tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36065823030336003412024-03-14T04:09:58.902-07:00Sarcastic Ramblings and WritingVictoria Roderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04933859286104636739noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3606582303033600341.post-87201151778353686332016-09-13T18:34:00.001-07:002016-09-13T18:34:48.813-07:00
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Persian Gulf Veterans Honored</div>
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By</div>
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Victoria Roder</div>
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<a href="http://thehighground.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><u><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">TheHighground</span></span></u></span></span></a><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
in Neillsville, Wisconsin is a veterans Memorial Park. It is a
location for the public, veterans and their families to heal. It is a
place to remember those who have fallen, and to honor all who have
served. It is a sanctuary to seek peace. On Saturday June 23</span></span><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">rd</span></span></span></sup><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
the Pursian Gulf Wars, memorial "The Bootprint" was
dedicated. Jersey and Texas Barriers, along with the honor stones
form a symbolic shape of a military boot print in the sand. This
memorial represents military personnel from Desert Shield to those
presently serving in the Persian Gulf. </span></span>
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<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">I
had the privilege of interviewing one of our local veterans being
honored with a Honor Stone presented from his fellow troops and his
family. I would like to introduce you to, Staff Sargent Rodney
Kerksieck, USANG, (Ret.)</span></span></div>
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VR: Can you share with us, why you joined the service and how old you
were?</div>
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RK: I joined the National Guard when I was 17 years old because I
wanted to do something good for my country.</div>
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VR: You served in the Desert Storm War, can you share with us where
you were located and how long you were deployed?</div>
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RK: During Desert Storm I was stationed in Northern Iraq for six
months.</div>
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VR: How soon after arriving were you in combat?</div>
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<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">RK:
Within 72 hours after landing in Saudi Arabia, we (212</span></span><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">th</span></span></span></sup>
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">brigade
Field Artillery from Ft. Sill Oklahoma) arrived in the combat zone.</span></span></div>
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VR: What was your job during Desert Storm?</div>
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RK: I was a Gunner on a eight inch Howitzer.
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VR: What was the hardest part of receiving your deployment notice?</div>
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RK: Leaving my wife Billee, my new born son Eric and our oldest
daughter Stephanie behind. I'm grateful I returned home so we were
able to add my youngest daughter Cassy to the family.</div>
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VR: Without today's luxury of cell phones, how did you keep in
contact with your loved ones?
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RK: I was able to call them once a month. My family couldn't call me,
but they sent letters.</div>
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VR: In total how long did you serve the United States of America?</div>
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RK: Ten years active duty and ten years National Guards Reserves.</div>
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VR: Knowing the personal sacrifices you made to serve your country,
as a seventeen-year-old boy, would you sign on that dotted line again
with the National Guard?</div>
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RK: I would be the first in line to do it again. I'm so proud to be
able to call myself a soldier.</div>
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VR: Your last statement gave me goosebumps. I for one and I'm sure
the rest of my fellow Americans thank you for your service.
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<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">What
those who serve in our military do, and the sacrifices they make,
insures safety and freedoms for the rest of us. John 15:13 says it
better than I can. “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay
down his life for his friends.” That is exactly what the men and
women of our military pledge to do for each of us when they sign on
that dotted line. </span></span>
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<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Take
the time to visit The Highground in Neillsville, Wisconsin, the
memorials dedicated to our military is a sight to behold. It is a
place of peace to reflect on the sacrifices others have made for us,
a place of gratitude for our freedoms and a place to bestow
well-deserved honor and respect to our service men and women. Thank
you all who have, who do, and who will serve to protect us. </span></span>
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<a href="http://www.victoriaroder.com/" target="_blank">Vi<span style="color: navy;"><u>ctoria Roder</u></span></a>
</div>
Victoria Roderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04933859286104636739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3606582303033600341.post-23800016323895140042015-08-30T11:38:00.002-07:002015-08-30T11:38:38.389-07:00Meet Author Christopher Mannino<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhroy43-LOkSLQr9GaDAVtutj9PkuAXejiSwLwvL5VMRA_NnWwUE4xo_lMupHEsS_RXC4BAMz4o1zvO8arO_9tz7clMLwcGVzNe8BXom9h7YtrtRG3WCXyH_eBAxllEWWWbK8kKnp8Wg04/s1600/Christopher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhroy43-LOkSLQr9GaDAVtutj9PkuAXejiSwLwvL5VMRA_NnWwUE4xo_lMupHEsS_RXC4BAMz4o1zvO8arO_9tz7clMLwcGVzNe8BXom9h7YtrtRG3WCXyH_eBAxllEWWWbK8kKnp8Wg04/s320/Christopher.jpg" width="234" /></a></div>
Christopher Mannino’s life is best described as an unending
creative outlet. He teaches high school theater in Greenbelt,
Maryland. In addition to his daily drama classes, he runs several
after-school performance/production drama groups. He spends his
summers writing and singing. Mannino holds a Master of Arts in Theater Education from Catholic University, and has studied mythology
and literature both in America and at Oxford University. His work
with young people helped inspire him to write young adult fantasy,
although it was his love of reading that truly brought his writing to
life.<br />
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VR: Christopher, please share with us something about yourself and your background.
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CM: I am lucky enough to pursue my two greatest passions
professionally: theater and writing. I teach high school theater
outside Washington DC at a school with a large and active theater
department, and work with young kids through a local theater during
the summers. I started writing YA fiction to help inspire the kids I
teach, although I plan to branch into other genres soon. I grew up in
Massachusetts, and now live in Maryland with my wife, who is also an
author.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP4JhFedYeLXejXMBTwjmBQAYlttxedJ0RhP5LGoHoLwyCUiddAR3eHozcAGeAfjA3fmP3MLRsWDGlIGg6SowmP4rFv9ZDmcKIrOngUO59ydD4TUlcMOSn3rhxOMVlvyuBGkdXpC-70g4/s1600/CoverSwordofDeaths.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP4JhFedYeLXejXMBTwjmBQAYlttxedJ0RhP5LGoHoLwyCUiddAR3eHozcAGeAfjA3fmP3MLRsWDGlIGg6SowmP4rFv9ZDmcKIrOngUO59ydD4TUlcMOSn3rhxOMVlvyuBGkdXpC-70g4/s320/CoverSwordofDeaths.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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VR: Tell us about your newest release, Sword of Deaths.<br />
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CM: <br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
THE SCYTHE WIELDER'S SECRET CONTINUES</div>
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<br />
Susan Sarnio made a choice, and will spend the rest of her life as
the only female Death. Last year she was bullied and ostracized.
Now, to her complete bewilderment, four Deaths vie for her affection.
Yet, something is terribly wrong at the College of Deaths. When a
ship carrying scythe metal is attacked, many blame the newly-freed
Elementals, but Susan knows the Elementals are innocent.
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<br />
<br />
Shadows from the distant past come to light. Dragons circle the
horizon, blood spills, and nothing is what it seems. Susan and her
friends struggle to stop a war. They search for the fabled First
Scythe, hoping to sway the balance, but who is the true enemy?<br />
<br />
VR: Sounds fascinating, how did you get the idea for The Scythe Wielder's Secret Series? <br />
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CM: The idea for the series emerged while I was studying at Oxford. I
became stranded at Tintagel, on the coast of Cornwall. I watched the
dawn from a promontory the following morning, completely alone, on
fifty foot sheer rocky cliffs, being buffeted by fierce winds from
every direction. I imagined a character who was completely alone, yet
who overcame her isolation to persevere.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiza7Fv-0FMZxGu6FjpnYbFmu_bPXzW_rRMRC4No807iZUFyJj2f3NgUWXChAHH-5_DSGXNCKcmhTJPBDdP1IytGjQxMAPxgW4Gkqsksk9KQ4K6160tVQTP1OMqsoQBy3WxXioI3kfFn4M/s1600/mountainseries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiza7Fv-0FMZxGu6FjpnYbFmu_bPXzW_rRMRC4No807iZUFyJj2f3NgUWXChAHH-5_DSGXNCKcmhTJPBDdP1IytGjQxMAPxgW4Gkqsksk9KQ4K6160tVQTP1OMqsoQBy3WxXioI3kfFn4M/s320/mountainseries.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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VR: Share with us something you wanted to be when you grew up. I know, aging is inevitable but growing up is optional. <br />
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CM: I’ve wanted to be a novelist for a long time, since I was very
young and grew up reading books by authors like Tolkien and
Pratchett. For a long time I did not want to be a teacher, which was
my parents’ profession. I wanted to be a pilot or an astronaut for
many years, as I’ve always loved flying.<br />
<br />
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VR: Tell us about your current work in progress. <br />
<br />
<br />
I’m currently finishing The Scythe Wielder’s Secret, and
immensely proud of the final novel Daughter of Deaths, which I feel
is definitely the strongest novel I’ve written so far. Following
this series, I’m going to write an adult science-fiction thriller,
sort of Dan Brown meets Michael Chrichton.
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VR: Thanks for stopping in for a visit. Be sure to check out author Christopher Mannino's website.<br />
<br />
<br />
website (with purchase links)
<a href="http://www.christophermannino.com/sword-of-deaths.html">http://www.christophermannino.com/sword-of-deaths.html</a><br />
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Victoria Roderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04933859286104636739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3606582303033600341.post-74410292442507340092015-07-21T16:18:00.001-07:002015-07-21T16:18:55.292-07:00Color My World<div style="text-align: center;">
Coming Soon</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
What If A Zebra Had Triangles?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Coloring Book </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/t31.0-8/p180x540/11539063_10153112765141025_3259796599033598473_o.jpg" style="height: 449px; width: 678px;" /></div>
Victoria Roderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04933859286104636739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3606582303033600341.post-81324071804855531902014-10-03T16:12:00.000-07:002014-10-03T16:12:10.205-07:00Black Cats and Ballet Slippers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN3T4PVKUmSCcU7FJwg5rI2rHncnOT0gD9x_pT3zFTV8UCqRM2Se7XDQaYrx1WBKMyhDH-V20b_Vg_4qQrcpJAdHZoC3to-2L3Sd4xKvEIt1ZSanXJOFMBfkcl3x5Wmc-5cyAgst3Xjkk/s1600/Iva308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN3T4PVKUmSCcU7FJwg5rI2rHncnOT0gD9x_pT3zFTV8UCqRM2Se7XDQaYrx1WBKMyhDH-V20b_Vg_4qQrcpJAdHZoC3to-2L3Sd4xKvEIt1ZSanXJOFMBfkcl3x5Wmc-5cyAgst3Xjkk/s1600/Iva308.jpg" height="213" width="320" />
</a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Please help me welcome author,
Iva Valentino, a former middle school teacher with a background in
science. </span>
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<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Please tell us about your newest
release.</b></span><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPTU94kKQgbYUMVkiOP5aFfDkuhWBpYxTdmgafCeoetLdPkrbT0qb483bJkwTMowbSkGs1grQ4ssFBIT_ecCdXCK00Z5_FTMvUWzqc2XY5th-42DQof0u3jzKSlhxlkozYitrhrEP26Gk/s1600/Black+Cats.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPTU94kKQgbYUMVkiOP5aFfDkuhWBpYxTdmgafCeoetLdPkrbT0qb483bJkwTMowbSkGs1grQ4ssFBIT_ecCdXCK00Z5_FTMvUWzqc2XY5th-42DQof0u3jzKSlhxlkozYitrhrEP26Gk/s1600/Black+Cats.jpg" /></a>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Iva</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>:
Black Cats and Ballet Slippers</i></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">
is a humorous middle grade chapter book. Gemma Mayfield, the main
character, is a ballerina and middle school student. She is convinced
her teacher is a witch. After her crush, Trevor, has a spell cast
upon him, Gemma embarks on a mission to save Middleton Middle School
from witchcraft! </span>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Wow!
Sounds like Gemma has her work cut out for her. Black Cats and Ballet
Slippers sounds like an exciting read for middle grade students. </span>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><b>What do you like to read
for fun?</b></span><br />
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<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Iva: I love a variety of
genres of books. I really love books that are funny. I tend to choose
books that are part of a series. I get hooked on the characters, and
then I want to keep reading more about them! I read a lot of YA
novels, and recently I have been getting into more science
fiction/fantasy. </span>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">I've heard it said, if you
want to be a writer you need to be a reader.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><b>How long did it take you to
write your book?</b></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Iva:</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>
Black Cats</i></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> was written
in just one month! I wrote it in November, during NaNoWriMo. I wrote
my little heart out every night. I gave myself daily goals for word
counts, and did my best to reach them. It was quite challenging at
times, especially since I was teaching school at the time and had
very long work days. It was totally worth it! </span>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Only one month, what an
accomplishment! </span>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><b>How did you get the idea
for your book?</b></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Iva: The idea for </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Black
Cats </i></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">came about during
my last year of teaching middle school. In the book, Gemma’s
science teacher, Ms. Pruett, has a really creepy classroom. The
classroom has a preproom with lots of “witchy” things, such as
powdered unicorn horn and other ingredients for spells. In my
classroom, I also had a big preproom. My classroom was actually very
nice and not creepy at all, but over time my imagination took over. I
started to envision this preproom as being Ms. Pruett’s. From there
on, the rest of the storyline for </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Black
Cats</i></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> started to brew! </span>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Tell us something about
your current or next work in progress.</b></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">I’m currently working on a
sequel to </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Black Cats
and Ballet Slippers.</i></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">
The main characters from </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Black
Cats</i></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> will all play a
part in it. I’m also excited to introduce some new characters!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">That sounds very exciting and
I can't wait to check out Black Cats and Ballet Slippers and then
wait for the sequel. Thank you so much for visiting with us today and
I wish you the best.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Author Bio:</b></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Iva Valentino lives in Arizona
with her husband and their dog, Lupo. She graduated from the
University of Arizona with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and a
Master’s degree in Education. She loves living year-round in the
warm desert. </span>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Iva spent many years as a
middle school teacher, where she enjoyed doing fun science
experiments with her students. She currently works as a science
editor at an educational publishing company. She loves travel, yoga,
and photography. There is nothing that brings her more happiness than
a good dance class! </span>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">You can visit Iva at the
following sites:</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Website:
<a href="http://www.ivavalentino.com/">www.ivavalentino.com</a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Blog:
<a href="http://www.ivavalentino.com/blog">www.ivavalentino.com/blog</a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Facebook:
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/ivaavalentino">www.facebook.com/ivaavalentino</a></b></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Purchasing links for </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Black
Cats and Ballet Slippers:</i></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><b>MuseItUp Publishing:
</b></span><a href="https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore/index.php/now-available-in-ebook/black-cats-and-ballet-slippers-detail"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore/index.php/now-available-in-ebook/black-cats-and-ballet-slippers-detail</span></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Amazon</b></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">:
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Black-Cats-Ballet-Slippers-Valentino-ebook/dp/B00ISW6BAA/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1410125518&sr=1-1&keywords=Black+Cats+and+Ballet+Slippers">http://www.amazon.com/Black-Cats-Ballet-Slippers-Valentino-ebook/dp/B00ISW6BAA/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1410125518&sr=1-1&keywords=Black+Cats+and+Ballet+Slippers</a></span><br />
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<br />Victoria Roderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04933859286104636739noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3606582303033600341.post-25830550369716835352014-09-21T15:58:00.003-07:002014-09-21T15:58:38.840-07:00Family Ties
<div style="text-align: center;">
Please welcome guest author, Sara Jayne Townsend.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
FAMILY TIES<br />
By Sara Jayne Townsend<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIno53Sn6d871Han6XHTejVy5gy81K6pBVF_Yn8JPnGolfeXh22Esh21vjM1hwohDAeHoaFj3tRA0X6EFisSd-i6vKNVF7Ip-Sd6pYMBf0_NM92WyEtkyjRzVwRZK7G3bvLTdcinbh3Ck/s1600/Sara+Townsend+(45)%2Bsmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIno53Sn6d871Han6XHTejVy5gy81K6pBVF_Yn8JPnGolfeXh22Esh21vjM1hwohDAeHoaFj3tRA0X6EFisSd-i6vKNVF7Ip-Sd6pYMBf0_NM92WyEtkyjRzVwRZK7G3bvLTdcinbh3Ck/s1600/Sara+Townsend+(45)%2Bsmall.jpg" height="320" width="231" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
There’s an old adage that says, “you can choose your friends
but you can’t choose your family.” Family in the traditional
sense are the people with whom you share genes. Some families are
very close, with grown up children living nearby, having children of
their own and still popping round for coffee a couple of times a
week. Some families are distant, either emotionally or physically.
In the 1980s, there was a TV show called “Family Ties” that
featured Michael J Fox as the yuppie teenage son of a pair of
ex-hippies. The show was basically about the fact that the children
of these parents were very far removed from the ideals the parents
had held dear in their youth. But despite their differences, the
family all pulled together for each other when it counted.<br />
<br />
<br />
My own family is far-flung. I live in London, my father is in
Scotland, my mother and my sisters are in Canada, one of my cousins
is in America and most of the rest of my extended family live in the
North of England. When you live far away from all of your family
members, you get used to living your life without them being a big
part of it.<br />
<br />
<br />
The concept of family is a primary theme in DEATH SCENE. When I
created my amateur sleuth, I took my own experience of parents in
different countries, but because I did not want the character to be
too similar to me I changed her situation. Shara Summers has a
Canadian father and a British mother who moved back to England after
her divorce. Shara begins the book in Canada, but she receives a
call from her mother asking her to come to England because her sister
is suffering from a mysterious debilitating illness, and her mother
thinks the family should all be together.<br />
<br />
<br />
Shara is carrying around a lot of baggage about her situation.
It’s something she realises she has to face, and although she
clashes frequently with her mother and sister, she comes to realise
that they will always be an important part of her life, no matter how
often they argue.<br />
<br />
<br />
DEATH SCENE is a murder mystery, but it’s also a lesson in
family ties. The underlying theme is it doesn’t matter how far
away you run, your family are still there for you. It’s a lesson
that Shara eventually learns, and it’s something she’s going to
need to take forward in future books. Shara’s family are important
characters in the series. No matter how much they drive her crazy.<br />
<br />
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<br />
DEATH SCENE BLURB<br />
<br />
<br />
Poking around in family closets produces skeletons…<br />
<br />
<br />
British-born, Toronto-based, actress Shara Summers turns amateur
sleuth when her sister is stricken with a mysterious illness.
Summoned back to England to be with her family during a time of
crisis, Shara discovers doctors are at a loss as to what's causing
Astrid’s debilitating sickness.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a>After her aunt is found dead at the bottom
of the stairs the death is deemed an accident. Shara suspects
otherwise. Her investigation unearths shocking family secrets and a
chilling realization that could have far-reaching and tragic
consequences that affect not only her own future, but Astrid’s as
well.<br />
<br />
<br />
DEATH SCENE is coming very soon from MuseItUp Publishing:<br />
<a href="https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore/index.php/coming-soon/death-scene-detail">https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore/index.php/coming-soon/death-scene-detail</a>
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<br />
<div align="LEFT" lang="en-GB" style="widows: 1;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">DEATH
SCENE EXTRACT </span></b></span>
</div>
<div align="LEFT" lang="en-GB" style="widows: 1;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Ruth
sat in her rocking chair watching the television–which was probably
about ten years old, and appeared to be the most modern thing in the
room. She was wearing a blue floral dress, with a patchwork blanket
over her knees. I had seen that dress before. Her hairstyle hadn’t
changed, either–her white hair was thinning, and she wore it short
and curly, in the style of old ladies everywhere. When we came in
she looked up, a toothless smile breaking out over her face. She had
dentures that she never wore–something else she only saved for
special occasions. As a child, Ruth had appeared very scary to me on
the occasions she wore her dentures because we just weren’t used to
seeing her with them.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" lang="en-GB" style="widows: 1;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">My
mother went up to Ruth and leaned in to give her a kiss on her soft
wrinkled cheek. “How are you, Auntie Ruth?” she said loudly.
Ruth’s hearing had been going even back then. She must be
virtually deaf by now.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" lang="en-GB" style="widows: 1;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
house was freezing. The only source of heat was a three-bar electric
fire on the floor by Ruth’s feet.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" lang="en-GB" style="widows: 1;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">I’m
doing all right, dear,” Ruth said. Her voice was husky, ravaged by
age and lack of use. “Mustn’t complain.”</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" lang="en-GB" style="widows: 1;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Summer,
still in my mother’s arms, began to cry and squirm, no doubt
intimidated by the presence of this ancient lady. “Who’s this?”
Ruth said, stroking one of Summer’s chubby legs.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" lang="en-GB" style="widows: 1;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">This
is Summer,” Mum said. “This is my granddaughter. You’ve met
Summer. Astrid’s daughter.”</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" lang="en-GB" style="widows: 1;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Ruth
frowned. “Astrid? Your little one?”</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" lang="en-GB" style="widows: 1;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Not
a little girl any more, Auntie Ruth. She’s all grown up now.”
Mum pointed in my direction. “This is my other daughter, Shara.
Do you remember? Shara lives in Canada.”</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" lang="en-GB" style="widows: 1;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Ruth
was staring at me, frowning. There was no indication that she
recognised me. “It’s been a long time,” she said eventually.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" lang="en-GB" style="widows: 1;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Hello
Auntie Ruth,” I said.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" lang="en-GB" style="widows: 1;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Have
you taken your pills, Auntie Ruth?” my mother asked.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" lang="en-GB" style="widows: 1;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Ruth
frowned in concentration. “Pills? Think so. Can’t remember,
you know. My memory’s not what it was.”</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" lang="en-GB" style="widows: 1;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">My
mother thrust the crying child into my arms. “Watch Summer for a
moment, Shara. I’m going to make Auntie Ruth some lunch.” And
off she went into the kitchen.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" lang="en-GB" style="widows: 1;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">I
sat down in the faded armchair and bounced Summer on my knee. She
kept crying. Ruth stared fixedly at the television. There seemed to
be an Australian soap opera on. I couldn’t tell which one. I
wasn’t a fan, and they all looked the same to me. “So what are
you watching, Auntie Ruth?”</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" lang="en-GB" style="widows: 1;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Eh?”
She swivelled round to stare at me.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" lang="en-GB" style="widows: 1;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">I
raised my voice. “The television. What are you watching?”</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" lang="en-GB" style="widows: 1;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Oh,
I don’t know, dear. I watch everything. Keeps me company, you
know.” And she lapsed back into silence, staring at the
television. A couple of minutes went by and then she said suddenly,
“they’re stealing from me, you know.”</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" lang="en-GB" style="widows: 1;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Who?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="western">
“They’re stealing from me.” Ruth continued
to stare at the television. I wasn’t at all sure she was even
aware of anyone else in the room. I stood up with Summer in my arms
and hurriedly went to find my mother in the kitchen.</div>
<div class="western">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western">
<b>SJT Bio</b></div>
<div class="western">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western">
Sara-Jayne Townsend is a UK-based writer of crime
and horror. She was born in Cheshire in 1969, but spent most of the
1980s living in Canada after her family emigrated there. She now
lives in Surrey with two cats and her guitarist husband Chris. She
co-founded the T Party Writers’ Group in 1994, and remains Chair
Person.</div>
<div class="western">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" lang="en-GB">
The first two books in her amateur
sleuth series about Canadian actress Shara Summers will be released
by MuseItUp Publishing in 2014. DEATH SCENE, the first book (and a
re-release) will be available in Summer, with the sequel, DEAD COOL,
following in Autumn.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_gomdfV65cSFN-7eJjYgEoDtnFNjV3xuQ0HS4z1did68YoUXPtIb2Uolo-saNVagjSSWT_0prc7vhINcypP0NJAEZyyOS-v4cfDqbVYqiFY-i7jXx_yQDVUXzmrhyphenhyphenvP3fMito8H_0mzE/s1600/Dead+Cool+200x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_gomdfV65cSFN-7eJjYgEoDtnFNjV3xuQ0HS4z1did68YoUXPtIb2Uolo-saNVagjSSWT_0prc7vhINcypP0NJAEZyyOS-v4cfDqbVYqiFY-i7jXx_yQDVUXzmrhyphenhyphenvP3fMito8H_0mzE/s1600/Dead+Cool+200x300.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-GB">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" lang="en-GB">
You can learn more about Sara and her
writing at her website at <a href="http://sarajaynetownsend.weebly.com/">http://sarajaynetownsend.weebly.com</a>
or her blog at <a href="http://sayssara.wordpress.com/">http://sayssara.wordpress.com</a>.</div>
<div class="western">
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</div>
Victoria Roderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04933859286104636739noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3606582303033600341.post-5675094950338684922014-07-27T14:47:00.002-07:002014-07-27T14:47:15.077-07:0016th "Dear Lucky Agent"
<strong><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">16</span></span></strong><strong><sup><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">th</span></span></sup></strong><strong><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
Free “Dear Lucky Agent” Contest Submission deadline is July 30</span></span></strong><strong><sup><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">th</span></span></sup></strong><strong><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
2014. Chuck
Sambuchino's Guide to Literary Agents has announced the 16</span></span></strong><strong><sup><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">th</span></span></sup></strong><strong><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
free “Dear Lucky Agent” contest. Fellow authors, do you have a
completed middle grade novel? If you do, this contest is for you and
it's free to enter. You could win a critique of the first ten pages
of your manuscript. </span></span></strong>
<br />
<br /><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Check
the details on Guide to Literary Agents </span></span></strong>
<br />
<a href="http://tinyurl.com/pwbds3q"><strong><u><b>http://tinyurl.com/pwbds3q</b></u></strong></a><strong><u>
</u></strong>
<br />
<br /><br />
<br />
<strong><u>WHAT IS ELIGIBLE?</u></strong><br />
Middle grade fiction. The agent judge did not choose to exclude
any subgenre, so everything is fair game.<br />
<strong><u>CONTEST DETAILS</u></strong><br />
<ol>
<li>This contest will be live through the end of July 30, 2014,
PST. Winners notified by e-mail within approximately three weeks of
end of contest. Winners announced on the blog thereafter.
<br />
</li>
<li>To enter, submit the first 150-200 words of your book.
Shorter or longer entries will not be considered. Keep it within
word count range please.
<br />
</li>
<li>You can submit as many times as you wish. You can submit even
if you submitted to other contests in the past, but please note that
past winners cannot win again. All that said, you are urged to only
submit your best work.
<br />
</li>
<li>The contest is open to everyone of all ages, save those
employees, officers and directors of GLA’s publisher, F+W Media,
Inc.
<br />
</li>
<li>By e-mailing your entry, you are submitting an entry for
consideration in this contest and thereby agreeing to the terms
written here as well as any terms possibly added by me in the
“Comments” section of this blog post. (If you have questions or
concerns, write me personally at chuck.sambuchino (at) fwmedia.com.
The Gmail account above is for submissions, not questions.)
<br />
</li>
</ol>
<strong><u>PRIZES!!!</u></strong><br />
Top 3 winners all get: 1) A critique of the first 10 double-spaced
pages of your work, by your agent judge. 2) A free one-year
subscription to<a href="http://www.writersmarket.com/" target="_blank">
WritersMarket.com</a> ($50 value)!<br />
<br /><br />
<br />
About the judge:<br />
<strong>Peter Knapp</strong> joined the <a href="http://www.parkliterary.com/" target="_blank">Park
Literary Group</a> in July 2011, where he represents authors of
middle grade and young adult fiction. His recent sales include a
contemporary YA to Scholastic, a contemporary MG to Penguin, and a YA
fantasy series to Entangled. He does not represent picture books or
nonfiction. Prior to joining Park Literary, he was the story editor
at Floren Shieh Productions, where he consulted on book-to-film
adaptations for Los Angeles-based film and TV entities. He graduated
from New York University with a B.A. in art history.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.victoriaroder.com/" target="_blank">Victoria Roder</a> is the author of middle grade mystery <i><b>The Curse of King Ramesses II</b></i>, and action adventure <i><b>Sled Dog Tales</b></i>, Picture books <i><b>An Important Job to Do: A Noah's Ark Tale</b></i> and <i><b>What if a Zebra Had Triangles</b></i>. Teen puzzle book and devotional <i><b>Directions For Life </b></i>and three adult mystery novels.<br />
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<br />
Victoria Roderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04933859286104636739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3606582303033600341.post-75020816772680878232014-06-19T07:32:00.000-07:002014-06-19T17:32:04.660-07:00Welcome Zanna Mackenzie<u><b>
</b></u>
<br />
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<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Herbal
Help For Love</b></span></span></div>
<div style="page-break-inside: avoid;">
<br /></div>
<div style="page-break-inside: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Herbs
don’t just look pretty in the garden or taste good in cooking –
stretching back many centuries herbs have also had many other uses
from combating ailments and calming the mind to attracting love.</span></span></div>
<div style="page-break-inside: avoid;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSqY6LXxiS0YWWA5vfzLBSqftEhCdC4NIICnNEluoavBtO2gWMJomj1UWJSnYg6LpCD4hovQZT_86WYMeKWEmu1VcXJcOxufplRrTYRWYVkemegwWq0ztUTg3DeLKNz61avB4oYXdB7Zc/s1600/DSC03118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSqY6LXxiS0YWWA5vfzLBSqftEhCdC4NIICnNEluoavBtO2gWMJomj1UWJSnYg6LpCD4hovQZT_86WYMeKWEmu1VcXJcOxufplRrTYRWYVkemegwWq0ztUTg3DeLKNz61avB4oYXdB7Zc/s1600/DSC03118.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="page-break-inside: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Three
herbs with long standing associations when it comes to finding and
keeping love are:</span></span></div>
<div style="page-break-inside: avoid;">
<br /></div>
<ul>
<li><div style="page-break-inside: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rosemary
</span></span>
</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="page-break-inside: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rosemary
is a common herb, popular in gardens and the kitchen but did you know
rosemary used to feature strongly on wedding days? Traditionally the
bride had sprigs of rosemary tucked into her bouquet and the groom
wore a sprig of the herb as an early form of the modern day
buttonhole flower. Rosemary was also given as a wedding favour to
guests – small bunches of the herb, hand tied with gold ribbon,
were handed out to bestow love and remembrance.</span></span></div>
<div style="page-break-inside: avoid;">
<br /></div>
<ul>
<li><div style="page-break-inside: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thyme
</span></span>
</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="page-break-inside: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Herbal
folklore recommends wearing a sprig of thyme in your hair as it is
supposed to make you irresistible to the opposite sex! Try this at
your own peril though because bees are also attracted to thyme! </span></span>
</div>
<div style="page-break-inside: avoid;">
<br /></div>
<ul>
<li><div style="page-break-inside: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Marjoram</span></span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="page-break-inside: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Another
kitchen and garden staple, marjoram was linked to the goddess
Aphrodite – better known as the Goddess of Love. It was said to
have grown in her garden on Mount Olympus in Greece. Legend tells us
marjoram was included in the garlands used to bless the happy couples
on their weddings days. The herb is linked to long-term love and
enduring relationships and its scent is claimed to bestow happiness.</span></span></div>
<div style="page-break-inside: avoid;">
<br /></div>
<div style="page-break-inside: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Try
A Love Spell…</span></span></div>
<div style="page-break-inside: avoid;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">According
to tradition if a ‘maiden’ wants to see a vision in her dreams of
her future husband then she should put a sprig of thyme in one of her
shoes and a sprig of rosemary in the other. Then she should lightly
sprinkle the shoes with water three times and place them by the side
of her bed, say a prayer and fall asleep. Apparently it’s even
better if you can time it right to do this love spell on a night with
a full moon!</span></span></div>
<div style="page-break-inside: avoid;">
<br /></div>
<div style="page-break-inside: avoid;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In
my contemporary novel How Do You Spell Love? one of the characters
called Summer uses herbs, crystals and essential oils to cast all
variety of spells to help people, please read on for more details
about the book and it’s special offer price….</span></span></div>
<div style="page-break-inside: avoid;">
<br /></div>
<div style="page-break-inside: avoid;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyEi21z1cxW2WL-9ZXXkXh-SScmJz5dDnDItB7cPHbDTjr9KKDhhYA_DUFUaOrZozgF-be4L6eVnDnRg3hzo1hcH6fCou4ZumpNL09ftQKcVusEvdBMTNzgy4kA83mmc82SLGapbk0m-0/s1600/How+Do+You+Spell+Love+scale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyEi21z1cxW2WL-9ZXXkXh-SScmJz5dDnDItB7cPHbDTjr9KKDhhYA_DUFUaOrZozgF-be4L6eVnDnRg3hzo1hcH6fCou4ZumpNL09ftQKcVusEvdBMTNzgy4kA83mmc82SLGapbk0m-0/s1600/How+Do+You+Spell+Love+scale.jpg" height="320" width="197" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<u><b>Book</b></u><u>:</u> How Do You Spell Love?<br />
<br />
<br />
<u><b>Book blurb:</b></u><br />
Make A Wish…<br />
Kat can’t help wishing there was more to life than this. What
happened to her dream job? What happened with Nathan?<br />
Summer is wondering where her life is going too… battling the
developers of a controversial housing estate and working out why
boyfriend Rob is increasingly distant.<br />
When the developers win the battle and move into town everyone’s
life is turned upside down.<br />
Kat meets building site project manager Alex. She enjoys his
company far too much, even though he’s on the town’s most hated
list.<br />
Summer meets Tom who has plenty of relationship troubles of his
own, so things could get really complicated.
<br />
Soon everyone is keeping secrets, lives change and hearts are
broken. Is everything falling apart, or does life just work in
mysterious ways…<br />
*****<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Special Offer</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>How Do You Spell Love? is on sale between 20-27
June inclusive. Grab your ebook for just 99p/99c/99c +tax and
discover what mayhem Summer’s love spell causes….</b></span><br />
<br />
<br />
Amazon US:<br />
<span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://www.amazon.com/How-Do-You-Spell-Love/dp/1908910771/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1361800417&sr=1-3&keywords=zanna+mackenzie">http://www.amazon.com/How-Do-You-Spell-Love/dp/1908910771/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1361800417&sr=1-3&keywords=zanna+mackenzie</a></u></span><br />
<br />
<br />
Amazon UK:<br />
<span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Do-You-Spell-Love/dp/1908910771/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1361800360&sr=8-2">http://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Do-You-Spell-Love/dp/1908910771/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1361800360&sr=8-2</a></u></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
------------------<br />
<u><b>Author bio:</b></u><br />
Zanna Mackenzie lives in the UK with her husband, 4 dogs, a
vegetable patch that’s home to far too many weeds and an ever
expanding library of books waiting to be read.
<br />
Being a freelance writer and editor of business publications is
her ‘day job’ but, at every opportunity, she can be found
scribbling down notes on scenes for whatever novel she’s working
on. She loves it when the characters in her novels take on minds of
their own and start deviating from the original plot!<br />
Formerly a travel agent and therapist (she has qualifications in
clinical aromatherapy, crystal healing, naturopathic nutrition and
herbalism) she loves walking the dogs and gardening – that’s when
she’s not writing or reading!<br />
Zanna has written two other novels, The Love Programme (Astraea
Press) and If You Only Knew (Crooked Cat Publishing).<br />
<b>Find out more about Zanna at:</b><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://www.zannamackenzie.blogspot.co.uk/">www.zannamackenzie.blogspot.co.uk</a></u></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://www.zannamackenzie.co.uk/">www.zannamackenzie.co.uk</a></u></span><br />
Twitter: @ZannaMacKenzie<br />
Facebook: <span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://www.facebook.com/zanna.mackenzie">www.facebook.com/zanna.mackenzie</a></u></span><br />
Goodreads -
<span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/10703273-zanna-mackenzie">http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/10703273-zanna-mackenzie</a></u></span><br />
Amazon Author Page -
<span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Zanna-Mackenzie/e/B00BKY1A18/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0">http://www.amazon.co.uk/Zanna-Mackenzie/e/B00BKY1A18/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0</a></u></span><br />
PInterest: <span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/zannamac/">http://www.pinterest.com/zannamac/</a></u></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Victoria Roderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04933859286104636739noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3606582303033600341.post-36372470939644403992014-06-01T16:03:00.003-07:002014-06-01T16:03:32.045-07:00Welcome Author Carmen Stefanescu<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXk1uMkks0BmMVAXHQ97fcUwL4Jjn4Yp-uDKHEPtzzxktpz_qGYyIBLCkcfkOdnucA3czC0AB0J7tiJfK_qUpaQ4T7RtIB3Yi_R6p5VoVlEBqYI5I3lErUYSNxs62uPQb9RIMlMqkTQSw/s1600/shadowsofthepastbk(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPLWJCzQhxVfzzX6kUuT6v_A8bnHzoiXK8Q_i0ZG-KnLFmxIZNDqg6KX5BjHJjxi_GXHIMM3obSJjTvgO2NkzbsgX6fFYZiXvDvNQ0RuLMrsapyht2BPicrlFrY0EiUH6lA1TjM73Obw8/s1600/carmen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPLWJCzQhxVfzzX6kUuT6v_A8bnHzoiXK8Q_i0ZG-KnLFmxIZNDqg6KX5BjHJjxi_GXHIMM3obSJjTvgO2NkzbsgX6fFYZiXvDvNQ0RuLMrsapyht2BPicrlFrY0EiUH6lA1TjM73Obw8/s1600/carmen.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><u>Author
bio</u></span><span style="font-size: medium;">:</span> </span>
</div>
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="widows: 136;">
Carmen Stefanescu was born in
Romania, the native country of the infamous vampire Count Dracula,
but where, for about 50 years of communist dictatorship, just
speaking about God, faith, reincarnation or paranormal phenomena
could have led someone to great trouble - the psychiatric hospital if
not to prison.<br />
Teacher of English and German in her native
country and mother of two daughters, Carmen Stefanescu survived the
grim years of oppression, by escaping in a parallel world, that of
the books. </div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="widows: 136;">
She has dreamed all her life to
become a writer, but many of the things she wrote during those years
remained just drawer projects. The fall of the Ceausescu’s regime
in 1989 and the opening of the country to the world meant a new
beginning for her. She started publishing. Poems first, and then
prose. Both in English.</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="widows: 136;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="widows: 136;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXk1uMkks0BmMVAXHQ97fcUwL4Jjn4Yp-uDKHEPtzzxktpz_qGYyIBLCkcfkOdnucA3czC0AB0J7tiJfK_qUpaQ4T7RtIB3Yi_R6p5VoVlEBqYI5I3lErUYSNxs62uPQb9RIMlMqkTQSw/s1600/shadowsofthepastbk(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXk1uMkks0BmMVAXHQ97fcUwL4Jjn4Yp-uDKHEPtzzxktpz_qGYyIBLCkcfkOdnucA3czC0AB0J7tiJfK_qUpaQ4T7RtIB3Yi_R6p5VoVlEBqYI5I3lErUYSNxs62uPQb9RIMlMqkTQSw/s1600/shadowsofthepastbk(1).jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><b>Shadows of the Past</b></u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><u>Publish
date</u></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">: 4</span><sup><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">th</span></sup><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">
December 2012</span></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><u>Publisher</u></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">:
Wild Child Publishing</span></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><u>Genre</u></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">:
paranormal/light romance/light horror.</span></span><br />
<b>Shadows of the Past Blurb:</b><br />
<br />
<br />
Anne's relationship with her boyfriend Neil has disintegrated.
After a two-year separation, they pack for a week vacation in hopes
of reconciling. But fate has other plans for them.
<br />
The discovery of a bejeweled cross and ancient human bones opens a
door to a new and frightening world--one where the ghost of a
medieval nun named Genevieve will not let Anne rest. This new world
threatens not only to ruin Anne and Neil's vacation but to end all
hopes of reconciliation as Anne feels compelled to help free
Genevieve's soul from its torment.
<br />
Can Anne save her relationship and help Genevieve find her eternal
rest?
<br />
A touching, compelling story of tragedy, loss and the power of
endless love and good magic.<br />
The twists and turns in this paranormal tale keep the reader
guessing up to the end and weave themselves together into a quest to
rekindle love.
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Excerpt</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="page-break-inside: avoid;">
"Come, we should leave at
once," she said and glanced nervously over her shoulder.
"Something terrible happened after you left for town. I think
the Abbess found out about us. Our meeting in Uncle Ryan's cabin is
no longer a secret. We have been overheard. For all I know someone
spies on us even as we speak. I think the Abbess, or one of her
'friends,' is hovering somewhere nearby and listening to every word."</div>
<div style="page-break-inside: avoid;">
Andrew pulled Genevieve to his
chest. "Do you regret you've come with me?"
</div>
<div style="page-break-inside: avoid;">
Passion smothered Genevieve's
doubt and guilt. "Never," she answered, aware of her body's
response to his touch, and she succumbed to his embrace.</div>
<div style="page-break-inside: avoid;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="OLE_LINK67"></a>Calming
the gnawing unease in her mind and the thought of Sister Dominica
guessing she was the dough of a sinner, Genevieve repeated, "Never."
</div>
<div style="page-break-inside: avoid;">
With her eyes closed and their
bodies touching she became, for the very first time, simply a woman.
She melted in his embrace in spite of the invisible vicious threat
breathing around them. Aware they might never be alone again, she
fought hard to silence the voice of conscience berating her.
</div>
<div style="page-break-inside: avoid;">
"Oh, God. Please forgive
me," Andrew muttered under his breath when he bowed his head to
kiss her. Their lips met in a passionate first kiss.
</div>
<div style="page-break-inside: avoid;">
Genevieve's spirits fell and her
heart skipped a beat when, a couple of seconds later, she opened her
eyes and her gaze fell on a knot strangers.
</div>
<div style="page-break-inside: avoid;">
…
. . .</div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="page-break-inside: avoid;">
Tears welled in Anne's eyes,
blurring her vision. She couldn’t explain them, or the sudden
sadness seeping into her heart. This should’ve been a moment of
happiness or, at least, contentment. She was with Neil again, and the
outcome of their trip together should, very likely, bring their
reconciliation. Why then did she seem detached from where she stood?
</div>
<div style="page-break-inside: avoid;">
Anne shivered. Why the deep
feeling of having seen this place, this forest before? And why the
eerie sensation of being present here only in the body, while her
mind was far away?
</div>
<div style="page-break-inside: avoid;">
Away from the forest.
</div>
<div style="page-break-inside: avoid;">
Away from Neil, the man who'd
betrayed her trust and her love.</div>
<div style="page-break-inside: avoid;">
An onrush of sensations
unfamiliar to her followed. Dizziness and a malevolent feeling of
unreality suffocated her.</div>
<div style="page-break-inside: avoid;">
Anne edged cautiously closer to
the rim of the bare cliff. Her foot tapped the edge. It seemed solid.
She stared into the darkness of the abyss at her feet. It echoed the
shadows in her heart. An unusual curiosity took hold of her. Should
she step ahead? What was down there? Other human bones? Another
mystery? The presence of evil, creeping up and enveloping her, became
almost palpable. The vines of fog folded around her, dragging her to
the depth. Her throat turned dry, and she gasped for air.</div>
<div style="page-break-inside: avoid;">
Megan's face contorted, the voice
no longer pleasant. A hoarse gurgle, spluttering distorted words,
"Yes, come... I'm waiting... I've been waiting for you for such
a long time..."
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="widows: 136;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="color: #ff9900;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Author
Links</span></span></strong></div>
<strong><span style="color: #ff9900;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Carmen
Stefanescu's Site</span></span></strong><span style="color: #ff9900;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">:</span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://shadowspastmystery.blogspot.ro/" target="_blank">http://shadowspastmystery.blogspot.ro/</a></u></span><br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Carmen-Stefanescu-Books/499245716760283" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/pages/Carmen-Stefanescu-Books/499245716760283</a><br />
<br />
<br />
Twitter @Carmen_Books<br />
<br />
<br />
http://www.pinterest.com/carmens007/<br />
<span style="color: #ff9900;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Buy
Link:</span></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://www.wildchildpublishing.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=84&products_id=410" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Wild
Child Publishing</span></a></u></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://www.wildchildpublishing.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=84&products_id=410"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://www.wildchildpublishing.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=84&products_id=410</span></a></u></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><span style="color: #ff9900;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Buy
Link:</span></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Shadows-of-the-Past-ebook/dp/B00AK2D9I8/ref=sr_1_15?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1354874514&sr=1-15&keywords=shadows+of+the+past" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Amazon</span></a></u></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">
</span><span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Shadows-of-the-Past-ebook/dp/B00AK2D9I8/ref=sr_1_15?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1354874514&sr=1-15&keywords=shadows+of+the+past"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://www.amazon.com/Shadows-of-the-Past-ebook/dp/B00AK2D9I8/ref=sr_1_15?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1354874514&sr=1-15&keywords=shadows+of+the+past</span></a></u></span><br />
<br /><span style="color: #ff9900;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Buy
Link:</span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/shadows-of-the-past-carmen-stefanescu/1113910162?ean=2940015715026" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Barnes
& Noble</span></a></u></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/shadows-of-the-past-carmen-stefanescu/1113910162?ean=2940015715026"><span style="font-size: x-small;">http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/shadows-of-the-past-carmen-stefanescu/1113910162?ean=2940015715026</span></a></u></span><br />
</div>
Victoria Roderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04933859286104636739noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3606582303033600341.post-6080225632121351772014-05-19T14:10:00.004-07:002014-05-19T14:10:35.246-07:00Spring Into Romance Blog Hop
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Spring into Romance Blog Hop</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Thank you to author, <a href="http://michelestegman.com/" target="_blank">Michele Stegman</a> for inviting me
to participate in the blog hop. Check out Michele's blog and see her
newest release, The Shrew That Tames.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Author <a href="http://www.victoriaroder.com/" target="_blank">Victoria Roder</a> here to answer a few questions about my writing. Please visit my website to learn more about my books. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Question 1: What am I working on? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">A romantic comedy
with a working title of <b>Wine, Friends and Murder.</b> I wrote the amateur
sleuth comedy mystery as a script and am currently rewriting it as a
manuscript. </span>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Question 2: How does my work differ from others of
its genre? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">My own natural sarcastic attitude shines through loud and
clear in my characters. The banter between the co-workers thrown in
the middle of a murder investigation is quick witted and sharp.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Question 3: Why do I write what I do? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">I wish I only
wrote in one genre. Instead, with the way my brain is wired I am all
over the board. I write children's picture books, middle grade books,
puzzle books, adult detective mystery, paranormal thrillers and
devotions. </span>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Question 4: How does my writing process work? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">I jot
down ideas on gum wrappers and napkins and sometime record ideas from
dreams. Taking a ride on the motorcycle or the snowmobile helps me
relax and work out plot lines. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span>
Victoria Roder lives in Central Wisconsin with her husband and a
house full of pets. She enjoys camping, hiking, shooting bow at
targets and sitting by the fire. Victoria Roder is the author of
paranormal thriller <i><b>Haunting of Ingersull Penitentiary</b></i>,
action thriller <i><b>Bolt Action</b></i>, picture books <i><b>An
Important Job to Do: A Noah's Ark Tale</b></i> and <i><b>What if A
Zebra Had Triangles?</b></i>, Middle Grade Adventures <i><b>Sled Dog
Tales</b></i> and <i><b>The Curse of King Ramesses II </b></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">teen
puzzle book and devotion </span></span><i><b>Directions For Life</b></i><i><b>
</b></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">and
inspirational pocket book on forgiveness</span></span><i><b> It's Not
You – It's Them.</b></i><br />
<br />
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Victoria Roderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04933859286104636739noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3606582303033600341.post-39408197839362898722014-03-25T19:31:00.001-07:002014-03-25T19:31:32.315-07:00Indie Book of the Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Bolt Action Indy Book of the Day </div>
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Victoria Roderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04933859286104636739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3606582303033600341.post-90708336112874380082014-03-14T17:43:00.000-07:002014-03-14T17:43:54.272-07:00Celebrate Michele Stegman's New Release<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-HJvQBQEMNj24fcRDEJBLdHNXkEFaau-fLYc4VLPFddc-cU09lA9lSBOlHHebGthLj_e_oc0rvZkxgv4aA1774fkmRYmANWBi4viS8Fo7zMv1dUAuHRhygTRdRd7g8DqOFfUNA0pXIN8/s1600/TheShrewThatTames267x400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-HJvQBQEMNj24fcRDEJBLdHNXkEFaau-fLYc4VLPFddc-cU09lA9lSBOlHHebGthLj_e_oc0rvZkxgv4aA1774fkmRYmANWBi4viS8Fo7zMv1dUAuHRhygTRdRd7g8DqOFfUNA0pXIN8/s1600/TheShrewThatTames267x400.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394839890762_33247">
The Shrew That Tames is a twisted retelling of Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew, set in Regency England.</div>
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<div class="yiv5159014278MsoNormal" id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394839890762_33252" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394839890762_33251">Blurb:</span></div>
<div class="yiv5159014278MsoNormal" id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394839890762_33254" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394839890762_33256"> </span></div>
<div class="yiv5159014278MsoNormal" id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394839890762_33277" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394839890762_33276">What's an impoverished aristocrat to do when a beautiful heiress asks him to marry her?</span></div>
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<div class="yiv5159014278MsoNormal" id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394839890762_33279" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394839890762_33278">Katherine<br />
is an heiress who uses her shrewish tongue to keep fortune hunters <br />
away. But what is it about Lord Ashfair that leaves her speechless?</span></div>
<span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394839890762_33283"> <br />
</span><br />
<div class="yiv5159014278MsoNormal" id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394839890762_33282" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394839890762_33283"><span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394839890762_33285">Although<br />
in need of money, Peter Monroe, Marquis of Ashfair, has resolved to <br />
restore his ravaged estates on his own. How can he convince Katherine <br />
that he wants her, not her money?</span></span></div>
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<span lang="RU"> </span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394839890762_33289">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Buy Links for The Shrew That Tames</span></div>
<div class="yiv5159014278MsoNormal" id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394839890762_33291" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It will also be available on Amazon.com after March 14. </span></div>
<div class="yiv5159014278MsoNormal" id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394839890762_33291" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Available at <a href="http://www.breathlesspress.com/index.php?main_page=product_free_shipping_info&cPath=17&products_id=548&zenid=4e6d9f6ce3d528292ee985817b5c447d" target="_blank">Breathless Press</a> </span></div>
<div class="yiv5159014278MsoNormal" id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394839890762_33291" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Available at <a href="https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-theshrewthattames-1447787-340.html" target="_blank">All Romance Books</a></span></div>
<div class="yiv5159014278MsoNormal" id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394839890762_33291" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Available at <a href="http://www.bookstrand.com/the-shrew-that-tames" target="_blank">Bookstrand</a></span></div>
Victoria Roderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04933859286104636739noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3606582303033600341.post-89117516895718672472014-02-24T04:40:00.001-08:002014-02-24T04:48:24.034-08:00Welcom JoAnne Myers-Author of Murder Most Foul<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggwQy9BLFIb3cirXacwZpZ62jprDhyzmytH8fzPSAQxDpqdZdCFO4XTcFRiN5isPcBAN8wSwUr_K7Uhs5TPsj99W_SO-Y9N5m9jnHU_mc6zCzBzg5S0jUclGmt9Wiqsgd6bghXVCH8DEQ/s1600/my+photo+apr+2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggwQy9BLFIb3cirXacwZpZ62jprDhyzmytH8fzPSAQxDpqdZdCFO4XTcFRiN5isPcBAN8wSwUr_K7Uhs5TPsj99W_SO-Y9N5m9jnHU_mc6zCzBzg5S0jUclGmt9Wiqsgd6bghXVCH8DEQ/s1600/my+photo+apr+2011.jpg" height="320" width="233" /></a></div>
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Writing Mystery<br />
<br />
Before writing a word, take some time tojot down key story points. As you're writing, the story will want totake on a life of its own. Having a handy reference of key points will help keep your story on track and you from pulling your hair out. A list of key points is also helpful when outlining the story plot. You may very well find that the story begins to unfold as you're writing down the key points. If this happens...let it! Write down any ideas or details that come to you, they'll come in handy later. Some key points to consider are; what is the mystery? This is the underlying theme to the entire story so be as in-depth as possible (has there been a<br />
murder or a theft or a kidnapping? If so, how and where was it committed?).<br />
Hunt for the culprit. Every good story has at least one antagonist, but what steps must the hero or heroine take to find him/her? How will the villain evade the hero? How is the mystery solved? In mystery writing there are a lot of twists and turns. Write down your initial thoughts for plot twists, red herrings to throw the readers off the trail of the true villain, and of course the final stages of how the good guy will prevail...or does he? You need to decide whether or not the hero or the villain wins in the end. Many hero’s die trying to <br />
solve their case. Many are involved in physical altercations with other characters. You must decide how many altercations, the number of characters involved, and what weapons if any are used. It is not a good <br />
idea to only engage your characters with fist fighting. Throw in some knives, chains, falling from windows, or my favorite, a poisoning, and other nasty assaults.<br />
Every great story has well rounded characters. We read fiction because we want to be entertained and <br />
develop a connection with the characters. Outlining items such as personality traits, physical features, and quirks can help bring your characters to life; a speech impediment, or limp, or a nervous twitch. For the Protagonist, decide the name, age, where does he/she live, does he/she have a family or pets, what is their driving goal for taking on this particular case? Is the hero a police officer, a person sworn to honesty, pride, and valor. Or is the good guy a private detective being paid to find a certain someone. Or your main character could be a parent or sibling searching for a missing loved one. <br />
For the Antagonist, decide the name, age, where does he/she live, is there an underlying reason for being the antagonist? Perhaps this person is a career criminal. On the other hand, maybe he/she is a good person that suffered an unjust and turned to crime out of bitterness and despair. Then you have your support characters, who are the color of the story. They provide depth to the story whether good or bad. A support character could be as simple as a loud mouth hot dog vendor standing on a street corner or as in-depth as the villain's partner in crime. In writing a mystery story, support characters can take on a life of their own with <br />
the reader, so make them interesting. Just because they are labeled support characters does not mean they are any less important than the main characters.<br />
Next is the location of the story. When and where is the story set? These two key elements are what bring your story to life. Mystery story writing is a broad genre and could be set in any time period and in any place. When working with actual locations it is a good idea to do research on the location first. Readers want to feel as though they are there with the characters, so being able to accurately describe a location is vital. Time periods are no exception. If the story is set in 1940's New Orleans, the reader will want to see their <br />
surroundings, not just be told the story is taking place in a speakeasy or church. Be descriptive!<br />
A mystery story is not a story without a solid well thought out plot. Some things to consider when developing the story plot: What is the driving force of the mystery? To solve a murder, or rescue a kidnap victim? What does the villain do to thwart the hero? Does the villain get his goons on the hero? Is the hero being set up by the villain and now he is being hunted by police. What other obstacles get in the way of solving the mystery?<br />
One of the most important elements of writing a mystery story is suspense. Giving away too much too soon will bore the reader. It is best if the suspense is sprinkled throughout the story; bring the mystery to light within thefirst few chapters, then as the story progresses add a clue here and there without revealing the outcome until the final chapter. Do not be afraid to add a "red herring" or false clue, within the stories context. Readers love nothing better than to think they have everything figured out only to find in the end they were mistaken the entire time.The final few chapters of the story should hold the climax of the conflict and resolution between the hero and villain, including how all of the clues scattered throughout the story cumulatively solves the mystery. A good conclusion gives the reader a sense of closure in finding out how the hero solved the mystery. Remember that not all mysteries have to be completely solved or have a "happy" ending. If you are writing a series of stories, the villain may get away at the end of story #1 with the hero using clues from story #1 to track down the villain in story #2. In mystery story writing, the possibilities are <br />
only limited by your imagination.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnKGPkYg1aPt4OJu55OmojY5rSPuqt0h5EetC6H2z-Idlp5BRoCyCJYi0Cb-TXhslWYGhwBDuHsMOOxssTKe5f4surcaDzBIE3t7LI03_BoDNVKmUQ0lu12lrK2O6QmpPl6wQ_fl7UFTk/s1600/mmfbook.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnKGPkYg1aPt4OJu55OmojY5rSPuqt0h5EetC6H2z-Idlp5BRoCyCJYi0Cb-TXhslWYGhwBDuHsMOOxssTKe5f4surcaDzBIE3t7LI03_BoDNVKmUQ0lu12lrK2O6QmpPl6wQ_fl7UFTk/s1600/mmfbook.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a><br />
<br />
Blurb for Murder Most Foul:<br />
<br />
<br />
When two dismembered torsos wash up on the banks of the local river in the small industrial town of Pleasant Valley, residents are horrified.Between contradicting statements, police ineptitude, lust, lies, <br />
manipulation, incest, the motorcycle gang The Devil’s Disciples, crooked cops, and a botched crime scene, everyone becomes a suspect.<br />
<br />
The young beautiful Jackie Reeves, a registered nurse, believes the killer is a man from her past. She contacts the dangerously handsome FBI Agent Walker Harmon. An arrest is made, but Harmon and Jackie believe an innocent man is being railroaded by local cops. Determined to find the truth, before anymore killings, Agent Harmon and Jackie are forced to run a gauntlet of deep trouble and turmoil, which marks them for death.<br />
<br />
Other books by JoAnne:<br />
<br />
Wicked Intentions-a paranormal/mystery anthology<br />
The Crime of the Century-a biography true crime book<br />
Poems About Life, Love, and Everything in Between<br />
<br />
Upcoming releases:<br />
<br />
Twisted Love-a biography true crime anthology<br />
Loves, Myths, and Monsters, available later this month<br />
Flagitious-a detective/crime novella anthology<br />
<br />
Author Bio:<br />
<br />
<br />
I have been a long-time resident of southeastern Ohio, and worked in the blue-collar industry most of my life. Besides having several novels under my belt, I canvass paint.When not busy with hobbies or working outside the home, I spend time with relatives, my dogs Jasmine and Scooter, and volunteer my time within the community. I am a member of the Hocking Hill's Arts and Craftsmen Association, The Hocking County<br />
Historical Society and Museum, and the Hocking Hills Regional Welcome Center. I believe in family values and following your dreams. <br />
<br />
My books along with my original canvas paintings, can be found at: <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" target="_blank">http://www.booksandpaintingsbyjoanne.com</a><br />
<br />
Contact: <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null">joannetucker98@yahoo.com</a><br />
<br />
Buy links: “Murder Most Foul,” www.melange-books.com/authors/joannemyers/MMF.html<br />
<br />
Here is the link to buy it directly from LULU:<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" target="_blank">http://www.lulu.com/shop/joanne-myers/murder-most-foul/paperback/product-21183493.html</a><br />
<br />
Respectfully Yours,<br />
<br />
JoAnne<br />
Myers-Author of Murder Most Foul,- Wicked Intentions,- Loves', Myths', and Monsters',- The Crime of the Century,- Twisted Love, and Flagitious.<br />
<br />
<br />
My website:<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" target="_blank">http://www.booksandpaintingsbyjoanne.com</a><br />
<br />
My website Blog: <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" target="_blank">http://www.booksandpaintingsbyjoanne.com/page2</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" target="_blank">https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/wwwjoannemyerscom</a>Victoria Roderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04933859286104636739noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3606582303033600341.post-23742856498835773222014-02-16T19:18:00.001-08:002014-02-16T19:18:57.058-08:00Paper or Plastic?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTISGZaDQ_42qiGaMYxxncWZYUoKa4ltFR3uTrUUCOCIzhK5rljqrOqG9U-S6iNAPt8zik3nMqW56VaBemWZvcnhdzznPysdIamSiqfTIQH0_6BqX0-FRI1pYgNYtazedQJJergzHRkSE/s1600/wolves_v7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">Welcome Author P.J. MacLayne</a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqq-SV8oPJLVIV9qE8NrnrbB-Sn8NE2kSxx_l8FT_uCVkgYfSDg2fyvQz3kjeO8ukAHVP0K3UHPTtX787CsCvMLs986jrGTSvD6KjSQxkFaJXnlT1aRJ1Ovx9RP5AvDaJ2w7bCLebgJY8/s1600/pkmaclayne.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqq-SV8oPJLVIV9qE8NrnrbB-Sn8NE2kSxx_l8FT_uCVkgYfSDg2fyvQz3kjeO8ukAHVP0K3UHPTtX787CsCvMLs986jrGTSvD6KjSQxkFaJXnlT1aRJ1Ovx9RP5AvDaJ2w7bCLebgJY8/s1600/pkmaclayne.jpg" height="320" width="302" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Paper or Plastic?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
By P.J.
MacLayne</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We all got used to hearing “paper or plastic” when grocery
stores moved to plastic bags umpteen year ago. The majority of us gladly
accepted plastic. They were lighter, easier to store, and could be used again.
The thought that they were bad for the environment didn't even cross our minds
for many years. Now it's hard to find a grocery store that provides paper bags.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The current debate is e-book vs paper. There are a lot of
advantages to books in electronic format. They are more environmentally
friendly, for one thing. A small e-book reader can hold 1400 or so books. How
much space would that many books take up in your home or apartment? And how
much paper would be used in their creation?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
E-books also tend to be cheaper. It depends upon the
publisher of course, but unless you're buying used books, you aren't likely to
find a paperback for ninety-nine cents. All sorts of e-books are on sale for
that price every day.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
True, it's harder to share that great book you just finished
with your best friend. On some platforms, it can be done, but it's not as easy
as picking it up off the coffee table and handing it over. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Having grown up before the era of e-books, transitioning to
the new format was difficult for me. There’s nothing like curling up in your
favorite chair with a paper book in your hand and your favorite beverage
nearby. The feel of the paper between your fingers as you turn the page. The
experience isn’t the same holding a tablet and flicking a finger over the surface.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Which do you prefer? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR7hsj_rsE2Y6qUQlcRqL4tgYT0S1Kc4JN9rtjdery7WzmDb7bzN2Ll8quG6dwD1MZwKe3AroGhSei5XYfeakbA7JChJ2M1X4VM4Y7AnZsl7lZT7ZmfSqqOrdtiKZqc2Cc-dDoQdiwshE/s1600/wolves_v7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR7hsj_rsE2Y6qUQlcRqL4tgYT0S1Kc4JN9rtjdery7WzmDb7bzN2Ll8quG6dwD1MZwKe3AroGhSei5XYfeakbA7JChJ2M1X4VM4Y7AnZsl7lZT7ZmfSqqOrdtiKZqc2Cc-dDoQdiwshE/s1600/wolves_v7.png" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dot, the heroine in my book, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wolves’ Pawn,</i> would fall among the supporters of paperbacks. Money
is tight for her, and she needs to be able to pick up and leave at a moment’s
notice. She can leave a physical book behind without an issue, but leaving
behind an e-reader would be tough. Besides, she prefers to pay for everything
in cash when she is on the road. Makes it harder to be traced.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here’s an excerpt where she’s getting ready to run:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The campers were gone, but Dot hesitated at the top of the
hillside. The birds were hushed, their silence unnatural. She reached out with
her <span class="WW-DefaultParagraphFont"><i>other</i></span> senses but found
nothing unusual. As noiselessly as possible in her human form, she moved across
the top of the ridge, the breeze blowing softly across her face.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The faint
scent of a campfire remained in the air, but not enough to worry her. No smoke
rose from the campfire pit and that was the important thing. The grass was
pushed down where the tents used to be, but would spring back in a few days. The
garbage had apparently been packed out as she saw none around the meadow.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Still, she
delayed going to the house. A large crow landed near her and cocked its head,
staring at her. She wondered what message it carried. As the bird flapped its
wings and flew off, she detected the sound of a motor coming down the road. She
listened, puzzled—were the campers coming back? Why had they taken down their
tents if they had planned to return?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Now the
sound grew more distinct. It was not one motor, but several. Four men on
motorcycles pulled into the clearing and parked a little way away from the
house, talking loudly amongst themselves. Three forced their way into the house
while one stood outside, scanning the meadow. Finally, the three came back
outside. The conversation came to her in snatches;</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Others …
here, but … recently.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Fresh
scent.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“No …
tracks.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The fourth
man stood still, scanning the area. His gaze moved towards the trees beyond the
clearing and Dot hugged the ground. She prayed the wind would not change
directions. She dared not back away from her vantage point, fearing the noise
of crackling leaves and breaking twigs would be enough for them to hear.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Spread out
… the woods.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-line-height-alt: 5.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Her choices were limited. She needed
to get back to her bike and leave. The only thing in the house was her sleeping
bag and it could be replaced. Before she could move, she saw the fourth man go
to the fire pit and grab the firewood the campers had left. He stacked it
against the house, then grabbed a can from the saddlebag of his bike and poured
some sort of liquid over the wood. Her <i>other </i>sight showed her the
malicious grin on his face and her <span class="WW-DefaultParagraphFont"><i>other</i></span>
smell caught a strong odor of kerosene. He pulled a pack of cigarettes from his
pocket and lit one. Carelessly, he tossed it on top of the stack and watched as
the stack lit, catching the dried wood of the old house on fire as well.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-line-height-alt: 5.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No, Dot would have no time to grab a valuable e-reader.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wolves’ Pawn is available on only in e-book format on Amazon
for the time being. There will be a paperback version available in the near
future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here’s the link to buy it. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HVDD1G4">http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HVDD1G4</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
P.J. MacLayne is a computer geek by day and a writer by
night. She was born in the rolling hills of Pennsylvania where many of her
stories are set. She currently lives in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains.</div>
Victoria Roderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04933859286104636739noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3606582303033600341.post-36893700324046141782014-01-05T18:39:00.000-08:002014-01-05T18:39:02.036-08:00Welcome Author Misa Buckley<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Please welcome Champagne Books Group author Misa Buckley!<br />
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ0ltRegDao-vTsP0ct9fqhKuV7awWqrLEeBFo8DlbP31GZroPetS5pd9oKJIaXF4bmyeUDBiwNytN-ISwZS-xV4TeVmyzGtEA9lsNju0cpWv8pjG1Lssf_JCh-d9M9UcsfCWCCMTaWAs/s1600/archangel-sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ0ltRegDao-vTsP0ct9fqhKuV7awWqrLEeBFo8DlbP31GZroPetS5pd9oKJIaXF4bmyeUDBiwNytN-ISwZS-xV4TeVmyzGtEA9lsNju0cpWv8pjG1Lssf_JCh-d9M9UcsfCWCCMTaWAs/s320/archangel-sm.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 1;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span lang="EN-GB">BLURB</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 1;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB">Patient.
Merciful. Protective… One out of three ain’t bad.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Small time crook Gabriel Kemp is just
trying to make a living when a hit-and-run leaves him for dead. Waking up in
hospital to an angel at his bedside gives him a second chance, but one that
comes with a condition.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Fleeing San Francisco doesn’t mean he can
evade the deal either – he still manages to meet Abigail Harris, the woman he’s
promised to protect. He might not believe in the psychic visions she claims to
have, but he knows if there’s even a chance she can identify the serial killer
terrorizing downtown L.A. then she’s in danger.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">The only way to keep Abby safe is to find
and stop the killer. If that means taking on the devil determined to turn the
City of Angels into the City of Hell on Earth, then so be it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span lang="EN-GB">EXCERPT</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span lang="EN-GB">“You came,” she
whispered. “You really came.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">What was wrong with me and attracting crazy
women lately? I frowned and picked up an angel. Male, in jeans and a tee,
features blurred in a way that made my stomach clench.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">“I didn’t realize I was expected,” I said
sourly, putting the damn thing down again. Glancing towards her, I caught the
way her hands knotted on the grubby apron around her waist.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span lang="EN-GB">“I
didn’t…expect, but I hoped. I prayed.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Oh, God. I pinched the bridge of my nose.
“Look, whoever you think I am you’re sorely mistaken. I was just passing. On my
way to the Laundromat.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">A small smile curved her lips. “You must be
very new if you think that will work. Don’t you realize I can see them?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span lang="EN-GB">“See what?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span lang="EN-GB">“Your wings.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span lang="EN-GB">My what, now?
“Pardon?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">“Your wings.” She smiled again, her eyes
fixed at some point just behind me. “They’re exactly as I dreamed them.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">I took a step away from the crazy lady. I
needed to change my cologne, demand a refund or something. Why the hell had I
even come in here? So much for indulging a passing ironic interest.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span lang="EN-GB">“Uh huh, course
you did.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">She gave a high-pitched giggle and rolled
her eyes. I moved back another step as she wavered closer, but her attention
was on the counter and the angel I’d picked up. The creepy, featureless one
that made my skin crawl.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span lang="EN-GB">“The wings were
very clear, your face wasn’t. That was disconcerting. I usually see very
clearly.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">What I saw clearly was that I needed to get
out of there. Oxygen was suddenly in short supply, the walls that surrounded me
solid and overbearing. An old but familiar panic crawled up my throat, choking
me.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span lang="EN-GB">“I’m not what
you think I am,” I told her, wincing at the desperation that colored my tone.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span lang="EN-GB">She just smiled
and fondled the angel. I tried not to look at it, afraid of what I’d see.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">The ironic thing was that I’d dropped
everything and bussed a few hundred miles in an attempt to avoid this very
meeting. I didn’t believe in fate, but something had pulled me here. The idea
terrified me and I did what I always did when faced with anything that remotely
resembled responsibility.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">I ran.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 1; text-align: center;">
<b><u><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Interview With Abigail
Harris from the novel Archangel</span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 1;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB">Tell us a
little about yourself</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">I'm the youngest of three, with an older
brother and sister. When I was 16, I got my first precognitive flash – I
foresaw my dad having an accident and managed to persuade him to take a different
route. That afternoon there was a huge pile-up on the freeway. I started seeing
angels not long after that. Not that I told anyone. Instead, I used my visions
to create art, then discovered people wanted that art. I moved to a studio
attached to a shop and that's where I met Gabe.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 1;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB">What do you
consider is your greatest achievement?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span lang="EN-GB">My first
gallery show when I was just 18. That was kinda awesome.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 1;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB">What is your
greatest regret?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span lang="EN-GB">I definitely
regret the less pleasant visions. Living those was... 'awful' doesn't begin to
describe it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 1;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB">When and
where were you the happiest?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">I've never been as happy as I am now. Yes,
there are things Gabe and I have to work out, but he really loves me and I him.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 1;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB">What quality
do you most like in a man?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Strength of
character and a good sense of humour.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 1;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB">What quality
do you most dislike in yourself?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">I hate the the visions made me needy. I'd
like to be stronger mentally, but I guess that weakness is one of the costs.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 1;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB">What or who
is the greatest love of your life?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Gabe, though it
wasn't love at first sight!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 1;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB">What was
your first impression of them?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Honestly? I was disappointed. I knew he was
coming, and what he was, but the reality didn't live up to my fantasies. That
was a rude awakening. However, he was everything I needed him to be and I
quickly fell for the real man.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 1;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB">If you could
change one thing in your life, what would it be?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 1;">
<span lang="EN-GB">I'd not have
ridden that damn motorcycle.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 1;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB">If you could
change one thing about yourself, what would it be?</span></b></div>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-language: HI; mso-fareast-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-fareast-language: HI; mso-font-kerning: .5pt;">I hate my hair! I wish it wasn't so frizzy. But I like
Gabe likes it, so may</span> <br />
<br />Victoria Roderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04933859286104636739noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3606582303033600341.post-10375734457045882252013-12-12T20:00:00.000-08:002013-12-12T20:00:03.710-08:00Meet Author Hannah Lokos<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi09orrZwvG3D24SQCdhPSEW8ko-eslZ8ves8NfAOobW0xAG1_DDm2dXv1KElm0Ry8P5gMRa7Gj1tERkuMaaEVa9yPKdzl0ZXKzR7ojaqteXaaZ6KkEsRteCdr39gC342nIPI9KEX6dPNQ/s1600/headshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi09orrZwvG3D24SQCdhPSEW8ko-eslZ8ves8NfAOobW0xAG1_DDm2dXv1KElm0Ry8P5gMRa7Gj1tERkuMaaEVa9yPKdzl0ZXKzR7ojaqteXaaZ6KkEsRteCdr39gC342nIPI9KEX6dPNQ/s320/headshot.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hannah Lokos is a fellow author at Champagne Books Group. </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hannah
Lokos is a sleep-deprived college student. She’s a biology major by day and an
author at night, writing<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a> usually between the hours of 1
and 4 a.m. She’s wanted to be a published author ever since she was five
years old. Now, fifteen years later, she finally is! Her first novel to be
published,<a href="http://www.hannahlokos.com/?page_id=18" target="_blank"> <i>Labyrinth
of Lies</i></a>, was released this December 2, 2013 by Champagne Book Group.
Fun facts about Hannah? She has climbed Mt. Whitney, been stung by a jellyfish,
and yes, unfortunately, she’s even eaten a cricket. (It was dead, so no
worries!) She likes anything artsy, enjoys challenges, and absolutely loves
cats.</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia7wi17eqXac9owDsIe04q9x-se9rvxAmZvf1IKfEpgty3ajK1_iQBHkTBJUh28s664W-DKpIs_32Sr78FT_gqxiiog3IRyYGhPZrNfgOSfmXCjQj7e6KGjKNWQCWLDHwS-8Gd5dH1TyY/s1600/LabyrinthofLies1400x2100%2540300dpi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia7wi17eqXac9owDsIe04q9x-se9rvxAmZvf1IKfEpgty3ajK1_iQBHkTBJUh28s664W-DKpIs_32Sr78FT_gqxiiog3IRyYGhPZrNfgOSfmXCjQj7e6KGjKNWQCWLDHwS-8Gd5dH1TyY/s320/LabyrinthofLies1400x2100%2540300dpi.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Book
Blurb: </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Something foul is afoot in Ancient Greece.
Athens is bruised from a previous war with Crete. Worse still, King Minos
annually demands fourteen Athenian youths to be fed to the Cretan Minotaur,
which is locked inside a maze. Theseus has grown up amidst this tangle of pain.
When his own beloved, Zosemine, is taken to be fed to the Minotaur, Theseus
finds himself at the heart of a web of conflicting motives, with the sense that
even those closest to him cannot be trusted. Questions abound. Why is his
father so ashamed? What is King Minos hiding? Is the Minotaur even real? And if
not, what truly lies at the heart of the labyrinth? Little does Theseus know
that all the various plots, motives, and secrets all weave around one terrible
truth. Theseus must navigate the labyrinth and see past the masks, to slay the
Minotaur.”</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Excerpt:
</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">P</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">allas
raised his eyebrows. “You are brave, indeed, if you seek to kill the Minotaur.
I dearly hope you succeed, for blessed is the one who will rid us of that
beast. But the world is a fearsome place, Theseus. It is filled with twisted
hearts and hopes and dreams. You think to enter the Minotaur’s maze once you
arrive in Crete, but here you are wrong, Theseus. You have already entered the
labyrinth—you were born into it, and in it, you can trust no one.</span></i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Links:</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Buy Links:</span></b><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://burstbooks.ca/product.php?id_product=114"><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">http://burstbooks.ca/product.php?id_product=114</span></a><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Labyrinth-Of-Lies-Hannah-Lokos-ebook/dp/B00H1ZC0NW/ref=cm_cr_pr_pb_t"><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">http://www.amazon.com/Labyrinth-Of-Lies-Hannah-Lokos-ebook/dp/B00H1ZC0NW/ref=cm_cr_pr_pb_t</span></a><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Social Media:</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Email:
hannahlokos.writer@gmail.com</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Website:
</span><a href="http://www.hannahlokos.com/"><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">www.hannahlokos.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Facebook:
</span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hannah-Lokos/358739397569904"><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hannah-Lokos/358739397569904</span></a><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Twitter:
</span><a href="https://twitter.com/"><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://twitter.com/</span></a><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">GooglePlus:
</span><a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/110488086288456380245/posts"><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://plus.google.com/u/0/110488086288456380245/posts</span></a><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Victoria Roderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04933859286104636739noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3606582303033600341.post-77649713006446847022013-12-08T14:16:00.002-08:002013-12-08T14:16:10.660-08:00Meet Author Hannah Lokos<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi09orrZwvG3D24SQCdhPSEW8ko-eslZ8ves8NfAOobW0xAG1_DDm2dXv1KElm0Ry8P5gMRa7Gj1tERkuMaaEVa9yPKdzl0ZXKzR7ojaqteXaaZ6KkEsRteCdr39gC342nIPI9KEX6dPNQ/s1600/headshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi09orrZwvG3D24SQCdhPSEW8ko-eslZ8ves8NfAOobW0xAG1_DDm2dXv1KElm0Ry8P5gMRa7Gj1tERkuMaaEVa9yPKdzl0ZXKzR7ojaqteXaaZ6KkEsRteCdr39gC342nIPI9KEX6dPNQ/s320/headshot.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hannah Lokos is a fellow author at Champagne Books Group. </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hannah
Lokos is a sleep-deprived college student. She’s a biology major by day and an
author at night, writing<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a> usually between the hours of 1
and 4 a.m. She’s wanted to be a published author ever since she was five
years old. Now, fifteen years later, she finally is! Her first novel to be
published,<a href="http://www.hannahlokos.com/?page_id=18" target="_blank"> <i>Labyrinth
of Lies</i></a>, was released this December 2, 2013 by Champagne Book Group.
Fun facts about Hannah? She has climbed Mt. Whitney, been stung by a jellyfish,
and yes, unfortunately, she’s even eaten a cricket. (It was dead, so no
worries!) She likes anything artsy, enjoys challenges, and absolutely loves
cats.</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia7wi17eqXac9owDsIe04q9x-se9rvxAmZvf1IKfEpgty3ajK1_iQBHkTBJUh28s664W-DKpIs_32Sr78FT_gqxiiog3IRyYGhPZrNfgOSfmXCjQj7e6KGjKNWQCWLDHwS-8Gd5dH1TyY/s1600/LabyrinthofLies1400x2100%2540300dpi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia7wi17eqXac9owDsIe04q9x-se9rvxAmZvf1IKfEpgty3ajK1_iQBHkTBJUh28s664W-DKpIs_32Sr78FT_gqxiiog3IRyYGhPZrNfgOSfmXCjQj7e6KGjKNWQCWLDHwS-8Gd5dH1TyY/s320/LabyrinthofLies1400x2100%2540300dpi.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Book
Blurb: </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Something foul is afoot in Ancient Greece.
Athens is bruised from a previous war with Crete. Worse still, King Minos
annually demands fourteen Athenian youths to be fed to the Cretan Minotaur,
which is locked inside a maze. Theseus has grown up amidst this tangle of pain.
When his own beloved, Zosemine, is taken to be fed to the Minotaur, Theseus
finds himself at the heart of a web of conflicting motives, with the sense that
even those closest to him cannot be trusted. Questions abound. Why is his
father so ashamed? What is King Minos hiding? Is the Minotaur even real? And if
not, what truly lies at the heart of the labyrinth? Little does Theseus know
that all the various plots, motives, and secrets all weave around one terrible
truth. Theseus must navigate the labyrinth and see past the masks, to slay the
Minotaur.”</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Excerpt:
</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">P</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">allas
raised his eyebrows. “You are brave, indeed, if you seek to kill the Minotaur.
I dearly hope you succeed, for blessed is the one who will rid us of that
beast. But the world is a fearsome place, Theseus. It is filled with twisted
hearts and hopes and dreams. You think to enter the Minotaur’s maze once you
arrive in Crete, but here you are wrong, Theseus. You have already entered the
labyrinth—you were born into it, and in it, you can trust no one.</span></i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></i></b></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Links:</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Buy Links:</span></b><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://burstbooks.ca/product.php?id_product=114"><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">http://burstbooks.ca/product.php?id_product=114</span></a><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Labyrinth-Of-Lies-Hannah-Lokos-ebook/dp/B00H1ZC0NW/ref=cm_cr_pr_pb_t"><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">http://www.amazon.com/Labyrinth-Of-Lies-Hannah-Lokos-ebook/dp/B00H1ZC0NW/ref=cm_cr_pr_pb_t</span></a><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Social Media:</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Email:
hannahlokos.writer@gmail.com</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Website:
</span><a href="http://www.hannahlokos.com/"><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">www.hannahlokos.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Facebook:
</span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hannah-Lokos/358739397569904"><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hannah-Lokos/358739397569904</span></a><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Twitter:
</span><a href="https://twitter.com/"><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://twitter.com/</span></a><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">GooglePlus:
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Victoria Roderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04933859286104636739noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3606582303033600341.post-9171047981721129712013-11-26T01:00:00.000-08:002013-11-26T01:00:02.442-08:00A Small Story For Page 3 by Jack Germond<div style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
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With deep regret I announce that Jack Germond, author of A Small Story For Page 3 passed away the day his book was released, but his wife, Alice Travis Germond has bravely taken A Small Story for Page 3 on a virtual book tour.<br />
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<span lang="EN-CA"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="background: white; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"> </span><br />
<span lang="EN-CA" style="background: white; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Ja</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="background: #F3F3F3; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">ck Germond (January 30, 1928 – August 14, 2013) was
a retired newspaper man, columnist and TV pundit. But like a Thoroughbred
racehorse, a reporter never actually retires—he just writes about other things.
The author brings his vast knowledge and understanding of the press and the
business of getting the information to public to bear in his breakout novel, A
Small Story for Page 3. Mr. Germond was nationally known as a bemused liberal
and was a regular on The McLaughlin Group as well as appearing on other public
affairs TV programs — CNN, Meet The Press and The Today Show among others. He
covered ten presidential elections, and with Jules Witcover wrote a book
covering each presidential election from 1980 to 1992. Timothy Crouse made
Germond a prominent figure in “Boys on the Bus” his acclaimed book on the 1972
presidential election. Mr. Germond has previously published two non-fiction
books, his memoir “Fat Man in A Middle Seat” (Random House 2002) and “Fat Man
Fed Up” (Random House 2005) a scride on the decline of politics in
the United States.
Along with Jules Witcover he wrote a syndicated column that ran in 140 papers
five days a week from 1977 to 2001. 2000. </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><br />
<span style="background: #EEEEEE;">Chris Farley once spoofed Germond on Saturday
Night Live. Germond was known for his no nonsense approach to reporting and his
love of good food, good liquor and good friends. He instituted The Germond Rule
which two generations of political reporters have adhered to. The rule
simply stated that when a group of reporters dined together the tab would be
split evenly, no matter who ate or drank more. This caused his many friends to
eat and drink defensively when covering stories and enjoying good company.</span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">Jack
Germond was one of a kind and he will be missed. MuseItUp Publishing is proud
to publish his first and only fiction novel. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;">Mr. Germond built a solid reputation for
his aggressive pursuit of news, his skill as a storyteller, the high-level
sources he cultivated in Washington and state capitals over 50 years and a vivid
understanding of how the U.S. political system functioned for better and, often,
for worse.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;">While reveling in
the persona of an ink-stained wretch — down to the poker playing and whiskey
drinking — Mr. Germond was among the first of his breed to make the transition
to television. He cut an unlikely TV figure, with a pugnacious manner, bald head
and generous stomach, but his knowledge was unquestioned.</span><br />
<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA">Photo
Credit: Ann Hawthorne</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA">A Small Story
for Page 3</span></i></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">Harry
Fletcher can’t for the life of him figure out what exactly the ‘nugget’ of
information his colleague, Eddie Concannon, uncovered prior to his death is.
Picking his way along the threads of information, Harry soon finds himself at
odds with government officials and his own newspaper seems to be involved in
the collusion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Join Harry as he
deciphers the clues and enjoy a journey into the world of investigative
reporting set against a colorful back drop of characters and locations.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">Short Excerpt from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Small Story for Page 3</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Oddly enough, ladies and
gentlemen of the TV audience," Harry announced in his persona as Larry
Largelungs of Action Central News, "the condemned man was smiling and
singing as he approached the gallows."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The mood changed when he
arrived at Wear's office to find the executive editor and the managing editor
waiting and somberly reading printouts of the story.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"This thing has to be
settled today," Wear said. "It's gone on long enough, it's tied us in
knots, and we need to find a solution."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"I thought we had
one," Harry said. "The story shows he has been sailing under false
colors as a corruption fighter by trying to protect one of the targets of the
investigation with whom he had a connection, perhaps lucrative, not previously
disclosed."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"We're not the ones who
have to be convinced," Mike reminded him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">When they walked into
Marcotte's office, it was obvious he was not prepared to be persuaded. The
publisher remained behind his huge mahogany desk and with a brusque gesture he
seated the others at the small conference table.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"I've read the story you
people seem to think should run on Page One as soon as possible," he said,
"I think it’s still libelous horseshit, and I intend to spike it, this
time for good. You still have no hard evidence that Tyler Bannister resisted
Phase Two because of some personal concern. But Tyler denies it flat-out and there's no quote
from him to corroborate it."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Harry was trying to contain
his fury. "The only quote from him in reply was “go fuck yourself.” Do you
want to use that?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Don't be flippant,
Fletcher, this is a serious question."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"We all understand that,
Dave," Wear said, stepping in quickly. "If you want a clearer denial
in more decorous terms, we can do that."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"A denial isn't going to
change the fact that we are doing serious damage to Tyler Bannister's
reputation and potentially his political career," Marcotte said, his voice
rising. "I don't intend to be a party to that."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"That was never our
intention," Wear said. "We've gone where the story has taken us. The
truth is that this episode raises serious questions about Bannister's
candidacy."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"It shows him interceding
in behalf of a friend and former business associate in an official
investigation," Harry said with some heat. "That's a part of the
truth about him that we know but our readers do not."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Don't give me that truth
and readers crap, Fletcher," the publisher said. "I remember you
calling him a trimmer way back there. You had it in for him from the start. So
did Concannon."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"This story quotes Tom
Lawton saying Bannister called him with a warning about being on Carvaggio's
list of targets and it quotes Rudy Myers as confirming that Bannister ordered Lawton's name stricken
from that list once he agreed to retire from the bench."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"I know what the story
says but, as I told you earlier, Fletcher," Marcotte said, "it is the
publisher, not the reporter, who decides what appears in the News and I have
made the decision on this one." After an interminable twenty seconds of
silence, he continued, "I think we're through here, gentlemen. Thanks for
coming in." When the elevator dropped them at the third floor, Wear
beckoned them into his office and closed the door on Meg. "I don't know
what we do now," he said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"What you and Mike
do," Harry said, "is keep faith with the good people here who depend
on you to let them put out a good newspaper and hope for change. What I do, is
clean a few things out of my desk and walk out of the building. I don't have
any choice now."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"What are you going to do
about the story," Mike asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"I haven't thought it
through, Mike, but I'm not going to give it to the Trib or some television
station. I don't know if the story is mine to use elsewhere or what. It would
take a lot of time and effort for anyone else to duplicate it."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Wear had a different concern.
"What are you going to say when the word gets out that you've left the
building?" he asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"I could just tell the
truth—that I have left the News after almost thirty years because of a decision
by the publisher to spike a story I wrote. Period." He laughed. "I'll
leave it to Amy Whiting to fill in the blanks."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">At Wear's office door, he
turned to his two old friends. "Look, this isn't the end of the world.
Let's all have dinner later in the week, some place public for all to see.
Meanwhile, I'll keep you posted." </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">A Small Story for Page 3 (ebook ISBN <span style="background: #FAFAFA;">978-1-77127-385-5<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Print ISBN<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>978-1-77127-437-1) </span>is
available from MuseItUp Publishing or ask for it wherever good books are sold.
For a review copy please contact the publisher at MuseItUp Publishing.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">Reviews for A
Small<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Story for Page 3</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">Amazon.com</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">5.0
out of 5 stars <a href="http://www.amazon.com/review/R3VCGSRT3MZYV9/ref=cm_cr_dp_title?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B00EKPWH0M&channel=detail-glance&nodeID=133140011&store=digital-text"><b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Breathtaking
Political Investigating By A Winner</span></b></a><span style="color: #666666;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">August 16, 2013</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">By</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/A2UFJ75SFK9MLA/ref=cm_cr_dp_pdp"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #996633; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Lady Bug Lin</span></a></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">A SMALL STORY FOR PAGE 3 by Jack W.
Germond<br />
<br />
I never expected my first review for author Jack W. Germond to be my last, but
I guess if it has to be the last, it might as well be a top notch book to
review...and that's the case here.<br />
<br />
Inside a major D.C. Newspaper hub where the busy world of digging out political
intrigue is daily fair that makes the headlines and sells the papers, Jack W.
Germond has created a tense, boiler pot of a story. He shows one and all the
glamour we all think the media news possesses is actually coated beneath many
layers of tarnish, some obvious, some concealed, some seedy, and some spreading
like a dry rot through the majestic limbs of our stately cherry trees.<br />
<br />
No one alive today can look at the day-to-day business that transpires within
the Beltway and not know lies, deceit, and subterfuge play huge parts in
creating the ever shifting sands creating the foundation of politics. Jack
Germond's ace reporter, Harry Fletcher knows this seedy world very well, and
plays it with the panache of a man who's been at it for a long time.<br />
<br />
Upon the death of his colleague and friend, Harry is given what those in the
business call a "nugget"...a story not fully developed, and told to
flesh it out...find the meat...get the story...if it really exists, but keep it
close to his chest.<br />
<br />
Treacherous waters. Harry must swim upstream against the odds, but when he does,
who will he uncover are the real sharks waiting to tear him fin from fin?<br />
<br />
This is a gripping story I read from beginning to end in one sitting. Mr.
Germond's story telling skills captivated and had me cheering Harry Fletcher on
as he came up against obstacle after obstacle and obstacle while ferreting out
the truth. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/A-Small-Story-Page-3-ebook/product-reviews/B00EKPWH0M/ref=cm_cr_dp_text?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=0&sortBy=byRankDescending#R3VCGSRT3MZYV9"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #996633; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Read more ›</span></a></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/review/R3VCGSRT3MZYV9/ref=cm_cr_dp_cmt?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B00EKPWH0M&channel=detail-glance&nodeID=133140011&store=digital-text#wasThisHelpful"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #996633; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Comment</span></a> <span style="color: #666666;">|</span> </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">4.0 out of 5 stars <a href="http://www.amazon.com/review/RWM2AGTV18SA2/ref=cm_cr_dp_title?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B00EKPWH0M&channel=detail-glance&nodeID=133140011&store=digital-text"><b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">An
Insider's Story About News Reporting</span></b></a><span style="color: #666666;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">August 20, 2013</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">By</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/A1VSSGGBQZAGRD/ref=cm_cr_dp_pdp"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #996633; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">ANOTHER AUTHOR</span></a></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #e47911; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Amazon Verified
Purchase</span></b><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Ace political reporter Harry Fletcher
has problems: a politician threatening him, a young reporter gunning for his
job, a wife having an affair and a publisher who doesn't want to print his
latest story. This first novel by veteran newsman Jack Germond gives an
insider's look at the job of journalism as Fletcher interviews sources who wish
to remain anonymous, tracks down promising leads, rallies his editors' support
and finally, confronts his boss. You'll never read a newspaper again without
thinking of this "small story" and the ethical dilemma it describes.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">5.0 out of 5 stars <a href="http://www.amazon.com/review/R1HI3FUY7YB5DB/ref=cm_cr_dp_title?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B00EKPWH0M&channel=detail-glance&nodeID=133140011&store=digital-text"><b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Turn
to Page 3</span></b></a><span style="color: #666666;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">September 15, 2013</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">By</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/AE69GRQMIWT31/ref=cm_cr_dp_pdp"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #996633; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Patricia Stocker</span></a></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #e47911; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Amazon Verified
Purchase</span></b><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">I have some newspaper background and the book is
written by a former newsman.<br />
<br />
The book reveals how newspaper ownership and management can censor and color
the news, as it now does.<br />
<br />
A bit of sex spices up the story.<br />
<br />
Jack Germond is an excellent writer with a lifetime of experience.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">5.0 out of 5 stars <a href="http://www.amazon.com/review/RF11AEBLEENFS/ref=cm_cr_dp_title?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B00EKPWH0M&channel=detail-glance&nodeID=133140011&store=digital-text"><b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">What
is it like to be a political reporter?</span></b></a><span style="color: #666666;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">September 12, 2013</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">By</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/A10MA8E69SYCZF/ref=cm_cr_dp_pdp"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #996633; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">George W McDonald</span></a></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #e47911; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Amazon Verified
Purchase</span></b><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">I love to read about politics. My
favorite political reading is a book looking back on events and giving the
big-picture story and, usually, details that didn't make the daily newspapers.
My favorite such books were written by Jack Germond and his partner Jules
Witcover, especially "Mad As Hell," about the 1992 presidential
election. Jack was also a well-known talking head (The McLaughlin Group); Jack
was the one that wasn't full of himself.<br />
<br />
I had the great pleasure of meeting and getting to know Jack and having dinner
with him and his wife Alice over Thanksgiving weekend for most of the past ten
years or so. I was in heaven sitting at the table with Jack and hearing his
political stories. This novel (his first) was published the day he died. Not
surprising, it's about political reporters. It provides a window into their
lives and the issues they live with - what is fair to report? how does one
build a story? how does a reporter persuade people to help him get to the
truth? I suspect it also gives a good glimpse into Jack's own personal life. It
provides an object lesson in the ethics of journalism. I highly recommend it to
those who care about political reporting and/or want a good read.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/review/RF11AEBLEENFS/ref=cm_cr_dp_cmt?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B00EKPWH0M&channel=detail-glance&nodeID=133140011&store=digital-text#wasThisHelpful"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #996633; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Comment</span></a> <span style="color: #666666;">|</span> </span></div>
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Meet Alice Travis Germond<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfcD4cBNCq3qEHtUKC5B92canSX9pq_B9zXOD0pRGYyrc0rjNo7uZu-QSMYDijDRJ8ge08V1Chghyo37jILz6z9jfHQJpzeeVQtltJJH7Qz2QnP2CwZ0uMHH55u1YIed2XTDt1Rh9UnJ8/s1600/AliceTravisGermond.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfcD4cBNCq3qEHtUKC5B92canSX9pq_B9zXOD0pRGYyrc0rjNo7uZu-QSMYDijDRJ8ge08V1Chghyo37jILz6z9jfHQJpzeeVQtltJJH7Qz2QnP2CwZ0uMHH55u1YIed2XTDt1Rh9UnJ8/s1600/AliceTravisGermond.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br />
Alice Germond is the Secretary Emeritus of the Democratic National
Committee. She was elected Secretary unopposed three times from 2002 to January
2013. Alice
also served on the Executive Committee, the Rules and By-Laws Committee and as
Secretary for the Democratic National Convention where she called the role of
states that determines the Party's nominee. Alice has participated in every Convention
since 1974 when the Party wrote its National Charter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alice
currently is an elected At-Large member of the DNC and serves on the
Resolutions Committee.<br />
Active in the Democratic Party for over 45 years, she has held leadership
positions in local, state and national campaigns including Political Director
for Clinton/Gore in CA, Deputy National Political Director for Michael Dukakis,
and Super Delegate Director for Gary Hart. In 1988 Alice
moved to Washington DC, and became Director of Political
Operations for Ron Brown's successful election as Chair of the DNC. She was
named his Senior Advisor, coordinating DNC Party Programs and was his liaison
to the 1992 Convention. From 1993—1996 she was Director of the DNC's Government
and Party Affairs Departments.<br />
A strong advocate for issues and party values, Alice led the historic effort
to put Geraldine Ferraro on the Democratic Ticket while Chair of the National
Women's Political Caucus Democratic Task Force. During her tenure as Executive
Vice President of NARAL Pro-Choice America, Fortune Magazine ranked NARAL as
the most effective women's organization in the nation. Alice also worked for the AFL-CIO's Women's
Division and for SEIU. One of Alice's
earliest experiences was participating in Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s
"I Have A Dream" March on the National Mall. <br />
Alice has
broad experience as a speaker and working with the press. Her op-eds have been
published by major newspapers and on the internet, and in 1995 CBS hired Alice for their special
Convention Coverage Unit. She has spoken at Party Events in 50+ States and for
the campaigns, organizations and issues with which she is identified. Her
international work includes lectures at Tsinghua
University in Beijing,
leader of two delegations to Taiwan,
presentations in Madrid, London,
Barcelona, Toronto,
the Virgin Islands and several NDI exchanges
including one for the European Parliament. <br />
In 2013 President Barack Obama appointed Alice to the prestigious Commission on White
House Fellows where she currently serves. Prior commissions include the CA Council
on Criminal Justice (Gov. E G Brown, Jr.) and the LA Olympics Government
Affairs Committee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
Alice earned her BA from Bennington College, VT
in 1965 where she received a non-resident term scholarship and was Chair of the
school legislature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her MS Degree in
Public Administration/Recreation was awarded in 1977 from CA State Un. LA with
a 4.0 average.<br />
Now living on a bend of the Shenandoah
River in West
Virginia, Alice
grows vegetables and fruits, goes running with her dog Freddy, and watches the
bald eagles who have returned to the region. Coffee on the deck, warm conversation
with many friends and visits from six grandchildren are a constant pleasure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
<br />
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<span lang="EN-CA">Buy Links for A
Small Story for Page 3<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jack W. Germond</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">MuseItUp Publishing Store<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore/index.php/museitup/mainstream/a-small-story-for-page-3-detail">https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore/index.php/museitup/mainstream/a-small-story-for-page-3-detail</a></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">Amazon.com</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/A-Small-Story-Page-3-ebook/dp/B00EKPWH0M/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1382307073&sr=8-2&keywords=jack+germond">http://www.amazon.com/A-Small-Story-Page-3-ebook/dp/B00EKPWH0M/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1382307073&sr=8-2&keywords=jack+germond</a></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">Barnes and
Noble</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA"><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-small-story-for-page-3-jack-w-germond/1116465961?ean=2940148435365">http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-small-story-for-page-3-jack-w-germond/1116465961?ean=2940148435365</a></span></div>
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Victoria Roderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04933859286104636739noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3606582303033600341.post-15377307233666314532013-11-22T19:10:00.001-08:002013-11-22T19:10:06.292-08:00A Warm Welcome to Author Tara Fox Hall<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Thank you so much, Sarcastic Ramblings and Writing, for
having me here today! <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 1; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Game of Reviews</b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“When you play a game of thrones you win or you die.”<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
<span style="background: white;">―<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/346732.George_R_R_Martin"><span style="background: white; color: #666600; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">George R.R. Martin</span></a><span style="background: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/1466917"><i><span style="background: white; color: #666600; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A
Game of Thrones</span></i></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Where to promote, which book to spotlight, prize or no
prize, blogging versus reviews, how much to budget for ads, which promo items
to buy or not buy…if you’re an author who does any self-promotion, this litany
is very familiar to you. What to do about it is the problem, in that the answer
of which are the best means of promotion is constantly changing. Everyone
agrees that getting your name out in various avenues is necessary to sell books.
But when your budget is limited, you have to choose what to spend your money on
very carefully. So where do reviews fit into this plan of attack?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Reviews are important…and yet also not important. They are a
gamble in the best of circumstances, but also necessary for a writer’s success,
at least when first starting their career. Here’s my two foremost cents on how
much importance to give them...and how to win the review game.</div>
<div class="ListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">A great deal of review quantity relevance
is based on genre and price</b>. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Reviews matter only marginally if the genre
has a lot of demand and not much supply</i></b></div>
<div class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
My transgender novella <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Grow a Pair</i> routinely appears as my publisher’s TOP book on PinInterest.
I’m not even on there, don’t have any idea what PinInterest is about, and no one
has EVER even contacted me about this novella…which has one official review and
one from a reader. Yet my publisher is so excited by reader interest that I
wrote and published a sequel and another is in the works. </div>
<div class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sex
sells, period. </i></b>I also write erotica. My current work has only two
reviews, one from a review spot and one from a friend. No one has ever
contacted me about this book, either, except the one place that reviewed it,
yet sales are good.</div>
<div class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
However,
if you are a new author in most markets other than the two above, you’ll need
as many reviews of your first books as you can get JUST to let readers know
you’re worth trying AND to get your name on a lot of internet sites,
PARTICULARY if you are writing a series. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:</div>
<div class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Be
advised that the more reviews you get for a work, the more bad reviews you’ll
get, also.</i></b> For books that have a glut of supply—like paranormal fantasy
and romance—reviews are necessary for a new author. No one wants to waste
hard-earned money on something that they won’t like, especially when they can’t
return it for a refund. To get around this, a lot of authors in the last few years
did free giveaways, hoping for every dozen copies downloaded someone would
actually read the book and review it. The books were free, so the idea was that
people who didn’t like the work wouldn’t feel they didn’t get their money’s
worth (i.e., and leave a bad review). Unfortunately, this is not the way it
works. I’ve had more than one bad review from a free download—and even free
paperback books won in contests I paid for.</div>
<div class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Reviews
are not equal to sales</i></b>. People might find fault with a book, and say it
was not that good. Do not think that means that they will not buy your next
book, particularly if it’s a trilogy or series. I always feel more comfortable
picking up a series book I thought was okay versus a single title that could be
great, because I already know the characters in the series title. Additionally,
most of my sales, including the Promise Me Series books, seem to come from
people happy to buy the books and not review them. They want to know when a new
one comes out and not have any other communication with me. They don’t care
about contests, promo items, or any of that. I have to admit…I’m just like
them. I never put up a review for any book in my life before I became an indie
author, no matter how much I liked it. I simply put a marker on the calendar
when the next book in a beloved series was out, or kept a list to check the
bookstore on my monthly visit. </div>
<div class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">To
buy or not to buy</i></b>? Reviews of today can be purchased from many sources:
large companies like Reader’s Favorite or individual bloggers as part of a book
tour. There are also many sources of free reviews out there. Most of these are
all unbiased, in that you are not paying for a good review, just a fair one.
The reason people pay for reviews is that most free review sites don’t
guarantee they will review your book…and you’re usually in for a long wait even
if they do, because there are so many new books all the time. But do make sure
to thank anyone who gives you a good review, paid or unpaid. </div>
<div class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Trading
reviews – a potential minefield</i></b>. Many authors agree to review each
other’s books in an effort to get more reviews. That is great…if you both love
each other’s work. Be warned that if you don’t, you’ll have to explain to the
author why you can’t rate their book as stellar (and possibly lower your own
review score if they take offense and give you a revenge review or delete the
one they did for you), or lose your integrity and submit a false good review.</div>
<div class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="ListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Remember
that a two star review does not count as much as a five star one</i></b>. I was
feeling down about a few recent bad reviews, and told a friend, who is also a
fan. She told me that she never even looks at the bad reviews for a product,
only the good ones. ANY book on any review site usually has at least a few bad
reviews; bestsellers have tons. People don’t really care if a few others didn’t
like something; they care what <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">majority</i> had to say about the work.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Summary:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Write the
best book you can, then spend a day asking for reviews from places and people
who are predisposed to love your work. Then concentrate on your next book.
Thank people who give you good reviews…and ignore the bad ones. Above all…be
nice!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Back List of
Promise Me Series titles:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Surrender to Me
(PM novella + excerpt from Immortal Confessions)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Promise Me
(Promise Me Series #1) </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Broken Promise
(Promise Me Series #2</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Taken in the
Night (Promise Me Series #3 </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Taken for His
Own (Promise Me Series #4) </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Promise Me
Anthology #1</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Immortal Confessions</span></i><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> (Promise Me Series #5 – prequel #0.5) <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black;">Blurb</span></b><span style="color: black;">:
At the turn of the 19th century, former aristocrat turned lowly vampire Devlin
Dalcon gets by on his supernatural charms until he meets bride-to-be Annabelle.
Smitten by Anna’s forthrightness, intellect, and bravery, Devlin risks his life
to spirit her away to Fontainebleau, France. There Devlin begins his ascent to
power in a desperate bid for wealth and social standing for himself and Anna.
Forging alliances with other supernatural leaders, he usurps the vampire Lord
of Fontainebleau, amassing many enemies during his brief reign. Within a few
years, he and Anna are again forced to flee for their lives to America. Living
in hiding, Devlin is determined to amend his ways. But when tragedy strikes,
Devlin’s dark side, never fully extinguished, emerges<br />
rampant, securing him the bloody throne of America even as his malevolence and
loneliness consumes him.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 261.75pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3";">Excerpt: </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3";">Now we were getting
somewhere. “Explain this, as I’ll need to know. What are the rules in this
city, besides no killing?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 261.75pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Not many. Don’t kill humans, unless
they attack you, and even then, make it look an accidental murder by stealing
from them. Don’t trouble the richer citizens at all, not for any reason. Don’t
bother the other supernatural citizens—”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 261.75pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Who?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 261.75pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“The sorcerers and witches, the
goblins and the faeries,” he said, bored. “There is also a family of
werevultures that inhabit this town, near the edge. Them, too.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 261.75pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Werevultures? Was he kidding? “So
there are no werewolves?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 261.75pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“As a rule, not here in the cities,
though there are sometimes one or two that pass through,” he said with
something like relief. “I’ve heard they stick to the countryside. Most weres
do, as it’s easier to blend in there.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 261.75pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Weres, he called them. Hmm. “What
are they like?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 261.75pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“The ones I’ve talked to say they
miss the forest, or the water, or their caves—”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 261.75pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Caves?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 261.75pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Werebats, mostly. They are the most
prevalent werecreature around these parts. There is a large colony near the
river.”</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Are they off limits?”</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Quentin took a deep breath. “I’m
glad you brought this up. Technically, no, they aren’t. They have an agreement
with Guy, the City’s Lord, to stay out of the city, and he leaves them alone.
But some stupid vampire hunter attacked them last week, killing a bunch of
their women and children when he mistook them for vampires. It happens often,
I’m afraid. The other werebats killed him, but they’re raging now. They are
killing any vampire they can, primarily ones they find alone, in retaliation.”
He looked over at me. “It’s them I need you to guard me against.”</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Won’t that die down quickly,
though? Surely the bats can be made to see it was not our fault?”</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Guy is not diplomatic,” Quentin
said with a sigh. “Things are going to get worse before they get better.
Besides, at heart, he’s a coward. He knows that there are more of them than
there are of us, enough so it’s close to three to one in their favor. Because
of those odds, he will not make them stop. This has happened before, Devlin. The
attacks will continue until the bats feel they’ve taken enough blood back.”</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I thought about that. There was a
huge opportunity here for not just the means to support Anna and myself, but to
gain real power. Still, I needed to understand much about this world and this
city before I’d be ready to proclaim myself king of it.</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3";">Buy Links</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3";">:</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amazon: </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Immortal-Confessions-Promise-Me-ebook/dp/B00EXCQR6W/"><span style="font-family: Times; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3";">http://www.amazon.com/Immortal-Confessions-Promise-Me-ebook/dp/B00EXCQR6W/</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3";"></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3";">Lulu: </span><a href="http://www.lulu.com/shop/tara-fox-hall/immortal-confessions-a-promise-me-origins-tale/paperback/product-21185064.html"><span style="font-family: Times; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3";">http://www.lulu.com/shop/tara-fox-hall/immortal-confessions-a-promise-me-origins-tale/paperback/product-21185064.html</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3";"></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3";">Melange for
PDF and HTML: </span><a href="http://www.melange-books.com/authors/tarafoxhall/immortalconfessions.html"><span style="font-family: Times; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3";">http://www.melange-books.com/authors/tarafoxhall/immortalconfessions.html</span></a><u><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3";"></span></u></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3";">Barnes and
Noble.com: </span><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/immortal-confessions-a-promise-me-origins-tale-tara-fox-hall/1117079794?ean=9781612356907"><span style="font-family: Times; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3";">http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/immortal-confessions-a-promise-me-origins-tale-tara-fox-hall/1117079794?ean=9781612356907</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3";"> (nook
coming soon)</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3";">Goodreads: </span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18459072-immortal-confessions"><span style="font-family: Times; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3";">http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18459072-immortal-confessions</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3";"></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Author links: </b></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Smashwords: </span><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/TaraFH"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/TaraFH</span></a><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Barnes
and Noble: </span><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/tara-fox-hall"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/tara-fox-hall</span></a><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Melange
Books: </span><a href="http://www.melange-books.com/authors/tarafoxhall/index.html"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">http://www.melange-books.com/authors/tarafoxhall/index.html</span></a><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 1; tab-stops: 88.5pt;">
Goodreads: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5286654.Tara_Fox_Hall">http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5286654.Tara_Fox_Hall</a><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 1;">
Amazon: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tara-Fox-Hall/e/B005YPAA4W/">http://www.amazon.com/Tara-Fox-Hall/e/B005YPAA4W/</a></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Website: </span><a href="http://www.tarafoxhall.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">www.tarafoxhall.com</span></a><span style="color: #222222; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Email: </span><a href="mailto:tarafoxhall@gmail.com" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">tarafoxhallATgmail.com</span></a><span style="color: #222222; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Blog: </span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5286654.Tara_Fox_Hall/blog" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5286654.Tara_Fox_Hall/blog</span></a><span style="color: #222222; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Facebook
Page:</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tara-Fox-Hall/151813374904903" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tara-Fox-Hall/151813374904903</span></a><span style="color: #222222; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Twitter: </span><a href="https://twitter.com/#!/TerrorFoxHall" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://twitter.com/#!/TerrorFoxHall</span></a><span style="color: #222222; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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Victoria Roderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04933859286104636739noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3606582303033600341.post-33510545403681079482013-09-22T21:00:00.000-07:002013-09-23T15:35:10.139-07:00Happiness in Adversity <img alt="Take the Train Blog Hop" class="size-full wp-image-420" height="200" src="http://wildchildpublishing.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/take-the-train-blog-hop.jpg" width="200" /> <br />
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<b><span style="background: yellow; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-highlight: yellow;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Join the authors of Wild Child publishing and Freya’s Bower as we
Take an Autumn Train Ride through our blogs.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12.0pt;">Prizes will include</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<ul type="disc">
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certificates (two for Wild Child and two for Freya's Bower)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt;">An awesome swag
package that includes:</span></li>
<ul type="circle">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 1.0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Bookmarks</span></li>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 1.0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Wild Child T-shirt
and mug</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 1.0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Wild Child and
Freya's Bower bags</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 1.0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Four handmade,
crochet coasters by Kit Wylde</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 1.0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt;">An autographed
copy of Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 1.0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt;">A rare DVD copy of
the Matheson/Furst classic "Up The Creek" (lovingly used)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 1.0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt;">One ebook copy of Nita
Wick’s short story, The Dream (previously published as part of a Freya’s
Bower anthology.)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 1.0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Book trading cards</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 1.0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Signed Dangerous
Waters poster</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 1.0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt;">copy of
"Battle for Blood: The Blood Feud"</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 1.0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt;">the winner’s
name as a character in Kissa Starling’s next sweet romance story.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 1.0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt;">A Yankee Candle</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 1.0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt;">and more...</span></li>
</ul>
</ul>
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<b><span style="background: yellow; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-highlight: yellow;">Happiness in Adversity</span></b><span style="background: yellow; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-highlight: yellow;"></span></div>
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<b><span style="background: yellow; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-highlight: yellow;">Victoria Roder</span></b><span style="background: yellow; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-highlight: yellow;"></span></div>
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<b><span style="background: yellow; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-highlight: yellow;"><br /></span></b></div>
<br />
Standing on the platform with the other passengers, I waited in
restless anticipation to catch a glimpse of the headlight, the telltale
sign of the grayish smoke, or the sound of the steel wheels churning
against the track. Passengers stirred as a centralized beam of light
leads the steam engine around the bend. Chugging toward the station,
restored steam locomotive number 261, boats the motto, "Out of the Past
and Into the Future."<br />
<br />
Glancing over my shoulder at my
In-laws, I captured a picture in my mind I will never forget. My
father-in-law stood with his arm wrapped tightly around my
mother-in-law's waist. He had a wide, joyful grin on his face. I had
been worried we would never see this day, but here we were, together,
waiting to board the steam engine.<br />
<br />
The whistle blew and the conductor yelled, "All Aboard. All Aboard. Keep your ticket with you at all times."<br />
<br />
With
excitement and cameras in hand, passengers scurried aboard the restored
steam engine passenger train. The puff of sooty steam escaped the smokestack and the sound of chugging began as we shimmed down the track.
Peeking out the windows, the Wisconsin landscape was breath taking. My
husband and I sat across from his parents in a booth. My in-laws are not
the typical stereotype in-laws most people think of when they hear that
title. My mother and father-in-law are kind, generous and accepting
souls that have always treated me as nothing less than their daughter.<br />
<br />
My
apprehension before we reached the day of our scheduled train ride was
because my father-in-law had been diagnosed with stage four liver
cancer a few months earlier. Liver cancer at stage four is not a hopeful
situation. But, here we were and the grin on my father-in-laws face,
that I will never forget was better than any train ride, or activity I
could ever plan. I'm so thankful that picture is forever etched in my
memory. Even in the reality of his limited time, my father-in-law was grateful, joyful and an example to the rest of us to celebrate life. <br />
<br />
Please visit my <a href="http://www.victoriaroder.com/" target="_blank">website </a> I am the author of children's adventures with value and adult mystery books.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaZ4pPlP2mGQvn1laSE0KA-5IUp7Ag6hyHXk9Zt9tyAYkI-dFQ0quJ_ozm8aahugAPLItQNI-w1BxtIdfdo-cTXl652zVHvFrjP5JfjTfyHg-77azC3yJKNduOlqnHb3DBIjIcKvnGeF0/s1600/Cover+Art+KRII.bmp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaZ4pPlP2mGQvn1laSE0KA-5IUp7Ag6hyHXk9Zt9tyAYkI-dFQ0quJ_ozm8aahugAPLItQNI-w1BxtIdfdo-cTXl652zVHvFrjP5JfjTfyHg-77azC3yJKNduOlqnHb3DBIjIcKvnGeF0/s320/Cover+Art+KRII.bmp" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Available at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Curse-King-Ramesses-ebook/dp/B008PHZJ3I/ref=pd_ybh_18" target="_blank">Amazon</a> and <a href="http://www.wildchildpublishing.com/young-adultchildrens-c-72/the-curse-of-king-ramesses-ii-p-398.html" target="_blank">Wild Child Publishing</a>.</div>
<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Please visit these sites for more chances to
win, the more you visit the more chances you have to win. We have 46
participating authors. You can stop at as many or as little blogs as you wish.
At each stop, you will find two chances to enter per blog to win some awesome
prizes. If you visit all, that’s 92 chances to win! There will be five, lucky
winners.</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Take the Blog Train and Visit These
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<a href="http://www.joylcampbell.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">The Character Depot</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.allencurrier.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Allen Currier</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.tracyholohan.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Tracy Holohan</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/badc9c2/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt;">a Rafflecopter
giveaway</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
Victoria Roderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04933859286104636739noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3606582303033600341.post-75924069181732179152013-09-22T05:30:00.000-07:002013-09-22T05:30:00.542-07:00Doing Time in HellAfter writing The Haunting of Ingersull Penientiary I am so thrilled to host J. Bodie's Memoir, <i><b>Doing Time in Hell </b></i>on my site. Although Bodie McIlvane has passed on his goal was to, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">help
people understand what goes on in prison, and show that both the inmate and the
correctional officer are Doing Time.</i>”<br />
<span id="goog_388570373"></span><span id="goog_388570374"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .2in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">At this moment, they are beating on the
doors and raising Hell down in the Hole, which is really the Adjustment Center.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .2in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few
minutes ago, a con broke out of his cell and tried to cut a guard’s guts out. The
guard broke into a run and the con cut him in the buttocks instead, one hundred
and nineteen times, using a box cutter he smuggled in from the kitchen…</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .2in;">
That was my
introduction to Bodie McIlvane’s memoir <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Doing
Time in Hell</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His widow had asked me
to “look over it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her husband had
written it after he retired.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .2in;">
I spread the
pages out on the dining room table, sorted them according to chapters, lined up
the photos in another neat stack, and also the poems.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .2in;">
Soon I had the
Dedication, Introduction, and a couple of chapters underway.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .2in;">
As chance would
have it, however, I had novels of my own being released and I stopped work on <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Doing Time</i> to proof their galleys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then something else came up, and I started
procrastinating…<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">it can wait a little
longer…</i>pretty soon, the manuscript was left sitting on the table while I
worked on my own stories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Occasionally
I’d pick up a page and look at it, perhaps type part of a chapter or go over
what I’d already transcribed and revise and edit a little but that was all.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .2in;">
Then one day,
an ambulance wailed as it pulled into the parking lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hated that sound. It meant someone was
leaving the apartment building…permanently. A few days later, I found out
who…Mrs. McIlvane.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .2in;">
As expected,
guilt set in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was ashamed, putting off
working on that book because it looked to be a tedious and exhausting exercise.
I dropped everything and then and there concentrated on Bodie’s manuscript. It
didn’t take long to finish once I got started. Then I had to decide what to do
with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one had said anything about
getting it published.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All Mrs. McIlvane
had wanted was for it to be put into some kind of “order.” To make up for the
way I had put off working on it, I decided I was going to get it published.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .2in;">
As luck would
have it, Class Act Books had just come under new ownership and they were
advertising they wanted fiction and non-fiction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .2in;">
I sent it to
Class Act Books, figuring I’d start there and work my way around. They accepted
it. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .2in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Doing
Time in Hell</i></b> is a memoir, the story of an oilrig wildcatter from
Louisiana who was “conned” into applying for a job with the Nebraska Penal
System.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I say <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">conned </i>because Bodie didn’t want to become a prison guard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He just filled out the application to please
his father-in-law. To his surprise, he was accepted, and ended up working at
the Nebraska State Penitentiary for twelve years. It’s an interesting story, an
entertaining story, and all the more so because it’s a true one, told in plain
language.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .2in;">
Bodie McIlvane
wrote it in the hope that his story will “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">help
people understand what goes on in prison, and show that both the inmate and the
correctional officer are Doing Time.</i>”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .2in;">
The only
difference is, the officers are doing it on the Installment Plan.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .2in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;">
EXCERPT:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .2in;">
The inmates had
everything but their freedom and they had to escape to get that.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .2in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The main thing we do is count the inmates and
make sure they’re there.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .2in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nobody
moves until the counting is done and everyone is accounted for. Make sure you
see skin and breathing.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .2in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes they try to hide under their bunks
or wherever they can but if the count is short, then we count again until
sooner or later everyone is accounted for.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .2in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One officer discovered he was counting a dummy
while the inmate was downtown drinking in a bar. He refused to believe the man
he had been counting was caught and in a cell at the Death Row House. I had to
relieve him so he could go and see. After that, he started kicking in the
doors. That was a pretty good way to make sure the guy under the covers was a
real person and not dead or a mannequin.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .2in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1; text-indent: .2in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Doing
Time in Hell</i></b> available at <a href="http://classactbooks.com/index.php/general-fiction/memoir/doing-time-in-hell-detail" target="_blank">Class Act Books</a>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .2in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: .2in;">
<br /></div>
Victoria Roderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04933859286104636739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3606582303033600341.post-88485048267929731052013-09-18T19:57:00.001-07:002013-09-18T19:57:07.168-07:00Guest Author C.M Michaels<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3oml-L1nrOk5CFRKPlYvZNM01yrNRIFkS72dmx081LlUISZbj1W73DaHq6Vow5m-HPddgcwfxjSXJyHT4KOn8jIzOICrzp6_R0qXdBt2RMJfDF0qDU_CAaJ-dF0GjmMw0R78YNPLCYlw/s1600/ChadIMG_0417_edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3oml-L1nrOk5CFRKPlYvZNM01yrNRIFkS72dmx081LlUISZbj1W73DaHq6Vow5m-HPddgcwfxjSXJyHT4KOn8jIzOICrzp6_R0qXdBt2RMJfDF0qDU_CAaJ-dF0GjmMw0R78YNPLCYlw/s320/ChadIMG_0417_edit.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Please welcome author C.M Michaels </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">For Emily Waters, a nature-loving, small-town girl with an
overprotective father, heading off to Boston University to study conservation
biology is a dream come true—until a chance encounter catapults her into a
mythical world she’d do anything to escape. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
<span style="background: white;"><br />
The latest victim in a rash of abductions near campus, Emily is brutally
attacked before being rescued by a powerful new friend. She survives the
ordeal, only to find herself held captive and presented with an impossible
choice. While preparing for the unimaginable life she must now embrace clues
soon emerge that Emily may not be entirely human, and her physical
transformation awakens goddess-like powers that her new family cannot begin to
explain. Dealing with her human first love, the not-so-platonic relationship
with her coven “sister,” and her new vampire sort-of-boyfriend further
complicates matters, not to mention being secretly hunted by the psychopaths
who attacked her. And as the only known offspring of a once all-powerful race,
the climactic battle is only the beginning of her journey.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Dangerous Waters: Excerpt, Rated R</div>
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<br />
<h1 align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Fight
or flight</span></h1>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
“Would you stop already?” Teresa
grumbled, glaring at her ever-pacing brother. “No one’s following us. Relax.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Travis finished scanning Beacon
Street and ducked back into the alleyway. “God damn it! Do you ever listen? I
told you we had to cool it for a while. What the hell were you thinking?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
“The bitch spilled her drink on
me.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
He sighed and tiredly rubbed his
eyes. Arguing with her was like trying to reason with a bratty three-year-old
grabbing candy in a grocery checkout line. “So we’re homeless because someone
accidentally got diet coke on your shirt?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
“Quit being such a queen,” Teresa
said with a huff. “You know Stefan thinks of us as his kids, which is totally
weird by the way. All he’ll do is make us listen to his <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">rules</i> again. If you wouldn’t have talked me into running, we’d
probably be watching TV by now.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
“If Stefan and Alexander just
wanted to talk, they would’ve waited until we got back, not raided our feeding
room like a two-man S.W.A.T. team. This is serious, Terr. If they find us,
they’re going to kill us.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
For the first time in as long as
he could remember, his snarky, narcissistic sister looked vulnerable. She
crossed her arms to conceal her jittery hands and looked into his eyes. “So
what do we do? I’m not living on the street again, or in the skuzzy-ass hotels
we used to stay in.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Travis placed a comforting hand
on his baby sister’s shoulder. “Things aren’t like they used to be, sis. Even
you have to admit that Stefan taught us a hell of a lot. Once we get out of
town, we can trance a bank manager and get all the money we need. I thought
we’d head south—you always wanted to see Orlando.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Acting as if he hadn’t even
spoken, Teresa shrugged off his hand and headed further down the dimly lit
alley, veering around overflowing dumpsters and piles of loose garbage before
slumping back against the brick wall behind her. “And what about the skank who
started all this? We just leave her to her fairy-tale life, sipping wine in her
mansion? No fucking way.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Anger coursed through his veins
at his sister’s jealousy and unfounded arrogance. “Wake up!” Travis screamed,
shaking her shoulders so violently that her teeth rattled. “You think you can
take her? You don’t know jack shit. Raven’s been training for almost two
hundred years, Einstein. She’d tear your ass apart like a piñata.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Teresa rolled her eyes and pushed
his hands away. “Not Raven, you douche.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m talking about Emily.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
“Emily? What the hell did she
do?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
“If she wouldn’t have wandered up
to us like a lost puppy, we would never have fed with Alexander there, and
Stefan would still be clueless. The bitch led Raven right to our door.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
“Oh come on. That’s a reach, even
for you. Raven lied to her about our scent. You’re really going to blame her
for that?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
She shot her brother a disgusted
look. “I knew making her strip was a bad idea. All it takes is a flash of boobs
and you turn to mush. Are you ever going to grow a pair? You’d still be Keri’s
lapdog if it wasn’t for me.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
“Don’t.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
“Oooh, don’t talk about my
precious Keri,” Teresa mocked. “God you’re a pussy. She was never going to turn
you, and you know it.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Travis looked away to conceal the
pain on his face. Sometimes he questioned whether there was anything decent
left in his sister at all. Every year she became darker and even more detached.
“That doesn’t mean I wanted her to die. I loved her. Doesn’t that mean anything
to you?”</div>
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“Love shmove. You wanted to become
immortal. I did you a favor when I torched her.”</div>
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“A favor? Are you serious? I
asked her to marry me that night!” He caught just a hint of a smile on Teresa’s
lips and froze. “You knew—that’s why you did it, isn’t it?”</div>
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“Yeah, ri—“</div>
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Like a stroke of lightning Travis
smashed his fist into the brick wall just to the right of her head, opening up
a gaping hole into the vacant building behind her. “Don’t you fucking lie to
me! I swear to God I’ll kill you!”</div>
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Teresa calmly ducked out from
under his arm and dusted the debris off her shirt. “So what if I did know about
your pathetic little proposal? Did you forget your promise to our parents, dear
brother? Ten years is a long time. Remember the ambulance ride? Mom coughing up
blood, and dad, well, dad wasn’t doing much of anything come to think of it.
Hard to blame the guy, since he had a piece of metal stuck in his head. You
promised them that you’d always look out for me—swore on your life actually.
Where did I fit in your little family? You really think Keri would’ve let me
keep living with you? She hated me.”</div>
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Travis collapsed to the ground
and clutched his knees to his chest, tears stinging at his eyes. Hearing his
sister’s twisted rationale for taking away the woman who’d turned his life
around was unbearable. “How can you say that? She paid for you to go back to
school. She even decked out your room with all the shit on your insane
‘must-have’ list. She was going to ask you to be her maid of honor.”</div>
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“And when was she going to make
me her sister? That’s right. Never. All she had to do was say yes.”</div>
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“Yes? Yes to what?” He stared at
her in total confusion until it suddenly dawned on him. “Our walk in the
park—you followed us.”</div>
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“Of course. I’d only been pushing
you to ask her for, like, three years.”</div>
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“So when she said she’d marry me,
but she would never change me—”</div>
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“I knew I had to take matters
into my own hands,” Teresa finished. “I figured she’d never be more distracted
than that night. Boy was I right. She didn’t even wake up until the gas
splashed her face. Once I lit the match, all she could do is run around
screaming. I’m glad you were at class. It was kinda gross watching her face
melt away.”</div>
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Memories of that horrible night
flooded his mind. The rancid stench of burnt flesh and hair when he walked
through the door had made him gag. He’d raced upstairs, terrified that his
sister had fallen asleep with her bong and died in the resulting fire, only to
find her calmly watching TV with his fiancé’s charred corpse lying at her feet.
“You are seriously messed up,” he muttered without meeting her ice cold eyes.
“You know that, right?”</div>
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Teresa wrapped a strand of her
curly blonde hair around her finger. “Whatever. We’re immortal now—that’s all
that matters.”</div>
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They both slipped back into the
shadows when two figures emerged at the end of the alley, continuing on without
even a glance in their direction. He found it hard to even look at Teresa now
that he understood what had truly happened that night, and how easily he’d been
manipulated into playing his part, but in the end it changed nothing. He’d
never go back on his vow to their parents. Protecting her was his penance.
“It’s too dangerous for us to stay here,” Travis said. “Will you at least come
with me to Florida?” </div>
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“Once I choke the last breath out
of that little whore, you can take me wherever you want.”</div>
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Travis slicked back his long,
brown hair. “Fine. But if we’re doing this, we do it my way. Agreed?”</div>
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She raised her shoulders in an
indifferent shrug. “As long as she dies, I’m good with whatever.”</div>
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“Their house is only a few miles
from here. It’s surrounded by woods, so there are plenty of spots where we’ll
be able to hear what’s going on inside without risking being seen. As soon as
she’s left alone, you can have your fun, but we’re waiting as long as it takes
for that to happen. Even Sandy has had decades of training, and I’m not dying
for your stupid vendetta.”</div>
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“Hi ho, hi ho, off to kill a
bitch we go,” Teresa sang out, dancing down the alley ahead of him like a
schoolgirl.</div>
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<br />
C.M Michaels grew up in a small town in northern Michigan as the youngest
child of a close-knit family of seven. He met his wife, Teresa, while attending
Saginaw Valley State University. Together they’ve provided a loving home for
several four-legged “kids”, including Sophie, their eternally young at heart,
hopelessly spoiled Spaniel. <br />
<br />
He has always enjoyed writing, and still has fond memories of reading his
first book, a children’s novella, to local grade schools when he was 14.
Dangerous Waters, the first book in the Sisters in Blood series, is being
published by Freya’s Bower on September 5<sup>th</sup>, 2013. C.M. is currently
working on the second book in the Sisters in Blood series along with a Fantasy
romance. <br />
<br />
When he’s not writing, C.M. can be found curled up with a good book,
watching movies or hitting the hiking trails with his wife. An avid reader
since discovering Jim Kjelgaard novels in early childhood, his favorite authors
include Kelley Armstrong, Peter V. Brett, Richelle Mead, Rachel Caine,
Cassandra Claire, J.R. Ward, Laini Taylor and Tessa Dawn. <br />
<br />
C.M. currently resides in Louisville, Kentucky.<br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Social Media links:</b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;">Facebook - </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/UFAuthorCMMichaels"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;">http://www.facebook.com/UFAuthorCMMichaels</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;"><br />
Twitter - </span><a href="https://twitter.com/UFAuthor"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;">https://twitter.com/UFAuthor</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;"><br />
Blog - </span><a href="http://cmmichaels.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;">http://cmmichaels.blogspot.com/</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;"><br />
Website - </span><a href="http://cmmichaels.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;">http://cmmichaels.com/</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">YouTube</span> - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/authorcmmichaels">https://www.youtube.com/user/authorcmmichaels</a><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">Book trailer:</span> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7Q7m0MrwlQ">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7Q7m0MrwlQ</a><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Buy links:<br />
</b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">Print:<span style="color: #757575;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.freyasbower.com/books-c-3/dangerous-waters-p-290.html"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">http://www.freyasbower.com/books-c-3/dangerous-waters-p-290.html</span></a><span style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">eBook: </span><a href="http://www.freyasbower.com/urban-fantasy-c-46/dangerous-waters-p-289.html"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">http://www.freyasbower.com/urban-fantasy-c-46/dangerous-waters-p-289.html</span></a><span style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"></span></div>
<br />
<br />Victoria Roderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04933859286104636739noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3606582303033600341.post-6079293607974861982013-09-14T20:30:00.000-07:002013-09-14T20:30:00.980-07:00Never Say That's The End<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><br />
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Please Welcome Author Icy Snow</div>
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Often someone will write a story, finish it and consider it done. That’s that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On to something else. </div>
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Once again, I finished a novel.</div>
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Once again I decided that was that. </div>
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Once again, I was wrong. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaxzXhh-gwxNAFRK-UtEikyyZQySNcrz1VdvsFIHix-hVOjBOX7rc6lEljGE0mdH1An0guRVZyRAkcz21LivTtGZev_KLnxQkVPfSRBFmjS7Zkt9l23G36nwfBSLs6nvFHuiUOEQ-WJfM/s1600/IcySnowThree+Moon+Station+JPG.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaxzXhh-gwxNAFRK-UtEikyyZQySNcrz1VdvsFIHix-hVOjBOX7rc6lEljGE0mdH1An0guRVZyRAkcz21LivTtGZev_KLnxQkVPfSRBFmjS7Zkt9l23G36nwfBSLs6nvFHuiUOEQ-WJfM/s1600/IcySnowThree+Moon+Station+JPG.jpeg" /></a></div>
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I had written a novel, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Three Moon Station</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a bit unusual in that it was a cross-genre—a Western set in the far future on another planet. A sci-Fi/western, if you will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The hero rides a horse and flies his drone only in emergencies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He carries a pistol strapped to his thigh, but it’s a laser.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Justice is sometimes swift, without calling in the Federation marshal. In this story Sar Trant, a Tritomitian station owner, saves the heroine, Katy from the villain—a rustler by the way--rescues her from the clutches of her dastardly uncle, and attaines their happily ever after. </div>
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<a href="http://<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/TiRNGguyPdc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>" target="_blank">Three Moon Station Trailer</a></div>
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The book was published and I went on to other stories, other couples, and other adventures.</div>
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Hold on there, podnuh!</div>
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Did I say the story was finished?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately for me (or fortunately, as the case may be), a reviewer liked <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Three Moon Station</i></b> so much, she wanted more, and I—lapping up the praise and flattery—got to thinking. This time it was about Sar and Katy and Hatch, and what might possibly have happened after Hatch did his “happy dance” in the farmyard while his father and stepmother went into a clinch and the words “The End” appeared at the bottom of the page.</div>
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I went back over what I’d written about Sar, knowing full-well the next tale was going to center on him and not Katy who’d wholeheartedly forsaken Terra for her husband’s planet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s see…Sarkin Trant…orphan since a young age…raised by his father’s best friend…had a son at the age of fifteen…married Katy at age thirty-five, and…the most important fact…descended from the illegitimate son of an Arcanian <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">giarl.</i></div>
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That fact led to the story <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Finer Gentleman</i></b>, taken from a quote from Marcus Aurelius’ <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Meditations</i>:</div>
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“He would be the finer gentleman that should leave the world without having tasted of lying or pretence of any sort, or of wantonness or conceit...”</div>
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3fIOo6mnA0&feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">The Finer Gentleman Trailer </a></div>
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wherein one Sarkin Trant learns he’s now the twenty-eighth <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">giarl</i> of Craigsmere and thirteenth in line to the Arcanian throne, goes to Arcanis and sets the nobility on its collective ear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also meets the margrave, Darien-Marcus, his distant cousin.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzP3_lv6htmXQm1R9WCEnUutXWnjYGAk2XWBe7iYZ9wDyyKiG8hHas5r5KQGIk45QbCKK3qQjm-DcUCJ4x0RI_E5ESq6JndkrqN421r9P3cvEBaIuMLQfU3dnjdl49nPfX_hHu1wJSb-8/s1600/IcySnowTheFinerGentleman.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzP3_lv6htmXQm1R9WCEnUutXWnjYGAk2XWBe7iYZ9wDyyKiG8hHas5r5KQGIk45QbCKK3qQjm-DcUCJ4x0RI_E5ESq6JndkrqN421r9P3cvEBaIuMLQfU3dnjdl49nPfX_hHu1wJSb-8/s1600/IcySnowTheFinerGentleman.jpeg" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Finer Gentleman</i></b> was also cross-genre, being part futuristic tale and part Regency romance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take away the space travel, lasers, and outer-worldly trappings, close your eyes and listen to the dialogue, and see if you don’t agree.</div>
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After its publication, Darien-Marcus kept popping into my mind, reminding me of the little hints given about him in <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Finer Gentleman.</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He demanded I tell everyone what was happening to him while Cousin Sar was growing up on Tritomis-2 and elaborating on those little hints…how he was also orphaned at age nine and raised by his father’s best friends. From there on, here his story takes a much different course from Sar’s…he was given a mistress at age twelve, a wife at age thirteen, and at nineteen, developed a tremendous desire to rebel all on his own. How he, too, had set the nobility on its ear, in his own way. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIh0McMOhPlISivUihFvXD99XxnhZ9oUuGDQgFQv02Fp05ICfHPIDILk3-GD7NK_wUoPul1FY6Wq46b2Z_cy8uV9QtPJeoNaRSEGj8QxsCnpw2ttxawDwUOhIyVRmY7TH6OujQUTXYDgc/s1600/IcySnowKingdom+NEW+FRONT.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIh0McMOhPlISivUihFvXD99XxnhZ9oUuGDQgFQv02Fp05ICfHPIDILk3-GD7NK_wUoPul1FY6Wq46b2Z_cy8uV9QtPJeoNaRSEGj8QxsCnpw2ttxawDwUOhIyVRmY7TH6OujQUTXYDgc/s1600/IcySnowKingdom+NEW+FRONT.jpeg" /></a></div>
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I bowed to popular demand…and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">In this Kingdom by the Sea</i></b> was the result. The title comes from Edgar A. Poe’s poem <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Annabel Lee</i></b>:</div>
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“I was a child and she was a child,<br />
In this kingdom by the sea…”</div>
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<span style="color: red;"><a href="http://<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/trD4KI1ygEo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>" target="_blank">In this Kingdom by the Sea Trailer</a></span></div>
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It’s the story of a child king, a husband and a ruler by the age of thirteen, a young man who, when he meets his cousin, will delight in sitting on a balcony and “lighting up” with said cousin and then both getting so snockered on royal wine they can barely stand in the receiving line given in Sar’s honor.</div>
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Darien-Marcus may be royal but he’s a descendant of Riven kan Ingan, called the Heretic, the barbarian progenitor of the royal family which has ruled for 3000 years. Rebellion is in his genes and his behavior proves it.</div>
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It was a fun story and I enjoyed writing it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though it seems to start off like a Young Adult novel, it very quickly grows, just as Darien-Marcus does, into a full-fledged adult one.</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think readers will see that and enjoy it, too.</div>
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EXCERPT: </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Sire, this is Jantzen lo Reza, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Giarl</i> Alpheus.” Tyron introduced the man. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Sire,” the man bowed. When Darien acknowledged it with one of his own, he looked at the little girl. “And may I present my daughter, Ariadne?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“My Lady Ariadne.” Dutifully, Darien bowed to her, taking the hand she offered him as she curtseyed.<span style="color: red;"> </span>She reacted more as a child then a noblewoman would, however. Looking up at him and then down at her hand, she giggled.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“What’s so funny?” Darien released her hand, brushing back his hair, which had fallen over his forehead as he dipped his head. He thought she was pretty, in a way. She was wearing a white ruffled dress, white stocking and slippers, and had bouncy blonde curls. Her hair was just a shade lighter than his own which probably meant she was a relative of some kind, but her eyes were blue so the relationship wasn’t very close.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">You</i> are.” She giggled again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I </i>am?” That made his color rise slightly, his fair cheeks reddening. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I’m missing my game to be told I’m funny?</i> He affected a bit of bluster and a slightly insulted air. “Where exactly am I funny?”<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .2in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Your hair tickled my hand.” She reached up and flicked a finger at one of the wheat-colored curls returning to hang over his forehead. There was a glint of a mischievous smile. She bit her lower lip. He saw she had a tooth missing, one of her front ones. Her words came out with a bit of a whistle.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .2in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Oh.” He raked a hand through his hair. It straightened, then re-curled, falling over his left eye again. This time, he ignored it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .2in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I’m Darien,” he said after a long silence.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .2in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I know.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .2in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“How?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .2in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“My father told me we were coming to meet the margrave, and then Lord Summerlee introduced us, so I guessed you must be the one I’m supposed to meet.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .2in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“He didn’t say my name, though,” Darien pointed out. “So I might just be someone who works in the palace. A page, or a messenger boy.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .2in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“A messenger boy they call <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sire </i>and bow to? Of course.” She smiled, teeth glinting around the missing one. “You’re Darien-Marcus san Gene, Lord Lindenscraig, Crown Prince of Arcanis.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .2in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“All right,” he acknowledged. “So you know who I am, but I don’t know you, except your name. Tell me about Ariadne lo Reza.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .2in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Very well.” Raising her head, she began to recite in a singsong, “My name is Ariadne, Lady Ariadne. My father is Jantzen, fifteenth Lord Alpheus. I live in southern Francovia just near the Snow King Mountains. I’m ten.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .2in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I’m thirteen,” he told her. “That’s nearly a grown-up according to the law.” He wondered if he should mention the girl he had at the Pleasure Dome, which definitely signified he was an adult, then decided not to. “Uncle Tyron said I should entertain you, so what shall we talk about?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .2in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I don’t know. I’ve never spoken to a margrave before.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“It’s just like speaking to anyone else, I imagine, except you have to curtsey and say, Your Majesty, more,” he explained, searching for some topic. “Technically, I’m not a margrave, not until I’m crowned, anyway.” His etiquette tutor told him to ask about a person’s interests. Talking about something they knew always put them at ease, he said. “Do you like hunting?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .2in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Not really.” She grimaced. “I don’t like to kill things.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Oh.” <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Well, scratch that off the list then.</i> Darien tried again. “How about sailing? I’ve my own boat. It’s anchored at the city marina in Jestey.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .2in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I’m afraid of water.” She shivered slightly, then went on as if defending her fear, “The ocean’s so big and deep, it’s scary.” Her blue eyes got round. “And there are monsters…”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Don’t be silly.” His laugh was scornful. “The Great Ocean doesn’t have anything in it bigger than a three-foot sunfish.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .2in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“It doesn’t?” She looked slightly disappointed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“So you don’t swim, then, I imagine.” Abruptly, he thought he’d like to see her in the water, her skin tinted a pale green by the ocean’s darkness, hair like seaweed floating on its surface. He imagined she’d look like a mermaid. That sent an odd little tingle through his belly and it shook him slightly because he’d only felt it before when he was with Mirelle, his mistress.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .2in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“No, but we couldn’t swim together anyway. That’s not allowed,” she reminded him.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .2in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Hm. That’s a stupid law, I think.” He considered a moment. “Perhaps when I’m truly margrave, I’ll repeal it. Would you let me teach you to swim after I do? There’s a pool in the cadets’ barracks I’m allowed to use.” He leaned closer, whispering, “I could smuggle you in.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .2in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">She giggled again, but from the way her eyes brightened he thought she might agree to such an adventure. Suddenly, Darien wished that could happen. He envisioned himself and Ariadne tiptoeing down the stairs to the pool area, getting out of their clothes, and diving into the clear, warm water. A sudden frisson trickled along his spine. Then another thought intruded.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .2in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“How about riding? I’ve my own stable of horses.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .2in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I’ve never ridden a horse,” she apologized. “But I do have a pony.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .2in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Well, that’s almost the same thing,” he allowed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .2in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Darien,” Tyron said. “The Tripod and Lady Ariadne’s father have come to a decision.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .2in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Yes sir?” Darien looked at Lord Summerlee, relieved that he didn’t have to search for any more topics of conversation. He was rapidly running out of subjects. Girls, he was discovering, were difficult to talk to. Ariadne, especially. She didn’t seem to like anything he did. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .2in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“We wish you and Lady Ariadne to marry.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .2in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Not today?” The change in the boy’s expression was remarkable and if he hadn’t looked so shocked, it might have been amusing, especially when he added, “I’ll miss my mallowick match.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .2in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Of course not,” Tyron assured him. “Later.”<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .2in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Oh, well, that’s all right then.” He looked at Ariadne, then back at Tyron. “May I go now? The game starts in fifteen minutes and I’ve still got to suit up.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .2in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Yes, Darien.” A little discourteous, perhaps, but the boy’s relief was so great, Tyron had to smile. “You’re excused.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .2in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Bowing to everyone, the soon-to-be-margrave bolted from the room.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .2in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“That was just a trifle rude,” Jantzen remarked, looking at the doors swinging shut in Darien’s wake.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .2in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“The boy’s just shy of thirteen. Give him a little leeway,” Tyron defended his sovereign.</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: .2in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">~*~</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .2in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Galloping down the three flights of stairs, Darien found Orion, arms filled with mallowick gear, waiting at the bottom of those on the first story. Behind him, Daneel loitered, tagging along, as usual. He was too young to play but, as the captain’s brother, he’d been made official mascot for the team, and ran up and down before the spectators waving a banner on which the team’s symbol, a flying hawk, was painted.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .2in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“What took you so long?” Rion was already dressed in gaming wear, helmet, padded chest plate and knee boots, and fairly dancing with impatience. “The game’s about to start.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .2in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I had some official business to take care of.” Darien said it offhandedly as he took his helmet and put it on.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .2in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Since when do you have official business?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .2in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Since I’m about to have my thirteenth birthday.” He fastened the head strap and adjusted the padded section so it rested directly against his chin. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .2in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“That’s right. I forgot.” Orion looked thoughtful. “That means you’ll become margrave pretty soon, and then you’ll really be our ruler.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .2in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I certainly will.” It was said with satisfaction. They were at the exit from the castle now, going through the door. The sentries there bowed and Darien acknowledged them with a wave as he pulled the chest plate from Orion’s hands and thrust his arms through the shoulder straps. Behind them, Daneel double-timed it, his fat little legs pumping to keep up. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .2in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Darien, your becoming margrave isn’t going to make a difference is it? In our being friends, I mean.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .2in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Not a bit,” Darien declared. “There’s something else that might, though.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .2in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“What?” Orion looked anxious.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .2in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Uncle Tyron has decided I should marry.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .2in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“It isn’t going to be today is it?” Orion’s anxiety changed to anger. “Damn it, that’ll ruin our game schedule.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .2in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“He said it’d be later.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .2in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“How much later?” Orion sounded suspicious.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .2in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Years from now, I hope. Ariadne’s pretty young.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .2in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Ariadne lo Reza?” Daneel piped up. “She’s kind of pretty.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .2in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I agree,” Darien answered. “But silly. She laughed because my hair fell in my face when I bowed to her.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .2in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Girls are like that,” Orion agreed while Daneel snorted scornfully. “They laugh at the oddest things.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .2in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I hope she stops doing it. I’d hate to have a wife who sounds so addlepated.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .2in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Stop thinking about her.” Orion slapped his shoulder and handed him his mallowick bat. “We’ve a game to win.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .2in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">The prince, his best friend, and his brother hurried across the palace courtyard, aiming themselves for the playing field where the two teams consisting of<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> giarls’</i> sons and Orion’s two younger brothers waited before a gathering of spectators to begin their game.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Three Moon Station </span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">and<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> The Finer Gentleman </i></b>are available from Class Act Books<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">.</i></b></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">In this Kingdom by the Sea</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> is available at: </span><a href="http://www.classactbooks.com/index.php/cat-romance/in-this-kingdom-by-the-sea-365-detail"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">http://www.classactbooks.com/index.php/cat-romance/in-this-kingdom-by-the-sea-365-detail</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Finer Gentleman:</i></b> <iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/O3fIOo6mnA0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">In This Kingdom:</i></b> <iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/trD4KI1ygEo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
Victoria Roderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04933859286104636739noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3606582303033600341.post-66549354207783891792013-09-06T17:54:00.001-07:002013-09-08T06:45:48.563-07:0010% off print books from DWBDancing With Bear Publishing is having a sale... <br />
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Victoria Roderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04933859286104636739noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3606582303033600341.post-2041847954276556172013-08-27T20:20:00.000-07:002013-08-27T20:20:01.419-07:00Global E-Book Award Winner Suzanne de Montigny <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA">Fantasy,
that world that exists in an author’s mind to share with readers, one that
transports us away to another time, another place, another culture. Award
winning author, Suzanne de Montigny talks about her tween novel, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Shadow of the Unicorn: The Legacy, </i>winner
of the Global E-Book Award for Best Fantasy/Alternate History. And she says
she’ll give a free copy to one lucky person who leaves a comment at the end of
the blog. Welcome Suzanne. Please tell us about your novel.</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXKAoL2B2vSCV2-ydcaBQdGjPqzCMsDHHd_OtR1sonoOih5fX6Hz7FM_6vt7fz38_mkIeikUY0eWkODdVwdL8SFZzljSeExi_mXvJK0xoI4r1O7Aw88kqSQSgAwke6IgrGBWIKwW9steU/s1600/theshadowoftheunicorn200x300+(2)new.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXKAoL2B2vSCV2-ydcaBQdGjPqzCMsDHHd_OtR1sonoOih5fX6Hz7FM_6vt7fz38_mkIeikUY0eWkODdVwdL8SFZzljSeExi_mXvJK0xoI4r1O7Aw88kqSQSgAwke6IgrGBWIKwW9steU/s1600/theshadowoftheunicorn200x300+(2)new.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">Thank you, Victoria. The story began as an
off-shoot of a class project in grade six. I was fascinated with horses, but
never got one, and so I wrote about unicorns instead. The project got an A, and
the teacher made me read it to the rest of the class. I always kept this little
novella with me for some reason, and I guess the reason was I was meant to
write a new unicorn tale to share later on in life.</span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA">The
Shadow of the Unicorn: The Legacy</span></i><span lang="EN-CA"> takes place
12,000 years ago when all the beasts of the earth dwelled together, unicorns,
lions, dinosaurs…you name it. They were all there. When the great stallion is
summoned to the dinosaur’s valley, he and his son Azaria meet Darius-the-seer,
a young dinosaur who foretells a cataclysmic event. Disaster strikes in the
form of a great asteroid and the unicorns struggle to survive. But nothing
compares to the coming of the creatures-that-walk-on-two-legs, the humans.
Their leader, Ishmael, will stop at nothing including extinction in his pursuit
of the healing power of their horns. If you want to watch my booktrailer,
here’s the link:</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA"><a href="http://youtu.be/St9OsyK974o" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">http://youtu.be/St9OsyK974o</span></a></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA">That
sounds fascinating, Suzanne. How did you come up with such ideas?</span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">I haven’t a clue. They just came as I
wrote. I liked the dinosaur from my original story, and so had to figure out a
way to make unicorns and dinosaurs hang out. Thus the asteroid that destroys
the entire dinosaur population except for Darius. When the humans arrived, my
imagination went absolutely wild. Suddenly there were ghosts and rotten
teenagers, and gosh, all sorts of things. I went nuts. That’s what I like about
writing. I tell people it’s like reading a really good book except that you’re
writing it. I have a few events in mind to guide me as I write, but the rest
just kind of happens.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZJGlHL0vgeZyhMzRNFH9boKl4cWU_zrWoOioybSEctTMkO_fLUMazivK99ph2ZX12sIEZmzY-9A3mRNTwNo1B3lrLWnd0wX1DH-1Y9Laxr6kQSogDgGvt0r7JfY8ITi6CnUONx4eOozA/s1600/SuzanneGlobal+gold.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZJGlHL0vgeZyhMzRNFH9boKl4cWU_zrWoOioybSEctTMkO_fLUMazivK99ph2ZX12sIEZmzY-9A3mRNTwNo1B3lrLWnd0wX1DH-1Y9Laxr6kQSogDgGvt0r7JfY8ITi6CnUONx4eOozA/s320/SuzanneGlobal+gold.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA">How
did you feel when you received word you had won a Global E-Book Award?</span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">I found out at about 10:30 at night right
before going to sleep. I squealed with delight and jumped up and down. Of
course I couldn’t sleep for hours afterward. It’s just so nice to be recognized
for all my hard work.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA">Are
there any other unicorn stories on the horizon?</span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">Yes, I’m working like a mad woman to
rewrite an earlier version of the second of the series. This book takes place
60 years into the future when the Legacy of Azaria has been twisted to suit the
corrupt leader of the herd. Terrible things happen at his hands, or I mean
hooves, and Ulysees must search for the truth before it’s too late. And just to
give you a hint, Darius-the-seer is found again!</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA">Where
can we get a copy of your novel?</span></b></div>
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<u><span lang="EN-CA">At Amazon</span></u><span lang="EN-CA">: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Shadow-Unicorn-Legacy-ebook/dp/B00AIVD5EE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1354909859&sr=8-1&keywords=the+shadow+of+the+unicorn%3A+the+legacy">http://www.amazon.com/The-Shadow-Unicorn-Legacy-ebook/dp/B00AIVD5EE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1354909859&sr=8-1&keywords=the+shadow+of+the+unicorn%3A+the+legacy</a></span></div>
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<u><span lang="EN-CA">Kobo:</span></u><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-ca/Search?Query=the+shadow+of+the+unicorn%3A+the+legacy">http://store.kobobooks.com/en-ca/Search?Query=the+shadow+of+the+unicorn%3A+the+legacy</a></span></div>
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<u><span lang="EN-CA">And<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Muse It Up Publishing, one of Canada’s fastest growing publishers: </span></u><span lang="EN-CA"><a href="https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=466&category_id=69&manufacturer_id=230&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=466&category_id=69&manufacturer_id=230&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1</span></a></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA">Thanks
Suzanne. This has been really interesting. Readers, don’t forget to leave a
comment to win a copy of Suzanne’s novel.</span></b></div>
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Victoria Roderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04933859286104636739noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3606582303033600341.post-44378790569537597342013-08-16T17:53:00.000-07:002013-08-20T05:07:58.242-07:00Children's Adventures With Value<br />
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I’m Victoria Roder, children’s author of adventures with
value. I have been invited to join the Children’s Author Blog Hop by fellow
author <a href="http://childrensandteensbookconnection.wordpress.com/2013/08/12/childrens-authors-blog-hop/" target="_blank">Cheryl Malandrinos</a>. </div>
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What are you working on right now?</div>
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A time traveling
tale from AJ, a twelve-year-old boy’s point of view. Travel back in time to
small town USA
during the civil rights movement, to Nazi Germany during WWII and to a time
when Dragons ruled the land. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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How does it differ from other works in its genre? </div>
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AJ has a unique
traveling partner.</div>
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Why do you write what you do? </div>
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I write adventures that I
would have loved to read as a young reader. My middle grade novel <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sled Dog Tales</i></b> revolves around “The Golden Rule
and is a fast paced training and sled racing adventure with a misfit husky. Coming Soon from <a href="http://www.dwbchildrensline.com/apps/webstore/" target="_blank">DWB Children's Line</a>.</div>
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In <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Curse of King Ramesses II</i></b>, two best friends spend an exciting night in
a haunted museum and learn a lesson on owning up to mistakes and making amends. <a href="http://www.wildchildpublishing.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=72&products_id=398&zenid=cd58e59d1e3ab1844861ef8061fd2b35%20http://www.amazon.com/The-Curse-King-Ramesses-ebook/dp/B008PHZJ3I/ref=pd_ybh_18" target="_blank">Wild Child Publishing</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOS1P0zpA66S0Rotabt2ImZq1S3jnUKKbsSObJ0LIN2ooU9zYQ_lfLR4uq8jk8QDg_pk17eLaJLfb7zDQcIP8jabh2Wu3HaPhckFTTI9RdMf7YYxlcwUpkxppPt1pXMpr344OQw4hhVvg/s1600/Cover_1_2x3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOS1P0zpA66S0Rotabt2ImZq1S3jnUKKbsSObJ0LIN2ooU9zYQ_lfLR4uq8jk8QDg_pk17eLaJLfb7zDQcIP8jabh2Wu3HaPhckFTTI9RdMf7YYxlcwUpkxppPt1pXMpr344OQw4hhVvg/s1600/Cover_1_2x3.jpg" /></a></div>
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In my picture book <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">An Important Job to Do: A
Noah’s Ark Tale </i></b>a small mouse learns that regardless of how we look,
God has a job for each of us.<a href="http://www.dwbchildrensline.com/apps/webstore/" target="_blank">DWB Children's Line</a>.</div>
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What is the hardest part about writing? </div>
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Finding enough time
to write and editing manuscripts. I should have paid more attention during grammar
lessons in school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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What is something unique you want readers to learn about
you? </div>
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I enjoy shooting bow at targets and I like to take my dogs out for ice cream.
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Now I am tagging fellow author <a href="http://debbieroppolo.weebly.com/3/post/2013/08/hopping-with-imagination.html" target="_blank">Debbie Roppolo</a> the author of Amelia Frump. </div>
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<br />Victoria Roderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04933859286104636739noreply@blogger.com7