BHSV–Linda Robertson Guest Post + Signed Books Giveaway!\

 

Summer & Magic

Ahhh...summer.  The season of warmth and sunshine.

EEEK!!!! NOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!

I have a solar-dysfunction compounded by a serious melatonin-challengedness. I slather on SPF 70. I’ve been teasingly accused of being part vampire. As I sit here, I bear a sunburn on one shoulder. While counting the hours ‘til my next application of the soothing blue aloe gel, I’ve resorted to using the shop-vac to clear away cobwebs in the basement just to keep working during those peak flesh-searing hours.

Needless to say, the summer being so dangerous for me, it is not my favorite season. It has, however, many awesome holidays. The Summer Solstice, not to be confused with that cute little chick-hot-rod Pontiac put out, is a pagan holiday usually celebrated on June 21^st, give or take a day, whenever the sun is at 1 degree Cancer.

This holiday occurs when the sun is at the height of its power so it is no surprise that the foremost element of this holiday is fire, but this longest day of the year is also known as Litha, which means “moon.”  Ironic?

Not really.

This holiday has a secondary elemental influence: water. Therefore, the solstice has ties to the descent into the underworld. From Isis’s journey to save Osiris, to Baldur’s visit to the lowest worlds of Asgard…and, of course my favorite, Persephone’s passage into the realm of Hades. All those stories are portrayals of introspective scrutiny. Water is the lubrication that allows us to look into ourselves and discover what we—with fire—must renew, release, or enhance.

What would you like to renew and amp up in your life? Perhaps love, health, and joy.

What do you need to release? Maybe sadness, pain, or regret.

What would you like to enhance? Finances. Friendships. Luck.

The Summer Solstice is a great time to use the heat and light of solar energy to rev up external physical manifestations. Because the solstice this year will occur in a waning moon phase and that is a good time to get rid of negative energies, let’s focus on the middle question. Here’s an easy little ritual:

You’ll need:

paper and pen—you’re making a list

a black candle—the birthday kind for ‘over the hill’ cakes is usually inexpensive, small, and burn up relatively fast

anointing oil—regular ol’ olive oil will work just fine

candle holder—whatever is appropriate for safety. For a small birthday size candle an ashtray or small plate may work if you allow wax to drip in then affix the candle base to that while it is yet soft.

                **Fire is dangerous. Use common sense. Be safe.**

Make a list answering the question: “What do I need to release?” Feel free to borrow the suggestions I gave, but you truly know what needs to go from your life, so add your own—as long as you never try to harm someone or mess with their free will. (That will bite you in the ass.) Keep your answers simple and straightforward. Next, get the candle and dab your fingers in the oil. Starting at the base of the candle—and focusing your mind on your answers—rub the oil toward the wick. This sends the energy of these answers away from you.

**For extra oomph, research the Moirai and add them to your thoughts as you dress the candle with the oil. The Moirai regulate the fate they weave and can remove snags and clear blockages from the loom of your life.**

Light the candle, affix it in a safe place, and keep your mind focused on your intention. (Make a chant out of it!) Watch the candle burn until the flame goes out.  Mentally cast whatever you are releasing into that flame as if it is a portal to that ever-burning star that is our sun. Believe that what you have enacted will be so, that what you have released is gone. Dispose of the candle off by burying it somewhere not on your property.

Merry Solstice to you!

--Linda

For more information about Linda Robertson and her books, check out her website at

www.authorlindarobertson.com

 

INTERNATIONAL:

Win a SIGNED Copy of  "Fatal Circle" or "Arcane Circle"

US ONLY:

Win 1 of 2 SIGNED Copies of  "Fatal Circle" or "Arcane Circle"

:

 

To Enter:

Leave a comment about anything on the post above.

US ONLY Readers: Fill Out THIS Form!

INTERNATONAL Readers: Fill Out THIS Form! 

Extra Entries in The Comments WILL NOT COUNT!

*please read my Contest policy*

Extra Entries:

• +50 Write a Blog Post about the event
• +25 Add the event button to your blog {Grab the Button HERE}
• +10 Google Friend Connect Follower {Follow Publicly}
• +10 Networked Blogs Follower
• +10 Subscribe to The Blog by Email {Form near the top of the Right Sidebar}
• +7 Follow me on Twitter {@larissa_sarah}

• +5 “Like” Larissa's Life on Facebook
• +5 Be my friend on Goodreads
• +1 For spreading the word {+1 per link - Twitter, Facebook, etc – Please add links to the Form of the Giveaway you are entering}
• +1 Add all your entries! {including this one!}

 

Don’t Forget to Vote for the Theme for

My TOP 5 Sundays Post on the Poll at the left sidebar!

 

Check Out The OTHER BHSV GIVEAWAYS:

 

Check Out My Design Blog:

Great Anti-Piracy Badge Up for Grabs!

*Great Freebies Available!

Sign Up for…

Thanks so much for tuning in and I’ll see you soon!

xoxo,

Read more...

Lala's Book Corner: Hallowed Circle by Linda Robertson

"And you think beauty pageants are scary?

Persephone Alcmedi has been persuaded to compete for the position of High Priestess of the Cleveland, Ohio, coven -- now that the former priestess, Vivian Diamond, has strangely gone missing. Unfortunately, there are a few small problems with the idea. Not only does Seph know rather more about Vivian's disappearance than the other witches realize, but the epic struggle she's just survived has left her with some highly unusual powers -- ones that could be dangerous to reveal. Despite her reluctance, she agrees to participate, if only to prevent snooty Hunter Hopewell, an obnoxious but talented witch, from ending up in the winner's circle. Can Seph hide her secrets -- including her connection to the master vampire-wizard Menessos -- from the terrifyingly wise judges? Plus, there's her rock 'n' roll werewolf boyfriend, Johnny, and some angry fairies to deal with....

Once the competition begins, a finalist turns up dead. It looks as if one of the contestants is willing to do anything -- including murder -- to win. Suddenly Seph has even more on her plate than she thought: from solving a murder to working out what her new powers really are...and exactly why they're creating so much havoc in her love life."

From GoodReads.

I just finished this book, like 10min ago and I'm still coming back down from a intense book high LOL. I loved book 1, Vicious Circle, and this second installment of the Persephone Alcmedi series just made this series a must buy for me.

You can read my review of Vicious Circle here.

I have to be honest and say that the beginning, up to the first third of the book was a bit slow and patchy for me. Some of my favorite characters took a while to show and I missed them and it also took a while for the story to build up and reach a nice steady pace. There was a lot of preparing ground for the end and when I was done with the book I could actually appreciate it.

All my faves were back, Nana, HOT werewolf Johnny, cute Beverly, Seph's Were Friends... I was really happy to see them all back. Johnny showed up as flirtatious as ever, intent on having Seph for himself and it was very enjoyable to see his advances and her slowing yielding in his hands, and what hands, let me tell ya!

I really like Persephone as the heroine. She is flawed, but has such a heart and sense of right and wrong that I truly admire. I love how she gets set straight by her totem animal, a jackal, and that she is strong enough to accept being wrong and trying to fix things.

I don't want to delve too much into the plot, because I don't think I could do that without spoiling things. However, I can say that it was awesome to see the inner workings of the Witches' Covenstead, getting to know more about the Weres and getting a better understand of the Stain Persephone has, that connects her to the Vamps.

From the build up and the developments in this novel, I can see that there is so much to happen. I can't wait to get my hands on the next books and read more about them all.

As I said on my review of Book 1, this is not a groundbreaking series nor it reinvents the wheel. But Linda has definitely taken much thats has been proven right and true in the Urban Fantasy genre and made it her own. I love how this series is progressing and I have to say I LOVED seeing Seph and Johnny getting more intimate... Damn, that was hot! hehe

I give this Book 4 Loveys!

Smut Level 2.5/5

***You can win a SIGNED copy of this book here!***

***Contest ends Jan. 9th!***

Thanks for tuning in and I'll see you soon!

xoxo,

Read more...

Lala's Book Corner Presents: Author Interview & Giveaway with Linda Robertson

Hello everyone! We are only on day 2 of this New Year and it is a year full of first for me already. I have my fist Author Interview here today and I want to thank Linda Robertson for being so sweet and agreeing to this. (Giveaway details at the end of the post)

Linda is the Author of the Persephone Alcmedi Series. Hallowed Circle, Book 2, Just came out on Dec. 29th.

Here's a bit about the books:

"A girl's got to do what a girl's got to do....

Being a witch doesn't pay the bills, but Persephone Alcmedi gets by between reading Tarot cards, writing her syndicated newspaper column, and kenneling werewolves in the basement when the moon is full -- even if witches aren't supposed to mingle with wolves. She really reaches the end of her leash, though, when her grandmother gets kicked out of the nursing home and Seph finds herself in the doghouse about some things she's written. Then her werewolf friend Lorrie is murdered...and the high priestess of an important coven offers Seph big money to destroy the killer, a powerful vampire named Goliath Kline. Seph is a tough girl, but this time she bites off more than she can chew. She needs a little help from her friends -- werewolf friends. One of those friends, Johnny, the motorcycle-riding lead singer for the techno-metal-Goth band Lycanthropia, has a crush on her. And while Seph has always been on edge around this 6'2" leather-clad hunk, she's starting to realize that although their attraction may be dangerous, nothing could be as lethal as the showdown that awaits them."

From GoodReads.

You can find my review of Vicious Circle here.

"And you think beauty pageants are scary?

Persephone Alcmedi has been persuaded to compete for the position of High Priestess of the Cleveland, Ohio, coven -- now that the former priestess, Vivian Diamond, has strangely gone missing. Unfortunately, there are a few small problems with the idea. Not only does Seph know rather more about Vivian's disappearance than the other witches realize, but the epic struggle she's just survived has left her with some highly unusual powers -- ones that could be dangerous to reveal. Despite her reluctance, she agrees to participate, if only to prevent snooty Hunter Hopewell, an obnoxious but talented witch, from ending up in the winner's circle. Can Seph hide her secrets -- including her connection to the master vampire-wizard Menessos -- from the terrifyingly wise judges? Plus, there's her rock 'n' roll werewolf boyfriend, Johnny, and some angry fairies to deal with....

Once the competition begins, a finalist turns up dead. It looks as if one of the contestants is willing to do anything -- including murder -- to win. Suddenly Seph has even more on her plate than she thought: from solving a murder to working out what her new powers really are...and exactly why they're creating so much havoc in her love life."

From GoodReads.

I am reading this book right now, the review will be up soon! =)

The Interview

Larissa: When did you first start writing?

Linda: I've always wanted to tell stories, so I started at a young age, about eight. My mom recently gave me that first book I wrote which had been stashed in her cedar chest. I'd illustrated it too. (Laughs.) It was sooo bad. I was still into phonics, so the spelling was crazy. But seeing that little book, and the various other attempts I'd made, one thing became clear: I was always seeking to tell the story of a strong female.

L: What is your favorite part of the writing process?

Linda: The beginning! All the possibilities are exciting.

L: What is your least favorite part?

Linda: The fact-checking and the polishing process. It's not as fluid and all the imaginative parts are done.. But this part is so important.

L: Why writing Urban Fantasy?

Linda: I have always been an avid reader, and in my teens I wasn't seeing female characters I could relate to; they were all the damsel-in-distress in need of a hero to rescue her. I wanted to read about smart, tough women who could take care of themselves so...I became more serious and started writing it for myself.

L: Were there any Books, Movies or Writers that have inspired you?

Linda: Jennifer Roberson's Sword Dancer series; Christopher Golden's Peter Octavian series; there are SOOO many.

L: What is your favorite subject in the Urban Fantasy Realm?

Linda: How the characters deal with being whatever 'fantastic' being they are.

Favorites:

L: Favorite Paranormal themed Movie?

Linda: The Underworld trilogy, especially the prequel. Lucien is awesome.

L: Favorite Paranormal themed TV Show?

Linda: I watch way more comedy than anything else!

L: Favorite Author?

Linda: I could not limit it to one, Jennifer Roberson, Christopher Golden, Steven Brust.

L: Favorite Urban Fantasy Author?

Linda: Kim Harrison.

Favorite one of your Books so far?

Linda: It's not out yet, but the third one FATAL CIRCLE was very fulfilling. Lots of drama.

L: The Persephone Alcmedi series in your own words?

Linda: A modern day witch taking steps toward her great big destiny, dragging a hunky rock-n-roll werewolf and a manipulative vampire, and a spunky grandmother with her.

L: Who is your favorite of your own characters?

Linda: I cannot pick just one! I adore them all for different reasons.

L: Which was the hardest to write?

Linda: Nana.

L: Why?

Linda: She's got to be maternal, and yet have some snazzy sayings. Coming up with those is getting tougher. :-)

L: What would you be if not a writer?

Linda: I'd be a graphic artist or a Realtor.

Quickies:

This or That? Neither! Ha!

Coffee or Tea? Coffee, with chocolate and peppermint syrup.

Up or Down? Up.

Virtual or Real? Real.

Right or Left? The middle!

Vampires or Werewolves? Oooooo. I can't choose! Both!!!!

Angels or Demons? That depends...if the demons are human looking ( as in not the Predator-looking evil things), then demons..

Witches or Warlocks? Witches!

Reading or Writing? Writing!

L: How many books do you have planned for the Persephone Alcmedi series so far?

Linda: I've plotted roughly through eight, but I could go on for more without a problem.

L: What is coming up next for you?

Linda: Hopefully book five. Don't even have a working title yet.

L: What are you working on right now?

Linda: Book four; ARCANE CIRCLE.

L: Do you have any advice or tip to those like me that want to become a published Author someday?

Linda: Push yourself harder than anyone else and never give up.

L: Anything you would like to say to your fans out there?

Linda: Thank you so much! My dream has come true getting to write and be published, so believe me that dreams can and do come true. Whatever yours is, work hard, and believe in yourself.

#####THIS CONTEST IS CLOSED#####

The Giveaway!

There will be 2 winners in this giveaway!

1st Place - A Signed copy of Hallowed Circle (Thanks to Linda)

2nd Place - A copy of Hallowed Circle (from me)

This Giveaway is International!

To enter all you have to do is leave a comment about the interview.

That's it!

if you want extra entries:

+5 if you Follow this Blog. (leave profile link in the comments)

+3 if you Follow me on twitter here. (leave username in the comments)

+3 if you Follow Linda on Twitter here. (leave username in the comments)

The contest will run until next Saturday, Jan. 9th!

Thanks for tuning in and I'll see you soon!

xoxo,

Read more...