(I’m going to be reposting the contest rules at the beginning of each post. If you’ve already read them, scroll down for today’s post and questions. Also, be sure to scroll down for today’s GH Spotlight!)
To celebrate the release of ENTWINED, I’m giving away a BUNCH of prizes. There are two parts to this contest:
PART ONE :
Post the ENTWINED widget (below) on your FB page, blog sidebar, tweet about the contest and/or book, email your friends and spread the word…basically, any way you talk up the book or contest will enter you for one of three $25 gift cards to the online bookstore of your choice. Winners will be selected after I return from RWA Nationals, the first week in August. Once you’ve done that, email me at elisabeth@elisabethnaughton.com and tell me blabbed about ENTWINED. Be sure to put ENTWINED Release Contest in the subject line. (If you already posted the widget from the blog post I did last week, you’re already entered.) Enter as many times as you like. Every time you spread the word about book 2 in the Eternal Guardians series, send me an email.
PART TWO: Each day for the next two weeks I’ll be giving away AWESOME prizes and spotlighting some fabulous authors. Comment on the daily post to be entered into that day’s drawing. Winners will be chosen randomly from comments and will get to pick their prize. Once a prize is chosen, it’s crossed off the list. Here are the prizes you can win:
Got Demon? Mug from author Saranna DeWylde
Beneath the Surface by MJ Fredrick
Primordial by Denise Agnew
His Darkest Embrace e-arc by Juliana Stone
Unbridled by Beth Williamson
Huddle With Me Tonight by Farrah Rochon
Relentless by Lauren Dane
Revelation (ecopy) by Lauren Dane
Sunrise in the Garden of Love & Evil by Barbara Monajem
All He Desires by Anthea Lawson
The Phoenix Charm by Helen Scott Taylor
Animal Instinct (ecopy) by Michelle Pillow
$10 Starbucks Card from Phillis Bourne
Montana Dawn by Caroline Fyffe
Dangerous As Sin & $10 Borders Gift Card from Alix Rickloff
Ancient Whispers by Marie-Claude Bourque
Forged of Shadows by Jessa Slade
Shadow Bound by Erin Kellison
Lord of Pleasure & $10 Starbucks Gift Card from Delilah Marvelle
$20 Borders Gift Card from Joan Swan
Deadly Fear by Cynthia Eden
Forbidden Highlander by Donna Grant
Today’s guest is author MJ FREDRICK!
Thirty summers ago I spent four afternoons in the movie theater, watching Raiders of the Lost Ark. I loved the idea of a person who searched for hidden treasures that were magical and had MEANING. I loved the supernatural element and the adventure and of course the reunion romance. (Now that I think about it, I’d love to read Indy and Marion’s “prequel.” How did he allow himself to fall for his mentor’s daughter?)
Years later I fell in love with The Mummy. It is still my favorite movie of all time, and I tell my fourth grade students that it’s required watching. (Story structure, you know.)
I never thought I’d write an archaeology-themed book, though. This was a life that was foreign to me—adventure (I’ve lived in the same city all my life) and rough living conditions (my dad still teases me about my need for running water.) But one night I had a dream and it was so compelling I knew I had to write it.
Of course, in my dream, the archaeologists were kidnapped by guerillas. The dh talked me out of that one, saying nothing good could happen to my heroine if that was the case. So I worked on a plot. Why were my characters there? Why were they together? And who was the bad guy?
Working out all that was hard, but the issue that gave me most trouble was—what were they looking for? I knew from the beginning they’d be marine archaeologists. But what were they looking for?
Most of the research on marine archaeology I found was set in the Mediterranean, because history is so rich there. But for some reason I was hooked on a Central American setting, and my brother had the idea of a Mediterranean ship in the Caribbean, to prove that they’d been to the Americas first.
I toyed with the Phoenicians, who were amazing boatmen. In fact, I think I wrote half of the book with that in mind, but it didn’t feel special enough.
A Mayan ship, maybe. But I couldn’t find enough information to make me comfortable writing it.
I checked out tons of books. And I found what I wanted.
This Byzantine box could hold so many different things. I started writing before I knew what was inside the box, and created my own legend surrounding it and three others. I put my own designs on it, and my own meaning into them. And I could find enough information about Byzantine ships that made me believe they could have made it to the Americas.
Now I’m toying with the idea of writing Adrian’s brother Toney’s story. What adventure could I send him on? What discovery would you find exciting to read about? (Or, if you’re braver than me—not hard, believe me—would you like to participate in?)
July 13th, 2010 at 6:10 am · Link
Thanks for having me here today, Elisabeth!
July 13th, 2010 at 7:03 am · Link
He could do something in Mexico that has to do with ancient Aztecs? I’m not very adventurous, so I wouldn’t do much of anything beyond read about great adventures… 🙂
July 13th, 2010 at 7:14 am · Link
Hi MJ!
thanks so much for your post today – to answer your question: I’ve no clue -.- I’m not very creative and I’m glad to be the reader not the author, because I wouldn’t have any ideas…and I’ve lived in the same city all my life too, wouldn’t call that adventurous 😉
wish you all the best, Ina
July 13th, 2010 at 8:15 am · Link
The Mayans are so intriguing. I know that much has been made about the Mayan calendar, but perhaps something to do with that? Time travel on certain days? They seemed so advanced for the times–you have to wonder if other forces were in play. 😉 Good luck with your book! I do adore the cover.
July 13th, 2010 at 8:55 am · Link
I was also thinking the Mayans. There are so many cool ruins in Merida. The Mayan culture is so complex and to be honest frightening.
July 13th, 2010 at 9:31 am · Link
I love stories that involve Egypt or looking for ships that have sunk.
July 13th, 2010 at 10:07 am · Link
I love reading books with adventures in Egypt myself….
Froggy
July 13th, 2010 at 11:09 am · Link
I think an adventure in England searching for something in Roman ruins might be fun.
July 13th, 2010 at 12:44 pm · Link
I’ve always been intrigued with pandora’s box and different peoples’ takes on what’s inside so maybe an adventure to find it would be cool to read (I know Gena Showalter uses this artifact but I like reading another author’s take on it).
July 13th, 2010 at 12:49 pm · Link
I’m always a fan of Scotland 🙂 That could be a cool place! As to what he would do there….I have no idea!
July 13th, 2010 at 12:49 pm · Link
I also think Egypt would be a great setting. Maybe he can search for something similar to the Rosetta Stone.
July 13th, 2010 at 1:20 pm · Link
I love Egypt and I love reading books with Ancient Egypt setting and new archeological discoveries and mysteries.
July 13th, 2010 at 1:30 pm · Link
Love the Indiana Jones series, and so could never do any of that myself, lol. Always fascinating by the possibilities of Atlantis, and what treasures could exist to prove it’s existence.
July 13th, 2010 at 2:39 pm · Link
South and Central American adventures are always fun.
July 13th, 2010 at 3:54 pm · Link
Pack them bags for a deserted tropical paradise! Lots of caves, ruins and mysterious inhabitants 🙂
July 13th, 2010 at 4:00 pm · Link
I love all these ideas! Ina, we girls who stay close to home have to stick together 🙂
Minn, the Aztecs would definitely be interesting. Ditto the Mayan ideas, though Liz, I think YOU should write that one!
The Egypt ones are cool, too. Did you read Bonnie Vanak’s historicals set there? Also, of course Elisabeth did awesome with Egypt in her second book!
Crystal, I’m thinking a sunken ship again, too. So many possibilities there.
Barbara, I love that idea! Did you read The Shadowy Horses by Susanna Kearsley? LOVE that book. LOVE.
Jeanette!!! Pandora’s box is fascinating, and I toyed with something like that in this book, but couldn’t pull it off.
Chelsea, my hero IS Scottish 🙂 I bet if I did some digging (get it??) there would be some cool stuff to find in Scotland.
Cathy, that sounds like an awesome take on Atlantis. When I was researching this book, I learned about some stones off the coast of the Carolinas, I think, that might have been some kind of wall. That could lead to clues!
Donna, this one’s Central America, but I toyed with something like Machu Picchu, too.
July 13th, 2010 at 4:01 pm · Link
Oh, Robin, I do love deserted islands. Not much research to do there, either, if I make up my own!
July 13th, 2010 at 4:12 pm · Link
Ireland! There’s so much mystery and magic to be found there. Maybe an adventure surrounding an ancient druid’s curse?
July 13th, 2010 at 4:19 pm · Link
After seeing the previews for this week’s Doctor Who episode, I think it would be fascinating to search for the Pandorica’s Box–where all the evils of the world are stored. And yes, I would definitely go along…I’d enjoy going to exotic countries and traversing dangerous lands with a sexy guy beside me.
July 13th, 2010 at 4:21 pm · Link
How about some Chinese, Japanese, or Mongolian destination. That would be different and there should be tons of adventure in their ancient cities and ruins.
July 13th, 2010 at 4:30 pm · Link
An adventure in Africa would be awesome – dark magics, bloody and violent history, and a people that are as old as time itself would make for a great setting. Not quite sure of the adventure part though – maybe looking for lost Templar treasure.
July 13th, 2010 at 5:01 pm · Link
Diana, time was Ireland would be my first choice. I can’t believe I didn’t think of it this time.
Joder, really? I’d be TERRIFIED. Heck, I’m going on a plane by myself for the first time on Thursday!
Christy, definite possibilities there, along with difficulties with the government. Ohhh.
Cyber, WOW. Oh, that sounds cool! Love it!
July 13th, 2010 at 8:41 pm · Link
Hi, MJ! SO great to see you here and to be brainstorming future adventure ideas! I love Christy’s idea, too–so many parts of the Asian countries are gorgeous beyond belief, and there is tons of history there, with layers upon layers of intrigue and interesting cultural differences and beliefs. Hope you’ll consider setting a future story somewhere in that part of the world, and imagine the fun you’d have researching!
July 13th, 2010 at 9:46 pm · Link
I think the Greek Isles would make a good setting. I’ve always liked mythology so maybe it could be related to that.
July 13th, 2010 at 10:04 pm · Link
Greece! It sounds like such a romantic spot and perfect for adventure. I went to school with a Greek guy with the most amazing accent 🙂 I’ve wanted to visit ever since.
July 14th, 2010 at 4:45 am · Link
Stay in the Caribbean but more modern a Spanish Galleon or pirate ship. Or stay on land and look for a temple of some type.
July 14th, 2010 at 5:03 am · Link
Waving at Fedora! I agree, that part of the world would be fascinating. It’s so mysterious to me!
I love Greek mythology, too….something obscure, maybe.
Lindsey, ooh, a pirate ship would be FUN!!! Especially if they’d stolen something cool.
July 15th, 2010 at 12:05 am · Link
Let him find Atlantis. I’ve always wanted someone to find Atlantis.
July 15th, 2010 at 6:36 am · Link
That’s a big idea, Marlene!!!!