Thursday, December 5, 2013

The Ghosts of Aquinnah Release Day, Soul Cutter and The Dream Destination Hop!

Thanks to Lexa Cain for this awesome banner!

I'm so excited that my release day is officially here!! The Ghosts of Aquinnah is now available from Ink Smith Publishing and can be purchased through Amazon, Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, and the Ink Smith Store.

I've also been so thrilled to receive some wonderful reviews of the book already. Huge thanks to Christine Rains, Cherie Reich and Lisa Regan! 

From Cherie: "Touching and tragic, The Ghosts of Aquinnah by Julie Flanders will stick with you." 
Christine: "Two stories from different times woven together with elegance and emotion."
and Lisa: "I know a book is great when I keep thinking about it long after I've put it down."

It's safe to say these reviews made my week. Thanks, ladies!

I'm also beyond thrilled to be able to share the intro that the amazing Michael Di Gesu wrote for my story. Michael is the artist behind my cover and also the wordsmith who wrote my blurb for me, and while I loved both of those beyond measure I think he outdid himself with this piece. Michael is such a superb talent! Please visit his blog here to read his intro.  


Before I get to the Lexa & Julie Dream Destination Blog Hop, I am thrilled to be able to share this info about Soul Cutter, the new novel by my hop partner-in-crime, Lexa Cain. Congrats, Lexa!

BLURB: 

The Soul Cutter is hunting again.

Seventeen-year-old Élan spends her free time videoing psychic scams and outing them online. Skepticism makes life safe—all the ghosts Élan encounters are fakes. When her estranged mother disappears from a film shoot in Egypt, Élan puts her medium-busting activities on hold and joins the search.


In Egypt, the superstitious film crew sucks at finding her mom. When a hotel guest is killed, whispers start—the locals think their legendary Soul Cutter has come back from the dead. Élan's only ally is Ramsey, a film-crew intern, but he’s arrogant, stubborn—and hiding dangerous secrets.

When Élan discovers the Soul Cutter is no scam, she finds herself locked in a deadly battle against a supernatural killer with more than her mother’s life at stake.

Élan is fighting for her very soul.



BUY LINKS:



One more thing before I get to the hop! I have to send a huge thank you to Lexa for asking me to co-host with her and for making me the wonderful banner at the top of this post. Lexa, you totally rock! :)

Okay, so what is my Dream Destination? I'd love to have unlimited time to take a driving trip all over the western United States. I've been to Arizona and California and loved both, and I'd love to see more. The Rocky Mountains, Yellowstone, Zion National Park, Glacier National Park... I think the scenery and the atmosphere of the west is simply extraordinary. 

Angel's Landing at Zion (Source: Wikimedia)
So maybe one of these days Clancy and I will hop in the car and go on some extended travels. Here's hoping! :)

Thanks to everyone who has signed up for the Hop! If you'd still like to join, simply sign up on the Linky List below. And don't forget to enter to win tons of great prizes through the Rafflecopter! 

 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

66 comments:

  1. Congrats on the book launch! Have fun with it and that book signing. So you're a majestic mountain person, huh? Awe-inspiring and humbling at the same time.

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  2. Congrats to you and Lexa, Julie! What an awesome day this is. Here's hoping you and Clancy can hit the road this summer and enjoy those western vistas!

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  3. Congratulations on release day, Julie!!
    That is a beautiful area. I was there as a kid and it would be fun to go back.

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  4. YAY! Congratulations, today's the day! Book 2 is released! Good Luck Julie. I can't wait to read it. I love the mountains too. I honeymooned in Colorado and picture don't do the mountains justice. They are awe-inspiring!

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  5. Congrats. I haven't been to Zion, but it's on my list! I wish you and Lexa the best of luck!

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  6. Good morning, Julie,

    CONGRATS…. I am so excited for you and THANK YOU for the tribute. I am very touched.

    I LOVE the banner! Lexa did an awesome job! And congrats to her on SOUL CUTTER! ALL the best, LEXA!!!

    Wonderful destination choice, Julie. THE US has such AMAZING natural beauty at each corner of our country.

    I hope your dream destination happens for you soon!

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  7. Congratulations, Julie! The U. S. has so many incredible places to visit, it's an excellent choice.

    Here's to a wonderful bloghop.

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  8. Yeh! Congrats to you, Julie, and to Lexa on the book releases and this fun blog hop. Looking forward to reading all the posts! :)

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  9. Congrats to both of you. Wishing you tons of success with your new books.
    I can only guess how fascinating it would be to drive around a country as huge as the US.

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  10. @Kim, thank you!! And I honestly haven't seen many mountains in person, but I'd love to see more! Agree with your assessment. :)

    @Kittie, that would be so awesome. Thank you!

    @Alex, thanks!!

    @Cathy, thanks so much! And I bet that was a perfect place for a honeymoon.

    @TB, thank you!! And I hope we both make it to Zion someday.

    @Michael, thanks so much again for all you've done for this book! And I agree, Lexa did a fantastic job.

    @Bish, thank you!!

    @Madeline, thanks so much, and I am looking forward to it too. :)

    @Joy, thank you so much!

    @Quanie, thanks!

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  11. Congratulations on your book release! Your dream destination looks lovely!

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  12. Yay!! Congrats again, Julie! And I saw Lisa's review of your novel. Very high praise. I'll be sure to pick up my copy today. :))

    And come on out west, we'd love to see you! I've been to Zion National Park, and it is beautiful when you hike down into the canyon. It's very green and lush where the water is. Amazing contrast with the surrounding dessert.

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  13. I can't wait to read the book! what a great contest!

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  14. Congratulations on the release!!! I'm looking so forward to reading it.

    Western U.S. is my favorite part of the country. I'd love to get to Utah to explore it's parks. That picture of Zion is amazing.

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  15. A big, fat, loud and energetic CONGRATS to you on this fantastic release, Julie! Couldn't be happier for you!

    As for your destination dream: it's a good one. I've had the privledge of driving cross county twice in my life (once as a passenger, once as a driver). I've seen most of the places you listed and my absolute favorite was Yellowstone. We went there when I was 13 and I loved it so much that I cahnged my career aspirations to park ranger so I could one day work there. (Didn't happen, obviously, but that should still give you a good idea of the impact it had on me!)

    Fingers crossed that one day you and Clancy take the trek and get your kicks on Route 66!

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  16. Release day! Congrats, Julie, and to Lexa too.

    I want to live on a cruise ship so I don't have to pick just one dream destination. :)

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  17. How exciting-- seeing your book launched must be deeply satisfying. May they both soar to success! (I love the west, good choice.)

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  18. Woohoo!!! Congratulations on your book launch! I hope that you and Clancy can make that trip sometime soon! Ideal road trip time for those spots is between May and late June - before it gets too hot or too touristy.

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  19. Great cover indeed. the rocky mountains would also be a nice spot to see.

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  20. @Sherry, thank you!

    @LG, I'd love to take you up on that! :)

    @Hilary, thanks so much!

    @Nicki, thank you! I hope we both make it to Utah to explore someday.

    @Cherie, thanks!

    @Beverly, thank you, you're so nice! And I've never heard anything but wonderful things about Yellowstone, I hope I make it someday. It's funny to think of Clancy and me on Route 66!

    @River, that's a good choice LOL. Thanks!

    @Julie, thanks so much!

    @Tyrean, thanks for the tip! :)

    @Pat, thank you!



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  21. Congrats on the launch! And what a great destination. I drove right across the States once, from Washington DC to San Francisco. It was pretty incredible, especially those desert states.

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  22. Congrats on your book launch!! I'm so glad the banner worked out, and it loaded really quickly for me. It's looks great! Congrats also on the excellent reviews! I love your choice of the western parks and mountains. So beautiful. Thanks for all your help on this blog-hop. There's no way I could've done this alone - sharing made things so much more fun! :-)

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  23. Congrats on your book launch! I KNOW it's gonna do great.

    Jeez, I almost forgot to enter for the drawings. But I just fixed it. Sheesh. Silly old woman...

    Your destination tour sounds wonderful, especially with your trusty companion Clancy. He'd help you sniff out some special places that you might otherwise overlook.

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  24. @Kate, oh, that sounds just like what I'd love to do. I'd love to end up in San Fran, one of my favorite places I've ever been. Thank you!

    @Lexa, thank you! And you're right, sharing does make it more fun. So glad we hooked up for this!

    @Susan, LOL, he would no doubt find all the best spots. He has a discriminating nose. :D Thanks!

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  25. Congrats on the book release, and thanks for hosting an awesome blog hop. The Rocky Mountains are great, especially if you enjoy the outdoors.

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  26. Big congrats Julie! The banner is beautiful by the way.

    I also love the destination pick! My husband drove a semi for a year and I went with him for a while. I went to many states, but you nailed it. My favorites were Arizona and California. With New York and Pennsylvania at close seconds. =)

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  27. Congrats on the release! I'm wishing for lots of reader love and many, many, many sales.

    I love Yellowstone, and want to visit it again--even if I had a rather unfortunate incident while bouldering (nothing serious, just shameful).

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  28. @Loni, thanks and congratulations again to you too!

    @Emilyann, oh, that sounds like such an awesome thing to do! And thanks so much about the banner.

    @Magaly, oh, now you have my curious! Thanks so much and I am wishing for the same! :)

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  29. Congratulations on your release day. Lexa, too. I like your destination choice. I've lived on both coasts but there's so much in between I'd love to see.

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  30. I've been to Glacier and Yellowstone. They are well worth seeing!

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  31. @LD, that's a good way to put it. I love both coasts but need to see more of the rest of the country. Thanks!!

    @Elizabeth, I'm sure, I hope I make it someday. :)

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  32. I'd love to take a long roadtrip out west too. I lived in Vancouver, BC for a while, but I didn't have a car to get out and see the country. Great blog hop! Thanks for hosting today. And a BIG congrats on your book launch. It's a fantastic book! :)

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  33. I sent my characters out on a trip to the Grand Canyon. I've never been there but it's one of those places I have to get to before I die.

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  34. I agree. The west has beautiful country. I've traveled from Texas to California and witness remarkable scenery on the way.
    Congratulations on your book. Best wishes for your success.

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  35. Gorgeous pic! I lived out west for years, it's really beautiful:) Congrats on your release! Wishing you tons of success!
    WriterlySam

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  36. Congrats on your wonderful reviews Julie! I'm so excited for you, and I can't wait to curl up with The Ghosts of Aquinnah! Michael does amazing work, and you're a great team! Speaking of great teams, thanks to you and Lexa for hosting this fabulous blog-hop! When things settle down, you and Clancy should take that beautiful road trip!

    Julie

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  37. I'm having a lovely time "armchair travelling" around all the dream destinations, Jule! Such a fun theme for a hop! Huge congrats on the release of your novel!

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  38. Congrats on your release! The western part of the U.S. is pretty beautiful. I live in Colorado and I truly believe we're lucky to be surrounded by such natural beauty.

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  39. I love to be able to revisit the USA again one day, especially the areas you mentioned.

    Congrats on The Ghosts of Aquinnah

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  40. I went to AZ this summer and thought it was awesome! I did miss the greenery, though (being from OK!). I'd love to go to Cali. Thanks for hosting the bloghop, Julie and Lexa!! <3

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  41. Happy release day, Julie! So exciting to know that The Ghosts of Aquinnah is finally out in the world. Lexa made such a fantastic banner for you! :)

    Also, I'm loving your choice for this bloghop! (I might be biased, though, since I was born and raised in the southwest, haha.)

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  42. Oh now that's an inspiring choice of destination Julie. Superb. Congrats on the launch and yeah... it's great that you and Lexa could share it with us in a cool way. :)

    http://shahwharton.com

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  43. Congrats on your new book. The scenery is breath taking and I hope you get to make the trip. Egypt seems very in with writers this fall, I must add.

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  44. @Christine, Vancouver is another place I'd love to visit. Thank you again for reading the book and for your review!

    @Nana, I love the Grand Canyon, would love to make it back there.

    @Beverly, I can just imagine that scenery, what a great road trip. Thanks so much!

    @Samantha, thank you, I really appreciate that!

    @Julie, thanks so much, I hope Clancy and I can do that sometime. :)

    @Gothic, I'm so glad you're enjoying it! The theme was Lexa's idea and she came up with such a great one. Thank you!

    @Kim, I think you are lucky too! I know a few other bloggers in Colorado and always love their pics. Thanks!

    @Lynda, I hope you are able to sometime. Thank you.

    @Ashley, yeah, Arizona is just wonderful, I loved it. Thanks so much!

    @Heather, you may be biased but you're also right I think! :D Thank you!

    @Shah, thank you!

    @Sheena-kay, I've noticed Egypt is popular too, very cool. Thanks!

    @Misantropia, my pleasure and thank you for taking part!

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  45. As a native Californian and someone who has lived in AZ for 18+ years now, I can guarantee you are in for a treat, Julie. The western United States is beyond description and well worth visiting. It's also a great place to live.

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  46. the book you guys a re giving way and then the hop are great thank for ptting it on

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  47. @MJ, oh I can imagine it is! I loved what I saw of Arizona, the landscape is just stunning.

    @desiree, thanks, we are having fun with it!

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  48. What a beautiful place! I'd love to see that too. Congrats on your book birthday!
    Nutschell
    www.thewritingnut.com

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  49. That would be a fun trip. I haven't been to the southwest much and there is a lot to see.

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  50. @Nutschell, thank you!

    @Suzi, I think it would take me forever to see everything but I'd love to give it a shot. Thanks!

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  51. Thank you so much for giving this blog party. I've had a wonderful time going around and eyeing people's dream places to visit. I hope some of us get out from behind our keyboards and go!New follower.

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  52. Congrats Julie and Lexa! Hope you had a great release day. :)

    Your dream destinations sound amazing! I've never been to the US. Those look like places I'd have so much fun visiting. Great scenery too!

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  53. That's a beautiful picture! The US has some amazing spots... really scenic! Maybe I'll get there... one day...
    Congratulations Julie and Lexa!

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  54. *sigh* never been to America before, but one day, one day...
    Soooo many towns and places there that I want... no, I MUST see :)

    Great post, Julie!

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  55. @Rhisanna, oh, I'm so glad you've enjoyed it! I have too, so much more than I even expected to. Good point about actually going instead of just dreaming, I hope so!

    @Cecilia, thanks so much!

    @Michelle, thank you! And I hope you do make it someday.

    @Maynard, thanks! So glad to meet you!

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  56. I got a chance to spend the day in Sedona and I really want to go back. I want to take a road trip through out the Colorado, Arizona, Utah area. Breath taking views.

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  57. I've never been to the Western part of the US. I'm pretty much an East Coast girl. But it sounds like a lovely trip. :)

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  58. @Sydney, I loved Sedona too! I thought it was just amazing. Your road trip sounds just like what I would love to do.

    @Kestril, I love the East Coast too, I've loved going to New England since I was a kid. Love the ocean. :)

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  59. ive always wanted to rent and RV and go across the states! there's so much diversity it would be amazing.... no other country like it...........

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  60. @Jeremy, that's just what I would like to do. Although I've never driven an RV so that may end up being a problem LOL. Thanks again for taking part in our Hop. :)

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  61. Wow, I've been to Zion, but I never saw anything like the picture you showed. Makes me want to go back again.

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  62. @Ken, glad you liked the pic! I thought it was perfect. And I hope you get back to Zion sometime. :)

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