tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-192071942024-03-07T04:21:32.516-05:00Kat's BlogWelcome to my blog. This blog deals with my many adventures as an author and my absolute obsession with Greek mythology.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02676691132983882122noreply@blogger.comBlogger578125truetag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19207194.post-73394566102012334512014-09-24T04:30:00.000-04:002014-09-24T04:30:00.430-04:00Spotlighting Delilah Devlin!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidSOJMiqSSyJ7NysWhPhcOJ6Jtw9C61-89DG7cKJBRBa-QZ75_pBXqPXn4aENIseiJPtV-cjJhEjKqRFQAgbPodDq-iYahwNzVUE3sloUItVOkQ-QL5nFomDlS706r7JlH2CWr0A/s1600/spotlight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidSOJMiqSSyJ7NysWhPhcOJ6Jtw9C61-89DG7cKJBRBa-QZ75_pBXqPXn4aENIseiJPtV-cjJhEjKqRFQAgbPodDq-iYahwNzVUE3sloUItVOkQ-QL5nFomDlS706r7JlH2CWr0A/s1600/spotlight.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>I am so pleased to spotlight Delilah Devlin this week. This woman is a real gem. And the book is a whole collection of gems by Delilah and several other authors. Plus sexy men in kilts.:-)</b></span><br />
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<h2 class="pagetitle" id="post-13" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(195, 39, 38); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20pt; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 5px; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 25px auto 5px; padding-bottom: 2px; text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase;">
<span style="background-color: white;">AVAILABLE OCTOBER 14, 2014</span></h2>
<div class="entrytext" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.6666660308838px; text-align: justify;">
<img alt="Hot Highlanders" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-14" height="300" src="http://hothighlanders.delilahscollections.com/files/2014/08/HotHighlanders-206x300.jpg" style="border: 0px; float: right; margin: 5px 0px 5px 15px;" width="206" /><span style="background-color: white;">Edited by Delilah Devlin<br />Cleis Press<br />ISBN-10: 1940550025<br />ISBN-13: 9781940550022<br />Format: Trade Paperback<br />On Sale: October 14, 2014</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><strong>Pre-Order Trade Paperback</strong><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=1940550025" style="color: #8d1812; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbninquiry.asp?ean=9781940550022" style="color: #8d1812; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a><br /><a href="http://www.booksamillion.com/product/9781940550022" style="color: #8d1812; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Books-A-Million</a><br /><a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781940550022" style="color: #8d1812; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Indiebound</a><br /><a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/book/9781940550022" style="color: #8d1812; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">The Book Depository</a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><strong>Pre-Order Ebook</strong><br /><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/hot-highlanders/id826815082?mt=11" style="color: #8d1812; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">iBooks</a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Men devoting themselves to their true love through the art of courtly love is the ultimate in romance. <em>Hot Highlanders and Wild Warriors</em> is filled with wild knights and Scottish warriors whose courage on the battlefield is outmatched only by their ardor for their ladyloves! Readers will unleash their fantasies of olden days where men wearing heavy armor or thick tartans sent a spirited young maiden’s (or lonely widow’s) heart fluttering. These bravehearts were prized for their physical strength and men were judged for their fierce loyalty and unshakeable honor. Crusaders, highlanders, Normans and Saxons, tournament fighters, vikings, and hunky Mongols astride stallions in search of adventure and love all populate the pages of this steamy read.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">TABLE OF CONTENTS:</span></h3>
<span style="background-color: white;"><strong>“Pleasure in Surrender”</strong> by <a href="http://www.delilahdevlin.com/" style="color: #8d1812; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Delilah Devlin</a><br />After the lady of the keep bars her gates to the barbarian the king commands she wed, the half-Viking knight scales the walls of her heart</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><strong>“Wicked”</strong> by <a href="http://www.susannahchapin.com/" style="color: #8d1812; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Susannah Chapin</a><br />The strong-willed daughter of a Scottish Laird learns it isn’t <em>her</em> surrender her father’s most powerful but wounded warrior craves</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><strong>“The Keeper of the Keys”</strong> by Axa Lee<br />A Briton queen learns to lay aside the household keys of her responsibilities and ask her Saxon warlord husband for what she craves</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><strong>“The Maiden’s Kiss”</strong> by <a href="http://laylachase.com/" style="color: #8d1812; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Layla Chase</a><br />A Viking warrior tempts fate and his own control when an Icelandic maiden asks to be tutored in the art of kissing</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><strong>“My Loveliest Vision”</strong> by <a href="http://eradhika.com/" style="color: #8d1812; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Renee Luke</a><br />Despite a daunting affliction, the lady of the keep will protect her father’s holdings from a resolute knight come to claim what he was promised</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><strong>“The Invasion of Nefyn”</strong> by <a href="http://www.lizzieashworth.com/" style="color: #8d1812; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Lizzie Ashworth</a><br />A Briton woman risks rape and death at the hands of invading Saxons in hopes of a visit from her warrior husband</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><strong>“The Promise of Memory”</strong> by <a href="http://kammerotica.com/" style="color: #8d1812; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Regina Kammer</a><br />A Roman slave finds freedom in fantasies of a knight in the imperial guard—a warrior who evokes memories of a long lost love</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><strong>“On My Honor”</strong> by Beatrix Ellroy<br />When a wounded knight is offered sanctuary by a widowed healer, the pleasure she also offers may strain his honor</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><strong>“A Hawk in Flight”</strong> by Connie Wilkins<br />The Lady of Aragotsotn paid tribute to the Mongol conqueror to save her people, but her falcon-fierce heart remains undefeated—though it might be won</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><strong>“To Love a King’s Man”</strong> by <a href="http://emmajayromance.com/" style="color: #8d1812; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Emma Jay</a><br />At the Highland Games of 1589, a young widow risks all for a chance to win the love of a bastard favored by the king</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><strong>“The Bodyguard”</strong> by <a href="http://jacquelinebrocker.net/" style="color: #8d1812; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Jacqueline Brocker</a><br />As a ninja stalks through the palace corridors, the daughter of a samurai lord is drawn to her wounded, pensive bodyguard</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><strong>“Broken Vows”</strong> by <a href="http://www.anyarichards.com/" style="color: #8d1812; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Anya Richards</a><br />A marriage of convenience leads to most inconvenient desires and a threat to one knight’s immortal soul</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><strong>“Poetry and Amber”</strong> by Axa Lee<br />A mighty passion ignites along the Volga River between a Celtic witch and the Rus king to whom she’s been traded</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><strong>“The Squire”</strong> by <a href="http://www.celawinter.com/" style="color: #8d1812; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Cela Winter</a><br />While traveling in France, a knight’s secretive new squire makes him question everything he knows about himself</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">ABOUT THE EDITOR</span></h3>
<span style="background-color: white;"><b>Delilah Devlin</b> is a <em>New York Times</em> and <i>USA Today</i> bestselling author of erotica and erotic romance. She has published over a hundred thirty erotic stories in multiple genres and lengths, and is published by Atria/Strebor, Avon, Berkley, Black Lace, Cleis Press, Ellora’s Cave, Harlequin Spice, HarperCollins: Mischief, Kensington, Montlake, Running Press, and Samhain Publishing. In May 2014, she adds Grand Central to her list of publishers when <i>Her Only Desire</i> releases!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Her short stories have appeared in multiple Cleis Press collections, including <i>Lesbian Cowboys</i>, <i>Girl Crush</i>, <i>Fairy Tale Lust</i>, <i>Lesbian Lust</i>, <i>Passion</i>, <i>Lesbian Cops</i>, <i>Dream Lover</i>,<i>Carnal Machines</i>, <i>Best Erotic Romance (2012)</i>, <i>Suite Encounters, Girl Fever</i>, <i>Girls Who Score</i>, <i>Duty and Desire</i> and <i>Best Lesbian Romance of 2013.</i> For Cleis Press, she edited 2011’s <i>Girls Who Bite</i>, and 2012’s <i>She Shifters</i> and <i>Cowboy Lust</i>. In 2013, she added<i>Smokin’ Hot Firemen</i> and <i>High Octane Heroes</i>.</span><br />
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<i style="background-color: white; color: #500050; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: 'Lucida Bright', serif; font-size: 18pt;">Delilah Devlin</span></i><i style="background-color: white; color: #500050; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">New York Times </span></i><span style="background-color: white; color: #500050; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; text-align: start;">and<i> USA Today </i>Bestselling Author</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #c00000; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12.5pt; line-height: normal; text-align: start;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #c00000; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; text-align: start;">Get in bed with Delilah. Everyone else has!</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #500050; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; text-align: start;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #500050; font-family: Ravie; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; text-align: start;">*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~<wbr></wbr>*~*~*~*~*~*</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #c00000; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; text-align: start;">Hot Highlanders and Wild Warriors </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #500050; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; text-align: start;">– Cleis Press, Coming October! </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #c00000; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; text-align: start;"> <br />His Every Fantasy</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #500050; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; text-align: start;"> – Forever Yours, Available Now </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #c00000; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; text-align: start;"><br />Hot Alpha Heroes </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; text-align: start;">– Boxed set,</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #500050; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; text-align: start;"> Available Now<span style="color: black;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #500050; font-family: Ravie; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; text-align: start;">*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~<wbr></wbr>*~*~*~*~*~*</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #500050; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; text-align: start;"><a href="http://www.delilahdevlin.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Website</span></a></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #500050; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; text-align: start;"> | </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #500050; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; text-align: start;"><a href="http://www.delilahdevlin.com/blog/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Blog</span></a></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #500050; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; text-align: start;"> | </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #500050; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; text-align: start;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/DelilahDevlinFanPage" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Facebook</span></a></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #500050; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; text-align: start;"> | </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #500050; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; text-align: start;"><a href="http://www.twitter.com/DelilahDevlin" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Twitter</span></a></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02676691132983882122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19207194.post-42084268678206893202014-09-17T05:38:00.001-04:002014-09-17T05:38:45.738-04:00Spotlight!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4u3gKq-eRCctgsSeEV0oNMYBvBe7xK-XGG0UX_ntn85PxQxTJYVEj4UI1yhJBIB7qCExNUS59n1UeNfm63fXFWg99Az8U_7WuwvaE6__fvKtSFpoT9vspVbuW_7rt8WTZAIkL_g/s1600/spotlight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4u3gKq-eRCctgsSeEV0oNMYBvBe7xK-XGG0UX_ntn85PxQxTJYVEj4UI1yhJBIB7qCExNUS59n1UeNfm63fXFWg99Az8U_7WuwvaE6__fvKtSFpoT9vspVbuW_7rt8WTZAIkL_g/s1600/spotlight.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The summer bash is over but I've decided to continue the fun with author spotlights. The first spotlight is the very talented Heather Greenis. Hi Heather.:-)</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7CIDK_4VJfo242arr8765UPnj41zYCPn7sgc37SA9JM1HcdIHHDeN3US9pXLRaid9-WJITEdbnXnVmBGh4DHPqc6qHrXP5duqTJSBe-OuWw8hMOLA5OZ4_cUhR1EgBAwVJWwgAw/s1600/heather.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7CIDK_4VJfo242arr8765UPnj41zYCPn7sgc37SA9JM1HcdIHHDeN3US9pXLRaid9-WJITEdbnXnVmBGh4DHPqc6qHrXP5duqTJSBe-OuWw8hMOLA5OZ4_cUhR1EgBAwVJWwgAw/s1600/heather.JPG" height="320" width="284" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";">1: How did
you start writing?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #dd2067; font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";">My
husband suggested I write. I have an active imagination and active dreams. I
combine the two and the words flow. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";">2: What is
the one thing you most enjoy about writing? Least enjoy?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #e6578d; font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";">it’s
a creative release. An outlet for my wandering mind. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #e6578d; font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";">Least
enjoy-like most artists, the marketing. Asking people to buy my product. Gotta love word of mouth marketing. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";">3: If you
could go back in time and talk to anyone, who would you speak to? Why?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #e6578d; font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";">Three
good friends have passed away. I’d love to have a chat with them. To hear them laugh again. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";">4: When you
write do you plot out the story or do you let your muse run wild?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cb537d; font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";">I
begin with an idea but I allow my imagination to progress the plot. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";">5: Tell us
a bit about your book.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #e6578d; font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";">The
Natasha Saga is not a typical romance. Its a</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";"> </span><span style="color: #cb537d; font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";">four part saga that deals with family, love, and values. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cb537d; font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";">Natasha’s
Dream, Diary, Hope, and concludes with Legacy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";">6: What
inspired the story?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #bf3159; font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";">I’m
an active dreamer, just like my character Keeghan. I combine everything that
has happened. I had a dream and couldn’t get the characters out of my mind. My
mind began wandering, developing a life for the characters. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";">7: Is this
a series or a stand alone novel?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";">8: What
advice would you give an author just starting out? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cb537d; font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";">Find
a publisher. They will help you make your story shine. Don’t quit your day job
the minute you sign a contract. It’s a long road without guarantees.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";">9: How do
you balance writing with the demands of everyday life?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #bf3159; font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";">I
really don’t think about it. I’m fortunate, my husband is amazing. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";">10: How
much research do you do for your writing?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cb537d; font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";">A
fair bit. When I want to include
something, I do research to make sure it fits into the time period. How long
has something been around. Not to say ooops don’t occur, but hopefully not to
many.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";">11: If you
met a genie, what 3 things would you wish for? Why?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #bf3159; font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";">World
peace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #bf3159; font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";">More
compassion. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #bf3159; font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";">Eliminate
greed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #bf3159; font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";">As
for the why, I’d like to think these are obvious. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";">12: What is
the one thing about the writing world that most surprised you?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #e6578d; font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";">The
number of people that think self publishing is a good idea. The number of books
on the market the need a good editor. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";">13: What
are you currently working on?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #e6578d; font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";">I
have two projects in the pipeline. One deals with a young women that must live with
the consequences of making one bad decision.
Who hasn’t made at least one bad decision?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #e6578d; font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";">The
second project is still bullet points. Too early to discuss. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #e6578d; font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";">I’m
also working on a project that if published, will go under a pseudonym.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";">14: What do
you like to do when you aren’t writing?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #bf3159; font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";">Oh
my gosh. I garden. That takes up a lot
of time in the summer. We have over an acre of property. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #bf3159; font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";">During
the offseason, we travel. It’s a big world and we haven’t scratched the
surface. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #bf3159; font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";">During
the winter, hubby and I both curl. I belong to a competitive team and also play
socially. I manage our junior curlers. I
have three other coaches that assist. Last season we had 37 kids ranging in age
from 5 -17. It’s the future of the
sport. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";">15: What is
the one thing you’d like people to know about you?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #bf3159; font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";">I’m
compassionate, and passionate. Don’t piss me off. : )<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #bf3159; font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfCX6WV3tmd2UkfdYF-W4cEVzPQ25VDMOPzNgtnlra3NmHp7dZcj-UfqIQeA4uQvbAI4v-iMNEfMzemWiEQoi_lYgt2wqaQxtVDT9ui0COAZxP92UIYZFhfAuKulh6chF_S4t0fw/s1600/the+saga+jpeg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfCX6WV3tmd2UkfdYF-W4cEVzPQ25VDMOPzNgtnlra3NmHp7dZcj-UfqIQeA4uQvbAI4v-iMNEfMzemWiEQoi_lYgt2wqaQxtVDT9ui0COAZxP92UIYZFhfAuKulh6chF_S4t0fw/s1600/the+saga+jpeg.jpg" height="149" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #bf3159; font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";"><br /></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";">5 Bonus Questions<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";">16: What’s
your favorite color? </span><span style="color: #bf3159; font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";">I’m environmental so
green. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";">17:</span><span style="color: #bf3159; font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";">What’s your favorite food? </span><span style="color: #bf3159; font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";"> chocolate<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";">18:
Favorite TV show? </span><span style="color: #bf3159; font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";">Depends on my mood<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #bf3159; font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";"> Myth Busters<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #bf3159; font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";"> Criminal
Minds<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";">19:
Favorite Movie? - </span><span style="color: #bf3159; font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";">Must Love Dogs.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";">
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";">20:
Favorite Song?</span><span style="color: #bf3159; font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";"> - too many to pick one<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #bf3159; font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";"> Need You Now - Lady
Antebellum<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #bf3159; font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";"> I’m Already There -
Lonestar<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #bf3159; font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";"> Sweet Home Alabama -
Lynyrd Skynrd<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: #bf3159; font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";"> Sky fall - Adelle<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #bf3159; font-family: "Times New Roman Bold";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman Bold';"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>It's been great having you Heather. If anyone else would like to be spotlighted, <a href="mailto:katholmes130@gmail.com" target="_blank">email me</a> and I'll set you up.</b></span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02676691132983882122noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19207194.post-23028340530017846422014-08-27T04:30:00.000-04:002014-08-27T04:30:01.289-04:00The Bash Rolls On<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Hey! Where's my burger? Darn barbecue thief! Anyway, while I go hunt down the sneak who took my burger, please say hi to Gwen Miller! Welcome to the party Gwen.:-)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>1: How did you start
writing? <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Believe it or not, I started by writing letters. One of the earliest contests I won was in
sixth grade. We were planning a field
trip to the local dairy and my letter of inquiry to the dairy was chosen to be
sent to the dairy. I then moved to
essays, and won a Voice of Democracy contest.
From there I wrote and presented messages, as part of a student panel to a district PTA gathering, as
speaker in our local Methodist Youth Fellowship sunrise service, as Missionary
President to monthly church services, and finally as a Retirement Seminar presenter
for Federal Employees. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I received letters, I noticed how they all asked about
what <i>I</i> was doing and never told me
what <i>they</i> were doing. So when I wrote back, I told them. Sometimes my letters were thirteen pages
long!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was always a reader.
So early in our marriage, I figured maybe, as a stay-at-home mom, I
could help with finances through writing stories. Sorry to say, pay does not accompany
rejections slips. I took several writing
courses, but the only thing I actually sold before MuseItUp accepted <i>All Because of Chickens</i> was a crossword
puzzle to “Wee Wisdom Magazine.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>2: What is the one
thing you most enjoy about writing? <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The play of words. I
will often rewrite sentences many times till I get just the words that convey
the emotion or atmosphere I am trying to convey. Oh, not all at once. But every time I re-read after a cooling off
period, I usually come up with a word that gives a better tone to the scene I
am trying to create.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Least enjoy?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Besides the rejections slips? I’d say the re-reading. I do not mind the constant editing, but by
the time a story is published, it has often been re-read maybe fifty
times. I found I actually got sick and
tired of reading my own creation! Maybe
this is one of the reasons writers spend so much time reading other writers;
the refreshing and rejuvenating it gives.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>3: If you could go
back in time and talk to anyone, who would you speak to? <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jesus. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Why?</b> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I would love to hear His voice, listen to Him laugh, see His
miracles, watch Him interact with the children, see His compassion with the
sick, look into His eyes, and tell Him I love Him.<b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>4: When you write do
you plot out the story or do you let your muse run wild?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I start with an overall idea. Then things happen; an act, a word, and
expression, or an idea for a scene.
Sometimes this happens over a short period of time, sometimes over
years—twenty or thirty. I often write
these down, but I also do a great deal of this in my head before I ever even
start to get the project on paper. But
when I do start the actual writing, I will arrange and rearrange scenes and
incidents to make them more natural. I
have also had the thrill of experiencing my characters actually “writing the
scene” for me. That’s fun!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>5: Tell us a bit
about your book.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
It’s about twelve year old Sammy who
is thrilled that they are moving back to the family homestead and
heritage—farming. But Dad’s ultimatum
“…no crops, no animals, no barn…” shows Dad wants nothing to do with
farming—either for himself or Sammy. So
why did Dad insist Sammy join a farming club?
When permission slips for Ag club summer projects are due, Sammy defends
his project choice with “Technically, Dad, chickens are birds, not animals.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Sammy’s problems begin with the
early arrival of his peeps and the loss of his best pals. His ingenuity to care for his chicks, make a
new friend, and design a compost bin win him a new name. His biggest challenge—can he butcher, then
eat, his roosters?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Summer’s many adventures include
solving a mystery, fighting a hawk and being disqualified at the County
Fair. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
At the end of the project, has he
won…or lost…the thing he wanted most—Dad’s change of heart about farming? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>6: What inspired the
story?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As an avid reader myself, I was appalled that the boys in
our family did not enjoy reading. That
included not only our sons when they were young, but our grandsons. I thought they might enjoy a “fun,”
boy-centered story, centered on our own chicken raising project. Our project was not connected to an Ag club,
but to my love of home canning.<b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was an avid canner and liked to do one new thing each
year. A friend of ours introduced me to
home-canned chicken, and I wanted to try it.
And what better way than to “grow our own” chickens? Since we lived in town, my husband fought the
idea for a couple years with his winning argument being “We live in the city,
they wouldn’t allow it.” Bless the
neighbor who pointed out the city line ran between our house and the neighbor’s;
we were the first house in the county.
Needless to say, my husband lost his argument.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When we got the chickens our younger son took them
over. He would even go into their coop
(yes it was an a-frame, built by our older son) and watch them lay eggs! A lot of the happenings are some of our
actual experiences, some were stories told to me by our neighbors about their
experiences. And one was based on our
daughter’s high school science project with a baby peep.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>7: Is this a series
or a stand alone novel?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It started out as a stand-alone novel. But since then I have had several ideas for
additional novels growing from the original.
So far, there is one follow-up in progress, with ideas for two to four
more. And, no, I don’t think it will
take twenty years to develop the sequels, at least, I hope not! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>8: What advice would
you give an author just starting out?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Don’t give up. And
develop a filing system early! Over
fifty years, I have bits and pieces written for story ideas—on envelopes,
napkins, odd pieces of papers—whatever I could grab. As these ideas would develop, along came more
envelopes, napkins—well you get the picture.
I am currently trying to sort through a big box of pieces and putting
them into labeled file folders. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>9: How do you balance
writing with the demands of everyday life?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not very well, actually.
Writing is very time consuming—at least it is for me. I will spend a good eight to twelve hour day,
or maybe a couple days, writing a single two to three thousand word
chapter. My friend, Lois, will read it
in—what, less than an hour?—and give me a critique. If I could just write as fast as she reads!!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sometimes I resent that I have to sleep, cook, eat, do
dishes, weed flowers, clean house, do laundry, shop—you know, live life!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>10: How much research
do you do for your writing?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well, so far, I would say not too much. A lot of <i>All
Because of Chickens</i> was just relying on what I knew, although there was a
little research. Over seventy years of
living has given me a wealth of resources to draw from. <b> </b>Its sequels, however, may
take a fair amount of research, since I am going to have to rely more on the
experience and knowledge of others.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>11: If you met a
genie, what 3 things would you wish for? Why?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I haven’t the slightest idea. There are so many needs in this world, how
could I choose?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
World peace, healing of the sick, and that the USA would
return to putting God first, though would, I believe, be priority. Then I think everything else would take care
of itself.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>12: What is the one
thing about the writing world that most surprised you?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The comradery between authors, at least the MIU
authors. They are an extended family,
eager to help, encourage, sympathize, lift up and pray for each other. Much different from the cut-throat
competition I expected.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>13: What are you
currently working on?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A light romance, which is almost done; a sequel for <i>Chickens</i> which is half done; and seeking
a publisher for a couple finished children’s picture book. These are the pen and paper (really, computer)
ones. Mentally, I am working on a Young
Adult anthology I would like to see become a television series…how’s <i>that</i> for reaching for the
stars?...and a Bible study course.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>14: What do you like
to do when you aren’t writing?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Read, visit with family and friends, sew, knit, remodel our
home, bake, cook, can, watch movies…oh, a host of things. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>15: What is the one
thing you’d like people to know about you?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Maybe that I am more than my writing? I have fond memories of growing up in a small
town in a very different era, the thrill of travel, interesting employment, fun
hobbies, joys and sorrows, loves and hates.
I love to reminisce and share with those who like to listen. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>5 Bonus Questions<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>16: What’s your
favorite color?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That is difficult.
Color, shades and hues, is something that attracts me, that I delight
in. But if I have to pick one, I would
say blue.<span style="background: black; border: 1pt none black; font-size: 0pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>17: What’s your
favorite food?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have an eclectic taste in food, too. Oriental, Italian, old-fashioned regular
food…roasts, chicken, stews. And of
course, deserts! And I love salads. But I guess I would have to say my most
favorite is bread, especially <i>fresh</i>
bread. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>18: Favorite TV show?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My all-time favorite is “Murder She Wrote.” That is the one
that keeps me writing. But close behind
is “NCIS.” I even relish the
reruns! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>19: Favorite Movie?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This one is harder to pin down. “Happy Feet,” “Ratatouille,” “While You Were
Sleeping,” “Picture Perfect (with Richard Karn),” “Borrowed Hearts,” “Independence
Day,” “Hunt for Red October,” “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers,” “You’ve Got
Mail.” I play my favorites over and
over.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>20: Favorite Song? <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You Raised Me Up,” has special meaning for me. It rang in my head constantly as a witness of
the prayers for my husband and me while he was in hospital away from home and I
was staying with him. And I love the
rhythm of “Deep Calls to Deep.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDLmZ48X2UpWV3Pf7DtsBLilUCKfuh1B0Av_ZIF9RAXiMpS5Y-rUwEljZwiikIZQwLkrecZJ_5z-H4FdbRxx2wmv2kVqlJFyjKxPCkpaDysmma4ptw-4z31SmkDZKnCw9W9toXEQ/s1600/becauseofchickens200x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDLmZ48X2UpWV3Pf7DtsBLilUCKfuh1B0Av_ZIF9RAXiMpS5Y-rUwEljZwiikIZQwLkrecZJ_5z-H4FdbRxx2wmv2kVqlJFyjKxPCkpaDysmma4ptw-4z31SmkDZKnCw9W9toXEQ/s1600/becauseofchickens200x300.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 1.0in; text-indent: .5in;">
MuseItUp
Publishing</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 1.5in;">
<a href="https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore/index.php/our-authors/63-our-authors/authors-m/377-g-l-miller"><span style="color: windowtext;">https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore/index.php/our-authors/63-our-authors/authors-m/377-g-l-miller</span></a>
<u><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; text-indent: .5in;">
Amazon</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: windowtext;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GJ0YHGS">http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GJ0YHGS</a> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; text-indent: .5in;">
Barnes and Noble</div>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/all-because-of-chickens-gl-"><span style="color: windowtext;">http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/all-because-of-chickens-gl-</span></a> <u>miller/1117251890?ean=2940045348300 <o:p></o:p></u></div>
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Smashwords</div>
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<span style="color: windowtext;"><a href="https://smashwords.com/books/view/370281">https://smashwords.com/books/view/370281</a> </span></div>
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itunes by Apple</div>
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<span style="color: windowtext;"><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id742269240">https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id742269240</a> </span></div>
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Omnilit</div>
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<span style="color: windowtext;"><a href="https://www.omnilit.com/product-allbecauseofchickens-1330781-232.html">https://www.omnilit.com/product-allbecauseofchickens-1330781-232.html</a> </span></div>
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Scribd</div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><a href="http://www.scribd.com/book/230908162/All-Because-of-Chickens">http://www.scribd.com/book/230908162/All-Because-of-Chickens</a></span></span><br />
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<a href="mailto:glmiller456@gmail.com" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: Calibri, 'Segoe UI', Meiryo, 'Microsoft YaHei UI', 'Microsoft JhengHei UI', 'Malgun Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 16px;" target="_blank">glmiller456@gmail.com</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02676691132983882122noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19207194.post-61567112778752471452014-08-13T04:30:00.000-04:002014-08-16T00:43:04.188-04:00Summer Bash Rolls On<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1t5f6bC_i8NAig4LO-T5ZYe7rFcTJCTk_VPXKn4I7K6ySyMDOMwuAcrZLTpEVAgRx3Do-jmyfP1WtVajuWGK-wCUN6Ik-p8oOBk6oP98_Pv-4AmGUc8dYs2xKu48YD6CE5lfyjQ/s1600/bash_2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1t5f6bC_i8NAig4LO-T5ZYe7rFcTJCTk_VPXKn4I7K6ySyMDOMwuAcrZLTpEVAgRx3Do-jmyfP1WtVajuWGK-wCUN6Ik-p8oOBk6oP98_Pv-4AmGUc8dYs2xKu48YD6CE5lfyjQ/s1600/bash_2014.jpg" height="320" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>This week for the bash is something different. My good friend Sara Jayne Townsend is stopping by and she's talking about cultural displacement. Hi Sara and thanks for being here.:-)</b></span><br />
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<b><span lang="EN-GB">DEALING WITH CULTURAL DISPLACEMENT<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-GB">By Sara Jayne Townsend<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">I was ten years old when I moved with my
family from the UK to Canada. To me,
this strange new country was like an alien world. I was told that everyone spoke English, but
it sounded like a foreign language and I couldn’t understand what anyone
said. They all told me I had a funny
accent. I thought they were the ones
with the funny accent. They had
perplexing words for things. Their
leisure activities were strange. No one
could understand how it could be that I’d never been on a pair of ice skates in
my life, and they yelled at me when I played baseball wrong (I was playing
rounders, which I thought was the game we were playing. The equipment is the same but the rules are
different).</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">There were too many changes for me to be
able to deal with, at that age, and I rebelled against it by resisting as many
changes as possible. I insisted on
spelling things the English way, and at age 11 had an argument with my teacher
when he marked incorrect my spelling of ‘tyre’ – which to me was the correct
English spelling, not ‘tire’ as the Canadians spelled it.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Only when I moved back to England at age
18, after high school, did I realise how Canadianised I’d become, despite my
resistance to becoming so. People kept
asking me what part of the States I was from, despite my being ridiculed in
Canada for my ‘funny’ British accent.
And despite feeling that I’d moved back home, I still felt I didn’t
really belong.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">I found out years later that this feeling
of alienation in a different culture is known as cultural displacement. It’s about more than just speaking with a
particular accent. It’s about the
cultural references you grow up with; the shared knowledge that is an inherent
part of your childhood. Canadian kids
are all put on ice skates as soon as they learn to walk, and everyone knows how
to play baseball by the time they start school.
I came to Canada and entered school in grade five. It never occurred to anyone that I might not
know how to play baseball, or that I might never have been on ice skates
before, because these things are such an ingrained part of Canadian culture no
one thinks twice about them.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">When I created my amateur sleuth Shara
Summers, I decided to draw on these feelings of cultural displacement. Shara has a British mother and a Canadian
father; she is British born but has lived in Canada much of her life and has a
Canadian identity. At the start of the
first book she is living in Toronto but goes to England because of a family
crisis, and she ends up deciding to move back to England permanently.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">I always had a notion that throughout the
series, Shara will observe those little cultural differences between the two
countries she is connected to. Some of
those are down to language (diaper vs nappy; elevator vs lift, etc). But there are other things too – things you
don’t notice when you’re a native of a particular country, but you do if you
are an outsider. The fact that Canadians
always take off their shoes when they enter someone’s house – in Britain this
is generally not expected. The fact that
when you are on an escalator in London you stand on the right hand side, and if
you stand on the left you can expect to get shoved out of the way by someone in
a hurry. The fact that Canadian beer –
which the British would define as lager – is always served cold. Beer in Britain can be ale, which is stronger
than lager, brewed differently and generally served at room temperature. Wedding cakes in Britain are traditionally
fruit cake. Canadians collectively
dislike fruit cake and most wedding cakes are sponge.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">I dealt with my feelings of cultural
displacement by transferring them to my amateur sleuth. I hope having a foot in both countries makes
her unique in the world of amateur sleuths.
In the real world, the person she has the most in common with is
me. But I was always considered a bit
odd anyway, in both the countries I am connected to.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">I don’t mind these days if people think I’m
a bit odd. The world is all the richer
for its differences.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Sara's Website: </span><a href="http://sarajaynetownsend.weebly.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank">http://sarajaynetownsend.<wbr></wbr>weebly.com</a><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Sara's Blog: </span><a href="http://sayssara.wordpress.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank">http://sayssara.wordpress.com</a></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02676691132983882122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19207194.post-83164961870459061842014-08-13T01:39:00.004-04:002014-08-13T02:35:47.812-04:00The Issue of Body<span style="font-size: large;"><b>I don't normally rant but I can't take it anymore. First, Fox News calls Robin Williams a coward, hoping to use his tragic death for their own political agendas, and now this. Is Fox News just chock full of insensitive creeps?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Now, regardless of your political leanings, whether you support or are against the Obama administration, this is beyond contempt. Most people know that for the duration of her time as first lady, Michele Obama has been a public speaker about the need for better nutrition in our schools to combat obesity. It's a very important cause to her.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Fox news was apparently talking about nutrition in schools and then said Michele is fat and needs to lose weight. WHAT? Are you serious. Check out these two pics of Michele and tell me she's overweight.</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFA3tQG_IeYF8uSkSFQDaSrrhvbMTVN3USb_gkPSQ98vhVaGgi7sPVW_hdzab21f4q5OWrP0C7yOblCsZwfLCAH7sQJv8miqn9bg4CBMW3m5-s8Giv05QLbROar1N44K_-UE_67Q/s1600/michelle-obama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFA3tQG_IeYF8uSkSFQDaSrrhvbMTVN3USb_gkPSQ98vhVaGgi7sPVW_hdzab21f4q5OWrP0C7yOblCsZwfLCAH7sQJv8miqn9bg4CBMW3m5-s8Giv05QLbROar1N44K_-UE_67Q/s1600/michelle-obama.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4tDNe1uZqHm_yVxk_MN3cMwewZ9f_2gDMu5HnrMH1LAhE0uOTGB_JLmDX59UePGyqJSpUjNNCcdia2UD4BsgqNGAyGpMNn9Q10Fza3-u7KYBak4IFEYz-3dqrIAvoZADhWSSEmQ/s1600/michelle-obama-dress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4tDNe1uZqHm_yVxk_MN3cMwewZ9f_2gDMu5HnrMH1LAhE0uOTGB_JLmDX59UePGyqJSpUjNNCcdia2UD4BsgqNGAyGpMNn9Q10Fza3-u7KYBak4IFEYz-3dqrIAvoZADhWSSEmQ/s1600/michelle-obama-dress.jpg" height="320" width="188" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>I wish I was just mad at Fox but I'm not. This society as a whole is filled with creeps who make women...yes WOMEN...hate themselves. Ashley Judd was publicly persecuted for having a puffy face, Lady Gaga had the press salivating when she put on weight, and frankly every woman on earth is bombarded with the idea that if they aren't a size zero they're fat and ugly and not worth anything.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>These two pictures are of me when I was 18. Not bad huh?</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqsKF50enDuDO8H2vjxHPzOchqKY3RJHtnQbeSD5GVCW1oI7x_hWhbNTz7Pr92_6dWByMsurbp-ey4EVapx0yEINlRiUb0Z3NxRQhDbQDt47RmN7oriSez0DGo7Zc_eCbG01oLyg/s1600/me@14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqsKF50enDuDO8H2vjxHPzOchqKY3RJHtnQbeSD5GVCW1oI7x_hWhbNTz7Pr92_6dWByMsurbp-ey4EVapx0yEINlRiUb0Z3NxRQhDbQDt47RmN7oriSez0DGo7Zc_eCbG01oLyg/s1600/me@14.jpg" height="320" width="260" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheTmyWNR7298ObvjjWuxIV8V98fawgATE_N4FHQQZtOzfNVwFGa65HKxlMe7szdECfdf_RX_v9SX67vsfdKXxZp_xZCZC8a14ySlNIwkYviNjdDk2M1QasmOb8TaWUAL1hsm2zpg/s1600/me_14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheTmyWNR7298ObvjjWuxIV8V98fawgATE_N4FHQQZtOzfNVwFGa65HKxlMe7szdECfdf_RX_v9SX67vsfdKXxZp_xZCZC8a14ySlNIwkYviNjdDk2M1QasmOb8TaWUAL1hsm2zpg/s1600/me_14.jpg" height="280" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>I weighed 140 pounds which turned out to be my ideal weight. But I loathed myself and felt fat and ugly. Now looking back I honestly think I looked pretty darn good. But I couldn't see it. I didn't look like Cindy Crawford or Christie Brinkley so therefore I was ugly.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Here's what I look like now.</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCDtwEh4RZUjNPltnaCmxwnB-pXl51OJeoAf0qMH8r7fDhh-uqtLFpYgyi8omwQLOcHztnGWLe5nm9c9ep5e9-iZBmNvnvvLHpdxKdOwVb11ROoZU6GgilOfkBzp-dSRQ3yAS4Ug/s1600/me_now.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCDtwEh4RZUjNPltnaCmxwnB-pXl51OJeoAf0qMH8r7fDhh-uqtLFpYgyi8omwQLOcHztnGWLe5nm9c9ep5e9-iZBmNvnvvLHpdxKdOwVb11ROoZU6GgilOfkBzp-dSRQ3yAS4Ug/s1600/me_now.jpg" height="256" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Yes, I am overweight. I admit it. I weigh 260. But before you judge me and say that's what I get for stuffing my face I don't eat that much. I have hives and the only thing that controls them is a steroid called prednisone. It's horrible stuff with a lot of side effects, one of which is massive weight gain.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>And once you've been on it and gained weight you can't seem to lose it no matter what you do. I swim a lot, but I have never lost a pound of the weight the drug has caused me.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>However, I can guarantee people who look at me will see only the weight and will snicker and call me names behind my back. It will never occur to them that I and many others aren't overweight due to poor eating habits, but medical issues.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>It's easy to judge, but one day it can just as easily be you. And frankly, I think instead of putting women down because we aren't Twiggy, maybe instead we should consider who people are. We aren't our bodies. So stop judging us by them.</b></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02676691132983882122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19207194.post-86033565793783047762014-08-06T10:12:00.002-04:002014-08-06T10:12:46.759-04:00Back To The Bash!<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The bash is back and this week helping us to party is Susan Royal. Hi Susan and welcome.:-)</b></span><br />
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<b>1: How did you start
writing?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b><i>I can honestly say I never remember a time when I wasn’t making up my
own stories, writing them down and illustrating them. And when I wasn’t doing
that, I was listening to tales passed down by my mother, my father and my
grandmothers.<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDqQ2bpcILgXcn6RaYhf6YdrRx-6V4O-fP2cMoFCu1N6hXenzrQCJ4s_Yg9ixlms86GjTVs7Ef1F6I74qIiJIDMgZxne12vpe9sGbbDgmnIqzey82UeGXZtHZj2U3H22CYAiJ5eg/s1600/Bio+photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDqQ2bpcILgXcn6RaYhf6YdrRx-6V4O-fP2cMoFCu1N6hXenzrQCJ4s_Yg9ixlms86GjTVs7Ef1F6I74qIiJIDMgZxne12vpe9sGbbDgmnIqzey82UeGXZtHZj2U3H22CYAiJ5eg/s1600/Bio+photo.JPG" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
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<b>2: What is the one
thing you most enjoy about writing? Least enjoy? <i>What I like the most is creating worlds filled with diverse characters
who have fascinating adventures in places I would love to explore. What I like
the least is the tedium of editing under a deadline. I begin to second guess
everything I do.<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>3: If you could go
back in time and talk to anyone, who would you speak to? Why? <i><o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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<b><i>I would love to talk to Ray Bradbury. The man painted pictures with
words. He made fictional Greentown </i></b><st1:state><st1:place><b><i>Illinois</i></b></st1:place></st1:state><b><i> so
real I wanted to live there. Another man I’d love to visit with is Mark Twain,
because I love his wit. <o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>4: When you write do
you plot out the story or do you let your muse run wild? <i>I start out with research, notes and character sketches, along with a
very loose outline of what I EXPECT to happen. When I begin writing, it could
go anywhere from there.<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht0uiP_XP0UaMF2g1dzFDSM30uLcjXvSqby_PEsBBN0mjCMRIhTbxSTHSu4gD7ID7l24KaK3H-Y69PNrxgzLiipySGSW9toYsUS9jgz99sQUxXCN-WYAQgzS2hyZxlAOsh4O0iEw/s1600/FromNowOn_200x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht0uiP_XP0UaMF2g1dzFDSM30uLcjXvSqby_PEsBBN0mjCMRIhTbxSTHSu4gD7ID7l24KaK3H-Y69PNrxgzLiipySGSW9toYsUS9jgz99sQUxXCN-WYAQgzS2hyZxlAOsh4O0iEw/s1600/FromNowOn_200x300.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>5: Tell us a bit
about your book. <i>From Now On is the
second in a series titled It’s About Time. It takes place on the </i></b><st1:place><b><i>Isle
of Man</i></b></st1:place><b><i> in a medieval world</i></b>. <b><i>Griffin
has traveled across centuries to reunite with the woman he loves, but he and
Erin may not get their ‘happy ever after’. Not if Lady Isobeil has anything to
do with it. She forces </i></b><st1:city><st1:place><b><i>Griffin</i></b></st1:place></st1:city><b><i> to
leave </i></b><st1:place><b><i>Erin</i></b></st1:place><b><i>
behind and travel to eerie </i></b><st1:place><st1:placename><b><i>Manx</i></b></st1:placename><b><i> </i></b><st1:placetype><b><i>Island</i></b></st1:placetype></st1:place><b><i>.
When he goes missing, Erin and his friends set out to find him. Followed by his
strong-willed sister, Kateryn, they ride to </i></b><st1:city><st1:place><b><i>Swansea</i></b></st1:place></st1:city><b><i> and
secure passage with the notorious Captain Akin.<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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<b><i> Erin sees firsthand how the
island earned its dark reputation when she battles freakish weather, encounters
a race of little people known as “Prowlies”, and experiences ghosts of the long
departed. She discovers “ley lines” crossing the island’s mountain peak and
making time travel possible. <o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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<b><i> Yet these obstacles pale in comparison to
the secrets </i></b><st1:place><b><i>Erin</i></b></st1:place><b><i>
uncovers while determined to rescue the man she loves<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>6: What inspired the
story? <i>I love the idea of time travel.
Imagine finding yourself transported to another time. There’s something about the
idea of getting up close and personal with the way things are. Experiencing
them for yourself. Just thinking about it gives me goose bumps.<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>7: Is this a series
or a stand alone novel? <i>This book is the
second in the series It’s About Time, but it can be read as a standalone.
Frankly, I never intended to write a sequel until my daughter read the book,
called me up and said, “This can’t be all. There’s more story to tell. You need
to write a sequel!” She was right. And I’m just getting started. I’ve got folders
full of ideas for my next installment.</i><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>8: What advice would
you give an author just starting out? <i>Join
a critique group, go to conferences, enter short story contests, write,
edit-edit-edit, submit and never ever give up.<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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<b>9: How do you balance
writing with the demands of everyday life? <i>I
try to spend several nights each week at the computer instead of watching
television. I set mini-goals. Sometimes I come in from my day job and tell my
husband “I’ve got to write tonight…you’re in charge of supper…I’ll see you at
10 pm or I have to take a break from writing, because I need to spend time with
the family. <o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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<b>10: How much research
do you do for your writing? <i>I’ve done
tons and guess what? I LOVE it. It helps to give me a feel for the era I’m
writing in, whether I use it in the story or not<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>11: If you met a
genie, what 3 things would you wish for? Why? <i>I wish I’d gotten serious about writing at a younger age, I wish there
were more hours in a day and I wish everyone had a family as supportive as my
husband, kids and grandkids. <o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>12: What is the one
thing about the writing world that most surprised you? <i>If you’re published, everyone assumes you are raking in the money. Authors
are very supportive and friendly people.<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>13: What are you
currently working on? <i>I’m about to finish
a young adult fantasy about Xander, a little person who solves mysteries. <o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>14: What do you like
to do when you aren’t writing? <i>I spend
time with my children and grandchildren. I have a full time job. We live in an
old farmhouse constantly in the state of renovation. I love to repurpose. I
love flea markets and garage sales. I have been sewing since I was a young
girl. Ditto painting with acrylics. I love photography. Music is another
passion. (Now do you understand why I’d like more hours in the day?)<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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<b>15: What is the one
thing you’d like people to know about you? <i>I
love to laugh, and I hope my humor shows through in my writing.<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><u>5 Bonus Questions<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>16: What’s your
favorite color? Teal, dark Red, Navy, Black<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>17: What’s your
favorite food? Lobster, tacos, hamburgers<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>18: Favorite TV show?
Xfiles, The Walking Dead, CSI, <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>19: Favorite Movie?
Braveheart, Outlander, The 13<sup>th</sup> Warrior, Timeline, Last of The
Mohicans<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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<b>20: Favorite Song?
Just Breathe – Eddie Vedder, Don’t Dream It’s Over – Crowded House, Whatever
Makes you Happy - Powderfinger<o:p></o:p></b></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02676691132983882122noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19207194.post-8402797270777766022014-07-30T08:54:00.001-04:002014-07-30T08:54:30.208-04:00Summer Bash<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The summer bash is entering the final stretch. This week my wonderful guest is J.Q. Rose. Hi and welcome to the party.:-)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
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<b><u>2014 Summer Bash Questions<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Thanks for hosting me
today, Kat. What a fun summertime event!<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Ny955nfWZHROFMaPM1auJCzxwVrXUxc_UO7F26ldFZ0jm0XP88yKvjKQZ8hr7k1qj8qa7K_9jsailFdA8jysdKjYiNqAcP3khVELlHSEJYBuB99SZt4mA8qTrOMfl5JGnNelGw/s1600/Close+up+800x600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Ny955nfWZHROFMaPM1auJCzxwVrXUxc_UO7F26ldFZ0jm0XP88yKvjKQZ8hr7k1qj8qa7K_9jsailFdA8jysdKjYiNqAcP3khVELlHSEJYBuB99SZt4mA8qTrOMfl5JGnNelGw/s1600/Close+up+800x600.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>1: How did you start
writing?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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I attended a small elementary school, and my mother was my
teacher in second grade. In order to stay out of trouble, I wrote stories. Yes,
I admit I was one of those little girls who talked to her desk neighbors all
the time. (Teachers didn’t like students talking and making noise when I was in
school. Very different today!) The stories kept me busy because I really got
into writing them and loved it when I made readers happy when they read my
lovely epistles.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>2: What is the one
thing you most enjoy about writing? Least enjoy?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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I enjoy building the characters and setting them in settings
and circumstances I create. When revising, I least enjoy reading my sentences
that sound like a second grader wrote them.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>3: If you could go
back in time and talk to anyone, who would you speak to? Why?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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I was reared near Springfield, Illinois in Central Illinois,
Land of Lincoln. (Yeah, really, that tag is even on the Illinois license
plates.) I have always admired Lincoln and take every opportunity to learn more
about him. I’m always excited to visit his home in Springfield and New Salem
where he began studying as a young man to be a lawyer. We would like to take
out grandkids to visit his tomb in Oak Ridge Cemetery. It happens to be the
same cemetery where my grandparents are buried. My grandson told his teacher,
“My great grandparents are buried right next to Abe Lincoln.” Not quite
correct. LOL.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>4: When you write do
you plot out the story or do you let your muse run wild?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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The plotter side of me makes an outline of the scenes I can
see happening in the story. I use it as a guide to keep me on track, but the
pantser side of me still goes off track once in awhile and I discover a lot
more of the story.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTsgvSfPXYXd5iAXhD8iyOTDEjWtsxS_YAfnhiFZ3wcDpNzaUBINH8Fp1LmiC3bUYX8LCTjSaFIwE6-dW1OwqNZADBkn7JI2tvzuJd7g3n5q8WTbUkXK66bWQ3JYCZMOuCdCp6Aw/s1600/Coda+To+Murder+333x500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTsgvSfPXYXd5iAXhD8iyOTDEjWtsxS_YAfnhiFZ3wcDpNzaUBINH8Fp1LmiC3bUYX8LCTjSaFIwE6-dW1OwqNZADBkn7JI2tvzuJd7g3n5q8WTbUkXK66bWQ3JYCZMOuCdCp6Aw/s1600/Coda+To+Murder+333x500.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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<b>5: Tell us a bit
about your book.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<i>Coda to Murder</i> is
a cozy mystery/sweet romance with a female pastor as the main character.</div>
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Blurb:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222;">Pastor<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Christine<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Hobbs has been in the pulpit business
for over five years. She never imagined herself caring for a flock that
includes a pig, a kangaroo, and a murderer.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span>
</div>
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Detective Cole Stephens
doesn't want the pretty pastor to get away with murdering the church music
director. His investigative methods infuriate Christine as much as his deep
brown eyes attract her. </div>
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Can they find the real killer
and build a loving relationship based on trust?</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>6: What inspired the
story?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I interviewed a female pastor for my non-fiction book
for girls, Girls Succeed!, I was impressed by this strong, brilliant woman. She
was one of the trailblazers for women in ministry. I thought her personality
and strength would make a great character, and a pastor as a main character is
a bit unique.</div>
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<b>7: Is this a series
or a stand alone novel?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<i>Coda to Murder</i> is
a stand-alone novel, but I believe there are still stories to tell in the small
town where the murder occurs. Maybe I will re-visit someday to check out what’s
happened there.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>8: What advice would
you give an author just starting out?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Writing the story and signing the contract is not the end of
the work, but only the beginning. So much time is spent on promotion. I was
overwhelmed with my first book, <i>Sunshine
Boulevard</i>. I spent all my time promoting instead of writing and that is a
big mistake! Writers need to keep writing so readers will have a list of their
books to read. </div>
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<b>9: How do you balance
writing with the demands of everyday life?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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My life is never in balance. The only thing I do for sure
every morning is eat Cheerios and drink a cup of coffee. Then I try to set
aside writing time for a couple of hours after lunch during the weekdays. This
does not mean I don’t write at other times like early morning or late at night.
I just find I’m ready to write after lunch. I think that harkens back to when I
was a kid and loved to have the teacher read a book to our class after lunch
break. When I taught third grade, I always read to the kids after lunch too.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>10: How much research
do you do for your writing?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have to research police procedure for every book I write.
Because my character in my current WIP has Alzheimer’s, I am learning about
this devastating disease and talking with those who take care of Alzheimer
patients. So many heart-breaking stories affect many families, but the public
is not aware of how sweeping this will be in the future if the medical research
and health teams cannot medications and procedures to stop it. </div>
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<b>11: If you met a
genie, what 3 things would you wish for? Why?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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World peace, no hungry children, and access to education for
third world countries.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>12: What is the one
thing about the writing world that most surprised you?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was surprised by how kind and generous people in the
writing world are. Instead of authors/publishers acting like competitors, they
are supportive of each other. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>13: What are you
currently working on?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am writing a mystery/romance that takes place in a funeral
home. I have had to update my information on funeral directing. (My dad and
brothers were in the funeral business, so I have first hand experience with
that and my brothers are excellent resources.) This is the first time I have
tried to write in the paranormal genre. There’s a shadow man that keeps
visiting Lauren, the daughter of the funeral director. The premise sounds a bit
dark, but actually there’s humor in the story too. It’s been a lot of fun to
write.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>14: What do you like
to do when you aren’t writing?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I really like to read and write, but we also camp and
travel. We (my DH and I) enjoy playing a board game, Pegs and Jokers, with
friends. And of course, it’s fun when the grandkids come over too. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>15: What is the one
thing you’d like people to know about you?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I think I am a Pollyana always looking to be positive about
life. To be cliché, I always see the glass half full, not half empty.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>5 Bonus Questions<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<b>16: What’s your
favorite color?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>For home-decorating—green
To wear—shades of blue from navy through turquoise.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>17: What’s your
favorite food?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>Roast beef and
potatoes and carrots in the crockpot<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>18: Favorite TV show?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Dancing with the Stars
on network<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>House of Cards on
Netflix Original<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>19: Favorite Movie?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>It’s Complicated<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>20: Favorite Song?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Sweet Caroline by
Neil Diamond—especially fun when he sings it at baseball stadiums and concerts<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b> URL for YouTube of song <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vhFnTjia_I">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vhFnTjia_I</a><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b># # # # <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>Buy Links for Coda to
Murder<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Amazon.com <b><span style="background: white; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><a href="http://tinyurl.com/ap376tb">http://tinyurl.com/ap376tb</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">MuseItUp Publishing <a href="http://museituppublishing.com/bookstore/index.php/now-available-in-ebook/coda-to-murder-detail">http://museituppublishing.com/bookstore/index.php/now-available-in-ebook/coda-to-murder-detail</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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bn.com and major online booksellers.</div>
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BIO- After writing feature articles in magazines, newspapers,
and online magazines for over fifteen years, J.Q. Rose entered the world of
fiction writing with her first published novella<i>, Sunshine Boulevard</i>, released by MuseItUp Publishing in 2011. Her
latest mystery, <i>Coda to Murder</i>, was
released last year. Blogging, photography, Pegs and Jokers board games, and
travel are the things that keep her out of trouble. Spending winters in Florida
with her husband allows Janet the opportunity to enjoy the life of a snowbird.
Summer finds her camping and hunting toads, frogs, and salamanders with her
four grandsons and granddaughter.</div>
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<b>Connect with J.Q.
Rose online at<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>J.Q. Rose blog <a href="http://www.jqrose.com/">http://www.jqrose.com/</a><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>Girls Succeed blog <span style="background: white; color: #222222;"><a href="http://girlssucceed.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc;">http://girlssucceed.blogspot.com/</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b>Author website <a href="http://jqrose.webs.com/">http://jqrose.webs.com/</a><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>Facebook <a href="http://facebook.com/jqroseauthor">http://facebook.com/jqroseauthor</a><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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J. Q. Rose Amazon
Author Page <span style="background: white; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><a href="http://tinyurl.com/aeuv4m4"><b>http://tinyurl.com/aeuv4m4</b></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Goodreads- <span style="background: white;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/jqrose">http://www.goodreads.com/jqrose</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Pinterest <a href="http://pinterest.com/janetglaser/">http://pinterest.com/janetglaser/</a></div>
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<b>You Tube Book Trailer</b>—Coda
to Murder <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9FONg4mJ9g&feature=youtube_gdata">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9FONg4mJ9g&feature=youtube_gdata</a><b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02676691132983882122noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19207194.post-61282616350430116662014-07-16T09:15:00.000-04:002014-07-16T09:15:33.767-04:00Summer Bash<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Hello all again and welcome back to the bash. This week my guest is the very talented Alix Richards. Hi Alix and welcolme to the party.</b></span><br />
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<b>1: How did you start
writing?</b> <span style="color: red;">My grandmother overheard me telling a
story to my siblings and cousins. She said I should write down the tales so
they could be enjoyed by others. Eventually, that’s what I did.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b>2: What is the one
thing you most enjoy about writing? Least enjoy?</b> <span style="color: red;">I
have to admit I enjoy the whole process. The way the ideas forms and alters in
my imagination and how characters make an appearance without my consent of
knowledge beforehand, as if they are the creators of the literature I’m
documenting. Does that make me their tool, or what? I least enjoy the end. Not
so much ending the story, but rather tying up the loose ends. Making sure I
haven’t overlooked or forgotten something. As most writer will tell you, forgetfulness
goes hand-in-hand with creativity. At least those writers I know.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b>3: If you could go
back in time and talk to anyone, who would you speak to? Why?</b><span style="color: red;"> There are too many to consider. Although, I wouldn’t mind
checking into Shakespeare’s mind. Just out of curiosity. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b>4: When you write do
you plot out the story or do you let your muse run wild?</b> <span style="color: red;">I am a pantser. I can’t plot to save my life. Seriously, if I
want to kill an idea quick, all I have to do is plot and there it goes. I’m
strange like that. I can have an idea for the beginning, middle and ending but
when it’s all over if I’ve written the idea down it’ll change. If I leave it in
my mind it’ll stay. Now is that crazy or what? On a normal writing day, I’ll
just let the whole thing run rampant. Those ones don’t ever stop until I reach
the end.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMwE4AlSDQK1ddjmjs_NDOnl0J-SsZhIsWH0zyXW1Hrh7nkCdN-s28hYY5dZzPb2zCggVR-2LCQAEVFEc9tYxR1uv9b9d-80xyPixabmJs8Gs7wdIiZiWJ9jtwzL3WkfFxGT7NYQ/s1600/TwinFlamesSoulNature_300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMwE4AlSDQK1ddjmjs_NDOnl0J-SsZhIsWH0zyXW1Hrh7nkCdN-s28hYY5dZzPb2zCggVR-2LCQAEVFEc9tYxR1uv9b9d-80xyPixabmJs8Gs7wdIiZiWJ9jtwzL3WkfFxGT7NYQ/s1600/TwinFlamesSoulNature_300.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>5: Tell us a bit
about your book.</b><span style="color: red;"> Soul Nature was a bit of a
surprise. It’s about two hybrids (Kat and Miguel) in Las Vegas for friends’
wedding and end up getting hitched and bound themselves. Completely unexpected.
It’s one of my quick writes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b>6: What inspired the
story? </b><span style="color: red;">My second daughter was watching a movie
where this woman goes to Vegas for her bachelorette party and ends up married
to a man who wasn’t her fiancé. It just grew out from there. And very much fun!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b>7: Is this a series
or a stand alone novel?</b><span style="color: red;"> It is a part of a series. I
tend to create series, even without trying. </span><span style="color: red; font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b>8: What advice would
you give an author just starting out?</b><span style="color: red;"> Don’t stop
and be sure you have a tough skin. Because as sad as it is to admit, there are
many other writers/authors who will see you as a threat to their readership and
aren’t afraid to attack. Don’t lose hope and don’t give up. And always make
sure you’re writing for yourself, what you want to read. Don’t lose yourself to
gain an audience. </span><span style="color: red; font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b>9: How do you balance
writing with the demands of everyday life?</b><span style="color: red;"> Lots and
<i>lots</i> of Post-Its. Like seriously, I
have sticky notes <i>everywhere</i>! I am so
not even kidding. My stickies have stickies. It’s crazy. I swear they give
birth overnight when I shut the lights off. I wonder if that’s why I can’t stop
writing? Hmm, something to consider. </span><span style="color: red; font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span style="color: red;"> On a slightly more serious note, it’s not an easy thing. I
have five children (three of whom are out on their own), so pretty much what I
did was shift that unused time and energy to writing. Oh and I have a couple of
awesome young daughters who try their best to keep me on my toes. Memory wise.
And a husband who often mentions things. Like reminding me to eat. I tend to
forget that. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b>10: How much research
do you do for your writing?</b> <span style="color: red;">A lot. I’m always
looking into and reading everything I can get my hands on when an idea tackles
my imagination. Not all the time is it easy and sometimes take a LOT longer
than I originally planned. But readers, these days, know a LOT about
everything. You can’t fake your way through without knowing even just a tad bit
about what you’re writing about. With paranormal and fantasy, I have to admit
for the most part, I’m forgiven because it’s not a ‘reality,’ in essence, it’s
make believe. However, for my peace of mind, I want what I’ve created to tickle
their imagination with the possibility of it being REAL. </span><span style="color: red; font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b>11: If you met a
genie, what 3 things would you wish for? Why?</b><span style="color: red;"> First,
I’d want enough money to live well the rest of my life (not rich just enough I
don’t have to worry about the bills and other necessities in life); Second, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b>12: What is the one
thing about the writing world that most surprised you? </b><span style="color: red;">There are more writers/authors who are afraid you’re going to
take their readers from them. I thought that was something completely limited
to high school, but found it’s not. I’ve been lucky enough to find even more of
those who are willing to assist new writers/authors. </span><span style="color: red; font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b>13: What are you
currently working on?</b><span style="color: red;"> I am working on multiple
projects. A couple of which will release soon through MuseItUp, two new series;
Gods’ Stones and Divine Immortals. For the most part, I’m a workaholic. I
always have many different pieces going at the same time. Even a couple more
series in the works. And yes, before anyone asks, there are more Twin Flames
for that series. I’m kind of bouncing around at the moment. </span><span style="color: red; font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b>14: What do you like
to do when you aren’t writing?</b><span style="color: red;"> Read, listen to
music, make jewelry, veg out and watch movie marathons with the teens. Who
doesn’t still enjoy a good horror marathon? lol<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b>15: What is the one
thing you’d like people to know about you? </b><span style="color: red;">I’m a
perfectionist and workaholic <i>and</i> I
have OCD. Like seriously, I’ll hold onto a manuscript for<i>EVER</i> just because it isn’t perfect to me. I am working on that one.
</span><span style="color: red; font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span style="color: red;"> As for the workaholic…yeah,
doubt that’s going to change. It’s in my family’s blood. We work until we
literally die. I’ve lost family members because they weren’t supposed to be
working and were…but that’s another nasty tale better left for a book or two. </span><span style="color: red; font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span style="color: red;"> As for the OCD (or should I
say CDO? LOL) it’s a lot better than it used to be. No, I’m not a control
freak, I don’t have to be in control all the times. However, I found it gave my
mind some peace during bad times. I no longer panic when things are out of
order. I will however, grumble until someone puts it back the way I had it. Did
you know, the positive thing about OCD is you always know when your things have
been taken? Yep, that’s the positive side. </span><span style="color: red; font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u>5 Bonus Questions<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
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<b>16: What’s your
favorite color?</b><span style="color: red;"> Red. I’ve always LOVED red.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b>17: What’s your
favorite food?</b><span style="color: red;"> Pizza. You can eat at any time of
the say and it’s still good.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b>18: Favorite TV show?</b><span style="color: red;"> Way too many to name. I enjoy watching The Walking Dead with
the kids. It’s a family show. </span><span style="color: red; font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b>19: Favorite Movie?</b><span style="color: red;"> Again, way too many to name. The Star Wars movies, a share
with my son. </span><span style="color: red; font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b>20: Favorite Song?</b><span style="color: red;"> I love them all!! Put Def Leppard or Nickelback on and I’m a
happy camper. </span><span style="color: red; font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02676691132983882122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19207194.post-49103774097444747882014-07-09T04:30:00.000-04:002014-07-09T04:30:00.582-04:00Summer Bash<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Welcome to July. The bash is really heating up. I hope you all enjoyed the holiday. Now that its over, I have the very talented Helena Fairfax stopping by. Hi Helena and welcome to the party.</b></span><br />
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<b>1: How did you start
writing?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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I started imagining stories in my head
when I was bored commuting by train every day. The days when it was rainy and
cold were really bad – everyone all pressed up together, sneezing and coughing and
wet clothes steaming. It was too packed even to open a book, so in my head I
pictured stories set somewhere beautifully warm, like the south of France –
with a hot French hero! Took my mind off the journey, anyway!<b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>2: What is the one
thing you most enjoy about writing? Least enjoy?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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I love to write scenes full of high drama or emotion. It’s a
great feeling to create a world where two people meet and fall in love, and to
be able to steer that world so that those people get the happy ending they
deserve. And when a reader tells me how much they loved my story, that gives me
more pleasure than anything!<o:p></o:p></div>
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I least enjoy the times when I have a scene in my head that
I want to convey, but I can’t get the right words down for it, and I have to
keep writing and rewriting until it feels right. That’s very frustrating, and
often makes me lose confidence in myself.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>3: If you could go
back in time and talk to anyone, who would you speak to? Why?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Apart from the people I’ve loved who have died, I’d like to go
back to meet Charles Dickens. He wrote stories that people adored in his time,
and they couldn’t wait to read the next instalment. They were full of
fantastical characters, and he had a lot of compassion for the underdog and the
less well off in life. I’d like to meet him and discover what sort of man he
was.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>4: When you write do
you plot out the story or do you let your muse run wild?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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I used to let the muse run wild when I first started
writing, but that led to a lot of rewriting of drafts. Now I structure it more
in advance – but not too much, as I don’t like to feel hemmed in by an outline.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUp4m11c1m89MU4icGvfbb3mZx5Ja8H9cnNGceB72yrzF1VVt5P9qDlHxkW1jHY7_l3WXu9fZIf_TXczSmt2A2eOAGLC1pp8_ZGwQ7ktkb5Obk81QgfLGdlLhmC-dMbqngZehn-g/s1600/The+Antique+Love+333x500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUp4m11c1m89MU4icGvfbb3mZx5Ja8H9cnNGceB72yrzF1VVt5P9qDlHxkW1jHY7_l3WXu9fZIf_TXczSmt2A2eOAGLC1pp8_ZGwQ7ktkb5Obk81QgfLGdlLhmC-dMbqngZehn-g/s1600/The+Antique+Love+333x500.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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<b>5: Tell us a bit
about your book.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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The Antique Love is set in an antique shop in London. The
shop’s owner, Penny, takes on a project refurbishing an old Victorian house for
its American owner, Kurt. Kurt’s a logical man, who believes the head should
rule the heart – but when he meets Penny, he finds love isn’t quite as logical
as he thinks!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>6: What inspired the
story?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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I got the idea when I was feeling really ill, with a high
temperature, and was mindlessly watching the TV. A programme came on that was
all about travelling around antique shops in England, and I started thinking
how wonderful it would be to own such a shop – and then my imagination just
took off from there :)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_m5IMzwD3a461sTe7cxFwaPqdBEa1zsuyqd2Nv5kuCY_lo1KqQ89h49kIZQemhrANJcigqlsnEwpcSM31LYdBR-8a5A1R1_wpQiPPp0u8AtLS7hYhYLYh8UmnSvsDSTMEGQPDtg/s1600/Yorkshire+moors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_m5IMzwD3a461sTe7cxFwaPqdBEa1zsuyqd2Nv5kuCY_lo1KqQ89h49kIZQemhrANJcigqlsnEwpcSM31LYdBR-8a5A1R1_wpQiPPp0u8AtLS7hYhYLYh8UmnSvsDSTMEGQPDtg/s1600/Yorkshire+moors.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>7: Is this a series
or a stand alone novel?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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It’s a stand alone novel, but I might revisit it at some
time. The heroine has a great friend, Tehmeena, and I’d quite like to write her
story, too.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>8: What advice would
you give an author just starting out?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Don’t give up. Sit down to write, and get that book
finished, no matter how much of a slog it is. Don’t give up. When you’ve sent
off your manuscript, sit down to write the next book. Don’t give up. Read,
read, read. And did I say don’t give up? :)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>9: How do you balance
writing with the demands of everyday life?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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When I was working full time, I was always thinking of how
to advance my plot, even when I was at work. I would write everywhere – on the
train, waiting at a bus stop, whilst cooking tea. Now I’ve finished work, and
it’s easier to balance the time, but I have a very stressed rescue dog who
takes up a lot of my time. I write round her schedule!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>10: How much research
do you do for your writing?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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I research everything. Even though my romances are
contemporaries, there are always details that need checking. The Antique Love
is set near London’s Richmond Park, for example, and I did a lot of research
into the history of the park, and visited several times in order to incorporate
the setting.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGeLcrlJNyjsyJsOT2LafATnki6E2yyJqdxYSikcjbCl52uVR3mLhGcnWAX2OA-SuYzRs359IjvZZ3UcwbbS62adTCEPeFgt9NEHnOmDbUY1oaGKEVucUlCGDTZLPHDDI5KMgQKA/s1600/Richmond.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGeLcrlJNyjsyJsOT2LafATnki6E2yyJqdxYSikcjbCl52uVR3mLhGcnWAX2OA-SuYzRs359IjvZZ3UcwbbS62adTCEPeFgt9NEHnOmDbUY1oaGKEVucUlCGDTZLPHDDI5KMgQKA/s1600/Richmond.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>11: If you met a
genie, what 3 things would you wish for? Why?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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That’s a really good question. I’d wish for things on a
global scale: an end to world poverty; an end to mental health problems; that
every person in the world achieved the best he or she was capable of.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>12: What is the one
thing about the writing world that most surprised you?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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How supportive other romance authors are, and the great
friendships I’ve made.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>13: What are you
currently working on?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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I’m working on a novel set in a hotel in the picturesque
Lake District in northern England. The hotel owner has recently died, and his
son has returned to try and restore the hotel’s finances. The hotel is beset by
tragedy, and so the arrival of the heroine is like a breath of fresh air - but
she, too, has left family problems behind her. Will her optimism and the hero’s
strength of character be enough to keep them together? Or will the problems of
their past catch up with them?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>14: What do you like
to do when you aren’t writing?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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I live near the Yorkshire moors, which is a beautiful area,
and I walk there every day with my dog. I love to watch the wildlife and the
changing seasons. When I’m not out walking, or writing, and after the day’s
over, I like to sit in front of the TV with my knitting or a piece of tapestry.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>15: What is the one
thing you’d like people to know about you?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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That’s another difficult question! Maybe I’d like them to
know how much I like other people.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><u>5 Bonus Questions<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>16: What’s your
favorite color?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Green<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>17: What’s your
favorite food?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Christmas dinner (turkey and all the trimmings)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>18: Favorite TV show?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Frasier<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>19: Favorite Movie?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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High Society<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Here is the blurb to <i>The
Antique Love</i>:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>One rainy day in London, Wyoming man Kurt Bold walks into
an antique shop off the King’s Road, looking every inch the romantic hero. The shop’s owner, Penny Rosas, takes this
handsome stranger for a cowboy straight from the pages of a book… but Kurt soon brings Penny’s dreams to earth
with a thump. He’s no romantic
cowboy—his job is in the City, in the logical world of finance—and as far as
Kurt is concerned, love and romance are just for dreamers. Events in his childhood have scarred his
heart, showing him just how destructive passionate love can be. Now he’s looking for a wife, but wants a
marriage based on logic and rational decisions.
Penny is a firm believer in true love.
She’s not the sensible wife Kurt’s looking for. But when he hires Penny to help refurbish his
Victorian house near Richmond Park, it’s not long before he starts to realise
it’s not just his home she’s breathing new life into. The logical heart he has guarded so carefully
all these years is opening up to new emotions, in a most disturbing way…<b><o:p></o:p></b></i></div>
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<b><u>Buy links:<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
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<b>MuseItUp Publishing: </b><a href="https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore/index.php/now-available-in-ebook/the-antique-love-detail">https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore/index.php/now-available-in-ebook/the-antique-love-detail</a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b>Amazon US </b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Antique-Love-ebook/dp/B00EVI6HUE/"><b>http://www.amazon.com/The-Antique-Love-ebook/dp/B00EVI6HUE/</b></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b>Amazon UK <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Antique-Love-ebook/dp/B00EVI6HUE/">www.amazon.co.uk/The-Antique-Love-ebook/dp/B00EVI6HUE/</a><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>Barnes & Noble </b><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-antique-love-helena-fairfax/1116803364"><b>http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-antique-love-helena-fairfax/1116803364</b></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b>Kobo <a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-gb/books/the-antique-love-1/">http://store.kobobooks.com/en-gb/books/the-antique-love-1/</a><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>Apple iBooks </b><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id692391079"><b>https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id692391079</b></a><b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>Smashwords </b><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/367430"><b>https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/367430</b></a><b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b><u>Social links:<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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You can find Helena on her blog: <a href="http://www.helenafairfax.com/">www.helenafairfax.com</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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on Goodreads: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7082986.Helena_Fairfax">http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7082986.Helena_Fairfax</a> <o:p></o:p></div>
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on Facebook <a href="http://www.facebook.com/HelenaFairfax">www.facebook.com/HelenaFairfax</a>, or on Twitter <a href="http://www.twitter.com/HelenaFairfax">@helenafairfax</a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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Please get in touch – I love to meet new people!<o:p></o:p></div>
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*<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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<i>Thanks so much for
having me, Kat, and for your soul-searching questions! It’s been lovely meeting
you here!<o:p></o:p></i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02676691132983882122noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19207194.post-62818159025983085882014-07-02T08:29:00.000-04:002014-07-02T08:33:16.550-04:00Summer Bash!<span style="font-size: large;"><b>It's July and we are only two days away from barbecues and fireworks. And of course, the bash continues. This week my very dear friend N.J. Walters is stopping by. Thanks N.J. it is always such a thrill to have you.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<br />
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1: Your very first published book was Annabelle Lee. What
inspired the story?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Annabelle Lee actually came about because of an online
writing contest being hosted by a NY Times bestselling author. I saw the
contest online the day before the deadline and wrote and submitted one chapter.
Needless to say it didn’t get chosen, but I kept writing the story. When I
finished it, I submitted it to Ellora’s Cave. The rest, as they say, is history
and Annabelle Lee was published in October 2004. On another note, I just signed
my 50<sup>th</sup> contract with Ellora’s Cave. <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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2: What is the one thing you most enjoy about writing? Least
enjoy?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I love the creative process. Taking a blank page and turning
it into a complete story. I also love all the amazing people I’ve met online
since I started my writing journey.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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What I least enjoy? I’m technically challenged so that’s
been hard for me, especially since so much promotion is online now. I’ve
learned a lot but I can’t seem to keep up with technology. It changes so fast.
That does frustrate me at times.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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3: If you could go back in time and talk to anyone, who
would you speak to? Why?<o:p></o:p></div>
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That’s a tough one. I can think of several famous people I’d
love to sit down and talk with but I think I’d go back and talk with my father.
He died when I was only eighteen and I still miss him.<o:p></o:p></div>
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4: Recently you released Strands Of Love, the final book in
your Tapestry series. Tell us about the book.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikG2SntwekWwqTJDoqazE1gWr72HQ8rA4s6obMEam39UY2SeWoQmjqDfFcjiNThBOgABGXA-2zbjFoKkf8WiihXNm34lZU-95wQNU1RWc_GdzBwkQVphtLFdOcs5G4qhDYBiDUrg/s1600/strandsoflove_msr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikG2SntwekWwqTJDoqazE1gWr72HQ8rA4s6obMEam39UY2SeWoQmjqDfFcjiNThBOgABGXA-2zbjFoKkf8WiihXNm34lZU-95wQNU1RWc_GdzBwkQVphtLFdOcs5G4qhDYBiDUrg/s1600/strandsoflove_msr.jpg" height="320" width="194" /></a></div>
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Strands of Love is a bit different from the other Tapestries
book. This time the warriors actually travel to the heroine’s world. Usually,
it’s the other way around, the heroine travels to Javara. This time they both
get a glimpse of one another’s world. <o:p></o:p></div>
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BLURB:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Samantha
Calloway is desperately working to keep her farm from financial ruin. It’s the
only thing she has left from her deceased family and she’s determined to make
it a success at any cost.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Darian and
Jace Hunter live in a world where women are in short supply and brothers must
share. The magic tapestry has always brought a potential tapestry bride to
Javara, but this time it transports the two brothers to a strange land.<o:p></o:p></div>
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When
Samantha finds two strangers on her land she doesn’t believe their stories of
magic tapestries and other worlds. But when she suddenly finds herself in
Javara, she doesn’t know what to believe. And when the tapestry transports them
all back to her farm, Sam has a choice. <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a>She must decide
if she will be true to her family and their legacy or if she will abandon it
all for a chance at love.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
5: Strands Of Love was the conclusion to your popular
Tapestry series. How do you feel when you end a series after having written it
and been invested in it for so long?</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s hard to end any series but especially this one. There
was something special about the Tapestries books from the moment I wrote
Christina’s Tapestry. I’d originally planned it as a stand-alone book but that
didn’t last long. I fell in love with this world and the characters who
populate it.</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
I love each and every one of the Tapestries books, but I
felt as though it was time to finish the series. I didn’t want to keep writing
books for the sake of it. This series is too special and readers deserve the
best I can give them.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDvaH2mrA_8utaqFFmuDPzLd7PMq8zwFaSAg0hoepJMITEL5XT9bfMbkNksbIE9WjScLZ_D3MnTVWiS5mTMue1EtS8_n5blWtFu28wr5ZUB8YvLfgqHf94Yc7JGzPwsdPYNgsTMA/s1600/WolfAtTheDoor-R.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDvaH2mrA_8utaqFFmuDPzLd7PMq8zwFaSAg0hoepJMITEL5XT9bfMbkNksbIE9WjScLZ_D3MnTVWiS5mTMue1EtS8_n5blWtFu28wr5ZUB8YvLfgqHf94Yc7JGzPwsdPYNgsTMA/s1600/WolfAtTheDoor-R.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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6: When one door closes another begins. You have begun a
brand new series, The Salvation Pack series. What inspired the series?</div>
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I knew I wanted to write more werewolf stories but I didn’t
want it to take place in the same world that the Legacy books take place. I had
an image of five male werewolves, all tough, all potential alphas. What were
they doing together? Why weren’t they with a pack? These questions led me to
explore deeper into their world and write Wolf at the Door.</div>
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<br /></div>
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7: Book one is Wolf at the Door and just released from
Samhain Publishing. Tell us about it.</div>
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Wolf at the Door introduces readers to the five members of
the Salvation Pack. You’ll learn who they are and why they broke away from
their old pack and formed a new one. You’ll also meet Gwendolyn Jones who is
about to find out that that werewolves are more than just fantasy. They’re
very, very real.</div>
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BLURB:</div>
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<div class="Default">
<span lang="EN-CA">When Gwendolyn Jones inherits a Tennessee
cabin from a great aunt she never knew, she quits her job and follows her dream
to write full time. Meeting a stranger in a local cemetery isn’t a risk she
normally takes, but she needs the information on his flash drive for an article
she’s writing on werewolves. Later that night, when two honest-to-God
werewolves come knocking on her cabin door, they’re definitely <i>not </i>Photoshopped.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="Default">
<span lang="EN-CA">Jacque LaForge is on a mission to retrieve a
flash drive before it endangers his pack. He never thought he’d find a mate,
but the chemistry between him and Gwen is unmistakably off the charts. Now to
convince her he’s only trying to protect her from his vengeful former pack—led
by his own father.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="Default">
<span lang="EN-CA">Gwen’s first instinct to flee only gets her a
smashed car and a concussion. She wakes up in a dangerous new world she never
thought existed—and in the arms of the one man who stands between her and
certain death.</span></div>
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8: Wolf in her Bed is book two and will release later this
year. What can we expect from the 2<sup>nd</sup> installment of your Salvation
Pack werewolves?</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The second book picks up where the first one leaves off.
It’s only a short time later and the pack still has problems with former
enemies. That’s tough enough without adding a woman to the mix.</div>
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BLURB: </div>
<div style="vertical-align: top;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: white;"><b>Anny
Conrad is a single thirty-year-old librarian—a cliché complete with two cats.
Dragged out to a local bar, she’s rethinking her life plan over a few drinks
when a man walks up and asks her to dance. And what a man. Tall, rugged and
more than a little untamed. Before she knows it, she’s in his arms and throwing
caution to the wind. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div style="vertical-align: top;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: white;"><b>With a
pack war in full, deadly swing, the last thing Armand LaForge needs right now
is a woman in his life, much less a human. But one thing is certain, he’s met
his mate, the one woman in the world for him.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div style="vertical-align: top;">
<span lang="EN-CA"><b><span style="color: white;">The
kindest thing to do is give her all the hot sex she wants and then leave her
alone. But when the morning comes, fate isn’t done screwing with them. Anny is
confronted with the fact that the myths in her library books are real…and now
she’s one of them.</span></b><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
9: Mad Loving, book one the Hatter’s Club novella series
just released from Ellora’s Cave Publishing. What’s it about?</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mad Loving is a fun contemporary romance. I hadn’t written
one in a while and wanted to keep it light and sexy.</div>
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BLURB:</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Allison
Lewis finds herself in another world when she enters Hatter’s, a trendy <st1:state>New York</st1:state> nightclub. She’s a Midwestern girl
living in the big city and has recently been through a bad breakup. But
tonight, she wants to put all that behind her. And she’s found just the man to
tempt her to break out of her conservative mold—the sexy Nevar Hatter.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Running
Hatter’s takes up most of Nevar’s time. He never comes on to patrons, but he’s
more than willing to make an exception for Allison. Fiery passion leads to a
one-night stand. Nevar wants more but Allison is running scared. He pulls out
all the stops, including a private tea party of their own to entice Allison to trust
him with not only her body, but also her heart.<o:p></o:p></div>
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10: What made you decide to focus on the <st1:city>Alice</st1:city>
in Wonderland tale?</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
I saw a reference to the original book one day and it got me
to thinking, which is always a dangerous thing. It’s such a whimsical book. I
decided it was the perfect theme for a nightclub run by who other than Nevar
and Rabb (short for Rabbit) Hatter. *g* The rest flowed from there.</div>
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<br /></div>
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11: Wild Loving, the 2<sup>nd</sup> in the Hatter’s Club
series released May 23<sup>rd</sup>. Tell us about Rabb’s story.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rabb’s story is darker than the first one. I can’t seem to
help myself from taking the dark path.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
BLURB:</div>
<span lang="EN">Broke and homeless, Eliza Hart is
at the end of her rope. She’s spent the last year of her life trying to evade a
dangerous stalker. In desperation, she turns to the man she once loved, the man
who walked away from her without a backward glance—Rabb Hatter.</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 8.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN">Rabb is shocked when Eliza shows
up at Hatter’s—the club he co-owns with his brother—looking for a job. He’d
left her and hadn’t looked back when he’d thought she’d cheated on him with
another man. Now he discovers that not only did Jason Ware lie, but he’s been
stalking Eliza the whole time. The spark between them certainly hasn’t died,
and when Rabb learns she’s lost everything, he’s determined to protect her. But
first he must overcome the pain of their past and convince her she’s right to
trust him with her heart.</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 8.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
12: Will there be more in the Hatter’s Club?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yes, I am planning two more novellas/short novels for the
Hatter’s Club. I hope to write them later this year.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
13: What else are you working on?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m currently working on the fourth book in the Salvation
Pack series. This is Gator’s story. I’m also working on a new futuristic series
for Ellora’s Cave. More details as they become available.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
14: What do you like to do when you aren’t writing?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I love to read. No surprise there. I also love walking,
going to movies and haunting thrift stores and yard sales for treasures.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
15: What is the one thing you’d like people to know about
you?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m a very normal, stay-at-home kinda gal. I always said
that all I ever wanted was to be able to make a living from home and now I do!
I love writing and am very grateful to all my readers. Their support allows me
to keep writing books.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<u>5 Bonus Questions<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
16: What’s your favorite color? Purple<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
17: What’s your favorite food? That’s tough. How can I
choose only one. It’s a tossup between bread and cheese. Of course, there’s
always chocolate too.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
18: Favorite TV show? The Big Bang Theory<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
19: Favorite Movie? The Crow/Lord of the Rings<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
20: Favorite Song? Don’t really have one.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
N.J. has always been a voracious reader, and now she spends
her days writing novels of her own. Vampires, werewolves, dragons,
time-travelers, seductive handymen, and next-door neighbors with smoldering
good looks—all vie for her attention. It’s a tough life, but someone’s got to
live it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Visit me at:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Website: <a href="http://www.njwalters.com/">http://www.njwalters.com</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Blog: <a href="http://www.njwalters.blogspot.com/">http://www.njwalters.blogspot.com</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Newsletter Group: <a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/awakeningdesires/">http://groups.yahoo.com/group/awakeningdesires/</a>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Facebook Author Page: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/N.J.WaltersAuthor">https://www.facebook.com/N.J.WaltersAuthor</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/njwaltersauthor">https://twitter.com/njwaltersauthor</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">Goodreads: </span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/NJWalters">http://www.goodreads.com/NJWalters</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">Amazon: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/author/njwalters">http://www.amazon.com/author/njwalters</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02676691132983882122noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19207194.post-8210896454066208512014-06-25T04:30:00.000-04:002014-06-25T04:30:00.068-04:00Summer Bash!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL1nE-_8vm8X0fdMldZBKL-GqchKJDAs5ZJRP4fZR7-pKZikDitFTBaqlCVHueW2E7Ie1Oi_D5J_XUyhFcrPRWKlxp0ErVVJ77GHsaxLtQOHiF37m_1USB3mW9jOq3ML71BCYxWA/s1600/bash_2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL1nE-_8vm8X0fdMldZBKL-GqchKJDAs5ZJRP4fZR7-pKZikDitFTBaqlCVHueW2E7Ie1Oi_D5J_XUyhFcrPRWKlxp0ErVVJ77GHsaxLtQOHiF37m_1USB3mW9jOq3ML71BCYxWA/s1600/bash_2014.jpg" height="320" width="300" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Welcome back to the bash. This week my Mom and fellow author L.J. Holmes stops by to help heat up the party. Hi Mom. It is always a pleasure to have you. So what's up?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWGNSyV7B6YgEOXa7irApIGg13nFHiDaN7hXcXz471-eD-GBN7QcAkbPwiThbtEQ0SXWPvm1-3YxuX6KhYDqQYIkHEObwUSCL47tcSV5GMYjCTdZYjorHkTV2POxexJV7Sxi61AA/s1600/Moms+Ladybug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWGNSyV7B6YgEOXa7irApIGg13nFHiDaN7hXcXz471-eD-GBN7QcAkbPwiThbtEQ0SXWPvm1-3YxuX6KhYDqQYIkHEObwUSCL47tcSV5GMYjCTdZYjorHkTV2POxexJV7Sxi61AA/s1600/Moms+Ladybug.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
The Genesis of
Ladybug Lin</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Many of you know me as either multi published Muse It Up
Publishing Author, L.J. Holmes, but in the past two years I have also spread my
buggy feelers and became Book Reviewer Ladybug Lin.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There’s a reason why I chose to create the debut of my
reviewing books around the versatile, and cute as a bug, thanks to the many
talents of James Hartley morphing my L.J. face onto the Ladybug body I so often
use on the review site that is now THE <st1:stockticker>HOT</st1:stockticker>
SEAT REVIEWS site manned by me, still as Ladybug Lin, and my daughter Kitty
Kat.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have not hidden the dark reality of my violent
marriage…and that has made so many of you ask me…”How can you write about such
passionate, caring love?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And in answering that I will also be telling one and all about
the Beginnings of Ladybug Lin.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once upon a time, just like a fairy tale of old…I met a man
online and we clicked. Our conversations seemed to reach into the dark spots
left by my marriage and shine a light I never thought to experience on them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Trust, after you’ve been involved in a bad marriage like
mine, doesn’t come easy…I met my Blue Jay and even though we clicked, I was not
going to be swept off my feet easily. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
From the first time we met in a chat room, we spent hours,
days, weeks, months, and more getting to know each other…It’s much easier
putting aside all your fears when he’s half way across the country, and you do
not have to turn off the computer, crawl into bed and rise above the fears from
the past.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Maybe things would not have worked, had we lived closer and
not had…years…yep years to talk about everything under the sun while that
initial glow of finding the well inside your heart bloomed and finding a depth
of mental connection…a connection that grew with each passing sentence and idea.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Three years…that’s how look it took before my Blue Jay could
be in my part of the country when I’d reached the point of comfort in knowing
he meant more to me than anything remotely casual.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve written a book about that first night, that leads you
all up to that first face to face meeting…it’s called THIS TIME FOREVER and is
autobiographical, but the story ends before we climbed into the elevator and
rose to the fourth floor and the room I found the other half of my soul.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is not tell all…I’m not going to describe the power of
the kiss, the electricity of touch…I will say until that night I hadn’t
understood what being in love and even climaxing was all about. I never knew
you could get so lost in something and never want to surface…until then.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Alas, the genesis of Ladybug Lin. When we finally did
surface…mind you now, we were on the fourth floor of a Hilton Hotel. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When we opened our eyes, the room was awash with Ladybugs
everywhere the eye could see…It was magical…I can’t describe it any other way.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ladybugs from that moment on played a huge roll in our
relationship.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Three weeks later, a ladybug pendant arrived at the school I
was teaching at back then…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’d like to say everything fell into place after that, but
my first bout of cancer reared…Blue Jay suffered deeply. He couldn’t handle
being half way across the country with me battling chemo and radiation and
maybe die.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We broke up…I lived…Ladybugs happened often between us, but
cancer would return, and Blue Jay changed job, taking him geographically
further away.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My love for Blue Jay is ground in Forever, but the same
forever I write about in THIS TIME FOREVER.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That book describes that first meeting up till the moment we
both stepped onto the elevator and headed for the fourth floor of a Hilton
Hotel and the genesis of Ladybug Lin.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Don’t be sad for us…I know in the very deepest place in my
soul that Ladybug Lin and Blue Jay will have their THIS TIME FOREVER…it just
wasn’t this life span…BUT I’m crossing my fingers, toes, and eyeballs it’ll
finally be the next one.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I love you Blue Jay,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Always and Forever,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ladybug Lin</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
THIS TIME FOREVER, by me, L.J. Holmes, a short love story is
available via <a href="https://museithotpublishing.com/" target="_blank">Muse It Up Publishing</a>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I want to thank Kat for having me visit her Summer Bash and
share with you all why I collect Ladybugs to this day, and always will.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_3pr6XigTFGLz9xd2i_8XqPdDxsPLk_zKpp_gAiRBY4FWjM7LolL1apNHwkOtIAvi-PuvY7DL_JkCbJq-tbk2d3eZtGidS-ftdQBb4jVLS72FPV6MGVrG5fBD8UAGajTiCQZUAg/s1600/This+Time+Forever.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_3pr6XigTFGLz9xd2i_8XqPdDxsPLk_zKpp_gAiRBY4FWjM7LolL1apNHwkOtIAvi-PuvY7DL_JkCbJq-tbk2d3eZtGidS-ftdQBb4jVLS72FPV6MGVrG5fBD8UAGajTiCQZUAg/s1600/This+Time+Forever.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02676691132983882122noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19207194.post-89650958524187736672014-06-11T04:15:00.003-04:002014-06-11T04:15:56.454-04:00Summer Bash<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPa-DWfeeSDFgXcozE3fHoEw0iVmGQHXJ2mg56-ml3PcI_8UzMY0CiTR_Hz36Lg0XSvwX88goUJ8UIufyQhksg3vuXwVvn8mqfEjfdwckSlcEhoXHXyjLfpIa3w3l0ilBxDbJu1Q/s1600/bash_2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPa-DWfeeSDFgXcozE3fHoEw0iVmGQHXJ2mg56-ml3PcI_8UzMY0CiTR_Hz36Lg0XSvwX88goUJ8UIufyQhksg3vuXwVvn8mqfEjfdwckSlcEhoXHXyjLfpIa3w3l0ilBxDbJu1Q/s1600/bash_2014.jpg" height="320" width="300" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>And the bash continues. This week I have the very talented Stan Hampton Sr. Hi Stan and welcome to the party.:-)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRAJPZX9BwyVzrmokgi0_95trz5QJ1nLd2KKjWKz8I94MFjFfTD53iRYy5n2P6dONxjDvGB4zuJtl39x_PPTukDYGIn0iqSI_iRyvexe-N63HNIrGTxNDsud2mLv2618YB3_oLFg/s1600/Final_MG_0337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRAJPZX9BwyVzrmokgi0_95trz5QJ1nLd2KKjWKz8I94MFjFfTD53iRYy5n2P6dONxjDvGB4zuJtl39x_PPTukDYGIn0iqSI_iRyvexe-N63HNIrGTxNDsud2mLv2618YB3_oLFg/s1600/Final_MG_0337.jpg" height="196" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>1: How did you start
writing?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was about
15 years old and I wanted to tell stories. I was inspired by the many science
fiction and fantasy writers in the 1960s and 1970s, including Isaac Asimov, Arthur
C. Clarke, Frederick Pohl, and Robert A. Heinlein. Oh, and of course, Leon
Uris, Herman Wouk, Frederick Forsyth, James A. Michener, and Jean <span lang="EN">Lartéguy, among others</span>. And
including non-fiction writers Bernard B. Fall and Cornelius Ryan. Anyway, I
wasn’t published until 1992 and then not again until 2002. After that, the
writing credits started building each year.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>2: What is the one
thing you most enjoy about writing? Least enjoy?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After
necessary research, telling a story, a believable story, that hopefully people
will enjoy. Editing. I know that editing is a necessary evil, but I really
don’t enjoy it. It wasn’t until the past year that I wrote my first novel and a
sequel, and I am reminded of why I didn’t care to write novels to begin with.
Editing a novel is so much more time-consuming than editing a short story or
even a novella.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>3: If you could go
back in time and talk to anyone, who would you speak to? Why?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sappho, the
Classical Greek poet from the island of Lesbos. She is sometimes referred to as
the “10th muse” after the traditional nine muses who inspired artists and
writers. I would ask her to tell me of men and women of her time and her view
of relationships. I would ask her to share her poetry with me as, from what I
understand, her complete poems have not survived. Only fragments of her poetry
have survived.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>4: When you write do
you plot out the story or do you let your muse run wild?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I generally
write an outline, Beginning, Middle, and End. Then I add bullet points to
identify critical points followed by a dash (-) to identify elements of the
critical points. Of course, sometimes when I start writing everything goes out
the window as the characters take off on their own path.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyurO4dSmx1G9XQEsjXuMYufsSFgGzuFkYv6YaVv7N-PTB57Uxm4WH2AHlpCmVCUrshTT_YjlUdb2L8g5Up-IKG2A6b3Y_R4rlUgiTbaQ58zbi_D3TZjmVyeXbnQcwJ3TeDs6UOg/s1600/333x500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyurO4dSmx1G9XQEsjXuMYufsSFgGzuFkYv6YaVv7N-PTB57Uxm4WH2AHlpCmVCUrshTT_YjlUdb2L8g5Up-IKG2A6b3Y_R4rlUgiTbaQ58zbi_D3TZjmVyeXbnQcwJ3TeDs6UOg/s1600/333x500.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>5: Tell us a bit
about your book.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I believe
the tagline, with the blurb, gives a broad hint – Not everyone can choose to
live life to the fullest... Burt and Rachel Markham are ordinary small business
owners of a seed & feed store in a small Kansas farming and ranching
community. Many years before, as young university graduates eagerly anticipating
exciting overseas employment, a lifetime in Kansas was the furthest thing from
their minds, particularly Rachel who was raised overseas and dreamed of going
back. By July 2013 their twin 18-year old daughters, having graduated high
school several months before, go east to attend a university. Burt and Rachel
settle into their new life of an empty house and a predictable and unchanging
routine that threatens to stretch far into the future. One summer evening Burt
has an idea—but will Rachel accept the idea? If she does, will the idea add new
excitement to their marriage, or destroy it?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>6: What inspired the
story?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m not
sure what specifically triggered this other than a general interest in male and
female relationships, marriage, and the varied interests of people that make us
all different and unique. Another factor is that though I believe people read
fiction as a form of escapism, especially erotic romance, most contemporary
escapism presents situations or adventures far removed from the world of and experiences
of ordinary people. Perhaps that is part of the attraction of fiction escapism.
But then again, for the ordinary man and woman, why can’t escapism become
reality if they are willing to actually explore and experience regardless of an
“acceptable box” that society dictates? And, if there is one thing that usually
cannot be hidden forever and that can bring a person down (politicians) or add
to their image (movie stars), all of which really does fascinate people, it’s
sex.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>7: Is this a series
or a stand alone novel?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Originally
I wrote this as a stand-alone, but the characters would not let go. I began to
think of further situations that this very ordinary couple might find
themselves in, which real life people might be able to relate to. So now this
stand-alone is planned as a series (I haven’t told my publisher that, yet).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>8: What advice would
you give an author just starting out?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Don’t worry
about rushing into writing. As soon as you decide you want to write, start
developing a public relations and marketing plan. Read writer blogs to learn
from their experiences. Once you have a basic public relations and marketing
plan down, then start writing. After your work is accepted by a publisher, join
their author loop—a lot of information can be found there as well as
interaction with experienced authors—and ask questions and learn. Then you can
polish your public relations and marketing plan and go for it. Oh yes—develop a
thick skin. Not everyone will like what you write and there are even some “literary
gangs” out there that will try to take down a writer through terrible reviews and/or
personal attacks, for some reason or another.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>9: How do you balance
writing with the demands of everyday life?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In a very
real sense, real easy. I’m unemployed (I’ve had only two interviews in the
years of looking for a job) and I’m retired from the Nevada Army National
Guard. Basically there are no demands of everyday life other than paying the
very few bills I have. When I feel like it I can start writing at 6:00 AM or
noon or start at 9:00 PM—either way I can choose to write or edit for an hour
or six hours. Of course, after I enroll in a university I’ll have a new demand
on my time. But that’s about six months down the road.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>10: How much research
do you do for your writing?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It depends.
For example, if it’s military fiction, especially historical, then I have to
check historical details in order to seamlessly blend the story with the
historical record, when necessary. If it’s science fiction or fantasy, then a
lot of research. After all, the idea is to write a believable story. I forget
who said it, but “the devil is in the details.” Then again, when Gene
Roddenberry was creating <i>Star Trek</i>,
he insisted on technology and story believability, “the believability factor.”
If your aunt and uncle and the taxi driver won’t buy into the story, then
you’re in trouble.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>11: If you met a
genie, what 3 things would you wish for? Why?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
First,
money. Money pays the bills and money makes all things possible, whether to go
on a grand vacation, or buy all of the equipment needed to put together a
super-duper photo studio, or hire an attorney to go after a cum-sucking Arizona
used car dealer or cum-sucking Colorado county agency. Second, money. See the
reasons already mentioned. Third, I don’t know. Since money covers everything,
maybe I don’t need a third wish.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>12: What is the one
thing about the writing world that most surprised you?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The amount
of public relations and marketing that an author has to personally accomplish
with the hope of someday becoming financially successful. That, including the
learning curve, can be more detailed and time consuming than the actual writing
and editing of a novel.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>13: What are you
currently working on?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Editing the
sequel to <i>Sharing Rachel</i>, namely <i>Prairie Muse</i>. By the time this blog
appears, the editing of <i>Prairie Muse</i>
should be complete and to the publisher for their consideration (nothing is
guaranteed, even by your own publisher). After that, there’s a couple of
military supernatural stories I’d like to write, as well as start on the third
novel about Burt and Rachel Markham. Oh yes—writing aside, there is planning a
live and on-line book release party for <i>Sharing
Rachel</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>14: What do you like
to do when you aren’t writing?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Listen to
music, watch DVDs, watch a movie on Netflix, and sometimes meet friends for
dinner and a beer or two. Once in a great while, visit a casino and gamble a
maximum of $5.00 while having a couple of beers. I won’t gamble more than $5.00.
Las Vegas was built on the money of losers, you know.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>15: What is the one
thing you’d like people to know about you?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well, that
is: I may be just around the corner from 60 years old, but don’t talk to me
about being a senior citizen and how terrible cold winters are for the bones and
living in a senior apartment or maybe living in Florida or Texas or Arizona. I
don’t care for the desert heat (or humidity) nor am I ready to find a rocking
chair to sit on a porch watching life pass me by while I wait for death. Whether
I have 10 or 20 or 30 years left in this world, I intend to keep writing,
photographing, studying for a Bachelors and then a Masters degree, and learning
to paint and make real parchment, until the day I die. Oh, and before I die, I
also hope to buy a bit of land in the Rocky Mountains and build a home there (I
love snowy winters and a cedar wood fire in the fireplace).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>5 Bonus Questions<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>16: What’s your
favorite color?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Red, or
maybe blue or purple or black. I’m not sure, actually.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>17: What’s your
favorite food?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pizza with
extra cheese and sausage and onion and beer, or steak with French fries, cream
corn, Texas toast, and beer.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>18: Favorite TV show?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Definitely
“Frasier” though “WKRP in Cincinnati,” “Night Court,” “Star Trek” the original
series, “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,” and “Star Trek: Next Generation” run
close seconds.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>19: Favorite Movie?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Either
“Black Hawk Down” or “Lord of the Rings” trilogy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>20: Favorite Song?</b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I can’t say
because there are many songs I like, and each trigger a certain emotion and/or
memory.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">“Sharing Rachel.” <i>MuseItUp Publishing</i>, forthcoming 2014.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">TAG LINE: Not everyone can
choose to live life to the fullest...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">BLURB: Burt and Rachel
Markham are ordinary small business owners of a seed & feed store in a
small </span><st1:state><st1:place><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Kansas</span></st1:place></st1:state><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> farming and ranching community. Many years before, as
young university graduates eagerly anticipating exciting overseas employment, a
lifetime in </span><st1:state><st1:place><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Kansas</span></st1:place></st1:state><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> was the furthest thing from their minds, particularly
Rachel who was raised overseas and dreamed of going back. By July 2013 their
twin 18-year old daughters, having graduated high school several months before,
go east to attend a university. Burt and Rachel settle into their new life of
an empty house and a predictable and unchanging routine that threatens to
stretch far into the future. One summer evening Burt has an idea—but will
Rachel accept the idea? If she does, will the idea add new excitement to their
marriage or destroy it?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">EXCERPT: Life—the sum of many
parts gathered into a raw and uninhibited whole and unashamedly and
breathlessly lived to the fullest…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> One part trapped heat and humidity, a thick, heavy
embrace that fills the air and envelopes the flesh like a thing alive.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> One part pungent scents swirling through the air and
becoming a powerful, intoxicating aphrodisiac. Each provocative scent with its
own story. The hot musky scent of feminine wetness and the stronger scent of
masculine sex blended into its own particular smell. The individual smells of
feminine sweat and perfume mingled with masculine sweat and cologne. And all of
the resulting mixtures blended into a strong overpowering fragrance of
consuming lust and pleasure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> One part sound for sound gives unseen life and strength
to the spoken and unspoken. A female voice that moans “Ohhhh shit!” or screams
“OH MY GOD!” followed by lengthy, rising whimpers that end in pleasure-filled
shrieks needs no explanation; nor does feminine unintelligible babbling
answered by a deep chuckle when accompanied by the rapid, endless slapping of
wet flesh against wet flesh. In between the voices are long periods of silence
broken only by the whisper of classical music, the rustle of bed sheets, the creak
of bedsprings, and the sound of joined, intimate sticky wetness. Finally, deep
grunts followed by much satisfied long, drawn out sighs from the feminine and
masculine says it all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> One part sight for the visual binds the many parts
together; blue-hued shadows and pale highlights playing across writhing shadowy
forms, one smaller, curvaceous and feminine, the other bulkier and masculine,
pantomimes an unspoken story. The feminine raised on elbows, head hung back,
long hair brushing against damp bed sheets, a leg draped over the masculine
with trembling pointed foot and toes curled tight. The masculine, resting on
arms with hands placed on the bed, head lowered to a pale, blue-tinted breast,
while hips move with a rhythmic passion between spread legs. The shadows joined
together speak silently of lust, pleasure, domination, and submission.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> All of the sums gathered together and witnessed, for
without a witness there is no remembrance of a moment lived to the fullest.
Against the far wall of a bedroom loft, beside a glowing nightstand lamp, brown
eyes watched and took in every detail.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> Sometimes the feminine looked with dazed blue eyes at the
glazed brown eyes of the watcher seated in a large brown recliner.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> For a brief moment their eyes meet. For a brief moment,
without touching, the feminine and the watcher share the heavy humid heat of
the room, the incredible smells, and the sounds of endless pleasure from the
feminine and masculine joined together.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> And then the feminine returned to the private universe
within that would always be unseen by and unshared with anyone…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Stan
Hampton, Sr. is a full-blood Choctaw of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, a
divorced grandfather to 13 wonderful grandchildren, and a published
photographer and photojournalist. He retired on 1 July 2013 from the Army
National Guard with the rank of Sergeant First Class; he previously served in
the active duty Army (1974-1985), the Army Individual Ready Reserve (1985-1995)
(mobilized for the Persian Gulf War), and enlisted in the Nevada Army National
Guard in October 2004, after which he was mobilized for Federal active duty for
almost three years. Hampton is a veteran of Operations Noble Eagle (2004-2006)
and Iraqi Freedom (2006-2007) with deployment to northern Kuwait and several convoy
security missions into Iraq.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
His
writings have appeared as stand-alone stories and in anthologies from Dark Opus
Press, Edge Science Fiction & Fantasy, Melange Books, Musa Publishing,
MuseItUp Publishing, Ravenous Romance, and as stand-alone stories in Horror
Bound Magazine, The Harrow, and River Walk Journal, among others.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In May 2014
he graduated from the College of Southern Nevada with an Associate of Applied
Science Degree in Photography – Commercial Photography Emphasis. A future goal
is to study for a degree in archaeology—hopefully to someday work in and
photograph underwater archaeology (and also learning to paint).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After 13
years of brown desert in the Southwest and overseas, he misses the Rocky
Mountains, yellow aspens in the fall, running rivers, and a warm fireplace
during snowy winters.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As of April
2014, after being in a 2-year Veterans Administration program for Homeless
Veterans, Hampton is officially no longer a homeless Iraq War veteran, though
he is still struggling to get back on his feet.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hampton can
be found at:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Melange Books<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
http://www.melange-books.com/authors/sshampton/index.html<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Musa Publishing<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
http://www.musapublishing.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=50<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>MuseItUp Publishing<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore/index.php/museitup/mainstream/better-than-a-rabbit-s-foot-detail</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Ravenous Romance<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
http://www.ravenousromance.com/anthologies/back-door-lover.php</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
http://www.ravenousromance.com/anthologies/virgin-ass-first-times-tales-of-anal-sex.php<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Amazon.com Author
Page<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
http://www.amazon.com/SS-Hampton-Sr/e/B00BJ9EVKQ<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Amazon.com. UK Author
Page<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
http://www.amazon.co.uk/SS-Hampton-Sr/e/B00BJ9EVKQ<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Goodreads Author Page<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6888342.S_S_Hampton_Sr_<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02676691132983882122noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19207194.post-64288224517515437162014-06-04T04:30:00.000-04:002014-06-04T04:30:00.690-04:00Summer Bash<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYDdVY_dbGzIYaYBrC8I_3S_5SgQsygcJvdTwkYDgo67GO-Znk4EQNZk1_tWGyIcyisqNzYyyOFW3VAwXKpXUreh2arcxBeOwoweIsnZqEvkxQ8fm4DcfQBCqrZ5ixKZiCwpo7gA/s1600/bash_2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYDdVY_dbGzIYaYBrC8I_3S_5SgQsygcJvdTwkYDgo67GO-Znk4EQNZk1_tWGyIcyisqNzYyyOFW3VAwXKpXUreh2arcxBeOwoweIsnZqEvkxQ8fm4DcfQBCqrZ5ixKZiCwpo7gA/s1600/bash_2014.jpg" height="320" width="300" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Welcome to the start of this year's Summer Bash! I hope you all have plans for a fun, hot summer. I know I do and so do many of my friends.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Helping me kick off the bash is my good friend Cheryl B. Dale. Thanks for being here Cheryl.:-)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<u><b>2014 Summer Bash Questions<o:p></o:p></b></u></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<u><b><br /></b></u></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQFd4niXHrnO033AEE9KA-sB-8IL-69My4QMYmXWgqcupQkrl4gWr6c1Ufi6PA7KkgPjDnBxX_RFK-ZckQ0ke_hIitoNGKGd66vQyoaznuOlUUITRkX8aMZCICQ5xalNJgrNP52Q/s1600/for+Amazon+UK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQFd4niXHrnO033AEE9KA-sB-8IL-69My4QMYmXWgqcupQkrl4gWr6c1Ufi6PA7KkgPjDnBxX_RFK-ZckQ0ke_hIitoNGKGd66vQyoaznuOlUUITRkX8aMZCICQ5xalNJgrNP52Q/s1600/for+Amazon+UK.jpg" height="320" width="263" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<u><b><br /></b></u></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>1: How did you start
writing? <span style="color: #00b0f0;">When I was young, another kid knew I liked
to read and joked I ought to write a book. Someone gave me an old typewriter
when I was thirteen and I used it to write my first novel. Or novelette, I guess
it would be. It was a swashbuckling romance and pretty bad. People should be
grateful that some years later, after rereading it, I destroyed it!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>2: What is the one
thing you most enjoy about writing? <span style="color: #00b0f0;">Getting the
story put into the computer.</span> Least enjoy? <span style="color: #00b0f0;">Putting
the story into the computer.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>3: If you could go
back in time and talk to anyone, who would you speak to? <span style="color: #00b0f0;">George Washington.</span> Why?<span style="color: #00b0f0;">
Many wanted him to be king, but he refused to consider it. I don’t think he
gets enough credit for the molding of our country. Of course, looking at the
shape our country’s in now, maybe he wouldn’t <i>want </i>the credit!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>4: When you write do
you plot out the story or do you let your muse run wild? <span style="color: #00b0f0;">I usually see one or two scenes and then try to figure
out what’s going on. I do this in my head so when I actually start to write, I kind
of know where I’m going.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #00b0f0;">In LOSING DAVID, I envisioned the beginning where the
villain murders two boys, and another when the old lawyer interviews an actor
to pretend to be one of the dead boys, then another when the heroine realizes...
Well, I don’t want to give that part away. But the rest of the story got woven
around those scenes.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #00b0f0;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNWD3vTa-9wfRAIWkS1I2Fnt9CuAtY_NqoRGZ2rZ0bofHYJ-Sz5YcIA85Z2Aq03vdHYPtXMn6O6C3MqnuOrJAy7P-RDnzGorgrirs7iej-eff6YXIBTBkGX0hPJFs9SbPRi7qy_A/s1600/LD+cover+kindle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNWD3vTa-9wfRAIWkS1I2Fnt9CuAtY_NqoRGZ2rZ0bofHYJ-Sz5YcIA85Z2Aq03vdHYPtXMn6O6C3MqnuOrJAy7P-RDnzGorgrirs7iej-eff6YXIBTBkGX0hPJFs9SbPRi7qy_A/s1600/LD+cover+kindle.jpg" height="320" width="209" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #00b0f0;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>5: Tell us a bit
about your book. <span style="color: #00b0f0;">The setting is mostly on a barrier
island off the Georgia coast in 1963, an era when men tip hats and ladies wear
gloves; when white men rule, and women and blacks are second-class citizens; when
the sacrifices of World War II are memories that are fading in a new
prosperity; when the times are starting to change.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #00b0f0;">The story is a mystery with strong romantic elements: An
old attorney asks an actor to impersonate a boy who vanished at sea years
before. The lawyer says the boy, heir to a fortune, was murdered by a man now
about to inherit everything. He wants to flush out the killer.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #00b0f0;">The actor suspects the attorney is lying; there's a lot
of money at stake and the attorney is sole trustee of the estate. Still, he agrees
to act as bait. He never intends to fall for the only woman who can expose him.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #00b0f0;">When she realizes he's an imposter, he must persuade her
to keep quiet while he waits for the killer to strike. And hope he'll survive
to make it up to her.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>6: What inspired the
story? <span style="color: #00b0f0;">I’ve worked on it so long, I hardly
remember. We lived on a lake at the time I began it, and a boat explosion
killed the people in it. That may have given me the idea.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>7: Is this a series
or a stand alone novel? <span style="color: #00b0f0;">This one is stand alone.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>8: What advice would
you give an author just starting out? <span style="color: #00b0f0;">Keep honing
your craft. And develop a thick skin.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b>9: How do you balance
writing with the demands of everyday life? <span style="color: #00b0f0;">We live
a pretty low-key existence so it isn’t terribly hard.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>10: How much research
do you do for your writing? <span style="color: #00b0f0;">Whatever’s necessary.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="color: #00b0f0;">I call LOSING DAVID a vintage mystery because it takes
place in the early sixties, when keeping up appearances was more important than
fulfilling personal needs. I had to go back to a mindset that expected women to
marry and raise families while men ran things.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #00b0f0;">I enjoy history so sometimes I get caught up in my
research and keep reading! It’s fun but not productive. Maybe that’s why I’m
such a slow writer?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>11: If you met a
genie, what 3 things would you wish for? <span style="color: #00b0f0;">Health,
happiness, and love. </span>Why? <span style="color: #00b0f0;">Pretty obvious!
Really, I’m content with my life. There’s always something else we want, isn’t
there? But getting it doesn’t guarantee contentment.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b>12: What is the one
thing about the writing world that most surprised you? <span style="color: #00b0f0;">How
hard it is to publish a book. I finished my first as an adult (and yes, it was
bad; I hadn’t learned my craft) and thought I’d send it off to some publishers
and one would scoop it up. Funny, huh? But I persevered. Needless to say,
ebooks and self-publishing are a boon.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>13: What are you
currently working on? <span style="color: #00b0f0;">I just finished LOSING DAVID.
I’m thinking about a sequel to some light mysteries I’ve written (TAXED TO THE
MAX and OVERTAXED AND UNDERAPPRECIATED) and also have a couple of scenes laid
out for another vintage mystery.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>14: What do you like
to do when you aren’t writing? <span style="color: #00b0f0;">Glad you asked! I
have just started bridge classes. I hope to continue but they’re very
confusing. When my partner and I get through with classes, we’ll play at our
local bridge club. Maybe. If they’ll allow us in. I understand they take their
games very seriously. And we’re bad. Very bad.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #00b0f0;">It also takes a lot of time to keep the cats happy.
They’re quite demanding.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>15: What is the one
thing you’d like people to know about you? <span style="color: #00b0f0;">I’m shy
and I’m pretty sure I have facial ADD. I can see someone I know on the street
and not recognize them. I can also wave enthusiastically to someone on the
street and guess what? They’re total strangers! Makes me leery about going up
and saying hi to anyone.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>5 Bonus Questions<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>16: What’s your
favorite color? <span style="color: #00b0f0;">Green<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>17: What’s your
favorite food? <span style="color: #00b0f0;">Cheesecake.</span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>18: Favorite TV show?
<span style="color: #00b0f0;">Right now, it’s The Big Bang.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>19: Favorite Movie? <span style="color: #00b0f0;">Alfred Hitchcock’s <i>To
Catch a Thief</i> at the moment. But I think it’s because this last book,
LOSING DAVID, is set in that era. Over the years, I’ve had a lot of movies I
want to see over and over. It’s hard to name one favorite.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>20: Favorite Song? <span style="color: #00b0f0;">Too hard to answer. I have so many I love to listen to.
Oldies, classical, country, folk, soft pop and rock. I’ve put some of my
favorites on a Spotify playlist called <a href="http://open.spotify.com/user/126651947/playlist/6RkPn4L55HyjA1wNqxAVPr">Cheryl’s
Favorites</a>. (I also have a Spotify playlist called <a href="http://open.spotify.com/user/126651947/playlist/6ZHuKaWsmueuB9pNIlDyum">Losing
David</a> for the songs mentioned in the book.)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #00b0f0;"><a href="http://www.cherylbdale.com/">http://www.cherylbdale.com/</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #00b0f0;"><a href="http://cherylbdale.blogspot.com/">cherylbdale.blogspot.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #00b0f0;">cherylbdale@hotmail.com<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #00b0f0;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/CBDale.author?ref=hl">https://www.facebook.com/CBDale.author?ref=hl</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: red;">Amazon:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B007L4NVD6">http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B007L4NVD6</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: red;">Barnes and Noble:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/cheryl-dale">http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/cheryl-dale</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: red;">Smashwords:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=cheryl+b+dale">https://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=cheryl+b+dale</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: red;">Createspace:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.createspace.com/pub/simplesitesearch.search.do?sitesearch_query=Cheryl+B.+Dale&sitesearch_type=STORE">https://www.createspace.com/pub/simplesitesearch.search.do?sitesearch_query=Cheryl+B.+Dale&sitesearch_type=STORE</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: red;">Kobo:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/Search?Query=cheryl+b.+dale">http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/Search?Query=cheryl+b.+dale</a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02676691132983882122noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19207194.post-1148864722139371252014-03-10T02:18:00.000-04:002014-03-10T02:18:38.884-04:00Slow startWell, we are into March and I haven't written a darn thing. This year has started very slowly. I am hoping though to get back to work by month's end. Hopefully, my health, which hasn't been great so far will finally allow me to work. I have five stories planned so far to write this year. I am currently working on, slowly, the sequel to Seeker. Afterwards I plan on writing the next God's at Work, Tales of Fairyland, and Artica Lights. Plus, I have an idea for a brand new story. I am keeping my fingers crossed. I miss writing.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02676691132983882122noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19207194.post-42607760255443951492014-02-05T12:47:00.000-05:002014-02-05T12:47:08.603-05:00A Month Of Heroes<strong><span style="font-size: large;">It's February and the Olympics begin tomorrow. The Olympics are two weeks of athletic prowess and amazing stories of sacrifice and triumph over impossible odds. It's two weeks of athletic heroes.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">So, I've decided to put up my list of heroes and why they are heroes to me. These people are the most important people to me. I hope you enjoy my list of heroes. May we all remember the important people who've impacted our lives.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">1: Linda Holmes. This is my mother and she is the absolute number one hero in my world. Some of you know our history, many of you don't. My mom survived a very abusive man, my father and got me away from him at a time when child and spousal abuse was still considered acceptable. She had no help, her family even turned on her. But, though she was very young herself at the time, she undertook a very dangerous undercover mission with the ATF to get my father's power from him. She is a true hero and I love her more than I can ever express.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">2: N.J. Walters. This woman's stories are what first drew me to her. I first read her work, a book called Christina's Tapestry when I was sick with a very bad flu and reading it took me away from how bad I felt. Since then I've gotten to know the woman as a friend and she amazes me. No matter what is going on in her life she always manages to find a way to laugh and smile through. And every time I am really down, she does something to surprise me and cheer me up. I can never sing this woman's praises enough.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">3: Kevin Hopson. I have to include his wife as well. These two people suffered the worse disaster that anyone could go through, the loss of a child. Thank heavens their son Skyler, a little angel was born healthy and whole. Given what they've been through it amazes me that they feel Mom & I are heroes for surviving what my father did. But I know they are true heroes.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">4: Lea Schizas. This is my publisher and she's the sweetest, most giving person I know. She went through a very rough ride a couple years ago when she was first starting up Muse. And right now she's dealing with her MIL who is very sick and failing fast. Yet, through it all she still manages to laugh and make all of us at Muse feel special.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">5: Suzi Safi. This woman blows me away with her giving nature. She's the head of the CA department at Muse and is amazingly talented. But what gets me most is her dedication to animals. She is constantly rescuing stray cats and paying for their medical out of her own pocket. This woman and her husband are true heroes to one such as me who adores cats.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">6: Leona Pence. This lady has become a true friend. She's a fellow author at Muse and like me knows what it's like to be severely disabled. Writing has become a way for both of us to express ourselves when we couldn't otherwise do so. She has also done me an amazing favor that I can never fully repay without my asking. I love you Leona. Thank you for being the special lady you are.</span></strong>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02676691132983882122noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19207194.post-5030635397494695582014-01-30T04:00:00.000-05:002014-01-30T04:00:05.465-05:0038 and still here<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Yep you read that right. I am 38 today. It's my birthday. I had hoped my birthday gift would be the removal of my tooth but as most of you know insurance issues have cropped up. Oh well.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg97p3LUv-rPMCgyonSsrEBF5MWBIhUseQuVkY-pQ8mTCPi6moYUK76mtgidzKwdFY-cHLA1tNdxuGWGXn3muNuhaCneK9dC_GJVSI295JCwzgVF6BBCQ0mYWwLsVoMeozeJuD3UQ/s1600/birthday_cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg97p3LUv-rPMCgyonSsrEBF5MWBIhUseQuVkY-pQ8mTCPi6moYUK76mtgidzKwdFY-cHLA1tNdxuGWGXn3muNuhaCneK9dC_GJVSI295JCwzgVF6BBCQ0mYWwLsVoMeozeJuD3UQ/s1600/birthday_cake.jpg" height="320" width="243" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>I still have my Mom, my two precious kitties and all my dear friends, along with my writing. Speaking of writing, though it is my birthday I want to send a huge shout out to one of the most special people I know, <span style="color: purple;">N.J. Walters</span>. She's an amazing author, but she is even more importantly a dear friend.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>She gave me the kick in the pants I needed to try submitting my work and is totally the reason I have been published. It was her encouragement that gave me the courage to try. And every time something happens to bring me down she's right there picking up. So, Happy Birthday to me, but Brightest Blessings to N.J.:-)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>And I can't conclude this post, talking about N.J. and not provide the link to her website. Her books really are stellar. So click <a href="http://njwalters.com/" target="_blank">here</a> to check her out. Love you N.J.:-)</b></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02676691132983882122noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19207194.post-4494881264271791502014-01-26T00:01:00.003-05:002014-01-26T00:01:48.994-05:00Two Awards!<strong><span style="font-size: large;">I am thrilled to announce I won two top ten awards in this year's P&E reader's poll awards. First up in the thriller section, Seeker took 6th place.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg762XyR8I_d-lR-391_-z0RU27707AhXAEmp0iA7Nn0BHgR90pIwKENIgobzcYt9KLWOj8DnHQzyN8MBr2xj7ECawEQDuDt3k36FqIDxGs6HsBEzYoWfDIZxxoWinLpTWJZqHHrQ/s1600/seeker-small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg762XyR8I_d-lR-391_-z0RU27707AhXAEmp0iA7Nn0BHgR90pIwKENIgobzcYt9KLWOj8DnHQzyN8MBr2xj7ECawEQDuDt3k36FqIDxGs6HsBEzYoWfDIZxxoWinLpTWJZqHHrQ/s1600/seeker-small.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaSC4BG5FOu28ZiAieg5rG8g7-j0izjyw1zJD46eAd9SGlhokIPJ86j-yLnRjkDVMs0KiokgQ-iOe-xdPQMAPta-_cS3n2HI03hIUB3QBpLsv15e3ncOniOd5CHMvlkNR2o912ug/s1600/top10novelthrill-seeker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaSC4BG5FOu28ZiAieg5rG8g7-j0izjyw1zJD46eAd9SGlhokIPJ86j-yLnRjkDVMs0KiokgQ-iOe-xdPQMAPta-_cS3n2HI03hIUB3QBpLsv15e3ncOniOd5CHMvlkNR2o912ug/s1600/top10novelthrill-seeker.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">And next, in the shorts section, all other stories, Love Potion #9.5 took 7th. I am so thrilled.:-)</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></strong>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6M7mudzu2t7_NVZ8eNoQzyy7U-9A6OIAIW7Uj0kYQiajtNe_-hkRhNkjTNGo_bmAAs-kv7dFPCbhvWJsE5QoX7eOX4rF58u-VWFgeHY6dBAmwd8t38tNanR_zWveykhwhm1FtUw/s1600/LovePotion_200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6M7mudzu2t7_NVZ8eNoQzyy7U-9A6OIAIW7Uj0kYQiajtNe_-hkRhNkjTNGo_bmAAs-kv7dFPCbhvWJsE5QoX7eOX4rF58u-VWFgeHY6dBAmwd8t38tNanR_zWveykhwhm1FtUw/s1600/LovePotion_200.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv9uDjEUY4Pl9ry7Ls3X6YCaaoexe97gIvG3RF6RY8O1eI8nd6fUAnucRMKVSDtzzlncL-m_dExv94DVEicElorSSqPOVbKf7z8gnO7Pf-P3gM31IidZiujvy532wknRSs2W6iTg/s1600/top10shortstory-9.5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv9uDjEUY4Pl9ry7Ls3X6YCaaoexe97gIvG3RF6RY8O1eI8nd6fUAnucRMKVSDtzzlncL-m_dExv94DVEicElorSSqPOVbKf7z8gnO7Pf-P3gM31IidZiujvy532wknRSs2W6iTg/s1600/top10shortstory-9.5.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02676691132983882122noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19207194.post-57148768551270086212014-01-23T20:01:00.003-05:002014-01-23T20:01:36.804-05:00Redesigned Cover!<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Suzi Safi has redesigned the cover for Crimson Waters, book 4 of my Gods At Work series and it is amazing. This is Poseidon's story and one of my absolute favorites of the series. I love this new cover. What do you think?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVdJCfqr5VsWQuh5Ev-ikAleppiq8Q_uLvXdsI7HLpjJotiG1nIY3NnKfuw7CtiSy8XjZovGo3DexfaEq0224JNYl85K5aq3o4a1bXsWlUs1ZzIbG_BpzH2aLFT-yK_LehfowV5g/s1600/Crimson+Waters-large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVdJCfqr5VsWQuh5Ev-ikAleppiq8Q_uLvXdsI7HLpjJotiG1nIY3NnKfuw7CtiSy8XjZovGo3DexfaEq0224JNYl85K5aq3o4a1bXsWlUs1ZzIbG_BpzH2aLFT-yK_LehfowV5g/s1600/Crimson+Waters-large.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02676691132983882122noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19207194.post-62918143427123130002014-01-22T19:10:00.000-05:002014-01-22T19:10:21.076-05:00New Year - New Look<strong><span style="font-size: large;">To celebrate my new banner designed by my dear friend and very talented artist Suzi Safi I have redesigned the look of my blog. What do you think?</span></strong>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02676691132983882122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19207194.post-70037372576342307822013-12-25T04:00:00.000-05:002013-12-25T04:00:04.560-05:00Merry Christmas!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfqysO5tMZJXgBJfhI34RNzzBXsN3PY-ESSKzLKsWBo62P7CAZUQO7pXmLj75ENB211_pmEMjaZarBpE7Fa-g0YWquU4HKlgv2Ib_UBYvo1p12PGMY8111ImMUEzCl2ls3QmO9Rw/s1600/Merry-Christmas-Text-Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfqysO5tMZJXgBJfhI34RNzzBXsN3PY-ESSKzLKsWBo62P7CAZUQO7pXmLj75ENB211_pmEMjaZarBpE7Fa-g0YWquU4HKlgv2Ib_UBYvo1p12PGMY8111ImMUEzCl2ls3QmO9Rw/s320/Merry-Christmas-Text-Image.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas. May your holiday be filled with joy, family, and tons of great food. Happy Holidays!</b></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02676691132983882122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19207194.post-73637907856246199022013-11-22T09:46:00.001-05:002013-11-22T09:46:20.383-05:00Cover Reveal!<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Oh my god! This is my first ever cover done by Lex Valentine and I am so over the moon. Love Potion #9.5, coming December 27th from Muse It Up Publishing now has an awesome cover. What do you think?</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02676691132983882122noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19207194.post-83510304018978541872013-11-16T16:06:00.002-05:002013-11-16T16:06:52.309-05:00Scare Of A Lifetime<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Yesterday was the day from hell. I got a major scare that almost brought me and my mom to our knees. Let me explain. Yesterday my mom was scheduled for her first post-op check-up with the doctor after her spinal surgery.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">At the same time I was scheduled to go to Urgent Care because my foot and the entire leg up to the knee has been swelling. Our appointments were at the same time, but I was due to get home before her. We both use handicapped transpo. I was due home at 11 am.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Now, of all the things they could have said what was wrong with my foot, the one thing they came up with hand NEVER crossed my mind. I had surgery on my left ankle back in 2001 and it never healed right so I figured it was something to do with that. Nope.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">The doctor came back, pressed on my leg and made me yelp in pain, then said it could be one of two things. Either it was a really bad sprain, or I had a blood clot in my leg. I heard blood clot and my brain shut down. Panic set in.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Instead of my going home, they called my bus and arranged for it to take me to the hospital so my leg could be checked out with an ultrasound. They call it a Venus Study. I now knew I wouldn't be home before my mom. And I'd forgotten my damn cell so I couldn't call her and explain what was happening.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">So there I am at the hospital, sent up to the 3rd floor, the cardiovascular section, sitting in the waiting room trying desperately not to cry. I get called back, have the test, but no results. I call a cab to come get me and take me home knowing full well when the results came in I'd be returning to the hospital if it was a clot.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">I didn't get home until 2:45 in the afternoon. Mom was home and in a panic because I wasn't. When she saw me pull up in a cab she knew something was really wrong. Then I told her. We didn't get the call with the results until nearly 7 pm. Both of us spent all the time simply praying.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Good news is, I don't have a blood clot. It's a bad sprain. But I never ever want to go through a day like yesterday again. Neither of us do.</span></strong>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02676691132983882122noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19207194.post-68075490803038872652013-09-22T04:00:00.000-04:002013-09-22T04:00:06.229-04:00Penny Estelle Is Back!<span style="font-size: large;"><b>My dear friend and fellow author Penny Estelle is back with her exciting middle grade time travel series. Bumped Back In Time, part of her Wickware Saga, is the fourth book and will release from Muse It Up Publishing September 27th. Here's Penny to tell us a bit about her newest book!</b></span><br />
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Good morning, Kat, and let me say how much I appreciate you
letting me barge onto your blog today to talk about Bumped Back In Time.</div>
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Miss Wickware is a 7/8th grade history teacher at <st1:place><st1:placename>Langdon</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype>Middle School</st1:placetype></st1:place> whom, some say, can
make unexplainable, weird, magical things happen. Rumor has it that certain students have
actually experienced time travel, finding themselves, nose to nose, with the
subject they had drawn from a box during class.
They were expected to do research on said subject and then present an
oral report. There is no proof but there
are stories of William Tell, Sybil Ludington, and Molly Pitcher, being a few of
the historical heroes that have been involved in this, so-called, time travel.</div>
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Sammy Brown, winner of the first junior sailing regatta for
kids, ages twelve to fourteen, is about to become a member of the above, elite
group. When she ends up in the
nineteenth century, it's her expertise with a sailboat that enables her and one
of the most famous poets in American history, to rescue a Doctor being held
prisoner, and lands her square in the middle of a famous American battle.</div>
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Bumped Back In Time is Book 4 in the Wickware Sagas and is
to be released on September 27. If you
preorder, there is a 20% discount. You
can check out all four books of the Wickware Sagas at: </div>
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<a href="https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=146&Itemid=82">https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=146&Itemid=82</a></div>
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Excerpt from Bumbped Back In Time</div>
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A full moon lit up
the bedroom. Sammy lay on the feather
mattress in the dark, staring at the ceiling.
The window was wide open, a breeze stirring the curtains, though it did
nothing to take away the mugginess of the night air. The nightgown Sarah had given Sammy was
drenched with sweat and it stuck to her like a second skin. </div>
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She got up and
walked to the balcony. Dr. Beanes had
been right about his wife. Sarah had sat
Sammy down and got her a bowl of left over wild turkey and boiled sweet
potatoes, which she inhaled.</div>
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The older woman
tisked her tongue and her head shook in sympathy, distressed at the poor girl’s
story. “Your mother must be worried
beyond belief,” Sarah said.</div>
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“Oh, I’m sure
she’s freaking out all over the place,” Sammy snorted. “And like she’ll ever buy this story!”</div>
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“I don’t
understand. You write stories to sell to
your freakish mother?”</div>
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Sammy had to
chuckle at that one. “No. She’s just
going to kill me.”</div>
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Outraged, the
woman came to her feet. “She will do no
such thing. William will make sure that
you are safe!”</div>
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Staring into the
night, Sammy smiled at the memory. She
had assured Sarah it was only a saying, but the woman did not seem convinced.</div>
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The sound of
horses, riding up to the Beane home, brought Sammy out of her reverie. At least ten men, all in red coats, jumped
off their horses and headed toward the house.
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A serving girl
tapped on Sammy’s door before opening it.
“Please ma’am, Mistress Beane would like you to come to her room,
quickly.” She turned to lead the way
without waiting for a reply, Sammy, hurrying to catch up.</div>
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The scene that
greeted Sammy when the bedroom opened had the hairs on the back of her neck,
not only standing straight out at attention, but screaming <i>“run…hide…wake
up!” </i>Goose bumps broke out on her
sweaty body.</div>
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Dr. Beane was
sitting on a chair putting on his shoes while Sarah was wringing her hands and
pale as the snow-white nightgown she was wearing.</div>
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Before Sammy could
utter a word a BANG BANG BANG came from the door downstairs and that’s when all
hell broke loose!</div>
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Thanks to all who took the time to stop by today. I would like to offer one of the first three
books of the Wickware Sagas to one commenter.
Billy Cooper’s Awesome Nightmare, Ride of a Lifetime, or Flash to the
Past, in whichever format you would prefer.</div>
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More about myself and my books can be found at:</div>
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<a href="http://www.pennystales.com/">www.pennystales.com</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.pennyestelle.blogspot.com/">www.pennyestelle.blogspot.com</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Penny-Estelle/e/B006S62XBY">http://www.amazon.com/Penny-Estelle/e/B006S62XBY</a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>I have read the first three in this series and it is sensational. It also gives us a unique view of historical events. Bumped Back In Time releases September 27th but is available right now for pre-order so get your copy. It's the perfect time for this as it is back to school month!</b></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02676691132983882122noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19207194.post-26306306745998501022013-09-18T12:05:00.001-04:002013-09-18T12:05:32.408-04:00Cover Reveal<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Woohoo! I have been waiting to be able to reveal this cover. The extremely talented Suzi Safi designed this cover and it ROCKS! Seeker, book 2 in my Hekate's Web series will be releasing from Muse It Up Publishing in November. Here's the stunning cover.</span></strong><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02676691132983882122noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19207194.post-91048057322496685622013-09-18T04:00:00.000-04:002013-09-18T04:00:02.511-04:00Summer Bash: BONUS<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Bet you all thought the summer bash was over.:-) Well I have a single bonus for you. As the final gasp of summer hits, my dear friend Kay Dee Royal has stopped by to help us all say goodbye to it. Hi Kay Dee. Glad to have you.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Hi everyone;) Hello Kat, <i>*hugs*</i>
thank you so much for having me today and allowing me to vent a little about
one of my story-stars in <b><i>Savage Smoke</i></b>. Well, he was also in <b><i>Staring
Into the Eyes of Chance</i></b> as that is book 1 in my Lycan International
Investigation Series.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Smoke is a culprit, the villain, the notorious, dangerous rogue of all
rogues. A fall off a cliff left him with an open sunken cheek (shows a few of
his teeth) and a milky blind eye. It definitely gives the impression he’s a
bad-ass, even though on the short side in stature (runt of the litter), his
wild appearance and muscularly buff bod keeps larger opponents at bay.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He comes from a paranormal dysfunctional family…or so it is to him.
Smoke isn’t his real name, but it works for him since his brother, Chance, the
Alpha leader of the LIIA headquarters in </span><st1:place><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Upper Michigan</span></st1:place><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">, constantly tracks
him and his rogue pack.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Smoke plans a major take-over. He’s had his fill of the Elders
creating rules and over-seeing who lives and who dies. It’s time for a new
league of justice or injustice…and he’ll do anything to get what he wants. Even
if it means kidnapping, impregnating, slaughtering, drugging, or anything else
required in making it happen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I had him dead to rights…seriously, dying in book 2 (Savage Smoke). I
played hell writing the last chapters because his lights were out for good…but,
he kept kicking and yelling, insisting he should get the chance of redemption,
AND he demanded something else, too. Something he never had before…and it was
his due to claim it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Well, after much deliberation and rewrites…and suckin’ it up–he lives.
Got his dang wish come true, too…but you’ll have to read it to find out what
that part of the equation is</span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> <i>*Big deep sigh* </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Yes, so Smoke lives on for book 3, <b><i>Smoke ‘n Bliss</i></b>. Do you
think it’s possible for the worst of the worst to redeem himself?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Savage
Smoke</span></i></b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> – Book 2 <i>Lycan International
Investigation Agency Series<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Genre:</span></b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Erotic
Paranormal Romance<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sizzling HOT! Warning:</span></b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> Lots of
two-somes, three-somes, even more-somes, like it stimulating, arousing, and
positively natural…or supernatural.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Tagline:</span></b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Will Trevor rescue Lindsey in time to save her from
shifting into Smoke’s pack, and will she even want saved?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Blurb: <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Chance and his LIIA pack of agents search for rogue Lycan
mastermind, Smoke, kidnapper of Lindsey and fifteen other human women he plans
to use for procreating his own army.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Trevor, Chance’s right-hand Lycan, wants his mate back,
but believes she’s fallen for her captor. Lindsey loves Trevor but believes
he’s given up on her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Will Trevor come around in time to rescue Lindsey and
save her from shifting into Smoke’s pack, and will she even want back with
Trevor after spending so long apart?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Savage-Smoke-LIIA-International-ebook/dp/B00DIGGBYW/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1371825037&sr=8-6&keywords=Savage+smoke">Amazon</a>;
<a href="http://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=739&category_id=8&keyword=savage+smoke&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1">Muse
It Up Publishing Store</a> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Staring
Into the Eyes of Chance</span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">– Book 1<b> </b><i>Lycan
International Investigation Agency Series<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Genre:</span></b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Erotic
Paranormal Romance<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sizzling HOT! Warning: </span></b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Wild and
lust-filled love scenes, extra stimulating, arousing, and positively natural…or
supernatural.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Tagline:</span></b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Olivia swears off
men until she meets Chance, a Lycan alpha. He ignites an undeniable hunger they
can only sate together.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Blurb: <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Olivia endures a thirty-four year passionless marriage, discovering
her dead husband’s philandering history at his funeral. She devotes her energy
and life-long sensitivity with animals to her wildlife refuge and preserve.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Chance, a Lycan alpha and leader of the Lycan International Investigation
Agency (LIIA) throws himself into his investigations. He chooses to neglect his
duty of finding a primal-mate after watching his father become an empty shell
over the loss of his.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A murderous rogue pack draws Chance onto Olivia’s wildlife preserve, sending
Olivia’s animal sensitivities into overdrive. Chance and Olivia discover a
sizzling force driving them together.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Will they succumb to its enticing tether, or fight to resume their
loveless lives apart?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Staring-Chance-International-Investigation-ebook/dp/B007G4HDKS/">Amazon</a>;
<a href="http://goo.gl/zr4CA">Muse It Up Publishing Store</a> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Kay Dee Royal
Bio:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Kay Dee Royal writes paranormal, fantasy, and contemporary erotic
romance—maybe because it's also her favorite genres to read! She pens tales
with wild, rugged heroes and strong, intelligent heroines. She'll give them
both a few shadowy secrets, making her stories intriguing and fun. She
resides in </span><st1:place><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Southern Michigan</span></st1:place><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> with her family
(her dog, her cats, her caged husband... you get the idea). You can find the
latest on her titles from her publisher, <a href="http://museithotpublishing.com/" title="http://museithotpublishing.com/"><span style="color: #0000ea;">MuseItHot</span></a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Links: <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://kaydeeroyal.wix.com/kaydeeroyal">Website</a>; <a href="http://www.facebook.com/kaydee.royal">FB</a>; <a href="http://twitter.com/KayDeeRoyal">Twitter</a>; <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5227617-kay-dee-royal">GoodReads</a>; <a href="http://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=739&category_id=8&keyword=savage+smoke&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1">Muse
It Up Publishing</a>; <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kay-Dee-Royal/e/B004T8WGEW/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1373435462&sr=8-1-fkmr0">Amazon
Author Page</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Blogs: <a href="http://www.kaydeeroyal.blogspot.com/">http://www.kaydeeroyal.blogspot.com</a>;
<a href="http://ravencraftrealm.blogspot.com/">http://ravencraftrealm.blogspot.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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