Rachael Allen's Blog, page 4

SIDE EFFECTS MAY VARY Bucket List!

There's a book coming out. In two days. It's called SIDE EFFECTS MAY VARY, and I am so excited about this book I can't even tell you! I hope my rabid fan-girling doesn't scare debut author Julie Murphy ;)

To celebrate, some other 2014 debut authors and I are posting our bucket lists (because bucket lists are kind of a big thing in the book - see the description below). If I wrote up a whole bucket list, it would probably have about 80 billion things on it, so here's a list of 17 things I've always wanted to do (14-17 I accomplished this year and 1-5 I think I can do in the next year or two!):

1) Run the Peachtree Road Race (a 10K in Atlanta, where I live)
2) Cook a 7 course dinner (I’m enlisting the help of my husband with this one. We’ll probably do a Brazilian themed menu because he wants to go there so badly he taught himself Portuguese this year.)
3) Be an extra in The Walking Dead (filmed in Atlanta, so I could totally make my zombie dreams a reality!)
4) Eat a Guanábana – also called Soursop (They’re this crazy looking fruit that grows in Mexico and Central and South America, and they’re supposed to taste like strawberry and pineapple but with the creaminess of coconut and banana. YUM. I’m going to see if I can find one at this international farmer’s market nearby.)
5) Get a book published (So close!!)
6) Visit every state (27 down!)
7) Go on a road trip of National Parks
8) Go to Australia and hold a koala bear and see all the other cool animals too.
9) Snorkel in Rurutu, French Polynesia when the whales migrate with their calves.
10) Go to Africa during the great annual migration (Over a million wildebeest and zebras! Can you tell I like animals?).
11) Ride in a hot air balloon
12) Learn to surf
active lava flow 13) Do a sprint distance triathlon (Sprint = the shortest one there is.)
14) See an active lava flow
15) Go to every color of beach (white, yellow, black, red, green – I just went to the last one, the green one, this year.)
16) Ride a snowmobile
17) Get my PhD



What if you’d been living your life as if you were dying—only to find out that you had your whole future ahead of you?

When sixteen-year-old Alice is diagnosed with leukemia, her prognosis is grim. To maximize the time she does have, she vows to spend her final months righting wrongs—however she sees fit. She convinces her friend Harvey, whom she knows has always had feelings for her, to help her with a crazy bucket list that’s as much about revenge (humiliating her ex-boyfriend and getting back at her arch nemesis) as it is about hope (doing something unexpectedly kind for a stranger and reliving some childhood memories). But just when Alice’s scores are settled, she goes into remission.

Now Alice is forced to face the consequences of all that she’s said and done, as well as her true feelings for Harvey. But has she done irreparable damage to the people around her, and to the one person who matters most?

Julie Murphy’s SIDE EFFECTS MAY VARY is a fearless and moving tour de force about love, life, and facing your own mortality.


BIO:
Julie lives in North Texas with her husband who loves her, her dog who adores her, and her cat who tolerates her. When she's not writing or trying to catch stray cats, she works at an academic library. Side Effects May Vary is Julie's debut novel. Julie can best be found on her website (www.juliemurphywrites.com), tumblr (www.andimjulie.tumblr.com), or twitter (www.twitter.com/andimjulie).

BUY LINKS:
IndieBound: www.indiebound.org/book/9780062245359
B&N: www.barnesandnoble.com/w/side-effects-may-vary-julie-murphy/1115554719?ean=9780062245359
Amazon: www.amazon.com/Side-Effects-Vary-Julie-Murphy/dp/006224535X

*** SPECIAL GUEST POST BY ZACK *** On day 4 of our trip,...

*** SPECIAL GUEST POST BY ZACK ***

On day 4 of our trip, Rachael and I went to the Volcano National Park in Volcano, HI. The first thing we saw was the Thurston Lava Tube. A lava tube is essentially what is left behind when lava flows and cools on the outside (forming rock) and the inside stays hot and gooey and keeps flowing. What you get is a hollowed-out cave thingy that you can walk through.

Us at the entrance to the Thurston Lava Tube.


Here is a picture of the tube from the inside.


Note that there was a sign (below) that explicitly said - clearly - "Do not go in here under any circumstances. It is dangerous, illegal, and you will die a horrible cave death." Rachael decided to go in anyway.

**Interjection by Rachael: Yeah, I did! Because it's the continuation of the lava tube and at the very back there used to be a PVC pipe with a booklet inside that you could sign if you were brave enough to venture back there and I wanted to know if it was still there.


Anyway, the next part of the day involved a 4 mile loop hike. You basically walk around a mountain down into a crater, walk across the crater, and then walk back up the mountain. Here is what we saw along the way.

Here is a shot of the crater as we start our walk.


Here is another one of those spiral plants, only this one is hella big.

Another shot of the crater.


And another.


An 'ahu' is a bunch of stacked rocks. You have to follow the ahu to know where the hell to go because it is a big crater.


Here is Rachael adding to an ahu.

Here is a shot inside the crater. Totes cray cray, omg.


Another shot of the crater. Pretty sure that you could host the next annual Hunger Games here. It's large, circular, and arena-like. Throw a bunch of weapons in here, and you could easily have gladiator death matches with starving teenagers.


This is where they hide the feral dogs that look like fallen tributes.



According to Koa (our guide from the Kalapana lava tour), red flowers like this one are the most common ones on the ohi'a lehua tree. Orange and yellow ones are extremely rare.


What have we here? WE FOUND AN ORANGE ONE!!! UBER-RARE!!!


A steam vent.


Sulfur pits.


This pheasant (and his unseen mate) were circling around the parking lot like vultures trying to nab treats from tourists. This one is pretty much saying 'hello there' and seeing if Rachael will give up a papaya treat. Unfortunately, there is a sign that says that we shouldn't feed them.


A pretty sea arch.


These are petroglyphs. Hundreds of years ago, Hawaiians carved pictures into stone - remember that they didn't have a written language. Some of them carved holes into the rock and buried their umbilical cords as well (they still do this, too).


The different striations of stuff from various lava flows. Lava, grass, older lava, etc.


The crater at sunset. Going...


Going...


Gone.

Day 3 - Snorkeling at Richardson Ocean Center and our cabin in Volcano

This morning we went snorkeling at Richardson Ocean Center, a beach park in Hilo. The waves were a little choppy so the water was cloudy and I didn't get the kind of photos I got at the Kapoho Tidepools. But I did figure out that my camera has an underwater mode, so that helped. I still got a couple good ones though.



I got to see this fish who almost blended in with his surroundings.


And best of all, I had my very first turtle sighting! I looked to my left and there was this guy, just swimming along beside me.



After snorkeling, we stuffed ourselves full of the best sushi ever and headed to our next stop: Volcano, Hawaii. (Yes, that is really the name of the town. Yes, we sent Ansley a post card from there.)

It's about 20 degrees cooler in Volcano because of the increase in altitude, and the climate is really different too. We picked up our keys and checked into a jungle cabin that has nearly fulfilled my childhood fantasy to go to Jurassic Park.

Here is the "driveway".


Here is the path you take, hoping it will lead you to a cabin because you still can't see one.


The cabin starts to take shape amid the jungle plants.


Isn't it gorgeous?!


I loved the porch - it wrapped around the entire cabin.


But the best part was easily the bathtub. It even had windows that opened out to the jungle.


Sigh. The only thing that could make this view more perfect is a velociraptor walking by the window.

The Elusive Mongoose

Did you know there are mongooses (mongeese?) in Hawaii? I didn't. In fact, when one ran across the road in front of our car on our first day here, I pointed at it and yelled, "Look! A squirrel-like creature!"

Our friend Eric informed us that the squirrel-like creature was a mongoose and that they were brought here to get rid of the rat problem, but since rats are nocturnal and mongooses are diurnal...Invasive Species Fail. Seriously, people, I know better than that, and everything I know about mongoose diet comes from Rikki-Tikki-Tavi.

Mongoose Diet Fact #1: They eat snakes. (Um, and there aren't any in Hawaii.)
Mongoose Diet Fact #2: They also eat bananas. (This knowledge was gleaned from my favorite line of Rikki-Tikki-Tavi, "It was a temptation to eat the whole banana, but Rikki-Tikki-Tavi knew a full meal makes a slow mongoose.")

So, anyway, being the Rikki-Tikki-Tavi lover and mongoose enthusiast that I am, I just HAD to have a photo of one of these little guys. But despite the fact that we had dozens of mongoose sightings (those little guys are everywhere!), most of our photos looked like these. Can you spot the elusive mongoose in these photos?



Here are some close ups to help you out.

Day 2 - Kalapana Lava Fields!

This hike was the experience of a lifetime. It was exciting and challenging and awe-inspiring and maybe a little terrifying too. We went with Kalapana Cultural Tours, and they were fantastic. Here's our guide, Koa, leading us through the lava fields.


The lava fields stretched on as far as the eye could see - it was like being in one of those post-apocalyptic movies - and I was amazed that he could guide us when, to me, everything looked the same. It was also amazing to me that life was still able to spring up in these types of conditions, like this ʻōhiʻa lehua tree.


Here's a picture of the hardened lava up close.


And here's another just to show how different the lava can be.


This was no easy hike. As our guide said, "If the lava looks like it's going to crack, it will crack." The unevenness of the terrain meant you had to be very careful about where you put your feet. And the lava is SHARP. I sat down for a minute, and when I got up there were half a dozen small holes in my yoga pants. Just from sitting! An older couple in our group slipped and got some pretty bad scrapes (we're talking a lot of blood here), but they got bandaged up and kept on trekking.

You had to think about every single footstep you took, so it was both mentally and physically exhausting, but Zack and I had fun with it. Whenever he stepped on lava that cracked or moved or otherwise made him lose his footing, he would say, "J..." and I would nudge him and say, "Babe, Jehovah starts with an 'I'". Since we both love Indiana Jones and we are both huge dorks, we thought this was hilarious.

If you have no idea what I am talking about (i.e., are cooler than us), here's a clip from the movie.


Challenging hiking aside, we finally reached the place where the active lava flows into the ocean (and as you approach it, the air gets hotter and hotter - it's kind of scary). Here are a few pictures as the sun sets.





Next we hiked up to where the surface flows are visible. Mind you, this part of the hike and the ENTIRE hike back are in pitch black darkness. With small flashlights. Over those same treacherous lava fields.

But it's totally worth it if you get to see this.


One of the guys on our hike had a walking stick that he had been using the whole way, and when we got to the surface flows, he pulled out this crazy metal cage attachment thingy and proceeded to roast hot dogs over the lava. It was awesome. So, if you end up doing the lava hike at Kalapana, I have two words for you. Bring. Marshmallows.

Day 2, Lava Tree Park and Ahalanui Park

Today we went to the Lava Tree Park near Pahoa. In case you're wondering, a lava tree happens when lava sweeps through an area and makes molds of the tree trunks. Here's what they look like.


These lava trees are scattered throughout the park. Also scattered throughout the park are signs like this one.


And in case you are like, ‘wtf is an earth crack?’, here you go.


They’re actually kind of scary, and we did not veer off the path. I think my favorite thing about the park was how a lot of the vegetation didn’t even seem real. It seemed more like something out of a movie.

Jurassic Park, for instance.


Or Resident Evil (why, hello there, creepy man-eating shrub).


Here's one of Zack doing his best Sampson impression.


And here's one of the spring fed pool we went to afterwards. Ahalanui is volcanically heated and has little fish swimming in it. It was the perfect way to recharge before our evening hike through lava fields (see next post).

Day 2 - Snorkeling at Kapoho Tidepools

Another delicious breakfast at our B&B. This time there were coconut-macadamia nut scones to go with our fruit and smoothies. I finally got a picture of the fruit! Isn’t it pretty?


I had never had lychee until now and I love it! We got to try a ton of other fruits, including kumquats (did you know you eat skin even though it is orange-rind-esque?!), poha berry, and that crazy looking sour cherry thing you see in the picture (I forget the name of that one). Also, Lisa Matragrano is totally right about the papaya here. So much better than the stuff from South America (it's sweeter, lighter, and more buttery all at the same time), and now I’m ruined for life!

Oh, and another couple at the B&B had the cutest 6-month-old and now we’re both missing Ansley something fierce.

After breakfast, we ventured down to Pahoa for the Kapoho Tidepools which was hands down the best snorkeling experience of my life. Here's a shot of the tidepools - there are dozens, maybe even hundreds, of little pools rimmed by lava rock right next to the ocean.

The water is unbelievably clear and calm. Check it out. Zack took this picture from OUTSIDE the water. Crazy, right? Look at that beautiful coral.


The fish were so friendly. This little guy was fascinated with Zack's feet.


This next picture isn't the best, but I'm trying to give you an idea of what it's like snorkeling in one of those little tidepools. The coral surrounds you almost like a cathedral or something. I totally felt like the little mermaid...and I may have been humming songs from that movie for the rest of the day :)


Here are a bunch of the other pictures I took, just because they're pretty.








And here's one Zack took of me snorkeling. This is the least embarrassing one. Whenever I give the underwater camera to Zack, it inevitably comes back with 50 pictures of my boobs.

Day 1, Part II

I'm finally getting to catch up! The rest of the day was crazy busy. We went to Pe'epe'e Falls and Boiling Pots to finish off our waterfall tour. There's an overlook where you can take pictures, but if you crawl between the rails on one side there's a steep path you can half hike, half climb down to get to the Boiling Pots (so, of course, I made Zack do this - he was very brave and there was only a little swearing involved).

Here's a picture of the Boiling Pots that you can only get by climbing down the cliff.


And here's one of the falls.


We were hoping to be able to hop our way out there from rock to rock, but the water levels were high so we'd have had to swim it. I thought about it. I did. But we decided against it, and I'm really glad because our friend informed us at dinner that there is a critter that lurks in the water that crawls up your, erm, yeah.

Speaking of that dinner, we had the most delicious dinner cooked by our friend Eric (the sashimi appetizer alone, omg), and it was so great getting to hang out with him again!

Hawaii Trip! Day 1

Zack and I woke up at 5 am this morning because to us it felt like 11:00. I kind of love that about Hawaii because it means you get an early start to all your adventures. We had our first full day in Hilo today (we got in yesterday and immediately crashed), and we spent most of it chasing waterfalls (why, yes, I did grow up in the 90's).

We spent a couple hours getting lost, but we finally managed to see a waterfall before getting back to the Old Hawaiian B&B for breakfast. Side note: I will post a picture of the breakfast tomorrow because om nom nom, the breakfasts here are amazing. They always feature fresh fruit like lychee and banana that grows right in the back yard.



After breakfast, we drove to Akaka Falls which is in a park north of Hilo with a ~1-mile loop hike (super easy, paved walking path the whole way) through a ton of beautiful foliage.

Yellow bamboo


Plants that look alive


Tic-tac-toe boards carved into a giant stump


And I just liked this one because there was one orange leaf in a sea of green ones


The 422-ft Akaka Falls


Zack in front of the falls




Next up was Rainbow Falls, which was really close to our B&B and also really easy to get to. You park your car and it is literally right there. All you have to do is get past The Guardian.


He looks a little rough. I think he's been hitting the 'nip.

A couple photos of Rainbow Falls (Kamehameha is believed to have buried his father in the cave behind the falls).



Right beside the falls is a short hike to some Banyan trees. Here's Zack posing at the beginning of the hike.


Signs like this always make me feel reassured.


I'm not sure if it was one Banyan tree or many trees because they were all connected like this.


Here's a photo of me inside one of the trees.


Does this make anyone else think of neurons?



After that we were pretty hungry so we grabbed some lunch. Side Note: Lisa Matragrano is my hero for suggesting the lau lau at Kuhio Grille. It's pulled pork and beef cooked in layers of taro leaves, and it was a little piece of heaven. It reminded me a lot of the Sundays when my mom would slow cook roast beef and serve it with collard or turnip greens, except that the taro has more of a milder, buttery flavor.

More later! Gotta get going!

Cover Reveal for Jennifer Walkup's SECOND VERSE - with Epic Giveaway Contest!

Check out the cover for Jennifer Walkup's Second Verse and click below to enter the Epic Cover Reveal Contest over at Me, My Shelf and I - she's giving away signed ARCs, signed bookmarks and an Amazon gift card! Bad things come in threes. In Shady Springs, that includes murder.Murder NowLange Crawford’s move to Shady Springs, Pennsylvania, lands her a group of awesome friends, a major crush on songwriter Vaughn, and life in a haunted, 200-year-old farmhouse. It also brings The Hunt: an infamous murder mystery festival where students solve a fake, gruesome murder scheme during the week of Halloween. Well, supposedly fake.Murder ThenWeeks before The Hunt, Lange and her friends hold a séance in the farmhouse’s eerie barn. When a voice rushes through, whispering haunting words that only she and Vaughn can hear, Lange realizes it's begging for help. The mysterious voice leads Lange and Vaughn to uncover letters and photos left behind by a murdered girl, Ginny, and they become obsessed with her story and the horrifying threats that led to her murder.Murder Yet to ComeBut someone doesn’t like their snooping, and Lange and Vaughn begin receiving the same threats that Ginny once did. The mysterious words from the barn become crucial to figuring out Ginny's past and their own, and how closely the two are connected. They must work fast to uncover the truth or risk finding out if history really does repeat itself. Gah! Isn't the cover gorgeous?! I love the silhouette and how the S in second is a treble clef! And that blurb! Let's just say I'll be counting down the days until this one gets released :) CLICK HERE FOR CONTEST, GOOD LUCK!