School’s In: Meljean Brook & David Kentewess (Contest)

It’s that time of year again. Everyone is going back to school and so is Meljean Brook’s David Kentewess from Riveted.

A century after a devastating volcanic eruption forced Iceland’s inhabitants to abandon its shores, the island has become enshrouded in legend. But the truth behind the legends is mechanical, not magical–and the mystery of the island a matter of life and death for a community of women who once spilled noble blood to secure their freedom.

Five years ago, Annika unwittingly endangered that secret, but her sister Källa took the blame and was exiled. Now Annika serves on an airship, searching for her sister and longing to return home. But that home is threatened when scientific expedition leader David Kentewess comes aboard, looking to expose Annika’s secrets. Then disaster strikes, leaving David and Annika stranded on a glacier and pursued by a madman, with their very survival depending on keeping the heat rising between them–and generating lots of steam…

Make sure you stick around to the end. We’ll be giving away a copy of Riveted.

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Exploration for Fun and (Unfortunately Little) Profit

In the alternate history of the Iron Seas, the world doesn’t look quite like it does now; but just as in our own history, there are plenty of people eager to explore (or exploit) it. Exploration is expensive, however, so many scientists – like vulcanologist David Kentewess from Riveted – must rely upon Science and Exploration Societies to fund their expeditions.

Of course, those societies often want to see a return on their investment – and that means that they need their scientists to return, as well (and hopefully alive.) So before any scientist goes off on an expedition, he is required to complete a series of courses, such as:

“Surviving the Arctic Extremes”

This course covers: maintaining a journal, building shelters, spotting icebergs, avoiding bears, and amputating frostbitten appendages. (Meljean’s Note: This course has declined in popularity since it was discovered that there was no waterway through the Arctic, and since the invention of the airship. David took it, however, because he has a particular interest in Scandinavian kingdoms – and because volcanos often happen to be mountainous, and the tops of mountains are often snow-covered. He’s a clever guy, our David.)

“Negotiating Ransoms with Piratical Heathens and Bargaining with Savages”

This course covers: maintaining a journal, keeping clothes shabby but presentable (so that the pirates won’t expect much in the way of payment, but so that the Society isn’t embarrassed by the appearances of their representatives), and a list of baubles which are useful when bargaining with primitive civilizations. (Meljean’s Note: The instructor for this course was recently beheaded after attempting to negotiate with baubles.)

“Kraken, Megalodons, and the Horrible Beasts of the Deep”

This course covers: maintaining a journal, learning that engine vibrations and noise will attract marine predators, and evasion tactics. (Meljean’s Note: Most of the evasion tactics include some form of “dropping to one’s knees and praying for one’s life.” Also, they never mention the mechanical whales. Oops.)

“The Ghastly Zombie Plague and Nanoagent Infections”

This course covers: maintaining a journal, protecting oneself from zombie attacks whilst exploring Europe and Africa, preparing oneself for self-destruction if bitten, preparing oneself to destroy friends that are bitten, how to avoid infection if one inadvertently comes into contact with one of the poor bastards who lived under Horde rule. (Meljean’s Note: Almost all information contained in this course is misleading or incorrect. A proposed guest lecture by adventurer Archimedes Fox might have cleared up many misconceptions, but after the Society discovered that he had become infected – and how many fees they’d have to pay to the government just to let him past the city borders – they carried on as usual. Ah, well. They probably wouldn’t have believed him, anyway.)

Fortunately for David, at least one of these courses was helpful. And he did learn to keep a rather detailed journal.

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Meet Meljean Brook!

Meljean was raised in the middle of the woods, and hid under her blankets at night with fairy tales, comic books, and romances. She left the forest and went on a misguided tour through the world of accounting before focusing on her first loves, reading and writing–and she realized that monsters, superheroes, and happily-ever-afters are easily found between the covers, as well as under them, so she set out to make her own.

Contact Info
Website: website
Blog: Blog
Social Media: Facebook | Twitter | Newsletter

Want to purchase Meljean’s novels?
Iron Seas

1. The Iron Duke at Amazon | Book Depository
2. Heart of Steel at Amazon | Book Depository
3. Riveted at Amazon | Book Depository
4. Mina Wentworth and the Invisible City at Amazon

Guardians

1. Demon Angel at Amazon | Book Depository
2. Demon Moon at Amazon | Book Depository
3. Demon Night at Amazon | Book Depository
4. Demon Bound at Amazon | Book Depository
5. Demon Forged at Amazon | Book Depository
6. Demon Blood at Amazon | Book Depository
7. Demon Marked at Amazon | Book Depository
8. Guardian Demon at Amazon | Book Depository (May 7, 2013)

Please help spread the word: Tweet: Go back to school with 30 authors while #giveaways ensue during #SchoolsIn (Sept 1-30) http://tinyurl.com/LESchoolsIn – #paranormal #contests #UF

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Contest Time!

Thank you Meljean for taking part in Literary Escapism’s School’s in!

Meljean is giving away a copy of Riveted. To enter, all you have to do is answer this one question: As a scientist about to go off on an expedition, what other courses do you think would be useful? Remember, you must answer the question in order to be entered. US/CA Only!

Even though I’m not giving the additional entries any more, you can still help support the author by sharing their article, and this contest, on your blog, Twitter, Facebook, or anywhere you can. After all, the more people who are aware of this fabulous author ensures we get more fabulous stories.

The winner must post a review of the novel someplace. Whether it is on their own blog, Amazon, GoodReads, LibraryThing or wherever, it doesn’t matter. Just help get the word out.

All School’s In contests will remain open until October 7th at which time I’ll determine the winner with help from the snazzy new plug-in I have. Have you checked out the other Black Friday contests yet? Check out the Master List to see all the Black Friday giveaways

I have not been contacting winners, so you will need to check back to see if you’ve won.