I am thrilled to have the lovely Aimee Laine here today in celebration of her newest release, Silent Echoes (Games of Zeus #2)!!!
For her blog tour, Ms. Laine came up with a super unique idea. I'll let her explain.
Silent Echoes is a "Games of Zeus" novel but it's not a traditional mythological conundrum. No, as the author, I’ve taken quite the liberties in creating a situation Zeus could have use to mess with we puny humans.
For her blog tour, Ms. Laine came up with a super unique idea. I'll let her explain.
So, to have a little fun as Silent Echoes releases this month, my host here at Terri Rochenski’s blog has challenged me to create a Game of Zeus out of Dutch Blitz!
How could Zues use Dutch Blitz upon two unsuspecting humans? How could he manipulate a seemingly inocuous game into a maniacal, devious relationship conflict? Oh, let me count the ways ... or rather, let me show you.
Dutch Blitz
According to Wikpedia, Dutch Blitz is a fast-paced, family oriented, action card game played with a specially printed deck. The game was created by Werner Ernst George Muller, a German immigrant from Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The game is very popular among the Pennsylvania Amish and Dutch community, and among Christian groups in the United States and Canada (primarily in Dutch and German communities).
Blitz Pile: This pile of 10 cards is the most important pile of cards to each player since it is the key towards "Blitzing" the other players when all cards from this pile have been cleared.
Dutch Piles: Stacks of cards in each of the four colors - 1 through 10 an ascending sequence - placed in the center of the table and played upon by all players. Each player accumulates scoring points here.
Post Piles: Groups of cards placed to the left of both the Blitz and Wood piles in descending sequence For each player, the Post Piles serve as a "trading" or replacement area during the game. There are generally three post piles but in a two person game four or five post piles are often used to prevent the game from stalling.
Wood Pile: Stack of cards built to the right of a player, from cards held in that player's hand.
The objective of the game is to accumulate points by building as many cards in sequence, 1 through 10, in the same respective colors in the center Dutch Piles using as many cards as possible from the Blitz Pile.
Before we get to the ultimate Dutch Blitz Romance ... let me tell you a little about Silent Echoes.
Games of Zeus #2
Games of Zeus #2
PNR / Suspense / Thriller
Publisher: J. Taylor Publishing
Release Date: March 11, 2013
For years, Ian Sands has enjoyed his life as a bachelor, taking advantage of singlehood and exploring his own definition of passion—whoever she may be. Blonde. Brunette. Tall. Short. Hot. Not. Five months ago, all that changed.
Ian’s been celibate, frustrated and desperately seeking answers to why one woman, who doesn’t play by girls’ rules, haunts his every waking moment.
As a renovations specialist, Taylor Marsh lives, works and breathes construction—a profession her southern belle of a mother would rather Taylor not touch. The same goes for Ian; Mama Marsh would never approve of him.
Like Ian, though, each time he and Taylor draw near, something compels her to get closer.
Something else tells her to run away.
Fast.
As much as their histories suggest they shouldn’t be together, neither Taylor nor Ian can deny the pull, and the two succumb, indulging in a relationship that brings pleasure to body, mind and soul.
Doing so, though, also ushers in a series of events both should have foreseen as well as one final outcome neither expected.
And now ...
Dutch Blitz
Cards. Two piles. A goal to get all ten in two, in order.
In sequence.
Now in any good card game, there’s always one player that seems to have it all, who can figure out the next card to play or take that will give them the edge. To win.
Of course, in a Game of Zeus, one of the two players is going to be given the edge, but if they play the next hand, if they lay down that next card, they will lose.
But that’s not fair, you say. Oh, but that’s a Game of Zeus. You see, every game is tied to a relationship. Win the game, lose the relationship. Win the relationship, lose the game. What’s going to be the win-win for both?
That depends. Every game is different. Take a card game for example ... do you have to get all the points to win? Is there another way? Sometimes.
If, however, there isn’t, a Zeus twist will pop up, because it’s never going to be ‘that’ easy. Not when love is the end game, the prize, the true goal.
Let’s have our pair, our he and our she, playing against each other. The next move they make could make or break their relationship. One more. One step. Ruin or tie them together forever.
Which move would you take if the one you love is across from you about to do the same?
Thereinlies a great story ... with the ending yet to be written.
And there you have it. What do you think? Is Dutch Blitz a possible Game of Zeus?
And finally, head over HERE to my post for the March New Release Hop for a chance to win an ecopy of Silent Echoes!
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Purchase Links:
Add Silent Echoes on Goodreads HERE!
For additional stops on Ms. Laine's blog tour head over HERE, or click on the tour widget in the side bar.
And finally, head over HERE to my post for the March New Release Hop for a chance to win an ecopy of Silent Echoes!
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About the Author:
Aimee is a romantic at heart and a southern transplant with a bit of the accent (but not a whole bunch). She's married to her high school sweetheart, and with him, she's produced three native North Carolinians, two of whom share the same DNA.
With an MBA and a degree in Applied Mathematics, there's absolutely no reason she should be writing romance novels. Then again, she shouldn't need a calculator to add two numbers, either ... but she does.
