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The Electric Girl - Book Tour and Giveaway

3/1/2021

58 Comments

 
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The Electric Girl
by Christine Hart
Genre: YA SciFi Fantasy, Magic Realism

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Polly Michaels is trying to forget that her mom has cancer. She keeps busy at school and plods through a normal social life. Until a freak electrical storm and a unicorn appear in the orchard next to her house.
Sy'kai wakes on an orchard floor to the smell of rotting cherries and wet earth. She doesn't know where she is-or what she is-but she knows something is hunting her.
Polly recruits her friends to find the mysterious creature she saw from her window while Sy'kai, a confused shape-shifting endling from another dimension tries to piece her mind back together. Once the human girls find Sy'kai (whom they nickname Psyche) the mystery unravels and the danger facing all of them comes into focus. 
A gritty struggle ranges throughout the girls' rural hometown and in the wild terrain around it. All while two questions hang over their heads. Can an alien deliver a miracle for a human mother? Can a group of teens defeat an interdimensional demon?


Goodreads * Amazon

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​End of Chapter 1


Polly crept softly downstairs and into the vaulted kitchen. In the window behind the double sink, her mom’s stained-glass butterfly reflected a glint of moonlight. Her gaze darted from the window to the sliding glass doors across the room, behind a small round oak table. A greasy takeout box and two plates of chicken bones on the counter—her mom’s only half-eaten—glistened in the faint light. She paused next to the table, gripped the padded back of a dining chair, and leaned toward the glass door. She peered out, across the backyard and into the orchard.
A large beacon of light flickered in the trees. It moved, as if floating. No, not floating—walking. The intense glow, marked by dark strips of trunk and branch, moved at a measured pace. She squinted, trying to make out an outline of . . . whatever it was that meandered through the trees.
It’s an animal. It has to be!
She lifted the latch on the sliding glass door and gently opened it. Chilly night air rushed in, smelling of ozone and the earth. Her flannel nightgown billowed in the breeze. She placed a bare foot on the smooth concrete of the patio. The cold was sharp and shot straight through Polly, causing her to gasp, but she forced herself to keep moving. She stepped all the way out and slid the door back into place, almost closing it but not quite.
The roving light in the orchard had grown larger. It was weaving between the dark rows of trees in the distance. The undulating pace of it . . . it wasn’t human. Whatever it was, it was moving—walking, she thought, but not on two legs.
Polly put one foot in front of the other, compelled by her need to know. She crossed the backyard, reaching the bumpy bare earth of the orchard floor. She steadied herself against a tree trunk as adrenaline raced through her veins. She leaned into the tree, hoping to conceal her figure without losing sight of the creature, whatever it was.
She waited, watching in both awe and terror as the glowing animal came closer. The creature made no sound at all. Polly watched, eyes trained on the glow itself, until finally she could make out a shape—a long, muscular torso flexed above four knobby legs. Pointed ears flickered.
It’s a horse! A white mare! Oh my god, she’s so bright.
The horse turned its head, flashing a spiraled horn—unmistakable against the dark branches around them.
NO WAY!
“Polly? Are you out there?” she heard her mom call. She turned to see her mom’s silhouette standing in the kitchen. Her mom flicked on a light, spilling yellow across the yard. Polly whipped around to see the unicorn again, but the orchard had grown dark, full of silent indigo trees.
The glowing animal was gone.


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Located on BC’s beautiful West Coast, I write from my suburban home outside Vancouver.  I love writing about places and spaces with rich history and visually fascinating elements as a backdrop for the surreal and spectacular.  

In addition to my undergraduate degree in writing and literature, my background also includes corporate communications and design. I am a current member of the Federation of BC Writers and SF Canada.

When not writing, I have a habit of breaking stuff and making stuff – in that order – under the guise of my Etsy alter-ego Sleepless Storyteller.  I share my eclectic home and lifestyle with my metalworking husband, dancing daughter, and future rocket scientist son.


Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads


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Metalsmithing & Making Your Own Merch


Today we’re talking to traditional-turned-indie writer Christine Hart. She’s an author from the suburbs of Vancouver, BC who just made the jump to self-publishing after over half a dozen traditional titles. Christine worked on this book throughout 2020 while balancing kids and an Etsy shop. So, she’s got lots to say about all her various forms of making, in the context of being indie during a pandemic. Including making her own custom merch.

Christine, can you tell us a bit more about what motivated you to roll DIY pendants into your promo for this new release?
The former marketer in me thinks it makes sense to cross-promote between my various endeavors as much as possible. And the artist in me is just looking for another excuse to make something pretty. Since I started writing fiction in 2007 and making handmade jewelry in 2008, I’ve noticed that I tend to slip between a year of writing and a year of metalsmithing. I wanted to challenge myself to better balance both practices.

I think crafting a plot and designing a jewelry collection work similar muscles in my brain, so I find them equally rewarding. Likewise, restructuring a plot point that isn’t working or troubleshooting a step in the fabrication process can be truly satisfying when I finally solve the problem.

And the ways in which writing and metalsmithing are different complement each other nicely for me. If I need to stop staring at words and analysing language, metal and stones have the ability to transport me back into that state of wonder I’m always chasing.


Is there any symbolism in the design of these pieces?
In the case of these pendants, materials matter more than the design itself. Copper plays a prominent role in my trans-dimensional shape-shifter’s health and abilities. And mood stones were just a really fun way to keep us rooted in 1980s culture.

I used geometric shapes and chevron markings to try to achieve a look that’s both primal and still capable of evoking fractal imagery. They were made with mental energy by a being whose natural state is her astral form. They had to look weird no matter what.


We’re dying to know; which came first, writing or metalsmithing?

I am a writer by training and trade. I started out after university working as a communications specialist. So, when I freelanced, it was strictly as a non-fiction writer for youth magazines, usually related to whatever type of employer I had. I covered careers and education as well as travel, vacationing, and real estate.

But I really wanted to write fiction. I didn’t think it would go anywhere at the time because I didn’t think I had the right training. I thought fiction was too different than the article style I knew, but I did it anyway (because I’d gotten that advice from a successful author I trusted) and my debut, Watching July, came out of that process.

The path to making jewelry was quite different. I’ve always been ‘crafty’ although we didn’t really use that term when I was a teen. In high school I loved art class and took the sewing part of home economics, as well as a textiles, arts, and crafts class.

Another important variable here is that I’m very petite. I’m not ultra short (still 5’3” I think) but most mainstream pendants, rings, and bracelets are all way too big for me. I have tiny hands; my wedding band is 3 ¼, which if you know ring sizes, puts it into perspective. This doesn’t make me a better (or worse) metalsmith. But it is the reason I’ve always had to make my own bracelets, rings, and any pendant I want fitted like a choker. I started out just beading and my skills evolved. Eventually, I was making too much jewelry for my personal use and I had to either open an Etsy shop or stop making things all the time. And although I started out using cold connection techniques, I eventually gave in and learned to use a saw, torch, and metal plating equipment.



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Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

Mar 1
kickoff at Silver Dagger Book Tours
Lady Hawkeye
Birdie Song's Blog - GUEST POST
Living in a Bookworld - GUEST POST

Mar 2
#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog
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Craving Lovely Books

Mar 3
Bookworm for Kids
Literary Gold
Midnight Book Reader

Mar 4
Letters from Annie Douglass Lima
The Sexy Nerd 'Revue'
Scrupulous Dreams

Mar 5
Westveil Publishing
Inside the Insanity - GUEST POST
The Book Dragon

Mar 6
Anna del C. Dye official page
Writing Dreams

Mar 7
IndiePowerd by No Sweat Graphics
Drako's Den

Mar 8
Jazzy Book Reviews
Character Madness and Musings

Mar 9
The Library of Erana - GUEST POST
Momma Says: To Read or Not to Read
Twisted Book Ramblings

Mar 10
Books a Plenty Book Reviews
Sylv.net
The Faerie Review

Mar 11
Books all things paranormal and romance
A Pinch of Bookdust
The Bookshelf Fairy

Mar 12
A Wonderful World of Words - GUEST POST
Bedazzled By Books
Musings From An Addicted Reader

Mar 13
4covert2overt ☼ A Place In The Spotlight ☼ - GUEST POST
Girl with Pen
Stormy Nights Reviewing & Bloggin'

Mar 14
❧Defining Ways❧
Books, Authors, Blogs
Insane Books

Mar 15
Valerie Ullmer | Romance Author
ⒾⓃⓉⓇⓄⓈⓅⒺⒸⓉⒾⓋⒺ ⓅⓇⒺⓈⓈ
Teatime and Books


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58 Comments
Shirley Ann Speakman
3/1/2021 06:55:07 am

Congratulations on your upcoming release Christine, the book sounds very intriguing and the cover is gorgeous too very eye catching..

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Christine Hart link
3/1/2021 07:07:00 pm

Thank you Shirley for those encouraging words! This is definitely my favorite cover so far.

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Robert Young
3/1/2021 10:07:23 am

Nice Cover!

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Rita Wray
3/1/2021 11:40:56 am

Great excerpt and cover.

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Bea LaRocca
3/1/2021 11:42:54 am

I love the cover, synopsis and excerpt, this is a must read for me! Thank you for sharing your guest post and book details, I have enjoyed reading about you and your work and am looking forward to reading your story

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Christine Hart link
3/1/2021 07:08:21 pm

Thank you Bea! That's all great to hear. I hope you enjoy the story!

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Tara Zarecky
3/1/2021 12:15:57 pm

This sounds like a wonderful book.

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Marcy Meyer
3/1/2021 01:11:01 pm

The covers looks good. Thanks for sharing.

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wendy hutton
3/1/2021 02:20:12 pm

beautiful cover

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Bernie Wallace
3/1/2021 02:33:43 pm

How long did it take you to write your book?

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Christine Hart link
3/1/2021 07:09:54 pm

Hi Bernie. Good question! The first draft took about six months, but I went through several rounds of editing and revision on and off over the course of a year. Definitely took my time with this one.

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Beyond Comps
3/1/2021 02:53:03 pm

Nice cover!

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Peggy Salkill
3/1/2021 03:52:25 pm

Love the cover!

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Barbara Montag
3/1/2021 03:52:34 pm

The title - The Electric Girl, so catches my attention.
Definitely a must read soon!
Thank you for sharing this review.

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Jon Heil
3/1/2021 04:30:28 pm

Sparks are about to fly

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Sherry
3/1/2021 06:13:18 pm

I love the cover and the excerpt.

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LYNN CLAYTON
3/1/2021 06:36:53 pm

oh nice cover looks like a great read

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Debbie P
3/1/2021 07:02:33 pm

This book sounds like a very intriguing. Awesome cover!

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Christine Hart link
3/1/2021 07:11:57 pm

I just wanted to say a broader thank you to everyone who stopped by and left a comment. Especially for all the cover love! I'm a little late to the party today owing to technical issues (browser issues actually) but I'm so excited to be touring with Silver Dagger and Maia. Thanks again!

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bn100
3/1/2021 08:12:10 pm

cool cover

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Amy F
3/2/2021 11:55:22 am

Amazing cover! Sounds interesting.

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Wendy Jensen
3/2/2021 02:44:05 pm

I loved the book details, sounds exciting.

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Victoria Alexander
3/2/2021 05:00:33 pm

Very cool cover!

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Tiffany S
3/2/2021 07:14:13 pm

I love the cover and it sounds like a good book.

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Michele Soyer
3/3/2021 05:52:32 am

thank you for chapter one.. I find the whole concept very interesting and engaging.

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Karin
3/3/2021 06:14:01 am

Nice cover. Parts of it remind me of a tattoo

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Suzanne Greene
3/3/2021 06:10:16 pm

This cover is amazing and the book sounds great!

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Nicole Martin
3/3/2021 07:18:14 pm

I love the cover!

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Julie Lundstrom
3/3/2021 10:03:02 pm

I like the cover of this book.

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Karen M
3/6/2021 10:40:01 am

Beautiful cover!

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julie murphy
3/7/2021 05:12:39 am

I like a good mystery.

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Judy Thomas
3/7/2021 05:19:23 am

I love the cover, it's beautiful!

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Jeff L
3/7/2021 07:01:32 am

Who's your favorite character in this story?

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Christine Hart link
3/7/2021 10:39:10 am

Good question! Definitely Polly. She's brave, resourceful, and persistent.

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molli taylor
3/7/2021 08:17:52 am

sounds like a great read!

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shannon zeidan
3/7/2021 10:08:55 am

This has such a gorgeous cover! I really enjoyed the description.

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Daniel Thornton
3/7/2021 03:35:03 pm

when Did you know you wanted to be a writer?

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Christine Hart link
3/8/2021 12:48:52 pm

Good question! I actually started out as a journalism and technical writing student. It wasn't until I'd been out of school for a few years that I realized fiction was what I really wanted to write. Now I do both tech writing and fiction, so it's a nice balance.

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Kelly D
3/7/2021 07:18:06 pm

The book sounds great, very suspenseful.

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Rajeeva Jayaratne
3/8/2021 03:51:07 am

Best of luck with the book.

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Jamie Martin link
3/8/2021 05:13:32 am

What's your advice for new writers?

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Christine Hart link
3/8/2021 12:53:43 pm

Oooo, that's a tough one. I should probably go with the advice that was given to me. "Do it anyway," was what a seasoned writer told me (long ago) when I asked how she pushed through negative feedback and failure. Because one of the first things to learn when you start writing (fiction especially) is that a thick skin can be your best friend. So I think the short answer is, write because you love it.

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Cindy Merrill
3/8/2021 07:24:51 am

Very confusing plot blurb- how is the girl supposed to recruit other teens to help her, never mind believe her?

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avm
3/8/2021 07:36:20 pm

it is very electrifying

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Mary Cloud
3/12/2021 10:17:37 am

Thanks for sharing - the book sounds interesting.

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Sarah L
3/12/2021 06:15:18 pm

Looks like an interesting book. Neat cover.
Thanks for the contest. 

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Thomas Gibson
3/12/2021 10:17:33 pm

Nice cover and excerpt!

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Leisa MCBRIDE
3/14/2021 05:54:22 pm

new author to me. books sounds interesting and I'd love to read it.

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Susan Smith
3/14/2021 09:26:56 pm

Sounds great, I like the cover!

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Renata
3/14/2021 10:22:59 pm

Sounds good !

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Veronica Lee link
3/15/2021 07:29:37 am

Sounds like a terrific read! Neat cover!

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latisha depoortere
3/15/2021 03:15:02 pm

Love the cover thanks so much for sharing!

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Stacey A Smith
3/15/2021 09:00:39 pm

I love the Cover it's very cool looking.

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Buddy Garrett
3/15/2021 09:20:43 pm

The cover is great. It sounds like a very interesting read.

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Emily B.
3/15/2021 09:28:57 pm

The cover fits the title perfectly.

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Jerry Marquardt
3/15/2021 10:15:52 pm

I would like to give thanks for all your really great writings, including The Electric Girl, and wishing the best in keeping up the good work in the future.

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Jen Reed
3/15/2021 10:16:08 pm

The book cover is very pretty.

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megan allen
3/15/2021 11:57:06 pm

This cover is awesome! Thanks for sharing the book!

Reply



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