bridge or a Captain Cook bridge. I don’t want to build bridges that conquer, homogenize, trample, or reduce.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I want to be a Costa
Rica bridge; to tumble upward and stretch my spirit between worlds, to build
new landscape for an extraordinary future; to lay down fertile soils that
support verdant forests, to establish a place where diverse peoples find a
common home. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">This is my wish for the future. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">It’s a wish that seems within reach as NAPIRE 2014 gets
underway, because in La Selva I'm not the only one who seeks to build this kind of bridge.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Karin Rita Gastreichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13788750258292938903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3865357201054034431.post-21975843900166228682014-06-11T06:00:00.000-05:002014-06-11T06:00:05.884-05:00EOLYN in AudiobookAt last! The audio edition of <i>Eolyn </i>is now available through <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Eolyn/dp/B00KROCQCY/">Audible</a> and <a href="http://www.apple.com/itunes/">iTunes</a>.<br />
<br />
If you've already read <i>Eolyn, </i>this is a wonderful way to rediscover the power of the Magas.<br />
<br />
If you haven't yet read <i>Eolyn, </i>now is your chance to join the adventure.<br />
<br />
The audio edition of <i>Eolyn </i>is read by the incomparable <a href="http://www.darlasvoice.net/">Darla Middlebrook</a>. Darla's tag line, <i>bringing out the soul of the book, </i>is realized in every moment of the story. As I've said <a href="http://eolynchronicles.blogspot.com/2014/05/rediscovering-eolyn.html">elsewhere</a>, I couldn't be more thrilled with her interpretation of the characters and events of <i>Eolyn. </i>And I'm especially thrilled now that I get to share this with all of you!<br />
<br />
As today's special treat, here's a preview of the audio book: Darla's reading from Chapter 3, 'The House of Sweetbread'. In this scene young Eolyn, starved and exhausted after days of wandering lost in the forest, meets her mentor Ghemena for the first time.<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ymFTCvi8wew" width="480"></iframe>Karin Rita Gastreichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13788750258292938903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3865357201054034431.post-38185783292070468612014-06-06T19:57:00.000-05:002014-06-07T13:43:20.438-05:00Vote for HIGH MAGA in the June Cover Wars<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiclB_AfzKe0AAVri7BFTPeMF713A1-WfyllhM8y4d4EO4U3VwGSToV2Ykv9innfJnMqOR-3L1jjGpmxw0qqDmbU3SqvDWyFLZSvtLRnTV3mdGSDa9t3gKuQPI0z-45lo-A3VqCZPstoXU/s1600/High+Maga+finished-compressed+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiclB_AfzKe0AAVri7BFTPeMF713A1-WfyllhM8y4d4EO4U3VwGSToV2Ykv9innfJnMqOR-3L1jjGpmxw0qqDmbU3SqvDWyFLZSvtLRnTV3mdGSDa9t3gKuQPI0z-45lo-A3VqCZPstoXU/s1600/High+Maga+finished-compressed+2.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
Express your support for Thomas Vandenberg's stunning portrayal of Eolyn facing down a Naether Demon: Vote for the cover of <i>High Maga </i>in the <a href="http://masqueradecrew.blogspot.com/2014/06/vote-for-your-favorite-10-book-covers.html">Masquerade Crew's June Cover Wars</a>.<br />
<br />
The artwork for <i>High Maga </i>was inspired by one of the early scenes in the book, the first struggle in which Eolyn uses the enchanted Galian sword <i>Kel'Barú. </i><br />
<br />
Eolyn's journey with the sword is not an easy one. She is averse to weapons of war and the violence they represent. Throughout book one of the series, she avoids learning sword play and relies almost entirely on her magic in open conflicts.<br />
<br />
Yet <i>Kel'Barú </i>comes to her as a special gift, and she is the only one among her people who understands its strange metallic song. <br />
<br />
In <i>High Maga, </i>Eolyn begins training with <i>Kel'Barú </i>under Akmael's insistence. Though she is a reluctant student, Eolyn soon discovers this weapon may hold the key to her people's salvation. It is the only weapon that appears effective against the Naether Demons, monsters released from centuries of darkness by blood sacrifice and sorcery. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3U579-z3CkFp_Rbxvof2TFjh08kIwAcWDh9mbgujogkOc_GKyoHk3vlFLJ5W-Ucsa1g6Sh9U0l5R0xLDEyvNFrcbMiCHUAMptSC7-nMUrFnuNGSxjjcaL6hczA7DV0hcKLWDGZ-2rL_Q/s1600/Eolyn+Thumbnail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3U579-z3CkFp_Rbxvof2TFjh08kIwAcWDh9mbgujogkOc_GKyoHk3vlFLJ5W-Ucsa1g6Sh9U0l5R0xLDEyvNFrcbMiCHUAMptSC7-nMUrFnuNGSxjjcaL6hczA7DV0hcKLWDGZ-2rL_Q/s1600/Eolyn+Thumbnail.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Detail of Eolyn from the cover art.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
For me, Tom achieved more than just an illustration when he interpreted Eolyn in this scene. He crafted an iconic image of the woman protagonist in fantasy fiction. Tom captures Eolyn's indomitable strength, her aura of sheer determination against an insatiable enemy. This is no sword-wielding sex kitten, but a true woman of extraordinary power and great beauty.<br />
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You can vote for <i>High Maga </i>every day this month. There are many amazing covers in the competition, and you have up to 10 votes per day, so if you see something else you love, vote for that one too! <br />
<br />
Want to know more about the scene that inspired this story? <a href="http://eolynchronicles.blogspot.com/2014/01/high-maga-scene-that-inspired-cover.html">Visit my January 17th post.</a>Karin Rita Gastreichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13788750258292938903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3865357201054034431.post-18734997535710624642014-06-02T06:00:00.000-05:002014-06-02T06:00:06.742-05:00NAPIRE 2014<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIDechW0ShmjGimpIQNU-_xPIRMkFwq2D54daxFopd1vtiBeSh6dSNAjl4PQ59fAO8hK8EM6lbM1e79MQ_ehcgdV6o-nKFztuf6nDe7TQLyYLyoN6HSa8bChlH3YhUTlVjP2-PjESy0fQ/s1600/IMG_0358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIDechW0ShmjGimpIQNU-_xPIRMkFwq2D54daxFopd1vtiBeSh6dSNAjl4PQ59fAO8hK8EM6lbM1e79MQ_ehcgdV6o-nKFztuf6nDe7TQLyYLyoN6HSa8bChlH3YhUTlVjP2-PjESy0fQ/s1600/IMG_0358.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and one of my old friends at Las Cruces.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The semester at Avila has ended, and all of the sudden I find myself in Costa Rica preparing for my next NAPIRE summer.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Those of you who follow my blog may remember that every other year I return to Las Cruces Biological Station in southern Costa Rica to participate in the <a href="http://youtu.be/RLEkt76FSVQ">Native American and Pacific Islander Research Experience (NAPIRE) Program</a>. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Funded by NSF and LSAMP, this 8-week adventure brings together Native American and Pacific Islander undergraduate students, who conduct independent research under the guidance of experienced field ecologists. Students identify questions and hypotheses, design and implement their own experiment, and analyze, interpret, and present the results. All of this in the context of the magnificent mid-elevation tropical forest that characterizes the mountains of southern Costa Rica. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I helped set up NAPIRE back in 2006, when I was still working full time for Duke University and the Organization for Tropical Studies. After accepting my current position at Avila University, I’ve returned every other year to participate in NAPIRE as a research mentor. This year I’ve taken on a new and somewhat daunting challenge: I will be co-coordinating the program with Barbara Dugelby. Our team includes two teaching assistants, Lelemia Irvine, a kukupu o ka aina of Hawaii, and Nicole Kenote, a member of the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin. </span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh15d3U2gOLXBcNRMW1d9kIb3nezzLUjFFgbRb_-V-J3T64QvaXq8_x_SIccMnXgBejarHxt0zVPqNuqtCE5rkm0p_dywZS6OQG-L_Wu9_7tC2HylP_F2fzEMb2KE9CJxW8_BEd88hdNrg/s1600/NAPIRE+workshop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh15d3U2gOLXBcNRMW1d9kIb3nezzLUjFFgbRb_-V-J3T64QvaXq8_x_SIccMnXgBejarHxt0zVPqNuqtCE5rkm0p_dywZS6OQG-L_Wu9_7tC2HylP_F2fzEMb2KE9CJxW8_BEd88hdNrg/s1600/NAPIRE+workshop.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NAPIRE Best Practices workshop in January 2014.<br />
Diverse cultures, diverse minds, diverse forests.<br />
Photo courtesy of Lelemia Irvine.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">When the 2014 NAPIRE community is complete, it will consist of 20 students from various Native American Tribes and Pacific Islander Peoples, as well as 10 mentors from around the world. In addition, we will be welcoming mentors from our students’ home institutions as well as a tribal elder, Dr. Don Pepion, and a cultural practitioner, Ku'umeaaloha Gomes. </span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">I have long had an instinctive love for NAPIRE. From the first time I heard about the program, I understood that this is one of those rare initiatives that could truly transform the world. Not from one day to the next, of course, but by planting seeds of change capable of germinating and flourishing long after the 8-week experience has concluded. This because NAPIRE not only teaches students science, it seeks to bridge the gap between scientific and indigenous knowledge systems — a gap that all too often seems insurmountable, abyssal in its depths, ready to swallow anyone who attempts to cross it.</span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">As part of my personal preparation for this summer’s program, I have begun reading </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">Grandmothers Counsel the World, </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">a book by Carol Schaefer that consolidates the experience and wisdom of 13 women elders from different indigenous tribes. </span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">In the foreword, Winona LaDuke makes a compelling argument that the current paradigm, driven in part by a Western approach to science, cannot show us the way out of the planetary crisis, because it is precisely this paradigm that created the problem the first place. </span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">This is a difficult argument for an ecologist to read, even more difficult when the words sting with the weight of truth. </span>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">And so the question sticks in my mind:</span>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">Can science solve the problems science has created?</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">I have a feeling I will be mulling over this one for some time, perhaps the entire summer and beyond.</span>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">On the one hand, scientific advancement has allowed us to exploit the planet in a way never before seen in history. </span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">At the same time, science has illuminated the extent of the damage we have done, and continue to do. Data gathered by scientists has often urged us into decisive action, as for example with the Clean Air Act of 1970 and the Montreal Protocol (1987). </span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Science is extraordinarily powerful when it comes to deciphering the inner workings of the natural world, yet science offers little in terms of guidance regarding what to do with that information. </span>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Where, then, can we turn for such sorely needed guidance? </span>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Schaefer and LaDuke point to the Grandmothers and their collective wisdom, a rich reservoir of knowledge that spans hundreds, even thousands, of years. Indigenous knowledge systems, they argue, are not simply a place to start. They should occupy a central role in our collective effort to ensure a better, more sustainable future for all of humanity.</span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">All of this brings me back to NAPIRE, a relatively modest effort to create a playing field on which scientific and indigenous knowledge systems interact on equal terms. Every summer I’ve joined NAPIRE has been a new adventure, each iteration distinct in many important ways from the last. Yet no matter the particular experiences of a given summer, I always come away with a deeper appreciation of NAPIRE students and the many cultures they represent.</span> I know the much of the future rests in their hands, and that thought gives me a lot of hope.<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">This is one of many reasons why I am so excited that the door to NAPIRE 2014 is about to open, allowing me to participate in the many challenges and unique gifts this opportunity has to offer. I invite you to join me as a virtual companion when I step through that door, as the NAPIRE experience will be the focus of many posts from now through early August.</span>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This is one adventure you do not want to miss. </span>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<i>If you would like to know more about the International Council of Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers, please <a href="http://www.grandmotherscouncil.org/">visit their webpage</a>. </i><br />
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<i><br /></i>Karin Rita Gastreichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13788750258292938903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3865357201054034431.post-38140973719341704052014-05-19T15:34:00.001-05:002014-05-19T15:34:09.578-05:00Events and SigningsBusy week for science fiction and fantasy lovers in KCMO!<br />
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I will be at the brand new <a href="http://www.facebook.com/events/1426830954243591/">INKLINGS BOOKS & COFFEE SHOP</a> this Thursday, May 22, starting at 6pm. Join us for an evening of pure imagination with fellow author M.C. Chambers and musician Rich Tuttle, singing songs inspired by Tolkien. Copies of <i>Eolyn </i>and <i>High Maga </i>will be available for purchase and signing.<br />
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Then, starting Friday, it's <a href="http://www.conquestkc.org/">CONQUEST 44</a>! I am so excited for this year's con. Lots of interesting panels, and great people on them. The main event will be at the Kansas City Marriott downtown. Here's my schedule:<br />
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<b><u>Friday</u></b><br />
<b>2:00pm </b>Tough Women: Heroes and Villains (Lester Young A)<br />
<b>3:00pm </b>Are there too many strong women? (Lester Young B)<br />
<b>6:00pm </b>Readings from <i>High Maga </i>(Big Joe Turner A)<br />
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<b><u>Saturday</u></b><br />
<b>11:00am </b>Women of Ancient and Medieval Times (Julia Lee A/B)<br />
<b>4:00pm </b>Hadley Rille Books: Small Press, Big Plans (Lester Young A)<br />
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<b><u>Sunday</u></b><br />
<b>1:00pm </b>Self-Publishing: Taking the Leap! (Mary Lou Williams A/B)<br />
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I've got a lot to prepare, so that's it for my post this week. I do hope to see you in the coming days though, whether at Inklings or ConQuesT or both. Let's welcome the summer in style!<br />
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<br />Karin Rita Gastreichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13788750258292938903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3865357201054034431.post-1958123739194638792014-05-14T15:40:00.004-05:002014-05-14T15:40:39.097-05:00Rediscovering EOLYN<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh04GA4mXCuseqVw5mv47r_LgNySwCBS5f86xXXIspdXLAZgVH5LvUcpJWC3keG6dLwx-oyA28t8Yt0vVkIlITz3D6IIGZUMHcHUU0WJEEAb_QVNXmxIVA5jFPp5xNr0NXXLTyFDUr_-Gk/s1600/audio+cover+draft.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh04GA4mXCuseqVw5mv47r_LgNySwCBS5f86xXXIspdXLAZgVH5LvUcpJWC3keG6dLwx-oyA28t8Yt0vVkIlITz3D6IIGZUMHcHUU0WJEEAb_QVNXmxIVA5jFPp5xNr0NXXLTyFDUr_-Gk/s1600/audio+cover+draft.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a>I have had the greatest pleasure these past few weeks of listening to the new audio edition of EOLYN.<br />
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Read by the incomparable <a href="http://www.darlasvoice.net/">Darla Middlebrook</a>, this interpretation made me laugh, and then cry, in all the right moments. It filled me with joy and fear, love and heartbreak, warmth, humor, friendship and loss in ways that surprised me, given how intimately I already knew the story.<br />
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To hear Eolyn's world revealed by a professional reader was just such an extraordinary experience. I felt as if I were discovering my own story all over again, as if I hadn't heard of these characters and their world before, even though I'd written it all myself.<br />
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Among my favorite voices: Tzeremond, Drostan, Rishona, and Tahmir. I can't say that in every case Darla used the voice that I would have chosen, but in the end, the whole was so much greater than the sum of its parts. I couldn't be more thrilled with the final product, and I cannot wait to share it with the world.<br />
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Terri-Lynne DeFino, acting editor-in-chief of Hadley Rille Books, has given her go ahead on acx to move forward with the release. We are waiting on Darla's final approval, which I imagine will be forthcoming.<br />
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Once everyone has given the thumbs up, I'm not really sure how long it will take for the system to put the audiobook on the market. After all, I've never done anything like this before. But I can't imagine it will be long; I expect EOLYN will be available for your listening enjoyment by the end of this month. <br />
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Of course, as soon as it's released, I will post the purchase links here as well as on Facebook and Twitter, so please check back through the usual channels for more news in coming days and weeks. If you haven't read the novel, this will be a great way to immerse yourself in Eolyn's world. If you have read the novel, I suspect that you, like me, will find immense pleasure in listening to this new interpretation. Any way you cut it, the release of <i>Eolyn </i>in audio is going to be a great summer treat for everyone.<br />
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Many, many thanks to Darla Middlebrook for the long hours she spent in putting together this fantastic recording. With any luck, we'll be able to snag her for an audio edition of <i>High Maga </i>as well. . .<br />
<br />Karin Rita Gastreichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13788750258292938903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3865357201054034431.post-45626641874450030692014-05-09T06:00:00.000-05:002014-05-09T06:00:01.783-05:00Cover Reveal: DATE SHARKHere's a fun change of pace! Today I'm participating in the cover reveal for DelSheree Gladden's new novel <i>Date Shark</i>. Romance lovers, check it out!<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
When It Comes to Choosing Between Obsession and Passion, </h2>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Some Lines are Meant to Be Crossed</h2>
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Life as the marketing director for a popular fashion boutique is overwhelming for Leila Sparrow, to say the least. She’s not sure what ever possessed her to add revamping her dating life to her already hectic schedule. Calling in renowned Date Shark, Eli Walsh seemed like a good idea until she actually met with him. She isn’t supposed to be fantasizing about her dating coach. Leila knows he only sees her as a client, but when their business relationship becomes more of a friendship, it’s hard not to imagine what might be.</div>
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His Date Shark business was only meant to be a side-enterprise to his thriving couple’s therapy practice, but Eli Walsh knows it’s become more of an obsession. At least, it was until he agreed to take on Leila. Somehow she has stolen his entire focus. He wants to admit his fascination with her and growing romantic interest, but he knows coming on too strong will scare her away. His plan to convince her that she is worth any man’s interest by first being her friend is challenged when his tips start to pay off and Leila begins dating Luke. Will his friendship with Leila mean the end to any romantic pursuit? </div>
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Date Shark will be released from Limitless Publishing on</h3>
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May 13th, 2014!</h3>
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<i>In the mean time... Enter the giveaway below for a chance to win a $10 Amazon Gift Card and an ebook copy of Date Shark!</i></div>
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<br />
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/a1a4e542/" id="rc-a1a4e542" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//widget.rafflecopter.com/load.js"></script>
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<a href="http://www.limitlesspublishing.com/" target="_blank">Check out Limitless Publishing!</a></div>
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Karin Rita Gastreichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13788750258292938903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3865357201054034431.post-59692501579276417062014-05-08T06:00:00.000-05:002014-05-08T10:56:18.342-05:00Medieval Secrets in THE DRAGON'S MESSAGE<div class="MsoNormal">
Today I welcome author Lori Fitzgerald, who is celebrating the release of her story 'Dragon's Message' with a Magic Appreciation Tour.<br />
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Lori J. Fitzgerald lives in New York with her fellow English Major husband and their two little bookworms. Medieval literature is her passion, and she wishes she could spend more time traipsing around Renaissance Faires and shouting “Huzzah” at jousts. She was a middle school English teacher for many years and was best known for her dramatic readings of <i>The Princess Bride</i>. Lori is currently a Staff Writer for the website Once Upon A Fan, the popular fansite for ABC’s hit show <i>Once Upon A Time</i>. You can contact her by email at <a href="mailto:WhiteRaven829@gmail.com">WhiteRaven829@gmail.com</a>.<br />
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Following Lori's guest post about Medieval influences on Dragon's Message, we have an excerpt from the story. Also, don't forget to enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway to win a free copy!<br />
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Medieval Secrets in 'Dragon's Message'</h3>
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Medieval literature abounds with hidden meanings, for in the
landscape of the medieval mind a character, setting, object or even action have
both a literal and a symbolic meaning.
Many of the secrets in The Dragon’s Message are couched in medieval
terms. There are references to the Code of Chivalry, such as curtesye (courtly
manners) and trouthe (integrity). The coats of arms of both the protagonists,
Sir Gwydion and Lady Rhiannon, are also keys to the quest in the story.
Medieval heraldry began as practical badges of recognition, so that armored
knights could be identified in battle.
However, the symbols, or charges, also represented the qualities that
the knight and his family held important. Sir Gwydion’s coat of arms, in
medieval heraldic terms, is Azure, a unicorn passant reguardant Or, a chief
embattled Or, file Azure. This means the shield has a blue background, in the
center of which is a gold unicorn with one front leg reared and its head turned
to look behind it. The unicorn symbolizes extreme courage, virtue, and
strength. The top part of the shield is a gold band shaped like the top of a
fortress turret, which symbolizes protection…or fire. On this gold band is a
blue “file” symbol (it looks like an “E”) which is the symbol of the oldest
son. This is how Rhiannon recognizes Gwydion in his full battle armor when he
first approaches her castle, Caer Idris. The gold (“Or”) symbolizes generosity
and elevation of the mind, and the blue (“Azure”) symbolizes truth and loyalty.
The tapestry in the main hall of Caer Idris unlocks the meaning of Rhiannon's
coat of arms. And even the runes that the dragon messenger writes with “its
red-gold ember breath in the darkening sky” hold multiple interpretations,
because dragons “do not speak in as simple or as many words as we do, for their
throats are clogged with embers. So each rune has many meanings, and can be
interpreted in many ways, often depending on the other runes that they are
with.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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I invite you to enter the world of the Dragon
Tome and learn its secrets!<br />
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-Lori Fitzgerald, Author</div>
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Excerpt from Dragon's Message</h3>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px;"><span style="color: black;">Gwydion quickly handed her a cloth to catch her tears with.</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">His brow furrowed in concern.</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">“I did not mean to make you upset with memories.</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">Of course your father’s liege knights were intent on capturing Maelogan and the rest of his lackeys.</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">I myself almost had him in the lists but ran afoul of the mud.</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">His treachery was…most unexpected.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px;"><span style="color: black;">Rhiannon nodded, and then looked closely at the cloth he had given her.</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">“Oh!” she exclaimed shakily.</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">“This was mine!” She held up the red scarf with crooked gold stitches forming a sleeping dragon in the middle.</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">“This was one of my first embroidery attempts.” </span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">She looked up, smiling incredulously although her eyes still shone from her tears. </span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">“I gave you this at one of the tournaments…and you’ve kept it all these years?”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px;"><span style="color: black;">“Ah…” he grinned a little sheepishly, “I liked it.”</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">Rhiannon laughed, pleased, and traced the uneven stitches on the dragon’s folded wings.</span><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px;"><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">“Rhiannon,” the knight hesitated, and gestured at the ruins around them.</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">“Why are we here? And why is your book,” he pointed at the pack next to her, “so important?”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px;"><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">Her lips twitched but she kept herself steady, not wanting to reveal the slight measure of triumph she felt from his questioning.</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">Another step ahead, she thought, and her palms gave a tingling pulse as she pulled her book out from its pouch onto her lap.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px;"><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">“This is a book of secrets that my mother bequeathed to me as my birthright.” </span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">She spread the red cloth out onto the grass before her and the stitched dragon caught the strong light of the western sun.</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">“Gules, a dragon dormant Or.</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">Our family’s coat of arms is actually passed through the female line.”</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">She arched an eyebrow at Sir Gwydion’s dumbfounded expression. “Don’t tell my father that I told you that. That’s one secret,” she said slyly.</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">“You know there have been dragons sighted on our lands for centuries.</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">This book,” she said, as she ran her palms along the leather, “deciphers the language of the dragons.”</span></span></div>
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About Dragon's Message</h3>
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A dragon writes a cryptic message with its ember breath in the evening sky...</div>
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Lady Rhiannon watches from the turret wall with an ache in her blood. She's the only person who can decipher the message as the sole keeper of the Dragon Tome. When an old enemy threatens the castle, her father charges his knight with escorting her to a safe haven—the same knight Rhiannon had a crush on as a girl. But she must now convince him to change his plans, for she has her own sacred charge to fulfill...<br />
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So begins a journey to hidden ruins where magic slumbers in the stones and love lies in the heart, waiting to awaken.<br />
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As Rhiannon and the knight face seemingly insurmountable odds, only the dragon knows if they can fulfill their destiny...
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<i>The Dragon's Message</i>, a Dragon Tome Novelette, available now for only $1.99 </div>
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on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dragons-Message-Dragon-Novelette-ebook/dp/B00J5343FG/">Kindle</a> and <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-dragons-message-lori-fitzgerald/1118974725">Nook</a></div>
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/c6b1bb1/" id="rc-c6b1bb1" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//widget.rafflecopter.com/load.js"></script>Karin Rita Gastreichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13788750258292938903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3865357201054034431.post-41582478123731449662014-05-05T07:54:00.000-05:002014-05-05T07:54:56.351-05:00What people are saying about HIGH MAGA'Tis the season of Bel-Aethne. May all of you enjoy the rites of spring. <br />
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Here in KC, the transition from April to May was marked by a cold front and some severe storms, but the sun is out now and the fine spring weather has returned. The grass is growing (a little too fast), the trees are budding, and the tulips are in full bloom.</div>
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The semester is wrapping up at Avila. We have just finished the last week of classes; now we are getting into finals. I am also in the process of packing up my office, as much of O'Reilly Hall will be gutted and remodeled this summer. </div>
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Preparations are in full swing for this summer's NAPIRE program. About a week ago, Coordinator Barbara Dugelby and I hosted a workshop for home mentors and incoming research mentors. Right now, we are hammering out the final details of the schedule. We have a great group of students and faculty coming into the program this summer; I am really looking forward to it.</div>
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<i>High Maga </i>is one month old, and reviews from readers are starting to come in. Here's what some of the my readers have to say:</div>
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"I loved experiencing the lives of both characters [Eolyn and Akmael] and watching them change through the story. The story of their love and all the difficulties they face is absolutely breathtaking."</div>
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"Darker. Bleaker. Different. . . . A great read, and in some parts some may find it harrowing."</div>
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"This is a finely wrought story of love and deception, of reunions and disappointment."</div>
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"The characters are deep and real with complicated desires and needs that lead them in paths you cannot anticipate."</div>
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You can read the full reviews on <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20928327-high-maga">Goodreads</a> or <a href="http://www.amazon.com/High-Maga-Karin-Rita-Gastreich/dp/0989263193/">Amazon</a>.<br />
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It's great to get so much positive feedback on this novel, which is such a different story and presented very unique challenges compared to its predecessor. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to write a review on Goodreads, Amazon, or elsewhere. This is a great way not only to express support for the author, but to help other readers decide whether <i>High Maga </i>is the right story for them.<br />
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Last Monday, I had a guest post on <i><a href="http://heroinesoffantasy.blogspot.com/">Heroines of Fantasy</a> </i>where I talked about <a href="http://heroinesoffantasy.blogspot.com/2014/04/on-war-and-women.html">war and violence in </a><i><a href="http://heroinesoffantasy.blogspot.com/2014/04/on-war-and-women.html">High Maga</a>, </i>and what inspired me to write such a dark sequel to the decidedly brighter <i>Eolyn. </i>I hope you will stop by to read it, if you haven't already. The post was written from the heart, and brings to light some of the formative experiences of my own youth.<br />
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Eve Brackenbury is opening a new store in historic downtown Blue Springs, called the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Prosperos-Parkside-Books/143233309044504">Inklings Books and Coffee Shop</a>. She's invited me to do a signing there the evening of May 22nd. Author Mary C. Chambers will also be with us, and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/richtuttlemusic">Rich Tuttle</a> will be playing music inspired by Tolkien. The fun starts at 6pm; see the flyer below for more information.<br />
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<a href="http://www.conquestkc.org/">ConQuesT 45</a> is on its way, and I am very excited! We'll be at the Marriott in downtown Kansas City on Memorial Day Weekend. If you'd like to attend my panels and readings,<a href="http://eolynchronicles.blogspot.com/p/schedule-for-conquest-45.html"> see my schedule</a> for ConQuesT 45.<br />
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That's the news for now. I hope you are in for a great week.<br />
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Karin Rita Gastreichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13788750258292938903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3865357201054034431.post-1649346008740847102014-04-28T20:50:00.000-05:002014-04-28T20:50:06.658-05:00Meet My Character Blog HopHistorical fiction author Louise Turner has invited me to participate in the Meet My Character Blog Hop. I met Louise through Hadley Rille Books. Her debut novel, <i>Fire and Sword, </i>is set in 15th century Scotland. I read the novel last fall, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Louise's blog hop post focuses on the character of <a href="http://www.louiseturner.co.uk/2014/04/the-main-character-blog-hop/">Hugh Montgomerie</a>, the wonderfully ruthless antihero of her story. To find out more about the world of <i>Fire and Sword, </i><a href="http://www.louiseturner.co.uk/">visit Louise Turner's <u>website</u></a>. You can also read<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/749472650"> my Goodreads review</a> of her work. <br />
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In my countdown posts for the release of <i>High Maga, </i>I never really did a character sketch of Eolyn, so I thought I'd devote some time to her today. Here are the blog hop questions, with my answers:<br />
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<b>1. What is the name of my main character? Is he/she fictional or historical?</b><br />
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Eolyn is a fictional character, but many historical figures inspired her creation.<br />
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<b>2. When and where is the story set?</b><br />
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The story is set in a medieval pagan kingdom called Moisehén, a place with a rich tradition of magic that dates back centuries. Eolyn was born in the aftermath of a great civil war that put an end to this tradition. During the war, the Magas, female practitioners of magic, rose up against the Mage King Kedehen. After crushing the rebellion, Kedehen forbade women to practice magic and set out to destroy the magas. Eolyn's mother Kaie was in hiding when she gave birth to her daughter, but eventually the purges consumed her life as well. <br />
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<b>3. What should we know about her?</b><br />
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Eolyn is the sole heiress to the tradition of the magas. She is a gifted and powerful maga, but cautious in her actions -- as well she should be, because any misstep could cost her life. Eolyn abhors violence but will do what she must to see her dreams realized.<br />
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<b>4. What is the personal goal of the character?</b><br />
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She wishes to practice magic freely and openly, and to restore the tradition of women's magic to the people of Moisehén.<br />
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<b>5. What is the main source of conflict; what messes up her life?</b><br />
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As a young girl, Eolyn befriends a boy, Akmael, who also studies magic. They develop a great affection for each other, though they are parted before that affection matures into love. When Eolyn again finds Akmael, she discovers he is Kedehen's only son and heir, a formidable and dangerous mage in his own right, destined to continue his father's legacy of oppressing women's magic. If Eolyn is to see her own dream realized, she must, against the desires of her own heart, take up arms against Akmael.<br />
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<b>6. Is there a working title of this story and can we read more about it?</b><br />
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I am describing the main character of my first novel, <i>Eolyn, </i>which covers her childhood and the early years of her journey in magic. <i>Eolyn </i>has multiple reviews on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Eolyn-Karin-Rita-Gastreich-ebook/dp/B005BEIGZG/">Amazon</a> and <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12069304">Goodreads</a>. Its companion novel, <i>High Maga, </i>was just released this month. In <i>High Maga, </i>Eolyn is older, with greater responsibilities and even more complex challenges ahead of her. You don't necessarily need to read <i>Eolyn </i>before <i>High Maga, </i>but you will likely have a richer reading experience if you do.<br />
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<b>7. When can we expect the book to be published?</b><br />
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Both <i>Eolyn </i>and <i>High Maga </i>are currently available from <a href="http://hrbpress.com/">Hadley Rille Books</a>. The third and final novel of the series, <i>Daughter of Aithne, </i>is in progress and will be available in late 2015.<br />
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Next week's bloggers for the Meet My Character Blog Hop will be <a href="http://ulleseit.wordpress.com/">Linda Ulleseit</a> and <a href="http://theediblebookshelf.blogspot.com/">DelSheree Gladden</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://ulleseit.wordpress.com/">Linda Ulleseit</a> is the author of several YA fantasy novels, including the Flying Horse series, and the historical fiction novel <i>Under the Almond Trees. </i><br />
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<a href="http://theediblebookshelf.blogspot.com/">DelSheree Gladden</a> writes YA fantasy that tends toward the dark side and incorporates mythologies of the American Southwest.<i> </i><br />
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Both of them are great story tellers, so I hope you will stop by their blogs to check out their work. Look for their Meet My Character posts on or around May 5th!<br />
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<br />Karin Rita Gastreichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13788750258292938903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3865357201054034431.post-26394296527731054422014-04-22T06:00:00.000-05:002014-04-22T06:00:01.079-05:00Spring Fever<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Buffalo River in early spring.</td></tr>
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My husband and I had a wonderful stay in the Ozarks last week. My only regret was that we had to return so soon.<br />
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We stayed at a lovely cabin near the Buffalo River, slept in during the mornings, went hiking in the afternoons. Read, listened to music, watched videos, ate and drank as we pleased. We made a bonfire under a starry night, and then we went hiking some more. All in all, I couldn't have asked for a better trip. I am already scheming to see when I can go back.<br />
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I was also able to <i>write</i>, truly write for the first time in ages. Bringing <i>High Maga </i>to press without Eric T. Reynolds at the helm of Hadley Rille Books had gobbled up all my time for the last several weeks. But I found some breathing space in the peace and beauty of the Ozark Mountains, and that gave me a fresh start on my continuing project with <i>Daughter of Aithne. </i><br />
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AND - here is the surprise I promised you last week: I've been listening to the brand new audio edition of <i>Eolyn! </i><br />
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Darla Middlebrook is the reader. I am in awe of her work. Listening to the story through her voice has been like discovering Eolyn's world all over again. Every scene, every moment, every word seems fresh and new; and, if I may say so myself, the story very well written! ;)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view from our cabin.</td></tr>
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The audio edition of <i>Eolyn </i>will be available through audible.com, as soon Hadley Rille editor Terri-Lynne DeFino and I give it a thumbs up. Judging by my listening rate, that will be in about two weeks. My personal goal, actually, is to see if we can have it released in time for Eolyn's birthday on May 7th. <br />
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In other news, historical fiction author Louise Turner has a great post up on <i><a href="http://heroinesoffantasy.blogspot.com/">Heroines of Fantasy </a></i>this week about real medieval women. Many of my own characters are based on historical figures, so if you want to learn about the women who inspired the women of <i>Eolyn's </i>world, have a look at <a href="http://heroinesoffantasy.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-response-from-lassies.html">Louise's post</a>. <br />
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Also, <a href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/2014/04/ob-phoenix-30-karin-rita-gastreich/">my Orangeberry Tour</a> continues this week with author interviews, excerpts, and more. I hope you have a chance to visit some of those posts and say hi!<br />
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We're going into the last stretch for the semester right now, so things may be a little hectic over the next couple of weeks. I will be posting regularly, though, as there is a LOT happening in May, and I want to keep you up-to-date with the latest news. <br />
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For now, have a good rest of the week. Enjoy the magic of spring!<br />
<br />Karin Rita Gastreichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13788750258292938903noreply@blogger.com