******THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED*****
I’m sorry this is going up so late today, guys!! I had issues this morning.
The winner of Friday’s book, Witch Blood, is Fedora, who said, “I try to be a forgive-and-forget person, but at the same time, I don’t necessarily want to reopen myself to the chance of being hurt in exactly the same way again… So a forgive and live somewhat cautiously?” Congrats! Please drop me an email, Fedora! Anyabast (at) gmail.com
Today’s book……
With the immense powers of an earth witch, Claire isn’t destined to be a demon’s handmaiden. Yet this has been her fate since she was six, when her warlock mother brought her to Eudae. Now as an adult, she’s about to discover her true power—and how far others are willing to go to take it away…
As part of a mission with the Coven, Adam Tyrell rescues Claire from her enslavement—and finds himself immediately taken with the beautiful witch. But this charming playboy soon learns that it’s easier to steal Claire from demons than win her heart, for her life as a servant has ravaged her spirit. But with Adam determined to protect her from the warlocks who want to harness her magick for evil, Claire’s resistance starts to give way—and they find themselves in the heat of danger, surrendering to the lure of their deepest desires…
Read the first chapter and/or watch the book video.
Answer in the comments for a shot at a copy of Witch Blood. Don’t forget to check back tomorrow to see if you won.
Claire grew up in a world ruled by demons, then is thrust to Earth which is a very unfamiliar place for her. Name a time when you felt like a fish out of water.
That would be the first day at work, urgh… I don’t even want to remember it
by Fran March 28th, 2011 at 9:19 amI was born and raised in The Netherlands (but I’m Turkish). I came to Michigan in September to do a double degree program at an university in Grand Rapids. Everything here is SO different compared to The Netherlands. One big difference is here people cant live without their cars! Back home we ride the bike to get to school, work, mall etc (its a very small country, population around 16 million). It took me a long time to get use to it, I’m going back home in 5 weeks and I am very excited 🙂
by betul E. March 28th, 2011 at 9:21 amWhen my husband was transfered from Chicago where we have lived our whole lives to Charlotte NC. It was a cultural shock and I def. felt like a fish out of water
by Stacy (Urban Fantasy Investigations) March 28th, 2011 at 9:24 amHi,
I don’t remember feeling like a fish out of water. I’m usually pretty adaptable and feel at home just about anywhere.
Valerie
by Valerie March 28th, 2011 at 9:40 amin Germany
Well I feel the best way for me to answer this is by saying: When I was young we lived in Delaware. (Aka the east coast.) I lived there my whole childhood. Well when I was 17 and fresh out of highschool my mother had gotten remairried and so she was moving to West Virginia. I had to either stay in Delaware or move all the way to the most southern tip of West Virginia.. I chose to move with my mother because I was still young, and didn’t know where my life was going at that point. When we moved here I relized that living mostly in the North East and East coast it was a culture shock. Things moved slower, and things seemed to move at a different pace. I stilll was a younger man and was kind of shocked at how even the people didn’t seem to match my standards. I was like..”They are too slow, City life is faster, and more for me.” I said to my mother at one point. Now living in WV for three years I’ll be honest my oppions have changed somewhat, but It was hard being 17, and trying to figure out my life. I was also very afraid of what people might do down here to the fact that I am gay. I had heard horror stories about how a southern town stuck in the mountains might accept that. So that caused alot of inner conflict when I first moved here. Now I have come to somewhat except the fact that not all you read is backwoods and “hillbilly” folk. lol But it isnt as bad as some might think. The area took some getting used to, but its slowly has grown on me.. I think had we moved to California it would of been a culture shock as well.
by Phillip Albright March 28th, 2011 at 9:48 amA time when I felt like a fish out of water?
Well I have few memories that would work for this question; I think the time that most felt like a fish out of water was the first or second time I went to Girl Scout resident camp.
I was kind of nervous and I wasn’t entirely sure where I was going, the first night was more nerve racking than the first day.
I unfortunately don’t adapt very easily to new surroundings, it usually takes me a few days before I’m used to certain things, a week at the most. For me it all depends on the situation.
by Gabrielle J. March 28th, 2011 at 9:55 amSadly enough, every time I get together with my 3 sisters. They are all older and very close. I’m saddened by this but try to fit in every time. Never really works. I know its me and my insecurity around them….I love them dearly though.
by Kimberly Flood March 28th, 2011 at 10:04 amWe moved when I was 11 years old. Going into a new school were everybody had already known each other and had been in the same class for so long, I definitely felt like a fish out of water on my first several weeks there.
by Mandy B. March 28th, 2011 at 10:20 amI feel like a fish out of water when we go to visit my fiance’s grandparents. There’s also a language barrier and I never know what I’m supposed to say or do!
by Lynn March 28th, 2011 at 11:02 amI was invited to a party in the villlage were I have moved to from the big city. Very uncomfortable I felt with all the gossiping going on.
“Did you know Mrs. H made out wit the gardner. Have you seen Mr. D in his new car paid for it with the money of his brother”
I just met some of them and all this, other peoples business, isn’t my thing. So….
I didn’t comment much, made sure my mouth was full at awkward times, preventing me from responding. And decided not to tell a single soul a single thing.
by Kirsten March 28th, 2011 at 11:25 amMy eldest son’s first day at school. It was a pure culture shock for me. People who I had previously passed in the street where suddenly speaking to me as if I’d known them forever, I felt like I’d been granted entrance to a secret club!
by Michelle McMichael March 28th, 2011 at 11:28 amWhen I first headed to college. None of my high school friends are at the same college and my family is 2.5 hours away. I was on my own for everything, but I am learning to be more independent.
by Stephanie McCarthy March 28th, 2011 at 11:31 amMy first Back to School night for my older daughter was quite a shock to me. I work for myself and the closest relationships I’d had outside of my family in 5 years were with the pizza delivery girl and the ladies at the post office. I’d completely forgotten how to make small talk and I was one of the few people that didn’t gush about my kids, because I didn’t know these people and why would I want them to know anything?
by Stephanie N March 28th, 2011 at 11:35 amI live on the east coast and because I have tattoos, piercings, and little to no hair I always feel like a fish out of water. However I’m moving to Austin in the fall and I’m tame compared to a lot of those folks. Finally I’m going to a place where I’ll be accepted for my punk lifestyle.
by Mel K. March 28th, 2011 at 11:37 amI felt like a fish out of water at college, especially during orientation day because I made it a point to find out which buildings my classes were in.
by Jane March 28th, 2011 at 11:48 amI met a guy on vacation, and a couple of months later he invited me to visit him in Mexico. He took me to dinner at his parents place – who did not speak english. Though his mother was polite, she was not happy, which made me uncomfortable. The result – I accidentally knocked over my wine glass, staining the tablecloth and cracking the glass which was part of a very nice set. I wanted to crawl under the table and die…needless to say I never heard from that guy again after I flew home.
by Devon March 28th, 2011 at 11:52 amI felt like a fish out of water when I moved to England and the person who was supposed to pick me up at Heathrow went to the wrong terminal. I didn’t even know how to make a toll free call. It felt like I waited forever!
by chey March 28th, 2011 at 11:54 amGoing to a new school half way through 6th grade. I went to the same school up until then,and I was shy so it was hard to try and fit in.
by elaing8 March 28th, 2011 at 12:34 pmWhen I moved states. It was only for about a year, but still; I knew no one, and had no idea what to do with myself. I was so glad when I could move back home– because that place would have never been home to me!
by Chelsea B. March 28th, 2011 at 12:48 pmWhen I started college. I waited 5 years after graduating high school before going to college so I felt so much older than everyone else. Add to that the fact that I am naturally shy, and that made me feel completely like a fish out of water.
by June M. March 28th, 2011 at 12:48 pmWhen I went to Italy by myself – I do not speak Italian and I felt so bad messing up the language when I attempted to communicate!
by becky jean March 28th, 2011 at 12:48 pmWhenever I go someplace new or do something that is unfamiliar to me without the comfort of someone I know along…
by Colleen March 28th, 2011 at 12:51 pmi felt like a fish out of water when about 7 years ago i lived with both my parents in a home they were buying. i grew up in that house then out of no where in less than a month they lost the house, got a divorce, and i moved to modesto with my mom. went from a 2 bedroom house to a studio. i didnt know what to do, i got so depressed i felt i didnt belong there and this shouldnt be happening. took me almost a year to realize i wasnt the only one who felt like a fish out of water. my husband felt the same way, we were dating at the time and we realized we completed each other. he was the yin to my yang. i no longer felt like a fish that was flopping around on dry land unable to breath. he helped me through it and my fins turned to legs, my gills to lungs.
by ruth cardoza March 28th, 2011 at 1:08 pmMy first day of my internship in Chicago. I showed up at the hospital early, like I always do, and just sat there waiting for like 20 minutes before anyone else showed up. When we finally got all the legalities out of the way and had our first day in the lab, that feeling of being ‘in the way’ happened again.
by Ashley L March 28th, 2011 at 1:18 pmI’ve been a voracious reader since I was very young. As a result, my vocabulary grew quite large, quite fast, and I loved the English language But when I started school, I was teased and berated for using “big” words (which I didn’t think were big at all!), and for wanting to read rather than run around outside with the other kids. Until college, school was not a fun place for me; although I found friends, I never did feel I belonged.
Now, I am so glad for my love of books, and reading is still my favorite activity. My daughter has followed in my footsteps, and it is a relief to see that schools have made an effort to teach kids to accept differences, and to stop bullying.
by Cindy A March 28th, 2011 at 1:24 pmWhen I studied in Rome. I was in a foreign country where I barely spoke italian and I didn’t know a sole. Than I had 4 roommates when I have only lived with friends or family before. I felt like I was on a real world cast! Lol
by amanda Pizzolanti March 28th, 2011 at 1:38 pmI really felt like a fish out of water when I went to the Creative Writing Festival at the University of Whitewater for the first time! The campus was HUGE, and there were more people there than in my entire home town!! I totally felt like I was lost in a big city and it was just a college campus! Thank goodness I had a map and a group of my highschool classmates with me or I would have been totally out of luck!
by Ashley A March 28th, 2011 at 1:38 pmI would have to say my first week or so at college. It was my first time actually living away from home and having to depend solely on myself for everything, and I felt like I had no idea what I was doing most of the time.
by Kaitlin March 28th, 2011 at 1:50 pmI feel like a fish out of water every time I go to my college classes. I go to a strictly southern baptist college but I am a wiccan. It’s hard being forced to go somewhere that I can’t ever be me. Even my friends at the school have no idea what my faith is because they would ostricize me. I know this from previous conversations.
by Christina Walsh March 28th, 2011 at 1:56 pmI felt like a fish out of water my first weekend at college, before classes even started. My parents drove away and I was on my own for the very first time. I hadn’t made any friends (which my mom was worried I would have trouble doing), and it was a bit overwhelming. But looking back, I loved it and am glad I didn’t stay home for college.
by Sara M March 28th, 2011 at 2:26 pmMy husband’s employer has a yearly get together. All the wives are friends, live next to each other, their children go to the same school, etc. and they have lots to talk about.
We don’t live in the same town, so I don’t know them or seem to have anything in common with them. It’s just uncomfortable and not a lot of fun for me.
by Janet H March 28th, 2011 at 3:28 pmI’ve always felt like a fish out of water. It’s definitely gotten better over the years. But high school was probably the worst.
I thought so much differently than everybody else around me and it reflected in their actions and mine. I used to try to fit in more but that becomes exhausting. So you finally just have to be you and suck all the rest up.
by Rae M. March 28th, 2011 at 3:49 pmMy husband’s 25th school reunion; he was talking and shaking hands and telling stories to and with people I had never heard of!
by Diane Sadler March 28th, 2011 at 4:57 pmThere is nothing like feeling like a fish out of sea when you are 40 yrs old and going to college around a lot of teenagers right out of high school.
by Stephanie Fry-Thomas March 28th, 2011 at 5:18 pmStephanie Fry-Thomas
When I spent a summer working in Iceland. I couldn’t speak any Icelandic and hardly anyone spoke english.
by Mariee March 28th, 2011 at 5:36 pmWhen I went to a high priced spa
by Tamara Shurling March 28th, 2011 at 5:49 pmI felt like a fish out of water at my first business dinner which was in a really nice restaruant. I was from a very small town. I’d never been where the wait staff drops your napkin in your lap or people come by with little scrapers to get the crumbs off the tablecloth. For every drink of water, someone would refill my glass. I didn’t recognize most of the menu and my fish came with the head still on! What was I doing here?!?
by Robin W March 28th, 2011 at 6:16 pmHave pretty much learned to adapt as I routinely feel like a fish out of water for various reasons.
One time that really stands out for me is that, a few years back, I had the privilege to present a paper at a historians conference in Washington, D.C.
Now, I’m a naturally shy person so public speaking is not my forte – point one.
Point two – the majority of the attendees (and presenters) were either military or PhDs – I am neither.
Point three – I was one of maybe a half dozen female presenters.
Fish out of water? Who? me?
I figured that I knew the material I was presenting (third time I did a paper on the particular subject I was presenting – expanding the paper each time) and I might as well make the best of it.
I enjoyed the conference and had a full room (conference was spread across 3 rooms w/folks going in and out depending on what they wanted to listen to) – no pressure right? – when I presented so it was all good.
by Yvonne B. March 28th, 2011 at 6:22 pmi am a very shy person and so i tend to feel that way quite a bit. anytime i am around a crowd of people i am unfamiliar with or in a situation that i am not in control of (yeah i know i’m a control freak).
by tammy ramey March 28th, 2011 at 6:29 pmI am very shy so I often feel like a fish out of water. I have learned to act my way through life. Then run to the bathroom and take a deep breath and try not to puke. Sad, but true.
by Jen B. March 28th, 2011 at 7:27 pmI grew up in NYC and attended a very small private school for girls. After graduation, I attended the University of Florida which, unbeknownst to me, was one of the largest universities in the country. I remember looking around, amazed, that there were guys in my classes! Plus, my classes were equal to, if not greater than, the size of my entire HS graduating class which was 48. One of my classes, in fact, consisted of 750 people!!!!! Talk about overwhelming!!!!
by Cat March 28th, 2011 at 7:59 pmI work in a male dominated field. When I first started I always felt like a fish out of water at conferences and classes as most times I was the only female in attendance.
Over the years I became more confident and learned to smile and hold my head up as it’s not what gender you are, but who you are that matters.
by Lulu March 28th, 2011 at 8:04 pmI went to Virginia for college and did not realize that small, Southern and on the East Coast meant accents, rituals and cold winters for someone from Washington state.
by Lindsey E March 28th, 2011 at 8:11 pmHigh school
by jennifer mathis March 28th, 2011 at 8:34 pmI went back to school to study. I was old enough to be the mother of every student & THE TEACHER. However, with age comes wisdom – I flew through the course.
by Mary Preston March 29th, 2011 at 12:00 amWhen I left NY and moved to Ohio for my first job. I didn’t know anybody. I was also the only female engineer in the company.
by Viki S. March 29th, 2011 at 1:04 amdefinantly have to say the first day of work was hard. i loved school and then to all of a sudden have all this responsibility. it was kinda scary lol
by Sabrina March 29th, 2011 at 2:34 amThe time when a well-to-do friend dragged me to a high class jewelery fair. I felt really uncomfortable!
by Tamsyn March 29th, 2011 at 6:16 amWhen I go to family reunions because I don’t fit in with the snobs.lol But thats ok because I have a couple of cousins that don’t fit in also.
by SheilaF March 29th, 2011 at 10:51 pm