Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Tour Guest Post and Giveaway - Tournament of Chance by SG Rogers


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Tournament of Chance 

In Tournament of Chance, a hunter’s daughter becomes the spark that ignites a revolution—in time.

When a beautiful commoner enters the Tournament of Chance archery competition, her thwarted victory sparks a revolution in the oppressive kingdom of Destiny. Although Heather never believed the legends about the restoration of Ormaria, after three shape-shifting Ormarian wizards awaken from a long magical slumber, she joins their perilous quest to regain the throne. Heather battles vicious predators and angry trolls to free the wizards’ magic, but at a horrendous cost. She is unexpectedly torn from the arms of the man she loves and hurled back in time to fulfill a prophecy not yet written. The ensuing maelstrom tests Heather’s survival skills, wits, and endurance. Will she become an unwritten footnote in history, or can she trust the magic to lead her back to her one true love?

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I am happy to take part in this Tour... please welcome SG Rogers on one of my favorite topics... :-D  FIGHT SCENES!!!


Author S.G. Rogers Talks Combat in Writing

“Nobody cares more about your well-being than you do. Always make sure you’re in a position to survive, no matter the company you keep.” – Saltimar of the Jagged Peaks

I love martial arts because it gives me the ability to take care of myself and protect others if need be.  I worked hard to master the skills I’ve acquired.  Having earned black belts doesn’t turn me into Superwoman, and I don’t have the ability to dodge bullets.  But oftentimes I can sense danger quickly enough to remove myself from a deteriorating situation before it’s too late.

I’ve studied ninjutsu (the art of being a ninja), taekwondo (fighting with hands and feet), and hapkido (using joint locks, pressure points/strikes and various other self-defense techniques and weapons).  Combat frequently finds its way into my stories as a result.  In Tournament of Chance, Heather of the Jagged Peaks is the daughter of a hunter.  She knows how to use a bow and arrow, how to throw knives, and how to recognize predators. Her father Saltimar also teaches her a few techniques she can use to survive in the wild.

Tournament was written to be an exciting adventure. Heather’s actions and reactions to danger throughout the book, however, can be viewed as practical advice too. Oftentimes, the best self-defense technique is to flee. That’s particularly true when one is outnumbered, or the assailants wield weapons. I use this particular technique in during one critical scene:

Excerpt:

Three strangers emerged from the forest. They fanned out, as if encircling their prey. Heather was schooled enough in hunting to recognize predators on sight. A ripple of fear traveled down her spine. Dropping her bow, she pulled her knife from her boot and searched for a means of escape.

“Oi, now, no need for that. Yer Heather, aren’t ye? Such pretty red hair ye got,” the first man said. His lips pulled back over his teeth, blackened by poor hygiene and tobacco.

“Yer father done broke his leg. We come to fetch ye home,” the second said.

The third man said nothing, but he unfastened the bullwhip hanging from his belt and gave it an experimental crack.

“My friend don’t like yer little stickpin. Put it down, there’s a good girl,” the first man said.

Heather kept her eyes trained on the bullwhip. When the man pulled back his arm, poised to strike, she hurled her knife at his chest. Even before he’d hit the ground, she was sprinting past him toward the forest.

****
Although Tournament of Chance is action-packed, it’s got romance and humor too.  Reading it won’t make you into a warrior, but it’s fun to fantasize for a little while.  After all, what would you do if your existence threatened a monarchy? Could you survive if you were lost on an island full of trolls and carnivorous beasties? Has time travel ever been on your to-do list? Finally, could you trust the magic to lead you back to your true love?

~ S.G. Rogers



Author S.G. Rogers

Originally from Southern California, S.G. Rogers has lived in Asheville, North Carolina and Laurel, Mississippi. She earned her first black belt in taekwondo from martial arts champion Billy Blanks.  Later on, she earned black belts in taekwondo and hapkido from Master Myung Kim. Currently residing in beautiful Savannah, Georgia, S.G. Rogers writes fantasy and romantic fantasy stories.  She’s owned by two hairless cats, Houdini and Nikita, and lives on an island populated by exotic birds, deer and the occasional gator. Although she’s most often drawn to speculative fiction, she’s been known to break away to write other genres.  Tab is her beverage of choice, but when she imbibes, a cranberry vodka martini doesn’t go amiss.



Tour Giveaway
$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 1/23/12

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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