Friday, November 09, 2012

Autumn Harvest Blog Hop - What does Autumn mean to me, my characters, & my readers?


Hey beautiful people!
Excited once again to be joining another of Carrie Ann’s amazing hops. Love the rush of being together with so many fantabulous authors, and the chance to meet so many readers and bookaholics during those tours.

I’ll admit this one nearly ran past me – I’m up to my eyeballs in deadlines, and wasn’t planning to post on the blog today. Thank goodness for reminders, lol.

So... Autumn Harvest Blog Hop. 200+ participants, as many opps to win books & swag & other goodies, and as many chances to enter the draw for these fabulous Grand Prizes. Check them out: I know I am tempted... J

1st Grand Prize: A Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet
2nd Grand Prize: A $50 Amazon or B&N Gift Card
3rd Grand Prize: A Swag Pack that contains 10+ paperbacks, ebooks, 50+ bookmarks, cover flats, magnets, pens, coffee cozies, and more!
 

 So we’re supposed to be talking about Autumn, and what we like about the season. I’m a bit out of my depths here, because right now, where I live in the southern hemisphere, it’s spring, not fall. And on my tropical island, Mauritius, we have mainly two seasons – summer, & winter. There’s a brief transition between the seasons that we can barely label spring and autumn, though around April, all the big maple trees in town start turning russet. The air also gets crisper, especially at twilight time, and during the day, there’s a sparkling radiance that shines from the deep-blue sky.
I love this change of weather, because it usually means a respite from the horrendous heat of summer. Down the line, winter will be coming – bringing with it lots of cold and humidity as I live in the coldest town on the island.

But there definitely is something magical about our Autumn when it happens, a sense of hovering between two mighty shores, suspended in an airy bubble...

 
Now this got me thinking – what would the characters from my books have to say about Autumn, the ones who do experience this season at the time we’re speaking? I asked them the question; check out the answers.

From WalkingThe Edge (Corpus Brides: BookOne) – a romantic suspense thriller on the backdrop of amnesia and espionage:

Amelia Jamison – the ‘bored’ housewife with no memory of her past life, who however feels something is off in her existence: I barely remember seeing autumn strike in this year... With me not remembering anything about my past, I hoped this time would be a transition to the real life I’m supposed to live... Then, my ‘husband’ took me home, and my hopes crashed.

Gerard Besson – the Marseille police commissaire who reluctantly finds himself running to Amelia’s rescue: Autumn on the Mediterranean coast is magical. Marseille never looks any better, though with night coming in earlier, that does spell a more active lookout for us cops where crime is concerned.

From BeforeThe Morning (Corpus Brides: BookTwo) – a high-stakes, espionage thriller on the backdrop of childhood best friends reuniting through marriage and heavy-handed, crazy family involvement.

Rayne Cheltham – the former espionage mastermind & skilled assassin who has just ‘retired’ and is looking forward to a peaceful, domestic life with the man she never stopped loving: Autumn is the time for slowing down and taking stock of your life, and the path you’ve taken. *sigh* For the first time in seventeen years, I’ll be able to do that, because this fall, I will not be undercover on any mission to rid the world of some of its biggest, baddest criminals.

Ash Gilfoy – the former policeman turned ambulance worker, who suddenly finds himself hitched in Vegas to a complex puzzle, the girl who used to be his childhood best friend, and now a woman with more secrets than all the secret services of the world combined: Autumn... Beer in front of a roaring fire inside the cosy comfort of your home. Doesn’t get better than that; not yet a biting sting to the cold, just enough chill to have your woman want to snuggle up with you in front of that fire. *grin*

From CallingHome (A Destiny’s Child Book) – a sweet, romantic contemporary tale between an uptight forensic pathologist who suddenly lands herself custody of a tween girl, and the young and sexy country doctor who steps in as a modern knight in shining armour.

Margo Nolan – forensic pathologist, clueless mother, half-dead/zombie-brained woman where love & relationships are concerned: Autumn? Kinda depressing. I mean, that’s the season when we get the most suicides, you know— *her ‘hero’ interrupts with a shake of his head here* Fine. The season where you bring the wide range of designer boots you own out. That’s the best thing about Autumn.

Jamie Gillespie – young, up-and-coming doctor who chose life in a quiet Surrey village over a lucrative career in London’s private practice world: Autumn is the time of hot chocolate with marshmallows, comfy afghans, and baking gingerbread men. Time well spent in the kitchen, making families tighter.

I think these people have it as for what Autumn truly represents...

What does Autumn mean to you? Answer in the comments to let me know – and enter to win a copy of one of the 3 books I feature above (winner’s choice!).
A comment here also gets you another entry into the draw for the Grand Prizes – just don’t forget to leave your email address, otherwise we cannot compute your entry in.

And check out the Blog Hop’s page with the list of all the participants here!

From Mauritius with love,
Zee

83 comments:

Unknown said...

Autumn is leaves changing and Sunday spent in front of the fire with a good book. Oh and football!!

aligingerread@gmail.com

Unknown said...

Autumn means cooler weather and time to think of the past year and waiting anxiously for Thanksgiving!

preciousferret@comcast.net


Preciousferret said...

Autumn is a time for changing colors and holidays with friends and family.

preciousferret@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Autumn is a reminder that Thanksgiving and Christmas is not that far off.

mysweetferret@gmail.com

BLHmistress said...

I love Autumn, the leaves changing color. Drinking hot cocoa, and snuggling closer to the one I love.

vampiremistress2010(at)gmail(dot)com

laurie said...

Autumn means cooler weather and time to think of the past year and waiting anxiously for Thanksgiving!

parisfan_ca@yahoo.com

crystaley73 said...

Autumn measn campfires changing colors and Thanksgiving and family.
crystaley73 at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

Autumn is a special time when the leaves change color and everyone prepares for the upcoming holidays.

mypreciousbandit@gmail.com

Linda said...

Autumn means the end of summer and cooler weather.

preciousferret@comcast.net

Lynn said...

Autumn is a special time of year when we are able to spend time with family and friends and turkey time is almost here.

preciousferret@yahoo.com

JanD said...

Autumn means cooler temperature, the leaves changing color, and pumpkin pie.
bituin76 (at) hotmail (dot) com

Cassandra said...

My favorite things about it are the crisp clean air, the changing of the leaves, and just how wonderful this time of year is :)
Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
cassandrahicks1989@yahoo.com

Zee Monodee said...

Ali, Sunday with a good book sounds perfect. Hmm, football... big, hunky men... :)

Zee Monodee said...

Oliva, I am so intrigued by Thanksgiving! I'd love to taste that food one day :)

Zee Monodee said...

Preciousferret, the time with family is the most precious of things, innit? :)

Zee Monodee said...

mysweetferret, it's true that Christmas is just behind the door. Time flies :)

Zee Monodee said...

Veronika, I agree with you the colours are absolutely stunning! :)

Zee Monodee said...

BHLmistress, seems like hot cocoa is a huge hit in Autumn :)

Zee Monodee said...

laurie, it does seem like autumn is the time to take stock of the past year... :)

Zee Monodee said...

crystaley73, you're the first one to mention campfires! :)

Zee Monodee said...

Linda, the cooler weather is always welcome, innit? :)

Zee Monodee said...

Lynn, family time and time spent with friends are the most amazing, indeed. :)

Zee Monodee said...

JanD, pumpkin pie is another thing I crave to try! :)

Zee Monodee said...

Cassandra, the clean, crisp air is definitely magical :)

Natasha said...

Cooler weather and enjoying the changing season! Thanks for the chance to win!
natasha_donohoo_8 at hotmail dot com

Mary Preston said...

Autumn means an end to the unrelenting heat of Summer. It's a beautiful season.

marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

J. Lawrence said...

Gabril, a swordsman out of my book would say, "Autumn is that flash of crimson that comes right before death paints you gray. Come a litte closer and I'll show you what I'm talking about."

Carin said...

Autumn means I get to wear my cuter clothes and it isn't so blasted hot!
mawmom at gmail dot com

Eva @ All Books Considered said...

It’s my favorite season so I love hearing about your memories — love the changing leaves, anything pumpkin and halloween!!

booksconsidered[at]gmail[dot]com

Unknown said...

Fall is my favorite season & I love everything about it! I love the colors, the crunch of leaves, hot apple cider, and bonfires.

Sassychassy333@gmail.com

Nay Nay said...

My favorite thing about Autumn is the changing color of the leaves. They are so pretty. My least favorite thing is raking up those pretty leaves. LOL I love to sit by the fire and read a great romance book. Thanks for being part of the hop and for the chance to win. <^_^>
reneebennett35 (at) yahoo (dot) com

Unknown said...

I adore autumn because of the amazing colors, bundling up in sweaters, Halloween and my birthday! Autumn also means cuddling up with a good book and a cup of cocoa!

grapeapril75(at)gmail(dot)com

I love the hops cause of all the awesome new books I find to add to my to read list!

Jo said...

I can see how you would have a very different view of the seasons! I love the cooler weather and baking pumpkin stuff.

jochibi At yahoo DOT com

Unknown said...

I love fall for the cooler weather and the food...

Flowerlady_23 (at) yahoo (dot) com

Daniel M said...

cooler weather, foliage and shorter days - regnod(at)yahoo(d0t)com

Mer said...

How fun! I love hearing character voices through bits like this.

Autumn to me means leaves, the cool air, coming in to warm up with some hot chocolate and a good book...great timing for a hop, as I'm finding lots of additions to my to read list!
dancingcelt at gmail dot com

magic5905 said...

Love the cooler weather.
magic5905 at embarqmail dot com

Zee Monodee said...

Natasha, there's something lovely about the changing season, innit? :)

Zee Monodee said...

Mary, that's also what I love about autumn - the heat of summer is going down! :)

Zee Monodee said...

J, I love, love, love that line from your story! Got a feeling I could totally fall for Gabril, lol :)

Zee Monodee said...

Carin, yay on the cuter clothes. For me, it's all about the boots :)

Zee Monodee said...

Eva, I need to come to the US if only to fall into all the things pumpkin of this season. We don't have that where I've lived :)

Zee Monodee said...

Sassy Chassy, I love the colours, too. You're the second person to mention bonfires :)

Zee Monodee said...

Nay Nay, lol about raking the leaves. Psst - secret: that's what men/boyfriends/husbands/sons are for :) But yay too on the fire and good romance - nothing beats that!

Zee Monodee said...

Liese2, there's something paradoxical how such vibrant colours can spell such cooler weather. Somehow, it works into an amazing moment :)

Zee Monodee said...

K. April, the hot cocoa needs marshmallows in it, innit? And perfect time to take out those sweaters, indeed. :)

Zee Monodee said...

Jo, my seasons are totally off the place where US folks are concerned. I'd love to bake pumpkin stuff one day; I gotta try that :)

Zee Monodee said...

Sara, the food is definitely a hit for this season :)

Zee Monodee said...

Daniel, I totally agree with you about shorter days (especially where energetic boys are concerned. They run their mums ragged on the long days of summer!) :)

Zee Monodee said...

Mer, thanks for your lovely words! I love to make my characters talk during stops like this one - it's a way to connect with them again even if their story has been written a long time agao :) I hope you get to enjoy a lot of good books through your stops

Zee Monodee said...

Joy, as much as I love heat and hate cold, I do welcome the cool, too :)

Beckey said...

Autumn means more time in the kitchen baking and canning
As well as seeing family that I don't see often during the holidays.

Beckey
BeckeyWhiteATgmailDOTcom

Zee Monodee said...

Beckey, I am sooo intrigued by the notion of canning. Hats off to anyone who can pull that off! :)

Tobi said...

Autumn means happy cool weather! All things pumpkiny to eat and drink!
Thanks for the giveaway!
tobihelton at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

where i live i love to watch the mountains changing colors. thanks for joining the hop. Miriam.whitewolf@gmail.com

Catherine Lee said...

I love everything about Fall--the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and touch (of the cool air). I especially love that the tourists are gone from my area, the lovely deserted beaches, and "sweater weather." I am the queen of sweater twin sets!
catherinelee100 at gmail dot com

JoAnna said...

I love the changes of the leaves. Fall is pulling out the warm clothes and getting ready for the cold winter.
Thanks Zee!

beckerjo at verizon dot net

Anonymous said...

I love autumn with all the brilliant colors: oranges, yellows and reds of leaves. I love crisp, cool mornings where the sky is so blue it looks endless and the air is so fresh in your lungs. I love snuggling up in a warm throw on a cold autumn day with a good book. Of course, I love snuggling up with a good book about anytime of the year. I love Thanksgiving because it is a time to remember all the many blessings in my life and express thanks. I love baking spicy pumpkin pies with dollops of cream.

I like stories of the unexpected. I also love the steamy passion but I hate mentioning favorite authors because the list is long. I appreciate the many styles authors use to weave stories of mystery, love, intrigue, preternatural and inspiration. I love reading because I can go anywhere, any time in my mind and imagine indescribable things.

Thank you for this contest and the opportunity to be introduced to new authors.

Kaci Verdun said...

I love the Fall because of the football games and tailgating! And of course having a campfire with roasted hotdogs! Thanks for the chance to win a great giveaway!

kacidesigns AT yahoo DOT com

Zee Monodee said...

Tobi, I really want to land into the all thing pumpkin craze, too! These foods like pumpkin latte sound delicious :)

Zee Monodee said...

Miriam, you must be privy to an amazing sight - you lucky girl! :)

Zee Monodee said...

Catherine, sweater twin-sets absolutely rock! *wink* And lol on the 'no tourists' bit :)

Zee Monodee said...

JoAnna, fall is indeed a time of transition, innit? :)

Zee Monodee said...

Sharon, you are most welcome. Lol, you sound like an author's dream reader :)

Zee Monodee said...

Kaci, I love roasted food, too! And I'm sure were I in the US, I'd fall prey to football season as well :)

Unknown said...

What a great post. I really loved meeting your characters. I like the changes, colors, smells and family time with all the holidays.

Morebooksthanlivros@gmail.com

Carla said...

Thanks for joining in the hop. It was great to be introduced to your work.
My favorite part about autumn is that the cool weather gives me the perfect excuse to keep my oven full of yummy deliciousness that I really can't do during two of the three other seasons. I love the feeling of being able to have yummy stuff baking while I nestle in with a good read.
planterofhope(at)aol(dot)com

Unknown said...

Autumn is cooler weather, warm sweaters, adorable boots and cozy fireside reading.

kissyjensen at gmail dot com

LisaRayns said...

Autumn means a time to be thankful. Thanks for the giveaway!
lisarayns at gmail dot com

LEENA7 said...

Autumn seems to strengthen families and bring them together more. They stay home more and eat meals together, yeah for comfort foods, they bake, everyone loves things straight out of oven, they play games or do puzzles together, they sit in front of fires talking and remembering childhood stories. I love all this and love reading others stories too.peach_hugs@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I totally love and enjoy autumn, especially the leaves changing colour.
Thank you very much! ;)

dita(dot)skarste(at)gmail(dot)com

Lona said...

Autumn means I have to rake leaves, and dont have to shave my legs, lol. Thx for the hop stop.

blinkysthebest at aol dot com

Unknown said...

I love driving up the river road and seeing all the amazing colors. My husband and I will stop for some lunch and wine. It is breathtaking.

mel
bournmelissa at hotmail dot com

Zee Monodee said...

You're welcome, donnas! :)

Zee Monodee said...

Thanks Isabelle! I'm glad you enjoyed the character tidbits :) And yes, autumn is definitely family time :)

Zee Monodee said...

Carla, is there anything yummier than the scent of baking goodies in a cool house? I love the scent of baking goods, too :)

Zee Monodee said...

Christine, I am soooo with you on the adorable boots part :)

Zee Monodee said...

Lisa, it is definitely a time to be thankful, indeed :)

Zee Monodee said...

Leena7, autumn does spell family time, a moment to get closer together and strengthen ties :)

Zee Monodee said...

Dita, the leaves changing colour is a marvelous sight! :)

Zee Monodee said...

Lol, Lona! I think we all love the chance to let go of the leg shaving a bit :)

Zee Monodee said...

Mel, cozy time with the man? Best part of autumn, innit? :)

Zee Monodee said...

Hey, ye all!

Sorry for being late with this post - I'd battened myself down in the cave with a rewrite yesterday and nearly didn't come out alive. :)

So... thank you all sooo much for coming over on this hop, and stopping by to comment on this post. Your little tidbits brightened my days this past weekend.

I hope many of you have landed goodies galore at the stops... and the winner here is...

Isabelle Werneck!

Congrats, Isabelle! I'll be in touch shortly to send you your prize. :)

Big huge thanks & hugs to all of you!! XOXO