tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44649617947939361872024-02-06T23:51:21.278-05:00Brainy Book ReadsI only have two passions in life. Music and books ... and now, maybe blogging. We'll see. :)Quality Reads UKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03216387289293473067noreply@blogger.comBlogger886125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464961794793936187.post-38298672747198879132015-03-13T07:00:00.000-04:002015-03-15T01:42:31.124-04:00Kirsten Mortensen on the Best #Novel She Has Written So Far @KirstenWriter #AmWriting #Suspense <b>Under Their Skin. When Characters Become Real</b><br />
By Kirsten Mortensen<br />
<br />
I became a novelist so, so slowly!<br />
<br />
It’s
not that I didn’t want to devote myself to fiction. I did. I’ve wanted
to spin stories for peoples’ enjoyment ever since I was about five years
old.<br />
<br />
But when I became an adult, I was deeply confused
about how to go about it. Throughout my 20s and 30s, I started novels
many times. But the process always felt forced. I understand, now, what I
was doing wrong. I was working from my head, not my heart—not my
imagination. But at the time, all I knew was that I felt lost, writing
fiction. And when I read other authors saying things about how their
characters would “come alive” or “take on lives of their own” I thought
they were either telling white lies, or speaking figuratively.<br />
<br />
That changed when someone I respected very much said something to me that, on the surface, was very hard. Cruel, even.<br />
<br />
I
was talking about how much I wished I could make a living as a
novelist, and he looked at me and said: “I don’t believe you. I don’t
believe really want to write a novel.”<br />
<br />
It sounds mean,
doesn’t it? It sounds like he was snatching my most precious dream,
throwing it down onto the pavement and crushing it with his foot.<br />
<br />
But that’s not what he was doing—and I knew it, even as he spoke.<br />
<br />
He
was challenging me to follow through on my so-called dream. He was
challenging me to do more than just start a novel—he was challenging me
to finish one.<br />
<br />
So I did.<br />
<br />
I’ve long since thrown that manuscript away—it was a typical first novel, so full of mistakes that newbie writers make!<br />
<br />
But even though it wasn’t publishable, it served its purpose. It gave me the experience of practicing writing novels.<br />
<br />
And the more I practice, the better I get.<br />
<br />
And then, during novel #3, it happened.<br />
<br />
My characters came alive.<br />
<br />
Because it’s true. It really happens.<br />
<br />
They
begin to assert themselves. They do things you don’t expect. They stop
you from forcing them into decisions that don’t suit them.<br />
<br />
When
I wrote that first novel, my characters were like puppets. I fashioned
them, using words. I gave them physical characteristics. I picked out
their clothes. I came up with plot twists and wrote how my characters
reacted to them.<br />
<br />
Today, when I write, my characters are
no longer puppets. They’re more like entities you meet in
dreams—demigods of my imagination. They awe me, they surprise me. I’m no
longer their master—I’m more an observer, doing my best to transcribe
what they see, think, feel, and do.<br />
<br />
I’d be the last person to call myself a “great” writer. Ha. In my dreams.<br />
<br />
But
I do think that in my latest novel, Dark Chemistry, is the best I’ve
written so far—and one major reason for that is that as I wrote it, my
characters came alive. And judging on how readers are reacting to the
novel, the characters seem alive to them!<br />
<br />
If you’re a writer, have you noticed this happening while you write?<br />
<br />
As a reader, do you notice when characters in novels seem real to you?<br />
<br />
<br />
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/darkChemistry.jpg" href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/darkChemistry.jpg"><img alt="darkChemistry" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-41412" data-mce-src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/darkChemistry.jpg" src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/darkChemistry.jpg" height="200" width="130" /></a></span></span></div>
<div data-mce-style="color: #000000;" id="outer_postBodyPS" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" id="postBodyPS" style="text-align: center;">
<h1>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A woman's worst nightmare</span></span></h1>
<h2 data-mce-style="color: #cc6600;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Drugged by something...that makes her think she's fallen in love.</span></span></h2>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">All Haley Dubose has ever known is beaches and malls, clubs and cocktail dresses.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>But now her father is dead.</b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And if she wants to inherit her father's fortune, she has to leave sunny Southern California<br />for a backwater little town near Syracuse, New York. She has to run RMB, the multimillion dollar<br />chemical company her father founded. And she has to run it well.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Keep
RMB on track, and she'll be rich. Grow it, and she'll be even richer.
But mess it up, and her inheritance will shrink away before she gets a
chance to spend a dime.</span></span><br />
<h2 data-mce-style="color: #cc6600;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Donavon Todde is her true love. But is it too late?</span></span></h2>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">He's RMB's head of sales – and the more Donavon sees of Haley, the more he's smitten.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sure,
she comes across at first as naïve and superficial. But Donavon knew
Haley's father. He can see the man's better qualities stirring to life
in her eyes. And Donavon senses something else: Haley's father left her a
legacy more important than money. He left her the chance to discover
her true self.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Donavon has demons of his own.</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b> </b><br />He's
reeling from a heartbreak that's taking far too long to heal. But he's
captivated by this blond Californian, and not only because of her
beauty.<i> It's chemistry.</i> They're right for each other. But has
Donavon waited too long to woo this woman of his dreams? Because to his
horror, his beautiful Haley falls under another spell.<i> Gerad's spell.</i></span></span><br />
<h2 data-mce-style="color: #cc6600;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A web of evil.</span></span></h2>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Gerad
Picket was second-in-command at RMB when Haley's father was alive. And
with Haley on the scene, he's in charge of her training. But there are
things about RMB that Gerad doesn't want Haley to know.</span></span><br />
<h2 data-mce-style="color: #cc6600;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And he must control her. Any way he can.</span></span></h2>
<h1>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Romantic suspense for your Kindle</span></span></h1>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Will Haley realize that her feelings are not her TRUE feelings?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Does Donavon have the strength left to fight for the woman he loves?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Will the two of them uncover Gerad's plot to use RMB pheromones to enslave the world?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And even if they do – can they stop it?</span></span><br />
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Buy Now @ <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Chemistry-Kirsten-Mortensen-ebook/dp/B00KEYP3QI/" href="http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Chemistry-Kirsten-Mortensen-ebook/dp/B00KEYP3QI/" target="_blank">Amazon</a> &<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a data-mce-href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/422146" href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/422146" target="_blank">Smashwords</a></span></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Genre – Romantic suspense</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Rating – PG-13</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>More details about <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Kirsten-Mortensen/e/B001JP7X50/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1" href="http://www.amazon.com/Kirsten-Mortensen/e/B001JP7X50/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1" target="_blank">the author</a></i></span></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Connect</b> with Kirsten Mortensen through<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a data-mce-href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kirsten-Mortensen-Writer/195344590544496?ref=hl" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kirsten-Mortensen-Writer/195344590544496?ref=hl" target="_blank">Facebook</a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>& <a data-mce-href="https://twitter.com/Kirstenwriter" href="https://twitter.com/Kirstenwriter" target="_blank">Twitter</a></span></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Website <a class="in-cell-link" data-mce-href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://kirstenmortensen.com/&usd=2&usg=ALhdy29OlqrTvuWJGs0Xbb3RDK_7VviC8A" href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://kirstenmortensen.com/&usd=2&usg=ALhdy29OlqrTvuWJGs0Xbb3RDK_7VviC8A" target="_blank">http://kirstenmortensen.com/</a></b></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Quality Reads UKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03216387289293473067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464961794793936187.post-35791698496891824502015-02-06T07:30:00.000-05:002015-02-06T07:30:00.143-05:00THE GIRL WHO CAME BACK TO LIFE by Craig Staufenberg @YouMakeArtDumb #Excerpt #MGLit <div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Sophie
woke at the table the next day before the sun rose and let habit and
obligation drag her from her seat and pull her to the bakery. Setting
her body in front of the floured marble table and searching her chest,
she found a hole where her heart used to beat, and when she dove into
this abyss she felt something close to cold, but far from feeling
itself.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
That morning her dough would barely budge when
she touched it and the loaves she handled wouldn’t rise an inch and the
bread she placed in the oven left their fires cold and flat and dead no
matter how long they spent among the flames.<br />
<br />
The baker
saw this and responded to her as if she were a stubborn slab of dough.
She pressed patiently and consistently and with constant motion, asking
Sophie this and that, pushing and pulling at her, all without mentioning
her failures, without forcing a point, yet unrelenting and unwilling to
toss her to the side.<br />
<br />
Yet despite this care, by the
end of the morning, Sophie’s failures at the simple, mundane tasks built
up and tore through her. Her frustration broke as she pulled a final
frozen lump from the fired oven and a small tear arrived in her eye as
she held the uncooked dough in front of her chest.<br />
<br />
The
baker stepped over to her and took the dough from Sophie and placed it
on the table with a thud. She admonished Sophie, without any hint of
anger or malice, “Cry if you need to, but don’t cry into the bread.”<br />
<br />
Sophie
stood there, that single tear still caught within her eye, her arms and
hands still held up in front of her. The baker took each of Sophie’s
raised, empty arms, one at a time, and placed them down at her sides.
She took one of her own weathered hands and guided Sophie to the table
and pulled up a stool and motioned to Sophie to sit. Sophie set her
elbows down on the floured marble table and leaned across its surface.<br />
<br />
The
tear finally fell from her eye and dropped down onto the table,
creating a little wet crater in the flour that lay sifted across the top
of the marble table. The baker reached out a thumb and smudged the
crater across and smiled to herself, then went to the front of the shop
and picked up a small olive loaf from the day-old bin. She held it in
one of her hands and opened the oven door with the other and let a whiff
of the blasting hot air spill out and wash over Sophie. The baker
commanded her, “Take out some butter, if you would.”<br />
<br />
The
baker reached her hand into the oven and held the loaf above the flames
for a moment as Sophie walked to the side counter and pulled out the
pan of thick yellow butter that sat there. She brought it to the table
and returned to her seat.<br />
<br />
The baker left the oven door
open, warming the room. She pulled up another stool and sat next to her
and placed the now-steaming loaf down. The woman tore off a chunk and
slathered it with the rich butter, which melted on contact and found its
way into the bread’s hidden corners. She handed the bread to Sophie,
then she tore off and buttered a second hunk for herself.<br />
<br />
Sophie
took a bite of the bread, and that bite sank into her. The half-stale
loaf crunched in her mouth and the butter pressed through her body as
surely as it soaked through the bread.<br />
<br />
As they ate for a
moment in silence, the baker continued to pull off pieces of the bread
and butter them, handing one to Sophie first then taking one for
herself. She ate in silence as the dry heat of the oven filled the back
of the shop, until Sophie broke the quiet and spoke first. She
apologized for her shoddy work.<br />
<br />
The baker nodded her response. “It’s alright. I had a lot of bad days too when my parents died.”<br />
<br />
Sophie looked over at the sturdy woman with surprised eyes and asked when the woman’s parents had passed.<br />
<br />
The
baker replied with a soft smile, “Some time ago. I was a little older
than you but I was baking by that point… and for a long time my bread
wouldn’t rise either.”<br />
<br />
The baker deepened her smile as
she lifted her hunk of bread into the air and inspected it for a moment,
then took a bite and continued as she swallowed, “Clearly it was a
temporary problem.”<br />
<br />
Sophie couldn’t stop herself from laughing. She asked the woman what fixed her troubles.<br />
<br />
The
baker thought for a moment. “Time.” She placed her elbow on the table
and scratched at her cheek. “As the days passed I found myself again.”
She paused, her finger rested against her cheek. “But my bread wasn’t
this good again until I went north and Sent them.”<br />
<br />
Sophie looked over and was about to speak but the baker stood up and cut her off firmly. “Come. We need to open the shop.”<br />
<br />
The
baker gathered the few loaves she managed to salvage from Sophie’s
empty heart and sighed out loud, “Here’s hoping for a slow day…”<br />
<br />
She
smiled then pushed her to clean the oven, as she always did, and from
there the afternoon proceeded as it always had. Sophie took on her
chosen chores, straightening the shop, cleaning, organizing and
restoring order as the baker took her seat at the counter where her
customers purchased their bread. When her grandmother arrived, Sophie
avoided her gaze. Aside from a lingering moment when the baker stepped
to the desk and spoke for a moment longer than usual to the old woman,
the day proceeded as it always had, right until the sun began to set and
the baker asked Sophie and her grandmother to come to the counter to
receive their day’s wages.<br />
<br />
The old woman placed her
payment in her purse, and as she stood for a moment to wait for her
granddaughter to receive hers, the baker told the wrinkled woman, “I
need to speak with Sophie for a minute longer, you don’t need to wait
for her.”<br />
<br />
The old woman nodded and said goodbye and
left through the shop’s swinging doors as the baker asked Sophie to
stand there for a moment. She held still and watched as the woman came
out from behind her counter and walked through the shop, examining the
little touches Sophie added to it throughout the afternoon. The baker
inspected the organized loaves and gave a small approving nod, then
examined the swept floor and made a minor appreciative grunt, then noted
the neatly stacked bags of flour with a lingering look, before she
returned to the counter and opened her drawer and began to count out
Sophie’s wages. As she did, the woman spoke to herself, loud enough for
Sophie to hear, “Let’s see…”<br />
<br />
The baker set down
Sophie’s usual wages. Sophie thanked her and reached for the bills lying
there. The baker stopped her hand and spoke, without looking up, “The
shop looks better than ever lately.”<br />
<br />
She turned her eyes to Sophie. “You’ve been working a little later than necessary for some time now.”<br />
<br />
Sophie
looked at her feet, embarrassed, as the baker pulled some paper and a
pencil from beneath the counter and set them down and continued, “I used
to hire someone to tidy up the shop as you’ve been doing. I can’t quite
remember what I used to pay them.”<br />
<br />
The baker marked a
few calculations onto the paper and reached into the cash drawer and
placed a few extra bills on top of Sophie’s normal wages and looked down
at her paper.<br />
<br />
“That doesn’t seem right. You’ve been
working late every single day for some time now… Let me check the math
again. Oh, I shouldn’t have let your grandmother off, she’s better with
the numbers than I am.”<br />
<br />
The baker made a few more marks
on the paper, performing some simple math, adding up the days and
Sophie’s extra wages, reaching into the drawer and pulling out more
money and placing it on the counter, before checking her math again and
pulling out more and adding it to the growing pile, speaking loudly and
absent-mindedly the whole time.<br />
<br />
“This afternoon your grandmother told me she plans on heading north soon, and that she’ll be gone for some time.”<br />
<br />
The
baker looked casually at Sophie. “It’s to be expected, of course. She
never said so but she adored that man.” The baker looked back down.
“Though now I’ll have to find someone else to take care of the books for
me.”<br />
<br />
She placed more money on the counter. “As I said, I’m not very good at math.”<br />
<br />
She
returned to her paper, then scanned the neatly ordered shop, then added
even more money to Sophie’s thick pile. The woman looked back down and
spoke some more to herself.<br />
<br />
“I’ll have to find someone to help me with the oven and the store too, while you are traveling with her.”<br />
<br />
Sophie’s
heart returned to her chest for a moment, before rising and getting
caught in her throat as she looked at the thick stack of money on the
counter.<br />
<br />
The baker rolled her eyes up at Sophie with
lightly arched eyebrows. “Though only temporary help, of course… as
you’ll resume working here when you return…”<br />
<br />
Sophie nodded yes, yes, yes. The baker sat back in her chair and pushed the money towards her.<br />
<br />
“And
I’m sure if my math was wrong and I’ve overpaid you now, then you’ll
work the remainder off when you return.” Sophie pressed her heart down
her throat and back into her chest and released a soft, “Of course.”</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/The-Girl-Who-Came-Back-to-Life.jpg" href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/The-Girl-Who-Came-Back-to-Life.jpg"><img alt="The Girl Who Came Back to Life" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-40597" data-mce-src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/The-Girl-Who-Came-Back-to-Life.jpg" src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/The-Girl-Who-Came-Back-to-Life.jpg" height="200" width="130" /></a></span></span></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When
you die, your spirit wakes in the north, in the City of the Dead.
There, you wander the cold until one of your living loved ones finds
you, says "Goodbye," and Sends you to the next world. <br data-mce-style="color: #000000;" /><br data-mce-style="color: #000000;" />After
her parents die, 12-year-old Sophie refuses to release their spirits.
Instead, she resolves to travel to the City of the Dead to bring her
mother and father’s spirits back home with her. <br data-mce-style="color: #000000;" /><br data-mce-style="color: #000000;" />Taking
the long pilgrimage north with her gruff & distant grandmother—by
train, by foot, by boat; over ruined mountains and plains and
oceans—Sophie struggles to return what death stole from her. Yet the
journey offers her many hard, unexpected lessons—what to hold on to,
when to let go, and who she must truly bring back to life.</span></span></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Buy Now @ <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Girl-Who-Came-Back-Life-ebook/dp/B00JQRR0JM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1402517344&sr=8-1&keywords=craig+staufenberg" href="http://www.amazon.com/Girl-Who-Came-Back-Life-ebook/dp/B00JQRR0JM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1402517344&sr=8-1&keywords=craig+staufenberg" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Genre – Middle Grade</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Rating – PG-13</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>More details about <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Craig-Staufenberg/e/B00J4CHMX8/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1" href="http://www.amazon.com/Craig-Staufenberg/e/B00J4CHMX8/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1" target="_blank">the author</a></i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Connect</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>with Craig Staufenberg through<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a data-mce-href="https://www.facebook.com/YouMakeArtDumb?ref=hl" href="https://www.facebook.com/YouMakeArtDumb?ref=hl" target="_blank">Facebook</a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>and<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a data-mce-href="https://twitter.com/YouMakeArtDumb" href="https://twitter.com/YouMakeArtDumb" target="_blank">Twitter</a></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Website <a class="in-cell-link" data-mce-href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://craigstaufenberg.com/&usd=2&usg=ALhdy2-DrQ3iDj9YlxIz66ffrjCdBEDC8Q" href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://craigstaufenberg.com/&usd=2&usg=ALhdy2-DrQ3iDj9YlxIz66ffrjCdBEDC8Q" target="_blank">http://craigstaufenberg.com/</a></b></span></span></div>
Quality Reads UKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03216387289293473067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464961794793936187.post-25022324567397197932014-12-27T11:00:00.000-05:002014-12-30T03:30:07.312-05:0010 Things You Need to Know About James Rada, Jr. @JimRada #CivilWar #HistFic #AmReading <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>10 Things You Didn’t Know About James Rada, Jr.</b></span></span><br />
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I
was asked to give you a little insight on me by telling you 10 things
that you might not realize about me from author biographies that you see
in the back of my books.</span></span></div>
<ol style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 25px; padding: 0px;">
<li style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>My first short stories were published while I was in high school.</b> I was a senior in high school when I had short stories accepted for publication in the <i>National Vietnam Veterans Review</i>. I wasn’t paid for them, but I still count them as my first publishing credits.</span></span></li>
<li style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>My first professional publishing writing credit was in 1988.</b> The
first time that I got paid for something I wrote was when I was still
in college. I competed in a competition to develop a marketing and
advertising campaign for a new business. I put together an entire
campaign with ads, press releases, etc. and won the competition. What I
was particularly pleased with was that I was competing against teams of
other college students, and yet, I won by doing it all by myself.</span></span></li>
<li style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>I have won more than two dozen journalism and advertising awards.</b> I
have won awards from the Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association,
Society of Professional Journalists, Associated Press, Maryland State
Teachers Association, CNHI, Utah Ad Federation and American Advertising
Federation of Greater Frederick. I figure it is only a matter of time
before my books start winning awards. I’ve got my fingers crossed.</span></span></li>
<li style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>My family is not interested in writing.</b> You
would figure that at least someone in my family would also be
interested in writing since it’s my work. They’re not. In fact, only my
youngest son is the only regular reader in the family and my wife admits
the only book of mine that she has read was my first historical novel
published in 2000.</span></span></li>
<li style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Both of my sons are adopted.</b> My wife and I have two sons. They are both adopted; one from Kentucky and one from Russia.</span></span></li>
<li style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>I love to bicycle.</b> I
can’t say that I’m particularly fast on my bike. I average about 13.5
mph, but I do bike about 100 miles a week. I tend to meander along the
back roads in the county where I live. I love the scenery, but sometimes
the hills kill me. I will even ride my bike if I have to run errands in
Gettysburg.</span></span></li>
<li style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>I own a dinosaur egg.</b> I
have a small collection of interesting fossils, rocks and minerals that
I’ve accumulated over the years. At a festival I attend annually to
sign books, there’s another gentlemen who sells rocks and minerals. I
always check out his items. Last year, he had a fossilized hadrosaur egg
from China. It’s about the size of two softballs. It was a splurge
purchase.</span></span></li>
<li style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>I have had articles published in more than 110 publications. </b>I
like to write and I try to get in a wide variety of publications as
well as getting published multiple times in the ones I like. I do this
rather than focusing on a few magazines because I have had magazines
that I write for go out of business. I have been published in magazines,
newspapers, web sites, newsletters and newspapers that cover a lot of
different markets and subjects. One of the reasons for the variety is
that I usually come up with an idea first and then try to find the
market for it.</span></span></li>
<li style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>I started out as a business major in college.</b> I
did this because my grandfather kept telling me that I needed a major
that I could get a job with. I figured out that when I get falling
asleep in class, though, that I might want to find a major that better
suited me. With my grandfather’s advice in my head and my interest in
writing, I settled on advertising copywriting, which was an enjoyable
major.</span></span></li>
<li style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>I am a big Jimmy Stewart fan.</b> Forget modern actors. My favorite actor is Jimmy Stewart. I’ve enjoyed his movies since I first watched <i>Mr. Smith Goes to Washington</i> while
I was in college. I think I have seen all of his movies and most of his
television roles. I have even listened to his old-time radio series and
guest appearances.</span></span></li>
</ol>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So there you have it. That’s 10 things I bet you didn’t know about me. Does it make me seem geekier? Oh well, it’s me.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/lockready.jpg" /></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The
Civil War split the United States and now it has split the Fitzgerald
Family. Although George Fitzgerald has returned from the war, his sister
Elizabeth Fitzgerald has chosen to remain in Washington to volunteer as
a nurse. The ex-Confederate spy, David Windover, has given up on his
dream of being with Alice Fitzgerald and is trying to move on with his
life in Cumberland, Md. Alice and her sons continue to haul coal along
the 184.5-mile-long C&O Canal. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It
is dangerous work, though, during war time because the canal runs along
the Potomac River and between the North and South. Having had to
endured death and loss already, Alice wonders whether remaining on the
canal is worth the cost. She wants her family reunited and safe, but she
can’t reconcile her feelings between David and her dead husband. Her
adopted son, Tony, has his own questions that he is trying to answer. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">He
wants to know who he is and if his birth mother ever loved him. As he
tries to find out more about his birth mother and father, he stumbles
onto a plan by Confederate sympathizers to sabotage the canal and burn
dozens of canal boats. He enlists David’s help to try and disrupt the
plot before it endangers his new family, but first they will have find
out who is behind the plot.</span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Buy Now @ <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lock-Ready-A-Canawlers-Novel/dp/0692211454/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1400758482&sr=8-1&keywords=lock+ready+rada" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Genre – Historical Fiction</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Rating – PG-13</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>More details about <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=dp_byline_sr_book_1?ie=UTF8&field-author=James+Rada+Jr.&search-alias=books&text=James+Rada+Jr.&sort=relevancerank" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">the author</a></i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Connect</b> with James Rada Jr. on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jim.rada" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Facebook</a> & <a href="https://twitter.com/jimrada" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Twitter</a></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Website <a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://jamesrada.com&usd=2&usg=ALhdy28d4iaix3UBtVx6pNwPpNkw3GcEKA" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">jamesrada.com</a></b></span></span></div>
Quality Reads UKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03216387289293473067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464961794793936187.post-82555180785961767902014-12-20T12:00:00.000-05:002014-12-20T12:00:04.787-05:00#Excerpt from DOUBT - INSIDE/OUTSIDE by Jenny Hayworth @JennyHayworth1 #SexualAbuse #Memoir<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Imagine
that someone you love dies. You no longer can see them, speak to them,
or touch them or have any literal experience with them except within
your mind and heart. This is what being disfellowshipped or
disassociated from the Jehovah’s Witnesses means to those who are cut
off. They are treated as if they are dead to those remaining in it.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When
I was an active member of the Jehovah’s Witnesses and believed a
hundred percent in it, I had always believed what had been taught to us
from the platform by the elders and in <i>The Watchtower</i> magazine (published twice a month by <i>The Watchtower</i> Bible and Tract Society).</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I
believed that when baptised Jehovah’s Witnesses decided (because they
had bad hearts) that they no longer wished to be Jehovah’s Witnesses,
they would say to the elders that they no longer wished to be known as
Jehovah’s Witnesses. It was a totally voluntary process, I was taught,
and it occurred because these people wanted to do things that were
condemned by Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Bible and so no longer wanted
to continue being known as one. It was a voluntary separation on their
part from the organisation even though they would realise it would cause
enormous pain for their families.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Since these people knew that by choosing a lifestyle contrary to one Jehovah God wanted them to lead (as set forth by <i>The Watchtower</i> <i>Society</i>),
they knew their families would have to cut them off in obedience to the
scriptural direction given by the Apostle James on how to treat those
who left the fold. This was to treat them as if they were “dog[s]
returning to [their] vomit” as the scriptures put it.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The
families would not be allowed to speak to them, eat with them, or greet
them. In fact they were instructed to treat them as if they were no
longer living. If their families did associate with them and didn’t
repent for it after being given the opportunity to do so by loving
elders who would try to turn their hearts back to obedience to God’s
way, they also would be disfellowshipped.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The
elders saw disassociation as a choice made by a baptised person even
though both—disassociation and disfellowshipping—were treated in exactly
the same way. Disfellowshipped ones might have just made a mistake and
need to be punished for the behaviour in which they had engaged. So they
were often seen as not having <i>bad</i>hearts but as having been led
astray or needing to be shocked into realising the seriousness of their
actions. People could, however, commit any disfellowshipping sins, and
if they were expressing enough remorse or contrition they might not be
disfellowshipped.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Talks
were constantly being given from the platform about all the things one
could be disfellowshipped for including fornication, adultery,
homosexuality, and any sexual conduct considered “Unclean” or classified
as “pornea.” Also idolatry and celebrating worldly holidays (birthdays,
Christmas, Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Halloween) were
considered disfellowshipping offences, as they were all pagan in origin.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">However,
when I asked the elders why witnesses like myself could wear white
wedding dresses and wedding rings, both of which were pagan in origin,
and asked who picked which historical customs were allowed to be
practised and which weren’t, they could not give me an adequate answer.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We just had to be obedient to the direction of <i>The Watchtower</i>,
and if they changed their understanding because of a “light” from God
in the future, we would be told. But in the meantime, we had to be
patient, be obedient, and wait.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My
major doubts had surfaced while being reprimanded in New Zealand about
going to worldly counsellors for my children when they disclosed their
sexual abuse. I had not received counselling from anyone, and this had
not helped me. I knew deep inside myself that I had to get help for my
children other than just what the elders would provide. I didn’t want my
beautiful children to experience the extreme guilt and fear I had
experienced because of the abuse by Pop and all that flowed from it.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I
could not see how elders who were not trained as counsellors in any
way, shape, or form and had no formal education on sexual abuse victims
and how to counsel or treat them could have been better than trained
professionals. Also I could not see how, if someone broke the law of the
land by sexually abusing a child, only the elders and not the judicial
system should have dealt with him or her. I had scriptures quoted at me
at the time saying God appoints elders, so they are his representatives
on earth and not some worldly judging system that does not understand
the ways of God’s people.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Again
I could not see how, if police were not involved, the guilty person’s
just saying sorry to the elders would stop it from happening again or to
someone else. Who was accountable? If a member of the congregation
murdered someone, he or she had to go to the police and to court. Why
not those who committed sexual abuse and rape? Why were these lesser
crimes? Why did they not warrant criminal inquires?</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When
in Wellington, New Zealand, and taking the children to see the
counsellor, I had been disturbed by what I had seen happening in our own
congregation, where Leonard was involved as one of the elders. A young
girl disclosed past sexual abuse that had happened to her, committed by a
witness male friend who had worked for her father. She had stated he
had come into her room and raped her a few years previously, when she
had been about thirteen years old. Now that she was sixteen years old,
she had disclosed it.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The
accused had previously been married and had two daughters. The
daughters had disclosed sexual abuse, but they were still young, only
five or six years old. The ex-wife had gone to the police and was taking
the children to see the same sexual-abuse counsellor I was taking my
children to.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">She
didn’t know me, but I knew her as the two children had been at the
meetings with their abuser on access visits up until the disclosures had
been made. His ex-wife had been disfellowshipped, and he had remarried,
and his new wife was only seventeen years old and pregnant with their
first child. He had apparently written a letter of confession to the
elders. The police had requested to interview the head elder, known as
the Presiding Overseer of the congregation the accused attended. The
Presiding Overseer had come to our house to have an urgent meeting with
Leonard, who was then the Secretary of the congregation, and the
Treasurer. These were the three main elders in each congregation who
dealt with these matters.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As
the Presiding Overseer was leaving the house, he said the letter had to
be destroyed at all costs, as he had spoken to a solicitor and it was
up to the prosecution to prove guilt—he did not have to supply evidence
that would incriminate the accused. He also spoke about how he believed
that the confidentiality of a confession to elders should be considered
the same as the Catholic Church did it, and no elder should therefore
have been forced to tell a policeman or court what had been disclosed by
a member of the flock to him.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">He
was saying if the letter was found, the brother would most certainly be
found guilty (he had pled not guilty in court) and would spend a long
time in prison. As he was very repentant and had promised not to do it
again, and had responded to the counselling of the elders, they needed
to protect their flock.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It sickened me to listen to them talk. I instinctively thought, <i>but
what about protecting his children and his unborn child? What about
the children from the congregation who went to his house?</i> The young
girl had been counselled by the elders not to say anything to anyone.
She came in distress to see me one day after arguing with her witness
mother, with whom she had a volatile relationship, and said he had been
made to apologise to her, so it was all meant to be okay now.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I
knew from my own experience as an elder’s wife and from visiting other
elders and their wives that rarely was anything kept as confidential as
the congregation was repeatedly told it was. I knew that within a few
days, every one of the elders and their wives would know what had been
said and discussed, and all who were close to them as friends would be
told. There was no confidentiality, in my experience. I didn’t want what
had happened to my children and any disclosures I made to be dinner
talk around people’s tables. I couldn’t bear for that to happen. So I
just knew I had to go outside the congregation.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The
most important reason, though, stemmed back to my childhood fear and
memories. Hearing the talk given from the platform when I was a child
about the scriptures in the Old Testament that said if a woman was raped
in the field and didn’t cry out, she was guilty of adultery and was to
be stoned to death, frightened me enormously. I had frozen when Pop
abused me. I had been unable to move due to fear at times when I was in
the bath, in the cupboard, or under the bed. During what had happened on
the tennis court, the leadenness in my legs prevented me from moving,
and the fear up tight in my throat and chest meant I was unable to
scream or make a sound; I had a total inability to fight back as I was
immobilised by fear.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I
had spoken to Amy and Ben’s counsellor, and she had been quite
forthcoming in explaining that children can fight, flight, or freeze.
And abusers often picked those they felt would not fight back but would
freeze or comply for many varying reasons, but it certainly did not mean
the children wished it to happen.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">At
the time of Benjamin and Amy’s being abused, there was a case getting
media coverage involving a woman in the United States, where a man had
been found <i>not</i> guilty of rape due to the fact she had made him
use a condom in the middle of raping her. Some of the local elders said
this showed willingness and compliance. The woman had awoken to find a
man on top of her, who she did not know, with a knife held to her
throat. She had condoms in her drawer. When she realised he was going to
rape her, she begged him to put on a condom as she was so frightened of
getting HIV or another venereal disease. He put it on. Then he left
afterward. She went to the police, and it had gone all the way through
to trial. He was found not guilty because of the condom use. I was
outraged.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I
thought, here was a woman having enough wits about her to protect
herself in any small way she could, even in the process of being
violated by a stranger with a knife, and because she didn’t fight him,
as she wished to survive, and he complied and wore a condom, it was
taken as consensual? I was horrified. Many Jehovah’s Witnesses I
associated with agreed with the court finding as it concurred with the
biblical teaching we’d had drummed into us.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Another
case was also in the media of a woman who did not scream or resist as
the man had broken in and had a knife, but she had a young daughter
asleep in the bed next to her. So she lay quietly and did what he said,
as she was terrified if her daughter woke up she also would be assaulted
or otherwise hurt. The man left, and because the woman had not
screamed, the issue of consent arose. I argued vehemently with the
elders that surviving was the most important thing, and no one in their
right mind could think she gave consent when it was a stranger with a
knife held to her. They kept parroting the scripture, though, as if they
were unable to think outside the box.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Even
when discussing this same issue with my friends, Lisa and Matthew, I
would get frustrated. Matthew said if someone broke into his house, and
his wife didn’t scream, he would wonder why. Lisa replied instantly that
of course she would scream. I put to her that if she were so terrified
she couldn’t run or make any noise, would that mean she consented? She
couldn’t give an answer except to say she <i>would</i> scream, and it
wouldn’t happen that she wouldn’t. And then they said God wouldn’t have
put that in the Bible if it were not reasonable.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I
was upset and angry, to say the least. I could not believe that, as
scientific evidence clearly showed, a person has no control over his or
her physical reaction to fear. So why would God punish people for that? I
repeatedly said to the elders that I didn’t believe in a God that
treated people like that, and that <i>The Watchtower</i>’s interpretation of those scriptures must have been wrong.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">One
day an elder came to the house and lent me a few books and magazines he
had in regard to biblical questions I had raised. I read them, but they
gave me no new answers that satisfied me—nothing besides what I had
already found out through studying the society’s literature myself. I
had them for a while and then one day put them in Leonard’s briefcase
for him to give to the elder at the next meeting. I rang the elder to
let him know Leonard would be giving them back, as I was not attending
many meetings at that stage. I felt like I would be a hypocrite if I
continued to go door to door, trying to convert people to a faith with
some doctrines I no longer accepted. I also was spending my time trying
to cope with my marriage issues and my own emotional state.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The
elder asked me if I had found the magazines useful, and when I thanked
him for giving them to me but stated they had not answered my queries,
he enquired if he would see me at the field service group that Saturday.
I said no and said that as I no longer went witnessing, I no longer
considered myself to be a witness. He went quiet and asked me to repeat
that statement. As we were repeatedly told from the platform, if we did
not go door to door then we were not witnesses for Jehovah. I again
stated to the elder that as it had been months since I had been in field
service, I did not consider myself a witness anymore.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The
conversation ended pleasantly enough, and I thought no more of it. At
the time I didn’t realise this innocent phone conversation, which had
taken only two minutes, would alter the course of my whole life.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If I had known, I might have paid more attention.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/insideOutside.jpg" /></span></span></div>
<div id="postBodyPS" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">***Award winning book (finalist) in 2014 Beverley Hills International Book Awards***</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jenny
Hayworth grew up within the construct of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, which
she describes as a fundamentalist cult-like religion. She devoted her
life to it for over thirty years. Then she left it. The church
“unfellowshipped” her-rendering her dead to those family and friends
still committed to the church.Hayworth is a sexual abuse survivor. The
trauma changed her self-perception, emotional development, trust, and
every interaction with the world.</span></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Inside/Outside
is her exploration of sexual abuse, religious fundamentalism, and
recovery. Her childhood circumstances and tragedies forced her to live
“inside.” This memoir chronicles her journey from experiencing comfort
and emotional satisfaction only within her fantasy world to developing
the ability to feel and express real life emotion on the “outside.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It
is a story that begins with tragic multigenerational abuse, within an
oppressive society, and ends with hope and rebirth into a life where she
experiences real connections and satisfaction with the outside world.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Those
who have ever felt trapped by trauma or circumstances will find
Inside/Outside a dramatic reassurance that they are not alone in the
world, and they have the ability to have a fulfilling life, both inside
and out.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Foreward
Clarion Review – “What keeps the pages of Hayworth’s life story turning
is her honesty, tenacity, and sheer will to survive through an
astounding number of setbacks. Inside/Outside proves the resilience of
the human spirit and shows that the cycle of abuse can indeed be broken”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Kirkus
Review – “A harrowing memoir of one woman’s struggle to cope with
sexual abuse and depression while living in – and eventually leaving –
the Jehovah’s Witnesses”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Readers Favourite 5 Star Review – “The book is an inspiring story for those who are going through traumatic times…”</span></span></div>
</div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Buy Now @ <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Inside-Outside-Womans-Recovery-Religious-ebook/dp/B00I08IY3E/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=1-3&qid=1390284848&tag=booaremag-20" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Genre – Memoir</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Rating – PG-13</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>More details about <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jenny-Hayworth/e/B00HWV6K8Q/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">the author</a></i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Connect</b> with Jenny Hayworth on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jenny-Hayworth/201860833330961" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Facebook</a> & <a href="http://twitter.com/JennyHayworth1" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Twitter</a></span></span></div>
Quality Reads UKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03216387289293473067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464961794793936187.post-14981114420829955352014-12-20T11:00:00.000-05:002014-12-20T11:00:07.350-05:00Scott Moon on the Difficulty of Writing Sex Scenes in #SciFi @ScottMoonWriter #SelfPub #PubTip <div style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">The Best Advice</span></b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US">At the Oklahoma Writers Federation, Inc., 2013, Patrick Rothfuss (bestselling author of <i>The Name of the Wind </i>and <i>The Wise Man’s Fear</i>) suggested writing sex scenes can be difficult. Someone asked, “How do you know when a scene is too much.”</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US">Rothfuss
said when the reader can tell the author was touching himself or
herself while creating the scene, it’s probably too much.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US">If
I remember correctly, this was something he had heard before, so I
don’t know if I can quote him, but the point remains valid. In science
fiction, the expectations differ from that of a romance or erotic novel.
Breaking the rules can alienate or even offend readers. Ultimately,
each scene must do a job. If a dash of something beyond the genre-wall
is needed, then it must go in.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">A Humble Example</span></b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US">To
date, I have not attempted to write erotica, but some of my stories
have moments, ahem, that are more adult than others. To compound the
risks I took in this novel, one of the genre-testers comes on page one.
Here is the opening line from an early draft of Enemy of Man:</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US">KIN
ROLAND left Laura’s house hung-over, well sexed, and feeling dirty. He
was bound by few rules on this planet, but the most important was to
avoid drinking with Laura Keen.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">An Editor Put on the Brakes</span></b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US">My
editor thought this risked giving the reader the wrong idea. Unable to
completely abandon the scene I envisioned, I rewrote page one many
times. Here is the result:</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US">HEROES
weren’t sealed in space caskets and launched into the void—not while
they were still breathing. Kin shuddered. Memories came at night; they
came with regrets, fears, and nightmares only a man buried alive could
understand. Heroes destroyed the enemy. Heroes saved the day and died
before they could wear medals or explain what it was like to shed the
blood of millions.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span lang="EN-US">This room is too dark</span></i><span lang="EN-US">.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US">Kin
needed to go outside and look at the sky, but the wormhole song, the
distant groaning of a universe unraveling, reminded him of
Hellsbreach—gunfire, plasma bolts, and nuclear explosions on the
horizon. Better to dream of Becca, though she was the reason he
volunteered for the campaign.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US">“Stop thinking of her,” Laura said.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US">Kin
sat up in bed, dropped his feet to the floor, and watched her drift
back to sleep. Her chest rose and fell, a silk sheet accentuating her
curves. Her eyes began to move under her eyelids.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US">“You
don’t even know who she is.” He ran a finger behind Laura’s ear and
down her neck until she giggled in her sleep. He smiled. “I can share
anything with you in moments like these.” He slowly pulled the sheet
lower and she didn’t stir.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US">Laura
would like the game—exposing her skin to the night air and staring
until she sensed his attention and awoke, but he stopped, reaching to
cup the side of her face instead. Lust didn’t mix well with the darkness
still in his mind.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US">“I’d fail again, given the same choice. Could you commit genocide, Laura?” he asked.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US">“Hmm?”
She struggled to open her eyes, it seemed, but pushed him clumsily away
with one hand as she rolled onto her stomach, twisting the sheets as
she moved.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US">“I still love her. You know that, right?” Kin said.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US">Motionless
on the bed, Laura seemed not to breathe. The wormhole that dipped into
the atmosphere quieted. Silence spread across the planet. Sea birds
called to each other and waves gently touched the beach.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Let’s Talk about</span></b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US">This
may not be a classic love scene, but is an example of something
different from most science fiction I’ve read. The boundaries between
genres seem to fade with each passing year. It’s a good thing. Like most
writers, I read far and wide, and hope some of it finds its way into my
stories.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US">I’d
love to hear comments and discussion on breaking genre boundaries.
Please recommend books I may not have considered, but might like to
read. And, as always, I’m active on twitter at
https://twitter.com/Scottmoonwriter.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US"><img src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/enemyOfMan.jpg" /></span></span></div>
<h2 style="background-color: white; font-size: 30px; line-height: 40px; margin: 10px 0px; text-align: center; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
Lost Hero</span></h2>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Changed
by captivity and torture, hunted by the Reapers of Hellsbreach and
wanted by Earth Fleet, Kin Roland hides on a lost planet near an
unstable wormhole.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">When a distant space battle propels a ravaged Earth
Fleet Armada through the same wormhole, a Reaper follows, hunting for
the man who burned his home world. Kin fights to save a mysterious
native of Crashdown from the Reaper and learns there are worse things in
the galaxy than the nightmare hunting him. The end is coming and he is
about to pay for a sin that will change the galaxy forever. </span></div>
<h2 style="background-color: white; font-size: 30px; line-height: 40px; margin: 10px 0px; text-align: center; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
Books</span></h2>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Enemy
of Man: Book One in the Chronicles of Kin Roland was written for fans
of military science fiction and science fiction adventure. Readers who
enjoyed Starship Troopers or Space Marines will appreciate this genre
variation. Powered armor only gets a soldier so far. Battlefield
experience, guts, and loyal friends make Armageddon fun. </span></div>
<h2 style="background-color: white; font-size: 30px; line-height: 40px; margin: 10px 0px; text-align: center; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
Movies</span></h2>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">If
you love movies like Aliens, Predator, The Chronicles of Riddick, or
Serenity, then you might find the heroes and creatures in Enemy of Man
dangerous, determined, and ready to risk it all. It’s all about action
and suspense, with a dash of romance—or perhaps flash romance. </span></div>
<h2 style="background-color: white; font-size: 30px; line-height: 40px; margin: 10px 0px; text-align: center; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
From the Author</span></h2>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Thanks for your interest in my novel, Enemy of Man. I hope you chose to read the book and enjoy every page. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you have already read Enemy of Man, how was it? Reviews are appreciated! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Have a great day and be safe.</span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Buy Now @ <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Enemy-Man-Chronicles-Kin-Roland-ebook/dp/B00DAIQO9A?tag=booaremag-20" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Genre – Science Fiction</i></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Rating – R</i></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>More details about <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Scott-Moon/e/B0082VIWL8/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">the author</a></i></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <b>Connect</b> with Scott Moon on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/scottmoonwriter" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Facebook</a> & <a href="https://twitter.com/Scottmoonwriter" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Twitter</a></span></div>
Quality Reads UKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03216387289293473067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464961794793936187.post-48059837769729814412014-12-20T10:00:00.000-05:002015-04-10T19:09:46.656-04:00#Excerpt from LUCIFER & THE INDIGO KIDS by @Lord_Ra_Krishna #Poetry #Life #AmReading <i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Me vs. God…</b></span></i><br />
<br />
Dread Locs on my head<br />
Like snakes on Medusa<br />
<br />
Get to close<br />
and you turn into stone<br />
<br />
If I were a girl <br />
Then I would be Medusa<br />
<br />
Tell Jay-Z and Kanye <br />
Get the f#ck out of my throne<br />
<br />
It's the clash of the Titans <br />
It's me vs. God<br />
<br />
They're just mad <br />
Because I stole back the fire <br />
Like Prometheus<br />
<br />
You see, <br />
Prometheus stole the fire <br />
From the Gods and gave it to mankind… <br />
<br />
That's a metaphor for knowledge <br />
Now I'm giving it to you…<br />
<br />
It's the same as the apple <br />
In the Garden of Eden <br />
<br />
Just take one bite<br />
And you will know that you are God…<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1CE6uocdiOStXiCywooZk2aTnBiLeyV818OHJhlyTEmzr5nWugyigqP6cY9QBCH25AvJj7zCkFaPhKxvJiUS_FtvSu68xglYlFVe6UshBZt5fp73iflhCBnKvrZt5lyH6SREbpBjNnRcO/s1600/10543606_799244456762857_1951121046706555738_n.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1CE6uocdiOStXiCywooZk2aTnBiLeyV818OHJhlyTEmzr5nWugyigqP6cY9QBCH25AvJj7zCkFaPhKxvJiUS_FtvSu68xglYlFVe6UshBZt5fp73iflhCBnKvrZt5lyH6SREbpBjNnRcO/s1600/10543606_799244456762857_1951121046706555738_n.png" height="320" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
"This
“new age” book of poetry reflects the diverse views and philosophies of
it’s author Ra Krishna EL. It’s an intimate, humorous and thought
provoking group of poems intended to evoke strong emotion. To quote the
German philosopher, Friedrich Nietzsche, this style of poetry can be
called “Zukunfts poesie“ which translates into “Poetry of the future”,
where truly original ideas are presented thru poetry. Also known as post
Nietzschean poetry.<br />
<br />
It’s subjects include society, pop
culture, love, religious dogma, God and the new age of Aquarius. This
book was written and published during the false incarceration of its
author in Chicago’s notorious Cook County Jail, the largest jail in the
country."<br />
<br />
Bu<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">y Now @ <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Lucifer-indigo-kids-Last-Prophet-ebook/dp/B00L3VL7E8/ref=sr_1_1_title_1_kin?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1406567843&sr=1-1&keywords=lucifer+and+the+indigo+kids" href="http://www.amazon.com/Lucifer-indigo-kids-Last-Prophet-ebook/dp/B00L3VL7E8/ref=sr_1_1_title_1_kin?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1406567843&sr=1-1&keywords=lucifer+and+the+indigo+kids" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="color: #333333; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Genre - Poetry, Philosophy</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="color: #333333; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Rating – PG-13</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="color: #333333; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>More details about <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?_encoding=UTF8&field-author=Lord%20Ra%20Krishna%20EL&search-alias=books&sort=relevancerank" href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?_encoding=UTF8&field-author=Lord%20Ra%20Krishna%20EL&search-alias=books&sort=relevancerank" target="_blank">the author</a></i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="color: #333333; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: bold ! important;">Connect</b> with Lord Ra Krishna EL on <a data-mce-href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lord-Ra-Krishna-El/729737850380185?ref=hl" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lord-Ra-Krishna-El/729737850380185?ref=hl" target="_blank">Facebook</a> & <a data-mce-href="https://twitter.com/Lord_Ra_Krishna" href="https://twitter.com/Lord_Ra_Krishna" target="_blank">Twitter</a></span></span></div>
Quality Reads UKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03216387289293473067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464961794793936187.post-50063511984670178132014-12-12T10:00:00.000-05:002015-03-15T01:52:22.778-04:00#Excerpt from THE BEAUTIFUL AMERICAN by Marilyn Holdsworth @M_Holdsworth #AmReading #HistFic <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>ELIZABETH VISITS MADAME LA FAYETTE IN PRISON…</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>from <span style="font-family: inherit;">the</span> novel, THE BEAUTIFUL AMERICAN, by Marilyn Holdsworth</b></span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Oh,
no,” she wailed the moment the door opened revealing the two guards.
“The guillotine,” she cried. “It is to be today. Dear God,
dear God, have pity on my soul.”</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Oh
my dear, my dear,” Elizabeth Monroe soothed, pushing past the two
guards and rushing to Madame LaFayette’s side. She stooped down, took
the trembling woman’s hands in hers, and knelt down beside her. “No,
no; it is nothing like that. I am Elizabeth Monroe. My
husband, James, is the United States minister to France and a longtime
friend of your husband. They fought together in our revolution,” she
explained. “I have come to visit you, assure you how very concerned for
you my husband is. We are going to do all we can to help you.” She
placed her arms around the sobbing, frightened woman’s shoulders,
continuing her reassuring words in soft, flowing French.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I
stood watching from the doorway as Mistress Monroe calmed and comforted
Adrienne LaFayette. Disregarding the filthy surroundings, Mistress
Monroe continued to crouch down before the distraught woman, holding her
hands as she spoke. When at last she rose, she drew Madame LaFayette to
her feet and embraced her.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Merci
beaucoup, thank you for coming,” Adrienne LaFayette whispered, wiping
her eyes. “I was sure they had come to take me to the guillotine. I was
so very frightened. My family is all gone. I thought for sure they had
come for me too,” she said, fighting back the tears.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Of
course you did, my dear, but have courage. Be assured that James will
do all he can for you,” Mistress Elizabeth promised, patting her gently
on the shoulder before joining me at the door. “We must go now, Jasmine,
get back to the Folie as soon as possible. We must tell James of this
poor woman’s deplorable state.”</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">She
glided gracefully back down the long dingy, hall, past the guards to
the prison door, where Michael was waiting to escort us safely back to
the carriage.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You can read more about The Beautiful American, by Marilyn Holdsworth at: <a href="http://marilynholdsworth.com/the-beautiful-american/" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://marilynholdsworth.com/the-beautiful-american/</a></span></span></div>
<div data-mce-style="color: #222222;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div data-mce-style="color: #222222;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/15/97/44078a95157c0ad8986cb6.L._V393916356_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/15/97/44078a95157c0ad8986cb6.L._V393916356_.jpg" /></a></span></span> </div>
<div data-mce-style="color: #222222;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div data-mce-style="color: #222222;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-mce-style="color: #222222;" style="background-color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">As a novelist, I draw on many real life experiences to<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span data-mce-style="color: #222222;" style="background-color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">provide
background for my books. After completing studies in Literature and
History at Occidental College, I became a staff writer on a travel
magazine, and throughout my career I have traveled extensively all over
the world. </span><span data-mce-style="color: #222222;" style="background-color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Because
I love horses, I owned and trained them. I support horse rescue and
wild mustang preservation. Based on my experience with horses and my
research on abuse issues, I wrote Pegasus.</span></span></span></div>
<div data-mce-style="color: #222222;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br data-mce-style="color: #222222;" style="background-color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span data-mce-style="color: #222222;" style="background-color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">As
a descendant of James Monroe, I did extensive research at the James
Monroe Museum in Virginia about him and his wife Elizabeth Kortright
Monroe. I also visited their home, Ashlawn/Highland in Albemarle County.
This resulted in my novel, The Beautiful American. </span><span data-mce-style="color: #222222;" style="background-color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Making Wishes, was based partly on my experiences as creator, owner and operator of a greeting card company.</span></span></span></div>
<div data-mce-style="color: #222222;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Making-Wishes.jpg" href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Making-Wishes.jpg"><img alt="Making Wishes" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-23817" data-mce-src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Making-Wishes.jpg" src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Making-Wishes.jpg" height="200" width="130" /></a></span></span></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Elloree
Prince is an attractive, creative young woman who marries a wealthy
businessman, Tom Randall. After courting his bride with unrelenting
determination, Tom moves her into old-moneyed Oak View, where
generations of Randalls have lived for years. Outwardly, Elloree appears
to settle into raising their two sons within Oak View's stifling social
structure, but inwardly, she yearns for her artistic work. </span></span></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">An
unexpected phone call from Mark Williams, her former employer, offers
her the career opportunity of a lifetime, and she must make a choice.
She is torn between her devotion to her sons and her love for her work.
Her decision to return to Wishes, Inc. brings dramatic life changes to
her and the people she loves.</span></span></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Buy Now @ <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Making-Wishes-Marilyn-Holdsworth/dp/1481707523/ref=sr_1_3_title_2_pap?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1369262924&sr=1-3&keywords=Marilyn.+Holdsworth" href="http://www.amazon.com/Making-Wishes-Marilyn-Holdsworth/dp/1481707523/ref=sr_1_3_title_2_pap?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1369262924&sr=1-3&keywords=Marilyn.+Holdsworth" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Genre - Women's fiction</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Rating – PG-13</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/beautifulAmerican.jpg" href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/beautifulAmerican.jpg"><img alt="beautifulAmerican" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-40292" data-mce-src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/beautifulAmerican.jpg" src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/beautifulAmerican.jpg" height="200" width="130" /></a></span></span></div>
<div data-mce-style="color: #000000; text-align: center;" id="outer_postBodyPS" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div id="postBodyPS">
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Abby
Long is thrilled when she offers the winning bid for an antique desk at
an auction. With its intricately inlaid woods and elegant style, the
desk is perfect for Abby; it is the gift she promised herself to finally
celebrate her thriving antique business. She has no idea that the
antique desk holds a secret that will lead her on a fascinating,
life-changing journey back in time.</span></span></div>
<div id="postBodyPS">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When
Abby discovers a hidden diary stuffed inside a secret compartment in
the desk, she can hardly wait to read the spidery, faded script. As she
carefully turns the tattered pages, she reads the captivating story of
two remarkable women from opposite backgrounds who somehow manage to
form an unforgettable bond against the backdrop of a fledgling America
struggling to find its place in the world. Elizabeth Kortright Monroe,
the wife of James Monroe, and Jasmine, a young slave girl, develop an
extraordinary relationship as they are united by pivotal historic
events, political intrigues, and personal tragedies.</span></span></div>
<div id="postBodyPS">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> From
a bucolic Virginia plantation to the bloodied, starving streets of
post-revolutionary Paris, this powerful tale follows the lives of two
courageous women from the past as they quietly influence—and inspire—a
woman of today’s world."</span></span></div>
</div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Buy Now @ <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Beautiful-American-Marilyn-Holdsworth-ebook/dp/B0080D41BI/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=1-4&qid=1402430694" href="http://www.amazon.com/Beautiful-American-Marilyn-Holdsworth-ebook/dp/B0080D41BI/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=1-4&qid=1402430694" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Genre - Historical fiction</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Rating – G</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/pegasus.jpg" href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/pegasus.jpg"><img alt="pegasus" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-40293" data-mce-src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/pegasus.jpg" src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/pegasus.jpg" height="200" width="130" /></a></span></span></div>
<div data-mce-style="color: #000000; text-align: center;" id="outer_postBodyPS" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div id="postBodyPS">
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Widowed
at thirty, Hannah Bradley is a successful journalist focusing on animal
abuse issues. An accidental meeting introduces her to lawyer, Winston
Caughfield III. Drawn to Hannah’s gentle beauty and fierce commitment to
her work, Win joins her in a fight to save wild mustangs from
slaughter. Together they rescue a badly injured horse with a mysterious
background. Hannah’s search to discover the animal’s true identity leads
them into a web of black marketeering and international intrigue. </span></span></div>
<div id="postBodyPS">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Action
packed with crisp colorful dialogue the story propels the reader to a
race against time conclusion. Marilyn Holdsworth delivers a gripping
tale of mystery, adventure and romance guaranteed to hold the interest
and capture the heart. She brings true-life characters together with
real-life issues to create a fast-paced irresistible story.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Buy Now @ <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Pegasus-Marilyn-Holdsworth-ebook/dp/B004S2LVYA/ref=la_B006LTHMZK_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1405682556&sr=1-2" href="http://www.amazon.com/Pegasus-Marilyn-Holdsworth-ebook/dp/B004S2LVYA/ref=la_B006LTHMZK_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1405682556&sr=1-2" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Genre - Contemporary fiction</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Rating – PG</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>More details about <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Marilyn-Holdsworth/e/B006LTHMZK/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1" href="http://www.amazon.com/Marilyn-Holdsworth/e/B006LTHMZK/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1" target="_blank">the author</a></i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <b>Connect</b> with Marilyn Holdsworth on <a data-mce-href="https://www.facebook.com/marilyn.holdsworth.7" href="https://www.facebook.com/marilyn.holdsworth.7" target="_blank">Facebook</a> &amp; <a data-mce-href="http://twitter.com/m_holdsworth" href="http://twitter.com/m_holdsworth" target="_blank">Twitter</a></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><b>Website </b> </b><a data-mce-href="http://marilynholdsworth.com/" href="http://marilynholdsworth.com/" target="_blank">http://marilynholdsworth.com/</a></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Blog</b> <a data-mce-href="http://marilynholdsworth.com/blog/" href="http://marilynholdsworth.com/blog/" target="_blank">http://marilynholdsworth.com/blog/</a></span></span></div>
<div data-mce-style="color: #222222;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
Quality Reads UKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03216387289293473067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464961794793936187.post-24270152283046584892014-12-10T08:30:00.000-05:002015-03-20T02:37:11.799-04:00Come & Meet the #Authors - GLIMPSES OF HEAVEN ON EARTH - Introduced by John E. Wade II <div class="p3" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="s2">For those looking for some inspiration during these troubling times, look no further than<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Glimpses of Heaven on Earth</i>.
The four co-authors and I have scoured the globe for eloquent
quotations about issues regarding such diverse topics as peace to gender
harmony. Following a dozen or so quotes on these topics is a brief
essay by one of the co-authors. Many involve the theme of education, and
how we can all improve our lives through education—and by helping to</span></span></span> provide for the education of others, especially those in developing countries and places of conflict.<br />
<br />
One of my personal favorite essay is by Charlotte Piotrowski, on the <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="s2">topic
of freedom. She touches on the obvious freedoms that most American’s and
others enjoy, such as speech, but goes on to talk about the importance
for everyone to enjoy the freedom of association (including marriage—a
strong argument for allowing same-gender marriage). Charlotte quotes
Dwight D. Eisenhower as saying, “To be true to one’s own freedom is, in
essence, to honor and respect the freedom of others.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="p3" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="s2">One
aspect of this book that is especially interesting is that the five
co-authors write from very different perspectives. I previously
published,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>How to Achieve a Heaven on Earth</i>, and invited four of that book’s essay contributors to join me in writing for<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Glimpses of Heaven on Earth</i>,
which made for a very interesting read. I am a fairly conservative
retired CPA and now write and invest full-time. You can learn more about
me at my main website:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a data-mce-href="http://www.JohnEWadeII.com" href="http://www.johnewadeii.com/"><span class="s3">www.JohnEWadeII.com</span></a>.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="p3" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="p3" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="s2">Charlotte,
who is also from New Orleans, left a ten-year career in litigation to
pursue a freelance career in writing, editing, and website/social media
content. She works closely with me on all of my literary, media, and
creative projects. Daniel Agatino is a practicing attorney in New
Jersey, and also teaches law and communications courses on the college
and graduate level. Additionally, he offers radio and television
commentary on current events, especially as they relate to the law.
Michael Nagler is the founder of the Metta Center for Nonviolence in
California, and has given lectures and workshops around the world about
nonviolent solutions. In fact, we recently returned from such a trip to
India. Martin Rutte, who currently resides in Canada, was a co-author of<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Chicken Soup for the Soul at Work</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>and founded the Heaven on Earth Project. In addition to writing, Martin is a motivational speaker.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="p3" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="p3" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="s2">The
fact that the contributors come such diverse backgrounds means that
this book should truly appeal to everyone. There is no religious or
political agenda, even with the reference to heaven. In fact, there is
an entire chapter on the topic of spiritual harmony, by Michael, who
writes about how we are all as one, spiritually. Therefore, we should
respect other’s choices of religion (or lack thereof). My essay on
democracies does not advocate for a particular political party, but
simply for the right of all people across the globe to have a say in
their government.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="p3" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="p3" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="s2">This
book would be excellent for use in a book club, church book group, or
for any other group that is interested in discussing meaningful topics.
And, although some of the subject matter can be quite deep, the book is
simply written and a very pleasant read.</span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Glimpses-of-Heaven-on-Earth.jpg" href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Glimpses-of-Heaven-on-Earth.jpg"><img alt="Glimpses of Heaven on Earth" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-42087" data-mce-src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Glimpses-of-Heaven-on-Earth.jpg" src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Glimpses-of-Heaven-on-Earth.jpg" height="200" width="130" /></a></span></span></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Editor
and author John E. Wade II has compiled a spiritual guide of invaluable
insight for finding peace and meaning in life while making the world a
better place for all. Along with co-authors Charlotte Livingston
Piotrowski, Daniel Agatino, Michael Nagler, and Martin Rutte, this
collection of enlightening essays and inspirational quotes from renowned
thinkers and leade</span></span>rs throughout history provides the intellectual tools needed to live a more harmonious life.<br />
<br />
Buy <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Now @ <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/GLIMPSES-HEAVEN-EARTH-Quotations-Insightful-ebook/dp/B00LOYGN3O/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=8-1&qid=1405439205" href="http://www.amazon.com/GLIMPSES-HEAVEN-EARTH-Quotations-Insightful-ebook/dp/B00LOYGN3O/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=8-1&qid=1405439205" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Genre - Inspirational</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Rating – G</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>More details about <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?_encoding=UTF8&field-author=John%20E.%20Wade%20II&search-alias=digital-text&sort=relevancerank" href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?_encoding=UTF8&field-author=John%20E.%20Wade%20II&search-alias=digital-text&sort=relevancerank" target="_blank">the author</a></i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: bold ! important;">Connect</b> with John E. Wade II on <a data-mce-href="https://www.facebook.com/jwadeii?ref_type=bookmark" href="https://www.facebook.com/jwadeii?ref_type=bookmark" target="_blank">Facebook</a></span></span></div>
<br />Quality Reads UKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03216387289293473067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464961794793936187.post-35063131505943057212014-11-21T08:00:00.000-05:002014-12-30T03:10:45.440-05:00Mike Hartner on Being Social and Not Spamming #SocialMedia @MHartnerAuthor #PubTip #AmWriting<b>How To Network Online to Sell Your Book</b><br />
<br />
First,
I must print this disclaimer. I’m not a marketing individual. And I,
James, the second book of The Eternity Series which will be released in
September 2014, is only the second book that I’ve tried to market.
So, everything has been trial and error. But, I will borrow heavily
from badredheadmedia.com’s Rachel Thompson, and several others, and the
lessons they have taught me.<br />
<ol>
<li>You need an Online Presence. Gmail+, FaceBook, Twitter, Pinterest….
They all have their uses. Personally, I’m on FaceBook, and Twitter.</li>
<li>Facebook has my personal page, where my family and friends reside,
and then a Corporate page which is where I try to publicize The Eternity
Series. And other projects that I have. BcBaldEagles.com also comes to
mind. It’s also a separate corporate page. And the three pages share
posts from each other.</li>
<li>Twitter is my second social media channel. @MHartnerAuthor is my
identity, since Rachel once said, it’s better to publicize yourself as
an author than to publicize individual books, and keep changing the
identity. Son’t confuse people. Publicize yourself as an author.</li>
<li> First Rule of Social Media: It’s Social. Don’t Spam. Don’t spill
every word saying ‘Buy my book’. Build relationships, show people your
interests outside of writing. If you’re interested in Nutella, and
Alaskam wilderness cabins, show that. If it’s quilting, crocheting and
flowers you’re interested in, show that. Let people meet the REAL you.</li>
<li>Pluggio and hootsuite are great tools. Pluggio allows you to ‘drip’
every few hours news topics of your interest. Hootsuite allows you to
post on more than one site from a consolidated dashboard. Both are
useful.</li>
<li>Don’t expect everyone who follows you to remain. But help them by
not including expletives in every second post, or every third word.
Show them that you can enjoy life as much as it can frustrate you.</li>
</ol>
Social Networks allow you to reach out to a lot of other people.
AS much as you want others to follow you, follow them. Find others
with your interest. Other authors, other Nutella aficionados, other
quilters, whatever… By following a wide range of others, a wide range of
them will follow you.<br />
<br />
BLOG, or get blog tours. Blog
tours are GREAT exposure for your book. They usually have a wide and
diverse cross section of reviewers, who are all interested, to some
extent, in your writing.<br />
<br />
HELP OTHERS. If you can help
others with your lessons, do. If you can Share other’s posts,
announcements, etc… chances are they’ll share yours. And your messages
will get out to people you never expected.<br />
<br />
90/10 Rule.
At least 90 percent of your posts and blogs should be focused on
things OTHER THAN selling your book. Great reviews are one thing you
can announce more often. Share Reviews of books you’ve read. Even
better if they’re current books (last five years). Even Better if
you’re following the author when you post the review.<br />
<br />
ENGAGE
your audience. Snippets, comments, and reviews of everyone’s work are
great things to post. Top Ten lists about your life, about your
hobbies… all of these build audience.<br />
<br />
And while you’re building audience, but not screaming BUY MY BOOK, chances are some people will buy it.<br />
<br />
And that’s what makes social media so great. Being Social.<br />
<br />
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/IJames.jpg" href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/IJames.jpg"><img alt="IJames" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-41780" data-mce-src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/IJames.jpg" src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/IJames.jpg" height="200" width="130" /></a></span></span></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">James Crofter was ripped from his family at age 11. <br data-mce-style="color: #000000;" />Within a year the prince was a pauper in a foreign land. <br data-mce-style="color: #000000;" />Is nature stronger than nurture? And even if it is, can James find the happiness he so richly desires? </span></span></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Buy Now @ <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/I-James-Eternity-Book-2-ebook/dp/B00MQHIG0Q/ref=la_B009VJQBEA_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1409891856&sr=1-5" href="http://www.amazon.com/I-James-Eternity-Book-2-ebook/dp/B00MQHIG0Q/ref=la_B009VJQBEA_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1409891856&sr=1-5" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Genre - Historical Fiction, Romance</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Rating – PG</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>More details about <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Mike-Hartner/e/B009VJQBEA/" href="http://www.amazon.com/Mike-Hartner/e/B009VJQBEA/" target="_blank">the author</a></i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Connect</b> with Mike Hartner on <a data-mce-href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mike-Hartner-Author/368690356556759" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mike-Hartner-Author/368690356556759" target="_blank">Facebook</a> &amp; <a data-mce-href="https://twitter.com/MHartnerAuthor" href="https://twitter.com/MHartnerAuthor" target="_blank">Twitter</a></span></span></div>
Quality Reads UKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03216387289293473067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464961794793936187.post-70693103256931596292014-11-18T10:00:00.000-05:002014-11-18T13:11:24.866-05:00Discovery in Big Sur from THE REALITY MASTER by @PMPillon #AmReading #Excerpt #YA <b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;">DISCOVERY IN BIG SUR</span></span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;" /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;">Joey
was unable to discern why he felt apprehension about traveling to Big
Sur, which previously had induced nothing but pure joy for him. Frank
stayed overnight at Joey’s to make sure they got an early start </span><span class="aBn" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;"><span class="aQJ">Saturday</span></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;"> morning
for the two-hour drive down the coast to Grandpa Karl’s digs. They
brought along plenty of camping equipment. Grandpa Karl hated phones, so
they weren’t concerned that he didn’t call to confirm he was back from
his trip back east. They would manage at his place even if he wasn’t
there, sleeping in a tent and shopping for groceries further south along
the coast highway. Karl lived in a one-room shack, and although they
could all fit on his floor with sleeping bags, it was more fun to pitch a
large tent and manage their own schedules. Unlike his life at home
where he struggled to get up for school, Joey always jumped up at first
light when he was in Big Sur. He loved the smell of moist pines and
redwoods, the frigid, misty mornings, being surrounded by forest, within
earshot of loudly barking sea lions cavorting along the ocean’s edge.
Joey didn’t have to go far from Grandpa Karl’s to where he could watch
these exotic creatures, as well as seals and sea otters, gallivanting
and floating among the rocks and kelp. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;" /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;">Once
he even saw Gray Whales passing by as they migrated south to their
winter breeding grounds in Baja California. On their way to Big Sur they
passed by Carmel where tourists actually pay a road fee just to drive
around Carmel looking at the plush homes that they heard celebrities
like Doris Day, Clint Eastwood, or Paul Simon lived in at one time. But
the drive further down the coast to and along Big Sur is a completely
different story from carefully carved Carmel. The winding road is
flanked by guard rails that don’t always prevent a car’s plunge down a
steep incline and even into the ocean. Just the previous week, a woman
had gone off the road and down a steep embankment, and was only rescued
two days later because she managed to get to her cell phone and call for
help. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;" /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;">As
Joey contemplated the woman’s plight, he thought of the famous rock
musician who was reputed to be a physics genius; found dead in his car
long after it went off a road and fell into thick brush. But that
accident was far from the coast, somewhere east of LA. There were rumors
about the last communications from the musician darkly suggesting his
possible assassination because of some great mathematical discovery that
he was on the verge of achieving. While pondering this, Joey developed a
feeling of cold on the back of his neck; it seemed his body might be
communicating a warning to him. What warning could it be? I’m no genius
like that rock star. He shook his head and tried to dismiss the thought
by looking out the car window at the scenery. Then Frank engaged him in
conversation, and he forgot the strange sensation. It was a typically
sunny day in the Bay Area when they started out in the morning, but it
was drizzling in Big Sur. This was actually ideal from Joey’s view point
because the flora looked especially beautiful with drops of rain on it
and puddles everywhere, and the moisture brought out wonderful
fragrances. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;" /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;">Eventually,
they turned off the coastal highway, wending their way along the bumpy,
pocked private road that brought them to Grandpa Karl’s abode. He drove
an ancient 1948 Ford truck that he managed to keep going by scavenging
parts wherever he could. Because of this scavenging, there were quite a
few auto parts near his shack, enough to ironically mimic a junkyard in
the midst of a natural paradise.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;">Many
people in Big Sur were essentially bohemians who rebelled against
pressure to conform to orthodox aesthetic standards. In this respect,
they were like many residents of Bolinas on the coast above San
Francisco, a town that is locally famous for its hippie and iconoclastic
population, much of which likewise junkyard their otherwise picturesque
properties. Bolinas is a beach town that isn’t tree-laden like Big Sur,
but Mendocino, a short distance north, sports a mil ion of acres of
dense forest. Big Sur residents became the subject of a school report by
Joey after the one he wrote about San Francisco. Many of them could be
described as relics of the old 60’s counterculture. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/TheRealityMaster.jpg" /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="outer_postBodyPS" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;">
<div id="postBodyPS">
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">His celestial companion was waiting for him</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Precariously
climbing a sea-side cliff near Big Sur, ten-year-old Joey Blake was as
yet unaware that near his grasp was an object, so odd, mysterious and
alien to earth that it would change his life forever and the lives of
countless others in the next few astonishing days. Reaching up as far as
he could for a handhold it was just there; it had subconsciously lured
him, occupied his mind, and made him find it. It was like he was meant
to see and discover this object of unimaginable power … the power to
change reality.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Time travel and more</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This
young adult series of sci-fi fantasy novels begins with The Reality
Master and continues through four other exciting and amazing stories
about time travel and mysterious alien devices. Joey and the reader will
face dangerous shadowy criminal organizations, agents of the NSA,
bizarre travelers from other times and even renegade California bikers
and scar-faced walking dead.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- Vol 1 The Reality Master</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- Vol 2 Threat To The World</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- Vol 3 Travel Beyond</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- Vol 4 Missions Through Time</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- Vol 5 The Return Home</span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Buy Now @ <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Reality-Master-PM-Pillon-ebook/dp/B00GTWX4CO" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Genre – Science fiction, Fantasy, Young adult</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Rating – G</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>More details about <a href="http://www.amazon.com/PM-Pillon/e/B00ASAMQVI/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">the author</a></i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Connect</b> with PM Pillon on <a href="https://facebook.com/pmpillon" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Facebook</a> & <a href="https://twitter.com/pmpillon" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Twitter</a></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
Quality Reads UKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03216387289293473067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464961794793936187.post-53139793260192537702014-11-06T10:30:00.000-05:002014-11-06T13:40:38.130-05:00Avoiding the Rejection Blues with Sue Parritt #SannahAndThePilgrim #SelfPub #AmWriting #Fantasy <div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>How to avoid the rejection blues</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You
open the white envelope (or email) with a mixture of hope and
trepidation, skim through the obligatory ‘thank you for sending…etc.’
and focus on the vital sentence. ‘However’ and ‘But’ alert you to yet
another rejection; two little words that instantly banish your buoyant
mood. Bursting into tears, taking to the bottle or consoling yourself
with chocolate might seem good ways to avoid the rejection blues, but in
reality the only solution is to move on.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If the
publisher or editor has provided any comment on your novel/poem/short
story, and this is rare these days, take note and set to work on yet
another rewrite/edit. Most of all it pays to remember creativity
demands dedication, long hours tapping a keyboard, cutting, pasting,
deleting. When sentences are sacrificed for brevity or clarity, there
can be almost physical pain as narrative wrenched from murky depths
vanishes at the touch of a key. But there is also pure delight when
endless editing uncovers grains of gold, so allow yourself to hope this
is the manuscript that will one day attract a publisher.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">After
the receipt of numerous rejections, it can be tempting to declare
oneself a total failure, bury the manuscript in the depths of a filing
cabinet or take the extreme measure of deleting the file from your
computer. If you can’t face another edit, I would suggest putting the
manuscript aside for a while and turning your attention to a new
project. Research can be absorbing, focusing the mind on a new topic and
evicting old clutter. Writing a short story or poem is one method I use
to banish the rejection blues. Creating a complete piece in a
relatively short space of time helps me revitalise my flagging
confidence and proves (to me) that there’s life in the old writer yet!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It
also helps to remember that few writers find a publisher at the first
attempt. Think of the number of times J.K. Rowling submitted her Harry
Potter books before she found a publisher willing to take a chance on a
new writer. Whether we writers like it or not, the prospect of making
money is what rules the publishing world. In a time of fiscal austerity,
risk-taking is not encouraged, so there are no funds put aside for new
writing. But despite all the doom and gloom about the current state of
the publishing industry, I believe books, print or electronic, will
always be around and a well-written inspiring tale will eventually find
its place.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US"><span data-mce-style="font-size: small;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Sue-Parritt-author-pic.jpeg" href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Sue-Parritt-author-pic.jpeg"><img alt="Sue Parritt author pic" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-42296" data-mce-src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Sue-Parritt-author-pic-300x255.jpeg" src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Sue-Parritt-author-pic-300x255.jpeg" height="255" width="300" /></a> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>About the Author:</b></span></span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />Sue
Parritt is an Australian writer, originally from England. Her poetry
and short stories have been published in magazines and anthologies in
Australia, Britain and the USA. After graduating BA University of
Queensland 1982 (majors: English Literature, Drama and French), Sue
worked in university libraries until taking early retirement in 2008 to
pursue her long-held dream of becoming a professional writer. Since
then she has written Sannah and the Pilgrim, numerous short stories and
poems and‘Feed Thy Enemy’, a feature film script set in Naples in 1944
and 1974 and based on a true story (Sue is currently seeking a
producer). She recently completed a second novel Safety Zone and is now
writing a sequel to Sannah and the Pilgrim – the working title is Pia
and the Skyman.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<div align="center" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Sannah-and-the-Pilgrim-by-Sure-Parritt.jpg" href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Sannah-and-the-Pilgrim-by-Sure-Parritt.jpg"><img alt="Sannah and the Pilgrim by Sure Parritt" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-41955" data-mce-src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Sannah-and-the-Pilgrim-by-Sure-Parritt.jpg" src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Sannah-and-the-Pilgrim-by-Sure-Parritt.jpg" height="200" width="130" /></a></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-mce-style="font-size: small;"><b style="font-weight: bold ! important;"><span lang="EN-US">General Information -<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><i><span lang="EN-US">Sannah and the Pilgrim</span></i><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>by Sue Parritt</span></b></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-mce-style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">ISBN: 978-1-922200-14-3</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-mce-style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">Genre:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US">Speculative Fiction / Sci-fi / Dystopian</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-mce-style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">Release Date: 26 April 2014 (Paperback and ebook)</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-mce-style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">Publisher: Odyssey Books (</span><span lang="EN-US"><a data-mce-href="http://www.odysseybooks.com.au/" href="http://www.odysseybooks.com.au/" target="_blank">http://www.odysseybooks.com.<wbr></wbr>au/</a>)</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-mce-style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">Amazon:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a data-mce-href="http://amzn.to/1kBKqan" href="http://amzn.to/1kBKqan" target="_blank">http://amzn.to/1kBKqan</a></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-mce-style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">Kobo:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a data-mce-href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/sannah-and-the-pilgrim" href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/sannah-and-the-pilgrim" target="_blank">http://store.kobobooks.com/en-<wbr></wbr>US/ebook/sannah-and-the-<wbr></wbr>pilgrim</a></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-mce-style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">B&N:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US"><a data-mce-href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sannah-and-the-pilgrim-sue-parritt/1119209936?ean=9781922200143" href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sannah-and-the-pilgrim-sue-parritt/1119209936?ean=9781922200143" target="_blank">http://www.barnesandnoble.com/<wbr></wbr>w/sannah-and-the-pilgrim-sue-<wbr></wbr>parritt/1119209936?ean=<wbr></wbr>9781922200143</a></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-mce-style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">iTunes:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a data-mce-href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/sannah-and-the-pilgrim/id872478599?ls=1&mt=11" href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/sannah-and-the-pilgrim/id872478599?ls=1&mt=11" target="_blank">https://itunes.apple.com/us/<wbr></wbr>book/sannah-and-the-pilgrim/<wbr></wbr>id872478599?ls=1&mt=11</a></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-mce-style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">Goodreads:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a data-mce-href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21883471-sannah-and-the-pilgrim" href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21883471-sannah-and-the-pilgrim" target="_blank">https://www.goodreads.com/<wbr></wbr>book/show/21883471-sannah-and-<wbr></wbr>the-pilgrim</a></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-mce-style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">Facebook:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a data-mce-href="https://www.facebook.com/sue.parritt" href="https://www.facebook.com/sue.parritt" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/sue.<wbr></wbr>parritt</a></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-mce-style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">LinkedIn:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a data-mce-href="http://au.linkedin.com/pub/sue-parritt/60/622/301" href="http://au.linkedin.com/pub/sue-parritt/60/622/301" target="_blank">http://au.linkedin.com/pub/<wbr></wbr>sue-parritt/60/622/301</a></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-mce-style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-mce-style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US"><b style="font-weight: bold ! important;">Reviewers: </b></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">An ePub is included in this pack for reviewers; the title is also available from NetGalley:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a data-mce-href="https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/show/id/47499" href="https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/show/id/47499" target="_blank">https://www.netgalley.com/<wbr></wbr>catalog/show/id/47499</a></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-mce-style="font-size: small;"><b style="font-weight: bold ! important;"><span lang="EN-US">Description:</span></b></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-mce-style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">When
Sannah the Storyteller, a descendant of environmental refugees from
drowned Pacific islands, finds a White stranger on her domestep, she
presumes he</span><span lang="EN-US">’</span><span lang="EN-US">s a political prisoner on the run seeking safe passage to egalitarian Aotearoa. However, Kaire</span><span lang="EN-US">’</span><span lang="EN-US">s unusual appearance, bizarre behaviour, and insistence he</span><span lang="EN-US">’</span><span lang="EN-US">s a pilgrim suggest otherwise.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-mce-style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">Appalled
by apartheid Australia, Kaire uses his White privileges to procure
vital information for Sannah and her group of activists regarding new
desert prisons that are to be built to house all political prisoners.
The group plans sabotage but needs help, and Kaire is a willing
accomplice. But when Sannah turns Truthteller and threatens to reveal
the country</span><span lang="EN-US">’</span><span lang="EN-US">s true history, even Kaire</span><span lang="EN-US">’</span><span lang="EN-US">s White privilege and advanced technology cannot save Sannah and her daughter from retribution.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-mce-style="font-size: small;"><b style="font-weight: bold ! important;"><span lang="EN-US">About<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><i><span lang="EN-US">Sannah and the Pilgrim</span></i><span lang="EN-US">:</span></b></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-mce-style="font-size: small;"><i><span lang="EN-US">Sannah and the Pilgrim</span></i><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>is a tale of courage, defiance and deceit that asks the reader,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US">‘</span><span lang="EN-US">Would you risk death by telling the truth about your country, or would you play it safe and spend your life as a storyteller?</span><span lang="EN-US">’</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-mce-style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US">Are you concerned about our governments</span><span lang="EN-US">’</span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>(both
past and present) failure to act on climate change and the detention
and inhumane treatment of refugees? I am, so I have drawn on
contemporary conservative attitudes to present a dystopian view of a
future Australia in my speculative fiction novel<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Sannah and the Pilgrim.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></i>Read it and discover what could happen to our</span><span lang="EN-US">‘</span><span lang="EN-US">lucky</span><span lang="EN-US">’<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US">country.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
Quality Reads UKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03216387289293473067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464961794793936187.post-61651256078912456242014-11-01T12:00:00.000-04:002015-03-05T04:52:03.805-05:00#Excerpt from WHAT FREEDOM SMELLS LIKE: A #Memoir by Amy Lewis @AmyLewisAuthor #NonFiction<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Every
single item that you buy in life, that outlives you, someone, some
person, has to deal with. Has to pack, has to decide what to do with: to
sell, to donate, to throw away? If you sell it you have to decide how
much to sell it for, maybe even research what similar items go for; you
have to advertise, you have to exchange money, maybe even make change.
If you donate you have to pack up, decide what charity or friend to give
it to, usually you have to bring it to them or arrange to be home when
they come by. You have to make sure it works because you don’t want to
donate something that is broken. If you throw it away you have to lug
it, schlep it to a waste bin and if it’s a lot of things to a dumpsite.
You don’t think about this when you have money in your pocket and want
things.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
Every item in our Vegas house had a memory
connected to it. Now I had to decide what to do with them all. I rented a
huge storage space close to my parent’s house. It was almost as big as
our first tiny slum apartment. All of our stuff had been deposited
there.<br />
<br />
The week after he died, I had gone into our
walk-in closet in Vegas and sniffed every item of his clothing, removing
those pieces that still had his scent and packaging them into gallon
size vacuum packed Ziploc bags. I imagined this was a new use for Ziploc
bags they probably never advertised: preserving the scent of the dead. I
would have taken his clothes in the dirty laundry basket, but my father
had washed them. I cried when I found him in the laundry room trying to
be helpful. I put the zip locked bags of clothes under my bed in my
parent’s guest bedroom.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13.3333339691162px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/whatFreedomSmellsLike.jpg" href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/whatFreedomSmellsLike.jpg"><img alt="whatFreedomSmellsLike" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-41176" data-mce-src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/whatFreedomSmellsLike.jpg" src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/whatFreedomSmellsLike.jpg" height="200" width="130" /></a></span></span></div>
<div data-mce-style="color: #000000; text-align: center;" id="outer_postBodyPS" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div id="postBodyPS">
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Diagnosed
with Borderline Personality disorder, Amy struggled with depression and
an addiction to sharp objects. Even hospitalization didn't help to heal
her destructive tendencies. It took a tumultuous relationship with a
man named Truth to bring her back from the depths of her own self-made
hell.Amy's marriage to dark, intriguing Truth was both passionate and
stormy. She was a fair-skinned southern girl from New Orleans. He was a
charming black man with tribal tattoos, piercings, and a mysterious
past. They made an unlikely pair, but something clicked. During their
early marriage, they pulled themselves out of abject poverty into wealth
and financial security practically overnight. Then things began to fall
a</span></span>part.<br />
<br />
Passionate and protective, Truth also proved violent and abu<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">sive.
Amy’s own self-destructive tendencies created a powerful symmetry. His
sudden death left Amy with an intense and warring set of emotions: grief
for the loss of the man she loved, relief she was no longer a target
for his aggression.</span></span></div>
<div id="postBodyPS">
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Conflicted
and grieving, Amy found herself at a spiritual and emotional
crossroads, only to receive help from an unlikely source: Truth himself.
Feeling his otherworldly presence in her dreams, Amy seeks help from a
famous medium.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Her
spiritual encounters change Amy forever. Through Truth, she learns her
soul is eternal and indestructible, a knowledge that gives Amy the
courage to pursue her own dreams and transform herself both physically
and emotionally. Her supernatural encounters help Amy resolve the
internal anger and self-destructive tendencies standing between her and
happiness, culminating in a sense of spiritual fulfillment she never
dreamed possible.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">An amazing true story, What Freedom Smells Like is told with courage, honesty, and a devilishly dark sense of hu</span></span>mor.<br />
<br />
Bu<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">y Now @ <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/What-Freedom-Smells-Like-Memoir-ebook/dp/B00JTHDCSC/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=&qid=" href="http://www.amazon.com/What-Freedom-Smells-Like-Memoir-ebook/dp/B00JTHDCSC/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=&qid=" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span></span></div>
</div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000; text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Genre – Memoir</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000; text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Rating – PG-13</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000; text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>More details about <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Amy-Lewis/e/B00KERPYYQ/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1" href="http://www.amazon.com/Amy-Lewis/e/B00KERPYYQ/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1" target="_blank">the author</a></i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000; text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Connect</b> with Amy Lewis through <a data-mce-href="https://twitter.com/AmyLewisAuthor" href="https://twitter.com/AmyLewisAuthor" target="_blank">Twitter</a></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000; text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Website <a class="in-cell-link" data-mce-href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.WhatFreedomSmellsLike.com&usd=2&usg=ALhdy2-u-DEq6B2o3ZSLOwj9JWZOYB9gHA" href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.WhatFreedomSmellsLike.com&usd=2&usg=ALhdy2-u-DEq6B2o3ZSLOwj9JWZOYB9gHA" target="_blank">www.WhatFreedomSmellsLike.com</a></b></span></span></div>
Quality Reads UKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03216387289293473067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464961794793936187.post-50737774028358206382014-11-01T08:00:00.000-04:002014-11-06T07:25:59.771-05:00#Exerpt from UNFINISHED BUSINESS by Ted Tayler @Ted_Tayler #Bookclub #Thriller #GoodReads<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">After
a brisk ten minute walk Colin was stood on the pavement opposite the
Aberdeen Music Hall, the venue for the first gig on Maiden’s Hair’s mini
tour of the United Kingdom. He gazed at the magnificent pillared façade
of the former Assembly Rooms and reckoned it was an appropriate setting
for its band members who were paying tribute to legends of the heavy
metal music genre that he had always enjoyed.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">He
crossed the road and searched out the poster advertising that night’s
performance. There were no surprises; every detail on the billboard was
exactly as Colin had included in his laptop file. There were six group
members, all Canadian born and bred. Although the original members of
the real Iron Maiden were now in their mid fifties, these young men were
in their early thirties, with toned muscular bodies and a full head of
hair nestling on their shoulders. Each one was every inch the rock god
that they were imitating from the original band as they looked out from
the billboard dressed in their ubiquitous denim and leather uniform.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Gabriel
Anderson the dark haired lead singer with a pilot’s cap under his arm;
Vincent Gagnon, Jordan Campbell and Nick Williams who provided the three
guitar identity of the legends they were paying homage to. Jordan’s
twin brother John was eerily like Nicko, Maiden’s drummer and Brandon
Taylor completed the line up on bass as he mimicked Steve Harris,
Maiden’s founder member. Colin was mesmerised. He couldn’t wait to hear
them play tonight; if only it could have been Iron Maiden themselves!
Still, he had to admit that the playlist was everything it should be,
all the early favourites and a few of the newer tracks as well.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Colin’s
stomach was telling him he had missed breakfast. He checked around the
sides and back of the imposing Music Hall building to make certain
everything was where he thought and then he walked down Union Street to
find somewhere to eat. When he was fed and watered he made his way the
short distance to the public library, where he spent several hours
whiling away the time until he had calculated that the Maiden’s Hair
entourage would arrive, ready to prepare for tonight’s gig.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Around
three o’clock in the afternoon, Colin wandered back in the drizzly rain
and sure enough a large Mercedes truck was parked up by the stage doors
of the Music Hall. There were two roadies and it was evident to Colin
that they had only just started unloading gear from the back of the
truck. A couple of young lads were fetching and carrying smaller items,
such as boxes of microphones, metre upon metre of leads, microphone
stands, plus all the paraphernalia a drum kit comprises, all enclosed in
battered old covers. The heavy lifting and manoeuvring of amplifiers,
speakers, PA systems and lighting rigs was best left to the
professionals!</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Colin approached the older roadie and asked ‘Frankie?’</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">‘Yes mate. What can I do you for?’ Frankie replied in an accent not from Montreal or Ottawa but straight from London’s East End.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">‘The
tour management sent me up to give you a hand. I’ve just got back from
several years abroad and I need to get some time in driving on the left
hand side of the road again! I guess the extra pair of hands will be
useful setting up too?’ Colin said.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">‘Brilliant!’
said Frankie ‘Billy’s inside with a couple of staff from this place and
I’m just going to start offloading the heavy stuff. If you want to
pitch in you’re more than welcome mate!’</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Colin
took hold of the speaker cabinet Frankie shoved towards him, hoisted it
easily onto his chest and walked into the building. As he walked
towards the stage he had a brief smile at the corner of his mouth. One
phone call to a dim young girl in London at the tour management
company’s offices and he had discovered the lead roadie’s name; it was
like taking candy from a baby! Neither Frankie nor Billy was going to
check up on him. They would be only too happy that there was an extra
pair of hands around to help with all the grafting and driving that they
had to do; when you’re pretty much on minimum wage why sweat it?</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The
next couple of hours were spent getting the kit onto the stage and
setting it up. Colin had seen it done hundreds of times on a smaller
scale in The Crown and had studied footage on ‘how to’ online, so he
coped well enough on the stuff he was comfortable with and steered clear
of anything that was foreign to him. He watched Frankie and Billy in
action and made mental notes of the various steps he needed to go
through on later gigs on the lighting rigs for instance, to stop anyone
asking exactly where and what he was doing when he was overseas. Life on
the road as a road manager is one helluva lot tougher than lounging
about with a cocktail in your hand on the veranda of a luxury villa, but
Colin was pretty fit for a guy in his early forties and he had his eyes
on the main prize. Travelling with Maiden’s Hair and listening to them
play virtually each night was a bonus. Each gig was taking him closer
and closer to his first task; to avenge the death of his precious
daughter.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/unfinishedBusiness.jpg" /></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The
sequel to the award winning ‘The Final Straw’ sees Colin Bailey return
to the UK after almost a decade abroad. With a new name and a new face
he still has scores to settle. His meticulous planning takes him
ingeniously across Scotland and the North of England ticking names off
his list with the police completely baffled. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">DCI Phil Hounsell pitted his wits
against Colin before and so he is sent to Durham where he teams up with
super intelligent young DS Zara Wheeler; together they track their man
to Manchester and then eventually south to Bath. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The final scenes take place on the
streets of the Roman city; Phil Hounsell’s family is threatened and in a
dramatic conclusion reminiscent of Holmes and Moriarty at the
Reichenbach Falls, the two men struggle above the foaming waters of the
historic Pulteney weir. </span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Buy Now @ <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Unfinished-Business-Ted-Tayler-ebook/dp/B00J9V1DJI/ref=la_B005GPBMAQ_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1399910837&sr=1-1&tag=booaremag-20" style="text-decoration: none;">Amazon</a> & <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/414477" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Smashwords</a></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Genre – Thriller</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Rating – PG-18</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>More details about <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ted-Tayler/e/B005GPBMAQ/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">the author</a></i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Connect</b> with Ted Tayler on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/EdwardCTayler" style="text-decoration: none;">Facebook</a> & <a href="https://twitter.com/ted_tayler" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Twitter</a></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Website <a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://tedtayler.co.uk/&usd=2&usg=ALhdy2-Y88MFk7aXYwwhxPL-R3L0vZfMiw" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://tedtayler.co.uk/</a></b></span></span></div>
Quality Reads UKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03216387289293473067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464961794793936187.post-81570018463539840132014-10-31T10:00:00.000-04:002014-10-31T10:42:03.350-04:00WHERE HAVE I BEEN ALL MY LIFE? by Cheryl Rice @RiceonLife #AmReading #Memoir #WomenHow could I not have noticed just how adorable he was? I must have
been so focused on getting Alan to see my point during our couples’
counseling sessions that I’d hardly had time to glance at the referee.
But those sessions had ended. And now here I was—sitting alone on the
couch directly across from him, absorbing the gaze from his soulful blue
eyes, and wondering what I had been missing.<br />
<br />
His
third-floor office, cocooned in a converted Victorian house—the house of
my dreams—smelled cozy, like pinecones. My hands were sweating and my
heart was pounding. He was just my type: dark hair, wire-rimmed glasses,
a trim physique and boyish grin masking an impish and intelligent
curiosity. He asked me about my relationship with my mom and if I was
sharing my sorrow with Alan, while I was thinking about how nicely that
tweed jacket fit him. He looked at me with what felt like an
unprecedented intensity and listened to me with a rapt attention that
threatened to unwrap the gooey, gory, and oh-so-tender places deep
inside me.<br />
<br />
So I began therapy with David, hoping for a
psychic sanctuary. What I didn’t expect was to immediately find myself
thinking obsessively about him between sessions, planning the outfits
I’d wear to my appointments, and wondering if he preferred chocolate
chip cookies with or without nuts.<br />
<br />
Yes, I did want to heal. But, I also wanted to curl up in his lap and purr.<br />
<br />
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Where-Have-I-Been-All-My-Life.jpg" href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Where-Have-I-Been-All-My-Life.jpg"><img alt="Where Have I Been All My Life" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-41809" data-mce-src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Where-Have-I-Been-All-My-Life.jpg" src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Where-Have-I-Been-All-My-Life.jpg" height="200" width="130" /></a></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Where
Have I Been All My Life? is a compelling memoir recounting one woman’s
journey through grief and a profound feeling of unworthiness to
wholeness and healing. It begins with the chillingly sudden death of
Rice’s mother, and is followed by her foray into the center of mourning. <br />
<br />
With
wisdom, grace, and humor, Rice recounts the grief games she plays in an
effort to resurrect her mother; her efforts to get her therapist, who
she falls desperately in love with, to run away with her; and the
transformation of her husband from fantasy man to ordinary guy to
superhero. In the process, she experiences aching revelations about her
family and her past—and realizes what she must leave behind, and what
she can carry forward with her.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Bu<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">y Now @ <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Where-Have-Been-All-Life/dp/163152917X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405965204&sr=8-1&keywords=where+have+i+been+all+my+life%3F" href="http://www.amazon.com/Where-Have-Been-All-Life/dp/163152917X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405965204&sr=8-1&keywords=where+have+i+been+all+my+life%3F" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000; text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Genre – Memoir</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000; text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Rating – PG-13</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000; text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>More details about <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Cheryl-Rice/e/B00J5OWIGQ/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1" href="http://www.amazon.com/Cheryl-Rice/e/B00J5OWIGQ/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1" target="_blank">the author</a></i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000; text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Connect with Cheryl Rice through<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a data-mce-href="%20https://www.facebook.com/yourvoiceyourvision " href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-admin/%20https://www.facebook.com/yourvoiceyourvision" target="_blank">Facebook</a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>&<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a data-mce-href="https://twitter.com/RiceOnLife" href="https://twitter.com/RiceOnLife" target="_blank">Twitter</a></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000; text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: bold ! important;">Website <a class="in-cell-link" data-mce-href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.yourvoiceyourvision.com&usd=2&usg=ALhdy2-KsIroKPbTLpqZOg7K5rhGXAchzg" href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.yourvoiceyourvision.com&usd=2&usg=ALhdy2-KsIroKPbTLpqZOg7K5rhGXAchzg" target="_blank">www.yourvoiceyourvision.com</a></b></span></span></div>
Quality Reads UKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03216387289293473067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464961794793936187.post-18450358191984061692014-10-31T08:00:00.000-04:002014-12-24T05:22:40.071-05:00HUSH #Excerpt by Kimberly Shursen @KimberlyShursen #AmReading #MustRead #Thriller <div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Minneapolis, Minnesota</b></span></span></i></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>August 21</b></span></span></i></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Twenty-eight-year-old Ann Ferguson covered her ears to avoid the imminent, deafening roar.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Pass
the salt, pass the salt, pass the goddamn salt!” the crowd shouted,
waving hands overhead as Buffet’s “Margaritaville” resounded through the
speakers.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Just
another typical Friday night in downtown Minneapolis—the lighting in
Donita’s Pub dim, the air thick with pheromones while blenders zapped
ice, lime, and tequila into margaritas.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Feisty crowd tonight,” Jess said to Ann, pushing her long, naturally curly, strawberry-blonde hair behind one ear.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Always is.” Ann took a sip of white wine.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Stiletto
heels, form-fitting jeans, lips lacquered in hot pink or ruby red
mingled with Brooks Brothers’ suits, dress shirts, and silk ties.
Looking for soul mates or one-night stands—all the hoopla bored Ann.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“This thing tickles.” Ann lifted up the sticky-backed, fake hair and scratched under her nose.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Noted
for their creative fundraisers, tonight the money collected at the door
of the bar to purchase faux moustaches would go to prostate cancer
research.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ann
leaned back against the paver brick wall of the renovated warehouse.
Standing room only, members of generation X and younger were squashed
shoulder-to-shoulder, rear end to rear end.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ann
pushed her bangs back off her forehead. It was only last week that
she’d held her breath as her thick, dark, shoulder-length hair was cut
into a pixie. Dark eyes raking the room, she wished she was home curled
up on the couch, watching a movie.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jess cocked her head to the side. “You need to get out more.”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“And you need to find another playmate.”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ann
and Jess had lived together for three years, and though polar
opposites, they’d become best friends. Growing up in a small town in
southern Minnesota, Ann offered the pragmatic side of the friendship
while Jess added the excitement. At five feet two, Ann was small boned
and petite. Jess, with her full hips and robust breasts, towered over
Ann by a good six inches. Unlike Jess who enjoyed showcasing her breasts
with low-cut, scooped necklines, Ann was comfortable in her faded jeans
and tank tops.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Picture, ladies?” A roaming photographer asked, decked out in a white shirt and red bowtie.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Absolutely.” Jessica squished her cheek against Ann’s, a margarita glass clasped in her hand. </span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Photographer from<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Minneapolis-St.Paul</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Magazine</i>,” Jess whispered.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Great,” Ann said sarcastically, “my parents will be so proud to see their daughter in a bar.”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Hey.”
The deep voice startled her, and Ann turned around quickly. “I hope you
don’t think I’m too forward, but you look familiar.”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jess tapped Ann’s knee nonchalantly.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ann
stared at the handsome man blankly. “I don’t think we’ve met.” However,
there was something familiar about him. Dark hair parted to the side, a
few strands fell casually over his forehead. He grinned, giving way to a
dimple in his right cheek.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“You come here often?” he asked.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Second
time.” Men had come up and struck up a conversation when Jess had
dragged her to a bar before. But, just like the others, once this hunk
found out Ann wasn’t into one-night stands, he’d move on. Ann took a sip
of her wine, and the phony moustache toppled into her wine glass. “Oh
no.” </span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Feeling
her cheeks grow warm with embarrassment, she quickly reached into the
glass and pulled out the sopping wet hairpiece. She wrinkled her nose.
“Disgusting.”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">He grinned, his dark eyes settling into half moons. “Oh…so, that isn’t real?” he asked poker-faced.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">She shook her hand until the small fluff let loose of her finger and fell to the floor. “I forgot I had it on.”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Whoa! There’s my song,” Jess said excitedly and started to shoulder her way through the crowd to the strobe-lit dance floor.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ann
watched Jess disappear, knowing she’d purposely left her alone with
this stranger. She wasn’t good at this and, again, wished she were home.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Ben.” He offered Ann his free hand, the other wrapped around a Samuel Adams.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ann pointed at her ear and shook her head, signaling she couldn’t hear.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">He leaned into her. “Ben Grable,” he said over the noise.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Ann,”
She slipped her hand into his, eyeing him. Suit coat draped over an
arm, his tie hung loose around the open collar of his light blue, dress
shirt.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“You
wanna dance or—” He got out before someone shoved him, spilling his
beer down the front of his shirt, droplets falling to Ann’s sandals.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Whoa”—she picked up her foot—“that’s cold.”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ben took a few steps back, brushing the beer off his tie. “Sheesh, I’m sorry. You okay?”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Where had she seen him before?</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>She waved a dismissing hand. “I’m fine, but this noise is a killer. I think I’m going to call it a night.”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Wanna get a burger or something?” Ben blurted.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“If you’re asking if I will go with you in your car,” she said, raising an eyebrow, “the answer is no thanks.”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“If I am asking you to go two doors down to grab a burger,” Ben asked with a sheepish grin, “what would the answer be?”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Sure.” Her eyes lit up. “If it’s quieter than here, I’m game.”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ben
followed her through the maze to the dance floor. After Ann found Jess
and told her she was leaving, Ben put his hand in the small of her back,
sending a tingle up her spine.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Groups of men and women passed them on the sidewalk—their inebriated laughter echoing through the brightly lit streets.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A foot taller, Ben looked down at Ann. “You must think I’m pretty cocky just walking up and introducing myself.”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Actually, I’m glad you did. Definitely not my scene.”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Well, you looked as uncomfortable as I was.”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ben
opened the door of the tavern for her. Tally’s was crowded but not
nearly as loud. Peanut shells speckled the black-and-white tile floor,
and men wearing denim shirts and cowboy boots waited for a turn at a
video game. A trio of middle-aged women with painted on smiles huddled
together on the barstools, their puffy eyes darting from man to man. The
aroma of burgers and onion rings filtered through the long, narrow
space, making Ann even hungrier.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Not much ambiance here,” Ben apologized as the shells cracked beneath their feet.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“But a much tamer crowd.”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ben stopped at an open booth. “This okay?”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Perfect.” Ann slid in.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Want a beer or something?” Ben asked, sitting down across from her.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ann thought for a couple of seconds. “I’d rather have a Coke.”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Me, too. Diet or real?”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Diet?” Ann made a face. “Yuck.”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“I’m with you.”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“What can I get you two kids?” a waitress asked, her weathered face giving away her age.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Two<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>real</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Cokes”—Ben glanced at Ann—“and this young lady is starving.”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“I would love a cheeseburger, American cheese, medium-well,” Ann said. “And is that onion rings I smell?”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Yes, ma’am.” The waitress smiled proudly. She folded her arms over her red-and-white checked shirt. “Best in Minneapolis.”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Great,” Ann said. “Oh…and ranch dressing on the side.”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The waitress turned to Ben.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Exact same thing for me,” Ben told her.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ann leaned back in the high-backed booth. “Most guys take their burgers medium-rare.”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Not into E-coli.”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Smart man.”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“So,” he said, locking his hands together and placing them on the Formica tabletop, “what’s your story?”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ann waited for the waitress to put the drinks in front of them. “Do I have to have one?”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Everyone has a story.”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">No
one had ever asked what her story was. For some reason, Ann didn’t feel
as uncomfortable as she usually did when she first met someone. She
tilted her head back, her eyes focusing on a stain in the ceiling.
“Pediatric nurse. Raised in Worthington—”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Ah…the turkey capitol,” Ben said casually.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ann’s eyes grew wide. “How’d you know that?”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Big turkey fan,” Ben answered with a straight face.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“You are not.”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Love their combs.”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ann giggled. “You’re putting me on, right?”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“I was in Worthington for a conference once.”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“There was a conference in Worthington?” she asked as she tore the wrapper off the straw.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“On that one, I’m not fibbing. Had to take a class.”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">She raised an eyebrow. “In…”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Law.”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ann wrapped her hand around the soda glass, not taking her eyes from him. “You’re a lawyer?”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Hello?” Ben grabbed his tie and waved it a few times. “Don’t I look like one?”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Do they all look alike?”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“According to all the lawyer jokes, we do,” Ben said.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The waitress served the burgers and onion rings with two sides of ranch dressing. “Anything else?” </span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The older lady put a hand over her hip.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Mustard,” Ben and Ann said at the same time.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/hush.jpg" href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/hush.jpg"><img alt="hush" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-41080" data-mce-src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/hush.jpg" src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/hush.jpg" height="200" width="130" /></a></span></span></div>
<div data-mce-style="color: #000000; text-align: center;" id="outer_postBodyPS" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div id="postBodyPS">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Soon
after Ann Ferguson and Ben Grable marry, and Ben unseals his adoption
papers, their perfect life together is torn apart, sending the couple to
opposite sides of the courtroom.</span></span></div>
<div id="postBodyPS">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />Representing
Ann, lawyer Michael J. McConaughey (Mac) feels this is the case that
could have far-reaching, judicial effects -- the one he's been waiting
for.</span></span></div>
<div id="postBodyPS">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />Opposing counsel knows this high profile case happens just once in a lifetime.</span></span></div>
<div id="postBodyPS">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />And
when the silent protest known as HUSH sweeps the nation, making
international news, the CEO of one of the top ten pharmaceutical
companies in the world plots to derail the trial that could cost his
company billions.</span></span></div>
<div id="postBodyPS">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />Critically
acclaimed literary thriller HUSH not only questions one of the most
controversial laws that has divided the nation for over four decades,
but captures a story of the far-reaching ties of family that surpasses
time and distance.</span></span></div>
<div id="postBodyPS">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>***
Hush does not have political or religious content. The story is built
around the emotions and thoughts of two people who differ in their </b></span></span><b>beliefs.</b><br />
<br />
EDITORIAL REVIEW: "Suspenseful and well-researched, this action<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">-packed legal
thriller will take readers on a journey through the trials and
tribulations of one of the most controversial subjects in society
today."<span style="font-family: inherit;"> - </span>Katie French author of "The Breeders," "The Believer's," and "Eyes Ever To The Sky."</span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Buy Now @ <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Hush-Kimberly-Shursen-ebook/dp/B00HZKBGW4/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1404820465&sr=1-1&keywords=hush+and+kimberly+shursen" href="http://www.amazon.com/Hush-Kimberly-Shursen-ebook/dp/B00HZKBGW4/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1404820465&sr=1-1&keywords=hush+and+kimberly+shursen" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Genre – Thriller</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Rating – PG-13</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>More details about <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Kimberly-Shursen/e/B00C7ZBTIS/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1" href="http://www.amazon.com/Kimberly-Shursen/e/B00C7ZBTIS/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1" target="_blank">the author</a></i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Connect</b> with Kimberly Shursen through <a data-mce-href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kimberly-Shursen-Author/286879094678995" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kimberly-Shursen-Author/286879094678995" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a data-mce-href="https://twitter.com/kimberlyShursen" href="https://twitter.com/kimberlyShursen" target="_blank">Twitter</a></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Website <a class="in-cell-link" data-mce-href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.kimberlyshursen.com/&usd=2&usg=ALhdy2-uex70LjIEkr9CbwWbuB4zDHIOKw" href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.kimberlyshursen.com/&usd=2&usg=ALhdy2-uex70LjIEkr9CbwWbuB4zDHIOKw" target="_blank">http://www.kimberlyshursen.com/</a></b></span></span></div>
Quality Reads UKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03216387289293473067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464961794793936187.post-30445674479093302642014-10-31T07:00:00.000-04:002015-02-06T03:42:10.904-05:00@MargaretWestlie on Retirement, Writing and People Who Have Helped Her #AmWriting #Historical <div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/01/07/64f99eb37ecd0ac1d18838.L._V361909842_SY470_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/01/07/64f99eb37ecd0ac1d18838.L._V361909842_SY470_.jpg" height="320" width="252" /></a></div>
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Is your family supportive? Do your friends support you?</span></span></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Now
they do. I get more encouragement from others outside the family than I
do from family members. That’s what the family I belong to is like. I
think it’s partly because they don’t really understand what it takes to
conceive of and construct a novel. Everyone thinks it’s easy when it
is all consuming and demanding when I am in the creating phase.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Do you plan to publish more books?</span></span></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I
already have two others published and another one about to be
published, then two more to go out this fall. We are planning a local
book launch, and a marketing campaign that is to begin this week (first
week in May). I have about eight others in manuscript form and two
others that I am currently working on.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What else do you do to make money, other than write? It is rare today for writers to be full time…</span></span></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We
are retired and this is our second career. I am very fortunate. I
never thought when I was working on novels that in retirement the
writing would take off. I never thought I’d be co-owner of a publishing
company. I never thought I’d have ten manuscripts ready for
publication (three already published) and over 200 poems to my name.
For so long I was just a nurse doing the job that nurses do. Mind you, I
was doing it well and I enjoyed the patients but it was very tiring,
and I was getting older and finding that I had less stamina, and a sore
back from all the lifting. When my husband said why don’t you retire, I
can support the two of us, I took the chance and went on to study
music, then got channelled into writing.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you could study any subject at university what would you pick?</span></span></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Probably
clinical psychology, history or Womens’ literature. When I passed my
RN exams, one of the residents said that with grades like that I should
have been a doctor. If I had stayed in medicine I would have become a
psychiatrist. I think the human psyche is fascinating. However that
seems not to have been my path, and I went on to literature earning a
Masters’ degree in English with an emphasis on prose and poetry from
UMKC. I looked into going on for a PhD, but their program was such
that it required a double major and only some departments offered the
kind of oversight in areas that would have been my choice. It would
have been more for interest’s sake than actually using the studies to
further my career as a writer. I already had all the tools I needed.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">How do you write – lap top, pen, paper, in bed, at a desk?</span></span></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I
write prose at a desk on a laptop with a larger keyboard attached. I
write poetry in my blue chair with a pen on a leather clipboard that I
have had since graduate days. I love my clipboard. It speaks to me of
the wonderful world of imagination, imagery and juxtapositions of ideas,
quirky and otherwise.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Where do you get support from? Do you have friends in the industry?</span></span></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I
get a tremendous amount of support from my husband. He has always
encouraged me and made it possible for me to go to graduate school. My
brother is also very good to cheer me on. He keeps saying that <i>Mattie’s Story</i>should
be turned into a play! I also have friends who are very encouraging
and a few writers who have become my friends over time. One of my
professors called three of us aside one evening after class and said:
“You three keep on writing. You have what it takes.” Wow!</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Is there anyone you’d like to acknowledge and thank for their support?</span></span></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I keep my thank you list up to date with cards and notes and acknowledgements in my books.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There
are too many people who have helped me on my way and given freely of
their time and advice and wisdom. A few who have been especially
helpful are Nancy Beth Guptill of Sweet Spot Marketing, Gary Ramsey,
reference librarian at the Confederation Centre Library in
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Patti Larsen, writer, Marilyn
Russell, English Professor (deceased), my husband, John, who does the
computer work and proofing for me, Lori Cheverill at Bookmark, an
independent bookstore in Charlottetown. Also Francis Warner of
St.Peter’s College, Oxford, has been very encouraging and helpful. So
many others. I have been very fortunate in my mentors.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Every writer has their own idea of what a successful career in writing is, what does success in writing look like to you?</span></span></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A
career in writing means putting a new book out every year at least. I
hope I don’t run out of ideas. I am meticulous about producing a
finished novel so it takes me a few months to get it all the way I want
it after the story is put on paper.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It is vital to get exposure and target the right readers for your writing, tell us about your marketing campaign?</span></span></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We
have been working with Nancy Beth Guptill of Sweet Spot Marketing for
almost a year now. She has guided us and taught us a lot of the ins and
outs of successful on-line marketing. We have just this month begun
tweeting, blogging specifically on writing topics, and Facebooking. I
have been playing with the blog since last summer just to get the feel
of writing one every week. It’s not always easy to come up with
topics. I took a month or so off this spring because the weather had
been so bad and all we were able to do was stay indoors and work. We
had about 15 feet of snow but there is only so much you can say about
the weather and the day to day work of writing and publishing.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Tell us about your new book? What’s it about and why did you write it?</span></span></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Anna’s Secret</i> is
the story about a murder in Lyndale, Prince Edward Island, that took
place in the mid-nineteenth century. Her name was Anne and the hollow
where the murder took place is called Anne Beaton’s Hollow to this day.
The real story is that an ancestor of my own was the one who did her in
with a turnip hoe. He was acquitted and subsequently left the Island.
My uncle who told me the story said they ultimately decided that it was
a woman who did the deed, and that it was crime of passion. Anne was,
as they used to say, “no better than she should be” and was said to have
been having an affair with the woman’s husband. I took the fact of her
murder and fictionalized it. I examined Anna’s relationship with her
own husband, son, neighbours and friends and the impact it had on the
whole community. The ending that I created is pretty much unexpected
and for reasons that no one in the fictional community guessed.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/annasSecret.jpg" /></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Anna
Gillis, the midwife and neighbour in Mattie’s Story, has been found
killed. The close-knit community is deeply shaken by this eruption of
violence, and neighbours come together to help one another and to
discover the perpetrator. But the answer lies Anna’s secret, long
guarded by Old Annie, the last of the original Selkirk Settlers, and the
protagonist of An Irregular Marriage. Join the community! Read Anna’s
Secret and other novels by Margaret A. Westlie.</span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Buy Now @ <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IEEXUMO" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Amazon</a> & <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/418795" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Smashwords</a></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Genre – Fiction, mystery, historical</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Rating – G</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>More details about <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Margaret-Westlie/e/B00HZRKK10" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">the author</a></i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <b>Connect</b> with Margaret Westlie on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/margaretwestlienovelist" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Facebook</a> & <a href="https://twitter.com/MargaretWestlie" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Twitter</a></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Website <a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.margaretwestlie.com&usd=2&usg=ALhdy29ilE1Iu2yMnk-3FJ1ZhE-qq3C3Qg" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://www.margaretwestlie.com</a></b></span></span></div>
Quality Reads UKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03216387289293473067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464961794793936187.post-68883737223184837782014-10-29T11:30:00.000-04:002014-10-30T11:01:33.717-04:00@KentBurden Dishes on Writing Ideas & How He Decides What to Write #NonFiction #Health #Wellness<div class="Body1CxSpFirst" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US">I
often get the question “how do you decide what you’re going to write
about?” it’s a pretty valid question, unlike someone who writes fiction I
don’t have to come up with a story or a plot I just have to come up
with a subject, but what subject? As a health and wellness expert my
choices are endless, exercise, stress reduction, weight loss, nutrition
and all the sub categories that go along with healthy living. But how do
you decide what to spend your valuable time and energy writing when we
all know that some books will sell and some won’t. How to chose a topic
that people will want to buy and will be something I want to delve
deeply into. I’ve written 7 books (and counting) and I’ve chosen
subjects based on key word searches, surveys, market research and a coin
flip. But sometimes a topic just chooses you.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="Body1CxSpMiddle" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US"> A
few years ago while working at a high end California spa, I was
sitting at my desk in my office reading a popular men’s magazine (I was
on my break– I swear) when I came across an article that said new
research proved that sitting for extended periods of time increased your
risk of getting diseases like diabetes, heart disease obesity and
certain forms of cancer and that doing 30-60 minutes of exercise a day <i>wasn’t enough to counteract the damage that sitting did. </i>The
article even claimed that as far as negative health effects were
concerned, sitting was just as bad as smoking! To top it off it stated
that people who sat more during the day were heavier than people who
moved around and spent more time standing during the day <i>regardless of how much they exercised.</i></span></span></span></div>
<div class="Body1CxSpMiddle" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US">I remember sitting there feeling like I had just been kicked in the crotch by Chuck Liddell. This is <i>not</i> what
they had taught me in my six years of college. It’s not in the
literature they give you for your personal trainer certification and <i>no one</i> was
talking about this at fitness conferences. This had to be complete and
utter bull s#!t. So I did some research myself and what I found shocked
me, and the deeper I dug the more I began to think this new discovery
might just have merit.</span> </span></span></div>
<div class="Body1CxSpMiddle" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US">The
first thing I did was go back through my records. As a trainer you
always have clients that trouble you. They work hard in their sessions,
say their doing all the things you tell them to do on their own, insist
they are sticking to their diet program, but never can get to the goal
weight loss they set or they can’t seem to get their blood work numbers
were they need to be. I always chalked it up to the “they think they are
but there not syndrome”. Many people fool themselves into thinking they
are doing things that they aren’t actually doing, you’ve seen it. The
person who says they eat healthy but over the course of the day eats 20
mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups from the office candy dish and then
scarf down half a quart of Ben & Jerry’s Chunky Monkey Ice Cream
while watching Game Of Thrones just before bed. But maybe I was wrong,
maybe they had been doing everything I had been telling them to do but
what I was telling them to do just wasn’t enough. Low and behold when I
checked all of my trouble clients had jobs like accountant, lawyer,
software designer and author all jobs that had them sitting all day
long.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="Body1CxSpLast" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US">I
called a couple of the researchers that had been quoted in the article
and came away with the distinct feeling that this was big. I mean
the-sky-is-falling big. This was when I decided I HAD to write the book.
I pulled together all the research I could find, I talked to all the
major players in the field. I collected opinions on how best to
counteract the deadly effects of prolonged sitting, then created
movements that could be done anywhere (even in the office) so people
could discover new ways to be healthy. For me the hardest part was
figuring out how to make all these facts and medical research
interesting enough to actually read. <b>The bottom line is I was on fire!</b> I
needed to spread the word and get these simple, effective tools into
people’s hands. That’s how my book, “Is Your Chair Killing You? A
Healthier You in 8 Minutes a Day” was born. No market research, no key
word searches and no coin flips. It also happens to be my bestselling
book so far. Things that make you go hmmmmm.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="Body1CxSpLast" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="Body1CxSpLast" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US"><img src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Chair.jpg" /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sitting
for extended periods of time is as bad for your health as smoking
cigarettes. And exercising for 30-60 minutes a day isn’t enough to undo
the damage from extended periods of sitting. Is Your Chair Killing You
reveals shocking new research showing that sitting for long periods
greatly increases your risk of developing obesity, heart disease,
diabetes, stroke and cancer. Our bodies were designed to move constantly
over the course of the day, but most of us sit for hours a day at work
and at home! Fitness and wellness expert and award-winning author Kent
Burden has created brief, simple movements you can incorporate into your
daily life to combat the damaging effects of sitting. These simple
movements, done standing for 1-5 minutes each hour will burn calories,
energize and refresh you, and you won’t even break a sweat; you’ll even
improve your back pain. This book is a how-to for weight loss and
disease prevention. Read this book–you’ll be healthier in as little as 8
minutes a day.</span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Nominated for the Dan Poynter Global Ebook Awards and won honorable mention at the Los Angeles Book Festival</b></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Buy Now @ <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Your-Chair-Killing-You-ebook/dp/B007OLYMZW/" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Genre – Non-Fiction</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Rating – G</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>More details about <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kent-Burden/e/B001K8U9HA/" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">the author</a></i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Connect</b> with Kent Burden on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kent.burden.3" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Facebook</a> & <a href="https://twitter.com/kentburden" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Twitter</a></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Website </b><a href="http://www.kentburden.com/" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://www.kentburden.com/</a></span></span></div>
Quality Reads UKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03216387289293473067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464961794793936187.post-26795859604721101962014-10-22T11:30:00.000-04:002014-10-23T09:59:44.340-04:00@MarcADiGiacomo on an Author's Mind, Real Life & Writing Fiction #GoodReads #Thriller #TBR<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Beware!
Enter at your own risk. Just kidding, really, come on, authors are just
like everyone else, right? Maybe. Since I published my second book,
people still look at me the same although, I am much more recognizable
to my hometown crowd. I constantly get asked, “Is that part true?”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There
is a concern as to how people view me since my books are so graphic in
nature. There is a lot of violence, as police work can occasionally be.
Mostly, I feel for my wife, especially when she gets asked about the sex
scenes within the books. People assume that is part of your real life
when in reality, these situations are complete fiction. An author can
fantasize about anything and incorporate those thoughts into a working
manuscript. It happens to me all the time. I’ll meet someone or hear
something and boom, it’s in the book. Of course, I change it all up to
protect identities but most people would kill to be portrayed within the
pages of a novel. It’s a cool thing, like being an extra in a movie.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I
don’t know exactly how I come up with the stuff I do, I guess I’m lucky
in one way, I have good material. I just hope, the well doesn’t dry up
anytime soon. Because if it does, I’ll have to take this job on the
road.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13.3333339691162px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: auto; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<a data-mce-href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/backintown.jpg" href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/backintown.jpg"><img alt="backintown" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-42265" data-mce-src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/backintown.jpg" src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/backintown.jpg" height="200" width="130" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
The
small town of Hutchville, New York is turned upside down. No longer is
it the quaint, sleepy, suburb of New York City. Detective Matt Longo is
back on the job and embroiled in his latest nightmare. Further
complicating matters is the revelation of his partner’s corruption and
organized crime ties; Donny Mello has left a bitter trail of lies and
deceit. With his kid brother and newly promoted Detective Franny Longo
by his side, will Matt be able to put his past behind him?<br />
<br />
Special
Agent Cynthia Shyler, (F.B.I.) has been reassigned due to her meeting
with Matt Longo. Will this move complicate their relationship? Or will a
new stranger in town spin a web that entangles the entire Hutchville
Police Department, especially our most seasoned detective, Matt Longo?</div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Buy Now @ <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Back-Town-Small-Series-Book-ebook/dp/B00KWE2PK2/ref=pd_sim_kstore_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=18M6XPX181RWK0SA250N" href="http://www.amazon.com/Back-Town-Small-Series-Book-ebook/dp/B00KWE2PK2/ref=pd_sim_kstore_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=18M6XPX181RWK0SA250N">Amazon</a></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Genre – Thriller</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Rating – R</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>More details about <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?_encoding=UTF8&field-author=Marc%20A.%20DiGiacomo&search-alias=digital-text&sort=relevancerank" href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?_encoding=UTF8&field-author=Marc%20A.%20DiGiacomo&search-alias=digital-text&sort=relevancerank" target="_blank">the author</a></i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000;" style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: bold ! important;">Connect</b> with Marc A. DiGiacomo on <a data-mce-href="https://facebook.com/MarcADiGiacomo" href="https://facebook.com/MarcADiGiacomo">Facebook</a> & <a data-mce-href="https://twitter.com/MarcADiGiacomo" href="https://twitter.com/MarcADiGiacomo" target="_blank">Twitter</a></span></span></div>
Quality Reads UKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03216387289293473067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464961794793936187.post-65013055080499094322014-10-22T10:30:00.000-04:002014-10-23T09:55:08.955-04:00@GaryTroia on Writing the Book that He Loves to Read #AmReading #AmWriting #ShortStories <div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans'; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/b5/f5/b21d895d8c890ad8956efe.L._V378589624_SY470_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/b5/f5/b21d895d8c890ad8956efe.L._V378589624_SY470_.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>What other jobs have you had in your life?</b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans'; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Bricklayer, teacher, Chandelier cleaner, paper boy.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans'; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
Wow! That’s quite varied. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans'; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Yes,
my C.V would look something like this: Amazon bestselling author of
four short story collections; former alcoholic; drug dealer; Christian
cult member who was deported from the United States, who went onto to
complete a degree in Spanish and Philosophy and became a teacher . Has
lived the life he writes about in his short story collections and
memoirs.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans'; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<b>Can you share a little bit about what you are working on now?</b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans'; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Yes, I have just finished my debut novel, “Ray Dennis Does the Secret.”</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans'; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">When
Ray Dennis, an alcoholic, English bricklayer, living in Maryland is
deported back to the UK on a drug charge, he has no idea that his life
and identity are about to change forever. Shattered by his knowledge
that he is a failure, Ray dedicates himself to self-improvement and he
unwittingly puts himself and his family on a trajectory to disaster once
he discovers the book, <i>The Secret.</i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans'; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">And I have also completed the first draft of my second novel.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans'; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<b>Why did you choose to write “Ray Dennis Does the Secret?”</b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans'; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I
wanted to write the kind of book I love to read. I love books that are
original and different. I don’t want to write commercially, that would
take all of the joy out of my writing. I decided</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans'; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I
should write to entertain myself, and even if publishing rejections
rolled in, I could at least enjoy the process and be proud of the
result.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans'; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<b>What kind of research did you do for the novel?</b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans'; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I did some reading-lots of reading! And I Richard Dawkins, to answer a philosophical question. (He has not yet responded)</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans'; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
Your
novel’s epigraph is a biblical quote, “Therefore I say unto you, what
things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and
ye shall have them.” (Mark 11:24.)</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans'; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<b>How do you think that quote applies to your book?</b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans'; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">It
is the foundation of the book! There have been so many recent non-
fiction, new age books written on the subject of positive thinking and
visualisation and harnessing cosmic power, but these ideas have been
around, as the quote shows, since biblical times. I have taken these
ideas and turned them into an action packed novel where the main
character does implement positive thinking and puts it to bad use
instead of good.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans'; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<b>Where is the book set?</b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans'; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">London, Los Angeles and Andalucía, these are all places that I have lived before, so it saved on research!</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans'; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<b>Is the story autobiographical then?</b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans'; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">To
start with, maybe, Ray Dennis did start out life as my alter ego in my
short story collections, much of what drives the plot is a reaction to
things that have happened in my life, and are things that could have
happened in my life. I needed a crisis to drive the story, and the
murder of your whole family is singularly terrifying to all. As for the
other plot elements, I can relate to each of my characters on some
level.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans'; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<b>Why did you choose to write this particular book?</b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans'; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Since
doing my degree in philosophy, my mind has changed. It is more open to
questions that may not be answered, measured or proven, or are hard to
do so. One question I have sought answers to is how big an influence our
mind has on the physical. This led me to read books on visualisation by
the likes of Napoleon Hill. All of these books talk about the positive
influences of mind over matter, but I wanted to see what would happen if
someone had this knowledge who used it for greed, power and domination.
The result is-Ray Dennis does the secret.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans'; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<b>What was the hardest part of writing this book?</b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans'; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Procrastination!
Many of the definitions for this word mean, laziness, it was the part
of the definitions that said procrastination was the practice of
carrying out less important tasks in preference to more urgent ones,
that really brought it home to me.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans'; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Whenever
I had to work on the novel, I would find all manner of things to do
before tackling the book. I would read far too much meaningless stuff
around the subject, thinking that I was doing myself a favor, but what I
was really doing was avoiding the task in hand. I realised I was not
fundamentally lazy, as some of the procrastinating was really hard work.
The reason I was procrastinating was to avoid the writing because of
fear: The fear of doing a bad job.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans'; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<b>What would you love to produce in your life?</b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans'; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I would love to produce a simple, yet thought provoking novel like animal farm. Yes, it is good to set your dreams high!</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans'; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans'; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><img src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Gary-Troia.jpg" /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans'; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;">
<div id="outer_postBodyPS">
<div id="postBodyPS">
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">For
the first time ever, this collection of short stories by Gary Troia
brings together, in chronological order stories and memoirs from Spanish
Yarns and Beyond, English Yarns and Beyond and A Bricklayer’s Tales
into one complete volume.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>“Excellent!</b> A
collection of short stories about depression, alcoholism and drug use.
Very compelling reading. I read this short story collection all in one
go.” (Maria, Goodreads.)</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>A Bricklayer’s Tales</i> is
the ultimate “I hate this job” story, written as a collection of short
stories and memoirs, each one revealing a snapshot in the life of Ray.
Troia captures the tedium of working in a low paid, menial job and
living hand to mouth. This book of short stories is sad and questions
the reader to ask questions about their own life. This book achieves
clarity without trying.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Ray
has three expensive hobbies: drinking, drugs, and running away. Without
the income that Bricklaying provides, he would not be able to maintain
his chosen lifestyle, so he compromises his principles and continues
with his trade.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">A collection of short stories and memoirs that include:</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>The Cuckoo’s Egg.</b> Boyhood antics lead to tragedy.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>My Grandfather’s Shed.</b> The making of an English key</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>No Comb on the Cock.</b> Gypsies, champion fighting cocks, and career choices.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>What I Did In My Summer Holidays In 1000 Words.</b> Could having an idea ever be considered a criminal act?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>My Best Mate’s Head.</b> Did a weekend of boozing save Ray from certain death?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>The Shetland Isles.</b> A trip to sunny Benidorm, a chance meeting with some Glaswegians, and a cold, miserable job in Lerwick.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Pointing a House in Islington.</b> Too much alcohol and cocaine don’t mix well on building sites!</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Angel Dust. T</b>he peculiar story of a man whose new life in America leads to conversations with Ancient Greek philosophers</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Peyote.</b> Hippies, LSD and an idyllic refuge</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Return Ticket.</b> Handcuffed and ready for deportation. A sad departure from the States</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>When I Joined a Cult.</b> Sober dating as Ray discovers religion.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Bilbao</b>. How very, very English!</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Teaching Other People.</b> The grass is always greener-the escape from bricklaying.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>A Week in the Life of Ray Dennis.</b> With the prospect of no money for food or alcohol this Christmas, Ray has to find work quickly.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Catania. </b>A meeting with a Sicilian fox, some Neapolitans, and a man with a camel haired coat.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Advert In The Art Shop Window. </b>Will a new building job in Spain be the start of a new life?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Gaudi. </b>A flight to Barcelona for a kebab, and a look at the <i>Sagrada Familia.</i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>The Day My Soul Left Me. </b>“To be or not to be? That is the question”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>How Not to Travel to The Alhambra<i>. </i></b>Hung-over, the wrong fuel, the car breaks down. Will they ever make it to Granada?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>The Road To Ronda. </b>A terrifying drive to Ronda, was it worth it?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Poking A Carob Tree</b>. A new home and new neighbours, just in time for Christmas.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Spain Reborn</b>.No more commuting to London. Lets celebrate!</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Home From Home</b><i>. </i>A parallel world where the Spanish have taken over Weymouth.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Three Common Carp</b>.An epic battle with a whale and marlin it is not.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Mrs. McClintock.</b> An absurd farce in which a Glaswegian couple retire to Spain</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Steak, Egg and Intensive Care. </b>A harmless dinner leads to hospitalisation.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>The Unchangeable Chameleon. </b>Can a leopard change it’s spots?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>A Bricklayer’s Tale. </b>The story of a disillusioned, alcoholic bricklayer</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">A collection short stories and memoirs of British dark humour.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div id="psGradient">
<span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Buy Now @ </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Short-Stories-Gary-Troia-ebook/dp/B00IR1F9MI/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1397639934&sr=1-1&keywords=short+stories%2CB00IR1F9MI" style="line-height: 1.5em; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span></div>
</div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans'; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Genre - Fiction, Short Stories</i></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans'; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Rating - PG-16</i></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans'; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>More details about <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Gary-Troia/e/B00DXJC2OW/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">the author</a></i></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans'; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Connect</b> with Gary Troia on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/garytroia1" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Facebook</a> & <a href="https://twitter.com/GaryTroia" style="text-decoration: none;">Twitter</a></span></div>
Quality Reads UKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03216387289293473067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464961794793936187.post-19717778727051043642014-10-22T07:00:00.000-04:002014-10-30T07:21:20.398-04:00WITNESS TO MY HEART #Excerpt by Loni Flowers @LoniFlowers #Romance #AmReading <i>Note from the author, Loni Flowers - Excerpt contains strong language </i><br />
<br />
Grabbing
my shoulders, Max pushed me against the wall. I sucked in a sharp
breath and tried to push him away from me, but couldn’t make him budge
an inch. “Get your hands off me,” I demanded.<br />
<br />
Stepping
closer, Max leaned in and the muscles of his chest flexed under my
palms. His stance was wide, each foot planted on the sides of mine. When
I peered down, I noticed the waist of his jeans hung below his hip
bones. Considering my position, and Max’s over-reactive, accusatory
tone, I did my best not to drool because I was supposed to be mad. I was
pissed, right?<br />
<br />
“Don’t play games with me, Abi.”<br />
<br />
Max
stared down, his gaze skimming over my chest as I stood there in one of
Caroline’s pretty, pink push-up bras. Having more than enough to fill
the small cups, I didn't require the extra lift. My chest rose up and
down with visible succession in every breath I took and I didn’t know if
it was because I was scared or possibly getting turned on.<br />
<br />
“I don’t play those types of games, Max.”<br />
<br />
Shit! Not the appropriate comeback in a situation like this.<br />
<br />
His grip hardened, “Now! Tell me why you covered for me?”<br />
<br />
“Ow, let me go! I was only doing you a favor.”<br />
<br />
“I didn’t ask for handouts when I came here. What the fuck did David say to you!?”<br />
<br />
“He
said you were a good guy and I shouldn’t kill you; but obviously, he
has you mixed up with someone else because you’re a fucking lunatic!”<br />
<br />
“Oh.”<br />
<br />
“Oh?
You man-handle me and all you can say is oh?” Forget shocked, I was
furious. “For your information, Charlie is a friend, like a father, and
he’s extremely protective over me. Sometimes, he does background checks
on the people in my life. If he had seen you here, he would have done
one on you and on your vehicle. I assumed you wouldn’t want him snooping
around. Plus, if he did find something he didn't approve of, he
wouldn’t let me…”<br />
<br />
I instantly paused and thought if he
didn't stop this line of interrogation, I could say something I
shouldn't. My record of zero slip-ups since being placed in the Witness
Protection Program might be broken this very day.<br />
<br />
“Wouldn’t let you… what?”<br />
<br />
“Nothing.
He wouldn't want me staying here. Excuse me for trying to be
proactive.” If he thought he could talk to me or handle me however he
wanted, he had another thing coming. I straightened up before I leaned
forward, letting my hands slide up his chest until my fingers curled
over the top of his shoulders. His brow rose with interest, but I
ignored it. Pulling Max’s chest forward, I pressed my chest against his
to whisper into his ear. “Didn’t I tell you not to underestimate me?”<br />
<br />
Max
pulled back, slightly squinting as if he suddenly recalled something.
His eyes gazed intently on me and I was momentarily frozen. His lips
parted, and a rushed breath escaped his mouth as his finger curled
around a lock of my hair. He gathered it in his hand and pulled it away
from my shoulders. His face twisted in confusion before amusement
sparkled in his eyes. My unexpected heavy breathing seemed to match his
own.<br />
<br />
“Darling, I never underestimate anyone, but you...”<br />
<br />
“What? You think you know me? Don’t pretend to assess me either.”<br />
<br />
“Tell me, do you act this way every time you get pissed off? Because I think I could get used to it.”<br />
<br />
“Who pushed whom against the wall in a fit of anger?” I countered.<br />
<br />
His
full, pink lips curved into a small grin as he pierced me with his
amber brown eyes, the color of a light brandy. Like a cognac that slid
down your throat until it found the right spot and scorched your
insides. God, why did he have to be so damn sexy?<br />
<br />
My
fingers swiped over the taut muscles in his neck and I might have
murmured an audible sigh. I wasn’t sure. When his grin spread wider, I
knew I was caught. It had been far too long since I'd been intimate with
a man, and standing that close to him, inhaling so much testosterone,
became too much for me to handle. He being a jackass didn't make much
difference at that moment.<br />
<br />
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Witness-to-my-Heart.jpg" href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Witness-to-my-Heart.jpg"><img alt="Witness to my Heart" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-41881" data-mce-src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Witness-to-my-Heart.jpg" src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Witness-to-my-Heart.jpg" height="200" width="130" /></a></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Keep
a low profile. That's what Abigale Peterson was supposed to do,
especially when the person she was being protected from was one of the
world's worst crime lords. After seven years in the Witness Protection
Program, she felt no safer now than she did when she was seventeen.
Revenge was rarely forgotten when it came to a professional criminal
like Zerilli.<br />
<br />
Low profiles meant no social life and definitely no love life.<br />
<br />
Paranoia
and lies became daily habits, going against everything Abigale believed
in, but they kept her safe. They kept everyone safe.<br />
<br />
Until
a house fire puts her out of that safety and into the arms of a
stranger. Max Smith is sexy, smart, and has major attitude. He’s the
only one who seems to get her. He calms her fears and comforts her from
her nightmares. But he also sees right through her lies.<br />
<br />
Before
Abigale can stop, she’s in too deep; confiding too much and breaking
the one rule she promised herself to uphold: Never fall in love.<br />
<br />
Bu<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">y Now @ <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Witness-my-Heart-Loni-Flowers-ebook/dp/B00MLN4IFW" href="http://www.amazon.com/Witness-my-Heart-Loni-Flowers-ebook/dp/B00MLN4IFW" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000; text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Genre – Contemporary Romance</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000; text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Rating – R</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000; text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>More details about <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Loni-Flowers/e/B00JOF1XYO/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1" href="http://www.amazon.com/Loni-Flowers/e/B00JOF1XYO/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1" target="_blank">the author</a></i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000; text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Connect with Loni Flowers through<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a data-mce-href="https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLoniFlowers" href="https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLoniFlowers" target="_blank">Facebook</a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>&<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a data-mce-href="https://twitter.com/LoniFlowers" href="https://twitter.com/LoniFlowers" target="_blank">Twitter</a></span></span></div>
Quality Reads UKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03216387289293473067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464961794793936187.post-59913214863723957632014-10-09T08:00:00.000-04:002014-10-09T11:34:04.617-04:00Madi Brown on People Being Visual and Book Covers @Madithe1brown #AmWriting #SelfPub #Wwed<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: cyan;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Why Book Covers Are So Important</b></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Unless
you don't have eyes, people are visual. If there's a handsome guy
sitting across from me during my daily commute on the train, I'm going
to look. If I'm away on vacation, I'm going to appreciate the beautiful
sights around me, because I know that I'm there to relax. If my mom
bakes one of her yummy peach cobblers, I'm going to feast on it with my
eyes first, and then I'm going to devour it. In the world of books, book
covers work in the same way. There are probably millions of them out
there, but most readers are only looking for one title. Just think, your
book cover is going to be the very first thing that a buyer will see.
If you're suddenly feeling the pressure of of just how important a book
cover really might be, then continue to read on.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">“I've
penned a stellar novel. People are going to love me once they read what
I've written.” Plenty of authors are probably thinking the exact same
thing. But how are you going to let people know about this stellar body
of work that you've just created? I'll tell you how. You're going to
have a fabulous book cover that will make your book stand out from the
rest. And don’t worry, I get it. Writers aren't book designers, but
here's where you bring in someone to help with bringing your vision to
life. Outsourcing can be your new best friend.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">How to Find a Book Cover Designer That Fits Your Needs</span></b></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'm pretty infatuated with the book cover for my debut novel,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><b>The Truth About Emily</b>,
but it wasn't a one step process of knowing what I wanted straight
away. It started with me doing research. Think about your storyline or
nonfiction topic. Jot down some ideas so that you have a place of
reference to pull from. Do you have a title already? Great. If you do,
then keep that in mind too, because it's another source. Now go online
and begin looking at other people's book covers. Are they popular
authors? Ask yourself what it is, if anything, that's drawing your eyes
to it. How do you feel about the colors, the images, the font style, and
the font size? Also, check out some of the books that you've previously
purchased; specifically on the strength of its book cover. What caused
you to click on buying it? Next up, what you want to do, is take all of
that information and keep it somewhere safe. We'll come back to it.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Now
you'll need to find yourself a competent book cover designer. Fiverr
(an online company that will do almost any task for you for $5.00) has
loads of people on there who can assist you for a bargain, but just
remember that most of those people specialize in quantity over quality.
By this, I mean that you might end up with a book cover identical to
someone else or it may have an appearance that looks manufactured. This
isn’t to say that there aren’t some gems on there, but you'll have to
diligently seek them out. As for myself, I chose to go with a
freelancer. I was drawn to the element of selection in having access to a
host of talented designers with exceptional portfolios and being able
to make a choice based on a price that I’ve set. My final winning pick
was Gavin Pledger, Creative Soutions King).</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">By
now ,you’ve found yourself a book cover designer (as far as the work
contract is concerned, make sure that you add in how many times they’re
willing to revise. Negotiate a flat fee). The first thing that they’ll
want to know is what creative direction you’d like them to go in. This
is when you whip out the notes that you’ve been compiling for your
project. It’s your starting point. Don't be afraid to let them know what
works for you, and what doesn’t. A really good book cover designer will
be as excited as you are in getting right!</span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/truthaboutemily.jpg" href="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/truthaboutemily.jpg"><img alt="truthaboutemily" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-41632" data-mce-src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/truthaboutemily.jpg" src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/truthaboutemily.jpg" height="200" width="130" /></a></span></span></div>
<div data-mce-style="color: #000000; text-align: center;" id="outer_postBodyPS" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div id="postBodyPS">
<h2 data-mce-style="color: #cc6600;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">"If you LOVE New York, if you’re a
name-dropping, fashion fiend careerist; fed up with serial dating,
plagued with a thirst for sex, then you’ll totally stalk me for what
I've penned.” - Author, Madi Brown</span></span></h2>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Description</i></span></span></h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">29-year-old
Emily Greene looks the part, but she’s still working on becoming a
modern-day woman. Not that she’s one to back down from a challenge, but
living as an eternal work-in-progress wasn't exactly the goal that she
had in mind. It’s a harsh but true realization---the idea that that time
isn't on her side, and the notion that wanting to have it all, doesn't
mean getting it. The verdict is in; with zero prospects for a
relationship and a stalled blogging career, Emily has every reason to
believe that she’s been living a life too humdrum for her own good.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Making
the change won’t be easy. She’ll have to do whatever it takes; start
dating like a man, become more selective about which RSVP's she accepts,
and work even harder at getting her dream job.The payoff’s huge; a
modern twist on a storybook ending, but gains don’t often come without
risks. In the here and now Emily just may be forced to choose...It’s got
to be one or the other----the profession that she’s always wanted, or
the love that she’s never had.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">˃˃˃ Praise for Madi Brown & </span></span></h3>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">her debut novel, The Truth About Emily</span></span></h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">"The
added depth of character promises complexity but wraps everything in
the saucy cloak of Emily's evolving personality and newfound beliefs
about life, love, and the real nature of happiness. And this is where
The Truth About Emily outshines many competitors, making it a
recommended read for those seeking more than a standard romance novel." <i>- D. Donovan, eBook Reviewer, Midwest Book Reviews</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">"This
book has just about anything a girl would love to read about. If
there's anything Emily Greene has is ISH and lots of it, oh the
ending... This book is a total keeper, just anything about fashion to
relationships to friends and family." <i>- Y. Sanchez, Goodreads</i></span></span></div>
</div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000; text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Buy Now @ <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Truth-About-Emily-Madi-Brown-ebook/dp/B00MNIL5TW" href="http://www.amazon.com/Truth-About-Emily-Madi-Brown-ebook/dp/B00MNIL5TW" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000; text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Genre – Contemporary Women's Fiction</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000; text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Rating – PG18</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000; text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>More details about <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Madi-Brown/e/B00MNMD2ZS/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1" href="http://www.amazon.com/Madi-Brown/e/B00MNMD2ZS/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1" target="_blank">the author</a></i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" data-mce-style="color: #000000; text-align: center;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Connect</b> with Madi Brown on <a data-mce-href="https://www.facebook.com/Madibrown.combooksandblog" href="https://www.facebook.com/Madibrown.combooksandblog" target="_blank">Facebook</a> & <a data-mce-href="https://twitter.com/Madithe1brown" href="https://twitter.com/Madithe1brown" target="_blank">Twitter</a></span></span></div>
Quality Reads UKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03216387289293473067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464961794793936187.post-44373801504977375272014-09-30T11:00:00.000-04:002014-09-30T11:00:01.035-04:00@ShelleyDavidow's #WriteTip on Handling the Business of Rejection #AmWriting #YA<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans'; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">So,
you’ve written your novel and printed it out and it’s been through
twenty seven drafts, and nothing, not a single word, is out of place.
It’s been honed and crafted over the past two years, and your family and
friends are asking the unanswerable question: so, when’s it going to be
published?</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans'; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Of
course you can’t answer that yet, because you haven’t even sent it out.
And even as you peel off the sticky stuff to seal the big padded
envelope that will carry your novel to its destination, you can feel,
bubbling under the surface of desperate hope and anticipation, a black
cauldron of fear beginning to simmer: the fear of rejection. What if the
publisher (who may have even requested to see the manuscript after
reading an initial few chapters), rejects you?</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans'; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">After
twenty-two years in the industry, and 38 books published by both big
publishers and small independent presses alike, I can say with some
certainty that being a novelist means in fact, to be in the business of
rejection. Mostly. And that takes guts, or hide, or tenacity. And a
certain amount of skill: we have to be able to discern things like,
after ten rejections, is there a problem with the book, or a problem
with the publishers, (perhaps I’m sending to big houses that are only
accepting unsolicited manuscripts in very specific genres and I’ve
mis-sent my book), or out of all the rejections, it’s clear not a single
person has actually read my manuscript, or maybe the book really does
fall flat and isn’t living up to what it needs to be. Here are a few
tips to help minimise the number of rejections, and dealing with them
when they come.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans'; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>To Minimise the Sheer Number of ‘Dear Author, Unfortunately…’ letters:</b><b> </b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans'; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">1)
Choose publishers very carefully. Look at exactly what they publish and
make sure it’s as close to a perfect match as possible.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans'; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">2)
Make sure your query letter specifically addresses why this particular
publisher may find your book a good fit, and why you want to publish
with them.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans'; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">3)
Dream big, but don’t pass up the opportunity of working with a small or
mid-sized press. They often offer unparalleled dedication and
commitment to making a success out of a book.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans'; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">4)
Submit to several publishers at once if you can find them. (Many
publishers don’t want simultaneous submissions, but if you send out a
novel to one place at a time, you may be 144 years old before your work
is accepted). I’ve had thousands of rejections, and 38 acceptances and
I’ve never had two publishers say yes to the same book at the same time!</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans'; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Dealing with Rejection:</b><b> </b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans'; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">1) Open a folder (either on your computer or in your paper filing cabinet) under ‘R’ for ‘rejections.’ Start your collection.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans'; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">2)
If there is anything more than ‘Dear Author, thanks but no thanks’ in
the rejection letter, get over the disappointment of not being
discovered as the next JK Rowling, and then be happy that someone thinks
your work is worthy of a response! Read over the reasons for the
rejection. Decide whether there are some points that seem helpful and/or
true, which you could use to make your work better or more appropriate.
Decide whether you have written something that you believe in, or
whether this is best regarded as a practise run.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans'; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">3)
Finally, sometimes getting published is a matter of believing in what
you’ve written so much, that you’re willing to wait twelve years through
one hundred and eighteen rejection slips before you find someone who
believes in your work. (Been there, done that!) Sometimes the only way
to deal with rejection is to send your work out to another ten places so
that it’s always out there.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans'; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The difference between someone who gets published and someone who doesn’t, is sometimes simply persistence! Good luck out there.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans'; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans'; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><img src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/LightsOverEmeraldCreek.jpg" /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans'; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Lucy
Wright, sixteen and a paraplegic after a recent car accident that took
her mother’s life, lives in Queensland on a 10,000 acre farm with her
father. When Lucy investigates strange lights over the creek at the
bottom of the property, she discovers a mystery that links the lights to
the science of cymatics and Scotland’s ancient Rosslyn Chapel.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans'; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">But
beyond the chapel is an even larger mystery. One that links the music
the chapel contains to Norway’s mysterious Hessdalen lights, and beyond
that to Saturn and to the stars. Lucy’s discoveries catapult her into a
parallel universe connected to our own by means of resonance and sound,
where a newly emerging world trembles on the edge of disaster. As
realities divide, her mission in this new world is revealed and she
finds herself part of a love story that will span the galaxy.</span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans'; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Buy Now @ <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IK4D2QW" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans'; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Genre - Young Adult SF</i></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans'; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Rating - PG</i></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans'; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>More details about <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?_encoding=UTF8&field-author=Shelley%20Davidow&search-alias=digital-text&sort=relevancerank" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">the author</a></i></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Open Sans'; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b style="line-height: 1.5em;">Connect</b><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> with Shelley Davidow on </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/ShelleyDavidow" style="line-height: 1.5em; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Facebook</a> & <a href="https://twitter.com/shelleydavidow" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Twitter</a></span></div>
Quality Reads UKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03216387289293473067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464961794793936187.post-67000983950605512002014-09-20T11:00:00.000-04:002014-09-21T18:24:47.961-04:00Mary Frame's 8 Tips for Writers to Avoid Self-Loathing & Despair @marewulf #AmWriting #Romance<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Eight tips to help writers avoid falling into a well of self-loathing and despair</b></span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Tip One: Read about writing.</b></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Once
I finished my first novel and realized how much it stank, the first
thing I did was head to my local library and check out everything I
could find about the craft of writing. I highly recommend <i>Writing Fiction for Dummies</i> by Randy Ingermanson and <i>Beginnings, Middles, Ends</i> by
Nancy Kress. There’s something to be said about taking control of a
problem (i.e. I’m a horrible writer!) and turning it into action (I can
get better!).</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Tip Two: Go to a writer’s conference.</b></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This
might not be possible for everyone, depending on budget, but it’s worth
looking into. You might be able to find one more affordable than you
think! My local community college hosts writing conferences every year,
and it’s less than $100. If you have that amount money to spare, it’s
worth it. You get to meet other local writers (unless you’re like me and
get all sweaty and nervous when you try to chat up people you’ve never
met before), and they bring in all types of people from the industry to
present various topics about writing and the publishing industry.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Tip Three: Read early and often and read a variety.</b></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Read
in your genre. Read outside your genre. Read books by seasoned authors
and read books by new indie authors. Being able to distinguish between
what makes a book good or bad, what you enjoy and what you don’t will
make your writing stronger.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Tip Four: Connect with other writers.</b></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Look
for writing groups in your area. Find your NaNo writing group. If
you’re like me and start getting all anxious when you think about
meeting other writers in person, find beta readers online. Writing is a
solitary pursuit, but having someone to vent and share with is necessary
to avoid jabbing your eyes out with a pencil when the going gets tough
(and it will!).</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Tip Five: Don’t beat yourself up too much</b>.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Writing
is tough. It takes time. You’re going to suck sometimes, and that’s
okay. Forgive yourself and move on. The only way to write better is to
keep writing.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Tip Six: Recognize that nothing you write is a waste of time.</b></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Writing
is hard. They say it takes a million words before you start writing
well, and that was about accurate for me. Even if you have to toss six
books before you write something you’re proud of, those books are the
ones that helped you become the writer you are today. No regrets!</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Tip Seven: Take care of yourself</b></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A
healthy body is a healthy mind. If you find yourself tired and unable
to come up with anything to write about, take a walk. Do something
physical, get those juices flowing. Drinking copious amounts of vodka
may have worked for Edgar Allen Poe, but I find that keeping myself
healthy and clean makes my mind sharper and more able to handle those
pesky plot holes.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Tip Eight: Last but most importantly, keep writing.</b></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Don’t
give up! Ever! If you’re stuck, write through it. If you’re sick of
your book, write through it. If you feel like you’re going to vomit all
over your laptop/computer/pad of paper/typewriter, write through it. No
one ever told me it would take me so long to learn the craft of writing
and that it would be so hard. It is, but it’s worth it. Keep going.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Imperfect-Chemistry.jpg" /></span></span></div>
<div id="outer_postBodyPS" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;">
<div id="postBodyPS">
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Lucy
London puts the word genius to shame. Having obtained her PhD in
microbiology by the age of twenty, she’s amassed a wealth of knowledge,
but one subject still eludes her—people. The pendulum of passions
experienced by those around her both confuses and intrigues her, so when
she’s offered a grant to study emotion as a pathogen, she jumps on the
opportunity.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When
her attempts to come up with an actual experiment quickly drop from
lackluster to nonexistent, she’s given a choice: figure out how to
conduct a groundbreaking study on passion, or lose both the grant and
her position at the university. Put on leave until she can crack the
perfect proposal, she finds there’s only one way she can study emotions:
by experiencing them herself.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Enter
Jensen Walker, Lucy’s neighbor and the one person on the planet she
finds strangely and maddeningly appealing. Jensen’s life is the stuff of
campus legend, messy, emotional, complicated—in short, the perfect
starting point for Lucy’s study. When her tenaciousness wears him down
and he consents to help her, sparks fly. To her surprise, Lucy finds
herself battling with her own emotions, as foreign as they are intense.
With the clock ticking on her deadline, Lucy must decide what’s more
important: analyzing her passions…or giving in to them?</span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Buy Now @ <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Imperfect-Chemistry-Book-1-ebook/dp/B00JTJQRNW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1402862991&sr=8-1&keywords=imperfect+chemistry" style="text-decoration: none;">Amazon</a></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Genre - Romantic Comedy</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Rating – PG-13</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>More details about <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Frame/e/B00JTKVG46/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1" style="text-decoration: none;">the author</a></i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Connect</b> with Mary Frame through <a href="http://www.facebook.com/AuthorMaryFrame" style="text-decoration: none;">Facebook</a> & <a href="http://www.twitter.com/marewulf" style="text-decoration: none;">Twitter</a></span></span></div>
Quality Reads UKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03216387289293473067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464961794793936187.post-56089244276730867042014-09-20T10:00:00.000-04:002014-09-21T18:20:16.705-04:00A LADY IN FRANCE #Excerpt by Jennie Goutet @ALadyInFrance #AmReading #Memoir #France<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The new house felt like <i>The Chronicles of Narnia</i>,
with its walk-in closets and hiding spaces. I even pretended that by
pushing through the coats in the deep closet, I would be able to enter a
new land of magic. But my fingers touched the wall every time.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There
were three floors, plus a basement full of nooks and crannies. We had a
backyard, and then what we called the “way back.” Even the “way back”
had a “way back” because the fence was broken down, and we could run for
a distance in a wooded area before seeing the backs of neighboring
houses. There was the loft above the garage, with a ladder in the shed
to climb up. And there were the cubby holes cut out of the flimsy
plywood walls in the attic—the cut-out sections matching the wall
perfectly, and held in place by a couple of nails. There were closets
upon closets (oh, how one misses that living in France), and there were
even large drawers in the hallway where we used to keep our dirty
clothes to be washed, and sometimes stow away in when playing
hide-and-seek.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Since
the house was somewhat run-down, we renovated the rooms in a joint
family effort, thoroughly gutting and re-doing one room each summer. My
father and brother pounded the plaster until it fell off the lath board
onto the floor. Then we all scooped it up with snow shovels, put it in
boxes and carried it outside to be picked up by the garbage truck. My
father redid the wiring behind the walls, and worked alongside my
brother as they nailed up fresh sheetrock, applied joint compound, then
sanded and painted the room.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My
mother stood outside in the sun with the baseboard and window trim
balanced on two sawhorses. She burned the paint with a small electric
grill, and scraped it off the wood—the old, cracked paint now bubbling
and pliable. Then she sanded and painted everything so that the trim was
smooth and white. When everything was in place—the trim, the freshly
painted walls, the new outlets—the room became a blank canvas, ready to
tell the story of our family with all the things we put in it. In this
way, we conquered the house, one room at a time, and put our stamp on
it.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We
went to “the Farm” each week, which was forty-five minutes away. There
we borrowed land from a friend so we could grow vegetables and freeze
them for the winter. Jeff threw green beans at Mark to tease him while
we were picking and weeding until my father yelled, “Knock it off!” and
we all suppressed our giggles. When the four of us were released from
our duties, we ran through the tall grass, coming out of it with our
pants wet from the spit bugs.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“He’s
around the bend!” I yelled to Jeff as I dodged Mark’s grasping hands in
our game of chase around the house—little kids against the big kids.
“Stephanie’s around the corner!” my brother yelled back, laughing. These
were the names we made up for specific areas of our house so that we
could warn each other of where we might get caught.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Stephanie
and I played dolls and pretended our bed was a boat, a safe haven from
the waters surrounding it. Jeff and Mark experimented with the
tape-recorder, recording funny voices and loud burps and their own
laughter. The four of us played together, swinging around the six white
columns on the front porch, and building lean-tos in the back with the
extra planks of wood lying around. And in the winter, we all went
outside after school to the “way back,” which was set on a hill. There
we navigated our sleds around the trees, laughing gleefully as we zipped
over the snowy moguls before skidding into a halt against the fence at
the bottom.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We
stayed there until it was dark, sometimes lying quietly on our sleds,
looking upwards at the black branches set against the purple sky,
feeling the snowflakes settle softly on our faces. Eventually it started
to get too quiet, too cold and dark, and we deposited our sleds in the
shed next to the garage and traipsed towards the house, my mother’s face
framed by the light of the kitchen window as she prepared dinner.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">At
the symphony, the tuning ‘A’ caught my attention every time as the
discordant sounds of all the instruments playing independently fell
obediently in tune with the principal violinist. We were at the concert
hall often, sometimes as much as once a week, and the space felt like a
second home. When Jeff won a local competition at the age of sixteen, to
appear as a guest pianist alongside my father’s symphony, I sat,
breathless in excitement and anxiety, as he played Rachmaninoff’s “Third
Piano Concerto.” He looked so small as he walked across the stage, but
he confidently flipped the back of his suit jacket before sitting on the
bench, after which he rattled the difficult piece off flawlessly.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I
always felt privileged as we wound our way down the box seats after the
symphony concert had concluded, taking the back stairwell with everyone
else, but turning to the private door that accessed the backstage.
There my father joked with the other brass players light-heartedly,
showing us a side of him we rarely saw at home. Everyone called each
other by their nicknames: Stevie, Brucie, Johnny, Dougie, Petey… Do you
think classical musicians are serious? They are not—at least not the
brass.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/ALadyInFrance.jpg" /></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">At
seventeen, Jennie Goutet has a dream that she will one day marry a
French man and sets off to Avignon in search of him. Though her dream
eludes her, she lives boldly—teaching in Asia, studying in Paris,
working and traveling for an advertising firm in New York.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When
God calls her, she answers reluctantly, and must first come to grips
with depression, crippling loss, and addiction before being restored.
Serendipity takes her by the hand as she marries her French husband,
works with him in a humanitarian effort in East Africa, before settling
down in France and building a family.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Told
with honesty and strength, A Lady in France is a brave, heart- stopping
story of love, grief, faith, depression, sunshine piercing the gray
clouds—and hope that stays in your heart long after it’s finished.</span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Buy Now @ <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lady-France-Jennie-Goutet-ebook/dp/B00H589LZA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1393345759&sr=8-1&keywords=a+lady+in+france&tag=booaremag-20" style="text-decoration: none;">Amazon</a></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Genre – Memoir</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Rating – PG-13</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>More details about <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jennie-Goutet/e/B00FU7P4SQ/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">the author</a></i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Connect</b> with Jennie Goutet on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/aladyinfrance" style="text-decoration: none;">Facebook</a> & <a href="https://www.twitter.com/aladyinfrance" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Twitter</a></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Website <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://aladyinfrance.com&usd=2&usg=ALhdy29XAw0w3HjRb7VwTBzaWLVHhCp3pA" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://aladyinfrance.com</a></b></span></span></div>
Quality Reads UKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03216387289293473067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4464961794793936187.post-14930112376986708152014-09-13T08:30:00.000-04:002015-02-06T04:02:36.044-05:00ANNA'S SECRET by @MargaretWestlie #GoodReads #HistFic #Mystery <div class="Bodyparagraph" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-CA">“Someone’s
gone to great pains to leave her comfortable.” Angus stared down at
Anna. He was a church elder, and because of his wisdom, the unspoken
head of the community. The ten minutes since Neil had arrived with his
news had seemed an hour.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="Bodyparagraph" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-CA">“Aye,
they have indeed.” Duncan regarded the neatness of Anna’s grey drugget
dress arranged modestly around her ankles, her folded hands lying across
her abdomen. “It’s more than she deserved.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="Bodyparagraph" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-CA">“Hush now, Duncan, it’s bad luck to speak ill of the dead.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="Bodyparagraph" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-CA">“Yes, Duncan, she might come back and haunt you,” said Hector, his pale blue eyes quite serious.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="Bodyparagraph" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-CA">“Och,
Hector, you’re always thinking of ghosts.” Angus shook his grey head.
“The poor thing probably has more to do than come back and haunt the
likes of you.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="Bodyparagraph" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-CA">“She’s likely dancing in the hot place wishing for a bigger fan,” said Duncan.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="Bodyparagraph" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-CA">A
giggle erupted from Neil who had been hovering at the periphery of the
small group of men. Angus looked hard at Duncan. “No more of that talk
now, in front of children.” He squatted down beside Anna. “Is this the
way you found her, Neil?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="Bodyparagraph" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-CA">“Yes, sir.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="Bodyparagraph" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-CA">“You didn’t touch her?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="Bodyparagraph" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-CA">“No, sir, only to shake her arm to see if she had just fallen asleep. She was stiff with the cold.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="Bodyparagraph" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-CA">Angus regarded Anna for another moment. “Help me turn her over, then.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="Bodyparagraph" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-CA">The
three men knelt and turned her onto her left side. A small swarm of
flies rose from their feast of sticky blood left on the pillow of yellow
straw that had supported her head.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="Bodyparagraph" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-CA">“It must have been someone who cared about her to take such trouble with her remains,” said Hector.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="Bodyparagraph" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-CA">“Aye, it’s as if she was being put to bed,” agreed Angus.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="Bodyparagraph" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-CA">“One more time,” said Duncan.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="Bodyparagraph" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-CA">“Who’s going to tell Ian?” asked Hector.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="Bodyparagraph" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-CA">“I will,” said Angus. “He’s my own cousin and we’ve known each other since we were schoolboys.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="Bodyparagraph" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-CA">“But we’re his cousins, too,” said Duncan.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="Bodyparagraph" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-CA">“Nevertheless, I will tell him. You two will follow with Anna’s remains.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="Bodyparagraph" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-CA">“We need something to carry her on,” said Hector.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="Bodyparagraph" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-CA">“There’s the door to Murdoch’s house that’s fallen in,” said Neil.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="Bodyparagraph" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-CA">“Run, then, and be quick about it. Go with him, Hector, he’ll not be able to carry it by himself.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="Bodyparagraph" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-CA">Hector
and Neil set out across the field where they had worked side by side
with Ian only a few days before. The oats had been thick that summer and
the straw had been plentiful, its shadowy roots home to field mice and
grass snakes and crickets. Murdoch’s house had long stood vacant, its
windows broken and its door fallen off its leather hinges. The roof had
blown off in a winter gale three years ago and now the whole structure
sat at a crazy angle not quite ready to fall into its cellar.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="Bodyparagraph" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-CA">“You’re
lighter than I am,” said Hector. “Go in and get the other end of the
door, but mind where you step, it’s none of it very stable.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="Bodyparagraph" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-CA">The
floor creaked and moved even under Neil’s slight weight. A few moments
of careful manoeuvring freed the door from its bed of fallen rafters. In
a few minutes Hector and Neil returned to the others.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="Bodyparagraph" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-CA">Neil
watched as Hector, Duncan and Angus loaded Anna’s remains onto the grey
planks of the door. A smear of blood darkened the wood as they
positioned her head for the journey home.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="Bodyparagraph" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-CA">Hector shuddered. “Old Annie said this door would be smeared with the blood of the just.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="Bodyparagraph" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-CA">“Will you stop it, Hector,” said Duncan. “When did she say that?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="Bodyparagraph" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-CA">“The winter before Murdoch left for the Boston States.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="Bodyparagraph" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-CA">“That’s years ago, and Annie’s senile.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="Bodyparagraph" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-CA">“Not then she wasn’t. She said it as plain as day. I was there and I heard her.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="Bodyparagraph" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-CA">“And what did Murdoch think of all that?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="Bodyparagraph" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-CA">“There’s some say that’s the reason he left the Island.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="Bodyparagraph" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-CA"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="Bodyparagraph" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-CA"><img src="http://www.orangeberrybooktours.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/annasSecret.jpg" /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Anna
Gillis, the midwife and neighbour in Mattie’s Story, has been found
killed. The close-knit community is deeply shaken by this eruption of
violence, and neighbours come together to help one another and to
discover the perpetrator. But the answer lies Anna’s secret, long
guarded by Old Annie, the last of the original Selkirk Settlers, and the
protagonist of An Irregular Marriage. Join the community! Read Anna’s
Secret and other novels by Margaret A. Westlie.</span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Buy Now @ <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IEEXUMO" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Amazon</a> & <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/418795" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Smashwords</a></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Genre – Fiction, mystery, historical</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Rating – G</i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>More details about <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Margaret-Westlie/e/B00HZRKK10" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">the author</a></i></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <b>Connect</b> with Margaret Westlie on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/margaretwestlienovelist" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Facebook</a> & <a href="https://twitter.com/MargaretWestlie" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Twitter</a></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Website <a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.margaretwestlie.com&usd=2&usg=ALhdy29ilE1Iu2yMnk-3FJ1ZhE-qq3C3Qg" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://www.margaretwestlie.com</a></b></span></span></div>
Quality Reads UKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03216387289293473067noreply@blogger.com0