Today I’m happy to turn my blog over to friend and author Emma Meade as she gives us a wonderful guest post about sky gazing (which just happens to be a hobby of mine). It fits perfectly with her latest release, BENEATH MANHATTAN SKIES, a novella I recently reviewed on Amazon with 5-stars. Fun, adventure and supernatural, brewed with a tinge of romance.
Take it away, Emma!
~ooOOoo~
Thanks for having me today, Mae.
The Importance of Sky Gazing
I always enjoy reading Mae’s Mythical Monday posts, so when it came to thinking about writing a guest blog, I wanted to do something along those lines. I scoured several Mythical Monday topics and paused when I came to two in particular. “When the Sky Had a Tail” immediately drew my interest. As an avid X-Files fan, I read Mae’s encounter with a UFO with fascination. I can’t say I’ve ever come across a UFO or alien spaceship myself, but fingers crossed, I’ll catch a glimpse someday.
I love the cover of this book! Just so gorgeous!!
Next to catch my interest was “Bewitched by Aquarius”. I’ve loved learning about space, stars and planets for as long as I can remember. As a little girl, my father’s interest in such things rubbed off on me. One of my most read books was a children’s booklet on space. I remember collecting all the tokens from cereal boxes and sending away for it. Like Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory, the fact that Pluto is no longer classified as a planet makes me sad and a little miffed. My older sister, Lucy, and I watched the movie SpaceCamp almost every weekend when we were kids. The opening scene of a young girl sitting in her yard and staring up in wonder at the star filled sky still remains one of my brightest movie memories from childhood.
For me, looking up at the night sky has often filled me with awe and wonder over the years. What is it about the sky above us, the stars and planets that have made so many of us think, dream and ask big questions? For me at least, I find inspiration up there. Rather than feeling small and insignificant, I feel part of something bigger, something that is almost mystical. If the sight of a starry sky can’t inspire us to write or dream, then what can?
Erin Harris, my protagonist in Beneath Manhattan Skies, is a sky gazer. She escapes the noise and bustle of New York by going to the roof of her apartment building and looking up. Though the stars are often hidden from her view in the East Village, she knows they are there, constant and steadfast, something to hold on to and focus on when life gets to be too much. “November in New York was cold and full of possibility. Erin Harris looked up at the black sky from the roof of her apartment building. She missed the stars. Back home in Copperfield, Arizona, she’d taken them for granted.”
How do you feel when you look up at the night sky?
~ooOOoo~
Teaser: Erin and Tommy are on their first date.
“What are you thinking about?” Tommy asked, refilling her cup.
“The stars.”
He followed her gaze to the sky above the race track. “You know people don’t spend enough time thinking about stars.”
“Are you mocking me?”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.”
“Liar.”
BLURB for BENEATH MANHATTAN SKIES:
November in New York is cold but full of possibility for college freshman Erin Harris. When her twin brother, Nick, shows up on her doorstep for a surprise visit, Erin is delighted. Unfortunately, Nick’s arrival coincides with the discovery of a body outside her apartment building, a body drained of blood. Right away, Nick assumes vampires are involved. He’s not exactly their biggest fan since Erin dated one in high school.
Author Bio
Emma Meade lives in rainy Ireland. She loves vampires, slayers, witches, ghosts, aliens & shadow men (or at least the youngest of the Shadow Men), and regular people who live extraordinary lives (think Slayerettes and you’re on the right track). Books, DVDS & TV show boxsets take up lots of space in her home, and she collects all the Point Horror books she can get her hands on. Writing supernatural stories and watching marathon re-runs of Buffy are some of her favourite ways of escaping reality.
Connect with Emma on:
From the Pen of Mae Clair 
Thanks for having me to visit, Mae!
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It’s great to have you here today. Emma, and I loved Beneath Manhattan Skies. I’ve always loved gazing at the stars. It was something my dad and I used to do together. I also had a telescope for years.
My dad was so passionate about stargazing, he built his own working telescope when he was in his 20s. During WWII, when he enlisted, he gave it to his nephew. I found out recently that it worked for over 40 years afterward!
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I’ve never had a telescope. I think I’ll have to get one for my niece and pretend it’s really her Christmas present, and not for me. 🙂
That is amazing about your dad. Do you have his telescope still?
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No, the telescope finally became inoperable after 40 years of use but it’s amazing to think this guy with no formal background in science could even build the thing. My dad went to college for art. I think there is something about science and art that does blend beautifully, however. Perhaps that’s why I’ve always been a bit of a geek!
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Emma, I am tempted to invite you out to Seattle for a Buffy marathon. That’s one of my favorite passtimes too!
This looks like a wonderful story! And I agree with Mae. The cover is amazing. Love the deep colors. Good luck to you!
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Isn’t that cover fab, Jessi? Thanks for stopping by to check out Emma’s post. It sounds like you two would have a lot to talk about regarding Buffy 🙂
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Jessi, I would love to come. It’s sixteen years since I caught the first episode on TV and I still love it.
Thanks, Jessi.
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Fab cover, Emma. When I look at the night sky, I feel wonder and oneness. Can the largest also be the smallest, and vice versa? As for Buffy marathons, that’s also one of my favorite pleasures. I never get tired of the witty dialogue and emotional interactions. Bring on the popcorn!
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Thanks, Flossie. I’m glad you feel wonder when you look at the sky. As impossibly out of reach it seems, there is something comforting about it.
Popcorn and Buffy – what a good idea.
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You ladies could have a Buffy club 😀
Flossie, I feel that same sense of wonder and oneness (a great way to put it). I thought Emma’s post and the cover of the book both evoke that feeling. Thanks for visiting!
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I lived in NY for 8 years. The stars were something I definitely missed. Though the city skyline can be pretty breathtaking. 🙂
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Hi, Kourtney. I bet that skyline is dazzling. Hard to believe, but although it isn’t far from PA, I’ve never been to NY. One of these days….
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How about New Year’s in NY, Mae?
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I’ll definitely be catching that ball drop on my flatscreen, LOL!
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Emma – Excellent post and nicely tied in with the release of your novella. I too have always loved the night sky and the many wonders it holds.
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Thanks, Sheri.
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The night sky is so beautiful, isn’t it, Sheri? I especially love to watch it when the faeries are frolicking under mushrooms in the garden 😉
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Emma, you already know we’re both lovers of both Buffy and Supernatural. Maybe one day we’ll get a chance to do a marathon of the shows…and get you some Taco Bell…LOL! Your cover looks great. I, too, love star gazing every now and again. There’s something about looking up into that big sky at all the stars that puts things into perspective.
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Bring on Taco Bell, ha ha, Kitt.
You’re right, looking up does put things into perspective.
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Thanks for dropping by, Kitt. So many Buffy fans out there!
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Great post, Emma. Lovely to ‘meet’ you! I remember growing up, living in the country and all the bright stars shining. People who live in the city don’t know what they’re missing. I spoke to someone once who was from a large city and we were talking about why I loved the country so much. One of my points were the stars, to which the person replied that there are stars in the city too. Yes, but not like in the country. When they saw the stars that night they said something like “I’ve never seen so many stars!” While living in California for nearly 20 years I missed my starry skies. The smog does something to lessen them even in the more remote areas and especially in the Valley there. I’m back in Oklahoma these days and I’ll often sit outside and just stare up at the stars and talk to God.
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Ooo, Calisa, your comments gave me chills, especially that last line. I remember the first time I visited my sister and brother-in-law at their summer lakehouse tucked in the country and the mountains. The stars at night were amazing, even here, on the east coast.
It’s great to see you here. Thanks for checking out Emma’s post and for sharing those awesome thoughts. My nickname in high school was “Star Child,” so clearly all stargazers are welcome here! 😀
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Good to “meet” you too, Calisa. 🙂
I can just imagine what a stunning view you have from your home in Oklahama. There’s no better way to get your thinking done than by chilling out in the garden under a starry sky. Thanks for reading.
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