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The Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt

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Scavenger Hunt Stop 30

Welcome to Stop #30 in the 

2014 Spring Scavenger Hunt

You have arrived at stop #30. There are 32 stops in all, so you're nearly finished. 

The hunt begins at noon (Mountain Time Zone) on Friday, April 4, 2014. You may have arrived here before the start which could mean all of the sites aren’t ready quite yet. Once the official start has begun, you can work your way through the sites, gathering clues, and entering bonus giveaways, until you arrive at the final stop which will be back at the very beginning, on Robin Lee Hatcher's site (where the Scavenger Hunt Rafflecopter entry form is located).

The hunt ends on Sunday, April 6, 2014, at midnight (Mountain). That means you have all weekend to finish it, so relax, take your time. Enjoy reading the exclusive content the authors have prepared for you. Don't read too quickly or you may just skip across some other fabulous giveaways nestled amongst the posts. Consider yourself forewarned!

We have prepared a page with direct links to each author's post in case a site goes down or a link gets broken. We'll be working on getting all of the links prior to the start of the hunt, but sometimes there are still issues even after the hunt starts, so make a note of the URL for the Participating Authors & Stops page so you can check back and be able to complete the hunt.

You will collect a CLUE IN RED at each stop. Write the clues down as you go. At the end of the hunt, you will enter the clues into a Rafflecopter form. (The answer will make sense, even if you aren’t familiar with it.)

The hunt is open to international entries. The grand prize is a Kindle Fire HDX (valued at $229) + $100 gift certificate. Two runners-up will receive all 32 of our latest releases. Terms and conditions of the giveaway listed on the Rafflecopter Form on Robin's page.

Now it is my pleasure to introduce you to friend and fellow author Rachel Hauck. I've known Rachel for several years and she's as phenomenal a woman as she is a writer! Welcome, Rachel!

Meet Rachel Hauck

Rachel Hauck

Rachel Hauck writes the stories she loves to read. She lives in Central Florida with her husband and little dog, too.

Through The Headlights – America’s Auto Tableaux with Rachel Hauck 

I’m fascinated by cars. 

Not so much to tinker with them––I don’t like grease under my fingernails. But I’m intrigued by the automobile’s reflection of American culture.

Henry Ford, often thought to have invented the car, (he didn’t) was the first automobile maker who believed the automobile should be parked in every American driveway. He perfected the assembly line making it possible for cars to be mass produced, cheap. Before the assembly line, cars were nothing more than a motorized horse-n-buggy with a driver escorting the rich around town.

Automobiles were luxury items until the Model T came off the assembly line in October 1908.

From Wikipedia:

The car was very simple to drive, and easy and cheap to repair. It was so cheap at $825 in 1908 ($21,430 today) (the price fell every year) that by the 1920s, a majority of American drivers had learned to drive on the Model T.

Ford’s simple vision of a car changed the landscape of our culture! Travel became easier. The pace of life picked up. In our day, the advent of the Internet and home computers have changed our cultural landscape. Think back to the mid ‘90s. To your bulky PC desktop running Windows 3.1.1. Now we tap a “mini computer” screen and talk face-to-face.

In the early 20^th century it was the automobile that enhanced the American life. In the early 21^st century, it was the smart phone that changed everything. Suddenly, communication had an element of speed… Can you imagine life without cars? Without the car would we have the airplane? The importance of invention is fostered in a free society. It’s why our freedom and dependence on God and ourselves (not Government) is so vital.

Ford was also fascinated with race cars. He developed Engine #999 in 1901 and in the coming decade set speed records. Since then, America, the world, has been enthralled with the automobile. Throughout the centuries we moved from big luxury cars to the compact economy car to the electric car.

After World War 2 when the world was finally at peace and prospering, we see the big Cadillac’s and the invention of sports and muscle cars.

 

The first Corvette was introduced by General Motors in 1953.  The Mustang hit American streets a decade later in 1964. Three years later, the Camaro rolled off the assembly lines. Gas was $.25 a gallon as the ‘60s came to a close. Cars were cheap to operate and fun to drive.

More than that, these cars reflected the social and economic boom in post-war America...

Jobs were aplenty.  Suburbs were developing. The baby boomers were growing up, learning to drive. Older Americans coming off of a Depression and World War wanted ease and luxury. Their hunger for prosperity and freedom was demonstrated by the cars on the road.

When the economy and oil crisis of ’79 hit, American’s were forced to think differently about the size of our car. And they way we drove them. The ‘80s and ‘90s introduced the compact, more economic car, replacing the big luxury mobiles like the Caddy and the Oldsmobile. We also saw some of the most hideous car designs. The AMC Pacer anyone?

Today we drive hybrids and Smart cars. Some of them so small I’m not sure they are really safe to drive. But they reflect where we are as a society. Wonder what “tomorrow’s” cars look like? How they will function? I’m envisioning a large, gasoline powered iPad. Can you see it? I used my own fascination with cars for my heroine in Princess Ever After. She restores classic cars and is intrigued, herself, by an antique racer much like Ford’s Engine #999.

I created a car called the Starfire #89. This car becomes a key to her past and her present. In dream language, cars represent a journey. So when we look at American automobiles, we see America’s sociological journey. I had fun creating a car in Princess Ever After, using it to symbolize her life – a past she never knew existed and a future she was challenged to "restore." Cars, movement, travel, the transient American culture is a fascinating study.

What do you think? How has the American automobile impacted your life? Do you have a favorite car?

~ Rachel

The Scavenger Hunt Skinny

Tamera here again… 

Thanks so much for stopping by my site and participating in the 2014 Spring Scavenger Hunt. Before you move on to Stop #31 (Rachel Hauck's blog) to pick up your next clue, be sure to write down the Stop #30 clue: “ITS AUTHOR."

Before You Hurry On, TWO Bonus Prizes

While you're here, you can earn chances to win a signed copy of To Whisper Her Name and Loveless Cafe Biscuits and Jam by liking my Facebook Page. If you already like my Facebook Page, simply give the "I'm a Fan" button in the Rafflecopter box below a click and your name will go into the drawing. Then you'll get an opportunity to earn another five (5) chances by signing up for my quarterly e-mails. This bonus giveaway is for US mailing addresses only. Hey, Southern biscuits are heavy! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Also, don't forget to enter the MASSIVE A Beauty So Rare Giveaway
being sponsored by Bethany House Publishers

And now…onto Stop #31, Rachel Hauck's blog

Scavenger Hunt Stop #4

Follow the clues to win a Kindle Fire, free books, and a box of Southern Treats!

Welcome to our Fall 2012 Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt! The fun begins Thursday, Oct 25 at 12 noon MT and ends Sunday, Oct 28 at 12 midnight MT.

Take your time visiting 31 different author websites this weekend, getting to know new and familiar Christian novelists, reading about their exciting new releases for Fall 2012, and collecting one clue in red at each stop, beginning at Stop #1. 

When you end at Stop #32, fill out the Rafflecopter form and keep those clues handy. A winner will be randomly drawn and contacted via email on Monday, October 29. No need to submit your completed clue quote, unless you receive that exciting email on Monday. If that happens, be ready to provide the completed clue quote, gathered from all 31 stops, within 24 hours of email notification or another winner (sniff!) will be randomly drawn. Here's hoping you win!

• Grand Prize: A Kindle Fire ($199 value), plus 31 novels (that’s a big box of books!)

• 2nd and 3rd Prizes: $50 Amazon, B&N, CBD or BookDepository.com gift certificate

Good news! This contest is open to international entrants. If our winner lives outside the United States, he/she will win an equivalent prize in gift certificate funds.

Enough already with the details! As part of this scavenger hunt, I'm hosting Tracy Higley. And honey, does she have a great exclusive to share with you!

Tracy L. Higley

Tracy L. Higley started her first novel at the age of eight and has been hooked on writing ever since. She has authored nine novels, including Pompeii: City on Fire and Garden of Madness. Tracy is currently pursuing a graduate degree in Ancient History and has traveled the globe, researching her novels and falling into adventures. See her travel journals and more at www.TracyHigley.com or catch up with her on Facebook.

ISLE OF SHADOWS

Enslaved in a world of money and power, Tessa dares to be free.

Raised as courtesan to wealthy and powerful men, Tessa of Delos serves at the whim of her current patron, the politician Glaucas. After ten years with him, Tessa has abandoned all desire for freedom or love, choosing instead to lock her heart away. But when Glaucus meets a violent death in his own home, Tessa grasps at a fragile hope. Only she knows of his death. If she can keep it a secret for long enough, she can escape.

And here’s your Fall Scavenger Hunt Exclusive from Tracy…

When I started writing historical fiction set in ancient times and exotic places around the world, I had no idea that I’d be able to embark on so many adventures around the globe to research my books and see amazing sights. My research has taken me to Egypt, Greece, Italy, Turkey, Israel and Jordan, and this past month I revisited many of those beautiful places via a cruise around the eastern Mediterranean.

The trip was partly research and partly an anniversary trip with my husband, and he gamely let me drag him through Rome, Sicily, Athens, Pompeii, Mykonos, Santorini, Rhodes, and Ephesus, not to mention all the photos and he videos he took for me!

But one particular day was extra-special…

My upcoming novel, Isle of Shadows, is set on the Greek island of Rhodes. But as the cover design was coming together, with a beautiful photo of Greece in the background and a model the publisher hired superimposed over the photo, I had a suspicion that the original photo had been taken somewhere on the island of Santorini. And so the hunt began!

From our cruise ship, docked in the middle of Santorini’s caldera (the huge sea-water filled crater that resulted from a volcanic eruption over 3500 years ago), we took a small boat to the shoreline of the island. A cable car took us to the clifftop city of Fira, and my husband and I quickly made our way through the picturesque streets to an ATV-rental store. A few minutes later we were speeding up the rocky coastline, toward the city of Oia on the northern tip of the island. Gorgeous views along the way, but absolutely stunning sights to come when we reached Oia. (Google “Oia, Santorini” and click on Images to see what I mean!)

We wandered up and down streets, winding around whitewashed buildings, blue domes gleaming in the island sun, all the while comparing the vista to the cover of Isle of Shadows.

And then suddenly, there it was! 

It took a little positioning to get the angle just right, and some patience while a guy who looked like he had nowhere to go hung around in the picture, smoking his cigarette.  But finally we were able to take some perfect photos. If you look at the background behind me, then at the cover of the book, you’ll see what I mean!

And then, as if the discovery wasn’t perfect enough…  A nearby church started playing some music, and couples began dancing in the courtyard.  I took a 30-second video to capture the moment.

I hope my special memory has given you a taste of this wonderful island! With every story I write, it’s my passion to transport readers to wonderful places.

I hope you’ll come visit me on my website, www.TracyHigley.com, where you can read more about Isle of Shadows and see more photos and travel journals!

~Tracy

The Fall Scavenger Hunt Basics:

Before you go, write down this STOP #4 Clue: teaches

Your next stop is Stop #5: Tracy Higley's blog 

And now, a Bonus Prize from (Bless) My Southern Heart!

I've loaded a box full of yummy Southern treats from the Belle Meade Plantation, the setting of To Whisper Her Name. Everything from pecan honey to a Belle Meade Pony Pattie, to Tennessee Taffy, a copy of To Whisper Her Name and A Lasting Impression, and more! To be eligible to win this special bonus prize you need to leave a comment on this blog (telling me why you love historical fiction).

Then, you can get extra chances to win (one each) by:

1) Signing up to receive my email updates, if you don't receive them already (Sign up box located on the right sidebar under "Join Tamera's Mailing List")

2) LIKING my Facebook Page, if you don't already (LOVE connecting with you over there too)

3) And if you’re on Twitter, please tweet either (or both) of the following: 

#ToWhisperHerName Real history, real people, real historical romance at Belle Meade Plantation http://ow.ly/eEuj7 @TameraAlexander

OR

FROM A DISTANCE, the 2009 Christy Award winner, FREE on Kindle, Nook, iBook: ow.ly/ejpdw

I'll draw a winner for the "Bless My Southern Heart" prize at random at 12 midnight MT on Sunday, October 28 from the comments on this blog, combined with the additional chances for those who LIKED my Facebook Page, signed up for email updates, and tweeted) beginning Thursday, October 25 at 12 noon MT at the start of the Scavenger Hunt. NOTE: Due to mailing costs, only USA addresses are eligible to win in this bonus drawing.

Many thanks, friends! Now scavenge away!  And be Sociable, Share!

****************************************

CONGRATULATIONS TO KATHY WHO IS THE WINNER OF THE BLESS MY SOUTHERN HEART TREATS!

Kathy, thanks for sharing this:

Kathy said...

I love historical fiction because of all I learn that either I don't remember from history class or they didn't teach. I so enjoy learning how people lived. Life was so different than what we know now.

Thank you for the opportunity to win your gift basket too.

Kathy, if you'll send me your snail mail address, I'll get your gift to you!

Thanks, everyone, for taking part. We'll do this again soon.



Update on the GRAND PRIZE WINNER, and congrats to all:

The GRAND PRIZE went to: Jennifer Friedley
The $50 gift certificates went to: Laura McEwen and Gretchen Michels Garrison