Happy New Year, Supernatural Undergrounders

Pohutakawa, the NZ 'Christmas tree'

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A major trope of epic fantasy (which is what I'm currently writing with the Wall of Night series) is the "road trip": aka "a farm boy (or gal) goes on a journey" during the course of which they will likely encounter lovable animal (or robot, or supernatural) companions and acquire sidekicks (the "band of brothers" -- or sisters!)

The road trip is also a major feature of the Christmas - New Year period in real life -- and part of the Fantastic Road Trip is that one should visit previously unknown terrain and climes.

So I thought I'd marry the real and the fantastic traditions for you today with some a few photos from my Christmas-New Year road trip -- which I suspect will be new terrain for many, even those who have seen the Lord of the Rings films.

The clime is certainly different, since Christmas / New Year falls in summer here, although if the terrain is sufficiently elevated, snow may still be seen.

Now for those pictures:

The magical Lake Rotoiti in Nelson Lakes National Park

The awesome power of the Huka Falls, near Lake Taupo:

A vista toward Lake Taupo, the source of the Huka Falls:

Not my car, alas!

Here be snow, still: Mt Ruapehu in Tongariro National Park:

I think if there is one message I take from these photos it's that nature generally and national parks in particular rock -- something to be both celebrated and cherished in 2017 and beyond.

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Helen Lowe is a novelist, poet, interviewer and blogger whose first novel, Thornspell (Knopf), was published to critical praise in 2008. Her second, The Heir of Night (The Wall Of Night Series, Book One) won the Gemmell Morningstar Award 2012. The sequel, The Gathering Of The Lost, was shortlisted for the Gemmell Legend Award in 2013. Daughter Of Blood, (The Wall Of Night, Book Three) was published this year.
Helen posts regularly on her “…on Anything, Really” blog and is also on Twitter: @helenl0we

It is my great honor to announce the

Winner of the First Annual Supernatural Underground Holiday Giveaway is:

DONNA S. !

Donna will be receive a gift pack of lovely books from the Supernatural Underground Authors.

* * *

I’m sure that we have all heard of the movie White Christmas with Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, and Danny Kaye. If we don’t know the movie, we know the title song and have
probably heard it a million times already this season. Growing up on classic movies, I knew I had seen this movie a few times with its ridiculous dance scenes and budding romances.

What I didn’t remember until I sat down this year to watch it was that the bulk of the plot is about the two main characters, former army Captains, giving thanks to a General who got them through the war.

You’d think that a movie made in 1954 wouldn’t really relate to the situation in which we find ourselves in 2011. But it’s a message that seems to ring extra true to me this year. There
are men and women who are away from home serving in the military who are
trying to make the world safer for everyone. Despite your political viewpoints,
you can’t deny that it must be rough being away from your family during the
holidays.

Our Supernatural Undergrounders decided to do something a little different this year. Along with
surprising a random commenter with daily giveaways and a grand prize (got to love extra
Christmas presents), we also decided to say Thank You to the troops who are away
from home this season. Where Crosby and Kaye saluted them in song, we are
sending our words of thanks and hope their way this Christmas season with
letters and books.

Books for Soldiers is an organization where soldiers or those acting on behalf of soldiers can request books. Civilians can send their new or gently loved books along with
care packages and words of thanks. This year, the authors of the Supernatural
Underground found five soldiers who loved a good paranormal or romance and will
be sending them our thanks with signed books, post cards, and a lot of
chocolate.

We hope that your Christmas was merry and bright and that this coming New Year brings love and laughter your way!

See you next year!!

london calling

i was very lucky in that i got to spend
my birthday at the end of august in my
favorite city, london! i traveled quite a lot
before i had the bubs, and have visited over
a dozen countries, but london always holds
a special place in my heart because i fell in
love for the first time there. then i married him. 8)
and here we are... sixteen years later.

since the hub's family is in england, we visit
annually. i've stopped taking as many fotos
of the sights and my favorite places to visit, shop
and eat. but i thought i'd share some fotos of
a previous winter trip there. enjoy!

*if you've read my novels, you'll guess
pretty easily that i love food! and i love me
a good english breakfast. (except the bacon.
i just don't like bacon--and english bacon is
scarier than american!) grilled tomatoes,
fried mushrooms, eggs, beans, sausages,
bacon and hash browns (english version).

*we were lucky enough to stay in my best
friend's flat in the primrose area. such a
beautiful neighborhood.

*a market on the tiny high street
selling cheeses, etc.

*open air markets are an absolute
favorite of mine and i try to visit them
in every country i go to! this one was
selling breads and pastries. yum!

*a cold morning and long lines after
christmas outside the london natural history
museum.

*we always do a proper afternoon
english tea as well. finger sandwiches,
cakes, and scones with jam and clotted
cream. (that's the small cup you see filled
with what looks like butter. i love the stuff.)

i hope you enjoyed these london fotos i've shared!

finally, congratulations to kate (kayko) for winning
a signed paperback of Silver Phoenix. thanks to all
those who entered the giveaway last month.

until next time, undies! =D

It's August Already?!?!?! WHAT?!?!

Prepare yourselves. I'm going to say a very, very dirty word. In fact, I might even scream it. You ready? Here it goes....
HOLIDAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's right. I dared utter that word in August, but oh my GOSH it's AUGUST! Where the heck did the rest of the year go, and more importantly, am I the only one who gets a tiny knot in their tummy right about now that slowly grows, week by week until it's a boulder you're dying to have surgically removed on Jan 1??

Don't get me wrong, I love the holidays. In theory. Cool weather, me and the hubster cuddling in front of the fireplace, the kids on Christmas morning, the family gathered in the kitchen to cook a huge Thanksgiving feast. But in reality, it never quite turns out that way. I live smack in the middle of my parents and my in laws, so stress for me begins with trying to decide how to split our time without hurting the other family. Add to that, DEADLINES! I'm totally cool with deadlines, but the people who don't live in my house don't seem to understand them. Pile on top of that the growing number of people who require gifts, most of whom are harder to shop for than the Queen of England. So where you do you put your foot down? Where do you finally say "no" to people who just want to spend time with you when all you want to do is stick tightly to your deadlines, or heaven forbid, try to create new traditions with your OWN family and not necessarily carry traditions given to you by your parents or your spouse's?

I can't be the only pushover. Right?? Please say I'm not.

As a little treat, here's a little something to help us all destress. Juliana, I know you'll appreciate it!