On this day in 1949, the Hale telescope at the Palomar Observatory became the largest aperture optical telescope. Astronomer Edwin Hubble targeted NGC 2261, later known as Hubble's Variable Nebula. The Hale telescope is still in use by CalTech.
Space. The final frontier. Brenda Hiatt, beloved historical author, makes a giant leap into Young Adult science fiction with her Starstruck series, starting with Book 1, STARSTRUCK:
The middle of nowhere just got a lot more interesting!
Nerdy, orphaned astronomy geek Marsha, M to her few friends, dreams of escaping tiny Jewel, Indiana and becoming “somebody”—a distant dream until hot new quarterback Rigel inexplicably befriends her. As Rigel turns his back on fawning cheerleaders to spend time with M, strange things happen: her acne clears up, her terrible eyesight improves, and when they touch, sparks fly—literally! When M digs for a reason, she discovers deep secrets that will change her humdrum life forever and expose her to perils she never dreamed of.
Read the first few chapters here.
Ebook currently available for just 99¢ at Amazon, BN.com, Kobo, Smashwords and Apple iBooks.
Brenda is celebrating the release of Book 2, STARCROSSED:
Fate bound them together. Will her destiny tear them apart?
M and Rigel seem to have found their happy ending . . . but things aren’t always as they seem. When a new boy shows up at Jewel High, he brings secrets with him–secrets that may rip apart the perfect bond M has with Rigel. Unless they can find a way to rewrite her destiny?
Ebook available now from Amazon, BN.com, iBooks, Smashwords or Kobo!
Print edition available soon!
M and Rigel seem to have found their happy ending . . . but things aren’t always as they seem. When a new boy shows up at Jewel High, he brings secrets with him–secrets that may rip apart the perfect bond M has with Rigel. Unless they can find a way to rewrite her destiny?
Ebook available now from Amazon, BN.com, iBooks, Smashwords or Kobo!
Print edition available soon!
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| Mauna Kea - White Mountain Public Domain (link) |
Brenda is giving away an ecopy of STARSTRUCK, Book 1, with a Smashwords coupon. To enter the giveaway,
1. Leave a comment about space - does it interest you? Have you visited a planetarium? Do you have a favorite constellation?
Mauna Kea, the tallest peak on the Big Island of Hawaii, is home of several international observatories. It is also the only place to find snow. In fact, it means White Mountain in the Hawaiian language.
2. This giveaway is open to all readers.
3. Comments are open through Saturday, February 1, 10 pm in Baltimore. I'll post the winner on Sunday, February 2.
Mahalo,
Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City
To learn more about Brenda and her books, check out her website at brendahiatt.com.
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| Haleakala, on the Maui, looks like a moonscape. |
