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Friday, August 17, 2012

Guest Post and Giveaway with S.M. Blooding, author of The Hands of Tarot

Hi, everyone!




I am pleased to participate in S.M. Blooding's The Hands of Tarot Virtual Blog Tour hosted by Pump Up Your Book.


About S.M.:

SM Blooding lives in Colorado with her pet rock, Rockie, and Ms. Jack, who’s a real bird. She’s still learning to play the piano and guitar, which is going marginally better, and for those of you looking for an Arabic update, she has successfully learned one word, “Yalla, people yalla!”

She’s dated vampires, werewolves, sorcerers, weapons smugglers and US Government assassins. Yes. She has stories.

Her latest book is the YA steampunk, The Hands of Tarot.

CONNECT WITH S.M. ONLINE: 

Welcome to Darlene's Book Nook, S.M.!

S.M. has written a guest post, so I will now turn the floor over to her.




Why I Love Steampunk!
By SM Blooding

There are many reasons why I love Steampunk!

In the era Steampunk is usually written, which is the beginning of the Industrial Age, we literally thought anything was possible. We’d just seen the horse and buggy, which had been used in various stages for the past several millennia, replaced by a vehicle that worked with gears and a motor. We flew with power and control that a hot air balloon just can’t compete with. We conquered the Wild West. Women made their mark, started going to universities. We pushed railroad through unapproachable territories. The sky was the limit! The feeling of this era is intoxicating. I mean, just picture yourself in that time; watching your first movie, hearing your first radio show, going on your first airplane ride, driving a car for the first time.

I had the opportunity to talk to my grandmother when I was younger, and she was still alive, and she had all these stories. At the time, I poo-pooed what she said. I ignored the wonder in her eyes as she talked about all these things, but as I got older, I started thinking of the stories I would tell my great-great grandchildren. What had I seen? What had my generation done? Hers had won a world war. Her generation had shown the world that we were the strongest nation. Her generation dared to be different, paved paths that were previously thought to be impossible.

I think the thing that draws me the most to Steampunk is the sense of wonder. We literally thought at the beginning of the 20th century that we would have cities under the sea, that we could build cities in the air. We thought the common mode of transportation would be flying cars. We had such big dreams and huge hopes for the future.

That was the route we actually took, though. In Steampunk, we kinda follow that same path, but we veer left. We use resources that are easier on our environment, and toy with renewable energies. Instead of shooting bullets that run out, we shoot electro-static, which is, in theory, easy to generate while it’s working.

That, I think, is the second biggest reason I love Steampunk. We have planes that flap their wings, airships that use steam. The weapons that were thought up in Steampunk works are just as interesting. Electro-static, electric-array, plasma-pistols. What you don’t typically see are expendable sources. You see vehicles that are just crazy (the spider in The Wild Wild West for instance) and can run forever, weapons that are insane and never run out of ammo.

During this time, we had some pretty ingenious inventors; Nikola Tesla, Albert Einstein, the Wright Brothers, Ida Henrietta Hyde, Andrew Alford, Henry Ford. Things were being invented on nearly a daily basis. The Band-Aid, the ballpoint pen, the radio, crayons, the light bulb, the zipper.

So when you think “Steampunk”, we’re talking about an age when anything was possible. You could be in a situation, and you need a widget in order to survive. It would be nothing to just whip up said widget using a nail, a spring, cayan powder, and a glass bottle. Presto! The widget was born!

With that, however, there are many failures, and that’s almost more fun than the things that worked. You’d find yourself in a gun fight, and your inventor hands you a pistol that doesn’t work! Remember when Grandpa would get up and smack the TV because it just stopped working? Can you even imagine smacking your TV now? Oh, no. No, no!

My Steampunk isn’t on planet earth, but the society that I wrote about in The Hands of Tarot is just breaching this age. We’re playing around with different inventions. We’re discovering what we could build, embarking on a new age. It’s a lot of fun! There are things that aren’t working so well, and a few that are. Steampunk is for the geek. It just is. If you’re a geek, a nerd, a dork, then Steampunk is for you! Take it. Own it. Geek is the new black!

The thing I love the most about Steampunk is that the heroes are scientists. That is freaking amazing! 

Thanks so much for joining us today, S.M.!


S.M. Blooding is giving away a set of Tarot Dolls and an autographed copy of The Hands of Tarot!








She imprisoned and beat him.

And now she thinks he’s her trophy.

Synn El’Asim will do almost anything to prove her wrong. But he’s only proving her right.

Queen Nix awakened his Mark of power and inducted him into the House of Wands. She knew what she was doing. The son of the two most powerful Families standing against her is the ultimate prize. What she didn’t take into consideration was that maybe he was too strong for her.

Maybe.

The Families are weakened, and it’ll take a lot more than one young man with a powerful Mark to take on…

The Hands of Tarot.

     

To enter the giveaway, please fill out the Rafflecopter entry form below. 
 
This giveaway is open to Canada/US addresses only until 12:01 AM EST on September 29, 2012.
a Rafflecopter giveaway   
 
Tour Participants

Monday, August 6
Interview at Blogcritics

Tuesday, August 7
Interview at Literarily Speaking

Wednesday, August 8
Guest Blogging at The Story Behind the Book

Thursday, August 9
Interview at Between the Covers

Friday, August 10
Guest Blogging at Bunny’s Reviews

Monday, August 13
Guest Blogging at The Book Boost

Tuesday, August 14
Book Review at GeoLibrarian

Wednesday, August 15
Book Featured at Examiner

Thursday, August 16
Interview at Review From Here

Friday, August 17
Guest Blogging at Darlene’s Book Nook
Book Review & Guest Blogging at Book Club Sisters

Monday, August 20

Wednesday, August 22
YA Steampunk Book Pick at Book Marketing Buzz

Thursday, August 23
Guest Blogging at The Top Shelf

Friday, August 24
Interview at The Writer’s Life

Wednesday, August 29
Guest Blogging at Motherhoot

Tuesday, September 4
Book Review & Guest Blogging at Waiting on Sunday to Drown

Wednesday, September 5
Book Review at Sweet Southern Home

Thursday, September 6
Book Review at Words I Write Crazy

Friday, September 7
Guest Blogging at Literarily Speaking

Monday, September 10
Guest Blogging at Sapphyria’s Book Reviews

Tuesday, September 11
Interview at Pump Up Your Book

Wednesday, September 12
Interview at Examiner

Thursday, September 13
Interview at Workaday Reads

Friday, September 14

Monday, September 17

Tuesday, September 18
Interview at Beyond the Books

Wednesday, September 19
Character Interview at Beyond the Books

Thursday, September 20
Guest Blogging at As the Pages Turn

Sunday, September 23
Book Review & Guest Blogging at Reading Girls

Monday, September 24
Guest Blogging at Celtic Lady’s Reviews

Tuesday, September 25
Book Review & Guest Blogging at Reader Girls

Friday, September 28
Book Review at Mary’s Cup of Tea

27 comments:

  1. I LOVE steampunk!! There's something both cozy & exciting about it, all the cool gizmos and gadgets, plus the world building is so imaginative <3

    Mary DeBorde M.A.D.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ohhhh, I agree whole-heartedly! I also love giving characters gizmos...that don't work. LMAO!

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  2. To be honest I havent had the chance to read alot of steampunk so I have no real opinion of it. I do like fantasy however and they arent THAT far off lol.

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    1. Another reader once said that Steampunk is a little like fantasy and a little like sci-fi. For the readers who don't like sci-fi, they can ignore the fantasy parts. For those who only really like fantasy can ignore the sci-fi parts. LOL!

      But it's really the whole FEEL. There's a high intensity and a lot of...curiosity. *grin*

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  3. Just an FYI your twitter button isnt working in the rafflecopter widget :D

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for telling me, Maegan. I advised the tour host, and it should be fixed now! If anyone else notices that it still isn't working, please let me know, thanks!

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  4. Steampunk is one of my favorite genres because it's Victorian meets scifi fantasy!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Not all steampunk is Victorian. However, the really fun stuff that's coming out now and that's hot, hot, HOT is.

      Ohhhhhh, that Victorian Steampunk is fun!! Whoot!

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  5. I've really liked some steampunk book covers, I know that's not the same as reading the book. I do have a few steampunk books that I haven't read yet. I am really intrigued by the total idea of the genre. I'll probably really really like it once I read it. The tarot dolls are really awesome.
    luvfuzzzeeefaces at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
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    1. LOL! It's one of those things. You just have to try it. You might like it. It just might not be up your alley.

      I, however, hope you enjoy it because I find it a BLAST!!! I hope you enjoy!

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  6. dont think i really have read any, but i think i would like it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, I'm the kind of person that thinks anyone would like it. Well, maybe not my mother. LOL! Give it a try! What's the worst thing that could happen? It'll suck and you'll hate it. Eh! That ain't bad. *grin*

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  7. I have always had a fascination for steampunk.
    The style and attitude that accompanies it is so me!
    It just bursts with originality!
    I used to try my hand at making jewelry in a steampunk fashion but I wasn't very good. haha.
    I just love these tarot dolls!
    Thanks for the giveaway! This book looks amazing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. also, the twitter link for @pcoolgirl isn't working...

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    2. Hey, hey!! It's good to see you again!

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  8. Not sure that I ever read any Steampunk actually. Would like to try it out.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You totally should! There are several different kinds of Steampunk, but they all have similar elements. You just have to find the elements you enjoy! I say go for it! LOL!

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  9. I am fairly new to steampunk, but the one book I have read so far was awesome and I am looking forward to reading more. I recently got a steampunk tarot deck that was so incredibly beautiful, I could not pass it up. Definitely looking forward to reading The Hand of Tarot.

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    Replies
    1. There is a steampunk tarot deck (probably the same one) that I am positively DROOLING over! I sincerely hope that you read The Hands of Tarot and that you enjoy it!

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  10. I actually never heard of the genre "steampunk" until recently and have not had a chance to read any. But, I'm hoping that will change soon! Thanks for the interview and the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Steampunk's been around for awhile. Think Sherlock Holmes. But I think a lot of people just don't get it, the alternate history of it all. There a lot of really great authors writing some super fantastic stuff right now! Steampunk has a really wide range. I'm sure there's something out there you'll enjoy! Oh boy! It's so awesome!

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  11. I love steampunk, because the fashion is amazing looking. I love the way that old and chic are blended together, and some of the designers are truly talented. As for books, I haven't gotten to read any yet D:

    Thanks for the giveaway.

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    Replies
    1. LOL! The fashion IS amazing!! I didn't focus on that too much in this book. We were running from too many things, but it's going to be hit pretty well in the next book! OMW! I'm just so excited! And the machines, and the toys, and the other things! We're going to discover radio in the next book! My heart's just singing right now! Just SINGing! LOL! Thanks for stopping by!

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  12. I have only read one steampunk novel and really enjoyed it. It is definitely a taste of something different that can be very fun.

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    Replies
    1. I agree. I love finding things that sparkle with a sense of "different and unique", and steampunk certainly has that. Thanks for stopping by, Denise!

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  13. I do enjoy Steampunk, it's fun and quirky and usually full of crazy gadgets and eclectic characters.

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  14. It DOES have gadgets and eclectic characters. LOL!!! Well said!

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