Sunday, May 15, 2011

Trip Around The World Mega Blog Hop: Ticket to Paradise

Welcome to Tonto National Park! I'll be your guide, Allure Van Sanz. Come follow me on a journey of self-exploration inspired by the natural beauty of this incredible destination.



For New Years, my man took me to the perfect spot. Or I should say, the most perfect spot for me to start a new year.

The first book I ever wrote for publication was titled From the Ruins. The story is about a fictitious me and a fictitious version of my man, far away at some ruins in search of an injured snake. The ruins possess the pair and turns their "friendship" into a hot relationship filled with erotic exploration. I remember how excited I was when I got the contract for this book. A whole new world opened up for me--only, I'd forgotten all about it until I stared up at the ruins in Tonto. There...way...way up at the top of this mountain (or maybe just a really big hill) was the remains of a long dead civilization, like in my book. I *had* to make the climb and see it.

The view was fantastic, the breathtaking beauty making me all the more determined to get my fat-butt up to the top and look out over what I'd seen on the way.


Once I was at the top, wheezing and vowing to exercise more, I had this incredible moment of wonder. There I stood, in front of the ruins, becoming possessed by the history seeping into my skin.




I couldn't stop touching the rocks. Wherever it seemed logical for someone to rest their hand or lean against the stone, I did it, looking to put my own timeless spiritual mark on the place. I really love places like Tonto. Full of nature, history, and breathtaking views. I plan to go back now that it isn't winter, and climb a few of the lesser known trails to get to some of the lesser tourist-y parts. I'll let you know how it goes.

GIVEAWAY: This week, I'll be giving away vacation packages! A book to read on the plane (one of your choosing from my Noble Romance novels) and a T-shirt to wear!

All you have to do is tell me where you spent your favorite vacation, and where you'd like to go most. Two answers to qualify. I'd love to have you follow my blog and friend me on Facebook, but you don't need to do that to win. It should would be great though. LOL I always need new people to babble to and chat with. Facebook Me!



Thank you for allowing me to show you around Tonto.

Next Blog on the tour is: Sherry Gloag

If you came to my blog and you're wondering where to start the hop/tour, and what it is, please visit Kristine Cheney.

Or follow these:
TOUR RULES:

1) HAVE FUN!!!

2) INVITE ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS!!! SPREAD THE WORD!!!

3) THIS TOUR STARTS: Monday, May 16, at Midnight (Arizona Time)
THIS TOUR ENDS: Monday, May 23, at Midnight (Arizona Time)

4) MEET AND MINGLE WITH ALL THE AUTHORS! EXPERIENCE A NEW DESTINATION AT EVERY STOP! PARTICIPATE IN EVERY BLOG CONTEST AND BE ENTERED FOR CHANCES TO WIN MULTIPLE PRIZES! EVERY BLOG VISITED IS ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO WIN!!

5) PARTICIPATION AT EVERY BLOG IS RECOMMENDED. BUT REMEMBER: THE MORE YOU HOP, THE MORE CHANCES YOU HAVE TO WIN. EVERY AUTHOR IS WAITING TO MEET AND INTERACT WITH YOU, SO PLEASE BE SURE TO SHOW EVERY AUTHOR SOME LOVE!

6) DID I MENTION TO HAVE FUN? WHOO! HOO!! HERE WE GOOOOOOOOOOOO!

39 comments:

Theresa said...

Well, since I've only been out of the state of Michigan once, I guess my favorite vacation would have been to Grand Junction, Colorado. The mountains were breathtaking! As for where I would like to go, Ireland. No contest there. I've always been fascinated with Ireland! Thanks for the giveaway. :)

fadeintofantasy@live.com

JoAnne Kenrick said...

WOW, Tonto National Park looks amazing, thanks so much for sharing your photos and experiences there xxx
I bet there are amazing energies there... a very uplifting and spiritual place no doubt.

Sherry Gloag said...

Oh that is so amazing and to answer one of your questions, exactly the sort of place I'd like to visit while on holiday.
The other, is venice. We weren't ehre long but I'd love to return and see more.
I'm in the UK so may not be elegible for your contest.

Kim Bowman Author said...

Beautiful! Looks like a great place:)

IandSsmom said...

That is just gorgeous!!
My favorite was going to Mt. Rushmore and I'd love to go to Hawaii!
FB Shannon Johnson
shannonjean14(at)gmail(dot)com

Nell Dixon said...

Amazing pics!

Sharon said...

Well I would most love to gois to Scotland. My favorite vacation is camping it has been much to long since I have been. Husband not a big fan lol. We always went camping as kids so that is what I remember most for fun.

Sharonramos2(at)gmail(dot)com

rhonda said...

I see why you had to show the pictures of your beautiful scenery!
I have never visited but would love to one day! My favorite getaway is the mountains of Tn. there is so much wild life to see and what better way to see it than from a balcony of a cabin!
I would love to visit Ireland, the views they show on tv. are amazing!
heltondexter@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

One of my favorite all ime vacations was to Orlando for 2 weeks. My fantasy vacation is to tour Great Britian someday. Thanks for sharing.
Kleah921(at)gmasil(dot)com

Unknown said...

My favourite vacation was to PEI Canada. I went with my family and my best friend's family. We had a super good time. My dream vacation is is Cruise anywhere for a week lol I sent u a friend request on NB and am now a GFC follower :D

leanne_gag[at]hotmail[dot]com

dawnmomoffour said...

I'd have to say my favourite vacation was to Niagra Falls. It was beautiful...and lots of fun to boot!! I don't travel much so it was a real treat. I would love to go to either Australia or to see my brother in the Yukon.

dawnmomoffour said...

Forgot my email! longlegs_browneyes@hotmail.com

merriedth said...

so far my favorite vacation was in new orleans...had a blast there...but would love to go off to one of the state parks in a cabin and just live out a week or two with mother nature..
velvetbear72@yahoo.com

IngaSilberg said...

My most beautiful trip was to Seyschelles! But, I would love to visit US, too!

GFC follower inga
inga(dot)kupp(at)gmail(dot)com

inga from http://www.ingasilbergbooks.com

Toni said...

I loved, loved, loved my trip to Ireland. Went last October and would go right back there. The place I would like to visit is Scotland. I know not that different from Ireland, but I still really want to go. I tried to incorporate it into my trip to Ireland, but it didn't work out so bummer me...I have to go back to visit Scotland. One of these days!!

tsteinerid (gmail.com)

Stacey said...

Wow the view was gorgeous and the rocks too. I live in Australia and I haven't left yet lol. I'd say Qld sunshine coast would have to be my best vacation. I'd love to visit Rome to see where the romans used to do battle waould be a dream come true. :)

Stacey
s_l_a_s_c69@hotmail.com

Sandy Nachlinger said...

Thank you so much for your tour of Tonto National Park. I was blown away by Mesa Verde many years ago, but I didn't know Tonto existed. Absolutely breath taking. So that'll be my answer to where I'd like to go most (Tonto). My favorite vacation was a ski trip to Crested Butte, CO, with my family.

BrittanyGale said...

Look gorgeous. I haven't been far so my favourite vacation would have been in either North Bay Ontario or Algonquin Park Ontario. (I live in Ontario so like I said I haven't been far haha) I'd love to travel to Greece


quixoticdreamer(at)hotmail(dot)com

June M. said...

I would love to go to Scotland. My favorite vaction has always been camping (actually using tents, etc) but since I had my back hurt, I have not been. Sleeping on the ground would not be a good idea anymore.

FB fan/friend: June Manning
manning_j2004 at yahoo dot com

CAsanmiguel said...

The pictures are wonderful! I love the rock formations! Ive never been outside of my country! looking at the pictures and reading can take a person to different places :)

camilleanne_angel@yahoo.com.ph

Unknown said...

Your pics are wonderful !!!! My best vacation was in Tasmania with my girls ! First ever big vacaction for my family !!! Tonto national park looks devine ! some place Id love to visit one day ;) Id love to visit Scotland !!! find me a laird and a man in kilt lol !!! Thanks for the tour and for sharing !!!
Thanks for the giveaway !!! ;)
kat
kittee_cat@bigpond.com

LittleMsBookish said...

I spent your favorite vacation in Baguio City, Philippines. You probably never heard of it 'cause it's not as famous as other places in the world but I loved the time I spent there because it was the very first out of town trip I spent with my family. Where would I like to go most? hmmm. Probably, Italy. Why? Because I would love to go the the place where Romeo and Juliet's love story started. The balcony, the place, everything. <3

claudine_princess@yahoo.com.ph

Christopher's Mommy said...

Love your pictures seems like a great vacation spot :)

Well Ive never been on a real vacation... Living in the south most of our "vacations" came from evacuating from one hurricane or the next LOL... I would love to go somewhere beautful maybe Niagra Falls or New York City... Beautiful scenery and great shopping !!!!

Aimee
cybrprncss0321@aol.com

Tricia Schneider said...

My favorite vacation was in Germany; I love castles and cathedrals! Though, this looks like a beautiful sight! Love the photos!

tricia(at)triciaschneider(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Great pictures! :)

My favorite vacation was when I went to England, Whales, and Ireland. All three were amazing places.

I would love to visit the Carribean.

kristinaleigh1@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

*bounces around*
THis is awesome!

shadowestr @ aol . com

Michelle Bledsoe said...

Hi there. Thanks for doing the tour. I am having fun reading everyone's descriptions of their places.

koonie2888 at yahoo dot com

MichelleMB said...

My favorite vacation was a road trip to Vancouver Island - loved the ocean. The vacation I'd love to take would be Bora Bora, sun, sand, swimming with the turtles.
mmbourassa(at)hotmail(dot)com

Reanna said...

My Favorite Vaca is when we go to Disneyland we love it there.. Thank you for showing these beautiful pics they are amazing :)~ I added you to fb as well as following your blog now..
There are to many places I want o visit around the world but my first choice would be Rome..

my email is Reannabartley(at)gmail(.)com

Lisa Kumar said...

Great pics! My favorite vacation was going to the big island of Hawaii, Kona. I'd love to visit the UK someday.

lisankumar@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

My favorite place so far that I have been to Washington D.C. I loved all the museums. The place I most want to go to is Ireland, 'nough said lol.

Morganlafey86(at)aol(dot)com

Unknown said...

My favorite vacation was on Natal, Brazil. And all I can say is that if I could I'd live there right now. Amazing country, wonderful people, lovely cities and great food! xD
And I'd love to go to Japan and enjoy the different cultures they have in one small country.

Thanks for the giveaway and your trip, your pics are lovely!

Following your blog and your FB page! Hugs!

sontrei2000@yahoo.com.br

Alexandra Roxana Garcia-Tena Coquis

Unknown said...

My favourite vacation would of been to Australia :P I went there on my summer holidays when I was younger and had a great time.
As for where I want to go... hmm everywhere?? but I really want to go to Disneyland Orlando to the Harry Potter theme park (yes I am still a child inside even if I'm 23 in two weeks haha)
melisasanchezdempsey@hotmail.com

Di said...

I'm starting this tour late, but maybe I can make it all around & I love reading about new books! I'd love to get back out to the southwest - it was beautiful & it's been too many years!

sallans d at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

How did I miss this blog tour? UGH...i need to get busy!

Thank you for the chance to win!

Your book looks AMAZING!!!

boo2bosh(at)gmail(dot)com

LRAtRandom said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
KarenS. said...

My favorite vacation has been in Colorado. I am from Texas so we could not wait to see snow. We had a blast. I would love to go to Yellow Stone Park and also see the grand canyon. I love camping trips. Yep outdoorsy kinda gal.
karen
kdskarebear(at)yahoo(dot)com

Shelby Rodewald said...

Hi Allure!! I love the pics you posted!! Just beautiful! My favorite vacation was to to the Smoky Mountains in Tenn. I live in a small town in Central Illinois and haven't been anywhere far. I would love to go to Ireland someday. Or anywhere really! LOL! Thanks for the giveaway and I can't wait to start reading some of your books!!!!

Shelby Rodewald said...

Oops..forgot to add my email!!!
shel_b21@yahoo.com