A Shirt by Any Other Color: Lend Me Your Eyes...

***WINNER update***
Using Random.org, entrant #5 is the winner of the t-shirt. Thanks so much for participating and lending your thoughts, everyone! It's very much appreciated! Congrats, Carla! We'll be in touch!!!

 
Okay, so the title is a little weird. It got you here, and that was the point. Thanks for stopping by! Now that I've got you here, want to win something? If you said yes, please continue reading. If you said no, well, you're odder than I am ;)

For the longest time, I've wanted to have fun merchandise available. The vast majority of you guys like the idea of t-shirts. Truly, you're homo-sapiens after my own heart. I'm a t-shirt junkie, just ask my husband.

So, I've been working on a few designs, and I need your guys' input. In return, I'm thinking I'll give one lucky commenter a choice of his or her shirt for FREE :)

What I'd like from you:
* Leave me a comment with your favorite shirt option.


Rules and junk:
* Due to shipping, I have to limit winners to the US. Please feel free to chime in, but I can't ship internationally. So sorry :p
* This is open to *everyone*, so don't skip it because you're a friend or family member! 
* Shirts will be ordered early May. The winner will choose from the shirt(s) with the most votes. You MUST choose from the selection being ordered.

Winner will be chosen May 5th!

YOU ARE ALL AWESOME.


Here are the options!

OPTION A

OPTION B

OPTION C

OPTION D

OPTION E

Wordsmith Wednesday: Teaser #2

The objective:
Show us a scene from your current project. It can be creepy, adventurous, romantic, etc. Just a snippet to let readers see what they're in for!


The guidelines:
 * Must be from a current work-in-progress (WIP). Nothing already published.
 * You may choose from any section of the manuscript, but be mindful not to include spoilers.
 * Keep it clean and YA audience friendly, please. No erotica.
 * Stay under 300 words or about one page. It can be as little as a few lines if you prefer. We just want to give readers a chance to see everyone's selection.
 * Link back to Chirenjenzie to enjoy others' work as well!

This is the opening scene in one of my many WIPs. The title is still up in the air. Hope you enjoy :)

The hot summer sun beat against my fair skin, blistering along the part in my hair. Three imposing pyramids stood in front of me as dry desert air whipped my hair around my face.

“Memphis?” A voice said. I ignored it and concentrated on the sandy colored stone of the oversized triangles.

“Memphis!” The voice called again.

The briny scent of salt water filled my lungs. I sucked what air I could manage through the humidity and sighed. Again. Opening my eyes, I left Egypt and spied coastal South Carolina. A deep scowl etched in my expression as I slid my sunglasses on.

“Memphis, please.” Mom rolled up to a stoplight. “I thought we agreed that you were going to have a good attitude about this?”

“No, Mom.” I crossed my arms and propped my feet against the dashboard. “You agreed that I was going to have a good attitude. I never said anything like that. I don’t see why I have to be here. Why can’t I come with you and Dad? I barely know these people anymore.”

Mom sighed and rolled her warm brown eyes. “We’ve been over this, Em. The university won’t allow you to go, and you know everyone here just fine. Gram’s been so excited since she heard you were coming.”

“It’s not Gram. It’s everyone else,” I hinted, not wanting to think about the boy that made my visits a constant torture. “They drive me crazy!”

“Honey, I know Ian’s been tiresome in the past,” Mom soothed. “But it’s been almost five years since you last saw him. I’m sure he isn’t the same obnoxious twelve year-old he used to be.”

“I’m sure he is.” I scoffed. “Some boys never grow up.”

“If that’s true, I give you permission to slug him.” Mom winked.

“Yeah, right. You grounded me for a week the last time that happened.”

What are you working on this week? 

Happy reading. 

Wordsmith Wednesday: Teaser #1

Earlier today, I was looking for fun memes for writers, but I couldn't find exactly what I wanted. There are a number of things available, but I was looking for a fun, everyone participate, current WIP meme. No such luck. Hence, the newly born the Wordsmith Wednesday meme from Chirenjenzie :D

The objective: 

Show us a scene from your current project. It can be creepy, adventurous, romantic, etc. Just a snippet to let readers see what they're in for!


The guidelines:

 * Must be from a current work-in-progress (WIP). Nothing already published.
 * You may choose from any section of the manuscript, but be mindful not to include spoilers.
 * Keep it clean and YA audience friendly, please. No erotica.
 * Stay under 300 words or about one page. It can be as little as a few lines if you prefer. We just want to give readers a chance to see everyone's selection. 
 * Link back to Chirenjenzie to enjoy others' work as well!

Here is an excerpt from one of my more recent WIPs titled Tinheart.

I stared through the window as raindrops trailed in rivulets down the glass. A peal of thunder echoed across the sky, masking the professor's monotone voice. I sighed again, wishing I were anywhere else but physics class.

"Miss Harper?" Professor Whipple questioned, her tone rising. "Miss Harper!"

I straightened in my seat, my leg numb and tingling viciously against the soft leather. "Yes, ma'am?"

"Where is the steam sphere in relation to the energy orb?" she demanded.

I pursed my lips in thought and frantically searched my subconscious for the answer Whipple wanted. What was she droning on about today? Trajectory? Magnetism? Defeat settling in my stomach, I swallowed hard and offered up an answer. "Tw-twice the distance?"

Half the class snickered; the other half just shook their heads.

Heat prickle beneath the rigid laced collar of my uniform. Whipple stood, spindly hands on her hips, and stared back with unusually bright eyes. A coil chip flashed where there should've been pupils. I bit down on my tongue, knowing every second of my humiliation was being documented for all the committee to see. Stupid droids and their inconvenient technology. Why couldn't the school go back to using humans to teach?

"Miss Walker?" Whipple turned her head directly and focused on the leggy redhead sitting just to my left. "Can you tell me where the steam sphere in relation to the energy orb since Lawren clearly doesn't know?"

I scoffed. How was it a pile of rusty parts could use sarcasm?

 What's a scene from your current project? 

Happy writing.

Nifty Thrifty: Want a FREE Bookmark?

I finally got around to getting an authorly mailing address. Not that any of you are creepers, but I wasn't in favor of plastering my home address for all the world to see.

In honor of making this business-minded commitment, I thought we'd celebrate with something free ... like bookmarks!

For a limited time (don't ask me how long; I have no idea yet), I'm giving away bookmarks to whomever wants one. All you have to do is send me a self-addressed stamped envelope with your name on it and voila! Insta-bookmark!

Be sure to check postage when sending your SASE. This is open to everyone, but keep in mind, shipping is different if you're outside the US :)

Mail your envelope to:

Hope Collier
1890 Star Shoot Parkway
Suite 170-133
Lexington, KY 40509

Limit two per household, please, unless you have good reason for wanting extras. If so, just slip a note in. If you have any special requests such as wanting it signed or personalized, include that info as well.

Happy (and effectively marked) reading.

Freebie Goodness: Today ONLY!

It's Friday the 13th. I'm not particularly superstitious myself, but it never hurts to play it safe and stay inside with a good book or two.

Want a good book or two? You're in luck! Today only, you can snag your FREE copies of The Willows: Haven, by yours truly, as well as The Light of Asteria, by one of my very favorite authors, Elizabeth Isaacs.

Here's the rundown!

When tragedy strikes, seventeen year-old Ashton Blake sets out on a cross-country road trip, leaving the comforts of Malibu for the mountains of Kentucky. Along the way, she encounters Gabe Willoughby—the mysterious drifter with eyes like the sea and a knowing smile. Getting to know Gabe raises questions about her past. But no secret can be buried forever, and Ashton soon finds herself in a world where water is air and myth becomes reality.

Just as Ashton comes to accept her newfound heritage, she’s summoned to fulfill a treaty laid down centuries before — a treaty that will divide her love and test her loyalty. In the end, her future isn’t her biggest concern, her humanity is. To run may mean war, but is she strong enough to stay?

If Nora Johnson hadn't been on campus that day she would have never known her true destiny. Helping her friends move into the dorm that she wanted to call home, Nora accidentally collides with mysterious stranger, Gavin Frey. His very first touch sends flames through her heart. The world seems different-something within her has changed. 

 

Nora tries to resume her mundane life, but she is now consumed with the one whose very presence ignited her soul, the one with eyes of emerald. Nora soon learns that an energy buried deep within has been unleashed. She now wields unimaginable power and has become Gavin's source, his strength. 

Her newfound joy is shaken when she discovers that Gavin is not who he appears to be and she has been thrust in the middle of a war of mythical proportions. Negativity has allowed all things evil to flourish, the earth is under siege. The fate of creation hinges on the power within her heart. Will she be strong enough to survive?

To get your copy, follow the link to Amazon for HAVEN and this link for ASTERIA.


Happy Reading.

Asteria's Blog: What Happens When You're that Kid

Asteria's Blog: What Happens When You're that Kid: Truly reading is my first love. I was that kid in middle and high school. You know, the one that tried to fit in but was impossibly shy, ...

More than a Stereotype: Kentucky Greatness

Kentucky: World renowned for bourbon, bluegrass music, fried chicken, and college basketball. In fact, we have TWO teams battling the Final Four for a spot in the NCAA tournament, in case you've been under a rock ... or in another country. Not to mention a little thing called The Kentucky Derby.

Being a lifelong Kentuckian myself, I've heard it all. For whatever reason, people seem to think we're all backwoods hicks with outhouses and no education. While KY has had its struggles over the years, everyone always overlooks the good things from our great state.

Aside from basketball, we're known for a few other great things. With the release of The Hunger Games, actors Josh Hutcherson and Jennifer Lawrence have found themselves in the limelight. And with the movie breaking records opening weekend, we're likely to see an explosion in their careers.

So why am I talking about that right now? Because both Hutcherson and Lawrence are Kentucky natives!

Many amazing, innovative, and world-changing individuals have at one time or another called Kentucky home. Among them are the following:

Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809-1865) –16th U.S. President, 1861-65. He successfully led his country through its greatest internal crisis, the American Civil War preserving the Union and ending slavery. Born in Hardin County, died in Washington, D.C.

George Clooney (May 6, 1961-) – Actor, director, producer and screenwriter. Clooney has balanced his performances in big-budget blockbusters with work as a producer and director, as well as social, liberal and political activism. The United Nations named Clooney a “Messenger of Peace” in 2008. Born in Lexington, grew up in Augusta.

Johnny Depp (June 9, 1963-) – Actor and musician known for his portrayals of offbeat, eccentric characters such as Jack Sparrow in the “Pirates of the Caribbean” film series. Born in Owensboro. (He's actually my cousin!)

Wynonna Judd (May 301964-) – Born Christian Claire Ciminella. Country music singer. Daughter Wynonna and mother Naomi rose to fame in the 1980s group “The Judds.” Wynonna began a solo career in 1991. Born in Ashland.

Brian Littrell (February 20, 1975-) Singer-songwriter; a member of the Backstreet Boys. He is also a contemporary Christian recording artist. Born in Lexington.

Muhammad Ali (January 17, 1942) – Boxing gold medalist in 1960. Retired three-time World Heavyweight Champion. First person to win the lineal heavyweight championship three times. Born in Louisville.

Diane Sawyer (December 22, 1945-) - TV journalist/commentator for ABC and co-anchor of its morning news show. Named one of the 30 most powerful women in America. Born in Glasgow.

John T. Thompson (December 31, 1860-1940) - United States Army officer, inventor of the Thompson Machine Gun (tommy gun). Born in Newport, died in Great Neck, New York.
***Previous information found at: www.kentuckytourism.com

These are only a handful. We can't forget people like Loretta Lynn, Patty Loveless, John Michael Montgomery (all country music artists), Daniel Boone (explorer), Zachary Taylor (president), Clive Cussler (author), Jim Bowie (Hero at the Alamo, inventor of the Bowie knife), Jennifer Carpenter (actress), John Carpenter (film director), Tom Cruise (actor), Ashley Judd (actress), Annie Potts (actress), Nick Lachey (pop artist), and countless others who were born here or somehow left their mark. Think what you will about each person, but there's no denying they've lent a hand in making America what it is today.

For more on famous Kentuckians click here and here.


A handful of others are making their way up the ladder some of them you may know, others maybe not. I think you should all meet the next few people and keep an eye on their careers! One day soon, you'll see them making a splash.

Elizabeth Isaacs: Up and coming writer and author of my all-time favorite YA series, The Kailmeyra Chronicles. She was born in Louisville and now lives in Lexington. For more about Beth and her incredible work, visit her site at www.elizabethisaacs.com

Todd Keisling: Another incredible author and mastermind behind the novel A Life Transparent. Todd is a two-time recipient of the Oswald Research and Creativity Prize for fiction. Born in Kentucky, he now lives in Pennsylvania. Learn more about Todd at www.toddkeisling.com
 

Cage the Elephant: When Cage the Elephant released their self-titled debut in 2009, they were heralded as saviors of slacker funk-punk thanks to their hit “Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked.” Hailing from Bowling Green, these guys have toured the globe and even made a song-stop on the CW series, The Vampire Diaries. Find them here www.cagetheelephant.com

Luke Asher: Indie, folk singer and Louisville native, Luke Asher provides a smooth combination of evocative lyrics and soul-moving melody. He's one of the biggest influences in my own writing. Had it not been for his haunting music, my story would've turned out completely different. Follow Luke on Facebook here and listen to the awesomeness that is his genius here.

Julie Kagawa: Brilliant author of the phenomenal Iron Fey series and the up and coming Immortal Rules, Julie now lives in Lousiville. Julie's books have repeatedly reached the top of the best-sellers lists! Find Julie at her website www.juliekagawa.com

Kelly Creagh: A new author, again hailing from Louisville, who restored my faith in excellent writing. Kelly's young-adult novel Nevermore is a brilliantly well-written novel based on the work of Edgar Allan Poe. A must read for dark paranormal lovers. Kelly hang here at http://kellycreagh.com


Here's to Kentucky being full of awesome! Who are some of your favorites from the Bluegrass state?