Theresa Myers The Hunter Blog Tour with Guest Post

I am so excited to have Theresa Myers here to to talk about 5 Ways to Steampunk Your Halloween in a guest post here on Paranormal and Romantic Suspense Reviews.

Theresa is currrently touring to promote her new book The Hunter which features hunky paranormal bounty hunter and a sexy succubus.

Thanks so much Entangled Publishing for connecting us on this blog tour!

Please take it away Theresa!

Five Ways to Steampunk Your Halloween

With Halloween literally just days away, you might be looking for something fun and different to do this year. Why not try steampunk?

Some say Steampunk is what happens when Goths discovered brown, but it’s really much more than that. Steampunk is neo-Victorian science fantasy. I’d say science fiction, but really fantasy is a more apt description because so many of the inventions, like the lightening-powered air ship in Stardust, or the Aetheographic transmitters in Souless, have very little to do with actual science, and owe a far greater debit to imagination. Still confused? Think H.G. Wells’ Time Machine or Jules Verne’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea or that Will Smith movie, Wild Wild West. Steampunk happens in a setting similar to the Victorian age, where there can be fantastic things( computers, automatons, air ships, and paranormal creatures) as long as it all happens with Victorian era components (meaning no plastic, transistors or electronics).

So what can you do to Steampunk your Halloween?

1. Pick a Fun Costume! The great thing is you can be so many different things. Why be just a plain pirate, when you could be an airship pirate instead? What about a western cardsharp with a clockwork card-dealing device up his sleeve? An intrepid explorer with a pith helmet and goggles, or perhaps a gentleman or lady of high society with an exquisite top hat and cane? Need more ideas: Check out the photos at http://www.steamcon.org/SCII/gallery.php?a=1

2. Get Into the Spirit! Victorian’s were nuts about the paranormal. They held séances. They held mummy unwrapping parties. They invited tarot card readers, palm readers and spiritualists to their dinner parties. If you’re hosting an event, add a little more of the supernatural into it in Victorian fashion by having a Steampunk-style activity. Maybe you can unwrap a mummy (blow up doll wrapped in toilet paper or paper towels) to find prizes. Trick is to do it blindfolded! Or perhaps have a Magic 8 Ball or invite someone who reads tarot cards to the party.

3. Set the Stage! Steampunk isn’t just a clothing style, it’s an aesthetic/sub-culture. There’s music, décor, food, art, literature and so much more that make up what is Steampunk today. Try downloading some Steampunk Band music for your party, like Abeny Park, Clockwork Dolls, Unwoman, Panic! At the Disco, Voltaire or any of them listed at http://steampunk.wikia.com/wiki/List_of_steampunk_bands

4. Make some Treats! Try making some scones. Here’s some pumpkin spice scones with an irresistible ginger molasses icing http://pinchmysalt.com/2007/10/18/pumpkin-spice-scone-recipe/ and don’t forget Victorian’s loved tea too! Consider trying a couple of different flavors of hot tea served with a dollop of half-and-half and sweetner, or, if you prefer something with a little more kick, what about a hot buttered rum http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/hot-buttered-rum-mix/detail.aspx

5. Celebrate Like it’s 1899! Not interested in going out or hosting a big party? Turn out the lights, burn some candles or light a few oil lamps, and read a great book, or play board games or charades with the family.