Category: Giveaways & Promotions

50 State Tour

Montana, I’ll Be Your Huckleberry

CmdrSue

Growing up I had a THING for western horses, and Montana was definitely on my list of states that sounded perfect. There is a tiny part of me that still wants to saddle up and ride out. But the truth is that I’m far more of a dude (in the rancher sense) than a rancher. We all have to face facts at some point. (For those who don’t know, dude in this case means fashionable townie type – i.e., NOT a real rancher type.)

But part of my fantasy is kept alive because I have in-laws who are LIVING THE LIFE with a ranch out there. And one of my favorite things is that our aunt sends us huckleberry EVERYTHING. I will admit to being a little addicted to huckleberry tea. Yum.

What shouldn’t I miss in Montana? To my Montanans, drop a comment with a tour or food suggestion for a chance to win a book!

4/15/23: Added Montana clipart.

50 State Tour

Show Me, Missouri

CmdrSue

Don’t tell Kansas, but I spent most of my Kansas City time hanging out with you. No matter what else happens we will always have barbecue and 9/11 between us. Yep, I was in an underground training facility in Kansas City, MO on that fateful day.

That also means I saw quite a bit of you as I drove home. All the airports being closed and whatnot. Some of the rock formations near the highway reminded me of Tennessee, which surprised me a bit. And I did get to see the Gateway Arch from a distance, which was really cool.

What shouldn’t I miss in Missouri? To my Missourians, drop a comment with a tour or food suggestion for a chance to win a book!

4/15/23 Update: Added Missouri clipart.

50 State Tour

Mississippi Girl

CmdrSue

When people ask me where I’m from there’s always a pause. I’m *from* Virginia. But I *grew up* in Mississippi. I usually chuckle and say “I spent my formative years on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi.” If they want to know what that means I say the ages of seven to seventeen were mostly spent there. You know, the years when everything about being a kid happens.

Mississippi is where I was on the swim team. Marched in a parade as a baton twirler (believe it or not). Took tap lessons. Wrote my first stories. Hung out in a university library as a tween. I could do 50 story posts on Mississippi alone. So many stories, so little time.

Not to be too maudlin, but Mississippi is just as bad as you think it is. And so, so much more amazing than you can imagine.

What shouldn’t I miss in Mississippi that I might have? To my Mississippians, drop a comment with a tour or food suggestion for a chance to win a book!

4/15/23 Update: Added Mississippi clipart.

50 State Tour

You Betcha, Minnesota!

CmdrSue

The first thing that comes to mind is Prince. Sorry, y’all, BUT I LOVE PRINCE. And Prince loved Minnesota. Minneapolis specifically. So he’s given me a good impression of the area is what I’m saying. Consider him your ambassador.

Otherwise when I think of Minnesota I just think COLD. So you can imagine my surprise that one of my buddies from there is a huge water skiing nut. So you have a few minutes of summer, I’m thinking.

You also have the Mall of America which, as an 80s girl, means YOU ARE AWESOME IN MY BOOK. Biggest mall in America? I’m suspicious that’s a place I could still get a Swatch.

In case you didn’t know, that line from Frozen’s “Let It Go” – the cold never bothered me anyway – came from Prince. He actually just said it to the songwriters offhand because IT WAS COLD, THEY WERE IN MINNESOTA and they were like THAT WOULD BE PERFECT.

What shouldn’t I miss in Minnesota? To my Minnesotans, drop a comment with a tour or food suggestion for a chance to win a book!

4/15/23 Update: Added Minnesota clipart.

50 State Tour

Hey Michigan

CmdrSue

Michigan. MICHIGAN. You are the state that confuses me because I feel like we met somewhere, but we haven’t, not yet. Maybe it was in a different life? I don’t know. But somewhere in my heart there is already knowledge of Detroit and the U.P. and other things that don’t make sense when I haven’t been near you. On the other hand, I just learned that your nickname is Mittens. I did not know that. Is that even true? Someone may be writing lies about you on the internet.

Maybe sometime I can come by and we can enjoy the cold and whatnot. I’ve been promised some Superman ice cream. I want to check out Kalamazoo since some family used to live there. Let’s get together, Michigan.

What shouldn’t I miss in Michigan? To my Michiganders, drop a comment with a tour or food suggestion for a chance to win a book!

4/15/23 Update: Added Michigan clipart.

50 State Tour

Wicked Massachusetts

CmdrSue

I remember the first time I saw a highway sign to Boston. That’s when I knew I’d REALLY made it north. It took another couple of years to actually GET to Massachusetts, though. We went to Boston and stayed at a charming downtown hotel. And I ate at a REAL DAMN BOSTON IRISH PUB because of course I did.

Probably the thing I really know about Massachusetts is that I need to go back and see a lot more of you. You have Salem (this appeals to my inner Scorpio), a ton of beautiful nature (I love nature), and although we drove by it, I’ve never even made it inside Cheers (although a friend worked there in college).

What shouldn’t I miss in Massachusetts? To my Bay Staters, drop a comment with a tour or food suggestion for a chance to win a book!

4/15/23 Update: Added Massachusetts clipart.

50 State Tour

Joust On, Maryland

CmdrSue

Clearly I’m impressed that your state sport is jousting. That’s awesome! Unfortunately I was too young to know or enjoy that when I lived there. Yep, back in the 70s I lived in one of your haunted farmhouses.

Since then we’ve seen each other quite a few times. You have the closest Medieval Times. You have the Waterfront. You’re between me and a lot of places I go…

What shouldn’t I miss in Maryland? To my Marylanders, drop a comment with a tour or food suggestion for a chance to win a book!

4/15/23 Update: Added jousting clipart.

50 State Tour

Maine

CmdrSue

At first I thought it was going to be hard to write about you, Maine. All that came to mind was Stephen King, lobsters, and cold, moody cliffs. You’re kind of remote, especially to a girl who didn’t make it north of the Mason-Dixon line until she was 30.

The only other thing that came to mind was one of my friends went to college up there and called himself ‘the blackest man in Maine’ because he hosted the school radio station rap show. No, reader, he is not black.

Then — THEN — I found out you are home to the International Cryptozoology Museum. Oh, Maine, why didn’t you tell me this before? I would totally visit you for this museum alone.

What else shouldn’t I miss in Maine? To my Maine people, drop a comment with a tour or food suggestion for a chance to win a book!

4/15/23 Update: Added clipart picture from Maine.

50 State Tour

Long Time No See, Colorado!

CmdrSue

Another state I’ve visited! I remember your prairie dogs around Denver. Driving out from the airport I commented, “How cute!” My friend who had been there nearly a year rolled her eyes, “Not if you live here.”

We had a great time on that trip. My friend Sue (yep, another Sue) kept me hydrated for the altitude and we went to All The Places. Boulder, Golden (hello Coors plant), and Red Rocks. I made her take me to Sheplers, too. Man, I loved those Sheplers catalogs as a kid.

My family has a history with Colorado. The family on my dad’s side lived there 1880-1920. My great-great-grandfather owned a saloon… until he lost it in a card game. I didn’t know any of that by the time I visited, so it is clearly time to go back and check out where we lived.

What shouldn’t I miss in Colorado? To my Coloradans, drop a comment with a tour or food suggestion for a chance to win a book!

4/15/23 Update: Added Colorado clipart.

50 State Tour

Arkansas and a Plaid Earthworm!

CmdrSue

I’m very excited to interview Beth Bartlett (@plaidearthworm) for today’s stop! It’s been a long time since I was in Arkansas, and you could say I was barely in it. We lived in Texarkana for 6 weeks. All I really remember is that there was a cool mine where you could pan for diamonds nearby and we did a day trip.

First question should be an easy one: What do you love about living in Arkansas?

My corner of the state is absolutely gorgeous in any season. Arkansas is a nature-lover’s delight, and this year the autumn colors were stunning. I also love the history and the fact that we have a world-class art museum now at Crystal Bridges.

I know you write comedy, and I love your Wisecrack Zodiac. What are you working on right now and where can we find you?

Currently I’m working on a humor book and also dabbling with some short stories. You can always see what I’m up to at www.egbartlett.com or my book blog, www.booknerdvana.com.

You have been reviewing books and you’ve almost talked me into picking up Fly Me to the Moon. What are some of your favorite finds of late?

I just discovered Annette Marie and her new Guild Codex series! I adored Three Mages and a Margarita. It’s fast-paced and fun, and I can’t wait for the next one coming out later this month. I also tore through Helen Harper’s series, The Lazy Girl’s Guide to Magic. Witchy plot mixed with some sweet romance, plus there’s a sarcastic talking cat. I’m hoping there will be more books soon.

Last but not least, do you have a food challenge for me? I was checking out Possum Pie. It sounds scary, but looks awesome.

Oh yes, Possum Pie! Contains zero possum, don’t worry. Cream cheese, chocolate, whipped cream and a sprinkle of pecans. It’s made the Inn of the Ozarks famous, but I don’t have it very often because I can’t pass up their blueberry muffins and chilled strawberry soup. I definitely challenge you to have a slice, you won’t regret it!

Note from Sue: What shouldn’t I miss in Arkansas? To my Arkansans, drop a comment with a tour or food suggestion for a chance to win a book!

4/15/23 Update: Added clipart Arkansas picture.