Guest Blog and Giveaway: Across the Bridge of Ice by Ruth Fox

When I was growing up, in my part of the world, it was very unusual for girls to like science fiction. None of my friends knew what a Vulcan was, or what was so special about Bilbo Baggin’s Ring. I was unusual because I would pick the thickest book I could find on the library shelf for ‘free reading time’.
Oh, I tried. But then I would go home, sit down with my notebooks, and write about things I wish would happen to me. Adventures through space and parallel worlds. Being chosen to complete some incredible quest. Even being recruited to join a secret government agency that deals with extra-terrestrials – these were the things I dreamed of!
I was a geek, heart and soul.
It was liberating once I accepted this. I finally knew the reason why I was good at weird subjects like Literature, Science, or Art. I could sit by myself, when every other girl in my class was on the oval, sharing a cigarette. I could even go to the library at odd times, like when I wasn’t even supposed to be there! I’m not saying you have to be a glasses-wearing, timid geek like I was. We come in all shapes and sizes, interests, and fandoms.
But it’s incredible how times have changed. With the advent of the internet age, I don’t think it’s quite so socially unacceptable to be a geek girl as it used to be. There are far more pop culture, science fiction and comic conventions these days. LARPing and cosplay is huge and getting huge-er. You can find loads and loads of webcomics, fan forums, and online communities where we, the geek girls, can freely express ourselves.
But I don’t think it’s just this. I think women are finally seeing themselves in the characters in science fiction and fantasy books, TV shows and comics. Men have always been able to identify with the masculine images of Thor, Colonel Jack O’Neil, or Aragorn. But women in these shows and books are also very empowered. Think of Captain Janeway in Star Trek: Voyager. I idolised her – a strong woman, in command of a starship! Think of Galadriel, the guardian of Lothlorien, who is strong enough to resist the lure of the Ring!
With so much out there, this is a great time to be a geek girl. If you’re a woman who creates comics, books or art, I recommend joining with women creators online. You will find a welcoming and supportive bunch of people who are happy to provide feedback, point you in the right direction, or answer questions.

Across the Bridge of IceThe Bridges TrilogyBook TwoRuth Fox
Genre: Fantasy,  YA
Publisher: Hague PublishingDate of Publication: 31 January 2015
ISBN: 9780987265296ASIN: B00Q20I4YQ
Number of pages: 175 pagesWord Count: 55,000
Cover Artist: Ruth Fox
Book Description:
In 'The City of Silver Light', Keira Leichman spent the night lost in a wild snowstorm that struck Cassidy Heights. But what really happened that night? Not even Keira can be sure. What she does know is that she's been having strange dreams since the accident, and now she's stuck with a broken ankle and the possibility of never playing soccer again. That is, until she finds Jake's telescope, and is drawn across the Bridge of Ice to Shar.
Now Keira is marooned in the City of Silver Light with Daniel, Jake’s younger brother, with no way to get home. But that is the least of their worries, for the secrets they discover in Shar are more dangerous than Kiera could ever have imagined. And the fate of both their worlds are in their hands.
Amazon      iTunes     Kobo
Nook    Google Play     HaguePublishing
Excerpt 3 – Chapter 6 (460 words)
  About the Author:
Ruth completed a Bachelor of Arts/Diploma of Arts in Professional Writing and Editing in 2006. Her other published works include “Monster-boy: The Lair of the Grelgoroth”, Book 1 of the Monster-boy Series, and “Sand Dog”, an illustrated picture book for younger readers. Both are available from Amazon.com.
Ruth has been an avid reader her entire life and, inspired by the books that engrossed her as she was growing up, she aims to create stories that can draw readers in and enthral them for days or weeks. She writes every day and lives in Ballarat, Victoria, with her partner, her cat, and an ever-expanding library of books.
Twitter: @_ruthfox_
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RuthFoxAuthorandArtist
Website: http://thewordsandpictures.com/
a Rafflecopter giveaway