Happy Halloween Blogfest and BOO!

Happy Halloween everyone! We don't celebrate it here in Norway but it was always one of my favorite days growing up in the states. Not sure if it was mostly the chance to get dressed up or the candy. Probably the candy! 

Today is Roland Yeomans  Happy Halloween Blog fest!

Roland wants to know the book that scared you the most growing up and the one that scared you the most as an adult. Click HERE for details and to find more about his new series, Lucifer's Orphan.

The book that scared me the most growing up and still scares me as an adult is "IT" by the master story teller of horror himself, Stephen King. I have always hated clowns but this book took that hatred to a new level of fear! Good luck with your blogfest Roland and your new series!

A Halloween Treat for you.

Boo...

Ghosts do not bleed so Boo was not afraid of the giant candy apple with sharp teeth that snapped at thin air as it chased her into the haunted castle. "Boo, Boo!" the candy apple shouted. "Do you want to play a game of bob for the Boo, or would rather play bite and slurp? We need fresh victims, come on let’s gather the rest and go haunting!”

    They packed the cat and headed out for a night of fright. However, they forgot it was Halloween, and soon they encountered hordes of pink-bedecked ballerinas with zombie faces, followed by tall skinny witch doctors wearing Scream masks that sprinkled glitter everywhere they went! And so they went breaking into houses scaring people to death and stealing all their Halloween candy. It was almost midnight before they got back home, ate too much candy, and got stomach aches but a good puking made room for more, so Boo grabbed the biggest piece of candy she could find  ...it turned into a gas that was so explosive that the glitter turned into bombs that blew up the entire crowd of zombie faced ballerinas and skinny witch doctors.

The cat sat on the steps of the haunted castle together with the candy apple and Boo, he smiled a wicked grin as he licked his lips of some sticky candy and asked, “Who’s next?”

Story invented by Minnie and her friends! To find out who contributed click Here.

Sorry if I am not around as much lately as I would like to be. There are family problems that I am trying to deal with. Hope you all have a wonderful Halloween! Anyone watching American Horror Story? I love this season!

Boo!

Minnie is in Halloween Garb

Happy Friday everyone! It is the last Friday of the month and Minnie is here once again to play some Gibberish with you. Don't know how? It's easy, just continue the story with a sentence or two after the last comment that was made and don't worry because gibberish does not have to make sence! Minnie will make sence of your gibberish at the end of the game. Want to play? Let's have some fun and see where our creative minds takes us.

Boo...

Ghosts do not bleed so Boo was not afraid of the giant candy apple with sharp teeth that snapped at thin air as it chased her into... 

 (Your Turn!)

Enjoy your week-end everyone and come back Next week to see what happens to Boo.

Troll Party With Minnie

Here we go Minnie fans! Finally she gives up looking for more gamers and ends the story on her own. This is how she and her loyal friends made a story about a lonely troll.

The Troll

 

The troll wiped the snot from his smiling face. He flung it at the mushrooms growing out of the walls of his tiny cave and stormed towards the exit, hoping they would follow him to the movie theater--- Maybe if they saw the dancing mushrooms in Fantasia, they would also start to dance. But the mushrooms had other ideas. they didn't appear to want to dance, in fact they didn't seem to want to do anything remotely fun. 

"You ain't no fungi!" the troll sniffed. "I'm going to squash you into the ground with my club." 

The troll raised his trunk-like club, swung, and missed the mushrooms as they flared into bright green hulk sized terror with snapping jaws that quickly approached him. The troll laughed, he had another plan as he threw down his club and dug in his nose for some more snot. He threw it against the far side of the cave and the music began to play, colored lights filled the once dark space around them, the magic snot made Sponge Bob appeared and the mushrooms couldn't help themselves but want to dance.

Finally the lonely troll had company for a party!

Thanks to Alex Cavanaugh, Suzanne Furness, and Michael Di Gesu for playing!

 

This is Gibberish, come back on the last friday of this month if you want to play!

Time for Travel!

When I found out that my brother was planning on taking a trip to Paris without me knowing I was upset! Oslo and Paris are not so far apart and after living in europe for over 20 years I still have not been to Paris!

I said something like this to him:

"Now I have been waiting years to sip wine at a french bistro on the Champs-Élysées and travel the halls of the Louvre, but little brother Castles are a must. Whether you like it or not I am meeting you in Paris and we are going to spend some time at the Grand Palais.

Now you may think you are sneeky, but I got a hold of your travel plans ...yes, I have inside sources... and I have a treat for you! We are having dinner with the president of France, Marie François Sadi Carnot, so make sure you pack something nice to wear! It's not every day you get to travel back in time!"

There was a lot of static on the phone line. He wouldn't leave without me...would he?

Michael.....You There?

***

Today is the big cover reveal and blog hop celebration for PK HREZO'S New book!

Welcome to Butterman Travel, Incorporated

We are a full service agency designed to meet all your exclusive time travel needs. Family-owned and operated, we offer clients one hundred years of time travel experience. A place where you can rest assured, safety and reliability always come first.

Anxious to attend a special event from the past? Or for a glimpse of what the future holds?

You’ve come to the right place. We’re a fully accredited operation, offering an array of services; including, but not limited to: customized travel plans, professionally piloted operations, and personal trip guides. *Terms and conditions do apply

Conference us directly from our Website. Our frontline reservation specialist, Bianca Butterman, will handle all your inquiries in a professional and efficient manner, offering a tentative itinerary and free fare quote, so you can make the most of your time trip.

We look forward to serving you at Butterman Travel, Inc., where time is always in your hands.  

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So, the question is, if YOU could walk into Butterman Travel, Inc. and book a time trip, where and when would you book it to? Now, in the story, there are rules and regulations--you can't just book a trip anywhere/anytime, which is why you need a certified time-craft pilot and trip guide. There are paradox factors and parallel shifts to consider, and if the government catches you in a violation, you better believe you'll be in some deep doo-doo. 

But for the purpose of this blogfest,PK set those rules aside so everyone can be free to have some fun. To learn more about how commercial time travel operates, and how the government wants to have full control of it, pick up your copy of Butterman (Time) Travel, Inc. when it launches on 

                            November 12, 2013
                      

Here's the list of all those participating in today's theme. Hop around and see where they'd pick their time trip to. Should be very interesting and loads of fun!

Norse Gods Giveaway Winners and more

This is the first time I tried a giveaway and I must confess that I am rather dissapointed in the turnout. There were very few who participated so the same few names kept coming up as I pushed the pick a winner button. Here are the winners of my giveaway:

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Now I am wondering why there were so few entries. Do you think that giveaways have overflooded the market? Are people getting tired of Rafflecopters? Anyways, congratulations to the winners! 

A reminder that anyone who bought my book during the blogfest can email me a copy of their amazon order receipt and I will send them a signed copy of the Freya illustration done by my talented daughter.

Any thoughts you would like to share with me regarding my blog tour? Did you like the interviews with the gods? Did you like my book trailer for Secrets of the Ash Tree?

 ***

E.J. Wesley has revealed his cover for the fourth book in his Moonsong series, Dragon's Game.

It will 'officially' go on sale October 22nd at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Smashwords.

Jenny Moonsong recently inherited the title of "monster hunter" and an ancient tribal journal/how-to manual passed down by her Apache ancestors. She has already faced a werewolf, witches, and a troll. But nothing could prepare her for her latest confrontation...

Dragon's Game, Moonsongs Book 4, finds Jenny out of her rural West Texas element, searching for an evil witch in an urban Houston nightclub. After attempting to help a handsome and mysterious stranger out of a jam, she finds herself on the run from a ruthless gang who are even more dangerous than they initially appear.

Forced into a twisted game of life and death, Jenny must navigate the complexity of a budding relationship, and somehow survive a night filled with unexpected horror and paranormal mystery.

Dragon's Game is approximately 14,000 words or 45 pages, and is the fourth volume of the Moonsongs Books, an ongoing series of New Adult, speculative / urban fantasy novelettes by author E.J. Wesley.

(These stories contain language and content better suited for readers 17+)

New Adult Fall Fling Deal: Also for a limited time you can catch up on the entire Moonsongs series as well as other great books for just .99 cents (regularly $2.99)!

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On another note, this is October and preparations for Halloween are underway. Well, not so much here in Norway, but I have always loved Halloween! Roland Yeomans is having a Happy Halloween Blogfest and I have signed up to have some spooky fun. Check out his blog for more details!
 

--- "You have from October 1st to Halloween to post about the book which scared you the most as a young reader and the book which scared you the most as an adult."

Interview with Thor

Marvels Thor-The Dark World is coming to theaters on November 8th. Are you excited? This comic book hero is losely based on the god of thunder from Norse Mythology. Yes he is a real charmer in the movie; a handsome romantic hero that can fly. In my book Secrets of the Ash Tree I paint a different picture of this god.  

Today we are ending my blog tour with a bolt of lightning and the roar of thunder over at E.J. Wesley's as he takes a more personal peak with an interview from the real Thor.

I will be announcing winners of my Giveaway soon and
if you have missed the other stops on my tour it's not to late! Thank you to everyone that has joined me on this blog tour. I hope you have had as much fun as I have!

Intro to the Norse Gods
Screening at Meilori's
Norse Gods Blogfest
Interview with Odin  
Interview with Freya
Interview with Loki

 

Secrets of the Ash Tree

By Siv Maria Ottem

 

~~~In the realm of the gods and fairy tales the mystery of life is an endless path with many secrets to be discovered. Some secrets are like dreams, just waiting in darkness hoping to get into the light. 

 

 ‘Secrets of the Ash Tree’ is the story about Liv, a young woman who discovers her true nature through the unraveling of hidden secrets. Her adventures begin when she digs up a chest that was buried by her father under the old ash tree in her garden. What she finds inside the chest changes her life forever.  

Liv discovers one secret after another and is thrown into a world full of dangerous and strange creatures, mighty Norse warriors and perils beyond her belief. What started out as a fairy tale in her father’s journal was to become her legacy, a guide line to survival, and a map to the world she was about to enter. Each day, each mystery, each encounter will ultimately reveal her true destiny and behind the edge of a sword awaits a young god who is willing to share that destiny with her.

Available in Hardcover, softcover, kindle:

Amazon  

Amazon kindle 

Barnes & Noble

Don't forget to add it to

Goodreads 

Which one of the interviews did you enjoy the most? Did you sign up for my Giveaway? Did you enjoy my blogtour? 

Last chance!

Just a reminder everyone that the last stop on my Secrets of the Ash Tree-Norse Gods blog tour is Monday 14th of October. Take a trip over to E.J. Wesley tomorrow for a personal interview with Thor.

A reminder that my giveaway is ending soon, so make sure to enter for a chance at winning some great prizes!

If you have missed the other stops on my tour it's not to late!

Intro to the Norse Gods
Screening at Meilori's
Norse Gods Blogfest
Interview with Odin
Interview with Freya
Interview with Loki

Which one of the interviews did you enjoy the most? Have a great Sunday and I hope to see you back here again on Monday!

Interview with LOKI

Wikimedia commons-Loki's flight to Jotunheimen

Loki can be found lurking around at Susan Roebucks blog today. Head over to her blog and see what that trickster has to say.

Susan was my critique partner and often muse for my book 'Secrets of the Ash Tree.' She kept pushing me on and inspiring me at times when I was ready to give up. Susan was a big help with my writing and continues to be a valued friend!

Here is a small excerpt about Loki from my book Secrets of the Ash Tree:

Loki had come so close to getting the necklace and had it not been for the interference of that brat Forseti he would be free from the ridiculous confines of this decay. It was getting harder for him to shape shift. Each time he tried the effects tore more skin and hair from his body. Loki shivered in disgust at his reflection in the mountain stream as he tried to refasten half his nose with sticky sap from a tree. Swearing at the air around him he went back to work and by nightfall he had finished building his hut.

            “How clever I am,” he said to himself as he fastened the final door. He now had a hut with a door in each corner for a hasty escape in any direction. He decided that if the gods should come in search of him he would rush down to the stream and change himself into a salmon.  That should buy me the time I need, he thought as he looked across the room at the stolen urn of Espen Ash. Pleased with himself, he said to the urn, “I am sure that Liv would trade her necklace for her father’s ashes.”  Loki made a fire in the hearth and quickly fell asleep. 

            In Loki’s dark mind covered in sleep, a giant hook ripped into his side and pulled him out of black water. He screamed as a huge troll with long black hair grabbed him and pulled him off the hook. With one stroke of her knife she gutted him and cut off his head. Loki snapped awake from his dream. He could still hear the troll laugh as she threw his head into the water and yelled, “I am coming for you!”

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Secrets of the Ash Tree" Available in Hardcover, softcover, kindle:

Amazon- http://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Ash-Tree-Maria-Ottem/dp/1490708790/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1379498108&sr=1-2

Amazon kindle- http://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Ash-Tree-ebook/dp/B00E5Y79PQ

Barnes and Noble- http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/secrets-of-the-ash-tree-siv-maria-ottem/1116186245?ean=9781490708799

Goodreads- http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18259193-secrets-of-the-ash-tree?ac=1

Come back on Monday for the final stop on my blog tour as E.J. Wesley takes on Thor. Enjoy the rest of your week-end!

Freya's Friday

Happy Freyaday everyone! Friday is named for this Norse Goddess of love and today she is being interviewed over at Melissa Maygrove's, pop on over and see what this mighty Norse Goddess has to say.

Have you been enjoying this blog tour so far? Only two more stops left. Tomorrow Susan Roebuck takes on that trickster Loki and on Monday E.J. Wesley faces off with Thor! Hope everyone has a great week-end.

OH MY GOD we have winners!

Today Odin is visiting the Crazy Life of a Writing Mom. Find out what he has to say as he answers some rather unusual questions from bestselling author E.C. Stilsen.

Here is a glimpse of Odin from my book, 'Secrets of the Ash Tree'

Odin and Thor laughed over Loki’s demise and Liv could hear them boasting to each other as they rehearsed the speech they would give to the other gods at the well of Urd. Liv guessed they were only keeping a slow pace so that she and Forseti would not get lost on the way to the rainbow bridge. 

    Liv had wanted to talk more to Kvasir who was made from the spit of all gods and the wisest of all beings, but he had left their company to attend a feast in the home of the black dwarves Fjalar and Galar.  Liv watched Odin busy in conversation with his two ravens Muninn and Huginn. It was the duty of these two ravens to inform Odin of everything that was happening in the world. She watched as they quickly took flight again and as they soared away she couldn’t help but wonder what secrets they flew off with.

    Odin reminded Liv of an old pirate with a black patch over one of his eyes and long scraggily hair that flew around his weathered face. He turned out to be less fearful than she had imagined. When he looked at her with his remaining large dark eye, she didn’t know whether to embrace him or fall at his feet. His power swept across the air and forced even the moon and sun to bow down before him. Odin knew things that no one else did and she hoped that one of those things was how to free her mother from Hel’s prison.

    Shimmering in the distance, a path of brilliant colors stretched across a misty sky, sparks of fire danced with little effort all around it, proving that fire and water could occupy the same space.

    “Bifrost…the rainbow bridge, I had forgotten how beautiful it is,” said Forseti as he stopped next to Liv and enjoyed the sight. “The Aesir gods made Bifrost out of three colors with magic so strong that they gave birth to new colors that multiplied until the rainbow bridge was finally formed. It is the only way into the realm of the gods… it is my way home.”



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Don't forget to check out my giveaway and come back tomorrow as Melissa Maygrove takes a closer look at the love goddess and queen of the Valkyrie, Freya.

The winner of a signed copy of Secrets of the Ash Tree go to yesterdays Party Bloggers  Mary Aalgaard and Roland Yeomans! Both did  wonderful flash fiction stories to honor their favorite gods,  and I saw their support all over the place. Congratulations to them both!

If you missed the preview of my book trailer yesterday, here it is:

Norse Gods Birthday Blogfest

My favorite Goddess is Freya

In celebration of my new book ‘Secrets of the Ash Tree’ the Norse Gods have gathered with Captain Ninja- Alex Cavanaugh at the well of Urd. Together they have decided to throw a big book release party today on my birthday, October 9th! 

I can't wait to see what you have posted about YOUR favorite Norse God or Goddess. Make sure to hop around and see what other Gods are in focus today and make a special trip to Roland Yeomans Writting in the Crosshairs and wish him a Happy Birthday as well!  Because it is my birthday as well as the celebration of my book release there has to be presents! 

Anyone who buys my book during this blogfest can email me and I will send them an autographed print of this Freya illustration made by my daughter Maria Bech. This illustration is not available anywhere else and is not included in the book. My book is available at most online retailers including Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

More presents? I will be giving away a signed copy of my book to who-ever actively parties the most on this day. So spread the word, use my banner, visit as many blogs as you can, and write a great post! Special points if you visit my UTUBE Video below and like it, my NEW WEB PAGE ,or like my Facebook Author page 

My favorite Goddess is Freya and here is a sneak peak inside her world with an excerpt from my book 'Secrets of the Ash Tree'.

   Once inside Freya’s palace, Liv was almost afraid to walk on the glossy floors that reflected her image as if she were walking on mirrored glass. Freya’s hall looked like a Valentine’s Day card, each room within reminded Liv that her grandmother was the goddess of love. Everywhere, huge bouquets of flowers filled the air with the aroma of springtime, and lush red drapery edged with gold hung from the white marble walls. Blushing pillars supported painted ceilings with illustrations of lovers facing all seasons of landscape and life.  Cushions of silk and velvet were scattered on the floors in no particular fashion, and Liv almost tripped over one on her way into a small Garden of Eden that was covered in light steam.  A tiny waterfall ran down the far side of the room into a small pool of crystal blue water that was topped with rose petals. Green Ivy and lush grape vines clung to the walls and ceiling, then crept across the floor towards miniature trees that bore all sorts of fruit.

    Freya handed Liv a large fluffy towel that smelled of lavender and said, “Enjoy your bath; I will be back with something clean for you to wear.”

    Liv dropped her clothes and sank into the warm water. She had almost forgotten how relaxing it was to soak in a bath. The warm water caressed her skin and soothed her body. Slowly she slid under the water and disappeared from all worries and concerns of the past few days.

     Liv rested her head on a soft towel and almost fell asleep when she was startled by a splash of water that hit her face. She opened her eyes to the sight of an apple bobbing between her breasts.

    An amused Forseti stood beside her bath eating his own apple. In between crunches he said, “You look like a mermaid and if you stay in there much longer I bet you will turn into one.”

    Liv tried to cover her nakedness but decided it wasn’t worth it. God knows how long he had been standing there…the nerve of this guy, she thought to herself. She splashed some water at him and said, “Don’t you know how to knock?”

    Forseti laughed as he jumped and avoided the splash. He took another bite from his apple and before turning on his heals he said, “Nope, I have never had the need to knock before and I don’t see why I should have to start now.”
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Hope you enjoyed this little teaser. Tomorrow Odin and I visit E.C. Stilsen at the Crazy Life of a Writing Mom. So, who is your favorite among the Norse Gods?